Jogging at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

My eldest brother brought me to a scenic jogging route today! Really nice! We went there once, but touch n go. Today we ventured inside n well.... got lost! hahah! but we explored quite abit of this place! The Lower n Upper Peirce Reservoir Park!

It was quite fun though, we saw monkeys (lotsa of them), the hills were terrible when we ventured on the tarmac roads... the weather was beautiful! Unknowingly, we covered abt 20km including the route to go back to his home in Bishan.

Met some furry n fury friends!

Xiong warned me not to get too close

lest they decided to snatch my OrangeMePhone away from me!

Just one of the many uphills! *OUCH* 

Very nice place though.... shaded for a long run, n quiet!

Kena pluck-ed by Papa!

I kena plucked by Papa again... once I stepped into the hse, immediate he came for me!

Becos my Lucky number "Jumped" again!

My 2468!! ARGH!

Never win money nevermind, still kena Plucked!

Bleah! =P

Bad mood = Lousy Food! Xmas pressies

It is true... when I am in a less than pretty mood, my cooking turns out bad.
The true behold, my family was the one who noticed and warn me abt it. It is alwis in my extreme mood that I cook..... when I am extremely happy, or when my happiness is "less of ace".

One day when I was baking, my elder brother (who is mostly oblivious of pple's feelings) asked me gingerly:
"Ermm... AhGirl, are u in a good mood or bad mood today?"
"Ok mood lor, quite happy actually. why leh?"
"Oh, ok, then can I eat some of the muffins after u finish baking?"
"Of cos! Why u ask my mood leh?"
"Oh, cos i notice whenever u bake, it's either u very gd mood or very bad mood... then if very bad mood, u will later complain that u muffin/cake never rise properly lah, or not nice, too dry etc. So if u lousy mood today, I better not eat the muffins later. keke"

See what I mean when I say he is "oblivious" to pple's feelings... can tell me so bluntly somemore!
Anyway, then I realised that it's true! Most of the time, I cook/bake when I am in a good mood, rare occasions I do that i vent some anger - and yes, usually i end up eating all the byproducts of destruction...

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Honestly speaking, I am not exactly in the mood to cook. I dreaded for the day to come when I have to cook for this special days.... due to some unforeseen circumstances and misunderstanding, I kinda offended someone impt in my life. and yet i have to cook... bleah.

Nevertheless, I cooked. But as expected, the food turned out lousy (to my standard), despite the effort i put in to try to make it better. I guess i cant change the mood and queasy feeling.

Colourful greens...

Salmon belly

(more fats, more omega 3, more skin - crispy)...

Spices, herbs, chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic... 

After marinated... bake the skin to crisp 1st... 

make sure the herb, salt, pepper and garlic is

well mixed with the greens...

In the midst of my 心情欠甲 (Mood less of ace), i forgot to take the photo of finished products n my potato wedges... haiz... what can i say?

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Some great pressies I received this year!

Bodyshop Body Butter(orange flavour!), Bodyshop moisturiser, wash + scrub (white musk!), cutesy calender (monkey like me!!), Mark n Spencer's Piglet Gummies(mixed flavour! Got cola 1!), drawstring bag (handmade!!)...

I must comment that we were all every impressed with the handmade drawstring bag! Especially so when it's made by Angel Vv... so cutesy, sweet!

Xmas pressie from CH n Daisy... 

So nice n sweet right?! 

The bag adds to my collection of sling bags from Kikki!

The rest from Starry Stella, Wendy and Joyce! 

Lousy food, great company, nice pressies....

my xmas is not that bad after all.... =I

The reasons why I avoid wedding dinners n family functions...

Honestly, I dun particularly enjoy attending Wedding dinners...

At a ripe age of 30, I typically get abt 10 wedding invitations a year. Of which, I probably only attended 2. Having said tat, I really prefer to meet up on a separate dinner with the Bride n groom, where we can really get to know each other better! To really feel happy for my friend to get married, I need the assurance that the Groom is a decent guy for my BFF (Best Friends Forever), or the Bride is a sweet gal for my BGF(Best Guy Friend). This is not wrong of me, right?!

