Painful Backache

I have been suffering backache for 1-2 weeks. It got pretty painful and affected my sleep. I thought and hope it will recover by itself but it didn't. Guess I am just getting old. The hubby asked me to go for a massage but I hesitated cos I know I can't go for spa kinda massage (which meant for relaxing).

I want to see a reputable TMC. Only know Ma Guang the popular local TMC and ended at Ma Guang @ Bedok. Luckily the masseur I met today is quite good. A lot people made appointment with him. According to the yi shi and tui na shi, the root cause of backache is due to long term sitting (resulted qi didn't flow smoothly) and also carried heavy stuffs (that is the trigger point).

At the end of a session of acupuncture (with heater) and tui na, my back feels much better. Now only feel aching instead of pain.

Advice to follow next few days:
(1) Dun carry heavy stuffs.
(2) Slow down movement.
(3) Avoid cold drink and coconut.
(4) Avoid tea. Coffee ok.
(5) Take Ma Guang's pre-made "lemon juice" for four days to tong qi.
(6) Stick Ma Guang's medicated patch over affected area for five days.

Hopefully backache goes away and never come back again.

After note: The hubby also went for tui na for his shoulder after seeing me feeling much relief. We see signs of aging. Amusing part is we helped each other on sticking medicated patch.

Lunch : Roasted chicken rice

Delicious and cheap ($2.50). Located at a corner coffeeshop at Blk 211 Bedok North Street 1.

Durians.. durians..

A durian surprise from the hubby who got it after his dinner gathering with his friends. The last time we had it is more than a year ago. Not cheap ($18/kg and the chosen durian is 2kg) but really yummy (thick and sweet) and finger licking.

Merry Christmas!

I love love love this time of the year. Love choosing pressies for the kiddos and close ones. Love seeing everyone busy in preparing to celebrate this festive. Love seeing Christmas decoration everywhere and simply making everyone happy.

This year is our first year having fresh Christmas tree at home. (We have been talking a few years of getting a real X'mas tree so that Faith could have great fun in decorating the tree and most important is to enjoy more family time doing the same thing together during this festive period.) This year we also hold our first X'mas party. Although it is just a small gathering with close family, we had good time together and it means a lot to us. I guess the kids have the fantastic time in running around the house although there is some small hiccups.

Hope we could do it again next year. Maybe two sessions with family and friends.

Faith's pressies.. She can't wait to open her cash register toy and is waiting eagerly behind the curtain.

Will my hair get super shine?

Currently I am at Jean Yip @ VivoCity to give my hair a new look. Hope my whole afternoon time is well-spent.

I have wasted 20-30 mins to wait for another hair stylist as mine is on off today. As usual, the hair stylist tried to "smoke" me to do something else that is not part of my packages (yes.. I have a few - scalp treatment & hair treatments & highlights/perm/rebond)

I got pissed off and told him don't suggest me anything else other than my packages. Seem like it is inevitable to stay firm and sound irritated whenever I visit Jean Yip. If not, they just keep pushing more services to meet their monthly sales target.

No doubt they have good hair stylists and good products but.. They doesn't give me an ease of mind whenever I come here.

If I did not sign packages, I will choose not to visit. Overly commercialize and lack of sincere personal touch.

Misses the old services they provided a decade ago with no sales target and not too pushy on their packages and products.

Feel comfort by hearing my loves' snores

With the hubby and my darling sleeping beside me now and playing a nice orchestra of loud and soft snores, making me feel blessed to have my love ones so closed to me.

Mood : Lonely and feeling dizzy

Currently I'm unpacking last box of master bedroom stuffs. I still have 10 more boxes of Faith's stuffs to clear. And clean up Faith's room.

I have cleared so many boxes (at least 70 large boxes so far) till I lost count.

Mom called this morning and ask me to clear my stuffs in her place. Wonder when I could finish clearing. Not easy especially I am doing alone. Can get very bored after a while.

Hope and really hope to finish up by end of year. I have more important stuffs to work by then.

I got to be chauffeur and do house chores at same time.

Attraction : mint museum

Yesterday Faith went to mint museum with her school. She was very happy and told us what she has seen.

Going put this as one of "to-go" list.

Check out more information at their website.

