Dandelion-Clock

Thought of the day: Call in sick…

2011-11-03T13:00:00.006+10:00

Sighh… I am not so productive at work. All I want to do is dancing around underneath the sunshine with Mr D, it feels so much like a perfect Sunday… And yet again, I have so much work to do >_<

Can We Shall We Valentines lasercut by Rob Ryan, get it from here.

Little Foxy

2011-11-03T12:45:00.002+10:00

Harrow! meet Monya. She is Japanese Spitz. She can jump… so high!! you'll be amazed when you met her. She loves belly rub so much that she will try to flip her belly for you to rub… even in awkward position. She is Mr D's baby girl… well used to be… I won't be able to see her again… sobs… sobs… I miss hugging her.

This brooch remind me of her :D Get it from Kimono Reincarnate.

Btw, Finders Keepers Market is on this week!!!! check the details here

Thought of the day: Love is in the air

2011-09-30T09:10:00.003+10:00

Ha ha… I am being bias today though… I had nice little time with Mr. D on the other day. But yesterday, a cute guy from the gym asked for my phone number. He is my friend's friend (so not just random guy). We went out had gellato after exercise >_< hohoho…

Merry Friday!

I slept in this morning and late for work… It feels a lot like weekend >_< work are slowww

Illustrations by Allan Peters

Finally, I enjoy my solitude

2011-09-20T21:35:00.003+10:00

There's a big smile on my face. I have never felt this for awhile… that I could just stay still, relax and my mind at peace. I don't feel lonely… I don't have that anxious feeling anymore.

I realised that I may be have been running away… running away from my emotional mind. I kept dissapointment to just sink in through my busyness… dancing all night, exercise, running around, doing hundred things… 'i just don't think about it…' Some problem fixed by them selves — Don't you agree?? But some problems seem just pilling up. And I don't realised that until recently.

So I figured it out what it was… and I am braved enough to let it go… (yes, for once again)

Today, I am just happy where I am… savoured my freedom and solitude :)

I have this strong feeling of connections between my family and my friends. Even though, they are not physically near me but they are in my heart and in my mind — is this what they called spiritual connections?? Or maybe this happened because of Mr. D existence… He is my sweet little hope. His foolness act towards his own feelings reminded of old self, that I yearn so much… I really wish I could have such emotion once more. He smitten me a bit.

I made fun of him the other day, when he looked at me seriously that he is about to burst into something else. He confessed his love to me, which I think it’s so much ala twilight :P it made me laugh so hard… I think I am dating a boy -_-"

Am I falling for him?

Thought of the day: to be happy

2011-09-15T09:49:00.002+10:00

My mind is emotionally cluttered… ( I know, what I said even doesn't make any sense) At least, I need to believe on my self to be happy, and I shall be :)

Focus on happy, focus on happy, focus on happy. These beautifully imperfect concentric circles make clear what you should be worried about - Happy! Focus on happy is sized to fit nicely on your wrist area to so that it serves as a quickie, friendly reminder of what's important.

I need to have this temporary tattoo like a smoking patch. Get it from Tattly.

Happy Baking: Black forrest cake

2011-09-13T22:16:00.005+10:00

Looks good from the top, isn't? bit messy from a side :P I followed the recipe from Food Safari. It's more a traditional version. Do you know that Black Forrest Cake came from Germany. They would have the cakes with black coffee and yes, they pour in lots of kirsch (cherry brandy) into the cakes. The cake it self isn't soft sponge cakes. It's bit more solid like mud cake because you need it not to be soggy when you pour in the kirsch. It has layers of cake, cherry jam, whip cream, cake, chocolate mousse, cake, chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings which is the forrest^^

This is probably the most intensive labour cake that I've made so far. Took me a week to create this cake!!! Just because of my lacking of patisserie skills. I never knew that someone can fail making a whip cream!!! which I did, I whipped them too long and the cream was not cold anymore… so it turned into butter T_T I also thought making chocolate shavings is easy… I saw it once when Jamie Oliver did it… I followed his advice, but ermm… it doesn't work T_T Anyway, there's more drama involved in making this cake, but i think it's too embarrassing to tell.

Overall, it has been fun making the cakes — like making Kirsch cocktails at 9am in Saturday Morning ;)

Thoughts of the day: Love is best shared

2011-08-22T20:29:00.003+10:00

Cute :) via polkadotbride

Photography by Etta Photography

So here I am…

2011-08-16T21:26:00.004+10:00

"Life exists only at this very moment, and in this moment it is infinite and eternal. For the present moment is infinitely small; before we can measure it, it has gone, and yet it exists forever. . . . You may believe yourself out of harmony with life and its eternal Now; but you cannot be, for you are life and exist Now."— from Become What You Are, Alan Watts

I know I have been gone for awhile… life has been good… I guess life just simply passed by if I haven't really written anything… I guess some parts are dissapointment from unexpectable expectations… or some just so so… But in turns of time, you would somehow realised things happen for a reason. Things that you regrets become something that you thank for…

Here I am still in my current job, small design studio with team of five. I awalys dream to work in small design firm, as a key member… so here I am not realising that I am living it and yet, was trying to pursue another dream that I made when my earlier dream was unfullfiled… Sounds complicated?? It was my first dream, why did I get it on later time… when I was about to forget about it…

Or why didn't I get the job in Sydney, when it turned out that 'he' finally got his job offered in Sydney few months later… Our gravity has changed between us, between me and him… or that at least what I feel… he seems burried with his job and his new prospect job in Sydney…

But I admit, there's a new man in my life… funny things, it might sounds naive of me. It started as nothing, as usual he has never care who I am seeing for dinner… as in the end, he always be the one. Until now, which I don't expected my self, this person has somewhat become on my mind quite regular. He makes me laugh a lot, he act very casual yet quite a chivalry… beyond his messy hair and slacking choice of clothing, he is a fine gentleman :) and a good cook. I guess he shakes my heart a bit…

You never know where life takes you, hey…

I am rethinking my comittment with few different things. It's time for a change. I am going to try different places, I need new challenges, new prespective. In fact, I've been going to Christian Church, signing up new dancing class, going to try rock climbing this month and yes, seeing a new man (he still need to put into the test ;)

Beneful Bark in the Park = Dog lover's Paradise

2011-06-01T22:29:00.007+10:00

The first time I walked into the park… I saw so many dogs already. Then, I realised there was a dog sniffing me from behind… 'I have not seen so many dogs before!!!' I went to Beneful Bark in the Park with my cousin, to join my sister and her puppy. It's not like you can't come to the event if you don't have any dogs… but seriously it would be rather weird, won't it??! :P

Many of my friends complaint for not asking them to come with me… but I told them,'Well, you guys don't have any dogs.' They did pointed out that neither do I. But with proudly I said 'my sister has a puppy, and she asked my company.' :D

It was such a splendid day, the weather was good :) Definitely will go there again next year, even though I don't have any dogs… it's trully dog lover's paradise! You can pet any dogs as much as you like… then take photos, pretend like you owned them… ohhh, I guess try not to be that obvious… hehehe…

My highlights would be meeting up with the Great Dane. OMFG, they are huge! I mean really hugeee… they said they can be weight about 45-56 kg 0_0 ohhh, even heavier than me. They are very gentle and elegant dog. Their furr are smoothhhh… It feels to me more like a horse than a dog. Gosh, I can ride them… (oh, I mean when im smaller… wohoo pony ride!!). Black Caviar would be a good name if I have one Great Dane.

Second highlight is when I met with Kesha, a black and white bull terrier dog. Gosh, I love bull terrier. They are my favourite dog. They are very unique. I am quite sad when people said they are a dangerous dog. Kesha was very gentle, she is super sweet. Well, I could tell they are pretty powerfull dog even though they are in medium size. I am thinking to have one Bull Terrier, but after researching… it is maybe wise not to have them, as they could quite fed up with my attitude as an owner (well, apparently I like to tease and bully my own dog… not abusing them ofcourse).

I also met with gorgeously sable Pembroke Welsh Corgi… sigh he is so cute, like a little fox :P Nah, i really don't mind having a Corgi one day… sigh… (yeah, at the same time I am browsing online at pupsonline.com).

In the end of the day, momo chan is still the super star… We left her alone at my house for grocery shopping and dinner after that… I was so worried that she would tear appart my house and peeing everywhere… you know what?! She was being a good girl :)

What is your favourite dogs? Any dogs that would you recommend me to keep as pet?

Happy long weekend everyone

2011-04-21T10:58:00.004+10:00

YAYYY! long weekend is just few hours awayyy… I am excited!!!

The weather looking really fantastic. Camping and road trip would be nice to do… since many places will be closed during Easter. I hope everyone enjoy the long break whatever you're going to do. For me, I am gonna spend my last few days with my parents.

Happy Easter!!! just in case if I don't manage to post anything on the weekend… and tell me how many chocolates did you have ;)

Meet Momo-chan

2011-03-23T10:04:00.008+10:00

Isn't she adorable? :)

She is my sister new puppy. Her name is Momo, means Peach in Japanese. She is about 2 months old. Momo-chan is a Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Miniature Poodle). At the moment, she loves to bite and chew… pretty much anything… sigh… Her favorites would be her soft toys, 'moto-moto (the grey hipo)' and 'chicken!' and people hands and anything from fabrics.

If you observed her closely on her habit, sometimes she is look like a kitten than a puppy. She loves playing with strings, like a cat does… she would move around her paw to catch it… or even jumping around like a cat 'or even like a bunny'. She is kinda unique in her own way. From my experienced from having two dogs, I have never seen a puppy like her. Mind you, she used to live with cats before we bought her. There is a chance that she mistakenly copied the cat habit instead of her own mom.

I couldn't resist just spending my weekend with her (and catching up with my sister). I was actually going for social dancing but ended up taking an afternoon nap with Momo-chan. It was a relaxing Sunday^^

Sighh… I missed her already…

The photos were taken by my housemate when Momo-chan visited my house :P (she is good with travelling). She did pee on my carpet!!! she is not quite toilet trained yet.

Sorry

2011-03-03T10:55:00.002+10:00

Day 32: Coffee That Always Late, originally uploaded by ILoveDoodle.

Yea sorry, I've been gone far too long.

And yet, until now I haven't bought a new camera. This will be my second excuse why I haven't been posting. I am back… I am really back this time :P

Do you know? I am a latte person… I've been drinking coffee, I can't live without a coffee in a week. It's funny how a person can change… I used to say 'no, I don't drink coffee.' :P ps: I am drinking coffee while writting this ehehhe…

Here is an interesting reading about coffee place in HK: Hong Kong's Hidden Coffee Shops.

Lazy Holiday

2011-01-03T13:57:00.008+10:00

Fuahhh… I spent my last two days sleeping… napping and more sleeping. The weather has been so hot and humid. It was a perfect day to go to Gold Coast… but somehow I was too lazy and too sleepy to drive down there. And I had too many house chores to do, from ironing, washing, ironing and cleaning up the house. The sunny day was perfect for doing all my laundry :P Not to forget that there was only $11 left on my savings T_T bohooo… I guess my salary transferred got delayed from all the public holidays.

So that was it, my holiday end yesterday… here I am at work. Traffic was so so empty this morning, I could say you can drive while half asleep (no breaking required). I reached work 20 minutes early…

The Christmas holiday filled with lots of rain and staying home. I went out with friends to have KTV, watching movie Tangled, lots of playing wii Just Dance 2 to compensate the lacking of dancing and lots of eating. I didn't do any cooking or baking except for the Christmas lunch. We had so much left overs… till we all get so sick eating meat… and dessert. We didn't eat rice for nearly two weeks more in a row (it made me realised that I am still Asian)… I just couldn't bare looking at potato anymore. And yet, my lunch today would be meat loaf left overs with potato and gravy… sigh…

Me and my friends hang out at my house during NYE, we all had fun playing wii… seriously I really recommend to buy Just Dance 2, it's so much fun and good for exercise. Funny things is, I haven't even think about New Years Resolution yet. Few days ago, I got together with an old 'friend' … we did something really naughty… that relates with car. To think about it, maybe it would be one of my New Year Resolutions that I promise I won't falling for him again… again… again… Sigh…

How was your Christmas break everyone? Did you get anything special this year? How was your NYE celebration? Anyway, hope everyone will have an exciting 2011!!!

