Dont take your health for granted

Everyone knows this. Health is important, health should not be neglected, and yet we often only truly know this having experience the possibility of losing it.

This has been a month where i went for 2 doctors visit, 1 endoscopy, 1 ultrasound, 1 urine test. Just the thought of recounting what happen puts a chill to me.

It all started with a horrible bloating feeling after dinner about 3 weeks back. I have been having bloated stomach for like months or so, but it has never created much disturbance. Note. Not much, meaning it happened  a few times, but not enough to bother me to see the doctor for a referral.

When i had to go through the scope at the hospital, i was apprehensive with many thoughts in my head.
However, the good thing of it all, there was no growth, there were no stones in my gall bladder. Just a bacteria infection in my stomach and the GERD caused by acid reflux. Which will be worsen with Stress.

Anyway, i didnt want to dwell too much on the above, all in all, the doc says i'm stressed ( although i didnt think so), but to have the doctor ( okay, another doctor  whom i went to yesterday for a urine test because of my headache and frequent urination) says " there the flood gates go" when i started tearing, i cant help but to finally admit, i am emotionally unstable at times especially when people start to fuss over me when i'm sick, when i'm doing something good for them, when too much attention is on me. Or, even when we talk about relationship stuffs ( except the hub) of course.

All of us, whether we like it or not, may behave physically healthy and normal outside, will have some form of scars, or vulnerability inside us. These may be stress in built in us, our lifestyle resulting in our internal organs overworking, not resting enough, or even inflammation because of excessive caffeine, alcohol, sugar, dusty environment.

So, everyone, learn to love yourself. Learn to listen to your body. Do not wait till it's too late. Do not think you are not stressed or all superwoman or superman. Breathe and learn to let go. Learn to listen to your thoughts. Be positive.

A Solo Night in the Gardens

Finally a pic i've taken of my own to post on the blog. Presenting the latest feature in Singapore- Gardens by the Bay.

The hub has an engagement with the boys from the office and i was in the mood for doing some serious photography... It's been some time since i dig up the DSLR, even borrowed the tripod from the boss to go on this mission. Sadly, I didnt really know how to mount  the DLSR on the expensive tripod so pretty much had to rely my own that night to take the pic, with as steady hands as possible and yet, still armed with a heavy tripod.

It was a great night. A solo night to just shoot, see things and have some personal time.=)

Crossroads at 30

“You’re supposed to have moments of uncertainty about which path to take, because the twenties are full of crossroads.”- Lisa Kudrow’s Commencement Speech at Vassar College in May 2010, a humorous take on life in the twenties.

So, i was looking for an image on Crossroad, when i came across the above speech, and how truthful it was on what the Twenties are... However, if made me wonder, does that mean we gain clarity when we end our twenties and embark on our 30s??

For some reason, i felt the 30s present a harder matrixes of crossroads. If the twenties is about exploring personalities, growing as an individual, the 30s, present the opportunity to define one's life. While we may have a couple of job changes, or stabilise our career, then the question comes... "now what?".

For a woman, not only does the cross road daunts us, there is another huge Biological Clock that lays right smack in the middle following us no matter which path we take.

 For guys, this clock simply represent time and youth, but for us ladies, it also represents the limitation in the area of procreation one has further down the path, which ever path we take. And this is the exact limitation that sets many woman wondering, constantly thinking ... "What if?", " Should I...." or " Is it time?". It's this invisible clock in every woman's heart that probes us to wonder if settling down is the option, if giving up is the option, if it's worth.

So, what kind of life can one expect at one's crossroad when we hit the big 3 or more?

Does the Zone really ends??

a) A life of fashion, parties and champagne, wine ( i. e Sex and The City "Samantha")

b) A life of creativity, on the search for that love, for that pair of Manolo Blahnik, that piece of Art, passion in writing ( Carrie)

Something about these heels. They are pretty but they sure aint comfy. Something i will never to be able to pull off

c) Completing the woman's role by giving birth, being the perfect home-maker, the perfect wife living in the perfect apartment with the perfect husband ( speaks: the Stepford Wives, or Charlotte)

d) Or, is it the power career driven lawyer ( Miranda)

e) Or is it that much more? That cannot be classified into any of the above 4?

