It's about time

My good friend G calls me from Singapore every now and then to check on me. This past phone call she suddenly asked: "Have you been using the tea cup I bought you?" or something like that.

"Er.......I haven't. I'm washed it already, but I'm worried that I'll break it," I replied, or something like that.

"You should use it! Make a nice cuppa tea, put some biscuits on the side and relax! It's the weekend," she insisted, or something like that.

So there you go. I had to take a picture as evidence. I know she lurks silently behind the kooky words of this blog.

Thank you~

know what's bad(and itchy) for you.

This is not the first time. And now, I definitely suggest each and everyone of you to go get an allergy test to find out what's bad and bad for you.

My first experience was with poppy seeds. Yummy! Poppy seeds. Not only do they taste good, they make you feel good.......... when you have like 50 poppy seed bagels! And you also know it's wonderful when our govt. adds it to the list of banned/controlled items.

Every Monday morning I charge to the agency's kitchen for my weekly fix of poppy seed bagels. I didn't know why I liked it that much, and I also didn't know why I get this hardly-visible, yet extremely irritating itchy skin rash on my legs and arms that looks like I have a permanent case of goose-bumps.

It continued up to the illuminating point of the realization that this vicious cycle repeats itself every Monday morning without fail. (actual conscious post here.)

Bugger! I added poppy seeds to my flourishing list of unique allergens — cats, stupid boys and bananas.

Oh well, now that I think I'm older and wiser, I victimized myself again in a similar fashion. The culprit, this time is Maleleuca oil, otherwise known affectionately as the miraculous Tea Tree oil. It was given to me in goodwill, for its well-known healing properties and I was only too relieved to have a lifesaver with me at all times.

Ah! Before you sue me for defamation, let me tell you why your wonder drug is essentially my unspeakable poison. 

1. I had a mild irritation on my ultra-cool nose pierce after a major sinus flare-up. I put your wonder oil on affected areas which, upon my current realization, caused a unknown skin reaction to the surrounding areas. Thus it led to a re-occuring infection that let me to applying even more of the wonder oil that led to the ultimate removal of my nose pierce. (actual conscious post here.)
2. In Bali, I sat by the beach to watch the sunrise and undecidedly fed the entire local mosquito population. Ppppfffffft! It's just mosquito bites, it'll go away after 1-2 days of mild discomfort. But I apply some of the wonder oil just to speed thing up coz' I have a major wedding to go to and Voila! patchy inflammable skin emerges all around for everyone to enjoy. It only healed after 3 weeks of my new 'no-meds, no-scratch' policy and scarring (!) is a whole other biatch.
3. My lovely couch decides to unleash a killer nail's end at its most frequented corner and proceeds to slash the back of BOTH of my ankles in an attempt to cripple and then trap me in its arms. It was very hurtful, but when confronted, it just kept silence knowing that it has already won. Anyways, I applied the wonder oil and grew very suspicious when rashes start to manifest. It was the burning rashes that almost killed me, whereas the wounds just turned slightly swollen and crusty, doing its own thing. 

Now that I know, I took some Benadryl to ease the itching, applied the good old boring, tried-&-tested Neosporin Plus for the cuts and will hold a spirited disposal ceremony to free myself from that deceiving little bottle of evurrrrrrrrrl!

So it's time for an allergen test (depending on how expensive it'll be) and find a local nose piercer who wants to see me cry.

a lot of time

I went to the grocery store and bought the following:

1. Lucky Magazine 2.99 <— haven't bought 1 in years
2. Neosporin Plus 4.76 <— i gotz cuts.....
3. Extra large bandages 1.79 <— on both of my ankles.....
4. Gentle first-aid paper tape 2.09 <— by my couch (???!!!!!!1!!???)
5. Bistro chef ready-to-go salad 2.99 <— monday's in-office lunch
6. Sara Lee's original cream cheese cake (whole) 5.39 <— i gotz needs
7. 3 gallons of filtered water 0.78 x 3 <— i gotz thirsty in desert 

I'm not leaving my apartment for the whole weekend. I gotz everything I need, and an internet connection.

see you next week!

