Virtually in OHIO, US

I am in the midst of my 11 days annual leave. Yeah, i can have the luxury of spending a long leave by working in a large GLC. Nah, not travelling or have any special project, just to clear my leave and spend some time at home with my darling Elly and also 'virtually' travel to OHIO, US since Sky is working there.

My awaited long leave

Work 2 more days and i will be off for 11 days.. yeh yeh!

Nah. no special place to go, will be with Elly and spend the good time with her at home. Time to slow down and not do anything.

Strange you may think, but yeap, that is what i plan to do. We are too fast speeding in our life. We want speed in everything, and , before menopause hit us, we will look like an old lady!

So this is the best time to sit back and relax and contemplate. What else will help me lead a better life? I have a good one now (seriously i think i do)

Hmm... (???)

Eye Make-up

From this...




To this...




Learnt some new eye make up from a famout blogger. Check it out at xiaxue.blogspot.com, one of the Feb 2006 entries.

Good luck to you. As for myself, i am practising hard too:)

10,000 steps a day

After 6 months since giving birth to darling Elly, i seem still far from my pre-pregnancy weight. Another 6kg to shred and i am losing the patient!

Then i came upon a book called 'Female Cells after Pregnancy'.. well it is something i need to know. The book really makes me feel better, asking me to treat my body better and take it slow in shredding the fat.

And how to juggle exercise with my new title as Mom. So since finding time to exercise is so hard with Elly around, i will work something easier. Like 10,000 steps a day!

Yeah, i am sure i can do it!

Rediscover my passion

I now BMO(Bring My Own) food for breakfast and lunch to the office since i detected my health problem. Nah, not really cooking but some whole grain stuffs. So after lunch i will go to the library in my office to browse through the mags and books.

I think it had been a year since i last visited the library. Now, since i BMO, i have a lot of extra time to browse the mags and books. And lunch time become a time that i am looking forward to as i can sit quieyly at one corner and read my fav. mags. These includes Readers Digest, National Geographic, Men Fitness(yes, u think i am crazy? to read Men's mag), Anjung Seri, The Peak, PC, and the Newsweek series ie Fortune, Economist, Asiaweek. Businessweek etc etc

I dont actually read all the articles, but browse through the colorful pages and stop to read when there is an interesting article. Through the habit for the past one week, i rediscover myself, and i'm glad it helps me to reflect the life that i have now.

Also, when one dont have the resources(time and money) to travel, through reading it brings me to all the wonderful places in the world. Seeing the pictures in National Geographic impressed me, making me realised what a fantastic place that we are living in.

The wonders that i received through reading is so fabulous. M thinking now how to cultivate the reading habit for Elly...hmmm

Yoga

Woke up early to Yoga on a breautiful Sunday morning. The feeling was just great when i did some of the Yoga poses. Some stretches just made the muscles great. Did some balancing acts and Gosh... i dont realise that i was so poor in balancing myself. The last time i did Yoga was like a year ago, when i was 3 months pregnant.

I made a pledge, to do Yoga more often as I just feel great during and after doing it.

Gotta go now, my darling is awake and she is 'babbling' for attention.

Of course, then, Have a beautiful SUNDAY!

Quotes for Sharing (for Married couple)

I came across 2 nice quotes that i feel i must share to my friends and relatives.

The key to a long and healthy marriage is, honestly, there is nothing worth fighting about. Joy Leno, Good Housekeeping

If my wife is decided to leave home, I will follow her.
Jon Bon Jovi, singer

Lazy Weekend at Home

With a new kid in the family, weekends are normally spend at home sweet home. Not that we dont want to go out, breath fresh air, shopping and sight-seeing, but going out, although to run a quick errand, we have to bring big and small bags of the baby stuffs.

Well, i try to make my weekend more 'colorful' by adding on various activities. Else, life would be boring and dull. Since i found new passion on blogging, normally on weekends, i will spend some time to update my blogs(this and that).

Typical weekends activities will include:
1. Some 'walk-in' friends and relatives to visit Elly or we go visit Elly's grandparents
2.Movie marathon (this month is scary/horror/ghost genre)
includes The Wig, Bangkok Haunted, Cello, The Village, Sister
3.Reading magazines and novels
am reading CLEO, Readers Digest, and Message from NAM
4.Spa.. yeah i am going to include this in my weekend regime)
will try 'yogurt facial' and yogurt body scrub (will update more if i am successful in it)
5.Surfing internet, Friendsters and friends blogs (great to hear updates abt old/faraway pals)
6. Meditate
yeah.. i need to include this activity to tell my mind to take control esp since my health is not good.
7.Exercise
will include some stretchings, yoga and pilates....oh mind oh mind...please be more discipline
8.Morning stroll to nearby market to buy the week supply of food
9.My favorite TV pgms
Guess guess guess, Travel pgm, and Food hunting pgms
10.And all extra time goes to Elly, my darling

***and now i will make myself a yogurt facial spa ***happy...happy***

A New Day Has Come (Celine Dion)

A New Day Has Come Video - Celine Dion lyrics

Celine Dion Music Video Codes

Music Video Codes by VideoCure.com

A new day...
A new day...

