Couplehood

The Monday Faithful: Just A Little Post This Week.

Rather Delicious

I'm Writing This, On My iPhone

I'm on my way back from work in a taxi from Queenstown. I couldn't resist making sure I came back with Singapore's finest Char Kway Teow, as some of my buddies would insist. It's filling up the taxi with an oily, delicious smell. I've chosen to spare the taxi driver from the noxious vapours of lard and garlic by winding down the rear windows. I'm sure he's thankful.

Headaches

Okay, confession. I've been totally swamped with work over the weekend, and it came to the point where I just didn't feel up to it any more. I basically collapsed and blacked out from a blinding headache over the weekend. I'm better now, though, but I admit the headaches are starting to get on my nerves.

Speaking of headaches, the work's still staring me in the face. Fortunately for me, I'm in a much better headspace to make it all work.

Rosy Rosy Rashes

The little boy is recovering from a bout of rashy rashiness. We think it's either the oats or the chicken, but we are starting to think that the blended pork might have something to do with it too. We're keeping a lookout and being very, very careful, because once his tummy gets inflammed, it's all back to square one.

Taking Care of Me

The lady's incredibly understanding the past few days, making it easy me for to take a breather here and there. I know taking care of the boy while I'm busy is hard work. There are quite a few things to monitor and I'm sure she could do with whatever help I can spare her. She's lost quite a bit of weight running around and getting stuff done, which makes me worry a little, and feel a little envious, because when I'm getting stuff done, I put on weight.

Okay, I'm all out for the day. I've got loads to do and I need to catch up. Be back later in the week.

The Last Days At Work

I'm packing my bags, yes I am. It's not a lot of stuff, so it took just about 3 days worth of toting things in oversized paper bags to bring it all home.

I'm thinking about what I'm leaving behind. A somewhat interesting and potentially lucrative career; regional exposure and chances to travel the whole of Asia Pacific; a network with in a old (and dying - if Seth Godin is right) industry of baby boomers; tough customers; and, if those weren't enough, playing with kids merchandise the rest of my life.

All that. But it's okay. Because I'm looking forward. If where I'm going is where I think it is, it's going to be pretty exciting.

Keep watching this space.

I'm So Relieved (with Thanks to You All!)

I'm not sure if it's the fact that I've cleared a bunch of deadlines, or if I've gotten a whole bunch of sleep (which is about 5 hours, more than I've had in weeks). It's probably a combination.

I guess we're both relaxing better because we're understanding our boy a little more. That takes effort and time, and we both don't have much of that. We're glad for our friends and family for helping us along the way. Your gifts and generosity are such a blessing! We are eternally grateful.

Thanks goes to my mum for coming back to help clean up the place and cook for us. Also to my in-laws for driving us around and making sure we're fed, and taking leave to look after the little boy. Our friends, for being there, coming by, and giving us stuff.

You, for reading this and following us on our journey.

Thank you so so much.

I LOVE THIS CUTLERY! (And Other Matters)

Seen here, guys.

Cutlery, Yeah.
Love at first sight. I'm thinking that these would make perfect cutlery gifts for anyone (well, I'm thinking more about gifts for David, but hey, who can resist these?). Go here for more.

A Rush All Over, Yeah
Gee, it's nearly the end of the week, and I'm all out of time for now. I've got a few articles to work on before the end of the week, and I'm cleaning out some admin from my old job (it's... um... a little messy, to say the least). I've found, consistently, that the hardest part is leaving the really good buddies behind. See you around, chaps. It was great hanging out.

The Article, Yeah
So I'm writing an article on Fatherhood. More specifically, an article on "How Fathers Need Help". It's resonating deeply, this one. More about that when the article's published. (By the way, I've been published on another site, called Whakate. The jump will take you to the article I researched and wrote for. I've received plenty of pleasant comments. Very encouraging.)

So, It's Getting Busy, Yeah.
David's on the way, and with a couple of new things coming in, this month's looking to be a busy time. I'll still be around though, with the Monday Faithfuls, so do drop by to find out the latest with us. Especially, keep Angela in your thoughts as she goes through a really challenging time. Her feet were so swollen yesterday, she couldn't fit into her shoes. A little massage with lavender helped:).

The Monday Edition: Dilemma

by the_moment

A Husband's Dilemma (The Morning's Latest)
So the boss walks into the room and suddenly counteroffers me. It's enough to stun me for a moment. It was long enough for him to believe that he might have a case. I'm not sure if he does. Walking out of the office, my brain's scrambled. It's going to be a long Monday for me. More about that later.

