~我的幸福如此悦耳~

At Sophia's

2011-05-11T13:37:00.007+08:00

It has been a long time since I blogged. So many things happened in this last 4 months. I started work in the first week of Jan 2011, planning on our wedding and also of coz, the GE which was held on 7th May.

I shall dedicate this post on our wedding preparations. Lets see. We finally secured our photographer for the customary and ROM and we went for our first gown fitting at Sophia in April! It was really fun fitting gowns and also seeing other brides fit the gorgeous gowns. As there is limitations on the type of gowns I can select, it was still an fun experience of a lifetime.

For months, I have been scouting on magazines on the type of halter that suits me. Found some samples and one of them is designed by Sarah Burton (Kate Middleton's designer). So the ideal dress I am planning to find will be of a similar design as these as I have a long skinny neck and chest scars which I need to hide.

The WG I chose was the first gown I fit. Sometimes, you do not need to look very far for the best things in life! It was also pretty straightforward for the outdoor gown, as there were only two gowns which has a halter neck design. We were not allowed to take any photos but we managed to squeeze in some.

As for the EG, it was really tough. Most of them are bustier, i.e. tube gowns which I could not wear. Hence there is no choice but to tailor make for a semi halter dress for the EG. Just cant wait for the first fitting of the EG in May, and hope that by then there will be more choices available for my ROM and tea ceremony dress.

I think Desmond looks great in the beige and black suits. But we chose a grey and back suits ultimately due to practical reasons, he can keep the grey suit for future work and casual use.

So the widely anticipated gown fitting ended within 4 hours, which is by all means, fast. Though disappointed that I did not get to use the gorgeous bustier dresses, I was really glad that I found the halter dress that I want.

Oh yes, I was got a pair of bridal shoes from Anna Nucci. It was a off white, blinky strappy heels of only 2 in! The ideal height that I was looking for.

My journey continues...

2010-12-31T11:40:00.004+08:00

I remembered how I spent my new year last year. Desmond bought 6 big balloons with "2010" printed on them, to my ward and we watched the fireworks light up the sky, using a mini potable tv. At that time, I still cant talk or walk and was still badly infected. But I recalled i prayed very hard for a better and healthier 2010.

Another year has passed and so many things had changed in my life.

In Feb, after 6 months in ICU, hooked on the ventilator, doctors allowed the removal the trachaestomy tube which had helped me to breathe for half a year. The was the first indication that any recovery was possible for the very fragile and delirious Lilian. My resting heartbeat was still more than 130 per min.

In April, with intensive speech and physiotherapy, I was allowed my my first mouth of water. Subsequently, my first soft diet and my first murmur. I have not heard myself for very long and the nurses and doctor has never heard me speak.

After moving to the normal ward on 3rd May, I stood for the first time using the AJO. It was extremely painful to even straighten my knee, let alone walking. I stood for 2 secs during the first attempt.

In June, I started to walk slowly with a walking frame. This slowly evolved into a robotic walk which barely looks elegant. Every morning, afternoon and evening, I will have physiotherapy and I was very tired every day.

On 7th July, I was transferred to St Luke's Hospital and met many elderly friends during my short stay there. I was able to make myself to the toilet and shower. I started to learn how to climb stairs and carry some load while walking. I begin to make plans for returning home.

On 4th Aug, 3 days before I was discharged, my sister told me that Mama may be dying from colon cancer relapse. I cried the whole night and the following night too. I thought that she had been healthy all along and I hated myself for not being there for her when she needed me.

On 17th Sept, Mama passed away peacefully, with everyone around at her death bed. I begin my new life, with Papa, in a home which missed Mama's love and presence. I started going for chapel lessons with Desmond and Papa, and it had enriched my life every since.

On 27th Oct, I went for a day surgery to close my trachaestomy hole. It seemed to be the best decision I made this year as I never enjoyed better fresh air every since. Scars and wounds now ravaged my whole body but I don't care about them now.

I spent most of my time rehabilitating and learning new things during the last 3 months of this year. I researched on home buying, spent a considerable amount of time on the spa saga, made scrapbooks for friends, and also spend quality time with Papa, sister, Desmond and Desmond's mum. I rescheduled and made plans for my wedding in Oct 2011. I bid goodbye to my twenty-something friends and joined the exclusive 30's club on 6th Dec. I can now manage walking 1-2 hours in the shopping centre before stopping for a rest.

It had been an eventful year, a year which changed my life forever. I lost some friends and made new ones. I start learning to take things slowly and cherish the people around me. And now I am going to start work soon, after 17 months of break.

I hope I am ready to go, not run. As I continue with my journey, I thank God and my dear family and friends for being there for me when I needed them the most. And I know Mama is shining down on me from heaven.

Wish that everyone will be in the pink of health. I love all of you.

A Letter to Lee Kok Heng

2010-12-31T10:58:00.007+08:00

Dear Kok Heng,

I read about you in an article in The New Paper published on 11th Oct 2009. I don't know you but I hope that you are doing fine now.

I was surprised to hear of your plight as, we are in the same boat. We were the first two patients in Singapore to have survived the H1N1 viral pneumonia, with the help of the ECMO machine. I see that you you were hooked on the machine on 11th Aug, 3 days after I was hooked on, on 8th Aug. We both had high fever above 39degC, visited GPs and hospitals in July 2009, but were told to go home, without being screened for H1N1, or prescribed with Tamiflu.

I did not know from whom I got the virus from, do you? I did not go overseas or come in contact with any sick people. I was also in the low risk group and had no previous medical or health history. Before I was ill, I enjoyed long distance running and all kinds of sports and I ate healthily.

Similar to you, i walked into the hospital in early Aug 2009, relatively healthy and thinking that I would be discharged within a few days. But within hours, I was close to dying.

I read with emotions on how you felt during the ECMO treatment. Because I had exactly the same feelings. I was sedated, hallucinating, and cannot differential from what is real and what is not. It felt like my soul left me and came back again. I had strings of nightmares and dreamt that I was held captive in a faraway land by terrorists. It was worst than hell.

I was glad to know that you stayed in SGH for less than a month. I was not so lucky. I had heart failure, followed by multiple organ failures, after which i caught bouts and bouts of pneumonia. I was on ventilator for many months and lost the power to speak, walk or even cough. I also had to go though 7-8 open heart surgery within a period of 2 months.

Everything is over now, thank God. And I was lucky to have survived, and was discharged from NUH after 11 months.

Now, back at home, I suffer from chronic heart failure and cannot engage in physical activities like before. I am doing rehabilitation everyday and hope that one day i will return to one of my favourite love, running.

If you read this, can you pls contact me. I would really love to meet you. Wish you good health for the new year,

God bless you,

Qiaohe

Fistula after fistula

2010-11-16T10:13:00.004+08:00

2 weeks ago, I went for a day surgery under local anaesthesia to close up my trachestomy hole, which is also known as a fistula. Although the hole is only less than 1cm in diameter, surgeon had to cut open a larger hole at my thorat in order to stich up the gap. Normally this done under general anaesthesia due to possible pain and trauma patients have to go through.

However due to my weak heart, GA is not a possibility, so I went for LA. Doctors warned me that if I can stand the pain halfway through the operation, I need to signal them to stop and they will make me go under GA. Well, there is no way I want to be under GA, as a breathing tube will be inserted to help me breathe and I dont want to go through that again.

But the LA experience is not as bad as I thought. Despite feeling hallucinated (because I was given sedation), there was not much pain during the surgery. The feeling is like being fed with illusion pills, and you see people sweeping by in front of your eyes, you hear muffled sounds, but you dont know what is happening to you.

A day after the surgery, it was great pain and misery for me as LA ran out of effect. I cant speak, eat or even slightly open my mouth. But after enduring all that, Im so glad that the hole now is healing properly and I can also speak and breathe better now.

Yesterday I saw my heart doctor again. I was told I had an artery which was fused with a nearby vein and some blood is seeping from artery to vein as a result. That condition is also called a fistula. It was a result of the vascular catheter insertion at my neck during my stay in ICU early this year. Well, the heart doctor didnt know what to do, but referred me to a vascular surgeon on 23rd Dec. He will then decide whether I need to go for yet another surgery to separate the artery and the vein.

I was very depressed after hearing that. The miserable feeling of getting hospitalised and going under the knife came back to haunt me, once again.

Flight or Fright?

2010-11-13T13:40:00.004+08:00

Today, Desmond went for his third referee assignment for Asean Basketball League in Brunei. He had been to Indonesia twice last month and this time was a refreshing change to Brunei. Apparently there is no direct flights to Brunei, because "Brunei is not a very pro-tourists country" as quoted by Papa.

Anyway due to officiating assignments, Desmond has been busy travelling to neighbouring countries this year. Besides a few sessions in China in 2008, he has been to Malaysia, Indonesia. Myanmar, Philipines and now Brunei.

Sounds pretty fun to fly? Not for me. Actually I'm not so sure when I will have a chance to fly again. The last time was... erm...in 2006 to Bangkok for shopping? Ya it was that long ago. With my weak lungs and heart now, it will be even more dangerous to fly, due to the low air pressure during the flight.

I was reading the SMS diary which Yanli compiled for me during my stay in hospital, yesterday. It collected all the SMS updates with vivid descriptions which Desmond sent to Yanli and the girls during my most critical moments from Aug 2009 to Jan 2010. To read all that I have been through proved too much for me and I ended up trembling in fear. But reading it made me cherish what I have even more than ever.

So, it ok not to fly la. At least I can walk quite fast now.

Poetry Days

2010-11-13T13:29:00.005+08:00

I was browsing through my old computer today and discovered that I used to have a erm... hobby. It is such a long time ago and almost forgot about it. I used to write poems between 2005 to 2007. And I actually have a large collection of them in my even older computer which crashed and I never recovered them.

Nevertheless, I still have 2 of them left and in case I lost them again, I shall post them here. But I think my English have a lot of room for improvement!

I written the first one in early 2007:

The Wind Mill

We all knew what we want; that’s why we came here
But at the first innocent glance; it wasn’t crystal clear
The foliages and blossoms, so colorful they blinded me
Distracted by the mystified sky, I know not what is mockery

Brawn and sturdy, the windmill stood
Barely oblivious, it did what it could
It can’t leave the lush; it felt it needed them
It was their immaculate glamour, that shaped its lifeless fans

The time has arrived. I am ready to run.
To race for the tireless blades; and all its glorious garland
But what stood in front, was a barren field
As now the mill turns, for the other in lieu

Arriving at the new town, I’m helplessly lost
‘Cause we were never far away but our paths never crossed

The second one was written in late 2007 to take part in a ST Life Home Renovation Competition. It was never published of coz.

Space @ My Humble Home

The smell of home is in the Air.

There is no luxury of space, nor splashes of lavish paint;
Not to mention, that its sense of modern cosmopolitance is faint.
But it is filled with sweet memories of nostalgic childhood;
Coupled with the simplicity of life and its all we asked for, if we could..

Tired of the colorful, vivid world,
And disheartened by what power and dollars can lure.
We yearn to return to a home of lush and serenity;
Affection and warmth… just you and me.

