Hong Kong and The Blur That Followed.

I'm baaack~! From a 3D2N Hong Kong trip...

First purchase in HK: an overpriced Minnie Headband!

my sister's graduation show...

Her team won the show! More on that later...

and finally, church camp!

Can you spot me?

It's really been a whirl wind week with all the happenings. The weekend in Hong Kong was supposed to be rest but it was really more tiring than the five days of work before it. Too much to buy and too little time! The pace of life is a lot faster there than in Singapore too (they even walk faster) so I actually felt quite relieved to arrive at home. Haha! 

Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday in Hong Kong. Lovely food and the shopping was seriously crazy. We spent two entire days in two shopping malls and could still buy more in them if not for the time constraint. Three days were just right though, because we were really really out of cash by the end of the trip. I had to charge my last minute wallet and bag buys to credit, which meant very lousy conversion rates!

Too much to blog about in just one post, so maybe just Day One for today! :) Just one destination that day - Disneyland! :D

Taking off in the Dumbo ride!

That's my sister - Ling, my stylo mummy and me, taking a shot before I got scared on the Dumbo ride. I know, I'm useless. Its embarrassing but I'm even afraid of ferris wheels. Hanging a mile up on a small cubicle that sways - how can anyone find that not nerve-wrecking?!

That's me getting worried right there.

Still managed to squeeze some smiles out for the camera hahahahahaha

Ms. Bunny played tour guide for the day. I had to nag three times a day one week before the trip just to make her work on the itinerary! I think she's never gonna travel with me again. Haha!

Yes, I'm workin' on it!

The HK Disneyland is the smallest among all and doesn't take a lot of time and energy out of you just to finish exploring the park. We got there at 3pm in the afternoon and finished just in time for the fireworks! Some people think going there's a waste of money, but I like it - just right for half a day of comfortable walking! :) 

Outfit of the Day: Minnie headband, long drape cardi, loose fit tank, mesh ballerina skirt and gladiator sandals! Good for a pretty and comfortable day in wonderland! :)

Okay there's just too many things to talk about so let's just use photos from now!

Wearing makeup for Hong Kong! I don't know why but I only do that when I travel! :S

Mummy! :)

Spotted: Mini Snow White! :)

Can you tell we're wearing the same skirt in different colours? Haha!

Staring lovingly at the bunny on my head hahaha.
I took her bunny headband while she wore the one she got from Disneyland Japan!

Showtime! A must-catch if you ever plan to go. :)

With Mum. :) Do we look alike? :D

Blackcurrent Jelly - madly yummy!

Queuing for Ling's fave ride...

Winnie the Pooh! :)

Aaaand its nighttime!

Cinderella's Carousel :)

Very happy because she got the pony she wanted!

Trying out the party mode hahahaha

And last but not least,

Fireworks!

Truly the highlight of the park.

"I can show you the world" :)

I wished boyfriend was there but he really isn't the amusement park kind of guy. :( I suppose you can't ask for everything in a man! 

And so the day ended with:

A bowl of magically lovely noodles from right across the hotel. It's the best supper I ever had!

That's magical Day One for you. :D Day Two comin' soon!

Goodnights all! :) Hope you guys had an equally great week!

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(Over)Work.

I've been missing from this space but all for a good reason!

Since I tendered my resignation, I've been handed a good two months worth of work to be cleared in the next three weeks, so that things won't go haywire if they can't find someone suitable to replace me before I join my new company. There are moments when I've been very tempted to complain (whether in my heart or out loud), but God is good and always reminds me of how kind He's been with providing a new opportunity. I'm leaving my current workplace at one of the busiest times for retail businesses too (Great Singapore Sale starts tomorrow!), so it's definitely hard on my boss to miss a staff from the already understaffed office. So, no complains. I shall complete all my work with joy and thankfulness. :)

Thank you all who left such encouraging comments at my last post. I read every one of them (as I slogged in the office) and I'm very thankful indeed. :) I'd gladly reply each one now but I'll have to be up by 3:30am (that's 3 hours from now!) to catch my flight to HONG KONG! 

