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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
jangan suka tipu orang..nanti masuk neraka! :p
Baby Update
Had our 13.5 week appointment today and the doctor said "everything looks PERFECT". Yahoo! I like to hear the word perfect on something I can't control :) I've lost 4 pounds in 4 weeks, babies heartrate is 160, and all of my levels are just right on the dot! And we have an ultrasound scheduled for May 3rd to find out the sex! Loving my doctor, she's fabulous! Now we just have 4.5 weeks to finalize on a baby name. Adam is so excited and can't wait to find out so he can start painting the baby room. . . so cute, but scary :)
The Perfect Spring Wedding Dress
Starting early means that you will have the best selection and the best prices, but waiting until the last minute can leave you frustrated and disappointed.
As with other aspects of planning the perfect wedding, choosing the perfect spring wedding dress will take some time.
The key To Finding A Spring Wedding To Fit Your Style
There are of course many different places to find that perfect wedding dress, from traditional sources like dressmakers, bridal shops and department stores to less traditional outlets like vintage clothing stores and antique shops.
The key is to find a wedding dress that is a reflection of your own unique taste and style.
Shop Around Widely
For some brides that may mean a traditional spring wedding dress, complete with flowing train and beautifully accented headpiece. For others the perfect wedding dress will be quite a bit more casual, with a short, sexy and sporty style.
No matter which style is right for you, it is a good idea to shop around widely in order to find the perfect dress.
Using Resources To fit Your Dress
If you are at a loss as to which wedding dress is right for you, it may be possible to draw some inspiration from the many wedding planning guides and bridal magazines at the local newsstand or bookstore.
The styles for spring wedding dresses are always changing, and keeping up with the latest wedding fashions can be a difficult process. Paging through a recent bridal magazine can give you some great ideas on what to look for when you go shopping.
The Advantage Of Shopping Early
Of course most of us will be looking for a good deal on that spring wedding dress as well, and that is another advantage of shopping early.
Many major markets will have one or more outlet stores where top quality wedding gowns can be purchased for a fraction of their original prices.
By scoping out the sales smart brides may be able to find the perfect spring wedding dress for their special day and save enough money to pay for the perfect honeymoon as well.
By:Shaunta Pleasant
UNIFORM, DEI!
But doing Art assignment was fun! Took about 3 hours, was supposed to hand it in next week, but this is my favourite assignment! Design school uniform. Finally, something about clothes!
Hey, I think this is the longest time I've spent on doing an art assignment. Because the teacher wanted three looks for boy and girl. Said principal wanted to see or something.
Our school uniform: GREEN GOODNESS
And that is all. Nothing else to tell. Haha. Took a shitty nap. I hate take naps. When I do, I can't sleep at night because my "naps" are longer than 3 hours. See, now it's almost midnight and I'm blogging.
Spellbound
Up to that point I had only heard of her and listened to a few of her songs once or twice. I couldn't accurately call myself a fan. After a few seconds, I figured "Who cares?" and told Kate I would love to buy tickets from her.
It turned out to be one of the best impulse purchases I had ever made, in a long history of impulse purchases that include multiple pairs of ill-fitting shoes, unwatched DVDs, hideous statement tees from Landmark, and one too many chocolate bars at supermarket checkout counters.
Kate had bought a block for second-row seats and was flying in from Manila for the concert. The tickets were not cheap -- $140 each for Marlon and me -- and as the concert date neared I wondered if I should be listening to Imogen (or Immi, as Kate lovingly called her) more to familiarize myself with her music.
Then I thought of two things. The first was my thought bubble when I saw a particularly annoying acquaintance announce on Facebook that he had great seats for the Coldplay concert -- and that he had to rush out to buy and finish listening to all of their albums in time for the show. My thought bubble: Loserrrrr!
The second thing I thought of was that I had stopped going to concerts to discover great music. Ticket prices can be so prohibitive sometimes that we only spend on acts that we are huge fans of and thus will fail to disappoint us... music that is sure to be bankable, "worth it", safe. What about great acts that we've never even heard of? Some of the music I love to this day are from artists I had never heard of till I caught them live. Take Rajaton, for example: I can't believe I would never have heard of them if I hadn't been performing after them in Cork, Ireland. They were totally misplaced in a choral festival, but they rocked my socks and I've been a fan for ten (TEN!!!!!) years now. Same goes for Club For Five.
