"Inner" Beauty...

U gotta love a woman who appreciate whts on the inside... Seriously, how often do we wear matching underwear, its not like we prepare to get hit by a bus everyday. But nice underwear certainly boosts that inner confidence, especially when the fabric and cut makes us feel sexy. Whether its the extra lift, or the way the lace accentuates femininity....


My cousin (Kat) imports these lingerie from the US into Singapore. They are a bit on the steep side, but everything is so pretty u'll squeal.

Can online browse/shop here.

http://sable-inc.com/shop/

Coming Home....

Schedule:

22nd Dec to Dec 30th Singapore

Dec 30th to Jan 3rd Jakarta

Jan 3rd to Jan 7th Singapore



I can't wait to go back home. My first meal is going to be Chicken Rice. Maybe i'll have it for lunch everyday. I've been dreaming about it since i confirmed my flight back 2 months ago.


My schedule is pretty tight, i have tonnes of little errands to run- Pay bills, apply for new IC, buy handphone, buy stuff i don't get in singapore, finish up wedding prep and do the final burst of christmas shopping, even though i'm pretty much broke already.


I have been packing my bag for the last 4 days, i have like a 300 litre bag full of presents, dresses, shoes and bags cos i have 2 weddings to attend, and many many many parties.



Just read from cousin Irena's blog tht her 2 brothers are also in JKT, and we're gonna spend our first Old and New in a gazillion years together. I can't wait.

I'll also be meeting my nieces once again, and my nephew for the first time. I hope all the clothes i've bought for them will fit! I'll be really upset if they don't, and i'll be stuck with a bunch of baby clothes i don't know what to do with them.

I'm just feeling the excitement of seeing people back home again. ARGGHHHH....!!!!

Brainfall Quizzes...

Should i be worried?

Which Heroes Character Are You?
	You are Sylar. You are very aggressive. You like to pick fights and play mind games. You've got it coming.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Now i always thought i was gabrielle, this one shocked me more than sylar.

Which Desperate Housewives Character Are You?
	You are Lynette. You are hard-working, responsible, and mature, but you are easily stressed-out and often feel trapped in your own life.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

OH COME ON. NO WAY....

Which Friends Character Are You?
	You are Joey. You may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you're unrivalled when it comes to the opposite sex. You're a great friend, going great lengths when needed. Remember: your friends are your lifeline and you'd better not leave them behind. Success will be hard to find without them around.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Baby Spears has a baby...

LYNN SPEARS, 16, 12 WEEKS PREGNANT. MOM LYNNE SPEARS WILL SUPPORT HER DAUGHTER'S DECISION.

Wht is the world coming to.... and to think that Britney was young when she became a mother. I respect that Baby Lynn didn't resort to abortion, but she's a child, i would have been shocked enough if she announced she has had pre-marital sex, but pregnant!! ?? She's light years ahead of Brit.

No matter how mature Hollywood makes you, precocity isn't the key ingredient in making a good mother. And its not like she has good examples to look up to.

MOM LYNNE's BOOK ON PARENTING WILL BE DELAYED INDEFINITELY- i wonder why.

While you were away...

Les,

while u're in guangzhou, i did a lot of damage to my own pocket, but i made the home prettier...

In a way i'm glad u weren't around to stop me from spending on nonsense, but i also felt a little sad that i had to decorate our first christmas tree on my own. Judging by my average botany skills, i don't know how long more our christmas tree has to live. I went back to consult the seller and apparently the symptoms seem to suggest that i over watered it. So now can only hope and pray tht its will to live is strong.

Anyway here's our tree. Haven't u always wanted a disco ball in ur house? Now we have mini-disco balls! When u're back, let's turn off the lights and shine a torch on it to see if it has that magical effect. we'll sit on the balcony and freeze our butts off.

This is the lovely suspended vase i was telling u about. It swings but it doesn't fall... And the 2 little candles on the side are actually gifts from Sasha, i just put mini christmas wreaths on it to decorate.

Can't wait for u to come home!

Fallen Stars

If u haven't been following the Jennifer Love Hewitt story here it is...

