Notable November

Dear Diary,

In the blink of an eye, we have glided on the wings of time and arrived at the final month of year 2017. Much have transpired; it was a month of celebrations and commemorations.\

Happier times, well Christmas is approaching so the streets and malls are beautifully decorated, inducing strong festive vibes. I thought that the overall Christmas décor around the island this year is especially dazzling.

Needless to say, Christmas shopping commenced, both for winter wear, gifts and festive snacks. Catching up with different groups of friends for our annual Christmas dinners have also kickstarted - always lovely to meet up.

Then there was a short road trip to Genting Highlands with Mon Beau and his friends.- fun filled one laden with lots of eating, casino visits, shopping and movie.

Thanksgiving - loads to be thankful for, to appreciate and to cherish - including the people, the potentials, the gifts and other blessings.

Finally, lots and lots of events and business opportunities - thank my Deities for the blessings! We also booked our April trip already - back to Hong Kong, my favorite country for my birthday!

Moving on to other aspects of life, a dilemma ensued, pulling me in various directions - fight or flight? Many factors to consider.

This is also, sadly, the month of my Dad's death anniversary. Are you in a far better place now,  my Dad? I dearly hope so.

Sadder yet, is the sudden passing of a kind-of friend which I (we) felt could've been avoided, somehow. Love can be such a double-edged sword; happiness derived, painful ends. Rest in peace, sweet D.

Oh well, life will go on. Lets welcome December into our lives and live it well, live it to the fullest- so that when we kiss 2017 goodbye, we leave no regrets behind.

Thank you dears for reading this page - watch this space once more. Have a dazzling December ahead! *kisses*

Events and Media Invites:
(i)  Intellect Spot Slimming Treatment @ Bella Marie France (click here)
(ii) Wine Tasting @ Park Regis (click here)
(iii) Lazada Online Relevation 2017 (click here)
(iv) Dinner Tasting at The Quarters @ Tanjong Pagar (click here)
(v)  Review on Floral Garage Singapore (click here)
(vi) Festive Buffet Tasting @ Marina Mandarin (click here)
(vii) Christmas Crafts-making Charity Event @ Romanez (click here)
(viii) Dinner Tasting at Sea & Blue @ Marina Bay Sands (click here)
(ix)  Review on Winter Collection by Floral Garage (click here)

Oktober is a history

Dear Diary,

We have unknowingly trespassed into November 2017; we watched the pale red Autumnal leaves cascading from the trees like snowflakes, before the branches become barren. Then the snowflakes fall gently, softly upon the grounds, landing soundlessly upon surfaces hard and soft.

What happened in October?  A plethora of events related to work, seminars, workshops, business deals, rushing to hit CPD points, and other considerations that excited me. There was Halloween but I did not get to do the trick-or-treat. Would be fun if I got to dress up.

Thinking back, did I manage to find time to meet my friends?  Considerably lessened - apologies for that. Managed to attend 2 close friends' weddings over 2 weekends, as well as a good friend's baby girl's first year birthday.  Nice catching up and unwinding.

Other than weekdays, everyday is like clockwork - even on weekends I am following schedules. 10am - supervising the part-time helpers.  2pm - shopping. 4pm -  visit the Mom.  6pm - dinner at the in-laws.  You get the drift.  I need to get back to Yoga and lots, lots of meditation.  I am happy that I learned a lot from the people I have been networking with as well - including discovery of some fascinating ideas and religions I never knew existed.

Lots, lots of shopping done, mainly for the Vancouver trip - gifts, winter clothing, Christmas stuff.  The malls are already starting on Christmas adornment, and carols are being played - but the festive mood is taking a while to show.

Need a break. Need to chase the dreams that formed after a certain wake-up call.

