Singapore / Malaysia Trip and the other 3 Weddings!

The trip back home to Singapore / Malaysia this time round was definitely a more eventful one and I was sure happy to be able to spend Christmas with my family. Christmas was always a significant celebration in our household since I was young and mum was certainly elated that I was able to go to church with her.

The main purpose of the trip back this time was for the 'other 3 weddings', well sort of. The in-laws didn't want to hold anything in Singapore, but we did have a meal to meet the families of both sides. The hubby's mum and dad's sides apparently are too huge to consolidate into one event, so we had two separate luncheons in Singapore. And I'll be blogging about our Malaysia wedding on our wedding blog.

Christmas dinner with the family at New York Hotel	Meet-up with some of the Gippslanders at Ma Maison
Elephant statues outside the LV shop at Orchard Road	T-Shirt Printing shop at Holiday Plaza, Johor Bahru
Cousin Terrance's wedding at the Orna Golf and Country Club in Malacca.	Mum and Dad swinging away at the tunes while we celebrated the countdown to New Year's 2012.
Favourite niece Felicia with my cousin Adeline's newborn daughter Mabel.	Meet-up with my Pooh-gang gals and Pal S.K. This was coffee in Prive at Keppel Bay.

And for the first time in our relationship, I finally stayed at the hubby's place. I mean of course that should be the norm since we are officially married now. But it was really weird at first because in the past I have never stepped foot in their house. In the end it turned out alright and the parents-in-law were really nice and accommodating. And so was his old grandmother who had dementia, but she was ever so happy to see us.

Even though we are married now, I still do go away for a few days during the trip to stay with my parents. I am my parent's only daughter and they also only get to see me like once a year or so. That's why I treasure the time with them every time I go back back home. Of course we do miss the other family and friends too. Till the next time we return, hopefully we'll be bringing our little bundle of joy with us then.

Easter trip back to Malaysia and Singapore

Tubbs and I decided to use the Easter holidays this year to make a trip back to Malaysia / Singapore. It was not the usual holiday back to only visit family and friends, but more for getting some wedding preps done as well as familiarizing and spending time with the future-in-laws.

I was also really happy this time to be able to get more acquainted with the future-in-laws. They even went with us to choose our wedding bands. And it was the first time I visited Tubb's home in SG even though we have been together for 6 years+ now. We also got our pre-wedding photo-shoot done, met up with my bridesmaids to sort out their dresses, and got my wedding and evening gown sorted out.

Crazy shopping day spent with mum and chaboh Len.	Chaboh Len and I at the bridal studio to pick out gowns.
Stoney, Aunty Margaret's dog - she's a friend of mum's.	Walking down Chinatown again in Singapore was nostalgic.
At Crazy World Cafe, Dan bro's sister and bro-in-law's restaurant	Yup that's the future-in-laws, a shot that I thought I would never have gotten

Much time was also spent catching up with friends whom I only get to see only once a year or two. It was the usual shuffle in between of Singapore and Malaysia. But I spent less time in SG this year as compared to the last due to the things that needed to get done, and so the schedule was really packed.

With high sch besties Wen and Ren	Tigger and Pooh! One of my Bridesmaids!
With mum and my beloved Niece and Nephew	With Chaboh Liliz on her birthday!
With Pal S.K, Thanks for the seafood treat!	Kitty and Pooh! One of my uni mates.

I organised meet-ups for lunch and dinner in one day with different friends just so we get to meet up, in however short an amount of time we had. I was also really happy to see my beloved niece and nephew, they just grow up so fast and time really flies! Also big thanks to my Pal who treated me to yummy seafood at East Coast.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, newest attraction in SG	Dar and me inside the hotel cum shopping mall
My sister-in-law and me at Marina Bay Sands	Marina Ba Sands Hotel interior

And hehe, I think we acted like "tourists" back there as well, visiting the newly opened Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Shopping and Casino. There was a fee to pay to take a ride to the roof top viewing area with the swimming pool and stuff. But we decided we'll do that end year instead, when we go back again. And if time permits, I'd also like to make a trip to Universal Studios!

And so in that short amount of time and the things we did, I'd say it was quite a fruitful trip! :)

Trip back Malaysia and Singapore 2009/10

The saying, "Time and tide wait for no man" is so true especially when it seemed like just yesterday that there were mix feelings about going back to Singapore / Malaysia, then there was the scene of Jasper clawing on my jeans refusing to let go as we tried to board the cab to the airport. But in a flash, the holidays back there came and went and for now at least I have photos and videos and the sweet memories to hold on before the next visit back. Here's some of the hundreds of photos taken... :p

My family: Brother Rodney and Sis-in-law Jane finally got married and this is from the wedding dinner.

Secondary school Bestie Cindy's Wedding. Together with the girls: the pretty bride, Susan and Beiwen. Missing Sharon cause she was not feeling well.

With dearest cousins whom I have played up since primary school! Janice and Kristie with her cutie son Jayden.

With 2 of my chaobohs Len and Joewiz (right) and Miko in purple top. At Midvalley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur.

With Miko and Chaboh Liz (Sheali) this time at Kim Garry restaurant also at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur.

Stayed with my dear Aunty Ruby when we were in KL. Mum and Aunty Judy on the right.

Pooh gang (and Tubby as well taking the photo! :p) at P.S Cafe at Dempsey Hill, Singapore.

With Secondary School besties again Wen and Ren at a Jap restaurant at Vivo City, Singapore.

With two of the dalpura gang Ying and Eileen: Coffee @ Starbucks!