This very picture caused a storm in tinseltown... Droopy breasts? less than perfect hair? looks ugly without make-up? None of the above... Of all things she was criticised for being a size 2. I know u're anticipating the case i'm about the make for us endowed with child bearing hips... But NO u're wrong.

I don't completely disagree with JLH in saying tht size 2 is not fat (i'm size 2, sometimes 4).


But let's face it, size 2 is NORMAL. normal means not interesting.
There is nothing normal about Katie Holmes transformation from girl next door to Mrs Cruise, there's nothing normal about Britney Spears shaving her head, there is nothing normal about Amy Winehouse's beehive.

My point is, i don't care if people feel angry for JLH, she's probably just rallying people to raise her own profile, milking the "noise". In about 3 months, u'll see a newly thin JLH saying " I was never fat, i just wore the wrong things". So Lighten up. =P

ANYWAY... I like Janice Dickinson's remarks about this whole episode...

“Jennifer Love Hewitt is not fat. Tyra Banks is fat!” - Janice Dickinson, on the Today show

THT's wht i call entertainment. GROWL...

Tong Chuan fish market!

As u may know, Shanghai is not a coastal city, so there's an extreme lack of seafood. We hardly get salt water fish, or crabs or prawns...if available, these will also cost us a bomb at restaurants.

So anyway, IF one day i learn how to cook pepper crabs (and kill it and clean it), there is one place in SH where we can find decent live saltwater seafood- the Tong Chuan Fish Market.

The place is really quite gross. Wear wellies if u ever go there. I wore cloth shoes and jeans, by the time i finish my trip my jeans were wet and there were fish scales stuck on it. SUPER gross.

Here are some of the more "interesting" shots.

Poor chickens... they are stacked on top of one another, can't even get up to walk.

We have no idea what fish this is. Gutted bare, smells like crap.



This video reminds me of an episode on CSI. This guy killed this girl by making her swallow live octopus.


Uhmmm.... DElicious! chewy and slimey.




Very phallic looking seafood...

Working

My newly manicured fingernails...

I have wrinkles...

Anyway, my work life is colourless as compared to Les who works 7 days a week, 15 hrs a day. NOT.

I am just having one of those down weeks, can afford to fool around in the office, take pictures of myself on the phone, leave office on time to go for manicure appointments or dance lessons.

For the record, i do love my job. I have a great boss (who doesn't read my blog so i'm not sucking up), wonderful colleagues who are helpful, interesting vendors tht spices up my life, and clients high profile enough to give me a good portfolio. So really i am not complaining.

Working in the same company as Lester isn't really that bad either. For one thing, i don't report to him, we never attend meetings together, we never work on projects together,and the only time i see him is when i walk to the toilet. I am actually disappointed when i walk by his office and realise he isn't there.

3 most important things working in the same company...

1. Don't take each other for granted. U may see each other 24 hrs almost, but quantity time is not quality time.
2. Acknowledge that others acknowledge you're a couple and don't be overly shy about it. The more u try to "hide" the more scandalous it may seem.
3. Respect each other. Duh. this applies to ALL occasions.

=)

LOVE u spice girls!!

Before Pussycatdolls.... there was the SPICE girls...

Although this is a far cry from the kind of energy they used to have, i still heart them. AND GUESS WHAT, they are coming to SH!!!! ARGGHHH freak out freak out. I hope its not one of those days tht i'm back in singapore if not i'll be incredibly upset.

1

Its my 1 year anniversary in China... It's also 1 degree in Beijing, and exactly 1am on my clock...

Lester is also in Beijing but we're at different hotels cos we're here on different accounts.

My mind is in alpha mode at the moment, ready to rant off nonsensically. You know how in the night ur mind just works differently, you get all these bright ideas and tell urself how brilliant it is but then the next day it just doesn't make sense anymore.

Anyway, i conquered my greatest fear today. I presented in mandarin to a room of 30 over people. i didn't think the day would come so soon. Luckily i only had 4 slides to screw up, even if i did it would still be a small screw up.

ok good night.

shake ya bon-bon

I've always wanted to take up dancing lessons of some sort. Something in between line-dancing and break-dance. I figure, Belly Dancing! Thrennggg....