MEDIA INVITES AND EVENTS:-

(i) Wine Tasting by SPG Wine Club
(ii) Lazada's Online Revolution 2017
(iii) Intellect-Spot Slimming @ Bella Marie France
(iv) Dinner at Peach Blossoms @ Marina Mandarin Hotel
(v)  Dinner at Montana Singapore @ PoMo
(vi)  Dinner at The Seasons Steamboat @ Holland Village
(vii) Dinner (Middle Eastern Delights) at AquaMarine @ Marina Mandarin

Sassy September

Dear Diary,

The vintage soul in me insists on beginning you with a "Dear Diary" header, and I am still updating a hardcopy journal. This is from a world that used to honour nature, used to respect lives, or at least-  not destroy them for the sake of destroying them (or purging or religious reason or whatever excuse there is). May I ask that you stop scrolling down this page, stop reading for 30 seconds, as a silent tribute to the victims and families of this mass shooting in Vegas tonight? #prayforvegas #prayforlasvegas.

In other news, September has gently seeped in, bringing with it some heavy-hearted surprises. Okay, a couple of them, which had to do with my maternal relations. Visitations ensued, to ensure that they are fine now; and as part of catching up with the big, big family.

Other events in September included mooncake shopping and dining out with the Mom, eating out with friends, company events, plans for more travels and outside-of-work trainings.  One should never stop learning and refreshing, no matter how good or experienced they are (or not) - for all knowledge gained is priceless, and will eventually come in handy one day.

Formula One Race happened again, but I didn't attend this year. Didn't see the need to. There's a lot of leisurely activities I have not had time to do for a while, come to think of it. Weekdays are work, trainings, the business, blogger-related tasks / events, French lessons, visiting the Mom back home. Weekends are housechores (be it monitoring part-time domestic helper or DIY), work or business related tasks, rushing to visit the Mom at home and visiting the MIL.   Shopping, writing, cafes, drinking and other hobbies have somehow taken a back seat when the pursue of enjoyment used to be a need.

But I am tired, so very tired at times. It seems that everything has a deadline and even on weekends I am looking at the clock to ensure that I am on schedule. Then news of relations falling ill, or other parental-related obligations wedge their way through, and suddenly it feels like being able to breathe alone is a luxury.  I wish I didn't care; I wish I didn't have to give a single damn about everything and just do things at my own languid pace; wish I didn't feel the need to make certain activities an obligation just to show that I care.

I can't wait for the next break. That, and a good spa or meditation session again.

Thank you my dears for reading - love you xoxoxoxox


Media Invites and Events:
1)  Lunch at Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant @ Rendezvous Hotel
2)  Detox Slimming Session @ BottomSlim
3)  F1 Delights Buffet Dinner at AquaMarine @ Marina Mandarin Hotel
4)  Buffet Dinner at Element Restaurant @ Amara Hotel

Awespiring August

Dear Diary,

August just waved goodbye to us from the windows of silver linings and rainbows. We peered deep at it, lived within it, but what transpired once it ejects us back onto Earth, as September sweeps us into its arms gently?

Well, work has been busy, busy, busy but I like where I get to exercise creativity. The side has been smooth too - thank Deities. I just need more time on my side as projects are lined rather closely together. My social life has dwindled from 3 nights a week to, say, once a week.

We took a short trip to Bangkok, Thailand, and this time round decided to bring the Mother-in-Law along. Playing tour guide was no easy feat, but we managed to revisit many places that were lost to us, such as the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Floating Market, Temple of Reclining Buddha and a couple of night markets. It would have been better if there hadn't been whining (gawd only knows how much it turns me off).

Already excited and started planning for my year-end Winter trip! Shopping for gifts and winter wear form part of the regime.  Yes I have been doing a fair bit of shopping too- clothes, especially. I know I am supposed to abstain.

Not sure if I want to continue with French lessons after this semester. It had all been fun but it takes up a lot of time too. Written-wise, I have always been able to pick up languages pretty quickly; the stumbling blocks are always the verbal aspects.

In other news, this month is also the Lunar 7th Month aka Hungry Ghost Festival; we went to the columbarium to visit the Dad. The pain of missing him is still fresh. Oh, National Day came and went as well; I had no inkling where I went. Food tasting? Café hopping? Holing up at home or the Mom's place to catch up on French / work?