I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear

Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you

Hush now

I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new, new sun

A new day has... come

Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness, I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy

Hush now

I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new, new sun

A new day has... come

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new, new sun

A new day has... come

Ohhh, a light

Hush now

I see a light in your eyes
All in the eyes of the boy

I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love

I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love

Hush now
a new day
Hush now
a new day

An evening in KLCC

Yuhuuu.. it was Friday evening. It was the best day of the working week as i can leave the office at 4.45 pm. Since had made a dinner appointment with Sky and Alex, i head to KLCC for some window shopping while waiting for the 2 gentlemen.

As usual, once stepped out of the LRT station, the aroma of the Mexico bun filled the air. Calorie counting, i was grateful on the zero-calorie smell of the Mexico bun. I stopped at News to browse the latest woman magazines which includes Marie Claire and Malaysian Women Weekly. Nothing special that caught my attention in the magazines beside the latest trends and fashion.

Next i head to Cameleon, a shop that sells girls accessories from hairbands to hairclips, necklaces, etc etc. I realised that the price were so expensive. Imagine a small hairclip is priced at RM 12.90 to RM 19.90! No wonder there is this common saying that women's money is the easiest to be earned.

My next stop was the Kinokuniya bookstore. Browse through some Parenthood magazines and then some Health and Beauty magazines. There was a magazine called 'Prevention' which highlights on Health, exercise and healthy food. An eye-catching phrase caught my attention “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” by Mae West, an actress who lived from 1892-1980.

Drink Milk and Eat more Cheese to Shed Weight ?

Was browsing through some Reader Digests magazines at my workplace when one issue, Jan 03 caught my attention. "Shed Weight.. with this everyday food". I was really curious to find out more...

You will never guess what the food is. Well.. you can try guessing anyway...What do you think it is? Some magic food where the more you consume, it will actually help you to shed the weight twice?

Ceng...ceng...ceng... it is the Holy Cow! Moo..Mooo.....

Adding dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese in diet will turn down the tendency of the fat cells to store the calories that we consume. This is pretty pretty news for me! Yeh..yeh... now i will add more milk, yogurt and cheese into my daily diet.

Research had shown that dieters of dairy foods lost 70% more weight than those avoiding it. So what are you waiting for? Grab a glass and make yourself a big glass of milk and gulp it!

***I am going to make myself a grande(tall) glass now...

Cheese Pie Recipe (As easy as 123)

Cheese Pie



Ingredient A
Digestive Biscuit 300gm
Butter 100gm

Ingredient B
Cheese Cream 250gm (1 block)
Icing Sugar 75gm
Lemon Juice 1 - 2 table spoon
Milk 80ml
Gelatin 1 teaspoon

Method
(A)
Crash the biscuit until fine. (or use a blender to blender, faster and easier)
Melt the butter and mix together with the biscuit.
Pout into a tray and press hard around the tray.
Chill for about ½ hour.

(B)
Mixed the cream, sugar, lemon juice & milk.
Blend it until smooth, and then add in gelatin.
Pour into the freeze biscuit and leave it in the freezer for about 1 hour before serving.

Spoilt PDA...

Got the PDA from Sky(he's actually not using it anymore). But poor me, i put it in my knapsack without the cover and the LCD screen cracked. huhu... there goes the PDA. To repair it need abt RM 400 which is not worth it as the gadget is already 3 yo and newer version can be bought at a mere RM 700-1000.

So my plan to be more 'digitally' assisted is dashed. and i am back to use my 'notebook' to scribble down appointment, tasks, dates to remember etc etc...

Lesson learnt? Always wear high-tech gadget with 'security cover'. Hey, and please don't catch me wrong, i really mean high-tech stuffs ok...Ha ha!

Possibility and Probability

When i begin to appreciate life more and be grateful to what a Beautiful Life i have, something not so good happen to my health. Went to see the Specialist today and i am under observation for one month.

He shared about my health condition, what are the possibility and the probability. Perhaps i was anxious and worry, i dont realised that i was actually turning most of the possibility into probability, which the Doc advised me not to.

Well, since i am heeding the Doc advise, i am not going to share the probability or even the possibility here. Hopefully one month from now, it will be gone. So not worth it to 'jump to conclusion' so fast and let everyone worry.

