A Brief Blogpost On my Babymoon at Bangkok!

Still didn’t manage to see the gender during April’s check up! Why oh why! We would have bought alot of baby clothes if the little one had not tried to hide the gender from us.

Hubby was saying, ” Must be you lor, keep saying want to buy many things from BKK if the gender is a girl. The baby must have been jealous and scared you won’t buy if the gender is a boy, so the baby tries to hide before the BKK trip!”

:O

Nevertheless, during our babymoon at BKK Platinum Mall, which was out first stop, mum already picked tonnes of clothes and accessories for the little one, but mostly in neutral colours. We didn’t mind about the neutral colours. Come to think of it, the clothes can be passed on for my no.2 (already included in our family planning) and also for my future sister-in-law whom I think if everything is to go smoothly, she may have her first kid around the time when my no.1 is 1 year old.

So it’s like our baby stuff can used for 3-4 babies, why not stock up new ones? Then again, I don’t mind 2nd-hand clothes along the way, I believe that kids will grow up obediently if they wear used clothes since young.

Shopping at BKK is like our yearly affair, except last year which we were planning for the wedding. I will buy alot of of my stuff, sweeps away lotsa clothes and many shopaholics’ must-have! But this year, my little one shopping buys were so much more than mine! I was so sad and jealous!

Guess what I had for myself, 3 sets of long-sleeved pyjamas for confinement, 3 maternity dresses, and a set of family t-shirts (printed Papa, Mama, Daughter, Son) for hubs, myself and our little one. So towards the end of the babymoon, I die die went to buy 2 necklaces from Platinum Mall, a pair of pump shoes from Terminal 21, body scrub from Boots, for myself! These were prolly one of my pathetic shopping buys from an overseas trip.

As for my hubs, he managed to get himself a decent shirt and 3/4 pants, a few pieces of t-shirts.

And of course both of us each bought a pair of imitated Havanias slippers. Heh! We ever bought from our previous trip, quite long-lasting for us and we decided to buy another pair from the same shop. Darling still remembered which shop! Reason because, he would never forget how his legs were going to break during our previous shopping exercise. He didn’t plan to buy back then, but his feet were so tired that he could not take it anymore! It was one of his unforgettable moments in BKK! LOL

This time the shopping excercise wasn’t as fierce as the last trip’s, partly because we were travelling with my family and aunts, quite a big group like about 10 pax, quite restricted to walk too much as the elders would need some rest, somemore I am having a baby bump, walking like a duck these day!

While waiting for my family to finish shopping, I went to have a classic pedi at Take Care located at Terminal 21. I didn’t plan to go for a pedi because of worrying the place hygiene is not good, tools are not clean etc. But when I saw Take Care beauty salon, the place looks white and clean and seemed to have good business from the Caucasians. Other than the classic pedi services, foot mask/wrap are also included and prices are definitely cheaper than SG. But because it’s inside Terminal 21, prices are a tad pricier if compared with other normal beauty salons. Take Care is just like our Jean Yip where haircare services are also available. Service was good and I recommend Take Care for anyone who wants to go for a good pedi in Bangkok.

In this babymoon, I suggested to go to the sky bar at Lebuar’s hotel, Bangkok State Tower. Woah! It’s a very atas place for chillax. I will want to go back there again for SURE! Anyway, when my baby is born, high chances are we will go back to the Land of Smiles to buy toddler clothes. Toddler clothes at BKK are wayyyyyy cheaper than in SG. The designs and quality are not bad too! Worth a trip for stocking up, provided we buy the airtix at great deals.

In this trip, it’s my first time to fly on SQ. Though economy class, I am still a happy girl! I don’t feel bored during the flight as each of us get to enjoy the entertainment facilities. I am impressed that the movies shown on SQ are quite up-to-date, new movies like Ah Boys To Men II is also available! And of course we get to have our meals and drinks on plane, with cushions and blankets for our own comfort. The best part is, our tix only cost about $250 nett/pax for the 2-way trip, inclusive of 7Kg handcarry and 20Kg check-in luggage, and we get to choose our seats during online booking! Cheap right?! After sitting on SQ and Emirates recently, I really don’t feel like taking Jetstar and Tigerairways anymore. I heard Scoots are not bad, maybe I will take it into my consideration.