Especially dreadful when the invitation is from:
1) distant relatives' - whom havent seen in like Eeyore years!

2) former colleagues' - whom u never keep in touch EVER after leaving the company,

3) current colleagues' - whom invited u outa courtesy, either they secretly hope you give very big ang pow cos u dun wanna malu, or they secretly wish u come out with some excuse not to attend, yet still give an ang pow).

Ok, this is just the cynical part of me....Alot of time, kind pple really just wanna share their joy with u! Not that I am not happy for them, but mayb cos I am too happy for them. For all the wedding dinners that I have attended, I never quite enjoy myself. Not becos the food sucks, not becos the entry of the 1st course is yet another techno dance choreographed by the captain - cliche. Mainly cos I feel so touched watching the opening montage of how they grew up, met, decided to get together, the morning of receiving the bride, yet another 姐妹group and 兄弟entourage.

All these are very cliche.... but I alwis feel very touched by all these... you may not believe, but the part that touches me the most, the 敬茶 to the immediate family members (Parents n siblings). Note: Not the part when they have to check with the Aunty how to address the person they are serving to, that will be superb fake.

I just find that the 敬茶 part is so very touching! Being a traditional che-na gal, i know the elders take this very seriously... when they receive the tea, they truly partake it and wholeheartedly embrace the bride/groom into the family... to me this is impt. It paths the journey ahead with the correct expectations, In-laws shouldnt bully someone whom they accepted as their own children, n children themselves should treat their in-laws as their own parent. Hopefully no more of their PIL (parent-in-law) issues to gossip about in the office cubicle!

So there u have it, I am really supportive of weddings.... I just dun like pple to see the softer side of me when I secretly wipe a tear away at the table... of cos I dun wanna ruin my pretty make-up also lah!

One part i really hate of weddings... or rather any family functions... esp during CNY (which is approaching fast).

This:

My Papa like to "show" me off...

Of cos the irky FAQs I have to answer:

Q1)

SKLP:When is ur turn to get married?

Me: When u get a divorce, then I will consider bah.

SKLP: Aiyoh, dun be so picky!

Me: Nah, I dun wanna be like ur husband, anyhow pick a wife like u!

*No, i did not say tat.... usually i try to say it under my breathe.

Another variation of Q1)

SKLP:Do u wan me to introduce u Boyfriend or not?

Me: Dun wan, u have lousy taste! Just look at ur piggy husband!

*Yes, wish I can say tat! Yah, right!

Q2)

SKLP: Where are u working now?!

Me: I work from home, my own.

SKLP: WAU! Own boss leh! Sure earn alot lor!

Me: No lah, n if u wanna borrow $$ from me, I have none for u!

*No, I didnt say tat either, what to do, I am a chicken!

*P.S: SKLP = 三姑六婆 (3rd Aunty, 6th Grandma)

Now....I m really starting to dread CNY... my papa is in the talks again, cos we are hosting the CNY at our place again this year. Argh........

Chirpy Day! Happy Day!

I m in a really chirpy mood!
1stly, my swimming kid made impressive progress this morning!
5mths ago, Jamie was in the toddler's class where I was attached to another coach. Being just four of age, her kicking is not what i would call the best lah but it's really understandable. Then she attended my Basic Foundation class, whereby the empathsis is on board kicking, water confidence (blowing bubbles underwater) and floating. Her character is what I would call the "have a mind of her own", so since she can propell herself with "wrong" kicking, she did not wish to change it.

