Singtel Midnight Dash

Exchanged my Singtel Rewards points for a chance to join in the dash and I was lucky enough to get it! It means I won $500 worth of groceries from NTUC and all I had to do was to grab them within 5 minutes.

 

Attended the briefing for all the 100 winners on 19th June. Each winner is allowed to bring a friend to make a team and that makes 200 people grabbing groceries!

I am team A2 and that makes me one of the first group of people to grab the groceries.

Our emcee is the very cute Randall Tan!

We were briefed on where we can grab items from and what are the items we cannot take.

 

The Actual Day!

On the actual day! My friend and I went an hour early to recee and also to calculate what will make up $500. Did I mention that The team that grabs the closest to $500 worth of groceries stand to win an extra $3000 worth of NTUC vouchers?

The handsome Randall Tan again.

Here's what we managed to grab and it came up to exactly $500! We managed to grab all the items that we wanted to!

After the grabbing, it's waiting for the rest of the teams to finish and the results to see who got the closest to $500. Out of the 100 teams, 26 teams managed to get exactly $500 worth of groceries, the total price of $9000 worth of vouchers was split among the 26 teams and we each got $350 worth vouchers!

Aftermath....

The following day, I went to NTUC Extra at Ang Mo Kio Hub and bought stroller using the vouchers I'd won! I've been eyeing this particular stroller for 6 months and it just so happened that my mom left behind Larissa's stroller at the boot of a taxi just 2 weeks back.

 

So lucky right? 

可惜不是你

A song made popular by Fish Leong. This is the version by the songwriter himself which I like better. I can feel the pain when listening to him sing this song.

God Provides

Larissa has been falling sick pretty frequently after she started going to childcare and its almost monthly that I had to bring her to the doctor. There was one time she fell sick due to Bronchitis and had to see the pediatrician almost weekly. That month alone, I spent close to 700 bucks on the doctor alone and because of that, I drew money from my credit cards and am now living in the red.

This month, I realised that all my necessities seem to be running out. Larissa\'s milk powders, diapers, my make up remover, facial cleanser and even my sanitary pads. The worst thing was that I had close to zero dollars in my accounts and am in debt to my credit cards. Larissa\'s daddy has also been defaulting on her maintenance...

Just when I was thinking of how to solve these problems, I won $500 worth of groceries from Singtel!

I have been using Singtel for close to 10 years and am rewarded points which I can use to get a rebate off my bills once in a while. This month, Singtel held a promotion which we had to use our reward points to change for a chance to win this $500 and I used my points to change for it in the hope that I will get a chance at it and yes, I won it!

We were given 5 mins to grab our groceries and as long as it is below $500, its all ours for free. Best of all, there was another prize of $9000

《世界上最远的距离》 泰戈尔

I find this poem very poignant...so distressingly beautiful...

世界上最远的距离
不是 生与死的距离
而是 我站在你面前
你不知道我爱你

世界上最远的距离
不是 我站在你面前
你不知道我爱你
而是 爱到痴迷
却不能说我爱你

世界上最远的距离
不是 我不能说我爱你
而是 想你痛彻心脾
却只能深埋心底

世界上最远的距离
不是 我不能说我想你
而是 彼此相爱
却不能够在一起

世界上最远的距离
不是 彼此相爱
却不能够在一起
而是明知道真爱无敌
却装作毫不在意

世界上最远的距离
不是 树与树的距离
而是 同根生长的树枝
却无法在风中相依

世界上最远的距离
不是 树枝无法相依
而是 相互了望的星星
却没有交汇的轨迹

世界上最远的距离
不是 星星之间的轨迹
而是 纵然轨迹交汇
却在转瞬间无处寻觅

世界上最远的距离
不是 瞬间便无处寻觅
而是 尚未相遇
便注定无法相聚

世界上最远的距离
是鱼与飞鸟的距离
一个在天,一个却深潜海底

My Working Life

A single mother's life really is a crazy, mad and busy life.

A typical day in my life starts at 7am. I have to get ready and out of the door by 7.45am. Larissa is normally still in bed when I get up so I'd give her a kiss before I head out for work and then its off to buying breakfast for my colleagues. The daily commute to work takes about 45mins.

