where dreams take flight

Re：hello

2011-08-19T23:07:00.001+08:00

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2009-03-24T23:03:00.004+08:00

Remember about not sleeping a few months back? Well, she's still not sleeping, but she's improving by the day.

She's so cute, lovable and fun to play with. She's 7 months now. She has one tooth (1mm only and growing). She can sit for awhile. When she sits, she will purposely fall back on to the bed and laugh. She is very playful. She loves to play chasing.

When I pick her up at the babysitters house, she is superbly happy. She is loved by everyone. She is super cute. She responds to you. She loves to see people dance and would like to dance herself. She crawls with her head (???). She loves to eat, lick and bite anything. She's very clingy to me. If daddy carries her, its alright... till she sees me and will whine for me (*proud*).

I've so much to update. But this is all for now. I have been neglecting in my posts because I have been so busy with her. Also, my laptop is crap. Its so friggin slow!! I'm considering changing to a macbook cos all I do on the laptop is photoediting, video editing and surf the net!

Nope, still not sleeping

2008-12-30T08:51:00.000+08:00

kthxbai!

Ten years later

2008-12-12T10:18:00.002+08:00

I was reading this http://jasonphoon.com/ten-years-ago/. He was a junior of mine. I was also a librarian. I did have a crush on him. But he didnt know.. until now. (Heh). But back then I had many crushes. It was those stupid silly crushes (oops, sorry Jason) where your heart goes a flutter by whenever he smiles and you steal glances whenever he's not looking. Yeah. Those embarrasing type.

I totally forgot about that stupid crush until I read the above post [yeap, Jason, I'm still a silent stalker ;)]. It made me remember all the other silly crushes and relationships (not many btw) I had.

Ten years later.. I'm happily married and have a super cute baby.

Its funny how life is when u start reminiscing them. All the fights, the silly tears whenever our hearts got broken, the wanting the person to like u back but you dont want that person to know you like him in the first place, the whole world of yours would collapse just cos he knows you like him and then u go hiding for a weak (I MEAN WTF RIGHT?), etc etc.

If I were to see myself now ten years ago, I would have given her a nice long lecture, nag, and telling her, its not the end of the world if your make up is wrong or if he knows you like him or you dont get that new IT bag or clothes to go out with your friends.

Right now, life is just bliss... of course it would be better if I can get the evil baby to sleep more!

Dont mind me..

2008-12-12T09:39:00.002+08:00

I'm weaning her out of her "Miracle Blanket" which she loves to death. Yeap. Although it doesnt make her sleep throughout the night, it makes her sleep LONGER. The reason why I am weaning her out of it is simply because she is learning how to turn and it will be dangerous to wrap her with the blanket.

So I'm not getting my usual sleep.

I'm getting more cranky cos she is so insecure without the blanket. She wont sleep properly, constantly peeking to see if I am there so she can sleep. If so happen I steal away for a few mins, she will start to cry again.

And she keeps waking

AGAIN

and

AGAIN

and

AGAIN

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKk

I've tried so many ways, recomended by books, recomended by real parents, recomended by EVERYONE.

None works

So I'm at a loss...

Loss for words.. how to approach this so that we all as a family can get some decent sleep. She apparently doesnt want to sleep at the baby sitter's place as well. GAWD THAT GIRL JUST DOESNT WANT TO SLEEP!

Patience

2008-12-10T14:26:00.000+08:00

Everyone's been asking me... "So you must have alot of patience now ever since becoming a mother"

I still throw tantrums at HY if things dont go my way. So, no my patience level hasnt gone up.

Cheers.

Naughty?

2008-11-28T18:56:00.000+08:00

I didn't know that there is this "tradition" whereby parents "critisise" their children in hopes they would turn out the opposite. Like for example:

A: How is your son?
B: Oh he is very naughty!!!

When in fact son is OK.

Then there is a saying where, dont praise your child so much cos he or she will get spoilt.

So it comes to me as a surprise when I was having this conversation:

A: So how is your girl?
Me: OMGSHEISSONAUGHTYCANDIE!!
A: Issit? Or are you really saying cos you dont want to jinx her good ness
Me: WHAT? Is there such a thing?
A: Ya (explains what I explained above)
Me: No... really.. my girl is really sonaughtyuntilcandie. Serious. No joke. I dont praise also she is still naughtyuntilcandie.

No one really believes me except for my confinement lady and babysitter.

Serious.

Sleep training - A Baby's View

2008-11-23T18:54:00.000+08:00

So funny.. whoever wrote this should be credited:

OK, here’s my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great–I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I’ve talked to other babies, and it seems like it’s pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months. Here’s the thing: these Mommies don’t really need to sleep. It’s just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep–they just don’t need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:
Night 1–cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it’s hard. It’s hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it’s for her own good.
Night 2–cry every 2 hours until you get fed.
Night 3–every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights.
Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don’t give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT’S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it.

Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with. My sleep sack tickled my foot. I felt a wrinkle under the sheet. My mobile made a shadow on the wall. I burped, and it tasted like pears. I hadn’t eaten pears since lunch, what’s up with that? The cat said “meow”. I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL. Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room. Too hot, too cold, just right–doesn’t matter! Keep crying!! It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies’ internal clocks.

P.S. Don’t let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me.

3 month update

2008-11-23T18:38:00.000+08:00

Woohoo.. can you tell? She is sleeping. HAHAHAHAHAHAH

Ok seriously need to stop getting happy when she sleeps.

I thought I'd just do a 3 month update:

1. She is extremely happy when you give her a smile and say good morning each morning.
2. She likes being carried
3. She is more aware of her surroundings now. She tends to observe more (and not sleep all the way) when I take her out.
4. She can respond to you talking to her (depending on her mood, usually after being fed). But dont expect rocket science to come out of her mouth. For goodness sake she is just 3 months old. Normal baby cute babbles come out.
5. She knows how to say "how" "mama" and "nay" although she doesnt know the meaning of those words (no papa or dada yet.. AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA)
6. She loves nursery rhymes especially .. "if you are happy and you know.."
7. She loves her DVD, "Your baby can read!" (Ok, I seriously have to stop being so kiasu.. but she LOVES it to death.. plus I get half hour break from entertaining her so that my brain wont turn to mush)
8. She loves songs and tunes. Twinkle twinkle little star, old mac donald and if you are happy and you know. I bought her a collection of nursery rhyme songs (by Mr Men!) because I'm too dumb to remember all of them.. just so.. you know.. in case.. she gets bored of me.
9. She hates drinking water.
2. She is extremely happy to see you happy. Previously its all accidental smiles.. and stuff.. so now you know, she really thinks you are funny and entertaining.. (hahahahahha)

She doesnt know how to grab stuff yet, but I am seeing progress. She drools like a tap (sign of teething? NooooOoOo). She is wanting to sit up by herself but cant, then cries for help.

Have I covered everything?

Oh.. yea.. she is still a cheeky little monster.

Gaah

2008-11-23T18:07:00.000+08:00

Going back to work after 3 months isnt easy... juggling with the baby. I dont have a maid, and that makes the house even in a more sorry state than it was before. I dont trust a maid.. so she goes to a baby sitter.

Normally my days goes like:

Send her to baby sitter, work, rush to pick her up, entertain her, let her nap so I can wash off the grime for the day, wake her up, entertain her (again) then put her to sleep. Pray she sleeps through the night.

Lately I've been wanting her to drop the 4am feed. So I've been putting her to sleep around 10 - 1030. Bad I know. But she still wakes up at 4 am anyway. It got so bad I couldnt sleep and I had to work the next day. Smack in the middle of a rush peak period! I've tried patting her back to sleep, shushing, rocking, anything but feeding her. I even ignored her for 1 hour (its hard to ignore since her cot is in my room). She still does not give up. I've taken up part time co-sleeping (where she sleeps in her cot in the begining of the night, and then when she wakes, she comes to bed with me) cos its so much easier than getting up of the bed and consoling her to sleep.

Some said try giving her water at 4 am. I did try that before and it wasnt pretty. She was still wailing for her food half hour later. I guess she was too young then. So I tried it again on last Friday. It seemed to work. She went back to sleep thinking great.. last few days no food.. this time is water.. zzzzzzzzzz till 730am. CRAP I WAS LATE FOR WORK (she was my alarm clock at 6am).

Friday night, she still woke up at 4am. I grabbed her and put her to bed with me. Slept.

Saturday night ...I told her (she is 3 months now) please please let mommy and daddy sleep OK. You were crap the last week and mommy needs to work during the weekend. And then I put her to sleep at 10pm (she has no problems getting to bed). Walked out of the room started my laptop and prayed she doesnt get up at 4 am again. And I worked till 1230 am. I went to the room, with sinus and all thinking.. ok I shall just pop a pill and everything will be ok... she'll wake up anyway.. so I REALLY NEED THE ANTIHISTAMINE.... *gulp*...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Fast forward... looked at the clock... 6.45am... wait is the clock right? SHE ISNT AWAKE? OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!! IS SHE STILL ALIVE (I tend to get really paranoid of SIDS)????

Yes she is still alive and woke up at around 7am wanting to eat and after that with the biggest smile. Aaah.

Actually reading this (sleepisfortheweak.wordpress.com) is really comforting.. especially when other people ask you.. is she sleeping through the night? And then u reply sheepishly.. no... and then a pathetic smile (along with the face that says, you dont know how to parent your child) awaits you... and loads of advices given on how to "sleep train" my daughter. Yea I know. I get it. I'm the worse parent EVAR. I take my daughter to bed with me for the sake of convenience. I give her the pacifier cos I'm lazy to keep shushing her for 5 hours to make her take naps in the afternoons (seriously? I did that till my tongue and throat was raw, just because giving her the pacifier means I'm spoiling her). I let her sleep in the rocker just cos she likes it. Now I just do NOT CARE. I do whatever works to gain my sanity back. Of course.. by letting her flash that infamous cheeky smile of hers EVERY MORNING does wonders to start a day fresh.

Throw those "professional advice" books away. Cos they dont apply to EVERY baby on earth. Some are more needy than others. Mine is just, clingy. I let her cling to me. After all, when she reaches her teens, she probably will decide that she doesnt want anything to do with me anymore. So just sit back, and let ur baby decide she wants you more than ever.

Please dont blame me if she turns out spoilt and pampered

2008-11-12T09:05:00.000+08:00

If you could see how cute she is, you can understand why... ;)

Babysitter rules

2008-10-28T16:30:00.000+08:00

She just had her first taste of the babysitter today and she behaved well.. cooing and laughing.. that is.. until I picked her up back. Before we reached the door to my flat she started howling and howling and howling.

She seems to be saying HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@___________@

I had to calm her down with a pacifier (thats the reason why they call it a pacifier). She's now asleep.

It has been an exhausting day

Hello, I'm a bagaholic

2008-10-23T21:45:00.000+08:00

Ok its time to take a break from baby and pregnancy post. I admit, I've been bad. Window shopping online. I'm a bag freak, bagaholic, bag mad, bag lady, whatever. I've been wanting so much to purchase a decent bag and went from Burberry to Miu Miu to Prada to Gucci to Chanel to Loewe.

Pretty expensive stuff eh? With the recent financial turmoil and the Great Depression looming (not to mention that I have to spend so much more on a tiny baby.. who knew someone so small costs so much?), I have been forced to "ubah gaya hidup" (change lifestyle) and downgrade. Hurr..

So what I've been looking? US designers. HAH. Marc Jacobs is one. Kate Spade is another. CK, DKNY Coach.. whatever... I'm just looking for a decent bag to get me to work and back. Also to stuff loads of rubbish.

