Family Day

Saturday is normally family day with my in-laws.

And family day for us usually translates into an over-indulging lunch, viewing showhouses, some sort of shopping, followed by another over-indulging meal.

We're boring people. We can do the same things week after week and still not bored of it.

Walking through beautifully done-up showhouses always reminds me of the passion I once had for interior design and decorating.

5 jobs I'll be doing if I had pursued art instead of science:

• Fashion stylist
• Fashion buyer
• Interior designer/decorator
• Writer
• Event organiser/wedding planner

I love all things beautiful and I think I have a knack for it too, but I guess choosing an almost-guaranteed road to money and status seemed like the sensible thing to do. Though it turned out to be not much of both since I'm now a full-time bum. :/

Besides, I really wasn't that talented in art anyway. I may have an eye for detail and passion for beauty, but quite frankly, I lack the creativity and originality to be different. So maybe I should just stick to buying beautiful things, instead of working with them.

And I love my job, I do. I feel blessed to be where I am (or should I say "was", since I'm currently unemployed by choice?), and I'm not complaining about the career path I chose.

I'm just rambling on because I didn't get my cupcake fix today, as promised. It's a good thing that I did get my ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, otherwise I might suffer from an even-more-severe case of verbal diarrhea. Haha.

Now if you'd excuse me, I should go and have a big piece of blueberry cheesecake to shut myself up.

Dumpling King

I made dumplings today.

The grand project started last night. Me, the undomesticated goddess, spent a whole hour chopping Chinese shiitake mushrooms, carrots and cabbage until my non-existent biceps were sore. I prepared enough meat fillings to feed a small army and left it to marinate overnight in the fridge.

Then I sat at my dining table for another hour tonight, making four big plates of these chubby dumplings.

They were so over-stuffed that the filling was busting out of the dumpling skin like a fat woman trying to squeeze into a skimpy outfit.

Bee frowned when he saw my little fatties, "Are your dumplings obese?"

"Oh don't be so critical! They're full figured bui-lings!" I grinned. (Translation: Bui = Fat.)

He poked at the bulging dumplings and said, "I think the uncle who sells wantan mee (wonton noodles) can easily make 20 wontons outta one of these."

He then came up with some lame raps/rhymes mocking my bui-lings till I had to distract him with some irrelevant chores.

Some of you might have noticed the lack of pictures in my posts lately. My apologies, but I've been so lazy that I couldn't even be bothered to pick up my camera.

The pictures tonight are courtesy of my husband. He was being an overly excited kitchen hand chanting "I want to help make dumplings! I want to help make dumplings!", so I diplomatically said to him, "Sweetie, why don't you be a good boy and go take some pictures of those dumplings for me?"

Kinda like, "Here, go fetch!" Haha.

Half way through stuffing meat fillings, I started plotting my genius business plan - a restaurant chain called Dumpling King. Like Burger King, only with oversized dumplings.

I'll put one in every Chinatown around the globe, serving quality dumplings with generous fillings and my secret dipping sauce with Chinese black rice vinegar.

We'd even offer delivery service. On those cold winter nights when you don't feel like leaving the comfort of your home, all you have to do is to dial 1300-DUMPLINGS and we'll come knocking on your door with freshly made hot dumplings. For every order of $25 and above, you get a complimentary hot and sour soup on the house!

Sounds good? Watch out, as it's coming to a Chinatown near you when I successfully find a filthy rich tycoon with foresight to fund my drastic change in career. Haha.

I think too much dumpling-making is getting to my head and I'm losing my plot. :/

If not, I'll just continue with my one woman (plus one annoying wingman) sweatshop, making enough dumplings to last for a whole week and store them in freezer with nicely stacked containers.

Bui-lings, anyone? :D

A Day of Errands

Bee got pickpocketed at KLCC last week.

Needless to say, it ruined the rest of the afternoon.

Instead of checking out KLCC Aquaria as planned, Bee was running in and out of different security offices and making phone calls to cancel all his cards; while my parents and I loitered around the mall trying to recover from the shock of soaring crime rates in our country these days.

I guess we should be thankful (to our lucky stars, not the damn thief!) that Bee's wallet was later found in a bin and the dumbass, who obviously didn't know the value of an LV wallet, only took his I.C. and the cash.

