Back to the real world

I'm back from my almost month-long holiday. And despite arriving at 1030pm last night, i came to work today, only to find that everyone else is on leave. A colleague from the neighbouring team walked past and commented on my "glow". She says it must be due to a good holiday. I couldn't agree more, remembering that i wasn't wearing any blush today.

I had a really good break. Mostly because the holiday wasn't rushed. I spent a lot of time shopping. i think i really like shopping. And i mean really. I don't even have to buy anything. beat that. haha.

Perhaps the air in LA is different but i am lifted just breathing it. I can't get enough of it. Beijing was lovely too (I stopped over for a few hours). It was really cold, being -7 degrees. But i was well prepared for it. Pictures of Tiananmen Sq are abundant on the internet. But being there was a completely different experience which i loved. One can almost feel the nationalistic pride the people have for their country. But nothing is complete without shopping. I didn't buy much but feel so pleased with my purchases.

Now i'm back in office, with a new, refreshed view on working. I'm looking forward to 2010. Are you? :)

LA la la la

I obviously never got down to posting pictures and all. i'm too lazy and there's no time to do that. I'm mostly busy with walks, shopping online, shopping for real, some sightseeing, watching TV, playing with the niece, and more shopping. It's hard to imagine life being better than this.

Today we went to the outlets. I bought not so many things. But the things i bought, by my standards, are not so cheap. But i feel so so pleased.

Coach leather bag, Ralph Lauren polos, Gap pants and skirt. I already spent all the money i brought. And it's not yet Boxing Day. oh my oh my.

Now i'm watching the latest Grey's Anatomy episode on TV. whooppee.

watching TV in LA

i'm watching the latest episode of gossip girl on tv! it shows on Monday nights at 9pm. oh my. this feels great.

hahahahha.

the longest flight

I just arrived in LA, after a long flight which involved flying to Beijing first, a six hour wait, then LA. i think it added up to 23 hours. feels too long. the good thing was that the 2 seats next to me were empty, so i lay flat for most of the 11-hour leg from Pek to Lax. nicely.

The niece is so super sweet. The last time i left her, she was 2 months, being barely responsive to all the facial gestures and all the talking. Now, she follows intently and responds with smiles and sounds. Lovely.

The time difference is 16hours but i feel like i've adapted already. haha. i put it down to being young. hahhaha.

ok for now. tomorrow then i shall begin the pictures posting (if i'm not too engrossed with the niece). whoopee. :)

bars

mumsy came back from LA. and the sister bought me 2 boxes of bars!! one is fiber one and another is fiber plus. both are super yummy! with fiber so i can go toilet heheh.

yum yum

Rachel Bilson. So pretty right?

Happy 2 months

Happy 2 months, my lovely niece. The world is a better place because you exist :)
Your ahyee loves you!!

Fame

Go watch it! I loved it. it's about 107mins, but felt more like 40mins. i give it 4/5 for the entertainment value, the very pretty Kay Panabaker who has a very sweet voice, and Naturi who can really really sing. awesome stuff. The storyline is not groundbreaking but didn't feel stifling either. It tries to give balanced attention to every area of performing arts, from dancing, instruments, producing, drama, etc. Watch it watch it. I think i can watch it another 22 times and not be bored. :)

The niece

EZ-link card

This is the EZ-link card the firm gave to us. I refunded it because it expires on 30 Sep 09 and i didn't want to keep a useless card. But because it was something quite special, i took a picture of it :) now my room is a pile of junk, minus one card. whoo hoo.

The Ugly Truth

I really enjoyed this movie. I understand that Rotten Tomatos and other film critics gave it a low score, citing reasons like an unoriginal script, unfunny jokes. However, i found it to be really entertaining. I applaud Katherine Heigl's acting, especially the scene in the photo above (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't watched it). It's really the timing of the lines and her acting that made me think really highly of her this time. I give it 3.5/5, of which 1.0 goes to Katherine.

The niece

The proposal

The movie really wasn't so good. the script was mediocre, the cast was too. the story is very predictable. But generally as a brainless movie, it passes. I give it 2.5/5

Up!

Up was a delightful movie with parts that are super cute, super sweet and some touching parts. My favourite character is Ellie :) I give it 3.5/5. I watched the 3D version, the first time i watch a 3D show. It feels kind of blurry and the 3D glasses are not the most comfortable thing. But interesting still. Watch out for the Pixar snippet right before the movie called "Partly Cloudy". Extremely entertaining!

RGS sweater
RGS tee-shirt

Hey Raffles you're so fine

You're so fine you blow my mind!

Hee. Yes, i packed my room again.

Let's go to the farms!

The goats stand in a row, with their udders fitted to suction pumps. They appear very obedient.

I love this photo. the goat so cute.

Then after, we headed to the frog farm. They had live displays showing the life cycle of the frog.

tadpoles

bigger tadpoles

tadpole-frog

frog-pole



frog

Then, we went around to see the mating areas. See them in groups
Alone
dead.

memories

My "meihua" shoes broke when i was rehearsing last Friday. Good thing my ankles were not harmed in the process. I've since dumped them, but not without taking a picture first. It's just that it was a part of one of my favourite memories in SMU. :)

I am precious in Your eyes, and honoured, and You love me

1But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.4Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.6I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold;bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.12I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.13Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"

16Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,17who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior;they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.20The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,to give drink to my chosen people, 21the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

25"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Dear niece

Dear niece,

Welcome to the world. I already love you very much.

Love, your Aunty :)

work/life

Some of my friends celebrate 4 years of working life. Yes, time flies right. This is another reason i'm a bit proud of my blog. i've had it since i was in uni. i know it's not all that long, but long enough for me to feel proud.

A few of my colleagues received money from the firm for their uni education, in exchange for a 4-year bond. Now they're done. and they're pleased. It's like a little milestone.