With the baby, I've got like limited time to browse for stuff online. I cant go to each and every designers website to see what they carry and their prices right? So.. I found out this really good website that consolidates almost EVERYTHING together with the prices! Whats more, you can filter what you like to see. Lets say I love hobo bags and I filter the rest out. They do have other stuff than bags. But I've only got time to see bags!

Check it out! You'll be addicted for sure: www.shopstyle.com

Lethargic

2008-10-19T11:05:00.000+08:00

Baby seems abit lethargic after her 2 month jab. No fever.

She usually is a hyper, cranky and extremely happy baby. She is also usually a big drinker.

But these few days she seems sleepy and doesnt want to drink. She also wakes up frequently during nights (OMG!!!! NIGHTMARE!). It'll be so hard to train her back to her normal bedtime routine!

Anyway, I miss my hyper, cranky and extremely happy baby. ;( This is why no new facebook photos are up in my baby album. She's just too tired (from fighting the weakened virus to create antibodies) to put up a decent cute smile...

2nd month jab (updated)

2008-10-17T14:28:00.001+08:00

OOOoooOh! She is one cheeky girl.

In the clinic, she portrayed herself as a smiley happy baby, cooing and smiling and looking at the surroundings of the clinic.

Doctor praised her GOOOOOOOOOOOD GIRRRL. I even said.. "good? huh..." *insert snorting laughter here*

She got her jab, cried abit and then back to looking around the surroundings of the clinic, with tears in her eyes. Of course she milked as much sympathy from everyone with acting cute with tears in her big eyes and all.

*now everyone..say... oh...so pooooor thiiiiinnnggg*

Once we reached home, she started fussing and howling. OH. MY. GOOODNESS.

The being good part was good while it lasted. She seems to know when there are strangers around, she's supposed to act cute and good... as if to say "I've got manners!"

*hi mommy.. you are pwwwnnnddd!!*

Baby naps and sleeping throughout the night

2008-10-16T22:40:00.002+08:00

In terms of baby's sleep, getting her to sleep throughout the night is most important. I've been reading ALOT of personal views over the internet and trying them out on her. Its a trial and error process. I've heard of babies that do not even sleep throughout the night even though they are over a year old.

You've may have read my previous success of getting her on a routine bed time. I've noticed that while I may not be good at a fixed bedtime, a routine regardless of the time works as well. This also goes to napping in the afternoons.

Previously (ie before she was a month old) she could nap right after feeding. Now, she doesnt want to nap. Getting her to nap was a nightmare. So I just left it at that and sometimes she could go on the whole day with just 45mins of nap. I thought the less sleep she got during the day, the better she could sleep at night. Thats when I started (or didnt notice until much later) to notice that she didnt sleep well at night either. Hourly wake up was the worst! I read somewhere that to get her to sleep well at night, she should take her naps in the afternoon. She didnt sleep well at night because she was overly tired.

Oookay.. I was highly doubtful of that at first because, hey, if *I* napped in the afternoons, I wouldnt be able to sleep at night. So I tried. After all, I'm still on maternity leave and I'll work out whats best for all of us (ie HY, me and baby). Viola! It worked on the first day.

Maybe she would wake up to have a feed.. or some comfort patting. But other than that, she started sleeping longer. First it was 5 hours. Then 6. Then 6 and a half. Then now reaching 7 and a half. It was a struggle to get her to sleep in the afternoons (not at night.. night time is a breeze. The house is clean after 9pm...).

To *trick* her to sleep in the afternoons, I had to devised a routine for naps as well. Since her feeding times are still erratic, I made it a point for me to put her to sleep after a feed. It can be quite tricky when u try to burp her... and then she goes all awake again. So what I did was I burped her every 2 ounces and before her milk finishes (lets say around 10-15 ml) I burp her again and then let her finish off her milk without burping her (I dont recomend this to colicky babies.. you'd have to burp colicky babies ALOT). THEN I put her on my chest (she likes to hear the rythm of a heartbeat... reminds her of the 9 months in the tummy) and start soothing her to sleep. Works everytime. Sometimes I get 45 mins. Sometimes 2 hours of sleep.

Bad part: She sleeps on you. You are then paralysed and unable to move and do stuff for the period she is asleep. But what would u rather have? A grumpy baby or a happy and well rested baby?

Some people may not like that idea. Some may say that this is called spoiling her. But I say, who cares anyway. She's just 2 months old and the only few things she knows how to do is to drink milk, sleep and play. Oh, and occassionaly smile and laugh at nothing. After all, she has spent 9 months in the tummy and used to being "cuddled" to sleep. I'll train her when she's older.

Anyway, the advice to all sleep deprived parents out there is to sleep when the baby sleeps. So this is my excuse to sleep WHEN the baby sleeps on ME. ;)

2nd month jab

2008-10-16T22:40:00.001+08:00

We'll see who will be the one crying first...

Getting your baby to sleep throughout the night

2008-10-14T16:19:00.000+08:00

Whoever said that babies should be kept awake during the day so that they can sleep throughout the night should be shot. I tried that method (thinking.. yea.. normal people dont sleep well at night because they slept too much in the day) and I got one super unhappy grumpy baby who also does NOT want to sleep at night.

The last time she took 3 hourly naps during the day, she could sleep at least 7 hours during the night. I'm now trying to adjust her night sleep from 8pm to 10pm so that she'll at least sleep throughout the night.

So now, I'm forcing her to take naps during the day. Hopefully she'll adjust soon..

On a good day, baby will..

2008-10-10T20:35:00.000+08:00

1. ..eat and sleep. Occassional smiling and camwhoring. Full stop

2. ..eat like a queen. No fuss. No drama.

3. ..sleep like a pig. at least 3 hours per feed during day time and 6 hours at night.

4. ..listen to what mommy has to say and laugh at cue. No fuss. No drama.

5. ..entertain herself when needed.

This used to happen before she turned 1 and a half month. Everyday is like clockwork. She will eat and sleep and an occassional play in the evening before she hits the bed. Nothing can rouse her from sleep. NOTHING.

NOW she is so sensitive to sounds she awakes at every creak of sound.

Switch on the lights. Cry. Take spoon out of the cup. Cry. Walk past her. Cry. Open the windows. Cry.

I read somewhere that her senses are peaking at this point. So now I introduce white noise to her while she sleeps. It somewhat helps.. she will sleep for half hour or so or when some sound that the white noise cant mask. Otherwise, she will be sleeping on me, in the baby sling. Else, no sleep baby equals one cranky and grumpy baby. You do not want to mess with her then. Screaming and puking will ensue.

One thing that I'm really proud of her is that she is finally getting the bed time routine.

8pm: Feed. Wash face. Massage. Change to pajamas. Switch off lights. Sleep

The first few days, I had to go in and comfort her a few times. Give her a little comfort feed (pacifiers are for daytime use.. not night time). Pat her to sleep. Now she seems to know after I switch off the lights, she immediately soothe herself to sleep for about 4- 6 hours. Thereafter, she wakes 2 hourly for small feeds. No fuss. No drama. (She used to get her day and night mixed.. and wanted to play play PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY at 4 am. You tell me....). Fingers crossed, I hope this will stay and she will sleep longer (I'm hoping 12 hours please?).

Yet sometimes she will throw a surprise on us and wake up every 2 hours at night. I cant say I'm pleased with that attitude. I take a while to doze off and if every 2 hours she is to wake up, I get no rest at all. The next day she will give me her attitude (no sleeping or rarely sleeps during the day) and I'm totally exhausted.

I must say she doesnt take after me. My parents said I was a damn good baby. I just knew how to eat and sleep. Very easy to take care. No fuss. So.. no prizes who she takes after huh.

Updates

2008-10-04T21:29:00.000+08:00

I'm back in Singapore settling down.

Uh.. about the previous post... I was kind of down.. and HY wasnt helping cos he was blur and equally stressed out due to the changes he had to make in his life. I was so stressed because I was the only one doing EVERYTHING. Changing. Feeding. Consoling. Waking up. Etc. HY was just sitting down there looking pretty. What can I say? That attitude calls for a complete meltdown.

Ok so things have been a little better. HY is starting to pull some weight in this baby business. But I wished he'd be a bit more natural in handling babies. I've been so busy and tired lately to even update this blog. As they all say... sleep when baby sleeps. Its been one hectic week since i've arrived back in Singapore. I've already established a routine back in KL. But here... its a whole new routine taking into account the logistics of the room and kitchen and everything.

Enough about me (I'm still fat btw). Baby updates:

For a 1 month plus old baby, she looks... big. like 3 months kind of big. Sometimes I forget she just came out from my womb.

She used to be able to sleep 5 hours during the night. Not anymore. I'm lucky if I get 2 hours now. *(&&^%$#

In KL, she sleeps on the same bed as me. In Singapore, she has her own bed. She refuses to sleep on her own bed. She either a) wants to sleep ON ME; or b) sleep in my bed NEXT to me. Now, I know I should savour this cute experience. But its TOTALLY not cute when she repeatedly cries when she is put on her own bed. I get no sleep.

Seems that she wants to suck all the time. This led to her over feeding. I offer pacifier. But then I read that pacifiers can cause ear infections. Tried to control her feeding instead. No such luck. Still wants to suck to sleep.

I tried the "cry it out" method. Didnt work. It was too pitiful to bear. I cried instead. I cant imagine accompanying her to her jabs. Pacifier and sleeping on me it is then. I think its my smell that comforts her. I'm going to try to let her sleep on my pillowcase. We'll see how it goes tonight.

She coos and smiles. Something I expected from a 3 month old baby. Cuteness overload when she responds to you. Amnesia sets in.. you forget all about your 18 hours of labour, 1 month of painful recovery and months of sleepless nights. Then when she starts screaming..... you know the vicious cycle..

Part of me wants her to sleep and sleep and sleep so I can get some peace of mind. Then when that ACTUALLY happens, panic sets in and I start to wonder.. OH SHIT IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH HER??? *rush to the nearest paedatrician* We can never win.

*cak!*

Post Natal Depression

2008-09-26T10:55:00.000+08:00

Result from lack of sleep and lack of support and understanding.

So what has work got to do with it?

You just didnt show that you tried (or wanna try).

Its so over. I'm fed-up.

Baby Yap is here!

2008-08-27T16:51:00.000+08:00

She was due on the 26.08.08. But she decided to come out on 18.08.08 looking like a bundle of bread (above)

Now she just looks so pretty. Pretty baby! She's about a week old now. She's cute but cranky and I dont doubt I will have sleepless nights because of her.

Sometimes when she's crying in the middle of the night, you'd wish she'd give you abit of peace. But when she does, you worry about her whether she's still breathing or not. Either way, you dont get enough sleep!

I'm back in KL to await the delivery of Baby Yap

2008-08-13T20:34:00.000+08:00

I've been back for awhile now... just that the sloth in me refuses to update this blog. Heh. I'm getting real huge for my liking and might just resort into hiding. I've been to my gynae here and surprisingly I like her more than I liked my gynae in Singapore. Ever since I'm back here, my water retention is on a more controlled state. This chalks up to good ol' home cooked food.

What I've been doing the past few days:

Slothing around.
Wake up eat sleep poo

Basically thats my life now till I give birth. Sweet eh?

Oh as for HY, he's back in Singapore. He still has to work and doesnt have the privilege of being pregnant.. ho ho ho ho ho. He'll be back here weekends or when there is an emergency (read: LABOUR TIME).

So far, its been good. I'm taking it easy and slow... I dont have to work and I take naps (ALOT) during the afternoons. However, KL weather is too hot for my liking.. but I have airconditioning!

