Happy Anniversary 2023 ❤️

 26.10.23 This is our 10th wedding anniversary and 16 years together. I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've been on together. Over the past decade, we've faced joys and challenges, and I am deeply grateful for the love and companionship you've brought into my life.

For the past months, we have been planning what to get for each other. We wanted something special and memorable since it’s our 1st decade in marriage.

And this is what we got for each other. 

And we renewed our vows.

Our vows 

We promise to continue loving and cherishing each other, even more than we did on our wedding day. We promise to be each other’s unwavering support through all the highs and lows that life brings our way. We vow to be partners in all of our adventures, big and small, and to never stop exploring and discovering the world together.

We pledge to keep the flame of passion burning in our relationship, to always be open and honest in our communication, and to be patient and understanding when times get tough. We promise to laugh together, cry together, and grow old together, creating countless beautiful memories together.

In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, through all the years to come, we promise to be faithful, loving, and devoted partner. 

I look forward to spending the rest of my life by your side, building a future filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness.

And the witness for this special occasion?

Our 2 boys! 

 

It’s a good day. 

Till our next anniversary. 

With love,

Evelyn

Happy Anniversary 2020

Finally took the time to write this. 

It has been more than 3 weeks since we celebrated our Anniversary on 26th October. 

Life is good without blogging. Peaceful.

This year Anniversary is a special one. 

We are flipping into a new chapter in life, expecting our Number 2. ♥️

You are the best gift in life. 

Till next anniversary. 

Love, 

Eve 

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

It’s 26th October again.

It has been really long since I last posted something on Twentysixoctober. 

Today, it’s our 5th wedding anniversary and 11th dating anniversary. 

时间飞逝，又一年过去了。

在这一年里好多事情发生但却没什么时间把一切都记载。

Many things had happened but there’s so little time to document everything. 

Aedan has started going to half day childcare.....so I have some “free time” in the morning. However, there are always things to do and blogging has been set aside.

Most of the day, after sending Aedan to school, I start my “me-time” with a cup of ice coffee and breakfast.... reply customers’ queries on Carousell @tsobaby 

and at 9am, I’ll check on stock prices. 

This has become my routine. Managing @tsobabysg and reading investment blogs have become my hobby. 

Once in a while, I indulge in drama like 延禧攻略... so there’re really lots to squeeze into that precious few hours. There are people who asked me why not put Aedan on full day childcare. There are many reason. After analysing the pros and cons, our family decided to put him on half day. 

Reading investment blogs is now something that I really love to do. I started investing in retail bonds and equities many years ago while I was still working in bank. However, at that time, I have little idea of what I was doing. 

Made a few wrong decisions and learnt from

mistakes...reading more to be better at it.. though I’m still not good, I think I’m getting better. Since I quit my job, I am glad that my investment provides some passive income .. so I don’t feel too guilty when I buy some new clothes for myself. 

Okay, back to today, our dating and wedding anniversary. We enjoyed our very rare peaceful couple time when Aedan was in school. We had lunch at Hai Di Lao and I am utterly impressed by their level of service and thoughtfulness in making our special day a very special one. 

Especially love the decoration put up by them. 

“我负责赚钱养家”

“我负责貌美如花”

Hope my hubby will remember this quote forever. 

爱不就是如此吗？哈哈哈哈😂

Happy Anniversary to my hubby!

Thanks for being so supportive in what ever decisions I made and in entrusting your money to me, I promise to manage it well and at the same time try my best to be a good mom and wife. 

Will always psycho you to love me more every day till forever. 😂❤️

With Love,

Evelyn 

A decade of love. Happy 4 years of Marriage

Yesterday, we celebrated Twentysixoctober. ❤️

10 years in relationship and 4 years of happy marriage. It has been a good 10 years. 

It doesn’t feel like we have been together for a decade... you still feel new yet familiar.

I still like to ask you why do you like me (still going to ask you as and when I like). 

I still like to receive flowers from you. 

I still like surprises from you.

I still like to hear sweet words from you. 

I still wonder how can you be so perfect for me.

I like that you are consistent, righteous and always have a clear line between what you deem right and wrong.

