Distracted

Sorry for the lack of posts.
Blame it on facebook. Heh.

Situational awareness

It is so glaring. It hurts.

Muy, muy triste...

Attended two wakes within a span of few days. Both were fathers of my colleagues - one lost to chronic illness while the other suffered a sudden heart attack.
It has been a terribly depressing week.

Mad World- Gary Jules

First heard this song on the movie "Donnie Darko" a few years back and I fell in love with it.

*Warning: It puts you in a pensive mood and is extremely addictive (almost like how depression sucks you in).

Well, what can I say...it is a mad world....

Japanese Golden Curry

As you can see, I am on the roll with Jap food. Picked up a packet of curry roux from Cold Storage and cooked it with some chopped onions, potatoes, carrots and pork. It was soooo easy to make and the verdict - hubby loved it!

On National Day

The girls gathered at my place today and we had DIY sushi party! Guess which roll was made by me! Okay, yes...mine is the not so aesthetic looking one but it was still edible...*Yums* ;P

It's a mad house

A personality test Hubs and I took recently has confirmed my worst fear. We are more alike than we think we are! Both extroverted nutcases - with me scoring slightly higher on the neurotic side *laughs dizzily*. That explains why we are driving each other insane all the time! *tsk.tsk!*

On a separate test, I am supposed to be the persuader, convincer, one who influences. *VOTE FOR ME!* Apparently Arnold Schwarzeneggar share similar traits too! Heh.

Cheese fondue, anyone?

What better way to spend Friday evening than to bond with friends over a hot pot of melted cheese...

Bosses Restaurant (黑社会)

Aromatic crispy duck in shreds - perfect for a lazy bum like me! :)

I've always given Bosses restaurant at Vivocity a miss because I thought it would cost me a limb to dine there (esp. with a name like that!). But since it was mum's birthday this week, I decided to splurge a little. As it turned out, the food was surprisingly very reasonably priced and very good! Love the black themed decor & ambience...very chic and unique! Mum and granny apparently had some difficuly locating the very mirrored up loo *hehe*.I'll definitely be returning for their dim sum very soon (hubby in tow of course!)

Bosses Restaurant
Vivo City #02-156/157
1 Harbourfront Walk

Leave my comfy nest?

Hubby highlighted me to an opening for a healthcare senior management post in the classified ads today.
"At least consider it, will you?"
Well, the thought of making a jump to pure managerial/ administrative work is pretty daunting but perhaps I should seriously give it a thought. I seem to match most of their requirements and I guess I'll never know till I try....(if I do try)
*which reminds me - it's time I tidied up my CV!

*Update: Did some asking around about the institution and decided against applying. Well, till the next best opportunity...

Toyota Mark X

We bought it. *Huge Grin*
I know, I know... I said we wouldn't but the devil wouldn't let it rest. He tempted us with a drop in COE by $1000 and a much, much better deal. Who could resist? ;P

Getting into the mooves...

I've finally signed up for some contemporary dance action (after a year of contemplation!). The first lesson was pure torture - the amount of stretching we had to do and the aches and pain that came with it! It has since gotten a lot more bearable and I'm enjoying every bit of our weekly 90 minutes class. There's always this sense of better posture, greater poise and well-being after each session (as temporary as it may be). We've not attempted anything too gravity defying as yet but I am sure we'll get there. Someday. :)

Mass Mail

Haha..how very true! :P

9 words and phrases women use

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end
an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes : If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.
Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing : This is the calm before the storm.
This means something, and you should be on your toes.
Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go Ahead : This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word,but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men.
A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That's Okay : This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks : A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome.

8. Whatever: Is a women's way of sayin F@#K YOU!

9. Don't worry about it, I got it :
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself.
This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?"
For the woman's response refer to #3.

About the car

After much deliberation & plenty of test driving, we have decided not to get a new car. It was tough making that decision but I guess we could do with a little more savings at this point in time.
Anyway, here's the car we both fell in love with:


Toyota Mark X

She is gorgeous, isn't she? *sigh*
Oh well, maybe next time....

My first branded bag

A gift from my sister from her recent trip to the States.

Wonder if hubby will get me a matching wallet with his huge performance bonus this month? *wink.wink.nudge.* ;)

Encounter with a long lost friend

First, he showed me the huge scar on his forearm.
"I had an accident about nine years ago." he said.

"Now if you think this is bad..."
He lifted his pants to reveal a prosthetic limb.

I was shocked and deeply saddened.
He was a good boy...why has life taken such an awful turn for him?

Pressie from my patient :)

Well, at least one person out there appreciates what I do!

5 year itch

Ok, I am clueless about the whole car business thingy but what I do know is that after the first 5 years, the value of a car plunges significantly. So here we are at the juncture of having to decide on whether to stick to our trusted 4 year plus Toyota Corolla (which we have already paid off) or find ourselves suckered into the excitement of getting a new car and spending a lot more money than is necessary. The thing is, our car has not been behaving lately. We had to fork out a good $900 just not too long ago to replace an oxygen sensor that had conked and this morning I was told at the service centre that we might have to replace the whole air-con cooling system which will cost us an estimated $2000!
So fix it and move on or should we succumb to temptation? *decisions, decisions, decisions... *

"B.o.s.s!"

