Babysitting Duties

Took the kids out for the afternoon on Sunday while my brother and sister-in-law went to visit New Creation Church and have a dinner date. Decided to watch the movie, Frozen, and together with the help of +3, we navigated the world of babysitting three children.

It was great fun and I think +3 and I work well as a team! I like how we would take turns to carry Gideon, while the other watched and engaged Julia and Ethan.

We took the train from SK to HBF and had an early dinner at McDonalds. Not the healthiest option, but always a winner with children. Poor Gideon must have been exhausted and fell asleep on the train. He even snoozed through the meal, but was awake in time for the movie.

Frozen was a good pick. A funny show that was entertaining and enjoyable, (I love Olaf!) which all of us liked.

After the movie, we had a quick jaunt through Toys R Us to buy some toys and seal the "Best Aunt Award" before heading home.

It was fun babysitting and it certainly opened my eyes to the world of caring for children. So many things to note when they are entrusted to you! But I'm happy we did it. :)

My Favourite Line From The Weekend

"It's not about you or me. It's about us."

Holiday!!!

We just booked our tickets to London for 2014!!! WHEEEE!!!

Season's Greetings

What a lovely way to start Christmas day, lying in bed listening to Christmas songs and being thankful for the many blessings in my life.

As the year draws to an end, I must say that the biggest blessing for the year is having +3 in my life. No words can describe how happy he makes me feel, and how lucky I am to have someone who cares for me and my family so deeply.

And with the new year coming, I wish that all my loved ones be blessed with good health, happiness, love, prosperity and an abundance of all good things. Looking forward to the new year ahead!

Winter Solstice

It's 冬至 today and +3 and I are preparing 汤圆 now. We bought the frozen ones from the supermarket, and boiling them in water with pandan, ginger, lime leaves and sugar.

I like how we are starting our own couple traditions, and how there are plans to continue and maybe improve on what we are doing. So next year, we will be making 汤圆 from scratch!

River Safari Adventure

Spent the day with my brother and his family at the River Safari today. Oh man, if you're thinking of going there on a weekend over the holiday period- don't.

The place was so crowded with throngs and throngs of people. And the exhibits weren't all that fantastic too. I much preferred the SEA Aquarium in Sentosa.

Headed back to Compass Point for lunch and a bit of shopping, then back home to nap. Had a nice catch up with my brother and sister-in-law too.

It was a tiring day but a fun one nonetheless.

A Leisurely Afternoon

I took the afternoon off, and am now sitting in a cafe having a nice lunch before making my way to see the TCM.

It feels nice. After months of mad rush to finish my publications, the last of the lot have finally gone to print so I can afford a quick breather before focusing on my upcoming event.

It's nice. To sit here, alone, without having to make small talk, without having to scarf down my meal, able to sit back and people watch and just think about simple things like what to cook for dinner tonight.

I might even do a spot of window shopping (or *gasp* actual shopping. It is Christmas after all.) Or I might jist head back home, relax, and just read a book.

The afternoon is mine, and it feels wonderful.

Don't Forget

Today was a good reminder of why I do what I do. Am thankful and blessed.

Freebies!

Whee it's been a lucky week for me when it comes to scoring free movies. Fashionjeannie called on Friday to say she had extra tickets to the movie, Walking with Dinosaurs, and asked whether +3 and I would be free to watch it.

Then last night cousin.E messaged to ask if I wanted to watch I Hugged the Berlin Patient because she too, had an extra ticket.

Free movies are awesome because as everyone knows, I love watching movies at the cinema. I have pretty low standards when it comes to entertaining oneself so a free movie is actually a score for me. Heehee.

Not to mention, it's been a trying few weeks at work so every little reason to celebrate and enjoy is always welcome.

:D

Being Thankful

On trying days like today, I have to remind myself of the good things in my life, and to be thankful and gracious.

I had to borrow +3's laptop for work, as I had been scheduled to help out for the full day for an event. As I started working on my paper, my colleague came out and said she had not requested a mixer and was unable to play music and had to borrow my laptop instead.

I was feeling rather miffed, but decided that I would be gracious about it. At least I was able to help out at the event, even though it was at an inconvenience to me. (Gives me an excuse to not work haha).

Started to feel a bit peckish, but thankfully I had a bit to eat for breakfast thanks to +3. Imagine if I didn't have any food in the morning!

I stayed the night because it took a while to set up my email account and by the time we were done, it was late. Lucky for me, I had some clothes at his place, so didn't have to worry about what to wear.

I'm thankful. And reminding myself that everything is all good.

Coffee, I Miss You

I think it's been more than a month, maybe two, since I last had a cup of coffee. It all started because I started taking TCM, and apparently coffee neutralises the effects of TCM.

The doctor actually said I could have a cup a day, but my sister (who also sees a TCM doctor regularly) told me that coffee is strictly off limits. And since I want to avoid any nagging, I thought I'd follow her advice.

Oh, I miss my coffee! I used to have at least one cup in the mornings, and the lady who makes the coffee even knew my order so well that all I'd need to do was smile and she'd prepare my cup. But thankfully have been able to survive pretty well without it.

One positive side effect is that I'm actually able to fall asleep quite early at night, and no longer lay in bed tossing and turning. I'm usually in bed at 10ish and asleep by 11pm.

It's a little bit harder when I'm with +3 though, especially when I make him a cup of coffee in the mornings. I'm always so tempted to sneak a sip but so far I've been a good girl. Heehee.

Well let's hope this discipline pays off and my health condition gets better sooner than later. So far I'll just have to make do with my sanzha tea and look forward to the day I can have my cuppa again. Wheee!

The Last Stretch

It's amazing how it's already December. As always, around this time of the year, I ask, where did all that time go?

Well the better half of the year was spent in a happy couply bliss with +3. The more time we spend together, the more we realise how aligned we are. From the silly to the serious, it all seems to be falling into place. And I like how we find random things to dk together. Like the detox foot patch thing. Lol.

The detox thing seems to be working well. Better sleep at night and +3's exzema on his foot seems to be improving too. It's not very expensive but over the long term costs do add up ($2/day), and with the idea of the $5/day challenge at the back of our minds, it does seem like a bit of a splurge.

We talked about doing the $5/day challenge over the weekend but we had thanksgiving dinner at FashionJeannie's place on Saturday, and Marc was over for dinner at the parent's place on Sunday. So I adapted the challenge somewhat, and said that we should just try to be more mindful of how much we spend in December.

It's tough though. I've already received my Christmas present from +3. We were walking around GWC and there was a sale for WMF cookware, so he got a set for me. Oh be still, my heart!

And I've been cracking my brain trying to figure out what to get him too. Hmmmmm.

The rest of the month looks like it's going to be quite busy. There are a couple of Christmas parties coming up, my brother and his family will be in town, the parents will be heading to visit my sister in the US, and it's a busy period at work for me as my event is in early Jan.

All in all, 2013 has been a good year and I have a feeling 2014 is going to be better. Met up with Mama Yvonne (yes she's expecting!) when she was in town, and she said 2013 was a good year for roosters and 2014 will be even better. Yay!

Anyway in this final stretch and over this Christmas period, I wish everyone an adundance of blessings of love, happiness, good health, wealth, peace and joy.

Happy December!