5 mins with Oreo

Hi, I am Oreo! (The Boyfriend's golden retriever puppy)

I took a nap while Master was occupied... hee... the pillows have polka dots, I like!

What time is it now? *yawn. Is Oreo late?

It's sunday. Oreo not making his bed.

Does Oreo look nice in red? Oreo is ready for exercise! (Soccer).

Hup! Hup!

THE END.

life as we know it

Me and The Boyfriend aka Crayon-shin-chan last sunny Saturday.

'Is that all there is, to life?' This phrase, perhaps uttered by many, throughout the years, has inspired many books, poems, movies, and life changes, like, perhaps finding meaning in taking up a new sport which helps to kill time, feel better about your body and your self, and also, stop your brain from running in all directions.

And though sometimes when all is bliss, I find myself wondering, too. Perhaps deep in our soul there is the capacity for such a question to always pop up. Sure, I do wish at times that there are more options. More shopping options...wish that I could fit into nice heels (I'm too tall, and my feet is too small, size 5, I will topple and die...But I've always wished...seen many women strutting in them...) Wish that some little things could be a bit different. That my wardrobe is bigger (size of, not quantity of) and I have more time to see more countries without having guilt trips.

I'm going to take up some activities next week which will last for until end of the year. I've always wanted to do more with my time, I have relatively more time than say, The Boyfriend, or people who have more intense Church, Family, or sports commitments. I've tried going back to hobby craft-making, but this venture seems fruitless at this point and I don't really, really enjoy it. So it's back to one thing I love, the English language. The 'magic' of the spoken word. In a way, it's an addition to my 'day job', it's a 'night job' of sorts. But I get rewarded for it. So, the days ahead are, busy, busy busy. With 3 weekdays out of the week being 'burnt', negatively, if you look at it, or positively, it's helping people in a way that they wanted: improving their command of the spoken word, or even getting them from a 'zero' to somewhere above the scale. I've always wanted to help others, and sometimes doing ministry work, the 'help' often goes unappreciated. Those people whom I've nutured and spent time with in the recent past, I wonder sometimes, do they remember, maybe they take it for granted. But oftentime, I appreciate those who are there for me, as the spiritual journey is often a solitary one.

And so, life as an attached-being... hmmm. We do meet pretty often, at least we try to, living in the same district, he tries to meet me after work and we head back to his place for dinner at times. I love his Mom's fragrant rice - I've honestly never eaten such fragrant rice, the vegetable dishes with 'hebi-hiam', the omelettes and the delectable soups, yum yum yum. And then he sends me back to my place, some times exercising downstairs, most of the time... not, just going back to rest. I think being attached, the worst fear is... what if I lose him one day? And not through say, an office affair, or some terminal illness, but more of a sudden unexpected circumstance, like a sudden heart stoppage (It is fairly common in people with slow or irregular heatbeat) or an accident. Sometimes, when he fails to sms me in the morning, I have my worst fears. And The Boyfriend also mention that if I fail to sms, he too, has similar sinking feelings of 'WHAT IFS'. Of course, our only recourse is to trust God. And we do. But still... ... I guess many know what I mean. Do I miss being single? I thought I would, but I don't, really. I felt that my past life has been too lonely. I miss having someone close to share anything with, even your small insecurities and whining about little hurtful things. And of course, having someone to take care of me when I'm sick... that is a BIG plus. I do wish I could have time to catch up with my friends more, but they all seem to understand, more than understand, I suspect some of them are actually, you know, taking a step back and letting me soak in 'the honeymoon period' as they call it. And I appreciate that, but I do miss my other friends. It's true that now my world is sooooo small, me and him and no one wants to double-date with us! Maybe soon... ... any body? =)

It's the weekend and someone blessed me with some Taka voucher, yay! So, I am going to see if I can get something later.

lookalike part 3

Remember this character, he is the unlovable but cutely popular character known as 'crayon shin-chan' in English.

The dangers of a new-camera wielding girlfriend is that you get subjected to often unlovable shots, too...

Presenting to you, the lookalike who was once akin to 'Iljimae'... he is now... looking like... Crayon Shin Chan!

(It was Grant who pointed it out, not me, I wouldn't be so mean...)

