Jacob- The Photographer

Jacob took pictures of his favourite soft toys this afternoon while I was busy. I was quite impressed with some of the arrangements. Cute!

Handwriting

See the difference between my girl and boy?

Mambo Jambo

The last time I was at Zouk, Aunty V was still breast feeding Dylan! We decided to brave the young crowd last night and revisit Mambo Jambo.

Here are a few interesting observations

- Ladies can skip paying cover charge for Mambo by going in through Velvet entrance

- Phuture plays fantastic R&B music and there were a lot of sexy dancers!!

- Mambo starts at 12 midnight so do not go early!

- 2 groups of distinctive dancers at Mambo

a) "Older people" like us who were there to reminisce about the past and groove to the 80s music. There were a few group of " older people" last night and the distinctive feature of this group is that we dance to every song and we DO NOT know any choreographed actions to any song!

b) Regular Zoukettes who know the actions to most of the 80s hits. They have now choreographed actions for the whole song instead of just focusing on chorus and key words like the past. It was funny watching how the boys tried to impress the girls by teaching them the steps. The sad thing about this group is, they stop moving to the music once there are no choreographed actions. They literally come to a standstill on the dance floor while waiting for the next "action" song!

All in all... quite a fun experience but DJ at Phuture was definitely more impressive than the one at Mambo!

High High Heels!

After attending the Audi Fashion show last night, I was inspired by the number of women wearing SUPER high heels at the event. Saw this pair of beautiful Missoni shoes at Scarlet and Ebony today and it was surprisingly comfortable for its height. Needless to say, I followed my heart and it will be a nice display piece in my new walk-in wardrobe...

Another bag...

I have not been tempted to buy bags from other brands since I bought my Hermes Birkin last year. BUT that changed yesterday!! I saw this beautiful Chloe Elsie bag in RED python skin. I WANT!! It cost SGD 4210. Anyone has" lobang" for discount??

Mitch Albom

I am a big fan of Mitch Albom. I love "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and now I am in the midst of reading his third book " Have a Little Faith". This book began with an unusual request : an eighty year old rabbi from Albom's hometown asking him to deliver his eulogy. To do that, he insist on understanding the man better. Meanwhile, through his charity work, he got to know a Detroit Pastor- a reformed drug dealer and convict- who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church. Moving between the worlds of these 2 vastly different men, he discovers a striking unity of what both men have been teaching all along : the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself. I am only halfway through the book and here are 2 extracts that I really like

"He sleeps in a storm"- page 91

My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of " I could have, I should have". We can sleep in a storm.

"Secret of Happiness" - page 102

Be satisfied. Be grateful. For what you have. For the love you receive. For what God has given you.

My Ex Boss

He was the one that said the famous words" I endeavour to change your mind" on the day I resigned.

He finally found out which bank I am joining yesterday from one of my team members. Being his usual ' yaya" self, he was telling people in the bank" Let's see how long she can last at N". Then he called me to tell me that he is very surprised that I joined N and that I can always come back if I change my mind. He thinks I will struggle to get things done at N. Of course, he has to show off in the investment banker style - " they also offered me a lot of $$ but I turned them down!" Upon my further probing, it turns out that there was no real offer at all for him. He was just asked by the big boss to be a part of the team long time ago and he just assumed they will pay him 100% more than what he was earning if he agrees to move! Talking about having a WILD imagination!

The conversation I had with him today just makes me more certain about my decision. I am even more determined to succeed at N now just to prove this stupid yaya papaya wrong!!!

Shopping Spree

I am enjoying "taitaidom" to the fullest in the last 2 weeks, and this includes big shopping sprees at those " cut label" shops. Besides the usual one at Bukit Timah Plaza, my "sun you" ex-colleagues have recommended me a few more shops near raffles place. Luckily I will not be working there in the future! Here are some of my " branded" purchases!

Conversation between Tessa and me

Tessa : Mummy, do you know what is the difference between you and Ah yi ( my sister)?

Me : What?

Tessa : U like big handbags and Ah yi likes smaller handbags. U like branded handbags but Ah yi does not have branded bags!

Me : Then you better be like Ah Yi when you grow up. U can save a lot of money.

Tessa : But then you are setting a bad example!

Oops! You can imagine the guilty look n my face but I still tried to" redeem" myself

Me : Well if you like branded bags, then you need to work hard like mummy and earn enough to pay for the bags. You cannot expect people to buy them for you.

Little did she know that she is going to inherit a BIG collection of bags when she grows up....

Love Melody

This is the other art piece that we bought... also from French Artist Karen Hall..

Greatest Joy

I fell in love with this art piece by French Artist Karen Hall at Moni Gallery yesterday. Needless to say, I bought it without knowing where to hang it. U all can imagine the look on my hubby's face haha!

Life of a Taitai

I have always thought I will be bored being a taitai but I am definitely wrong. This is much better than I imagine!! Here is a typical day for me so far...

Morning

Wakes at at 6.30 am to walk Jacob to school.

Have breakfast at Macs or KFC at Novena square

Go for yoga or dance class at True Yoga at Pacific plaza

Noon

Meet up with friends and ex colleagues for lunch

Go for massage at True Spa

Shopping - clothes, shoes, furniture, painting.... so much to buy!!

Evening

Pick up kids from grandparents's place

Go through Tessa's school work

Watch 9pm show together with the family

Do research for our holiday in France or on properties after the kids sleep

Not bad right?? So much more fun to be stressing over holiday destinations! I better enjoy this to the fullest before I return to reality in 2 month's time!

I have resigned!

After 3 weeks, this stressful episode in my life came to a close today.

There were a lot of hugs and well wishes today but surprisingly I was able to keep my emotions in control.

Instead it was the emails that came through afterwards that brought tears to my eyes. Here is one of my favourite :-

"You are someone I look up to from my early days with the Bank and I will definitely miss you - your laughter, your positivity, your leadership, your genuine kindness and the love you had for people.. something that is so hard to come by in the bank these days.

I still remember the advice you gave me last year when I was at crossroads myself - to pray about it and ask God for wisdom and guidance. I believe whole heartedly that you have done the same and that it was His decision to lead you somewhere else. It must not have been an easy decision to make but trust in Him and I am sure you will continue to shine for the Lord at your new workplace.

Eileen, I wish you all the very best and may God's blessings be with you every step of the way. I really hope our paths cross again because I feel that I have so much to learn from you. You have been a such a great blessing to me."