Last of 2017 - 12 Months of 2017

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I guess December is the only month I feel deserves a break, so this is week 3-End of 2017...

Celebrate Love

It is my 5th year anniversary. Can you believe it? Our first five years passed us by, not a bed of roses, but it brought us to where we are today. We got our own names on our own flat, we got by with our duties and responsibilities, got into fights, understood (or try to understand) each other a little better than yesterday, and many other things we go through as husband and wife.

I guess I truly get to know him when we live together in our own house, his habits, his initiatives, and cleaning habits (if any). It is not a bed of roses, I told you already, yeah. Bear with me.

Well, as we celebrate our love today. We begin with sending Baby M to school and start our little private adventure.

We took the bus to Ang Mo Kio after sending her to school, had breakfast at Coffee Bean then went to Orchard to just walk around. Stopped at Maki-san to have our sushi fix. Husband did his Friday prayers at Al-Falah, while I walk around Paragon like a little lost girl. He joined me after he was done, and we walked to Far East Plaza to have our lunch at Cahaya. And just like that, we spend our anniversary walking around, and it is already time to fetch Baby M. We cycled to her school using the bike sharing. Me on Obike and he on Mobike.

We got home, get changed and head down to a baby shower, met mom there. To find ourselves super hungry, so we left before they served us food.

Just us while we were less hungry

Before she spill the cup of drink all over her. 

Mom going home, and us to stop near our place for dinner then to the movies to watch "The Last Jedi".

This tissue cum pouch is so helpful when I have my hands full.

Before the theater is open for us to sit in, we had our little private time.

I am not a Starwars fan, but the movie is pretty good. I fell asleep for abit at the start though. Baby M slept midway right till the end.

We got home at 4.30! And had planned for a long long day the next day, we are crazy much!

So Saturday came, and our little adventure begin. We initially wanted to leave in the morning, but since we got home at 4.30am, we decide to leave a little later. We head down to Seah Im, had my yummy Sliced Fish Soup (again!) and off we went to Sentosa!

We took the Monorail. If you have an Ezlink, just tap your way in, it will deduct $4 from your card.

I always like the view while on the monorail watching and wishing we can go on a cruise some day.

We went to Adventure Cove, my husband got 2 tickets from his company to spend family day. We didnt take any slide or rides since Baby M is with us, so we just lay in the provided floats through the lazy tunnel. Enjoy the wave area, and spend a few hours in the baby pool so Baby M can play while we lay/sit near her. We got ourselves some pre-dinner with the meal voucher, and then head down to..... here comes.... Another Staycation!

After a few hours in the water. A good sunscreen helps protect the skin, so remember to use one! 

She wants this picture taken. Oh how fast you grew.

We head down to Mama H's at Siloso Beach Resort, she booked 2 rooms.. And we were too tired to head home, so we stayed over with whatever clothes we have.

The view out our window.

Siloso Beach Resort is just literally a few steps away from the Siloso Beach. A nice place to just relax, really.

Husband and I head home to get all our stuffs for our actual event. And while we were away, Baby M had her walk around the island with my nieces and a beauty nap.

We booked the Costa Sands Resort as we wanted to BBQ, so off we hustle to get our stuffs and more clothes. Ummi Yam and the kids headed down to SBR to join Mama H and my mom.

We got these to BBQ!

We got a cab to drive us down to Costa Sands, to put all our stuff there. Since we can only start BBQ at 5pm, we head off to SBR again (it is just next to each other.. so convenient!). And head back to CSR with mom and begin our little BBQ.

Yeay! Siloso Beach Resort is just next to Costa Sands Resort!

We didn't know there are shuttle service provided to Costa Sands from Harbourfront, we would have taken the shuttle service.

At the reception to check in. 

We went to our Hut - yes, we picked a little small hut, and get to pick our BBQ Pit.

Right.. the Hut.

Yes, that is all there is in our little Hut.

So yes, we picked the Kampung Hut blindly. The room is just that in picture. small little maybe 1x2m space, 2 bunk beds on 2 walls, a small ledge table, and mini cupboard on the 3rd wall. There are A/C, but no TV, no kettle.. So I guess it is a great place to camp, really.

As we walked back to Siloso Beach Resort, we decided to explore the Roof Top Garden and found these greens!

Nicely arranged, with all the information abt the plants on the fence (I didnt take a pic of it, too busy reading up!)

And you can buy them if you want! 

Their swimming pool uses the natural spring water. And they have this waterfall feature, which is very calming.

The view, oh yes! They have slides in their pool, great for kids!

We had fun that night BBQ-ing.

The pit

Just us in that area!

Like everything else, let's have a briefing first. 

