安床 and 过大礼

the 2 big pre-wedding events - 安床 and 过大礼.

 

we had to do ours like 2 mths in advance of our wedding day, as apparently, there is no auspicious date for us in lunar june and july.

the preparation the day before... busy getting the required fruits and pasting the XI stickers..

huat ahhh! the pineapple looks cool huh. stylo-mylo 'hairstyle'. lol.

安床

heard many practices about this part of the wedding. some said cannot sleep on the bed after the 安床 process. some said the groom has to sleep with a guy on the bed (which I also happen to read on the internet). but according to our master, the bed cannot be left empty on the night of 安床 and after that, the couple can sleep on it. yeah.

completed! success! huat huat huat!

and the troop for 过大礼 - hubb, his 2 elder bros and his aunt

rain!!!! wealth wealth!!

the goodies

dried scallops.. one of the most expensive items in there

cakes... from this gin thye bakery which opens 24hrs daily... I wonder why the need to open 24hrs....who would patronise in the middle of the night huh?

traditional le bah

2 bottles of red wines

some of the items that mum requested - cans of pig trotters, dried scallops, dried oysters, wedding cakes, wedding cakes cards, wines etc...

and of cuz, mum returned many items too!

our new bed! with all the good blessings :)

and after that was fathers' day lunch at vivo's TCC... w my soon-to-be family :)

blessed.

HappY FaThErs' DaY

happy fathers' day! 

@ peach garden at chinatown point 

StuDy LoAn RePaiD !!!

was checking through my bank a/c transactions when i realised that the deduction to repay dad's cpf a/c for my study loan was extraordinary low last month. and then, it dawned on me that.......uh-huh uh-huh...

and a few days later, dad received a letter from CPFB, and soon after that, i also received a letter from CPFB....

and.......yes!!!!! my study loan was finally repaid!!!!!!!!! after a good 6years!!!!!!!!!!!!

for those loans that are taken from parents' cpf a/cs, we actually have the luxury to repay the loan only 1 year after working. and at that time, the monthly deduction amt was an amt that CPFB proposed, and by calculation, it will take me 6yrs to repay the full loan...

and now..... 6years..... have passed!!!! just like that!!!!!!!!!!! and that also means, adding back the 1yr luxury year, this year is the 7th working year for me le!!!!! 

and yes, coming aug will be my 7th year with the bank le..... cant believe that i actually stayed with the same bank since grad! OMG!!

and so now, im $289 cash richer every month! 

probably time to sign an instalment plan to buy something for myself..

afterall, i have been setting aside $289 every month for the past 6yrs...... just continue to park aside $289 should juz be the correct thing to do, isnt it? hehee.

DumpLinG FesTiVaL

ok, i know this is late, but i still wanna blog about this... cuz... the dumpling festival this year was really EXCEPTIONALLY quiet! 

i mean, in the past years, at least i see stalls selling dumplings. and there were years whereby i will tot of buying dumplings home for mum and future MIL. 

and not to mention that when i was really young, during dumpling festival, there would always be this aroma from the far end of the corridoor when my v faraway neighbours start DIY-ing their dumplings. 

 but this year was like... nothing?! literally. i mean i do see stalls selling dumplings.... but... it's just... different loh. no feel at all!

and it wasnt until i stepped into the office that i heard my colleagues mentioning, did i realised it was actually dumpling festival!

and luckily i made it a point during dinner to at least have a bite on a dumpling.. LOL. 

actually i do like dumplings.... but i will really avoid them, cuz it's ultimate guilty to eat one all by oneself. 

and then.. if im not wrong, dumpling festival is to commemorate this ancient guy who committed suicide.... 

uh-huh.... so committing suicide is something to be glorified?

this is one part about dumpling festival which i will never understand.

anyway, happy belated dumpling festival!! 

