Scrapalicious

{First Scrap Project for 2011}

2011-02-17T18:37:00.001+08:00

Made this for our lovely cousin who went to down under to further her studies. Ooooo brought back so many memories!

Drama-mama cousin! :)

Super adorable lil cousins

Cute nieces & handsome nephews. This family has good genes!

Made a lil tag in each page for family members to write her a lil message. This page was for the aunties :)

A page for our funky uncles! It was hard to get them to write something hahaha. men...

Cousins & family!

Here's her lovely family! Dad and mum left her sweet messages!

More relatives!

My fav page - showcasing our super adorable neices and nephews!

There were 3 more pages but I think they're either still in the camera or I missed taking a photo of them before giving it away...

{I Live To Eat!}

2011-02-17T18:28:00.001+08:00

It has been non stop feasting since Christmas - New Year - Chinese New Year - Valentine's Day/ ROM Anniversary (5 wonderful years)...

Here's a brief log of what we've eaten...slurp!

I love this Udon place at Basement of Taka (behind the foodcourt). Serving is small but soup is tasty and the texture of Udon is just slurpilicious!

Ah... yes, we had a Korean BBQ feast! Yummy!

And our very first cooking class together in our 5 years of marriage.

Korean Spicy Silken Tofu Seafood Soup!

Our helper is the best cook! Our very own home-cooked mussels with white wine & cream sauce.

We had 4 servings of this!

And her famos chillie crab! Best in Singapore!

And yes, I ate Escargot this year and guess what? I kinda like it :)

This is totally random, but set this table, so I thought it's post worthy hahahaha That's our home-made Yu Sheng on the table.

And this is my husband's strange toy. He likes to buy funny Chinese New Year stuff like that... hahaha

We didn't manage to take all the pics but we had the best home-cooked shark's fin and more! I can't remember now, but it was one feast after another!

Life is good!

(Tis' The Season}

2011-01-02T18:43:00.000+08:00

The last week of Dec has been busy. Practically out every single day. Catching up with relatives who are back for the Dec holidays. Trying to spend as much time as possible before they return to the land of down under... (gonna miss them!!)

There were so many more people that I had wanted to catch up with but time was really tight. Soon, it'll be CNY... Tis' is indeed a busy season....

To 2011: May we embrace every change that comes by knowing that God is with us in it all the time!

{Best Buy for 2010}

2010-12-31T12:38:00.003+08:00

Instead of getting bags, this year, I invested in a REVO iKon and I'm lovin' it!

OK, I'm not normally a gadget person, but this digital radio is a total hit! We can now listen to most internet radio stations! Say yes to KLOVE, JPOP, KPOP, HKPOP, Latin music, UK Top 40s! Whatever you're searching for, in whatever langauges, it's all there! I love this little box! Wake up to soothing French jazz...fall asleep with soothing instrumental music... get inspired by Christian music... pump up the beat to KPOP... Listen to alternative rock (Yes!)... all through this little box (wireless required).

It has the regular local radio stations as well, but with internet radio, I'm saying goodbye to local stations :P

It has an ipod/iphone dock which can be closed when not in use, so cool right!

It'll also play from the iphone/ipod! Totally love this! Bought it at the Isetan Private Sale!

S$760 ch-ching!! Totally worth it!

{Our Fav. Korean BBQ Restaurant!}

2010-12-31T12:22:00.002+08:00

CHANG Korean BBQ Restaurant, Blk 18C Dempsey Road Singapore 249677

Say yes to the seafood set and pork belly set. Forget about bibimbap...

The salmon & oyseters were "grilled" in butter... super delicious. Not oily at all!

The squid was so tender it was superb! And yes! My fav! Scallops!!! Slurp!!!

I don't usually like oysters, but this was oh so good!

And the prawns..... oh my!

I'm definitely going back again!

{Such Potential}

2010-12-31T12:06:00.000+08:00

Check out my 9-year old cousin and her very own scrap piece. So creative!! She did it all by herself!

SSShhhh.... scrapper@work

I love how she boldly overlays the stickers and punched out butterflies! Nice!

She made a bag that looks like the one we bought :)

Such a darling!

{Merry Christmas}

2010-12-24T03:42:00.000+08:00

It's Christmas eve. 2010's coming to an end...

It has been an extremely busy year at work. Bulk of my time and energy has been consumed by work. Thank God for time given to wind down and recharge before 2011 begins.

I really wish there was some place I can go, on my own, and shut out from everything and everyone. I need some cave in time.

Where's my cave?

{Awww...Isn't He a Darling!!!}

2010-12-16T00:20:00.000+08:00

Oh my oh my! He is such an adorable and tame dog! Love him!!! So adorable. Melts your heart....

{More Christmas Cards}

2010-12-15T23:32:00.000+08:00

Made some more Christmas cards... added feathers to this batch. Made 3, but I sealed one of them without taking a picture of it!!!

{The start of another blessed week!}

2010-12-05T20:29:00.000+08:00

I was encouraged as Pastor shared during service today about how God has been moving through the kids in children's ministry. Children spoke in tongues as the presence of God fell. When they prayed for other children, the presence of God fell and those receiving spoke in tongues! Isn't God amazing! It's the same Holy Spirit for the adults and children. No big Holy Spirit or small Holy Spirit.

We're packed with after work activities next week. Next year I must remember not to overload our calendar in Dec. It always happens and we've not started on our Christmas shopping! No time!!!

It has been a long week. I'm glad the last major event at work is finally over! Yeah! Sat's video and web training was interesting. Learnt lots of new things. Looking forward for more on Mon! :)

To a brand new week! Woohoo!

{Awesome Christmas Banquet!}

2010-12-04T18:44:00.001+08:00

We had so much fun taking photos at the Christmas Banquet this year. The "Touched by an Angel" Photo corner was a hit!

Some simple door gifts. A gold angel accessory for your Christmas tree. Everyone gets a different prayer card too!

We bought most of the accessories from Tekka Mall. So fun!

Here's the scroll I made, put into good use :)

Beautiful angels on my left & on my right!

Look! I'm floating and I'm no David Blane!

I love working with these girls!

Awww... I love this pic!

Here's the Angel Accessories Table. This table was a hit!

{Scrapbooking @ Work! Woo Hoo!}

2010-12-02T18:25:00.001+08:00

We'll be having our annual Christmas Banquet tomorrow. For the first time in the history of the school, we are having a "dress code".

We cleverly set a "religiously moral" dress code, 'Touched by an Angel". Come in something white, something light. Add a touch of glitter, some sparkle and gold dust....

Sounds nice and easy... but finding the right outfit was a challenge because we have to be "modestly" dressed. Nothing too low, nothing too revealing, nothing to bare... woah... really tough.

Eventually, I'll be going in a simple white dress and hopefully Shu Uemura would do a good enough job for the eye make-up and hair by one of the salons. God... please....

We're really looking forward to this event. We bought angel wings, halos, silver hats and lots of other accessories for people to accessorize themselves and take some memorable photos tomorrow evening. Looking forward to set up the angel-themed accessories table tomorrow.

I made 2 scrolls in offiice today. Yes, I brought my distress ink and stuff!!

This is the smaller scroll. 9am x 7cm with a safety pin behind. Yes, someone's actually contemplating to put this on. Not sure how it'll look, but I had fun making it anyway :)

This is an A4 sized scroll. Added more glitter on this one. Love the feathers too! Running out of feathers. Need to buy more!

It's a simple project, but I really had fun making it. This will be part of the accessory items on the table :)

Not Getting It Done

2010-11-28T20:14:00.000+08:00

Can you believe it? The Christmas cards are still seating on my desk??? Such a procrastinator. Gotta get it posted this week!

{Tis' the Season 2B Jolly}

2010-11-23T22:39:00.000+08:00

Made some really simple Christmas cards for my relatives. Just wanted to do some quick scrap therapy without overdoing it...

Here are some really quick and easy-to-make pieces for this Christmas! Finally took out one Christmas stamp to use ha ha ha...

Plugging In

2010-11-23T22:29:00.001+08:00

I feel like a battery being plugged in to a source and being charged up week by week. It sure does lift up one's spirit! Woo hoo!

It has been an exciting three weeks. Every week, I go to church with great excitement and anticipation. God speaks! God reveals! God moves! He releases visions! People bursting out in tongues. Angel sightings! It's beyond what I can describe.

As what the pastor terms it, their church is in a revival and under an open heaven!!! It sure is exciting to be plugged in, even though I'm just visiting.

{My "clients" Ha ha ha}

2010-11-13T13:55:00.000+08:00

I've been trying out different hair-dos for willing parties who would allow me to trial on their hair. Most of whom have warned me against posting their images online ha ha ... so I didn't. But here's some that won't reveal who they are... I had fun!

Since I returned from our Japan trip, I've been trying this Japanese bun. It's fun to see how we can create a poofed up bun even if we have very little or thin hair :) I've tried with different hair types. It works! And there's more than 1 way to create this! So fun right!

Here's one that was improvised. It's suppose to be one of those where the pleats run past the forehead but her hair was too short, so I tried it at the back instead. Nice!

This was a challenge! Bun with shoulder length hair. I guess with the messy-look "in" style right now, this could work :) I used the scrungy to poof up the little bun from the rather short hair. I think this looks ok for starters :)

And this was my first manicure "client" ha ha ha.. I tried what I saw my manicurist did and can pass right?

For those who know me, they would be careful to let me do their hair or nails, coz I'm known to be careless, rough and not very neat. Ha ha ha.. So I applaud those who have trusted their head and hands to me with no stress at all... thank you!!! :D

{Rest Day}

2010-11-13T13:50:00.000+08:00

I love off-in-lieu! That doesn't mean I enjoy working on weekends. It just means I enjoy not having to work on weekdays ha ha ha!

Had the priviledge to enjoy my OIL yesterday and my cousin, K, came over to hang out. We did some scrapbooking and had a fun time just laughing when we watched some tv programme. It's different to have someone laugh with the same things as you are laughing in a more than "ha ha" manner. Like, we were REALLY laughing. I think it runs in the family. We stretch ourselves the same way. We love to laze in bed the same way and we find silly things funny in the same way! Love my dear cousin!

Here's a lil something she did at my place... glad she enjoyed it. We were both just staring at it after we completed the 3 hours project (so slow right both of us ha ha) and said.. hm... it's nice lor ha ha ha...

