"They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe if we all spent a little less time beholding -- We'd be a lot happier."---- Doggie Howser, M.D.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My salmon-coloured candle has an intricate Japanese-inspired carved design on one side and a speckled of gold-dust on the other. I've never seen anything quite like it so I bought it even with its hefty price tag. It has been a resident on our bay window where it stood proudly for years. Never have I tried lighting it up for fear that it would lose its beauty.
One night, for sentimental purposes, I lit it up. An orange glow instantly filled our dim living room. Since then, it has been our constant companion.
Now, it looked worn and torn. The artistic carved design is halfway melted and the specks of gold dust looked like a stream of molten lava.
I realized now that before when it was perfectly formed, it looked boring. Now, with its new melted design, it looked perfect, interesting and much more beautiful.
In modern times glassmaking, a perfect vase is the almost absence of bubbles whereas in the past, a perfect vase would mean the presence of many tiny air bubbles trapped in the glass. Like the vase and the candle, sometimes, certain flaws define a perfect craftmanship and a bubble-free vase and a perfectly formed candle evoke a mediocre and plain design.
I am far from being beautiful. All my life I've lamented my pert nose, at least if it would have been a slight pointy, I would be much happier. But no. I wouldn't succumb to those much hyped plastic surgeries and botox-infested expressionless faces. The results are just all plain boring. Now I've wholly accepted my imperfect nose because it's part of what makes me, ME.
Before when I met Jobert, I had this greatest fear that he wouldn't like me because I'm not perfect, but much to my amusement, he now calls me "a beautiful butterfly." A music to my ears I know and that's what matters most.
So embrace your imperfections because after all, being NOT perfect is your only asset.
Tuesday 30 September 2008
My Week Gone Past
In a nutshell:
**'Tis a healthy week for me after being nearly rice-free for nearly a week and devouring only on steamed fish and vegetables. A healthy option to which I've only realized until now after eating meat for years. But for how long? I'm not entirely sure yet, all I have to do is keep the faith.
Crossfingers!
**A fiftyish looking kabayan looked lost and overwhelmed in a queue. "It's my first time to set foot here in the UK," she said. When asked whether she came here as a tourist, she answered: "No, student visa."
My lips are sealed.
**Workwise in Neuro-ICU has been both heartbreaking and exciting. The former entails you to empathize with the relatives and be strong for yourself's sake, the latter begs you to crave for more horrible near-death cases and embrace each experience as part of your learning process.
I am a novice with the former.
**The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they say. I beg to disagree. I have a love-hate relationship with cooking. But my lack of culinary skills I made up for being a good barrista. I make the most enticing coffee for Jobert that even he, choses my concoction over Starbucks. Nothing still beats serving a cuppa with a kiss!
I think that the best way to a man's heart is not through his stomach but through his liver!
**'Tis a healthy week for me after being nearly rice-free for nearly a week and devouring only on steamed fish and vegetables. A healthy option to which I've only realized until now after eating meat for years. But for how long? I'm not entirely sure yet, all I have to do is keep the faith.
Crossfingers!
**A fiftyish looking kabayan looked lost and overwhelmed in a queue. "It's my first time to set foot here in the UK," she said. When asked whether she came here as a tourist, she answered: "No, student visa."
My lips are sealed.
**Workwise in Neuro-ICU has been both heartbreaking and exciting. The former entails you to empathize with the relatives and be strong for yourself's sake, the latter begs you to crave for more horrible near-death cases and embrace each experience as part of your learning process.
I am a novice with the former.
**The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they say. I beg to disagree. I have a love-hate relationship with cooking. But my lack of culinary skills I made up for being a good barrista. I make the most enticing coffee for Jobert that even he, choses my concoction over Starbucks. Nothing still beats serving a cuppa with a kiss!
I think that the best way to a man's heart is not through his stomach but through his liver!
New Career Path
With the dark cloud of the credit crunch looms over us, I could easily do this for a living, professionally, to be honest :)
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Only You
" I've fallen in love with Once. Seen it four times---with subtitles so I can sing and of course, cry. I soooo loved it."
