Books List

These are the books that I really need to buy. I do not know why it too me so long to want to get The Cake Bible. The recipes are really good and most times, I get the recipes from friends who have the book. I am being really cheap, and I thought I really should get the book already and stop being a cheapo.

I love making bread, the kneading is really therapeutic, and the kitchen smells wonderful when you are baking bread. I might just get the Bread Bible too. Heavenly Cakes is the new book. I saw it in Kinokuniya few days ago, retailing at 70 bucks! ARGH. I think that one can wait.



Not a lot of fiction books that I really want to buy. The one fiction that I will get is the new book titled Nocturnes by Kasuo Ishiguro. Nothing on the Booker Prize shortlist this year appeals to me. I think I just need 2 hours to browse the fiction section and I will be able to find books that I want to read.

Do you think Kinokuniya will laugh at me if I call up and ask when their next sale will be?

Not Enough Time

I realised that I have just another month before I pop and Christmas is just 2 months away! Now I am really starting to feel that I have not enough time to get everything that I want done. I hope Kinokuniya comes up with the 20% sale soon! I really need to get my hands on some books.

Gotta start on the Christmas cards.

Gotta do more Christmas shopping. I think I have a feeling I will be buying a few items online. Especially for the Christmas party and maybe some gifts.

Gotta start packing that hospital bag soon. I hate having to think about it all the time. Pack it now and I can just ignore it til I need it.

Gotta start washing up those few milk bottles soon too. I hope to be breastfeeding exclusively, so I don't think I need them, but JUST IN CASE. I decided to get a economical manual breast pump since I will be around The Little One almost 24/7. No need for expensive electric ones. Those make me feel like a cow anyway.

Gotta get the windows clean soon. They are really getting very filthy.

Gotta sort out my recipes soon too. They are scattered all over the place. Need to compile them into one neat file or book.

Gotta put up the Christmas tree soon. She will be welcome back home with a tree greeting her. Not like she will know what is going on anyway. It just makes me feel that bit happier.

Gotta remind The Husband to call up the private cord blood bank before it is too late.

Whatever books that are still here with me, I will try to return all of them to my friend. It has been 2 years. Gosh, and some of them are still sitting in my storeroom. My friend has a book collection to rival the National Library.

Squeeze in some more dinners or teas with my closest friends before I pop. I don't think I will see them too much, as often as I like in the near future.

Gotta send Em some Japan-related links.

So much to do, as soon as we know it, The festivities will die down a little and Chinese New Year will be upon us!

Packing for Delivery

When I had 2 more months to go, someone asked if I had packed for the hospital stay. I was like, isn't that a little bit kiasu? I thought the dude was joking, apparently he wasn't. He said in a slightly serious tone that we ought to be get that bag ready.

So now, with 5 more weeks to go, I have yet to pack. I haven't given much of a thought yet, and maybe I should soon. My plan was to pack on The Day itself, at least I have something to distract me from the contraction pains. Then I start to suspect that I would want to clean up the home when I am having contractions and there would be too many things to do! Plus, of course I wouldn't want to pack in a hurry and leave anything out.

So what to pack for the hospital? I have no clue, other than maybe clothes and toiletries. I am certain that I will want to have a book with me too. I came out with a list, I hope I am not over packing.

Hospital appointment card.

Our NRICs.

A book. I was quite set on Louis Theroux, now I may want to read Kazuo Ishiguro instead. Maybe I will bring both. ARGH.

Pen and paper. In the event that I need to ask the doctor or nurses some questions and they are not available then. Also maybe the names of the people who will take care of me when I am there, so I can send them a thank you card after that.

Camera with extra battery fully charged. Got to make sure there is a memory card in it as well!

My own set of toiletries.

A pair of slippers for walking around in.

Change of clothes for me, The Husband and The Little One. Must remember her receiving blanket, mittens and booties. I may need extra nursing bras and er breast pads. Maxipads are IMPORTANT! I am thinking of getting some disposable panties too. Oh and a couple of extra diapers for her just in case.

