Just.

I am sorry for the lack in updates. So much had been happening but I am simply too tired to blog about it. Could be a combination of work, medicine and stress.

Later, people.

Happy Birthday to Veron, a very sweet and kind hearted girl I got to know from Cowboybar, a most decadent place of lurking dangers.

Here’s mama wishing you many happy returns of today and may all your wishes be fulfilled and blessings be upon you!

PS: she’s only 20 this year…… so young… so tender… Hahahhahaha!!!

I started 2008 thinking it would be another challenging year with my “Rachel can do it” boss and even set my mind towards conquering his son’s ginormous Bar Mitzvah. In fact, the most exhausting tasks of gathering all the Jewish and non Jewish people from all over the world, getting their mobile numbers, email addresses and land addresses, smsing them, emailing them compiling replies, gathering different travel routes, flight times, fares, upgrades, hotel booking with the agent, booking all the air tickets and doing upgrades had all been done. I have only to follow through each timeline as we move along.

But every day while I experience a sense of victory and achievement at work, I return home mentally and physically exhausted and drained. My head pounding and my mind unable to focus, I could not even have the energy to 1. blog 2. talk to my girls 3. relax completely 4. lubba lubba with Big.

God is trying to drum some sense into my thick skull I think. The final clincher is when I could not, for the hell of me, get out of bed yesterday morning. My whole body felt as if a sledgehammer had merrily nested itself in the small of my back and my head had been stuffed with steel wool. My body only felt less tension and pain after my virgin hatha yoga lesson on Tuesday night.

And so.

I have tendered my resignation on Wednesday morning.

I have mused, angst-ed, mulled over it and I felt very torn. On one hand, my boss treats me very well. He never ever yells at me even though he has the tendency of chewing other people out. Nice dressing allowance, fabulous pay, fun industry, insider fashion shows, insider sales (as you can see, I am very shallow ) and the lot. On the other hand, my health is slowly but surely giving out. After a lengthy talk with Shelly and Big and getting lots of encouragement from them, I have decided to be a taitai (wannabe) for now. No turning back now, I have already spoken to Boss about it.

That is another story. I felt so sad, so reluctant, so bad when I spoke to him about it. He came into my room in the morning and the first time he asked was not about his schedule or about work but, how was my back. I gathered all my willpower to tell him that I needed to have a talk with him about it. And spilled the news to him that I have decided to leave.

He looked rather sad and told me that he really enjoyed working with me and that good PAs are hard to come by.

I think I will have a tough time working off the notice period. Sigh.

Oh boy, this smacks of such soap opera. A pair of twins who were adopted by separate families as babies got married without knowing they were brother and sister.

I believe that this year (my first year in my 30s) is going to be a dynamic one for me.

Firstly, a well planned agenda is seldom a disorganized and aimless one.

