Pamper me, pamper her

It was a pamperful day for both of us, my mum & me. Scheduled to have a manicure and pedicure done at my usual manicurist's, we woke up kinda early on a Saturday morning. Reached Far East Plaza and met up with Jeannie and her little princess, Genevie. It wasn't too long ago since I last saw Gen, but a growing kid like her always seem to be taller than the last time..

Annie mummy has had a problem of buying suitable shoes, ever since her feet operation. Her right feet was swollen, and not all shoe types can fit or even accomodate that chunky piece of meat. We were dazzled by the numerous shops that offer glittering bejellewed sandals, pretty pee-a-toes and sexy killler heels. Can't resist stopping for a while to put our Cinderella feet onto the lovelies.. Well, we ended up buying a pair each, of course with mine flat, and unsexy at all.

I decided to go with a light shade for my fingers, as there is still a week to go before my birthday bash and I don't want them to be looking badly chipped and awfully polished. Christine, my manicurist thought I am going to paint my toenails red, again.. but glee, I chose a dark varnish that is gothic but chic.

My mum had her fingers painted just like how she usually did them herself, and fiery red for her toenails.. NICE!

My sis, bro-in-law and little Jayden came to join us and we went for a plate of yummy fruit rojak at the stall which was famous and turned snobbish. We want to go for a good, stomach-filling dinner which would make the 2 expectant mummies satisfied for a long time, and buffet seems to be the ideal choice!

The buffet restaurant located at Ngee Ann City level 5 had became another restaurant, but also offering an International buffet spread. It cost $37.50++ per adult, and we were really making our money worth gorging ourselves crazy from 5.30pm til 8.30pm! After all that feasting on seafood, teppanyaki, salads, and the delectable selection of cakes and desserts, we needed disgestion so badly.

We were shopping at the Children's Dept at Takashimaya while Jayden was soundly asleep in his pram. You all know that Junior's gender is still a mystery, but how can a mummy not get the least excited around all the cutesy clothes of boys and girls?! My sis and her hubby were telling me there's no big deal in a boy donning pink nowadays, but to me it just didn't seem right. I wouldn't mind Junior wearing pink when he's more grown-up, as he would look like a charming bloke then, but not when he's still little..

Thus, I got Junior a blue and another pink babysuit.. whichever gender Junior turns out to be, there will be something for him/her.

Junior's new clothes, of blue and pink!

Am really anticipating now to see which one would little Junior be putting on, ermmm.. I meant me putting on for Junior, heehee!! ;)

Can't get you out of my head!!

I was tasked by my boss (2 bosses, in fact.. my training director was so adamant that I would do a good job!) of organizing a Halloween Party, when I was done with my exams in mid-Sept. It is our company's first-ever Halloween Party, and I was honestly quite thrilled to be the key lead of it!

Never the supersitious sort, it didn't occur to me that organizing of a party where all ghouls, goblins and spooks gather, would mean anything.. not even the slightest thought.

I got started very soon after the budget was given to me.. it was a tiny sum to work with, and truthfully, nothing extravagant (not that a Halloween party needs to be ballroom-fanciful, or that sort) could come out of it. The party has to be held even in our own office premises coz I can't afford to rent a venue at all! With that, I worked towards some cost-economical ideas on food and programs for the day.. The internet proved to be the most useful tool in my research for Halloween party ideas and treats!

My mother then became my advisor as I shared with her some ideas of the gruesome-but-edible Halloween food items. I was so hooked to some of them like "deviled eyeballs", "creepy witch fingers", "bloody chips and dips", etc. I started to think of subsitutes to recreate my own versions of those.

Next was the games.. I had so much going on in my head, that I planned a total of 4 games for that 3hrs party. Those are not complicated or witty games, just something to get everyone loosen up a little and laugh themselves silly!

