{delirious jellybean}

random fact {no. 7}

2011-04-16T07:27:00.007+10:00

This is probably the most embarrassing of all random facts. Yes, I saved the best for last...

Despite coming from a line of descendants originating all the way back to China, I am shamefully ineloquent in Chinese. And when I say Chinese, I mean whatever Chinese dialect you can think of -- Hokkien/Fujian, Hakka, Mandarin, Cantonese (which is probably my worst), you name it. I've always conversed in English since young and even had the privilege of picking up the British accent when I lived in Leicester for a good year.

The only bits of Chinese I know are for the purpose of gossiping about 'that hot guy' or for ordering food back in Malaysia (it is important to know whether you want chilli added to your meal, or if you want to takeaway). I've honestly attempted to learn Chinese, but I think its safe to say that it is the world's utmost hardest language to study!

So I learnt how to read Hangul (Korean) instead. Ha!

Now that I've lived through sharing seven random facts about myself, it is time to pass silvii tron's Stylish Blogger Award on to seven lovely people. So, in alphabetical order :

Congratulations to

evelyn tea {evelyn unplugged}

Iswari {COnfesSiOns oF tHe giRl nExt dOor}

Jeyn~! {Living the awesome life}

K.P {PSEUDOVISUAL}

kendra30752 {RiBbOnS and PeArLs}

Raquel {Horses & Heels}

Tiq {For This I Am Grateful}

NB: Please do not feel obligated in any way whatsoever to complete the tag portion of this award :) As much as I would love to find out more about you, this award serves more importantly as a token of gratitude and thanks for all your visits and comments! I also thought I'd spare some of you from receiving this award again too soon :p Your turn will, eventually come around! >:)

Before I leave, here is a recap of the other six random facts I've shared -- {no.1}, {no.2}, {no.3}, {no.4} {no.5} and {no.6}. Out of curiosity, which did you find most interesting? :)

chingchanglinglongtingtong!, xo

PS: Yeah, Iswari, I still watch that video from time to time! Lol!

videos + fun tag + another award!!

2011-04-13T22:57:00.000+10:00

I've got two videos to share today because I've been going through YouTube for the past few days like its my favourite nursery rhyme book!

This video got me a little high for a minute or so (just because that is just how I am when it comes to colours!). Keep your eyes on the objects AROUND the bookcase as well!

This isn't an official music video of Regina Specktor's "Two Birds", but it is an amazing one nevertheless.

Has anyone ever experienced this? I personally haven't, but the exact thing happened to one of my close friend and her ex-boyfriend. I hope this song doesn't stick in your head like it did in mine...for two weeks. OMG I just noticed it has a bookcase scene too (in fact, TWO!). Did you spot it??? Scaringly coincidental!

On a side note, I entered a little birthday giveaway at Amelia's blog and found out that I had won! Thanks muchly, dear!! Amelia posted the following six questions on God and was looking for the most creative answers:

1. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you nothing as a present what will you do?
I'll give him a hug in return :)

2. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you a gorgeous gown, what will you do?
Give it to my mom so she would feel as good as I would on my birthday! :D

3. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you a fabulous jewelry box as a present, what will you do?
Store a handful of seashells I got as a gift from a friend way back in 2005. We've lost touch but I hope to reconnect one day :)

4. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you a huge fish, what will you do?
Release it. But first, I'll christen him 'Willy', haha!

5. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you an Ipod, what will you do?
Rock the house down with John Lennon's "Imagine".

6. If God comes to your birthday party and gives you a hug, then what will you do?
See answer to first question :p

{NB: I am not a Christian, however I do believe in a higher power}

I absolutely love answering random questions like these!! So if you're like me (its okay, I won't judge you, haha), feel free to have a go at these questions and share them as a comment or even better still, come back to leave a comment or let me know via email (delirious.jellybean@gmail.com) /Facebook message if you've made a post on it. I'd love to read your answers! :)

Another surprise came in yesterday! I've been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by Lara from The Secret Garden! Lara and I go back a long way and I am so thrilled to be able to receive this award from her! In order to pass on this award, Lara had to share seven random facts about herself. I was amused by her first random fact, which is probably more random than eating pearls :p Dear Lara, thank you so much for the award, but more importantly, thank you for the friendship you have so kindly shared with me over the past few months! :) ♥

love and thanks to the wonderful person you are, xo

PS: Kim Phan's photo of her dog Ein has been posted on my Tumblr! Have a looky on my sidebar! Adorable, no?? :)

random fact {no.6} + updates!

2011-04-10T15:58:00.002+10:00

I was having marinated mussels some time ago and got annoyed by the amount of grit one particular mussel was having. After crunching into my fifth piece of grit, I decided to check if it was really grit or if I was biting into a broken piece of mussel shell (because then, I wouldn't feel so bad for digesting bits of calcium? Lol).

Turned out it was neither. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself looking at baby-sized pearls :) So I guess the random fact here is that I have eaten pearls? Haha!

I only bit into another two pearls after that...

I'm probably going to poop the rest out like Mr. Polar Bear here.

See random facts {no.1}, {no.2}, {no.3}, {no.4} and {no.5}! One more to go before I hand this tag to fifteen lovely bloggers! >:)

Also, me reckons it is time for some major updates! :

i received a package from singapore last week from my bestie julynn from the juleth dimension! it has the cutest pouch which i plan to use for my ~~black~~whiteberry, a cute keychain with the saying "its ok to be silly sometimes" (except that i'm silly almost every other time) with my name engraved on the back and of course, a postcard written with lots of love! <3
thank you to those who commented on my last post. it kept me positive through the rest of the week. i heart you girls so much! ♥
i've got my cousin's cocktail-themed wedding early next month, which reminds me that i really have to go hunt for a dress asap!
i scored a pair of mng jeans at the opportunity store for $7 last weekend! byebye ebay, i've found a new substitute for cheap thrills! haha!
HAS ANYONE TRIED THE KFC DOUBLE DOWN BURGER YET?? i never thought i would live to see the day when bacon would be sandwiched between chicken breasts...
i've replaced the google follower's box with an image because it started looking like a shelf of head trophies. i hope it suits you better too :)
i am planning to phase out of bloggers.com and blogcatalog as i am quite tired of responding to people who oh-so-subtly coerse me into visiting their seo sites or to review/vote to increase their ratings. i don't regret joining these sites as i have made some wonderful friends (you know who you are!!) but i think it is time i move on :)
to make up from my withdrawals from the sites above, i'll be more active on facebook! it won't be my personal account just in case i get an add from the odd weirdo or two, but i hope we can keep in touch there instead!
i am still finding that one crazy thing to do. any (cheap) suggestions??
also a big BIG thank you to katie leigh of goodbyeanimosity and kim phan from pseudovisual for letting me share their amazing photos on my tumblr!! kim phan's photo of her super adorable dog ein having a stache is on queue, so watch out for it on the sidebar! but you can view katie's cute photo -->here<-- .you girls rock!
ah, this just came in recently. i've been awarded the stylish blogger award by balqis from part and parcel of life, so expect more random facts in the near future! :D thank you so much balqis!! you're a gem! x
i found this awesome quote on girlfriend iswari's blog and i told here i'd share it with you lot in my next post but i couldn't wait! :

"religion is like a penis. it's fine to have one. it's fine to be proud of it. but please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around, and please don't try to shove it down my children's throats"

now you see why? haha! hop over for a visit and give her some ♥! :D

wishing you lovelies a great week ahead! xo

PS: Thank you dear Jeanuuu Oh, cbel2me, laspalomas and Eileen Huang for the follow! I will be making a visit if I haven't already :)

deep.

2011-04-07T14:51:00.005+10:00

I have taken the liberty to set you in the mood for my next few paragraphs with this music video...haha...!

This week has been a revelation.

I have been indulging in activities from my past and have realised something -- I haven't changed as much as I thought I did. I still play chess at the same amateur level, just like how I play the piano or badminton. I still can't cook, and I still have absolutely no idea about make-up and the girlie stuffs. Plus, wearing heels still hurt.

Angie♥Nan

The only noticeable change in me is that I have turned soft. I am now more easy on myself, less competitive and am quite content with who I am. I am alright with making mistakes and acting silly, regardless of what people think.

I feel like I am losing my edge.

It is times like these that I get the urge to do something really crazy. Like, really REALLY crazy.

marshmallow-ing, xo

PS: Love and thanks to A Doctor and A Nurse, ☆(´O`)RabbitoBonbon☆, Johnny Madrid aka Tim E., meyerowitz. alexa and Silver Sparkles for the follow! ♥

random fact {no.5}

2011-03-31T23:42:00.003+11:00

Junxs

I self-reflect during hot showers

This might sound a little odd, but it is the only time I can afford to shut out everything else that is going on in the world and focus on me. It is the only time I get to re-collect and run through what has happened that day, and then make little notes-to-self to be better the next :)

See random facts {no.1}, {no.2}, {no.3} and {no.4}!

splish-splash!, xo

PS: Thank you for following, Mari! :D

vid/nesday: tricks by jesse

2011-03-30T09:00:00.007+11:00

This Jack Russel is so well-trained it can even put a few men to shame.

My life is drowning in a firm routine of coffee, sleep and work.

I've finally felt a bit more comfortable now I've got a routine going on. I use to surf the internet while at work, and then get carried away with it for hours and then go home feeling bad that I've done nothing productive. Then I spend the rest of the evening beating myself up for it. It has been such a vicious cycle over the past few weeks that I thought I should put an end to it.

So I've been a little more disciplined and am spending less time online for the sake of my Science :)

dear blog, please forgive me..., xo

PS: Thanks Frank Black and REscarcega for following! :)

oh mama earth.

2011-03-27T23:27:00.004+11:00

With all my presentations for the semester aside, I was finally able to take the camera out!!

Kevin, his friend Hilmi (who was visiting from Melbourne) and myself decided to celebrate Earth Hour by having some fun in the dark on campus! No dirty thoughts now!

And thanks to fire performers, I found more amazing things about my camera:

I may have gone a little overboard with the exposure that night, but it sure was fun! :D

There was also a huge balloon of our favourite planet Earth! If you've ever wanted to know what the younger generation will do ~~for~~ to the planet, wonder no more...

Between you and me...the only reason I was able to capture all this was because I had planned to wait until the kids were done so I could have my go at abusing it. Alas before my turn came aound, Earth broke off orbit and started rolling towards the crowd :( It probably decided enough was enough.

What did you get up to during Earth Hour this year? :)

just another earthling, xo

PS: Hello and thanks to katieleigh, レベッカ = 레베카, Alexandra, Tiq, elisabeth and Angel for the follow! :D

random fact {no.4}

2011-03-20T11:35:00.001+11:00

Random fact number four was a stroke of luck for me. My photo is front cover of this year's Australian National University student diary.

Is it just me or does the purple pickle look like a swollen, um...man-organ?

To be honest, I'm surprise at how sharp it still looks at that size because it was taken with a digital camera.