Camwhoring Princess

Not me.. I am too old to be a princess.

That is our darling. She simply enjoys taking photo of herself using my iPhone and sometimes she took together with the hubby or me.

Wonder where she learns this from. I definitely didn't teach her since I don't do that.

Here is one of my favorite shot.

Been there.. Did that..

The hubby and I were talking of a friend who is willing to indulge on expensive stuffs. Then I added that I notice there are more and more young adults driving luxury cars.

The question is : Do they really able to afford those cars?

The hubby then said sometimes people not just looking at affordability but rather live a "Been there.. Did that.." life. It is a experience to them. Be it owning and driving a luxury car. Or splurging on big items. Or go to exotic places or even did adventurous stuffs. It is a life that we will never re-live again.

This morning I woke up at 5.30am and realized I no longer young and what have I achieved personally and in career. I couldn't sleep after that. I then realize life is really short and time passes without waiting for any of us and it never returns. I should seriously think what I want to do and stop procrastinating and put in 100% focus + commitment and work towards it. I also have to consistently remind myself the importance of family time.

Everyone should has a dream and live life to fullest! You are lucky if you already know what you want and are working on it or even better if you have achieved.

Breakfast : Fish ball noodles

One of the better dry noodle in town. Mee pok is more tasty than yellow noodle (the one in picture). Located at Bedok interchange food market, the stall is facing the carpark.
Stall name : Quan Ji Cooked Food Stall.
Price : $2.50

Medicine.. medicine... Fruit juice.

Faith is down with stomach flu today. Doctor said she got infected during weekend since the virus will take few days to react. Feeding her medicine is easy as she pretends them as fruit juice. She will say "orange" when she takes paracetamol and say "apple juice" when she takes fedac. Hope she gets well very soon. And gotta to boost her immunity with more fruits when she gets well.

Early X'mas Present from Hubby

In the hubby's recent biz trip to Bahamas, he got me a dangling girl charm to symbolize our lil girl. Love this pandora bracelet more now.

Survival tips in over-crowded playground

Well.. Of course it is the best not to bring your kids to over-crowded playground.

But if it is a paid playground and it might not be crowded at the time we entered, we need to prep our kids with survival tips so they will not get stamped or bullied on the ground.

1. Watch out for naughty kids and avoid them.

2. If you can't avoid and he/she disturbed you, tell any adult around. This resulted Faith got over-sensitive and kept complaining over trivial matters. I could only explained slowly to her on case by case basis.

How to tell whether you get bullied?
- the kid attempted to throw or kick balls at you 3 times or more. Recurring attacks (3>) = Bully

3. Don't attempt to bully other kids.

4. Be forgiving and move on.

5. Avoid sick kids.

If all failed, pull him/her out and game over.

I will stop bringing Faith to these playground during weekend. I don't see the values in these playground. So far only seeing the kids run wild and get more aggressive.

Parents' characters and actions has direct influence to the children

Today I brought my girl to Singkids play system at Changi Airport T3. Faith entered an enclosure with many big balloons bouncing around by fans. There was a boy playing alone inside when we entered. His mother was sitting outside. After a short while, I noticed the boy carried the big balloon and pushed Faith. Of course, Faith got irritated and complained to me. I attempted to talk to him when it happened the third time and this time it is very obvious he carried the blue balloon and pushed Faith. When I was about to talk to him, his mother came in. I then spoke to his mother on his actions. His mother then revoked "I was sitting out there and looking at him all the time. He didn't do anything to your child. In fact I saw your child tried to push the ball at him." I was shocked by what she said.

It is not just one occasion that the boy used the ball to push Faith. I saw him doing at least three times before I walked forward and attempted to talk to him. After she said that to me, she then asked his son and he then told his mother that he already said sorry which I didnt hear when I was inside. If he is really sorry, then why he did again and again.

No wonder there is an old saying "what kind of parents will have same kind of kids". A lying mother has a lying child.

I am not to be offensive to anyone. It is disturbing to see what happen and decided to write this post to remind myself our behavior directly influence our child.

Drained and sick

Today is a bad day. Someone knocked my car this morning. Made accident report and sent car to workshop this afternoon. Got a replaced car and drove long journey home. Now felt so drained and sick.

