Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Oh what a night!!!!

Thru the wonders of blogging and a new fren, I was re-acquainted with my old fren Maya. We were classmates back when we were in primary school. After numerous tags and emails back and forth we decided we just had to meet and catch up and update each other on 12 years worth of stories.

It was great seeing her again after sooo long. And as I hoped, we clicked immediately, almost like back in those days in school when the two of us would wait for bus service 901 from the old interchange and yakked all the way home. We laughed like two hyenas escaped from the zoo last night. And the best thing was, it must have been the day for primary school reunions coz one gal came up to me and asked the oft-asked-but-I-dun-have-a-clue-answer - "Do you remember me ??" It turned out we were in the same Malay class back in school and I took the opportunity to invite her to my wedding as well. Her name is Fatimah and she's this sweet, chatty gal who's trademark was her looong (and I mean Super-Long) plait hair.

I had to leave quite early as The Don and I had promised my mom to bring her hunting for furniture for her room. We agreed to meet again as soon as I get back from my honeymoon and hopefully, this time with Naz, our "matchmaker".

Monday, November 29, 2004

Hari Raya Gathering 2004


Standing: Naniz, yours truly & Lisa
Sitting: Luqman, The Don and Hafiz (Fifi)

I can barely open my eyes now. Even with 15 mins of sleep during lunch time just now, my eyelids feel like they're made of lead. We finally ended this year's jalan raya at 12 midnight. Just like last year, the only ppl who went were the 6 of us (actually 7 as Mahanom joined us later) but no one's complaining coz the group is more intimate and we can spend more time at each person's house.

Punctuality went out of the window again (as usual)as the original plan to meet at 12noon became 2pm. We started with Lisa's place then Naniz for a sumptious lunch. We had great fun lookin at our old school photos and previous hari raya outings with the same bunch. Looking back now, we all really grew up together. We've seen each other thru our first crushes to the first puppy love, the first "real" relationship, thru break ups and now the impending wedding of myself and The Don. Insyallah we'll lead the way to more weddings in the near future.

The Don as usual had the time of his life at Luqman's house. Man's mother treat The Don like her own so every year she is sure to cook sup tulang for The Don whenever
we come to their house for raya. She was excited about our impending marriage and shared her experiences as a new bride living with her in-law's of a totally different culture altogether. It was truly an eye-opener and I thank god my mother-in-law 2b is a Gem by comparison.

This year onwards, the last stop is The Don's and mine lovenest (this word sounds so scandalous!!) As promised to Hafiz, I served Mee HongKong & Fried chicken in Oyster Sauce over at our place. I had prepared the ingredients earlier so my cooking time was halved. And with a lil' help from my galfriends, it was served in less than an hour.

Yours truly with my best fren M. Ps: We're not posing ok!! We're really cooking !!!!!

My digi batts went flat and The Don didn't bring along his SLR so I guess no pics of us pigging out. Suffice to say Hafiz & Man ate like they've never had Mee HongKong before. hehehee But thanks guys for coming over. The Don and I would be happy to play host to more such gatherings in future. Just tell me what u wanna eat and I'll dig up a recipe book or two.

And as usual at the end of every Hari Raya gathering, we had our annual maaf-maaf sessions. But of course not before taking last minute jibes and trading insults at each other first. Truly, our annual hari raya gatherings are fantabulous-tic !!!!!

PS: I'll post up more pics here (via stolen links) when the others have uploaded up theirs.



Friday, November 26, 2004

Shoped Till We Dropped, Literally!!!!



It started with an sms I received from Metro on Tuesday
"Only u and 1 gf are invited 20% STOREWIDE@Metro Paragon Ladies Nite!!! 25th November 2004
followed by a flyer in the mail complete with freebies redeemption. Just the thing I have been waiting for!!!!!! I have been having withdrawal symptoms for a long while now and this occassion provided just the release I needed. hehehe After all The Don and I also needed to get our hantaran stuffs.

