every.freaking.thing.will.be.alright.

2011-12-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012!!!I'm home, finally. After the most adventurous decade so far. What's next for me? I don't know but i sure hope it's gonna be even more exciting!!!Sparky and I are just doing our best to get accommodated to the lifestyle and weather. I fell sick already. Just hope now it's put of the system and won't be sick anymore soon.Hope 2012 will be great for you too.

Today

2011-12-06T00:21:00.001-08:00

My email account at work got de-activated right at 5:30pm.I walked out of the office building for the last time, after going there every work day for 4 years.It hasn't sink it yet.Work has been a big part of the reason why I'm here. I won't be working for a while.YAY!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2011-11-22T22:21:00.001-08:00

I'm moving back to Singapore.

For good.

So y'all can damn very well stop asking me to.

I'll be back by X'mas time.

Fa la la la la.

I expect many warm wishes, generous hugs and sloppy kisses.

And please be gentle with me. I'm kinda fragile right now.

Stop by my place so that you can finally say hi to Sparky and fall in love with him over again.

See you soon!

Neon Museum

2011-11-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

I would like to apologize to friends and family who have visited me prior to Shawn because I forgot to bring them to the Neon Museum.

haha....Oops.

Its looks like there is a lot, but it's a bit small. Nevertheless still pretty awesome. They are still building that place and trying to make it into a real destination—like a full safe museum area. So for no it's just by a guided tour only. which is nice to as you get to learn about the history of all those signs.

great place to take wedding photos too. just sayin'

This is Shawn and I a month ago, after our New Orleans trip, where she stayed a night in Vegas with me so we can do some cool shit together. the good thing is she doesn't even wanna go to the casinos.

There is a lot going on in my life right now. I can't disclose as of yet, but it's happenin' real soon. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I guess I need to grow up!

Sparky's 5th Birthday!!!

2011-11-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

Look at that face!

It's yours, yes. it's yours!

If I Die Young

2011-10-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

I was also at San Francisco for a bit

2011-10-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'm on a Holiday Spree!!! First my Save Me San Francisco Trip, then followed by the New Orleans Extravaganza with Shawn.Some pictures from SF below.

Orenchi Ramen

FOlsom Street Fair

Smitten Fresh Made Ice Cream At Hayes Valley

The 3 Musketeers Unite!

At the California Academy Of Science Museum

Crepevine

Legion of Honor "The Mourners" Exibit.

I hand-carried a Miette Vanilla Tomboy all through the flight and it made it perfectly back to Vegas.

I was in New Orleans y'all!

2011-10-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

L-u-c-a-s!

2011-09-13T23:03:00.001-07:00

He's not perfect

2011-09-06T21:50:00.001-07:00

Stolen from here.

A message to you

2011-09-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

(stolen with love from lance)

Some Things You Need To Know

2011-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

From here

I know you’re reading this. And I want you to know I’m writing this for you. Others will be confused. They will think I’m writing this for them. But I’m not.

This one’s for you.

I want you to know that life is not easy. Every day is an unpredictable challenge. Some days it can be difficult to simply get out of bed in the morning. To face reality and put on that smile. But I want you to know, your smile has kept me going on more days than I can count. Never forget that, even through the toughest times, you are incredible. You really are.

So smile more often. You have so many reasons to. Time and again, my reason is you.

You won’t always be perfect. Neither will I. Because nobody is perfect, and nobody deserves to be perfect. Nobody has it easy, everybody has issues. You will never know exactly what I’m going through. And I will never know exactly what you’re going through. We are all fighting our own unique war.

But we are fighting through it simultaneously, together.

Whenever somebody discredits you, and tells you that you can’t do something, keep in mind that they are speaking from within the boundaries of their own limitations. Ignore them. Don’t give in. In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self. And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.

Remember, our courage doesn’t always roar aloud. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.” So stand strong. Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.
And I am committed to making the best of it along with you."

distraction

2011-08-31T21:51:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of things I want to say but I have no courage to. So let's focus on FOOD.

First I shared an order for a box of Utah sweet peaches with some colleagues. Hope I got 桃花运？The good kind please.

They are really sweet. I only have 1/3 of that box for myself but it's a lot. I wanted to share some with my downstairs neigbours but no one answered the door. Too bad.

Sayaka is going to be here tomorrow. I can't wait to pick her up and have some girly time together. She's just here a few hours earlier than her hubby. And then for Friday, we will be going to a very nice steak restaurant Capital Grill at Fashion Show Mall.

Have you heard of Restaurant Week? If you haven't, you should check them out. Last year I went to Fleur de Lys, which typically will cost more than $100 for a person's meal but it cost only $50.11 for that particular week. So this year, I'm going to 3 restaurants during Restaurant Week!!! Not only is this for charity, I get to eat great food at super fancy restaurants for a fraction of the price. This happens in most major cities so go check it out!!!

I'll post pictures once I finish those 3 meals. Last one will happen at Jean Georges Steakhouse next Friday.

on my shoulders

2011-08-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

When you reach the demise of a relationship, would you reflect on it or just move on?

I think most of you will probably be like me—spent a significant amount of time running through the whole thing again, in my head, like it's a really long movie with a twisted ending.

Do you even blame yourself for the failure at all?

Be it that the other party lied, cheated or just hurt you for no reason, would you still admit some fault?

Even if you have tried your best, do you think you could have done better?

It's hurtful and exhausting to resent someone forever. Forgiving will feel divine. And I hope to be there soon.

Current Obssession 22

2011-08-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

PEPPERED PONY KNUCKLE-BOX CLUTCH $2,095.00
link

Tubing

2011-08-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

This is the strange man (who I live with) & I at Colorado River 2 weekends ago.

Yes! We planted our ass on the purple tubes and floated down the river for 4 hours :)

current Obssession 21

2011-08-20T23:55:00.000-07:00

Korean designer Lily Suh @ Zoono of I3lab (link jammed at the moment) created the 'full moon odyseey' floor mattress. Now wouldn't that be such a great place to take a nap!

(via Black Eiffel via designboom)

When something bad happens,

2011-08-13T00:07:00.000-07:00

I'm glad there is always someone/something good around.

Moral of the story: Don't work late all by myself again because when my car battery decided to die prematurely last night, it wasn't funny.

BUT

Happy to have friends who are just a phonecall away to give me a ride.

Happy to know someone with a handy jumpstart-car device.

Happy to find an auto shop with honest and helpful people working there.

Happy to find out the battery is still under warranty.

Happy to not pay a single cent.

Happy to have the same nice gentleman install my new windscreen wipers.

Happy to have streak-less windscreen.

Happy to find out tomorrow will rain before I wash my car.

Happy to be free to drive to the doggy park in the evening.

Happy to chat with dog-loving strangers.

Happy to have no TV that will waste my time.

Happy to go to bed now, but not before playing a little Angry Bird first.

Life goes on

2011-08-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sparky makes his little spot in my room with an red ikea throw, a lime green wrap that was supposed to cover the printer, two of his buddies and a new teddy bear. Funny thing is I shouldn't have kept the teddy which was gifted from the ex, but I did. And one fine day Sparky walked into my room with teddy in his mouth. Now it's his to vent his frustration on, he loves chewing on teddy's ears. Nom nom nom.

I'm going tubing this Saturday! I'm very happy to be making more meaningful friendships with more people. Well, we never know how people truly are, but we can give it a try. And doing all these fun activities OUTSIDE with nature. It's wonderful just thinking about it. We'll be drinking and chatting, flowing lazily down the Colorado River... ...

