Sunday, January 07, 2007

The year in review - Jul to Sep 2006

July 2006

July was a very happening month for me.

- 7th wedding anniversary.
- 1st operation
- 40th birthday

In that order.

Marriage may have been made in heaven, but you have to work on it on earth. Ask anyone who's been in a marriage (or a relationship) lone enough and they will tell you that the 'ever after' isn't all about love, fresh air, flowers and candlelight dinners. It consists of laundry, grocery shopping and bills, hardly romantic stuff. But love, romance and memories are found in everyday daily routine.

- when he washes that pair of dirty shoes for me
- when he prepares breakfast for me
- when he holds my hand as we cross the road
- when we watch a video at home on a Saturday night

The Chinese believe that there's an 'invisible' red string that ties a couple together as soon as you are born. Ours must have been one very long string. ^^



My operation....Ahhh.. (read about it here and here). It was quite an experience because I've never been hospitalised before. It was very strange being wheeled in the operating room, knowing that my body was going to cut up. What do people think about just before entering the operating room. I kept remembering all those hospital scenes in the Korean and Hong Kong dramas. They always seemed to have this scene where the guy/ girl holds on to the hands of the guy/ girl who's 'going-to-be- operated'. Me? I only remember feeling very naked whilst twiddling my thumbs as I waited. I think I did have butterflies in my stoach and wondered what would have happened if I have to make a mad dash for the toilet.

So it was with great relief that we were going on a holiday to Phuket (my story here, here, here, here, here, here and here. I could be as fat as I want here and nobody would know.

And whilst in Phuket, I celebrated my Big 40. Yes, yes, I finally reached the number '4'. But I don't feel 40 leh. Seriously though, being 40 is no different form being 30...only a little wiser..a little calmer.

Me definitely not looking my best


August 2006
Both of us have always enjoyed going to WOMAD. It's always a highlight in our calendar. And it's always exhilarating to see the crowd go wild (well, wild by SG standard). For those who enjoy music and performances, you should attend this event. It's wonderful to just chill out under the stars. Music is truely a universal language.

This little eating place in the the westen part of Singapore has been around for about 60 years. In the old colonial days, it used to serve lots of soliders in the various camps around there. Now it's patronised by a mixture of expats, locals and locals who behave like expats. They all come because of the great food great and and the wonderfully relax environment with a capital 'R'. Chubby Hubby has quite a good review here.

Coldbar in Portsdown Road



September 2006
Hubby celebrated his birthday by going to the Ford Factory. And no, it wasn't my suggestion or my birthday present to him. It was just a place he was curious about. I was only partly aware of this place (I know, I know, shame on me not knowing my own country's history). It was where the British governement surrendered to the Japanese army. How was the place? As museum goes, it's could be better. Perhaps in time to come. Still, it was fairly interesting enough.




It does make me think I should perhaps spend a little more time getting to know my own roots and things that are nearer to me. Often places that are far away seemed so much more attractive that we forget that we have just as interesting spots right at our door-step.

I guess you could say the same about the people around us. Sometimes, I think I know more of what's happening to my friends than my own family members.

2007 seems a good time to change this. Don't you think?

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

The year in review - Apr to Jun 2006

April 2006

Quarter finals results. Unfortunately, England didn't win the final match.

Saw Rugby 7's at the National Stadium for the 3rd year running. I like rugby. (See my posting here about it. The junior college I went to was 1 of the 3 top JCs in this sport at that time. It was fun to go down and support the team...and there were always many supporters. ^^ I think there was one year when we won the Grand Slam for lower, upper secondary and the junior college titles...the whole school had the next day off.



But this was the last rugby match at the National Stadium. The stadium is going to be torn down (like many buildings in Singapore, all done in the name of development) and rebuild into something grander. It will only reopen in 2010. My generation grew up with the National Stadium. I've been there quite a few times for for various events..somtimes as a spectator..sometimes as a participant. There were a few concerts held there as well. Michael Jackson was one of them. It was quite something to watch him perform live. The National Stadium will now become a memory for many of us and a new generation will grow up with the new one.


For the 1st time in our 20+ years of friendship, the 4 of us went on a chick trip. (Read about it here and here. After much discussion, arguing and planning, we went off to KL for a long weekend. No husbands, no kids. Just 4 women- reminiscing and catching up. Our 1st loves, our crushes, the teachers, our escapades.. we talked late into the night. Part of what I am today is entwined with them...because those days were one of the most memorable part of my life.


May 2006
I've been lucky, I have a few close, good friends. These are them. I've known them since I was 15...and that was a long time ago. C has been living abroad for nearly 10 years now as she too married a Caucasion. The 2 of us have often joked that we should introduce an 'ang mo' (red hair) to YL as well. Unfortuanately hubby does not have the widest circle of friends and C is too far away.

C was back in SG for a much needed break. We told her to come back to SG for good. There's family and friends here and she wouldn't be alone but I don't think she will. She has gotten used to the lifestyle over there. Most impoartantly, her home there holds much memories for her.

I think she's moving on. I'm glad. Who knows, maybe another romance would come her way in the future. I really hope so.

Election time in Singapore. It was a no event for me though...just like all the other elections. My constituency was a walk-over, ie, no opposition party. Sigh... I may just never have a chance to vote. Maybe I should consider moving to another estate.....The result? PAP of course. There was never a doubt. The betting was on how many constituencies the opposition could win.


June 2006
I lost someone in the family in this month.

Though death is a certainty with all of us and it's only a matter of time when it happens...Yet it's still painful when it happens unexpectantly and unnecessarily. When that person has yet to see the world properly..when you think the whole world stretched out before him...if only he grasped it.

The 2 of us had gotten a little closer the few months before his death. It's strange that it should only happen now after all these years but I was really happy about it. And it will always be my regret that we didn't make this happen a little earlier. I guess I thought there would be enough tomorrows to do it.

I wonder what he's doing. I like to believe that he's much happier where he is now...with the people he loved.