Welcome to Singapore, Mr. Darcy

Well, it's about time i blog. I think i break Darcy's trip here into various parts as there is just too much to say and tell.

Awaiting the arrival ...
I checked into Hotel 81 Bencoolen early at around 6.45pm and was silly enough to expect that the front desk, seeing this lady struggling with two luggage and a big sport bag climbing up the steps, would come forward and open the door for me. *lol* In what Darcy calls as "rubber sheets" hotel, i should have know better than to expect such services from them. *L* Only reason i put Darcy up in such a hotel for his first night in Singapore was because i didn't want to pay the full fee of 120+++ for a more decent hotel (in a sense) when i can pay 80 bucks nett just to have a clean bed and bathroom to use for the next 12 hours.

Although i had to be thick-skinned and ask the guy who was doing my check-in if they had a trolley to spare so i can bring all my things up to the room on the top floor of the hotel. Thankfully, the guy offered to help me carry my stuff up to the room with me.

I've always heard stories about room mates being too loud while getting it on from my gfs who have stayed in rez. I swear i heard the same sounds they were talking about as i was walking down the hallway to my room and to me this was just tooo amusing. *l* I guess it being a first for me i got all excited and told Ruth about it when she met up with me at the hotel itself to keep me company for the next few hours till Darcy gets in. :P

I still ended up at Changi 3 hrs too early so ended up getting an iced lemon tea from McDs and using their Internet terminals to check my email and chat just to pass time. And when McDs closed for the day at around midnite and i still had about 1 hr to kill before Darcy's flight landed, i made a call to my gf in Melbbie and woke her up. :P *heehee* Yakked away till Darcy's flight landed 15mins later than scheduled and it helped to calm my nerves as i would definitely had been a nervous wreck pacing up and down the arrival hall.

Darcy's luggage apparantly didn't like being stuck in the cargo section of the plane for the last 36 hours of his journey because he was among the last ones still standing there waiting for his luggage. *heehee* Of course i stood there just laughing away to myself and finding the whole incident amusing. I blame it all on the nerves, having about 3 iced lemon teas that nite and being on a sugar high from all the sugar. :P *heehee*

It was soooo good to feel him hugging me and just the fact we talked as if we've not been apart for close to 2.5 years was very very comforting and exciting. It felt so right just to be holding his hand and for once in a long time be able look into his eyes as i talk. I always loved his eyes which are in a mixture of blue and green. :)

It was a good first night being together after being apart for so long. I think Darcy loved the presents that greeted him when he got into the room. I had to make him stay outside the room for a while, while i scurried round the room lighting the strawberry scented candles i had placed around the room and bathroom. I had also placed a small fake bouquet of roses and his present (an autographed copy of Terry Pratchett's Maurice and his Amazing Rodents and for laughs a copy of FHM's bikini babes) in the middle of the bed. He loved everything. :)

So yeah that was the first 12 hours or so. :) Leaving out the nottie details and let your imagination do the work... if you want to. :P *heehee*

Will blog about his disappointing to Hooters and the meetup with all my girlfriends in the next entry. :P *heehee*

34.5 Hours To Go

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)

This description almost fits me to a tee. I've always thought i was neither here nor there. I have very unconventional views about certain topics at the same time there are certain traditions that i like to follow. Funnily enough, i've always wanted to go back to London. The last time i was there was 21 years ago and i was still a wee kid. But never had a chance to yet. Maybe... just maybe i will in the next 5 years.

34.5 Hours To Go

This description almost fits me to a tee. I've always thought i was neither here nor there. I have very unconventional views about certain topics at the same time there are certain traditions that i like to follow.

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)

Funnily enough, i've always wanted to go back to London. The last time i was there was 21 years ago and i was still a wee kid. But never had a chance to yet. Maybe... just maybe i will in the next 5 years.

PS : Has the countdown gotten you crazy yet? :P

Class. Today lets talk about Weddings.

A colleague of mine used the say this everytime she received a wedding invite that she "kena saman" again. Of course, she said this jokingly. I hope.

When i mentioned to my girlfriends about receiving such invites, one of them would say, in all seriousness, that she would RSVP and attend the wedding for fear that they would not attend her daughter's wedding in the very far future. After all, Sophie has only just turned one in January. When my girlfriend said this i think i had the incredulous look on my face. :P

I bumped into a secondary classmate yesterday, she proudly showed me her rather decent-sized diamond ring. When i mentioned this to my mom, she laughed and said that i am at the phase in my life when my friends and acquaintances start to settle down.