Cate Maddy

2011-01-03T11:35:00.004+10:00

Cate Maddy, Pale Entourage, oil, acrylic and pen on canvas, 152 x 122cm, 2010

Cate Maddy, Only the Poppies are Given Light, oil and acrylic on canvas, 152 x 122cm, 2010

These paintings are translations of my readings and explorations of nature, of mapping its formations and abstracting what I feel to be the ‘essence’ of a particular moment. The work aims to create a dialogue between silences and spaces and the landscape of shapes and shadows to create a metaphorical language through colour and form which although derived from the natural world, hints at many different meanings. In the distillation of shapes we see figurative elements, but at the same time recognize a more universal emotional world of memory, death, love nurture and ecstasy.

My work looks at a world driven by contradictions where consumerism and environmental awareness compete and the presence of man seems impossible to evade.

Painting enables me to contemplate my complex environment, including natural and constructed, social, cultural and emotional in an expression of limitation and the limitless. Symbolizing our personal choices of what we include in our lives, our ability to exorcise the way we view life and our need for drama and exaggeration.

So I have fallen in love with Cate Maddy Paintings when I was browsing around the net to find any art exhibition that I could visit during the holiday. The more I look into it, the more I wanted to have it on my own lounge. So I contact the gallery for enquiry the price. It turned out it was exhibit down in Melbourne, at Harrison Galleries.

The lady replied back to me with the price, and also mentioned that they could arrange for delivery to Brisbane. I've never buy any paintings before since I've been waiting for right one. I know the price would be quite dear. As I excepected, the price is around $3000 to $4000 AUD. It's quite a lot amount of money for a painting but I think it's a decent price. It just really doesn't fit my single low-paid designer salary.

It's sad really… I really just can't afford it T_T Now, trying to remember to my recent visit to Bali. I actually meet an artist that suits my taste. At that time, we think his price offer was already quite dear. We just never deal with buying paintings, so we just look around and left. To think about it the price in comparison, I should just bought that paintings in Ubud, Bali. Sigh…

My sister big day

2010-12-05T15:26:00.007+10:00

We are really thankful that the wedding went smoothly.

The venue, Tirtha Ulluwatu it just such a lovely place by it self. It is no doubt that Tirtha Ulluwatu is on the third list of the best wedding venue in Bali. An open sea is sitting as the background of the chapel. The place is owned by Japanese. You could see some of the Japanese architectural and simplicity around the places. Even on the flowers arrangements, are very minimalist. It's very ikebana style. I also noticed the shoji (sliding door). The food was really really nice, it's unique in each way. Even though it was buffet, but it just not like what you would have normally at Jakarta wedding receptions, even if they are in 5 stars hotels.

The whole atmosphere was just nice. Except the party ended pretty early as we couldn't stand with the heat anymore, especially the boys. It was just so humid all the time at Bali. But I guess it's better than raining. We all had a good time.

The funny part is the bride was joining the after party (which was drinking wine beside the pool area) since the groom just collapse to the bed. Well, we glad that he actually made it through the wedding since he was having a fever on that wedding day. I must say everyone got sick in Bali.

Even the bride, she got her foot bitten by black ants and got her foot swollen. We were worried so much that she couldn't even walk the aisle. The day before the wedding her foot still swollen so big that couldn't even fit into the wedding shoes.

Oh, I forgot to mention that back in Brisbane when we had to check in the flight, I realised I only had my old passport with me. So I had to rush back home to get it. Luckily I made it in time. It was my first experience! I don't think I am that careless, but it did happen.

What was your worst experience in wedding party? Have you ever embarrased your self because you had too much to drink? Luckily, my sister wedding was non-alcoholic party :P

ps: more photos at FB.

Hulla…

2010-11-12T08:15:00.003+10:00

Exciting day ahead!!! Counting down for my trip to Bali for my sister wedding. I promise I'll post everything and exciting things happened a month before. Especially the bridal shower party! We had high tea at Mt. Tamborine (an hour drive from Brisbane).

Hope everyone is well

it's that time of year again…

2010-10-21T23:13:00.003+10:00

Unexpectedly, I bumped to him today… I think I was completely blank for awhile. He is not that kind of guy who will walk around during late night shopping. Well, neither am I. I have not been doing any late night shopping for ages since I focusing on dancing.

He look skinnier but much more alive than ever :) It’s a great thing to know that he is gradually become much more normal. I think when I met him… he tend to loose him self… looking tired and having so much things on his mind.

And now, I look my self in the mirror and it seems I am living on his past live. He even said that I look tired…

Unconsciously, I tend to hold his hand… realising that it wasn’t appropriate, I let it go. I couldn’t bare looking through to his eyes… Silly me, I thought…

You know what, I would chase him and giving him a big hug if I could. I missed him that much… but then I think I am just so afraid to waking up from the truth that he just won’t see me as he used to anymore… there won’t be any me left through his eyes.

~~I still in with love him.~~

~~Much…~~

There… there I said it… after all this years.

Cute guy

2010-10-13T22:19:00.003+10:00

It's my type, drools… Oh, just wanna drop by and say that… Threadless is having a sale! $10 each.

I'm inspired by: Birkenstock print campaign

2010-08-09T22:49:00.003+10:00

It's surely inspiring for my recent projects which is designing an event campaign with contemporary Japanese/Asian theme :P

Designed by San Fransisco based – Duncan/Channon's (wow, they surely have grown. I remember visited their website three years ago when they just got started).

via Communication Arts

Calm homes breed happy people

2010-08-09T22:38:00.001+10:00

"… Many people in the country who work really hard, their home turns into a little dumping ground, and they’re always running late or losing things, they don’t invite friends over. If your home is feeling like that, what you want from your life and relationships is going to suffer, because your foundation is not strong.

The home is the only space we have that is our own, that we can control. It’s very important for people in this day and age to have that sense of control in their life, and if it’s going to be anywhere, it’s going to be in the home."

Very interesting reading, a short interview with Apartment Theraphy founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. Please continue reading from here.

I trully miss you…

2010-08-05T23:12:00.004+10:00

I really miss blogging… But, everyday is a rush… if I have time to relax, my brain just couldn't even spell a word. There are always paper works stuff to organise too at home… I've been lacking in sleep, waking up to work late… There have been quite a lot of activities to do after work: more dance practice, bday dinner to attend, catch up with sister and friends, movie premier to attend… no, I haven't been home much. I reach home around 10pm ish everyday and leave home to work about 7am. So do the math how much I take my rest everyday.

Hope you all will have a lovely weekend. I am off to Ekka this Saturday!!!! You're welcome to give me a buzz if you want to join. Strawberry Ice Cream, here I come!!!!!

For weekend reading, for designer and non-designer should definitely read this: Meet Your Type: a field guide to typography.

Baby Porcupine by Sharon Montrose via the animal print shop

Don't worry I'm still here, love…

2010-07-12T22:55:00.005+10:00

Hello, as you can see I am doing perfectly fine… still surviving with the new job and surviving driving on the road :P Except, I might catching some cold again >_< hopefully I won't.

Apologise for my long gone, I found it hard to spare a time to sit down and pour in things on my blogs. Things are getting really busy. Getting a driver license makes a big difference in my life. It is one of my accomplishment and I am really proud of my self. Did I tell you that I passed my test on the first time and it's manual!!! (none of my gf did, seriously none of my friends would expect that I would pass… ohh such a friend, right?!!) Well, I am still not the safest driver yet, still lots of things on the road that I need to smooth up bit… I used to be so stressed out after driving… now, this past few days, I tend to relax more and speeding a bit more :P

Finally, my sister moving out from my place… feels like she's move out from my life. She tend to drive my life bit too much… I don't how to explain it yet, I kinda miss her in a sense… since she always looks for me and be home when I get back home, nags me in everyway, prepares my lunch and buys my grocery list. It's funny that when she's now gone, I tend to stay home more.

I guess life is quite steady :) My new housemate getting along well. We even watch Master Chef together while having dinner. Last weekend, we drank wine together and just talked… it was till around 3am (mind you, we started at midnight).

Bf? I don't need one… I am not gonna try or look… eventually it will come when the times come. Oh, did I mentioned I often go out for Salsa dancing every weekend? There was a cute guy the other nite ;) I am just happy checking around LOL

I am still planning to keep the blog, just to make sure I am not loosing track of my own life too. I just might post less during this month.
taa…

Tiny

2010-06-26T11:05:00.001+10:00

I am eying on this one. Don't know why I keep fascinated by birds… I think it will go nicely on the wall with my Ushanka Duckling :P that I bought last year from Amber Alexander. Buy it from her Etsy store.

Go get it for me guys!!! please… please …

This is make me laugh

2010-06-25T23:54:00.004+10:00

Damn you, you meddling duck!!! via cuteoverload.

Back to Basics

2010-05-29T16:30:00.009+10:00

Couple weeks ago, I brave my self to do Life Drawing class. It was part of AGDA Back to Basics event. It's a really good course for an out of touch graphic designer for me :P I can't draw seriously… my drawing was very very rough. People say everyone has different style of drawings… but I just don't like my style!! why can't I draw something with smoother lines!!!

It was such a great class. I was having lots of fun. It brought up old memories too, since it was held at my old college :D When I was walking around the campus and peeking into the computer labs, I felt like I was still a student there. Old memories :) sigh…

Guess which one is my drawing? I think it's obvious right…

Mr Grumpy

2010-04-21T16:57:00.004+10:00

just one of those days by sydneybree featuring GAP shoes

Finally, I got in touch with my not yet bf… sigh… double sigh… seriously, I have not seen him since I went over to Sydney. It's a totall record. We did had some cute texting messages. but a week after that was a complete disaster. I even thought that he had fed up with me. His attitude has gone badly. I would prefer to call him Mr grumpy. He got really cranky all the time, for small little things. Sometimes, I even don't have a clue what makes him cranky -_-" sigh… sigh… (sounds like he got his PMS or somethin LOL). Now, I figure it out that I better let the man go to their caves (I should not need to worry if he has no news for a week).

I am gonna go find that t-shirt for him :)

Once upon a memory

2010-04-19T21:54:00.004+10:00

… that first meeting of our eyes –
excitement, fascination and surprise —
discovery, tenderness, touching —
squandering each second
of every stolen hour —
whisper secrets, midnight wine
and flowers —
doubts, distrust, jealousy
and fears,
making up with gifts and tears —
questions, quarrels and resentment
until at last
we do not care —
two bweldered strangers
standing in the ashes
of our love affair…

Nan Witcomb, Thoughts of Nanushka, Volume VII-XII

At last, everything all make sense that I could live by it. There's nothing more that I can do… I have gave it all up. Even though I don't want to, that everyday, every hour, every minute and seconds… I still think much of you. Or even when I am surrounded with many strangers, I see a lot of you in them.

The funny thing is I am not even mad for the decision that he has made. We don't need to hurt and blame each other. If we do meant each other, our faith isn't too apart away :) Hapiness is all I seek for now. Let my self move on through this bitter and wonderful journey called life…

Here I am

2010-04-19T21:12:00.003+10:00

Sorry for my long dissapearance. My mind had been so cloudy. I couldn't find a good topic to post it up on my blog. One thing for sure, it's much likely I've been suffering from insomnia… I was completely half asleep on last Friday at work. I repeatedly saying a nonesense word to my boss and realising it a minute later >_< and to put it up my excuse not having my morning coffee yet.

Soon enough (fingercross… with lots of optimism) I'll be driving (legally) a white swift manual. I recently got this swifty just a week ago. Seriously, I wasn't expecting I'll be getting a car this fast. But I just found my perfect match :D (and i'm so proud for able to purchase my first car with my own savings). I spent my Sunday afternoon shampooing my new car… I got my first lesson waxing car LOL it was exciting.

