Wonder Lashes

The 'miracle' lash growing serum

There is much talk among people in the know about this ‘miracle’ eyelash gel. We’ve heard Christy Chung, beauty editors of countless magazines and aestheticians singing its praises and giving it free advertising via word-of-mouth.

So, it is really THAT fantastic?

I think some people who have seen me in person would keel over if they know I am trying out this product. After all, I have on several occasions invited comments like, “Wah, your eyelashes very long leh” from people who looked at me from close range.

Still, since I am not into gluing falsies (fake eyelashes) on my peepers, but aspire to attain lashes the length and volume of Indian beauty, Aishwarya Rai. Guess I will have to seek more natural alternatives of achieving that, right? No? (*lowers head guiltily*)


The beautiful Aishwarya Rai


I want these lashes--but natural ones please!

Anyway, some celebrities have recommended another lash treatment called “Mavala Eye-lite Double Lash” from Switzerland. It costs $16.50 a bottle. Metro and Sasa Cosmetics carries this product.


Mavala Eye-Lite Double Lash Serum

My personal user review: NO DIFFERENCE! Really. And it’s after 10 months of dutiful nightly application. They look the same to me. And I am rather perceptive.

So, it was with much resignation that I turn to Talika Lipocils Eyelash Treatment Gel to increase the length of my lashes. I half suspect that they have already grown to their full length and can extend no longer. =(

I had to visit the salon twice to obtain it. The first time, a guy before me bought the remaining 3 tubes and it was officially declared “OUT OF STOCK”. 3 tubes at 1 go?!! For his wife and 2 mistresses, is it? SIGH…Ok, fine.

When I returned to buy it the following week, the lady took a look at me and asked, “Wah, got effect hor! You use how many tubes already?” I can feel my heart sinking. I hemmed and hawed and circumvented answering.


Lipocils is for lengthening and the cream is for volumizing

The Product:
Name: Talika LIPOCILS Eyelash Treatment Gel
Size: 4.2 ml or 10ml
Price: SGD $40.95 for the 4.2 ml tube and $59.85 for the 10 ml (currently out of stock)
[bloody expensive]
Origin: France
Place to buy: Any Spa-Lon salon in Singapore: www.thespa-lon.com
Or ONLINE at www.talika.com

My Verdict:
Just after 2 weeks, my lashes are really longer and more tiny lashes are growing out! How can I be certain? I took my lower lashes as a gauge. They can be monitored for growth more easily. WOW! So, it’s worth its heart attack inducing price tag? Hm…What price beauty? The problem is: Now, my lengthened lashes are pricking my eyes! YIKES!

P/S I shall make Fridays the day for beauty products entries/ reviews. Cos, apart from many other things, I am fascinated with the science that goes into this billion dollar industry.

Chivalry Is Dead

Definition:
Chivalrous behavior: considerate and courteous behavior, especially shown by a man towards women.

I was at a neighbourhood supermarket and was in the queue to pay for my grocery shopping. Although I was next in line, the customer before me was redeeming some crockery and the cashier was tallying his coupons meticulously. Mildly embarrassed that he was holding up the queue, the helpful guy noticed that a staff on duty had opened up another checkout counter and kindly suggested that I make my payment at the next counter. The guy standing behind me overheard the ‘news’ and just as I turned around to ‘change lanes’ he sprinted ahead and dumped his basket onto the adjacent counter. I was rather taken aback by his swift maneuver and widened my eyes in mock astonishment. The bigger surprise came when that the fella had the effrontery to grin triumphantly at me from across the counter and say, “我比你快!”

If looks could kill, he would have died there and then. I gave him my iciest glare, pursed my lips in disapproval, twitched my nose in contempt, narrowed my eyes and turned my face away with disdain. “没风度!” I simmered silently.


Perhaps my reaction was rather sexist. If an auntie had done it, I would have grinned back at her and retorted, “我老了，反应也慢了。” But, no, this was an able-bodied male, thirty years of age, displaying such crass behaviour. ARGH!