I like the way you like me like I am the most perfect person in the world (even though I know I’m not).

Thanks for everything.

Let us continue to love like this till forever. 

Happy Anniversary ❤️

An open-letter to my husband: Happy 9 years!

Time flies.. It's 26 October again!

It's 4am now in Israel time. 

Happy Anniversary! 

It has been 3 years since our wedding and 9 years in relationship with you... 

Looking forward to our a decade milestone next year! 

Though this is our 3rd wedding anniversary, it's the first time that we are going to celebrate this day physically together. 

Remember.. on our first anniversary, you were posted overseas for work. On our 2nd anniversary, after Aedan was born, you flew to Israel for your studies. Finally.. finally this year we are going to celebrate this special day together and with our baby! :) 

Though we are 9 years in a relationship... it felt like we just got together not too long ago. I can still remember the feeling when we first started, and the many fights we had on our differences to when I learnt to accept that you are not a romantic person but rather a very logical one which our relationship works better with clear instruction rather than playing the guessing game. And of course those memorable near breakup moments.. I'm glad that we stay committed to each other. 

I am a believer that we shouldn't try to change our partner but I realized that being with you for such a long time, you have inevitably influenced me. You have inspired me to be ideal. Though you clearly know that you are not good with romantic tricks, you never stop trying to be my ideal partner by making little surprises on special occasions .. just because you knew that I like it.  

You have taught me to be ideal too and to see the good things in people and life.

Thanks for providing many good things and memories in my life.

Thanks for tolerating my bossy behaviour :p 

Thanks for being such a strong pillar of support and showering me with your unwavering love. 

9 years together. From being good friend to dating to being in a relationship to marriage to being parents now...living in a new country and travelling the world with our baby, my life feels complete with you. 

But I believe it's still only the beginning as we have a lifetime to share. There are still so many things that we are going to experience together... I hope that we will continue to complement each other and be each other's support in good times and bad times. 

Thank you for loving me and everything. 

Happy Anniversary!! 

I ❤️ U,

Mommy eve

My Pregnancy Diary 1 - Pregnancy Test and Symptoms

Hi all,

Yes, I am finally going to blog about my pregnancy. It has been so long since I last blogged as I'm not feeling well with all the pregnancy symptoms.

I am currently at my 20th week (half way through my pregnancy), 2^nd trimester, which I'm feeling much much better as compared to 1^st trimester.

Not sure whether it’s a baby boy or girl yet.

But I'm really excited to find out in the next Gynae visit!

Ever since I revealed my little bundle of joy to my friends and colleagues,  many people asked me how I discovered that I'm pregnant.

Hmmm.. there were actually many symptoms before I decided to take a pregnancy test.

1. Decreased level of fitness and extreme fatigued. Before I discovered that I'm pregnant,  I was actively attending gym and pole dance classes. Last year, during one of my pole dancing classes (before I knew I'm pregnant),  I suddenly couldn’t perform the pole stunt which I have previously mastered. I even have difficulty climbing up the pole. For that lesson, I can only stood at the side and watched my classmates. :(
2. Feeling nauseous throughout the day. This is one symptom which made me really suspicious.  
3. Enhanced sense of smell. My sense of smell was heightened during 1^st trimester of my pregnancy, it's so heigthened that I can smell many things that others can't. And I was easily irritated when I passed by hawker centres. I hated the oily cooking smell and any unpleasant smell. 
4. Acne breakout. My face has many pimples popping out which make my face looks really red and sensitive. And it's really sad to see my face become like this :( Due to pregnancy, I cannot seek any acnes medication even external applications as they are generally harmful and poisonous to fetus. Luckily, my acnes condition got better in my 2^nd trimester.

All the above symptoms made me really suspicious. Frankly, after I experience these symptoms, I was 80% sure that I'm pregnant. I have told my hubby about my experience but he is skeptical. Haha so to be sure we bought a pregnancy test kit on 11 Dec 15 to test it.

I remember that on the day after our dinner. I was so tired & fall asleep after bathe. I woke up at 11am and realized that I have not taken the test.  My hubby was asleep at that time. I went to the toilet and took the test.

