tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83810743595808304192024-03-14T00:54:57.560+08:00{ Coffee & Beans }A little cyberspace for records of my family, my friends, my business, my passion for scrapbooking & for myself!{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-42755456511489031022009-10-04T02:13:00.006+08:002009-10-04T02:24:23.345+08:00缘尽缘散<span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Specially to all my friends out there ...</strong></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SseT4B_AqJI/AAAAAAAABhs/oWHk2nfR1Sg/s1600-h/7023_136130398567_697723567_2665457_5336323_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SseT4B_AqJI/AAAAAAAABhs/oWHk2nfR1Sg/s320/7023_136130398567_697723567_2665457_5336323_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: #990000;">Thank you for coming by this little cyberspace, over the last 3 years, for some random updates/rambling of mine. It has been great having you here to share some of my life experiences & thoughts, despite only with the use of simple "Singlish" & not bombastic words of expression. </span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;">I've decided to <strong>close off this blog, with effect from 3 Oct 2009</strong>, as this little outlet of mine has been seen as part of an evil plot, between some loud, scheming, evil & ill-mannered enigmas. However, if one's conscience is clear, there's no fear. I strongly believed that <strong>TIME WILL TELL</strong> & hoping for <strong>TIME TO HEAL</strong>.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;">Worry not, friends! I'll continue to live my life to the fullest & fulfill my role & responsibilities on earth. After going through this shitty mess, hopefully, I'd pick up the courage to create another "space of mine" in the near future. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: #990000;">Till we get connected again, <strong>TAKE CARE & SAYONARA !!</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: #990000;">Cheers!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><em><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Jane</strong></span> </em></span><br />
</div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-87251576313339010132009-10-02T17:30:00.006+08:002009-10-02T18:10:41.332+08:00Pain vs Gain ...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SsXGoLGHMzI/AAAAAAAABhk/OCPQjW99ohg/s1600-h/0010417.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><img $r="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SsXGoLGHMzI/AAAAAAAABhk/OCPQjW99ohg/s200/0010417.gif" /></strong></span></a><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>When one door of happiness closes, another opens.<br />
</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">However, we looked so long at the closed door ...<strong> </strong></span></em><span style="color: #741b47;"><em>that we do not see the one which has been opened for us ...</em></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br />
<strong></strong></span><br />
</div><span style="color: #741b47;">Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">In order to be freed, we must learn how to let go. <br />
Release the hurt. <br />
Release the fear. <br />
Refuse to entertain your old pain. <br />
The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. <br />
<strong>What is it that you would let go of ???</strong></span>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-82625685645370048832009-09-15T09:41:00.005+08:002009-09-15T10:20:30.554+08:00Bird-Brain Lots ...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sq717AteEyI/AAAAAAAABhc/9DDW7_-MRVY/s1600-h/rg-clipart-0317.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381508998906123042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sq717AteEyI/AAAAAAAABhc/9DDW7_-MRVY/s400/rg-clipart-0317.png" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">{One of the many, from Grand Master F}<br /></span></em><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Along the jetty I saw ... flock of feathers in the air they soar ...</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">The free bird leaps on the back of the wind & floats downstream, till the current ends & dips his wings … in the orange sun rays & dares to claim the sky.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">But a bird that stalks down her narrow cage can seldom see through her bars of rage, her wings are clipped & her feet are tied … so she opens her throat to sing & sigh.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">The caged bird sings with fearful trill of the things unknown but longed for still & her tune is heard … on the distant hill for the caged bird, sings of freedom.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">The free bird thinks of another breeze & the trade winds soft through the sighing trees, & the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn & he names the sky his own.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams, her shadow shouts on a nightmare scream. Her wings are clipped & her feet are tied so she opens her throat to sing & sigh.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;">The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and her tune is heard, on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom, her freedom that never will.<p></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">{This is the greatest humiliation, ever ... and shall etched in one's heart, in decades to come ... 23 May ~ 14 Sept 2009}</span><br /></div></em></span>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-56555518606550504742009-05-18T09:09:00.010+08:002009-05-18T17:10:36.012+08:00Belated Mother's Day Card<div align="justify"><strong>Don't complain ... I can hear u ...</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><p><div align="justify">R2 must have read my previous blog post on <a href="http://coffee-and-beans.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day-2009.html">Mother's Day Gift</a> for this year & discovered his mummy has lodged a complaint that she didn't receive anything from him ... <em>LOL (just joking, he's too young for it).</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><p><div align="justify">Last Friday evening, the moment I stepped into the house ... I saw R2 sitting at the dining table doodling "something", quietly & patiently. I didn't probe into what was it, as it's usual to see him "creating" art pieces, every now & then.</div><br /><div align="justify">Minutes later, R2 presented this hand-drawn card to me ... although it's belated but I'm alright with it & I love it !! ... Thank you, my boy !!<br /><br />He even pointed out to me that his design concept was ... each flower petal of the same colour, will come with an opposite pattern. This kid really has an eye for details.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/ShEQYoYxkYI/AAAAAAAABhE/5iGgE-km46k/s1600-h/R2+Mother%27s+Day+Card+-+2009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337065048754983298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/ShEQYoYxkYI/AAAAAAAABhE/5iGgE-km46k/s400/R2+Mother%27s+Day+Card+-+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a><em>P.S. I always encourage my kids to date their work, so that I can incorporate them into my scrapbook pages; in time to come. </em></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-15019625037603333122009-05-15T14:26:00.017+08:002009-05-15T23:08:23.710+08:00A Shutterbug-To-Be<div align="justify">It's yet another "free & easy" workday in the office ... I've been surfing the net as usual, like nobody's business since this morning. </div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sg0nkxF0VsI/AAAAAAAABg8/fR_vHQB9P58/s1600-h/imagespractical-photography-tips-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335964646110418626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sg0nkxF0VsI/AAAAAAAABg8/fR_vHQB9P58/s200/imagespractical-photography-tips-2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Happened to chance upon the <a href="http://one.pa.gov.sg/CRMSPortal/CRMSPortal.portal">People's Association website</a> & found something interesting <em>** Whoohoo !! **</em><br /><br />Without much delay, I've signed up for a <strong>D'Artist Photography Class</strong> at Nanyang Community Centre, commencing on 23 May 2009. It'll be a short 8-session course, comprising of 2 field trips for outdoor shooting (day & night). Sounds exciting, huh ???