WINDY WEATHER

Super Light Weight Windbreaker

Yes, I am going to Nepal this Saturday.

Have just checked with the agent and the weather is pretty good (around six to 18 degree Celsius). OK so it's time to bring out some sweaters, jeans, footwear for my packing purposes.

 

I just realised that I need a jacket but not the thick heavy ones which I used to use when I was schooling in Australia (Sydney was not too cold, but hated Melbourne weather especially in August).

 

I came across the Uniqlo super light weight wind breaker which they called the Ultra Light Down. It is easy to pack and I think the plus point is definitely the weigh (or weightless) factor.

 

 

 

I bought the cream as they did not have the blue one in a smaller size.

 

The selection at the KL shop is rather limited or mostly sold off, so if you want better colours and in smaller sizes head to Setia City Mall instead (as I was there today). Uniqlo at Setia Mall carries the pumpkin, black, blue and also pink in smaller sizes but I think I am sticking with the cream colour for now.

 

LEMON & ROCK

Not Your Fruit Lemon

Ah, there are moments in our life where we are given lemons instead of a Valentino Va Va Voom Bag (wishful thinking). Most people will say when life give you lemons, go and make lemonade out of it (or maybe a lemon cake too). I wish it is that simple. Well it is a saying after all.

 

 

In my case I have been thrown with a rock .. so if I follow the advice given then I am supposed to collect the rock and build a house with it!??? Wow it will take many years and a lot of rocks being thrown my way.

 

 

I do not mind a house this great, really. More rocks please!

 

I think what is most important is never be beaten down but rise up to the occasion. There are many weird type or kind of people out there but does it mean we have to stoop as low as them. Hell NO. Show them that we are better. Some people (especially those who are related to you unfortunately) are never happy for you when you achieve greatness in your life, worse they try to put you down constantly, but life is great and beautiful. As such I choose to not be intimidated by these bunch of people and live a fruitful and happy life with my own family (instead what they do not realise is that the rock will teach me to be more patient and be resilient towards life challenges).

 

Love life always.

 

 

 

BEAUTY POST

Make Up, Beauty Brush & Ors

I was lazy last Friday so I took off from work earlier than I'm supposed to. But hey, life is too short to stay at work when you do not feel like it. Ha ha - yup you are right, the boss was away :)

 

I have been meaning to look or buy myself some new foundation or loose powder.

 

There are so many types in the store and if you imagine in the olden days, there is only one type available to our grandmother (the pressed talc powder). I am still using it though not on my face. Do you know that it is a really good powder which you can use to clean all your jewellery with. Try it.

I have heard that some people say that Asian products is suitable for Asian skin and Caucasian brand is better suited for Caucasian. I am not too sure about this statement though as I do have a few favourite products from Chanel, Nars, Smash Box, YSL just to name a few non Asian cosmetic brand. OK so I decided to sample with some Asian brand this time.

 

I have tried using Shiseido quite awhile ago as my mother is an avid fan. She only uses Shiseido period.

 

I want to try their foundation however I was not too sure of which one. So I went to Sephora website to check out which one of the Shiseido foundation that has the high rating by users so that I will know which one to pick later (sometimes I don't trust the sales person as they prefer pitching new products as required by their company to do so rather than really trying to understand what I require).

 

I tried the Sheer and Perfect Foundation and the Sheer Matifying Compact.

 

This is the Sheer and Perfect Foundation

This is the Sheer Matifying Compact

 

 

I think they are both good however I only need one product and I wish both can be combined into one. As you know compact powder is good at matifying (however it can look cakey if applied too much and looks flaky on dry area - I have combination skin just in case if you want to know) whereas foundation liquid is easy to apply minus cakey-ness, however sometimes my skin look like it had been drenched in oil (T-Zone area especially) on hot and humid days. So what I would really like is to apply the powder foundation on my T-Zone area and the liquid foundation on other areas. I did not get either at the end as I already own a few liquid foundation.

 

What I end up purchasing is a brush. Hah! Yup a really good one that is.

