Almost 1 month of Ringo!

Ringo had been amazing.. He is a super sweet puppy.. We are so blessed to have him… Of course, there’s a number of ups and downs..

1st week-
It was tough… We had a lot of difficulties trying to crate him. Crating is important as it will give us a peace of mind when we leave home for work and when we sleep. We literally had to talk softly and persuade him to go to crate. Many nights, we just carried him into the crate.

Our breeder gave us a lot of support and suggestions. She’s amazing!

Ringo ears are still not standing. One of them is floppy ( until now!) .. Breeder actually came to our home to tape his ears… We were scared that she wanted to bring Ringo home… Phew…. Ringo’s still with us.

2nd week-
We are still trying to crate train him. We began just throwing random treats in the crate and even also tied a rawhide to the side of the crate. Gosh… It worked!! Ringo learnt really fast and was soon really excited to go to his crate. This makes us feel so much better when we are away and can’t bring him with us.

Ringo is really cute… He literally just zoom into his crate when it’s sleeping time… To think that we were having so much trouble and headaches thinking of how to crate-train him on the first week.. Haha

This is also the week that we started going for puppy lessons. This is a 6 weeks class, teaching owners how to train their puppies. Bing and Ringo did well (most of the time) in class πŸ˜‰ I also feel so glad that the breeder had actually trained Ringo pretty well as he is already well behaved.

3rd week-
We went for our first outing together with Jo and her dog, Mandy. We also sat outdoors, so that the doggies could join us.

Our first family picture

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4th week-
Halloween with Ringo. He was really well-behaved when kids knocked on the door for treats πŸ˜‰ Here’s our lion…

(He really didn’t like his outfit)

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So far, we are really happy … May Ringo always be a good and healthy puppy.. And we plan to bring him for Agility lessons soon!!

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7th 6eptember!

*This is a belated post*

I was chatting with some friends a few weeks back, telling them that this is our 7th year of marriage and on top of that we have been together for 13 years! wow! you know how the ” 7 year itch” is a term that suggests that happiness in a relationship will start to go down after around year 7?! Gosh.. how scary! and how the number 13 is not a good number?! and to think that ….we are at this point now! *shivers*

Well, BH and I are still very happy together. I am not sure about BH but at least, I wake up everyday feeling blessed and contented. When I get irritated or upset, I will snap myself out of it, give myself a pinch and think “Sheesh… why did I deprive myself of being happy for X minutes!” You know… life is so precious… who knows what’s going to happen in the next second!

For this year, BH and I headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for our anniversary! It’s a short 4 Day, 3 nights trip. I’m not too sure if I mention this before…but BH had some mileage on Southwest and travelling to Mexico is the best way to utilize the miles (since it is considered a International flight) + I travel for free as I’m on companion pass.

Took a super early flight out on 5 September and arrived in the evening around 6pm (after a flight delay due to technical repairs). We stayed at Secrets Vallarta Bay. The resort was really nice… it was like a fortress by itself.

Imagine this… as the taxi approach the resort, there is a HUGE gate with a guard house… the taxi stops and the guard comes out to make sure that the resort is expecting you… then the gate opens…your taxi drives up an elevated S-curve driveway… and you are bedazzled by the amazing view…. then you realized… you are in paradise!

View from resort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, we were tired and hungry…. so we checked in. Our room was nice but it’s just too near the elevators. We can actually hear people walking in and out of the elevators. Also, the *beep beep* warning sound from the elevators’ doors. We were too tired to take any pictures or ‘complain’ so we just accepted the room.

The first thing we did at the resort was… to go for dinner!

Food was good but the portion was small… well… I guess, it’s good.. as we can eat however much we want since it’sΒ ALL-INCLUSIVE!! Oh yes, beverages and alcohol included!

Us at Puerto Vallerta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning, besides getting woken up by the noise outside our room… we also heard the sound of the sea waves – so serene! We got changed, had a light breakfast and hang out by the pool… just chilling.. I love such vacations… no specific places to go…just enjoying the food, drinks and view. (I got to add.. the beach at Cancun looks cleaner and more ‘blue’… the infinity pool at Sun Palace was way nicer than this one….but it’s still good.. at least it’s less crowded)

Drinking cocktail by the pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon, we decided to take a stroll at Broadwalk.. which was a short cab ride away. It was way tooooooooo hot… regretted it the moment we got out of the cab.. gosh… took a few pictures and headed back to the resort…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When BH booked the room, …we informed the resort beforehand that it’s our anniversary! we received champagne in our room and breakfast in bed the next morning!! wooohoo!! πŸ˜€

Anniversary special

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every day, the chambermaid will put a program sheet in our room, telling us the various activities happening in the resort… LOOOOK! Bing’s name was on it!! They forgot my name though… haha..

