My new notebook

After our dinner at Shashlik last Thursday, we went to Borders for a walk. I just loved going to book stores. I was happily browsing through the note books when I came across diaries for 2006 at 50% off!

And it happened to be wire-binded! I have a penchant for wire-binded books. Needless to say, I grabbed one. At $12.50, it's a steal!

What I love most about the diary is, it's a full page for a day. I usually have lots of nonsense to write in my notebooks. My appointments, my pending jobs, my deliveries, and a lot of other personal writings. That's why I need a lot of space. The diary also comes with a plastic sleeve, which is just nice for my stash of paper.

I used to own 2 wire binded note books, 1 for work and 1 for personal. But it's not a diary, just a plain notebook. And I always lost track of where my appointments are written cos there's simply too much rubbish in it.

I've also bought a new address book, which I love so much. I had thought of writing down my clients' addresses and stuff but now I can't bear to write anything on it.

Since I'm an fanatic of notebooks, I guess I might just put it into my collection. Hmmz.

About Tara

Tara turned 16 months on Saturday. I tried to make it a point to take a few shots of her every month on the 11th. This one's taken at the coffeeshop near our house. A nice breakfast before Mummy goes to work.

She decided that sitting like this is the best way to enjoy her breakfast.

That night, I brought her along to a wedding dinner. The dinner was at a Chinese restaurant in Miramar Hotel. The food was yummy! Some hitches on the wedding video though, guess the bride was jumping mad then.

Bob started giving her fish oil a couple of months back. He's really convinced now that it's the fish oil that kept the harmful bugs away. Well, I guess so.... We didn't start her on the orange flavoured ones cos edgy me was worried that it might trigger her phlegmy cough. Until now, we can still hear her noisy breathing. Guess the cos-she's-still-young-that's-why-her-airway-not-developed reason no longer sounds convincing. It's time I bring her back to the paeds. Doctor said on her last hospital stay that she would need to see him after 6 months to check on the noisy breathing. It's way overdue cos I could not bear to let her go through the scope down her throat procedure. Anyway, back to the fish oil. This morning, I fed her the fish oil myself, for the first time. I'm truly surprised that she's not put off by the taste! Bravo, my young lady.. Even smelling her breath after that was enough to make me run miles away, less to say put the yucky stuff into my mouth. *puke*

I've been thinking of setting up an activity corner ever since she turned 1. It's mostly on arts & crafts. The forever procrastinating me, well, procrastinated. Until one day, about a month ago, someone stepped into my office and tried to sell me this.

Cost me $25. It comes with a mahjong box lookalike which I think would have cost $15 already? And a month after I bought that, that is a few days ago, did I finally bought a drawing block for her. A strawberry shortcake one which I had to get. It's so sweet, it's hard to resist. 2 books of 18 pcs each cost me $4.90. I got it at the Popular Bookshop in Compass Point.

Okay, once I got the activity corner done up, we'll start doodling! Yeah! But that might be another month, I reckon. Hmmz..

Accessories Box

I needed an accessories box. I wanted those with divided compartments. Some time back, I bought a plastic one but Bob's using it for his watches and stuff and there isn't any stock at Daiso anymore.

Yesterday, I tried to tidy up my dresser and the sight of my necklaces hanging on the corners of my mirror irked me. I simply could not go on (with tidying) any further until I find a solution. I walked around the whole house, in search of a suitable box that I can keep those necklaces.

After a while, I gave up. I guess the only way is to do one myself.

I used one of the many empty product boxes that are doing it's best at cluttering the house. Might as well make it useful.

Some taping, stapling, wrapping, pasting (and 2 hours) later....

Voila! My DIY accessories box! I'm glad I kept a nice supply of wrapping and coloured paper at home.

It may not be the coolest or classiest looking accessories box, but it does it's job. I'm happy. Now my next project will be a box each for my watches, my earrings and my beaded belt. I might need another accessories box though, cos my collection is growing pretty fast!

4th ROM Anniversary

Bob reserved a table for 2 + 1 at Shaslik tonight. Yum yum, love the Borsch Soup man. *Slurp*

Holo Pa-twig

This morning, I helped Tara put on her shoes, got her ready to leave the house. In a rush, I gently shoved Patrick (a red dog soft toy her aunt bought for her during our KL trip) into her arms and said "Darling, can you please hold Patrick?"