It's been 7 years since i was last hooked on Sex and the City episodes, and 7 years later, i find myself watching the re-runs, having a totally different perspectives altogether, It's like i've grown with this show, and now i can have a better appreciation what the ladies were going through ( of course not with the same magnitude of drama or sex). Haha

I also do notice, i am starting to deviate from the original style of what i've intended the blog to be, but shouldn the blog really capture what feels at that instant in time? I've been feeling impulsive lately, what with the possible thought of baby planning, probably thinking i'm not ready to settle, and another thought of that big biological clock ticking away at me, sometimes, i feel i'm back in my twenties with the random cluster of thoughts flying all over my head again. Have i somewhat, still feel i do not belong to the 30? To the real world and want to retreat to the safe haven of what the 20s can offer? Possibilities???

Night in the Museum

2 September: One day shy from our 6th anniversary. And here we are 6 years later, from the initial hanging out for drinks, wondering where to go next cos we simply didnt feel like ending the night to go back home, to now: him playing his computer games, and me just blogging away side by side.

To me, this is bliss.

We spent last night with the gang at the Singapore Night's Festival.

Magical Night at the Museum

Here, a picture of the very beautiful and magical looking Singapore Arts Museum. The atmosphere was great, and it's lovely to be out enjoying the variety of events, gigs, performance, admissions (free) to Museums. That's really a nice cool way to be out. It's really hard, actually when you are based in a tropical country like ours, to be out during the day when it gets sultry hot. So it's really a nice change, when everyone is out of the air conditioned malls, hitting out the road, enjoying the music, the hype and the lighting effects.

Times like this, i feel we are abit more alive. "we" here being Singapore. You know how shows, TV always "romanticised" huge Cities like New York, Paris, Milan ( well, there's a song named over it already, need i say more).  I think Singapore can be like that too, a very different extent naturally, but we are moving towards a cultural, interactive, outdoor, urban kinda mix with Night Festival being such a great start, well ( not really a start, since this is like the 3-4 th year i believe).

The saddest thing, if anything that prevents me from feeling more, is really .... the weather. Ever since young, and yes till now, even when i'm 30, i'm constantly wishing Singapore has temperature seasons, how i wish we have Winter, Autumn and Spring. Okay, if i have to add in just one more season, give me Autumn. Oh, just give me autumn. Give me the orange maple leaves, give me the chill wind, as i forsee myself all  wrapped up in a nice lovely cashmere scarf, armed with a hot cup of latte as i roamed along Botanic Gardens... looking at the lovely shades of red,orange and yellow sights before. Oh, i sure have got carried away...

Taken off the Web ( Google Image)

I know, even if with the really impressive Gardens by the Bay ( with the air-conditioned Domes, super trees and stuffs), i cant feel but still feel it's tad superficial. Magnificent .. Yes, but superficial as well.

taken when we visited the Garden By the Bay ( Super Trees) after work on a Friday

And perhaps one day, we will sing ( at least in our heart): "Singapore Singapore, Oooooo Singapore."

Detoxification and Family Planning

August 16 1982: 30 years ago today, Prince William debuts on People's Magazine Cover Page entitled " King of Hearts"  with his parents ( Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana). 

That's right. Prince William is 30 this year. Same as me.  We were both first -borns. My parents were married the same year as Prince Charles and Princess Diana. We both got married the same year ( to different parties of cos, hiaks) . So much for similarities..

Well, although it does take sometime doing the reason for what happened 30 years ago and always having to find a picture that kinda describes the post, i am finding out much more, and stumbling into interesting sites, blog which simply adds on to my "bookshelf" on the right of my blog.

Why did i put detox and family planning together?

Have you at any stage before the age of 30 thought of detox? For me, no. I didnt think i have much toxins in me anyway prior to this stage in my life, late night in campus, hostels, even late nights out with friends drinking ( well, i'm not really a drinker to start with), eating junk food, piling up on those caffeine, ( the list goes on), it just seems normal. So why Detox?

Why has the idea even popped up?? Ever wonder how you used to enjoy those midnight movies and staying up to talk all night with the girlfriends and still able to drag yourself out of bed to head school, work even and just suddenly, you cant do that anymore, without surrendering yourself to nowhere but the bed the following day? The eye-bags surfaced, your breath stinks, you woke up as if you were on the wrong side of the bed, and you really dragged yourself till the END Of the day, feeling unaccomplished, drained and just horrible?

Ever feel your stomach bloating real bad after a heavy meal, and going all uncomfortable? Let's not forget the weight... the muffin top, the acne (adult?)? Gosh... all these my cyber friends, are signs we need to detox. More so as we age and our metabolism slows down.