With Korean trip pals Ailin and Swee Kee at Bugis Junction, Singapore.

So that's pretty much my time spent in Singapore and Malaysia. Apart from that, of course I ate a lot and shopped alot. I bought so many things from Jusco in JB cause they were such great bargains during the sale! I kinda regret not buying more, but then again bringing back the luggages might have been quite a hassle both with the weight and trying to squeeze things in. Oh well, till next time, at least I picked up most things that I needed.

Malaysia/Singapore Trip 2008, a sense of Nostalgia and more thoughts.

Just got back from my Malaysia/Singapore trip last Saturday. For the first time, it actually felt exceptionally good to be back. I've been missing my family and besties for too long. But as it was the usual two weeks holiday only, I had to squeeze as much time to meet up with those that matter. Although a couple of others I really wanted to meet couldn't make it cause we all had time constricts too since it around the Chinese new year period where everyone was busy.

And not forgetting I had to make time for my hairdressing, dentist and eyebrow embroidery appointments too. So here's a snapshot of those dearies I got to meet. Even if it was only for an hour or half hour, it was the fact that we got to at least see each other that mattered. People in the photo from top left clockwise: Joewiz, Len, Denise, Evon, Cousin Aiting, Nephew Desmond, Niece Felicia, Cousins Janice and Kristie, Beiwen, Susan, Sharon, Cindy, Shiguan, Ruiqi and Ailin.

*Full photos of trip available on Facebook ;)

Going back was a mix feeling of happiness, sadness and also nostalgia this time. I was happy to go back to my darlings Tubby and Jasper, but also sad that I only get to see the family and friends close to my heart only once a year. It probably got worse over the years because the amount of time they have been away from me got longer as the years went by. But I was really touched that my chabohs Len and Looloo drove all the way down from KL just to meet me over the weekend. It was short but sweet girls! MUAKS Also I really appreciate my other girlies who got together to meet up when I was back as well... You all know it, I love ya all!

Anyway I was chatting to Denise the other day, she could tell I seemed sad. My feelings of unhappiness were showing because life now is like hanging on tassels. Tubby just graduated last Dec and is now looking for a job around Melbourne. And once he gets one, I'll quit mine and join him a couple of months later. The waiting part is the most excruciating and so is the thought of having to find a new place to stay, looking for a new job, change of environments and stuff. And it doesn't help when Tubby's parents are causing troubles for us; like not liking the idea that we're staying together, and still treating him like their precious baby boy.

It's hard isn't it? A relationship can never be perfect right? When there are no problems with the couples themselves, the family members might be the one causing the conflicts. It's like the saying, "When you marry someone, you marry his whole family too". My parents talked to me about this matter and they warned me future problems. I'm also really vexed sometimes cause I'm not sure if I should give up this relationship just because of them, though I'm not too sure how long more I can take it. From the way his parents are behaving, they are not expecting him to settle down in the next few years; which is what our plans are. So this is a hurdle which seems almost impossible to jump over...

New year new hopes new hairstyle :p, Trip back to Malaysia and Singapore, and Congrats to Stacey.

The start of a New Year, the start of a new blog design. Yes, it should have been earlier, but there were lotsa unpacking, cleaning up, re-arranging of furniture, and not forgetting the unwilling start of work last week, so it took some time. In fact, it took so long that I've kinda forgotten most of the things I wanted to say.

The trip back to Malaysia/Singapore this time was a brief and hurried one. I had to squeeze spending time with my family and meeting up with friends all in just 2 weeks! But it was still a memorable one because I managed to meet up with those that mattered to me and that was all that matters right? ;) Okay I won't deny that maybe I did become a bit anti-social, in that there were wee little times that I actually felt lazy going out. Well, can't exactly blame me since a sociable and happening (used-to) person like me being isolated in a place like Gippsland for so long, I am already thankful that I'm still sane up to now. Anyway, enough of whingeing, here's the photos from the trip: (Of course I can't put 100 over up here!)

I'm so glad that I've managed to meet up with my dear dear cousins this year and it was especially heart-warming that we could celebrate the count-down to christmas this year. After a much heavy buffet dinner at New York hotel with my parents, bro and sis-in-law, we headed over to my coussy's house. Pics clockwise from left: With my Kristie, Rachel and Janice, Everyone having a great time singing, cute Desmond an Felicia, and Felicia enjoying her hello kitty ride.

With 2 pals from the Korean trip, Swee Kee and Ailin, With Primary, Secondary School and Poly friend Fukang, with Secondary Sch besties: Sharon, Beiwen, Susan and Cindy and lastly with darling's "super ultra annoying non-stop fidgeting" BUT awesome friend Leonard, a.k.a Monkey boy! heehee.. :) Can you believe he actually squatted down next to me at a Traffic Light crossing and pretended to be a pimp! OMG!

With my pooh gang, Evon and Denise, with cousin Aiting, with ex-ex-BF's friend Sunny and of course not to forget a quick visit on the day I flew off to CTC, my ex company to find my God bro, pass him his prezzie and say hi to everyone. Wish I had more time for lunch and dinners with them though. My ex lady boss was also telling me about the Integrated Resort thingy happenin soon, it was sucha temptation to packs my bags in OZ and zoom back SG. But... anyway, from left is William, CK and Ian.

Best wishes as well to Stacey who got married on 13 January. Wished I could attend her wedding in Singapore. But lucky I could get some friends to bring over the prezzie anyway. So till then, enjoy photos... (P.S: Chaboh loo, don't kill me for not putting your pic here hor, at least it's in friendster! hehe.. ;p)