WhaT a WorLd

read the news about this taiwanese student hacking people in the train, resulting 4 dead and 20+ others injured. 

such news arent rare, as juz today, something similar happened in the usa, where the guy just drove and shoot the passer-bys. 

but i guess, cuz taiwan is much nearer to home, the impact is bigger. 

taipei's mrt... something so familiar to us..... imagine.. u, me.. or our loved ones could be in the train. 

how 冤枉 can it be, to kenna hacked to death, by some mad fellow like that. 

my heart goes out to the dead and injured. 

and to the prepatrator - may u die a million times in hell. 

PraWning & FishinG

ok, I know im lagging, but yes, this was the 1st time I tried out prawning in sg.

we did prawning in Taiwan's night markets before, but it was less sophisticated. the pond was much much smaller, or rather, it was not a pond, it was just big trays of water. we could see the prawns clearly in the water, and we just use the hooks to hook them.

here, we could not see the prawns at all, so no idea if there are that many prawns inside. and I tot it's quite expensive, at $18 per hour per pax. but indeed, the prawns are ultra duper big. unfortunately for us, after an hour of prawning, we got NOTHING! booohooooo... unbelievable. but we did see some who ended up with quite good catch. good for them..

and then we went for dinner and after that wanted to prawn again. but then we saw that this fishing pond was opened. yes, fishing only starts after 7pm. and so, hubb happily tried fishing.

initially, we saw this family of 4, kept passing the rod to each other and kept running around the pond. i seriously could not understand what was happening till hubb explained. apparently, the fish in the pond are ultra big. so when they got hooked, there is no way u can pull it out just by that thin rod and fishing line. most of the times, the hook will just goes off, and u have to spend money on a new rod (at $5 per rod).

so what happens is, once the fish gets hooked, do not fish it out immediately. rather, 'play along' with it and battle it till it's tired... and then.... when it stops struggling, pull it closer to you and use hand to catch it!

that was what the family was doing! even after the fish got hooked, they let it swim around freely, moving along with the fish and that's y they are passing the rod around and running around the pond like mad!

and they are real good at it! think they caught at least 5 fish! but they are very irritating also, cuz when they run around the pond, they expect u to give way to them. wtf? didn't i pay to fish as well? y should i give way to them? idiotics.

and..... when i say the fish are big, they really are BIG!

yes, hubb managed to catch one as well, which we later brought home for mum to cook.

apparently, the fish did not struggle when he caught it...there were 2 hooks on it's body..think it managed to escape previous hookings, but already tired from all the battling.. very sad...

yes... ok.... such prawnings and fishing are really very evil... i also feel very guilty after that.. haii.... 善哉善哉

shall not do it often... cruelty!!

which part of the day is your fave moment? and which part of the day is your most hated moment? ever thought about it?

for me, the most hated moment of every day, is when the 2nd last alarm goes off. yes, 2nd last. not that i have many alarm clocks, but apparently, handphones nowadays can set a few alarm timings. and yes, im one who will set like 5 alarm timings. 

when the 1st one goes off, i will secretly smile to myself that i still have 20mins more. when the 2nd goes off, it means i still have 5mins more. when the 3rd goes off, it means i have 3mins more. when the 4th one goes off, it means i have the last 4mins, before the final alarm will goes off. 

usually i will not wait till the final alarm, so, by the 4th alarm, it will already mean WAKE-UP!!! and so that's y, when the 2nd last alarm goes off, it's usually the most painful and difficult moment of the day. 

and of cuz, b/w the 1st and 4th alarm, my mind will always contemplate if im okay to go to work that day.... hoho..

ok, and so, when is the best mmt of the day?

i will say, it is after i bathed, make-up all removed, body all cleaned, in pyjamas and specs... all ready to sleep, but just slacking before sleeping..... that mmt is the best! 

so everyday, i will go through the most hated moment, and the best moment. ironically, the most hated moment is at the start of the day, while the best is at the end of the day. so much for the chinese saying that 一日之计在于晨 huh.

and so, day in day out.. and now it's already mid-may!! it's just terribly and unbelieveably  fast. 

and no more PH Is june and july... hoho.. tough period!!

