Scrapbooking Stash from the States - Part 1

My sister, D said "I'm sure your scrapbooking stuff will last you TEN years!" when we walked into her Singapore apartment with our luggage... After looking at my recent purchases, I think maybe she is right! Hahahha... No lah. If I really scrap all my photos, including the baby ones...I'm sure I won't have enough stuff. I've mentioned the recent 'stash' here and here. My eBay purchases were sent to our hotel in Cerritos... and when the concierge came into our room and said "you have NINE packages", H was a bit surprised. :-) He knew that I was bidding like a mad woman, he just didn't know that there would be 9 packages. Actually, should be 10 but there was this stupid woman who goes round cheating people (but eBay refunded my money quite quickly...) on eBay. She takes people's money but never send off the stuff. So have to be careful when purchasing on eBay... but most sellers are genuine and their prices are generally much much lower than retail...

Anyway, here is Part 1 of my purchases... (Please don't say I GILA...)

12x12 DCWV Paper Stacks
These were on Sale @ USD 9.99 each + tax. All the designs were so nice.... Every stack I see I want. I had to leave soooooooo many lovely stacks behind. I just couldn't take them all back. I'm sure each stack is about 1 kg!

More DCWV Paper Stacks, 2 Pioneer Albums and Refills

Making Memories Value Pack
Not sure if I have everything here... but the value pack of miscellaneous stuff was going for USD 9.99 at Michael's. Some of the things in there I also donno what they are...like grommets. Apa tu??

DCWV Album Kit

This was a great deal...think I only paid $14 or something like that at Michael's...

Another DCWV Album Kit

Inkadinkadoo Stamps

These were from eBay...
Ink Stamps

Also from eBay

Double Sided Tape, Ink Blending Tool, Misc Ribbons
Can't remember if they were from Joann's or Michael's

Martha Steward Embossing Powders & Heat Gun
From eBay..

3 Packs of Perfect Pearls Powder

From eBaY...

Glazed Brads

From eBay...but these weren't deals. In fact, think I overpaid for them. Bleah!

Part 2 will be my SLICE cutter, 12x12 glass mat, SLICE design cards, SLICE pens and embossing tips and other embellishments (Jolee's stickers, chipboards etc)...

Will post the pix if I am not too lazy....

eBay Rookie

I have just signed-up on eBay yesterday... and proceeded to place bids on numerous scrapbooking lots. S2 saw what I was doing and then commented "You must wait only until the last 5 minutes, then place a bid a few cents above, then you will win". His dad asked him how he knew that... From "George Lopez", was the answer!

Obviously, I didn't pay attention to him... placing bids so that I was the highest bidder. There was one particular auction whereby there was only 40 minutes left, and I was the highest bidder then. H kept telling me to stay awake to monitor the bids. I didn't. And this morning, when I checked my eBay account... I lost. And you know what? The fella really only place a bid a couple of minutes before the auction closed. So I could have jumped-in with a higher bid. I lost by USD 1.00 !

Not only that, when I looked at the other lots where I had placed a bid... I had been outbid LEFT, RIGHT and CENTER. i have also been doing the NO-NO. I've been increasing my bid repeatedly yesterday... Basically, I drove the price up. SILLY ROOKIE!

I was kinda frustrated with being outbid, that I just went ahead and bought a 50 pack Jolee's Stickers at USD 19.99 without going through the bidding process. Told the seller to HOLD shipment until the other auction ends... in case I win, and then shipment can be in one lot...to our hotel in Anaheim (taking boys to Disneyland etc etc.. in December).

So now... I am not going to bid until the last couple of minutes. Looks like I am following my S2's strategy of putting a bid at the last minute, after all.

I am watching another auction that is expiring tonight... at midnight. Can I stay up? I will have to stay up! I wanna get the 6000+ pieces of scrapbooking stuff!!!!

WISH ME LUCK!

(Errr... I was going through my existing stash. Looks like I have quite a lot of stuff... so do I need more????)

Errr... More from Melbourne

Errr... this is a continuation from here. I also thought that I didn't buy that much scrapbooking stuff but then when I looked at them today, I thought "Mmm...quite a lot also..."

Silicon Spatulas

(Just found these. They were tucked together with my scrapbooking stuff.

