1000 words

Mini Reno -II

2009-06-16T09:46:00.004+08:00

Laundry
Bedrooom II

Living

Dining
Garden

April to June -A mini renovation

2009-06-14T10:47:00.005+08:00

Powder Room

Main Entrance
Study
Guest Bathroom

I renovated a house recently.

I recommended an overall face lift for the whole house and a mini extension to the helper's room.
We also revamped all the bathrooms and added extra storage.

The owner's Brief: Out with the 'old tropical dark wood 'and bring in fresh' Scandinivian' with colors.
We started work In mid april.While Hacking and tearing apart the house ,we found colonies of termites. It was a major set back with our woodwork.I was seriously stressed out by it as my deadline was early June.On top of that,our housekeeper fell in the bathroom and had to be admitted in the hospital. I was silently praying no more surprises please and that no matter what house was to be delivered on time!

But when I tested the showers after completion, and found that water was running everywhere, it happened bcoz the floor was slanted towards the door .I knew there and then, they have to be redone.No point killing the contractor .. . We all overlooked while we were addressing the termites and the tiles installer didin't think I supposed. I re ordered tiles from Italy(an order that takes 2 months so i can start redoing soon.Sigh I was so embarrased and offered to hang someone.(maybe me).

I delivered the house and lucky for me the owner was easy and not too fussed over it.I m doing the bathrooms when she leaves next.Anyway some pics for you of before the completion.

Study

Yard

----------------
Now playing: ABBA - The Winner Takes It All
via FoxyTunes
Garage

Just for you Naz!

2009-05-21T17:02:00.000+08:00

Those were the days.

2009-05-18T11:34:00.001+08:00

More of Tokyo

2009-05-05T17:55:00.005+08:00

We left Tokyo for Enoshima for a night at the ryokan.
We ate in mini little restaurants and just love the service and food.Right here -Clams and soya sauce ala shabu[- shabu.Sweet, succulent with lots of UMPHH!
Fresh seafood .
Enoshima a romantic island is only 50mins away by express train from Tokyo.We also spend a day at KamaKura.
Kamakura a little Edo town, near Enoshima has many shrines and temples.
A ritual before entering the temple-is to wash your hands with cool spring water.
Banners of wishes with prayers.
Back to Tokyo
We wstumbled upon Mandarin and stop for a drink (our first night in Tokyo).Service 5 star.
Asakusa (mini Kyoto)and Sumida River-I used to' lepak'or hang out lots here when I was a trainee many years ago.My lecturer Arai sensei used to host us in his house which is just a tube station away.As a student we used to live off him during weekends.
And so the highlight of this trip was to meet up with him and his mum again after 15 years.His mum i called 'okasan'(means mother)is 86years old now .She showered me with lots of praises and make me handpainted cards,key chainsf,abrics and a purse which I must share with you soon.
Bye for now..

in love in tokyo

2009-04-29T19:36:00.004+08:00

We were in Tokyo for our 15th wedding anniversary.

Sakura was a sight to behold - cherry blossoms.. I have always been in love with Japan .I was there as a trainee with JICA, 19 years ago.Things haven't changed much.An unspoilt culture and lots of charm.A view to die for at Park Hyatt and the relaxed feel of their beautiful parks.
Days in and out we were smitten and taken by their politeness.
Outside Tokyo ,Enoshima look as though they have never changed from Edo era.
Delightful sunny and brezzy we did lots of walking .We absolutely adore snuggling up in our tiny hotel room after a long day.
I want to write endless but I am nursing a cold.

Hope to add more photos tomorrow .

March Escapade-Saigon

2009-04-02T14:57:00.008+08:00

I was in Ho Chi Minh just a few days ago.Hot and tired most of the times, I can't take good pictures nor tell the story or paint the history ;of unbearable pain and courage!

Arghh!I left with great appreciation of the Viatnamese people. Never before I truly understand the need to move on.

Thank you Vietnam.

Ben Thann market

The war musuem

Ben Thann Market

Getting around was cheap and convenient despite the language barrier.

Maybe because it was really hot ,I can't help but notice a peculiar smell everwhere I go.

A noodle stall

Our small IndoChine hotel elevator.

Our airplane food.An insult..

The gang...