Tara held on to Patrick tightly and said: "Holo Pa-twig".

I looked at her, surprised, stumped and went "Huh?!". Although I clearly heard what she said, I just couldn't believe my ears! She talked! She talked! Oh..... She talked.....

For the rest of today, "Holo Pa-twig" kept ringing in my ears. Melodious.

Short Weekend in KL

We are going Kuala Lumpur by train tonight. YBIL (Younger BIL) has finally got his new house after 3 years of waiting and he wanted us to have a preview of his condo.

It's the second time we are travelling by train to KL. The first time wasn't much of a problem, Tara was only 6 months and all she did was sleep and sleep throughout the 8 hour night train travel. I'm crossing my fingers that there won't be any problems this time too. The inquisitive little-tottering kid might not behave as well as the first trip, I guess.

And I hope that there won't be backpackers on the top bunk this time. Backpackers with smelly shoes are no fun.

I'm gonna have the very yummy "har-lok" (prawn dish) and steamed fish head. It's gonna be a food trip this time. No more shopping, I've had enough on my last trip to Bangkok.

We will be staying at Sunway Lagoon Hotel. The last time I stayed there, Bob was on business trip and working most of the time. And I spent my time enjoying the lagoon view in the comfort of the hotel room, ordering room service and sleeping.

We will be back on Sunday night, by plane.

I regret

When I first shifted into this house, I never thought I would have so many issues after I have a baby. When my friends came over to view my new house, they would always ask the same thing "Eh? Where's the baby's room?" Baby's room? I never thought that I will need a baby room then. And I just conveniently pointed to the guest room, which is across the hall to my master bedroom and said that's going to be the baby's room.

I do have another bedroom, which I converted for other purposes. Half of it is my study and the other half is my walk-in wardrobe, which I'm so damn happy about. I have sealed the original door of this room, and hacked a door each for my study and my wardrobe.

I've never had major problems with this arrangement, until after I gave birth to my little girl.

Actually, it's not immediately after I gave birth. You see, I'm not comfortable with my girl sleeping all by herself in another room so she has been bunking in with me and Bob in our cosy little bedroom. She had her own playpen cum bed. My PILs started staying over. They stayed in the suppose-to-be baby's room and it has since become their room, or so, they thought. They would stay for a month or so and would go back to Malaysia for a month and come back again. Though I'm not comfortable with others in the house, I didn't have a choice. Everything was fine and everyone (almost) was happy, so there weren't any big issues.

Now my girl has grown, her barang barang, i.e. her toys and clothes, has grown too. There's no place for me to keep her stuff. I pestered Bob, telling him I need to convert the only spare bedroom into Tara's room soon cos I simply could not find any other way to do this. Bob agreed, he understand that his little girl will need to sleep in her own room one day. I started packing Tara's toys, and planned on how I wanted to decor the room. I shifted all the barang in the hall into the room.

Then PILs came over for their one month stay, and I gotta shift those barang out into the hall again. And I thought, Tara will never get her own room if PILs are going to come over often. Now I'm stuck. I wanted to create not only a bedroom but also an activity room for Tara, a place where she can play and maybe do some drawings and stuff and I'm gonna need a whole bedroom.

So now, the only place I can target the study room, although it's a 1.5m x 3m space, I thought a toys and activity room is better than nothing. I told Bob we gotta shift the computer to our bedroom. He refused at first, cos he felt that computers don't belong to bedrooms and our room is quite small already. But it didn't take me long to convince him. And he told me to do whatever I want.

Now the big headache is, how do I do it? The study room has a lot of OUR barang which I could not find a place to keep. It also has a big frosted glass door which is very child-unfriendly. I've also got low no door bookshelves with lots of books. And I'm now faced with another big headache. Every night, I would go home and look around the house, looking for some inspiration, for some ideas which can save me lots of trouble and money.

I'm gonna drop by Ikea, hope that I can get a really nice and affordable small computer table. Guess I'm gonna take little steps at a time now.

Big headache. I should have converted the baby's room much much earlier. *sulk*

Scam?

This afternoon, I was driving into a carpark at Bukit Merah, while I was queueing to get in, I noticed a couple standing in the centre of the entrance, together with an old lady on a wheelchair. When it's my turn to go into the carpark, the man blocked my way with the old lady on the wheelchair and the woman spoke to me.