Decorations for the office were bought last Thursday, when a whopping $250 was spent in just 3 party shops! Well, I was already sneezing away that day when I went out shopping with our office PA, who is in my Halloween committee. But I fell more ill the following day.. I was down with a fever, and woke up having a sore throat. Weird it may seem, coz pregnant women are not prone to 'heatiness' nor ailments like sore throats.

Over the weekends, my mum was secretly spectulating with my uncle and aunt over my involvement in the Halloween Party. And then finally on Sunday, she decided to raise her concerns to me.. and guess what time was it when she came to me? It was in the middle of the night, at 3.30am!!

She told me she couldn't sleep because she kept thinking about all the possible 'harms' that the Halloween Party would do to me and Junior. She wasn't spelling all the bad stuff out, but it was enough to freak me out and I started weeping because I was scared that something would happen to Junior if I really had to carry on with the Halloween Party! We ended the conversation eventually when I rest assured my mum that I would speak to my boss and tell her I need to pull out from the committee. I didn't managed to get back to slumberland only until 5am..

Next day, I wrote to my boss speaking of my mum's concerns and my desire to withdraw from organizing the party. She was so understanding, and even conceded to my request to be excused in the week leading to the party! Of course, she was fine with it partially due to seeing what I have already done and planned for the party.. all the committee needs to do is to take it from me, and execute the plans.

I had the first and last meeting with the committee over lunch on Monday afternoon. It was such an unpleasant one that I basically lost all appetite in the first 15mins of the meeting! Apparently all my efforts in planning the party has gone down the drain, and all I get from the committee members was NEGATIVITY! Ever-flowing negativity!

Now that I am not there to do most of the work, they decided that the party should be made as simple and fuss-free as possible.. the best is to just provide drinks and food for the people to gather and mingle together. That's their idea of a Halloween Party! I would have told my boss to take back the money right that very moment!!

Would they carry on with what I have planned, plus my latest contirbution of the cupcake samples? I really don't know, and I hope they understand that I am washing my hands off the party for good, for real, so they MUST stop relying on me for mass emails or any updates.

I wish them luck..

Financial Planning - 2009

That pair of bronzy, stylish ALDO sandals with the gorgeous seahorse decal is so making me lose my mind!! I have been fanscinating about owning it for the last few days, but my 'conscience' tell me I shouldn't be spending $115 just to beautify my veins-ful feet.. Oh, did I not mention that I have just spotted some varicose veins on my poor feet?

Now that Junior is almost 5months away from being born, there should be some proper financial planning done. I got the sums worked out, and considering that Annie Mummy is not going to be working anymore, her regular expenses are all gonna be on my shoulders! The monthly housing rent (currently debited from her CPF account every month), the nursing fees for granny, grandpa & first uncle, utilities and phone bills, grocceries, etc. Of course since my mum's gonna be the caregiver of Junior, I have to give her a monthly allowance.

All these are definitely gonna eat up a huge portion of my monthly salary, and being the sole-parenting figure of Junior, I am liable for all his/her life. No matter how hard it may be for me down the road, I will try my utmost to provide the best I can for my darling, the ever-so-important being in my life..

With this said, me and mum decided that we have to call for a family meeting. I can't be carrying this financial load all by myself, when my mum still has 2 other children. Hopefully, my siblings, though younger than me, will understand that their eldest sister is going to support a child without a spouse (maybe Junior's dad will help contribute, but I can't be replying on that), and help me out here.

Well, in the meantime, I can try to forget temption like that pair of ALDO sandals, luxuries and pampering for myself, or have Junior suffering with me the next time, which is never gonna be what I want!!

Unbelievable, more than anything possible!

I had been in the most unbelievable conversation with Mr D just now.. it had caused so much emotional imbalance to me & Little Junior now. Really hated every single word he had said.. insensible, ridiculous and UNBELIEVABLE!