--Text message from my lovely friend Raz :)
Like him, I also heart the movie Once and I could too well watched it for England but the movie gave me enough inspiration that watching it all over again would spoil my madness---of being in love.
How often do you find the right person? Fortunately for me, it was only once--at the right moment and time.
"Let me tell you now
All thats on my mind.
For a love like yours.
Is oh, so very hard to find.
Ive looked inside myself.
Now Im very sure.
There can only be, you for me.
I need you more and more....
You, turned me inside out and you showed me.
What life was about.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away.
I wanna do all I can, just to show you.
Make you understand.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away."
**Jobert's singing to me in his raspy voice, Lionel Richie's, Only One, over the phone at the beginning of our relationship---and since then, it has become our anthem :)**
--Text message from my lovely friend Raz :)
Like him, I also heart the movie Once and I could too well watched it for England but the movie gave me enough inspiration that watching it all over again would spoil my madness---of being in love.
How often do you find the right person? Fortunately for me, it was only once--at the right moment and time.
"Let me tell you now
All thats on my mind.
For a love like yours.
Is oh, so very hard to find.
Ive looked inside myself.
Now Im very sure.
There can only be, you for me.
I need you more and more....
You, turned me inside out and you showed me.
What life was about.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away.
I wanna do all I can, just to show you.
Make you understand.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away."
**Jobert's singing to me in his raspy voice, Lionel Richie's, Only One, over the phone at the beginning of our relationship---and since then, it has become our anthem :)**
Saturday 20 September 2008
Two Loonies
Scene outside.
Two loonies had made a respite at Harrods.
He: "C'mon let's take a picture."
She: "Sure"
Both of them have looked at the screen of their camera. And they both laughed.
He: "Let's be serious, okay?"
She: "I'll try. You should too."
He: "C'mon baby, let's be serious for once."
She: "I will, this time."
He: LOL!
She: " You said be serious, but you're still making funny faces," (irritated)
He: "Ok now, let's be serious shall we?"
She: " We should coz people are already looking at us like we're lunatics."
He: "Ready?"
She: "Shoot!"
Both: LOL!!!!!
Two loonies had made a respite at Harrods.
He: "C'mon let's take a picture."
She: "Sure"
Both of them have looked at the screen of their camera. And they both laughed.He: "Let's be serious, okay?"
She: "I'll try. You should too."
He: "C'mon baby, let's be serious for once."She: "I will, this time."
He: LOL!She: " You said be serious, but you're still making funny faces," (irritated)
He: "Ok now, let's be serious shall we?"
She: " We should coz people are already looking at us like we're lunatics."
He: "Ready?"
She: "Shoot!"
Both: LOL!!!!!
Been and Back
So far, our recent escapade to London was the best ever yet. First stop was Heathrow airport where we parked the car for an overnight stay and from there, we took the tube towards Victoria station and looked for a place to stay. Hint: don't go to those eager-beaver-cum-friendly-looking receptionist, coz their hotel is exactly the opposite. Looks can be deceiving, as always. Instead, go somewhere that looks alienated with "no vacancies" sign lurking somewhere, chances are, you could have the best room in the house. We ended up checking in at easyHotel (with easyjet as its counterpart) at the end of our search. The two interior designers (Jobert & Rose) gave their verdicts and sure enough, the rooms were clean and the sheets were in their whitest white but true to easyjet's trademark, the walls are in full blown orangey hue.
We had lunch at Victoria and headed straight to Trafalgar Square to check out the sights. There were obvious signs that the pigeons' population has diminished over the years: the ubiquitous "don't feed the pigeon" sign , the much clearer view of the National Gallery, and the absence of the "pigeon-lady" of whom for so many years have become a popular tourist attraction. Without the pigeons, Trafalgar have lost its main ingredient.
As we made our way towards Oxford Circus to do a bit of retail therapy, we caught sight of this what looked like a granite coffin but is actually a statue made as a tribute to Oscar Wilde. It's called Conversation with Oscar Wilde and depicts the head and shoulder of the Irish playwright that is carved in bronze. It's a makeshift bench and a respite corner after a long walk but Jobert laid on it like it's his coffin.