Baby Yap is abit big for her age (at 37 weeks). I'm guessing she will reach 4kg by the time she is due. =/ I wonder how a small little person like me is able to push her out. The doc kept asking me to excercise to keep my weight in check. Since then, i've been resisting to take cabs to work everyday and forced myself to walk. Now when I read this: Excercise builds big babies I should have just followed my initial plan to just sit like a queen and wait for people to serve me.

Oh well, there is always another option called cesearean. Hoo hoo..

Anyhow, the updates will be sporadic... because.. uh.. i'm going to be a super sloth until boredem decides to kill me and force me to at least take some pictures and put up on this website.. hehe..

Life is monotonous

2008-07-25T09:41:00.002+08:00

Ok that's not what really happened. Its just that I've got nothing significant to blog about. I'm sure you've heard enough about my pregnancy. So far, everything is going well. We've more or less settled down with baby stuff and we've been going out weekends for walks since our new area is kind of idylic and pretty old school even. We've been going for property launches (havent you heard? Going for private condominium launches are Singapore's favourite past time) just for kicks and inspiration if we ever do up a house.

We've been lounging around, going for brunches, enjoying tong sui (desserts), basically enjoying each other's company before the baby arrives.. Its getting harder now for me to move around, but I do try. Its funny how we were together before and never realised these simple things. Previously we used to bicker in the weekends who gets to do the housework and why this was not done blah blah blah.. now with the baby arriving, I think both of us realised that there may not be time for both of us as US anymore.

So I guess we are trying to do some time together. We'll just wake up whatever time (he wakes up first and waits for me to get up) and just decide what to do for the weekend. I dont think we need to be out partying or having expensive dinners. We just do some simple marketing stuff and he cooks. Or we'll vegetate infront of the TV with a movie he rents. Or we'll just take a ride/walk down somewhere if I'm feeling up to it.

The little pitter patter of the feet

2008-07-12T12:37:00.000+08:00

Are you excited? Cant wait! ;)

Post pregnancy issues

2008-07-12T09:59:00.000+08:00

[Updated with pic of Baby Yap at 8 months!]

Ok.. so I havent given birth yet (again). I just have one more month to go.

What's occupying my mind now is how much people tend to emphasize on the post pregnancy weight/figure/etc. Everytime a colleague / friend finishes her maternity period (usually 2 to 3 months after giving birth) they will start to compare her before, during and after figure. Like "eh.. she looks the same" or "She never really did lost her pregnancy weight did she?" or "She must have not breast feed. Heard that breast feeding does wonders!" Blah blah blah blah.

I'm sooooo sick of hearing all that. Maybe because I gained like 20 something kgs and still going on. Dont worry, my OB is not too worried yet. I dont have any indication of worrying trends like diabetic, pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure. I'm just having those normal pregnancy symptoms like bloating with loads of water retention. I look like a puffer fish now. I'm actually the same weight as HY now which is embarrassing given the fact that I am like... shorter than him? HY keeps assuring me that no matter how fat I grow he will still love me. RIGHT... but will I still be able to fit into my favorite jeans (i'm guessing not)?

ANYWAY.. back to my dilemma. Everyone assured me that since I'm naturally thin, I would be thin back. Yahahahaha... RIGHT. Like everyone said.. dont count your chickens before they hatch. I'm so not looking forward to post pregnancy issues right now. While i'm hoping I wont be stick thin like the last time, I also hope I wont be looking so bloated like now. I kinda want the water retention to go away as far as possible and the fats in the right places. But then.. thats too much of a wishful thinking eh?

You know how shoes are girls worst obsession? Well, the other day I was scouting for nice sandals to wear... and sadly none of them fit me because of the water retention that goes to my feet. HY, as blur as he is "you should consider buying men's sandals". WTF. I want my sandals pretty and nice. Not MANLY SANDALS GDAMNIT. Why are there so many maternity shops selling maternity clothes but no maternity shoes? My feet are so bloated it looks like i'm walking with 2 loafs of bread stuck to my ankles. Oh yeah that reminds me I dont have anymore ankles. *looks down at feet and sighs even further*

Strangely, I am not too concerned about stretch marks.. although I can spot like horrriiiijjjiiibbblllee stretch marks around my tummy (no more bikinis). I am very diligent in applying stretch mark creams day and night.. but I guess Baby Yap is growing much to big and faster than my skin can stretch. Yup, Baby is bigger than normal. I've seen the latest scan.. and she looks like a good candidate for The Michilin's Man's gf.

a FREE makeover

2008-07-10T14:32:00.002+08:00

Professional make up and products used from Estee Lauder.
Hair styled professionally
2 outfits
2 professional photographs (digital for you to keep)

The above sounds very tempting for girls right? Well, someone called me up the other day offering me the above services for free. No strings attached. Just come in and they'll do everything for you. The whole process takes about 2 hours. They dont offer it to anyone or anybody thats why its so "special". Gawd.. please save me from these marketing techniques.

I asked them what is the purpose for them doing this. And they replied "for you to spread our services through word of mouth". They asked me to come in the afternoon. I told them I'm working! They said, can you take half day off? Siao ah.. hello, just to go for a free make over. You think you so special meh? So they said, ok lets do it after work. Skeptical it may be, they (note that they insisted I come in) booked an appointment for me for them to do the above services. Fine.

I missed the appointment. oops. And I thought they would just leave it as an disinterested customer.. after all they are offering it for free right?

No. Today they called me again. Asking me if I would like to book another appointment. I told them you can book but its not guaranteed that I will be free. And I told them i'm just NOT interested. After all, if I were interested, I would have already gone for the first appointment. Then they chided me like I'm an idiot for not taking up the free offer.

"BUT WHYYYYY.. ITS FREE AND ITS ALL VERY CLASSY STUFF" (emphasising on the word "classy")

At this point, I got really irritated and suspicious. If it is free and no strings attached, just give it to someone else who is interested in a make over and being photoshoped to death. I'm sure it'll be taken... somehow. But this is like forcing me to take a free stuff. Sheesh. I hate people like this. If I am clearly not interested in your free stuff, you dont have to belittle me for it. Just take it back and go far far away.

I'm suspecting its their marketing ploy to lure unsuspecting people to their shops and then hard sell them of their "offer/special" packages which requires you to pay a lump sum upfront fee and if you want to go back home and "think about it" they will tell you the offer is only NOW NOW NOW NOW. I hate that kind of marketing. If people are clearly not interested.. dont force them [a quick search on google made me found this (http://www.trevvy.com/sgboyx/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=2&t=23547]. I hate it when they offer free stuff without strings attached, and if you reject their special once in a lifetime packages their attitude towards you will change like 180 degrees and you are no longer welcome. WTF.

The lady over the phone kept on insisting that I make another appointment for me (yes she did make it on my behalf) eventhough I said I was really not interested and I just dont have the time to go down to do a make over (after all, I still have my wedding shots and I pretty much know how I look after being photoshopped to death and with thick makeup). I'm not going to keep that appointment thats for sure. I hope after that they will just get the hint and move on to another unsuspecting victim.

Unpacking sucks

2008-07-02T11:26:00.000+08:00

Although rearranging the wadrobe and throwing away stuff can be either very theraupeutic or traumatising (OMG I NEED THAT DOCUMENT!!!! WHERE THE HECK IS IT????)

I still have like 2 luggages and 1 boxes worth of clothes I have not unpacked. Anyway, those clothes I cant wear them now.. so my wardrobe is like a measily 3 - 4 pieces of maternity clothes. Gawd I sound so misarable. *ugh*

I think I spent like a few hundred bucks over the weekend buying stuff that *needed* to be bought for the new place.. like electric boiler, some organisational boxes stuff, wardrobe lights (gosh the wardrobe is sooooooooo dullifying that it needs some light so I can actually see what I have packed in there!) and misc stuff that makes the house more homey.

There are 2 extra queen mattress provided by the landlords. No matter how much we said WE DONT WANT THE MATTRESS. Landlord say dont care.. put there. NVM. So we hid one under the bed. But we do not know what to do with the other. There is no store room available. So we had no choice but to stack THE UGLY MATTRESS whichhasbeenusedbysomanyotherppleyuck against the wall of another room. Sigh. How any suggestions?

Unpacking aside, I really really like this place better.. its more airy sunny and .. lively. The air is even fresher! Previously we lived just opposite the main road and it can be so noisy with the burung gagak and busses. Here we hear birds chirping. No more burung gagaks! The downside is that the whole house only has one aircond in the master bed room which dates from the stonehedge era. On days which are not so hot, it can be actualy quite breezy. On sweltering hot days... uh.. it can be really hot.. I have to bathe like 3 times a day just so my nose doesnt bleed.

Although I really like this place better, I still have to get used to sleeping at this place. So... I have not been getting enough sleep and getting very cranky. Oh well! We've been here less than a week only.. there is still time..

Blah blah blah pregnancy blah blah

2008-06-27T13:48:00.002+08:00

While some may view that pregnancy is a smooth sailing one, the truth is going through pregnancy is not fun. Especially since now I'm into my third trimester... its so not fun.. its bordering funny.

Everything I do is a chore. From getting up from a seat to even washing dishes. I cant even reach the tap handle with the belly in the way. I had to turn sideways to wash dishes. How ridiculous is that? I have extra body heat, sweat most of the time and feel gross because of the swelling.

Everyone thinks that when you get pregnant you will "glow" with it. Nope. Didnt happen to me. I am one of those people who would think that "yeah yeah i'm so thin, pregnancy is nothing. Gain weight? Good! At least I would get boobs!"

Ok I take that back. Gaining 20kgs when you are not even due yet sounds so depressing. When I tell my peers that I have gained 20kgs they go into shock. Eye wide shock. When I compared notes with other pregnant mums, they gained like a total 10 - 15 kgs and that is they carry to full term. I still have 2 more months to go. OMG. I dread to know how much I've gained till full term. Yeesh. It doesnt help that everyone's commenting how bloated and round I am.

Given the fact that I'm in crampy Singapore now, there is not much space to breathe during peak hours for a normal person... what more a preggy. Sometimes I encounter inconsiderate people on the trains and public who seem to be oblivious to the fact that there is a pregnant lady infront/beside/next to them. They just go about their own business rushing to their next appointment or work, at the same time bumping into me. I already take pains to walk at the "slow lane" of the walk way but still....Hallo! Cannot walk elsewhere ah?

By the time I'm at work, I'm already exhausted all my energy avoiding people bumping into me and to top that up, I am already in a crappy mood because of the lack of sleep for the past few weeks.

I cant really sleep properly nowadays as the baby is growing bigger and bigger. It can get quite uncomfortable. And when you find a comfortable spot, that spot can become quite uncomfortable after awhile because you'll be overwhelmed by the stagnant weight that is pressing that spot. So you get up, find another comfortable spot (which may take a few turns and propping pillows here and there) wash rinse repeat.

HY's been wonderful at being a punching bag. To all hubbies out there whose wife is expecting, be prepared to an answer "be my punching bag" when you ask her "what can I do to help make things easier?". Of course, no matter how much house work you do or get up mid night to massage her swollen legs, or lack of sleep because she complains being hungry at weird times of the night, being a punching bag is obligatory, given how much she is going through bringing a healthy plump baby to life.

Hubbies should NEVER EVER comment on how much gain their wife has gained or how much fat has accumulated between her thighs, butt and chin. Unless they are prepared to stand the wrath and emotional mood swings that come with pregnancy. If possible, lie through your teeth. She will know you are lying.. and you'll probably get it anyway, but it wont be as bad as telling the truth. Trust me. It works.

