My Accessories Maker

It started with the accessory for our blackie baby. Ever since we missed an exquisite piece from The Scarlet Hotel's Flair, we've been searching everywhere for a comparable crystal ornament for the last 1 year. Hubby felt bad as he wanted to consider the one @ Flair & when he finally gave the go which was like weeks later, it wasn't there anymore:( So he promised to find a good substitute with me, hmm. But it wasn't easy at all to find one that comes with a big crystal ball and we finally settled for a streak of (small) crystal balls, as below.

Idea & design from both of us.
Custom-made by a shop in Far East Plaza.
We like it... & it's cheap!

From there, we're inspired to DIY some accessories for me. And I have a loving hubby to execute the designs I would like to have ;) He has been really wonderful...

My beautiful crystal necklace & love it more that it's handmade by my honey :)

It's a copy of a pair we saw somewhere with a price tag of $59.90.
And mine - 90% similar, 80% cheaper & 200% of love!

His first attempt was one with a simpler design.

Long Weekends...... & Reminiscence

I needed to clear my leave by end Jun, not that there're many days as I'm only into my 3rd month. Hubby was sweet enough to apply leave as well on last mon & tue (16th & 17th) & we had a good prolonged weekend.

Sat morning hubby had a work discussion with his boss & the creative agency at Spore Post Centre's Coffee Bean. So I went to McDonald's in the same premise with my lappy to wait for hubby... free flow tea up to 11am is a big attraction :P

Just when I, in shorts & with a big green bag, was dragging my slippers & carrying my tray of tea & hashbrowns to the corner seat I eyed on, I took a quick glance at the person sitting at the other end of the corner. A chap & he's shooting a swift stare at me too. We both then took another look at the same time before realising that we actually knew each other. So there we were, seated at 2 ends with another 4-seater table in the middle, chatting casually. CW was previously from the SQ crew for a few years, then went over to BA & he's still there. He used to be a good-looking dude who worked out diligently, which was why I was a lil taken aback to see him with bit of receding hairline & a slightly flabby bod instead.

After some small talks, I moved to the front where there's a powerpoint for my notebook. He left shortly after too.

And here it is, story-telling time again.....
I took notice of CW when in my first year college because of his appearance & style - he's 1 of those who wore black boots to school & could carry it well. We're from different class and he didn't even know me. So I only admired him from a distance.

Second year, we happened to be in the same class & became friends. By the way, in his first year (when he's in another class) he went with a girl, W, for a few months but she later became a lesbian. I knew W too & thus gave us more topics to talk about. I used to make fun of him about what he had done to W who eventually preferred to be a man & have girlfriends instead.

The way the story went is what every girl hopes it should be - befriending someone you admire for a long time. However the more I knew him, the more I confirmed that nothing would come out of our friendship. And I am pretty sure till now he didn't know that I once had a 'little' crush on him :)

After graduation, we still kept in touch. Long phone chats & went for movies/drinks once in a while. I was the only one from the class he kept in touch. But by then, I'd already got over any special feeling towards him. I'd always thought that we're of different categories - he's always the avant-garde... stylish & daring. He's always ahead of fashion. Me? A complete plain jane.

Over the years, we went out lesser & lesser especially when he started flying.

But I will always remember one nice thing he'd done as a supportive friend & that's during 'The Bar' days. At the Opening, many friends came down to support & CW was one of them amidst his busy flying schedule. He surprised me by showing up with a group of about 8 & settling a spending of nearly S$500 for the night's drinks. I know how it feels that's why I tried to give support when MG opened his.. but of course I couldn't spend as much as what CW did!

About 2 years ago we lost contact till I chanced upon him at McDonald's. What's interesting is, I no longer feel he's any different from me... Likewise, he's in a pair of bermudas, polo tee & a big bag.... as ordinary as I am.

Is it because of his appearance? Maybe. Or age? Maybe too. Guys, after a certain age, can't do bold dressing. What's bold? Let's take CW for eg., he had the guts to wear a jumpers & still looked great (you don't see many guys out there wearing jumpers in the past & present, ya?). In this case, I think ladies are in a more favourable situation as long as her figure doesn't go too out of shape. Cosmetics, hairdo, variety of clothes & accessories, if done tastefully, can make a woman at any age.

