Preparing for big day?

Preparing for big day/marriage?

Each time when  I see couples who just said 'yes to each other' and on their journey to prepare for their big day, most honey lovers will be busy considering, sourcing and preparing for their big day-the wedding day. For Chinese, most couples will even be more excited to choose a lovely, romantic ballroom/hotel for their wedding banquet. Usually couples will try to satisfy themselves with hotels with have at least 4* and above, beautiful and romantic ballroom set up to impress hundreds or thousands of guests and family members, huge diamond stones wedding band, 4-5 tier wedding cake, expensive bridal package with some to the extend of spending thousands on photos and video just for a lovely keepsake and presenting to guests. I have ever heard of stories whereby couples spent almost $10K for overseas photography just to different from other couples choice venues for wedding photography. I also have heard of couples 'presenting' fireworks at their wedding (which I saw for myself). Many times, I feel these couples are doing something more creative to give guests a 'wow' surprise. End of the day, the expensive and pain taken photographs will end up at storage area (in cupboard) 1-2 months after the wedding, the true and not so sweet reality issues in life surface with 2 different people starting to live together. 

To most couples, marriage is all about preparing for their big day to be as glamourous as possible,  be at the centre of attraction and envy of many many singles out there. I don't quite agree! Yes, your big day can be the most memorable day in your life but key to a successful marriage lies after the big day. Each time, when a couple decided to tie a knot, most of the preparation that you get to hear is buying or renovating a house, wedding package and dinner, honeymoon, etc....but seldom will mention the preparation for pre-marriage counselling. When I mention the word pre-marriage counselling, it doesn't physically mean the couple are not in the right mind to be together but it is just like mother-to-be who goes for pre-natal class. Do you know divorce rate in Singapore is ever increasing. Why? Is it because couples get married for the sake of following the motion or it is just due for marriage or our flat is here? What is the reason for marriage, you ought to know!

I have heard of so many sad stories around me with couples who were once upon a time happily ever after ended up with the tragic to end their marriage. I will not say they have ended up their love because their love has ended before ending their marriage. There was once I even saw a couple wedding photo frame being dumped in the rubbish collection centre, its sad to see. 

My personal view is no matter how much time, effort and money you spend to materialise a glamourous wedding affair, please consider values of a marriage before you consider how big your wedding stone is going to be or which hotel to hold your wedding banquet.

Good luck to all those couples who are preparing for their big day........... 

A day with thoughts

After a cool 3 weeks of leave, I am finally back to work in office! When I first stepped in, I was greeted with a big warm smile and morning greetings from my auntie cleaner. She looks extremely happy to me or was my absence in office makes her heart grow fonder? Immediately, she excitedly shared with me a good new that she strike jackpot at Genting casino! Initially, I thought it was a small windfall but I was eyes wide apart when she said she strike $11k but in ringgit. Anyway, it was a cool win of $5k in Sin dollars. I am happy for her because to be a winner at casino it never easy! It was also a nice gesture of her to bring breakfast for me tomorrow. So am I a winner too though my prize is only a warm breakfast?

I discovered all my computers at work have been upgraded with Microsoft Office 2007. I do find it a little 'complicated' to navigate with the new function especially the new toolbars. I trust it will certainly take me a while to settle confidently using Microsoft 2007 but I have decided to go for the computer classes that our office has offered us in order to better equip ourself to using new system. 

Today is also lunar calendar big day-Guan Yin Dan. I specially went to Waterloo Street temple to pray. I pray for peace and make a little prayer and hope my prayer will be answered soon. After the praying, I went to the foodcourt at Bras Basah Complex to have my favourite pork chop noodles which was formerly at Shaw Tower. The lady stall owner is always happy to see familiar customers at her stall. I guess it is a good feeling to see returning customer and indicating they must have like your food to make the effort to patronize often. Happy to enjoy my delicious pork chop noodles (will post picture when I next visit the stall again) and at the same time put a smile on the lady stall owner's face. There is also a new stall in this foodcourt that sells rojak, my all time favourite. I bought a plate and my one and only verdict for this stall rojak is WOW, WOW, WOW!  Very nice and thick shrimp paste and the youtiao is toast to perfection. They also added fruits like mango, green apple and guava to it. Perfect rojak at perfect price of $3. At the finish of the rojak, I told myself that I should walk up to the rojak seller and give her my compliments. Most people seldom give praises and I feel there is no need to be stingy with giving my compliments to anyone who deserve it!. I walked up to her and had this conservation with her.

