Summing up the first quarter of 2016

I noticed that this space here has been rather dead lately, and the boyfie made a passing remark about this dead space here...


I have not been much in the mood to post up here, and figured that I would eventually find time to do so (I hope), so tonight's the night where I am full of blabber..

2016 has been good this far..
with plenty of weddings within the family

March saw us through 3 weddings.
In July, there will be another 2 weddings to attend to,
December 1 wedding.

My cousins/family friends are all getting hitched in the same year!
Goodness!

Weddings aside,

 It's time for Timeline fillers, the first quarter of the year vaguely goes like this:

January 
New Year Celebration
Spent my eve with Claudia over a nice quiet dinner, as we explore the coming year with a  
mixture of work and life to come for 2016, and I met DL for a count down at Marina
Square facing the floating platform for my favourite fireworks and hotpot supper after!

I started the first hour of the year stuffing myself. Auspicious or what?

             
Chinese New year Celebration
The usual fan fare of relative visiting, since parents are both the middle kids.
This is officially our first year of visiting without daddy around.
It is funny how much difference a year on actually feels.
Nothing is quite the same, but yet life goes on.
I guess it really gets easier as time creeps on..

February 
Birthday celebrations starts!
Da started hers with a pool side celebration, and I received an early surprise party from Claudia, over at Kelvyn's place with Dilun as the accomplice on the pretext of a CNY gathering.

Unlike my social butterfly sister, I usually prefer mine to be a closed and quiet affair, so the build up events towards actual day was just plenty of dinner and stuff with close friends!

Every birthday in my recent years, I am reminded about how blessed I am to be my mommy's daughter, all the love I have been bestowed by my family, friends, and spoilt further by the boyfie.
I am indeed blessed + my smelly Trixie Wixie who loves me with all her heart.. just because she always gets food from me?
Hahahah


March
Taiwan!
Holidays are always happy days!
It was a fairly good birthday trip.
I started my first minute in Taiwan drowning my phone and camera upon disembarking the plane.
It was a disaster fishing out my wet toys out from my bag.
My heart sank like titanic, when I discover that both my toys are 1 step away from the grave.

I'll leave the actual Taiwan post for another post, when I feel like being extra hardworking about posting pictures in here.

I'd just say that I ended the trip a very happy girl.
WE bought extra luggage weight, and we were still 8kg overweight.
I reckon my 60 pieces of face mask was part of the reason...along with all the black sugar cubes that I bought as souvenir...
We were very lucky that we got away with the excess 8kg baggage.
YOLO!
---
April 
The month of YOLO
It is quite a depressing month being home bound after a 9 day vacation.
I tried to increase random new activities to feel little more motivated about life!
In it, I went for a couple of new achievements that I set out for myself..

Change my hair style ✓
I gave myself a hair cut on a whim and fancy, Chopped off half my hair's length because I needed a perk me up to feel better about my post holiday depression.
Besides it has been years, since I last changed my hairstyle.

Picked up Kizomba ✓
Attended Azlan and Mabel's weekend Kiz workshop, and in the dance frenzy process I got myself 2 pairs of new dance shoes..and I am pondering on whether I should customise the third pair... because customise is always more swag right?

Depressing as April may sound, I actually ticked off 2 of my resolution checklist this month!

I have also tried Canvas painting at Arteastiq, and the completed painting is now sitting on the wall looking a little odd in my room.

This pretty much sums up what I have been up to.

Trixie on the other hand, decided to YOLO as well.
She snuck out of the house, and went on a lift adventure alone, and got lost for approximately 15- 20 minutes?
My mother lost her, and found her before I could even reach home to organize a search party.
Thankfully for friendly and useful neighbours!

xoxo

Here's to 2016

In a blast, it really IS 2016!
Happy new year everyone!
I ended my year with Claudia over a yummy lip smacking dinner at Miam miam..and the Boyfee brought me over to Marina area to watch the New year Fireworks!
My love for fireworks... it's a good start!
I am happy, in more than just words can describe.

