Looking Back

Tis' the season to be jolly and…reflective.

Remember this post 'Retrospective' , where I listed down the 'to-dos' for the year of 2008.

Let's take a look back.

1. I am going to stay fit, by going back into working out.
   

My weak wrist did stop me from returning to yoga, but hey I did at least discover the joy to running, something I totally detested in the past and participated in the Stan Chart Run, even if it was just for 10km and to discover the gratification to running around my estate at night, when the sun is down.

1. I am cutting back on caffeine. Moderation is the word.
   

I think I am doing ok. One cuppa a day keeps the blues away.

1. I am taking things easy and relaking more. Life's too short.
   

Ok too, I have learnt not to take things too seriously or personally.

1. I will be Happy.
   

I am happy to land in a company, thou it may not be perfect, that gives me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. As for other areas, I am learning.

So for 2009, here is my list.

1. Thou' shall travel to Prague, Amsterdam, Italy, Japan and Cambodia.
   
2. Thou' shall travel alone for at least one trip.
   
3. Thou' shall refresh my Italian.
   
4. Thou' shall continue to build up my stamina and if my wrist allows, go back to yoga.
   
5. Thou' shall Go outlet-shopping (as frivolous as it sounds I know).
   
6. Thou' shall reduce clutter in my life.
   

And thou' wishes all merry holidays!

 

Oven not ready. Yet.

Hello, I am bad-tempered and lazy. I never make my bed just cos' I don't see the reason to, dislike showering in the morning as I would rather sleep in, enjoy throwing diva fits, does zero housework and love spending money. The bf said 'Motherhood will change you'. It will make me more responsible, less prissy.

Oh did I mention my biological clock is not ticking just yet? I am at the stage where people ask me when I am getting hitched and pregnant, blah blah, if not, you will be too old to give birth etc etc. How can pregnancy and having babies be enticing if I see my colleague having to pump milk in the office every 5 hrs and has to miss out on outings or overseas work assignments? Or another colleague whose face swelled and her nose became twice the normal size? Or hearing kids compare about where their parents take them for holidays or even which flight class they take?

The thing is, I am selfish. Till my oven is ready, I want to remain pretty, slim and be ready to head out to town as and when I feel like it. And I am not afraid to admit it. Well, at least I won't be an irresponsible parent by having kids unprepared and unready.

Not to say I will never have kids. If I know my kid/s will grow up in a good, nurturing environment (read: not Singapore), then I would go through the trouble of getting knocked up. But for now, I just want my sleep marathons without waking up at godforsaken hours.

I turned 29!!!

I actually don't see all that rambling about going on 29, blah blah blah,'I am getting so old, life's over' that sorta shit, because strangely the more mature I get (rather than 'older'), I find myself wanting to experience new things, going new places, making more friends etc, which strangely didn't quite come through when I was younger. Know what I mean? I am 29 going on 25!

So anyway, I had a blast this birthday. We went to Koh Samui for a getaway, MUCH needed since get this, I haven't gotten a day's leave since starting work in May! Anyway Samui was awesome, with a capital A. No Singaporeans, no pesky kids. What we have are- cheap beers and cigs, excellent food, great pool/sea views from our villa, warm (and some giggly) locals.

Many other highlights ie.

- Launching a huge lantern into the sky

- Getting a rub-down in the hills

- Baby licking c*** -one of the phallic stones you find at the beach. Classic shot.

- Resort folks surprising me with a cake that was a blast from the past on my birthday

- Our beach/pool view villa

Yeah we are coming back.

Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?

If you are looking forward to an exciting blog post regarding this topic, well you are in for something…At least that's the title of the book I just finished reading.

The book contains answers to many questions that you are too embarrassed to ask and questions you have been curious about all your life and just waiting for someone to provide you with plausible answers. Well, for mummies-to-be, good book to pick up in case the kiddos ask you random questions they pick from the sky.

Some intriguing questions asked:

• Why do we have pubic hair?
• Why do older people fart more?
• Will a watermelon bush grow inside you if you swallow a watermelon seed?
• Can u breastfeed with fake boobs?
• Why does my butt itch so much?
• Why do we get a shiver when we pee sometimes?

