Neglecting my blog

Oh my... so sad, I've been neglecting my blog and my to-blog list is over-flowing. Argh... I should not let work control my life. I will try to post up my latest shopping and experiences to share here.

In fact, there is one big event that I've not wrote about before I forget... something to do with knees, roses, dining and diamond. Get the drift.

But last weekend, I bought myself a pair of Guess stilettos!! I can't believe I got it at a steal since it's an out-of-season outlet. Best of all? It makes me look and feel sexy.

Remember ladies, women's best friends are killer sexy heels... because walking in them does "kill you" but looking great and sexy is worth the torture. Lol

It does match a little nice shimmering dress I bought recently too. Next thing on the list - to shed the fat and pounds on me.. Lol

Online coupons review

Guess what, I've tried some of the promo coupons available online. At first, I was skeptical about these so-called bargains at 50%-70% off.

Then, I started one.. and the rest is history. But a note of caution, despite the description given by some of the promo - sometimes they do not seem like what it seems. Will share some of my experiences with you all.

A recap on my May 2011 - Coupon purchases. (to date, I've tried www.groupsmore.com and www.dealmates.com.my)

1. [58% Off] RM50 for RM120 worth of Shoes at The Cobbler. Free delivery
 The Cobbler shoes (First time buying shoes online but was attracted by the reasonable price and the ability to exchange the shoes for the right size if it does not fit)
Will share with you the duration and experience of exchanging the shoe size.

*Positive review*

2. [50% Off] Barbecue Meat Platter + Salad for up to 4 people from Craft Brews for RM69 instead of RM138.05 (Only RM17.25 per person). Non-Halal
A big fan of ribs and this promo seems too good to be true! :) Plus the fact that Craft Brews rave that they have a variety of "home-brewed" (in Singapore) to try out. Not really a beer fan but it's a good deal and good reason to meet friends.

• 2 types of pork back ribs and 2 quarter chicken.
• Salad, potato wedges and corn on the cob.
• Well-reviewed.
• Signature Craft-brewed beers available.
• Happy hours from Mon to Sat 6.00pm – 8.00pm, Sun 6.00pm – closing.

*Positive Review*

  3. [78% Off] 10” X 13” Large Personalised Hardcover Fotobook for RM80 instead of RM369
50-page 10” X 13” full colour hardcover photo book.
Customized design.
Durable binding and dust jacket.
Photos printed on matte art paper.
Ready within 7 working days.
Photoscape design software with pictorial guide.

Haven't utilised yet but think it's a bargain. Only downside - have to find a Mac to use the Iphoto to make the Photobook or drive to their outlet to do it there. (Not too friendly to PC users!)


3. [90% off] 3-hour hands-on Makeup Workshop at Celmonze Aesthetic Academy worth RM480.

• Learn to use makeup to define your features.
• Makeup tools and cosmetics provided.
• Small classes for personal attention.
• Classes conducted in English or Mandarin.

 Decided to join a friend for this class for fun but was severely disappointed based on the highlighted red terms. "Makeup tools" was provided all right.. read my review to find out about my disappointment. It's similar to being told I was attending a baking class but it turned out as a demo (Lucky guy... I was too busy to blog about that "class" I attended that I don't feel like getting upset all over again.)

*Negative Review*

4. RM99 for Almost 3 Hours of Bliss in KL City. Aromatherapy Massage + Ultimate Renewal Facial Treatment + Paraffin Hand Treatment at MURAD by Beauty Chemistry (Worth RM390).For Both Men & Women

Aromatherapy Massage (1 hour)
Ultimate Renewal Facial Treatment (1.5 hours)
Paraffin Hand Treatment (20 minutes)

Haven't had a facial in ages since the skin specialist I visited told me to finish my course of Roaccutane first before I allow my commodones to be pressed out, etc. 

*Mediocre review*

*****

I've bought a few more others which will only blog after I utilize to review about my experience.

This one promo is so worth-while I have to share it here first (another meat lover's promo!)

BAR B Q PLAZA 50% Off Supreme Beef Set or Supreme Pork Set (Set For 2 -3 Pax)

Mmmmm....

