Shuttering to Penang

Leaving for Penang with Dear tomorrow. We are spending his birthday over there & coming back next Wed. Too bad can't go further for a longer proper holiday. Sigh........

We'll be staying at a beach hotel that is quite decent and yet, is pretty close to the main food & shopping area of Penang. What attracts us there is the rumoured wonderful food, the rich heritage, and the beach. Apparently, the weather forecast for the next few days in Penang is a wet one. Hopefully the weatherman is wrong again :P

As we are bringing 2 cameras this time, Dear challenged me to a goal of taking 1200 pics... So I'll pretty much be shutter crazy for the journey =)))

Oh. We'll be having an early Mother's Day dinner with his family at Merchant Court Hotel just before leaving for Penang.

To all mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day in advance!

I'll see ya when I get back.

Node a good thing

Man.

Been sick for almost the whole of the past week. It felt like simple ear and neck-ache initially. After a few days, the pain became excruciating. Been diagnosed with 'inflammation of the lymph nodes'.

Now my face looks like an overstuffed duck. And I have to take antibiotics like candy. Somebody please tell Metallica not to make a comeback in my head.

I need to go lie down. Darn.

Coil, Foil, and Moi

Delays, laziness, and procrasination aside, I've finally done up the armature (skeleton) of the figurine! Whew!

To make the figurine more grounded and stable, the 'internal' of the figurine is made up of wires, and coiled roughly according to the shape of the the character. In my case; forming the head, body, arms, and boots.


Aluminium foil is then used to cover the wires, bulking up any areas that would require a solid surface. It is important to pack and compress the foil while doing so, to have a non-malleable area for claying later on. Foil will not burn under normal baking conditions, and it helps prevent any possible rusting of the coiled wires from coming into contact with the cured figurine.

yeah i know it looks very weird
Do not worry about the coil and foil not being the exact shape you want your figurine to be. That's what the clay is for! To mold and to fill in the areas of the armature. The armature itself is only a support structure.

Next up would be the fun, and yet most difficult part. Claying the figurine requires more patience and precision. I will be continuing with it as soon as I can.

Btw, thanks to my dear for helping out with some of the wire coiling :)))
Do visit his page for more updates on his Granado Espada figurine-sculpting progress.

Fired Up for Craft!

I have a new hobby! Or i'm going to, anyway. Clay figurine modeling!

My darling is really really good at craft. He's made me wax anime figurines, clay photoframes, and the works. I've always felt guilty as my gifts to him are always not as personalised. But.. I suck big time at crafts! My art is horrible, and I have absolutely zilch creativity.

To make up for some of that, I've done 'extensive research' on clay modeling, particularly facial dimensions & sculpting, the numerous types of clay available, grounding the figurine, how to make sure the clay is bonded etc etc.

I've decided to make a clay humanoid of my dear in his firefighter suit, complete with the signature axe, hose, and fire hydrant. It helps that I have pictures of my dear in those gear, and he promised to pose for me in them if need be. My hero! heheheheh....

Us after shopping for supplies at Vive Creations & Art Friends.

Some of the supplies & tools that I will be using.

So... Good luck to myself! I'll keep the blog updated on my step-by-step progress..!
.

My Man Utd. My Pride. My Joy

1st Leg: AS Roma 2 : Man Utd 1
2nd Leg: Man Utd 7 : AS Roma 1

Oh, sweet sWeEeT revenge!!

For those of you who watched in horror as Man Utd fans were brutally attacked, beatened, stabbed, and horribly bashed up by the Italian police last week during the 1st leg of the match between AS Roma and Man Utd, today's revenge never tasted so glorious, victory never felt so heavenly.

Images from Last Week's Match
The Italian police were seen relentlessly pummelling Man Utd fans as they lay injured. Any Man Utd supporter who tried to drag the injured away from the police's batons were mercilessly beatened as well. My heart ached as I watched the fans attempting to shield their heads from the rain of bashings. I was horrified. "Stop it! Enough!", my mind screamed. I felt such rage, such major R-A-G-E. Blood. There was blood everywhere.

Yes, it was determined there and then that, the 2nd leg of the match, at Old Trafford, will be the match of the decade. It would be a blood match. In our way. On our turf. On our terms.

Man Utd showed the Italians what soccer is, what it means, and how much their fans mean to them. It was a pure display of speed, skills, teamwork, tactics, and most of all, CLASS.

We dun aim to win free kicks from false attempts at fouls. We dun roll on the ground in the hope that the referee will grant the ball in our favour. We DON'T peel your flesh and aim to injure your spirit.

