elin

Packed to the max

2009-12-11T01:52:09Z

Seriously packed weekend coming up:

Fri evening: Christmas Ball (company)

Sat morning: Wedding
Sat evening: Dinner with French friends
Sat night: Drop by Media gang gathering in time for dessert/cake cutting

Sun morning: *crosses fingers* Run
Sun afternoon: Late-ish lunch with F (loads of catching up)
Sun evening: BBQ with J's BLE group

And need to do some work in between everything (recruitment interviews on Mon so hopefully, NOT hungover!).

I can so feel the weight gain, dull skin and tiredness ALREADY!

But of course, 'tis the season to be jolly ;)

ourtravelations.com

2009-12-07T03:21:58Z

Just a quick note to say, for those of you who are interested, you can read about J and my travels at ourtravelations.com

It is a work in progress, so we welcome all your feedback. Thank you in advance!

:)

Yoga re-introduction

2009-12-07T01:23:23Z

First time to Yoga in about two weeks and I can't wait.

We are going for a Yin class to re-introduce ourselves to practice again.

I really can't wait to be a regular at the studio once more.

New chapter

2009-11-30T06:49:24Z

Today is officially the last day that we can legally enter our home :(

The apartment goes to a new owner tomorrow.

I will miss it so. It's our first home together. And from all the packing, selling, moving and more packing we've done over the past three to four days, we have made it home.

Well, guess we really shouldn't hold on to material things.

But for just one more evening, I shall clean my beloved flat one last time - for the handover.
I hope the new owner will have the very best memories there!

Sunshiney

2009-11-20T18:29:18Z

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Will I win something?

2009-11-04T14:15:48Z

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Polarize!

2009-10-31T04:17:44Z

I may be addicted to the Polarize app haha!

Cookie decorating fun

2009-10-20T02:31:11Z

I had such an eye-opening and fun afternoon on Sunday, post-quickie cruise with the family.

At first, I thought I couldn't make the 3pm class at Mong's, but realised the day before that we dock at HarbourFront at noon - hurray!

Three of my creations (notice the clumsy spill?)

Together with riendel , I learnt how to make, tint and thin royal icing, outline and fill (I mean flood! (in cookie speak) ) a cookie with the icing, work with fondant and using it to decorate a cookie.

It was so fun, especially when done with a friend!
The designs one can churn out are limitless and creativity reigns.

It was a nice break :)

The texture of the fondant used for the cone was made using clay modelling tools!

We used a mixture of fondant and royal icing - need to roll a thicker fondant

Green blooms

2009-10-18T15:33:54Z

This makes me happy, somehow.

(Taken at Pam's place in Tassie!)

Parcelled cod in the oven

2009-10-18T14:49:40Z

Baked an extremely simple Japanese-influenced cod in the oven today for dinner.

Just had to eat healthier after our junky-food-filled cruise with the family.

Mount K adventure (Part 2)

2009-09-17T14:37:28Z

Part 1 of the Mount K adventure ended with us staying the night at Laban Rata.

More specifically, we overnighted at the Gunting Ladangan dorm - where there was no heater and we were very very cold...

Getting ready for the summit climb, at 2.30am

I don't know about the rest, but I almost didn't sleep a wink that night that we stayed over at the dorms. It wasn't the dorm itself, which was very cramped, but basic and clean. The operators provided sheets, two pillows and two blankets, which eventually kept me just warm enough. It also wasn't because somehow, my feet took a loooong time to warm up (probably didn't help that I took a shower in freezing cold water and with my kind of luck, in the dark, because the lights went off) and the roof leaked after a while because of the heavy rain. Drip drip drip drip - you get the idea.

I couldn't sleep mainly because there were so many inconsiderate people around. Although there were only four of us in our room of two bunk beds, I felt like I was in a hall with loads of excited kids or something. Many of our fellow travelers just could not stop yakking. And believe me, they talked loudly and stomped along the hallway equally loudly too. This, despite notices asking people to tone down after 9pm.

Obviously, many of them there that night have not had much community living experience.