I spent a lot of time eating, socialising, sleeping and just reorganising my thoughts for 2015, and the intended changes and life directions to be in 2016.

For starters, I CANT WAIT FOR THE FRIGGIN POOL TO BE RE-OPENED.
Plenty of delays and I am sure upset with the contractors.
From the promised September, to late October, to Christmas and now they are saying January.
Lao niang is not pleased!
Off with their heads!

I miss swimming. ALOT.
Its practically like the only exercise that I would do, without much thoughts.
Hmmm I might be a mermaid~
As it is, my swim suits barely recognise me anymore. :(

They opened up the house Gym as a replacement fat reducing venue.. well, it totally isn't my cup of tea.
I'm learning to appreciate it, but I do not like machines, metals, loud clanking noises in general.

Half the time, I am sprawled on the floor doing floor exercises (which I enjoy more.. than prancing around on the treadmill), besides, mirrors are distracting!
Hair needs to bounce correctly when I'm treading the treadmill. Otherwise, displeased.
ARgh.
I think I used the gym 5 times in 2015.
Maybe I'd do better and utilise the gym 6 times in 2016.
Hurhurhur.

In the span of my lazy sloth-like festive week, I have already reorganized my accessories cupboard, they currently look like an accessory shop that can rival Lovisa or Accessorize.
Threw out old paper stuff that I no longer needed, and went through the cheap thrill of flipping through old magazines that I exist in (I know... i'm such a has been... not! Lol), and wondered why I always look so awkward in photos.

Did A LOT of face masking, because I bought 3 boxes of face mask before Christmas, and received a dozen of mask as gifts..and so happy to say that I will look glowing awesome in 2016!
It also means that everyone sort of know what a vain, vain, vain pot I am.
Oops.

---

In my focus on self, these are some project that I intend/ have already started working on for the coming year.

There will probably be ONE dive trip.

More attention to my nails (It's a hobby that I wish to reconnect with, after a year of negligience. super uncreative paint job)

Drastic Change to the hair.
I'm almost done being Rapunzel, prolly after another self - dye job just for the kicks of playing hair technician. :D

Le Boyfee plans to bring me to Taiwan.. still waiting for the plane deals to surface! :D

Dance a little more! (than I did in 2015)

Take the sewing machine out to create stuff!
It's been neglected for a really long while.
I usually make do with hand sewn alterations / project, just because Lazy.

Be a little fitter physically (If only the pool would cooperate!)

Clear out my wardrobe, and not be a softie with my clothes.
I love love love all my clothes, new, old, and antique!

Eat less!

Spend more time with mommy, family and Trixie.

In a contradicting statement, to be less perfectionist in some ways, and harsher on myself in other ways.
Lol.

Spend more time reflecting on self actions, give gratitude for the blessings that I have received, and be a better person.
This is an ever green goal for life.

There!
It's quite a hefty list of things to focus on, yah?

Cheers!

Blast from the past

Cleaned up the photo album cabinet and I discovered old pictures of everyone!

I emailed daddy some of his old black and white pictures during his teenage years just for the fun of it. 

His first question to me was 

Where did you find these from?! 

And the second email to me was... Who do I resemble? 

Handsome right? 

I replied him with a gaggy face, and told him he's picked up from the dustbin, since he doesn't resemble my grandparents. 

Haha. 

This dustbin trick never grows old on me. 

Oh, I picked out random pictures from the past, and these would be at my second birthday party! Always pleased in the presence of cakes.. 

My mom obviously chose my wardrobe during my toddler days, but I'm still in love with the cropped top flutter sleeve with high waist pants and a contrast sash set outfit.

Oh and no one touch my fluffy kitty please!

I spent the later half of my childhood dragging kitty on leash around the house, like a dog, and kitty turned grey at the bottom from too much abuse. 