Opera House

A valentine's wedding

2009-02-16T17:32:00.002+08:00

The honourable guest

The throne Of lilac and white

Proud parents-Kak Min and Abg Fisol

Darling Darweena

And sisters

Grandma's bureau

The kiss
A weekend full of love and laughter.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T08:41:00.003+08:00

I 've always wanted to write about Izatt .He's one of my dearest friends.I met him for the first time when I was just 18.I was brought to his shop to do my make up for a tv commercial (Mc D's)

Many years later Izatt and Nasha did my make up for my wedding.Till today they still do my face and hair .They both I love so dearly and I'm grateful eternally for welcoming me into their colourful world.I ve learned respect,love without prejudice and kinky sexy woman i should always be...Anyway below are some pics from his latest make up workshop.

The End...

For Fara-Of Concious Intention

2009-02-03T09:18:00.006+08:00

"And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from thy Lord and believe in it,and that their hearts (minds) may be humbly open to it."(The Quran 22:54) And whether you bring into the open what is in your mind or conceal it,God will call you to account for it,"(2:284)

"They have made their faith a cover (for their falseness) and thus they turn others away from the Path of God.Evil indeed,is all that they are..(63:3)"
"The most Honoured of you in the sight of God is the one most conscious of Him"(13:49)

Happy Chinese New Year 26 Jan 2009

2009-01-21T20:44:00.006+08:00

Tea Ceremony -1st day of the Chinese New Year.

More Philippines

2009-01-03T18:38:00.006+08:00

Serendra-Fort Bonifacio

Public School

Tagaytay

Vid

At Ab Fab's .

Antonio's

Backgammon

Tall Ball

Orlinas

There's just not enough words or pictures to show how beautiful The Peens (Philippines)is.In this last series of pictures of the Peens I would like to thank my friends who had taken time to generuously spend with us.

More of Antonio's.

At Taal Ball with Ning, the Ranger's Club muse.

Allegra At Casa Illustre

The gang at Orlinas

Ab Fab

At the Orlinas

Spa day out

Shopping

Mount Pinatubo

While we love and care

While we cry the wear and tear

Take time and pray

That we don't go astray.

Happy New Year all.

Beautiful Philippines II

2008-12-19T13:04:00.004+08:00

Fort Bonifacio ,Makati-From the window of our condo. The Tagaytay Highlands Resort with Lake Taal and volcano just behind us.

Rockwell Shopping Mall

A car park in Makati

Clarke Fields,Pampanga-the road from the airport we landed ,north of Manila.

Tagaytay Highlands-a 2 hour drive from Metro Manila

A rainbow greeted us upon our arrival to the Philippines(from our bedroom window at the Fairview condo.)

Filipinos are mostly Catholics.This chapel was designed by our friend the renowned glass sculptor ,Ramon Orlina.He and Lay An got married here.Yes !sorry we can't see it!

A street in Pasig .

Lunch break

More tomorrow okay.

My beautiful Philippines

2008-12-18T19:40:00.003+08:00

I was so lucky that this December we make our way for a short trip to the Philippines. When we arrived, we stayed at a friend's brand new condo all to ourselves, in Makati .We left for Taal but stayed at the highlands to attend a ball during the weekend.We stayed at another friend's log cabin in Tagaytay Highlands .Later after the ball we went to stay with Ab Fab in her spectacular house in Makati.

The Filipinos are the most generous and hospitable people I have ever met in my life.

This picture below is the hardworking toll collector.There was a long queue at the booth so this man walked in the hot sun to collect toll from vehicle to vehicle.

We travelled quite a bit and on one of the hi ways,we passed a giant soft drink

factory.My girls were so thrilled thinking that we re going to drink all that , all the time in Peens(Philippines).

The firework in Taal (a volcano lake town south of Manila) The grand ball was held under the dark sky in the social court of Taal ,in front of its old Basilica.

I'm working on more photos to be uploaded soon.In the mean time ,come back soon ok!

A Malay Wedding

2008-10-18T10:29:00.009+08:00

Day 1-Preparing for the akad nikah(solemnisation). Before the akad /wedding a brief meeting.

A stop by the road side, to snack on rambutans on the way to the bride's house.