After returning from BKK, I realised mum didn’t go for any massage during the trip, am thinking of bringing her to Batam for one. Hubby was saying, “Wah, now that you’ve felt much better than 1st trimester, you really want to make full use of this honeymoon period to travel even if it’s only a one-day trip to Batam!”

Arh-bo-den! My first trimester was an agony period for me, kept vomitting and feeling sleepy, too tired to go anyway! Now that I am feeling so much better, I can’t wait to enjoy before the 3rd trimester, where my bump gets bigger, and backaches become a daily agony. Better don’t think about it yet.

Oh ya, Hubby and I have signed up for our weekly antenatal class, learning more about pregnancy. He would be taught on how to give the baby and myself a good massage, and guide on the prenatal exercises for a smooth labour. Shiok leh!

I can’t remember how many weeks I am now, maybe 20-22? My detailed scan will be next week, hubs and I are hoping to know the gender! I have already decided,

• To buy a mini cute bikini set if it’s a princess, and a pair of black sunglasses if it’s a prince-charming!

I think it’s so sexy and cutie for the little girl to wear bikini while smart-looking and suave for the little boy to wear specs, cool boy!

I’ll be back to post the gender of my baby soon! Till then, ciao!

[#2] Woes Of Being A Pregnant Woman

My #1 woe will be the morning sickness, no-appetite, tiredness and the changes in my body. This is something I cannot avoid and just have to wait for it to be over.

The #2 woe I have of being a preggy in Singapore is having great difficulty to find a seat in the train, even in off peak hours.

Due to the overcrowded and population-increase in this tiny dot country on world map, travelling on public trains is a pain everywhere (HERE).

I won’t say 100% of the commuters are that heartless to ignore me, but I confirm and swear there is a minority among us who will “Gei-siao”, act blur, “bo-chap”, ignore, fake a sleep when they obviously know my existence and my baby bump. The worst case I had was an OL who cut into my queue and squeezed her way into the Reserved Seat, and held up her newspapers pretend not to see me when I was just standing right infront of her.

Never mind if I am not offered a seat, I believe in a thing call Karma. Wait till it’s their turns or their daughters’ to get pregnant, the same thing will happen to them. If I am really not feeling well, I can jolly take another train, hoping to meet a kind soul, or pull out my thick-skinned mask and asked for seat if possible. Preggy ladies really don’t have to so desperate for a seat, think of the good days when we did have a seat. =)

Not sure if anyone has noticed, this sacred seat used to be named “Priority Seat”. But the name prolly didn’t work successfully to encourage commuters to graciously give up the seat to those who need it, and worse, some people see it as a first-class seat because of the word Priority! Tsk tsk!

But changing the name to “Reserved Seat” doesn’t seem to make things any better in my opinion. It only makes people to rush for the non-reserved seats and leave the Reserved Seats for the last few who enter the train. This is the infamous kiasu-ism in Singapore. It shows the ugly side of the *residents in the country.

So much for promoting birth rate among Singaporeans, but so little campaign in teaching us the graciousness to give up seats to preggy?

If preggy has the privilege of no need to work, or working from home, or work lesser days/week, I won’t have to take this pain of squeezing myself in the train, facing little chances of getting a seat despite my baby bump is big enough to be seen, not to mention the backache I have to tolerate when standing in the squeezy crowd!

But wait long long, it is not going to happen, at least for now! Govt should know it’s not just the high living expenses affect the birth rate, it’s also the pain of suffering for the 9-10 months that make us think twice of having baby! Not everyone owns a car, and train transport is one of the most convenient and affordable for a group of us. Imagine squeezing myself in the train like almost every day throughout the pregnancy months?

So I face the fact, nothing is going to change (for me). I just have to be flexible with myself. Whining is getting me nowhere, but at least it makes me feel better.

Inorder to get myself a seat while travelling to work, I actually take the rebound train EVERYTIME in the morning peak hours. Even though Tampines is just one stop after Pasir Ris (Terminal station), there are very low chances to find an empty seat from Pasir Ris – Tampines. I have to take from Tampines – Pasir Ris – Tampines and all the way to the city.

On some days, I am even willing to pay slightly more to take the express private transport from Tampines to city, just to save the hassle and make myself more comfy during the 30-45 minutes journey.

