Impulse Shopping

No, I am not a shopaholic.

But at times, I do indulge in a little shopping therapy. Sigh.

This normally happens after a prolong time of absence from any shopping malls or shopping activities. So all this suppressed urges get blown off with a need to buy something to make myself happy. Weird, huh?

In February, the urge to buy something for myself for Valentine's day was quite huge. Perhaps, added with feeling down and lost, I was easily enticed to buy something which I quite regret now and have not even used it.

There was a 50% sales at a jewellery boutique near my office. I was never really interested till out of boredom, I googled the designer pieces they advertised. I was hooked.

I was hooked by their designer's collection - Jeanine Payer.
When I saw her lovely creations with hand-engraved lovely words or poem engraved to little pieces of silver, I thought it was a meaningful gift as I so love words... :)

This is an excerpt about Jeanine Payer's works.

One of Payer’s first creations was designed as a gift: a tiny book engraved with a beloved poem by Rainer Maria Rilke that only the wearer knew was there. Today, Payer’s designs continue to be graced with the words of both contemporary and ancient voices such as Emily Dickinson, Rumi, Lao Tzu, Jane Hirshfield, and Ovid. “Each person brings their own particular meaning to the jewelry, therefore each piece becomes highly endowed,” says the designer. “These pieces become talismanic as they are chosen to mark emotional and philosophical moments in each person’s life.

I dropped by the boutique, thinking I might get one of those for myself. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford one. Minimum, it would have cost me RM700 plus and it is only silver which will oxidised and turn black (according to the saleslady). I strongly felt she didn't want me to buy the designer items.

In the end, after browsing an hour with the apt attention of the sales lady, I was sorely tempted to buy something. Another "customer" came in and hinted to me that the tennis bracelet was worth a buy. It would have been more expensive in a boutique (which I can't recall/don't know) in Bangsar Village. She bought a ring for herself.

Hence, since I got myself all worked up at buying something, I bought the tennis bracelet just because I got intrigued with the term "tennis bracelet". Weird huh?

After googling the term, I realised it is a in-line thin diamond bracelet named after the former World No. 1 woman tennis player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, Chris Evert in 1987. It was accidentally broken during a match whereby the match was interrupted to allow Chris to recover her precious diamonds. Then it has been a trend since then.
Obviously the one I bought wasn't a diamond bracelet but a zirconian bracelet. I bought it at RM200.... sigh I know.. I shouldn't have splurged on this. I found a cheaper version in LYN for RM14. I silently wish perhaps the stones are more expensive than the LYN one.

Oh yeah, I have learned about online shopping. Bought one practical item before. Now about to order another item not available in Malaysia.

Conclusion, I can't run from impulse shopping but at least online- it will make me think long and hard as I have to bank in money, wait for postage, trust the seller, etc. What do you think? :p

Cross

What does the “cross” mean to me?

I can always remember the pastor telling us the danger of being obsessed with the image of a cross; as if it is a magical cross whereby we can use it to ward off evil spirits with a “boo”! The best example is the killing of the vampire with the stake.
That example is showing the danger of idolising the symbol of the “cross”. Even clinging to the cross wearing around your neck in hopes it will protect you is not encouraged. We are not supposed to be attached to any symbolism.

After all, we should be confident in God’s presence and protection all the time without the literal need of an object of protection or a protective covering around us like Bubble Boy.
To me and to most Christians, we see the cross as a symbol of our salvation. It is the symbol signifying the cross where Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins. Why?

Well, it is a simple reason. It is because God loved us so much that he was willing to send his only begotten son to die on the cross to atone for our sins (those done and those we are going to do).

Yes, I admit I know how to easily type and quote that but the most important thing is how that image and thought means to you deep down in your heart. I am always moved when I hear this song, "At the cross". It best described how I feel when I “see the cross”. I love the ending of the song which uses the term, "my friend" - showing how God is to us; our friend and relatable.

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank you
Once again I pour out my life

Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross, my friend



Another spirit-filled song by Hillsong entitled, "At the cross". Listen to the lyrics.


Imagine this:

You look at the cross and you remember Jesus was tortured as he was crucified. Yet, he cried out to Father God and ask forgiveness for us when the people was going to crucify him.
'Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' (Luke 23:34)

I feel like giving our Father a hug for this gift of salvation.... for Thank You for the cross, my friend.

The ticking of Time

I never expected time to fly by so quickly. My colleague smartly remarked that “Time flies faster especially after you become 25 years old.”


