I broke my camera

Dear SG,

I've got a good excuse for not blogging for a while. I broke my camera, dropped it on the floor when I took my scarf from the pouch. While the camera can still read my memory card, it refused to take any new pictures. Excuses are excuses, but why waste them?

Anyway I'm anticipating a parcel with my new camera in it. It should be sent out today from Aussie because I've purchased and paid for it on Saturday. Sunday being a non-working day means they would only "process" my purchases today. Can't wait for it to arrived. Oh! Oh! Oh!... this is so exciting...

Here's a picture of the camera. It's a FujiFlim FinePix S9600, a bridge camera between a Point-and-shoot and a DSLR. I hope to one day upgrade to a DSLR but for now, with my budget and my skills, I'm happy with a Bridge. Can't wait for it to arrive...



Hee... I think I'm even more excited about this camera than about the baby! (at this moment, I bet a lot of friends out there reading this blog wanna hit me on the head, but I'm too happy to be bothered) ;)

Oh Oh Oh, one last thing. I've learnt that unlike SG, where we would go to the camera shop, get a chance to feel and hold the product before purchasing it. Here, it's best do heaps of research and to purchase it online where it's slightly cheaper. And if the price is right, to get it from out of NZ which can definitely save even more money (even after the conversion rate and the delivery charges!)

But I so miss the part where we physically walked for miles, browsing heaps of camera shops, touch and feel the real thing and get a supposingly good deal loaded with heaps of freebies even though deep inside, we are aware that the cost of the freebies has been added into the selling price and that we probably won't use half of those freebies any way. :p But the buying experiences is so much fun. I miss SG's shopping.

with love from NZ,
J

Working from home today

Dear SG,

I had a queasy stomach today and decided I would be better off working from home. This is the first time I was actually working from home although I had it set up some time ago. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use it but it did seem like a good choice after all. I had to lie down for a while after 930am but I did felt much better after that. Special thanks to my boss for his foresight in predicting this.

Being home means I have the opportunity to see what my dogs do when they are home. And all they did was sleep and sleep. Oh well, I guess with the next door neighbor cat moving soon, they’ve lost their daily entertainment. Here’s some pictures of them.

Before we knew the cat was moving soon. This is what our dogs will do day and night.


Watching and watching... and never far from the patio door.


For some reason, since the SOLD sign came up next door, they've stopped being so obsessive. They still get excited whenever the pretty cat comes over our side but they don't keep watch as often now. They've learnt to live the kiwi lifestyle, simply R&R...




These are taken today. Napping and sleeping...


Sleeping and napping...


Opps! :D Andrew was also napping today. He's working night shift tonight and so he's catching up on his sleep on the sofa.


A real family activity... sleeping...



Grin...

This post is dedicated to those who needs a smile for the day and those that missed our dogs.

with love from NZ,
J

Run Baby Run!

Dear SG,

Auckland’s HSBC Round The Bays 2008 will happen this coming Sunday. If I wasn’t pregnant, I would have loved to join in the run. It so reminds me of the various running (and walking) events held in SG every year, and the fun I had no matter how badly I’ve ran. I guess the closest event that I could compare with is the SG’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. The standard Chartered Marathon was the only Marathon that I’ve actually trained for. I was attempting to beat my personal best which fortunately wasn’t much of a challenge. :p

New Zealand	Singapore
HSBC Round The Bays	Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
Occurs in March	Occurs in December
Started in 1972 (wow!)	Started in 2002
40,000 runners + 70,000 participants	38,000 runners + 100,000 supporters
Has tee-shirt	Has tee-shirt ( I don’t know why it matters so much but I like having a tee-shirt to show for my “hard work”! )
Entry fee for adults is $15. The entry fee for children (16 years and under) is $10.	SG’s entry fee is complicated. There’s early bird discount and it depends on the race category entering for. We chose the 10km Men/Women race which cost $50 each. Kids Dash (750M) event is $18
A 8.4km run	There are various category: Full Marathon (42km), Half Marathon (21km), 10km Men, 10km Women, Wheelchair Race (10km), Team Race (10km) and Kids Dash (750m)
Starts at 930am	First category, the full marathon starts at 530am
Time will be recorded for completing the run (but I don’t know how they will do it)	Every runner was given a Chip that will clock their time electronically. Chip must be returned to the event organizers after the race or we risk paying for it.
No personalize photo but we can always get someone to take it for us!	Automatic photo capture of runners when we cross the finishing line. Remember to smile all the way back because you can’t be sure when your picture will be taken.
Certificates are given to all participants	Certificates are given to all participants
BBQ sites available for booking	No BBQ sites.
http://www.roundthebays.co.nz	http://www.singaporemarathon.com
Other running event will be: Auckland Marathon Opportunity to run over the Auckland Habour Bridge in October	Other running event will be: SAFRA Sheares Bridge Run & Army Half Marathon Opportunity to run over Benjamin Sheares Bridge in August

