Thank you! A BIG shout-out to Sharon and WL of Soon Lee, the wholesome folks who sent not once, but twice (First attempt was lost in mail. I try to imagine the pins eloping to a little Spanish town by the sea.) to send these perfect little buttons across many lands and oceans to me.This was after my silly attempt to win them, and even though I was late in my entry, they insist on rewarding me! Yay!I have always and now, I can't wait to terrorize their lovely shop (and my credit card) when I fly back the next time.Soon Lee 56 Haji Lane, level 2, Singapore. Open everyday from 2pm-8pm. (65)6297-0198 Love Cream Pie by Outgrabe Don't blink or you'll miss me!My friend asked me, right before I left San Francisco, to be part of the video. It's very flattering and Ooh la la! Did it turn out saucy or what? Kudos to the band and production team.Visit their website here.I'm famous! not. 48 Ways to Be Nice and Improve the World Around You I thought everyone might need to take a chapter outta these ok! It's time to be play NICE.Real Simple's The Guide to HappinessHow to Be Nice to Your Friends, Family, and Those Who Need a Little ExtraChannel your second-grade teacher and playfully give out gold-star stickers to all the people in your life — young and old — who somehow make your day a little easier.If you know someone is going out to dinner to celebrate a special occasion, call the restaurant in advance and say you’ll pick up the cost of her wine or dessert.When someone is moving to a new city, supply friends and family members with stamped, preaddressed postcards. (Hand them out at the going-away party.) By the time the family pulls into the new driveway, there will be warm wishes awaiting them.When you run across a newspaper or magazine article you think someone you know would find interesting, take a moment to clip it out. Attach a Post-it note that reads “Thought you’d enjoy” and drop it in the mail. This takes less time than writing a letter, but the gesture still shows the other person you’re thinking about her. Laura Noss, who owns a public-relations firm for nonprofits in San Francisco, says her father, who lives in Cleveland, does just that. “It means so much that when he’s reading something, he’ll rip it out, fold it, attach a message, put the postage on it, and send it to me,” she says. “I save almost all of them.”Similarly, when a young person in your hometown does something to merit a mention in the newspaper (the high school quarterback saves the big game in overtime or your neighbor gets elected student-body president), clip out the photo and article and send it to the person’s family. Chances are, they’ll want to collect every copy they can. (One notable exception: the police blotter.)If you travel a lot on business, record yourself reading your children’s favorite bedtime stories; they can listen to your voice as they flip through the book. Finish each night’s reading with a countdown of the days until you’re back home with them.Every day for a year, jot down one thing you love about your child/husband/friend (he has a crooked smile; she snorts when she laughs). At the end of the year, give the person your one-of-a-kind, 365-item list.When you develop photos from a vacation or a major life event that an elderly relative missed, get an extra set of prints and send them to her.When guests are leaving, escort them to their car, not just to the front door. If you’re driving someone home, wait until she’s inside the house before you pull away.Hide messages for your family to find throughout the day, like “Thanks for doing a load!” in the dryer, or a silly joke in your child’s lunch box.If someone you know is going through a difficult time, call to let her know that you’re thinking about her, but make sure your message doesn’t leave her with a sense of obligation: “Just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you, but don’t worry about calling me back.” When a friend was being treated for breast cancer in a hospital outside her home state, Sandy Donaldson, a community-relations coordinator in Newport News, Virginia, rented her friend a beeper and entered the names of the woman’s friends in its contact list. Whenever her friend got beeped, she could look and see who was sending kind thoughts her way. “The only rule was that she was not allowed to call anyone back,” says Donaldson, who didn’t want her friend to feel any more burdened during her illness.When a neighbor is grieving, leave a basket on her front porch, filled with blank thank-you cards she can send to people who have brought flowers or made donations.When stocking up on school supplies, pick up a few extras and give them to your child’s teacher to pass on to students whose families might not be able to afford them.Donate two tickets to a major sporting or theatrical event to an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters. That way, a Big Sis can take her Little Sis to something out of the ordinary that she otherwise might not be able to afford. How to Be Nice to People on the JobWhen the temperature dips, offer your mail carrier or the teenager shoveling your walk a fresh cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Buy lidded disposable cups so they can have it “to go.”If someone goes beyond her job description to help you, call or send an e-mail to her supervisor praising her. The employee will get a small career boost, and the boss will probably be thrilled to hear something other than complaints.Avery Horzewski, a communications consultant in San Jose, California, likes to give chocolates or Starbucks gift cards to grocery clerks, delivery people, and others who are especially friendly or helpful.Bring in a box of doughnuts for your building’s maintenance staff. Just don’t consume all the jelly-filled ones before you pull into the company parking lot.When you make an in-person donation to a nonprofit organization (such as an animal shelter), also drop off something to brighten the day of the people working in the