Archive for the ‘Perk-me-ups’ Category

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 Scarlett Ting

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 »

Christmas 2011: the days after

December 30th, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

I don’t even know how to start to explain the rage of emotions that had overwhelmed me in the past couple of days, which kinda accounts for why this post has remained a draft for a longest time.

I can’t remember the last time I am this stress. Okay, fine, work stress, but this is a different kind of stress.

Couple of weeks back, those closest to me are aware of my desperate need to get away, yes again, but there is always a good reason to be away.

I needed to get away. For myself. On my own.

In fact, I had a booking made for my air-ticket, but was pretty hesitant as finances are usually couple of sizes too small after December.

Holding it off proved to be a pretty wise move, because I woke up on Christmas day being notified a promotion was on, and it was an incredible, incredible steal for the price I am paying, so I had no reason to hold myself back.

I needed to get away, for myself.

I can’t even begin to describe how fearful I am of the Lunar New Year buzz, and I am not sure if I still any bare ounce of energy in me to deal with the obligatory visiting and answering patronising questions patronisingly.

Seriously, I dread it enough to want to get away. But the dilemma stays that it is a tradition I wouldn’t want Minibean to miss, especially seeing how she enjoys every bit of Chinese New Year, down to the last crumbs of the pineapple tarts, so staying at home and making her a sacrifice of my anti-socialness is simply unfair.

I know I have been travelling a fair bit this year, but if there is one thing I didn’t get to do, is to travel on my own, solely, independently.

A part of me is aware that if I don’t take the chance to get away on my own over Chinese New Year, it will probably take a long while before I get to do so.

And so, started my dodgy escapism plans, and all were going on pretty smoothly, I mean Minibean will be following her both sets of grans around for visiting while I will be away…… and I was even about to book a solo ticket and single room to Barcelona from London (yes, yes, I am super not creative with my destination, since I am just back from London from a month ago, and was in London in September too, but I have friends and things to do there!) before a phone call changes everything.

Okay. I am not sure how to elaborate this without getting teary, but I am gonna try my darnest best. Don’t roll your eyes at me, you know I am a wuss like that.

I was in the office after the Christmas weekend, when Dad called, asking if Minibean was with me. It was early in the evening, and knowing Dad, he doesn’t really return home this early unless he wants to spend time with Minibean, or that he is tired, which is pretty often these days with age catching up on him.

I told him I am at work, and I asked if he is staying in as his voice was evidently laced with fatigue.

He answered his knee was giving him problems and he can’t really walk, and he will be home earlier these days to rest more cos it makes him really tired, which is… really rare.

The phone call bugged me very, very much.

For much of Tuesday evening, I was just depressed by the thought of how age is catching up on him, I mean, I think of it pretty often and had often put my emotional thoughts out in the open in this space in the past… but I just can’t help but think how an energetic man who used to be on top of everything, and the one everyone relies on, have to deal with the dent to pride age has dealt with him.

It is like there are people who are stubborn to do everything by themselves, and then there comes a point they have to concede they are not capable anymore… how painful is that?

I had a bad night on Tuesday and the sleep quality wasn’t good.

4 days after Christmas

I managed to give myself a small break today after spending two whole days doing research online, trying to loop everything together, which proves to be a mega, mega challenge.

It would have been easier if this was just work, and I could just say, “this is not possible, that is not practical…” BUT this is bigger than anything I had planned, so MAKING IT POSSIBLE is a must.

I went to town via public today, and surprisingly, my cab fare didn’t kill me.

I walked down Orchard Road after some self-pampering, and stopped by Takashimaya to pick up a Jewellery Musical Box for Minibean.

I think the brilliance of my genes scares me sometimes.

When she saw the paperbag when we were having dinner at Marina Square with her dad and paternal grandparents, she instinctively asked, “Mummy, what did you buy? Do you have a surprise for me? Let me guess.. is it a musical jewellery box?”

Now I know why the men I even been with always feel I am a dampener cos I have this ability to spoil my own surprises, however elaborated, so yeah, it is quite hard to surprise me sometimes.

So karma bites me in the ass, and though I didn’t go through hoops to plan some elaborated surprises for her, but I can now totally feel how no fun it was to have a surprise dampened, much worse one that goes through lotsa details planning.

I blame it on the fact that I haven’t dated really smart men who can pull off a brilliant heist. KIDDING! KIDDING! But, have you seen Brat Pitt and George Clooney in the Ocean series…? You know what I mean. Drop-dead-gorgeously-hot is a pre-requisite to distract intelligent people like me to fool us.

Anyway.

As I was saying. Minibean.

There was no point asking her how did she know, because she will just say matter-of-factly while doing her usual stuff, and reply with a shrug, Minibeanism #1: “Because I am intelligent, I use my brains to think. I am smart, right?”

Yes, she ALWAYS says that.

Minibean been looking longingly at those musical boxes because of the ballerina, and today the paternal grans suggested that she should be picking up some sports because with all the scholarships and blarblarblar with the emphasis on sports.. it would do her good.

That’s not the point.

The point is, Minibean got really excited, and said that she wanna be a Ballerina-footballer (?! I am trying to imagine Eric Cantona doing ballet) when she grows up.

I am 50% proud. Because, woooohooooooooooooooo my baby wanna be a footballer, is she cool or is she cool?

Sidetrack a lil, couple of weeks back, after Zachary’s birthday party on the 18th December, I nearly disowned her.

In fact I was in a state of hysteria that I whatapped some friends who agreed with my decision.

We were having dinner in Chili’s when it was showing American Football. She knows it is not the usual football, but when she saw some of the jerseys in darker shades of blue, she said, “Mummy, you know, sometimes those who wear blue, are Chelsea.”

YOU TELL ME HOW TO BE NOT PROUD OF HER?! Next time I will ask her to explain off-side rules to you all, okay?

I wonder if she knows what she is talking about, so I asked, “So what about Chelsea?”

“They are… magnificent!”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRAITOR! DISOWNNNNNNNNN (LiverpoolJanet the  and ArsenalCheyenne both at this point said the same thing!)!

I gave her a death stare and she immediately gave a grin and shifty eyes, Minibeanism #2: “BUT THEY ARE SO EMBARRASSING RIGHT, MUMMY? Manchester United is the best!”

Passable save.

Anyway.

Halfway through dinner, she came over and whispered in my ears, and before I know it, I was listening to a subtle warning from the princess of wits herself.

Minibeanism #3: “Mummy, today I was listening to the news right? There is this little boy, he very poor thing, his Papa and Mama beat him, then his arm drop off (I assume the boy’s arm was broken), then they went to jail cos they beat him. So you cannot smack me wait you go jail also!”

I very scared she gonna call the police next time I smack her hand. ROOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

***

3 days after Christmas

I woke up feeling really queasy and the onset of tummyache.

Uh-oh. No good. Plus the restless sleep I had after talking to my dad the day before, I wasn’t in that good a shape and stayed home.

Dad came home early again, and he was home by late noon, and was surprised to see me.

Did I mention that he has a newfound obsession? My iPad. Birzzle. After my mum was hooked on it, the iPad has claimed its latest fan.

To the point that when he walked into his room, first thing he asked was…. “iPad where huh?”

Did I mention that when he returned from China some weeks ago, after Minibean had returned from Israel and had her 5th birthday party (he was away), he said happy birthday to her, gave her a hug, and first thing he said to her was, “Where you put the iPad? Bring to Gong gong okay?”

So much love.

After I handed him the iPad, it was almost instinctive of me to ask if he would be free over Lunar New Year…

I told him of the brilliant air ticket prices and asked if he would want to bring mum and Minibean to join me in London.

I thought how selfish it was of me to want to be away alone.. and how I hadn’t travelled with my parents in the past… 13 years.

We had spoken about going on a holiday together for the past couple of years, but he had always been busy and there never seemed to be a good time for him to getaway.

I was surprised when he said he would try to move things around and make it for the trip, and asked me to go ahead and book the tickets for them.

He told me about how he went to every corner of London when I was studying there, and his trip to Edinburg with my mum, where they brought my Grandma, and I have not even been to Scotland, which is actually on my agenda this time round if I were to travel on my own!

He then said he had never been to other parts of Europe… and he said something that hit home. “Okay, let’s go… now I can’t walk a lot and my energy is not there, if I don’t go now, I don’t know if I can next time or not.”

He made it sounded so casual, and though he spoke exactly what is on my mind, but it was superbly painful to hear it from him.

I held back my tears and happily replied that I will go ahead and make arrangements and thus started my these 2 days of intensive research and left little time for writing down my thoughts, cos it is quite emotional for me to do so.

Dad was keen on seeing a few places, and originally put aside a week, when I mentioned over dinner that it will be too short to see much he asked me to extend it longer so he can see more, because he is getting old and he wanna do it while he still can.

You have no idea how heart breaking it was.

I told him the intensive itinerary might not be good, and I have this worry in me as well, but he is adamant to going with an intensive itinerary and he will want it that way.. and I realise we both have this unspoken understanding that this will probably be the last adventurous trip for him before he takes a slower pace for something less tiring.

