Off to Canada

It's 2am in the morning...I just finished my functional analysis write-ups...Gonna hit the sack now. Will be waking up in less than 3 hours' time to head to the airport to catch our flight to Toronto.

The idea for this trip was first conceived while Tim and I were on our way back from Colorado almost exactly a year ago. The moment we came back, Tim immediately looked for places where we could spend another white Xmas. He contacted PW and Chris who tot he was crazy to talk abt booking a trip one year in advance.

Now one year on, we have 3 couples from Houston, 1 guy from Austin, and 1 couple + 1 girl all the way from Singapore going on this Eastern Canada trip together. Bet we'll have loads of fun! Woohoo!

Good buy, Best buy, Must buy!

Check out my stash!

Brown and white satchel



Been wanting to get a bag that can fit my bulky Oakley sunglases box. Finally, I found the perfect bag!

Denim hobo

The most expensive of the lot. Tim got it for me as a Xmas prezzie. Yippee!

Fire-engine Red Wristlet

My very first wristlet

Black Swingpack

Hmm....this is probably a mistake cos i already have the same design in kaki. Then again, I have used the other one for more than one and a half years, so probably time to change. I'm finding an excuse again to justify my impulsion.

Kaki wallet

Actually, I only just started using the Braun Buffels wallet Teck Sh*t gave me as a farewell or was it Xmas prezzie before I left for Houston, so I don't need a new wallet any time soon. What's more, I am not a person that likes to change my wallet frequently. But this is a classic Coach design that wun go out of fashion. Since there is a huge discount on it, why not get it now, right? Excooses again!

Mini Skinny Coin Pouch

Cheapest of the lot. Another classic!


Fire Engine Red Watch


Don't you think it matches the wristlet perfectly?!!

A watch was the only thing I wanted to buy before I went San Marcos. Hmm.....

Why am I so busy this holiday season?

I've just been assigned to go Dallas for three days next week to conduct functional analysis interviews for a report that has to go out before Jan 10, 2008.

So what's wrong?

The problem is I am going to Canada on Dec 21, 2007 and will only be back on Jan 5, 2007. This means that I will have to complete the write-ups before I leave which leaves me with just 1 full day to write the notes. Typically for every hour of interview conducted, I spent an average of 3 hours writing it. So considering I might have at least 13 hours of interviews, that will take me at least 36 hours, which is equivalent to 3 12-hour work days, to complete. Like dat how to enjoy my vacation in peace?

On a lighter note, I am looking forward to the Holiday Party this Sat. I missed the one last year as I was away in LA taking my ASA exam. Have already booked an appt with a salon to style my hair. :P

Retail Therapy

The main purpose of going to San Marcos over the weekend was to meet up with Yaohan who has been assigned to handle a two-month project in Austin. It is not often that we get visitors in Texas so even though I was really bogged down with work, I still made the trip to the outlet mall with Tim. Our intention was really not to shop. We even thought long and hard for stuff to buy so as to further justify the long drive there.....

In the end, I blew US$500 on Coach bags and they are all for myself!

This is the first time I had spent so much on bags. If I remembered correctly, when I was still in Singapore, the most I spent on a bag was just S$50!

Why did I spend so much then? Maybe it is due to the storewide 20% discount + additional 10%, maybe it is because I may be going back Singapore for good soon, so no more easy access to cheap(er) Coach, maybe it is because Tim got me one of the bags as Xmas prezzie which allows me to get more, or maybe I am just stressed over work and needed some retail therapy.

Whatever the reason, I am still flabbergasted by my action. Will show off my stash - a satchel, small hobo, swingpack, wristlet, coin pouch and wallet - when I have the time to take photos.

Back to writing my functional analysis writeup at 12.21am. Urgh....

Honeymoon - Maui

I was going over my previous posts when I realised i wrote the entry below but didn't post it...It's our 3rd day itinerary in Hawaii....


Day 3 - Nov 23, 2007

- Woke up @ 7am after just two hours of sleep. (It's amazing how little sleep we need when were having fun! Imagine if we were to sleep just a couple of hours before going to work)

- Walked along Waikiki Beach for the last time.

- Headed for the airport to catch our 935am flight to Maui

- Ate my first Burger King in the US. (Tim and I shared a box of French toast sticks)

- Touched down at about 1010am.

- Collected our rental car and drove to Marriott Beach Resort and Spa at Wailea.

- Was told that our room would only be ready at 4pm. Urgh...

- Changed into our swimwear and headed for the beach

- Had the best chili hotdog ever in our car which we bought from a roadside stall. (We originally wanted to sit on the beach but a dog kept following us around)

- Snorkelled for the first time in Hawaii

- Saw our first green turtle almost immediately after we got into the ocean.

- Checked into our hotel room at about 4pm.

- Went for Spa for two by the ocean. Very expensive but totally relaxing!

- Tabao-ed Shaka Pizza for dinner

- Zonked out by 10 due to the lack of sleep from the day before. Had to wake up really early to travel down the Road to Hana...

Algonquin Park Dog Sledding Trips

When Tim suggested for us to go for a dog sledding trip in Canada, I happily agreed thinking that it would be just a walk in the park until we received an email from the provider which suggested otherwise.

Here’s an excerpt from the email:

“Although we will set the pace and the experience to the group's ability, this adventure will challenge you physically and emotionally. You will be physically active from the time you arrive until the time you leave. You will help move the dogs in and out of the yard and harness and hook them into a team. Driving a team involves controlling the sled by leaning pulling on the handle bar in turns, applying brake pressure to slow the sled on descents, running or walking uphill and pushing or peddling to help the team as needed.”

Did I mention I am afraid of dogs?