一个出轨男人与佛的对话

2011-08-03T20:48:00.001-07:00

深夜，寺里一人一佛，佛坐人站。

人：圣明的佛，我是一个已婚之人，我现在狂热地爱上了另一个女人，我真的不知道该怎幺办。

佛：你能确认你现在爱上的这个女人就是你生命里唯一的最后一个女人吗？

人：是的。

佛：你离婚，然后娶她。

人：可是我现在的爱人温柔，善良，贤惠，我这样做是否有一点残忍，有一点不道德。

佛：在婚姻中没有爱才是残忍和不道德的，你现在爱上了别人已不爱她了，你这样做是正确的。

人：可是我爱人很爱我，真的很爱我。

佛：那她就是幸福的。

人：我要与她离婚后另娶她人，她应该是很痛苦的又怎幺会是幸福的呢？

佛：在婚姻里她还拥有她对你的爱，而你在婚姻中已失去对她的爱，因为你爱上了别人，正谓拥有的就是幸福的，失去的才是痛苦的，所以痛苦的人是你。

人：可是我要和她离婚后另娶她人，应该是她失去了我，她应该才是痛苦的。

佛：你错了，你只是她婚姻中真爱的一个具体，当你这个具体不存在的时候，她的真爱会延续到另一个具体，因为她在婚姻中的真爱从没有失去过。所以她才是幸福的而你才是痛苦的。

人：她说过今生只爱我一个，她不会爱上别人的。

佛：这样的话你也说过吗？

人：我。我。。我。。。

佛：你现在看你面前香炉里的三根蜡烛，那根最亮。

人：我真的不知道，好象都是一样的亮。

佛：这三根蜡烛就好比是三个女人，其中一根就是你现在所爱的那个女人，芸芸众生，女人何止千百万万，你连这三根蜡烛那根最亮都不知道，都不能把你现在爱的人找出来，你为什么又能确定你现在爱的这个女人就是你生命里唯一的最后一个女人呢？

人：我。我。。我。。。

佛：你现在拿一根蜡烛放在你的眼前，用心看看那根最亮

人：当然是眼前的这根最亮。

佛：你现在把它放回原处，再看看那根最亮

人：我真的还是看不出那根最亮。

佛：其实你刚拿的那根蜡烛就是好比是你现在爱的那个最后的女人，所谓爱由心生，当你感觉你爱她时，你用心去看就觉的它最亮，当你把它放回原处，你却找不到最亮的一点感觉，你这种所谓的最后的唯一的爱只是镜花水月，到头来终究是一场空。

人：哦，我懂了，你并不是要我与我的爱人离婚，你是在点化我，

佛：看破不说破，你去吧

人：我现在真的知道我爱的是谁了，她就是我现在的爱人。

佛：阿弥陀佛，阿弥陀佛

你我曾经深爱过的某人，无非也就是芸芸众生中的一个，只是爱由心生，自以为他/她会是今生最爱，当你感觉你爱她，你用心去爱就觉的他/她最珍贵，当万物归原，生命仍然继续，他/她无非也就是我们生命中的一个过客。

我们根本无法确定哪一个才是今生最爱，如果不懂得去珍惜，你身边这个爱你的/你爱的人，在某一天，也会成为你身边的过客。

找一个你爱的人不容易，找一个爱你的人也不容易。如果无法确定哪一个才是你最爱的人，何不在自己成为别人的爱人的时候珍惜这份感情？爱由心生，你告诉自己是爱他/她的，自然就可以爱上他/她。

如果你爱的人不爱你，也请记得：爱由心生。是你太过于把目光集中在他/她身上了，试着放开视线焦点，你会发现光亮的蜡烛到处都有。

爱与不爱，无非也就是在一念之间。

过去的事情过去的爱情，就让它过去吧，那只是我们生命的一部分，只是茫茫大海中的一滴水珠，只是漫漫苍弩中的一粒微尘。没有那些过去，也不会造就现在的你我。

珍惜当前，永远胜于三心二意

I am a bad person.

2011-07-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've neglecting my blog again...Forgive me as I was trying to woo my Life back to me. It's been great so far.

Yesterday (sat) I had a very fulfilling day. I went kayaking in the AM, bbq dinner party and then KTV till the wee hours. I was exhausted but in a very good way. I'm making it a point to accept any social invitation, and also plan things to do with friends who are helping me to move on quicker than I thought.

I admit that there are moments where I slipped. Like when I was floating on my life vest alone, just chilling in Lake Mead when we took a break on an island from kayaking, I was imaging things. I was actually talking to him in my head as he appear right before, but at least I was telling him to go away :) And it would never be true because he is actually scared of the ocean and can't swim (what a dumbass. Seriously why did I date him?) LOL

Have you watch Objectified?

Objectified Trailer from victor barcellos on Vimeo.

We watched it at work during a "Lunch & Learn" session. It was nice to have such activities at work.

The Art of The Moment

2011-07-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

Finally! I have time to read/re-read my books. I kinda forgot about the joy of reading for a while. Bad. Another thing I need to be aware of, if I ever forget myself in a relationship...

So I am reading The The Art of The Moment: Simple Ways to Get the Most from Life by Veronique Vienne and my beloved Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

I want to share a great excerpt from the former:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gift of Forgetfulness

"Happiness? That's nothing more than health and a poor memory," said Nobel prize winner Albert Schweitzer. A doctor, musician, humanitarian, and philosopher, he reinvented himself time and time again.

Enjoy your memory lapses—they make each moment a second-to-none occurrence.

• Be here now: Live as if you won't remember tomorrow what you did today.

• Be carefree: Forget what you think you know and let the world take you by surprise.

• Be blessed: Forget what you want but enjoy what you get.

• Be popular: Forget to point out that you were right in the first place.

• Be memorable: Take for granted that most folks will forget what you said but will always remember how you made them feel.

• Be generous: Between friends, forget what must be forgotten.

• Be truthful: Don't lie and you won't have to remember a thing.

• Be forgiving: Forget the age of anyone over 35.

• Be modest: Forget to mention your accomplishments.

• Be ready: This is it. The rest is but a memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wise words. Goodnight.

So I'm all settled in...

2011-07-01T21:30:00.001-07:00

My new Apartment! Everyone knows I'm always excited and up for re-decorating a whole new living space. But this time, I do it with a lot of sadness and haste. Nevertheless, I think I lucked out—getting a move-in ready apartment which is 10 minutes' drive from work and also very pet-friendly.

It's a 2 bedroom, so yes I have a roomie. He's a cute little boy who's a lot younger and my junior at work. So he has already encountered the very-bitchy-at-work me so I don't think it's any different from a very-bitchy-at-home me! He's very sweet, volunteered to do the 'man' stuff of the house, lets me have the master bedroom and is putting up with my hoarding issues. Most importantly, he has met Sparky before and loves him too!

We stay in a corner unit, on the second floor, there's a little balcony for the nice evenings we are having now. We intend to lay some wood flooring and put some nice lights. There is two full bathrooms so we don't have to fight over it. Our bedrooms are at the opposite end of the apartments so we won't have to worry about disturbing each other. I would be happy for him if he brings someone home, but I don;t need to hear about it! Vice versa!!!

I'm definitely not done unpacking yet, though the closet is already pretty organized.

I took as much as I can from the house. First, I didn't want to have to buy anything or spend anymore money. Secondly, I did contribute monetarily to most of the furniture and appliances although I was staying rent/bills-free over there. Lastly, I JUST didn't want him to have it. I took what I need, what was originally from my previous apartment, and what I thought I fairly deserved (on a very logically and rational way).

If you guys really want to know, read on.

So by the third day, I found an apartment because that was the main thing I had to do to keep sane. I cannot bear living in that house anymore. Although he said I don't have to move out (WTF right?) I started packing once I know I'm about to sign on to the apartment. It was painful.

The weekend finally arrived after a few more agonizing days. I asked a few friends to help me move. I felt weak, helpless. I really needed someone to save me and my friends did. They came, packed my shit in boxes, loaded up their cars and unloaded numerous more into the new apt, in crazy heat, never complained, and only gave me their very best. That's why there is a saying: boy/girlfriends come and go, but true friends always stays.

Sparky came with me. He has no means of taking care of anyone, even himself, so there is no way in HELL I would leave Sparky with him. I'm the one who takes Sparky to the vet, the one who takes him to the park and the one who buys his food. He is my son, haha.

Since then I've only return there once to collect some stuff I've forgotten. I probably need to make another trip, but there is no rush. I found the gate opener in my car, but who cares, it's his loss. I'll return it at my own sweet time.

With no risk, there will be no gain. This past relationship made me wiser. It's the first that I've been so open and so serious about. I'm learning from what I did—right, wrong or anything in between. Hope that through this, I am a better person for when the Love of my life appears in front of me, I know exactly what to do.

Nursing a broken heart

2011-06-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

Or rather I can say I'm becoming stronger with each experience.

I've surprised myself with the entire trip—as in how this relationship begun and came to an end, how I dived it, how I let it run freely and how I am now, 2 weeks later. And when I say I'm fine, I can say it's 90% true.

I attribute this strength to the overwhelming love I've received from my lovely supportive family and generous friends. You are the ones I can count on no matter what happens, and you are the ones I can truly believe who will love me till the end of time.

I want to keep moving forward. I want to let go. I want to be in love again.

It can only get better right?

p.s. dunch worry, Sparky is mine to keep!

Sparky is a Star!!!

2011-05-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

My photographer friend came by today to take some awesome Sparky shots for her portfolio.
DANG!

She made Sparky look even much better (which I thought was not possible).

Go to my FB! She tagged me in most of the pictures.

Just some vanity shots

2011-05-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Dropped by the Target Corporation sponsored free day at the local Springs Preserve.

