Just.

We owed Serendipity a birthday dinner that was long due.. due to clashing schedules of all parties involved. So when we finally got to meet, it was good fun. Dinner and drinks at Ice Cold Beer (the pizza and chicken wings!!!!) and karaoke at K Box.

Her mum called her while I was crooning “Crying” and she commented that I can sing very well.

Little did she know that I was about to traumatise her only daughter rather seriously

I mean, I started out pretty well. The songs I normally sing, Canto by Sammi Cheng, the evergreen English songs..

Then I realised that she was feeling rather down still.. And so, out comes my arsenal of crazy antics.. which comprised of utterly disgusting songs and equally disgusting dancing to follow.

Think ?????? and ????????

Bwahahahahahah!!!

But at least it did cheer her up a little.

OK for the unveiling now! I brought him to this French restaurant, Brasserie Wolf, at Robertson Quay. The food and the service were top notch superb!

Starters

Burgundy escargot in garlic butter

Panfried foie gras with caramelised apple and salad
Veal Chop with forest mushrooms and mashed potato

The veal was done just right… according to my wishes, medium rare. It was succulent and juicy… The mashed potato was heaven. They mixed some herbs in that I couldn’t quite place, but the taste was heavenly.

Duck confit with baby potatoes and salad

The skin was nicely crispy and the little bits of fats melted in my mouth.. little burst of orgasmic taste. Lol.

And sorry, knowing how private Big is, no pictures of us together will ever make it here… but this is what I wore for the romantic date:

Dessert
Rachel with wrap front swirl dress with ribbon smocking and cream South Sea pearls.

Seriously now, I planned out his birthday surprises in instalments. First the dinner, then a facial (hello smooth skin!) and then a massage as a finale.

I could tell the dinner and especially the massage was a great hit. Hehe.

Horsing around in the shower as usual and I thought she looks soooo cute! I just couldn’t resist!

You think she’d ever forgive me next time? Hahahahaha!

Check back for updates!! I am so excited! Hehehe.

I am thankful for many things in life. I thank God that I am resourceful, strong, and intelligent. I thank God that I have always had good paying jobs, had moved up the ladder over the years, gotten increments with every move. I thank God that I don’t need to depend on anyone else to get what I like, what I want, that I can afford it.

You would think that materialistic is a dirty word, the way some people use it.

Definition of materialistic: Primarily concerned with material objects and worldly activities, as contrasted with spiritual, moral or philosophical concerns; especially, concerned primarily with gaining money and the things that money can buy.

Admittedly, I am not a very spiritual or philosophical person. My eyes glaze over when you speak of philosophical concepts. I know I am not morally superior. I donate to charity and all that but that’s basic decency. So yes, I think I can be defined as being materialistic.

I love jewellery. I love clothes. I love bags, shoes, watches etc.

So there, I AM materialistic, no big deal. But what I don’t get is, how is that any of YOUR business?

I buy my own stuff, my man buys stuff for me. ANY OF THAT CONCERNS YOU???

Just because you are devoid of a love life doesn’t give you the right to diss others’.

Just because you are an insecure desperado, doesn’t give you the right to diss independent lasses.

If you continue to have the same attitude in life and work, you will always be a loser. Get used to it pronto.

Winners strive to improve themselves, the rest throw stones. Beware, the stones might just come back in your direction one day.

Just because the centre of attention is not on you, doesn’t give you the right to throw a pissy tantrum.

GROW UP already.

And don’t get started on the show off or boasting horse shit.

Whether I wear diamonds or not, buy designer or not, is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, get it, STUPID?? Yes, STUPID. That’s what you must be, to be so damned dense in the head.

And stop leaving anonymous comments in my blog. You disgust me.

Or rather flowers for my sweet. Heh.

I sent surprise flowers to his office for his 31st birthday… and being the BIG manly man he is, I decided against roses.. *shudders* and decided that BIG CHEERY SUNFLOWERS are the right fit for his big cheery self.

ok there are more plans coming up on Friday so cannot reveal them here yet… but that’s the first surprise.

Oh there is a second surprise… if you count the “surprise” that I gave him by bursting into tears and weeping into his arms because of something he said that really touched me. Great gift for the birthday boy, good going there, Rach *disgust*

And……..

flowers from my darling.

Envelope (containing card) from boss and cute duckie coaster from colleague who went to Hong Kong..
Gold brass namesake necklace from Big. It’s very Carrie ftom Sex and the City!!

Having a happy moment after having lunch in Congress at Suntec City. I had numerous people asking if my husband was Japanese. Do they have the jappy kid look???