So after work I met my partner in crime, M (who by the way sacrificed her sacrosanct off day just to accompany me) and despite being seasoned shoppers (haha) nothing quite prepared us for the snaky queue of people trying to board the escalator to Metro. Inside Metro the scene was much worse. There were queues everywhere and there was hardly any space to manouvere. And this was a closed door event for members only!!!! Imagine if they had opened the doors to the public too !!!!! I think there'd b a stampede!!!

It was exhilarating seeing blue price tags everywhere (blue tags mean 20% off for Members) and knowing that the price you see is not the price you'll b paying for. I bought a whole lot of stuff - from perfumes, shoes, lingerie, handbag, wallets, apparels, etc etc. The Don, in typical fashion, left all the buying to me, even for his stuffs. It hasn't always been this way. Besides my late father, he is the most fastidious man I know. With time, I have learnt what makes him tick and now, he even asks me to countercheck his purchases first before buying. (I'll keep this story for another day)

It was indeed a great sale. (Bruno Magli shoes were going at 70% off!!!!!) The event was only for 4.5 hours from 6.30pm to 11pm and yes, again we didn't leave till we absolutely had to...hehehe (its a bad, bad habit!!!!) You know what was the best thing about last night's shopping? Apart from the security guys standing guard at the door preventing the public from entering and the deejay hosting the on-going fashion show, there was not a man in sight. It was ladies, ladies everywhere. (We just hate it when a man lingers in the shopping aisle aimlessly while waiting for their wifes/girlfriends and blocking our way and not to mention the uncomfort we feel when a man lingers at the lingerie section under the pretext of choosing a lingerie for the wife/girlfren UUrrgh!!!)



We were such a sight, the two of us, with arms full of shopping bags. No hands free to even hail a cab home. In the end we hijacked a cab waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

HOLY COW !!!!



I just received word just now. 2 of my uncles (actually my 2 fav uncles) are holding a second wedding feast for The Don and me in Temerloh, Pahang on this coming Chinese New Year. And my other uncle has volunteered to sponsor one whole cow for the event. ONE WHOLE COW??? OH MY GAWD!!!!!

My uncles have always said they want to hold a kenduri for us in Pahang after our wedding but we have always assumed it will be a smallish family affair. Now with news of the impending death of a cow in Temerloh, I think the term "smallish" will be translated into a full fledged wedding kenduri. To say The Don and I were speechless would be a gross understatement. It seems my uncles have already started sending out the invitations. Firstly we are soooooo honoured to be given such royalty treatment. And secondly, ain't it funny to be having another wedding reception 3 mths after the first one. I mean we'll be "Pengantin Basi" already by then.

And more importantly, I'm a bit worried. No one has ever had such an honour bestowed on them before. Not even any of my male cousins (u noe how much the male of the family is revered!!!) much less me, a niece who has crossed the family line and married a Non-Arab. (although this non-Arab is much loved by my uncles and aunts) I feel uneasy facing my cousins who will definitely (I think) feel that it is unfair that I am given such preferential treatment. I talked it over to my best friends and they say I am being paranoid. Their argument is why worry what people think. This is my rezeki and enjoy it while I can. Alisa went on to say perhaps we are now reaping the rewards of the effort we have put in the last 7 years. Perhaps.....

Whatever it is, I draw the line there. I told my aunt let's make it a simple kenduri, a no-frills one. I'd scream if they ask us to "naik pelamin" one more time!!!!!






Saturday, November 20, 2004

The Card

I have officially ran out of invitation cards!!!!! So for the benefit of those ppl who wun b getting any cards (u noe who u r and I'm ssooooo sorry!!) here's a preview.

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Long Lost Friends


The official school book photo


The last photo taken as a class on Teachers' Day 1996.
(photos courtesy of Jieting's website)

I contemplated inviting my secondary school friends simply because its been sooo long since we all last met and I was not sure if they would be bothered to attend. I sat on it for a few months until I met my friend Farazila at her sister's wedding. She asked if I was inviting all our sec school friends I told her I wasn't sure. She persuaded me to do so saying it'd be a wunderful occassion to meet old friends again. So thats exactly what I did.