And the upside of all this? Baby is being playful moving about and sometimes sticking too much to the left side making my tummy look abit distorted. If she is in a good mood, she'll request to play poke the belly button with you. At times my belly button goes up and down or certain parts of the belly.. and when u poke back... there will be a "reply" poke. Sometimes she swishes around the belly if you ignore her (especially if I am busy at work) and if you ignore her longer she will give a big kick... that really stops whatever I'm doing. But she is shy. She only plays with me and not HY. Hurr. Clinginess starts right at the womb. I reckon she'll be a cute one.

Ah.. that just takes away everything. Just dont look into the mirror all the time..

Moving day!

2008-06-27T09:17:00.002+08:00

But I'm at work. hur hur hur hur... HY is supposed to "kao tim" everything himself with the movers (some superstitious thingy to do with the baby). I told him to pack earlier. But he just finished packing late last night. Served him right for not listening to me. You should see the clutter of boxes. I didnt know we had so much stuff! I think we have to throw some away once we packed over to the new place. The new place doesnt have so much "hidden" compartments as the old one though the old place is much smaller. *Pth*

Anyway, I was shoo-ed out of the house to work early this morning before the movers came at 8am. So I wouldnt know what chaos would be happening today. I just made sure I have packed all my stuff before hand and labled them accordingly.

All I know is I will be walking back to a new house after work this evening.

I cant wait!

Oh.. I dread the unpacking though.. =( I guess its a good time to see whether what is REALLY needed.

On a separate note, why doesnt IKEA have online shopping? I really want some stuff but lazy to go there!!!!

I havent given birth yet, nor am I dead

2008-06-26T11:19:00.002+08:00

I'm just busy. Busy with the packing and moving day is tomorrow. Suddenly, I realised I have too many clothes and too many shoes. I've tried setting them aside for giveaways but I just couldnt bear parting with it... what if I still could fit in it post pregnancy? <-----notice the sense of denial here?

So I'm keeping all of them, 2 big travelling luggages worth (even HY's luggage bag was not spared), a box and a bag all of them lugging to the new place. I'm not sure how I will find wadrobe space for it. Eventually some of them have to go (especially the pants and the jeans) but I dont care, I'll just keep it despite nagging thoughts to dispose them off.

======

I'm feeling abit bluey today. I resemble some sort like a blue whale I blogged about the other day. The Great Singapore Sale came and going away soon. Although I'm one of the many who liquified their cards during the sale, I'm still not satisfied. I see loads of my colleagues in their brand new purchases over the sale and I'm envious. There are loads of new fashions and styles I would have loved to try and buy. But all I have to show now is this big baby bump that doesnt fit into anything or anywhere. I dont even fit into the tiny and cramped Singapore food courts now. Everytime I try to squeeze my way through my bump gets into someones head who happened to be sitting down at an aisle.

It is without fail that every week passes by, SOME SMART ASS will comment

OMG YOU ARE SO BIG.

or

You've put on weight

or

Does it hurt?

or

Your face/body/wharever is so round

or

ETC ETC smart comments that should never have been uttered in the first place. People like that should start gaining weight themselves and face the consequences.

======

I'm so bloated now (no matter how much I try to control my sodium diet) that I hate to look into the mirror sometimes. Heck. Even my pregnancy pants that was supposed to last me till full term dont fit anymore (I'm only 7 months btw). *Sigh*

======

Now in my 3rd trimester I get so tired all the time. Even the thought of going shopping tires me. Towards the end of the week, I get tired from the moment I wake up for work. How bad is that?

======

I just paid my taxes. And I'm broke.

======

I need a rest and a break to do... NOTHING. Yes I know I get 3 months maternity leave. But that involves a job too. Giving birth and taking care of a baby. Hello?

======

Depression coming on? I dunno

Interestingly enough...

2008-06-17T16:47:00.002+08:00

Guy kidnaps ex-girlfriend to get ironing done

ROME - AN Italian man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend from a pub, taking her home and forcing her to iron his clothes and wash the dishes, police said on Monday.

The 43-year-old man dragged the woman out of a pub in the port city of Genoa, shoved her into a car and took her to his home where he made her iron and wash dishes after threatening her, they said.

Police arrived at his house after being tipped off by a friend of the woman who watched the scene at the pub.

The man, who was apparently furious at his ex-girlfriend for leaving him, was arrested on charges of kidnapping, police said. -- REUTERS

=======

hur hur hur... whats next? mop floor? clean house? fold clothes?

The Malaysian fuel price increase

2008-06-09T09:44:00.002+08:00

I believe this has been covered almost everywhere from prime time news to the kopi tiams in Malaysia and Singapore. I was kind of fed up with the news these days. Although I do not drive, the fuel increase means higher cost of living. Although I'm currently not in Malaysia to experience the 40% hike, I get it here in Singapore too, though not in such a drastic way. Every trader or service provider will pass these costs down to the consumer. I.e ME. What to do? I just have to pay more for my laksa or chap fan and shop for cheaper goods.

Anyway, I just heard on the news this morning that the "Malaysian Government is going to issue out an explanation on why they needed to increase the fuel price drastically (or otherwise, cut the subsidy)." Or something like that.

I'm also sure that sooner or later the subsidy would have to go. I think they should have provided explaination BEFORE they decided to increase the fuel price. I'm sure that this is not an overnight decision and should have been deliberated months back. Sure, the fuel price increase in the past the Malaysians have been gritting their teeth and keeping quiet. Why? Because its just a RM0.10 - 0.20 increase. Not a whopping 40% increase overnight. They should not have told Malaysians "Fuel increase? What got meh? Maybe? Maybe not? No Lah where got. Should have but minimal? Dunoo leh"

At least if they had gone through the explanation and announcement before they imminently increase it, people would not have such adverse reactions to it. At least the Government could hear what the people had to say first, although anyway they are going to increase it. At least the Government could decide, react and gauge what the people's reaction to the Government's action. I'm not saying that had the Government discussed this with the public earlier, there wont be any adverse reactions. There will still be protests and all, but at least the public is informed on WHY they had to do it in the first place. How would you like it if boss informs you the last minute that your salary will be cut by 40% TOMORROW. The public has no time to react and make changes for this announcement. Thus they will revolt. Throw angry protest. Growl. Hurl cars. Hulk. Heh. Digressed.

One thing I can gather from the Governments decision to release the information last minute is to avoid hoarding. Like the rice issue (were you one of them people who went and bought every sack of rice available in the store.. hmmm?? I didnt). Everyone will comically start going into EVERY supermarket and buy up all the tin food available and drain every petrol station available in Malaysia before the fuel price hike. But if the Government gives good and valid reasons for the fuel increase as well as measures they are doing to contain the prices of goods to control the public, my guess is that, yes there will still be hoarding, but not to a frenzied state. At least the public will know that the Government is looking at their best interest.

Generally, as I see it (on the blogs.. and other peoples opinion) is that they feel the Government's decision is not in the public's interest. See, one thing is for certain, communication is the key for good management. So should it be the same with the Government? Yes? No?

Book reading

2008-06-08T09:41:00.001+08:00

The past weeks I was busy devouring books. I read 6 and a half books within 3 weeks. ^_^ *proud*

1. My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult

I bought this book because I heard so much about this author. I didnt regret buying this book. In fact, she will be one of my favourite list of authors to look out for. The tag line when I bought the book was "The only way to save your daughter, is to sacrifice her sister... what would you do?" With a line like that, its so tempting to pick up this book to read it. I didnt borrow it from the library becasue it was always ON LOAN. I didnt regret buying it either.

Sara Fitzgerald's daughter, Kate is just two years old when she is diagnosed
with a rare form of leukemia. Reeling with the helpless shock of it, Sara knows
she will do anything - whatever it takes - to save her child.
Then the test results come back in time and again to show that no one in
their family is a match for Kate. If the yare to find a donor for the crucial
bone marrow transplant she needs, there is only one option: creating another
baby, specifically designed to save her sister. For sara, it seems the ideal
solution. Not only does Kate live, but she gets a beautiful new daughter, Anna,
too.
Until the moment Anna hands Sara the papers that will rock her whole world.
Because, aged thirteen, Anna has decided that she doesnt want to help Kate live
any more. She is suing her parents for the rights over her own body.

Sounds interesting? Yeah. Thats why, I rented her other books, again not bothering to borrow it from the library. Hooked? YAH!

2. The Perfect Match, Jodi Picoult

What would you do if your 5 year old son was sexually abused?

3. The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult

What would you do if your daughter was raped by her boyfriend?

4. Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult

About a boy, who was bullied in school since young, and turned out to be a high school massacre (think school shootings in US). The story starts about a boy from young and his journey to highschool where peer pressure is high. It chronicles the probable reason why the boy did what he had done.

5. The Fourth Estate, Jeffery Archer

I've always been a fan of Jeffery Archer's books. The rich, the poor, both rise to become powerful business enemies. Rivals. Somehow his stories dont make busines and politics sound boring. They sound exciting. It pushes you to rush through book to see what is the conclusion. Although his stories are somewhat familliar (re: the famous Kane and Abel), its never enough.

I'm currently halfway through another book of his, which I'm too lazy to get off my chair to retrieve it to see what is the exact title. *hee*

6. Shopaholic and Baby, Sophie Kinsella

Because every girl just have to have a little chiclit in her life *winks*

Am I all read out? No.. I've to finish another half of Jeffery Archer's book and I borrowed a REALLY THICK book relating to the Mao era in China. Why the sudden interest in devouring books? I dunno. I cant stand sitting too long to watch tv. Nor can I knit for too long. The best thing is to pig out on the bed with a book. Usually by 730 (after I get home from work and dinner), I go straight to the bed with a book after a shower. My back and bottom are quite sore from sitting and walking during the day.

Why dont I knit in bed instead? Well, due to some old wives tale, if I sew or knit in bed, the baby will be muted? I dunno. So I'm banned from doing those stuff on the bed. Otherwise, I'll be finishing my knitting sooner. Humpf. My knitting now has to take a step back. *Sigh*

New Phone

2008-06-07T16:22:00.000+08:00

I got the LG Viewty! Actually it was a very rash decision. My mobile phone is due for re-contracting end of the month ... so we just woke up one day (which is today) and went to Singtel to just "look and see". The "look and see" project ended up with 2 new phones (HY and me) and a new mobile line contract. There was some promo going on so we just went for it. This is the first time I bought a mobile phone without researching and thinking much into it... I just saw the phone, looked ok, the camera sounds pretty alright and *bam* sold and signed the contract.

WHY LG? I was kinda bored with the normal slide and flip phones. I was also getting tired of the usual popular brands like Nokia and Sony Ericsson (not that I've used Sony anyway). I've used Samsung before, and had a terrible experience with it. That was eons ago, prolly they had changed. Once is enough to scar me for life. So I've decided to risk it with the LG. I saw the preview of the functions, and I went for it. Its simple enough for a woman and the quality of the pictures.. I've yet to see. So far, I came across this:

http://www.lensamalaysia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7403

Its a forum thread on test-shooting with the LG Viewty. Not bad for a camera phone. Since I've just acquired it, I have no complaints (yet) on the performance so far. We'll have to wait and see ;)

HY got the N82. The TYPICAL GUYS PHONE. Loads of features (that I will never use). But he got it solely for watching the mio tv mobile. T_______T. Talk about single minded-ness. I hope he will be more happy with this new phone than his Motorolla. The poor thing had to suffer with Motorolla for the past 2 years because of his poor judgement (I told you so.. ;P) of wanting to look "cool".

No updates

2008-05-26T09:53:00.002+08:00

Except that I emptied my junk mail folder like on Friday.. today it has crept up to 364 (update: 390 by 4pm). Thank goodness for GMAIL.