Me: "Auntie, do you know your rojak is very nice, 5stars?'

Auntie: "Oh really, thank you thank you. You like my rojak, huh?"

Me: "Auntie, your rojak is super nice and worth my 100% recommendation! Too bad I am not a food reviewer, otherwise, I will do a food write up for you and boost your business"

Auntie: (widest smile) "Actually a lot of people said my rojak is nice, I am so happy! But rental is so expensive these days that I hope I can sustain the high overheads!"

Me: "True, true, rental can kill you!!! Anyway, you have my fullest support and I have nominated you as Singapore Best Rojak"

At the end of the entire conversation we even exchanged our numbers and she said she will let me know if she ever re-locate to another foodcourt. I think it didn't occur to her that someone like will like her rojak so much so till I will walk up to her and give her praises and ask her to keep up the good work! I am happy that I have made someone's day and put a smile on her face. I believe no one will be say no to praises and compliments. I should start collecting praises now.

A day in China

Judging from the title of this blog, you may have guessed that I been to China recently. The answer is wrong! Recently I went to a 2 days 1 night stay at Sentosa and during this whole entire stay, I conclude I am in China more than in a Singapore Island. I have not been to Sentosa for a long long time and I must admit there are indeed a lot of changes and makeover done to Sentosa. Sad to say, I wasn't really very impressed and attracted with the new makeover. The last time that I went to Sentosa was at least 10 years back which I remembered I was there with my mum, sister and friends. At that time, the main attraction on island was the Underwater World and I remembered the ticket price was a cool $16.00. Imagine $16 at that time was considered a luxury. This time round, Sentosa did improve with more thrilling ride and fun show like 'Songs of the Sea', 'Pink Dolphin Show'. I will say the minimum price for each entry ticket (be it for show or ride), I think the cheapest is the $8 for 'Songs of the Sea'. I was too stingy for all these. I can see a lot of tourist did buy ticket for this and I feel its a shame when at the start of the show, they played songs like 'chan ma li chan', 'lou yang hua gu', etc. Goodness, how you expect Japanese or Caucasian to understand all these. I was thinking to myself 'I had saved another $8'.

During the whole stay, I was rather pissed off by many China tourists! While I was queuing for the tram to the beach, you know the word queueing but those Chinese do not understand at all. The moment they see the tram they just rush for it without any hesitation to be considerate to those who have been queuing obediently. Each row of tram seat can accommodate about 4-5 persons and the way I saw some of these Chinese taking a ride on the tram, I feel like giving up and take the next ride. They are a horrible inconsiderate gang and behaved so uncivilized! Anyway, suay me had a China lady seated beside me. She put her leg up and I saw toe nails on her foot and I feel like puking. Oh no, it appears to me that she have never trim her toe nails from the day 1 she was born till now. Real disgusting and no personal hygiene at all! Puke!

Going back to the point while I was queuing for the tram, before and after me in the queue were both couples. The similarity in these 2 couples is both are Singapore men with China girlfriends! The man in front me who look like in young 40s, dressed up in nice pink shirt and black pants (office attire) and slightly bald, the only conclusion that I have for him to be hooked up with China girlfriend is either 1) Singapore girl won't fall for such slightly bald middle age man or 2) he is actually married but flirting with China girl and this explains why a man dressed in working attire can be seen with a China girl during a weekday. He must have guessed it is safer to date on a island and less the risk of being spotted by friends or relatives.  As for the other couple behind me, this man is a 50yrs old man with a sexy and heavy make up young China girl. I believe this couple needs no more description from me and trust all of us can conclude their relationship. As I was in queue, I have a feeling that I am on a foreign ground more than on Singapore Island. Beside these China girls, tourists, there are also few several groups of China male workers working round the upcoming Resort World developments. From tourist to workers, I can see more China citizens then our own Singapore citizens......hey, where are our fellow people?

As I explored more on the island, I felt Sentosa is an expensive island for family to have fun! Hopefully when the new resort hotel is ready, the island will have more fun for all of us!

