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cutsey!
Today, I received this pair of ‘Girl on Vespa’ earrings from a co-worker. We’d seen it while we were window shopping during lunchtime some weeks ago and I’d commented that I liked its whimsical design…And it’s mine now!
another turn of the page (35 years and counting)
(Above: Dressing up for my retro-themed birthday party last Saturday; both our entire outfits were scoured from opshops and cost not more than $25 altogether! A group of us had dinner at Bonsai followed by karaoke till early morning! Unfortunately I left my memory card for the SLR-camera at home (not age-related definitely!), and so there wasn’t any decent photos taken.)
It’s official – I am entering midlife now. The funny thing about growing up is that it is similar to being on a roller coaster ride. Remember when you were still in diapers and all you ever wanted to do is grow up and walk so you could join the other children running around? Then school started and all you ever wanted is to be done with studies (think: no more mugging and exams!) so you could finally be a grown up and earn your own money? And then you started working and all you ever dream about is the day when you could stop working and have all the time in the world to do what you always wanted? And when you really do get old, all you ever think about is the ‘good old days’…
On a lighter note, here’s a quote from one of my favourite TV shows, Seinfeld where George was musing about life:
“The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A death. What’s that, a bonus?!?! I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you go live in an old age home. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work forty years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, and you get ready for high school. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities. You become a little baby, you go back, spend your last 9 months floating with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, then you finish off as an orgasm! Amen.”
weekend: photos + words
On Friday, CS turned thirty-nine. We had intended to celebrate it by having grilled seafood dinner at Kailis but I was nursing a headache by the end of the day so dinner plan was shelved. Still, he got his present.
First, a handmade card by the loving wife
Then, he received a one-year’s subscription to a car magazine.
On Saturday, we drove to Elmar’s in the Valley with some friends for dinner and ‘Shakespeare’s Under the Star’ – a performance of ‘Othello’ by a new theatre company.
Next, the birthday boy received another present which came with balloons!
And then, it was showtime. It was our first watching a play performed under the stars. And I must say despite the simple props and costume, the cast was brilliant. It was also cool to be watching a play so up close and personal.
Today (Sunday) was ‘domestic duty’ day. Except for lunch with aunt and uncle, we were busying about at home and didn’t finish till late evening. My remark to CS was : we never had so much to do at home when we were living in Singapore! Today, we assembled our outdoor barbeque set (now we can’t wait to have our 1st bbq in the backyard!) and a seven-drawer tool trolley. Then it was the usual laundry and mowing.
I should have taken photos of those activities even though they were the ‘mundane’ and ‘unexciting’ stuff for doesn’t life consist mostly of such moments? Mental note to self: to capture more everyday life photos from now on.
a day in the hills…
It’s amazing how the scenery can change with just an hour’s drive from Perth. There were rolling hills, vineyards and farm pastures everywhere…
It was the Festival of Chittering which is a celebration of the region’s fresh food and wineries. 
And it was also Bel’s birthday so we surprised her by celebrating it with a picnic lunch.
Blessed birthday, Bel!
We had our picnic lunch at this gorgeous vineyard. Besides our own picnic spread, we also ordered some Greek food. It was a beautiful sunny day after enduring a week of rain and cold in Perth.
And this caught my eye – a little cottage on the hillside. Lately, I’ve been thinking about living in a little worn down house in the hills…simpler life, slower pace…am I getting old?
Before we knew it, it was time to go home…Why is it that good times always seem to fly past so quickly?
But not before grabbing some fresh oranges on sale at a makeshift stand outside a fruit farm!
weekend: photos + words
On SATURDAY, we went to a local cafe for brekkie before meeting Mish. And we were treated to a performance by a guitarist and a cellist. What we had: toasted turkish bread with bacon and salad and toasted turkish bread with 3 spreads – honey, jam and butter.
Then we went to Mish’s to send her to airport. While waiting for her, we took a self-portrait outside…
Where is Mish going? She’s leaving for Timor to volunteer for 2 weeks. Amazing girl; I love her gung-ho spirit.