This is Heather. Yes Heather i have another friend who's also called Heather. and u 2 actually look a little alike.

I've had 2 lessons so far.... the teacher is some chinese girl, she's quite pretty. Not the typical curvy turkish lady...Its harder than it looks. Especially when u try to coordinate ur upper body with ur lower body and then move ur hands and feet at the same time.

Anyway, i hope all the hip shaking and butt crunching will help me loose my extra flab. This is Heather in action...

Not the usual friday...

BECAUSE its PAYDAY!!!

Ever since coming to china, i can pretty much afford everything i want to buy. i do say no occasionally, but tht usually relates to the "shall i buy 2 or 3 pairs" "or do i need a black, blue AND red one?".

Anyway, here's my splurge for the day. (i was taking pictures of these shoes in the office i think my colleagues thot i was crazy, but dun care la its friday and its after 6pm)...

Coincidetally, i was surfing people.com and i chanced upon their latest SHOE Trend for winter and guess wht!! so happening. he he...

Green...

...is women's most hated colour.

Unless u're a WAG (Wives and Girlfriends of soccer stars), u've most probably been subjected to gazing at the green screen for more than you can stand. Reason why WAGs put up with it is because their husband/bfs are ACTUALLY playing, women need motivation to do something this meaningless, so don't blame us if we swoon over Fabien Barthez a little too much.

Thankfully, Lester doesn't watch soccer. But he puts me through another kind of misery... POOL. Last night, i watched close to 3 hrs of it...I started snapping pictures. But a load of them are crap.

Anyway, here's one of jackson. Looks like a pro... But actually he is quite bad. HA HA sorry.

Ready for Winter!

Today, Shanghai is 6 to 13 degrees. We're officially into Winter, no more twenties for us.

I feel all sluggish in winter, the blood moves slower, the limbs are less agile, and the weight of the clothes don't help. I wrap myself in wool blanket and i wear wool socks at home. Mingyen actually bought for fun for the girls, somehow i really like it cos it keeps my feet warm, so i bought 2 more.

Can u see, got little anti-slip dots at the bottom. hee hee so cute. SGD2 only!

Anyway, so here i am, in a cab on my way to work. I found this beanie from 10 years ago, got it when i went to New Zealand. I remember then my mom bought me a full set of grandma looking winter wear tht had kiwi prints on it. The rebel i was then used wtever money i had to get myself a new set from the surf shop.

My fingerless gloves and my Dark Purple tights with black suede boots.

Tada, Starbucks christmas cup! its so lovely... I love gg to starbucks in the morning cos the people are so smiley. The winter deco is also very nice, plus u get to do lucky draws, so far i've won 3 free cups of toffee nut latte. TEE HEE....
If u've read my previous entries, u'll also know tht every morning i look forward to finding a name tht makes me laugh. I got a new one, AKILA (man). One day i must take pictures of these people to prove tht i'm not bluffing.

MDA Rap

Can u imagine ur mom rapping instead of nagging? I can't decide which is more effective...
My favourite is the IT guy...

my campy nails

i went to get myself gel acrylic nails yesterday... I don't know what made me do it but i just felt like i needed to be different.

Its actually very short for fake nails, but i just can't get it any longer. as it is, i'm already struggling to type on my laptop. But i kinda like staring at them. i think i can get used to it.



It actually looks pretty scary and thick from the side.

The Interns... Goodbye

The wonderful interns bid their farewell... 2.5 months passed by too quickly!

Les and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours, hope they've acheived what they came for. Keep in touch!

How to Eat Hairy Crabs....

I had this unstoppable craving for Hairy Crabs today. it's all i could think about after i had my lunch.. I love crabs, i love the process of eating crabs even more. I hate the pincers cos they are no challenge to eat. And I like to get into the legs and dig out the meat in one full sweep.