I went back to my first driving lesson after my last lesson that next week will be exact a year ago 0_0 Surprisingly, I still got it… just need to smooth things up a little bit :D

On down side, my modelling photoshoot got cancelled which supposed to be happening last weekend!!! Grrr… slightly dissapointed… common I definitely need new pretty pictures!!!

I was so pathetic on Saturday, I had 6th times nose bleeds… (could you believe that?!!! i went so pale the next day… ) and even embarassingly it happened once while I was having dinner in restaurant. I was so panicking that didn't realise I actually brought my pocket tissue in my bag. My friend rushed back to his car to bring his tissue boxes. Maybe, half of the customer was looking at him and think something bad :P LOL

Oh, Hello…

2010-03-30T23:04:00.004+10:00

I've been feeling pretty much like that… I figured that I need to sleep earlier, but a week went by… still my bed time is always near midnight.

Work are surprisingly good. I mean… there are still lots of uncertainty but, I've learned so much this past few weeks. At least, it freshen up my creative side.

I will have a new housemate this Thursday. Hopefully, she will enjoy living in the house :)

And, long Easter weekend is coming! Better start the countdown! My cousin from Sydney is going down to Gold Coast!!! I am so looking forward spending time with them. But really unsure about where to go, she asked me to take her around Brisbane. I am seriously running out of ideas. All I can think about is GoMA, and food… food… (Art Gallery is their least interest T_T sigh… )

Any Ideas? Where are boys/girls going this Easter?

Mondayne update

2010-03-21T20:06:00.003+10:00

Hello people! I've found a job and been working there for couple few weeks. Things are not exactly back to normal pace yet. I have to admit that I struggle to fit in with the new job. Although, lucky enough I work with very nice small team (which all about same age as me except my creative director). And… the studio located in one of the very expensive suburb in Brisbane, it's at Racecourse Road, Ascot (they even have their own website for their street -_-). It's a minute a way to the Portsidewharf. It's so unbelivable to see the lifestyle of people who lives around the area. The caffees seems always packed with the locals early in the morning. I see lots of nice houses too, even a real big one with lots of security camera and gates >_<

I am dying to try the local French Bakery, Le Bon Choix. I will post photos when I made it. Some handmade fudge shop has sucessful enough bribing us with free fudge samples. I was going to get some of them, then I just realised they actually gave us $40 worth of fudge for free!!! So it's actually $4.50 for each small piece 0_0 On second thought, I don't think I will afford to have them again T_T The lemon meringue was such a delight. Check their website to see their other delicious flavour, Btempted.

The downside is longer travel for me… sigh… The job it self, it's been a challenge and I do love it. It's definitely would be something that help me grow to be a better designer. I do find my self stressing out from time to time, just because I am worried to meet the deadlines or do a fab job on it.

Other highlight:
Visited LUSH store on the weekend, my friend was looking for a shampoo. But, I ended up getting my self a free sample :D it's named Curly Whurly, coconut based shampoo for dry hair. Has anyone ever using LUSH hair products?

Finally, I satisfied my craving for Frozen Yogurt this Sunday. I simply couldn't stop thinking about it after having the famous Sour Sally, back home at Jakarta. Their branding is awesomely great and it's business is actually 100% Indonesian owned. The CEO surprisingly is about the same age as mine. Sadly it has not been franchised outside Indonesia. What do you think?

Have you guys read Monocle issue 31? Brisbane city architectural was reviewied in 2 pages long article :D So now, I can proudly say to everyone that I live in that city (BrisVegas).

Love life… is definitely in draught :D not until recent incidents, that I have become a third person that nearly cancel someone wedding/marriage… sigh… Honestly, I sincerely don't care since I don't think I was the problem… I think they have something to talk about before taking more serious step. Relationship is one thing and Marriage is another thing. In my mind, I only miss that particular person… that in recent weeks, I don't even hear a word from him… sobs sobs sobs… Wherefore art thou?

Tale of the past lovers: part 2

2010-02-21T15:18:00.010+10:00

The unexpected is always happen in a glance of our eyes. I arranged a time to see another old fried of mine , well maybe he is someone more than a friend beneath my heart. It was him, a guy whom I've decided to better leave him alone. I was afraid to face my own feelings that time when things are getting closer between us. On the other hand, it was a beginning to meet my Mr. Turtle.

I was faced with a hard decision to decide between them. But that time it was clear, I really couldn't take somebody else bf, could I? It seems the right thing to do, even though my heart was very indecisive.

Yesterday night, he made a long overdue confession to me that he had fallen in love with me. He had trully like me. Even, he has secretly had a crush on me since the day we met. My heart bloomed for a slight seconds. Sadly, it has been five years late. He feels terribly sorry for not able to confess it sooner. I grasp lots of regrets in his voice. He kept saying it over and over again. Because of me he had putted aside his long distant relationship. I have had never realised any of it.

I couldn't bare to hear it much of it. Since early on, he has admitted that he has been engaged. It is hard to deny that we have both still keep some feelings for each other. But there is nothing that could be changed. I wouldn't wish for any of it to be undone. For what happened it has lead us into different path and gives us new experiences.

Spending last moment with him was just like last time we hang out together, nothing were changed. I founded very hard to depart with him, as we just rekindle something from the past. It was really hard to let his fingers slips away from the tips of my finger nails. I turned away and never look back.

He said life isn't a fairytale.

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

note: I think it was just hard to let go of him more just as friend. Since both of us just couldn't just hang out together in the future (since he'll be married) rumours spread so fast you know… (so unfortunate that I still live in this Asian Culture). The other thing was my parents seem to like him very much as a son in law (Sorry to dissapoint, but he is engaged… that what I said to my mom, after noticing her excitement seeing me going out with him) And seriously, if he did like me much… he should have stood up for me ages ago, no matter what! I guess he just not that into me. I like to think that way, I deserve a better man!!! and sorry, who is interested with having left overs anyway!

Tale of the past lovers: part 1

2010-02-17T03:03:00.005+10:00

Why does it feel so much pain after 5 years have been gone. It feels the break up just happened yesterday.

~~I wonder when is the burden will ever go.~~

update:
I was really glad that he forgives me in the few days after. There are no more secret to be kept. He was my first bf. For the mistake that I've done I admit I was foolish and young.

It's never too late to tell the truth. Everyone deserve the truth.

Diamonds are girls best friend

2010-02-15T02:02:00.008+10:00

I was completely loosing my self today, when my dad brought me into diamond's shop, Frank & co jewelery. It's hard to say no to any kind of jewelery for a women. Even though, I am not big fan of wearing them.

I sat at the counter and they showed me some samples ... WOW, it's so bright and shiny 0_0 I was slightly blinded by it. In few seconds, I was enchanted by the beauty of it. In few minutes, I was having dilemma choosing between two different diamonds pendants >_<

Sigh, my plan entering the shop was just playing along, pretending that I want to get one. I realised I have completely fallen into my Dad's trap. Seriously, I don't need any diamonds!!! it's such an indulgence, it's so inappropriate wearing that nice thing on my neck T_T it's very pretttyyyyyyy though, very hard to resist.

In the shop, they even serve a free cuppa tea that I found very very delightful. I even asked what tea label that they served :p there was a slight nice tinted sweet taste into it. It turned out was Dilmah infused with Strawberry. (I am totally gonna buy heaps of them to bring them back to Aussie).

So in the end, I couldn't make the decision between two pendants >_< ooohh, I was actually running away and giving that excuse 'cos I don't need it. But please, by posting this I don't want to discourage any future bf of mine not to give one. In fact, I would cherish the gift. It will be a real precious thing when it's given from my love one (but I don't need one from my Dad, I love him though).

ps: For anyone who is going to visit Jakarta and planning to go to the big shopping centre. My suggestion is to make a visit to those diamonds jewelery shop for a nice free relaxing break. Just pretend you are going to buy an engagement ring or something. Any of those shops would definitely serve you a nice cuppa tea :)

Happy CNY and Valentine's Day!!! I am doing very well and enjoying my break at my hometown, Jakarta. (slightly nervous about meeting up special someone from the past though) Btw, should I take my Dad's generous offer?

Take your time: Olafur Eliasson

2010-02-08T12:44:00.007+10:00

360 room for all colours (2002)

I felt very very lucky to be able to see the exhibition down at Sydney. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney is the only Australian venue for the exhibition, generated by San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art. It was just happen that I was down at Sydney :D

Even though I like art, but I have not heard Olafur Eliasson before. I came to visit the MCA to see how the gallery since I applied for a position there. To be honest, I am trully fond of the exhibition. I think this is the first art exhibition that gives a really great sensation. It's hard to put it in words, but once you experience it you'll understand.

Olafur Eliasson is an artist born in Denmark who transforms our experiences of the space around us. Take your time: Olafur Eliasson takes the form of a visual journey, in which viewers move from ligh-lifted open spaces through immersive, built structures. Individual works find inspiration in the distinctive landscape, theories of colour and perception.

spoiler allert: if you are going to see the exhibition, you might not want to read this.
My favourites would be the Beauty (1993). You would have gone through this dark (pitch-black) tunnel that seems have no ends. You would become quite anxious wandering what will happen in the end of the tunnel or will the tunnel ever end. In the end of the tunnel, you would find your self inside in a dark room like a cave, you would see the Beauty comprises a thin veil of mist (water), illuminated obliquely by spotlights which produce a soft, hazy rainbow effect. The Beauty, it's such a perfect name, it was really beautiful and soothing. I wouldn't mind having the instalation if I have big contemporary house.

Sunset Kaleidoscope (2005)

The exhibition runs at MCA, Sydney ends in 10 April 2010, more information here. If you interested to come to exhibition, remember to take your time…

Once, I had a wish …

2010-01-28T21:26:00.006+10:00

Free, as the wind upon the ocean,
free as a bird about to fly,
free, as a tiger in jungle, —
freedom, that's the universal cry —
but do we cry
for freedom without thinking —
like a child wants everything he sees —
do we know that freedom can be lonely …
do we really have the courage
to be free?
Free, as a gypsy in the winter,
free, as a bird without a sky,
free, as dolphin without water,
freedom —
that's the universal cry …

Excerpt from The Thoughts of Nanushka vol I – VI

Sometimes, be careful on what you wish for … but the best of it, be ready for it to come true and take the opportunity.

Wave and light via flickr. Please by his book, here.

Living in Paddington street, Sydney

2010-01-24T11:05:00.005+10:00

Despite the fact that I am not a big fan living in Sydney, these past few days I am getting drawn into moving to the big city. Maybe, few of the reasons are practicably unreasonable. I always dream to live in this cute terraces house rather than living in brand new contemporary massive architectural house. I could really see my self living there with one small dog.

But seriously, I think it will always be a dream. The rent prices are around $1000 per week!!! T_T not in million years, until I grow old if I am still working as designer would could afford to live there. In fact, they just recently sold the house at 1.2 million >_<

Even, the salary of one of my dream job in Sydney doesn't even got a high pay check compare in Brisbane. What about the GLAM life of other people talk about living as a designer!!! I think it's a completely a myth! How could we satisfy our high taste and quality of live that designer love. Don't we (designer) need to surround our self with things that nice and inspiring :P

While the link still last, click here for more information about the house. Click here, to see my runner up of other nice house at Paddington street.

Clearly, I am very annoyed

2010-01-11T20:36:00.004+10:00

So you know what the result is. Hmmmpphhh… my friend suggested me to waste the place. Now, I think it's freakin good idea. It's funny though… I only upset because I still haven't got any job yet. Not because I really like the studio. I thought it was IT. But, honestly… I really don't have emotional attachment… My heart didn't plumet as I expected it would. (I did baked 2 bread over my dissapointment!!!).

If we could rewind the past, for about 2.5 years ago when I just graduated from my honours degree. The same studio that I recently applied was looking for junior designer. It was a place to die for. But, I was late applying, the application had already closed. I had no chance knowing of the place… in back on my mind, I had regrets, knowing that I would have pretty good chance of getting the position. Maybe, I would had become a kickass designer rather than stucked at Wiley.

