.::. It's the little things .::.

Few weeks back, we celebrated Edward's one-year-old birthday with our friend. Edward's a really big baby and he was running around the whole place the entire afternoon. Looking at how quickly the children grow up around us makes me acutely aware of how time passes us by.

Here's a picture of Edward enjoying his snack.

The point is, I wanted to remember this day.

I love attending my friends' children's birthday parties and weddings, mostly because it's where you get to meet your friends and catch up. The few that meet often are people whom I really care about. I was intending to spend the evening chatting with these people till the husband suddenly said that he needed to go to town 'to collect something'. It sounds very fishy, because well, the husband does not buy much. And what do you buy that needs you to collect from town by 8pm?

I kept asking him about it but he stood his ground. The husband is good with secrets like that. He secretly enjoys being able to fool an unsuspecting wife who would keep guessing and hounding him. He never lets any clue out though. After awhile, it became apparent that we were going to Marina Bay Sands. He refused to admit it till we were there. Putting all the pieces together, I proudly guessed that he was bringing me to watch the fireworks. He, as usual, smiled and refused to divulge anything. Well, many people were at MBS trying to catch the national day rehearsal fireworks, and it was around 8pm too! Makes sense right?

Apparently not. I was happily rushing with the hoards of people, thinking that we're trying to get up to street level for a good spot before the fireworks starts. Before I knew it, I was pulled into the MBS theatre!

He was bringing me to watch the 'Sound of Music'! As usual, he manages to pull off another surprise with an unsuspecting wife. You should see the proud smirk on his face, sometimes teasing how 'dumb' I can be. We laugh at each other that way, but I was overflowing with love yet again.

I didn't even know 'Sound of Music' was on! We enjoy musicals, and my favorite is still 'Wicked'. But then again, 'Sound of Music' holds a special place in my heart because I used to watch the movie again and again on tape as a child. It was also why I always wanted to visit Innsbruck and the mountains in Austria.

I get really happy about these small things. It's these little things that make me feel exceptionally blessed and loved. *thankful*

.::. The Haze .::.

All people talk about is the haze these days. And it's truly the bane of my existence for someone who has allergy rhinitis (and all things allergy) plus asthma.

My windows has been closed since last Monday till this weekend. I've been feeling it since Monday, although the PSI was in the 100 range. I feel it once I step outdoors, my eyes start watering, nose start running, wind pipes start to shrink. It's instantaneous, and I really dislike feeling that way.

We stayed in on Tuesday to celebrate our anniversary. The husband suddenly told me that he bought tickets for STOMP the musical on Wednesday. It was a pleasant surprise really, although all I want to do is to run home and hide from this horrid haze.

Going to MBS wasn't that bad since it's train and indoors all the way. The haze seemed to worsen as the day went.







Thank you darling. It was a great musical by the way - entertaining, interactive and really impressive rhythms! We missed it years back, and the husband has been wanting to watch it.

And by the time we were done with the musical, we came out with news that PSI has hit 290. Horrors. The haze was seen and felt even indoors - it was hazy inside. I feel all my allergy symptoms immediately, and the husband had to queue outside for the taxi while I hid inside.

It went above 300 by the time we were home. I didn't feel well, and there's no way I'm making my way to work in that haze. I ended up with 2 days MC and inhalers, all sort of allergy medicine and steroids just in case I really couldn't breathe.

So I hid at home, shut all my windows and on-off my air-con periodically to save on electrical cost. I bought groceries enough to last me for the weekend and just hibernated.  Looking outside made me depressed, and it really felt like the world was going to end. I was so thankful to be indoors.

Thursday was bad, but Friday was worse. It was hazy on Thursday but all brown by Friday.





It was so horrible, we decided to stay-in. It was our friend's birthday and I spent Friday cooking for everyone. It's comforting to gather inside during days like that.



Although the PSI on Saturday was alright, the PM2.5 readings were still way high and I still didn't feel well. Sunday was better though my nose never quite got over the haze till now.

We did go out for dinner in the evenings, but spent most of the day at home, catching up with some sleep and household chores.







Chikey must be the happiest, since I'm home with him for the past few days.

