THE Christmas bugs bites...

Been in and out of office this week to clear the work that's piling up. And to provide my poor colleagues some form of relief before I get back to work proper after my M.C. And in the midst of all the Christmas promos, Christmas decor, Christmas creatives at work... The bug bites!!!!!

Day 13... Friends!!

Gracie, Elaine, Eileen, Trish and Mel came over to my place to visit me today. And in a cute and cosy way, they all bought their own dinner, to have dinner with me at home!

We all hardly get to meet up 'impromptu-ly' these days with each of our busy lives, and so I really appreciate the effort and the time...

A pity I forgot to take pics! =( But I guess there's always another time! Trish brought mebright cheerie colorful flowers though... and here they are!!

My lousy camera phone doesn't do the colors justice!

And then, Hippie got a little sad when Trish kept calling him 'Fibroid'!!! Cuz she claims that he is of the same color as my fibroid when I showed them the pics...


But he cheered up, with Polar Puff rolls for treat!


Once again, I feel so blessed!


P.S. Dan, thanks for the thought too! I know you and Yilin love me too but can't be here! Appreciate it!! =D

Day 9... More treats!

Mummy decided to be a little more adventurous with my (our) lunch today. She made one of my favourite dish, 'Mui Fan' (rice with seafood gravy & egg), but without all the delicious seafood & egg. In place of the yummies, she added fish balls and sliced fish. Apparently, I'm not supposed to eat egg, or too much of it...

It's actually a rather healthy dish because there is always a generous serving of veg, cooked till soft, with the gravy. The dish is cooked in such a manner that all the nutrients is supposed to be in the gravy... hmmm...


Gracie and Kar dropped by today... and Grace brought me home boiled fish soup! =D She was just sharing with us the story of how anxious and excited she got about doing marketing, and boiling of the soup that Kel got a little envious! Envious he was, because he claimed that she has never used the same amount of zest when cooking for him! Haha...

And while they were here, a delivery man brought me bright, cheery looking gerberras, fish essence and a Hippo! And guess what? They were sent with love from Gracie, Kar, Mel, Eileen & Elaine! It was a pleasant surprise, though they shouldn't have gone to the expense! =)

See the little Hippie they sent me for company? =D

I love yellow flowers! They brighten up any place and they are surely cheerful looking! =) Thanks dears! I can't help but be reminded day after day, with God's grace, of my blessings and the love that is around me...

P.S. Aunty Jenny made me a healthy 'appetiser' as well, to whet my appetite. Stuffed tomatoes! So healthy and full of Vit. C! =D

Day 8... A day of treats!

Lunch was SCRUMPTOUS today!! Told mum that I still feel something soupy, and I think she feels that I'm ready for something a little more complicated, yet healthy!

One of my favourite kinda soup!

Other than this, I received another surprise today, which made my day! One which was couriered to my doorstep!

Piping hot Don-Pie!

This treat came from Trish! Apparently she saw my gripe on facebook about how I can't eat Don Chicken Pie and she sent me one today! AND the good news is, it's been a week, so I'm supposed to be able to eat this NOW!! Hur hur hur...

The 'Flower' that came with the Pie... Hee...

I'm constantly counting my blessings for the loved ones around me. I supposed we may not be in touch all the time, but the best part about any good relationship, is to know that they are always around, in spirit, if not in person. I truly appreciate all these thoughts, the messages I receive on my phone, on facebook, on e-mails, the visits, the little surprise treats... I love all you guys too, you know! =D

P.S. Removed the dressing for the other 3 Op Wounds. I can't really tell if they look good or bad yet, because they are still encrusted in dried blood... (Cause the dressing's waterproof)... Ok... not trying to be gross here... But I think it's not too bad... The holes are smaller than a 5-cent coin and from what I understand, there's no stitches. They used some dressing strip with silicon to bond the wound... Hrmm...

Of pride and achievements...

A short while back, a very dear friend sent me a message over gmail chat, sharing with me a plan of hers...

She wanted to bake one dessert a day, for 30 days, to celebrate her entering the big '3' stage of her life. At the same time, she would blog about her baking experience. She asked me what my favorite dessert was, and I told her 'Apple Crumble'... I love apple crumble for various reasons...

And she did it! She dedicated one of her entries to me and apple crumble... and it really was touching...

A friend for more than 10 years, I can't help but feel very very proud of how far she has come. She has polished herself in so many aspects of her life, her different facets, that I can't help but admire her brilliance in her various talents... Writing, Photography, Baking and Cooking.

Bon Vivant

It looks simply delicious...! Thanks babe... for this! =D

P.S. All pictures on her blog 'Bon Vivant' are taken personally by herself! Do take a visit.

Improvisation

Lately, I've been pretty particular about buying comfy shoes. I realized I have a horrible habit of not wearing shoes that I buy again if they give me blisters / or bite me at certain areas.

Afterall, we've only got one pair for feet for the rest of our lives and we better treat them well!

