It's been good

In just a few hours, a whole new year will begin. And as i look back to see where all the time went, i find myself relieving a heavy sigh. Nudged within my thoughts were some what if's and what could have been. I don't always like to live with regrets but sometimes in life, it's not like we all have a choice. And when we do, we are often torn between them, yes... the irony of life.

So once again, i find myself preparing for a new journey; something i like to call as 'a probable future'. Probable because, along the way there we will be redirected by the people we meet and by the things that come to our lives; whether we like it or not. But at this point, i try to get the best out from every experience, always adjusting my view points to the positive side, and always giving another the benefit of the doubt. Instead of focusing on just wanting more to life, i've learnt to focus on the current and rebuilding it to gain more (that will also mean that i will be shopping less and thrifting more next day onwards!)

Come to think of it, I should be EXTREMELY thankful for how 08 has turned out for me. All in all, it has been a good if not great year. The family is well, friends are getting hitched, i conquered asia's highest peak and opportunities has been abundance. My perspective of life is getting larger by the day and i finally felt some sense of achievement in my life.

Resolutions aside, I thought i'll close the year with some of the memorable quotes and encouraging messages that kept me going throughout the year... Happy Blessed New Year to all of you who are reading this :)

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift...
that's why it's called Present"
- Oogway, Kungfu Panda

"Forgiveness does not change the Past,
but it does enlarge the Future"
- Paul Boese

"At wit's end, think of the one thing you won't do,
and DO IT"
- Myself, Mission KK

Made with -Heart-

As i was uploading yet another Project Love accomplishment, i realized that this would be my 10th bouquet! *pops the champagne* What's more, i also realized that i'm running low on single friends and soon i might just run out of wedding bouquets to make! Perhaps i should start researching on baby shower baskets now!

Tis the Seasons to be 'Practical'

Every year my little work department will have our very own little X'mas party with loads a food, gifts and fun. This year is no exception despite the economy crisis, though some of the gift wraps were kinda erm... economical...

Nevertheless, it didn't quite stop everyone from the spirit of giving and this time around most of the gifts were extremely practical and personalized! It's either something one can...

Wear!

or Use!

And of course, not forgetting all that wackiness :)

Project: Love

-Inspirations-

A buddy co-worker is getting hitch this coming weekend and he asked me to do their wedding flowers; a bridal bouquet and couple of corsages for the groom and family. Since the couple gave me absolute freedom to decide on the type of flowers and style, i've decided that i'll give them a romantic red hue to match their wedding car decor which will be made by Waikhong. At this moment, i'm seeing a thick lush red carnations contrasts with some large reddish cymbidiums orchids or carla lillies... i might throw in some browns berries if they are in stocks :)

Oh the Joy!

In about a week or so, we shall all usher another brand new year. Another great time to do the "Out with the old and In with the new!". And having said that i have been diligently cashing in some of my used-in-good conditions stuff! (Going to Cash Convertor later to rid off some kitchen wares!)

The apartment's makeover dream is almost there and i could almost smell the brand new floorings and paint! But there's one major headache and that is the busted water pipe that's staining the wall... *farks* The wall in my studies is disgustingly patchy and ruined now *sighs* The damage couldn't have come to us at a better timing with so many events and weddings lining up, i'm poor just thinking about it! I think i better go check what else i can sell off later!

I can't think of a title

I woke up this morning slightly confused because i've been waking up to a hotel room the past few days at ungodly hours of 6am for 5 days straight for ACM Siggraph S'pore. So i'm naturally relieved to know that i'm actually snuggling under my own sheets without having to rush to anywhere! And when i say rush, i mean RUSH in every single way. Rush to the conference, rush to eat, rush to pay, rush to the toilet and even rush to cross their freaking road because the drivers would be honking at slow paced crossing pedestrains even if the traffic light indicates the pedestrain walk! They certainly lived up to their kiasu trait!

But despite all that, i did manage to grab myself these lovelies for S$23 at Bugis street. I know... they were so similar to these right? :p But they were so pretty i couldn't bring myself to dirty it, so i grabbed these grey ones for wearing purpose!