The conversation:

Woman: Miss, can you help this old lady (pointing to old lady on wheelchair)? We are her neighbours and we brought her here to see HDB regarding her house (shows me HDB documents). She very poor thing, she has problems with her house and has lots of unpaid bills, and now she had no money to go home. She stays in Clementi. Can you spare her $10 to take a taxi home?

I looked at the old lady, and I thought I saw her turn away in embarrassment.

Me: (open my purse and saw no small notes) sorry, but I don't have any small change.

Woman: Please, can you help her? (showed me another stack of HDB bills). We are her neighbours and we brought her here to see HDB. We staying in Pasir Ris, brought her all the way here leh.

Wait a minute. The woman said she lives in Pasir Ris and the old lady lives in Clementi but they are neighbours?? And I thought HDB shifted to Toa Payoh?

Me: Since you already helped her so much, why can't you give her another $10 for the taxi ride?

Woman: We already helped her with a lot of our savings. And I'm not working now, was retrenched recently.

Me: Sorry, I really want to help, but I've got no small change.

I drove away.

In fact, I wanted to offer sending the old lady home. But when I parked my car, the couple and the old lady was gone. Maybe to find other good samatarians for help. Initially, I thought that the couple wanted a free ride but they actually asked for money.

But the more I thought about it, the more I found it fishy. Firstly, the old lady should be going to either the HDB at Clementi, where she lives or the the HDB Hub at Toa Payoh right? Second, the couple look like they can afford $10 but they chose to ask for it? And third, how come they can come all the way from Pasir Ris to Bukit Merah but can't go the extra mile of sending the old lady to Clementi, and instead, chose to ask for money for the taxi ride?

I should have offered the ride and see how the couple react. If this is a scam, I pity the old lady, for being used by the couple.

I'm back!

Actually I was back since last Sunday but I was too busy with work and spending time with Tara to blog. I had lots of fun in Bangkok! And Jaime, to reply your question, yup! I did enjoy this budget trip. Let's just say that the company we had was wonderful! Just like what Jaime said, even though 4 of us have different characters, we were able to get along really well and thus enjoyed ourselves tremendously. It was a truly 101% shopping trip. From shops open to shops close. I spent almost every single cent I brought there and even used my credit card. In total, I spent almost $900, excluding airfare and accomodation. But I still haven't shopped enough. I had to pay additional 1000 baht for having a 5kg overweight baggage!

Anyway, lots and lots of photos and super long entry!

Bob brought Tara to send me off at the airport

Wonder why there's a space beside Jaime?

It's actually for Cindy! Too bad she wasn't able to join us

In-flight meal, $3 Tom Yum Cup Noodle

Our first stop (Day 1): Suan Lum Market

My haul from Suan Lum Market. I love the top! But it's too tiny for me, so I gave it to Sis. Sad..

Chinatown (Day 2): The wholesale paradise

My haul of bags from Chinatown

Hair tie from Chinatown too. Enough to last me for the next 10 years.
Watches, earrings, belts etc. The squeaky ducky for Tara from Sis and hankerchiefs for Bob & FIL

We felt bad that Cindy couldn't join us, but we did not forget her. We bought her share too!

Pratunam Market (Day 2) Part II: Another wholesale paradise

My haul from Pratunam, love the t-shirt stands! So cute. I intend to use it as photo frames after I take out the tees. The bikini is for my beach party but in the end, I decided not to wear it. 150 baht = S$6

The four of us decided to be adventurous and squeeze into this tuk tuk. The driver was having a good time listening to us gals squealing and screaming while he whizzed past cars at dangerous high speed. I tried taking a pic of all of us, but I just could not get it.

Big C (Day 2) Part III. The gals looked like they just nipped something.

My haul of Tara's stuff from both Pratunam and Big C. Noticed I bought pull up pants? The auntie in me couldn't resist the cheap price.

I found a storage area for all my shopping

Day 3: At Asia hotel, me and my dear Sis

Day 3: At BTS station outside Asia Hotel. It's so convenient! The BTS station is just on level 2 of the hotel.

Chatuchak market (Day 3): The gals bought ice popsicles, which I dare not try. Food poisoning in Bangkok was a history I dare not repeat.

