2012 as it was

So it's 3.51pm on New Year's eve and here I am sitting in front of the computer, writing my last entry for 2012. Unfortunately, I'm not proud to admit that I can hardly recall what happened throughout 2012. *grimace* Now I know the importance of either updating my blog regularly or keeping a written journal; neither of which I have done properly this past year.

Nevertheless, there are things that happened this year that are still etched in my memory. And just like the rule of the universe, it's good and bad. :-( Sighs.

The good: My sis and I finally started our (we-hope-to-be-yearly) travels. The destination this time was Singapore as it was on my sister's bucket list of things to do. What a blast we had in Singapore. From walking down Orchard Road, sitting by the "river" at Clarke Quay, to winning at the Marina Bay Sands Casino to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!!!! This amazing trip was courtesy of both our North-South parents. :-) It was truly a memorable trip and Singapore is definitely home No.2. We'll definitely go back, whether we're wanted or not! Lol! Plus, since I now know how to get to the flat in Toa Payoh, we can just surprise our South parents. *grin*

Another good thing that happened this year: my sister started working and my brother got engaged!!!!!!!! Woo!!!!!!!! :D

The bad: Sadly, as much fun as we had in Singapore, just 4 months prior, something that should never have happened, happened. I did not have easy time accepting what happened. Losing, or rather ending a friendship with someone whom you've known for more than 6 years, where you've studied together, graduated together and continued to be close friends despite having different careers, is tough. The sad thing is, back when we were in college, we had decided that nothing should/would get in the way of our friendship, be it boys/men etc. That's a decision that we both thought we could keep but unfortunately, it is something easier said than done. We both have our own opinions and though there are times when we usually don't "get" each other, we're most of the time on the same wavelength. We click despite our differences. 

I'm pretty sure we both have different takes on what exactly happened. And that neither one of us are going to budge. I guess that is expected from two people who have strong opinions. As far as I know, the friendship has ended (though as far as I remember, things just ended abruptly. There were no more SMSes or calls or chats). People have asked me what happened, but I just smile and say that people change and times change. Sighs.

It's weird. Now that I am writing about it, it sounds like I was in a relationship with someone and that relationship has gone sour. Lol! 

Anyway, another bad thing that happened, which suddenly just came to me was the constant nagging by my grandparents to get married! That's not a topic I want to get into at all. I occasionally do get those feelings where I feel that I'm lagging behind when I see my friends getting married and having kids. But then, I tell myself that this is the path that I have chosen and I am happy. So why compare?

Well...that's the end of this entry. There are some things that happened in 2012 that I will learn from and there are things that happened that will last forever in my mind. 

As 2013 approaches, I look forward to newer, greater things happening. As it is, the first great thing about to happen is me spending two months in Germany!! I can hardly believe that I will be experiencing winter, be living on my own and....living in a place full of Europeans. Lol! I only hope I'll adapt fast both to the place and weather, and that people will like me. :-) Who knows? I might meet someone there. Lol!

Here's wishing everyone a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!

Long Overdue

This entry is long overdue, simply because I was too lazy to sit and type out what's on my mind. In my last entry, I started with describing the first day of my trip to Singapore. I ended it by saying that I would just give the highlights and low points of the trip. So here goes:

Day 1:

Highlight: Arriving in Singapore of course!! What else? And of course meeting Aunty Esther and re-uniting with our Singapore family!

Low point: Orchard Road was still "dark". It was also drizzling. Still managed to get some nice pictures though.

Day 2:

Highlight: Visiting the oldies and listening to their stories from THOSE days - Grandma Grosse and Uncle Maurice. Touring, buying souvenirs and having dinner around Chinatown ended a great day! Also went to Clark Quay.

Low Point: We did not get to meet Uncle Jeff's mother.

Day 3:

What can I say? Uncle Stephen was off! Universal Studios Singapore!!!!!!!!! Marina Bay!!!!!!! First time in a Casino (legally)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Low Point: It was rainy towards the end of the day. And....it was our second last day in Singapore. Sighs.

Day 4:

Highlight: Finally met Aunty Teresa. Had lunch and spent some time at home.

Low Point: It was time to leave! In addition, our flight was delayed!

Overall, I had a great 4 days in Singapore! We did as much as we could in those four days, with promises made to return and continue the touring of Singapore. USS deserves a second visit and I should sit on more roller coasters, at least before I turn 30 (which only gives me one more year)!

Thanks so so so so so much to my Malaysian and Singapore parents for making this trip come true. :-)

Days of being spoilt and pampered

So after all the dressing up and stuffing ourselves with delicious, home-cooked Indian food, the day after Deepavali saw dad, mum, Vay and me up at the break of dawn, getting ready for our long awaited trip.

We were out of our house by 8am to avoid the morning work traffic. Thankfully, as some people had taken the week off, traffic was not that bad. We reached the airport, checked our bags in, sat around for awhile, then it was bye-bye to our dear parents. I hope the next trip, all for of us will travel together.

As Vay and I walked through the international departure gate and immigration, excitement built-up. We were going to Singapore!! I can only imagine how Vay was feeling then - to be returning to Singapore after 18 years! I was there two years ago but it was such a short trip! It was simply not enough. Plus, I had traveled 10hrs by bus and by the time I reached Singapore, it was midnight. This time, we were traveling by plane and with lady luck on our side, we arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule!

We passed the Singapore immigration, got our bags and out of the arrival door, we see....Aunty Lita and Aunty Esther i.e. second mum and bro's prospective mum-in-law. After rounds of hugs and introduction (as it was our first time meeting Aunty Esther), we went for an early lunch. We had noodles and drinks at Ruyi and after chitchatting for nearly 2 hours, we sent Aunty Esther off.

Then the holiday began! We took the Skytrain to the MRT session and from there it was a few stops to the Braddell station. On the way, Uncle Stephen i.e. second dad met up with us at one of the stops. It was like a big family reunion on the MRT. Hugs and kisses went round! :-)

It was slightly drizzling as we walked from the MRT station back to the flat. But as all the walkways were shaded, am umbrella was unnecessary. While Uncle Stephen and Vay took the lazy way up to the flat which was on the FIRST floor, Aunty Lita and I exercised our leg muscles and took the stairs.

The flat has changed much since I was there two years ago. It has a more "womanly" touch to it; with the curtains and house ornaments etc. It looked like a home. Not that it didn't look homey the last time, but you could just tell that a MAN was living in the house back then. Hehe!

After getting settled in and having coffee, that night, we went to the famous western food shop for dinner (fish and chips and chicken chop) before heading to Orchard Road to see the lights. As it was raining and I think still too early in the season, not much lights were up. But there were enough lights for us to take some pictures.

That day also marked the beginning of a cough that haunted me throughout my trip. *cough*

Note: My sis did a pretty good job of detailing our trip to Singapore. Therefore, I will not repeat what she has done. I will instead, give the highlights and low points of the trip in my next entry. I've posted this rather long description of our first day as it was written quite awhile ago.