Cheongsam Galore!

We finally met up on Sunday after many failed attempts to do so. BFC, Shades of Pink and I.

They came over to my place to see the new room. BFC brought along 3 cheongsams made in Shanghai for me to use as a teadress, because I mentioned that the bridal shop had really cheena obiang teadresses which I would not be caught dead in!

BFC: Ok, you try. I can't wear them anymore.

Purples: You cannot then you think I can ah? Siao

BFC: You just try first la. I think you can. Cannot fit then don't squeeze la. Don't split my cheongsam.

So I tried one on and it fit. Surprisingly. So I asked BFC to try one on and show me why she says she can't fit into it. She actually could la. Then she said, "Eh since we're at it, why don't we get Shades of Pink to wear the last cheongsam, then we take a picture together?"

And that was what we did. We interrupted RT from his soccer match to take a pic for us. (You should have seen the "what are you girls doing?" look on his face)

13 years ago, we did silly things like that. Now, 13 years later, we're still doing rubbish things. Sheesh.

But it's quite fun you know. Babes, we can share clothes!!!

Shades of Pink, we ALL need to unzip AND unbutton the cheongsam before it can come off. Nothing to do with you being fat (which you're not). I can't believe you tried to remove it with the buttons on!

Can You Give Her A Home?

Just about 2 hours ago, while leaving for home from Kayestercan's place, my cousin WT found a labrador rummaging through Kayestercan's trashcan. Her mum scolded the dog and it sheepishly crouched down with its face between its paws. The scolding immediately became, "Aiyoh, so cute!" Believe me, she was really cute. And she was lost.

RT, WT, Kayestercan and I gave it some food and water and brought it around the estate, hoping to find its owner. But it was in vain. I called the SPCA (I don't really have a lot of faith in them, but I didn't have much choice) and they told me that I could take the dog down to the pound if I liked. "But we don't reveal the fate of the dog", the guy told me over the phone. "So once you send it over, we have the liberty to do what we deem fit".

RT and I were about to send the dog over when we spotted a police patrol car. We enquired if they could assist with the lost dog. So they called their supervisor and in less than 5 minutes, we had another patrol car arriving and 6 policemen fussing over the dog. (Nice to know that there is still some compassion for animals). They called the SPCA and they agreed to send someone over to pick up the dog. (Now I'm wondering how it is that when I called, I had to bring the dog over? Hmmm). But never mind, my concern was that the dog gets fed and has somewhere to put up for the night.

We waited for the SPCA guys to come, which they eventually did after about 25 minutes. Like the said, they will not reveal the fate of the dog, so I sure hope that SPCA at least puts in some effort in keeping her alive till she finds a good home. Apart from some huge ticks (which I've removed) and a few sores which it probably got from sleeping in the open for the time she was lost, she looks like she's in tip-top condition. She even listens to commands like "Sit" and "Come". You don't even need a leash to take her for walks; she follows alongside you.

She was found around Dalvey / White House Park estate. She even has a collar so I'm sure she belongs to someone. So if you know anyone who's lost a labrador in that area, do get them to pick her up from SPCA. Or if you know of someone who wishes to adopt a Labrador and can care for it, do let them know of this one that's just gone to the SPCA ok? I leave you with some pictures of her.

Here's a picture of her collar. It says "Bucklebone" on the bone-shaped clasp. Will the owner please come for her? I sure hope she wasn't abandoned. So if she was lost, at least call the SPCA or something to TRY and look for her right?

Oh and if you go to SPCA and can't find her, let me know. I will personally call them to demand an explanation. I mean, the dog looks to be in perfect health. The least they could do is put it up for adoption right?

I just spoke to a friend and when I mentioed that she's in SPCA, he went, "Oops. There goes the dog." I hope there's no truth in that statement.

I Don't Believe You Guys

This post is addressed to my friends who left my place just over an hour ago. And of course my mother dearest, without whom, I wouldn't have been able to sleep a wink last night.

Giao Guis you know, you all. How can play FIVE rounds of mahjong from 9pm till 6am??? And I know Ms Overbleached has another session tomorrow right? Tsk tsk.

The Photoshoot...

....left me tired and with rashes on my thighs!

We started the session at 9am and were done by 5pm, which, according to the photographer, is quite early. Apparently, couples usually end at about 7 or 8pm. The studio shots lasted about 3 hours and then we were off to Labrador Park and Alexandra, where I got my rash.

A big thank you goes out to my aunts, cousins and mum, who came down to help out. From getting the flowers (early in the morning) for my hair to deciding which accesories should go on my head. See the red flowers with the kua? They thought it would be too much red with the outfit, but I thought it would be quite pretty. So they left the Ah Huay in me to decide. Turned out quite well what, no? Was a bit worried about the Ah Lian copper coloured streak in the hair, but it came out quite alright after the hairdo.

Thanks for the jewellery too - gifts from my aunts and grandmother - which probably left me looking more elegant than if I had opted for the bridal studio's accesories.

The whole day was tiring, but quite fun. And I'm sure when we see the photos, it'll be worth it. I just hope we can stick to the 40 pictures our package entitles us to.

Secret Recipes

One of the things my Mama was remembered for must be her cooking skills. To some, it was her Ngoh Hiang or Buah Keluak. To others, it was the Achar or Fish Maw Soup. Then there were also the desserts like Kueh Salat and Kueh Kosui.

Sewing was the other thing Mama was good at. From sewing pyjamas and knitting baby booties from scratch to altering our school uniforms and clothes, Mama could do them all.

Having lived with her for 30 years, I have, very sadly, not picked up any of these skills.

Fortunately for all of us, my mother had taken down some of the above-mentioned recipes over the past years. I leave you with pictures of the family members scrambling to copy and trying to decipher their favourite recipes from my mother's hand-written scribbles, which sometimes had post edits. And only because Mama's instructions were always, "A bit of sugar" or "Some corn flour". There was never a certain fixed quantity. Which is probably why her food tasted so good....she played by taste. :)

An Unfamiliar Quiet

I woke up this morning to the unfamiliar sound of total quietness. There was no shuffling of feet, no teaspoon stirring against the coffee cup, no gush of water from the toilet tap from the room just next to mine and no one asking me if I was going to be back for dinner just before I left for work. There was no one for me to argue with over how she handled the dog, and no one for me to tell off for leaving taps and switches on.

In fact, the days have been like this since 12 July, when Mama, my paternal grandmother passed away on 11 July. It hit me how much I had taken these simple things for granted. And it dawned on me that I should always remember to be a little nicer to people dear to me. Less impatient, more understanding, more tolerant, more loving. But human as we are, apart from the "what-if" questions we will never have answers to, we also tend to live with the "If-only-I-had......" statements. Honestly, we should all live like today's the last - live life doing things that would not render us living in the "if-only-I-had..." mode.

Nonetheless, my Mama had lived a long and meaningful 84 years. The most beautiful gift she left us must be our extremely close-knit extended family, comprising 7 of her children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Mama's tone of voice and actions sometimes leave you annoyed, frustrated and wanting to argue back (which I did, many a time), but deep down in her heart, there was always love and good intention. And vice versa, the way we sometimes spoke to her. This, I saw in my own relationship with her, as well as in the one she had with my father.

My only regret is that she did not stay long enough with us to be at Kayestercan's and my wedding, which I know she was so looking forward to. But I know she will be there with us in spirit.

Mama, till we meet again, know that you were truly loved by all of us and will continue to be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

Woohoo Again.

Remember the last time I "woohoo-ed"?

It's for the same reason. Sharapova out of Wimbledon in second round. SECOND round leh.