The Wife Grew, And Grew, And David's Bouncy
The wife's looking more adorable; a little puffy, a little rosy, and very much in good spirits. The nausea from a week back is gone now. I'm amazed at her good temper. David's been busy prodding her stomach and pelvis, mostly because he's turned around (we think) and descended. That's good news - for all you un-preggers, or as-yet preggers - because it means he's positioning himself to be born the good ol' fashioned way. We'll know more about that come later today.

Pizza With Friends (I Wish It Were Not Pizza Hut)
We had pizza (which I love with a passion) for lunch on Sunday, hanging out with the brethren from Church and some friends of mine. Nice time, not so nice food (the wife craned over to my ear and said, "hey, I really think Sarpino's is much, much better," to which, I agree). Pizza's like people - when they start compromising on what's right, it loses itself. No amount of justifying can justify a lousy pizza. Sure, maybe the pizzas back in the day weren't all that great, but at least they were done right. And I was hooked. 

[Stay tuned! Coming up this week: The all-revealing ultrasound scan, and the final decision on the job!]

How To Make Business Trips Bearable

Originally uploaded by Leif (Bryne, Norway)

In One Word: Skype.
I can't tell you how thankful this piece of modern (free) technology. Making video calls to the wife from Hong Kong was absolutely amazing. If you travel some, and you don't have an account, and/or a webcam, get both. It doesn't beat actually physically being there, but right now, it's the next best thing. 

Another Two Words: Awesome Buddies
My wife's blessed with angelic friends who have been giving her many wonderful gifts, and also been loving friends. Thank you all so much - Guimei and Gary who helped her to pre-natal classes, colleagues who have given us nearly everything we need, church brethren who have piling on the blessings, friends who have been a great encouragement and support - you guys are the best!

So, I'm off to Hong Kong

Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs

It's Likely To Be More Pleasant Than The Last One
Mostly because the last one had me returning to a traumatising series of papers and reports (not that the trip itself lacked its charms - which definitely outweighed the trauma). This one is different. It's an exposure trip for my new job, which means seeing and doing new things. Excitement!

I'm Leaving So Much Behind
I'm missing them already. Sigh. Well, I should be sleeping for tomorrow. See you next week!

Okay, I'll Be Open About It Now

Crumpled Frustration
Originally uploaded by Aaron Jacobs

So, I've Not Been As Open About This One Thing
I've been contemplating about resigning from my job for some time now. I've been itching to tell you guys about it, but I thought to hold it until I made it official to my boss. I just wanted to eliminate this blog as a possible leak in case people in the office began to look strangely at me.

Which They Do
I guess it's the nature of the firm that I'm in, which is a local-based tech firm here in Singapore. People are mortuary-esque (cold and stiff), but my guys and I have grown used to it. I wish the people in my company would smile more.

Griping? Nah.
There's a lot to say about the office. There's politics (normal); there're last minute tasks (normal); there're people who will snipe vicious comments at you in front of others (incorrigible, but still normal); there's an awful smell from the conference (totally, entirely abnormal) - I won't bother to talk about them more than merely mentioning them, because they aren't reasons to leave. But, a good offer elsewhere, is.

A New Start. Again.
I'd love to share with you how the Lord's blessed with opportunities. Answered prayer, mostly. I'm taking a step out of the comfort zone into the unknown, where I can hopefully work towards freedom, both personally and financially. Apart from some freelance writing gigs, there's a new exciting career waiting in a new industry.

I'll have to tell you all about in another entry. Wait for it.

I Walk The Line Into The Office

Originally uploaded by Jeffrey Beall

Right. Here I Go.
I'm going to march into the boss' office tomorrow. Wish me luck. More after 12noon tomorrow.

Done for the Week... Not. (Warning, Gripey Post)

Originally uploaded by Trevor Manternach

I'm Talking Business
I seldom talk about work in detail. This is a blog on couplehood, after all. So, if I do, it either means that work is affecting the relationship, or that there are decisions to make about work that will take both our inputs. I'll give you a hint: it's not the former. More about this in another post.

The Week's Not Over, Guys
It's been a mad week (you should have been there), and the guys at the office have been waddling neck-deep in last minute assignments. While we work through the weekend, our superiors saw fit to add to our burdens with other unrelated tasks. Frankly, I'm not opposed to hard work, as long as it goes to furthering some purpose (help the Myanmese, Szechuanese, Hmong, or even whales). I'm just puzzled to find that my job scope and had been clandestinely modified, and now I'm reduced to mostly plugging leaks from someone else's to-do list. Not good.

Yet Another Reason Why The Wife's Important
I came home all migraine-y, and there was the wife to greet me at the door. She knows I've had a tough day, and was really sweet about helping me out of it. I'm going to tell her a piece of good news I received earlier in the evening. After that, we're going to have lots to talk about tonight.