Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you had a spectacular start to 2013. I did, although I wished our son was a little more generous in letting me snooze in & cuddle up with him & the Bo for a bit longer this morning…but (we all know) it hardly ever turns out that way…no fault of his that he’s waking up as per his just-another-day-usual aye.

So time check: 11.37pm on 1st Jan and here I am diligently making a conscious effort typing in my first of many blog entries in the year to come (hooray – fingers crossed, i know how distracted I can get with resolutions and all…). 1st resolution: checked! Or was that making sure I lay off more dessert calories this year which have already backfired during our soiree at Au Chocolat earlier today.

The cousin posted this on her wall last night during NYE and I couldn’t help but chuckle at my subconscious thoughts of: don’t screw it up. clean slate, girl!

We did have a good first page for the year I dare say. We had some nice family bonding time, me & the Bo + grandma & her grandson, coffee was great, dinner was home cooked and delish, evening entertaining in the form of DVD movie marathon was great (mom even joined us for one of the 2 movies!), the boy’s been inquisitively active all day long but was adorably manageable so that was also great.

A good start so far. To new beginnings!

Obviously the plan (from NYE 2010) to celebrate NYE 2011 in NYC didn’t work out since baby chungkin came into the picture this year (no flight mandate, remember?). Not that we would trade it for anything else.

Hence this new year’s eve was celebrated with mom and bo over a hearty dinner (thank u mom!) & desserts before we welcomed 2012 under a spectacular display of fireworks amongst thousands at Marina Bay Sands! I loved how ‘em 2 angels were also busy protecting b.chungkin from getting squashed/squeezed/hit in the belly from the crowds. :)

Had a wonderful time bonding with them, albeit pockets of exhaustion hitting me in between dinner & fireworks despite an arvo snooze earlier. B.chungkin was a good boy, or so I thought, responding mostly when we ‘communicated’ with him via talking or light pats on the belly. Just wanted to check in to see if he was enjoying himself too, and I could only assume he was, since his mama was having such a ball of a time.

{graze}

{family}

{mushroom soup & accompanying bread was delish}

{mom absolutely loving her appetizer – and oh those prawns!}

{the bo enjoying his lamb, which was very juicy & sweet}

{my order of baby roast chicken which was sweet, tender and not a wee bit dry}

{a lobster-red looking bo, just after a pint of beer}

{before we head out for desserts}

{mommy & me}

 {Marina Bay Sands}

{Just before the countdown to 2012}

{the first of a spectacular display of fireworks to welcome 2012}

Happy 2012!

Here’s wishing you lots more love, joy, laughter, peace, patience, understanding, friendships, relationships, and that your resolutions, ambitions, goals, desires take that one big leap towards being fulfilled. xo.

2011 was mostly amazing.

It started off with a blast of a holiday in Japan where the Bo & I celebrated NYE 2010 and ushered 2011 in Tokyo, immersing ourselves with local activities & culture; followed by our first ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train in Japan) to visit my side of family in Gifu for a lovely home cooked meal on the 1st day of 2011. And the next 3 weeks of 2011 spent in Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido where we got to experienced a lot of wonderful things together such as falling on snow, skiing, building snowman, skinny dipping in hot springs (which really did burnt), savouring local delicacies such as sea urchin and other raw, fresh seafood which I usually won’t attempt to eat.

It was a year of many fabulous firsts for myself –  deciding to take a real break away from work to focus on my personal growth, faith & family planning since starting work some 9 years ago. Re-taking up yoga after a 3-years hiatus & finally deciding to get wee bit serious on photography via personal lessons from a mentor and committing some finances to get some serious camera accessories. Cooking consecutive meals for the Bo which he really enjoyed while mil was away on holidays. And of course, us finally being pregnant with our #1 chungkin which has resulted in making joint decisions for b.chungkin, being blessed with new friendships and strengthening existing relationships. Amazing what big changes a baby’s pending arrival can do.

It was a year of positivity – mustering that courage to see a life coach to get my life/thoughts organized & energy back, daring to believe that July-2011 would be that special month when b.chungkin would happen due to a good feeling which I couldn’t shake off since June-11, acceptance of my choice of unemployment which inadvertently turned a lot of situations for the better, and having that strength to pass on good vibes to pals who really needed a dose of it.

