Normal.. as normal as it can be..

She came for a short trip last weekend.

How time flies, it’s Friday again. Last week today, we shopped till we dropped. It has been so long since I last shopped that way. Since forever..

I missed her presence right after she left. There’s something missing in my life. Something to do, something to count on..

Our lives went back to normal.. and normal is really normal..

Silently, I wish our project could launch successfully..

1st Cooking Class

After many proposals from YJ, after much consideration on venue, time, day, etc, we (YJ, Rebec and I) finally decided to take the Chinese Restaurant Cooking classes, on every Tues at TPY Central CC.

We learned “Stewed 5 Multi-Flavor Chicken” and “Fried HK Noodle” in the first lesson.

When we opened the door to the classroom, I was “awed”, in total shock. Not to sound disrespectful, but I kinda expected the crowd to be slightly smaller, and “younger”. There were aunties, uncles… the way they stared at you made you felt like you have stepped in the wrong class. Or perhaps, the way I stared at them told them I was in the wrong class.

Our teacher, Mr. Teo (sounds like hubby’s name) moved effortlessly around the kitchen island, teaching in both Mandarin and English. He speaks fast, so fast that the 3 of us caught a bit of each sentence.

“One and a half teaspoon” teacher said in English.

“Half teaspoon” we repeated.

“One and a half teaspoon” teacher said in Mandarin.

“Oh… 1 + ½ teaspoon” we acknowledged.

It was really difficult to catch all he said, I thought we were doing fine, as YJ peeped into the other lady who sat beside her for some parts we missed, COMPLETELY.

Now, I’ve really gotta make some abbreviations for teaspoon, tablespoon, etc.. and I thought of my sis, baking at home, with her multiple size scoops.

When teacher was almost done with the dishes, he said, “ok, you may put your Tupperware here now…”

We were like stunned, “tupperware?!?!”

Honestly, I knew we get to eat his cooking, because he was cooking 3 chickens and 3 packs of egg noodles, but hello, did anyone ask us to bring our own Tupperware?

Everybody, except 3 of us plus another student moved forward and placed their all kind of Tupperware on the table.

“You’ll have to pay S$3 for the ingredients”, teacher added.

Ok, so now, we have to pay, and we DO NOT have a Tupperware.

So, when the Treasurer Aunty came to us, we asked her, “what happened if we didn’t bring our Tupperware?”
“Oh, it’s ok, can let teacher know and he may be able to help”.

Ok, so, who will let teacher know? Not me.. it was so embarrassing! YJ started pulling her pitiful face… ok, YJ should really go. Hahaha…

“Ok, I’ll let you guys use plastic bags this time, but must remember to bring your own the next time”, teacher said.

Phew... relieved… we didn’t pay S$3 for nothing.

“Remember, must bring your own next time. I may not have bags the next time”, he said again.

Few minutes later….

“Remember to bring your own tupperware the next time….”

Sigh.. I told myself, even if I or anyone din bring the next time, probably it’s better to keep our mouth shut, or ask to use the CC’s bowls and utensils.

Ok, so we learned 2 dishes, and so our class ended almost 2 hours later.

Maybe.. and maybe not...

Last week, I had a sudden, haste vision.

I would like to resign.

Even without a job.

That was how bad it was in the office. So de-motivated I couldn’t take it even if I had to work one more day last week. I was determined…

Then I went to facial and massage session on Sat. As I was early, I went shopping around.

Saw some clothes that are really nice.

“I will not need these working clothes anymore”, I thought to myself.

Moved to next shop, to discover more working clothes. Temptations…

Then I saw some accessories, nice shoes but resisted the tempations…

“I won’t need any of these stuffs.”

Suddenly, a very deep thought came into my mind.

If I resign, how else will I pay my monthly “fixed” payment. My LASIK, massage, facial, accident protection, both households that mounts up to S$1.3K a month. I’ll be in deep debt until July next year.

And so, the determination to resign disappeared.

All the thoughts:

“Heck, hubby can give me S$500 a month, why make life so difficult?”

“I can jolly well resign and get a temp job somewhere while looking for a better opportunity.”

“I just want to be happy; I couldn’t care less about the job.”

So how?

Today, I try to take things easy, and I feel easy.