{Better Late Than Never :D}

2010-11-05T16:45:00.000+08:00

Praise the Lord for public holidays! Totally slept-in today! Feels great!!!

Made a simple tag for my dear friend. Someone's visiting her in R. and I finally got this done in time to pass it to her. It's been 2 years late!!!!

She's an awesome girl! Such an encourager, always so positive and ever ready to pray when I need support. No matter who she becomes, she's alway the lovely girl that I knew and I know. Sincere. Humble. Loving.

(October - Mixed Up}

2010-10-31T17:47:00.000+08:00

It's been such a long time since I did anything blog-worthy. Dad is finally discharged last Thursday. Praise the Lord his wounds are recovering very well. Thank you all who kept him in prayer!

We've had an amazingly blessed Ladies' Conference and Marriage & Family Conference on Fri and Sat. Speakers were awesome. Learnt many practical tips from them. Will provide the link to the free downloads once we get it up. Listen to them, you will be blessed, I'm sure! Even if you are single, or not a parent yet, it sets you in the right place for it.

We've got 3 more days of Life in the Spirit seminar to go for the month of November. Then it's December with Christmas Banquet and some web training for me. It's a pretty intense 2 months.

When will I have time to scrap? So many beautiful pictures from Japan, but so little time to do what I want to do. Have in mind some projects for friends, but I've simply no time to stop and devote time to scrapbooking :( I need another long holiday! Ha ha ha...

October has been a mixed month. First two weeks were fun-filled holidays! Next two weeks we were kept busy with hospital trips. And now, work's picking up really quickly.

I want to be joyfully busy. I'm tired, but I'm not frustrated. I'm busy but not drowning. I was anxious about dad but yet there was an unspoken peace.

My Prayer:
Lord, grant me strength and grace to go through the months ahead. I will stay joyful because the joy of the Lord is my strength. I will be refreshed and restored because the Lord is my comfort and my shield!

{How to do ur eye make up}

2010-10-24T20:24:00.002+08:00

Watch this. Their make up skills r amazingly SCARY. Lol
Have a fun filled monday !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ImaaS2-MY&sns=em

{Awake n Hungry}

2010-10-21T00:13:00.000+08:00

FIL went thru a major operation on Monday. It was a heart wrenching sight when we saw him after the ops in ICU.

Today's the third day. Praise God he has been moved to a normal ward. Thank u all who prayed with us.

Haven't had the opportunity to do any scrap projects. Don't really know where to start.

I'm really suppose to be asleep right now but i'm wide awake. Not just that. I m also Super hungry right now! Debating if i should allow the hunger to wear itself out thru the night or risk the extra kilos with a packet of instant noodles with eggs, slurp!!

What do i really feel like eating now?
- prawn noodle soup with lots of chillie
- hor fun with prawns n scallops
- black char tao kuay with lots of eggs

Enough!!! Urgh ....

{Scrap shopping from U.S. sites!}

2010-10-16T14:00:00.000+08:00

The US$ is rather low at this point. If you are considering to place any scrapbook orders from US, now is the time! http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/

I would, I would, if only I could. I'm officially out of scrap storage space! I have to start using what I've bought and stop buying still I clear the existing stuff out. HELP!!!!

Saw this while browsing online, such a sweet piece!

http://www.filipinasoul.com/2007/09/filipina-among-the-2008-memory-makers-masters/

{Osaka}

2010-10-16T13:52:00.000+08:00

There's just so many fun things to see and eat in Japan, despite the fact that we don't fancy raw food. Yes! There's more to eat than raw food!

I've been flooding my blog with photos from this trip, ok ok, no more :) More photos available on facebook.

I'm seriously contemplating to do a scrap album for Japan but I'm not quite sure where to get started and how to select the pix coz' there's more than a thousand pictures!!! Any suggestions?

Our last stop for this trip: Osaka!

The famous Glico man billboard in Osaka!

My jeans, socks and sneakers were soaking wet from the rain. Bought a skirt and a pair of boots. Trying to look creatively Japanese here lol...

This is the takoyaki snack. I love it, but that's just me, everyone else seems to find it so so only :(

We got to design, select our preferred flavor and 4 of our choice ingredients for these 4 cup noodles at the Ramen Museum. Isn't it cool?

The winning design goes to.... (drum roll)

In case you can't read what M wrote "Lim Peh's" followed by the print "My Cup Noodle" Lol... The repressed ah-beng is surfacing! NoooooOOOOoooooo...

S$6/person just to dress in this ridiculously funny outfit! We had fun actually...

And the winning picture goes to.... (drum roll)

This photo generated so many comments on my facebook. Lol...

Hmmm......

Cup noodle comes with a piece of tender, roast pork!

Osaka Castle Museum

The one and only cosplay character I saw :(, one is better than none :)

{Kyoto - Land of Geishas}

2010-10-15T19:48:00.000+08:00

Lots of touristy Japanese shops in Kyoto.

Geisha sightings!

Nishi Market

Believe it or not this is tempura chicken but it actually taste like good quality fish or tender squid. It is delicious!

The most disgusting tasting bowl of Ramen I had in Japan. Not as spicy as it looks and the combination of spices is just bad. Imagine curry powder, dried chillie, fresh chillie, chillie oil, chillie paste all mixed together in a raw kind of taste. Yucks! It's suppose to be Japan's spicest Ramen... Disgusting!

My Japanese scrungy :) One look, they'd know I'm a tourist. It's like wearing the orchid shirt and walk around Orchard Rd ha ha ha..

Gion. Nice little area. Very traditional looking.

Not a big fan of Kyoto. Very touristy. I think spotting the Geishas made this Kyoto trip complete. 2 days would be MORE than enough.

{More Food and Sights as We Journey to Hakone!}

2010-10-15T19:18:00.003+08:00

The best black sesame mochi ever! See the amt of filling!!!! So nice!!!

This Japanese biscuit looks really good, coz he grills it when you order. But it taste like soya sauce. yucks!

Our traditional Japanese dinner served in our dining room. That's just part of the spread. There was sashimi, tempayaki beef, shabu shabu pork, steamed chicken, special cod fish with beans and so much more! It was a really interesting dinner...

O... and the highlight is that shell thing you see in the video but I couldn't load it here. It was squirming and twisting and turning as it was being cooked alive! EEEewwww!!!

Crab meat Gyoza - very delicious - sweet and juicy crab meat.

Gyoza Chinese noodle - delicious soup base and noodle texture.

Fried octopus... slurp!

All found at Hakone's Gyoza Centre... tucked away little eatery.

After all these delicious food let's enjoy some sights of Hakone:

Yeikan Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Guesthouse)

From the door way to our unit. Right ahead is our bedroom. On the left is the dining room. On the right is the toilet and pantry. Just before our bedroom, there is a stairway down that leads to our very own attached hotspring onsen and bath area... VERY NICE!

24-hours hot spring onsen... the water is really hot! But absolutely relaxing. From where we sit in the onsen, we get a "mountain view". There's no glass to the window, so it's fresh mountain air :)

Here's the stairway down from our bedroom to our attached onsen.

Very interesting traditional style shower with a modern twist.

Our "kimono robes".

So manly right Lol... hilarious!

Venetien Glass Museum - mixing glass crystal plants with real garden plants. A beautiful sight!

Beautiful place! We even spotted a hummingbird that is half the size of my index finger! The video is too long for upload!! So cute!

Such a beautiful sight. You see that arc-area on the right? It's made up of endless glass crystals. Quite an impressive sight here, but the photo doesn't really show it!

A tree made of glass crystals

Like a little cottage, I like :)

Love the weather! Perfect! Air con temperature with light breeze.. nice!

Hakone Outdoor Museum

M and his quiet sense of humor!

If I were 12 years and below, I would be on that thing and in the net! Looks like so much fun!

This is really cool! It's a projector video. You see M's projected shadow on the right. When he hits on those white droplets on the projection it burst into beautiful flower petals. It's fun even for the adults!

I'm in Little Miffy's Home!

I like Hakone for its laid back, relaxing, slow pace. It's a joy to walk around this little town. 2 days would be better. So much more things that we missed seeing! Sure wouldn't mind coming back to Hakone! Ichiban! And that attached onsen is a luxury!

{Tokyo - Oishi! All About Eating!}

2010-10-15T18:52:00.001+08:00

Every simple bento meal from the food hall comes nicely wrapped in paper, stickers, inserted into paper bags and plastic bags. They even prepare for you chopstics and wet tissue. This was our first bento meal.

Crab claw - real crab meat... sweet and juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. The thing I didn't like about their food hall meals is that the food is all cold... so, yucks.

Gogyo Black Miso Ramen - don't be deceived by it's plain looks. It's ramen texture is just right and the soup base is... ... hm.... MUST try! Fragrant roasted pork taste... absolutely savory!

This is what the Gogyo Ramen shop looks like from the outside. Nicely tucked away in a very unlikely location. We nearly missed it, even though we were just at the building next to it.

Hotstone White Miso Ramen... Mmmmmm.... fragrant miso smell but taste of sweet pork bone, clear soup that is not too salty... excellent and it comes with 1.5 special Jap eggs - completely cooked egg white with 1/2 cooked egg yolk OMG!!!!

Bento Boxes, so pretty right...

Make your own Japanese pancake. So fun!

Freshly bakes melon bun. Sweet and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy (like cotton wool) on the inside with a subtle but fragrant taste of melon. AMAZINGLY good! The best snack I've had on this trip! Unfortuantely, I only had the opportunity to eat one of these. All the others that they sell at the bakery is not nice, has to be this particular store:

This is so cheap! Half the price of what they sell here. Bought a box and finished it at our trip! Lol... grapefruit tasting collegen drink from Fancl... girls, remember to get this first thing you reach Japan!

Delicious yakitori grilled right b4 your eyes under the tracks of Ueno station. A different experience! We like it! Beef, pork, chicken (Pork mix really means: kidney, intestines, liver etc)... you do pork then slap your arm... they will know you mean pork meat lol)...

I love it that they have caffaine free coke! I can drink and sleep at night! Woo hoo!!

This is like Udon tempura, yong tau fu style. You pick what you like and select the type of noodles you want. At one point, the food court at Raffles Place was serving this and we loved it! But it's no longer there :( This was at Gotemba Premium Outlet Food Court.