Bleh. Wasn't very interesting at all, especially compared to the Lied Children Science Museum we visited last weekend. Glad we didn't have to pay the $10.95/person entrance fee.

To make matters worse, I wanted to try out the Wolfgang Puck Cafe at the location and the service was really slooooooow. I know, it's a busy day, they should put more staff on duty then. I blame the management, not the mistreated and I-don't-wanna-be-here-look-on-my-face kitchen to floor staff who had to deal with the overwhelming number of customers. Time we spent waiting in line to order plus waiting for the food to be served: 1 hr 45 mins. Time we spent actually eating: 20 mins.

They actually have a good view of the Strip on one of the trails, but that's not hard due to the low level architecture throughout the city.

No disrespect to the Native Americans but doesn't Little A look like her? Blame it on the haircut.
That's all folks. Yes, that place is kinda boring. I didn't bother to take any shots of the exhibit.

My Heath Ceramics

2011-05-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Clara, Janice & Karen!!!

I got these from my recent SF trip with the yummy gift card that they sent me for X'mas. This makes shopping so much more satisfying!

The 2010 Fall/Winter seasonal limited edition tall vase—factory price was about 30% less then retail and it was the only one. I zoomed right in and grabbed it before anyone else could. The baby breath was from the bf's gift of a rose bouquet from Valentine's day and the single dried up pink carnation was from Ashley during Mother's day :D

The yellow glazed bud vase is the new one (the brown and white were from a previous LA trip). From the current 2011 Spring/Summer seasonal limited edition.

Looks like I have a little "Clara" shrine as she also gifted me the adorable birdie cupcake stand on the left that is now used to hold our car keys since this is right by the entry way from our garage.

My invisalign video!!!

2011-05-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

I will say it again — 1 step closer to PERFECTION!!!

Another cute video

2011-05-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

some updates

2011-05-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

This is what Sparky does, during most of the day, when I'm supposed to be working.

(I took this precious pic when I was sick at home last week. Sick again! I am so useless!)

(Pardon my messy backyard. The fake grass is breaking down :( Need to put new one in)

And wh doesn't wanna see a close up pic of my son? So cute.

So the big news/ conversation starter nowadays for me is my Invisaligners! I just started two Fridays ago. I'm on my second set now. and GOSH! The first time did hurt a lot. Plus my dentist had to whip out his tiny set of saws to shave off some of my teeth coz my main problem is overcrowding. So now I have some gaps between my teeth, hopefully they will move quicker.

I'm bound to lose weight coz' wearing the aligners disallow me to snack throughout the day at my desk while I'm working. You can't eat with them on and it's a hassle to have to brush and floss everytime after i eat. Booooooo. Price of vanity.

Let's see if I'll be more perfect in 12 months!

The little extra things on some of my teeth are attachés, they help the aligners 'hold on' so they don;t move around too much.

The cutest Elly bag from Kate Spade

2011-05-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

If I have a couple hundreds of thousands bucks lying around, then I'll consider getting this utterly charming yet kinda impractical basket-weaved tote from Kate Spade. I love elephants!

Linky here.

He knows how to call me 姑姑！

2011-05-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

Date Night

2011-05-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

Supposed to go watch the UFC fight but ended up as a Date Night since we got some time to be just alone. And when I say alone it means only the two of us.

So he surprised me with a trip back to this nice neighborhood with its own man made lake. He brought me there like 2+ years ago on a date—It was later in the night, and we just had dinner and I wanted to go home already but he refused to *release* me. So he drove me to this lakeside to hang out for a while and it was freezing! I remember being very nervous, because I thought he was going to "make his move" but he didn't. Phew~

It was only a few dates later then we became officially a couple. So when we stood at the same spot just now, I told him he owes me a kiss, as I didn't receive one 2 years ago. It's all good now.

Awkward smile due to my Invisaligners

I look FUGLY in this picture (pls do not click to enlarge it) but I think is awesomely funny so I have to share it. The ducks came out of nowhere on the right and started running so I pretended it was chasing me :)

But then we figured they weren't interested in us. (this is how we see it) Turns out that the 2 white ducks are females and the 2 dark brown/green ones are males and the latter is aggressively chasing one of the white ducks. Because I joined it in party, the victim went to hide under the front of our car! But the 2 males refused to give up (horny bastards) and keep pecking at the poor girl on her neck. So much that I could see it turning red and the feathers are coming out. See below.

The other white duck can't really help much so it stood helplessly on the side. I kept screaming at the males, trying to shoo them away. The BF actually LIGHTLY pushed one of the males away and it didn't bulge!!! DAMN!

The BF was videotaping the whole thing but in the end we realize that he didn't actually record it \"(-_-)/

After 2 minutes, he went to move the car backwards and the girl got out and the males kept chasing her to the grass and one of them almost successfully got on top of her and started his humping. Luckily in the end she somehow got away and I guess the males got tired and gave up.

DAMN. the males are violent. I guess ducks are one fo the species who really dun respect the females of their kind. Makes me don't like them as much. Especially when the females were so pretty in their white feathers..... hahahha

Anyways, the next stop was my favorite cupcake place in Vegas— The Cupcakery. I'm so surprised he remembered. I had to wait till we got to another place because since I have braces now, I need to take them out and wash it before I can eat, and then put them back on.

I'm happy I'm doing this but I hope I can endure the pain and inconvenience for now and then I'll be looking great in my new smile :)

Goodnight!

Dang! Alexander McQueen Iris Platforms

2011-04-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Priced at $3,495.00. Link

sparky

2011-04-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

The BF saw Sparky lying down on the couch, without a care in the world, with his Ducky, and said: "It's like you're on vacation everyday!"

p.s. Sparky is much better now, he's back to normal! It's just that we have to watch is back (literally) and no let him jump too much. No medicine or vitamins would help. I've know a lot of people who have the bulging disc in their back too. It sucks!

current obssession 20

2011-04-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

MAC Wonder Woman Collection!!!

I'm like 6 months late in getting roped into this news. Not news anymore technically. Most fo the items are sold out and boohoo! I have to pay more to get it on Evil-bay.

Getting that red lipstick (Russian Red) coz I tried my friend's and I felt in love with how my face beamed immediately.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

From etsy seller, link here.

the BF's family is here, so our place will temporarily be a party house.

Went to my first bridal shower in USA, and it was short and sweet, had to skip the night out part coz of the BF's bbq party.

What's new but working like a Dog.

Sparky bit a little girl. It made me pretty upset.

I have a glass of Moscato next to me now and it's pretty good.

I have so many shopping obssessions, it's not funny.

I miss SF already

2011-04-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect vacation!!! The skies opened up and the birds were singing. The GODs made me feel love with the perfect weather and beautiful nature that surrounds. My dear friends all made an effort to spend some time together, eating good food and catching up the lost times. Sighz. I miss that beautiful city, always something to do, always something nice happening.

It's not his first time in SF, but it's definitely a different trip with locals showing him around. Took him to many various neighborhoods to experience the wide variety of lifestyles that makes SF so unique. Also trying to psycho him to move to the Bay Area if possible!!! I hope I can call SF my home again.

Very nice room at Hotel Nikko, right in downtown. 19th Floor!

Fried Louisiana-style chicken for the very first meal :)

Got myself a shiny new Michael Kors Silver/Rosegold oversized watch with my birthday money from my awesome friends—yun, yenyee & shirley!

in front of the Ferry Building

Getting my birthday cupcake

BF hanging out with his friend from the city

Having birthday dinner @ The Stinking Rose with great company

They sang:
Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to Little Stinker! Happy Birthday to you...

My cupcake eyes!

Enjoying a gelato in the Mission

Taco Salad

yummy little donuts @ the Pier 39

It was waiting for me to drop some food...

Beautiful flowers @ Golden Gate Bridge

Shinta

Dinner @ Burma Superstar. Yums!

Twin Peaks

Leo in his perfect view sleeping spot @ home

@ Heath Ceramics Sausalito! Bought some vases with my giftcard from the girls during X'mas

Eating awesome Seafood @ Fish, Sausalito

Palace of Fine Arts

Leo's first time @ a bar

With kurumi-chan

Drunk already

Great Shanghai Food

The BF vs Geisha and she won

It was a perfect vacation!!!

It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to Cry if I want to, cry if I want to You would cry too if it happened to you~

2011-03-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

YAY! I'm flying off to SF first thing tomorrow morning! It's been a while since bf and I get to go on a trip with just the two of us.

Promise to update when I get back with lotsa photos and gossip.

Peach for Summer!

2011-03-21T22:34:00.001-07:00

What should I get?

2011-03-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

my blog is not dead!

2011-03-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

Blame work, blame the BF, blame life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dreaming of Paris, but first...

I AM GOING TO SF FOR MY BIRTHDAY! YAY!