<br /><br />I've been wanting to attend such photography-related courses for the past 1.5 years. But majority of them were held either at the eastern or northern part of our island. And I really hate the thought of travelling so far & alone ... <em>well, you can classify me under a commonly used term - LAZY ... ha ha ha</em><br /><br />After firming up my foundation, I'd very much love to move on to their intermediate & advanced levels, as well as joining overseas photography trips organized by those professionals. Let's hope everything goes on well & I'll be able to fully-utilize my <a href="http://coffee-and-beans.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-new-toy.html">"WHITE ELEPHANT"</a>, purchased back in Year 2007. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sg0cYEyvbwI/AAAAAAAABgs/tr53IyvVdL4/s1600-h/cake-slice.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335952333432909570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 113px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sg0cYEyvbwI/AAAAAAAABgs/tr53IyvVdL4/s400/cake-slice.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh yes, before I end this post today ...<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY to SANDWICH ARTIST !!</strong><br />May all your wishes come true real SOON !!</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">{ As promised, here's a chocolate cake, JUST FOR YOU ... LOL }<br /></p></span></em>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-15411185268238952312009-05-10T14:40:00.011+08:002009-05-12T17:06:25.200+08:00Happy Mother's Day 2009<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgZ8yuCs7nI/AAAAAAAABfU/ARi1JyA6_I8/s1600-h/mothersdaycrayonsign.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334088019461598834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgZ8yuCs7nI/AAAAAAAABfU/ARi1JyA6_I8/s400/mothersdaycrayonsign.gif" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Mother's Day to my mum, mother-in-law (in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HK</span>) & myself too </span></strong>... though I'm still feeling down & moody, due to a couple of personal reasons <em>** sigh ** </em></div><br /><div align="justify">For documentation purpose, I've decided to do a simple post on what I've received from R1 this year. It's a handmade fabric carnation, which she bought from her school's bookshop. As usual, she got 1 stalk for me & 1 stalk for granny ... THANK YOU, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kei</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kei</span> !! </div><div align="justify"><br />As for R2, NOTHING from him this year. I wondered how come his kindergarten teacher didn't plan for little surprises for the mummies this year ??</div><div align="justify"><br />Anyway, I'm blessed with a pair of healthy kids ... what more can a mother ask for ??<br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgZ8hQmzyxI/AAAAAAAABfM/fOqjTk-mIFM/s1600-h/SNC00093+(Gradient+8).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334087719502203666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgZ8hQmzyxI/AAAAAAAABfM/fOqjTk-mIFM/s400/SNC00093+(Gradient+8).jpg" border="0" /></a></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-24888862244417859862009-05-09T23:43:00.005+08:002009-05-10T01:36:19.348+08:00Handling Anger & Disappointment<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgWtMxPtgII/AAAAAAAABe8/zWuWt9iAB7Y/s1600-h/Angry.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333859768579489922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 57px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgWtMxPtgII/AAAAAAAABe8/zWuWt9iAB7Y/s400/Angry.gif" border="0" /></a>I must admit that I'm always facing difficulty in dealing with my anger, constructively & effectively ... especially towards my kids. There was another outburst of my anger earlier & both kids got whipped.<br /><br /><u><strong>Reason :</strong></u><br />R1's Chinese examination is scheduled on next Wednesday. BUT, instead of making use of this long weekend (Vesak Day PH) to do more revision exercises & school homework. Both kids have been monkeying around the house for more than half a day!! They were watching cartoons, playing board game, "catching" session from room-to-room, PSP gaming, doodling & such.<br /><br />This afternoon, I did explain to them (patiently) that all the above-mentioned activities can be done after R1's examinations & throughout the whole June holiday. The priority now, is to get prepared for the upcoming Chinese papers.<br /><br />However, R1 turned a deaf ear to all my advices & backtalked "What's the point of getting good results?!" ... I'm upset, really disappointed with her statement. I've been spending majority of my monthly paycheck on them for private tuition at home, several enrichment classes, health supplements, quality milk, magazine subscriptions & surprise gifts & toys (every now & then). But what do I get in return ??? <em>** sigh **</em><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">I just did some googling earlier & found some <a href="http://www.babyzone.com/mom_dad/womens_health/stress/article/handling-anger-tips">Tips for Handling Anger</a> & will try to adopt some suggestions from these articles. Hoping that things will turn around real soon ... ...</div><div align="justify"><br /><em>P.S. My siblings had planned for a simple Mother's Day celebration at home this evening, but I wasn't in the mood to enjoy it at all.</em></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-18370786978338335532009-05-07T16:08:00.025+08:002009-05-11T16:30:47.543+08:00Mugging Away ...<div align="justify"><strong>School examinations are here again</strong>, most mummies will get stressed up during this period of time ... & I'm definitely one of them !! </div><p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPVrWOTluI/AAAAAAAABeU/qamVrSjlJPE/s1600-h/SNC00087+(Tape+5).jpg"></div></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333341324413474530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPVrWOTluI/AAAAAAAABeU/qamVrSjlJPE/s400/SNC00087+(Tape+5).jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify">To make matter worst, some flu bugs caught up with R1 since Labour Day. She was down with high fever & flu for almost 3 days. However, this diligent little girl of mine, still insisted to attend her writing class, tuition sessions & piano class over the past weekend.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333345442982129538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPZbFFl74I/AAAAAAAABek/8g70F9KfiDU/s400/SNC00079+(Tape+5).jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="justify">So, in between naps ... she was mugging away, trying to finish up as many test revision papers from school as well as revision exercises from her tutor.</p><p align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPb0ZySxDI/AAAAAAAABes/5gPyxR8NdFY/s1600-h/SNC00076+(Tape+5).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333348077058311218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPb0ZySxDI/AAAAAAAABes/5gPyxR8NdFY/s400/SNC00076+(Tape+5).jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></a><em>{ Cheeky R2 was checking on his sister's progress ... ha ha ha }</em><em><br /></p></em><p></p><p align="justify">Look !! <strong>A loose milk tooth, right in front ... & just only 3 days before R1's oral examinations</strong>. What a good timing !! <em>** faint **</em></p><p align="justify">My only concern was ... Will it affect her pronunciation of " S " & " F " during her upcoming oral examinations ?? ... <em>ha ha ha</em></p><p align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPgACQIT3I/AAAAAAAABe0/FF9rh-IIrlo/s1600-h/Mosiac.