First 2007 Gift...

Today my dearest sis Ansy made DnA some Lucky 2007 Stars... They are so cute...

Farewell 2006...

"A new year is unfolding - like a flower with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within..."

As I wave good bye to 2006 and open my arms to the approaching 2007 - I cant help but reflect on the year just gone...

Firstly, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope it brings you whatever you wish for... I know fully well all the phone lines, telecommunications will be jamed - so Ive decided to blog it! No cards, no ecards, no text messages from me this year - if you're lucky, you may hear it from me personally - but that all depends if Im next to you that day!!! So for those who are avid readers - they will receive my greeting. For those who dont, well - apologies if you think Im slack!!!

2006 has come and gone so so quick... Here are the highlights of that year...

- Bethy's Hen party and her marriage to Matt...
- Dinner parties, gatherings, theatre shows, professional photo shoots
- Mountain walks - Nice scenery.
- Sis's & Kobe's wedding - The beginning of Mr and Mrs Chan.
- Aunties & Uncles visiting from USA & HK - Recollection of times in HK
- Ling's stay at Cardiff - Castles, mountains, and "chips and curry"
- Birth of baby love birds and they were gone
- Porsche experience - Too fast not furious though. Overall : Nice!
- Singapore and cruise trips - Are cruise trips really that interesting?
- Hot air balloon festivals - A Bristol famous event annually
- Gordon Ramsey's snail recipe - Tasted no so nice..
- Chelsea Vs Liverpool football match - Rugged Liverpool football fans
- Visiting my God-ma in LA and travelling back in style via business class
- Prison - Just a job done in a day
- Meeting great new frens and spending time with old and existing frens

It was a great year with so many happy occaisions... but there was some little sad ones too... For all of my dear friends who experienced hardship - look ahead to a great start to this 2007... For me, I will look back and learn from the mistakes I made and cherish the great times I had... But I cant wait for 2007, where who knows what lies around the corner... One thing is for sure, I am glad that I have my huppy, family and frens next to me...

Wishing you all a great 2007

Love Paradise....

This song by Kelly Chen sums everything I wanna say:



"You're always on my mind
All day, just all the time
You're everything to me
Brightest star to let me see
You touch me in my dreams
We kiss in every scene
I pray to be with you through rain and shiny days

I'll love you till I die
Deep as sea
Wide as sky
The beauty of our love paints rainbows
Everywhere we go
Need you all my life
You're my hope
You're my pride
In your arms I find my heaven
In your eyes my sea and sky
May life be our love paradise..."

Friends for life....

During these past few years of my life, I have come to realise who my true friends are... One has just left my house :)

There are some friends that have I known since young, since school, since uni - very strong... There are some friends that I call "teacher" - which have guided me thru my training years... There are some friends whom I have got to know during work and have blossomed into something special since... There are some friends that I have met randomly thru my path in life... My family are also my friends... Thinking about it, I have a great bunch of friends - all different and impt in their own way.

Thinking back, some which I used to think were my friends, actually are not that important in my life anymore! Quite sad really, but being friends is a 2 way system and an understanding and experience that you've shared together...

To all my Dear Friends out there - you will know if you are impt to me...

I want to thank you for your patience, your guidance, your love and supporting me thru thick and thin... Although I may be rubbish at keeping contact and I forget your birthdays etc - I want you to know that you are impt in my life and forever will be...

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart..."

And lastly to my greatest friend and love - my Huppy:

"Love is not just about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship. It's not just about how much love you have in the beginning but how much love you build till the end..."

Love you Hupps to the power of infinity!!! hehehe

Mwah mwah mwah
xxx

Boxing Day = Presents Day!!

In our household - boxing day means presents day... Since young our parents have noted to us the connection between "box" and "presents" - Hence, boxing day should be the day you open your gifts!!... Ummm - seems logical! So, when all the other children are opening their gifts on Christmas Day - Ours is somewhat a day behind!!!

But, it's ok, because we open it at about 12:15am boxing day - after enjoying huge amounts of food on Christmas Day!

The tradition of opening gifts in our household is to group all your gifts together - all sit around and one by one open a present. So for example, Mum would open one gift and when finished, Sis would open one, and so on... It's better because of the suspense and each person gets their moment of limelight!!! ehhehehe... Well, I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas...

Christmas Dinner...

Preparations for our non-turkey, yes-lamb of leg Christmas dinner.... Sis & Maze prepare the food with Sis crying cos of the onions!... So much food but so much left over!