Ok I'm getting too far. Back to our long weekend. Hubby finished with his boss before 11am & we went to Kaki Bukit to settle some errands for the household. Also shopped in Orchard & brought home 4 pairs of pants! All mine! Hee. Got some other items for our new interest too. That's the advantage of starting the day early (& waking up is the most difficult part). Had Father's Day dinner at Ka Soh, Alumni Medical Centre. After dinner, hubby had to get some work done & we pulled my BIL, Ben, along instead of sending him back first :P. After that, we went supper together & counselled the depressed Ben (as he just made a shocking discovery... afterall it's been nearly 3 years but that's part & parcel of growing up).

Sunday was mostly spent at home, busied ourselves with the new hobby.

Monday morning, we're back at Raffles Place... nope! not for work, but for my facial appointment. Then some finger food for lunch before going for a matinée movie - Sex And The City. Yep, we re-watched it using the free movie tix! :)

Tues was a laidback day for us in the neighbourhood... also resting & DVDs. Did I say we're into some TVB series lately?

This weekend will be another extended one, but only tomorrow. Clearing my last day of leave for this FY & hubby took too to spend some time with me. We should be receiving a long-awaited item tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Friday nights

The Fri evening before last (6/6), hubby brought me to an event he got invited to - Standard Chartered Bank Rugby Dinner @ Orchard Hotel. While enjoying the novelty of appearing in some official events as Vincent's spouse, I (rather, we) wished we would have a better way of spending our Fri night. Not because more than 95% of the 600 guests were caucasians, it was mainly the subject of this event (& of course the speeches that came along) that bored us to the core.

Not that I am totally strange to rugby games... if you are a Saint, you'll know (if LL's reading this, he should get what I mean:]).. we (as far as I know many of the girls, like myself & my clique) were so into rugby because of our fellow school mates. We supported most of the inter-school matches & our archrival used to be RJ. Our rugby boys had been the target of crushes budded by many adolescent hearts in college.

Talking about this, I remember once during the physical education lesson, the teacher (he's one of those uncles in school that always get bullied or made fun of because of his appearance & behaviour) who obviously didn't spare a thought for our feelings, split us into 2 groups - the guys to play soccer & the girls...... to LEARN rugby. The big field was right in front of the canteen & the best part was.... it was during the time when many of the rugby guys gathered at the canteen! Haha.

So, that's how much I know about rugby :P

Then last Fri, another invitation was extended to Mr & Mrs Soh by the Esplanade - dinner & an Asian choreography of 3 hours by Singapore Dance Theatre. But hubby had to stay back in office to settle some urgent matters so we gave that night's program a miss.

As for tomorrow evening, we plan to have our complimentary Swiss dinner buffet at Cafe Swiss, Swissotel The Stamford. We'll see. :)

Candid

Had Thomas & Lynn over for KTV some weeks ago. From the size of their mouths you should know what kinda song they're challenging.. haha. It's one of Jacky Cheung's.

After the session, @11pm, they stayed for about an hour more & we caught up on things. We had fun & a nice chat.

Hubby @ work

Hubby working OT on a Friday evening.

Honey's friends in office *quak quak*

(Sherry wrote that! hee..)

Still smiling in the background... hmm...

My New Gadget

During the long weekend (Vesak Day), we'd a mission... to source for the best deal of a notebook, that is.

The thought was harboured after hubby took up the new role (in his job). While he's getting busier with meetings & events, my new job doesn't require me to stay late. Except for the first 2 weeks of adapting & managing new tasks, I can usually leave on the dot, ie. 5.30pm. Instead of wasting my time hanging around & shopping every evening, I think I would be happier to be connected to the e-world. Especially now that I can't log on in office, I mean for personal surfing. Hubby can also concentrate in his work without having to worry about me. He doesn't stay too late.. the most an hour more for now.. so it doesn't make sense for me to go home first. Anyway we need to catch dinner before heading home.

So hubby fully supports the idea and we went looking for a good buy.

Initially it's MacBook we had eyed on. Mac Air is so cool but it's too ex.