trenches.Lindsey Schocke, an administrative assistant in Atlanta, knows how stressful starting a new job can be. So whenever her company hires somebody, she makes a point of extending a lunch invitation. “I can answer some questions for them,” she says, “and then they have a friendly face to say hello to until they get to know everybody.”Overtip your breakfast waiter. He probably put forth just as much effort as someone on the evening shift would, but his take-home pay is probably lower. Also read other sections of " How to Be Nice to Your Neighbors" & "How to Be Nice to Strangers and the World Around You" here. A good start I've finally ventured into something new! Oh well, kinda.I've proudly joined a business project as a fabulous merchandiser! This blog shop specializes in bringing luxury 100% authentic American goods to Singapore.I've to admit that over the years, many people have came up with similar approaches and tried to recruit me many times for this sort of position. Thinking that I would have access to many brands that are very sought after in SG and could make a quick buck on the side. True, and I wished I had agreed to this earlier. But it didn't happen as I either didn't have the time/interest or the talk never got walked.This time, I'm giving it a try. And oh my, it's hard work I tell ya! There's nothing like a free lunch ever~ If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, then I tell myself that I've tried my best. So far, it's been pretty fun helping out to 'shop' for other people.So my beloved friends and family, I only do free advertisement on my blog, and this is it.PLEASE go to the website and show face a bit! Indicate that you're my friend when you're ordering that cute Coach bag and specials might happen depending on my Lao Ban Niang's mood.http://nineteen80shop.wordpress.com/For your easy reference, the website is also conveniently and permanently linked on my blogroll ——> Did I tell you that I re-pierced my nose? Okay, there might not be a thing call "re-pierce", but I did it on the exact same side to the exact same nose after the previous closed due to 'misunderstandings' between me and my body.He was very skilled but a bit fierce.My uncle said I'm too old for such actions (?) and my mom said: What?! (This fav. phrase of hers is also printed on her fav. t-shirt which she's guilty of wearing all the time.)It was impromptu as Amy came to town and made me wanna do something painful.Nah, it was just stress from work and then I realise I'm 11 months and 5 days old in Vegas! Almost a full year! I should be able to walk on my own at least, but I'm still so needy.I'm halfway to becoming an LV native now, according to the cool funny old man who was playing his guitar on the roadside—complete with sock & sandals, kneepads (yes, you read me right) and a foldable camping chair in case he needed a break from the 'stage' he set up. It was an interesting night at the LV's monthly "First Friday" events.My friend approached him with a $5 contribution and asked about the kneepads. He said he will deomonstrate their purpose in a little bit and he did.Hard core. Take that all you Guitar-hero wannabes!!!I actually went to this event in June, and I haven't been back since. I went for the first time in November but it was cold and raining. I don't think I'll go again, since my 'kaki' is not longer here :(I count myself pretty fortunate (a-hem) that I've many many visitors during such a short time. Everyone either misses me so much (!!!) or they fancy my giant never-fail-to-shock bathtub or both. Either way it's a win-win situation for them. As for me, I get plenty of good company and goodies from foreign lands. Trying not to complain here.My tally is at 14 houseguests and 13 visitors-with-their-own-hotel-rooms.Just want to let y'all know that I rarely change my sheets and wash my towels.Kidding.And now I'm waiting for the day my mom will come visit. And I know Lesie & wife are not going to make the trip for some reasons. How dare these people have other priorities in life!Also, it means my 1 year work review is coming up. I wonder if that actually means anything for me, given the somewhat weird vibe in the agency. Bad economy? Lay-offs? My department has so far been very secure. We even got new businesscards as we're officially in a seperate 'group'. But I do know I've worked my ass off. Pray for me people! Pray! And you know what I'm after.And those of you who don't know my friends Lance & Nica, it doesn't matter. He just welcomed his firstborn Aiden into this world (YAY!) after his wife did all the hard work.Little Acorn, oops I meant Aiden, just a few days old. (Photo stolen from your album lance! Hope you don't mind spreading some happiness.)In similiar news, my other friends Melvin & Cindy also popped their firstborn Layla about a month plus ago.Awwwwww.......this pic of Layla smiling simply makes me melt a little bit. She had a case of baby acne but she much better now!(Another stolen photo from Mel's blog. Where else could I've gotten them?)So my very out and open plan is to introduce these two babies one fine day (one is on the end of the East coast and the other on the end of the West Coast). I know their parents will be great in-laws and both families will get along damn well. heehee I'm thinking a bit far along the road but hey! who knows right ;)And no, my blog is not turning into a baby annoucement center. It's just happy when happy babies arrive in happy families to lead happy lives.Best wishes to them and hope they grow up strong and smart to save the planet! My mortality If I wake up one day in the hospital bed, with the doctor telling me that I’m on bypass— which means I’m beyond hopeless and relying on the machine—saying that this is just going to keep me alive for a few more hours. What do I do?If I have to lay there dying, with people I know strolling in one by one to say goodbye, what do I do?And if I have to say something what would I say? Leave me alone and let me die