Finally, a break! :D Short but still, I need all the rest I can get. 

I've been there some 5 years ago, so I'm pretty excited to see how things have changed. I'll do a post on the best shopping places and eateries when I'm back! :) Any readers from Hong Kong? Please feel free to suggest your favorite haunts! :D

Okays, now time for bed! Yay!

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Roller-coaster.

It's been an exciting two days, because:

1. I got rejected from a job application.

2. I got an offer from another job application.

3. My boss counter-offered something even better.

All in two days! 

I'm very thankful for all that has come my way. God first humbled me with the initial rejection, and then encouraged me with the subsequent offers, so that through it all I may remember that all good things come from Him and Him alone. It wasn't by my own ability that I got anywhere at all. All wisdom and knowledge comes from God Almighty. He knows what I need and lovingly provides for me.

All that you have comes from God too. Have you thanked Him for the people who love you, for the job that sustains you and for every little joy in life?

One of my favourite psalms from the Bible says:

When I was younger, I thought this verse means that I shall not want the Lord as my Shepherd haha. Very poor language skills I know! But no, it means that the Lord is my Shepherd and because He is taking care of me, I will not be in want, because He will make sure I have all that I need. :)

Here's a song that Ling and I recorded for our parents' day project thats inspired by this lovely verse:

Lyrics here! :)

Are there any of you also facing a dilemma or a difficult situation? Are you going through rough times in life? God can give you peace too, just like how He has given me. He is just a prayer away. :)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 11:28

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Thankful for the new opportunities that God has placed in my life, boyfriend and I had a celebratory dinner, Singapore style.

Love having simple fare at traditional hawker centers and old markets. Good food doesn't have to come with big bills. :) Singaporean readers who love fried hokkien mee, you have to give the old Bukit Timah market a visit!

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Even though it is tempting to stay, seeing how much my boss wants me to stay, and how I've grown to be so comfortable with my current job, I have made up my mind to move on with a heart to learn and grow. Though the new job would be full of challenges and uncertainties, I know wherever I go, God is never far away. He will lead me as I go along. :)

Here's to new beginnings!

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A Girl Needs to Eat!

Apart from the usual highlights of Saturday, I also ate an unbelievable amount of food this weekend. *looks sadly at protruding tummy*

One of the most satisfying meals was Domino's! :) Oh wonderful lovely creamy cheese paired with succulent chunks of juicy chicken, button mushrooms and onions. My stomach feels empty everytime I think about it. T.T (If you missed my post on our first visit, here it is!)

The small pizzaria smelled so good, it was quite hard to sit still while waiting for the food. :S We distracted ourselves by taking a truckload of photos:

hello! I'm hungy!

A cringe-worthy act cute shot muahaahahaha

Meet Wini. She's very shy.

Revenge! While Ling looks bored.

One can only take so many self shots. Wini started giving out random instructions.

"You're amazed!"

"You think Wini's pretty."

I'll leave you to guess what this is.

10 minutes and 40 photos later (I kid you not), the food came! Tummy almost went mad from the sight.

We scarfed everything down in 20 minutes (I know, must've looked ugly) and everything was awesome. The whole eating experience was punctuated with gushing raves in between bites.

- chomp chomp - "oh man this is just - chomp - too good!" - chomp chomp swallow - 

If I had ten thumbs, all of 'em would be up.

Now I'm hungry. ROARS!

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What happened to my Happy Date?

My last post (titled Happy Date!) is gone! I've been wanting to reply the sweet comments some of you guys left but blogger has been down since forever ago and now the whole post has gone missing along with the comments. T.T

Blogger guys, bring it back please! It was a lovely date and I would like to remember it well, thank you very much!

Anyone else lost your most recent posts? :(

*Update: Post is back but comments are not! :O

*Update 2: Anyone also having trouble uploading pics? I have a long post on the great weekend comin' up so stay tuned till Blogger is completely healed of the bugs! :)

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Happy Date!

