spring cleaning and lantern making

Oh, how I wish I could say I was bumming around.

But in reality, I'm keeping busy. Some part of me feels guilty if I become a couch potato for weeks on end.

Having the notion of doing something worthwhile and 'craft-inspired' with my time, I bought a set of angpaos and accessories from a craft shop in AMK, hoping to make a series of lantern-angpao art. Although I have a degree in art... ... I almost gave up on those angpaos... I think I don't have a craft-side to me, unless it involves scrapbooking which I can do quite well, or painting... (Sorry Clone, I gave up on the kasut manek...)

First step: folding the angpao into a conical shape. Staple with red staples, 5 of these to form a flower.

This is half of the lantern ball I completed in the shop - completing ONE lantern ball (already done the conical-single angpao at home)... takes 2 hours in the shop! My hands were trembling from all that stapling. One lantern needs 5 of those flower formations x 12 = 60 angpaos per lantern. And the tiring part was the secret piece of plastic I had to slip in each lantern and superglue the fold opening... Well, just hope TheBoyfriend's mom appreciates it. I also bought the template for 'fish' which is much more complicated.... starting to regret.

A tired looking me holding up the completed works of art. I like the yellow sequin flowers...

Today I did a little spring cleaning...small redecoration.

Spring cleaning BEFORE: my drawer-top, random small bottles of lotions, accessories I never wear, a clock, some arty stuff, a card TheBoyfriend gave on our first monthniversary, hellokitty coinbank from japan, kewpie baby from hongkong, clock from kenny, tree of accessories and statue of liberty. Yes, the statue we should all worship if we were to worship one.
Framed up the card from TheBoyfriend, rearranged stuff under the tree of accessories. Yes, I have black photoframes from Ikea lying around.

The white frame bought from bangkok about 10 bucks.Used my new magiclean duster... it is soooo useful, I feel like buying one for everyone! Decided to put those stuff I bring out in bags, like ishuffle, lip glosses and hairpins in the clear compartments. Used a black soap dish I bought from Daiso some time back for a place to put my keys and hp. Also used the owl keychain - just blu tacked the key ring to side of soapdish.

Ta-dah! All my things look neat now, I am in half a mind to throw out all the necklaces and bangles I bought because it was pretty but never actually wearing them. To make the wall seem less empty, I put up postcards from different places around the world, from my collection. One of vietnam given by Mel. I also put some of my daily used perfumes so I can remember to squirt them on. They are Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, it's a unique and light scent, apple martini flavor. The Juicy one seems to be commonplace now although I was assured it was rare when I bought it, oh well. I'm eyeing either Hermes Kelly Caleche or Marc Jacobs scent for my next parfum buy. Next up for spring cleaning would be my bags shelf.

cleaning out my clutter

RIGHT Now is the no-man's land after Christmas and New Year, where the mind ambles on to a dreamlike state of being utterly complacent and, overloaded by shopping, heavy eating, and the mingling with the phalanx of friends, some you only see on the last season's few days, for better or worse; we start to think about how to dispose our unwanted gifts, and how to better our over-gorged bodies. The gung-ho amongst us are trawling the malls as I write for post-season sales, all the better and cheaper, if only we had the mood to shop and the money to spend. Somehow at the beginning of the year, everyone becomes a bit more frugal. Maybe it's a stark reminder of how we can make wiser purchases this year, as opposed to last year. So those with January birthdays don't get really big presents.

I'm in the midst of cleaning out my cupboards of which I seem to have numerous... and sorting out my stuff. The urgency of doing this is coupled with the fact that I need more space to store my new stuff, mostly buys from Bangkok and an array of toys, art and stationery I brought back from my office space (yes, no job = no money = more love from my honey). I've already packed one 'china bag' full of unwanted but still wearable clothes -Mom doesn't let me throw any clothes away, and now it's in TheBoyfriend's storeroom (from storeroom to storeroom...) awaiting new owners in the form of his lovely cousins or perhaps, it will languish there till the end of time.

I've found two belts (you shall see me wearing belts every day now), 3 scissors (I shall donate them to somewhere), books and more books I forgot I had read, old cards, old bags. Looking at your old things brings out a sense of nostalgia although, you have forgotten about them, and although I am, unlike my mother, rather vicious about throwing out things, a part of me wants to keep them for some reason I can't understand. I probably would not carry some of those bags again but it's just for some godforsaken sentimental reason that we can't throw them out. And I suspect, also the reason for some of my childhood clothes to be in a bag somewhere in my parents' room... ....

I've cleared out a drawer and three cupboards, I'm left with 8 more places to clear up/out. Hopefully I can get it done! It's quite exhausting...

non- new year's resolutions

Today's a good day.

I was smiling as I remember the last five months or so and prayed, actually THANKED God for bringing The Boyfriend into my life. As well as being thankful for the year, it's been more good than bad, isn't it?

Yes, I know I should be praying 'thank-you' prayers more often. One prayer awaiting thanks, is to have; finally, a good career start in the New Year 2010. I'm not getting younger so it's time to take a hard serious long look at where my career is headed.