Thus, started my planning. I never had quite planned much for my travels, but with 2 elderly and a vivacious child, everything has to be immaculate.

I try to fit as much as I can show them, because though we might still have the chance, I wanna make every trip counts. We have never taken much pictures together, and I wanna freeze the memories as much as I can this time round.

I figured out when my sense of wander and spontaneity comes from, and this might just be the most meaningful trip I ever planned.

I asked him if the weather is too cold, and when he realised it will be almost zero, he is as happy as I am. Now, that explains.

Still.. I have still experiencing bottlenecks when trying to fit in the places and taking some factors into considerations but I tell myself that this will be the first trip of many to come, one that starts teaching us to seize the moment because there is never a good time, and thus, make every moment counts.

I remember 3 years ago in Rome, I stood in the streets of Italy, and as I took it all in, I said, “One day, I wanna bring Minibean and my parents here.”

And that scene kept replaying in my head. I am determined to make it happen.

I pray. And I pray a lot, that this will be the most fulfilling trip for all of us, and everything will go smoothly.

This year, some friction happened between me and my dad. I was angry. Very angry. But with some health scares along the way, I don’t want to waste time being angry, I wanna spend more time loving him.

***

2 days after Christmas

Superbly happy when I was woken up by the postman who delivered my Christmas present.

Just in time for the Lunar New Year trip!

I certainly hope this is an awesome investment, and it means I have to head out of the country more often to not let money go to waste *warped theory alert*

Went to visit Eddy and Kelly’s newborn son, Noel, and I one-sidedly feel extremely bonded with him. He is such and amazing cutie!

There is something about cuddling newborns that make me feel extremely, utterly maternal to the point that I wanted to abduct Noel home. This boy will be so loved. Next time remember I was the emcee at your parents’ wedding okay?

A late dinner with Janet was on the agenda to wrap up a brilliant evening. We can’t wait to meet up with Jo. 2 seemingly factual statements but…… so cryptic. Hurhur.

***

1 day after Christmas

I slept the rainy day away.

Just what I needed.

***

Christmas day

I finally got round to watching Twilight, and it was quite goooooooooood what! *unabashedly bimbotic*

All of us woke up late on Christmas Day after a late Christmas eve party and a night of waking up to check on Minibean who had a bout of gastric flu which she eventually passed on to everyone.

She woke up in the middle of the night screaming of tummyache, and I was afraid she might throw up in her sleep, or start developing a fever or some sorts.

So. Sleep deprived.

Of course, such discomfort does not stop her from ruling the world.

We went out for Christmas Tea party!

Here is she decking out her new dress, a Christmas present she gotten a day before!

I bet you can’t see that she hadn’t been eating for 2 days.
On the bicycle she gotten from me for her 5th birthday.
Still a little girl at heart, with her Camel, Sarah, which she gotten from her trip to Jerusalem.
Haven’t posted pictures for a long time.. so expect quite a fair bit today!
And her wearing her Christmas present from me.. an angel pendant with a star. Symbolising that I will always pray she will be looked after by the angels, and there will always be hope.

I remember Wendy and Qiuting said I should put tape on her left eye. After looking at this picture, I feel like doing it NOW!
My daughter very cute huh?
Time has passed so fast… she’s already 5. And once the year crosses over, she will be considered as a 6 year-old. *wipes proudmama’s tears*

Which makes me wonder what other wonderful retorts she will come up with to make my hair grey faster than it should.

Still, she will always be my baby, and seeing her holding her baby pillow preciously brings some sort of comfort to me.

She was unusually shy when she arrived at the party and insisted to be carried. She knew very well she was unwell and her lack of appetite also steered her clear of all the Christmas goodies, which makes me feel a little bad indulging in all things sinful in front of her.

A little gift from her uncle cheered her up.

My Christmas wish for her…. is that she will STOP cutting her own hair off when her grans are not looking. It might not be my place to ask, but why does she have access to scissors huh?!

Christmas Eve

Mad rush with last minute Christmas shopping, and thank God for places like IMM which saves me from the dreadful rain and Christmas shopping crowd in town.

Dad and Mum drove almost 10 hours to get back from Genting with all the bad weather and massive jams.

Minibean was throwing up non-stop and they had to bring her to the docs as well.

She felt a little warm, and had little appetite.

So she had to miss most of these:

Chocolates and tea!

and these:

So yes, the porridge is for her. But it didn’t take long before she had the runs and right after washing her up, she threw up all her dinner. :(

Since she joined us right after crossing the custom, we didn’t manage to dress her up and she wasn’t quite in the mood to be dressed up either.

Minibean writing Christmas cards:


She loves Christmas tree. I am sure she doesn’t remember that when she was born in 2006, there was a Christmas tree already standing in my living room, which had been there for 4 years. Hurhurhur.

One of her with Mummy!

My babe with an attitude:

Well uhm…

Okay! Camwhore time, very long never post so many narcissistic shots already hahaha!

Was supposed to join some girlies for Christmas party, but Minibean wasn’t feeling quite well so I stayed put.

The amount of Christmas presents under the tree:

Out of these, I saw this:

The present is from a beautiful English girl called Ophelia…  it’s every mum’s worst nightmare cos you can only think of the sugar high and the chaos it brings.

And of all the presents, this much belongs to Minibean:

I can’t even begin to say how blessed she is. She is very, very loved. I think of the past 5 years of Christmas with her in my life, and how each one is amazingly special because of her, I still can’t quite grasp how she has changed my life that much, beyond what I could have ever imagined.

When midnight drew near…

And she started to unwrap her presents before midnight! I have to say that she enjoys unwrapping presents more than appreciating the presents. Tsk. I will have to start the nagging about appreciating and valuing your stuff….. but it’s Christmas, I am keeping the Mummy in me at bay.

And then there were my presents, which I honestly didn’t expect much this year, cos I just ain’t feeling much of the Christmas vibes:

Her trying on her Christmas dress and looking gorgeous!

And not this is not hers, but MINE!

Which of course she isn’t quite happy, laughs. The story behind is.. how I had always wanted Play Doh but my mum didn’t have the money to buy for me when I was younger.

Dutifully, I waited till Christmas to give Minibean a kiss and hug, and also to unwrap all the presents!

Present I got from Jenn and Ling:

Giggles. I think they think I cute, but have a wild side to me or something. Or so the gift says. Thank you babes! Love them!

LOVE THE SKIRT! I wanted to wear it together with Minibean’s new dress one day when we head out together. Thank you babes!

From Ian, I love practical stuff, and after the spring cleaning recently, I have finally decided to sort my makeup stuff out and utilise them. So something to add to the collection!

I love this:

I am a fan of Loccitane products! And in this exquisite little box of perk me ups!

I was in the office and my boss and a fellow colleague gotten us Crabtree and Evelyn hand creams which I love and now I have so many hand cream and I am super happy cos I recently started on using hand cream and find them super amazing!

A Banana Republic maxi dress which is so comfortable and pretty. I think this year everyone kinda know my style very well, laughs. I think that’s the most heartening thing, it doesn’t really matter what the gift is, but the fact that people care enough to take note?

An interesting cardigan which is perfect for workdays!

A top from H&M and Massimo Dutti!

And a gift that made me rather speechless from everyone who chipped in… cos it was really unexpected, and it was just because Jiali and I were talking about the travel wallet I had with me (which was a gift from Jiali which I carried with me whenever I travel) at Covent Garden during my recent trip to London.

I do feel a tad guilty… well cos.. it was unexpected and it was something I felt I didn’t quite deserve since this year I am quite broke and didn’t put in as much thoughts into everyone’s gifts.


But it is really, really lovely and pretty. The exact kind of wallet that I like. Like I said, it’s always when people take note of small things that really matter.

So yeah, thank you all.

When I finally got home, it was almost 2am, and I was surprised to see the lights still on in Dad’s room. I shooed Minibean into the room to wish my Dad, and when we opened the door, there he was furiously Birzzling on the iPad, which makes me wonder if I should get him one for his 71st birthday next week. HAHAHA.

Guess Dad’s first words to us?

“Wah, you all back so early today huh?”

How long have you been playing Dad?!

He looked at the clock before realising it was freaking 2am!

Minibean and Dad spent some bonding time together, and to me, that’s the most precious part of Christmas to me, even though there wasn’t any party, any buzz, the simplicity of it all, the beauty of it was beyond any gift could ever give.

Though it’s late, but I wish everyone’s Christmas is special in its own way. Filled with love, happiness, blessings and everything you wish for. Love, from both of us!

Of course what is Christmas without some kind of spoiler from Minibeanism #4 just we were prepping for bedtime after reading her a bedtime story.

Mumbling to self, “I think I am getting old… I can’t seem to remember where I put my stuff…”

She said matter-of-factly in that old-soul tone of hers, “No, it is just that you are not very smart right now.”

*Speechless*

Seriously?!

I seriously have no idea to laugh or cry cos it shows she is agreeing that 30 is nowhere near old, or her subtle dig.

Did I mention that since her return from Genting, she has picked up an English accent from nowhere?!

I shudder at the thought that she might pick up some dry, crisp humour along the way.