So now, I was given a second chance. The opportunity of knowing… as it turned out, it wasn't the place that I wanted to be. Sometimes, what you think is good, it's not necessarily good. Instead, what you think is bad, is not bad at all. Now, I know I was wrong, I don't have any regrets. (except I am right, that I would get the job :P I was the runner up over few hundreds applicant)

I know, I must be freakin mad. 'Cos I just need any job but why am I acting so picky!!! Let say, it's the only way to redeem my sanity and I wanted to belive there is a better job for me, the one that really worth of all what happened. Amen

Very amusing photograph by Angie Mckaig

Hello 2010!

2010-01-04T22:16:00.004+10:00

I wish everyone will have a better year and much closer reaching in their dreams!

Surprisingly, I got a phone call today and told that I was shortlisted. Wohoo! I'll be on work trial tomorrow. I do hope things will turn for the best. It's gonna be hard, back to work after having holidays for too long and waking up late :P (I hope I will put my head right, darn it's late I have to go to sleep now).

warm hugs and kisses for the new and better year!

lovely warm kissed image (I wish I was the model in the photograph) via oh, hello friend

Cover design: You can’t take it with you

2009-12-29T11:50:00.002+10:00

You might be wondering what sort of design have I been doing. Well, it wasn't entirely exciting, since I worked in publishing that specialise in academic text books and trades. But as a designer, you really need to take the opportunity to always have fun. Otherwise, everything is going to be dull and boring. Playing around is what we do as designer to keep our creative minds alive :P

Let me show you one of my favourite cover that I worked on. Although, in the end, it wasn’t quite the perfect cover I wanted to be. But hell yeah, I had fun and that’s what important: The process.

You can’t take it with you is a trade book about managing your wealth before you go to the better place. It provides advices on how to make a good will and etc. Above is my first concept. I like it how surreal it looks like. Everyone at the studio had a chuckled about this cover. The concept is about heaven and earth. The man with white suits, which reminds me of Morgan Freeman at Bruce Almighty movie. He is either being happy for what he have done or was looking back his life with regrets. I guess, you need to read the book if you wanted to be happy and RIP.

After reassessing the cover, I decided not to send through the first idea. So came up with the second one. This is relates about travelling. Mind you, this book is only for Australian market thus there’s some Australian icons incorporated in the cover. I thought this was pretty darn good and would hit the jackpot! But sadly, turned down by the publishing editor. They completely dislike the travel angle since it could be misleading as a travelling book. They got their points.

So back reworking the cover again. Received their suggestions, this is pretty much what they said “try to make it more simple like just pen and paper. Or look death in more metaphorical sense, perhaps a road leading into a white light”. Oh, how hard could it be (yes, it’s very common to receive a contradict comment. At this stage, they are desperate to get the right cover. They pretty much don’t know what they want). Luckily, I still had my patience and I was actually getting more excited. Hmm… a road leading into a white light… Aha! This is what I came up.

Remind you of something? It’s from Mr. Bean opening title. I really like it a lot, it’s brillant! Stronger than the original concept. I came up with more ideas, but they weren’t great. It was just showing what they’ve asked for.

But it wasn’t there yet. So I went to do more traditional approach, searching for stock photos. Then this came along. For the last draft, I only sent this one cover and they LOVE it! Even the author was so pleased. It wasn't the most exciting cover but it's an appropriate cover for what it meant for.

The rationale: Letting go ballons is certainly becoming a more common ritual at funerals. And there are plenty of other ties such as 'letting go'. It’s probably more common at younger people's funerals, but we are banking on the fact that most people don't think of themselves as old or near to dying. And a prime market for this book is definitely the 30s and 40s with young kids. Since Many of these parents probably haven't already done a will. (I am on mid 20's and I’ve already got my will and my self insured. Although, I just wish I had my income protection insurance as well, sigh…).

ps: this post had been on a draft for ages, since 10/02/09. I just haven't got the time to post the images yet. And, just incase it might cost me loosing my job :P But you know what?! I already HAVE!

So what do you think? Tell me your opinions? Should I put the whole process into my portfolio?

Be merry!

2009-12-23T07:47:00.002+10:00

Something that I did last year for Wiley Christmas card. The birds are my regular visitors at my backyards. They're the one who cheer me up everyday at home (wake me up in the morning to be exact!!)

I'll be having family Christmas dinner!!! YAY food… food… food… I'll be in charge with salads ;) my expertise hehehe…

Hope everyone have the loveliest Christmas and holidays.

I'd like to get away from earth awhile and then come back to it and begin over

2009-12-22T11:23:00.005+10:00

photo, originally uploaded by the cheshire smile.

I wish to understand God’s plan. I am wishing that all of this happened has a purpose. Good and bad is hard to judge depends on the way you see it. But at this stage, things are getting harder to keep positive and believe that things will be better.

I am currently at very down moment… that I wish to fade away…

I feel like I have given up my best. It seems I have given it all. Is it the moment to awake from the truth? The truth… that all things are meant to be, just the way it is. There is no greater things… or is there?

Help me to see where to go, or what to do. Help me to see the silver lining beyond this. And help me to accept things the way it is.

On my wish list: Food Safari

2009-12-10T08:50:00.001+10:00

You know how much Brisbane has grown. I found another new spot for me to hang out!!! Just opposite Borders at Queens Street Mall, Dymocks open their store. It's pretty big. I found couples nice design book where I could comfortably skimming them :P (not like in folio where the store so intimate. the cashier just around the corner).

The first thing that I picked up was Food Safari by Maeve O'Meara. If you don't live in Australia, maybe you are not familiar with Food Safari. It a tv shows from SBS that takes you on a culinary globetrot across Australia. The producer and presenter is Maeve O'Meara. I've been collecting the DVD, it's now up to the third one. I was amazed because it's really covered the whole seasons from the show, packed up with the recipe.

I really like Food Safari. Well, I rely on their recipe quite a lot. It's very easy to follow, no gimmicky. All the cooking was just done from three-hat chefs to passionate home-cooks. I really don't know what to do if I lost all their recipes ahahhaha… My top list dishes was inspired from watching their show. Which I just cooked last night, Ikan bumbu bali!

Another that surprise me that given me hard time to put down the book was — it's beautifully design. You've seen lot's of cook book design, they're all pretty nice. But this one is extra nice. Hoefler & Jones typeface — Archer combined with Avenir strikes me. It could be using the new Sentinel but could be just normal Clarendon (it's too much luxury if they do). The way the photos were laid out covered with nice pretty patterns, is just lovely :)

I love the book! and its has Maeve O'Meara autograph!!!

Check out the book, here. You could dowload the sample pages as well. So you could see the design and the recipe :)

Inspiration words of the week

2009-12-07T08:11:00.002+10:00

Be persistent! Don't ever loose hope.

I found this application called The Action Method which is a project management, productivity and task application quite handy. It help you organise all your projects, similar like BaseCamp. It's quite necessary tools if you are a freelancer. (I just realised it's not free as well T_T).

Image via Paper Jam Press, Brooklyn, NY.

What if…

2009-12-02T21:32:00.007+10:00

Today, a slight councious came to my mind, what if I did not loose my job. What if my life were still the same. I don't have to go through with this phase. Although, honestly, I don't worry much at the moment. I know for sure, things we'll go better. But, I do make my close one, worry and felt sorry for me. I hate that feeling. And, I hate being poor — who don't?!!

If things will go as the way it used to. I think I would be able to say it's my great year ever! Before I lost my job, I felt really really happy. Everything was so transparent. I was so looking forward for my holiday to go back home or even planning a Christmas holiday trip with my friends. I had paid all my tickets. But, now, I am not even sure I will be able to go. I am dying to go back… even though it's too late, I won't be able to see my dog anymore. He passed away the day before I lost my job. I haven't even put the time to deal with it yet. But things happened one after another. It was a very tough week.

But, If I don't loose my jobs… I wouldn't be able to realise and appreciate my self — of how much I have grown as designer and a person. I have not been feeling nervous in any job interview that I've been so far. Because I know exactly what I am capable of and I am very very proud of it. I know and remember where I wanted to be.

If I don't loose my jobs… I wouldn't realise how important is friendship. I feel so lucky surrounded by nice people. I am being more open to them. As I am more forgivable to my self. I praise for every moment and little things that I have. I had the opportunity to know better and put more attention about people surround me. It's funny, how I've never realised that they actually needing help.

It's a realization. It's time to grow. It's a blessing.

In memory — superbly spoiled dog — 11 November 2009

Inspiration words of the week

2009-11-30T08:25:00.002+10:00

TRUE, originally uploaded by sarah_gardner.

Morning everyone! Hope everyone had an awesome weekend. Mine was moderate. I had girls night in on Friday night. Nice catched up with friends over dinner and watched 'New in Town' and 'Confession of the shopaholic'. I must admit I totally dislike that shopaholic girl, she really really needs help. Practiced on Saturday with my Thai gf, followed by lunch in new Korean restaurant :P Went around shopping helping my friend finding a costume for her coming B'day. Visited an x rated store for the first time :P it was fun experience LOL. Lastly, I found $5 summer dress!!! can't resist that.

More job hunting this week. sigh… not much job on the market at the moment. An interview this Tuesday. Oh, I had interview last Friday on Advertising Agency, hope there will be good news :)

I've been listening to Lisa Mitchell — Neopolitan Dreams is my favourites.

Mondayne update

2009-11-23T13:36:00.003+10:00

Second week of living without jobs:
hmmm… browsing internet all day (done)… having relaxing cup of lattee (done)… ironing (done)… washing dishes (done)… vaccumming the house (still on the list)… applying for jobs (just a click away -_-)… doing that porfolio (still on the list)… hmmm what should I do next… taking nap? hmmm… too hot.

Do you see the picture of how's my life is now :P

I know exactly how that bunny feels… hmmm let me rest here a little while… hmmm… it's rather nice.

via cute overload.

The unfortunate event…

2009-11-20T17:57:00.008+10:00

It was a very sad day indeed. It is just a week ago when I lost my job. No one knew what was coming. It was still in the morning, I thought it will be a great Friday. I was gonna had a lunch date that day and gonna watch latin cabarett performance after work.

It's very rare I was being asked to join into a meeting apart not being schedulled. I was slightly curious when I head up into the meeting room. It was happening so fast… only few sentences rest into my memories. There was that word: 'redundant… today'. It was shocking!

könnte schlimmer sein, originally uploaded by i_hear_noises.

I thought I was facing it pretty tough. Even though, I ended up crying afterwards in small room. I was stressing out and shocked. Never thought, it will happen to me. I had mortgage! I felt a slight relief when I realise I still have redundancy package, but it wasn't much.

I went out the room when I was slightly calm down. But I broke down again, when I saw my work colleague was heavily in tears. She hugged me tightly, it was the saddest time for me. It's the saddest moment to realise that I will leave her.

It was a sad day, not because I lost my job but because I will miss the people — friends that I have made over the last two and half years.

Loosing job

I might being naive or cynical. I might even change my mind the next few weeks. But, I actually feels liberated when I lost my job. It was like a slap on my face for my long procastination. My career was the only thing that has been suffer. I think I have not work hard enough trying to achieve what I wanted. Surely, I had given everything while I worked at my old place. But I can't really see my self working there for the next 5 years will make a change for the better into my career. It's a job. (I bet you know what I mean).

Two and half year is long time. I don't regret working there. I've met fabulous people. I learned few things, not technically about design but more about life, passion and friendship. I really feel glad that I managed to use the most of it while I was working there.

Back when I had internship at uni, I worked too hard that I left behind my life. I was so grateful about my career but I've never yet satisfied. I felt there was something missing, since my life was just about working.

I believe God has plan in every step in our life. But everything is up to us, how to live it.

I am so glad that I have not waste anything. I had put up my courage and do dancing lesson after work. Isn't that such a coincidence that there's a dancing studio down the road I used to work (and I always wanted to learn salsa). How about when they sent that invites to the company to do free introductionary lesson. or even… when I met that boy in the bus, that turned out to be salsa dancer (used to be).

Anyway, I could ignore everything and not to do anything. But I took the courage to do something different with my life — making it richer. It's my life afterall!