A quick survey of a cabin on the MRT will reveal more telling signs that chivalry is dead. I see guys rushing to take any available seat, oblivious to needs of the elderly, the pregnant and the children. The worse scene to witness is to see a sympathetic female give up her seat while the 4 guys from the similar row warm their butts happily and drift off to slumber land. Fair enough, everyone’s tired from a hard day of work. But the elderly shouldn’t dangle precariously in front of you and all womenfolk—pregnant or not deserve the seat more than any guy. Why? It all boils down to physiology, my dear. Varicose veins. Women suffer from those ugly, bulging purplish green veins on the back of their calves as a result of prolonged periods of standing. And, any self respecting gentleman, or worshipper of the female form should never allow that deformity to take shape.

"The best index to a person's character is (a) how he treats people who can't do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can't fight back."~Abigail Van Buren

Quote of the Day

If you want a place in the sun, you've got to put up with a few blisters.
Abigail Van Buren

P/S: Just remember to wear sunscreen

Live Strong, Breathe Well

I am no health guru, but I try to practice good living habits. It’s essential because the world we live in has become more polluted and hectic.
I have to increase my life expectancy so that I can accomplish the dreams I want to pursue.
Sedentary workers gripe about not having time or motivation to exercise. Their athletic counterparts encourage them to put on their running gear and take to the road for a quick jog. But before we change into our Stella McCartney Adidas sportswear, we should first learn to breathe correctly. If not, we will not reap the full benefits of the workout.

What's Wrong With The Way We Breathe?
Our breathing is too shallow and too quick. We are not taking in sufficient oxygen and we are not eliminating sufficient carbon dioxide. , As a result, our bodies are oxygen starved, and a toxic build-up occurs. Every cell in the body requires oxygen and our level of vitality is just a product of the health of all the cells.

Shallow breathing does not exercise the lungs enough, so they lose some of their function, causing a further reduction in vitality.

Animals which breathe slowly live the longest; the elephant is a good example.

We need to breathe more slowly and deeply. Quick shallow breathing results in oxygen starvation which leads to reduced vitality, premature ageing, poor immune system and a myriad of other factors.

An editorial in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggested that fast, shallow breathing can cause fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, stomach upsets, heart burn, gas, muscle cramps, dizziness, visual problems, chest pain and heart palpitations.
Scientists have also found that a lot of people who believe they have heart disease are really suffering from improper breathing.

I shan’t go into the details of the benefits of deep breathing (the proper way to breathe). You can google that and know more.

But, first things first! DON’T breathe through your mouth! I think this annoying bad habit is very prevalent among the male population. I don’t know whether it is because they have chronically blocked noses, or because they are simply hyperventilating every time a hot babe passes them by.
Whatever it is, God planted a nose on our faces for a good reason. And no, it is not to enable us to stuff them with silicone implants.

Importance of Breathing Through The Nose
The first rule for correct breathing is that we should breathe through the nose. This may seem obvious, but many people breathe principally through the mouth. Mouth breathing can adversely affect the development of the thyroid gland. It can retard the mental development of children.

The nose has various defense mechanisms to prevent impurities and excessively cold air entering the body. At the entrance to the nose, a screen of hairs traps dust, tiny insects and other particles that may injure the lungs if you breathe through the mouth. After the entrance of the nose, there is a long winding passage lined with mucus membranes, where excessively cool air is warmed and very fine dust particles that escaped the hair screen are caught. Next, in the inner nose are glands which fight off any bacilli which have slipped through the other defenses. The inner nose also contains the olfactory organ-our sense of smell. This detects any poisonous gases around that may injure our health.

Pathogens can enter the lungs via mouth breathing. It is easy to break the habit of breathing through the mouth. Just keep your mouth closed and you will automatically breathe through your nose!

1 Method of Deep Breathing
(I came across this one here years ago, after reading Anthony Robbins’ book—You can say his teachings are pure hype and feel good, but I say, this one—MUST LEARN lah!)

The Tony Robbins breathing exercise is mentioned in the excellent book "Unlimited Power" and basically consists of breathing in the following ratio:

Breath in for 1 count
Hold for 4 counts
Breath out for 2 counts

For example – if you were to breathe in for four seconds, then you would hold your breath for sixteen seconds and then breathe out for eight.
If you are able to do this ten times, three times a day (morning, evening and before bed) you will notice a huge difference to your energy, your clarity and your ability to ward off illnesses.

