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Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Conversation between daddy and his little girl

Tara: Wahwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwah..
Daddy: Wahwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwah..
Tara: Wahwahwah..
Daddy: Wahwahwah
Tara: Wahwah?
Daddy: Wahwah?
Mummy: *Laughing away*
After 5 mins.. the conversation still goes on…
Tara: Wahwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwah…
Daddy: Wahwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwah…
Mummy: Aiyo.. (slightly irritated).
Another 2 mins..
Tara: Wahwahwah..
Mummy: Darling, stop it. You are getting on mummy’s nerves already.
Daddy: Wahwahwah.
Mummy: Hey dear, you stop it too okay? Just ignore her alright?
Tara: Wahwahwah
She hasn’t give up.
Daddy: Wahwahwah..
He hasn’t give up either.
Mummy: I’m going crazy already! Dear, stop it!!
We were on our way to pick up MIL. Minutes later, MIL in the car..
Tara: Wahwahwahwah…
MIL: Hahahah.. Wahwahwahwahwah…
Mummy: Arrrgggghhhhhhhhh………!!!!

Tara’s Milestone @ 1 year

Haiz.. I procrastinate on Tara’s milestone update at 11 months, gotta update for both months now. Haiz.. lazy mummy. I shall do it in point form.

  • New words in Tara’s vocabulary, “where?” and “olio”, don’t know where she learn olio from. Maybe she knows mummy loves to eat aglio olio? Nah, she’s just making sounds, but I’m sure “where” is one new word she’s been blabbering a lot lately. And one more, "mum mum". She's not calling me, she's calling for food.
  • Since 11 month, she learnt how to stand up by herself, without support. She would applaud at her own effort, and fell on her butt almost immediately because she’s been clapping too vigorously.
  • Tara learnt that if she refuses anything, she just need to shake her head. So when she doesn't want milk, doesn't want a particular person to carry, doesn't want to drink water, she just need to shake her head and we will all understand. And she's been so hung up on this new skill of hers, she's practically shaking her head as if she's high on some drugs. And shaking her head at almost everything.
  • She also understand what I meant when I said no. When she tried to pull the newspapers, rummage the drawers, go into the study, pull down books from the shelves, I will give a stern look, said "NO!" and she will understand. Most times, she will just scurry away, looking for other stuff to play, and sometimes, like most other babies, she decided she will test my authority. Instead of scolding her, I will distract her with some other stuff. The most effective one was her singing ducky travelling on her choo choo train around the whole house.
  • She also understand a few other simple commands. When I offer her milk, I will tell her to hold the bottle and she will do it. When she pull out the bottle before she finished the milk, I will tell her to put the bottle back and she will do it. Bob always tell her to lie on her pillow when he gave her milk, and she will do it.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Tara's 1st Birthday Party!

We held Tara's first birthday party at our place on the 5th of November. I think the effort I spent on the preps can equal to my wedding. 2 months before the date, I've already thought of how to decorate the place. 1 month before, I've started buying the party stuff. Bob wasn't really keen on holding a big party but I told him it's the 1st, and it shall be the best. Though I really want it to be very BIG, and even booked Hard Rock Cafe for the event. 2 things that changed my mind, limited budget and sucked service (which I don't wish to comment further). It sounded really cool to hold the party at HRC, but it will cost me $20 per pax, with only 6 items of finger food and unlimited soft drinks, which is the only perk. I intend to invite over 80, which will cost me more than 1,600. So eventually, I still ended up holding it at my place, with the same cost, but food is so much better. The only thing I hated is the cleaning up.

Most of those who said they are coming, came. Lots of presents and ang baos for Tara. I gave the kids goodie bags with tidbits and also a set of colouring book and colour pencils. For the younger kiddos, they have goodie bags too, but with baby friendly snacks as well as harmless, non-toxic "rattle" (I don't know how to call that).

I ordered a 3D brown bear cake that turned pink. It's my fault. I should not have said anything about changing the colour of the bear to pink (to suit the theme). I did tell the person taking my order to keep the colour of the bear and just change the cake itself to pink (well, there's a small cake in front of the bear). Miscommunication always happens. I was very disappointed with the pink, it's so.. so.. 80s. My cousin, whom I met once a year, carried her daughter over, looked at the cake and said (to her daughter), "the cake colour not so nice hor?". Arggh..

