Useless Furniture

Of course, Cookie must check out all the new items in the house. ;)

Hub and I have a weakness for useless furniture. In fact, we often walk into a furniture shop with the intention to buy item A, but more often than not, we will walk out of that shop buying items X, Y and Z instead. Not only did we NOT buy item A, we usually ended up spending MORE than the budgeted amount to buy silly items instead.

That was what happened a few weeks ago.

We were supposed to shop for a single bed, meant for the confinement nanny, which will also double up as Beanie Girl’s bed as she grows older. So, we have been visiting furniture shops, looking for a cool yet functional (and hopefully reasonably priced bed). Ikea didn’t quite cut in under the “cool” factor, so we visited shops like John Erdos, Air and Motto.

But as usual, instead of buying a bed, we ended up with… … a retro looking cabinet and 2 wooden planks-paintings instead, which of course busted the budget for the intended bed.

Of course, both of us love the retro cabinet… with the iron grill as doors, we simply couldn’t resist…

So, thankfully, we managed to buy a simple single bed from Ikea for only $69 and that made me feel so much better about our impulsive buys.

Hrm… I bet Beanie Girl can’t tell the difference anyway between an Ikea bed and a “cool and funky” bed that costs 4 digits.

I promise that Mummy will still make your room looks as good and as chic as the rest of our house!

My letter to LTA, PTC (Public Transport Council) and SBS

After reading today's article on The Straits Times regarding about SBS putting a block to 3rd-party apps, I've decided that Enough. Is. Enough.

I'm a frequent user of SG Buses, this free app that is much more user friendly than Iris. Seriously.... Iris is useless. It takes FOREVER to load, the app doesn't seem to be well maintained at all. Before I downloaded SG Buses, I used to even log into the website of SBS to check on the timings of the buses. That also didnt seem to work because it also takes FOREVER for the website to load.

And now, SBS is blocking these efficient, user-friendly apps. SBS senior VP of Corporate Communications Tammy Tan, referring to these free apps and said (as quoted from the ST), "This could result in wrong information being released to end-users, which is something we will not be able to control. The Introduction of captcha is to prevent unauthorised re-use of propreitary information".

Seriously... your proprietary information is not even useful or user-friendly in the first place. If SBS has already sank in money to develop some useless applications, then admit your mistakes and out source this value-added service to some other more efficient vendor to do the work. Instead, SBS decided to sabotage these vendors which has provided FREE services instead.

I'll really like to remind Miss Tammy Tan that SBS is a PUBLIC TRANSPORT company, it's purpose is to service the public. And the best part, PTC's secretary and quality service manager Eugene Tan said that "regulator typically focus on basic concerns such as fares and bus services, and that bus time apps were a value-added service and did not generally come under its preview".

Well... if SBS's buses are very frequent, then maybe bus schedules are "value-added" services. But when I have to wait 20 mins for a bus, bus schedules and bus time apps aren't "value-added" services, they are part of the "total service" that a public bus company should provide. With today's usage of internet and smart phone applications, it is high time for PTC to include such "value-added" services as BASIC services.

"Dear sir/Mdm

I will like to highlight about the recent shut-down of 3rd-party apps, such as SG Nextbus and SG Buses. I am a frequent user of these 2 applications as they are much more user friendly than Iris, SBS's proprietary app. Iris app is extremely slow to load and even when I use my smartphone to access SBS's website to find out about the arrival timings of the buses, the website is also very slow in processing my request. In conclusion, SBS's proprietary app cannot compete with free downloadable apps, which were previously doing a service to fellow commuters like me.

If that is the case, SBS should outsource this service to more capable and efficient service providers instead. As a paying commuter, why am I being denied of a free and efficient service that has enabled me to commute more conveniently? On today’s Straits Times, 24 May 2011, SBS's Senior VP of corporate Communications Tammy Tan, said that "The introduction of captcha is to prevent unauthorized re-use of proprietary information". However, due to inefficiency of Iris, commuters like me, is unable to use SBS's proprietary information in the first place!

Public transport operators, such as SBS should look at how to enlarge, instead of limit their outreach to commuters. Its focus is to enable commuters to have a smooth and efficient usage of public transport service instead of "safe-guarding" its proprietary information, when such information is meant to benefit the public.