We are reminded not to feel too attached to this world. I quote Matthew 6:19-21,
”Do not store up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

After all, it is a temporary life we have here. I remember this ironic statement which goes like this, “The day we are born is the day we start dying.” Hence, we were always told this: “Carpe Diem! Seize the day and live life to the fullest.”

I thought I was a quite organized person who put goals and resolutions with some idea or strategy to reach my goal. Of late, I don’t really feel that way any longer. It feels like as if I have given up on myself and it is scary. To think that, I don’t feel a need to be organized and planned anymore. I have asked myself, “What is the used? You try your best but things never go as planned. You are not in control.”

This year, I realized that I have been waiting for the past few years. It was a silly little girl’s dream. Even though, we think we are not in control, the decisions we make is by us. We cannot blame “karma” or “luck”. It happens because we want it to happen or we try to make it happen.

As I try not to look back at the past but only reflect on my accomplishment, I noticed it is not impressive at all. I guess that is why suddenly, I felt a need to push myself this year: to try things I never do before, to improve my skills and be focused. For if time ticks on and I don’t appreciate it, I will feel miserable every time I unintentionally reflect back on it. I do not want to be Ebenezer Scrooge who regrets very late in his life.

Now I tell myself this:
Let us be refreshed and not falter, if sometimes we slack back and fall.
For no matter how low our life falls, it has nowhere else but to go up.

During this time of brokenness, seek God and learn to rely on Him instead of yourself and other mortal beings. Only God is perfect enough to live up to our expectations.

Perverted Roaming Eyes

It is indeed the truth that most of us having roaming “kay-poh” eyes. We like to look and observe people; their behaviour to their dressing. It is a naturally pass time as seen of people who like to sit on benches at the park, shopping complexes or al-fresco dining area facing the pedestrian walkway.

However, this is done rather discreetly without the person being observed realizing it. The roaming eyes which I find rather rude and annoying happened fairly recently.

My friends and I decided to visit a “meeting” conducted by a popular organization. Upon arrival there, we were greeted rather warmly. In fact, the guy I contacted to inform them of our visit, had a little tête-à-tête with us during the break.

While talking to us, I noticed his eyes will not look directly at your eyes all the time. About 2-3 seconds, his eyes will roam below your eye level to your chest. It happened two times and I was very annoyed. I left the discussion to have some snacks.

After the meeting, I checked with my other two friends if they wanted to visit this event again. One complained about the same guy standing too close and even though she backed away, he kept walking closer to her. The other friend seemed oblivious till I explicitly described to her my experience and she had to admit that his eyes did roam down when he was talking to her.

Is it not rude to not look at a person’s face or eyes when you are talking to the person?
Is it not even ruder to look at a women’s chest while talking to her?

I admit, if the women wear a plunging neckline or a sexy top; the men must have tried their very best not to let their eyes stray (like the picture I googled below). In fact, some might rudely suggest they want men to look there. But we were very decently dressed (buttoned up and not tightly dressed) and he was standing so very close to us while talking and looking.
Hence, because of this one uncomfortable experience with this man, most likely, I will not join that meeting any longer. I know, one should not let a single person to spoil the whole thing; but how can I attend a meeting when I feel uncomfortable?

So, to all men out there, yes, we know your eyes do roam but at least be polite enough to look when the women is not looking at you or talking at you within arm’s length! Pervert…

When it hurts...

I feel lonely. In a crowded room, sometimes I look around all those unfamiliar faces and feel so alone.

In fact, you could be hanging out with a bunch of best friends or with one close friend and still feel lonely.

It hurts to feel that empty void inside of you. Most of us mistakenly seek companionship to feel that empty void. I can reassure you, it does not work. After sometime, the chattering of your friends start to irked you or perhaps, that so-called-companion will never seem around for you.

When it hurts, you feel dejected, lonely and absolutely miserable. Instead, we should not be like that. We should learn to be "alone" but not entirely alone because there is always a greater companion nearby who we take for granted.

I honestly feel I always forget that He is nearby. Remember the "Footprints" story? It illustrates how blind we can be, when we foolishly seek the worldly ways instead of God's ways. We forgot that God is always there for us.

For remember, the scripture in Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Hence, when you feel lonely, talk to God and without you realising, your loneliness will just suddenly drift away. :)

Footprints

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking
Along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene,
He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
He looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
There was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened
At the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him
And he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You,
You'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that
During the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed
You most you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
When you see only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

To sms or not to sms

Apparently, it is wrong to excitedly share a news with someone, when you achieve a certain level for a game.