And did I mention that the whole theme was pink? I bought metallic pink balloons with pink strings to tie. (Some silver ones for the boys, pink is too girlish for them). Every piece of the decor was in pink, even the table cover. And yes, the serviettes, plates and cups are also pink. I didn't buy any pink forks and spoons because I've already busted my budget big time.

Bob got 2 cylinders of helium for the balloon. Cheryl took leave to help me out. Everything went without a hitch (except for the cake). I apologize to all who came, I'm so busy and couldn't really talked to everyone. Thanks for the gifts and ang baos. Now Tara got so many toys and clothes to last her for the next 1 year! She had fun unwrapping the gifts too.

It's so much fun, I don't mind doing it again. *wink*


Anyway, I've finally managed to upload all the photos! Thanks to the speed of my new Singnet broadband, everything is done in a cool 5 mins, compared to the usual 1 min per image previously. What can I say? Nothing to complain.... yet.


In front of the lift landing


Corridor leading to my house, fully decorated with helium-filled ballons


The spread


Entrance to my house


My dining, decorated with balloons too!


Tara and her birthday cake


Blow the candles


Tara's birthday presents


Tara's favourite birthday gift
A little Disney fire truck, comes complete with a firemen's helmet

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I designed this invite card, mass emailed to my friends and realised a grammar error. *sign*

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Designed a thank you card too. Emailed to all my friends after the party. And yup, it's pink too!

Jumping

My office is situated in a building that is almost as old as my hubby (he’s 33). There are 4 very old and battered cargo lifts in each building.

When I first started work here, Cheryl told me if I should use the cargo lift and the doors refused to close, I just need to jump and stomp hard to make it budge.

The other day, one of my client and I was using one of the cargo lift. I pressed the button, the doors didn’t close, so I did what Cheryl told me, I just jumped and stomped and keep pressing the button, trying to make the doors close (there's no close door button, to close the doors, have to press the level buttons). My client looked at me, puzzled and said, “Amy, what you doing? And why you keep pressing 7 (the button)? We are going down what!”

I was on level 7.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

When you least expected it

Conversation between me and my male colleague (MC).

Me: Hey, my menses came. Damn, look what I’m wearing today! (a white skirt). Heng I didn’t stain it.
MC: You mean you don’t know when it’s coming?
Me: No lah, I’m always not regular.
MC: Then how? Did you bring anything?
Me: Nope, and damn I’m wearing a bloody thong. (means I can’t borrow pad). Now I can’t sit down.

Minutes later, standing over my desk and typing…

MC: Hey, sit down lah! (Sniggering away)
Me: Hey, shut up okay!
MC: You need a stopper or not?
Me: Damn, I got a bigger stopper here alright? (Waving my mineral bottle at him).
MC: No… I mean THE stopper.

I walked over to his desk and he whipped out a tampon, which I gave him months ago, for him to “explore” (in a technical way hor).

Me: Hope it's not contaminated. You are my saviour, man…*Laughing hysterically* Thank you ah!! (As I was walking out the office).
MC: Hey, not so loud please. People will thought why you thanking me.
Me: You are the last person in this office I expect to have a tampon leh. Wahahahahaha….

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Vote for Tara!

Being the very kiasu mother, I've entered Tara in a Cutest Kid Competition. To vote for Tara, you have to click on this link. Search for Tara's cute little photo, click on it and you will be directed to your email program, after which you can just click send.

Alternatively, you can just send an email to cutestkid@tangerined.com with subject: CK Tara and send.

I'm trying to garner as many votes as possible. Hence, would appreciate if you all can give me and Tara your vote of support. Only limited to 1 email per account (Fair right?). But if you should have many email accounts, please, do use them all.

Your vote will be a nice belated birthday present to Tara. Muacks!

Friday, November 11, 2005

On Tara’s Birthday

I had intended to bring her to Snoopy’s Place in Plaza Singapura, but I have no idea that the restaurant had closed down. Boy, am I disappointed. Eventually, we settled for Manhattan’s Fish Market on level 6. It’s not the best place to celebrate her birthday but I can’t think of anywhere else to go.

