I can feel it.

I can smell it coming.

I can see it as the clouds roll in gently over the sky.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Fabulous Fall season is here.

Last year's Fall Garden display at the Bellagio

Sigh. It’s almost bittersweet. I love love love, when almost a year ago, I stepped into this unknown city of zero humidity and experienced a nice extended wave of the lovely Fall weather. Just after a few weeks of slight discomfort, I adjusted to the dry-ness with a healthier daily dosage of water. You can basically wear anything you want (oh well, almost~), sleep without the heater or air-conditioning, feel amazingly perfect in just bare skin and air.

But with the arrival of Fall, it almost means that Winter is creeping up slowly and undetected. And just one fine day I woke up and headed out — Bam! The chill hit and tingled down the spine. There was no turning back to a long dark and miserable Winter in the desert.

So now, I suddenly, like everything precious, realize I took Summer for granted. I bitched and whined about the boiling temperature, especially how the scorching sun shine glaringly into my eyes as I drive almost blinded. I hate to worry about finding a shaded spot to park for long hours at work. I get pissed when I see increment in my electric bills for the air-conditioning. However, I know I am a tropical girl by blood. I need the heat and most importantly, I need to get a tan before it’s too late.

I am going to change the topic now.

A few work-laden days ago, it marked my survival of the 7th anniversary in this country.

7 years ago, 2 weeks after my arrival was also 9/11, the beginning of some dark years to follow. It was pretty inauspicious and I wondered if I’ve made a very bad decision. The US dollar raised, international travel became the biggest pain in my traveling ass and the worst was the fear. I remember my mom telling me not to go near or cross the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge or the Financial District because they’re important structures in the city and always experience bomb threats.

This fear instilled in the nation just caused more and more inconvenience, even until this day, 7 years later.

Well. Back to the survival part.
I can’t believe that I was here that long. It, I don’t really know now, if it’s too much or too little. Because whenever I visit home, I feel like it’s all a dream. That I had never left, except a strange indescribable feeling, like I just woke up from a dream that I am trying so hard to remember but I can’t.

I’m not making sense, am I?

So I jolly well come back to my supposed “dream”, only to continue slaving over a computer and some software that helps make the Internet pretty and move things so that you will be entertained.

Things I do for the greater good.

And can I share a secret?

Whenever I cook pasta at home, well, not every time but, sometimes, when I cook pasta at home……..

I eat it with chopsticks.

I think it sums up how I have internally combined both my Eastern and Western virtues.

Or values.

Or it just shows how messed up I am.

blaaaaaaaaah

my poor heart~

I think it skipped a few beats when I saw this on Kate Spade's online store.

Le sigh

I can name a few of you who will totally agree and egg me on to credit card debt—clara? danielle?

And to quote my dear 38 cousin: "sigh...we are all such insatiable creatures!!!!! never satisfied..."

Le sigh

Now hush hush my unsettling heart~

my first succulent garden

I wanna share a new project with ya. Firstly, let me show you where I've been getting my inspiration from:

This is from Martha Stewart.
This is from here.

This is for sale here.

So yay! If you've looked through my recent photos taken at LA with my cousin, you'll have noticed that we ventured into a sweet little nursery on 3rd street, Hollywood. I took the chance to score some cute succulents for this project and drove them back to the desert. At the nursery, we also smell what a real rose should smell like! So captivating! If you ever start a rose garden, please plant some "Star Roses"—because that's probably where L'occitane got its inspiration for its lovely and addictive "Roses des 4 Reines" range.

Have to take a picture to remember this especially fragrant species

The whiter one in the far back, that is a desert rose, had to bid goodbye while the 'tree-like' one in the foreground lost quite a few leaves because it's sooo fragile.

So happily we drove back and I only got to re-pot my buys after a while. Unfortunately, they did not survive well in the temporary plastic containers and one of them was sacrificed.........I'm sorry.

I had this gorgeous Heath Ceramics bowl that I scored while taking the mosaic class. It has a slight crack on the bottom that makes it not suitable for food so I've planned to use it for planting. Finally, my dream came true~

It's funny the soil stuck together when I try to remove them from the temporary plastic container. For the others that weren't, it has so hard not to destroy/hurt the plant while transplanting.Monsieur Gnome has a new home as his previous home was destroyed by natural catastrophe and human negligence.

Mine looks nowhere as perfect as my inspirations. I haven't got much time recently due to work commitments to get some pretty stones to lay on the soil surface. But the focus now is to make sure the plants are growing healthily and getting accustomed to their new home. I left plenty of wide open space for them to spread their roots and multiply! Hopefully 'Tres' grows more leaves, 'Cocoa' manages to stand up right soon and 'Webby' continues to flourish!

Someone tie me up in all that pretty lace please.

I don't know why I do things to hurt myself.

