Once in a while, I will pick up a novel (very rare though), sometimes a motivational book or a comic, but the one thing that I have been consistently read is MAGAZINE.

I remembered borrowing my bro's "Teenage" and "Teens" and admiring the pretty "big sisters and brothers" when I was in primary school. I was pretty sure I was simply looking at the pictures and not paying much attention to the contents. I knew most of the models' names as I would view over and over again!

In secondary school, I had a friend who waz crazy over Leon Lai and would buy any magazine that has his photos in it, no matter how small. I was then reading lots of entertainment magazines. I am constantly updated about entertainment news.
Of course, I was then officially reading Teens and Teenagers and they were usually borrowed issues since I didn't have too much spare cash.
Dearie was then into CLEO and would buy it monthly. He literally stacked the magazines month by month - coz he loves the pretty faces of the cover gals! And his favourite was this Jan Cover Gal called Madison ! That edition was always on top of the pile.

I then went on to GO, CLEO, FEMALE, HER WORLD. A lot of time , the magazines were read when I was at the hair salon! It remains so, even for now.

Recent fav - Style Wedding! Love all the pretty gowns, decors, flowers and all things pretty in there. There is really nothing spectacular to read and you are probably paying more for the adverts than anything else (S$8.50). But...

Browsing through the magazine helps put me in "fantasy land" ... though the wedding is still some time away from now, it is satisfying (for the soul) to discuss the possibilities, likes and dislikes with Dearie as we sip tea and go through the magazine regularly.
We know now what we are both looking for and we agree that we will not allow cheesy photos such as foreign customes, "hugging teddy bears", acting cute...

Jasmine and I always remind ourselves to stop the other party should there be a day when either of us attempt to take ROM photos at the "LOVE"outside Park Mall's glass house! She also mentioned the other "no-no"- the ever popular "water-fall" outside Millenia Tower! Teck sees wedding couples there every few days...Haha. Hmm... and never use Shania Twain's "From this moment" for march-in... over-rated and the song is actually written for a sad reason!!!!

Perhaps the next article that the magazine should feature is the "100 nos-nos of a wedding"! I can definitely contribute to that!

Last night I had dinner at 6pm and went straight to bed, till this morning. However, I still feel that I didn't sleep enough...

Had our Sales & Marketing team retreat in Batam over the weekend and as always I was the organiser with another 4 colleagues.

The weekend had definitely helped me know my colleagues more and people tend to bond better in a different environment. Even the atmosphere at work today seem much friendlier and nicer.

The theme for the Retreat was "back to school" and the Yellow Bumble Bee team was dressed to the ocassion! They wore pinaform with their "PE Tee" from WTC all the way to Batam! Complete with water bottles, white shoes, socks, and yellow ribbon! Not to forget their yellow "bumble bee" tee!
The Red team called themselves " ASGS" - "Ang Suanh Girls School"! As for the Blue Team, they were simply known as "Lan Lan" - and their uniform was a blue tie and shower cap!!
Its amazing how creative can they get with only 3 days to prepare. Each team had their cheer, costume, identity...etc.

Being the organiser, I had the priviledge to stay out of the horrible games I planned! Their faces were filled with flour, clothes soaking wet from the pool game and ate oranges in record time during the teambuilding activities. All I need to record scores, took photos and laugh a lot!

Being in Batam, going for a spa treatment is definitely a must! But she somehow didn't hit my lower back's aching point and I have to come back to my personal therapist (Dave) for further treatment . My back has been hurting lots and I am quite sure my high heels, bad postures and long hours at the desk are the contributing factors. I have been doing all I can like wearing pumps sometimes, sitting up straight and all... its still not helping much.

As always... it must be the age thing!!!

Communicated with PH over email today and asked if she would join us for drinks tomorrow. Her usual answer "can't, cos my hubby will call my phone till it burst"! Her husband dislike her going out with her friends... She is expected to be at work, home or hanging out with him and his friends; never with her own friends. What a selfish man! She knows that she is unhappy with such arrangement but she claims that there is nothing she can do about it... Really??? I think instead of her phone, it is herself, who will burst one day!
Is this about her husband, the MCP, man-with-low self esteem and confidence or is this about a woman who does not fight for her own rights? All of the above and more?
I am no feminist but i think everyone deserves their own space and time, the liberty to do what he/she enjoys... To me, she is no different from a bird in a cage...

So much stories about restrictive and possesive partners, abusive and violent spouse - are these a reflection of love. I certainly don't think so.

