Dear Fortune God,

This Friday (28 January 2011), Singapore Pools will have having a $5million lottery to celebrate the CNY. I hope in this rabbit year, you bless me and xiaohei to win. We really don't mind sharing the first prize with 10 others.

So please please. Let us strike. We will portion some to charity and you can rest assure that with Xiaohei around, we won't squander the money away.

Love.
Blaeck.

MY OUR JOURNEY TO PERFECTION


Saturday morning, just like any other morning, I snoozed twice then stumbled to the bathroom. As usual, I peed, washed my hands and took a shower. Came out, dried myself and took two contact lens from the my toiletries box.

"Could be the last day I put contact lens on." I thought to myself. This has been a regime that Ive been on for the past 12 years. Started with monthly lens then switched to a more convenient daily lens. At least 12 hours a day for almost 365 days a year....

Hei and I picked E-Chiing and Lydia up..."ARE YOU READY FOR A LIFE CHANGE" - Lydia screamed into my ear...That woke me up instantly.

Chiing and I had an 11am eye test scheduled - to test our eligibility for Lasik surgery. Degree of myopia, cornea shape, eye pressure were just some of the test we went through to ensure we are eligible to the surgery. We also got our pupils dilated for some of the tests. That was a weird feeling, its like we experienced what presbyopia was like. It was not fun.

Cornea thickness - turns out I have thick cornea (550) and Chiing had average cornea (515). Normal being between 500 - 515. I have thick skin, now I find out, I also have thick cornea. No complains here...

1pm: We pass the eye test! Scheduled our surgery at 3.30pm. We were starving by the time we were done with the eye test so we were glad to have a short break before the surgery

3.30pm: We walked back to the clinic and was ushered to the operating area immediately.We were brought to a private waiting area, and someone came in to put on scrubs for us. THIS is the closest we will get to ever looking remotely like a doctor! Dream come true!!!!! While we were fooling around, the nurse came by to check if our pupils have undilated. Echiing's were normal, but I had to drop another 3 times of eye drop to undilate the pupils! Thick corneas.

4.00pm : I bade Chiing good luck as she move into the Operating Theatre...shortly, I followed to the wating area.

4.30pm: "I CAN SEE!!!" She came out smiling as she said that. That gave me relieve, Im glad hers went well. I walked into the Operating Theatre and was awed by the size of the machine. Laid down where I was told and was administered anasethic eye drop. Or so I was told. Everything went by so fast. I remembered the eye drop, the rotating of the bed and the doctor telling me to look at a ring of lights. As he put in the suction to keep my eyes open, I remember saying that I felt a sting, but got no reply. "Look at the ring", Im not sure if it was in my mind, but I swear I felt the entire process and found it actually quite tramautising because you as the patient, see everything! After cutting the "flap", I saw hands of the doctor with some hook like appartus, folding flap and then ask me to look at a red dot. "27 seconds" I heard a nurse told the doctor who relayed to me...I stared at the blurry red dot, concentrated on staying still and keeping my focus so that the laser wont "cut wrongly" but again I swear I felt the prick of the laser.

5.00pm: Echiing and I were both done. I can't say for E-Chiing but I was quite a bit of pain and discomfort that I couldn't speak and couldn't bear to open my eyes for fear that I have actually become blind. Kind Lydia led the Wee Sisters down where my sweet Hei was waiting with the car. We hopped in and dropped Echiing and Lydia home.

6.00pm: I was home. Mustered enough energy to shower and all I wanted to do was to lie down. Eyes still shut tightly, I drifted in and out of sleep. While the pain and discomfort slowly faded away, my mind was still reeling back to the time that I was on the operating bed. That thought made my discomfort worse.

10.00pm: I woke with no more discomfort and pain. Stumbled out of the room and asked Hei to help me get hor fun. He brought my back to bed, asked me to wait there while he went downstairs. I couldn't lie down...so I cleared away my bags while waiting. The Hor Fun was unusually tasteless but I ate nonetheless. My sight was clear...but I was so tired to fully take in and enjoy.

Sunday 9am: First review. Show off my new Miu Miu sunnies. We picked Echiing and Lydia up again and took a picture with the awesome Dr Marc Tay. Thanks doc!!!!