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333352674945945458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SgPgACQIT3I/AAAAAAAABe0/FF9rh-IIrlo/s400/Mosiac.jpg" border="0" /></a>Anyway, R1 didn't experience much pain as that tooth was already very loose. It came out easily, with a little tug from me.<br /><br /><em>P.S.</em> The Tooth Fairy has visited R1 that night & took away her baby tooth ... to SCRAPBOOK <em>(in the near future).</em></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">In this pocket you will find a teensy, tiny tooth of mine.<br />So while I sleep where dreams are made,<br />Let's see if you can make a trade.<br /><br />In this pocket I will lay, the little tooth I lost today.<br />Please, dear fairy, tonight as I sleep, leave me a coin.<br />My tooth you can keep<strong>.</strong></span> </span></p>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-33309224893989879392009-04-29T14:38:00.042+08:002009-05-14T20:13:57.847+08:00Picturesque Guilin {桂林}<div align="justify"><em>As promised, I'm back with an outdated & lengthy post of our <strong>trip to Guilin, China (28 ~ 31 Jan 2009)</strong> ... well ... "a late post is rather than none". ** wink **<br /></em><br />There's an old & well-known saying ... <strong>桂林山水甲天下</strong>, which means the beauty of the landscape & scenery in Guilin tops the world. For this reason, a group of 12 headed on a 12-hour road trip from Zhongshan to Guangxi province. None of us have been to Guilin before BUT we managed to find our way, food & lodging with the aid of today's advanced technology -- GPS navigation !!<br /><br />The group embarked on our journey after a nice lunch on 28 Jan <em>(3rd day of Lunar New Year).</em> R2 didn't seem to have much patience during our road trip there & kept bugging me ... "Are we there yet?" ... and napping off intermittently. Finally, reaching our destination slightly past midnight, with stopovers for "reliefs" & dinner. We checked into a clean & reasonably-priced hotel & had a BBQ supper right next to it.</div><div align="justify"><br />The next day, our expedition began after "brunch" ... we relied heavily on our GPS for directions to the major attractions like:<br /><br /><strong>Seven Star Park (七星公园) </strong>- covering an area of around 40 hectares, is the largest comprehensive park with mass scenery in Guilin City, and we spent almost half a day in the park. (<em>Click </em><a href="http://www.17gl.cn/"><em>here</em></a><em> for the official site) </em><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330019149887744274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgILVsWqRI/AAAAAAAABa0/NsXpI2bxzvM/s400/IMG_2223+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><em>{ Here's a pic of the group at the entrance of Seven Star Park ... yes, there's only 11 headcounts ... plus ME, holding onto the camera ... Say CHEESE !! } </em><br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgK44LSH5I/AAAAAAAABa8/pOEVJandxMw/s1600-h/IMG_2242+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330022131261644690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgK44LSH5I/AAAAAAAABa8/pOEVJandxMw/s400/IMG_2242+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><em>{ This is one of the 10 Scenes of Guilin -- a pic of <strong>Camel Hill, </strong>like a gigantic camel in a squating position, isn't it??<br /><br />The camel looks so real that you might think that it's an artificial hill. No, it's entirely a natural formation!! Around the hill are bonsai gardens, a zoo with pandas and teahouses }<br /><br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkF7LdieQI/AAAAAAAABbk/9dfM1UOg2-U/s1600-h/IMG_2247+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330298148216797442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkF7LdieQI/AAAAAAAABbk/9dfM1UOg2-U/s400/IMG_2247+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a>{Daddy NC suggested the kids to get onto a "hairy" camel, right at the foot of Camel Hill } </span><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgTAU7fa5I/AAAAAAAABbU/KYUKdAjHRPQ/s1600-h/IMG_2342+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330031055332141970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgTAU7fa5I/AAAAAAAABbU/KYUKdAjHRPQ/s400/IMG_2342+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a> { The park is so huge! After about 2 hours on our feet, the group has decided to hire a cart to send us to the rest of the key attractions within the park ... phew ... } </span></em></p><p align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgMSyL0QsI/AAAAAAAABbE/ZF7T0-Bb9do/s1600-h/IMG_2344+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330023675841495746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfgMSyL0QsI/AAAAAAAABbE/ZF7T0-Bb9do/s400/IMG_2344+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>{ A pic of </em><strong><em>QiXia Temple</em> (栖霞寺</strong>), <em>did u notice another hill at the backdrop that resemble a chinese gold ingot ?? }</em><br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkaBhXb_sI/AAAAAAAABcM/SiOxdawd0KQ/s1600-h/IMG_2370+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330320247408557762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkaBhXb_sI/AAAAAAAABcM/SiOxdawd0KQ/s400/IMG_2370+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkXxRMg9_I/AAAAAAAABb0/Q6aV_44eJiY/s1600-h/IMG_2375+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330317769166616562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkXxRMg9_I/AAAAAAAABb0/Q6aV_44eJiY/s400/IMG_2375+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330319573190975410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkZaRtcH7I/AAAAAAAABcE/jZLwvzmySwg/s400/IMG_2386+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="justify"><em>{ Pics taken at the </em><strong><em>Seven Star Cave</em> (七星岩). </strong><em>About a million years ago, it was an underground river channel. With movement of the earth's crust, it rose above the surface to become a cavern.</em><br /><br /></p><p align="justify"><em>A concrete & stone tour path of approximately 1 km runs through the cave; between its entrance & exit points. It penetrates several main peaks of Putuo Hill.</em></p><p align="justify"><em>Artificial lightings for walkways & displays are staged throughout the long tunnel of the cave. It's an underground gallery of stalactites & stalagmites in the most spectacular shapes & forms ... definitely an enchanting experience for us! }</em></p><p align="justify">Majority of our group members wanted to leave the park, after completing about 80% of it. And we drove on to another "must see" attraction ... <strong>Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山)</strong>.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfkm1eDkZnI/AAAAAAAABcU/SsAJH7730A8/s1600-h/IMG_2427+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330334334012647026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfkm1eDkZnI/AAAAAAAABcU/SsAJH7730A8/s400/IMG_2427+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><em>{ The group was being splitted up into 2 bamboo rafts on <strong>Li River</strong></em><strong> (漓江)</strong>, <em>to take us to the <strong>Elephant Trunk Hill </strong></em><strong>(象鼻山)</strong>.<em> </em></p><p align="justify"><em>Located at the conjunction of Li River & Peach Blossom River, the hill looks like a huge elephant drinking river water with a long trunk, it's the symbol of Guilin City.</em> </p><p align="justify"><em>The kids were excited about the river ride & chose to sit at the front row, not knowing that they might get wet should there be any strong currents. Guess what?? My kids were perfectly dry after the entire ride. BUT my shoes & socks were all soaked up, as I was too engrossed in taking pictures, and got caught up with a sudden gush of water onto our raft } </em></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfknkvJ-_2I/AAAAAAAABcc/FYZgnw97GCw/s1600-h/IMG_2405+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330335146056810338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfknkvJ-_2I/AAAAAAAABcc/FYZgnw97GCw/s400/IMG_2405+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkFbTTjZ3I/AAAAAAAABbc/GabwrEA4J-g/s1600-h/IMG_2413+(Cali).