I write here once in a while

Coughing till the face turned blue

The start of the year, so far, hasn't been very kind to me. 

Besides the occasional hiccups at work, I have been severely deprived of  proper sleep ever since my husband started having daily night cough attacks after the Chinese New Year. Despite sleeping in separate bedrooms, I still suffered from insomnia for the past 1 month.

2 weeks ago, after returning from a cruise trip, it was my turn to fall sick. By then, my husband was already back in our bedroom, and we both were disturbing each other's sleep because of our persistent coughs.

The month of January to March is typically a prime coughing season. Almost everyone I know is having some form of flu or cough currently. I thought I would be able to withstand the effects of the major coughing activities surrounding me at home and at my workplace. I exercise regularly, I eat a lot of fruits. I did not fall sick for so many years already.

But I guess I am not that "strong" after all. Sigh......

It takes a while for me to get used to being weak and vulnerable. I had lost my voice. My chest felt heavy due to the phelgm building up. My abdomen hurts so much when I cough. And the worst is, I cannot sleep in peace. One colleague even commented that I looked "pretty bad", with a pale face and heavy eye bags. Really meh?

My husband is away for an overseas business trip, and I am not able to enjoy my next few days of "freedom". Doctor had advised to avoid going to crowded places, and to stay home and rest because the medication he'd prescibed will make one feel tired and drowsy.

The last time I ran was on the 21st February. Starting to miss those sweat tricking down my forehead!

For now, I guess I'll keep myself occupied with "Tales of 2 Cities" on Channel 8 (but 1 hour only, sob sob) and YouTube.

Pray to better health for myself and my dear!

New Year Celebrations

Today is the 7^th day of the Chinese New Year. All the tedious house-visiting during the first few days of the festive period was done, and I am the most relieved. Besides the occasional annoying advice from concerned relatives about my child-free status, and my husband’s generous donations to his cousins at the gambling table, this year’s new year celebrations was quite enjoyable. 

Managed to squeeze in a visit to River Hongbao 2011......

And to the annual flora extragavanza at Sentosa!

But what I had enjoyed the most, was the peaceful reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve. Never had such a satisfying meal which doesn't hurt the pockets for the longest time!

Packed with activities and not even a word of complaint from my sick husband who was down with flu (must be the overdose of pineapple tarts). That is my precious – always ready, always willing to commit to my whims and fancies (with occasional grouses from him in between).

I suppose all mothers will always advise their daughters to marry a guy who loves her more than she loves him. For me, this is definitely a case of my husband loving me more than I love him. Like I often tell him, “你为我而活，我是为自己而活”.

I marry my husband not because I love him so much, or he makes my heart beat very fast. I marry him because he always makes me feel warm, safe and secure. It's always those little things he does for me everyday that shows how much he love me, no matter how much I neglect or speak to him in an annoying tone. Like buying my favourite slurpee/ice kachang, massaging my feet every night and feeding me food, just to name a few... 

Till date, I am still clueless why he had chosen to marry a woman who loves herself more than him and can barely take care of herself! Must be my good karma?

He often ask me, " Do you love me more, or less, with each passing day?"

While I admit that I do not have an overwhelming passion for him, it felt good to know that this man will take good care of me for the rest of my life hopefully (Selfish Bytch!). 

Shall end today's post with my favourite quote by George Sand - "There is only one happiness in life - to love and be loved". 

A holiday well spent

This is our god-daughter.

Isn't she such a darling?

She's one of the most adorable babies I'd ever seen. Always cheerful, always smiling. A baby who rarely throw tantrums and cry, even when she vomited her milk. 

We had a holiday well-spent together with her extended family, having an early Chinese New Year reunion dinner at one of the local restaurants in the Menjalara Kepong district, Kuala Lumpur.

We spent a day at the Genting Highlands and a day shopping at Mid-Valley. The rest of the time were spent eating ourselves crazy at the local eateries. Delicious Bak Kut Teh at Hock Kien Klang,  tasty porridge at Kedai Makanan Chef Tam. I guess only the locals know where the best food haunts are located.

It's only January and I'm already 2kg heavier. Need to run my ass off again to prepare another round of crazy eating during the Lunar New Year period next month!

So screwed

My first work-related screw up in 2011 happened on 11.1.11. Shall remember this day forever.

Due to my failure to observe proper follow-up work investigations, I got screwed and brought inconvenience to colleagues.

Couldn't hide the mistake. Couldn't correct the mistake without anyone knowing. Couldn't pretend nothing had happened. Couldn't blame my mistake on someone else. So how ah?

Face the music bravely from my higher authority lor!

Admitted my mistake and took responsibility for my negligence.

Yes, I know everyone make mistakes.And usually we correct our errors or just forget about it and move on. But I am very mad at myself for being so careless. How on earth did I allow that to happen? What had went into my brain that day?

I cannot tolerate mistakes committed by my team members, and I seldom make mistakes at work. Now I am the one committing a terrible mistake!

My husband even joked that perhaps I got influenced by the Queen of Careless Mistakes, which resulted in my serious blunder.

This incident will most likely haunt me for the next few days. Pity my poor husband who shall continue to endure my erratic mood swings because of my careless mistake!

Into the new year

Just returned from yet another cruise trip to nowhere, and I noted a few observations: -

a) My nose always runs whenever I sleep in an air-conditioned environment.

b) I go to the toilet more often.

c)  I will always gain at least 2kg upon returning, which will take me around 2 weeks of hardcore running to lose the extra kilos.