Being Asian, I was planning to hoard a few copies of the free diary (you know, to send to my grandparents and my parents and maybe one for my dog to chew on), but alas they were all gone :(

On another note, I've got a few updates! :

just received the most beautiful wedding invitation card from my cousin in toowoomba...is it odd to want to get married so i can send out pretty wedding invitations too?
i whipped me up a new blog overnight! photoshop is magical. i don't think i can ever say that enough!! haha.
i have been running into door frames, walls, you name it. i need to remind myself that doing these kinda stuff is actually PAINFUL! or else...*gasps* could i be growing sideways??
mindlessly bought two tix to watch the band parkway drive with bff amir at sydney in may, then realised that parkway drive isn't really my thing *facepalm*
i didn't mean to be rude by missing out on friday's one day of silence for japan :( i did however make a small donation to the australian red cross.
i've got two talks to give next week so i might be a little behind comments. although sometimes i do leave the comments to run for a little while so i don't spam myself :)

This random fact is part of a tag by silvii tron from Evening Lanterns to share seven random things about myself, and I am more than halfway through already! See {no.1}, {no.2} and {no.3}! :)

I'm off to have some time to do the whole zen thing to keep my life in order...that, and to catch up on sleep from watching too many late night episodes of House M.D.!

With love as always!, xo

PS: Thank you muchly to lilacheck, IfiHadaHammer, K.P., Signe, Katie Anderson and Dr. Heckle for following :)

questions for me(me)

2011-03-18T09:22:00.003+11:00

I got tagged in a question-answering meme by Sunny from Idyll Toast! Who needs Formspring! Hehe!

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?

They're family :) I've always had pets since I was little. Roborovski hamsters, lop-ear Angora rabbits, Shih Tzus, fishies, even a pair of black/white chicks my neighbour happened to have snagged from his trip home to the village. I daresay I have cried when each of them passed away.

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?

A non-existential differentiation of skin and race and religion, no war, and no crimes. They are trivial compared to what Mother Nature has against us these days. We don't have to do this to ourselves.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

Discrimination. I come from a country riddled with it.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Easy! I'd give it away. Is this a trick question?

5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

Talking to bff Amir. And if he's not available or is tired of the silly noises I make when I'm frumpy, then I take my camera out! ;)

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

Having the opportunity to love someone else :) I get excited giving surprises and little gifts to my love ones. Although being loved in return is always a bonus :)

7. What is your bedtime routine?

I am a granny. I get grouchy about past 10 pm and if I don't sleep by 2 am then its pretty much an all nighter from then.

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

A random twist of fate. And fate is still twisting between us...

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?

Audrey Kawasaki, DEFINITELY! I have only recently discovered her work and it was love at first sight!

10. What kinds of books do you read?

Right now? Nil. I traded paper for the internet (which is bad, I know). It still doesn't stop me from collecting books though.

11. Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

Either I'll be ripping my hair out at a private Science research institute or chasing little monsters around. I'm still trying to decide which is the lesser evil.

12. What’s your fear?

Not living life to the fullest. That, and losing my grandparents. They are the sweetest old couple ever.

13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?

Uh-huh. So would (with fingers crossed behind my back!).

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?

Stop asking me things I ask myself all the time! Honestly, I still don't know. I wouldn't mind being single and poor, as long as I'm happy and healthy?

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Check my email...haha.

16. If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?

His ability to read my mind. Its not fair that I keep losing at rock, paper, scissors like that.

17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Zara-Rihanna Ling. It means 'happy-flower' with a ring-a-ling-ling at the end of it! Haha!

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Very most likely to forgive because I believe people change. The ability to forget depends. I would prefer to, but sometimes your subconscious isn't something you can control.

19. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Nutella. Downright swear I would stomach that thing anytime! :D

because I ran out of arctic wolves to photograph --> (source)

TAG! You're it!

Now, to pass the tag on to four lovely bloggers! In no particular order :

+ maya {coffee n' book}
+ tabulyogang {tabulyogang}

+ 黃愛玲 {嬌小女孩, 巨大冒險 Sincerely, Eileen}

+ Kaylia Payne {The Many Colours of Happiness}

I procrastinated and did a blog make-over last night after a spurt of creativity from preparing for my next talk. I hope you like it. I'd appreciate any comments! :)

PS: Many many thanks to Hishan Melanga, Anya, Tiq and The Many Colours of Happiness for the follow!

TGIF!, xo

random fact {no.3}

2011-03-17T09:00:00.020+11:00

I am obsessed with feathers.

The sky is like another realm on Earth for me -- one that only the birds truly experience and know by about. I guess that is why I feel that they're almost magical. And to have a piece of them is like having a bit of magic with me too :)

I have been collecting feathers of ravens, magpies, galah birds and cockatoos during walks around Australia. It never fails to amaze me how huge they are! I guess I never had a chance to size up a cockatoo as they're always flying off when I get within a few feet.

This blue feather from last December has been the most intriguing one in my collection. I still don't know which bird it is from...maybe a mallard duck?

Also, I have been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by Chrissy from Chrissy From America and Valerie from Living Out of the Box!! Thank you so, so much ladies!!

Along with silvii tron's tag to share seven random things, that makes 21 random facts to share in total! And better still, that means 37 bloggers to pass it on to! :D

random will be my middle name, xo

vid/nesday: kilian martin -- a skate regeneration

2011-03-16T09:00:00.006+11:00

Watching this made me feel young again, like when I would watch someone ordinary do something I thought was extraordinary, and I would spend the next few days (or weeks) just wanting to do what they can do too. But then reality kicked in and I know now that skateboarding will not get me anywhere because it will take me half my lifetime to skate like that! And I am not willing to risk breaking those necessary few bones either.

Although, I think guys who skate like that (in contrast to Bart Simpson) are kinda hot. No, really.

Ah, super love the track in the video! Its called Fireweed by Patrick Watson (God bless Google!). Watch the official music video on YouTube video -->here<-- and let me know what you think about it. I think its super random, especially the end bit!

Also, I've been meaning to update for ageeees! :

i attended a workshop for science communication last week and found out that i have so much to improve on when it comes to public speaking :) also made some awesome friends!
i've been feeling helpless about what happened in japan. i can't wait til my next paycheck so i can donate. its official. i have no savings. sigh.
there is some construction going around the hall and we are down by three out of the six washing machines we have. doing laundry is like WAR!
bff amir is ill and i'm worried sick :(
super happy to have had the time to bloghop last weekend!
oh! and my friend nina from beautifique studios is having a giveaway, so head over to her blog to find out how to win some awesome goodies!

happy humping!, xo

random fact {no.2}

2011-03-14T20:23:00.036+11:00

I am sorry to say this...but I am not a big fan of kids. I am missing that part of the human gene that makes you go 'awww~' when you look at a baby.

My perception of kids has allowed me to have a somewhat unbias thought on procreation, and I have come to the conclusion that adding one more kiddo on Earth will cause an exponential increase in population over the following years. Oops, that got a bit sciency, haha!

Maybe my views on this will change in the near future. Maybe it won't. I'm not saying its wrong to have babies because by all means, I have heard that they are the most joyous little things to have and to cherish in this world. It is just that my conscience (and preference, for that matter) won't let me.

I do however believe in adoption and in looking after the kids we now have in this world.

So I have been sponsoring a community in the Trincomalee area of Sri Lanka via ChildFunds. To be specific, I am sponsoring Prabodhika and her community. Its the least I can do for being anti-baby.

This is {no.2} of the seven random facts I plan to share from silvii's tag. Read {no.1} here. Also, hop over to read the seven random facts silvii shared about herself! It will be a bonus if you like typography! ;)

biologically clock-less for now, xo

PS: Many thanks to Valerie, Di and tabulyogang for the recent follow! :)

eleven etsies: out of ordinary

2011-03-13T22:19:00.003+11:00

Have you been to Etsy lately? I was blown away by the quirky stuff they had there today! Most of the Etsies today have a little story to tell or is out of the ordinary. You would have to do a double take on some of them because they are not what they seem to be...

Can you guess what 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 are? :) No cheating!

Did you guess them right? Because I would've had a hard time myself with 8 and 10!

Also, I need some help. I can't decide my favourite Etsy for this week! Should I go teal or cotton pink?

If Maya or LiLing ever stops by to read this, I sure hope their opinion (or anyone else's for that matter) will not be swayed by that pink doughnut...

1.Bear Plate by jimbobart ($89.00 USD) 2.Swarovski Crystal Caribbean Blue Ring by martaky ($40.00 USD) 3.Toilet Monster Decal by cvillage ($15.00 USD) 4.Keep Calm and Surf On Vinyl Macbook and Laptop Decal by SistersDecal ($7.90 USD) 5.Apple ukulele (applelele) by celentanowoodworks ($395.00 USD) 6.Colorin-in Mini Book by yaelfran ($6.00 USD) 7.Shakespeare Journals by immortallongings ($150.00 USD) 8.Hand Dyed Bamboo Velour Pantyliners by pinklemonadeshop ($24.25 USD)9. iPhone 4 Natural Bamboo Wooden Case by Signimade ($34.99 USD) 10.Bunny Beads by JuliaSun ($4.90 USD) 11.Tinted Teal Wig by MissVioletLace ($73.60 USD) 12.Cotton Pink Wig by MissVioletLace ($57.60 USD)

Lotsa love for the week, xo

PS: My warmest regards and thank you to forkfabz, Clouds and Daffodils as well as good friend Soh Hong Wei for the follow! :)

random fact {no.1}

2011-03-12T07:33:00.000+11:00

I was tagged by silvii tron from Evening Lanterns to share seven random facts about me back in January. Like waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. So the count begins! :)

I was born in 1985 (which makes me 26 years old this October). If you do the maths Chinese style, this makes me an ox. I'm just kidding, there is no maths to this. I think.

All my life I have had to struggle with just one issue of being an ox. Oxens are MALES – I am FEMALE. As much as I would love to have balls, I am quite the feminist! ;)

Happy weekend, lovs!

moo!, xo

artprint giveaways (to say the least)!

2011-03-10T23:02:00.002+11:00

My illustrator friend Nina Mata from BEAUTIFIQUE Studios is having a craaaaaazy giveaway! She will be dishing out two printed images of her work and a $50 American Express Gift Card! You will however need to pop over to her blog to find out more about the giveaway because she will be needing a bit of help from you ;) I'd join in for the giveaway...except that I had won her last one and so am quite happy to give others a go at winning her lovely art! :)

Nina is super stunning (even when she's dressed up as Bob Ross on the right) and crazily funny, so hop over even if its just to say 'Hi!' and I promise you, you'll have a new friend!

Although I've featured Nina's work here some time ago, I am going to share another of my favourites just because I can!

you have my bestest of luck in the giveaway!!, xo

PS: Hello and thank you to curiouspug, Editor: Joshua Lee and Natalie for the follow! :D

the king and i

2011-03-09T17:58:00.002+11:00

Raja means "king" in the Malaysian and Indonesian language.

However, unlike others from the Malaysian Royal family, Raja Petra (also fondly known as 'Pete') has out-rightly fought for the political and social justice of the people in Malaysia. Claiming 'controversial' to be his middle named, Raja Petra Kamarudin is a political activist as well as founder and chief-editor of the famous political blog 'Malaysia Today'.

His work exposes the various scandals and corruption practised within the Malaysian government, eventually leading to his detainment by the Malaysian ISA (Internal Security Act) twice, as well as risk being disowned by members of the Royal family. It is all very complicated when it comes to Malaysian politics...

Don't worry, this won't be a political blog just yet. I am just glad to have met Raja Petra in person because he stands up for what I too, believe in -- change :)

And because you've been kind enough to put up with my rant on politics, you are now rewarded with a papercraft rabbit courtesy of Canon!

Print me here

(Don't be discouraged by how complicated it looks -- I have one sitting right on my computer tower at work! I guarantee you, its absolutely do-able!)