Due to the long term break during the festive season, her mother employed me to cont. coaching her, but one-to-one basis so that she wun forget all she has learnt. Also, her mum says that she has problem trying to correct her as Princess Jamie will refuse to listen n throw tantrum. Today was the 2nd one-to-one lesson with her. Not only has she corrected her kicking (which itself is already a miracle!), she could also do heads-down-kicking properly n even without board! WOAH! Her mum was so happy n rather amazed! *CLAP*CLAP*

Sideline - one of the swimming kid's mummy brought me n Glynis some yummy chocolates. She thanked us profusely for our patience in guiding her daughter whom after 5months made some real gd progress during the last 3-4 lessons. She said she almost gave up! Her daughter is the kind who takes quite a while to warm up to the person, was a weepy child when I 1st saw her - she cries n sobs nonstop at each lesson. But with lotsa patience n encouragment (Plus lotsa praising of cos!), she flourished beautifully and could improved by leaps n bounds! Far cry from when I 1st saw her during the beginning of the term! Now she looks forward to swimming class!

2ndly, today is D-day I am finally meeting my BFF Starry Stella.
For the past months, I have been feeling abit awkward whenever I meet her, I need longer time to warm up myself, I was rather cold but it's just something I cant help. Today was different, I met her - n I just shoot n babble non-stop! All the icy cold feeling melt away, was rather amazed by myself!

3rdly, it's "When Hainan Meets Teochew" day!
After our shopping, we trekked (yes, literally) from Dhoby Ghaut MRT to Peace Center, Sophia Road, Adis Road, up to Mount Sophia. Destination is Old School@ Mt.Sophia. I was looking out for a shortcut to cut thru but to no avail. When we reached there, we were chatting with the staff there n they told us there is a short cut n we ought to take that when we go home. =D The person who so kindly showed us the way was non other than the Producer for the movie! OMG! I only tot he look rather cute! =D *WINKS*

Rather interesting signages!

This is truly the Arty Farty place,

alot of design firms n studios here!  

Dysfunction Cable car? So Duh? 

Dun gel with the concept leh!

Our Dinner! 

Pressie from Starry!

*She say looks like Creamie! I think so too!

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It's Free seating!!

Some Old school movie snacks!

"Golden Pillow 金枕头"

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The movie was Great! for a local production that is... I will give it a 6.5/10. The movie touched on a few sensitive matters of society expectation and pressure on sexuality acceptance... only the surface of it though. I guess those who face these issues will understand n it will really relate to them. But those who are not may be left with some unexplained concept.

Nevertheless, Support Local production!

The last day of screening is over, if realy wanna watch it, write to Sinema.sg n feedback. then they may consider screening it for a longer period.

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Totally exhausted after the movie, we kept rather quiet on our way back, this time we made sure we took the shortcut. =D It was a rather quick by steep decent down Mount Sophia thru the private condo there. Sssssssshhhh! Dun tell pple! 

*Run, FatBoy, Run!*

I think for anyone who have attempted a marathon, or hate running as much as me, will appreciate this show... Of cos those who love the crude british sense of humour!

*Run, FatBoy, Run*

Synopsis: "Run, Fatboy, Run" centers on a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancee on their wedding day only to discover years later that he... "Run, Fatboy, Run" centers on a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancee on their wedding day only to discover years later that he really loves her. To win her back, he must finish a marathon while making her realize that her handsome, wealthy fiance is the wrong guy for her.

Marathons are funny... to me at least...

For me, they are the start of a whole lot of promises... those u made to others, those others made to you.

Kept promises, Broken promises...

I have a mixed feeling abt marathons...

Pride, Ego, Sheer determination, Perseverance, Will etc...

Not completing one doesnt mean you are lack of all these...

But completing one surely means you have adequate of it...

One day, everyone shd at least attempt to finish a marathon in their life...

No one cares if you walk thru or run breezily thru the finish line,

only you will care.... only what's inside you matters...

*Run, FattyPieSoya, Run!*

Trading Updates...

Having been updating on my trading status lately... thought it will be good to do a review/ recollection of what i have been doing.