Little did I imagine I would have so much fun doing so. All the good friends I had in school were vey happy to hear from me. We xchanged email addresses, phone numbers and made use of this renewed contact to stay in touch. We chatted as if we had never went out of touch, joking and reminiscing about past times. The people whom I barely spoke two words to when I was back in school also welcomed my invitation. Funnily, even though we never spoke back then, we spoke like old friends now. The same thing happened when i invited my college & uni frens. In fact I just spent the entire morning talking to two ex-schoolmates, people whose last names I barely remember and never though I'd speak to again. hehe

I still keep in close touch with one teacher from my sec school ---> Mr Jamil. Though he never exactly taught me, he was and still is a mentor to me. Through him, I managed to contact my other teachers (certain selected teachers only) and surprise surprise most of my teachers still remember me.
Osgodby wrote this is his email to me...here's an extract
"I'm very flattered that you still remember your old Literature teacher.I too
remember you as one of the very best students I have had the pleasure to teach.I
will be honoured to attend your wedding" - Paul Osgodby


I have read and re-read that email countless of times. It still gives me a tingling feel-good feeling everytime I open up the email. My teachers in sec school are easily the people who have had the most impact in my life apart from my family so they mean a lot to me. And to have my favourite teachers attend my wedding, I'm sooo happy I can't even begin to describe it.

I'm really looking forward to meeting all my long lost friends again. Although i doubt I would be able to say much more than a few words to them. Still, its great to know that we are in touch again.....

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

A Visit To The Vistarians

It all started from a click. I landed on her blog, saw the familiar err "unique" colour of my block of flats and immediately left her a tag.

Since then, she and I have been exchanging emails and IMs all day, everyday but our hubbas had only been briefed about our fast blooming friendship. So last night we finally met. The Don and I went over to their place for Hari Raya visiting as well as to personally invite them to attend our wedding. Looking at their fully furnished REAL home, The Don and I had our hopes ressurected and renewed our aspirations to turn our house into a home the way they have so spendidly done to theirs. And in true neighbourly fashion, they "returned" the visit within the hour. And the four of us continued our yakking till nearly midnight.

The Don and her hubby have soo much in common it seems. Both men in blue, golf enthusiasts, fascinated with sheeshas and both entreprenuers in their own right. They get along really well alhamdulillah. And of course she and I have a whole other list of things we love doing. In fact, after learning more about each others' family history, there could be a probability that our families may have already been intertwined.

It feels wonderful to have such great neighbours + friends especially since we are so new to the estate and know no-one else except our next door neighbour. They have been thru the stage of life we are now in and the insight and tips they give us is priceless, to say the least. And right now they are on the brink of the natural next stage --> They are having a BABY!!!!!! Being with them is like seeing our whole lives in front of us fast forwarded and yes, we like what we are seeing. hehehe.

It was wonderful finally meeting you n hubby in person and we truly enjoyed our tete-a-tete. We look forward to more such sessions in future.


MENDING WALL - ROBERT FROST

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbour know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
"Stay where you are until our backs are turned!"
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, "Good fences make good neighbours."
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
"Why do they make good neighbours? Isn't it
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down." I could say "Elves" to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, "Good fences make good neighbours."


Celebrating Hari Raya

This raya I had a preview of how all my rayas for the rest of my life is going to be like. For the first time in my life I got the chance to leave the house on the first day. My grandmother stays with us so usually on the first day, my house will be "attacked" non-stop from morning till midnight so no one usually leaves. That is till my sister got married. Every raya I watch her leave in the afternoons to visit her in-laws and I wonder when my turn will come. Its no fun wearing ur bestest, newest clothes & not getting the chance to leave the house. So finally I had my chance this Raya.

After Zuhr, The Don whisked me away to his parents' and after eating lunch we left for his maternal grandma's. As always, the reception I get there is extremely warm. His grandmother was very happy to see me and even chided The Don for not bringing me over more often. The Don's young oousin who calls me "Kakak Bollywood" (presumably because the first time he saw me I was in a Punjabi suit and my Indian features)was so cute. Whereever I sat he will pass by back and forth to glance at me. Yet when I look at him, he will look away and pretend not to have seen me. Next stop, his paternal grandmother's. I havnt had the chance to meet most of his paternal uncles and aunts so that day was actually my first time meeting them. Luckily his cousins whom I have gotten real close to over the years were there so that kinda helped alleviate my nervousness a bit.

