Tag - You're It!

I was reading SSG's post with interest and saw, heyyy, I've been tagged! *happy little dance* Reminds me of those mini bios that girls used to pass around during primary school, plus it would make for a cool recap at the end of the year.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 

8.30am. I get a fair bit of late night conference calls so I  tend to sleep in the next day.

2. How do you like your steak? 

Medium rare - working up my courage to try blue.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 

The Lego Movie, thanks to Bubs. We now have "Everything is Awesomeeee" stuck in our heads.

4. What is your favorite TV show? 

The telly in our place broke down and we never go around to replacing it. Though CSI and House (do I sound very ancient) are old time favourites of mine.


5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

In my wanderlust moments, I fantasise about living in a crumbling old chateau in the south of France

6. What did you have for breakfast? 

image credit

Nasi lemak - breakfast of champions!

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Indian & Italian. A friend remarked that I have a penchant for strong flavours.

8. What foods do you dislike? 

 Tofu. Long beans. Ironic that I make Bubs eat these because they're good for him.
 
9. Favorite Place to eat? 

 
Pulau Tikus night market. Cheap and totally underrated, it's a place I'd gladly bring tourists (with an iron cast belly) to.

10. Favorite dressing? 

Blue cheese ... though if I'm making it myself at home, I'd go with honey mustard as it's fuss free.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? 

I don't drive, hah! I have a driver's license but usually car pool with Hubs. 

12. What are your favorite clothes? 

My grandma's Nonya kebayas. They are older than I am and the amount of work that went into them is mind boggling.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? 

Venice, to wander about the brightly coloured houses amongst the canals.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 

Empty - I'm such a worrier!


15. Where would you want to retire? 

Somewhere close to the people I love. 

16. Favorite time of day? 

Late evening/close to night. Best time of the day to kick back, relax and reflect upon the day. 

 17. Where were you born? 

Penang.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? 

Don't laugh - my Dad loves watching WWF wrestling and I grew up watching it. Probably not a sport but the theatrics make up for it.

19. Bird watcher? 

Only if I so happen to walk past them.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? 

Night. Bubs prefers waking up Hubs for his morning brekkie - he has a much better response rate.

21. Do you have any pets? 

No.

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? 
 
Bubs can recognise his name a little.

23. What did you want to be when you were little?

A princess complete with a sparkly tiara and a glittery pink ball gown.

24. Are you a cat or dog person? 

Dog

25. What was your last drink? 

Iced water - can't live without it. My MIL nearly fainted when she saw me chugging it after delivery Bubs.

26. Always wear your seat belt? 

Yes.

27. Been in a car accident? 

Yes. Glam Girl surprised me by flinging her arms across me protectively.

28. Any pet peeves? 

People that light up when there are small children around. One of the reasons why I avoided hawker centres when Bubs was much younger.

29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? 

Mozzarella, Italian herbs, sun dried tomatoes ... plus plenty of chilli flakes. 

30. Favorite Flower? 

None in particular.

31. Favorite ice cream? 

Häagen-Dazs green tea. 

32. Favorite fast food restaurant? 
 
Subway. I could polish off a foot long sub easily.

33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 

Passed on the first go, no one could believe it!

34. From whom did you get your last email?

My aunt reminding me that we're having a family reunion soon.

35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? 

 Tiffany & Co. Either that or the Lego store with Bubs. 


36. Do anything spontaneous lately? 

Does planting bean sprouts in cotton wool and a glass jar with Bubs count?

37. Like your job? 

I love working with the people plus there's a great synergy.

38. Broccoli? 

Yes, especially braised with mushrooms. An essential at Chinese weddings.
 
39. What was your favorite vacation? 

The last KL trip with Bubs and Hubs. It has becoming something of an almost annual pilgrimage and it's fun to see how Bubs grew compared to the previous trips.

40. Last person you went out to dinner with? 


Bubs and Hubs - dinner at Friday's because they have a free kids meal. 

41. What are you listening to right now? 

A work conference call.

42. What is your favorite color? 

Blue in all its shades. 

