Archive for January, 2012

Europe Jan 2012: Pre-trip Jitters

January 21st, 2012 by admin

In less than 4 hours, I will be making my way to the airport but I have yet to get started on the packing, and don’t ask me why I am here writing instead of packing.

My pre-trip jitters and stress are unparalleled for any other trips I have done, even when the past 3 – 4 months I have been travelling just solely for work. Of course, having a teeny weeny bit of fear for flying doesn’t help much there.

Yes, I will be returning to Europe yet again, and re-visiting some of the places I had already been to, and exploring new grounds. The difference is, the whole family will be with me this time round.

HOW. FREAKING. SCARY. IS. THAT?!

I even had a proposal/itinerary typed out much to the amusement of my colleagues.

I know plenty of you might not understand why I am this panicky, to the point that I had had nightmares of missing the train, missing the flight… even bad weathers, which explains why I have been pretty tired from the lack of sleep recently = looking absolutely chui is not good news for camwhoring during the trip.

WHY I NEVER DREAM OF BUMPING INTO SOME HOT ENGLISH MEN WHO WILL SWEEP ME OFF MY FEET AH?!

Then, just before the trip, I dream of the endless work waiting for me when I come back because my boss declared that he will be a slave driver to me when I come back.

I got so bored in the dream I woke up, and failed to get back to sleep. Want to cry or not you tell me.

So today is the day.

Tomorrow, we will arrive in London on New Year’s Eve, and we will be joined by some friends for reunion dinner in Leicester Square.

Minibean had planned her own itinerary and been speaking the Queen’s English, which I have absolutely no idea where she picked it up from.

I have something in mind for the itinerary, which was something that came up after discussing with my parents, and even I feel a little rushed and tiring looking at it, YET they are telling me they wanna add in some more places, like, uhm, just a couple of hours back.

And that was AFTER they realised there will not be any tour guide, and I think the horror registered on my face when my dad asked if the guide who will be bringing us around will meet us there, and has the guide finished co-ordinating everything.

Nope. Nada. No guide. Just me, papa.

And I have no idea how and what to pack, honestly.

London for Lunar New Year – expecting temperatures to be 5 – 10, which falls in my favourite range.

Rome has awesome weather ranging from 5 – 15, which would be good for the family.

Then the horror starts with Florence, when it gets to minus 4, which is quite a relief cos temperature was going to -11 in Florence in recent days and are getting foggy.

We will then be done with Italy, which is a place I love and I remember the day I was in Rome some years back and I thought to myself I will want to bring my family back here cos it is just way too beautiful. I thought to myself maybe when Minibean turns 5 and above. I remember how that moment of thoughts was etched firmly in mind cos I was just so awed by its beauty that I missed home a great deal then.

We will then arrive in Austria, Salzburg. Dammit. It is forecasted to be -9 on the date we are arriving.

Coincidentally, we are arriving in Mozart’s hometown the very day of his birthday.

Vienna beckons right after. We end this leg in Budapest, before heading back to London for a few more days.

I will be solo after they return to Singapore earlier, and still have yet to decide what to do during the spare days I have in London.

To show how impossibly stress I am, I even thought of printing out notes so that I can give Minibean an educational trip (slave driver alert), ahem, well, you know, can be a by the way thing, right?

By the time I am back, it will be 8 February. Wow. I really manage to avoid the whole Lunar New Year like I said I would like to do so.

The logistics have been a nightmare, but then again, just right before the trip, I finally found the positivity in me to overcome the pressure I put on myself, and breathe a little easier.

Bye everyone, will try to update along the way! :)

Posted in The vast out there | No Comments »

Wherever I end up, meet me there.

January 9th, 2012 by admin

 

Ambitiously, I set out to overachieve over the weekend.

The only few things I had seen success are:

  1. screwing my body clock beyond repair, and with sheer spitefulness, it decides to take revenge on my metabolism rate by slowing it to almost a halt. Pfft.
  2. I finally finish with the hotels booking for the trip (fuck, yeah!) though I should have booked EVERYTHING by the time Monday greets me. Damn. Oh hi Monday, you’re fucking early. Oh well, at least the hotel part is settled… now, uhm.. the transfer in between and other miscellaneous bookings. There’s always coming weekend. Oh wait. I would be in Phuket. Nevermind there’s always the next. But oh fuck, that’s the weekend I will be leaving.
  3. I played mahjong to curb the gambler’s itch. Achievement unlocked. And I won. Grand total of 25 buckeroos. There’s no negative to this positive, so I am happy.
  4. Karaoke with Jo (yes, I finally met up with her!) and Jean. I got lost in Joo Chiat and Katong area for 45 minutes, Jo got on a direct bus that wasn’t as direct as she assumed it was, Jean was awesomely sweet to go get dinner for us, and thus though we were supposed to meet at 7pm, and that I only reached at 7.45pm, I was still the earliest.
  5. Verbal diarrhea-ing on this god-forsaken place. Twice. I should get a medal for battling laziness and the lure of my sexy, seductive duvet. *smirks proudly and pats self on back* The only but is.. one of the posts should be here more than 2 years ago, but but but.. better late than never right?!
  6. This is a feat I should be most proud of. Which explains why I am here at 4am in the morning, writing my 2nd post in less than 12 hours. I finished half a loaf of bread. In less than 10 minutes just a moment ago. I had to stop myself before I go on to finish the next piece… I am now carbo-filled and guilt-filled at the same time, because if you refer to 1), my metabolism rate is asleep and that means I am on my way to self-destruction and am screwed beyond redemption. *WAILLLLLLLLLLLLS*