I also suggest that, maybe it’s time that PTC include such “value-added service” into its purview as Bus-time app is indeed a valuable service to frequent bus user like me, where I do not stay next to a MRT station and still rely on buses to commute."

Minimalistic parenting

Now that most people around me noticed my bump, many asked me 2 questions:
1) So… when are you getting a car?
2) Are you getting a maid?

My answer: No and No.

Then most will stare at me in disbelief and some will even smirk and give me a “I-see-how-long-you-can-last” kind of look. Well… I, myself am also curious to how long I can last without a car or a domestic stay-in helper when Beanie finally arrives.

Hub and I can definitely afford a car if we want to, but for what? To park in office? After doing our sums, maintaining a car actually costs more than our current HDB mortgage. We’ll rather save that money for our 2nd property in time to come.

As for a stay-in domestic helper, I do not need one now as I am staying alone and I have a part-time helper who comes in once a week and I think that is more than enough. When Beanie arrives, and if I cannot cope, I will request my part-time helper to come over twice a week instead of once.

I will be lying if I said I wasn’t tired by the end of a work day and yet I still gotta do laundry or cook dinner for myself and wash up as well. But… I enjoy the independence, I enjoy the peace and quiet time that I have to myself and to my cat. While doing these household chores, I take it as exercise and it isn’t that much of a big deal.

I hope I can set myself as an example to Beanie, who learns by watching that a responsible adult will do his/her own chores and helps to clear the mess in the house. Monkeys see, monkeys do right?

I also don’t believe in buying expensive toys or items for babies and children because they outgrow these toys/items in a flash. Hand-me downs are a god-send, and I personally do not encourage consumerism. “Buy/Use what you need” is my mantra, although I must admit that little girls’ clothes and accessories are like the cutest things in the world.

So, currently I am having ideas about hand-making some soft toys and simple dresses for Beanie Girl when I am done with my CFA exam in June. Hmmm… I am not a art-&-craft person, but the thought of making little stuffed rabbits and cutesy patchwork dresses is kind of exciting!

GE 2011

Now that the General Election is over, time for some reflection and analysis.

I stay in Bishan-TPY constituency where SPP was contesting under the leadership of Mr. Chiam. I admire Mr’s Chiam’s dedication and perseverance for the past 27 years in his service to the residents of Potang Pasir, despite the lack of resources. And for that, I have given him, my vote.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be and it seems to me that he will most probably retire from politics for good. Although he has put up a good fight, his greatest weakness was the lack of proper renewal plan for his party. The new candidates whom Mr. Chiam had recruited joined the party too late and didn’t have the time to work the ground.

SPP’s mandate: “Service before self” comes across as a mandate for a volunteer group. There wasn’t a very clear indication of what SPP really stands for. So, moving forward, If SPP is serious about setting itself as a credible political party, it has to differentiate itself from WP and SDP from a political stand-point.

Most Singaporeans are a practical bunch. At the end of the day, we are concerned about bread-and-butter issues like housing, jobs and cost of living. The grudge against the mass influx of foreign talents only heated up when local infrastructure (ie: public transport and public housing) weren’t ready to accommodate the recent increase and these issues are affecting our lives.

Ideologies such as democracy, fair-play and justice within the political climate simply do not register with a typical Singaporean if he/she has a high paying job, gets her HDB flat on his/her first ballot (without paying through his/her nose) or basically a comfortable life.

WP has recognized the pragmatism of most Singaporeans, and thus more Singaporeans can relate themselves to the party. (Me, for sure). Some other parties campaigned for true blue democracy and other very idealistic notions that I am not interested in.

Without food in your stomach, without a job to pay your bills, without a roof over your head, talking about democracy doesn’t get you anywhere in life.

Most Singaporeans are a well travelled bunch. I don’t about you, but when I visit neighboring countries, I do count my lucky stars that I am a Singaporean. In fact, even when I was having long vacations in developed countries, I still give thanks to the fact that I am born in Singapore, have a decent paying job, to enjoy a relative high quality of life which isn’t that far off from a first-world, developed nation.

I hope the ruling party will truly “reform” and reconnect with its fellow citizens. I am looking forward to how policies will be penned out for the next 5 years. In fact, this year’s National Day Rally will most probably be a very interesting one!

Now that the election is over, let all Singaporeans come together and work towards a better future. For ourselves, for our children, for our beloved country, Singapore.