3 years ago, I started the '101 things to do in 1001 days'. http://www.dayzeroproject.com/

Basically you just write down 100 things you wanna accomplish and do it in about less than 3 years' time. Some things can't just be done in one year, lacking the money, resources or time frame, so you do need that kind of time to plan for stuff in your life.

Click on the link for more inspiration. Here are some of the things I wanted to do, and did:

I went to Japan, it's always been a dream of mine to visit Japan and I wasn't disappointed!

Saw snow for the first time in my life. Here in the photo my hotel room supposed to face Mt Fuji, but the snow marred the view of it.

I fell in love with a guy who has everything I want! (Almost. Yes, women are never 100 percent satisfied are they...)

I also went to Melbourne!

I DID have regular email pen-pal-ish letters with Chester. Very proud of that. 3 years anniversary!

For the trips, like the Melbourne one, it took months of saving, pouncing on that budget air ticket during the one week it was on sale, and bunking in at MsBestFriend's apartment... it did take some planning. But I can say its totally worth it. I will save more so that I can buy more items next time round!

While others on the 'to-do list' just came along naturally.

'Watching the sunset with someone I love' came unexpectedly.

We saw this sun, glowing like a melted gold nugget (it was taken with a cameraphone so can you imagine the color in real life?) like nothing I've ever seen before in Singapore, it was awe-inspiring and breath-taking.

Believe it or not, we saw this when TheBoyfriend was driving me home (we were still dating and not together yet), it's along my house road!

Unbelievable once in a lifetime experience to see a sun setting like this, here.

Got a new wabbit, 1 year old male who already produced 2 (expensive litters). Mushroom is a Lop, which means his ears can't stand like normal rabbits (real lop from Holland, note the round face unlike local rabbit lops which are mixed breed). However, he has a bit of mutant power, he can raise one ear when he hears his name...

My new wabbit, Mushroom is a delight to have. After my Skiiri unexpectedly dropped dead this year, I had no plans for a replacement. But in the nature of my work I caught up with my rabbit breeder and he offered me this male lop-eared rabbit, FOC. Mushroom has a sweet temperament unlike Skiiri who used to stomp her foot (but it's still very cute), bite people in anger, and run to a corner to glare at you. Mushroom comes up for pats and somehow, contrary to popular belief, actually LOVES carrots. His funny expressions never fail to crack me up and this winsome wabbit has captured my heart.

His fur is velvetly fluffy. And has adapted to our chinese diet of eating veggies like xiao bai cai, sweet corn, carrots, wong bok, wheatgrass, all his favorites. He has forsaken his native hay!

Nom nom nom. Doesn't like to wear anything on his head. Santa hat too big and scary.

Looking back at the last three years, I've realised that I really set out to do the things I wanted to accomplish personally (in my social life), and adventourously. Even though I have not managed to accomplish some of the basic things, like getting a driving license or even learning how to swim, (maybe my inner fragile woman cries for a man to save me in such situations), I'm pleased with the way its all turned out.

Some of life's adventures can be planned for, and it makes life so much richer. Next year is coming soon, and I'm undecided about writing resolutions or doing the '101 things' again.

I guess... I'd do the 101 things!!! Oh well.

some things are better left unsaid

Around this time of the year, the christmas lights are up, the trees are lighted brightly and we are reminded to go and shop. For many of us though, it's a reminiscing time, once more. After all, the things on our mind are not the latest must-haves but the people we have once shared a connection with. Some people also think about God and how far they've been. That's why so many people 'reappear' at this season, and also, many get re-attached or newly attached. Haha.

I've had many around me who are in this 'mode', lately, so it strikes me a little too. How some names are not on my to-gift list this year. Or how some names, being mentioned, still brings out mixed feelings in me. It's mixed feelings because I can't come to a conclusion...not a conclusion about my feelings but a conclusion about the character of the person. If the person was really, not a worthy person of my friendship, then I wouldn't be anguished about it fading away and almost being unremembered. I'm someone who highly values the company I keep, maybe deep down I'm hoping a hopeless hope, not just for the friendship to be restored but for the person's life and years ahead to be a happy one, like the way I'm happy now.

A friend was sharing that he once knew someone closely who never lied... some people do have flaws like lying, smoking, exaggerating... but this person just keeps quiet thus preventing herself from lying. I thought and said that this is not a bad trait, she can truthfully say she doesn't lie! As he puts it, some things are better left unsaid, and he too won't tell those who are close to him about all he has experienced or his thoughts... if we all were truthful, I wonder how many of us would be left standing? This guy is a blessed guy in the areas of...girls liking him. He has never been single for a long period of time and since the last we met, 3 girls professed their liking for him and one even cried! They said their i love yous and i want nobody nobody but you to be my boyfriend. In fact, one of them even said 'JUST FOR ONE NIGHT' !!!! Fainted, man. I can't believe that there are these kind of people... been watching too many korean/taiwanese dramas??? I think this kind of wish 'just for one night' is quite self-destructive because even if you had a good good night, what good will this memory of that one night bring you and what does it say about your morals?