D says:
i feel like i am less of a father to our child as each day passes
Regina Baby says:
what do u expect?
Regina Baby says:
in the first place, how can u even be fulfilling ur duties when u ain't even here with the baby??!!
D says:
Its not as if i havent been trying you know
Regina Baby says:
anyway, it is not important! a baby doesn't need a father to grow up..
D says:
it does
Regina Baby says:
a mother is more important..
D says:
thats rubbish and you know it
Regina Baby says:
who is breastfeeding him/her? not the father..
D says:
why are you giving me that??
Regina Baby says:
stop asking me stupid questions when u r the one starting everything.
Regina Baby says:
and also, why do u even want to be here? i don't understand!!

The second part of the conversation is going to prove so much more, of the person who is Little Junior's father..

D says:
I HAVE OFFERED MY WHOLE LIFE TO YOU SERVED ON A PLATTER!!
Regina Baby says:
pls don't tell me things like this.. it is not what i am expecting from u..
Regina Baby says:
what whole life?? u ain't even moving here for good..
D says:
yes i am...
Regina Baby says:
if coming over here to SG means offering ur whole life to me..
D says:
just not at this moment of time where my doctor wants me to remain for the moment
Regina Baby says:
then pls don't do that.. i can't take this heavy responsibilty..
D says:
the only reason i changed my ticket was on doctors advice
Regina Baby says:
pls don't come at all..
D says:
why??
Regina Baby says:
i already told u.. if u are unwell, then don't bother..
it's not like it will make any difference if u r here or not.
D says:
why?
Regina Baby says:
there will be no difference, don't u get it?
Regina Baby says:
my life still goes on, i still have to pay for my own bills and expenses, unless u can afford to pay at least half of what i am bearing..
Regina Baby says:
which, in my honest opinion, is hard..
D says:
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!
D says:
i could pay for all your costs if i find a job there
Regina Baby says:
tell me how confident are u about getting employed here in SG..
D says:
still confident
Regina Baby says:
and then how confident are u about landing urself a job that earns u at least S$1500 a month?
D says:
piece of piss
Regina Baby says:
WHAT?
D says:
i was hoping at least $1800
Regina Baby says:
PLS DON'T OVER-ESTIMATE URSELF..
D says:
its not over estimating
Regina Baby says:
unless u r in a professional job (engineers, teachers, accountants, etc), don't think it is easy to get paid S$1800..
don't forget your employer is still liable for your foreign worker levy fees every month..
D says:
i know
Regina Baby says:
what makes u think they are willingly to pay u so much and then still have to pay ur levy fees?
Regina Baby says:
u know, u know.. again u say u know, but yet make senseless statements like it is a piece of piss for u to earn $1800!!
D says:
you need to have confidence

Twisting and denying the words he said..