I followed the instructions, peed on the stick and waited for 1 min.

Nothing showed after 5 mins.

Then I thought maybe there’s not enough urine. So I peed again and waited.

I felt that time passed very slowly while I was waiting. Finally, something showed. It’s a plus sign! I looked at the instruction again and realized that it means Positive! I'm Pregnant!!

I was delighted! I took the test kit and woke up my hubby to reveal the truth. He was pulled out from his sleep and I remembered how shocked he was that this is really happening!

11 Dec 2015 marks the day where we realized that a new living being is entering into our life.

Thanks God for giving us this beautiful experience.

With Love, 

TwentySixOctober 

Like Twentysixoctober fb page to follow our stories as it's where we connect with our readers. :)

Happy Anniversary!

Marriage

It has been a year since we signed on the dotted line to be legally bound to each other.

For the past 6 years before our marriage, my husband and I were almost glued to each other and have never been apart for more than a month.

This time round, we have been separated for more than 3 months.

During this period, I have reflected on our marriage. Maybe the fact that we have been always together made marriage the natural next step in life. We have been through disputes, taken steps back to accommodate and finally find a balance in our relationship. Hence, marriage has seemed to be an inevitable next step.

However, during the recent 3 months, when my husband went overseas to work, it makes me understand and discover many things and to reflect once again on our relationship.

When two become one, what is it about?

Is it about losing part of ourselves to take in another one?

Without him, many decisions in life will be made differently. A simple thing like how I will spend my weekend is  a lot different with and without him.

Why should we get married?

After much reflection, I have listed the following.

1. Lifetime Companion

We as human beings have the desire to find companionship be it friends, family or partner. It’s a natural instinct that we do not like being alone and yearn to have a sense of belonging in a group.

Moreover, it is true that opposite genders have natural attraction to each other, though most of the time, it’s physical. The union of a man and woman is almost purely a human desire to feel complete.

Of course, not all people will find their half. Especially in current society where people are more independent and woman being less dependent. For such cases, we seek alternatives or find comfort from friends and family.

So it seems like there’s no need to be married if there’re other sources of companionship.

But ideally, marriage is a desired source since friends and family may not be able to be with you all the time.

2. Procreation and Building of Family

I personally think that it’s almost a MUST for all married couple to try to have babies. This may be one of the ultimate goals in marriage. Without the needs to procreate and to provide children with a complete normal family, it may not even be necessary to be married.

3. Emotion and Financial Support

We seek emotion and financial support through companionship. In difficult times, we all seek support. A husband and wife structure, in my opinion, is the best source of constant support. I guessed that’s why before we sign on the paper, we have to swear to love and care for each other through sickness and difficult times.

Human beings have strong adaptability since we have evolved through centuries to become the most intelligent animal on planet.  Husband and wife relationship may seem to be less important as people adapt and forge alternative relationships for support. 
However, I do believe marriage can help two people who complement each other to become better. 

Marriage is not to consume individuality. 
Without each other, we should still be able to stand on our own with our own source of support and social circle. I am glad that my husband has gone overseas during this period; it makes me understand the importance of my other parts of life such as friends and career. Friends for emotional support and career to be financially sound.

I used to think that when two persons get married, they should be glued to each other.  This is not true.

When two persons get married, it supposed to be more than one. We should be able to love and develop ourselves more and provide freedom to each other.  Of course, to love each other more each day.

Happy Anniversary, my dearest half.

You have made me complete and provide me with the security to be the best of me.
I love you.

Our 7 Years Journey..................

Married you and be with you....

Travel the world with you.....

                                                  Bangkok                  

                                               Vietnam

Taiwan

Hong Kong

 Korea

Those were the days...

During university time.
Thanks for following me and being by my side even when I pushed you away

Celebrations of the date when you are born. 

Black and White Romance.
I never thought we will really be married when we took this set of photos for my friend project



Thanks for being in this journey with me and
let's write more stories.
Forever and ever after

With Love,
TwentySixOctober

Korea Trip - Seoul Good

It has been really long since my last post.
Lot of things have happened during this period.