Fret not baby, in less than a month’s time, you will be able to hone all those skills of yours.

When I travelled for work some time back, Minibean cried at the airport when sending me off. When I got back, I was told that she asked why is it that I never brought her to London or overseas with me, and she was crying when she asked “Is it because I naughty so Mummy doesn’t want to bring me?”

I swear I nearly burst out crying upon hearing this.

When she got back from Israel in the first week of December, it was one of those days when I was bringing her out for activities, and as I was driving, I asked her where did she want to go that weekend.

She pondered hard, and said “Mummy, you bring me to London this weekend?”

…………… Nice try.

But you know what, I bet she is now having the last laugh cos her birthday/Christmas wish is coming true.

Posted in Intimates, People, Perk-me-ups, The vast out there | 2 Comments »

Conclusion to my clumsy episode

November 6th, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

I am the most cynical person you would find, but at the same time, I irk myself with how naive I can sometimes be.

But hey I always think of it as a choice, and sometimes this naivety will bring me some pleasant surprises I would never expect, apart from the nasty ones that come bite me in the ass, of course.

So, I guess the episode of me damaging someone’s bumper has been weighing heavily on my head for the past week, and with all the work uncertainties and financial worries, plus the fact that I am a noob at such matters, I was totally in a loss.

I guess everyone had the experiences of meeting complete arseholes on the road, which explains why my lack of initiative sounded pretty appalling to them.

I have had heard horror stories how people tend to take advantage of claims and then that’s why there’s a need to take pictures and all.. and then how they will play you out and all.

Which makes the fact that I didn’t even take any pictures (a camwhore like me also can miss this out, seriously?!) a complete no-no.

And the driver actually very kindly sent me the pictures when I asked him to do so.

He actually leave the decision up to me if I want to pay through insurance or cash… when I had initially let the decision-making up to him. Yah, sounds like a typical “What should be have for dinner?” “Anything, up to you lor!“.

When I was swarmed with work and replied him a day later, he had never bugged me or anything.. and he would even message me to tell me he hadn’t got the time to head to workshop so I gotta wait another day for the quote.

I had pretty much let him choose his own workshop, get his own quote and assessment done when friends had asked me to get my mechanic down to assess it together or insisted he goes to my workshop, which would guarantee me a better price.

Somemore.. uh, I don’t know how to make this sound politically correct, but from his name, he is probably a Chinese national who’s a local citizen now, which makes all the people around me a tad uncomfortable.

I mean, I don’t have anything in particular against them or feel strongly against foreign talents as much as many out there, but I have to say that personally, I did encounter many not-so-honest, scamming, scheming, rude people of the same country (which I must again reinstate that I am not judging all of them to be the same cos I do have amazing Chinese friends too).

Gee, why the fuck am I being so politically correct. Let’s just say that the locals are more wary of the Chinese nationals. Fact. Is it justified? Sometimes!

But in this case, my gut feel, which served me well but failed me once too many times too, told me there is really nothing much to worry about.

Which is also why I didn’t even bother to think about writing letters or reporting it and blarblarblar until he makes a decision.

So he sent me the quote, and with the repair, workmanship, spray paint and car replacement, it came up to high $700s, which is much higher than the few workshop I had worked with had quoted me.

But it also holds true that if my workshop knows I am claiming from someone’s else, they will also mark it higher because I ain’t the one paying it, standard practise and I understand.

So the chap wasn’t quite willing to put his car to my workshop and I actually do believe that he is more comfortable with his workshop instead of wanting to get more of out it.. but the fact is, I really wouldn’t mind paying for his repairs and then the excess goes to his pocket for the inconveniences instead of the workshop, you know what I mean?

So eventually, he actually said he would go without the car replacement and repair his car when he goes on holiday next year, and he set the settlement closer to what my workshop has quoted. Of course that also makes me feel incredibly bad again………

And he said he will write a letter for me and sign it to discharge me of the liabilities, when I didn’t even remember to do so.

I was having quite a bad day yesterday……. when I saw his message.. I was actually getting teary eyed, because, bless his heart, seriously, a stranger can be so nice and brings more hope to this bleak, bleak world.

I think I am just very lucky to be blessed to meet with a slight accident, nothing serious, and at the same time, despite the financial strain, I am lucky I didn’t meet someone who would make this worse by taking advantage of the situation.

I can’t thank you enough, Mr Wang, cos seriously, your kindness touched me a great deal on a day where I am mopping over the uncertainties and getting discouraged by the disappointment brought forth by the people around me.

It takes a stranger’s kindness, however small it seems to you, and he probably think nothing of it, for you to find hope again.

I mean, everyone is so cynical these days, and he didn’t even doubt when I pass him my number/IC number, I miss the old days when everyone can be this trusting with strangers, and having the trust goes both ways.

I hope Minibean will one day grow up to be a lady of such fine, brilliant character who can trust, and can be trusted, and the people she meet, will not take advantage of the trusting character.

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

How vast is out there?

August 23rd, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

A question I have no answer to..

Been busy with new work and all, and it has exposed me to a world I never knew in-depth of. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will bring upon good things to come.

Been extremely busy, and many things have slipped my mind, thus a need to catch up with everything before I am embarking on a break.

SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS BREAK, I TELL YOU!

It seems like an almost impossible feat, but somehow with the “commitments” of all the bookings, I pray my darnest that everything will go on smoothly (and safely for that matter), cos even if I am tired and wanna back out also cannot, laughs.

I HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED PACKING!

Because I cannot think of what I wanna pack.

Come to think of it… it is quite a short holiday compared to a lot of the long breaks people around me take, but I didn’t realise that it will be the longest trip I ever took, even though it is a mere 2 weeks’ time.

Revisiting my comfort zone, meet up with people who mean much to me, exploring new territories and new horizons in a way I never imagined.. and this is what spontaneity can bring you.

Everything planned is impromptu, in fact I am still not confirmed with some of the bookings, so let’s see where that will lead me.

Tsk tsk.

At this moment, I seem to be doing more planning for others, than for myself.

Not exactly conventional, but the elements I had hoped to pack in are nothing short of mind-blowing.

Or at least if the pictures are real portrayal of what I think they are…. if not I will come back grumpy and a perpetual grouch.

Now I am also fretting of what am I gonna wear. Tsk. But I am on a tight budget, so shopping overseas is out of the equation, though I am known to always come up with formulas to keep myself in denial.

Also have to express ample gratitude to someone who helped me plan my wardrobe, so I get to try different stuff this time round!

I will miss Minibean lots lots lots.. don’t start guilt-fill me how I am not bringing her… I hope to take super lots of pictures this time round, so I hope I get enough rest so I don’t look super chui.

I don’t know about you.. I always get excited doing the planning and trying to think up of something different for my trips, but then when the date draws near, I always get a little lazy and apprehensive, like it is almost a dread to get out of my comfort zone.

It does sound ironic for someone with a severe case of wanderlust.

MUST. psyche. myself. up.

Decadence. Comfort. Fairytale. Thrills and frills, hereeeee I commmeeeeeeee!

Posted in Perk-me-ups, The vast out there | No Comments »

National Day sweet treat from Nestlé

August 11th, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

The courier came knocking on the door the day after National Day, bringing with him some awesome treats. It was actually one of those things sent to you and you are not obligated to write about it, but it really perked me up enough for me to want to do so.

The arrival of the package (with lotsa heart and thought went into it I might add) was not all that smooth, especially after they had arranged for a drop off on National Day’s eve, and I waited well into dinner time and SMSed the person who emailed me with the arrangement to ask if I should continue waiting cos I was heading out for dinner.

I was told there was lotsa delivery and it would be delayed and they would drop off the next day, which happened to be a.. holiday? I asked if it would be any problem cos it would be a holiday butttttttttt I would still be home nonetheless and just need to let me know what time, and I was told they would do it on National Day.

National Day came and went and it was only yesterday when they messaged me that I recalled the package didn’t come, and I had totally forgotten about it.

So it came as a nice surprise when it finally arrived, and Minibean and I sat on the floor unveiling the thoughtfully packaged box…

I grew up with Nestlé products okay! And my greatest pleasure in life these days is making Milo for Minibean, and I will always conclude the last scoop with one straight shot into my mouth before washing the spoon!

That was my favourite snack when I was a kiddo! I remember I used to go to my neighbour’s house and I would sneak around to “steal” a spoonful of Milo from their tin, with the blessings of my neighbour’s kiddos, because it was only then I wouldn’t risk being found out by my mum and receive a brutal beating if I were to do it in my own home.

Accompanying the box is…

HAHAHAHA! Sense of humour is awesome! I am not a Fun Pack, which reminds me of the cringe-worthy, my-hands-very-busy-song… because don’t know to palm my forehead, cover my face in shame with both my hands, or stick 2 fingers into my ears.

Whatever happened to the Fun Pack song? Was it aired during National Day Parade?

My model was so happy with it that she left one for me, and took one to Popo to tell her to use it to go shopping with her so we can buy things for her and put inside. Tsk, why you so smart?