Lucky for them though, he is also a decent guy and won't just accept a girl because she has professed her head over heels. And of course, not a one-night-stand also! I approved and said that it's better for the girls this way, because it'even if they get their wish of a relationship with him... they know it's not a sincere one... so in a sense, he is letting them off lightly. It's a hard balance and a hard thing to do when someone close to you likes you, LOVES you but honestly you don't feel a thing, what are you to do? Then again, most people wish for such a thing to happen to them, that someone would love them heedlessly... obsessively... isn't it so?


I know many people want to be happy, but choosing and living their own self-destructive paths is not the right way. And when things are THAT OBVIOUS to so many, it's time to do some reflecting and seriously changing of your course of action. After all, some things are left unsaid and it's better to live a moment in misery than a lifetime of regret. Some wrong choices (or passive choices) brings about circumstances that can't be changed easily, but in the end... who suffers? It's you.

that's why they call it corporate culture.

A photo concept of mine taken last year, that was not doable without the help of friends - we took a LONG time arranging this, a camera that had a tripod and a auto-mode, and the beautiful thailand beach of course. We won a best photo award! I'm looking forward to a short break early next month, it's always good to take an exciting holiday from time to time. And I shared a testimony in cell that I had just changed my baht - in faith - a major sum for my trip. And it happened to be at its lowest point then. Of course, it might slide down a little lower, etc, and the difference is a few baht anyways, but I felt a sense of joy that I didn't waste money and time. (The ringgit's low these days too!)

Those money gurus always tell you not to invest yourself into a business/industry that requires your 'man-hours' for profit, as this kind of business will never make it big, big in the global sense. But since not all of us aim for the stars, should we take this into consideration? For instance if you are a... masseur, you can earn... $20 - $200 /hour, depending on the type of establishment you are in. Similar for hawkers and people who do sales. It's really how many chicken wings or how many medical devices you can push within one hour and multiply that, you have got your job and income!

Hear of people saying they left their job or hate their job because of the corporate culture they are in? It's because their skills-set do not have inherent value... or are easily picked up.

Say, you are good in... videography. And you have worked for a few years, 3-5 years maybe. So now your income is double that or close to double, of a fresh grad's monthly salary. You think you have got it made! But as a boss (I'm not referring to my situation, just in general), a small-company boss would think, am I paying you too much? Because a fresh grad can do, in about 6 months' of learning, a fresh grad can do what you do and probably with a better attitude and a less slacker mindset. So...you are not very marketable, isn't it? What sets you apart from the fresh grad in terms of output and revenue? Are you able to do double or triple of what they do in a day, thus ensuring your iron rice bowl? Of course not, because one hour of work is the same amount! And it's not only in the media industry but I believe, many other companies as well. Those 'bottom-feeder'/low-level 'marketing managers'? Trust me, they will stay in that position but maybe hop from company to company, always underperforming. That's the situation.

While it may look bad for companies to hire and fire, bottom line for most small companies is revenue. I'm not saying that I affirm their move, in fact, it is bad for the corporate culture to do so, deploying staff as and when reduces work productivity also, but when the going gets rough, many will lose their jobs, within or without reason. So I'm asking myself, how can I make sure that I have a skill that will enable me to ride the tide?

Some skills are highly valued, more so than others, especially in our little island state. I may aspire to be an 'OL' - office lady in the future, but I think those OLs have very little place to learn and be 'indispensable' to any company, as well. A lot of older folk always told me that a good skill to learn is ...SALES. Then not only will you be indispensable, you also master the art of selling which is not easy, I've been there done that and reaped the rewards, perhaps even reaping it now! Also, having a variable income might be very cool to most people. And a sense of accomplishment, knowing you have worked hard for your money, you will treasure the things you buy with it more, I feel.

I have a penchant for coach bags - the more classic designs, and I can always remember when/how I bought them and under what kind of financial situation. Somehow the lovely dresses and bags remind me of what I once worked hard for. The way good sales engineers are hard to find: It's a specialized field, plus most engineer types suck at sales/explaining themselves so that everyone can understand, thus, highly paid and highly sought after...

For those who are highly-paid in a job that even fresh grads can do, it's time to take a hard look at your career advancements, because soon, there won't be any, and that's corporate culture for you.

a guide to dressing well (and looking good in photographs) while overseas

I went to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in the start of winter where when it's not too chilly, temperature can be about 15 deg, nice and aircon like - and when it's cold with the foggy weather it can be chilly of 9 deg or less. Being low-fat and always traveling light, here's how to wear stuff so you can pack light and still look good in photos. Oh, and it always helps to have a windbreaker with a light sponge inside. Here, I borrowed one from my friend. Nice road at the 'Little Italy' in Melbourne. I never saw any other roads that looked as nice as this one so when you spot a nice photographic moment, you have to carpe diem!



Day 1:
I bought 2 sweaters for the trip so this is my first one, a raspberry sweater from Nafnaf. I'm quite scared of getting a chill so I wore a undershirt under my black long-top.
These tights are 120 denier, looks classy for night or day and in my opinion, warmer and better looking than jeans. And I added a little black vest from Muji which surprisingly helps to keep warm... I will mix and match these outfits for nice photos as it progresses...