Breathe well: Live long and prosper! =)

Fifth Member of the Care Bears Family!

Welcome Bedtime Bear!


Funshine Bear: Rise and Shine!!! Rise and Shine!!!
Bedtime Bear: Zzzzzzzz (sleeping blissfully)


Funshine: Hey, wake up sleepy head! (peers at Bedtime Bear and nudges him persistently)
Bedtime Bear: Yawn! I'm deadbeat! Let me snooze for a while more! Zzzzz......


Funshine: Hm...Well, if you can't beat them, join them! (lies beside Bedtime Bear and starts sleeping happily together)


About him:
Bedtime Bear stays up at night. He's the special bear who helps people get a good night's sleep and makes sure that they have sweet dreams. There's no better bear buddy for a goodnight hug. Bedtime has a symbol that says what he's all about—a sleepy-faced moon.
Personality: Brave and alert (at night).
BUT:
Confused and always dozing off during daytime. =(

My desired happiness

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. --Thomas Carlyle

I am sick. I’ve caught the flu bug and am down with a host of other related symptoms that this pesky virus brings. Fever, sore throat, the nose runs. At least my nose is not blocked. That’s a blessing in disguise. I don’t think I can go around breathing through my mouth and sleep would be impossible.

If there’s something that we underrate, it has got to be good health. If, by a stroke of incredible luck, one is granted 1 wish, I am sure that riches, beauty, happiness and wisdom come before the thought of health.

When one is healthy, one is fit enough to survive in this world. One will not be unhappy and bedridden, one will be able to think better, learn faster, look more radiant, and work harder. Health is wealth? I think it is even more than that, don’t you all agree? A healthy mind and body is the prerequisite to achieving many other things we deem important.

Jewel--Goodbye Alice In Wonderland

Jewel - Goodbye Alice in Wonderland


Lyrics:
It's four in the afternoon
I'm on a flight leaving L.A.
Trying to figure out my life and
My youth scattered along the highway

Hotel rooms and headlights
I've made a living with a song
Guitar as my companion
Wanting desperately to belong

Fame is filled with spoiled children
we grow fat on fantasy
I guess that's why I'm leaving
I crave reality

So goodbye Alice in Wonderland
Goodbye yellow brick road
There is a difference between dreaming and pretending
I did not find paradise
It was only a reflection of my lonely mind wanting
What’s been missing in my life

I'm embarrassed to say the rest is a rock and roll cliché
I hit the bottom when I reached the top
but I never knew it was you who was breaking my heart
I thought you had to love me
But you did not

Yes, a heart can hallucinate
If it's completely starved for love
It can even turn monsters into
Angels from above

You forged my love just like a weapon
And turned it against me like a knife
You broke my last heartstring
But you opened up my eyes

So goodbye Alice in Wonderland
Goodbye yellow brick road
There is a difference between dreaming and pretending
That was not love in your eyes
It was only a reflection of my lonely mind searching
For what’s been missing in my life

And growing up is not an absence of dreaming
Its being able to understand the difference between
The ones you can hold and the ones that you've been sold
But dreaming is a good thing
Cause it brings new things to life
Pretending is an ending
That perpetuates a lie
Forgetting what you are
Seeing for what you've been told

Truth is stranger than fiction
this is my chance to get it right
Life is much better without all of those pretty lies

So Goodbye Alice in Wonderland
You can keep your yellow brick road
Cause there is a difference between dreaming and pretending
These are not tears in my eyes
They are only a reflection of my lonely mind finding
They are only a reflection of my lonely mind finding
I've found what’s missing in my life

P/S Highlighted those statements I like. Jewel is one of my favourite singers, cos the lyrics she pens are beautifully vulnerable, yet uncomplicately true. Absolutely touching.

Candies fit for Royalty

Wonder why I am constantly talking about food? I love to eat! Anything interesting, new, yummy, extremely fattening and savoury…However, I am still contemplating whether to chomp down escargots—snails that are cooked and served as food. And I am a bit queasy putting gooey things into my orifice, so I usually avoid oysters and clams (not even in char kway teow)! I think I have a general abhorrence for mollusks cos they are slimy creatures. I will puke if I eat them raw, and will only eat baked oysters in creamy cheese, cooked in garlic and herb sauce.