Bought this from the same shop where I bought the Cupcake Holders)

Scrapbooking Set from Costco

(Has 2 albums, papers, stickers, brads, stamps, ribbons, metal embellishments, chipboards)

Embellishments

More Embellishments

No more buying for a loooooooong while!!!

I am very very upset with my H!!

I tell you....I am so very upset with my H!!!

You know what that idiot said about my scrap booking pages??? He said that they are UGLY and looks like cheap comics!!!!! The nerve of him!! He kept saying that I have tooooooooooo many photos on a page. And I write too much! Makes me sooooooooo mad that I want to give up scrap booking liow!!!! And also to smack his head!!

He said that I should have a maximum of two photos per page...like in the magazines. And NOT write. If I follow him, die lah. I would have like 10 albums for just one holiday. Either that, or I don't develop so many photos. but how can??? You go on holiday, of course must showcase where you've visited right? And how can don't write? Must journal our experiences, right?
Agree with me or not??

So upset with him....wanna make him sleep on the couch tonight!!!

Scrapperlicious.....

Just as I was lamenting about kids just wanting to BUY in my older post, I think I may be alittle guilty too.... I have actually bought quite a lot of scrapbooking supplies from the US in my last trip there in Dec'09/Jan'10 from Joann's and Michael's in Los Angeles.
What did I buy then?
4 albums and refill pages, embellishments, border punctures, pens, acrylic stamps and lots of papers. I think I must have bought about 8 stacks of paper which consisted of 48 sheets each. It was like USD 10 per stack. And you know how much they sell here? About USD 1.50 per SHEET or MORE! Sure I need to stock up, right? Right?
No. Didn't take any photos of my previous loot. Why ah?
And Yes. Bags were crazily HEAVY then....

So what did I buy this time?
Again, I bought my supplies from Joann's and Michaels....but this time at Potomac Mills, Virginia.

TROLLEY Bag

My old sling bag is waaaaaay too small to put my stuff in when I go for my Scrapbooking Group Sessions every Tuesdays. How did I bring this back? I had everything dumped in there, and used it as a hand-luggage on the flight. H brought it back home direct. He said he took care of it sooooo carefully that he didn't even allow the stewardess to help him take the bag up to the overhead luggage compartment! Heehee

Album and 3 Paper Stacks
This time, bought only 3 stacks (still had to buy some lah. So nice the colours!!!) as H kept saying I should focus more on embelishments. He was like going "Your pages are too plain. You should buy more of those things you call embellishments blah blah blah....". I wonder if he knows that it is those embellishments that are the expensive stuff!

Embellishments
Some ribbons, Stickers of all sorts, alphabet cut-outs etc etc...

Jolee's Value Pack!

If you are a scrapbooker, you would know that Jolee's stickers are really really nice BUT also kinda pricey. So imagine my grin when I saw this pack. $100 worth of stickers for only $9.99. Felt like 'chap-thou-kamm'(found gold)...heheheheheheh

--------That's it-------

That's all my scrapbooking stuff I bought this trip. Really CANNOT buy anymore scrapbooking stuff. I have stuff that I don't even remember that I have. The only consolation is that I have tonnes of photos to scrap (my sister's wedding from Dec 2008, sister's wedding from May 2010, Summer holidays 2010, and tonnes of baby photos!!!!!!) which means I WILL use the stuff that I have bought....and I have alrady started the ball rolling by completing 8 pages yesterday. So proud of myself. :-)

Now...another 999 pages to go....

The stuff below are embellishments and papers given by my friend S. She has packed-up and left for Seoul....after 6 years living here. Did I tell you that she also gave me her Klic-N-Kut machine when she left? I still haven't opened up the box. Don't know where to put it. It seems like a serious cutting machine. Am told that it can cut-out plywood too, in addition to the usual paper, cardboard, foam etc. Once I set it up, I wouldn't need to buy any more alphabet cut-outs. I can custom-made my letters to suit my papers! That would be awesome.... Now just have to see where I can put that big huge MAMA....

Papers and Embellisments from SH

Sorry. No picture of my Klic-n-Kut. Will upload once I have unboxed it!

Rarity....