I was seriously thinking to myself to heed the advice of some “jiejies” to put double eyelid sticker for her other eye because it is getting so darn obvious that her eye one small one big! Everything should be balanced, one big one small should only exist in Singapore Pools, where you buy 4D.

My favourite part of the entire pick-me-up care pack?

A letter from them, and I think many social media personnel should take a leaf out of Nestlé, because it shows they took the effort to try to “know” you before writing to you and sending stuff to you. Nevermind they might get it wrong along the way, but it shows they did their “homework”, unlike some contrived emails from PR people or social media managers who know nothing they are talking about but pretend so badly that it reeks of insincerity.

And you got me at Milo, and chocolate stash. It’s one of those things you received that make you feel… thought of, and even you know it is gimmicky and most likely to be generic, but you feel warm and fuzzy nonetheless :)

And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Minibean cooed and jumped around excitedly when she saw this:

A cereal bowl in her name!

She was like “Mummy, who sent this? Why she knows my name? You see this bowl got my name you know?” And she beamed so happily because.. it makes her feel special.

Now I know where the name of my favourite “Tak Kiew” (for the uninitiated, it means kick ball in Hokkien, because the picture in front of Milo tins always show an athlete, like a footballer or something) drink comes from, and I have my own personalised mug too!

It doesn’t matter I am *cough* allergic to *cough* coffee.

And the yummy treats from Nestlé! Milo energy bars! *excited* Been seeing those on the shelves but never got round to trying them and I now have my energy bar for pole dance lessons!

Saw a little curious bottle on the right and I had thought it was something like chicken essence but realised it was actually concentrated soup, so I did a little read up to find out more about the product since it was pretty new to me.

It is birthed between Maggi and Eu Yang San, and it is like the cheenah version of Campbell, methinks.

“By just adding a bottle of Yang Sheng Le™ herbal concentrate to a litre of water and adding the accompanying sachet of wolfberries before bringing it to boil, consumers can savour the delicious goodness of herbal soup in less than 20 minutes. For the versatile cook, this herbal concentrate can also be used as a cooking sauce or marinade for various Asian or even Western dishes.”

Cooooool! Especially when Minibean loves soup so much and on the days I do not have the time to brew soup for her if I am out in the afternoon, that she could come home to a bowl of soup after school, which is the norm for her.

Her eyes sparkled when her sight landed on the Kitkats, but *evil laughs* sorry, I am your mother, I have first dips and we all know what sugar does to you, so unless either set of your grans are taking care of you, you are staying well away from sweets.

***

National Day eve was spent doing something I hadn’t done for a long while.

Playing mahjong from the night before till afternoon!

My cards were so shitty that I emptied all my chips but it was so liberating for me to be out without feeling anything holding me back.

Headed home and went straight to the pool to wash the sticky grime away from the humidity, and because we made a promise to bring Minibean for a swim after the previous unfortunate weather disappointed her greatly.

I realised how much the pool has changed. It used to be quiet, civilised, with my Japanese, Indian, and Caucasian neighbours, but now… well…

I mean I have nothing against Chinese Nationals cos I have many good friends who are fabulous people from there, but an excessive of obnoxious ones really make me speechless.

Of course, flushing away the hot Japanese in board shorts looking all hunky and replacing them are loose Speedos and there was one chap who spoke so loudly, I turned to look and I had to ask SBB if the chap was wearing his underwear instead of Speedo.

But, the mother who went to the pool to pass her child a plastic bag of 2 packets of chwee kuey and put it next to the baby pool….. and encouraged him to eat it in the pool.

That…. made me feel too much incredulity that I have no words for it, that I told Minibean don’t ever do such things in the future and sia suey me.

We stuffed ourselves with KFC while Minibean very much reluctantly stuck to her soup and rice.

Minibean was very excited to catch the National Day Parade, and I believe this is the first time that she is well aware of the meaning, and well caught up with the excitement as she has became more of a sensible child this year.

Not my baby anymore :(

We had a miniflag my dad brought home for her, and she grabbed the flag, and ran towards the teevoo, placed her face next to it when it was a crowd shot, as if she was part of the crowd.

She was saying “Singapore is a great place” in mandarin, probably something she learnt from school during the celebrations, and she got a curt, “WHAT SINGAPORE IS A GREAT PLACE? MALAYSIA THEN IS A GREAT PLACE” from my mum, a sober reminder that we are just, but visitors here, and never really belonged to either place.

Before the parade started, the video for In a Heartbeat was playing (which is what is playing right now for me to write with more “feelings” hahaha) and she told me proudly she knows how to sing.. and it reminded me so much of the moving moments when I used to sing all these patriotic songs in my primary school.

She was so glued to the television and sang In a Heartbeat (music is by Goh Kheng Long!) that I joined in, and I felt a swell of pride and getting all teary.

It always used to be this way when I watched NDP or sing those patriotic songs, don’t ask me why.

I remember dozing off right after the paratroopers landed one after another and seeing an excited Minibean pointing to the teevoo…… I mean after staying up the entire night for dry swimming and wet swimming.. and the meal of KFC was doing it in for me.

I woke up and the parade was already over.

I was told that she was exceptionally excited and stood to attention during the national anthem and pledge moment.

I made a mental note to myself to teach her the pledge in mandarin some time soon.

We conversed after the parade ended, and I asked her the favourite part of the parade for her, and she cheekily, shyly and enthusiastically said, “THE BOY!”.

………………….

Young lady, I am seriously considering chaining you home when you reach puberty at this rate you are going!

Posted in Minibeanism, Perk-me-ups | 3 Comments »

My Papa

January 8th, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

After almost 3 decades, ahem, I say it unabashedly that I am very much a daddy’s girl.

For despite his flaws, he had been my hero all these years, and I could not ask for a cooler daddy than this.

Imagine sitting across your dad when you are 6 and a half months pregnant to go one big round to tell him the news indirectly (*in total baby voice* er.. What if you know, if some day I don’t intend to get married, but want to have my own child huh? Then like that, you know I said I got news to inform you hor… you know what I mean huh?) , and you ended the news with a cheeky, nervous giggle, and he barely flinched, and nodded with a smile, “er ya, I know, I know. Up to you lor.“

Without his support, Minibean and I wouldn’t have pulled through the more difficult times.

My dad was never a pantung (superstitious) person, being an atheist, but when I was pregnant he was adamant that he didn’t want to fix the water heater because it would involve some knocking and drilling and he insisted that he would only do it after the birth of Minibean.

For someone who didn’t see her daddy often, I started seeing my dad every single day, returning home with plenty of excuses in the day just to see Minibean every single day after we were discharged from the hospital.

I could chat to my Dad very well, and I remember couple of months back we had supper till late, and in the past couple of years, I have learnt more about his life as a youth, his first marriage, his other children, and how he started out on his own, and how he was a stubborn kiddo, because he later found out he was just the step-son to the man who he had regarded as his father.

I promised myself one day I would want to jot down everything, because it fascinates me to listen to him, to listen to someone in the family opening up because… our family is dysfunctional that way that everyone keeps to him or herself very much.

It pains me to watch him growing older, and there were countless nights I would cry because I thought of the dad who used to piggyback me until I was this very same height I am right now even though I was 12 had aged considerably. Until the major heart attack slowed him down when I was 13.

I worry for his health, I worry for his deteriorating hearing, and I worry that he might not be there for all of Minibean’s and my life. Okay, that is not realistic, cos I wouldn’t be around for Minibean all my life either, right?

But you see, my dad is always the hero. He doesn’t leave the sink clogged, he fixes the air-conditioning when it drips, he fits the grills on the windows when Minibean was growing up to be an active toddler, he buys the milk powder and diapers in case they ran out before anyone asks. He even does the marketing when I was doing confinement, and to think a chauvinistic man who never does any marketing doing that!

One thing about my dad, is also how sweet and attentive he is to me, and I can see why at 70 years old, he is still the charmer to older aunties.

I remember when he used to drive me around or give me the occasion lifts if he was in the area, the moment I hopped into the car, the radio station would already be set to Fm93.3.

That was something I always remember, and got me teary thinking about it, cos I know he is a FM95.8 listener, and for him to always pay attention to such details, for me, was something I never took for granted.

Dad was always grateful to people who helped him, and he himself was taken advantage of for his willingness to help too many times and he had to write off bad debts because there are bad people out there out to cheat him.

I always feel this uncontrollable anger whenever I get to know that, because sometimes I think rather than the bad feeling of being cheated, it was his pride that gets the blunt of it because.. how could a man this sharp, has his judgment be so clouded to be fooled into it?

There was this day last year, that he sat down, and spoke to me about his will. I got all uncomfortable and made a joke out of it.

It took all of me not to break down and cry.

I told him I don’t want anything monetary, all I want is to keep something that means a lot to him, as a keepsake (fuck, I cannot NOT cry typing all these, and that’s why I never got to write it all down).

I went back into my room and bawled. He said he knew he was getting old, and he did not want me to be bullied after he was gone, so he said he wanted to make sure Minibean and I are taken care of.

