A Mind of My Own

There have been too many things going on. I’m quite confused as to where I should be starting. It’s hazy and yet I have so many things to do. Such as finding ways to earn money without resorting to working in an office. Unfortunately, Singapore isn’t really a good place to start. Or any other country for that matter.

Image via Wikipedia

I still need a day job. Unless I can work 4 hours a week. It will be a dream come true. I haven’t gotten over Latte’s demise yet. It is a traumatic experience if you witness your beloved pet grasping his last breath in front of you despite all the efforts to save him. It was really unfortunate that Latte died as a virgin.

I haven’t been sleeping well since. Some of you may scoff at the idea of losing sleep over some guinea pig. However, any pet owner will be upset at the lost of their pets because they have been spending time bonding together and gotten to love each other. Imagine living together with your Labrador for 15 years. It passed away due to sickness or old age. You have been walking around the neighbourhood every day and the loss has changed the routine. How does that feel?

I have been thinking about life. It’s so short that I just want to spend more time with my family rather than spending so much time at work earning more money but it’s useless when you can’t be there when your family needs you.

I have been thinking of starting my own business but it isn’t going to be easy since I have absolutely no idea where to begin. I do know there is someone who wishes to help. That’s so sweet. At this moment, I would like to think about the business type and strategies before jumping into the bandwagon.

I would usually pamper myself on this day. This year, I didn’t really pamper myself because I have given myself the early gift of perfect eyesight by Lasik. Expensive, that was. A few friends SMS me wishing me Happy Birthday. CD, in India for work, MMS me with a birthday song. Even my mum SMS me too. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.

DD called me last night to be the 1st one to wish me. 2 poly friends wished me via SMS yesterday. On the day of the makeover at DeCharacter, ES, NL and HF treated me for dinner after the makeover. So sweet. I don’t have to pay for the makeover as it’s gift, right?
During the makeover, we had fun with the poses. I was often told to open my eyes bigger as mine are the smallest pair among the 5. I want bigger eyes. I wonder if I go Korea, I will get bigger pair of eyes. Upon the output of the photos, I was really disappointed. My eyes were simply too small next to the group of girls. I shall never. Ever. Have any group photos with them again. In addition, anyone with huge eyes shall not take any photos next to me.

I blame my dad for giving me tiny eyes. I blame my mum for giving me high eyebrows. My eyes already so tiny and yet she gave me high eyebrows positions! Ok, so it’s the genetics issue. Can doctors change the genetics such that next time, my children won’t inherit tiny eyes? Wait, if they don’t then they won’t be my children, what am I talking about?

It’s a pity that I don’t have any leaves to take as my contract is ending soon. Thus, won’t be able to take some time off work for today. Besides, I prefer long weekends.

And I need a new job.

Family outings used to be great fun for us. We looked forward to Genting Highland trips as we would get to ride the bumper cars by ourselves. My mother would announce that next week, we will be going to Genting and I would pack my bag happily.

A family trip in the long car ride was not the highlight was we would get car sick. We have serious motion sickness. However, the thought of enjoying the cool weather and the theme parks was enough to be excited about a non-exotic place for a holiday.

Over the years, my family trips reduced as we had different schedules due to CCAs and meeting with friends for shopping or projects. The family favourite routine is to arrange for a trip on the go. Once the decision to visit the zoo was made, the very morning, as long as the sun was shining brightly, we were off to the zoo.

It is so much easier to just go out as a family upon the decision was made as any other days would have resulted in one missing family member. Take the Singapore Flyer ride, it was made in the evening and when I reached home, I had to go out after dinner for the ride.

There was no time to think too much. The weather was just perfect and the traffic was fine. It isn’t much of a routine but something that is tradition in my family. The fastest way to have a family trip, decide on the day to go anywhere in Singapore as long as weather permits.

It took me a few rounds of phone calls before finding a studio that had a free slot before 3pm. Of all days, it had to rain. Heavily. I settled on Gloria Photo Studio in the end as it was able to have a slot before 3pm. The photographer was very friendly and made us feel comfortable.

Even the brother who loved to give stern faces for each and every family photo smiled. I had specifically stated to the men in the family that they had to smile. If not, I will make them pay. Thankfully, they did smile for the camera.

The session took about 30 minutes. The style for convocation photos for this studio is traditional. The background has stayed the same. So, for those who prefer modernised versions, it would be best to select other studios. This studio doesn’t provide makeup for the ladies either. That’s why the package is cheaper than DeCharacter and The Makeup Inc (both that I initially wanted to choose).

A family portrait is important. If any of the family member feels that it isn’t, slap them upside down. If they dare to do that on your wedding day, give them two tight slaps.

An aunt of my cousin’s passed away this week due to womb cancer. She was in her 30s. Womb cancer often strike women of age 30 and above. AY’s mother was diagnosed with womb cancer and had hers removed. She was also above the age of 30 during the diagnose. [Update] She got better after the operation. [/Update]

A talk with my father a few days back had him telling me that stomach cancer runs in my paternal side. Stomach cancer tends to hit men more than women. The causes for it is unknown. However, there are certain factors:

• Age: Most people with this disease are 72 or older.
• Sex: Men are more likely than women to develop stomach cancer.
• Race: Stomach cancer is more common in Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.
• Diet: Studies suggest that people who eat a diet high in foods that are smoked, salted, or pickled may be at increased risk for stomach cancer. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may protect against this disease.