Beanie's little feet

Todate, we have not bought many things for Beanie Girl yet because we have many generous and kind friends who have donated or loaned many baby items, such as clothes, stroller, a Cot, breast pumps, baby carrier ... ... etc. So much so that I almost don't have to buy anything.

But yesterday, I was just browsing around and saw a "50% clearance sale" banner in a shop that was selling baby's stuff, ok, that was hard to resist and I ventured into the shop. Nothing really caught my eye except these small little booties/socks.

I don't know why but my heart just melted when I saw how tiny these little booties were, and how they would protect Beanie Girl's little feet from the cold when she is born. Hrm... being only $1.99 per pair also helped in the "heart melting" process, I guess.

Beanie Girl's little feet and fists are now kicking me consistently. She is like a wriggling little fish, swimming and tickling my stomach every now and then. Sometimes, her kicks are so strong that my whole tummy will tremble.

I am now in my 24th weeks, and I am really looking forward to seeing her in person in August. Meanwhile, she has to grow and hang in there inside my womb until she is full term!

To some, election is a bother

I have always assumed that ALL Singaporeans will be excited by the notion of casting their sacred votes, until I had a short conversation with a friend, via the MSN. He is actually dismayed with the fact that he has a choice.

Dang?!

I was like “What? U mean you’ll rather not vote?”

“Yah, I’ll prefer a walk over, just like all the previous elections. I don’t want to be bothered with choices. Especially when the opposition party contesting in my constituency, doesn’t seem that credible in the first place.”

Woah. And I thought this election is called the “Awakening Election.” Guess not every Singaporean shares my enthusiasm in our country’s politics.

I cannot help but to be disappointed with my friend. I just hope that he will sit down and think carefully about that vote in his hand. To start with, that vote is not easy to come by.

A bunch of brave, fearless Singaporeans have to step forward, to allow themselves to be scrutinized publicly, to make public speeches to tens of thousands of people, to walk all over the constituency, so that, we, fellow Singaporeans can have a choice. Unlike being “selected” to join the ruling party, these opposition candidates have nothing much to gain. If not for the love of our country and the desire to serve and “make things better”, I really cannot imagine why any sane human beings will want to pick up such a “holy calling” (As previously mentioned by the late Goh Keng Swee)

Once again, I urge all Singaporeans to TREASURE that vote in your hand.

Vote wisely. Vote responsibly.

Vote wisely, Vote responsibly

I am very happy to know that I am entitled to vote for this election 2011, and not only that most of my friends, relatives and many fellow Singaporeans are also given this “privilege” to vote, and for many of them, they will be voting for the very first time! For example, my parents-in-law, who have lived in Singapore all their lives and are in their 50s and 60s are casting their votes for the very first time!

This election is the most exciting and most hotly contested since the 1980s and I am very glad that my vote WILL make a difference in the making of the future of Singapore.

I am not here to indicate my personal political preference but just to share my excitement and anticipation of a hotly contested election. I am grateful to the ruling party, which has enabled Singapore to thrive and advanced from a 3rd world country to a 1st world country within 2 generations. Because I am born in Singapore, I have gotten the chance to be educated, to work overseas for 2 years and travel around the world. Because I am born in Singapore, I see how my standard of living has greatly improved as compared to my grandma and my mother.

But moving forward, how will Singapore be for my Little Beanie Girl, who has yet to be born? What about my future grandchildren, if I am lucky to have any?

For the past years, I have been a volunteer in some organizations and have seen for myself how some Singaporeans of the lower income and less unfortunate group live. Although Singapore’s GDP has been strong for the past 5 years, these groups of people did not benefit from our country’s strong growth.

Is there help for these people? The answer: Yes, but the procedures and process is long and complex, full of red tapes, and most of the time, one has to bulldoze to get things done.

Some brave (but some said foolish) Singaporeans have stepped forward to offer us a choice. I urge all Singaporeans to vote wisely and responsibly. Keeping the past, but most importantly, our future in mind and how we want our country to progress socially, economically and politically in the next generation, and many more generations to come.

Cookie in a box

Cookie's latest obsession is a box. In fact, it is a really small box that can barely contains her. But, of course that fact doesn't bother her and she continues to squeeze into that tiny, little box, pretending it is her safe haven for many, many nights until the box finally went "SPLIT" last night.

I was sitting on my bed laughing at her when the box gave way and as you can see, she seemed rather embarrassed.