For example, I go to the Prada website because I have itchy fingers. Only to fall in love with more of their shoes, bags and everything that's lovely.

I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of LACE. Anything lacy is just deemed too girlie for me and I always scoff at my girlfriends when they always manage to pick out the laciest top from the rack. And it's even worse when it's pink.

But look at the above photography. How can I NOT love it when presented in such inspiring and beautiful creations?
Not to mention, when Danielle was here a while ago, we were window-shopping along the boutique lanes of high-end fashion powerhouses. I saw the above Prada rectangular bowler bag (but in black/grey/white) displayed in the meticulously polished window, lovingly calling out my name. The spotlight only enhanced its magnificent craftsmanship and intricate details that brought on its price tag of an estimated 2000USD.

If only I didn't have to co-pay that stupid working visa, I could be cuddling this bag to sleep tonight!

Lace. This 4-letter word have rarely crossed my mind, or the lines of acceptance. Until recent years, since the neo-revival of its application in modern design, particularly in all those re-interpretation of classic creations. The rise of my interest with lace started with those modern baroque style found in furniture that are oh-so-cool, especially or only when they are in noir.

Like the 2003 Maarten Baas for Moooi Smoke Chair and matching chandelier. No, it's not laced up at all, but it does start to make me like designs that are highly ornate and extravagant in style. I used to be a Scandinavian/Swedish

I remember my then-bf and I swooning over it so much. We said we were going to get it for our future home, be it together or not. I'll make sure to send him a notification email when I get it before he does.
Remember my 2007 Annual X'mas Grassy Gift List (AXGGL)? Tsk tsk, not paying enough attention again. One of the things I listed was the Lace tape. In black. Because I still think white lace should only be reserved for granny, umbrellas or maybe sometimes, lightly, just a thin trim on a pair of panties.

Well, I'm a changed girl. Now I like my laces, but I do only take in light doses, one at a time (Prada items are exceptions).

Something to be passionate about (NSFW)

Turn back now if you are —

conservative (let's be honest)
a misogynist
hates sex
my parents
my uncle/aunt/elder
hates the color Purple
hates seeing other people having fun
under 21 years old

Because I'm going to write about something I experienced for the first time in this glorious country. And you might cringe. Or get caught in the name of reading something dirrty.

Disclaimer is stated for your own good. After all, I know my readers oh so well~
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A Passion Party

So I opened my email one fine day and clicked on a particular one from a friend here. Then are some words and then a huge picture of a woman's back (particularly her butt) stared back at me. No, not naked, but in a very sexy black lace panties and handcuffs. Across her upper back are pink swirly letters forming the words.........Oh well let me just show it here.

An invite to a Passion Party—It felt funny as I mouse over her butt to blur the address out.

So, was I invited to a mass orgy? I don't think so. According to what I hear, mass orgies just happens whenever alcohol is around. They're never pre-planned to precision with email invites.

So I was like what? Ran over to ask the hostess what does this means, and she was shocked that I don't know and have never been.

PEOPLE, it's the better kinky-er adults version of a Tupperware party that your mom/auntie/neighbour had hosted. Instead of kitchen tools, they sell bedroom sex toys.

And that's why I told you to look away. But I'm going to write more because I know you want more ;P

So all the girls got pretty excited. We organized a potluck dinner thingy too. Remember it's never a good idea to go shopping hungry, especially for such.

I brought along 2 frozen veggie pizza from Trader's Joe. It's funny that I brought vegetarian food to the party. And it's also funny how all 20 of us girls (it's a big crowd) were actually so busy eating that the saleslady got a little impatient while waiting for us to stop stuffing our face.

We gathered around the main room eagerly forming a semi-circle. Clipboards with an order form and a pen was distributed to everyone. She had also laid out a table full of goodies which she promptly went through with explanations, harmless demonstrations and pass them around for us to feel.

There were of course plenty of funny moments where all were giggling and asking silly questions like: "Can I put my finger inside?", "...And there is this huge battery pack attached to it?" and the best is "But what's in it for me?" (this is when she was showing a silicone tube sleeve that is meant to put over the penis for a smoother, easier hand job.)

It's also pretty hilarious when you see your friend try the numbing minty cream that you can put on the back of your throat to reduce your gag reflex while performing a BJ. Especially helpful if your partner is very very well endowed.

My friend sitting next to me ambushed the distracted-me with a discreet bullet-shaped vibrator, which is turned on FULL power. She poked my left arm with that thing while I was blind-sided, and I almost jumped! Damn~ I can imagine those to hurt, instead of bringing pleasure.

I also got to get a close-look (finally!) at the infamous Rabbit, featured in various write-ups and shows like SATC. The rabbit form was incorporated in the tool as the ears become the clitoris tickler—that actually seems more hazardous than fun. It is a little too pink to me, but it has a 3-rings part lined with (fake)pearls under the silicone skin that do feel pretty sensuous........

