My Swimming Baby Dragon

Bloomberg Nov 2011: 

"Many families are also likely to want their children born in 2012, the year of the dragon. Five percent more babies are born in a dragon year because the icon of China’s emperors symbolizes power and wealth, said Cheung Tak Hong, who runs the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong"

The Straits Times Dec 2011: 

"From renovating maternity wards to dangling discounts in blood cord storage, the hospitals are hoping to attract mothers-to-be. Private hospitals are gearing up for a Year of the Dragon baby boom next year, as some Chinese parents still believe that those born under this Chinese zodiac sign are ambitious, creative and successful." 

The China Post Dec 2011:

"Amid the strong baby boom in the Year of the Dragon, a significant increase is seen in the number of sterile patients visiting gynecologists for medical treatment, according to Wu."

So there you are, there is a rush. Everyone wants a Dragon bundle of joy.

The general characteristics of a Dragon Baby are alertness, high energy and an enthusiasm to learn skills. They may be leaders from an early age whilst having a compassionate and friendly nature, making them sociable and easy to integrate into any group. Due to their inner strength they may be rather erratic and fickle in their early development; parents of Dragon babies will certainly know their lives have taken on a new dimension (on a very positive note). In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected (just because the Emperor's deemed a Dragon?)

So since mj will be born in 2012, we will be anticipating a Water Dragon! Water Dragon Babies in particular will have great strength and a strong sense of self. During their development they will be able to find solutions easily and effortlessly and may develop a strong will when they feel they are not being heard (in other words, stubborn!). In Feng Shui the element of water relates to wealth so the arrival of a Water Dragon baby signifies monetary gains (4D? Toto?). The luck of those born in such a year improves when they are prepared to travel and change their residence often (So I see it's better to let our chick out of the nest when he/she is all grown up).

Now, I need to know if our Water Dragon will be have a good relationship with Metal Roosters (1981)! Many old folks validated its claims that it is the perfect combination because the home will have a Dragon 龍 and Phoenix 鳳. Let's see...

According to www.chineseastrology.com:

The Rooster and Dragon are soul mates and 2012 promises to be a stellar one for plucky Roosters. The industrious Rooster is many times the power behind the achievement oriented Dragon's throne. If adulation is what you seek, 2012 will definitely bring that to a peak! Roosters (especially 1933 Water Roosters & 1981 Metal Roosters) will enjoy very good luck, harmony within their family.

I am stupefied that people in this generation are still consulting the stars to plan for perfect harmony. Getting married in the Tiger or Rabbit year just to project in a little Dragon. For not so fertile fellows like these two Roosters at home, a baby is such a blessing. Who cares if baby's a Rat or Horse or Cat! We do not believe in the signs but the googling for the above information was really interesting. Now, I am worried about mj's Primary One Registration Exercise with so many Dragons in town! Remember May, you said you wouldn't be a kiasu parent ...

footnote for Phyllis (who believes only in western horoscopes and that she is at loggerheads with Geminis *hahah*):
GEMINI DRAGON: These are life's performers, taking pleasure in the company of others. Gemini Dragons can accomplish several tasks at once and are able to juggle many conversations successfully. However, taking on anything in depth is not really their style.

Thirty's around the corner

I started looking for a venue since the beginning of the year. It isn't going to be easy booking a space on New Year's Day itself so I had better start cracking early. We went from PS Cafes to The White Rabbit to Mimo and Riders Cafe. I was bent on the throwing the party at Fairways Drive Green where Mimo stood. With its casual setting and horse stables, families will be easily accommodated. There were even plans for kiddy rides on ponies. Alas, my hopes were dashed when Marmalade Pantry took over and renovated the Alice in Wonderland concept of the whole restaurant. My guests were supposed to step into May's Wonderland with Brunch and Dessert Buffet. All fairy-tale and dreamy.

Instead of housing seventy guests, we will now be expecting thirty (including mj) in four days at Salt Grill and Sky Bar by Luke Mangan. That works out well too, making it more meaningful with the numbers don't you think?

