japanese (junk) food

I was given an overly wrapped package today. When I got home, I unwrapped it to find a bag of goodies.

I was smiling ear to ear as I took out the cracker snacks from the bag.

As I took them out, I realised it was like playing King Kong. Hmmmmm. If only I had a toy building....I took one cracker snack and inspected it. The head was a cracker nut, while the body was a short rice and seaweed cracker stick. When I put all of them side by side, I realised that not only are there girl and boy cracker snacks, there were also variations in their look or expression. So cute :)

shoot mom

I could almost hear my mom complaining that among all the photos in the album from my trip, I only had a couple of photos.

I bet she will be happy to find out that this time, I have around ten--which is five hundred percent more than I have last time.I was so happy when I saw one of the photos that Lirie took of me. I loved it :) I also like how the photo I was taking in the photo turned out. Go figure.Now the only thing my mom will complain about is that I am not looking directly at the camera and smiling in the photos.

costume-y

While going through clothes selling at a shop in the Water Village, I saw a hand painted robe-dress that I liked.

I held it against me and asked Lirie "Do you think this is just a bit costume--y?".

She looks up from a hand embroidered top, turns to me and says "It isn't very far from what you have on now."

Happy Halloween! :-p

(The dress I am wearing in the photos is NOT the one being sold in Xitang.)

under the bridge

(kiss the girl)

that's my.,,

Why do I like this photo?Well, it really, isn't the photo. It is more what is in the photo. It is the fabric of the bag. It is exactly the same cloth that I used when I sew a dress a while back :)Everything comes from China!

fruit or vegetable?

I was eating quite healthily in China ;)

At night, I munch on fruits--okay... well, fruit flavored potato chips. LOL

cry baby

Fine. I'd admit to it. I did cry--more than a little while watching Toy Story 3.

I'm not going to write any spoilers, but I am going to say however that anyone who is close to me would understand why I could so relate to the storyline. That is assuming of course, they see the movie.

A little side note here, I used to have the FP telephone when I was a kid, I was somewhat surprised to see a very, very familiar, yet a "new toy" from a Toy Story perspective.

Anyways, I have to thank my grandma for getting me that telephone way back when :)

two go

As I was fixing up to get ready for lunch, I discovered that my top two favorite lipsticks had finally reached their ends. Literally.

I am unsure how often this happens in a woman's lifetime, but I would bet it isn't a lot--if at all.

As shallow as it seems, this made my day.

(Note to RN: Dude, we made it!)

bad hair day

There were some curious friends who asked me to take photos of my hair curling stint.

Before I go there, I thought I'd post this photo that I mistakenly took. I like how it turned out. I thought it would make a nice fabric print. Think throw pillows. I bought two packs of bendy curlers and watched a couple of youtube tutorials. After these two activities, I thought I was ready.

I didn't have mousse, gel, hairspray or setting lotion. I did have some sea salt spray from a short haircut around a year and a half ago, but didn't know if it would do the trick. Sooooooooooo, this genius decided not to put anything on her damp hair before putting on the curlers.

After putting some muscle into rolling my hair up, my head looked like this.It wasn't too comfortable wearing these things to bed, but I expected worse. I was able to sleep quite easily. It may be because I got exhausted putting them on though.

I really didn't know what to expect, however was not expecting to be blown away by my hair for the day.Not horrible, I would say. However, I don't think this is a look suitable for me. I pinned my fringe back as it seemed weird combed down like it usually is.

I went to work without the fringe clip, sporting a ponytail.

What do you know, at least four people actually stopped to ask me

What happened to your hair?

...not a good sign.

taken

During the last week there had been multiple incidents of theft in the office. A bag, a couple of wallets, some cash and a blackberry were taken from different people in my floor.

There was however, another item that was stolen but not reported. It was something stolen from me.

You would never believe what I lost.

But I'll tell you.

It was my default office jacket. As in the jacket I leave in the office for when I need it.

Can you believe that?

round and round

So, I curled my hair on a dare.

