Hello 2014!!

Oh my.. can't believe how quickly the year passed!

Woke up coincidentally to see my favorite anime on TV! Cute bunch of frogs in their mission to conquer the human world only to see themselves falling more in love with the humans! Exactly the meaning behind that every one should hold - Embrace and not dislike!

Last year was another beautiful year. Made new friends, lost some. Found new interests, neglected some. Enjoyed the slight changes in my current work, missed some. And many more! 

Remembering how heartbreaking it was to the departure of one of my close colleague, made me realise how precious life is, how much it's there waiting for you to shower more TLC. It's never too late to start making changes for the better. I have to admit that my temper has gotten worse, and I have became a little more sensitive to my surroundings, guess it's the age, but I PROMISE, I'll try to see things on a brighter side this year!

Schedule have been really tight this year too! Filling the dates with work, exercises, outings, and the list goes on.. One thing that I have successfully incorporated as a "Fixed Asset" to my off-work schedule is the packed exercise routines. I was exercising on and off the years before, even though the reminders of "exercise-to-lose" was always ringing. But this year, I have gotten hold of these reminders and (pats to myself) I've successfully shed 4kgs this year! Thanks to Zumba, Basketball, Badminton, KCombat, Kickboxing and the misc dances that I've went! 

So this year, I am going to continue these wonderful happenings and routines that I started previously and, oh oh oh! I finally registered for an Instagram account, so..... promised made, people!!

Lots of Love, Hugs, Kisses, Laughter, Happiness, Health, Wealth and stay active all!!!

Nephew Day - Short Getaway - Christmas

I realized I've not been very active blogging these days, not because I am lazy to do so already but because I've been really busy with stuff that I just want to spend and enjoy my free time whenever possible.

My godson, Ayden is 1 month old! And yes, I have a human godson this time. Yay! He is so adorable and even more with his irresistible smiley dimple. Hearing baby stories about him from my twin really takes the troubles and wrinkles I got from work away. It's the baby-thing huh? I always enjoy listening to Babies stories. :)

Baby Ayden in his 2nd day in this world. Looking so contented and peaceful in his Daddy's arms.

Went out with J after the Baby shower to explore the new mall at Jurong East and the best thing that I could do for him that day was looking for a balloon (even asking strangers) that he kept ranting from the moment we stepped in the mall. It's amazing what you can do for a precious. Hah.

Justin smiling at the camera while waiting for the Mushroom Quiche. Cheeky.

When the PA asked for the leaves plan from the officers, I stared into my calendar for long and can only sadly reply her that I have no plans at that moment. Yes, I know I've been travelling much during mid-year and probably it's my turn to envy the others who are busy getting out of town.... BUT, I still can't say 'no' to even a short-getaway! Even a 2D1N (sounds ridiculous, but who cares?!) trip in Johor excites me!

KSL Hotel & Resort - A really affordable place to stay for the night after a whole day of walking and buys. That's TPL in the background shying away from the Camera. Huuuuu.

This Christmas is (yeah~) another public holiday to me. But I am really glad that I had a stay-home Christmas. A time for me to rejuvenate in my cozy nest. This Christmas, I made some hand-made gifts. For those who got it, hope you like it! Got quite a number of Christmas gifts, and even got myself one on Christmas Eve. Thanks to those who shared the joy this season!

Lovely cosmetic pouch from my colleague who got it from Taiwan. I am going to replace my Naraya cosmetic pouch with this!

Look at the prints inside the pouch!

A gift I got for myself at H&M. Only $7.90!

Handmade socks-man that I learn from a DIY site. Easy to make, but I'm so worried that the ornaments will fall when the glue wears off.

Merry Christmas! ❤

Latin Sunday!

So I met this colleague over an incident about a complex transaction, and miraculously we got to know more about each other. Knowing that both of us have a thing to do with dancing, he introduced me the dance school that he's currently in, Dance En Motion.

I didn't took much notice about this school as I don't really fancy Latin dance, though i enjoy looking at the moves. But, this fine day, I finally gave in to his constant "notice" about the classes and schedules and so, I signed up for the trial class package for Salsa, Bachata and Latin.

As the date got nearer, and of course, I've been doing my research about the moves, I got really excited.

The moment I stepped in the studio; sexy and professional students were dancing to the remix of Latin music, practicing their moves for the shooting at Marina Bay Sands later in the afternoon. I was dumbfounded. They look so elegant and beautiful. My excitement didn't help and I was practically bursting in cold sweat. I was so worried that I look dumb in front of the mirror.

But well, I got a little consolation when most of the participants are first-timers in dancing. So... a little confidence boost for me; at least I had some background in the many different forms of dance I used to learn.

End of the day, Bachata took me away. I had SO much fun in Bachata, partnering with awesome partners, learning and grooving away like nobody's business. Looking at myself in the mirror every now and then when I did the moves with my partner, I can't help but give a big pat on my shoulder, thinking "hey! you can dance fatso!".

❤

The Long Lost Classmate's Wedding Banquet

So I was invited to the Secondary School classmate's wedding banquet at Swissotel The Stamford Singapore last evening and I am grateful for being assigned to the same table with the Brothers.

I know it's painful to hold your pukes, but yeah, a selfie taken before meeting the Brothers.
Always have to take a "perfect" shot before I sweat and get all messy on the journey.

