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.

11.75 of 12 Months of 2017

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. For a change, I am writing this right from the start.

As opposed to last months, I didnt fetch Baby M until the last day, so Friday the 1st went on with getting her up and ready, off to school, then I rushed to my mom's for her therapy appointment at NUH, then had went off to pay some installments, head home, cook and think about sewing. That day, I cant stop myself from thinking about how life would be if I dont have to work. It is not really about the amt of time I get to rest, After almost a year of Friday offs, I do know that rest is very far fetched. My day is filled with things to do and time run by too quickly, but.. I still want to just not work anymore.

Most of my Fridays are filled with greatness of accomplishments. Although small, it is beneficial. I cook, and feed. I wash and clean. I get to accompany my mom for the appointments. I get to relax a little sending Baby M to school. No rest, yes.. But I accomplish so much without rushing all the time. Everyday I spend time trying to cut down my financial commitments. Everyday I try find a solution so some of those commitments can be passed off to somebody else.

And everyday, I struggle not because it is not possible, but because my dearest no-risk husband is just not confident enough to let it happen. I just need a few months or a year max of no work. I just need the break... We didn't discuss so much about since the last one.

2nd came and my sisters decide to drop by and have some ladies' day. So I went out with them to vivo after they drop by for lunch. I had a good time. It has been like forever since we do this, and we truly would deserve this no less. Of course I cooked before I leave with them. Got home finish off my laundry and rest.

3rd is a little solemn, my husband went for his usual cycle, and I and Baby M is home, I spend a good hour or two taping the patterns i signed up to test up, cut fabric, and attempt to sew as husband appears at the door. Obviously, that got on halt, as we decide to go out early to the wedding invitation because Baby M's Mama is coming to fetch her this afternoon.

We then decide to go to my mom's after sending Baby M off, then to his parents'. Then home sweet home, with me feeling horrible because monday is approaching and I am still working.

4th is here, in the office, wishing hard.. wishing and praying so hard, that one day my affairs will be at ease and I can quit and be home...

All the weekdays that followed after the 4th seemed super long without Baby M. She didnt go to school that whole week, being down with fever and all. I fetched her on Thursday night 7th December. We stayed home whole of Friday hoping to feel better.

We went to my in laws on 8th, and visited my dad on 9th, then we went to attend a wedding, and we were out the whole Sunday with my family, full squad minus Naad & Uncle Daddy.

For Pusara Aman to Admiralty Park Playground...

Shahril rode the bicycle for the first time too! He did amazingly well and right the first time! So proud of him! Thanks Obike for making it possible! :) But too many bikes were spoilt there. Loose chains, half handle bars, lost seats, etc. Similar case with OFO....

And we had to send Baby M to her mama that night, and all returned all quiet....

Once again my weekdays are here, and it will be long and quiet...

I got sick, but I have exceed my MC and leave, so I had no choice but to hang on till the new year.

Weekdays were tough, but when you have a baby to look forward to, I guess one can bear it a little better. We picked her up on Wednesday and enjoy some Sliced Fish Soup from Seah Im Food Centre. It is the nicest ever, the fish stock was solid! I think it is the brother to Taksin Beef Noodle shop, because they have the same bowl and everything.

I send her off to school on Thursday with much excitement from the other kids, afterall she hasn't been to school for more than a week. Paid her school fees using the CDA card her mom hand to me. Got home to a very sick husband, fever running high. He feeling all cold, took out every jacket he can find, put on socks and had terrible sleep, waking me up every few hours.

Friday came early for me, I was startled at 1am by the sick husband and couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up did my laundry, ate whatever I had left because I got hungry. For the first time, my dory soup finished before the sun came up the next day. I lied down on my bed, watching my baby, trying to fall asleep, and just as I was about to, all alarm went off. But I guess Friday was better, because she woke up, and asked for breakfast at home, so I made her cereals, gave her meds, and we got to school. I went home to my sick husband, cook him lunch, and went to my mom's to accompany her for her eye check up at Jurong Medical. We got to Clementi just in time for heavy rain to pour, so I was stucked until the weather calm down to pick Baby M up from school, head home, and out again to Decathlon. I have no idea where I got all the energy to be up and running from 1am to 10pm that day.

Someone enjoy testing all kinds of camping equipment while we were there...