And a nicer one of us on the way home in the MRT sometime last week.

Miss Singapore World 2009 - Miss Ris Low

leopard pweeens.
too sadly funny.

Eh, Vy Arrr yu...

Eh, Vy Arrr yu pakin fotos uf mii agane?

spirited fashion picks

Hola hola! It's the weekend yay!

This week, having some time at The Office to scour the world of fashion blogs... Spiritedly brings to you... some wearable fashion looks that will easily update your current unglam look.

The semi-boho look so favored by Nicole Richie will never go out of style, just updated. I'm quite a fan of the floral-vintage look but few fashion cloth-makers seem to get it right. So I stick with the Japanese brands like Muji for that look. Upcoming trends include lace print + tie-dye. So imagine a two-toned tie-dye tunic dress paired with lace at the ends, only that the lace is printed on. Also very chic are lace necklaces, those plain tees would go awfully well with them. Or clash with stripey tees. I've seen a couple of lace necklaces in Diva.

The weave belt, or 'plait belt' as Muji calls it, is going to be in style for a long long time. But I dun like the synthetic look so I will opt for one in real leather. And in white, or pale beige. It goes well with 'the boyfriend' shirt and cuffed shorts.

Nicole Richie is pulling off a few fashion trends in this photo. I like the big, white, tee especially with a little pocket on the breast, it is so wearable with jeans, leggings, or leather tights here. This also showcases a black studded vest if you have one. Studded sandals are also hot, Trois + Inch has nice ones which I'm lusting after. For white tees, try Petit Bateau in Takashimaya or Muji again. (I haven't been to the newbies Berushka and New Look!)

Lastly, I like fringed bag, but again, only in suede and not in that cheap leather look. In black or brown, it instantly updates your look and makes any outfit you wear become so much more interesting.

Makeup update: I've been wearing Anna Sui's blush (the bestseller color, recommended by the shop assistant) and it's the best blush I've ever, ever, ever used. I've tried blushers from MAC to Majorca... so... I can say distinctly that this is the best and some might say comparable to NARS... It's in the perfect shade of pink (just ask for the bestseller color la) and love love love it. Also good is Benefit's 'That Gal', but it finishes quickly so I use it sparingly, it gives the whole complexion a peaches-and-cream look. In my third tube already. Faring well and I hope it never finishes is my Shu Uemura lipstick.

happy birthday, doraemon!

We realized it was Doraemon's birthday, today, when Google Japan made the logo with Doraemon and his famed door.

I finally found out what it means when he always shouts, 'Ah, Takekupta!'

He is referring to the propeller on his head and the word is an amalgamation of the 'take' = bamboo and 'kupta' is japanization of 'helicopter's copter'.

It's Doraemon's 40th birthday and people at The Office are all singing his theme song. In our childhood days, everyone wished to fly with the 'takekupta' and have a magic pocket with doors leading to faraway places.

And here with my Doraemon mousepad. Said mousepad can be found at Doraemon shop in Chinatown Point.

mushroom today

I've finally bought a camera, and no regrets with the Fujifilm Finepix J250!

Lovely natural colors and my face looks insanely good. Only gripe is that it only comes in one color - black, but I am going to blingly rectify that soon!

Here's Mushroom, today morning, in his pink-accesorized cage. With his best doggy pose. *feed me some snacks...

stories I must speak of

After months of not cutting my hair, for fear that I will just go berserk and order a spiffy cut like my last attempt, I finally caved in.

Here's my dye-and-cut at Chapter 2, bugis. I have a longer fringe this time which will grow out in 2 weeks and a darker reddish? color which will also grow lighter, they promised. I never blow my hair because I don't own a hairdryer (The Boyfriend said he will buy me one) and this fringe effect is achieved by not washing it in the morning and using a Mustafa-bought 'goody' round brush. Am heading to cheap beauty shops at AMK to buy more hair products like some leave on conditioner, perhaps a hair mask and how about wax?

My cute blue top is from Gingersnaps, the largest kids' size. I loved it so much I went back to buy two more sleeveless tops and they fit me to a tee. Oh yes and my earphones are from Elecom, it's the best earphones I've ever bought.