PS: Many thanks to rochelle:), Drew, Coymax, Rebecca, mary, angelina zt and tashawojcik (which so happens to be Nina's sister!) for the follow! :D

sweet escape

2011-02-27T17:19:00.000+11:00

Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the flight, because we're heading for Bali!

Our accommodation at Matahari Bungalow was absolutely heavenly! We even had a resident kitty! The staff were gracious and friendly and before we knew it, we were calling them by name by the end of our four-day stay!

I found this notice at our pool amusing...

Nothing escapes art in Bali. This scene of motorbikes lining up for gas at the station sums it up for me!

We stopped by the art market at Sukawati and my dad went crazy. Nop, not crazy enough to buy all these pots, but he did buy A LOT from this particular store.

Passed by a few people having an intimate moment...aha ha ha ha...

Gunung Agung (which translates to 'Majestic Mountain') is the tallest peak and volcano in Bali. It was a pretty awesome view considering the fact that everything was shrouded in clouds just a few minutes before!

Shrines can be found everywhere in Bali (kinda like parking meters in the city). These ones were at a restaurant facing Gunung Agung.

On the slopes of Gunung Agung is the Besakih Temple -- mother of all temples. These statues of Gods and Demons line the entrance of the temple. Sarongs are wrapped around most trees and statues around Bali to render them sacred (and in most part, decent).

The Tirta Empul/Tampak Siring temple is the only temple in Bali that will (self) serve you holy spring water. It is probably the safest unboiled water you can drink for free in Bali. Very much frequented by the locals :)

The proudest thing I did in Bali was to drink 'kopi luwak'. Potent and shitty. I guess I now have to admit I drank coffee made of civet cat poo to justify my moment of glory. NB: My brother was trying to entice the crazy super hyperactive mofo to stay still for a good shot and got scratched pretty badly in the process. We reckon its all that coffee its been having!!

Great. The whole world is gay.

Twisted monkey (probably due to alcohol abuse).

At Kuta beach where everyone loves Bali and turquoise is in fashion.

I'd be happy to sit in a truck like that and collect beach trash alllllll day!

Surfs up! Also, as always, Tassy is losing it.

Balinese are Hindus, not Muslims like the majority of Indonesians. Their culture differs from the Muslims whereby they make offerings every morning in front of their homes and/or workplaces for their safety and protection against harm. Thats what I got out of our tourist guide anyways...

Meet my dad and my bro with a mo. Taken at the Uluwatu temple, 70 metres above the Indian Ocean. The temple is behind me -- in ruins.

The Uluwatu temple grounds had so many cheeky little monkeys reknown for snatching personal belongings off tourists! I had a large male monkey have a go at my bright sandals! Thank God our guide came well prepared with an umbrella. Thats right, jot it down -- monkeys fear umbrellas...

The one thing Dad wanted to do in Bali was to eat Babi Guling (roast pig) at Ibu Oka's. He had seen Anthony Bourdain visit the place on the Food and Travel channel and so we ALL had to eat the many weird bits of a roast pig for lunch that day.

Studio Ghibli much? I find the frogs at the corners so 'Spirited Away'! This temple is at Lake Bedugul, which is located in the mountainous areas of North Bali. Its like a little hill-resortlike place in the tropics with the temperature there being cooler than the lowlands (a bit like the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia). The water levels were high that day from the overnight rain, or else it would've been possible to walk across to the temple. My favourite place in Bali because it is so magical! :D

Among the many things I love in this world are bright colours!

Young boys making a living by selling kites at Tanah Lot. These kites are cool because they give the best silhouttes! :

This one brings back childhood memories of Peter Pan! :)

Four days was definitely not enough for me to get a good trip out of Bali, simply because I am that kind of tourist that will read up on every single piece of history in a museum, explore every back alley, and then do it all over again. Needless to say, I'm definitely going back! This time with less bright sandals and I AM BUYING THAT GODDAMN RAINBOW-COLOURED UMBRELLA!

left back in time, xo

PS: Thank you DS. Utomo and Ellie for the recent follow! :)

ಌasaurus

2011-02-26T12:36:00.003+11:00

I was gifted a set of Avant Cards by my bestie Nadia a few days ago and I am in love with this one called 'Loveasaurus' by Amelia Kelso from Twinkle! She's got a little story behind her cute piece of work too! Hence, I am very honoured to have her follow the blog. Thanks so much for the follow, Amelia!

The strangest thing was receiving this postcard after bff Amir confessed his obsession for dinosaurs as a kid, just the night before!

The Bali post is coming along nicely, except that it needs a lot of trimming! It will be out this weekend. I promise :) Meanwhile, here are some of the updates from my time in Malaysia and post arrival at Canberra:

i had an absolutely priceless time catching up with besties yuv from the chronicles of the yuv and evelyn from evelyn unplugged back in malaysia.
i attended my high school reunion only to be reminded that i am aging. rapidly.
chinese new year didn't feel as celebratory as being home with family and friends! :)
i have a marital lawyer in singapore as a friend and you simply cannot imagine the kind of stories he has to share! no names mentioned, of course.
oh, and i forgot to check out of my room at the halls before i left for the long break, and so i had to pay three weeks worth of rent for no one. it did however save me the trouble of packing and unpacking and a lot of shifting around!
nadia has just left for malaysia today and won't be back for a month or so and i will be missing her :( with that said, good friend kevin will be back in canberra tomorrow.
i have been sneaking around my floor at the halls to avoid running into the newcomers from this semester, although i think i am the only one 'new' to them after missing out on o-week and the welcome wagon last month.
i am excited about meeting up with bestie nivi this coming wednesday. we're having dinner, then attending a talk given by the raja petra kamarudin at the anu campus!

I have to admit, I haven't blogged for so long that I have forgotten how homey this place feels! I have missed you lot so much!

I promised my supervisor I'd do a little errand for him at the lab today, but I will be back to catch up on lost time!

much love from the southern hemisphere! xo

so whats new!

2011-02-24T01:22:00.000+11:00

It has been a bit of a hiatus here, but I am back!

My last few days in Canberra before I went on holiday was a big blur. I skipped so many meals and had so many sleepless nights at the lab to wrap things up that I was annoyed at myself for having a holiday in the first place -- which then rendered the holiday a MUCH NEEDED ONE.

It is my third day back at Canberra and I am already falling into routine again. There will be reports, presentations and paperwork due next month and I've got so many things to share with you since I've been away that I am almost afraid I will be spamming myself!

So while I sort out photos from my time in the tropics, here are some from Australia Day that I spent with my friend Nina!

Also, an update regarding OleDon:

Hello Yileen!

I just wanted to thank you for putting my e-mail in your blog, giving others a chance to decide for themselves.

The answwer to why there was minimal information in my profile is simple. I didn't want a Blogspot sign-in at all really. But I found a blog I wanted to comment on and they had it set up so only Blogspot signed-in account people could do that. So, I quickly registered, with as little hassle as possible. No effort to be in stealth mode, just wanting to do it quickly.

I guess I may be wrong, but I figured it wasn't important to anyone to have an identification of who makes comments on one's blog. I just figured if the reader enjoys your writings, they will keep reading, and if they don't, they'll stop reading it. I just enjoy reading people's thoughts and experiences. I'm not trying to make a social connection. Anyway, thanks again! Take Care!

I'm glad things are all out in the open and make better sense now (hopefully no hard feelings harboured in the process)! Thank you OleDon for making the internet a friendly place! :)

super looking forward to blog-hopping and catching up with you! , xo

PS: Thank you Dennis Hilario, Sydneysider, elena nuez, yahya, Eros coach and golden egg for the follow! :)

he said she said

2011-01-28T09:04:00.002+11:00

Quick entry for an update on things! I thought you should know that I got an email from Ole Don (in reference to previous entry):

Hello Yileen! I hope this finds you healthy, and enjoying all that great weather my dad bagged about when he was there during World War II!
Please don't panick, but I just found out today from your blog, that I am a stalker (OleDon)? Wow, people just don't understand how trashed you can make a person's reputation, on the Internet, with no semblance of proof or facts. I honestly don't know what happened with Mia Knox, but her and your words took my breath away! Please, please let me urge you to visit her blog, look at all my comments exactly as they appeared, and see for yourself if there is half an ounce of inappropriate anything there. She writes multiple posts for each day, so if you will come through her blog for January 3 or 4 (2011) through January 7th, you will see why I am pretty darned shocked to be called a stalker. I don't suppose you did any research on the matter before you put that kind of information about me on your blog? Mia's blog, http://Confessionsofamidwesterngirl.Blogspot.Com , is there for you to view. Show me my sins! And look back on your blog! Show me my sins there too! And did you ask Mia if she expressed any unhappiness with my comments? She said nothing to me! She did block out my signon, I didn't know why at the time, so I just that water go under the bridge, and not worry about it. Then today I visited yours. Funny, you never said anything to me about an objection to me, or anything else. Thanks so much for giving me a chance! Why bother with a trial, or any of that silly evidence gathering? Just shoot and hang him, there's a sale at the mall! Thanks so much for ruining my life!

In my defence, I was prompted to look OleDon up on Google as he had no other information on his blogger profile other than his username (which I found suspicious). I then felt it was my obligation to share with my readers the only result I got back from Google. My past experiences with stalkers over the past few months have thought me to be cautious and to assume the worse rather than give strangers the benefit of doubt.

So, to dear OleDon:
I've attached your email with this entry so everyone is aware of your response and are able to make their own judgements on the situation. I am sure you mean well and no harm. It is in my opinion to be cautious and aware of strangers on the internet before circumstances take a turn for the worse. I feel responsible for those who visit this site and acted as I thought wise. Therefore, my apologies for being prejudice and for ruining your life (although I would prefer to share the blame with Mia). Personally, I think your life is safe -- unless your real name is OleDon and you live in the virtual realm.

There is always someone somewhere out there who has something to say about you.

One year ago, this email would have made a huge impact on my conscience. But today, I am taking it with a grain of salt.

Relatively more fun stuffs from this week:

i can't believe it's friday already!! i am so busy tying up loose ends at the lab before i head off this sunday that blisters are starting to appear from repetitive stress injury. there is also a pronounced hike in caffeine intake and lack of sleep.
my super belated christmas gift to lara from the secret garden has found its way safely to italy! :D
just as i was typing this entry up, pandora poikilos from peace from pieces tells me that i have been added to her blog-a-licious list!
my twitter has 200+ followers (which, although much much less than others, is still a wonder to me). and although i am taking forever to reply messages and mentions, i *will* get there...eventually!!
i am a bit disappointed at myself for only just finding out that liling from shadows overhead had celebrated her birthday two fridays ago! happy (belated) birthday, dear friend! :)

I have to rush to wear my labcoat for (most possibly) the next 16 hours!

*bear hugs to all!!* xo

ಌ + highlights

2011-01-25T00:34:00.000+11:00

I got a little worried over the past few days because I found out that commenter OleDon was (don't know if he still is) a stalker. I was afraid to pass him on to any of you but it seems like he has stopped visiting. I know I am making it all sound like a plague, but despite all you lovelies out there -- there are a couple of freaky ones too...