My friends and I are still into Mousehunt. We will vie with each other to see who can catch the newly-created species of mice first. When any of us finally caught the notorious hard-to-catch-mouse, we would post on each others walls to show off our catch.

It's just a simple game for fun.

We would even text each other to inform for fun (especially since it took me soooo many months to catch a Black Widow mouse). We sometimes call or text to ask about the right trap configuration to catch the mouse. Ms A. had happily smsed me to tell me she caught a Cupid Mouse before Valentine's day!! (Show off!! Joking..:p )

I'm given the impression that it is weird to be this excited over a game. I did the mistake of smsing my catch to my bf... His friend was holding his phone when I smsed and asked "what is this mouse thing?"

Sigh... don't ask me why someone else was holding his phone... don't ask me why I need to explain myself.

In conclusion, I quote Rhett Butler, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

As long as I have fun as this game entertains me, I shall have no spoil-sport and enjoy my little "victory"! Sound the horn, my friends!! :)

Sa-lad

I cannot help but laugh when I see Spongebob's expression in the episode whereby Mr.Krabs' daughter changed the Krustry Krab (a fast-food restaurant) into a health eatery. She taught Spongebob how to make a salad. He would say, "Saaaaa... laaaddd" and his eyes would all tear up because there was no patty (meat). Look at his love for the Krabby Patty as shown in the picture above.

Anyway, I hate vegetables. I do. Since I was young, I just don't like those bitter, greeny, leafy healthy vegetables!

However, as I grew up, I realised how important this little green vegies are. No, I won't get super-pumped up strength like how Popeye does when he eat spinach. However, I would have gotten better skin!! My skin is now so dry and scaly at certain parts... Eeeee... I know.

Hence, I discover vegetables could be delicious in the beauty of "salad".

I always though a nice combination of a salad was coleslaw (too much of KFC!!) with all those watery dressing! I do love cabbage and carrot (they don't have the green health chlorophyll) Look at the salad normally accompanied by the fastfood!!

The healthiest salad I know of is of no dressing but with extra virgin olive oil. But.. ermm, it is not appetising to my spoilt taste buds.

However, since a few weeks' back, I tried Coffee Bean's breakfast set and was delighted at the salmon foccacia I got with a little salad on the side. FYI, Coffee bean offers a few breakfast sets around RM15 below with a cup of coffee or tea (and free refills till 11am). Do try them! :)


Somehow, the combination of the salad was really tasty and appetising. I really enjoyed it and wondered how to make it. Looks like lettuce, baby tomato, nuts, dried cranberry tossed in olive oil.

Another option of salad I tried was at Lavender Cake Shop & Bistro's. There is the broccoli salad tossed with mayonnaise(I know fattening but yummy) and some nuts(err no idea), raisins, celery and croutons?

A sandwich shop near my office used to serve a nice salad too. He added bacon bits to the salad making it crunchy and giving it the extra zing. :) Too bad, the place has closed down since.

In the meantime, I will start buying some of those ingredients (besides the vegies) from Cold Storage and experiment it myself. I have noticed a few items last time but never bothered to try it out. Time to eat healthy in a delicious way... Yummy... :)

Book Review 1: Little Black Book for Graduates

I bought this little black book (15cm X 10cm – yes, I measured) about half a decade ago, right after I graduated.

It literally is called, “Little black book for graduates” and it literally, is little and black in colour with about 200 pages.

Give me some credit; at least I can finish a book, even though the thinnest and littlest book. Lol.

It really is a little advice/guidance book based on Biblical scriptures on 6 areas of our lives: education, career, cash, God, marriage and challenges.

It is already concise and in point form, but I will share one point from each topic which is beneficial to anyone at any age.

EDUCATION
3 Qualities of a Great Leader
1. Ask questions
When you are around people who know more than you, ask them lots of questions. Then, shut up and listen.

2. Be teachable
Someone once said, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." There isn't anyone that knows everything. That means there's more for you to learn.

3. Have passion
One time a student of philosophy asked his teacher how he could become a man of great wisdom.
The teacher said, "Follow me and I will show you."
The teacher waded into the ocean and the student followed him
The wise teacher held his young pupil under water until the student began to kick and fight his way to the surface.
The student gasping for air asked, "What did you do that for?"
The wise teach replied, "When you want wisdom as much as you wanted air, you will find it."