Manhwa Review: Noblesse

I started reading manga these last 2 years after watching my brother doing so and obviously - lack of better things to do. Lol

I've been randomly reading some manga and even manhwa since then. I stumbled upon this manhwa called Noblesse about some vampires (not like Twilight, mind you) who blend in with the humans. It started out with the awakening of a Noble vampire named Rai from a deep sleep for centuries in his coffin to a foreign modern world.

 Rai emerges from his deep sleep

A dash of humour (Rai's fancy for ramen), Rai's struggle with homework and compassionate with school kids, Frankenstein's cleanliness streak, high-schoolers' fight scenes got me going non-stop to catch up to 100 plus chapters in a few nights... or was it weeks? haha... Anyway, I've finished reading until episode 187 last Wednesday. Don't know if it's the interesting storyline, the charm and coolness of the character, or just good entertainment to make me laugh, that draws me to this manhwa.

The scene where the headmaster (Frankenstein) is fearful of his master (Rai) because he forgot to provide him money for lunch. 

I've been patiently waiting for scanlations to be uploaded in any of the websites online every week. I noticed it'll be released on Wednesdays or Thursday. I wanted to find out how Rai finally meets the current leader (The Lord) and the impending fight between them. Spoiler alert: From the last few chapters, it is revealled that the previous leader/previous Lord actually wanted Rai to be the next leader but he declined. So the previous Lord's daughter is currently the leader... and I assume a confrontation between them. Can't wait to see the full power of Rai released in a battle. The list of power of Rai's which is revealed so far can be found in this link.

Episode 188 last page... battle next!

It's like how the author have been teasing us with the supressed power of Rai's servant, Frankenstein which is now at the climax with the battle between Frankenstein and the Kerita Clan leader. Look at the smirk of Frankenstein when his master allows him to fight with his full power. (Before this, his powers are sealed to control him because of violent history. He can only fight with his full power with the permission of Rai.. So obedient!)

A short description from wikipedia:
Noblesse (노블레스) is an online manhwa written by Son Jae Ho and illustrated by Lee Gwang Su. Noblesse is about a powerful, noble vampire - Cadis Etrama Di Raizel (also called Rai) - who has been asleep for 820 years with no knowledge of mankind's advancement and scientific successes. He has recently woken up in an abandoned building in South Korea[1], and is starting to get used to the modern world. He goes to a school where he meets his loyal servant Frankenstein. With Frankenstein's help, Rai enrolls into Ye Ran high school, and inadvertently befriended Shinwoo - an athletic teenager, Ik-Han - a computer geek, Yuuna, Shinwoo's crush, and a few others. Noblesse follows the group's often dangerous adventures against a secret organization while uncovering Rai's past.
***

In short, I've been patiently waiting for the manhwa to be translated and satisfy the suspense of the upcoming battle.... was pulling my hair at the end of chapter 188! Another week to wait! Sighh... :)

Thundering Alarm Clock

Rainy mornings make me drag my feet... I usually steal a few more winks of sleep on cool rainy mornings.

However, this morning, I was awaken by the loud roaring thunder which made the ceiling boards rattle loudly. I groggily woke up to look outside and the windy heavy rain.

I sighed at the thought of driving to work in the downpour and imagined the traffic jam ahead. Then I went back for another quick nap.. Lol

But it was true, stuck in a traffic jam for extra an hour and I was late to work.

 Sigh...  Glad it's Friday though. :)

Moshi-moshi: Mobile calling with a handset

I grew up using the telephone (land line) and only owned a handphone in my university days. At that time, handphone lines were based on GSM, etc.. which I can't recall. The phones were bigger and antenna was retractable/exposed.

Hence, when I saw this, I was tickled. Imagine walking around using this. ;)

When I saw phone receivers being sold to attach to wireless phones, I just find it ridiculous and am amazed that people would buy it. I wonder if the younger generation would appreciate it. Perhaps this is just another opportunity to explore the variety of bluetooth headset.