Not permanently. Thank you.

I got myself a few couple of bendy curlers and rolled my way to curl rocks. At least that was what the hair styling product said.

As I used the non-heating curlers, and I do not own a hairdryer, I need to wait it out while sleeping.

I am curious whether tomorrow's hair will be closer to Slash or Bon Jovi--in the early nineties.

same time next, next year

the day

I literally did not do any planning. I sort of waited things out, and what do you know? Wonderful things happened one after the other.

I had my birthday crepe, cake and cupcakes :) Which one did I like the most? The cake of course. I am old school that way.

Friends and family also surprised me with very well thought of presents--it was surprising how all of them sort of matched too.

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I thought the day would close without drama. It didn't.

I was quite sentimental this year, and not because I had switched checkboxes but because I am greatful that my relationship with my family had never been better and I am blessed with friends for life.

fancy pants

I bumped into a woman in her mid sixties, and what do you know, we have the same sailor pants.

So either she is a hip sixty something, or I dress like a grandma.

Soooooo auntie. HAHAHAHAHA.

bonus

I chanced upon a photo display in one of the galleries in MICA where a friend was having an exhibit.

As I was thinking that I liked the photo and how good prints had become the past years, a woman dressed in an outfit complimenting the photo nicely (think: wheel reflectors) walked by.I would have opted for her to be on the other side--walking towards rather than away from the photo on display, but I'm not complaining.

Getting this photo was the day's bonus.

showcase

I went to a good friend's chinese painting exhibit at the MICA Building. While I've always liked the facade, I didn't realise inside was as interesting too.There were more than a few scrolls on display and maybe two or three framed. My friend would explain answers to my stupid questions while going around painting after painting.I learned that as far as chinese paintings go, I enjoy looking at the elements rather that the composition of the entire painting.

Here is an image of the birds from one of my friend's paintings on exhibit. Among all the paintings on display, there were two elements that I liked most.
I thought this was brilliant. I like how a dab of orange made each image come to life.I thought this was awesome, from afar it looks like one ink blot that somewhat resembles a chick, but at closer inspection you'd see how each shape and curve was--very much, intended.

a single man

Image from here.

I love this movie.

And there are countless reasons why. Where to begin?

First of, Colin Firth was stellar! He had been one of my favorite actors for a few years now, but it is the first time I have seen him at this caliber.

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Every scene looked like an interesting photograph. I also like the color effects. It enhanced the retro styling of the movie.

Styling. This brings me to the costume and make up. And not to mention Julianne Moore's dinner dress. I'd write more about the styling but it's late and I don't want to be up till morning writing this entry.

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I love how the story narrates. Colin's voice helped a lot too.

It tugged something in my heart--and stomach! And although the imagery was very controlled, everything felt very much real.

I was teary eyed ten minutes into the movie--in awe all the way through.

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I don't know if I would watch this as much as 500 Days of Summer, but I know in my book, this is a must see.

(june) 12 going on 30

I realised today that my turning thirty is quite a big deal--for my Mom. She was talking a lot about milestones and pearl anniversaries.

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I had also been asked a lot about how I plan to celebrate this year. Friends say that turning thirty is big.

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I always thought it was big too.

In fact this time last year, I had been thinking of ways to make it memorable. Maybe taking a trip I always wanted to make, getting that thing I keep telling myself I'd buy next time.

The weird thing is that now that it is almost here, I keep thinking that I don't need to do anything. More importantly, I don't really feel like doing anything big, dramatic or extravagant.

To be honest, what I'd like to do is stay home and have a hearty meal with my family.

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I'll turn thirty. That is a fact.

Somehow, I don't imagine myself in my old age thinking "Oh, if only I did that thing when I turned thirty, I'd feel that my life was better lived".

I however, would love to do the things I want to experience regardless of day in the year--or age.

Oh, and I hope everybody is fortunate to have a 30th birthday and the option to make as giant of a fuss or as close to nothing of an event out of it.