From A Reader

So I received mail in the office the other day. Nothing unusual right? So why am I blogging about this? Clients sent letters with their cheques to us all the time so I thought its a cheque from a client.

The first odd thing was that it was addressed to my full name. I really did not put much thought to it but on hindsight, I realised that none of my clients know my full name and most know me as Ivy.

This was what was in the letter. Yes, it appears to be a letter from a reader of my blog. Then again, I have never disclosed my full name or even where I am working in this blog so one can imagine the shock I got.

Dear reader, if you are reading this, thank you for the gift. It is very much appreciated and everyone around me knows how much I love getting NTUC vouchers. It appears that you know me really well, probably even better than I know myself. If it is not too much to ask for, please contact me via email at ivy.q@outlook.sg and let me know where you got all the information from so that I can remove it off any social media platform.

As you can see, I am a mother to a kid and it is a bit of a concern to learn that we can be so easily traced. I really hope to hear from you soon.

Yes, this freaked me out a little but its sweet - in a way. So...I hope this kind reader will contact me. :)

Looking Back at 2014

It feels like forever since I updated my blog and its almost the end of 2014. I must apologize for the lack of updates as I have been mad busy. So, here's looking back at what I managed to achieve the past one year.

1. Got a place to call my own and rented one room out. With the rental yield, I managed to get a personal accident, life insurance and an endowment policy for Larissa and myself!

Exactly how I felt when I got my own home

2. Backpacked alone in Hoi Chi Minh for the first time in my life survived a horrible bout of fever during the trip that came out of nowhere and subsided as mysteriously as it came. #didnotdie

 3. Completed the foundation course which is a Certificate in Business Management so I can start on a private diploma in 2015. Not to mention that I didn't do too badly for it. 2 As, 1 B and 1 C. Yeah, I know...only a certificate but still...

4. Completed my first half marathon, the Penang Bridge International Marathon! My timing was crappy though. I haven't ran for more than 7 months and to think that the first run I go for is a half marathon. I wore ill fitted running shoes and two weeks after coming back to SG, there was pus leaking from underneath my toenail and I have to cut the damn thing off.

5. Found partners to start an online business, assisting another in her online business, managing a Facebook group and also starting a forum!!!!

6. I am now in the midst of organizing a major donation drive for a childrens' home as well!

7. Starting picking up make up tricks to make myself look more presentable so this is what I look like now.

It really doesn't feel like much now that I've typed it all out but it has really been a mad busy year for me and I'm looking forward to 2015! I bet you must be wondering about Larissa. We just celebrated her birthday in Penang during my run. Its funny to think that I was just carrying a baby and she has now turned five. Time really flies. Anyway, this is what she looks like now. 

I think that's all for now. Till next time!

1st Month In

How does one describe moving into one's own place? If you asked me, I'd say it was extremely exhausting and financially draining.

I never realised how much money has to be pumped into a home as I have always lived with my mother. Imagine my astonishment when I only realised that there was not a single clothes peg in the house only after doing a round of laundry and had to go out and get some.

I am, admittedly not the neatest person when I lived with my mother and definitely not at work. My colleagues will tell you that my office desk often resemble a battlefield. Somehow, this is not the same at home. I come home to vacuum the floor almost everyday, or at least when I get home at a reasonable time and the sound coming from the vacuum machine won't make my neighbour come around screaming murder. Its almost like I never have enough time to do everything. Ok now, time for the pictures I promised. Sorry for the poor resolution of some of them cause I had to print screen from my Instagram account as I had just reformat my phone and many photos were gone.

Repainting the common room

As I have bought a repossessed (meaning the last owner couldn't pay up and HDB took back the flat) flat, The first things to do was to get some minor renovation done which included replacing the window hinges (they were all falling off!), installing window grills, overlaying the bathroom tiles and replacing the toilet bowl. Thankfully, I had two really very nice friends who came to help me with the cleaning and repainting. If not for them, I'd probably never finish the work!

IKEA!!! Now my favourite place to buy furniture from!

I brought Larissa to IKEA the weak after we have had the house cleaned to do some major damage to the wallet. Thank god my bonus had just came through so I can buy some furniture for the house. It was the very first time I bought any sort of furniture or bigger item from IKEA so I haven't had a single clue of what to expect. I thought it was as simple as selecting the items I want, pay for it, pay for delivery, assembly and just wait for the person to arrive within 3 working days.

On my first visit to IKEA, I bought a expedit shelf, a Trysil wardrobe, a queen size latex mattress, a Latt Children's table and a aneboda wardrobe. Only after they delivered and assembled the entire thing did I realise what an idiot I was to have paid for assembly so the second time I went to IKEA to get more stuff, I got ambitious and only paid for delivery. I bought the IKEA fixa electric screwdriver and was all ready to start assembling myself.