Perfect for X'mas :)

Alritey, so much for me to catch up on with work since i was gone for so many days *sigh* I only have shopping to inspire and motivate me now while i keep my fingers crossed with all the deadlines that's being thrown at me before 2008 leaves *gulp* Oh, if you're wondering why my posts have been in shades of grey lately... well, it's all by coincidence... or perhaps, that is really how i'm feeling subconciously?

Yesterday

I find myself counting my blessings, counting my savings, counting my patience, counting my shoes.

Blessings, checked, savings... erm, well... Patience, dangerously low and shoes, i can do more. Seeing that the savings count is forever running low, i decided that i should just screw it and reward myself anyway because i've had a tough week.

Maybe it was my freshly painted pedicure; everything looked fab and i was on the verge to do a clean sweep before hubba gave me the disapproving look which says a million possible things. But eventually he said, "It's not even nice." Brutally honest, so i ended up with just ONE pair.


Oh well, blessings checked, savings... erm, patience still low and shoes... i could still do more *sulk* :(

Take a look around you

And you just might be greeted with an unsuspecting smiling face.

Photo taken by Project 3

The 1st December night arrived with a 'smile'. Friends texted each other to look up the sky. Come 2nd day of December and people are still talking about it, some took pictures, some thinks it's an omen, while i... i'm just glad i saw what i saw :)

The moon also smiled at

Thailand

Australia

Mumbai

Lately...

i've been doing some thinking about my life; thus the lack of personal view points and expressions of thoughts. I'm not entirely happy now, but when the clock strikes midnight tonight, i vow to be an optimistic person.

Goodbye November, Happy December.

Random Love: Blossom Pendant

Rockettoro.com features contemporary glass art
and handmade glass jewelry by artist Izik Levy.

Start each day with an empty cup...

and get busy.

Some Pretty Nice 'Sheet'

*When a Tuesday afternoon sucks, ogle at lovely gift wraps*
http://www.whimsypress.com

When i was a little girl, my mom said i have a pretty sick fetish for wrapping things. So serious to a point where by the house keys and grandma's purse had gone missing, only to turn up nicely wrapped and put away inside the fridge. Obviously, i don't remember doing that, but i do remember the excitement i have for gift wraps, not the presents... just the wrapping!

When i grew older, I would wrap all my school text books with gift wraps and then protect it with another layer of clear plastic sheet, hiding the book interface forever and ever. The more i hated that subject, the nicer the wrapper would be... some kinda psychological thing i invented to encourage myself to study *hehe*

As excited i am about Christmas, i'm really looking forward to my serene gift wrapping nights again, carefully matching the colorful sheets with the pressies for those special peeps in my life :) and of course, see them TEAR it up excitedly... *fulfillment *hmmmm*

One Month until X'mas!

And i'm as psyched as this little girl...

I wish i could blog about the things i'm getting my friends for X'mas but because most of them reads my blog, then it's not such a great idea anymore. But i can however say that i'll be 'personalising' this year. Probably from an oven or my mom's sewing machine (which i'm still scratching my head over...) Of course there's that lucky someone at my work place whom i've drawn from the lots to buy their wishlist gift... which i already have! *excited*

An unusual sunny Sunday

I woke up this morning feeling extremely content from maximum Sunday sleep i've had, looking forward to collecting my *heart* dress from Just's Wardrobe @ Uptown before stopping by the store to grab some groceries for bakuteh night :)

It was pleasantly sunny today and after picking up my dress, i thought i might as well drop it off at the cleaners to have it dry cleaned. I've always gone there for my dry cleaning but my visit there today was unsual sunny too.

The lady behind the counter has the most distinct looks and 'style'... She had so much makeup on and her eyes were stark fake blue. She picks up my dress and starts rotating it about to check for any stains or tear...

"Ah, you just had this altered yea *looks at the tag* Just the other day a lady had a satin dress altered and it was ruined by sewing machine oil... no amount of cleaning can remove oil and water stain!"

