2 + 1

FINALLY!!!

I can proudly announce the year's greatest news!!!!

If the fact that both hubby and I have gotten our PhDs this year is ranked second, then the first would undoubtedly be that.....

I AM EXPECTING!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you look at the baby ticker on the right, you would realise that baby is already about 3 months plus old now. Yup, I've been keeping this little secret for the past 3 months and reckon it would be best to announce only after the 1st trimester is over.

And I had such a hard time keeping the secret!

The first few weeks after knowing, all I wanted to do was to really shout out from the top of the building that I'm going to be a mother soon! Steve had to pinch me a couple of times on the arm to hush me up whenever we meet friends and I just have the strong urge to announce the good news. I really can't help it you see :)

Now that the three of us have survived that all important first trimester, I am all out to showoff our newly gained status, and figure.

Very happy right!!!

Let me share some bites about the times when we first knew about the pregnancy. It all came as quite a surprise because the ovulation kit had failed us, and we really didn't expect the conceiving at all. When we found out and did a calculation, we realised that I had already been carrying baby when I was in Edinburgh for my viva. That means, baby was in the examination room with me and of course, ran that mad sprint with me in Heathrow. Isn't that quite amazing to think of? Steve kept remarking that baby's a champion and I agree with both hands and legs.

The 1st trimester was hard to bear. I was tired and breathless most of the time, my blood pressure was an all-time low. The morning sickness was terrible that I can't bear to eat for most of the day, which explains a little weight-loss (what a time it came). The occasional cramps was bearable but worrying and thus tiring. All in all, I was a useless big lump of flesh most of the time, not fulfilling the household chores yet spending the days watching TV and spending time my niece and nephew.

But all this while, Steve never had a word of complaint. He was supportive, encouraging and always loving and always understanding. Many times he would suggest to bring me out for shopping or just to get out of the house for some fresh air but I would either always express disinterest, or become totally breathless while we're out that he has to drive us home straightaway.

Sometimes I think to myself: Is it not a good time to have a baby now, considering that I'm not contributing any income and it all lies upon Steve now to support the three of us?

And usually when I have these thoughts, I would cry and express my guilt to Steve.

But Steve would always tell me to just do my part as a mummy, because that's as good as helping him support the three of us.

I tell baby during our baby talk that Daddy is going to be the greatest Daddy ever, and I'm sure baby will know :)

Now, my appetite's increasing, the bump's beginning to show slowly but surely, and I never thought I would get to say this, but I'm a C-cup now. Incredible right?!

Ok, I think I should resume blogging regularly so that baby's journal is consistent.

Oh oh!! And baby's due date is actually coinciding with my birthday! Well not exactly, but baby will come a day later. The 8th of June that is. But this kind of things very difficult to say for sure. I just know that my birthday present for 2008 has come alot earlier than expected and it is going to be the best gift, ever.

Kids

Mama and Dada

Memory Lapses

I think I have been forgotten, or rather I have quite, quite forgotten what's happened to myself for the past 2 months or so.

It's not as if I have been so busy with work that I couldn't afford the time to blog. In fact, I have all the time in the world to do so.

But if you ask me what have I done with all this time? I can only tell you:

I don't know.

Yet, it has been a very eventful October/November for me. But then again, it was so tranquil and lethargic that I'm convinced that I've become an absolute waste of space.

Anyway, recently, only recently, I went up to Facebook for a browse.

What I don't understand is:
Just what is its difference with Friendster???

I've received many invitations to go on Facebook but to date, I have yet to start an account myself.

The reason: Because I'm already on Friendster.

Perhaps the difference is really just a generation thing. Or maybe the true reason is, Facebook is a much more grown-up, mature revamp of Friendster, which to many is a version for kids.

To me, they are just platforms to showcase a way of life.

To friends or to the public, it is still only just a facet of the whole.

And since I've already got one, is there really a pressing need for me to put on just another in a different place?

Maybe it's a part of evolution. After all, the only constant in life is change isn't it?

Perhaps one of these days, I might get off my lazy ass and migrate to Facebook, but I seriously don't foresee myself to be doing so.

I'm too lazy you see.
And really not that bothered to do so.

Sigh, I must be getting old.

No lah, I am indeed getting old lah.

