Little Itch

Meet little Itch, or Mr Itchy, our purple/orange rasbora, whose growth has been a tad thwarted by an illness, called itch, which hence has become its name.

Little Itch is so much smaller than his tank mates that they kind-of isolate him. So we usually see him by himself, in the corner of a tank, looking quite forlorn.

Then came the shrimps. We bought 5 of 'em. Funny weird scratchy little things, wheezing up and down the tank, looking more like spiders than shrimps.

So our little itch has befriended Scratchy, the shrimp, and it is all too often that we see them hanging out in the same corner of the tank, by the rock.

See, even in a tank, friendship knows no boundaries.

Murder

Man the flush proved to be pretty strong this time around.

While it was pretty effective- we both have been feeling a bit sick(he even came down with a fever), and for me- a bit emotional and down starting yesterday.

But I saw an interview with Andreas once, and it was mentioned that such a reaction is normal for a couple of days, as we are clearing the years of build-up. This woman even cried non-stop for a few days!

Last night, I got so furious over a mosquito in the room, I was quite adamant to catch and torture it!

Rip off its wings! Pluck its legs! Burn it over the stove! Throw it into the microwave! I wanted to take revenge because it gave me a gazillions bites on my arms and legs!

In the end, all I did was to flatten it. I felt a little bit bad to have such inhumane thoughts.

I hope this 'bout of 'murderous-ity' will go away soon!

Maybe this cup of almond cappuccino would help!

Blues, kinda

The weekend was fantastic, and it flew by so quickly that I woke up this morning a bit sad that it is Monday once again!

But hey, the great thing is, weekends will always roll along every 4 days!

We also did our 8th flush, with really great results, and I am left feeling quite rejuvenated and lively! I am going to influence my family to do this, it really is one of the best things I've ever done!

Happy days

This week, it has been a holiday (almost!!!!) at work!

So, for lunch today we were all happy and excited, and we decided to eat at this kick-ass cafe, and sit by the sunny sidewalk and people watch.

It felt like we were on a summer vacation, really!! We were so relaxed, and we ordered a tad too much cake!

And now, I am in the train, happily making my way back to go for a quick run before dinner. Later this evening, or rather, morning, Greece - Germany is playing, I am so excited: off to buy beer and chips ! Ooh happy days!!!!

Lunch dates and etc

Teee heeee! I don't know which I love more during the work week... gossip sessions with friends over lunch, or cuddly dinner dates with Gian!

I am trying not to take it for granted- Being able to just make plans for lunch with friends who work nearby. That, and taking nice long walks by the river in the evenings.

Things are pretty quiet this week, so I am just enjoying the moment and gearing up for a busy week come this Monday!

Purple Inspiration

Pasta viola for dinner, with my favorite pappardelle!

Mid-week

Just love going to work on sunny days like this!

Evenings

One of the best things about having our offices just about 50steps apart is being able to meet up for dinner after work.

So last evening we decided to venture out from our usual spot and head to bugis for some kick ass Thai food. Along the way though, we decided to stop by the organic shop and thereafter head to Arab street instead since it was so nearby.

And, we found an excellent proxy for our fave Indian restaurant in little India.
This place in Arab street has pretty good Kashmiri naan too!

Then, since it was such a gorgeous evenung, we decided to walk. And man, walk and walk and walk we did!!

Italy was playing at 2.45 am our time so we took a short nap and set our alarm for the game.

So here I am now, groggy and exhausted, but oh it was fun!

Homeward bound

Happiness is when home & family is just a hop, jump and skip away !

A Dear Little Fellow

I just spent quite a significant portion of my solo time this evening reading my previous entries - from my advertising days, flying , partying.

Oh gosh, how I have changed since then. The environment really moulds the person, truly. Or is it age, really?

I really didn't want to write about Harry's passing at first, because I figured that it would be too painful and personal, but since I have a really bad memory, I better write an entry on this little friend of mine. I am sorry it was such a brief encounter, but truly, he was one little beagle I will never forget. 

It has been almost two weeks since Harry has passed on, and things are slowly getting better. I still can't really believe it, because things just went downhill so quickly, and he left us so suddenly. We were all really affected, I think Gian and I spent a week every night talking about this wonderful being that truly has left an empty spot in our hearts and lives. Although we are looking forward to going to Rome in July, I dread it a little : My most  favorite thing to do in Rome is to take dear harry to the park, and now that he is gone, I don't quite know what to look forward to. To see Paula, it will be great to see her, but I think this trip is going to be a very sad one, inevitably. I only met this little short fellow on two occasions, and yet I couldn't help myself but fall in love with his free-spirited way, so adamant and focused on the things he wants (actually, mostly, food), so cheerful, cheeky, greedy, and just full of character really. I just can't believe he is gone, cremated, all that is left are his ashes. Only god knows how Gian feels. I shall only be thankful to have met this little guy, I am sure he is in a better place, with plenty of steak and rabbits to chase. 

This event has made me think a lot really about my family, and my monsters and everyone else I love and care about.  What would I do without them? 

Coincidently, it has come to the second half of 2012. Perfect time to reflect on my goals - professional and personal. If they were achieved or on if they are on the way of being achieved, at least. One of my main focus from now on definitely is to spend more time with my family and my monsters. 

love.

Reliving the Dutch Experience

I've been craving all week to go on a kick-ass cycling escapade.

So today when we woke up at 10, and it was all nice and sunny, we decided to head out to the east coast park. It was such a beautiful sunny day- dogs walking, people cycling, running, blading and BBQ-ing. It was fantastic.

It reminded me a little of Netherlands in the summer, and even more so when we got to a strip of the beach, where there were many sail boats out at the sea. One day, we shall rent a boat and go sailing!

We spent most of afternoon at the park, and later on to meet a friend of his for a business errand.

We got back burnt and brown, tired but happy from the eventful day.

And now, in a couple of hours,Italy is going to play! I made pasta for dinner,
and I made sure to make it in the colors of Italy- cherry tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower : good luck for tonight's game. :)

Anyways, it's nice to see him slowly coping with the loss of a dearly loved member of the family, and am sure the memories would never be forgotten, but yes, time does heal all wounds.

Weekend footie

Netherlands is playing tonight, and I am looking forward to the game. 30minutes more!

So the weekend started off with drinks and dinner at this kick ass place, in Ann Siang hill, and today - as usual, with phenomenal lunch (haha) and the shelter. Except it was packed with volunteer students today, and we had to leave after a bit- there was just too many cooks to spoil the broth, literally.
It is fantastic however to see these young guys so happy to spend their time and weekend with some wonderful dogs, albeit just strays.

Then we got home, and went for a walk. It is such a wonderful neughbourhood, we found even a group of neighbors who each has got dogs and they gather at this little corner by the park. Wonderful.

And now, I am preparing dinner/supper before we watch the game, woohoo!

We even bought new shrimps for the tank!

First day at work, kinda

Today marks the first day of my new term of employment, and boy, I couldn't be more pleased with myself!

Ok, I just gotta stay focused, and determined and well, focus. Breathe breathe, exhaleeeee. 4 more weeks to Rome!

12 years

So this is it, our tickets have been booked for Rome, come July 7.

Except that it is probably going to be the last of our seasonal trips to Rome. It is very sad to once again be reminded how impermanent life is, and it will be sad to go to Rome and not see my favorite beagle anymore.

On a happier note, we plan instead to go to california next year :)