On a lighter note, I found these! :

Heat sensitive wallpaper	Deanne Cheuk's illustrations	Tom Storm's bubbles
C hris Craymer's Romance	Oliver Dolle's branch bookshelf	Ceramic speaker
Hanging air plant pods	Forever falling apple	Tea duckie
Tetris sugar	Camera earrings	Face mug

Some highlights from last week:

my experiments worked, and then they didn't, and then some did. science! make up your mind!
also, people who don't know how to use toilets upset me.
i've been given a little something by chrissy from chrissy in america and silvii tron from the evening lanterns which i will share with you in a little while!
my laptop has been running so slow lately that it is taking forever to visit some sites and to upload my pictures :(
eleven etsies will be taking a break for the next few weeks to allow me to finish up some bulk labwork and also because i don't know what my holiday schedule will be like! i will try my best to see if i can sneak in an eleven etsy post (or two!)

I am so sorry for being a little reclusive lately, and probably will be until next month. But I promise to stay in touch!

knackered!, xo

PS: Many thanks to Arijit Gupta, lunaticg, Paige and Chrystal for the follow! :)

around the world

2011-01-19T23:20:00.001+11:00

I received a postcard from Paris today (although I think it might be posted from Italy, haha!). Receiving anything from the snail (mail) is such a rarity these days that it absolutely made my day! If you're the curious type, head over to The Secret Garden to read about Lara's New Year in Paris and see some amazing Eiffel Tower photos!

Thank you so much Lara!! The postcard will now sit on my desk at work, and yes! hopefully my experiments will work this year *cross fingers*! xoxo!!

A little ooh la la~, miso soup and Japanese beef curry and I'm feeling like a made a short trip around the world :)

ciao!, xo

vid/nesday: origin of ideas

2011-01-19T09:00:00.002+11:00

This video was initially posted by Amanda Bauer over at astropixie. I thought it was too good not to share with you creative lot! :) Pretty fast-paced video, so be ready to keep up!

Now I can't wait for the next ten to twenty years to see what my mind got up to whilst being idle these days. Meanwhile, I'll try looking for that someone who might have my missing piece. Thanks for the mission, Mr. John Stevenson.

Slow hunchin', xo

eleven etsies: a little randomness

2011-01-16T19:22:00.001+11:00

Please excuse me for the funny lot of Etsies this week. I am feeling a little random today (and maybe even slightly PMS-ing?).

I have been having a bit of an urge to sketch and scribble and doodle this year. I can already hear some of you going 'Oh no, not another fad!'...But wouldn't you want a lovely big red book like this to doodle in to?? :D

1.Softcover Blank Journal by absolutelyevo ($15.00 USD) 2.Small DSLR Camera Bag by mariforssell ($115.00 USD) 3.Thimbelina's Miniature Garden - Set Of Four Vintage Sewing Thimble Planters by doodlebirdie ($40.00 USD) 4.Wee Sheep by QuernusCrafts ($20.00 USD) 5.Vintage Peony Shea Butter Soap by sweetpetula ($5.00 USD) 6.Black Cotton Undies - Retro Glasses by Undies ($12.00 USD) 7.Harris Tweed Offbeat Messenger by peskycatdesigns ($150.00 USD) 8.Natural Cotton Jersey Vintage Camera Scarf by Rabbitapparel ($14.00 USD) 9.Reversible Wrist Satchel by GimmeSunshine ($15.00 USD) 10.Vintage 70s Ombre Sunglasses by ipreferthrifty ($25.00 USD) 11.Valentine - Handmade Blank Book by WeeBindery ($30.00 USD)

back to laundry! xo

byebye squid!

2011-01-15T10:14:00.006+11:00

I ran some errands today!

I know its called a bath sponge or a loofah (or whatever you like to call something you scrub your privates with), but I call them octopuses. And when they unravel -- they become squids (please don't judge me). I have been struggling in the shower with a squid for almost a week now, so I am so relieved I got it replaced!

I must admit that lavender is a very soothing colour for an octopus...except I shower in the dark. Haha.

And because I missed out on replying Raquel's comment in this entry, I would just like her to know that the first necklace she liked is now fixed!

Although I think the fix was more expensive than the necklace itself...

Other highlights from this week:

i got my watch battery replaced today! my watch ran out of battery earlier this week, and that somehow always makes me feel like a decade has passed (because i can never remember the last time i replace them). so here's to another decade!
big big highlight! japanese beef curry is a success!! thank God for instant mix packets! hahahaha!
my supervisor finally stopped stealing from the large bag of almond nuts i leave at my office desk after a lab mate told him that almonds make your pee stink. is this true??
i am glad b e c k y from out the doorway decided to make a video because she has such a beautiful voice! Click -->here<-- to watch her singing!
avee from thought bubble had a wonderful birthday with her family yesterday and i am so happy for her! if you've got the time, hop over to wish her a happy (belated) birthday! its never too late! ;)
liling is down with some crazy tummy bug and she is adamant about not seeing the doctor. can someone please go over to shadowsoverhead and give her a hiding? ha! >:)
neither mumu and i are itching, and so he's finally released from quarantine! i am happy to be reunited with my sleeping buddy! :D
however, experiments this week = fail! :( sigh. next week, you darn rna!

I hope you loves out there are having a lovely weekend! I will be filling the air with the smell of washing powder for the rest of my weekend because I am down to one pair of clean clothing!! Eeeek!

I do not smell. At least not yet. xo

PS: Thank you el regalo de tu presencia (which, by the way, has my favourite artwork in the world as her profile picture!!) and pinkmew for the follow!

vid/nesday: introducing my new oprah!

2011-01-12T23:00:00.009+11:00

This video is craaaazy (and thats exactly why I'm sharing it with you)!

No New Year Resolutions? Good. Wait for the second question she answers.

I am in love with this lady! MARIE FORLEO is my new Oprah! Okay, maybe that's pushing it a little.

[ Marie Forleo is a writer, life coach, Nike dance athlete and master trainer as well as founder of Rich Happy & Hot]

*twing!* :D, xo

give me wings!

2011-01-12T09:08:00.001+11:00

Its been almost two weeks into 2011! How is everyone faring so far? :) I've been tying to manage my time better this year, so I've given myself eight hours slots for the most important things in my life -- family and friends (which involves Facebook, Twitter and blogging), work and sleep! Work and sleep dominate, and I get whatever time and energy I have left for catching up with things (which isn't very much by the end of each day).

Deep down inside me, I want to be free. Free from routine and all the boring (but not the fun!) grown-up stuff. And maybe that is the cause of my obsession for wings and feathers lately.

I bought this at the Parliament boutique on Christmas Eve...

...only to break it on my first wear (this ALWAYS happens to me)!

And I couldn't leave the Sydney Antique Store without getting myself something(s) from Tammy's store. We chatted a little and Tammy explained that she gets her vintage items from the States (so we don't have to take the trouble flying there!). Also, we both decided that our English accents were a little messed up from all that living abroad. Haha.

Tammy had just put this cute pendant on display at her store when I came along and fell in love with it!

My favourite was little Pegasus! I couldn't leave him behind now, could I?

Some highlights from last week:

scabies alert!! kevin (from the sydney trip) has gotten scabies from his accommodation in sydney and i am so paranoid right now. every itch or tickle is like, 'oh no, its SCABIES!!'
i was mentioned in liling's blog for being a source of inspiration. seriously? haha.
i'm super excited about meeting evelyn from evelyn unplugged and that starbucks pilgrimage she has planned out for us next month (we don't have starbucks in canberra)!
i've also been spending more time with the parentals and friends thanks to that eight hour slot, which makes me very happy! :)
also found out that drinking milo in the morning still gives me a tummy upset :( i am so gastrologically fussy!
my bestie julynn from the juleth dimension takes photos so amazing they look almost fake! she's just moved over to singapore so i've been visiting her blog more often just to see what she's been up to!
oh, and also...mumu is being quarantined -- just in case he has scabies too :(

I've been bogged down with work lately. Hopefully these lot of experiments I have been doing work out well, and then I can get some time off to visit yous and also reply your comments!

happy hump day! xo

PS: Thank you Kim Harris, Reut and Tropical Mum for the follow! :)

PPS: Squeezing in an entry on vid/nesday (which, by the way is finally scheduled on Wednesdays, like how its suppose to be!).

eleven etsies: numero uno for 2011!

2011-01-09T13:05:00.002+11:00

Etsy has been a little quiet this week. I think the global masses of crafters are trying to recover from the holiday season.

I just realised that the flower pendant in #3 is so similar to the flower in #4!

My fave of the lot this week are these pair of flats. They are so petite and pretty and so delicately made that they would make my feet (a pretty decent size niner) feel like beasts in them.

HOW CAN ANYONE MAKE SHOES SO PRETTY?!

1.Translucent Porcelain Egg, Votive Soy Candles by Revisions ($29.95 USD) 2.Facebook Icon Pillow by Craftsquatch ($19.99 USD) 3.Dainty Rose Locket Pendant by zuzugirl ($24.00 USD) 4.Happy Happy by farouche ($18.00 USD) 5.Owl Sugar Cookie Favors by TSCookies ($90.00 USD) 6.Rainbow Marshmallows by Have It Sweet ($10.00 USD) 7.Silk Road Origami Paper Patchwork Bangle Bracelet by SquishySushi ($30.00 USD) 8.Royal Blue Peacock Pumps by LaPlumeEthere ($60.00 USD) 9.Twinspot Rabbit Skirt by NYhop ($120.00 USD) 10.Black Flying Sparrow and Red Filigree Ring by craftsbynesli ($13.00 USD) 11.Custom Bridal Flats by HydraHeart ($68.00 USD)

love from me and my ~~happy~~ big feet, xo

PS: Much love and thanks to azura abu bakar (my classmate from high school!!), Leovi, Pandora Poikilos and Becky for the follow! :D

vid/nesday: splish splash!

2011-01-07T09:00:00.002+11:00

Quick song, slow movie. Enjoy! :)

What I love about this video is that no one cared about breaking a bone while jumping off a roof or bothered about getting dirt all over themselves or getting their feet wet. Those would be things that I would be worried about. Especially getting my feet wet. Ugh.

Some poor mom out there is going to have to do some heavy duty laundry.

Happy staying dry, xo

2011-01-06T08:05:00.002+11:00

Its FINALLY here! My Diana Mini is here!!

But now that its here, I don't know what to do with it! I'm so afraid to unleash a whole new craze when I really should be getting work done before my big holiday at the end of this month.

Shall I just let it sit on my desk and stare at me? Dear God, I need a sign..

Also, today is my mom's 58th birthday! Dad sent me a text message yesterday telling me not to forget. But really, we both know its always him that forgets! I received a message from my mom last year saying that Dad has forgotten about her birthday and is trying his best to prepare for it without making it look too conspicuous that he has forgotten. He must be trying to prove that he actually DOES remember by reminding us all about it this year. Haha, he is so cute that way :)

Mom's really silly sometimes. I think she's going through her 'second childhood' these days. This photo of her was taken during a trip to Macau with her girlfriends. I think she's suppose to be doing a yoga pose? Here is another of her doing the same pose in Shanghai:

Isn't she just the cutest?

much love from your crazy lil' daughter, xo

that late new year's entry!

2011-01-05T09:43:00.007+11:00

My New Year's post took ages because I couldn't decide which pictures to share! That, and I have been busy catching up with family and friends to wish them Happy New Year's and also making that 'something' I've been going on about in my last post (which I will share today!). So here's my New Year celebration for 2011!:

Samitha was driving down to Sydney for a day-trip to see the fireworks, and so I thought I'd tag along!