Who would have known... from that little chat she initiated, i ended up knowing that she's 51, mother to 3 grown adults, a 9 yr old boy, grandma to 2 grand-daughters, divorced at 26, fought for her childrens custody, made money by selling makeup and dresses to night club performers, became a catholic, bumps into her first love again, got married to him and stayed married until today *phew* so much more i left out... And I can't believe it's only been about 35 minutes.

I really enjoyed listening to Dorothy's story despite the fact that i was already running late for lunch, i think she was also in the mood of reminiscing her past with a total stranger and what better day to do so than on a sunny Sunday... :)

Cupcakes that makes you go: Oh & Ah!

I baked some cupcakes to compliment Oh&Ah's opening day last weekend and i am pretty darn proud of the results and also the fact that i didn't make a total mess with my kitchen *Heh* I hereby proudly presents my butter and choco chip cup-loves...


I spent exactly 6 hours only to bake and decorate 40 cups and by the end of it all i was so freakin' beat (can't imagine what it is like to do 100!!!) And as i gawk at DeeWee's ability to mass produce the numbers of cupcakes, i spotted her red KITCHENAID Artisan Series Mixer!!! I went OMG... where did she get that, cause i'm pretty darn sure it's non existant in this silly country. And as efficient as always Kannie Pop quickly help me to inquire the source and found out that Mrs. Kannie Pop got it from S'pore.

GOOD NEWS is;
i'm actually flying down to Singapore next month *WOOHOOO* And I'm so getting the turquoise one!!!

But the BAD NEWS;
that mixer weighs more than 10 freaking kilos!!!!


*big fat sigh*

So now, i'm seriously thinking of ways i can 'divide' this burden... i'm also going around begging people who will be traveling with me to help out. One of them demanded FREE CUPCAKES in return for the favor... so i hereby promise i will give him FREE CUPCAKES for LIFE if he really does lend me his muscles! HAHAHA..... Puhleaaasseeeee helppp laaaa people....

Economy Crisis = Less Shoes?

Oh deary me, this piece of news from The Star surely did not fail to capture my attention!

Shoe industry feels the impact of global economic meltdown

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that the shoe industry was feeling the pinch of the global economic meltdown as sales have dropped by about 25% since Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The daily quoted Malaysia Shoe Industry Association president Ding Zen Ming as saying that the impact of the economic slowdown was still not bad this year but would worsen next year.

“In the past, female customers will buy an average of 10 pairs of shoes every year but they only buy seven pairs this year,” he said.

First of all, i really don't believe that a shoeaholic's lust for shoes would be perturbed by the economy. Infact, it has never crossed my mind about shopping for less shoes because i'm what... about to go broke? I mean, what kinda horrible excuse is that?! I would choose to have bread over a cheesecake anytime. But cheesecake over shoes?! *NEVER* I would rather starve whilst looking fab and you can always count on shoes because they never make you fat!

I'm surprise not only by the claims from god-knows-what shoe shopping survey that women has shopped less because of the economical crisis, but also Malaysia has a Shoe Industry Association?!? Since when??? And what the heck do they do??? Sometimes when you see the kinda shoes they choose they sell, it's a no wonder we buy lesser 3 pairs a year right?!

Now... where do i write in to apply for a job there?

Painfully Creative

You know how they say that beauty comes with a price and pain is often associated with it? Gwendolyn Huskens a student at the Design Academy in the Netherlands couldn't have proof that point better. She brilliantly designed 6 pairs of 'Medic Esthetic' footwear using all the elements from well, medical aids! For once, i really don't mind wearing a cast, prosthetic or bandages! XD

Gwendolyn Huskens collection of medical inspired shoes
image © rené van der hulst

Out with the old and in with the New!

Since i've been getting the blogging block lately, i figure i might as well try again with a whole new look and feel. Bear with me while this blog goes through a complete makeover.

(Psst... What'da'ya'all think of this look anyways?) :|

Life, Love, Laugh

I finally did the photo shoot i've been meaning to with Lil and her golden doggy; Powder. Since i haven't been blogging actively, i guess i have find another outlet of expression.