Bob and I shared a Platter for Two, much like Fish & Co.’s seafood platter for 2, while we ordered a Fishnet – kid’s size fish & chips – for Tara. The presentation of the platter was quite different, the waiter will bring out the platter and flamed it right in front of us, using a can of what looks like aerosol. Of course it’s not, but I don’t know what that is.

Verdict on the platter, 6 out of 10. By the time we finished, Bob felt nauseous, because everything is deep fried. Unlike Fish & Co.’s platter, which we can finish every single grain of the rice.

Anyway, Tara enjoyed her Fish & Chips a lot (without the crust of course). She finished the whole piece by herself! Amazing! And we can bring the kid’s menu home too. I’m gonna put it in her little album.

Last year 11th November, I gave birth to my little angel. I can’t help it, and kept smiling at the thought of how time flies. In the early hours of 11th – after the clock strike 12 - , Bob sang a birthday song to her while she sleep, and whispered to her, saying Mummy was in a lot of pain - while trying to give birth to her - at this time last year. Hey, that is so sweet..

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO TARA!!


Happy birthday to my precious princess. Mummy & Daddy love you!!

Thursday, November 10, 2005

No more comments

I've decided to remove the comments, since I don't always get one. But if you should need to leave one, please email me okay?

My day “off”

Wednesdays have unofficially become my “off” days, when I will leave Tara in the care of Bob or my ILs (when they are around), and find a nice place to catch up on some reading or maybe some lone shopping.

I spent my first off-day last Wednesday, reading at West Coast Park’s McCafe. I almost cracked my skull trying to think of a place that has large cushy sofas, nice ambience for reading and not thousands of miles away from home. Places I thought of are either too far, too noisy, too crowded or parking charges are crazy.

Yesterday was my second day off of the month, I finally thought of the perfect place, Book Café, at a quiet corner of Mohd Sultan and Martin Road. I’ve been there a few times, with ex-colleagues or friends, and I quite like the place. But as of yesterday, I fell in love totally.

It’s the perfect place for reading! The big cushy sofas are so comfy. The décor are so homey. They have 3 separate areas, outdoor dining, indoor dining and rest-and-relax-on-the-sofa area. Every time I was there, I will be at the outdoor dining area, and yesterday for the first time, I took the sofa seats. Oh man, it’s so comfy I almost fell asleep!

It’s so easy to find parking too, which is another bonus. I put up 2.5 hours of parking coupons and spent 3 hours of therapeutic reading in the café. I love every moment of it! They even have shelves of books and magazines, and even a Mac for free net surfing! The only down point was the music, which I thought was a bit too loud, but maybe it’s my own fault for sitting right beside the bloody speaker. Make it another one, the food is expensive! A plain Caesar salad cost me almost $11 and a double latte at almost $6. Gawd!

All the sofas are 3 seaters, with a few easy chairs surrounding a table. I felt pretty bad occupying such a big area, since I’m alone. I was hoping no one would come over and tell me they need the seats. I’m pretty lucky, only 1 couple eyed my sofa, but they decided to take the indoor dining instead, and the rest of the diners are happy with the outdoor dining.

Like I’ve mentioned, it’s a therapeutic 3 hour reading. I left the café feeling rejuvenated, recharged and very happy. Not sure if anyone noticed a crazy woman smiling to herself along Mohd Sultan yesterday. In fact, I was in such a good mood, I give way to every single faster-driving car on the highway, usually I will just speed up and refuse to get off the lane, haha! I’m sure I will be there next Wednesday too. Ahh.. I can’t wait.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Thanks to Joe!

Thanks to Cindy's Joe, everytime I looked at my phone, I will see either Tara, Bob and/or myself. It's so nice! I love it so much. Well, who doesn't like to look at themselves the whole time? Especially nicely made up and stuff. I can see myself everywhere, from the menu to the calendar to even the box that pops up each time I receive an sms! Cool or what. Joe, you are good, man!

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On my wallpaper, my precious Tara.

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Pop up box; wedding shot of me, looking serene and demure. Haha.

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Bob and me smiling happily, on almost every background of the menu.

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Bob and me again, only in the "Go to" icon.

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Yup, it's us again, on the calendar!

My Christmas Wish List

This is my third post today. I'm catching up on loss time, since I didn't blog for the past 10 days.