It's been a long time since boyfriend and I had time for a day-long date. The last time was... I don't even remember!

Ever since I stepped out of university and into the work life, it was goodbye to the precious fun-from-breakfast-to-dinner dates and hello to just-dinner dates. Now that he is out of university and into the noble (but undeniably sad) life of a teacher (who has to climb out of bed at 5:30am from Mondays to Fridays), it is "noooooooooo it can't be!" to dinner-while-trying-to-stay-awake dates.

Yay for work life.

But seriously, besides this little shortcoming of a full-time career, I am enjoying work much, much more than schooling. I'd gladly write a report than study 24/7 for an exam any day. (All those who scared me with the horror stories of employment while I was approaching graduation, thank you very much for the unnecessary nightmares.)

Anyways, back to our happy date! :) I took a day of leave on this precious day that he doesn't have to work.

He smiled through the hot, hot day. He smiled even when our breakfast became lunch. (Yes I overslept sobs.) He kept smiling even while I shopped all around the mall. (He takes an average of 2 minutes to buy whatever he needs at any store.) He offered his opinion on the dress that I liked. (Never happened before, first time ever!) And he waited patiently at Starbucks with all our stuff while I had to run some last-minute errands.

Besides all the smiling, I recall lots of laughs too. :)

yes he closed those eyes on purpose -.- there's a little boy trapped in that man.

I prayed and prayed for a happy date to remember. Thank God and thank you boyfriend! :)

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A Letter To My Sister and All Mothers.

*The elder sister, that is Sen, not Ling, whom you guys know.
*Matthew is my sister's son aka my nephew.

Hello Big Sister!

I feel compelled to write you a letter because Matthew just called me and said that he couldn't sleep the whole night because of his upcoming exams. I prayed with him over the phone.

I love your family and I love you and so I feel I must speak out against the direction which you are all headed.

I know I am not qualified to give any parenting tips for obvious reasons. But as a sister in Christ, I want to tell you that God is. He loves you and your family more than anyone else and wants to free you from all your burdens.

"31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33)

You love Matthew and worry for his future. Does God not love him more than you? Will He abandon your child because he is not achieving school expectations? Will He not provide for his needs because he does not do well enough in school? God knows what he needs and He will provide them. The burden is not yours alone.

"28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

God is in control of all things - how well your son learns, how well he expresses, how well he does in school. Your friends who do not know God do not know this, and so they run around anxiously, looking for answers at the wrong places - tuition centres, assessment books, motivational seminars etc. You don't have to follow their lead. Commit everything that is out of your control to God and rest in Him. Then you can have peace and sit back and watch Him work in your family. I assure you that no tuition centre can bring such peace. They only add to your burden and anxiety.

God is the best person to go for parenting tips. Have you asked Him how He wants you to bring up your children? Just as He loves your children, He loves you. Will He not provide you the strength and wisdom to lead the family if you ask Him? He will gladly use you to do great things in the lives of your husband and children.

Lastly, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25b) Are Matthew's results the most important thing that determines his life? Is your children's success the most important ting that determines yours?

This is a prophecy yet to be fulfilled in the Bible -

" 1 See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth
and devastate it;
he will ruin its face
and scatter its inhabitants—
2 it will be the same
for priest as for people,
for the master as for his servant,
for the mistress as for her servant,
for seller as for buyer,
for borrower as for lender,
for debtor as for creditor.
3 The earth will be completely laid waste
and totally plundered.
The LORD has spoken this word." (Isaiah 24:1-3)

Smart or not, successful or not, we must all face and be accountable to God at the end of time. Is your family's faith not more important than worldly success? Ask God what He wants for your life and your family's. He will answer you with love.

I have been praying unceasingly for your family. Join me in prayer! God is good and He listens.

Lots of love,
Your Little Sis.

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To all other mummies out there:

I don't mean to offend anyone with my letter. I do not want to trivialize the stress of being a Singaporean mother, whose children has to compete hard in the flawed education system. I acknowledge the difficulties and pains of motherhood. I long for the joy of it as well. It is a noble and beautiful task. And for that, I pray that this letter would bring you to God, for He is love and the only source of peace. May He bless you and your family abundantly.