Today dinner: Penang Prawn Noodle

The soup is very tasty. But prawn and fish cake are not fresh. Reasonable price, small bowl selling at $4.50 and big bowl selling $6.50. Location: The Old Malaya Cafe at Tampines Mall B1

Today dinner: Chicken chop noodle soup and Fried Dumpling

Soup is not as tasty as I thought. But the fried chicken is nicely done. I shared the noodle with Faith. Maybe is near to closing time, the stall owner is very generous with the noodles. End up can't finish the noodle. Missing the hubby to share fried dumpling with me. I went home with a very full stomach after stuffing myself with ten dumpling and 1/2 bowl of noodle.

Faith ice cream shop

Two days ago, Faith's grandmother got her a play dough ice cream maker. She love it a lot! And start making lot of ice-cream for us.

Withdrawal from Shichida

Today we officially withdraw our darling from Shichida. She has been with Shichida since age of 2. She is turning 4 4 coming January. Out of this two years, she skipped 3 terms (9 months) as she stayed oversea during that period.

So far, we did not see any significant result on her from this enrichment. However, I still believe in using flashcards in regular basis to broaden her knowledge. When we were overseas, I flashed picture and dots cards to her almost everyday. In few occasions, when she saw the picture that I flashed to her in real life, she will say the name out loud.

Most activities covered in the Shichida method benefit the child if they are done on regular basis. Sometimes I feel the once a week session is to teach parents how to implement the method at home. Read more the method here.

So why we withdraw her?
We feel that what is covered could be done at home. The money we saved in this enrichment could put her in other enrichment that we couldn't teach ourselves.

Will I send my next child here?
No. But I will start the flashcards with the next child at home in earlier age.

Today dinner: Spicy chicken noodle

Delicious and reasonable price ($3.30). Selling at Marine terrace coffee shop which is just beside wet market.

My macair is panic now

This morning I was trying to sync the iPad on macair. Unfortunately the iTunes hanged and I thought restarting the machine will help. Who knows, it is so stubborn and refuse to shut down. I then trying to be smart and pull out the USB since sync not started. Then machine shut down immediately. Happy for a sec and continue pressed power button. A grey screen with a nice message saying "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.". Of course I followed the instruction but the same message displayed. I got frantic and immediately searched online using my iPad to look for solution. I tried safe boot, reset pram, and few more suggested resolution but none resolves my issue. ....

This screen still persists. Really hope I could resolve this issue with no cost since I already spent a fair bit in reviving it two months ago.

A forgotten friend from Taiwan

I bought this Damper Baby from Taipei 101 Observatory in Aug 2008 and it was so well kept till I have forgotten all about him. I was delighted to see him again recently when I was unpacking and immediately took him out from his package and put on my study room table.

His name is Lucky Red and his catchphrase is "Lucky!". He has a great personality - Jubilant, optimistic, gets along with everyone and believes in dreams. Looking at him sitting at a corner alone, making me want to get rest of his friends (Rich Gold, Cool Black and Smart Silver) for him. I will keep a lookout on who is going Taiwan. :) Check out this website for more info.

What fruit juice would you like to have?

Thanks to my darling Faith

To my darling Faith,

Today is Thanksgiving Day!

Mummy like to tell you...

Thanks for been such a darling.  

Thanks for consoling me when I told you I am sad and when I hurt myself.

  Thanks for your hugs and kisses and loves. Everyday I am looking forward to your hugs and kisses and saying "I love you, Mummy!".

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

xoxo,

Mummy

Thanks and thanks to the most important person in my life

To my dearest hubby,

Thanks for talking to me when I am down.

Thanks for everything you have done for me and our family.

Thanks for giving me ample time to think through what I really want in life.

Thanks for the unconditional love and care you have given to me and our darling.

Thanks for all the luxury you have splurge on me where you don't anyhow spend on yourself.

From your lovely wife and mother of your sweetheart,

Belle

Our new crave: Lao Ban Soya Beancurd

So smooth... So soft... So addictive.

I didn't really like this from the start. The taste is different from traditional beancurd that we used to eat since young. The hubby and I were always wonder why people willing to queue up so long for this weird tasting beancurd.