alone?And what if I am only in my twenties and my parents are crying and my brothers are hurting and my relatives are mourning and my friends are freaking out? Do I have to sit there in the middle of the static sterile hospital room trying to be calm and all?Can I join in the crying or should I?Would saying the last prayers make it all okay?And which one of you want to volunteer to pull the plug eventually? Or rather, which one of you is the right one to do so?I just saw this scenario on the cutting-edge TV series House. And I just had to think. I can feel it. I can smell it coming.I can see it as the clouds roll in gently over the sky.Ladies and Gentlemen: The Fabulous Fall season is here.Last year's Fall Garden display at the BellagioSigh. It’s almost bittersweet. I love love love, when almost a year ago, I stepped into this unknown city of zero humidity and experienced a nice extended wave of the lovely Fall weather. Just after a few weeks of slight discomfort, I adjusted to the dry-ness with a healthier daily dosage of water. You can basically wear anything you want (oh well, almost~), sleep without the heater or air-conditioning, feel amazingly perfect in just bare skin and air.But with the arrival of Fall, it almost means that Winter is creeping up slowly and undetected. And just one fine day I woke up and headed out — Bam! The chill hit and tingled down the spine. There was no turning back to a long dark and miserable Winter in the desert.So now, I suddenly, like everything precious, realize I took Summer for granted. I bitched and whined about the boiling temperature, especially how the scorching sun shine glaringly into my eyes as I drive almost blinded. I hate to worry about finding a shaded spot to park for long hours at work. I get pissed when I see increment in my electric bills for the air-conditioning. However, I know I am a tropical girl by blood. I need the heat and most importantly, I need to get a tan before it’s too late.I am going to change the topic now.A few work-laden days ago, it marked my survival of the 7th anniversary in this country.7 years ago, 2 weeks after my arrival was also 9/11, the beginning of some dark years to follow. It was pretty inauspicious and I wondered if I’ve made a very bad decision. The US dollar raised, international travel became the biggest pain in my traveling ass and the worst was the fear. I remember my mom telling me not to go near or cross the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge or the Financial District because they’re important structures in the city and always experience bomb threats.This fear instilled in the nation just caused more and more inconvenience, even until this day, 7 years later.Well. Back to the survival part.I can’t believe that I was here that long. It, I don’t really know now, if it’s too much or too little. Because whenever I visit home, I feel like it’s all a dream. That I had never left, except a strange indescribable feeling, like I just woke up from a dream that I am trying so hard to remember but I can’t.I’m not making sense, am I?So I jolly well come back to my supposed “dream”, only to continue slaving over a computer and some software that helps make the Internet pretty and move things so that you will be entertained.Things I do for the greater good.And can I share a secret?Whenever I cook pasta at home, well, not every time but, sometimes, when I cook pasta at home……..I eat it with chopsticks.I think it sums up how I have internally combined both my Eastern and Western virtues.Or values.Or it just shows how messed up I am.blaaaaaaaaah my poor heart~ I think it skipped a few beats when I saw this on Kate Spade's online store.Le sighI can name a few of you who will totally agree and egg me on to credit card debt—clara? danielle?And to quote my dear 38 cousin: "sigh...we are all such insatiable creatures!!!!! never satisfied..."Le sighNow hush hush my unsettling heart~ my first succulent garden I wanna share a new project with ya. Firstly, let me show you where I've been getting my inspiration from:This is from Martha Stewart.This is from here.This is for sale here.So yay! If you've looked through my recent photos taken at LA with my cousin, you'll have noticed that we ventured into a sweet little nursery on 3rd street, Hollywood. I took the chance to score some cute succulents for this project and drove them back to the desert. At the nursery, we also smell what a real rose should smell like! So captivating! If you ever start a rose garden, please plant some "Star Roses"—because that's probably where L'occitane got its inspiration for its lovely and addictive "Roses des 4 Reines" range.Have to take a picture to remember this especially fragrant speciesThe whiter one in the far back, that is a desert rose, had to bid goodbye while the 'tree-like' one in the foreground lost quite a few leaves because it's sooo fragile.So happily we drove back and I only got to re-pot my buys after a while. Unfortunately, they did not survive well in the temporary plastic containers and one of them was sacrificed.........I'm sorry.I had this gorgeous Heath Ceramics bowl that I scored while taking the mosaic class. It has a slight crack on the bottom that makes it not suitable for food so I've planned to use it for planting. Finally, my dream came true~It's funny the soil stuck together when I try to remove them from the temporary plastic container. For the others that weren't, it has so hard not to destroy/hurt the plant while transplanting.Monsieur Gnome has a new home as his previous home was destroyed by natural catastrophe and human negligence.Mine looks nowhere as perfect as my inspirations. I haven't got much time recently due to work commitments to get some pretty stones to lay on the soil surface. But the focus now is to make sure the plants are growing healthily and getting accustomed to their new home. I left plenty of wide open space for them to spread their roots and multiply! Hopefully 'Tres' grows more leaves, 