Some Beauty Tips

Day 77

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Sam Levenson

For that One of a Kind experiments

Who's my Type?

Day 74 and 3/4

The ideal guy for me is the Renaissance Man!

This guy is extremely passionate about everything you can think of. His interests run the gamut, from baseball stats to Dutch art, and he delves into all of his interests enthusiastically. Your guy will do anything and go anywhere and most likely have a smile on his face the whole time. You'll constantly be mesmerized by how much information he soaks upand retains. Whether it's because he's extremely well-cultured or due to his romantic nature, you can't help but fall for this guy. Although he's got aplethora of redeeming qualities, this great catch can be some what scatter-brained. He can sometimes lose sight of reality and wind up livinghappily in the clouds. But when it comes down to it, that's exactly where this guy will put you — on cloud nine.

This is my kind of guy.

For that One of a Kind experiments

What Zodiac Sign Should You Be?

Day 74 and a half...

Now checking zodiac inclinations.

The planets are very complex. Maybe your astrologer will disagree, and maybe a few tendencies will vary, but overall you're a SCORPIO. You're just like a water sign, which comes out in the way you're so in tune with your emotions and your intuitions. Your symbol is a scorpion, which represents your secretive nature and your ability to emit a powerful poison when vengeful. A bundle of contradictions, you have the ability to demonstrate both the best and worst qualities that characterize human nature. Generally, you are intense and passionate, yet stubborn and competitive. You use your intuition fearlessly, and you have a tendency to explore the nature of existence through the study of philosophy and religion. Although it is difficult for you to trust others, whenever you finally do, the result is deep and powerful. On the downside, however, you must work hard to suppress your jealousy. Your dedication, drive, and persistence will guarantee you success, and you are known and respected for your imagination and idealism.

I did the test twice, coming out with the same result.
Perhaps, I am suffering from undue influence from another Scorpio.
I don't trust you, Tickle.

For that One of a Kind experiments

My Mid-day Aura Reading

Day 74 and a half...

I am not feeling too good today. So, I am taking my aura reading.

You couldn't ask for a better color — a glistening GOLD aura is as good as it gets. A lively blend of yellow and orange, gold people are happy, playful, energetic, sensitive, and generous. Always up for adventure, you'd give a friend in need the shirt off your back. You're spiritual, too — all those halos in old paintings aren't colored gold by coincidence. Almost childlike in the carefree, joyful way you live your life, you're popular and outgoing with your large circle of friends. Chances are you're so full of light and energy that you sometimes find it hard to sit still and chill out. Instead, you're constantly looking for excitement, no matter how risky or impulsive the occasion. Happy-go-lucky and always laughing, you truly are as good as gold.

Are you sure about this, Tickle?
I did the test twice just to make sure.

For that One of a Kind experiments

The Naked Truth about China

Day 73

The bare naked ladies are back again!

In the shower room at the hotel pool, 3 stark-naked women spotted.
One, as fat as comedian Rozanne Barr, was magnificiently standing there drying herself. The other two were at different stages of showering.

The shower room was just open space, with shower heads sticking out of the wall. Just like a men's shower room. After seeing a naked women in the shower room at the Shanghai hotel, this still shocks me here.

The bare-chested men are "in"...

One of the first things I noticed when I got to Jilin was that the men go out without their shirts own. Like your dad in the privacy of the home.

Perhaps, it's summer. Since Jilin is located in the very north of China, I guess people here want to savour all the sunny weather that they can. In another 2 months, the temperature would dip to zero.

Perhaps, it was the hotpot dinner that they were having at the time.
Perhaps, it just fashionable.

It's hip to be in pyjamas!

The first time I saw a women walking in the street in the morning in her nightgown, I thought she was just making a quick stop downstair to buy the newspaper.
Then, I saw a man dressed in pyjamas shopping for groceries in the mall, I thought he was a nutcase!
Then, I spotted a whole family (parents with their 2 teenage children) in their pyjamas in the supermarket at the mall.

I don't mean the grocery or convenience store around the corner of your home. I am talking about a supermarket located in a shopping mall in central Shanghai!

In case of emergency, leave the door open...

I remember the time when I walked into the office lavatory and found someone was sitting on toilet with the cubicle door wide open.

Perhaps, she made it in the nick of time. No time to close the door!

It dawned on me that perhaps, it's normal even for a cosmopolitan city like Shanghai.

Talk about being comfortable in your own skin!

For that One of a Kind experiments

It's a Dog's Life

Day 72

When we got down from the taxi after work yesterday, a chihuahua-looking dog trotted pass our path. My colleague remarked "There goes dinner...".