I’m not sure if Auckland has a similar event as the Singapore Big Walk, but I guess Round the Bay is almost like a combination of the Standard Chartered Marathon + the Singapore Big Walk. Family friendly and lots of fun. Oh well, there’s always a next year. ;)

With love from NZ,
J

Andrew's birthday gift

Dear SG,

Today is Andrew’s birthday and we scheduled an ultrasound scan as a routine checkup as well as to find out the baby’s gender. It’s a girl! :D

Andrew wanted a girl and he’s got it. I guess this must be the best birthday gift for him, better than that flash drive I’ve bought him to replace the one he broke. For me, I am happy because I’ve really good impression of firstborn girl. Hee… why? Because I’m one too!

Now that we know it’s a girl, it’s easier to find a list of names for her. But does it makes it easier to picture how our baby will look like? For that, I’ve asked our good friend Daph for help.


Baby Joan and....


Baby Andrew.

I think Andrew makes a cuter baby..... Ha....

Dear hubby, Happy Birthday. Thank you for taking over the chores and putting on weight with me.

with love from NZ,
J

Vandals and Taggers

Dear SG,

As beautiful New Zealand is, there’s a group of people who are defacing its beauty in the most inconsiderate way. In SG, we called them “vandals”, someone who vandalized public or private properties. In NZ, they are known as ”taggers”. They are mainly teenagers who have absolutely no respect nor consideration for other people’s properties. It’s the same back home, vandals didn’t spare a thought for the damage and distress caused by their actions.

I often wonder how they will feel if someone else damage or deface their most beloved procession. Sigh…

I honestly believe if a person is talented enough to create work of art, they should be given a chance display and to practice. Ask an owner for permission, or use their creativity in the most ingenious way. I know it sounds idealistic but hey, at least no one gets hurt.

Unfortunately those vandals and taggers are not creating any work of art or making an attempt to beautify the walls they are defacing. They are out there doing it for their own selfish satisfaction. It sadden me to see beautiful homes and surroundings marred by inconsiderate graffiti. I only hope that one day, these teenagers take pride in their own country and stopped destroying it.





With love from NZ,
J

Comparing our bumps

Dear SG,

It might be a fortunate thing that we are far away from Singapore the food paradise. Andrew has been having food craving and is constantly hungry. If we are back home, he will be having sumptuous supper every night. Now, he can only be contended with the instant noodles Ann brought back from the last Singapore trip a few weeks ago, the frozen pie from “Luv-a-pie”, the dry snacks I’ve bought thinking I would be able to consume them, and the bak kwa we've bought from a Malaysian eatery (yes, there is ONE store that sells it here in Auckland).

For me, I didn’t have any craving. If there’s something my stomach can tolerate when it’s hungry, that’s it. I’m happy as long as I don’t throw up after that. Because throwing up means I will have to consume something again soon to ensure the little bundle inside gets some nutrient. But the last few days has been good for me because I was able to eat more than a few bites. Which means my love handles and double chin is showing again. Sigh…

I finally got Andrew to take a photo together so that everyone can see how we’ve put on weight together. This is the real meaning of going through thick and thin as a couple. Hee… The only thing is that he refused to let me measure his waist line.

At 14 weeks, hitting 58kg now and then. Wore black so that my tummy won't be that obvious. But sob... my double chin is showing!

Compare our bumps. Andrew's tummy bump is bigger than mine. I wonder how long it will take for me to catch up with him. :D

with love from NZ,
J

Eating again

Dear SG,

It’s so sweet to read about comments from friend who cares, especially when we are ocean apart. I really appreciate it. Thank you all. Anyway, for the past 3 evenings, I’m finally able to keep my dinner down and even had a 2nd helping. Now I’m eating as much as my dogs. Haa..

A few of my male friends ask for my recent photo, why is it that only the guys will want to see how their female friend looks like when they are pregnant? I don’t get such requests from the gals. You guys are so sick. :p

As many of you knows, I hate having my photos taken. But I’ve made an exception this time. Here’s one of the thinnest shot I can find. Here’s me at the 12th week of pregnancy.

haa... havn't changed much right? That little bump used to be fats, now it's something else. Weighing at 57kg

BTW, another good news beside me eating alright for the last 3 days, Andrew has been clearing my plates during the last few months especially the recent weeks. He has gained back the 2kg he’s lost… and maybe a bit more. I’ll try to get a recent photo of him when he’s back from work.

With love from NZ,
J