Day 2:
Still wearing the raspberry sweater, went to Philip Island and did a lot of walking so opted for jeans - I did wear thin knee stockings inside to be safe.

Day 3:
Just walking around the bohemian parts of Melbourne and it was not foggy, which means less cold. I wore a black bubble dress underneath the striped sweater and the vest and leggings.

Day 4:
Visited a church and a sunday flea market at St Kilda's beach. in this getup. It's Day 2's top, just that I wore it ,worn under the striped sweater. And leggings, instead of stockings. I bought a scarf from Target because the Daiso one just doesn't cut it.

Day 5:
Stockings with the black bubble dress and raspberry sweater at Ballarat. The white scarf... I love it. Inexpensive and furry and keeps me warm! On windy days it really freezes up your neck especially if you have short hair. Here, in a mock town, 18th century bar which stirs up a saucy pose in me...


Back to jeans for easy walking in a shopping area. Was getting used to the cold so it's just a hooded tee underneath (which came in handy when it started to shower.)

Having studied in design school, I tend to be quite 'tasty' when buying clothes. Shopping is no enjoyable pasttime for me, it's more of like a hawk swooping down on it's prey when it spots a tender, juicy, succulent one... I like bright colors but too often I tend to choose the combi of navy-gray-black that my whole wardrobe looks depressed. I think some people took my one-off comment on dressing well a bit too emotionally. I was just remarking, you could say 'highlighting' the fact that some guys in my midst dress a little too dowdily for the event or occasion they're going for. Maybe they are corporately uptight during work hours (I can wear almost anything I want except when meeting corporates) so they wanna relax after-hours. But I wanted to highlight that dressing dowdily not only catches the attention of the opposite gender in an 'un-tasty' light, it also gives yourself a negative reinforcement. As you would like other people to focus on your good points, therefore. accentuate (not over-emphasize though!) the good points you have through good dressing.

Mr A. always looks spiffy in his dressing (being tall and dark, helps) and I always find it a pleasure to walk beside him, girls tend to be a bit more secure knowing that the guy did make a bit of effort in choosing the clothes to wear. And it needs not be expensive, or glamourous. Just be NICE! (I mean the clothes...) Imagine, if the girl you like always sees you in old, faded, 'homeclothes' style... even though you are young, dashing and suave inside... she will never see it inside! 

(Oooh... I am very excited. Mr A. wants to bring me to places...he said he will bring me to a live band playing near the Sg Flyer area. This week, we are going to a nice sandwich bar in The Office area, take a walk by the Cavenagh bridge, go shopping at uniqlo, and spend one weekend afternoon 'relaxing'. Whee! whee! And he told me he looks forward to my 'bonjour' sms everyday! Muahaha.)

Kinds of dressing (young)girls don't like: boring old polo tees, shorts that show your white-chickeny legs, faded and old shapeless teeshirts that looks as though you have worn it for years, anything that screams 'boring' or 'cannotmakeit'. No "2 by 4" hairstyles too... or those that come right out from the 80s.

Kinds of dressing (young)girls like: shirts are always a crowd pleaser. Loafers. Beige loafers. Shoes in a color other than black. Anything from Zara. Or PullandBear (for me!)

 

Like the white knight in shining armor, your armor has to dazzle her... just that little bit.

  

baby bird

Lately I've got a 'filler' pet to sort of stem my nurturing instincts inbetween my wabbit's passing and waiting to co-own a dog with Mr A. (More on that, later.) I try to go home slightly earlier to feed it ... baby food, namely Heinz' apple and cranberry gel. My parents have the harder job of shoving down its' throat, ground birdseed and rice.

Here is... 'baby bird!'

Baby bird was found, dropped out from its nest, by Dad. Dad says this is a wild pigeon.

Well, now it has grown quite attached to me. Was amazed that it half flew, half used the fan to blow itself to me on the sofa while I was reading papers on Sunday morning.

It likes to perch on my hand and gently chirp at me to preen its feathers. I don't like birds... nooo, but this one is cute. I am now teaching it to fly to Mr A's place so that it can deliver messages for us. Haha! This baby bird can't fly yet, nor eat by itself. Silly bird.

The period of absence (my vacation in Melbourne) has stirred up some 'deeper' feelings in me, for Mr A. I'm a bit impatient in this aspect due to my personality type who's always 'moving forward' and wanting to know, 'what's next'. But I respect his peaceful and gently sensitive ways of being there. I'm really thankful for him in my life. It's through learning other people's life-stories that makes me a more... matured and better person, and I'm glad to be able to walk with Mr A. on this length of the road. Once again, we went to see the puppies at the pasir ris farmway, and later watching another movie (Monsters and Aliens. Preferred NATM2!)... I asked if he was okay with the name (for the future pet) 'Rex'... and he just smiled and said yes! We saw leopard print leashes and knowing I'm quite a fan of leopard-print, he suggested we could get those. Awww! 