This unpolished piece of raw jade;
To us, it is already heaven-made.
What mattered is the love that went into its creation;
And the inherent affinity for bliss in this space.

We already have a dream…
And what we envisage that is not at all warped
It just needs the special magic wand, to power it up.

I wished I was able to retrieve my previous collection of poems. Because I think I will not be able to do anything like that anymore

A+ for Apple

2010-10-09T10:49:00.003+08:00

The iPhone4 makes me dizzy during the first week I used it. The rapidly swiping pages up and down, left and right was too fast for my eyes. I also didnt like the computer style keypads as I now sms at least 3 times slower than when I was using dictionary texting on Nokia phones.

However, besides the easy interface for FB and emails, there are a few applications which I really liked:

1. SG NextBus and SG Buses: Predicts the arrival times of buses near where you are or specific buses at an user-input location. But they are not very accurate, usually predicts longer arrival times than actual.

2. ShowNearby: Use it to find nearby ATMs, bus stops, carpark, clinic, hotel, petrol station, and even supermarkets. Can become very useful when I am in need of something urgent.

3. Gothere.sg: I like this the best.. tells you the best way to travel from A to B, the cost and time required, including peak hour traffice considerations, erp charges and waiting time. There are four methods of travelling: By Bus, MRT, Cab and Drive. Shows directions for the cabby drivers too.

4. SG malls: Good for calling up shops to check whether certain stocks are available, prevents one from making a wasted trip.

5. Shazam: Tells you the song wherever you hear it, at shopping malls, on radio, on someone's ipod in the mrt..

Besides being a bit bulky and heavy, I essentially have no complains about the phone. Camera is good and easy to use. I should not be able to get lost anytime as long as I have the iPhone.

In any case, stupid people need smart phones.

妈, 我回來了

2010-10-08T23:30:00.005+08:00

Today I passed by Crystal Jade @ My Bread and Desmond asked me if I want to buy some 老婆饼. Crystal Jade makes the best and tastiest 老婆饼 in town and is also my Mum's favorite snack.

My first response in my mind, ya why not? Then after one sec, I realised she is already gone. It is a weird feeling but subconsciously, to me, she is still alive.

Mum's cancer relapsed in Oct 2009, two months after I was admitted to ICU. But because of my critical condition, I did not know of her situation. Whenever she visited me, she was always cheerful and looked healthy. I did not suspect anything. I got to know her condition only in Aug 2010 when I was discharged from hospital, just one month before she passed on.

I remembered her during her last week of ordeal. She could not eat, or sleep or pass urine. Due to liver failure, her skin and eyes were completely yellowed by jaundice, her feet swollen and she barely had strength to speak. Her breathing was laboured and occasionally dropped a tear.

On her death bed, everyone was around. We took turns to talk to her, out of which my father's speech touched me the most. Although she could not respond, I knew she heard what we said to her.

During my illness for the past year, my father visited and took care of me everyday, and she would be at home, alone and lonely. She did not complain, despite her health going downhill. She sacrified her life, for me. If not for me, my father and I would be at home, taking care of her and supporting her. If not for me, her health may not detoriate so fast. If not for me, she may have less stress and worry and they would become a catalyst to speed up for relapse. I feel really really sorry.

I thank God for letting me come home in time to support and see her before she go.

妈妈, 我好想你...放心去環遊世界吧

The Begining of my Ordeal

2010-06-20T10:48:00.008+08:00

10 months of long silence, I am finally back.

For all the dear friends who have been encouraging me through this ordeal, and for my own personal keepsake, I have decided to record down as much details as I can of the events that took place for the past year.

On the morning of 7th August, the last 4th day of my H1N1 quarantine, I felt exceptionally terrible. I was breathless in bed and even grasp for breathe when eating breakfast. We immediately revisited the GP who would later refer me to NUS for a more detailed checkup. The GP suspected bronchitis.

As I arrived at NUH, my condition deteriorated quickly. Immediately put on a drip and taken blood and X RAY, the medical officers confirmed that my lungs are "infected". I had to be admitted. I remembered sms-ing Desmond who was waiting in the visitor lounge to inform my parents that I will be hospitalised for "a few days" for lung treatment. I was not worried as I was not supposed to be the H1N1 high risk group. My GP has said that I can recover without taking Tamiflu. As my SpO2 was not healthy, I was transferred to Ward 26 - Medical ICU for further observations.

I kept coughing all the way to ICU. My lungs felt like flooding up and I was very breathless. When I finally get hooked up to monitors in the ICU, my phlegm started to dispel out. Coughing became more and more tedious, more and more intense. This continued for a short while, when I coughed out a mixture of water, phlegm and blood. At that moment, I felt that my lungs are totally blocked, I cannot breathe through my water soaked lungs. I half shouted to the nurse "I cant breathe!".The last I can remember is that I turned around to look at the SpO2 monitor which showed 75% (Anything less than 88% is dangerous). I then fainted.

I cannot remember anything after the above event, as I was placed under sedation and ventilator to help my lungs to breathe. Subsequently I was told that I has a major operation to remove the water and blood clots in my lungs and heart. The operation was on 8th August 2009.

How I hoped that that will be the end of my ordeal. Unfortunately, a few days after the operation, my heart and lungs were still unable to function on their own as they were badly infected by the virus. As such, I had to be placed on an ECMO machine ( Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). A simplified explanation of ECMO (from Wiki):

"An ECMO machine is similar to a heart-lung machine. To initiate ECMO, cannulae are placed in large blood vessels to provide access to the patient's blood. Anticoagulant drugs, usually heparin, are given to prevent blood clotting. The ECMO machine continuously pumps blood from the patient through a "membrane oxygenator" that imitates the gas exchange process of the lungs, i.e. it removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. Oxygenated blood is then returned to the patient.."

This procedure was considered as the last resort as there will be many complications which may arise from its use, such as stroke, excessive bleeding etc. This treatment was continued for another grueling 2 weeks. If my condition deteriorate during this period of time, I will staring right in to the eyes of death. Furthermore, ECMO has never been a proven safe method.

The next moment which I could recall, is when I was semi-conscious. I had a very long nightmare which I can remember clearly even until now. The nightmare was about how I was captured by a group of masked terrorists and brought to a faraway land. For most of the time, I was tied up, gagged and tortured. The nightmare ended when my sister brought the terrorists up in a flight and threw them one by one off the plane. A real sadist dream but not as cruel as the reality.

Sometime in late August, I woke up from my long sleep. Lying motionless on the bed in CT ICU, I could not move my whole body, I could not speak and I could not eat. Countless tubes were attached to my nose, throat, limbs and body. I was using a ventilator to breathe and there was a trachea hole in my airway. I could barely open my eyes. I felt very, very exhausted.

I saw my family and Desmond around me. If I had the strength, I would have cried.

I am Positive

2009-08-04T16:20:00.003+08:00

It has been 3 months since I last blogged. But I have never wanted to have so much at hand such that I have to blog about it.

I fell terribly ill last Thursday, finding myself at 39.2 degC at one point in time. The clinic at AMK Ave 4 did not help me much.On Friday, I cant get out of bed, due to a bad low back sprain. I had to half limped half walked to NUH where I received two painful painkiller jabs and was placed on 3 packets of drip. I had both my chest and lower back x rayed and blood tested. I have not had so many things happened to me in just one day for a long time.

On Sunday, my fever did not subside.Visiting my GP at Margaret Drive led me to do a throat swap for H1N1. I was given more cough, phlegm and fever medicine and was given another 4 days of MC.

Today, the GP called me to confirm that I am H1N1 positive and I need to quarantine myself until 11th Aug. Already been locked up in my small room for the past 5 days, this news is really cruel. I have not finished my lectures, tutorials and revision. I had missed my gown fitting at Sophia's. I missed the JC gathering with Joyce who just returned from Dubai.

I am going crazy soon.

The worse thing is I have to ensure I keep the virus within me and my small room. My parents belong to the H1N1 high risk group and I cannot afford to let them fall ill.

I need to learn to live like a lone ranger. Learning to have my own personal cup, bowl, plate and cutlery. Having my face mask on at all times. My own tissue box and rubbish bin. My own thermometer. My own toilet. No TV for another 7 days.

This is terrible. Glad that I still have facebook and youtube to keep me alive.

Story-Telling

2009-05-31T20:18:00.004+08:00

Yesterday I was reading to Paige when I was babysitting her and Matthew.

I read three stories, "The Ugly Duckling", "Rapunzel" and "The Enormous Turnip". It could have been more if not because I was too tired to read more. Story-reading, contrary to common beliefs, IS tiring.

Maybe it is because my command of English has dropped. It has been more and more difficult for me to summarise the story lines from 3 paragraphs to one. To think that it is only a children's book.

Maybe it is because I was fascinated by the stories which I have lost touch with for a really long time. As I read, it seemed the story differs quite a bit from the version I read more than 20 years ago.

Maybe I was trying too hard to think of the morale of the story. I feel that a story is never complete without telling the child what is the story really trying to teach us. Especially for "The Ugly Duckling", I felt accomplished after educating Paige to love everyone beyond their looks.

It was tiring babysitting them. But it was also very enriching to story-tell.

Securing the Date

2009-05-31T20:01:00.006+08:00

The Carlton saga ends it all.

While Carlton Hotel remains as the best choice in terms number of tables, location, food, pillarless ballroom with high ceiling and reasonable rates, their service irked us to such an extend that we decided to give up with them. All their perks which was thrown in were all not reflected in the contract. Furthermore, their verbal promises twisted and turned at the time of contract signing. One word. Ridiculous.

Marina Mandarin Hotel became our immediate backup plan. This was despite the fact that it was not even in our original hotel list of considerations, primarily due to the minimum number of tables to meet. Nevertheless, besides the "not-so-high" ceiling and a minimum of 35 tables to fulfil, everything seemed perfect about them. They can even provide us with a solemnisation venue despite that the solemnisation date is a day before the banquet. The forum also raved off their food, service and excellent efficiency. I guess this is really a blessing in disguise.

Have not signed the contract yet, but if nothing goes wrong, we should be announcing the date of the big day in 2 weeks time =)

The Real Meaning of a Race

2009-05-03T18:23:00.010+08:00

Desmond has always encouraged me to watch The Amazing Race on CBS. But since the telecast every Monday clashed with Campus Superstar, I never did watch a full episode of the program which features teams racing around the world.

This afternoon, while waiting for Desmond's 3 hour long car wash, I watched all the 6 episodes which I missed, on Youtube. And I derived much learnings besides watching them compete for a million bucks.

1. Jaipur, India - Never consider yourself unfortunate

As teams raced for monetary victory, deaf-mute Luke (and Margie) broke down after he saw Indian children running around shackles naked, feeding themselves with garbage. Think he realised he is definitely not alone in his struggle for leading a normal life.

Luke broke down in Jaipur

2. Siberia, Russia - Wear "proper" undergarments

Poor gal from one of the teams had to stripped to her lingerie and run 2 miles in the -4degC Russian city. Worst thing is that she is wearing nothing but a sports bra and a black thong (Yes thongs!)

