Outdoor Saturday

Had a hard time thinking where to go, every weekend. Unlike in the past, it was so simple. Breakfast at Joo Chiat and with food bought specially for Ma, we would go straight to my mum's place for the weekend...

Brought Gine to Pasir Ris Park. Kids love the huge playground there. Remembered I rented the spacious HDB bungalow there and Pa and Ma simply loved that place, though they were there for a week! Greg and his mummy, sister-in-law and her 2 sons also joined us and the kids had much fun sliding, kicking the ball and playing bubbles! Gine has not met her cousins for quite some time and now, she would start to chase after the boys when they ran towards the playground.

Then we decided to go over to Gallop Stable to take a look. Well, we were not even aware that such a place existed in Singapore. Hubby was excited and immediately went to but a pack of dried hay for the horses (or rather ponies). Maybe he thought the ponies were as hungry as he was...

Luckily, Gine woke up just in time for a pony ride!! Initially Mummy Barney wanted to have a try herself! As far as I could remember, never had an opportunity to ride on a horse. Could remember when I was young, was fighting with Greg's mummy over riding a white horse in Sentosa when suddenly the horse flashed his gritty teeth, both of us decided to let the other party ride the horse...Ha!Ha!

Hubby wearing helmet for Gine

Well, Gine did enjoy her pony ride and even look so professional with her helmet on. Perhaps Mummy should go get her such a helmet so that she can be protected from future falls!!! :p

Gine looking 'blur' after her pony ride.

After the visit to the stable, we head on to Downtown East. Phew! Think my energy level was almost exhausted. The kids were still full of energy and wanted the Kiddy rides. Indeed, a FUN Saturday outdoors which we ended with a sumptuous lunch.

Gine with cousins Gregory and Ryan

When I reached home, Greg's mummy sent me an sms: 'Wanna go for picnic this evening at Bontanical Gardens?" I nearly fainted, and politely suggested having that for next weekend.

Superwoman who makes Wonder?

When we were young, we would always watch Superman cartoons on TV. Superman always come to the rescue when there is any trouble, saving the entire world from any major disasters. Hmm...does Superman really exist in this world? Or rather is any man in this entire world fit to call himself a 'Superman', who can take care of their family and loved ones, while climbing up the corporate ladder?

Well, my definition of 'taking care' is not just providing financial support, paying all utilities bills, bringing back income that is able to support the entire family. Taking care includes doing their part in household chores, (or perhaps we should thank God if they don't mess things up!!), playing their role as 'Daddy', taking care of the kids etc.

Just some thoughts after witnessing many women, including myself, who tried to balance between their career and family, or rather being a Wonder Woman!!

Greg's mummy has to play dual roles whenever her hubby leaves town for overseas trips. Not as fortunate as some other women (who can depend on mothers or mothers-in-law), she has to apply for child sick leave or even annual leave (as child sick leave is so limited)whenever Greg falls sick. Then Barlalee got so stressed up these 2 weeks after her hubby started on a new job, having to send her 2 sons to school and childcare every morning. As for myself, though I have my domestic helper, I prefer to bathe Gine myself, prepare her night feed for her and taking care of Gine at night, all by myself. And my hubby? Well, he is always sound asleep through the night and the moment he steps into the house, will just plonk himself comfortably on the sofa, catching up on news on CNBC etc...

Come to think of it, what multi- roles does man has to play in his life? Well, yes, they definitely need to have a career, and as Daddies, they merely need to play with their kids etc. As sons, they get all the attention from mothers and as sons-in-law, they merely stand-by to complement their wives' roles whenever necessary.

On the other hand, women has so many roles to play. A career woman (employee) who has to perform well at work, a mummy who has to care for her children's needs (and sometimes even the needs of hubby!!), a daughter who has to care for her parents and a daughter-in-law who has to be on her guard and please their mothers-in-law (as mil always complains to her friends that their sons are not well taken care of after marriage).

Sigh...Kudos to all Women in this World!! Guess we are progressing towards being a Wonder Woman and soon Superman will just become obsolete in this world!

Baby? Or Doll?

Gine has this liking for dolls, perhaps cos she is a girl. Well, brought her to Toys 'R' Us and every time, the moment she spots the tiny pram with the doll, she will start pushing the pram round the entire store, till the every moment that she is supposed to depart. Guess she must be imitating Mummy or Daddy, as we pushes her pram. (She simply refuses to sit in her pram recently and insists on walking independently nowadays).