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330297600566585202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SfkFbTTjZ3I/AAAAAAAABbc/GabwrEA4J-g/s400/IMG_2413+(Cali).JPG" border="0" /></a> <p align="justify">After dinner, someone suggested ... FIREWORKS !! Since it was still the Lunar New Year period, fire crackers of all shapes & sizes were readily available. We bought a huge variety of them & spent around RMB4.5k (after bargaining for 10 mins).</p><p align="justify">It was our (ie. R1, R2 & I) 3rd round of such "bright, colourful yet ear-deafening" session, throughout this 12-day China trip. By now, my kids already got the hang of it, thus, required minimum supervision & enjoyed themselves to the fullest.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfkz3dqSt4I/AAAAAAAABck/597U4E2Rqxc/s1600-h/IMG_2456+(Cali+9).JPG"><br /></p></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330348661917529986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfkz3dqSt4I/AAAAAAAABck/597U4E2Rqxc/s400/IMG_2456+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk0Qe-R3pI/AAAAAAAABcs/9b7qhgQaMDU/s1600-h/IMG_2482+(Cali).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330349091766525586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk0Qe-R3pI/AAAAAAAABcs/9b7qhgQaMDU/s400/IMG_2482+(Cali).JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a>{<em> Pics of a fun "fire crackers/fireworks" session, along the famous Li River }</em><br /><br />The group has decided to extend another night of stay in Guilin, as we only managed to go 2 places of interest during the 1st day. So, early the next morning, we continued on a 4-hr <strong>Li River (漓江) cruise</strong>.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk7b7zph8I/AAAAAAAABc8/-QmHKQdth9E/s1600-h/IMG_2498+(Cali).JPG"><br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330356985066522562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk7b7zph8I/AAAAAAAABc8/-QmHKQdth9E/s400/IMG_2498+(Cali).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk6BfoDPjI/AAAAAAAABc0/gdoQVEcb9dk/s1600-h/IMG_2500+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330355431313456690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk6BfoDPjI/AAAAAAAABc0/gdoQVEcb9dk/s400/IMG_2500+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk-_C2GdPI/AAAAAAAABdE/XW32JSz3clc/s1600-h/IMG_2502+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330360886786159858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sfk-_C2GdPI/AAAAAAAABdE/XW32JSz3clc/s400/IMG_2502+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><em>{ A river cruise down the peaceful </em><strong><em>Li River</em> (漓江)</strong><em> is the absolute high-point of any visit to Guilin.</em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:100%;">On both sides of Li River are wonderfully-shaped hills, mist-covered mountains, peaceful green fields, farms & villages with water buffalos & cows wondering around. Those mysterious mountains are karst limestone formations evolved 200 million years ago, when that area was under the sea }</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflJ45vNobI/AAAAAAAABdU/Lprzkk6bhgk/s1600-h/IMG_2567+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330372875890041266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflJ45vNobI/AAAAAAAABdU/Lprzkk6bhgk/s400/IMG_2567+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a></span>{ A feeling of peace and serenity ... it is no surprise this part of China is the subject of countless paintings and postcards!! }</em><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflkMmI4FjI/AAAAAAAABd8/25rm5aZw0jI/s1600-h/IMG_2516+(Cali+9).JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330401801528677938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflkMmI4FjI/AAAAAAAABd8/25rm5aZw0jI/s400/IMG_2516+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><em>{ A pic of cormorants sitting on bamboo sticks, fishing for their owners. Those birds' necks were tightened up by strings, so that they will not swallow the fish that they catch }</em><br /><br />Our next stop at <strong>Crown Cave (冠岩)</strong>, a giant subterranean river cavern by the Li River. Taking the shape of an gold crown of ancient emperor, the cave is 12 km long & consists of 3 parts. (<em>Click </em><a href="http://www.liriver.org/"><em>here</em></a><em> for the official site)<br /><br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflRGABNuqI/AAAAAAAABdc/m8vIuG8TbSU/s1600-h/IMG_2615+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330380797495851682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflRGABNuqI/AAAAAAAABdc/m8vIuG8TbSU/s400/IMG_2615+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflR_KFA7AI/AAAAAAAABdk/1ogus4lyD5c/s1600-h/IMG_2648+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330381779448687618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflR_KFA7AI/AAAAAAAABdk/1ogus4lyD5c/s400/IMG_2648+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflUuIKAC-I/AAAAAAAABds/sqA6Awff-5Q/s1600-h/IMG_2652+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330384785409838050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflUuIKAC-I/AAAAAAAABds/sqA6Awff-5Q/s400/IMG_2652+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="justify"></a>The views inside were fantastic !! Stalactites & stalagmites in all strange shapes, illuminated by lights ... glittering a golden glow. There's an underground stream which passes through the cave & joins the Li River.<br /><br />Personally, I'd prefer the Crown Cave than the Seven Star Cave, as it's equipped with modern sightseeing facilities such as an elevator, small trains, yachts & sightseeing roller-coasters. We've tried every mode of transport within the cave ... and the kids simply loved it! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330398942544010498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SflhmLl0HQI/AAAAAAAABd0/ttVdl0albdI/s400/IMG_2682+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify">Again, our group only managed to cover around 70% of the cave exploration & chose to exit it by taking a sight-seeing roller-coaster ride <em>(to save us some "legwork")</em>. By the time we got out, it was almost dark & we had to head back home. </p><p align="justify">On our way back, R2 didn't bother to bug me anymore as he was too tired after 2 full days of fun. The kids slept throughout the whole road trip & we reached home safely around 6am the next day.<br /><br /><u><strong>My thoughts :</u><br />Guilin is renowned for its karst peaks that rise up throughout the city like skyscrapers will do in any other cities. The picturesque landscape was just what I needed as a break from my life in the city. </strong></p>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-33173714995998465872009-04-15T14:18:00.035+08:002009-05-06T12:49:59.062+08:00Missing In Action ...<div align="justify">Hi hi, I'm back in action !!<br /><br />I've not been blogging for the past 11 months or so ... and this period of time has been pretty crazy & hectic for me.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">There's pretty much changes &/or happenings around me ... so, here's a summary to fill the gap ...<br /><br /><br />(1)<span style="color:#ff6600;"> <strong>20 Feb 2009</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Happy 60th Birthday, Mummy!