Turning point

At this stage, I am feeling great and confident wherever I will go. That's an interesting question, Where I will go? I don't know, yet. But, one thing for sure, I really wanted to get my portfolio done perfectly. I've got all the time in the world.

I believe in my self that I am a passionate, young and talented designer. I looked through all the work that I've done. I am quite impressed. I reallize sometimes I judge my self little bit too much that becoming an obstacle to my self to grow.

It was great to see couple people from design studio. It was such a great feeling to see how to work in such a creative place and work together as a team. I miss working in environment like that. If I could choose — that where I wanted to be… being able to be creative everyday and surrounded by the creative, passionate people :)

The support

I will never forget all the kindness that everyone that given me. So many of them help me facing this difficult times making it easy. I received many present from my old colleagues. Miss Lizzie being the biggest helper, refferencing me to everyone she knows to get me a job. It was so hard for me to tell my parents about the bad news over the phone. An understanding from my parents is a big relief.

It's a funny thing that this happened to me just after what I wrote on my previous post. Did God actually read my blog? LOL. He seems trying to take challenge on me :) Well, I am a very very strong girl, now.

We feel fine

2009-11-12T15:36:00.003+10:00

A very charming book by two digital whiz kids Sep Kamvar and Jonathan Harris use their computer programs to peer into the inner lives of millions, constructing a vast and deep portrait of our collective emotional landscape. It really hit my weak spot as a designer (and a women). I just can't stand the mesmerizing visual graphics. It's genius. See more inside the book, here.

Armed with custom software that scours the English-speaking world's new Internet blog posts every minute, hunting down the phrases "I feel" and "I am feeling," the authors have collected over 12 million feelings since 2005, amassing an ever-growing database of human emotion that adds more than 10,000 new feelings a day!!!

Know more about We feel fine: an almanac of human emotions here. Buy the book here.

My perfect smile

2009-11-08T23:06:00.000+10:00

When I'll be at lost, this photos will be my reminder to find back my happiness.

Life has its ups and downs. After tears, there will be joy. A wise person said to me once, "It is the way we look at things and the way we relate to them that determines our state of happiness... not the things themselves."

Even at the hardest time you could find happiness, if you really look for it. Perhaps the reason we so often experience happiness only in hindsight, and that chasing it is such a fool's errand, is that happiness isn't a goal in itself but is only an aftereffect.

I start to realise the pattern of life. Some day is better than the other. But everyday there's always something to experience. The future is unknown but you always part of it. The present is all you have.

Being 24, I see things differently. I wonder what surprises will come to my life next… no matter what, life goes on. I trusted my life in God's hand. I shall not fear of what may come.

xoxoxooxoxoxo

Curiosity kills

2009-10-28T14:09:00.016+10:00

不是小梨不是小桃，是小苹果, originally uploaded by *muxu*.

"Certain desires are best left alone,  certain questions should never be ask...  A careless whisper delivers a wish untold,  forever its truth and burden you'll have to hold…"

"MAYBE the answer we seek is beyond the corners of our heart. PERHAPS the moment of truth is found the second we part. A longing whisper escapes our eyes... PROBABLY seeking till the burden dies."

Brave the heart to unfold the truth… unbind the curiosity. It might kills but yet set you free — to live. The departure is just another beginning of a journey.

Did Eve refuse to taste the apple of knowledge? We wouldn't be here today as human. Nor the Pandora box never left unopen, that the world is only filled with goodness. What a life would be… no struggle… no experiences… nothing to live for… joy would ever be feel so plain.

Turning 24

2009-10-25T21:38:00.003+10:00

I would like to thank everyone that have been kind enough to share a moment during my birthday. I had a great time filled with lots of love and laughter. I am trully thankful that I have lots of nice people around me :)

My work colleagues are so sweet. They arranged b'day lunch at our new fav Thai restaurant. And, I've got two surprise birthday presents from them. More joy came from all my dancing friends at Salsa class. They all giving me a very warm wishes… not to forget, Lenny (the main instructor) lifting me up to the ceiling… hrhrhr…

I managed to gather some friends for supper b'day celebration at Manor, for yum cha :D If it wasn't caused of my sister that persistently asked me to celebrate my b'day, it definitely won't be happening. I love her… she surprised me with her momiji doll present. It is really cute.

The cake was a big surprised. It was so beautifuly made by my sister fiance's mom. She is so so sweet that she thrown a b'day lunch which she cooked everything by her self T_T tears with joy… She actually made another cake for my sister fiance cousin which her b'day was same as me!!! only 4 years apart :P. Anyone in South Brisbane need a cake? you can order from her ;) let me know, k.

Happiness do come from the unexpected… living a life without expectation is living a life to the fullest… when you are at lost, you'll feel easily contented. Let go of everything without taking anything for granted, be humble…

Thanks everyone for everything, i feel so much loved^^

For the love of type

2009-10-22T12:54:00.002+10:00

New Uglier Font, originally uploaded by Jamie Latendresse.

Have you heard about IKEA change their branding typeface from FUTURA into VERDANA?!! I know… it's insane, or was it a joke?!!!!!

Won't believe me, read the article from TIME magazine, here. Join the great discussion at Typophille. Read Jamie Latendresse blog post, Why Verdana, Why IKEA, WHY? (my reaction was the same). The photo above was created by him.

To release your frustration, try enjoy watching this short movie!

I'm amazed that there're people who willing to give their time to make this happening. Try to understand dingbats… LOL.

Perfect brief from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol

2009-10-21T17:30:00.001+10:00

This is made me smile :) I like the honesty 'take little notice'.

via swissmiss

There is no rose without a thorn

2009-10-19T12:40:00.013+10:00

pink roses, originally uploaded by danske.

Surprisingly I managed to go through my weekend pretty well :) I was feeling so torn apart on Friday afternoon. Sometimes it's better to not knowing… once you had the knowledge, you can't just turn back pretend that nothing has happened.

I could not simply put it into words at this stage. Since everything is just an assumption. For now, the only comfort I can find is believing in his words :) You could not have relationship without a trust.

Things haven't been easy on my love life. But there are other things in life that could make you happy :) Like Shoppingggg!!! I went over board with shopping this week. Everything look so good on me :P (I have worked hard on it, I'm so happy with how my body look). I bought two pairs of bikinis (which I already have two at home), two maxi dresses, and one black summer dress. I might have to return one bikinis LOL. But I just can't decide which one?!!

I managed to watch Mao's last dancers with my new gf ;) It was an easy one to watch. Shopping, movie and creme brule chillers from Gloria Jean's, it was a blissful Sunday. (I could not sleep last night till around 1am, I didn't realise how strong was the caffein >_<)

Don't forget to have your daily dose of coffee after reading my post! It's monday afterall.

Seducing Mr. Perfect

2009-10-12T12:41:00.003+10:00

RRrrrrr… so damn georgous! I spent my Saturday night, watching Seducing Mr. Perfect, Korean drama series. Don't you love the title?!! I don't usually like watching drama series. Since I always end up crying non-stop. But, this time, I really can't resist my guilt pleasure (fufuufufu…). This yummy guy is the main actor, Daniel Henney. Well, I am not obsess with him… hmm… hold on, this guy reminds me of someone… pfffttt… I am not obsess with him but I am still obsess with my-not-yet-bf! Sorry to make you confused since you guys has not seen my-not-yet-bf yet. But he has similar look with this guy. It was fairly close that my sister shouted at me from the back when I was looking at the picture from my computer screen, accusing me keep looking at my-not-yet-bf photo -_-" Well, he is about the same height, same built body, same style, but ripened :P Now, do you understand why I was so infatuated with him in the first place, read my old post here.

Back to the drama series! It's worth to watch, quite light that won't require a bucket for your tears. I found similarity with the female main character. Everytime she falls in love with someone, she always gives it all… It was critized that to maintain relationship needs to keep own self-respect. I found it very true. You can give as much as you think it's worth. I had been like that girl. But since I've known my-not-yet-bf, I have been challenged to really see what I really wanted. How to care someone but to care your self first. It requires a bit of both, give and take. Then, you can completely be happy… (it's not easy as it's sound of course. There are other things involve in creating good relationship).

Anyway, there is a scene in the drama that I really like caused it reminds me of that sweet moment with my-not-yet-bf. Both of them having conversation facing a river… He said 'you know you could be really cute sometimes' ……… hmmm my-not-yet-bf said to me once in similar line. It melted my heart ^^

Watch the movie here, enjoy!!! Hope you guys have a good Monday.

Pork chop

2009-10-09T16:22:00.000+10:00

Hrhrhrhrhr… so funny :P

Whatever happened through the week, I hope everyone would have a happy weekend!

image via inside out

Something cute to watch

2009-10-07T13:14:00.002+10:00

It's an animation of how to make google street view in Japan :P It's quite cute. I wish I could hire that Scanner robot.

Enjoy your mid-week!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

2009-10-01T23:11:00.003+10:00

starlight crumble, originally uploaded by amysol_minipanda.

I thought it would be nice to post Amy Sol magical artwork. Perhaps will inspire you to do some painting this weekend? I've been dying to have her prints. Well, been trying to paint like her but yet always fail :P seriously I shall leave painting to an artist not designer.

Hope everyone will have a lovely one! mine would be quiet… might visit the designer market at Southbank ;)

The Daily Drop Cap

2009-09-29T13:40:00.006+10:00

The Daily Drop Cap is an ongoing project by typographer and illustrator Jessica Hische. Each day, a new hand-crafted decorative initial cap will be posted for your enjoyment and for the beautification of blog posts everywhere. You could really use that nice decorative letter as your drop cap in your own post! Visit The Daily Drop Cap to grab them.

OMG, it's a giant rubber duckie

2009-09-22T11:22:00.005+10:00

Can't wait till it reach Brisbane river. I should have this giant rubber duckie for The Great Brisbane duck race… hrhrhhrhr… I shall be the winner!!!!

The race is on this Saturday, 26 September, thousands of rubber ducks will flock to the Brisbane River to battle it out in a race to fight cancer and to WIN one lucky owner a brand new car - a Sci-Fleet Toyota Yaris! All the the purchase of ducks will go to cancer research at the PA Hospital. Join me adopting a duck/duck family here.

This cute but superbly huge duck hatched by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, this 9.5m tall by 11m long rubber duck has been spotted in Europe, Japan, and Brazil. See more photos here. (sorry to dissapoint but this giant duck will not show up this Saturday at the race.)

via cute overload.

Therapeutic baking

2009-09-21T19:04:00.000+10:00

Well, in general I’m fine. But emo-moment absolutely unavoidable for a girl like me. I told you I haven’t meet up with him for a while. I was really really looking forward to see him… Until, I got the news that he couldn’t make it. My heart didn’t break into pieces at that time. He had disappoint me the day before… the day before that… before that…

So my heart was quite numb to it. But I just couldn’t stop thinking about him since… I really hate my self for that. After all the effort of being Miss. Independent and leaving the insecure girl behind, with no complaining … all back to cycle one -_-“ But mostly I hate my self that I couldn’t hate him! Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all. (the agony of ‘love?!!’)

Day after day… hoping that we’ll meet again… (LOL, like a Disney princess story). Until, at the end of weekend, I was lying in bed realising he might never come back. I was filled with tears, trying to accept what’s coming. I deleted about 200 text messages from him.

After, I had enough sobbing moment, I went out and decided to bake. It’s a new hobby of mine. I found it’s rather therapeutic, same reason why I enjoy cooking. I was planning to make pineapple tarts (It was Hari Raya/Lebaran on Sunday. Even though, I don’t celebrate it. I just want to be part of it).

Unexpectedly, my mobile rang and it was him! ^^

My pineapple tarts or should I say pineapple cookies :P turns out quite nice (LOL). It took me half of my day making them. I just slouched in the sofa after baking them. Get the recipe from My Kitchen Snippets.

Big update

2009-09-21T12:51:00.003+10:00

I got distracted… didn't bother to spare time to retrospect about anything… been busy, tired, angry, confused and annoyed.

