Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Not just any ordinary obento


Someone came to the workplace earlier than me today and left a little package on my table. Ha, I guess the sequel to "Obento Day" continues. The package was too lovely to be opened although I was pretty curious about what's inside. When I finally opened it, the familiar smell and the familiar sight brought a smile on my face, couldn't wait for breakfast time to come. You know, it really felt like Yue Niang was back...

Not just any ordinary cookies

"I made these myself, hope that you will like it." That was all what the 10 year old girl said when I stepped out of my car and walked towards the front porch. She must have waited there for me. What a lovely morning gift and what a sweet and thoughtful little girl! Told her that I was so impressed by her baking skills and for her willingness to try on her own, that it was such a pleasure to be able to taste the cookies made by her. Well, that kinda reminded me of my Home Economics lessons back in my secondary school days, not sure if I have brought home cookies or rocks after lessons on baking :P ...I was smiling when I opened the little box of cookies, touched by the lovely morning gift from that little girl. Thank you ZY...from the bottom of my heart :)

Monday, March 29, 2010

What is it like after life?

What is it like after life? What is death and what comes after death? ...When I was still a teenager studying in a secondary school, I remember there was one night that I really thought about “death”. Everyone in the house was fast asleep but I just couldn’t get to sleep. It was dark and quiet. I couldn’t really exactly remember how that topic came to my mind but I knew I didn’t like the feeling. I closed my eyes and imagined the coffin cover shutting close, there was total darkness and I just couldn’t move. Nobody could hear me, I was just left alone, trapped! Soon, you could feel the shoving of the soil and debris…What could it be like taking the last breath? Would I be going into a deep sleep forever upon death? The feeling of and the thought of losing my loved ones upon death brought me to tears that very night, I was so very fearful and so very alone…I hugged Baby Jingle tightly, hoping to get a little comfort, his fur was a little wet from my tears…I supposed I was tired from crying and I kinda fell asleep after that. Glad it was morning…

As I grew older, maybe I have taken lesser time to think about death but that does not necessarily mean that it is at the stage of acceptance or I have completely come to terms with it. With the passing on of my aunt and grandfather in the recent years, I have come to realise the pain of losing a loved one… Saw the movie title “The Lovely Bones” and read a little about it and thought I was curious about what’s life and everything that comes after it…

In “The Lovely Bones”, Susie Salmon was the girl who was being murdered and she watched over her family and her murderer from heaven. Given the bond that they had as a family, the pain of her parents from the loss of their daughter was really kinda intense in the movie. I like the scene where Susie saw bottles of his father’s precious collection being smashed in the ocean after her death. Her father had lost all hope for he had loved this daughter so dearly…the pieces of glass were so shattered and they cut through the heart with so much pain… For Susie, there was this desire for vengeance but at the same time, there was also this desire to heal, herself and her family. I am not sure if the Oscar winning director, Peter Jackson, has met up to expectations for this movie. His portrayal of heaven seemed poetic and at times, a little like those pictures that you would download from the internet as wallpaper. But I must say some scenes were really beautiful and there was great use of colours to relate feelings and emotions. Generally, I would say that the movie is beautiful to watch.

Coincidentally, Snoop and I were engaged in a kinda philosophical chat via WhatsApp today and she was sharing about what her priest has said at church… A new heaven…a new earth. I was kinda puzzled but yet curious. She continued…We need to surrender to God in order to find a new heaven. I needed more elaboration and she explained…We should not be too concerned with every little problem in life. Sometimes, we are so consumed with all these problems that we forget that there’s so much more in life. Heaven is not just a place we think of when we die. Heaven can be earth… I do not have any religion but I really couldn’t agree more with the last statement, heaven can be earth…

Sunday, March 28, 2010

A story...

From The Sunday Times (28 March 2010), "Words get in the way"...

