Bits & Pieces

Just a quick note to wish all my dearest readers a very Happy Valentine’s Day and of course Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy New Year to all of you who celebrate the Lunar New Year!

Have a wonderful celebration!

I have signed up for the Standard Chartered Marathon 2009.

Before you get too excited… no, I did not sign up for the full marathon. Not even the half. I signed up for 10km.

If you are a seasoned marathon runner, you probably are thinking… “Chey…” Haha!

But if you know my fitness level… then you would think that I have gone out of my mind! The last time I did any real exercise was when I was 15 or 16, and that was like more than 10 years ago!

And if you are wondering…

“Why in the world then did you sign up for a 10km run?”

Well, I have wanted to start an exercise regime for the longest time, and I thought what would be a better way to jump start it than to set a goal? And that was why a few months ago, I decided to sign up for the run!

Did not push too much thought to it, until a couple of days ago…

I was thinking… oh no! I have not trained for it at all! Apart from getting a pair of swanky running shoes, I pretty much have not done anything.

I started to panic… What should I do? Should I drop out? But my pride did not allow me to… haha!

So, I came up with a plan… since I am going to torture myself, why not come up with a motivation plan?

Hence, I decided to run for a cause! To provide vaccination for 100 children in Bangladesh, a program supported by World Vision. And get my friends to support me. And the support has been overwhelming!

Instead of helping to vaccinate 100 kids, I have enough support to vaccinate 200 kids! Isn’t that amazing? I love my friends!

So, here I am. Just came back from my training. I know, I should have started months before…

Got my entry kit today, and saw the route map… looks pretty scary…

But I have a motivation… to help 200 kids!

Violet, you can do it! Jiayou! (Self-motivation!)

Watch this space, I will update you on how it went!

Did a press conference last week to release the survey findings of the ADAMS (Association of Dating Agencies and Matchmakers Singapore). One of the interesting findings was that quite a number of locals think that by having more foreigners in Singapore actually increase their dating opportunities.

Was interviewed on Razor TV. Check out the following 2 clips… they interviewed many locals and foreigners to ask what they think… really interesting!

They’re stealing our girls! (Foreigners dating Locals Pt 1)

A different kind of SPG (Foreigners dating Locals Pt 2)

After 3 agonizing days, my blog is finally back up. My previous host screwed up big time and lost all my data. And with the help of my blog designer Lionel, I have managed to transfer my hosting, and also managed to restore my blog! Thanks a million Lionel! You are the best! Now, I just need to upload all the missing photos, and we are back on track. Meanwhile, welcome back!

Po-po said,”Corum, follow Po-po say… Wo Ai Ma Ma (I love Mum in Mandarin)!”

Corum said,”No Po-po! It’s Mummy!”

He had my mum and I in stitches!

Trying out this app on my BB Bold! Let’s see if it works. If it does, maybe I will be blogging more frequently.

If you have not noticed, VioletLim.com just had a makeover, and I absolutely love it! Cos it’s customised to the way I wanted it to be.

We are still working on the finishing touches, but other than that, my spanking new blog is up and ready to go! Hooray!

If you still have not subscribed to my blog, perhaps this new design would entice you to do so. Just enter your email at at the ‘Subscribe Me’ box on the left side bar.

Meanwhile, stay tuned!

Recently, Jamie and I have come across the story of little Charmaine. We are both very touched by her story and have decided to do our small part to help by donating in our personal capacity as well as sharing her story with others in hope of helping her get more donation.

Charmaine has been diagonsed with 4th stage of neuroblastoma, a debilitating cancer that occurs in children and has been given a 10% chance of survival by her doctors in Singapore.

To increase her chances of survival, her mum Cynthia is raising money to send her to US for treatment. A new trial drug by the name of 3F8, available in the United States, has been known to dramatically increase survival rates by up to five times. However, it comes with a hefty S$500,000 price tag – a big sum for Cynthia who is a single mother with two children. She has also recently quit her job to look after Charmaine.

As parents, we understand how heartwrenching it is for Cynthia. We admire her fighting spirit, and hence in our small ways, we want to support them in their fight.

If you do too, please visit her website to find out how you could help. Thank you in advance!

A few weeks ago, Jamie and I went to watch Twilight at the cinema.

Ironically, it was Jamie who suggested that we watched it because so many of our female friends have been swooning about how the main character (Note: Edward Cullen played by Robert Pattinson) is the ‘perfect guy’. So being the analytical person he is, he wanted to know why they thought he was ‘perfect’.

And so, the show began.

At the end of the show, I told Jamie… “I would have enjoyed the show a lot more if I did not watch it with you!” Haha… you know why?

He was just like making faces at me throughout the show. Luckily he was the one who suggested we watched it, if not I will never hear the end of it! Haha… the expressions that he was pulling were of, “Omigosh, I cannot believe that we are actually watching this!”

After he has gotten over his trauma, we started to analyze the show. And we deduced that the reason that women are so crazy about the show, or more so the main character is because…

1.       He’s tall, dark (or in this case fair), and handsome.

2.       He’s mysterious.

3.       He’s strong. Yes, so strong that he can just block a truck coming your way at 100km/h with one hand.

4.       He is a superhero. He has amazing speed. He can climb trees, and he can show you the most amazing sights.

5.       He’s sensitive. He reads. He’s intellectual. You look into his eyes, and you can look into his soul.

6.       He’s always there. Lurking in the shadows to make sure that you are safe. And he would even sneak into your room just to watch you sleep.