The Dining Room

Invitations Checked
RSVPs Checked

Welcome Drink Checked

Entrees Checked
Main Courses Checked
Desserts Checked
Muslim Friendly Menu Checked
Preggers Menu Checked
Table Settings Checked
Baby Chairs Checked
Flora Centerpieces Checked
Photographer Checked

Problem is, I am at wits' end about the program and the birthday cake! Should I have a program? Should I have a birthday cake? My husband's saying YES but I can't think of anything now that we are ninety-six hours away.

Till then, I hope I've raised your hopes towards a perfect New Year's Day luncheon! If there isn't going to be a cake or program, just relish in the company and celebrate the start of a new year together! My Treat! *smiles*

Invitation Gifts in time for Christmas  

The Invite

The Effects of a Wandering Mind

It brought me places many might find whimsical or even bizarre. I am unmistakably a thinker in Myer Briggs Personality test (no matter how many times I do it). Whether I had been critically or creatively thinking, I am nevertheless in a vicious cycle of introspection. That can be pretty wearying and daunting for a thinker herself.

I have learnt quite a fair share of the Mind in my Psychology classes. Our consciousness is only the tip of an iceberg. That is why I am intimidated by the deep ocean. It is too mysterious, too doubtful. You drown if your oxygen runs out and you risk bumping into a deep-sea angler. Holy cow! That will scare my skin off! The uncertainties of the deep murky light-less waters. Discovering the truths (your fears, your selfish needs or irrational wishes) can be quite a burden.

  

Meyer is perpetually amazed by the dreams I weave and so do I! They had been pretty imaginative I must say. Some left me flabbergasted by my own creativity, some left me a wet pillow to dry, while others left my heart pounding like I had just jumped off the platform without the bungee rope. It amazes me every time when I can feel my emotions so strongly in each dream. Every dream never felt like one. I was the main lead of a real life operation. 

I lassoed a whale while I was out on a fishing trip. The whale was so strong, she threw me out of my boat into the air as I hung onto my dear life. As she struggled off the rope, swimming onwards, I was violently tossed in mid-air. With that, I felt my heart drop (mind you, consciously). I experienced a roller-coaster ride, right here at home, in my dream. It was real. That feeling. My heart literally dropped.

In another dream, I held my mother's frail hand. She was standing there, unfortunately, with a crumbling face. I cried in my dream and the next thing I know, I cried myself awake. I felt that touch. I can still feel it now.

Yet in another, *haha* I dreamt that my palm's an ultra-sound scanner. It was so real in the dream I was darn sure I hadn't been dreaming. Seriously. As I place my palm around my belly, I saw mj (may/meyer junior) smiling back at me. All fully fomed and floating in the amniotic sac. The feeling was captivating. As I move my palm around towards the genital area, I saw nuts. *hahha* Well, is a boy isn't it? My gynae replied, "girls don't have testicles do they?" It was a fun dream and I was damned to have woken up. Mind you, the scan I dreamt was in 3D like the picture below. Oh goodness me.

I saw mj

I wouldn't go on with the over-sized bullcart Meyer drove that could go on both land and water or the insanity of sleepless nights when I had been thinking too much at night. There had never been a night that I had not dream. Every night is a tiring day-out for me. Well, since I am still stuck at home *shrugs*

your Name is your Identity, Love It!

What is your name?

Do you identify with it? If you don't, did you give yourself a name you prefer being addressed as? I have friends who gave me the privilege of naming them because they just couldn't live with their Chinese names. I, too, asked my mummy when I was little, "Why didn't you give me a Christian name?" She replied, "Isn't Liang May a nice name? You are Chinese." I had been ashamed of my name.

Christian names are given at baptism. It is traditionally a personal name formally given to Christians at christening. However, this is now loosely used as an English name for cross-cultural ease. We are concerned about how the caucasians might call us and hope to make their lives easier. Instead of "lee-ang-may", I might get a "lian-may". Instead of a Mrs "young", I might hear a Mrs "yee-ang". But hey,  why are we bothered about that? If we can adapt to their cultures, why not them? I don't see a need for us to change, add or subtract just to convenience them. Yes, they used to rule and we tailed behind their backs. Not anymore.