Our wonder eye doctor, Dr Marc Tay

2 weeks to CNY - technically for Chinese, does the new year only start after CNY? Does it mean that my luck will only turn around after CNY? Sure hope so.

Have been spending lots of time with Hei this few days and loving it, we laugh, we talk and most of all, we have fun.

Who knew huh, that my husband is actually funny. But he is, he is a joke(r).

As the Blaecks were walking back home from Punggol Plaza after a economical dinner, Eck heard her name and realise it was 2 friends from 13 years ago.

Huishan and Si'En from BVSS - Bedok View Secondary School Class 4/2. Eck joined them for dinner and tea while reminiscing the events from 13 years ago. You never realise how fast time flies and how good the times were, even if they were not so great or a little embarrassing.We talked about class seating arrangements, the teachers and the slightly mental ill boy who used to waltz into our class.

Although it reminded Eck how old she is but it also put a smile on her face...it was nice.

You know how when you are young and had just fallen in love and entered a relationship, you may do pretty embarrassing things? I got a text this morning from my husband with a corny love note "I love how your hands feels in mine." - I replied that the corniness is giving me goosebumps.

THEN! He had to remind me that the corny line comes from a post-it note I wrote for him.

How corny was I really?!?!?! I mean, I am still in love now and Im still crazy about Xiaohei.

But I will just stick to "I Love You." now.

In a couple months time, I would have been with Hei for 7 years. March 19, 2004 was the date I turned into us. Mine turned into ours and Xiaohei turned into babe.

I vaguely remember what happened, there was a couple of emails bouncing between him and me. A few hidden smiles and that's that? In this day and age, do men still ask "Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Or as the ah-beng will ask "Eh, you wanna go stead with me?"

So in this 7 years anniversary, I want to pay homage to a great movie. Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch. Its not bad joke, I feel no itch.

The Fighter Movie Trailer Official (HD)

Head. Body. Head. Body. Head. Body.

The Fighter - Mark Walhberg and Christian Bale. with Amy Adams.
Rating: 7/10

Me "Do you know Molala's Z is very sweet? He comes all the way down to Hougang to pick her even though he stays in Jurong?"

Hei "Ok. If Molala's Z jogs from Jurong to Hougang early in the morning to take her for a walk. Then I say he win!"

Show off...just because of that ONE TIME many many many moons ago when Hei jogged from Hougang to East Coast to meet me one morning for a walk and breakfast. This is his one crowning glory...

But it made me smile.

Listening to my girlfriend talk so sweetly about her "like" put a smile on my face and made me remember our dating days...

To Molala, I hope the sweet days continues and who cares who does the wooing...but remember, sometimes women need to let men think they are the smart ones...=)

To iGeek....even though you say there were no feeling or spark, you speak of 193 with a smile. Love doesnt need to sweep you off your feet...love can be gradual, so let nature take its course.

Sitting in the office makes me miss waking up besides Hei in Europe. Cos all we thought about was breakfast and the itinerary for the day.....

Here's an overview of what I felt about my holiday (in a nutshell)

Munich - Lousy road signs made me walk round and round and got lost. Far far too cold and I don't understand the Gulhwein (Hot red wine). But, the sausages and saukeraut are so very tasty!

Paris - Romance capital of the world. The food was exquisite, even the street food. I had this rare duck slices that was decadent.

Florence - Taking a trip back in time in this small town. People were so friendly and pasta was awesome. Though a Singaporean man in a restaurant one day, complaining there was no "chilli sauce" spoil the beautiful landscape a bit...=)

Rome - Time comes to a standstill in the rich culture and the historic architecture.Everywhere you turn is a historic building, bridges are centuries old and one can get so wonderfully lost in the piazzas and the palazzos.

On a personal note, Italy was the romantic capital of the world for me. I savoured every kiss with my husband. We held hands even at the world.

Grazie Italy for you made us fall deeper in love with each other.

Grazie Arrivederci.

2011

The holiday has been almost perfect. The sights were awesome, the culture was rich and the food was yummy-licious....

So what we got locked out of our house when we came back. It just made me savour my bak chor mee even more.