Tokyo drift at the arcade after a satisfying lunch. I wanted to take a picture of Geanyne driving but she said, “No mummy don’t disturb me, I am driving!”

Duh.

*****

Popcorn night at home yesterday and watched Monsters Inc with the kids.

Am disgusted to report that my kids didn’t cry but I did.. at the part where the monster, James P. Sullivan, was told he couldn’t see the little girl anymore and he had to say goodbye to her.

Germaine laughed at me. *Humph* But at least she gave me a hug afterwards.

From the man I loved:

I used my phone cam.. so the quality is a little out. Couldn’t capture the brilliance of the diamonds.. They are D colour, VVS1. The love is gone, the memories faded, but the diamonds shine brightly. Lol.

From the man I love, when he asked me officially to be his girlfriend…

I am such a wuss. Teared up just now.

It’s Secretaries’ Week next week. For the uninitiated, It is always observed annually during the last FULL week in April, standard Sunday through Saturday calendar week. Now, I am not exactly a secretary per se because I handle many other matters for my boss apart from secretarial work.

Especially for this week, since he’s traveling to Shanghai and Hong Kong, I had to finalize a number of things apart from his travel, hotel and meetings arrangement. That includes wrapping up the cast and fit for the models for the upcoming show, sending thank you notes to the taitais for the recent “Big Brand’s” dinner, finalizing his income tax, last minute signing of documents and resolutions, freaking out at SQ because they are going to downgrade his Solitaire status etc etc.

Have been very very stressed.

And to add oil to fire, she had been acting up. From making nasty comments about me to her secretary… to giving me belittling glances. She’s done it all.

Honestly if I were her, I would be super nice to my husband’s PA. I would want her to feel a sense of loyalty to me also. I would want her to feel close enough to me to “keep me in the loop”. But no… she chooses to be so antagonizing, despite my best efforts to break the ice.

Of course it doesn’t help matter when my boss has a habit of calling me “my dear”. He’s not being lascivious. It’s just his manner of being affectionate or his “pet phrase” for me. Come on. Why would he not dote on a PA who takes the initiative to cover all bases, think what he might need, try to deliver whatever he wants within the shortest time? And which boss would not dote on a PA who is detective class material and who can suss out the said person from an enigmatic “Get GK’s approval on the papers and send flowers to her house. Put in an appropriate note” and I don’t even know who is GK, getting approval for what papers, send WHAT flowers and to where. And the best part is… it’s urgent (what’s new) and I couldn’t check with him. (He was in another “uninterruptible” meeting)

Sounds very Miranda don’t you think?

And yes, I got everything done within a very nerve wrecking 35 minutes.. when I told him it’s done after he emerged form said uninterruptible meeting, he looked positively shell shocked. I think it’s a test and I passed. And don’t ask me how I did it… trade secret…:)

Which boss wouldn’t have good impression of his PA who got him his refund of a five-figure sum from a company who had previously refused to do a refund numerous times? My predecessor tried and tried but the company said no, they could only utilize the amount vested with the company, no refund.

I got him his refund. Every cent of it.

Yes, I am proud of my abilities. I am proud that I stand on my own two feet, make an honest living and perform to the best of my abilities. I am proud that I constantly strive to better myself and to deliver beyond his needs. Most of all, I am proud that I am not one of those Pas who are vacuous mannequins, and that I don’t depend on my looks or body to get where I am.

So stop feeling threatened by me, I don’t have any, I mean ANY notions of seducing my boss. Or to sleep with him. I have my principles and values.

And yes, I am frustrated.

Anyway, nothing new now… and back to the Secretaries’ Week.

My boss is planning on giving me a surprise and I inadvertently discovered it!!!

*BAWL*

The company stupidly sent the invoice to him earlier than the delivery of the gift. And being his PA, of course I open all his letters…

And then there it is..

“Customer: Miranda Priestley XXXXXXXX

1 Secretaries’ Week Package for Rachel

Package to be a surprise and hand delivered to her on 23 April 07.

Please make cheque payable to XXX for amount of XXXX.”

I really appreciate the gesture and that he noticed that I like to do manicures..You know… I really felt so touched and surprised that I actually teared up.

OK stop laughing already. I attribute it to an accumulation of stress ok.

And really, I am very very touched.

But now, I sort of fear her response to this.. Would she freak out? Or perhaps she already knew about this and that’s why she was getting more nasty?

Come on… he buys YOU Chanel bags and diamonds worth much more than my little gift…

I really don’t understand some people.

Anyway from hence forth, my boss shall no longer be known as M(iranda). Although his impatience (it is urgent/ it has to be done NOW) is eerily similar, and he expects me to work magic (again) he never belittles me or even raises his voice at me.

