Reunion dinner with 425 FS

Every year, the 425 Fighter Squadron (that's what we call the whole of Singapore Airforce in Luke AFB) would organize a reunion dinner for the crew and families. This year, we had it at Great Wall Restaurant, a very popular Chinese restaurant in the West Valley (meaning the west side of Phoenix). We had the usual 8 course dinner with games to pass time. Dinner ended at around 10pm.

Food was alright... the usual fare. Crispy Chicken, Roast Duck, Vege & Mushroon, Fish, Fried noodlesI did like the lobster salad very much (lobster pieces with fruits and mayonnaise). The missing dish was Yu Sang, which we had last year. Although I can't have the raw fish, but it's the fun of "loh hei". I guess for the airforce, they can't "loh hei" too much... heheheehe... cos that will mean more work for them in the coming year. I'll try to find if there's any Yu Sang for sale in the asian grocery.

We had games like, clipping peanuts on a person's skin... the most number of peanuts that stayed on wins!! We also had the usual raffles draw and guess the number of "kuah chi" in a bowl. They guys actually had Mahjong and Texas Holdem (a kind of poker game) competition earlier in the morning. Paul enrolled himself in the Texas Holdem game... sadly didn't make it to top 3... will get him to practice more for next year. Hahahahahahaa.....

GONG HEI FATT CHOY

CNY cookies

PINEAPPLE TARTS... yum yum.... was lazy to do the original pattern (the only 2 on the right), so we invented a new pattern on our own.











KUEH BANGKIT...my favourite. Have eaten this since I was born...would eat both raw and cooked dough...hmmmm.....Hard work though... with all the kneading. Was also lazy to make my "trademark" pattern... so, just use cookie cutter.

* Thanks to Felicia for doing all the hard work (the working hands are hers!! :O>) My hands were busy taking pictures and eating... ehheehehe

The princess' new wardrobe

Remember our shopping spree last weekend? Here's some photos to get you "oh..ing and ah...ing". Cute clothes from Valerie's wardrobe... One day she's going to surpass the mom in wardrobe size!! Hahahahaha....














The dress on the left is daddy's favourite. All the pinks and flowers! The one on the right is Mommy's favourite, to be worn during winter... with white stockings and cute little suede winter boots!














Thank you Auntie Patience, for your lovely little dress, sweater and bib. Will wear it when I'm back to visit you! :OP















We found a few clothes with Pigs on them!! Can't help it... the whole family has to love pigs. Sharks and ducks are ok too... isn't that cute?


These are clothes that we bought from the garage sales.... seems alot! But I sometimes worry if it'll be enough... can't be washing tiny clothes everyday. Must be enough for atleast a week. And I also worry if I've got all the right kind of clothes.... haiz....

Will see if we can get more from garage sales... adieu.

a click or a crack?

Went to the Chiropractor today. It was an experience. Never been to one before... and didn't really know what they are about. But since the doc for baby referred me to them... I thought I should give it a try. The Chiropractor said that the end of my spinal cord is pushed to an awkward position and therefore putting pressure on some of my nerves. The reason for being so is cos with the baby growing outwards and the weight is causing me to lose my posture. Therefore putting pressure on the spine.

He was trying to "realign" me... was laying on my side... with bottom leg straighten and top leg bended across. And he "pushed" at a certain spot... a couple of times later... I heard a crack... well... not really a crack... sound more like a soft click.

It feels a little better now... not as painful on the right side... but the left is still the same. Anyways... am going back on Mon for the 2nd treatment. I'll have to walk more now... sit less... and have to sit with a right posture, no slouching cos that will put more pressure on the affected area. And when laying down, try to keep the knees up... that will relieve the spine from being "pushed" more.

Ok... that's the queue for me to get off this chair!! Tata...

Pain versus Food

This would be an ideal day to take extra care of your body, daphnie. Do not kid yourself that those back problems will just go away; ditto that pain in your knee. Pick up the phone and make an appointment with a physical therapist. It won't kill you to set aside your ambition and responsibilities for one day

Got this from the Astrologer for 17 Jan 06. Am going to the Chiroprator on Wed, so wish me luck!! Hopefully it'll help relieve me from the back aches and joint pains, especially at my hip and thigh areas.

