I'm impressed

Usually when you fill out one of those online forms for samples, coupons or anything to be sent to you (in exchange for some personal data so they can spam ya), it rarely works. But in this case I was pleasantly surprised.

I like to visit Viktor & Rolf's website just because I admired their ingenuity. Alas, I can only admire from far as their couture is unsuitable for my current lifestyle.

Anyways, as an active creative for the e-commerce, I like to surf and take part all kinds of marketing efforts out there. So I simply registered to be a member of V&R's secret club and requested for a sample of their fragrance "Flowerbomb".

Almost 2 months later, I received a nice little direct mail package from them. By then I have already forgotten about my previous actions. Hence it was a nice surprise to see they've included some nicely designed mailer to welcome me to the secret club and of course, the samples I asked for. I received a miniature set of the "Flowerbomb" bath gel and body lotion.

If you're a man and you don't know this yet, you really need to get laid. Because women, get this, ALL WOMEN love samples.

Regardless of age, income group, geographical location or race, ALL WOMEN love samples. This is slightly deeper than the love for anything that's free. Because that, is never technically free. But samples, yes, they're always free. You're not obliged to wash their dishes when someone gives you a free sample. You don't have to lie in bed and pretend you're having an orgasm after someone gives you a free sample. The Mentos girl (who I will mention again later) doesn't spear mark me when I don't run to next convenient location to buy a box of Mentos. The Filipino lady is only grateful that I'm try out the salsa & chips and compliment her excellent work at the grocer's sample station. For samples, you smile, say Thank you sweetly and then you're on your way. Whether you use them, lose them or digest them, the sample-givers should less than likely remember he/she gave you any.

The most common place of sample distribution is at the cosmetic counters in departmental stores. But I've received samples on the streets of San Francisco. Cute girls were handing out tubes of Mentos, men throwing out cans of soda on a hot day—I thought it was cool. I've received chewing gum, skincare, bottles of iced tea, tissue packets, chocolate, olive oil, diabetes test, toothbrush, lotsa food, cosmetics, cans of soda, paper, massages and etc. I love it.

Back to cosmetics. I think at a point in my life (which is recently), I sorted out my bathroom closet and oh boy! I don't really know as I don't stalk out other women's bathrooms but I thought I have more samples than actual products. I don't recall how I accumulated all this crap though. I rarely buy cosmetics, I don't linger around the cosmetics department nor do I purposefully collect them (oh well, I don't pursue but I also don't reject any that comes my way).

I admit I keep the ones that comes glued to the magazine pages and I gladly accept any when I make the rare purchase at those beauty counters. In fact, I would even be pissed if the sales lady never bother to throw in a handful into the shopping bag or when I flip through the pages of the magazine to find that someone has stolen MY sample from MY magazine!

The problem is, I have to stop hoarding them and start using them. I keep them for those imaginary vacations that never happen or when they do, they're inadequate for period of stay. And when I use them I betcha I can save a bundle of cash! I will not need to buy that expensive eye cream anymore because I have 6,523,678,345 tiny packets of eye cream samples. And if I squeeze them out, I betcha I can fill up a few full size containers! Did you all watch Jennifer Aniston in "Friends with Money"? Her character was poor and basically lived off on skincare samples to the max. Exactly like that.

I know a friend who loves samples (you know who you are) but laments that the sales lady usually don't give her any. On the contrary, I probably have a "sample" face because I receive them without asking. Like yesterday, I had to make an semi-annual trip to the skincare counter for my brand of night cream. The guy readily gave me a free travel size because I have an account with the store and I brought in my promotional mailer. Then he threw in 3 tiny boxes of Bobbi Brown miniature moisturizing foundations in 3 different shades (just in case I change color with the season? Miss Tan, I'm giving the lightest shade to you).

Moral of the story—I'm gonna finish up whatever I have in my designated sample box and see how long I can actually live off them. And maybe I will find one and *gasps* run out to buy the actual overpriced product. Because isn't that ultimately what samples are for?

You throw in a big bait, in order to catch a bigger fish.

It's not that bad lah~

Aiyoh.
I got all those concerned questions about the damage I've done during this past Black Friday. It's bad, but considering I haven't bought much for myself lately, it's nothing! You should have seen me last year!