Anyway, back to sweets. I also do not like to consume sweets on their own. Mints are for freshening the breath, but I prefer using the potent breath spray more. Maybe I had tasted all the lovely candies in the world during my childhood. My mother used to buy us the most wonderful assortment of international sweets—Japanese, Swedish, English, American, Turkish…and I no longer find them novel.
It’s ironic that I continue to love desserts like ice-cream, chocolates, brownies and cakes.
BUT, there is always 1 exception that I will break the rules for. The candy is a Chinese traditional candy called “Dragon beard Candy”. I suspect it’s named after its appearance. But maybe, as its Chinese name "龙须糖" suggest, it may be named to signify its status as a palace delicacy and something that is fit for a king.


Dragon Beard Candy

How it is made:
The 'shifu' will sprinkle flour and knead at a hardened piece of malt candy till it’s relatively soft, then start pulling its ends. Soon, countless fine threads will be produced and, and these are used to wrap crushed peanut.
Every time I see someone selling it, I will buy at least 2 boxes. It costs $2.50 for a box of 5. 1 for 50 cents! Not cheap. =(

They look like silk worm’s cocoon and can be eaten in two ways.
1. When consumed freshly made on the spot, it’s fluffy and soft. It melts when put into the mouth and the fragrant peanut brings out the flavour of the malt. Simply yummy.

2. When chilled in the refrigerator, it turns hard, but because the malt is in fine strands, it will make the candy crispy when bitten into and you will have a crunchy good time.


Crushed peanut fillings within

Yea, this candy is my weakness. Since I see some aunties making them to sell in pushcarts, I hope that I can learn the craft in future and be self-sufficient to satisfy my own sugar cravings.

Daily Trivia:
Mollusk, common name for members of a phylum of soft-bodied animals (Latin mollus, “soft”), usually with a hard external shell. Familiar mollusks include the clam, oyster, snail, slug, octopus and squid. The mollusk phylum is the second largest in the animal kingdom, after the arthropods. Eat all the oysters you can! =P

Weekend Treat

Marsha Marsha Marshmallow™

Chocolate Ice Cream with Fudge Chunks & Toasted Marshmallow & Graham Cracker Swirls

I love Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. Nothing can curb this sinful craving when the refrigerator in the neighbourhood VideoEzy store sings out all the enticing flavours available through the public announcement system. Ok, I exaggerate.

This brand of ice-cream carries the most creative treats that you can ever imagine. And the concoctions they come up with simply allows you to experience that ‘little bit of heaven’.

Heaven must be made of edible candy canes for its pearly gates. Marshmallow clouds float around lazily and there is an ever flowing fountain of milk chocolate in the middle of the Garden of Eden. The peppermint flavoured grass glistened in the honey golden sun and the heavenly folks queue for their daily treats from the Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream factory that is open 24/7 all week!
Now…why does this sound like a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? =P

I thought this flavour—the Marsha Marsha Marshmallow is not as nice as the New York Super Fudge Chunk. However, the Graham biscuit swirls does make up for the NUTS that are absent in this tub.
The only question is, “Where is the marshmallow???”

Can’t believe it’s raining again….maybe one day, I will invent an ice-cream that will turn hot slowly in the mouth and slides warmly down the gullet, all the way to the stomach. That’s when I can set up an ice-cream empire to rival B&J throughout the world and people will consume my creations all year long. Everyone will be kept satisfied and happy all winter!

My favourite Ben & Jerry's flavour:

Chocolate Ice Cream with White & Dark Fudge Chunks, Pecans, Walnuts & Fudge Covered Almonds

A brand new line-up!

How the story goes: The day started off wet and rainy (Grumpy Bear), but the sun shines after the rain (Funshine bear) and the rainbow appears on the horizon (Cheer Bear). A delicious sundae is the best way to make this all perfect! (Share Bear).

Latest addition to my family of Care Bears—Blue little Grumpy Bear. He looks unhappy. And you will be wondering why do the creators add a wet blanket to the team of optimistic looking, cheery bears.
Why?