Don't underestimate this plate of vending machine curry katsu don. It taste so "home cooked"! I love it! Cheap and good!

Mark's choice of vending machine meal: Soba noodles with a small bowl of Katsu Don. You get the best of both worlds at one price!

Fresh, large, grilled scallop at Tsukji Market... Oishi! Sweet, juicy and scallopy! Hmmm....

This deserves two shots because it's so good!

The best takoyaki balls with egg mayonaise, only found at Tokyo Dome! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with a generous portion of sotong, topped with my fav egg mayo!!

Ah... my every night ice cream from the 7-11 near our hotel. So huge, M and I shares one... chocolate with cookie crumbles waffle ice cream... so nice!

See, just Tokyo alone, so many fav!!!

Most of my friends think it's a pity I did not eat any sashimi or try any raw food. Well, I have an excellent excuse. I'm allergic to raw food. My lips swell up when I take them. Valid right? Well, the truth is also, I really like my food cooked, very cooked :)

{Favourite Sights In Tokyo}

2010-10-13T18:44:00.000+08:00

There were so many interesting sights and beautiful places, here's what we liked best!

Ginza: Roads were closed to vehicles on Saturdays. Even little birdie knows it!

Brands at Ginza don't just go by boutiques, they go by buildings!

Not quite sure what this was, but it was a beautiful sight. Tea light candles lighted up the place!

Love the overall atmosphere at Harajuku. It's like Far East Plaza outdoors! It wasn't that bad going through the crowd as it seems! Perhaps because the weather was cool and breezy, it was really nice to just walk through and soak in the culture and street fashion in Tokyo!

One thing I love in Japan, their boots! So cheap and nice! Such a waste that I bought one in Singapore for this trip, which I never wore. Should have just kept that money and spend it here! :(

Vroom vroom! Fwah... heads turned when this driver zoomed past!

Teenagers practicing their rope jumping techniques. Pretty cool! Looks fun too!

Ebisu Garden Park. The photos do injustice to this place. In reality, it looks like what R describes as "Cinderella's castle". Beautiful place.

I realised my legs were shaking after we got off this ride. I've done this in Goldcoast and I loved it. I wonder why this time it got me all stirred up...

I've sat on countless roller coaster rides across the globe. Each time I went back for me.

I've been defeated at Tokyo Dome's Thunder Dolphine. I was so terrified I didn't want to do it again!

Why? This goes through a building and plunge down towards moving traffic and people! It's horrifying, considering I don't even like to cross overhead bridges...

There you go... our favourite sights in Tokyo!

{Indulge}

2010-10-09T03:11:00.000+08:00

Went to J's Salon for a hair spa session the day before. Totally indulgent but it was OH SO RELAXING!!

While waiting for the treatment to work itself into ur sculp, the therapist gives u a head, neck n shoulder massage until the treatment is done. Oh my! It was so relaxing i fell asleep. This is even more relaxing than a massage session n it treats ur hair n sculp at the same time!

They used the 'Hot towel' trick that the Tokyo Salon did. Ahhhh.... I like it!

There's even a drink menu for u to select 2 drinks for the entire treatment. Hot chocolate was good!

Couple of things bothered me:
1. Requested for additional foot reflexology which was a total waste of money. Feels like she was rubbing oil onto my feet than massaging it right.

2. Some of the staff were chatting outside. Kinda disrupts the peace n rest. This made me miss the Tokyo hair experience. They even had their staff to babysit one of the client's kid so that their client can enjoy the whole experience. Staff were professional n kept chattering to a minimum. Excellent!

{Kawaii = Cute!!}

2010-10-06T21:38:00.000+08:00

I think these are girls who did the dress up in Kimono for a day thingy. I might be wrong... but they sure don't look traditional other than the kimono lol :) Love the colors!

{Geisha Spottings @ Pontocho, Kyoto}

2010-10-06T21:30:00.000+08:00

During that one evening at Pontocho, we spotted 3 Geishas, seemingly to be rushing off to their appointments. Of which, we managed to video 2 brief videos.

Wanted to upload two but it took forever for it to be uploaded, so I guess this one would suffice :) They all look the same anyway, white face, dainty look in their beautiful kimonos... running, running, running as if they were late for an appointment... Enjoy!

{Get a Customised Itinerary Wiithout Investing Time Into the Research & Planning!}

2010-10-06T21:20:00.002+08:00

I've friends who can travel spontaneously without itinerary. I also have another group of friends who are like me: we need to know where we are going and what we are doing when... whether we do it or not is another thing lol. Basically when I travel, I need an itinerary, but I don't have time for research and planning. This is where the travel planner comes into place.

We hired the services of Reve Planner, Pamela. She basically plans a tailornade itinerary with instructions and details on how to get from one place to another.

Check out her website at http://www.reveplanner.com/

Tip: We gave her details of exactly what we wanted to see, how much budget we have overall, what type of budget we have for food, things we like to eat, what we would like to experience, what kind of travelling style we like (Eg shop and eat, nature vs historical and sight-seeing etc). And she works out the details for you. Just be sure to tell her what you like and not like. If there's anything that you are not sure of ask. Ask. Ask. Ask. Communicate with her. And leave the rest to her :)

She will meet up with you once to take a brief from you. Then another 1 or 2 times to run through a detailed brief to explain the route and how to get from one place to another. Ask as many questions as you can so that there's no missing links. It takes two to tango, so just tango all the way!

It could be overwhelming with all the details and facts to remember, writing them down and having another person to listen with you is most helpful.

With her recommendations, we've tasted really interesting Ramen like Black Miso Ramen, found the grilled scallop stall at Tsukji Market, eaten yakitori under the rail track and so much more! Some of which, even friends residing in Tokyo were not aware until we shared with them. It made our trip to Japan so much more interesting!

Have fun the RevePlanner way!

{10 Day Japan Itinerary}

2010-10-06T21:13:00.000+08:00

We're back. It'll be so much easier to upload and blog from a proper laptop vs iphone!! So here goes!!!

Our 10D Japan Trip

Day 1 Ginza / Check in to Hotel/ Rest/ Roppongi

Arrive Tokyo Nartia Airport. Take a train to Hatchobori Station. Take a cab to Hotel Villa Fontain Hatchobori. Our room comes with a foot massage, which is really helpful after a long day's walk.
Drop Luggage. Take train to Ginza. Walk.Shop. Tired - Nippon Airway flight was cheaper than the Japan Airline flight but the journey was superbly uncofortable. Seats were tight. Eewww...
Ginza is a conglomorate of high end boutiques. In fact, they don't go by boutiques, they go buy buildings!
Check in to the Hotal at 3pm. Freshen up and left for dinner at Roppongi.
Gogyo Ramen - (Black miso ramen) An abosolute must try! Roast pork fragrance without the lard... I like! I love it actually! Very unique taste. Something different in a very pleasant way.

Day 2 Harajuku / Omotesando / Shibuya

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Unforgetably comfortable and relaxing. Love the cut too! Set up a hair cut and color appointment at Plus Lounge, Harajuku. Look for Ryoco Kikukawa. They speak minimal English. Better to have what you want ready translated in Japanese or just show pictures of the type of styles and colors you are going for. (Hint, google's translator makes little sense to them. It seems the usage of words are mostly incorrect :D A japanese friend might be a good help or just show pictures). http://plus-lounge.com/ Email: info@plus-lounge.com Tel: 03-3401-5155
Lunch at this place that I have no idea where it is lol - but it's a very nice claypot Ramen. It might be at Omotesando. Yummy! It's just beside Body Shop, with a little stairway going down to the Ramen shop.
Walk. Shop. See. Buy. Love Tokyu Hands! Take pictures at the famous Shibuya Crossing. Snap a pix with the loyal Hatchiko dog.
Love Harajuku! Street Fashion. Young, fun, interesting!
Omotesando and Shibuya is very much like our Orchard Road.
Shinjuku - I honestly can't recall what we did there.
Dinner was excellent. But I can't remember the place too!!! I will check and upate later :P It's a place where you get to make your own Japanese pancake and there is a lil store that sells the best polo bun ever! MUST TRY! Sweet and crispy on the outside, warm, light and fluffy on the inside! Wish I had a chance to eat it once more!

Day 3 Tsukiji Market / Harajuku / Ueno

We didn't make it to the Tuna auction at 430am... too early! But we did visit Tsukiji market and found the stall with the "grumpy lady" who sells excellent grilled shell fish. Ooooo the big big scallops are so yummy!
Went back to Harajuku for more shopping :)
Dinner at Ueno was interesting. Had yakitori under the rail tracks with beer drinking Japanese.

Day 4 Gotemba Premium Outlet / Ebisu

Day trip to Gotemba. Didn't buy much, but we did get a few good steals.
Went to Ebisu. There's this lil park like Chijmes in Singapore. Ebisu Garden Park - nice! Like Cinderella's castle! Nice place to get married :)
Had a humble vending machine dinner at one of the eateries... hmmmm... delicious! Cheap and good!

Day 5 Tokyo Dome City / Ginza / Pack

Personally I feel just buying individual rides at Tokyo Dome would be enough. 2 rides. Thunder Dolphine and the one that plunges down from a great height. We bought the 1 day pass but hardly made use of it. Scariest roller coaster I've taken because it's outdoors, through a building and you see moving people and cars below. Quite an experience.
Lunch - Tako balls at Tokyo Dome is the best I've eaten in Japan! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Topped with Egg Mayo... best!!!!
Went back to Ginza for a last time. Bought cup noodles from a nearby convenient stall and enjoyed a simple meal back in the hotel.
Pack and get ready to head to Hakone the next day!

Day 6 Tokyo/ Hakone

Upon check out, arrange for one luggage to be delivered from Tokyo directly to Osaka so that we dont' have to drag it along with us for the next 3 days! Excellent service! Hotel can arrange for this. Inform them during check in.
Take a train to Hakone.
Hakone, slow down, relax enjoy. Yaeikan Ryokan with attached Onsen. Really relaxing. Not the best Ryokan in Hakone I believe, but it was good enough for us. Very interesting because it's those old Japanese style unit. And you have your very own attached onsen - you can dip as many times as you want with mountain view... super relaxing. Comes with dinner and breakfast. Try the Hakone black rabbit black seaseme mochi - SUPER good! Regret that we didn't buy some home from here. We thought we could get them at the airport :(
Check in at 3pm and we didn't leave the Ryokan coz' the Onsen is just so......... relaxing!