The Brothers have not met for months (the last was in May/June after the Soulmate's night class) and it's a great evening meeting up with them. Many changes in our life, the Brother got himself a new girlfriend and she's such a sweetie; the Soulmate got himself a job after his degree 2 months ago and I am so happy for him to be able to get into a job that he have been looking painfully for.

A shot with the Bride, my ex-classmate and ex-colleague.
From L to R: The Soulmate, The Brother, The Ex-classmate, I.

With the ex-classmates (ladies).

The Ex-Classmates group shot before we leave the Banquet.

The Soulmate and I was trying to source for ideas for the Brother's wedding during the banquet. Like the course of meal, the style of serving the dishes, the music, the MCs, blah blah. Guess there must be a reason why we are the Brothers, we can have all sorts of wild but practical ideas that only us won't find them disgracefully or "low-class" as people might define.

Like playing music that is more towards the POP, sweet, lively and romantic genre; serving dishes like sze-char style. Every dish in one go, satisfying those hungry guests. Or go on a buffet style where the Brother will have to order double set for the Soulmate (always known as the hungry man). Supplies can be cheap as the both of us can sponsor with the music. *smirks*

Till the day arrive.... we shall continue to source for ideas.

Yangon, Myanmar

My friends and colleagues have seen me getting all excited about my first backpacking experience trip in Yangon and have been worried for me, travelling to this protected country with minimal mode of contact. I think it's a challenge especially for me this clean freak.

Waiting for my room to get ready at Mother Land Inn 2, Lower Pazudung Road

 The first thing I did when I touched down at the Yangon International Airport was to change some of the US dollar notes that I've got into their currency, Kyatt (pronounced as chyatt). Like what the forums said, they are very strict with the condition of the notes. Wrinkled, old and torn notes are definitely not acceptable. I had a hard time screening through the crisp notes that I have on hand with the locals. After going through the screenings, we proceed to Mother Land Inn 2, a guesthouse that we researched before hand, hoping that there will be room available for us.

God bless us, we managed to get a room and chatted with the friendly service staff and some other Caucasian backpackers. It's really interesting to hear their backpacking journey and to be frank, their stories are really encouraging.

Explored around the inn and located a super store down the corner of the road. A convenient spot indeed despite of the messy and bumpy road. There are no street lights in most streets in Yangon, so it's best to return to the guesthouse before it gets dark.

The backyard of the Houses. Rubbish every where, Stray Dogs every where...

I have always been dependent on my friends or local tour guides whenever I travel free and easy, but this is the very first time I did my homework, studies the map and sort of guided the journey! Feel so proud of myself. So our first destination in Yangon is the Bogyoke Market, a place similar to our Chinatown. If you are looking for cheap Longyis, woodcrafts or jades, this is a place for your.

Bogyoke Market

We went on to the Kan Daw Gyi Lake, a quiet and beautiful place perfect for dating. There's this fine dining restaurant beside the lake and to our surprised, we see dim sums! Though the food doesn't taste authentic, it is not so bad for a not well-developed country. After the tasty lunch, we wanted to be daring and walk down to Bogyoke Aung San Museum. We knew we've failed our challenge when we realized we've been walking round the lake instead of out the lake! With road signs that we totally can't understand, taxi is really the safer option travelling in Yangon. You can try taking the bus if you don't mind the squeezing crowd and locals with bunch of vegetables and cages of chickens in the vehicle, and not to forget, the likelihood that you might get stuck in the middle of your journey for hours with the passengers.

Seaweed Fish Roll, Signature Fine Dining at Kan Daw Gyi Lake

Friendly, pleasant kids at the shops along Shwe Dagon Pagoda

Shwe Dagon Pagoda is really an ancient, with over 2000 years of history. The Pagoda is made of real gold plates and gold offerings from the locals and tourists and kept in the Pagoda. Only the scheduled monks can enter the Pagoda and fix the pagoda when some of the gold plates fell off from the Pagoda. There are 6 gems on the pagoda too, shining so brightly that we can even see it from afar.

Late Evening view of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda

To have a better view of how the locals live in Yangon, we took the Circular Train for a long 3 hours. That was when I felt disturbed at the scenes. The standard of living is really low there, with the villagers living just beside the field and rubbish flying everywhere. Their home are made of straws and you can see some showering in the public, beside the street market with the stray animals. The locals spit anywhere and the sight of them walking bare-footed on the dirty road is really disturbing.



On board the Circular Train for USD1. Foreigners are given tickets for the ride in the Upper Class Cabin. A much more spacious seats for a better view. Standing on the train is prohibited in the Upper Class Cabin. 

This Daddy travelled from station to station and picked his girl up through the window. The girl kept waving at us with this blur look of hers when she board the train. Her eyes were shining so brightly that it's a waste not to take a picture of her.

The market along the railway tracks

The experience there is really great, made me appreciate the beautiful country that I am living in, the people there are simple too, a good reflection in my life. But....Another time to Myanmar? I doubt so in the short run....

Mother Land Inn 2 baked me this lovely Birthday Cake, a great surprised in the morning. All the service crew sang the Birthday song and kept wishing me Happy Birthday when they see me in the house. Real heart warming.