Belated Birthday Dinner with Animal Buddies

They asked me to decide where to eat so I chose Yoogane!

Just before meeting them..

Had packed my remaining stuff into the trolley bag..
But alas! Too heavy until my trolley bag became spoilt!!

Fortunately, Shuqi came to my rescue by coming over to fetch me! ♥️
(And later she sent me home too! Can't imagine how I gonna go home with a heavy, spoilt trolley bag!)

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At Yoogane..

Our food:

Seafood and Chicken Galbi



Been a long while since I last had this!

Never into the CNY niangao but ever since I first tried the Korean dokboki, I was hooked! But it's pretty filling so I usually start to feel full after eating a few pieces..

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Korean Style Seafood Pancakes

Shuqi picked this dish.. Great choice! Tasted so yummy!

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Japchae

Another dish picked by Shuqi! I always like to eat Korean's version of glass noodles! 

Feels more chewy than the Chinese version. 

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Love all the dishes selected!
I think I will just stick to the same selection when I eat there next time!

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We were chatting about Pokemon Go..
And I was surprised to know how hardcore they were!

Check out Chun Cheung's pokemons!

The perks of working in MBS.. Haha!

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My birthday only feels completed after I've celebrated it with my animal buddies.. 

And my pets, of course!  So fortunate to have them in my life! ♥️  

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Advance Birthday Celebration

Thank you FHI for the advance birthday celebration and birthday cake! ♥️

Finally I have a simple and well executed birthday surprise!! :)

Today I realized that I'm actually pretty contented with what I currently have 

(despite my occasional rants, lol) because when it was time to make my birthday wish, 

I couldn't think of what to wish for.. Because I don't feel that I'm lacking anything. 

(Have excessive fats, maybe. Haha!)

Eventually I opted for good health. (On 2nd thoughts, I should have wish for success in 

slimming down! Haha!)

I may not be the best in any way now but I sure love the current me more than my former self. 

Thank you to all those who love me along with my imperfections and 

all those who ever care for me before.

Shall try to be better person and make more positive contributions to this world in my 

remaining years.. No matter how small my contributions may be. ♥️

Super love this cake! So pretty and yummy! ♥️

Been so busy at work until I didn't even think about my upcoming birthday at all!

Caleb's beautiful house.. I'm so envious!

Looking forward to getting my own house next year!! ♥️

Happy gathering!

Hope we'll continue to have more gatherings in future! ♥️

InfinityChallenge.. The Making of Infinity Company - Employees in Crisis

Watched the movie. Whoa, it was really good! 

I'll be willing to pay to watch it in cinema!

Do watch it too! Highly recommended!

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Really resonates with this part!

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Many times in my life, in my work..

There have been temptations.

I could have get away with it.

No one could have known.

Or many are also doing it.

But I always choose to be true to my heart.

Because I want to be able to sleep well at night.

I may not be the best, the fastest, the most important person on earth..

But I am someone who I can be proud to be. :)

ANIMALS ARE NOT TOYS!

Today I came across this video.

The guy was showing his son how to 'play' with the fish.

He took the poor fish out of the water.

There were laughter.. I don't understand what's so funny.

Everyone knows fishes cannot breathe when they are out of the water.

The poor fish was suffering. Why is that funny to them?

I wish adults can impart the right values to the young ones.

So that they may grow up and protect the animals.

And teach their young ones to do so as well.

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I'm really shocked that such cruel action is done by someone I know.
Not some stranger from another country.
Animal cruelty is so near me now.

And it makes me even more upset that the video had 17 likes.
While a few did comment that the fish was traumatised, they didnt dare to defend the fish firmly.
Probably afraid to hurt his feelings?
Most didn't say anything at all.

I sure hope it's not because they think it is okay to do that to the fish.
It's NOT OKAY.

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While I'm not expecting people to go vegan or go out of their way to save animals.. 

The least we can do is not harm animals that we come across. 

Why make them suffer? For fun?? Is that fun?? 

What's the world becoming.. 

Where is our humanity.. 

ANIMALS ARE NOT OUR TOYS.

"What Kind of Me Do I Wanna Be?"

Every now and then, I would ask myself that.

So.. What kind of Me do I wanna be?

Hmm.. Let me see.. 

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I do miss the old me, in terms of my looks and figure.

(Okay, I'm superficial.. But I'm a Libra so I'm born to appreciate beauty. Heh!)

Recap - Photos taken in 2012:

 

 

Even without makeup, I still look quite cute hor? *Ahems!* Heh!

Hardly post selfies online these days.

Well, I don't think I changed much except I'm fatter now (sob sob)..

Other than that, somehow I feel I am older too?

Photos taken in 2016: 

 

Okay okay, so I know looking older is inevitable since the photos were taken 4 years apart!

(Gosh! How fast time flies!)

But still, I miss the past, cuter version of me!

How can I be cute and youthful again?

During recent years, I actually slack A LOT on maintaining my appearance.

Everyday I go out without makeup, wore my super old spectacles and simply clip my fringe, revealing my super high forehead. Oh, and I always wear my flip flops.

My colleagues commented that I looked so auntie-ish!

Since I came back from my recent Japan trip, I'm happy to say that I've improved a lot.

Haha! 

Hope I can keep up the good work ya! ;)

But.. but.. I've slacked on my weight management routine.

AGAIN.

Urgh! Why is it so hard to slim down and stay slim??

Just bought a slimming gadget.. Hope it helps!

If it works, I will share with you all okay? Heehee!

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Finding back the previous childlike, kind and silly me.

Well, I think I can actually be childlike and kind again.

But probably not be silly again.

My past experiences have made me wiser and stronger.

I do love my current self now.

Everything happens for a reason.

I believe my past experiences happen to toughen me up and help me grow up.

