Did I tell you that I have been invited to another wedding recently? Two of our clients got married.

And it was a real grand affair. It was held at one of the poshest (is there such a word?) hotel in Singapore. And we are reallly happy for them, because they are such nice people, and as time goes by, we have actually become friends.

What struck me as really interesting at this particular client’s wedding is this…

Usually, when I go for client’s wedding, I will always keep a low profile. I will avoid speaking to people on my table. Or even when they make small talk, I will reply very politely, and not seek to prolong the conversation. The reason is very simple. I do not want to tell people that I am a matchmaker, or I run a dating service, and risk them drawing the direct conclusion that the couple met through us. Our clients usually prefer for people not to know how they actually meet, and I respect their decision. It is not my place to ’advertise’ or ‘market’ our business. We are happy to just be there to bask in their happiness and their joy.

I always joke about it with Jamie… if people ask… I will say I am a housewife, and he will say that he is in the IT business. 

So anyway, back to this particular wedding dinner. Right at the start of the wedding dinner, the groom came over to the table and say… “I put you guys at this table because I think you guys are of the same wavelength and will be able to do some networking as well,” and I politely smiled. And he proceeded to say, “Please meet Jamie and Violet, they run a very successful dating agency, Lunch Actually!” And my smile froze, not knowing how to react. He introduced the rest, and then left to entertain his other guests. I was very worried during the entire dinner that people at my table were going to ask the question…

“So… did they meet through you guys?”

And it did not help that one of the groom’s friend on our table actually knew that the bride and groom met through us. And kept saying things like… “So Violet, I am sure you are invited to many wedding dinners?” And gave me this knowing smile. I really felt like throwing Fried Rice at him.

But you know what was the most amazing thing?

Nobody on the table even suspected. Not one.

And then I suddenly realised why.

Because the bride and the groom are so eligible. The bride is beautiful. She’s definitely someone you would classify as above average, if not gorgeous. Someone that guys would definitely look twice. And the groom is successful and talented.

And that was the reason, that it never come across anybody’s mind that they actually met through a dating service.

Because people always have the impression that people who go to dating services are ’single, desperate and ugly!’

And this couple is definitely far from being ’single, desperate and ugly’.

I just thought that was quite an interesting experience. And perhaps from now on, I can stop saying that I am a housewife, even though that is my secret ambition… haha! ;) 

Popularity: 5% [?]

In the past 2.5 months, I have been making many trips to Hong Kong.

For work, I have sacrificed a lot of family time with hubby and babe. And every time I step out quietly into the dark (I usually take the 6:40am flight) to a cab to the airport, I have to muster up strength not to just lie down for a few minutes more and cuddle my babe.

One of the best things that have come out of my many trips is I have caught up on my reading. I have not done so much reading for the longest time. And this is how my ˜routine” goes. Once I have checked in, I will get my breakfast - toast, half boiled eggs and teh. After that, I will walk over to the bookstore to see what the bestsellers are.  Isn’t it amazing? At Changi Airport, even the bookstore is open at 6am! J

And the latest one that I have got my hands on is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I first heard of him when I saw him listed on Time’s 100 most influential people of the year. He’s a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University. He has given many lectures in his lifetime, but this time, he is giving his last lecture because he has terminal illness, and has only been given a couple of months to live.

And in his lecture, and also in his book, he talks about his life, and the many lessons he has learnt along the way. The title of his lecture is “Realising my Childhood Dreams”. And as you read the book, you will delight in what his dreams were. Many of us would scoff those dreams off as impossible to achieve, and then be totally amazed when he achieves them. He has lived such an amazing and inspirational life. And he ended by saying… this last lecture is actually for his kids. He has 3 kids - 5, 3 and 18 months.

Trying to impart a lifetime of knowledge and experience in a single lecture is not easy. But I am thoroughly inspired by his life, and his love for his wife and his children.

When I read about every dream that he has achieved, I suddenly come to realization that by some strange twist of fate, I am actually living my childhood dreams.

For those of you who are thinking at this point - Violet, you mean your childhood dream is to become a matchmaker? Haha! Well, that would have made a pretty story, but fact is - no, my childhood dream is not to be a matchmaker. Actually, the younger me would be totally shocked if I travel back in a time machine to tell her that, “Hey! Guess what? In 10 years time, you will be a matchmaker!”

I have many dreams.

I have always wanted to work overseas, particularly in Hong Kong because I love the food, the vibrancy, the energy.

I wanted to travel for business. (Seems like a really good idea then, haha!)

I wanted to see my name in print. I wanted to be interviewed on TV. I wanted to be a guest on a radio talk show.

And my biggest dream of all is to help people, and in my own way make a difference in their lives.

Many of these dreams, I have never verbalized to anybody, because well, they sound pretty out of reach, and I was afraid of being ridiculed.

By God’s grace, as I make matchmaking my profession, I have realized many of these dreams in the last 4 years.

As I read through Randy’s book, many of his stories make me laugh. And many more made me cry.

But the greatest gift that he has given me is to remind me to pass it forward. As I realize my own dreams, I must never stop helping people achieve their childhood dream too.

Thank you Randy!

Note: A new poll is up! Go spill the beans!

Popularity: 29% [?]

Today is my best friend’s birthday.

She is 35 years older than I am. And even as she ages gracefully into her 60s, she still looks fabulous. Much to her delight, many people think she is at least 15 years younger than her real age. I wish I look like her when I am her age.