Anyways, time passes pretty quick when you're having fun learning new things. We continued to fuss over the catalogs that the saleslady left us with as we found even more entertaining items which she didn't get to show.

Oh one thing I forgot. She sells bottled Pheromones. You apply a few drops of the magic liquid to your main bits and they are supposed to enhance your naturals so that they radiate stronger and further to attract the opposite sex. "Will my dogs pick this up?" asked my friend innocently. And actually she is right, this is what happens when those dogs come up and sniff you under your skirt or right at your zippers. Just checking, coz' you never know what's really in the package these days.

After the whole thing wrap up, we HAVE to play a few rounds of Rock Band before we leave. I think I'm getting a little better and have ventured to play the guitar now (I only played drums or sing).

In all, it was an unforgettable night. So much that I really wanted to share and blog about this despite my on-going clean streak. Might make some of you uncomfortable at the beginning but you know you likey.............

*wink*

Twelve Tips for Spending Less

I think everyone should read this right now, and I will read it 10 times over, just in case I'll forget.

Taken from Real Simple Online.

Aug 5, 2008 4:00:00 AM
Note To Self

Twelve Tips for Spending Less

These are tough economic times, and lots of people are feeling the stress. If you’re trying to cut down on your spending, try following some of these strategies:

1. Pay cash. Studies show that people find it much easier to spend money when they’re using a cash substitute (they also find it easier to cheat or pilfer!). Keep yourself in touch with cost, by using cold hard cash.

2. Focus on small items first. When you buy an expensive item, it’s easy to toss in unthinkingly a lot of smaller items alongside it – items that you might have otherwise have spent a lot of time considering, and which add up to a lot of $$$. So pick out smaller items first, then the larger item. Buy the software, the mouse, the mousepad, and the other bits and bobs, then choose the computer.

3. Don’t buy too much at one time. If you’re buying too many things, you stop paying attention to what you’re getting. Any one item seems insignificant. I call this “shop shock” or “drive-by shopping.”

4. Don’t buy anything at a bargain store that you haven’t bought before at full price.

5. Before paying, review each of your purchases with a skeptical eye. Don’t buy anything you’re not sure you want and can use – this is particularly important with clothes. I often ask myself, “Do I feel like wearing this tomorrow?” Sometimes, I realize I’ve picked something out because I can “use” it – but really, if I don’t love something, I almost never end up wearing it, no matter how useful it might be.

6. Don’t tell yourself, “I can always return it”; remind yourself, “I can come back if I decide I need it.”

7. Make a list and stick to it.

8. Don’t buy anything that needs to be a specific size unless you KNOW the measurements you need.

9. Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Even for non-food items.

10. Don’t shop as an activity with friends. It’s easy to spend more than you intend, or to buy something you don’t really need or want, when you’re distracted by conversation. Find something else to do with your friends. Have coffee, go for a walk, run errands together (in high school, my friends and I used to do errands together all the time, and it’s a great way to turn a nagging task into something fun).

11. Be very skeptical of anything that’s on sale.

12. If you don’t shop, you don’t buy. Stay out of stores.

The days are long, but the years are short.

OOOOO

Do you all hold your breaths as the olympian gymnasts let go to double-triple-reverse-twist-and-turn-spin and then land flawlessly? 

I felt like I've done enough cardios for the year just by watching them.

Next up, beach volleyball! Yay!

eighteighteight

custom garden path in our Balinese host's giant mansion

FYI, I took exactly 888 photos, including the above, during my recent trip to Bali. And now I realise I haven't blogged about my Bali trip at all.

It might be over in some countries, but MY time, it's still the 08/08/08.

HUAT AH~

We all like it.

Y'all know today is like the super duper auspicious day of the whole universe that will never repeat itself again, untill like 3008. Which, IMHO, will not happen at the rate we're destroying this pitiful planet.

Maybe in Mars. The future Martians can mark my words as they party up 8/8/3008. Please have a vanilla vodka shot for me ok?

Oh well~ Let's talk about something hilarious then.

[image via theposterlist]

Article stolen from mentalfloss.com

Eggs. We know where they came from (or started … or was it the chicken?), so I won’t bore you with those details. Instead, here are some amazing facts and figures concerning the incredible, edible egg.

• First, a little nutrition information. The health value of the egg has been exhaustively debated over the past few decades (cholesterol content, whether one should just consume the whites, etc). But the facts remain: though the yolk makes up roughly 34% of an egg’s liquid weight, contains all of the fat and a bit less than half of the protein, it also contains a higher proportion of the egg’s vitamins, including B6 and B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and thiamin. Vitamins A, D, E and K are exclusive to the yolk.

• Keeping eggs in cartons is the best way to keep them fresh. An egg’s shell is actually porous (with about 17,000 tiny individual pores) so that it absorbs flavors and odors around it.