"A story is everywhere - in a conversation on the bus, the way people are behaving. The town where I live is a complete hotbed of stories, based on individual characters, their histories and their own way of doing things, lots of which I would never be able to tell because I have to live there." ~ Scottish crime novelist Val McDermid

Saturday, March 27, 2010

A pampering gift

The October babies finally got to enjoy our 2009 birthday gifts - spa at Aramsa. It was indeed a real pampering treat, ha, maybe both Miss Tan and myself really needed one. There was a body scrub followed by a mineral detox soak bath...enjoy seeing the numerous flower petals floating in the bath tub. Needless to say, the star of the whole package was the massage, desperately needed one. The therapist was saying that there were a couple of tricky knots on my shoulder and she was doing her best to undo them :P Oh boy, that kinda hurt a little but other than that, the whole body massage was real relaxing, the whole body felt kinda lighter and not too stiff after that. We must have been two satisfied customers coz we decided to purchase a package to be shared between us, plus free body scrub! Heh, well, I guess that's one of the ways city gals pamper ourselves :P

What is success?

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Why do I write?

I was thinking about this question today...why do we write? In our whole life, what is the purpose of writing?
I write because it helps me to express feelings and emotions.
I write because it allows me to let out, a channel to release and let go.
I write because there are times where words express better than what we say.
I write because it allows me to organise my thoughts and ideas.
I write because I believe in the power of words...they heal, bring comfort and empower.
I write because it allows me to get in touch with my heart.
I write because I love the beauty in the language...
Why can't words express how we feel or what we see at times?
Late last night, decided to take a walk to a convenient store to buy some titbits for a meeting the next day. Was at the gate to my house and started looking up into the sky (what's new, silly gal :P) It was kinda dark but after staring at it for two seconds, I could see stars! There were more and more as I stood there gazing at the them all. Goodness, if I had just taken a glance, I would not have noticed them. They are always there...I was glad I paused and had a good look at them all. It was really beautiful and I smiled...Words probably could not really describe how I felt then, I was at a loss for words, just kinda busy enjoying that moment. As I walked along the pavement, I was still trying to catch a glimpse of that piece of beauty up in the sky...

Homemade breakfast

Nothing beats homemade breakfast. Once in a while, like to make my own sandwich and bring it for breakfast at my workplace, have always enjoyed the process and the product. Love breakfast time at my workplace, hee, I should say protected breakfast time, trying to enjoy every minute of this precious time before the hectic day starts. Nothing beats enjoying homemade breakfast prepared by others...Today's breakfast menu: sardine sandwich. Love the sweetness of the sardine, the taste seemed to illuminate like a ray of light which was pretty refreshing for the morning. The lettuce added crunchiness to the wholesome taste of it all. Found out later that the sardine was mixed with some organic English country lemon curd, brilliant idea! :P Took less than fifteen minutes to finish the sandwich, was licking my fingers before rushing for a meeting. Thanks to Mark, I had a finger licking good homemade breakfast! :)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sakura

Cherry blossoms are in season, it must be such a joy to be able to watch them, smell them and feel them all over you...
"Love is the flower of life and blossoms unexpectedly and without law and must be plucked where it is found and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration." ~ D.H. Lawrence

MaggieMoo's@313

Cotton candy flavour ...According to Miss Tan, it's the taste of childhood. I wouldn't deny that :)

Molo

Having fun with photography again, trying out and experimenting Molo from iPhone with Mark's help :P ...Hmm, it's kinda interesting how we can have or how we see the different faces of ourselves in our lives. If only we could capture them all in pictures and spend time to have a real good look at our different faces and ourselves.

Momoya

It must have been a Japanese buffet week, ha! Had Japanese buffet with Mark and Derrick at Momoya Japanese Restaurant located at Jalan Pari Burong. We sat at the counter as it was real crowded on a Friday night and we did not make any reservation. But thought it was interesting to look at how the chef in front of us prepare the sushi and sashimi as we feast on our buffet spread. Quite a good variety in the buffet menu, real thick slices of sashimi, yummy! I would say value for money too! Well, I think it's kinda difficult for me to get sick of Japanese food :P

Hi Baby...