Cookie got a bit upset that her safe haven wasn't as snug as before, and she decided to come sulking on my bed instead. Although I taped up the box for her, but it wasn't good enough for this fussy little cat.

Anyway, I will leave the box as it is and I wonder whether Cookie will return to her safe haven once more.

My place is in a magazine!

Dry kitchen on the left and a close-up shot of my dinning area on the right.

My frangipani was still full of leaves then... ...

Home and Decor (a lifestyle magazine) did a feature on my place in their new magazine, "Renovate" this month. Renovate is a brand new magazine, which featured homes that had gone through a major overhaul.

Hub told me to buy a few more copies to keep, so that we can show/give away to prospective buyers when we intend to sell the place in the future. He thinks we can get a better price just because we were being featured in a magazine... ...

Then I told him that I wana stay here for AT LEAST 10 years. By then, buyers might find our design passé!

O well... in anycase, I really do love my flat. ;) Looking forward to be home everyday.

p/s: if only the frangipani can be well again and sprouts more new leaves!

My Gardening Woes I have no idea what is the name of this plant, but I call it the "heart-shape leaves" plant. I have quite a few of these. At least they are doing well. The wrinkled leaves of my Frangipani.

The "botak" brunch. ;( And there are some mealybugs on the new buds.

Help! Not many leaves on my Frangipani Tree... ;(

I have a serious case of mealybugs infestation, especially on my Frangipani tree. I have been battling these bugs for the past few months and they seem to be winning the war!

Most of the new leaves of the Frangipani are wrinkled and some of the older leaves are full of these pesty mealybugs!!! I used white neem oil to spray on the leaves every 3 days or so, but it didn't seem to be working.

So out of desperation, I used my own home-made pesticide, a concoction of olive oil, dishwashing detergent and water. But I guess I was overzealous with the amount of oil used and I ended up killing the leaves instead of the bugs instead!

Almost all of the leaves of the Frangipani withered and dropped off. But I figured that the bugs would die with the leaves right?

Unfortunately that wasn't the case! Once the new leaves appear, I began to see the same irritating mealybugs on the new shoots again! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I am back to spraying white neem oil on the leaves once again. To make matters worse, some of my other plants within the same planter box are also showing signs of the same infestation.

These mealybugs are driving me nuts. What else can I do to rid these horrible mealybugs???

Please help!!!

Little Beanie is a girl!

Tiny fingers, Tiny toes,
Little ity bity clothes.
Dresses, ribbons and hair to curl.
We 're so thrilled to have a girl!

Went for my 20 weeks Detailed Scan yesterday and finally my gynae could proudly annouce (with conviction) that Beanie is a girl! Previously, Beanie has been very shy and blocked the view everytime when I went for a scan. She is growing well and her scan result is normal, which is a huge relief.

Although I still suffer from morning sickness and still puke practically every morning, but my appetite is much better and I can start eating decent meals without getting the urge to vomit all the time. I've also finally gained 0.5kg from my pre-pregnancy weight and I do hope that I can continue to gain some weight so that Beanie will be a healthy baby.

Hub is very, very happy to have a baby girl, he has always wanted to have a daughter to dote on. ;)

Now I can finally start buying cute, little pink dresses, and think of a name for Beanie. ;)

Still in Hong Kong

I was supposed to fly back to Singapore on Monday, 28 Mar at 11 am. But I missed my flight because I was still warded at The Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. And how did I end up there? Here's the story... (a really long post though)

I arrived at Hong Kong on last friday, 25 March 730 pm as planned and everything was fine. The flight was smooth and uneventful but my only grouse was that I had to carry my own luggage while walking down the flight of stairs from the plane, and then up the bus to the main terminal. Nobody offered any help, so there I was, lugging my luggage while being 18 weeks pregnant.

I was very happy to see Hub and we had a pleasant dinner. Hub said that he had some friends (whom I know as well) in town and the plan was to go hiking on Saturday morning. We would take the beginner's hike and it should not take more than 2.5 hours. The idea sounded good, I've always enjoyed hiking and the thought of some fresh air, greenery and exercise should be good for both me and Beanie.

So, the very next morning, we headed towards "Shek-O" village to hike the famous Dragon's Back Trail. The weather was great, sunny yet cool; and the trail started out really easy. We were happily walking, chatting and enjoying the view, the breeze and each other's company. Then we reached the Dragon's Back, where there were 3 "humps", ie: 3 little hills to climb, and each hill had a flight of rocky steps (at times, rather steep). If I weren't pregnant, these 3 hills would be a piece of cake, I have had done harder trails before. But this time round, with the additional weight of Beanie, things were different.