By renewing our Singnet contract, we would be getting a MacBook at about $1,100 & tripling the speed that our current contract provides. It's definitely an attractive offer & I didn't mind at all playing with a Mac.

But the last day of offer was actually 2 days later whereas we could only renew our contract exactly a month later :(

So that Sat, we went around town, searching for the right one (in terms of price & weight). We realised that weight was an important factor as I would be carrying it around.. that's why we even entertained the thought of getting a Mac Air.

After a day of window shopping & research, just when we were about to give up hope in finding a compact notebook with our budget, we're being introduced to HP Mini. It wasn't available in most stores (except Courts which somehow has the privilege to bring in limited sets & that's where we first got to know it)... no display set to show but orders already flooding in. The first batch of stock would arrive mid June the earliest, even in July for some retailers.

But we managed to "grab" the last set from Courts @ S$1,199 (comes with Windows Vista Business):D Apparently it was so popular that within a day, the few sets they put up for sale were gone within a day in their stores nationwide. If they hadn't kept it for us (we called the customer service to enquire & they were helpful!), it'd have been gone too.

My gorgeous HP Mini 2133

So now I'm having my 1.2kg lappy with me everyday & log on wherever I am after work.. like now, I'm waiting for hubby just opposite my office.. @ Subway, Far East Square & writing..... :)

A Great Evening

Just back from a hot date with my honey. Well actually we had an appointment with the girls. The SATC girls.

Hubby had plans to treat me to the movie this evening (I mean Fri night) but was sold out nearly a week before the show... except a few seats on the first row. It's quite a disappointment as we've been so looking forward to it for months.

Then when the Media Director of GV knew that Mr Soh had failed to secure seats to bring his wife to the show, he had 2 tix of the 2045h show couriered to hubby!:D Prime seats - 2nd last row, right in the middle of the screen which were supposed to be already taken up when hubby checked online days ago. When hubby asked him how he did that. he refused to reveal. Hmm..

Anyway, we're really delighted with the pleasant surprise.

So we had dinner at Great World City right after work as the show's at GV Grand. It's a full-house, even those front row seats were all taken.

Got to watch the additional half-hour footage which is only showing in 2 of GV cinemas to make it a nearly 3-hour entertainment. We both thoroughly enjoyed the movie... it felt so good to be watching the continuation of the series and we left the cinema with a big smile of satisfaction on our face. :)

Career move

It's not about me this time :)

Hubby's been feeling restless in his job some weeks ago... just about the same time when I started my new job. Things didn't move that well with the projects he's handling & he couldn't see himself getting anywhere. Just when he started looking around, there's an unexpected twist - he's being offered 2 positions by 2 department heads.

At one point hubby's pretty stressed out having to make a decision within a couple of days & at the same time, to do it diplomatically so as not to offend anyone. I consoled him that at least he's being valued to have the VP & AVP fighting over him. Hee.

The choice's been made (since 2 weeks ago & this shows how long I haven't been able to post updates) & now, hubby's the Brand Manager. This is what he's been hoping to do but just didn't know where & how to venture in as, without relevant experience, he would have to start from scratch & that's something he's not too willing to compromise.
So isn't it amazing that this job just came knocking at his door? What else can we say but to thank God!

Everything moved so swiftly that it's like a dream to Vince. He did immediate transfer & just a few days into his new portfolio, he had to attend media events & lunches.

I'm really happy for him. Though we've no idea how long he'll stay in this job, we know his ultimate purpose is to pave his way by accumulating experience for as long as he can.

Congrats, hubby! :D

Happy Mum's Day !

We went for an early celebration for mum last Sunday... lunch buffet at Merchant Court which spanned the session from 12 - 2.30pm! It's an easy lunch with small chats.

Today, buffet again with my inlaws & family @ Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel.

This year, the bouquets we gave to our mothers were kind of special as I made them. Of course, with lots of help from hubby :) Initially we thought of getting the Cash&Carry at Goodwood (Far East Flora) which advertised to be very reasonably priced (@$15) but the bouquets were pathetically small! The bigger ones just too pricey!