On a sidenote, Steve and I will be making a short trip to Japan this December. Strangely, it's not the shopping frenzies that I'm looking forward to, but rather the scenic walks and tours that we will be making together hand-in-hand.

Told you, I'm really getting old.

The Final Showdown

Twisties are not chocolate.

Anyway, the final showdown between Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen is finally here.

All shall be decided in Interlagos this weekend.

Wah I can't wait to see Alonso lift the championship title!

I love tofus!!!!

Alonso, 加油！

Hamilton, 漏油！

Fans of FA Unite!!

Question:
And do you believe in miracles?

Fernando Alonso:
I believe in miracles, for sure. I think anything can happen, this is Formula One. If you think the racing is boring or the sport is boring because always the same cars are winning the races and there is nothing to expect from the weekend, F1 is unpredictable sometimes and we have seen it many times, especially in wet races. If you said now that maybe it is raining again on Sunday, then anything can happen. Until mathematically you have no chance in the championship, you don’t give up.

It looks almost certain that Lewis Hamilton will take the championship this year but that is of course what the british media is brandishing about.

For me, I too believe that miracles can happen and that my tofu-silken-faced Alonso can defend his championship title.

This weekend in Shanghai, may all the Chinese gods favour FA instead of LH.

Yeah!!

Sai!

Because I am a slow cake-cutter

Hello folks!

It's been 2 weeks since I came back from my viva, and it took me this long to finally update with an entry.

Well, my viva was a very smooth process. I definitely had my lucky stars to thank, and the biggest one is none other than my supervisor who has been my rock all the while, reassuring me and giving me immense encouragements right up to the second we stepped into the room facing my examiners.

Interestingly, quite a few incidents happened this trip.

Just 3 days before my flight, I was told that my paper has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Bank Marketing. It couldn't have come at a better time, it's timing to the finest precision!

Then, during my transit via Heathrow to Edinburgh, I was questioned at the immigration for quite a long while (do I look dodgy?) and hence almost missed my flight. I was the last to board the plane and everyone was saying "Well done!!" to me as I was panting heavily from my long sprint to the gate. Then upon reaching Edinburgh, I realised that my luggage was delayed. BA could not confirm when it will arrive and suggest I should wait for another flight to see if it comes. I was panicking so badly as all my stuff for the viva are in the luggage and was fretting what I should do and scolding all the 'tamades' I can conjure. Luckily, my luggage did arrive an hour later.

Then, during the viva itself, one of my examiners actually spilled coffee over his notes just when he was opening the session (maybe he's more nervous than me!). I think that huge yucky brown stain on his paper made him skipped a big part of the list of questions he had for me. Haha! Heng right!

End of the day, I had only a total of 8 minor amendments for my thesis, and so now I can officially say I have obtained my PhD!

Here's to formally having Permanent Head Damage!

Still have.

During my trip back to Singapore via Heathrow (where else can such things happen right), I was dismayed to find that my luggage DID NOT arrive yet again and that it would only reach the next day.

Luckily for me, I had bought travel insurance, something which I have done ONLY for this trip and not for those when I transit via Amsterdam. Mainly because I know I'll be transitting through Heathrow and Heathrow is defintely not known for efficient luggage handling. Lesson learned and well earned! Hehe.

So folks, I'm now home for good.

Have been offered a job but am going to turn it down. Why?

Because the pay is too low.

Even lower than what I was receiving before. Sob.

Thus, the hunt goes on...

Please PLEASE let me know if u have any lobangs for me. Ok ok??

Anyway, here are some photos taken when the kids came over for some play, and during Huiting's 6th birthday celebration.

Yes I am fat. But so what?

Not forgetting, a big shout-out to my dearest daddy:

Happy Birthday to you!

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!

P.S.: And for the benefit of my 2nd supervisor, here you go:

Cameron Toll is a lousy place to shop.

I Survived!

I've done it!

I've passed my viva!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

猴急！救命啊！

I've been having nightmares recently...

Nightmares that we all have when we were younger.

Like dreaming that you were late for your examination, or...

Reaching the exam hall and realising that you have studied for the wrong subject, or...

Realising that you have booked the flights for the wrong dates.

Believe you me, these are the exact dreams that I've been having these days.