• This is a busy year in my work life, what with planning a very major Bar Mitzvah in July for my boss, expanding my portfolio into the Cost Review Committee, our company branching into many other countries, taking on new brands etc. I view this as a challenge, especially with the hands-on planning for the Bar Mitzvah. In this project, I will learn about a major Jewish tradition and custom, how to handle international relations, event planning and execution 101, working with prominent businessmen and diplomats from Israel and Singapore and to be resourceful when handling obstacles and problems. It is a mind boggling and challenging project but I look forward to acing it. Being the perfectionist I am, I cannot accept anything less than excellence, and my pride will also not allow second rate performances.
• Despite being a college dropout (sounds so delinquent!), I am thankful that I have progressed in my career quite well and am rewarded monetarily better than peers with similar or even higher qualifications. However I do not like to rest on my laurels and I will be progressing with my Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business and Management Studies starting this March. It’s more for my personal development rather than for career advancement, as seeing I am not a career woman at all. Baking cookies appeals more to me. Finally my parents may be able to realize their wish to have a convocation picture taken with me by 2010..
• Speaking of my parents, I am grateful that my parents don’t give me grief, and are in fact, quite proud of what I have achieved. They don’t pressure me in my choice of career, lifestyle, parenting method etc. I think we have come a long way from the time I had moved out to “find myself” and to live an independent and cosmopolitan lifestyle (flying with SQ, partying in different countries etc). Now that I have mellowed in thinking and in temper, I find myself understanding my folks more and accommodating them more. Life is fragile and transient. My grandma had passed on three years ago. I still miss her and wish I had spent more time with her. Quit whining about your parents (I know they can be quite nagging sometimes, I tune out when my mother starts Recently, she nagged a little when she found out about the Mulberry tote and its retail price). Know that they won’t be around for you forever. Sometimes, good intentions don’t feel good but they are….. good intentions. I need to spend more time with my parents.
• 2007 was a year of extreme poor health for me. Well, things are about to change. I may not be able to sashay on Louboutins now but that is going to change very soon. *positive thinking*! Have registered for Hatha Yoga lessons and am starting next Tuesday. I even had the tops from La Senza all ready to go.
  Big, being the sweetie he is, has bought me a Nike yoga mat I had my eye on.
  I will also make an effort to swim more often. I think I shall look very tanned again and with my waist length hairstyle, shall be more often mistaken as a SPG = more sleazy ang mohs stopping me at Orchard Towers asking to buy me a drink in the evenings. (office is near O/T) Maybe I shall learn a sales pitch on life insurance just to irritate
• In my quest for total independence= to be able to work at home to spend more time with my children and at the same time maintaining my current lifestyle which requires a good steady income, I am starting up an online store within my existing domain, yahoo auctions and at ebay.com.sg. The stores have not been set up as yet, but the goods are moving off the shelves! Thanks to Pam, Shelly and other friends (who wish to remain anon) for being so supportive!! With good foresight in buying, planning, hard work and God’s grace, I hope this can bear good fruits.
• I have written freelance for local magazines and have done copywriting/ editing assignments for companies, websites and advertising agencies in the past. Will be looking to do this more often this year and make a conscious effort to cover more assignments. Anyone who has any lobangs/ if you need someone to write copy/ presentations/ edit your business plans etc, please talk to me at xtralicious at gmail dot com.
• We will be travelling more often this year, especially with the children. I will be making buying trip every bi-monthly and we are bringing the children to Sunway and Genting in February, Sydney in March and Hong Kong in August. I will also be making the pilgrimage to Paris in October and we are still undecided on the December trip. Any suggestions for a family friendly vacation?
• I will make time to read more often this year. I have a total of 9 books, totally new and crisp, sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be read. To think I used to devour a book each week. Oh man..
• At the grand old age of 30, I still do not know how to drive. This is disgraceful. I resolve to learn how to this year. Then I can buy my dream jeep and zip around town. I’ll bet you didn’t know my dream car is a JEEP! You must have thought it’s a beemer, porsche, lexus or the likes right?
• I will make a conscious effort to be more patient, gracious and even tempered. I have my good moments, I have my bad. Will try to make the good ones on a much greater ratio than the baaad ones.

I got this from Jenn Maruska Design a while back and it’s very pretty and practical. In case you have no idea what it is, it’s a needle book to hold my different sized needles for my crafts.

Jenn has beautiful designs at her store so do drop by and browse.

**

This is not a sponsored post.

Scorpio Woman

Inquisitive, searching and experimental. Knows that eroticism consists of more than the physical act of lovemaking. While looking like a perfectly lady in public, you dress and behave like a whore in the bedroom. Control of the orgasm is very important and will try anything to help your man maintain his potency. You never take no for an answer and when interested in someone, you will pursue him with determination and guile. Best sex mates: Gemini, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. Props you love: scented body oils, flavored lubricating gels and vibrators.

!!!!!!!!!!

Love Match: Scorpio Woman Dating Taurus Man

This is another powerful love match. In fact, when a Scorpio woman dates a Taurus man, she might have finally met her match in every sense of the word. He is her equal.