 

Perhaps like clothing trends, the cycle would be revived back in the near future. Perhaps, you should keep hold of the old phones receiver and try to convert it to the bluetooth handset? Lol. Here is a short description about it:

Moshi Moshi is a line of Bluetooth handsets that gives back the nostalgic comfort of holding a big, hefty piece of plastic to your ear when taking calls on your cellphone. According to the website:

Moshi Moshi (the traditional Japanese phone greeting) aims to be "how you use your mobile phone when you don't have to be mobile." It's meant to be used when you're at work or lounging at home, though technically there's nothing stopping you from holding it to your ear when you're on the street. That is, if you want to look like someone who just time-traveled from 1986.

Hong Kong design company Native Union came up with the product, and plans four Moshi Moshi handsets. The top of the line is the MM04 ($200), which comes with a charging dock that's also an iPhone stand. It's rated for Bluetooth 2.1, so you can pair it with multiple devices, and when you're not taking calls it can function as a tabletop speaker.

You can opt for the typical handset as shown with the Iphone earlier or the retro handset like this. Or perhaps another variation with speakers. I guess there are still more inventions and innovation to explore this idea. So while you have a sleek nice Iphone, you could always recall those days when you were on a handset and just buy anyone of these.

Temporary Home

The weather during these past few weeks emits a gloomy doomsday feel. During the day, the hot scorching sun makes me squints my small eyes further. Come evening, dark ominous clouds gather and give a sudden burst of rainfall causing flash floods, traffic jams and havoc to people below. The sudden changes of the drastic weather create an uncomfortable feeling.

However, life goes on. People go on with their lives. Perhaps the best analogy to use is how we look at the trail of ants carrying food from the source back to its nest. We may pour water on some ants and break the path. We may stomp on some of the ants. The rest of the ants would still go round the water and divert elsewhere to continue their journey. I wonder if God looks at us like how we look at ants.
I wonder… does this signal the end times?

As I typed this, a loud thunder roars above head. The skies have turned dark and it’s only 4.30pm. I dread the traffic home. Rain has started. I know the road home will be wet and certain parts flooded.

In a daze, I wonder what the point of this routine rush is back and fro through the harsh weather. What’s the point of getting stuck in traffic and worrying about the safety of the drive home?

I guess it’s only right to say I feel off-the weather about all this and have started to question the point of the mindless repetition of life. (Oh no, not again). But then I try to remember. This is just my temporary home. This is not THE END. This is just the transition before we go back to God.

I catch the lyrics “This is my temporary home” on the radio the other day and decided to google about it. It is a song sung by Carrie Underwood. When I watch the video clip, I felt touched… the portrayal of the “temporary home” for 3 scenarios: an orphan being adopted, a single mum looking for job/place for her and her daughter, and the dying man telling his loved ones that this is a temporary home.

In the bible, we are always told "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19 NIV). Hence, hearing this song reminds me so much of this verse as it reminds our impermanence in this world which most people forget in the midst of the rat race.

Enjoy the lyrics!

Temporary Home (sung by Carrie Underwood)

A little boy, six years old
A little too used to being alone
Another new mom and dad
Another school, another house that will never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home

Young mom, on her own
She needs a little help, got nowhere to go
She's looking for a job, looking for a way out
'Cause a halfway house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
"Someday we'll find our place here in this world"

This is our temporary home, it's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is our temporary home

Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers
"Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"
He looks up and says
"I can see God's face"

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This was my temporary home

This is our temporary home

Lazy Song (Bruno Mars)

One Saturday morning, as I was driving to an extra class about 8am, I felt if only I was back in bed. It had rained earlier that morning, making it a cloudy cooling day - nice to stay in bed.

Then this song came into the airways from the radio... the first few lyrics echoed what I felt at that very moment

Today I Don't Feel Like Doing Anything
I Just Wanna Lay In My Bed
Don't Feel Like Pickin' Up My Phone
So Leave A Message At The Tone
'Cause Today I swear I'm Not Doin' Anythin'


Song by Bruno Mars. Who is Bruno Mars? He sang the song "Billionaire" with Travie McCoy which has the catchy lyrics.

Angry Birds Attack Piggilot...

One day, my bf suspiciously took out something from a bag.. and threw it at me.

Lo and behold... Piggilot gets attacked by Angry Birds!!

Aren't they adorable? I remember checking them out in the Rovio website and wondered if I should even spend the money getting them.

