Lunar New Year is only significant to me because it usually coincides with our wedding anniversary; of course, sometimes, Lunar New Year supersedes our anniversary.
We are both self-employed, no doubt we could travel anytime we want; we just need to make necessary work arrangement to fit the schedule. However, Lunar New Year is a good time to travel because it is one of the most celebrated holidays, wherever Chinese are, and we know Chinese are everywhere! It is the time when many companies, local or Multi-national, shut down operation for as short as 2-3 official public holidays to as long as 7-10 days. Many Chinese employees or employees who celebrate Lunar New Year take the opportunity to return home to reunite with their families.
Work activities are slower. It may not necessarily be true for my business, since a higher fraction of my client base are Caucasian nationals.
This year, we switch the rooms between the work room and the bedroom. I am liking the new arrangement and bright color scheme. The white sheets and quilt covers (we have separate quilt, I don’t enjoy sharing blanket or quilt) brightens the room. We saw a ruffled throw while shopping at Ikea, and decide to use it to refurbish the headboard of the board. I like all things washable. That pretty much tells you that I go for fabric sofa over leather sofa. I like to take things apart and wash.
For the ruffled headboard, it’s really just easy peasy tying loose knots by the side. I don’t want to sew anything permanent.
I hope you are having fun preparing for the Lunar New Year, if you are celebrating it; otherwise, just have a great Dragon year ahead!
Since we moved to this apartment some 12 years ago, we do not have analog clock for common use (the mum bought multiple alarm clocks for her own use; those that sounded off in the weirdest hours, or not sound off at all, get my drift?).
I can’t read analog time. In one of the episodes of my obsession, I bought many swatch watches and guess watches, back then, they were the most trendy accessories. I wore them to match the outfits. (The obsession shifted to digital when BabyG came in big, I chose BabyG over Rolex! Now, you should have a better grasp on the term ‘Obsession’.)
Not necessarily the most comfortable accessories. There was a tiny fear when around elderly people, for some reasons, I must looked very approachable to the elderly. There were many occasions when the elderly people asked me about the time when I was wearing the analog watch, I thought I was going to die of panic attack! I couldn’t really read the numberless watch – fine, neither could I read the numbered watch; I couldn’t ask them to read from my watch because they couldn’t see well! Stress level? Maximum!
There were too many stories and screw-ups over analog time reading, so when we moved, we stick to strictly digital.
So, it’s nearing Lunar New Year – falls on 23 Jan in 2012 – and even though I don’t celebrate this holiday (oh well, not entirely true, we kind of celebrate it by running away from it for anniversary holiday!) there is much to do at home.
I was out with friends on Tuesdays, and a good friend, Belinda, said it best that I would maximize the day by packing the day with as much activities as possible. The last time I was out of the apartment was early December, and we didnt’ get to do much for the day.
After the lunch meet-up, the Pony and I headed to Ikea at Tampines. I had not been to that branch, so it was exciting.
I planned to buy new curtains and bed sheets, and definitely wanted to avoid getting new furniture since this apartment is so packed now. Since we are waiting for the new place to be ready, I thought it would be wise to just wear out whatever furniture we are using now, and dump them by the time we are ready to move, that way, we have lesser things to move, and lower the risk of damage while moving.
Anyway, we didn’t get to buy the curtains as our curtain rods are custom-made. We bought bed sheets, drawer systems, mini bolsters, small table lamp for me, trash bin, rug and some other miscellaneous stuffs.
Stationery drawer system for the Pony to tug under the work desk.
4-tiers large drawer systems for my supplies. We would have gotten the 6-tiers as I am needing more storage space (expanding vertically due to space constraint) for all the supplies, but it was out of stock.
The Pony grabbed a desktop board (add-on) so that it doubles as a work table. It’s really useful, I store some packaging materials in the top drawer, so that when I pack orders on the top board, everything I need is within reach. It does make work more efficient.
I have been crazy about flip clock forever. I have searched for a giant flip clock (the vintage type that was commonly used in clinics and hospitals during the 80′s), but to no avail. I am still searching for it, but I am happy to settle for the small ones for now.
The Panda toy belonged to the Pony, but he decides that black & white panda matches my new flip clock perfectly. The Xboy is not very happy about the arrangement, but I don’t really think he has a choice. So, now, they share the same territory.
I bought a stacked stand to replace the old stand (both from Ikea). I like the white color and the more girly floral pattern. I built it 2-tiers with narrower shelve on the top-tier and broader shelve on the base tier.