The Scorpio woman is penetrating and wants to go beneath the surface of everything whereas the Taurus man is practical. They have an intuitive link because the Scorpio woman is a master of the sixth sense whereas the Taurus man is master of all the physical senses.

Sexually this becomes quite obvious. The Taurus man ignites passion in the Scorpio woman and she relishes his calm mastery during lovemaking. They each succumb to the inevitable soul connection as they reunite during sex.

Compatibility Rating:

Taken from Averral’ s blog on the characteristics of a Scorpio woman. Have bold out the parts I agree with and underlined the parts that don’t really gel..

A simple woman who always shows what kind of moods she is in. You can tell right way if she is upset, or if she is flirting with you. She displays herself with her act much more than trying to say it for it’s in her character. A Scorpio woman has her own mysterious personality. She is confident and deep down inside she is quite proud of herself. She hates to think she is borne a woman and so limiting her with a certain social acceptable rules.

She is a real woman and despite her innocent and childish looks, she has a spirit of free soul. Many men will make mistake if they think she is a good follower, they are wrong. She thinks being a plain simple housewife is boring. She likes to have power and control over other people, but this will be only her secret, so you will only see a cute woman. Ed: this one I DISAGREE! Everyone who knows me knows I am so NOT cute.

Everything she does will look good, and she has all the women’s tricks you can think of. She can manipulate men without them knowing it. If you think she’s going to do everything you say because she loves you, then you will be disappointed. (Ed: Am woman, am not doormat)

You may say sweet words which could sweep any woman, but not with the Scorpio woman. She will use her X-ray eyes reading your thought of what you just said or what you are going to say. She always smiles and she can really hide her feelings. She will constantly show you that she loves freedom. If she has freedom, she will not leave you, but will even love you more.

If she wants something, she will do everything to get it. She has her own sixth sense of people and you can feel that energy feed back when you around her. She likes a man who can earn her respect, and she will also respect and feel proud of that man. A man with power over her should not threaten or challenge her confidence. She likes to have a good looking, strong and healthy man especially if she starts to compare with her friends’ boyfriends. Ed: this one I disagree again. Compare what? Think buying bags or fruits ah? DUH.

It is a plus if he hold a degree or a good career. She is a hot lady. She likes heavy music. She either loves or hates, there are no “fond of”, or “like” for her. Love has no “may be”, or “perhaps”. If she is real mad, she will trash and throw things. (Ed: Salah. I hate throwing things. It’s stupid and a waste of money.) Her wind storm can sweep all her dishes and you could get accidentally hit on your head for this matter.

Sometimes she shows her weakness, but it won’t be long. She will put herself together and back to be that hot chili again. If she loves you, it will be no matter what other people may say. Her relationship will be more important than what is right or wrong. Because of this reason, you may know some Scorpio woman become a second wife, a mistress. (Ed: I don’t share. EVER.) She is spoilt, but she allows her loved one to overpower her.

Dating this woman, you should not keep old love letters in your pocket or in your house. It could be a love letter 2 years ago, but never mind she will argue about this since this is a big deal for a suspicious woman. Remember she has a temper of the shrew. If you play a cold war with her, she will treat you likewise and double it. If you stood her up once, she will stood you up 2-3 times. She is quite fair in justice, so she can accept your apologies as much as she can pretend to accept things for now and wait for a pay back revenge in the future. (Ed: Stupid tricks that I have no time and patience for)

If you are nice to her, she will double that to you as well. A real fair woman and she likes to make and spend money. She likes to have fame and reputation, and never let her feel broke and nameless at the same time. She is too proud and will not accept status of being “Poor”. She loves to have social standing, so if you are a manager with small salary, she will be proud more than more money being a truck driver. (Ed: Salah again. I hate to put up a false front)

She hates the feeling of being a “Nobody”. If you like her, play a little hard to get. This will excite her a bit. When you go out on a date, set your schedule, but do not let she knows that you have planned this for weeks. Always pick her up on time or better to go 5-10 minutes early.