Anyway here's my updates for the month; thanks for staying tuned my loves.  Have a salacious September and I shall see you in a month's time. Smooches and loves xoxoxoxo


Media Invites / Events:
1)  Opening Ceremony of Le Hair Spa @ Bukit Timah
2)  Dinner at Verdure Café @ Thomson Road
3)  Buffet Dinner at Element @ Amara Hotel
4)  Opening Ceremony of Kimoto Gastro Bar @ Marina Bay

Seventh Month of 201-Seven

Dear Diary,

It's me again, battling the sands of time that hurls itself at me like a giant blanket of gold. I could stand against it and let it bury me eventually, or run forward with it, burying dreams I could no longer envision.

Sorry for the seemingly melancholy start; I am not feeling blue or anything. It's just one of those lazy Sunday afternoons where I debate between heading for a swim or pouring myself some wine, before heading over to the Mom's place to catch up on my French studies and dinner.

July was a flurry of activities as usual, mainly centered around work- setting up a new department, conferences, seminars and appointments. Oddly I enjoyed it, and it should be able to link to my other venture (oh dear, which reminds me I have not had time to set up the website and Facebook for it).

There were also some quality get-togethers with good friends, and shopping. I love the malls, craving to be in them all the time sensing the fabrics, taking in the scent and vibrancy, and smelling the coffee aroma from cafes. Oddly sensational, but not as sensual as my affirmation to water bodies is.

I also re-connected with some lost contacts and shed the pointless ones. Life is too short to allocate pieces to people who are not worth it.

Thank you my dears for staying tuned - do keep an eye out for August's entry in a month's time
xoxoxox kisses !

Finally, the list of invites and media events in July:
1)  Review on flower delivery by A Better Florist
2)  Review on shopping platform ShopBack
3)  Review on Luxiere Eye Mask by SleepWiz
4)  Chang Sensory Trails 2017
5)  Singapore International Jewellery Expo 2017
6)  Dinner Event at Napoleon Wine Bar @ Raffles Place
7)  Media Invite at Teppan Bar Q

Half Year Mark 2017

Dear Diary,

June has barely scraped through the door, but I can already feel the vibes of July- pensive, high-energied, waiting to infuse the air. What has transpired?

Getting the insurance business is one of which I am excited about, and against all odds, I have decided that I am going to do up a website and Facebook page for it. Sorry if the other venture has not been as active - I have been busy working on something else. Something extremely meaningful, and now that a major hurdle has been removed, I can totally focus on what I want to do. Something that involves and utilises all my expertise and training and interest-  events planning, business development, legal background and is a meaningful essentiality.

Letting go of certain petty issues to look at the broader picture, has also helped to make us happier. I guess there is no point being calculative with closest family members, because ultimately we are all bound by blood / marriages and are a family whether we like it or not. Learning to give, and harmony, has been a gift.

Wish I had learned that when the Dad was still around. Father's Day came and went without any celebration.

Then there have been some activities squeezed in - less, compared to previous months, but still fulfilling. Lunches and dinners with close friends, alumni events, media events (ironically now that I am slowing down on blogging a lot more, the invites and collaborations are coming in steady streams), and planning of more vacations in order.


The Beau and I also managed to bring the niece and nephew out since it is the school holidays (aka Singapore's "Summer Break") - visited the SEA Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Museum at Resorts World Sentosa. Then I also did some investigative work into a case of "The Imaginary Business Partner"- shall share more in details in time to come.

Finally, the list of events and invites (I post once a week only nowadays):

• Food tasting at Oh My Tian Café
• Food tasting at IlLido at the Cliff Restaurant
• Beauty review on Mary Kay's soothing eye gel
• Festino Brunch at Monti Singapore
• Kosme Aesthetics opening ceremony@ Orchard Central
• Review on leather care products by Shoetree Project
• Lazada Great Singapore Sale collaboration
  

Thank you for taking the time to read my monthly update again sweethearts. See you in July and stay missed xoxoxo

MAY was here

Dear Diary,

Well, well what have we now - mid year already? Yes, May was here, did a dance and then dissipated into the air. May had wings, like an eagle, swooping low only when its prey is in sight.