Just my 'Type' *literally*

Often times friends would forward shoe related stuff to me *so sweet & thoughtful i know*, but this particular one that Ammer Mia shared with me just tickles my fancy too much and i gotta share it with the rest of you too ;)

Highheel Typeface by Zummi

Random Love: DIY Lomography

I'm laying off shopping for a bit to save up some serious moolah for a semi-major renovation and makeover for my apartment. Having said that, i have managed to temporarily hypnotized myself into believing that i have ENOUGH of shoes and clothes to last me for the next 3-4 weddings, parties and whatever not. Very challenging, but the whole vision of a freshly painted pad and new bathroom is just too delicious.

At my most vulnerable stage, came the evil temptation, dubbed as 'the ancient goddess of the moon'; Diana.

The strong and random hue got my weaker side and i find myself googling for the price already. Result; not cheap at all. And i smack myself awake from the lust and said "Shit, Joanne... haven't you heard of Photoshop?!" So with some desperation cum lust, it taught me a little more about being thriftily resourceful and it led me to the discovery of some funky Photoshop Actions!

Polaroid, Lomo, Vintage... i happily savour myself with the digital funk without having to spend a single cent. Happy, happy!!!

All I want for X'mas is...

...that bag, that top, THAT, THAT & THAT!

Wheeeee... Oh&Ah is back with more goodies!
Further info available HERE! :D

BFF's Bouquet

My childhood bestie got hitched in the most beautiful wedding on 1.11.08. It was an extremely touching and heartwarming event and I lost count of the times i had to swallow my tears from flooding the town. When we were still kids, i would hand make special birthday cards for her, now that we're all grown up i made her a wedding bouquet :)

No Animals Were Harmed - No Really!

I couldn't stop chuckling when i saw this 'FELTIDERMY' (A new word Kate invented from felt and taxidermy) I LOVE how boundlessly creative crafts can get to an extend of projecting a certain sarcasm. For some reason, I also can' t help but to think of my animal lover friend Lil when i saw the feltidermies, I'm pretty sure she's full on with me at speaking up against the cruelty of evil poachers and taxidermists!

Much to my Fascination

I finally whip up a little fascinator with the lovely feathers i bought from Singapore a couple of months ago. It's not quite done yet... cause i ran out of glue half way *yes, shame on me* But this is what it looks like thus far. Great for bridesmaid and contemporary brides don't you think? :)

Coming soon - Another bridal bouquet project ;)

Can't Please Everyone

And i don't intend to as i'm never the ass kisser kind. So i try to please myself whenever possible.

*heart*heart*heart*

A shoeholic's way to de-stress - Shoe Spring Cleaning!

The week thus far has been too freaking interesting for me. It's as though i have sprayed insecticide at some pest hole and now all the pesky worms starts to squirm at me. Worst of all, one of the worm happens to be a 'friend'.

I don't know i will ever learn my lesson about people, listen to my gut feeling that people DO change! How one can simply be nice to you one moment, then turns around and put words into your mouth and talk about you like an idiot. Utterly disappointing. Just when i thought i've had enough of fiend fouls for the week. All of the sudden, someone i use to go school with yonks ago reappeared and demanded for an explanation as to why she wasn't invited to my wedding? FYI, my wedding was 3 years ago. And i haven't been in touch with this person AT ALL since 1997. So, i won't even bother to elaborate further!

*peace out*

I Survived It

*Hello*

First of all, thank you for the supportive messages and smses that you guys have been sending since yesterday morning! i'm soooo touchedddd *sniff* It seriously calmed me alot while i was on my way to face my deepest fear - the dentist -

Hubba was comforting me all the way there, reminding me that i conquered KK so this should be chicken shit. I looked at him and whimpered "If hiking mount KK can remove my wisdom tooth, i'd rather hike it again, and again and again :( " He then threw me a "you're nuts" look. Oh well, i standby my point, but unfortunately the only option i got is to go under the knife. So i sucked my chicken shit self up and went for it with all the support and encouragement i've collected over the years!.

So this is what happened yesterday:

10.30am - Leaves for the dentist

11.00am - Arrives at clinic

11.05am - Nurses instructed to prepare for 'MOS' *gulp*

11.15am - Sent to a freggin freezing surgical room to prep up with *legs wobbly*. The nurse then took my bag away and i quickly asked her to let me grab my mp3 player first. Lying on the surgical chair with my Nano, getting ready to blast myself deaf while waiting for Dr.Wong.