I just spent the whole weekend loling about (walking aimlessly around malls, got my nails done, read some books, slept, knit, laze, etc)... until I got so bored I bugged HY out of his sofa and korean drama series until he didnt know what to do with me. He had to entertain me with my endless banter of nonsense.. answer my stupid questions to what was going on in the korean drama series (why is that guy evil? Is this now a triangle love? Who is in love with who now? Whe he doesnt like her? why is she crying? why is HE crying??) and etc.

*heh* I wonder if my daughter would be like that as well.

I kinda think HY regretted that he listened to me saying I "didnt want to go anywhere or walk anywhere tiring or go to town". Cos going to town will exhaust me and will leave him alone for at least a couple of hours of peace so he can at least concentrate on his korean drama series.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We've had someone over interested in buying our current unit that we are renting the other day. So before the property agent and the prospective buyer came, we cleaned the place. Honestly, I dont know why we even bother.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Have you all seen the latest Indiana Jones movie lately? I saw it at 12am on a Friday night. Seriously? I dont know what's going on with the aliens and stuff. Only after HY explained to me on certain aspects AFTER the movie, only then I got it. (0_0)

I didnt know I could be this slow. I must be too uncomfortable to sit in the cinema for 2 hours long cos throughout, I was kinda shifting in my seat cos my butt is too sore from the weight I'm carrying. Not really concentrating on the movie. Oh well.

The next movie I wanna see is Made of Honour. But I'll wait for the DVD for that. At least we could pause for toilet / snackie break and I could cuddle my pillow while watching.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gosh.. for a post that is titled "No new updates" ... this post has been long and boring enough. ;) Well at least I am still alive and growing happily fatter by the week.

Is it just me or is Malaysia getting abit funny on the monkey business?

2008-05-23T09:18:00.001+08:00

Call to 'teach' women on polygamy raises heckles
THE discussion on problems afflicting the Syariah Courts caused a ruckus after Ibrahim Ali (Ind – Pasir Mas) called for a campaign on the concept of polygamy to be taught to all women to end such problems.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic Affairs, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, fielded questions from the Opposition on delays in settling Syariah cases with Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR – Ampang) saying it was “very painful” for a woman to have to go to court three separate times to settle a case.
“A woman has to go once for the divorce, once again for custody and again for property division. It is extremely painful for them.”
Fuziah Salleh (PKR – Kuantan) then asked if Syariah Court counsellors were qualified, pointing out that she had received numerous complaints about how the woman was always blamed for everything.
“They are not counselled but given 'advice.' And every time, they are told that the woman is to be blamed. If it is a family problem, they must be patient. If they are beaten up, they must also be patient,” she said.
As Ahmad Zahid was about to answer, Ibrahim stood up to say that such cases would not stop happening as the population was increasing and divorces were taking place daily.
“Such problems happen because women cannot accept polygamy. From a preventive point of view, what about doing a big campaign so that women can accept polygamy?” he asked.
Ibrahim said women did not understand that when they were pregnant for nine months, or had “problems” when they hit their 50s, their men still wanted to “have fun”.
“So the man wants to marry again, and the wife gets jealous and asks for a divorce.”
This caused Zuraida to stand up and say that a gender approach was very demeaning.
Ahmad Zahid agreed, saying: “That man is a male chauvinist.” To this, Ibrahim giggled.
When Ibrahim said that it was allowed from the Islamic point of view, Zuraida hit back and said men must be held to blame, too.
When the House finally calmed down, Ahmad Zahid said although prevention could also be looked into, what was important was to take care of the family.

From http://www.thestar.com.my/.

Doesnt it make your blood boil? This is funnier than reading http://www.thesuperficial.com/. I wonder if this is what he experience when his wife is pregnant for 9 months or have "problems" when they hit their 50's.

Lets all wear burkhas to school now

2008-05-22T09:01:00.004+08:00

Read this in The Star newspaper today:

School uniform sexy, says
group

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian group condemned the uniform
worn by girls at government schools, saying it encouraged rape and pre-marital
sex.
"The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it
becomes a source of attraction," National Islamic Students Association of
Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari said in a statement.
"It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it,
whether or not they like looking at it," she said, calling for a review of
uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals.
In multicultural Malaysia, home to majority-Muslim Malays
as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, female students at government schools
have a choice of wearing a white blouse with a knee-length skirt or
pinafore.
They may also wear a "baju kurung" and a headscarf is
optional for Malay students.
Munirah said that "covering up" according to Islamic
precepts was important to fend off social ills, including "rape, sexual
harassment and even premarital sex."
"This leads to babies born out of wedlock and, to an
extent, even prostitution," she said.
"Decent clothes which are not revealing can prevent and
protect women from any untoward situations," she said, suggesting that girls
wear a blouse of a different colour or with an undergarment.
However, the girls themselves also came in for criticism,
with the association saying that some used the white blouse to lure
men.
"This is the source of the problem, where we can see that
schoolgirls themselves are capable of using this to attract men to them,"
Munirah said.
"This could see them getting molested, having premarital
sex and all sorts of things." – AFP

WADDAHECK? I think what the society needs to do is to educate the immoral people instead of blaming the dress code. I thought the uniform dress code was set up by the nation eons ago? Its not like the girls are wearing bikinis to school. If they want, please make better and thicker blouses AND make it affordable! I think the school uniform is modest enough. Even though we implement burkhas as uniforms, there still will be immoral people around preying on students! And then the whole hoo ha again. Aiyoh.. when is this going to stop leh?

Yeah! We are mooooooving!

2008-05-19T12:30:00.000+08:00

I'm so going to miss my current place.. but I have to move. But we've found a suitable place! We've put down a deposit and all, and hopefully it comes back positive. Hopefully the landlord wants us! Yay! I dont have to stress looking anymore. Its a little further to the MRT than what we've intended to be, and a little bit wee out of the way, but its OK.

Most importantly its something to come home to and waaay better than the other places that we've seen.

We're moving (please please landlord approve us we are nice people!)! I'm already deciding what color curtains to put up (heh)

Having a whale of time

2008-05-19T11:17:00.002+08:00

Pregnancy can sometimes overwhelm you. You grunt when you get up. You bloat with water. Your face is rounder.. generally everything is rounder.

It can make you feel like a whale.

Even buying pregnancy clothes doesnt help. It feels like you are wearing a TENT. So how get over this feeling of whale-ness?

Dress up your hair. Being pregnant doesnt mean you are exempt from the general rules of hair-keeping. Dont like your face round? Style your hair as such that it slims down your face. Of course, you are not permitted to do chemical treatments to your hair. Ask your friendly stylist (that you trust) on how to maximise your hair potential without chemical treatments.

Put on make up. Studies show that if you looking good makes you feel good. Enuff said. Cover those eyebags that was a result of getting up 10x a day to pee or to switch positions throughout the night.

Get a new.. whatever that makes you happy. In my opinion, I cant buy nice Jimmy Choo shoes because my feet bloats. I cant buy nice Zara outfits cos I'm a whale. So I'm looking forward to buy the safest bet anyone can buy during pregnancy (besides food ~~ I'm on a restricted diet)..... a BAG! I'm looking around online and in the shops to find the best price for a designer bag to make me happy. Getting to look at it makes me happy. Getting to own it in the near future makes me even more happy and distracted from my whale figure. I'm still hunting by the way. *heee*

Woe is us

2008-05-16T10:32:00.002+08:00

With the property market so hot nowadays, renting a unit at a reasonable price is NOT easy. Its like going for a war. Whenever we are going to view a unit we have to strategise Strategise and STRATEGISE! We talk about scenarios and how are we going to respond.

Like the current unit we are going to view today, is reasonable, near and quiet. The only thing is that its quiet.. so it doesnt have much amenities.. hence cheaper than the rest of the areas around Singapore. We really liked the place, so this is how our conversation went:

HY: We will say we can move in mid June or early July, only if the landlady insist if she wants tennants immediately, then we will try to talk it out

Me: If the place not nice how?

HY: Not nice then find another place la. If the place is nice we put in deposit straight away.

Me: If got alot of pple view the unit?

HY: We go there early. Viewing 9pm? We go at 8.30pm. Call agent. We are HEEEERRREEEE.

Me: WAHLAO.

I've viewed so many units with ridiculous demands and expectations from the land lords. Such high price but far away, bad condition, unfurnished and plain STUPID (the kitchen does not have kitchen cabinets, walls are cracking, Its not easy to find a flat like my current condition with many built in furnitures, although my current unit is quite gloomy.. its convenient and most importantly, renovated!

I'm so going to miss my current place.

Is it me, or is it the hormones that are talking

2008-05-14T10:00:00.001+08:00

When I go blog trawling, there are alot of things happening around me.

There are people travelling around the world, doing loads of arty farty things, taking beautiful photography, etc.

Makes me wonder.. how about me? I would love to do these stuff.. if only.. i had the energy and time to do so. Problem is, whenever I do have time, I have no energy, and so I rest so that I can actually function on my normal work day. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on something. I always say.. there is always time.. but as I'm getting older, I'm getting more and more impatient. I need an outlet. Thats why I took up knitting in the first place. However, now its really going nowhere as I'm just too tired to focus. I cant sit for long and I get uncomfortable even when I sleep. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Aye. I'm getting old. I wanna do stuff but cant. Makes me wish I could take 6 months off doing nothing for the first month or so, and the rest of the months doing what I really like. How Hubby Yap? Can sponsor or not?

Air tickets comparison

2008-05-13T10:00:00.001+08:00

We were planning to go back to KL during the "peak" season and we couldnt get any bus tickets back. Ok so.. we couldnt get any comfortable bus tickets back because now that I am expecting, we have to sacrifice abit on cost for comfort. So we deliberated on air tickets. Although it takes roughly about the same time as the bus (checking in, security checks and all) at least I'm not confined to a seat for 5 hours.

Since they opened the flights between Singapore and KL to the low cost carriers, we've got more choices (??). Look what I've found:

Air Asia ... everyone can fly (click for a larger view):

Total cost for 2 adults: SGD660 (yah I know you fly from KL cheaper.. but hello? I need to get back from SG not KL?).

Tiger Airways (click for a larger view):

Total cost for 2 adults: SGD591.96

And the winnah is:

Japan Airlines (click for a larger view) via Zuji:

Total cost for 2 adults: SGD450

Note that all of them travel during the same date.

So ladies and gentlemen, please do not be fooled by cheap "SGD9 / 16 / 100" air tickets offered by low cost carriers. They have hidden charges such as "admin fees: SGD50" etc etc. If you look at JAL's offer, even though their air tickets cost higher, they are quoted as SGD 150 return tickets. So please do check Zuji for offers first before you commit yourself to buying "low cost" air tickets.

The low cost carrier tickets are cheap at certain dates that are off peak and they have weird timings. If you dont mind those, it would be great. But really, the low cost air tickets are NOT REALLY low cost for this case. I would rather pay JAL and get an economy class treatment with drinks and proper seating and pillows for my own comfort for LESS.

Cravings

2008-05-12T10:18:00.000+08:00

There is a packet of Lay's Sour Cream & Onion waiting in the pantry cupboard to be eaten. I am so tempted to eat them up (the whole big packet yes..). But something stopped me.

The dreaded WATER RETENTION. I dont want to wake up on a Friday morning, especially when I'm due to meet a partner for a scheduled meeting looking like

a puffer fish *POOUFFF*

Na-AH no way.. I shall just whine in my sleep.

I've been procrastinating

2008-05-09T09:12:00.002+08:00

Ok so these are the baby knits I've knitted the past month:

Baby cardi

Baby dress

I had way too much yellow yarn. But they are adorable right? I sewed on some buttons on the cardigan. I dont know how old she will be able to wear them... but I cant wait

House hunting

2008-05-08T21:41:00.000+08:00

These past few weeks we have been house hunting, finding the right price, place and time. Its not easy especially if you are currently renting and waiting on tenterhooks to be kicked out (our landlady wants to sell the flat).