The security personnel concluded that it was most likely the work of foreign workers', and apparently it's NOT a rare incident. Since there was nothing much they could do about it, we just had to suck it up and take it like a loser.

Everything in this country pretty much hits a dead end, doesn't it? And instead of offering an effective solution for the problem, most people will just shrug at you and say "well, bad luck!". Ugh!

And because of some useless greedy imbecile who steals for a living, Bee had to make a police report (for "formality" purpose *rolls eyes*), apply for a new I.C., and learn to live credit card-less for a few days.

Rather fortunate, considering. Now let's hope that the lost I.C. doesn't come back and bite us in the ass a few months/years down the road, bloody hell!

That's background of the story. I got a little carried away.

Anyhoo, since Bee had to pick up his new I.C. and credit cards today, I thought it'd be a good day to run our errands. I hate shopping malls on weekends.

We started by collecting the report for Bee's blood test results from Gribbles since he has his appointment with the doctor tomorrow, followed by lunch at a Korean restaurant in the area. After lunch, I went searching for my latest obsession - Chinese meat jerky and salted egg yolk pastry with lotus paste. I'll start my healthy diet next week, um, maybe. :P

We dropped off the clothes at our usual laundry store, picked up his new credit cards from the bank, and drove to Putrajaya to collect his I.C. from JPN. I entertained myself during the journey by counting how many toll booths we have to pass through just to get from point A to point B. :|

The last stop was at Mid Valley for our afternoon tea and grocery shopping. We got a lil distracted by the Metrojaya Branded Sale after I got my fix for teh tarik ice and traditional kaya toast. Good venue, very helpful staff, well controlled traffic, limited selection, huge crowd at evening. I grabbed myself a cute Nine West pouch, a singlet for Bee, glass container for the kitchen and this pretty velvet-patterned glass candle holder (at 70% off!).

Time flew by as I lost myself trying on winter jackets in Zara. Before we even realised it, the shops were closing and we (read: I) had complete forgotten about our grocery shopping!

We rushed in last minute to get some takeaway sashimi and sushi for dinner so I don't starve my husband since my fridge is pretty much empty. We're even out of milk! Tsk.

I started feeling really unwell and nauseous when I got home, which is what happens whenever I go out to a crowded place with lots of people because my immune system is screwed.

So here I am, blabbing away on my keyboard while slowly dozing off, contemplating whether or not I should stop by the sale again tomorrow at our second attempt for grocery shopping.

And Robinsons is having the Christmas party/sale for members on Friday. Bah!

New Month, New Skin

For my blog, that is.

This little space of mine turned 3 years old a couple of months back, and I conveniently forgot all about it. So I guess this will be a belated birthday present?

Dear diary, happy 3rd birthday. Please don't be mad at your irresponsible owner who has a tendency to heartlessly neglect you. Me love you long time! *Muacks muacks*

I've been meaning to give it a new look, but for months, I did what I do best - procrastinate.

The weekend before my parents came to visit, I bugged Bee to find a new template for me.

Being the obliging husband he is, he entertained my demand and even drew those two bees I visioned for the header (yours truly is computer illiterate and can't use Photoshop for shit).

But of course, being the bossy wife with an obsessive compulsive personality, I rudely interrupted his work and started tweaking the template myself. Boy I must have gone through hundreds of colour just to get the shade of pink I wanted for the side bar!

It's still not completed yet, but I got lazy I guess it's somewhat ready to make its official debut.

So, you like? :D

Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Patent Pump

You know your youth is waning when you suddenly want a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.

The newest addition to my ever-expanding wishlist - Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Patent Pump.

Black patent leather with goldtone hardware and tonal grosgrain bow with logo-embossed ornament on vamp. Round toe, with a mere 3cm stacked heel.

Simple. Classic. Timeless. Hence my wishlist material.

I can still see myself wearing these when I'm old and wrinkly. I'll be one of those really cool grandmas who wear designer outfits and Italian made footwear.

Here's to growing old gracefully. :)

A Sunday of Gluttony

I slept for 12 hours straight last night and woke up feeling slightly recharged today.

After having a big plate of pork dumplings for lunch, I decided to keep my facial appointment even though it was raining cats and dogs outside.