30 marks the year i started looking into detox, be it for my body, my mind, my soul. I started an interest to read-up, what detox remedies there are out there. Typically these are the few:

Nope before you decide to exit this page, it's not going to be a detailed Detox Program or recipes for that Juice which you will survive on the next few days. I personally have not started any specific detox exercise, the most remote was cutting off caffeine for like 2 days? (which to many who knows me, is already one big challenge unless i'm bed-ridden and super ill) but it's more of a personal sharing, thoughts and some simple steps if you would like a start, a change for once.

So if you feel you are not up for those 4 days detox program ( and trust me, they sound tough, especially for those who needs their regular intake of carbo and caffeine), try with the simple actions first.

a) Drink Lots of Water. Hydrate.Moisture - Point to note on this, if you have the habit of drinking from the same bottle ( for convenience at work, or gym), be sure to clean the bottle regularly ( everyday) even if it's just plain water. Bacteria build up at the internal walls of the bottle which may be hard to reach/ clean.  So what i did: Bought a wide opening flask and fill up to 1.5L ( warm) and just head back to the pantry for refills.

b) Fruits and Vitamins C. Keep them as part of your daily if not regular diet for a start ( Apple Cider  and Lemon Juice are constantly cited in articles i've read). If not a Kiwi works just fine.

c) Enough Sleep - golden hours being 11pm- 2am where different vital organs rejuvenate while you rest. So start by sleeping earlier. If you are one of those rare few who believes sleeping is a waste of time, why not sleep early and wake early?

d) Meditation - ooommmmm, clear out the negative thoughts, dont bear grudges or allow stress or work, money to bother you when you meditate for that few minutes. Find a place where you can be alone and quiet from distractions ( i.e your smartphone, your Mp3, youtube, -> well unless you need the calm music to set u in the mood. This is tough, so for a start, you might just want to close your eyes to some music instead.

e) Sports - when you work out and perspires, you improve your blood circulation, more oxygen goes in the system, bad stuffs comes out through perspiration. Your muscle aches the next day, and that's where you know you really work for it.

For me, i do Yoga, Pilates ( i'm more of a low impact person, compared to my sis who's into high-impact stuffs), what ever works as long we put our body to some stretching! If you do not go to the gym, you may easily go youtube to find Yoga instructional videos and home DIY yoga. ( You save money from Gym, and exercise at the comfort of your home!)

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So, why has that ultimately brought me to family planning? Ladies detox typically for health and beauty reasons. And when you are a married 30 year old woman, who's constantly being reminded by friends who have become mummy, about to become one, preparing to be one, you will somewhat be swayed to thinking..." Is it time??"

And how many baby-related particles have I read this year ( particular the dragon year, for those who's not aware 2012 is the Dragon Year in the Lunar calendar, the zodiac believed by Chinese all over the world to be auspicious and hence, the Baby BOOM ( Capital BBs ) one can see in many Chinese parts of the world)

With many trying to get pregnant, many articles are also up on how to best prepare your body, what to have in your diet, and what-not to do, and guess what? Most are similar to detox... in a way, no more late nights, no stress, avoid caffeine, alcohol, more fruits, more water, more rest, more tonics....and no doubt, the pressure on family planning usually falls on the lady since the biological clock's not really on our side. ( tick Tick sad clock).

Well, i'm telling myself and the hub to take it easy, dont give ourselves pressure, as our intended plan was to enjoy 1-2 years of couplehood before we start planning for a family. Now that 1 year is up... the clock is about to start.

I'm open to anyone who wants to share some of their simple remedies, cheat-sheet on Detox 101.

Step at a time: Goal

 30 years ago on 4 August 1982: at least 4 famous soccer players were born on this day. They       are respectively:Lucas Antonini- Italian, Pablo Brenes- Costa Rican, Jacques Cronje- South African, Mario Leandro- Portuguese and Rubinho- Brazilian....

What are the odds? There are probably many more soccer player out there born on this date, but the fact they were famous on the internet? So could there be some truths that stars are aligned and we all have certain destinies to fulfill and meant for great things? 


Got me wondering. Yet to do a search on my birthday tho.


I haven been blogging as much as I wanted but I am glad i started out my Saturday afternoon on a good note. I have done some personal admin as what a friend would have described. You know, sorting out some bills, getting my internet account pin for certain banks, creating an account to book some sporting facilities, ( i.e Badminton). An impulse to start playing this game following the 2012 London Olympics. It just re-ignites the sport, spending with friends on more healthy, constructive ways. So, i have got that set up. And one step down. Often, it's always just the first step that's the hardest, the next to get in momentum.