Back in action

A big HELLO to all (not sure if anyone is still following my blog).

I was panicking while I was trying to log on to my blog account. I have not been blogging for about a year and was having a hard time recalling my user account and password! Thanks god, sign of ageing is not showing on me yet! 

It took me quite a while to decide to return to the life of blogging. I have been lazy all these while and recently a few major events happened on me that makes me ponder about my life and I decided to try to make an effort to pen down my thoughts and feeling in this blog and serves as diary for myself. 

2 weeks back, I went for my LASIK surgery. I believe this is the most incredible and brave act that I could never imagine myself having the courage to go for it. I started wearing glasses at the age of 12 years old (primary 6) and changed to wearing lens at the age of 17 years old. Now at the age of 32 years, finally, have the feeling to say goodbye to glasses and lens! I was very grateful to have my boyfriend with me during the pre-evaluation assessment to consultation to surgery. We spent almost like 6 hours at the surgery clinic. The pre-evaluation went well and I had the surgery on the same day after our lunch. While waiting in the surgery room, I had a sudden emotional thought feeling how fortunate I have been all these while and I decided I should be more thankful for all the beautiful things in life and should not take things for granted. I am grateful to have the extra money for this 'cosmetic' surgery and told myself after my new reborn vision, I should be a more appreciative person. The surgery went well though I almost freaked out in the operating theatre! Every day in the morning, the moment I open my eyes, I give thanks for each new day that I am having now. 

In a person's life journey, its always good to have a partner to support you, for the better or the worse, and I want to thanks my boyfriend who was with me throughout this LASIK surgery. I believe without his strength, I may still not have the courage to walk into the clinic and transform to a glass-free person. I am glad I am not alone in my journey!

Wonderful aromatherapy facial products

Recently, I began a big fan of organic and aroma facial products with essential oils. A good found was discovered and so good to be shared. I bought these 2 fantastic products from Perfect Potion (www.perfectpotion.com.sg). One is the pure plant hydration mask and the other is a replenish serum. I really enjoy the fine texture of the serum, it gives a skin tightening feel on your face after use. And the hydration mask is another cool product. What you need to do is just to apply a think layer on face and leave for 10minutes and rinse off. Each time when you apply the mask on the skin there is a mild cooling effect on your face and the scent is refreshing! This is what the mask is made of 'a synergy of marshmallow root and aloe vera, pure essential oils of sandalwood, patchouli, lavender and natural vitamins' to cool and soothe the skin. For the serum, this is the promise 'this nutrient rich serum restores, hydrates, firms and tones your skin while protecting from environmental conditions'. Quick grab them at United Suqare basement 1 or International Plaza.

I am back

Hello all, it has really been a real super long time since I last blogged. I wonder if there are still friends visiting this blog of mine? Anyway, decided to reconnect myself with the effort to blog. I been a regular blog-readers of others and kind of envy bloggers who spend time updating their lifes at blog and most beautiful effort is to upload with alot alot of pictures! Pictures tell alot and its real more interesting reading blogs with and without photos. The difference is just like watching a black n white tv or a color tv. As for me, I am still a plain Jane. I'm learning to put in more effort to add in photos/pictures...please stay tune in my blog while I am catching up!!!

Friends around me should know I have changed a new job. I am quite happy with my new job and environment. Job change has been quite a lucky one for me! I stayed for a period of 9 years in my previous job and sometime I will sit back for a moment and wonder how long will I be in my current job? If its for another 9 years then I think this current job will serve me till retirement! Is the word retirement scary? I think so. I have always been praying that I will strike toto with a reasonable amount for me to start a dream of mine! I been wanting to operate a cafe in Spore but always always no money. No money = no capital = failure business. Anyone out there can help with capital?

200 Pounds

Just watched the dvd of a korean movie '200 pounds' over the weekend....

I find it quite a nice show...and the message from the show is simple. Got look but no brain, its ok cos got helpful souls (man) eagerly wanting to help the beauties. Got brain but no look, good luck to u!

BEAUTY IS IMPORTANT.....looks like I have to watch my grooming, ensure my look is pleasant all the time...as for my weight, I will look into it.....wishing someone will sponsor me for some weight management packages....