Met a friend for lunch today... she just gotten married last Dec... today..she told me that her marriage is breaking up... as she has been seeing this guy at work... Naturally I worked my way up to discourage her from continuing her doings... and the full hour we spent together, she justified her reasons, excuses anyone would give to make themselves feel better. Having said that, I am not saying that I disagree with whatever she said... it just makes me ponder more on How easy is it to say "i Do"?
Some people said it, without a thought... without considering the importance and value behind the vow...

On my way back to work, I thought about Christianity... I thought about people who strongly allow Christ to rule their lives..even these people have difficulties maintaining a good r/s with their loved ones... let alone those who don't have Christ in their lives...

Sigh... so what's love? Are we following what God said in 1 Cor? I don't know...

Went Taiwan over the past few days for a conference. This meeting was fun because:
-I met the Taipei County GOVERNOR;
-I met the Commissioner(s)... (quite alot ..made me really confused about who's who in the end);
-I met friendly colleagues from Taiwan... (which makes me want to go back to Taiwan again!)
-I ate delicious Burger BREAKKIE!

-I bought the most things for Hugo!
-I had a king size bed all by myself!
-I went to the tallest building and even have my dinner there - check it out
-etc etc..

as for Hugo... picture paints a thousand words..
      

Its been a really busy week for me... work seems never-ending... it is good for a couple of reasons:
1) Proves that the property market is really hot!!!
2) I can learn something new daily
3) I am proven 'useful' 

Anyhow what kept me sane was the thought & excitment that I could see Hugo back home after a long day of work. However, each time I am back, Hugo Ng is already sleeping in his den. And I didn't want to 'excite' him too much, for the books said that when puppies get excited...they will pee here n there.. didn't want to spend more time washing clothes or doing something 'extra'.  Anyhow, even though it's less than 1 week since he's here, he's already the rightful owner of a few nicknames such as 'Dasher' & 'Wriggler'.... for he dashes like nobody's business each time he's 'out-in-the-wild' (our living room) and wriggling out of his little den if we open up the gate to get out... [some background:Hugo's kept in our service balcony, it serves as his little playroom. To ensure that he doesn't go beyond that boundary, we fixed a child gate to separate the main kitchen and his room.] so each time we need to go into his den, and get out, he will try to wriggle out..and escape into the 'wild' haha. 
its been tiring to clean up after him..(Miss Peh, cleaning after Hugo can burn alot of calories... any interest to try this?) but its fun bonding with him... 

To those who haven't come up close & personal with him... allow me to introduce ...(drums roll)... Mr Hugo Ng...
                                
Hugo@Petshop      Hugo's 1st am with us!         His first bone (that erm has already become a straight stick now!)

When I was young, I remembered this massive crazy dog hunt that me and my sisters got into. Being kids, we wanted to own a dog and without really know how to go about doing it; we, with the "wide and crazy imagination" thought we could just constantly look out for stray dogs and if there wasn't anyone with the dog, the dog is free for us to GRAB!!
of course, this act was fruitless big time, each time we spotted a dog from our 10th floor view, we would rush down and then got disappointed with ourselves when the owner showed up behind the dog after a long long while.
Anyhow, so when I was about 9 years of age, this kind auntie (if you have heard of the infamous Depot Road Laksa, the boss is the auntie that gave us our 1st dog) gave us her dog. It was a toy poodle, she told us the dog was given by some other ppl but because her kids were growing, she didn't have the space to keep the dog anymore and hence was willing to hand-us-down. The "puppy" (As we were told) was re-named Pan Pan as she settled with the Ngs. Pan Pan was a cute little "puppy" and really well-trained and obedient. The best gift I thought I ever-received. When I turned 13, the age I thought my dog was 4, died. She was 11 years of age then, later did we realize that she's not that young when we brought her in. Anyhow as traumatising as it was, for a 13 year old young lady, I soon got over the sadness with the arrival of Jo Jo. Jo Jo (I was the culprit that named it btw, and looking back, I really don't know why I give such names! ha), anyhow was another toy poodle, just that my Jojo was white while Pan Pan was coated with black fur. Jo Jo came to the Ngs while she was only 9 weeks old. Small little CUTE (Really CUTE) puppy, she gotten instantly the love of the whole family. Everyone doted on her,and I don't know but (am still figuring out), she turned out to be a little notti (still cute) dog who does things really her own way. eg: if she know that we are going out, she would guard the door and start barking NON-STOP when she noted that we've changed clothes (somehow, Jo knows how to differentiate the clothes we wear out and home). ha. I think Jo was insecure and wanted people to be home with her. That in years to come (that passed) was a great torture for us all at home.
Here's some of the things she went thru' and contributed to the character-building of my life:
-ate up the entire box of "ba Kwa".
-went thru a major op because of the ba kwa episode, she slipped and fell down onto the floor, fractured her front leg, that costed us a BIG BOMB and also her permanent fear of vet-vistings.
-chewed on the TV wires and got electrocuted...
-bitten alot of my shirts
-protected me from my sisters/parents when they were scolding me (each time a voice was raised against me, she would defend me by standing by my side with that low low growl any dogs would do when they feel threatened.)
-skilfully unpeeled longan and lychee by eating the flesh ONLY, leaving the skin and seed at the side for me to clear.
-durian lover like me.
-barked at things like vacuum-cleaners, fruit-juice machines.
-howl when you whistle (that scared my sijie quite abit, cos shes the one who discovered this "talent" of Jo's. )
-went thru' another operation (minor one this time) for ear infection but of course Jo was ever frightened to be hospitalized.
-thought we didn't want her in our new house, (we were too busy shifting everything and wanted her to come in only after everything was cleaned up, so when my sanjie went to fetch her, she was really upset!)
-we used to name her vacuum-cleaner because she eats up everything after us.