Shots of her running from behind were censored of course!

3. Phuket, Thailand - Mummy is the greatest

Bionic woman Margie wins the day again by running on Luke's behalf when she realised how difficult it is to give her deaf son directions while sitting on a rickshaw. In the end, she suffered a heat stroke after running 2 miles under extreme hot and humid weather, nearly fainted and had to be sent to hospital.

Just before Mummy Margie fainted in Phuket

4. Beijing, China - Never give up, even if it is your greatest fear
College athletes Kisha and Jen fear for nothing but water. Unfortunately one of the detour for the China leg is to choose a task from "Swim" or "Sync". Jen broke down as she could not overcome her fear for the waters and was unable to finish neither tasks. Imagine performing a task which is your greatest phobia..Kudos to Jen.

They tried but was unable to overcome their phobia

5. Translyvania, Romania - Pick yourself up, where you fall

Good looking lawyer Victor led her sister Tammy on a wild goose chase in the woods looking for coffins, only to realise that they have been following the wrong arrow directions (white red arrows instead of the official yellow red arrows of The Amazing Race). This should be the first and last time viewers see Victor broke down and cried, before regaining composure to end up at second last place, after skydiving down from the first position.

This is clearly not the race's official direction sign

I had always loved geography back in school, even though I seldom travel. But the amount of knowldege you learn when travelling in a trip, is limitless and invaluable. In fact, I don't think any of the team will regreat this journey even if they did not finally win the race.

Seriously, I cannot wait for Episode 11 to be screened tomorrow at 830pm.

Little Mr and Ms Bump

2009-05-03T18:06:00.003+08:00

Last week was definitely NOT our lucky week.

On Thursday, Desmond's car got bumped at the back by a series of cars, after their failures to brake in time in slippery weather. This cost Desmond not only a sprained neck, but also three days without his Rio.

On Friday, I had a freak fall while stopping after my hour long ran around the neighbourhood. Although I only hit my knee, it left my knee brazed with at least 10 strokes of broken skin.

On Saturday, I slipped when I stepped on "freshly" sprayed insecticide in Desmond's room. Fortunately I landed on my bum which caused no more than a false alarm.

I hope we will shed off the title of Mr and Ms Bump next week.

Keep On Improving

2009-05-02T21:34:00.005+08:00

The first lecture in my life. I must do it good and right.

That was why I arrived at 730am on 20th April, a far cry from the usual 845am. Lecture is suppose to start at 8am, and a considerable amount of preparation is needed, even though I had physically went through the syllabus the week before.

I arrived at LTQ2 20min before the official class starts at 8am. Pleasantly surprised, there are already many students waiting outside the LT. I saw one of my mentees sitting quietly in a corner bench. She did not attend orientation but I recognise her from my photo class list. I said hi to her and made my way to LTQ2.

Taking in a deep breath, and looking at the 90 empty seats in front of me, I felt strangely excited. This is what I have been waiting for the last 9 months in NYP.

My first lecture session.

As the students streamed in, the excitement grew. Soon after excitement turned to anxiety as the projector screen failed on me! Can you imagine... First lesson on first day of school of Semester 1.

Nevertheless I maintained talking by introducing myself and the module Materials Science.... miraculously the projector screen came back at 830am. I lost 30min but managed to gain back my composure.

The rest of the lecture went well. I found out that it is not easy to deliver a good lecture. From voice control to creating humour, to clear explanations, these skills will only sharpen with time. Fortunately, this batch of Year 1 students seem much more diligent and attentive, compared to the previous batch, which makes the job of new lecturers like me easier to handle.

Like what I told my students " I hope you will continue to improve", I truly hope I will also keep on improving.

Peak-A-Boo!

2009-05-02T20:44:00.005+08:00

I have never done as much research and homework on HDB housing regulations until a week before. All thanks to the 5 "Peaks" below.

The newly launched DBSS project "The Peak" at Toa Payoh Lor 1 is not those type which will appear to be immediately attractive. Compared to its counterparts at AMK and Bishan, it is an elderly town. There is also less vibe considering there is no major shopping malls nearby. Nevertheless, due to curiousity, we went to view the showflat last sunday and we were pleasantly surprised and delighted by the stylish design of the flats.

After viewing the second time, the two flats we eyed on are the 21st storey high ceiling 4-room flat at $500k, and the 18th storey 5-room flat at $580k. And yes, both are at atrouciously high prices. After some research, older flats with similar floor area are costing as much in the TPY and AMK area, and so I stop feeling short-changed =)

With flats priced at $730k at the 42nd floor, I really wonder if flats in Singapore will ever break the 1M barrier?

Sigh, What to do... the lows of property market in 2001-2003 is long over, and flats at premier locations come at a premier price. Furthermore, TPY flats have always stolen the limelight but topping the list with the highest average COV among HDB estates. What attracted us most, is that The Peak is only mins walk from TPY MRT station and the lifts come with security card accesses just like a condo. The interior renovation is also provided, from full tiling, wall painting to build-in wardrobes, water heaters, stoves and air con. Pretty enticing to me =)

But seriously, I will not be overly disappointed if we did not successfully ballot for the TPY flat, as Bishan is going to be THE place to live, at least in the next 10 years. With the MRT circles line interchange opening this month, lift upgrading, property prices in Bishan is likely to soar to another new level....

So, lets just cross our fingers and leave it to Heaven's will =)

A Night of Glitz & Glamour

2009-03-15T16:36:00.011+08:00

After 3 months of planning and preparation, CPT dinner & dance 2009 was finally held at NUSS Suntec City Guild House yesterday!

Graduating student with Lecturers

Happy faces from the graduating students

We received rather encouraging turnout this year, with 86 students and 12 staffs signing up for the event. Although 3 students did not finally come, the whole event can be considered rather "successful"... The highlight of the event, in my opinion was the PEM class awards to their personal mentor where the students thank their lecturers for their hard work and care throughout their 3 years in NYP. It was sincere, warm, and full of emotions.

Hwee Mei, Natalia and Me

All thanks to staff of SCL(C) who contributed a whooping total amount of more than $1000 for all the game prizes, door gifts, lucky draw, and also subsidies for the student tickets. Kudos to organising committee students from SCL club students as well, great job!

SCL Club organising committee

Toasting session

Prom King & Queen

I hope the event will leave an imprint on the graduating students for a long time in their lives.

My Dream Garden

2009-02-21T19:09:00.011+08:00

After a month of research and browsing, here are the list of hotel banquets which has been shortlisted. The wedding theme I currently have in mind in a Garden Theme.. It is really difficult to tell which is a better pick until we really recee the place to have a look and feel of the ambiance. Anyway, each of these selection has their own specialty and uniqueness which stood them out from others, besides cost (^o^)

1. Mandarin Oriental

Have heard about friends and relatives raving about this hotel since it was renovated in 2004. A quick step into the hotel last week also gave us a very good impression of the lobby setting. What is most attractive is their 4 new themes. I particularly like the garden theme where the whole ballroom is decorated into a huge fan-shaped garden! Birdcages, twigs and sunflowers.. its like a walk in a park! Natural and surreal feeling, nothing exaggerated!

2. Conrad Centennial

Love their magnificent foyer reception in front of the Grand Ballroom and the long titanic winding stairway at the lobby leading up to the ballroom! The most fairy tale march in we can ever ask for! Although I have only been there once for a wedding in 2006, it still left a deep impression in my mind until now. It was the only shortlisted banquet which has tables for 12 which may pose a problem as we do not have so many guests to fill their minimum 30 table criteria.

3. Carlton Hotel

Not the 6-star Ritz Carlton, but Carlton Hotel at Bras Basah Road. According to my sis, this hotel's Wah Lok Restaurant serves the best Cantonese Cuisine in town. This alone is attractive enough to draw me in as delectable food is my top priority. Too bad we can only have food tasting after confirmation for the banquet.

4. Swissotel Merchant Court

Colonial feel never fails to mesmerise me. Although my top colonial choices: Goodwood Park and Hotel Intercontinental falls out of our budget, Merchant Court will be a good substitute. The reception area is also spacious and wide, and can be conveniently decorated to the graden theme.

5. Restaurants

Imagining converting all the perks that hotels offer to wedding couples, such as bridal suite, favours, vouchers into better food quality... that is what restaurants can offer. For the same amount of money, restaurant food will be of superior quality in the expense of ambiance. That will be a very selfless way to hold weddings as the guests will get a better value for "Ang-Bao".

Most importantly, a wedding banquet must elude genuinity and sincerity regardless of the venue. In 2005, I attended a really warm and lovely wedding at Peony Jade Restaurant (above) at Clarke Quay which has such strong oriental and overwhelming homely feel that I wanted to have mine there!

On the contrary, I once attended a wedding at a 6-star hotel, which was at one glance, an extraordinary expensive affair. Rolls Royce bridal car, all night Mediterranean live band, and 4 changes of bridal gowns! Everything was gold plated and glittery but to me, it was over-commercialised, emotionless and bland. The whole night, I was left feeling with a lack of warmth and love that a wedding banquet should have.

That, in my opinion, loses all its appeal as compared to a simple restaurant wedding =)

Its Too Stiff

2009-02-21T18:43:00.003+08:00

This is how my neck bones look like under X ray, after a car collision on Thursday. Stiff as a bamboo, the doctor at Mt Alvernia said.

It was a freak car incident at NYP compound on Thursday, when a car hit my dad's cab shortly after I removed my seat belt. It was less than 50m from my destination and both cars are already travelling at snail speed!

The slight collision actually threw my body in all directions as my instincts told me to hold on to the seat in front of me to prevent further vibrations. Nevertheless, the impact was too big on my neck such that it felt sprained and twisted after I went home the same night. It hurt my left arm as well as it knocked hard on the car door.

As all kinds of injuries / medical conditions post accident are claimable, the agent brought me to Mt Alvernia to get my neck checked on Friday evening. By then, my central neck bone and nerves were so painful that I can hardly turn 90 degrees to my right. My neck was swollen and stiff.

Luckily there were no complications, as the X ray films showed. But a normal neck is C shape, as suggested by the doctor. And mine, is as straight as a bamboo, which seems to imply to me that I need to resume my new massage package at Kenko Wellness Spa. Heh.

Muffin Tops

2009-02-15T12:26:00.004+08:00

I need to get rid of my muffin tops!!!

Of course, the picture below is not me, but due to months of sloth, my muffin tops are growing. I can still remember a year ago, I follow a strict regime to ensure my figure is kept in check:

1) Stand and walk for at least 30 min after every meal
2) Never sleep less than an hour after a meal
3) 30-50 upper and lower abdomen crunches every morning
4) Dumbell (2 kg) training twice a week
5) Bedtime stretched to tone side abdomen muscles

But I no longer do that now. Where has the health and exercise freak Lilian gone to? Nevertheless, in order to ensure I get the best figure for my bridal PS at the end of this year, I am giving myself 3 months to resume the above. Moreover, the bridal pictures are going to last me a lifetime.