Today I'll be making pineapple tarts... hhmm.... as the Chinese New Year is coming close... I hope to make more cookies to eat. Buying them is totally not an option here. It is not only expensive but distasteful. Would not pay the price for such an awful taste (at least in my opinion it is awful). So, look out for pictures coming up soon.

PS: Don't worry, I have a friend doing it with me... guess this helps with the boredom and also lightens some load off me.

4 days of buzzing around

Today is Martin Luther King Day...a public holiday honoring the life of civil rights pioner, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jnr. It is observed on the 3rd Monday of January each year and is marked by demonstrations for peace, social justice, and racial & class equality. This is also a national day of volunteer community service.

This is his famous quote..."I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Paul had a 4-day long weekend because of this holiday. Friday was a unofficial military off day and we went shopping at the Base Exchange (BX). It is a store like a mini Metro or John Little. No taxes are applied for the goods bought there, therefore you save about 8% as compared to the retail stores. On top of that, their prices are about 20-25% lower than retail price... and that's only when at normal price. There will be times where their stuff can go down to as low as 50-75% off. Most people would be there every week to see what are on sale. We later went to shop for a router (to link our internet cable to my notebook). It was such a pain tapping people's network... would always disconnect every other minute... and the signal is so low that MSN messenger can never log on. Sigh... so frustrated all the time. Having the notebook there is like not having anything useful at all.

Saturday was a busy day for us. Went to the hospital for a Child Seat safety class. For $25 per couple, we learnt about children's safety in the car, the different car seats suitable for different ages and how to correctly install a car seat. And also, we got a car seat for FREE!! After that, we stop by at a garage sale nearby to look at baby things. The family advertised that they were selling alot of baby stuff. Got a whole bunch of clothings, 50+ pieces for only $10. How cheap is that??!! They also had playards, strollers, baby toys and other knick knacks but we're more interested in the clothings. We'd rather buy new for those other items. We then rushed to see a movie at the base "AEON FLUX". Nice show, amazing techie stuff and sexy actress. Not worth paying for $6.50, but $3.50 is good... hehehehehehhee. Later on, our friends came over to help us out with the notebook and we went out for Baby Back Ribs dinner... yum yum.

Sunday was also a busy day for us. Went to have Indian buffet with friends... pretty good for the price of about $8 per person. Loved their Makhani chicken and their rice pudding dessert... double yum!!! We then proceeded to Anthem (the nearest factory outlet to us... about 45 mins drive) to see if there are any good deals for Valerie's clothing (you say "MORE CLOTHINGS??!!") Well... we think that the garage sale ones are for home use... and the new, cutesy ones are for special occasions and outings... you know, for photo taking. We came home with 2 bags full... spent over $100 for about 12 pieces. Sigh... how expensive a baby can be. And we haven't even bought the huge items yet!!!

Today was a rest day for us... intended it to be at least, but we manage to squeeze in some housework. Vacuumed and mopped the entire house. So, there was an accomplishment! Went out for dinner earlier in the evening and did my grocery marketing at Walmart - Paul's favourite store.

That's the end of our 4-day long weekend... busy and tired out. Hoping to sleep early today... and tomorrow will be another new day! :O)

Hope that you too had a great and eventful weekend too!!

29 weeks...11 more to go

Baby Valerie is 29 weeks old this week. She possibly weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a little over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to accommodate her brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. And she's definitely very active! I seem to feel her move at certain times of the day. In the early mornings, during meal times and when it's time for me to go to bed. The funny thing is when i'm busy walking around/shopping or out & about... she seems to be very quiet.

Sleep is getting lesser and lesser each day... backache is also getting more frequent. And it seems that whenever there is a change in position, whether I stand up from previously sitting or vice versa, there would be a suddent pain at the end of my spine. I guess my big butt is putting pressure on the spot! Haahaahaahaa...........And it seems that my hip joints are no longer able to support my weight. When trying to get out of the car, I need more support to stand up as my hip joints seem to hurt and couldn't stand up on its own immediately. Therefore, I now have to always support myself on the door/side of dashboard and slowly lift myself up/out. Although the hips still hurt everytime, atleast I won't lose my balance and fall back to the seat.