'Cocoa' manages to stand up right soon and 'Webby' continues to flourish! Someone tie me up in all that pretty lace please. I don't know why I do things to hurt myself.For example, I go to the Prada website because I have itchy fingers. Only to fall in love with more of their shoes, bags and everything that's lovely.I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of LACE. Anything lacy is just deemed too girlie for me and I always scoff at my girlfriends when they always manage to pick out the laciest top from the rack. And it's even worse when it's pink.But look at the above photography. How can I NOT love it when presented in such inspiring and beautiful creations?Not to mention, when Danielle was here a while ago, we were window-shopping along the boutique lanes of high-end fashion powerhouses. I saw the above Prada rectangular bowler bag (but in black/grey/white) displayed in the meticulously polished window, lovingly calling out my name. The spotlight only enhanced its magnificent craftsmanship and intricate details that brought on its price tag of an estimated 2000USD.If only I didn't have to co-pay that stupid working visa, I could be cuddling this bag to sleep tonight!Lace. This 4-letter word have rarely crossed my mind, or the lines of acceptance. Until recent years, since the neo-revival of its application in modern design, particularly in all those re-interpretation of classic creations. The rise of my interest with lace started with those modern baroque style found in furniture that are oh-so-cool, especially or only when they are in noir.Like the 2003 Maarten Baas for Moooi Smoke Chair and matching chandelier. No, it's not laced up at all, but it does start to make me like designs that are highly ornate and extravagant in style. I used to be a Scandinavian/SwedishI remember my then-bf and I swooning over it so much. We said we were going to get it for our future home, be it together or not. I'll make sure to send him a notification email when I get it before he does.Remember my 2007 Annual X'mas Grassy Gift List (AXGGL)? Tsk tsk, not paying enough attention again. One of the things I listed was the Lace tape. In black. Because I still think white lace should only be reserved for granny, umbrellas or maybe sometimes, lightly, just a thin trim on a pair of panties.Well, I'm a changed girl. Now I like my laces, but I do only take in light doses, one at a time (Prada items are exceptions). Something to be passionate about (NSFW) Turn back now if you are —conservative (let's be honest)a misogynisthates sexmy parentsmy uncle/aunt/elderhates the color Purplehates seeing other people having fununder 21 years oldBecause I'm going to write about something I experienced for the first time in this glorious country. And you might cringe. Or get caught in the name of reading something dirrty.Disclaimer is stated for your own good. After all, I know my readers oh so well~.................A Passion PartySo I opened my email one fine day and clicked on a particular one from a friend here. Then are some words and then a huge picture of a woman's back (particularly her butt) stared back at me. No, not naked, but in a very sexy black lace panties and handcuffs. Across her upper back are pink swirly letters forming the words.........Oh well let me just show it here.An invite to a Passion Party—It felt funny as I mouse over her butt to blur the address out.So, was I invited to a mass orgy? I don't think so. According to what I hear, mass orgies just happens whenever alcohol is around. They're never pre-planned to precision with email invites.So I was like what? Ran over to ask the hostess what does this means, and she was shocked that I don't know and have never been.PEOPLE, it's the better kinky-er adults version of a Tupperware party that your mom/auntie/neighbour had hosted. Instead of kitchen tools, they sell bedroom sex toys.And that's why I told you to look away. But I'm going to write more because I know you want more ;PSo all the girls got pretty excited. We organized a potluck dinner thingy too. Remember it's never a good idea to go shopping hungry, especially for such.I brought along 2 frozen veggie pizza from Trader's Joe. It's funny that I brought vegetarian food to the party. And it's also funny how all 20 of us girls (it's a big crowd) were actually so busy eating that the saleslady got a little impatient while waiting for us to stop stuffing our face.We gathered around the main room eagerly forming a semi-circle. Clipboards with an order form and a pen was distributed to everyone. She had also laid out a table full of goodies which she promptly went through with explanations, harmless demonstrations and pass them around for us to feel.There were of course plenty of funny moments where all were giggling and asking silly questions like: "Can I put my finger inside?", "...And there is this huge battery pack attached to it?" and the best is "But what's in it for me?" (this is when she was showing a silicone tube sleeve that is meant to put over the penis for a smoother, easier hand job.)It's also pretty hilarious when you see your friend try the numbing minty cream that you can put on the back of your throat to reduce your gag reflex while performing a BJ. Especially helpful if your partner is very very well endowed.My friend sitting next to me ambushed the distracted-me with a discreet bullet-shaped vibrator, which is turned on FULL power. She poked my left arm with that thing while I was blind-sided, and I almost jumped! Damn~ I can imagine those to hurt, instead of bringing pleasure.I also got to get a close-look (finally!) at the infamous Rabbit, featured in various write-ups and shows like SATC. The rabbit form was incorporated in the tool as the ears become the clitoris tickler—that actually seems more hazardous than fun. It is a little too pink to me, but it has a 3-rings part lined with (fake)pearls under the silicone skin that do feel pretty sensuous........Anyways, time passes pretty quick