==

I had a nightmare yesterday. I don't know why, perhaps the chicken wings at Chompchomp was the culprit. The scenario was that, I was so freaked out by a particular person reappearance in my life that I just clung on tightly to Boyfriend's arm. And the rest of my friends were there, too, but they didn't react, didn't tell the person to f*** his sorry ass off, which was actually, what I suppose would happen in real-life. I wonder how some people, they can just mess up their own lives, and mess others' up in the process. I heard that someone I knew has upcoming nupitals (or already married), last year he was attending a marriage preparation class in The Church. But seemed to be fond of me. Friends say he had a crush on me, I don't know and I don't consider him as he is early 30s. Anyway, definitely not my kind of guy I can envision spending my life with. Through a bad business experience with him which another friend also encountered, I've learnt to stay away from such guys. They have the 'si-wun' face which you always think you can trust them. But they are too smart for their own good, I must say. So while he was attending the marriage preparation class, he remarked to me face to face that he IS NOT READY for marriage.

Wow! What a stunning revelation. Is is about money, I asked. Perhaps he has not saved up and is feeling the jitters.

No, he replied. It should never be about money, was his reply. Then, why not ready?

He gave an excuse saying that his leaders actually said those in his jurisdiction should attend, as long as they are attached. Whether this is true I do not know, but I have heard of others who attend more than once and, are still single... Still, as a lady, I ask myself, would I attend a marriage preparation class with a guy thinking I'm not serious/prepared or ready? No way! So I looked at him in horror as he blasely spoke those words. I pitied the lady, she is 30s... imagine if the wedding is called off, what are the chances of her finding a nice, christian guy? From those words you can judge too that this guy is not that nice. So now having heard the news about their nuptials, I wonder... ... and perhaps I have kept these thoughts to myself until now.

Another guy whom I used to know in my past, I have heard from a family friend he is also having impending nuptials.

It came as a shock to my family friend, but I advised her to look on the bright side. I would say that this couple deserve each other. They are both insecure, appearing nice but emotionally needy. Worse, the girl had dumped him twice before, and always, shortly getting attached to other men who appear more 'stable', IE older and financially secure. It's like break up during Christmastime and new boyfriend before CNY kind of timing. For me, I cannot understand... like how can I find someone to be attached to in such a short period of time? Either I didn't love the previous one much, or I cannot possibly love the next one (in such a short span of time, it is inconceivable to me). Kie had another way of thinking, that is... when the girl is still in previous relationship, she has already 'opened the door' to let the new guy in, hanging out with him and giving him chances. No matter how staid my current relationship is, I would not feel that it is right to give another guy a chance and I cannot even fathom doing so... no way... ... how do I live my life this way? This guy has major flaw as well, but, comparatively, I think any girl is much, much better for him. But this is not my life, I cannot judge why the first girl wants to marry this guy, and why this guy wants to marry this girl... maybe this is their destiny, this is their 'true love'.

Do you think having a life like this (always insecure whether your partner is having cold feet about the union or your partner may dump you yet again for someone more stable) is what you want? Is this kind of life better than being single?

So these are the background stories of people whom I know, getting married. Of course, there are the sweet and nice ones, which happen to be the majority. And these stories, not everyone will tell you. Only those whom you unfortunately happen to be close to.

I saw in church, a guy whom my friend used to have her eye on. He seems to be a godly man in his 30s. But, he has roving eyes. He is hamsup! On Facebook, he will look at young girls' (early 20s) photos and ogle them. In The Church, I saw him having a roving look at me, turning his head all the way back. His girlfriend, a lady who looks like she is around 30, seems insecure and holding him tightly (in service!)

Hmmm...

flea poster

This is the flea mart at Minden Road (Dempsey). *excited

flea marts stakeout!

Here's a lineup of the flea marts happening in Singapore, this Saturday.

Was mentioning to Baby over lunch at Toast that me and The Boyfriend will skip over to Salvation Army's thrift store at Changi and visit a few flea marts.

There are flea marts happening almost every Saturday and here's what I've penciled in my scheduler:

1. Flea mart @Minden Road (Dempsey one three o)

2. Tanglin Mall Flea Mart 3pm to 11pm

3. MAAD 11am - 7pm

The usual suspects Tanglin Mall and MAAD has flea marts every 2 weekends or so.

