To the Dark Side

I am on a buying spree! After the wallet, it is the hp. Hohoho.

What really happened is that my Samsung S20 FE is dying. I got that back in Nov 2021, serving me a good 2+ years. The phone seems to be built for only 2 years usage. A few months back, the screen started flickering

. I had thought that it was its end time but it recovered. Then last weeks, there were occasions of the phone heating up and battery draining. The heat was so bad that I had to turn it off and waited for it to cool down. 

I had started contemplating a replacement. Daddy Lim, who switched to iPhone 15, is very encouraging on moving to iPhone. With a business trip and a leisure one coming up, I know that it is time. It is damn scary to be stuck alone in another country and no connectivity. 

So, what did I buy? iPhone 13. Hobo. 

Daddy Lim couldn’t understand. Why didn’t I get the latest iPhone? Bcos I had been a very long android user and any iPhone is a big switch the thus the same to me. I don’t need the newest model and read that iPhone 14 isn’t a big significant improvement from iPhone 13. I can do with the extra bucks saved. Hoho.

I bought the iPhone online and the phone was soon ready for collection in a couple of hours. I am always amazed at the crowd in the Orchard Apple shop. Apple sure make a lot of $$. 

Bcos I was on Samsung, I asked for help to do the data transfer. I was led to the 2nd floor. For the longest time, I had been wondering what is on their 2nd floor. Now I know - I was part of the many others transferring data. 

The setup wasn’t difficult. It took a while before the transfer was ready to start. I gasped when I saw that it will take 2+ hours! I was told by the mother-daughter duo opposite me that 2 hours is common. I had thought that my phone is “clean”; I don’t clutter both physically and online. The estimated time reduced to 1 hour 15 mins and I was so much comforted only for the transfer to suddenly pause for no reason after about 5 mins. I was again told that this is normal for android - iPhone transfer. 

I had to restart the entire process and this time, it took so much longer and the estimated time also doubled. Don’t ask me why. After another 10 mins wait, we figured out that we wouldn’t waste our lives waiting at the Apple shop, terminated the transfer and left. 

On the drive home, I started cleaning up the apps, deleting the ones that I no longer use. I found Call of Duty, Goat Simulator, photo editor apps, etc. I didn’t know I even have these. 

Later in the evening, I finally got down to transfer the data again. This time, the transfer only took 10 mins! It is bcos the wifi at home is faster/ more powerful? I don’t think I deleted so many apps to cut down the transfer time by that much. 

Just when I thought all done, I was fooled. The contacts, pictures, WhatsApp chat history and apps were transferred but quite a few app disappeared too. For the transferred apps, I had to go to the App Store to still sort of still download them, then sign in. The signing in was so bad. This morning, I was still struggling and the most painful must be the OCBC app that I am still stuck now. Zzzzzzs…

Then, there is the arrangement of the apps - they were just transferred and anyhow “pasted”. It took me so much time to finally clean them up.

So now, I am back to iPhone again. Daddy Lim said that it would take me a week to get used to the iPhone. I am so bringing my Samsung along for the business trip, just in case. 

Yes, I have crossed over to the dark side. I was feeling a little sad and guilty when I started transferring the data. Hahahaha. 

Mummy Lim

YSL to Replace the LV

I brought my 1st ever LV (wallet) when I left Keppel after 9 years. I can well afford a LV wallet/ bag but I don't know what to do with these branded stuff when they are worn. Do you throw them away? To avoid the unnecessary headache and heartache and I don't need these branded bags too, I opted not to buy them to begin with. 

The same wallet served me well for 7 years, until the seams started coming off. It is now sitting in my drawer. I retired the wallet and got myself another LV one as bday gift in 2021. 

I usually do not use this new wallet, opting to carry and use a daily more rugged wallet. It usually just get transferred from bags to bags. Lol, I know I am complicated. As such, this wallet is very new and well maintained.

I don't think I blogged about it but my LV wallet was stolen. T.T I think it was/ were the mover(s) based on how it happened. Anyway, I didn't found out about the lost until I got a sms notification from Turst bank, informing me that I had spent some money in the 7-11 in Bedok. Then I realised that the wallet was missing. 

With it, I lost my IC, driving licence, 2 cc, 1 atm, GV movie card and cash. Losing cash was the easiest. Trying to cancel and replace the cards was painful and I haven't replaced all of them to date. Then I had to make a police report in order to replace my IC and had to meet the IO at the Jurong Police station to take my statement. Anyway, it simply is a painful experience. 

