:: chapter close ::

I finally finished the 2008 Australia album... phew!
Now is prob just to alter the album cover although I might not even do so! heh...



The mojo engine is slowly warming up so the layout is rather simple. It's not my usual load of embellishing but hey it's a start...

:: croak ::

Waaayyy too many cookies for me this year... mid way through day 1 of NIU year I felt that my throat was really dry. I had to stay off all the yummy goodies at relatives' and friends' place and could only tell my brothers to try certain food that is really yummy and watch them eat in delight :X so here I am today, at home on 1 day medical leave resting my throat as it could no longer take it anymore ( i went back to work from Wednesday)...

1st day of Chinese New Year lunch at paternal grandparents, a simple yet yummy feast

It has been a busy busy for the 1st two days of CNY, where we had 4-5 locations each day! It was fun nonetheless! I managed to visit some of my own friends too which was great.

I love CNY, with all the decorations, the visits to the Nursery to pick out pretty flowers and Chinatown on New Year's Eve for all the great bargains. Another week or so to go... must enjoy and eat as much Yu-Sheng as I can! Yum :P

:: 200 ::

that's the number of posts I've done since I started the blog way back in Oct 2006...

I guess the figure just shows that i've done an average of 7.5 posts a month, which is way way too little.. (been working on KPIs and work percentages... figures are popping out of my ears!)

My very first post was about being inspired...

and this definitely inspires me!

:: pictures taken from: source ::

Chubby Hubby renovated his dream kitchen and it is way way way cool!! just look at the island, the clean lines of this kitchen, the lovely colours of the kitchenaideS (I want one too!!)

Definitely my dream kitchen as well...
Just imagine the wonderful time working in this kitchen, dreaming up wonderful recipes... dishing out scrumptious meals! Yum...

Check out his blog as he dishes out great recipes too.. or the food are just eye candy! :D

:: hello 2009 ::

I can hardly believe it's 2009 already!

I saw a number of ups in 2008 which I am grateful for, be it work, personal achievements and just in myself. Of course, there were definitely several downs, but I am glad I managed to pull through and picked myself up, dusted off the negativity and braved on.

For that I am glad.

Glad for my family.

Glad for a great work team.

Glad for the great friends I have, new and old.

Glad for the encouragement that I always hear.

I started 2009 on a quiet note... watching the marina bay countdown on the telly at home. I liked the peace and the quietness. I hope the year shall bring calm and patience in the trying times ahead (heh.. while I do refer to the global economy, that applies to me personally too!).

My resolutions for the new year, I was asked...

I guess the one major thing that I really want for myself is -

just to be me, doing things without the feeling of guilt or obligation.
If I say No, I feel no obligation.
If I say Yes and it a wholehearted YES!
& definitely ENJOYING every moment of EVERYTHING!! :D

:: Wishing... ::

my family, relatives, friends and all a

Very Merry Christmas

may you receive lots of pressies!! :D

:: another::

10 days to Chrismtas

&

16 days to New Year

GOSH!!! Where has all the time/days gone to?

I've been lazy to blog although I have stuff to blog about...
1) Hort Park (part 2) - this time of people!
2) A company retreat to Batam
3) Dad's 60th birthday!
4) A memorable wedding

Hmm... I've started to give out X'mas presents! Ain't I early! haha... well that's because the recipents are overseas & I needed pass to Ming when I met her in Singapore to bring them back to Perth! I also gave out a couple of presents over the weekend although they were combined Birthday/Xmas presents! Hope they were liked!

Oh! I've also received my 1st Xmas present from Ming! :D
& I guess bought myself a present one month in advance and happily using it! :D haha....

more presents to prepare??
I really dunno... Not a big Christmasy person... I'm already looking wwwaaayyy ahead to buying CNY clothes! hah!

:: disbelieve ::

It is the wonders of internet that fueled my curiousity. As I searched the glorious search engines, I found that I was after...