To which i lament that not only was i not financially, emotionally and psychologically ready. I have yet to travel to exotic locations and 'havoc' yet. Also, not to mention my career has currently halted into a stop.

I am sure my boyfriend is going to ecstatically happy to read this, in fact he's probably going "Hallelujah! Phew! What a relief!" right about now.

If things in my life went according to how i planned it as i was growing up i would have been married for a year now and planning to have my first child next year. But right now all i can think of is get myself to Canada, get a job, have a stable and long-term relationship with my current bea, save up enough money and put a down payment on my very first landed property.

Of course, being a woman i am entitled to be fickle-minded so who knows singing a different tune four years later. *grin*

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SAMAN
The Malay word for "summons". Singaporeans use it as a verb, meaning "to be fined".
"You better not litter, udderwise sure kena saman one!"

HAVOC
Used to describe a wild child.
"Ah Lien is damn havoc one."

shoutoutloud
Originally uploaded by e79.

Credits :

Background photo - http://www.veer.com

Lyrics - Christina Aguilera's "Can't Hold Us Down"

Blow Wind Blow

Gloom Sky
Originally uploaded by e79.

Took these photos between 3.30 - 4.30pm this afternoon.

The gloom clouds started blowing my way and there was a sudden gust of wind rushing into the living room. I looked out into the field in front of my apt. block saw lil tornadoes of wind.

Why i say tornadoes?

Well, the leaves on the field were being swept up and blown in a circular direction like that if something would be picked up by a tornado. I have seen this happening lately and always thought that it was facsinating to see it happening.

Once while i was walking from the office to the mrt station, this similar miniature tornado blew in my direction. Blowing the leaves all over me. :) Was kinda fun. :P Teehee.

Me and my cheap thrills.

White Clouds in Gloomie Skies
Originally uploaded by e79.

But back to the photos. Nice clouds and it was sunny too if you noticed the shadows of the trees by the road. And that huge streak of white cloud across the sky. Very nice... i've got a pretty good view from my room although i wish i was on a higher floor. :)

Birthday Bouquet

birthdaybouquet
Originally uploaded by e79.

Was waiting for Shwying this afternoon at J8's Cafe Cartel for a late lunch/early dinner date. :) We haven't met up in a long while now and we both figured it was time to play catch up.

I was early... well we were both late so i was the 'earlier-late-comer' i guess.

But i was surprised by her handing me a gorgeous bouquet of a single rose surrounded by pretty greens!

birthdaycard
Originally uploaded by e79.

Awww..... Attached to it was a card that had an animated dancing princess with a frog prince next to her. Inside the message only consisted of three dots which Shwying explained that she felt that it was better if she gave me her bday wishes to me personally. When she finished, her eyes were whelling up and i was really touched by her well wishes. I really have a group of superb friends that is all i can say.

Sexy & Flirtie @ Ice Cold Beer

before_the_drinks
Originally uploaded by e79.

Well, this is a relatively sober pic of us. Deb's face hasn't gone red yet which is usually the case after a good drink. :P It was a fun quiet nite, quiet because we weren't rowdy and all. Basically a good time to catch up, talk about stuff and gossip. :)

Decided that the top i was wearing tonite needed to reflect the sexy and flirtie dress code i had set for the girls, so heehee had to manipulate how i wore it. Of course, couldn't walk out of the house wearing it that low cos my dad would flip! So once i was out of the door and it was firmly shut behind me i did a 'michael-j-fox-paperboy-lift-stunt' (The Secret of My Succe$$) and vamped up the top. Heehee.

Of course, wearing the top this low only invites disapproving looks from the aunties while walking to the mrt station. Or foreign indian workers who blatantly look without apologies. One such pair actually saw me going up the escalator as they looked down and turned around to look some more as i walked by them. Somehow wish i had the guts to go up and gorge their eyes out, but can't say i wasn't asking for it although i wish they were a bit more discreet.

The girls were great and as always they were so much fun to have around. Not to mentioned, i never had a birthday song sung to me at a pub before, nor did i ever have a sinfully yummie strawberry and cream cake in a pub before. Ok, to cut the long story short, i never had anyone sing a birthday song or give me a cake in public before. :) So, me touched. :)

Strawberry Heaven!!
Originally uploaded by e79.