Bee drove me to 1U, I ran through the car park in rain and braced a shopping mall full of weekenders despite my recently-developed crowd phobia, only to be told that I couldn't do my LHE treatments today due to the sun exposure I had during my recent trip to the beach.

It would have been helpful if I was actually given that piece of information when we scheduled the appointment last week, don't you think? :/

So I had to ring my husband who had just reached home to come pick me up again.

While waiting for my ride, I wanted some Baskin-Robbins ice cream real bad and the only thing that stopped me from getting it was my unwillingness to walk all the way to new wing.

To curb my cravings, I had another big plate of dumplings when I got home, and washed them down with a bottle of coke. Not forgetting the super-sinful but oh-so-good salted egg yolk pastry with lotus paste mum bought for me.

I went straight to bed after my jumbo snack, and only woke up in time for this dinner Bee's parents were throwing for some close relatives.

A 10-course dinner with crabs, abalone, butter prawns, and lots of bad cholesterol later, I'm now sitting in my bed thinking about the Baskin-Robbins ice cream I didn't have this afternoon.

It's no wonder that I can't zip up my favourite skinny jeans anymore. :|

So, Missed Me?

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.

My parents were in town for a week, so Bee and I were busy playing host and taking them around.

They flew back to Swan City this morning, and I'm missing them already. It's funny how you always feel like your personal space is robbed when your parents are visiting because all of a sudden, you're a kid to be nagged again; but the moment they leave, you can't help but miss their presence (and nagging).

I spent my afternoon catching up on sleep. Bee spent his catching up on his anime and games.

Coincidentally, it's our 3-month wedding anniversary today.

Bee was supposed to take me out for dinner, but we're both suffering from crowd phobia after spending a whole week in shopping malls and traffic jams.

So we stayed in, and he cooked me my favourite aglio olio spaghetti with prawns and mushroom sausages. Yum!

Happy 3rd wedding monthiversary, baby. You're my rock!

Updates in A Nutshell

• We have a few dinners to attend this week, and I've been busy scouting for evening dresses at the last minute, hence the lack of updates.
• My gastro-reflux isn't getting any better, I'm considering doing a test for Helicobacter Pylori. How exciting! :|
  
• For the first time in my life, I watched a movie all by myself on Tuesday. It felt a little odd, but not as bad as I imagined it to be. I still can't eat out alone though.
• I've been drinking Berocca every morning to boost energy. But for some weird reasons, it makes me extra tired and sleepy that I often doze off not long after I down the orangey fizzy drink. :/
  
• Bee and I had a HUGE fight during the week. I locked him out of our room for the whole night.
• I'm too lazy to drag my butt outta the door, yet I have this constant urge to shop. My indigestion is really bad, yet my body craves for food like a bottomless pit. Clearly, I have issues.
  
• My parents will be in town for a surprise visit. They're arriving tomorrow, so we'll be busy taking them around next week.
• I've been watching way too much America's Next Top Model and The Rachel Zoe Project that I'm starting to consider a career in fashion. Anyone needs a stylist? Haha.

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

For me, nothing.

They're completely naked.

After months of being obsessed with perfectly manicured nails (rebound effect from repression when I was working?), I've decided to remove all nail polishes and have my nails clipped really really short.

Have you ever just, out of nowhere, started feeling really paranoid about germs accumulating underneath your nails?

Well, that's what happened to me.

And also because I've been told off for licking my fingers (after eating) when there's nail polish on my nails. :/

So here are my bare nails:

They do look a little sad, don't they? :(

I'll admit that I'm still tempted whenever I walk past a nail saloon. I sure do miss getting my nails pampered and painted into gorgeous shades of colours, but I guess it's time to let them rest for a bit.

So now, tell me, what are you wearing on your nails?

Go ahead and make me jealous, gals. *Grins*

Easy, Girl!

Yesterday, I decided to leave my self-pity self at home and head out to the mall.

An over-ordering lunch at TGI Fridays, an entertaining afternoon movie, and lots of shopping later, I remembered how fun it is to just hang out and chill.

But of course, shopping would've been even funner if Aussie dollar hadn't taken a dive, resulting in me having to think twice now everytime before I whip out my plastic. :/

Bee and I had takeaway sushi and sashimi for dinner, after which I fell asleep watching America's Next Top Model.