Symptoms may include the following:

• Discomfort in the stomach area
• Feeling full or bloated after a small meal
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss

What I do not know if I will pass down the genes to my children. It’s also a good idea to compile the family’s medical history.

I’m having a huge headache. I’ve been sourcing for studios that take good photographs for graduation with my family. So far, my search has turned up with a few studios that are recommended.

Gloria

Werkz

DeCharacter Image

The Makeover Inc

Foto-U

Requirements

• Professional makeup provided
• Outfit provided for all except the person who has the graduation gown
• Price should not exceed $500 for a family portrait with 6 people.

From what I have read in the forums, Singapore Brides and Flowerpod, Gloria provides the best output but doesn’t provide makeup. DeCharacter is rather creative as it doesn’t just do traditional convocation potraits. Foto-U does seem to be rather expensive. Werkz also provide good outputs.

My problem is, which one should I take up with? I didn’t realise that taking graduation photos can be such a headache in terms of choosing the studio.

Time to officially announce my new project, Lovely Momentos. It’s about weddings, hotels, bridal studios and love. I try to compile articles related to wedding, hotels and most important, reviews of bridal studios whenever possible.

Getting married in Singapore or anywhere is no mean feat when there is so much to plan for, guest lists, wedding gowns, dinners, hotel selection and photographers. So, I hope this would help anyone who is looking for wedding ideas.

I hope that Lovely Momentos will help in your search to keep lovely memories from your wedding.

I’m feeling inexplicably sad. Not quite sure why but there are times when I feel this low and sad. Accidents are something that we can’t prevent except we claim from insurance, provided we have bought them. However, if you didn’t buy and had injured yourself somewhere, you can’t claim anything. Not even the partial payment.

My dad had hurt his foot a few times. Once on his left big toe nail and the most recent, he had to stitch his little left toe back. The toe was cut to the bone. I shuddered at the agony of driving with a broken toe. I’m not quite sure what I’m feeling now. Maybe a little numb from the shock. Or just sadness that he had another foot injury again.

My mom has her ailments too, usually backaches and sore arms. My parents have worked so hard all their lives just to bring us up and they are still working because there simply isn’t enough money for them to retire on. We still have electric bills, town council bill, handphone bills, and many other bills. These bills are always increasing, especially for the GST and other unexplainable charges.

I am still unable to let my parents retire comfortably. Perhaps I’m too anxious in wanting to be richer. Who doesn’t? I’m just frustrated at times with the system whereby everything is rising in cost except the salary. Some pessimists may say that we don’t have a choice. Optimists would say that we all have choices. It’s whether we see the opportunity and grab it at the time or lost the chance.

4D and Toto doesn’t mean a chance. It’s usually a calculated risk. I just pray that my dad will recover soon and rest at home instead of antagonising his foot by going out. Work can always be done another day. The customer must be mad to expect any delivery soon!

Been watching 樱野三加一 (Ying Ye 3+1), starring Ming Dao and Chen Qiao En. They used to star in 王子变青蛙 (Prince Turns into Frog). Below is my favourite song that’s being played throughout the series. 16 episodes. I rather loved the fighting scenes although through halfway, they didn’t show them fighting the bad guys anymore.

我到底是谁
在你心中占有怎样的地位
你不说清楚
你让我们的爱坠在七里雾

爱 很讨厌
总是忽近忽远的让人追
追半天 你连抱歉
一句抱歉也不给

我向前走 低着头 眼泪不停向后流
一直走 不回头
希望你会找到我
但是始终不如愿
希望都落空
我仍相信 其实你懂我（其实你爱我）

我发誓千遍
我这一走你就无法挽回
虽然心会痛
总比受尽委屈还要更好过

我 等了等
脑海始终浮现你对我的好
好半天 你连Babe
一句安慰也不给

一前一后
你跟在我的背后沉默
Yeh……Yeh……Yeh……
前前 后后
希望你握住我的手
Yeh……Yeh……Yeh……
Wo……Wo……Wo……

我向前走 抬起头 擦掉眼泪向前走
一直走 不回头
相信你会找到我
梦里寻他千百遍
希望都实现
我不想走 无法心不动

我向前走 抬起头 擦掉眼泪向前走
一直走 不回头
相信你会找到我
梦里寻他千百遍
希望都实现
我仍相信 其实你懂我

[via Flickr]

With Chinese New Year falling on Thursday this year, 5-work-day week workers are happy to have a long weekend. For those working on shifts and unable to take any time off without sacrificing your allowance, I do hope your bosses will give you more time off subsequently.

It’s also time for me to meet up with my aunt who had gone through the trouble of flying back for this holiday. I’ve always been doted by her. This weekend is also the best time to travel but it’s expensive if you haven’t booked your trips early.

Besides the time of meeting up with relatives who are very concerned about your marital status, the next best thing is to get the ang baos from them since you are not married, yet. Eat, drink and be merry.

This is also a time to get fatter and I am no longer fitting my tops and pants. So sad. However, I shall comfort myself with the many ang baos that I will shamelesly collect and eat, drink and be merry.
[via Flickr]

I need a holiday. Taiwan or somewhere. The plans are still fuzzy but I’ll get round to them. Meanwhile, enjoy the holiday and don’t eat too much ba kwa, pineapple tarts, love letters, and play too much mahjong. If you still get ang baos, don’t waste them on mahjong la. Not worth it.

My dear readers, may this year of the rat or mouse be filled with prosperity, good health and joy for you.