After all the fun, we head back to Mama H's rooms shower and initially planned to have a night walk, and ended up walking in our sweet dreams.

So we make up with some swimming.

I am happy that Baby M is enjoying my nephew's company, and is always copying him and that he actually enjoys that. LOL!

And after a short swimming session, we decide for some beach fun.

Still sticking to a brother like a leech..

And then there's us. :)

Everything fun comes to an end, eventually.. So we head home after a long super fun weekend...

Finally, some home cooked food, by me for the husband and Baby M!

Now, the final weekend, the weekend we are bidding 2017 goodbye.. We havent made plans yet, so we are not sure how we will bid the year goodbye.

And as always, let's do a little reflection of the year and make some goals for the future..

In 2017, living in my own house, without my dad, having my mom on some weekends, having Baby M with me most of the weekend and beyond, I sometimes, or rather often, lose sight of what I had achieved, or want to achieve. I don't know what I have done, what I should have done or what I would have done.

I spend a little too much this year, spending my money on staycations, vacations, among many other fun things in which I created memories that will remain with me, as unnecessary as they may sound, I learn to believe that in giving my family my time and money, in the name of good intentions and time to bond with each other, I will get better greater things. I learn to seek opinion, and consider them. I learn to accept my shortcomings, and other people's strengths to help me. I learn to trust people around me, whom I knew had the best interest for me. I learn to let people talk, and not defend myself with trust and faith that the truth will surface, people will know sooner or later, people will learn themselves. I learn when not to care, when to stick my nose in the life of the people I love, and when to just sit back and just watch. I learn people react differently, we cannot demand that they react the same way as we do. We cannot expect them to think and act like we do, everyone is different, and they are made different for a reason.

I didn't perform at work, I acknowledged that and people see that I am not working towards making it better too. I decided to give this part a rest next year, and in that decision I discovered, I actually have many financial commitments that I need to delegate if I truly want to do that. I know not what the future holds, but I have to think and plan a little and trust God more. He knows me, He knows what I need, He knows how I will learn, and He knows everything. May all of us have smoother journeys, and may we sail the boat to the destination He knows best for us.

For 2018, I wish to be healthier. I wish to have more time to do what I truly love, that brings in the moolah to spend on my family and enough time to spend with the same family. To continue ignoring what others have to say about me, for as long as my conscience is clear, and my intentions remain positive on the good side. May those who have wronged me continue to feel guilty and always afraid of their own shadows, and those who envy me receive more happiness so they forget me some day, those who is constantly racing with me in the bad light find someone else who is on their par so I am free to be much better than myself. May I have all the time and energy for the Almighty above everything else. And may I find happiness that makes myself and everyone around me happy.

I didnt get to fetch Baby M this weekend, the last weekend of 2017. Her grands wanna have her for the weekend, so it's ok. We will have her next weekend, hopefully, insyaAllah.

I accompanied my mom for the therapy appointment on Friday and my niece tag us along. I learn a few techniques to help my mom's joint at her knee to ease some pain. Alhamdulillah.

The whole of Saturday was gloomy really. I worked on some bulk orders, and made a large drawstring that could fit a helmet bag. We went to Vivo to get my husband's CareEach step tracker exchanged, then went down to Baghdad Street to say hi to some sewist/crafters who has a pop up stall there. Grabbed my first Overrun Chendol. Then head down to Route 12 to try their Sotong Deluxe Nasi Lemak.

Sunday is just as gloomy with rain greeting us most of the day. Our plans to cycle and watch fireworks may not happen at all. We will see.

But hey, doesnt matter where we countdown as long as we are with the one who mattered and love, yes. Safe and sound, alhamdulillah.

Here we bid 2017 goodbye, and welcome 2018 with positivity, good hopes and intentions to be a better self.

Until my next post, next year. Happy Holiday everyone!

Jun

Wassalam.

Staycation Review - Le Meredien, Sentosa

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I know and well aware that I've been personal rampage a lot of late, and have been lacking reviews.. So accept this very late and humble review for our staycation stay at Le Meredien Hotel. We went in November 2016! More than 1 year later, this is finally being published!

This is probably my first check in using booking dot com. It was easy and reviews were out there for all to read, so I trust them.

I probably didn't announce this a lot as it was a hush hush birthday surprise from my husband on his birthday. No doubt, I let him choose a hotel from a list of 5 that I personally shortlisted for him so he knows which hotel we will be staying at. What he didnt know is that I had picked the most luxurious room for our stay. Heh..I picked a Heritage Suite.