My life so far, it's been fine. Many people been asking how's it? nothing really exciting been happening, nothing particularly to share about. I have been tangled with my sister enourmous project which is her wedding next year and her big mansion house soon to be built 0_0 Seriously, giving me a massive headache everyday that I have lost interest to be involved. Seriously, I screamed at her one time, 'I don't even have a BF yet!! why should I bother about wedding?!!' She laughed at me… -_- sigh…

At one point, I got really dissapointed and upset with my-not-yet-bf. He bugged out on the day when we supposed to do our big catch up. It was something really emergency, that I can't really be angry at which leave me with more frustration. Seriously, the last time I met him was 4th of August! I don't blame him for not being able to meet each other. Both of us just got things to do (we had small phone catch up and txt messages).

Well, that's why we aren't in relationship yet. I trully respect his decision, I think he's being fair. Now, meeting up has become something obligatory for both of us (of course… -_-) and even though, I have already about to give up… but yet, he try to reach me back :) Something that I don't quite understand why he does…

Although, there is still one thing that I can't quite accept from his act (it's not my rights to share). I went to church on Sunday. The second reading from James 3:13-17 about Wisdom from Above, somehow clear my head. All the bad thoughts just gone…

I feel lucky that I have faith. I feel thankful that I have a loving family and friends that I always be with me.

Free hugs to everyone XOXO… :P

Welcome spring

2009-08-31T12:07:00.005+10:00

Today is the first day of spring. It had been drizzling over the night at Brisbane. But blue sky is up in the air now. Everything feels a little slow this monday… sigh… even though I'm still busy.

I bought the mustard yellow dress over the weekend. The fabrics is so lovely, it's a sparkly sheen satin. I just can't wait to wear it. :)

Happy Friday everyone

2009-08-28T15:32:00.003+10:00

This is made me laugh (LOL)

New Math by Craig Damraurer via FFFOUND

Eek… I'm falling apart

2009-08-24T13:24:00.003+10:00

Well, I hope not yet. If I will, hopefully someone will catch me ;)

My parents are at Brisbane living with me till end of this week. It's getting hard to find a spare time for them with my enormous project at work. Taking annual leave means shorter deadline to finish the project. And honestly, I don't think I've ever designed a main key list title book (one of the biggest seller book that makes lots of profits internationally 0_0) and not to forget it has a quite complicated content.

Working late is unavoidable. I have been working nearly around from 7 am to 7 pm everyday. Luckily, with one short break on Friday, it brings back my sanity. Went down to the beach and the mall at Gold Coast and spent a very relaxing time while my parent enjoying playing golf.

Wish me luck! Hope everyone well :)

Arghhhhh…

2009-08-10T09:53:00.002+10:00

I know it's kinda lame. But it illustrated my situation perfectly (LOL).

I need new ideas. When i'm being asked to design a new cover that I can do whatever (just use no photos and no purple) I really should say YEHAAA… but honestly, i am petrified. I haven't use my creative brain hard enough these days. It has took me a week and still nothing. I am really excited for being busy but why it took me so long to get ideas… sigh

My relationship with my-not-yet-bf (seriously, I feel akward saying this. But i can't find another words to describe it). I had a proper date with him on Sunday to the Art Gallery to see the American Impressionism and Realism. I was glad that he enjoy art as much as I do. It was a full day spending time with him. Not entirely pleasant since things doesn't go according to the plan but it was okay.

He brought up this conversation that I've been trying to avoid. He asked me why do I still like him since he hasn't been giving enough or being around. I was being honest and told him that I've been thinking to end of whatever we have. Since sometimes it really tires me and bring only pain. I've been wodering whether I'll be happier if he doesn't exist in my life. He gives me the chance to choose but it seems that he can't simply let me go either (but i know it will be easier for him to do). However, it is certain for the time being he won't be interested in having relationship due to his comittment and things that he wants to achieve. It sounds quite hurtful to know that he hasn't changed his mind yet (even though I already know). Yes, i did take my moment and silently let my tears pours in the darkness of the cinema.

Enough to said, I am okay. I've been down that road many times. It gives me a mental note that in the end of the day, you really need to dependable on your self. Others might be there for you but you shouldn't have that expectations. And have lots of friends so there's more chance you are not end up feeling lonely (sigh… and listen to your mom, most likely she's always right or you might end up learn on the hard way).

Sigh, I still can't decide whether I should live by my own and shared my house with other people or just move in with my sister again and stay far on the west, at Moggill. I need to get my driving license soon. Arghhh… So many things to think about and do.

I would really appreciate any kindly emotional support, leave a message people :)

Looking forward for a sleep in and a cuddle

2009-08-06T15:42:00.003+10:00

It's has been a very stressful week.

But Monday dinner with my-not-yet-bf was a delight.

Finally, we catch up after nearly 2 weeks off. He has been so busy and not letting me know anything. I had builts this big frustration toward him. Really can't wait till it explode. But everything evaporates once we met.

I still remember when he paused him self and looked deeply to me :) I asked him what was he's doing when he just there staring at me.
He said 'I haven't seen you for awhile.'
I said 'Yes, we haven't. Sometimes, I feel like having long distance relationship' and I laugh.

During the dinner, he admits that he always enjoy having a meals with me :) I was slightly blushed (apart blushing from the heat of korean charcoal bbq). I'm flattered that he mentioned it to me. And yes, I always enjoy all the attention that he gave me when he do all the cooking :P he even remember to cut the meat in my small bite sizes.

It was a very nice monday night.

Other updates:

Need to postpone posting the other photos up. Somehow can't transfer the photos from the camera to the mac :(

Been busy browsing display houses and giving house plan ideas to my sister. Since they decided to buy 930 meter square of land. 0_0!

MY SISTER GOT ENGAGED!!! didn't see that coming :) but very happy for both of them.

I am swamp with work trying to manage to finish everything within the deadline. Even have to rejected a dinner offer with my-not-yet-bf :(

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box

2009-07-23T20:07:00.000+10:00

No, I haven't forgotten about it yet. One of the main reason, I still hold onto my nintendo-ds and not selling it. Professor Layton and the curious village (the first sequal) is one of the game that I enjoy playing the most. It was really challenging and fun. The artwork is really beautiful.

Some people don't like playing it since it could be quite irritating not being able to solve the puzzle. For me, it's a great way to distract my self from thinking things that I shouldn't think about. It has help my self during my post-break up period and I think it will help me through again.

Finally, it will be official to be released this mid-August. I can't wait to get hold of it! It's been such a long waiting.

Grill’d. Saturday trip part 1

2009-07-22T10:48:00.008+10:00

Seriously, I couldn’t believe my self that I was actually craving for a Burger. Not just a Burger but a BEEF Burger!! There this image kept running in my head just exactly like a Hungry Jacks ads. I asked my friend to join me to try on Grill’d burger — Healty Burger at New Farm

The trip to get the burger was so daunting. We drove into the wrong lane that caused us have to drive around again. It was too much hassle that I was about to give up the idea of getting the burger. (Seriously, remember Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. It was so stupid idea, right?)

Arrived there, I ordered my self ‘HOT MAMA’ (LOL). It is with 100% lean beef, roasted peppers, dill pickled, tzatziki, salad, tasty cheese and harissa. It was still so unbelievable that I got my self a beef burger!

We’re checking on the burger. It was huge! We weren’t so sure what is the easiest way to eat our burger. It was definitely fresh! I was so sure that I would love it.

The first bite. … … … my taste bud reaction was: it is a BEEF!!! Why did I order this?!!! Arggghhh… I don't like BEEF >_< (Big chunky piece of meat usually make me feel sick. I prefer to be vegetarian now and then). It was so far away, from my first perception. I thought I would change and become more normal like other people who love steak. Turn out, I was wrong. I still don’t like steak -_-“

I think the beef definitely needs to be marinated longer or have more herbs. It lack in its taste (I can only taste beef). My friend has the same opinion. Nothing special about it. Maybe other people would enjoy it since they won’t mind the strong taste of Beef. (okay, you might thing I am a weirdo).

But their hot chips were so so good. I would definitely go back to buy just the chips. It was covered with rosemary. It was tasty and crisp.

In the end, I pretty much finished everything since I was so hungry. The trip continue…

Mondayne update

2009-07-20T13:47:00.006+10:00

Hello everyone! I have been so slack to update anything about my social life. Apologise for this and also not been able to reply any messages at Facebook.

Been so busy. If I have some spare time, I would end up just curling up on the corner of sofa and holding my warm mug. I did some exciting things on the past few weeks. I had taken some nice photo, but not much. I will surely posted soon, so sorry.

On my mind, I've been feeling slightly blue since my-not-yet-bf been quite distant. He hasn't been up at his stamina since he caught a cold. We haven't spend enough time together… sigh… phone calls are getting rare… less date… less communication. This is probably another reasons I haven't been feeling like blogging.

For quick recap, these what I have been doing:

1. Last night, been so busy preparing for dinner date for tonight!!! Hopefully, me and him could have a big catch up. This is the second week, I prepared Indonesian dinner which always consume lots of preparation time! I was completely tired cooking for 3-4 hours

2. I am thinking to get a reflexology. Has anyone ever get one? My feet aching more and more often.

3. I went to Coffee and Chocolate Affairs at Portside Wharf. It was awesome. Very very posh place. Surprisingly, at the same venue, there was a Boutique Market. Its basically designer/craft markets which I completely love.

4. I also went to Greek Festival, in the week before that. I bought so many greek pasteries, so sugarly high but so yummy. Sorry, no docummentation taken. But, I did bumped into this very cute greek, who looks like Enrique Iglesias :P xoxoxxo…

5. The weather has been so lovely every weekend this month. I am loving it, out in the sun :) Don't forget that it is currently winter at Australia.

I'll post more stuff soon in details. Cya… !!! (check out my bling flats)

On my mind: wedding and engagement

2009-06-22T15:51:00.003+10:00

One of the reasons I haven't been posted anything yet is because I don't have time to find the right image to go along with my story. Sigh… so, to keep my blog alive… the least that I can do for now, I'm gonna post without any images (I'll add in later on) -_-". Pardon me, if my blog won't look that attractive anymore (please just keep your criticsm in your mind).

For a start, I don't want to give a big shock or anything. But, sorry to dissapoint, I am not going to get engage or married anytime soon. But my friends are!!! I spotted over facebook, their pre-wedding photos, their status update into engaged, and yes, even their wedding photos. It's quite a surprise at first, since they are all my high school friends which are all still in early 20's (okay mid 2o's). This engagement–wedding news is just spring like chicken pox in summer. Sorry if it sounds quite harsh but seriously?!!! is it the time already?!!!

Please I really wanted to know, what age is acceptable/normal for a girl to get married? what age are you planning to get settle down your self?

Not just that, my sister seems going pretty solid with her current bf. They intend to buy a house together. And all of these, has brought my parents asking me questions about the future… which I really have no definite answer. I still have no idea where am I going to be and whom to be with. I still have no plan or definite expectations and I am not worried at all.

On the other hand, looking at my potential bf, he seems very free sprited and young at heart as a person. It is really hard to imagine a person like him to settle down. (LOL) You would get what I mean, it has been more than 6 months and we are not even in relationship yet. I just don't bother to ask him again :P when the time come, it will come… lalallaa…

Sweet signs

2009-05-12T23:37:00.004+10:00

Created by Publicis Mojo and @RadicalMedia Director: Patrick Hughes

Something sweet for you to watch. Reminds me of my mundane life before I noticed his existance. The story has similarity with my own experience of how I met "my-not-yet-bf". Except none of us were brave enough to say "Hi" to each other, until one day on my Birthday… (read my old post, here).

Cuppa tea and forestberry muffin

2009-05-04T15:31:00.003+10:00

It's a long weekend here in Brisbane. Today is a labour day! I was so looking forward for it. Me and "my-not-ye-bf" was planning to go to Gold Coast again. And then… he told me he had to attend a wedding for the whole weekend 0_0. Of course, I was very very dissapointed… and yet, today this last free day, he had to make an emergency excuse not to see me T_T sigh…

To redeem my self, I turn my self into baking, retail therapy and redecorating the house during the long weekend :P I am feeling much much happier after sucessfully made the right muffin. People say it's easy to make muffin. But I am so inexperience in baking. My first experience was an apple muffin. I couldn't make the texture right. Somehow, it was too dry.