And I really appreciate my honey for giving me free reign in creating my own bouquets though I've never done it before. I knew he's worried but didn't want to dampen my mood of wanting to get hands on all of a sudden. He's just concerned that I would be very disappointed & upset if it's not a satisfactory job done & also by then, we've no where to get proper bouquets. I must say it's not easy to deal with such a wifey who comes up with funny ideas every now & then, haha. And yes, he's always so supportive.

Just got our stock & all materials needed. They're heavy!

Where else to get our flowers but Far East Flora?

Amateur, with-no-prior-experience, "florist" at work

My work! Tis for mum as she loves lilies.



How about this? For my MIL. I assume she likes sunflowers as she's quite a lot of sunflower decors at home.

We'd have paid more than triple of what we spent if we were to get such a big one (10 - 12 stalks in each bouquet) especially on this special occasion. Everyone's amazed that I did them by myself (& help from hubby.. without his, I'd be handicapped!). Vince's family already complimented it's a pretty bouquet before knowing I DIYed it :D

It's a new found interest for me... just like how much I like wrapping nice & fanciful presents (if you've seen before). June even said I should consider starting some business for Valentine's Day. Hee. After this round of experience, I actually don't mind doing it on some weekends to have more practices, provided that I'm given the opportunity. And mine'll definitely be lower than the market price. So, any orders? ;)

My New Neighbour & Adaptation

It's pure coincidence that June & I are neighbours now. I mean we work in the same building, of the many skyscrapers in Raffles Place. Have yet to lunch with her. Supposed to meet her last Fri but her meeting overran.

The office of my first job was just diagonally across from my present office. Surely there are lots of changes over the years & boy, the morning office crowd has also grown so much.

Last Fri, we took a break from driving (in fact it's more for hubby). We parked our car opposite Sun Plaza's Park&Ride & took the train to our offices. Wow, the throngs of people who got out of Raffles Place station were overwhelming!

And there's the lunch crowd. So far, other than lunching with a few of my new colleagues on some days, I'm just happy to take a stroll by myself (to get away from work) & get some bite size food at the stalls environ Arcade. I've always hated crowded eating places but guess I've no choice now. When I'm more settled in my new job, hope I can go lunch more often with my colleagues & learn the surviving skills amidst the aggressive, fast-moving lunch crowd. :P

Hubby said there's a can't-be-bothered attitude in those who work in Shenton Way/Raffles Place... especially when crossing the roads. It could be really frustrating for motorists. I guess it's the circumstances that make them this way?

Birthday celebration with the Family

Celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday last Sat. Had Chinese dinner buffet (all-you-can-eat) @ Parkroyal Hotel Kitchener. Most of them didn't like the food but I thought some dishes were alright.

After dinner, a few of us went on to have a second session - KTV. Vince & I found this place that offers cheap KTV at Toa Payoh. But the audio system was lousy. And the place was... hmm.. look at this & you'll know.

Constance said this place looks like the one she went to in Vietnam. Ha!

Wedding Dinner on a Monday night

Beauties in Black!

At hubby's cousin's wedding dinner. On a Monday night.

Thankful

I've such a wonderful hubby that I always feel I can't thank God enough for him. Especially during this transition, he has given me so much support & I know I'm so so blessed.

Without him, I'm sure the present wouldn't be the same. What happened was... just an hour before the 1st interview with my current employer, to my horror I discovered I didn't bring my original set of certificates for verification purpose which they had reminded me to during the telephone conversation & in the email. And hubby, instead of chiding me upon knowing (which's the reflex of most human including myself), immediately arranged to rush home to get them for me & asked me to wait for him at my interview venue. I wander why this husband of mine wasn't even in the least upset with me & still calmed me & reassured me that he'd be in time to deliver my certs. Thank God I managed to postpone the interview (of course not by telling them the real reason!) to half an hour later & I went back with him to get all that I needed. It's a big relief that by the time hubby dropped me at the doorstep, I still had about 5 mins to recompose myself. Phew!