when you're having fun learning new things. We continued to fuss over the catalogs that the saleslady left us with as we found even more entertaining items which she didn't get to show.Oh one thing I forgot. She sells bottled Pheromones. You apply a few drops of the magic liquid to your main bits and they are supposed to enhance your naturals so that they radiate stronger and further to attract the opposite sex. "Will my dogs pick this up?" asked my friend innocently. And actually she is right, this is what happens when those dogs come up and sniff you under your skirt or right at your zippers. Just checking, coz' you never know what's really in the package these days.After the whole thing wrap up, we HAVE to play a few rounds of Rock Band before we leave. I think I'm getting a little better and have ventured to play the guitar now (I only played drums or sing).In all, it was an unforgettable night. So much that I really wanted to share and blog about this despite my on-going clean streak. Might make some of you uncomfortable at the beginning but you know you likey.............*wink* Twelve Tips for Spending Less I think everyone should read this right now, and I will read it 10 times over, just in case I'll forget.Taken from Real Simple Online.Aug 5, 2008 4:00:00 AMNote To SelfTwelve Tips for Spending LessThese are tough economic times, and lots of people are feeling the stress. If you’re trying to cut down on your spending, try following some of these strategies: 1. Pay cash. Studies show that people find it much easier to spend money when they’re using a cash substitute (they also find it easier to cheat or pilfer!). Keep yourself in touch with cost, by using cold hard cash. 2. Focus on small items first. When you buy an expensive item, it’s easy to toss in unthinkingly a lot of smaller items alongside it – items that you might have otherwise have spent a lot of time considering, and which add up to a lot of $$$. So pick out smaller items first, then the larger item. Buy the software, the mouse, the mousepad, and the other bits and bobs, then choose the computer. 3. Don’t buy too much at one time. If you’re buying too many things, you stop paying attention to what you’re getting. Any one item seems insignificant. I call this “shop shock” or “drive-by shopping.” 4. Don’t buy anything at a bargain store that you haven’t bought before at full price. 5. Before paying, review each of your purchases with a skeptical eye. Don’t buy anything you’re not sure you want and can use – this is particularly important with clothes. I often ask myself, “Do I feel like wearing this tomorrow?” Sometimes, I realize I’ve picked something out because I can “use” it – but really, if I don’t love something, I almost never end up wearing it, no matter how useful it might be.6. Don’t tell yourself, “I can always return it”; remind yourself, “I can come back if I decide I need it.”7. Make a list and stick to it.8. Don’t buy anything that needs to be a specific size unless you KNOW the measurements you need.9. Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Even for non-food items.10. Don’t shop as an activity with friends. It’s easy to spend more than you intend, or to buy something you don’t really need or want, when you’re distracted by conversation. Find something else to do with your friends. Have coffee, go for a walk, run errands together (in high school, my friends and I used to do errands together all the time, and it’s a great way to turn a nagging task into something fun).11. Be very skeptical of anything that’s on sale.12. If you don’t shop, you don’t buy. Stay out of stores.The days are long, but the years are short. OOOOO Do you all hold your breaths as the olympian gymnasts let go to double-triple-reverse-twist-and-turn-spin and then land flawlessly? I felt like I've done enough cardios for the year just by watching them.Next up, beach volleyball! Yay! eighteighteight custom garden path in our Balinese host's giant mansionFYI, I took exactly 888 photos, including the above, during my recent trip to Bali. And now I realise I haven't blogged about my Bali trip at all.It might be over in some countries, but MY time, it's still the 08/08/08.HUAT AH~ We all like it. Y'all know today is like the super duper auspicious day of the whole universe that will never repeat itself again, untill like 3008. Which, IMHO, will not happen at the rate we're destroying this pitiful planet.Maybe in Mars. The future Martians can mark my words as they party up 8/8/3008. Please have a vanilla vodka shot for me ok?Oh well~ Let's talk about something hilarious then.[image via theposterlist]Article stolen from mentalfloss.comEggs. We know where they came from (or started … or was it the chicken?), so I won’t bore you with those details. Instead, here are some amazing facts and figures concerning the incredible, edible egg.• First, a little nutrition information. The health value of the egg has been exhaustively debated over the past few decades (cholesterol content, whether one should just consume the whites, etc). But the facts remain: though the yolk makes up roughly 34% of an egg’s liquid weight, contains all of the fat and a bit less than half of the protein, it also contains a higher proportion of the egg’s vitamins, including B6 and B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and thiamin. Vitamins A, D, E and K are exclusive to the yolk.• Keeping eggs in cartons is the best way to keep them fresh. An egg’s shell is actually porous (with about 17,000 tiny individual pores) so that it absorbs flavors and odors around it.• Here’s an “egg counter” for you: A hen requires 24 to 26 hours to produce an egg. Thirty minutes later, she starts all over again. There are nearly 280 million laying birds in the U.S., each of whom produces 250-300 eggs per year, totally around 75 billions eggs - about 10% of the world’s supply.• At a slight 105 lbs, Sonya Thomas (pictured) holds the record for competitive eating in hard boiled eggs: 65 Hard Boiled Eggs in 6 minutes, 40 seconds!