Although we've some brief respite from the haze, I'm all prepared and expecting it to be back. There's ample 'liang teh' in the fridge perpetually, I've stocked my kitchen up, my brother has got us some N95 masks and my air-purifier will arrive early next week. If need be, I'm going to hide at home and work from home when the haze worsens.

*sigh*

Haze, please be gone.

And on another note, really pissed off with the Indonesian's 'tahu diri' comment and somewhat disappointed with what has (or has not) been done, plus all the manipulating of information. Singaporeans complain, and there's the profiteering and all. But what makes me saddest is perhaps knowing that we're a product of our society and upbringing. When crisis occur, some think of making money out of selling masks at higher prices (demand vs supply) while our government starts telling us how much GDP and productivity will be sacrificed due to the haze. Who knows if those 'Singaporeans' are 'new' or 'old' or if the rising standard of living has really driven some to desperation in a bid for survival and some income. *big sigh*

.::. Pampering .::.

Have been feeling like I need some major pampering these days.  Been really busy at work this week, it's been a long time since I'm the last one in the office and get to cab home.



Have been feeling like I need some new bras.  La Senza is having sale!  2 for $30!!  Super good buy.  *beams* Sizes and designs are limited though, many A, B and D cups left.  And if you love red bras, animal prints, there are plenty of choices.  Panties are 8 for $40 too, but I didn't buy since the husband bought my loads of underwear from Victoria Secret - those seem to last forever.

We got tickets for Jason Marz's concert and Annie the musical too!  Jason Marz's concert has gotta be good and I've heard many good things about Annie. Things to look forward in June and July.

I'm also looking forward to the cocktail reception at Fullerton Bay Hotel next week!

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.  I like that.

.::. Phantom Cover .::.

This is so cool!  Not as great as the original, but so cool nonetheless.

I was hoping that Les Miserables would come to Singapore after Wicked, but it didn't come true.

These musicals are so powerful, and I really wouldn't mind watching them again and again.

Such amazing YouTube videos are great for blue Mondays when you do not feel like doing anything else.

.::. Lion King .::.

It was finally Lion King weekend after such a long wait! We bought the tickets like 2 months in advance to get decent seats.

I was filled with anticipation after hearing all the great reviews. Not one person I met had any bad comments about this musical.

We made it to Marina Bay Sands on time although we had to walk from Marina Bay MRT due to National Day Parade road closures.



MBS is so atas. There were so many extremely expensive-looking restaurants there! Joey was commenting about this Wolfgang Puck's steak restaurant called 'CUT' - I came home to check, and a steak can cost SGD$300++!!

I wonder how many Singaporeans can afford eating at such restaurants?

This is the theatre. It's very unlike the 'typical' musical theatres which we are used too.

Us before the show. I was excited!

Was I impressed? Sadly, no.

I'm giving Lion King a 3.5/5 stars. It wasn't bad, but both of us didn't like it much. The visual effects were pretty good, with the animals running up the stage from behind the theatre and colorful costumes. I liked that.

Storyline wise, I felt that it lacked a touching element. I felt that there was a missing link to justify him leaving and then deciding to come back. "Finding yourself' did not do the trick for me. I would have preferred if they made it clearer how he felt cheated and happy that he did not cause his father's death!

I reckon the music and singing was the most disappointing for me. I didn't like the husky male-like voice of Nala. The music didn't particularly move me either.

It must be personal, since so many people loved this musical.

But for me, music is really important and has to really touch my soul in a musical. It's not called musicals for nothing!

Comparing Lion King with my 2 other favourite musicals:











I guess it's obvious that I loved Phantom's songs. It was really THE classical musical. Wicked was more modern and very touching - I cried. It's my favourite all rounder while Lion King scores the best in visuals.

We walked along the Helix Bridge back to city hall after the show. It was really nice, breezy and cooling evening.

This is the new Arts and Science Museum - I would like to visit it someday though I'm probably going to be disappointed. Visiting too many museums in Europe sets one's expectations really high.

The beautiful Helix bridge modeled after humans' DNA structure.

The Helix Bridge with MBS in the background.

It was my first time on the Helix Bridge with the boyfriend!

And we are celebrating Singapore's birthday.

I got a haircut too!

These are the moments when I look at Singapore and feel how lucky I am to be staying in such a beautiful and peaceful country.