It was a year of personal growth – where I was more willing to let go of hurt, sadness, disgruntlement and be more accepting of changes regardless how big or small. One I could managed anxieties better and learn more about myself as an individual.

It was a year of strengthening relationships – especially with my 3 musketeers (mom, bo & jj); and I’m thankful for your ever ready listening ears, assurances and generosity in anything within your means including your love. Thank you for being such great givers and for being in my life.

The not so amazing bits of 2011? - days when I woke up or slept in tears. Days the bo & I fought verbally which left us both feeling very hurt. Days when I questioned all the personal decisions I made. Days when I didn’t feel like I had any support or anyone I could really pour out to. Days when I felt utterly useless as a person, wife, friend & daughter and all I could do was wallow. Though I’m absolutely thankful (to the Lord) that they did not outweigh the good that happened.

And as I type this entry with the little one throwing me some power punches in the belly as a reminder of the most significant thing that happened in 2011, I know it was an mostly awesome year.

With many making resolutions to start 2010 in less than a day, and others making plans on the best party venue for the countdown on 31 Dec, the husband & I stayed at home till 10pm thinking if we should stay home and have a quiet night to ourselves or make it count before another new year began.

And after 30 minutes, we decided that we could have a quiet night to ourselves on any other day of the year. But to miss out on the 365th day of the year because we were lazy…that was no excuse! So in a beat, we got dressed and headed out to meet some friends for some ROCK-themed countdown down at Robertson Quay.

The vibe was insane, the music was good, the company was pleasant and the drinks were poison. We definitely celebrated 2009 and ushered in 2010 differently from the usual this year, but oh boy – it was one good start. I don’t think we’ve slept at 4am in a long while!

Happy New Year everyone, and I pray that 2010 will be even better and bigger for you.

I love the first day of a new year. For me, its the idea of having a clean slate to start afresh with, the feeling of having seasons and festivals to celebrate all over again, another birthday to be thankful about, and the mark of one’s progression in life. And because of that, I never seem to be grumpy on the 1st of January (no matter how little sleep I got from all the partying on New Year’s Eve). Helps that it being a public holiday means all play and no work too!

This year is a little special because making wishes for the year(s) ahead no longer concerns only me, but my husband too. We’re making bigger plans for the future (all to God’s will) with a bigger dose of faith into the unfamiliar. We hope to pursue our personal legends as well. We’ve also been getting countless requests to introduce a baby into the family soon (haha), but bobo & I will leave that into God’s time.

As for my personal stash of wishes, all I ask is good health for family & friends, contentment & more love to be shared. I’ve been living life at my personal best, with little room for any regrets and I hope to continue this in 2009.

Happy New Year, and may 2009 be fruitful for you too! :)

2008 was nothing short of wonderful.

I got married – one of the biggest & most beautiful moment in my life – to a wonderful, wonderful man.

I became a Mrs. 

I snorkelled for the first time with my husband in Koh Samui (which was a first for both of us too).

I went to Europe for the first time with the husband (and enjoyed ourselves tremendously).

I changed jobs – to something I enjoy a lot more.

I made new friends (and really good ones too).

I received my first Omega timepiece, along with a first Gucci leather, first LV & finally got my hands on the Mulberry Bayswater!!!! (bag whore alert!)

I tailor-made a cheongsam for the first time and have fallen in love with cheongsams (no looking back!)

I experimented with cooking.

I decided to let the hairstylist give me a new hairstyle at her will.

I spent the biggest sum on a person (on the husband) in ways I usually wouldn’t.

I picked up some new skills.

I learnt many valuable lessons.

I grew closer to mummy.

….and plenty plenty more to be thankful about.

And as I mature, I realize that there are absolutely endless things to be thankful about. God’s love and good health, happiness, family, friendship etc.

Every year in my life has been an eventful one – each leading to an even more significant year.

2008 carried a lot of significance to me because it was a HUGE step into the next phase of my life in every way possible. It provided me with a lot of hope, appreciation, understanding into God’s grand plan for me. And with faith, I believe that 2009 will be a smashing one too!