Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2009 - a draft

I need to start listing some resolutions now that the new year is around the corner.
I havent thought of it in detail (actually I never do...not even once before)
I just have a rough idea of what I'd like to do, so here goes.....(this list is open to changes as and when....even up to 2010)

What I'd like to do, get, receive, etc
  1. I am going to do more international travelling. Visiting my 'other home' is a definite on my list! I always get excited by the preparations of travelling and am especially so when I go to see JAR. (its been quite a while!!!). I also hope to travel internationally with my mom and aunt (if they are both up to it). I could also travel with other members of my framily. There are my siblings, my niece and nephews. There are also cousins and friends who could make great travel companions and this is hidden by the fact that we dont discus travel plans with each other. These are changes to be made!
  2. I will get me a BB! I am fascinated by the many facilities that the model that I looked at has. I want to get internet facility wherever I am, immediate emails, GPS, etc,etc all in one tiny gadget. I deserve one soon (Pocket and wallet....u heard me didnt u???). JAR just got one for himself. He got it to replace the phone he lost. He is in play land!
  3. I will reach higher levels in my cooking attempts. Lately I have reduced my cooking adventures due to the long holidays at the year end. I cook well enough for my own palate but I need to start cooking for guests soon.
  4. I will dress better! Alot of the clothes in my wardrobe has seen better days. Oprah has been having shows about people cleaning up their homes and wardrobe. My home is clean enuff (most of the time) but I need to throw out several old clothes and BUY me newer trendier sexier ones!
  5. I should get me a new laptop/PC my mid year. The one I have right now is a dinosaur (Not that its large in size, in fact its pretty small but its capacity is about equals to its size.)
  6. 2008 ends with my skin looking good. Not so pigmented and whats left is light in color. This is even after my allergy reaction resulting in red spots on my face. Not bad I say! I shall proceed 2009 with attempts to better the results. Reach for the skies.
  7. I am thankful that my family have been blessed with health and fortune in 2008. I pray that this follows thru in 2009. (Latest news: my second sis's second son scored extremely well in his recent exams. Congrats E!!! U deserve it! This is the boy who was a slow starter at school. He used to cry at his mom about his brain 'being injured' when he could not get the correct answers. His brothers used to find studying alot easier. E however is not one to give up easily, he works hard, studies consistently...wallaaaa he is now amongst the top!) Self to remember : Hard work pays!!!
  8. I expect to get an increase in my finances soon. I shall invest wisely and make my money grow and grow. My policy : Spend some, save some, invest some....and may my investments create at least to the amonut that I have spent!
  9. I am loved and I shall always remember that. (even at the times when I dont feel the love as much). This way of thinking has helped me time and again.
  10. (to be continued....)

Monday, December 22, 2008

A short scenario on suspicious mind



Suspicious Minds (SM) and Long Distance Relationships (LDR) cannot work together for a couple's relationship to survive.



It certainly is not easy being thousands of miles apart but when suddenly you find no emails and the phone just doesnt get answered, thats when the song by Elvis (see the pic attached) starts to become the backgound music of the scenario.



Of course initially u worry that something terrible might have happened. An accident? A fire? A death? And when you are a confirmed worry wart, all the worst scenarios start to play in ur head.



Stop! Sound of tape being suddenly stopped with force.



U tell urself to clear ur mind and live for whatever is within 100 feet of u. U pray for peace and no more self torture via ur imaginations.



U go to work and open ur emails after the weekend (ur laptop got left in ur condo as u spent the long weekend at ur mom's).



Two emails had arrived.



He had lost his handphone when he went bowling.

That explains why he has not been answering it. U called the number and its now officially no longer connected.

A third email arrives.
He has given his new phone number. He had connected a fixed line months ago but did not put a phone in. In this emergency he found a phone and had it connected.

A call that lasted quite a while and things are back to normal.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Allergies, water and gas


I am suffering from some allergic reaction.

Ther are red bumps on my face and they itch to no end.


I have seen the doctor and gotten my anti histamines. I am to take two different pills a day - one in the mornings and a stronger one that will make me sleepy at night.



I've stopped taking sea food and reduced my chicken intake. I've listened to many a housewife's cure to get rid of the allergic reactions.

I've visited pharmacists looking for better creams to help reduce the itch. The red spots sometimes get hard and its basically cos they represent very dry skin.



I've drunk loads of water (till my tummy got bloated) cos a friend recommended that saying that it helps to 'flush' away the toxin. When I woke up this morning it did look a bit better but I woke several times during the night due to the gas in my bloated tummy from all the water drinking!




Talking about gas, I am mighty glad that the gas/oil/petrol prices have been on a downwards trend. Now it appears that I always need to collect change cos I often request an amount that exceeds my gas tank when I go to fill her up.
Now thats a good change!



Work is going at a relaxed pace now. Not much adrenalin flowing but I am getting quite a bit of stuff done whilst many are still on their year end annual vacation.




Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Birthday, plumber and prom




Birthday and presents


Niece A turns 4 today. We'll be having her party this weekend but today I shall drive home early to greet her.



I've bought her a bike. Its the second one I am giving her. The pretty pink first one somehow has lost its ability to move! Maybe thanks to A's little sister D. The new bike is blue...yes, its actually a little boy's bike. Since blue is A's favourite color and since I also hated the pink bikes at ToysRUs, the blue bike it is.



O yeah, I also got for D a magic writing pad that ia able to voice out the alphabets.