I had been living on the rugged wallet, opting to leave some of the cards at home bcos there is not enough space. I somehow feel that I should replace the LV but procrastinated. 

Finally, the time is here. It isn't the LV this time. 

I is happy. 

Then I have another problem. Bcos most of the cards are already in the rugged wallet, I have nothing to put in this one. Hahahahaha. 

Mummy Lim

CNY SHSS Gathering

Bcos we are busy social people and there is only that many weekends, it was difficult to get everyone to gather for CNY. We make do. Auntie T graciously hosted and whoever can, came. 

Nana had wanted to join and collect ang baos but she also wanted to go for her youth steamboat lunch at church in JW. Her church is very far from Auntie T"s house in Sengkang. We had to drop her and bring only the son. 

We appeared to be the most free family other than the host. Some of the families came late and others left early. We were the only ones who stayed to the end. We bought yusheng and rrooll, in case people get hungry and we weren't the only ones who thought this way.

There were so much CNY goodies and other food, including this very delicious carrot cake, gifted from Ms Teo.

 

The catching up is always good. 

Friends of 31 years! Even though we meet every month, there would always be things to talk about and catch up. God is good. 

Huat ah!

Mummy Lim

CNY 2024 Part 3

We finally managed to cycle on 初三. We woke up to great weather. We must cycle bcos we had done so much preparation work - pump tires, charge lights, wash bottles, pack snacks. 

Finally on our way. The plan was to do the railway corridor. We rode on the pavement all the way to the start of the corridor. 

Nobody told me that the start of the corridor is gravel track. My skinny wheels were very challenged. Luckily it was only a short portion; I was already contemplating to dismount and push the bike. 

The weather was cooling. 

Bcos it was about to rain. Lol. We ended up riding in the light drizzle. Nana was very happy to ride in the rain. The rain also helped us to chase away the hikers/ walkers, making it easier/ safer for us to cycle. 

We ended the corridor at what was supposed to be an old railway station (?). 

We exited and found ourselves near Chinatown. We saw a prata shop and reckoned that it was time for bfast. 

Nana had wanted to go to MBS and so we continued riding. 

Riding to MBS wasn't difficult and we had a lot of fun but riding home was quite bad. We rode part on the road but a lot on pavements, which also meant going slowly and navigating turns and corners and avoiding pedestrians. Then Daddy Lim said that we should take Clementi, Bukit Timah route home, which basically meant a lot of slopes. 

We finally made it home, clocking almost 50km. There were alot of whinnings about painful butt, back, hands, neck, knee, calves, thighs... and whichever body parts we have. Lol. 

It was a good ride. It would have been so much easier if we stuck to the roads but the roads weren't as quiet as we hoped they would be and Daddy Lim was paranoid with the kids riding on the road. Ya, he should; our kids have almost zero awareness of road rules and safety. Lol. 

Happy CNY!

Mummy Lim

CNY 2024 Part 2

For a while, we fret over meals during the CNY period bcos I duno how to cook. Lol. Then popo invited us to over for lunch on CNY eve . The kids headed over after school's early dismissal. My work ended at 12pm while Daddy Lim knocked off at 3pm. 

Of course lunch was good. We miss Popo homecook food. Then 鱼生. Huay ah! My very 1st for this CNY. 

We made sure to eat somemore before we headed home bcos no food at home. Hoho. 

On 初一 morning, we went to my brother's place to 拜年 and eat bfast. 

FB reminded me of this. 

So we did this. 

The sofa is growing smaller and smaller. Lol.

We went to Daddy Lim's 姑姑's house for lunch. It had been a while since we met with the family. 

We had deliberated to do our own steamboat for a while. It is OK if I don't know how to boil our own broth bcos there is always ready made de. Adding on the tomato paste from 海底捞,  all soups are masterchef soups. Tadah! 

We had quire some food left over, which we know would be put to good use. 

We visited 奶奶 on 初二. We actually planned to go for a ride in the morning but to wake up to wet roads. It actually wasn't that bad; I think I just looked out the wrong window and those roads were particularly wet. Ended up, we tabaoed pratas from the very crowded Springleaf and then I went to the gym. I am so glad that the gym is opened. We need to burn some fats away. 

Lunch was exactly the leftover from previous night's steamboat. Throw in some noodles and 又是一条好汉!

Bcos we had no programs in the evening, we decided that skating sounded like a great idea. 

We were back to Jurong Lake Garden. I rolled with Nana while the boys attempted to break some bones at the skatepark. Zzzzz. 

