“But the good news is you’re pregnant!”

Yes yes yes!! I am pregnant!

It came as a total surprise for us.
Rewind back 3 months ago, on 8th June 2010.

7th June, Monday
I was getting very bored in the office and decided to surf on pregnancy stuff. Afterall, we have been trying for a baby for almost 9 months, albeit on very irregular basis. Hahaha (do i sound defensive?)
So, I went googled here and wikied there, and landed myself in www.sgmotherhood.com forum. It was really informative. I myself am also not sure why I will surf such info on a Monday, but I am putting it down to Mother’s instincts. I mean, I can always Facebook or start some silly Farmville, right?

As the day was about to end, I decided to apply for leave on Tuesday.
And so, on Monday night, I went for my usual drinks. After a few rounds of beer at the usual haunts, I went home, had a good sleep all the way till late Tuesday morning. I still remember I bought supper home to eat.

When I woke up on Tue morning, I actually planned to just laze around or go shopping. But for some reason, I decided to make a trip down to the nearest gynecologist. I went online and surf and make an appointment with Dr Woo Bit Hwa of Thomson Medical Centre. His clinic is located at Tiong Bahru Plaza, Central Plaza and he was highly recommended by many mummies in the forum.

It also so happened that Greg took leave that day as well. He was not feeling too well and called in MC on that very morning. Hence, it was a perfect day for us both to see the gynae.

And so, on 8th June, both of us went into the clinic with a blurry eye and explained to Dr Woo our “problem”. I told him about my irregular cycles and we were planning for one. The idea was for him to prescribe some medication that can help regulate my cycle, (hopefully) making baby-making a easier process.

He asked me some basic questions about my last cycle date. It was on 25th April. In fact, according to my iphone app, my menses was supposed to start 2nd June. So, I was 6 days late. But I thought nothing much of it since I am usually late.

Then, Dr Woo directed me to the scan machine. I was supposed to lie on the bed and he will do the scan. Dearest Greg, of all times, then left the room as he was going to see the GP, which was sharing the same clinic Dr Woo.
The nurse even asked me why he don’t want to stay to see and I kinda replied, “cause I think there’s nothing much to see.” (I wasn't expecting anything!)

It was my first experience doing this whole ultrasound scan and it was kinda cute.
Dr Woo smeared some KY jelly over my lower abdomen area and the scanning started. I was starting to feel ticklish and I kept giggling to myself.

Dr Woo then said…:” Hmmm, you bladder doesn’t seem very full ..”
I said sheepishly, “ Erm yes, I went to the ladies just now.” (I was supposed to have a full bladder)
Dr Woo: “ But the good news is…You’re PREGNANT!”
Me: “OMG!” Are you sure?”
Me: “Oh shit! I just drank and smoke yesterday!”
Me: “Are you sure, are you sure?” “OH! Is it that little black dot here?” “That’s my baby?” (pointing to the sac)
I think I was caught with surprise and was blabbing all the way. However, I do think that on some days, I was having the slightest thought that I might just be preggies!
Sometimes, I was also imagining my reaction at the gynae upon hearing the positive news.

And so, yes! I am PREGNANT. It’s a big fat positive!

Wellies!!

Recently, the weather here have gone a little bit bonkers.

Just around one month back, we were faced with scorching heat from the glaring sun and very bad humidity levels.

However, recently there has been a spate of heavy downpour, occasionally accompanied by gusty winds.
It created serious flash floods around us and if you happen to be trapped in one of those places, good luck to you.

So i guess, is it a good time to invest in one of these pair of wellington boots? They look good worn with a simple tee and jeans tucked in and help to keep us dry in those wild wet days!!

At least, your shoes will not be soaking wet walking down Orchard Road on a rainy day again.
:P:P

Purvis Street (Yhingthai Palace)

Not many people know where exactly Purvis Street is.

Well, this street is a small lane, with good restaurants and eateries lined up on both sides of the lane.

The first restaurant to see once you enter Purvis street by foot will be Yhingthai Palace. He used to work here many years ago, while doing part-time. This Thai restaurant packs some really good authentic Thai food. Victor, the boss's son aka Xiao Towkay is our long-time friend and dining at their restaurant is always a good catch-up session.

After Yhingtai (Thai food), you will find Italian, French and some chinese restaurants down the same side of the lane. There is the famous Garibaldi Italian Restaurant. If you love beef noodles, then you got to walk down a little bit more to try the famous Hock Lam Street beef noodles. This outlet is the original store and i love the old-school feel about it.

Talking about old-school, ahhhh....the most retro one can ever find will be Yet Con. The floor titles are 70s mosaic style, and the whole interior is really 70s style. No fancy furnishings, but their Hainanese steamboat is enough to rock your day!
Another thai eatery at Purvis is also First Thai, which is a cosy cafe style that serves very decent thai dishes.

At the other side of the lane, you will find the long-time favourite Hainanese Zhi-char coffeehouse, Chin Chin Eating House. This place serves really good chicken rice, Hainanese pork chops and other zhichar dishes. Prices are very reasonable as well! Used to be one of our favourite haunts when we were dating back then. Joewe and Dajie once ate there with me and we ordered a whole hell lot of food!

