I'm All Ready!

My bags are packed. Not that I brought any extra clothing then the ones on my back coz I got a whole wardrobe full of clothes in SG…heheh..

My passport is in my handbag. My coach ticket, check. My digital camera, check. And you know what is the most beautiful thing about all this preparation. I bought my SG-KL coach ticket online! Easy or what? I love Singapore... I just click, pick my destination, choose my seat and pay it using my SG bank account. And it is so much cheaper. The last time I bought it from here it cost me RM80 but if I were to get it online it only cost me SGD31 which is about RM70 which saves me a whole RM10! Now if only getting a term life insurance quote was as easy here…

Have a great week and a greater weekend peeps.. See ya when I get back or sooner if I can get any internet access there

Cheerio…

OMG! Malu!

I’ve always been a city girl and growing up in sunny Singapore, cows or cattles freely feeding in open land is not a common sight for me. Not that we have that many open land anyway .

So just like me, other Singaporean bred kids , I reckon don’t grow up with that sight either. So is it any wonder if a friend of mine who just returned from Malaysia messaged me one night and told me how embarrassed she was when her and her kids were visiting a cattle supplies farm and her son excitedly exclaimed at the top his voice “MOMMY! HORSES MOMMY! HORSES!”…

I don’t know who to sympathize with, the mommy or the son…

Cheerio…

To Extend or Not to Extend

When I was growing up, I had big bushy hair. It was jet black, dry and brittle. The only way I could really manage is is by cutting it real short or if it’s real long, to always have it in a pony tail. The funny thing was my late father was bald and it sort of run in the family coz my uncle were bald too and my aunts all had thinning hair. I thought for sure, the hereditary trait missed me and I had more of my mom’s genes in me.

Then as I get older, in order to control this voluminous hair of mine, I had to straighten it all the time. Failing which, I had to, again, cut it short. Now, I love having long hair. It made me feel sexy and I love feeling sexy..lolzz .. I don’t know if that was the start of the thinning hair coz after those hair salon session, I noticed that my hair started dropping. In fact, each time, I visited the hair salon, my hairdresser would tell me that there were lots of hair drops in the wash basin and so she would start suggesting all sort of tonic to reduce the hair loss.

Now, this might sound freaky, but at first, I actually enjoyed my thin hair. It was easier to handle and it was as straight as I want it to be. Also, I figured, I could always do hair extensions if I wanted to add volume to my hair whenever I needed it. What with the number of clip in hair extensions readily available out there in the market. I mean I don’t need to get human hair extensions and as long it looks real, I’m happy

Now, as I get real old, the hair drop kept continuing. I’m so worried that I would grow bald one day. Hmm.. any suggestion anyone? For you information, my mom has a full crown till today so there’s still hope I guess?!

Cheerio…

Please Be Quiet

If you know me, you know that I can talk. I can talk about anything under the sun and moon and no topic is off topic for me. Even if I’m not well verse with subject, by the end of the conversation I would be because of the questions I would have asked you. That’s just me. I don’t know if it’s a flaw or a weakness but if it is.. so I’m flawed. Sue me!

Anyway, this incident happened a while back, in our very first apartment. We were just married and I wanted to change the look of our bedroom. You know, I wanted a fresh new look. So we decided to change the position of the bed which literally means moving everything as well.

So there Azwaj was, measuring corners making sure we had all the space we need to move the furnitures around, and there I was yaking away, giving suggestions, changing my mind, giving more suggestions when Azwaj just landed on the bed on said:

 

“darling, boleh tak diam sat?”
~ meaning ~
“darling, can you like shut up for a while?” 

 

I was like “Huh?”.. got on the bed, and started muffling him with the pillow! . We laughed so hard after that and it was good one hour later that we continue with the move

Moral of the story? Let the man do all the heavy lifting and you go and make coffee for him when he’s done….lolz!!!

Hey, you know what, during the shifting around, Azwaj even found the gold chain that I had misplaced before. Yipee!!

Cheerio…

My Vietnam Trip - 1999

Each year, the company that I worked for in Singapore would have what they call an off-site event. These off-site would be a three days/two nights an all overseas expenses paid trip. During these off-site events, we’ll have meetings, team building programs and generally be given an overview of what the company had achieved the year before and what the company’s initiatives are going to be for that year. It was always fun as it gave us an opportunity to interact with each other outside the office environment and see the partners and vice-president at their most casual behavior.

The last year I was with Bain, our offsite event brought me to Vietnam. As much as I enjoyed my time there because of the company and shopping, I doubt I’ll be visiting the place again though. For one, the food sucks (except for the Dragon Fruit) unlike our trip to Bangkok. For another, pollution was an all time high and it’s a dirty place with men generally peeing everywhere on the sidewalk.