From now on, he’ll just be known as…. Boss. Yes, yes unimaginative.

As you can see, I am really a big fan of wrap front dresses.

I love shirts. That’s why our shirt collections always excite me. Imagine, racks and racks of Italian-designed shirts and tailored beautifully with fabrics from fine mills…. Now I am only waiting for my dressing allowance to kick in so that I can start shopping at our shops..

Although I really love shirts, I don’t own many of them. At last count, I probably own 10 shirts at most. This is because the local sizing is extremely unfriendly to curvy women. I say curvy women because you do get shirts in size 12 and above, but the shirt looks as if it is made for a barrel instead. Where’s the tapering? Where are the darts and the waist? Absent, zilch, nil.

My only alternative is to look for shirts with spandex in them, so that the waist sits comfortably on me but it gives room for a little expansion at the bust area.

Else, I settle for wrap shirts which also allow some room at the chest.

My favourite wrap front white shirt from Marks & Spencers.
And my piece from Marciano… It’s so gorgeously dynamic. And of course, I have to wear a black tube inside else it looks positively decadent.

And as always my shirts go with boot cut or straight pants from Mango (theirs are the only cut that flatters my big round ass) or pencil skirts. I have them in tweed, gaberdine, spandex cotton, wool mix, the works. I only go with pencil skirts (for work)

and mermaid skirts (for nights out). Don’t really fancy the other types.

And yes, I pair my pencil skirts with stiletto heels.

My kids quibble over toys, perceived territory and who gets to hog Mummy’s attention. They scream at each other at times. They whine about each other.

My kids also take care of each other. They look out for each other.

They play piggyback in the water. They play “submarines”. They play “hold your breath till you turn blue”.

They take care of each other.

Checked out a shop off Arab Street the other day to check out the belly dancing outfits for my upcoming Arabian Nights Dinner and Dance. Damn… that place is evil. Full of sexy outfits and beaded hip scarves to tempt me… I am trying not to shop anymore this month please… I bought hmmm too many clothes this month, thanks to Barffie who adopted my clothes so that I can make room for new babies.. Muakz. Good friends I have.

I thought I would save some moolah by borrowing a belly dancing outfit from Barffie… but alas! The top wouldn’t fit me… or my defiant puppies wouldn’t fit into the cups.. so that’s that.
Gotta burn more moolah for something I am not likely to wear again. Sigh…

Unless I am really going to take up belly dancing classes…. hmmmm.. I had a trial lesson recently and was quite intrigued by the sensuous and fluid movements.. There was a rather evil gleam in Big’s eyes when I demonstrated a few movements. Hah!

The black outfit I had my eye on.. is decadently sensuous. The chinking sound of the beads and coins on the hips… the elaborate beading on the décolletage… the full chiffon skirts.. Deadly. I asked Big if he wanted to come with me while I tried on a few other outfits so that he can get a nosebleed or two and he gladly obliged. He was already rather *ahem* enthusiastic when I tried on the red outfit from Barffie.. Hahahahah!

Then he reminded me of something… damn, if I wear something as provocative as this, wouldn’t she freak out even more…

But Arabian outfits are all like this! What the hell am I suppose to do? Go in a sackdress? And damn if I will, my boss already reminded me yesterday that “you have to dress up“.

Damn troublesome.

I jokingly told him that he’s going to be sooo shocked. He deadpanned,” After last year’s DND… I would never be shocked again.”

I saw the highly discriminating pictures and I agree. The boys in corsets and fishnet stocking, head-dresses all gamely dressed to the Moulin Rouge theme. I love the gay boys. They are always so game and sporting about stuff. And such a scream always.

I wonder what they will be up to this year.

The cat that ate the cream look

Why, you must wonder…

There you go.

I LOVE GODIVA truffles!!!!!!!!!!!!

And it is sweeter because my boss gave them to me. He’s been so sweet these few days. Maybe he knows how nasty she had been to me.. I don’t know. I did not tell him.

I did not say a thing to him about how she came into my room and scolded me about something that’s not my fault. Or the condescending tone in which she talks to us, the staff, like we are some form of “??”.

So I have been rather upset and pissed for the last few days. And not to say that rather worried for my rice bowl too, seeing that she’s the type to twitter to him about the smallest issues. Clearly, she does not like me and she hates it when he comes into my room and closes the door. Excuse me, he is dictating some P&C information for me to type out, not that we are snogging in the room. Somehow or rather, there will always be some reasons for her to come into the room.