Nearly there - the last marker before the summit marker

We started our climb at 3am. We climbed in total darkness with the help of headlamps. Somehow, the darkness made the climb feel a lot safer. We were more focused - I mean, you have to be if you can't really see very far! - and therefore, faster, I feel. We traversed a few tricky ropes courses, climbed a few sections on our hands and knees and thankfully, quite easily strolled up a few gentle slopes. It was only when we descended in broad daylight that we wondered, "How the hell did I manage to get up there?"

Notice the change in landscape and vegetation? Previously, we walked through lush forests, fern valleys and nepenthes (pitcher plant) gardens and enjoyed the cool misty air that was still quite damp. During our summit climb, the air was a lot thinner, but crisp and clear. Whatever little vegetation there was were mainly shrubs and other bristly, hardy plants. Rock faces dominated and they were magnificent in their structures.

Climbers approaching the summit as the sun rises

Yay! We made it!

For me, the summit was a bit of an anti-climax. The tiny area up there could only take about six people max and only about three people could safely crowd around the signboards to take pictures. But I was very relieved and happy that we successfully bagged this summit. We made it at about 6am.

All in all, a really worthwhile adventure!

Yogathon?

2009-09-16T14:45:57Z

I have now Yoga-ed for three evenings straight.

I should really be running more. But my body craves the challenge and peace of a nice, consistent practice.

I wonder now if my body knows that I'm attempting a marathon, not a yogathon.

Home-cooked goodies

2009-09-14T15:21:57Z

I love it when I go home to visit and my mum plies me with home-cooked goodies.

Last evening, I received chicken rendang and sambal petai - cooked the day before and nicely frozen, ready to go home with me.

Now, I only need to make me some nice, fluffy rice and heat up the goodies!

Tomorrow maybe?

Library

2009-09-12T05:23:21Z

Lately I've rediscovered the library.

Or rather, the library's excellent reservation system.

I don't actually have to go and physically search for the books I want - just go online and reserve them for $1.50 each.
When it's time for pick-up, an SMS would be sent to me and I just drop by my specified branch to collect.
And now, the first renewal is free!

Fantastic!

Tolerance

2009-09-08T16:50:24Z

Oh before I go, just wanted to share a thought.

This evening, while running like a hamster on the treadmill at my condo gym, I was struck by how grateful I am to be living in Singapore and in this largely, tolerant and moderate region.

As I looked out of the window in front of me, I saw a bunch of kids running by - likely engaged in one of their mock war scenarios.

(The kids in my condo are great. They come up with all these funny, imaginary games to amuse themselves all the time. One of them involves breaking up into groups and "fighting" each other.)

In this group, carrying toy guns no less, were an Ang Moh boy, an Indian girl and a Chinese lad. All were aged between six and 10.

I was struck by this visual example of racial tolerance and open-heartedness.

I was a very very happy and fortunate witness of this blessing tonight.

Mount K adventure (Part 1)

2009-09-08T16:05:56Z

Climbing a mountain is akin to running a marathon I suppose.

Not that I really know, but at least from what my marathoner-friends tell me, it is an addictive activity. Upon crossing the finish line, they usually swore the just-completed run would be the last marathon they ever did. Yet, when sign-up time comes again the next year, they gamely register again. All pain and suffering forgotten by then.

With climbing, it's the same thing.

While I was trekking, I was cursing and swearing inwardly that I would never do it again, but once I had gotten some rest (at Laban Rata, the three-quarter mark) and again at the end of the trip, I contemplated how I would tackle the route in the future. Perhaps tackle, I hasten to qualify. But hey, the idea is there.

Many guidebooks and tourist brochures proclaim Mount Kinabalu to be "an easy, two-day, one-night adventure".

To a certain extent, they are right, but the word "easy" is subjective.

While many people can do this climb unscathed, I would recommend some light training just to make the climb a smoother one. Assuming you’re someone who doesn’t exercise regularly, you could add a brisk walk session or two to your weekly activities, take up some light jogging or start on a stair-climbing regime. The point is to get used to physical activity again, and of course, get fitter.