Apartments in Singapore are shrinking, building storage system vertically is the way to go to free up more floor area.
This is the 2nd flip clock in the same week. We ordered this through Groupon. It took forever to ship, it took frustration to get the incompetent SpeedPost to make sure delivery on the same day after they missed the delivery schedule, but I am glad it arrived.
Love the bare skeleton design of this clock. The concise time reading in black and white – what I read as no-nonsense assertiveness. The simple assembly and joints portray an unmovable sturdiness and confidence.
We will do a bit of spring cleaning before we take off for our anniversary vacation.
From now to the holiday begins, it is just sheer rush.
So, you seriously think I can only crochet and craft? Really?
You are sooooo right about it! The yummilicious Mee Siam is cooked by… (drumrolls) MeMe’s mother, of course! It’s a complicated dish, involving home-made mouth-watering chili paste – same kind taken with Nasi Lemak – and whatever spices to make the gravy.
My eyes have been ‘permanently’ sore and watery due to long hours of working on computer and crochet work.
I am happier yesterday than the day before; and happier today than yesterday.
I have finally booked our lodging for upcoming vacation in Jan – over the Lunar New Year period, and I am quite happy with a 2-storey villa with 2 living rooms, so that the Pony could occupy the large living room on the ground floor which is also exposed to the natural elements; while I could take the well sheltered quaint living room (more like a study room, from the photos I see) that is furnished with a fan, and possibly air-con.
The Pony gives me a bigger budget, but if you have been following this blog, it’s easy to notice that we almost always go for boutique hotel, or 4-star hotel. Our vacation is rarely under 1 week; it’s always 10-15 days. Sometimes we stay in different hotels according to itinerary; we will then decide which location will be booked with better hotels.
Some of you go for short trips, and each trip may be 4 days 3 nights, and even if you were to splurge on regular 5-stars hotel, perhaps it may amount to $900-$1000 – Yeah, I’m not talking about suite or 6-star, know what I mean? – imagine that amount multiply by 4-5 times.
Anyway, I decide to go with this very new resort – yes, I mean VERY new, as in, probably ‘no one stayed there before yet’, that new – because of the spacious area and privacy. I love buffet breakfast, but that is what I always have to trade-off with boutique hotel, which is unique, but smaller in scale too, normally boutique hotel offers continental or American breakfast, but not buffet breakfast – understandable, economy of scale is not achieved due to low head counts – but I really really need (keyword = need) a balcony.
A room without balcony feels repressed and constricted. I don’t want to feel trapped. No, I don’t have Claustrophobia, but the Pony and I work literally everyday – even when holidaying – and there is a need to feel free.
We are traveling to Thailand – a part that we have not been to – and oddly, not many hotels have balcony for rooms!
I am just sorting out the check-in/check-out time with the resort now, and hopefully all things go well. Did I mention they have a kitchen equipped with microwave, fridge, toaster, and even washer! Yes, Washer!!! I would like washer. I haven’t bought any new clothes forever, and if I grab some tees or tops from the local markets, I would prefer to have them washed before wearing. My skin doesn’t do well with unwashed new clothes.
The booking was made last night, so I was happier last night than the night before. I finished 1/4 of another order – consisting of 4 items in the order – today, so I am happier today than yesterday! I take pleasure in simple achievement, everyday.
I hope your weekend have been a great one, and taking it easy preparing for the year end holidays, including the Lunar New Year for 2012 which comes earlier than usual.
I am an extremist. Extremely pessimistic – thinking of the worst; Extremely optimistic – always have a backup plan and self-assuring that things will fall into places – acquired quality, but better acquired than never.
My sister works as a financial services consultant (FSC) – commonly known as insurance agent. She is very sociable and likable. She has friends beyond imaginable context. From the time she started dating, we had changed the land line numerous time due to overwhelming suitors bombarding the phone all day.
Me? Of course I am the completely opposite! I had a more challenging journey. I preferred male platonic friends, because young female friends seem to have expectations that I could never meet. I simply do not understand the unspoken rules, and there are plenty in the circles of girlfriends.
Anyway, my sister offered to introduce guys from her work to me, when I was very single and available. I told her that I will not date FSC or self-employed. I preferred – still do – manageable risks. FSC is commissioned agent, and income can be unstable. I need some form of stability and routine in my life.
What can I say, never say never. What do you know, the Pony is a FSC too!
See, ‘we’ didn’t really begin at the bus-stop; but it is the starting point where the first subtle spark lit up.
