Happy Moo-Moo 2009!

It's the 1st day of the Moo-Moo Year! Thou' technically speaking its just the ang-moh Moo-Moo year, not the cheena Moo-Moo year yet.. hee

Firstly I like to wish all my family and friends a joyous Moo-Moo 2009 year, and whatever has passed, let it pass. Look forward to the future, and work hard to be a better YOU! Most importantly everyone should learn to appreciate and cherish the people around you, and learn to stay happy everyday thou' its not easy.

Before I look forward to my 2009, let me peep at my 2008 and see what I've achieved and what I can do better in this brand new year!

2008:

A Healthier Me!

~ My 1st Run @ ShapeRun

~ My 2nd run @ GE Run
I've motivated myself to join a gym - FitnessWerkz (a all-women's gym) in early 2008, and "forced" myself to exercise more and keep fit by paying monthly gym membership fees! At the beginning I was really motivated! I went 2-3 times per week, gradually I went 1 time per week, then gradually gradually, I stopped for 1-2 weeks every interval! HA! So much of my motivation and determination power huh?

Anyway, other than joining a gym, I've also signed up for 2 runs in 2008 - ShapeRun in July, and GE Run in October, with my running kaki Suling. Althou' its only 5km for each run, its indeed tiring and require mental determination to wake up early and finish the run.

Good la, I've managed to achieve my goal of being a Healthier Me!

Career

I've finally got a permanent job in April this year, and I am truly happy that I've landed myself this job, in this family-oriented and well-structured company with pretty good staff benefits, fabulous colleagues, and a supportive and encouraging superior. Of cuz' tis job nature got me interested in learning more knowledge and got me motivated at every minute of work.

I am grateful for all the opportunities given, and all the knowledge imparted and all the encouragement praises I've received.

Travel

Every year we'll have vacation plans for a long leave. In 2008, we've chosen a popular travel destination - Taiwan!

Mainly is to go there to EAT, SHOP, WALK, HOT SPRING. Overall trip pretty enjoyable.. Just the weather that is overbearingly HOT! Initially planned it in Nov so that we can enjoy the Winter in Taiwan.. But didn't expect the Winter comes so late...

Anyway, this Taiwan holiday trip is also partly our first Conceptionmoon!
Wahaha... Stay tuned for "Made-inTaiwan" developments oh!

2009:
Family-Planning

Have been talking about this since before Rat Year, to now - the Ox Year. With the career aspect covered, we can jolly move on with our Family Planning. We've finally come to this point of time whereby we think we are READY for one. Financially-wise I can't say so 100%. But at least its relatively stable and we are willing to work hard and spend less for this goal. After marrying for close to 3 years, I would think we've enjoyed our couplehood, and its time for an addition in our Yam family!

In the family aspect, I would hope to be a better wife to hubby as he has been a very dedicated and doting hubby to me (despite all the mini quarrels and cold wars we'd). Also, when I become a mother-to-be, I would hope I (or we) be good parents to our child. This achievement is not easy, but I hope we can do that.

Savings
I can't be pinning any hopes for big fat bonuses, or huge salary increment in this new year. So I can only focuz on spending less on restuarant's and cafe's meals, and buying on unncessary luxurious items, and increase on my savings for a tight-string purse year.

Driving

Sad to say, I've only drove less than 5 times since I got my license in Nov 07. SO! I really hope I can regain my courage and confidence in driving, and start driving again in case it got rusty and forgottened... I also hope that with time passes, hubby can be less ganjiong about his Red Tanker and let me drive his car with more assurance..

Hubby..can??

Post X'mas Gatherings on 26th & 27th

Had 2 post X'mas gatherings on Boxing Day (26th) & 27th respectively..

1) On Boxing Day
 
Venue: Emerald Hill No. 5 Cocktail Bar
What to eat: Finger food such as chicken wings, mini beef burgers, fish n chips, and peanuts that you can throw the husks on the floor!
What to drink: Happy Hour - what u tink?? Well, I'd a cranberry juice.. haha...spoilsport.

