Saving Money For My Dreams...

Just over the weekend, I was talking to Adrian about interests and photography came into the subject.

Well I've always been interested in photography and even more so now since I'm in a country with so many rich colors, culture and nature. Adrian was pretty supportive about the idea but that is also before the finances came in.

So on Monday, I started researching for my options and found 2 photography websites that has classes in the different aspects of photography and more importantly, they organize photo excursions either in the state itself or to other states. Maybe I shall be having some photography kakis here after all. Of course, there is the hesitation of blending in with the other caucasians but I'm here to be amongst them and to absorb whatever that comes. I read in a friend's tagline that 1st step of success: Step out of your comfort zone! So YEP, I'm going to do that.

With Adrian agreeing on the finances part, the first step for me will be going for 2 classes which will be in March. 1 class will be sort of an overlap of what I've learnt but well it's no harm learning from another photographer's perspective. It will also be a good chance for me to assess whether it will be worthwhile for me to continue learning with them. The other more interesting thing is they also organize photo excursions at a more reasonable rate as compared to the other website that I found. And mainly traveling around Idaho itself which is what I would also prefer as well.

So here's to me needing to save more money and me being able to pursue my interest in a more in-depth manner and me being able to travel around as what I've been dreaming of.

Precious Moment figurines will be my 2nd priority. Will be checking out the workshop place this weekend with Adrian. Hopefully it'll all turn out well.

Times Flies...

Time does fly regardless of where you are.

It has been an eventful week with Chinese New Year over in Singapore and President Day here in US. We had a long weekend which also coincides with the CNY holidays in Singapore.

My day started on Friday. There was an CNY event to celebrate CNY and also to exchange cultures with the Americans. To me, the dinner was a boring affair but it was a good gathering with friends whom we don't get to see everyday.

For Saturday, we ended up going to Twin Falls and all the way up to Carson City, Neveda. So much for all the many different plans that were talked about like going to Utah, Portland, skiing, etc.

It was a rather scenic experience since being here and I did enjoy myself although I must say, we could have foregone the trip to Carson City. Well at least I managed to buy a magnet that represented the city for my mother in law who collects magnets.

Sunday which is also Valentine's Day, was spent having dinner at our place with a group of close pals and we had our typical CNY-styled dinner, which is steamboat followed by a playstation session for the guys and a short mahjong session at another friend's place.

I feel that it is gatherings like these which draw us closer especially the wives since we only know each other when we took the flight together to US.

Monday was spent with Adrian and I going to Bruneau Sand Dunes Park in the early afternoon. I won't say that it was an exciting place to go when I saw that they were just typical sand dunes. But it was beautiful view when I climbed up to almost the top of one of the dunes. I think that's where the enjoyment is. Making the effort to climb and you get rewarded by the beautiful scenery. Of course if we had some equipment or during summer, we could also be tobogganing down those dunes.

At the end of it, I found myself enjoying the afternoon and also the time spent with Adrian. I thought it was pretty surprisingly romantic when he climbed up the dunes and wrote Jeannie love AC. It was a rare sight for me as I had never really seen him doing anything remotely romantic so far.

The evening of Monday ended with dinner at another friend's day followed by 2 games of Guesstures. It was really funny to see the other side of them and I thought they were pretty supporting and accommodating to the gals' request of playing the game. In short, I believe guys have their sweet side. They just refuse to portray that as they don't want to tarnish their macho images.

My Collection Figurine

One of the excitements for me being here in the US is Precious Moments. Since Precious Moments originated from the US, it will definitely be more convenient and cheaper for me to get the figurines while I'm here. Of course I also hope to be able to visit Precious Moment Land in Missouri.

E-bay which is one of the 2nd market to purchase figurines is one of the top visited website in my list instead of the other online shopping sites. There are sellers who are offering retired and suspended collections which are no longer available in the stores. I currently have about 60 figurines that I've collected in Singapore and as I started collecting late, most of the figurines that I loved previously were no longer  in retail stores.