There are of course too many stories to tell..esp of a faithful dog that kept me sane and insane for 13 years of my life. 

On 15th May 2005, the day of my baptism, Jojo left me. Nobody told me this of course, they waited till I got out of the baptism pool. Erjie broke the news to me. Jo Jo was then 13 years of age. We knew that day was cmg, it was shown thru' her aging process. Jo had arthritis, her hips were failing her, she could no longer control her poo and pee. We put her on diapers and changed her regularly (it was financially and physically a toil on us), but what break our heart most was to see her health deterioriate day after day. Gradually, Jo's appetite slowed down too, our "vacuum-cleaner" no longer vacuumed our leftovers or bits on the floor, she also took lesser interest in the chicken meat mum prepared for her. We knew her Quality of life was slowly diminishing ....

These 2 years didn't come easy, sometimes if I do certain things, Jo would come to my mind, tears will well up. But things got better as the months past. Recently sanjie bought this book "marley & me" written by this journalist. It was about this owner and his dog Marley. Marley was one of the worse-disciplined dog in the entire world (as he would put it) but of course, never fail to bring joy and comfort to the author himself. Reading the last part about Marley aging reminded me alot about Jo. It was like reading a chapter of Jo herself. I cried, sanjie cried. Guess this is really part and parcel of life. It was also this book that brought inspiration and courage for me to want to own another dog. After Jo, I felt I will never be ready for another dog, I didn't want another dog to take over her position in the family and my life mostly. I didn't want another one to upset me because it will never be Jo again. But this book about Marley made me long for the comfort, touch, love that only dogs can provide.

Yesterday, sanjie and I contracted another 10 over years of our lives for another new Dog- HUGO NG. Oh btw, this time, we are not looking at toy poodles anymore, Hugo is a miniature beagle. and this time round, we are looking at BOYs not girls. ha,its indeed a huge change from poodle with lotsa fur to beagle -short fur; female to male; obedient to super mischievous! ha. Hugo spent his first night with us yesterday, things look alright, except that we need to seriously put in lotsa effort with regards to toilet-training him and making sure he doesn't get hurt at this tender age.
But here's a list of things this little misCHIEF is doing to us thus far:
-bit off the underpad(2 of them!!)
-bit and eaten off quite a far bit of newspaper on our way back home
-urinated on the floor (countless)
-knocked off the bamboo poles because he wanted to chew on them (he got a fright But I think that served him well cos he stopped challenging the poles shortly after)

hmm that's all for now. Will update again what he did for today. I reckon the list will grow longer .. heh.