I've also learn various ways to keep my shoes comfy, including:

1. Wearing toe socks with cushioning at the ball of my feet so that my toes are protected against blisters causing friction and the ball of my feet will not hurt so much if I have to walk around / stand alot.

2. Using this product known as 'Foot Glide' which is almost as good as 'waxing' your feet, instead of your shoes so that there is less friction.

3. Applying body lotion to the inside areas of new shoes and leave them on overnight, so as to soften the shoe.

4. Adding another layer of inside sole to soften the base of the shoe, or added cushioning to 'crucial' areas.

5. And lately, I started using 'Gel insoles' which are the greatest things for feet ever! There are 2 types of gel insoles. One type which is 'harder' and the other type which is 'softer'. Recently I bought these from Royal Sporting House, and it costs S$9.90 for 2 pairs! Much cheaper then the likes of foot petal etc.

I've happily added one pair to my Asics running shoes to give me an added Oomph and bounce when I run, and to this pair of flats which I use for driving and walking.

I'm loving it! =D

Shanghai!

I love Shanghai!

Or rather I loved the recent trip that I took there...

I love how the old fuses with the new... the fusion of architecture from different eras, different cultures. The french influence on some places and buildings from days of French concession.

I like how things are reasonably affordable by Singapore standards and how I feel so at home there.

I can't imagine how working there is like, because of the language barrier, but I can imagine that I would want to pay a visit there again someday! =)

The food's there very yummy!

Some random shots....

Babies Galore!

It must be a boom time again!!!

Lately I've heard of so many mummies to-be! There's ER, TC, GW, CL, CA, Jes, Miki! So many!!!

I guess that's just part and parcel of life... Babies do come after marriage!

So cute!! =)

A Proposal and blessings a plenty...

He did it... despite me mentioning numerous times that I don't require A Proposal...

In his usual ultra sweet manner, the proposal was thoughtful yet not too elaborate, simple yet close to my heart...

Hotel staying has always been part and parcel of our relationship. It's a treat that we give ourselves once in a while since we established a more secure state of financial independence. To date, we've stayed in Oriental, Amara, Pan Pacific and Somerset at Cairnhill. Out of the 4 stays that we have had in our 9 years together, he always takes the initiative to make plans and with each stay, some little element of surprise.

We have been talking about planning one for this year, some time close to his birthday in June. However, what I thought was yet another simple hotel stay, turned out to be one of the biggest event in our lives... =)

An event that took weeks of planning from his side, while I was mostly kept in the dark.

I kinda knew where this was headed, when he asked for me to be blindfolded, while he drove to the hotel. When he was parked, I made a fuss about a million other people seeing me in that state and requested for the blind fold to be removed.

'Do you trust me?' was all he had to remind me, and what could I say? To a guy whom I love dearly?

I played along... and I let him lead me into the hotel lobby, while protesting that there must be one million other people looking at me. All the time, he was just calmly assuring me that the lobby was empty and the lift was right beside the reception table, beside the entrance.


He brought me all the way to the hotel room, and with blind faith, I followed his instructions and his reassuring voice for every step that brought me closer to our room.

Before we entered the room, he asked me to think of things that I don't like about him. I thought hard and long, and I realised that the issues that I used to have about him, are no longer as important as I used to think they were. My mind was churning but I really couldn't bring up anything about him that I disliked, simply because I know that he's been trying and putting in an effort to better himself.

As we entered the room, I strained my ears to listen out to the ambience and I couldn't pick up anything unusual, than a really quiet room.

He brought me to a sofa, and I felt him move around a little before he knelt down before me and held my hands. At that point, I knew it was THE moment. He asked and I said "Yes'...

I removed my blindfold, he proposed with the ring that we both picked out in 2004... It has been waiting for 5 years... =) Somehow everything was a blur as I started tearing, saying at the same time that 'I already told you I don't need a proposal...'

That was when he said,




I looked around in shock to see closet doors sliding open, toilet doors opening and my dear dear friends of 18 years rushing out with party poppers, heart shaped balloons and cameras taking pictures none stop.

My tears couldn't stop flowing as I hugged each of them tight and close... with my heart overflowing with emotions and happiness...

And if it wasn't enough, I had another surprise during dinner when he invited another group of friends who are as close to me as family, for an engagement dinner celebration.

And so on the 27th of June 2009, in New Majestic Hotel, in a room decorated by emerging local artiste also named as 'Lee Meiling', we got engaged 'officially'.

I can't help but keep counting my blessings, for the blessings that I have from my friends I love dearly, for all their efforts and well wishes and their participation in such a dear part of my life, my memory.

Most importantly, the blessing of having a guy who understands me so thoroughly in more than one way, and of an unfailing, unfaltering love that I often think I'm not worthy of.

Thank you Baby, for everything. It's not the bubbling champagne, or the foie gras and cod fish, it's not the luxurious hotel stay, neither is it the flowers or diamonds... It's these memories, and happiness in its most simple and sincere form... thank you for loving me so selflessly... I love you too.