• Here’s an “egg counter” for you: A hen requires 24 to 26 hours to produce an egg. Thirty minutes later, she starts all over again. There are nearly 280 million laying birds in the U.S., each of whom produces 250-300 eggs per year, totally around 75 billions eggs - about 10% of the world’s supply.

• At a slight 105 lbs, Sonya Thomas (pictured) holds the record for competitive eating in hard boiled eggs: 65 Hard Boiled Eggs in 6 minutes, 40 seconds!

• “Omelet King” Howard Helmer, Senior National Representative for the American Egg Board, holds three Guinness World Records for omelet making: fastest omelet-maker (427 omelets in 30 minutes); fastest single omelet (42 seconds from whole egg to omelet); and omelet flipping (30 flips in 34 seconds). My mornings would go a great deal faster with him on board.

• Humpty Dumpty may be the most famous egg … but is there evidence to support his being an egg at all? In the original nursery rhyme, there is no mention of Humpty’s egg-ness. While there are various versions of stories of what Humpty Dumpty may represent, the poem might have simply been a riddle whose answer was that Humpty was indeed an egg.

• An “Easter Egg” is often code to mean a surprise. “The first Imperial Easter egg was ordered in 1885 by Czar Alexander II. The monarch gave it to his wife, Maria Feodorovna. Inside it contained a surprise: a golden hen, a small ruby Easter egg, and a diamond replica of the Czar’s crown.” There are only 50 Imperial Easter Eggs in the world, and range in auction price from $80 million to $120 million in total. The most expensive Faberge egg was sold at a Christie’s auction in 2007 for £8.9 million ($16.5 million).

• And finally, for all those who wondered, there is no discernible difference in nutrition, taste, or any other factor than color between a brown egg and a white egg. The color difference is due to the specific breed of hen, according to the Egg Nutrition Center. Hens with white feathers and white earlobes will lay white eggs, whereas hens with red feathers and matching-colored earlobes give us brown eggs.

You know what I’m going to ask … what’s your favorite way to eat an egg?

什么像大便?

爱情就像大便 来了挡也挡不住
爱情就像大便 水一冲就再也不回来
爱情就像大便 每一次一样又不大一样
爱情就像大便 有时努力了很久却只是个屁

Courtesy of Moomoo, who copied this crap from Jaywalk, who plurked this hilarious shite.

Lamenting the (probable) death of a perfect dress

Loads of you have seen the gorgeous black and cream outfit that I wore to my brother’s wedding a few months ago. I’m extremely flattered by the heaps of compliments I’ve received - before, during and after the event. To be honest, I purchased the piece eons ago, for no other reason except that it flawlessly and alluringly fits me to a T………then (it’s a whole other epic, let’s not go there).

Today, I chanced upon the dress again, oh well, my apt isn’t that big, but. I’ve been meaning to bring it to the dry-cleaners, as I really don’t want to wash and ruin it. And when you have a nice dress like that, even if you wore it just once, you want to hang it up high in the closet, beaming with pride.

And there, I revealed the problem — I’ve only worn it once. To a massive, once-in-a-lifetime occasion where you met almost every single family & friend you know or will ever know. Plus, smugly sharing all the photos of that night on the Internet expanded the amount of exposure of me in the dress. Sigh.

Chances of me wearing that dress again? Zero. Na dah. Zilch. Sigh.

Because I am a girl. Because I am vain. Because somehow the society gangs up and sniggers at you when you make fashion faux pas like this. Sigh.

Let’s say I wear the same dress to the next wedding/X’mas party/Million dollar charity red-carpet gala that I never get invited to. I take photos, we take photos; the next thing you know I shamelessly share the photos with everyone I know again. Then I will receive comments like: “Isn’t this the dress you just wore to your bro’s wedding?”, “Aiyoh, that dress looks so familiar?”, “Why you wear that dress again? You got nothing new?”… …

Remember the time when Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her role in Walk The Line? Or do you remember the bigger hoo-ha about her at the Golden Globes wearing the exact Chanel dress previously worn by Kristen Dunst to the same event just 3 years ago?

I might not be a celebrity, so you would argue that I don’t have to be self-conscious, as I don’t get sponsors or million-dollar paychecks. But let me tell you this. You will not understand the moral of this post unless you’re a female (or metro sexual).

I, unfortunately, conformed to certain social expectations. I believe that looking good…No. Wait. Looking great is key to survival. The beauty & health industry is ever blooming. The entire fashion industry exists because of this. And you, and everyone else owns a mirror.

So have you ever heard complaints of someone looking too great? Make sure you know the difference between jealousy and disgust before you answer.

Meanwhile, let me fold the dress up and place it in the car so I have it with me if I ever drive by a dry cleaner soon. And after it comes back smelling like fresh air, maybe, one day, down the winding road, I will put it on again if I ever meet someone new.