Financial Planning

Last Saturday, I met for the first time with a DBS relationship manager. I felt so grown up haha. 
I have never been interested in financial planning. I save my money in my bank account and I am more than contented. I don't care too much about growing my wealth. I just want to keep things as simple as possible and I am possibly the most risk adverse person there is when it comes to financial planning. :P

Marieann's 13th Birthday Celebration (in advance)

Today, Marieann held her 13th birthday party celebration in advance of her actual birthday, 2 January. It was held so early because most of her friends would be going to different secondary schools when school reopens and it will be a busy time for all. 
She planned the whole event herself, from the design of the invitation card, to the party activities and to the type of party food served! She also did the shopping for the materials for her party activities such as making flower crowns and the ingredients for the party food such as brownie. 
Her friends arrived consecutively between 3-3:30pm. The party started off with DIY activities, e.g. Marieann teaching her friends how to make a flower crown, Brownie decorating, hair dyeing with chalk, etc. Dinner was pizza at 6pm and the birthday cake cutting at 7pm. Another game just before the opening of presents at 8:30pm. The last of her friends left at 9:30pm. 

Friends who arrived earlier getting ready to make flower crowns

Making flower crowns while waiting for the others to arrive

Pizza dinner

Happy Birthday, Marieann!

Making her wish

Opening her presents

It was a successful birthday party since Marieann planned it and executed it. :)
Happy Birthday (in advance), Marieann! :)

Retreat 2014

Our organisation had a whole day planning retreat at The Elizabeth Hotel. For the first time, I am a member of the retreat committee. There were lots of planning involved in the days leading up to the retreat which happened to coincide with my pilot study data collection this week and there were lots of prep work for the pilot study too. You can imagine how flat out I was. Thank goodness my fellow committee members were understanding. :)
I was the facilitator and presenter for one of the break-out sessions as well as the photographer for the retreat. It was a fun experience. I enjoyed today's retreat as I felt that our retreat objectives were achieved and it has been a productive day. :) 

Me hard at work lol

Lunch at Modesto's

Option of Main Course: Penne Alfredo

Option of Main Course: Seafood Fried Rice

A group photo to remember this retreat :)

Why???

Why are all the special fares and offers for air tickets valid for flight until 30 May only?! School holidays start ONLY on 1 June this year!! So close yet so far... SIGH.

Birthday Planning II

All the mothers of Juliane's classmates came back with favourable replies. :) I called and managed to book the weekend soap-making workshop, which Juliane requested for, as her birthday celebration. All good to go. Now just have to decide whether to get a birthday cake or cupcakes for the girls.

Birthday Planning

Juliane's birthday is coming up real soon. Originally wanted to hold a small birthday gathering for her on the weekend before her 1 March birthday. It is too late now. We can only do that on the weekend after her birthday. I have contacted the mothers of her five classmates and am waiting their favourable replies.

AERA 2010 Denver

At the beginning of the week, my PI told me to register for AERA 2010 conference and to book accommodation too. Initially I was thinking AERA 2010 is from 30 April - 4 May and Early Bird registration doesn't end until end of March 2010, so what's the hurry.

I finally got down to doing the registration for AERA 2010 today. It was easy enough and I could book accommodation at the same time. There is a list of 12 hotels that have arrangement with the AERA conference to give special discounted group rates. :) However, when I tried to book the accommodation, I realised the 3 hotels that I were interested in didn't have all my accommodation dates available. That means I have to move to a second location after a number of days if I chose those hotels. The hotels that have my accommodation dates available are the expensive ones, e.g. US$200 per night exclusive of tax. :( Now I know why my PI asked me to register and book accommodation so early!

After spending a few hours searching and looking at alternatives, I think I might have found something. Going to fire them an email to make inquiries first before I make my decision. Hope it is what I am looking for.