So I left Imogen Heap alone and unplayed until Monday night. Whereupon she completely spellbound, entranced, delighted, tickled, enchanted, haunted and moved me.
With her Attack of the Forty Foot Woman dress (and height)...
Her feathered fascinator, her bouffant hair, her raccoon brooches...
Her whimsy, her charm, her candor, her wit, her lovely Bri'ish accent, her stuffed bird...
Her miked-up wrists, her tinkling bells...
Her whistling wineglass...
Her Perspex piano...
Her singing whirly vacuum tube...
Her looper and glittery synth keyboard...
Her absolute insistence on teaching the audience a round song (the harmonies for "Just for Now") and her unflagging determination to conduct it while singing herself...
And above all, by her music, and her artistry. I don't exaggerate when I say that this is one of the best concerts I've watched in a long, long, long time.
Marlon rarely has very strong emotional reactions to music, but when Immi played Between Sheets, he hugged me tight and whispered, "This is how I feel about you. I don't think I've ever heard a song that captured it so well." Naturally, I cried.
You and me between the sheets
It just doesn't get better than this
The many windswept yellow stickies of my mind
Are the molten emotional front line
I couldn't care less I'm transfixed in this absolute bliss
Sweet sleepless, tumbling night
Oh, and the morning on the your skin and loved up light
Tracing patterns in the maze of your back
Softly, softly the goose bumps like that
And then a kiss...
Maybe another,
And another one
When we got home, he insisted I download it, that we listen to it again, and could it please be officially our song. That really surprised me. Naturally, I agreed.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Women's shirt - Upgrade your personality and style
This spring, unique and different colors like dark yellow and lime green are big hit in women's shirts. With bright color shirts always wear a black or white bottom. You can choose a shirt with long sleeve, short sleeve or without sleeves. Shirt's neckline is also available in many designs like v-neck, crew, button-down, boat, cowl and scoop neck.
Embellished Sleeveless Button-up Shirt: Hype your sexy shape in a slim, shoulder-baring silhouette. Light and airy, this semi-sheer top can go from casual daywear to a chic nighttime look with ease. Get this beautiful shirt for $49.50.
Essential Stretch Sleeveless Military Shirt: Update your office wear with fresh military-cool details and a slim, flattering fit. Tailored chambray cotton and polished buttons exude sleek style. Selling price of this shirt is $39.50.
Elite Stretch Ruffled-front Military Shirt: A modern military-inspired update to our subtly sexy short-sleeve ruffled-front shirt. Tailored cotton woven with a comfortable touch of stretch. Designed with a sleek, slimming fit, perfect for day or night. Get this item for $49.50.
Women's shirts come in many styles to suit any figure shape, occasion and personal taste. Casual shirts are simple and comfortable. There are so many fun ways to wear casual shirt. You can wear it with shorts and Capris. Career shirts look perfect with pants at work area. If you are going to attend any party, then Dressy shirt is a good option. You can wear this shirt with dark jeans, a skirt or dress pants.
If you want to buy sexy shirts for yourself, then visit Express.com. Make your day money saving by using Express Coupons Codes at Dealrocker.com. Take advantage of online coupons and buy your favorite products at discounted prices.
Show your elegance and glamor with sexy women's shirts...
Not Cool
Dog and dog
Drinking from my cup!
Took some pictures with iPhone. Clear! Nice, but hard to camwhore with it.
Today was fun, at school. :D A lot of funny things happened. But some of them are humiliating to write down. For the person.
Finally switched to commerce(from Add Maths). Happy I made the decision. I am not mathematically inclined!
Sim Kuan's birthday. Oddly today it's her birthday and she gave me my present. Lol. Two headbands! How thoughtful! :D She must've read my blog.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SK! Oh yeah, RAIMI TOO! TOMORROW IS MING WAI'S! He was like "nobody will celebrate one lah!". xD
Just realised Accounts punishment starts tomorrow. Lasts a whole darn month. Don't know what it's about. Teacher decided to start on April Fool's. April Fool's is an annoying day! People always try to fool you. =.=
And I am not going to eat Roti Planta. At least not everyday. I saw the abang slapped on so much of margarine and sugar! Going to die from clogged vessels.