My haul from Chatuchak! Lots of rubber slippers and tops.

Mah Boon Krong (MBK) (Day 3) Part II

We went to Siam Discovery Centre before we headed to MBK. I just had to visit Loft, my favourite shop in Bangkok, where I got my usual pillowcases. Went to my favourite Boots pharmacy in MBK to get my skincare stuff too! And some tidbits for colleagues and PILs.

In the hotel room (Last Day): My luggage, I went to Bangkok with a 1/4 filled large suitcase and went home with a filled to the max case and an additional carrier bag.

Going to MBK for last minute shopping

Me and my sis at Siam Square. I told my colleague that I look different in my photos taken at Bangkok. He told me it might be that I didn't have the stress of work and also caring of my baby, that's why I look more radiant and fresh. Hmmz, I think he's right.

In the mini van, on our way to the airport. Kind of sad that the trip ended so early, yet happy to go home and see Tara and Bob.

My last minute haul from MBK & Siam Square. Managed to get my shoes, one more bag, some pouches from Naraya and clothes for Tara! I've even bought 2 small havers for her. Splurged over S$140 at Siam Paragon, with the intention to get the VAT refund, as I'm only a thousand baht away, but in the end, I totally forgot about it and realised only when I'm onboard the plane.

At the airport: Look at the amount of luggage the 4 of us have! Shocking!

It's the 1st time I came home with only 50 baht (S$2) left.

The in-flight meal? It's cup noodle again, but it's $4 Korean spicy noodles. Yummy.

I didn't know how to pack my luggage, so I left it there for days. Just unpacked this afternoon.

Flight Delay!

Writing this entry using free internet access at the waiting area. The flight will be delayed for 35 mins. And typical Singaporeans were already queuing to go onboard even though no annoucements were made yet. Arrgghh....

Be back in 4 days!

I'll be leaving for Bangkok tonight and will be back this Sunday.

It's the first time I'm going overseas without Bob. And being the super scatterbrain-ed me, I'm quite worried that I might forget to take my passport or my money or this and that. The 1st time I went Bangkok with Bob, I lost my passport. It's pure luck that I lost it after I went in to Bangkok customs, hence, I was able to fly back to Singapore (where I realised the loss) and came back with just my I/C.

The 3rd time I took a plane, to KL to meet Bob, who was there already, I lost my bloody way and got out through the domestic side of the airport, hence, didn't get my passport stamped. Blur eh? Well, that's me loh. That's why I'm very reliant on Bob whenever we went overseas.

I only get to travelled by plane once before I met Bob, as my family wasn't that well-to-do to afford trips overseas. And that one time was a return flight to Penang. So I think I can be excused for being such a suaku hor?

Anyway, this time, I'm travelling with Angela, Jaime and my dear Sis. It's my 4th time in Bangkok. I'm leaving Bob and Tara here. I'm gonna miss them SO.. SO.. much. Especially Tara, who has never left my side for a single night ever since she's born. But Bob said I should learn to let go (for being too attached to my girl), and learn to be independent (without him). He's right. I'm 27. It's time I learn.

It's also the first time I'm going there on a budget, as in budget airline and budget hotel. Bob, being someone who really enjoy life, he wouldn't even think of going on budget. Hence each time we went Bangkok, it's always 5 star hotel, Singapore Airlines or Thai Airway, and eat in a little too ex kind of restaurants. What can I say, I'm already spoilt by him. When I told him I'm taking Tiger and staying Asia, he frowned until his eyebrow almost knitted together! But I told him I can't always enjoy life right? Let me try a budget trip for once.

There's so many things I want to buy! My Botanics skincare, more bras and panties, Tara's clothes, Bob's stuff, lots of shoes and bags and (cross fingers) my clothes! Hope I can get clothes of my size there. A few of my colleagues and a friend had already tong bang me to buy some stuff for them. And I have packed my super big luggage bag already!

Be back in 4 days! Bangkok, here I come!!

What did you get for Valentine's?

Happy belated Valentine's Day to all! Hope you all have got some really nice gifts or bouquets from your other half.

Good news! My sis managed to sell quite a few bouquets, considering that she started out so late. And the single rocher wand was a hit!! So happy for her.

