NDP Preview 09

We went to the National Day Parade Preview on 4th July.

I'm not keen on the event, but Coco loves it - she's been to NDP Previews at least 3 times I think. And I do want to be involved in what she likes, and so off we went.

The only things that were good about the whole thing were the fireworks and the drinks in the goody bags, for me that is. Of course it's not boring. Quite enjoyable for a bore like me in fact.

Vanessa Lopez as one of the emcees From where we were sitting on the Float ... the IR in construction

The usual - National Anthem

I was more keen on taking a pic of Coco and me ...

The ever-changing stage

The big-ball-rolling-down-the-audience Ritual

Fireworks start ...

The last burst of fireworks fading in the sky

After the Show, we headed to Marina Square in search of our dinner. My mother was so hungry she settled for the first thing she saw, Secret Recipe.

My third sister ordered an Irish Lamb Stew, and it was heavenly. The lamb was tender, not chewy or hard like most lambs are. The whipped potato isn't fantastic though. But for the sake of the lamb, I will definitely go for this dish if I ever visit Secret Recipe again. And I have a feeling that I will.

Coco's Fish and Chips

My mother's Tom Yam Noodles. Quite awful, according to her, and my sister seconded it.

My Mushroom Cream Soup. Well, what do you expect for a woman who's on diet, except for a few pinches of the lamb?

And the little girl went home, tired but happy - a cliche line overly used by primary school students.

She looked like she was leaning on the man's shoulder, but she wasn't, really. We just thought it looked funny and clicked on it.

Review on Coach Items, Baby's Competition Status & A Visit to the Great Gramps

It's been quite some weeks huh. I meant to blog frequently, but alas, I have been busy with work, Baby and Coco.

On the Coach bags, I got them. Very happy with the wristlet. Very convenient, but abit large I thought for something that's meant to be on the wrist, as suggested by its very name.

Kinda disappointed with the bag though. The strap is very short. I'm not sure it's for hand-carry or shoulder-carry, but I prefer shoulder-carrying bags, so the bag isn't quite perfect for me.

So far, I've been using the wristlet on a constant basis and it's very handy. Can put most of my things ie. handphone, tissue, my small thai purse, keys, lipstick and cards. Of course I make sure it won't rain on the day I use it.

As for Baby's photos I sent for the pettiskirt competition, she got the 3rd prize - a petti top. The online shop owners probably felt that my baby needs a top since she's topless in the pics.

She is on their gallery too!

But the prize was taken by her big sister since Baby doesn't know anything about the competition or what she'd won and her sister wanted a petti top.

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I visited his grandparents with Baby and Coco last Monday evening.

They were delighted to hold Baby. The grandmother said that she looked like William when William was a baby. I was worried when I heard that, but tried not to show.

The visit turned out to be a complaining session on their grandson. And as usual, I uncovered more 'William lies' from them and they from me. It's abit incredible but I'm totally stoic. I don't even feel hurt that he's been lying through his teeth. Or perhaps I already know he is a habitual and compulsive liar and I'm totally used to it.

I took a few pics of them with Baby. I think they were pleasantly surprised to know that I brought along a camera.

They are each in their 90s and 80s. The grandmother fractured her hips but decided not to go for an op to insert some steel into her hips as she feels she's already so old and there's no need for that.

I've blown the first two pics up to S8R and framed them up.

I just hope I can give them to these loving great grandparents real soon.

Baby at 8.5 month

I borrowed a Nikon D200 from a colleague to take these pictures.

Very cute of her in the pettiskirt, and the huge flower headbands of course.

I took the pics just last night to do a last minute entering of a pettiskirt competition actually.

Just feel like splurging on myself a little

I've paid for two Coach items to two different sellers on the internet.

One is a capacity wristlet that I've wanted for quite some time, but conscience and Chujuan was telling me that I shouldn't get it since I'm a mother and supporting a kid. But I decided that I've worked so hard, and I certainly should deserve abit of luxury. So yeah, I went ahead and bought what I liked.

COACH HAMPTON SIGNATURE TOTE CAPACITY WRISTLET (KHAKI/MAHOGANY)STYLE 41182

The other one is this:

42384, HERITAGE STRIPE TOP HANDLE POUCH (LIGHT KHAKI/PINK)

Both items are scheduled to arrive on 6th July.

Actually, I find Kate Spade bags understated and subtle.

I kinda like this bag:

DOT NOEL HENRY STEVIE (STUCCO)

But I really don't know when I'll use the bags, except for the wristlet.

A few bags are already sitting in the wardrobe, protected from dust though since they are always in the cupboard.

And I only realised I got many shoes when I was clearing out the 'rubbish' in the shoe cabinet just the other day! The worse thing is, two pairs are almost duplicate of each other!

The 7 Keys To Living A Passionate Life

Stumbled on this article by Janet Attwood and like it very much.

Reminds me of 'The Secret'. It talks about power of attracting what you want.

We always thought that it's difficult to pursue our passion, but the article says that persistence is not hard when you're living life aligned to your passion.

When undecided, make decisions or take up the opportunities based on your passion.

Our commitments should align with our passion.

It makes me think about how I pursue my degree. That was what I really wanted. And I aligned everything with it. My commitments, my decisions, my priority ...

When I had an assignment to complete, or exam to study for, I would place Coco at my parents' place for days. I would miss her so much, and called her just to listen and talk to her. I would cry missing her, but I knew I had to do this well. And the bottomline of it all was for the betterment of our lives - hers and mine.

I think about my passions.

A prophetess - how far away I am from this passion. It was a passion I had when I was a young teenager. Will I ever fulfil this teenage ambition of mine?

A Masters - I am still thinking about how I can get around doing it, with the commitment of a kid, my parents and myself.

Helping the children - with my number of commitments, is there a way for me to get down to this, one day?

Isn't it ironical? And I was talking about how much I like that article.

Or does my real passion lie in giving Coco a better life?