Not to mention i had a serious case of munchies tonite as well. Dinner was a filling rice burger meal, complete with fries and starwberry milkshake at MOS. Had more fries and cake at ICB. And when we went for coffee to end off the nite, i had a irish-cream rhumba frappie and potato salad at Starbucks! *grin* Yeah should start my detoxing routine soon. :P *heehee*

High on Liqour & Caffine
Originally uploaded by e79.

Ripe Old 26

Well, it's officially official. I cannot deny that i am 26 as of yesterday. *smile*
If you ask me how i feel about turning 26 i would say 26 is 26. It's just another number to me. I've passed all the age limits that have set by pubs and clubs for ladies. I've way passed the legal drinking, smoking and driving age (even if i don't know how to drive). So yeah, it's just another number to.

What's more important is by the time i hit 27 where will i be in my life. At what stage of my life will i be at? Would i have reached some of my goals by then? That's more important.
And i should stop before i sound too much like a potential old fart in the making. *teehee*

Had a rather quiet birthday yesterday. Apart from the mad rush of work and trying to help my mom with her essay that is due this afternoon. I think i had a decent day. :) Darcy called during lunch time after much whining from me although he had already planned to call way ahead of time. I was just "*teh-ing". *heehee* A couple of sms'es from my gfs. A pressie from my colleague, an ang pow from another.

And to end off the day, a huge kickass dinner buffet, complete with roast beef, baked potato, salmon sashimi and a huge sinful dessert platter @ Marriot hotel. *beams* Oh oh oh of course a slice of their Raspberry Earl Tea cake complete with candle all for me. :P

So that was my birthday yesterday. Quiet. Simple. But overall, NICE.

No photos but will have some when i go out with my gfs for drinks on Saturday nite. So if you see a bunch of 6-7 girls all dressed up and having a rowdy good time... that just might be us. :P *heehee*
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*TEH (dt'air)
A Hokkien term used to describe gooey, childlike and coquettish behaviour by women esigned to elicit sympathy or pampering by men.
"Whenever Ah Lian wants Ah Beng to do something for her, she becomes si beh t'eh."

Lil Cuzzies

xuan_expression
Originally uploaded by e79.

My first try at posting a photo-entry from flickr.com

I took these photos last week when my cuzzies were in town for a week. One 2 yr old one 7 yr old. :)

The 2 yr old lil girl insists her name is Ellie but no one knows where she got the name from. :)

Enjoy!

Comfort Food Going Against Me

3.50pm....lunch ..... 2 sticks of Magnum Ice-cream. The most unsatisfying two sticks of Magnums i have had. Even my one and only comfort food is against me.

A slight cheer

Well... not as well as i hope to do in the last class. But at least after 3 DIDs, 5 CRCs and 2 PASS i've officially completed my degree and RMIT will be sending us a cert to certify we've completed our degree shortly.

Not the best news i have been waiting to hear but a small lil cheer and a whole lot of relief no doubt.

B.U.M.M.E.D

Almost the end of the week. All i have to say is that it's been a long long week. I guess the hightlight of the week has got to be having friends rallying around you giving you their support, love and encouragement.

Other than that, been feeling bummed out, not in the best of moods and at this point in time i feel like throwing in the towel. But i've fought so hard for this and i've waited too long for this opportunity to give up now. I've spent quite a bit on application fees and postage, not to mention the time and effort i have put in. And so far i have nothing to show for, though i am sure i will shoulder on and exhaust all possible options.

Right now i wish i had the luxury to crawl under my blankie and not surface for a long while.

Things you hear on Amazing Race

Was watching Amazing Race 7 tonite and something got me laughing really hard.

The gay couple on the race, Lynn and Alex were the last to complete their roadblock. While in the cab, Alex lamented about being the last team to complete their tasks. Then Lynn comes in and says : “That’s okay. We’re good at pulling out the rear.” *rotflmao*

Ok, didn't want to misquote so i check the website and read thru the recaps... i heard Lynn wrong. The acutal quotre should be : "That’s okay. We’re good at pulling up the rear." And here i thought i heard him say "out" the rear. *giggles* *giggles*

I didn't make it.

Last nite was terrible. For the first time in a long while, i didn't give a hoot about the time and called to wake Darcy up at 7am canadian time. Looks like i am not going back to school to get my masters. The reject letter came in the mail yesterday. Least it was signed and not a printed signature like most schools i know.