Day 7 Hakone / Kyoto

Checked out in the morning. Left our luggage in the hotel and went sight seeing around Hakone with the free bus pass.
Visited the Venetian Glass Museum and Open Air Museum. Didn't have time for the famous Ropeway and Lake Ashi Cruise. One more day in Hakone would be good! Loved the Glass Museum, the Open Air Museum would be fun for kids! Lunch at Gyoza Centre... love the crab meat Gyoza and Chinese noodles. Yummy!
Must try the black rabbit black seaseme mochi here, excellent! (You can't find it at the airport, so buy it while you see it!)
Took a train to Kyoto. We boarded the local instead of the Super Express train. :( Oh well, we landed in the same place at a longer time.
Checked in to Citadines Kyoto Karasuma at Gojo. Excellent location. Love the apartment. As with all hotels in Tokyo, small but complete with a nice, clean bathtub, and kitchen. I like this hotel the best.
Had dinner near our hotel - vending machine dinner - Ramen. It was satisfactory.
Rest. Had a long day.

Day 8 Nishi Market/ Gion / Pontocho

One night is enough for Kyoto. Highlight would be to visit Pontocho in the evening and try to spot Geishas, which we did.
Kyoto is also a place where tourists would get dressed in Kimonos and walk around in them... will show a few videos on that.
Had lunch at Omen Nippon. Udon with a tasty twist. We love it!
Tons of traditional snacks.
That's about it, not much excitement here.
Had dinner in a yaki tori restaurant. Had the acclaimed "spicest" Ramen which was not very spicy and taste terrible :)
Pack for Osaka.

Day 9 Kyoto/ Osaka

Check out. Take train to Osaka.
Leave luggage at Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi. Right smack at the shopping area. Amazing location.
Check that our luggage from Tokyo arrived safely :)
Walked around Shinsaibashi which is like endless street shopping.
Checked in to hotel at 3pm. Freshen up and headed out again.
Just walk along this stretch, it will take you all the way to Namba.
This is the the place where takoyaki originated from. Tons of it everywhere.
Lots of street food, cute snacks like takoyaki ball snacks etc.
The one and Glico shop we've found during this trip. Interesting snack place. Love the ice cream vending machine.
Keep walking, shopping and eating :)
Walk more and you will reach Namba - The Ahkihabara of Osaka. This is where all the IT and tech gadgets can be found and also where you might get to see people dressed in their cosplay outfits.

Day 9 Ando Instant Ramen Museum / Osaka Castle Park / Namba

Although we don't understand the facts listed in the Museum, it was fun designing our own cup noodle. Very interesting experience. Love it!
Had cup noodle lunch at the Museum - wah, it comes with a big piece of char siew... amazing what they have in their cup noodles.
Osaka Castle - Long walk but interesting. For 300 yen per person you get to dress up in a simple Kimono outfit with flower hair accessories and have as many pictures taken as you like. Love this, cheap and good!
Headed to Namba because we didn't have time to cover more of that area yesterday.
Walked from Namba through to Shinsaibashi - just eating as much as we can of the snacks we love before we head home the next day.

Day 10 Osaka (Transit Tokyo) / Singapore

Home sweet home.

{Blend in or blend thru?}

2010-10-03T23:59:00.000+08:00

My jeans were soaking wet from ankle dowm because of the rain.

And bcoz my jeans was wet, my socks n my sneakers were wet. Eeewww.

Forecasted to be rainy tomorrow. Bought a skirt so that i don't have to wear my floor dragging jeans n get it all dirty n wet again...

The problem: the skirt looks ridiculous with my sneakers.

The Jap influenced side of me nearly just wanted to put on the brown skirt with my red measles looking socks n sneakers. Afterall everyone else is dressed strangely. Nothing matches n nobody cares.

The Singaporean side of me said no ;)

Wonder how to match this tomorrow lol

{iphone's Fault}

2010-10-03T23:00:00.000+08:00

Just realised there's tons of typo in the earlier posts. Blame it on the iphone. ;)

{Osaka: Snack Paradise!}

2010-10-03T22:56:00.001+08:00

Mark is a happy boy today. We went tp his 'surprise' glico store to get pocky boxes!!!

There's hardly any interesting snacks in Tokyo n Kyoto. It seems it's all here in Osaka!! Takoyaki flavoured biscuits, super delicious caramel crusted cream puff n so much more!!!

{God's Favour All The Way!}

2010-10-03T22:50:00.000+08:00

Today another amazing incident happened.

We bought the 2D free pass in osaka n i forgot to take it on the way out.

After a few hours i realised n went back to shin osaka station info counter to purchase new tix.

The lady who helped us in the morning served us again. She charged us for the second card. Just b4 we left she asked if we checked with shinsaibashi station to see if they kept my card.

I was sure someone would have taken it but the the syation master actually kept the card!

The lady refunded us the money, wrote a note for us to claim our card at shinsaibashi. Woo hoo!!! Is that favour or what?! God is good n so r the Japanese... Such honest people!

{Hakone Ryokan Stay @ Yaeikan Part 3}

2010-10-02T00:41:00.000+08:00

This was suppose to be the highlight dish, but i couldn't eat it. I watched it being cooked alive, squirming n crawling for dear life n blistering up. It's gross!! Caught it on video. Will load it when we get back!

{Hakone Ryokan Stay @ Yaeikan Part 2}

2010-10-02T00:38:00.000+08:00

{Hakone Ryokan Stay @ Yaeikan Part 1}

2010-10-02T00:36:00.001+08:00

{Hakone Ryonkan Stay}

2010-10-02T00:30:00.001+08:00

We left Tokyo city n stayed in Hakone for a night. It was a shiokalicious experience!

We stayed at a Ryokan, traditional japanese hotel, Yeikan.

We were a lil disappointed when we arrived.

Looks like nobody's there. Very quiet. Looks quite small from the exterior. For the amt we paid for a one night stay, our hearts sank.

But once we were shown to our 'Stateroom with attached onsen with mountain view' we were happy like little kids! It's like living in ur very own traditional Japanese house with an onsen n shower area downstairs. We had our own dining room, where dinner n breakfast was served to us in there. Slept in futon mattresses which were surprisingly comfortable. Dinner was a feast. So was breakfast. We loved this room. Went to the onsen so many times!

There is however one major set back. The aircon in our room would 'growl' randomly at night. It kept M up the whole night. I slept right thru.

Other than that, it was an awesome experience!

{Caught Red-handed!}

2010-09-29T20:21:00.000+08:00

Oops!!! This is suppose to be a women only cabin during peak hour. What is HE doing amongst the ladies????

Oh well, we are tourists - excused.

During peak hours, when everyone's packed like sardine, it makes sense to have a women only cabin.

{Cute 'Japanese' Man}

2010-09-29T20:17:00.000+08:00

Some of u told me to bring back a kawaii jap man for u.

Well, this is the cutest man i've seen in tokyo, i'm not kidding!

He's taken. Lol.

{ONCE Is Enough}

2010-09-29T20:10:00.000+08:00

Today, I was 'freaked out' by the thunder dolphine ride.

I'm usually a go-getter with roller coaster rides, but this one freaked me out.

1. I was only strapped waist down... Felt completely insecure. It's just me. I need to be strapped from shoulders down to feel secure ;P

2. I could see the buildings, a busy road with cars n people... Scary!!! I'd rather be in a dark tunnel!!!

M was very brave. He said "ok what quite interesting..." aw... My hero!!!

{28-9-2010: Gotemba/Ebisu}

2010-09-28T23:11:00.000+08:00

{Praise the Lord for a Highly Favored Trip!}

2010-09-28T23:05:00.000+08:00

Vending machine dinner. Nice!

Today we missed our bus to Gotemba Premium Outlet because we got lost in Shinjuku station.

Praise God for favor!! They didn't allow us to change to the later departure n said we had to buy new tickets. Just when we were going to make payment, he decided that he would change the tickets for us at no charge!!!!

So we managed to get to Gotemba by noon n had more than enough time there ;)

Ended our day with dinner at a vending machine food outlet. Curry katsu don .... mmmm... Yummy. Cheap. Fast. Tasty!

Ros directed us to Ebisu Garden which was beautiful. Small place, maybe like Chijmes. There's this restaurant that looks like what Ros described as the 'Cinderella Castle'. It's beautiful!!

Today, we said our goodbyes... Till Mar 2011, see u again my dear friend!!

{Praise God for Favor!}

2010-09-28T23:02:00.000+08:00

Today we missed our bus to Gotemba Premium Outlet because we got lost in Shinjuku station. We ran all the way only to find out it's the wrong exit. (Muscles are aching now.)

BUT Praise God for favor!! The tickent attendant didn't allow us to change to the later departure n said we had to buy new tickets. Just when we were going to make payment, he decided that he would change the tickets for us at no charge!!!!

So we managed to get to Gotemba by noon n had more than enough time there ;)

Ended our day with dinner at a vending machine food outlet. Curry katsu don .... mmmm... Yummy. Cheap. Fast. Tasty!

Ros directed us to Ebisu Garden which was beautiful. Small place, maybe like Chijmes. There's this restaurant that looks like what Ros described as the 'Cinderella Castle'. It's beautiful!!

Today, we said our goodbyes... Till Mar 2011, see u again my dear friend!!

{hair mystery - solved}

2010-09-27T23:40:00.001+08:00

Those who read my earlier entries about the hair experience in tokyo r all curious how i look now. Actually after i washed my hair, look the same lo ha ha ha.

Unless i cut from long to short or perm it, it won't look very different lol. I wanted to perm like what the stylist had but didn't have time ;(

But it's the whole experience that's so different. it's something i don't think i can find in singapore... We r just not there yet.

{27 Sept - pt2}

2010-09-27T23:27:00.001+08:00

Today i found out why so many people use the transparent umbrella.

When the wind blew n it was raining, i covered myself with my umbrella. Then revelation came ... I cannot see what's ahead lol

Check out the famous transparent umbrella. Even grandpas use them ;)

{27 Sep - pt 1}

2010-09-27T23:22:00.000+08:00

{25/9/2010-Food}

2010-09-26T22:27:00.000+08:00

Lunch - claypot ramen with white miso soup. Yichiban!! So savory n yummy!!

Dinner - bbq pancake n noodles n some gooey stuff. Nice! But more importantly the girls had fun cooking!