Now we joined the queue whenever we go old airport food market. Started from queuing for the hubby. I am a convert after recently I ate a durian beancurd from a traditional soya milk stall. My first response is it tasted yucky and it was not smooth at all and we both fully agree that Lao ban soya beancurd is the smoothest beancurd in town.

The hubby bought 6 bowls after today dinner. Only left 4 in the fridge now. 

Birthday pressies

(still looking for the photo I took months ago)

Got ipad 2 from my lovely hubby as an early birthday present sometime ago when we are still in Bahamas. Now this becomes my everyday use gadget to read articles/blogs and watch serials/movies. Recently, I just started to use for blogging. :)

This is a surprised gift from my hubby. We were on our way to meet Emily and her kids for a swim at the sky garden last weekend and walked past Pandora @ Marina Sands. The hubby then said to me "Let's go in and take a look. This is what I wanted to get for you". I didn't have the intention to get since I already got an early birthday present months ago. Thinking that if I reject after seeing their goods, then he will not get for me. So I agreed to go into the shop and take a look.

The sales lady then explained that we could tell our own story using their charm. And indeed I am totally attracted by the story the hubby intended to tell me. After spending some time in mixing-n-matching, the sales lady calculated the bracelet cost. I was shocked by their high price tag. Yes.. Their charms are really charming and unique. Certain charms are available only at that country. But..it is still very expensive to me. So I told the sales lady I will think about it. The hubby then told the sales lady we are getting it. I was still hesitating at that moment due to the price. The hubby made the payment and I have a story bracelet to begin our journal. I love the bracelet to bits. I love the intention behind. I love the elegance of the bracelet. Thanks a lot, my dear. I love you.

New Apple gadget: iPhone 4S

Today I got iPhone 4S!

Lately my two year old iPhone 3GS getting cranky and sometimes caller can't hear me even I was shouting at the other side. I just have to give in and get a new replacement phone. I hesitated for quite a while as I originally wanted to downgrade my plan so I paid much lesser monthly subscription fee. But after some calculation, seem like it is in-evident to get a mid range data plan. Sad side is I can't trade in my iPhone, just because there is a scratch off on the back cover. I hope I still can't sell in the resale shop. And I will protect my new iPhone front and back this time round.


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All down with sore throat

Now the hubby, our darling and myself are having sore throat. I am having blocked nose and slight fever. I just went to see a doctor and got some medicines.

Last time I used to hesitate in seeing a doctor until my sickness gets pretty serious. But since last year incident (I was admitted into hospital due to vertigo. Started from a flu infection. And stayed on bed for nearly two months), I get very worried whenever I have flu. And of cos, I do not want to be virus carrier to my loves.

Hope everyone in the house get well soon.

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Mood: Lousy & unwell

I am having bad sore throat and hand/leg aching and menses cramp and stomachache. These just make me feel so sick and feel lousy. Wonder why all comes at the same time.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mood :: Apprehensive and restless...

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So what's next?

Current moment
We have been back from Bahamas almost two months. Faith has settled down with her new daily routine. As for myself, I have been busy with endless house chores, unpacking boxes from last year move-in and brainlessly watching Taiwanese and Korean dramas. I got so obsessed that I could watch till 5am and wake up at 9am to ferry Faith. I decided to put this obsession to a stop by downloading movie rather than serials. Hee.

Well.. Unpacking is almost done. Hopefully I could fully complete by end of next week.

I have been thinking what should I be doing after that. I definitely don't want to be a bummer and I want to contribute to family income. I felt bad of putting my hubby as sole breadwinner ever since I left my previous job a year ago. But I have been hesitating to go back to corporate work, not because of stress or I want to be a housewife. It is more on our intention to have second kid in very near future. And partly also I have not find out what I really want to do.

*****

What's next?
Well... After much repetitive thinkings and too much uncertainties, I think I will reach nowhere if I continue pondering. I shall just move on and get a job. In this way I will get to pay my own bill and also not away from corporate world for too long. Since the MC last April, I sort of learn that sometime I should not plan too far ahead and worry too much. Things might just happen otherwise and screwed up entire plan and most of time is beyond our control.