The mommy threw kitty into the machine for a wash, and I no longer became friends with kitty, just because kitty no longer feels the same ;(

Tangled, rough and ugly - I couldn't even find her eyes amidst the fur tangling. 

Sorry kitty! 

Next would be Le Daphne at some chalet. Back then, my parents were always full of activities. 

Company events and outings with friends, weekly Karaoke and majong sessions at my place. 

Wow wee. 

Back to the picture, Those bear bear shades totally nailed the look. Mom matched my shades and shorts together?

Hahahha 

As for the pose? I apparently started young with fatty belly and all!

Next, 

This was taken at home with the sister and our beloved piano. 

Sometimes random stranger would ask if we are twins. 

We understand that our mother fancies dressing us alike, but one really short twin and one really tall twin?! 

Well.... When Da and I talk about it in recent years, she'll reason out that those strangers must have been really naive with low comparative skills. 

One really short twin? 

Doesn't make sense at all. 

Tsk.

Accessories accessories accessories.

The outfit of the day #ootd would be furry headband + sunnies + layered frilled dress. 

Le sister and I are obviously delighted with our matching dress and accessories!

This picture in the backdrop still exist at home to date. Omg!

Vintage frames.

The mom tells me that she very much misses the house when it has less furnitures.

We have so much stuff lying around everywhere, that she gave up prettifying the house a long time ago!

At one of our monthly outings to the beach, If my memory wasn't failing, we were heading out for an island tour/ ferry trip to Sister's island.

This is my mom still working her stylist aptitude on her kids. 

I pointed to her that she obviously dissected the set of outfit and exchanged them, and she laughed. 

Good job mommy!

This is my mommy and I "bickering". 

We start our love-hate bicker really young. 

Judging by both the parent's expression… 

I figured it must have been something that I suggested or said that triggered their reactions.

Dad's like huh? What's going on you both?

While the mommy would give me her usual "you sure you're allowed to do it…" sort of standard answers..

While my sister usually just ignores and stares far away doing her own stuff~ 

This picture depicts family life as it is.

Oh and the brother isn't in existence yet. But in reality, he adopted Da's far away stance whenever Mommy, Da and I start on one of our epic girlie topics over dinner. 

Totally predictive. Who's to know that our personalities would have been captured at such tender age?

Lastly, a random picture of us at home, celebrating daddy's birthday. 

Their friends and colleagues all hidden behind the photographer. 

My folks used to throw parties at home every week, so perhaps that's why my mom dressed us up so much when we were kiddos. 

My dad, mom and uncle. 

So young! And so skinny!

My brother looked at the old pictures, and jokes that the picture is daddy and uncle at normal size, and what we see of them now in person, is similar to how wide screen TV works. 

Stretched. 

Blast from the past, evokes so much Nostalgic feeling, and seriously, home is truly where the heart is.

The dust from going through the photo albums is epic. 

They get into the eyes and nose, and made me itchy all over. 

It's good that I had mimi training, prior to picture spring cleaning. 

Mimi's been adopted by a Dutch family, and is currently on trial at their place. 

I hope everything works out for Mimi there! 

Posh place 

Bigger place for her to run and explore. 

Better food 

Access to the balcony ( mimi has a keen interest to birds.) 

I found out about it when I let her out for a stroll, and (her reaction) when she saw snowy the speckled pigeon who lives by my room's air condition unit.

She practically dashed to my window in a flash, just to bird watch/ bird hunt.

I'm super glad that mimi's in good hands, and I am thankful for everything that has fallen into place so far. 

Thank you universe and the big guy up there for taking care of Mimi. 

Bye July!

Busy.
That's what the month of July brings about for me.
I like it when i'm mobbed down with activities that I enjoy.
It's like busy in a good way (If you know what i mean)

July has been a busy month. Not all smooth sailing, but overall, has treated me well on hindsight.

Work wise, no special breakthroughs
That aside, the upside would be that I went back dancing a little in late june, but officially danced and said hello to all my old friends from the dance community this week.
All thanks to Mosaic's anniversary parties.