J and I travelled with two of our friends and we had variable degrees of fitness among those in our group.

V, who was totally clueless and just basically left all the planning to us, was shocked by what he thought would have been a “walk in the park”. Although he complained incessantly about the pain and the effect of the long trek on his knee, he was nevertheless pleased with the wonderful views we had and the experience. He just won’t do it again, that’s all. Or so, he claimed.

LC, being an employee of an adventure learning company, obviously was looking forward to the climb. I think our Mount K adventure was the main reason she came on the trip, since she had already dove in Sipadan before (our other stop during our Sabah trip).

J, the experienced and might I add, crazy, one among us, was on his sophomore effort. We all wondered why he would endure the Mesilau track and the dreaded Timpohon downhill (in my opinion, the downhill killed my knees more than the uphill did) again. See what I mean by mountain addiction?

And of course, there was yours truly. Not being a great fan of hiking or of mountains, I went along well, because it’s a new experience and well, why not climb a mountain while I'm in Sabah.

Here's a pictorial view of our Mount K adventure (all photos courtesy of J):

View of Mount K from the HQ

Nepenthes Lodge living room

Our adventure started at the Kinabalu Park HQ where we checked into the surprisingly luxurious (by our standards) Nepenthes Lodge. It came with its own fireplace! With the temperature hovering around 15 degree C, V commented that it felt like we were in a Swiss lodge, if you discount the Asian view.

The boys' room

The girls' room

Part of the Mesilau trail

We decided to be adventurous and took the more challenging Mesilau trail. It was more rewarding though. As we worked through uphills and downhills, we pass through fern valleys, orchid-hosting trees, moss carpets of different textures and colours, and during many of our rest stops, had the company of friendly squirrels. The usual trail which many tourists take is the Timpohon trail which is shorter and faster, but less scenic. We took this route down during our journey back to the HQ.

Lovely flowers along the trail

Wonderful view along the ridge, at the 5km mark

Sunset at Laban Rata

At the end of our eight-hour trek, we were obviously so very relieved to reach the three-quarter mark of Laban Rata. We would spend the night there before making the summit the next morning (3am start!). By then, we were exhausted and wet - we had encountered several periodic showers, a phenomenon typical of the mountain. My RM6 disposable poncho, I dare say, is the best few bucks I've spent in a long time.

We had dinner and proceeded to our dorm for the night. LC was asleep before 8pm as she had some altitude sickness. The rest of us followed suit not much later.

[To be continued tomorrow as I also now need to get to bed! Will need to share (read: whine) about the dorm as it was nowhere near the Nepenthes Lodge standards haha!]

Bringing Home The Birkin

2009-09-07T04:16:59Z

Of late, I have been frantically reading Michael Tonello's super-fascinating Bringing Home The Birkin.

I say frantic because I can't renew the book at the library after three weeks as there's a reservation queue for it plus the book's just simply too interesting to put down.

Tonello chronicles his adventures as an eBay guru reselling the much coveted Hermes Birkin (and other Hermes items). Laugh as he tells of his adventures driving across borders to get his goods, cringe as he decribes some of his difficult encounters and wonder in amazement at the insatiable appetite of some women for luxury goods.

And if you're an eBay fan or want some easy-to-read tips on doing business on eBay, Tonello isn't selfish about sharing. He does give a worthwhile tip or two.

If you love Birkins and Hermes in general, you must add this to your reading list.

The Cove

2009-09-06T15:24:19Z

We watched The Cove today and I came away sad and confused.

This award-winning docu-film tells the story of the atrocities in a heavily-guarded, almost mysterious cove in Taiji, Japan. It is here that the fishermen of Taiji slaughter thousands of dolphins from September to March each year.

Ric O'Barry, the original dolphin trainer who made Flipper - and other cetaceans - popular as entertainers at theme parks in the 1960s, is on a mission to redeem himself. It is he who's the main protaganist in the film. Of course, he is helped by an Ocean's Eleven-like team of activists, including world record-breaking freedivers, who are all keen to expose the senseless slayings.