However, I totally agree that love is blind, so blind that the many can't truly see what their partner is truly like.

Each day , I wake up feeling blessed by God, thankful that He had sent a special man into my life, not just once, but twice. Like what is being said in the movie "Ghost"

"If you want something badly, set it free. If it comes back to you, its yours forever. If it doesn't , its never meant to be yours"

Whenever I remember the above phrase, I always tie it back to my own relationship.
He setted me free, and what we can see now, is only "Forever"....

Love is patient, Love is kind,It does not envy, it does not boast,It is not proud, It is not rude,It is not self-seeking,It is not easily angered,It keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil,but rejoices with the truth.Love always protects, always trusts,always hopes, always perseveres.Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends.

L o v e N e v e r F a i l s.

Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8

With the longer hours spent in office each day, I have learnt to treasure my weekend much more. Each week, I try to cramp as much activities as I can in the 24 hours - good meals, menicure, pedicure, shopping, coffee, friends, family, church, sleep ...etc

As much as I try to maximise my weekend by not sleeping, the body is weak! No matter how hard I try, I still could not resist the temptation to take naps during the day. I consoled myself by thinking that the nap is gonna help me stay up till late for the day but time and again, I was proven wrong. I have difficulty staying up beyond 12am these days!

It has been months since I last went clubbing and I am sure I will start to yawn by the time the clock strikes twleve. I've tried staying up to watch VCDs and DVDs. Tthe sad truth is, no matter how interesting the show is, I would fall asleep half way!

It must be the "age" thing *wink* .

Dearie and I did something different yesterday. We went to Watch a S-League match last evening. It was the top of the table clash between SAF and Tampines Rovers.
Thinking that I may be bored, I was fully equipped with drinks, i-pod and magazine. However, the all remained in my bag.
I was watching the match throughout. For S$5, there were 8 goals to watch! Besides the match, the were the funny Singaporeans who were exercising their vulgarities at the stand! It was really hilarious, listening to the funny languages and abuses coming out from their mouths. There were also the "die-hard" fans who at certain point in time, I wonder if they were really supporting the game/players or is it because they have placed bet - they were cheering the team this minute and then cursing them the next.

Anyhow, it was a great way to spend an evening and oh yes, last night, I just discovered they have a song written for Tampines ! Hahaha...

Been extreamly busy at work, sometimes I wonder what I have accomplished and also, what I haven't...

I ate lots during the week though ...

Mon...It was quite some time since I last had teh and prata at Simpang Bedok and I finally did that on Monday! Took the chance to stay out late as is PH the following day!

Tue... National Day! Hmm... slept a lot and went to Tampines interchange to watch the fire works & tanks! Love it! I think it was about 7 - 8 years ago when Dearie and I last watched live fireworks together (at the Padang during National Day). For the record, the first time I brought him home to meet mum was National Day too - 10 years ago! Went to K-Box with friends and being a non-karaoke fan, the best part about the session was - The Logan Red Date Drink! Hahahaha

Wed... Had a long day at work due to late check-in ... Dearie sat in the mall to wait for me for 2hrs, without complaint! I am constantly amazed by his patience.
Wanted to eat tradational Beef Noodle at Purvis St but the stall was closed when we arrived. We took a walk and ended up eating beef noodle in Lai Lai Taiwanese Restaurant instead. Used to walk all the way from Diners office to the restaurant for their set lunch as the food was economical and good but that day, dinner was disappointing ... whats worse was the bubble tea! Tasteless.

Thu...Had steamboat dinner at Lai Lai Steamboat (Happy Pay) yesterday and although the food wasn't fantastic, the company was great! Jason, Karen, Jimbo, Dearie and me.. had a 2 hrs dinner talking about holiday & wedding plans.

Fri... enough of feasting. Had a low key dinner at Qi Ji. Mee Rebus for me and Nasi Lemak for him. Not to forget our fav. popiah. Ended the meal with a papa roti!

Besides the feasting, lots of work done during the week too.
I have sent countless emails and made many phone calls , prepared and sent proposals, entertained...and I will continue to do these and more in less than 8 hrs time. Time to go to bed. *yawn*

My niece has been staying with us since she was 3 years old and she is already 10 this year.. In one way or another, I think I have become her guardian.

I know she has looked up to me as a role model. If I tie my hair in a pony tail, she will too, if I were to tie my hair in another style, she will follow also. When shopping, she likes my recommendation of clothes and shoes and she likes to use my stuff. However, she didn't take after my character. In fact, she is the exact opposite. Whats worse? The older she grows, the more trouble she gets into.

