Finally :) the plans for Europe can start finalizing. Didn't realize how anxious one could be waiting for the results, glad everything turns out well. We are going Europe :) finally a long awaited dream coming true - Italy and France.

A big mistake was made at work. It makes it worse when no one chided me. I need to evaluate situations more critically.

Cebu 2012 - a memorable trip indeed
A mountain so high that can be seen from the airplane when we were in the midst of flying. amazing.
Day 1:
Upon arrival at Cebu international airport, we were chauffeured to nalusuan island resort private jetty. Along the way, we manage to grab macdonald to bring over. The jetty had a stunning view by the sea, clear blue waters greeted me. Momentarily, I felt I was in paradise. The view was too pretty.

We took a 45min boat ride across to nalusuan private resort and was brought to our room. We saw the balcony with sea view, immediately wanting to just stone there. The first marine life that greeted us in the waters below our balcony was a bright blue starfish. We started preparing for our first snorkeling experience at this resort. Grabbing a set of gear, we jumped into the waters. Wow the snorkeling view was pretty at the jetty. Corals and many fishes, small and big, one coloured and many colours, many types.

After the snorkeling, we washed up and were ready for some nice photograph sessions on the island. We witnessed sunset at this little island. The island was amazing, with low tide in the evening and a sand bar appeared. I saw many sea creatures, from sea urchins, starfishes, crabs and many fishes that I can't see from elsewhere. I seem to be living with the marine life there, seeing the crabs emerge from their holes as night falls. Day 2:
We checked out sunrise timing with the staff there and was informed that it is sometime between 5am to 5:30am. I jumped out of bed at 5am, eager to welcome sunrise. afterall, i never get to witness sunrise, often missing that previous few minutes. I was disappointed when i see the cloudy sky, yet i was persistent and camped by the balcony, enjoying the quietness of this island. at 5:55am, i was pleasantly surprised to see a round red circle appearing in between the clouds. excitedly, i ran in the grab the camera, preparing to capture the awaited moment - my first sunrise. it was beautiful and left me with a deeper impression of this island, where i witness both sunrise and sunset. i love sunrise, because that signifies the start of a new day.


The morning was R&R at the resort, going snorkeling among the fishes, by the beach. Many many many pretty and colourful fishes swam alongside me, clown fishes and many others. i spotted at least 10 different types of fishes. i can't emphasis enough of this place, because it amazes me so much, being able to offer much more than my first snorkeling experience at rendang. Furthermore, it brought me closer to the fishes and corals without having to move far from the island. Soon, it was time to check out of the hotel and proceed to our next destination - Movenpick Hotel at Mactan Island. We had a smooth (aka expensive) transportation to bring us to the hotel lobby.

While checking in, we realized there was a shuttle bus ready to bring us to SM mall, the biggest mall of Cebu. The shopping mall was HUGE, so huge that we kind of get lost walking around the mall. Since we only had 3 hours, we grabbed our lunch quickly in their food court, shopped at their supermarket and grabbed a pizza for dinner.
Heading back to our hotel for the night, we spent some time enjoying an S$18 worth of 2 scoop ice cream and enjoyed movie by the beach.
Day 3: Photoshoot Day
Waking up at 6am, we prepared ourselves for breakfast at the hotel and dressed up, all ready for our photoshoot scheduled at 8am. Our photographer offered to bring us to 6 destinations around Cebu city and be our part time tour guide. The destinations for our photoshoot include Lapu-Lapu, Bridge, Fort, Church, Coast side, Top of a hill to oversee Cebu city and lastly our hotel.

Being our first photoshoot, we were directed on the poses by the photographer. Thankfully, he is friendly and able to guide us well. Most importantly, we had fun during the shoot, spontaneous and randomness added to the fun.


By 5pm, nearing the end of the shoot, I was totally exhausted. The photographer's skills were good, with the photos requiring minimal editing, yet looking very professionally taken. His patience was excellent, still taking the photographs with much zest and determination that really impresses me throughout the session.


The trip was great, time well spent together. It was fun, very fun.

Short Getaway 2012 Part 1 - Batam (11-12th Feb 2012)

Having bought a deal from the online portal sometime in Nov 2011, we finally reached the day of our departure to Batam after a long awaited 3 months. On Saturday morning, 6:15am, we reached the ferry terminal waiting to collect our tickets for the first ride there. Thankfully it is at Harbourfront, just a short distance from my house.