I remember later that week Mum had another of her outbursts, and said that I bad-mouthed her in front of Dad, and that I was just pretending to be nice (she is always cynical that way, and thinks the worst of everyone, especially me) because I was after his moolah, until I put her in her place in front of my dad that truth to be told, if I really am into money, even with Minibean, I have had met my fair share of millionaires or even billionaires who wouldn’t mind taking care of me, and if I really am into money, I could have sought many other easier ways out in my life.

The thing is, my dad’s unwavering belief in me, was something I am thankful for, but was also unfortunately, one of the things my mum is envious of. He assured me everytime my mum has an outburst towards me, and that was one reason that even if I am struggling, I refused and wouldn’t go to him ever since Minibean was born, and he knew I have too much pride to even intrude/offer.

For that, I know he respect me as an individual, and I respect him even more as my dad.

My dad was someone who seen it all, a lot of things he had taken with a pinch of salt, but it doesn’t mean it is any easier on him.

I told myself in the past couple of years that, especially seeing the slowing of his gait, that I want to spend more time with him, and let Minibean to be around him more.

To be honest, even as Minibean’s mother, I have to concede that, on a relative scale, even my love for Minibean, or anyone else on this earth for this matter, cannot be matched to what my dad has to offer her.

You know how strict I am with Minibean’s diet of ice-cream cos it is too thick for her that sometimes she will throw up, and she might catch a cough (which happened before despite my refusal to have any belief in its co-relation). My dad was the one who told me, it would be good for kids to have some ice-cream post meals cos it will help the very lean Minibean to put on weight. He also says that overseas, parents serve their kids cold milk, so cold drinks should be alright for kids. That’s how much he loves Minibean, I can see, laughs.

So it pains me sometimes that despite his fatigue, he would entertain her like the way he did when I was younger, letting her sit on his shoulders, his head, be the horsey on his knees so she could sit “gor gor meh” just like when I was a kid. I sometimes wanna tear when I see them, because I relive the only beautiful memories of my childhood my dad had gifted me with, despite some of the horrors from childhood that plagued me till today.

I sometimes hear them laugh, watch them play, and I would be so touched beyond words, and I know I am being irrationally emotional, but I thank God for these beautiful moments, and prayed for more, and more to come, and I want my dad to be healthy to watch Minibean grow up to a woman, to a lady, and I want Minibean to grow up remembering all the beautiful things gong gong did for her.

As now that Minibean is still on her way to gaining sensibility, she sometimes would jump onto frail Gonggong’s head/chest when he is resting just to wake him up to play with her.

He still insists on carrying her around sometimes, and I love to see the 2 of them interacting, cos that was how I was, exactly, when I was younger, until puberty sets in and his infidelity during my teenagehood (which made my life hell cos my mum went berserk) made our relationship frosty.

Dad met a very special teacher and friend who guided him along when everyone gave up on him, because his step-father treated him differently and he didn’t know why.

Later on he realised that being the eldest son of the family of 10, he was the only one who didn’t belong.

He ran away from home, became an apprentice, and met his first wife. He spoke fondly of her, and say she had a good heart, but after listening to her friends and naysayers, was starting to get obsessive about money, and wasn’t too nice to my grandmother, to the extent that she was going to temples and tried to mix some cursed papers into the red bean soup.

He became dad for the first time when he was 20, thus explaining the 20 years gap between me and my eldest step-sister.

There was a time he had a frosty relationship with his son.

In a way, I think Dad was just not as good with boys as he was with girls. For many years, I was perturbed about the fact that whenever he spoke of his son, he is actually very proud of him, but the son refused to acknowledge him.

I remember once I went to where the son worked, and I looked from afar, and the-ex mused how alike the 3 of us are. Despite the hostility from my step-brother, I know my dad loves him a lot, and the frosty situation was not something he could help, and the fact that they were so alike, in more ways than they would admit, was also the crux of it.

I wonder if there was anything I could do to improve their relationship, cos I know it would mean lots to dad, but I know it was not my place, and I might potentially make things worse, especially if he was going to mind my presence.

I actually once prayed about it, because I know it would mean lots to Dad.

So, few months back when Dad told me things were better between them, and I could see the quiet joy and hear the relief in his voice, I actually was so happy that I felt the urge to cry. Even though my dad knows his daughter is weird, I didn’t think he needs to know that she is THAT weird.

I am thinking of getting a voice recorder, just so I don’t miss anything he tells me or shares with me.

My dad never really minded that his original surname is not Zhang (which is what me and Minibean took over), when it was actually Qiu (wahaha I would name myself qiu bu!), because he was always grateful, and I remember once I was too broke to help a friend whom I really wanted to help, and had never met, I think he saw a part of him in me, so despite we weren’t sure if we were ever gonna get it back, he decided to help her with it. That was way before Minibean, and when I was still unemployed and broke.

My dad had wanted to retire many years ago, but the constant need to do things spurred him on to continue.

His justification was that he knew of many friends who gotten disengaged with the society, plunged into depression, and they died from loneliness.

I know dad is a strong man, and he is always one who always takes care of things, and I can only imagine the loneliness that accompanies such strength.

Granted, he does have a temper, and yet, in the past 3 decades, I could count the number of occasions he took it out on me.

He hasn’t quite mentioned the incident on how he got badly burnt in an industrial accident, which gave his right hand a distinct perpetual wilt which I had never ever seen otherwise.

I remember I tried to mimic it when I was in kindergarten, just so I could pretend to sign his signature the way he does it and show it off to him.

Gee, I had wanted to write all of the above more detailed-ly some other day but I have no idea why it all came out when it wasn’t supposed to be what I wanted to write.

***

I had drafted this post last night, but along the way, it got too heavy for me that I needed to take a break by indulging in the newest episodes of CSI and Modern Family (which I might add, are 2 brilliant episodes to greet us after the holiday hiatus), and plenty of The Mentalist.

***

This year, Dad celebrated his 70th birthday.

Which was a very special event because, I was determined to make it special, but yet not at all awkward because I know Dad can be a tad group shy.

Celebrating birthdays is not a given in my household, and over the years, we learnt to do without and birthdays barely hold any significance. Sometimes, I do envy of people with celebrations, because it is so rare.

With the festive season and a diminishing bank account, budget was one of my major concern as well.

Put in this way, Minibean’s school fee for new term was due in November, birthday is in December, then comes Christmas, then Dad’s birthday, Chinese New Year, and then another major birthday for Mum in February. And school fees for the new term in March. This quarter is always filled with joy, but tainted with a lil amount of stress from the financial side.

Nonetheless, like my mum said it, how many more major birthdays do they get to enjoy?

True, and I thought it would be a good year to start bringing the family together.

It was meant to be a surprise for Dad, so I arrange it with some aunts and uncles to join us for the occasion, basically people who are enthusiastic and sincerely wanted to be there, and be happy for Dad.

You see, I did have birthday dinners with my dad before. I remember years ago, he always would give me phone calls just before dinner time, and asked me to join him for dinners on his birthday.

Cos apparently, some of his so-called friends would announce how it was his birthday, and they would all ASSUME and push him to buy a meal.

And some of them would call their friends to come down to some expensive restaurant, just to get a free meal. It wasn’t that they were really happy for the celebration, but they just wanna leech for free food, and since Dad was pretty much in a difficult place to say no, he would just go along, and ask me along, just to make the company a bit more bearable.

I booked my dad’s schedule in advance this year, and told him not to be towed to some dodgy dinner by those pesty pals of his.

I thought a simple dinner would do, but I didn’t know the process would be such a hassle, probably due to the festive season and everything was slowing down the planning.

First, location.

Though there were many locations suggested by helpful individuals, a little research on my part set my heart on couple of choices.

It was supposedly to be at Fullerton Hotel, Jade Restaurant but the first menu they sent to me were all seafood, with no meat. No duck. No chicken. No Pork. No Beef. No MEAT AT ALL.

Since it was a dinner for elders, there was standard expectations to meet, so I didn’t wanna settle for the menu though it would very much help me reduce my budget.

A change of menu took a while to get back to me, and by then I was sourcing for an alternative. Ambiance and food were important, cos, elders, remember?

It was meant to be a surprise, and taking one advice from an elder eventually was messy cos another elder didn’t agree.

The truth was, I didn’t mind about the suggestion, but I just thought the manner it was put across to me, and to imply certain assumptions about me was… uncalled for. It was a matter of principle to me, and I didn’t like how it evolved.

So anyway, I was happy to settle for the location I narrowed down to, and Lee’s further affirmed my decision when I called to ask her for opinion.

On Sunday, a table for 14 was set at Hai Tien Lo’s private room for my Dad’s 70th at Pan Pacific Hotel.

Drove down to the hotel in the heavy rain, which got me squealing everytime I ski-ed on the flooded water, and they splashed up till I couldn’t see the road.

Me in my comfortable, girlie-frilly new dress (love the colour and the feel of it against my skin!) and my Poupre! An aunt complimented that I look very graceful and ballerina-ish hahahaha. Me looking graceful and feminine (!!!!!) and she thought I look very Chanel-ish, whatever it means.

Dad said the last time he was there was in 1990s and the food was good.