By the time The Don sent me home, it was almost nine and I had missed my chance to meet most of the uncles and aunts who had come by. Ooops. Next year, we're gonna have to adjust the timing a lil bit so that I can meet both sides of the family.

2nd day of raya is the usual jalan raya outing for my siblings. We will congregate at my eldest bro's house for brunch then proceed to my grandmother's in Eunos crescent (I hve 2 paternal g-mamas) and my uncles and aunts. Most of my uncles & aunts stay in the Eastern part of SG so we try to cover as many houses as we can in one day. The best part of our annual hari raya visitation is that we go in a convoy of about 6 cars. The children will have the best of time, switching cars from one place to another. And challenging whose father's car will reach first. Since The Don joined the family (this is his 2nd year joining the annual family raya visitings) usually he wins hands down but this year, my eldest nephew got himelf his own car (a Lancer as well) so Uncle Don has a contender.

This raya visiting has also been quite exhaustive for me and The Don. Every house we enter, they will proclaim "Eh the Pengantin is here!!!" and they will proceed with 1001 questions and advice and tips and the absolute worst comment was "This year datang dua orang, next year datang bawak perut eh?" at the same time gesturing a heavily pregnant woman. UUrrghh!!!!

Its interesting to see how colourful our raya is going to be henceforth. I will have so many more family members and a whole lot more houses to visit and people to meet. Not to mention a whole lot more money to give out too.
But its ok.... The Don will be the one getting the shorter end of the stick coz he only has a few cousins while I have 18 nieces and nephews heheheehe.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Saturday, November 13, 2004

SELAMAT HARI RAYA



In case u havn't noticed, I havnt blogged much about my raya preparations. Well It aint much of a raya for me this year. Been too busy preparing for the wedding and the moving to the new house. Still, lemme take this chance to wish one and all

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Maaf Zahir & Batin



Ps: I wish I had lemang this year. (a rarity in Singapore) Raya doesn't feel like Raya without lemang.

Al-Fatihah.

The demise of the symbol of the Palestinian struggle is indeed a great loss to all Muslims worldwide. Even though he did not achieve what he aspired to do, hopefully what he has started will be continued by the new leaders of Palestine and the goal will be achieved one day, Insyallah.



Look at the turnout. To pass away in the holy month of Ramadhan, on a Friday and to be escorted by such a crowd. Which other leader can have such a honour??

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

The Wheels Of Life Turns Round

Yesterday afternoon, an elderly couple walked into my office looking for my boss. As my boss was not in, my colleague referred them to me. When I glanced up to look, I immediately knew who she was. The teacher I hate most. I can't stand the sight of her but in my proffessional capacity, I had no choice but to entertain them. Apparently they had been duped by a time share agency you know those pay-through-your-nose-to-travel-for-free thingy. teacher also so stoopid kena duped oops bulan ramadhan ZIPPED!!!! So anyway I spoke to her as nicely as I could and gave her the appropriate legal advice. At the end of the hour long consultation (free some more!!), I gently asked her where she used to work. Immediately she suspected that I was a student and proceeded to ask me which school I was from and which year. She was happy to know that I knew her and I think secretly hope I'd give her a discount on my legal fees. NO WAY JOSE!!!!!

Why do I hate her so? you ask.....

Back in primary school, I was quite a teacher's pet. I was close to almost all the teachers both those who taught me and did not. The teachers also knew my mom and dad, coz they were quite actively involved in the school and never failed to show up for whatever event parents were invited to. All teachers except one --- Mdm Normah. She taught Malay although I am glad she never taught me. Somehow she disliked me (for reasons I simply dun noe) I always knew she disliked me coz she always looked at me with squinting eyes (I call them evil eyes) and whenever I greeted her she will not even acknowledge it. (That time teacher's pet every teacher also I greet)