We stopped at Nilai 3.A shopper paradise for cheap fabrics and fake flowers!Ab Fab, you won't like it here.But we can have lots of fun capturing pictures.

We were told by our dear bride's mother to get fabrics for the entrance staircase. The idea is to wrap the banister and make it ala hotel set up for a wedding, yup!dream-on.But we did it and turned out ok.
Day 2

Bride's grandpa looking caterers ,preparation for the tea reception.

The day of the akad nikah.I'm in my 'baju kurung ' malay traditional costume.

Before the arrival of the groom.

On the floor is the' Hantaran' or Gifts for the groom from the bride.In a Malay wedding it is s customary to exchange gifts.These are trays of flowers , cakes and traditional sweets ,songket (gold and sliver thread woven cloth)and other knick knacks.

Upstairs in her bedroom,the bride is getting ready for the 'akad nikah.'

While we wait anxiously for the 'kadi' and the groom to arrive ,for the ceremony ,we ate!

The solemnisation was about to take place.
The loving and kind, bride's parents.

The radiant bride

And here 's the staircase that we wrapped and adorned.Lucky it looked nice !But we did knock our heads a few times literally hanging those fabrics and flowers.!End of day of the akad nikah.

Day 3.The lunch reception or kenduri.

Inside the reception hall with its blue and white theme.

Bride's youngest brother played the traditional drums and sang for his sister at the reception ;yes how sweet!

I attended more than 5 weddings a funeral in Oct and Nov!I'm happy to say I'm now quite free.

That's all folks!

My Hometown-Alor Setar

2008-10-15T10:35:00.003+08:00

The Rulers-HRH Sultan Abdul Halim and his Queen
Alor Setar is really a small town in the Kedah state.but we re close to Thailand(only an hour to the border).Its landscape is flat and rice is the main produce. The first roundabout-The Fountain Tower is made from gold glass mozaics in the 70s. What's left of my school after 100 years -St Nicholas Convent.

Main Post Office
Alor Setar is 250 years old
Good ol' Mc ds
My hometown is also an hour away from Penang island.This pic was taken on the bridge-Penang Bridge.For most of us in the northern part of Malaysia,Penang is the place to go, especially during holidays .Eating in the stalls and just picnicking on the beach is a weekend must.

The bridge was built in 1984.It was officially opened on my birthday that year ,14 Sept.The 6 miles long bridge connects the peninsula of Malaysia to the island.We used to stop our vehicle and gazed at the horizon from the beautiful bridge.But after so many suicidal cases and other unfortunate accidents we re not allowed to stop anymore.

I was also in school for 4 years in Penang and was lucky to grow up in a such a colourful place.Colonial and yet asian.

My photos are nothing compared to the real Penang.

Eid Mubarak

2008-09-27T21:42:00.002+08:00

As we come to the end of Ramadhan,a month of fasting and abstainance.we

welcome Eid Mubarak. With this I asked forgiveness and peace for all.

See you all next week.

And the shadow is..

2008-09-25T15:27:00.005+08:00

A beautiful hand sculpted silver ring holder. I found it in Bali.There are many shops selling similar things .Most pieces are quite basic but with an understated artistic value.

Some with a more intricate traditional carvings or modernised pieces in wood ,stones ,glass and semi precious stones .

Bali is one place one should try to visit at least once.

By the way I'm thinking of deleting this blog soon and write no more.

I would like tho to have you on my FaceBook.

Please send me your e mel if you still want to see me.

Gift for you-Peace and a cupcake!

2008-09-18T11:22:00.002+08:00

Hi,I have been busy.And I'm missing blogging.Anyway took some photos and posted them via Picasa to my blog.So much faster and easier.Bravo Picasa.

This is my shadow dancer.......will show you what it is next ok.Have a nice week.

More pics of Chiang Mai

2008-09-10T13:15:00.003+08:00

Foot massage anyone? This is one of my favourite pics .The monks reaching the top of the temples.
Food Market
Brass Bells

Crunchy deep fried silk worms.Tasted like shrimps.(I had 1) I hope you ve enjoyed my pics of beautiful Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai

2008-09-04T21:39:00.010+08:00

The Carrier The SkyThe Country
The TransportationThe ReligionThe PuripunnThe HospitalityThe ReceptionThe Colors The LoungeThe RoomThe VerandahOld Charm Day Tea Night
Snack

Sweets
BreakfastMorning Air Rest
Walk RetreatThe Rachamanka

Ginger CafeThe Street FoodThe NeighbourhoodThe End

Do you know where you are going to?