Since I had never been there, I was keeping fingers crossed that everything will turn out perfect for each and every of the 14 guests.

We met at the lounge for pre-dinner drinks, and I think Dad didn’t expect this many people, cos I had only instructed him to meet us at the lobby since he was making his way down himself.

Days before, I had fetched mum to Singapore from Jaybee, just so she doesn’t miss out the event, though she was initially thinking of buying a gift, but I think the fear of not being appreciated stopped her in her tracks.

You know how mothers are, you don’t eat their cooking and they lose their motivation to cook, you don’t appreciate them cleaning up, and they leave the dead rats in your room to rot.

Nonetheless, mum was also in a good mood. If Dad was overwhelmed by so many people, he certainly didn’t show.

Hai Tien Lo is located on the 37th floor, and when I realised it was a clear-glass elevator all the way up, the little girl in me was all too excited and a tad nervous.

I am afraid of heights, remember?

Marc checking out the night view as we headed up.

Think I was nervously twiddling my thumb.

Minibean was fidgeting too much because she was just too excited over the entire experience.

Hai Tien Lo’s view out into the night on a wet evening was misted until they heated up the windows to reveal the grand view out there.

It was obviously nicer to view it from where we were, and plenty of planning and settling the logistics mean that I didn’t have much time to do much phototaking.

And also because, photo-taking in my household… is.. rare.

I was asked when was the last time we had a family picture taken. It took me too long to remember.. Minibean, my dad, my mum, and I? Probably not a single picture of 4 of us together.

Everyone was pretty much wow-ed by the view which accompanied all of us throughout the dinner.

Especially Minibean, who kept running towards the window to marvel the view.

The food standard was pretty high, and quite impressive. They managed to change the set menu for me according to my requests and got back to me pretty promptly. Thankfully, there was an UOB offer which ended on that very day, which entitled us to a 15% discount on the set menu.

Everyone enjoyed the good food and ambiance, and we were quite stuffed by the 4th dish, and that was when we had another 4 to go, excluding the cake and longevity buns.

Minibean and I, who are both very much loved and taken care of by my papa.

As I appreciate this space very much to talk about anything that comes to mind, there are plenty of times when I rant about my parents. The truth is, I do love them, quirks and all, and they will always be family. And I feel a need to protect them because sometimes I may sound harsh, especially when my annoyance triggered by them is too much to bear, and might have made them look bad.

Which explains why I always am hesitant to put up pictures of them.

Nonetheless, I love this under-exposed picture. And I love all of them.

Happy 70th birthday, Papa.

When I wished Daddy to live a long life till hundred, he laughed that he doesn’t want to live till hundred, cos it will be here very soon, and even it was a joke, I found myself feeling ouch, cos I don’t want him to grow old so fast :(

To longevity, and good health, and happiness to you, Daddy.

I didn’t pluck the courage to invest in a bigger do, which I had originally toyed with the idea of inviting all my extended family on my paternal side, as well as even trying to get in touch with my 3 step-siblings which I never did before, so that all of them could be here.

Maybe if I am not so fearful of rejection, I would really have done it.

Papa made a toast and he said, it was actually the very first time he had a celebration, and to me, I felt utterly bad that for someone who always took care of everyone around him, people had failed to look at the fact that he needed to be taken care of too.

We toasted to the new year, and Dad enjoyed the menu too. He did look happy.

And then, it was him opening his gifts. He got mostly ang pows, which he was too embarrassed to accept.

For me, I did my shopping in London..

I have had bought many things for my dad in the past, but stuff like ties, he always doesn’t use them. Card holders, he does, but I want something he could carry around with plenty of love and is practical.

I said in a total baby voice that he couldn’t leave his gift around this time and not use it, and he happily said that he would take it out and use it immediately, while giving me the biggest beam.

At that moment, I was glad that I stuck through with the decision of making a do out of his birthday, instead of the usual going to somewhere to have a quick dinner, and that’s it.

It was a good night, and I wish and pray for many of such to come.

To good health, Dad. To happiness, Dad. We love you very much and thank you, for being the hero in our lives.

With lotsa love and blessings,

Your Tingting & Tongtong (yes, it is quite funny, I know)

Posted in Intimates, Perk-me-ups, The Curious Palate | 13 Comments »

Acro Ballroom Aerialists

January 8th, 2011 by Scarlett Ting

After a tornado of events over the end of 2010 and to kick 2011 into gear, I was just glad to have Monday free of commitments and had a bit of space to finish writing some stuff, and just enjoy the quietness before Minibean started kindergarten 1.

So after a late night chat with Ming on Monday night, I was only too glad to head down to Shangri-La Hotel on the next day (4th January, Tuesday) to watch the lovely ladies in action to launch an exclusive, premier event at the hotel to lend my undying support for the girls who had became my mentors, and most importantly, gave me plenty of support and encouragement with their friendships.

I thought I was almost late for the event because I was taken for a long, long ride by the GPS which took me off the path and eventually I got fed up and went with my instinct instead.

I have to say, when it comes to directions, my instincts are often sneered at for the good reason that it belongs to a female, so it must be wrong when it is directions-related. Tsk!

My poor instincts are often so misunderstood.

Thankfully it guided me to Shangri-La just in time for the opening ceremony brought to you by Acro Polates’ aerialists!

*In tiny glee that I am somewhat an aerialists too, ahem*

The ever-graceful Sesomy, sexy Lydia and perfect Ann put on a grand show in the ballroom, with an amazing set up.

And gee, honestly, I didn’t know that being so upclose and seeing a pool of locals trained by local dance school to such amazing standards and elevating this art form to a higher level of grace and beauty and introducing it to the mass would bring this much pride and joy.

Since my photography skills pretty much need more room for improvement, I could only bring snippets of awesomeness since I wasn’t able to capture it in whole.

Lydia, looking amazing up there.

I love this picture of Sesomy, which I post up simply cos it doesn’t look like her, and I had a problem holding myself back from posting other pictures of her looking amazing just to respect her privacy.

Lydia and Ann wowing the crowd.

I can’t help but wonder if I ever will get to such standards, and some of them essentially had only trained by Acro Polates for slightly more than a year and their standards are advancing at such fabulous rates that I can’t help but be envious and hopeful. Despite the doubts of ever achieving such levels of fitness and grace and flexibility, their efforts and watching how they have evolved also kinda give me hope.

They have seriously came a long way since Acro first started aerial classes in Singapore before the trend got picked up by other studios, and I am also saying it because of knowing how these girls in person, their passion and dedication really impressed me, and they never cease to amaze with how patient and humble they are.

I am almost gushing, which was exactly what Jean and I did after I uploaded the pictures onto a private group.

Especially Sesomy(you can see Lydia’s sexy shadow at the back!), who looks every inch of amazing, Jean joked it was like we were gushing over some Korean heartthrob, and she was convinced I was turned on by Sesomy, which I must strongly deny that to protect my innocent image.

I guess I was just inspired and charmed by these 3. And in a lavish setting in the ballroom, it was all quite magnificent.

After their performance, I stayed around and decided to play photographer for the sake of it, and the girls were having out of the world styling, and being in the same room with the impossibly gorgeous Nadya Hutagalung (my ex would be envious, because he thought she is the most gorgeous woman on earth, and she really is a woman’s and a man’s dream and she’s genuine and kind!). She mother, I also mother, but I guess the world is truly unfair, and I shall learn to live with it, hahaha.

Some pictures taken in the room post performance:

Ann having a bit of “in the mood for love” thingy going on..

I really like the attitude she portrays here, besides her usual laughing self.

With her unique and pretty features, it is hard for the camera not to love Lydia, ironically it was the one in the dark that I really like.

Maybe cos it really outlines her pretty features even without showing all of them.

Wooohoo! I want one of those shirts!

The pretty Lydia.

Making us green with envy.

Another picture I like, though I should have really cropped the slippers, so unglamourous hahaha.

And what’s an event without Ming doing her thang?!

Yes.. even the door handle wasn’t spared from a shoulder mount!

Okay, now I shall go stretch a little and praying that I can be like them when I grow up!

Posted in Life's Fillers, Perk-me-ups | 1 Comment »

Chilly Cosy Christmas

December 29th, 2010 by Scarlett Ting

(23rd December – 28th December)

Today’s weather was a purrrrrfeeeect 26 degrees, IN THE AFTERNOON. How awesome is that? I verbalised my yearning for Singapore to keep the good job up and it will be purrrrfeeeccctt country to be in.

I can do with no white Christmas, as long as it stays as beautiful as this.

This year’s Christmas turned out to be an exhausting affair, I have as much flair in shopping as much as David Beckham’s flair for ballet, and the constant search for the “perfect gift” proves to be as futile as the search for “the perfect one”.

After my IKEA shopping (yes, auntie buys Christmas gifts from IKEA, anything to avoid the suffocating crowd!), I barely had the time to breathe before rushing to the airport at 2.30am to pick up an aunt, and then head for a very fulfilling supper at Siglap’s Hong Kong cafe on a chilly night.

Went on to stay around for a chat till it was late (like 5ish) while getting 2 of my ASOS loots from her, cos I had sent them to her place to make use of the free next day delivery services.