PhoTos SeLecTioN

and so, we have chosen the pics for our photo album. a much easier job than i thought.

we are entitled to 30 pics and that's the exact number which we chose, not one more, not one less. LOL.

truly proud of ourselves! 

actually we already went mentally prepared, telling ourselves not to add any pics. and we have discussed and knew exactly in mind how to go about choosing, so as not to deviate from the 30pics which we are entitled to. 

the end results are not bad, better than i expected. but the final number of pics presented to us was only 121. so it's really not alot to choose from, and choosing 30 pics is already 25%, so it's pretty easy-peasy. 

although the boss appears to be not very happy that we din top-up any pics.. but o well... we really do not want to spend any excess on this piece of the wedding... 

and now, just hope that they'll remain professional in their service towards us, cuz actual day is still relying on them, on make-ups, gowns, photography and videography!!! 

that's the prob with engaging the same firm for all services.. hoho

My first wedding gift and angbow =)

惜福 感恩

  

MandaTorY ReporTinG of ChaNGe oF Resi Add

I never knew that it is an offence if you do not update the address on your nric when you shift place, until a colleague told me recently. and yes, true enough, we received notification from ICA informing us to update our address.

hoho, cant blame me since I've never shifted........ that is until... now.

and so, I will soon be a westerner officially ie. someone staying in the west side. hohoho.

bye bye to the duper convenience I've always been enjoying ~~~~

Krispy KreMe

and so krispy kreme is in town! ok, it has been in town for quite a while already, and I've heard of the madness queue and hoo-haa that it brought along.

I first tried it at Australia and I remembered it being very yummy. and so, when an outlet opens in raffles place, im real happy about it!

tada!!

surprisingly, the queue at raffles place wasn't as crazy as that at orchard! in fact, not that long q at all. I think the queue for the fried fish horfun at golden shoe is longer!!

yes, the original glazed is still as good....

also tried the chocolate dream cake, but that was disappointing. not nice.

and it's not cheap at all! $2.60 for the original glazed and $2.90 for the assorted. real exp for a donut lah.. branded...

but I thought it's less oily than the other brands of donuts.. heh.. can eat more... LOL

AnnuaL LeaVes

im on half day AM leave today! meaning to say, leave in the morning, back to work in the afternoon. hehe. 

ok, from the so many feedbacks that i heard so far, many thinks that AM leave is crap. they would rather take full day leave, or at worse, PM leave. 

but then i tot AM leave is not that bad what. can sleep late, wake up take breakfast, relax for a few more hrs, then slowly make way to work. work for a few hours, then knock off again... shiok! 

im contemplating if i should take AM leaves frequently... anyway, havent i always been asking for a job which can let me sleep in late?? hehhee. seems like taking AM leaves will be the solution!! 

in the past, when i was with the very 1st dept, each year, i only aim to carry forward 5days of leaves to the following year. but as i shifted to the 2nd dept and now to the current dept, things changed. taking leaves is such headache that i ended up taking less leaves and carrying >10days leave to the next year. 

taking leaves is no longer that straightforward. it's quite stressful actually. have to ensure my things are cleared before i go, have to pray no last min things that come in just before i go else have to stay back late to clear, and have to worry about work that came in but uncovered by my coverer when im back. see? going on leaves seem more tedious than just going to work and clear stuff day by day. 

now taking leaves also need to look at the work volume... it's.... siannn! 

so i guess, morning leaves really are my saviour. i dont have to finish the work on hand, i can sleep in late, i can still clear my work day by day, dont have to rely on coverers (who most of the time, will also leave things for me to come back and clear) ... and i only need to work a few hours! hehehehe!!

and.... 1 day of leave is equivalent to 2 days of AM leaves! real savings!!

oh my... it's really non-stop coughing action! 

been one whole month already.. and... im still coughing!!! seen doc for 4x (or more?)... drank like 3 bottles of cough syrup.. and completed dont know how many doses of drugs..... but..... still the same.... grrrrrrrr

and so, there will be a new scorecard at work. 