But finally, my forestberry muffin is near perfect!!! I read couple few different recipes to make muffin. One tricks that helping me is by filling the paper cups with water before baking, to keep the paper moist. I tried this recipe from RasaMalaysia. I enjoy eating them with a cuppa of taiwanese green tea (All San High Mountain tea). My lovely teaset shown above was a Christmas present from "my-not-yet-bf" ^^It's such a sweet teapot.

So I spent my last Monday, relaxing… drinking tea… muching my delicious muffin :P The weather has been so nice. It's been so calming just staying at home (since I've got the whole house for my self and I've tidy up the house yesterday). There's nowhere else better to be rather then just stay at home^^

Bulgogi stew

2009-04-23T21:53:00.001+10:00

I cooked bulgogi stew the other night. It's quite a hearty meals to have during this autumn seasons. It has been quite chilly lately.

People always think when it comes to bulgogi, as such a meaty meal. But it's really up to you, depends what do you want to put in. The beef is necessary for the broth but you could balance everything with lot's of veges and mushrooms. That's what the right bulgogi stew all about! Not just purely meat like normal bulgogi.

I love eating more of the mushrooms and usually leave all the meat behind for my sister to finish :P (well, I am always towards more to vegetarian, just incase you don't know). With the beef, there's two type you can use… the big chunk of tenderloins meat chopped or just the bulgogi beef that you could buy at Korean's shop. With the chunk of meat, long marinating is necessary (a day would be perfect). when it comes to cook it, you just boiled them in long hours, it will produce so much better broth. Since I am not a big fan of meat, I just use the thin strips bulgogi beef. With this type of meat, an hour marinate will do. However, when it comes cooking this meat. You don't want to really over cooked them (it'll become hard). You have to have your broth ready first (drained the marinate sauce from the beef, put them in. Add in chicken stock, soy sauce and sugar for taste). Put the potato noodle (needs about 20 min to be soft) and mushrooms into the stew before you put the meat in. When everything boiled and the noodle is quite soft put in the bulgogi beef (serve portions only). It will cook pretty fast since it's very thin (2 minutes will do). Have the soups straight away. You could just add in the beef everytime you want to eat.

One other thing to note, if you are using enoki (golden) mushrooms. Just blanch this mushroom with hot water for few sec then top it up in your bowl (you could see in the picture, the enoki just placed in the corner by it self :p). Don't put in enoki mushrooms together with the stew. This mushroom is just as nice to eat it raw. I just knew this recently btw ;)

For the recipe, please visit here. It's slightly differents steps since it used the big chunk of meat. It's really up to you. But remember, in order to have soft chewy potato noodles you need to boil it for awhile. Hope you'll like it.

Sicky week

2009-04-21T10:14:00.005+10:00

I've been having a sore throat since last week. It's progressing to chesty cough now >_< But comparing with my previous cold sickness, I think this is quite moderate. I've taken precautions quite early. Except, one stupid mistake… I drank wine twice!!! It kinda made my throat feels more itchy :P

I've been so busy taking Salsa class too. Sorry, after arrived home I have no more energy to blog. Well, I kinda got really hook into dancing at the moment. Rehearse the steps every now and then. It has been so much fun. I am not saying that it's easy. That's why I keep on practicing. At least, I've made a progress^^ I recieved a very good praised from "my-not-yet-bf". It feels nice to hear it from him while he spinned me around and kissed my forehead. He is apparently a very good Salsa dancer ;) He teaches me from time to time. I feel very lucky by having my personal private instructor… hehehe…

I am so happy that I finally learning Salsa. I've been wanting to learn it since at High School!!! It's been a long waiting. Talking about waiting. I really can't wait to get my $900 incentive from the government. (Yup, here at Aussie, the government giving away $900 for any people who have done their tax return last year. Jealous?!!) It's not like that money gonna last long. Pretty much going to be gone to pay my dancing tuition >_< arghhh…

Teal blue outfit

2009-04-13T13:48:00.002+10:00

Admittedly, I am completely a pink person. Everything that I am wearing has a tinge of pink. You just need to go out with me for couple of times to find out my favourite colour. But I don't know why I've always been attracted with this kind of blue. Especially when I am heading out in nice breazy weather (and yellow if it's summery). Let me tell you another secret, I keep wearing this same outfit for EKKA festival o_0! Can you believe?! same outfit for same event, every year. I just realised I have tendency to do that.…

Don't you love Saturday morning?

2009-04-08T14:01:00.003+10:00

Saturday is the most relaxing day of the week. The day when you can do whatever you like and not worrying what to do tomorrow (since it still Sunday!!!). You can wake up late and snooze all day.

But no! I definitely won't let my Saturday morning passed away like that. You know, it's a very rewarding feelings to have a relaxing morning through out your busy week. You wake up early… (not too early, around 8 am) then you just relax, make a coffee for your self or just have a sip of tea, listen to birds chipping around. No rushing preparing sandwich for lunch, showering, having breakfast, make up, etc.

On previous weekend, me and my girls decided to grab breakfast together. It was such a lovely weather. I went out with my teal blue outfit and my flowly skirts. We had breakfast at New Farm. The caffee called Cirque. I went there for the first time with my ex. I couldn't believe it has been a year since I've been there. This would be my second visit. I've been looking forward to go back and have breakfast there. But never made it 'till now since all my friends are not really a morning person. (so dissapointing isn't…)

That would be my sister muching her big breakfast called Chowdown, complete with 2 sausages, bacons, 2 poached eggs, sour dough toast, hash brown, caramillised onions, wilted spinach and tomato. For my self, I prefer to have the Vegodown, same like my sister without the meat and as exchange I've got half sliced of avocado (only!!!, no wonder I was the first one who got hungry). The atmosphere on the caffee were just so lovely. We were just chatting and gossipping and had a sip of mocha.

Well, it wouldn't be a perfect Saturday morning without getting any macaroons. Unless you don't know, I am a macaroons lover. But macaroons at Chouquette Patiesserie is the best at Brisbane. You definitely don't want to miss it if you go to New Farm in the morning. Since you can only able to buy them before 12pm, otherwise at most time it will be sold out! unless you're very lucky.

We visited the lovely French Patisserie and bought our macaroons. I was a happy girl on that Saturday, very happy girl. Check Cirque review by other blogger here. More details about Chouquette here.

What do you usually do on Saturday morning? Hope you guys had a great easter break.

Happily cruising together

2009-03-27T21:54:00.003+10:00

After listened to my friend's hardship, I thought back and looked over my own "relationship" (with "my-not-yet-bf"). Honestly, sometimes I am actually worried. From time to time, I wonder what if things just not moving forward… In a sense, he might just hold me back for his own selfish reasons… Especially, when most of my close friends keep asking me about the clarity of my relatiohship between him. It tires me for telling the same reasons again and again. And yet, it doesn't sound like it progressing anywhere…

But I quickly realised that it's just a foolish tought. I'm quite certain all my friends just overly worries about me. Only me and him know for sure how things goes between us. So far, he has been trying not to keeping me down and not leaving me in a doubt. He has showed me such a genuine affections. He is simply a wonderful guy.

If we weren't meant for each other in the end. I will still be thankful for the chances given to be able to know him until that moment. We've been having such a great time together. He has trully brighten my life.

I am really happy where I am now. We neither friends or lovers. We're just happily cruising together. So please, stop worrying and stop asking me about me and him. I'll be okay.

It's better to have loved and lost then to never have loved… I am taking my chances ;)

Image above called Boat ride – Nihonhon from HyperAsian Flickr.

Gravity

2009-03-25T23:11:00.011+10:00

It's true. It just happens… you have no control of it. But what if… the person you like always keeping you down or don't feel the same way as you do. How would you fight your own feelings… and decided to stop.

My friend took the courage to walk away. I am so touched with her brave decision. She seems so much stronger now.

She shared me this video clip music from Sara Bareilles Gravity. It tells perfectly her stories. (or could be mine in the future. I hope not.) It's quite a touchy song… sobs… I like it! might sing it for karaoke :P

Image above from letterpress card printed by Blush publishing, typography by Jim Williams. I found it during my Friday stroll at Folio bookstore. This gem really cost me a fortune for just a card >_< Ohhh, where's my money gone?!!!

I love CanCam

2009-03-20T17:21:00.000+10:00

I’ve been so addicted reading this girl’s Japanese Magazine. You know what I like so much about them?! They’re so big and chunky filled with plenty of pretty and handy stuffs!!! I can really read them over and over again. There’re always new things that I pick up from that magazine. Their make-up, hairstyle and nails art tutorials is very very handy!!! I guess that’s what makes it stands out than any other mag.

CanCam is in my top list. But I found some other mag that are pretty good too. I like JJ, Jelly, More (the April issues has really handy quick bento recipes), Vivi (I think this one is HK), and Mina (quite casual and teenish). The only thing is I wish I could really read them!!!!

You could always get all this mag from Kinokuniya (but yea, the price is quite dear… maybe some of you prefer to spend it on other things). Pssst… since there’s no Kinokuniya at Brisbane. I’ve been getting all the latest issues from here. It’s a secret between us, okay.

Hope it will give you something to read during the weekend. I wish you have a lovely one. Happy reading!

I just wanted to be loved, how selfish could I be

2009-03-13T21:34:00.004+10:00

I dunno why I suddenly have my break down moment. It has been such a great day. I could be such a difficult and impatients person to deal with really… sigh… such a troublesome…

Geeshhh… I dunno if someone could ever accept me for who I am… I'm so imperfect and have so many high expectations…

Yes, my sister thinks I'm quite a weirdo. I think I am -_-" hrhhhh… I am who I am. compromising can reach each toll…

Duck! Rabbit!

2009-03-13T12:58:00.005+10:00

Something fun to watch. It's short animation from a book called Duck! Rabbit! by By Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. It teaches your kids about optical illusion. It's definitely a compulsory reading for my kids (My kids!!!!… Oh my, I'm thinking too far) well, just incase they want to follow my foot step become a graphic designer :P (ck ck ck… yes, i'm being ridiculous) You could get the book from here.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!!! Hope you enjoy the short clip^^ …and Happy Birthday to Kanimaki^^ I wish you have a great birthday

I heart New York

2009-03-12T18:42:00.002+10:00

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it — New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it — New York, New York!!!

Excerpts lyrics from Frank Sinatra New York New York

Remember that song… so much energy! My colleague just came back from her around the world trip. She showed us all her trips photo. Geeshhh, New York really is a big city!!! No wonder that there's so much diversity over there.

My friend and her partner traveled from New Zealand, New York, Vancouver, Boston, Rome and Bangkok -_-" I envy her so much, I can't wait to have my own trip. Let's put New York on the list. I am planning to go to Korea and Japan first, hopefully this year!!!

Where would you like to visit this year for getaway?

Image from New York magazine. I really like the magazine it self. It tells all the hip stuff happening over there. I love the typeface used as the masthead too. I wonder what is it. Anyone can guess?

Autumn is coming

2009-03-09T12:13:00.006+10:00

Perfect weather during the weekend. I must say it's now entering to autumn season. It was bright and sunny with slightly cool breeze.

Attended my friend birthday BBQ at New Farm park on Sunday. It was so lovely to be there. I really enjoy spending time in the park and having laid back time. Some people would enjoy having a date in nice fancy restaurant, for me, a picnic would be my perfect date :P plus with a glass of wine, sigh… that would be really nice^^

Saturday was ok… was catching up with my beauty sleeps. Oh, I got new phone too. It's Samsung F480 in PINK!!! But seriously… I still need to get used to with the touch screen -_-" I feel so old… it's getting hard to keep up with technology. It's about time I changed my phone. My cap plan doesn't suits me anymore anyway. Couples of my last month bill just keep sky rocketting -_-" sighhhh…

Sighhh… I can't stop thinking about him (arghhhhh… the agony… why… why…)

Psst… let's fall in love

2009-03-06T19:14:00.003+10:00

Dear my friends that have been having dilemma over love. Let's not worries so much… stop worrying what may come… stop recalling your past… stop thinking whatever he/she feels about you. When you have somewhat warm feelings for someone, just let it be. Don’t be shy and scared to show it… most importantly, show it with actions not just words or a confession. Do things whatever you feel comfortable with. Enjoy the moment of being in love!