By the start of the 3rd hump, I began to feel uncomfortable, my tummy felt a little crampy and I was getting a bit worried. However, it was too late to quit, I had to proceed because I was basically stuck in the middle of nowhere! Everyone was getting worried for me as well, we all slowed down and took frequent breaks. I really took my time and had help from both Hub and another guy friend to continue the rest of the hike. Finally after almost 3.5 hours, we finished the trail and headed back to Hong Kong Central for lunch. I felt ok then, tired but fine. Cramps had lessen and by the time lunch was over, things seemed normal. Nonetheless, Hub and I headed back to his apartment to rest while his friends proceeded to do some shopping.

Hub was very sweet to arrange for a cosy dinner with 2 very dear friends who are currently based in Hong Kong and I was really looking forward to it. We were just preparing to dress up and I was just about stepping out of my shower when suddenly I felt a gush of warmth below and saw fresh, red blood. I was bleeding and bleeding A LOT. Fresh blood was flowing out of me and I was in shock. I screamed for Hub and he rushed over. He saw all the blood and went completely pale. I shouted that we had to go to the hospial immediately, and he reached for his phone, called up his friend to ask for the location of the nearest hospital. Meanwhile, I tried to reach for the dressing table to get some tissue and all this time, I was still bleeding. There was so much blood that there was a trail of blood from the shower to dressing area. Hub came over, saw all the blood on the floor and I saw his hands began to shake. At this point, I lost it and started crying and I was so scared that I was going to lose my baby...

We got dressed as fast as we could, rushed down and thankfully hailed a cab within minutes. The cab driver realised that this was an emergency and drove as fast as he could. In fact, he even dashed across a red light just for us. Finally after 10-15 minsutes, which felt like forever, we arrived at The Queen Marry Hospital's A&E department. Although it was rather crowded, but I was put on a bed immediately and soon, a doctor came by to check on me. She used a fetal doppler to check for Beanie's heartbeat, which thankfully, was beating strongly. By then, the bleeding had lessen. When I heard Beanie's heartbeat, I finally managed to calm down. During the short journey on the cab, I was filled with dread and was going through all the worst cases of senarios in my head...

The A&E doctor advised that I be warded so that a Gynaecologist can check on me, and also to do an ultrasound to check on Beanie. And so, I was warded for 3 days 2 nights. During this period, the doctors checked that my cervix was still closed, Beanie's heartbeats were strong and the placenta seemed normal as well. I still had spotting and light cramps for the first 2 days but thankfully by the third day, things had stabilized and I was able to be discharged. The doctors weren't too sure what had caused the massive bleeding, except that my womb or cervix might had been irritated by the strenuous exercise during the hike.

So now, I am still in Hong Kong, resting and not moving too much. It's almost like being under House Arrest. Other than taking very short walks to buy lunches or dinners, I will stay at Hub's apartment, reading, napping, watching TV, basically REST. I can feel Beanie's tiny movements and have been talking to Beanie, telling Beanie to be strong and hang on to Mummy until he/she is ready to be born.

This episode had really scared the hell out of me. I will not attempt such "dangerous" activities anymore. I just want to have a safe flight back to Singapore on Friday and be a considerate mummy, bearing in mind that Beanie can be really fragile.

I am just so so so grateful that Beanie is fine. That's all I ask for.

Beanie’s tiny movements

So I think I finally felt it last night. Beanie’s first tiny kick/nudge.

Although from previous visits to the gynae, I could clearly see Beanie wriggling around all the time, but its movements were too weak and small to be felt then.

Then last night, as I was falling asleep and suddenly, I felt a distinctive “POP”. Like a bubble bursting in my tummy, then a very slight little squirm.

It felt kinda weird actually but it brought a smile to my face…

I’ll be seeing the gynae in another 2 weeks’ time and by then, I’ll be in my 20th week and hopefully I’ll get to know whether Beanie is a girl or a boy!

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to more nudges from Beanie. ;)

Impressed with Jetstar Asia

Budget airlines and I do not really get along well. Especially that particular one with stripes… horrible services where my flight got cancelled without pre-notification, took forever to speak to a customer service officer, thus I swear that I will NEVER take that airline ever again.