Well I am supposed to be stretching now to alleviate the guilt but I am convincing myself that typing this post is more fulfilling than actual working out… so here I am.

Now, compare it to the list I WAS supposed to achieve:

1) Finish all my planning for my upcoming trip with the family. I even wrote a proposal, printed out all the necessary information and did up an excel budgeting sheet. Thus far, I only finished with the hotel planning… well at least that means I have my route ready and a confirmation of the places I am bringing them! *Self consolation*

2) Start shopping for stuff for parents + Minibean + myself to deal with potential snow…. there’s always another 2 weeks for that…. But we need to start to pack, because the intense travelling between places would mean there would be plenty of transfers and we need to travel light. BUT HOW TO TRAVEL LIGHT IN WINTER YOU TELL ME?! Fine.. will try.

3) Finish with my work proposal. I brought the folder back, and it lays faithfully on the floor since Friday evening.

4) Finish reading The White Tiger. It is busy keeping my work folder company over the weekend, snuggling right next to it on the floor, cruelly neglected by me too.

5) Sleep well and tune my body clock back to normal. 2 words: Hur hur hur.

6) Play mahjong.

7) Hold my own concert. Karaoke made up for it.

8) Sttttrreeeeetttcccchhhhhh and exercise. Verdict? Ha. Ha. Ha.

***

Thursday saw a frustrated me after Manchester United performed rubbish-ly. It was the moment I believe the title hopes were snipped off cos you just couldn’t feel anyone has his heart in it to win it.

The irony of it was when this pleasant not to mention impeccably-timed surprise was the first thing I saw when I reached office on Thursday.

My Christmas present from Cheyenne who just returned from her holidays in London. She had asked me what I wanted on her previous trip and I had said a scarf from Old Trafford. Thank you babe! :D

I used to own one when I was 15, given to me by my then relief Mathematics teacher which I had given away in Moscow in 2008.

AND THEN THEY GO ON DISAPPOINTING ME LIKE THAT! MOCKERY!

But, thankfully they bucked up and kicked the Blues’ asses today so I am praying hard for a turn in the tide in our favour for the rest of the league season.

Am glad to start gaining the momentum at work since holiday season is technically over, but then seeing that the company trip to Phuket is just days away and the Europe trip is less than 2 weeks ago… I am quite sure it is gonna be quite disruptive.

DOESN’T MATTER. Seizing the moment and not leave room for regrets is more important than anything else. Not to mention how important this family trip is for me this time round, so I know it is a good call on my part. Money can be slowly earned.

I finally went for a long over-due massage on Thursday, and it was one which didn’t make me moan and cry for help, so I know it is still lacking in the oomph factor that I am looking for. I wonder where did my male Thai masseuse go. Life hasn’t been the same since that shop in Far East closed down.

For the past couple of months I had been dealing with my jetlag, there wasn’t a day I slept like the way I slept on Thursday night.

I fell asleep at hours human beings are supposed to be sleeping, and I slept through soundly for 12 hours! I can’t verbalise bliss so I ain’t even gonna try.

***

Friday came and it started with storytelling to Minibean…. when Minibeanism struck yet again.

“Mummy, we are going to London right? We are going to Rome Italy also right? Are we going to China, Kenya and New York also?“

What the…. of course not!

“Then can we go Kenya, New York and China together?” What she meant was, can we fly to London and then go to Rome, and then continue on the journey to China, Kenya and New York.

Seriously my dear, look at me. Look at my face. Closely. WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE TO YOU?!

Just like tonight, I joked to her that she’s gonna sleep on the street, the horror on her face was evident as she shrilled in pure dramatic fashion, “BUT I LIKE HOTEL! I DON’T WANT TO SLEEP ON THE STREETS!”

I asked if she was going to pay for the hotel and she went, “Nooo, you will pay for it, Mummy, you choose a nice hotel okay?”

Spoilt brat alert. Tsk.

That was the day a brave friend of mine, to protect her identity, I shall code name her.. well, JeyNerd, brought her giant steel balls to Auckland and of course it would mean she had went on with a bang.