We brought our hearts and souls to the pitch and our brillance made you eat your heart out and go home with your tail between your legs.

Glory, Glory, Man Utd!

Check out ESPN's coverage of the match details.

I'm bursting with pride.

| Bites |
Totti vs Ferguson
Fergie's a happy man
Wonderful Carrick

Bowled Out

I've decided to pull out of the Young NTUC Bowling team. It's been a painful decision, and as my other half has pointed out, I'll regret it. But due to some personal reasons, I really can't commit right now.

The selection for the May 1st tournament will be done tomoro. All the best to the other team members.

*heartbreak*

Chew On These

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
I'm still pondering over these words and trying to understand/ absorb/ dissect the full meaning.

Even so, these 2 lines already give me an unusual sense of calmness, of hope, and some part of me heals each time I read them.

Yeah.
All hail, Oprah!


Btw, here's a pic of my 1st cupcake attempt. They are from Betty Crocker's Devil's Food cake mix, topped with self-made royal icing and coloured according to preference.

There is apparently some major craze over home-made-icing-covered cupcakes recently. As you can see, my piping skill is yet to be desired. Luckily my love absolutely adores anything with icing on them = )))

Scrumptiously,
S

Visit to the Past

Received a call the other day from my class monitor of my Sec 4 days. It's the annual call during CNY that we get from him to visit our then Form Teacher. As some of my former classmates used to say amongst us, Zhonghui is our eternal class monitor hahahaha...

Though there's a group of classmates that regularly gather(annually, that is) for the visit to Mdm Wong's place (bless their hearts!), it was only 2 years ago that the class of Sec 4G 1994 had a formal gathering. It was kinda weird, not seeing them for so long, and yet, many of them haven't changed much. I bet we can still picture one another in that awful white school uniform hehehe.

Life takes you and whisk you away so fast. It has been 12 years since we were classmates. Some of them are married, some with kids, some living the high life, and some(me included) still fumbling our way ahead.

I remember dreading school, wishing I could fast forward myself and be a financially-independent adult. How I wish I could have that 12 years back! I wanna not worry about what to wear, finances, and the only major difficulty is to pass the exams.

It'll be great if the class could arrange another meet-up again this year. Don't wanna wait for another 10 years... Fingers crossed *wink*.

Wistfully,
S

Caved In to the Universal Flu

Just watched the movie "Click" while sniffing away on tissue paper.

I want a Universal Remote too. Delete Colds and Flu from my Main Menu.

Surreally yours,
Sniffy

Chingay 2007

Braving the throngs of bottleneck traffic, extreme humidity, blinding spotlights, and deafening music, I am proud to present you the highlights of Chingay 2007.

Have a happy and prosperous new year everyone. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

My Valentine

Humongous lovely huggies with this North American Bear (www.nabear.com) from my valentine..............

New Year New Hope?

Went Chinatown's bazaar yesterday. It was festive and propelled me into the CNY mood suddenly. Hmm... Then shopping today.. Managed to get 2 additional wonderful tops for the coming Chinese New Year. Even won something in a scratch 'n' win lucky dip. A virgin contest winner ahahahahahahaa.... Is my luck gonna change for the better? *fingers crossed*



Gonna be a busy weekend. Revitalising the art of CNY-goodies making. Involve countless pineapples, peanuts, a ton of dough, lotsa kneading, rolling, ovendoor-slamming, and frying. Yeah, it's gonna be fun... really.

Fluffily yours,
S

I wish... I wish... I am Hiro.

Been at the edge, of my seat this time, due to a somewhat frivolous pursuit.

"Heroes" has been causing quite a sensation since the series launched. I don't care what other fans or critics are saying. I have to-date, only watched 5 gripping episodes of it and, personally, i am quite fascinated. Not by the sci-fi part of it, not by Nathan's ability to fly like Superman, not by Suresh's dad's algorithms and theories, and surprisingly, ha!, not by the cheerleader's ability to self-heal each time her body got smashed to pulp.

It is not really any one of the characters. The closest it would get, would be Hiro, the geeko Japo, who could stop and reverse time, and teleport himself into the future, to another city etc etc. Imagine what we could and would do with this ability. Hohoho!

As lovable and comical as Hiro is in "Heroes" (I'm sure the pun is intentional), I am not interested in saving the world as he is. Hell, I can't even save my own skin! That is me, petite, utterly humanly mortal me speaking. If I were Hiro / a hero, maybe I would be so slightly more patriotic and righteous... keke...