The influence of western cultures caught up with us in a mere decade or less. We are exposed to everything "ang mo" that we even (pretend to) cut up a five-tiered styrofoam wedding cake at weddings. Do we actually know the meaning of a wedding cake in a western culture? Have we been following the all-mighty (western) values and customs blindly. Well, don't forget, our roots are from China, Malaya and India. Nothing on us shouts WHITE!

How more horrible can this naming proceeding get? *hahah* when you give your child a very 'uneqqee' name and you pronounce it wrongly. What a joke!

The Mei-Lings and Ying-Yings are considered as old-fashioned but I find them intriguingly timeless. If the 'ang mos' can't pronounce Tham Kai Ming, they just call him 'Kai' for short! What's so complex about that?

So, Oh No! What's Junior gonna be called? I love naming my Jim Thompson elephants and I can give them names in a flash. In fact, I'm proud of the names I gave them but it is a tough one when it comes to your own child. I (We) like a lot of English names and they come storming into my (our) head(s) but I need to stick to my conviction! *hahah* So... the baby won't have a name until probably after birth because Meyer and I have an insubstantial list of chinese vocabulary to build a name after 杨. Someone else needs to name this little tot on our behalves.

Visitors to Brighten Every Single Day

Day One - First December Twenty Eleven
We've got the Kohs over for dinner and had a swelling good time soaking in the festive mood with the stunning Christmas tree. Their laughter and Jo-Lynn's loveliness put a start to a new December for me. She's covering her mouth in case she accidentally pouts or cries cause Santa's coming to town! Well, at least that's what I guess she's thinking!

A Family Portrait at Christmas

Day Two - Second December Twenty Eleven

Jasmine, Carole and Phyllis decided to do a late-night picnic in St. Regis and visit with MacDonald's French Fries, Chicken Rice, Koi and Desserts. It was a much appreciated visit to keep the spirits up with big chuckles. 

The Bloggers

Day Three - Third December Twenty Eleven

Today, Tracey visited for lunch at Yan Ting where Executive Chef Law Yip Lum brings traditional delicacies and dim sums to the table. The Fish Maw Soup was delicious! How I wish I can have it every other day!!!!

Lunch at Yan Ting

Day Four - Fourth December Twenty Eleven

Checked out today but still I had visitors at home! Ezra, Kayla and parents popped in for dinner. It is Ezra's birthday tomorrow and he has come to collect his birthday gift. Of course, watching Despicable Me on DVD was a bigger treat than the gift itself. He is already Seven. How time flies.

Ezra's Seven Years Old!

Babymooning at an Eminent Address

Arrived at our Holiday Home for the next ninety-six hours

This won't be the last babymoon! Even though I'm bed-resting on another patch besides our own, it just feels different. I am definitely more at ease and in anticipation to do more than simply sulking. We've got a butler at our beck and call bringing me my daily nightcap (warm milk), arranging dining reservations and picking up after us. Best of all, Meyer doesn't need to wash another cup or plate in the sink from my recurring snacking!

We are located in the heart of prestigious downtown, the St. Regis is Singapore's most eminent address as they have claimed. How extravagant but No! We will be spending the same amount of money if we were to fly to Bali. It is unfortunate we will not be able to travel out of Singapore any time soon be it by road, sea or air. This is the best alternative we can think of. Then again, I have to thank the husband for fulfilling my whims and fancy. mmmm but he did say NO to the villa at Capella which cost double St. Regis though *hahah*

I was looking forward to a brisk walk along Orchard Road to soak in the festive spirit during the stay. Pity, I am now back to putting my feet off the ground. Thank goodness for the Christmas cheers in the lobby! It is a blessing and we snapped away capturing every smashing moment.

Our first photograph together since the baby arrived

A very blessed Christmas

It is the start of December and the commencement of Junior's fourteenth week. Looking forward to the joy and love that follows in the following months!