D says:
if you are not coming here... then i have to do all that I can to make it over there right??
Regina Baby says:
what's the point of u saying that?
i already made it clear to u that we are not getting married, and ain't even going to be together as a couple..
D says:
why??
Regina Baby says:
so, u do not have to do all that u can to make it over here..
do u understand or not?
D says:
No...
Regina Baby says:
seems like u r the one not understanding the whole situation right from the start..
D says:
all this time we had and you decide one month before i am supposed to migrate that its not going to work
Regina Baby says:
oh crap! u ain't even migrating now!
D says:
wait one moment...
Regina Baby says:
don't talk as if u had already got urself all the papers and stuff done for migration..
D says:
ermmm... i need to find an employer first
Regina Baby says:
migrating is not buying an air-ticket and flying to the country and start finding jobs..
D says:
i do know that...
Regina Baby says:
so, what is this migration u r talking about..
D says:
i can't do any work paid or unpaid in a 3 month visit visa
Regina Baby says:
3 months do not equal to migration!!
D says:
i never said it did
D says:
my migration will never be complete unless i gain Permanent Residency
Regina Baby says:
these are ur words :
"all this time we had and you decide one month before i am supposed to migrate that its not going to work"
Regina Baby says:
what have u got to say now?
stop saying lots and lots of stuff and then finding excuses to deny that u said them..
D says:
i mean between us
Regina Baby says:
see, u r now twisting the words around again..
D says:
no i am not
Regina Baby says:
i am saying the word which u said urself "MIGRATE"
D says:
i mean that you decide us isnt going to work one month before i try to migrate
Regina Baby says:
which means that nothing has been done for the 'migration' yet isn't it?
u haven't done anything about the so-called migration..
D says:
excuse me
Regina Baby says:
so does it matter even if u don't come here for good now??
D says:
first of all... i need to find an employer
Regina Baby says:
have that been done? PLEASE!
Regina Baby says:
so, again.. I AM EMPHASIZING THAT NO MIGRATION STUFF HAS BEEN DONE.
D says:
and i been to the SG embassy enquiring about a 3 month social visit visa in case i havent found an employer by OCt 25th
Regina Baby says:
that doesn't require u to go down to the Embassy..
THINGS LIKE THIS CAN BE DONE VIA THE NET OR PHONING THEM..
D says:
WHAT! i went down to London to visit them
Regina Baby says:
certain things that require you to do it off the net u don't do, and certain things can be found through the net u made so much to complete..
Regina Baby says:
are u saying that u went to London to apply for the 3months visit pass? when u ain't even going to be here for 3 months..
D says:
AAAAAAAAAAARGH
Regina Baby says:
did u apply? submitted application and paid fees?
D says:
i not going to be there now as i have to have a BRAIN SCAN...so decided against for now
Regina Baby says:
u did not answer my question!
did u just go to London to enquire? or did u submitted an application?
D says:
I were going to submit it...but then i thought about my doctors words...i went to London after my doc appointment...
Regina Baby says:
so to say that u actually made a wasted trip to London (SG Embassy) and did nothing?
D says:
well... think about it...
Regina Baby says:
then why did u still say like u had done so much at the Embassy, the efforts u took to go down to London and to the Emabssy..
D says:
do i find out if i have problem with my head or do i stay in SG for 3 months and let my condition deteriate?
Regina Baby says:
it is all rubbish, u know that? see, that's what u are good in..
D says:
i never said i took so much effort to go there
D says:
sheesh...i only got on a train
Regina Baby says:
u actually did nothing, but wanted to tell me that u went down to the Embassy and stuff

This part of the conversation had the most impossible dialogues, and I was sobbing uncontrollably when he said he's going to take away Junior from me!!