</strong></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">** 祝您福如東海,壽比南山 **<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebZaOn0QjI/AAAAAAAABYs/4FJrqZNh4fY/s1600-h/IMG_2823+(Cali+9).jpg"></div><p align="justify"></a></span></strong></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325182654037115442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebZaOn0QjI/AAAAAAAABYs/4FJrqZNh4fY/s400/IMG_2823+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325140722198349090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SeazReWZhSI/AAAAAAAABXc/l43O66pt3e4/s400/IMG_2829+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" />We had a simple buffet party at home, coz my dad strongly disagreed with my idea of throwing a small banquet at a vegetarian restaurant in town. <em>** sigh ** </em><br /><br /><br />(2) <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>22 Jan ~ 2 Feb 2009</strong></span><br />My kiddoes & I went on a <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>12-day trip to HK & China</strong></span>, making full use of the Lunar New Year break<em> (hmm ... will post some pics in my next post, on our trip to Guilin).</em><br /><br />Both kids have missed 6 days' of school, and R1 ended up with loads of homework to catch up during the following week. And my poor girl gotta stayed up late till 12am for 2 consecutive days, trying to finish as much homework as possible.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebXviy7DsI/AAAAAAAABYE/jb1yFm05tgs/s1600-h/IMG_2705+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325180821206404802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebXviy7DsI/AAAAAAAABYE/jb1yFm05tgs/s400/IMG_2705+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebYCmfdTnI/AAAAAAAABYM/DGhn4XA8o9E/s1600-h/IMG_2704+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325181148616019570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebYCmfdTnI/AAAAAAAABYM/DGhn4XA8o9E/s400/IMG_2704+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebYnGmYNCI/AAAAAAAABYU/orXMpjmbnjc/s1600-h/IMG_2768+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325181775710270498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebYnGmYNCI/AAAAAAAABYU/orXMpjmbnjc/s400/IMG_2768+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebY-Kuz4uI/AAAAAAAABYc/WWO6Wz7UuYk/s1600-h/IMG_2770+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325182171956372194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebY-Kuz4uI/AAAAAAAABYc/WWO6Wz7UuYk/s400/IMG_2770+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebZKq9BAOI/AAAAAAAABYk/bjul5hwGALI/s1600-h/IMG_2789+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325182386764316898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebZKq9BAOI/AAAAAAAABYk/bjul5hwGALI/s400/IMG_2789+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">{ These kids hardly get to play together, as we'll normally fly to HK once a year. } </span></em><br /><br />(3) <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>30 Jan 2009 <em>(the 5th day of Lunar New Year)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Bro *A* & his girlfriend</strong></span> met with a <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">traffic</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> </span><span style="color:#ff6600;">accident</span></strong> that night, while on their way home. He's suffering from a collar bone fracture and abrasions all over his body. The most serious one was at his knee cap area which needed some stitching, followed by one on his palm. <em>There's some pics of his wounds taken, for insurance claim purposes, but will be too gross to include here.</em><br /><br />He was discharged from the hospital on 2 Feb 2009, and recuperated at home (under my mum's tenderly care).<br /><br />Anyway, he's alright now & back to work.<br /><br /><br />(4) <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">25 Dec 2008</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>R1</strong></span> got <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">transferred into a better school</span></strong> this year. Guess what? I've received this piece of good news on Christmas Day @ 8.45pm, while I'm on my way to a X'mas red wine session. It's the best Christmas gift that I've ever received, THANK YOU !!<br /><br />On another note, I've to spent double the amount of money on books & uniforms purchases for R1 this year. BUT to me, it's worth it!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sea3esSIy2I/AAAAAAAABXs/3dFUKkJWL3Q/s1600-h/P1050760+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325145347323382626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sea3esSIy2I/AAAAAAAABXs/3dFUKkJWL3Q/s400/P1050760+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sea3YD_BY1I/AAAAAAAABXk/EPv-RI6T6ac/s1600-h/P1050753+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325145233426572114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sea3YD_BY1I/AAAAAAAABXk/EPv-RI6T6ac/s400/P1050753+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">{ Granny, R2 & I popped by the new school during her recess break, to make sure that she's alright in a totally new environment. } </span></em><br /><br /><br />(5) <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>6 Dec 2008</strong></span><br />My <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">office </span></strong>has been<span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong> relocated to Tuas South</strong></span> w.e.f. 6 Dec 2008 ... resulting in lesser beauty-sleep time; as I need to leave the house 45 mins earlier than usual everyday <em>** sigh, sigh, sigh **</em><em><br /></em></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"><br />(6) <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>14 </strong><strong>Nov</strong></span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> <strong>2008<br /></strong></span>Yeah!! It was <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">R1's Prize Presentation Day in school</span></strong> and it's meant to reward pupils who did well during the year-end examinations. I'm glad that R1's results have improved, although she still ranked #2 in class. </p><p align="justify">Needless to say, I took leave from work & be her personal photographer for the day ... <em>ha ha ha.</em><br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sebhzl3FnTI/AAAAAAAABZE/ht2whHnvX1M/s1600-h/IMG_2087+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325191885864934706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sebhzl3FnTI/AAAAAAAABZE/ht2whHnvX1M/s400/IMG_2087+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebiHqrXiiI/AAAAAAAABZM/P0zf0wvFGyA/s1600-h/IMG_2088+(Cali+9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325192230755338786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebiHqrXiiI/AAAAAAAABZM/P0zf0wvFGyA/s400/IMG_2088+(Cali+9).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(7) <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">7 Nov 2008</span></strong><br />I've co-organised my company's annual <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">SUSS Micro-Tec's seminar</span></strong>. It was a full day event at the Suntec Convention Centre.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sebe83Ce8kI/AAAAAAAABY8/Nl30NuM5Mio/s1600-h/IMG_2077+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325188746560074306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/Sebe83Ce8kI/AAAAAAAABY8/Nl30NuM5Mio/s400/IMG_2077+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a>Being the 2nd key person-in-charge for said event, has provided me much exposure & opportunities to pick up new skills. </p><div align="justify">Thank God, there's not much hiccups during the event, except for us being 10 mins late for the morning registration ... <em>LOL</em>. Hence, it's still considered to be a SUCCESS!!<br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebegHCRf2I/AAAAAAAABY0/HcfT1UKAqq4/s1600-h/IMG_2070+(Cali+9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325188252637953890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SebegHCRf2I/AAAAAAAABY0/HcfT1UKAqq4/s400/IMG_2070+(Cali+9).jpg" border="0" /></a> <p align="justify"></p><p align="justify">(8) <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>21 Oct 2008</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Goodbye ... 105 ...</strong></span><br /><br />My family has finally shifted out (officially) of our 22-year-old flat ... no doubt, it houses loads of beautiful memories for the family.