1. I have visited 3 countries! Korea, Hong Kong and Batam (Montigo Resort)
2. I have changed job! 
3. I'm still living happily with my hubby. 

I love this quote "Change is the only constant"
While some things change, some things will nv change.

I guess I will have lot to update for my blog.
Firstly. I shall blog about my long overdue Korea trip!

And I am going to share our itinerary here. My hubby had made the effort to come with the daily itinerary.
I hope it will help those who are going to travel to Korea.

22 DEC 2013 (Touched down Seoul and feeling cold) 

We touched down Korea on 22 Dec 2013.
I remember the weather was freezing cold and we were not able to get a cab as most taxi drivers in Korea do not understand English street name. Luckily, we managed to find a Korean on the street who had helped us to translate.
*remember to print the destination street name in Korean.

We reached Seoul at 2230.
To save on transport expense, we did not take a cab straight from airport to our guesthouse.
Instead, we took the AREX to Seoul station (9 stops) and then transit from Seoul to Myeongdong (4 stops) which is the nearest station to our guesthouse. And took a cab to our guesthouse at CRIB49.

By Subway (Last Train to Seoul Station 23:45)
Incheon Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to Seoul (9 stops) - you can purchase the ticket on the spot.
Seoul to Myeongdong (4 stops) (72 min), 

cabbed from Myeongdong to CRIB49 (5-10 mins)

The owner of CRIB49 is a Korean who speaks good English. If I never remember wrongly, he mentioned that that he used to live in the United State for a few years.
The owner was really helpful and friendly. We called the owner at past midnight when were unable to direct the cab to the guesthouse and he helped us.

When we reached, he offered to order supper to be delivered to the guesthouse.
Korean Zha Jian Mian set!! 
It tasted awesome! Or maybe we were freaking hungry.

CRIB49 guesthouse crib.guesthouse@yahoo.com
Tel +82 10 5478 5981 / +82 10 5244 1279 / +82 70 8128 5981
49-28 Namsandong 2ga Jung-gu Seoul Korea

CRIB49 Guesthouse review:

The overall experience is good.
The place is reasonably clean.
The owner is friendly.
The environment is safe.
The price is reasonable so it's value for money.
The hindsight is there is a long slope to the guesthouse, so it is not recommended for elderly.
On the positive note, young one can take it as exercise before and after their daily Korean food indulgence.




On the 2nd day we went to Nami Island! Check out the next post.

With Love, 
Evelyn 

Monday Date @ Mediterranean Thai @ Chuan Park

Yes, it's time for another Monday date review. My hubby and I are trying to maintain our biweekly Monday dates.

Last Monday, I remember it was drizzling.
After work, we went to this restaurant which was recommended my our friends.
The restaurant is located within Chuan Park Condominium and they are opened for non-residents to enter just to patronize the restaurant. The establishment has a variety of cuisines including Thai and Mediterranean.

We only ordered the Thai food that day (got to watch our diet) but their Mediterranean Pizza is another must try!!

The interior of the restaurant is plain and unassuming.

The fact that it's hidden within a condo estate - plus the fact that it was pretty late when we reach there (about 8 plus) - the restaurant is pretty empty.

We tried their clear Tom Yam Soup, stir fried Tom Yam Sotong with Tom Yam Paste and Thai Chendol.

Their Tom Yam is really shiok and spicy! Especially the clear Tom Yam Soup.
So if you are not a someone who can stomach the heat, I don't recommend you to order these.
But if u are a real spicy foodie, then go for it!  Definitely a must try!

Clear Tom Yam Soup

Clear Tom Yam Soup

Stir fried Sotong with Tom Yam Paste

Stir fried Sotong with Tom Yam Paste

Thai Chendol

Thai Chendol

While we totally enjoyed the mains, the dessert was a little disappointing. The Thai Chendol is really sweet and very similar to our normal Chendol, nothing fanciful about it. Moreover, they served it with ice cubes instead of ice shavings so getting rid of the cubes from every mouth can be troublesome.

If you are interested to try. The restaurant is inside Chuan Park Condominium which is walking distance from Lorong Chuan MRT

Very convenient for non-drivers and people who want to avoid the dinner crowds. 

With love,

Evelyn