Yes. It is indeed a rarity these days that I am up this early. Usually, I get the boys up from bed for school....and then I go back to bed. But today, can't get back to sleep. Wonder if I am a bit "kann cheong" (anxious)? .....as I had three py2b posts to do (just completed), travel stuff to pack (shoes, slippers, undergarments, toiletries...blah blah blah), instructions to be given (to maid), things to remember, errands to run before dashing to school to collect the boys for our flight to KUL later this evening.

Mind suddenly a blank...cannot think what else to write about. So, I shall leave you guys with a HUNK to salivate over.

He is soooooooooooooo gorgeous. Don't you think?

SCRAPMANIA

.....Really cannot buy anymore scrapbooking stuff.

Didn't realise how much I bought until H unloaded all the stuff on the Day Bed in the Study. When I tried to store my stuff away, I realised that I had quite a lot of unused items from my purchases from 2008....especially those that I bought from Melbourne in December 2008. I had even forgotten about them. So...NO MORE BUYING!
See my existing scrapbooking stuff here.

Here's what I got from this recent trip.

Lots of DCWV Stacks from Joann. There were 10 bucks for each stack. Original price was 19.99 usd. And you know what? These papers would easily cost almost 2 usd per piece here in Jakarta. And you know how many pieces of paper per stack? 48!
They were all soooooooooooooooooooooo pretty. I gasak 8 stacks of different design. Gosh.... almost had to send them via parcel post. You know how heavy paper can get...

Also got some albums. 4 actually... plus the refill packs. H said he didn't like my ring-type albums. Yes. I'm sure he was bored to his bones waiting for me.

Basketful of stickers, metal embelishments, embossing kit and stuff, special punches, special pencils and pens, alphabet, more acrylic stamps etc etc. Bought them from Joann, Michaels and even Target. I tell you...so much nice nice stuff! Really can go CRAZY with all the nice stuff.

I really like Joann's. They've got lots of other craft things plus WILTON stuff etc etc. I think if I live in America, I will be buying like NO tomorrow!!!

But then.... I tell myself NO MORE BUYING!!! PERIOD.

Another Cha-pa-lang Post

Punishment
Remember my last post about my irresponsible kids? As a result of the FLUTE incident, I have taken their weekday TV privileges away. I really think they watched too much TV until their brains are all mucked up until they cannot store any other information.
S1 came home the other day (I was out), and as usual turned on the TV...which of course couldn't work (I took away the connecting cables). Then he proceeded to S2's room. TV also not working. Only then he realised that mommy had done something.
With no TV today, I see more reading and other activities. So my decision or removing this privilege is really quite justified. Don't you think?

Painting Exhibition
Okay. None of my paintings were sold. I didn't feel disappointed. Didn't expect to sell them anyway... But was just pretty excited to have my paintings displayed.
I asked H if I should be disappointed....and he said "if all the paintings were sold except yours, then clearly you should be disappointed. But since not many paintings were sold, nothing to be disappointed. In fact, I think the whole exhibition is a lost-making for the organizers"...and then he proceeded to calculate the costs of having the exhibition. Actually, we kepoh-ed on early Sunday morning. We walked around and looked how many paintings were sold...and we counted 2. This was after two full days of exhibition and out of over 100 paintings. As there were many good paintings around, we think not many people actually come with the intention to buy. And some might not know that there are paintings around... this friend went all the way there, and then didn't manage to view my paintings. She went to the exhibits that were near the Prada/Bulgari areas, whereas mine were near Roberto Cavalli.
Oh yeah. I only managed to exhibit 4 of my paintings as I only booked 4 panels. Initially, I thought I'll squashed all 6 paintings into 4 panels. But the organizers said it'll look too ugly. So, The Kiss and Thommanon was out.

One thing I learnt from this exhibition is... do NOT have too many paintings!
Why?
Aiyo...must CARRY them all the way to the venue. Not easy lah.
And then CARRY all the way out after the exhibition.
Next time, better just exhibit a max of 2 pieces lah.
There's another exhibition coming in March...which I want to participate. :-) but this time, I will just exhibit 2 small ones lah.

Busy Baking
Yes. I've been busy baking for the last 2 days...despite my back pain (yeah. Stupid pain is back!). Not because I want to, but because the boys have end of year Xmas Parties at school. S1's party was today, and S2's tomorrow....