We had the worst sour plum drink ever. First, it taste like alcohol. Then u realise it's soda water. Then later it taste like bad medicine!!

Snack - melon bun. We saw some girls walking by raving about this polo looking bun in their hands. We decided to buy one n share it amongst 6 of us.

When i wad breaking it into pieces it felt so good i knew it would taste great and it did! We ended up buying 4 more!!! So delucious!! It's hot, crispy on on the outside n super soft on the inside with a hint of melon taste! Wah best bread ever eaten!! Sweet n yummy n ...

I'm just so happy today!

{Mind-blowing Hair Cut}

2010-09-26T22:18:00.000+08:00

We had yet another amazing day today!

For me it was fulfilling one of the things i wanted to try at least once in my life. Actually after this once, i want to do it more often!!

I had my first hair-experience in Tokyo! If u ever visit this place n u r not sure what to do, GO EXPERIENCE a haircut in Japan!! It's just so different!! They look into every detail n handle ur hair with such great care it really amazes me. Even just to pay for a wash n blow, it's worth it!

And u know what? It cost less than what i spend in Singapore!

Why is it so different?

1. B4 they even start coloring, they put on small shower-cap like plastic to cover ur ears.

2. They apply some sculp protecting treatment on ur head - so cool right. Singapore they don't do it unless u pay for a sculp treatment.

3. When they color ur hair, they r so gentle at handling it, u can barely feel them doing anything to it.

4. They don't just apply once n mess up ur face with spots of dye. They r extremely careful that not one spot is on ur face n colors it in stages. In between, they even have this steamer that works like a hair dryer. When they did, i really felt it was a total hair pampering experience.

5. Wait till u sit on the chair to rinse off the shampoo. It reclines with a touch of a button!

6. Oh my! here's the best part. They cover ur face with a good quality tissue. N the best hair washing experience begins. I was so relaxed i could sleep!! It's not like our regular head massage n hair wash in Singapore.

The way they do it is so different but oh so good!!!! I really can't describe it. Even the way she lifts ur head is amazing. She does it such that u feel she's placing her finger tips at the right pressure points... Wah... Really unexpected!

7. When all is done, they use this hot towel to press on the side of ur face to soak up the dripping water. But more than it's purpose, it feels really good!! Then just when u thought that's it, the ultimate happens. She lifts up ur head so gently n puts the hot towel down. When ur neck touches the hot towel, it's an ultimate meltpoint. I never knew a simply thing like hot towel would make such a big difference.

8. Even the way they dry ur hair is like a skilled massage therapy. Then when ur hair is no longer dripping wet, the chair moves back into the upright position.

This hair-washing experience alone was totally mind-blowing!! My description totally underdescribes how wonderful it is.

9. Finally, she takes so much care at cutting, i totally respect the way she makes my hair feel pampered n respected ;) lol

After the cut, i love it!!!

And the best part. Coz I am R's friend, i enjoyed a super big discount!!! I really paid very little for this completely amazing experience.

Thanks R for bringing me there. And our very patient husbands n R's two wonderful kids!!!

This experience makes me realise Jap stylist really know how to treat ur hair n gives u an ultimate hair experience. It's not just about the cut, it's the whole process.

Oh yes, they even provided child care service for one of their clients with a nice lil child-care corner.

Service begins right when we arrived. They take ur bag n keep it in a room so u don't have to worry about it during ur time with them.

No words can describe it well enough. Go try it for yourself!!!

{24Sep tokyo iPhone photos pt2}

2010-09-25T20:37:00.000+08:00

Wonderful dinner w r n family.

U must try it when u r here. Black Shoyo or Miso Ramen.

Didn't look too appealing. Didn't smell that great. In fact, it smells like soy sauce.

BUT when u taste it... Oh my!!! I've never tasted soup base like that b4!

The black Shoyo Ramen taste like soup with super fragrant roastef pork flavour. Really very yummy!! Even the black miso soup was yummy - strangely, no miso taste ;)

It was really funny how we found the pl. But i'm too sleepy to type further.

Going to sleep now. Big plans ahead tomorrow.

{24 Sep iPhone Photos Pt 1}

2010-09-25T20:27:00.000+08:00

At Changi Airport

{Tokyo - Ginza/Ropponggi}

2010-09-25T20:19:00.002+08:00

Today's a really long n tiring day but totally enjoyable!!!

It's pretty easy to move ard in trains, thanks to the maps fr d and the detailed briefing from p. We r confident to move around tokyo now.

Really tired now bcoz we've been up since we the morning of 24 Sep. Barely had much sleep in the plane. The seats were really small n uncomfortable. Don't think I will ever book NA again.

The 9-storey stationary shop was a lil disappointing, nothing unique.

The bento n snacks in the shopping centres r visually extremely pampering to our eyes. Everything is so well packaged, even the salad looks yummy!

It was nice to walk ard Ginza today lots of up market buildings. In Singapore we see boutiques. At Ginza they go by buildings Oooooo

By the time we checked in at 3pm we were exhausted but only had time to shower n get ready to head out again. Read more abt our night outing w r n family!!

I love how clean japan is. It's do clean that if we can't find a bin we'd bring the rubbish back with us.

Everyone is so orderly. I've never seen a country where everyone n i mean everyone standing on the left of tge escalator in a row. We do it in Singapore but not EVERYONE.

The toilets r so clean. N so far, all the public toilets that i've been to comes w a bidet system ;)

Overall, we r enjoying ourselves.

Airport

2010-09-24T23:07:00.000+08:00

I was feeling unusually happy as we arrive the airport. Went in to our fav shop and ended with two belts.

But what made me exceptionally happy was the fantastic service provided by nippon air even during check in. When we were in our fav shop, we met with the nicest sales person ever. She was such a darling. Gave us special platinum membership even though we only spent 1/5 of the required cost. M even had a special discount that he's not suppose to get! That's what i call walking in supernatural favour!!!

This has never happened to us n4 n i m really excited!! Boarding now!

{Getting closer}

2010-09-24T20:44:00.002+08:00

We r now on our way to the airport. The moon is beautiful n round.

Plan to sleep in the plane n stay awake tomorrow!!

Heard that there's no food served on board nippon air for night flights ;)

Will defintely be blogging if there's wifi in the hotel.

{Today's The Day!}

2010-09-24T16:02:00.000+08:00

Yeah! My holiday has started!!! Woo hoo!!!

We're leaving tonight for JAPAN!!!! So excited! I've been looking forward for this trip since we started planning and now it is coming to past!!

I've had really stressful time at work but at the same time, the people at work are such a blessing! We've been dearly blessed with gift, prayers and support, I feel sooooo loved!!!

Today is probably the 4th or 5th time I've repacked my clothes. Yes... once again, too many clothes.

You see... I don't get to wear boots here, so whenever I travel, and if the weather permits, I'll bring my boots along. No exception this time. But in order to bring the boots, I have to bring skinny jeans, matching tops and bags etc... In the end, I had to bring so many extra things that look good but are simply not practical for this trip. Now, I've stripped down. Just the basics. Sneakers, big bag to throw in the jacket and that's it. No boots, no fancy bags that are too small to keep things, nothing...

I actually bought the boots just for this trip. lol... (stop rolling your eyes!! :D) Looks like I'll be keeping it for the next trip.

As I'm typing this, there's thunder in the background. Pray with me that as we fly tonight, the weather will be good and in our favor. And when we land in Japan, wherever we go, there will be no rain :P!

Back to my packing. Instead of bringing one big and one small luggage, we decided it's wiser to just take 1 medium and 1 small luggage. I would think it would be easier to transport our bags up and down the trains and drag them around Japan.

So our travel itinerary is now in our hands... will be meeting Ros tomorrow in Tokyo!!!! Can't wait really!! I'm just so excited!

Till 11 Oct... this is me... signing off!

Japan, here we come!!!!!

{Japan Updates}

2010-09-19T03:07:00.000+08:00

Met up w our travel planner. Excited about the upcoming Japan trip!!!

I was a lil overwhelmed by the amt of information, instructions n directions shared. But it's good to be equipped with those information.

Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka!!!!

{Choc or Poison?}

2010-09-15T01:07:00.001+08:00

I was so stressed out this morning that I decided I should be allowed not just a starbucks ice chocolate but also a Starbucks molten chocolate cake.

Now, I'm paying the price of giving in to this wrong thought. It's 1.06am. I'm wide awake.

Is chocolate a comfort or 'poison' to me?

{RaRaRaRaMen!!!!}

2010-09-15T00:57:00.002+08:00

Visited this ramen outlet at Paragon. O my!! this must be nicest Ramen I've eaten in Singapore!!! I'm totally in live with this!!! The soup is tasty n has this 'traditional' Japanese taste lol my description is really bad lol

I don't normally eat roast pork but this is superbly lean, tender n very delicious!!!!

Must try (10 Stars)

{o dear...}

2010-09-12T06:34:00.001+08:00

6.33am, still awake. How!!!!!

{Girls' Day Out}

2010-09-12T06:18:00.001+08:00

I finally had the opportunity to meet up with my two Russian friends. Our schedule just couldn't meet.

On Thusday we met. It was Shopping day!!! We had so much fun!

Mani/padi, clothes, make up, accessories...

This is what I'd call a FUNtabulously awesome girls' day out. Shopping makes every girl happy. It makes me extremely happy ;)

Looking forward for the scrap session w yin that was postponed till after our trip. Can't wait!!P

{Ju's Bus 4}

2010-09-12T05:56:00.001+08:00

Ju's first ice cream moment. I love to see his crunched up face ;) unforgettable!!

{Ju's Bus 3}

2010-09-12T05:52:00.001+08:00

Pg 3: ju was copying m making monkey faces ;D so adorable!!! The traffic light fits so nicely in that lil corner.

{Ju's Bus 2}

2010-09-12T05:44:00.005+08:00

Pg 2: Added glitter around the tree. This is the front of the tree seen on Pg 1. Love the felt truck stickers n car buttons!!! If only the rocks on our streets are like diamonds on the felt truck...

{Ju's Bus 1}

2010-09-12T05:39:00.005+08:00

This is a 4-page mini-bus-album of my adorable, handsome nephew. Used glitter to glitz up the back of a chipboard sticker. Added buttons to add some colors to the tree, looks like apples right? ;)

{Scrapbooking}

2010-09-12T04:01:00.004+08:00

Bought a Christmas card kit n picked out some card making items for d. Realized she enjoys making cards for family n friends.