Basically, we just spent the next day eating, drinking, soaking in the pool, spending time with each other ( and with our phones + ipad Β , internet connection was fabulous!) It was sooooo relaxing… everything I want a vacation to be… Feeling so blessed to be able to come this far and enjoy life together!!!

we are 7!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This resort actually have pretty good night entertainment activities.. there were fire shows, casino night and acoustic live singing on each respective night we were there ! BH and I would hang out in the lobby… have some drinks and just chat while enjoying the sea breeze and view. It was monsoon season.. so it did rain heavily!! Fortunately , it usually stops after an hour or so…

Our vacation ended when we had to go back to work on Wednesday. There’s a 2 hour time difference between Mexico and Seattle. Ever since we got back, we are always hungry at the wrong time.. still trying to get used to the fact that food/drinks/good service is no longer a phone call or a hand wave away!! hahaha.. Hope to go back soon!!

If you ask me… Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? I will say……..Cancun if you love beaches. Puerto Vallarta if you wanna get away from the crowds.

It was a fabulous trip nevertheless!! Happy 6eptember to us and many more to come!!

How old?!

While waiting for my hair to dry, I tried out http://how-old.net , which is launched by Microsoft.

Believe me.. I tried many many pictures and I was soooo sad that This website always detect BIng to be younger than me!!! How can!!!

Out of curiosity, I tried my parents pictures too.. Woooo..they are younger than their real age!!! Hahaha…

I came to a conclusion – this website works better for people who are older!!! If you think you are young, don’t use this website to confirm your age!!!

Some pictures to prove my point!! πŸ™‚

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Amanda’s 2014 review

I know I had neglected my blog again. It had been a long while since I blogged πŸ™

It’s the first entry of year 2015!! Happy New Year! This year we went to a friend’s place to welcome the new year. Guess how we spent the 1st minute of the new year? Of course, we drank champagne! So as the saying goes or rather the Amanda’s theory – “If you spent the first minute of the new year drinking champagne, you will be drinking champagne for the rest of the year!!” May this be a prophecy for all who still reads my blog!!! *cheers!!*

2014 had gone by in a flash. Let me try to recall some highlights-

Jan/Feb
The first 2.5 months of 2014 was spent in Singapore. Little would i know that this will be the LAST long vacation I will have for a long long time. I had an enjoyable time with family and friends. BH and I finally spent CNY in Singapore and gave out angbaos for the first time since we are married!! We also redeemed our expiring Krisflyer miles and traveled to Bali in Business Class! I love our Bali vacation so much.. probably the best vacation ever!!

March
We returned to Seattle and decided that we can no longer stay in the crappy apartment.We found a fabulous new community to move to. The rent is expensive but we decided that we wanted to enjoy our lives and save on other areas, so we moved. I think God had planned for this all along. After committing ourselves to the new apartment lease, we received good news of our PR status. This means that I can work and help out with saving more! The fear of increased rent was uncalled for! Just when I thought looking for a job will take me a long time…. someone sent an email within the Singaporean Meetup group, saying that his firm have a job vacancy. I applied and started working the next week! This is the reason why I can no longer go back to Singapore for long vacation already. By the way, that was the first resume I sent!!! (I am still working for him now.. my boss is by far the BEST I have ever had!)

April
Hosted Keurig Houseparty – I received a Keurig coffee maker for free!!! so happy to get selected!

May
Stopped volunteering to focus on my new job. Other than that, I can’t recall anything much

June
Trip to Napa Valley!! The first trip we took since I started working!

July
Bing and I discovered that our apartment have 2 fancy grills. We were like grilling steaks every 2 weeks! so delicious!
We also went to Seattle Sounders game with friends.

August
We finally took our post wedding pictures! The pictures turned out great!! Happy that I have 1 thing off my bucket list! πŸ™‚
We also went on a trip to Alaska with Dave and Jo!! Travelling together was so much fun- we will remember this adventure for life!

September
Happy 6th wedding anniversary to us! BH was busy with work but he still spend time to create an album with our photos!

October
Nothing exciting? Bing was working alot

November
Also nothing worth mentioning…

December

Went for Health check and was told that I have high cholesterol!! It is amazing how much I neglected my health when I start working πŸ™
Our vacation to Cancun, Mexico!! Such a relaxing trip!! I really love the all inclusive resort experience!!!
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I guess that sums up my year in 2014!

In 2015, I will
1) go to work on time and leave work on time everyday
2) go to the gym or zumba at least 2 times a week
3) blog at least once a week
4) study hard to get my paraplanning certification

Just like last year, I hope that more good things will come our way and that our family&friends will stay healthy and happy!
Happy New Year! πŸ™‚

My twin!!!!