Anyway, just returned from a family trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, mainly in celebration of the Mom's birthday and belated Mother's Day. It was a lovely trip of bonding and relaxation, especially when we went onboard the cruise at scenic Halong Bay. Lots of feasting and I managed to do a little shopping as well.

Business-wise, I need another month or so to start doing the prospecting as am fine-tuning some stuff now. But it seems that cases are rolling in just yet - thank Deities. Work-wise, smooth sailing as well as cases continue to pour in too. For a while I was beginning to wonder if I wanted to switch tacks because I was just so tired.

Ironically, I seem to get more sponsorships now that I have decided to concentrate very little on the other Blog. I post merely once a week, alongside some OOTD shots but that's about it. Be a pity to give up completely, so I guess I will keep it around for reference, as a diary of past events. Sometimes it sickens me to see some bloggers acting like they are celebrities or "someone important" or even "reached the stage" just because they own a blog, or are invited to certain events. Please, get a real life.

Aced the French test (97% score) so I guess I will continue with my French course.  At least complete intermediate level. Need someone to practice with - otherwise I cannot recall how to speak 50% of it right now (fingers crossed).

Really, really, really need to shed those pounds so am changing the diet and cutting down on a lot of food I used to enjoy. Changing the entire lifestyle as well - no more late nights, but earlier mornings. Even if I have no appointments on weekend mornings, I should get out there, explore some areas and maybe grab a nice brunch with a book.

Already started on some Christmas shopping, if you can believe it.  Catching up with some friends and attended some events, as usual. Maybe will go back to writing short stories or a novel too, if time permits.

That is it for May 2017; thanks for reading. Take care and see you dearies again in a month's time *smooches*

April's Full Month Celebration

Dear Diary, 

April was an eventful month,  no less. There were milestones and some hits and misses. But overall, a happy month for me.

So I turned another year wiser in early April  - so what happened was a month long celebration as usual. Feasting with the family, drinking with friends, and a lovely little cruise trip for this year. I am truly appreciative for those who dined and wined, gifted and treated, spending their time and also those who texted / messaged me.

Oh, it also marks our first wedding anniversary, just a day after my birthday. Thank you for the congratulations too.

Easter weekend came and went. Alumni gathering and networking sessions were attended. Giselle Ballet was splendid. And a short across-the-border trip with foodie friends. There were plenty of wine nights, wine tastings and wine fairs. Caught up with a couple of longtime friends  - including a girl who shares the exact same birthday as me.

Sadly, it was also Ching Ming (aka "Qing Ming" aka memorial of the dead ancestors' day) in April, which reminded us of those whom we've lost. Family gatherings ensued, while prayers took place over 2 weekends. Then there was a conference (here) that I attended to learn more about investments and entrepreneurial traits.

The new business was started, another in the pipeline. Friends gained and lost (oh my god, you never knew someone is a psycho till you know!) Have slowed down on the blogging by a lot to focus on more exciting stuff, as mentioned. Some shopping and cooking underway, as well as planning for more upcoming trips. Another round of blood donation for the quarter - this means that my weight has not dropped.

That should be it for now - seems a month always passes too fast.  Thank you for reading my site, dearies. Have a good May month and  I shall see you soon. Kisses xoxoxoxo

March Moments 2017

Dear Diary,

The year 2017 has lost a quarter already, and we are slowly foraging into the Aries' favorite month of all. The celebratory events have already begun, and the bad news is that I have started on a diet and sports plan (back to yoga, jogging and swimming).

March marked 3 changes, no, maybe 5. It was a busy and momentous month, earmarking endings and beginnings, novelty and the past. Lots of shopping too, unfortunately, as well as settling 3 trips for the year, all at one go.