<br /><br />I remembered very clearly that we moved in when I was still in P4 (mid year). My bro & I only came back during the weekends, as we were still studying at Temasek Primary during the last half of that year. It was an one-end to another bus trip, on every friday afternoon & sunday night ... but we've enjoyed it! </p><p align="justify">Okay, that should be all for now ... and I'll try to update this little cyberspace of mine more often ... I PROMISE !! ... <em>ha ha ha</em></p>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-82990421044408542052008-05-30T17:02:00.006+08:002008-11-13T15:51:55.391+08:00By R2 ...<div align="justify">It's the 1st week of school holidays here, and my kiddoes have nothing better to do at home ... </div><p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So, this is done by R2 & he insisted that I MUST blog it ... no choice, gotta grant this little wish of his. Any comments? ... <em>LOL </em></div><p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SD_C1fU16EI/AAAAAAAAA6E/Z5TqXCZrW44/s1600-h/image-5300924-0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206093918461356098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SD_C1fU16EI/AAAAAAAAA6E/Z5TqXCZrW44/s400/image-5300924-0001.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-31238605460766938322008-05-25T16:00:00.004+08:002008-11-13T15:51:55.560+08:00NO Internet Connection @ Home<div align="justify"><em>Sorry friends, I don't mean to "wash our dirty laundry" openly here ... but I really need some outlet to voice out my discontentment. Hence, please bear with me ...</em><br /><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204230538310051890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDkkGfU16DI/AAAAAAAAA58/gYPJqd8TbVU/s400/cutecolorschores7.gif" border="0" /> </p><div align="justify">*A* & I are having a cold war since 17 Mar 2008, due to some housing/room-sharing issues. But this has worsened over these 2 months ... and evolved into a "yours & mine" attitude lately. </div><p></p><div align="justify">As he's paying for the monthly Starhub Broadband at home ... it's being locked against any authorised usage (only he can enjoy it, sharks!).</div><p><div align="justify">So, 2 pathetic souls (<em>ha ha ha </em>... namely, Sis *J* & myself) are sitting at the nearby National Library right now ... surfing net & blogging, while R1 is reading as many story books as she can.</div><div align="justify"><br />Luckily, I still have access to the internet to surf/blog/MSN during normal office hours :) However, this affects my Sis *J* the most as she can't do her school project at home :( </div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-6758553681032753072008-05-21T21:33:00.010+08:002008-11-13T15:51:55.748+08:00Hard Work is the Yeast that Raises the Dough<div align="justify">R1 & my hard work really pay off ... from drawing up a study timetable, loads of revision exercises, tuition, 1-to-1 coaching & the "reward" system ... really help to produce good results.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Since my last trip back from China in March, I've decided to put in more effort in R1's school work so as to prepare her for the mid-year examinations. I've been trying my best to tame my temper & give R1 a little more patience ... and I've "sacrificed" my personal time to sit beside her while she's doing her homework &/or revision exercises on a daily basis.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Today, R1 came home with her Report Book, with quite pleasing results (#2 out of a class of 29, #32 out of all 346 P1 students) ... ** <em>smiling from ear to ear </em>** ... BUT, we still need to strive for better ranking among her peers after the June holidays.</div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify"><strong><em>Rachel, well done! Keep it up!</em></strong></div><p align="justify"><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204221042137360418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDkbdvU16CI/AAAAAAAAA50/1EDPfn1y5sE/s400/IMG_1848+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></p>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-51168425155335283402008-05-19T22:33:00.025+08:002009-04-17T13:54:14.884+08:00A Day At The Beach<div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong>A day at the beach ... overlooking the sea,<br />contemplating the waves as they kiss the shores ever so gently.</strong></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">Bro *A* & my mum brought both kiddoes to East Coast Park this afternoon, despite the 33°C hot weather lately. </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify"><em>** Phew! Luckily I chose to stay at home ... coz R1 & R2 came home looking very tan. **</em> <em>However, from the "evidence" below, both of them have enjoyed themselves to the fullest !!</em> </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">I've made a little request for my mum to take some pics of them ... so here you go ... these going out specially to Daddy *NC*. </div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGcxaaX8nI/AAAAAAAAA5c/TLsR6Dt1BVY/s1600-h/P1050375+(Blog).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202111417307099762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGcxaaX8nI/AAAAAAAAA5c/TLsR6Dt1BVY/s400/P1050375+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202108561153847874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGaLKaX8kI/AAAAAAAAA5E/MS7RlIHUvwg/s400/P1050380+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202110369335079522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGb0aaX8mI/AAAAAAAAA5U/WFN06dkzfGE/s400/P1050369+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202109510341620306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGbCaaX8lI/AAAAAAAAA5M/HdxCDdEfdA4/s400/P1050400+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202112057257226882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGdWqaX8oI/AAAAAAAAA5k/jAssbWA3YQs/s400/P1050403+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202108110182281778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGZw6aX8jI/AAAAAAAAA48/NJSKCENlvOs/s400/P1050396+(Blog-Rev).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202107362857972258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGZFaaX8iI/AAAAAAAAA40/Cny0aJUcXrY/s400/P1050394+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202106710022943250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGYfaaX8hI/AAAAAAAAA4s/-v4qizekrbc/s400/P1050395+(Blog-Rev).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202102432235516386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SDGUmaaX8eI/AAAAAAAAA4U/7bdkaa83b0I/s400/P1050407+(Blog).jpg" border="0" />{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-82170076296027251252008-05-17T23:14:00.009+08:002008-11-13T15:51:57.083+08:00Where's My Adhesives ???<div align="justify">It's a long weekend here in Singapore ... as next Monday is a gazetted public holiday (i.e. Vesak Day) = NO WORK !! .... <em>Yippppeeeee !!</em><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Having 3 full days of free time on hand, plus a rather "stay-at-home" mood but I've got nothing much that I'd love to do ... <em>what a waste !!</em></div><p align="justify"><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So, as usual, I hopped around those scrapbooking blogs for the whole afternoon & I'm inspired to start scrapping all over again <em>(after an extremely long break).