2008-09-02T15:15:00.006+08:00

Last night after breaking fast ,my husband played Diana Ross' s album for our girls.
How marvelous it was to be with my youngest and Diana Ross in our living room.
The rain had stopped and it was dark outside.Not a soul except us.We sang and sang .
Time passed us by. And brought back memories ,when I was 9 ,singing the same way with my aunt in her room.
Then through the screeching voice of my daughter , suddenly I had my moment of truth.
Diana was saying,"Do you know where you re going to'?Why must we wait so long "?And Do you get what you re hoping for?"...

I must have . I ve had a colorful 40 years.

Tho' sometimes I still wish some of the mistakes I've made can be erased .

But there's nowhere I want to go anymore .I'm just thankful where I am

With all the love from you ,its been an incredible 40.

Turning Forty

2008-08-29T22:54:00.003+08:00

Hello

2008-08-28T18:13:00.003+08:00

I'm back!See some of my latest photos in the next few days.

2008-08-19T19:09:00.001+08:00

I'm off blogging for a while.

But I will see you next week.

' Weekend'

2008-08-18T12:19:00.013+08:00

Friday

Reunion II at Rifdi's-KL

Temp -30C Clear

Menu

Saturday

Wedding lunch in Yong Peng(Johor)

Temp -30C Cloudy DampMenu

Dinner in Janda Baik-

Temp 17C Cool ,Full Moon

Sunday

Lunch at Mak Yam's-KL

Temp -33C HOT

Menu

Dinner at Rozy's KL

Temp 25C Cool

Body weight after the weekend- 5lbs or 2kilos more!

Kampung

2008-08-13T12:09:00.008+08:00

Growing up,my sibling, cousins and I had the paddy fields as a playground.

Although, we grew up in a little town,we were lucky to have a'kampung' to go back to every school holidays.

We loved to jump in the field especially after the harvesting season . In the mornings , we caught little fighting fishes,prawns and crabs.

In the late afternoons ,we ate fruits from trees in the compund.Or we snacked on 'laksa' and laze around under the house.Singing on a swing pretending to be princesses.(Laksa is rice noodles with fish gravy).

Before night fall,we picked little jasmines and other flowers and played with our dolls.

We also loved to dress my brother up as a girl ;he wasn't 6 ft 3 then.

And just before bedtime we snuggled with our grandmother and watched English soap operas or Tamil movies.

Well !more stories next time okay.

This old 'kampung" pondok(hut) was taken at a restaurant ,Bon Ton in Langkawi.

The simple house is beautifully built.Probably without nails.

Please Click bonton.to view more spectacular houses.

My grandparents house was bigger than this but with similar concept.It had fine carvings and an artistic approach to its architecture.The house was handsome with its grand stone staircase.

And I must go and look for the photos soon!

See you soon!

2008-08-12T15:04:00.002+08:00

I'm not inspired!

Yesterday

2008-08-09T08:19:00.004+08:00

Moody

2008-08-07T13:14:00.003+08:00

The sky is grey.Birds causing havoc in the trees , they know a storm is coming.
Too noisy and as if debating to take cover or fly again.

Birds gone quiet and not a soul on the street.
Maybe its a sign to put away your woes .
Just stick an open palm out of the window and catch the first rain drop.

Bunga Telur

2008-08-05T12:18:00.003+08:00

I wanted to write so much about bunga telur today but I have no idea of what to say .

Bunga Telur is given away at Malay weddings as a thank you gift .The egg signifies fertility.Bunga is flower and Telur is egg.

The first picture is a bunga telur 'dip' ,was handmade by a couple in Gombak.The husband sadly passed away after he delivered the last box of flowers to my girlfriend.
(It was for her daughter's wedding and I heard she ordered by the thousands).

Must have been great to die doing the thing you love.

I leave you with some of my favourite blogs ,if you like visit fififlowersdecor. all things bright and beautiful (great blogging tips)

And young and funky Prati .

By the way, I saw Sex and the City.I cried partly because it was touching and partly because it was heavily sensored.