This is the 1st time I tried skating after I injured my ankle. We didn't do much bcos my ankle hurts and thus unstable. The diminishing light made it worse. It works better when I did tape and then guard but I ended up with numbed foot. Lol. 

Nana was worse. She was dying to exercise after all the eating. While her ankle hurts too, her calves hurt worse after the super prolong non-exercise and she gave up after the 1st round. Lol.

It is nice to be back in familiar grounds. Happy CNY!

Mummy Lim

CNY 2024 Part 1

We have a 4-day long weekend for CNY this year. If it had been pre-covid, we would probably be out traveling. Post-covid, the possible custom jam scares me and the expensive air ticket stops me. This is to say, we are very much staying in Singapore this time. The little fellow at home is also our new commitment and further puts a stop to our short weekend getaway plan.

This CNY is also the 1st CNY where we are on our own after a long 14 years. Daddy Lim and I had been discussing about how to feed ourselves during CNY. I really don't want to squeeze and Q in the fast food joints. Just when we thought that we could do reunion dinner at my brother's place on CNY eve, they had asked if we could do an early one last Saturday. Ok lah! 

Loads of good food! I even got to tabao some of Popo's ngoh heong home. She has also asked if we wanted to visit again on CNY eve for lunch. Sure, and I would bring some containers to tabao food home for dinner too. Hoho. 

I wanted to post about the pre-pigout workout on Saturday. Why? Bcos I thought that the pictures were so nicely taken. Hoho.

So pretty right? 

Haha. Huat ah! 

Mummy Lim

Almost No More Paika

Nana's medical appointment was on Monday. It was about 2 months from the last one. Then, Dr Lam had asked that she go easy on sports and to continue with the physiotherapy. I think she barely did any sports. We didn't restrict her, she simply happily excluded sports in her life. Haha. As for the physiotherapy, she happily forgotten about it and so did I. 

I was busy and the sick on Monday so Daddy Lim took time off to bring Nana for her appointment. Then, I received the news - she is discharged! Dr Lam did advise that she should ease into sports slowly. 

Daddy Lim said that the fracture line is now very faint. I tried looking at the x-ray. It is supposed to be somewhere in that blue circle. I cannot see anything, can you? 

Dr Lam said that if Nana is to step on uneven ground, she should still wear her ankle guard. Otherwise, taking her time to go back into sports should be alright. 

Yay! One more hurdle and challenge overcome! A happy start to 2024!

Mummy Lim

The Guitar Lesson

We all get bored and need distractions/ excitements in life. The only thing about Daddy Lim is that his rate of boredom is too fast for comfort and his distractions rarely come cheap. If it is cycling, an expensive bicycle will appear. If it is gaming, a new gaming laptop. To make things more exciting, his new toys rarely just come in singular. He has 2 bicycles, duno now many pairs of aggro skates, multiple gadgets... you get my drift. 

Still, he comforted me, telling me that at least he is not into expensive cars or luxury watches. Heng ah. 

Cycling is a passe and his bicycles are now ornaments in the living room. He had mentioned a couple of times to sell them and I am not going to fall into his trap. I lost count of the occasions that he sold a toy bcos he lost interest but the interest came back and he bought an even more expensive toy. We have a spacious living room now and I can bear with extra bikes sitting around. Hoho. 

Aggro skating is the current trend. I had attempted to embrace and learn the sports but falling down is too frequent, real and super painful. I don't think I want to make my life any harder. It is definitely a dangerous sports; Nana broke her ankle and the boys came back with bruises almost every other sessions, despite arming themselves with all kinds of guards. 

I had reminded the "uncle" that we aren't young and injuries take much longer time to heal. Our bones are obviously a lot more brittle too. Unfortunately, that passion for aggro skating has yet to burn out.

However, there seems to be a new contestant. Hohoho. So bright.

Of course this came with a decent price tag but at least I see minimal possibility of injury with this. The man got excited and found himself a guitar trial class. He came back and said that he is rated at the highest of the beginner scale and the next would be the intermediate class. He is keen to continue with the weekly class. 

I took the chance to bargain and ask him to lay low for the aggro skate classes for a while. He got a big bruise and muscle pull on his buttock during lesson 2 weeks ago. Last week, he came back with a super painful back pain after a fall. 