43. How many tattoos do you have?

None though I'm fascinated with mehndi.

44. How many are you tagging for this quiz? 

Little Tofu Boy - Tag, you're it!

45. What time is it? 

9.30pm

46. Coffee ?? 

Only the iced ones at Toh Soon, plus preferably with kaya toast.

Weekend in Peek-tures

We were having breakfast close to the Pulau Tikus market and I poked around in one of the little stores nearby. It sold a large variety of intricately painted crockery. The ones I really liked (turquoise blue or mint green with tiny butterflies) were all close to RM100 each - yes, I know, I've exquisite taste ;) The shop owner helped me narrow my selection down on this cheerful yellow oval plate which came at a more affordable price tag.

Glam Girl and I celebrated her very belated birthday at Rakuzen plus did a spot of shopping after that to burn some calories. It was such a good girly chat to catch up on old friends and what's new in our lives. Not to mention every single time I go out with Glam Girl, I always end up carrying a shopping bag or two back home!

We were lucky enough to chance upon a small Hindu procession. It was such a colourful sight that we couldn't help but stand at the side to watch it for a while. The cows were adorned with garlands of colourful flowers and look, even the horns and hooves were painted bright green. To our surprise, one of the devotees fed the cows bananas, peel and all and it was munched up in no time.

Making a Spectacle

I realised my past few posts have been very Bubs-centric, mainly because the whole family has been down with multiple bouts of flu/coughs/and other not so pleasant things that go along with it so we haven't been out and about as much.

I'm still waiting for my yucky conjunctivitis to run its course. Part of the reason why I dislike it so much is that I'm forced to wear glasses for a couple of weeks :( I have been wearing glasses since 9 and always feel so dorky in them, regardless of how many types of glasses I've tried on.

Making a mood board to inspire me for the next few days ahead before I can switch back to contact lenses. Once thing helps though ... when in doubt, always put on a dab of lippie and smile!

ps - I placed an order for the One Line a Day journal, it seems like such a fascinating concept. Can't wait to receive it in the post!

The Ordinary

I caught a flu bug, lost my voice (Hubs and Bubs sure did enjoy that :p) and on top of that, got conjunctivitis. Apart from lying in bed and feeling sorry for myself, my cousin Jean sent me this beautiful poem and it sums up the exact kind of childhood I wish Bubs to have.

Make the Ordinary Come Alive  
Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. 
Such striving may seem admirable, but it is a way of foolishness. 
Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. 
Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples, and pears. 
Show them how to cry when pets and people die. 
Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. 
And make the ordinary come alive for them. 
The extraordinary will take care of itself. 

By William Martin, The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents.

We (Hubs kept the eggshells, I gave Bubs the paints and Bubs did all of the painting himself) did Easter eggs painting at home.

And Bubs did this Easter bunny at school.

Books from the Big Bad Wolf

Did anyone go to the Big Bad Wolf sale this year? I'm somewhat proud ashamed to announce that I went a total of 5 trips and lugged away a carton of books each time. The variety of books were good, especially when I found quite a number of children's books that weren't available in local retailers and I was half contemplating getting them online.

I skipped past the fiction/novels section after giving it a quick glance and went berserk at the children's books. Sometimes, I think one of the perks of having a young child (of course, apart from the sloppy kisses and tight cuddles) is being able to indulge in gorgeously illustrated picture books for myself Bubs.

Sam Ita is a new discovery for me and after reading a little about him, I'm now keen to get my sticky little paws on Robert Sabuda's pop up books. I snapped up Sam Ita's Moby Dick, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and also Frankenstein and Bubs has been astounded by how lavish the pop ups work.

A cross between a condensed graphic novel and intricate pop ups, Bubs couldn't stop playing with them and repeatedly asked me to read out the story for him. I've to admit I haven't read the originals before so it was a pretty interesting read, though I'd to do a bit of editing the story for Bubs.

The lost city of Atlantis literally pops out of the book.

One of Bub's favourite pages: the giant sea squid with its tentacles curled around a helpless victim. A tad morbid, but still fascinating for a 3 year old ;)