The stakes are way too high to be lazy.

Hunt for BS - Part II

2009-02-07T10:49:00.008+08:00

The search is over.

It was amazing how we did this. It was a long and gruelling 4-hour discussion, which started from 9pm last night. And we finally signed on the dotted line at 1am +.

And I am now an official Sophia BTB!

Sophia Wedding Collection was my sister's BS 6 years ago. And that was also how long I have heard of their gorgeous gowns and excellent customer service. But it was coincidence that we dropped by the shop last night, after being utterly disappointed with the hard selling techniques seen at Suntec Wedding Festival the same evening. We did not plan to sign any plan so early, but I guess their whole service and persuasion from Sophia Wedding moved us to bits =)

Anyways, let start off with their gowns from "Latest Collection". It is heavenly! And it is an understatement as their OTR gowns look so classy and gorgeous that it will make you feel and look like a queen. The enormous amount of embroidery, crystals and french laces are unlike what was seen in other BS. Served by Ms Lynn the designer, she is such as a pro in describing and explaining the cut and design of each gown that we wowed with excitement as she brought pieces after pieces off the racks for our salivation. How I wished I could take photographs of the gowns!

We then asked to see the "Non-Latest Collection" gowns. I would say they look pretty good too. But the package comes with a classic album which does not include any digital design nor hot pressed seams. We were then shown the digital albums by the inhouse photography Mr Shawn and photography styles of at least 5 other couples, before we settled down to discuss further on the details of the package.

As it grows deeper into the night at 11pm, we were served by Ms Ann the consultant, who also happens to be the consultant for Tianyou and Ziyi. She was so friendly and accommodating to our needs and budget. Even though she was having a mild flu, but she was still very patient with our long list of enquires. (Luckily I bought the Bridal checklist together with me and we have the lap top with use to check online!)

After another hour of long discussion with Desmond on what the priorities in the package are, we managed to prepare for the most important task. NEGOTIATIONS! For more freebies, bargains and discounts!! By that time, my eyes were already red and dry and very very tired, so Desmond did a good job on the negotiation part single-handed. Also we are the only couple left in the shop, and the consultants are anxious to go home, so I thought it was the best time to negotiate for the best deals. Here is finally what we will be getting from their OTR package!

1. Actual Wedding Day
Wedding Gown - 1 set OTR (Latest Collection)
Evening Gown - 1 set OTR (Latest Collection)
Tea Dress (Cheong Sum) or KUA - 1 set OTR
Accessories for the Gown - 1 set
Gent's Suits - 2 sets OTR
Father's jackets - 2 sets OTR
Bridal Makeup & Hairdo (Morning and Evening)
Bridal Hand Bouquet (Fresh Flowers) and 6 Corsages
Bridal Car Decoration with Netting and Artificial Flowers
Decoration for following cars with ribbons (unlimited)

2. ROM package
ROM dress - 1 set OTR
ROM Makeup & Hairdo
Hand Bouquet (Fresh Flowers)
Accessories for dress - 1 set
Gent's Suit - 1 set OTR

3. Photography Session
Bridal Gown - 4 sets (Can be different from the 2 sets above)
Accessories for the Gown - 1 set
Bridal Makeup and Hairdo including fake eyelashes and wig - 4 changes
Artificial flowers for Hairdo
Gent's suit - 2 sets
Gent's makeup and hairstyling
Indoor and Outdoor Photography - Unlimited locations
4. Momentos to Keep
50 poses with Digital Album and Hot pressed seam (15' x 24') - 20 pages
50 poses with CD JPEG format (Duplicate of above)
24' x 30' Canvas Portrait - 1 piece with frame
8R Table top - 1 piece with frame
4R photos - 24pcs OR Thank You :Photo cards - 200 pcs with 2 poses
4R photos in mini album - 20pcs
Wedding Night Signature Book - 1 set
8R Anniversary Photo shot - 1 piece/ year

We wanted to bargained for more poses, but was unable to do so. I believed that 60 poses will be the perfect quantity to fit into the storybook album, but I guess we can still make do with 50. And yes! They are giving us 24 pcs of 4R loose photos, which I can then make them into my beautiful beautiful wedding scrapbooks!

I was especially fascinated at how they were able to throw in the ROM package for me as well. Now I am thinking whether to have the ROM on separate days in other to make use of this special offer. And there will be Cheong Sum for the tea ceremony! Excited!

Since we still have a long way to AD, we decided to make the PS early, likely to be late Sept this year during my 2 month semester break. This will mean that we will be choosing the gowns around June/July during my 2 week term break. And because I am taking my PS a year before AD, they will allow me to choose two fresh AD gowns, instead of the gowns I wore for the PS! Amazing deal! All in all, this means that pre-wedding bridal work will be completed by early 2010, giving us another 6 months to prepare for other stuffs for AD in Sept 2010.

The hunt for BS has ended, but happiness has just begun!

Hunt for Bridal Studio (BS) - Part I

2009-02-01T20:26:00.006+08:00

It was 5th day of CNY and we decided to visit LaBelle Couture to take a look at their wedding collection and packages =)

We have shortlisted a number of bridal shops based on friend's recommendations and forum ratings. To date, the shortlisted BS are Sophia Wedding Collection, The Wedding Present, My Bridal Room, Golden Horse Awards, Divine Couture and La Belle Couture. Good reviews from forum and beautiful gown designs featured in magazines were the main reasons why we approached this bridal shop first at Tanjong Pagar. Anyway many of the bridal shops were not opened yet after CNY, and the consultant at the door impressed me with his politeness, well-mannered and non-pushy nature. An recent award winning evening gown displayed at the shop helped too =)

And what can I say! Its great fun and excitement shopping for WG! The experienced image consultant Kath left a strong impression in my mind as she has an eye for details, by just one look at our faces and figures. She was already able to suggest gown types, colours, makeup and types of hairdos which will compliment each other's look =D. Also, we like the simple and classy styles of their photography. Their package price for OTR gowns also fits and meets our humble budget!

What was originally planned to be a 10min enquiry on package prices, turned out to be more than an hour's cosy discussion at the shop. I must admit that I took a strong liking to their WG which are predominantly simple and classy gowns with lots and lots of embroidery and laces. Nevertheless, we had absolutely no pressure to sign up the package. The frank and professional services provided by the staff was really impressive.

All in all... although it is still too early to talk about securing a package, it was a good and fun way to start our BS hunt!

Open Your Heart

2009-01-11T20:43:00.007+08:00

After 5 years in the petrochemical industry, I made a shocking (to many) switch to become a teacher, or more precisely a lecturer in NYP. For those we know me since school, they would have known how I used to dislike teaching. Even when my sister and brother-in-law became one in JC, I was unfazed. Giving tuition during my schooling days were purely for monetary gains and never for interest or satisfaction.

My ex-colleagues got a shock, my ex-boss got a shock. And of course, my parents and my close friends. After all, I am those typical Chemical Engineer, who always advocate technical reasoning, and believed in getting into the money-making oil and gas industries. For prestige, for self-satisfaction and for monetary gains to repay loans and support the family.

During the last 3 days of NYP Open House, I was overwhelmed by the streams of students and parents eagerly looking for a course with career prospects and bright future. They reminded me of how I used to be lost student thinking about my future career. One parent was so candidly telling me how she did not want to see her son engage in some profession which is "dangerous" like in a refinery or oil company. "I only got one son, you know. He is my baby" she jokingly said. "So how dangerous is it working in chemical industry?" I was positively amused and touched by her tone and concerns the whole while.

I appreciate the parents asking me these relevant questions. My parents used to discouraged me from joining the chemical industry as well. As an engineer, male or female, working under the sun is almost guaranteed. You cannot have vertigo, or how else can you conquer the 80m distillation column by monkey ladder? Also, be prepared to sweat, get dirty and work in a male dominant industry where females can be sometimes prejudiced.

I find it rather ironic, when I was encouraging O level leavers to take up a course in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technology when I myself just got out of the industry. After all, there are many females worked in the chemical industry for years and rose to respectable positions, taking up jobs which people once thought only men can. So why can't I do the same? And enjoy the fat bonuses and increments which people from the outside world can only imagine.

Many things had happened in the last 3 years which gave a brand new perspective in life and priorities. Spending more quality time with family and love ones are now my first priority. I can still remember clearly how I used to go home like listless soul, with workload almost burying me alive. I have no time with family, with friends and for myself. My health worsened, I grew haggard and I cared for nothing else but company's profits generation.

In the end at Open House, I encouraged the worried mum to let her son choose something which interests him and not whether or not the course can guarantee him in the future. I conveniently skipped the topic of how dangerous the industry is, as I know I cannot give her satisfactory answer without telling a white lie.

How do you stay sane in this ever changing world? Your decision may not make sense to many, but, life is a path that only you yourself can decide. Only then, you will be happy.

Where Do I Begin?

2009-01-11T17:40:00.008+08:00

Recently I saw a wedding video montage by a University friend. It featured the 2000 remix of "Love Story (Where do I begin?)" by Shirley Bassey. I must say it is a really refreshing change from the lovey dovey romantic slings which most couples will use on their wedding day. This is because the version was upbeat, jazzy and showcased the singer's prowess in her vocals. And the singer? A 72 year old British Diva demonstrating a popular drama song (Love Story) from the 70s.It moved me to bits.

Cover versions, something which artistes today edit classic songs from the past to something which adapts better in today's world. And for this song, I found at least 6 versions in imeem alone. Below are the two I liked most. The first one is the one used in the wedding videography and the original version recorded live in 1972. I hope Josh Groban will perform this song one day (like how the second one sounds!)

A real classic indeed. I am so glad I stumbled upon this chance to appreciate it.

Where Do I Begin (Away Team Mix) - Shirley Bassey

(Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Tito Beltran

To Own Our Night (2009)

2009-01-01T15:57:00.004+08:00

As we turn the page to a brand new year today, we bid goodbye to an eventful year of turmoil and crisis.

For the first time in 4 years, I was back into the streets to countdown the new year! for the past 3 years, it had been a quiet affair on New Year's eve where a few close friends gather for food and drinks.

After unfruitful attempts to park at Marina Barrage, we were very lucky to find a perfect spot at MakanSutra Esplanande where we sat comfortably for about 2 hrs waiting for the fireworks to start. The place was far less crowded than the swamp of people waiting by the Esplanade Bay, where they sat on grass patches and concrete ground. We also have sufficient hawker food and drinks with us and so was not dehydrated like what happened during National Day. True enough, our territory was not packed with fire-works watchers even until the last min of 2008, and the view of the night sky was fabulous. I could sit 45 degrees inclined on my plastic chair and watch the sky like it belonged to me.

The fireworks was SPECTACULAR. Did not manage to take any photo because I did not want to miss any second of it. Not mentioning it is actually the first time I watch fireworks on a New Years Day too!