Am going to change my blog's look. Feels a bit too pink now. :/ I've never change it before.
Monday, March 29, 2010
and then i hear the birds
i blame the little one x)
I wrote a letter to the President!
Those of you that know me know I am a pretty on top of it type of person. For over a year know I have been doing all I can to get Lauren the help she needs, I have talked with teachers, I have sent her to reading programs, and I have simply spent time reading with her. Yet it is not helping, and I know things are only going to get harder next year. My frustrations honestly is that curriculum is taught to a standard but not the standard that you and I grew up with some state or federal imposed standard which has done relatively nothing to help our schools and our students, if anything it has put us further behind! While I have worked closely with Lauren's teachers and they have tried to do what they can the system has let us down.
Sadly Lauren is one of those slip through the crack kids, she isn't far enough behind to get special testing but she isn't at grade level either but will be passed to the 3rd grade even though she is below current grade level. How on earth is that right?? I am the first to admit I was not a great student I had my share of issues some of which I see my poor daughter reliving and I will do any and everything thing I can to help her not suffer the same humiliation I did as a kid.
So below is my letter, if I should get a response, even if it is generic "thanks for writing" response I will be sure to let you know.
Stephanie Whalen March 22, 2010
xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
I would like to thank you for taking on the No Child Left Behind policy. I am the mother of 3 ranging in age from 6 months to 8 years old. My 8 year old, Lauren, is having trouble in school with her reading and spelling and I am a firm believer a large part of her problem is the requirement of teachers to teach to the testing requirements, or as we in the state of Virginia call them, the Standards of Learning (SOL'S).
These SOL's are low to begin with because they want to ensure that everyone performs at or above grade level, so the schools and the school district can show what they deem as excellence in their schools. On more than one occasion, I have noted teachers teaching my children to the SOL standards only, gone are the days of teaching outside the boundaries and letting the teacher set the timetable for learning in his or her classroom based on the make up their class. If a child, such as Lauren, is having difficulty with a concept and she is not able to grasp it in the time allotted by the lesson plan, she is left behind because the teacher is required to move on in order to cover all of the SOL curriculum items which will be tested that year. In the case of my daughter she has not been given the proper amount of time to grasp letter sounds such as long and short vowels and blends of letters such as st, ch etc. These of course are the building blocks for spelling and reading. Her scores are below average yet they do not fall far enough below to warrant special testing or additional help from the school. Why? Because that would mean a child is being left behind and we wouldn't want that because it might reflect poorly on the school! Therefore, my child could become one of those hundreds of thousands of children who slip through the cracks and each year, falling further and further behind with each passing year.
Luckily, we are in a situation where we had the means to have Lauren tested and we have obtained intense tutoring to help get Lauren back on track. This is a financial expense to our family; one which puts a burden on our household budget. Yet, it was the only way we felt we could get Lauren back on track since the additional instruction we were doing at home was not working. However, I can't help but ask if schools weren't teaching to a set of standards at a high rate, would I even need to go down this path?? What would have happened if we didn't have the ability to obtain extra tutoring? Why isn't the school stepping in to help us out since they are the ones who have allowed Lauren to fall so far behind? Furthermore, would my child have been subjected to the teasing she has had to endure in the last 6 months?
I applaud your efforts to get education back on track and I wish you and your Secretary of Education nothing but success as you implement your "Race to the Top" strategy. I was told growing up an education is something no one can ever take away from you. Sadly, I feel the kids of today are in some respects having it taken away from them due to the style of teaching No Child Left Behind has encouraged.
As a mom of 3 and a fierce advocate of children, if there is anything I can do to help get our schools on track I am here to help!
Thank you for your service to our Country and may God Bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Whalen
Sunday, March 28, 2010
"We're here! We're here"
National Geographic
Worlds Apart
"Good to know that scientists are searching for life out there. But I keep hearing of probes shot into space beeping our coordinates in hopes that some other life-forms will discover us. Assuming that some of those life-forms have more advanced technology than we do (and some less) and some of those life-forms are more benevolent than humans (and some more vicious), do we really want to be bleating into space, "We're here! We're here!"
