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A Restful and Interesting Vacation to Kick-Start the Year of Dragon

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We started a restful and unexpectedly interesting vacation before kick-starting the year of Dragon.

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When we booked the room, we knew what we were getting ourselves into, we just didn’t expect a series of pleasant encounters and experiences while staying in a small and somewhat private compound of 4 independent traditional Thai houses.

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We’ve been needing a well rested vacation, to catch up with reading, and just physical and mental rest. Apart from achieving that objective during this vacation, we have enjoyed great company during our stay – from the exceptional hosts (young Chinese couple who speaks considerably good English and fluent Mandarin), and the 3 house-kittens and occasional visits of other cats from the neighbors.

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Bonus and lessons:
1. Our Mandarin ought to be improved; half the time, we paused in between sentences and tried to figure out the appropriate Chinese words to express our thoughts, while communicating with the hosts.
2. We have traveled to Thailand countless of times now, it’s a shame that we hardly knew the history, or culture of the Thai. From this couple, we learnt a tad more about Thai living, and also took an inside perspective into the Chinese culture.

By learning, we may then hope to understand the behaviors and attitudes of people from all over the world, and all walks of life.

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New Arrangement for New Year!

New Year, New Look - Home

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!

Time Flipping By | Crazy Rush Before Vacation

Flip Clock Obsession Episode 2

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.

Ikea shopping always ends up badly on the wallet

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.

Drawer system for the Pony

Stationery drawer system for the Pony to tug under the work desk.

Love Ikea, it helps relieve a tad bit of guilt of overeating, but sweating out for a bit.

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.

Happy New Year to me!

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. :D

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.

Flip Clock Obsession Episode 2

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.

Good Lunch to Untangle the Year End Messes

Lunch - Home-cooked Mee Siam

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.

Lunch - Home-cooked Mee Siam

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.