My first flower arrangement. Nice? Attended a 1.5hrs crash course at Simply Flowers @ The Central this afternoon. I am the only participant today so I got all the attention I wanted. It's not difficult, really. The trainer said flower arrangement is all about creativity and 'feel' and you can never go wrong with fresh flowers arrangement as they already look good on their own, which is true.

Since we were at Clarke Quay we decided to try out Tampopo, but it started drizzling a bit so we decided to stay put in The Central and dined at Matutama instead. Previously we didn't manage to try them as the few times we were there the queue was impossible, but today we were there early, at 5:30pm. The menu has only 4 types or ramen + 3 or 4 pathetic side dishes so we reckon if they have been doing so well their ramen but must be good. But we were wrong... Hubby was utterly disappointed with his, so much that he refused to pay so I had to pick up the tab. Anyway, mine wasn't that bad although it pales in comparison to even the ramen stall at Maxwell market in Hubby's opinion. Lesson learnt, doesn't mean if there's a queue then it has to be good.

Congratulations to our table tennis team for making it to the finals! They will make history after Tan How Liang. Be it gold or silver medals, they have made themselves and the nation proud. Way to go!!! And since I'm on Olympics.... I can't stand Jade Seah... she is darn unnatural... Pat Chan is still the best.

Dear hubby has been working very hard since Monday (note: his office was closed in-lieu of National Day). He just called to say he's not coming home tonite. Me poor darling : (

Caught up with Y and C over lunch today. The last time was 1 year ago so lots to yak. C is doing very well and looking stunning as ever. Although it's been years since we left the company but since we're either in touch with some folks or have bumped into other folks we had a good info exchange session. They say 2's a company, and when you put 3 women together what do you get? Juicy gossips.

I have adopted a new nickname with immediate effect, and that is Dora. A bought me this to commemorate the occassion. I dun have much idea of Dora except that she is an explorer who shares the same hairdo as yours truly. Good for now I think.

I applause *claps* Beijing for the great job they have done for the Olypmpics opening ceremony. It was spectacular!! Kudos to them, they made all the Chinese that were watching the show proud as it could not have been better. I enjoyed most of it especially the globe thingy with performers running around it in the air followed by a duet of the theme song by Sarah Brightman and a singer whom I can't identify with - I have to comment on the Male singer's attire... could he have not at least put on a jacket instead of his good-enough-for-marketing outfit? It's the Olympics, for cying out loud. Actually, I can't really understand what Sarah was singing but her stunning performance more than makes up for it.

Am feeling a bit patriotic after watching the fireworks from the bedroom... HAPPY NATIONAL DAY!!! I have not checked the TOTO results yet... maybe I've joined the million dollar round table already??!!

Slightly less than 2 months to Oct and we've yet to secure confirm bookings for Bali-SIN, and this is Monday we are talking about. How frustrating can it get? Booked our flights at the beginning of the year and still not making any headway. I remember Krisflyer's staff used to be able to push for confirmation when the request is put forth but when I called this week all the guy could say was, "I don't know, there's nothing I can do". So, what can I do, but to wait for miracle to happen. So much for planning ahead. URGH!!!

90th Birthday Bash

Celebrated Ah Por's 90th birthday on Sat. Albeit suffering from dementia, Ah Por is still going strong at 90 and more good years to come.

Celebration started in the day the traditional way, with longevity buns and mee sua

Managed to take this photo before the party started

Family portriat

The night is still young... My first time - dinner & karaoke. Everyone was good spot that evening and we were entertained with lots of singing...

and more singing

Ah Por flashing her megawatt smile for the camera

All present except for Uncle Jln Jamal, Francis & family, Daisy, Ah Yao

Procreation Blues

The report reads,"New measures to boost birth rate to be introduced in August... "Hopefully, with a new package of measures, which will be announced next month, and a strong collective desire towards supporting family life in Singapore, our baby count will increase. Employers have to support better work—life practices, friends and relatives have to chip in to help, and most of all, Singaporeans must desire to get married and raise families in the first place. All these require a societal mindset change." Singapore is also studying the procreation policies of countries like Sweden and the United States.

IMO, if it has to do with $$ as it seems to be the case for many, then there's not much the govt can do as afterall raising a family is not about incentives. In the long run, onus is on the parents to raise their child(ren) bonus or not. There's only so much the govt can try to intervene, I think. Ultimately, decision lies with the couple.

Just a thot. Maybe they should introduce wedding bonus before baby bonus because wedding dinner packages are getting so expensive these days it's hardly affordable.

Hmm... If it be not such for me, what care I have good it be?

Passion or Lust?

2 mornings ago while onboard the LRT I was standing next to this young couple who looked like tertiary students. They provided everyone with a good 5 mins of live entertainment. They were smooching so loudly and hands all over I think even those standing 2 metres away were trying hard not to watch. This makes me wonder if these people so shameless displayed their passion in public, what happens when they are behind closed doors? Their world probably turns topsy turvy - in a good way I hope.

Sad to admit I'm finding it difficult to work with my boss aka Flipper. He is good at flipping his words hence the nickname; and he always never register much in that head of his. G asked if I felt like hitting his head when I'm upset and he is so right. Hmmm... some of us came up with real nasty party ideas to get back at him and it's most probably the tongue twister. This is a bit challenging - Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry.

Finally got the wine for Grandma's 90th birthday bash. With a small budget to work on and only a handful of wine drinkers - or appreciates wine - at the dinner we got 8 bottles of Wolf Blass Red Label (Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon). and 4 bottles of German Riesling. I've ordered the longevity buns and noodles (mee sua) and Charsiew took care of the cake, I think we're all set for the big day, except we need to make sure to collect the $$$. Okay, women all petty creatures, but we get the work done (this line is for my darling to note...).

Pork Rib Talks... Oven Walks

Dun ask me what title is that as I'm also not sure. Simply adopted it from the show "Coffee Talks Hawker Walks". How lame.

Tried preparing a meal with my new "toy" last Sat and it turned out pretty well. We bought 1.5 slab of pork ribs only to find out later they are meant for Bah Kut Teh. But at least it tasted quite good with my seasoning (it was done spontaneously) that consists of oyster sauce, plum sauce, sesame oil and a good dose of shiraz glaze... and it was ab-fab, man! The sausages went very well with grilled cherry tomatoes and olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.

Tried a new bottle of wine - Lengs & Cooters, Shiraz. It's easy to drink and light-bodied with a hint of spice.

Finally managed to squeeze out some time to visit Sean, E and SP's latest (and hopefully last) addition. He's a pretty big baby for a 2 month old and adorable looking like most babies. He's also a smiley boy because I caught him similing a few times, though I'm not sure who he was similing at.