I wish the photos would just shoot, print and appear by themselves. Thinking about the impending photoshoot makes me feel tired already!

The frequency of questions along the lines of “how’s the preparation going” and “are you excited” is increasingly exponentially. Preparations are going just fine and yes I am so excited because…Life and work is so busy right now and lacking in public holidays that I am so excited for May to come because it means I finally can take some (extended) leave! =D

My days are so much brighter when there are TV shows with so many episodes to catch up on and I can watch non-stop.

It was the first Valentine-style Valentines’ date of my life. I do not remember ever being in a relationship, or a good relationship, on Valentines’ ever (though I remember receiving some pretty cute gifts!).

On our first Vday, we went to PS cafe one day in advance and I had piano lesson on the day itself. I lugged the huge box of cupcakes he gave me to lesson and my teacher asked me why I did not inform him of my new boyfriend.

On our second Vday, it was Chinese New Year, so we took a stroll around his cousin’s place. I met his extended family for the first time and his little nephew asked, “is Chengwei jiejie in love with Lennel Korkor. I think she likes him.”

On our third Vday, we went to PS cafe at Ann Siang hill because we could not get any other reservations. He got me a Polaroid and we went to Mr Bean for dessert as we were not that satisfied with PS cafe. We ran into Elayne.

We initially planned to do nothing this year as (I quote him) “all presents and celebrations are suspended and will be reinstated next year”. In the end, he did plan a little surprise and I said it was in typical Vday style as-

1. I received not one, but two roses! He bought one from students raising fuss for charity and one came free with dinner. One real and one fake rose, so at least I get to keep something.

2. We went to a Valentines’ themed concert, complete with mushy dedications being read by the emcee. I did like one that an Australian man made to his wife- “Our love is simple and complicated.”

3. In commercialized-Vday style, he made a reservation one of those Vday-themed dinners at hotel- the cafe at Fullerton! I have never been to one of these, ha!

I was truly excited when I realized we were dining at Fullerton as I have never done anything there besides walk through their lobby, let alone eat there! We had the Vday buffet dinner at the cafe and I had a good time, besides the overeating part. I felt like we were celebrating our first Valentines together, especially since i it my hair dyed that afternoon, almost as if I was dressing up for the occasion.

Anyway, I had a good time eating and a difficult time trying not to stuff my face entirely with bread and butter, my all time favourite staple. The buffet spread for mains was relatively small, but delicious and the dessert selection was quite huge- heart shaped chocolates and heart shaped icing galore! I really wanted to eat a mountain of everything.

And we ran into his boss!

It was a very lovely, relaxing, yummy evening. That said, every Valentines’ together has been nice, because it is never what you do, but who you spend it with.

Oh, I was greeted with a Vday wish from one of my closest friends the moment I woke up that morning- it put a huge grin on my face too! Thank you! =D

P.S: I did not get him anything…luckily I managed to pick out the Absolut Vodka edition which he wanted to add to his collection from the airport.

We went to watch a short Valentines’ Day special concert by the Philharmonic Winds today!

I have been listening to so much classical in the past few years, save for the fast tracks I use to motivate myself to keep going at the end of my runs. Tonight’s concert featured a collection of love songs, movie tracks, chinese songs, Disney songs…and I truly enjoyed it so much! It reminded me that music (and art), at the end of the day, is a product of a time and age…meant to speak to people of a time and age. I have almost forgotten that even all the classical music I listen to were once ‘the music’ in a particular moment in history, written by composers living and breathing in those times. The songs I heard tonight emerged of the days I grew up in, and it was very heartwarming to hear them, after a very long time of forgetting them.

The musicians also included a two song tribute to Whiney Housten, in light of her sudden death in the weekend- “I will always love you” (surprise surprise) and “One Moment in Time”. The saxaphone and piano collaboration of the former was strangely touching, and the latter kind of brought tears to my eyes. (Saw a performer wiping tears off his eyes onstage too…) I have not heard it in a long time, but I have always loved “One Moment in Time”. It was one of those songs I constantly listened to in secondary school (even to motivate myself to memorize Shakespeare quotes, ha!), and I always found the words to be very inspirational…still do. Simple words which express a wish that every man secretly harbours.

Yet another iconic musician has passed on. It is ironic that musicians and artistes tend to enjoy a revival when they are gone, when they are no longer around to enjoy it. But does not change the fact that she was quite an icon.

One Moment In Time
Whitney Houston

Each day I live

I want to be
A day to give
The best of me
I’m only one
But not alone
My finest day
Is yet unknown

I broke my heart
Fought every gain
To taste the sweet
I face the pain
I rise and fall
Yet through it all
This much remains

I want one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

I’ve lived to be
The very best
I want it all
No time for less
I’ve laid the plans
Now lay the chance
Here in my hands

Give me one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

You’re a winner for a lifetime
If you seize that one moment in time
Make it shine

Give me one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be
I will be
I will be free
I will be
I will be free

This trip has been about:
Eat
Sleep
Read/TV by pool
Jogging alone by the beach (in pavement)
Stoning
Envying hot mamas at the pool
Walking a little
Periodic chatting
Whatsapp/iMessage

It’s exactly what I needed. I finally had time to finish reading the latest issue of International Piano, which was a delight when I could alternate between reading and resting.

I feel great and will be back in time tomorrow for Valentines. I miss him.

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The only bad thing is I cannot tan this time round due to events ahead.

I forgot to bring my iPod, so I’m listening to Romeo and Juliet on the iPad. Tragic music, but still very nice. I miss this recording.

I am so grateful a break is here.

Skinny and slim him wins me hands down in everything single thing, such as body fat percentage (taking into account gender differences). I am glad to say I win him hands down in the area which is probably the most difficult to improve.

It was interesting to see that my brother’s physique was extremely similar to mine- your natural body properties (if there is such a term) does run in the genes!

The entire family had a go at it and it was so confusing to read. I think we will be using the weighing-flare function most of the time.

P.S: My brother and I have the same metabolic age and I am dating someone with a metabolic age of 27, heehee. I am young!