But lucky me, the flights have been booked correctly.

I'll be heading for Edinburgh on Monday night for the BIG day on 19 September Wednesday, where my viva will take place.

A typical session will last for 2-3 hours...

Is there really so much to talk about????

怎么办？怎么办？

不能說的秘密

还没看的委屈！

都快要下画了吧！

这感觉，就同如离目的地住得越靠近，就越会迟到的意思！

明明就在新加坡，怎么‘图’到现在还不去看？

全世界都知道了这秘密吧！

風箏

I brought mum, sis, Huiting and Yonghan to watch the much acclaimed 881 yesterday. Not too bad a show, afterall it made me cry along with the rest. But the best satisfaction was the fact that I know mum had enjoyed the show. I don't know, but it must be one of the very few times that she's actually watched a show proper in a cinema.

To all our mums (and dads), we'll always be their little kids even if we're already at a ripe old age. To them, we will always be a little baggage that they will carry with them and worry about.

这关系，也需要一个缘份。。。

要惜缘，更要惜根。

就好像风筝一样，要有线，才能飞得更高，更精彩。

若线断了，即使可以飞得很远，但它亦然是迷乱的。

我是一個貪玩又自由的風箏

每天都會讓你擔憂

如果有一天迷失風中

要如何回到你身邊?

如果有一天扯斷了線

你是否會回來尋找我?

如果有一天迷失風中

帶我回到你的懷中

我要做太太

If only I can be a paid full-time housewife, I can spend all my life doing this...

For these lovely kids

And this lovely big kid

Random

We strolled aimlessly around Club Street and Ann Siang Road looking for good foie gras and ended up at the restuarant in Scarlett Hotel.

Great decor and ambience, should be an ideal place for chilling but the food's way overpriced and not fantastic.

Clueless Carrot heads - now you know where NOT to dine

Baked some cupcakes and iced them with cream cheese frosting. They turned out great! Gonna explore with more colours and decos soon, I'm crazy about cuppies!

The place where I use to dwell in the office, all but memories now.

Operation Evacuation


That's it, gotto go full gear on my job hunt now. They say the job market's great, but it doesn't seem that way to me. Maybe I'm overqualified? Maybe I ought to try applying without stating my PhD qualification.

Slacker

水土不服

3 weeks after returning into the arms of my motherland, I learnt one major lesson....

Asparagus and durians TOGETHER are a lethal combination.

Eat them together and you risk losing everything u ingest from the mouth out from both ends. You would even start to recognise every single marks/scratches on the cistern. There are 3 significantly noticeable ones on mine - I've named them Peter, Bruce, and Pipi (pun alert).

我终于明白，什么是吃什么，拉什么的意思了。

To all friends: Sorry that I hadn't announced my return, let me settle down first, unpack the 20+ boxes, lose some weight, diminish the spots on my face, then let's arrange for a good meetup. Yes I'm a hopeless vainpot.

The end of the journey II

The culmination of 2 years of anticipation....

I couldn't really say that I've put 101% of yearning into its launch, but as I'm about to read through the last book of the series now, I must say I do feel bags of emotions in holding on to the tale that's provided me with lots of companionship in Edinburgh. How apt.

I think I will really miss Harry for his inspiration in harnessing my belief in fairytales even as I grow older with each day.

For assuring me that courage can triumph over insecurities and fear.

As I'm about to lift the cover and charter towards the full-stop to the end of Harry's journey, I'm beginning to feel a huge sense of inertia...

Sigh.

I wish there is some S.O.P. for detachment.

The end of the journey.....

The culmination of 3 years of work....

I couldn't really say that I've poured 101% of my heart and soul into this, but reading through the end result of the thesis now, I must say I do feel bags of pride in the work that I've produced over the past couple of years.

I think I will really miss my supervisor for all his guidance and encouragement in boosting my confidence as I falter along the way.

For assuring me that things can be done if I work harder.

As I'm about to put a full-stop to the end of this chapter, I'm beginning to feel a huge sense of inertia...

Sigh.

I wish there is some S.O.P. for detachment.

夢見周杰伦

Last night, I dreamt of many dreams.

I dreamt that I was watching Slamdunk (the anime) with Jay Chou, and he revealed that he has a Youtube account and his username was Blue.