I don't quite remember who started it but my team members have been calling me that for the longest time. It is driving me absolutely crazy and I can't get them to stop! Hey...I'm not the one issuing paychecks and big boss is sitting in a cubicle right next to us! So, I was told today that it is meant to stand for "Bachelor Of Social Service". For the fact that I should be available to them at work and long after office hours. (Read: I've got no life...*sobs*) Cute interpretation but sad for me, eh?

I did what I had to do.

No more sleepless nights. And the tummy ache that had plagued me since last wednesday miraculously stopped the day after the termination.

Losing my sanity

I've not been sleeping well lately. I feel like absolute crap after work each day and then I go to bed early only to find myself waking up in the middle of my sleep thinking of more work. Had to deal with a series of unfortunate events concerning a few of my staff lately (one after another!) and all that fire fighting has seriously taken a toll on my mental health. That on top of me having to orientate two newly joined fresh grads. And worse of all, I have been tasked to sit in with big boss and HR on Monday to do something that will probably haunt me for quite a while - we are letting someone go and the person does not even know it yet. It is not a pleasant thing to do but sadly, the person has no more saving grace.

I am losing my sanity over work and I am not sure it is even worth it.

Virtual cat fight

With the younger generation at work calling me "Ah Ma", "Aunty", "Mum" etc..., it is rather refreshing to be branded "slutty" for a change. This coming from hubby's ex of course (on her blog!)...and after all these years *sigh*.

Bitterness is a slow acting poison...
my heart truly goes out to her.

*In case you are wondering...no, I had nothing to do with their break-up. I guess I just happened to be in the wrong place (or right place) at the wrong time.:P

A touch of wink

I've always wanted a mural on my living room wall but it is just too much hassle (& expensive) and the thought of repainting over it (I get bored easily) just doesn't quite appeal to me. Now, these decals from Wink have gotten me all excited. They are pretty, fun and best of all...I can just peel them off when I need a change.
Can't wait to lay my hands on them!

Another year older...and life just gets better...

An increment, a trip to possibly the most efficient country in the world at its peak of cherry blossoms season...and there's a thing in my pocket (Thank you, hubby!:D)...

It has been a good birthday month... :)

Our day excursion to Pulau Semakau...

...a.k.a. rubbish island. But what we saw on the island today was anything but rubbish. Check out the various species of marine life we spotted at the intertidal walk...








Curious to know what these sea creatures are?
Why don't you sign up for a guided tour too! :) Just be prepared to get a little wet and dirty and a whole lot of fun (& knowledge too, of course.)! :D

A happy birthday!

My family celebrated granny's 69th birthday at Tao's restaurant today. It was our first time there and we were all very impressed with the exceptional service they provided. Food was pretty good with an interesting mix and we love the presentation too! And the best part, the bill only amounted to about $300 for the 10 of us. (UOB credit card gets 10% discount).
Will definitely be bringing my friends there next.
Do go support them too, ya! :)

Tao's modern pacific cuisine
1 selegie road, #b1-19,
paradiz centre
singapore 188306

CNY greetings...

"Happy lunar new year! May your eggs be fully utilised!"

Thanks, Ms MD. I will work towards a dozen piglets. (hmmm...)

Festively busy

After slacking last week, I had to work doubly hard this weekend to get our place ready for Chinese New Year. There were toilets to scrub, windows to clean, dining chairs and table to polish, cupboards to dust and wipe, floor to vacuum and mop, that disgusting mold on my leather sofa to rid off (I warned my hubby about getting a leather sofa! Why couldn't we have one with covers I can remove for washing?!)...and of course loads of laundry to wash and iron. Tired. *bleah* Anyway, I'm happy to have gotten most of my CNY goodies (quite a few handmade by my mother-in-law which I have starting chomping on already! Her pineapple tarts are sooo good!:P) and my CNY decor (including two cute piggies) is up to usher in the year of the piggy! Now, the next step is to pack those ang baos (red packets)...$$$!!!

Pan's Labyrinth

Probably the best Spanish film I have watched to date. Love the spin at the end (guess it could be perceived as both a happy and sad ending). Wish my Espanol was better. Hard to concentrate on the movie and subtitles at the same time. Anyway, I just realised the official website contains the entire soundtrack - go check it out! And make sure you go rent the DVD if you haven't caught the movie already! :)

Lazy Sunday

I didn't do any housework today. Didn't feel like it. Instead, hubs and I headed to Vivocity in the morning. We had You Tiao (fried fritters) with soya bean curd at Food Republic for breakfast. Watched a movie ("Babel" which was good but it made me a little sad). Returned to Food Republic for their claypot laksa (pricey but yummy!). Bought a book from Page One (my favourite bookshop for now) and then returned home and slept the remaining afternoon away...
Lazy but happy!

My results are out! ...

..and it's a MSc with Distinction! Wooohooo!!!! :D