I think I'm slowly getting the hang of scrapbooking. I'm now not as lost as I was before at the start of each project. I kinda know the planning or thought process.

I used to have problem buying stuff that goes well together. After a few scrap-shopping for friends I think I'm getting the hang of it. I enjoy it actually. Anybody wanna hire a scrap-shopper??? ;)

I used to find scrapbooking a lil stressful bcoz I'd be cracking my head wondering how to get started or what to do next. I think I'm crossing over. It's relaxing n enjoyable ;)

A lot of this came from y actually. I've been so inspired by her work that it keeps me going n wanting to produce unique n beautiful pieces like she does. Each time we meet she'd share tips on how to get stuff done. I think that played a big role in helping me get my thoughts sorted out.

When I see y n g's work, I see a certain style ghat flows thru. It's been so long now, I still haven't quite found what my scrap style is. Hai...

I'm looking forward to get more projects done. My stuff are all lying in paper bags around my room bcoz my cabinets are full. So many projects to complete. So little time.

{iPhone}

2010-09-12T03:42:00.000+08:00

Love the fact that I can surf n blog anywhere, at any time. Whenever I wish.

Love the endless free apps.

Love that I can listen to my audio bible with theatrical effects wherever I go.

Love that I can watch 'Happy Together' from you tube at nite.

Love that I can play word games with my friends.

Love that there's just so much to do with this phone.

NOT loving to type on this. Nokia is still much easier.

NOT loving the fact that now m n I both spend more time on our phones than spending time with each other.

NOT loving the fact that I cam access to games n internet so easily. Really have to discipline myself from not overdoing it.

There u go, my iPhone assessment after using it for a month or so.

{Peranakan Cuisine @ Home}

2010-09-12T03:27:00.004+08:00

Gosh...it's 3.13am n I'm still wide wake, thanks to the tea n awfully chocolate rum n cherry cake. No regrets! So yummy!!!!!

We had a feast today! Celebrated D n dad's birthday in advance. We ordered peranakan dishes from an extremely talented chef.... Wa really ate till our heart's content: ayam bua keluak, sayar lodeh, Satay bohong, prawn n mango salad, pulor hitam longan.... Hm I'm hungry again!!!!

If u r looking for absolutely mouth watering peranakan food for catering to small numbers, look no further, buzz me, I'll give u the contact. U won't regret it!!

Tell u how nice the food is, he even went into fine details like adding pandan leaf to the coconut milk for the pulor hitam... Wa it's so fragrant!!! He uses different herbs to enhance the flavor of each dish. Our whole family enjoyed it tremendously.

Yummadoodlely Good!!!!

{Bus Project}

2010-09-12T03:16:00.002+08:00

I just completed my first kiddy mini-album for my super handsome nephew. I love it!!! The album is just like him so adorable ;)

Boys r boys. He just has this thing for cars, trucks, trains... Stuff that I don't remember ever playing with other than 'frying' the cars in my little cooking pan :) lol

Just bought this beautiful bus shaped chipboard album. I really like it. Allows u to display up to 4 pix on a page. Love the size as well. Works perfectly well as a display item.

Will take pictures of the album tomorrow. :)

{Cherish Your Now Moments}

2010-09-09T09:09:00.001+08:00

On Mon, I received a shocking piece of news: my friend's husband died on a work site accident.

I had So many questions: where's God's protection?

But after I heard her sharing, I had this unspoken peace, that god had prepared everything in place.

Without going into details, important documents were put in place a month ago n everything is a smooth transition now.

On the afternoon b4 the event, her hubs called her. She said it was unlike him to do so. N he shared to her about having a general feeling that life is brief. That evening he never returned home.

He fell with a fellow worker from a gondola that was on it's way down bcoz they realized something was not right with it. It never made it's way down smoothly.

In the midst of this piece of tragic news, I see God's hand in preparing the family even a month in advance. And that last call the couple had. It amazed me.

Life is brief. Spend time on people that really matters to you. Be happy. Listen to God's prompting.

{I Love to Eat!}

2010-09-04T11:29:00.002+08:00

With the new iphone, I've been stuck on this game that involves packing of burger orders. As I played, Ooooo the burgers are calling out to me.

2 days ago, I caved in to this sinful craving... we ate at Carl's Junior. Not the ideal burger, but it was good enough for now:

I had the shitake mushroom burger with beef patty, very yummy!

Yes... I popped in a generous amount of fries into my burger. Super sinful!

M had a chicken-bacon burger (honestly, I don't quite like it)

My ideal burger includes:

Juicy, succulent beef patty
Pickles
Some (yes, just some) vegetables
Fresh deep fried french fries
Some (yes, just some) deep fried bacon
Cucumber
Sliced Tomato
Honey Mustard
Topped with a sunny side up with 3/4 cooked egg yolk

And my fav. crepe stall, Saybons, at Plaza Sing basement has expanded! Instead of just a few bar stools, the now have a proper seating area! If you've not tried it you have to! It's simply mouth-watering.

fav: Seafood bisque together with a ham, cheese and mushroom crepe.

{Scrapshopping}

2010-09-03T20:56:00.003+08:00

I never thought I'd be having a scrapbook-buy conversation with R ha ha ha... I thought the mini-album would be her first and last scrapbooking project.

She entrusted me with S$100... here's what I had gotten so far, more to come!!!

I actually enjoy scrapshopping for people. Maybe that can be a new job opportunity, it's pretty fun! Spending other people's money, buying what I like!

I've been bitten by the ziplock bag bug! Everything's packed in ziplocks!!!

Pretty in pink!

Love these flowers, brads and that bubble thingy (not sure what it's called lol)

Look at the butterflies!! Added in some of my own stuff like the rub-ons that I never got to use, but I thought would fit well into this project.

This is a REAL craft envelope, unlike the fake one I bought :) Made with Love is selling loose pieces. I love that they are also selling the plastic dollies separately. Bought more of them (for myself too lol)

The chipboard that I wanted is no longer available and I can't seem to find something that is similar to that. Ended up with the Best buy of the lot! S$2 for the corkboard frame and S$2 for the wooden stand - Daiso

I painted the white frame with a dark pink acrylic paint... hope she likes it... Also pasted the paper for her becos' I thought it'd be easier if I did it with the paper cutter.

I'm hoping to find more precious gems for her before I leave for Japan!

{Quick Update}

2010-08-28T11:36:00.001+08:00

So the Japan trip is getting nearer. Met up with the planner, we're quite excited about the trip right now.

Just received an email from R and found out she's going to spend 3 days with us!!!!! woo hoo!!!! So excited!!!!!! Can't wait to meet her! I'm sure there'll be so much catching up to do. And meeting her in Tokyo is like going on a holiday with her ha ha ha ha...

Before all these, next week will be our regular Life in the Spirit seminar. It's going to be busy, busy for me...

If you're interested, do find out more about what this Life in the Spirit seminar is about:) No registration is required. Seat availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.

On a different note, I'm slowly getting adjusted to the iphone. Tons of apps downloaded, haven't really started using them. Exhausted a few free lite games, wondering if I should purchase the full version. Other than that, I would say in terms of SMS, Nokia is still MUCH easier :) Now I cannot not look at my phone when I SMS like I did with the Nokia. In fact, I have to stop what I'm doing just to type one SMS.. hai....

{Another Goodbye}

2010-08-27T16:16:00.006+08:00

Another xiao mei is leaving CG for an overseas attachment tomorrow. She'll be gone for 4 months. This little girl is precious, because she has been such an inspiration to our CG. Her simple faith in God. Her discipline to read and do what His Word says and the journey she has travelled to be where she is.

Even though she'll be away from us, I know she's grounded in His Word and will take that with her wherever she goes!

Made a little display for her from the new items that I bought on Friday.

Love the transparent dollies, very pretty! Can you see the transparent stand at the bottom? That's from Daiso, only S$2 and it's transparent! I like it!!!

I was rather surprised when I opened the packet of envelopes that I bought. It's just 'for show', 'pretend' envelopes. It doesn't even hold things ha ha ha... felt a lil cheated ha ha ha... in the end just pasted the note over it, since there's no 'storage' capability.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and your plans will succeed

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Check out the new butterflies, so pretty right! Finally got to use the prima flowers too!

Love those 'crystal' alphas that I got during the GSS sale! Should have bought more!

I find these name tags/ clear holders really handy for putting multiple photos. On top of that I love it that the photos are protected and best of all, the photos can be replaced easily! Excellent!

Spent about 3 hours on this, slow right ha ha ha...

{$2 Daiso Box}

2010-08-27T16:03:00.002+08:00

Bought this box at Daiso to put the mini-album and display stand that I made for my mum. The box is so pretty and it's only S$2. I did think of embelishing more on the ribbons but, ahya, mum will just pull it out and return it to me ha ha ha... Plan to give it to her some time this week or next. Hope she likes it!

{Day Out w Yin}

2010-08-26T15:47:00.000+08:00

Met up with Yin last friday for a shopping session.

I never meant to buy anything when we stepped into Laines. In fact, I told myself, "W, don't waste money, finish what you have."

Then... came Y... with her very sincere smile and excellent choice of selection..."G bought this the other day, she loves it" I took a look at the butterflies and flowers... wah... it's really quite nice. So I took some.

Then.... she came again.... "these are the new paper. alice in wonderland...i bought this and i bought that..." I took a look... wah... is nice lor... so I took some.

And then after that, I picked out slightly more things...., I took a basket.

Everything broke loose, when Y came and said... "ay use my vouchers..." and she gave me this 40% off 5 products voucher and another 30% one time payment voucher... oh my oh my....

You can imagine what happend after that....

After scrap shopping with me being the winner of the day, we (actually I) did some more shopping at Mango.

Whenever we go shopping, we always see who would be the winning shopper for the day. Looks like this trip, it's me...

When I was in her car, I was trying hide the clothes in my bag so I started stuffing them in. There's no need to do that actually, but I just feel bad going back with bags of shopping stash every time I go out ha ha ha ha....

We had a great time! On my way out I dropped my phone in her. Panic for a night. Thank God it was in her car :) Got it back the next day. Saw K for a while and I went, "K K, shake your backside" ha ha ha... I can see why Y enjoys her time with him. When he broke out in laughter...so cute!