MAAD is at the Red Dot Traffic Museum near Tanjong Pagar. I heard they sell a lot of handmade accessories and stuff.

Tanglin Mall has some nice stuff too, I once bought Lonely Planet guidebooks there as well as makeup, and clothes, bags, everything you could possibly want. You'd have to fight off the (rich) bargaining FIERCE maids though, who wrangle the $1, $2 clothes. I wonder what do they do with them, ship them to Philippines? I once flea-ed there with friends and profited $300 hahaha so it's worth doing it once in a while.

For the first time, a flea mart is happening at Minden Road (Dempsey here I come!)

Here's what to expect.

A fun and hip little flea market selling special stuff.
Coupled with a carnival atmosphere and loads of great food!
HotDogs @ $2! Draft Beer @ $5!

Pre-Loved Clothes & Shoes : Zara, Gap, Mango, Abercrombie, True Religion...
Imported Accessories from Korea & Japan
Pre-Loved Books
Pre-Loved & New - Baby & Kiddy Clothes : Old Navy, PRL, Gap
Imported Baby Dresses
Children's Toys
Gorgeous Bags : Kate Spade, Coach
Hand-made Tote Bags
Pre-Loved & HandPainted Shoes
Premium Shoes & Rare Sneakers from Nike
Limited Edition Tees (Supreme)

Express Mani & Pedi from $8
Princess Mani & Pedi from $5

Free Muffins for the Kids!
Free Face-painting for the Early birds!

bargain hunter

On Saturday before we went to The Church, The Boyfriend and I did some bargain-hunting at the Salvation Army.

They were having a sale and we wanted to browse - I specifically wanted to buy a poster : 'Palmer Tyres', which I saw the other day but hesitated, did not buy it and hence regretted till last Saturday. Thankfully it was still there so I scored a lovely vintage poster, which is in a beautiful glass frame as well. It is now sitting on my floor behind the door until I prop it up on my dresser.

The Boyfriend also bought a fan. A fan, those standing on the floor, looking like a vertical aircon - gray fan. It has a remote control too, I am fascinated by that fact. Because there was a 30% sale, he scored it for $21? Incredible. There were old drawers that we both loved, something that could sit well on the bedside, or as a phone-table. A low table with two drawers, made of good, dark brown wood for $100. After the sale, it's $70! And you can hardly buy good wood, or a good drawer, for that price. Sigh. If we had our own house right now I would buy it in a blink of an eye, and spend the next weekend sandpapering and painting it up.

My poster is mounted in a lovely dappled glass frame, and I bought a old-school 'Green Spot' glass cup they used for those old-school kopi tiams as well ($1!) Total amounting to $13.30 after discount, I think it was a pretty worthwhile trip. The last, I bought two books for... $3. One was Elisabeth Elliot's 'Passion and Purity', and I can't find that book in any bookstores, so to me, that is priceless. The other is a travel book which is a good read and I will sell it away during my end of the year book-sale... so that someone else can enjoy it.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we are going to visit another Salvation Army Thrift store again this weekend!

On Sunday, we went to the olden Seletar Airport black-and-white. Lovely, lovely place, just enjoyed the slow drive - it was a rainy day, a slow cosy drive up the roads of people's houses, some terraced black-and-white old colonial houses, the others, bungalows, and even huge-ass ones which we wondered who would rent. Some of them are eventually torn down for the Seletar Aerospace hub, which we can see signs of being constructed. I think it really spoils the beauty of the area. For now, it still remains a tranquil, serene place with sounds of nature. I spotted 2 chickens roaming in a backyard, and lots of flora and fauna blooming in the people's yards. Who owns these places? I wondered aloud. We googled it later and found the past rent from the 90s to current times to be about $1.2k, which is quite affordable for your own piece of grass and backyard, but recently the rent trebled, leaving lots of these places empty. It is no longer affordable to us, and the main reason why people want to stay in such an off-the-road place is also because they want it quiet and peaceful. So, the building of the Aerospace centre there would give it a industrial, horrid feel with machinery sounds and all. While I know that advancement ultimately leads to the destruction of our natural habitat for tall, new buildings, I always feel sad when the last open places around my estate become some eaten up by the good of our economy. If only, we can have it all - the beauty of the old school places, and the revenue from our award winning industries. But we can't and I guess the ones with the least monetary value has to go. So now it seems we have to place a premium - PAY a premium for the things we desire to have. But if we were truly rich and able to afford all these, would we still want it, or would we have other 'higher' desires such as a 7-million condo in Balmoral? I have no answers for that, but I find it increasingly difficult to live within our means, here.