Excitedly, we embarked on the journey. With prior arrangements, our massage palour, Isabella, arranged pickup for us from the terminal upon our arrival. Off we are chauffered to our destination at Nagoya for our massage. Excellent massage, excellent service. We decided to have our lunch and shopping done at Nagoya, but the shopping was so short that i can't find anything suitable and of interest to shop. our only memory from our first trip to batam were 50cents socks which were no longer available. Hence, we decided to check in to our hotel - Harris Batam Center. Excellently located so conveniently beside the ferry terminal and shopping center, it left a great impression on me. I realized the deal was a steal, inclusive of the ferry ride, the hotel stay, breakfast, lunch and tea. Nice hotel with their motto of 'simple, unique, friendly' to my liking. And of course, not to mention, the swimming pool :)

Deciding to give harbourfront bay seafood a try, we cab our way down. I can't remember much of golden prawn seafood from our first visit except that the food was good, but we wanted a different experience this time. Dinning by the seaside, it was a different experience. For the first time, we had a really romantic dinner, being able to watch sunset while enjoying seafood. Though the view is not excellent, all i wanted to do at that time was just to watch the sun setting. At that moment, i only remember how beautiful sunset is. Dinner was good and cheap, except that...i thought i didn't have much appetite and didn't eat much, only to have to order supper at night. such a pity when the chilli crab only cost approx S$8 for one. had we known that earlier, we would definately have more crabs.

Reaching back hotel by 7+ batam time, we were in time for Man U vs Liverpool match. Supper was JCo donuts and KFC when I realized i can't stop thinking of food. Sunday was a lazy food day, where we enjoyed breakfast and lunch at the hotel, nua-ing the rest of the time away.

After this trip, I realized why I enjoy going overseas, because it brings me to forget everything about work and routine. Going overseas could be tiring when you want to visit many places and explore, but i realize that is where the pleasure lies too. Definately hope i can apply this in all aspects of life, and strive not to be trapped in the daily routines and forget about the simplest pleasures in life.

Looking forward to the short getaway next - CEBU! With a private beach resort island to snokkel around as well as a day of photoshoot planned by a local, this is definately going to be more exciting. to our first trip to the philipines, this is going to be an eye opener! With a local photoshoot coming up nxt week, every week in Feb is passing with happiness. My brother commented that wedding photoshoots always look so poised, but this is definitely not true for us because each of the photoshoot we have together, it is riding on the opportunity of our travel log either in singapore or overseas. yes, this is our story and we are in the midst of writing it.

Recently, there were a lot of thoughts going on in my mind which got me thinking of the simple word of 'Yes'. The implictions are far and wide and i only gave it a serious thought recently. i was undeniable scared initally, scared of the commitement to come, the responsibility to bear and the future to think of. As each day drew closely, i grew more heavy hearted and scared. it was afterall a lifelong decision and the pacing back and forth is a matter of being part of the decision making process. i didn't know who to turn to, so most thoughts were kept within. But i realize, there is no definite reassurance we can ask for, except to believe in each other. after speaking my thoughts, my heart felt immediately relieved of the tension building within. And i know, the decision is final and i have chosen to believe in you. *smiles* hence, with no more questions, no more worries, i have made the final stamp to the decision. Like all other decisions i have made, i know, i will never regret this, regardless of the future to come.

it's going to be a short work week ahead. Feb and Mar is a building up for the preparation for year end closing, something I am looking forward to. haha i think i am too much of a workaholic as i am looking forward excitedly to pile of work ahead to be completed for year end within the short timeframe. weekends are likely to be burnt for 2-3 weeks, but this time, i am more confident of the work to be done =)

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012
Started the celebration with our yearly reunion steamboat dinner at home.
Something different this year - Abalone Lao Yu Sheng

Happily lao-ing our yu sheng! HUAT AH! *smiles*
Our yummy steamboat :) it always tastes the best at home where we can eat to our heart's content :)

First day of cny
Visited our grandma's house and relative visiting.
the ladies and an aunty :)

Cousins gathering! :) haha reminds us of our younger days :)
Cousins went for late night movie - Jack Neo's movie at Tiong Bahru. Thought the show wasn't suitable for chinese new year, not my type of show.


Thank you for your generosity towards my cousins, sending them home past midnight from tiong bahru to bedok and travelling home to bukit batok. I realized how generous you are to not just the people you care, but also to the people I care. That is the greatest gift i can ever get from you and it really touched me deeply. Thank you for that gesture, this is one of your greatest virture that i appreciate and admire deeply of you :)

I can't wait for feb to come! Batam & Cebu :)

I can't wait for aug to come! Italy and Switzerland :)

Deep in thoughts. I can finally feel my parents' pain. They never explicitly says how much they love me, but I realize their every actions are filled with love. Yesterday I had a heart wrenching session before I realize how different things were from the past. I did not know the cause of the changes but I realized I never bother to find out. I am really sorry for my sensitivity earlier.

I thought I had grown up. But I am still far from growing up. I still live in a naive world. It all doesn't matter now, only my mum, my dad and my brothers matter to me now. Of course, I will still treat everyone else with a kind heart. Do not let how others mistreat you to be a reason to mistreat others. Let others know how to learn to be benevolent. I can do it.

On a side note, I went Chinatown with mummy yesterday evening. It felt great to see her face light up :) been quite reflective these few days, thinking how I can pack my mummy off with me to my new house. Haha I am such a lazy bum, having a mum who takes care of my every need. I would miss spending quality time with her nxt time, so I am learning to treasure such moments more :)