And so we turn One :)

Our first anniversary was nothing short of amazing.

I tried to explain how much I love you...

"I've never love someone so so much before. I used to think I have loved, until I met you...then I realized, no, I've never understood love before today. What I'm saying is, I don't want to lose you. That is how much I love you and the reason for my change."

I have change somehow, for the better I think. It's not easy but you give me hope and reason to go on day after day no matter the season.

To be honest, I'm not really interested to make it work. I'm interested to make it last. Today, you'd have realized I've settled in for the long haul.

You are simply amazing and that is why I love you.

Once again, happy first anniversary babydear.

Love,
Michelle

The pretty nice stuff in retrospect

For a day, my account was hacked and blogs mysteriously disappeared. Mega thanks to Sheena's panic alert, I managed to restore everything to its former glory. Thank God for security system and dear Sheena's urgent notification that I couldn't ignore.

Couldn't say the events of 2011 has fully sunk in for me. Everything is still as it was. And workload gets heavier after the integration of every campaign. I hate to be the last to leave the office every night. It's not my resolution for the year! Every work rat sure has its day. Twenty-four hours to get things done, and still be semi sane the next day. What an art.

On the home front, I just acquired a fancy new bed that I've saved up for and am refurbishing parts of the house. I have bundled up mountains of unwanted shoes and clothes to make space for new ones. It's super freaking therapeutic and zen like to describe the least.

Most recently, I'm starting to eat healthily again thanks to the boyfriend's influence. More greens, sans fried fatty bits. Though he'll surely beg to differ when I'm still stuffing my face with sugar treats! I've not paid my dues for all the indulgent feasts to either take to the gym or hit the road for a run. I'm frequently either preoccupied with work or downright exhausted from it. Whatever distance I cover from walking, my glutes, calves and thigh begin to hurt. In short, I'm in morbid danger of becoming a sloth. So I took up lunch time yoga with a colleague. Great decision. Boy, it was all that I needed really.

Mentally, I feel pretty good about myself - a state of equilibrium from being surrounded by great friends, a loving family, amazing colleagues and a perfect boyfriend who doesn't overindulge your odd whims and fancies.

The social circle I am close with are still the same people from my younger days. Many of us has made serious plans to get into long term relationship or to create a family unit. Some, like me, has made commitments to The One - for me, this part is the most amazing process.

30 minutes into penning this, I realized the need to self dedicate this post as a back patting morale booster. Personally, I felt I had made the most out of what was given and turn it into something I'd be proud to add to the list in years to come.

In my life, I've met many great people and some mean ones. Some of them weaved gold thread in the fabric of my life and some weaved burlap. Yet, all of these people added colours to my years making it possible to share interesting stories on and offline. I am deeply humbled and grateful for all the kind support and wise words bestowed by friends and people from all walks of life.

For the most part, I've been very guilty of social neglection, extremely selfish in my pursuit of perfection, uninterested in charitable matters and the unglamourous list goes on. I'm probably not going to change much over the next few years. What truly touches me is having people still love me for me.

What exactly am I known for?

Maybe the tough tenacity to bounce back to form again and again.

And yes, a sucker for sentimental thoughts and thus this post. :)

More importantly, this post is for you my dearest faithful friends and gorgeous boyfriend. :)

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Such a good feeling to let it out! Basically, this entry has evolved from a form of destress to one of faith, optimism and love. Thanks for making me feel better through your lasting friendship and support. Quite possibly, a little bit of tough love as well. :)

Five amazing months old

With personalities as distinct as day and night, every moment spent together is a blessing, though persistence surely must have prevailed in ours.

I've never felt more secured and loved in my life, nor have I loved with such intensity.

I am holding on tightly to a love that's so pure, good things are meant to last a lifetime. Even as bittersweet memories find it's eternal resting spot in our minds.

For a guy that checks off my list, I am learning to enjoy the surreal reality, hopefully until the brown luscious hair turns gray.

