Spymama @ Mamakshop

It is now March. Time really flies. In the past two months, how did the year of the Ox do? Many said that it will be a slow year. But it will be steady. Like an Ox, we all have to work hard, toil and sweat. And these hardworks are the basis of many fruitful years. I believe so. Windfalls do not come easy, especially on an Ox year. It is time to put in efforts to make it work.

It is not easy to fall but steady growth is better than nothing. Businesses may be slow but if they can persevere through this period, I’m sure they will definitely see rewards when the economy picks up. We all have lessons to learn. Let this be a time to consolidate and reflect on things.

I’m crossing my fingers and hoping things will get better. It is sad to learn about those who are losing jobs. Especially those who have families to feed and bills to pay. For those who have a job, be thankful.

The news about the Singapore Flyer that got it’s passengers stuck is something that had been something I dread happened. And it did. Lucky thing, I wasn’t inside! You see, Spymama is very very very afraid of heights and if it had stopped there and got stucked, I think my weak bladder will probably take the hardest blow.

Last Tuesday, the flyer had some power problems and stop to a halt. Can you imagine that the passengers in there were stuck for almost 7 hours! They were there about 4ish or so and they only managed to get out at about 11pm-ish! Poor people. By 6-7pm, I’m sure they must have been hungry since it is almost dinner time but they had to wait till 11pm. How did they empty their bladders then? Plastic bags! Apparently, some who couldn’t hold their bladder had to do it in plastic bags! Gosh! Just imagine if you were out on your first dates and you have to do it in front of your date! How embarrassing!

Anyway, lucky there was not casualty though a granny was reported admitted to hospital and a young boy vomitted because he had not eaten since lunch.

I’m not going near the Flyer…. scary!

Oh oh.. I read in the recent news that Oprah Winfrey had put on so much weight that she now weighs 200 pounds. Reports say that she developed a fear of working out due to her thyroid problem and has been gaining weight since 2006, her last weight at 160 pounds.

She was quoted saying “I’m embarrassed, I’m mad at myself.”

Whoa there, that got me thinking why must she be embarrassed and mad at herself? After all, there are people who are overweight be it genetic and those who put on after having children and there are also those who just put on because they cannot stop eating.

She had been setting an example of keeping her weight down in many ways - personal trainer, personal food consultant and more. She could afford it, of course.

If I could afford it, I’d love to keep my weight down too. But honestly, I can’t afford such luxury. But I’m not embarrassed about putting on weight. I’m conscious about it and wished I’d be slimmer but I believe many many other people would have been terribly disgusted with themselves if being overweight is an embarrassing issue. I hope it’s not. I know some good friends who are obese and they are genuine kind souls.

Spymama loves to read astrology.. Sometimes where I read something nice and pleasant, my day is a happy one. And when it sounds a little negative, I get a bit worried but not for long.

Today, my horoscope read: When you see something you like today, say so right away! Even if it feels weird or overly complimentary, your good energy helps you pull it off. Almost anything could happen as a result!

So that got me thinking…hmm does that mean I should compliment people? So, when I was out having lunch, a little old lady came to clear the table. It’s been on the Singaporean news about why we should be cleaning up after ourselves instead of letting people clear up our mess. So when I helped her stack up the plates and said thank you, she gave me a very nice smile. Oh that feels so warm. So remember, don’t forget to compliment or smile, it certainly is contagious and if it cheers the little lady, her work will be a happy one.

I was reading some grapevine news.. yes yes, I love all that gossip.. lol and saw a picture of George Clooney. Oh he is Spymama’s idol, no doubt about it. Well long time ago it was Brad Pitt but that was when he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. After he got married to Angelina Jolie, I didn’t like him anymore because the idea of a sacred marriage is no longer there. So, sorry Brad. So Spymama decided that since these idols are all divorcing and remarrying I think I better idolized Bachelors. Hmm even that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman has divorced.. .sob sob sob

Well, I googled and found George Clooney to be the Top Bachelor and I went ‘whaaa…’ he is not married? Oh that’s great. There’s still a long way until he gets married for the second time. Ahem.

Guess who are in the top Bachelor in the list I found, not sure if it’s updated yet.

1. George Clooney
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
3. Matthew McConaughey
4. Ryan Seacrest
5. Vince Vaughn
6. Jamie Foxx
7. Owen Wilson
8. Orlando Bloom
9. Bruce Willis
10. John Mayer

I looked twice then realise this list cannot be true! Bruce Willis how can not be married? So I googled George Clooney and found that he was married once to an actress Talia Balsam, from 1989 to 1993! Cheh..

It had been exciting day since Saturday at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza. This is the 7th year where the Subaru Impreza Challenge is being held again. What is it you might ask. Well it is a contest whereby as many as few hundred contestants challenge to be the last man standing with their palms on the car only getting a 5 minute break for every 6 hourly interval! This goes on for days till the last one standing.. Most of those who quit finds themselves aching and wringing in pain after a day or two. It is now approximately 65 hours already…

This year saw 400 contestants in Saturday’s day 1, quickly diminishing by Sunday morning to 180 left! The last man or woman standing will walk away with a brand new Subaru Impreza worth S$80,000. By 7pm on Mon, there were 38 contestants left!

Last year’s female champion winner stood at a total of 77 hours and 13 mins! The male winner stood at 73 hours 55 mins.

How time flies! Did you guys made any resolutions during the New Year’s Day beginning of the year? Anything positive came out of it? I was glad that I did. I wanted to be thrifty and I cut down many things at home. From my fanciful floral toilet papers, I have changed it to the bulk ones that cost $4.50 for 40 rolls instead of the previous ones of $4.50 fr only 10 rolls. This is a lot okay??? And I bought a no frills loaf of bread instead of a small loaf. Then I freeze half of it immediately. These are some of the little things but every little bit will make a lot of difference too.

I cooked more often at home than ate out. That meant, Spymama frequent the wet market more too. But no matter how frequent it was, I made only about 3 trips a week only and buy what is necessary.

A tip how not to buy the things that you see at first sight. Don’t use the trolley. Use a basket or just forget the basket. As you shop, you’ll realise how much you have to carry. Then you are bound to just forget the items that are not important and just hold the ones you really need. This way you can cut down on your spending, unless you’re an Octopus and have 8 arms/legs to help carry them all.

This Halloween, there will be less partying and merry making. We are cutting down on wine, spirits and beer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t wish any less.

This is a special post for Mott because I left her blogs out of my Blogroll. Want to give her a cup of Iced Coffee to apologize. I also very happy to know her in this blogosphere.. There also many many good friends here, if I had forgotten to put you in your link, please remind me okie? Meanwhile I shall go to the pharmacy to get me some Gingko Biloba because I read that it helps with ailing memory..

So here is my cuppa Iced Coffee for my dear Mott.. of course Spymama likes you. I told you that I, too run like headless chicken when taking care of kids too mah. So we both can stick it out together. Never mind our hair can grow into Double Tumble Weeds.

I love the song, Side by Side, here is the part of the lyrics for you, Mott.

Oh, we ain’t got a barrel of money
Maybe we’re ragged and funny
But we’ll travel along, singin’ a song
Side by side
Don’t know what’s comin’ tomorrow
Maybe it’s trouble and sorrow
But we’ll travel the road, sharin’ our load
Side by side