Grumpy Bear frowns a lot—that's his way to show us how silly we look when we frown too much. He also shows that it's okay to be grumpy sometimes. But even when we're grumpy, we're still loved, and we're reminded of that by Grumpy Bear's symbol—a rain cloud with heart-shaped raindrops.

AWWWWW….So sweet.

The family is growing and they are facing an overcrowding problem. The space on my bed is fixed, and more bears means less space for each and every one.
Still, they continue grinning. Looks like all’s well. ;-)

Face to Watch

Qi Yuwu

I am not exactly into pretty boys nor hunkalicious studs. In fact, I prefer bespectacled geeky guys who look intelligent (and hopefully are really intelligent too).

However, to be fair, I do find great potential for this local actor, Qi Yuwu. He has a very versatile face that is very arresting and pleasant. Moreover, his acting skills improve with every production. The roles he stars in are varied—from comedy acting, long suffering social misfit to intense sullen hero, all prove his repertoire as a dynamic actor. He carries no hint of accent (although he is a foreign talent from Guangzhou), and therefore, is an asset for both local and regional productions. Moreover, he concentrates on honing his craft rather than attracting media attention with gossip fodder.
Next big thing? Very likely...


Earnestly Serious Thespian

Photos courtesy of Mediacorp Publishing Pte Ltd, Style: Men (October 2006)

In Bad Faith

An article in the Sunday Times got me thinking about religion.

Customer forced out of restaurant after spat with chef:


Madam, why are you so CROSS?


Place where spat occurred

Photos courtesy of Singapore Press Holdings, The Straits Times.

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Some years ago, on Chinese New Year’s Day, my family was in my uncle’s house doing our round of visitations. My auntie was chatting with my sister when she spotted a necklace on her.

“You are wearing a cross. Are you a Christian?” Aunt Rose enquired; her voice was tremulously soft but carried a hint of displeasure.

Aileen caught the inflection in her voice and ventured, “Yea, why do you ask?”

“No, I thought you may wear the pendant as a fashion statement and not for religious reasons. I dislike Christians,” Aunt Rose answered disapprovingly.

Shocking, shocking revelation.

I was stunned too. Aileen probed Aunt Rose for her dislike for Christians. Apparently, she had many bad experiences with people who are of the Christian faith.

When I was in Campus Crusade, we were tasked to do street evangelism on several occasions. Sometimes, people we approach will directly express their dislike for Christians.

“Hm? You want to tell me about Jesus? No…I don’t want to listen. I don’t like Christians.”—passerby then gives a disturbed, disgruntled look and strides away, as fast as their limbs can take them.

If we decipher their statements, it doesn’t take a genius to know that they directed their hostility towards Christians, but they did not criticize the religion.

Why do Christians receive so much flak for their faith? Some talk about the ‘spiritual warfare’ that is being waged. I say, Christians should not attribute it to the undoing of Satanic forces. Purge your demons within, people!

No one is blameless or perfect. Christians are human beings too. Don’t tell me people of other faith are infallible beings? No.

The problem is, when one proclaim her faith with pride, one is burdened with the responsibility of growing richly under the influence of her faith and ‘be more like Jesus’.

Not easy. Plus, no one becomes a saint overnight. But next time you do something un-Christ-like, you can always clutch your cross pendant, and utter a prayer. Curb your anger, ask for divine strength, live and let live. What about taking ‘baby steps’? Decrease the frequency of your bad behaviour, backstab people less often, reduce your gossiping from everyday to once a week…slowly and surely change for the better. Let the Holy Spirit empower you. People may be critical, but fair people can see the good changes in you too.

Problem of course, lies in the inertia to effectuate changes for the better. Prayer not enough?

Fantastic Ferrari and Stupendous Schumacher

Ferrari's Win in Monza, Italy- 10th September 2006

I am rooting for Michael Schumacher to win the Formula One 2006 World Championship. Why? He’s retiring from race driving. It’ll be the best souvenir and he can bow out as a legend. Alonso is still young, he can win the next time around. =)

Today, Michael Schumacher won his 90th Grand prix victory (in Italy, Monza) and closed the championship lead of Fernando Alonso to 2 points!!! Sadly, he also confirmed he is to retire at the end of this racing season.
Now, it’s to Shanghai, China, on 1 October 2006. Way to go Schumi! Wish I could get the tickets to watch you in action. But China in October is crazy… cos it’s their National Day Holiday week.