My hand phone. Must be fully charged. I am thinking of telling my family only after I have popped. I have 4 siblings, all pretty gan cheong, since this will be the first time for all of them to be uncles and aunties, they will be calling constantly and what if I am having one of those awful contractions??????? Then again, I will be too excited not to not tell them. They just need to promise me to be patient and wait for news from The Husband. First grandchild some more leh, on both sides. There is a private number in every delivery room, but I doubt I will give out that number to anyone at all.

A watch to time my contractions.

Some snacks for me after delivery. Like cereal bars, nuts, dried fruits, cream crackers, milo and chocolates. For The Husband too, so he doesn't go hungry together with me.

Am I packing too much stuff? Did I leave anything out?

List of Stuff to Buy for the Little One

This list is exhaustively long! The list for now, til I can think of other stuff to add in...

Clothes
3-10 vests or onesies
4-7 sets of PJs
1 Sleeping gown
1 lightweight sweater
1-3 hats (one with a brim and 2 without)
2-3 pairs of booties and mittens
3 bibs

Linen
3-4 fitted sheets
2 waterproof pads
2 quilted mattress pads
2-3 receiving blankets
3 terry cloth towels
2-3 wash cloths
1 dozen nappies

Grooming
Baby soap
Baby shampoo
Bath tub
Baby oil
Nappy rash cream
Diapers
Wet wipes
Cotton balls
Baby clippers
Baby comb
Yu Yee Yu

Medicine Cabinet
Thermometer
Rubbing alcohol
Nasal aspirator
Tweezers
Sterile bandages and gauze pads
Adhesive tape

Feeding Supplies
4 8oz bottles
Bottle and nipple brush
Bottle sterilizer
Bottle and food warmer
Breast pump
Detergent for washing bottles, nipples and the breast pump.

Nursery
Cot
Mattress
Chest of drawers
Book shelf
Night light
Stroller
Car seat

For The Mum
Nursing Bras
Nipple cream
Nipple shields
Maternity pads
Breast feeding support pillow

Nice to Haves
Books!
Baby swing
FisherPrice's Rainforest Melodies and Light Deluxe Gym
Bumbo chair
Teething toys
Mobile to hang from the cot
Rattles and other sounding making colourful toys
Er, toys from Plan Toys
Stokke Tripp Trapp
I have more than enough clothes, so that, I am not worried about. I do not know how big she is going to be, how to buy??? Buy too small, she will outgrow them in 2 weeks, too big, the clothes will fit really loose. Doctor says she is average size with long legs. Should I tell that to the sales person at Mothercare? I will not think about clothes til she pops out.

I have all her linen ready. I just wonder if I really do need a waterproof pad for the cot. Is it a must? I bought one anyway, just in case. I really do need to ask friends with kids for advice. Trouble is, I do not have a lot of friends with kids.

California Baby or Sebamed? I am thinking of Mustela too. California Baby is very pricey, cute cute packaging though. Sebamed seems good, so does Mustela. All promise to be gentle and moisturising. Some products even claim to have calming properties! California Baby has non-talc powder! All of them have those 2 in one wash. Can use for both hair and body. All of them have bubble baths!

We bought just one big item and that is the cot. Next thing we must must must, absolutely must buy will be the car seat. The last big item will be the stroller. I will get a chest of drawers from the neighbourhood store and then maybe an inexpensive book shelf that will double as a storage space for her toys from Ikea. The nursery will not be up for now. Chinese pantang, says cannot do renovation during the pregnant months. I am hoping to get her room ready by the time she hits one.

Singapore Arts Festival

Anna Karenina - Finnish National Ballet

H3 - Grupa De Rua

Seven Boards of Tricks - Aurélien Bory

Sutra - SHAOLIN MONKS!

Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy - Arnie Roth with Singapore Festival Orchestra

Etiquette - Rotozaza

Long Life - New Riga Theatre

I can't possibly attend all! Will shortlist again and decide on just 3 at the most.

My Wish List

Just in case you are in a generous mood and want to bestow me with some of your love, this is my wish list for Christmas....

KitchenAid mixer. The Artisan will do.

Hermes scarf ring.

Peugeot salt and pepper mills.