*****

Things I will miss most
I will definitely miss the days I snuggle with my girl when she wake up in the morning. I will miss the days I ferry her to and fro and our little conversations in the car. I will miss preparing her school bag and surprise her with little snack. I will miss the days we waited patiently for her dad to off work and have dinner together.

Strangely I don't feel that I will miss the days I doing unpack and house chores. I took a lot of time doing these when I at home. And I don't feel that i will miss the time I spend in watching serials. I spent much time on this too.

*****

Endure. Constant reminder to control my neg. thinking and temper.
I will have to learn to live with my MIL. I hope just my MIL. It worries me a lot when my FIL said he wants to rent out their flat and move into our apartment. Sigh.. As I will not be able to ferry Faith, I will need my MIL to stay with us during weekdays to take care of Faith. I hope my hubby could make an arrangement that we could have just only three of us family time during the weekend.

*****

For now, I just have to focus on my unpacking and Faith's home activities' materials so I could move on to my job seeking. Hope this is smooth sailing.

Wish me lots of luck in coming new chapter of my life.

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Quote :: Change it if you don't like it!

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

I used to be (I am still sometimes in my deeper heart) angry with the person, who made remarks that are not soothing to my ears. But lately I realized that if I don't change the way I think and my response to her remarks, it will just make me more and more angry and get me nowhere.

So to counter this, I have been telling myself don't get affected by what she said and if possible, think of a response to stop her from repeating the remark.

My hubby once told me no point keep complaining and take action to change it.

I decided to write this post to remind myself whenever this quote slis off my mind.

Life back in Singapore

For past 1-2 weeks, I have been busy with unpacking and cleaning up the house. It is not just the stuffs we brought back from Bahamas. We moved in our current place sometimes early 2010 but we seldom stayed here as my hubby travelled frequently so I stayed at my parents' place for quite a while. Only sometimes 4th quarter 2010, then we moved in permanently. But no long after, we went to Bahamas. Boxes from our move are still lying around and now I feel more obligated to clean up the mess as I no longer can stand the mess and wanted my hubby and girl have a neater place to stay in.

Life back in Singapore is more boring. Well. Packing and unpacking is seldom fun isn't it. Every morning I will send my girl to PIL place and went for breakfast before I think what I going to clean up for the day. Then I will work on the area till 5 plus and went for a cold shower before I went to pick up my hubby. We will then have dinner together before we went to fetch our girl. Sometimes I will fetch Faith before I fetched my hubby. Since I don't cook, our weekend is not so much on food stores hopping. Things we did during our weekend in Bahamas, we no longer doing. We do things we don't get to do in Bahamas like window shopping in huge shopping mall and look around for nice food places. Strangely, I can't eat as much I ate in Bahamas even the food here is more tasty and varieties.

Some unhappy news so far since we are back :
1. my MBA repair cost me $642. Pretty upset over this esp. my warranty is just days over before I sent to repair. I have to repair with no other choice. Lessons learnt from this: ONE. Digitalize all warranty cards. My hubby could have send it for repair earlier when he back for training two months ago. TWO. Regular backup is essential as you never know when the laptop will fail us. I have too much crucial information and my last backup is quite sometime back.
2. my iphone is giving way too. Sometimes, receivers can't hear me.
3. my dad had a mild stroke. Good new is that he is recovering well.
4. the fridge we gave my dad is spoilt and warranty is over. I hope the repair doesn't cost them much.
5. my hubby's lens repair is costly and now has to send back HK to repair as it is still under HK warranty.

So far my cleaning tasks are on schedule and I can't wait to see our house in showroom condition. Haha... a bit too much to ask for but showroom is always so nice to stay in.

Leaving Bahamas...

My hubby has finished his job in Bahamas and we are all packed to go back Singapore. Our girl did not want to leave. She always said "This is a beautiful land. I want to stay here forever." I think she enjoyed the amount of time we have together as compared back home. She somehow knew that life will not be the same after we go back. She cried silently in the taxi van we took from our house @ Paradise Island to International Airport.

As for myself, I will definitely miss the times we have together. Our dinner together every night. My chats with hubby on daily updates. By 7pm, we usually finished our dinner and rest of night is just family time. My everyday moments with our girl even though I complained a lot. Her grandparents will take over the daily care when we back Singapore. I definitely miss her seeing her whole day and her smiles and her cheekiness. My daily cooking for hubby and our girl. I will miss everythings we have done together in this land.