We'd a post X'mas gift exchange in the midst of drinks n laughter. I forgottened to prepare another gift for gift xchange, and only prepared mini gifts for everyone.. so malu. So in the end I let myself out of the gift exchange, and only give them the mini gifts.. Everyone prepared so nice gifts for each other that I feel so paisheh.. Should have prepared better.. But will learn my lesson and make it a better one next year! Xiaoru makes very nice cookies especially the jam cookies. We finished one pack on the very night. Now on the 2nd pack...Thumbs up!

Photo is from keatncandice page. Candice's copyright.

Gifts from The Gang - as they always called themselves

Xiaoru's handmade cookies - Tis is the 1/2 eaten 2nd pack.


2) Post X'mas Gathering with the Sisters on 27th

Venue: Pearl River Cantonese Restaurant @ Suntec Convention Centre
What to eat: Ala-carte buffet of chinese dishes
Activities: Gift exchange and lotsa catchin up to do.

(Sharon came later, and we forgottened to take a complete 5 sisters' group pic, so have to make do with this poor work of combining 2 pics...hee)

Tanlin & Suling's gift exchange:

Meiyan & my gift exchange:

(Yes yes.. I am indeed preparing for pregnancy and baby...haha.. That explains the pregnancy journal and baby's first year that I got for my gifts..hee)

Sharon & Suling's gift exchange:



To end the day, I bought myself a semi-branded bag to use in CNY since I din get the burberry's blue label in the end cuz it was over my budget ... and the other 3 girls followed suit! Hahaha... The shop had a good sale that nite, earning our money, and we 4 have the same bag now! Confirmed will bring the same bag when we meet on CNY... wahaha...


Tis tote bag is in baby pink (only) and immediately caught my attention when I walked pass the shop. The bag is made of calf leather, and initially costs $400+. After using citibank 10% discount and $30 gift tag, I got it at $340!!! I find it quite a nice deal, given that my initial budget for a bag to use in CNY is around this range... So I got it... Maybe can pass the bill to hubby when it comes... hahaha... *evil thots*

Woohoo! Wat a nice ending for our Post X'mas gathering!

Partner in Life

I have to admit... that I have a very great Partner in Life.

He has walked through the times with me, looking through my past, and decided to hold my hands through till the future.

He has been very supportive when I was slightly depressed over a previous job few years ago, then now I see myself settling in a job that I enjoy doing!

He is supportive in all the household chores, and most of the daily stuffs.

He is trying to be supportive in answering all my "WHY???" and lame questions.

He is supportive of me meeting my friends and have my own social life (thou he grumbles abit here and there that I always 'abandon' him at home..hee)

I thank Heaven for giving me such a great blessing in my life. I thank his parents for giving birth to such a wonderful child, and to be my greatest partner in life. Lastly I thank Him for being so strong for me, for rendering all his heart and effort in making my life a better and more settled one...

Thank you....My Partner in Life....

X'mas Gathering 2 - In-laws

Now the tradition for our X'mas Day (25th Dec) is to spend with my in-laws and our nieces.. This year is at our house, with homecooked nooodles and glutinous rice by my MIL & her friend. We chipped in with some fried chicken and mexican wings, and 933 curry chicken pillow bun. Log cakes cannot be missed out too (Too busy eating that din take a pic of the log cake)..Hee

Had so much fun seeing the family playing Wii and opening Xmas presents. Like all my presents from my sis-in-law and parents-in-law.

Merry X'mas to my loved ones & friends!

8 weeks: 2nd Gynae Visit

24 Dec 08 (X'mas eve): Was supposed to see my gynae at my 9th week which is next week, however got a bad scare this morning that my schedule got pushed to today.

Woke up with a full bladder and very tensed muscle pain at my lower abs.. Pain kept persisting for quite a while. This experience seems much more intense and longer than previously.. Got abit worried and called the emergency hotline which they got my gynae to call me back. My gynae is pretty sure that its just muscle pull as there isn't any spotting/discharge, but since she is goin to clinic for a while today, she decided to see me so as to put my heart at ease too.

The clinic was empty, I guess they are closed for consultation today. I am relieved that my gynae is so willing to see me even on their off-day. The scan went well. Our baby has grown much bigger since the last visit 2 weeks ago. From 3.9mm at then, to 23.9mm (about 2 cm) now. So amazed by the baby's fast development!!! I did the tummy scan today. Thou' the image isn't very clear, but I see the shape more clearly - the head, the body, and even one tiny limb that looks like the baby's arm!! So amazing...


