Dearest Readers,

Jamie and I have been nominated for a Singaporean award that aims to encourage entrepreneurial spirit. After sending out 10,000 dates, having 85% of these dates being rated as satisfactory to excellent, having been the matchmaker of close to 30 marriages and more than 80 couples in the last 4.5 years, we are extremely honored and excited about this nomination. J

You can read the interview here - http://www.soe.org.sg/files/interview2008.php?i=180&a=&c=&year=2008

Out of the 145 nominees, only 43 will be selected as honorees, and the 43 nominees with the highest votes will be selected. J

So, if you like what you read OR you think we are doing a great job helping people get together OR you are a really supportive friend OR you simply love us, please register as a voter here http://www.soe.org.sg/sg/voterregistration.php and vote for us. The entire process will take you less than 5 minutes.

Thank you very much for your support!

Sincerely,

Violet

P/S: We would be very grateful if you could forward the links to your friends as well, thanks!

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This week has been an absolute madhouse… have been busy with the launch of the Matchmaking Institute in South East Asia.

Some of you might know that prior to starting my business, I flew over to NY to attend a course in matchmaking. Yes! I did that, and I learnt so much! I am the first Asian who attended the course.

And 4 years later, the co-founders - Lisa Clampitt & Jerome Chasques decided to bring the Institute to South East Asia, as there has been such a huge demand for the course. And we have worked together to localize the course content to make it more relevant to the students.

Jamie and I are really excited with the launch of MMI here in SEA as we have always wanted to do more for the industry, especially seeing a lot of passionate matchmakers wanting to help, but might not have the necessary know-how and tools to go about it…

To read more about the launch…

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20080409/tap-340260-231650b.html

http://www.straitstimes.com/Video%2BNews/Singapore/STIVodcast_3975.html?playid=3975&type=Singapore

Having a photo taken with the amazing Lisa!

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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.

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I have not been updating my blog regularly as I have been working on a ’secret’ project. And since the project is no longer  a secret… I can tell you about it now…! Haha!

Lunch Actually is launching in Hong Kong soon! Yes, my dear readers who are based in HK and have been bugging me to open a branch there… I have been listening to you. And our office will be opening its door in the very near future. I am actually sitting in a cafe in Central, typing this blog entry. The weather has just turned cold today, again. I enjoy this sort of weather actually. Just that I really should have brought my jacket out this morning. But I ‘intelligently’ decided against it. Oh well…

I have been having lots of fun meeting lots of nice Hong Kongers in the past few days. And they are all really excited about our launch. In my profession, you will always have people approaching you at Networking Events, once they know what you do.

So, if you are in HK, or have single friends in HK who would like to be informed about our launch, drop me a line now!

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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.

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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!

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As V-Day approaches, I thought I will just share with you 13 love songs that have touched me in some way or other. This blog post is actually inspired by the first song on the list. Out of the blue, this song just ‘jumped’ into my brain at me while I was sitting at my desk surfing through Facebook. 

1. How Could An Angel Break My Heart by Toni Braxton: “I wonder if she makes him smile, the way he used to smile at me, I hope she doesn’t make him laugh, because the laugh belongs to me…” I first heard this song when I was doing my A Levels in UK. Imagining myself in this situation, I can almost cry. It’s so poignant… and so heart wrenching.

2. Dreaming of You by Selena: “Late at night when all the world is sleeping, I stay up and think of you, And I wish on a star that somewhere you are, Thinking of me too…” It was the year 1999. Was driving a girlfriend home after school. We were listening to the radio. And this song was played. I kept saying… I won’t cry, I won’t cry. But I did anyway. Some songs bring back bittersweet memories. And in the year 1999, this was the song.  

3. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh: “I’ve never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight, I’ve never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing, I’ve never seen so many people want to be there by your side, and when you turned to me and smile, you took my breath away.” I first got to know this song through the Ms USA pageant in the 1990s… yup, you heard right! I was probably 13 or 14 then. They played Lady in Red during the Evening Gown parade. And the girly lass then secretly dreamt that perhaps one day, someone will serenade her with this song… haha!