(Taking advantage of his kindheartedness, I proclaimed that I loved snakeskin too and could he buy a snakeskin bag for me next time? He agreed without thinking twice... and later tried to jokingly back out when I said: "Do you know how much is one! Muahaha!... I went to On Pedder and their snakeskin bags - non famous brand, but real snakeskin... is about one-two months' salary lor...)

 

I'm just thankful for the days I get to spend with him and hoping that there will be many, many more. 

back.

While in Australia...Me creeping up behind the cow... hyuks. Have you ever seen such a furry cow upclose? We were fascinated by it.

Ta-dah! This is a perfect shot with cow and me.

I was very happy on my trip - thought the whole trip was just perfect. My bestie couldn't have planned it better... we had ample time to walk slowly through the nature at Philip and Churchill Islands, did shopping at the Duty-Free, I ate all the stuff I wanted to, like lamingtons, and raspberries. Got quite a few nice togs too! I can't wait to wear my new jeans and nice tops.

Met Mr A., yesterday night when I was back. I realised that... I've missed him tremendously. It's okay in the day when I'm busy with stuff, but in the night, just as I'm covered in my quilt and snuggly drifting to sleep, I have thoughts of him. Our time together always seems so short... I wanna hug him... but I think that will scare him off, man. We went for dinner and then watched a movie, our first movie : Night at the Museum 2. I'm easily amused so warned him in advance I might laugh at the not-so-funny parts, so don't be disgusted or embarrassed. But during the movie, I think he laughed much louder than me, haha. It's a really funny show, we were laughing uproariously throughout it. Must watch!

I bought a 'Where's Wally' travel edition book for him, we spent some time looking. It's not fun to play it with Mr A, he always spots Wally so quickly... I can't... boooo. Guess I'm a big-picture person. It's nice to just admire the beautiful intricate drawings in the picture. And, if we ever run out of things to talk about, we can just take out the book and play, such a good idea right?  

For trip photos, check out my albums. I've tried to put the best shots with as useful information as I possibly can.

Day 1

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79547&id=686394456&l=2e92034ffc

Day 2

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79720&id=686394456&l=f9fc4e5281

Day 3

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80106&id=686394456&l=9de11f0888

Day 4

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80282&id=686394456&l=2fde4d5a12

Day 5

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80283&id=686394456&l=b290f836a3

Day 6

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80506&id=686394456&l=9b8d9403c4

oreo

Me with Mr A.'s Golden Retriever puppy stuffed toy. He named it Oreo, I think. So cute, hor.

Alright. I'm going to Australia soon. Fingers crossed. I won't actually be too excited until I really reach there. 

Kinda hectic over the last few days trying to allocate my work to an assistant (hyuks!) and packing and all. I don't have many 'winter collection' clothes either. So actually bought 2 sweaters - a raspberry colored one (So that when I eat raspberries over there, the stain will not show, hee...) and a striped one which has angora (wabbit fur! sobs!) in it. I was warned that it could be quite cold, so I hope those will be enough.

Going to really try to... take in all the sights and sounds I could possibly do in a week.

I think I miss Mr A. already. He's been bogged down with work, as usual. But... it would be nice to hear his voice one more time before I go... *gulp*. I wonder if the absence will do us good, or make it weird, like... don't know what to say after some time... awkward silences and all. We'll see.

I leave you with some pick-up lines before doing the last thing for the day, wiping my office desk and arranging the papers stashed onto it into some semblance of harmony.

These are christian pick up lines so... feel free to use them!

One of my favorites, as spoken (jokingly of course) by Mr. A:

"Let's tithe together."

Christian pick up lines!

1. "Is it a sin that you stole my heart?"

2. (Serious tone) "I hear there's going to be a love offering tonight."

3. "Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy."

4. "I would like to pray with you."

5. (To ladies) "Excuse me, I think one of your ribs belongs to me."

6. "Hi, my name is Will ... ...God's Will."

7. When I saw you, I knew the true meaning of 'rejoice and be glad'.

8. If Eve was tempted by an apple then you must be my fruit.

9. How would you like to join my purpose-driven life?

10. Would you like to come to my place... my parents are at home.

Haha. And with that, I bid adieu.

last night

Scott the Dog.

Note his cute son looking at us from behind.

I talked to A last night. For the first time!

We talked about the people we knew, and the places we've been to.

The places we loved to visit and want to visit again. I told him about Japan, and Bali - the enchanting sunset over the Tabanan village's padi fields. The pinks and purples that lighted up the horizon in a way he would have never imagined. I told him about Aceh, and how I helped, after the tsunami, to build a house for the ravaged township. He told me about his winter in Australia, that he hated and loved winter at the same time - exactly my sentiment, but I didn'tt see it in that light until he explained it to me... and a funny incident about his backpacking trip to Sabah.

I thought, 'how similar our lives are', in a certain sense... ... we have had eerily similar experiences, almost like we were traversing in similar circles in the grand sphere of life, near to each other, but never touching. When we were growing up, we lived in the same town. Just a couple of roads away from each other. I was so surprised, and happy, to know about that.