Going Home
Yeah. Yeah. I fly back to KL this Saturday....that's less than 3 days away. So many things to do....have to do S2's passport, have my eyes checked, eat my Chue-Yoke-Meen (hahahahha) before I fly to San Francisco on Tuesday, 22nd December.

Okay lah...better go rest my back now. Otherwise all the chiropratic adjustments are not going to help!

TODAY is THE Day!

Yup. Yup. Yup.

The Painting Exhibition starts TODAY!

Exhibition Invite

Nope. I have not gone to see it.

Yesterday, we had to deliver the paintings to the exhibition venue - Pacific Place Mall. We were told to come in from 11 pm onwards as we had to wait for the mall to close. When we arrived, the organizers were just starting to set-up. We registered ourselves, and then had our paintings tagged.

My Paintings getting tagged

And then we waited and waited....and waited.
Even at midnight, the carpets at the area where the panels were to be set up were not yet completely laid. We just could NOT stand-around and wait for the workmen to finish.
So what do we do?
Go home lor ....

Can't wait to see how my paintings look under the spotlight!!

Actually, whilst waiting....I saw some other paintings, and then thought "perhaps I have under-priced mine!". Hahhaha. Regardless. I will be mighty happy if any of my paintings is sold!

BTW, check-out my latest painting - Snooty.
(Nope. This one is not in the exhibition...not in time for it)

General Updates - 23 Nov 2009

Week Long Break!
Boys are having a week long break. And what does that mean??
Games. TV. Internet.
What else?
Originally, intended to either bring the boys to Yogjakarta or Singapore. H actually prefer that I go to Singapore. But with my 'cacat' neck/back/arm, decided to stay put to keep to my chiropractic schedules.
Besides, we are without passports....as our visa/permit needs extension.
Donno why sooooo many holidays one. And it'll only be another 3 weeks before they break for 3 weeks over Xmas/New Year.
Anyway, planning to take them to Waterbom on Wednesday....if it doesn't rain....RAINY season now...

CryBaby
Me. That is.
I find that my tear ducts are ULTRA sensitive these days. The more so, the older I get.
I cry at almost any movies.
I actually cried a few times watching 2012 yesterday!
H was very amused...
GILA or not??
BTW, thought that 2012 was quite a nice movie...

Neck/Back/Arm Pains...
Am better...but still not totally okay.
Despite of the pains, I adhered to my usual planned activities last week.... did went painting on Monday, scrapbooking on Tuesday, tour to Villa D'Equilibrium on Wed, gym on Thursday (though I reduced my time and extent). Friday...think I just lazed about after my chiropractic adjustment. Hee hee..
Went for a swim with the boys this evening...could feel that my right arm has minimal strength. Needed a noodle to help me afloat. Don't know when I would totally be okay... the chiropractor mentioned at least 36 sessions. My insurance policy generally covers up to 16 sessions only, and they would only approve more sessions with a medical resport. Yes. Will be getting the chiropractor to prepare a detail report. Will see how this goes...

New Painting
Yes! I've completed another painting. Actually, completed last Monday.
Check it out HERE.
You like?

What happened to my Baking???
Yup. Haven't baked for ages. And I mean ages!!!!
For one, I've been in pain....and also lazy. There are numerous Xmas bazaars around town that I could have had a stall selling my cupcakes. Boys' school had one on the 11th. And then the American school just last Saturday, and then there's another bazaar tomorrow...and another next week. But But But....PAIN and LAZINESS just does not allow me to commit. :-)
Plus, I wanted to finish off my paintings... going to participate in an art exhibition next month.
More details later...

New Maid
Two weeks. So far so good....and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll last longer than the rest! She's not really a cook, but as long as she can prepare and cut the ingredients, deep-fry stuff (I hate doing this), do simple stir-frys...should be okay lah. She made fish and chips today, which turned out alright. I can do the more complicated stuff, if required.
She's definitely neater than my last runaway maid. How can I tell?
You know those cleaning sponges and cloths that you normally keep under the sink? Where no one sees?
Well, the last maid basically THROWs everything intho the cabinet. Whereas this one actually folds the cloth, and nicely stack the sponges.
So. I'm hopeful....

Art by Nomadic Mom

Must advertise my new blog abit lah....

Go and view MY Art at www.artbynomadicmom.blogspot.com !

Updates.... 4th November 2009

Some boring updates....