Very relieved to know that everything is doin well, and I can spend my Xmas holidays being more assured now.. Except that pls dun let my morning sickness worsen while I am having fun.. haha.. cuz its "predicted" to peak around 8 - 10 weeks... Argh... But so long baby is good, I think its all worth it...

We love you baby - From Papa Yam & Mama Yam.

*Now listening to the CD by Jim Chappell - "Coming Through" (the Xmas gift from my beloved brother.. ) Really soothing music for me and the baby. Coming through this pregnancy isn't that marvellous for the earlier stages, especially with the morning sickness and fatiqueness. However, with every scan that I see our baby growing well, I get more and more excited about its birth.. The life that we are creating is so amazing. Thank to God's blessings and love.

X'mas Gathering 1 - Dear's colleagues

21 Dec 08: Had our first X'mas gathering cum gift exchange for the year @ Ronald & Kit's new house in Tampines.

Their new house is very spacious - big enuf to contain 15 of us! There were both mahjong and Wii games to play; Pizza, KFC & homemade mango pomelo dessert to eat; and a very interesting gift exchange at the end!

The interesting gift exchange rules is such that every of us will pick a number from 1 - 15. The smallest no. (i.e. number 1) is the least advantaged thou he/she can get to pick the gift first. The Number 1 is the least advantaged because the subsequent numbers will have get to decide if they wan the gifts that are selected before them. Eg. Number 3 get to decide if they wan Number 1 or Number 2's gift, and get to exchange with them. Also, once you got ur gift, u can open and see for urself wat's the gift without letting others know.

Lucky me got Number 15!!! Hahaha... So I have the most deciding power, thou' I was left with the smallest gift. Mingli, who is holding on her gift tightly, gives us the clue that it must be something not bad.. Hee..Being kiasu, I selected her gift and "requested" to exchange with her.

See below pictures on her unwilling-to-part-with-her-gift look! Haha!

Once the "bargaining" session started, there was a great chaos!! Some people demanded to change, but somebody refusing to.. In the end, the small gift that I picked ended up in someone else hands as clever Mingli quickly exchanged with another person... Quite fun ya!

I've gotten myself a Hello Kitty dustbin which I am already using now. Hee...

Zandy is also so sweet to give us all more gifts at the end of the gift exchange session.. Got a couple hp pouch which I also started using now..

X'mas Festival 2008

Captured few shots of this year's X'mas lightings along the main shopping areas...

This year's theme along Orchard Road and Marina Bay is Candy House - Full of candies, sweets, lollipops hanging on the trees...

Bugis - Merry-go-round Theme

In the Yam's humble house...

Although is still the same old tree, same old X'mas ornaments, we bought 2 new pair of X'mas socks for us to put each other's gifts inside. Also, there's a free cute Reindeer from M1 shop (Dear bought new hp recently). Hope to collect more of the Reindeers... but guess we can't keep changing new hps yearly bah! Wondering any other ways to get them??

I simply love the festival of X'mas! So many beautiful lights, presents, and gatherings!!! Love is in the air!!

Leaf me alone

http://illfatedme.livejournal.com/

Xmas Gathering with ex-P-Serv

Thanks to our efficient coordinator - Sharon, we'd a successful pre Xmas gathering on last Friday. The turn-out was great! Almost to 100% of the invitees turned up.

Dinner was held at Central Waraku. And we'd a Xmas gift exchange!!! Great to see ex-colleagues whom we have not catch up for quite some time.. Good to chat with most of them on their updates.

After the dinner, we'd some games at Mind Cafe -

Merry Xmas to all my beloved ex-colleagues and friends... Remain in touch ya?

Feelin like giving up sometimes...

1st trimester: The nauseousness and moodiness and tiredness sometimes make me feel like giving up. Being pregnant doesn't seem like an enjoyable process to me. Maybe I am not great enough, not strong enough, not determined enough... I felt really really down and listless..as if mopping around in office... Some kept askin if I am ok. I just cant hide my  sian-ness.

I can't imagine how will it like when I started to throw up and feel the impact of morning sickness. Now already started throwing up gastric bitter juice early in the morning, hurting my gastric even more... No appetite, but still muz eat. If I go on without food for sometime, I feel even worse! Small bites is just like my opium now. Will curb the nauseousness immediately. But never know how I will feel adversely after the intake thou. Just have to be careful on the type and amount of food ate.