It is a long journey home. 1.5 days in the air. (We are flying on 31st August 2011 morning and reaching Singapore 2nd September 2011 morning.) With 7 check-in baggages and 3 cabin baggages.  Majority are Faith's stuffs and her schoolwork materials. We still have some stuffs in Bahamas, hoping my hubby's collegue could bring it back for us.

Knowing that distance, I don't think I will be back Bahamas again unless my future job required me to. This makes me misses the fabulous beaches and people in Bahamas.

I will miss you, Bahamas.

Purchases from US online stores

Since we are going States next week, I have planned a list of items to get online and shipped to our hotel. We did the same previously when we went Miami.

This time round as I wanted to enjoy more benefits, I ordered stuffs from different sites other than our fav. Amazon.com. Two days ago, I ordered two Estee Lauder products from their website. To my dismay, my order is rejected. I only received the email today. I wondered why and decided to try again. If my order gets rejected again, I will get them from Bahamas instead to avoid any hassle.

I then placed orders in Sephora and Vichy. I then realised it could due to incorrect billing address. Sephora don't accept international credit card. And Vichy site don't allow me to put non-US billing address. Note billing address is important. It has to be the same as the address with credit card company. I guess this could be the reason my orders are rejected by Estee Lauder.

So I end up quickly went back Amazon.com to purchase same stuffs from Sephora so I will not miss the delivery date. Sephora sells products via Amazon.com too.

Now, I am waiting and see any more rejected orders from Vichy and Estee Lauder. If they get rejected, then it is really due to non-US billing address. I have contigency plan if I unable to get from Vichy and Estee Lauder but not Clarins. I really hope my ordered stuffs from Clarins will go through.

Her worst experience with Feng Mo rashes

This is not Faith's first time having feng mo. She experienced twice before but nothing worst than this time. It spreads all over her body, limbs and neck and face. It started on Saturday night. She scratched herself so hard and non-stop in middle of night and gave a short outcry after I applied some lotion on her.

In Sunday morning, we saw some patches of "feng mo" rashes on her body. We had planned Stringray adventure in the afternoon. Due to her skin condition and gloomy weather, we were thinking should we postpone our trip to the next weekend when Faith gets better and hopefully weather is good. But end up we still prepared ourselves and went out for breakfast at McDonalds hoping weather gets better and her skin condition does not worsen. While waiting for the boat, she scratches herself non-stop (maybe is due to hot weather and we were just beside the sea) and I put plenty of body powder to ease her itchiness. Scratching might spread the rashes and also cause open wound and leave scar marks. We then decided not to go after seeing her feeling uncomfortable. But Faith wanted to go so we still go ahead with our pre-planned trip.

It just get worst. By end of trip, rashes spreaded from her body to her limbs.

feng mo rashes on her arm

As we do not have any calamine lotion and her travel size body powder running low, Daddy E brought us to City Market to get some calming lotion or powder as contigency. We knew Feng Mo will go away by itself after 2-3 days and all we could do is to ease her urge to scratch. She scratched herself sooooo hard that visible scratch marks all over her body and behind her kneecaps.

Luckily she got much better this morning. Most of her body rashes has subsided but her face got worst. By noon, countable rashes left on her body and face.

After her late afternoon nap, we are shocked to see a large patch of feng mo rashes on her calf. Made us wonder why it came back when we thought it is getting better. We are hoping it is due to heat and not anything else. Luckily, it subsided after a while.

During this period, we used plenty of Califonia Baby Calming Everyday Lotion and Johnson's baby powder. She skipped her daily bath/shower. No-no to water contact other than drinking and brushing teeth. Till now, we don't know the root cause of her feng mo rashes. We suspected her new pyjames (washed before but that is months ago), avocado (yellow instead of green flesh) and air-con. Whatever the reason is, I just hope all the rashes go away and all her scars go away. Really upsetting to see the scratch marks. She has been a good girl and listened to us to control not to scratch. Hope she fully recovered by tomorrow.