Then all we did was shop, shop and shop. Nevermind the omnipresent credit crunch, we still went to visit the cheap and cheerful store: Uniqlo and bought a little bit of what we fancy.
Going in and around London in a tube is the best way so far, unless you don't know how to read the map then the big red bus is for you.
It was a taxing first day and although we're dead tired, still, the conversations we've shared in between coffee-breaks, and the laughters in between boohoos were all priceless.
While the boys made their way back to Heathrow the next day to put some of the things in the carbooty, us girls have done our share of the sights in and around Westminster. The morning stroll coupled with a very calm weather and a slight breeze have brought us to the banks of the River Thames were joggers and early morning tourist collide. With few people surrounding the River, we gazed at the magnificent London Eye and the Parliament in full view---there's nothing way much better (not even the best cameras) than being there and seeing these sights up close.
The boys were back from Heathrow. Soon after, we paid a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Cameras were not allowed inside (but still, Jobert managed to get some shots from his mobile, cheeky!). A mass was being held as we made our way through a flock of tourists and security. I lit three candles and said my prayers. The interior of the Cathedral was magnificent. I wanted to walk through the aisle towards the altar as I did the first time I came to visit, but with the mass going on, going up towards the altar was next to impossible. The echoes of the hymn that reverberated throughout the cathedral gave me goosebumps. Amidst the throngs of visitors, tourists, believers, and non-believers alike, the solemn ambience still remained.
London as a city is both busy and idyllic. You can have the best of both worlds in one visit. Although, our two-day trip weren't enough to visit some of its renowed galleries and museums still our stroll among the city's famous sights and the walks through the busy streets remained unparrallelled. Be it your first, second or third time to visit, London has always something special to offer.
I'll keep coming back for more sights and shops :)
We had lunch at Victoria and headed straight to Trafalgar Square to check out the sights. There were obvious signs that the pigeons' population has diminished over the years: the ubiquitous "don't feed the pigeon" sign , the much clearer view of the National Gallery, and the absence of the "pigeon-lady" of whom for so many years have become a popular tourist attraction. Without the pigeons, Trafalgar have lost its main ingredient.
As we made our way towards Oxford Circus to do a bit of retail therapy, we caught sight of this what looked like a granite coffin but is actually a statue made as a tribute to Oscar Wilde. It's called Conversation with Oscar Wilde and depicts the head and shoulder of the Irish playwright that is carved in bronze. It's a makeshift bench and a respite corner after a long walk but Jobert laid on it like it's his coffin.
Then all we did was shop, shop and shop. Nevermind the omnipresent credit crunch, we still went to visit the cheap and cheerful store: Uniqlo and bought a little bit of what we fancy.Going in and around London in a tube is the best way so far, unless you don't know how to read the map then the big red bus is for you.
It was a taxing first day and although we're dead tired, still, the conversations we've shared in between coffee-breaks, and the laughters in between boohoos were all priceless.
While the boys made their way back to Heathrow the next day to put some of the things in the carbooty, us girls have done our share of the sights in and around Westminster. The morning stroll coupled with a very calm weather and a slight breeze have brought us to the banks of the River Thames were joggers and early morning tourist collide. With few people surrounding the River, we gazed at the magnificent London Eye and the Parliament in full view---there's nothing way much better (not even the best cameras) than being there and seeing these sights up close.
The boys were back from Heathrow. Soon after, we paid a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Cameras were not allowed inside (but still, Jobert managed to get some shots from his mobile, cheeky!). A mass was being held as we made our way through a flock of tourists and security. I lit three candles and said my prayers. The interior of the Cathedral was magnificent. I wanted to walk through the aisle towards the altar as I did the first time I came to visit, but with the mass going on, going up towards the altar was next to impossible. The echoes of the hymn that reverberated throughout the cathedral gave me goosebumps. Amidst the throngs of visitors, tourists, believers, and non-believers alike, the solemn ambience still remained.