Image borrowed from http://shop.angrybirds.com/

I thought of comparing my plushies with the ones from Rovio but am too lazy to do it now.. haha

Piggilot = Pig
So I would have preferred the green pigs which people might not want, because they're so evil and mean for taking the birds' eggs.

But pigs are cute too!! :p

Hence, if you're really crazy about Angry birds and don't mind the cheap knock-off... go check out the garage sale in some of the forums around which are selling them. Mind you, since they're "hot items" now... it might be a little pricey for such plush toys but if your're a fan... it's nothing! Lol

Meanwhile, the birds are securedly arranged in my shelf to avoid unnecessary hostility in case they get angry and attack me... Hope they won't attack my other pink pigs in my shelf! Lol! If not imagine this..

Relationship with God

I admit that sometimes with the hustle bustle of work and life; I tend to back-slide and lose focus on God.

I decided to put a devotional book in the car to read during those horrid traffic jam and today I flipped towards this page with the verse:

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground and prayed. (Mark 14:35 NIV)

The devotion focused on the night Jesus spend in scared prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and the different responses he got from the people:
1. Indifferent - those who are unaware of Jesus' presence in the garden
2. Selfish - Judas who was too busy with his own schemes to join Jesus
3. Unfocused - the other disciples who joined Jesus but were distracted by sleep.
4. Unaware - the inner circle of disciples who did not comprehend when Jesus told them the urgency of the hour.

The phrase used "Ultimately, Jesus prayed alone. He went farther than His disciples and prayed longer. At the greatest moment of intercession in human history, there was no one willing to go with Jesus and watch with Him" (Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby, page 84)

The following phrases touched my heart: "at the greatest moment of intercession" and "no one willing to go". Ironically, it is not that "no one" wants to go but it is more like unaware of the importance to want to go. If they knew it was the greatest moment, everyone would have flocked with Jesus.

But the important lesson is, that we will never know when the greatest moment will arrive.
We will never know that slight prompting by the Holy Spirit is actually to tell us the time has come.
We will never know that the one time you decided to forsake God for your own activities, it was that moment.

What I know is that there is many examples in the bible which reminds us to always be ready; to always prepare the lamp for the groom (Matthew 25).

We must continue to deepen our relationship with God so that we will be more alert and aware to His calling. For we will never know when, how and what will happen in future. The only thing that is constant in our lives, is the presence of God.

Eskimo kiss

Long time ago, my bf told me about "Eskimo kissing" and I just believed him.

Don't know why, the phrase popped into my head which made me asked him today, "Is there such a thing as eskimo kissing?" Obviously, he ignored me and I told myself I have to google to double-check. Never know, he might have been pulling my leg.. :P

Okay.. guess you should have taken a bet with me.. :p

Excerpt taken from wikipedia:

The act known as eskimo kissing in modern western culture is loosely based on a traditional Inuit greeting called a kunik. A kunik is a form of expressing affection, usually between family members and loved ones, that involves pressing the nose and upper lip against the skin (commonly the cheeks or forehead) and breathing in, causing the loved one's skin or hair to be suctioned against the nose and upper lip.

Kunik

 A common misconception is that the practice arose so that Inuit could kiss without their mouths freezing together. In fact, it is a non-erotic form of greeting that serves as an intimate way of greeting one another for people who, when they meet, often have little except their nose and eyes exposed.

Misconception

When early explorers of the Arctic first witnessed this behavior they dubbed it Eskimo kissing. In its western form it consists of two people rubbing noses together.

Western form of Eskimo Kiss

Hence remember, it's a form of affection like pursing a kiss on the forehead and not only rubbing your nose together.

FYI, since I'm talking about kiss, "Spiderman kiss" is kissing upside down. Further explanation can be found in this urban dictionary:

Spidermann kiss = an exceptional kiss in which one person kisses the other in an upside down position, resulting in your top lip kissing their bottom lip and vice versa; works best when one person is already reclining on a couch or lying completely horizontal (unless you can hang upside down from webbing)

Happy rubbing! Don't try kissing upside-down like Spidey okay.. (feels like such an outdated topic.. lol)