11.20am - Dr Wong walks in cooly *my heart started to race* He checks out my x-ray and said he will remove the right one first. I then asked him if he can do the left one instead as it's more problematic. He said "Yeah, of course, it's the same anyway." Hhmm... I like his confidence. Nurses then presents Dr.Wong a 'silver' apparatus infront of my face, and i squint my eyes to try make out what it was. And it turns out to be a BIG ASS needle. I felt faint and nervously told the doctor, "slowly ahhh...." Dr.Wong replied,"Don't LOOK!" And i held on to the chair tightly with eyes SHUT! The first needle was surprisingly painless. And the second one felt like salt on a small ulcer, a little stingy and prickly but bearable. Song playing on my Nano at the moment: 'Superwoman' by Alicia Keys. The timing couldn't be better.

11.30am - Waited for 10 minutes for the anesthetia to set in fully. I felt my left cheek, jaw and half the lip slowly 'dissappearing'. Funny feeling, but not so funny anymore when Dr.Wong reappeared. I shut my eyes again and all i hear was rubber gloves snapping along with metal tools moving around the metal tray *hands cold as ice*

Dr.Wong went straight to work and it took me awhile to realise that he has made an incision because i felt NOTHING. He took quite awhile to saw the tooth into half and i quickly increased the volume to block the sharp drilling noise. Song playing at that moment: Here comes the Sun *do, do, do, do*.

After the drilling, the challenging work begins. Dr Wong was pushing from left to right and right to left for the longest time to remove the root of the tooth. This is the only time i felt pressure in my mouth, the rest of the time was just 'something in my mouth' and nothing else. The force he placed was so strong, i could feel myself almost sliding off the chair. And that time i was thinking to myself, 'Shit... he can't take it out!' Then, i felt something soft over my face. I took a small peek and saw Dr.Wong preparing to sew me up! *BIG sigh of relieve*

11.45am - I opened my eyes when Dr.Wong called me to. And he stuffed a dental gauze inside my mouth and asked me to bite on to it to curb the bleeding. He then massage my numb cheek for abit and started briefing me on the do's and don'ts for the next few days. No hot food, only cold drinks, cold food and ice pack my cheek immediately to control the swelling and pain. I nodded blankly and he showed me my bloody disected tooth. *Bloody Rm600 bastard* i cursed in my heart. "You want to have it?", Dr.Wong asked. "Yes!" i mumbled. "Okay, that's all, come back in a weeks time to have your stitches out and we'll see when you are recovered enough for the next tooth removal!" *feeling faint again*

I then thanked the doc and left the room with my bloody tooth in a little bag feeling amazed at the minimal pain and swiftness at the whole prosedure, i felt so foolish about all the fuss i made just to get it done! Then again, it wouldn't have been this pleasant if it weren't for the good recommendation by my dear SuSu :) Thanks again SuSu aka '020680' :D

11.50am - I called hubba and told him i'm done. He was so surprised at the speed and told me he hasn't even finish his 'kon lou min' and kopi yet at the coffee shop downstairs. So i said i will meet him there after i grab my medication and pay up. Then the nurse called me and started briefing me on the bunch the medicines, for pain, swelling and antibiotics. She then recommended an 'optional' foam mouth wash so i don't have to brush and risk hurting the wound, of course 'optional' also meant additional costs. Ended up, no pain on the wound but pain on my purse *sigh*

The rest of the day was: Anesthetia wore out fully by 2pm and the post surgical pain set in full force after that. Popped pain killers like no tomorrow and bleeding didn't quite stop until late evening. Foam mouth wash did the trick to kill the bloody salty taste in my mouth and i went to bed early to stop thinking about how hungry i still was. Woke up this morning feeling like i have 2 meatballs stuffed inside of my left cheek. Other than that, i feel fine and dandy. Swelling is not that crazy and pain is only about 2/10.