4. I’ll be There by Club Escape: “Don’t be afraid, oh my love, I’ll be watching you from above, And I’d give all the world tonight, to be with you, Because I’m on your side, And I still care, I may have died, but I’ve gone nowhere, Just think of me, And I’ll be there.”

5. Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle: “She’ll change her name today. She’ll make a promise and I’ll give her away. Standing in the bride-room just staring at her. She asked me what I’m thinking and I said “I’m not sure-I just feel like I’m losing my baby girl. With all that I’ve done wrong I must have done something right to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.” They lyrics are just so weet. I love it so much that I chose this song to be played when my daddy walked me down the aisle in 2005.

6. Flying without Wings by Westlife: “Well, for me it’s waking up beside you, To watch the sunrise on your face, To know that I can say I love you, In any given time or place.” Extremely special song. This is the song hubby and I first slow danced to. At the Singapore Students’ Society Dinner & Dance in Manchester where we studied. We were led unwittingly to the dance floor by friends. And when this song came on, he asked me, “Shall we dance?”

7. Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler:  “You were content to let me shine, that’s your way. You always walk a step behind. So I was the one with all the glory, You were the one with all the strain…” First got to know this song when my best friend sang it at the school assembly for a teacher who was retiring. Thought the lyrics were really meaningful. And at my wedding reception, I sang this song (together with my best friend) for my dearest daddy and mummy were have indeed been the wind beneath my wings.

8. Top of the World by Carpenter: “Something in the wind has learned my name, And its tellin me that things are not the same, In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze, Theres a pleasin sense of happiness for me, There is only one wish on my mind, When this day is through I hope that I will find, That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me, All I need will be mine if you are here.” Such a simple tune. Yet so memorable. And uplifting. I have liked this song as a child. And surprisingly, hubby loves it to. Haha! So this is one of the songs that we sing to our darling babe.

9. Eternal Flame by The Bangles: “Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling” This is a classic. Brings back memories of my clubbing days. Going out with a group of girlfriends. Dancing on the dance floor. Singing the song out loud. OMG, talking about it now makes me feel so old…!  

10. Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper: “If you’re lost you can look–and you will find me time after time, if you fall I will catch you–I’ll be waiting time after time.” This song became popular again after the movie ‘Strictly Ballroom’. It brings back memories of my high school days, where we hold parties at friends’ houses. I can still remember one of the exact moments when this song was played on a friend’s stereo. The blushing cheeks, the sweaty palms. As each girl awaits a boy to ask her to dance on the makeshift dancefloor, cleared by the moving of the sofas and coffee tables.

11. Remember Me This Way by Jordan Hill: “I’ll make a wish for you, And hope it will come true, That life would just be kind, To such a gentle mind, If you lose your way, Think back on yesterday, Remember me this way.” When I was about 20, I had no idea how I would grow up to be. I had no idea how life would be in 10 years time. It just seemed appropriate to ask to others to ‘Remember me this way’…

12. Never Saw Blue Like That Before by Shawn Colvin: “And I never saw blue like that before, Across the sky, Around the world, You’ve given me all you have and more, And no one else has ever shown me how, To see the world the way I see it now, Oh, I, I never saw blue like that.” I first heard this song when hubby and I were still dating. And when I heard the lyrics, the first person who came to mind was hubby. He has really opened my eyes up to many things. To see the world in a different perspective. To look at others in a different light. I incorporated part of the lyrics of this song into my wedding vows.

13. 今生注定 by 高明骏/王馨平:”如果爱情烦恼真的太多, 或许心事都交给我, 为你耽忧对我来说 也是快乐” English Translation: The title of the song is ‘Destined to Be’. And the lyrics that I have chosen, “If you have lots of worry, just share them with me. Because even worrying for you, to me, it’s happiness.” Erm, that just does not seem to come out right. Haha! Anyway, hubby and I love this song very much. And, he sang it for me at our wedding. Many of my girlfriends were touched by his gesture because firstly he does not really sing, and secondly, he does not speak Mandarin…

Based on the songs I have chosen, you have probably (1) guessed my age, (2) come to the conclusion I have not listened to the radio for the past 10 years. Haha! Or I probably just love oldies.

What about you? What are your most memorable love songs?

P/S Have just put up a new poll for ladies… what’s your most ideal V-day present? Share, share!

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