recap of 2011

most of my friends and myself have started the year thinking it won't be a smooth one overall.
at least according to predictions for roosters in general.
so a year has almost passed, all i can say its not as bad as i thought:

jan: hubbi turned 34 while my little nut turned 1. FIL suffered a mild stroke that gave all of us a wake-up call in paying more attention to our general health.

feb: YR started learning to walk at 13m+, earlier as compared to gor gor at 15+m. I bought myself an awesome watch as my wayyyyy advanced early 30yo bday pressie! :P
yz suffered from a bad bout of stomach flu that lasted almost 2 weeks which made me so sad and helpless.

mar: i got DD to help me get my new wallet from europe at a great price! the ng family went HK for 5D4N with my mum. it was quite fun but definitely wayyyy too tiring. both the boys came back and developed cough which lasted almost 2mths.... :(

apr: yr's turn to suffer stomach flu @_@ and i started actively looking out for jobs after being in my previous job for coming to 3 years and feeling more and more stagnant at work. and i signed the appointment letter at end apr!

may: a short month as i was busy doing my handover duties at previous job and a short macau trip before i commenced work at new workplace in early jun!
it was GE2011 too and i voted for the 1st time in my entire life. i was under marine parade GRC before i moved to TP GRC. but ever changing SMC/GRC landscape resulted in my area being under Radin Mas this year and i finally cast my sacred vote this year- haha.

jun: started work, steep learning curve which took me awhile to adjust. finally changed to android phone when hubbi got me the HTC incredible S. android rocks!

jul: rewarded myself with a chanel GST (thanks to eric who helped me get from london) and a ipad2 for the family with help from work vouchers. :) YR stopped taking his paci at 18m+ too.

aug: watched fantastic fireworks with my boys at my workplace on NDP 2011. went down with a terrible sore throat/cough that lingers on for the longest time (almost 1m+) which resulted in a health scare and blood test in between. lucky results come out to be ok.

sept: celebrated 5 years marriage anni with my man. secured a buyer to sign on the option to purchase for our flat at a good price as well as signed on the option to purchase on our next home - at a reasonable price (i think!).

oct: my YZ turned 4yo! gosh, hes growing up too fast! will be going to kindy in 2m+ time!

nov: went for routine check up with a worried heart after the health scare in aug. the results came back generally ok. a good improvement i passed a test that i failed last year. but another area was highlighted for further testing if im concerned. (*sigh*).
went for HDB 1st appt and concluded that our buyers are way nicer than our sellers. pui. well, just have to deal with whatever curve balls are thrown to us!
tasted guy savoy with the husband which was a special culinary experience for both of us.

dec: super busy month at work and outside of it. the whole month was almost dedicated to cleaning up the house (that means throwing away tons of stuff) and packing it to boxes!
YR had a fall and a nasty bump on the forehead which gave me a big scare. and he finally started on his childcare. better than gor gor, he stopped crying after 2 weeks...
had the most fun-filled bday gathering with my peeps to spend my *gasp* big 3-0 birthday!
for the actual day, will be spending a quiet one with my boys at a staycation. :)

yup, that kinda concludes my 2011.
there are ups and downs but being the ever-optimistic me, i think its still a pretty good year for me! :)
im more convinced than ever that H&H - health and happiness is really important.
resolution for 2012 will be to spend more effort in ensuring H&H!

turning over a new leaf

im finally done with my year-end shopping!
zara started yesterday and i've trawled through 4 outlets by today. *gulp*
i would think the purchases are good: 1 flats, 1 heels, 2 dresses and 2 blouses.

ok, time to turn over a new leaf and lead a frugal life (at least in jan!).
now, its time to choose from all the loot bought over the last month to see which will be my CNY clothings! :)

YZ ready for new school!

my little wormy is all grown up! :)

lights at JB!

hubbi's friend have been telling us how cheap lighting can be purchased from JB for the longest time.
so today, both of us took leave to drive to JB with ah long's friend for lighting shopping and of cos, indulge in bak ku teh lunch. haha.

slight jam at the customs given its year-end now and hordes of sg cars driving in for shopping and eating!
we spent about 5 hours there, just very focused on light shopping. :P
at the end of the trip, we were very glad to have purchased near to 80% of the lighting that we will be needing for the new house. :)

we should be making another trip back soon to collect our stock, perhaps get the remaining lightings from other shops and hopefully shopping at the new KSL mall!

xmas season = jolly season!

xmas is finally here in a jiffy!
23rd was a super happy day for half an hour into the work morning, my VP came round my floor to do the usual shaking hands-best wishes thingy.
THEN, he told us to scoot off after lunch to enjoy the joyous season! :)
and with a tibits tea break inserted in the middle of the morning with my own team, i can only say i've done minimal work on friday morning!

at 12, i scooted off to meet fifi @ my office lobby.
we were meeting gb & dd for lunchie @ verve pizza bar at marina bay city gallery!


the newlywed looking fresh n radiant from her honeymoon break at south africa!

