Careful Of Words We Made

Magnetic Force

Everyone in my family loves to collect fridge magnets, especially cutie ones from countries we have visited. 

Baby K's K2 Birthday

How times flies. My nephew Baby K turns 2 today. Recalled how anxious we were outside labour room two years ago. His K1 birthday theme was Mickey Mouse when he was 1 yo. This year, Baby K chose the theme of his birthday cake, and he chose Thomas the Tank Engine.

It's fun and educational to have a child around at home. Going from zilch knowledge on babysitting, I can declare myself as expert now from child-proof our house to what's the latest and best dust-free baby powder around :)

Karen Mok

I used up two bottles of KM this year. You feel charmingly-quirky when you put on this scent :)

Little Things, Big Impact

These are some of the small things in my life. Some I bought. Some are gifts. Having them have really brightened up my days. 

What's For Lunch?

I love to eat spicy food whenever I am feeling down. 

Kimchi Noodles

To date, this is my favourite brand of instant noodles (kimchi flavour) that are sold in Hua Ho Supermarket for B$3.50 (for a packet of 5).

Persimmon Red

We painted our living room and dining hall last week, and purposely highlighted the main wall red which we want to decorate with photos. The other walls are in "apple white" shade which looks ... simply white to me. 

Dream Or Reality

Given a choice ... and not be seen as a lunatic ...

Then, this would be my dream home :)

Photo from flickr.com.

Incanto Charms: Salvatore Ferragamo

Sweet scent.

Daisy: Marc Jacobs

One of the perfumes I use this year:

This is the Spring Limited Edition. I particularly like the ladybug on the box and those stickers to decor the flower lid. 

Real Vs Fake

I tried a pair of The Face Shop fake (aka false) eyelashes last week. Unsure how those models and celebrities could stand those fake stuff. For 3/4 of the event I attended, I felt 1/3 of my vision was blocked. To start with, I have long eyelashes, and the one that I have chosen was too long for the shape of my eyes. Overall, I must give 100% praise for The Face Shop fake eyelashes glue, it holds very well - I didn't have any worry that the fake stuff will drop in my mushroom soup ;-)

White Christmas

The song "White Christmas" keeps playing in my head. 31 days to Christmas's Eve!

Absolutely Love This Magnetic Spices Rack

Photo from apartmenttherapy.com.

I Love This Books Sorter

Photo from apartmenttherapy.com.

Confessions Of An Almost-Shopaholic

Warning: This posting may sound girly like how you watch a chick flick. Another side of Pancakeism! Hahaha ...

I haven't really shopped for a while, to the extent I almost forgot the joy to see so many different shades of lip balms available , and so many different functions of BB cream from different brands, etc.

I am not so much of a shopaholic these days to begin with. Somedays when I get really busy, it will just be sun block, eye liner and perfumes, voila. 

Yesterday I bought herbal cleansing wipes and dual lip care from The Face shop. I used to be a big fan of facial cleansing wipes, but for yesterday I was just attracted by it's light sweet scent. The dual lip care is good: exfoliator and tinted lip balm. As I don't wear lipstick these days, tinted lip balm is essential to maintain moisture on my lips and add colour to my face. 

I also bought a charity hand cream (light texture, highly recommended and limited edition), and flawless skin-perfecting foundation (this is a perfect medium coverage for lazy women like myself who wants only sun protection and concealer) from The Body Shop. If you feel good, you will look good. 

The Sunlight

I usually dream a lot in my sleep. Last night I had this similar strange dream again, about me searching for "early sunlight streaming through my kitchen window on a Sunday morning".

I typed in the keyword immediately when I woke up this morning, and had more than thousand of sunlight images appeared on my screen - but those images were not what I am searching for in my dreams and in reality.

This ray of sunlight that I am searching has appeared many times in my dreams, to the extent I can even feel it's density - the weight of beautiful sunlight shining on my forehead, the sweet smell of morning sunlight and the quiet sound of Sunday morning.

Either I am an odd one, or everyone has the same dream every now and then.

No matter how, I will keep on searching - searching for that 'right' feeling of sunlight.

This links me to think about Dan Brown's latest book "The Lost Symbol" that I read three weeks ago. May be that sunlight is within our heart, and up to each individual to define it. 

The following photos are not mine, stumbled upon them while searching for "The Sunlight". These photos are from photobucket.com. If they happen to be yours and you wouldn't like them to be published on my blog, please drop me an e-mail.

One Of The Leisure Friday Afternoons

Problem Solving 101

It's my habit. I love to read a few books at the same time. Currently, I am reading Seth Godin's Tribe, Ken Watanabe's Problem Solving 101 and John C. Maxwell's How Successful People Think. 

I've just finished reading Problem Solving 101, given it a 6.5/10 because I have learnt about critical thinking skills before my reading. The easy-reading and interesting illustrations made it a page turner!

Ken Watanabe originally wrote Problem Solving 101 for Japanese school children. His goal was to help shift the focus in Japanese education from memorization to critical thinking, by adapting some of the techniques he had learned as an elite McKinsey consultant.

He was amazed to discover that adults were thirst for his fun and easy guide to problem solving and decision making. The book became a surprise Japanese bestseller, with more than 370,000 in print after six months. Now American businesspeople uses it to master some powerful skills.