I felt like crying when I emailed hubby yesterday that I am really not happy..I am not enjoying this process at all. It slows me down at work, nothing cheers me up now, and I feel sick most of the time.. He is very supportive - I am thankful. I hope bb dun mind this weak mummy. I know I will survive this, somehow. I just hope all the best for the bb.. To grow well and healthy. Some of my girl friends went through even tough pregnancy and morning sickness, yet they are still strong.. My case is not as serious, as I m contemplating of "giving up" the whole idea liao.. Actually not really want to give up la. Just at those moments, feel so mentally & emotionally weak to carry on...

I havn't feel the excitement setting in yet. So different from what I thought I would react when I know I am finally pregnant.. Maybe slowly I will be more excited bah?

Please give me the strength to love this bb more and able to endure the hardship along the way... I need the blessings of strength and determination.

6 weeks: 1st visit to the gynae

9 Dec 08: Finally we've reached 9th dec - our first appointment with gynae* - to check on the bb's development. Hope the bb has been doin well for the past weeks! Have been unsure since duno wat's happening inside my tummy. So have been lookin forward to this 1st visit. This is also Dear's first time accompanying me to see gynae. He says he will accompany me for every single visits..

The gynae tried to do a tummy scan but can't really see the water bag cuz blocked by intenstines and stuffs. Haha. So I did a V-scan instead.

There I saw my water bag (the doc explained that I am indeed pregnant. Only pregnant woman has water bag) and a tiny little peanut-sized sac at the corner. I also saw a thumping heart. That's my bb's heartbeat! Below it is the egg yolk that the sac is feeding on for the first 12 weeks. The sac is 3.9mm long now. Still very small but I am sure bb will grow up very fast.

Thought I may feel emotional and may tear, in fact I didn't. But after that I will occasionally think of the thumping heart and feel amazed!! There's a thumping heartbeat inside my tummy...


Can only share my experience secretly here, and also with my family. Still can't tell anyone else yet. But I know the time will be ripe soon... That will be in CNY 2009!

*My gynae is Dr. Jocelyn Wong from ACJ Clinic, and is based at Thomson Medical Centre - a stone's throw away from where we live. I got to know her through online research and her name was mentioned quite many times. She is well-recommended for her patience and assurance. I went to her for my pap smear check in end Oct and really found her as what others described. So decided on her to be my gynae.. The last time when I saw her, she did jokingly say, hope to see u soon...when you are pregnant which really came true very fast... hee

Maternity Wear

7 Dec 08:

As my pants and office tops are getting tighter despite me only being in my early stage of pregnancy, I've decided to source for baby doll tops and probably maternity pants. Chanced upon this online maternity shop from the forum - Stylist Mum2be Maternity (http://stylishmum2be.blogspot.com/search/label/Home)

The prices are very much cheaper than the maternity shops outside, so made an appointment with the online shop owner to visit her showroom (her house) to try on the clothes. Even she finds it abit surprised that I am only 6 weeks pregnant yet I am lookin for maternity clothes liao! Bo bian, who asked me grown fatter so fast ah.

Bought 2 tops - 1 casual and 1 office top, and 3 bottoms - 1 classic black pants for work, and 2 casual 3/4s. Only at $149 (Average about $30 per piece lor). Cheap rite? A maternity pants normally will sell between $70-$80.

Apart from the shopping above, have been feelin kinda unwell recently. More nauseousness, especially when there's no food intake for quite some time. And sometimes when eat something that I dun like, also feel very queasy Tuesday's appointment with gynae is finally coming soon..Can't wait to hear the baby's heartbeat and probably the image of the baby..

台湾走透透 (八 ~ 完结篇）：北投温泉

We went for a 3 days 2 night hot spring resort stay at Spring Resort (北投). They have both outdoor and indoor hot spring facilities. Inside the room is more private, but boring cuz dun have the jacuzzi spurts, whereas the outdoor public one has more varieties of hot spring and you can try a few at each time.



My friend strongly recommended us to try this hot spring resort especially she thinks its a good place to be romantic romantic with each other. Hee..