honestly, i just hope things dont go wrong, in at least another year time... one year.... at least....please just let me shun shun li li pass this one year..... ***Prayyyy****

seriously, i also dont know how did i survive thus far. come to think abt it, it really is kind of a miracle that im still surviving in the same place. must be some supreme power helping me, somewhere, somehow. 

im proud of myself. really.

but as i stay proud, one side of me just cant help worrying. true that i did managed to climb out of the black hole, but.... it isnt that difficult to fall back in again.... right??

ok... back to the same point.... just pray that nothing drastic will happen in the year to come..... 

jiayou jiayou.... i will make it de...

counting down! 

2nd QuarTeR

hoho, there goes the longest working month! 

and also, bye bye to the 1st quarter of the year!

woah, time really flies huh!

we are officially into the 2nd quarter of the year already!

happy april fools' day! 

WeddinG CarDs

went for wedding cards selection today (or rather, ytd, since already passed 12am). haha, never thought we will also spend money to top-up on the wedding cards. can foresee lots of money-spending again!

many choices..and we finally selected a golden one.... hee hee

still a lot of firming up to do... especially on the guest attendance......

gotta buck up!

MMMmmmmmMMmmm

Seriously, i dont know what am i thinking about.. and what am i upsetting about....

i seriously should have just hide in one corner and secretly laugh to myself..... what more could i ask for?! 

but.... y am i still feeling soooo sore about it?!

well, if things could just have a little little little twist, it will be sooo darnnnn different...

but alas!! 

im just a darn greedy, ungrateful arse. 

ggggggrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Dad's Bday

celebrated dad's bday last wkend... dinner at paradise dynasty vivocity 

huat huat ahhh!!

*****

havent been feeling well since the photoshoot.. 2 weeks already.. but still having bad throat.. cough... blocked nose... 

seen doc 3x... but still the same.... 

im wondering if the drugs contain depressant.... why am i feeling soo depressed these days??

or is it all thanks to work again??

i tried telling myself to feel less victimised... be optimistic, strong and move on.......but..... y do i always feel soooo imbalanced at work??

is it the environment??

or is it really just myself and the devil inside me????

Pre Wedding Photoshoot

ok, and so the photo shoot is over! whaahahahhaha. one big load off.

we went for mac bf, then arrived at the bridal shop at about 910am. the make-up took quite a while, almost 2 hr, which I din expect. and then the photo shoot started at about 1115am.

tada, the 1st hairdo

indoor shoot first, with 1 white gown and 1 evening gown. and then we set for outdoor shoot at about 4pm, which i considered very late liao. seriously i was expecting to set off at 2pm.. don't know y dragged till 4pm then leave..

1st destination was to MBS skypark. then to botanic garden. then to sentosa. and back to MBS for the night scene.

that's my make-up artist, nice lady from taiwan. and she's also the lady boss of the bridal shop. hehe. hubb said she looks like rosamund kwan and she was damnnn flattered by it lah. lol. 

too bad by the time we reached sentosa, it was already quite dark. din managed to catch the sunset nor the sea sand and sun which i wanted. boohoo...

but all in all still considered quite ok lah. wasn't as tiring as i thought, but body is aching all over now. esp the tighs and shoulders... and even rib cage.. uh oh...

and outside, the make-up artist mainly only change the hairdo, not the make-up. make-up only touch up a bit here and there. i still thought the whole make-up will change with the outfit.. lol. 

and hubb kept telling me to bring a lady friend along to help with the wearing of gowns which i told him no need no need. but in fact, i think is necessary de, unless the hubby is super good with tying of the gowns. i cant imagine who to help me if i din bring my make-up artist along. sure the photographer's assistant can help, but ultimately he is a guy... not that convenient afterall. 

hopefully the end results will turn out good. QC a few shots on the photographer's camera, mmmm.... like not very nice leh.. shall c how they turn out...