The biggie is this Coach leather bag. I just seen it at the full price retail store for USD498 before tax. I thought: Hell no! No matter how much I loved it and the leather was soft and the color is my favorite. Hell no!

Then of course, for the Thanksgiving sale, it went to the outlet within a few days and was marked way way way lower than the retail price. I HAD TO........... Mom! I could have bought a few and it won't even be more than the retail price.Nice right? Also bought a Diesel underwear for 8 bucks, Ted Baker wide leather belt for 32 and some gifts. It really is the best time to shop.

Back to the real purpose of Thanksgiving.

Apple keep the turket moist, she said.Went to my friend Lissy's house to crash her family dinner and oh boy! Her turkey was the best home-cooked one I ever had!!!! (sorry to whoever but really!) It was moist and totally cooked (which is the problem for a lot of people) and the stuffing and the yummy garlic mashed potato!!!!! Everything was made by her. Dang!

And then I brought my store-bought pies—French Apple and Pecan. At least I made the effort!


Hope she will let her hubby bring the leftovers to work (she used to, but now only her hubby works in the same agency with me).

Then we went to the new casino near her place and I was desperately trying to win some shopping money. However, two lucky things had happened other than that.

1. I dropped my wallet and didn't realise it until 20 minutes later!!!! It was still lying on the floor, under the Pai Gow table, amongst the chairs and legs when I went back for it. I was sitting there watching my friend play earlier on. This is a miracle at a casino you know that.

2. I broke even after playing at the roulette table for almost 3 hours. I was down to my last 5 bucks but I won back my money (60 bucks) slowly and left. I got 2 drinks for free.
There was a white guy who just kept buying 23. Lissy won like 3 times when it hit 5 coz' she buys that number everytime. The dealer was hitting the same number twice in a row for like 6-8 times. There was a black guy who looks like Kanye west who will play and leave then come back for like 3 times.

Roulette is my favorite game, because it's kinda random, but kinda have a pattern too. It's messy, dependent on luck but you can kinda read the trend of each dealer. Just like Life. I don't know what I'm saying anymore.

I'm gonna chill for the rest of the week.

I'm working real hard... ...

so there will be no post until I have time. Maybe this weekend.

Kitty Mania!

Sliding Box Cat @ Yahoo! Video

The Ninja Cat - Watch more Entertainment

Cat Stuck in a Box @ Yahoo! Video

Overheard

"I can't find Jesus! I'm looking for him but I don't know where he is!"

This statement caught my attention as I was checking out the wooden nutcrackers on the clearance shelf at the local crafts store this weekend. I turned my head around to the source and saw a distraught Hispanic woman, in her late 40s, looking at the arrangement of X'mas ornaments that are at 40% off.

I smirked. She caught me observing her and shy away as our eyes met. The inner prankster in me wanted to response to her exclamation by saying: "You can stop looking now Lady for JC is all around us. Just look with your heart." (O-kay my fellow Christian friends, I'm just being silly.)

Apart from all the crazy sales around me, I didn't know hanging out at the local crafts store would be such joy. This is what the entire store heard over the PA system earlier on.

"Paging for BOB (made-up name)! Come to the front register RIGHT NOW!"

The voice thundered over the store as all shoppers kinda froze for a second as the announcement was made. I heard plenty of sniggers and "uh crap!' commentary. A young dad who sat his toddler down on a bunch of merchandise near me playfully imitated the voice: "Right Now! Someone is in troubleeee! Uh oh!" The little girl chuckled and I did too. He saw me and immediately shy away like how the Jesus-seeking lady did.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop on others' conversation but I'm beginning to think that I will hang out in this store more often from now on. I am easily amused, am I?

Fa la la la la la la la

I'm making a list
and checking it twice.
I'm going to find out who's naughty and nice.
'Coz Missy here Is Comin' To Town!

That's right y'all! And I'm not kidding. Since my presents will include handmade, as much as possible, I need all the time in the world to design, research, buy the materials and make them!

Unfortunately I can't make everything, and some people will probably never want the things that I make, so some people will not be getting handmade items from me. But hey! It doesn't mean I didn't care. Just maybe you need to reflect upon your high maintenance, materialistic ways and bring yourself back down to Mother Earth.