London as a city is both busy and idyllic. You can have the best of both worlds in one visit. Although, our two-day trip weren't enough to visit some of its renowed galleries and museums still our stroll among the city's famous sights and the walks through the busy streets remained unparrallelled. Be it your first, second or third time to visit, London has always something special to offer.
I'll keep coming back for more sights and shops :)
Sunday 14 September 2008
London (and rabbits) Calling
A sunday. I'm about to prepare our tiny, red luggage for London tomorrow on a road trip. Our friends will be fetching us as we commence our early drive on a September morn with an optimistic attitude that the weather would be at least welcoming. As it is the beginning of autumn, the skies are always bleak and the breeze aren't always light. You can feel them rustling through the leaves joyously like a long-lost friend.
We'll be staying in a 3-star hotel for a night and I'm expecting at least an inward friendlier service with no such haughty stance like some of them are and of course a total outward luxury. If you've been to London, you will know exactly what I mean.
Shopping will be top of the list on the first day and sightseeing on our last. I'm hoping we can take a cruise on the River Thames as I've never done it before.
During the 3-hour drive, I will be munching my moment-to-the-lips-friendly-to-the-hips guilty pleasure: raw carrots dipped in either sour cream or mayonnaise. Yum!
I can just imagine the rabbits calling me now: "Cherrypie we want our carrots back!"
Friday 12 September 2008
Tuesday 9 September 2008
More About Maldita
I am a Type AB whose personality is hard to categorize.
I am left-handed but I'm always on my right mind.
I am animated and a good conversationalist.
I am a procrastinator but does things my own way in my own time.
I am 5 feet tall with my shoes on but my limbs, torso, head, and forehead are all symmetrical.
I love to collect fashion magazines and trinkets even at their cheapest.
I love to sing but not in public.
I love to watch snake documentaries but hate to see them in all their slimy glory.
I love prawns but I'm allergic to them.
I love to give gifts but most loved it when I receive them as a surprise.
I love to sleep all the time.
I love winter and snow.
I love pink stuffs but black is the most dominant hue in my wardrobe.
I love to be stroked coz stroking will bring me to my dreamland.
I loved to love and be loved in return.
I hate cats.
I hate raisins and prunes.
I hate autumn when it's wet and windy.
I hate mornings coz I can't function during the day.
I hate bad spellers, unless you're dyslexic then you're forgiven.
I hate those so-called "noveau riche", they're utterly classless.
I'm fond of kids and their laughters.
I'm fond of fruits dipped in salt.
I'm fond of saying "i love you" to everything that is a good buy.
I'm fond of my baby.
I'm fond of my family and my closest relatives.
I'm fond of my teddy bears. They're the inanimate object of my embrace.
I'm fond of books.
I'm fond of anything cheap and cheerful.
I'm also a fan of anything expensive and nice.
I'm not a fan of most fish and leafy vegetables.
I've never used soap for seven years but I miss the refreshing feeling it gives to my skin.
Coz now I'm a sucker for shower gels and can't live without them.
I'm a fan of my lucky socks.
My brain works better in stimulating conversation.
I think better when I'm sick.
I am not a touchy-feely person unless I know you well.
I don't have many friends but the ones that I have now, are the best ones.
My best friends are my husband and my three bears.
If your name is on my phonebook, consider yourself lucky.
My baby is my partner in life.
I used to have long, brown, wavy hair when I was a child.
I used to be a good student.
I used to love my job until mundane replaces excitement.
I used to have clear skin until I stopped taking pills.
I used to be so shy.
I used to be independent.
I used to sing with the music imperfectly with my own lyrics.
I used to have nightmares.
I used to go to church.
I was stood up.
I was once a happy child.
Now I'm still a happy, fulfilled adult.
I wish to have an L-shaped converted farmhouse in the country with a sprawling garden to boot.
I wish to stop alcoholism and drug addiction.
I wish I can be carefree forever.
I believe in prayer and karma.
I believe that love is not enough even if it's too much.
I now believe in the importance of personal space.
I believe that the heart has its own way of speaking.
I believe in the sounds of silence.
I value life and it's ups and downs.