The last eatery we liked much is Shinroyku Yakitori Jap Resturant.
It is a small outfit and is real popular, so reservations are a must if you do not wish to be disappointed. They serve pretty decent sashimi. However, they are most famous for their charcoal-grilled yakitori.

Back those dating days, we frequent Purvis street a lot as it was directly opposite Bras Basah Complex (his parent's place). We can be so spoilt for dinner choices every weekend.
Now that I revisit Purvis Street last sat, it brings back so much of those memories. The pool places that we visit around the corner, the ktv pubs for us to go crooning away on sat nights..and of course, the foodie places we loved.
Its just a small street but its packed with huge action.

Shall end my post here with some pictures of the food we ate at Yhingtai.
Bro keith and Dasao joined us so the portions are for 4!
This post is making me hungry!!

Book Review: The Monk who sold his Ferrari

I think twice about picking up this book initally because i felt that the title was a little 做作。

But it proved me wrong.

As the book cover says, it is a spiritual fable about fulfiling your dreams and reaching your destination.
The story kickstarts with the life of a high-profile lawyer, who one day, collsape in the courtroom due to overwork and the highly stresses of life. He then decides to take a hiatus and go on a spiritual trip to Himalayas to look for the Sages to seek for a purpose in life.

Then upon meeting the Sages, they presented him with some images that talks about the wisdom of life. Behind every image is some simple truth that we have been finding it so difficult to grapple with.

1. The Garden.
The first image was a garden. A beautiful lovely garden. Well-kept and maintaned. This garden represents our MIND.
Just like how the gardener takes care of a lovely garden, we have to take care of our mind by nuturing it. The first basic step is to only let positive thoughts flow through the mind. Easy? It seems easy but the challenge comes when one is in times of adversity, negative thoughts rampaged the mind very fast, just like how the weeds grow and grow in a unkempt garden.
I guess this is something similar to why we usually find it easier to complain and criticise than to give thanks and feel content.
Therefore, every single time you realise you are thinking of negativity, switch back fast enough. The author says do not give in to negative thoughts at all, not even for a milli-second. It manifest by itself and before you know it, everything just spirals downwards.
So therefore, nuture the mind. Let positive thoughts flow. Master this step well, and you might won half the battle.

2. The Lighthouse
This signifies our purpose of life. Because life is finite, it is important to concentrate on the purpose in life. Find something you love, and do it with love and passion. He teaches on the a "21 day magic rule". If you want to develop a good habit, do it continously for 21 days non-stop. Once you make it past 21 days, you realise it has become a daily routine.
Sketch down your life's goals into different sections and create a timeline for each one. For e.g: Family, Health, Career, Money. Have a specific goal (to have X amount of $ by 30 years old). Read it VERY OFTEN.


3. The Sumo Wrestler
This image represents KAIZEN.
Kaizen means the never ending and daily improvement of oneself. It is pushing the boundaries over and over again to strengthen and develop the mind, body and spirit in times of fear and adversity.


There are a few more good theories so I guess its time for me to end this post here and leave the rest to you to read it up. Go get the book today! Its GSS and major bookstores are having real good deals!!

Giselle

13th March 2010 was a different Saturday for Gregda..

Because.....we went for a BALLET performance ! Yes, ballet...classical ballet.
Hahaha...well, he was dragged by me.. so no choice.

We watched Giselle by SDT , at Victoria Theatre.

We did enjoy the performance and even went to Boat Quay for supper thereafter...Ate the Thai steamboat at Boat Quay thai resturant, Tom Yum Kungfu.

Although the sound system and seating is nowhere near Esplanade's, I think Victoria Theatre has this mystical old world charm about it... white-washed building in colonial style.

Our all time fav activity

I never knew how difficult it is to say sorry until yesterday.

I can't seem to string up the 5 letters into this magic word.

But, in the end, I said it.

虽然我是多么的不愿意，虽然我是多么的不想说，在最后，我还是说了。
因为自私的想法对大家没有好处。
因为我的的确确是因该。

I thank God for giving me the courage to press the Send button, I thank Him for leading me to the "right" place, where I need to go.
Although I had a million misgivings, I guess I cannot be so 孩子气 anymore. As what you often say, "the world doesn't revolve around me."

Deep inside, I know... I know that my sorry is for the sake of saying sorry. Not that I don't feel sorry, but I do not want to say to them.
Up till this very day, I am still bothered and upset over the way they do things or the way they talk. Yes I admit...over the years, I have accumulated too much dislike that it's too thick to erase now.

I know and I agree that they are harmless people. But, I cannot register the way they do things and their ideas at times. And because I cannot tell them off upfront, all the displeasure and hard feelings build up. Yes, there are times when I talked about it but it often leads to more arguments because you will never understand.
I know its hard on you.. But end of the day, things are not going anywhere.

Yes I know.. I do not need to think too much about it. Just ignore them. Just nod my head and move on. Blah blah blah...
I guess we are all different people so do not expect me to react the same way you do.
Of course, I can only pray about it.. pray for the strength to overcome those negative feelings. pray for the strength to take things easier.
try to stay calm...and look at the other side. try to be in THEIR shoes.

Yes, I will and I should be able to.