But this morning, I suay la. I took the train and sat on Reserved Seat. I swear there were other Reserved Seats occupied by the less needy. But this ah-pek had to ask me to force my seat to him. I said force because he was very persistent.

I didn’t know why he entered from the other door which is also near another Reserved Seat but didn’t want the seats and had to walk to the cabin where I was. He then stood infront of me, staring at me. I ignored him. Then he stood nearer and nearer to me, I looked at him, he pointed to me the Reserved Seat pictorial. I told I needed the seat too. He said ok. (But later on I realized he was not okay with my reply!)

He then stood nearer and nearer, almost rubbing my knees! He nagged and I told him, “I am pregnant, don’t stand so close to me!”. He replied, “I know, but I am old, to avoid falling down, I grabbed the hand pole and must stand close!”

#%^&*^(^$$%^

When I looked at my phone, he actually bent closer towards me like staring what I was doing. Damn. I had to hold my phone nearer to my chest to have some phone privacy, But he still didn’t’ give up and kept staring, like at my boobs area where I held my phone! I felt so uncomfortable!

He kept nagging and even talked to other commuters in English, “Is your newspapers in English or Chinese? I can’t read English, but I can read the word “Reserved Seat” labeled here.”

I was like HUH?? Obviously he was not happy with me.

So when he bent and stared at me again, I shouted at him, “WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?”

His reply, “This seat is written Reserved!”

Me, “Yes I know! But I am pregnant and falls under the same category as you!”

By then I was loud and crying. I lost control and became too emotional.

Two ladies tried to comfort me, one of them even wanted to gave up her seat to him, one other man tried to explain to ah pek. But the ah pek just “chao chao niam”and walked off, turning down the lady who offered her seat.

I was like, what’s wrong with me taking this seat, it’s first come first served, and his name is not written there. There are other Reserved Seats he could have asked, why me, a 4-month pregnant lady carrying a big bag and a packet of breakfast? I didn’t mind taking another seat (if it was offered to me) and gave the Reserved Sseat to him. But the thing was, I didn’t have an alternative seat at that point of time!

What a dramatic Friday morning I had. This incident has made me think twice of taking the Reserved Seat even when I have the privilege. Since I am always taking the rebound train, I shall take the non-reserved seats to avoid myself getting into another awkward moment.

I will really appreciate of the management can deploy more officers at the platform during peak hours. Especially during knock-off hours from work, I need their help to get me a seat. Many times, I have to squeeze in the crowd, so I don’t blame the seated commuters who are unable to notice me since I am mostly squeezed at the doorway. But if there officers who can help, I will be able to squeeze in and get a seat.

I do know there are some officers who do that at a few stations. I ever witness one officer tried to get one elderly a seat successfully and I thought that was a very nice gesture of her.

Let me take the graciousness of the Taiwanese as an example. Unlike we have only 1 Reserved Seat at each end of the stretch of seats, the trains in Taiwan had two. No one would take the Reserved Seats even on peak hours. No matter how squeeze their trains are, that few Reserved Seats would be untouched by the less needy. I was very impressed by their graciousness on this. I wonder how did their Govt educate the people and how did campaigns turn out so successful. *Salute*

Maybe our leaders should set some rules on the less needy who take the Reserved Seats.

• No sleeping is allowed.
• No to be too engrossed in reading papers or using the phone. When the train door opens, they should stop and look out for those who need the seats.
• Install a camera perhaps? Just like speeding cars, offenders will be fined?

I don’t know, I am getting sick with the crowded trains issue. Nothing has been improved despite the high-frequency of trains arrival.

I didn’t know it is that difficult to find a seat for preggy. Some kind commuters may have notice the preggy, but because of our society and culture, not many dare to speak up for the preggy, worrying of getting into trouble themselves.

At times, I feel so pathetic for what the society has become. When was the last time we had a comfortable train ride to work?

_________________

*Residents comprise of :

• Educated and non-educated Singaporean, adults and teenagers

• Talent and non talented foreignersSpoilt children who will whine and whine to the parent they want a seat, making the seated commuters embarrass

• The elderly who are slow in their movement are worried they are to slow to grap a seat

My first blogpost on my pregnancy!

I am now officially in my 13-14 weeks pregnancy!

Didn’t want to announce my pregnancy in this blog until my anger nerves kena poked by this infamous blogger last week. Yet to receive any apology but it’s okay, I just wanted to rant and shame her because damage’s done.