I also spent abit of time re-arranging this blog, putting my favourite online reads, my feel-good bible if you wish. Basically just putting my mess away one-by one, step at a time. Might just be a simple move to put my favourite links in one page, but the amount of time, hassle one saves when one feels like " where is that article, page i was reading the other day??". So less frustration, a more happy me.

 Tip #1: Put all your favourite online haunts in a reading list, Bookmark them, or best, like me put it on your blog. So you can easier access them anytime you feel like it.

The hub is asking me to check out some online videos about badminton coaching, so i have to take a break now. Little interruptions from my me-time, but quality time with the hub is always my priority. Ciaos.

Money Money Money

30 years ago today...
July 10, 1982 :  "In Vancouver, BC, three $2 ticket bettors win $579,129 apiece at the races in Exhibition Park. (they call it the sport of kings?)" 

I thought this will be a good way to start all my posts. For every day that i blog, i will research on what was on the news 30 years ago on the same day. Some day, it may be someone interesting that was born, or someone might have come up with something significant at the age of 30.


From an initial " investment " of $2, these three bettors won a whopping $579K, given 30 years ago, and the  rate inflation goes, this must have translated to billions maybe in today's world? I wonder what happened to the three investors, if they are still alive, and if they are, are they still rich, wealthy? Or have their wealth disappeared in a flash, when they are overwhelmed by the sudden windfall?  Or, did they do good with the money and leave behind a legacy helping many others?


People always say money is the root of all evil, and yet in today's world, almost everything around us is about money. Let's not talk about the intangible stuffs, family values, morales, integrity. Things which cannot be bought by money. However, when it comes to the daily bread and butter, working in a competitive society, bringing up kids, taking care of parents, all these need money, a stable job, comprehensive insurance plans. It's striking a balance, moving on with economy growth, technology progress and yet not losing what's integral from our heritage, our childhood, our memories. 


Geez, this is starting to sound preachy and much like an essay. So much for light-heartedness.


Well, the effects of being 30. Hiaks, cant help but worry more especially when you see your parents aging with each day. There comes a time, you think you are no longer dependent and you do not need them to nag at you, tell you what to do. And before you know it, the role suddenly change, and you find your parents dependent on you, you are the one nagging at them to take care of their health, avoid oily food, take their medication


I wonder how being 30 is like for other cultures and countries. Being in Singapore, this is a common " complain traits" we see and discuss- Money, rising costs, inflation... a material country on the surface.  I hope we can do something to preserve the locality, the simple life.


Well, if it's one step at a time, one person at a time, so shall it be. Good night world.

How it all began....

It took me possibly 10 mins to decide the title and address of this blog.

I pondered with continuing my existing blog or start on a blank slate. Decided on the latter, partly because i feel i have changed my mindset quite a drastic bit this year. Year of 30. A year of growth, increasing financial obligations, a review of what possibly my next  5 years would be like, which will impact the rest of my life.

It's with this thought, that i wanted a new white-board. To share my thoughts, not only to myself, my close ones, but possibly, ideally, to reach out to many out there who may at one time, feel the same way as I do. And hopefully, i may gain a few like-minded souls out there who can share their experiences, and learnings along the way.

Social media today, has brought about such tremendous influence on the way we think & behave. And the blogosphere if anything, has reaches far out more to readers, business opportunities, creating new waves of ideology & lifestyles.

I hope anyone who reads this, (well at least me), will feel good after reading, will feel light-hearted, and have an overall more positive experience than they first started.

Some of the themes which i hope to cover

a) Moderation - finding one's balance in an increasing excessive world
b) Positive Affirmation- Mental
c) Time- saving tips, finding good websites to share
d) Simplyou- Feel Good Activities ( at least that makes me feel good).

For a start and intro,
 I'm really a beginner in all of the above, but it's something i believe, with strengthen with interest, and these are constantly the things i look out for online.

I'm 30 this year, married over a year ago, and basically your average married Singaporean woman,  who loves to travel,  enjoy a good coffee and book on hand. Cant cook for nuts, but will love to venture into kitchen and whip up beautiful stuffs like cakes, cookies and boil soup for my husband. One day.

I love to take photos, admit i'm short-fused when it comes to maintaining interest and passion. Love all things beautiful and sun-rayed. Excessive use of the word "Love".