We took route 3 :) Also, I think Marulan sounds like a mystical place...like Narnia!

Lunch on the road. Who would've guessed! Haha...

We had some time to kill before New Years and so Samitha took me to Balmoral Bay! (I found out later that we weren't suppose to be taking pictures at the beach. Oopsies...)

We spent most of our time shading from the sun at a nook amongst the rocks. We were wondering why the place smelled like piss until Samitha spotted a very questionable puddle of wetness under his feet. Hm...

We got a little hungry, so we bought strawberry yoghurt drinks and fries to enjoy the view with!

Samitha parked the car and we took a train to Darling Harbour. The yachts were all out to watch the works!!

We were busy trying to make our way to the harbour with all the other people when I looked up (because I don't like being in crowds and felt kinda woozy with all the people around me).

We got lucky and were able to gather at an apartment of a friend's of a friend's of a friend (no kidding!) near the harbour. And so we made new friends while waiting for the fireworks! We had a Reese party and did this:

Cheezels skewered onto a sparkle, which was later on decidedly called 'chebabs'.

And remember that something I was going to make for you? (the girls who are on my Twitter and Facebook would've probably seen this video). Its a video of my first New Year's in Australia! :D

Samitha and I drove back right after the works (about 3 am?). I had wanted to stay awake for the whole ride back home to Canberra but nodded off -- twice! I am becoming such a grandma. I was however awake in time to see (dry) Lake George at dawn.

I guess having two videos in this entry makes it a double for a {vid/nesday}! Oh, I have just gotten a parcel today that I am yet to go collect. Cross fingers its what I've been waiting for since before Christmas!!

Much love! xo

PS: Thank you zezebel for the follow!! :)

happy sunday + new years!

2011-01-02T07:39:00.000+11:00

Just a short post to wish everyone a great Sunday and a very

*HAPPY NEW YEAR!!*

May we live this year with beauty in our eyes and purpose in our hearts :)

Some good news! :

Balqis from Part and Parcel of Life has received her (first) giveaway prize! I am a little paranoid about the postal system because I have lost parcels and letters in transition before. So, yay for the safe arrival! After reading this, I have to admit that it gave me an odd feeling to see something that has been in my room now be in the possession of someone else across the Pacific Ocean! Haha.

Also, I am working on a little something for you lovely people! I am so excited and can't wait to share it with you in my next post (cross fingers, it will be done by then)! I hope you will like it because it will be a first! :)

hoping you had a wonderful new years!, xo

PS: Thank you dear clariss for the follow! :D
PPS: Made a whoopsie with the video post (if you've noticed). That was suppose to be for this coming Wednesday!

sydney!

2010-12-30T01:39:00.005+11:00

I am back! Let me just say that my day-trip to Sydney was fun, FUN, FUN :D

I hopped on a bus to Sydney with no idea where to go and with no map in hand. I was four hours early for my meet-up with the boys and so I decided to wander aimlessly to see what I could amuse myself with:

There was a funny little small house sandwiched between these apartments on Chalmer's Street.

I had to stop at a petrol station to use the ladies at Cleveland Street that had this amazing blue lighting. Pretty flash for a public loo! ...I can't believe I took a photo in a loo, sheesh!

I crossed the road and came to Moore Park where I saw Elf (or at least that's what I heard her owner calling her) heading for me. I patted Elf and while I was busy talking to her owner, she made a playful rush towards me and I was down on the grass -- covered with licks and kisses (yes, the camera too).

I turned into South Dowling Street and found the Sydney Antique Store. Antique shopping is now officially my new passion! Rummaging through these stores give me the same kind of high I get when I browse through a second-hand bookstore!

After spending what felt like two hours at the antique store, I continued exploring the streets and was getting thirsty when I saw this neon sign for a cold beer. Oh, God, you can be so funny at times.

I had somehow made my way to Hyde Park.

Kids were chasing them while grown-ups stood around in amusement. Thank you random bubble blowing guy for making my day! :D

There was also this nice man feeding his naan to the pigeons;

the ~~Nudie~~ Archibald Fountain;

and the beautiful view of St. Mary's Cathedral :)

I met up with the boys at the park and we had lunch at Star Bar on George Street.

which, by the way, has the coolest interior decoration!

After dinner at the bar, Jeremy tried his hand (more like finger) at pokies and lost with Jimmy's cash.

Jimmy (reluctantly) taking a photo with the hula-hoop man on stilts at the entrance of Chinatown. The man wrapped poor Jimmy up in endless strings of flowers. Jimmy's got a good grip on those peaches too! Poor Jimmy.

Ting was especially happy about his egg puffs from the Emperor's Garden Cakes & Bakery store. No idea what's up with Jimmy (it might be that he was still very well upset with the hula-hoop man).

The only reason I didn't make it to see Darling Harbour was because we were fooling around way too much on our way there.

I made a mental note to take the tram next time as we walked towards Sydney Central Station for my bus ride home.

Terribly sorry if this post took centurions to load! I wanted to share my whole day with you :) Hope you had as much fun as I did in Sydney!

home, xo

PS: Thank you Dimiter for the follow! :)

christmas wrap-up!

2010-12-27T22:22:00.010+11:00

And so Christmas is over.

After feeding Tia on Christmas day, I had spent the afternoon having a good ol' typical Aussie barbeque with leftovers at the hall i.e. Indians, various sorts of Asians and the few odd Australians.

This meant Santa would have to come from India and have his sleigh drawn by cows, and we would have to leave lassi and parathas and chapatis instead of milk and cookies this year. But that's okay because at least he still looks like Santa.

I was also very happy for my friend Bhavya who got lucky and received more presents than he had bargained for:

To be honest, Christmas had come so soon it actually caught me by surprise. I'm a little upset at myself for not being able to get all the presents out to friends back home in Malaysia :( I will have to bring them back with me in February when I have my MAJOR HOLIDAY!

I did however manage to send a little something to Italy! :)

Oh, and I snagged myself a Christmas gift this year! Thank you, Samitha!

It's a USB port hub from Smiggle! It is so fun too -- it has a maze with a tiny silver ball in it that you can bring from one end to the other, and this shade of pink is just perfect (for me, at least!). Now I don't have to shuffle my webcam, mouse, external disk, card reader and phone charger between my only two USB ports!! Ultimate joy!

Did you get any lovely (if not entirely odd and dysfunctional) pressies this year?

I am off for a day-trip to Sydney today with Ting, Kevin and Kevin's friend, Jimmy from Melbourne!

I am so excited you wouldn't believe it!!

its a wrap!, xo

PS: Thanking dear Angela, HelloHero, Ajay Kontham and Nikk J for the follow! :)

PPS: Gosh! These birds outside are singing like a pair of cats mating! I am yet to find out which breed of bird it is!

tia

2010-12-26T09:22:00.000+11:00

Remember how I had to feed Tia yesterday?

I was given instructions that if I shook the food box, Tia would pop out from inside the house. And true enough she did! I cheekily decided to give her a mix of both dry and wet cat food as a little Christmas pressie! Shh...don't tell Agustin or his other housemates!

After her nibble, she purred all around me and then rolled around in the sun :) Merry Christmas to you too, kitty!

Tia politely walked me to the driveway and meow-ed goodbye (and I am not kidding about this!) -- no wonder she is so loved!

uncertified cat-feeder, xo

PS: Thank you Sunny for the follow! :D

merry christmas!!

2010-12-25T09:43:00.006+11:00

Surpise!!
I know I'm going to feel a little silly doing this but I'm going to do it anyways!

Merry Christmas, you!! *rushes over to give a big warm fuzzy cuddly hug!*

Do you like my Santa hat?? :D I believe it lights up too! (although you can't really see it in this photo)

May you and your family and friends have a wonderful Christmas this year!

I have been so busy buying pressies and then sending them out and trying to get some lab work done so I don't have to visit the lab on Christmas that I can't wait to be spending Christmas having some quiet time to pour through all your lovely comments from this week! Best pressie from you ever! Thank you muchly!!

I will have to rush off to go feed Tia the cat now! Agustin left for a long holiday back to Argentina/Brazil and I am on his cat feeding duty program along with his few other friends. Then there is a Christmas lunch for us leftovers at the hall! I'll be back soon! *hugs + kisses!!*

tralala lalaaa la laa la laa! xo

PS: Thank you maya for the follow and also everyone else for allowing me to be a little silly today! Super love you guys! :D

white christmas

2010-12-23T09:00:00.001+11:00

While some parts of the world are having a white Christmas, we in Australia are living the other extreme -- summer blooms!

White nonetheless :)

How would you celebrate a white Christmas if it isn't snowing where you're at?

enjoying a different kind of snow this year, xo

{ vid/nesday: thought of you }

2010-12-22T09:00:00.030+11:00

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.
-- William Shakespeare, "Sonnet XLIII"

A post dedicated to the love of my life.

love you always :), xo

PS: Thank you CWatsonD for the 100th follow!!!! :)

{ eleven etsies -- christmas edition! }

2010-12-21T18:16:00.003+11:00

OMG! Have you seen the Christmassy stuff over at Etsy?? People get so much more crafty and creative when it comes to the Season of Giving!

And what would Christmas be without a Christmas Tree? :)

1.Christmas Star by BellaMiaDesign ($12.00 USD) 2.Holiday Water Bottle Labels by printyourparty ($6.00 USD) 3.Blue Elf Toe Christmas Stocking by livin4prim ($49.00 USD) 4.Retro Reindeer Coasters by bebesniklefritz ($12.95 USD) 5.Green Textile Tabletop Christmas Tree Decoration by PeachParlor ($25.00 USD) 6.Minimalist Christmas Green Antler Note Cards / Postcards by deepfried ($10.00 USD) 7.Azure Treasures Victorian Ornament by OdysseyCreations ($19.95 USD) 8.Reindeer Paper And Wire Ornament by bookeesue ($28.00 USD) 9.Ninja Santa Felt Ornament by suzannahashley ($7.50 USD) 10.8 Inch HOOT Felt Owl by moonspiritstudios ($30.00 USD) 11.Shabby Bottle Brush Tree by IllusiveSwan ($48.00 USD)

I spent both days of last weekend doing labwork, and then shoved everything I was suppose to do over the weekend onto Monday and so Eleven Etsies got pushed to Tuesday. Confusing much?

Highlights of my weekend:

i branded myself with a pair of forceps while doing labwork. yeah, like how they brand cows :(
i got myself a facebook page because i love 'liking' pages. still no idea what to do with it but my point is, do you have a facebook page i can 'like'? :D
oh and i am so happy for balqis from part and parcel of life who won the radhika's story book giveaway! it is her first win from a blog too!
did i mention i was planning to spend new year's in sydney? my accommodation recently got stuffed up and so i am a wee bit stressed about that.

While I'm here, I'd also like to thank you for your comments! I am running a little behind with them this week so instead, I will hop over to YOUR SITE and comment there instead :) I can't wait to visit you already!

Also, I am super happy today. But I will have to tell you more next time! Laundry beckons!

five days to Christmas! xo

PS: Thank you dear chrissy for the follow! :)

{ ಌ }

2010-12-18T18:31:00.003+11:00

A few loves from this week's web-snooping!:

Love Quote by Roald Dahl at cake with giants	Hungry Policemen Print by Kristi McMurry	Parrot Porcelain Figurine by Alfredo Llorens
Pac-Man Cookie Cutters	Like/Dislike Stamps	Kozyndan Sea Hares Cup & Saucer
Bike by PUBLIC M3	Panda Rocking Animated GIF	Hungry Animals Toy
Rumpus Women Literary Calendar by Rumpus	Birdsnest Eggcup by Gijs	Camera Lens Mug from Photojojo

Favourites at LookBook:

Exactly one more week to Christmas! Have you gotten anything for your love ones yet?