If you're looking for a dental surgeon yourself, i highly recommend Dr Wong too :) Contact and address below: *peace*

Final Checklist

• Confirm 10.45am appointment with Dr.Wong, checked
  
• MP3 Player, checked
• Digital Camera, checked
• Ice Pack, checked
• Soft food for the next few days, checked
• Balls (checks inside pants) ...
  
  Still NONE?!! *gulp* wish me luuuccckkk...
  

Not for the weak stomache!

On one fine Wednesday morning, some students presented their beloved video lecturer their 'research materials' for their documentary filming and some of us ended up 'user testing' their research material. As you can see, our faces says alot and you're probably dying to know what we actually ate.

This is what it looks like... cooked.

And this is BEFORE.

(Photo by Emily vonSwearingen)

Definitely my FIRST and LAST. If i don't die of disgust, i will probably die of MSG overdosed from the soup. *cringe*

Not just another Love Story

I always believe that people come and go in our lives for a reason irregardless of their age or life experiences. They may teach us something about ourselves or about the world; both pleasant or otherwise. If we're lucky enough, we might meet that someone who brings us love, happiness and vow to stick by through the thick and thin. And i'm happy to be apart of someone's new found happiness yesterday:- Tokku & Norico :)

They held a little wedding dinner reception for close friends and family Mexican style, at a restaurant called Las Carrestas located at USJ 10. The food was great and their service was top notched i must say. Most important, the atmosphere was extremely cozy and heart warming for a perfect little wedding consisting of teary speeches, unlimited toast of yumsheng, hugs and best wishers.

A promise they declared

Dear Noriko & Tokku,

Thank you once again for including me as part of your beautiful memories. In the days and years to come, the both of you will experience the most beautiful rainbows and possibly meet a stormy sea, but whatever happens, do remember that;

Love is patient, Love is kind,
It does not envy, it does not boast,
It is not proud, It is not rude,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil,
but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

L o v e N e v e r F a i l s.
:)

Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8

Just What i Need!

OMG... i'm so cracked up by Russell Peters! If i have to name ONE real classic original stand up joker, HE's the MAN!!! And this particular one cracks me the most because I DO THAT ever so often to annoy the people around me! Don't miss it!!! XD

It was 1995...

I believe i busted my AIWA walkman because i kept rewinding and playing this same song. Sigh... the memories!

*Heart* Bon Jovi

Another Blood stained Fashion

I was really young when i came to know about fur made stuff. And the first fur item i remember holding was a rabbit fur coin pouch. It was sold throughout the streets of Malacca and mom bought a bunch as gifts and gave me one to carry my pocket money. I was about 9 and i can still remember how disturbed i was holding onto a what's left of an animal. I asked mom where did the rest of the rabbit go. And she said something about it being dead and the people didn't want to 'waste' the fur.

As against as i would like to be about the idea of endangering animals for the sake of our vanity, i was actually swindled to believe that "it's okay" to wear and buy 'certain fur'. And rabbit has always been one of it because it's not an endangered species and it's meat is edible just like how kangaroos are slaughtered and eaten like cows in Australia with their fur made into bags and toys.

But after watching this video,
I will realize that it was NEVER Okay.

Labels like Armani aside, I still find lot's of rabbit fur apparels being sold in shops like Somersetbay and Zara. It's usually not that obvious as the material is dyed and spunned with other synthetic materials. But if you look closely, you can still see "fur" sticking out like fine hair compared to cotton yarns.

I have read that rabbit fur collection for yarn spinning doesn't involve hurting the animal, but one can never be too sure thus, i have decided to SAY NO TO FUR once and for all instead of sitting on the fence like many hypocrites. And I hope you all are with me on this one!

Still Highly 'Fascinated'

Twigs & Honey by Myra Callan

Birdcage + Whimsical Fascinators still rules in my wedding style book and Myra never fails to fascinate me with her creative little touches! Having given up on the attempt to shop for wedding headpieces (in M'sia) that doesn't make a bride look like a little Christmas tree decor, i've decided to attempt one for a friend whose wedding is next year (so i still have time for trials and errors! :p) At this point of time, i am freaking glad for the existance of Ebay! *wheeeee*