As I read and reread each post, my emotions ran into a rage. In disbelief I am, that a young person can so easily disregard the family which had once and still is trying their very best to provide, love and care for this person. In desperation as the family tries to locate the person, some drastic measures were made. Without a hint of regret, a backward glance, shortening of steps, this young person continues to strive on into an uncertainity in life and possibly living with the illusion that alone one must be to find oneself and that the one other partner is sufficient. Attempts to convince, to give in, to persuade a open-armed homecoming was futile. Nothing can or will change this young person's mind. The decision has been made. Family is secondary.


Here I am, as I find myself in an unusual situation where I actually get to hear/read both sides of the story, of one party's longing and heartbroken sobs and the other's willingness to forget and disregard, I wonder if such an action was or will be ever necessary? Is a parent-child relation simply so tangible? With a simple goodbye to break the bonds of childbirth?

Would I have the courage to even contemplate such an action?

:: let the pictures do the talking (part I) ::

:: quick one ::

just a quick post of one of the layouts I did.. nothing fancy... scrapping mojo is running low

I'm deadbeat too! Just came home from a meeting... I dislike meetings.. they drag on and on and always get sidetrack with other things. Matters get worse, it is tough having meeting when the other party is so fixated on certain things and there is always no room for negotiation or they twist and turn your words at every moment! argh!! I am just glad the meeting is over!

I need to hit the sack soon... droopy eyes...

:: finally ::

Finally completed a layout that I started last week! Phew... that took a while. Hmm I guess the inertia to get going on the layout was really bad... I cut out a flower or two and I stopped. Anyway just glad that I finished it. Managed to take some pictures before leaving home this morning for work.

Heh! Went on the Southern Ridges walk last Saturday morning with the family! The weather was beautiful, the scenery was lovely and of course I managed to take some pictures!
Will post them soon! when I'm home and not too lazy to upload them :P

It's mid-week already! Almost to the weekend again!

:: passing it on... ::

Sorry for not blogging for some time.. Work has been busy and it totally left me 'moodless' to blog...

anywayz, I was tagged by her so here goes...

the 1st tag,

Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

1. I love cleaning, organizing, throwing away stuff.

2. I have a photographic memory, which is really useful for knowing road directions.

3. I can recognize voices over the phones pretty accurately.

4. I have difficulties drafting letters/emails out.

5. I always try to occupy my time ahead of time, to make sure if I have free time, it’s done doing something.

6. I sleep on a queen size bed ALL by myself, that has 2 large throw pillows, 2 pillows, 1 bolster, 1 baby pillow and 1 furry pink cushion with the word 'Princess'.

7. I rather talk to kids than adults.

the 2nd tag,

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends! Try not to be lame and spoil the fun! if you get tagged, copy this entire survey and paste into your own blog, change all of the answers so that they apply to you. Then visit the profiles of some of your friends and "Tag" them by simply leaving a comment, asking them to visit your blog, and state that they have been Tagged! The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known! Some of you may get tagged several times, so they can always refer back to your blog for your answers.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
6.30am when the mobile phone alarm rang, which I switched off and promptly woke up at 7.50am

2.Diamonds or pearls?
definitely diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
My Best Friend’s Girl

4.What is your favorite TV show?
Ghost Whisperer

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Coffee

6. What is your middle name?
Pei Jun

7. What food do you dislike?
Offal

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Spirit by Leona Lewis

9. What kind of car do you drive?
Family car – Toyota Wish

10. Favorite sandwich?
The ingredients are more important, as long as it has my favourite chicken, melted cheese and veg I love…

11. What characteristic do you despise?
Indecisiveness

12. Favorite item of clothing?
Skirts

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Switzerland

14. Favorite brand of clothing?
Too many to choose from, but what I can’t get now I want so it’s KooKai for the moment…

15. Where would you retire to?
never thought of this yet… seems a long long time away

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?
My surprise 21st in SG, where I was pampered with a wonderful spa treatment followed by a great BBQ at home with family and friends :D

17. Favorite sport to watch?
Gymnastics – the synchronized ones

18. Furthest place you are "tagging" this?
No idea as I’m typing this

19. Person you expect to send it back first?
No clue

20. When is your birthday?
March 4

21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning person

22. What is your shoe size?
7

23. Pets?
nope

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
Er.. getting staff appraisal done? My duties listed required a separate sheet???