Primarily, the Japanese fishermen herd these dolphins into a bay and offer the first pick to dolphin trainers and "resellers". The latter can sell each one of these creatures for tens of thousands of dollars, mainly to marine parks and amusement centres.

The fate of those who don't make the cut is horrible - they are herded into the said Cove and massacred.

Now, I'm not a particular champion of dolphins, but the men in the film have an almost obsessive grudge against these creatures that I cannot fathom. There's no demand for their meat by the Japanese public, which by the way, has very high and unhealthy levels of mercury. And there is no demand from industry for any other part of a dead dolphin. Yet, these men are just spearing and spearing and spearing these helpless creatures. They don't spare a single one.

How they can sleep at night is beyond me. I know I will not forget how the greyish-blue waters of the Cove was dyed a bright and intense crimson after the men were done.

One of the reviews I read online said: "... this is the reason films are made..."

I agree.

Holiday find - KK Polo bun

2009-09-01T16:04:30Z

We've been back from our holiday for a week now and boy, has it been hectic!

I've just downloaded most of the photos from our trip to Perth, Tasmania and Sabah (Mount K, Mabul and Sipadan). Sounds spoiled I know, but hey, that's the beauty of great friends and hosts, really affordable budget airfares and some lucky breaks on deals.

And boy did we really need the two-week break! I'm back recharged, refocused and rebalanced.

More pictures to come but here's one of my favourites - J's shot of some piping hot, super fresh and fluffy Polo buns (Pineapple buns) we came across at a really old-skool kopitiam in KK (Kota Kinabalu). We bought some to try after lunch on our first day in KK, en-route to Kinabalu Park. They were great!

Believe me, we were all dreaming of the crumbly bun and its sweet, slightly thick, pineapple jam filling while walking the eight-hour Mesilau trail the next day. Of course we went back for more on our return trip via KK!

Aaah, the simple joys in life!

My first individual tri!

2009-08-03T16:06:20Z

On the bike at Osim 2009 (Sprint)

Erm, does anyone want to buy 4D?

I did it! :) I completed my first triathlon all on my own - the Osim Sprint over the weekend (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).

Had loads of fun, (quite) a bit of pain, many lessons learnt and a lot of thoughts in my head. But most of all, somehow, I didn't use-up my "determination quota" on the race. Instead, I think I'm now even more determined - to beat my 2:00:01 timing of course!

Will write all my reflections down, but not tonight. I leave you with two more photos taken by my most enthusiastic supporter, Jeff. Thank you for being there; not only at Osim but during many of my trainings, especially the early Sunday-morning ones.

Checking my bike in to T1

All smiles before the flag-off

Glassful of Roses update

2009-07-29T10:32:11Z

Update 28 July 2009

Check out what some backstitching can do to a piece. Amazing!

I'm looking forward to completing this soon hopefully! And starting on my big piece.

Meanwhile, I'll be parking my stitching stuff and updates here.

Banksy and Xstitch

2009-07-20T04:09:58Z

Now, who says cross-stitch is dull?
Check out this Banksy-inspired urban cross-stitch piece!

(And these cool Twitter ones!)

Own Time Own Target

2009-07-15T13:34:01Z

We're going to watch Own Time Own Target, the play, this weekend.

It's been such a long time since we caught a play - I'm excited!

Anyone's caught this yet? Any good?

Xstitch progress

2009-06-29T16:41:25Z

It was like this before.

A little bit more to go!

Randoms

2009-06-24T03:50:29Z

I never thought I'd say this but I really liked this particular Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix we saw at a Holland Village pet shop yesterday.

It was fluffy and adorable, curious and cautious all at the same time.

I still want a Daschund though.

*****

I have been pretty inspired lately by some stories I've read, films I've watched and people I've had conversations with - but none at work, sadly.

*****

I really want to go to Club Med Cherating for various reasons: (a) I've never been to a Club Med before and the Cherating one is rated higher than the Bintan one (b) It's next to a turtle sanctuary (c) I've only been to that part of Malaysia once (d) I just want to chill.

*****

I realise I haven't been updating lenscape.livejournal.com for eons. I think I must go practise my photography again.