Work has been fun … it has kept me busy too.

I’ve spent a lot of my weekends watching people compete

I’ve also attended a few (well only two so far) courses

You are not the only thing that I have neglected. My cooking has decreased in frequency too. But don’t worry I am well fed everyday.

Yesterday it was Chinese food

And today it is Western food. The portion size is always enormous.

Our Chinese New Year was kept pretty simple

We visited the Singapore Flyer and the rest of the days?

Well … we simply lazed around like our cat

You see, I decided to go for a little stroll around my work area to digest my lunch, but halfway through the walk (about 10 minutes later)  it started to rain like crazy! My shirt was so wet that I had to change it.

So how is the new year so far? This week my schedule is pretty packed this week as I have a night course to attend after work. Luckily it’s only for one week!

This past weekend ……

Needle session on Saturday

Grocery (window) shopping with dad at Carrefour

After that we headed to Mustafa Centre … the man was selling Indian desserts

Stopped for fresh coconut water after walking for hours

On Sunday, we went to Singapore Botanic Gardens

For a little picnic  – gotta do this more often because it’s fun :) Next time I will bring frisbees and balls

Decaf iced latte w/o syrup

This was the happy me this morning before getting some bad news and breaking in tears … Life is full of obstacles.

I haven’t bothered with the internet much in the last week . What have I been doing? Spending time with the family after I get back from work and watching Chinese drama at night. Mum started to watch the 2100hrs local drama and I started to follow too!

Food always tastes better when someone else (mum) makes them

Even the cat thinks so

Check this video of Mikey if you haven’t seen it yet on my YouTube channel. Mikey was trying to get into the room. The gym ball was purposely placed there.

The other day the husb was dressed in his Team Singapore attire  as he had an opening ceremony to attend. He will be at the SEA games soon, not as an athlete but as a coach.

We are heading to Malaysia tomorrow with the fam just for the day. Goodnight!

Now onto the Scenes From the Weekend …

Breakfast on Sunday. Mum made those peanut-filled  balls

Relaxing time

Lunch on Sunday – I made laksa and it was good (because the husb went for seconds haha)

Well, I actually used a pre-made laksa paste hehe. I only had to add the coconut milk, fish cake, bean sprouts, prawns and laksa noodles

After lunch on Sunday, we headed to China Town for a short while

Then we met bro at Marina Barrage to fly kite!

Beautiful view of the MBS building (boat shape) in case you are wondering

Bro’s kite is a cute bee

We also visited the water system

Exhibition area

The night ended with a “steam boat” dinner

[Image Source]

The guy who sends everything back because it’s too cold, too hot, too overdone, etc.: This guy is too picky and he’ll find some reason to pick you apart

The guy who finishes one type of food (e.g., his potatoes) before he moves on to the next type (e.g., his fish): This is a guy who is very orderly. If you move in with him, you better have your own bathroom.

The guy who always wants what everyone else has: Red flag. This guy is a commitment-phobe who will never really be happy with what or who he has.

The guy who talks with his mouth full: This guy may just be an enthusiastic multitasker with a big personality.

The guy who wants to share everything: This is a guy who’s open to new things and values your opinion — a keeper. However, if he quickly scarfs down all his food without letting you try a bite, you may want to send him back.

The guy who insists on ordering for you: He’s kinda domineering and may be overcompensating for something rather small.

The guy who wants you to order for him: A clear indication of mommy issues — stay away from him, especially if he asks you to cut his meat.

The guy who insists on splitting the bill and then pays for his half with a coupon: Run.

To my Facebook friends  who have FB messaged me,  thank you for all the birthday wishes! I used to write birthday wishes on my friends’ FB wall but there are just too many of them, hence I’ve stopped doing it (except for a few like my husb, sis, bro etc).

I am a year older now. Truth  is, I’m not too excited because … well I’m a year older! I have not reached the Three Zero yet though :)

We are attending a Charity Gala Dinner later.

So for the past 2 days I’ve been busy with the pre Singapore Track & Field Championships 2011. The actual event starts tomorrow and a total of 12 countries are taking part this year. I’m stationed at the hotel (where most of the countries are camping) from morning till night. I can stay overnight, however I’m still heading back home every night as I gotta feed my cat. The husband has to stay at the hotel as he’s the chief camp commandant there.  I’ve been helping him. I’m also the liaison officer to the Papua New Guinea Team — there are 14 of them.

At the Welcome Dinner held on Friday night

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It’s almost 2 am and I better get some sleep now! Tomorrow is another long day!