She has been outcasted and hated by a number of bloggers in the blogging sphere for her unethical way of blogging by copying and extracting all over www without giving credits to the original source, trying to impress readers she is sooooo professional and knowledgeable. Needless to say, after her deeds were exposed, I am one of those who do not want to have anything to do with her, not even a hi-bye friend. I haven’t even spoke to her anything about my personal life and any common blogging topics. To me, she’s a stranger.

But guess what?

Just last week at a beauty event (damn, I should have went and slam her hard!), a PR was asking how I was doing. Few bloggers would have already knew I am now pregnant and told the PR. But this pest tried to be a smart alec, making guesses and replied everyone “you mean she was already pregnant during her wedding?”! Nobody likes to be maligned. Shotgun may be common theses days, but sorry hor, my mind is not so open yet to have this happen in my family. This just shows how dumb she can answer a question which is not even about her with no truth. I have yet to offend her before this and I have really no idea why will she want to say this about me. Trying to cook up a story? To add juicy gossips to my pregnancy? Or trying to gain attention to herself by stirring people’s curiosity to talk to her to find out more about my pregnancy?

Darn! Is she stupid or what? She’s not even 983567256474885 miles close to me, how the hell she knows my pregnancy happens because of shotgun? It’s not true okay you pest! Even if it’s true, it’s none of your shitty business and there’s no need to spread this kind of news. Shotgun maybe OKAY to you but please be sensitive to others’ feelings before you talk!

I have only announced my pregnancy in twitter and I swear as of now, she is not in my followers list. So the three guesses from me on how she knows about my pregnancy:

1. Stalk my tweets. Nothing new. She has been famous for stalking blogs and articles to extract the photos and paragraphs for her blog. So it’s nothing new that she loves being a stalker.

2. She heard from another ignorant idiot. Then again, if it’s only a hearsay, why is she so dumb to spread it? This is how untrue rumours and gossips are spread, by this kind of low-class people.

3. She knew I am pregnant but trying to make a guess saying I have shotgun.

Those who know me well enough know my wedding happened in Sept last year and I only twittered (not even on FB) my pregnancy in March after the do-not-announce-your-pregnancy until-after-3-months old wives’ tales. Which means my conception happened in December last year. Oh yah, my little one is a christmas baby, gynae has verified my conception happened around Christmas! No Euro baby, but Christmas baby also not bad la! (Pest, you may want to do a google on what does conception mean and learn some simple calculation why my pregnancy is not because of shotgun, I can understand your small brain there.)

If you are reading this Gin Wong, you are such a pest, a dumbo bimbo who has zero knowledge but only knows how to upload poor resolution (maybe you are that poor to buy yourself a decent camera) photos of yourself showing cleavage, a copycat, an unethical blogger. Words from your mouth stink. You can be sued for slandering my reputation because it matters to me even if shotgun nowadays is nothing new. Before you want others to respect you, kindly show some basic respect to others first. You can say I am lying, But I’ll prove to you when the baby comes out in Sept! But first, please go do some research on how many weeks a pregnancy is because you are just so dumb and ignorant!

Back to my do-not-announce-your-pregnancy until-after-3-months old wives’ tales period.

Initially only my closest loved ones knew. There has always been a tradition that pregnancy should not be announced until after 3 months else the little one will be angry. You may think it’s myth but I always choose to believe if it’s something that can affect live and death or something that happens once in a lifetime.

But my experienced mummy friend told me, “If people don’t ask, we don’t need to say out our pregnancy. But when ask, we should admit. Acknowledge the baby.” I find this so true, yes, I should acknowledge my baby! So I only told a few close friends.

To be frank, I have to tell a few close friends about my pregnancy because there are times I need encouragement words, advices and listening ears before the 3 months end. It will be a horrible period to keep everything to myself when I am already suffering from the pregnancy.