25. What did you want to be when you were little?
Architect

26. How are you today?
Swarmed… with work

27. What is your favorite candy?
Pastilles, blackcurrant flavour please

28. What is your favorite flower?
Lily

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
The day when I am on leave

30. What's your full name?
Fiona

31. What are you listening to right now?
Radio

32. What was the last thing you ate?
Mint mentos

33. Do you wish on stars?
Don’t believe?

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Pastel colours

35. How is the weather right now?
Cloudy

36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
Working colleagues

37. Favorite soft drink?
Coke

38. Favorite restaurant?
Too many to choose from…probably it’s the cuisine that’s more important? 1st choice Japanese, followed by Chinese, then Italian

39. Real hair color?
Black/ Dark brown

40. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My little pony

41. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs

42. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Both, depending on how it’s being served

43. Coffee or tea?
Coffee

44. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Not necessary

45. When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday, watching a show about how a little 9 year old girl has to learn to cook and take care of her handicapped parents ;’(

46. What is under your bed?
Hope there’s nothing!!

47. What did you do last night?
Scrapped abit, watch telly abit, then snuggled in bed to read until I fell asleep

48. What are you afraid of?
Not being able to see my loved ones

49. Salty or sweet?
Both, depending on how it’s served and my mood :D

50. How many keys on your key ring?
3

51. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday? My only rest day?

52. If you can choose your talent, what would it be?
Being decisive, well most times?

53. Do you make friends easily?
No

54. How many people will you tag this to?
Not sure

55. How many will respond?
I hope at least 1?


Ok, now it's to tag others... here goes...
Jacq
Irene
Jeannette
Nani
ming
pauline

:: almost there! ::

I was counting the number of empty sleeves that the album and there are only 4-5 left! but that does mean another 10 layouts. But the album is so FFFAAATTT already!! & I don't have that many photos to scrap from the trip but I guess I'll revisit the photos again!

These are the few latest ones that I did recently... I am loving the BG papers here!

lots of glossy accents, foam dots to make the butterfly wings 'pop' up, and my fave 'cut, cut, cut'!

Thanks for looking!

:: recovery ::

Sorry bad at giving titles...

back to work today after a long weekend...

Anyway had fun yesterday with a group of teens (5 gals & a guy).
So the story goes like this... my ex-boss's daughters liked their gifts last year very much and were interested in SB, so she approached me. Her elder dd was interested to personalise some gifts for the coming X'mas and thought SB would be a good choice!!

So there I was yesterday morning at her place, teaching the group. They are all cousins so the atmosphere was really lighthearted. Lots of bantering, sibling rivalry and jokes all around.

I chose a simple layout that all the gals could do.
& this was a layout design that I made:
something simple, with enough techniques for a beginner but yet fun and girly at the same time. & it had to be quick and easy to put together!

It was really interesting to see how everyone's layout turned out so different and unique according to where they wanted to place their flowers, embellishment and title. I didn't manage to take any pictures as i was busy being the 'teacher' floating around the table to help with placement and things.

The boy had a similiar layout with lots of dark /musculine colours. He was so funny as he was so addicted to tearing, inking, distressing papers and chipboards. I must say his layout turned out really fun with lots of the distressed looking chipboards! he even mixed alphas for his title. too bad no photo of that.

I also taught them how to alter a wooden alpha + painting + embellishing it. Thinking back I don't know how I managed to teach all that in 4 hours!! It was pretty crazy but I am real glad that the kids had fun, they said they did and even were talking about what they could do for their friends.

But I had to warn them.. SB is an EXPENSIVE hobby!!! i'm sure many agree with me out there!! haha...