I think I really agree with this one:

A real fair woman and she likes to make and spend money. She likes to have fame and reputation, and never let her feel broke and nameless at the same time. She is too proud and will not accept status of being “Poor”.

LOL.

I have banned myself from shopping for the next two weeks but here are some of the spoils from end December, which I was too busy with work and play to upload earlier on..

Yet another corset. Yes, I am a lingerie addict. Big’s not complaining

Gorgeous hand crochet poncho for cold days.. Goes very well with this

Red Jumper. I can see myself wearing this during our next trip to Genting. The girls love the theme park! I was shivering away despite a jumper and a scarf. Guess the fats on me are useless.

Absolutely gorgeous vintage belts. I LOVE the one on the right!

Fell in love with this hand crafted shoulder bag. The picture does it no justice.

I love love LOVE this leather tote from Mulberry’s. Luxurious gleaming leather, simple, elegant and practical.

Zara white shirt with shirred details

The picture looks weird but this satin evening dress (from Zara) is REALLY beautiful. It’s one of those dresses that look different on the body than on the hanger.

A pretty weekend dress I ordered from asos.com

Feminine floaty chiffon wrap dresses

Corset from asos.com

 Long belted cardigan

Fire red corset belt!!

Bag from asos.com

Snakeskin passport holder from asos.com

Phone Holder in pretty floral fabric

Vintage leather tote. Real piece of art.

I didn’t think that it will affect me so much. Normally I would have felt angry with myself for a while and then simply let it go. After all it’s only a material possession.

This time, the sadness and anger I felt at losing something material is something new even to me.

I wanted to kick myself for leaving it on my lap and not keeping it back in my bag immediately after use. I wanted to slap myself for not checking the seats of the cab after alighting (and I normally do this! the irony)

I was so angry with myself I wanted to slap myself repeatedly.

And then, the sadness. I never thought I would cry over the loss of a phone. It’s not the phone per se as I have had gorgeous phones like the LG shine, Nokia Sirocco etc. Like I said, it’s only a possession and I don’t get too attached to materialism. But this time, it’s Big’s Christmas gift to me. He had painstakingly took the time, effort and hard earned money to get the phone from his friend in the States, ship it over, collect it from Customs (after it got detained), paid extra GST, ran here and there for the paperwork and presented the phone to me on a platter and his IDIOT girlfriend goes and LOSE IT.

You know what the worst thing is? When I told him that I lost the iphone, he was so calm about it and helped me to call the cab company. He did not even scold me. He was not even angry or unhappy with me, not one bit. In fact, he comforted me and told me not to be sad, he will get me another.

I feel like the lousiest girlfriend in the entire universe.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big got an iphone for me as a Christmas gift and I lost it in a cab.

Enuff said.

Abject sadness.

Paddy, why don’t you have BAK2u for iphone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: I hate Citicabs and their shitty GPS system which cannot track the driver despite me giving them exact pick up and let off location, time and fare.

We went to the famous Petaling Street in the evening… It was packed to the brim!!

I just love how cool and relaxed she is.

Fruit Stalls, but packed like sardines.

This food stall (Jin Lian Ji) rocks. I mean seriously RAWKS.
I have had my share of fine dining and I certify the food here to be much more satisfying than food in pricey restaurants!
True Blue soul food. I always knew I am a dai pai stall girl at heart even with all the veneer of designer armour.

Fried Hokkien Noodles. This simple dish sent me straight to gastronomic heaven

Butter sotong. Beyond good.

Marmite Pork Ribs. Flavourful and sweet

Claypot “Lo Shee Fun” This dish is not as good. Quite alright only.

As promised…. PICTURES and updates!! Our first stop: KL, Sunway Lagoon.

The original plan was to take the kids to the ginormous Water and Dry Theme Parks In Sunway Lagoon, but it was raining when we got there. Bugger. Guess we have to make another trip soon.