Ansy still managing to look chirpy even tho she's the one whose washing the dishes! Good work gal! Where's Dad? He hates pictures - so couldnt even get a sneaky picture of him....

Waking Up On Christmas Morning...

Wow... Our first surprise of the day was fresh banana cake baked by mum (Dad's firm favourite!!!).

Breakfast was banana cake served with a HUGE selection of all types of fresh fruit!!! A bit crazy really... the whole kitchen tops were covered in fruit!! Hey, at least its healthy - so the more the merrier! Just hope that we all can finish it before it goes off!!

Thanks Mum, my favourite oriental pears... and huppy's favourite fiji apples - shame he's not here - cos they are hard to find! Also, to start the day rolling - Mum gave us all some charms. DnA's charms represent fortune and wellbeing... They are now nicely positioned on the front of my room door!

Christmas Greetings...

Gosh, another Christmas has arrived... And this year will be the same greeting to you all!

Dearest Our Family & Friends,

We would like to wish you all a beautiful Christmas.

May all your lives and hearts be filled with joy, laughter and love...

May you be healthy, may you never give up in your path in life, may you appreciate what you have around you
and give back accordingly...

With All Our Love, DnA xxx

School Buddies...

Today, a group of old school buddies met up... It was lovely to see them all again after a period of absence. Some were married, some engaged, some with new jobs, some living in new locations... However - they were the same... I realised at that moment when I talked to them, that I missed them - their deep and intelligent conversations... the randomness and range of topics... I had a great time in school (just before uni) and the memories will stay with me forever...

Not all could attend but Chris is gonna organise a reunion next summer with all our school year to celebrate 10 years of leaving school!!! Wow - its been that long!.... Time really flies... Guys - friends before, friends now, friends in the future... Remember to keep in contact...

A moment like this....

Anyone saw X-factor? Dont you just love the song? I love it cos "I can't believe it's happening to me... Love ya Hupps. Kol"

To see the video and listen to the song - click here

"What if I told you
It was all meant to be
Would you believe me,
Would you agree
It's almost that feelin'
That we've met before
So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you love has come here and now...

A moment like this
Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this
Some people search forever,
For that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime,

For a moment like this
Everything changes
But beauty remains
Something so tender
I can't explain
Well I maybe dreamin'
But 'till I awake
Can we make this dream last forever
And I'll cherish all the love that we share

For a moment like this
Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this
Some people search forever,
For that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this

Could this be the greatest love of all
I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall
So let me tell you this...
Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this
Some people spent two lifetimes,
For a moment like this
Some people search forever,
For that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this

OHHHH, LIKE THIS

OHHHH, YEAH, 'cuz people search for every moment yeah.

Some people wait a lifetime,
For a moment like this.

Ohhhhh, like this."

Singapore - Tuesday's heavy rainfall third highest in 75 years

Yesterday was a record breaking day for Singapore. At 366 mm for a 24hrs rainfall level, 19/12/06 is the third heaviest rainfall day in the history of 75 yrs!

And guess what, the place that we went to hike last Saturday, was overflowing and flooded the low lying area around the reservoir. According to my mum, the flower garden became what the media called the "flower sea".

Read more about it here.

Well, the rain definitely cool Moses and myself while we work on our project... cos usually afternoon are hot and humid..

Hope the weather stays cool for the rest of the duration that i will be here.. Hot and sticky just isn't the way to go especially when u are doing something on ur laptop, or when your best friend lay on your bed, i did tell him no no... and even so, he laid on my duvet, so not too bad.

hmmmm... another day..

Forget "Frankie goes to Hollywood" - cos we're going to Bollywood!!

Tonights the night!!! 3 of us booked to see a theatre show called "The Merchants of Bollywood" at our Wales Millenium Centre...

First, it was all down to my place to dress up and look nice!! Then it was off to Demiro's mediterranean restaurant in Cardiff Bay, where we snuggled up to some romantic girlie candlelit dinner and dessert!! Yumm!! Hey, I was good - I by-passed the dessert!!!
The meal was delicious and we were so full - our bellies were painful! But we were geared up, as the time approached for us to leave the restaurant and goto the show...