One day she sent one of her students to my Malay class to say she wanted to see me. I was puzzled but went anyway. When I entered her class (malay class) she said "Ah murid murid semua, ni lah contoh "Kaduk naik junjung"" As she said that she pointed to me and the whole class giggled. I honestly had no idea what the peribahasa (proverb) meant so at that moment I wasn't embarassed or felt hurt but by her sneer I knew it can't be good. That day itself I went to the library to look it up

Kaduk Naik Junjung - yang bererti orang yang tidak berdarjat lupa asal usulnya apabila naik di status yang tinggi

Imagine my shock when I saw the meaning. As far as I remember I have hardly said two words to her so I really dunno what was it I did that ticked her off so. And there wasn't any issue of "naik status" unless she was referring to the fact that I was the vice-head prefect in school. But I hadn't done anything to rub her the wrong way. And what a way to treat a primary school kid? She must be a sick individual who tried to traumatise kids by shaming them in public. Too bad this particular kid is a bit thick skinned so the effect was somewhat diluted. (coz I didnt understand the words if not I'd be trumatised as well)

Well what goes around comes around.... now she's been duped and is seeking my assistance. And if she thinks I'm gonna make it easy for her ..hell no!! Ok ok I noe I'm being cruel and it being the holy month and all but what she did to me is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. Besides, what are the chances that of all law firms in Singapore she was to come to mine and seek help. It must be God's way of giving me some form of vengeance. hehehe. Let's call it Divine intervention!!! My mom says its a test of the strength of my character whether I will execute "revenge" or be pure hearted to let it go when I have this chance. I took all of 15 seconds to consider before I made up my mind. (rubs hands in glee and puts on my "evil eyes")

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

The Invites

These past 3 weeks, my mother, sis and bro-in-law have been making the rounds around Singapore inviting our relatives for my wedding. Almost every day that my sister is on morning shift or having her day off from work, they'd drive to all corners of the island be it Jurong West or Pasir Ris one area at a time, armed with a boxful of cards. On the days my sister is working afternoons, my mom would drag my aunt along and they will go cab-hopping from one house to the next.

There are quite a number of elderly in my family, and thus the need for the personal invite. My family is full of decorum so when it comes to official functions like this, traditions would have to be observed. Well, anyway the bulk of the personal invites are almost done so what's left are all those cards to be posted.

I managed to email most of my sec school frenz for their addresses & RSVP and alhamdulillah most are happy to come. Those overseas are even booking extra earlier flights than originally planned so that they can make it. It was an exhilarating experience getting in touch with my ol' frens again. When we exchanged smses and emails, its like we catch on real quick with each other, as if there was never a time we lost touch. Despite it being eons since we last met. So I guess it'll be a nice reunion of sorts.

Our wedding will be held over two days, the nikah (solemnization ceremony) followed by a dinner reception for close relatives and close friends and of course the whole day wedding feast on Sunday itself for the rest of the family and frenz. My many many cousins and nieces and nephews & aunts and uncles are all super excited coz there hasn't been a wedding in the family for a while. They have all been conspiring planning with each other what to wear and what to bring and what to do on that Sunday. Its funny how everyone is more interested in what is happening on Sunday when its the event on Saturday which is the one that will change our whole lives !!! Hehehehe

Its not too many days away now (I dread to look at the number of days left everytime I log in here) and I'm starting to feel the chills. Its a stomach churning feeling, deep in my gut. I feel like my stomach lining is turning inside out especially when someone says "EH DA NAK DEKAT EH?" But somehow all the chills disappear when I'm with HIM, coz deep in my heart I know this is the day we have been waiting for...

Monday, November 08, 2004

Bz Bz Week'N

Saturday was spent baking my usual Cornflakes Honey cupcakes. Apart from Kuih Tat (pineapple tarts), this is the next most essential kuih for Hari Raya. For my Don and my nieces & nephews anyway. I fully intended NOT to bake any cookies for raya this year seeing how I'd be busy shifting to the new house but remembering how The Don and my nieces & nephews love them so much, I decided to make them anyway. I might even bake Pineapple tarts as well this Deepavali, Insya'allah.