Love,
Shu.

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Pain and Politics.

I am here to eat my words. My new shoes from Aldo are too high. My swollen right heel is proof. *glum*

For those who missed my post on my problem with heels, here it is.

I must admit I'm very lousy at getting comfy shoes. Why do they always make your feet feel good in the stores?!

Anyone who thinks yourself as a shoe shopping guru, please enlighten me. :(

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Anyways, its been a very busy, yet very enjoyable weekend. First off, I must say -

Happy Mum's Day to all mummies! You have the noblest job in the world. You deserve to celebrate.

(That brownie cake was totally yummy by the way. One of the rare cakes that both looks and tastes good!)

Besides the Mother's Day celebrations, Singaporeans have also sat through a nail-biting experience on Saturday night through dusk - the results of our General Elections 2011. Some celebrate the outcome and others cry. But through it all, I believe we have all grown as a country in political literacy. We have come to understand how our government truly governs life of all citizens, and how our one vote weighs a ton.

As we all participated in the political debate, both offline and online, I was inspired by many and very upset by some. It wasn't those who supported the other party who traumatized me, but rather, those who 1) made loud and totally skewed arguments based on ignorance and lack of knowledge (for example, in my humble opinion: Xiaxue), 2) casted their votes flippantly (aka was too lazy to read up on news and thus flipped a coin to decide the future of Singapore. Don't laugh at this ridiculous proposition, because I DO HAVE A FRIEND WHO DID JUST THIS.)

Your vote impacts the lives of everyone in the nation. Please (please!) do your homework on all parties before making your decision. You have the next 5 years to do that, so do it well!

I shall end off with a tribute to The man who loves Singapore, Mr. Chaim See Tong of SPP.

Sir, your battle was well fought. While the others earned votes, you earned respect, love and trust. Thank you for dedicating your life and energy to our country and all who live in it. Singapore loves you too.

Onward Singapore,
Shu.

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A Day in Black, Pink and Frustration.

Here's one of my favourite work dresses; A black dress with hot pink trimmings and a lush full skirt - paired with a multi-coloured skinny woven belt. Got it while spreeing in Bangkok last year!

Love the scrunched up pleats!

Come follow me to work!

Clomp clomp clomp.

Speaking of work, I've had a really bad day. Here are the list of things that went wrong:

1. Woke up with an elephant-sized zit on my left cheek
2. Faced an elephant-sized pile of work 
3. Forgot an important deadline (!)
4. Got assigned to collect a poster from our printer and drop it off at one of our stores after work, which pretty much meant overtime
5. Left office and walked the arduous journey out to the main road, all ready to hop on a cab, when I got a call from our printer that she did not receive the file to print!
6. Walked all the way back to the office, turned on the pc, saved the file in my hard drive
7. Called and begged printer lady to wait for me as its already near their closing time
8. Waited an eternity for a cab
9. Traffic jam! Waited an eternity in the cab.
10. Got to the printer's, waited another 30 minutes for the print
11. Hailed and got rejected by 3 different cab drivers because they have their own itineraries in mind
12. Got to church band practice 1.5 hours late!

Yet, amidst bad circumstances, there are always things to give thanks for:

1. Boyfriend offered kind words and a lot of comfort. 
2. Printer lady very kindly waited for me and served me with patience even beyond opening hours
3. Got onto a cab with a wonderful cab driver who agreed to wait for me while I run off to drop the poster, with the possibility of not ever returning (but I returned of course! One good turn deserves another.)
4. Was greeted with a lot of love and concern once I got to church for the practice - a big thank you to all my lovely bandmates!
5. Enjoyed an hour of worshipping as we practiced.
6. Ended the day with a wonderful dinner cum supper with boyfriend and Ling.

All thanksgivings to God Almighty, who is in control at all times. 

Anyone else had a bad day? Big hug for you! Smileeeee!! :):):)

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