• “Omelet King” Howard Helmer, Senior National Representative for the American Egg Board, holds three Guinness World Records for omelet making: fastest omelet-maker (427 omelets in 30 minutes); fastest single omelet (42 seconds from whole egg to omelet); and omelet flipping (30 flips in 34 seconds). My mornings would go a great deal faster with him on board.• Humpty Dumpty may be the most famous egg … but is there evidence to support his being an egg at all? In the original nursery rhyme, there is no mention of Humpty’s egg-ness. While there are various versions of stories of what Humpty Dumpty may represent, the poem might have simply been a riddle whose answer was that Humpty was indeed an egg.• An “Easter Egg” is often code to mean a surprise. “The first Imperial Easter egg was ordered in 1885 by Czar Alexander II. The monarch gave it to his wife, Maria Feodorovna. Inside it contained a surprise: a golden hen, a small ruby Easter egg, and a diamond replica of the Czar’s crown.” There are only 50 Imperial Easter Eggs in the world, and range in auction price from $80 million to $120 million in total. The most expensive Faberge egg was sold at a Christie’s auction in 2007 for £8.9 million ($16.5 million).• And finally, for all those who wondered, there is no discernible difference in nutrition, taste, or any other factor than color between a brown egg and a white egg. The color difference is due to the specific breed of hen, according to the Egg Nutrition Center. Hens with white feathers and white earlobes will lay white eggs, whereas hens with red feathers and matching-colored earlobes give us brown eggs.You know what I’m going to ask … what’s your favorite way to eat an egg? 什么像大便? 爱情就像大便 来了挡也挡不住爱情就像大便 水一冲就再也不回来爱情就像大便 每一次一样又不大一样爱情就像大便 有时努力了很久却只是个屁Courtesy of Moomoo, who copied this crap from Jaywalk, who plurked this hilarious shite. Lamenting the (probable) death of a perfect dress Loads of you have seen the gorgeous black and cream outfit that I wore to my brother’s wedding a few months ago. I’m extremely flattered by the heaps of compliments I’ve received - before, during and after the event. To be honest, I purchased the piece eons ago, for no other reason except that it flawlessly and alluringly fits me to a T………then (it’s a whole other epic, let’s not go there).Today, I chanced upon the dress again, oh well, my apt isn’t that big, but. I’ve been meaning to bring it to the dry-cleaners, as I really don’t want to wash and ruin it. And when you have a nice dress like that, even if you wore it just once, you want to hang it up high in the closet, beaming with pride.And there, I revealed the problem — I’ve only worn it once. To a massive, once-in-a-lifetime occasion where you met almost every single family & friend you know or will ever know. Plus, smugly sharing all the photos of that night on the Internet expanded the amount of exposure of me in the dress. Sigh.Chances of me wearing that dress again? Zero. Na dah. Zilch. Sigh.Because I am a girl. Because I am vain. Because somehow the society gangs up and sniggers at you when you make fashion faux pas like this. Sigh.Let’s say I wear the same dress to the next wedding/X’mas party/Million dollar charity red-carpet gala that I never get invited to. I take photos, we take photos; the next thing you know I shamelessly share the photos with everyone I know again. Then I will receive comments like: “Isn’t this the dress you just wore to your bro’s wedding?”, “Aiyoh, that dress looks so familiar?”, “Why you wear that dress again? You got nothing new?”… …Remember the time when Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her role in Walk The Line? Or do you remember the bigger hoo-ha about her at the Golden Globes wearing the exact Chanel dress previously worn by Kristen Dunst to the same event just 3 years ago?I might not be a celebrity, so you would argue that I don’t have to be self-conscious, as I don’t get sponsors or million-dollar paychecks. But let me tell you this. You will not understand the moral of this post unless you’re a female (or metro sexual).I, unfortunately, conformed to certain social expectations. I believe that looking good…No. Wait. Looking great is key to survival. The beauty & health industry is ever blooming. The entire fashion industry exists because of this. And you, and everyone else owns a mirror.So have you ever heard complaints of someone looking too great? Make sure you know the difference between jealousy and disgust before you answer.Meanwhile, let me fold the dress up and place it in the car so I have it with me if I ever drive by a dry cleaner soon. And after it comes back smelling like fresh air, maybe, one day, down the winding road, I will put it on again if I ever meet someone new. how to wash dishes. I was just trying to do my dishes before I go to bed. But my kimono style bathrobe keep getting in the way. Plus the silky sleeves don't stay rolled up.So I took off the robe and stood there washing my dishes au naturel. I felt really....mmmm.....relaxed. Then I realised, if I have a neighbor from the opposite block has a binoculars, he/she would be able to vaguely peep through the gaps among my closed blinds (as 2 were broken and about to be fixed).But it was 3 days' worth of dishes and I really want to clean it up.So what the heck. If they would bother to squint and hurt their eyes, then why should I bother covering up? Personal cleanliness is more important to me.The whole show lasted no more than 5 mins anyways. Ah.......who cares? soon soon lee lee Update: I swear this wasn't a passive-aggressive post! But the nicest owners of Soon Lee is going to award me with the groovy buttons afterall! YAY! Did I mention one-half of them is a long-lost pri. sch mate? Small miraculous world~One of my fav. little must, must-stop by shops in SG is Soon Lee. It lives on the tiniest street in SG - Haji Lane, with custom decorated walls and columns so I know where to beeline too.Recently, I read