So exciting! Dunnoe why the BF suddenly said: Erm, why don;t we go to SF for your bday?

Then I sprung out of my seat, and immediately searched for flights.

It started out as taking the day off for my bday which is falling on wednesday this year. I took only wednesday off as I don;t believe anyone should work on their bday. But the BF took wed through fri, and I was like: it's not even your bday. Then he decided not to waste it by sitting around at home, so YAY!

I have been trying to get him to go visit with me for a while. I've been away for 3+ years, but I'm pretty confident that I can remember the buses to take to the Ferry building so I can have a Miette cupcake (or three) on my special day. I can't wait to see my friends, breathe in the cool crisp bay air and just dance in this fabulous city I used to call Home.

I'll def. write about my trip after I'm back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next up, is planning for Paris. I always wanted to go there. I would move there in a heartbeat once I can figure how to speak French and manage a stylish lifestyle there (Any French royalty interested in a cute Asian gf?).

this trip should happen later this fall. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, I have been living a very modest lifestyle. Even when I went shopping last Saturday, by myself, with no BF nagging at me, I DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING!!!!!!!

sighz, I have grown up.

suming up the end of 2010

2011-01-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

So, all I remember was I got sick. It started right before X'mas, when I started a sore throat and light cough...so guess who didn't go out for X'mas parties???

Staying home with Sparky lots since I wasn't feeling well. These is his collection of toys ever since he live here. Like his first gf- Fiona from Shrek, his first X'mas pressie and 2010's x'mas' crocodile present. I realise whatever he gets, he always goes for the eyes first.

These are from the annual Holiday Cookie Exchange that I organize at work every year. This year I made Lemon-Pistachio Wreaths! Lotsa work but they are awesome.
Sparky also found a giant new friend. This ducky is Ash's old toy, they unpacked him from the garage. we left it on the other couch and never expected him to be Sparky's new favorite sleeping companion. Keeps him warm in these cold winter nights.
This is our elaborate X'mas Dinner. And it is also the second year we spent X'mas at home. Last year it was just me and him and we even dressed up. This year I was smarter and decided to wear holiday colors pjs all day.
Opening presents!
I helped Ash make her first brownie and decorated it for the new year.

Happy 2011!!

last post for the year.

2010-12-31T23:36:00.000-08:00

what can I say? 2010 was highly anticipated for me coz 2009 sucked like nobody's business.

at least 11 is my favorite number AND my mom forwarded me and email saying 2011—the rabbit year is great for Monkeys like me so I'm definitely looking forward to the new year.

Did I just give away my age? *shrugs*

The house smells like freshly baked brownies and sausages and bread, coz' yes we made some brownies and pigs-in-a-blanket. Hooray!

I got extremely sick for the past week, so ironically, despite the extra days off, I did nothing much but lounge around at home. Why did I get sick? I don't know, might be because I also spend the last 3 weeks working like a dog.

But the good news is, I finally got the 'approval' from the big guy at work! So i'm glad. Just hope that I'm not a one-hit-wonder and can keep up the great work in 2011.

I know I can. I must.

So today is spend eating yummy home-made Filipino-style Spaghetti, one filet mignon leftover from X'mas and yummy potato au gratin. And surrounded by love.

It's 11.41pm. *cough cough* Almost there!

I really wanna sparkle this new year. I will. And I hope the very best for all my family and friends out there.

Cheers!

so are you done with your holiday shopping?

2010-12-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

Because I am. I'm so glad I did listen to my awesome astrologer when she told us Aries to hurry up and finish the Holiday shopping by end of November. For many good reasons, and true to her words, my workload just picked up all of a sudden and it's crazy. Man~ she is good.

Yes, work finally improved, kinda, by having some fun and bigger projects to work on. And they also hired two more counterparts to help with the load so I am happy. Even though my job security seem to lessen with that fact, I'm still not worried. Though I am aware that the boss isn't to fond of me, but I will proud him wrong.

Isn't this pair of Adidas awesome?
It's USD$301 after sale. I think I'll wait for it to go for more discount.

I promise

2010-11-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

this blog is not dead. the owner is just lazy.

Plus I had a refill at the dentist today. Refill—took out old cavity fillings and replaced with new shiny cosmetic white plastic based ones. So that when I yell at someone, they don't focus on the visibly awful black mercury fillings in my last few Molar teeth I had since I was a child.

Speaking of which, I totally cannot erased the memory of our Primary school dentist. That dingy so-called dental office located in the other school next door always smells musky. Filled with totally out dated equipment (I knew even when I was a kid as the same loathsome chair was never upgraded for like 6 years) and dizzy ceiling lights. I think she is not even a dentist. She seemed more like a dental hygienist who hates kids. I know she hates kids because she doesn't care how we feel. She doesn't need our parents' consent to do any dental work on us, which I think is total BULLSHIT.

She extracts our tooth whenever she think is appropriate and she gives us POISONOUS MERCURY cavity fillings without thinking twice. How do I know? I went to a dentist in USA a few years ago who told me:

"You should change those fillings."

"Why?" I asked.

"They look like they are starting to chip off on the edges. They are probably old right? And they are mercury-based."

"That sounds poisonous!"

"They were only poisonous when they first put it in... ..."

Inside voice: WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

He continued:"Also, I can't even just throw them away. By law, I have to dispose of them in a safe procedure because of the mercury."

Inside voice: 1000000000 x WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

I know now that I am a victim of a psycho dentist hygienist, who probably wasn't smart enough to be a real dentist, hated kids and chose to freaking drill into our teeth like there is no tomorrow. My cavities were probably not even alarming at all. But I was just unfortunate. I was poisoned as a child and maybe, I feel like going back to the country, sue the Ministry for negligence. The mercury had probably entered my blood stream and cause some deficiency that I will find out later in my life. Which will probably be too late.

The sad truth is, I wasn't the only victim.

I'm not a audiophile but

2010-11-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

these are pretty awesome ain't it?

H&M heart Lanvin

2010-11-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Can't wait till November 23rd!!!

current obssession 19

2010-10-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Love love love the Androgynous styling of the latest Uniqlo +J collection. While I was in Japan a few weeks ago, we managed to shop at the new flagship shop in Shinsaibashi, Osaka where I scored a pair of faux suede grey high boots at a yummy price.

Too bad I didn't get to see this collection in Japan, and the only store I am near to is in New York. I wonder if they do phone orders!!!

current obssession 18

2010-10-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Céline Luggage Tote

Damn those fashion blogs. I read and I learn and I want more!!!

Imma back

2010-10-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

but busy catching up with Life, just like Lucas was, busy playing with my shoes. I heard he is especially fond of my red pointy shoes. heeheehee

Ramen Everywhere!!!!!!!

2010-10-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

Going to Ohaiyo-Land with the family~

There will be plenty of updates when I am back!

hungry again

2010-09-07T21:39:00.001-07:00

I forgot to blog about one of the best meals I had in SG while I was back in March/April this year. It's at Old Hong Kong on East Coast Road. It was the night before Ben went back to USA before I did.

Man were we hungry or was it really that good?

I don't understand why I can't find this roasted pork in LV.

Sigh.

Restaurant week in Las Vegas is a great idea

2010-09-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

In Las Vegas, I keep telling myself that I should maximize my time here by doing everything Vegas. I kinda overdid it when I had that huge influx of visitors during my first year here. It's like everyone thinks: oh we have to visit you there now!

So before my time (and money) runs out in Sin City, I'm glad that I've finally tried Restaurant Week, organized for Three Square, a charity/community to help out the starving by stuffing ourselves with great food, in great restaurants, at great affordable prices.

We could only pick ONE place out of the extensive and tasty list of participating restaurants, and we (I) picked Fleur de Lys!!!

At USD$50.10 per head (not including tax, tips and/or drinks), the Prixe Fix menu didn't seem like we'll be short-changed for paying half of what a normal meal would be. Plus my fellow colleague/foodie gave the encouraging nod. Since there is only 2 choices of each of the 3-course menu, the bf and I can practically try everything.

So we dressed up fancy, dropped off the little monster, parked, arrived early, played the slot machine, went back, got seated, had a drink or two and BAM! When I first tasted my Truffled Onion Soup, I thought I would never ever taste a better soup than that again. it surprisingly doesn't taste much like onions, I thought there was duck in there but I can't taste it either. I can taste the Truffles which is yummy and definitely the soup is just good. I would even drink it if someone tells me that it's made with rat's tail. Yes, it's worth the drawback after, if ever.

So they serve you with an empty bowl first, with only the truffles, then they pour the creamy yummy soup in, in front of you. The soup plate has a little bottom pit and he poured it to the brim, that's why it looks like it's flat on the surface.