Watanabe uses sample scenarios to illustrate his techniques, which include logic trees and matrixes. A rock band figures out how to drive up concert attendance. An aspiring animator budgets for a new computer purchase. Students decide which high school they will attend.

Illustrated with diagrams and quirky drawings, the book is simple enough for a middle-schooler to understand but sophisticated enough for business leaders to apply to their most challenging problems. - Adapted from Amazon.com

Pancakeism Avenue

If you recalled my earlier postings, you would notice I have written on similar post previously. Since completion of my first degree, I have always wanted to write Children's books such as "The Legend Spookley, the Square Pumpkin" - educational and edutainment for children. Away from the two boxes, television and computer.

I thought of reading to children in bookshops and libraries, donating books to children in disadvantaged families, helping them to develop their creativity and communication skills besides improving the language itself.

Then you will question, why haven't I come up with my children's books. In fact, my academic book came first.

Not the procrastination. I have lost count. I must have written more than thousands of opening lines, but never quite managed to finish the first chapter before I chucked the whole theme away. Even though writing may not be difficult for me, illustration is a challenging task. In my views, no children's book is complete without proper illustration.

Perhaps, in my revised resolution list, I should consider picking up my creative pen again!

Must Find Time To Watch

Too ...

Too many dreams,

Too little time.

Good Food

An edible model of London's skyline has been recreated using fruits and vegetables.

The project, which was commissioned by the Good Food Channel and photographed by Carl Warner, features 26 different types of produce.

The Houses Of Parliament have been made from asparagus, beans and baby sweetcorn; while Big Ben's face was modelled with slices of lemon. The London Eye had green beans as spokes and its pods carefully crafted out of baby plum tomatoes, and the Gherkin building was made from two types of melon and embedded with green beans.

St Paul's Cathedral was made from roundels of carrot, yellow and green courgette and baby leeks, and the dome was made out of a melon and baby sweetcorn. The Tower Bridge was crafted from pineapple, celery and shredded wheat.

Good Food Channel head Roopa Gulati said: "This is a stunning image which has quite literally transformed the London skyline through good food, proving that fun with food in a creative and light-hearted way is the way forward."

Warner and five model makers took three weeks to craft, construct and compile the skyline while struggling to keep the food fresh and looking its best. - Courtesy of Ananova.com

Believe In Your Strength

First of all, I am feeling much better today. Sorry for the pessimism tone in my postings last week. They were unavoidable, because deep down I had too much that I wanted to say.

If I were to say it, would everyone want to listen without judging that I may be creating a Mount Everest out of a molehill.

Anyway, revert to the first sentence, every now and then, we need to "empty all stale water in the glass". Last week was probably one of those moments for me. I need to reflect, think and re-think, and focus on paths I need to take in the next chapter of my life. Also, most important of all, to correct my mistakes (there are many), and to build on my strength (if any, hahaha).

I am also glad that I am no more frustuated with little things in life. Either I am getting fatter and able to absord and digest negativism faster. Or simply, I am able to process information quicker, and chuck all not-required information faster.

Like truth, belief, values, and appreciation, all these so-called things in general, are essential in our life as a holistic person. However, it's not easy to describe them. Most are in abstract forms. But I can't deny they are there, just like how we can't explain why a person get more empowered after stumbling upon a phrase or advert slogan that changes his perspectives after that.

In this world, there are many who may want to put you down. If you believe you are stronger than them, you won't be defeated easily.

As Determined As Kids Think

Dream, Dream, Dream

Many quotes these days emphasized that dreams are essential in achieving the goals.

Guess, it slipped their mind to mention, REALISTIC dreams.
But, will dreams ever be realistic??

DREAMS



Don't you wish you wake up in the morning, there is a nice aroma of coffee waiting for you at the breakfast table.
Your fluffy cat, your loyal dog and your chatty hamster can talk in human language. They share with you things you have missed out while you were sleeping, including a neighbour cat that trespassed your front yard.

Daniel Eric Gold is your husband, and you have a daughter as cute as Suri Cruise.

Mr Obama is one of your good friends, and you get invited to Michelle Obama's Girls Night Out.
You eat a lot and you never gain an ounce, and you can fit in tiny Sarah Jessica Parker's dress size zero.

You have breakfast in Beijing, lunch in Hong Kong, and dinner in Brunei.
There are no worries, and you are full of strength.

Nothing comes between you and courage.

When you go to bed, you count the blessings and know tomorrow is as good as today, if not better.

***

REALITY

Reality always bites.
The cutest guy always asks you for your best friend's number.
The waiter gave you sorbet when you asked for ice cream.
When you complain, you are short temper.
When others complain, it's one of their bad days.
A friend called to ask for a listening ear. When you called for reciprocal ear, he said you are whining.
Man and man quarrel are about principle and rights. When woman and woman quarrel, it's cat fight.

Then, you realize, it's all parts and parcels of life.
Life's too bored if it's without ups and downs.
You learn each day as you try to overcome these issues and challenges.

In a blink of an eye, jealousy and back-stabbing are still there.
But you smile at these things now, for you have learnt to let go.
There are other important things that deserve your attention.
Life's too short to dwell on negative matters.
You may be kind, but stay assertive.

One day, those with the same eyes will be able to see and observe,
all you have done and positively contributed.

***