on their blog about their 1st anniversary where they celebrated with lollipops, ice-cream and fun fun fun. Too bad I wasn't in town.So on their blog, the nicest lady boss asked readers to share, may I quote, "3 things in life you find most inspiring" and the 10 best answers will win pairs of cute custom-made fabric buttons! It turn out even more inspiring to read what other readers generously shared with the rest of the world.It was really sweet when they decided to give all 24 entries buttons. I miss the post since my cousin's vacation became MY vacation. Dang! I could have been lucky. And of course, my kaypoh-ness didn't stop me from squeezing into the crowd. I had to share my opinions, like it or not. haha!I wrote:1. Nature - just look around2. Love - things we will do and fight forThen I hesitated for the last one. Really. No matter how many times I bitch about life being boring, slow, unmotivating...... I realised I was wrong. Then I thought about the bad things that had happened to me and how they've affected my choices, my perspective & my goals. Good things that occured and how I 'ctrl+s' them for strength, direction & clarity. So then I wrote—3. Time - because I know I don't have forever. No one does. My dear heath, how are you? There are 2 good Heaths I know. Both are dead but their legend lives on. In different mediums and different decades. But whatever. They've both touched my senses in one way or two.I've blogged about the ceramics Heath. Now they're offering this really cool canvas bag with artist Heather Moore of Skinny LaMinx. I wish I still lived across the bay from this Heath.buy it for me here.And then I also want to let you know that I've been eyeing that YELLOW vase forever and ever. It's been a little long, but I think this "favourite-colour-is-mustard-yellow" phase is still going pretty intense. Even my boss commented:"You've been using a lot of yellow recently in your design......" It's summer, what can I say?And again, you can buy it for me here.The other Heath is currently plastered everywhere a movie poster can be. I have yet found the desire to join in the mad crowds at iMax theatres even though I loved all the Batman movie franchise.My dear 38 cousin is still here...(I'm secretly enjoying her companionship very much but shhhhhh....... don't let her know). We are having so much fun and I remember how to be a crazy girl again.With the American Royal Family @ Universal Studios HollywoodOtherwise I only have nerdy programmers, dry desert sand and rude drivers to play with.Until then~ I need 48 hours a day.....but only on good days! YeLLOW!I'm soooooo busy right now coz' my 38 cousin is here taking up most of my time! Wahahahaha......wait till she reads this post when she flies back!We'll be driving down to LA for the weekend so YAY! Venice beach and Santa Monica! Shopping and more shopping! Cute LA boys!So now, I am going to entertain you with pre-drafted post...again!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'm always on the look-out for furniture or anything with Xs'. Found one again.  Forgot which deisgn blog I chanced upon. Sorry!This furniture maker's website has a rather clean aesthetic which I likey a lot. This lounge chair is really cool and sleek. Will compliment any interior decor, BUT it's $3,733. Yesh. It's nuts. sigh. Say Anything Have you watched this John Cusack's classic yet? Because if you haven't, you should.It seemed like the whole universe got together and really wanted me to watch this movie. I'll explain why.A friend brought it up for the first time during a dinner date. He was raving about true love, perseverance and Peter Gabriel's hit single—In Your Eyes, the absolute romantic theme song that was blaring in the boom box John C's character was holding up outside his love's window all morning.The second reminder was when I was hanging out with a couple of friends from work. One of them have a boyfriend who looked exactly like John Cusack, only years younger, which is the age when John C was in that movie. He told us he signed a *fake* autograph as he didn't have the heart to tell the poor little girl that he is NOT him; he crashed a private party of some rich kid and how he wanted to hold a boom box up like John C did in that movie for his gf, just for laughs, one fine day.Then of course, as I'm plants/house-sitting for a colleague on extended vacation, I have to raid his porndvd collection (with his permission ok!). And the Say Anything dvd was sitting on top of the pile.Things happen for a reason. I watched the movie and loved it. I admit that it made me tear, but no, I didn't go out immediately to get a boyfriend. However I did try to, unsuccessfully, 3 days later(a whole other story ok~).After I watched the dvd, I went to a friend's house party and played Scene It. I scored the quickest correct answer when it showed a scene of John Cusack and asked what movie that scene was in. On the following night, I went online to get my regular dose of design blog surfing and saw this:found via designsponge If you want to know what this coaster says, go watch the movie yourself :p "It makes me feel guilty that anybody should have such a good time doing what they are supposed to do. " To prove that I'm a mid-century-modernist, I have to get this commemorative sheet of 16 42–cent Charles and Ray Eames stamps. I think it'll look pretty swell on my dining-area wall next to my (no points for guessing it right) eames chairs.You can buy it here. 100% paper Yes, you read it correctly. My new pimpin' white lattice fedora from Target is such a steal! $9.08 to be precise. Reminds me of this.ok ok I admit I bought this too. We will meet again. It's has been 2 years since Dolly left for her vacation.Just wanted to remember. For a good time, click HERE. It's about time My good friend G calls me from Singapore every now and then to check on me. This past phone call she suddenly asked: "Have you been using the tea cup I bought you?" or something like that."Er.......I