Speaking of Mother Earth, my agency finally started and kicked-off the recycling committee! For months, my dept and I have been doing it guerilla style— i.e. we collect cardboard boxes that are dumped by the trash and ask people around our area to conscientiously dispose their paper trash in our makeshift collection area right by my desk. Once in a while, the guys will load up their truck and drive all that crap to the local recycling company who will pay you some pennies for the wares.

Do you know the media dept receives almost every other fucking magazine in the world every month? Do you know how much paper is that to be just thrown away with the other trash? Do you know why the temperature is record-high nowadays? Do you know why there is so many hurricanes and earthquakes and tsunamis? Do you know why the trees all look kinda sad when you look at them?

It's ironic that 4 (out of 8) of the people in my dept (web) took part in the committee. It's ironic that the print production dept had no representatives. It's ironic that my dept is the dept that had shown the most support and initiative in recycling. We are, afterall, the dept that creates the least (paper) waste in the whole building.

Don't buy wrapping paper when there's all those wonderfully designed magazines' pages that you're going to get rid of anyways. Do you really have to send another X'mas card via mail that will only be tossed by your receiver on the 26th? E-cards are free and it's the thought that counts. With the economy like this, won't it be better to look around and see what you can improvise for neat solutions that not only reduce pollution but also save $$$?

If you really have to buy paper for any reasons during this festive season, pls at least opt for cards that are printed on recycled materials. Send just one card on behalf of the whole family and group so you can lessen the number of cards you need.

Best yet, give time and love to the people you care about. It's environmentally-friendly, great for your own mental health, recyclable/reuse-able (pass the love vibes on) and FREE!

Behind-the-chaos is coolness

Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama and his family on election night in Chicago, IL on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. (David Katz/Obama for America)

Check out these cool photos taken by Obama's official photographer on Flickr. Click here.

election

Although this is not my country, I have been here for more than 7 years, and since whatever they do DO affect every other freaking country so I thought I should try to care.

my head gear for tomorrow. button sourced from kate spade, moveon.org and paul frank.

Tomorrow will be a really really happy day, for the longest time, in this country, for a lot of people. No matter what the outcome, I regard both candidates in much higher respect than the current president.

I'll be at home, watching the live election coverage and hoping to see what I've hoped (and many others) will come true.

I am controlled by my tv.

OMG. Thursdays are like serial TV night.

630-7pm Jeopardy!

7-730pm Wheel of Fortune

8-9pm Ugly Betty (seeing that stupid biatch L.Lohan got booted out of the show seems soooo satisfying)

9-10pm CSI (original Las Vegas version with Grissom still on it)

10-11pm Eleventh Hour (new sci-fi crime show, giving it a shot since, well, I've nothing better to do)

1135-1215pm David Letterman

1215-105am Craig Ferguson

If you realize, I only got a 1/2 hour break in between Wheel of Fortune and Ugly Betty. And that's when I try to check my email real quick or steal something to eat.

Or I sit with the laptop and type a really quick blog post to share my enthusiasm.

ARGH! I still haven't figured put what to dress up as tomorrow. Oh well~ anything done without effort isn't worth doing. I think I should pass. My 2-day-old hippie idea is not that fantastic anyways.

Boo!

In this country, Halloween is also another word for Candy. And in this country, candy means not only sweets and lollipops. It also means chocolate and/or anything with sugar in it.

So have you thought of what to dress up as? Coz’ I haven’t and would love to steal your idea if the entire costume would cost less than USD$10.

I realize I would make an effort to dress up every year since I move to the United States. Except that I broke the tradition when I moved to Vegas last year, right before Halloween.

Sorry, I can't find the photos from 2001(devil girl)-2002(Milla Jovovich's character in '5th Element').

2003 as a weird clown—modeled after a toy figurine with Sayaka's parents

2004—as a pirate grrrrrrrrrr with Sayaka as Frida and Shinta in her bathrobe
2005—as Robin (pic taken with a bunch of other superheros. costume found in thriftstore for like less than 10 bucks.)

2006—as a sixties' air stewardess (won best costume in the agency! yay! too bad you can't see my patent white boots in this picture.) with dear eric as Dorothy.

Mainly because I haven’t befriend a single soul and there isn’t any ‘unofficially official’ street party over here like the ones I would go to on Market and Castro in San Francisco.