Soda Siphon. (more for The Husband)

A pair of nude Louboutins pumps.

A(nother) Chanel 2.55. The smallest one in Beige. This time, in lambskin.

A PS3. For laughs.

$1000 Kinokuniya vouchers.

50mm f1.4 lens.

I still want the Lensbaby 3G.

Hermes wallet.

A dry cabinet.

Some of My Favourite Movies

Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels
Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain
The Graduate
In the Mood for Love
Chungking Express
The Godfather
Lord of the Rings
Paris Je t' aime
Finding Nemo
The Incredibles
Donnie Darko
Goodbye Lenin!
Little Miss Sunshine
Memento
Singing in the Rain
Yamakasi
Moulin Rouge
The Shawshank Redemption
Mystic River
The Matrix
The Hours
AI
Out of Africa
Mars Attack
Fargo
No Country for Old Men
The Host
Love Actually
American Beauty
Blade Runner
28 Days Later
City of God
Before Sunrise
Before Sunset
Portrait of a Lady
Boogie Nights
Kill Bill
The Usual Suspects
The Elephant Man
The Crucible
In the Name of the Father
Dangerous Liasions
Dog Day Afternoon
Juno
4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days
The Sea Inside
The Lives of Others
3 Colours
Half Nelson

Things to do before I Die

Be a nicer and kinder person.

Be true and good to myself and my loved ones.

Learn tap dancing and pretend to be Ginger Rogers.

Try growing my own herbs or even vegetables. I have no green fingers unfortunately.

Say goodbye to the inner control freak.
Bake the perfect Madelaine.

Witness the aurora borealis.

Go to a major sporting event (no, the F1 in Singapore doesn't count).

Pick up a musical instrument.

Be able to make my own clothes.

Be fluent in a 3rd language.

To have a holiday home in Japan, a loft in London and a penthouse in New York.

To have more than amateur photography skills. Then I would hold my own pretend gallery at home.

Visit Dublin on Bloom's Day.

Be able to cook way way better than I can presently.

To worry less, be less paranoid and learn to chill.

Knit effortlessly.

To be in a helicopter and hot air balloon.
Be a positive influence in someone's life.

Be more eco friendly.
Get my driving license and test drive an Aston Martin.

Drive along Route 66.

Read all the books on my must-read list. It is a very long list. I shall post that list up soon.

Visit Paris with my husband. (I think the trip will coincide with the Paris Motor Show)
Eat and live healthier.

Exercise more regularly.

Take part in a marathon.

Watch a WRC race.

Volunteer.

Visit the MET, the MoMA and the State Hermitage.

To have more patience.

To be more confident.

Be a good mother when I have children (or child) next time. A good wife to my husband. A better daughter to my parents, a great elder sister to my siblings.

Own a nice small bookstore and cafe.

Go on the Trans Siberian Railway.

Travel Essentials

Here are stuff that I lug with me onto the plane. I have an insecurity issue and tend to bring more than I should, but I like to have my things with me especially on longer flights.

My camera. Of course, it stays by my side all the time, no matter small ones or big ones, I can't possibly check it in right? Along with it comes the extra memory cards and batteries, lenses and what-have-yous.

A little cosmetic pouch containing facial cleanser, moisturiser, lip balm, hand cream, sunblock, a small mirror, maybe a little powder, tooth brush and tooth paste and a little towel. I have to be a little careful packing the pouch these days due to all the airline and airport restrictions.

An empty water bottle. I hate asking for water and they give you little plastic cups. Never enough to satisfy my thirst and I feel like a little old troublesome fussy old woman if I ask for a cup too many. Besides, I love drinking water, keeps me hydrated. I avoid coffee and alcohol when I fly, bad bad bad! I relent sometimes and have coffee, usually towards the end of the flight or if it is a short flight. The coffee sucks most of the time, not much of a coffee fix if you ask me. I used to bring along my own bottle of water but again with all the restrictions now, just bring along an empty bottle and get it filled up for you on the plane. Fuss free and environment friendly too since I will not be wasting all those little plastic cups.

Tea - I hate the ones from airlines. I vow to bring my own come the next trip! I have always meant to bring my own, somehow, it is always the one thing that I forget.