Most future landlords would want IMMEDIATE move in. For us, we still need time to move out of our current place (that would mean spillover of rents between the two places), tidy the new place, etc etc. We technically cant move yet.. cos our rental agreement is not up... but if we dont find or look soon enough, we might be out in the streets with our belongings with no where appropriate to stay. *dillema*

We viewed a flat today. It was really nice. The price is right and the location is ok. But the thing is, the rental market is so hot, loads of potential rentees were there. So we all ended up filling up forms as "potential tennants" and the landlords will take their time to look and see who they like and obviously offer more. I pray hard we can get this flat on the terms we want. The only thing is that this flat doesnt have airconditioning.

*sigh*

One thing a pregnant lady doesnt want to know

2008-05-06T14:20:00.002+08:00

How fat she has grown, how big her belly is, how many inches extra her bum has expanded, how round her face has become.

Please dont tell, guess, ask and dont say a word. I feel hormonal enough.

=END=

Is it too much to ask to stay in Singapore?

2008-05-05T18:33:00.003+08:00

Firstly, the news of the increase in GST hike from 5% to 7%. Then the news of property boom. We were lucky because really affected by the mad selling property boom, mainly because my landlady was gracious enough to keep the rental down and didnt want to sell the flat just yet.

Now, since the news of my land lady wanting to sell the flat away, we are busy looking for a new flat. We've scoured online and newspaper classified ads. And its really disheartening to see that people are really taking advantage of the situation to hike up the rental market for a reasonably nice fully furnished 2 room flat (ie 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bathrooms.. not those types with a hole in the ground, kitchen) to $2,500 (not even near MRT or town area). Its crazy. The asking price for the whole flat? $300,000. Valuation by the government for the same flat? $260,000. Loan only gives 80% of the valuation. The total cash that you have to fork out? $92,000. You tell me, how to afford a place here?

Now the increase in rice which in turn also increased OTHER costs... (go figure). These little bit of things add up to one BIG headache. Added with the fact that I'm currently expecting. We are not earning mega bucks in Singapore terms. We are here to save for a future. At this point, we are thinking whether its still viable to actually work here at all, when half of my salary goes into rental and the increase in costs. I'm wondering if all foreigners in Singapore is thinking of the same thing (for those whose rentals are not paid by their companies, and all middle class income earners). I'm wondering how companies keep up with paying their expats' rentals for them to stay in condominiums. Some of them costs above $3,000 - $4,000 per month.

I've come accross forums where there are people complaining about this fact and some nasty commentors asking us foreign workers to play far far away. Hmm.. maybe we should then. ;) We'll see how Singapore will float after this. Otherwise, why would they promote foreign talent anyway if they dont really need us?

Anyway, since the scarce of affordable flats, more and more Singaporeans are looking towards resale flats... and they themselves also cannot afford it. Ironic isnt it?

Take a break, have a laugh

2008-04-30T08:51:00.001+08:00

Ok.. there are too many serious issues recently about my pregnancy, parenting, etc.. time to take a break and have a laugh.

See this: http://goldenbirdking.blogspot.com/2008/04/safe-baby-pregnancy-tips.html

Tomorrow is labour day! Happy Happy Joy Joy. Hope you had a good week and a good long weekend ahead! I'm working on Friday though.. =/

Bringing up a baby away from your homeland (Part 2)

2008-04-27T11:59:00.004+08:00

See Part 1

Things here are getting more and more expensive to live. With the current GST hike, the property prices and the rice crisis, we are opting for alternatives for food and eating at places where they dont require "service charge at 10%". Sometimes a dinner for $45.00 may sound reasonable, but after adding 17% (GST and service charge), you end up paying above $50.00.

Anyway I digressed. We've racked our brains on how to try to keep our baby here while both of us are working and came up with these solutions together with what we think of the pro and cons:

1. Infant care centre
Pros:
They have qualified nurses on station and qualified caregivers. They have all the facilities and they located near the CBD area so you can pop by during lunch to see your baby. In an effort to encourage babies, the Government gives subsidies for parents who put their baby is approved infant care centre. The full subsidies are however restricted to Singaporean citizens. PRs get half of the subsidy and with effect from year 2009, there will be no more subsidies given to PRs
Cons:
Bloody expensive and restricted hours 7am-7pm only. Lots of viruses can spread as the caregiver to babies ratio is 1:4. I've heard cases where the baby below 5 months old has been hospitalised 5 times. So in addition to the cost of the infant care, you would have to save for hospitalisation bills. Note the HFMD is spreading like wildfire now in all infant care centres. Some infant care centers are closed because of this and parents are left in a limbo where to place their child. Some had to take leave to put their child at home. Do you still dare?

You can get a list of government approved infant care centre in Singapore from this website: http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/home/InfantCareServices.jsp

2. Maid
Pros:
Cheaper. Does housework too. Sometimes they would love the baby as their own.
Cons:
Who knows what they will do when you are away? You would need to take time off to ensure that they settle to a routine that they should be doing and supervise them. Some of them are relatively young and may not know how to take care of a baby.

3. Nannies
Pros:
Cheaper than infant care centre. Caregiver may not be "qualified". But they certainly are experienced in taking care of babies as they are mostly housewives. In addition to taking care of your baby, they do take care of their own school-going children which may make your baby more sociable.
Cons:
Have to find someone who is recomended and capable + nearby your area. That combination can be quite hard to find.

You can find nannies in Singapore through these websites:

http://www.bbnanny.com.sg/ourservices.html

http://www.a-team.com.sg/ (also offer maid services, part time or full time)

There are many others available, not listed in the above website. You could ask around for recomendations. But as a start, you could surf the above website to see what are the prevailing charges, and see if your recomended babysitter is charging for the same services.

In all cases, you would need to provide all the babies needs such as diapers, toys, food, clothes etc. You would want your baby to be comfortable even though they do provide these things. Sometimes your baby only wants certain food/items/toys.

I have not even covered the educational aspect of this.... obviously the infant care centre would provide better in this aspect. The rest of the options would probably plonk your baby infront of the tv and let the tv educate them (I am quite adverse to this concept.. looking how Hubby Yap turned out to be a TV addict). Most probably we would consider a nanny when she is younger and move her on to a childcare centre (fingers crossed, no more HFMD anymore) so that she can interact with the others and hopefully learn.

Unless Hubby Yap is able to find a better job which pays well, I will still be working full time. We would be able to scrape by if I were to quit for awhile, but we have to think about saving for her future. ^_^

Any suggestions?

Department Trip - Leisure Cruise!

2008-04-26T18:17:00.000+08:00

I ate 5 times a day (they provided 6 meals a day.. I didnt take supper cos it was too late). If I ate anymore, I would sink the ship!

I have not been on a cruise ship before, so it was an experience. Every restaurant in the cruise enables you to "eat by the sea". Literally. If you are lucky. We were lucky most of the time to get seats by the window with a sea view. The first few times was a novelty. We were like "wheeeeee". The third or the fourth time or so, we were practically yawning and didnt mind if we sat somewhere else.

The sea IS the SEA you know. There werent any dolphins or super fantastic islands around for viewing. If it werent subsidised by my company, $250 per head is quite pricy to go on a cruise to nowhere, although they had free food (which isnt really that good anyway..). The rooms are pretty small and it was a quad sharing basis (ie around $1k per room)

Here's my take on the cruise:

I got bored even if there was concerts, shows, activities and movies on the cruise so you wont get bored. Reason being is I hate the shows (too chinesey opera like), concerts (I had to pay???), activities (I'm an antisocial) and movies (they werent showing any that weekend). So I just ate, slept and enjoyed the company of my colleagues.

My colleagues organised a group department activity. All I know is that they played scavenger hunt and it was held under a hot sun. I was asleep in my air conditioned room while it happened. Ahh.. the joy of pregnancy. But I did wake up in time to join my colleagues for afternoon tea! Its the only group activities that I participated. Eating!

Basically the whole trip was a non-stressful trip except for exiting the cruise ship. There was a major clog at the Singapore cruise centre immigration. I think they could do better. I think I was exhausted because of the LOOONG lines AND lack of airconditioning. There was loads of people bustling and waiting impatiently to go out. I believe they should expand their immigration center to accomodate the capacity of people taking the cruise.

Etsy

2008-04-24T11:49:00.000+08:00

I've been longing to sell some of my handmade stuff. Then came craftymamamia who commented on my site and I visited her site and found this post on tips of make a sale of your handmade stuff on the Etsy. The best part is, Etsy is like a support community where loads and loads of quality and unique handmade items are on sale. They do not allow resale of other items (unlike ebay). All along I thought Etsy was some girls website who made her own stuff. Really, I didnt know it was a community for people to sell their handmade stuff.

They even let you buy stuff based on geographical location. Like, lets say I want to buy stuff from sellers from Malaysia or Singapore to save on shipping fees. They do have a function for you to search just that! I was so impressed by the number of people who already set up shop from Malaysia and Singapore. Man, I feel so left out.

I've been wanting to sell my items on ebay, but then again, the lack of niche on ebay just discouraged me. Since then, I've been abit slack on my knitting and crocheting as well as beading due to lack of time and different commitments now, but seeing that post and website kinda made me want to go ahead and start up my own Etsy website.

I gotta pick up! So stay tuned!

BooHOo

2008-04-20T20:30:00.000+08:00

Someone commented today that I looked like I was carrying twins. ARGH!

Shutdown day

2008-04-20T15:42:00.000+08:00

For a moment when I read this on www.tomorrow.sg website, I went *woohoo*! NO WORK!

But then I realised its held on a Saturday.

My laziness aside, I think its a good time to evaluate how dependant are we on computers and internet. I am VERY reliant on internet as they serve an outlet for me to communicate with my friends and families back home. I search for answers, find solutions and entertain myself on the internet. Without the internet, my laptop is lifeless even with a fully charged battery. I get listless if my internet connection is kooky. I need the internet to be on "standby" so I can go on it as and when the need arises.

Whenever I'm back home at Hubby Yap's place, there is NO internet. I used to survive on "stealing" internet from his neighbours, but they are never as reliable as your own. Sometimes I get so desperate, I use my mobile. Hubby Yap can live without internet but I cant. So, when it comes to going back to give birth (I will be going back 3 weeks before my due date), I NEED internet to save my sanity. Since we do not want to go through hassles such as installation of the telephone line and what-nots, we (rather I) decided that he should at least get me the wireless broadband offered by www.u.com.my.

So, I've applied for it already. But they have yet to come back with a response. I just hope I get it quick.

I really think shutdown day should extend to other electrical items with a screen like PSP, TV, Video games, etc rather than just focusing on PCs. Or are they already? The last I skimmed through (at work mah) they just said PCs.

Bringing up a baby away from your homeland (Part 1)

2008-04-18T21:11:00.000+08:00

We are born and bred in Malaysia but decided to seek "greener" pastures here in Singapore. Why did we choose Singapore? Its near to home and we still could go back at least once a month. We dont lose touch with people back home, and its easier to adapt (weather and people wise). Where there is only 2 adults, things are easier to settle (accomodation, food, transport, etc). When a baby comes, things get more complicated.

As first time parents and away from our own close relatives geographically, we are at a loss sometimes for tips and ideas on how to bring up our newborn here in Singapore. Many a time Hubby Yap wanted argued that it was better put the baby in KL instead of handling it on our own here in Singapore as we dont have much relatives here that will be able to help us take care of the baby while we worked.

Have I thought about quitting? Yes. But with the ever rising rent increase in Singapore, its tough.

Have we thought about going back to Malaysia? Yes. It would be tougher money wise.