We ate at the same hawker centre. We had the same kindergarten uniform. Mine was a tablecloth printed dress with small pockets, I loved it. The tablecloth print was on his shorts. Then later, in the church... We had the same pastor, just that the pastor left my ministry and went to his - and I knew almost all the army guys in his cell - almost all, except him. We attended the same service at Adam, for years, without bumping into each other. It was as if he had been a part of my life without me knowing, and vice versa. 

So, even though we have just met, it was as if we were just catching up on the years we have lost being strangers with each other. 

'Do you remember the mee pok man?' I asked. Mom loved the mee pok at our old place, and I bought it back for her on a regular basis. 'Do you remember the nasi padang?' He replied. He liked that dish that was a part of his childhood days. My old hawker centre was such a part of Singapore that it was even featured in one of Jack Neo's movies, 'The Best Bet'.

After meeting A, I suddenly realised that cheesy phrases such as 'love at first sight' does hold true for some of us in this world. 

But I also have the feeling that he is like an imaginary friend becoming a real one, someone you always wished you knew and could talk to about everything in life because he knows it well himself, someone I could never imagine existing, coming to life, coming into my life.

I'm glad the circles finally collided.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincolnrs.”

when you like him too much, don't tell everyone

This blog is about shopping so if you have no money, please don't read on... ...

I bought a cool pair of sneakers -Onitsuka Tigers Lutte Filles.

Mine's in silver, and when I wear it, it makes me feel like dancing through life... I remember the last pair of sneakers I owned was bought by a friend (Adidas' in maroon) and that was many, years ago. I wear my Mom's Columbias to the gym and own an assortment of slippers and more slippers. But my feet ache in them and ache worse in flats - and even worse, are scratched and bruised from the various gu-niang shoes. Sobs. So this month, I have a sneaker budget. I hope I don't feel like I want to buy one pair every month...they are just too comfy!

I don't know if there is a theory out there that if you like someone, it somehow subconciously influences your shopping for clothes/makeup/shoes etc. But it does! Mr A is always impeccably dressed... I have a thing for guys in black, long-sleeved shirts, somehow it makes my heart beat faster... especially if he is tanned to match the shirt. And once, spotted him in this getup with gray chinos, and the back pocket had some stud details on it...which, having an eye for detail, I found myself giving him brownie points...wait, I wasn't purposely looking at his butt... Nono. And he always carries this beige overcoat with an air of nonchalance to our saturday haunt...I noticed that. Mmm, my ex-best friend does that too - carry a beige overcoat (when he was out with me, presumably to watch movies); 'just in case I felt cold'. I couldn't possibly be with someone who has sloppy dress sense, not only would I go broke buying him spiffy shirts, I would also feel that I need to change too much about him. Everyone's been amazingly positive about Mr A, hee... although he doesn't have a clue.

Alkitab even quoted from the Bible that I should, like in the book of Joshua, 'claimed the land upon which every step he took... ' I asked Alkitab, Oh, does that mean I must step on Mr A and claim him as my territory? And I had a very funny visual of me doing so, haha, maybe I will, although perhaps that would traumatise him a little...

Anyways.

Every guy has to have a black shirt...and a white shirt.

Or a blue shirt.

Kie, who is quite a spiffy dresser too.

But back to my theory.

After examining my wardrobe 'pre-crush' on Mr A - and 'post-crush'; YES, definitely I can spot some changes.

Before...I was this girl. Although not the striped cardigan, but yes with the straight cut jeans, white shirt, open sandals and trying-to-be-wavy hair.

So me.
My wardrobe is mostly cute graphic tees in black, white, gray, blue...which I can get away with (for work) if I pair it with a cropped jacket and slinky pants. I shop at Pull and Bear a lot...as well as River Island for these:

$19.90 only le. I LOVE ROBOTS! But I didn't buy it. Sobs. Pull and Bear knows that I love robots and buildings... This tee is so me, right? I have strictly instructed my girlfriends to restrain me from buying tees because I already have quite a wide variety...Was asking Lilo in the changing room, 'should I buy? should I buy? should I buy? Should I buy this robot shirt???' Until the shop assistant giggled to himself.

She wisely didn't answer.
Instead, I bought (something like) this:

$39.90, Pull and Bear.

It's a sort of tunic-dress in light airy cotton with nice tiny lace details around the neckline.

So I will look like this:

With my sneakers! Yay! Although I think I will wear leggings to preserve my modesty. Which I don't have any, so time to go and hunt for one.

Lilo has bought a nice bag which looks like this but nicer in lemony which SO suits her. From Fossil - I have a thing for Fossil bags, I think that they are quite nice and price points not as high as Coach, and they use nice leather!

Nice!

I am thinking of the one below for myself, or something like it. It's nice, quirky and durable. Maybe for next month's budget!

I think that when you are having a crush on someone, or in my case, he constantly 'pops' up in my mind; your brain is more predisposed to change - the positive, warm feelings in this sense being a catalyst for change; therefore, it's not something so straightforward like you are changing for someone; rather, it's a more subliminal sense of being in touch of the various facets of personality you have, and identifying with them in a way that brings out, more of your femininity.