What the heck. I think it’s entirely because I had no friends here.

But fortunately last year, an old friend unexpectedly visited me from SG that week and since it was too late to get a costume, we just wandered around the Strip admiring other people’s costume. It was wonderful because when I see those skimpy nurses/Victoria-secret’s-angels/policewomen/firefighters/insert-skanky-stereotypical-identities-here, I felt incredibly blessed in my warm, cozy outfit out on the freezing desert night.

Nevertheless, once the calendar turns to October, I see Halloween items everywhere for sale. I wonder how will ‘business’ be this year due to the massive economy catastrophe. Will people ration the amount of candy they distribute? Will people even bother to dress up amidst dark times?

One of my colleagues actually put up a Halloween candy bowl on his desk. He fills it up with miniature Snicker bars, Crunch, Reese’s Pieces and assortments of sweets and they are free-for-all. The girls stop by like bees to a flower. I reckon he just wants to be more popular. But I warned him that by the end of the month, the girls would be coming over to blame him for fattening their asses and he should prepare for it.

The ridiculous thing is, he himself never once ate anything from that bowl. He is a health freak.

So I was strolling along the vast aisles of a ordinary supermarket here and eventually bought a purple wig on my way out. Dang. I’ve always wanted a pink one à la Natalie Portman in “Closer”.
Oh well~ purple is as cute.

So now I am stuck with a new purple wig, in a short bob just like my platinum blonde version, with no idea what to match up.

Any ideas for a character or something you imagine in your farked-up head? The reward will be a life-size photo of me in your costume, sign and sealed with a kiss. LOL.

Current obssession #2

Victoria's Secret - Pleated swingy slip in Platinum

Hey Lance, I didn't know your son is touring already~

Apparently Lance's first+newborn has became such a global phenomena that he's touring after he just marked his one month birthday milestone.

I have to say Jilian's is such a perfect choice. I fancy myself any venue equipped with pool tables and overpriced beer.

Glad to know that Aiden is such a miraculous child! Lance + Nica! Well done! You may now proceed to continue your exceptional work with No. 2, 3 and so forth.

The above screenshot has not been doctored for your pleasure except for the PINK highlights to draw your attention. See proof here.

Gotta go! Need to buy the tickets before they run out.

It's ok if you don't get this post. Most of the time you don't get it anyways.

marc jacobs by me

Okay. I admit that I didn't try very hard, but I really had no clue why so many people admired and worshipped Marc Jacobs as a fashion superman.

I have long heard of his *big* name but it's not only until I saw a photo spread of his Paris apartment on the W magazine (read whole coverage here) that I got fascinated by this peculiar man.

Marc Jacob's chilling in his study (photo via W magazine).

Well, since then I only got impressed by his zany taste in art and home decor ways but I still didn't run out to the nearest MJ boutique and buy his wares. I always though they were overpriced for what they are and the current paycheck I'm receiving doesn't allow me experiment with overpriced anything.

So a few nights ago I was browsing through the free movies section on my on-demand cable tv system. If my memory didn't fail me, I saw amongst a list of movies on the Sundance channel, a documentary named "Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton".

I thought "Sure, why not?" I just needed some eye-candy for the night. 72 mins. Well, I could turn it off if it bores me.

I would guess this exclusive insight to MJ's daily work schedule and environment was filmed about 2 years ago when he was still sporting a head full of long stringy hair and oversized plastic glasses. He was (and still is) heading the house of Louis Vuitton, his self-titled labels—Marc Jacobs + (cheaper)Marc by Marc Jacobs and some other guerilla-style labels. He was/is a busy man.

As a wannabe artist and designer, I watched and is extremely fascinated with the fashion industry on a whole. Just like what I feel when I'm watching the very successful reality show—Project Runway. Basically this documentary reveals a lot of scenes whereby you would think MJ is on Project Runway but with a whole team of sidekicks and smashing seamstresses ready to make his visions come through.

We get to see some censored scenes of brainstorming sessions where he sits with all these people to pick ideas, colors, buttons, fabrics and anything. I see people agreeing to whatever he says and I wonder is that how it really works? But then again, he is afterall the creative director. He is the one who brought LV and himself multi-million dollar success. He is Marc Jacobs.