We have to find a new place to stay as our landlady decided to sell the house. We cant afford to buy over the house because of the cash over valuation on resale flats. Sometimes we are at a loss what to do.

(to be continued)

Random conversations

2008-04-17T20:54:00.000+08:00

"Can you stop and breathe before you start eating something else... CAN YOU NOT BE SO SCARY?!?!?!"

~ on eating constantly and non-stop lately (Lunch 12pm. Snack 2pm. Mid-snack 4pm. Dinner 6pm. Fruits right after dinner)

I made this!

2008-04-17T20:35:00.000+08:00

It's not perfect and it took me about 6 months to do it. I'm no pro at knitting considering I just learnt how to knit 6 months ago!

I got the pattern from: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=25345

Go try it!

Rantings

2008-04-16T09:51:00.003+08:00

Singapore MRT
I got pushed and squashed today. The MRT was jerking as there was a congestion/train fault/wharever. I almost fell when it came to a screeching halt. If not for Hubby Yap, I would be sprawled on the MRT floor. I cried. Still noone offered me a seat until much later when one left to another station. Why people are so mean? The train that arrived can only fit a max of 5 more people in that carriage, but 10 more people insist on pushing themselves in. And when they cant get in, they push a poor pregnant lady (me) and her tummy squashed against some other people's bag. IF that is not enough, they complain (tsking and sighing). I mean?!! If you want to complain that the train is so full, do not board the train. Please use the next train! Dont punish other people on the train just because you woke up late and you need to rush to work. You are using the public transport. Give some leeway for delays and train faults. If you are already late, you are already late. There is no point in rushing. Time wont turn back for you if you continue to harrass other people on the train/bus/road just because YOU are late. GAWD.

Spam emails.
Thank goodness for gmail. I was curious when I read this blog: http://debt-fighter.blogspot.com/. I signed up for about one or two paid to click programs and within 3 days, my spam mail increased from the normal 50 a day to 400. So much for the "your details are confidential". So far its interesting. But I doubt you could make BIG money out of it unless you go about asking people to sign up under their referral program. You would earn more if you referred people. Otherwise you'll just go bored out of your skulls clicking on adverts and waiting 30 seconds before your account is credited 0.01 (you could always leave it in the background while you surf other interesting sites, or chatting). You cant click on another advert until it finishes and you cant click on the advert twice. Unless you sign up for 100 paid to click programs and diligently log on to them everyday and click, I guess you could at least earn a few bucks extra. But who would do that anyway?

Singapore public
Why do people walk so fast? Some have disabilities, old or pregnant where they have to walk slowly. Does the public walk way states that no pregnant, old or disabled people are allowed on public walkways? If not, why does the general Singapore public admonish people who walk slower than they are? They tsk sigh and even SCOLD people who walk slow ("WHY WALK SO SLOW???"). It's ok, I dont want to walk faster to my grave. Please go ahead and cut my lane and walk faster to your grave, but do not scold me for wanting to take my time to walk.

I'm more sensitive than usual now. Maybe it's because of the hormones and my baby girl. I'll recover from today's MRT incident. But I doubt the people's mentality will ever change.

Pregnant and constantly hungry

2008-04-15T10:29:00.002+08:00

I've ballooned to 50kg in just 4 weeks from my previous 46kg.

In total I've gained 6kg so far. It could be due to my constant eating. One thing about being pregnant and puzzles me is that you are constantly hungry even after eating 2 bowls of rice, 4 dishes, a cup of milk, fruits AND some dessert. Shocking isnt it? Even after that I bug Hubby Yap to go to the bakery to get me some bread.

The other day I wasnt feeling too well so I didnt have the energy to go buy food, I ate the whole loaf of bread that was meant to last a week.

ME.

A WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD.

At this rate, I'm going to be 60kg by the end of the term.

Pregnancy and your bladder

2008-04-14T16:03:00.000+08:00

Your bladder could seriously play dirty tricks on you. Its the same as asking a child whether he/she wants to go to a toilet

Case in point:

Before I boarded a 5 hour bus journey back to SG (non-stop). EVERYONE kindly asked me at every point (before we left home, at the bus counter, before we board the bus, and again, before we stepped onto the bus platform) in time whether I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET.

"Nooooo I dont need toooooooooooooo"

And when we finally found our seat and sat down and waited for the bus to depart (it was a good 20 minutes before), I STILL DIDNT NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET, THANK YOU.

But when the bus moved 100 meters preparing for its journey back to SG. I desperately need to go to the toilet.

GDAMNIT!

What to do.. have to wait 3 hours before the bus stop for its 10 minutes toilet break before I could make a quick dask to the toilet.

It was only a trickle of pee.. ARGH!

Pregnancy update

2008-04-13T16:31:00.000+08:00

Bloated. Boo hoo. Feeling very much like a whale with thin fins. Honestly, has anyone seen a stick thin hands attached to a body with a big tummy? Ok. bad joke. I've seen a few in pictures and its in Ethopia. Bad joke indeed.

Anyhoo, Hubby Yap's pretty paranoid about anything and everything and making sure that Baby Yap stays in my tubby tummy for a full 9 months and comes out fat and healthy. Only (his) approved food goes in me and sometimes an occassional treat like non-caffinated rootbeer (lukewarm, not cold) and a cheeseburger.

Given my way my dinner would be ice cream, cookies, chips (sour cream!), burgers, cheese, milk and loads of yucky unhealthy stuff.

Update from my latest detailed scan:

1. Baby's doing fine. Just slightly larger than normal *yikes* We scanned to identify things like the presence of the bone structure, baby's brain growth, the 4 chambers of the heart, the spine, the lips intacted, etcetc. Just to see if there are any structural and physical defects.

2. Due to the placenta level is situated slightly lower than normal, I might have complications such as not being able to give birth naturally. Since I have no occurance of "spotting" or bleeding, it should be okay.

3. Did you know that they even measure the tension between the two sides of your ovaries (or what you call them) to see if you could have a risk of high blood pressure and pre-term labour during your later stage of pregnancy? If one side has more tension than the other, you would have a risk. That was me.

Of course, the doctor assured me that this was just a calculation of "risk" that might happen. Who knows, once the third trimester starts, everything will adjust back to normal. Meanwhile, I'll be under observation to see if there are any progress of these things happening. So dont stress and relax!

Now I shall go enjoy my cruise this weekend and eat and eat and eat!

At 16 weeks

2008-04-11T12:00:00.000+08:00

Baby Yap is 85% a GIRL!

Why 85%? Because the doctor couldnt really tell yet. There is nothing 'obvious' in between the legs. Actually since this is our first child, we really dont mind what gender. ;) As you can see, she is upside down. Funny girl.

My appetite is getting better and I am at my heaviest so far, 46kg. I know I'm going to gain MORE weight. Then I'll reach my ideal weight (w/o pregnancy, heh). Yes, I've always been underweight. Its so funny now, my lips keep smacking and I really want alot of food. Even Hubby Yap is surprised. After a full meal (means: 1 bowl of rice and assorted dishes) I still look for desserts (cake? sweets? ice-cream?). Gah.

Knitting is the new Yoga

2008-03-01T20:38:00.000+08:00

Knitting relaxes me. It enables me to wind down and NOT think about work AT ALL. Some people watch tv. I knit. I like to look at patterns and colors and complicated P1,K2,TB3 patterns.
Hahah I'm such a nerd.

Currently, I'm knitting a baby cardigan. Isnt it cute?

Why I love knitting baby stuff:

1. Its cute

2. Its faster to finish, and hence faster to learn

3. You see the results

4. When all the above applies, you will wanna knit a matching one for yourself (with a fatter yarn and needle)

So go start knitting baby wear first. Doesnt matter if you do not have a baby yet. You could always give it away or keep it and start knitting a similar piece of your own!

I used to try knitting bigger clothes first, but I usually give up halfway when I see "repeat row 1 and 2 365 times...." 365 TIMES? Gosh I have trouble the first 10 rows itself. I usually give up and start on a new project right away. Yes I have one cupboard full of yarns that I have yet to start knitting on (not to mention half baked projects... *eeps*).

I want to..

2008-02-21T14:30:00.002+08:00

Learn how to take fantastic photographs.

Learn how to sew a proper dress!

Make a blog earn money for me.

Get my ass moving so that I can do all of the above.

Sleeping

2008-02-21T12:08:00.002+08:00

I really need to stop sleeping so much (go to bed at 9.30pm to wake up at 6.45am) and start to think about what to blog when I get home. I hardly go online after work already.

But I am reaaaaaaaalllllllllyyyyyy tireddddddddd.

*slaps self*

Seriously, my stamina level has gone way way way way down the drain... I need to get out and excercise more (10 mins to work everyday is not enough).

*yaawwnn*

The week so far

2008-02-15T22:01:00.000+08:00

Its been hot. Its been hectic. Its been tiring.

But,

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Hope your day was great. Mine was. Not really super super elaborate and fantastic, but just right.

I went to Genting Highlands to escape the heat and Mr Bee lost xxx amount of money in the casino. I on the other hand, I kinda enjoyed the cool air and wasnt fussy. We left before Mr Bee could get another shot at the casino.

Dinner was simple and we ate to our hearts content. The good food? What we lacked in Singapore. Yummy assam laksa, hong kong chee cheong fun and great char quay teow. We stank of oil after that.

Then on a whim, we decided to go for a movie at Cineleisure that was released on that day.

Jumper.

Wasnt great. But the atmosphere was funny and memorable. There were alot of people fishing for opportunities from couples.

"Buy roses for your girlfriend/wife one sir?"

"Buy roses and get a free serenading for your girlfriend/wife"

The roses dont come cheap. RM9 per stalk. Mr Bee didnt get any for me.. but well, it wasnt important... =). While waiting for the movie to start, we killed time by sitting at a tea/coffee place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In preparation for the wedding, I had to go do my nails and my hair. Unfortunately, my nails were too short to do some sort of cool manicure, I had to go for nail extensions.

My first time doing nail extensions. They are a bitch though.. I hate doing any form of manicure. Pedicure is still bearable. Manicure causes you to be disabled for the time being. Barely few seconds my manicure is done, I kinda botched it and had to ask the manicurist to fix it... *shy* The manicurist asked me to sit still and just.... dont move...

The bridal photoshoot is tomorrow.. wish me luck!

Wedding schmeweddings

2008-02-10T23:48:00.000+08:00

Ok I admit, wedding preparations is a bitch. The initial part was easy (considering that I am a lazy person). If have it my way, I would just register, have a simple reception. End of story

But Mr Bee is a traditionalist, thank goodness for my parents. So he planned everything and did everything. Dinner? Choose a decent restaurant/hotel which had an available opening on the date that is decided. Pictures? Go to a recomended studio. Gowns? Ask them to recomend you gowns that suit your figure. Choose. Pray and hope they dont give your gown to someone else on the wedding day. IF that happens, throw a bitch tantarum. Flowers? Deco? Go to a florist. Cards? Print them.

End of story. We did that in one day. Of course, we did abit of research before coming back to KL to settle things. But research was done after work, at night.. prolly like 2 weeks before we came back to KL. Actually, Mr Bee was the one doing all the research.

Maybe the first part was too easy for me because, Mr Bee did everything. Heh. I just give the final say whether it was ok or not (ie, card design, bridal studio concept, dinner place, etc). Lucky eh?

Then came the hard part. The tradition part. Tea ceremony. Meeting the relatives (this involves smiling non-stop till your jaws hurt throughout the duration you are in the relatives house). Seating the guests. Deciding who to invite, and not to invite, how to deflect situations where people whom didnt cross your mind to invite say.. "Hey, I heard you are getting married? When is the wedding? You must invite me you know"

*URK*

Then came seating the guests . I have to worry if the guest in the same table have some history together to avoid bitch fight later on (alcohol is going to be served, and it can turn ugly later in the night...). I try my best to seat everyone to their liking, but sometimes, I've gotta fill in tables u know... :( So please please try to get along with everyone in the same table as you and focus on me instead.