Happy New Year... Wish we will have a happy and healthy year ahead =)

Count Your Blessings

2008-12-28T16:54:00.001+08:00

Last week, I attended the wake of a colleague from NYP. I have not met him before as he was already on medical leave when I joined NYP. But through brief sessions MSN few months ago, I talked to him and found out that he contracted 3rd stage stomach cancer, at the age of 33. He also had the whole of his stomach removed and will be undergoing chemotherapy. I remembered that I told him about my mum's condition and encouraged him to stay positive and strong.

Cancer, is a terrible disease. If one is lucky, you may discover it at early stage and one can be completely cured without going through tedious and costly chemotherapy. But cancer can be hereditary and some cancers are virtually symptom-less until they reached late stages and there are simply no medical checkups that can detect them early such as brain or liver cancer. Even for stomach and colon cancer, they can be easily mistaken as day to day illnesses like gastric and indigestion unless one goes for endoscopy or colonscopy.

Although I have not seen this colleague face to face, I was really very sad to see him go so suddenly. He has two very young kids less than 3 years old and it must be very difficult for his family to cope with his departure.

To all...Eat healthy, exercise regularly and relieve yourself from everyday stresses. Stress and cancer has a very strong correlation. Encourage your parents for colonscopy as colon cancer is the LEADING cancer killer in Singapore. Do cherish the ones you love and count your blessings everyday. In any case, we are very lucky to be healthy and well today.

Scrapbook Galore

2008-12-27T22:41:00.004+08:00

The term break for polytechnic is finally ending.. and I have had a fulfilling week shopping, cleaning up the house and ... SCRAPBOOKING! It has been so long since I indulge in it that i lost control. Anyway I feel that every single scrap I make, I learn something new on how to improve it...hope one day my skills will get really polished..Here are my proud creations.

Plans are to give some to my sister and the rest will be hanging them on my cupboard in school. When the kids stressed me out, I really need something to look on and relax =P

Ways to Tie a Survivor Buff

2008-12-19T09:34:00.005+08:00

After the season #17 of Survivor: Gabon ended last Friday, I was left not only amazed by Bob's magical immunity challenge wins, it was also interesting to see how individuals use their creativity to use the Survivor buff.

The most common way is probably to use it as a head or chest bandera which can double up as a sweat band or a tube. But good old Bob, the Physics Teacher became the first in Survivor history used it as a bow tie for almost the entire 39 days on Gabon. Maybe that is how he created a respectable and gentlemanly image for himself on the show. And he really did have these traits and hence why so many fans, including me, love his fatherly image!

If I am a Survivor? I will make it into a long scarf over my neck and create a fashion statement on CBS TV. And then, I will probably die of extreme heat stroke first before winning anything. Haha...!

Go West

2008-12-14T11:34:00.005+08:00

Calling all westerners! Listen up!

The new Jurong Point is now open! When I first visited there last week, there is only one word that can describe the new shopping mall. SCARY! There are like tons of streaming people, the new JP2 is as big as JP1 (yes!), which means it is now double the size of the original JP. What's more exciting is that westerners no longer have to put up with the poor selection of shops in the old JP.

We are now having alfresco restaurants like New York New York, Dian Xiao Er, Ding Tai Feng, Ji De Chi Deserts, Fig & Olive, BK, Bakerzin etc etc which we can only used to dream of in the west. And my favourite? Lai Lai Niu Rou Mee which can only be found in Liang Seah Street for the past ten years!

I really cannot say enough of the variety of shops there, from fashion to accessories to beauty salons, the selection is really gorgeous. There is even a NTUC Xtra which is 24hours, like the one in AMK Hub. You will have to go there and experience yourself..With the atrouciously packed public transport nowadays, it really make sense now to do all my shopping in JP than in town. Horray!

I can still remember my excitement when JP1 opens when I was 14. That is 14 years ago. Yet, it is still the same excitement I am feeling now, no less than the past =)

Heaven on Earth

2008-12-13T19:55:00.002+08:00

3 months after my rest from scraps, I am finally back.

This time I have decided to follow through my design process and all the way up to completion. Not a fresh design though, but clean job using all of my old materials. And new photos too, those took at Henderson Waves.. like those photos a lot.

This is going to replace the scrap that is currently in my office, which I do think is rather poorly done. Yeah a new art piece at my desk!

Sugar Baby!

2008-12-13T19:04:00.003+08:00

For the first time this pin up model looked so angelic to me.

Sugar, the unlikely winner of Survivor: Gabon, was always being looked down upon in the group of survivors. She went to Exile island 5 record times, was always not picked as tribe member, and has never won a reward nor immunity challenge. Yes. That's how physically and mentally weak she is.

Yet, in the 13th episode last night, she revealed her kind-hearted soul and admiration for Matt and Bob, whom she thinks are worthy of winning this game. She is totally different from the Sugar we know on the first day. She cried in front of Matt and Bob (yeah, a typical style of a pin up model) to ask them to vote against the "rascals" of the game - Crystal and Kenny, and GAVE UP her immunity idol for Matty even though she knows he is one of the biggest threat of the game! She wanted the good guys to win and not just go with the flow to vote the strong members out.

Well she is now in the final 5, it could just her strategy. But she sure does touch my heart.

Run My Own Race

2008-12-07T18:52:00.004+08:00

Just 10 hours ago, I completed my third 10km run in my life. This year, there were many differences from SCSM 2007:

(1) Due to the construction of Marina Integrated Resort and completion of Marina Barrage, the original route which is covered with raintrees at Marina Bay was changed to an alternative route along AYE. My god, that is a real killer not only because of the glaring sun, the noise from the construction sites, the path was uphill most of the time.

(2) Due to economic crisis (I suspect!) the drinking stations were downgraded. There used to be many stations proving ice cold 100 plus but today most of the stalls supplied only "Ice Mountain" mineral water.

(3) I had ample warm up before the race, as Desmond was participating in the earlier race which starts at 730am. As we were late, we ran all the way from Peninsula Plaza to Esplanade and that gave me a good kick-start.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this year's run. Some of the runners have really motivational messages on why they are running, pinned to the back of their jerseys. And some of them really touched me with their determinations:

(1) We are running for XXX. He is now fighting cancer.

(2) I am 50 this year. It is now or never.

(3) I feel good with men chasing me.

I was initially worried about my knees aching during the run, but it was my upper thighs which gave me the most problems today, despite having warmed up reasonably well =(. My main focus was to continue running and not let the surrounding runners and cramping thighs demoralise me.

And of course, you are my inspiration and motivation to complete the race =)

Everlasting Destinee

2008-12-07T18:17:00.004+08:00

A Lee Hwa Jewellery Brochure, a green table mat, old flowers and a glass mug. What does that give you? 14 stalks of everlasting tulips!

This is the first time I made artificial flowers, and the idea came from a colleague's desk in school. Using recycled material, I improvised on the scrap material I can find at home plus some supplements from bookshops --> and there you have it! All for less than $10.

I really like the lace details and crystal embellishment at the Bear's lace, they seem to give the vase a touch of class and elegance =)

Hope you like it, because you are my Everlasting DEStinee =)

你是我的同花顺

2008-11-22T20:44:00.009+08:00

同花顺 Royal Flush.mp3 - Jim Lim 林倛玉

What am I Waiting For?

2008-11-15T20:10:00.006+08:00

To be frank, I really hate going home via Boon Lay Interchange on weekday evenings. Besides the overcrowding problem, which gets worse everyday unless and until the two new MRT extension stations at Joo Koon and Pioneer are commissioned, the bus service is really terrible.

It is a common sight to see meandering queues extending from the bus bays all the way into the MRT station, sprouting a proud 100+ people waiting for the same bus to appear. (The numbers are reliable, I count them every time I feel frustrated; so that I will have figures to quote SBS when I lodge a complaint). Imagine 120 people waiting for a single bus service, which means you probably need 3 bus stops full of people if those people are waiting at a bus stop along a typical road. Some queues are worse, I estimate a minimum of 150 commuters during peak hours. And I happen to be taking the bus which has one of the longest and slowest moving queues.

You can wait for as much as 20min to board a bus 242 at Boon Lay bus interchange. This is ridiculous, as the actual bus journey is 15min. That means you will spend more than half an hour to travel a max of 3km. I think I can run faster than that speed.

Until 4 months ago, I started to take bus from this interchange, again after I switched job. To think that the problem which existed since my University days is still not resolved, after 5 long years. That is the real issue with monopoly of the market, and service providers will not bother to improve or review their quality of service, until someone complains. And I am going to quit waiting and do just that.

Desmond's Home Aquarium

2008-11-09T12:31:00.004+08:00

After months of switching from CRS to fighting fishes and to german mini lobsters, Desmond finally settled down on a small scale but beautiful landscape for his marine friends. And here is his proud creations...

I particularly like the castle which has a balcony of mosses on top of it. It is so realistic! And I am sure the shrimps will love playing hide seek among the greens and concrete. This tank setup may look simple, but there are so much effort being put into its birth. The plants, for example enjoy two sets of light, one of which is programmed to on and off at certain times of the day. And if you notice hard, there is hanging-in-mid-water ball of moss which is created all by himself =)

I will be getting my mini office aquarium soon! With easy to maintain livestocks and plants because I am kinda a lazy person. Keke.

A Page from Yuan's Diary

2008-11-08T21:40:00.003+08:00

Yee yee and Kor Kor brought Granny, Mummy and me to Hay Dairies on Deepavali Day. Boy! There were so many didi meimei there! So crowded! Some more I have to wake up at 830am so as to reach Lim Chu Kang by 10am to see them milking goats. So I was half awake and half asleep in most of the photos =(

But it was all worth it! I get to see the goatees eat, drink and pee... and get milked but the workers in Hay Dairies. I also get to feed them! Their saliva is so warm and sticky and it was fun! Kor Kor bought two packets of grass for us to feed the goats, and Mummy help me to pluck the leaves from the grass.

I prefer the smaller goats. The Papa and Mama goats can actually stick their heads out and bite Granny's bag! So scary! I keep asking Yee Yee whether the goats will bite me. But she assured me that they are friendly animals.

I have no chance to taste goat milk as they were sold out when we got out from the stables. Next time then. The next time I come, I also want to visit Farmart in LCK! Hurray!

The Man in the Middle

2008-11-08T21:16:00.004+08:00

Desmond refereed his first Singapore Slingers' basketball match in the Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. Wow, what an experience! Not only that this is an international match against Malaysia All-Stars, it was held in the indoor stadium where tickets are needed to view the match. And of course, I got a free ticket =)

In all, the match was pretty boring, with the Slingers doing a below average performance against the hardworking Malaysians. Scoreline was close throughout the match but was differentiated at the last 10min when the Malaysians lost their foothole and shooting percentages.

I think the Slinger girls and mascot got most of the limelight that night, as they danced scantily clad, attracting the whistles and cheers from ang mos, players and some referees. tsk tsk.

There For Me

2008-10-26T16:51:00.004+08:00

I have always wanted to share this song, which never fails to make me tear whenever I listen to it. It is also one of the most inspiring songs during my runs. I did not know until today that it is a song from The Phantom of the Opera. Well, now I do. Enjoy.

Original song by Josh Groban/Sarah Brightman.