I value time.
I value the quality time I spent with my loved-ones.
I have learned a great deal about life's daily lessons.
I rose from the hardship.
I have made mistakes.
I was betrayed but still cling on to the power of trust.
I have laughed and cried a million times.
I am a prodigal daughter, a good samaritan, a drifter, a traveller.
I'm every inch a homo sapien, thank God!
I am left-handed but I'm always on my right mind.
I am animated and a good conversationalist.
I am a procrastinator but does things my own way in my own time.
I am 5 feet tall with my shoes on but my limbs, torso, head, and forehead are all symmetrical.
I love to collect fashion magazines and trinkets even at their cheapest.
I love to sing but not in public.
I love to watch snake documentaries but hate to see them in all their slimy glory.
I love prawns but I'm allergic to them.
I love to give gifts but most loved it when I receive them as a surprise.
I love to sleep all the time.
I love winter and snow.
I love pink stuffs but black is the most dominant hue in my wardrobe.
I love to be stroked coz stroking will bring me to my dreamland.
I loved to love and be loved in return.
I hate cats.
I hate raisins and prunes.
I hate autumn when it's wet and windy.
I hate mornings coz I can't function during the day.
I hate bad spellers, unless you're dyslexic then you're forgiven.
I hate those so-called "noveau riche", they're utterly classless.
I'm fond of kids and their laughters.
I'm fond of fruits dipped in salt.
I'm fond of saying "i love you" to everything that is a good buy.
I'm fond of my baby.
I'm fond of my family and my closest relatives.
I'm fond of my teddy bears. They're the inanimate object of my embrace.
I'm fond of books.
I'm fond of anything cheap and cheerful.
I'm also a fan of anything expensive and nice.
I'm not a fan of most fish and leafy vegetables.
I've never used soap for seven years but I miss the refreshing feeling it gives to my skin.
Coz now I'm a sucker for shower gels and can't live without them.
I'm a fan of my lucky socks.
My brain works better in stimulating conversation.
I think better when I'm sick.
I am not a touchy-feely person unless I know you well.
I don't have many friends but the ones that I have now, are the best ones.
My best friends are my husband and my three bears.
If your name is on my phonebook, consider yourself lucky.
My baby is my partner in life.
I used to have long, brown, wavy hair when I was a child.
I used to be a good student.
I used to love my job until mundane replaces excitement.
I used to have clear skin until I stopped taking pills.
I used to be so shy.
I used to be independent.
I used to sing with the music imperfectly with my own lyrics.
I used to have nightmares.
I used to go to church.
I was stood up.
I was once a happy child.
Now I'm still a happy, fulfilled adult.
I wish to have an L-shaped converted farmhouse in the country with a sprawling garden to boot.
I wish to stop alcoholism and drug addiction.
I wish I can be carefree forever.
I believe in prayer and karma.
I believe that love is not enough even if it's too much.
I now believe in the importance of personal space.
I believe that the heart has its own way of speaking.
I believe in the sounds of silence.
I value life and it's ups and downs.
I value time.
I value the quality time I spent with my loved-ones.
I have learned a great deal about life's daily lessons.
I rose from the hardship.
I have made mistakes.
I was betrayed but still cling on to the power of trust.
I have laughed and cried a million times.
I am a prodigal daughter, a good samaritan, a drifter, a traveller.
I'm every inch a homo sapien, thank God!
Sunday 7 September 2008
Full Monty
Last Sunday, Jobert and our friend Rose celebrated their birthdays at home in full monty style.Nah, the guests weren't in their nakedness glory if that's what you're thinking but it's actually something else. Check out the pics!
The Full Monty cakes!
Rose's cake with PG
Blinking boobies
Ready, steady, blow!
The birthday girl
Bad role model huh? he,he,he
Little bratinella!
Ranz, li'l brat's bf ;)
Grumpy brats
Me and the cheeky monkeys ;)
The Full Monty cakes!
Rose's cake with PG
Blinking boobies
Ready, steady, blow!
The birthday girl
Bad role model huh? he,he,he
Little bratinella!