It is pretty much my first time booking a suite. So it is really exciting to have a walk in bathtub, wardrobe and a separate living area for a room. So, I pretend we are just checking in a normal hotel room, until we stepped in. He was raving about how big the room and is what not, so I spilled it to him, "Of course it has to be spacious.. It is a Heritage Suite"

Heh. We had Baby M with us, so that separate living area which transforms into a sofa bed at sunset (not exactly transforms on its own, the room service lady transformed it for us. Heh!) brings a lot of convenience. As the sofa bed is just a small step up from the floor, it makes sense to have baby M sleep on the sofa bed. And no, she is not left alone, we snuggled in with her after midnight.

Baby M had a great time with a bath tub. She called it her "swimming pool". She spend hours each time she gets to be in there. Playing with bubbles and pretending she is swimming professionally. :p

We managed to walk to Siloso Beach and take a walk along the beach on the sand and have the waves brushing our feet. To swim though is not in my mind when I see the amount of rubbish the waves are sweeping up. Plus the near-drowning incidents, yes, more than once, in that sea, is not convincing me to take a dip either.

So we blew bubbles and let Baby M chase them. We had fun walking aimlessly. We spend a lot of time in the hotel though, as the weather is pretty much gloomy like a big rain is coming anytime. So we just snuggle a lot together.

The breakfast isn't that fancy if you ask me. I mean to have us comparing it with the breakfast we were served when we were at Port Dickson speaks a lot, right?

Anyway, we spend the last few hours of our stay at the pool deck watching people swimming in the pool as Baby M continue her bubble adventure. We then head back to the hotel and start packing. I wish I can stay for another week. I love the room. If only we can do this to our HDB Flat. :p

Enjoy our pictures:

The bathtub!

The main bed (master room)

This is the "living space" where the sofa bed is

More bathtub time

More lazing on huge bed!

Out and about on Sentosa

On the beach enjoying the Sun, Sea & Sand!

And lazing on the sofa bed which the housekeeper came to set up.

Us heading out for our breakfast in matching pants!

What I love about the Le Meredien are:
1) Heritage Suite is huge, with separated living space and privacy for parents with kids
2) Bathtub (it is Baby M's favourite part of the stay)
3) Near the monorail station - making it easy for us to travel to the beach or USS
4) Free access passes - making it a breeze for us get out and back into Sentosa anytime, as many times as you want!
5) Friendly front desk team - we had help from multiple people to get our pram to our room, who assist with directions and even carrying it over stairs and into the lifts. Although expected, not ALL have such great people at our service - no matter how many star hotel it is.

To make a booking, you can use this link and earn 10% cashback upon check out! Dont hesitate to make your booking!

Until our next check in,
Jun

Wassalam

8 of 12 months of 2017

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. Again, I got down to this right when it is the last leg of August.

The birthdays of 2 countries falls in this month. Singapore's 52nd and Malaysia's 60th. I am not so patriotic but Singapore is always home for me. Speaking of which the song "Home" always always makes me tear. It is the only patriotic song that touches my heart, hitting all the right chords. Then the usual patriotic songs like "Stand Up for Singapore" and all the good ol' songs that truly speaks Singapore. Am really old skool like that, I am not is big favour of all the new ones, it just didnt speak to me.

So ya.. I started my August with an appointment with the Gynae for my bad cramps and all. She suspects Endometriosis first after a series of interview questions, did my PAP smear (again) and a few other tests including HPV. I was then scheduled for an ultrasound scan on 29th August, and a full review on 11th September.

My eldest came over with her kids again the first weekend of August, and Marryssa had a good time bullying my niece.. She made her sit, cook at her kitchen station and just that. My niece even got a long lecture when she stood up to talk to me.. Pfft.. Baby M, Baby M, my niece came before you,  you know. she too deserve my time, you know!

A virtual abuse on my niece. Haha.. Poor Kakya, had to wash off some food by Baby M! :p

 On the 9th August, we met up with my friend, his wife and son for a good slow hike at Chestnut, Bt Timah. Let the pictures speak for a bit.

The kids getting tired and seeking refuge with Daddies to carry them. Heh!

Enjoying the greeneries and nature hand in hand.

My friend brought along StingRay Sambal from the BBQ he had the night before. Yummy, I tell ya!

Afterwhich we head for breakfast, home for a good nap and met again to watch some fireworks.

We went for some water fun first. 

And then we changed to someone a little more patriotic clad in red to watch some fireworks.

No pictures of fireworks, because I was too busy watching the crowd and keeping an eye on baby M. :p

11th August is Baby M's sports day which i promptly attended and participated. I tore my jeans from a small fall during the game. LOL! Competitive parents we have! Hahaha. Watching the kids made my day. They all look so cute and lovable! Enjoy as the pictures speaks. :)

I ordered Takoyaki from a neighbour. It is so yummy!! And opted to self collect on a Sunday.
A dedicated review and details of this to follow later on!