My girlfriends [ yes, that includes you too K =) ] have rallied around me which made me feel so much better and loved. Thanks a bunchie!

So tonite, instead of going out and drinking myself sillie (it is a weekday and i have to come back to the office to work the next day), i've decided to head down to the mall. Buy myself a pint of ice cream of choice, sit down with a nice freshly toasted bagel and smother the bagel with the ice cream.

Now how is that for a 'things-to-do-to-make-myself-feel-good-indulgence" eh?

Ice Cold Beer after Reception

Yesterday, one of my poly mates, Velle had her wedding reception at Raffles Town Club and it was simply so much fun because of the company i was with. :) Also, my D.I.Y. curls lasted the entire day which was really good and of course it was the best at around 4-5pm cos the curls were more relaxed and were more wavy than curly. :P

Not too sure you can see my curls, but i love them. Thought they are not going to be a permanant feature for me.

It was a nice simple affair with about 20 tables, mostly comprising Velle's family and church friends. It started off with a very cute and sweet 15mins clip of baby pics of the bride and groom, how they met, the garden wedding (the kind i would have had IF i had one) and the reception over in Australia last Dec. I teared up during the showing of the video clip simply because i was so happy for Velle. :) Thankfully the room was dimmed during the showing and the tears didn't roll down my cheeks. :) Heehee. Am soooo emotional!

The farnie part about the whole reception was that we (the bride's friends table) were all waiting for our turns (table by table) to take group photos with the bride and groom. So we waited and waited. And waited some more. Till the banquet staff were moving and clearing away the chairs for another function later that evening. And one of the guys at my table mentioned in jest that we've successfully left a permanent imprint on the cushioned-seats. So when we left the banquet hall, we were invited by the Velle's mom to head up to their Suite that came with the wedding reception package and WOW(!!!!) it was a spa suite. When you walk into the room, you would be greeted by a small cosy living room equipped with cable tv and an easy chair. Walk through the living room and you would be greeted by a nice queen size bed but the surprise that greeted you if you turned to your left is enough to make all of us squeal and run around the room in pure, unadulterated excitement. Ok, so i am talking me doing that. *grin* *heehee* Next to the bed was a fully equipped spa area with a sauna, a steam room ... and get this ... a JACUZZI(!!!!!!!!!!) *BIG GASPS*

After everyone had finished their jaw dropping and "wow. wow. wow." moment with the room, we had a lil cake waiting for us at the living room by the banquet staff as it was also Velle's bday yesterday. :P *Heehee* After feasting on the sinful chocolate cheesecake and fresh strawberries and cream we were all promptly chased out of the room. :P *heehee*

So a couple of us, K, L, Cel, (Velle's Lawyer Cousin), C (Velle's friend from Junior College) and myself, piled into S's Alfa Romeo 147. Which by the was a very very interesting car, especially the door for the backseat passengers. Its door handles have been designed to be hidden from view to give the illusion that it was a two door car!

This is a nice car. :) But not as nice as my Mini Cooper S in red. :P

Neat car door. :PAnyways, we all headed down to Ice Cold Beer, had a couple of drinks and just sat there yakking away which was just so much fun. :P Oh get this... finished my first glass of beer (like a proper proper beer) willingly. :P *LOL* And halfway thru that i had the craving for fries. The beer and fries just go really well together! Grease and beer. Mmmm ... yum! The last drink for the nite for me was a lychee martini .. & ohhh the lychee martini is smooth when you drink it but then the after taste hits you with just enough oomph! I only had three drinks last nite, the first one was called Gunnar (ginger ale with something else), then a Hoegaarden and then the lychee martini. I make it a point to only have three drinks a nite if i am not going to be staying out all nite and not having to be able to dance off the effects of the alcohol. I wouldn't say i would start drinking beer cos i still prefer my slushies, but i wouldn't mind having beer and fries again!

My very first beer that i willingly ordered and finished. :P

Ice Cold Beer was definitely a nice place to chill despite the place being swamped with US sailors that acted like the usual rowdy drunk men who have gone without sex for months on end. They started to say hello at S, L and C and were making statements like "Hey, how do you say 'hello' in Singaporean?" as we walked by. Well, for your information sailor, we speak english as well as you do and Singaporean is not a language asshole. Of course we ignored them.... *grumbles* drunk, ignorant American sailors! But all in all i had a really really good time and i really enjoyed myself. :) Was a fun day and nite. :)

Fight Sleepie Monster

Trying to fight the sleepie monster the whole of this afternoon... well at least from the time Darcy called till now.