Marc Jacob in a skirt and his gigantic hermes' birkin (2008) He looks pretty good I would have to say.

My favourite scene would be when he divulge his health secrets by showing us the numerous vitamins and supplements he takes daily, apparently. He drinks mangosteen juice in a shot. Mangosteen? Where do you find it in the USA? I had to smuggle one in my luggage from home just to prove to my colleagues that I ain't making shit up.

So after the documentary ended, I felt like I have to find out more. I need to know first of all: Why? Why is the whole world begging to own something with his name sewn on the back?

For all I know, I would have thought of Micheal Jackson instead of him when I see those initials M.J.

So I asked a poshy friend who is a fan and got to know that the "Stam bag" is one of his signature items. Cute, but I'm still not convinced. Then I thought about Danielle as I know she's covered (almost) head-to-toe in his designs. But I still haven't got to talk to her much as she's super busy.

Then I remembered I was pretty in love with MJ's signature perfume last X'mas but never took the plunge (hint hint).

But guess what I found!

Marc Jacobs Rana (which means frog in Spanish) bag.

Vicki Beckhams in a MJ ad featuring the Rana bag.

The Rana bag in neon PINK.

So I guess I'm a little swayed towards the MJ camp for now. IF ANYONE OF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE PRECIOUS FROG BAG(on sale) PLEASE LET ME KNOW. They're a little hard to find as I'm totally backdated in the fashion trends (and sorry for yelling).

Oh well. I digress.

You all know that it's the economic crisis now. We have to stop, or rather, I have to stop all my impossible, irrational shopping urges. Even if I lock myself at home, online shopping still calls upon me. ARGH.

Have I felt the effects of the crisis? Yes. How? My agency has been laying people off. Today the toll was 8. The total? I think I lost track.

Misconceptions of Obama fuel Republican campaign - 13 Oct 08

“I don’t like the fact that he thinks us white people are trash… because we’re not!” LOL
source here

what a saturday

I got back to my apartment and I found myself whistling and humming as I prepare for a 5 PM dinner. I actually caught myself in a good mood, totally off guard!

Today was one of those wacky-weather days. It was just 90+ degrees in Fahrenheit yesterday afternoon. I entered my car and felt that it has been slowly cooking under the hot desert sun. I though to myself: Yay! Bits of summer still haven’t left. Then today. I woke up feeling chilly. The familiar unoccupied sides of the bed were unpleasantly cold. It was so comfy that I had to get up and for the first time, change the setting from air-condition to heater. Yes. And I dreaded this very moment.

I hurriedly put on my cargo pants and long sleeve tee, made something to eat and dashed out. I reached the Summerlin Community Park just 8 minutes late. I saw the SPCA van already parked next to the booths and speed-walk as fast as I could, while fighting to put on an extra jacket, towards the people in the ‘too-bright-for-a-Saturday-morning” florescent green tees.

Today I was assigned to handle Tigger, a 7-years-old black+ white male rat terrier. As usual the dogs that luckily got to get out of the animal shelter are always too excited and can’t be bothered to even greet the handlers for the day. Well, at least in my past 3 experiences. Immediately, Tigger took ME for a walk around the whole compound, sniffing and discovering every inch of the grounds. Within the first 15 minutes, he had peed and boy-oh-boy, someone had a huge dinner last night!

Tigger & I "making out" in my car on a cold rainy afternoon.

My task as the volunteer and Tigger’s handler is to let Tigger meet and greet as many people and dogs as he can, answer any questions potential adoptive parents have about him, relate his behaviors and temperament and most importantly, ensure Tigger and I have a great time.

I have met Tigger as at previous event but I was handling another dog—Jake, a handsome 2-years-old male Australian Cattle dog. Jake is a medium-sized dog, about ¾ of my size and basically was dragged me all over the place. My hands were a little roughen from holding onto his thick leash for 4½ hours. Today, sweet-tempered Jake was also present and I am happy to announce that he was adopted (!!!!!) within the first few hours of the event.