So proud to see Mosaic flourishing in their new venue, I saw for myself how much time my sister invested into making the studio happen - tho i'm not sure if its for the love of dancing, or for the love of Zee.
Ok, both.

It's a nice and nostalgic feeling to be back, moving and twirling around.
I'm surprised that muscle memory really works after my hiatus. LOLOL.
Comeon, I exited in 2009? and danced annually thereafter.
Hohoho.

I woke up the next day, with aching body.
But that didn't stop me from attending my first Kizomba class ever!


It has been a while since I have ventured into unchartered territories, and I guess new dance class works for me.
The challenge of doing something that I am unused to.
It's been a while since I last feel like I move awkward, discovering random muscles that I never knew of their existence, and I actually like this feeling of learning something new.
Not forgetting that aching feeling in the abdominal muscles from all that mini body rolls that I did in class.

Oh and waking up to more aching body.


I spoke about taking up Tango, Kizomba and/or Kpop dance at the start of this year.

Happy to have touch base with 5%.
Therefore, "Pleased" is the word.

This weekend has also been exceptionally filled up.
With le bestie back from Indo over his long weekend, and not forgetting the attempted birthday surprise(not) celebration for MF, and it was a rather enjoyable session.

I also accompanied the mother to watch movies.
The last movie that I caught with her, was Ah Boys to men.
It was to help ease the pain, when her baby goes into camp for National Service.
Oh I'm such a terrible daughter sometimes.

Anyway we caught Transformer, the movie, and while waiting for the show to start, we munched on our sweet and salty mixed popcorns, the mother said between munches that she could not decide if she likes the sweet ones better or the salty ones.
#popcornNoobie I told her, that's the beauty of a mixed popcorn, because it balances out so well, that you love both the salty and the sweet!

She also said that every bite is like a surprise, because you don't quite know what you're going to get until you place the popcorns into the mouth.
Well. Instinctively, I fished out a popcorn, said its flavour and planted them into her mouth and asked her if I was right!

Of course I'm right.
Spent the trailer moments helping her to differentiate between the salty and sweets just by groping the popcorn.
Hahahaha.

and before all the popcorn eating happened, the brother declared that our popcorns NEVER made it to the start of the show.
Indeed. He was correct. It was mostly gone by the time the movie started rolling.



Good weekends like this ought to be blogged into memories.
Thank you.

conversations with mommy

Strolling at the supermarket with the mommy after dinner, she randomly mentioned: 

Mom: your brother's scheduled for wisdom tooth operation on the 18th august.

Daph: okay, should get some mashy food ready for him... 

... Mashed potatoes, porridge, milk shake, ice cream, yakult... Instant soup..all gonna be life savers!

Mom: porridge can already. 

She pauses for a second or two, before saying

Mom: I think I should take 2 days leave to take care of him. 

I turned over and gave mom my biggest unfair facial expression topped with a big frown and pout and exclaims "not fairrrrrrrr!" , just to tease the mother on the special preferential treatment that her "baby" is going to get, whilst kids like me goes unloved. 

Lol.

Mom: When you went for operation, the maid cooked for you what. 

She replied nonchalently.

Daph: nope, by then we were maid-less... 

continues to maintain my most poor thing face, very much like a sad unloved puppy

Pause a little more to think.... And mommy replied

Mom: eh hello, I wasn't working at all, back when you went for the wisdom tooth operation.

What unfair are you talking about huh? I took care of you throughout the entire 8 days of downtime!!!!! 

Well she's got a point there... 

*laughs and resumes making my rendition of poor thing face, because I decided that it was fun to guilt trip the mother a little more....  

Daph: still not fairrrrrr!

It's not the same. This one is time off, specially for the brother, mine's like on the way. 

Quantity vs quality not the same huh. 

Hahaha. 

Continues to make sad pouty face for the next few minutes just for laughs.

#whatdidyoujustread?
#thingsIsaytomymom