The thought of being able to see Sunny baby simply put a smile on my face no matter how tired I may be. As I opened the front door, he practically pounced on me, jumping with all his might. Cleared his poo on the floor and cut an apple for his dinner. As I was cutting the apple, he sat quietly near the entrance of the kitchen. He must have really loved the apple in his bowl, finished them all in less than five minutes. But the food that was left for him since that morning was left kinda untouched. You see, he was kinda unwell for the past two weeks, got me worried when I heard about what happened to him...it's good to know that he's getting better.
It was raining outside, such a cooling evening...I sat on the sofa and placed Sunny baby on my lap, hugging him close to me, both of us so quiet and relaxed. Before long, could hear him snore a little and I was real sleepy too. It was a lovely evening with Sunny baby :)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Time to catch up

Seriously at work, real serious :P

Julia was saying it's great that we still take time to catch up, indeed it is. It takes both time and effort to do so. Had dinner at Shin Yuu at Greenwood just Thursday. The restaurant manager at Shin Yuu was still as funny as ever, making us feel so at home. We had lotsa food laid in front of us, oh boy, we were so full that we could hardly walk to our cars :P

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A letter to John

Dear John,

You were both courageous in the battlefield as well as in pursuing the love of your life. Those two weeks with Savannah must have been the most beautiful moments of your life. I believe it was real tough for both of you to be miles apart. But the continuous stream of letters that you sent to each other in your absence bounded both of you together. The string of love is stronger than any other rope or cable one could ever find. Despite the unexpected appearance of Tim, I still feel that both of you're still close to each other's heart.
I like the letter you wrote to your father, reading it to him beside his bed. I was so touched that tears welled up in my eyes...Since young, there's hardly any conversation between the both of you and he may have a special need but I know he loved you very much. He did not know how to show it but I could tell. Deep in your heart, I know you care so much for him too although you just found it awkward talking to him at times. Sometimes, he just needed someone to listen. Well, lovely Savannah did, she listened and she understood.
Some find the ending of your story too abrupt but I thought it's fine. For once, I do not mind not knowing the ending of your story...

My Time

It was a nice afternoon, not too humid. It rained in the late morning, glad to hear the sound of the rain after so long. Sipping on my cup of mint tea, taking my own sweet time to savour that slice of brownie cheesecake and penning down my thoughts...

His eyes

A little gift from a colleague... Don't look at me like that, you know you are gonna really melt my heart with that pair of eyes...

Monday, March 15, 2010

In a state of hibernation...

It’s not even winter and I am already hibernating like a polar bear…have been hibernating much since the last weekend. Dun feel like moving, dun feel like engaging in any kinda activities or any form of conversations, dun feel like getting out of the house…have been sleeping a lot. Catching sight of my bed and taking a whiff of my blanket and pillow are like taking some kinda drugs that will put me to sleep instantly. It felt so good to snuggle under my blanket and it certainly could be quite a battle trying to open my eyelids. Maybe have been sleeping too much these two days coz am feeling kinda groggy now :P But kinda enjoy those luxurious moments of just doing nothing…no schedule, no planning, no targets, no deadline, no…nothing, just doing nothing and just carrying a brainless head around, watch out for the silly brainless gal :P …Oh no, am I having another sleep attack?...

Tammy

Saw Tammy last week when I was buying my lunch at the coffeeshop and walked towards her. Seeing that I was giving her that attention, she walked towards me affectionately, licking my feet and started brushing her body against my legs. I heard a shriek and there came Angeline reminding me that I should go and wash my legs :P She was looking for me and knew I must have had been drawn away by Tammy, feel sorry for her that she has a kinda stubborn and naughty friend like me :P Guess what, the very next moment, as we were both walking away from Tammy, Angeline tripped and fell flat on the ground! I meant really flat, we were both in a state of shock, I quickly helped her up, picked up the drinks that she had dropped and scurried back to our workplace. The funniest thing was we were laughing like mad over lunch about what had happened, recalling what we did and how stupid we must have had looked. Luckily, Angeline was not seriously hurt, just a bruise on her knee which she has been constantly reminding me these few days :P If I have not gone to see Tammy, if Angeline had not come over to look for me, maybe she would not have tripped. But knowing Angeline, she never really did blame me. Haha, what a day and what a good laugh we had over it :) Oops, sorry Angeline :P

Friday, March 12, 2010

Obento Day

Proudly mine, half eaten :P


It was a beautiful sight on Thursday, saw boxes and boxes of delicious food packed in lunchboxes of all designs. It was a feast for all our eyes. All smiles as we feast on our obentos, thinking of those who had helped to prepare those food with love and warmth, being thankful for the food we have in front of us. For me, there is much joy in preparing an obento, well, not totally Japanese though :P

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Saturday night supper

The lovely box...

and the treasure within...