A growling stomach woke me up at 3am, so I sneaked downstairs and made myself a cup of tea. The chocolate brownie that Bee's parents brought back from their recent trip to Indonesia was SO good that I literally licked the plate clean!

Satisfyingly fed, I continued to sleep through till noon today and woke up feeling much more positive.

So maybe that's the formula to an happier life - shop more, eat more, sleep more, and think less.

If only my head listens to me all the time.

Feel Good Tricks

So I've been feeling real blah lately.

I have no reason to, but I feel like crap. Someone please slap me!

I think I need some pick-me-up's.

What is the one thing that always manages to cheer you up and lift your spirit?

Pray do share. Or just bitchslap me outta my sorry self. :/

Thankful

Mum went for her quarter-yearly checkup today.

The results of both MRI scan and blood tests came back normal.

It's a huge relief.

Every. Single. Time.

I'm thankful, Lord. I really am.

Please, let me keep her.

Blah

That pretty much sums up how I feel.

In length, it can be described as - Unmotivated. Tired. Bored. Frustrated. Sick. Depressed. Idle. Anxious. Blue. Dull.

In short - blah.

Not even "blah!", just "blah..". If you know what I mean.

For the past few weeks, I've been feeling so lethargic and lack of energy that I just can't be bothered with anything. Nothing really excites me, and nothing sparks my interest at all.

Normally a good hearty (read: sinful) meal provides certain degree of comfort during time like this, but my gastro-reflux has been so bad that I can barely keep food down.

I can't eat. I can't sleep. And I'm constantly tired.

I almost feel like my spirit is defeated.

Youtube Makeup Gurus

When I first got back to Malaysia, I was doing a really good job sticking to my promise of not hoarding up any unnecessary cosmetics. And I didn't miss the makeup collection (including my MAC brushes) I left behind in Melbourne at all.

Then I started watching makeup tutorials and haul videos on Youtube, and the effort just went down the drain.

The itch that I didn't wanna scratch, refused to be ignored any longer.

So I thought I'd share with you girls a few of my favourite makeup gurus on Youtube, and see if I can bring some of you down with me. *Winks*

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here they are:

• xteeener

A down to earth and soft spoken girl with a beautiful smile. She's great with using inexpensive and drugstore makeups.

• xsparkage

Just like her fun and bubbly personality, Leesha's tutorials mainly consist of bright and colourful eye makeups.

• askmemakeup

Fabulous retro and vintage makeup tutorials, love the music choices too! Amy is an Aussie, which makes it great since I can relate more to the products she uses.

• pursebuzz

Did anyone else notice that some of Elessa's videos of late had gotten a little "commercialised"? But still, awesome hair and makeup tutorials, and she's such a pretty gal.

• EnKoreMakeup

It's a little weird watching a guy putting makeup on himself, I must admit. But Koren's got some really good makeup tips and DIY ideas, eg. depotting eyeshadows, pigment pressing, etc.

• monroemisfitmakeup

A very pretty blonde who can pull off even the craziest makeup effortlessly. She doesn't speak in her tutorials, which is a shame, but her dramatic eye makeups with daring and bright colours are absolutely gorgeous!

• MakeupGeekTV

She uses a wide range of products and has some great makeup tips. Definitely worth checking out.

A trip to MAC, anyone? :)

It's About Time!

Government Guarantees All Bank Deposits
20:24 AEST Sun Oct 12 2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has taken unprecedented action to safeguard Australia's banking system, placing the nation on a war-like footing to deal with the global financial crisis.

After two days of crisis talks with senior ministers and bureaucrats, Mr Rudd announced a three-pronged plan to further ensure the stability of the Australian financial system, including a government guarantee for up to $700 billion in deposits.

The government also will guarantee the borrowings of Australian banks in international credit markets and extend a program to shore up the mortgage market through the purchase of an extra $4 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities.

The measures, Mr Rudd said, were "designed to help unclog the arteries of the global financial system".

While assuring Australia was well-placed to ride out the financial storm, Mr Rudd likened the current turmoil to a time of war.

"There will be many bumps in the road during the period ahead and the ride will not be smooth," he told reporters.