Love Story meets Love Story (Taylor Swift Remix) - piano cello - by Jon Schmidt

I love Taylor Swift's 'Love Story', love Jon Schmidt remixes and tunes - this is real talent, and I am going to buy this CD, once I figure out how.

Easy listening to ease away the Monday blues.

to begin with

Yesterday, I went to Raffles Hotel, after work, to purchase their chocolates from the chocolaterie at ThosSB inside the ground floor.

When I worked there as an intern about 7 years ago, the people were very kind to me and I could take a chocolate a day! I loved the ones of candied orange peel coated with chocolate, the tart taste of orange peel combined with the melty richness of chocolate reminded me of the happy days working there. I felt happy to be working my internship with a prestigious company like Raffles Holdings - although now the hotel is under Fairmont or something. The Boyfriend and I also love the courtyard, how nice if we can hold some party or celebration there! The chocolates have exotic-local flavors like lychee, jasmine tea, one of my favorites, the szechuan pepper... another unique flavor, which is lovely! I bought a box for The Boyfriend as a graduation gift of sorts - he had his convocation yesterday.

The person at the counter said he remembered me, remembered my face. Have I changed that little? I was in my teens when I interned there. Yet, he distinctly remembered me (though I can't!!!) Walter was really happy to see me and proud of me when I presented my namecard to him. He also told another guy who worked at the Raffles Shop, Boon Cheng, about me, and together we chatted about the various people that used to work there and where they were, now. I was so touched that he remembers. It's rare these days to find someone who can remember your face. He is one of those who remembers, and that just stirs up a warm feeling in my soul.

I've been busy. Lilo asked me recently, 'Is that all life is about?' Getting attached, married, having kids, looking after them, getting old...
Well I responded that, even if you choose the single path, sometime or other you would still have to babysit your friend's or relatives' kids, haha. Can't escape from that!
But... honestly, I've been wondering too. Life has been good to me, I can still say that. And as Chinese, I think we all have a bit of the greed/dissatisfaction inside of us.

The wanting to create something for yourself, the ambituous part. I'm not ambituous, but on the other hand, I will not work in a job which requires me to do things I don't like, either. I've been hooked on reading china netizens articles on chinasmack.com. It helps me to understand - and yet, not understand their mentality. They dump all their waste products into their famous rivers, like the 'Li River', till it is murky brown. I feel that this is a really selfish mentality. And in a country of 1 billion people, all of them are wanting to achieve more for themselves, pushing to selfish and unfriendly behavior. They don't mind being mistresses or kept women, for money. This may seem like they have no morals. But, if we have lived in poverty, each day worrying about our sustenance, might we have chosen this route as well? They all claim to lead harsh lives as farmers. But doesn't Japan or even Europe have lots of farmers, and they seem happy? I feel that being happy is a choice. Sure, the weather here is horrid, but we are not freezing to death...

Definitely, being exposed to the retail environment here, the shopping-mentality still overtakes us. If say we live in Malaysia, I don't think we have so many choices, thus, we will be happier and more satisfied with the things we buy. Especially if it takes us 2 hours to reach the nearest shopping centre... ... and we can only shop once a month due to our limited budget. But in Singapore, it seems like no matter how much you earn, it is never enough...

I've been teaching tuition this month for English O'levels, I do enjoy it though it gets rather tedious and tiring... I'm going to see if I am able to teach English for a class next month round, night classes and this brings me quite a substantial income. I want to pay off all my debts and buy things like a digital camera, new handphone... all those things which we think we need in this consumerist society. Too many people laughing at my dinosaur handphone... ...So I hope this all turns out well, I shall be the most hardworking person in town.

'Halal' by Liew Seng Tat - English Subtitles - 15Malaysia

Very funny! Priceless comedy in local-style.

Flowercrush

We are having fun with photobooth and animoto, free video - making software.