P.S. These are little notes that I just had to keep - In response to my note of thanks to them:

Charm - "Yey!!!!!!! Congrats :) its about time! Very happy for u both.. Have a fantastic night ya."

RT - "U're most welcome my dear frens, yes both of u included. I'm personally touched tat the two parted and patched and i can feel that your love for each other now is much stronger than before separation. Keep it up and God Bless. ;)"

RL - "Heehee... Wish we cud make it more memorable 4 both ya! Bery honored & happy 2 be part of the whole proposal event. Congrats, wishin both eternal happiness! :-*"

Wil - "Our pleasure pls :) we feel family!"

Mel - "It was totally our pleasure to be invited by Robert to share in yr joy!!! You and robert are a very dear part of our lives. I hope u guys had a memorable engagement. See u tmrrw night!"

P.S. Just to add so that the event is complete, I found out very much later on that Rob actually bought 4 chocolate cakes and he made his rounds to seek blessings from my parents, my cousin and 2 of my aunties for his proposal plan! I was just... speechless... :'')

It's GSS again...

Which explains my hiatus over here! Been rather busy and tired, plus working weekends during this pain in the *ss month! Lol...

But there's been so much sales going on everywhere and people flocking down to these sales that it makes me wonder - WHAT RECESSION?

On a separate note, my Flip and Tumble have arrived and I am LOVING it! The size is right for shopping and the single strap is really handy for slinging on the shoulder, together with my handbag! =)

Even though I ended up paying alot more because I shipped in from the U.S. and the shipping itself added a substantial amount to each bag in terms of $, I still think it's worth it!

Been using it to store my buys when I go out shopping and I have received a couple of positive comments and thanks from shop owners on helping them to save cost! Lol... But in the long run, I really think it's a better option.

I'm loving it so much that I'm contemplating purchasing it bulk to possibly dishing it out to friends as Christmas presents. *hrrmm... food for thought... Hee...*

The Melting Pot...

Do a search on Google and you can find thousands and millions of articles on the net, depicting the seriousness and the dire effects of Global Warming... Just like the basic food chain cycle that we learnt when we were back in Primary school, one has to realize that our actions, our way of life in every aspect, has a part to place in Global Warming...

From chemical wastes, to deforestation, excessive hunting, urbanization, to all kinda of pollution - they are hurting Mother Earth and it's inhabitants. Not just Humans...


From the recent incidents of freak climate changes that we have been hearing about for the last couple of years, and the peak temperatures that we are getting in Singapore (I don't remember Singapore being as warm as this when I was younger), only goes to emphasize the seriousness of this issue.

I was mighty pleased yesterday when I was out in town. Surprisingly, 2 out of 10 ladies that I noticed shopping, had their handbags AND a recyclable bag of sort... It was encouraging and I can't help but think that there are many out there who is putting in effort to play their part, no matter how small, to incorporate means of recycling in their lives.

It makes me determined to do the same... ... ...

And as a further motivation, I decided to purchase a nice recyclable bag that I would LOVE to use all the time... Hahhahaahahah! (Makes me wonder if this is a lame excuse for retail therapy... but HEY! Global warming is for real...!) They are fun and convenient as most of them comes 'squeezed' in a small package that is handy for most women handbags.

I did some research on the net and I found many varieties that I would simply love to get! =) Here goes the list:

1. Baggu - They look so handy and have so many different colors and some variation of sizes that I'm so tempted to buy every color available!

Price range starts from USD $8.00

2. Reisenthel - Looks quite handy as they can be slung over the shoulder with their strap, which I've always felt will be easier to manage, than 2 straps. But this may limit the size of the objects that you might want to place in the bag.

Price range starts from USD $8.99

3. Envirosax - I love their trendy colors and designs of many variations. Plus point, I've personally seen these being sold at Metro. Only problem is that I find them a tad too flimsy. But they sure are highly portable.

Price range starts from USD $8.50

4. ChicoBag - They have pretty handy styles that range from shoulder hung to hand held types.

Price range starts from USD $8.00

5. Flip and Tumble - Last but not least, I fell in love with the concept of these bags! Check it out....

Price range starts from USD $9 (depending on quantity)

I've not seen these being sold in Singapore and so I've placed order for these over the net! Looking forward to their arrival! =)

Lumix LX 3!

I bought it...

I said bye bye to my vouchers and bought it!

*Yippee....*

Played around with it for a short while yesterday night and took some random shots. Still pretty much unfamiliar with the features but took a shot in 'auto-mode' and I'm loving it already! =D

Spurrrrrrrrrrrr...

I bought this within 24 hours from the moment I laid eyes on it! =P

*Note: I did walk away, gave it alot of thought, did some researching on the market price, before sealing the deal... *tee-hee...

I LURRRRRRRRRRVE it! =)

Free parking!

Free parking starts today! Yippee...

As one of the perks for charging expenses to CapitaLand Card, I've earned myself free parking and privileged parking at all CapitaLand Malls!! 3 hours per mall per day!

Though I don't own a car, I've registered Rob's family car for this privilege. At least we'll get to use it! =)