</em> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SC8IrqaX8XI/AAAAAAAAA3c/kzPLz3SMVkQ/s1600-h/PL_SketchFAN.gif"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201385640848519538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 67px" height="51" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SC8IrqaX8XI/AAAAAAAAA3c/kzPLz3SMVkQ/s400/PL_SketchFAN.gif" width="150" border="0" /></strong></a></div><div align="justify"><p><div align="justify">For a quick start, I think this <a href="http://www.pencillines.com/">Pencil Lines</a> site will be able to help me to get the ball rolling ... but hold on, where's my acid-free adhesives ?!?! and where's my 12 x 12 trimmer ?!?! <em>** alamak !! **</em> </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">Here I go again, giving myself silly & lame excuse of ... <strong>"It'll be much easier to start with; after I do some </strong><strong>scrapbookin</strong><strong>g shopping to get </strong><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SC8ER6aX8WI/AAAAAAAAA3U/RMdOHZySEKg/s1600-h/PL_SketchFAN.gif"><em></em></a><strong>my hands on some "latest & greatest" products."</strong> ...<em> ha ha ha</em> </div></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-79742814682011392872008-05-11T01:37:00.010+08:002008-11-13T15:51:57.422+08:00Happy Mother's Day 2008<div align="justify">Wishing all wonderful mummies out there, and especially to my dearest mum & mother-in-law <em>(back in Hong Kong)</em> ... <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><em>HAPPY MOTHER'S</em> <em>DAY</em></strong></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><em> !!!</em></strong></span></span></div><p><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>By large, mothers and housewives are the only workers </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>who do not have regular time off.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>They are the great vacation-less class.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"><em>~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh</em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></div><div align="justify">As for myself, I've received these inexpensive yet heartwarming pressies from my kiddoes. These really melted my heart ... thank you very much !<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">From HER,</div><p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199010742977163538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SCaYuaaX8RI/AAAAAAAAA2s/INX3Mgo9qZ8/s400/IMG_1823+(Blog).jpg" border="0" />R1 spent almost 70% of last Friday's school allowance to get 2 of these handmade flowers from the bookshop ... one for me & one for granny <em>(how thoughtful of her).</em></div><p></p>From HIM,<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199014973519950114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SCackqaX8SI/AAAAAAAAA20/D807nfeslbk/s400/IMG_1838+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /> <div align="justify">Last Friday, R2 brought back 1 handmade card, 1 stalk of carnation & 2 cookies from school ... but he couldn't resist the temptation & ate 1 cookie before I reached home from work <em>(ha ha ha ... ).</em> </div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-22649639749989148882008-05-02T22:37:00.005+08:002008-11-13T15:51:57.710+08:004th Day of Work<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Work saves us from three great evils: </span></strong><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Boredom, Vice & Need.</span></strong><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><em>~ Voltaire</em></span></div><div align="center"></div><p><div align="justify">Today, is my 4th day of work ... on the other hand, it's also *Jennifer's* last day of work with the organization. <p></p></div><div align="justify">I've been trying very hard to "master" her duties & responsibilities within such a short time-frame. And I just hope that I can perform just as good as her (cos it's human nature to make comparisons). <em>** aiyoh ... it's making me so stressed up ** </em></div><br /><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify">However, I just wanna wish *Jennifer* all the best in her future endeavour and thank her for everything !!</div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><p>{ This will definitely liven up my work space }</span></em> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198799817665264802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SCXY48ZNvKI/AAAAAAAAA2k/ODuHCtoZK6g/s400/P1050333+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></p></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-60331429682458140332008-04-25T23:58:00.007+08:002008-11-13T15:51:57.809+08:00S-P-L-U-R-G-E<div align="justify">One more LV for me please ...<br /></div><p><div align="justify">This <a href="http://vuitton.com/web/index.jsp">Louis Vuitton</a> handbag has been on my Wish List since it's first launch last year. </div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193929355459698194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SBSLOuymHhI/AAAAAAAAA2c/zWP1r8RIa-o/s400/IMG_1811+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></div>Look, I've finally got my hands on it today !!! ... <em>Yipppeeeeee </em>... <p></p><div align="justify">This afternoon, I managed to convince myself to splurge on it ... as I needed a new bag for my new job, which is commencing on 28 Apr 2008. <em>Oh no, I think it's a pretty lame excuse to use ... isn't it ???</em> But whatever it is, I don't care ... as it really feels good to spoil myself once in awhile. <em>** wink **</em></div><p><div align="justify">Anyway, who says WE <em>(i.e. women) </em>need any reasons/excuses to go shopping & indulge ourselves with little gifts to make ourselves happier ??? ... <em>LOL</em> </div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-32826045173264375572008-04-23T23:59:00.006+08:002008-11-13T15:51:58.051+08:00What Am I Waiting For ???<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SBAM-eymHgI/AAAAAAAAA2U/fNsF8y4u_mE/s1600-h/1823132.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192664637914881538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SBAM-eymHgI/AAAAAAAAA2U/fNsF8y4u_mE/s400/1823132.gif" border="0" /></a>I've mentioned in my previous post that I've an opportunity knocking on my door lately ... yeah, I've decided to seize it !!!</div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">Well, actually it's a job opportunity offered by my ex-company <em>(which I worked for merely a month).</em> As I got along quite well with those colleagues there, so right now, they are offering me a post which is totally different from what I used to do as a HR personnel ... a CEO's SECRETARY. </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">I've no formal secretarial experience, but I'm pretty surprised that my boss-to-be is willing to train me up & fill the gap. So, my friends were asking me : "Then what are you waiting for ??"</div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">Hence, needless to say, I'm going for it !!! ... & hopefully everything will go well for me this time. <em>** keeping my fingers crossed **</em></div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">On the other hand, I'll have to forgo my upcoming fully-sponsored trip to Beijing in May 2008. <em>** weep, weep, weep **</em></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-38122894414720991812008-04-21T13:06:00.004+08:002008-11-13T15:51:58.172+08:00Philosophy of Life<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SAwg28s4L3I/AAAAAAAAA14/AEH3EOS9-H8/s1600-h/jp21a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191560598830722930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SAwg28s4L3I/AAAAAAAAA14/AEH3EOS9-H8/s400/jp21a.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>"人生路漫漫 , 山水有相逢"</strong> </span>... ... NC will always remind me of this statement when it comes to handling people & relationships. </div><p align="justify"></p><div align="justify">In fact, he's indirectly telling me to give some leeway to others now, as there may be a time when their help will come in handy in the future.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">This is just his "2 cents", but true enough, it works !!! ... An opportunity is now knocking on my door !!! </div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-77605499187226001132008-04-15T20:49:00.017+08:002008-11-13T15:51:58.539+08:00R1's 1st Pair of Spectacles<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>眼镜, 眼镜找朋友</strong></span> ... this is R1's 1st pair of spectacles (i.e. her new acquaintance) & she seems pretty happy to get to know this new friend ... ** A<em>rghhh !!