The bf had the (raw)salmon salad which is so fresh and pure, you can taste the smooth silky texture of the fish. That's the way to do raw fish right.
Next are the entreés. I had the Halibut for the hell-of-it (heehee) and the bf had the something steak. Boy am I glad I got the Halibut!!! It was served in the beautiful custom plate and the chef purposely presented the dish in a way to complement the flower design on the plate. Le Sigh.
And what else can I say? The fish is so fresh and tender, lightly salted and seared on one side. The sauce is light, with carrots, corns, some beans and perfectly enhanced the gentle taste of the fish. It was kinda South-western, yet I don't know. Can't find words to describe.

The bf had the steak, which was good, but forgettable. It had the smallest and cutest baked potatoes I've ever seen.

Next up dessert. We were both stuffffffffed. We finish everything and I have to say that the servings were pretty impressive. I was kinda worried that the bf would need a stop at Burger King right after because fine dining are known to be pretty small portioned. But did you see my fish??? It was ginormously fabulous! Plus I tried all 3 kinds of bread rolls they offered. Once again, I ate more than my date.

There wasn't a choice for the dessert, so chocolate soufflé it was. Great for chocolate lovers and even greater for me as their chocolate sauce was just perfectly semi-sweet. Except that I gave the bf my mocha ice-cream since I'm not a fan of coffee. The soufflé was so fluffy (I'm gonna die!!!), freshly-made, perfect, with the chocolate sauce. YUMS.

Doesn't the ice-cream on the right look like a little mouse?

So the order of my favorite dish actually follows the order of how they were served. I read online that the soup alone usually costs USD$20, which I think I might just go get it another day on a whim. Or to cheer up an otherwise gloomy day (which are plenty recently due to work).

We ended the night with a short round of slot play where I ended up leaving the hot seat of the Sex and the City machine with $30, instead of the $5 I started with. Small YAY. (Mmmmmm that could buy me that bowl of soup again......)

It's a long weekend, with Labor Day holiday occuring on Monday. It turns out I might have to work again (having to work today-saturday). I hope I get those comp days. Or I'll just give myself some when the rest of my clan arrives. Woohoo!

I don't know if you know much about sugar

2010-08-19T23:18:00.000-07:00

But most of the drinks in USA are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, instead of sugar. I made a double-take when I saw this in stores and wanted it immediately. For the nolstagia and the fact that it's using real sugar. It tasted a bit different. I like it, just not used to it. Tried the Mountain Dew version too and it tastes interesting...

It's funny how we are all subjected to the 'right' choice and when we have the 'real' choice, it's like a special occasion and for this instance, it tasted interesting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There's so much going on right now. So tired and busy and weak. will chat with ya another day.

this is super cute (and accurate)

2010-08-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

(stolen via DesignSponge. Original artwork of Katie Turner)

current obssession #17

2010-08-09T21:19:00.001-07:00

I melted a little and fell in... ...

get it here.

Can x'mas come sooner?

i realised today is 08082010

2010-08-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

and also tomorrow is Singapore National Day!

I have missed SND for like ever since I've moved away. When I think of NDP, I think of sweat. Yes, sweat flowing down from my temples, my armpits and etc. You get it. SG is just too hot for me already.

Anyways, I'm still proud to be a Singaporean.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night we went out to our dear friends' house. The couple who recently lost their baby girl, the couple who brought me and bf together. I used to go to their old house all the time before I met the bf. I would be playing RockBand on Xbox for hours. We havent done a session witht them for a long time, but last night we did from 10PM until 230AM. It felt real good. They have Lady GaGa on RockBand downloadable songs now. And damn, her lyrics are crazy. I never know that until we try to play the song.

After we left their place, we actually went to a nearby casino to play some slot machine. Yes, we have became gamblers. But it's an ever-present kinda leisure outlet here and so we indulge in it. Healthily though, for we only play less expensive slot machines for fun. And for one, our little monster will be back next week from her vacation, so we wanna do as much adult stuff as we can without a curfew.

Then we went to another even more local-ish casino that I consider getting rooms for my family when they visit. I bet the rooms are like 29 bucks per night. We went there for USD3.99 Steak and eggs. 3.99!!! So erm we were not expecting much, and true to that, our orders got mixed up, which is not that bad, at least they label how the steak is cooked. Plus there was a nice amount of butte ront he toasted bread. The hhashbrown that came with it was yummy, but my egg yolk was way too runny for my taste. That was all 430AM on a lazy sunday morning.

As we exit the casino, it was evident that it rained!! BTW, rain is kinda a big deal in the desert, in the middle of summer! but it's apparent that summer is kinda ending, with the later sunsets, lowering temperature day by day. I kinda miss the winter, but now I'm reversing my emotions.

It was 500AM and the sun barely rose. My head hit the pillows by 530AM and I couldn't really sleep. It's been months since I went out this late and enjoyed the little stuffs of living in sleepless city of Las Vegas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How should I spend today? The boss has forewarned a hectic 2 weeks to come. So I think I wanna go out and get a little crazier than yesterday.

Maybe enjoy a Singapore Sling along the way?

If you haven't realised......

2010-07-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

We went to San Diego Comic Con this year!!!

And sorry no, I didn't sit in on any panels or special talks because I'm not a big comic fan so it was just a free and easy trip. Comics are great, unfortch, I'm not into any right now. But maybe I will soon.....

Took some great pictures. It's like Halloween or something. Check them out.

The Agnes SO-Fluffy-I-can-die Unicorn.

R2D2!

And the coolest picture of the century...............

I know. My mouth is opened way to wide but that's how buck tooth I am. It's still an awesome pic.

Tickets for next year is gonna be on sale soon. You should get yours. The next one I wanna go is prolly Anime Con. I heard there is one in Vegas!

And before I forget. We also got to see the ocean! At last!

At Pacific Beach in San Diego

And look at the 'Monkey' I found at the beach...

we're so lucky to have sparky...

2010-07-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

He is one of the sweetest dog I ever know. I don't know how we end up so lucky with our first adoption, but we did.

He makes me forget that I had a crappy day at work.

He makes me feel that I'm important.

He doesn't judge me.

And all he wants is cuddle-time, on the couch, in front of the TV every night.

The last day

2010-07-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the church mass. The last time I was at that church was Christmas Day, where we came to attend the mass and mainly, listen to L's singing. She's the leader of the choir.

But yesterday, she sang the hardest song of her life. It is a Filipino song about a mother, having to send her child off from this world. It brought everyone to tears. It was most beautiful—her angelic voice, her selfless love.

This morning was the burial. We stood under the gleaming sun as the white little casket shined brightly. L & J, especially L, broke down uncontrollably as they lowered her little angel six feet under. We took turns to toss in blooming white roses as we said goodbye.

Around her resting spot lies dozens of other little angels. We hope that they are happily playing up there, free from the pain and sorrows of this world, in the embrace of their loving gods.

heavy heavy heart

2010-07-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

I dropped by Little R's viewing today during an extended lunch period. Totally clueless about Catholic funeral processions, I realize today's viewing is hosted at a mortuary, in a simple elegant room with the open casket.

Upon arrival, we sat with L and I was trying really hard to not cry. But I eventually did and it was messed up to have her comfort me a little instead of the other way round. We sat in silence because, really, what do you say in a situation like this? This is the time when being there is all that's needed.

When the rest of her family arrived, we left to return to work. But not before we went to the front of the casket to take one last look and say a goodbye prayer. Little R looks like a doll in her crisp white dress. This is also the first time I saw her in person as she has been staying at the hospital since her birth. It's so unreal. She look just like a baby, sleeping soundly in the 'bassinet' with us looking at her.

Tomorrow is the church mass and Sunday will be the burial which I realized L & J would love us to be there and so we will.

I really don't want to have to attend another baby's funeral.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's funny how I was so hung up with insecurities of work one second and then the grief was so strong that it swept away everything else that shouldn't have mattered.

When I got back to my desk, I suddenly developed some really bad allergies that made things worse. But I kinda had an epiphany about work. I wasn't insecure anymore. I forgot to mention that I actually went to the viewing with another colleague. And while in the car, we had a good revealing talk that reassured many questions in my head. He didn't have to tell me too much. The most important thing he made me realize is that everyday, I work hard and diligently, doing my best. If I am put in a situation where I cannot control the whirlwind around me, let it be. Right?

Life is crazy / Gone too soon

2010-07-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm combining 2 posts into 1.

I have not blogged for a while coz' I was busy. Last Friday, I hosted a Game Night at our place for my department at work and it was spectacular. I didn't take any photos but it was awesome. Inviting work colleagues into your home can be tricky. I usually hate to mix work and personal. But everyone have took turns to host either Poker Night or Game Night so I had too.