Proud to be a Westerner

2008-10-25T20:40:00.009+08:00

I have been living in Jurong for the past 18 years.

It is a place where most people associate badly polluted air, cheap housing and foreign workers with. In fact I had worked in Jurong for the last 5 years, and gradually had forgotten what it feels like to enjoy a nice breathe of fresh air. Foreign workers have become my "best friends", accompanying up and down the crowded journey to the work. I mingled with them day in day out, at the MRT station, Jurong Point, and even at my void deck. I became frequent customers of Indian "MAMA" shops, which sprung in numbers in my neighbourhood serving the pool of Indian worker-drinkers and merry-makers who ventured to my estate late at night. Slowly, they became a part of my life, as I grew numb to their existence around me.

Until recently after I switched job, I travel half the Singapore island to the north eastern side. I don't see my "best friends" anymore on the north bound MRT trains, AMK Hub or the Yio Chu Kang neighbourhood. To many, such an environment had been inherent until the news of a foreign worker dormitory to be located at Serangoon Gardens caused the population to break into cold sweat overnight.

What's wrong with staying nearby the dormitories? And why don't you see the Jurong population complaining? Is it that no one cares about the voices of Jurong-ians? Or so you thought that workers work in the west and so naturally their social radii spill over to the Jurong neighbourhood? Maybe because Jurong is the industrial community of Singapore anyway and that is the best and cheapest place to house them?

I am not implying that I LOVE the company of our dear friends who are helping us build our economy. In fact, there are many times when I saw them fighting after they got drunk at my void deck. At late night, I still go home in fear if I am alone. I don't exactly find them gracious, judging from the rubbish they generate every weekend at Boon Lay MRT. How I wish that my neighbourhood is spared from the potential hazards they offer, since we are already suffering from the poisonous acid rains, bitter cocoa smells mixed with industrial smoke and transport inaccessibility.

Over the years, I have learnt to live with them peacefully. Nobody is born to master the art of compromise but someone just has to do it. So why can't you? =)

Stairwaves to Henderson

2008-10-19T16:17:00.010+08:00

I have always wanted to visit the highest bridge in Singapore. And I finally did on Friday. True enough, it was magnificently high; as you may not notice it unless you tilt your head up towards the sky for an at least 80 deg from the horizontal while driving on the road.

We parked the car at the first car park we see after driving through depot road. Initially the winding walking trail up to the bridge was pretty steep. Also, do watch out for the sign board to make sure that you are walking towards Henderson Waves and not Forest Trail or something, as the same carpark has many exits. In less than 5min, we reached the tip of the 36m above Henderson Road.

I must say that the bridge does look better from the outside, that is when you look at it from the road beneath because of the bright LED lights outlining the wave design of the bridge. The lightes remains on from 7pm to 2am daily. On the bridge itself, it was spacious and wide, with lots of spaces for kids to run around, couples to spend a quiet time, and groups of friends for a cosy getaway. There are also a handful of night joggers there, taking on the challenge of the steep meandering track.

It takes less than 15min for a slow stroll from one end of the bridge to the other. But it is a good walk as we were all so full after a sumptuous claypot chicken dinner at Clementi. We did not venture further than the Henderson Waves, even though we know that the end of the road will lead to Mt Faber and eventually Vivocity. Next time maybe, when all of us are in better and more suited gear =P

I will definitely go back to the Henderson Waves again, the next time in the early morning to savour the other views of daybreak. I will also like to visit the Alexander Arch, Southern Rideges and Floral Walk & HortPark! It will be great if I can get some potted plants from the HortPark to put in my office (Hopefully...)!

Hmmm.. I can already imagine that the day scenes will be as gorgeous as the Stairway to Heaven.

A Good Start

2008-10-18T12:45:00.006+08:00

After the first week of teaching, I discovered that I can have several names with the 6th option most popular:

1) Ms Lilian
2) Mrs Lilian
3) Mrs Huang
4) Mdm Huang
5) Teacher
6) Cher (short-form for Teacher)

And I DO NOT forgive those students who call me Mrs Lilian, Mrs Huang, Mdm Huang because I already told them I am Ms Lilian Huang!!! Oh well.. ok they are students after all, so I shall give them another week to get use to my name =)

Contrary to popular belief, the year 1 students I am taking for CL1310 are rather quiet and attentive. How lucky. They are also receptive to the classroom expectation that I gave them and often respond positively. Their noise level was also generally acceptable such that I do not have to raise my voice too much. What a good start!

But the real show has not started yet. With the commencing of practical experiments next week, I hope no one burn down the lab or concoct any explosive mixture with the variety of chemicals available in the laboratory. ~Amitaba~

Thank You For Listening

2008-10-15T20:22:00.008+08:00

As I begin typing on this new entry, the 8pm talk show on Channel U is on TV. The topic: "Do you think looks is more important or inner beauty, with reference to girls?" A group of ladies is in intense discussions, including the famous blogger Xia Xue. After listening to the first 10min, I feel utterly disgusted and disappointed in their conversations, as most of them actually blatantly expressed that they rather be beautiful and stupid, than to be ugly and smart. And how they agree that botox and plastic surgery are normal and necessary if one is ugly. How I beg to differ!

Sounds familiar? It must be the spirit of SP4 (Semester Project 4) haunting me.

I had my first lesson on Monday since I joined NYP 3 months ago. The module? SP4, which is similar to what we call GP (General Paper) in college. Difference is that the discussion topics in class are mostly technical issues relating to chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Controversial topics which have no right or wrong answers. Objective of the module is to develop their technical presentation skills and also to defend and substantial their claims. It was indeed a fun module!

The lesson started off with a short video clip of "Thank You for Smoking" starring the comedian Aaron Eckhart in 2006. It was a Golden Globe nominated film. What is the relevance? Those who has never seen this show should see it right away...! It effectively exaggerated the power of argument and how an idea can be convincing as long as you have the evidence to support your stand. But the show can be easily misunderstood as "As long as you can bull****, you win" But that is definitely not my point =)

The class is a Year 2 class and hence are much cuter and attentive than I expected. They are responsive and yet not trouble makers. I feel that I can relate to them well also (Hee, think I am less than 10 years older than them lah!). Two more lessons to go for this week, Year 1 class for Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. Class management is really the key to handle Year 1 students, and that is the skill I lack.

Wish me luck!

New Semester, New Look

2008-10-10T21:33:00.012+08:00

Heat exchangers, control valves, piping design, risk assessment... This is what "Projects" means to me all these years. Not forgetting how projects are always associated with ridiculously tight schedules and budgets, and the multi-millions of investment capital which is at stake. Thinking of these runs a sudden chill down my spine.

Now, Projects to me is defined with a whole new meaning. And my first project in NYP turns out to be something I really enjoy since young: Creativity and Design. Of course, my job does not involve the actual design, but I can get to decide the theme, what story the picture tells to its audience, and the selection of picture montage. That is fun!

Project Name: Revamp the existing door mural (above) for School of Chemical & Life Sciences
Budget: S$2000
Schedule: Before school starts on 13th Oct

Opps, 13th Oct? That is this coming Monday, and you guessed right, my project was "commissioned" today (one weekend before school reopens!) Phew. Here is the product.

It was tough to incorporate many concepts into one poster. If you look closely, caption says "Witness Technology Evolves, Right before Your Eyes..." Effervescence from the beakers revealed various fields of biochemical sciences, pharmaceutical processes, chemical engineering, green technology and basic chemistry. And you get to witness all these, in the Q4 labs in NYP! Potential students, anyone?

I am happy and excited about this new look which will greet students on the first day of school =)

Oh my Daisy!

2008-10-10T19:20:00.010+08:00

I love daisies. They give me a sunny and refreshing feeling. But they are often sadly mistaken for chrysanthemum flowers, which is actually a larger breed of daisies, or so its Chinese name suggest. And because of the showing of Daisy in 2006 starring Jeong Woo-Seong and Jeon Ji-Hyeon, I became even more mesmerised with daisies.

One month ago, I received a pot of daisies on my office desk, its just like how the movie goes. But I know who is the sender of cause =), unlike Jeon Ji-Hyeon in Daisy 2006. On the first day, there were three flowers. After a week, there were four. Look how much it flourished under my care!

I know flowered pots don't maintain its flourish for long, the flowers grow and die, its a natural cycle. So when the flowers finally withered, I plucked them out and cut away those yellowish leaves. If you see closely there are still young flower buds growing out (left). They looked healthy at first, but after a few weeks (right)

Ok I admit that I neglected it during my trip and course for two weeks, but I did not expect its life expectancy to be so short! My colleague recommends money plants which thrives well in office conditions. But I do hope to find something more interesting and varied.

Run My Own Race

2008-10-04T17:58:00.023+08:00

As F1 was roared past the island last weekend, here is the route map for my own "F1 track" to prepare for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008 (SCSM-10km). *Ta Da!*

Today marked my humble comeback to this beautiful lake at Pandan Reservoir. We reached the reservoir late at 7am, but surprising it was a good and relaxing run, after nearly 5 months break. And it is still one of my favourite spots for long distance running.

Why? Time seems to stop still here. Besides the artificial breakwater rocks, calm waters reflecting the surreal sky of clouds and trees, this place also reeked of occasional smells of Gardenia and Delifrance bread. If you are lucky, you can spot turtles and huge fishes swimming near the water surface. On the softer side, sweet memories filled the area, as my secondary school used to be located opposite the reservoir.

Back in my teenage schooldays, no one ever ventured beyond the "2.4km" mark near the first make-shift bridge at the reservoir. Those were the times when we thought we have the best cross country route of all. Some schools run along roads with heavy traffic, around the perimeter of the school compound, or even along large smelly canals. Eeeek. How fortunate.

Was doing some research on other running routes in Singapore, in a bid to train for SCSM 2008 on 7th Dec. We are running the 10km category only lah!! West coast park is a frequent place we go due to the massive shade from overhanging trees and the good terrain. But the last time I was there, the park was filled with posters of Mas Selamat, making the place somewhat shady, figuratively =)

Looks like Bedok is a good candidate to practise on the final runs at 6.2miles, or around 10km. But it can a wee bit too far.. hmm, but it is good to explore, have never been there. Maybe the air is really better in the east? =)

Run at Bedok Reservoir
Find more Runs in Singapore, Singapore

I have always wondered how marathoners can run without music. They must have magnificent mental strength.. I think I would have given up at the 2km without my Josh Groban and Piano Spas. Heehee.

Happy Boo!

2008-10-01T12:06:00.012+08:00

During Monday's Beyond Words workshop at SP, we were made to draw anything under the sun using markers and crayons in just 5min.

I must say it is very therapeutic to let my imaginations run wild and draw like a kid. Below is my proud production (middle picture).

Argh... Its been some time since I watched Monster Inc. and I got the colour code all wrong. Now I know Boo wears a pink coveralls pyjamas, purple slacks with white sneakers. Seems like Yuan looks more like Boo than my drawing... heehee. Time to grow your hair into 2 cute ponies, Yuan!

(Yuan: "Its Mummy who keep cutting my hair! Boo!")