I think I feel responsible for encouraging craziness in my friends. Which explains my decision to take the plunge as well for my upcoming London trip. For all of you out there who think we are crazy, it’s okay, because -delusional- we have giant steel balls and you have none.

I felt a sense of relief when I finally finish my budgeting for one of my proposals (a new territory for me, thus the jitters consumed me!). Gave my boss a lift before returning home to spend time with Minibean, who as usual, would be the death of me.

I was sneaking a bar of mini-magnum ice-cream into my room when she noticed it, and I gave her a raised brow as she was nearing it, and immediately, she turned cocky and boasted, “Hmph, neh neh neh boo boo *sticks tongues out and hands next to cheeks* I already had ice cream just now, Gong gong already given it to me. HA. HA.”

Yes, she does a perfect HA. HA. And she stood there defiantly and gave me a cheeky defiant look.

I smacked her bum and in mocked anger threatened to scold my dad and tell him not to give her ice-cream next time.

This was when she gave a smirk and even more cocky look, in a confident and victorious tone, “NOOOO! Gong gong will give me EVERYTHING I WANT. HA.HA.”

PULLS. HAIR. OUT.

After she went to sleep, I dozed off early as well though I had set the candles up, and prepared myself for a night of television and reading.

I woke half an hour later to find myself a tad too drowsy to do serious reading and decided to do research for the trip and book the hotel.

You won’t believe that I ended up spending 6 hours online to book 5 hotels, and eventually, I only managed to book 2.

Reason being I am incredibly picky when it comes to hotels and they have to fulfill the below criteria. After reading you will know why it takes me 6 hours to find something close to what I am looking for. Keep the sniggering to yourself:

  • Preferably SGD120 and below. And yes, I know Europe tends to be a little more expensive but then I am on a tight budget!
  • Rates to include breakfasts, only because my parents are traveling or else normally I don’t really care cos I won’t wake up in time for breakfasts anyway. Heh.
  • Free wifi, not limited to just the lobby, but in the room. I am willing to make do with free cable internet.
  • Rooms that offer kids below 12 to stay for free with an extra bed. Rare, but I am willing to make do with rooms that do not charge for kids who stay in the same room sharing the same bed. Most hotels charge 30 – 80 euros per addition pax, which would make the hotels way beyond my SGD120 budget.
  • Accessibility is important as well. Must be near train station if we are travelling by train. Must be near tourists centre if we are driving. And must have free/lower parking rates.
  • Must be of a certain standard set down by myself. Rooms must be cosy and presentable. Modern, chic and sleek take precedence over old-style hotels woodiness. If it’s B&B, it must be less than SGD 80.
  • Must have 2 rooms available.
  • I will also look out for hotels with views.
  • Those destinations I am unsure of must offer flexibility of cancelling options. Those I am certain to travel to I am willing to lock down with those no refund deals if I like the hotels enough.

So what happens if the above is impossible to find?

Well, of course I will source till the last hotel to make sure none fulfill all of the above before I start to narrow down the short-listed ones.

I am willing to compromise no breakfasts, which means I can explore local cafes with the family, and normally breakfasts are charged more than 15 Euros per person, and that would mean more savings if we eat elsewhere.

I am proud to announce all the hotels I had booked in various cities offer free wifi. HALLELUJAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

In fact I had one hotel that costs me S$140 for 2 double rooms, I am happy like a birdie!

The only hotel that exceeded my budget was the reason why I stayed up for 2 nights to look for better bargains and wanted it to be 4 stars and a view. Of course to top it off with all of the above, it was almost possible, I could almost get a suite but the problem is… most of the hotels only had one room with a view to spare but I needed 2.

Eventually I doubled my budget just for this one city, though I found few that fit my budget… I refused to settle for anything less.

When I travelled to Europe in Aug/Sep last year, the hotels we stayed in Amsterdam, Schwangau, Nuremberg and Prague were all below S$120 and they turned out awesome and unexpectedly nice and decent. Except that I forgot to look out for the fact that Schwangau’s B&B was with shared bathroom.

Okay, from the above you probably can see how age has made me an absolute auntie.

***

I saw daylight when I finally tore myself away from the monitor on Saturday morning. I only woke almost at 5pm.

You tell me, how to be nice to my body clock?!

Went off to meet Jo and Jean for karaoke session and we stood in the chilly, heavier-than-usual breeze at the junction of the roads for a dreamy chat before we went off.

I thank God for friends who don’t judge and don’t look on to me like a freak when I do things on a whim.

Rushed off to Lee’s place for mahjong with Robin, and I was educated on “distance from Thailand to Singapore”. Often when they are playing, they would ask if any of us is “near” to calling it a game. So sometimes when you have really shitty hand, you can say you are probably… in America or something.

I honestly thought I had a quite a while to go but apparently I need to sync my relativity to theirs HAHAHAHA.

I didn’t get home till it was 9plus in the morning and I was still energetic and awake!