When the clock strucked 12....2011 came and I said a prayer....

Hope 2011 will be one of positive changes.

Happy New Year everyone.

In search of my roots

Alright, not really in search of my roots but going to China is a little like going back to my roots right. Im Chinese after all.

First trip to Beijing. First time to the capital city of the People's Republic of China. Ive been to other parts of China before but never a large city like Beijing or Shanghai. Guangzhou was no where close.

Its nothing like I imagine.

Well, actually I have zero expectations nor did I had any impressions. You know how you have what NYC looks like in your mind because of all the telly programs but hardly watch anything about China so I have absolutely no idea how did Beijing looked like.

It is a cosmopolitan city. One sky scraper after the next, one highway leading to another highway and like all urban cities, TRAFFIC JAM. I attempted the train system, half expecting to die to poor infrastructure and smell but I was extremely surprise. Sure, the ventilation was much to be desired but it was really not bad. Cheap, fast and efficient. I could do with less shoving from the mainlanders but its still bearable.

Summer Palace was beautiful. The architecture was intricate and down to the finest of detail. I was most impressed with a theatre that was 3 stories high to help depict heaven, earth and hell better.

The vastness of Forbidden City took my breath away. A city within a city this palace must have been both a heaven and a prison for some. As I walk from one palace to another, one garden to the next, I wonder if all imperial rule is bound for failure as a society modernise. The Chinese imperialism was totally eradicated, Japan, Thailand and British royal family mainly serves as a figure head.

Whats wrong with the imperial system?

I left Beijing with this thought. Taxi drivers are the crux of forming a tourist's impression on a city. I was very comfortable with the taxis in Beijing, I wasnt afraid of crooks or getting rob by them and most of all I felt they were honest and didnt purposely go a loong way just to earn an extra buck. I met a couple who even chatted with me and gave me some good insights to China.

Can't wait for my next trip to this misunderstood country.

April came and left too fast

As cliche as this sounds but seriously, TIME FLIES. Especially this year for me, I dont know why.

April was the travelling month for me. India, China, Hong Kong and then Macau.

Here, I wanna take a moment and thank my boss (machiam like Oscar award). If my boss continue to bring my to beautiful places like sanya, i will never leave.....=)

Gurgaon, Delhi, India
I went to India with a little hesitation and a little fear. All the talk about the water, the air and the damn movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I was half expecting walking out of the airport and smelling sewage, getting rob immediately and suffering from diarrohea. Well, a gust of warm air greeted me as I walked out of the airport but it doesnt smell. While walking to the carpark, a boy tried to haggle for handouts but left me alone. But the food.....IT WAS HEAVENLY.

Kebabs, Briyani, Cottage Cheese, Dhall....I never tasted better Indian food nor have I love Indian food as much....I swear, I must have gained like 3kgs in the 3 days I was there. Nope, I rephrase, 5kg. Besides, India's Kingfisher beer isnt that bad!

Sanya, Hainan, China
I went to Audrey's family hometown. Sanya was beautifullll, well at the resort where I was. Hainanese chicken rice there doesnt compare to Singapore but China fascinates me. I can't wait to explore another part of it.

Hong Kong & Macau
When work was finally over and done with (for April at least), I took a short holiday to Hong Kong. Xiaohei, his mom and my mom met me in there and 4 of us did all the possible touristy thing. But the weather was not with us this time, fog covered 60% of the peak, making visibility non existent when we were at the top.

I must say, after 3 years working for a Hong Konger boss, my cantonese has improved!!! Although I bet all the locals I spoke to probably think Im either a joke or insulting their language but heck, I tried.

May is a grounded month for me, besides, with my excellent financial skills, Im already broke and its only the 5th day of the month.

Til the next adventure. Cant wait.

Hey buddy. I feel like you now. Its 11.10pm and I am hungry.

How issit where you are? I still see your picture on my computer wallpaper everyday and my heart no longer ache as much but I still miss you. Sometimes I wonder if I had brought you over to live with me if it would be better. Wondering if you would have lived longer.

But I guess its too late to think about it now.