But it looks like I have to put on hold my exercise plans for a while to let my body take a well-deserved rest. Maybe it's due to the incorrect lifting posture of  heavy objects the past few days that's causing my severe back pain. My shoulders are also still aching from all the heavy lifting. My leg movements are also not as agile as before because of the joint pain.

Sigh, 9 days into the new year, and my body is already degenerating at an alarming rate.

Anyway it's going to be a month packed with activities as it's my dear's birthday month!

No major bickering so far. I am still trying my best not to annoy him. *cross fingers*

Here's to wishing my dear a very happy January even though you're not so lucky at the casino yesterday, May all your birthday wishes come true!

Counting my blessings

I wanted to end the year by completing a 10km run (which I have yet to conquer, after jogging regularly for the past year or so), but the weather was such a spoil sport!

Looking back at 2010, I am grateful, and still counting my blessings that my life is running smoothly as it always has been for the past 34 years.

Thankful for having a roof over my head. Thankful for my most loving husband who keeps me sane. Thankful for a stable job which I enjoy. Thankful for supportive colleagues. Thankful for earning enough money to feed my stomach and buying stuffs I fancy. Thankful for my family's good health. Thankful for being able to breathe.

Of course there are many times when I wish my life will be better. Like how I wish a certain someone will disappear from my life forever, and having a peaceful house I can truly call my own.

The past few years has not been easy for my husband, with too many obstacles hindering his progress towards a better future. But my poor darling continues to love me as much as he had loved me starting 9 years ago, despite all my silly tantrums and selfish demands.

Most likely, I will be continuing with my unreasonable behavior. 

He bought me my favourite 7-11 slurpee & sour mix Mentos chewy dragees while on his way out to meet his overseas friend who's in town for business, to make up for his absence on New Year's Eve. That explained why I am at home, blogging at this hour. There are still tons of Facebook gift requests screaming for my attention too. What an exciting way to count down to the New Year!

I am also disappointed that Miss Sooby's predictions did not come true. My nightmares with the queen of careless mistakes will continue to haunt me. But then again, I am thankful because she has taught me the virtue of patience.

Despite some grouses in between, I am still happy and contented with the progress of my life.

Please don't question on my child-free status again. Your friendly advice on the cons of being an over-aged mummy will most likely be ignored.

For the coming new year, I promise to take care of my knee joints by not over-running. Cannot play play with Osteoarthritis. Also hunting for a glucosamine supplements sponsor please!

I also will try my best to improve relationships in my workplace and be more dynamic in terms of performance. Hopefully I can handle the new challenges and job duties in the coming new year without any screw-ups. 

My next die-die-must-buy item will be a Rolex watch . 2nd hand also never mind.

So there, have a blasting happy 2011 to everyone!

Vacations always end too fast

I am officially back to work today, after bumming for the whole month of December.

Instead of feeling rejuvenated after the long break, I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Nearly woke up late today. Not a good start!

Time really flies too fast when you're on vacation. It seemed only like yesterday that my brain was totally switched off from work.

However, I did not really enjoy my vacation. I was looking forward to sleeping late everyday, but there is an alarm in my house who will automatically ring very loud before 7am every morning. And it will always ring continuously until afternoon. And then the ringing will start again at 10pm until midnight. 

Also spent a lot of $$ during my long break.

Because I kept going to the fridge every 10 minutes to snack on chocolates and mini cornettos, I was practically going to NTUC everyday to stock up on titbits. Which also explained why I was jogging very frequently.

And now my knee joints got problem! Exercise, got problem. No exercise, also got problem....Sigh....

The HJK Burger

今天是圣诞节，也是一个快乐的圣诞节。

我那个非常，非常讨厌逛街的阿佬竟然毫无冤言陪我逛了一个下午。真是难的。。。

We had the Har Jeong Kai Burger, a uniquely Singaporean Burger by EwF, a makan joint at Orchard Central for Kissmas dinner.

 
This HJK Burger, according to the service crew, is their best selling item. 

For $9.90 a set, you get a burger, fries (mine's sour cream and onions) and soft drinks.

As the serving of the chicken was very big and I have a 樱桃小嘴,  I had problems figuring how to eat the burger like how one will normally eat a burger. 

I will not comment too much about the burger. Go try it if you're interested in new food. The makan joint also employ a number of cute, young girls for guys to ogle at!

Overtime on Christmas Eve?

Apparently someone who is always in a hurry to go home, and seldom clock extra hours at work, had worked overtime on Christmas Eve! (First time sia!)

*Question marks above my head*

In order to work effectively with your boss and colleagues, you must know how to wayang at the right time and the right place leh. Definitely not on Christmas Eve! (Com' on, everyone has already gone home......)

Have a Merry Kissmas! May peace, love and joy be with all my loved ones and friends on this festive season! Cheers!

Bumming December 2010 - Day 17

The fruit of my Thursday labour!

A DIY photo frame for my husband's Xmas gift. It's to be placed on his office desk to remind him that I'll always be waiting for him to come home (early!).

I have been very stingy in recent years. Forgot when was the last time I actually bought him a decent gift - not even on his birthday! On special occasions, I treat him to a good meal instead of lavishing on gifts.

I have DIY quite a number of stuffs for him as gifts - calenders, photo frames, etc, etc.  A hand-made gift is is always priceless when it's done by your loved one.  Not even a new I-Pad or X-box can compare to the efforts being put in on the 爱心礼物 ok!