Recently, when we brought her to Toys 'R' Us again, she went around, touching the hands of all the dolls through the tiny little opening of their boxes. Hee, hee, not too sure whether she was comforting them, cos they are just dolls, and not babies like her... :))

Mid-Autumn Festival

It's the time of the year again where you carry lanterns, eat mooncakes and gather together with your family or loved ones. This festival definitely has an important significance for me. Firstly, got together with Hubby 1 week before this festival 11 years ago. We were supposed to attend a Mid-Autumn celebration organised by NUS Buddhist Society but both of us decided to show face at the event, and went off to have our own celebrations at Marina Square instead.

Didn't have any intention to have any celebrations this year. Hubby called me yesterday and told me he has just bot 2 boxes of mooncakes and I was terribly upset. Well, this year is definitely different. Not supposed to have any celebrations since mum just left us. Hubby was not aware and innocently bought the mooncakes. Am still upset with him till now and simply refused to talk to him from last night (the moment he stepped into the house) till now...

Missed the days when Dad and/ or his eldest brother ( Ah Pek) would buy traditional-typed lanterns (with candles) for all the kids (both their grandchildren). Missed the years when we used to have mini-celebrations at my parents' place, with my nephews (since gine was not born then). We would hang lanterns all over my parents' balcony, just like this...

Well, all 3 of them are no longer around to dote on the kids, buying animal-lanterns for them anymore...Sob! Sob!

Vivo Again!

Brought Gine to Vivo again today. (Don't ask me why Vivo again, cos we couldn't think of a better place to go and Hubby just drove his way there). Ha, ha, maybe also cos Mummy Barney is a Vivo Queen!

Well, tried a triplet of hairbands which consists of red, white and black on Gine and blame it on my itchy hands, she refused to let go of the hairbands and in the end, had to pay for them instead..

Then we went on to Page One bookstore. Gine loves books, just like her Daddy (and so unlike Mummy :p). Got hold of various books and just sat down on the floor, right in the middle of the shop, reading them... Hopefully, she does grow up to be a bookworm (with straight aces for her school results) in the future!!! *grin*

Away from Office

Was away from office for a 3-day course on Professional Conference Management Course, organised by SACEOS. (Sounds machiam very professional! Ha! Ha!)

Anyway, class was smaller than the usual, which means they did not have a decent budget for this time round. Unfortunately, we had to end up having our course in a snall meeting room @ Safra Town Club (so stinko cos there is a cafe at the ground floor and they do all cooking indoors).

After the 1st day, we actually requested to have our lunch out of the building. Though not up to our expectations, it was better than nothing! Pity Daryl (the staff from SACEOS) who had to try his best to cater to our all-sorts-of nonsensical requests.

Well, ultimately, it's all about the course and the people whom we met at the course, which matters at the end of the day! At least, I gained a better insight of what the industry is and where it is moving towards to...

Chasing Monday Blues Away

Took half a day off today as Greg's mummy wanted to clear her time-off. Asked me along to watch 881 with her as one of her patients was so overwhelmed by the movie (can you believe it? She was still crying when she came to see Greg's mummy.) So Greg's mummy was curious over this movie and we decided to catch it on a Monday afternoon (Ha! Ha! Only Ah Peks and Grannies will catch movies on weekdays afternoons).

Guess both of us are not from the Ge-tai's generation. Well, only remembered ge-tai was put up at our parents' estate once or twice during our growing-up days (guess they didn't have the budget to enjoy this entertainment every year). For me, was in fact running to various 7th- month locations as part of my job responsibilities previously, interviewing donors, doing research etc. So, was able to relate to the movie more than Greg's mummy, I guess (Of course, I wasn't emotionally touched.)

After movie, had planned to go for pedicure. Greg's mummy backed out at the last minute when she found out that they only had slots to entertain 1 customer. So I decided to go ahead and gosh, guess I made a wrong choice afterall! (Should have gone shopping or to a cafe for some coffee and R&R).

The pedicure shop was located at Marina Square, Level 2. Have always wanted to try the services there as it looks comfy, with the large massage chairs, and impressive. Well, when my pedicure started, realised that the shop was owned by an Indonesian Chinese (Damn! Paying money to make them even richer!). Drinks are served and you are able to watch MVs while doing your pedi.