After doin the hot spring, will feel quite floaty if the temperature is too hot. Be mindful that one cant stay in the hot spring bath for more than 30 minutes each session. And remember to cool down before bathing. Will feel very relaxed and comfortable after each session... Hee.. A pity the weather isn't that cool yet, so not shiok enough!

台湾走透透  ~ 完结篇

After the 11 days in Taipei, we'd a jolly good time eating, shopping, sightseeing and enjoying ourselves in their culture and places of interest. Would love to visit Taipei again, and some other parts of Taiwan in future.

台湾走透透 (七）：美丽華百乐园，忠列词，国父纪念馆，中山纪念堂

美丽華百乐园

If you watched the "换换爱“，you will also be familiar with this Miramar Ferris Wheel. We visited on a weekday afternoon, and the shopping centre is so empty. Even able to ride on the transparent cable car (the one and only) since there's no people riding! The sun is scorching hot! Can't even open my eyes without wearing shades. Should go during night time instead.

忠列词

Have to take note that the "Army March Show" during the change in shifts is conducted every hour. So have to plan the arrival time such that you can catch it in time. The whole show is about 15 minutes. Watching the poor army guys having to stand under the scorching sun is really pitiful.

国父纪念馆

This is Sun Yat Sen Museum. Only walked around the place briefly. Touch and Go.

中山纪念堂

Apparently there was a peaceful protest outside the entrance of the 中山纪念堂 but we weren't aware. We even thought there was a bazaar! Hahaha..we only knew it when we watched the news that night. Also touch-and-go on this cuz its a rainy and dampening day...

D&D 2008

Date: 14 Nov 08
Venue: Sentosa Resort & Spa
Theme: Disco Retro Nite

- This was a fun and cosy dinner - cosy in the sense its pretty small, and so "cosy" such that it was quite stuffy inside the dining hall! Ha.. Had a wonderful time seeing fellow colleagues dressing up, being called on stage (for best-dressed - Pei Pei!!!), and of cuz winning a BIG prize at the lucky draw!!!

I was pretty lucky in this year's D&D, got myself the 6th prize - Ipod Nano 16GB & Takashimaya Voucherssss...Quite a hefty sum : P Shall not elaborate here la. haha... You should see the wide grin on my face when I received my prize on stage! U may even thought that I won the first prize neh!

Its Not Easy

Its Not Easy...

- When only 1 out of 400 sperm will survive the arduous ten-hour journey to the egg, and succeed in burrowing through its outer membrane, and it takes about 20 minutes for the lucky winner to find his way in.

Its Not Easy...

- To get over the quesiness, uncomfortable feeling of the morning sickness during the 1st trimester/pregnancy.

Its Not Easy...

- To be not worried about the fragile foetus's development in the womb for the 1st trimester.

Its Not Easy...

- Bringing the child to full term and give birth to a healthy baby.

Its Not Easy...

- Bringing up the child and raise him/her well.

Doctor's verdict: Confirmed!

1 Dec 2008: Visited the GP to confirm my pregnancy today. The usual female GP whom I always visit is away and a locum male doctor is in. The locum doctor is so much friendlier than the female GP, and I felt so heightened when he said "Congradulations" when I opened the door. We had a great chat, and he even thought this is not my first pregnancy as I told him that I will be visiting my gynae next week blah blah blah.. Hahaha... It's more assuring to have the doctor's confirmed verdict, even after 2 positive home pregnancy tests. Kiasu and Kiasee mah.

Doc says I am 6 weeks pregnant  A bit weird to be told of such things...A bit floaty, happy, on cloud 9 like that. And after the doc visit, we brought baby to watch "Magadascar II"... hee

2 Dec 2008: Told mum the news. Not much reaction from her. As calm as usual. She claimed that she is happy inside mah. Shall share the news to dad when baby is more stabilised. In case the whole of Lor Ah Soo knows it! Ha! Well, now actively looking for looser clothes as I am bulging like a ba-zhang in my current office wear!! I know I can't be that big in 6 weeks' pregnancy...Probably I am just FAT! especially after I ate like nobody business in Taiwan.. Sigh.. Now cannot exercise yet have to eat enough for the baby leh.. So please don't presume I am few months pregnant when actually I am not (yet).