Whatever it is, I seriously think that Alonso is really something. He was penalized for blocking Massa (Ferrari’s driver) during the qualifying round and was placed in 10th place on the grid. But, he managed to zoom his way to third place, overtaking his closest opponent, Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber’s driver) on lap 41’s pit stop. The overtake was skillfully executed and exhibited Alonso’s prowess as one of the best F1 racers on the track.
But, luck was not on his side and the Spaniard's Renault engine cruelly exploded just ten laps from the flag. Pity.

Schumacher’s Trivia:
Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship. Whatever the final result of this year's championship, Michael leaves Formula 1 holding almost all the records. To date, he has taken seven Drivers' world titles and has contributed to the same number of team wins in the Constructors' Championship. He has taken part in 247 Formula 1 Grands Prix (178 of them at the wheel of a Ferrari), won 90 (71), been on pole 68 (58) times, setting 75 (52) fastest race laps. He has amassed a total of 1354 points, 1051 of them in a Maranello car. No one in the world of motor racing has done better. Following his decision, the only record that will elude him is the one for the number of race starts. He will be able to reach the 250 mark, just six short of the record held by Riccardo Patrese. Schumacher has been with Ferrari for eleven seasons, a demonstration of loyalty without equal in Formula 1, to date securing five of his Drivers' titles here and contributing to six of the team's Constructors' titles. No other driver has ever won as much with the Scuderia.

Que Será, Será

Do you guys know this song sung by Doris Day? It’s called Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).
And it goes like this:

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me:
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

I guess all of us have gone through primary/ secondary school writing an essay entitled “My Ambition”. I had a tough time with that one, because I already know that there are so many professions in the world that I can take up. I want to be a forensic pathologist, a mega bookstore entrepreneur, a fighter jet pilot, a detective (thanks to Nancy Drew) and the list goes on so I wonder why kids stop at aspiring to be a doctor or lawyer.
One fine day, in Primary 5, my Chinese teacher popped the class this million-dollar question again and when it was my turn, I stood up and with a steely resolve in my eyes answered, “I want to be the prime minister of Singapore.”
The idealism and naiveté of yesteryear have long since been replaced by a sense of world weariness. The coming of age of a pragmatic young adult helps to reinforce that although in theory, nothing is impossible, limitations do exist, especially when you are a woman and live in a certain environment.
Still, the world is my oyster and I am still left pondering what would become of me 15 years down the road. How very exciting. Maybe I should look for some inspiration from the past…


Set up my very own tour agency?


Be a world renowned pianist?


How about training to be a National Team swimmer?


Be a tiger tamer and travel with the circus?


Be a railway transport tycoon?


Have green fingers and be a botanist?


It would bring children great joy to visit any theme park. So, shall I just build a theme park and call it 'Happy World'?


That's one small step for Man, one giant leap for Mankind. So, fly me to the moon cos I wanna be an astronaut!


A dog trainer for the Central Narcotics Bureau--but those dogs are HUGE!


Be part of the engineering team for Sentosa Express?


Just marry a prince to be a princess and live in a palace. Then appear on balconies to do a royal wave once in a while to appease the taxpayers...


Be an explorer, go on an expedition to the Arctic and see the polar bears!


Be the CEO of a broadcasting corporation and set up a 'Cartoon Network' like channel


But my ultimate ambition is to be a teleco magnate. Cheers to the $$ rolling in from all your yakking, texting and ringtones download. MUAHAHAHA!