S2's Residential
As usual, S2 had a ball of a time at his 3 days/2 nights Residential Trip....visited museum, had fun at a water park, stayed in a 5 * hotel room with his pals...and best of all, NO mommy NAGS for the duration!

Dubai?
H came home the other day and mentioned the possibility of Dubai on the cards...
I said "Huh? No driver wor...." and then H said "but people drive BMWs there...since no tax"
Me - "Okay. I want an X5!"
H - "X5? Got camel also thau-cheow already!!"
Hahhahah...
That's just all talk lah. I've learnt earlier on NOT to think and fret about where we are going next.... cause it's all talk and probably will not come into fruition. As H says "Sapp wakk ter mei yau yatt peet" (have to say in Cantonese lah).
Will cross the bridge when we come to the waters.... I just want to put this in as I thought H's comment about the CAMEL was rather funny. Heee

H Away
H is currently on his way to Europe for work. Took the midnight flight out from Singapore. The last time I spoke to him, he sounded rather stressed about work....lots of changes, it seems. I hope he is coping okay. He actually left for Singapore on Sunday....and will only be back next Sunday. Whilst he is away, S2 is keeping his side of the bed warm...which means either I have to be in bed early OR S2 goes to bed later than his usual bedtime. The plus thing is I could just kick him up... instead of getting up and then going to his room to wake him. Hhahaha. Yes. Lazy mommy.

No Baking ...
Yeah. I haven't baked for two weeks. Seems like a long time. I had some "missed" inquiries that was sent via email. My fault. Of course...
I was also too lazy to bake for the boys' class....despite repeated pleas. Don't know lah. Just have no mood to bake...although I did buy Martha Stewarts book with 175 cupcake recipes last weekend. :-D

Parent-Teacher Conference
My S1 has a student -led conference with the teachers today, which means I would have to take the long ride out to school. S1's home with me now. I think he is feeling kinda restless since no TV and Computer allowed. But he is good in the sense that he read his book and then practised his Sax. Both he and S2 managed to get the tunes for the HOUSE theme... as in you know the series Dr. House????
Anyway, will see what his teachers say about his performance at school later today....

Sis and Family
Yeah. 2nd sis and her family will be flying in from Singapore this Saturday for a short visit. Have been trying to see where to go. Water Park? Safari Park? Kidzania? Seaworld?
We have not decided yet as my boys only can accompany them over the weekend. We'll see how ler...

New Blog
Check out my new blog! I've been busy...
ART by NOMADIC MOM

Jumbled Thoughts...

Baked these today.... Have to say that baking without a maid is quite tiring. Not so much of the baking, but more of the washing-up afterwards. Most times, H would be helping out with the washing. But today, he was at work...and then is en-route to Singapore for work as I am typing out this. Actually, when H told me that I have an order... I was like "Hahhhh??". Very difficult hor? Got order, complain. No order, also complain. Hahahahha....

S2 is better already. He did go to school today. I fed him with Chinese "cooling meds" and also young coconut water. Had my driver buy them from the roadside stalls on his way to work. Can't buy them from the supermarkets as they are usually of the ROASTED kind, i.e. which will be "heaty" instead of "cooling".

Resumed painting classes today. H complained that I was supposed to finish off the Assyrian Lion in time for his birthday. But instead.... by the time it is finished, it would be MY birthday. heee heee. I am almost finished with it. One more session and I think it would be done! Then I can start on a new piece. Don't want to paint anything detailed for my next piece. Perhaps something that looks rather contemporary. One that I can splatter paint everywhere and nobody would think that it's NOT right. Hahhahahah

I have to say that I am a real procrastinator! I was supposed to get a new dining table and the boys new beds TWO years ago!!! And until today, I still have not done anything. Bleah.... I think I better do it tomorrow since I have the car all to myself. S1's bed in particular needs to be changed. It doesn't provide the necessary support for him anymore. Don't want him to have aches and pains like me.....

Btw, did I tell you guys that when I came back after five weeks away, MOST of my plants were dead???? Some really lush ones also MATI! *sigh* So sad! But don't think I will do anything now lah. Not going to replace until after Hari Raya holidays...since we will be going away for two weeks. Don't want my new plants to MATI also!

This and That...

Donno why I used this title.... Basically, this will post will be mish-mashed.