So we went ice skating at Sunway Shopping Complex instead.

I joined Big and the girls to (finally learn how to) ice skate but I had to exit after less than a minute. Reason: I could feel my back acting up. The very posture of ice skating might have strained on the back, I don’t know. Such a pity as I am always gungho to learn new things. Under normal circumstances, you won’t see me sitting on the bench looking gu niang but that is exactly what I did that day. Capital L big time.

Looking at Big teach Gean how to skate so patiently makes me feel mellow even though it feels like someone is stabbing me in the lower back repeatedly. In fact, the girls cut short their skating time so that we can go to the pharmacy to get some painkillers for me. I can’t begin to articulate how proud and touched I am by my kids. No tantrums, no reluctance. On the contrary, they were worried and concerned that I am in pain. Ger kept asking if I am ok and Gean gave me little massages of sorts on my back. They are very sweet kids and I am a very blessed woman. Now you see why this trip was so special and happy to me.

Naughty little angel

Posing with a very friendly lion mascot

This picture was taken after we left the ice skating rink.

See how cheerful and happy they are?

Sisters

In 2007:

• Big moved in. At first it was staying over for one night. Then a few nights. Then he brought more and more clothes and now he is permanently stationed here. He also still refuses to let me do any housework. A man who does not think doing some chores compromises masculinity is such a gem.
• We celebrated our FIRST anniversary!!!
• Broke into fashion industry. Got to know a lot of taitais, fashion people and even more airkissing. Enjoyed so many insider sales to the point I might be getting fashion fatigue………………………….NOT.
• Got plagiarized by “Xiaxue”.
• Did a PLAYBOY Cover.
• Discovered ping.sg
• Survived a year under the tutelage of “Miranda“. This supposedly gets me a job anywhere in the fashion industry; I did get a call from a headhunter who in turn got my contact from someone at LVMH…
• I did make a decision to leave due to health reasons. I went back to work on 2 January thinking of quitting the rat race to bake cookies at home and play Martha Stewart (as shared with Shelly) But I got a letter from the boss and I changed my mind. How do you throw in the towel after you get rewarded well? It seems so… ungrateful. And an ingrate I am not. The clincher is probably when I opened my departure speech with “Sorry.. I know I have cause so much inconvenience when I am not around dot dot dot (the dot dot dot supposedly being: “and so I am tendering my resignation to rest at home” etc etc). But the genuine befuddled look he had at my first word “sorry” and his admonishing me for being silly and that nursing me back to health was more important and all thoughts of baking cookies went out the window. Capital L is I. Sigh.
• Ger seemed to have eased out of her “angsty” period, probably caused by the witnessing of many a ugly fights between the ex and myself. I will not say more but I will say this. A man who will not shut up despite his wife telling him that fighting in front of the kids is not healthy for the kids, who will use physical violence on his wife does not deserve to be a husband or a father. At least not mine. In any case, with love, patience and perserverance from us, her teachers in school and student care, her counsellor and her church leaders, she is becoming a very relaxed and cool girl.
• Gean remains close to her father, who was not as close to Ger. No surprise as Ger witnessed too much of his ugliness, and Ger was still very young to know anything. As a mother I try to be as objective as I can and tell them that he is their father no matter what and to be respectful and to love him. Believe me, it takes a huge chunk out of me to do this. I am not such a big person.
• Learnt many things about blogging.
• 2007 is a year where no man laid a hand on me, except with love and tenderness, and not a harsh word was said to me. I enjoyed a good year, both at work and in my love life. It’s all good.
• 2007 is also a year of extreme poor health for me. The worst so far. The diagnosis form doctor said that two discs at my back are permanently damaged and there is no way to repair them but to operate and replace them with metal discs. I am very resistant and so is the doctor. He says I am still very young and these metal discs will degenerate over time. If I do operate, I am looking at replacement (another major surgery) within the next 10 – 15 years. Nothing to do now except physiotherapy, yoga and swimming. Taking each day at a time. No more high heels. No more Louboutins. Even with flats, I feel the pain if I walk or sit for more than 30 minutes.
• 2007 is a year where I am generally very happy in life, despite my health issue. My kids are good kids, Big is fantastic to me, my boss treats me well, I enjoy my job (discounting all the heart attacks), got good increments and bonuses, my parents are happy and proud of my achievements. What more can a girl want?
• 2007 is the year I turn 30!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!! Good times!!
• 2007 is the year where I travelled quite a bit, but my most enjoyable tour has got to be the bus tour to KL/Cameron/Genting/Malacca with the kids and Big. The kids were very well behaved (there were two other kids on the bus and they were quite another story. I was GRATEFUL for my kids) and we really, like REALLY enjoyed ourselves, even though it’s just to Malaysia. I find myself mildly surprised that very simple things can make me happy. Pictures coming up in later posts!

