More of Beijing Architecture

These lovely pictures are from Yahoo News and Associated Press. I do not know if they are going to be available for a long time but keeping them in my “diary” enable me to look at them as and when I want to and share with my friends who view my blog.

 

 

08.08.08 8pm One World One Dream

First time ever to have Olympic event so close in Asia timing.  It is time we don’t have to keep up with late nights.

 

There had been so many many hiccups prior to this year’s Olympic held in Beijing. Counting down to the day that all Chinese will feel proud.  I love more of the architectural building that is built for this event.

 

I had turn down a dinner appointment for that evening so I can stay home to watch the opening ceremony.  I am game for it… Are you?

 

 

Isaiah 65:24

Something I received in my email and I couldn’t let this pass.  I’ve gotta keep it so I can read again someday.

 

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa . One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). 'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. 'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.' The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.' While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?' As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, 'Amen'? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator! Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!' Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked: 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?' That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five month s before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon'. 'Before they call, I will answer' (Isaiah 65:24) This awesome prayer takes less than a minute. When you receive this, say the prayer, that's all you have to do. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. T here is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another !

 

 

My early Chistmas gift for myself...

It’s gonna be a few weeks worth of waiting.

Must be real emergency

Was on shuttle bus to GWC when we saw this damage sign on the glass.

Challenger - misunderstood

What a name for a IT mart. To be frank, it was quite a challenge to get some info on the gadgets. I wonder how they sell items when their SA doesn't have quite the knowledge. Ok, fine, no product knowledge but at least have some basic customer service but I received none. When I ask if they have flyer or demo set at the shop, the SA just crudely tell me don't have and that they have a fair downstairs at the atrium and I should go down to get the flyer. When I was at the atrium where they have their fair, I ask for the same thing but they do not have the spec of the netbook I want. The SA just tell me don't have and stare at me blankly. I got fed up and ask him why are they having a promo but no product info flyer or brochure that customer can have.
Even those eatery, manicure, shop produce flyer to give away but proof very challenging to get when you really want those info.

While looking at Acer Aspire one and another 29xx model, the SA briefly give me the info of the spec. I asked about instalment plan and he told me that with this promo, they have to charge additional 4% for instalment. He wasn't that helpful and he seem to just "entertain" me, this poor customer. I had learn thru lots of lesson to never pay in full, it is always safer to pay instalment.

I am going to look elsewhere for the item I want.

== Part 2 ==

I tried to get the ASUS 1000H at Best Denki but they are out of stock and do not take pre-order. My sis accompany me back to the promo at Challenger and this time the 2 SA with poor service "siam" me. 1 SA came by and help us with our query, he is the promoter from HP. Even when we are looking at ACER and ASUS, he help us with our query. Then he pointed to the previous guy who "entertained" me and say that is the ACER salesman and that he would have more info. I told HP guy no need coz HP guy had answered more of my query that the ACER guy did the day before. Between ACER and ASUS, I had quite made up my mind on ASUS since the ASUS salesman also did a good job giving me the info about that notebook. I placed a pre-order for ASUS and had to pay in full.

Today 7 aug 08, I called Challenger to ask if the stock had arrived. The SA who answered my call was pretty helpful. He checked and called me back regarding when the stock will be available. He will contact me again when the stock arrive. He gave me also his mobile in case I need to call him. When I ask about ASUS free gift which is the TV tuner, he also help me contact ASUS to enquire since ASUS menat for the promo to end this Fri which is 08.08.08 tmrw. He check and confirmed that ASUS had extended to promo and I should be able to collect it at ASUS when I get my notebook.

It was a misundertanding that Challenger had poor service. Apparently it was the promoter from other company. I didnt find out which promoter was that who told me no flyer and was simply rude.

Mini Notebook, Netbook Acer...Asus

I was considering a laptop for a long time.  It would make surfing much easier and I don’t have to be desk bound.  Who in this modern tech world do not own a laptop? I am one that hates to lugged a very heavy laptop in my handbag and had not really being interested until the availability of all these mini notebook. These lovely gadgets were available and on promo when I am broke.  Very well timed isn’t it?  The salesman who attend to me can’t answer much of my question and is trying to convince me that another model with 320GB mem weighing 1.8Kg and cost just by $300 - $400 more will be a better buy.