After buka when we dropped by our new place to get the paint catalogue, our next door neighbours gave us a surprise visit. They are a friendly Chinese couple with two young girls and previously we just chatted outside our respective houses, exchanging greetings but yesterday we invited them in and we had a nice time chatting till nearly eleven. They gave us a brief run-through of all the neighbours on the floor and a quick summary of the shops around the area and which shop is the cheapest. It was wonderful, almost like having a tour-guide. They even informed us where the best child-care centres and kindergartens are in our area. HHmmmm....Their kids took to us pretty fast and soon the youngest one (who's only one and has cheeks the size of apples) was in The Don's arms and the elder one (who's 4) was telling me stories about what she did that day. Look like we're gonna have a great time having them as neighbours.

Sunday was spent painting the doors of our place & the main gate. Finally, the house looks like a home. The previous owners had a penchance for kindergarten like colours. (imagine living in a house with bright blue doors and pink walls!!!) We fully intended to finish before time for breaking fast but as things usually go, we did not. Stuck with no food at home, we thought we'd weather it out then later go down to Vista to get some food when at 6.30pm, 2 angelic souls (???) came in the form of Hafiz & Luqman. They sat for a while then volunteered to get some food for all of us at Vista. I think they must have bought evertyhing on the menu of the Mamak stall coz we ended up with enough food for an army. hehehe But thanks anyway guyz.

As with all gatherings, we had a fantabulous time, eating, performing jemaah prayers for both Maghrib and Is'ya then terawih oops X-boxing. It was really nice havin u guys over. Do come again anytime you are in the area.

By the time we reached home, it was eleven and as I sat down to read the day's newspapers I wondered, where did the weekend go???

Friday, November 05, 2004

Now I See You, Now I Don't




I have a huge dilemma. Ok not so huge by normal standards but huge nonetheless to me. (at this stage, I'm a freak!! Every single teeny weenie problem seems like a major disaster to me) So anyhow, my eyesight sucks big time. I can hardly see anything beyond 2 metres without squinting. Get spectacles you say? I've had countless and most do not last more than a month. I either
  • a) misplace it
  • b) break it
  • c) forget to carry it with me.

    So as of last year when my 16th specs broke, I decided against getting any more. Contacts? tried that too but my super sensitive eyes will water almost constantly and after a while I develop white spots on my underlid. Oh the horror of having bad eyesight + sensitve eyes!!!!

    So back to my dilemma, for my wedding, for vanity purposes, spectacles are out of the question and I dun wanna have red eyes in my photos so no contacts either. I'm gonna have a huge problem recognising people who wave at me from afar and worse I dun wanna trip over my train or something (in my nervousness that might just happen!!!)

    So what in the world am I gonna do??? I really have no idea!!! My best fren cum wedding directeur, M suggested gettin temp contacts just for that day. Perhaps that might just work. Perhaps .. perhaps .. perhaps...
  • Wednesday, November 03, 2004

    Paradox Of Our Times

    Got this off Azya's and wanted to share it with the rest of u ...

  • Today we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

  • We have more degrees, but less common sense; more knowledge, but less judgement.

  • We have more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

  • We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get to angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too often, and pray too seldom.

  • We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too little and lie too often.

  • We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.

  • We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

  • We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

  • We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

  • We've conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

  • We write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less.

  • We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes, but lower morals.

  • We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies, but have less communication. We are long on quantity, but short on quality.

  • These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships.

  • More leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition; two incomes, but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.

  • That's why I propose, that as of today, you do not keep anything for a special occasion, because every day that you live is a special occasion.

  • Search for knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to your needs.

  • Spend more time with your family and friends, eat your favorite foods, and visit the places you love.

  • Life is a chain of moment of enjoyment, not only about survival.

  • Use your crystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume, and use it every time you feel you want it.

  • Remove from your vocabulary phrases like "one of these days" and "someday". Let's write that letter we thought of writing "one of these days".

  • Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them. Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life.

  • Every day, every hour, and every minute is special. And you don't know if it will be your last.
  • Tuesday, November 02, 2004

    Your Dream Wedding Quiz -- What's Your Bridal Style?