I promise I won't tell.

Also, Radhika's Story book giveaway ends tonight!

super feel like shopping!, xo

secret santa

2010-12-16T23:52:00.007+11:00

We had a farewell/secret santa lunch today! Ben is finishing his PhD and is yet to hand in his thesis, but we're sending him off anyways! Haha.

The event was at a little cosy place called Ivy's Cafe located on campus. I never knew we had such a posh place on campus! There is so much to the ANU campus that I have yet to explore!

Laura having a beer moment.

We all bought gifts under five dollars and wrapped them up in pretty paper before throwing them into a big box. Each person takes turn to pull out a random gift and if you see something you like that has already been unwrapped, you get to swap for it with your unwrapped gift!

Gift swapping!

Thank you secret santa for my gift! :)

Alcohol and Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce, anyone?

Miniature foozball gift put to good use right away! I won 3-0 against Jasper! Ha!

Other highlights of my day:

my experiments didn't work, which means an early morning at the lab tomorrow for a repeat experiment. Ugh, science!
played badminton and then had dinner out with a new group of friends. there was a meal at Happy's (restaurant) called 'banana chicken' which reminded me of a Malaysian snack called pisang goreng (banana fritters), except with added chicken and gravy.
the hall steam cleaned the carpets today and now my room smells dampy. any idea how to get rid of this mildew smell other than to spray copius amounts of cheap fragrance onto the floor?
also got my stock of iron pills for super cheap! it pays to have pharmacist friends! :)

yay for fun days! xo

** A quick reminder that the Radhika's Story book giveaway ends on Saturday 21:00PM GMT+10:00.

PS: Thank you Anónimo de la Piedra for the follow! :)

{ feature: ryan matthew smith }

2010-12-16T09:00:00.004+11:00

Ryan is the principal photographer and photo editor of the upcoming book Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking.

While most of us are content with photographing 'food porn', Ryan goes behind the scenes to produce these stunning images:

Six consecutive frames from a high speed camera recording at 6200 frames per second. The bullet is from a 308 sniper rifle and was travelling roughly 2800 feet per second at the point of impact.

Cutaway of wok fried pad thai.

Spectral emissions from different chemicals burning: (left to right) Methane, Calcium Sulfate, Calcium phosphate, Sodium chloride, Potassiam phosphate, Sodium borate.

The Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking is scheduled to release in March 2011. Visit Ryan's photography website and read his interview with feature shoot to learn more about these images.

hungry. xo,

**Update: Ryan has just added me on Twitter! The internet can be so scary sometimes! In this case, good scary! Follow Ryan on Twitter!

{ vid/nesday: world's largest aquarium }

2010-12-15T09:00:00.010+11:00

A soothing video from the biggest aquarium in Atlanta that I know Evelyn from evelyn unplugged will enjoy. Time to put on your scuba-diving gear, lov!

blub blub blub, xo

{ giveaway: book - radhika's story }

2010-12-14T11:15:00.007+11:00

I have been wanting to share this book with you for some time now, but I have been so busy that it absolutely slipped my mind!

From the backcover:

A seemingly innocent sip of Coca-Cola, drunk by a starving and desperately thirsty 14-year-old girl led to the first of Radhika Phuyal's human trafficking experiences. Drugged, Radhika woke up hours later, in great pain, only to discover that her kidney had been removed and sold to the highest bidder. Radhika was married by force but tried to make the best of her situation. She had a much-loved son, but Rohan's birth signified the next harrowing episode in Radhika's life - she was trafficked again.

Living in India, separated from her son and forced to have sex with up to 25 men a day, Radhika refused to accept her lot. Desperate to be reunited with her child, she fought against the odds, finding the strength to escape her horrific life and rescue her son and finally find sanctuary in a refuge set up to help survivors of trafficking. Journalist Sharon Hendry tells Radhika's horrifying but incredibly inspiring story. She also highlights the pervasive nature of human trafficking in the 21st century.

New Holland Publishers have been kind enough to send a copy which I will be giving away for FREE. To get a free copy, submit a comment with your email address of your views on human trafficking by Saturday 9:00PM, GMT+10:00. One winner will be chosen at random. I am not expecting many comments, so this should be easy-peasy! :)

If you are still brain-storming for Christmas gifts, New Holland Publishers have offered 20% OFF as well as FREE POSTAL if you make an online purchase at www.newhollandpublishers.com using the promotional code 'delirious'.

I don't usually sponsor, but decided to this time as proceeds from this book will go to Maiti (a charity organisation that helped Radhika and other victims of human trafficking). If you are interested in promoting the book, send me an email at delirious.jellybean[at]gmail[dot]com and I will forward you on :)

There has been excellent reviews and ratings for this book over at Amazon and goodreads.

** giveaway closed **

doing a little something in this big world today, xo

pet rat

2010-12-14T10:39:00.005+11:00

Billy (codename RAT) is a secret agent for the Dog Undercover in Malaysia Bureau (DUMB) and is well-trained to roll, crawl, play dead and um, shake hands? Did I forget to mention that he is also racist towards my best friend Yuvin from Chronicles of the Yuv, whose skinshade is at the other end of the spectrum?

Despite his up-to-no-good tricks and his high pitched bark and that ability he has to zoom like a dog on steroids -- I actually miss this miniature pinscher :( Can't wait to go home and teach 'rat' more tricks!

This entry on rat is a submission for a photo competition at I Heart Faces. Hop over and enter the competition with a picture of your pet before Tuesday 9PM CST! Best of luck!

missing the little things from home, xo

PS: Thank you Egiga, Mano and Ismail N for the recent follow!

{ feature: lara jade }

2010-12-13T09:00:00.003+11:00

Lara Jade started her own photography business at the age of seventeen. She has since done work for BBC and Sony Music, as well as international magazines such as ELLE.

I love how there is a sort of dark Alice-in-Wonderland feel to her photos and her talent for lighting gives her work a somewhat tint of magical touch!

Visit Lara Jade's official website!

xo,

{ eleven etsies -- for men }

2010-12-12T23:00:00.005+11:00

I got Amir to help us who are looking for Christmas (or birthday or even anniversary!) gifts for our dear men.

Amir especially liked this guitar pick holder:

...but thats only because he keeps losing his pick. Tsk tsk.

Thanks Amir for this week's Etsy picks ಌ!

looking forward to playing with tinsels, xo

1.Silver Plate Iron Man Mask Cufflinks Men Cuff Links by cufflinksblink ($25.00 USD) 2.Exquisite Steampunk Goggles by StrangerThingz ($675.00 USD) 3.Soothing Blue Animated LED Lamp by andrewomalley ($150.00 USD) 4.LIMITED- LEGO Star Wars Storm Trooper Minifig Necklace by Gr0glmann ($15.99 USD) 5.Birdie Messenger Bag by puckishclothing ($69.00 USD) 6.Handstamped leather bracelet by MetalPressions ($134.99 USD) 7.Silver Plate Superman Men Cuff Links by cufflinksblink ($24.90 USD) 8.Vintage Poison Warning Belt by CraftieRobot ($12.00 USD) 9.Silver Plate Guitar Men Cuff Links by cufflinksblink ($22.90 USD) 10.Fart funny Gift Matchboxes by dippylulu ($5.00 USD) 11.Guitar Pick Holder by LunasaDesigns ($128.00 USD)

time

2010-12-12T18:13:00.002+11:00

I am always reminded of time and how cruel it can be sometimes when many big events happen all at once. Events like graduation and birthdays and farewells.

Graduation gifts

...and 'sharing' of achievements.

Being silly and pretending it isn't really goodbye.

Oh, and then there was Kevin's coming of age.

Time, please slow down a little. At least for now.

what a week, xo

{ಌ}

2010-12-12T09:00:00.060+11:00

Little loves from this week:

Thilda M.'s look at LB	Sculpture by Kate Rohde	Bookcase Wall House by Alvaro Puntoni
DIY pie-in-jar	Bonnie Baton's look at LB	Limited edition eye masks from ClickforArt
Acuático by Maria Ocampo	2011 Typographic Calendar by Heather Lins Home	Grumpy Bean Plushes by Cafe Grumpy
lolli-pop by Massimo Gammakurta	Pick A jewel by fift	Ceramic Bird ornament by le souk


Shan Shan's look at LB	Capri Blue O Clock Watch by O Clock	Bekah D.'s look at LB

I am still trying to catch up on things from this week! Plus, my library books are overdued...Eeek! :(

xo,

{ giveaway: japonicas necklaces + uggboots + $100 westfield giftcard + xmas ornaments + lcd eos watch }

2010-12-11T12:00:00.004+11:00

I have found more giveaways from around the globe! :D

Loveology is giving away two Japonicas Traveller necklaces. The rules are:

1. Comment on this post by telling what your favorite item is from the Japonicas shop and tell them why that particular item is your favourite.
2. End your comment with your email address so Japonicas can contact you if you are one of the two winners!

Competition ends 12th December.
View source

//******************************************************//

Whooga is giving away uggboots every month. To enter, simply follow Whooga on Twitter and subscribe to their newsletter. Competition is open to all countries.

View source

//******************************************************//

Margaret from Shine by Three is giving away a $100 Westfield giftcard. Here are her rules:

1. Be a public follower of Shine By Three via Google Friends Connect (the little Follow box on her sidebar).
2. The most important part - start browsing with Westfield online and create a wishlist (of any value), then post the link as a comment at her giveaway entry. The most creative one will take the prize!
3. Make sure to leave your email address in your comment so she can email you with a lot of exclamation marks if you win!

Competition ends at midnight of 13th of December.
View source
NB: Westfield is only available in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom and United States.

//******************************************************//

Stephanie Sabbe from Sabbe Interior Design is giving away five sets of ornaments (two ornaments per set) by Filzfelt. Hop over to her site and leave a comment to win! Entry is open to everyone.

Competition closes on 16th December.
View source

//******************************************************//

ShopAdorn is offering 10% off until 31st December (promo code Awesome10). And if you email nocturne@theawesomer.com, you’ll be entered to win this cool LCD EOS watch worth $135.

View source

Best of luck with the giveaway(s) of your choice!! :)

feeling like missus santa!, xo

{ giveaway: slr pinhole lens + cloak bag + superheadz white slim angel camera }

2010-12-10T09:00:00.014+11:00

I've been super busy lately. Its graduation week and then there is the birthday of two friends. Heaps of photos that I can't wait to upload and share with you!

But until then, pop over HERE to win these amazing items!

1. SLR Pinhole Lens that can be used for Canon AND Nikon

so you can make photos like this:

(tearoom)

2. A Cloak Bag that allows you to use your camera without taking it out of the bag.

3. Lastly, my favourite -- Superheadz White Slim Angel plastic manual flim camera. A hardy little thing that requires no batteries to work.

( Rolf F.)

Giveaway ends on the 31st on December. Good luck!

xo,

PS: Thank you sYdRaz and fzikuz for the follow :)

living with rules

2010-12-10T09:00:00.011+11:00

I grew up living with rules. My parents had always told me what to do, or whats right and whats wrong.