For anyone and everyone who knows me, and agrees that I've been a good girl this year, and decides to buy me a Christmas present as a nice reward, I have come up with a wish list.

Hehe.. make my Christmas happy yah! Thanks..

Tagged Again - Weird and Random Facts

Was tagged by Eileen sometime back. Hey gal, sorry that I can only do this now. Busy lah..

Rules of the game:
Post 5 Weird and Random Facts about you, then at the end list the names of 5 people who are next in line to do this:


1. I hate mangoes; the smell reminds me of a wet rag, left in a dark corner of a cupboard for days. Yucks!

2. I must read something when I do my “business”, something, anything! Even town council newsletter is better than nothing.

3. I can yak non-stop with friends and acquaintances but go tongue-tied in front of crowds of strangers. Presentations freak me out!

4. For the benefit of those who always like to judge me, yes, I can cook and yes, I can do sewing, knitting and embroidery, thank you.

5. I can watch the most horror shows without batting an eyelid but go all shaking and shivering when it comes to “Crime Watch”. Funny? You tell me.

I won’t be tagging anyone because the last time I did, both ignored it. And both are the only 2 friends I can tag.

Bitten by the book bug

In 4 weeks, I read 3 books. I'm a believer by Jessica Adams, Spellbound and Mr Maybe, both by Jane Green. I have a penchant for chick-lit novels, they are very entertaining, makes me laugh. I used to read thrillers and stuff but after Sidney Sheldon – which I’ve read every single book he wrote before I got my ‘O’s – I decided that now, I need something for a change, I need something girlish and relaxing.

Came across “I'm a believer” at MPH and decided to borrow from the library (I don’t usually buy my books, unless its $6 a piece). Oh man, I had a hard time finishing it! Remember I mentioned I read 3 books in 4 weeks? I spent a wasted 3 weeks on this book alone! The storyline was interesting, but the flow of writing was pretty rough, not captivating enough. In fact, I will yawn once every 3 pages. But I happen to be the kind of person who MUST finish a book once I’ve read past the acknowledgements. Darn the principles, and I’m stuck with a boring book while the 7 others waited in one dark corner, till they are almost overdue and I had no choice but to return them.

As for Jane Green, she’s a goddess. She’s so funny that sometimes, I felt so stupid laughing alone, with nobody else beside me, and holding just a book. “Mr Maybe” is so darn close to reality and super funny; I finished it in 3 days straight.

Yesterday, I went on a book-borrowing frenzy. Well, Jane Green doesn’t write that many books to keep me entertained for long right? So I go against my usual “practice” and decided to scour for some nice books. I took every book that has a girlish cover, and with small printed fonts that says "best-selling”. Well, if it’s not best-selling means it’s not “discovered” yet or it’s total crap, and thus shall be ignored.

I went home happily with 5 books, on top of the other 2 I borrowed last week. Thanks to National Library’s “Drop everything and read” campaign, I can borrow up to 8 books, till January 2006. Happy!

Friday, October 28, 2005

Finally..

It's been quite a while since I've last touched the home computer. There's lots of stuff I need to do; Tara's website, new template for my blog, upload images, download fonts etc. The past a week or two, I will be asleep by 11.30pm and I kind of felt pretty bad, for putting off all these stuff and succumb to the comfort of my pillows and duvet instead.

Anyway, in 3 hours and 30 minutes, I (only) managed to do the following:

  1. Create a new banner for Tara's website (yet to launch), after making about 5230 amendments. I quite like it now.
  2. Some little stuff for the sidebar, which I presume I will still make 10,000 changes.
  3. Downloaded tons of fonts from Font Foundry

Talk about productive or what.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Karen Cheng

I spent the last few days reading Karen’s blog from the beginning. I’ve been following her blog everyday since June but only recently, I decided to go right to the start. She blogs about happenings on her daily life; shifting into a new house, attending parties and weddings, hubby surviving cancer, her obsession with earrings, taking care of Callum (first born) and giving birth to Sean. It’s very interesting.

Just like Karen, I love to cook too. And sometimes the things that happen to Callum happened to Tara too. I dreamt of growing herbs in my backyard if I have one, but staying in Singapore means it’s not that possible, unless I’m staying in a landed property. And reading about Karen’s nice little garden of rocket lettuce, tomatoes and herbs just makes me so, so envious.