In the last 28 years that we have been friends, things have not always been smooth. We have not always been the best of friends. We have had shouting feuds, disagreements and cold wars. Many of these shouting matches ended up in tear baths.

I have not always been the most patient of friends. And sometimes, I would even be rude and obstinate. But my best friend’s motto is endure. And now that I look back, she deserves a better friend really.

She is giving and self-sacrificing. She always puts me before herself.

We have many happy moments together. And she has always been there at my side - celebrating my life milestones… my graduation, my wedding, the birth of my babe.

She is always there when I need support, a shoulder to cry on, or just a listening ear to vent to.

To the most amazing woman I have ever known - my best friend, my hero, my dearest mummy… Happy Birthday!

(Last year’s Chinese New Year, with mummy and babe)

Popularity: 31% [?]

After some hectic weeks, finally had some quality time with the family. Brought babe to East Coast Park. It was his first Beach day-out! We built sandcastles, had ice-cream (at least hubby and I did), and cycled around the park on a family bike. It was my first time on a family bike… and at first, we had some problems coordinating. But after that, we were like pros, making u-turns etc. And the best thing is to see babe smiling and enjoying himself.

Looking forward to more of todays.

Popularity: 70% [?]

Haha… do I sound like a crazy and excited teenager, screaming after meeting my idol? Hehe!

Anyway, yes, I met Eunice Olsen today as our company has been invited to be featured on Episode 5 of the brand new talk show on Channel 5 - Rouge! (Remember to watch it - it’s screening on Sunday, 6th April)

Have heard so much about Eunice, and have seen so much of her on magazines and TV. For those of you who are not currently in Singapore, read more about Eunice here.

I was never too sure what to think about Eunice, as there had been some not so nice writeups about her especially after she did not attend the swearing-in ceremony after being nominated as a MP. And pretty girls often have it tough, as many people feel that they are just another pretty face.

But anyway… after meeting Eunice today up, close and personal… and being interviewed by her, chatting with her etc., she is just about the most down-to-earth celebrity I have met! She’s personable, affectionate, non-pretentious…

Haha… I do sound like a raving fan right?

But the point is… we should never judge a book by its cover. Often, we box people up. E.g. beauty queens are probably bimbotic, or engineers are boring, or lawyers are crooks… Just like, when we go out on a first date, we should never be too quick to judge, as you never know the person deep within unless you take some time to get to know him/her better. There is often an unpolished gem beneath.

Popularity: 90% [?]

A soon-to-be colleague said to me yesterday… Happy Birthday in advance!

“How did you know my birthday is tomorrow?”

“I read your blog ma! Last year you went to National Museum right?”

Haha… it’s quite funny/scary how much personal info I reveal on my blog…

Ok, so anyway, today is my birthday! I turn 28! Hooray! For some reason or other, I do not seem concern I am hitting the big 3 soon… maybe when I really hit it, it would provoke some sort of reaction… but the signs of aging are definitely showing. My metabolism rate has slowed down a lot and the crow lines are beginning to show. With my slow metabolism rate, I put on weight very easily. Saw myself on TV the other day… and was really aghast to see how much weight I have put on… Hence, have embarked on a healthy diet… wish me luck!

How did I celebrate my birthday?

Jamie and I decided to take the day off, and bring babe for a day out! It was pretty impromptu and spontaneous. We first went to Sim Lim Square where Jamie bought me my birthday present - an iPod nano! It’s gorgeous, and even as I am updating my blog, I can’t help but keep admiring it… (Yes, I am such a gadget chic)

We had lunch across the street where Corum met a little friend who is one day older than him. What a coincidence right?! But since they both can’t really talk to/with each other, his little friend went on his way soon after with his gramps.

Then, we decided to go to the Singapore Flyer. The taxi driver warned us that it is not open in the afternoon. But we thought what the heck… let’s just go take a look.

And we ended up at a ‘Fish Spa’. Not sure if you have heard of it, but you basically have swarms of fishes swirling around your feet, and nibbling at your skin. It’s supposed to be good for blood circulation, people who have eczema problems etc. Me being the adventure junkie cajoled Jamie into trying it out. And it was definitely an unique experience. It’s not painful or anything. And after you conquer the initial weirdness of having fishes ‘biting’ you… it’s actually quite enjoyable. The good people at Kenko also helped us look after Corum while we got our ’spa’ therapy.

Then, we head off to Vivocity where Corum had so much fun at the playground! It was such a lovely feeling seeing how much he enjoyed himself going up and down the big blue slide.

We capped off the evening with ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s. We had Brownie with Ice Cream to substitute for my birthday cake. And Corum gets to taste a small bit of Cookies & Cream. I love seeing his expression when he tastes new food… you can just see him relishing every single bite.

It’s been a wonderful day! Thanks to my dearest hubby for arranging everything.

And also thank you to all who have either SMSed, emailed, called, MSNed or wrote on my wall in Facebook to wish me Happy Birthday. Thank you for remembering my birthday. Am feeling truly blessed and contented and happy!

Popularity: 100% [?]

Was at a girlfriend’s Hen Party over the weekend!She asked us to give her some wise advice for making her marriage work i.e. “Recipe for Happiness”. Perhaps it was after a long bus ride from Singapore to KL that has dulled my brain, but I only managed to come up with two for her then.

Short Note: I have been invited by Yahoo! Answers to be part of their ‘Be the Love Guru!’ campaign. Have any pressing questions that you need answers to? Check it out here.

Popularity: 53% [?]