The show starts.... Fantastic live dance extravaganza like nothing you’ve ever seen before - well in real life, for me anyway! There were singers and dancers with lots of glitter, glamour, romance and allure... There's familiar indian songs that I've heard before which reminded me of Aysh/Sad's wedding and our mendhi dance!!
Memories!!! I loved the show because it was different and the dance routines were fab... All 3 even suggested that we goto each other's house on our days off and try some of the moves!!! Umm....!?!?!? The brief summary of the story is below:

The story begins in India, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in the temple of Shiva. The Merchant family dynasty holds the responsibility of upholding the ancient traditions of the Kathak dance, the dance of the Gods. Shantilal Merchant is the last in the line of gurus. This tradition is about to die out. Shantilal was formerly a choreographer in the golden era of India’s great film industry, Bollywood. India was recovering from Partition. Division in the country had ripped the heart and soul of the people apart and Shantilal believed that Cinema could heal the wounds.
Shantilal left when the industry grew commercial and lawless, influenced by western trends and dirty money. Shantilal began his own dance school in the desert, teaching traditional folk dance.
His granddaughter Ayesha left Rajasthan against his wishes to become the reigning queen of choreography of Bollywood films today. She has the Midas touch. They cal her “The Princess of Romance”.

Although they are family, their approach to film choreography could not be further apart.
Shantilal believed that films should change people’s lives. Ayesha believes film should help people escape. Reality or fantasy – there lies the conflict. Ayesha’s teenage rebellion against her classical training, in favor of modern western dance styles, was the seed of their fued. The damage seems irreparable. Ayesha resolves to visit Shantilal to make peace. Her journey takes her to the heart of India – the deserts of Rajasthan and into the arms of her childhood sweetheart Uday.

In the temple, the fires are burning low. Her grandfather is dying. There is no one left to continue the family tradition, performing the dance of the Gods. Ayesha decides to marry Uday, and stay in Rajasthan to run her fathers dance school and maintain the family traditions. But she will run the school her way, in a balance of old and new. The finale of the show is colourful, thrilling, high-energy fusion of folk, classical, modern, Western and Indian dance forms.
Tears are shed, old wounds are healed, age-old conflict is reconciled in a powerful journey to the sacred heart of dance.

If I were an animal - I would like to be....

A Hyacinth Macaw....

Why?
-The colour of the feathers are a deep cobalt blue/indigo blue - very much like a clear deep blue sea and cloudless sky - Beautiful
-It is the largest flying parrot and can soar thru the sky with so much freedom
-They are very sociable birds
-They fly in small groups or couples - therefore, are never alone
-Couples are very faithful and they mate for life
-If one of the couple dies, it is usually accepted by another couple so that it is never alone - so hence, compassionate and loving

Overall, the qualities of this bird is a good animal to be... I wonder what animal you would be?

Macritchie Reservoir - EX Leisure Walk.

Went on a Hike with my army mates and 2 sec school mates today, it was a rather fun experience, even though it was physically tiring..

It was meant to be a army recollection, of how we used to "like" the field and would do some much things in the field... i.e eating simple food and enjoying them as if they were some delicacies..

Those were the days when we didn't use to think about a lot of things, and we were carefree and enjoying our NS life.. well we always try our very best to enjoy and have fun..

Life in the CDO is really more fun rather than what other people would think of - very very siong, inhumane treatment. Come to think about, i have more adventurous stories to tell than many of my friends who were in other units..

I was telling my elder sister about my CDO stories a week ago, i was just sprouting all my "near-death" experiences in Indonesia and Raffles Lighthouse and the fun events i have been to, mingling with young NCC cadets, showing them how to strip a rifle.. ( The rifle was about the height of most of them.. ehaehaehahe... ) Went on numerous courses to add on to my military resume. ( well they can't really be used as part of your normal CV, unless you are applying to become a mercenary... if you know what i mean..)

These are just one of the many things that we ( this group of army mates ) has done. And whenever we meet, we will still bring out random recollection of yester-years' joke of the day or a prank we played on Fireblade, Sunny or Jan imitating our beloved CSM.

HEahehaeha... thinking about those days, always put a smile to my face.. However gone were those days... the eat-sleep-watch-tv-book out routine kind of life is no longer a thing that we can do together, hence i always look forward to the days and activities that we can once again do and share more laughters..

So... who's interested for kayaking??? hehaehahehaeh...

ps: the pictures can be found here.

In and Out of Prison...

The day has finally arrived... It's time to goto prison and face what lies ahead of me!