It is difficult to pinpoint on how we started. We would have a less interesting day (not entirely boring, since I am a walking dramas-magnet, always) to tell basing on the day that we ‘officiate’ our relationship. Long story short, the boy bought flowers, the girl was super generous in offering the colleague a ride home since they live near to each other, the boy probably hated the idea but didn’t want to decline the girl’s request (That was when the boy was still trying to figure out the girl, not knowing that the girl would be absolutely fine with ‘no’ as an answer). The colleague decided to move a box of stuffs home since there was a car ride home. The boy thought his ‘plot’ was safe with the flowers in the boot, only to be stressed out when he saw the colleague with a box! The girl was very helpful and offered to help with unloading the box into the boot. The boy tried to block her sight from the boot. Thank godness, he didn’t die of heart attack! The rest is history, and I may tell the whole story some day on a separate post.
That day is not remotely the beginning. That day is beginning of a relationship in an official way – and bizarre manner! The beginning is always when this someone stands out from others, when that someone is in your ‘qualifying round’ of consideration as a potential romantic partner. It could be a very subtle gesture, or unbelievably exaggerated one.
I can’t even really tell you if it begins with bus-stop drama; or the exaggerated back-tracked to donkey years drama when the girl grabbed the boy’s hand; or cell phone drama when the boy bought the specific cell phone that the girl was saving up to buy, after he said nonchalantly that he didn’t like the design at all. Say, I have eidetic memory for things that don’t help me make more money! I tend to remember snippets of small stuffs very well, most of them don’t help with income generating or career advancement.
Often, the grime reality of life roughs things up for us. We tend to forget how this marriage/relationship begins. I am a hopeless romantic who harbors impractical dreams of what may become; I am also a highly realistic person who understands the reality of day-to-day basic needs. Like an undying grandfather clock, my ideas swing from the extreme left, to the extreme right. I’d like to think that when the journey ends for me, I will reach the standpoint of stillness known as ‘at balanced peace’.
I am told many times by other brides that they have boring love stories. Perhaps, if we take some time to retrace our footsteps, and try to recall how the first attraction begins, we may remember how the hearts fluttered when that someone passed by; or how unnatural we sounded on the phone or over a dinner when we first dated. All the special moments of uncertainties and reassurances, and the sleepless nights for whatever reasons, when recounted, unveil a unique story line – uniquely yours.
Often, we take things for granted. More than often, we are told by the ‘wise’ people to not look back on the past, as the past hinders the forward motion. I beg to differ. Good or bad, I remember the past, revisit and review. Even if I remember the bad you did, it doesn’t mean condemnation, when you decide to change, the record changes. Knowing your then mistake, and seeing your present improvements, clearly illustrate an important lesson being learnt and cultivating a better person in you.
I am beginning to be convinced that the problem with less sustainable relationships and marriages could be attributed by the current trend of ‘moving forward’ pushy theory. The memories of the past may not necessarily equate to emotional burdens. Many times, they are the answers to repetitive destructive behaviors.
The day at the bus-stop has become a story that we tell over the years. We are married for 4 years, turning 5 years in coming February.
‘Success’ is an inappropriate term to tag on relationship, marriage, or even life. Success is suitable to be used on measurable achievements such as career accomplishments, academic achievements etc.
How do we measure success in marriage? Years staying married with the same person? Come on, really? I have seen many married couples of earlier generations, they are married to each other for the longest time, yet it doesn’t warrant a happy or enjoyable marriage.
It is like quality of living vs cost of living. Cost of living doesn’t necessarily promise a good quality of living.
I don’t aspire to attain success in our marriage. I work towards maintaining an enjoyable and happy marriage – exactly what we have set out to do when we get together. I fail to comprehend why it should be any different once a dating couple becomes married couple. more »
It’s Monday, a horrendously noisy one, to be exact. It’s also a new Monday after a very long week.
The new Monday retires with quite a decent plate of noodles that I made for the Pony and MeMe. (I’ve got a new nick – MeMe, a cute nick given by a dear friend, Belinda) With my new nick, which grows on me by leaps and bounds, maybe I should give the Pony a new nick too? PePe? Never mind, it’s awful.
I don’t really cook. I cook instant food, mostly. I add too much vegetables and crack an egg to the soup. If making dry noodles – from the packet, of course – which is boiled, and mixed with seasoning, I would fry an egg and stir fry mixed vegetables with prawns.