Baby slept on the way back and refused the diaper, so I nervously went on with it. We woke up dry. But I had to pay back all the sleep I lost on Friday, so I slept in with my baby while my husband got ready to work. I finally broke up with the bed at 9+. I cut some fabric, sew some leggings (because I am too lazy to wash and wait for laundry to be dry. I rather sew a new one. And so I did. Baby woke up at almost 10am, I asked if she knew she slept diaperless, and asked if she wants to go to the toilet. Of which she replied with a shocked face

"M tk pakai pampers, sleep?" I laughed and said yes, and Mak is proud of you! She smiled and said she wants to take the shower, and that we did.

She got rice and soup for breakfast, and cereals, and bread. Oh yes she got appetite! Me and her, we just laze our Saturday, chasing away my potential fever from all the rain I caught while on the way to pick her up from school, and from her school to the MRT. She was dry, thanks to the raincoat.

So we just lay down and watch a lot of Netflix, enjoying each other's cuddles. She ate a lot of bread and cereals, and rice and everything. Husband got home to sleeping beauties, who promptly got up when he stepped in. I almost forgot about my takoyaki order from Cutiepatch Kitchen! Did I tell you she is just a block away? So convenient to self collect!

I watched Walt before Mickey and I felt so inspired after. I will write a separate entry on this one - I think it deserves an entry on its own for all the inspiration it had given me.

I didn't attend the get-together at his cousins, because I am just not up for it. Being at the verge of falling sick, makes me vulnerable and tired and just not eager to step out of the house. Glad he let me stay home. Baby switched all the lights, brought out our blanket and said we are watching movie. I call it bedtime at 10pm, and we were gone in like under 10minutes.

Sunday came, husband went out being an early riser and all, while we - once again slept in. Day 2 of being diaperless and waking up dry. So proud of my soon to be 4yr old! I woke up and tried to finish up the Takoyaki, and before I knew it, it is time to get ready and go out - again!

We have 3 weddings to attend, we decide to forgo one. There was no train service between CCK to Jrg East to like Outram - I think. So we relied on shuttle services and met Mama H, Abg and Hamtaro at Jurong East to go attend the wedding together. We then head different directions, my sister and the kids went back to mom's and we went to another wedding and to my inlaws, before heading to my mom's.

That pretty much sums up my weekend and Day 3 of Baby going fully diaperless. I know she did extremely well when she woke me up at 3am to use the toilet, sat on the toilet bowl, urinated, washed, flushed and washed her hands, all under my guidance and careful sleepy eyes, and she climbed back to bed and throw her hands around my neck when I lie down next to her.

I send her to school today and told her that her mama will be fetching her after school and that we will meet again on Wednesday (big hope). Just like that I feel like my days will be long until Wednesday come.

Welcome to 3rd week of December.. Just the third week. One more week to Christmas, and another short run-away from home weekend. Our anniversary is coming, then Christmas, then New Year.. So, what have I achieved this year? Other than training Baby M for a full potty trained, and diaperless, I have nothing much to say. I exceeded my MC, my leave, my health, my budget.. Business wise, I got into embroidery, and that brought a lot of life into my business. Alhamdulillah.

I still secretly wish I have 20hrs a day to sew or embroider, to unleash my creative side, to create new things, and find that special niche to represent my brand. To find that one product that everyone will know it is mine, to find that one creation that will flourish my business and bring it to new heights. I know it will take time, and of the 504 days since I registered my business (2nd August 2016), I have learnt a lot, of the things I like to do versus the things my customers wants to buy. They are usually very different products. Of how many hours I would like to work on a certain product versus how many hours it took to put the product together from scratch, most of the time eat into my family and personal time. I am continuously thinking - even in my sleep - on how to make a product better, if it should be improvised, left as is or just forget about it, of how I should market my business (which doesn't happen a lot because after all the hours I have done working on my products, I am just left so tired), of how and when I should take my business more seriously and give it the time and effort it needs to rise up. However nicely I want to put it as, Sg is expensive and we need to still bring money into the bank so we can get food on the table and pay the bills. The neverending bills.

I think I will just end it here, and let it be up. I will post another entry for my anniversary week right through the new year eve.

Have a great advanced happy holidays everyone!

Until the next entry,
Jun

Wassalam