1stly, i am still trading actively, except that I have taken a slightly more laid back approach. With my swim classes going on decently, n me getting more and more confident to extend my coaching work, i approach trading almost like my part time work. The only difference is that I do my "Part time" work on weekdays (5 days almost office hours) n my "Full time" work on weekends (Sat 6hrs, Sun 4 hrs). It helps that i am more relaxed abt trading, I dun stare at the computer anymore... I scan for oppty in the morning, if there is any, gd! If there isnt, I'll come back later. I'll then check on my positions abt every 1 hr. Tat's abt it. I dun shiver in fear when I receive an sms (it could be a Price alert sms sent by my brokerage). I can go able doing my stuff, go to the museum, go for BF, go to the park! how niceeeeeeeeee! I am reminded of why I want to go into trading again! Have more better time mgt on my hand, not glue my eyes to the comp!

2ndly, I am able to do so cos I am so blessed to be enlightened by trading friends to look at trading differently. I have been told to "treat it like a Business" etc... but it's tough. Cos I am 1st a Trader, then a Businesswoman. But being 1st a Trader is not so advantageous to me, cos the Leo Ego n Pride comes in.... big mistake: I want to know that I am Right! & the most frustrating part is this - alot of times I am right abt the direction (buy/sell), but i just cant seem to get the timing of entry right alot of times! So after I get kicked out (Stop loss hit), then i will sit out n wait, then i will see it go in my favour eventually -of cos i m already out of the trade. But it's hard for me to accept "See! i am right!" cos this doesnt pay my bills!

Trade has been sometimes 3 steps forward, 2 steps backward, or 3 steps forward, 4 steps backwards. After 1 year of trading, i am still seeing RED in my trading account. How frustrating can it get!?

3rdly, my trading friends highlighted the importance of being the Businesswoman in this trade. We explored the use of some indicators for more confirmation on timing of entry. Namely the stochastics, Keltner channel and RSI. I must still empathsize this: basics of trading is still  TECHNICAL ANALYSIS , namly Price action (candlesticks pattern, support resistance, HigherHigh, HL, LL, HL etc). That is like the OS of a computer, cannt function without it cos the indicators dun make any sense if u cant read what the charts is telling u!

4th, we also employed a very business approach in our trade management/expectation.
Out of every trade u entered, the probability of getting 5pips or 10pips profit is of cos the highest (due to price movement regardless if the direction is up or down), then probabillity decreases as the number of pips u can expect from the trade. So the decision is analyse the direction, get in the position, get a decent no. of pips out (e.g.20pips or 30pips) for majority of the position u entered (e.g. 60% - 80%  of the lot size entered), leave the rest to ride the trend (since u have done the analysis n direction is right). You could trail the rest of the positions, or u could practise tight Protective stop movement. It's ur choice, ur expectation to handle.

I like to take it tat the bulk of the profit i pocketed 1st is the main Profit, the rest that rode the trend(mayb it will get stopped out prematurely or even hit a Stop Loss) as the Bonus. Generally statistics show that Many small Wins can still cover 1 Big Loss. From the business aspects, I only need to be concern with the Net Profit Win at the end of the day!

5th, my trading policy have alwis been this: Whatever works man! 
Be it u use an expert advisor to help u look out for trades, use price actions, use indicators, use robots etc... at the end of the day, ur account must show GREEN! n showing GREEN is not enough, it must be GREEN enough for u to justify the energy n time u take to do this Business! Else, why do it?!

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So far i am still in the midst of testing it out... i hope this is really the breakthru for my trading... i am so blessed to have truthful friends who highlighte n guide me in this trading journey!

Will report when time is ripe!

*When Hainan meets Teochew* & *Love in a Cab*

*Ok, confession time! I am a sucker for good local productions.... good means Good... Cannes fest calibre. No the annual Jack Neo kind - though they are educational in their own manner... but they are just a tad too crude for my liking.... dun get me wrong! I still watch them... those cheesy che-na movies usually during CNY period.... where they mock/"bring attention" to the govt's policy, 小人物的心声 (local's heart felt feelings).

