When I first started looking after my feet, I went to Hollywood Secrets at the old Scotts Shopping Centre. There, I met a Malaysian girl who was so good at her job but one day when I returned to look for her to do my toes, I was told she’d quit.

I thought I had to start looking for a new pedicurist all over again until I got a text one day from her out of the blue to say she was now working at a new nail place in Wheelock Place. From then on I went to see her every month without fail, even though there were so many other cheaper nail salons around town.

She works fast, takes no short-cuts, is friendly but doesn’t talk too much and most importantly she paints darn well and my pedicures usually last up to a month. Unfortunately, since moving to the UK, I haven’t had the luxury of getting my feet pampered every month. But whenever I am in town, I always made sure to visit her for some TLC.

Last week, I was on my way in a taxi to the nail salon for my appointment when I realised I had forgotten to bring my mobile phone. I was running late but had no way of informing the place.

So when I finally arrived, the receptionist told me they couldn’t get in touch with me so they had given my slot to a walk-in customer. It was 10.30am and I had just spent S$15 on cab fare for nothing. Naturally I was annoyed. No, in fact I was boiling mad, but I kept my cool.

“Aileen,” I said. “I have been coming here for the past 6 years and I have never missed an appointment. You should know that.”

“I didn’t know it was you. I asked around if anyone knew who this customer Cynthia was, and nobody said they knew which one,” came the reply.

“Well, look behind you Aileen, you see that Straits Times forum article you have cut out and stuck on the cupboard, praising the nail salon and the staff? I wrote that. Years ago. Now do you know which Cynthia I am?”

“Oh, erm could you come back later this afternoon perhaps?”

“No, I can’t come back later this afternoon because I won’t be free. I don’t live in Singapore and I can’t pop in any other day. I have never not showed up for my appointment, and this is how you reward a loyal customer, but giving her slot to a, walk-in?” I said with disgust.

“We are sorry.”

“Well I’d like to make an appointment for February now, and please, don’t ever cancel my booking.”

Later I was browsing in a candy shop in building when Aileen saw me and came to say hi. “Hey Cynthia, since you are so free, why don’t you come with me to our other outlet and have a look?”

I knew she was trying to make amends but she might just as well forget it with her terrible choice of an opening sentence. “Excuse me, I am so free?” Oh yes, that’s right, I am sooooooo free because I was shopping for chocolate in Orchard Road at 11am.

Er but wait. What should I have been doing, Aileen? In case you have forgotten because there’s isn’t enough space in your tiny brain to remember anything important, let me remind you again. I should be getting my pedicure if you hadn’t cancelled me, you wally, not shopping for bloody chocolate.

“No thanks Aileen,” came my reply. “But thanks for asking anyway.”

Sometimes the state of Singapore’s customer service depresses me so much I feel the need to chomp my way through a mountain of chocolate.

Everywhere was covered with snow on my way back to Wales on the train.

My front porch is as slippery as an ice rink with the compacted snow melting on the surface. And my back garden here isn’t any better.

This is our Christmas tree from last year, which we kept alive and well in the garden. And check out all the gifts under the tree!

We got lots of cards from friends and family, including one from my wedding coordinator at The Sentosa Resort & Spa!

My gift for R is flight tickets to Barcelona in Spring, and he got me an MP3 player, pyjamas and a electric heated blanket, which I absolutely love. It’s A LOT better than what I got last year!

These pictures were taken on my way to the office Christmas party two weeks ago. I thought the lights were pretty.

And this golden sparkly reindeer caught me eye.

I like this old-school cafe.

And our posh dining venue. Merry Christmas everyone!

Happiness is being jet-lagged, hungry and wide awake at 5am, creeping downstairs to get a Lao Po Bing and stealing a glance at Grandma who had her mouth wide open, arms slumped across her body, purring gently and sleeping ever so peacefully. I stood there for a good few minutes enjoying the sight. It’s wonderful to be able to see her enjoying a good night’s sleep.

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Happiness is snacking on satay with Grandma just before dinner because she was too hungry to wait for my mother to finish cooking.