Used to be very upset all the time..

But now, I feel released.

Thank you God.

Used to explore spirituality and meditation, etc.

Have stopped doing that for ages.

Recently, with Cookie's passing.. I desperately wanted to connect with her.

So I shall start exploring spirituality again!

Was chatting with Sharon and she was sharing her experiences with her deceased dog.

I am so jealous!

Wish I can be as spiritually receptive as her too!

(Cookie baby, I miss you so much!

How can I see, hear, smell or feel you again!!

Who can help me.. =\)

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Just to summarize.. 

I wanna be: 

- Pretty and youthful (while I can!)

- Regain my former weight and body fats percentage!

- More spiritual

- More happy

- More kind

Oh! Apart from those mentioned above, I also hope to:

- Chat with others more

- Do some charity work

- Study more (2 more modules to go, yay!!)

Thanks to Cookie, I was invited to join this JRT Facebook group.

From there, I knew some friends and got invited to a few more groups.

I LOVE ANIMAL LOVERS!

It feels like I've finally found people like me! Haha!

Okay, so I am normal after all.

In fact, I am not as passionate as many of them.

Really admire the efforts they put in for animals!

Shrek the Musical @ MBS

Thanks to my brother-in-law, I got to watch this last night!

Image Source

Would love to share photos / videos taken by me but alas, no photography is allowed!

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Nonetheless, here's what I love about my experience!

The Friendly Staff

My sister went to collect the booster seats with Leroy while I headed to the theater with Steffi and Stacci.
Along the way, 3 staff offered to guide us to the theatre and they also asked if I need booster seats!
Quite impressed that the staff were so attentive, thoughtful and they took the initiative to assist us!

Upon reaching the theatre, there were staff to guide us to our seats as well!

(I'm so used to finding my own seat until I felt so spoonfed by the amount of assistance I received along the way.. Haha!)

Beautiful Theatre, Comfortable Seats

Image Source

Thanks to the lovely environment, we literally sat back and enjoyed the show!

The Musical

Spoiler Alert..? Haha, I try not to reveal too much!

It''s pretty amazing to see the characters coming alive and dancing / singing right before our very eyes.
I may be in my thirties but I guess there's always a little kid within every adult. Especially me, heh!

 <- I probably looked like this during the musical, haha!

Just before the show started, Leroy actually asked me to swap seats with him because he felt that I had a better view!

Eh.. I was just sitting right beside him though.. Haha, faint!

The kids were really captivated and surprisingly, they were so quiet throughout the show..  Except to ask me for water at times! I actually checked on them a few times, thinking they might have dozed off!

(Whoa! Are they really the same kids who keep asking me random questions nonstop whenever we watch movies??)

When we were having a short break, Stacci asked me when's Shrek and Fiona going to get married. Haha! And during Fiona's (unsuccessful) wedding with Lord Farquaad, Steffi pointed to the setting (fake) sun and whispered to me, "Ah Mai, you see! The sun is going down! She's going to turn into ogre!"

Backdrops and Props.. Magic??

It did feel like magic! One moment they were in the swamp.. The next moment they could be in the forest.. Or even in the church or castle! Amazed at how fast those were changed and yet still looked so beautiful and magical! Love how they combined projected moving graphics with real life props to create a more realistic yet fantasy-ish feel!

Super love the castle where Fiona stayed! (Suddenly feeling like a small girl again, reliving my old princessy fantasies!)

The Finale

Not gonna be a spoiler here but do stay in your seats for the finale song!

You won't regret it!!!

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It was a fun night for us adults and the kids indeed!

But I must say, it was also pretty torturous for me..

So many cute characters, so many beautiful backdrops and props..

BUT YET I COULDN'T TAKE PHOTOS / VIDEOS!!

 

WHYyy...

In loving memory of my darling Cookie

Sometimes I really have to believe that life is pre-destined. 

And I should always have faith. 

No matter how lousy things may seemed to me at that point in time, they turn out to be for the better. 

For example, last Saturday I woke up early and left the house early.. 

But yet ridiculously, it took more than half hour for me to wait for the bus and reach AMK interchange. 

(It only takes me around 15 mins to walk over.) 

Was quite annoyed because I would be late for class and eventually I decided to skip it.

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THANK GOD I skipped it. 

Because of that, I was able to see Cookie smiling contentedly and peacefully..

While she's alive for the last time.

I felt truly fortunate.. Thought she was already gone.

But I put my hands on her chest, she was still breathing slightly.

Her body was soft, eyes were glassy and her paws were weak.

I know her time was going to be up.

I whispered in her ears, "I love you forever, baby girl.. Don't be scared, my heart will always be with you."

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Bibi girl,

Thank you for waiting for me to come back from Japan.

You specially came to my room to sleep with me.

And that was our last snuggling session together in bed.

You started feeling sick the next day.

That same night, you were looking uncomfortable.
But when I carried you in my arms, you suddenly turned to me and smile.

Much later, I realized that these were the special memory moments that you specially gave me.

Because you knew you were leaving and you wanted me to know you'll be fine.

And to assure me that you know I love you, and that you love me too.

I don't know why, but your smile tells me all that. 

Because of your smile, I could accept your leaving better.

I know you are not scared and in fact, you seemed to look forward to it.

In fact, I sensed that you were happy and contented.

Thank you for everything, bibi girl.

Grateful to you for staying healthy most of your life until the first scare you gave us when you were 15.

They asked us to put you to sleep. They said you won't ever recover.

But time and again, you created miracles despite all odds.

Not only did you live, you lived happily for 3 more years.

Even towards the end, you gave me a chance to say goodbye and tried to make sure I'll be fine.

You will always be my most beloved girl.

I will always remember that the bravest, cutest and most amazing JRT loves me with all her heart.