Goodies from H

H came back home from his work trip to the States on CNY eve. Not much stuff for me other than these (not that I am complaining)...

Mochi from Narita

MAC Eyeliners

Prada Toiletries Bag

"Ho Mia"

H came home last Friday and announced that his company has implemented NO INCREMENT NO BONUS worldwide throughout all ranks of staff, with immediate effect.

Aiyo. With this worldwide financial crisis, still have a job is "Ho Mia" (good-life) already. Don't even dare think of increment and bonus lah. Everyday, all you read in the newspaper are BANKRUPTS, JOB CUTS and MORE JOB CUTS. D@mn scary!! And 5 minutes ago, the ticker on CNN flashed something about 20 million unemployed workers in China.... 

ADUH! Scary. Scary. Scary. 

Snowy London...

Sis mentioned that she was snowed-in and couldn't get to work in London....This brought back memories to the time when I was a student. Didn't realize that it was almost 20 years ago until I heard it over the news "Worst snow for almost 20 years.... in the year 1991....". Wah... So long ago ah???? I so old liow meh??

I mean London does have snowfall, but the snow seldom collect. But that year, the snowfall was rather significant. The temperatures was pretty low too.....the snow was too cold even for snowman-making. Can't remember if the tube service was suspended or if classes were

 cancelled. But I do remember having to lug my dirty laundry all the way to the coin-laundromat, in the snow...and finding that I do not have my wallet with me. Thought I had dropped it along the way. 

Can you imagine the scene? 

A frantic chinesey woman with a BIG bag of clothes treading along the snowy path staring on the ground??? Summore I used to wear this yucky dirty brown jacket. Probably look like some bag-lady. Treaded all the way back to my flat, and found my wallet sitting nicely on the table. WALIOW! Blady frustrated!! 

There. My snowy memories of London.

Work-in-Progress

These are two of my current work-in-progress in the "Painting Department". They are the Angkor Wat ruins. I've used a powdered-media to apply to the canvas to create a textured 3-D effect. This will be the base before I apply the oil paints.

Forgot to take a photo before I started....

Will post the completed paintings once I'm finished. Will start on the oil paints next Monday...

"Not Developed Yet"

Over dinner the other day, S2 was telling me about his friend, "Mom. L is very hamm-sapp. When playing tag, he tagged the girls by touching their chest".

Me  - Errr...The girls don't have anything on their chest yet. But yes, you are right. Cannot simply touch.

S1 -  Mom. You should say "the girls' chest are not developed yet"

Waliow..... this coming from my 11-year old.

Jumbled..

Happy Birthday, SIS

Hey, Sis No.2. 

Just wanna wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hope you liked the flowers and cake.

My Buddha

Remember my Buddha painting? Remember how my H critiqued the shadow? 

Well, I have done some re-touching on the shadow as well as on the wall and cracks. 

What do you think? Compare with the old painting here. 

Quiet House

House is especially quiet this evening.

Why???

My S2 is over at his friend's house for a sleepover. That's why.

Otherwise, boys would be fighting and screaming at each other. And I in turn, would be shouting and screaming at them!!

It's really GREAT when my kids are away on a sleepover. The only thing that I worry about is that they might embarrass me with their bad-manners at people's house. You know what I mean?

On the way to the friend's house this afternoon...

Me - Aye....you better behave yourself, and don't be rude etc.

S2 - Yeah. Sure. I hope we go to the Mexican Restaurant for dinner tonight.

Me - Eh. Asking to go to a Restaurant is NOT good-mannered, okaaaay???

S2 - I know! I said HOPED!!!!
Anyway, did stay and have two cups of latte with the mommy. Chatted for over two hours...and then ended up promising her some cupcakes when I pick S2 up tomorrow. :-P

Cupcakes that I will Make...

Remember the wonderfully decorated cupcakes that I learnt to make in PJ? 

The ones shown below here...???

Like I said...these are just for FUN, and that I doubt I will decorate my cupcakes this elaborate.

True enough....... 

Look at the cupcakes that I made today....  

Far cry, huh????

Hehehehehehehe

Not Home Yet...

H is still not home yet.... only arriving home tomorrow morning. Really want to emphasize the meaning of REUNION in our CNY REUNION DINNER! He just left Narita not too long ago, and should be arriving in Singapore late tonight. Hoped he remembered to buy those Japanese biscuits and mochis back for greedy 'ole me.