I started to dream, of staying in Australia, where life is not as hectic, houses are bigger and during weekends, there are nice places to bring your kids to. Singapore is pretty boring, I would say. There are not many places to let your kids explore. I’m planning to bring Tara to Animal Farm, Zoo, Bird Park, Botanic Gardens and West Coast Park for picnics. And where else can I go? Shopping? Makan? Oh man!

I felt that life is boring here. Bob prefers to chill out at home every weekend, while I prefer to go somewhere, in fact, anywhere! Even Jurong Point seems like a better option than staying home.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Signs that tells me I've attained Auntie-hood

  • Don't bother to visit the hair salon, although hair is in complete mess.
  • Stepped out of the house without nail polish on toes, but wearing open-toes.
  • Shaving legs became an annual event, unless there are other IMPORTANT occasions when I need to wear a skirt.
  • Using my left foot to scratch my right leg, or vice versa. (Gawd, I can't believe it either, especially when I used to hate people doing that).
  • Talking when my mouth is full of food.
  • Talking way too much, and quite loudly.
  • Gossiping alot.
  • Wearing shoes and carrying bags that don't coordinate with the rest of my outfit one bit.
  • Rummaging through mountains of on-sale items, with glee.

Get-together

Had a wonderful gathering with the old-timers yesterday. I had the chance to cook curry chicken since the gathering was held on a Sunday. The verdict on the dish was quite good, thanks to the killer curry powder which Mum swears by.

Angela prepared sumptuous but “evil” kong ba pau. Guess I gotta run at least 5km to lose all that calories! But it’s so delicious, I couldn’t resist. Jaime brought along more fattening food, durian cake and blueberry cake! Wow, we really know how to enjoy ourselves! Sis took over my “standard” item and bought topshell, but preparations by Jaime, shame shame on her. Haha. Cindy was the only health conscious one yesterday; she bought fruits, not-so-ripe papaya, watermelon and grapes.

We enjoyed a few hours of yak before sis’ “suppliers” came to intro and do some demo for a certain brand of skin care product. As an ex-beauty sales promoter, I’ve learnt to be skeptical whenever someone tried to sell me something and telling me how good it is. Hence, it’s usually someone else trying it for a certain period of time, and it shows obvious results, before I will “invest” in it. Anyway, had fun with the demo.

Cyrus was, as usual, going around and making other kiddos cry. Javier was hit with a phone by Cyrus twice; the 2nd time was more serious, blue-black marks on Javier’s temple. Looking at Cyrus made me think of how Tara will be at this age, and it made me cringe. Nothing can tame him, except the cane. To care for such a child, it will take lots of patience, and I think Cindy is losing hers soon. Or maybe she had lost it already. Just hope that Cyrus will grow out of it soon.

After the gals left, I spent the next 3 hours washing up, doing laundry and some house chores. Without Bob around, it’s pretty tough to care for Tara alone. But I’m coping, and thanks to high 5. I have no choice but to let High 5 “babysit” Tara. Yes, I’m another victim of the “TV nanny”.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Wow! I passed 8th Grade Math!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!


Being really bad in Math (and I mean really bad), I'm so surprised I got a 10/10 in one try! Try it here!

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Emails from Bob

On Sunday, I was clearing out some stuff from the study and chanced upon some floppy disks. Who uses floppies nowadays? So I decided to retrieve the files and toast into CD-roms instead.

One of the floppies was some saved text copies of Bob’s email to me when he was going after me and when we first started dating. I almost forgot how lovely that feeling was. When you constantly received emails from someone who’s very interested in you and hoping you will consider him, and when he profess his undying love to you. It’s so sweet when you first fall in love.

When we started dating, he had already contemplated about getting married with me! Talk about fast or what. And he was saying if we have kid, the kid will look like him or me? And also how nice it is to have a place of our own, blah blah blah. It’s so nice when you thought of it in the past, when you are in it, well, it’s totally different.

Anyway, it’s good to reminisce once in a while. It kind of rekindles the almost diminishing passion. Of course I love my Bob, very much in fact, but the passionate feelings you felt when you first dated is almost no longer there. What a pity.