 

I am not sure…  there’s also Asus 1000H that has 80Gb mem which should be sufficient for me I think.  Too many things to buy… too lil money. Hiaz……

Palermo after Apple Garde and zipper fixed

Went thru the amount of spraying, let dry 24 hrs and re-spray again the 2nd coat. I was extra careful not to make any mistake that will damage my bag. The result was good and with the zipper now fixed, I am a very happy owner of this beauty.

I am so broke!

I’ve busted my budget 2 months in a row. I am so broke now.  I was almost getting to breathe fresh air of freedom after a very tight budgeted June/July and was looking forward to Aug when disaster strike!  I bought the Palermo and landed myself in such a sorry state.

 

No shopping and unnecessary expenses for now till end Aug. Had to be thrifty and watch how I spend my moolahs.

Dry Brushing & Cellulite

I had come to know about dry brushing a few years ago. I even bought the brush but was not consistent in doing it. I wasn’t motivated at all. Recent visit to the spa I go regularly, the masseuse pointed out to me how poor my blood circulation is. Poor posture, insomnia and bad health all contributed to all sorts of aches and pain when I had my Shiatsu session with her.

I remember the benefits of dry brushing and also know of a Taiwan celebrity that had recently lost a lot of weight claiming to had done the dry brushing religiously. I am pretty fired up and inspired to start doing the dry brushing. Arm with the readily available information on world wide web, I gotten some tips and info on the technique. I will be shopping for the brush after work today. I had already bought sweet almond base oil and had blend my Rose + Lavender and Peppermint to use after brushing. You can see from my previous blog that I mentioned about my passion for aromatherapy. Unfortunately, my insomnia is way too serious for these aroma to solve but it does help to keep me happy, not depress due to lack of sleep.

I am going to monitor the result of dry brushing and update the progress. It was advice to at least dry brush for 3 month to reap the benefit.

Current health status – very poor

Blood circulation – bad, with lots of aches

Sleeping problem – beyond bad

Skin condition – super sensitive to dust and heat.

Weight – obese

Some info on dry brushing

http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/HealingTechniques/Dry_Brushing_Technique.htm

http://www.womenfitness.net/beauty/skin/skin_brushing_for_detox.htm

Louis Vuitton Raffles Hotel

I had to go down the the boutique to have them check the zipper. As I walk in, there were only 2 SA available. 1 was serving customer and another was behind 1 display going through some papers. She look like someone described on a forum about poor service but I have no other choice so I walk towards her. As I explained to her the purpose of my visit, she showed methe display piece and say all zippers are like that. After observing the zipper on a Tivoli and Palermo display piece, it's confirm that the gap is to big.

She offer exchange or they fix it with a plier. Another SA went to check if they have another piece of Palermo and came back with a new piece. The new piece's workmanship is not as nice as the one I am having and I rather keep mine if they can fix the zip. Then I told her if she cause a scratch on the zip, I wll want an exchange. Straight away she just drop the tools and say I better exchange in a very crude tone. I was abit stunned and we fell in an awkard silence. Another SA Wong xxx xxx came over and assured me she had done repair before and she brought the correct tool to fix the zip for me. Then she went on to tell me that I can come back anytime if I have any problem with the zip. This is call good service compare to the earlier SA which is not as helpful and has an attitude.

Heard different feedback on different service by SA at different branch. Sometimes it may not always be the SA's fault because they do encounter very difficult customer. But it may be unfortunate for us if they practice bad atittude on customer.

Sour lemon?

After going thru choosing different bag, i got this. Perhaps a sour lemon?

I had been wanting to get the Palermo PM but was afraid that I might not like it as much after I owned it. I think the only bag that I had love it since the day I owned it is the speedy. There are other bags that I like so much but after I carry them for awhile, I get tired of them. I hesitated so much and the SA at LV recommended that I get the Palermo GM. It was too huge, not exactly my ideal every day work bag. Then he recommended the Vernis range, a Bellevue in Amarante. I love the colour! I didn’t think further and bought it. As soon as I got home, I regretted. I do not know hoe to handle a Vernis and Bellevue is too boxy and form.