To my wonderful friend who has shared her life with me throughout time....

When we were younger, it was her who started me on our fairy collection.

It was her who introduced me to paper toles.

We also tried knitting and cross-stictching, which I absolutely hate ha ha ha...

Now that we've grown up, she has once again introduced me to a hobby I really enjoy: scrapbooking.

Y, thanks for always sharing your life with me. You're a precious, precious friend!!!

{To Mummy With Love}

2010-08-25T19:05:00.003+08:00

Finally took some pictures...

Did very little distressing in this project, because mummy likes her stuff neat and clean. I distressed where I could, but other than that I literally had to stop my hands from reaching out the the ink pad. There could be so much more distressing added to it!!!

I'm having problems adjusting the pictures.... some turned out bigger than the others and it wouldn't allow me to resize them...

{Desaru Trip with Mummy & Us!}

I was a lil' too ambitious with this. Made it like door opening, pasted the bicycle chipboard, then I went o O! Cannot open! Duh!!! Had to carefully cut the chip board into 3 parts.

That door opens to this mini photo page that I inserted from a regular namecard holder. There's 8 more mini photos within showing that yucky, dirty wanton mee place that we ate from.

This wanton mee was meanigful because clean freaks like mum & I actually ate it despite the fact that it was really unhygenic ha ha ha... bravo to the mother-daughter team!

This lil' journal will forever remind of this meal. This was a great opportunity for distressing, because that will remind mum of how dirty that place was ha ha ha..excuses, excuses.

Wrote a lil' love letter to mum. It fits nicely into the pocket just beneath the photo, where the branch is.

This is like a mini-passport book that opens up to...

Yeah... more photos.

M is her A+ son.

But... I'm her No. 1 daugher wah ha ha ha ha (evil laughter)

Added some "note" facts that we learnt from this trip.

Another page that flips open to more photos...

This was one of the last few pages I did and I ran out of patience. I simply took whateversticker that was left and started pasting it together. I kinda liked it after it was put together actually.

Ping Piang Bing Bong

2010-08-25T08:26:00.003+08:00

{Sneak Peek}

2010-08-17T20:46:00.002+08:00

Here's a peek to the mini-album that I made for mum on our Desaru Fruit Farm trip :)

{Chinatown Rocks!}

2010-08-17T20:41:00.002+08:00

I was suppose to go to Chinatown to run some errands, and then, I got stopped at a little shop that sells ribbons and buttons!

It's soooo cheap!!! (really?)

So I went, I want 1 yard of this, two yards of that, 10 buttons, this and that...

The final sum came up to about $65.

Why would I spend $65 in a ribbon/button shop when I hardly use them in my projects and LO?

Rare occasion where I spend $65 and
I get plastic bags and products wrapped in magazine pages ha ha ha...

$65 worth of buttons and ribbons? Why did I spend that money?!?!?!

Gorgeous 3D Sewing Kit - 1st Packet

Gorgeous 3D Sewing Kit - 2nd Packet
I'm hoping to use these 3D sewing kits for something that I plan to make.

I really don't know why I bought these. 3D tool kits. Cute but...

The buttons are so pretty right?

Love the black and pokka dotted ribbons! So pretty!

{My New Best Friend!}

2010-08-15T16:32:00.004+08:00

Let me introduce my latest best friend in the land of craft products! This is so good! Say goodbye to expensive glue dots and insecure glue tapes!

This works like magic and it dries so quickly! Thanks Yin for introducing this to me. G was the first founder of this marvelous product!

I was a lil' hesitant to use it at first, even though I bought this ages ago, until i ran out of glue dots and had no choice.

Oh my oh my! Should have started using earlier! So easy and so effective at sticking on all sorts of surfaces. Ribbons, sparkles, paper, acrylic, plastic, stickers... you name it, it sticks on it!

{Scrappy weekend!}

2010-08-15T16:14:00.004+08:00

Did quite a bit scrapbooking this weekend. Finally completed the mini-album for my mum. Haven't got a chance to take pictures of it yet. I was stuck with this project for a long time... it's almost a relief to have actually completed it... Took a total of 28 hours... I'm such a slow scrapper ha ha ha...

Also did a canvas piece for M's uncle. M took pictures a his 70th birthday celebration. Hope he likes this. My first canvas project done on my own... I sure did have fun with all that painting and splattering... although I was really careful not to splatter on the floor. I was also trying not to make it look too girly. Not sure if it's a little too "youngish" for him ha ha ha...

Bought the paint palatte and "Chinese" brushes from Daiso. Oh, and this wonderful canvas too, so cheap!! Only $2 each!! They came in different sizes, even bought some nice-shaped cutting boards that could be used as a background for these projects... I like shopping in Daiso!

So, here's a canvas project, ready to be given out today...

Wonderful Family Celebration

Yeah! I sewed on a button ha ha ha ha!
You have no idea what an achivement that is!

The little tag reads:
Other things may change us, but we start and end with Family.

Printed a little message for uncle T.
That spot was actually a "mistake" spot and
I had to find something to fill out that mistake ha ha ha.
It worked well eventually.
That's the good thing about scrapbooking,
there's alwasy a way to cover up a flaw or
make it work in the design!

{Long holiday}

2010-08-10T21:01:00.000+08:00

Long weekend... I spent most of it sleeping - wasn't feeling well. Mark too. Then we both got better yesterday. Today, Mark's down again. Doc says it's either food poisoning or stomach flu... Rarely do I see him so restless and tired...

I also attempted to complete a mini-album for my mum - on our long overdued Desaru trip. Guess I was over ambitious. Expected to finish in a day or two. 15 hours (not 1.5) into it and I was only half way there.. :)

To a better tomorrow and a good night's rest.

{Learning Everyday}

2010-08-06T15:24:00.000+08:00

Everyday there's something to learn.

Recently, I learnt to be very careful with how a point is driven across to another person.

I've been on both ends, both as a misunderstood giver and as misunderstood receiver.

Misunderstood giving happens when what we intend to deliver (in speech) to another person is being received differently from what we intended it to be. The result of it was not so desirable.

Misunderstood receiving happens when what was intended to be delivered to us by another person was received by us differently as they intended it to be. The result was once again, not so desirable.

It takes time to understand a person and trials and errors to know what works and what doesn't. At times we fail and we could fail miserably. But we're never truly defeated until we we stop trying. So get back on our feet and start over, with more care.

{Rainbow}

2010-08-04T17:27:00.005+08:00

God is really awsome!

After allowing negative seeds to plant in my mind, it grew so quickly that it exploded even before anything concrete could take place.

This morning everything actually worked itself out pretty well.

Praise the Lord!

I'm feeling:

{Life}

2010-08-03T21:34:00.000+08:00

Today's one of those days...

{Peace}

2010-08-03T02:56:00.002+08:00

I didn't take chocolate.
I didn't drink tea after 12pm.
I didn't take high sugar content food or drinks for dinner.

Why am I still awake?!?!?!

Coz' I allowed a small, insignificant thought to blow out of proportion. No wonder God teaches us to guard or minds and heart.

First guard our mind coz' that is the source where silly thoughts get planted and quickly take root if we allow it.

Second guard our heart coz' what we think eventually sinks into our heart and we act it out.

All I did was allow one small matter to linger in my mind.

All I could think were past hurts, past disappointments, past frustrations.

Soon, I cleverly worked myself into a ball of anger.

I was so worked up, my mind was racing with thoughts and there's just no peace. I attempted to pray but I couldn't focus. I attempted to read the Bible but I wasn't really reading. I cannot sleep.

What's the lesson learnt?

Guard our thoughts. Don't allow angry seeds to plant itself in our minds just before bed time.

Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry but sin not, don't let the sun go down on your anger."

I finally understand why.

Now that everything is in place, I actually feel a sense of peace from within. I'm ready to go to bed. It's almost 3am...

{Divine Appointment}

2010-08-03T02:40:00.001+08:00

So many questions.
So many doubts.
So much frustrations.
It's a mass of negBall (negative ball).

I was crying out for help.
Searching for a ray of light.
Seeking for answers and directions.
And You came thru'

Change the attitude.
See from the positive light.
Start from a clean page.
Build up a holy momentum.

It's easier said than done.
Is it time?
What have I missed?
Show me.

To change our attitude, we must first renew our minds, then our hearts will be convinced and the right attitude will flow from there.

How do I renew my mind?

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Phlippians 4:8-10

{Love-Hate Relationships}

2010-08-03T02:24:00.000+08:00

Do you know someone whom you have a love-hate relationship with?

It's like because of all the years you've spent with this person, growing up together, knowing each other so well, you love this person genuinely. Then as each of you mature and form your own personalities, you realise you have a personality clash and there were times when both of you just felt like slapping each other.

I want to believe we can work it out to a love only relationship. How?

1. By the grace of God.
2. Communication.

To expand a lil more on point 2:

What you deliver may not be what the other party receive.And if nothing is said upon receipt, the misunderstanding builds. One issue after another. It comes to a point where it's almost impossible to talk without feeling frustrated. And then it blows.

We have 2 options when that happens.

1. Walk away and let the mess be blown away by the wind, only to find that things will never be the same again.

2. Trash it out, with the intention to reconcile.

When an opportunity arises and both sides get a chance to say their peace, a lot of times, you realise that rarely people have ill or bad intentions. It's just a simply, pure case of miscommunication or a misunderstanding. Personality differences also add to it.

The question is, how often do we get the opportunity to trash it out?

I just had the opportunity to do that with someone dear to me (not M). I must say it feels good to let it all out and at the same time hear from the other perspective.

It's a good end when both sides are able to see from each other's perspective and come to a consensus to be more mindful when we speak to each other in the future and recognise that we are just different. We accept it. We move on with it.

It's funny to even be able to laugh while putting up our case to each other. It's like arguing in a light hearted manner. Fwah.... a heightened level of argument. ha ha ha...

If you are reading this, and you know exactly what I'm talking about, know that I love you dearly and I know that you do too :)

{V Ch'ka!"}

2010-08-02T20:30:00.003+08:00

I've been hunting high and low for these photos. We took them in 2008 before V returned to her homeland but it kinda got "lost" in the many hard disk that we had. Finally! I found them! I miss this beautiful girl! She thinks she's a Singaporean trapped in a foreign body ha ha ha... yes, she brings me round Singapore taking MRTs and buses, she's more well connected than I am :)

Ya skoocháyoo pa tebyé!!!