I feel so embarrassed for him when she does that. Come on, give him a little trust for god’s sake. Or maybe she does not trust me. Please. My heart had long since been kidnapped by one Mr Big for me to even look at anyone else..

So anyway, he was in a FURIOUS mood yesterday as our appointed factory had screwed us in the most royally manner. He called me into his room where his wife and another staff was already waiting. She, of course, stared daggers at me, even though I was fully covered up from collarbone to knee without nary a hint of cleavage. Of course.

He told me to sit down and I started taking dictation. He was really in a rage and I of course made sure I type FAST (and accurately). At which point, she felt compelled to dictate to me too and was promptly quelled by her husband to “keep quiet”.

Honestly even as his PA, I can understand his moods and I know when not to disturb him or ask him anything. I know when to offer him coffee and when to just shut up. And why looked pissed at me when he is the one asking you to zip it?? Weird.

Anyway, after the dictation and the rest have left his room, I sat down with him and went through some documents with him, and he was talking to me on a personal basis about how upset he was with the factory… how unfair it was. He felt trapped and frustrated. I didn’t say much as I don’t know much about operations… just offered a listening ear. After which I told him that I have a pile of stuff for him to sign at which he groaned and pinched his forehead. But he still signed for me.

Then I took out the box of truffles which are for him (he’s always getting stuff from people…) and he said, “I am going to open this because I am soooo hungry… and I know you want some of it right?” with a twinkling look. I think the look on my face betrayed me.. I did so love Godiva and especially their truffles!!! Then after he opened it, he said, “You know what? You have the whole box.”

And if I quit simply because she is making things difficult for me… it’s such a pity. As we can really work well together.

PS: the truffles were decadently delicious!!! Yummy! *ignores fats on self*

The wonders of red lipstick… need I say more?

Speaking about good friends that I have in my previous post, here’s my two cents on good friends. I’ve enjoyed reading mooiness for a while now, thanks to Serendipity’s blog. He’s candid, articulate and humourous, all good ingredients for good reading. I was quite taken with his take on friends who crossed or wronged him and I append a snippet here:

To a lesser extent, that’s how I also deal with people who’ve crossed or wronged me. I don’t wish them harm, but they get excised out of my life completely. They abuse my friendship, so they should lose it.

I agree entirely. Life is simply too short for toxic friends, friends who appear nice but snipe behind your back, friends who take you for granted, friends who betray you etc. I may sound totally cold and callous here but I feel that life is simply too short for toxic/ shitty “friends”. I axe them out of my life. Swiftly and completely. It’s like what mooiness says. You’ve allowed them into your life, you can just as easily show them the door.

In addition to my family, I can count on my two hands people I would call true friends. Near or far, my life is infinitely enriched by just knowing that they are there. Any more friends than that would be a bonus. Conversely, because it *is* a bonus you can afford to lose them. Don’t dwell on the people who’d hurt or dissapoint you. Learn and move on. Don’t be afraid to make surgical cuts to the people who’ve outlived your friendship. You’ve allowed them into your life, and you can just as easily show them the door.

That is how and why I only have great friends in my life. Friends who are totally worth my time and affection.

Thanks to all the friends who sms/ gmailed/ called me… THANKS!!

Good to know that I have caring and good friends.

On another note about Germaine, this girl… sigh. Warded in hospital but still being so hyperactive and chirpy… I was joking with Big that people wouldn’t believe that she was ill..

She was socialising with all the patients in her ward.. their parents… their relatives.. And I get parents coming to tell me that they were impressed that she can get along with their kids. She was older than most of the kids so she comforted the kids when they cried or refused to take medicine.

This girl is definitely not shy.

Janise popped over and visited her. And got more than a mouthful from Ms Outspoken. My girl positively grilled her with numerous questions…macham like a journalist. Poor Janise! Lol. She was hobbling slowly to get to Germaine’s ward as she’s still in pain. So sweet of her to come over. Like I said, I have nice friends.

And about Germaine’s outspoken and social nature, nope, she does not get these genes from me.. I am not gregarious or social by nature. Only when my job requires me to, then I will minger and talk to taitais/ fashion people/ stylists/ customers during our shows and events.

Otherwise I am perfectly happy to keep to myself. Hah!

So, she is back to being her take-charge self. And I am a happy mummy.

OK I don’t have the time or presence of mind to sms everyone so here goes:

Germaine has been warded in KK Hospital so all plans/ whatever I have on with you guys are off for the next few days. Sorry if I don’t reply to your smses immediately. But you can still sms me, I will reply at a slower pace.

and do my Johari and Nohari??

Please be totally ruthless. No offence will taken.. (although your birthday gift might be somewhat affected…)

Kidding, kidding!!