Then yesterday, I decided to fly to Hong Kong to visit Hub this weekend. Yeah, a last minute decision to go check on Hub. So, went to Jetstar.com to book my ticket.

I’m usually a merticulous person, but somehow I got my flight details all wrong and I didn’t realised my mistakes until I had PAID and confirmed my flight?! Instead of 3.45 pm flight to HK on 25 March, I somehow clicked on the 9 am flight, as for my return leg, instead of 28 March… I booked 28 MAY instead?!?!

DANG!!!! Mini heart attack…

So, I immediately called the service hotline and prayed that Jetstar would allow me to change my flight details (hopefully FOC). Super crossed my fingers…

I waited patiently for 10 mins, which was reasonable because I had previously waited almost 30 mins for that airline with “stripes”. The customer officer, his name was Mark, was very pleasant and even asked “how was your day, Mdm?” WOAH.

He noted my mistakes and changed both of my flights without any additional charges and kept assuring that I was not an idiot… (because I started the conversation wailing that I was such an idiot to make such silly mistakes while booking a ticket online).

And within 2 minutes, the new itinerary was sent to my mailbox.

Wah… I was super impressed.

Ok, Jetstair has given me faith in budget airlines once again!

So I will be heading to Hong Kong this weekend! Whoopee!

I thought I killed a bat AGAIN!

I have a part-time helper who will come over on every Saturday to help me with some housework. As she usually arrives at my place by 8 am, which is very early for a Saturday (to me), I will usually open the door for her and I’ll hop right back into bed for another hour of snooze.

Last week, as I was snoozing away, I heard a short but sharp shriek; I rushed to the kitchen and saw Auntie with a broom, trying to sweep something black and smelly out of the window.

“What’s that???”

“I don’t know!?!? It was wedged between the windows, dead, smelly and covered with ants when I tried to open the windows. Seemed that you have killed a small bat by accident…”

“Argh…. I’ve killed a bat?!?!?!” and the smell was so bad that I went hiding in my bedroom.

Thankfully Auntie was around to help me clear the mess.

Then last night, while I was closing the windows again, the super blur me didn’t realize that “something” once again was resting at the corner of the window, and I hastily slammed the window panes.

And I heard a soft “crash”… Then I saw “something” with wings was crushed between the window panes!

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gave a scream and ran away, thinking that I killed another small bat.

Why the hell were these bats doing at my windows anyway?

Cookie heard the scream, came over to check me out, seeing that I’m technically ok, she went back to sleep.

As for me, I was horrified that I was a bat murderer FOR THE SECOND TIME, and was too terrified to face with the potential blood and gore that I started bawling my eyes out.

I immediately texted my next door neighbours for help but atlas, both of them were away in Malaysia and I had to deal with a crushed, dead bat on my own.

I tried calling Hub in Hong Kong for some moral support but he wasn’t picking up the phone, and Cookie was just snoozing away on the sofa without offering any moral support either!

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the notion of clearing a bloodied bat carcass that I was holding the broom and crying in the kitchen for a good 5 mins or so, until I finally calmed down.

Finally with a little bit of courage, I opened the window again, and the intention was to sweep the “something” out of the window ASAP.

Then I realized that the “something” wasn’t a bat, but a moth.

Phew… …. Nonetheless, it was a big-ass moth!!! As big as my palm!

I was soooooooooo relieved that I felt so silly for being such a scaredy cat. I am usually very gung-ho ok! Must be the pregnancy hormones…

Anyway, I swept the dead moth out of the window, drank a cup of warm water to calm my nerves and headed for bed.

What a night!

Cookie's first accident...

A mini-saga happened early this morning.

Cookie all along has been a relatively well behaved cat. She doesn't scratch my furniture, and have so far only vomited hairballs ONCE on my carpet. She eats all her catfood (although she is very fussy about the brand of catfood), and so far, has never peed or pooed in my apartment ever.

Until 2 am this morning.

She usually sleeps at the corner of my bed and will usually wakes me at by 7 am to have her breakfast. But last night, she became restless in the middle of the night, and tried to wake me up by coming to me and whimpered ever so softly by my ear.

I didn't know what she was after, so I ignored her and concentrated on getting back to sleep. Then I heard her jumping off the bed, and a few seconds later, I heard FARTING sounds...