I only use olive oil, and I find it less greasy on lips, and easier to wash up. It may not be correct, but I do find other cooking oil more greasy and ‘glued’ to the pan and everything else that come in touch.
Earlier last week, I ordered a ‘Kitchen Trolley’ – which is really quite an overstated description. It is more a storage unit with rollers. Maybe I have a very different definition for ‘trolley’.
The old one was made of compressed wood, so overtime, the wood compound becomes less ‘compressed’ and started to ‘break down’ into powdery substances.
The Pony and I have been incredibly busy with work. I am hardly out of the apartment; he has too many places to go in a day. The nagging thought that the kitchen storage unit is slowly but surely breaking apart, is eating into me slowly and surely too! I am uncomfortable with unsteadiness. I don’t like emergency of any form, and would always avoid causing one. I would not like to be in the position when the cabinet finally breaks completely and mum becomes ballistic about it, and everything is in chaotic mess, and I would be upset that it is completely avoidable if we had replaced it sooner. See, I am a veteran in consequential thinking. If you have lived a life with crazy angry people for all your life, you would develop some mean but awesome survival skills too.
To solve this problem, I went to my favorite shopping ‘outlet’ – online shopping. I hate crowd, always. I hate queue, always. Yes, hate is the right word to use, it is an intense discomfort when in either of the situation. Online shopping is perfect!
I found something quite suitable, showed mum the unit on iPad. Everyone didn’t seem to have a problem with it, and I ordered the next day.
It was a long day of waiting, and I expected delivery to be made during the time frame that was promised. Any changes to anything must be communicated with me prior. The unit was supposed to arrive latest by 2pm, it arrived past 8pm.
Mum was hoping for a larger unit. I am rigid, I replace the old unit with a new one with similar measurement. Mum has to be explicit about a new requirement, otherwise, it’s bread and butter everyday, just saying.
Before we knew it, weekend arrived! What do I do for work, you ask? Design and crochet toys. What do I do for leisure, you ask? Crochet toys and crochet even more stuffs!
I have a mundane lifestyle. Mundanity is perfect. I am happy this way.
So, my work life and leisure life involve sitting down, crochet, sitting down, work on my e-commerce shop, sitting down, social networking, sitting down, sketching, sitting down, for everything else. The real walking is within the small apartment space.
I have degenerative disc, so sitting too much and lack of proper back muscle-toning exercises weaken the support for my back. Every time I get up from the sitting position, I couldn’t stand or walk upright. I walk with my back bent, until it’s adjusted to the standing position, and I resume to walk like a normal person.
Oh well, I am beginning to be convinced that if I continue to work this crazy for prolonged period, I may need a walking aid prematurely. Things should change by next year though.
On Friday, a contractor came by the door and passed me a notice of ‘noises’ caused by renovation works, said to be on Saturday. I thought it was really a nice gesture to ready the possibly affected residents.
I braced myself with the ear-plugs! Saturday came, I was anticipating ‘drives me nuts’ drilling noise. It was quite tolerable, in fact, the passing MRT train was much louder than the ‘sound’ produced by the renovation work upstairs.
I didn’t sleep well over the weekend. I watched ‘Harper’s Island’ before sleep and this show always disrupts my sleep. I googled for the spoiler to find out who the killer is, only to try to test if my inability to sleep normally is caused by either the violent visual impressions, or the suspense of not knowing.
It turns out, it is more likely that the process of suspense provokes and excites my brain activity, causing hyperactivity in mind works, probably trying to connect all the missing points in the show, in spite of the fact that I already solved the mystery.
I really could use some peace today.
By 9:30am, the ‘kill me now’ drilling noise caused by the renovation works began. It lasted till past 4pm. I had the ear-plugs on for most of the time. It wasn’t comfortable wearing the ear-plug over prolonged period. I am amazed that I managed to finish the order, ahead of schedule.
It was so annoying that I made a crappy video showing the plush meow all shaken up by the noise, resulting in treatment for concussion. I have never edited a video before. The good thing that comes out of this crazy Monday is that using iMovie to edit the video is easy peasy, no sweat! I made and edited the video under 10 minutes. I’d probably took 2-4 minutes to familiarize myself with the application and layout, but hands-on learning is quite straight forward.
Now, I sure hope the worst is over, and that tomorrow is a fresh day. Small knocks here and there are fine.
I have a good feeling that when we have our own place, which probably hasn’t start on the construction work, I would have more time and space to do some workout on the treadmill at home. I am not big on going outside for exercise, Singapore is too hot to even walk openness!