- Margaret MacDonald
This is an excellent point. Given the amount of movies out there about Aliens coming in and fucking shit up rather than helping us, it might actually be a bad idea to send out probes of information into space telling aliens where we are, what we are like, etc.
On the other side, Aliens might want to help us be better and or save us just like in "Knowing". Which would be nice. But who is to say that we could accept their help. Just like in that one movie with Keanu Reeves that I didn't see but I know about it only because I think Keanu is a total hottie.
Anyway -
I think Margaret is right in wanting to curb the amount of information we send into space. It wouldn't hurt to look at this in a PR perspective to spin the info a little bit so if some angry alien race finds us it will think twice about showing up and trying to eat us/enslave us. Hopefully we will be at the point of Halo and Mass Effect that we would be able to kick some ASS. I am not sure about Star Trek status yet because that whole show was a bit too goody two shoes for me.
This does give rise to the question about how all the planets and systems in Star Wars came to be. If we could some how end up like that, that would be pretty sweet. Only if I could end up like Queen Amidala. Not because I want to rule a planet, but just so I can have lots of cool stuff to wear and not be thought of one of those odd Cos-Play / Ren Fest freaks. Because that would suck. Although I do enjoy that stuff quite a bit, but do not have the skills necessary to create a sweet costume that did not look like it was put together by a 5 year old. : /
Of course when they mention looking for Aliens in space they say: "life as we know it". What if Alien life is a bunch of chairs that are addicted to meth scooting around a race track? I mean, would we still want to hang out with them? Would they try and kill us because we enslave chairs for our own personal use? Aliens are just like religion, we don't know if it exists - there are a bunch of people who say they have seen God/Aliens. And no one is for sure. Anything is possible.
Hostess with the mostest
Part of being a young wife is the newness, fun and confusion of being a hostess. (Not a hoh-stess, but a hoe-stess. Just so we're clear.) Marlon and I have guests over for lunch or dinner once in a while, and while Marlon does more of the prep work than any husband I've ever come across, these social occasions are always supposed to be the wife's thing -- making me, for the first time in my life, a hostess.
I love planning the menu and having friends over, but I have yet to get the hang of this entertaining thing. As a (relatively still) newlywed couple, we always find out just how little we have in the way of proper cutlery and china when it's time to have people over.
Our very first dinner guests, David and Phyllis, brought us a bottle of wine when we invited them over one weekend... only for us to discover that we didn't even have a corkscrew. Marlon had to escape to the kitchen (which is open anyway) and stab at the cork with a bread knife, and we had to fish bits of out of our wineglasses all evening. David presented Marlon with a corkscrew the following Monday.
Influenced by the Singaporean habit of stocking up on duty-free wine and liquor with every trip to Changi, we have a bottle each of champagne, dessert wine, Baileys and Absolut Tropical in the house... but only one set of all-purpose wine glasses from Ikea. I recently took advantage of a sale at Tang's to buy serving plates, serving bowls and serving utensils because I realized we couldn't go any longer plunking the metal pot of the rice cooker down on a trivet on the table, or serving couscous salad out of a scratched-up melamine bowl that Marlon used and abused through his bachelor days. Then when we bought pandesal from Lucky Plaza, I realized we didn't even have a bread basket to keep the pandesal warm throughout brunch. It seems to never end!
And that's just lunch or dinner for four people. When Marlon's boss and his wife decided to bring their little daughter over for dinner, Marlon had to eat off a white plastic plate. Anything far beyond that magic number means paper plates for all -- since we only have four pieces of everything.
Then there's the matter of place settings. For brunch this morning, I had glasses and wine glasses on the table and had no idea if I should keep the tea cups for hot chocolate off the table or just plunk them in there. It's almost enough to make a girl wish she had gone to finishing school.