The Fall

The movie poster is a little too dali-esque for my taste. However, it has been one of the best movies I ever saw.

It started with a mindless conversation with the big boss, then my intern (thank god for his existence!) start to rally some of us for the movie tonight. I probably didn't mention that I stay right across the street from a huge movie theatre. It seems real convenient right? But tonight? Tonight is only my second movie night ever since I've moved to Sin city.

Back to movie. 

Set in a LA hospital circa 1912, it captures the intimate development of a curious friendship between an actor who fell and broke his legs and a chubby, charming + cute girl, who also fell and broke her left arm (hence the title).

So out of boredom, the little girl look upon the actor for some invaluable entertainment through his fictitious epic stories, brought to (more than)life by the amazing director. He is also the same inspiring person behind the movie 'The Cell', if some of you are old enough to remember.

Most of the time I felt like I was the little girl with my awkward left arm cast, sitting on his crummy squeaky bed, anticipating every word that coming out of the actor's mouth. 

This international quest for love and revenge will take you through more than a dozen countries, beautifully captured in their essence. There's mainly 5 heroes and soon you'll discover more of them yourself as the movie lives. Like in many movies, the plot thickens and dark clouds gather. Yes, like many other movies, but this time I like it. Whenever a movie starts in a hospital, you kinda already know it's going to sway that way. 

Can you already see how amazing these movie captures are?

Once of my fav scenes in the movie

In the end, it's..... oh well, I almost gave it away. Let's say, it's a very touching and aggravating ending with the resolution of the actor's personal struggle with mortality. Arrrggh! I loved it. Plus the actor looked so hot in eyeliner :p

Okay, I'm tired. gotta go dream of the Taj Mahal now.

this is nice

tom mannion photography 

[found via thisisglamorous]

cheer up (insert name here)!

look there.

A whirlwind of happenings

Things have been moving in high-speed since I got back from my summer vacation. Well, at least 20% is positive, 60%  is dreadful and the last 20% is still of unknown consequence.

So I'm getting out of my shell and socializing more, since alcohol might help numb the pain. But my plans tend to backfire occasionally and remind me of why I'm full of hatred sometimes.

Like tonight. All it takes was 1 bitch to show up at the same party I went to and how effortlessly I allowed her to shit all over my evening.

Yes. I know I shouldn't have. I was too passive and tired to even bother. I let it pass. I was really tired.

So I avoided her and wandered around with other kind souls in attempt to feel not so lonely. However, I decided that small talks are strenuous. So I slowly sipped on my Mucho Mango slush from Coffee Bean, stood by the cooling misting-machines and watched the wine-hungry crowd pass me by.

Why do I care about what others think?

I know that I'm starting to lose myself, coz' when that happens, I start pacing in my tiny 700 sq feet  apt, with the same song on repeat, crying. I know that I need to intervene and not let myself spiral down. I know i need to be strong. I know all that but I can't help it, not tonight. so I shall let myself pace all I want and wake up tomorrow, hoping everything freaking thing will be alright.

The chronicles of MaLing

Upon reading JW’s glorifying entry about MaLing—the recently-banned canned Luncheon meat in SG, I decided to seek it out in LV and try it for myself.

Yes, I don’t recall eating any MaLing at all living in SG. I only know I had some unidentified luncheon meat from Zi-Char stores. So it’s a good time now to find out if I find the taste familiar.

One thing I am concerned is, the label indicates the MaLing I’m going to buy is Made in Canada! Which instantly means to me that I’m going to experience a slightly different version. But, Thank God! I don’t think I want to eat unfamiliar meat from China. Because maybe even God doesn’t know what’s in it.

