20

Between the lovely dinner at Food for Thought with Sop and Jo (and the beautiful gifts they got me!) on the 12th, opening the first half of my present from S in the morning, the sweetest surprise from Fatz Juls and Ems during my lunch break (i love you guys! thank you for all the cute party stuff), my colleagues faking a meeting to cut cake/bless me with really awesome gifts centered around a 'University in NYC' theme (very unexpected but I'm really thankful :') ), dinner with my family and coming home to flowers, the second half of my present (I love you, babe- thanks for always finding ways to make it special even though you can't be here) and cake...

It was a really nice Friday the 13th :)

I'm glad I got to spend time with the people who are really special to me (I wish Chen and S were here though!) and it definitely was a welcome change from being stuck in theatre all day for my past two birthdays!! May my 20th year in this world be the best one yet ;)

my Best Friend

{Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery along Avenue of the Americas, NY}

Could really do with leisurely walks and cupcake dates with S (just like the one in this picture!) on long days like today when I feel a little crappy and worse for wear. But honestly, just having him to talk to at the end of the day and his way of reminding me of the good there is in life makes everything better.. and of course, his knack for making me laugh never hurts as well! Everytime i'm reminded of the fact that our relationship is built on the best friendship I have ever known, I stop in my tracks and remember that I have much to be thankful for.. crappy days and all. :)

May

I miss the crisp fresh air and elegant beauty of Evanston and perfect mornings like these- with coffee, chocolate chip scones and S. Really looking forward to going back in June and then having 2 complete months with him back here (finally! He hasn't been back home for almost a whole year) before we both jet off to the States again- him for his Masters, while I begin University life in the Big Apple :) Tomorrow marks the start of May which means we're already almost halfway through 2011.. Doesn't feel like it huh? It's truly been amazing so far and i'm thankful, hopeful and keeping an open heart and mind towards everything that lies ahead.

Home is wherever i'm with you

Arguably the best 2 weeks of my life. Fell in love with New York City and the serene beauty of Evanston and S's apartment, had the most awesome meals, walked (in the freezing cold!) almost everywhere, experienced the life S has been living for the past 3 years, had the coolest adventures like singingdancingskipping across the Brooklyn Bridge to find a little pizza place!, sitting on the steps of the Met eating hotdogs and listening to a talented soul group busk, soaking in the atmosphere of the beautiful country and just being free- and the greatest of all? I did all this with my best friend in the whole world. :)

I miss everything so much already. The flight back was difficult because being with you refreshes my soul and being by your side is so natural that I forget how we've been longdistance for almost 3 years. But having gone through so much already, what's another 2+ months till I'm there again in June? As you always say.. What's a couple of months in relation to a lifetime? ;)

We found something pretty neat :)

Love, it's a special day
We should celebrate and appreciate
that you and me found something pretty neat

And I know some say this day is arbitrary
but it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
I will love you, I'll love you
I love you

S

I miss you so much!!!!! Can't wait till I actually get to count down the days till I see you again.

Dubai 2010

Dubai was awesome!! (So was Sri Lanka.. but one at a time!) Though I was away for Christmas and New Years the Angs made it feel like home :) I almost can't believe it's 2011 already.. Made resolutions and our prayers for the new year ahead on a boat on the Gulf of Oman with S- can't think of a better way to begin the year on a good foundation!

Really thankful for all the blessings this past year and for all the adventures with S and his family in Dubai, from roadtripping to Abu Dhabi and Khasab, exploring the hugest malls i've ever seen in my life, dunebashing in the desert, the little dates S took me on around the city, chilling in aunty and uncle's apartment watching The Office and laughing at dwight till our stomachs hurt... I had a wonderful time with some of my favourite people in the world :)

Feels a little disorienting to be back in Singapore after being away for almost a whole month, but i'm also glad to be home with the Prykes! Looking forward to spending time with Chen before she leaves this weekend. Being me, i've already been mentally drawing up my 'what's next?' plans and some have been kickstarted into action already so we'll see how it goes!!

Growing up

{Collage tiffy made for shawn}

Hahaaha I don't think he'll be thrilled about me putting this here but it's so cool to see how he's grown/matured/changed over the years! (and it's on facebook anyway so it's okay... right??) Anyway here are the many different stages of shawn's life :)

Happy Birthday!!!!

To my love,

best friend,

pillar of strength,

sounding board,

partner in crime...

I love you! Happy Happy Happy 23rd, I thank God for making you the person you are today :) Just a few more weeks till we meet in Dubai, it's gonna be a blast :)

13 hours apart

{One of our skype conversations in late 2008}

It's still my favourite part of the day :)

Blue as can be

Miss yooouuUu guys so much :(

It's been the first weekend post-departure and I was kinda caught offguard by just how miserable I felt today when I realized it's the weekend and neither of them were here.. Nobody to make silly faces with, laugh and destress with, go and dates with, be myself with... Haha yes i'm catastrophising a bit but i'm allowed to be a little self-indulgent for now, at least till I get more used to the starkness of being without them again. I'm looking forward to Shawn coming back from Dubai next wednesday (more than you can imagine!!) but dreading it a little too, cos after a week he'll be back in Chicago and i've to go through the transition all over again. Maybe it's the combination of being in the midst of prelims, adapting to communicating via a screen and getting used to quiet(er) days again, but i've been feeling really blue :( Praying that this cloud will pass and that i'll toughen up cos hey- we've been through 2 years of this, what's another 2 months in the greater scheme of things?? Just need to remember to keep going, the light may be elusive but it's always at the end of the tunnel.

First of the Farewells

I'll see you again in 10 days (and i really was fine at the airport!!) but a wave of belated sadness is washing over me now.. and nothing ever feels the same when you aren't here.

Noooooo

The weekend is over again?! Haha despite only having proper vision in one eye (trust me, i couldn't/can't stare at a piece of paper for more than 5 minutes without getting a huge headache) it still managed to be great :) At least i'm getting my new lenses tomorrow.. and long walks do wonders for your soul- I was feeling really weird with my swinging hormones and at the prospect of a whole week ahead but everything seemed clearer and better after S and I walked and talked and laughed and got our systems cleared out :)

Also, I kinda feel like slowly phasing some of the aspects of the internet out of my life- I just don't like the way everything is so networked, and life is full and good as it is without it, so let's see how that goes!

9th of August

Happy Birthday Singapore!! :) :) The parade was a blast!

Arrivals are the best

The airport is my favourite place in the world when i'm picking people up at Arrivals :) and the long national day weekend is practically here!! Can't believe it's been a whole year since Shawn and I were at the parade.. doesn't feel like it at all. Super grateful for the time away from the dark, twisty-ness of school (as meredith grey would say!) though, and it's gonna be extra special cos everyone is home at last :)