One place that I enjoyed going to though was Chu Chi Tunnel. It has lots of history and I was able to see first hand how small the tunnels are (although according to the guide, it was actually much smaller but had been enlarged to accommodate bigger tourist). I also went into the tunnels to get a feel of what it was like to live in one of those tunnels as shown in the pictures below.

 

Oh’s and here’s LJ at one of the tunnel’s entrances. See how small it it? And here you can also see LJ holding an AK47 submachine gun. It cost USD1.00 per bullet.. I had two tries, both shot totally missing the target. The gun was heavy and each shot sent me backwards a few steps.

 

 

You know, me, being a city girl and a person who always had the modern life like a proper house, proper bed, proper kitchen, a proper bathroom with shower faucets, would never ever be able to survive during those times. I keep telling Azwaj that if ever there was a WW3 (touching wood), I would be among the first to die.. of that I am sure  😐

Cheerio…

Kebaya Anyone??

I was commenting on Farah’s blog the other day about her recent trip to Bandung and we touched on how cheap it was to get the Kebaya (a traditional Malay ladies outfit) tailored there. I remember how expensive it was to get one tailored here in KL for my own wedding. The beading of the sequins itself cost me RM700 and this was in year 2000!

Seeing how fancy and elegant the dress is, there is no way I could have used it again and even if I was lucky enough to fit into it and wear it to a wedding, people might mistake me for the bride..heheheh!

So I’m having a lightbulb moment here where perhaps I can sell it online or offer it on sale together with some other items that I can no longer wear and offer it as promotional products or something. Failing which I can rent it and failing that it will reside at the back of my wardrobe yet again.

Any takers?

Cheerio…

Morbid Thoughts

Yesterday, I had some morbid thoughts going through my mind. What if on one my one trips back to Singapore, I got into an accident and die? Who would take care of my affairs in Singapore? Who would help my mom with all the pending things in Singapore like my loans and my credit card payments. Who would help her take care of my CPF account withdrawals?

I guess Azwaj would take care of all those when the time comes but even now he’s not showing any interest. My mom is illiterate and even if I were to tell her anything right now, she would probably say I’m talking rubbish.

I have started to compile all my paperwork last year. From shares certificate to loan documentation, from my central provident fund statements to my travel health insurance certificate, I have put them aside complete with the respective agents and login id and password. I hope it would help those going through my stuff when I’m gone.

I know these are morbid thoughts but I guess it has to be addressed and dealt with somehow. I just hope it’s enough….

My Mommy's Mammogram

Someone that my mother know has told her recently that when you’re 60years and over, you can’t possibly get breast cancer! So I am really pissed at this someone as my mom’s doctor had specifically told my mother that he wanted her to go through a mammogram examination.

I think it’s probably because my mother is scared so she’s using this person explanation as an excuse not to go. I managed to explained to her that she had nothing to fear and it is always better to be in the know then not. I also promised her I would be there with her for the appointment and that somehow made her feel more comfortable with the whole thing.

So folks, I’m going home the last week of May!

Hmm.. I guess I better get Azwaj’s car insurance renewed before then huh?

Cheerio…

A Better Husband

A man asked his father-in-law, “Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?”

The father-in-law answered in a smile,

“Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you.”

Cheerio…

Why I Watch Oprah..

These are the few reasons why I watch Oprah Winfrey’s show.

1. She always have fantastic people coming in to talk about a multitude of issues that really hit home, like “how to get out and minimise debts” and “how to avoid debt altogether”
2. When Dr Oz comes and visit. He can talk about any medical issues and makes sense of it. I love him.
3. She has people come down and talk about tips to get pretty and get fit, live healthy just like when she featured Dr. Perricone’s 10 SuperFoods that resulted in lipovox reviews and making us more aware of what it is and what it does; and
4. I love watching celebrities make a fool of themselves (Tom Cruise for instance)

Cheerio…

Poor Miss Fly

Miss Fly, my fabulous five month old laptop, is crying. Crying?? Why?? Because it’s running out of hard disk space. Her owner, namely me, has been too illustrious in downloading e-books, scrapping materials and blog templates (ahem, ahem, notice the new look, lolzz) that she is screaming for some extra space to work her magic. I guess I got to get an external hard drive or get off my butt and start “burning” those materials I have been downloading eh.

I’ll get to it as soon as I’m done with this post. I promise Miss Fly!! Muahss!!!

Cheerio…

The Last Time..

…. I picked up a novel? Someone ask me that today and gee whiz, I can’t remember! Honestly! I mean I read magazines and stuff but a novel? Unless you count cook books as reading.