I can't remember when I started making up rules for myself. But these rules have given me a sense of familiarity no matter which part of the world I am at:

make the bed every morning. Despite the fact no one else enters my room or sleeps on my single bed, making the bed gives me a fresh feeling for the start of the day. Well, that, as well as it curbs my urge to crawl back into bed for a quick nap after getting all dressed up for work.
morning stretches. This was just something I picked up during my days in New Zealand. I found that doing a quick five minutes of light stretches in the morning helps me wake up to face the day. Also, improving your flexibility is a very useful thing (especially when you need to reach that jar of raspberry jam on the top shelf at the supermarket).
washing the dishes after every meal. Some might argue that it is more efficient to do the dishes right before the stack of dishes seem to look a little wobbly (and possibly topple if you place anything else like a spork on top of it). I however have very little kitchenware: one small bowl, one big bowl, two cups, two bread plates and countless pairs of hand-me-down cutlery -- hardly anything to stack.

Do you stand by any simple rules that has served you well through all these years?

just curious, xo

{ vid/nesday: welcome back }

2010-12-08T09:00:00.006+11:00

(simple tess)

Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. -- John Ed Pearce

I have chosen to spend nights in airports between transits instead of putting up at the backpackers or a nearby hotel just so I could witness moments where families and love ones reunite after spending days, weeks, or even months apart. But this is something else:

It is amazing how little it takes to bring joy into other people's lives in these stressful, modern days. Great job on marketing, T-mobile.

Suddenly yearning for a flight home, xo

breakfast sharing

2010-12-07T13:14:00.000+11:00

I shared breakfast with a little someone this morning :)

...he had a whole piece to himself.

feeling generous, xo

techni-coloured!

2010-12-07T09:00:00.001+11:00

I have been meaning to share silvii tron's find for the longest time! silvii tron from Evening Lantern mentioned the Multicolr Search Lab in one of her entries and I had such a fun time playing around with colours that I promised her I would share it with you.

Multicolr Search Lab will extract 50 images of any colour(s) you choose from the palette from Flickr!'s "interesting" gallery. You can even mix a few colours together and produce an even more varied search! What's best is that you can head over to Flickr! to view that image right from the site itself!

I found this especially amusing -- adding light green if you only have one other colour will bring up mostly macros of flowers in that other colour (as well as an occasional bug or two). Behold:

silvii tron and I both hope you had fun with this share!

Techni-coloured! xo,

{ feature: warwick saint }

2010-12-06T09:00:00.002+11:00

I am in love with these photos of ink by Warwick Saint!

Check out Warwick Saint's work for Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keyes, Missy Eliot, Simple Plan, Bjork, Christina Aguilera and...uh, Infected Mushroom -->here<--

too chicken for tattoos, xo

{ this weekend }

2010-12-05T15:00:00.019+11:00

More play-time with the D90. I am estatic about these shots because I wasn't able to do them with my digital camera:

The Crimson Rosella is my favourite backyard bird in Australia yet! Going on my Christmas wishlist:- Better ~~lens~~ skills

My first ever freeze shot. Next, I will attempt to freeze time.

A few updates since um, yesterday:

#1 I have added a giveaway link to share any giveaways I find on other sites and blogs I come across. Feel free to leave a comment on the giveaway page if you have a giveaway/competition or one that you would like to share with others! :)

#2 More sharing -- I thought it would be fun to share our weekends, and so I have gone and set up a little something we could do each week. It is closest thing I could think of to having a cuppa with you and to catch up with some girl (or guy)-talk:

xo,

friendship & christmas trees

2010-12-05T09:00:00.005+11:00

(A late entry from Friday because I had only gotten my camera back after loaning it to a friend)

I had spent Friday evening having a relatively costly dinner with a relatively new-found friend at Gus'.

The creepers climbing around the little tent set-up they have gave such a wonderful and cosy atmosphere.

Also, the Christmas tree in Canberra is finally up! I have been waiting for this day for more than a month now. Friend + myself had spent after-dinner gazing at this magnificent Christmas tree. I am excited about my first Christmas in Australia!

How amazing is this view? Excuse the gunky shoes. There is a good explanation i.e wet weather, plus we are scientists!

Christmas shopping! Yay!

saving up for pressies!,

xxx

PS: Hello and thanks to SZEMES for the follow

{ಌ}

2010-12-04T09:00:00.004+11:00

Sharing a few things I love this week:
Monday
// Victoria Secret's latest model -- Katsia Zinga

// Distant Star print by Amy Sol

Tuesday
// WTF prints by Minga

Wednesday
// Optimus Prime ice sculpture by Antti Pedrozo

Thursday

// Teatowels by Materialistic

// these looks at LOOKBOOK.nu

// some cute envelopes

// this braid

Friday

// Uranium glow soap

hope your week went well!,

xxx

bedtime leftovers.

2010-12-03T09:30:00.001+11:00

I was making my bed this morning when I found pretzels from yesterday's midnight-snacking.

Mm mmm! Breakfast!

Sigh. I have no shame.

living on the edge,
xxx

my kind of high

2010-12-03T09:00:00.065+11:00

We all have our downs. Anyone out there who doesn't is sure to be on some kind of drug.

Most people tend to think that I am capable of picking myself up when I am having a rough day, or when I am experiencing what I call an 'emotional down-time'. However, that is quite far from the truth. Truth is: I have awesome friends. I don't mean in quantity -- I mean in QUALITY.

I have friends who:

drag me out for meals when they know I am beginning to neglect my health over work I had a friend once lie to me, saying that he hadn't had his dinner when it was already 11 pm and he had wanted some company for a meal. Turns out, he had only wanted to make sure that I had a meal before I went to bed.
try very hard to invite me to social events around and off-campus despite the fact that they know I am most likely to kindly reject because of other obligations With all due respect, I have trouble deciding between my wants and needs. When I get invitations for social events -- I am heavily swayed to comply! However, that is before my logic kicks in and warns me of all the work that will accumulate on top of the guilt I would have whilst having fun. Logic usually wins.
offer to spend afternoons with me during the weekends to talk about our lives in general, and how we're both faring in the big bad world These talks with a particular friend has been refreshing me on most weekends. It is always nice to discuss your opinion on life with someone who shares similar ideals. They act like benchmarks, or like milestones to keep you in check and that you don't stray from your own goals in life. Need I mention that it is a wonderful way of subtle motivation?
stop by to say hello on Facebook because they know I am an egg in keeping in touch at times I am guilty as charged. I am horrible at replying emails because I tend to want to leave my replies for later (until I get more exciting stories to tell), and then later would never make it into their in-boxes.
respect my space I love being around people, but sometimes I need my space. Not because I don't like the people around me, but because I need time to reflect upon my life and reorganise the nitty gritty things that I have been shoving aside in my head. I am lucky to have friends that respect that time when it comes around. These are the people I share the most with because they know who I am.
cook, and then spend after-dinner pretending we're all in a rockstar band -- all just for giggles What are friends for if they don't bring out the silliness in you! Our meet-up on every other weekend has become sort of a ritual thanks to one friend of mine. An almost healing kind of ritual where all there is is good company, home-made food, self-made music and crazy laughter. It always reminds me of how little we need in life to feel happy and complete.

So choose your friends well. They would have to be the ones that genuinely care for you through thick and thin. I have learned so much from them on how to be a better person to myself, as well as how to be a better friend to others.

This is Nivi. We found a laurel wreath on the field and decided he should be called Nivi-the-Great from then on forth.
Now you know where I get my crazies.

You are who you are because of the people you keep around you.

Happy Friday to all!

Feeling blessed & lucky,
xxx

PS: Thank you blair_pleasure for the follow! :)

this heat

2010-12-02T09:00:00.002+11:00

The heat here in Australia is nothing like that from back home. There is no fog of pollution for protection from these UV rays. These rays burn. Another reason to miss home.

Time to rehydrate,
xxx

PS: Thank you gingerSnaps for the recent follow! ;)

experimenting in the dark

2010-12-01T13:44:00.001+11:00

I have always given up taking photos under low light using digital cameras. And so my curiosity had gotten the better of me, and I had brought the D90 for a visit to the lab last night for a little dark experiment (as well as to motivate myself to go to work after dinner).

Day or night, this lamp on my way to the lab have always looked like a UFO to me.

In Scientific territory where my precious(s) grow i.e. the Controlled Environment Facility (CEF)

And then there was this other kind of experimenting that I had to get done:

My tobacco mutants having their night cycle. Wakey, wakey ~

Cleaning of lots of trays filled with algal gunk and plant sex (pollination) happened for the next few hours.

The exit sign in the CEF had looked especially tempting at 3am.

Happy 1st of December! :)

Still groggy from this morning,
xxx

{ vid/nesday: the green hornet trailer }

2010-12-01T09:00:00.003+11:00

Who wouldn't love a video that starts off with:

There's a party going down at the casa de Britt (insert riff) Bring all your friends, as long as they are chicks.

Sexist? Maybe so. Do I care? Not so much so. Well, not this time at least.

My love for Jay Chou (aka Kato aka Green Hornet) has outlasted the love I have had for my ex. That is how much I adore him and his music. We will have to see if his acting will damage this relationship.

He doesn't sound so silly in Chinese now, does he?

Lookin' forward to the New Year, xo

PS: Was that Cameron Diaz I saw in the trailer?? I can't believe I absolutely missed that!

{ feature: 2011 TED prize winner -- JR }

2010-11-30T09:00:00.015+11:00

JR is a 27 year-old French artist who developed a passion for photography after finding his first camera in the Parisian subway.

He has recently been granted the 2011 Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) prize, which entitles him $100,000 as well as the support from the TED community to carry out his amazing photography projects around the world.

An idea of how prestigious this award is? Previous winners were Bill Clinton, Bono and chef Jamie Oliver.

JR is only known by his initials and has never been seen without his sunglasses. His anonimity has a lot to do with his work. The kind of art JR does is large scale and unconventional -- he photographs the faces of people he meets, turn them into enormous black and white prints and then with the help of volunteers, paste these images on buildings, bridges, walls and other surfaces in the urban environment (think buses and trains even!). It is therefore no surprise that JR is extremely protective of his identity, as mounting of these large images have been considered illegal in countries like China.

Here are two videos on JR's attempt to highlight the dignity of mistreated women around the world:

...when you hear their stories, you're like,"whoa, maybe this person has died inside". But then when you ask her to do faces -- then you can see life.

And then this video of Randy Kennedy from the New York Times having a telephone interview with JR after the announcement of the 2011 TED prize winner:

An image can portray so much; can do so much.

See here, here and here for more details on JR's work (if you are more of a picture person like myself, watch a slideshow of JR's work instead). You can also visit JR's official website :)

inspired in so many ways, xo

some giraffe luck!

2010-11-29T15:21:00.002+11:00

Evelyn from evelyn unplugged will be having her last term paper tomorrow and I so happen to know that she loves giraffes.

good luck for tomorrow, lov!

We would have to celebrate after!

Rabbit foot and four-leaf clovers for you, xo

PS: Thanks Cal for the follow! :)

{ eleven etsies }

2010-11-28T21:59:00.002+11:00

I have not seen animals (other than the birds and bees around campus) for so long that I am still not yet over my trip to the zoo! So here is an animal-themed eleven etsies for this week!

How amazing is this turquoise reindeer??