My first obstacle came about when I have to open the can. OK. I have a can opener but this can isn’t round. I found a somewhat clue on the bottom. It’s a tool looking thing that seems to be the key to opening the can. 

I might be having a bimbo-moment, but in my defense, I rarely eat canned food in SG or here, I've never been a scout, so I really don’t know. I tried to be innovative and think of ways how this key will help, but I kinda broke it. In the end I opened the sides with my unadventurous can-opener and the rest is well, let’s just say I used primitive ways.

Opening it my way resulted in a rather nasty blow to the manicured meat. Should I still eat it? But I don’t want to waste my 2.49USD and I could smell the salt-iness already! So I proceeded to dump the whole chunk out and cut 2 slices. And OF COURSE, I have to fry it. Is there any other way to eat luncheon meat?

Since I’m feeling grouchy and lazy from my monthly lady’s situation, I re-use the same oil that I used to fry up some prawn Keropok I got from Bali just right before this (I realise I haven't blog about Bali).

And since LV is devilish hot right now, I better cling-wrap the rest and put it in the fridge for later consumption (if any).

The result is 2 nicely fried slices of luncheon meat. You can be publicly envious of me now.

But the question is… …would I eat MaLing again?

I think I will decide once I devoured this little plate. In the meantime, I have another burning question.

Doesn't the beloved MaLing can look great when recycled as a pen holder?

Muahahaha!

Do Re Mi Fa Sew!

The idea of making felt envelopes came to me as I looked at my Japan-bought version and thought:"I looooooove this! But I only bought 1, so what can I do?"

The answer: Luckily I'm blessed to fall in love with something I think I can make. But this is so not going to happen like that. 

There isn't a faboo Britex in town. So I have to source my fabrics at the local neighborhood occasionally-friendly Jo-Ann's Fabric Store. Found out that woolen felt is much more sturdy (and expensive) than synthetic felt. But wool it is......

Instead of making a plain one I decided to vamp it up a little with my growing collection of ribbons and buttons. (Did I mention that when I went to the Jo-Ann's near to my place it was having a closing down sale and I bought about 10 rolls of ribbons? Do not panic. There're still other Jo-Ann's outlet for me to go to. haha!)

I think I will need a new sewing machine soon.

My felt envelopes

After some cut cut cut, paste paste paste and sew sew sew, I made 3 in different sizes altogether. The biggest one is modeled after my original Jap version to hold documents. But I added the button-closure in as I do not have the riveting tools to make snap closures yet. The smaller ones are made up by me to hold knick-knacks. I gave the smallest to YYY as part of her bday. I intended to give the other two to Jan and Karen but I forgot to gift it even though I wrapped, labeled and brought it with me to all the way SG! Damn old age and senility! 

This project didn't take me much longer than 1 night's time to make this set. If I receive enough positive feedback, I shall quit my job and make these for a living.

Peace Out.

No wonder......

That's what I've experienced lately. So what do I do? Retaliate? Ignore? Forgive & Forget?

Work is a biatch.

A load off my shoulders!

*Alert! Super long post this is.*

I finally married off my older brother!!!

Wahahahaha...was getting a little worried that I would have to listen to him whine and whine all the time about lonliness but HENG ah~

(or issit the other way round? heehehee)

Anyways...the whole day was very interesting and stressful (a bit lah) as it's the first wedding that my family organised. I didn't know what I am supposed to help with except sitting pretty and act cute.

Puppy feeling a little happy confused that they all dress in the same color as her.

The day started soooooo early wor~ at 430 AM when he had to go fight for his bride. I didn't go lah. I was even 5 mins late, so I missed the part when the bride enters my parent's place officially for the first time at 645AM and everyone had to hide in the rooms. They are not supposed to see her enter, that's what they say.

Then we all rested. I meant them, as we waited till 9AM for the elders to all arrive so that the couple can start the tea ceremony. And finally I came in useful by helping to wash, pour and serve the tea.