The very minute I step into the office, its non-stop answering of phone calls, replying to enquiries on the phone and by email and taking of orders. The phones can ring on and on the whole day with no time to even put down the phone. How my colleagues can key in orders or reply to emails while on the line is a wonder to me. It's something that I can never do! I don't normally take lunch breaks. I mean I do eat but I lunch in the office and still answer phone calls. Anyway, this goes on until 6.30pm when we are supposedly off work but the work doesn't end there. This is the time where I print my food labels, you know, the ones you always requests for so that you know what you are eating. I also use the time to submit invoices, keep track of outstanding payments and end emails to remind customers of it, charge customers' buffets to their credit cards, key orders and do filing. It'd be 9pm by the time I'm done, 45mins commute by public transport later and tadah, I am home!

Larissa is usually asleep when I get home. I'd take a shower, read the papers to catch up on whats going on, maybe watch a bit of tv or do some personal grooming and before I know it, its already 2am!

Yeah, I know it all seems cazy and I do get scolding from my family members due to my long working hours. I have to say, its all my fault. I am not the most meticulous person and I make mistakes during work like when keying in order and having to make amendments do take up a bit of time.

Anyway, due to some changes to the company policies, I have tendered my resignation. Right now, I intend to find a job that allows me time to take up a private diploma and more time with Larissa. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I find something good. I think I am crazy for tendering without even having a new job but well, its a risk I am gonna take. Keep your fingers crossed for me or click on the Nuffnang ads to help me! LOL!

Larissa Turns Two!

This is a very back dated post that was kept in my draft for for the longest time. Larissa turned 2 in November last year and I managed to book an ice cream place near my home to celebrate her birthday. The initial plan was to just cater a buffet at my mom's place for her birthday but just 3 weeks before her birthday, Creamier, opened its doors and I was so impressed by their handmade ice cream that I decided to book the place for Larissa's birthday. It cost me a bomb but it was Larissa's first birthday without her daddy and this is perhaps my way of making up to her. It was a ice cream and waffles party and everyone got free flow ice cream! Did I mention that Creamier also served delicious Belgian waffles? Anyway, here's some photos of the birthday party. The photos are courtesy of Charles, a great friend and freelance photographer. Do email me if you'd like to engage him. 

 

Its Been A While....

I feel really guilt for not blogging for a long time. Its feels like I've neglected my readers and done them wrong.

Well, just to update you guys, its been almost 10 months since I  left my husband.

Many readers actually thought that I will eventually go back to him but I did not. It was for good.

While I cannot file for divorce till June this year, I have successfully filed for maintanence. We went for mediation session and came to an agreement on the amount of maintanence he will have to pay. Its not a big amount but I reckon that it will be better than his not paying anything right now, that is if he even pays up at all.

Life as a single mother to a two year old toddler isn't really that easy. Yes, I do find it tough having to juggle work and my life sometimes. Especially so when my work requires long working hours.

Larissa has started full day childcare near my place and I am very thankful for that coz previously when she stayed at home all day, I'd get a lot of flake from my family. Being the friendly little girl she has always been, Larissa did not have much problems adjusting to childcare. In fact, she enjoys going to childcare! She comes home with new songs and its amazing how she picks new things up so fast!

Larissa came down with bronchitis just a couple of weeks ago and the visits to the pediatrician has set me back quite a bit considering that we get by just nice every month with little or no excess but it made me realise that I have to start saving up before things got out of hand.

I have also joined a support group for divorced parents. Members of the group organize meetups for all kinds of events and it has helped me take my mind of things. Its also great that the weekends are now filled with activities suitable for Larissa and myself.

Some readers have emailed me for advise or support and I must apologize if the reply is slow or there has been little follow up. I will, still try my best if you need help. :)

Tis will be all for now people. Till the next time I blog again!

December 2011

The year is coming to an end. Shall we start reflecting on what has been done in 2011?

Take a pen and paper and write down your answers for the following questions.

1. What have you achieved in 2011?
2. Are there stuff you did that you regretted or wished that you did it another way?
3. What are they?
4. Sum up 2011 in three words.

Take a look at your answers. Think about it. Will 2012 be a better year? It's definitely a yes if you asked me. I always believe in starting the year positively.

Now answer the following questions:-

1. What do you wish to achieve in 2012?
2. What do you think 2012 holds for you?

My wishes for 2012 is simple but hard to achieve. I wanna be one who never judges, have a ready smile for everyone, a listening ear for all who cares to share and an open heart to help anyone who needs help. Sounds simple? Give it a try. Live life a little and enjoy a little. :)))

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Are You Thankful?

I am.

I am thankful every morning when I wake up. Thankful that I get to see my girl's beautiful face.

I'm thankful when I have food on my plate, when I have gatherings with friends and that I make new friends at gatherings.

Life has taught me to be grateful and thankful for everything.:))

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]