Movies like *Sandcastle* kind are more to my liking - Catch the trailer here..
Did u miss this one? Try to catch it!

Read abt this new one in the newspaper. It's by Director/Writer: Han Yew Kwang.

*When Hainan Meets Teochew*

A romantic comedy usually involves a handsome man and a pretty lady.



But what happens when it’s a 'manly' woman, and a 'womanly' man?

One day, a brassiere drops on Teochew. He immediately wins the lottery and decides to keep it. Hainan begins an arduous search for her precious underwear, distributing hundreds of missing posters around her neighbourhood.

Teochew sees one of the posters, and his curiosity is piqued. Bumping into Hainan one day, he asks about the brassiere, although he has no intention of returning it.

Unfortunately, he lets slip more than he should, and Hainan becomes suspicious…

“When Hainan Meet Teochew” - the third feature length film from homegrown director Han Yew Kwang pokes fun at the romantic comedy genre by featuring two leads who are neither famous not good-looking.


Hainanese men are said to make the best husbands, while Teochew wives are said to be the prettiest. In this film, a lost bra brings two strangers together. A potential romance sparks between the two.


They seem like a perfect match – as one is a ʻmanlyʼ Hainanese and the other is a ʻwomanlyʼ Teochew. However, the Hainanese is a woman, while the Teochew is a man. Can the two of them still be together?





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What impresses me the most is the inspiration behind this story...
 
Director Han Yew Kwang's Statement

In 1990, I was 15 when I watched “Pretty Woman”. Richard Gere was good-looking, and Julia Roberts was gorgeous. All the images in the film were beautiful. I thought to myself – this was what a romantic comedy should be.


In 2000, at the age of 25, I had been through a couple of relationships. My girlfriends and I were average looking. I realized then that love is 50% romantic and 50% unromantic. Sometimes, a couple drives around a beautiful lake under the sweet moonlight in a convertible. Sometimes, a couple drives around a busy road under the hot sun in a second hand car without air-con.

Last year, I spoke to two friends, one is a ʻmanlyʼ woman and the other is a ʻwomanlyʼ man. They are both in their 40s and single. They told me that they want to fall in love someday, but will be contented to just settle down with a partner for company instead of romance. At that moment, I realized that love is 5% romantic, 5% unromantic and 90% getting used to and tolerating each other.


So I asked them, why donʼt they fall in love with each other? They look at each other blankly. Then I ask them again if they will ever fall in love with each other? After a long pause, they told me there is only a 1% possibility. Just so that they can register for marriage, apply for a HDB flat, and then live and rot with each other.


I look at them and realized that love can be 100% non-romantic, yet at the same time 100% funny. So I decide to make this film. No beautiful sets, no pretty faces and no lyrical dialogue. Since one of them is a Hainanese and the other is a Teochew, this truly unromantic comedy is called “When Hainan Meets Teochew”.

The meaning of love changes as we age.


This year, Iʼd be 35. Perhaps, at this stage of my life, love is not “Pretty Woman” but “When Hainan Meets Teochew”.

 
Read all abt it here!
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This probably the type of movie that even before u watch it, u know it's gonna blow ur mind away.... I rushed to book the tickets and other than muscials and air tkts, these will probably be the only tickets that I have booked in advance - more than 3 weeks to be exact!

My advice if u havent do anything meaning or funny lately - support a local production, get a good laugh. Book the tickets now!! Btw, it's free seating lor!! *faint! *
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Btw, Director Yew Kwang also directed the latest Channel U series of Telemovie...
*Love in a cab 等一等爱情 * starring Joanne Peh n Julian Hee.

Love in a Cab is a light hearted romance that spans more than 10 years. Trying to find acab is like trying to find love. When you donʼt need one, there are always a lot around. Butwhen you need one, you can never find any around.

if u missed it, catch it here! 

Piang, I laughed n cried so much!

One BIG take away from this movie:

"爱 情像的德士，有时你等它，有时它等你，

只要你愿意，一定会等到的。"

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