Then, I dreamt that I was walking on an overhead bridge without fence.

I'm starting to feel quite sad about leaving Edinburgh....:(

Anyway, we finally did some touristy things here before we come home. How touristy is touristy? Does taking pictures count?

A little place where we have great breakfast and sinful carbonara

Overlooking Princes Street

So long Edinburgh....

Yayapapaya

At the Castle

Not very happy about the queue

FAT FACE ME

I'm only beginning to appreciate taking shots like this, makes me look slimmer.

And something that I've bought, like a graduation present for myself.

Neverfull MM

A little too self-indulgent? Maybe, I'm starting to have post-purchase guilt...but anyway, a woman can have never enough bags.

無奈何？

熟悉的归属感，眼看就要降落在手中。

可是，这是我这些日子以来，所学习去熟悉的归属感吗？

有点害怕，即将重新学习的感觉。

Departure Point

Sometimes, you don't need to always have to meet up with friends.

Even if it meant not having seen each other for about a year.

All it takes, is just one phone call.

And times apart are just as good as gold.

Saying goodbye to my best friend Agnes was very depressing. She had been a friend, a sister, even a mother all rolled into one for me in Edinburgh.

Poignantly, saying goodbye to her bore the significance of having to bid farewell to Scotland all together.

After about 4 years here, I'm finally able to say:

"Folks, I am coming home."

Working my socks off over the past fortnight resulted in the sweet production of my 243-pages thesis that I just handed in to my supervisor today.

And I think he's happy with what he saw. So the go-ahead for me to book my flight home.

Somewhere sometime over the next month, there will be one less lonely soul in Edinburgh, and one more happy family in Singapore.

But ironically now, I'm feeling a rather mix bag of emotions.

Maybe I'm just too overwhelmed with the fact that this is it, one major chapter of my life is coming to a close.

But you can bet I am darn sure looking forward to the next.

a time for everything

"what-a-load-of-work-to-be-done" time

"get-me-out-of-here" time

"major-ultra-squinting-bottleneck" time

"du-lan" time

It just spells thesis-time.

I've been so blardy busy I'm quite amazed at myself.

Been coming back to work late into the evenings, during the weekends, and spending a lot less time shopping online.

Handed in my first draft today. A second draft is due in a week's time.

Sometimes, I wish time can pass by faster.
Yet, I wish there is more for me to write better.

Anyway, it's already coming to about end June. It's all quick enough.

Can you believe it, almost half of the year is gone.

Wow.

(父父) 夫負何求？

亲爱的爸爸，

我翻了翻旧照片，想找一张适合今天日子的象征，放在这里。

我找了找，就是翻不出一张就只与你和照的倩影。

.......................................

我的爸爸，乍看之下，就是那么简单，那么朴素的。

他能够把一种无止禁的想象力，都发挥再身上的日用品。很多时候，他的手表，或钥匙圈，虽然都不是什么名牌的，但全世界，就只有他一人拥有。因为，他都会在它们上面，驶出一些花招，盖上自己的记号。很多时候，妈妈看了都会觉得有点不适眼，还会发几句牢骚，说这样很不实际，会惹来取笑的眼光。但爸爸还是很执著，继续骄傲的带着这些他亲手酝酿出的精心杰作。

这又有何不可呢？ 爸爸能够这样发挥它的想象力，因该是值得鼓励的。只要结果不太‘不实际’，爸爸的这个嗜好，因该是值得欣赏的。

可能，爸爸是寂寞吧！

可能对他来说，目前最能够直接让他感到骄傲的事和能够带再身上作为印章的，就是这些物件了。

爸爸，我好想你。

这句话，我实在是很少对你说，但我知道，你心里是感受得到的，是吗？

小时候，我年少无知。爸爸你的脾气，也相当暴躁。

当时爸爸给我的所有劝导，挨骂，对我来说，都是你对我的不了解。

现在我知道，最了解什么是对我好的，其实，就是你和妈妈了。

与其说岁月催人老，不如说，我们都一起成长了。

我们都一起经历过了很多让自己更改过来的时光。

爸爸，谢谢您陪我度过了这些岁月。

在不久的将来，请您把我戴在身上，作为您骄傲的印章。

父亲节快乐！