And of course, taking note of what you are wearing just in case he walks by. Again, this is subconcious.

And my feelings being a catalyst for change, I did something unusual this week.

I cut my hair!

And not at Henrys'!!!

I only let Henry touch my head for...many years, now.

But since last year, I've been quite...daring, in my choice of hair stylists. Last month, I even went to Far East! But still, the styles were quite tame...until now. Haha! I just wanted a haircut, so I went to Lilo's hair salon which was near my office, anyways. He's good - now I have a blunt fringe, short at the sides so when I tie up it looks like short hair, and long at the back. Still getting used to the look, but am so happy I can wear lots of pins and etc. Haha... visited my sister's workplace (she is 4 years younger) and I was wearing corporate-style, but with the new hairdo, and her colleague asked, whether I was the younger or older sibling! HAHA! It's not the first time so... lil sis was miffed and said, in her defense, that I 'don't look my age'. Hmm, so I look 21 and she, 22? LOL...

I hope it doesn't scare away Mr A though. Looking like 21 and all...

scripted

Sometimes it's hard to come up with witty, interesting scripts that makes a good story. I have to write a few now for my filmings in March. Although most of my filmings are basically unscripted, reality-styled shows, I still have to write a rough outline for it. And I'm dry.

So I imagined what it would be like to take the REAL scenarios of the people around me, this week, and turn it into an episode plot:

1. "The clash of the biker dudes"
Lilo, who has just branched out into consumer banking, has just realized that despite the hassles of work, she has another thing to worry about: two guys liking her at the same time. The difference is, one is the stable, solid, engineer type whom she can envision a future with. The other is a charming but wild-child, 'little bad guy' type... but she can't resist going out with him and talking to him. They both confess their likings to her...so now how? Is it a case of 'Mr Right'...at the wrong time?

2. "The kasut manek story"
A Singaporean girl who once, fell in love with all things melaka on a backpacking trip when she was 18 and lived in a peranakan house along bukit china, is now beading her own kasut manek - peranakan beaded slipper. The strange thing is that with each beaded line, she has her own encounters with the peranakan culture. This week, she met a guy whose family owns the chain of peranakan restaurants in Singapore, and next week, he is taking her out to lunch. (True! But not romantic la, it's for work...of course. Hee...) By the completion of the slippers, what will happen when she puts it on?

3. "The photo in his wallet"
Kie is someone all girls like, because he is a sincere person with a ready smile for everyone. But year after year, he has experienced small heartbreaks and misguided likings. So year after year, he is still single, although the ravages of time does not show on his face, nor body. *whistles*
But... there is something that not many people knows, is that he still keeps a photo of himself and a girl (with a guy friend in the photo too), taken almost 4 years ago, in his olden gritty wallet. When the girl happened to spot it there, she was mystified and asked about it - he mentioned that because it was olden, the photograph had already 'stuck' to the plastic and melted together so he couldn't remove or replace it... ... But in 2009, with a new wallet, there is still the SAME photo... ...Is it the 'curse of the photo in his wallet' that makes him (and her, unfortunately) remain single?

So, which plot is good?
Hee... true stories sometimes are... better than fiction.
Actually, am really wondering about the photo. Maybe he is just a sentimental guy, no?

The perankan man is trying to close a 1.2mil deal with my company. Let's see how the lunch goes.

Soulfood

After one night of blissful sleep in Melaka, puffy eyes from being an insomniac for 2 weeks - gone, complexion looks pinky and refreshed (no photoshop, only benefit! ) For those who've seen me with puffy eyes.. thus a miracle indeed!

It was a great time to go to Melaka this past weekend. I do feel refreshed.

This two months, I'm aiming not to go out so often.

Here's what's in store:

1. Make a Peranakan beaded slipper. 

After seeing the expensive overpriced ones there, we found a shop selling the templates. Mine will be a salmon pink hue background with a black flower pattern. I chose one of the simplest designs. Hope it's one project I can start and complete, I'm notorious for starting and not completing, my personality type enjoys the feeling of doing something new and interesting...

2. Get back to reading.

I've not read Christian books for some time, having perused most of the leadership and general help titles available. So... after reading 'Quest for Love' by Elisabeth Elliot, over the weekend - Clone's husband lent it to me, I am hooked. Went to this bookstore at Far East Plaza after having a haircut there...

I picked two books, "Let me be a woman" - Fang sister lent to me but it was some time back, and 'These strange ashes" about her first year as a missionary's wife. Many years ago when I was still young, I read and was inspired by Jim Elliot's missionary story, of how he 'got eaten up' by the savages... one of the most inspiring missionary stories I've read. He said this famous quote:

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. 

So I was personally very intrigued to read what his wife, Elisabeth, had wrote.

At the payment counter I spotted a sign stating that Membership is $10... Get 10% off immediately... and above it, 'Birthday month, 30% off'. Wah! What a good deal.

I bounced off to get more books, those books that were highly recommended to me but I never got around to buying it.