Serenity in a Turmoil

2008-10-01T00:02:00.010+08:00

This morning my eyes were glued to TV Mobile. Last night, NYSE tumbled the worst since The Great Depression, as the US house of parliament rejected the bailout bill of US$700B. Dow Jones dipped by a historic rate of -7%, Citigroup by -12%, ExxonMobil by -10%.

The world seemed to be entering into a complete turmoil. And so am I, when I suddenly realised that I left my hp at home!?! I panicked.

The first thing I thought of was how I can contact Desmond as we are meeting tonight. Then I wondered if someone from the school or my vendor will call me (God! the sense of urgency from EM days is still with me!). I also needed to call the Chinese doctor to confirm my appointment later this evening. So many things to do!

When I reach SP, I went to the staff office to beg for a desk phone to call Desmond. During lunch, I borrowed another phone at the reception to call my Chinese doctor. After training, I used a public phone to call Desmond to inform him of the time of my arrival. ~Job done~

After the anxiety to make calls set in, a strong sense of tranquility overcame me. Throughout the day, there was no hp to lose, no silent mode to switch to, no constant checking of missed calls and receiving of junk SMS. I was able to concentrate on my training, and no longer fidgeting with that candy bar. It was a surprisingly pleasant and serene feeling.

I remember that some time ago Serena told me that she does not wear watches on weekends. That was when we were colleagues in EM and everyday was spent fighting one war after another. So on weekends, she said it is therapeutic to lose track of time, sink yourself in whatever you are doing, and enjoy...just like a child. I find this comment intriguing, in fact who cares about wearing a watch these days, when all you really need is your hp.

At that time, I did not think that the same concept can be applied to hp. But after today, I was convinced that technology does not have such a strong power over me, after all.

Me? Lee Hyori?

2008-09-28T21:27:00.009+08:00

I don't really know who is Lee Hyori. But at 83% resemblance, she sure looks good to me!

熱浪回憶錄(下集) - Redang Trip (Part II)

2008-09-27T08:44:00.013+08:00

This trip has too many elements to be explained in details. Let me summarise in terms in starfishes. Maximum 5 starfishes for perfect quality.

#1. Transportation
Motion sickness was not much of a problem for me. Instead, I suffered severe stiff neck due to the discomfort of the 25-seater Konsortium bus. Ferry ride was ok, given the calm seas and air con which was set at just the right temperature.

#2. Accommodation
We chose a humble room to save on money so that we can spend more for other activities, hence I did not have high expectations. Credits to 4 free mineral water bottles and 24hrs telecast of <<夏日麼麼茶>> on Channel 6.

#3. General Facilities
Another very humble setup at Laguna. There is only one small souvenir shop at More More Tea Inn, a mini pub/bar and a buffet restaurant. Swimming pool was not impressive either, compared to the one in Bintan which have a underwater pool bar and two meandering pool slides. And due to the non existent road transport to other resorts, you are pretty much confined to the same resort for 3 days. This place is not for the party animals, the elderly or children in tow.

#4. Snorkeling
This must be the part I enjoyed the most. Instructors are friendly and humorous, and the deep sea snorkeling for 2 days were fun-filled. Marine Hotpark is the MUST visit site, where we mingled with the fishes in the sea at 零點距離 and took underwater photographs at RM$5 per picture. Snorkel equipment is cheap too at RM$20 for both days and RM$2 pack of bread is enough to attract the Nemos and box fishes to nimble on you all day. It turned out to be a good workout too.

#5. Massage Centre
A foot reflexology at RM$60 on the first night sent me straight into La La Land in the first 15 min. Masseurs look professional and friendly, interior of the centre is scarcely decorated, except for the Kenny G CD playing in the background. The full body massage at RM$120 on the second night was an outright disappointment as my therapist seemed to be purely gently rubbing with the Johnson & Johnson baby oil at my back rather than focusing on the massage itself. But I am still sore over the fact that there is no spa facilities in Laguna, as I was looking forward to a full set of body scrub/ wrap and aromatherapy prior to the trip.

#6. Scenery
Nothing beats the crimson sunset, and the clearly tiered sea lines which transists from sandy-brown to turquoise to ocean blue. Beach is unpolluted and water is crystal clear. On a lucky day, large and beautiful fishes swim to the main shore and you can feed them at just knee height. Due to the humble setup, there is also no huge crowd of tourists or drunk party gangs, which adds points to its serenity. However, due to the abundance of sea shells and corals on the shore, there is a high potential of sharps and tripping hazard.

#7. Overall
The trip did not score on physical attributes but more on the softer sides such as aesthetics and new experiences. So why is there such a high overall rating? Because my company is worth 5 starfishes.

熱浪回憶錄(上集) - Redang Trip (Part I)

2008-09-26T07:53:00.015+08:00

This is the first time that I visited this beautiful island of Redang. For those people who are as "山龜" as me, I will be sharing some information I learnt during the trip. Instead of the usual R&R, there was so much educational value for this resort such that I felt like a Primary School kid who just attended an excursion =)

The road and ferry trip there took 12hrs. So we spent 24 hrs in all just on transportation alone! But by looking at the picturesque views, I guess it is all worth it.

Rules to Follow
#1. Do not collect dead or alive material, including seashells, corals, fishes and even sand.
Penalty: RM$20,000 fine and 2 years imprisonment **dun play play!!!**
#2. Do not book facilities like spa or diving packages in another resort.
There is NO road transport between resorts in Redang. The only way to travel from one resort to another is to charter a boat via sea which cost RM$350 per trip
#3. Do not miss your ferry
The last ferry to Mainland is at 12pm everyday. If you miss that ferry, chartering a boat back is charged at RM$2,000 per trip (one way)

Fast Facts
#1. There are occasional sharks which will swim to shallow waters. But they don't bite as they have no teeth
#2. Malaysia government discontinued the use of snorkeling flippers for tourists due to massive destruction of the corals by flippers in recent years
#3. Corals take approximately 10 years to grow a 1cm in length
#4. The original More More Tea Inn in year 2000's HK movie <<夏日麼麼茶>> was torn down and rebuilt at the right corner of the beach. The original location of the inn now stands Laguna Resort.
#5. There is florescence sand which is visible at night where the plankton surfaced at the damp stretch of the coast line. Just pick up a pack of sand, rub with your hands and the grains will glow in blue **wow, but I have not tried**

Surprise Findings
#1. Apparently, spa is only available at Berjaya Resort which is "miles" away. There is only a massage centre which offers full body and foot reflexology at a reasonable price in Laguna Resort **very disappointed**
#2. There are only a few restaurants here, and not much variety of food. All buffet meals are served at a restaurant at the second floor.
#3. There are 4 beds in the room we booked: 2 single beds and 1 double bed. They are actually proper good size beds and not just mattresses or sofa-beds. 4 persons can bunk into the same room, with considerable amount of moving space.

想 [ 當年 ]

2008-09-21T17:41:00.015+08:00

There is an interesting shop in China Square Building 2nd level, which I stumbled upon this morning. At first glance the small shop looks like a junk ship full of second hand and unwanted goods. Although there is a huge spread of items, they are all categorised neatly in piles or stacks. As I took a closer look, treasures from the 50s to the 80s were but everywhere. I was so excited that I took pictures of all those items which I find nostalgic.

From the photos on the wall, the shopkeeper seems to be a prominent and high ranking figure in the Singapore Scouts Society. Many local and overseas celebrities have also visited his shop. He took photos with ministers and the president as well. Luckily the shopkeeper was exceptionally busy today and did not notice me snapping pictures away. And out of my expectations he actually have a website for his shop at http://www.viewpointtrading.com.

There is no price tag for all items in the shop. Well I guess antiques, no matter what are they, appreciate at various rates with time. And some of them are not even for sale. The one closest to heart will have to be the 1st generation Singapore Broadcasting Centre 电视广播周刊 which I used to read when I was in primary school. As I flipped the pages, the magazine is still in very good condition and still reeked of the familiar yellow paper smell. And the price tag in the 80s? 60 cents.

Okaeri Nasai~

2008-09-20T14:01:00.024+08:00

Friday evening at Changi Airport T3 is serene and peaceful.

Somehow I got the feeling that T3 is overdesigned, with less than 20% of the check-in booths in operation when I was there yesterday. But it was as clean and majestic as about 8 months ago, when I was there on its opening day on 9th Jan. But not many more shops were opened, compared to in Jan, which surprised me.

Anyway this is first time I am at T3 in the daytime, so I went to the viewing mall to observe the planes which I did not get to do so when I was there at night. As usual it was packed with school students "trying" to study but the view was indeed quite magnificent.

By the way, Desmond was not aware that I would be here, so this was meant to be a surprise... Unfortunately I let the cat out of the bag when he phoned me after he landed =(

Desmond's flight landed at 505pm, but he did not appear at the arrival hall until half an hour later, when I spotted a man snapping photos curiously with his phone camera. It must be him.

As he walked out with his luggage towards me, I had an overwhelmed feeling. What is supposed to be a week long of duty in Guangzhou, really feels like a month. See how ecstatic he is to be home =)

And I got a present for him! Part I of the present was a white fluffy monkey with a curly wiley tail and a shy bashful face. I find it so cute that I have to get it for him. It also fits the theme of his new blog, which is gemini-monkey-journal. The only heart-ache of the journey back is that the trip from airport to Bishan on a maxi cab cost nearly $30, which I thought was exorbitant.

Part II of the present is a 8-piece fine chocolate which I made (Yes I did!) in NYP workshop on Thursday. It has a green tea or a orange filling. The final product does not look that professional though, but the taste? Still ok lah =)

Demond lost 2 kilos during the trip; he said he owned it to the low carbo diet he has been keeping for the past 7 days. I wish he had lost more though... but now he is at a prosperous 88kg... Keep it up!

Wake Me Up, Before You Go Go

2008-09-18T20:46:00.009+08:00

Time at Yio Chu Kang Station: 605pm.

It was another start of a 37 min MRT ride from YCK to Jurong East. I don't know why, but I have always enjoyed deep sleep on MRT trains and I was exceptionally exhausted today. Even with bustling commuters around me, the short nap perks me up to continue the rest of my long journey home.

I must have dozed off at Yew Tee. It will be another good 10min before I need to alight at JE to change to the west bound train to Boon Lay~

"Bukit Gombak" came the next announcement. Subconsciously, I thought I heard this announcement twice. I opened my eyes and the train was packed right to its brim. Cannot be. Just now at Yew Tee, the train was only half full. What is happening? Time: 700pm. I got up fast and squeezed past the sardines of people in front of me to alight.

I wonder how I could have missed the lengthy announcement made when train is approaching JE station; and what I would have done if I see a lady sleeping through a terminal station. Maybe my fellow commuters were too eager to hussel out of the train. Maybe the train was so packed that I merged perfectly with the mad rush of incoming batch of passengers. Or maybe I look like one of those who rushed into the train to grap for a seat, just to fall IMMEDIATELY asleep.

Maybe Singaporeans just don't have time to notice people around them anymore.