Thankfully, most of the wives who come over are young wives like me. I haven't seen anyone raise an eyebrow or make furtive notes on a checklist just yet. And luckily, our friends are pretty chill (and rather nutty). I spend a lot of time rushing back and forth before people come over, but once we're all seated I wonder if I should even be wondering about how to be a proper hostess. And the champagne starts pouring, our friends start digging in and raving about Marlon's latest culinary success, and we're all laughing, there seems to be so much more to life than doing things properly.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
iPhone & peace.
And today at Church, wow, the people gave me a different point of view about the situation. I reacted to it in a very human way. Got angry and started cussing. Again some of the church ppl saw my blog, commented on the language. I got language/cussing problem. In school it's not a problem because everyone's like that, but other places, yes.
Oddly I feel calm now. Don't want to care about the stolen phone anymore. My fault for losing it. Though I hope that the person who took it will know that stealing is something very wrong. Like Vincent! He apologized in the chat thingie---> Before that I still got a bit like.... grudge. But now OK, because he apologized. More than once. :) Thank you.
Bearing a grudge is anyway very tiring.
OK, dad abruptly got me an iPhone. He was scared that I'd bug him because I'm phoneless. Making a new glasses was already very inconvenient. He was rightly annoyed with me.
My brother wasn't angry that I lost his phone. Wow. He didn't even raise his voice. He was just, "Yeah la, there are theives in the school.". Maybe he prepared himself already the moment he handed over the phone.
I'm clumsy. :(
THE IPHONE:
White colour one. Because my dad already has a black one. I'll tell you what, actually I didn't want iPhone because it doesn't look cute and my dad uses it, and so does everyone. But after using, it is very useful(Ok a bit of a pointless statement)!
And look, bought some stickers and made it look as childish as possible! The iPhone looks very business-ish and practical. I stuck a babi sticker! Turned the "I love you" upside down because it was way too cheesy to be read. NOW I'M HAPPY.
Tap tap revenge is very very fun! iPhone apps are amazing! Officially iPhone convert! Forget about SE Jalou! Can download videos from youtube to iPhone using RealPlayer. Or just watch it on Youtube!
My dad got the iPhone through Maxis, so it's cheap. But as usual terms and conditions apply. I feel sorry for causing my dad go through so much of trouble. Have to wait for abt 2 hours in the Maxis store.
Ok, that is all, I hope that the person who took my phone will one day realise what he did was wrong. Otherwise, case closed!
the things you can do while waiting for me to update..
Friday, March 26, 2010
Step into the limelight with exquisite Diamond Bracelet!
This jewelry looks great on everyone and can be worn on any special occasion. Diamonds in bracelets are always set in some type of precious metal, usually gold or platinum. There are a lots of options available in market, so one has to be smart enough to buy the best one. Usually they are available in many shapes, design and sizes. Today, every Hollywood star and pop star love to wear this alluring jewelry, due to its sparkling and shimmering.
Sterling Silver Bracelet, Diamond: Add sparkle to your wrist with this alluring diamond bracelet. All gemstone carat weights, if mentioned, are approximate; variance may be .05 carat. Approximate length of bracelet is 7 inches. Get this bracelet for $179.10.
14k Gold Diamond Bracelet: Dazzling design. Round-cut diamonds (5 ct. t.w.) shine in polished 14k gold. All gemstone carat weights, if mentioned, are approximate; variance may be .05 carat. Pair this beautiful diamond bracelet with your evening gown. Get it for $4,400.00.
14k White Gold Diamond Bracelet: Elevate elegance with a seemingly endless display of diamonds. This beautiful bracelet features round-cut diamonds (6 ct. t.w.) set in 14k white gold. Approximate length of this alluring bracelet is 7 inches. Selling price of this exquisite jewelry is $12,000.00.
If you want to give someone a timeless gift, then consider buying an exquisite diamond bracelet. What better way to show your love for a woman than to say it with shimmering diamonds? Are you looking for unique diamond bracelets, then visit Macys.com. Here you will find finest variety of diamond jewelry. Make your shopping memorable by using Macys Coupons available at Dealrocker.com.