But I enjoyed it and I realised again and again that life without love is hard. Life without truth is painful.Life without mistakes is imposibble.Life without forgiveness is tragic.
And life without girlfriends is............

Hugs And Kisses For All

2008-08-04T17:07:00.003+08:00

Simple Breakfast

2008-08-02T09:55:00.005+08:00

A cup of cream cheese

1/2 cup of whipping cream

A cup of cornflakes or banana nut cereal

2 tablespoons of honey(stir with 2 tablespoons of water )

Slice peaches ,raisins

Heat up honey and add water

Add cereal to warm honey.

Add slice peaches or raisins.

Whisk cream and cheese.

Serve warm cereal with cold cream cheese.

August Heat

2008-08-01T08:54:00.015+08:00

Kuala Lumpur is burning hot.I sweat all day even with the air- conditioning on.

Outside the wind billows all day and the smell of newly cut grass is pungent .No birds the past few days..probably all had flown away to the nearby hills.

Leaves on trees especially; the jack fruit is golden brown, a flattering prop against our house.

The girls' cheeks crimson all day. Lips chapped and skin like snake.

Doors ,windows ,floors warm when touched.

Yes!Time to get away.

Thinking of somewhere cool and green,a hill resort with colonial buildings.

Soothing breeze and easy going people.Pink posies,tea and scones.Cameron Highlands maybe.

Or a little town, Melaka ,with long alleys and cafes to wander and get lost.With a little bookshop or a pharmacy of fragrant(smelly) herbs and dark potions stand in the same row of stalls with old stools ,selling chicken rice BALLS.

Or gawk at an enchanting old shops selling antiques.And if we re lucky stumble upon an old friend.

While I still ponder of where to go in this heat; I wish you a weekend full of love and rest.

For you whose heart is broken,and your breathing is short from pain,take comfort and reconnect with your past, you have been there and you know ,just like the heat it will pass!

And tho your winding road to recovery is long, you will have a perfect end ;especially you, Ab Fab.

Tagged

2008-07-31T08:49:00.010+08:00

Hi,

I ve been tagged by ab fab azstyle:

Here goes:

What are the last three things you purchased?

Carolina Herera Perfumes,scarves and a summer frock

What are the last three songs you downloaded?

Yo Yo Ma-Bach

The Ting Tings-That's not my name

Tuck and Patti's-Time after time

Where were the lasts three places you visited?

UK,Saudi Arabia,Langkawi(Malaysia)

What are your three favourite movies?

E.T.,Silence of the Lambs,Ordinary People

What are your three favourite possessions?

shoes, Orlinas(glass sculpture),paintings

What are the three thing's you cannot live without?

t.v.,books,my darlings

What would be your three wishes?

Greener Earth,Patience and Health for all

What are three things you have not done yet?

My guest room,Find my foster parents in Japan,Diving

What are your three fav dishes?

Kare-Kare(a filipino dish),rice and crab pineapple curry,ribs

What three celebrities would you want o hang out with the most?

Oprah,Bette Midler,Late Tan Sri P.Ramlee(i know a BIT TOO LATE NOW)

Name three things that freak you out?

Lizards,dirty floors,fumes

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Clumsy.Instinctive,Playful

Name three unusual things you are good at?

Making bad look good

Imitate people's voice

Good Nose

What are three things you currently coveting?

Make pizza ,Paint

Learn how to play pool

What three bloggers would you like to tag:

A bit tough because I don't know many

but I would like :

Prati,Nigel and Musfas

All in a week

2008-07-25T13:37:00.010+08:00

Monday:

Can't think of a place to hang a lantern for my father-in- law's 74th birthday party which will be this Sunday.

(Expected guests 120.
Had always been at Rose's but this year we thought let's celebrate in our new house.)

Re -varnish parquet floor upstairs.

Return new carpet for washing.(It was smelling like rotten eggs.)

Had breakfast with Shashi my mentor.Lucky to catch up with her son, Sanjay who is back form UK.He is on Summer break.

On the way home ,bought a new iron.(this is the second time in a year.)

Tues:

Went to Tesco and bought drinks for party.Picked bathroom door sheers from tailor.

Floor varnishing is not done nicely.Called Grace to send someone to redo it.