"We are in the economic equivalent of a rolling national security crisis and the challenges are great."

The government is bracing the nation for higher unemployment and softer growth as the market ructions continue on an unchartered trajectory.

"This global financial crisis has entered a new and dangerous phase with real consequences for growth, for jobs and, therefore, for the future," he said.

The government announcement came as the Group of 20 (G20) rich and emerging countries endorsed the use of all available means to deal with the global economic troubles.

However, the G20, like the Group of Seven (G7) global powers, failed to set out a specific plan to help restore confidence in international markets.

All eyes will be on the opening of the Australian sharemarket after stocks plummeted eight per cent on Friday, their second biggest fall on record.

The government measures are likely to bolster financial stocks but market watchers are unwilling to take bets on what will happen in such uncertain times.

Commsec chief economist Craig James said the share market was driven by sentiment rather than fundamentals at the moment.

"The futures market is pointing to a gain of 27 points but it's still very hard to predict," he said.

"Investors haven't been given a lot of confidence by the wishy-washy statement coming from the G7, it's short on specifics."

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull welcomed the government guarantee on bank deposits and promised to help ensure the passage of any necessary legislation through the parliament.

"It's a very important step and we will undertake to give the government every assistance in ensuring that the necessary legislation will pass through the parliament promptly," he told reporters.

Despite his call for bipartisanship, Mr Turnbull claimed credit for the government's strategy.

The move follows his claims last week that he was responsible for the banks' decision to pass on to mortgage holders 80 per cent of a Reserve Bank cash rate cut.

"The deposit guarantee and the further investment in the mortgage were recommended by us so we are delighted the government is doing this," Mr Turnbull told the Seven Network.

"They should be looking at everything that is why ... we are so keen to sit down and talk to them about this in a constructive, bipartisan way."

Mr Rudd indicated treasury officials would brief Mr Turnbull on the most recent government plan.

From Sunday, the government will guarantee all deposits - up from a previous cap of $20,000 - in Australian banks, building societies, credit unions and Australian subsidiaries of foreign-owned banks.

"I don't want to see unnecessary anxiety out there in the Australian community as ordinary Australians watch the bad news unfold on their television screens from overseas each night," Mr Rudd told the Seven Network.

The government will also guarantee the borrowings of Australian banks so that they can compete on level terms with international competitors.

"Australian banks, despite the fact that their balance sheets are in excellent shape, now have to compete with these foreign banks for funding on global financial markets," Mr Rudd said.

"As prime minister of Australia, I will not stand idly by while Australian banks are disadvantaged in international credit market places because of the actions taken by foreign governments in support of them."

Courtesy of National Nine News

Finally, something positive.

I was THIS close to withdrawing all my fixed term deposits.

It remains to be seen whether Rudd's action is enough to salvage the share market from the worst Australia has seen since the 1987 Crash.

Many are doubtful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Read the Prime Minister's Media Release here.

Net-A-Porter Free Shipping Worldwide

I'm sure most of my Aussie girlfriends share my pain.

Having net-a-porter offering free shipping at the moment is like a slap in the face.

The excitement of finally getting that promotional code we've been holding out for just gets eroded away due to the stupid exchange rate.

Aussie dollar came crashing down over the past week, hitting a five-year low. 6 months ago, Australian dollar was trading at a glorious US$ 98 cents; as the market closed on Friday, it is now trading at US$ 65 cents.

Travel plans and holidays are being put on hold (there goes my much anticipated trip to US of A), and shopping bans are in order to curb expenditure.

The gloomy cloud of a looming worldwide recession is shrouding our hopeless addiction to fashion and beauty.

I guess it's a good thing that the fuchsia ostrich leather Mulberry Bayswater bag is sold out then.

I should just turn off my laptop and go to sleep, hoping that Aussie dollar comes back stronger when the market re-opens on Monday.

Later, alligators.

Crikey! Aussie Dollar!

Australian dollar has been plummeting faster than one can say, "Crikey! What's going on?!"

I feel so broke.

Choices

I don't understand.

Why do I have to choose between having a career that I love, and being around people whom I love?

I love my family and Bee and I love being with them, but why does it still feel like there is something missing?

Whilst it's fun and stress-free to be able to sleep in everyday and not worry about work, I can't help but feel that there is a void in my heart.