We have a good amount of relatives, so it even got divided into part 1 and 2. Then we finally got to eat the yummy buffet lunch and I managed to play a few rounds of Mahjong which ended up being the only time I played throughout the trip.

My two crazy friends visiting from San Francisco, Anna + Shawn— getting into the crazy-asians-posing mood.

Then now the Evening part.

We have a honeymoon suite + somemore coz' they booked the big ballroom at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Marina. We arrived at 6Pm coz my mom got to get her makeup and hair done by the stylist, while her daughter (me) does her own in the vanity area.

Had the time to take some candid behind-the-scene shots.

The bride still can act cute despite being late. First, she forgot to bring facial cleanser so she couldn't clean off the morning's makeup until right b4 the makeup artist for the evening wear arrive. Then she also forgot her cancan—the round wire for the bottom of her wedding dress. Luckily Anna+Shawn were still at the apt so they brought it with them.

Must praise her for being able to keep calm throughout the whole day. I don't think I see her panic at all. Even though she had two major zits, she said that she has *see open* and will not fret the small things. GOOD. Luckily she didn't transform into a bridezilla or else we all jialat.

Then the whole evening become a little blurry to me. It happened so fast— things are really different when you're on the other side of the party. I walked around a little too much in my new 3-inch red patent heels. Had to say hi to all my parent's friends who has only heard, and never seen me. Catching up with old friends and distant relatives made me have to eat my dinner with lotsa interruptions. But I have to say the food was very good, esp. the mystery soup that I cannot remember.

My younger pig brother was supposed to help. But instead he was held captive by my girlfriends who were fighting to take pictures with him! I guess they have known him since he was a baby and is amazed by how much he has grown now!!! Plus he is going to get enlisted soon! OMG.

not fair wor~ why am I not as tall as my brothers?

We didn't get to sit together as a family during the dinner (I still and will protest that till the end of my life. Will not let that happen if I ever get married). I remember I have to yell a few times to get the attention of my mom or dad, or brothers. And I was having a sore throat.

Plus my tight tight tight dress didn't help. I don't think I've have gained any weight but that seems to be the consensus throughout the night. My dress has a corset-ed top part and I could hardly breathe if I eat more. So I kinda stopped towards 3/4 of the dinner courses. Yes, you can call me fat if you want. But it's still invalid.

Another funny thing — some relatives said I look more Caucasian now than ever. because I'm living in a country full of them, eating and drinking the same things!!! My gosh! That's nuts! It's my colored hair lah duh~

I think my parents both had a great time (I know for sure I did). In the end, there was no freakouts or whatsoever. I'm glad they enjoyed their fruits of labour (the children + the wedding plans), being so proud and all.

I had to take this full length photo so you can see my pretty sexy shoes. I wonder when will I ever wear them again. Also, that's my hiao 38 hot cousin who is super skinny now!!! Ah-hui, if you're reading this, pls take care of your health! And come visit me soon so I can cook for you.

Also a BIG Thank You to all my girlies who showed up to offer their blessings! It was also a great chance for me to see all of them b4 I had to fly off the day after, and to dress up! Lesie knows most of my girls since we all grew up together. I secretly fear and wish that he might marry one of my friends! wahahahahaa. That would have been really farney........

Oh well. There's one thing I gotta admit. I have a real good feeling about this marriage. My brother did looked super happy, and drunk by the end of the night—a perfect way to end it. I'm extremely happy for him that he has found a lifelong partner who can tolerate and understand him. Same goes for my sister-in-law. Heehee. Should I just call her "Da Sao!" from now on?Because I know it'll embarrassed her a bit. Especially since I'm much older than her!

More photos in my flickr. Click the link on the side bar to view.

This made my day.

Guess who found her longtime breakfast companion in Major Tin size on aisle 4?

Eh! Don't laugh at me. It took a while for them to finally import this size. At the rate I drink it (every morning), small glass bottles can't keep up.

Don't take anything for granted.