Maybe I should take things easily from now on… till the next peak.

Different Perception of Happiness perhaps...

A is a close friend. She has a boyfriend called B.

A & B met and got together 3 years ago. In the 3 years of relationship, there have been a lot of quarrels.

“Need for freedom”: A said of what B wants.

“Overly controlling”: B said of what A does.

I do not know both side of the story, but each time, when I saw A with swollen eyes, my heart went all out for her.

Any woman deserves better man.

If I were her, I would have left long time ago. And that’s what I told her. But she wouldn’t be able to do it. She couldn’t even stand not sending any contact in the day, even when they were fighting and he obviously didn’t make any move.

Why? You may ask. I have been asking myself this question since Day 1. I do not know either.

She deserves better.

And so the story goes, he proposed in the 3rd year of relationship.

Not a month after proposal, they quarrelled again. He told her he wasn’t ready for marriage.

Why proposed then? Coz she threatened to leave if he doesn’t.

And things went well and bad, on and off, on and off, on and off...

Today, 20.09.2009, they are going for their ROM.

Normally, when i learned my friends are getting married, I’ll feel happy for them.
I am happy for A, if she is happy. I told her numerous times, she owed it to herself to be happy. Stick with her decision if it makes her happy.

Obviously, she is not that happy.

Few months ago, he told her he didn’t feel the chemistry for her anymore. He lose the kind of feeling when they got together.

Few days ago, he told her he is not that committed to the marriage. She asked if he wants to call-off the ROM. He said she should do it if she wants to, but he wasn’t going to do it.

And so, the next day, they patched up again. Got some wedding favors for guests who’ll attend their ROM.

Do not think A is an ugly woman. She is a pretty one, friendly, smart, educated and kind woman. It’s just her life, the decision she makes made her less happy (or so I perceived).

I really hope her marriage will work well. Although many says leopard will never change its spots. I sincerely hope B will change for their marriage sake.

My opinion in this issue:

I know she doesn’t want to tell her best friends about him ill-treating her that much. They started to hate him back then, she doesn’t want them to hate him more. She wants them to be happy for her. Seriously, they want her to be happy, just like I do.

I just think that some times, we’ll have to play hard to get with men. Do not let them think we can’t do without them. Instead, make it a point that we can live or live better without them, at times.

For the man, I think it is really irresponsible to propose and move ahead with wedding if that is not what he wants. It is going to be a high price to pay. His reason of moving on: she is a nice girl, and he likes her. He knows he’ll regret if he doesn’t marry her, but he doesn’t have the heart to marry her just yet.

Happy ROM, A... bless..

Sick...

I fell really sick on Sat when we woke up. Hubby companied me to the clinic and waited good odd hours before it was my turn.

High fever at 38.5 increasing to 38.7 during the wait, doc said she suspected it was H1N1, but I wasn’t in contact with anyone, so, it’ll be home quarantine and 3 days observation before she could really conclude anything. Meanwhile, I had to have the Tamiflu tablets, that cost me S$45 for 10 tabs. Ridiculous, the expiry date on the box was 2008, but there was this sticker by MOH, extending the expiry date to 7 years after manufacturing date. Isn’t that bizarre?

2 days coping at home, or should I say, coping in the room, I finally recovered a bit on Monday. No more high fever, but mild at 37.7degC. Doc extended my mc to another day. Gosh… that was not good.

Stayed in the room for 2 more days, and I felt really “sick” at home, I could turn mouldy anytime! I found myself watching the 4.30pm the super-long Taiwanese drama my MIL was “chasing”…

How glad was I to be back to office on Wed. Although I was really really giddy working, I was wondering if it was the medicine or it was really the bug. This is a super bug I am fighting with.

Today, I am still out of breath, but I felt so much better!

During my few days rest at home, I was lucky my MIL was understanding. She cooked porridge, hubby had them delivered to the room. “room service”, he called it. He was sweet throughout, watching me sleep like a pig, coz other than awake to eat and take medicine, I was asleep throughout. He really has the patience.

It was unfortunate coz Sunday was my birthday. It was supposedly a significant birthday in my life, coz I was turning 30, first time as wifey, a woman. ;-)

Hubby promised a good meal when I have recovered completely. For now, I am looking forward to go home, to feel family warmth. :-)