after lunch, gb, fifi and myself continue to MBS to do serious window-shopping of most of the heavy-weight brands.
lol. its sooo fun when shopping with 志同道合 friends.
the adrenalin-high that we experienced as we weaved in and out of the shops came to a deflating 空虚 when we left the shops with no 战利品 of cos.... muhahah.
oh, and we went to the LV maison for the first time. pretty impressive, i must say.
i saw my next wallet too.... wahahahah.

xmas eve is pretty boring for the ng family.
we made various trips to furniture shops to source for our new house. took a rest stop at my mum's place in the afternoon for the boys' nap.
came evening time, a short stint at hubbi's sis house for dinner and then its home sweet home.

and finally, today is xmas day!
we had a surprise for the boys!
there was no xmas tree in our house and we didnt wrap up the present as well, haha.


tada, finally the cooking station that yz has always wanted!

we chose a set that looked safe for either gender, lol.
yz kept asking for reassurance that "this is not for girls one, hor?!". haha.
and the boys love it. they have been cooking food non-stop from morning up till their nap-time at 1pm... @_@

hmmm. now i wonder where can we go after they wake up from their nap...
we cant run errands (there are tons!) as those places were closed....
let's see how....

and the year-end shopping continues...

and so shortly after my shopping spree, MNG & topshop started their sale as well.
how jolly!

for MNG, i visited the raffles city branch with candice and jx and cheonged the vivo branch by myself during the 45mins window period before the husband and elder son reached...
damage: 2 tops + a dress
topshop sale is not really sincere with quite a small and poor selection on the sales rack.
(was relieved to find the new items that i bought a week back are NOT on sale - hehe)
visited the raffles city branch alone and the knightsbridge one with candice.
damage: a top, a dress + flats
i think im pretty done with the above two liao.

robinson year-end sale started and 难得 i can shop with the hubbi.
its pretty good deal for there is a voucher to less $30 for every $180 spent. not to mention most things are at least 20% off already!
we used up 2 vouchers which means all the items we bought were already discounted, we still get an additional $60 off the total bill of $400+ (a good additional 15% off!)!
we bought toys and kids stuff for the boys and toiletries as usual.
and i got a top from axara and shoes from nine west. :)
oh, and a belt for mr ng's birthday (apparantly, he's not that keen on ah mei's concert as his bday pressie. and i thought i bought him a belt for last year birthday too!?! hmm, so long the mister is happy lor.)

ok, the bill came and i paid with tears streaming down my cheeks.
i hope the bill will be kinder in jan since there is only zara sale left? or no?

advanced xmas celebration @ junren's hse

as with tradition, ah long and his friends try to have an xmas gathering every year.
this year, we did so at junren's house!
its interesting to see how the group just get bigger and bigger over the years with new additions. :)
yz and yr had fun (i think!) playing with the other kids and of cos eating all kind of nice food and stuff.


can you spot us! this is not full attendance by the way...


left: its a potluck gathering but being the lazy ones, we got the desserts covered - a chocolate log cake and a strawberry shortcake
right: yr terrorising all the uncles with his balloon sword.

Year end shopping is here again!

im almost scared to write this post but i guess i have to note down all the nonsense i bought so i can be more mindful going forward! though i think the shopaholic me will still reign.... zzzz.
to my credit, i think i didnt buy anything for almost 5 weeks before i started my recent crazy spree!
that is such a feat! :P

but as usual, i think most of my buys are good one:
1) a beige shorts from forever new - i love this brand from down under! think they have only 1 store @ raffles city in SG.
think lace and ruffles. and they have crazy petite sizes for the tiny ladies!
2) Pedro shoes
3) bangles and shoes from Bimba & Lola - crazy year-end sale! check out ion outlet! i love their accessories, shoes & bags!
4) novel 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami - no time to read yet in this crazy season of activities
5) top, top, top (yes, 3!) from GG5 - im hoping feverishly i wont see them in any upcoming sale!
6) jeans & denim shorts from Guess by marciano - good year-end sale! check out the MBS branch for good sizes left.
7) dress + (zebra!) leggings from forever 21 - believe it or not, this is my 1st time buying from this brand. had always feel that its quality is inconsistent and maddening. well well, lets see if they last the test of usage.
8) 2 tops & a romper from topshop - thanks to the girls! knowing topshop, im SURE these new collection wont appear in their upcoming sale. some comfort here.. haha.
9) 1 T&C bracelet - my fav. buy!! thanks to GB who helped me to get this from the states! :) though its only a teeny weeny bit cheaper as compared to SG, its my lovely gift to myself for turning 30. :)

i think the above is crazy enough.
the husband only got snippets here and there, i think he's still missing the BIG picture.
ok, no more buys UNTIL the sale gets going at the usual brands (think gg5/MNG/zara) bah!
god bless my pockets.

big 3-O birthday with the girls!

its amazing how i can still pull myself out of bed yesterday morning after the crazy saturday night @ park hotel.
still, i must make it to meet the girls for my bday lunch and our annual xmas gift exchange gathering!

venue was at DB bistro Moderne @ Marina Bay sands.
we had brunch there and it was delicious! *yum yum*

they knew me well too and got me a topshop value card! *wee*
just in time for year-end shopping! :)
and i got stella's xmas gift - a loewe perfume! nice!


polaroids with the girls! ok, women!

my big 3-O birthday party!