Maybe my expectation is too high.

Strawberry Shortcake

2008-09-14T18:05:00.010+08:00

It has always been a joy celebrating sis's birthday. Not only because it falls on Singapore National Day; but this time round, we had a record of 7 members of the family in the birthday cake photo! Could have been 8 but Desmond was helping with the photo taking. By the way, this is a delayed post, as I got the photos only today =)

Yuan has grown fond of blowing candles. She even mastered the full "Happy Birthday" song for Mummy, and happily sang it the whole day long. Before the cake cutting, I was teaching her some Maths. I asked her how many candles should there be on the cake since Mummy is 31. After much negotiation with Yuan, we decided that it should be three.

But during the actual candle lighting, my parents thought that one candle is simple enough. That's why the initial photo was taken with only one lighted candle. And here comes Yuan's protests, who refuses to carry on with the celebration unless there are three candles. Of course she won.

I bought the Strawberry Shortcake from Prima Deli. Why SS? Actually it was a close fight between SS and Dora The Explorer which is Yuan's favourite character. SS because the cake design was bright and cheery. Also, it brings back memories of me and my sister when we were young, when we collected everything from SS wallets, stickers and pencil cases. I was surprised they still have this design after so many years.

Paper Lanterns

2008-09-13T14:13:00.027+08:00

Yesterday, Desmond was off to Guangzhou, Dongguan, for his first FIBA International Referee Duty. He is going there for a week, having buffet for 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. I hope I can still recognise him when he is back =).

On 9 Sept, 3 days before he set off, we had an impromptu pre-Mid Autumn Festival Celebration @ Vivocity. It was a Tuesday night, hence the alfresco deck of Vivocity is pretty quiet. Quiet was good as we do not want to be embarrassed.. hehe. We found an open area near Mr Snowman and started taking out our gadgets, sticks, candles, lanterns and lighter.

It turned out that the lighting at the deck was so dim that nobody can really see this two bashful and childish adults trying to indulge in a childhood activity. The dim atmosphere also turned out to be a blessing as the photos turned out to be really bright and colourful. Credits to Desmond's Nokia N82.

Desmond lit 3 paper lanterns, red, pink and green, and it was really difficult as the wind was STRONG. We then made a contingency plan that if the wind were to blow the lanterns topsy turvy, such that the flame burns the paper lantern, (the cylinder is really small in diameter!), I will throw them to the space in front of us and Desmond will use his big fat foot to step on the flames. When we successfully lit up the candles, there was announcement sound through the Vivocity PA system. We thought the security spotted us on their CCTV playing with fire. Momentarily we panicked. Luckily nothing of that sort happened.

I had to do a presentation tomorrow morning, hence we did not stay too long. When we were about to leave, a gush of wind toppled the pink and red lanterns to the ground. Flame was extinguished immediately. No passer by around us was hurt. Phew. We were left with the green one, which we extinguished manually.

Nowadays, lantern carrying seem to be the activity for the privileged young. No adults become excited in it anymore. Maybe because it looked childish. Or we simply have no time and energy. Even the children carry battery operated ones. Are bulbs and music coming out from the lantern really more fun and interesting?

I did not remember seeing a moon on Tuesday, no mooncakes or Chinese tea were prepared as well. But atmosphere created was really heartwarming. It brought me back to my childhood days.

Thanks for bringing these memories back to me. Wish you have a safe and fulfilling trip, Desmond.

I Love Home Cooked Food

2008-09-06T15:53:00.013+08:00

Today, I had my first taste of home cooked food during lunch, in more than a week. Actually it is just a simple porridge meal with chicken, fish and vegetables. No extraordinary ingredients. But it tasted very special.

Mum was sick since last Friday; she was down with a very serious cough, flu, fever and sore throat. In fact, she was so delirious that I thought she has some mild memory loss and slight hallucination. What was worst was she has multiple allergies to drugs like penicillin/panadol. We suspected she got the flu virus from Dad, who just recovered less than 3 days ago. It was a costly oversight on my side for not quarantining them at night, as her immunity is very low due to the multiple drugs she is taking. I MUST remember to do that next time.

The first GP we see didnt seem to alleviate her condition much. Desperate as she still had bouts of fever, we went to her oncologist since she will know what kind of medicine goes well with her routine drugs.True enough, the $300 (!!!) fees for medicine + consultation worked magic on her, though she still took nearly 6 days to regain proper strength and vitality. On Thursday, she starting her daily nagging again, and even managed to go for her regular KTV session. Amitaba~

But for the past week, I suffered big time. Both me and Dad cannot even hold kitchen utensils well, so we dont want to make ourselves suffer even more by cooking. Two of the days, I had my packed dinner at a nearby hawker with Dad and one evening's dinner was spent at "Kou Fu" in NYP. Other days I ate with Desmond after work. And I must really say that the hawkers in Singapore really need to work on their recipes to cook up a proper "balanced" meal. Their high carbohydrates and protein dishes certainly dont work well on me.

I am the sort who cant live without plenty of greens on my plate. And the amount of veges I took for the whole week may be equivalent to what I took for lunch today. I also find myself walking aimlessly. without an idea in mind for dinner, looking for nutritious food. I cannot imagine if I ever need to do this on a long term basis. Maybe I should seriously start learning to cook.

So glad that she is well and up now; and of course has resumed her head-chef status. Will be dining at home tonight too. And I am very looking forward.

My Love Affair with Scrapbooks

2008-09-05T00:04:00.021+08:00

I did not expect to fall in love this way.

Especially when this is a rather costly hobby, and also demands a lot of time and concentration. I inherited my first set of tools and "scraps" from my sis in May, and it initially started as pastime as time was in indeed in my hands. And believe me, my first scraps was horrendous. What you see below is an improved version from the inaugurate.

I guess in the end it was the motivation to complete my first anniversary present for Desmond which persevered me to the end, completing about 30 pages of scrapbooks in almost a month. But my pockets were severely burnt too.

To many, scrapbooking is an time-wasting, arty farty tool, tailor-made for the tai-tais to spend their lazy afternoons with. I beg to differ. For one thing, not all tai-tais have the patience and passion to complete this task. It takes a lot of perseverance to choose material, pick colours, select photos and create a good theme. In fact I think the last element is the most crucial and most difficult. I can still remember how many hours I spend at "Made with Love" and "Laine's Papeterie" to select cheap and good materials. Desperation even drove me to "Spotlight" which surprisingly sells economical versions of those sold at the two shops. I spent so much time, emphasising on the details, analysing the value for money and finally restrict myself to get only those material I really needed.

At last, my efforts paid off. My favourite will have to be this:

It took me about one whole day to finish and it is the second time I did one which can be hang up on the wall. I especially like the lace details. And of course, this went straight to my dearest =). The first hanging scrap was actually a 32nd anniversary one for my parents, inspired by a nostalgic post on http://www.madewithlove.com.sg/.

I manage to do one for my dear niece Paige, just before I started work. I managed to use some recycled material too (the stems of the flowers are from the handles of a paper bag). Actually I like it a lot, it has a great theme and a nice colour combination. And she is REALLY a gorgeous little angel.

It has been a quite long while since I last scrapbooked. Maybe 2 months? Now my tool box, and remaining material are all lying quietly in one corner on my working table. About there. I hope that patience and time will be on my side, and I can start indulging, again. And my inspiration has just arrived: Baby Matthew.

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2008-09-04T11:28:00.028+08:00

别误会，这栏不是有关林俊杰的江南，而是我两个侄儿名字的缩写 =）

小小源泉就快两个月大了！上两个星期看到他，也明显的“发福”了许多，也比他姐姐爱喝奶，真令人疼爱！有时，他的招牌“无影手”还依稀可见，可是却老是让我以为他在发抖擞。但他现在总是贪睡，醒着的时间不多。除此之外，源泉与姐姐小时候，实在是难以分辨。以下照片为证!

小思源对于她这新降临的弟弟似乎没什么大抗拒。。反而显露出兴奋新奇的心情，也跟平常一样蹦蹦跳跳的。她也好像突然长大了，知道泉泉才是baby，有特权哭闹撒娇耍脾气，而她，已经是小大人咯！那天，她要求我帮她画画，题目是“我的一家人”，我随手涂鸦了Andrew, Jasmine 和小思源，便问她：“家里还有谁呀？”，她立即回答：“还有爷爷，奶奶，大姑姑，二姑姑。。”“家里还有一个在睡觉的是谁啊？”经过了一阵子的纠缠，小思源才娇滴滴地说：“还有源泉咯！”

他们的世界是简单，纯洁的，所说的话也是发自内心的。对我而言，这是每个小孩最讨人喜欢的一面。可能唯一能让人受到威胁的就是他们说流就流的眼泪，而且他们也知道用在谁身上最管用，这应算是他们最狡猾的武器吧。

单纯无邪的童年时光，真令人又羡慕，又回味。

Welcome!

2008-09-02T21:44:00.001+08:00

To all the 有缘人 out there！

Welcome to my blog! Suddenly I was prompted to start a blog after talking to colleagues and reading some interesting blogs. Hopefully in time to come, this can become an inspirational blog for many =)

This blog will be about my life and my loves. I always believe that we should live life simple, and it is nothing but a race against yourself, not with anyone else.

Sometime ago, I learnt from a friend: "Life is full of unexpectations... so the worth of it is not measured by the number of breathes we take, but the moments which take our breathes away... "

I do hope, I will continue to have countless of those moments to share with all of my dear friends here.

~我的幸福如此悦耳~

At Sophia's

My journey continues...

A Letter to Lee Kok Heng

Fistula after fistula

Flight or Fright?

Poetry Days

A+ for Apple

妈, 我回來了

The Begining of my Ordeal

I am Positive

Story-Telling

Securing the Date

The Real Meaning of a Race

Little Mr and Ms Bump

Keep On Improving

Peak-A-Boo!

A Night of Glitz & Glamour

My Dream Garden

Its Too Stiff

Muffin Tops

Hunt for BS - Part II

Hunt for Bridal Studio (BS) - Part I

Open Your Heart

Where Do I Begin?

To Own Our Night (2009)

Count Your Blessings

Scrapbook Galore

Ways to Tie a Survivor Buff

Go West

Heaven on Earth

Sugar Baby!

Run My Own Race

Everlasting Destinee

你是我的同花顺

What am I Waiting For?

Desmond's Home Aquarium

A Page from Yuan's Diary

The Man in the Middle

There For Me

Proud to be a Westerner

Stairwaves to Henderson

A Good Start

Thank You For Listening

New Semester, New Look

Oh my Daisy!

Run My Own Race

Happy Boo!

Serenity in a Turmoil

Me? Lee Hyori?

熱浪回憶錄(下集) - Redang Trip (Part II)

熱浪回憶錄(上集) - Redang Trip (Part I)

想 [ 當 年 ]

Okaeri Nasai~

Wake Me Up, Before You Go Go

Strawberry Shortcake

Paper Lanterns

I Love Home Cooked Food

My Love Affair with Scrapbooks

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Welcome!

想 [ 當年 ]