After I collected these yummies my sister called to say my mom's knee pain is getting intense and need us to be there to get her to go to the hospital, and if she agree have my husband to help push her on the wheelchair. So to the A&E we went.
High uric acid and low potassium, yup. Gout, again! With her low potassium, potassium drip was required and she struggled with pain.

With that, it ends our 2nd week of August.

I took Monday off to sort my mom out at the hospital. Tuesday came and she is ready to be discharged with a back to back schedule to get her on her feet again. Some medicine she has been taking seem to have caused her potassium to deplete faster than it can be absorbed, so that needs to be looked at.

Soon after, life gets back into routine. I had my mom over to my place and cooked and have some family time. I had quite a lot of Teachers' Day orders streaming in and whilst my mom is around, I took time to complete my eldest niece's order for her mini bolster cover and baby weight pillow for a friend.

3rd week of August, and I wish it can go past fast to meet Saturday for MND's family day at USS. Life is getting really routined, with Baby M scheduled to be with me from Thurs after school right thru Tuesday morning, it will be a little hectic, but I guess it will all be worth it. I hope she enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed her company. Her presence makes our house messy and noisy, but that is exactly what made our house a home filled with memories and laughter. I love you Baby M, so so much!

And so the day came and went! We booked Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa, the only downside to this otherwise wonderful place is the time they took to let us get into our rooms. We reached ard 1pm, I paid and asked for early check-in. Although there were no promised made, I would expect to at least get checked in at 3pm on the dot, but we didnt.. They made us wait and made me approach almost all the front desk staffs for our rooms eveyr 15minutes or so. We only got our rooms at 3.30pm! I find it ridiculous considering it is one of the top notch hotels. I dont know why it took forever to get our rooms ready... Perhaps a later check-out person, but all three rooms? I should have asked for a complimentary late check out or free breakfast, man!

Anyways, I got an offer for you use via this link . Simply make your booking thru that and you will get 10% refund after you check out. Extra cash for shopping after checking out of your stay, why the hell not, right?

And so, we all checked in sans my husband as he was working..

We are at Level 4, so we were greeted by the Skypool before heading in to our rooms.

I had wanted to dip in the pool at night post USS, but as always... pools always don't happen for me.

As I had to rush around, Baby M get some bathtub time with my niece and sister... And she gave me these pictures, pre-USS...

Someone enjoying youtube fun there...

And with Uncle Daddy...

When I got back there with my husband....The Q was crazy!! Glad Baby M got in way ahead of us with my sister, so it is just me and husband enduring this twirling queue which lasted for about an hour (if not more!).

It twirls and twirls, I tell ya! Crazy much!


I met my sister and the rest at the Transformer ride. Obviously, Baby M didnt take that ride.

Oh Baby M is wearing a top that I just tested for Sew Like My Mom (A special dedicated post will be up soon!)

 She asked my niece to take her picture while I was away (I think I went to the ladies, or something)

She is getting excited for the Madagascar ride. "I so excited, but I scared", she said. 

Post-USS

Yep, she knocked out as soon as we left... Poor baby!

And she slept through all night!

She was all ready and happy for another round of bathtub time the moment she woke up!

We then got ready to get our brunch.

And before we knew it, it was already time to check out.

My baby was well asleep even before we stepped out of Sentosa. I guess she was exhausted.

I made this tissue case cum pouch the other day to bring and test this out. It was just as I had envisioned it to be. Convenient and helpful!

I got back to work on these and deliver it the next day.

So yes, we took order for these for Teachers' Day, and Alhamdulillah, we received positive sales. So glad everyone benefit from the orders!

And I also had fun working on this give away that I conducted few weeks ago! Finally got round doing this. I shall do a separate post about the software I used to create this.

Beautifully stitched!

I am proud, and it looks so nice!

I also went for my gynae scan, all came back normal, Alhamdulillah!

I received her portfolio. So proud of her achievements!

On 30th, Baby M did a Tawaf Stimulation and it is just oh so cute to watch her and her friends do it with the ihram and telekungs.. May we all be granted the opportunity to do our Hajj together, Baby M! 

31st, Baby M has no school. So she will be in my trusted niece and nephew's care. Hopefully she will be kind to them before I come back to be with her! 

And with that, we came to the end of August. Fast eh... September will another month filled with my hospital appointments. Hopefully it will all be good with no concern to worry about.

I will be working on three post which I promise above. Hope out soon!

Until then,
Jun

Wassalam