I might well be on US timing than UK timing these days. I might as well leave it for another 2 weeks and I will be super well-adjusted when I return to London.

Nevermind.

I got all my hotels booked today but am re-evaluating some of my more pricey options to see if I can find better deals.

When I saw Dad in the evening looking tired, I was a lil concern and he told me he played mahjong till 5am yesterday and lost $1000+.

Which wasn’t the point. The point was, when they asked him to play again early this noon, instead of resting, he went to play.

He stopped when he won back what he lost, and then went to win somemore moolah.

I don’t know what to say, ahem, but except that I believe I am not a gambler, but perhaps I was born one. It’s in my genes. I cannot help it.

I feel a tinge of sadness knowing I will be going to Phuket and missing out on mahjong this week. I think I might be able to squeeze in one on Friday before I fly off on a Saturday night the following week. But fret not, I have arranged for a session in London with some sweet underaged young boys, and I told Robin and Lee to wait for my glorious mahjong-deprived return.

Just when I thought I would be prepped for a long day of work tomorrow, I am now still awake, with half a loaf of bread undigested in me.

Let the countdown begin.

5 more hours before Minibean goes off to her first day in school.

4 more days to Phuket, woohooooooooooooooooo!

12 more days before I will finally get to show Minibean London – the place that I hold closely to my heart.

And maybe, she and my parents might just be able to see snow, which I believe will make their trip a memorable one…

Posted in Life's Fillers, The vast out there | No Comments »

Fireworks of 2010 + Christmas 2009… (yes, I know)

January 8th, 2012 by admin

Did I mention this is my 2000th post as wordpress kindly reminded me through its dashboard.

And revisiting a past that never made its way here seems inappropriate. But then it is just a number (like age is… yeah, right!), and I didn’t find out about it beforehand or I would get some nude shots taken professionally and beg sponsors for lavish giveaways to celebrate this occasion… not.

I found this in my drafts and realised I had put this post right under a thick coat of dust for more than 2 years.

You can’t get more procrastinator than this.

The rush of feelings hit you real hard when you realise how many things, and people had changed in that 2 years, myself included.

The hesitance of mine to post it up because some of the relationships had passed, friendship hadn’t survived but yet some new ones were forged along the way and some strengthen over time.

It could be painful reminder actually, because one thing about pictures, they do things to me. They freeze the moments for me. Not just a pictorial moment, but it will trigger the exact emotions I went through at that very moment, and evoke every bit of the sentiments you were going through during that phase of your life.

Just like what some songs do to me.

That is the reason why I enjoy taking pictures (okay, self camwhore shots not included!), because moments pass us too fast, too furious, and there are some things I don’t want to forget, and some painful reminders I shouldn’t allow myself to forget.

I used to shun pictures of ex-boyfriends (in prints, those days), nowadays I try to see how much I can dig up and my efforts can make an archeologist proud.

There is something selfishly/sadomasochisticly gratifying when you can look at some of those stuff and smile and instead of cringing in disgust (with a tinge of shame or pain), because you realise you have grown.

Yes, despite some of the painful parts, you came through it and bear no ill feelings, and you recognise it as a growing phase, and that you will not make the same mistakes as before, and you found the ultimate closure of indifference.

And boy, how much have we all grown since then.

***

Yes, some of the drafts I have found are surfacing, laughs.

Some, I figured, are there because of sheer laziness, some, are there because I was afraid of being judged, because there are some things people just like to sneer at.

I contemplated with completing them and insert them into the Jan 2010 archives but then I think it brought forth new feelings and decided to write them as I feel about them right now..

***

It’s fast isn’t it? The long holiday season with expanded weekends is soon to be over with a fresh week starting on a brand, new year.

2009 is officially history, people!

Caryn and I at Newton Circus Hawker Centre. One of my favourite girls. I remember when this picture was taken, we were still a little unfamiliar with each other, but then there was a time when we started talking much, much more, and she’s like the sweetest thing possible and I wish her nothing but the best..

And yes, that was me with my pre-poling days arms.

Our dinner before going over to Swissotel for countdown. I haggled with the Newton hawker stall uncle and joked that since it’s New Year’s Eve he should give us a discount. He did. And he gave us free rice. And since then, everytime I return to Newton, I will make sure I look for him.

It was a mad rush to Swissotel because there were absolutely no parking slots and I remember we were almost half-jogging our ways so we didn’t miss the countdown.

I was wearing stilettos boots that evening. Not funny.

Isn’t it funny how you probably don’t remember details like these until you see the pictures and memories come flooding back again?

I remember saying I wouldn’t want my new year’s eve dinner any other way.

Our first meeting with the pretty Meifong. And now, she is well-taken care of by Robin whom I played mahjong with last night. HAHAHA




The crazy ass people out on the streets after the countdown, I was just thankful I wasn’t part of it, and the idea actually scares me to be in a swarm of people. 2 years later, safely tucked inside my duvet for the countdown of 2012, I wonder if I am already way beyond my youth.