Whatever it is, I pray that I will have the wisdom to educate and train the dog with lotsa patient and love that Jo has shown me thru' my growing up days.

guess What? my beloved Taddie is coming back todaY! yeah yeah! excited... because its been DAYS since I last saw him... (alot of my friends were like "oh time flies ya? He's already coming back before I know it) but to me, its like YEARS!!! really missed him... this period of not seeing him really makes me really thankful of his existence in my life. Of course, when things get more settled next week, probably I may go back into the "I-don't-know-what-I-Am-doing-in-this-r/s mode" again but before that happens... let me pen down why this period is so good for me:
1) I spent solitude time with God with regards to this r/s
2) I spent alot more time praying for Taddie and his walk with God (I think when he's around, I tend to pray a little..hoping God will do the rest..ermm hmmm)
3) I spent alot of quality time with mama Ng! ha, when Tad is around, its always the 3 of us together, but now, I get to enjoy mum alonE!
4) There are alot of worries, concern about my future, though I may not have gotten the answers I want, but I do know the direction I am heading.
5) I began to cherish this r/s more BECAUSE: I have someone whos far far away missing me haha, eh thats besides the point, I had a few conversations with my friends n sisters, I realized that I am not alone when it comes to 'crunch' time... I thought I am the only one with the r/s problems... haha but later did I realise that all gals go thru' this season! haha.
6) I know I have to wait upon the Lord for his timing, not mine!
7) I was sick quite a couple of times while Tad's away, and that time spent at home allowed me to spend more time alone hmmm and with GOD! 

hmmm 7 is a nice number, lets stick with that, as for now... I am just counting down to the time I get to the airport ..... yeah yeah...
and guess what? its THURSDAY Tomorrow, hey not just a normal thursday, its Public HOLIdAY! yeah yeah, dawnie is also excited for Taddie's arrival, we have volunteered to unpack for him... just so that we get to claim all our gifts before its all gonE! haha so sweet of us right? haha
oh mama Ng has already set a menu for him for tomorrow... oh. mama's love!  hee

Guess what? I gotten the piggy that I wanted for this year's bday!!! 
Chanced upon it while shopping with Dawnie during lunch one day. Felt it was suitable to rest on my bed at home, and I thought it will be a rare treat for myself. Been contemplating over the purchase as its a "want" and not a "need" item for me. Wanted to get it for myself on Monday but was too busy and it slipped my mind. Tuesday- MC, Wed out lunch with my galfriends..and it completedly slipped my mind. When I finally remember yesterday morning.... I was surprised with the gift and nice SUNFLOWER!!! yeah! Amazing ya? Ha God is so good....
now the piggy really sits on my bed... the rightful owner of my bed for the day, while I am the night owner! hee

OH my throat is getting BAD! from BAD to WORSE!
Going to see doctor now...

Department B'day celebration for mua!


STEAMBOAT DINNER!!! YUMMM

Taddie & ME!


Growing Old is definitely something I seriously don't look forward to. But its a day that reminds or affirms me of God's love for me (through the people HE has placed around my life). For instance, people surprised me with gifts (when I don't even know how they have gotten the date!); people wishing me well, etc etc. Its like a day where God opens up my almost empty jar and re-filling it up with tons and tons of LOVE!

My day didn't really start that well actually, was running a fever the night before. Was really worried about it, as I had an early meeting with client and viewing that followed suit subsequently. But I clearly remembered praying for God to heal me when I was in bed and something inside me knew that God will just do that.... and true enough, fever subsided just before work began!

HA, after a drowsy morning of being bombarded with questionings by the client (thank God that its not me who's doing the answering), I went for my viewing with EK. Guess What? We got trAPPED in a LIfT! ha, was just telling Taddie over the weekend that I have never been trapped in a lift before, and when I was much younger, I would make sure that I have some food with me, so in CASE I get trapped, I would not be STARVED! Today is not a DAY I ate much at all, neither do I have any food stocked up in my bag (no appetite as I have been a sick baby) and I was sorta deprived of oxygen! The experience was part exciting yet scary. (was thinking if I would have fainted! ha). Anyhow thankfully we were only trapped for about 10mins at most (but that already gotten the guys perspiring away...).

Went back to office close to 3pm, rushed out more work for Boss. Then got a nice little treat from my department. As shown in the photo. Cakes are something I love ! but today, its the companion that keeps my spirit up!

Dinner was simple (wanted to go for something really good n nice, but my appetite & body didn't permit at all!), so Tad brought me for steamboat! the main 2 food that I ate most : Mushrooms and seaweed! ha. lugi big time, but my Tad recovered it all with his crabs and prawns! Yum!