    Find out your dream wedding style here

    You scored 53.8% Elegant Earth
    Since you most likely favor cashmere sweaters, little black dresses and diamond stud earrings, it's not surprising that your dream wedding is a classy, timeless affair. Hollywood brides who get married in teeny bikinis leave you cold; elegant style icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy inspire you. Given your affinity for tradition, you probably have some Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn in your birth chart. Although you have a penchant for rich flavors, luxurious fabrics and designer labels, you splurge only on things of lasting value and high quality. Your guests appreciate your meticulous attention to detail -- little touches such as artfully arranged welcome baskets, organized pre- and post-wedding activities and thoughtful wedding favors ensure a seamless, well-executed celebration that everyone will remember for years to come. A bonus: When you and your husband look at your wedding photos twenty years down the line, you'll be glad you didn't succumb to trendy hairstyles and fashions!


    You scored 30.8% Warm-hearted Water

    You've been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl, and you probably have notebooks full of sketches of your perfect wedding gown! Your wedding day is the most romantic day of your life, and you want it to be a magical, fairy-tale experience. Because you probably have some Water Signs in your birth chart (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces), you view your wedding in dreamy, emotional terms. Make sure to invest in a good waterproof mascara! Family is very important to you, so you'll probably go out of your way to include them in your wedding preparations. To create the intimate, loving ambiance that's so important to you, incorporate special family traditions into your ceremony, whether that means wearing your mother's veil, having both families light a unity candle or serving the same wine that your grandparents had at their wedding. Who says fairy tales can't come true?


    You scored 15.4% Fun-loving Fire

    In your mind, your wedding day is the one time that you can be truly self-indulgent without feeling guilty -- after all, the whole day is really about you! As someone who most likely has some Fire Signs in her chart (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius), you crave attention and excitement, so it's perfectly natural that you fantasize about the "oohs" and "ahhs" that your guests will utter as you glide down the aisle, looking the most gorgeous and happy that you've ever looked. However, you are just as focused on making sure that everyone has a great time, as well. Your generous nature inspires you to go the extra mile for your guests, whether it's making sure there's a vegan meal for your cousin or bringing some small trinkets to amuse and relax the nervous flower girl. So wear that revealing gown and make a long-winded toast to your groom -- the spotlight is all yours, and you've earned it!


    You scored 0% Refreshing Air
    As someone with Air Energy in your birth chart (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius), you eschew tradition and favor putting your own unique mark on your wedding. Your wedding day isn't about the details -- you couldn’t care less if the icing on your wedding cake matches the color of the napkins -- but about the love you are celebrating. You don't have a specific vision of how the day will look, but you know that you want the event to be relaxed and casual. Expressing your personality is important to you; whether it's having your brother and best male friends serve as your "bridesmaids," writing your own vows and choosing your favorite poems to be read or giving your bouquet to the longest-married couple in lieu of the traditional toss to the single women, you show that you aren't afraid to be yourself. Your innovative wedding is sure to be memorable, and may even start some new trends!

    Monday, November 01, 2004

    SHOPPING ON MY OWN


    The plan was to go to Ikea with Lisa immediately after Zuhr but due to unforseen (a last minute plan to go to Pusara that morning wif my family) and seen circumstances (haha...this one must ask Lisa personally!!), we finally reached IKEA at 3pm. Going there by public transport wasn't as hard as I thought it would be although it certainly took a much longer time. Going home, however was another story altogether. The taxi queue was soooo long it stretched all the way to the lift going to the carpark. Our Ikea finds were bulky and heavy so taking the MRT or the bus was not an option. Luckily the wait was not so excruciating. *hah the perils of shopping while The Don is overseas!!*

    Ikea was super crowded on Sunday, especialy at the Fabrics, Curtains & Carpet deprtments. Most were trendy makciks looking to overhaul their houses for the coming Hari Raya. Needless to say I stayed clear of such areas. hehehe The time will come I'm sure when I will join the ranks but till then.. I choose to disassociate myself. Thank you very much.

    Its no fun at all shoppping when you are on a tight budget. We have sooo many things to buy this month so no splurging whatsoever and lemme tell you its sooo damn hard not to allow myself to fall victim to the many sales and promotions going on around town. Well I guess I will have to be happy at least I get to be around shopping centres.