D says:
what i want i cant have
the only thing i want i cant have
D says:
well ... two things
Regina Baby says:
blame God for that or what? u r not the only person in the world to face that..
D says:
so... that is supposed to make it better??
well is it?
Regina Baby says:
what? u r in a stage of denial..
D says:
its much worse than that
Regina Baby says:
it is the truth on how things are going, and so u can only accept it.
D says:
you cant judge things being 6000 miles apart
Regina Baby says:
what? pls stop going round and round again!! it is not going to change anything..
Regina Baby says:
my piece of advice to u.. don't come to SG, as it means possibly putting ur health in danger, and also making u lose a bit of ur fortune..
D says:
i want to come...
Regina Baby says:
as for you wanting to contribute as a father, i have kept receipts of everything i paid for..
D says:
pls allow me this... those two weeks
Regina Baby says:
and pictures of Junior are posted regularly on my blog..
D says:
like i promised
Regina Baby says:
so, u are not missing out on anything..
D says:
i know
Regina Baby says:
u don't owe me any promises..
D says:
its not nearly enough
D says:
i do and junior, he/she is my flesh too
Regina Baby says:
i will write to u every month on how much i spent, and then u can send remittance accordingly..
D says:
i owe him/her my whole life
Regina Baby says:
stop it!
D says:
i do
Regina Baby says:
i honestly shouldn't have told u i am expecting..
D says:
i know... because i cant stop this stabbing feeling in my heart
Regina Baby says:
if u want so much to take care of Junior, u can have him/her then and raise him/her in Reading if u think u r capable..
D says:
okay then
Regina Baby says:
u think u can do that?
D says:
let me do that
Regina Baby says:
don't be kidding..
D says:
and you go back to your bachelorette ways
D says:
i can do that yes
life always finds a way
Regina Baby says:
it is impossible to let Junior suffer along with you..
D says:
why would junior suffer?
Regina Baby says:
if u mean well for Junior, u wouldn't have even said that..
Regina Baby says:
u aren't even well urself.. how can u possibly take care of a growing baby?
D says:
if you really cared you wouldnt have suggested giving him/her up
Regina Baby says:
i am only saying that to tell u that u don't have the ability and capacity to do that..
D says:
says who?
Regina Baby says:
so, Junior's only good when he/she stays with me..
Regina Baby says:
u r sick ok..
D says:
and?
Regina Baby says:
what if something happens to u??
D says:
like you care
Regina Baby says:
have u spared a thought??
D says:
gosh?
Regina Baby says:
i care for Junior..
D says:
i havent found out if i am sick yet
D says:
and so do i, so much
Regina Baby says:
u want him/her to struggle through growing up himself/herself if the father isn't there anymore?
D says:
what good is a father to her all the way in the UK?
Regina Baby says:
are u able to send him/her to a college after secondary??
D says:
yes
Regina Baby says:
with ur current earnings from BK.. please, be practical..
D says:
i not gonna be in BK forever you know
Regina Baby says:
but u haven't found something better and prospectful..
D says:
i do have an investment here you know, my home
Regina Baby says:
so, don't brag and say u can provide for Junior..
D says:
i am looking right now in jobs here too
Regina Baby says:
that doesn't mean u r financially more capable..
Regina Baby says:
and what, if u got no money to provide for Junior, u sell away ur house?
and then where does that leave u & Junior to stay??
D says:
you should try to know more about the UK
dont think i would be financially unable to look after him/her...
D says:
i am going now, bye
Regina Baby says:
u can't even pay a mobile bill of 135 pounds..
Regina Baby says:
nevertheless, i am never going to give up Junior!!

The Missy Breezy Party

My first ever birthday invite, made by myself! I am so, so pleased.. (yea, that smug look is all over my face!) of course, it has already been blasted to my best mates!!

Am feeling even more excited now, after the invite is done. Can't wait for the day to come, ya know?!

Me and my best, and I mean the best of all friends ever, will be spending a day & night at Amara Sanctuary Resort in Sentosa. The theme 'Missy Breezy' can be broken down into 1) Missy - the 5 best friends, and 2) Breezy is the way to dress for this party!

Expect to see lots of skin and unfortunately, a baby bump on Mama R! Hahahahaha..

We would be dipping in the pool in bikinis (I have long declared that I want to be in one before my stommie expands horribly!!), sipping off cocktails (or mocktails sadly, for the expectant mum) at beach cafes, savouring BBQ meat and seafood by the pool restaurant, and finally.. hitting Cafe Del' Mar for the first time!

It has always been on my wish-list to have a slumber party with the girls, and finally we get to do that (only pity is, X can't join us)!

Honestly, the best time of my life has been those times I spent with J, E, X and Z - my 4 best friends. Our 2004 Hong Kong trip was amazing, our annual hotel retreats at Changi Village Hotel & Plaza Park Royal was so much fun & laughter, and most definitely our monthly gatherings to catch up or to celebrate one's birthday. I would never bear to put down any of this with my clique, in exchange for anything else.

All of us have grown up, settled down and got married.. born a child or either planning to. None of those have changed or rocked our strong friendship in any way, and I know it will just go on like this..

Thanks girls, for all that you have ever given in my life..

Love,
Regina Baby

A night out.. with little Junior

There is nothing unusual for a girl in her late 20s (there's still a bit before I hit the big 3-0, ok?!), to be out with her fun-loving girlfriends on a Saturday night.. but well, it may be a different story with an expectant Mama R carrying that 4mth bump of hers to party the night away..