I can barely contain my excitement though it quickly became disappointment I could barely mask when the 2 gorgeous pieces which arrived in the snow turned out to be…. a tad small for someone who had been overindulging in suppers and all things sinful.

What can I say? Serve her right? Dammit.

I have outgrew my size, and then I grew worried for my other ASOS orders….

Which proved my point when I woke up to find a parcel waiting for me on 23rd’s morning.

I couldn’t fit into one of the dresses (ha-blardyyy-ha, someone could die from my undisguised wrath), and they had sent one item that looks NOTHING like what I had ordered despite the name and product code matched.

Upset. Though I know I have no reason to, cos ASOS customer service had been nothing but great with their prompt replies (okay, only 3 of them are good), and that is despite the fact that it was snowing and much of their staff went not there, and I hadn’t spent all the much moolah since I was just sniffing through the sale items to look for bargains.

Headed out promptly to celebrate Eddie’s birthday at the office, where I gleefully helped Caryn to sign up ASOS account, and gave her instructions on how to do her online shopping. Like I tweeted, good friends introduce you to the site, cruel ones will sign up an account and drag you to an abyss of sin.

That girl, she is truly, truly a gem. I cannot say enough how much I admire her, how much I feel her presence always give me hope… and her resilience.. I have no words for. A girl I truly respect.

Printed some pictures, before rushing all the way down to Changi for a nice dinner.

If you guys hadn’t been to the Bark Cafe, with marvelous ambience to charm and good food to seduce, it is a cosy retreat worth checking out for the Easterners.

By evening time, each table was perimetered by guests, and why hadn’t I heard of it before?!

Rushed back to town right after to collect 60 over bucks of developed pictures. It was where I had bumped into an acquaintance, one of the nicest possible people I was blessed to meet at some point of my teenagehood early that evening.

She had since married the very guy she dated back then, when some of us friends were worried that he was nothing more than.. well, taking advantage of her niceness and innocence.

They have a boy now, and she eluded bliss, and deep down in my heart, I had a lingering guilt of listening to hearsay and judged him back then, and I didn’t say, but as I bade her goodbye, the words that never came out was, “Stay this happy always, I wish you and your family the very best…”

Sent Caryn home, and there was a moroseness that bugged me as the night drew to a close.

Made a detour to see Minibean, before rushing home to get all Christmas prep ready.

So can you imagine all the work needed to be done because Christmas eve is the very next dayyy?

Okay, you probably couldn’t but you would probably understand when I finally reveal what Christmas gifts I mustered out of my hemorrhaging bank account.

Not-so-subtle-hint:

***

Wait a minute.

I needed to deliver some Christmas goodies. So off I went to Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang.

I have to confess my guilt that I did the unthinkable. Succumbing to Body Shop for Christmas presents because it was so last minute when Jenn from Passion Chiffonier messaged me to meet up cos she and Ling had a Christmas present for me.

I nearly cried tears of shame when I saw it is a GORGEOUS BAG from GG5, because it was something that is severely lack in my bag collection – a classy bag that is worthy of formal dinners and all.

And yes, I used it on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. Basically my pet bag because of the thoughts and style that went into it.

Which actually had people asking me where did I get the bag from (and I mean from professional tai-tais, not tai-lets in training hor), and showered praise on whoever had given it to me.

They liked the quality and were ooh-ing and ahh-ing over it.

I ended 23rd only when the sun of 24th reminded me I didn’t have that much time to rest before waking up to finish what I started.

Plus this and that (read: wrapping and other friends’ presents), the Alaskan crab/awesome lamb/tender steak/stuffed goose dinner was held up by our late arrival.

One little episode.

As I got into my car, I decided for a change that I shan’t be driving, so I got into the passenger side instead, which was rare, cos I often want to drive and staying in the passenger seat bores me.

As I got in, I saw a lizard lingering on my car’s body so I got up promptly.

Along the way, I turned to look out of the window, when I saw the lizard staring back at me, right beside my face.

If it was staring back at me, and I am not seeing it’s belly……….. KAAANNNNIIIINNNAAAAAHHH!

I gasped a loud “OH SHIT“, and didn’t dare to make a big fuss, cos the driver, as we know, is mortally afraid of lizards, and I am mortally afraid that he is behind the wheels.

But good also lah, cos or else, if the lizard was of that proximity to him as it was to me, I might need to stop on the expressway and resuscitate him.

And he did the very smart thing I didn’t want to do… he wound down the freaking window, which panicked the slimey lil thing, and caused it to… leapt onto what I was holding in my hands (sweater and iPad), and then as he did a sharp turn, it decided to nestle comfortably on my dress instead, which made me yelp, because as much as lizards are bearable to me, I resent the feeling of something wriggling around crawling on my bare skin.

Wearing a short dress, a tube one no less, makes me wonder why I didn’t wrap myself up for the chilly nights.

So, the staring contest started. It moved around on my dress, occasionally staring up at me with those eyes, and was cautious with its next move as I stared down at it.

It stayed still enough for me to start tweeting about it, and I think it got a little comfortable, almost like pleading me with its eyes to ask me to adopt it as pet.

I didn’t want to freak it until it start to run off around in my car, and in the process adjourning the Christmas celebrating to a hospital.

I almost wondered if I should just grab it and place it on my palm, and then bravely slide it out of the window. I didn’t.

I half suspected that as it was staring up at me, it had wanted to crawl up my dress via my tummy, but the climb would mean as arduous as conquering Mt Everest on a human level, so it gave up.

When the car stopped at the traffic light, metres away from destination, I was shoo-ed off the car and started jumping up and down to shake it off me.

I kept my head low so I didn’t have to find out the amused looks on the drivers who stopped behind my car.

Sorry dear, there is no way you would ever make it to my pet list.

***

Am I a bad mother to think that my offspring is too spoilt and pampered with the amount of gifts she gets every year, that I am starting to nag everyone to stop buying her gifts until she doesn’t take them for granted?

I am not kidding when I say her gifts always occupy an entire car’s boot, and since I ain’t rich enough to drive a ferrari which doesn’t have a bootie like mine (no pun, ahem, absolutely no pun there).. that says a lot.

Look at this charmer… and her little spawn. Ahem.

(And yes, I paired my bag with the dress I got from Passion Chiffonier!)

The dress on Minibean is a loot from the outlet store in Bicester Village, which is selling for a kill-people-set-fire price of 450. POUNDS. in Ralph Lauren store, which makes me think of ebaying it once Minibean grows out of it haha.

Can you believe it, she is going to kindergarten next week.

Which probably is a depressing news to her.

She is still such a baby to me…

And I am flooding you guys with her pictures, I know.

Here’s her with her Christmas present from us.

A lego camera which you can drop and it will be just fine. It can even stack on more lego pieces!

Last year was a never-ending task of taking pictures of her and her loots, so I don’t think I want the other presents to overshadow ours my memory card could have contained all those this year.

And the little penguin.

Cute ah! I want one of those!

I had unexpectedly received Chanel Gucci and Prada (not what you think they are, I WISH!) this year from the girls, and make-up from the guys (I swear it is like some coded, subliminal message they were trying to send).

So some stuff:

I thought these were just the best gifts. I find the red book a dud, though the How to be British was already telling me things I already know, but was really funny.

A great casual read (funny! witty! Love it!), which makes me have absolute no desire to ever own a Hermes Birkin. Then again, I ain’t gonna refuse one if you send one my way. Since nothing on my blog is legally binding, it is my female rights to change my mind in the future.

Now my car can show off its key.

Eye shadow from the boys.

From the 96 year-old Gong gong.

Make-up! An all in one box is just what I need.

Must be the most over-priced skin art, ever. It wasn’t that I don’t like or I don’t appreciate, but my first thought is, “why waste such moolah on meeee?” in the utter, unglamourous auntie way.

A new make up pouch from the ladies to replace last years (where I received TWO, and one still unused), which I suspect will become my card holder/cash purse.

I didn’t take the Uniqlo + Jil Sander zip up parka which probably makes me wanna travel again (I don’t care what you say about the snow…) nor the Ted Baker baggy dress which I wore for Christmas day.

Of course, the 550D..

And the in comparison stingy gifts in return to all the goodness above?





Which explains the late nights… an virgin attempt, so I forbid any nitpicking.

(Edited: Decide to post more pictures of the other frames, though there were two others, one which went to Lee, another that went to Cheyenne that I forgot to take picture of!)



Got home from Christmas Eve exhausted but went on to do a couple more… and I was just glad to find solace in my bed later on…

Spent Christmas noon with Minibean with her growing bored with some of her gifts already. Tsk.

Made the way down to James’ for a sumptuous meal and had my virgin game of Taboo, and I didn’t get Xanax-ed out this time round. Phew.

And yes Cheyenne, I will think of you everything I get down and dirrrrttttttyyyy in the future (until the bottle runs out).

I was just happy to clean out my closet and rearrange everything, which I hope will stay that way so I can tick spring cleaning off my list.

***

Sunday was church day.

Went to New Creation church with Minibean attending the children service.