Yah as you now realise it is just lumps and lumps of pictures….



Still feel strange to just post pictures with no commentary…






Fireworks! Wheeeeeeeeee!







Quite proud of my camera to capture it so prettily.





***

Christmas Eve with carol singing with Eddie, Caryn, Andy and Evelyn joining us in 2009.



HAHAHA Minibean’s mushroom pom pom hair.











Christmas is different with friends… and I really enjoyed it.


Minibean playing tug-o-war with Cookie.

The Christmas fare I would LOVE to have.

The loads of presents under the Christmas tree.









What was more awesome was Ian brought back my Victoria Secrets loots for me.. and now, he has graduated from NYU already. Gosh. Time really passes by swiftly.

In my archive was this picture that shows one of the top that came (with my favourite Balenciaga bag which suffered a great deal in its lifetime after being coloured by Minibean with a lipstick! Thankfully my favourite colour is red and not god forbid, cream or something):

And then it was presents-opening time!


Such speakers are amazing!






All the stars glued to my very sticky legs.

My loot for 2009.

Yes, she always gets THAT many gifts!

Her very expensive swimsuit.

See who is the happiest? A change of clothes cos she had some… pee pee accident!

And I changed because I was trying on my VS loots haha.

This was a gift from a male to a male.. ahem. It says something about loving you forever or something like this. There’s nothing wrong to it, but it is something wrong when it’s Andy and Eddie in question!

Me and Caryn!

Apt gift to a compulsive gambler!

Christmas day came and it was a cookout session at James’.

The chefs shopping for the feast.

My nose wouldn’t stop leaking!!

Sexy huh. Stuffing a tampon up my nose.

I just sit around or else I would infect everyone with my gems and achoos.


Nose and eyes already swollen and the toilet roll dropped a few dress sizes.

My pressies from Cheyenne!

I love the mascara cos it vibrates HAHAHA.

View from James’ place.

The great chef at work!


Now you see them.

Now you don’t!

***

Guess who was trying to snatch the thrill of ripping the wrapping apart from me?

A gift from my then-boss. I think its an awesome gift :)


With my fear for all things cream, this is something I have yet to utilise after 2 years..

I am allergic to nickel, which means anything less than gold or platinum wouldn’t make the cut (cough, snob, cough). Very thankful to have a pair of earrings that solve the problem for me!

Very cuteeeeeeee… but gifts like this make me have no idea what to do with them, but feel bad about regifting! So it sits prettily in a box to be.. admired.

In 2009 Christmas, love was translated as above. To me, the book White Tiger was a farewell cum Christmas gift from Dawn, and it was really, really heartwarming. I hadn’t gotten down to reading the book, and it is now sitting on my bedroom floor because I had wanted to read it over the weekend.. yes, this weekend in 2012!

***

My last day in Microsoft. With December drawing to a close, I saw the conclusion of my stint with Microsoft and it coincided with the Christmas party celebration since I had leave to clear.

This was what I received when I joined them, and I kept it till the very last day…

Some of the most amazing people in ways I can never…. well, let’s just say my gratefulness is not something I can ever verbalise or express the way I would like to to them…

Sitting next to this man is a major distraction. Hahaha.

My boss who gave me an opportunity and is the funniest and most driven man around.


And this man, is someone very special who acted some sort of my mentor, though he was never technically my boss. But he was someone who made me learn the most in Microsoft, and thank you Ian.



She’s now a fabulous mummy herself!


Without her, my life in MS would be so miserable because she mothers everyone and is such a joy to have around. Everyone in MS is as fabulous as it comes.

***

Suddenly realise how revisiting the past isn’t as easy as I expected it to be.. and it isn’t as meaningless as it is. Kinda reflective. But of course.. to most, it is just another post with out-dated pictures…

To me, it was a part of my life which came, and gone.

Posted in Life's Fillers, People, Perk-me-ups | No Comments »

Things we do for pole.. and its people

January 4th, 2012 by admin

The only way I was in involved in the above picture – the photographer.

Despite the 101 things that would potentially raise a hundred brows, I can safely assure you that whatever we do in the pole studio is all clean fun and nothing criminal is going on.

In our bids to increase our flexibility, we had sought Lavinia’s advice on how to stretch which Jean helpfully suggested for me to try this stretch cos I was complaining how painful the frog stretch was, and Jean was probably trying to show me how I have no grounds to be yelping out loud when doing the frog stretch at all.

Not only the positioning reminded me of the very time I pushed Minibean out of my vijayjay some 5 years ago, but the pain was so excruciating that it was nothing like I had experienced before, besides childbirth of course.

I ended up have to do my labour breathing techniques, squealing and moaning, as I grabbed for a pole and using the other free hand punching the floor with my fist. It was too painful to even to mutter a curse word.