I went down to LV to change the bag and I was lucky that they have new stock for Palermo PM just arrived and I did not need to be waitlisted. I was told to check the bag thoroughly which I did. Went thru the leather strap, vachetta etc. The one part that I missed… who would have expected the quality of a LV bag with a zipper like that? There was a huge gap where the zip puller is. I think the puller may snap off the zip somehow. I search and found comment of a Palermo owner that her zip puller does indeed snap off. I’m going down to LV to have them check the condition and see what they can do about this. (Thanks to the advice by some cotters)

Protect your Louis Vuitton

I just got the Apple Garde as recommended on TPF.  I am using them on my Louis Vuitton’s leather handle and Vachetta.

 

I prepare a large old towel to place on the floor.  Don’t use newspaper! You won’t want the damp oily leather to be sitting on newspaper and getting stained from the newspaper before the rain and stain is absorbed.

 

Items you need to prepare.

1)       Large old towel

2)       Small towel or soft cloth

3)       Cling wrap

 

Step 1

Cling wrap the hardware on your bag to prevent them from getting oily from the spray. Do a patch test by spraying some of the content onto you cloth and apply it on a leather patch inside your bag or area that is not exposed.  If there’s staining on the cloth, it means your leather bag is not colorfast.  You cannot use this on a non colorfast bag.

 

Step 2

Unbuckle any belt, handle that is removable. This make spraying them more even and easy. Remember to cling wrap the buckle too. The leather that wrap around the buckle that is hard to spray, you can spray on the small cloth and wipe over the hard to reach angled corner.

 

Step 3

Spray in a light sweeping stroke over the leather. It should be a misting 8 – 12 inches away. Go over in sweeping stroke and back again instead of spraying continuously in one spot. Be light handed, less lightly to over spray.

 

Step 4

Use the small cloth to wipe excess on bag such as damier or monogram canvas. When the cloth picks up the protector, you can still use the same cloth to go over some of the hard to reach leather parts in creases or gap as well as the leather parts inside the bag. You won’t want to spray into you bag (e.g bag like Vavin where there’s leather trimming inside bag and yet expose to rain.)

 

Step 5

Air the bag in location that us away from strong sunlight or near the window. Wait 30 mins, before you go though another coat of spraying. Air the bag for 24 hours.  Check if the tone of leather had evened out.  For some cases when you had sprayed excessively amount, it takes more than 24 hrs to dry out.

 

Always remember, less is more. Spray lightly, re-spray in 30mins. I personally go very light handed thus I did 3^rd spraying after 24 hrs.

 

Hope you are successful in protecting your precious bag.

 

Landlord vs Tenant

I had heard so much about landlord and tenant. Each have their story to tell. Due to that, I had never consider renting my common room. I don't want to go through any situation that I do not want to encounter. Until recently, a colleague of mine was almost have to move out of her rented room due to some unreasonable landlord. I feel sorry for her plight and bravely decide to let out the common room to her.

I am not sure about the market rate, house rules and what to expect. I had to ask a few friends who had experience renting or rented. Even though I think I am prepared, I kind of overlook the pricey electrical bill now with the soaring oil prices. Utilities bill came and I have to deal with something that may make me look like I had to change the term of rental. I had no choice but to inform my tenant that she will have to bear some of the utility bill in the coming month.

I feel bad as I am not an experience landlord and know of the cost involve. As for my tenant, she had not had so much luck with all the previous landlord and I do not want to be "one of" the bad landlord.

I hope I can solve this once and for all with both Landlord and Tenant being happy.

Pasta de Waraku

Very huge plate.... very tiny bundle of spaghetti

Heard lotsa review abt this place. To begin, the portions are really small and that makes their food expensive. The place is really packed and the waiters are quick to come clear your plate whenever you are done. It is a place where you just eat and go, you do not have the luxury of taking your time to chit chat or relax. I don't think I will go back again unless I crave for Japanese gratin. Verdict is.... over rated.

Life is full of difficult choices

I heard about a meeting that will be held on 10^th Jul involving 1 of the dept in my office. It was unusual for such meeting with this dept and we are pending for some news regarding a job tender. Half my headcount belongs to that dept but my manager had not included me in the circulation. I approach him on 9^th Jul to ask if I am required to be present in that meeting. I was told that he will check with his superior A whom I do report to too. The dept were alarmed and all were hoping for the best and prepared for the worst to come.