As for my own Valentine's Day, we didn't celebrate, cos we've already did during our weekend stay at the hotel. I did tell Bob I wana go out with Tara and him cos I will be away for the weekend and I wana spend more time with them. On my way back from work, I saw the traffic jam on the highway to town was horrendous, so we decided to go to good 'ol Jurong Point again.

It's super crowded at Jurong Point. And there are long queues outside all the restaurants. What's with dinner at restaurants on Valentine's Day huh? Anyway, we decided to go for Mos Burger instead. Although there isn't any queue at the counters, the place is full and Bob didn't wana waste time waiting for tables so we decided to get the necessities first.

When we were outside NTUC, Bob told me to go in first, he wanted to buy something and brought Tara along with him. While I was getting the trolley, I thought maybe he's getting something for me! Pretty excited but I acted nonchalant when he came looking for me. I took a peep the pram and saw no bouquets leh. So I guess Bob didn't went off to get me a surprise gift. Well.. that's Bob. A little disappointed but it's okay, cos he already treat me to a meal at the hotel.

While we were getting the diapers, he shoved something into my hand.

Bob: Eh, for you. Happy valentine's day.
Me: Huh? What's this? Thai Baht!!!!?
Bob: Yah loh, your valentine's day gift.
Me: Who would give Thai Baht as a gift?
Bob: You going Bangkok mah. I only managed to change now cos just now no time.
Me: Okay, at least tie it with a nice ribbon lah. But why you wana give me money in the first place?
Bob: Give you spending money for your trip loh.

Cute eh? That's my husband. The very practical sort of person. Actually, I think he made a very wise choice. Even though flower bouquet is nice and romantic, but I can only look at it right? At least the money I can spend and buy things I like in Bangkok.

Sometimes, this guy really do unexpected things. Cute.

Exasperated!!

Can someone tell me how to discipline a toddler?

Tara is so impossible sometimes. Whenever she did something really naughty, I would give her a stern look but she would continue doing what she was doing, while looking at me straight in the eye. Then I tried telling her 'no' with the stern look but she simply don't care and still carry on doing what she want. So I tried smacking her on her palm, from soft slap to a painful hard smack but she just refused to stop! She even offer me her palm when I told her I'm gonna smack her for being naughty, and go back to doing all the nonsense again. Exasperated, is the only word that can describe how I feel.

Are there any other methods to discipline her?

Gosh, it's so difficult being a parent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAREST HUSBAND, BOBBY!

It's my hubby's birthday today! 34 years ago, he decided he didn't want to have his birthday on Valentine's day and get only 1 pressie for both occasions, so he chose to pop out one day before.

There was once, I prepared 2 pressies for him, and I would give it to him at the last minute of 13th, and once the clock strike 12, I would whipped out the other pressie for 14th, Valentine's Day.

But this year, I decided to treat him to a night's stay in a hotel over the weekend.

Happy birthday to my lao gong, hope you stay pui pui and cute cute forever!

Sad...

The husband of someone I knew, passed away yesterday morning.

Reaction was shock. Usually that's the reaction when you hear about someone, or someone's someone passed away. But this is a speechless-for-5-minutes kind of shock.

She was married to this man only 2 months ago. And this was one man who sincerely doted and appreciated her but fate is cruel.

It's not her first marriage, but I guess it's her happiest. She didn't have a smooth love life, but she's a very strong woman. When we spoke this morning, she sounded like her usual self, but I guess, deep down inside, she's breaking into pieces. I mean, they are newly weds! And now, she's now a widow of her new husband. How cruel is that!

Everyone felt so sad for her, so sad.

The irony thing was, just now, I was tidying my table, I saw the tag from their wedding favours lying beneath my pile of barang. 10th December 2005. Husband & wife for only 2 months and 2 days. I guess their honeymoon to Israel was for a reason. They are devout Christians.

She spoke of her wedding as though it's her first. she told me how happy her mum was on that day. She got drunk and was really wild, even sabo-ed the wedding couple.

I will be going to the wake in the afternoon. Bob wanted to go with me, but I told him no. It's his birthday today.

Deepest condolences to her. Hope she will stay strong.

Bought something for your loved one?

Valentine's around the corner, if you or anyone you know hasn't bought anything for their loved ones, you all ought to be shot.

But fret not, Fairy Godmother is here to help. Just email them this link, and tell them to email tangerinz.etc@gmail.com for orders and inquiries.