Comments, comment, comments
I finally took the step to put some protections on my comments section I was (am ) afraid it will deter people from leaving comments if they have to type in some silly word but I must say I think it beats the bazillion comments I get that make no sense or better yet are in Chinese. Silly me thought there for a while that I really had some Chinese visitors that were interested in my blog no it was just spam and I am sure if I went so far as to translate what they were leaving I would be shocked by the content. So I apologize to those of you who still remember me and want to make comments for adding this extra step but my Inbox is now very happy to be free of some of the trash! J
Wake up, people! 1, CRUELTY FOR FASHION.
My blog should have content warning but I don't want to trouble my readers to press the button everytime.
It's nice to be ignorant about an animal's suffering, but someone posted a video of a pregnant cow being slaughtered on facebook.... So I started searching some stuff. Gaining knowledge about animal cruelty is suffering. Because we watch them suffer.
It is easy to blame the people who get their hands bloody, but we should also blame ourselves because we drive them to do it. Supply and demand. If nobody wants to buy fur, nobody would make fur.
After seeing how the animals suffer I think that having my phone stolen is just a minute issue. Oh well, I was lucky to have a phone in the first place. I care about animals more because we hold their fate in our hands. (cheesy :D)
KAY, I love animals but I admit being a bloody hypocrite(unsconsciously sub-consciously and consciously). I use leather. I eat chicken(but not pork/beef/etc).
BUT THUS, I SHALL CHANGE. NO MORE LEATHER. And if I ever manage to be a fashion designer one they I won't use materials which causes the animals to suffer. CRUELTY-FREE FASHION. Like Stella McCartney!
FUR & LEATHER, because we have to rip their hide off. Images are particularly graphic. Not gonna lust for designer handbags. Those which contains... animal carcass.
http://www.squidoo.com/christmas_without_cruelty
The animals farmed for their fur are kept in small, barren cages averaging 90x30x40 cm and stereotypical behaviour like self-mutilation and cannibalism occur. They are killed by gassing, neck-breaking or anal electrocution.
I could point you to some links where German-shepherd dogs and badgers are being skinned alive, and they are still alive when all the skin has been taken from their bodies, but these are too harrowing and sickening. I cried uncontrollably when I saw these covertly taken videos and was shaken for weeks (I am still very angry when I think about it, not to mention some of the sick comments). I will not put you through this, you need to take my word for it.
(Passage taken from somewhere else, links above & below)
One day I'm gonna print out these graphic images and hand it out to anyone I see wearing fur. None in Malaysia, I'm glad. Because it's nonsense to wear fur in 36 degree celsius!
SILK
From: http://animals.change.org/blog/category/veganism_and_vegetarianism
The silk worm needs to make a hole in the cocoon in order to emerge in its new-and-improved moth form. But that hole damages part of the cocoon — and the profits — of silk farmers, so before the silk worms can get that far, they're either gassed, steamed, or boiled to death: within their cozy shells. The only silk worms allowed to play out their cycle are those designated to be the breeders to keep the industry going.
Each cocoon will only yield a very, very small amount of silk. For this reason many thousands of cocoons are required to gather enough silk for a garment. For instance, to produce just 40kg of silk, 200kg of cocoons are required and 11.25 tonnes of mulberry leaves. 2500 silkworms are needed just for slightly less than 0.5kg. So, for 40kg, nearly a quarter of a million silkworms have to die.
Sheep are subject to much of the same types of cruelty as other animals used in agriculture: castration without anesthetics, docked tails, inhumane transport, and disease.
(CASTRATION)
A sheep is shorn for the first time when they are about 14-15 months old. They are then shorn annually. Early season shearing in wet, windy and cold conditions mean that the sheep may die from exposure and disease.
Australia, which produces 25-30 percent of the world's wool, uses the particularly brutal method of "mulesing" to prevent problems with fly and maggot infestations. Mulesing solves the problem by cutting out chunks of skin, without painkillers, so the sheep will regrow scar tissue that won't attract flies. Sometimes those wounds end up attracting flies, but the farmers will cut their losses as long as enough sheep stay healthy enough for it to be profitable. The all-important bottom line also means that the shearing process itself is typically brutal because the focus is on time and money, not the animals.
Change.org has some awakening posts on issues like poverty, war, human trafficking.
GO SEE SEE AND OPEN YOUR EYES!