I haven't tasted dog meat before. I wonder about it.
I could easily order it - Braised dog meat or Dog meat soup.
It's in the room service menu in my hotel!

Right now, someone's word would be sufficient experience for me.
Afterall, a dog* wouldn't eat another dog.

For that One of a Kind experiments

* My chinese animal zodiac

From Door to Door

Day 71

It was literally out of the frying pan into the fire.

I weaseled my way out of going to Netherlands just to escape the long haul flight.
I thought it would be better to be around the "vicinity" and time zone.

Jilin...new place to explore.
I jumped at the chance.

Sunday
2100 Left home for KLIA (airport)

Monday
0030 Boarded flight for Beijing
0130 Read magazine, ate a sandwich
0230 Snooze...
0400 Breakfast at 30,000...somewhere above Southern China
0445 Snooze again..
0630 Arrived at Beijing airport
1030 Boarded flight to Chanchun, Jilin
1200 Arrived Chanchun airport
1430 Arrived at Hotel in Jilin after a 2-hour taxi ride

This is as bad as my flight to Amsterdam!

Jilin - Home sweet home for the next 2 weeks.

For that One of a Kind experiments

New Toy on the Block

Day 68

I guess you only live once...
so, why not indulge yourself to the fullest.

Yesterday, I brought home my new baby.
His twin iPod will arrive tomorrow.
To think that it all start because I was having nasty visions of me being arrested in China for possessing pirated CDs and sent to concentration camp.

Then, walking into the Apple Center looking for an iPod and coming out with an iBook as well.
It was an unexpected dream.
The iBook was accidentally conceived.
But, he's going to be much loved.
He will spend some lonely days and weeks without me when I am away at work.
Hope he still recognises me when I return.




Does he look absolutely angelic?

I guess I would be crunching on this apple for the next few years!

For that One of a Kind experiments

Getting Started

Day 65 and half

From a book I am reading today...

Begin difficult things when they are easy
Do great things when they are small
The difficult things of the world
Must once have been small
A thousand mile journey
Begin with the first step.

The ancient sage, Lao-Tse

For that One of a Kind experiments

I knew it felt right when I held it in my hands

Day 65

For the first time, it felt soft. I knew this was going to be the one!

I made perfect scones yesterday.
After the upteenth time of trying, I finally made it!

The surprising thing was it was when I least expected it.
Another brand of flour was used.
There wasn't any fresh milk in the fridge. So, I used regular water.
I used regular magarine instead of butter.
I used brown sugar instead of regular castor sugar.
I added some wheatgream for the feel-good healthy edge.




For details of the recipe and bird plate collection, click here.

An Apple A Day...

Day 64

...doesn't quite keep the shopping away.

After a tiring and demanding week, it was time for some shopping therapy to normalise the routine again.

It was one of those shopping experiences when you go into a shop to buy one thing and you come out with a dozen items, none of which was the "one thing" you went in for.

Saturday 5.30 p.m. (1 hour after touchdown from Shanghai)

I am in the shopping mall...because I was hungry and wanted to grab some thing to eat. Let's say I got to do more than I hoped!

6.15 p.m....on a full stomach...
In French Connection (FCUK)
Never could wear most of their stuff plus they are freaking expensive.
So, I went inside to just-have-a-look.
Then, it was just-have-a-try.
A few minutes later...
I have a kimono top and a pattern skirt.

Sunday - Running the Mall Marathon

11.00 a.m. Mall A

Studio R Sports shop

My old faithful jogging shoes are retiring.
I needed a new pair for exercise.
Result...
Two pairs of Sketchers - a pair of casual shoes and slippers.
No jogging shoes.

2.00 p.m. Mall B

Apple Center
Been buying a lot of pirated CDs.
I needed somewhere to keep my music and not be caught red-handed with a suitcase full of pirated CDs.
Perhaps, an iPod.

Result...
An iPod and an iBook (because there was a promotion. I am such a sucker...still...)

Meanwhile, my credit card is swallowed by the ATM.
I forgot my PIN.
A blessing in disguise?
Perhaps.


For that One of a Kind experiments

When it rains....

Day 59 - Day 61

...it pours!

It was one of those rare and incredibly busy working week.

Those days when you are too busy to go for a pee break.
Those days when you had to run after the office shuttle bus to catch the ride home.
Those day you have your coffee night cap and fall asleep instantly.
Those days when you can't wait to watch the Olympics Opening ceremony in Athens and realise that it came and went from the newspapers the next day.

I haven't been so busy in months!


Thank goodness, I survived it and back home for a week's break!