After sending Mish off, we went to do grocery for a dinner we were hosting…Check out the aforementioned sunroof!
And for the first time since we arrived in Perth, we finally hosted a steamboat dinner in our home!
Then, on SUNDAY , we visited another new church near our neighbourhood. I must say this had to be most positive experience of church we’ve had since coming to Perth. Looking forward to returning there again next week. Do keep us in your prayers in our search for a spiritual home and community to settle down in.
Then we did a little furniture hunting in late afternoon. Stuff we still need to buy: queen size bed for guest room, sofa bed for study cum craft room, outdoor furniture and a barbeque set.
Next, we headed over to aunt’s for, guess what, another steamboat dinner because it’s her birthday [Blessed birthday, aunt! I was really happy to see you and uncle enjoying the photo scrapbook I put together for you; and I hope you like the handmade earrings too…] and of course, winter is also the best time for steamboat.
And lastly, one of the best things about visiting aunt’s is that I get to have some ‘smooching’ time with Scotty!
budding F1 race car driver!
For CS’ last birthday in November, I bought him a voucher that allowed him to experience what it was like driving a race car. Last weekend, he finally did it.
Buckling up for the ‘ride of his life’:
Smile, you are on camera!
On your mark, get set, GO!
Post-race:
And of course, every racer gets to have his girl!
an interview with the birthday celeb…
Interviewer: So what are your thoughts on turning thirty-eight?
CS: I don’t feel like I’m thirty-eight although physically I may!
Interviewer: What presents have you received?
CS: Ervina gave me a voucher to drive 2 laps on a racing track in a V8 super car. I’ll be fitted in a full racing gear/helmet, get some practice laps with an instructor before doing it on my own. Awesome!
Then I got a book voucher from colleagues who also decorated my workstation with banner and balloons when I came to work this morning. I also received a hand-drawn birthday card from my 4 year old niece, Ruth. And receiving a birthday call from Joey in Shanghai tonight; it was great talking to that guy.
Oh yes, and my Malay neighbour caught me online straight after I finished Skype with Joey and found out it was my birthday. She got Yasmin and Yakin to belt out a birthday song over the webcam for me. It was hilarious; the kids were as noisy and loud as usual even when it was close to midnight!
Then Ervina surprised me by giving me a handmade booklet full of birthday wishes written on cards from our young adults back home; I was amazed that she’d plan this way back in June when we returned to Singapore! My wife is amazing!
Interviewer: And how have you been celebrating your birthday?
CS: Well, it started last Saturday when a few of our friends initiated a dinner because one couple had returned from a trip. To my surprise, it turned out to be a birthday treat for me. During cell on Wednesday, we celebrated by having an ice cream cake. Tonight, I had Indian food with Ervina! Yummy fish curry, tandoori chicken, mixed vegetables curry, garlic naan, basmatic rice, sparkling pinot noir, and mango lassi.
Interviewer: Any last words for your readers out there?
CS: Thanks for your birthday wishes, especially my beloved wife who never run out of ideas to surprise me! Thank God for all of you!
photo today
when? 20/09/2008 (Sat)
where? a park in Fremantle
what? on our way to attending E’s colleague birthday party
it’s all worth it…
We are in the midst of moving house, so we have been spending time packing after work this week. The game plan was that we would shower and start packing. Tonight was no different. So I went ahead and had my shower, followed by CS. And while he was in the shower, I started packing our kitchen wares. After quite some time, CS entered the kitchen smiling at me, still in his work clothes. “Huh, you still haven’t bathed?” – I was secretly annoyed, wondering what he was doing in the bedroom all this while. He walked over, gave me a hug and said “thank you, darling. I was going through the scrapbook you made for my 35th birthday and I really enjoyed it.” And my heart melted there and then…
Therein lies the reason behind my passion for scrapbooking. It is all about capturing memories and having something to look back years later and savouring those moments all over again. And to those of you who had written in that scrapbook, yes, he actually re-read what each of you had written and it brought a smile to his face again.
He Spoke.She Spoke 