Plus our new boss just started. This Monday. I'm a religious reader of my horoscope on astrologyzone.com and with her fore-warnings of the solar eclipse that just happened on the 11th July, I had a weird feeling. This new boss would make or break it. He'll be the fourth Director I've experience in this position in this agency. They usually say 3rd is the charm, but my 3rd boss voluntarily stepped down and is now under the mercy of the new one. Whether he stays or leaves, no one but Boss No. 4 will know.

So the week began okay until the past two days when he repeatedly ask me to make changes on one particular project. Then, Big Boss hated another project. So everything went off balance and stress escalates. Then I realize it might just be politics. Then I was needed on the project anymore coz new guy got his peep to take care of it outside the agency. WTF. You guys probably cannot understand what I am saying but it's ok, I feel better ranting already.

We'll see what other shit can happen. Hopefully I won't be fired soon. I have been seeing signs of change around me. it's kinda creepy.

There are also some other bad shit that's happening. Like the BF getting traffic tickets served to him left and right after holding a clean record for more than a decade. When they come, they come in shit loads.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My first friends in LV—this couple L & J were nothing but great friends to me. They treated me like family when I had no one.

6 months ago, L was just 4 months pregnant when she had to go under emergency C-section to deliver the baby. L was fine but the baby stayed in critical condition since Day 1. Little R fought, struggled, resisted all odds to live another day after another day.

Sad to say, little R breathed her last breath last Saturday. A day after I just met up with L & J who were actually optimistic about Little R being able to discharge from the hospital.

Sigh.

This weekend, we'll attend Little R's wake and burial. I don't know if I can hold myself together. I bet I'll break down. It's about time to.

Why Intelligent People Fail

2010-07-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

(stolen from Cowboy, original article here)

Before you come to the conclusion yourself—At least I am intelligent enough to know that I am intelligent, yet a failure. Le Sigh~

Content from Sternberg, R. (1994). In search of the human mind. New York: Harcourt Brace.

1. Lack of motivation. A talent is irrelevant if a person is not motivated to use it. Motivation may be external (for example, social approval) or internal (satisfaction from a job well-done, for instance). External sources tend to be transient, while internal sources tend to produce more consistent performance.

2. Lack of impulse control. Habitual impulsiveness gets in the way of optimal performance. Some people do not bring their full intellectual resources to bear on a problem but go with the first solution that pops into their heads.

3. Lack of perserverance and perseveration. Some people give up too easily, while others are unable to stop even when the quest will clearly be fruitless.

4. Using the wrong abilities. People may not be using the right abilities for the tasks in which they are engaged.

5. Inability to translate thought into action. Some people seem buried in thought. They have good ideas but rarely seem able to do anything about them.

6. Lack of product orientation. Some people seem more concerned about the process than the result of activity.

7. Inability to complete tasks. For some people nothing ever draws to a close. Perhaps it’s fear of what they would do next or fear of becoming hopelessly enmeshed in detail.

8. Failure to initiate. Still others are unwilling or unable to initiate a project. It may be indecision or fear of commitment.

9. Fear of failure. People may not reach peak performance because they avoid the really important challenges in life.

10. Procrastination. Some people are unable to act without pressure. They may also look for little things to do in order to put off the big ones.

11. Misattribution of blame. Some people always blame themselves for even the slightest mishap. Some always blame others.

12. Excessive self-pity. Some people spend more time feeling sorry for themselves than expending the effort necessary to overcome the problem.

13. Excessive dependency. Some people expect others to do for them what they ought to be doing themselves.

14. Wallowing in personal difficulties. Some people let their personal difficulties interfere grossly with their work. During the course of life, one can expect some real joys and some real sorrows. Maintaining a proper perspective is often difficult.

15. Distractibility and lack of concentration. Even some very intelligent people have very short attention spans.

16. Spreading oneself too think or too thick. Undertaking too many activities may result in none being completed on time. Undertaking too few can also result in missed opportunities and reduced levels of accomplishment.

17. Inability to delay gratification. Some people reward themselves and are rewarded by others for finishing small tasks, while avoiding bigger tasks that would earn them larger rewards.

18. Inability to see the forest for the trees. Some people become obsessed with details and are either unwilling or unable to see or deal with the larger picture in the projects they undertake.

19. Lack of balance between critical, analytical thinking and creative, synthetic thinking. It is important for people to learn what kind of thinking is expected of them in each situation.

20. Too little or too much self-confidence. Lack of self-confidence can gnaw away at a person’s ability to get things done and become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Conversely, individuals with too much self-confidence may not know when to admit they are wrong or in need of self-improvement.

work: it's was fun at last...

2010-06-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

'Coz my dept decided to host a Friday Lounge. It's a tradition at work when each dept take turns to host a themed lounge. Usually it coincides with a major holiday but this one is not. Since we are the web geeks, we came up with an awesomely themed 80s' Video Arcade Game Lounge!

We made sprites out of colorful Post-its notes and printed blocks of Tetris and decorated the hell out of the lounge area. I can proudly say that our formerly-known as the web dysfunctional dept has knocked the socks off everyone.

Anyways, this post is useless w/o pictures. So there you go!

Ben crashed the party for like 5 mins and left..........

Decorated the prize boxes with Mario bricks! Guess what's in there? Gold coins of chocolate!

Table decor with gamer food: Pizza, Doritos chips, Cheetohs, Red Vines, Pop Tarts, Mountain Dew and beer.

If you haven't seen the web phenomenon 2 Girls, 1 Up! LOL

Post-it sprites against those sunny lit windows.

Donkey Kong

They gathered at the empty desk next to mine.

I didn't post any pictures of the crowds as it's work so you know. not too many people were in the office today so too bad for them. But we were already requested to host a Lounge again some time soon!!!

Sparky on the stairs

2010-06-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Learning how to use my camera but I still can't get a good pic esp. at night in low lit places. I think Sparky looks like epic here.

You know I'm obssessed when I keep looking for it

2010-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Lanvin Pom Pom Chain Necklace

Lanvin Leather Chain Flats

Lanvin Leather Pom Pom Flats
Lanvin Tulle Dress 2009Lanvin Oulala Pouchettes

current obssession 16

2010-06-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Lanvin Pompom-embellished waist belt from the fabulous Net-A-Porter.com sale! There is still my size in the black/blue. Isn't it the best way to dress up an otherwise boring dress?

paranoid

2010-06-13T01:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier today the BF told me that Spark was not acting normal 'cause he stop jumping when he asked him to. I just dismissed the thougth and called the BF 'crazy'.

Then we brought Sparky to the doggy park. It drizzled a little earlier so since Las Vegas rarely rains people are like scared of rain so there was no one at the small dogs' park. Sparky didn't seem real excited and I thought it was just cause there is no friends around.

Then we got home and he went straight to bed. Later he didn't eat his treats, instead he took them and put them aside which is REAL unlikely of him.

We went out for dinner and came back and realised he didn't touch his dinner at all.

Then I'm starting to freak out a little. I go to see him in his bed with an intense fear that I'll find him stop breathing lying there.

He would lay next to use while we watch tv and I check once in a while if he is breathing and would open his eyes when I pet him.

I think I am really insecure. He might be just a little under the weather or having a cold or fever. I'll continue to watch him closely the next 24 hours and react. But given what I went through a while back, I'm afraid to lose anyone now.

pretending I'm busy

2010-06-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Because I just wanna be in denial and avoid the crap that really bothers me.

Today at the office pantry, while exchanging conventionally boring 'hellos' and 'how are yous', another colleague and I realized we were both very mentally exhausted and did not try to pretend to be all cheerful. Sigh.

I also realize that I've lost a certain drive for my life. I don't feel like fighting anymore. No, I'm not giving up on my life, I just want, you know, to live in a peaceful and happy environment, everyday. I don't want to go to work and sulk and pick fights with people on silly little things like font sizes and alignment of graphics. As much as I've tried to avoid the drama, I don't think I ever can because working in an ad agency itself is a self-stirring-shit drama ditch.

ok stop rant. show pictures ok?

ARIA's buffet—The latest place where I have to bring visitors to. This dessert strawberry cheesecake....oh la la.

But the crab legs are the best! Dipped in melted butter!
Then we had a bbq for the weekend...
And some pretty interesting guests.

Current Obssession 15

2010-06-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

Designer Tobias Wong died today. I dunnoe why he died and I don't know who he was until I read the press release and realised he designed a lot of cool stuff that I've seen and admired. Like the Sun Jar. I have been wanting one like forever. Everyone who has one should make sure they turn it on, for a silent moment, for him.

current obssession 14

2010-05-31T00:50:00.000-07:00

Saw this trio of beautiful art crystal glass vases at Macys a few days ago. The colors are stunning in real, just like the picture. Too bad they cost this much. By a art glass company from Sweden Kosta Boda.