I prayed. I prayed hard for my parents. I prayed hard for their healths. I prayed hard for Minibean. I made my grateful speech over and over again in my heart as I felt the liberation I never had, in the year of 2010, and am thankful for the chirpiness that is borderlining on annoying.

I can’t explain, but I am thankful, I felt free of a lot of emotional burdens and dare I say it, I am actually feeling, happy. In the real sense. I mean, a lot of things I cannot control, and there are things if hadn’t changed would have been ideal, but I think the friends I truly care about are in good places now.. and that’s good.

I actually feel rather fulfilled doing my own stuff, and it is actually busier and though it doesn’t bring home the dough (like, baking soda is, like, you know, like how awesome to rid of pee stains and order and bleaching those white clothes!), and playing a more major part in Minibean’s growth.

I feel my wits had been sharpened just by hanging around her.

***

Got back to prepare for boxing day tea where I baked scones and did waffles (not pre-mixed okay!). I think it gave me biceps from all those folding, stirring…

The comfort of home beckoned and I just couldn’t stop reading and enjoying the late night because it was such a bliss to be a homebody again.

***

I refused to get out of home on Monday, though I did manage to drag my sorry ass to meet Eunice for some pole action (still haven’t thank you for the bling polish!), though it wasn’t much of a lazy session of catching up with barely any pole action cos I feel my hamstring just wasn’t up to it.

Got home and after busied with the chores, I just read, assumed the role of Ninja chopping up fruits, be as angry as the birds, and ignored the lure of the internet and my phone.

LIKE HOW MUCH OF A LUXURY IS THAT?!

Speaking of which, I left my phone behind after visiting today and I didn’t even panic nor bother to pick it up, though I probably have to tomorrow.

***

I can’t even start to describe the beauty of today.

ASOS’ final loot, the biggest and cheapest (4 dresses for 50 pounds!) arrived and woke me up from my slumber and I FIT INTO EVERYONE OF THEM COMFORTABLY WITHOUT STOPPING MY BLOOD FLOW! *Sending flying kisses up to Heaven*

I immediately wore this casual piece out, and it actually reminded me of this:

(Which by the way, coincidentally is Passion Chiffonier’s latest collection launched today, and I am NOT paid to mention this, Christmas is all about giving! And I give my love to this dress! But yah lah, I also got guilt from getting Body Shop stuff that I promise myself I won’t ever get that for pressies, EVER)

While trying on the dress from ASOS similar to this dress from Passion Chiffonier, albeit a boring solid colour one, at the exact timing, Liwen messaged me to ask me about ASOS as I was wriggling out of my dresses I was trying on. And how coincidental is that?!

And from the way Ling and Jenn chose my Christmas present with impeccable taste, I can deffo see the reflection from this dress. Very pretty and special dress, and in the same design like the one I wore out today (except mine doesn’t have bubble hem).

Oh, got Sale on Passion Chiffonier too. You can be excused as you go browse. Come back later, will ya?

So the weather and everything gave me happy thoughts, which even the need to alter my dresses to shorten them (cos I am TOO short for them) did not dampen the positivity that I might actually start to flirt with female sales assistants EVERYWHERE.

Today got a few stuff done in town, Dad’s birthday present and birthday plans are settled, though I have to say.. it is not something I am used to cos we don’t celebrate birthdays in my household.

Though a pauper, I really want to make things special for him and mum this year.

Our family has this thing of celebrating all the big birthdays on the same year. 70th for Dad, 60th for Mum.

Thank goodness I picked the pressie for Dad in London, so it wasn’t something I have to worry about.

Knowing the right people also mean I have a special menu drafted up for his dinner (no sharks’ fins was my instruction).

Lunch at Raffles City, Dinner at Spizza (can I just mention Jalan Kayu’s Spizza has really warm service that makes you feel so at home?) where Minibean charmed the pants off everyone and she was on her best best best behavior. She has so much gems I need to share. And I can almost start a post on my counter-Minibeanism which sometimes I surprise myself (baby, you can’t shout or talk so loud in a restaurant like this, or else the chef might hear you and the food might not be that delicious anymore. Imagine: “What’s that sound? Whoooooops, did I just drop the tub of salt into the food?!” IT WORKED!) with however lame and however effective they are.

It was a lovely evening, though when we were walking into a place too far from the loos after she had drank too much water, we had no choice but to allow her to do it by the bush.. somewhere.

I had ambitiously thought I could finish 3 posts, and thought this would be a short post.

How wrong was I?

Nahbehly wrong.

Another long day of errands tomorrow. Praying no jam at causeway!!

Haven’t had more than 8 hours of sleep since don’t know when. I am in need of that break.

But while you excuse me, I need to go cut up some fruits.. damn the person who showed Minibean the game over Christmas.

And if I hadn’t said it, Merry Christmas everyone!

Maybe, have a great end to 2010, and a great start would be more apt!

Be safe, be good, be happy.

Love,

Ting (though I suspect I might be back soon with another post before the new year is ushered in. Fuck, I need to stop blabbering on. Did I say I am high on the festive season or something?)

Posted in Life's Fillers, MateriaLust, Perk-me-ups | 8 Comments »

Countdown to Christmas 2010

December 22nd, 2010 by Scarlett Ting

After coaxing Minibean to sleep on Sunday night, we snuck out for a quick meal of McDee’s.

It was a slow and lazy close to the week, which was just what I needed.

I had a call from Liwen, and the gorgeous babe asked if I was home and she would like to drop by cos she had something for me, since I was heading out, I told her I would gladly drop instead.

And a nice surprise followed, and this was my first Christmas gift, and a very heart-warming one too!

She baked the cookies and it was fresh out of the oven!

An angel from the angel.

And all the goodies within.

I actually couldn’t bear to eat the pretty things, but once I started, they were so yummy that I actually finished all in a flash, and none of it lasted till Christmas day itself.

Even my mum thought it was pretty awesome, and coming from someone that critical, it was a praise beyond anything!

***

Caught up with a lil reading and stay-at-home time on Monday.

Some good news include Eunice’s return from Australia! Can’t wait to hear all the tales of her traveling and dance courses.

A tiny episode erupted in the noon, when someone who has an absolute mild temper had gone MIA on everyone after a small tiff with the husband, it was totally unexpected and got everyone worried.

All’s well when it was late in the evening (she never got home late ever) when she finally reached home, and I guessed her reaction really took everyone by surprise.

She had never, ever shown that side of her, so can you imagine HOW RELIEVED ALL OF US WERE?

I guess I just er.. uhm.. know the psychological of people well enough to push the right buttons to get a response to know after her entire family tried to contact her (some even from overseas) and she refused to reply and we were all worried for her safety.

It took me a couple of tries but when she finally replied me within 5 minutes (okay, we actually bargained with Higher Powers to do that, and that’s a inside story which is a little complex to share), I actually punched my fist into the air with a slight sense of glee.

When the episode finally drawn to a close, a relax trip to Jurong Point, grocery shopping and all, and before it dawned on me how little time I have to prep for Christmas, and all the jazz coming up.

Gosh. Then here comes 2011.

Then it would be emceeing for wedding again.

Then, it would be Dad’s 70th.

Gulps.

***

I had one of the nicest outings EVER, with my mum this afternoon.

I had to brave slightly heavy traffic to send her back to Malaysia, and though my initial plan was to drop her off, she had suggested a late lunch and stop by for some grocery shopping.

She spoke to me very nicely, and I know this sweet side of her is always there, but she is not very generous with that side of her with me.

Nonetheless, it was an easy-going chat as the long drive back, and a stopover at Pelangi’s The Store, where she shopped for bread, potatoes so I could bring back for Minibean.

She even asked if I wanted Dynamo (okay, I know, sounds sibei auntie here), and shampoo, and she wanted to pay for it (which is damn rare). When she saw the little, pretty hair clips, she wanted to get some for Minibean so I could bring back, but the usual me told her there wasn’t any need cos she would just misplace it, or lose it, and wait till she is older and knows how to take care of her belongings.

Then she asked have I ever consider having a 2nd kid. SERIOUSLY?!

It was a nice afternoon, and there is always something about us not able to verbalise or communicate our care (eek, getting too mushy for me that I am almost cringing), but I know it was always there. And it is always such little things that get me… a tad teary as I think back about them, cos the little things, mean hell lot to me.

I got caught in a slight jam and got back only 6ish, which allowed me to witness the beautiful evening as I was trapped along the causeway, and I didn’t even feel irritated, but it was just nice as I unwind my window, and chew on the things I am thankful for.

The end to 2010 has been a great one for me, and as long as I don’t think too much into things (maybe it is just my usual self to sabotage the good things so when things take a dive, I am always cushioned from the effects) being the constant worrier that I am, I’m actually doing a pretty great job if I may say so myself.

Then IKEA Tampines beckoned and L4D2 ended the night.

BUT SO MUCH TO RUSH TILL CHRISTMAS!

So I supposed I will have some quiet days on this space till I have finished rushing everything.

Okay. Er thanks. Byebye.

Posted in People, Perk-me-ups | 4 Comments »
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