The last time I did any of the above? In the labour ward. ‘Nuff said.

The super adorable Lijia, who is one of the more flexible ones and has absolutely no fear of pain (I assume) was sabotaged by me to be the next, I was half suspecting she might enjoy it…. but she proved to me -sniggers- she’s human like you and I.

It is no wonder that I woke up with plenty of aches this morning and could barely move. PAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! Especially when Minibean jumped onto my back cheekily and the pain made me instinctively wanna push her away but she might fall to the floor and injured herself rigghhtt if I do, and I might be accused of child abuse and she will remind me of how I would go to jail, so I didn’t.

One of Minibean’s gems today (besides sneakily telling my mum that we are going on a holiday, when it was agreed between my dad and I that we are not going to tell her until a closer date, bao tor kia!) was when she snuck up on me while I was working, “Mummy, can you download and play Paradise City so I can listen while you work?“

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

She still remembers I played the song during one bedtime (yes, I am such a baaaaaaadddd mum, what kind of mother plays Paradise City as a lullaby?!) though the memory eluded me for a moment and she said in an English accent (really where did you get that?), “You don’t remember?“

She then reminded me it was during one of those nights when I tried to appease her by making up a children story on my own, about a band of cats chasing their dreams, which we named, “The Cat Story“. Probably says how creative the story is with its creative title. Hurhur.

Okay, back to pole.

Feels awfully good for me to get back to the momentum when I made the decision to head to the studio (the other option is a long overdue massage!), and been a while since I last share the polegress but hopefully that will be one of the things that will get going on this space too.

One of the greatest things that happened to me is to pick up pole fitness, and the great bunch of people I met. Everyone is encouraging, super down-t0-earth, incredibly sporting and I went to the studio receiving Christmas gifts and lotsa snacks.. and most importantly, plenty of comfort. I cannot even begin to explain how fabulous this group of girls are.

Christmas gift from Joyce! Gorgeous!

Now.. all I need is that breakthrough I got to have.

Though this is supposed to be a super quick one BUTTTTTTTTTTT since I am in the mood for it (yay to spontaneity and getting one of the old memories reinstated here haha), I should just write about a memorable Acro Wedding, which is one of the sweetest weddings I ever attended and of course, one of the most fun ones as well.

Acro wedding = when one of the pole chicks in the studio is snapped up by one of the few lucky chaps who managed to snag a pole chick home!

The wedding we attended on the 22nd October was especially special because it was the wedding of one of my favourite babes (also arguably the coolest) and our resident vet – V-Lynn’s.

Driving to the wedding at Shangri-La, where the carpark was under construction and I made 1001 turns before finally getting to the serviced apartment side to park.

Jean and some of the girls just reached as well!

Joyce!

Before the banquet started, a quick trip to the washroom for camwhore moments, and I joked we better not go near Bedok Reservoir (with all the bodies found there) or people might get spooked or think we are gonna do something silly.

Marla, Jean and I :) Two of the ladies I am really thankful for… for being understanding cos I am not someone easy to be understood hahahaha.

The best instructor and encouraging friend one could have. Thank you, Eunice.

The super-hiao and glamourous Gwen and I!

The utterly gorgeous bride and I!

V-Lynn looked towards me when the food was served as the rock version of Canon in D came on because she had mentioned how it sounded cliche to play Canon in D but how much she liked it and I joked how she should run in with the rock version playing, but apparently she had never heard it before!

She even asked if any of the pole girls would like to perform for her, and to me, that says plenty because many of us would find it hard to account to the elders because the stigma is something lots of them refuse to let go.

Because of that, we get to see graceful, touching dances put up by Eunice and Marla

And it was a touching moment when V-Lynn dedicated “You don’t have to let go” to her mum through a beautiful, tear-inducing pole dance routine.

And it was a beautiful, beautiful night.

I think it means a lot to us pole fitness freaks that the difficulty of the sport and the efforts most of us put in are appreciated, understanding it could be an artistic expression, instead of putting the spotlight on the perceived sleaze factor associated with pole dancing.

Some of us girls did a small part in doing the intro to Marla’s dance, thus I didn’t have my phone with me to take any pictures!

More camwhore moments!

Me and Joyce!

The Acro team with the bride’s uber cool parents and hubby.

The real crazy fun begun after everyone left the ballroom and some of the Acro girls left early, leaving the “westerners” behind.

Beautiful lines.

I am not sure when it all started when the groom’s brothers insisted the girls to drink and the girls gamely showed what a true sport they are.

Karen’s boyfriend William had to stick it through with us, and though he was sitting one side quietly and drinking when asked to, we took advantage of the situation and insisted he do a handstand for us.

MANNNNNNNNNNNNN HOR?!

Split on the chair, in jeans!

The girlfriend’s turn, Karen’s split in heels. HOT!

Marla’s turn to shine!