When I reached the outskirts of the vicinity - it looked like a concentration camp... however, as I drove into the depths of the prison - the outsides of the buildings looked like Ikea but in white! I got out of my car and headed towards the reception area, where I was asked for ID and signed in. Myself and my bag were put through 2 different machines - one x-ray and one metal detector. I was then searched. Forbidden objects included chewing gum, metal objects, mobile phones, foil (not too sure why foil!), paper clips, lip salve/vaseline - these I had to put in a locker before I was allowed to enter into the main prison area.... There were guards standing and the morning rush was heaving with work people queuing as if they were going to catch a plane!!! Thank goodness I arrived early - the whole process took about 15-20 mins!!

I then had to wait for someone to collect me... once that happened we went thru numberous doors which had locks, bars and safety time systems in place... It was rather daunting as we went thru corriders, then doors, then more corriders until we arrived at the pharmacy. Think of hospital corridors, but all the doors are thick and shut... There are no windows in these corridors and you could be easily disorientated if you werent a regular.

Well, the pharmacy was small, but cosy. There was a hatch in a wall with metal bars - so that inmates can talk to you and collect their meds... I learnt that this prison was a male prison with all ages including young offenders... Their crimes varied from mild to serious (including sex offenders and murderers!!) - However, they are separated according to the severity of the crime in different wings...

My first job of the day... Supervised consumption of methadone and other abusable substances... I dispensed the meds and before I knew it - it was time for the first appointment... So my colleague and I gathered all the meds into another room (like a consultation room) after going thru more corridors and locked doors... At this point all the inmates with appointments were waiting in a locked room guarded with security guards. One by one we would call them and they would be escorted into our room where they would take their meds... Nothing scary - its like what we do in community. In some cases, I had to goto the inmates cell and give his meds there... Depending on which wing you were on, some cells were relatively large(!) with a toilet, shower cubicle, single bed and TV!!! But for inmates with less security needed, their cells were smaller, but they had access to communal areas and had more freedom - pool tables, TV, seating areas...

Then it was dispensing scripts amongst everything else... (The prison has its own doctor, dentist, optician, physiotherapist, nurses etc.... so, its well equipt.) Once dispensed we would call the inmate's name and they would show us their prison ID cards and we would hand over their meds through the hatch- no ID means no meds! It was like school - children waiting to be called up for their prize... "Thanks Miss" - That was what I was referred to... "Miss"... I really didnt know what to expect but all were courteous - maybe becos they knew they needed us?!?!?! We do supply the meds!!!

Time had gone so quick, before we knew it, it was lunch time. Lunch was served somewhere else and again we had to trek thru more corridors and locked doors... I must say - it was tedious... My colleague had a huge bunch of keys and each time - she had to unlock the door, then relock it... Lunch was great - christmas dinner for a whopping £1!!! cheap and tasty! Over lunch I learnt alot about the prison...

What do the inmates do? Generally, they wake up and work or goto school within the prison. For young offenders, they are educated (some learn to read and write, some get qualifications...). The older ones work e.g. in industry - they produce car/household machine parts; some work in laundry dept; some serve food; some are decorators and continually update the prison buildings... Those who are more trusted work as cleaners - as they are the only workers (who are inmates) that are not supervised...

After lunch, it was back to work... Dispensing and wing rounds... Making sure the medicines there were stocked up and replenished... During the week there are many clinics that the pharmacy dept holds - smoking cessation, phlebotomy, diagnostic testing (diabetes, cholesterol), medicines management - to be honest - alot more than what you would normally find!!!

During my stay there, I had a very eye-opening time, where I learnt alot more and fully appreciated what actually happens in prison... My heart does go out to SOME inmates becos here in the prison - they have a "good life". They have 3 main meals a day, they have a bed, TV, clothes, someone to talk to, they work (they get about £2 a week), then they have events like football tournaments and the prizes include £10 each for the winning team... Sometimes, in the real world, they have less than this... Although they do very well in prison and have gained an education there - in society - they said they find it hard to do well and then they revert back to doing wrong because they simply are not accepted and they then cant afford anything... They become institutionalised and its really sad...

Another event happening today included alarms of all nurses and doctors beeping, as someone had tried to harm themselves... He had managed to cut himself on the wrist and up his arm... It was rather horrific but for some reason, I wasnt scared when I saw the nurses and doctor try to refrain him and the blood was all over the floor... I suppose, you get into the mode where you have to do your job and dont let your emotions affect you...