Nana had been wanting to take drumming lessons. For a moment, I thought maybe they can take lessons together. Then I realised that she has no time with 3 different tuitions, and a busy social life. What I worried more, is a new drum set appearing at home. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

The Ankle Part 2

It had been 5ish weeks since I injured my ankle. The swelling is almost gone and I can almost walk and go down the stairs normally. I thought I can jog a little too when I had to speed up a little as I rushed for the green man or jaywalk. Lol. 

I really, really missed the gym classes. It had been non-stop elliptical workout for the past month and it is getting very boring. Earlier last week, I tried the treadmill but there was some pain when I stepped and I thought I better not risk it. It is not very fun to become a real life gym fail. 

On Friday, I tried again. I started really slowly like the speed when I 1st getting active and onto a treadmill. Then I sped up, not bcos I was pain-free or very fit but I set a 3km target for myself and it was taking such a long time to close the distant at such a low speed that I got so bored. I stopped at every km to check in the ankle. The pain was very minimal especially after the ankle warmed up and I hit the target. Yay! I think it would take a while to get back the same kind of speed and distant pre injury.

On Saturday, I went for a ride with WWF. I already rode with them 3 weeks back, which was also 1st ride after the injury and managed well with normal shoes. I figured out that I wouldn't fit into my cleat shoes with the ankle guard and very much doubt I would be able to unclip. 

With the recovery, I decided that it was time for the cleat shoes and taped my ankle for more stability. It seems to work fine until I had to unmount my bike to go down a flight of stairs at the beginning of the ride and I realised that it hurts to unclip. 

Did.I unclip? No. It was too scary to attempt. What I ended doing was to remove my foot from the shoe, carried the bike down with the shoe still hanging on the pedal and wore it back thereafter. Lol. 

I did that whenever I had to unmount, which was only a couple of occasions and I survived!

It was a tiring ride. I think my legs were screaming for rest after the 1st treadmill attenpt the day before. It is OK, I survived. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

Losing to the Ants

In our previous homes, we had no problems at all with ants. Maybe bcos they are mostly new (or fairly new) units. The block that we are residing now is the same age as I am. While the unit is very well kept and maintained, it is an old (very old) block. Disclaimer: the block is old but I am young. 

When we 1st moved in, we saw lizatd droppings even when it had been vacant for a while and thus no food. Then in the 1st week, Daddy Lim sighted a cockroach. He said that it looked full grown or at least a teenager. Eeeeyyyy... I hate cockroaches especially those that fly and if they can reach the 19th floor, I am quite sure they can fly very well. Sob. 

Bcos it is an old unit, the rubbish chute is in the kitchen. When we were living in Centris, it was the same and Popo almost never use the chute, opting to bring the rubbish down to the common rubbish bin. I am not sure if this is feasible for us. I googled and came up with this genius idea. 

I got the kids' book wrapping plastic and velcro tape to create this "cover". Whenever we need to open the chute, we have to "unzap" the plastic cover, then zap back again. It works perfectly! I is clever. 

We received a notice 2 weeks ago informing about the chute fumigation. We were advised to seal the chute to prevent cockroaches escaping. Eeeeyyyyyyy. We did that and the plastic cover works as a double protection. We found mini roaches escaping the 1st level of protection and trapped in the plastic covers. T.T

So we prevented the cockroach from chute issue, and we haven't seen enough lizards to have us plot against them. Our problem left are the ants and I am losing my battle against them. 

As you can guess, we rarely cook and thus there is little food lying around in the house. I half suspect that the ants are stealing the neighbours' food and using our home as a base. Not long after we shifted, the ants attacked Mochi's food when he takes too long to finish his food. 

We bought the combat ants trap and solved the problem for a while. By right, the ants are supposed to carry the bait "home" and slowly kill all their friends. We did see some dead ants in the track but instead of a wipe out, the ants simply changed their track. Zzzz. 

As a result, we have so many of these combat traps around the house - the kitchen, then the toilets, then near to Mochi's cage.

Recently, I found them in my bedroom and had to stick 2 of these onto the wall/ ceiling. 

I am quite sure that we have no food in the bedroom. I have no idea what are they looking for.

Just when we "eradicate" the ant tracks in the bedroom, we now found them on the kitchen countertop and bcos they are black against the white countertop, they are so obvious and we can see so many of them. Arrrgggghhhh..  

It feels like a losing battle. I think the ants have a strong command center and I can already imagined their generals sitting at the round table discussing their strategies.

I duno how. Auntie S was suggesting the ant gel. I think we will attempt that, since we have used up all the combat ant trap too. Haiz. 

Mummy Lim