We did it

2010-05-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yay!

We're having a Memorial weekend BBQ party tomorrow and a house guest, so there's a need to fix up our house asap. These are his old dining chairs and the old cushion (see far left chair) is kinda nasty. During our previous trip to Ikea, we picked up these awesome outdoor fabric, throw in a staple gun plus a Macho man...... Voila! Fresh update on the otherwise dingy dining set.

Now we are ready to have a BBQ!!!

before and after upholstered cushion chairs

2010-05-17T19:53:00.001-07:00

When you are in love you can't
fall asleep because reality is
better than your dreams.
~ Dr. Seuss

Isn't this such a beauty?

2010-05-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer in Empire Red

I have lusted for this baby forever. But it's MINE now. wahahahaha Thanks to the perfect bf. Now maybe I'll make cookies from scratch.

One of the funniest commercial ever.

2010-05-11T15:45:00.001-07:00

great writing and concept!

Ikea Austria Cinema Catalogue

2010-05-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

(seen on bannerblog)

current obssession 13

2010-05-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Burberry CHECK TAFFETA PACKAWAY TRENCH COAT

Having Burberry fever ever since I got this bracelet for my bday. Now I want to complete the look.

OMG you ladies have to read this!

2010-05-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

Very innocently, I just wanted to shop online for lunch bags as mine is almost broken. Being a designer, I cannot just go to Walmart and get one. I've to shop for the coolest shite ever to be designed for a lunch bag.

I made it go a eco-friendly online store and after finally making some decisions, I wanted to browse around to see what other cool stuff they do sell.

Then I chance upon the Divacup™ when I was looking at Lunapads™ - Mini Pantyliner which totally intrigued me. I thought about adding one to the basket. OK wait. I didn't think it was disgusting since it's for non-period usage. You know, the damage will be so minimal. But as I read the reviews, everyone stated that it will be great to use with Divacups. What is that? Cup? I thought of breasts immediately but it doesn't make sense.

Before you leave my blog to go see what a Divacup™ is, please do remember to come back after and leave me your comment. Don't forget to browse the pictures section to see how you can use it.

Link

we're proud owners of a mini!

2010-05-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

So on a Friday night, I thought I was going out on a hot date. This guy brought me to the local car dealer instead. It's not a typical car dealership. It's a fixed priced car shop, which is great for people like me who hates car salespersons and haggling. So this guy has been wanting to get a new car for the longest time. His beat-up SUV does the job, but he says he worries every time he drives, wondering when it is going to break down in the middle of the road.

So we wait there for the longest time, which is a reallllly unusual customer service experience. My face was the "blackest" and we were ready to stand up and leave when a SA, same name as the bf, came to greet us.

The rest is Mini history. We test drove, the bf loved it with a lot of love and he said Yes. We took home the car immediately. The bf kept pestering me to go out the next two days so that he can drive around.

In other news, I played the "Sex and the City" Jackpot machine! Yes! (I know you girls would love to play it when you're here. See link here) My first experience with the machine was really bad coz' it ate my $5 in like less than 1 minute. So I swore I won't play it again but I did that night after we got the Mini. and guess what? I won like $40 over in one round of 50 cents bet. woohoo!

And another jackpot like I like to play now is Goldfish (link)and Mermaid's Gold. Wahahahaha I think I might just end up here later when I retire and sit at the penny slots all day and night. Free drinks not to mention, unlike stingy Asian casinos!

I am baaaaaacccccccck!

2010-04-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

I meant to sin city.

Le sigh.

see ya!

2010-03-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

omg. had a massive panic attack when i thought i lost my visa papers. then bf ask what could happen? i realize it not that bad. i could just not return or just enter as a tourist and see what happens? haha but i found it UNDER the drawer after searching frantically like a maniac. UNDER. it somehow slipped under. omg. life is mocking me right before i go on a great vacation.

ok it's time to go sleep or i'll be super cranky. it's gonna be a long journey but totally worth it.

bye biatches.

Sneak a peek

2010-03-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

what is that?

Just ordered! Will probably only see this when I come back from my vacation. Well, it's an incentive for me to leave SG and return to LV I guess (besides the bf and sparky).

If you know and love bags, it won't be that hard for you to figure this out.

Liberty of London in Target!

2010-03-23T14:10:00.001-07:00

These beautiful prints are killing me softly. Do I want everything they are selling in these prints? YES. And then the bf will kill me.

But first, let me share with you these pretty wallpaper. Just click to download. these are 1600x1200. If you want a smaller one for your fancy iphone click here.

For more, go there.

Early B-day 2010

2010-03-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

It was a lazy saturday. The BF wanted to surprise me with an early birthday celebration with friends here but I guess he can't learn to keep anything from me. muahahaha. So we started the celebration by me having a little hissy fit that he has NOT gotten any cake for me. What is a celebration without any cake? And luckily for him, we drove by the area where my fav. local cupcake bakery is and his fast wits brought him to the rescue.

A dozen angelic cupcakes from the best local The Cupcakery! The chocolate on the right is named Grasshopper! Coz' it has choc mint bits on the top.

Ok, will continue on the story of how we abuse the cupcakes later. First we met with friends at KAYA, a Korean-Jap all-you-can-eat restaurant. They have a great list of appetizers that we covet more than the sushi rolls. We ordered more alcohol than food. well, ok maybe equally so. By the time the main food was served, we were all buzzing.

These actions are due to alcohol.

This is the only food shot I took. Forgot.

Group shot towards the end.

So we were going to play pool but our preggers friend didn't like the location. so we jsut spontanesouly hopped into the 24 HR massage parlor next door! e dunnoe if it is "special" or not, we just went in! We figured we can check it out and evaluate the place ourselves.

It turned out to be ran by people from Mainland China, of course right? It was their 3rd day of opening and it cost about 20 bucks for a 30 mins foot massage. And we fell for it. Sorry no pictures coz it was kinda dark and I never thought about taking pics too.

After a satisfying treat (no happy endings though), we retreated back to our house to have the cupcakes and play some Mahjong!

The star candle is really cool because......

It sparkles!

Granted that I didn't get to celebrate my bday last year, I have kinda forgot how it is like to be the bday girl. Crazy huh. But life has been even crazier that I kinda forget some little things in life. I can't wait to be back with the family and be together with them for this.

Mt Charleston with Sparky!

2010-03-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Mt Charleston again! I dun even remember if I blogged abt this the first/previous time we went there. But this time we brought Sparky with us! I don't even know if Sparky has been in the snow. We are bad owners as we didn't have snow boots for him. Just his X'mas sweater.

Ashley and Sparky in the back seat.

Sparky didn't like the cold that much.

Sparky made yellow snow.

And then we spent the rest of the hour sleighing down on this plastic sleigh/plate we bought. it was tiring and fun!!! Kinda warm so the snow is hard and melted. But there is still plenty! oh! btw, we kept Sparky in the car coz' he was shivering.....bad owners us.
And here's a nice pic for ya! Heeeheehee

wallpaper!

2010-03-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hey ho! It was a very good day when we finally put up the wallpaper I got from Anthropologie. It was on sale from 159.99 to 32.99 a roll!!! I bought 2 for our bedroom and this is the process.

this is what happens when you give a 7-year old the camera.

Did it on the widest wall in the room.

Sparky joined us by just sitting there while bf and I did all the hard work. It was ok.

We cut the strips into the height we need.
Dip the strip into a bathtub half filled with warm water to activate the adhesive on the other side of the wallpaper.
He paste the top part on the ladder and I made sure the side aligns on the left and the bottom rolls down smoothly.
Smooth the paper down. Make sure we remove the air bubbles.
Press hard to make sure the wallpaper folds with the bottom edge of the molding.
Let it dry (no problem in desert weather).
Trim off the top and bottom for nice straight edges.
Use leftovers to patch any weird gaps.

Not that bad!!! If you're going to do it, buying pre-pasted wallpaper is the way to go. I cannot imagine dealing with any glue. Will be so messy.

The wallpaper made our room look much wider and cooler. Sayaka says the design looks pretty Asian-inspired, which is something I never thought of.

Yay!!!

mixed feelings

2010-03-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

After much persuasion, we went to brave the crowds for the movie much anticipated "Alice in the Wonderland". Got there much earlier to go in line and stand there, just to secure a better seat. I am never the kind who like to go with the crowds. I won't die if I catch the movie 2 weeks later you know. But my partner really wanted to.

"I need a pig here!"

