A week before my birthday, hubs and I were blessed (a gift from someone generous!) to spend time together on a weekend cruise to Malacca. We sailed on a Friday.
Me in nautical colours (the red on my nails & lips, lah). Practically wore flipflops because I was getting ready to leave the ship and walk Malacca town! Left my wedges in the cabin.
Sua Ku me (mountain tortoise). I'd never been on a cruise before (although Mike has) because I used to think it was a really dumb idea to be stuck on board a ship for a holiday. My idea of a holiday is to soak in as much of the local culture as possible. But you know, never say never. I really enjoyed the idea of my holiday starting sooner than I would have taking a plane to a foreign country! Plus, I don't have to fly; something I don't enjoy at all.
I liked that one could immediately check into the room and start the holiday even before the ship has left the dock! This is even better (albeit much more costly) than our trips to Batam! We were clanging wine glasses before it even sailed! Yes, like very, very much.
Also, I always thought people on board a cruise would be decked out in T-shirts and bermudas. You know, it's a cruise for goodness sake, the sun? The sea? But erring on the side of caution, I brought 'decent' clothes and made my man bring his jeans. Thank goodness we did. No T-shirt and shorts, okay. We nearly fainted when we got surrounded by a bevy of very well decked out Japanese ladies. The urge to faint could have been due to the overpowering mix of perfume but largely due to our awe at their fancy clothes, hair and evening bags!!! I mean, really formal! The sight was very nice to take in! The Singaporean women on the other hand were decked out in their erm, sensible attire. Sensible meaning, decent Aunty blouse covering crotch area, pants and crossbody handbags (who am I calling Aunty? I think possibly myself!). They really came prepared to be comfortable enough to.....gamble! It was interesting; we watched a jackpot tournament taking place. Never seen one before.
The food was nothing to shout about. I mean, really nothing to shout about and one had to queue to enter a dining room of choice! But, the main meals are included in the package so you don't really have to worry about food and drinks. After a very blah but filling breakfast, we got to disembark at a port in Malacca and managed to visit some of Mike's relatives for a few hours. It was really nice to see them again. It was an impromptu visit but they were so nice to spend time with us. We were stuffed with the local makan and I managed to snag a really cutie-patootie Cherry bag charm whilst out shopping!
Back on the ship, we cruised into the sunset, having a nice 3 course meal then listening to a live band playing by the pool. I'm definitely going on another cruise!
My simple birthday
My sweet hubby had secretly bought me flowers. The night before my birthday, he had urged me to take a rest after dinner. I disappeared into the room and didn't think much about his whereabouts. He then called me out of the room (much to my annoyance because I was in the middle of watching a youtube video!) and asked me if I noticed anything different in the house (ok, when I say house, I mean my humble abode, THE APARTMENT, ok?). He'd done this to me many times over, you know; test me to see if I notice any new decor he'd put up and I always fail the tests! I was terrified of failing again so my eyes quickly shifted back and forth, up and down, sweeping the living room. LOL. After several random guesses, he exasperatedly asked me if I hadn't noticed the roses on the coffee table! I just dumbly responded with an 'oh'. He said he'd got them for me and I asked him why if he'd gotten them for me, did he place them ON the coffee table like a decorative piece. Haha. Very unromantic of me but he did move me. Rewarded him with a big bear hug and a kiss. He said he'd spent some time in the kitchen removing the thorns off the roses. I thought that was so sweet. He'd actually purchased them from the wholesaler so of course they came with thorns. Much more meaningful than buying a bouquet from a florist if you ask me.We have sort of stopped buying each other gifts already for occasions. So apart from the flowers, did he buy me anything else for my birthday? Yes, he did. Well, I sort of picked it out myself, but he knew I'd been eyeing it for some time and so told me he'd get it for my birthday. I am SUPER happy with it. Yes, superficial, greedy, materialistic me. Ha! Not telling what it is though.
That's us going home after Sunday Mass on my birthday weekend.
This is so random to talk about but I wanted to say that I've only just realised that Kajal is Kohl. Do you see it in my eyes? I'd put it on wrongly but since that pic was taken, I've learnt from wonderful youtube (yes, thank God for youtube!) that I need to apply Kajal on the waterline. I was a bit distracted during Mass because I'd wiped my eyes (I tear a lot at times) and black stuff was rubbing off onto my fingers! I didn't have a mirror with me and I was worried I was looking like a panda in church! The amazing thing was, I'd taken a nap that Sunday afternoon and I woke up in the evening with the Kajal still intact! Ok, it smudged a bit outside of the waterline but generally, the black lines were still intact on the waterline! Amazing! I have to go find out more about the proper method of using Kajal. I've learnt that it has natural ingredients and it can actually be beneficial for your eyelids. Well, that's just me, still searching for the elusive NON-SMUDGE eyeliner after all these years. Nothing. Nothing I have tried stays as it claims will stay. Now I think back to the leg-warmer years and my electric blue kohl eye pencil and how I was putting it on the wrong way and how frustrated I was that the soft kohl kept breaking (money breaking away too). I would not have known so much without the internet. Can't really blame the kids. I myself find it very handy and addictive.
Anyhoo, I've always admired the way Middle eastern women have their eyes lined so black and wondered why they don't seem to suffer smudges like I do with my variety of eyeliners!
Anyhow, now that I am a year older, I wish to look younger. At least a year younger, lah! While I haven't been weighing myself, I've been told I look like I lost some weight. I noticed my butt has slimmed down (could possibly be due to the few years of wearing fitflops, I dunno). I'm building up my running stamina slowly by running and jumping on my mini-trampoline a few minutes a day. Yes, before I take my bath, I'm down to my underwear, jumping about like a crazed monkey doing whatever actions I feel like doing behind closed doors ON my mini-trampoline. Who cares what anyone thinks? I am having so much fun jumping about and making a monkey out of myself while exercising. The springs of the trampoline make quite a noise. Much like a couple going at 'it' (boing, boing, boing) but as no one lives below our unit, I don't think it bothers any of the neighbours. The best part is, I can just jump off it, cool down a while and go take my bath without having dampened any 'exercise' clothing (because I was only in my underwear, remember?)!
I WANT to be fitter. I am grateful to God that I have remained healthy all these years and I think I owe it to myself to be fitter. So, as my wise old man would say, just Nike it. So I am.
I have also been trying to stay positive and trying to react differently from how I would normally. My goal is to remain positive. Just stay positive. I've never fallen into depression before and I know it is because God has been lifting me up all these years. I've never felt down and out. Fed up yes but never desolate. So I am grateful for God's blessings and I owe it to myself to lead the good life. The good life includes loving myself and loving life!
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