The Unbalanced Libra..

I was invited to a barbecue dinner today at an ex-colleagues' place in Pasir Ris. I had promised to bring over some Yu Sheng as my contribution. Earlier, i had intended to buy the Yu Sheng from Sakae Sushi at Harbourfront, but i didn't go to the office today, so ended up buying from the coffee shop below my block. Thinking that there will only be a few people (the usual few from my department), i bought one large Yu Sheng set. The last time i was invited to this colleague's place, it was a small gathering.

Half an hour later, i arrived and was surprised to see SOOOO many people crowding around the BBQ pit. There were almost 15 people. All ex-colleagues of mine from the airport. My colleague, the host, started to gather everyone to mix in the Yu Sheng that had been placed on a huge round table. So there it was, my one pathetic plate of Yu Sheng, and 15 people crowding around to mix it in and have one bite each. I was so embarrassed i didn't even bother to join the crowd... Stupid me should have called and asked how many people were there! = (

I hope not many people knew i was the one who brought the Yu Sheng!

Overall, i had a good time catching up with old friends. Gave away some name cards of my signage business, had some good food (fried bee hoon, otah, curry, satay and some really delicious brownies from BREEKS), indulged in some juicy gossips and life stories of my old pals, and realized that one of my male ex-colleagues is afraid of cats! = )

The hosts are both my ex-colleagues. Both husband and wife had just came back from Beijing. A real humorous couple. During the BBQ, the husband was giving out paper cups to us for drinks. To avoid confusion, he had labeled the cups with alphabets. Then he started teasing us about having "A" cup and "B" cup etc. in reference to bra sizes. One of the guys who was holding an "F" cup was drinking wine when he dropped his cup and spilled the wine. So this host teased him and scolded him for drinking so much that he lost his "F" cup, and now has "No Cup". It was hilarious! Maybe not as effective with me telling the story in words..

Incidentally, i also found out that one of my ex-collegagues is now working at the New Zealand embassy. Talk about a small world! I'll see if she can help me with my Work Holiday application!

Tomorrow will be another long day for me. Lunch with in-laws, then to my sister's house, followed by visitations to 3 different aunties' house (and 2 dinners). Last but not least, gambling and drinking to end the night at a Zhiyong's place..

On the first day of the lunar new year, K and I went to my grandmother's place as one of our visiting stops. When we stepped out of the lift, we were greeted at the lift landing by 4 little girls standing in a straight line, and dressed in their Chinese New Year best. It was such an adorable sight i wished i had taken a picture of them all. there and then! They were all looking at us with such big eyes when we stepped out of the lift. Apparently, they had been playing, and when they saw me, they yelled in unison: "Ah Yee!" "Biao Jie!" Too cute! = )

These days, my youngest niece loves to pose for photos by putting a finger to her cheek. Based on my few opportunities to play and interact with her, i find that this girl is really intelligent for her age. Plenty of potential and a bright future ahead.

And my cousins! Both getting prettier by the years.. The eldest one in the photo looks so much like her father!! Like a photocopy image of him lah! I took plenty of pictures with all my girls that day. But using my sister's camera. Can't wait for her to send over!

Yesterday, i went over to my in-laws' place for steamboat dinner. K's grandma was there, and the conversation during dinner turned to my business trip to Japan in March. Suddenly, everyone got excited. My mom in law started telling me all the places i could go in Tokyo. Then both she and K's grandma started to persuade K to go with me. My mom in law even offered to pay for his air ticket. So now, K is contemplating. If business picks up, he would have to stay in Singapore for his customers' check-ins etc. But, if there is no business, then he will most probably go with me. That would definitely be nice. Kinda like a second honeymoon for us!