To be or not be, let our heart discover… Let’s fall in love

originally uploaded by nijunana

I have a feeling, it's a feeling…
I'm concealing, I don't know why
It's just a mental, sentimental alibi

But I adore you…
So strong… for you…
Why go on stalling
I am falling
Our love is calling
Why be shy?

Let's fall in love
Why shouldn't we fall in love?
Our hearts are made of it
Let's take a chance
Why be afraid of it

Let's close our eyes and make our own paradise
Little we know of it, still we can try
To make a go of it

We might have been meant for each other
To be or not be
Let our hearts… discover…

Let's fall in love
Why shouldn't we fall in love?
Now is the time for it, while we are young
Let's fall in love

Excerpts lyrics from Diana Krall Let's Fall in Love

Nagahama Ramen Gold Coast

2009-03-04T13:22:00.002+10:00

I used to dislike ramen. I had given my self many chance to like them. I tried ramen at the famous Wagamama that seems to be everyone favourite, then again at Top Noodles, and few other places as well. Unfortunately, from all different types of ramen, none of them suits my taste bud.

Then, he (my-not-yet-bf) took me to this ramen shop at Gold Coast. He said it is the BEST! I was being honest and told him that I don’t like ramen. But, I was willing to give it a try. (I must noted about his knowledge about Japanese Culture and his taste in food is really good. I completely trust him on this two. Although, he rated Top Noodles really low which I thought was not bad -_-“ He completely bans me to eat at Top Noodles anymore!!!).

Now, I grew my affection with Nagahama Ramen. It's a tonkatsu (pork bones) based soup. Seriously, there is so much richness with the broth. It will taste even better if you added some benishoga (red pickled ginger), crushed sesame seeds and the most important is TAKANA (spicy pickled vege)! I really can’t get enough of takana. Recently, they charge $1 for one small container of takana (shown in second photo). It is rather a bad news T_T

Remember to visit the Ramen shop when you’re down at the Coast! The whole shop is in orange colour. It won’t be hard to find. The Address: Shop 25, Center Arcade, Surfers Paradise, Queensland. If you are interested to know a bit more history about Nagahama Ramen, please visit here.

Perfect Saturday

2009-03-02T21:00:00.000+10:00

We went down to the Gold Coast on Saturday. It was a perfect sunny day to spend time at the beach. I like him for being spontaneous. He asked me out to go to the beach all of sudden in the morning. I was quite surprise to my self that I actually agreed. Since I’ve always been quite a planner.

It was unexpectedly fun. We were having such a great time together. It was very relaxing day.

What is your ideal day like to spend one sunny weekend?

Happy Monday

2009-03-02T12:41:00.000+10:00

Yesterday, it was one hot Sunday. The heat was very sleep-inducing -_-“ It was a very unproductive day. It was too hot to do anything. Well, except doing your laundry. So I washed up all my linens and changed my quilts. My auntie made this for me.

I’m so glad to be back at work with the air conditioning :P

Hope you all have a great week ahead!!!

Superbly pretty birthday card

2009-02-24T08:41:00.002+10:00

I was very excited when found this card while I was randomly browsing at Christians book store next to my Church on Sunday. I’m amazed with the beautification of the handwriting. It’s very very sweet and it looks yummylicious too! It’s a perfect birthday card for my friend. Hers coming up at April :P She loves dessert just as much as I do.

There were couple more at the store. But this one is my favourite! Maybe because I am a tea person. I might keep this one for my self (hehehe…)

Too bad I can’t find who’s the illustrator. Btw, the card was such a bargain, only $1.50 each!!! I will definitely keep an eye on that store.

Happy Friday

2009-02-20T11:55:00.000+10:00

It’s been quite a tough week for me, especially towards the end of the week. Things get pretty hectic at work. Busy is good, I’m enjoying it. Except the design process mainly for one project, have been really tiring. I need to redesign the whole book for the second time!!! Even though, the design already met the brief and it wasn’t bad design! It always makes me wonder why am I still working here. My design contributions seem worthless. They should just hire some high school graduate.

The design meeting will be arranged next week. I really can’t predict what’s going to happen. I keep imagining that I would walk out in the middle of the meeting!!! Seriously, I could write my resignation letter out of my head, right now. This wasn’t the first time, I’ve been thinking about it many times. I think about the pros why I should stay too, but it’s not good enough. It simply doesn’t lead into my goal or fulfil my objective as designer.

So one more time, please be still my heart!!! I really wish I could be happier and just enjoy doing what I love which is designing.

Hope all of you will have a nice weekend.

Feeling weary

2009-02-16T00:23:00.001+10:00

He has been being inconsiderate lately. It really makes me feel so upset. But most of all, I think I feel disappointed because of how he’s not yet take me in as part of his life. It really ache every times I think of that in my head. It’s getting difficult. I really don’t know how long I could bear this. I start to feel weary. Or am I the one who’s being unreasonable and not patience enough… sigh… maybe I am…

I really care for him. And he still think of me. I really should be glad with this. I guess I just need more patience…

Chocolate Brownies for Valentine’s

2009-02-15T21:35:00.003+10:00

I made some brownies during Valentine’s day^^ I’ve never baked before, except from Mrs. Fielding instant package (I don’t think that is counted, right?). It’s really funny, because I really like eating dessert. But unfortunately, I’ve never tried making them. So, I give my self a chance. The results, wasn’t bad at all. It was so easy!!! Definitely gonna make some more brownies in the near future. I love baking now… I’ve even already planned to make chocolate cookies and cupcakes with my friend next week.

Well, since it was my first experienced baking. I did one stupid mistake. I used half size too small pan to baked. Luckily, it was still turned okay^^ Everyone loves it! (too bad he didn’t have a chance to try it. He’s been busy. I’m a little sad with this. Oh well, more for me, then. ehehehe)

The recipe is coming. I’ve got it from Donna Hays.

Did you make your own hand made chocolate to your love one? What did you give to your special someone this Valentine's?

update: I wish I read this before: DIY sweetheart brownie Valentine from Twig & Thistle.

Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T20:21:00.001+10:00

The skies were somber and drizzling. It was really making me so moody and sleeply at work. I felt so gloomy thinking about Valentine’s day. I need to face another date-less time on that special day, sigh. I haven’t been looking forward to it really.

At least, my orange cardigan cheered me up! Everyone kept telling me how nice was the colour^^ It’s surely brightened my day a bit more. And you know what?! it’s pumpkin colour just like Halloween. I wonder if I really picked it by coincidence…

Thinking about Valentine's day

2009-02-02T19:02:00.000+10:00

I would fly to the moon if I received this >_< Sighhhh… It would be a dream, a very good dream :) Anyway, I wouldn't expect it anytime soon^^ It's all about how things go between us, for now. Even though, it would be really nice if he does (well, there's nothing wrong to be a little optimistic).

Nonetheless, we just had a little quarrel over the weekend. rrr… not really a quarrel yet. But I was kinda upset with him. He was forgetting to call me back when he said he is going to. And then it turned out, I did, upset him back unintentionaly. So I guess we were even. We paid the price, we didn't end up meeting up this weekend. Sigh…

You could order this pretty handwritten cards from hellohandmadepaperie.etsy.com and have it personalised with your own love message.

I've already had something in mind for his Valentine's card^^ I am gonna make it with my own handwritting. Hopefully, it'll be good. What are you preparing for your special someone this year? Mind to share it?

Cadbury Eyebrows commercial Ad

2009-01-27T22:50:00.003+10:00

This is made me laugh in the middle of the night. Sighhh… a glass and half full and joy, indeed. Hmm… make me crave for chocolate, I might just grab a bite before I went to bed.

via Blackeiffel

Few of things that I love at the moment…

2009-01-27T10:27:00.004+10:00

I've been really in love with this pinky nail polish. The colour is so sweet. I've polished all my toes with this^^

The Faceshop is apparently a Korean make up brand. They have other pretty nice stuff, check their website here. I like their tripple eyeshadow too, they kinda long lasting. Unfortunately, I still can't get this brand in Brisbane but I heard that they've already opened some shop at Melbourne and Sydney. Hopefully, it will come to Brissie soon.

This little angel is one of little surprise present that I got before Christmas. He gave it to me one evening when we meet up after work :) He's been very sweet.

I do recieved a nice chirstmas present too. But I'll posted next time…

Marc Johns make my day :P

2009-01-23T09:34:00.005+10:00

Doughhh… Today is one of those days when you wish you could just stay at home and do nothing. It was raining when I needed to go to work. Then I could feel some mixture feeling in my stomach >_< Anyway, today is finally Friday!!! and it will be a long weekend. Since Monday is the Australia Day. Coincidencely, it's the Chinese New Year as well :) Isn't that nice? Everyonce will have a celebration.

I will be spending my time with friends sans bf (yes, still single -_-" sigh) having bbq and steak :P

Image from Marc Johns flickr. Visit his website here.

Taking a long break…

2008-12-17T10:16:00.009+10:00

It's been awhile… I haven't shared anything yet and I am sorry. Christmas is coming soon. I've been so busy catching up with friends, christmas shopping and of course preparing my big long holiday. I can't wait to meet my friends and family back home at Jakarta^^

Although, there have been lots of pressure around me with this holiday seasons. There's still uncertainty with my new relationship… I wish I could understand and made it simple… But I am unsure either. Well, relationship is not easy… I guess I think too much…

Don't get me wrong though, I'm so glad to be with him^^ He is my happiness… maybe thats why I am so worried and scared to loose him :) I might need some time off and just to spend with my self and think everything over… or perhaps just chills…

Also, I've been quite frustrated with so many bills to pay and some paper work to take care of before I went for my holiday. There're so many things to do.

Anyway, Enjoy your Christmas Holiday and just chills… enjoy the moment^^

Just chills, originally uploaded by i.anton. Image was removed.

Patience is virtue

2008-12-01T15:29:00.008+10:00

My best friend reminded me about it, she told me that word. Then my mum pretty much said the same thing, to take it slow. It was a pretty clear sign what I should do.

I guess everyone was quite worried that I was completely loose of my senses. I’ve always been very rational. This is new for me. My feelings for him is so true… I have never been quite certain like this before. It’s sounds very unreasonable when I try to explain it to my mum, my sister and even to him self. How could be possible… since we knew each other just a month.

I admit, I have fancied him for quite awhile (oh well, it is probably my darkest secret). But I was completely surprise my self when I finally got to know him. I We have never expected that we have so much chemistry. Also all the little things that he do^^ really takes me over. He simply makes me feel happy. It was enough for me to fallen in love.

Even though, I am quite sure about what I feel, I wasn't quite sure about his. I was so afraid if he just taken me for granted. I can't help to let my heart crumble into pieces… so I asked him. It seems that he’s been thinking far ahead than me (oh well, he is more mature than me I guess). I got really confused to follow his thoughts >_< But I know for sure he has been feeling the same way^^

Anyway, for the best we decided to take things slow…
to take more time to justify our feelings :) or simply to know each other a bit more… Well, I must say it has been one crazy month :P

Have you ever been in love so high? How did it happen?

I am planning ahead my new year’s resolution.

2008-11-23T09:40:00.000+10:00

This is my list:
1. Made a new portfolio + website
2. Get a better job
3. Learned how to drive
4. Get a new Bf
5. Learned how to salsa dance
6. Do more papertole

Seriously, I’ve been dragging what I’ve been wanting so much in my life farrr too long. I really need to be more focus and committed into it. Yes, I have a plan!

There won’t be anything else that would make happier to fulfil my life goals. I promise I won’t be distracted again, no more excuse.

Have you planned your new year’s resolution, yet? Well, you might want to think about it very soon. Time flies so fast, you will get distracted so much with Christmas holiday.