If I have the powers to see into the future, to go back in time to change things, would I?

I would. In a heartbeat.

I would study much harder, party less, work harder, make proper plans instead of stumbling along, manage money better, recognise evil and that it has no reason, be more loving, be more patient, shut up before I say something I regret, eat healthier, and never started smoking.

I could still do many of these things without rebooting my life. But some things will just never be the same as if I had the sensibility of the repercussions.

Then again, I wouldn't have the same feelings or knowledge, be it good or bad, as I do now, if I had changed anything. Would it still be me? Am I wishing for a better me? Or am I wishing that I am not me, not what I have become, at all?

I'm rambling. Need to get some sleep. Blur the edges of reality a little.

Yours Supernaturally,
S

What is, why, and how.

Came across the following. Makes sense. We just often do not practice it. Worth reminding ourselves again: -

1. The Power Of Thought
Love begins with our thoughts. We become what we think about. Loving thoughts create loving experiences and loving relationships. Affirmations can change our beliefs and thoughts about others and ourselves. If we want to love someone, we need to consider their needs and desires. Thinking about your ideal partner will help you recognize her when you meet her.

2. Power Of Respect
You cannot love anyone or anything unless you first respect them. The first person you need to respect is yourself. To begin to gain self- respect asks yourself, "What do I respect about myself?" To gain respect for others, even those you may dislike, ask yourself "What do I respect about them?"

3. The Power Of Giving
If you want to receive love, all you have to do is give it! The more love you give, the more you will receive. To love is to give of yourself freely and unconditionally. Practice random acts of kindness. Before committing to a relationship ask not what the other person will be able to give to you, but rather what will you be able to give them. The secret formula of a happy, lifelong, loving relationship is to always focus on what you can give instead of what you can take.

4. The Power Of Friendship
To find a true love, you must first find a true friend. Love does not consist of gazing into each other's eyes, but rather looking outward together in the same direction. To love someone completely you must love them for who they are, not what they look like. Friendship is the soil through which love's seeds grow. If you want to bring love into a relationship, you must first bring friendship.

5. The Power Of Touch
Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love, breaking down barriers and bonding relationships. Touch changes our physical and emotional states and makes us more receptive to love.

6. The Power Of Letting Go
If you love something, let it free. If it comes back to you it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was. Even in a loving relationship, people need their own space. If we want to learn to love, we must first learn to forgive and let go of past hurts and grievances. Love means letting go of our fears, prejudices, egos and conditions. "Today I let go of all my fears, the past has no power over me - today is the beginning of a new life."

7. The Power Of Communication
When we learn to communicate openly and honestly, life changes. To love someone is to communicate with them. Let the people you love know that you love them and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say those three magic words: "I Love you." Never let an opportunity pass to praise someone. Always leave someone you love with a loving word - it could be the last time you see them. If you were about to die but could make telephone calls to the people you loved, who would you call, what would you say and..why are you waiting?

8. The Power Of Commitment
If you want to have love in abundance, you must be committed to it, and that commitment will be reflected in your thoughts and actions. Commitment is the true test of love. If you want to have loving relationships, you must be committed to loving relationships. When you are committed to someone or something, quitting is never an option. Commitment distinguishes a fragile relationship from a strong one.

9. The Power Of Passion
Passion ignites love and keeps it alive. Lasting passion does not come through physical attraction alone; it comes from deep commitment, enthusiasm, interest and excitement. Passion can be recreated by recreating past experiences when you felt passionate. Spontaneity and surprises produce passion. The essence of love and happiness are the same; all we need to do is to live each day with passion.

10. The Power Of Trust
Trust is essential in all loving relationships. Without it one person becomes suspicious, anxious and fearful and the other person feels wrapped and emotionally suffocated. You cannot love someone completely unless you trust them completely. Act as if your relationship with the person you love will never end. One of the ways you can tell whether a person is right for you is to ask yourself, "Do I trust them completely and unreservedly?" If the answer is "no", think carefully before making a commitment.

Turi Retreat 13-16 Nov '06

Pics first.. reviews coming right up... i hope... =)

OhHh BeHavE!

If you read my previous entry, you will know that I do not wish to talk about relationship thingys on my blog. However, something happened in the past 2 days that I badly need to purge here or I'll literally puke...! Here it goes......

Almost two years ago........

Once upon a time, there was a couple who ended their relationship... The gal initiated it, stating the reason as she wanted to find someone who will be more suitable for marriage... However, she came back and asked for a reconciliation soon after... Her request was rejected, and the lives of the 2 unintended persons went on.... Fair enough... so far so good......