My life has been badly affected because of the pregnancy. I had miss all the outings with my friends and blogging events. (Which explains the slow update in my blog) First symptom was extreme tiredness. I hardly wanted to switch on the laptop be it on weekdays or weekends. Briefly checked my email once every few days via mobile. Been rejecting events and had become selective in accepting sponsorships, especially those with deadlines or require self-collection at events. There was a weekend when I slept throughout the day, so deep in my sleep that Hubby described me in coma. Then of course when I missed my menstruation date for 1-2 weeks, I decided to test if I was pregnant via a test kit. (Yes, at that point of time, Hubby and I were already planning for a baby) I didn’t feel there’s a need to buy a high-end one, I just picked the Watsons house brand kit. I was tested positive! And the first person I called to inform was my husband, followed by my mum. Mum told me to go to a normal GP for a confirmation test which also tested positive. By then we were told I was already 6 weeks pregnant!

The lucky part was I wasn’t facing any morning sickness yet, no sign of nauseous and vomiting, I could still eat as per normal, just that I was feeling tired and sleepy. GP referred me to Dr Fong Kah Leng at Parkway East hospital, the nearest hospital to us for delivery.

Went for my first check up during my 8th week. First visit to Dr Fong was memorable. Hubby and I got to see our little one who was only about 2cm! Looked like a bean! The head has already started to form. Then we heard the world’s most amazing sound, my baby’s heartbeat which was at 180! Dr Fong was saying baby was like nervous, so fast, but it’s very good! The heartbeat sounded like those construction vehicles pounding the ground for flat building! Very loud and fast! That marks the 1st photo-taking session of the little one at 8th week.

Just my 2-cents, there is actually no need to do scanning and spend $100 over at the gynae if pregnancy is less than 3 months. There isn’t nothing much to check except for a heartbeart and a tiny image of the foetus. But because it’s our first pregnancy and we were very gan chiong, that’s why we booked our first appoint at week 8. Now we know liao, for our 2nd pregnancy, we will prolly go for the first scan and checkup during week 12.

Though I was only 8th week pregnant, my tummy was very obvious and bloated. Mum was still joking maybe I was having a twin since my family has a twin history.

By then I already had my first vomit which was really awful. I lost my appetite and didn’t have mood for anything. My family is very supportive and caring towards me. Even my bro’s gf tried to stay away from me when she was having flu. She knew I was pregnant and must not get sick since I could not anyhow take medicine. That’s so thoughtful of her. Mum would try to cook me food that I had craving for. Mother-in-law would cook me healthy food to make me feel better. But actually until now, I don’t have any food cravings. The morning sickness is making me to lose my appetite.

From 8 to 10 weeks, my vomiting frequency was like 1-2 times a week, usually happen after lunch or dinner. But as I was stepping towards end of 1st trimester, I practically vomited everyday, anytime, can be morning even before I had my breakfast, or few hours after lunch/dinner. I still feel tired and sleeps at 10pm everynight. I have got no mood for blogging, tidying my room, or even a simple makeup. My underarm hair has grown to a length which I’ve never seen before. I can no longer go for underarm IPL but am too tired to pluck myself. Hubby offers to help me pluck but most of the times I just cannot wait to lie on bed and sleep.

To make things worse, since my 10 weeks pregnancy, my tongue has become bland, like a metallic taste which makes me puke. I had to take sweet/sour drinks, fruits and sweets to give some taste to my tongue. Drinking plain water is like asking me to puke more.

Had my OSCAR test and “bring my little for photo-taking” again. Photo-taking isn’t cheap and after some calculations, we decided to buy a package from Dr Fong. More worth it, with the vitamins, checkup, scanning and consultation. The little one measured about 6cm yesterday, heartbeat was about 160 and very active inside me. Not sure if the little one was having hiccups or doing stretching, but the action was really very cute! The hands were moving, like waving at us. Hands, fingers, legs were healthily formed. Keeps tossing and moving inside me! It was a magical moment for my husband and myself.

OSCAR test comprises of a blood test and a scan. The only pain was during blood test, with a needle poked into my vein on my arm, same area when during blood donation. Pain was bearable, like an ant bite. Scanning was interesting, I could see the little one from the top view and bottom view, like a 3D scan. We almost could see the gender of the little one but the private part was a little small, so still can’t confirm. Dr tried to make us a little happy that there is a chance it’s a boy. No preferences for my husband and myself though. It’s our first child afterall, and all we want is to have a healthy baby. Looking forward to know the results from OSCAR test.

But inside me, I know I am going to spend a lot on dressing up the baby if it’s a girl. Hubby says why I am so not fair~ Heh!

My next check up will be in April, hopefully by then we will know the gender.