Wed:

Mr Lee's boys came to paint wooden door frame before installing the Aluminium bi- fold doors .

Ordered orchids for party.

Spoke to a girlfriend for an hour.Still in love with her husband but need to file a divorce..

Asked Pak Nik to clear the store room.

Still waiting for Telekom to revert on my internet application, its been 1 month.

Wooden floor re done.

Our cctv monitoring box is not working again.Called ADT.

Air cond makes crackling noise again but this time all night.
Pat to call Ah Teik to reinspect.

The worse is yet to come!

Thursday:

Air Cond still noisy, it kept me awake.

Went all the way to Pj to buy Muphy's food.

Can't find any in KL.

Bi fold doors arrived today instead of next week.Can't fit into the frame.

The installers started to drill, hack and cut wooden floor, to make room for the doors.

And horror!!They had to cut the concrete floor too..

Dust galore!!

Inas brought 2 friends home from school .To discuss traditional Malay music.Instead they threw their school bags ,ran amok in the garden and refused to start any discussion till 6pm.

The floor drilling continued .

Uncle Rik sent the P.A. system for Sin Fan's grandchildren' s violin performance for dad's party.
6 cables and 2 humongous speakers and 2 microphones in my living room.

And at 10pm doors still not ready. Been wiping dust from 3 pm.

And scratched the wooden landing that was re varnish yesterday.

Pat got home after drinks with friends at 789.Didn't feel like kissing him with his air pollution(Aniq's expression for smelly breath).

Told workers please go home!

Fri:

Saw i ve been tagged.Yeah!

Workers back .Doors still not done!

Spring cleaning for party.

Johhny brought a new girl to help but poor thing, she's anemic .Got to follow up on her medication and doctor's appointment.

Thank God Masseur is confirmed for 5pm.

Kids back from school.

Washed Aniqs hair and to send her to piano lesson later.

Got to find pressies for tonight's wedding .And oh dear!! what to wear??.

Air Cond boys is here!

I'm PMS... ing!And all over the place.

Help!!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

And thanks for taggin me.

Mama's Kerabu

2008-07-23T11:34:00.005+08:00

Don't have any idea what's for lunch? How about my mum's kerabu timun?(cucumber salad).

Always tasty, crunchy with a refreshing aroma.A winner with almost anything.

Here's the recipe:

1 Cucumber(myza- it is timun, your all time favourite sayur)

1 Red Chili

1 small onion

Pinch of sugar, sea salt and lemon zest

Slice all thinly.Toss in a bowl .

Chill and serve.

I love it with steamy hot rice,fried chicken and crab curry.Brrpp!

Zoo

2008-07-21T19:59:00.009+08:00

Sunday-Bake a cake

2008-07-20T12:35:00.007+08:00

Lemon Cocoa Cake

1 cup/1 bar (250g) butter

1 cup sugar

3 meduim size eggs

4 cups self raising flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 tablespoons cocoa

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup low fat milk

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Grated lemon rind

Beat sugar and softened butter untill sugar is dissolved.
Add eggs one by one into mixture.Fold with spatula.
Sift flour ,baking powder and cocoa.Add to mixture in batches.
Add sour cream . Add milk.
Stir in lemon juice and rind.

Grease a flat cake mould.Pour mixture into mould.
Bake at 180C or 350F-15/20mins in a preheated oven.

Cool on rack and serve.

Yummy and easy.

Let the children decorate.Have fun today!

The moon

2008-07-20T10:32:00.006+08:00

I slept early last night,so I woke up early this morning.It was still when I peeked outside,and when I pushed the drapes I was greeted with a full moon up in the bluest morning sky.The moonlight glowed brightly into the room and the entire corridor, almost Indigo ,illuminated an out of body experience.
I stood mesmerised by it.
I basked in the soothing blinding light and a weepy bird called out for its mother. There was no one else.It was just us.The moon ,the sky and the bird.
Silence and peace ; the first time in my long and hectic week.

Work by Kahlil Gibran

2008-07-18T08:45:00.007+08:00

And what is to work with love?

It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart,even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.

It is to build a house with affection,even as if your beloved to dwell in that house.

It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy,even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.

And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.

Often I have heard you say,as if speaking in sleep,

"He who works in marble,and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone,is nobler than he who ploughs the soil.

