史记

My dedicated one hour reading this collection of books extended abit more. Captivated by the story…or legend or facts. Yet to find out. China has always been a place I would like travel to see the great great ancient architectures and historical ornmaments which are still standing with the country’s effort in conserving them till today. Of course, not only the China’s past fascinated me but its current status and development is similarly impressive. My mum recommended me to read this collection of books. Could aid me in understanding more about my roots and at least I won’t stand in awe puzzled with what a Chinese tour guide explains about a particular place or great occurance in history and particularly the names of the great soldiers, inventors and rulers of the dynasties.  Cant wait to finish the chapter I am reading now…

I need a table lamp

I am already violating the rules of confinement by reading and looking at my computer screen for hours a day. Let alone taking my first bath today. Reading and crying are big no no during this period coz it will cause long sightedness or short sightedness, thats what they said. But somehow I am even reading in the dark with the help of a little light from my computer screen. The worst case is when the fonts are so small I have to sqint. When reading should be fun and enjoyable, it started to strain my eyes and the progress of finishing the books became so slow. I just don’t want to disturb Darius slumber. That is what mummy does, sacrifices all the time, who agrees with me? Now do I have to violate another rule of confinement by going out shopping for a table lamp? Or use a magnifying glass in my early 30′s? Coin please….Head or tail……..  

Slow down and feel

I lost touch of the artistic world … almost. I recall all the things I tried to beautify out of left over and used present papers, paper bags, used ribbons and etc. My mum used to call me the rubbish collector. I even collected the left over yellow papers after the stickers were peeled out. A sticker booklet mum bought me when I was in primary three still exist and inside the booklet, all the stickers were peeled off.

I had a passion for art. I liked to draw, paint, design, and I indulged in chinese calligraphy and piano. See all the verbs in past tense? The fast pace lifestyle, long hours and pressure from work worn me out at the end of the day that I slowly withdrawn from doing what I desired to do. Anything that was not making money, not creating income or was time consuming no longer mattered to me. I lost sleep, my health deteriorated, my temper was mostly at the tip of explosion. No compliments, no surrenders, could attack any time. I was mostly in defence mode and ready to pounce in arguments. I mostly played classic pieces…allegro. I had problem playing romantic slow pieces.

Praise the Lord I could still marry a guy! I consider myself extremely lucky to have such a considerate husband. I am having better sleep though it still takes time to learn to feel and relax every muscles. Nextly, I have to learn to slow down my pace as in walking, eating, talking, writing, reading, drinking and driving. I could get so impatient that I start to read from the ending of an article or magazine. I have to keep repeating to myself that I am nomore rushing to places and there are no more deadlines. It takes more than just time but alot of will power, discipline and practice.

Slow down and feel is my new motto. I counted and its almost 8months I did not work. I guess I have no more excuses for myself being so robotic. I am going to search into my souls for the artistic side of me again. Maybe I rusted abit but I am going to start doing what I love and have passion for. I am going to be bold and start making my dreams come true.

Lavender Farm and Tree

 

** Happy Valentines Day **

Out of the blues

Violets and purples. I favoured that colours at that moment which inevitabily became a resemblence of that particular phase in my life. Aroma of that atmostphere, musics favoured and deterred, advertisements played on those channels, the violet silk dress always worn, the food hungered for, the air breathed… like flipping through the violet and purple pages of my everyday moments, these neverending episodes replayed and resonated especially when I was alone. I went throught the details trying to find out what went wrong. There were so many possibilities I could not pinpoint the very one which resulted in all those grievances.

I felt so blessed with all the great great people God had positioned in my life. Like soldiers in the frontline, they helped me fought with my pain and sorrow. Their prayers, comfort and care were great weapons. Lastly I finally learnt to let go. Everything happened for a reason. I treat its as not a punishment but a lesson learnt for life. After this incident, I realized what and who is good for me. A ‘new’ new year resolution is born. Its never too late to spring clean and start a new fresh chapter.

Violets in purple, what a pretty sight.

I used to favour bright fierce red and it was the colour theme of my wedding. When will I walk back to the red warm room? I still love wearing my violet dress…and everything else in violets and purples…

33 Ways To Save The World

From a friend after she read the post about saving the earth.

You don’t need to be a mung bean-eating, tree-hugging hippy to do your bit for the planet. Even small actions can make a big difference, and you may just have some fun and save some cash along the way! By Joanna Barry

1. When you stub out your ciggie, don’t be a tosser – dispose of your butts responsibly! Cigarette butts account for up to 50% of all our rubbish.

2. Turn the tap off while you clean your teeth – and save 23 litres of water. Have a shower instead of a bath – and save another 45 litres of water.

3. Check the energy rating of major appliances you purchase. Look out for five star ratings and only buy the most-energy-efficient models.

4. The plastic bag effect – each plastic bag you get from the supermarket takes approximately 100 years to decompose. Do your bit and take your ‘green-friendly’ cloth bag with you instead.

5. Store food in re-usable containers instead of using plastic wrap. Plastic may seem the cheaper option, but the price tag doesn’t include the health and environmental debts incurred during it’s production and disposal.