I guess that’s all that happened in 2007 for me. I am ashamed I did not do anything like running a marathon (well, I can’t anyway..) or  doing something really meaningful like going for community trips (I can’t. I will end up crying and being useless. So I go the cowardly route of monetary donation..) Too busy being in love with Big, the kids and myself. I resolve to do more in 2008. Goal list coming up!

I know I had been dreadful with blogging and uploading of pictures but when you are dealing with 500 over pictures it’s no laughing matter. Add to that post travel laundry, it’s no joke. Of course Big has always been a great help. This fellow is really the gem of the gems.

We brought the kids to Snow City and Science Centre in Singapore before we started travelling. Some pictures we took:

SNOW CITY

Gean looking mighty cheeky

Having a (snow)ball in Snow City

Explorers huddled up in the tent

SCIENCE CENTRE

How morbid and Ger absolutely enjoyed it.

Grinning away on the electric chair

But it’s been a mad rush in the Xtralicious household, what with travelling, working, school re-opening and managing the household in the new year…

So many updates and no time..  

Red roses were her favourites,
her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them,
tied with pretty bows.

The year he died, the roses were
delivered to her door.
The card said, “Be my Valentine”,
like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
“I love you even more this year, than
last year on this day.

My love for you will always grow,
with every passing year.”
She knew this was the last time that
the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses in
advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know, that
he would pass away.

He always liked to do things early,
way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything
would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems, and placed
them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside the portrait
of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours, in her
husband’s favorite chair.
While staring at his picture,
and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard to
live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude,
that had become her fate.

Then, the very hour,
as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang, and there were
roses, sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in, and then
just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone, to
call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked
him, if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her,
causing her such pain?

“I know your husband passed away,
more than a year ago,”
The owner said, “I knew you’d call,
and you would want to know.

The flowers you received today, were
paid for in advance.
Your husband always planned ahead, he
left nothing to chance.

There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance,
you’ll get them every year.

There also is another thing,
that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card
…he did this years ago.

Then, should ever I find out that
he’s no longer here,
That’s the card…that should be
sent, to you the following year.”

She thanked him and hung up the phone,
her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking,
as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw
that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote…

“Hello my love, I know it’s been
a year since I’ve been gone,
I hope it hasn’t been too hard
for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely,
and the pain is very real.
For if it was the other way,
I know how I would feel.

The love we shared made everything
so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say,
you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover,
you fulfilled my every need.
I know it’s only been a year,
but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,
even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be
sent to you for years.

When you get these roses,
think of all the happiness,
That we had together,
and how both of us were blessed.

I have always loved you
and I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on,
you have some living still.

Please…try to find happiness,
while living out your days.
I know it is not easy, but I hope
you find some ways.

The roses will come every year,
and they will only stop,
When your door’s not answered,
when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit,
he will know without a doubt,

To take the roses to the place,
where I’ve instructed him,
And place the roses where we are,
together once again.”