One thing i learnt from the Doc was that much too often in our daily lives, we turn the possibility into probability way too fast/early and make our own life in a turmoil. After all, when it had all past, we realised that it all happened for a reason, good or bad, it actually depends on how we see it as a whole picture.

And today i promised myself, to lead each day of my life fruitfully, try some new stuffs, conquer my fear, shower more love and care to my beautiful daughter. Well, the list is actually endless...

Life's Beautiful

Just want to share that Life's Beautiful today and everyday. Have a nice day!

Shopping

Was on a day off last week. After taking Elly for her check-up and left her with the baby-sitter, i took the whole day shopping-alone in Times Square. Well, it being a week-day, and it was a last minute decision, so i cant 'grab' a friend to join me.

Well, i must admit that no matter what is your status changed to, as long as you are a woman, you just love to shop! I manage to buy a new turquoise jacket and a flowery dress in white. And the retail therapy was so fantastic, i must agree with Karynn. I dont feel back-pain or lethargic anymore..:) Well. at least not until now...( i think it is the post-effect of shopping). So if you think you are feeling ill, can try go shopping..haha!

Potluck

Went to Oi Mee's house for potluck cum gathering cum housewarming. Her apartment located in Alam Damai. Long time since have time to attend gathering. The camaderie was great and with this bunch of 'crazy' friends, i know that i will never have a boring time.

These are friends of mine since Form 6. So we had known each other for emm... i think 10 years, a long time actually... And best thing is their company is always fun and full of laughters, esp from the host, Oi Mee. From her, i learnt to be more happy and optimistic in life. From her, i learnt to lead a simple and happy life.

As we are busy with our own life, catching up with old pals were really a refresher and time that i looked forward to. And of course, i must thank Sky for taking care of Elly when i was out having fun with my pals...:)

Some photos to share . Click here.

Life is Short...

A senior manager at my workplace passed away in a freak car accident. The car that he was in was hit by a tanker and set the car on fire.

This is not about how careful are you on the road, as when accident happens, no matter how careful you are, it still happens. Deep condolence to his family.

I have learnt that life is short, and while we are still breathing, make an effort to lead a happy and quality life, as we would never know what will happen the next moment...

Comping (Joining Contests)

Another of my passion is comping(entering contests). But again lately, attending to my darling has taken up most of my time. Not to say to comp, even spending time to read is also lesser.

Have listed down some great contests(those with exciting prizes) for myself to participate in the coming months. Here are some of them.
a. Shopping in Hong Kong Contest (Star paper contest)
b. Win a Smart car Contest(spend RM 55 in Giant)
c. Johnson&Johnson Cutest Baby Contest (buy some baby products)

Need to log off now as I need to get some inspiration for contest a. which is closing tomorrow. And hope I will be the one chosen to represent Malaysia to go shopping in Hong Kong!

Blues and Blessings

While i was in the Clinic today, i read an article on 'Blues' and another article on 'Blessings'. Although these 2 words also starts with 'B', the meaning are so extreme. One talked about the moody and uneasy feeling when face with dilemma, difficulty or challenges. On the other hand, the other word means gratefulness and hope/light in the events that have happened in our life.

If everyone feeling 'Blue' can try to include 'Blessings' in it, i am sure that we can see new light/'eureka' in the mishap or boredom that enters our life.

'Blues' or 'Blessings' ? It is up to us to decide...

Novel House Closed Down

I have been frequenting this Novel House since my secondary school. It was located in Kotaraya. I went there this afternoon to check out whether it had some latest books on shelf.

To my disappointment, the bookstore has been taken over by a shop that sells bags. Before my delivery of Elly, I had borrowed some books there to be read during maternity leave. However, until now, i am still reading 2 of the 5 books borrowed. To my dismay, the closed down bookstore means that i have lost RM 100(deposit).

Anyway, look at another perspective, i can have all the time to read the books at leisure, and not rushing to finish the books in order to get back the deposit. Lately, have lesser time to spend on one of my passion, that is reading. Hope that, as Elly is growing up, i have more personal time on my own..:)

Make Someone Happy

Happiness is contagious. When we are happy, it shows and without realising, we will 'pass' the happiness to people around us.

Bought a small gift for my colleague, Bashira. It is her birthday today. Actually, dont really have to wait for someone's birthday to send gifts.

A small gesture will definitely make people around us happy. A phone call to an old friend, an e-mail to drop a Hi, small donations for the blind, share food with colleagues etc etc. The list is just endless.

Welcome to New Blog

Welcome to Beautiful Life, my new blog. And the address of the blog is spicytwist.blogspot.com because I feel that our life is so 'spicy', with so many stories to be untold. With a little 'twist' here and there, we can turn it to a 'beautiful life'. So hmm.. now you know how I come up with such creative names...