kindness, to commemorate

from jan.

Biko with a sprinkle of custard?

I'm grateful.

No wonder I don't like seeing the figure on the scales or my reflection on a full length mirror.

this was yesterday

since our christmas tree was set up, I've been scouring the shops with the aid of telepathy for Christmas trimmings. since telepathy is science fiction, the tree remains lifeless (can't push prams) turn the lights on however and it's magic.

with typhoons, shootings, even fires afflicting a contained populace, Christmas should be in our hearts (love Jose Mari Chan!). look unto ourselves how to be like Mother Theresa even though we're not Catholic (tall order). the presents with their nicely tied ribbons are lovely. but action speaks louder than any inanimate objects in a sparkling wrapper.

cakes

from wonderful pattiserie (black forest)

ube cake baked by pie
shower cake

turning 38 was a charm.  got two cakes and presents.

countdown to new year

happy new year!

learning how to sew

able to revisit this article from JZ.  reminds me of my desire to learn how to bake my very own pandan cake.  me, baking?  miracles do happen.

i also like to sew my own dress.  i've learned from high school home economics that a blouse or a dress has a much simpler patterns than creating a pair of trousers from scratch.  i'll  start with simple cross stitch. 

spreading good cheers

our colleague elena retired on friday (food spread courtesy of diane). one person who can afford early convalescent, away from the stressors of people, heavy workloads and nags. i mentioned to her in passing to embrace technology, join twitter, activate her facebook, write a blog, do a podcast.  but email is  the extent of  her web fascination. she has other ideas, maybe not involving cross stitching or penning a novel.  it's mostly driving a car to someday navigate the enitre sarawak region in malaysia or something to that effect.  or merely just having dinner with friends every now and then.  where's the party?

half and half

once of these days i will try to interview kids who grew up outside of RP, not necessarily multi-racial, just raised outside the pearl of the orient seas who had to go through a multi-lingual, multi-cultural environment, knowing that their parents or one of their parents had a kind of different upbringing. 

darren criss is half-filipino.  i hear him sing tony's song something's coming on glee, i feel goosebumps.  west side story is one of my favorite movies.  that's how camp and gay i am, babe and i mean my babe. criss' version is even better than jimmy bryant's, the voice singer of the film.

aside from making his broadway debut,  replacing daniel radcliffe in how to succeed in business without really trying for a limited run. darren criss now models for uniqlo, the brand that keeps me warm.


and as a word and adjective, with its resonance and timbre, i like convivial.

checking twice

i couldn't wait for the Christmas holidays to be over. i was just making my list for cards and presents and heaving a sigh for the sheer number of people to greet and remember during the joyous season. i keep coming up with names as i touch type this post.

but as i recall seven years ago, cards were distributed at work and were just ignored. this time we are wiser and more discriminating with our choices.

miracles do happen

this is sweet.

scent

advert.

janette would like a copy

jan's creamy cupcakes.

from jan's lens

there are many cool photos from r and g's do. this one is from the lovely janette. we had to trawl through the maze of soho in heels to find the reception's venue. but the event, with the confetti of tears and all the trimmings is truly well worth my ordeal. best wishes to the happy couple.

live blogging

at ryan's do, wedding.
all the best, dude!

i'd rather sleep

one of my greatest dreams in this lifetime is perhaps to own a chaise lounge. i like to sleep. i don't like going to a party, knowing that you only know one person.  i know, we can all meet new people.  but unless they really dig deep into your topics of interest,  the free bar won't even save you from the greatest ennui of your life.

flowers diary

almost two months ago, the bloke got me a flower plant for my birthday. the plant is still alive. it's original sparkling red daisies had withered and sprang back to life again, talk about the power of love.

condiments

visited Tate Britain on my birthday. since i couldn't draw a straight line to save my ass, i compensate by being cozy in an art gallery or museum -- staring, admiring, drooling, reflecting. or these are lethargic activities that spinsters do? subliminal be damned?

there's always the option of having a party, catering, balloons, dancing, karaoke. can't hurt. but would torture the neighbours ears. can't ruffle sensitive feathers.

i prefer being a bore.

jan's cupcakes

i call them temptation cupcakes. janette had to text and prod me. i couldn't simply proceed to her vicinity. if it was a birthday present i could pick it up monday. but it seemed to be a matter of urgent concern, thus she bleeped the hubby and give him parcels. voila, in an ube flavoured ice cream container, lie sweet, creamy chocolate cupcakes. wonderful, my weakness is creamy and chocolate. this wouldn't help me in my quest to trim down.

thanks jan. i'll open the card and book on my birthday.

HB honey

happy birthday to a great, great friend, Honey! busy bee -- a sparkling wife and mother. since our birthdays are so close together, we greet each other through greeting cards. never fails. i'll open mine on my birthday.

going out on a date

played frisbee at the park with the loved one. it felt like my only exercise for the year. after that we had drinks at the usual watering hole, if there's such a thing.

how often do we play frisbee that we have a central perk?

bless

written 5th may

we have a new addition to our family today. my brother and his wife has a new bouncing baby boy, their third child and son, an all boys network. his name's brydon. his parents are still deliberating his second name.

this is such a happy, happy news.