Another surprise of the day included meeting a regular customer of mine where I used to work, as I was doing my wing rounds!! We chatted for awhile and it was a shame to see him here... He looked well though - much better than when he was out of prison... He had put on weight and hhis cheeks were rosy...

Overall, I enjoyed the day and would I go back? Yeah. Although today was daunting and at times, I did feel a little nervous and scared - the whole experience was life-changing and rewarding. The colleagues from the different depts all mucked in and helpped each other as a unity and I really liked that...

Summary & setting up the decor...

Today has been one hectic day!

Last night I went to sleep about 2:30am and this morning I woke up at 8:30am! Not becos I was not tired - but becos my body clock automatically wakes me up!

So, trying not to waste time - I got up and did some household chores, then I went to the local bank and shops. After that, I went to the gym and managed to stay for 2 whole hours. I am proud to say that I can now run non-stop at a steady pace, without stopping for 30 mins!!! I have so unhealthy and I am glad that I am on track!!

After that, I came home and I helpped Dad to transfer garden stuff and build a new storage area - I must say that was tedious! Cold and windy and the instructions were rubbish... but we got there in the end. After that its clothes washing and cooking and then picking up my sis from uni... I felt like a maid!!!

However, the highlight of the day was yet to come... Putting up the Christmas decorations... I must say - I love it! I love the sparkly lights that twinkle in the night, the golds, the reds - so warm... Cant wait for our own home - where each year - I can decorate!

Happy Birthday Blondes - NOT!!!

Today was totally spontaneous! A group of work colleagues were going out to an Indian restaurant "The Koh-I-Noor" for their Christmas meal. They asked if I wanted to attend... Yeah go-on! What a very impulsive decision - I like it!!!

They went on ahead first - whilst I had to finish my shift and meet them there...

When we arrived - we ordered some drinks and looked at the menu... It was said to the waitor that it was one of the blonde's birthday and could they secretly open a bottle of champers (which was taken to the restaurant) and organise a small cake or dessert and sing happy birthday! It wasnt actually anyone's birthday! It was a Christmas meal.. but it was nice to celebrate a birthday anyway!!!

So, our meal came - Delicious - highly reccommended! Then it was the secret wink to initiate the happy birthday surprise!!! ....
Well, the bottle of Champagne came and no birthday song...! Only 2 of us knew what was going on and we couldnt help laughing. The rest of the girls looked at us and just thot that the Champagne was on the house (as if!!!)... So after about 15 mins, no cake, no song - we had to tell them what was happening!

Well, about 30mins later - a little cake dessert came along with the singing of "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." to the imaginary birthday girl!!! Everyone was shocked on our table - but it was lovely and we toasted to Christmas, Birthdays, Mother's day and so on....

Had a fab time with Linda, Louise, Sarah, Jess and Maria.... Merry Christmas Girls xxx

What's Your Fascination?!?

What's with my fascination with healthy cereals? The answer is I dunno myself!!!

Today, after work - I decided to do a bit of shopping for essentials such as fruit and veg... Cereals never came into my mind - becos I have plenty at home!

However, walking down the aisles in the supermarket I walked pass the cereal aisle and I automatically turned and headed towards the healthy cereals (such as bran, museli, oats...) What is the problem? Nothing really to the normal person - But if you know what I do - you may think I DO have a problem!

Well, on previous occaisions - when Hupps and I would go shopping - he would shop and I would be at the cereal aisle... and I would STILL be at the cereal aisle when Hupps finished shopping... I never used to notice until Hupps mentioned it! So what exactly do I do in the cereal aisle?!?!

I dunno really, I seem to be fascinated by the different ranges of healthy cereals! I would pick a box up, read all the print, look at the ingredients, the calories, the fat content, carbohydrate content and so on... then, I would pick up another and compare it with the first and so on... The truth is I think I love looking at new cereals (the healthy ones and especially if they have new nuts, berries, seeds or other ingredients in them)! But however much I look at them - I generally pick the same cereals over and over again... So the rationale of looking at other cereals is really beyond me!!!

My favs include: Kashi range, Weetabix range, Jordon's Superfoods range and the different flavours of Oatso simple porridge!
So sad eh, that I get excited over cereals! Atleast - my fascinations are healthy and not as expensive as clothes, cars etc...!!! What are your fascinations?!?!?

Surprise 60th Bday Party

What to wear?!? Weather is freezing and rain is starting... Tonight is a surprise 60th bday party, organised by her husband...