Yup, thats how I do it and thats how I've always done it. Each time a niece or nephew has abirthday, all her/his siblings get a pressie too. Initially all the cousins got a pressie too.....but that soon got too expensive! Anyways now most of the nephews/nieces are teenagers so they kinda understand the concept of a birthday being a lone process better. Thank God!

Plumber

Downside of house ownership is that u got to take care and pay for its maintainence.
Being on the lower floors high rise building means that u get very strong water pressure.
It also means that the washer in the hoses get destroyed rather fast.
The developer uses PVC stuff when actually they should use copper which is stronger and makes better plumbing.
The three bathrooms had hose leakages.
Yesterday I took a chance and called a plumber who had put his business card in my post box.
He finally turned up at 6 pm. I think he did an ok job but I am pretty sure he overcharged
At least now the leakages are gone.


BTW, the plumber who came was no where a tenth as cute as the one in the pic!


Prom Night
Last night I accompanied my second sister to send her eldest son to his prom night.
It was like yesterday that I accompanied him to his first day at kindergarten!
We all got stuck in the traffic and it took us an hour to get him to his destination.
My sis drove her old car (she and bro in law has 4 cars) and suddenly it jerked. We were a little worried as that had never happened before. Thank goodness it got us safely home.
That prolly meant nephew would have gotten picked up later in the night in one of their flashier cars. Hehehe. Old car needs rest!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Wow! that was a good break!
I am rested, relaxed and happy.
I hope this feeling continues into 2009 for me.
Now I shall recall the past two weeks.

First Trip (also known as the Mom, Aunt and Me getaway)
We rode the night train to our destination.
We got premier class tickets in order to ensure we had our own private bath and restrooms. At the station lounge we met a lady who was travelling second class (she got the cheapest tickets cos she travels to her destination constantly) but was brazen enough to use the lounge. She is a good talker and kept us entertained as we had dinner.

The three of us were probably the last people to enter the train. I shared my 'room' with a lady from Romania while mom and aunt stayed next door on the train. Irina and I instantly hit it off and we spent half the night chatting. She was on her way to meet her friend for a holiday and we both talked of our travels.

We got to our hotel by 8.30 am after a cab ride. They wonderfully let us check in early (normal check in is 2.00pm!) and also upgraded us! I was already paying quite a big sum to stay at the hotel and being upgraded pleases me to no end!
We showered and rested before we started our first shopping adventure. I got myself a brand new pair of glasses made (to be collected before end of trip) and another big chunk of money flew out for a Dior frame. I just love walking around with my mom and aunt. We shopped, we ate and we rested.
The second day we decided to go on a ducktour. That was fun. We were on land and the same vehicles took us on a river cruise.
Mom shopped quite a bit more whilst we waited for the tour.
We took a cab towards the shopping areas and spent the whole afternoon doing more shopping. I am a typical woman!
The following day was similarly spent.
We also had fun when we tried to pack our new purchases. To make it appear like we didnt shop at all (to escape customs!). Anyways we all arrived with one bag of clothes and each of us left with at least two.
My most expensive purchase was the spectacles (which I dont regularly use....I am pretty good at wastage sometimes.)

Second Trip
Brother's family, mom and I decided to go to the Highlands for cooler weather and for the kids to enjoy themselves on the theme parks.
Brother drove my car and we all squeezed in. That was a fun ride with two little nieces. They were chatter boxes all the way.
The weather was cool and we had to wear jackets. We rode the merry go rounds. We rode the flying ship. Getting lunch was hassle as all the food outlets were full. Not to worry cos we got fully fed finally.

Third trip
My eldest sister's daughter is studying to be a doctor. On Sunday the students were having a field trip and exercise. They were to take the public's blood pressure, Body Mass Index, Sugar level, etc at a shopping mall. Sis's family, Bro's family, mom and I decided to surprise niece by making a appearance. She was surprised to say the least. It was fun getting her to read my blood pressure.
Later bro in law took us all to lunch.
Then everyone decided to go to my condo. I bought two dozen doughnuts and we all had that.
That was fun!!!

My second sis and her family are in London for thier vacation. I shall await her return before I have fun with her kids next.

Work
I started work after two joyous weeks away. It started with an intensive morning but I covered all areas well. It will be smooth sailing. Be positive!

Next
This weekend is little niece's fourth birthay. We will be having her party at my mom's. Next weekend is cousin's wedding. (he's getting married for the third time - first wife divorced, second wife died of brain cancer)
More fun coming.

Monday, December 01, 2008

about

Its almost here.
My trip with Mom and Aunt.
I am three quarters packed.
Not bringing too many clothes (got to have an excuse to shop for new clothes there).



My work's almost completed. What I cant do now will have to wait until after my trip.


I enjoy train rides.

You get to feel a different era of long ago.

The train moves slower than most other forms of transport (except for the trains in Japan......I was lucky enough to ride the Shikensen years ago)

As you move along you get to see the countryside, not just the road side as you do in a car.

My Mom and Aunt will relive those days of when they were in their youth.


We will go shopping.

Right now (before the trip) everyone is claiming that they just want a break.
They claim they are NOT going to shop much.
I know them better.
I just say, "make sure you bring an extra bag".
Similar scenarios have taken place many times before.
I am well experienced.
I know what to expect from the retired ladies.
Geez, I am so glad to be at this point in time.
Crazy work done. Holidays about to begin.
O yeah, tomorrow before the trip begins, I do need to go to the hospital so that they can run their usual tests on my blood.
Yearly affair.
Ever since the health incident years ago, I have been careful about my well being.
A check up every few months.
Trying to stay as healthy as possible.
So far, a breeze.
Yeah, I am feeling good!