It's not purely scientific; it's injected with a sense of humour too, making it a very enjoyable read, on top of making yourself more knowledgeable. At least now I know why my butt itches.

Money No Enough

With all that talk about rising costs and inflation blah blah blah, what's a girl to do if she wants to satiate her shopping desires?

Well, I got some really good tips, but perhaps nothing some of you don't know already…

1. Shop during sale
   

This is a no-brainer. Don't get me mistaken. I am not talking about cheesy Mango sales, where you pretty fight it out with other chicks, believe me, they should make shopping a competitive sport. I am referring to clear-out and overstock sales that are always held in hotel function rooms. They are amaaaazing and make me so fulfilled at the end of it. I went to one held by Inhabit, this store that sells cult label jeans that cost as much as an arm and a leg and boy, was I blown away. Everything was AT LEAST 50% and above and to top it off, there was an additional 10% off on the last day (which I went). C'mon, there were jeans at 95% off! I happily walked away with a pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans, demin skirt and Rock and Republic top for about 250 bucks! And there were sizes and major labels like True Religion, Sass and Bide, Alexander Wang etc. I am excited all over again! Wey!

1. Sell…and Buy
   

Get rid of old clothes to make space …and money. The Tanglin Mall flea market is a great way to get rid of ratty tank tops, old Mango/Zara past seasons (Mango- perennial fave for buyers), bags, shoes etc. You can break even in profit most of the time, unless you are selling hideous outfits. Expect a couple of hundreds in turnover even. And buy new clothes.

1. Buy online
   

We know that US dollar is falling fast and we know online shopping pays back more than ever. But do you know that certain things are also cheaper in Euros? Like Birkenstocks. They sell over a hundred bucks here, but typically it sells for 'bout 30 euros-40 euros (just x2 for SGD) in Europe. Just google Birkenstocks and shopping sites pop up. Gather a few friends and shipping costs can be waived, and you save as much as $50!

Happy shopping!!!

 

Cranky Bones

Now is there anyone out there who hasn't experienced back aches, shoulder aches, wrist aches, knee aches or any imaginable aches you can think of while at work?

Recently I have got down to thinking if a desk-bound job is really suited for me. I had a really mean, shoulder ache on the right that extended to my elbow and wrist, well essentially my whole right arm that comes and goes, especially worse since I use the mouse on my right wrist and tend to put more weight on my right side. And when I am stressed or immensely focused, my shoulders tend to cramp up unconsciously, resulting in a certain tight feeling which you realise only much later.

Even acupuncture and 'cracking' of joints haven't helped me much. Bore.

Apparently seven out of ten Singaporean executives have experienced some sort of muscle pain while being at work, and I am merely part of the statistic. Poor workstation design also attributes to part of the reason. Check this out http://www.spring.gov.sg/newsarchive/epublications/et/2006_01/index7.html

Some companies are adhering to some form of office ergonomics standards (Singapore is all about standards), like ergo-chairs, ergo-tables, ergo-keyboards, which I think is quite encouraging. Now when will my company start doing that? Guess for now, I just have to count on my own ergo-yoga.

The Last Laugh

Heath Ledger totally rocks the new Batman movie.

I confess. I have never been a huge fan of superhero-type movies made with exorbitant budgets, much less Batman. But Heath Ledger stole the show, and was the movie's saving grace. This is arguably his best movie YET. Not even his performance in Brokeback Mountain can rival that. Apparently he isolated himself in a hotel room for a month to perfect his role, learning to move, think and behave like the freak he was playing. His commitment to the role is to be admired, but sadly it might have taken away part of his sanity and ability to sleep, resulting in him OD-ed on medication of all sorts.

Still, the movie excels. The plot reads more like a human drama, rather than a cliché hero-saves-the-day kinda plot. We are faced with Batman's shortcomings and flaws (after all he is just a human being with a cape), and the ending may not be all that happy ever after all. And one of Tinseltown's most intriguing villains is born. Too bad he passed on too soon. R.I.P.