Today, for the second time within a week, she promised to come back at a certain time and then, didn't show up! Her constant lying, answering back and excuses are also making me worried.

I am sure the environment that one grew up in moulds him / her ... but I also wonder if characters are in-born too...or prabably, its in the genes? Her parents are both short tempered, impatient and self centred... I am seeing these in her already. Sometimes, I am fearful of what she will become in future.

Most of the time, I attribute her behaviour to the lack of love and attention from her parents. Sometimes, I feel guilty too - for not spending enough time with her.
When she wants to talk, I am either too busy with my stuff or simply, not in the mood.

I am amazed how Dave has all the energy and patience to talk to her. He is always ready to keep her entertained, though she is talking rubbish. That is also the reason why she grew so attached to him in a short while. He bothers to communicate with her.

As always, I 've learnt lessons from these.

And most definitely, I've learnt from Dave - I respect him for the ways he deal with kids and his patience. I will strive to do better.

4 months into my new job and I am still learning. So many protocols, different forms for different purposes and so many things to take care of! Not that it was any simplier in my ex- company but I think its a matter of getting used to. (new system and new standards)

There is little surprises at work everyday and I have learnt something new each day.

For many of you whom I have not updated - here is the news! Finally, after 5 years, I have left Diners and joint a hotel.

It feels good to be freed from the responsibilities that I used to have when I was in Diners, yet, I missed those days when I have everything at my fingertips.
It was not easy having a boss who don't care much and provided little direction and its a bit tougher now that I have "kang cheong" bosses.
Sometimes I thought everyone was a little too casually dressed at Diners but now, I wished that I don't have to be in my suit, stockings, court shoes and make-up all the time!
Yeah, human are never satisfied.

And of course, I do miss my travelling days and discounted travel deals but I was the willing party who gave these all up in serach of new possibilities and learnings. No regrets.

As always, I believe in putting my best in whatever I do and I am filled with enthusiam in making the best out of job. This will remain true till I have another "role" to fill and when this "role" comes along, I am willing to give it all up ... MOTHERHOOD! Hahahahaha....

Its been 4 months since I last had a Saturday off and that means, its the first time I slept till 12noon for the last 4 months too! Felt really good!
First thing first...cleaned up the messy bedroom of mine.

The whole room was in a mess as we never find time to clean it (ever since Dearie moved in)!! We were either out having dinner / supper or simply too lazy to do anything.
The funny thing about Dave is that he can't even bear to see me lift up something! He was happily surfing the net and when I brought in the broom, he panic! Quickly got up from his seat and started helping around. Thats basically Dave.

I remembered when we were in Brighton, he "grumbled" so much about my dirty clothes...then went on to do the laundry and hang the clothes. Even refused to let me help with the hanging cos he said its too heavy for me! He will then nag about why his "Missus"didn't make him a hot drink and is lazing away and then return back to the room with 2 cups of hot tea! He would ask me to wash the dishes after dinner but while I am watching the TV, he would have washed and put everything away too.

We are not the tidiest person to live with but when its time to get down to do some cleaning, I think we did a good job today ! =)

Just came back from work, entertaining guest from overseas. Dinner was good on the 70th Floor , the company was surprisingly, very good too.

During dinner, my client and I spoke about "Why work so hard?"

I will always remember what a priest once said during homily "if you die suddenly, your company may miss you. Perhaps for a few days or weeks, but your position will be quickly replaced by another person. Those who will miss you dearly are you family members and friends..." How true!
Whenever I think that I am spending too much time at work, I'll remind myself of the above.

I know, staying late at work is about completing the tasks, the passion, the sense of responsibility... but I think I'll rather be more passionate and responsible towards my love ones.

These days, I find myself dropping my work and hurrying off to meet my Dearie Chew or head home to have a meal and watch TV with my family. My aunt once told me that "you will never finish your work an they will continue to come!". Words of wisdom - these words inspire me to leave office early though I have one pile of enquiries to attend to.

People have told me I looked like a career-minded person, an achiever and a go-getter. To be honest, I am far from that . I seek no fame nor glory at work and I have always considered myself fortunate to have come this far. I've count myself blessed - to be have worked for bosses who thought highly of me and gave me the opportunities to grow and excel.

However, my ultimate plan and wish has nothing to do with work. My job is merely for survival.

At the end of this jouney, I do not want to be known as a person who had worked hard for money or for authority but I would love to be known as a person who was loved (by my family and friends), who showed love (to everyone) , and had loved.