Finished my day with a nice hot tea from this newly-discovered cafe at Chinatown, with of course who else, but my loved onE!

I didn't get the flat I wanted.....

8is the number of croissants I ate in aLL.
5 is the number of times I had my peanuts ice shaving. 
3 is the number of xiao long Baos I ate.
2 is the number of bowls of noodles I consumed!
2 is also the number of orange juices I drank!
1 is the number of cheongsam I made.

I am Back! yes I am.... Shanghai is a commercialized place indeed, with tall buildings around, people behaving somewhat normal. But of course, there are some differences and culture shock that I encountered! For one, queueing for CABS is an eye-opener itself! The peak period (I figured) to hail for cabs starts from 4pm... of course it will not end till 8ish 9pm! And I also figured that there isn't a number to call cabs (unlike Singapore where you have all numbers, all companies fighting to gain your loyalty and business!). To secure yourself a cab, the mindset must change, we can no longer adopt the Singaporean style (an unspoken rule on a first-come-first-serve basis), cabbies here need to be SNATCHED; need to be quick and firm and nasty! seriously I had my fair shares of being bullied by passerbys who came out from nowhere and not at all shameful to compete for taxis. I was totally disgusted and felt really helpless most of the time. 
It doesn't really help when the roads are always so noisy; buses, cars, cabs, motorbikes... anything that moves on engine honking away... serving the eardrums somewhat a strong disturbance and pain. Thankfully, I was quite immuned to the noise and it somewhat became background music to my ears! haha.  
Well it's not always that bad, I think this trip is good and fun too, as I gotten to know my boss and other colleagues better. much more than that, I even gotten a chance to know other fellow Singaporeans working in Shanghai offices and other cities. Its almost almost like a Singaporean cocktail party on Tues! hah. The food is cheap and GOOD! the noodles we took (what I called La Mien) is actually normal noodles they take daily! and hearing from my masseur that a good meal for local can cost only $5 the most! 

Conclusion: Surviving in the city is easy, but noting the fact that I need to be tougher than the people there, hmmm Singapore still sounds a better, safer choice to me!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of traveling overseas for business trips for me. Exciting as it can be, there are tons of concerns which I cannot and haven't come to terms with. To many, its fun, to many its a good and rare opportunity to travel and be somewhere else! I used to think the same, when I was job-hunting some years back, I always seek jobs that allowed me to travel, now that I am finally on this oppt, I am quite fearful of the uncertainties that are to come. Ha, am I overly-concerned or too sensitive?
God, please ease my fearful heart, let me not be afraid of men, grant me favor with all that I speak with. Allow this to be an eye-opener for me. Grant me a good trip ahead, let me once again be your shining light and armoR! Thank you Lord!

an Invited pastor came over the weekend and was really encouraged by what he said... check this out:

• Everyone has vision but often are held back by opposite forces
• It's part and parcel of life that these forces (opposition) occur but we just gotta keep bouncing back for God.

so How do we be resilient?
o Start with the finishing line in SIGHT and keep your eyes on it!
o You have to decide EVERYDAY (not just some daYS) that you will finish well!
o Do not LET the weight of the past keep you from getting up (guess what? the older you get, the more past you'd have!!)
o Just keep walking!
o streTCH, develop elasticity under Pressure!
o Avoid seeing your situation as insurmountable!!
o the closer u get to your destination, the harder it gETS (oh MIEN!), so don't giVE UP!!! - the harder the situation, indicates that the BREAKTHROUGH is NEAR!!! (YEAH!!)

Lastly,
o It is not how you start, but how you finish that reallie matters...

Question:how Do one cope with finances? Rather how do One gets back what is rightful of his/hers? puzzled as always!

It's friday, finally! had tons of unwillingness to come to work today. Had a minor flu running in the morning, dawnie is on leave, mum is at home resting... wanted to find the best bestie excuse not to work, especially when I feel that my body has kinda failed me for the day (or rather I Thought it was failing), then I took a nap, forced myself to dress n get out of the house.
Here I am at work, not asif its that fantastic either, no one's at work STILL! I wonder why, isit a boss-not-around syndrome? But speaking of which, he will be back later in the afternoon... oh MIEN!

whatever it is, its 10am! 1 hour has past! yeah! and it's FRIDAY! yeah yeah!

bored... no one's at work!