So, the first - roles. I shall not delve too much into this for fear of jinxing things. But roles are roles, and we play it to the best of our ability. It is just like being in a play, no? With the role, came lots of events as well. Funnily, I used to love events and invites excited me - but these days, I look forward to rejecting or escaping from half of the events (at least).

Secondly, I have moved into the Beau's house finally, after a year of being married. We are looking for upgrades now, but slowly. I shall let you know closer to confirmation, maybe start a series on my other blog on "The House Hunting Series", since The Honeymoon Series has come to its grand finale.

Well, this also means more responsibility around the house, more cooking and chores (if you can believe it, I have never really done chores before, at least not actively), as well as more juggling of time between  visiting the mom and coming back home and social nights.

Thirdly, I finally started on my French class, something that I have been wanting to do for years, but never found time or motivation to do so. Oh my, my, who would've thought that all objects come with a gender too, in French! It makes it challenging, and at the same time, incredibly romantic. I look forward to lesson on a weekly basis.

Fourth, the start of our very own finance-related business. This really has to be vague for various reasons for now, but I am glad that the partnership seems to be going smoothly.

Finally, I shall not be writing much over at My Other Blog anymore, since the campaigns have been completed, and I would like to focus on more things. Such as devoting to the businesses, researching on more finances-related materials and exploration of things I have been dying to do.

So yes, it has been a very busy month. Apologies if I had mentioned meeting any of you up, but have not managed to fork out the time to do so, really. Trust that I will remedy that, and see you really soon.  In the meantime, thanks again for coming to visit this page - stay loved my dears xoxoxo

Fiesty February 2017

Dear Diary,

Another month has been taken off the calendar, thrusting us into the arms of March 2017. Seems surreal, how time flies, yet 24 hours alone does not seem to be enough anymore. Say goodbye to February, say goodbye to the month I wish I could wish someone Happy Birthday and Longevity, but he now lives in Eternity.

What was brewing, besides a couple of foiled vacation plans? Oh well, Lunar New Year celebration and visitations were still very much in order, for the first half of the month. Lots of feasting to celebrate the brand new year, for celebrating of other happy events, and friends' birthdays. With that came a fair bit of drinking as well, but what's new?

It was a fairly happy month where rewards for the day job were reaped and objectives fulfilled. It is time to focus back on the somewhat-neglected company on the side, but it seems ideas are sprouting up, making it pretty exciting for me.

No, make that a very happy month. I will be enrolling in French class finally, after so many years of not being able to doing it  (no thanks to endless barrage of excuses). Remember, I have always loved everything French - culture, language, food, music, fashion etc. I am so excited about being a student again, albeit on a part-time basis.

Then, a breakthrough for a beauty campaign came about, but details shall not be revealed for now.

Which brings me to the topic again - whenever people ask me if I am doing full-time blogging now, or if I am a full-time blogger, I really don't know how to react. Happy, because they think I write well enough, or have enough "influence"? Annoyed, because they think I am "not doing much", or at least not doing anything "more constructive"?  Well, I blog because I love writing, because friends have been asking me for recommendations since young, because there are periodical campaigns, and because I have met some pretty awesome friends through the blogging circle. I do have a full-time career and a little business on the side, thank you.

Then there was the Big Move, into The Beau's house finally. It is never easy trying to adapt and get used to each other's habits, especially when I am somewhat of a hygiene freak / rupophobic. It feels surreal whenever I return to his place, that we are now living together, just the two of us. Yet when I return to the Mom's place, I also feel like I no longer belong....

I do have a kind of walk-in wardrobe and a mini library at the new residence though.

It was International Polar Bears on the 27th! The closest I could get to the bears for now is through financial support of their initiatives, and through my cute polar plushies - meet Bosie and Cosie right there.

Then there were Chicago the Musical and St. Valentine's Day - the latter which we celebrated with a picnic.

I need to get back into shape physically, artistically and religiously.  Once the madness of changes and unpacking have settled down, I will have to work on these aspects without preamble.

In the meantime, thank you for gracing my site, my loves. Have a marvellous March ahead *kisses*