P/S Yes, if you haven't noticed, all those shots are of me, the young Ivy. =)

Cakes and Candles

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Yea, I am officially 1 year older as of today! I have been feeling old since I was twelve, so I didn’t exactly experience a pang of sadness with the passing of another year. But still, this is the phase in which young adults get hit by what is termed as the ‘quarter-life crisis’ and start habouring a sense of uncertainty, self doubt and question one’s existence and purpose in life. Nah…enough of the depression-inducing stuff.
(*Jumps around in a mad-capped fashion and waves arms crazily*)
First one to drop me a birthday greeting was Soh Teng. Thank you my bestest gal pal! It really warms my heart, especially when it’s you, the one with the busiest schedule, on the other end of the receiver.
Since today is a happy occasion, I shall put up a great video from Youtube (part of the Mr. Brown show). I was introduced to it by a rather enthusiastic Aileen. WATCH IT READERS! 100% satisfaction guaranteed! Hossan Leong is one great comedian—stage and screen actor. It’s a pity I did not get to train under him, during the short span of 2 years I was actively involved in amateurish theatrical productions. Nevertheless, Ivan Heng makes a great mentor, so, I am not complaining.
Hossan may be a 40 year old man, but he sure doesn’t look nor act the part. Definitely my source of inspiration.

Must-watch Video Clip:
We Live in Singapura by Hossan Leong


Some inspirational birthday quotations which I personally like:

“Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.” Michael Althsuler

“No wise man ever wished to be younger.” Jonathan Swift

“Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.” Unknown

“At the age of 20, we don't care what the world thinks of us; at 30, we worry about what it is thinking of us; at 40, we discover that it wasn't thinking of us at all.” Unknown

Some witty birthday quotations which I personally enjoy:
“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.” Robert Frost

“Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs.” Unknown.

“The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.” E. Joseph Cossman

BRAND NEW Xbox 360 Core System SALE!

In sealed, unopened, pristine condition.

Dear readers,
I am selling a brand new Xbox 360 Core System for SGD $380 or US $242. Recommended retail price is SGD$525. This is how it looks like:


The Actual Set for Sale (XBOX 360 Core System) + Cool Faceplate for your console!

Information:
1. Brand new, sealed condition.
2. Box set includes:
a) Console
b) Wired Controller
c) Composite AV Cable
d) Xbox Live Silver
3. Sale comes with a cool black racing faceplate worth $33.
4. Delivery of goods to your preferred location. Will ship internationally, but buyer will pay for actual shipping fee quoted by the postal company.
5. Local Singapore payment is cash upon delivery. International payment can be transferred via Paypal.
6. Please contact me via email at: ivyvictoriayeo@gmail.com or sms me at 91919266 for sales-related enquires/ information.

In brief, this Xbox 360 Core System delivers the same powerful gaming as Xbox 360 but starts with the basics and lets you expand at your own pace. It’s everything you need to hit the ground running. Plug in the console and the controller and you're playing. Then decide what extras you add—it's expandable to the full Xbox 360 experience.


The console and the controller (picture provided by the Xbox website--since I did not open my set)

You can go to this website for more information:
http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/hardware/xbox360/xbox360customize.htm

Serendipitous September

Spectacular Autumn Scenery

September has always been a special month for me. Apart from the obvious reason that I made my grand entrance into the universe one fine day in September, I like the emotions that this month evokes. It is a time when the sweltering heat of summer beats a reluctant retreat and fall descends upon the Earth quietly, washing the land with a beautiful kaleidoscope of vibrant colours. Autumn now sits confidently on the throne, and it rules not with the showiness of spring, the haughtiness of summer nor the icy-ness of winter. Autumn rules with the sagaciousness of a wise king, knowing how to bless his land richly and make the lives of his people comfortable. He assumes his guardianship upon the land and knows when to abdicate his position to the Snow Queen in due time, only to return to power when Nature tasks him his responsibility for the year once again.
Well, how can one tell the return of the King in our tropical climate? Try recalling 31 August, a day when the skies poured relentlessly, to drive away the oppressive Summer tyrant and cleanse the dusty path for the entrance of a new benevolent ruler. Regal September enters, and it’s a wonderfully splendid start for 3 months of golden reign ahead.

More pictures of the fall season

Kaleidoscope of vibrant colours

Daily Trivia:
Autumn (also known as Fall in North American English) is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition from summer into winter. In the temperate zones, autumn is the season during which most crops are harvested.
Astronomically, it begins with the autumnal equinox (around September 23 in the Northern hemisphere, and March 21 in the Southern hemisphere), and ends with the winter solstice (around December 21 in the Northern hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern hemisphere). However, meteorologists count the entire months of March, April and May in the Southern hemisphere, and September, October and November in the Northern hemisphere as autumn.