Honestly, I have not been out for a super long time.. ermmm, long enough in my definition. The party-loving Regina Baby used to hit the pubs/clubs at least once a week. The key word here is 'used', which means history for the now Mama R.

My best chum, Jeannie asked me causually one day, "Are you upset by the fact that you are now deprived of going out due to your pregnancy?" My answer was as straight as any runway at the Milan Fashion Week - "No, I am not the least upset or grouchy at all." It is true that I have always enjoyed 1 or 2 pints of ice cold beer at mid-week, and the grooving to my fave house or Hip-hop tunes at the club. But, those don't mean anything to me more than little Junior does now..

Although I will occassionally whine at being pregnant at the wrong time (with my career progressing and my studies uncompleted, it's just not the right time), I never blamed Junior for any of the sacrifices I have to make. Giving up partying is just one of the many things. Having to put on loose and unshapely dresses, boycotting my fave Oolong tea, and not being able to travel for at least 10 months to a year are the sacrifices, which all parents would say "it's all worth it".

Anyway, I did had fun last night hanging out with J Quek.. like how we always do in the past. I was initially hesitant about letting my hair down completely, as I wasn't sure if Junior would be ok with the loud music pumping, and the sweaty bodies pushing around. But, I was safe, under the protection of J Quek.

She brought me to 2 clubs which apparently have been around for a while, and I 'the frog in the well' was only patronizing them for the first time! After a glass of Shirley Temple, fruit punch and finally a bottle of distilled water, I was tired and ended our night at 3+ in the morning. Before hopping onto a taxi, Junior was rumbling in my stomach, craving for food. So, me & J Quek went to this late night kebab stall and bought a chicken kebab each.. Yummy, so satisfying!!

I must have exhausted Junior so much that we only woke up at 12pm today, and was napping away 2 hours later. Hmmmm, maybe a chill-out session at Marina Mandarin's lounge or at The Long Bar would be a better option the next time..

Somewhere Inside - Our first pleasantry!

It's amazing enough to know there's a new life, somewhere inside you.. and imagine exchanging pleasantries with the little being!

Indescribable - was what I felt at that time when the doctor (not my usual gynae, Dr Wee, who was fully booked for the day) pointed out the little fingers from the monitor to me. Apparently, little Junior was opening and closing those little fists of his/her, as if like saying "Hi Mama!" to me!

A pity only images of the scans are recorded and printed out, otherwise you all would be able to see for yourselves how my little darling is acting sociably! But well, a picture is better than nothing.. here it is..

It was purely by chance I got this scan done at KK Hospital, when my abdominal pains did not go away after 5 days. Wanted to ignore it initially (was so hoping to take my fave stomache remedy, but I can't), but Jeannie was listing to me all the possiblities of this prolonged pain; and I decided to not take any risks.

Doctor diagnosed the pain to be caused by eating some 'bad' food, or food that my stomach is not taking so well due to pregnancy. Her prescription, hear it.. Characoal tabs & Panadol! Can a pregnant woman take such medicine?! Maybe I am wrong, but I just didn't want to further aggravate my abdominal pains with other harmful effects that the meds may bring about.

Well, I ain't exactly free from the abdominal pains now.. just that they are slightly more bearable, and less frequent today.

Anyway, I have to post another scan of Junior taken at its 13 weeks inside me.. this pic shows the nose of my baby so very clearly! You could see the fingers already from this scan, and another distinctive feature is the lips. In fact when I was having the scan, the little one was pouting his/her lips at us! It made all of us (my mum & sis were there too) giggled, and wondered if Junior's going to have luscious lips like Angelina Jolie!

See what I meant? Heeheehee..

For the records, Junior is now 4 days away from turning 16weeks old.. or rather, my pregnancy. He/she should measure around 8 - 9cm by now, and the most awaited news will be revealed in my next gynae's appointment..

Will it be Baby D, or Baby R???