It took me almost 2 days to finish assembling all by myself.

The Micke desk

The Lavia Bookcase

And the biggest item is the Stornas buffet. 

The desk and bookcase were rather easy to put together but I almost killed myself while assembling the buffet. Its made of solid wood and is quite heavy. Lucky for me that I'm big strong and had only a bit of problem when I had to place the top piece of wood. I really don't encourage any ladies to do this themselves unless they are fat big like me. 

Thankfully I had a friend who was moving out of her place so she passed me her bedframe so I saved a bit on that.

Now that the furnishing is settled, I went to courts and got us a Philips 32" tv, a stand fan and a washing machine. I considered getting these items second hand but Courts was having a discount and it was almost the same price as a second hand item. The TV usually cost $599 but was going for $269, got the fan at $69 and washing machine...due to space constraints, I can only get a small one and the one I got is very small but can do 7.5kg wash so its rather worth the $300 plus I paid for it.

This is what my home currently looks like.

Almost like I haven't much isn't it? That was taken when I just moved in. I have since gotten a second hand sofa bed for the living room. I've also gotten a full bedroom set and furnished it for my tenant!

I've only just realised how tiring it can be to live without a maid. I grew up with a maid cause my mother always hired help. I have to do everything feel like a grown up now! Freedom and independence all comes at a price. Heehee

Its tough sometimes, having to juggle a kid, work and part time studies (I've started on my part time diploma) but its all for the future! I now know what its like to be always tired!

Looking back at 2013

The first month of 2014 is almost over and I am only just looking back at 2013. 

2013 was an okay year for me. I backpacked alone for the first time, dated a few guys but nothing good ever came out of it, ran my first 10km, started swimming regularly,  became the co-organizer of a social netball team and I learned how to appreciate food! Woohoo~!

I guess what really meant anything to me was travelling alone. Especially cause I fell so damn sick on the 3rd day, I was lying on the bed in the hostel, thinking that I'm gonna die in Vietnam. So silly right?

Oh well, I am certainly in love with travelling and I am trying to make sure I will make enough to go travelling.

In 2014, I'll be starting bridging courses to my part time diploma, taking up tennis lessons, swim more, run more, eat more, enjoy my life with Larissa, bring her to places she has never been and just do what I wanna do. I want to live the life that should have been and without regrets! I've been toying with the thought of going Macau to bungee jump for the longest time. I think I need to get it done this year!

How does one juggle a kid, work, sports and studies? I have no idea but I'm gonna do it because there's no one stopping me but myself! I'm gonna self declare that I'm 18 every year and have non-stop energy for everything.

Wait, I forgot dating. Yeah, I'm kinda sick of the dating part. Can I just see everyone but not date anyone? Hahah! I was told off by a friend yesterday though. She said I wanted the convenience of a relationship without the commitment. Oh come on, haven't I got enough commitments already?

Guard your hearts ladies, don't let anyone undeserving get it. (Sounds silly coming from me) HAHAHA!

I'm also gonna start learning to COOK. I've had enough of seeing friends post photos of the amazing looking food they cook so I am gonna start once my new home is done up. Not at my current place cause my mom is just gonna scream at me. 

One last thing, I want to learn how to put together my own computer. A desktop! Since I will be moving into my own place, only fair that I put together my own desktop right?

I feel like I'm only learning to live my life as I turn 30. Better late than NEVER!

A Letter to My Girl

My darling girl,

You are still learning how to speak and cannot tell mommy your feelings. I can only try my best to understand you and make guesses at what you are trying to say.

Mommy is sorry that I have to leave daddy and bring you along with me. You are still too young to understand but mommy will explain it to you when you grow up one day. Daddy still loves you as much as ever. He just won't have the time to visit you as much cause he will be starting his new family soon.

No matter what happens, mommy will always be here for you. You will be mommy's pride and all I want is the best for you. No matter how tough life gets going, or what obstacles are thrown at me, I will try my best to bring you up as well as I can.

I hope that you can grow up to be humble, selfless and fearless like mommy's idol Mr. Chiam. Do not fear my dear for I am here. We may fall in life but what's important is that we learn how to get up from where we fall. Remember that the scars we gain from life is what makes life memorable.

When you grow older, you will fall in love and may even get your heart broken. Mommy will always be here to be your shoulder to cry on and to wipe away your tears.

Mommy might be very fierce some times but that's only because I want you to learn the right values in life and not have to go through what I have.

You will go through a rebellious stage one day and refuse to love me back but I will always be there. I will be your friend and listening ear when you need one.

Life can get tough sometimes but with you by my side, mommy will never give up. Life is a long journey. Mommy is still learning and we will hold onto each other as we go along.

Always remember that mommy loves you.

Love,
Mommy

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]