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As I glazed upon my lifetime, I grinned in retrospect at the three single besties who are merrily in love now :)

Missing Michelle II

I've tried to turn up at many places at the same time and played many different roles to my loved ones. Productive much?

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Shokudo-ed to satisfy my incessant craving. :)




Went for a sleep study with Nickybaby.







Maxwell-ed to satisfy my other cravings. And caught up well with Mandababy. :)







Made Nick do silly and spontaneous things for entertainment.







Eased into the phase of flats again. New acquisition from Steve Madden.

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I'm just settling into my new working environment. "God never make mistakes", I heard my baby quip. :)

This photolog is also dedicated to the BFF who complains of this outdated space.

All my wildest dreams came true

Fearful when the skies were full of thunder. Tearful at the falling of a star.

You cannot turn but only look from where you came from.

The seasons go round and round in circles. It kept us on a carousel.

The years' been by and now the girl's twenty six.

The world's at peace, to her it seems.

I don't think I will ever let him go.





You. Me. Love. Hope. Faith.

life tastes good at twenty six

so, the past week was nothing short of eventful.

with the boyfriend concluding his series of mini birthday celebrations save for an unsettling food hygiene episode which crippled his evening, i would have to confess that i think it's quite a success given the limited time frame to prepare.

the agenda was a pretty picnic at marina barrage lapsing into the stroke of twilight.

truth be told, when N wanted me to navigate us while he drives, i was a lil apprehensive. okay, make that very. ironically, i gamely complied a "okay, on."

well, would you be surprised if i told you i didnt lose us?

PLEASE BE.

im not proud of losing us but yes, we managed to find our way in the end. =)

oh, and he didnt lose his temper at my lack of navigational skills in spite of the GPS in the palm of my hand though i suspect he must've thought "what is this incompetent woman doing." especially when i'd happily chirp "oh we need to turn here", only to find my words trailing off as we zipped past the turn under a second. nice.

for all that's worth, i know he loves me still! *megawatt grin*

sealed with a lingering kiss

::


N deserves a kiss for driving us safely to destination (without losing his temper at my lousy map reading skills)



hungry nomming



our Othello match, which saw him winning.


♥


N loves the food ♥



prawn & crab salad with mango & s'berries in mayo, topped off with nuts and bacon bits, laid on warm wholemeal pita bread. it's really simple to prepare and tastes good. wanted to get naan instead but it was out of stock. boyfriend ♥ it.






picnic barangs



the cobra chase



homemade pasta

boyfriend flashing his megawatt smile

...and this is how we do it. =)

if the boss is reading this

i have to confess i'm indescribably touched.

well, you rock.

in. every. sense. of. the. word.

:)

the moon turned 25

i have not been getting much sun lately as a result of the busted knee and frittered away most of the weekends doing night activities. it isn't such a meaningless thing except that it's quite physically draining, leaving me to vegetate on the weekdays.

time hasn't been allocated to training for the run next month. i'm far from ready with my crappy knee. regardless, i'll have to suck it in and just go for it.

as the title suggests, cia just turned a quarter of the century old. we commemorated the actual occasion with a cosy dinner at tampopo. such ramen junkies we've became overnight!


*fresh rose always*
never a dull moment with this dear


the fair ladies
cia with joanna and bernita


the tanned ladies with terence the brown dude being shoved by cat


the dark side


not a pretty sight


"a candle for you"


the ladies


fanning the wishes to make them come true


uttered for the umpteenth times while shopping with her,
"stop buying clothes. you need a bikini dear!"


*fan fan fan*
"hee"


the tall ladies


a post dinner shot with the ladies


the fairer sexes


"forever '1'"
the strawberry roll (with fluffy lemony cream filling) and the devil's chocolate cake (center) - loved it - were delish but the chocolate roll infused with alcohol "lacked character" in terence's words


post meal satisfied grin


squeezeeee


donned in such festive colours


cool babe couldn't stop fanning

*burp*

i read it somewhere and can't help nodding in amazement, "a girlfriend is a sister you choose". i agree wholeheartedly. here's to another year of wonderful friendship dear!

i love you, cia. :)

muahs.