"And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man,is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet".

But I say,not in sleep,but in the overwakefulness of noontide,that the winds speaks not more than the least of all the blades of grass;

And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving.

WORK is love made visible.

And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste,it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

For if you bake bread with indifference,you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger.

And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes,your grudge distils a poison in the wine.

And if you sing though as angels,and love not the singing,

you muffle man's ears to the voices of the night!

All that i want to be

2008-07-17T12:42:00.012+08:00

In my previous story, I told you that my mum love to sew , but i must mention this time that she also sings and loves to act.

But today, I want to share with you about my dad.

He on the other hand ,is crazy about restoring old cars, enjoys painting and has a gift to carve anything out of nothing.

So he was requested recently by his grand nephew to make a carving for the main table at his wedding which he did from Sengkuang.

(Turnip, I believe)

Here,I have a little snipet of the neck breaking process.

I'm very envious of my parents ,so talented and gifted.On top of that, they know how to have fun and tremendously enjoy what they do..

I was hoping my talent is to write.But HEEHAW; this blog just proves that I have no talent .;Sure i can write but this is it.

I have plenty of things to say and share but what is in my mind is stuck and it won't flow.The creative juice is dry.

Ah!!Its easier to talk than to write.

So this story today is dedicated to all of you who can sing ,write, act, paint ,create, design, build and sculpt.

All that i want to be.

My First Love

2008-07-13T15:56:00.009+08:00

Chocolate never fails to light up my spirit. Growing up, I must have eaten an entire store of chocolates.

Our house then was very near a big grocery store.

They sold only imported goods .Preserves ,cake in tins and huge chocolate bars ,cornflakes and other cereals ,butters and cheeses and creamiest ice creams.

Mostly gourmet .Made in England .

Things were very expensive in that store.And the storekeepers were not the nicest people .

They would follow us around, my brother and I,or other children from the neighbourhood.

I never liked them,they were full of sweet talk, only when my dad was with us but when we were alone ,they patronised us and always wanted us to be out of the store quickly.

Perhaps we looked poor!Or perhaps at that time there were no cctv.

But many years later, when the store did not survive the financial crisis of the 80's,the owner and his partners took down the store.And most of them returned to India.But one or two stayed back and without any family or friends ,they became close to us.

My mother and father actually took care of one of them till their dying day.

Sadly,till today there's no store like that anymore, in my home town.

Have some chocolate, see you tomorrow.

A Day Without You

2008-07-10T08:34:00.006+08:00

This morning, I was told that my daughter refused to get up and go to school.

So as I was in one of my better mood ,I let my darling husband,deal with the situation.

While seated in the dark of my room, I remembered that I have told her many times before, that no matter what happens, get up and face the world.

I had hoped that her father could talk to her and remind her of that.But all I could hear was his voice defeated.My husband's gentle soul had no might to strip her off her blanket .

So as a mother I reckoned it was time to make it simpler.I marched to her room with a stern voice and demanded her to reason with me. Not satisfied with her answer, I pulled and yanked her out of bed.

At that time I knew I'm a loser!

She got up sheepishly and she knew too that her time was up. We walked to her bathroom together and from the corner of my eye,I tried to see if she's alright.And yes,in five minutes she was ready .

And soon she left.

Sigh!She was fine but I 'm alone and so emotionally drained.

With a heavy heart i walked to her room;I took a deep breath and let a small cry out!I miss her

Tell me how you deal with

a situation like that?

Step Inside

2008-07-09T09:28:00.015+08:00

About 2 years ago,we embarked on a search for a house .We looked at hundreds of houses. But the more we looked ,the more frustated we became.The houses were either too expensive ,too small or too big or the neighbourhood were too noisy or too congested .So the list went on and on.
But when we almost gave up ,we found this house .It was through an add in the Star.

So much so for our high expectations ;we ended up with a house which was a wreck .

But somehow at that moment ,when we stood in the shabby garden with dragonflies ,butterflies and our girls swirling by we fell in love with it and felt at home.So with trees stood tall and by its fallen gate we shook hand with the agent and bought the house.

And so the hard work began,armed with little knowledge of architecture or interior design we walked down a road of no return.