Even when my life is filled with love, a part of me feels empty.

I miss having a fulfilling career that makes me wake up every morning feeling that I'm gonna make a difference today. I miss that job satisfaction I get when I finish work everyday knowing that I've done well.

I love my job and I'm good at it. I just wish that I could do what I love to do, and go home to the people I love when I get off work at the end of each day.

Is that too much to ask for? Am I being greedy?

Sure working in Malaysia is always an option, but the working environment and ethics are a world's apart from what I'm used to. And that is something I'm not ready to compromise.

People tell me that I'll get used to how things work around here eventually, but I won't, and I don't want to.

I've always been a person of strong principles and a hard hard head since young, I'm not about to change now.

Work is about passion, so how do you budge when it's something you're passionate about?

And maybe that's my problem, my unwillingness to compromise, my inability to adapt.

Maybe I should just accept that life as a responsible adult is not about having your cake and eat it too.

Maybe I'm just not meant to have it all.

Makeup Junkie

Every little girl grows up playing with her mother's makeup, wishing that someday we get to wear the big gal's lipstick too.

And when we finally get to wear however much makeup we want, some of us just can't wait to get out of it.

Well, for me, anyway.

When I started working, one of the thing I dreaded doing everyday was putting on my makeup. I'd often trade looking fabulous (plus breakfast) for that extra 5-10 minutes in bed.

Makeup had become such a chore that it just wasn't fun anymore. I find myself breathing a sigh of relief on my off days, simply for the fact that my skin feels like it can finally breath freely.

Now that I'm back in Malaysia, I'm more than happy to parade around the town with a bare face on most days. Unlike Melbourne where almost every girl dresses to kill in the city, here I don't have to be constantly self conscious and worry about looking like a complete train wreck without any makeup on even when I'm just doing my grocery shopping.

With this heat and humidity, my skin just feels suffocated whenever there is any product on it. And I trust any local gal with oily/combination skin to tell me that no matter how good the quality is, makeup will melt/smudge/smear to a certain degree in this crazy weather.

So I'm really most comfortable not wearing any makeup at all when I don't have to. Which is precisely the reason I left almost my entire makeup collection in Melbourne, thinking that I won't be needing them much.

And I don't, I really don't. On some days, I step out of the door without so much as a lip gloss on, and I haven't touched my eyelash curler in more than 2 weeks.

Then why is it that I can't stop thinking about buying more and more makeups?!

And this is after I vowed (multiple times, might I add) to never again hoard up unnecessary beauty products I don't use.

It's no wonder they say men are hunters and women are collectors.

Somebody please explain to me why do we girls need hundreds of eyeshadow and lip colours when we only have two eyes and one mouth?

It's an addiction, I'm telling ya.

Bargain Haul: Bags

Watch out, people! The fast and cheap shopper was at work again!

I only remembered in the late afternoon that today was the last day of Robinsons' 1st Anniversary Sale.

On the way to pick up dinner, I asked to be dropped off at Gardens for a bit.

Bee circled around the block, and when he came back to pick me up after a brief 10 minutes, I was already standing at the entrance of Robinsons with my shopping bag. Talk about efficiency huh?

I think I pretty much just rushed in and grabbed the first decent thing I saw on my way to the cashier. Not the most enjoyable way to shop, but very effective to minimise the damage. *Winks*

I got myself two very simple bags, and they're both 50% off!

Since I left most of my bags in Melbourne, I need something inexpensive and fun for everyday use. Something I don't have to worry about tossing it around or leaving it on the floor, and these are perfect!

The white tote is a little plain, yes. But it can be easily accessorized with a scarf or some cute blingy dangly charms.

I like how big and roomy it is! And you guys know how much I love large oversized bags that I can just throw everything in, which probably contributed to my back pain. :/

The metallic grey bag is slightly smaller, but I like the simple and casual design.

(Somehow the colour doesn't show up right in the picture, it's actually much darker in real life.)

I like bags that open wide at the top so I can easily see all the contents.

The other good thing is, unlike some large totes (such as the notorious Chloe Paddington) that weighs a tonne just by itself, these are really light! So I can actually fit more things in without putting too much burden on my shoulder and back.

I can already see us spending lots of time together. :)