I have no idea when the madness ensued, but all of us decided to get down and dirty onto the floor, bride included!

I was wearing a bodycon short dress, I don’t think anyone else had it as difficult as me with a bunch of guys (with their wives by the way) looking on. And yes, we stole the flowers from the banquet tables!

We brought the unglam-ness onto the stage with the bride trying to protect my modesty:

And us trying to look pretty:

The funniest moment came when we decided to do a bridge:

And the groom’s friend thought it would be real funny as we held it for the camera to burrow through the tunnel formed (he’s underneath V Lynn) which totally caught us unaware.

They made the groom do it and I was bumped off cos he wasn’t commando crawling but doggie crawled through and bounced me off course and I fell on him.

And with some of the girls already tipsy it was super hilarious and even I was the sober one felt a little high from it all.

It was a memorable night :)

Sophie, Karen, Eunice, Lydia, VLynn, Marla and I! The gorgeous bride climbed onto the VVIP table which seats 20! The perfect solution for fitting all the important family in so no one would feel left out especially after hearing some friends complaining about seating arrangements on wedding days.

The lovely couple who were such fantastic sport.
All of us climbed on and it was the only time throughout the entire madness that the banquet staff came over to stop us. We took the birds decor as props!

And one more of us looking a little less than sane:

By the time this post is up, V Lynn is already back from her honeymoon, and such joy the girls bring, which makes me really grateful for them, and here’s wishing V Lynn lotsa bliss and a marriage filled with love, acceptance and joy.

Okay, as usual, today is supposed to be planning day and all the itineraries are making me seeking some sort of distraction, back to work I go!

Tsk, am supposed to get into the momentum of writing and as much as I am trying but really ah, what’s the point ah? My life soooo boring what is there to write about really?!

Posted in People, Perk-me-ups, Piercing the mundane | No Comments »

Happy 71st, Papa.

January 2nd, 2012 by admin

Happy 71st birthday, my dearest Papa.

Yes. See, I am making my darnest effort to get into the spirits of writing again and pumping some life into this forgotten space.

Let’s see how long this phase will last before something important; say, the launch of a new game or when the US television season returns, come along and bring with them my compulsive obsessiveness.

So how’s new year been going? A random thought came to mind today when I was having that depressive thought about growing older, and then I made a stubborn, sulkish promise to myself that in the year 2012… I am refusing to grow up.

Hmphf, yes, I don’t care. I just don’t want to. If it sounds disgusting to you, imagine me saying that when I am 40 and you’d feel better already.

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR! There’s really not much point to the above except that all the blarblarblar I read these couple of days everywhere and everyone sounded mad positive and repetitive that I started questioning myself.. WHY I SO OLD STILL SO LOSER ONE?!!

So the thoughts ding-donged here and there, then I self-consoled myself that nevermind, who cares right? Who wants to grow up seriously?!

Don’t judge me. If you are, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?! You probably have some growing up to do too. Hurhur.

Ok. Onto mushy stuff.

Eventful is probably the way to sum up the relationship between my dad and I in the past year, where we actually had our first cold war since late 1990s, which is like OMG! ALMOST HALF MY LIFETIME AGO. Less than half, but still… it IS a lot, unlike those who are still in school whose half a life-time ago was AFTER this space’s existence.

Anyway.

A part of me know absolutely well that as morbid as it sounds, time is running out. Even if he has 20 or 30 years ahead of him, time is never enough especially when you see how age catches up with everyone around us.

Of course there is always uncertainty in life which the last year had taught me much, that I have to constantly remind myself (I do find it a challenge most of the time) to -prep yourself for the cliche- treasure every single moment I have with my parents, and Minibean too.

No massive fan fare this year, as my parents headed out in the evening for a function with Minibean (it’s midnight and they are not back, my parents are indeed much more happening than I am!), and the little moment as I sat by the dining table talking to my dad, sharing loud whispers (his hearing is not optimal these days) of gossips about my mum was probably the major highlight for me.

Dad sat around to relate his travelling experiences, of the various mountains he had scaled. Dad is an established traveller, and he spoke of Canada, and how he enjoyed Vancouver the most because of this skii mountain that offered the most fantastic view. I supposed it was Whistler he was speaking of animatedly.

I secretly seething that he didn’t bring me along. My apologies Minibean, now I know why you always so sad when I didn’t bring you on my trips. BUT now being Minibean’s mum, I can SOOOOO totally understand why Dad didn’t bring me.

We were chatting when Minibean showed him a clip on the iPhone, playing a Christmas animation with a Bollywood-ised version of Jingle Bells (watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i6JPIfDoWU) one of them clips that will make you go “NOOOOOOOOO SWITCH IT OFFFFFFFF!” because you know how it is gonna cling to you like a psychotic ex-girlfriend and plague you in your dreams.