Ranz, li'l brat's bf ;)
Grumpy brats
Me and the cheeky monkeys ;)
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Booster
My pins brought me to Occupational Health today to have my clinical check-up as a protocol when starting a new job. I was expecting to be interviewed only to find out later that I need to have my booster dose of Hep-B done today. Records showed that my last dose was administered in Singapore seven years ago so I needed to have it ASAP. No matter how hard I tried to convince the OH nurse that I am sensitive to it, or even told them I am back to work the next day, the sight of the vaccine in front of me just proves that I am seconds away from being shot. So, shoot!
It wasn't that bad as what I have hoped it would be but sure enough, it left me with an invalid right arm and a clammy nurse! (I sure did put her under pressure, he,he,he!)
Lesson learned today: Never inject a nurse (unless you're ace), as she will put you under too much scrutiny.
But kudos to her, she was so gentle, I could hardly felt the pain.
At home after the shot. A weary smile can be deceiving :)
It wasn't that bad as what I have hoped it would be but sure enough, it left me with an invalid right arm and a clammy nurse! (I sure did put her under pressure, he,he,he!)
Lesson learned today: Never inject a nurse (unless you're ace), as she will put you under too much scrutiny.
But kudos to her, she was so gentle, I could hardly felt the pain.
At home after the shot. A weary smile can be deceiving :)
Birthday Thought: Organ Donation
Jobert and I had a random conversation over dinner on the eve of his birthday.
"I had a rather depressing shift today," I told him as I was chewing my food.
"The doctors had to do a brain stem test on my patient before donating his organs."
"Sad isn't it?" I added.
"Yup," he said. "I wanted to be an organ donor too, you know?"
"Really?" I replied, wide-eyed.
"Well, I guess, you can donate your liver, kidneys and heart. But definitely not your lungs." I told him.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Because your lungs are knackered with you being a smoker, obviously." I said jokingly.
He just gave me the potent look. "Funny baby." He muttered.
"I want to donate my organs too if I'm brain dead." I said.
"What do you think, baby?" I asked him.
He said, "If you're brain dead? I will shake and squezze you real hard as I'll shout at the top of my lungs: Baby! wake up! you still haven't bought me a super computer and a dog yet!!"
And I laughed. In fact, he made me laughed so hard, I nearly peed my pants!
"No, I don't want you to leave me, baby." He said seriously.
"Promise I won't." I replied in between giggles.
So, on his birthday, I bought him a gift fit for a fab and gamer husband. It may not be a super computer as yet but it sure made his heart leapt a wee bit. He was ecstatic!
As for me? one box was surely ticked on my "to buy list" for him.
Happy Birthday Baby! I love you ++++++++++++++++++++++++! :)
Meet: MasterBear 80gb (his PS3)
"I had a rather depressing shift today," I told him as I was chewing my food.
"The doctors had to do a brain stem test on my patient before donating his organs."
"Sad isn't it?" I added.
"Yup," he said. "I wanted to be an organ donor too, you know?"
"Really?" I replied, wide-eyed.
"Well, I guess, you can donate your liver, kidneys and heart. But definitely not your lungs." I told him.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Because your lungs are knackered with you being a smoker, obviously." I said jokingly.
He just gave me the potent look. "Funny baby." He muttered.
"I want to donate my organs too if I'm brain dead." I said.
"What do you think, baby?" I asked him.
He said, "If you're brain dead? I will shake and squezze you real hard as I'll shout at the top of my lungs: Baby! wake up! you still haven't bought me a super computer and a dog yet!!"
And I laughed. In fact, he made me laughed so hard, I nearly peed my pants!
"No, I don't want you to leave me, baby." He said seriously.
"Promise I won't." I replied in between giggles.
So, on his birthday, I bought him a gift fit for a fab and gamer husband. It may not be a super computer as yet but it sure made his heart leapt a wee bit. He was ecstatic!
As for me? one box was surely ticked on my "to buy list" for him.
Happy Birthday Baby! I love you ++++++++++++++++++++++++! :)
Meet: MasterBear 80gb (his PS3)
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