~~We've~~ He's spent so much on the wedding already, and... there is more to be spent... my shoes, my accessories, my flowers, etc etc.. the extras.. I'm surprised, he is not bankrupt yet. Heh, then again, he has to right?

I cant wait for all of these to be over so I can resume my normal sweet life again.... :) Marriage to me is just to legalise a relationship and to make a solid commitment to be together, forever.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2008-02-07T13:26:00.000+08:00

Time to bring out the new and out with the old! May you have a prosperous year ahead with love, lots of money and luck!

I'm back in KL for two weeks baybeh! And yeah, the first time my mom saw this dress, she made me wear tights. "ITS SOOOO SHORT"

I didnt have tights, and the tights she had was black, so it made my chicken legs even skinnier. So I wore my skinny jeans just to please her and my relatives who I will be going off to visit in .. about ... 2 hours time.

We dont want relatives gossiping on how this little miss singapore has no morals now eh? Short skirt and all *rolls eyes*

Support a cause

2008-02-05T09:25:00.001+08:00

Ok, firstly, this blog is officially dead. But I'm reviving it soon. Still thinking of some concept.

Next, I've been a regular follower of this blog: http://www.jayelleenelial.com/

And from her blog I found out about this:
http://buscrashnomore.blogspot.com

They are doing a great cause, not only for us students, but for the benefit of other people as well. As a regular (once a month?) bus rider from SG-KL-SG, I am now afraid since the bus that actually crashed in this incident is the regular bus company that I take.

Granted, there are many other bus companies that crashed other than this bus.

So go sign the petition, to make a safer trip for all of us, not only for students, but for other Malaysians as well. Even if it achieves nothing, at least we tried to do something instead of doing nothing.

'Tis the season to be jolly.... yeah right

2007-12-12T10:27:00.001+08:00

When Christmas comes round the corner, everyone is anticipating with excitement and glee. Holidays are planned, gifts are bought, happiness!

Not this round. I'm so grouchy that it compares to a scrooge and a grinch COMBINED. Gifts? WHO NEEDS THEM? Holiday? GOT TIME MEH? WORK LIKE SHIT

See.. my deadline is.. 31 December 2007.

ARGH!

I'm a scrooge and a grinch this year. Dont bug me. Go play far far away with your candy canes and holiday gifts. *roooaaarr*. No time to play all this happy jolly games.

Ugh

2007-12-09T17:59:00.001+08:00

Why does it seem that, while everyone is taking a step forward, yours is going backward?

Yeesh!

Seriously?

2007-12-07T11:58:00.001+08:00

1. I've been meaning to get my teeth straight.

But I'm adverse to pain. I've heard stories of ulcers (I so hate ulcers, I get them often when I was young and I have phobia of having them!) caused by the wires and what not. Not to mention the tirp to dentists AND pulling out molars, injections, etc. Enough to make me stay away dentists (sorry Mel!) out of sheer horror.

2. I've tinkering on the idea of getting my eyes bags done (plastic surgery hello?).

Refer to point 1 above. I knowwww you go under general anesthesia and all, but when u wake up to two tennis ball size eyes for 3 weeks. Uhh.. its ok...

Are there any painless alternatives available. I've known friends who went for some "tinkering done" (nothing major, just getting eyelids done, and adjustment of dumbo ears) and they are like sooo happy that they finally gotten rid of their pet hate of themselves.

How ah? Should I before gravity starts setting in and all?

Tuesday Schmuseday

2007-12-04T10:17:00.001+08:00

I thought I would never allow myself to do it. Being the most rationale person, I would never have took a bus down to KL on Saturday morning, despite my busy schedule, had fun, spent time, and partied with a dear friend who is getting married soon (fiesty grrrl she is! sooooo fun to be with when fueled with alcohol), and then take the bus back to Singapore the following day.

But I did. AND survived (most important!). No regrets.

Its also my first time travelling alone for 5 whole hours! But I had nothing to worry because once I dropped down in KL (though I had to wait a few mins) my loveable friends came to pick me up for a day of fun!

To Ellie, please do not lose your sense of humour and fun after you get married. I'm sure you had loads of fun dancing with strange men. ;) There are a total 7 of us to be married soon. I'm sure you will get your revenge back.. but I'm sure I wont tell ANYONE that I'm getting married. I'll just elope (my friend said that when I told her what we did to you).

Oh, congratulations are in order, but I'm sure you've had lots of that already.

Retail therapy fever

2007-11-18T19:21:00.000+08:00

Okay, seriously, I've been too busy to update and a little depressed with work. And what happens when a sane female get busy and fed up with work (ie work work work without a little self reward)? Evil retail therapy comes to play:

I like the dress and the puffy sleeved shirt. The dress can go on its own. But I will look too thin in it (as usual)

Love the skirt. Painful on my wallet though.

I went to this boutique where the owner kept asking me to try stuff and whenever I came out she will be like "ooooh this looks nice on/suites/so/etc you" type. Needless to say, I bought this shoulder puff top cos it looked pretty normal then. I really do like this quirky shoulder puff shirt, but I need the courage to wear it to work someday. It really makes you look cutesy dictatorish (picture the 80's jacket where shoulder pads were sooo in.. only this time, rounder)

Even the male gender is not spared of the Evil retail therapy fever. This will be "sadly" replaced soon:

1 hour bus ride, 15 mins drive

2007-11-04T22:12:00.000+08:00

My 3 colleagues just moved in the East Coast area and they invited us to go see them. Okay we said, and thus, we planned our journey. "We'll go to the beach" we planned.

Yeah right. I left my house at 3 pm caught the bus at 3.30 pm (argh@!) and reached her place at 4.30pm. I was exhausted. Sun. Heat. Humidity.. 1 hour bus ride.. &^%$$&^&*() Not exactly the beach weekend I planned.

Singapore is so small yet I had to take a 1 hour bus ride to reach her place. It must be the "strategic" locations of the bus stops. Every bus stop at every 100m in the housing area and every 1km at the main roads.

When I reached her place, they announced, "we had to take a bus to the beach, and its not near"
HOLY *****

"No more bus ride" I said. I had enough. It almost killed me to get there. So we lamed around her house, joked, talked etc, had dinner, and watched a movie, Stardust. I highly recomend it. Go and watch it!

Anyway, work has been busy. I was assisting on a project which had many revisions (^%$#) and the client was very big globally and etc lah. Basically, we had to kiss the ass of the client to please them.

=/

I've also been busy with knitting! I finally learnt how to knit. It isnt that hard after all. A friend taught me how to knit while I taught her how to crochet. This is the result after 1 week:

Its not perfect, but I'm happy considering I never pay for classes! And it was a 1 hour express lesson by my friend. Happy. I'll show you what is the end result is. Prolly next year at the reate I am going. Ho ho Ho ho.

Currently in love with this chocolate. Yum.

Btw, I took a cab back from my colleagues place in the east coast. 15 mins ride.

=_=

Expired goods

2007-11-01T09:10:00.001+08:00

Holy crap.

To those who love cutesy japanese food products (ie rice cakes, sweets, seaweed) may have been eating goods that were expired 30 years ago!

0.0

Read it here

oops

2007-10-30T15:42:00.001+08:00

I neglected this for awhile. But noone reads this anyway.

Have been bz bz bz bz!

www.tatarah.com.sg

2007-10-26T09:55:00.001+08:00

Check out the website. Instead of ebay, where the highest bidder wins, under this unique bidding system, the unique lowest bidder wins.

Imagine paying $1.99 for a Gucci handbag.

Sounds delicious? Too good to be true? Go and check the website out. Bidding starts today, 3pm.

I've registered on the website. To those who registered before 2.30pm yesterday (which is me!) gets a chance to be one of the 15 lucky pple selected for lucky draws, with a grand prize of a car. I'm dont want a car, I'm just wishing to be called. 15 people who are called get to win SOMETHING. Be it Ipod, Mac, etc.

Mr Bee hopes for a car.

Yea yea yea.. you wish.

I'm not really lucky in all these kind of events. Especially lucky draws. I've never won a lucky draw in my life (really). I'm not hoping, just wishing. heh.

Ooh. I went for their roadshow near my office, and I won a $30 spa gift certificate to Amara spa. Not much actually if you compare an eye treatment there cost $60. AND its limited to Mondays - Thursdays, Not inclusive of public holidays and eve of public holidays. =.= What the hell... is that promotion supposed to be given to a tai tai or something?

I prolly wont use it. I'm not a fan of spas anyway.

I just wanna be called for the lucky draw!

eeeee

2007-10-25T10:56:00.001+08:00

They offer free knitting classes in my firm!

Downside: I have to skip lunch for it, and the timing is mostly for admin staff (12 - 2pm? hello?)

Mr Bee forbade me to go because I will be skipping lunch, then my gastric problems will come up again and he will have problems taking care of me and you know lah, huh, I suffer he suffers too.

So I cant go.

So Mr Bee, pay for my knitting classes in Chinatown ok?

Who do we represent?

2007-10-24T17:22:00.001+08:00

I had an unfortunate incident with a Malaysian office counterpart today.

To sum it up, the guy at the Malaysian office was rude, and racist to all things Singaporean.

And then Mr Bee told me. Dont tell any Singaporeans about this, later we "step on ourselves only"

You see, I dont believe in that. What do you mean "Malaysians" and "Singaporeans"?

God forbid the guy was damn rude and he was from a Malaysian office. But bad behaviour doesnt stem from which country you are from. It stems from how you were brought up. Your nationality does not give you the right to be rude.

Meh.. I dont care I complained to other Singaporeans about his behaviour. Let him be known that he was damn rude and stupid. Never in my life ever I have been spoken to that way.

RUDE!

So.. you think you can?

2007-10-24T09:47:00.001+08:00

Why am I so tired always? I recently analysed and this is how my day works on weekdays:

6.45 am: Wake up. Switch on the heater for bath. Go back for a quickie sleep while heater warms

7.00 am: Wake up. Switch on the kettle to make coffee later, prepare breakfast**. Bathe

7.15 am: Out of the shower. Proceed to kick Mr Bee to wake. Make up.

7.30 am: Make coffee pot. Set the table. Take breakfast out to dining table. Mr Bee should be out of the shower by this time. Have breakfast together.

8.00 am: Out of the house. Take the train to work. Depending on human traffic and luck, we board on the less sardine packed train (can be after a few trains pass by).

8.30 am: Reached destination. Proceed to walk to office.

8.45 am: Reach office.

9.00 am: Start work - see previous post on top. (officially, work starts at 8.30am. But do I look like I care?)

8.00 pm: Hopefully log off work. Proceed to the train station

8.45 pm: Eat dinner (I dont bother lining up for food, so I go where there isnt any bloody human queue)

9.30 pm: HOME!***

Wash rinse repeat.

** Preparing for breakfast: Quickie breakfast can be creals, taking out paus (steam buns) from the freezer to steam, putting eggs to boil, boiling wanton, etc. Any more ideas (no maggie mee please)? I do not have an oven or microwave and do not intend to invest in one.

*** This depends on my work. On rare occassions, I go home, I still see daylight. Otherwise, darkness shall greet me when I log off work.

Tales of my work desk

2007-10-23T23:42:00.000+08:00

Sorreh. I is very busy. Been on projects after projects. Meanwhile, I'll entertain you with my bad camera taking photos and bad photshop. Enjoy!

~ oh please grant me some miracle