I have no idea why Minibean is so fixated over the clip and the song, and she loves to giggle with her hand over her mouth (Why so shy?? Why so embarrassed?!) and would try to dance to it.

Side track a lil, I am bewildered why in the clip, they point middle finger one?!

Why so rude one?! Tsk tsk.

There was this particular moment when my eyes went moist when he laughed together with her like a kid, and he lifted his arms and flapped them in the air just like the minions/humpty dumpties/creatures are doing.

There and then, it became my favourite song.

What the freaks are they anyway?!

Okay, back to THAT moment. I saw the faces of both grandfather and granddaughter as they skipped heavily together, danced clumsily, laughed unreservedly as they looked at each other while I looked on, wondering why didn’t we have more of such moments and I wanted to freeze-frame that moment (in my memory, I already did).

Isn’t it amazingly beautiful how when people get older, they actually laugh unbridledly, without guardedness, without agendas, claiming back their birth rights of innocence?

It was more of such precious moments I want to see.

I am glad to say that the past 2 years has seen an improved relationship between my parents and I and though not significantly, there was definitely an increase of quality time spent with them.

I wouldn’t say everything is perfect, but in retrospect, things are certainly better than it was in the past.

I passed him a Gucci keychain as a gift and in some ways I think it is awfully insincere, so let’s hope shopping in Europe is gonna be fruitful enough for us to find something, though I do have something in mind…

Dad and I had decided to keep the trip a hush hush from my mum cos she tends to over-react even with the good things. We spoke discreetly, chuckling as we shared secrets round the dining table as I tried to suss out what are the places he would like to see, how heavy an itinerary he would like to take.

It was pretty hilarious as we were sitting by the table, and he explained why he was still home at 2pm in the afternoon. He played mahjong till4am early this morning, and he joked he won enough to cover the trip and gave me a child-like victorious grin.

I confessed sheepishly that I had just reached home from a night of mahjong playing. What did they say about genes again? Yes, I drove home from Marine Parade (where wouldn’t I go for mahjong, seriously?!) at 2 freaking in the afternoon after heading over to Lee’s place last night.

Ladies and gentlemen, for all the back-breaking efforts, I won a grand total of $14.

Nothing awesome, but a tiny win to set the new year plus plenty of good company was something really precious to me. I think last night was one of the nicest sessions because I thought what we spoke about were really heart-felt and I know they are people who actually understand, do not judge and most importantly, do not share things about for sake of gossiping.

And in 2012, I show that I still have IT. It = the stamina for marathon mahjong session. Honestly, I thought it ended a tad too early. HAHAHA.

***

New Year’s Eve was quiet and reflective, and it came before I was even aware of. When I went to the kitchen to find some guilt-induced junk food to chomp on, I checked the clock to realise it was actually *gasp* 12.10am.

I remember going to Dad’s room to wish him Happy New Year, and the very first thing he asked me was where was the iPad and if I could charge it for him.

I stayed up the entire night drawing up my itinerary and I am thankful after struggling for couple of nights, things are beginning to take place. All air-tickets are booked, and I have 3 different itineraries since not all of us are flying back on the same day, and everything has to be meticulously planned.

Some of the bookings are done. I have to say how amazing it is to fly to London by Emirates and returning from Vienna costs only S$950, inclusive of taxes!! All our tickets worked out to be less than S$1000 per pax. And air ticket to Rome from London, inclusive of charges for excess baggage, costs about S$80 per pax.

HAPPY LIKE DON’T KNOW WHAT! I KNOW RIGHT, I AM SO AUNTIE HUH! The hotel accommodation in London is costing me about 20 quids per night works out to be less than S$50? Don’t you just love Winter deals?

So yes, surfing for deals require energy and time, thus my New Year’s Eve, was spent doing so in the day, dinner with family in the evening, and then back home doing the darn proposal while trying to get away from the darn iPad’s Birzzle Pandora game.

By the time I got some sleep after ushering the new year, daybreak beckoned.

Not quality sleep, but good enough for me to continue staring at the monitor doing my researches.

Went to pick Minibean from her grans after they brought her to church, and I made a spontaneous decision to bring her to Johor to pick my mum up, and off to Jaybee we went!

The car ride was harmonious and filled with non-aggressive banters with mum, which only lasted till the time she got home and we argued yet again, but since it is the new year, I will just not talk about it, cos by the time I saw her this morning, all’s well, so *shrugs* I guess that’s the way it is.

Now, it’s about time for me to return to my itinerary planning and accommodation booking. I had a planning crisis cos I had booked the tickets and THEN realise I am a tad apprehensive visiting one of the places I had originally planned – because the weather is are-you-freaking-kidding-me-minus-ten-degrees.

Once the itinerary is firmed up, perhaps I will share the details to my next adventure. A massive adventure for the meaning it holds.

I hope your new year has been much more happening than mine! Happy 2012 everyone!

Posted in Know the Line, Life's Fillers | No Comments »