Some things i do to try and fight the keep the sleepie monster away :

1. Walked up and down the office in the pretense of being busy.

2. Drink more water.

3. Email friends, colleagues and ex-colleagues at random in the hope they would reply.

4. Listen to music through the earphones.

5. Snap a rubber band and make it hit your cheek.

That's right you heard me, snap a rubber band and make it hit your cheek. *chuckles* The story behind point #5 came about as i was trying to re-tie my pigtails in my half-dozing mode and the rubber band snapped and hit my lower right cheek. There is no bruise or anything but it does itches. Definitely a good wake up call :P

*teehee*

Vacation '05 #2

Well, it's a done deal. *BEAMS*

Am going to Melbbie with the family on our first family official vacation in 20 years (Chinese New Year, Relative's Wedding does NOT count in my sense).

Will be staying back a couple of days after the family leaves for home, i got to have some alone time with my friends and party myself sillie. *heehee*

So this is an open invitation to all i know in Melbbie for a meetup, all you need to do is drop me a comment or email. :P *Heehee*

So far i'm meeting my gf who i am crashing with and two of the guys from my company. *heehee* This is going to be fun, and why wouldn't it be since my airticket will be paid by parents. Hahahaha!!! :P

"Heck Care" Attitude

Something has been bugging me for a long long while and lately it's been so bad that i find myself being unusually impatient, grouchie and snappy. And it's pretty dangerous to get me to a stage where i get nonchalant regardless the issue/ situation/ person. Cos once i get to that "heck care" stage, i will be at a point where i am going to be numb to what is bothering me and i won't give a f**k about it anymore. Sometimes that can be pretty disturbing. There's nothing more dangerous then loosing faith and hope.

HECK CARE

An expression either usedto describe someone as nonchalant or cavalier, or to exhort someone to ignore something.

1. "This sort of serious thing, how can you be so heck care?"

2. "Ah Beng bothering you again? Aiyah, heck care him, lah!"

Double Standards

Close to two weeks after i am back from my eventful CNY week in Malaysia and i have yet to unpack. Been living out from my sony walkman duffel bag till finally yesterday i decided i should just switch on my tv and clean up my dog house of a room.
So i switched on the tv and proceeded to putter around the room trying to get more than just a walking path space leading from the computer to my bed and another one to the door. *grin* That is how messie i can get.
Anyway, i wasn't paying too much attention to the tv cos i just wanted some room noise while i do my cleaning. Then a tv short theme started playing and i found myself looking at the screen and seeing none other than "The Bachelor" being shown on tv. And horror of all horror, i caught myself watching it for a good 20mins before shaking my head and feeling somewhat... disgusted. Still cannot understand why someone, esp. a woman, would want to put themselves in that kind of situation. I'm sure the bachelor said "25 women i can make out with and won't get bashed up by them. Hell yeah!" and gladly jumped into it. So ladies, you know he going to be kissing at least 16 other girls including you, why set yourself up to be scrutinised and potentially get yourself hurt.
Though, on the other hand i would fully support having The Bachelorette being shown on tv. Only because i am one who, and i say this in all honesty, practices double standards and i am guilty of it through and through. Yet, i don't think i am sorry about it or that i feel bad about it.
My friend, Lyddie, told me that i have issues that i need to look into and have them sorted out. Maybe i will, maybe i won't. Right now i am pretty happie with the way i feel about certain topics and issues. So why change something that makes me happie.

Lurk no more

Well, time to pop my head out of the murkie waters and not be lurking. Just that last week was a rough week at work that almost brought out the ugly side in me. Lets just say i was only 30mins away from being labelled, in some eyes, irresponsible. But in those circumstances no one could blame me for feeling that way, or almost carrying out the plan i had. So now that it's settled, there is no break in income things hopefully are looking up from here.

Still no news from UofC as to whether or not they even received my application. This is after a couple of emails and even a phone at 12AM Tuesdat morning, Singapore time. No one answered and they did not return my call. So will call again next week. Results should be out next week if they keep to their timeline of announcing application results a month from the 1st Feb deadline.

Still keeping my fingers crossed... but in the meantime i've applied for rezzie. Don't want to wait ti ll the last min and having to scramble for accomodation. And the rezzie at UofC doesn't look too shabby at all. I'm really hoping this comes through for me alot of things are counting on this application.