On 10^th Jul, superior A asked to have a word with me and broke the bad news to me. We will be terminating the contract with a major client that decides the fate of this dept. I will be spared from being laid off but it was too much for me to handle and I cried. I will miss all my colleagues and felt for them that they will face this news later that day.

It was a difficult choice for my bosses and the company and they did all they can to cushion the damage as much as possible to each and every staff. I have to say that my company had compassion and went about the arrangements very well.

This situation had also opened my eyes to see who truly are friend among the colleagues. I am disappointed with some but majority are caring colleagues. The great thing is, a whole bunch of other colleagues and friends were all very supportive and encouraging.

As for me, I am spared of being laid off but I decided to "lay off" so call friend who ain’t worth being one.

So u think u can bellydance?

It started off with my friend asking if I am interested to try bellydance. As a form of exercise, tone the tummy or just having some fun time dancing. I agreed to go for the trial.

On 2nd Jul, I wasn't quite prepared as I was busy the past few days. I had not brought extra attire for the dance. There we were at the studio. I plump woman with the rattling scarf tied to her hip came in and was telling some girls she brought scarfs for them and start asking them to pick their scarfs. I though she was the instructor and reached for one. Then she suddenly tell me that those scarfs was hers. Oh well, of coz they are hers. In fact, she was just a student who got her one huge gang of girl friends to come for the trial. My friend and I were like the only 2 odd one out of the whole group. Not a very pleasant start.

Eventually some other girls came in (late). The fun we had in the dance soon took my mind off the unpleasant encounter just now. A matter of fact, I would hate to join a class with cliques. I will need to find out more when I go down to sign up for the lessons.

Peaberry & Pretzels

I was at Sunset Way w my friend for drinks and dart game. We pop by to buy this non bake cheesecake which friend recommend. It look pretty but i still prefer my cheesecake baked. I can bake awesome cheesecake too.

Attend cousin's wedding

The wedding was held at Legends Fort Canning. The food wasnt good and service was poor due to hiring inexperience chn staff.

There are sudden influx of so many foreign workers and many of them works in the F & B industry. Unfortunate for us, their culinary skills are not to our expectation and totally not to our taste. We had recently encounter so many disappointment at some foodcourt when they hire lots of chinese nationals. The food prepared by them were oily and salty. There were a new Jap restaurant near my place and we went there to try the food. Oh well... discovered that the staff there were all Chn and the food turn out as expected. A medium well teppanyaki steak was served medium raw due to beef not being thawed properly. Food were salty and none taste liek Japanese food but more like chinese food modified to look like Japanese.

Where did all our local chef goes? Europe, Oz, China and Dubai I guess.

Maybe it's time to move all my personal blog here

I had begin blogging on another blog service provider. However, this is so much easier to do as it allows blogging entry from email as well as handphone.

I just need to figure how I can “migrate” all stuffs here, or perhaps just leave them alone.

 

There’s a lot going on for me right now.  Work has been busy… social life is picking up it’s rhythm as well. I am jammed packed with things to do from Mon – Sun.  Some fun, some are chores.  I met up with a old friend from school days recently.  We had lost contact for almost a decade…can u imagine that.  The lapse doesn’t seem to affect our friendship, we had picked up where we left off.  I am as usual a lazy bum who prefers to couch potato myself at home but this friend of mine has all sorts of “evil” ideas.  Hmmm…. I will be more busy and better get to blog with a blog engine that is user friendlier.

Fruit labels

I don’t know how true is this but received this email with the following info.

 

“I learned that sticker labels on the fruits actually tell you how the  fruits have been grown — whether they were organically grown or  conventionally grown with pesticides and herbicides; oh, and let's not  forget about the genetically engineered fruits.

Conventional Fruit Labels
Four digits and does not start with 9
mostly starting with the digit 4

Organic Fruit Labels
Five digits and starts with number 9

Genetically Modified Fruits
Start with the digit 8

This is good to know because stores aren't obligated to tell you if a  fruit has been genetically modified (grrr….)
Okay, so if you come across an apple in the store and it's labels4922, it's an conventional apple grown with herbicides and harmful fertilizers.   If it has a sticker 99222, it's organic and safe to eat. If it says 89222, then RUN!!!! It has been genetically modified (GMO).

So next time you go shopping, remember these critical numbers and know how  to avoid purchasing inorganic and GMO fruits.
Shop Safe! : )”