**********************************

today is a different story, it's no fun :'( but at least I've 1 report down and 6 more to go! sobz!!

Big bummer of the day!

I can't get season parking for the car at the carpark under the block. Reason, car is under my E bro's name, so my family gets 2nd priority to get season parking.

To cut the story real short... My dad kindly agreed to go to the HDB office to sort things out. When he was there he called me and I screamed and shouted at the lady over the phone so loudly that my colleagues could hear me (my boss closed her door & my team leader walked over and did the "fanning / cool down" action). Telling her that despite prompt payment for season parking for the past 5 - 6 years, I can't get season parking at my own block? I have to park at the next nearest carpark that is 3 blocks and a road away for the whole of November. If I park downstairs and the parking attendant comes along & check, I might just get fined as I'm not 'allowed' to park there why??? because HDB has happily oversold their season parking! I dunno if this is a perpetual problem everywhere but honestly I think it is just plain illogical. I am fuming and I'm really sorry to friends & colleauges who had to hear it from me over msn and in person today.

Yup, so trying to recover from the long weekend back into 'work mode' and from talking to a totally senseless woman with misguided views / information and customer service skills.

pray hope things start to look up, even if it's ever so slightly!!

:: the new word ::

Oh! Was watching Oprah the other day and I am totally inspired by the word

CLUTTER BUTT

Peter Walsh, who wrote
was on the show. He said how things, food, practically anything has 'power' over us and it wears us down.

Peter Walsh, the bestselling author of It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff, believes that the secret to successfully losing weight is to forget about calorie counting and weekly weigh-ins. Instead you need to focus on how, why, and where you eat. When it comes to clearing clutter (the fat in our homes) it isn't about the stuff itself, it's about the life you want to live. The same is true for losing weight: It's not about the pounds, it's about living the life you deserve in the body you want.

Using his expert techniques honed from years as a clutter expert and organizational consultant on TLC's Clean Sweep, Peter helps you address how the clutter in your kitchen, your pantry, and your home is directly related to the clutter on your body and negatively affects your ability to lead a full and healthy life. This book shows you how to clean up not just the spaces where you eat, but the routines around them: from planning meals and shopping to dinnertime rituals.

Peter knows all the pitfalls and all the excuses. In Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? he gives you the tools (and courage) you need to get over all your excuses, face the issues, and make the change to a better life.

This is not a diet book. This is a book about your life -- about creating the healthy life and body you have always imagined for yourself. Peter helps you kick the food-clutter habit forever. You have only one life. Start living it today.

As usual, he helped to 'clean up' a lucky family's house and it was so neat!
I am so inspired and I want this book!!

:: D.I.Y ::

I've been in an organising / clearing / throwing away old stuff mood :')

The past few weekends were spent in my room as I took things out, pondered over how long I've used or even seen something, whether to keep or throw. I've cleared away many things, reorganised as much as I can. I have 2 HUGE bagfuls of clothes that I am passing on to my granny's helpers clearing little corners of my room.

I even took the measurements of the 2 door cupboard so that I can buy some plastic containers to organise things in it properly. Unfortunately the ones that I like from Ikea are slightly too big (the door can't close fully after I put the plastic containers in), so I was happily sawing away 1 of the handles from the containers. Now my shoulders ache badly but my things are nicely organised in the cupboard and I have mini drawers :D I'm pretty happy!

Only bummer - I need to buy another 2 more containers as I was worried that the ones I bought don't fit and to be safe I only bought a few to test. Ah well ,think of the hotdog that I can eat when I'm there! haha...

I'm halfway into the clearing... more to do more to sort more to throw more to reorganise... I quite like such weekends, even if it's tiring at the end of the day, nothing bets an organised room! No scrap space yet, not planning to create one in my room anytime soon. I just want clean empty space! haha

Managed to scrap abit too...

hidden journalling


While, I'll be pretty busy tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to not working tomorrow as I feel like I'm coming down with something :'( Hope I get over it soon!!! Lots of reports to write!

Have a great long weekend!