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Happiness is being the only one who was crying my eyes out while watching M & J get married on Saturday. I was too happy for the couple, who finally tied the knot after 10 years of ups and downs. It was a wonderfully stylish do, with every single detail put together from scratch by the couple. The girls and I helped out too, and with the experience of two weddings in two months under my belt, I can proudly say I am getting quite pro at wedding duties and I love it too! Now I’m just waiting for S & B, the busy entrepreneurs to get hitched so I can have yet another round of fun and oh yes, tears.

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Happiness is finally getting my 2-year spousal visa after months of agony and a 15-minute interview in Kuala Lumpur. However, if R ditches me during this time, I will have to be deported!

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Happiness is being able to travel back to the UK without major delays despite the chaos caused by heavy snow and severe weather. In time for Christmas and with any luck it will be a first white one for me this year!

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Happiness is being able to spend Winter Solstice at home and gorging on my Mum’s Tang Yuan. Happiness is also lugging back bottles of goodies Mum bought for me from Bee Cheng Hiang.

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Happiness is knowing I will be back in Singapore again in 6 weeks!

Finally after months, we got our wedding photos back from the photographer. These are a few of my favourites. Let me know if you want to see the rest of them and I will send you the links.

I have a lovely wedding to attend next Saturday, which I can’t wait. My maid-of-honour is getting married and I know it would be a wonderful stylish do. The dress code is peaches and cream. It’s a bit “Er what does that mean?” but I think whatever makes you look good works. I can never do without black so I’ve decided to go in a gold, cream and black ensemble, as inspired by Anne Hathaway on Wear Palettes.

Last weekend we went to the Filipino Community Christmas Party, organised by R’s colleagues in the hospital. They get together every Christmas, dress their kids up in elaborate costumes and get them involved in dancing, singing and acting. It’s amazing how they manage to find time to organise rehearsals and prepare all that delicious buffet despite their gruelling work and family schedules! Being Catholics, it was no surprise to see there were plenty of little ones running about. And they were lovely. Cheeky but generally well-behaved and no matter what their ages were, there was  a place for them on the stage.  I kinda like this version of a Christmas party, where families rather than entertainment come first.

C: Have you found your Facebook password?

No. Why do you need my password?

I need you to confirm I am married to you.

Really? Why does anyone need to confirm that?

Because if not I can list down that I am married to I don’t know… Brad Pitt, can’t I?

Oooh hey go on then, ask Brad to confirm it.

*&+%#$%@#@!

I have been thinking about getting a pair of Ugg boots. Some people say they are Uggly, but that hasn’t been stopping them from flying off the shelves and garnering a strong celebrity following. Personally I think they can look great if you choose a style which is not too chunky so you can wear it with skirts and over slim-cut jeans.

I’m liking Whooga’s Chestnut Elegance Ugg Boot and their Gold Tall Ugg Boot which can both be rolled down to reveal the fluffy interior.

Made with sheepskin fleece, they have been rigorously tested in hot to cold extremes from -5° Celsius through to 35° Celsius, and Whooga’s Ugg boots were capable of maintaining an internal average temperature of a comfortable 22° Celsius at all times.

I desperately need a pair as winter approaches in the UK and my toes are always freezing in my normal shoes. I just found out that they are great for the British weather as some designs are water-resistant (great for the plentiful gloomy rainy days we have here)  and all of them come with rubber soles for a good grip. They are certainly essential footwear for those living in cold countries and for people living in the tropics, they are hardy, versatile shoes to bring while travelling to wintry climates.

Now for the good news! If you are like me, keen to get your hands on a pair to try out how good they are, Whooga are now giving away FREE Ugg boots to readers around the world! Simply click on the icon below to take part! I’m hoping I will win!

I wanted to leave a comment on a Blogspot blog but I had to type in this offensive word before I could post it.

What the…

I’m tired. Really exhausted. I have been working too hard and getting out too little. I can’t see beyond my problems. I feel grumpy – shit I think I have premature grumpy old woman syndrome (GOWS)!

People get on my nerves. The weather’s awful. My house is messy. I don’t sleep well. I haven’t really got the energy to cook……..  Are you sure you want me to go on?

It’s barely more than a month since we went on holiday to Vietnam but oh my god, I feel I need another one again. Or a very stiff drink. Or maybe a really big bowl of Cheezels, a box of Milk Tray and let me see, a really good pot of Lotus Root Spare Rib Soup.

OK I feel better already.