Left the house with plenty of time to spare (Well, I thot anyway!). The location is a private pub 5 mins down the road, in a the local village... Approaching the village - there were absolutely tonnes of cars - already parked and those trying to find spaces... Oh no traffic jam and you couldnt even turn back! We were told to be there 30 mins before the couple were meant to arrive... 5 mins to go and after circling the area - I finally found a parking space!

Norman had told his wife that they were going to a Christmas meal with his pharmacy colleagues. But first, they would have a drink at their local pub whilst they wait for their taxi. Everything was well organised - a surprise party with music at the local pub, with all their children, relatives and close friends there (some of whom travelled far). After that he had booked a room at a posh hotel! But ofcos, Jackie knew nothing until she walked thru the door of their local pub...
Totally gob-smacked and totally surprised!! It was a great sight to see someone's face full of surprise and happiness... and she nearly wanted to cry! Throughout the night was eating, chatting and dancing... and she still didnt know she was gonna be pampered at this posh hotel! Ah, how lovely!

Was a great evening... and the evening made me think to myself - "I wonder what I'll be doing on my 60th?!"

60 Things I would like to do before I die...

Inspired by a friend of mine - I too have decided to write 60 things I would like to do before I die (in no particular order)!

1. Marry someone who will make me laugh all the way to my grave - my huppy (we were engaged 17th Dec 2005)
2. Achieve DnA's goal of retiring young
3. Drive a top of the range mercedes AMG for that particular time
4. Have 2-3 beautiful children
5. Have our parents retire and live comfortably
6. Get onto the property ladder
7. Travel to the 7 Wonders of the World
8. Stay at the most expensive, high rated hotel at that particular time
9. Go camping UK style!!
10. Have regular holidays abroad with friends (so far had 2 with my best buds in Cyprus & Tunisia)
11. Swim with the fishes in the Great Barrier Reef
12. Go back-packing across Australia and New Zealand
13. Meet a Geisha
14. Travel to Japan esp. during the blossom season and soak in the natural springs
15. Learn mandarin
16. To achieve the following: passive income greater than expenses
17. To be a brilliant cook and bake lots of cakes!!!
18. Always be there for Huppy and our family
19. To catch a spider or creepy crawly without freaking out
20. To dance professionally with Huppy - e.g. Tango, Salsa...
21. To own large Koi fish in our garden pond
22. Set up a charity close to our hearts
23. Be a grandmother
24. Be a great grandmother
25. Hold regular dinner parties for close friends & family
26. Have a Christmas tree full of decorations and sparkly fairy lights with gifts underneath it every year
27. Go to Lapland with Huppy and our children
28. Hire a caravan or RV and travel somewhere random for a min 1 week
29. Have my own bridal shop
30. Interior design DnA's home
31. Fly in a hot air balloon
32. See the Northern lights
33. Visit Las Vegas
34. Have my own aquarium
35. Attend a World Cup Finals match
36. Experience zero gravity
37. Be in a live television audience
38. Witness the cure for cancer
39. Bury something special to me deep down in a hole and leave it there; someone else will find it someday, long after I'm gone, and treasure it as I did.
40. Visit each of the continents
41. To know the feeling of getting drunk
42. Try to never hurt people's feelings
43. Make the King happy with me and be treated like the Queen! hehehe
44. Never be overweight
45. To hold hands with Huppy wherever we may go
46. To kiss Huppy's lips once just before meal times
47. Exercise regularly
48. Lie on a blanket and admire the stars
49. Make something brilliant from scratch
50. Be a great mum and wife
51. Make a positive difference in someone's life
52. Never lose contact with my dearest friends
53. Change a car tyre on my own!
54. To be a trendy mum and grandmother
55. Have my Golden Wedding Anniversary with Huppy
56. Die before Huppy
57. Die in my sleep without pain
58. To do something naughty without worrying about the consequences!?!?!?
59. To overcome my fear of heights
60. To enjoy every single day

Tried & Tested Series: Colonic Irrigation

A bit of a personal topic? You're all probably thinking! But not really, I feel. Why? because it's a part of maintaining a healthy body and one should always be comfortable with their own body...

For those whom are too shy to ask about it or discuss it - this "Tried & tested series" will help you to make up your own mind, but yet, know that someone has tried and tested it! It will also help you to dispel the myths of this procedure!

So what exactly is colonic irrigation? Its basically a safe and effective method, using repeated, gentle flushing of water to cleanse the colon of waste material.

