2 Pots of Gold Awaiting

I was alone at M's when I caught sight of 2 rainbows in the sky. One was fading away and the other one was so vibrant. A magical moment! This rainbow was seen by many from all over Singapore. There were so many rainbow postings on Facebook during in that half an hour.

Wedding Poem by Carrie Bradshaw

I'm a huge fan of Sex And The City. Not many people can say they have watched the series 10 times over. I did just that... Over a period of 6 years.

As I was reading the Sex And The City Kiss and Tell book, I came across the poem which Carrie Bradshaw read in the episode of "The Chicken Dance".

The Wedding Poem

His ‘hello’ was the end of her endings.
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle.
His hand would be hers to hold forever.
His forever was as simple as her smile.

An ocean couldn't prevent it.
A New York minute wouldn't let it pass.
Does the Universe decide for us
Which love will fade and which will last?

He said she was what was missing.
She said instantly she knew.
She was a question to be answered.
And his answer was “I do”.

小说剧场 - 烂泥

Back when I was a teenager, I loved acting. I was in the school's drama club doing mostly English plays. Then in 1997, after my O Levels examinations, I stumbled onto an opportunity to act for a TV show. I took that chance even though it was a role in a Chinese TV show and I was terrible in that language. It was a huge struggle. Acting on stage and in front of the camera were totally different. It wasn't as easy as I thought. And the worst part was me having to put on a hideous wig for most of the scenes!

And when the show was aired a year later, I was embarrassed. I wanted to hide from my new classmates in my new school. No thanks to my terrible acting skills and bad wig. I tried to put this whole nightmare behind me.

At 30 years old, looking back, everything seems different now. Yes, it wasn't a very glamorous role and yes, I might have made a fool out of myself, but still it was quite an interesting experience. Not many people can say they have done that before and to get the chance to be one of the leads.

So, when I found the script for the TV show in my cupboard while spring cleaning, I was delighted. I flipped through the script reminiscing my acting days.

Scene: My teacher reprimanding me.
Former TV Host and Newscaster Wang Yanqing acted as my teacher.

Ermenegildo Zegna Tuxedo

We were shopping at Ion Orchard and found ourselves in Ermenegildo Zegna store. I just wanted to see M in their famous tuxedo.

And, my oh my!!! He looks so sharp in it! Took my breath away. :)

Now, if only I can find a way to afford this. Hmmm...

Goodbye 2011

2011, wow, what a year it has been.

Last year, my new year resolutions included:
- Start exercising
- Cook more frequently
- Wear colours other than black
- Wear the clothes and shoes I bought (I tend to keep them in the cupboard or in their paperbags with tags still on... and then forget about them)

M and I took up yoga classes at Pure Yoga since March, and we have been attending lessons. We're still not as flexible as most of the people in the class but I must admit, it does bring along a certain calmness to my stressful life.

As for cooking, well, I think I've done pretty ok despite my busy schedule. I made breakfast on some weekends and tried making bak kut teh, Korean soy sprouts cold dish and spicy top shell appetizers. Ok, the last 2 dishes don't quite count, since no actual cooking is required. Just preparations. But so far, M seems happy with my cooking skills.

We also managed to travel around London, Oxford, Cheltenham, Manchester, Paris and Beaune in April. 15 days vacation. That was quite a holiday. It was my first time in London, first time traveling with someone for so many days consecutively. And we had so much fun! I even caught my first ever football match in Manchester.

Remember in November 2010, M and I spotted a shooting star in Bintan and I made a wish? Well, the wish came true! M got down on one knee and proposed to me on June 2 2011 in Bali. So, I got engaged on my first trip to Bali (yes, I've never been there before). Many firsts in 2011.

On November 11 2011, I celebrated my 30th birthday with close friends at M's place. We had quite a feast and had lots of champagne to drink. It was how i wanted it to be... amongst close friends who matter. I received many fabulous gifts but the most wonderful gift of all is the key to M's place. :)

Throughout the year, I've also Enjoyed several fabulous champagne dinners by the Confrerie du Sabre d'Or. I've also contributed my time acting as the secretariat to the Confrerie. But after a term of service, I've decided to step down in the next year. Also, in 2011, as a School Advisory Committee member of my secondary school, I did a little contribution by giving a talk to some students (in hope to inspire them).

On December 18 2011, my best friend got married and I was picked as the Maid of Honor. Another first for me. But it was lovely to be able to participate in my best friend's wedding.

Work wise, it has been pretty hectic all year round. But I've tried hard to balance it out so that I can have time with M. It seems I've to try harder now since I'll be getting married soon. I can't work like I'm single with nobody to go home to. It's definitely a struggle for me because the work load just keep piling and there are more projects added to my portfolio in 2012.

So yes, 2012 will be even more exciting and there will be more challenges and opportunities. There's a big wedding to plan and a life with M to create.

May 2012 bring more happiness, luck and prosperity to all! Happy New Year!!!

Tatsuya with M

Last Thursday, when both of us were on leave, I decided to bring my man out for a little treat. Off we went to Tatsuya for lunch.

Besides the sushi bento, which I highly recommend, there's the umeshu jelly (not in the dessert menu) that one should try.

Lunch at Tatsuya is still as good as ever. I'm happy that M was pretty satisfied with his meal. :)

My Most Expensive Pair of Shoes

For my fairy tale wedding.

Do You Have These in Size 35?

Who would have thought buying a pair of wedding shoes could be so difficult?!