Socks. To keep my feet nice and warm, some planes have Antarctic like temperatures. Of course I take them off when I go to the toilet! I wonder if it helps in reducing DVT even when they are not flight socks. I have a lightweight jacket with me too. I hate using the blanket that is provided, too much static!

A magazine or a book that is a light read. All the better in helping me pass the time on the plane. It is not every time that I take Singapore airlines that come with a good variety of entertainment channels you know. Sometimes I will read the guidebook and study the map. That is when I get a little too bored.

I suffer from neck aches ever so often, a neck pillow would be essential. I am thinking of getting a eye mask soon! Hopefully that might lull me into sleep.

A list of important numbers and contacts, airline info, hotels info, maps, embassy info, banks and emergency numbers, a copy of my passport. I have the same list saved in my email as well. Yes, this may seem a little too extreme and paranoid, but i like to feel prepared and it reduces my anxiety and give me a peace of mind.

Most importantly, bring along a sunny disposition. it is all you really need to survive long flights, rude stewardesses, stinky neighbours (eh, remember to bring medicated oil for this) and yucky food

Things that I Can't Live Without.

Lip balm - So that I will not have horrid looking chapped lips. I don't usually use lipsticks so much, and lip balm makes me feel like I have "completed" putting on my make up. It has become a habit, it is always in my bag.

Hand cream - With the ridiculous amount of house chores that I am doing, my hands are turning hideously dry and rough. I can't let that happen!

Books - Or any reading or any reading material when I am desperate. I need to read on a daily basis, at the every least, the daily paper in the morning. Being totally engrossed and lost in a story is one of life's greatest little pleasure.

My hand phone - I can unabashedly say that I can never do without it! Used to listen to the radio while on buses, running errands til my brother got me an iPod.

My iPod - I need music when I run my errands or on trains and buses. I will go on a trip into a world of my own.

Television - For me to tune in and cop out.

Air conditioning - Bad for environment, but I can't do without it at night.

Hario kettle - Mega cute, boils water in a jiffy, great thing to have around the house when a fancy for a cup of tea, coffee, horlicks, milo or hot chocolate strikes.

The internet - Recipes, book tickets, read gossip. Chatting with friends overseas for hours would have cost a limp done over the phone. Aimless surfing, watching bo liao videos, travel tips, shopping. Finding friends whom I have lost touched with over the years. Where would we all be without it?

My little organiser - Helps me remember important dates, scribble some quotes, write nonsense, doodle, and keeps my life organised.

Coffee and tea- I can survive a day without it, but 3 days is a little stretching it. I love its nutty aroma, the slight bitterness it leaves on your tongue, its luxurious rich brown colour and how it perks me up right after. Tea is perfect after a very tiring day. It never fails to soothe and it great for a gossip session with friends!

My passport - But of course!

Water - Apart from the obvious fact that it keeps us alive, I like drinking it very cold on a very hot day. It makes me feel like I will have great skin if I drink a lot of it.

Marmalade - It is for the anglophile in me. I got to have some in the fridge. I feel grown up eating it. HAHAHAHAHA! Marmalade is an acquired taste, used to detest it when I was young.

Showers - I am a shower person not a bath person. (not that I have a bath at home anyway.) A nice hot shower at night to relax and a cold cold blast in the day to feel invigorated and refreshed. After the shower, good to slather on some Molton Brown body lotion before bed time!

Chocolates - I love those things. Makes me happy eating them. I absolutely adore Cote d'Or dark chocolate with hazelnuts. I love love anything chocolate.

Vanilla sugar - Goes very well with tea. Smells good, looks sophisticated. Good for baking too.

Iron and iron board - I have an unhealthy obsession with ironing almost everything. I need everything to look nice and pressed. From bedsheets to sleepwear.

Po Chai pills and Ju Yu Oil.

Boxes and containers - I need to keep things need and pigeonhole everything little thing at home. I think it is bordering on madness. It is pointless to tell me that I am being excessive, I already know that!

My camera - Partly to freeze memories, mostly for pure narcissistic reasons.