So I picked up Stasi Eldredge's 'Captivating', another woman's book. Couple of years back, Jelly mentioned that John Eldredge's 'Wild at Heart' really helped him, and although he didn't read much, this is one book he couldn't stop reading. So he did recommend me to read the female version though I didn't have the heart then. 

I also picked up another John Ortberg (My favorite author, all-time fave!) book, "God is Closer than you think."

And one bookmark and they gave a free devotional.

So...guess how much I paid for 

4 books?

$60!

Wahaha... am so happy!

And when I headed to Sephora, the lady assistant also helped me to save money. I usually have very low sales resistance, usually will buy what they recommend, like a guy... Walk up to them and say, I need this, I need that. Show it to me. I was looking for a blusher as well, but I was dissatisfied with those on sale - they had a good range, but it's hard to find what I was looking for. In the end she told me, 'buy what you need' after I told her I still had 'posietint' - it never finishes... which convinced me not to spend any more. In this worsening economic climate, people are really finding true joy in shopping because instead of wastage, we will think carefully, only buy 1 pair of shoes instead of 2, and feel so much happier wearing them, because we have spent carefully... I'm so glad for her advice. I think this is the first time I've met a cosmetic sales assistant to tell you to buy less instead of pushing some products you don't really need.

Next stop, perhaps I should try the $2 haircut in Melaka next time...

stirred

Caption this.

"Not 5 loaves and 3 fishes... it's 3 pastors and a banana!"

--

"You have to give us a chance"

I was surfing TV channels this weekend when I felt touched watching Jamie's Kitchen Australia - Jamie's setting up a new restaurant in Melbourne which gives employable livelihood to underprivileged people.

A girl shared about how difficult her job-hunting was, that no one wanted to employ her because she doesn't speak well, because she doesn't look ladylike and she has quite a number of tattoos. She just stated how grateful she was to be given a chance to work, here. A staff on Jamie's kitchen, an old man, just started tearing and went into the storeroom, which Jamie also went into to comfort him. He was saying, "I'm just an old dog, you know... I'm the religious sort. And I've never done anything good. The poor girl! All she wants is a chance to work."

At this point of time I started tearing too. I felt strongly, both ways. I'm glad that I'm out of the 'fringe' - that I can fit into the mainstream well enough to be liked and respected and capable. But still I've always felt grateful for the people who have given me a chance - not just The Boss, but my first church leader who handpicked me to lead a cell of delinquents and social misfits, or so they're termed. Perhaps they understand society better than the rest of us, so they have decided to go against it, who knows?

And I've always wanted to do something good. I always want to do the humanitarian trip again and visit people who live on an income which is our monthly spend. Seeing the devastation in Aceh just makes me want to do more. But how do I do so when I am struggling here to keep up with the bills, the spending and the hectic dullness of everyday life? It's really tough for us here, too. In a way.

But somehow I hope all of us struggling with different issues will look and see that there's actually ways we can help others while needing help ourselves.

Some old photos... Haha.


spot jaena


spot frank... n shirley

awakened

Hee hee. Cutee. Nabbed from www.icanhascheezburger.com photos of cats in awkward positions.

Quote of the day!

“Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you?” -Walt Whitman

Me and MrCheerful (the guy who beamed at me) are now surreptitiously 'walling' each other on FB. If only I've met him earlier? *Soft sigh* I've never logged on to FB so many times in a day just to reply to my 'wall'... Can't say I don't enjoy it. It's a rare thing to find a glimpse of real sunshine on the other side(of the 'wall').

Been wanting to just lose myself in a book for ages; I seem to be letting go of my usage for real language and slipping into blog/sms- mode even while in daily dialogue, incongruously skipping through conjunctions to speak/type faster. Since I am monolingual this upsets me. Rant rant. I chanced upon Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', cost less than $6 at MPH and dutifully bought it. It's scandalous that it's so cheap! My classic- bookreading habit influenced by Ches. Can you imagine a guy who loves reading classics about 18th century romance? I can always remember Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights... Well, since I am trying not to spend too much at Borders, such cheap finds are true gems to pass a solitary Sunday... I still need to find a place in Singapore which is not too noisy/crowded on weekends, an obscure cafe where I can sit all day. Had a sudden longing feeling for the Starbucks at One Fullerton, I used to 'escape' there when the need beckons, once every fortnight or so. And my favorite muscular pigeon sculpture...I haven't seen him in a while. Since moving (back) to tanjong pagar - I seem to be moving back and forth around the CBD -_- Next year should be moving back to Raffles Place so I'd better take advantage of the low prices - $2.50 Maxwell chicken rice very nice, one... and the Tanjong Pagar coffeeshop wantan mee, the yong taufoo under $3. Hee...

Am having quite a peaceful week today. Despite being bugged again by Killer Whale - thankfully I chirped nonsense to him, think he's going to attempt to bug one of my startup pals now.

Have decided to not rush here and there to meetings so trying out a new schedule - one meet a day! Which should give me more time to think through what I'd like to engineer with the people I meet.

And more time to read.

=)