7.       He will do anything for you. Even it means sacrificing his own life.

Ladies, if you have anything else to add to the above list, please feel free to do so. J

Jamie being ever the realist said, “Hey, do you think the girl (Note: Bella Swan played by Kristen Stewart) will still think it was sweet if he was short, fat and ugly? She probably would think that he’s some weird stalker! “

Haha! J

Anyway, since I am a girl, the show worked for me. I mean the author of the book got the characters and the plot right. She knew what would tug at a girl’s heartstring. And the casting people did a good job as well.

Did you know that the Twilight series are actually located at the ‘Teen Romance’ section of the bookshop? But after the movie, women in their 20s and 30s flocked to bookstores to get the books, and the bookstores actually did not expect this surge of demand!

On the other hand, from a professional point of view, I am quite concerned of the effect of such a story/movie having on our society or maybe girls in general.

The truth is… guys who are tall, dark/fair and handsome usually have more attention from the girls than they can handle. And as a result, some of them end of with this sense of ‘entitlement’. Their mindset is… “Only the most beautiful girl can be my girlfriend.” As for the alpha male… guys who are strong and powerful… chances are they would not be a SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy). Think Russell Crowe. And men who have a sensitive soul , men who would do anything to please a girl… these are men that many women would label as soft and total pushovers. In other words, guys that women are generally not attracted to.

Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoyed the show. And yes, he’s cute! J But I sure hope that our teenage girls are not in the process of being brainwashed to think that the world is full of men like that. And men who are otherwise just cannot cut it.

What are your thoughts? J I would especially love to hear from the guys!

Dear Readers,

How are you? First and foremost, Happy Lunar New Year & Happy Moo Moo Year!

I have ‘disappeared’ for a while as I have been very busy with work, business travel and also preparing for the Lunar New Year celebration.

Just a quick update to tell all singles out there about these 2 exciting events that are happening in February!

Looking to jumpstart your social life in 2009? This is the perfect opportunity!

Sincerely, Violet

Warning!!! This is NOT just a “normal” party event here…  In REVEL, the women will arrive first to an “all women” one hour long “bonding” session with free flow of drinks and food. 

One hour later, the men will start streaming in. For the next hour, the guys will have to approach the ladies to get a drink from them (drink coupons) which create a cheeky reverse of the usual dynamics.

Never experienced REVEL? You will never forget it.  Come join us now!

Event Size: 600 sizzling hot people!

Date and Time: 13th Feb 2009 (6.30pm to 10.00pm)

Venue: The Arena (Clarke Quay)

Early Bird Price: $45 (Includes free flow of drinks)  

Early Bird VIP Price: $70 (Includes free flow of drinks, wine, food and special VIP Area)

Early bird bookings end on 31st Jan 2009

Come sign up at www.revel.sg now  

Or send the cheque (name and contact behind) to:

Eteract.com Pte Ltd, 63 Circular Rd, #02-01, Singapore 049417

This unique Gala Dinner provides singles the opportunity to closely interact with like-minded singles like themselves, by providing them with personalized consultations prior to the dinner. As basic matching is conducted, the chance of you sitting beside someone who can light up your eyes is significantly increased!

Held at Swissotel The Stamford, it will be a glamorous night of magic and gold full of special interactive activities, star appearances, tips by our dating gurus, attractive prizes to be won, and the crowing of “Most Bedazzling Single (male and female)!” 
 
Dates and Time:
Glittering Gala Dinner – 14th Feb (7.30pm to 11.00pm)
  
Investment:
Glittering Gala Dinner Only – $128.00 

BEST DEAL: Conference + Glittering Gala Dinner  – $198.00 only
 
Register now to enjoy our early bird discounts and the first 250 sign-ups will enjoy over SGD700 of complimentary treats from our sponsors!  
  
Just go to www.thebedazzled.com to find out more or sign up. Else you can also call 6227 8117 or email the organizer at enquiry@atasmarketing.com  

Often, it is the little things in life that makes you feel touched…

Flew to Hong Kong this time on my own as hubby is unable to come along due to heavy workload.

Checked in at Terminal 3. Lady at the Singapore Airlines check-in counter asked when I am due, and we made some small talk.

Arrived at HK International Airport. Was pleasantly surprised to see my luggage already waiting for me even though I was out fairly early after clearing the immigration.

Found a bright orange tag tied to my bag. The lady has thoughtfully tied a ‘Priority’ tag reserved for Business Class passengers to my bag as she did not want me to wait too long for my luggage, with my big tummy.

Am so touched.

Wish I had caught her name, so I could write in to compliment her on her thoughtfulness.

As some of you might have already known, Jamie and I are expecting our 2nd baby. I am in my 17th week now, and the past 4 months have been anything but smooth. I was feeling sick and tired most of the time, and running to the toilet to puke is almost a daily affair. I said to a friend, “If my first pregnancy with Corum was like that, I would have thought twice or thrice before wanting to have a 2nd baby!”

My friend said, “God is Smart! That was why your first pregnancy was so smooth!”

Haha! I have to agree.

In case you have not noticed, I have just changed my blog’s outlook.

Also, have put up a new poll! This is a fun one, and think it is interesting to see what the results would be. So go vote now!

Just got back from New York, so lots of backlog to clear… will be posting up a new blog entry soon. Meanwhile, you have a great week ahead!

Dearest Readers,

Hello! Hope you have had a great National Day weekend! (For non-Singaporeans, Singapore just celebrated its 43rd birthday last Saturday!)

I have a treat for you today. Just came across a poem written by my friend Deidre Pereira for a contest. Found it very sweet, so decided to share it with you!

Enjoy!

Sincerely, Violet

Love is like a butterfly, beautiful and free
Fluttering and tender just for everyone to see
Love is like a ray of light, shining down on me
It lifts you up and sways you round like a leaf on a tree

Love is something special, love guides the way
No one can quite explain it, no one can quite say
Love is all around us some of us might pray
But all I say just let it come, come come what may