Remember how I changed your diet to a vegetarian diet? I would cook a meal worth 3 days for you and Vicky. Smash potatoes, mince meat pie, fried rice....Ill never have the chance to cook for you every again. Maybe in our next life time together? Im so glad you were never picky with food and even though we complain how a big glutton you are, im sure we all wish you are still around to pick off the floor.

I miss you buddy. One day, we shall dine together once more.

Love you.

Hey buddy. Remember the time Echiing brought back a little sick kitten? We were staying at Waterloo then and she found the kitten with a bloated tummy. It was already late in the evening and we were sure what to do at that time.

Chiing and I put the little kitten in a box. We tried to feed it make but it wouldnt take, we tried water but also failed. It was then decided that we will wait til morning before we bring it to a vet.

The whole night you sat beside the little kitten. When you lean forward to sniff it, we were so scared that you will bite it but you stick out that pink tongue and gave it a big lick. Then you sat beside it again and everytime the cat whispered the slightest mew, you ran to me, stared at me and ran back out. If I didnt follow you, you ran back to my room, stared at me again and whine.

That night you didnt sleep in my room. Instead, you took your place beside the little kitten and you gave it love.

Poor thing didnt survive to see the break of dawn and when we woke, the kitten was already a stiffy. But you kept your place, not moving an inch.

You were with little kitty til her very last breath. I am so glad I was able to be with you at your last breaths as well. Im really sorry for not holding my place beside you all the time but you are always in my heart.

Always. And Forever.

I miss you buddy, still so very much and I still have this sourish feeling when I think of you.

Dont ever forget me ok? I will never forget you.

Hey buddy. Is there haze where you are? The air is so polluted here, making it so hard to breathe but it finally rained this morning. It brought a little breeze but its still hot.

Was looking at some of Aless's photos and saw one of him lying on the same pillow as Tiger. I thought of you. I remember once Elin was home and you were sleeping on your pillow. She crawled towards you wanting to disturb your sleep but ended up falling asleep on your pillow!!! The funniest thing was that you woke up, annoyed by her "sharing" your pillow, and walked away. Echiing and I was rolling in laughter, looking at Elin sleep on your pillow. Its not exactly the cleanest eh?

Joe, its been almost a week since you left. But I still see you every night when I close my eyes. I still think about you and our time together.

Do you think of me?

Remember we used to share food? It started with you picking from my fingers and then you took straight from my mouth. Disgusting from some but it was a bond between you and me. But I stopped after you bit my lip one evening in the midst of your excitement. My lip split and swell and for the next couple days. Chiing laughed and did the "serve you right" and I scolded you.

But look at your face. How long can I stay angry with you for.....

Maybe I should have brought you to Punggol with me. Maybe it would have prolong your life. Maybe maybe maybe.

Ten years we have been together. Noone can take your place in my heart. And hopefully one day, we will meet again. I love you buddy.

I remember once something made me really upset. Noone was at home and I was crying like there's no tomorrow.

You came, sat next to me and started licking my tears away. Then, I thought its the greedy you wanting to taste my salty tears, but I know its because you love me and wanted to cheer me up. I remember it did, you brought a smile to my face.

Now, thinking of times like this makes my heart ache and a sting to my eyes. But noone here to lick away my tears anymore.

I miss you buddy.

This is one heartache I wish for noone.

You were born on 26 December 1997.

We werent there to witness your birth but not long after, you went to Lin's home. To become a Wee.

I remember the first time we met. You were carried out of the gate by a man. Poor you, had to endure a 8 hour flight in a small space. Chiing put the collar and leash on you and you came home with us.

Your first home was Waterloo. It was 1999 and I was entering polytechnic.

And even though I was so excited to meet you and fell in love at first sight, I played it cool. Letting you explore the house on your own.

"If you pat your bed means you allow him up". Chiing told me.

I pat my bed hestitantly. And you jumped up, wagged your tail at me and sat down.

You slept with me from that day on. Sometimes at the foot of my bed, sometimes on my left. Always under my covers, curled up into a ball. And when i move to much, you fidget and sigh, like Ive disturbed your sleep.

Im sorry if I did. Wish you were at my foot once more.

Miss you so much.