3 days before I left my previous company, I thought of giving my colleagues a small treat. Hubby was so supportive that he volunteered to get me all I needed. He said whatever I wanted he would get them for me. To make things simpler for my honey, I "ordered" 2 dozens of donuts from Donut Factory and some pies & puffs from Polar (mainly for my Muslim colleagues) & he had them delivered right to my office while I was busy with my reports. Hubby's attentiveness has indeed gained praises from my ex-colleagues & 1 of them even asked whether Vince has a younger brother to introduce to another colleague.. hehe.

And about my last week's purchases, hubby aka my shopping buddy, didn't bat an eyelid & even went all out to search for some items with me. Instance(1)4 I also bought a grey jacket from Esprit besides those that I mentioned previously. We saw it in Marina Sq's but I initially wanted a black one. but we're told that only 1 black piece was left in Centrepoint after checking their record & as sale item couldn't be reserved, we quickly rushed there to get it. We've no idea whether their e-system or the Centrepoint outlet screwed up, there's no sight of such jacket.. not even the grey one. After combing their store (which's huge) for more than half an hour, we gave up but this time, I insisted they kept a grey one at MS. So hubby drove me back to MS to get it. (2) The Warehouse flap tote which I set my eyes on but I wanted to consider. The next day I decided to buy it but we couldn't find at Wisma's. We went to a few places in search of Warehouse but didn't know they have limited outlets. So eventually hubby had to bring me back to MS again. Hmm. Hubby has never complained about the back & forth trips as well as the expensive parking fees chalked up especially on Sat in town.

So at Aldo, where I got 2 handbags at 1 go, I bought a nice watch for hubby as reward. Hee.

My honey's Aldo Aurello watch

And yes, I also bought a pretty bracelet watch while hubby bought a birthday present for one of his colleagues that's shared with the others. Frankly, I haven't been shopping since our Korea trip but I just couldn't stop buying once started!!

About 2 weeks ago, I did some online purchases and was waiting for them anxiously as I wanted them for my 1st day of work. My dear hubby was well aware of that & I was very pleasantly surprised that he helped me to retrieve them fresh from customs clearance without having to go through sorting & job-queue which would take at least another day or 2. So it does pay to have a hubby to work there. :D

First day of work, we left home late partially because I'd tummy ache. I panicked as being late on first day was the last situation I would want to land myself in. Hubby again reassured me that he would make sure that I reach office in time. True enough, I arrived in 35mins & reported to my new office on the dot.

There are simply nothing my doting hubby wouldn't do for me! This old song below just perfectly describes how I feel as he's always been my hero.

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

from: Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler

The Jobless Days

Started my new job last Wed.

During the 4 days when I was unemployed, we went shopping. Nope, not GSS yet but I've very valid reason to shop (it's just self-justification, point-blank :P) 4 I gotta revamp my wardrobe. In my previous job, I could wear anything to work, as long as there's no meeting or event to attend. Now here, there's a pretty strict dresscode & I do look forward to that day when we're allowed to wear jeans on Fridays. As you can imagine I'm not used to it yet after sooo many years of lax dressing. I was always being asked "eh? you can wear like this to work?" & I was always happy to tell them "of course!". Now, my day has come. Frankly, I don't really mind the change... my only headache is my poor feet. I just wonder how all those ladies could walk so fast in their strappies or pumps with heels that reach the sky everyday & there's no sign of pain or discomfort at all.

So I got new clothes, shoes (if I'm not wrong, mules not allowed as well) & bags (I don't have enough nice bags to match my clothes, hee). Fierce shopping indeed & got my loots from every where (no high end ones, thankfully).

Stock take at the end of four days:

- 4 handbags (Aldo, Warehouse, URS)
- 3 pairs of shoes (Charles & Keith, URS, Heatwave)
- 7 tops (BYSI, some small shops in Marina Sq, FEP, AMK Hub)
- 2 pants & 1 skirt (FEP.. very nice cutting & cheap!)

Besides shopping, hubby took a day's leave on Mon & we went for our free buffet lunch @ Merchant Court :)

Hubby imitate my posture!

Wish I could have a longer break but I'm still thankful for how things are now. God is so good :)

Miss my Colleagues...

I had a surprise birthday celebration from my colleagues. It's my last in this office. I felt really loved there. But that's life.. when it's time to move on, we've to do so.