1.Sock Monkey Kit by Squigglymonkeys ($18.00 USD) 2.Meerkat Pair by TwoSarahs ($12.00 USD) 3.Tiny Octopus Sterling Silver Necklace by TwoLittleDoves ($25.00 USD) 4.Pandi Bear Art Statement Ring by schmooks ($39.00 USD) 5.Meerkat print by berkleyillustration ($18.00 USD)6.The Gnarly Wolves Wood Cube Painting by kmwatkins ($127.50 USD) 7.Giraffe Vinyl Messenger by SugarLust ($58.00 USD) 8.Ghost Tiger on Organic Alternative Apparel by rctees ($22.00 USD)9.Deerly Bobbie Mix by saylorrose ($14.00 USD) 10.Pink Felt Baby Bird by 3FishAndALadybug ($5.00 USD) 11.Turquoise Reindeer by RetroPops ($15.00 USD)

I was so tempted to cheat and have more than one favourite for this week (#1, #3, #4 and #6)!

Rainy Sunday :( , xo

animal overload

2010-11-28T08:17:00.001+11:00

Me and the girls made a trip to Australia's National Zoo and Aquarium and got in with 25% discount on tickets. Thanks Ju Lynn ಌ!

It has been so long since I have seen a family outing.

It is the Nikon D90's first trip out, so please excuse any bad shots. I was too lazy to read the manual and had jumped right in from having a digital camera. The only thing I like so far about having an SLR is the zoom! The unlike? So so bulky! I hope you enjoy these snappies from our visit!

Some natives who have been in Australia longer than I have:

Gray kangaroo taking a whiff of us missies.

Shh! Koala is napping.

The emu was the scariest thing on the loose!

Some favourites because they are just too cute:

Red panda having a peek at the commotion below.

Timon on meerkat duty. Except I don't think Timon is suppose to have that many titties.

Anti-social little penguin!

There were also tigers, lions, giraffes, sunbears, zebras...but no elephants :(

I was so excited about the zoo trip that I had forgotten to take my hayfever anti-histamine pills. The rest of the day then went relatively unexciting.

Thanking my girls for a wonderful day out!, xo

exhausted

2010-11-25T23:48:00.003+11:00

(ღMayuღ)

Men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all the other alternatives.
-- Abba Eban

I did something beyond me today. I confronted a stalker. I had shook with anger and frustration while describing to him his own selfish acts. I can't say I am proud of the way I handled it. I could have been more patient. I could have been EVEN MORE understanding. But it has gone on for long enough.

talk is OVER! + { linkies }

2010-11-25T23:05:00.001+11:00

I have probably done at least four presentations since I started my PhD in May. That's an average of one each month. I might actually get use to this.

I am knackered. And so I had spent most of my time after today's conference just surfing. Some interesting stuff:

+ [ car wraps by Access Agency ]

Driving with this one on the road will be such a distraction!

+ [ artwork by Talita Hoffman ]

I don't know how she mixes cute with morbid, but she does it anyways.

+ [ Museum of Broken Relationships ]

There are some quirky stuff in there!

+ [ Manholes in Milan ]

Prettiest manholes yet! Grungy manholes are now a thing of the past!

+ [ Parkour ]

Almost kung-fu, but not quite!

Maybe something more substantial tomorrow :)

Happy Friday!, xo

PS: Thank you Avee and Chochay17 for the follow! :)

beaver moon

2010-11-23T10:42:00.126+11:00

Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you, and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy.
-- Henri Frederic Amiel

I was on the way out to do some late night grocery shopping on Sunday when I saw the moon. It took me two minutes to rush back in for my camera. Only later did I find out that of all moons that hovered above me while I slept this year -- I was captivated by a seasonal blue moon.

There are two types of blue moon: a second full moon that happens within a calendar month; and the seasonal blue moon. When four blue moons happen in a season (in this case, Spring for Australia), the third full moon is known as a seasonal blue moon. This is the third full moon for this season. The fourth full moon is to happen on the 21st of December. Oh, and the blue moon is not blue (read here and here for more information on the blue moon).

My mom has always used the full moon for the purpose of traditional Chinese prayers. Meanwhile, her dreamy little daughter has comfortably ignored the fact that astrology exists and that the sighting of a full moon is magical (to say the least). So much for being in Science.

When the clouds took over for a while.

Did you know that you can forecast the weather by looking at the moon? A ring around the moon predicts bad weather within the next three days. Today is day-two. I will let you know if it rains tonight/tomorrow!

Bitten by the astrology bug, xo

PS: The November moon is traditionally known as 'frosty moon' or 'beaver moon'! :)

this strange place + { eleven etsies }

2010-11-22T08:57:00.007+11:00

Today is my first post in his strange-looking place. I was being silly yesterday and was trying to adjust some HTML codings on my site when I lost track of what changes I had made and screwed up big time. If only you could have seen the mutilations I had done to this place. I had spent my whole Sunday fixing this place up when I really should've been doing my readings for the upcoming conference presentation I have this Thursday.

I am missing my old blog.

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I thought it would be a good idea to look up on crochets this week since most of us on the other side of the world have been starting to catch up on knittings for the coming winter. I love the idea of surrounding myself with bright and cute items during the dull and grey season. Don't you? :)

Other than my obsession with lights, I am also a sucker for rainbow-coloured objects. My only exception is the rainbow-coloured Paddle Pop ice cream that I once tried when I was a kid. It tasted heavily of (coloured) chemicals and rainbows shouldn't taste like that!

So here is my personal favourite for the week. This is a bonus favourite for me because it has TWO of my favourite items! :

1.Adorable Apple Cozy by UnravelMe ($3.50 USD) 2.Love and a Heart by felted ($28.00 USD) 3.Rainbow Octopus Amigurumi by alyssacritt ($18.00 USD) 4.Two Peas in a Pod by animalmagnetizm ($12.00 USD) 5.10 Crocheted Roses by Buttonsandsuch ($4.50 USD) 6.Organic Cotton and Bamboo Appliqué by Mylittlepalette ($4.30 USD) 7.Brooch by saraaires ($25.00 USD) 8.Purple Pink Flower Scarf by BobiCreations ($15.00 USD) 9.Cloche Brimmed Boho Beret Hat by BessetteArt ($24.00 USD) 10.Crochet Hat by YingM4 ($16.80 USD) 11.Rainbow Striped Cotton Blanket by rocketandbear ($70.00 USD)

It is the last week for the semester!

Hurrah! xo

thirsty merc and life so far

2010-11-20T07:48:00.004+11:00

Things have been HECTIC! I had spent Tuesday overnighting in the laboratory, listening to eighties music playing on our communal radio while shooting DNA into tobacco leaves using our gene gun. I then groggily headed home at 7 am the next day and had trouble claiming back my hours of lost sleep because my body simply wouldn't let me sleep past mid day.

After hours of tossing around on the bed, I finally hauled myself to see Thirsty Merc (I have been waiting for this day for the past few months)!! Unfortunately, by that time, I was having a massive headache from the lack of sleep.

I have no proper photos from my night with Thirsty Merc other than this one taken with my Blackberry (I was adamant in leaving my camera at home so I would be able to dance freely).

(gogoporen)

How true is gogoporen's sketch???

Sadly enough, I eventually regretted not bringing my camera that night as I ended up being right in front of the stage. I went green with envy when I saw the lady beside me snap an awesome photo of Rai (lead singer)! Argh!

Here is a short video taken with my Blackberry of the band playing a song off their latest album. I wasn't able to record the whole song because I could not fight my urge to dance! Sorry guys!

It looks like a crowdful of girls, but I swear there was a guy on my right who knew EVERY SINGLE word to EVERY SINGLE song.

This video is my new addiction!:

Don't you just love the doo-wop dancing?

It has been tough week at the Whitney Lab. Nevertheless, a good friend from Malaysia has returned to Canberra for her graduation and I am looking forward to spending a good time with her over the next few weeks!

Averaging on four hours of sleep this week, xo

PS: There has been a goose around the area, squawking like it had been run over for an infinite number of times. Is this something about Spring I should be knowing about?

PPS: Thank you silvii-tron and MiniDiva for the follow! :)

my favourite threesome

2010-11-16T10:00:00.002+11:00

I miss these siblings. A born genius, a street-wise and loving brother, and a hyper socialite (in order of left to right, that is). And all with good looks! I love the girls to bits, but I am closest to Krish. Yep -- that punk in the middle.

There are only a handful of very special people in our lives that are always there for you during the hard times. Krish is one of those people for me. We first met in 2005 at the University of Waikato's hall of residence. We gradually formed our friendship (much to the aid of alcohol) over the next few years. We were spending so much time together that I was starting to even talk like a profane Fijian Indian with a Kiwi accent: "Fuck bro, you gotta get me some of that shit". You must be thinking how the fuck is that Fiji, Indian and Kiwi at the same time, but never-mind. Now, now, lets not get too carried away with the f-word. It got so bad that Krish once said I sounded "like Elmo swearing".

I remember all those times when we would watch America's Top Model in his room while snacking on wholesome New Zealand Farmbake cookies. There was that time when he sneaked eight teaspoons of sugar into my tea and I was pretty much bouncing off the walls for the rest of the night. Not funny, Krish.

Oh and all the silly things we did! We once stank up his friends car with takeaway seafood pizza from Pizza Hut and got into trouble for that. And then there was this embarrassing moment that happened while I was visiting his family. You know which, Krish! Then there was that midnight drive to that spooky-looking place while house hunting. I also vaguely remember going to the scrap metal yard to look for car parts...although my memory is bad these days and the likelihood of that is highly questionable. I can't for my life imagine being in a scrap metal yard in the first place!

Krish was there when I was having problems with my housemate in 2009. And he was there to pick up the remaining pieces of what was left of my previous relationship this year. No matter how much apart we were, we would somehow reconnect like it was just yesterday. I've followed his family move from one home to another and felt at home with his sisters, relatives and friends. You might think this is starting to sound like a love story - but it isnt, I promise!

I am really grateful to have him as a friend and as a trustworthy confidante during all these years. And I can only wish that our friendship will take us further into each other's lives for the years to come.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post:

Thank you for being such a supercalifragilistic friend! You are very, very much missed from across the ditch!

With much love, xoxoxoxo!

PS: Hello and thank you to Jay-Sara and the-glacier for the follow! ;)

{ guest post: eleven etsies }

2010-11-15T01:03:00.002+11:00

This week's etsies will be by my bestie from back home in Malaysia. Isn't he cute? I had subtly co-erced Amir into helping me out with this week's eleven etsies because 1) he had no idea what hayever was about and 2) laughed when he found out. I am off for another pill, and then for a snooze.

Much love for the week ahead, xo

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Hola! Yileen is currently recuperating from hay-fever. Lets just all hope she gets well soon aye?

So.. to business!

Etsiessss, oh the wonder of random options and online shopping. Here is my pick of eleven etsies:

From top left:

Personalized ergonomic sterling silver design guitar pick (USD50.00), Sultans of Swing- Band Magnet Set (USD13.50), Love in (ASCII) Binary Code Ceramic Necklace in Brown and Blue (USD18.00), The Witch Fly (USD28.00), Guitar and amp etched glass (USD8.00), Glass ant earrings (USD25.00), Four Letter Pillows - Choose Your Letters (USD60.00), Hamlet Print - Shakespeare lllustration - Small (USD12.99), Large Plush Heart (USD27.00), Baby and mama print (USD20.00), Oriole kaleidoscope sun catcher/ornament - Ornament of Orange (USD25.00)

Have an awesome week peeps!