If I have more time this story of our house would be very long so.....

Enough said;please step inside :

Sit with me

Stay with me

Lay beside me

Catch me

Everlasting Beauty

2008-07-04T10:29:00.010+08:00

My mum, many moons ago loved to sew.She sewed day and night almost on everything she likes.

This dusk pink 'baju biku'(blouse)she made in the fifties.As you can see, there re no buttons on it.So you have to secure it with a kerongsang(brooches).see pics side bar.

The sewing process is long and tedious especially the fine embroidery work.

She stopped sewing after she fell ill.

What i love is her choice of colors and patterns.Its not the same with what you can get from the other baju biku's maker.

Now she sews only for our family little new arrivals, a little flannel blanket.The blanket is hand stitched. Either with flowers and small animals for girls or car and trucks for boys.

So tell me what 's your love lately?

Mine-my blog..

Love

2008-07-03T10:14:00.008+08:00

I ve tried so many times to take a good picture of Linley's candles.They re so fine and i love the feel and smell of the candles.They 're soft like butter to touch and exude the sweetest smell of spices.Rose gave it to us for our anniversary earlier this year.Each candle sits in a fine crafted wooden heart base.

Visit his gallery at http://www.davidlinley.co.uk/.

Rose's Choice

2008-07-02T08:50:00.006+08:00

I spoke to my sis in law last night,i told her i have my own blog.She sounded so pleased.I 'm dedicating a litttle box for her and showcase her mosaic collection.When she went minimalist a few years ago, she gave me so many beautiful ,dazzling things .Here, i have a pair of earrings .I'm not sure if it was designed by Ines de la Fressange.

But the design is almost Aztec and i love the Laughing fish.It makes me smile, everytime i look at it.

Morning Coffee

2008-06-30T10:55:00.004+08:00

1000 words

This morning i was woken up by a

phone call from my children's school.They told me that my little one had hurt herself while playing netball.Her nose had bled profusely when the ball hit it.My heart thumped violently.First instinct was to put down the phone and run to school.
But i calmed myself down and requested to speak to her.
She came on the phone,I thought she wld be crying.
But in her soft little voice she told me that she 's ok."Tak'la tak sakit!"(.."No la ,its not painful"),she said bravely.
I was taken by her calmness and i wondered why.Then i realised, this must be because she's at school and her teacher s in front of her.
If she s at home, she 'd have been howling!
Come to think of it.We re also like that.We re so good to put up a front when we re with people, who we know we can get much.
Especially when we re hurting ,we hide our most inner feelings so well.We think that if we show our feelings, we are weak .
So how's your morning?

Weekend

2008-06-28T13:25:00.002+08:00

1000 words

I love Saturdays.

Its not like Sundays .

I rest and play.

But i miss you.

Tell me how i can forget you

This poem is for Pat,but when i read it to him, he said ,"why do you want to forget me"?Errr!Okay!! Something is wrong with the poem.

But to be honest,its nice when i read it to myself .

A thought and a poem for the weekend!Not to bad.

Tell me how you spend your weekend?

2008-06-27T12:54:00.002+08:00

1000 words

I think i'm quite happy with what i ve done with my blog.I plan to add more interesting thinking soon!I do expect you to say something but i ve not send this blog to anyone yet!
Today will be the first time you see my blog.. Tell me how you feel.

Morning Coffee

2008-06-26T08:32:00.003+08:00

Hi ,
I woke up this morning and said i must get my blog going.
It all started when a dear friend did hers.I was so inspired.
.It took me almost a week just to get the settings right.When i got that right i realised i have no interests to share.i Almost give it all up!
But after coffee morning,i felt i must do it...yes! yes!I thought why not, if it sucks no one will write back .
I called for my husband's helped.He who was rushing to work was not very enthusiastic .But i begged him" LOOK i' only need a bit of your time..coz i always do things for you!"
YUP! how pathetic.My husband helped to edit it just before he left for work.And after all that effort ,i lost that posting.(well! this is not the first)
Somewhere in the cyber space ,i'm sure my missing posts are cursing me .They re all colliding with each other and commenting how not so clever i am.
Anyway, hope this is the place i can escape to everynow and then.
But let me ask you something if you have a juicy gossip but must keep it a secret how do you keep it that way?