</em> **</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Anyway, I'll update this space soon on her new look ... <em>hee hee</em> <p></p></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189457156934956226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SASnyhA3dMI/AAAAAAAAA1I/f9_ozSXfb94/s400/IMG_1683+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="justify">R1's school will be conducting a Semestral Assessment 1 "Show & Tell" Presentation for all P1 pupils next week. During said presentation, every pupil will be given 3 to 5 minutes to talk about "My Favourite Toy", and this will form one of the components in their Mother Tongue language examination. ** <em>super stressed out </em>** </div><p></p><div align="justify">While helping R1 with the above preparation, then I realised that her favourite toy is <a href="http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/">Barbie Doll</a> ... hey, I used to play with that too ... <em>hmmm</em> ... around 20 over years back !! </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">However, I've bought this sweet-looking, little Japanese dolly - <a href="http://www.mellchan.com/">Mell Chan</a> for R1 today. My intention is to motivate her to work harder for the upcoming SA1 exams in early May. </div><div align="justify"></div><p><div align="justify">On the other hand, I'm wondering does this trick work ??? So, let's wait & see ...<em> ** keeping my fingers crossed **</em></div><p></p><p></p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189487002662696162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SATC7xA3dOI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/cAYfNI45hfk/s400/IMG_1697+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-50202106827716806742008-04-13T10:01:00.010+08:002008-11-13T15:51:58.758+08:00Managing Time<div align="justify">It has been 2 weeks since R1 started her own<strong> { Study Timetable }</strong> at home ... but of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">coz</span>, it was being drawn up by her mummy ... ME !! ... <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hee</span>.</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">After I've created the below, I did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MSN</span> it to NC for his info., but his first reaction &/or comment towards it was ... "All work & no play, R1 will be going crazy soon !!!" ... <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LOL</span> </em></div><p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188569541813695666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SAGAghA3dLI/AAAAAAAAA1A/7YPQvx9VZ2g/s400/Timeable-+Blog.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="justify">For the past 3 months, she always seemed to have loads of homework to be done BUT not enough time for them. Hence, I thought this method might help R1 to manage her time more effectively. </div><p></p><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Surprisingly, this little kiddo has been much excited about it and did try her best to follow as close as possible. <em>(I just hope that this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">excitement</span> doesn't go away just too soon</em>.) So, I must think of some rewards to keep her going ... <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hmmm</span>.</em></div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-56646779188633754052008-04-11T21:56:00.008+08:002008-11-13T15:51:58.853+08:00眼镜, 眼镜找朋友 ...<div align="justify">R1 & I went to <a href="http://www.jurongmedicalcentre.com.sg/OurServices/CLINICEEYE/tabid/92/Default.aspx">Jurong Medical Centre - Eye Clinic</a> @ 8.30am today for her eye-check appointment.<br /><br />She was given a day of Medical Leave from school, as she received a dilated eye examination in order to prevent "accommodation".<br /></div><p></p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188216852772645554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/SAA_vT81arI/AAAAAAAAA0o/yuiOg1DSbtE/s400/P1040791+(Blog).jpg" border="0" />Our natural lens is able to accommodate or adjust the eye’s focus until about the age of 40. Children are especially good at this, and their ability to accommodate sometimes prevents the doctor from getting an accurate refraction for glasses. That’s why young eyes are often dilated for a “wet” refraction so the doctor can get a true picture of what the child’s prescription really is. </div><p></p><div align="justify">After 3 hours spent over at the clinic, the <strong>OUTCOME = R1 is diagnosed with rather high myopia (considering her age at 6)</strong> ... <em>Oh gosh !!!</em> </div><p></p><div align="justify">Anyway, there's no point crying over spilled milk. But rather, I've got to accept the fact & start working on all suggested eye-care measures to help R1 to delay the progression as she grows ...</div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-32222555487285468272008-04-06T23:59:00.009+08:002008-11-13T15:51:59.094+08:00Myopia ... R1 is at Risk<div align="justify">Our family members have discovered that R1 tends to squirt her eyes while watching TV at home. According to her class teacher (about a week ago), she also does that in school (while reading Big Books with her class or when looking at words on the board). Hence, she suggested me to bring R1 to prescribe a pair of glasses for short-sightedness. <em>** worried **</em> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Btw, I remembered she went for a thorough eye-check with R2 on 25 July 2007 and was being advised that her eyesight was satisfactory (although not perfect). So, little did I expect the progression of Myopia to be so fast !!!</div><br /><p><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">{ Pics taken on 25 July 2007 @ <a href="http://www.jurongmedicalcentre.com.sg/">Jurong Medical Centre</a> }</span></em> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186377878619974450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/R_m3M7YWazI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/9nNwzINPnWY/s400/DSC00105+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186378295231802178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/R_m3lLYWa0I/AAAAAAAAA0g/_aAHIZnFbmo/s400/DSC00106+(Blog).jpg" border="0" /> <div align="justify">Today, I brought her to an optometrist but due to her young age, I'm being told to bring her to an Eye Specialist Clinic to get her eyes examined. However, an initial test done today confirmed that she's suffering from Myopia. <em>** sigh, sigh, sigh ** </em></div><p><div align="justify">For now, I'm very upset & guilty for not putting enough effort in taking good care of her well-being ... and also wondering was "it" partly inherited (in the genes) from me? <em>** sigh, sigh, sigh **</em> </div>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381074359580830419.post-75946256434580747852008-04-05T00:53:00.010+08:002008-11-13T15:51:59.204+08:00Mood Faces<div align="justify"><em>Just wanna share ...</em></div><div align="justify"> </div><p><div align="justify">While I'm playing around with my camera earlier, this cheeky little one kept bugging me to take pics of his own version of mood faces<em> </em>... <em>any comments ??? ... LOL</em><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">*** 喜怒哀乐 ***</span></strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></div></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/R_Zk7LYWayI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mhDnZoqTBL0/s1600-h/collage1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185442988793686818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HoX2BcQxbV4/R_Zk7LYWayI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mhDnZoqTBL0/s400/collage1.jpg" border="0" /></a>{ Coffee and Beans }http://www.blogger.com/profile/09428174274814927994noreply@blogger.com2