Faith's lesson on poisonous animals

After Faith woke up from her late afternoon nap, she asked her dad what is poisonous animal and after we went upstairs, Daddy E shown Faith some poisonous animals on his ipad2 and explained to her some generic information of each animal. Faith asked many questions and here are some that made us laugh non-stop.
Faith: Why is his hair so long?
Daddy E: Yea. He has not go barber.
Faith: You are crazy.. animal don't go barber. Only 1 go. Only human goes barber.
.
.
Daddy: Why he didn't shave?
Faith: Because he doesn't has moustache.



I love her innocent and yet so smart replies.

Personalised straw sling bag

We went to straw market today as Daddy E wanted to get Faith a straw bag. Straw market in Bahmas is like pasar malam in Singapore. They sell mainly local made stuffs and imitation goods. Unlike pasar malam, noone sell food here.

After seeing straw bags in few stores, Faith chose her fav. color pink and she wanted a sling bag rather than top handle small bag, which Daddy E originally wanted to get for her. We met this kind old lady with pretty good workmanship. We didn't bargain the price since we feel that it is pretty reasonable.

She is sewing "Faith" on the limited available space.

Daddy E got himself a cowboy hat and her princess a personalised sling bag.

Here is her new chic bag. US$6. Personalised name is free of charge.

Bahamas : Rose Island Trip

Yesterday we were talking about island getaway and today we went to Rose Island. 

My hubby made the booking via beston website and paid a deposit (USD$70) via credit card. 

He then  paid the balance at Paradise Island Harbour Resort and was given a receipt, which is required to board the bus.

Meeting point at Paradise Island Harbour Resort (9.30am).

Here are all of stuffs (including 2 other friends).

 

Bus trip from Paradise Island Harbour Resort to Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

The distance between the resort and ferry terminal is pretty near. Definitely within walking distance but we took their bus since transportation service is provided.

 

50 mins from Paradise Island to Rose Island (~10..30pm). Here is our ferry! Pretty stable and spacious. We sat at second deck most of the time. And took nice photos at the top open deck.

Scenic views taken from top deck.

Live band throughout the journey.

Reach Rose Island (~11.30pm)

This wild boar enjoyed by bumming herself into my hubby and Steven. I think she likes male.
 We were chased by her on our way back to beach after our lunch. It is so amusing... Hahaha...
All of us just ran for our life when she starts to run after us.

Taken outside the bar.

Breathtaking view.

Snorkeling (12pm). Good learning experience for first-timer.

<<Will get photos from our friend before I post here.>>

Lunch buffet (1pm). Decent spread and definitely filling.

Chilling at beach (after lunch till time to go back boat)

<<Will get photos from our friend before I post here.>>

Back to boat (~3.30pm).

Fall asleep shortly after milk. In fact, all children on board are sleeping.

Back to Paradise Island (~4.30pm)

All of us had an awesome time today!

It is a great place to go as a family or couple. And it is not expensive. US$73.50 per person (incl. 5% tax). Buffet lunch is included. Children under 4 is free! Check out more on here. Just note that this is only available on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Beauty Regimen - Clarins UV Plus Day Screen HP SPF40

I have been using Avene Ultra HP Emulsion SPF50 for past months. As that is water-resistant, it requires me to use a good oil cleanser to remove the sunblock at the end of the day. Sometimes I wonder did I remove the sunblock completely. It is not easy to gauge as compared to remove makeup.

One way of gauging is to apply some sunblock/sunscreen on back of palm and remove using your cleanser. Use water to rinse away and look out for thin shiny layer and water droplets residue. If it is totally removed, it should look matte rather than shiny.

Since most of the times I don't need water-resistant sunblock and I really don't like the feeling of not removing completely, I started to research for an non water-resistant sunblock. Then I came across Clarins UV Plus Day Screen HP SPF40 at Clarins website and get to know it is well-liked by makeup alley reviewers. The only concern to me is the price. Although it is a lot cheaper than a similar product I got from Dermalogica in Singapore years back, I still feel it is expensive as compared to Avene. Unfortunately, there is no sample available at Clarins in Bahamas and they have only 1 tube left, I decided to get it and give it a try.

The color is in white and it is in a form of liquid (unlike the usual creamy sunblock I have been using). It is definitely easier and faster to spread as compared to cream. I like the non-sticky and non-greasy feeling very much.