When I’m down, repeating these words somehow makes me feel better:

Sometimes we think that we are the only person that has problems, but when we think about it, everybody has problems, maybe not the same problems as ours, but their own problems nonetheless. And as the saying goes, “there’s always someone worse off than yourself“, and sometimes you just have to be thankful that you dont have any more problems in your life than the ones you already have!

Sharing with you one of my favourite songs of all time especially when I’m down – God will make a way by Don Moen. Beautiful lyrics …

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

There were many games for the kids but the adults were not neglected too

Here, we (the ladies) had to do some funny (Bollywood) dance moves

A colouful birthday cake

The kids had fun with the Piñata

And I had a fun evening

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This is me when I turned 7ven. Mum made a house birthday cake for me.

Last two random pictures recently taken with my Canon.

Lotus and Green Tea Paste for mum

Don’t ask me about this archery :)

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A year ago I was there …

I left my previous employment  some time ago and you can pretty much say that everyday is Friday for me now. Initially I was watching a lot of TV (Masterchef Australia, The Restaurant, Hell Kitchen, Come Dine with Me, Paula’s Home Cooking, Barefoot Contessa <— loving all these cooking shows lately!) but recently I got busy with something and I seldom switch on the TV now.

I’m tying to get back to my old  fitness routine (which took a looong hiatus). This is our latest addition. If you are intending to get one, always purchase it from the wholesaler.

I shifted the treadmill to our room because I wanted to be able to flip through TV channels while using it. I will move that bulky baby back to the other room soon as there’s not enough space in ours! The treadie has both a digital and round control knob. The only downside is the round control knob which is too sensitive.

I love home workouts — they are flexible and you can do them in the comforts of your own home.

Some of our collection. Latest addition is Jillian’s Ripped in 30. I do Insanity workout once in a while but I’m not gonna re-do the 60-day programme any time soon!  By the way, the next version, Insanity Asylum is already out.

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Recent trip

We went for a 4-day trip to Malaysia not too long ago.

At the Bird Park where we fed some of the birds. They were all over me and I loved it :) I was a little worried that one would poop on me! hehe.

Room service

A huge burger

While we were away, my in law came over to feed Mikey

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A random lunch (fried egg with cheese sammie). Nowadays, breakfast and lunch are home meals.

Recently

Had some of the husband’s friends over for dinner. I played a lot of Xbox games with their kids

Small canapes

With two cutsies

I baked a mini banana cake that evening and here’s the recipe.

Very Easy Banana Cake

Ingredients

• 80 g melted butter, slightly cooled
• 125 g flour (I used cake flour)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 80 g sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla powder or vanilla essence
• 2 ripe medium bananas, mashed

Ingredients for the chocolate ganache (Optional)

• 150ml thickened cream
• 200g dark chocolate, chopped

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 175/C. Mix flour and baking powder. Whip together eggs, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add  the melted butter to the egg mixture and stir, then add a bit of the flour mixture and stir again. Continue until all the  flour mixture have been added. Add the mashed bananas and put the dough in a buttered 6”/15 cm round cake tin or similar. Bake in the bottom of the oven for about 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool.

Optional: Mean while make the chocolate ganache by melting together the thickened cream and the chocolate over low heat. Leave to cool slightly before slicing the cake in two, spread a bit of the chocolate ganache over one side and put the cake back together. Spread the rest of the chocolate ganache over the top and sides and finish by covering the sides with the chopped nuts.

With niece

Donuts on a Friday in Office

More Office Snacks – Pineapple Tarts

Lunch with the husband – Grilled Seafood Platter

Followed by dessert – Brownie

Mikey

Morning

High Tea at TCC

Mikey

Dinner at New York New York

Lunch at Thai Express

Lunch at Fish and Co

Seafood Platter at Fish and Co

Dessert at Fish and Co

A morning at the park with sis and family

Goodbye January, Hello February …

This was taken on Saturday

In the mix

Yesterday’s salad bowl: 1 can tuna, handful of cherry tomatoes, handful of grapes, some crunchy biscuits, tablespoon dried raisins, almonds, peanuts and lettuce. YUM. I’m sticking with my big salad bowls until I get sick of them :)

On another note …. I bought this Pacific brand almond milk for the first time yesterday.

I tried it this morning in my oatmeal and I think I prefer the creamy  SILK brand :)  Pacific almond milk is too watery for my liking. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be buying it again.

It’s pouring cats and dogs over here … such a good time to sleep!! XOXO.