CAREER
3 Keys to Sound Career Decisions
1. Realise your work alone will never bring true happiness (Matt. 6:33)
2. Don't be hasty or impulsive in your decision (Eccl. 5:2)
3. Never leave one assignment without a concrete plan for the next.

CASH
4 Keys to Effective Budgeting and Saving
1. Know exactly where you are today (the goals is to have more income than expensies)
2. Determine to live below what you earn
3. Live by the 10% rule (10% savings/ investment every month)
4. Don't forget to tithe (Mal.3:10)

GOD
3 Mistakes Graduates Make in their walk with God
1. They believe the lie that they can keep a strong relationship with God without consistent church attendance (Heb. 10:25)
2. They slip spiritually, accept condemnation, and quit. (Rom. 8:1)
3. They allow relationships to develop that are not equally yoked spiritually (2 Cor. 6:14)

MARRIAGE
3 Things Marriage won't do for you
1. Remove sexual temptation from your life
2. Eliminate loneliness
3. Fix all your problems

CHALLENGES
5 Obstacles you must overcome to grow financially
1. Fear
2. Doubt
3. Laziness
4. Arrogance
5. Greed

And my advice to graduates, good luck! There is no full-proof plan because you will never want to listen to those advice from the "gurus" till you learn it yourself the hard way.

Barbie

The newspaper reported that Barbie is 50 years old! Wow!

The article goes on to highlight that some people loathe these dolls while some adore them.

Me? Well, it sure brings back childhood memories.

My mum bought me Barbie dolls when I was young. I remember it cost RM9.90 for the basic doll and a costume. I'll post the picture here one day if I can dig out my Barbies from my storage boxes.

Somehow, it was just natural to grow up with Barbie dolls during my time. I can still remember that my mum would crochet and knit little dresses for my dolls.

My younger brother was envious that he would even kidnapped the clothes for his own plush dolls. The worse was the mutilation of my dolls into headless dolls!! My mum would tape back the heads gently but they no longer look the same to me; with the plastic tape around their neck... giving me the Frankenstein-eerie feeling.

Alas.. that's how children are and how we torture dolls mercilessly...

However, I don't really see Barbie dolls as a menace to little girls with riduculous body type. To me, it is merely a doll for me to make-up stories of a lady and her friends going on with their lives. Yes, and also her boyfriend, "Ken" who is the lonely guy doll among the crowd of Barbies that I have.

However, the newspaper reported that if Barbie was life-size, she would have measured 36-18-33 inches, stand 1.74m and weight 50kg - making her 19kg underweight for a woman at that height.

As a woman now, I know that figure is ridiculous. 18 inches waist! With 36 inches bust, I wonder if she could stand or just tumble over with such a heavy top!! Not to mentioned the backache!

If we dissect the doll that way, yes, it may seem to be an unrealistic role model for little girls to follow by. That's why they have created the oversized-head Barbie Bratz dolls versions.
I am shocked to discover that, I quote Julie Bindel's article, "Barbie is modelled on a German 'porn doll' called Lillie, who was in turn based on a comic strip character marketed to lecherous men".

Well, what can I say? Men are men. Maybe, there are many boys or men out there who secretly harbour deep feelings for Barbie. :P

Let that be a trivia fact and kept aside at the back of my brain, while I continue to recall the days when I was young, innocent, naive and in my world of imagination with Barbie Dolls, erasers, plush dolls, anything else one would used to dream on and have great adventures...

Ironically, "barbie" sounds like "babi" in Bahasa Malaysia which means pig... but has no relevance to this blog or entry. :p

Online Selling

I have been eyeing the online transaction for sometime.


I have even tried purchasing something (which I haven't seen before and is quite practical). I was surprised how convenient it was. Of course, there was the risk of banking in the money and never receiving the product. Weird enough, I daringly bought 5 of the items (shared with my colleagues. Will post about it later. ;)

Hence, after more than half a year, I have ventured into the world of online selling. I have just uploaded some stuff into a forum which I have been monitoring.

In fact, I did my homework and when I was holidaying with friends, we bought a few items to test the market. (Mind you, very little items since we were quite broke from shopping for ourselves but still dreaming big little dreams... lol).

I uploaded the items around half hour ago. My posting has been pushed down to page 3 already! So fast! But I am happy at least I have a reply; complimenting on my cute items and ... wow!

Another compliment which has "bump" up my posting to the 1st page! (bump means bring up my posting) :) 62 viewings to date. I shall wait a while and hope it will be fruitful! :)