Biasedly I alwas think that Helena Bonham Carter gets her movie parts by default. Granted she is a good actress, I always thought it is a little unfair that she gets to play those crazy awesome Tim Burton movie heroines. But in this movie, we agreed that she is one of the best things that happened in it. Could be the writing, the crazy big head and the nature of the role itself, but yeah, it was much better than the forced (in many ways) Alice or the weird door-mouse. And also much much better than (don't hate me) the Mad Hatter—Johnny Depp.

I can't believe that Johnny Depp was even the main image of all the movie posters for this movie. It's like, I didn't enjoy his character nor his acting at all. He seem to be playing a role like Willy Wonka in many sorts. And it is really unfair, in my opinion, that he was focused in so much. I guess his name sells. I adore him too, but it's kinda getting old.

Anne Hathaway is kinda peculiar, and I would say it's ok, it's enjoyable.

All in all, I just wanted to rant. Just wanted to say it's visually so beautiful, but the story is kinda mundane. That's all.

Ok I;m off to watch a bizarre japanese robots movie. Catch you later~

Amazing new collection at Heath Ceramics

2010-03-04T15:23:00.001-08:00

Images courtesy of Heath Ceramics.

Hand measurements

unfired
Sample products—I wish I can get my hands on these!
Dip experiments
.
.
.
.
And Ta-dah! Final beautiful products!
bulb vase
bud vase set (I'm collecting these. 2 is a collection right?)
Tea set
bowls and bowls
Appetizer set
Tumblers

ARGH. I wish I discovered them earlier when I still live in SF. I only found out about Heath like the last year I was there and besides the awesome Mosaic classes I took, I haven't spent enough ~~money~~ time there.

The nearest outlet they have is the LA store which I went to last summer. But the original Sausalito factory is the best. Everything there is still handmade the original way and I love how they source locally for anything.

If I get married, I'll registering there. Oh better, My birthday is approaching!

My (biased) view of my body.

2010-03-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

So as I hit the big 3-0, I can't help it but to reflect on my life. Yah, give me that big Yawn right there. I can smell your breath from here but, I can't help it. And today I would like to discuss on one topic.

So I always thought that I was really lucky to be born skinny. My metabolism rate is one of my rare enviable traits. I eat and eat and eat and I never got fat. So I keep eating and eating and eating. Basically whatever I want. It's great. I won't trade it for anything in the world (well, kinda). It brings me happiness.

Eating anything is actually pretty bad. I haven't check my cholesterol ever, and maybe I don't want to. But this is not the point because I actually want to talk about my cellulite.

RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!

I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE CELLULITE!!!!

I thought I was skinny and could at least get away with some of these horrible bodily issues. OK, I started developing these awful whitish stretch marks on my hips when I was a teenager. Yeah, I grew SO MUCH taller that it caused stretch marks. Weird, but I already resigned to fate on that. I have been faithfully putting on stretch mark lotions of any brands you can name. Spent a bit of money on these cosmetics and well, it helped to smooth them out but they are still so visible. I'm still a little conscious of them but have kinda grew used to it over the years.

The evils of having huge mirrors in the bathroom!!! I caught my reflection last night and saw the horrors staring back at me. I was wearing a boxer brief and the cheeks of my ass were showing a little. I saw that on the back of my tights, when I kinda squeeze/clench them together, the cellulite became so obvious! OMG.

Why??? Just when I was about to go on a beach vacation, I discover this ugly truth and now I dun even feel like packing my bikini bottoms because I want to just wear frumpy knee-length shorts.

Nature/gravity hates me.

Why???

Adding more insult to the injury, I have put on weight and my tummy is kinda sticking out a bit more than ever and it's like aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh
:(

I don't wanna write anymore.

My Birthday Month!

2010-02-28T22:50:00.000-08:00

It's kinda bittersweet isn't it? As I get older, birthdays are not really celebratory. I actually think the present part is the best part to look forward to; plus being treated like a rockstar, having everyone nearly do everything that I ask for.

I feel more special. And that's always nice. And this year, I will be hitting a landmark which will cause me to check off another box during surveys. Heck!

But I'm glad that I've planned this upcoming event well, so far. Tickets are booked and hotels are reserved. I'm coming home!!!

It will also be the first birthday of my darling nephew. I might be a stranger to him, but I'm sure he can recognize my shrieking voice through our numerous Skype dates. Let's hope he doesn't cry like that first time I carried him in the hospital almost a year ago.
Then, it will also be April—my dad's first death anniversary (much delayed from the real date a year ago) according to the lunar calendar. It still seem like a nightmare. Don't wanna think about it.

So, one big thing is I'm not only bringing back two half-empty luggage, I'm also bringing back my boy toy! It's his first time, so please people be gentle with him. I'm not getting any younger so if you ruin my chances with him then I might have to move in with you then. wahahahahaha.

```````````````````````````````````````````

So I received this a few days ago!

It's from Anthropologie, one of my fav. stores in this country. And I'm sure most of you who have visited me have been introduced to this store. I signed up for their (free) member club thingy and though they rarely sent stuff out other than catalogs, they sent like the best stuff ever!

For my birthday month they sent me a card, printed on heavily-textured, beautiful card stock, with a cupcake design perforated in the middle and a birthday candle necklace!!! It was sooo sweet. Plus I get 15% off everything for one purchase this month. Guess I have to break my ban and go shopping behind the bf's back! Woohoo!!!

Oh well, they did piss me off major just about 2 weeks ago regarding an order that never arrived. I wrote back angrily and the customer service was actually very commendable. They are pretty quick and sincere. And they compensated my inconvenience with a gift card and someone proceeded to locate the item for me in their stores, and according to them, I should be receiving my beautiful lace slip in no time. I hope I get it tomorrow or sometime soon! This whole drama has been a month long and I'm just vain and I want my slip!

I know. It's a slip. Just a slip. But it was more of a matter of how I am treated rather then what the item was. Ok, all forgiven.

And yes, a lacy slip. Kinda girly for my taste but I guess I am turning girly-er and girly-er with age! More pink stuff now? Yes, please. As long as it's pretty!

;)

ha-ha

2010-02-26T12:35:00.000-08:00

When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 billion developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300 C.

The Russians used a pencil.

stuck sick at home, so

2010-02-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

we hung out in the warm morning sun for a bit. great light for taking lazy Sparky pics.

current obssession 12

2010-02-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

I fondled one of these in the McQueen store in town. It's beautiful, quite heavy, substantial, eye-grabbing, expensive and small(?). I don't think I can pawn off everything else to acquire this now. The question is, how will they manage the designer's vision from now on? I'm sure there are thousands of his creations drawn, but not realized yet. We shall see.

p.s. Happy Chinese New Year!

Let's Love.

2010-02-10T13:52:00.001-08:00

Bub-bbbahhhh

2010-02-07T16:33:00.001-08:00

Bon Anniversaire

2010-02-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

A good 364 days ago, the bf & I "signed a contract" to be an item. And tomorrow, we will re-visit the very Japanese izakaya restaurant where I bullied him into this relationship. My treat this time because I am a very generous person :p

We have talked about this impending day and he said he probably would like to look over the fine print this time before he signs on for another year on my palm. Yes, my palm. Actually, he signed on both of my palms last year. I think it meant more than signing in blood, plus less messy.

The first time I asked him about how he felt, he said it felt like it was 10 years, not 1. I didn't know if he was joking or not. But I certainly felt that we had been together longer than a year. It must be because of the tempestuous year I just had, and what happened to me also directly affected him. And I can only be glad that it was him, who was/is by my side.

We thought about going away for the weekend. But since we're both heading for a great vacay soon of two wonderful Asian countries, we'll save our pennies until then. Coincidentally, next weekend is also Vomitine's day. Not that I'm looking forward to it, it's just a name tag on a date. The more worthy of it all is that the Chinese New Year falls on the same day.

I came home after him tonight, not noticing the two bouquets of dozen roses on my computer table. Red and pink. And a purple envelope with stuff poking out. Heh heh. He said one's for the past year and the other is for the next year to come... ...and then some.A man who knows how to get to me is worth keeping alive—food, in a form of chocolate and heart shaped, deep fried, presented to me first thing in the morning, after letting me sleep in.

DANG!

2010-02-01T11:46:00.001-08:00

This site randomly assigns YOU your 2010 resolution. Isn't it fun? Oh well, not so fun-ny when I hit the button and it hit me back.

Try it here and do share yours.

current obssession 11

2010-01-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

Balenciaga Giant Handle Clutch

Buy it for me here

THE CATORIALIST

2010-01-19T22:14:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows The Sartorialist. But do you know The Catorialist?

(Image borrowed from http://thecatorialist.blogspot.com/)