When I was a little girl, I thrived on books. There would be times when my mom would think I was in bed sleeping when in actual fact, I was reading and lying down which contributed to this very thick glasses I have to wear.

Hey, wait, does e-book count? I read one last month!

Cheerio…

Obssesed

I’ve always be obsessed with my finances. It’s not like I have tons of money to track. I think it’s because of the opposite reason which is I don’t – have tons of money that is. Ever since I can remember I’ve always been very meticulous in recording my daily expenditures and balancing my cash balance to the very cent. I’m just obsessed that way. When my accounts is balance, I’m happy. When I know where even my 5cents went, I’m contented.

So I was so happy when Azwaj decided to purchase an accounting and budgeting software for the company. Unfortunately it’s not the one recommended by the BPM partners, but I guess it’s better than nothing. I’ve been to training today and I’m confident I can handle it despite my almost non-existent accounting background. So good luck to me! lolz!!

Cheerio…

When The Future is Uncertain

My parents were hawker stall owners. When my father got sick, their business got affected because what was a two person job now became a one man show. It was hard on my mom. There were stall assistants of course but that did more harm then good to the business.

When my father passed away, his life insurance really helped my mom sustained her life while she tried to rebuild the business. She succeeded and the business thrived though she gave up the stall when she reached the age of 55.

What I’m saying is, sometimes preparing for uncertainties in life takes some form of vision for some people. A lot of people don’t see the importance of life insurance. My father had that vision and because of that, my mom need not suffer. She was able to mourn and move on without any worries of financial matters hounding her.

Everyone need to be prepare themselves, be it life insurance, home insurance, health insurance even child insurance. Are you prepared when the future is so uncertain?

Cheerio…

Wohoo.. A Wedding!!

It’s a been a while since I attended a wedding in Singapore and I just got to know from my mom that my niece, who I actually tutored when she was in primary 2 and is now teaching primary 2, is getting married on 31st May 2008. Citra’s wedding is going to be a first for my cousin so I am anticipating a big grand affair, Singapore style.

I’m so gonna be there, to not only see her on that bridal dais, but also to catch up with the relatives. Too bad I won’t be able to attend the bridal shower though. I heard the bridal shower invitations went out last month and mine is at my desk back in Singapore, which reminds me, I got to RSVP!!

Cheerio…

Sleeping Boisterous Me..

I am one boisterous person. In my sleep that is. Ask Azwaj, if you don’t believe me !! It’s not like I sleep at one corner and end at another. I just hit and punch people in my path !! Both of us would be on our comfortable memory foam mattress and as usual I would be on Azwaj’s left. Then the next thing I know, I would hear this.. “Ouch” from Azwaj. My knuckles just connected with his eyes!! !. What’s worse is, sometimes I’m not even conscious when it happened!

Sorry love.. next time just punch me back ok

Cheerio…

Second Chances

Sometimes when you fall from grace, you tend to always ask people to give you a second chance. An opportunity to start anew, to turn over a new leaf. But do you practice the same thing? Do you do to others how you want others to do unto you? Or do you turn a the other way and refuse to be associated with “those” people anymore?

How would you treat someone who just got out of drug rehab for instance? Would you shun him or would you welcome him to society and help him out the best you can?

I believe everyone deserve a second chance. Everyone deserve to err and repent and still be accepted into society. After all today might be their turn, tomorrow, who knows? The tables might turned and it is us who needs the second chances.

Cheerio…

Perhaps Laughlin

My midnight buddy, GP, did a terrific virtual tour for all her readers over at her blog the other day. She also had some pretty nice shots of Las Vegas by one of her friends who was over in both LA and Las Vegas.

I enjoyed the virtual tour so much that I decided to do my own little research on the state. After all you never know when the travel bug might bite. By then I will have all the information I need of all flight and accommodations like the laughlin hotels for instance which offers great discount for tourist! I would also have detailed list of activities we can do there too.

Hmm.. I wonder when that travel bug might bite though.. sigh… it’ been a while now

Cheerio…

I'm Tatiana!!

OMG! I found this cute test over at Rebecca’s blog on my Hot Red Drops rounds and I thought.. ok I’ll give it a try.. and waddaya you …. I am..

Which Grand Duchess Would YOU Be?

You are Tatiana, the practical, proper, beauty; the second Grand Duchess. You carry yourself like a queen. Everyone remarks upon your grace and good looks. You are very religious yet also quite practical. You like to take charge and help others.

And do you know why I am so excited?? Because this is my nick when I first starting chatting on YM back in 1998! And I still use it now although the original id was hijacked some time back!! Hate those hijackers. Anyway, my chat friends still call me by the name, either Tatiana in full or just Tat. What a coincidence right!! Totally awesome!

Cheerio…