As I just started using it this morning, it is still early to tell whether it gives suffice protection and whether it adds more problem to my acne-prone skin. Let me try for two weeks before I give more feedback.

Beauty Regimen - Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

After reading good reviews on this product from makeup alley, I tempted to give it a try. As no sample is available at the counter, I could only buy it and try it. It is much cheaper to get in Bahamas than in Singapore.

This is only to use at night and there is not need to apply serum and moisturiser (meaning: time saver for lazy beauty). Right after toner or Avene thermal water spray, I dabbed the opening again my palm thrice and warmed the oil by rubbing my palms and pressed my palm against my face. According to the Clarins's sales lady, the way to apply oil on face/ body is to warm them and press against skin a couple of times to let the skin absorbs better. She demonstrated two methods (massaging and pressing) on my hand and I could feel the skin feel better by pressing.

I just got this product today and immediately I use it as part of my night care. I love the smell of the oil!! As I was too excited and forgot to use Avene thermal water spray as toner before I apply this. I hope it is not too greasy and cause more acne. Tomorrow, I will definitely remember to use spray before this. 

After using so many different products, no product has truly give me a clear skin. I really hope this product suits my skin and control the oil and gives me a clearer skin.

Note: I am still taking lemon juice every morning and night. I use baking soda as exfoliator every night after cleansing and applying lemon juice (leave it for 10 mins or so and rinsed away) after baking soda exfoliation. When I just started using lemon juice as toner, I use it morning and night and even left it overnight. My skin does look brighter and feels softer but I don't feel comfortable of not applying any lotion or face oil at night.

Just irritated.

Faith was playing "Plants & Zombies" game earlier on Daddy E's ipad2. She then needed help on her game but her dad wasn't free so I helped her. Just then her grandparents wanted to do a video conference with her so we had a video conference and playing at the same time.

While we were playing, Faith and I had some small arguments. To me, this is pretty usual. there is no big fuss over this. But her grandparents interpreted that Faith cried and yelled when I tried to help. Her grandparents then wanted her to apologise to me on shouting at me. Daddy E then added on that she will not apologise so don't bother to ask her. 

I got pretty irritated by her grandparent's and her dad's mis-interpretation. I chose to walk away and went upstairs myself.

Why am I irritated?
- I don't understand why everyone is making a big fuss over a small argument.
- I don't agree that Faith will not apologise. She will. She might be strong-headed but she will apologise. Her dad knows this but why he said she will not. Her grandparents will just take his words.

I wonder how am I going to stay with her grandmother when we back in Singapore. Sigh...

Afternoon tea at Starbucks @ Cable Cottage, Nassau, Bahamas

Today Daddy E drove us around to explore new beach site. As we could not find the place that my hubby originally intended to go, we decided to head back home. Knowing that I was craving for Starbucks coffee, my lovely hubby stopover Starbucks at Cable Cottage and got me a chilled latte. Then our darling wanted to have her favourite chocolate brownie so we decided to chill at Starbucks.

Woody wants to take a bite of Faith's brownie.

My iced latte & apple fritter

Faith & her favourite chocolate brownie

Faith's funny shot

Same expression when taking with her Daddy

Her adaption of Toy Story show

After watching countless times of Toy Story (1, 2 & 3) videos, Faith wants her daddy to write "ANDY" on her foot.

A short conversion between her and Daddy E.

Faith: I belong to Andy.

Daddy E: No. You belong to me.

Faith: You are Andy.

(Daddy E left speechless with a laugh.)

Faith's first time swimming in sea

Today we went to Saunders Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. The weather was fantastic. Daddy E made fried rice and we drove through KFC and bought some add-ons. We then had a yummy late lunch at the beach side before all except me went for a dip. Faith played with the sand for a while and changed into her bikini. Today is Faith's first time swimming in sea. Her daddy got her a life jacket to boost her confidence.

Both are fully geared and ready for a swim.

Daddy E was patiently teaching Faith to swim.

Faith: "I can swim now!"

Faith & Daddy E

Steven, Didi, Faith & Daddy E

Everyone had a great time. This beach is great for swimming and sand play. You get to see some small fishes near the rocks. I hope to go back again to see them.