After so long… finally!!!!!!!

Heh!! Have received my 250pcs name cards for my blog!

I have been contemplating about printing my own name card since a year ago! Each time when I meet up people from the brand marketing, media or at press events, usually the first chat started off with a self-intro by doing a name card exchange. But I feel kind of embarrassed (weird, or a sense of emptiness) as I have no name card for me to exchange with them.

I am thinking, since I will probably continue blogging for the next few years to come, it will be nice of me to get myself a proper name card for my blog.

So recently when I saw a deal at deal.com (one of the very popular websites which is all about self-pampering on travels, foods, mani/pedi etc at attractive prices!) on namecard printing at Vistaprint, I thought the deal was not bad and I went ahead to buy it!

Vistaprint has other interesting customized services at their website too.

The deal which I bought was only SGD12.50!!! so cheap right? I was allowed to choose any of the namecard templates and additional requests at no extra costs!

Customers of Vistaprint get to choose whether they want to use the ready-made templates available on the website, or submit using their own designs, very flexible here.

The whole trade was very fast and everything went smooth with no hiccups!

After submitting my templates and design, I received another email from Vistaprint, informing me that my cards have been shipped!

WOW, that’s so fast!

Within a few days, my cards arrived at my mailbox!

Here’s the front view:

and my name card back view:

Simple and sweet, I strongly believe this template suits my blog and my personal style, it’s like “SO ME”! *thick skinned*

I added my small avatar picture onto the name card. Usual purchase, additional cost will be incurred. But because I bought from the deal, I didn’t have to pay additional money.

I am proud to say 4 name cards have been given out!

Haha, 3 are my gfs (Himeko, Yijing, Ning Xin), and 1 for my bf. They are so supportive ya. I almost worried no one will want to keep my name card!

Anyway, if you are keen in printing a name card for yourself, there is a deal currently going on at deal.com! But it’s not the same as what I have paid. I paid mine at SGD12.50, the deal that is on-going now is SGD25. =X

Day 2 – Rejuvenate with F&N Seasons Jasmine Green Tea !

F&N Seasons Green Tea is available at almost all convenient stores
near shopping malls, mrt stations, bus stops etc…

grab a bottle whenever you feel tired after a long day at work!

It helps in keeping your mind, body and soul cheery in a way!

ciaoz!
do check out F&N Seasons facebook here!

Day 1 – Run with FNN Seasons Jasmine/Ice Lemon Green Tea !

To stay physically fit and in good health,
Green Tea is one of the Goodness you should give to your body!

Anti-Oxidant
Quench Your Thirst
No burps

Not just for casual drinking, it’s also for the marathon runners!

And the results?

SEE, I told U! Top 3 runners have FNN Seasons Green Tea and have WON!

And Runners went home with a happy, contented, satisfying mood!

So remember to drink them the night before you go for your Army Half Marathon,
Women Great Eastern Run, Stan.Chart Run etc!

do check out F&N Seasons facebook here!
 

Have you started the PositiviTEA Plantation ?

Have you been active enough in Facebook?

Do you belong to the group of optimistic thinking human or alien?

Are you addicted to Green Tea?

If you find any of the above applicable to you…

GOOD!

Welcome to the PositiviTEA Plantation of FNN Seasons!

Outfit Of The Day

After revamping my wardrobe, I’ve been trying to mix and match around some of my tops to pair with jeans!
Wore a long tank top tunic today.
It’s Friday and I thought of wearing jeans to work.
But aircon in the office is pretty strong.
Decided to layer on with another loose top which was bought many years ago!
"Recycle" my old tops!
This loose top is pretty versatile, I wore it with as off shoulder top~

 

F&N SEASONS Positivity Starts with Me Blog Challenge

Check out the interesting decor of the Green Tea from F&N Seasons!
The decor will be available at the bus stop Shelter outside The Heeren till 29th October 2010!

The BIG green tea can!

Announcement on my Aqualabel Private Party

Announcement on my Aqualabel Private Party
which is to be held on next Wed, 29th Sept 2010 7pm…

my rsvp guests are more than the maximum allowed..
if any of you are unable to make it, kindly inform me early so as to give your seats to those on waiting list.

i’ll be sending all successful rsvp a confirmation email by Saturday.

"don’t fly me aeroplane ok…" =/