I love shoes. It has always been my thing. Some women like bags, I like shoes... and clutch purses. I am also very particular about the type of shoes I wear. I refrain from buying shoes that are made from terrible material or lousy quality that bites my feet. My work shoes are from Nine West and Enzo Angiolini. All my flats are from Steve Madden. And since I'm a creature of habit (I call that loyalty to brands), I always go back to the same brand names to get my shoes.

But for my wedding, I've decided to splurge a little... Ok ok, it's more like a lot more! I went into Christian Louboutin, On Pedder and Jimmy Choo boutiques for a change. And we're no longer talking about hundreds dollars for a pair. We're looking at 4-digit figure. Even if I'm ready to spend some hard earned money on a pair, it may not be available in my size. That's because these brands only bring in one pair per size per design. It can get very stressful and frustrating. Just when you thought you have found THE pair of shoes you like, you may be disappointed to know that someone else with the same feet size has bought it before you (leaving you none).

So, I learnt that shopping for high end designer shoes requires a strategy. You need to be the first to preview the collection so that you can be the first to "chope" the pair you like in the right size that fits. Alternatively, make friends with the shop assistant, gain access to the inner circle and be listed in her speed dial, so that you can be contacted when there are new arrivals.

And here we are going to such great lengths for a pair of shoes. The men will never get it.

Infidelity in Facebook Era

I woke up this morning with a question in my mind. What is the definition of infidelity in this Facebook era?

With Facebook, it is so easy for a guy to have access to any of his female friend's facebook profile, photos and have real time updates about their lives. Most men I know don't usually check their Facebook often. But let's say you're dating one that does. And he has a penchant for checking other ladies Facebook pages. While it is perfectly alright behavior when one is single, but isn't it wrong to be interested in checking out other women, albeit just photos, when one is attached? And that being so, doesn't it constitute as a cheating behaviour? Then again, one can argue that it's almost like a man buying FHM magazines to check out the pictures of women. Even if that doesn't count as cheating, surely it can lead to that if one continues to be interested in photos and the life of another woman and have access to that any time of the day. What's worse is that these women are actually his friends and not some stranger on the cover of the magazine that he will not possibly meet. Honestly, who would check out women that he finds plain or dull?! There has to be some interests of sorts for him to want to look.

At this point, I believe what I've said have made my male readers think I'm just being crazy to conjure up rubbish statements like that. But this debate has been going on for years hasn't it - does mind cheating means you're being unfaithful to your partner? And in most cases, the men wouldn't have considered that behavior anything close to cheating, which by the way, doesn't make it ok for men to do that.

Let me then bring you back to the definition of infidelity, ie A breach of trust. And trust me, no girlfriends or wives would think it is ok for their partners to be interested in another woman's life or photos (in some cases, the guy's mother gets the exception).

Anyway, that's just some food for thought.

Christmas Gift for the Fiancé

I spent months looking for the ideal set for him. There wasn't any that I liked in Singapore, so I had to order the Poker chips set online from US. 500 pieces of 12G Monte Carlo Coin Inlay Casino Chips in aluminium storage case.

I'm glad he liked the gift. :) That's all that matters.

My Bestfriend's Wedding

It started with the gate crashing. As the maid of honor, I had to make sure that the groom goes through some acceptable level (i.e. tolerable) of obstacles before he enters the house to fetch the bride. Why are such obstacles needed? From my research, gate crashing session is to challenge the groom's sincerity and love for the bride and the door blocking tradition demonstrates her family's reluctance to marry her off because of the their love for her. I love such traditions! They carry so much meaning.

So, two other bridesmaids and I carried out the gate crashing session in style - complete with lemon juice (酸 sour) in champagne flutes, HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate KISSES (甜 sweet), bittergourd (苦 bitter) and wasabi filled corn chips (辣 spicy). The groom had to finish what we have prepared. This shows his willingness to go through the sour, sweet, bitter and spicy times ahead with his bride (i.e. for better or worse).

My bestfriend looked gorgeous, especially in her Christian Louboutin heels. And her red evening gown was stunning! Congratulations, Yanling and Arnaud!

Gifts from Colleagues

The last few days were interesting. Besides being extremely busy at work (yes, even at this time of the year), I was surprised with a desk full of gifts every morning. The gifts come in all shapes, sizes and colors. And each morning, I'll spend a few minutes unwrapping the gifts at my desk.

One of the gifts I received was a gorgeous pen in pearl white and it was filled with sparkling crystals. This was from Mich. She wanted me to use this pen when I sign on the approvals for her requests. Haha! But this doesn't mean I'll easily approve everything she gives me.

Another very chic gift was this jounral designed by the Parisian couture house Christian Lacroix. And this was given to me by one of the guys. I wasn't expecting this from Edmund at all. A really pleasant surprise indeed.

Ibu Amanda gave me a really classy looking cream white Samsonite passport cover, which is something I needed. My old cover was tattered and torn. This was the perfect replacement.

The cutest gift was from Dan Chan. It was a little pink ribbon iPhone ear cap plug. Puts a smile on my face each time I look down at my iPhone. So so cute!
My boss's gift to me was a Ogawa Massage Cushion. His wife picked this gift for me. Guess it's my reward for all the long hours I've spent working from my over sized office chair (most chairs are too big for asians). Heh!

Where's allie?

This photo was taken at a recent corporate dinner event. I really do need to put on some weight soon.