What can I say? I'm such a nice person. Eh, I heard someone puking.

Pictures!

6 wands!

It's nice, isn't it? My sis did them all. So proud of her. Must support her okay? Let me know if you manage to help get someone to gao guan, I'll personally buy a wand for you.. Muacks.

It's the season to share love.

Tara’s Milestone @ 14 months

Development
1) She has 7 teeth now. 5 on top, 2 at the bottom.
2) Started walking on 10th January.

New vocabulary
Shower She would go “how-wer”.
Hello Used to be only “lo”.
Popo Sounds more like “papa” sometimes.
No more Follow by the infamous turning of hands.
Watch She will point to a watch and go “wat”

New commands
Take off your shoes We will tell her that whenever we stepped into the house, she will sit down and tried to pull off her shoes. Now she will do it herself, without us telling.
Close the door
Stand up
Sit down
Cover your head Mum taught her this. Whenever the sun is too glaring, she will auto place her hand on her head.
Baobao (Stomach full) She will touch her tummy.
Mummy hold your hand She will let me hold her hand.
Give She will stretch out her hand and give what she's holding. She passed me all her ang baos when I told her to. Received many praises that she so well-behaved (duh..).

Other things
1) She's been learning about "cause and effect" before she turned 1. Everytime she does something, I will try not to give any reaction. I will simply ignore or maybe give a gentle word of caution. If I'm going to raise my voice or laugh when she does, for example, pinch me, pull the newspaper or doing free fall on the bed, she will do it over and over again, and laughing while she did it. Nothing can stop her.
2) She was watching the "Hi-5" the other day and when Tim was singing the song about cows, I saw her bending over and doing a biting action. Then I remembered the 2nd part of this song, the other Hi-5 members would act as cows and a part of the dance had them bending and "nibbling on the grass". But when she did this action, it's not even that part of the song yet. She must have watched the same VCD too many times, that she actually remembered. And recently I noticed she would sing to the "Yoodle-lo-dle-yeah-hee". Hilarious.

Chinese New Year - Day 3

We've done all the visitings in 2 days, hence, there wasn't any programs on the 3rd day. Not wanting to stay home, we went to Marina Square to roam around.

Bob wasn't the window-shopping kind so after walking for a while, we went to Carl's Junior for our dinner. Finally! After weeks of waiting, I get to taste the burgers from the infamous restaurant. I ordered a Portobello Mushroom burger while Bob ordered a BK Whopper taste-alike and spicy beef fries and coke to share. Bob wasn't impress, saying the burger tasted just like BK. I admit I was a little disappointed too, cos it didn't really tasted fantastic. Or maybe we didn't ordered the right flavours?

Before we eat that burger, let's do some breathing exercise! Breathe in.. Breathe out...

After dinner, we decided to find a cafe for some cuppa, as well as feed Tara her dinner. Bob and I had a nice chat there. I told him it's actually better to bring Tara outside, cos we tend to do our own stuff at home; surfing internet, watching TV etc. We shopped at Giant a bit and Tara was really naughty. She refused to be carried or sit in the pram, preferred to walk around by herself and in the direction she wanted. She's basically going all over the place and didn't want to follow us. When I carried her, she screamed and kicked so violently, people might thought I'm abusing her. I think she's going into her terror 2 phase already! Really had a hard time taming that little padi.

While we were going to the carpark, Bob wanted to use the toilet so we went in to Pan Pac. Both Tara and me were so fascinated by the lanterns decorations in the hotel. The lanterns were hanging down from really high up, it's so beautiful! I applaud the person who did the decor! Good job!!!

When it's my turn to go to the toilet, Tara made a fuss. She refused to let me out of sight. Bob had to bring her to the fountain area and let her play with the water. Her top got wet and worried she might catch a cold, I changed her immediately.

Clockwise from top left- Tara: Hee! Let me show you another stunt of mine, blow bubbles with my nose!, Mummy & Baby Tara, playing with water at Pan Pac, Fascinated with toys at Giant.

On our way back, I told Bob I felt like playing mahjong but Mum wasn't around to take care of the kids that day. So I tried to make Tara sleep and indeed, she fell asleep just before we reach Mum's place. This time round, me and Sis were lucky, both of us won over a hundred. Yippee!