:: miss ::

image taken from this comic: http://xkcd.com/99/

Sudden pang of missing my friends who are aboard. Somehow just talking on msn seems so impersonal and it's no longer enough just to talk over the screen.

to Ming, Jane, Wendy... I miss hanging out with you all. My younger bro just asked me about Kyoto the other day and I said the owners left to go back to Japan :( It was such a fun hang out place for us, drinking sake by the cartons and the yumy food.

to Nat-chan whom I've not met in several years, now a mother of 2. I hope I can see you soon.

I miss the times when we hang out in your beatup VW van, your smiles, your delicious tamago and sushi, the jamming sessions.

:: my mind right now ::

My mind feels like a video player now.

Sounds, images, words, actions keep replaying in my head.

At the moment I'm trying to separate the surreal from reality...

the reality bites... quite painfully..

:: my brother the model ::

Did you read Today? Someone familiar was in the papers but for all the right reasons. My elder bro really do have a Masters (for some 'chim' financial/statistics related subject) under his belt. I guess if he ever gets out of job (which is hardly unlikely) after surviving a couple of bank retrenchments & the recent USA bank turmoils he can become a model... hahaha

image from: http://www.todayonline.com

I was just commenting to my SIL the other day about my family, that everyone seems to be on a constant learning journey. My elder bro is still studying, so is my younger bro for a finance qualification (although one is at the final level, while the other is at the 1st level) and me & quest for further studies. Even my mom's learning something new - dressmaking & mandarin (through karaoke!). Only person that's not in 'formal' learning is my dad.

I had a nice relaxing day today saw some nice eye candy that I so lust after...
it's back to face the 'reality' tomorrow.. at least I'll be having a shorter 4 day week... :P

:: A layout and a tag ::

{random thoughts}
I seem to be in a hurry all the time! I was out at Orchard Road by myself, with the agenda to buy some presents and to bring my tiffany & co charm for a polish and hopefully purchase a 'house' for my homeless charm. After completing these 2 errands, I went straight home... Weird hey? As it must have been almost a couple of months since I've been to Orchard Road and now that I had time on my hands to walk around, I didn't do so. I didn't even walk into Zara or Mango, or Novo or any other shops! I guess I was trying not to be tempted into buying something?? after all, 'see no evil, buy no evil'... HAHAHA...

{a layout}
A random picture that I took in Melbourne.

As my friends and I were walking along the quaint little shops, we entered one that sold many handmade stuff! We were so fascinated... but what really caught my eye were these HUGE metal alphas that were on the floor! I just had to sneak a pic! :D


To emphasis on my 'addiction to alphas', i used different alphas on purpose for the title. I also used papers with journalling lines, and words to keep in the mood that with alphas, it's always writing.

up close of the alphas

{a tag}
& I got tagged by her!
Thanx babe!! You have been relentlessly leaving wonderful comments on my blog!! Muakz !!!

So here are the rules!

1. If you've been tagged, you can put the logo on your blog.
2. Link the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.

Unfortunately, I've never been one to pass on chain letter/sms/emails etc... you get the drift!
Basically I love reading friends' blogs to find out what's happening to them esp when they're overseas.

But but there's one blog I've gotta tag and that is... bagaholicboy

bookmark it / Read it / blogline it & you won't regret it!! It is one of my must read everyday!! I found the blog by accident and I've been loving every moment of it! It keeps me updated of my other obession. Eye-candy for my eyes... pain to my heart and wallet 'cos it makes me so tempted everytime!!!

:: happy ::

It's October!!


Happy because:

1) it's a School Holiday - Children's Day ~ Have a great day all kids out there!

2) Public Holiday - Hari Raya Pausa ~ to my Muslim friends out there Selamat Hari Raya

3) Only another agonizing month to go before to the moment of truth!!

4) I'm been in a scrappy mood...

one of the layouts that I did last weekend:
Finally something other than my aust trip album.

I'm out of the house soon... never ending to be on the move even though it's a PH...
Have a great day everyone! :D