My New Maid, T 

Yes. Yes. She's not perfect. But she has the right attitude, and is quite eager to learn our ways and habits. I could do worse. Much worse... 

Hiring a maid here is rather different from that in Malaysia. Here, the maid can just leave whenever they like. So, one must somewhat manage the employer-maid relationship so that the maid is 'happy' working for you, but still 'under your control'. Know what I mean??

Hopefully....I won't have BIG complaints about my maid that I need to blog about!

:-)

All About Scrapbooking

Organised my scrapbooking stuff this morning.....The following photos are the recent stuff that I bought.....from Berkerley in October, some stuff from here, and most recently from Melbourne.

Albums to-date

Acrylic Stamps from Berkerley

Embellishments from Berkerley

Ribbons and Embroidered Stuff sourced locally

Pressie from Mott

(more about our meeting in a separate post)

Donno why the photos from hereon all so blurry one leh

Embellishments from Melbourne

Themed Sets from Melbourne

Cardstock, Papers and Vellum from Melbourne

Carry-on Tote from Melbourne

Books from Melbourne

My Buddha

Just finished this painting today. Stupid H said that the shadow looks very artificial. Bleah!!

I will have to ask my teacher what his professional opinion is. 

I thought it looks okay what!

General Updates - 25 November 2008

"Sick" Boy

As I mentioned in my previous post, I decided to keep S2 at home on Thursday. Took him to the clinic to have the nebulizer again. As we were leaving, I saw S2's classmate and his mom walked through the door. She had just picked him up from school. The reason? 

He fell and knocked his head on the concrete ground, and had started to vomit. 

Anyway, she texted me later to see if we could get together for lunch the next day, that is, if her son is okay after the CT scan and all.

All is well at the doctors, ...and guess what?

We met up at the local pizza joint for lunch on Friday, and the two "SICK" boys donned on aprons and chef's hat and went to the kitchen to make their own pizzas, whilst the mommies chit-chatted. They were certainly having a ball...then my friend told her son "you better not tell your teacher that you had lunch with S2 on Friday"....YUP. Two "SICK" boys who didn't go to school, but could have a play date????

Actually, the teacher is just overly-cautious.

Boys' Sleepover

S1 had two of his friends over on Saturday for a sleepover. S2 supposed to have a friend sleepover too, but because he was still coughing, I thought it wasn't such a good idea for him to be sharing an enclosed space with his friend. So his friend stayed till about 6 pm. 

Actually, am not so keen to have sleepovers at my house, but I reckoned that I should do it as this way, I get to know my boys' friends and their families too. 

One of S1's friends, S was sent by the driver. The mom did not come...I don't think that I have really met her. And I thought it odd to NOT come and meet the people that your son is going to spend the night with. I could be a child-trafficker or worse! The other moms did come and have a short chat and coffee. 

And when it was dinner time, this same boy S commented "It's about time!" ....I thought that was kinda rude to be making such remarks at people's house. I commented to H that this boy must be one of those spoilt RICH local kids that have like TEN maids or what-nots in the house!! 

Brunch Again!

Didn't want to go to the Four Seasons Sunday Brunch. I wanted to just stay at home and ROT on the couch, and GROW worms!!! But H had already made arrangements with his friend and family. So reluctantly had to go... 

Didn't eat that much. I drank more. 

NO. NO. Don't be mistaken...I had the non-alcoholic brunch. Just that I drank alot of fruit juices.  The others DID DRINK alot!!! And I mean ALOT!!!

Boys? Didn't really eat...except for the dips at the chocolate fountain. 

Luckily they didn't charge for the kids. 

Roast Pork

Tried out dad's Roast Pork recipe....had to say that it was pretty good. Will certainly make it again. Errr...forgot to take photo lah.

Painting

Finished my Balinese Dancers already...

NICE?

Working on another new painting...a Buddha Statue. Waaaaah. This one is very very hard! The light graduations all soooooo difficult. Will show you when I'm done.

Xmas Bazaar

Went to a Xmas Bazaar this morning...specifically to buy the four Laptoppers requested. Will post pictures next day as they are still in the car....

Okay lah. Later...abit lazy.