Went for my bi-weekly check-up on Wed and the doc said that I haven't even reach the peak yet!! He said that after 32nd week, I will grow even more rapidly. In fact, it is Valerie who will grow more rapidly! She now only weighs 1/3 of a newborn size, after 32nd week, she will gain the remaining 2/3 in 8 weeks before the due date of 40 weeks. My oh my... guess there's going to be more pain. Thank God that I have a high threshold for pain.

Adios... from Fat mama.

The day I turned 30...

It was just another weekday... Paul was in the afternoon shift, which means he only goes to work at 2.30pm. Was contemplating whether to cook or not. My grandma did ask me not to last night as she felt it was my birthday and I should go out and eat whatever I crave for that day.

Well...there was no craving and I had to wait for the furniture guy to come. As there's no specific time stipulated, they can arrive anytime before 2.30pm. Therefore I will still have to cook if they were to arrive later in the day. Thank goodness they came at about 11am...

We were cracking our brains on what to eat for lunch... didn't want any fancy restaurant food as it was lunch and we didn't have much time to travel too far cos Paul still had to go to work. Then it dawned on me, Rootbeer Float... that's what I would like to have. The nearest one to us was a multibrand store (A&W and KFC sharing a store). Wanted to order the Coney Dog but decided to try KFC instead (I've only had KFC once in US...tried the Popcorn Chicken). Sadly, the Original chicken we had was a disappointment (sorry Celia, atleast I tried, and it was on my bday... hehehe... so very give face already :OP), eventhough it came to us fresh and hot. But after 3 bites... we just didn't felt like having another bite anymore!! We actually ordered a 3pc meal to share (comes with coleslaw, whipped potato & biscuit) and we only ate 1 pc each and finished the rest of the sides. The poor drumstick was left there sitting alone, nobody wants to touch it. Paul & I were discussing about the food... we couldn't figure out why it was so distasteful... cos it was hot and fresh but the taste was just not tempting enough for us to take another bite. We've decided, our No 1 favourite is still POPEYE'S CHICKEN, even if the service sucks!!


In front of the restaurant which we had our lunch.









My Birthday lunch, see the drumstick? Hidden behind the other chicken.












Patricia & Me... Celebrating 2 birthdays at Mimi's Cafe.












Having desserts at Mimi's Cafe... I had Bread pudding.. yummy. We also had Cheesecake, Apple Cinnamon Crisp and Banana Foster Mud Pie. From the front - Susie, Karen, Me, Felicia, Ailin, Jess & Patricia.





Felicia & me at a Sports Bar & Grill makan place before we went for our movie. Watched the 'Memoirs of a Geisha' starring Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li. Pretty good movie.






That's a day in Daphnie's life on her Birthday... nothing exciting, nothing big... but a relaxing day, enjoying friend's company. The only thing I missed on this birthday was, alcohol. Wished I had some Bailey's on the Rocks or Strawberry Margarita... to end this excellent day!

THANKS ALOT FOR THE BIRTHDAY PRESENTS!! THEY WERE ALL VERY THOUGHTFUL AND GENEROUS GIFTS!! LOVED THEM ALL!!

Counting up the numbers

Three Decades Old, The Big 30, No more lose change, A woman's life ends at 30, Women's prime starts at 30, You haven't lived if you're under 30.... the list goes on. So which do you believe in?

I'm definitely a "the cup is half full" kind of person. So turning 30 is only living 1/3 of my life. I intend to live till a ripe full age of 90 (at least) ... so I have a long, long way to go.

Just reflecting upon the past 30 years... well, less than that in fact, coz I can't really remember much before 5 or 6 yrs old. I've had a great life...can't complain. And with Valerie on the way, I think being 30 seems to be more significant. It's easier to remember being a mom at 30 instead of 25 or 28 isn't it? It's a whole number after all!!

Well...just want myself to remember that although today was not filled with big celebrations, major events or dramatic effects; I've lead a normal, happy (as happy as anyone could hope for) and contented life. Some years may be a breeze to pass through and some years may just have a little blockage. Overall... I'm a happily married woman... who is going to be a mom soon. And I'm looking forward to many years of ups & downs with my hubby, my baby gal (and hopefully some more to come)... my families & my friends. That's what makes life interesting!