haven't. I'm washed it already, but I'm worried that I'll break it," I replied, or something like that."You should use it! Make a nice cuppa tea, put some biscuits on the side and relax! It's the weekend," she insisted, or something like that.So there you go. I had to take a picture as evidence. I know she lurks silently behind the kooky words of this blog.Thank you~ know what's bad(and itchy) for you. This is not the first time. And now, I definitely suggest each and everyone of you to go get an allergy test to find out what's bad and bad for you.My first experience was with poppy seeds. Yummy! Poppy seeds. Not only do they taste good, they make you feel good.......... when you have like 50 poppy seed bagels! And you also know it's wonderful when our govt. adds it to the list of banned/controlled items.Every Monday morning I charge to the agency's kitchen for my weekly fix of poppy seed bagels. I didn't know why I liked it that much, and I also didn't know why I get this hardly-visible, yet extremely irritating itchy skin rash on my legs and arms that looks like I have a permanent case of goose-bumps.It continued up to the illuminating point of the realization that this vicious cycle repeats itself every Monday morning without fail. (actual conscious post here.)Bugger! I added poppy seeds to my flourishing list of unique allergens — cats, stupid boys and bananas.Oh well, now that I think I'm older and wiser, I victimized myself again in a similar fashion. The culprit, this time is Maleleuca oil, otherwise known affectionately as the miraculous Tea Tree oil. It was given to me in goodwill, for its well-known healing properties and I was only too relieved to have a lifesaver with me at all times.Ah! Before you sue me for defamation, let me tell you why your wonder drug is essentially my unspeakable poison. I had a mild irritation on my ultra-cool nose pierce after a major sinus flare-up. I put your wonder oil on affected areas which, upon my current realization, caused a unknown skin reaction to the surrounding areas. Thus it led to a re-occuring infection that let me to applying even more of the wonder oil that led to the ultimate removal of my nose pierce. (actual conscious post here.)In Bali, I sat by the beach to watch the sunrise and undecidedly fed the entire local mosquito population. Ppppfffffft! It's just mosquito bites, it'll go away after 1-2 days of mild discomfort. But I apply some of the wonder oil just to speed thing up coz' I have a major wedding to go to and Voila! patchy inflammable skin emerges all around for everyone to enjoy. It only healed after 3 weeks of my new 'no-meds, no-scratch' policy and scarring (!) is a whole other biatch.My lovely couch decides to unleash a killer nail's end at its most frequented corner and proceeds to slash the back of BOTH of my ankles in an attempt to cripple and then trap me in its arms. It was very hurtful, but when confronted, it just kept silence knowing that it has already won. Anyways, I applied the wonder oil and grew very suspicious when rashes start to manifest. It was the burning rashes that almost killed me, whereas the wounds just turned slightly swollen and crusty, doing its own thing. Now that I know, I took some Benadryl to ease the itching, applied the good old boring, tried-&-tested Neosporin Plus for the cuts and will hold a spirited disposal ceremony to free myself from that deceiving little bottle of evurrrrrrrrrl!So it's time for an allergen test (depending on how expensive it'll be) and find a local nose piercer who wants to see me cry. a lot of time I went to the grocery store and bought the following:1. Lucky Magazine 2.99 2. Neosporin Plus 4.76 3. Extra large bandages 1.79 4. Gentle first-aid paper tape 2.09 5. Bistro chef ready-to-go salad 2.99 6. Sara Lee's original cream cheese cake (whole) 5.39 7. 3 gallons of filtered water 0.78 x 3 I'm not leaving my apartment for the whole weekend. I gotz everything I need, and an internet connection.see you next week! The Fall The movie poster is a little too dali-esque for my taste. However, it has been one of the best movies I ever saw.It started with a mindless conversation with the big boss, then my intern (thank god for his existence!) start to rally some of us for the movie tonight. I probably didn't mention that I stay right across the street from a huge movie theatre. It seems real convenient right? But tonight? Tonight is only my second movie night ever since I've moved to Sin city.Back to movie. Set in a LA hospital circa 1912, it captures the intimate development of a curious friendship between an actor who fell and broke his legs and a chubby, charming + cute girl, who also fell and broke her left arm (hence the title).So out of boredom, the little girl look upon the actor for some invaluable entertainment through his fictitious epic stories, brought to (more than)life by the amazing director. He is also the same inspiring person behind the movie 'The Cell', if some of you are old enough to remember.Most of the time I felt like I was the little girl with my awkward left arm cast, sitting on his crummy squeaky bed, anticipating every word that coming out of the actor's mouth. This international quest for love and revenge will take you through more than a dozen countries, beautifully captured in their essence. There's mainly 5 heroes and soon you'll discover more of them yourself as the movie lives. Like in many movies, the plot thickens and dark clouds gather. Yes, like many other movies, but this time I like it. Whenever a movie starts in a hospital, you kinda already know it's going to sway that way. Can you already see how amazing these movie captures are?Once of my fav scenes in the movieIn the end, it's..... oh well, I almost gave it away. Let's say, it's a very touching and aggravating ending with the resolution of the actor's personal struggle with mortality. Arrrggh! I loved it. Plus the actor looked so hot in eyeliner :pOkay, I'm tired. gotta go dream of the Taj Mahal now.