The reason why I went for it was because I suffer from eczema and recently, I had a flare-up due to things I were not supposed to eat! (Treats!) Also, my bowel habits were not great. I could at times pass stools only once a week (bearing in mind - if you eat alot, then the contents in your bowel must be impacted, therefore, toxic!!! Becos, what goes in, should technically come out! And other times, I had diarrheoa... I also suffered from bloatedness. So, something's wrong there...!

So, how do you know if u have toxic material in your colon? Common signs include: headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odour, irritability, confusion, skin problems, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhoea, sciatic pain, and many more! Yes, true, the signs are all very vague and non-specific... but only you know yourselves if your system is sluggish!

After researching the topic and talking to others who had used the procedure - I psyched myself up and booked the appointment! I was ofcourse, apprehensive! Is it safe? Does it hurt? What should I expect? Will it work? Its so embarrassing!

Last week I went with a fren to the clinic and the lady who was fully trained talked me through the whole process and explained each step to me... First, we filled out a health assessment. We talked about diet, exercise, other factors which may affect our health... We then took some readings of my vitals (e.g. weight, BP).

As the procedure progressed, I was told to lay on a "bed" with a towl over my lower body half and take my trousers off... The atmosphere was relaxing and warm with soothing music in the background... I was lying on my back and she began to massage my stomach area... she would tap my tummy area explain the different sounds (I had gas on the rhs and impaction on the lhs!). I then had to lay on my left and she inserted the instrument (which was like a metal tap attached to plastic tubes). She continued to say "I will now start the water, tell me if the pressure gets too much". Pressure?!?! How will I know it's enough?!?!? I can tell you, you do know!!! It's like your busting to goto the toilet. Anyway, the lady has a rough idea of how much water to use anyway!!! So as she pumps the water into your colon, you dont actually feel anything! The water isnt cold, the only thing you feel is when she releases the water out of the colon and the pressure is released... And "things" come out!! We did this for about 5 mins to get the procedure moving.

She then told me to lie on my back as though I was giving birth (dont worry the towel is still hiding your assets!). And she proceeded to massage my tummy area and continue with the flushing of water procedure... Wow, I could feel the gas come out and at the start, when she was massaging, you could feel "hard" areas... but as she carried on - it was getting "softer"... This whole thing continues for 45mins to 1hour... I was worried that what if "I leak"... I can tell you it doesnt!

At the end of the procedure, I did feel less bloated and I had lost a few pounds! I was told to avoid red meat for 1 week and to take some probitics and was shown how to massage my tummy area.

So, the summary? Not as daunting as I thought! My personal dignity was maintained and after the gentle insertion of a small tube into the rectum, you are completely covered. Rubber tubing carried clean water in and waste out in a gravity pressured system. This procedure is non-habit forming and there was no mess or odour (even though you think there is!). The colon therapist is able to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste than any other short-term technique (enemas and laxatives). Now, I frequent the toilet daily and am less bloated. Also, my skin is clearer. Will I be going again? Yeah probably! (twice a year)

"Stamp-Lickers"

Today was indeed, a very random day! I was particularly more observant and on the ball, as they say!

No matter where I looked or travelled to - I saw people with letters and stamps... You're probably thinking that's harmless - what's all the fuss about?!?!? It's not normally a problem - but today all i noticed were people licking stamps! And I started to notice it more and more. And the more I noticed, the more gross it became!

To be honest - I dont lick stamps! Partly, because I hate the taste of it and 2ndly, you dont really know where this stamp as been. As far as Im concerned, the cashier selling the stamp to you, could have had dirty fingers! I am a definite fan of sticky self-adhesive stamps. If I do have to lick the stamp, I wet my finger in my mouth, then smear the damp finger on the stamp!

Today, I noticed different ways of licking a stamp... Here are a few examples!

-Using the tip of your tongue and keeping your lips generally closed - rotating the stamp
-Opening your mouth as wide as you can (so that you can see your tonsils) and then literally putting the whole stamp on the tongue - then sticking the stamp (which becomes damp on the top and bottom) onto the post! Gross man!!! Worst thing is you can see the saliva still on the post after the stamp has been stuck on!

For those out there who next decide to lick stamps - pls turn away so that the insides of your mouth are not in full view of someone else... And if you do decide to pass a newly-licked stamped letter to someone - pls make sure that the letter is dry!!!!