YEAH~ 10th dec is a big day to me!
the day i spent my 30th birthday with the gang. :)
i booked a room at park hotel and we meant to spend as much crazy time from day to night!
by 5pm, its full attendance! :)


took polaroid shots with all of them! they got me a princess balloon! can you spot it!?
though i cant be any further from being one. i have no 公主病 ok!

we took some shots before heading out for our mini "photoshoot" and dinner @ robertson quay:
and of cos, we downed 1 bubbly before heading out.. :)


baring teeth with the women

prim & proper ( i dun know why?!) with the *cough* hunks.

we walked to our dinner place ~ brussels sprouts @ robertson quay from the hotel.
along the way, we started our crazy photoshoot session:

at first, it was still tame and under control

then, more instructions were thrown and we actually followed suit?!

im glad for my yoga sessions @ cali back then!


mad dd and bin bin jumped real high at the back! well done!
and alot of passers-by threw us dubious glances.. LOL

it was still very fun, all of us laughed till our faces almost cramped. hehe.

by the time we settled down for dinner @ brussels sprouts, im absolutely bushed.
check out my expression. zzzzz

we had like 4 pots of mussels between AND 5 dishes too. *burp*
oh, their fruit-flavored beer were berry nice!

and then, it was back to the hotel for more merry-making.
we chatted and drank and chatted and drank.
for a group who communicated via watsapp EVERYDAY, its pretty amazing we still have so much crap to talk about!

and before long, its time for cake-cutting session and presenting my pressie to me! :)


my first time popping a champagne (with help from dd for loosening the cork first). and MOET is especially yummeh! *slurp*
cake was strawberry shortcake from Rive gauche - light and good. and they very scared i dont know im turing 30 loh. @_@

i was waiting eagerly for my pressie for im sure the peeps will do a good job given how *ahem* well they know me....
so i was sooo happy when they produced a balenciage dustbag and said dd scoured high and low overseas for my pressie.
my 1st thought was really he managed to get a good buy from one of the outlet @ his last work trip @ london....


very suspicious looking me and getting a shock when i realised the real "brand"!

but things started getting suspicious when he asked for the dustbag after i took out the bag and kept it away immediately.
why cant i keep the dustbag?!
when i held the bag in my hand, it just doesnt feel right. too light and the leather too PVC smelling.
and their grins were so up-to-no-good!
and so i checked as they told me and realised the brand is actually................ YIC (i dun know what is this!?!??!).


very unhappy with the (fake) pressie

luckily, they whipped out the real deal soon!

berry nice ferragamo skinny belt. :)

and the rest of the night was really chatting, laughing, singing and of cos drinking.
but we drank happy spirits this time round and all were in high spirits! good!

near to 1am, we still managed to drag ourselves to shanghai dolly. LOL
a bad mistake!
bad crowd and worse music!!
i think it will be our last time there ever.

so with my bday, we finally ended all the big 3-O birthdays for everyone in the group.
back to normal bday celebrations next year onwards i guess.
big celebrations 很伤身! haha.

i just want to shout again that im sooo lucky to have this group of friends for the 17 years and counting!

they are oh-so-cute!

the screw up

and so after 5 months of good luck and smooth sailing, i had my first major screw-up at work.
so JUST after my bosses' commendation last month, i went on to commit not one BUT two mistakes for this month closing.
well done, ecookie!
and i only realised the mistake on WD2. hohoho.
that's why i almost cant make it for fifi's wedding that evening!
its a blessings that it was the weekend after WD2 so we have 2 days to rectify the mistake before the deadline on WD3 (ie. monday).

i suggested coming back on saturday to salvage the situation and im so grateful to my team members who came back to help me so willingly.
though we stayed abit longer that we hoped for on sat, it was in a way a good kind of teambuilding! LOL.
im just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that no more next time! *gulp*

to mr & mrs zeng: blissful marriage ahead!

and so, my dearest fifi 嫁出去了！
hehehe.
i am sooooo sad not being able to be her 姐妹！*sigh*
but her wedding actually falls on 2nd dec = 2nd workday of closing = the bane of all finance people!
and i almost cant make it for her wedding! *gasp* (let's leave that in the next post...)

still, the ng family managed to make it to conrad slightly before 830pm.
i was in time to give the bridezilla a big hug before her first march in!
*aww* she looks great in her wedding gown. :)

and as she marched in to RC's serenade, i actually teared!
just so touched at the moment. ok, emo me lah.
didnt manage to take photos cos the 2 kiddos were there too!
cant wait to see the shots when the newlyweds is back from their honeymoon. :)

and, that was the last wedding for 2011.
as of now, im counting...1...2..3...4..5 weddings to attend next year!! and im sure the number will go up more....
haha, but weddings are happy affairs and i love attending them!