What the hell?! I immediately jumped out of the bed, switched on the lights and saw the sheepish Cookie trying to cover her shame. She had diarrhea on my bathroom mat (the one that she is lying on, in the picture above)!

Being 2 am in the morning and hadn't really woken from my slumber yet, I went ballistic and really overreacted. I screamed at her and carried her outside towards the door. Maybe she was really sick or I had really frightened her, she struggled free, dropped to the ground, and vomited out her dinner from earlier this evening. She was still in my bedroom.

ARGH.... you naughty cat! First you pooed, then you puked in my room!

I went a bit crazy and carried her out of the house, and left her outside. She vomited again just outside my door, looked a bit hurt but walked away shortly.

I was too overwhelmed by the smell and the mess to think coherently. After cleaning up the all the mess inside my room and outside the door, I realised that I had been a HORRIBLE cat mummy...

Cookie had already tried to warn me that she really needed to go but I didn't recognise her signals. She must have tried her best to hold it in but diarrhea, being diarrhea, she couldn't control it anymore but to relieve herself in the bedroom. At least she was smart enough to pooed on the bathroom mat instead of my bed.

I felt sooooo bad and guilty, at the same time worried about her since she was most probably not feeling too well. But it was already almost 3 am in the morning and I had no idea where did she run to.

Haiz, so I couldn't really fall back to sleep after that. Woke up in the morning with a headache and light sorethroat instead... most probably due to the lack of sleep.

Hopefully Cookie, being the smart and hardy semi-stray, will self-medicate herself with grass or herbs to sort out her digestive system. Meanwhile, I will be keeping a lookout for her, and bring her to the vet if she is still unwell.

To bring her to the vet, will most probably be another major saga, coming from the previous experience! I really hope that she will get well soon!

The big S-T-R-E-T-C-H

When I first broke the news about Beanie to my girlfriends, almost all of them asked the same question: “Hrm…Have you bought your stretch mark cream?”

“Eh…. No? Do I need to apply now? I’m still in my 1st trimester and my tummy is still flat wat…”

“OF COURSE!!” All answered unanimously. Prevention is way better than cure!

Okay…. …. ….

But deep down inside, I just thought that my fellow girlfriends are just being kiasu and forgot all about creams and lotions while I was battling fatigue, nausea and dizziness.

One particular girlfriend couldn’t believe how nonchalant I am about the “horrible” stretch marks and my impending doom that she bought me a tube of Clarin’s Stretch Mark Control Cream as a gift. Supposedly the best and one of the most expensive in the market.

“Nah… don’t say don’t have. You are going to thank me for this! Use it RELIGIOUSLY EVERY NIGHT from now until the end of your confinement period. Do you understand??” she barked.

Woah. So fierce.

Well, since it was a gift, so I started applying it religiously after my showers day after day. Although currently my tummy is barely a small bump, but at times, I can really feel the skin across my tummy stretching, similar to the feeling of my face tightening when I do not put moisturizer immediately after cleansing.

Then 2 days ago, I met up with another girlfriend who is now a proud mummy of a 8 months old boy and we were just chatting about pregnancies and babies. Of course, the topic drifted to stretch marks and she lamented she wasn’t “hardworking” enough in applying her creams and now, she has to bear the consequences of her “laziness”.

And she showed me her hips and OMG……………………………………… grayish, spidery lines were clearly visible on her hips and they really didn’t look very pleasant at all!

“The stretch marks were previously red and angry, and by the time I started on the anti-stretch mark cream, it was already too late”

Woah. Ok, that’s a wake-up call.

So I immediately went down to Robinsons today during my lunch break, and bought another tube of the cream, together with a bottle of Body Treatment Oil. 20% discount on all Clarin’s products +7% of GST absorbed by Robinsons! Yay!!!

Now I’m all ready to combat against stretch marks!

Random: My beautiful dinning chairs...

The above color combination: sunny yellow with barley white, is my favourite.

A few weeks ago, my interior designer requested for some pictures of the dinning chairs that she has custom-made for us. "For records purposes" she said. Then she added sheepishly that she had forgotten to take note of the color schemes and fabric used, and needed some pictures to refresh her memory.

Haha, no problem.

So, I happily took some pictures and it just hit me that.... my dinning chairs are, indeed gorgeous!