Supposed to have a promotion package for pedicure @ $36 during weekdays afternoons (Actually, not really cheap lo cos can get cheaper pedi at other shops!). Anyway, as this pedi session was not part of my initial plan, I wore covered shoes. In the end, had to pay extra $10+ for foot massage and another $2 for quick-dry solution.

Anyway, after my pedi was completed and supposed to have already dried, I started my shopping spree. Within seconds, could feel that my pedi has come off as a result of my covered shoes. Sprinted to John Little, which was having a sale, to buy a pair of slogs.

When I went back to the shop so that they can do some touch- up, guess what! The Vietnamese lady who did my pedi, did not bother to use cotton pads to clean up and re-do again but used her fingers to clean off the sides and just painted over my toes.

Well, guess this would be my 1st and last time patronising this shop for pedi services!

Mummy, I like this!

Brought Gine to Vivocity . She definitely has Mummy Barney's genes! See how delighted she was, grabbing a book from the shelves and settling herself comfortably into one of the sofa seats. When Hubby came back with the drinks, within a second, she got hold of my drink (luckily Hubby got a Berry-flavoured ice-blended for me instead!) and see how she enjoyed herself...

Well, Pacific Coffee outlet at Vivo is definitely a good place to hang out and catch up with your friends, or even your family! Lots of comfy sofa seats indoor, and more sofas and swinging benches outdoors. And definitely must mention that it has good 'fengshui' (Ha!Ha!). Just becos it overlooks Sentosa island and you can see the Merlion from here. Free internet kiosks provided, but limited period only. (Well, I definitely did not update my blog from there!)

Managed to catch her in action...Highly potential to have the calibre to hang out at these coffee outlets when she grows up in the future.

City Of Angels - Angel

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it OK
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference, escaping one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

In Memory

Bumped into my ex-colleague 2 weeks ago at Wheelock Place after dinner with hubby. Through our brief conversation, got to know her in law was sick. The very next day when I reached office, I sent her an email, sharing my own experience with the main intention of encouraging her to keep on going.

Did not expect a reply from her but not long after I sent out my email, received a response from her. She was surprised to know what had happened to my mum and even amazed at how I remained bubbly even though my mum has been sick for the past 3 years...

Last Saturday, we had prayers to commemorate mum's 100 days. Eldest sis stood beside me and was weeping through the prayers. Till today, she is still struggling to adjust her lifestyle after our parents left us. Well, at least she was fortunate enough that my parents were around to help her take care of her children, when she gave birth to her 2 sons 10 years ago. Gine and Gregory were not as lucky though...

Then, during the prayers, I was depressed that my parents were no longer with us, that Regine can no longer play with 'gong gong' and 'mama' (I can imagine how my dad will dote on her since she is the only granddaughter in the family), that I can no longer visit them every day after work, that I have no one to turn to when I have my down moments in life. Tears lined my eyes but an inner voice told me not to cry...

Memories of me holding my dad's hand flashed back in my mind. How I worried about his safety before he had his cataract operation (dad can't see at night then but was still driving, sometimes even without someone sitting beside him), how I held his hand and led him in the Vesak Day lights procession in Phor Kark See Temple (dad was so appreciative then and could remember how mum was so proud of me and went around telling all her friends and relatives about this filial daughter of hers. *grin*)...

Came back to office this week and have been trying to find a relevant video that was able to reflect my emotions. Just can't find the right one till yesterday when I came across the City of Angels mv - Angel by Sarah MCLACHLAN.

In my heart, I know that I can no longer hold my dad's hand nor touch him physically. All I wish is that I am in the arms of the ANGEL (my parents), and find some comfort here...

Regine's 1st Online Photo Album

Magazine Cover Beau/ Hunk

Getting to Know Myself Better - My DNA Profile

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Last but not least...

Introducing the latest super-imposer in office..Mdm Barlalee Yoh! Definitely looks better than our pictures cos she engaged the services of professional 'touch-up' artist - Prof Barhenlee Ti Ko Pek.

Time for make-over, BASH Beauties!

Sembawang's Home Funniest Video

Brought Regine to Gogobambini a few Sundays ago and here she is, at her own playscape back at home, underneath our dining table...

Guess she must be bored at home and tried entertaining herself. Catch her facial expression (sticking out her tongue) when she completed her tedious mission of going through the table (while Hubby was having his lunch) and how she keeps her posture low, waddling like a duck, trying to shun from the table.

Oops...ultimately, she still knocked her head against the table and there goes her wailing cries....(of course, Mummy Barney has to stop her video recording and concentrate on pacifying her!!!)