Lester was sweet enough to do the research and brought me to this place called Xiao Nan Guo so i could have my fill (if not i'll keep nagging about it). The restaurant is located quite near home, within the oldest hotel in Shanghai called the Ruijin Hotel. I need to gush about that place another day. Let me get back to crabs.


Now... unlike back home where crabs are served chopped up and ready to eat, Hairy Crabs are served whole. So u gotta know how to pull it apart to get the good stuff.


Top View of Crab

Front View of Crab - u gotta ignore the eyes. It bores into me and makes me guilty... NOT. Check out the hairy pincers, the black thing. Thts why its called Hairy Crab.



I wanted to take a picture with my pet Gary, Gary the Hairy...(inside joke with Ming Yen)

Step 1: Remove the Apron...Its basically that piece of flap on the underneath of the crab. It gets seriously gross at this point but just get over it by focusing on the roe...

Step 2: Remove the top shell... Roe Roe Roe...

Step 3: Remove the gills and start EATing the ROe! Basically after this step, u can eat it however u like. Leg first, body first, top shell first. Oh and remember to dip in vinegar!


As you can see. I am very willing to be unglamourous for the sake of hairy crabs.

Satisfaction guaranteed...

Last step, Wipe ur hands and mouth!

shaved noodle

Heather u asked me what shaved noodle was. Tada!

Its basically noodles carved out from a lump of dough... its mighty delicious. Especially with the spicy beef soup. Grow so fat eating this everyday. When u come i bring u. This restaurant also serves very nice chinese wraps. Like lean beef+cucumber+springonion+sweet sauce wrapped in floury thin popiah skin.

Portraits of Lester

Just a casual dinner along taikang lu one weeknight, we were at Ginger cafe, hippie fusion type restaurant ... snap snap snap as usual. As Nancy would put it, So Handsome.... (Nancy is our ex-intern)PS: Lester's really shy about me posting this. NOT.

weekend! (ugh... actually i shdn't be so excited cos its monday now)

Weekend came and went... We did a bit of everything, explored the city together, spent some time apart - i went to meet my friends and he went to do his stuff, we also watched practically an entire season of The Office.

We went to the Bridges for brunch... Its actually two buldings joined together by a bridge, hence the name. SH is becoming seriously cold really early. Its about 9 to 12 degrees over the weekend. We are almost in full winter gear already.

1) El Cid Spanish Restaurant

It's so cold, obviously we opted for indoors. But would have been nice to hang here 3 weeks ago.

I look so cool. i love my AWAS beanie.

Each tapas is about 30-40 RMB, but the food is just so lovely.

Chicken Paella

Grilled Mushrooms with Vegetable Stew (this is my favourite dish i'm salivating thinking about it now...)

Spanish Omelette (i am bit disappointed with this, i've had better)

2) HEC

We also went to this Hotelware warehouse called HEC. It was quite an interesting trip. We saw things we never thought we could buy. Like those industrial wastebins, extra large woks etc.

Can even buy the chef suit... Lester is curious about the anatomy of a female mannequin.

Super huge ladel... Its a weapon. I look like i'm selling it... "you can use it to scoop up monkey's brains and it'll remain intact"

This is super cute. Corn Holders in the shape of a pig. So random! Its the type of thing i wanna buy when i see, but then i don't cos i figured owning this will not vastly improve my life, or make it easier.

Large Chopping boards... i imagine for butchers.

The rest of the time in-between was spend watching The Office, which by the way deserves all the golden globes or emmy's they've got. Steve Carrel isn't the only star of the show, Rainn Wilson-who plays the character Dwight Schrute is also incredibly talented. I started the show really hating him, but then slowly i realised tht i enjoy his segments the most. The Schrute has a fan, he'll be pleased.

Here are some memorable quotes...

Dwight: Whenever I'm about to do something, I think “would an idiot do that?” and if they would, I do not do that thing.

Dwight: Here’s my card. It's got my cell number, my pager number, my home number and my other pager number. I never take vacations, I never get sick and I don't celebrate any major holidays.

Dwight: I am fast. To give you a reference point I am somewhere between a snake and a mongoose…and a panther.