Each color comes in pairs, and so I have 10 of them in total. These beautiful chairs have added some vibrance to my dinning area, which is mainly in steel, bricks and wood.

Seeing these chairs make me happy again... ;)

Top 5 Baby Items to buy!

Heard that there will be a few Baby Fairs in the month of March, so gotta start shopping around for the items that I absolutely must have!

*Ok, friends who are reading my blogs, I’m not trying to hint what Baby Shower pressies to buy, in fact, most of these items cost a few hundred dollars a pop, so… I’m just sharing with fellow friends and bloggers about the stuff that I need. *no pressure* ;P

1) Miracle Blanket

One particular friend SWEARS by this product. This piece of blanket has bought her precious hours of uninterrupted sleep. Anything that can buy me extra hours of sleep when screaming Beanie arrives, I’ll buy it. PERIOD. In fact, I'll most probably buy 3, in case Beanie pukes or poops in the blanket, which I can so see it coming...

2) Medela pump Free-style

This is a duo pump that according to my friends, is one of the best in the market. This piece of gadget does not come cheap but my rationale is: if I had already spent a bomb on a breast pump, I jolly well stick to breast-feeding to make my money worthwhile. Die die must breastfeed!

3) Ergo Baby Carrier

Remember the Koala mummy mantra? From my research, Ergo Baby Carrier is one of the few carriers that will allow me to wear my baby in the front or on my hip or on my back, ala “Ninga Turtle” style. And most importantly, Ergo carriers support a natural sitting position for babies, so allowing babies to be comfortable. Moreover, the design also balances the weight of the baby on the parent’s shoulders AND hips, saving the parent’s back muscles. For very young babies, I just need to buy a “baby insert” that can provide the required support to a newborn’s head. Viola, instead of carrying the baby around, I can have BOTH of my hands to run my errands and do my chores.

4) Cloth Diapers

Did I mention that I’m a tree hugger and I wana be a Koala mummy? So, I must live to my mantra right? Using cloth diapers save the environment AND money… so, I’m definitely going to give these modern cloth diapers a try. There will be mountains of poop to wash, so wish me luck!

5) ) Arm’s Reach co-sleeper

I’ve been searching high and low for this co-sleeper. But it seems that many shops no longer carry this product. I guess I just have to find a cot that can be adjusted to my bed’s height, and place the cot right next to my bed instead. I have the intention the let Beanie co-sleep in the bedroom for the first few months, I figure that night feeds will be easier for the both of us where I can just scoop Beanie from the cot (next to my bed) and breastfeed Beanie instead of running to the nursery every 2-3 hours.

There are still so many other items to buy, eg: stroller, bathing basin, bips, towels, baby's clothes, Baby's carseat, ear plugs, massage chair (for me, of course), slimming wraps... ...

Ok, buy the top 5 first!

15 hrs a day, how long can you last?

I’ve always wondered how do some people work 15 hrs a day, EVERYDAY?

We are talking about a competitive and intense environment where you eat at your desk during lunches AND dinners, with non-existence breaks. The only break is to dash to the toilet for 30 seconds and you are back slogging away at your desk.

We are talking about fellow colleagues being mean to each other and yelling at each other because everyone is just so overworked. The vicious cycle goes on and on… … …

How do these people do it?

I can maybe do something like that for say, 2 weeks max, and yes, I have had pulled such hours in my younger days, but not EVERYDAY. Only when I need to meet a deadline… …

But now, Hub is working 15 hrs everyday, Monday to Friday. The only consolation is that his weekends, so far, have been free. *touch wood*

Every time when I facetime Hub using the Iphone 4, I can tell that he is looking more haggard day by day and he is getting grumpier by the day.

I would also pull a black face if I have to work from 8.30 am to 11.30 pm EVERYDAY, with lunches at 3 pm at my desk and dinner at 10.30 pm at my bloody desk again.

I want to tell my husband that we don’t need a lot of money to be happy.

I’ll rather that we spend time with each other, stay in a HDB flat, and don’t drive a car (not that we have one anyway). We’ll just take occasional holidays to M’sia but we’ll be happy. I don’t need expensive handbags or shoes or any stupid diamonds.

Beanie doesn’t have to go to those branded childcare or expensive enrichment lessons.

I just want my husband to be his jovial self again. Less stress, less angst, more love and awareness towards himself and his loved ones.

I can’t wait for his posting in HK to be over. Haiz… 10 more months to go.