The first figurine that I've bought from E-bay is a retired collection. Basically there are many precious moments figurines and it will be endless to collect them. So I've decided on the categories of figurines to collect and try to stick as close to this categories as possible.

The categories are:

1) Member kits

2) Limited Edition Figurines (mainly couples ones)

2) Couple series which I feel is meaningful and close to my heart

3) Series with dogs that is close to my heart

4) Chapel series which I feel is meaningful and close to my heart

Having said all that, I received the figurine that I had bought online today. It was actually delivered on last Saturday but I was not at home. So scheduled a redelivery and it arrived today.

My 1st figurine from US.:

"My Collection"

2000 Members' Only Figurine

Walking On Sunshine

I have been feeling pretty depressed for goodness knows how many days and last night, I managed to get enlightenment from a pretty good friend. Well I must say, there'll always be a soft spot for him as I'm really blessed to have him cross my path.

Anyway I woke up today really feeling up in the clouds. The weight in my heart was lifted and I know I can face my days happier and also be a better company to my sweet hubby. He was pretty bewildered with my bad mood and sudden change of temperaments but continued being sweet and loving towards me.

I think it's also because of my mood, things went on pretty smooth going for me too. I passed my driving test and have gotten the state license. I had a chat with this new found friend on facebook. We chatted for quite a bit and it was Precious Moments that led us together. She is selling some collection which have been suspended and retired. My my, there are SO many and they are tempting the hearts of my me. But that also spurred me to check them online since I'm in the States and shipping is convenient and cheap and needless to say the prices as well.

I was successful in my bid for a small precious moment dog figurine which is no longer in stores. Hopefully I didn't pay too high a price for it. I shall not reveal the price till I receive the item. I also saw some figurines that I've been searching for (ok I'm not those super crazy fan who will go all grounds to get them), and hopefully I can own them if the price is right.

Ok that's it for today... I'm really walking on sunshine today =)

Say Goodbye

"Did you ever love me?
Does it even matter?
Did you even notice the whole world shatter?
I just want to hold you ‘til you know I’m sorry
But I just keep it all inside
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye"


I was listening to this song when I realized the lyrics were exactly my sentiments.


I wonder if he ever loved me. I wonder if it ever mattered to him and if he noticed that my whole world was shattered then. I just wanted to hold him till he knew I was sorry... sorry for everything I did and everything I failed to do. But I just kept it all inside thinking that this way it wouldn't hurt so much when we said goodbye...


In actual fact, it had hurt like hell and only I knew it. It still hurts now and I'm still alone in it.

Just wanna be HAPPY

Happyness is really something that has to be constantly pursued. There are things that gives you happiness for short moments and there are things that gives you such happiness that you feel contentment and peace at heart.


What I want is the later; the happyness that gives me contentment and peace at heart.


I was very hurt in a past relationship and it's the past that has been haunting me especially last night. 


Over these years, as we have mutual friends, each time I hear news of him, I got really upset. And yesterday I saw pictures of his family by accident and how he looks really happy with her, I got even more upset. I have supposedly moved on with my life now but why do I still feel that hurt as if it was yesterday? Does it mean that I've not actually gotten over it and moved on?


Would I feel happier if I know he was in the dumps? Perhaps I would coz at least I know he got his desserts. At least I would feel that justice prevailed for the hurt he brought me.


Since that incident, I told myself that I will not be hurt anymore by anybody. I made sure I do not show my vulnerabilities. I forced myself to be strong and developed an independent personality. I'm now wondering if these will eventually take a toll on my marriage. I'm wondering if I've set a high expectation for my hubby.


There's a saying that "Time heals all wounds".


It's been more than 6 years now. Will there be a day when I will not feel hurt anymore each time I hear news of him or see his photos? Will there be a day when I will truly be happy and have contentment with my life and enjoy each day that I've spent with my hubby?