I'm not sure what's with the car park. I think we parked at Esplanade and decided to just snap a few fun shots for memories sake ha ha ha...

{We've Set The Date!}

2010-08-02T19:49:00.000+08:00

Yeah! Just confirmed a scrap class with Yin for two new Russian girl friends. I'm sure they will enjoy their first attempt on scrapbooking! Can't wait!

On the side note, J SMSed me today and said he walked out of Tea Cosy coz' there were too many "eyes" staring at him ha ha ha... Angel eyes my friend. ha ha ha... I think it's a girl's place... perhaps next time when you want to impress a girl, you can take her there?

{Simple Happines}

2010-07-31T14:17:00.005+08:00

Really appeciate M for yesterday. It was a simple but very happy day with him.

Told him that God must be on his side. Despite not making any plans for lunch, we found a fabulous place that we'v never tried before and I love everything about this place.

He had booked tickets for a movie at Plaza Singapura. For those who have been there, you might have passed by Tea Cosy just beside Spotlight. Beautiful little eclectic designed cafe selling all sorts of cupid angles. We've always walked passed, went in to see once in a while, but never tried the food there. Yesterday, we did so, and I must say the food tasted as good as the place looks!

Tea Cosy@Plaza Sing
http://www.teacosy.com.sg/

So pretty right! I wish I have a home like this.

Stunning! Different pieces put together creatively!

Totally my kind of shop/home!

Cute!

Isn't this dining chair beautiful?!

Lovely!

Totally in love with this place!

This is my fav. chair. It has all my fav. colors on it.

Guess how much?

Just for the chair alone, it's about S$2000!!!!

Now for the food...yummy tangy tomato crab meat soup

erm... i'm not sure what soup this is some curry lemon thingy, but it was good.

Pasta- not much ingredients, I mean there's a decent amount of prawns on mine, but that was it. But you know what? That's ok, coz the sauce was absolutely mouth-watering and it was really yummy!

So cute right the cakes. OK it's just bite-sized cakes but look at the pastry tray, so beautiful!!

After this fabulous lunch, I did some scrapbook shopping - on my own expense. Yeah! It's good to have birthdays, you actually get birthday discounts!!

After that we watched Inception. Nice! For a person who dreams a lot, I like this show. Makes me wonder if I too can go in to my dreams and create things. Don't laugh. I once was able to determine what I wanted to dream - don't play play k ha ha ha...

In the movie, they were able to go into different levels of dreams. Like a dream within a dream within a dream. The closest I can relate to was a dream within a dream. I once dreamt that I got up and was getting ready for work. Midway through the dream, I woke up from my dream only to realise that I was still in bed. So I dragged myself out of bed and rushed through getting ready coz' in my dream I was late. I was already on my way to work etc, only to realise when I heard someone knocking on the door, "W are you working today?" OOPP!!! I jumped out of bed only to find out that it was all a dream! I'm REALLY late now! ha ha ha..

So for those who have not watched Inception, go for it. Makes you wonder...

He brought me to Greenwood Fish Market Bistro for a delicious Seafood night. It's something I've been wanting to try but never did simply because M isn't into seafood. He says seafood taste like mud ha ha ha. Thumbs up for him for having seafood with me last evening!

Yes...we, I mean I, had half a lobster!

I'm not a bread person so ... this is bread... :)

Is he really sweet or it's coz' he simply doesn't appreciate a good bowl of lobster bisque with brandy. How delicious can this be... SUPER! He ordered one full bowl just for ME!

Yeah! Finally! I've been wanting to try this for the longest time. This is the Hot Seafood Platter. Let's see, it's all cooked food so yeah!

We had

Half a lobster
A bowl of octopus salad with Balsamic dressing (The octopus was good!)
A bowl of scallops with not sure what sauce - This was just ok for me but M likes it.
A bowl of clams and mussels in white wine garlic sauce - Mmmmmm... I like!
2 wild prawns each - nice! I had 3 :P he he he he
6 Baked Oysters with cheese. I must say, this is the best baked oysters I've eaten. The cheese is yummy and the oyster is still soft and juicy... very good!
2 kebabs of mixed fish - so so only...
Fried calamari - Good!

This is proof that M gave me the entire half a lobster and he had none, simply because he knows how much I've been longing to have this and yes... I really don't think he appreciates lobsters ha ha ha..he's a meat boy.

It's ALL mine! Proven!

Ay.. hang on... what's the lobster doing on his plate?

If you look carefully, all the lobster meat is already gone ha ha. By that time, it should be on the way into W's digestive system ha ha ha.. M was eating the eggs which I wouldn't touch.

In the midst of our gastronmic food experience, we found our food's food! Yes! Two baby crabs. Ha ha ha...I dared M to eat it, but he didn't :)

It is done!

By this time, it's not funny any more... I'm suffering from indigestion. Too much seafood!

We didn't even cut the cake yesterday coz' I was just feeling too overwhelmed with the seafood. Had it with our family after lunch today. Yummy! G-spot Chocolate cake from Big-O.... it's super chocolaty. Slurp!

To the man who gave me a memorable day yesterday... my 'yours truly':

Thank you!

Merci!

Gracias!

{What would you change?}

2010-07-30T01:42:00.002+08:00

M & I watched a short bo liao Japanese movie about a time machine that could bring people back and to the future. After the movie I had a quick thought.

If I had a time machine, would I go back into time and still choose to marry M. It was an instant YES! that came from within me.

Of course, thick-skinned me asked M if he would choose to marry someone else, I mean I was the one asking, really, did I expect him to say Yes, I would have chosen someone else :) But I just wanted to hear it from him... of course he very happily said he'll still choose me... The point was that I saw that assurance and glow when he answered... aaawwwwww......

There were mistakes made in the past, regrets, but without those, I wouldn't have learnt. Would I change anything if I could go back in time, perhaps not.

{This Ends With Prayer}

2010-07-30T01:06:00.001+08:00

I tried to be a normal person. Not too extreme with God. Not to be too involved. Do what ordinary people do.

I cannot. Life's meaningless this way. My life without God is just living everyday without a purpose, without a sense of direction. Even though a million and one things are happening, it's like inside I'm just an empty shell.

With God active in my life, He gives me a sense of purpose, a sense of direction, an inner knowing. It's like when people come near me and oops God flows out because I'm overflowing and basking in His presence. Now, when people come near me all they get is ... I don't even want to begin listing them. I don't like myself the way I am right now. And I'm not trying to be humble when I blog about this. It's true.

It's as if when I made the decision to walk into my own will instead of His, I become this horrible person that I once knew, and I really don't like who I am now. It's not as if I walked deliberately into this knowing I'd end up here. It's like subtle moves, tiny decisions that led to this.

Are you feeling this way too?

That you've faded away so far you don't really know how to get back. You're in ministry, but you're not ministering. Everything has become work. It's about completing projects, getting work done. It's no longer about His people.

Sometimes I think we try too hard to do the right things. The harder we try, the more our focus gets blurred and after a while, we're simply out of focus.

The best thing to do for times like this, is just to pray. Let Him lead us. Let Him open the doors. Let Him show us as He had done and will do.

{START Praying}

2010-07-30T00:42:00.005+08:00

What are some things that I really want to do but somehow struggle to believe that these are what I really want:

Go for missions trip
Share the Word of God
Avail myself to be used by God to minister to His people
Participate whole-heartedly in a ministry
Learn to love others more than myself
Get deep into the Word of God
Write a book
Make a difference

For each individual point listed above, I've got so many reasons for why I don't want to do what I've listed. I almost feel like a complete contradiction. The best way to describe how I feel is ...

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other,
so that you do not do what you want."

Galatians 5:17

And I have the perfect explanation for feeling this way:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:12

Stop wondering.
Stop questioning.
Stop complaining.
Stop trying.

{Happy 1st Blogday!}

2010-07-30T00:27:00.001+08:00

It's been exactly a year since I started this blog. If you look at the blog addy, you might wonder why jul09. Well, I decided to start a blog on 30 July 2009, when I did the same routine - Took the day off and ended up staying up the night before.

Looking through all the posts, it seems the year passed with a bleh...not bad, but ordinary.

What were the higlights and lowlights for me?

I started scrapping more often than I did since I first bought my scrap items.
I've built up a scrap area that scares me with the amount of unused items I have and it keeps piling up.
I had a fantastic trip in Seoul with M.
I went through the 2nd most stressful period of my work life.
I went through a host of emotional roller coaster at home.
I've withdrew myself from ministry.
Made some really wonderful friends.

When I started this blog, I wanted it to be a scrapblog. I was very much inspired by Y's blog. I deliberately tried to minus out as much religious thoughts as possible to keep this blog neutral, and blogged everything else other than about Him.

A year has passed.

I realised, for me, scrapbooking is just another hobby. I don't think I'm all that into it like G or Y where scrapping flows in their blood. They practically scrap about every aspects of their lives and I admire them for being able to do that.

The one thing I've learnt in this year is that I don't like not having God as the center of my life. I can't take God out of my blog, if this is going to be a blog about me. Without Him, my life is just bleh. Everything's great, but I'm empty inside.

Scrapbooking is not the most important thing in my life, God is. You might laugh and think, isn't that obvious. It is, but somehow I get thrown off balance. Somehow I allowed it to happen.

Will anything change this year? It's not dependent on Him, it's dependent on me.

There's 2 sides of me. One side is longing to just jump out of the current and get back on track. The other side of me is just slouching like I'm doing now, refusing to move a bit.

Happy 1st Blogday! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

{Ding Dong, 12am}

2010-07-30T00:09:00.000+08:00

So I planned to have an early night. Just as I was lying down in bed, so many thoughts started popping into my mind. It's strange. As you've read, I tried to blog earlier, but the posts were just... not quite there. It wasn't something that came from within. But now, that it's past midnight, W is awake! So many thoughts running through my mind. Just now, I was practically staring at the screen with a blank mind... :) Let's see what the night brings....

{I Like!}

2010-07-29T21:08:00.000+08:00

Mulberry

{Superficial vs Supernatural - Pt 2}

2010-07-29T21:01:00.003+08:00

"If we're not living in the superficial, we are living in the supernatural." - Dr. Sunny.

I want to walk in the supernatural everyday. Step out of my own will and step into the centre of His will.