For that One of a Kind experiments

It works in mysterious ways

Day 58

Last nite, I had my Illy macchiato coffee after dinner. Strong with milk, no sugar.
Within the hour, I was in dreamland.
I must be tired....or I just ate too much.

For that One of a Kind experiments

Sucked into the CD Black Hole

Day 57

I have been spending too much of my spare time hanging out at the illegal CD stores. I think it is becoming an addiction.

What can one do when it's so cheap!

The CDs are so openly sold here that it's a way of life. Yesterday, I went into City Bookstore which has 7 stories worth of books.
Imagine....
You are in MPH or Kinokuniya bookstore.
Then, times the floor space by 7.
Half of one floor filled with pirated CDs.
I am now having Russell crooning his new songs in my ears.
Tonite, I will be watching the Carmen, the Opera. Three CDs for RM14.
Let me know what can be that!

Well, I did imagine that there could suddenly be a Government crackdown as I am wandering along the aisles. I am arrested for possession of illegal CDs. I guess there's a risk to it.

On the brighter side, I guess it's a sign I am assimilating with the local Chinese people. My suitcase is filled with fake goods...even the bag itself. It's my fake Bally!

For that One of a Kind experiments

A Sneak Preview

Day 54 and one quarter

My new designs for Autumn 2004. Full feature next week!





For that One of a Kind experiments

A Celebration of Love

Day 54

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous;
Love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own,
is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Corinthians 13

For all the good news received this week, I am happy.
Let us never forget the power of love.

For that One of a Kind experiments

Miserere

Day 53 and a half

This song moves me to tears in happy time too!

I have listened to two versions.
One by Andrea Bocelli and the other, Russell Watson.
Both wonderful.
But because Russell is cuter, I like his version better!

Miserere, miserere
Miserere, misero me
Per brindo all vita !

Who is the child sleeping here
in my bed
where are the words to say
what's left unsaid
yeah I've been lying, I've been hiding
here beside you
I was the saint who disowned you
now I'm the beggar who owes you

Miserere, misero me
Per brindo all vita !

Is there a night dark enough
for us to hide
there es the light bright enough
to make us blind
yeah I'm a straying man
lord I got no plan
drinking from another well
Vivo nell'anima del mondo
Perso nel vivere profondo !

Miserere, misero me
Per brindo all vita !

Another road, another place tomorrow
running from you, running from love
you give me so much to hold on

Sole magnifico che splendi dentro me
Dammi la gioia di vivere
Oh help me now, help me now !

Miserere, miserere

Like a bird with a broken wing
in your arms, I'm afraid to sing

For that One of a Kind experiments

I Dreamed a Dream

Day 53

An absolutely beautiful tear-jerker song by New Zealander, Hayley Westenra.

A must-hear, must-buy or must-downloader!

I dreamed a dream in days gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted.
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder.
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came.

And still I dreamed he'd come to me
That we would live the years together
But there are dreams that can not be
And there are storms we cannot weather.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

For that One of a Kind experiments

As Only Dreamers Know

Day 52

Living on daydreams,
Spinning her days out,
Singing her dream song.

Love will hold me,
Love will feed me,
I know that love will lead me,
As surely as the ocean ceases up to flow.

Love will clothe me,
Love will guide me,
I know with love beside me,
I'll never be alone wherever I may go,
Sweet love Sweet God
Our love is seldom so.

I know that love will lead me,
As surely as the ocean ceases up to flow.

Love will clothe me,
Love will guide me,
I know with love beside me,
I'll never be alone where ever I may go.
Dream on, dream on, as only dreamers know.

For that One of a Kind experiments

My Almost Perfect Sunday

Day 50

My Sunday began beautifully with my eyes opening gradually at 8.30 in the morning.
Went down to the gym for 30 minutes on the threadmill and 20 minutes on the bike.
Then, a big breakfast.

Back to the room to do my week's ironing while watching my regular soap opera.
Then, shot to the shower.
Then, painted my t-shirt while continuing with my marathon mindless soap.

Lunch.
Practice my Chinese.
Reading the Chinese Classics - Monkey God.
Nap. Awoken by the chamber maids.
Time for coffee and cheese toast.
More reading and TV.
Practise my violin.

Then, to the groceries.
Checked out the local illegal CD shops. Picked up 2 CDs.
Walked home.... equivalent to the evening's exercise.
Cooking while watching Oprah Prime Time.
Dinner.
Reading the papers in bubble bath.
Crosswords, magazines and papers.
Ginger tea and danish pastry.
A phone call.
Listen to my new CD to sleep.

Today, I am grateful for the wonderful Sunday at the midpoint of my solitary confinement. It was almost perfect....but I am still happy.

For that One of a Kind experiments