6. Get down and dirty and plant a tree! It’ll reduce your carbon footprint and look pretty!

7. Don’t ditch those cartridges! We throw away soooo many computer cartridges which will eventually end up in a landfill and not decompose properly. Either buy refills or recycle them.

8. Limit the toxic chemicals in your house. Try using natural cleaning products such as bicarb of soda, vinegar and lemon juice.

9. Be prepared to pay a little more for clothes made by workers who receive fair pay and safe working conditions. Check out tradeaid for some fab purchases.

10. Always switch off the TV, VCR, microwave and stereo at the power point. A computer alone left on standby produces more than 1000 kilograms of harmful greenhouse gas emissions per year – the same amount a car makes when it travels over 3000kms!

11. Fluorescent light globes use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent and last 10 times as long.

12. Switch your home to renewable energy sourced from solar and wind. Also good on your pocket long-term.

13. Set photocopiers and printers to print on both sides by default.

14. Remember back in the day when collecting and recycling cans was cool? Why not make it the latest retro-revival? The energy you save recycling just one aluminium can could keep your TV running for three hours!

15. Join the paperless society. Subscribe to electronic versions of newsletters, pay bills online and say no to junk mail. It’s that easy!

16. Stop disposable batteries landing in landfills (and save some coin in the process) by buying rechargeable batteries.

17. Use a laundry powder that has minimal impact on the environment. ‘EcoStore” laundry powders are made without phosphates or petrochemicals, so your clothes will be clean and the environment green!

18. Sell your clothes online or pass them on to friends.

19. Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need. This reduces the amount of energy needed for it to boil.

20. We’re great recyclers, but often it’s the wrong things! Make sure you’re only recycling what can be taken away in your area.

21. Recycle your magazines. Doctor’s surgeries and primary schools love to reuse them.

22. Carpooling is the new laundrette when it comes to finding Mr Right. So pop a sign up at work to find some locals to travel with – you never know who you’ll meet!

23. Try making at least one weekly shopping trip on foot or bicycle. It’s good for the environment, good for your health and good for your local community.

24. It may sound kinda rude, but a low-flow Faucet Aerator can reduce your home water flow by 50%, whilst strengthening the water flow!

25. Don’t buy products from endangered animals. Yes, this may seem obvious but you would be surprised at how many people don’t get the message! Avoid tuna brands that aren’t dolphin safe also check out www.gefree.org.nz for a list of Non-Genetically Engineered food.

26. Give blood – one donation means three saved lives! For more information, head to www.nzblood.co.nz.

27. Never release helium balloons into the air as they cause the death of countless numbers of sea turtles and whales.

28. When you are out enjoying nature, no matter how tempting it may be, DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS! Feeding wild animals makes them dependent upon human food, which will ultimately lead them to starve when humans are not around (usually during winter).

29. Buy organic cotton products whenever you can. Cotton is the world’s most sprayed crop, containing a quarter of all insecticides used each year, and it’s estimated that 20,000 people die per year in the developing world as a result.

30. Skip your Monday-Friday coffee and use the money to sponsor a child instead. Head to www.worldvision.org.nz.

31. Picking up rubbish isn’t just for the naughty kids on the playground! If everyone picked up one piece of rubbish per week, New Zealand would be even more beautiful in no time!

32. When possible, opt for natural beauty products. Visit www.healthy.co.nz for some great brands.

Some of the ways are only applicable to NZers. Others-I think is applicable to everyone

My Birthday

Busy busy busy on my birthday and worst of all even kena saman for car plate not being in order. I miss my birthday where someone will prepare a cake and colour eggs red then make chicken rice and fried chicken wings and even help to invite my friends over? And even prepare paper cone hats for each and every one of us? I think I’d be the one preparing all these things after a few more years coz I am a M:O:2.

Managed to get togather with my friends a week after. Northern Indian food at Tandoor. Last year was at Zaika. See us there if there will be any new Indian Cuisine next year.

2008 2007

Great decor. Nice ambience. Authentic. Home made ice cream. Imported ice cream. Juicy tandoori. Sweet and savoury mix veg fruit masala. Love it. http://blacksnail.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/was-craving-for-northern-indian-food-on-capris-birthday-again/ for more comments on the food. And yes, I enjoyed the wild girl talks towards the end.

And I managed to meet up with my other great friends at Kaizen for lunch this week for my belated birthday feast. Salmon belly, sizzling plate eel, xxxx maki, wasabi ice cream. Craved for these. Was a great great gathering with alot of girls talk and sharing. Such a pity I didn’t take a pic of “us”.

Enjoyed every bit of the time spent with you guys during these days. Feel connected again after so many hectic weeks.

Lastly, I want to thank Suan and Chien for the great gift package by Natural Source. I’ll pamper myself with those soon. I want to thank Pat for the Laniege Perm Effect Mascara and Strawberry Peel Mask. I longed for the mascara!!! I want to thank Jiun for the two boxes of Yili Milk. It tastes so yummy and I try to have two small packets a day. And I want to thank all of you who had greeted me. Thank you thank you. Muah muah. Oh, and special thanks to my considerate husband for……* secret *.