Bing had been working a whole lot. Today is one of those days that he decide to work late and not come home for dinner. So… I got to cook for myself. Anyhow, I need to squeeze in a post while waiting for my food to cool down a little….

We have assigned parking slots in our apartment. So, just a few days ago, my parking neighbour bought a new car!!!! LOOOK!!!!

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Boo… I think the driver is a girl!! I haven’t met her yet!! What should I say if I see her???

Bing thought our cars look cute together… I can’t help but we feel that she ‘copied’ me πŸ™ hahaha… And I am renaming my car BAYMAX!! Just saw Big Hero 6 and BAYMAX is sooo cute!!! So my car is my BAYMAX now πŸ˜€

Time to eat!

I am still alive!

I haven’t blogged for so long and I forgot my log in to blog!!!! I still can’t rem my log in but luckily ipad saved my info.

Things have been going on great! I think I had gained weight ever since I started working πŸ™

Last weekend, I went to my first soccer match. I am not interested in soccer so I was super bored. However, the weather was really nice until it started drizzling towards the end!

My favorite picture from the day. No editing!!! Love the color of the sky. Can you spot the space needle??

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1st paycheck from Nuffnang!

Heyhey!!! Can you believe it?! I really got my paycheck from Nuffnang!!! Yay!! Super Happy!!

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I actually cashed out at the end of Dec 2013 and only received it on 13 Feb, the day I left SG!! Luckily, my parents could deposit the cash in my bank account πŸ˜€ So, it took me about 5 years+ to earn $66!!! Well, better than nothing right??! Do help to click on my nuffnang ads at the sidebar!!!

So far in SG…

I am loving the weather in SG now. It is not as warm as I remembered. In fact, I can sleep without the aircon!! Amazing right?? It is either because my family installed a powerful ceiling fan or the weather is just right!! Actually, I am extremely glad to be out of the COLD USA

Most days, I spend time at home with my family and Bambi! Really embarrassed to say this but… I love being looked after after my parents. It is wonderful not to think about what to cook, doing the housework… Blah blah… I do help around in the house but my mum have her style of housekeeping… So u get the idea but I still help her when I can

Some other days, I meet up with my friends! It’s amazing how each and everyone had grown and moved on with their lives! I m happy to see my friends with their fellow partners, their small family, successful career. I m glad that throughout the years our friendship remains constant! To think about it, I do feel a little sad for myself as I have not achieve or done anything great over the years. At the same time, I also can’t help but to think of the many ‘what-ifs’ scenario. I only know that I m a much happier person than before now πŸ™‚ well, i guess that’s all that matters

Remaining other other days, I am excited to decorate our home for the first time for CNY! It is gonna be simple but I haven’t had a chance until now! I also found myself actually counting down the days to BH’s arrival in SG! Btw, 20 more days!

So many things to look forward to…. ^.^

brrrr.. cold

Can’t believe that my last blog entry was over a month ago!!!
NOOO… I have not given up on blogging.. just that I have been sooo preoccupied everyday

Last month, BH and I went to San Jose for BattleHack World Championship 2013 – BH and his team represented Seattle. Though they did not win the grand prize of $100K, I was super proud of the effort they put into their project πŸ™‚

In the month of NOV, I also attended 2 cooking classes with Jo. It was a fun experience. As it was hands-on, we had little pictures

The weather here is getting cold. “Super cold” is an understatement. The word is ‘FREEZING’
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The above pic shows the windscreen of my car. It’s icy! I got to scrape the ice away before I can drive! The bottled water we have inside our car FROZE too!! Really cold.. This is when I miss Singapore’s weather πŸ˜€

Well, I was supposed to be back in SG this week for vacation. However, I got to change the date because of SOMETHING which I can’t reveal here ( No, not pregnant) I spent 1k to delay the flight.. and realised that my flight next week could be overbooked! I don’t have a seat allocated to me but I am not on waiting list too. I have no idea what’s going to happen. I do want to come home for X’mas!! Wish me luck!!

ohh… the highlight of the week was meeting my Secondary school classmate who happen to have the same birthday as me!! Her family had been relocated here too!! What are the odds right! and it was my primary school friends who told me about her.. heh.. Glad to know another Singaporean friend in the area πŸ™‚

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Shall update soon!

Halloween Party

Nov 2

Our friends Sam and Denny held the Halloween Party again this year! The thing about Halloween is you got to dress up! Well… We didn’t want to buy any costumes so we improvised!

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Can you figure out what we are dressed up as?

So, BH is the Brawny Kitchen roll guy
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And, I was Dory!
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It was a fun night! πŸ™‚ Regrettably, I didn’t take any other pictures because my phone had low batt πŸ™