actually, not nice also good lah, then wont have to spend money topping up. we only have 30 pics.... so, i really don't know how to select the top 30 pics from the soo many that we took....

hubb and myself have come to a consensus - ie. NO TOP-UP!!!

but... seems like everyone is telling us it's IMPOSSIBLE!!!

ok, shall see how (even though im not confident of myself being able to work within 30 pieces as well. oppps)

and the additional payment just for the photo shoot itself... winz.

our photographer (extreme right) and his assistant... i tot my photographer looks like alex to. haha.

 our shoot was supposed to end at 9pm.. but it went on till 1030pm.. and they din charge us any extra.. and though it went over time, the 2 guys were still patient and did their best.. thumbs up!

did manage to use most of the props we brought along, except for the sparklers and balloons (which somehow kept bursting before they were even properly blown up). 

results will be out in 1 mth's time. hopefully nice bah. 

Pre Pre Wedding ShooT

facial - checked. $60

hair dye + basic treatment - checked. $110

manicure - checked. $95

pedicure - checked. $35

heels - checked. $50

props - checked. ~$50

make-up artist to go outdoor - checked. $280

o well... din know the pre pre wedding shoot prep would also cost so much. uh-huh.

and not to mention... tmr (or rather, later)... sure have to top-up for the fake lashes, ampoules and what's not...

deciding on the props...... lol.

and......... my virgin manicure session!!!!!!

not too bad an experience, but I suppose I wont do it again, except for wedding day itself. expensive.. and after doing, I feel soo handicapped lah, like keep having to make sure I don't chip them off... that the diamonds do not drop off... etc etc... paranoid...... and I tot I should have gone for a pinkish base rather than red.. ohh.

ok, all ready for the shoot later..... except..... why am I still not in bed at 00:57hr??!

hohohohoho... excited! pray for good results!

Busy WeekEnD

the weekend that just passed was really a busy and hectic one. the 2 days were already packed when we got to know that natas fair was also on over the weekend! and so, we still had to sqz time to visit the natas.. win manz.

sat morning and afternoon was visit to the sea aquarium. cant change that, cuz a friend is coming along, and not nice to fly him aeroplane at the last min. and so, we proceeded. 

quite a big place, think we spent about 3hr+ inside. quite interesting actually, cuz many special kinds of fish, never seen before.

the very accomodating diver. lol. 

some really special species... look just like worms... eek..

many pple, had to 'queue' to look at the species.... and, we happened to witness someone's proposal. LOL. big money spent man. and then we realised that day was 1march2014 ie. 1314. cool.

oh, and the parking at rws during our stay there was an exorbitant $22! hoho.

after aquarium, was to meet our wedding coordinator at mbs, to take a look at skypark and if there are any good spots to take our photo shoot... and, there was IT show at mbs!! darnnn sooo difficult to find a parking lot lah!

and after that, we went for massage and supper... and finally get to sleep at 3am+.. o man.

*************

sunday was just as busy. supposed to go to the salon to dye hair in the morning, but that did not happen, as we decided to go to the natas fair instead.

and at expo, the parking was really terrible too!! worse than mbs! darn looong q just to get into the carpark. in the end, we parked nearby bedok mrt and took a train to expo instead. real crap leh! wasted so much time just on the road...

and.. yes.. we managed to book our honeymoon package to Europe! woohooo. going with hong thai, the same agency that we engaged for the china trip years back. actually, I really wanted to go to more exotic destinations like Africa, Bhutan......... but well.... better not be too daring.. heheh

and then, it was ultimate mad rush to our bridal shop to do the fitting for the photo shoot. despite the mad rush, we were still an hour late for the appmt! oh my.....

and after the fitting, was back home to celebrate little yaya's bday!

happy happy birthday yaya!!!

and, im on leave, all the way till Monday. really need some time to rest and enjoy preparing for the wedding photo shoot and the wedding itself. work is really getting the toil of me.. am soooo glad to be able to take a little break, to take a little time...  and ....... just BREATH!

woohhoooo!