Contented woman signing off!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

What will this day be like? What will it be filled with? What will I remember about?

Can't wait for it to unfold.

Happy Birthday to me.

Your friendship is much appreciated

This page is dedicated to my friends who helped out during the move.

Without them, we would have died trying. They relieved me (especially me) & Paul, as much as they could, of this nightmarish event. They practically pack & unpack my whole kitchen in a couple of hours, and they got the whole house over in less than half a day!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Finally, we have moved!

Does it take longer to pack or unpack? I've tried both, twice! I feel that unpacking takes longer as we tend to be complacent once we've moved in and start getting comfortable. And the unopened boxes stayed in the same place where it was first moved. I'm trying my best not to let that happen... will be giving ourselves 2 weeks to get everything in it's rightful place, and be ready for Chinese New Year.

The week between Christmas and New Year's was used to ferry our stuff between the old house and the new one. Whenever we drove over to the new place, we'd load as much things as we can and have packed in the car and unload it at the new house. On the 29 Dec (Thu), our rental furnitures were moved over to the new house, and 30 Dec (Fri), our friends came over in the morning to help move the rest of our stuff, which is more than half of what we have.

We spent Sat sleeping in and lazing around. Unpacked a little here and there... but nothing major. Just didn't felt like moving.

On Sun, our friends came by in the afternoon and helped us clean up the old house, before we return the keys to the landlord.

On Mon, cable guy came to fix our internet/cable tv/phone...and finally we're connected to the world once again! The old landlord came by in the afternoon and inspected the house (all was perfect of course, in fact, we left the house cleaner than we first moved in).

All this in less than a week.... what a great success!!

Pressure cooker ready to blow up?

Got this message from my daily astrology readings.

Emotionally, you may feel yourself coming to a dramatic climax in regard to an issue that you take very personally, daphnie. There is a strong force working to stir up your feelings, but this doesn't mean that you have to start spinning out of control. At the same time all of this emotion is building up within you, you will find that there is a solid, grounding force that is helping you keep your feet on the ground. This lifeline is always there for you when you need it, so trust in it.

It is after midnight while I'm writing this entry.... and the issue that I take very personally happened "yesterday" and many other days before this. I have even about it once in Apr. And you might ask "why are you writing it again?" Well, at this perspective from the astrologer, I am coming to a dramatic climax.

Since April, I've been reminding myself not to be petty about the issue and just be big hearted and generous. Well, I fell that I've done enough self-encouragement and it is now time to do some ranting. It is my blog, therefore I can rant whenever and whatever I want to. And in order not to "spin out of control", I'm trying to find my "lifeline".

I'm back to the issue of me always being the proactive and everyone else, well.... are proactive for themselves. I happened to speak to a friend recently about this issue, and I am grateful for her honesty. I asked the same question "Why am I the one always thinking of activities and inviting/asking others if they are interested to join me, and on the contrary, I would not be invited to their outings or parties?" Her answer to me was "Some people are just plain lazy. Would only move when asked to... but will not take initiative"

I first had the impression that "the others" were just not thinking or being proactive about going out or looking for activities to do during the weekend. Oh I am so, so wrong. They do have activities planned, but they just won't tell you about it and not ask you along either. Is it that difficult to say to someone "Hey, I found this interesting place (to eat, to shop, to hang out or whatever), wanna come and check it out? or I'm going for these movies, wanna join us?" When I become too curious, I would sometimes outwardly ask them. Some would just try to ignore the question, others might just give a textbook answer, "got something to do lor".

So, back to the rhetorical question, "What the hell is wrong???!!!" Is it me or is it you? I'm just getting very, very tired.... of always doing the asking and then waiting for a reciprocate. Know what is the meaning of that? From the dictionary, it means:

1. To move back and forth alternately.
2. To give and take something mutually.
3. To make a return for something given or done

So, is that too much to ask? Aren't friendships build on that? Are my expectations of friendship too high for others to follow/reach?

I'm going to leave it just as it is. I know that no matter how much I question... there will never be a honest answer or a satisfying one.