~ just the two of us ~

And HAPPY HOLIDAYS to the rest of you not celebrating CNY. :)

Posted in: chit chat, home sweet home, new year on 5 February 2008 at at 1:30 pm 2 kay-pohs  

... Lion dance, fireworks/ crackers, yummy food, large gatherings, noisy, lots of laughter, oranges, cookies, ANG POWS (red packets filled with money in it)! ...

We can all relate those above with Chinese New Year (CNY). I used to look forward to CNY when I was younger, but now, not really anymore. I guess now, things have changed, I have to go back to my in-laws place during the 1st & 2nd day.

I miss the noise that we used to have at my paternal grandma's place, where my aunts/uncles and their laughter could shake the whole house (okokok, am exaggerating :P ). And not forgetting the yummy food that grandma cooks that makes u salivate even when you think about it. And when we were young, how we used to be able to roam around at grandma's old big house slightly on the hill, which overlooks the paddy field. How we used to be able to catch guppies from the stream that goes across the paddy field and get our feet filled with mud and how our parents would nag at us. How we used to take the chicken's eggs from the barn and put the pingpong ball to replace it so that the hen will continue to lay eggs. How we enjoyed playing fireworks with my cousins and my uncle who will be the ring leader. And how we dread following grandma doing visitation as we grew older (because it means, lesser angpows for us), and because the weather was just so... unbecoming. I miss all that.

Now, I'll be spending my second CNY at my in-law's place. Nothing hoo-haa there. We just have dinner with his paternal grandma, and that's it. Not much noise, not many people, quite a quiet affair. Am still getting used to it. This year, we'll be taking the train straight to Segamat. And, I'm wondering what I'm going to do for the whole day of new year's eve. Of course, I'll be offering my help to my MIL to help in cooking, but usually, she turns down. I think it's normal for them. Even my grandma doesn't need anyone's help when she's in the kitchen. Perhaps I shall bring my cross-stitch work, or do my cards... hmmm... or learn some cooking which would be to Jason's liking. And yeah, not mentioning the change of food for me too. No more sate ayam for me, curry chicken, pongteh, sambal, etc... They're all kinda bland, sad to say. Typical Chinese food.

Anyway, I'm not complaining, a daughter-in-law got to do what she's got to do :). At least, I get to look forward to going back to Melaka on 2nd day of CNY to catch up with my aunts/uncles/cousins/schoolmates/friends who are from overseas/out-station :)... So, here's a toast to a good new year! *cheers*

(Note: As a Christian, I do not participate in prayers/joss-sticks/rituals, but just more so on the general customs of CNY).

Posted in: family, feelings, Happenings, me, new year on 28 January 2008 at at 5:05 pm 3 kay-pohs  

Well, let's see.. the year 2007 has been quite a significant year for us.. One word to describe: changes. Mainly was due to our shift to Singapore. Here are some happenings during the year for the both of us.

March
We tendered in our resignation together. Yeah...together. It felt good. It was a long awaited one anyway. Hee hee... Two days after the announcement of the plant shift to Senai was made.. But well, it wasn't because of that, that we're leaving...

April
- Our last day of work finally came. Though it felt good, but at the same time, I can't deny the fact there were still some attachment to the bond that I had with my colleagues, and yeah, I still do miss those times we shared at work. And the breakfast, lunch, tea-breaks we had. :
- After that, we were off to Jakarta for a short but needed break. We really lived in luxury for the 5 days we were there. Hehehe. Very blessed as we had our accomodation in a 5* hotel paid for by my dear aunt who has been working there for the past 11 years. God bless her.
- Started work in Spore end of April. A big change, and some adjustments for us...Some of the reasons why we chose Singapore...

May
We got ourselves new phones (with new lines of course). His, a Nokia E65, mine, a Nokia N73.

June
We got our notebook too. Yeah, ever since we came here, have been buying all these electronic gadgets. Kekeke.

August
- Changed my blog name to New Beginnings.
- Celebrated our MMU Christian Fellowship 10th Anniversary at Mahkota Hotel.
- Jason got himself his Sony Play Station Portable, PSP.

September
- My babe got me a Sony MP3 to keep me company while I run. Thanks darling!
I wanted an Ipod though. :P

October
- Got ourselves the long-awaited camera, Nikon P5100. It has not disappointed us so far.
- My first ever long-distance run competition. Ran 10km at 1 hr and 8 mins. Woo Hoo!

November
- Celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Time flies...
- Holiday-ed in Bali as part of our first anniversary celebration. Two trips this year already. :)

December
Officially became a permanent resident of Singapore on 5th Dec 07.

So, what's in store for the year 2008? I have not made resolutions since I was young because I always tend not to keep it. But anyway, this is what I have in mind for the coming year.. which I would not call it resolutions lor....

Spiritually
- To grow into a deeper relationship with God and be well-rooted in His Word. This means being disciplined in doing my quiet time, hehehe...
- To serve within my new oikos here, namely, my cell group and church members. :) Hoping my cell leader doesn't read this phrase. muahaha.

Physically and Mentally
- To lose the 5kg I put on ever since I stepped into Singapore. (Just check the amount of blogs I wrote on food here. Amazing!).
- Definitely joining in the Great Eastern Women's run. This time, my personal target would be 10km in ONE HOUR. Hey, 8 mins difference is a lot ok, especially when you're running the last 1km or 500m to the finishing line. :P

Career-wise
- To do well. :) *ahem*
- Changes will be mostly on Jason, as he will be studying, come Aug 08. Praying that he will do well. :)

Family-wise
No plans to start one right now. Perhaps, next year, 2009. :) But if by God's grace, we do have one, then we'd both be more than glad to have a babe.

I guess I pretty much covered all aspects of my life. Am quite excited for this year as we're expecting some changes too.. Not major ones like in 2007, but well.. some.. Still praying for His directions and plans upon our lives.

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Posted in: chit chat, Happenings, new year on 4 January 2008 at at 4:06 pm 2 kay-pohs  

Woo Hoo! Praise the Lord! Jason did rather well for his GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) on Monday. Other than his essay which we are yet to receive the results, he managed to get a total score of 660/800. Good enough to apply for local universities in Spore and some say Australia. :P

It was not an easy test. We argued many times because he kept on telling me he made lots of mistakes in his simulated test. This test covers all kinds of areas. From maths, to english grammar, comprehension, essay-writing. The difficult part for him was english, as coming from a chinese education background, you know lah. And naturally, me being the worry-er, was not convinced he could do well enough to apply for the universities. But prior to that, he did lots or practices and also borrowed a few books from the library to widen the scope of essay-writing topics.

I spent new year's eve at home. For the first time, in many years. Mum was having a splitting headache, so I accompanied her home. And since Jason was in KL during that time, I stayed home and watched tv. Not bad. I slept early. By 1am. Hahaha..

I hope you had a great start to the new year. Let's not forget all He has done and blessed us in the year 2007; but to press on, and pursue Him further and to grow closer to Him in this coming year.

And yeah, to side-track a bit.. congratulations to YP on the birth on her new baby boy on the first day of the new year 2008. :) Hoping that you'll recover soonest possible from the surgery. :)

Posted in: family, new births, new year on 1 January 2008 at at 6:43 pm 2 kay-pohs  

This photo was taken during my wedding ceremony by AndyLim :)

Posted in: chit chat, Happenings, new year on 28 December 2007 at at 3:34 pm 3 kay-pohs