With the course of time………
Several things had happened by now:-
The guy in the story has someone new in his life, and is engaged to be married next year.
And his ex?
She is married and has a half-year-old son by her current husband.
All bright and cheery and happily ever after?
Not the least for one of them..............................

Two days ago.........
11.45pm. The guy received an sms from an unknown, yet somewhat familiar number, asking him about how is he doing etc… As he had recently changed a phone and did not transfer all of his contacts’ numbers, he replied to ask the sender who the person was. The sender replied with a seemingly miffed answer consisting of..:”.. you dunno who I am? Never mind….” Upon such, he called the sender back, but after a few tries, there was still no answer… The identity of the sender? Puzzling…. Yes, puzzling..…

Yesterday………
After much thought, the guy had realized that the sms might have been from his ex. Before he had changed his phone, she still smsed him time to time to ask him to go to her place to fix her computer, and trifle information about anti-virus and such…. He either politely declined, or did not reply at all. Not that they have any grudge or so left over, for it was an mutually-agreeable split then. But,
A. She has a Diploma in IT, and should be able to solve the problems she cited, after some thinking, that is.
B. They did not maintain any sort of on-going friendship after they split, and if it was IT assistance she needed, there were other professionals able to render help, other than him, her ex-bf.
C. Her husband would probably not appreciate her ex, whom he has not met, being on the speed-dial for her never-ending IT problems, and invading his house when he was not around.

Oh yes, back to yesterday..
10.00pm. That still-unconfirmed number sent him a message telling him that she is thinking of him and asked him why his reaction was like it was…… AaAhhHhhh….. it IS her……………………….
Pissed off with her words, actions, and lack of guts to pick up the phone, he replied her sms, asking her :” Think of me for f***??! If you dunno how to be a proper wife, that is your own bloody problem. I have my own life and a wife to take care of. Dun ever bother me again with your irresponsible and pathetic state of mind.”

HaHaa…

The guy in the story is my beloved fiancé…. *guffaw*

Now for somemore background stories….
Sources revealed that my fiance’s ex’s marriage is down in the dumps. She got pregnant, and then married without any formal ceremony, and in that order. She is unhappy with everything about her life, except for her baby son, and wishes that she had not married at all.

My thoughts?

Well.. NOT that I am unsympathetic or a cold-hearted bitch….
I just do not think that I’m the bitch here… not this time…. Hahaha….
Actually, the above events and her actions would not affect me a single bit….. I know my husband-to-be…. Afterall, I’M the one he chooses to marry… *hiak hiak hiak hiak*

Just that……….. MAN!!!.... What is the world coming to??! Do some women have no self-respect to THIS extent?

Granted that there are ups and downs in everyone’s lives, and sometimes we do things that we later on regret….. But…. Gawd! She has a baby son, and she knows he is engaged…. What the hell was she thinking?!!

Is this just a simple case of sour grapes with our newly-anointed mum?
Or is it the uncovering of our social and moral degradation?

You know what?

I do not care….. =)))))
I feel much mUcH better after this purging session………………… and…. I am absolutely starved for food now….

Going for dinner with my fiancé…..
Anyone care to join us?

LOL!

Blog?

Prior to this, I had made a couple of pathetic attempts of trying my hands at the world of blogging. Oh yes sir, I would like a blog too! But...... what should I log in it??

Surfed around randomly to seek inspirations/copy ideas from others' blogs...... oHhh-kay..... now I know what I do not want my blog to be....

No incessant daily ramblings of where I have been, what I have done, who I have met, and what I have eaten....
No repetitive pics of me taken in lifts, or toilets of various establishments/clubs/shopping malls....
No sad / happy tales of relationship ups and downs… I prefer sharing them in real person, should I share them, that is….. No cyber-sharing on that, thank you.
No grammatically-perfect essays on ideologies or political-'bashing', as, for truth be told, I simply do not care for it (Therefore, offsprings of our leaders/whoever else this applies to, ye have nothing to slam here.. Kindly hit the 'close' button should my shallowness offend ye..).

What should I blog then?

I cannot be bothered to, nor do I want to, consume a good part of my nights summarizing what went on in my life and in my head. There is always CSI and Discovery Channel, ya noe?

Well…….!

Let this be just another haphazard shot at dictating little bits and pieces of my random thoughts, and of course, uploading pics that my dear ones care for me to share.

I wonder when my next entry will be?

lol