Celebrated Joyce’s birthday today, we had dinner at her favourite restaurant “Tonkichi”. Realised that not many can stay up late nowadays and Martin was sharing about how his wrinkles had deepened, goodness, "deepened" is really a powerful word. Ha, mine would have probably gone complicated, would need additional reinforcement from some American skincare products :P Did a bit of window shopping with Mark and Derrick before heading home. As I was walking towards the lift that led to the carpark, I walked past Canele, I stopped to take a look at the cakes. Wow, pretty enticing! But hey, wait, a voice in me said..."Silly gal, you just had dinner and a slice of Joyce's birthday cake, don't be greedy, you dun need another slice of cake, go straight to the carpark! Green tea cake was also sold out, no reason for you to loiter near this 'danger' zone!" Great, I started walking away and slowly made my way to the lift...You know, they say a leopard doesn't change its spots, I think I am really one freaking spotty leopard. After walking for less than five metres, I turned around and walked towards Canele, ignoring that inner voice. Well, no harm getting a slice for supper later. Well, no green tea, it's okie, tiramisu would be great too!...Excuses, excuses and excuses! This silly gal has nothing but full of excuses :P Well, this silly, stubborn and defiant gal walked happily to the carpark, carrying a lovely box which contained her Saturday night supper :P

The roof over you



Saturday, March 6, 2010

Build a bear

Here's Happy, hope he will spread happiness to his owner and all around him!

Decided to dress up a teddy on display with a pair of boxer, sexy dude :P
I have received two teddy bears from "Build-a-bear Workshop" as gifts over the past years but never have I ever tried building or making a bear myself. Got the chance to create one today! First, you choose the teddy bear, then you get to stuff and puff them up, told the lady to make it fatter :P Next, you stuff hearts inside and these hearts represent wishes for the person you are giving this bear to. Ha, got to brush the puffed up teddy bear at a cutsy corner too! The teddy bear would be all ready to be dressed up by then, great selection of outfit from the shop. Well, it wouldn't be called a teddy bear if it didn't have a name, we chose a name and here we have it, we have created "Happy"! Last but not least, there's also a birth certificate of the teddy bear. I was totally thrilled by the whole process, enjoyed it like a silly little childish gal. I think Angeline was kinda embarrassed by by my childish behaviour at times, haha!

My gift, my lunch (Part 2)

It's another sumptuous lunch delivered to my workplace. I was kinda in a hurry to leave to attend an event at Suntec in the afternoon. Nevertheless, I still stubbornly sat down and enjoy my lunch. The sambal was like wow! It went so well with the nasi lemak that I probaby wouldn't need other ingredients, just rice and sambal would be great :P

Thursday, March 4, 2010

When the freak meets the monster

Meet the monster and the freak, beware!


A good friend...lighting up the candle in my life :)

What happens when the freak meets the monster? Chaos? Hmm, well, not exactly. There was a great bear hug though :P The little monster seemed to have grown taller since the last time we met. However, her monster-ious behaviour has not changed much, well, neither have my freaky behaviour, haha! This little monster can really shop...nail polish (can you beat that?!), sour plums (weird taste) and jello (that's kinda more decent for a monster).

His favourite...my gift

As I took a bite on it, the cheese melted in my mouth, making me crave for another bite. The sweetness from the cranberries complemented the taste of the cheese in the bread...sourish sweet, went beautifully with a cup of hot tea. Mark's favourite bread from Breadtalk...my breakfast...my gift for the day. Thanks for the gift, it's really great to see that familiar little post-it, still love the simplicity in the design :)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Freaky freakz

Received a text from a friend today, she felt that she's a freak. My reply to her was: I think I am a freak too, well, maybe at times or probably most of the times :P Heh, I guess that makes us freaky good friends! But sometimes, I just wonder what's wrong with being a freak, maybe we should be proud that we are some kinda freaky freaks in our own ways at times, ha :P ...Well, have a darn freaky week ahead and certainly looking forward to the weekend :P