This morning, i spoke to my supervisor. She asked me to meet her in HongKong the week before Valentine's Day. She doesn't want to fly to Singapore, so she can return home for Valentine's Day. So smart.. I'm trying to persuade K to go with me as well, but he declined.. Sigh.. how to make babies like that!! So many things to do, so little time!!! = (

2 days ago, K and I submitted our applications (which cost us $120 each) for a Work Holiday Progam to work in New Zealand for 6 months. It's kinda been what we've wanted to do for some time already, but we never got down to doing it. Besides, now seems to be the most appropriate time, given that K is nearly out of business, and I am getting rather bored of my job / life in general. Actually, the "want" is much stronger in K than in me. But i am kinda glad we did it anyway. And New Zealand definitely sounds exciting! Once there is some kind of a hint that our Visa will be approved, i will submit my request for unpaid leave for 6 months.

We discussed about this, as i had some resistance towards such a dramatic move. I was concerned about not being able to get my unpaid leave approved. If that's the case, i will have to resign from a well-paying job. K really wants this to happen, and one of the criteria for this program is that we must be below 30 years old. Plus, we are trying for a baby, so we need to do this fast. My second concern was my grandmother, who is getting weaker by the day. But, after much thought, i agree with K that we shouldn't put our lives on hold because of others. Besides, it's just for 6 months. And, a part of me really wants to do this as well. Sometimes, I feel I am living my life for the sake of people around me. So much so that i forgot what i really want to pursue, what i want to do or should do. After living for 28 years, i've really got nothing to show. We all tend to think we are so important. Truth is, if we die tomorrow, we will not have achieved anything. I so agree with that. Not that i will enjoy a great achievement from working 6 months in New Zealand, but at least i am not stuck in Singapore my whole life. Besides, K and I plan to apply to work in other countries after New Zealand (if we are eligible) = )

I've been reading this audio book called "The Adventure Capitalist" by Jim Rogers. This book was read by the author Jim Rogers himself, a very wealthy investor who drove a custom-made Mercedes 4 wheel drive roadster around the world to 116 countries with his wife. The whole journey took him 3 years. The book recorded his observations about social and political conditions in the world. Listening to this book made me feel so small, like a frog in the well. All the business trips in the world will never give me the kind of experience that can be gained only from living overseas for at least a few months. Doing things that the locals do, and not things that only tourists on holidays do.

K already told his parents about his decision. It seemed like second nature to them.. I guessed they too shared the same views. My parents on the other hand, will probably freak out and make a big fuss out of it. Taking unpaid leave or even the possibility of quitting my job in the current crisis will definitely not put a smile on their faces, or for that matter, money in their pockets. See!! I am living my life for others again.. Decisions, decisions.. I will just let fate decide. If our application is approved, it shall be a sign that i need to live my OWN life for once..

K and I decided to try something different for dinner on our 103rd monthniverssary. We met up in Bugis cause we had to collect our kueh lapis there anyway... After walking a few rounds, undecided about what to eat, we ended up at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant..

We had the usual Chinese / Shanghainese dishes, fried rice, Za Jiang noodles, and some garlic chicken. We also ordered xiao long bao (steamed soup dumplings) and this huge ass king-sized soup dumpling that comes in one big piece with a straw inserted in the center for you to sip. the soup. very interesting!!

I took some photos of us sipping from the huge dumpling but can't seem to find it in my phone now.. This Omnia is starting to piss me off.. it's not the first time that my photos get lost..

Finally finished my spring cleaning today!! Now my whole body is aching, and i have a huge bruise on my right leg. Kinda crashed my leg into the sofa when i was moving it around.. But i am an extremely satisfied owner of my now spick and span house..
= )



K and I went to Orchard for dinner today.. Had Shanghainese food again at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. Totally disastrous. The Za Jiang noodles i ordered had spicy minced meat sauce.. and the dumplings we ordered had chili oil poured all over it. I ended up tearing from all the spiciness and feeling as if my lips were on fire.

After dinner, we went to Agnes B to change for a bigger sized version of the wallet K gave me. It's almost impossible for me to fit all my cards (mostly discount and membership cards!) in the small wallet, so for practical reasons, we decided to change it to a bigger one.

1 more day to the year of the Ox!! I hope the reunion dinner with my in-laws tomorrow will be good!! Initially the plan was to do a BBQ, cause steamboat is quite boring. I had gotten quite excited about the idea, but for some reason, now it's back to boring ol' steamboat.. i guess everyone's too lazy to do the BBQ.. = )