Jake—sitting like a gentleman

So this time Tigger, being a rat terrier, is definitely much easier to deal with. Plus, he has absolutely zero temper at all and is always so sweet and friendly, but not too friendly. In fact, some people think he is too aloof because he is not one who will just park himself on your lap and fall asleep. Besides being too distracted to concentrate on one particular human being or dog, he never barked or whined throughout the whole day (and he didn’t the last time I saw him too). He basically just does his own dog thing and chill.

So it began to rain on top of the icy winds and missing sunshine. Tigger started to shiver and I managed to score the last doggy sweater for him. Unfortunately, it was pink. Fortunately, it was a snazzy dazzling bright neon pink sweater that’s hard to miss. If I could I would scribble ADOPT ME right on his back and he would be “flying off the shelves”. At one point, it was so freaking cold (like 10 degrees celsius) that I eventually brought Tigger into my car to hide. He had no problems jumping into the back seat. Then I thought, Ok, I’m hungry. So I proceed to eat my egg sandwich but I made sure I faced the other direction in order not to torture him. But who am I bluffing? Of course he can smell it. So when we came out from hiding, I had to get some biscuits for him. You should have seen the way he took the biscuit out of my hands. Gentle. I wish some men would behave like that.

Throughout the day we met several prospective adoptive parents. And I never never act like the over-zealous underage sales assistant who hovers and barges into your personal space with a “you-better-buy-it-now-while-I-stare-you-down” attitude. Because unlike clothes, returning an incompatible dog after a few days does no one good.

Finally, as we were preparing to close for the day, the lady with her sweet 9 year-old came back with their 2 current dogs to see if they would get along with Tigger. And hallelujah! Her dogs are easy-going and very charming. Although Tigger didn’t immediately worship them, I see they did their initial acknowledgment (sniff sniff) and “approved” one another. And from now on, all we need is to give them some time alone to properly fall in love.

(Everybody together) Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

And so, Tigger going back to a warm loving home tonight instead of the shelter made me whistle and hum. I could’ve done a chicken dance if I haven’t been so worn out by the extensive walks with Tigger. And PLEASE my friends, next time you get a pet, make sure you’ve done the right research, thought through the lifelong commitment (yours and his/her life), make all proper arrangements and please, please, please, don’t buy from a puppy mill. Go to your local SPCA or animal rescue and do the right thing ☺

Woof!

Astro (aka yoda)— the first dog I handled at my first volunteer event who subsequently got adopted couple days later. yeah~ bad hair day.

Please meet Bert.

I am fish-sitting for my friend. This is Bert, a Beta male. He is actually very very smart. He knows me and when I am going to play and feed him.

In this video, you see that I dropped a pellet of food for him and if you listen closely, you can hear him crunching on it! Volumes up guys.



I promised myself not to commit to any living pets in LV anymore. My heart has been broken once too many.

xXx

Diesel video removed coz it was annoying. UI—do not auto start video. Users find it annoying.

Since we're talking about poop

It's funny how David Letterman is talking about his son talking about poop, his guest for tonight—Russell Crowe also talked about his son talking about poop. So now it all comes around into a nice round brown pile of shit, in a box.

Makes great Christmas present! Yupz, it's almost here!

current obssession #1

le sigh

Everyone looks out their own window.

I sat outside on my balcony in my comfy college-days red butterfly chair. I am talking to my dear pal in SF, exchanging bits and pieces between our worlds.

It’s pitter-pattering on the rooftop of the car porch right below me. I thank the heavens quietly under my breath for this miraculous occurrence. It smells damn right good, right now.

The rain. The scent tonight (or rather, in this city) distinctly distinct.

It’s gritty. It’s crass. It’s like mud in the air, a bizarre mixture of the unsettling earth and the lost leaves of trees clashing into each other’s elements.

Whereas in Singapore, when it pours, I can smell the density of each droplet. It’s very complex to say what I feel but it’s something more human, more organic, like the taste of a warm butter cookie, earlier, dipped into a cup of mint tea.

And to get a whiff of the rain in San Francisco is like having the crispness of an iceberg dashing through and through my entire insides topped with a 2-second blackout—only to be awaken into a dream that doesn’t end until you deliberately leave.

With the rain, it feel extraordinarily serene tonight. Like the weather, this week turned out random and surprisingly diverse. From sadness to disillusion, and from anger to hope. Today, I feel like I’ve been taken for a shaky ride and finally, finally, returned home safely.