Updates - 23 Sept 2008

Looks like I've not been very hardworking with my posting lately......collating everything under "Updates".

Aiya...better than nothing. Right?

Painting Class

Started on my painting class yesterday. Actually wanted to do it much earlier but didn't want to join a class full of strangers. Class is conducted by a local artist at one of the student's apartment in town. There are 5 students in the class, which is just the right number. Not too crowded, yet not too quiet.

As I had previously painted in Bangkok and KL, I had to bring some of my work to show the teacher in order for him to have a rough idea of my capabilities. :-)

Brought a half-done acrylic painting of water lilies to be corrected....had to re-do the flowers with oils now. Took 3 hours just to paint over two flowers. Next thing would be the lily pads... then the water. Still lots to do. 

Will post a photo when the painting looks a little more presentable. At its present state, it is somewhat a disgrace. :-D

Greedy-Pigs

I remember I used to be able to eat alot at buffets. Alot as in able to eat my money's worth. (What to do? Kiasu mentality what) But these days....find that I can't really stuff myself anymore. Do you think that there's anything to do with age? 

I remember piling my plates high with food, and have multiple servings too!

Those were the good 'ole days!

These days....really can't eat that much. Went to the Four Seasons for Sunday Brunch...didn't eat that much, yet felt sooooooo bloated after the meal. So sann-foo/ sing-kor. Pay so much for torture! 

Worse. Don't eat that much, yet pile on the kilos much faster than ever.

Is age really a factor???

US Trip

Still have not booked our NY hotels. Still waiting for last minute deals. The room rates are really so ridiculously high. Even ciapalak 1* hotels are over USD 200. H kept on reassuring me that he will SORT it out, and to leave the booking to him. So...leave to him lor.

Was hoping to meet up with KC in SF, but the weekend we are there, he will be in Boston. 

*sigh*...next time, I guessed.

But definitely will meet up with HT. 

Bowling

We (H and I) have been going bowling lately. As we didn't want boys to come along, we had to smuggle out our bowling balls from the house. Heee heee... 

Aiya...don't want boys to come along as they always fight and do all sorts, and we end up screaming at them rather than enjoying our game. :-D

Am not very consistent with my game....score ranged from a low of 116 to a high of 195. H was more consistent. Hovering around 178 - 189. 

He was like egging me to go bowling again yesterday....to try to achieve a score of 200. 

But was suffering from dizzy spells ....thus gave it a miss. 

Perhaps we'll go tomorrow....

Later....

Back Home

Greetings...

Am back home in PJ. Or should I say parents' home??

Anyway...more about my "woo-loong"ness.. Perhaps I drank too much Oolong Tea that I've become "woo-loong"??? Well, you see...one of the perks of my ANZ credit card is able to claim FREE meals and drinks at Starbucks at the airport. So, being the KIASU that I am, of course I went to get the two free drinks and meals. As I was about to sign the cc receipt, the boys pushed two of those Starbucks lollipops to me. I donno what came over me or what I was thinking, I picked one up and attempted to SIGN on the cc receipt. And still blur-blur wondering why NO ink!!! ADUH!!!! The Starbucks girls were then sniggering behind the counter lah. What can I say? Except to remark that I left my brain at home in bed???

Didn't do much yesterday... "Ta-pau" kwayteow soup home to eat as boys didn't want to eat at the coffee-shop....with a complaint of "so hot!". Was kinda tired last night that I actually went to bed at 9 pm.

And this morning??? Did quite a bit...accompanied Laundryamah to Ikea sale. She offered to come pick me up... (errr... "woo-loong" me forgot to bring my driving license back with me. Had to get H to DHL the document to me...which he has yet to do! How like that??) I did buy some cushions for my terrace chairs (errr...mine really torn like donno what like that) , ice-cube trays and the customary Ikea serviettes. Amah bought much more stuff lah.. bookshelves lah, plants lah, ice-cube trays lah..and the list goes one. My little chore of packing her goods earned me a free lunch at Uncle Lim's. :-)
Oh..whilst there, we saw some "sor-lou" ranting and screaming at the staff for a small mistake. And went on berating about irrelevant stuff etc etc. Really SIOW one!

We jalan-jalan abit and had coffee...Only left about 3 pm as Amah got to go back to work ma...