 

 

 

It's called the Perfect Foundation Brush

 

 

 

I hate using brushes to apply make up as I think it lacks precision (or I'm just not that good). I prefer using my fingers as I have more control. Nevertheless I am a sucker for all things good and nice. I bought the Perfect Foundation Brush after the sales person tried it on me (she's not even trying to sell it to me OK). The application of the foundation is perfect and it hides imperfection better than most brushes I have ever used. It is made of horse hair and it is super soft. I read that it's sold for USD30 (about RM99) in US and I got mine at RM95. I still prefer to apply spots of foundation on my face first rather than using the brush to pick up from the foundation from the bottle itself as it allows control on the total amount of foundation that I am applying on my face. Try it out. I really think it's worth it.

 

And the rest of my damage as below ....

 

This is the new Shiseido Ibuki range and I hope it works so that I do not need to get some small bottle of crazily prized cream from my dermatologist (though I hate to admit that it works).

Happy Monday everyone.

[I am not in the business in promoting any Brands and the reviews here are my own, besides it's kinda sad to be purchasing the product yourself and no one is paying you to promote their products]

 

LETS TALK

What Irks You

Well what annoys me? Many things of course.

 

I think encountering people who have no manners and have no consideration towards others can be one of those things that tops my list.

 

One clear example, people who uses the gym and do not have half the brain to wear proper shoes (worse bare footed) coupled with the fact that they do not have a towel to dry the gym equipments after using them.

 

The nit whit lack of shoes and a brain.

I find it amazing that people are raised to have disregard to others feelings, devoid of civic mindedness ... and the best of all major ignorance of the rules and regulations set in place (besides ignorance of the law is not a good self defense). BUT then again why should I be surprised as anything can happen in Malaysia.

 

Sadness.

 

 

 

FASHION SWEATER

Major Knits

Hah, it is not a thing to wear sweater or knits in the Malaysian sweltering hot and humid climate but of course you can make excuses when you are working in a freezing cold office or perhaps on those occasion when you are travelling to countries lucky (or not) enough to have four seasons.

 

There are good quality ones made of merino wool and cashmere (stroke the baby everyday if I own one) which cost a bomb and some with not so good material like poly blend material which may not even be cheap even though less desirable material is being used.

 

I bought a cute (discounted) sweater with a cool wording splashed across the chest a few days ago and I am taken in by the bold word (it's actually knit and not print) which makes me feel very happy.

 



 

As we know the Northern hemisphere countries are experiencing fall now, ahh imagine maple leaves turning into a golden colour and it drapes the skylight with its lushes fluttering leaves that does not seem wanting to fall off  but nature will take its course sooner or later and after that it's full on winter.

 

Due to that reason, sweaters in the most bountiful designs and types are at its most high with some wonderful creations being available online. I do covet a couple of pieces like the Kenzo Eye Ones. BUT they do cost an arm and a leg so I will just drool at the pictures for now. (Besides it's such a hit that most small sizes are already off the rack.)

 

 

 

And the people who wears them: Diane Kruger & Gisele (just to name a few)

 

 

 

OK so for the mere mortals like me and you there are other selections like below.

 

  

Sweats from Shopbop

 

 

Mango and Topshop have pretty decent ones and the price range is a tad more affordable but it's never wrong to covet for a masterpiece right.

 

 

  

 

 

Dream****

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

FOOD

Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant, Ampang Selangor

Long weekend is the best, unfortunately all good things need to come to an end (therefore I am back at work).

H and his family (including myself) went to this place called Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant at Ulu Langat or near the Ampang Lookout Point which has now been closed permanently.

I guess I was having a boring public holiday mood so I decided to tag along to this place and I really do not have high expectation though I am rather curious as I have heard about this place on numerous occasion from my brother who has frequented this place more often than he should (he does stay the furthest away though).

After a short drive we arrive at the door step and the place does not look fantastic ( I mean basic red plastic chairs and typical chalet type dining where it is perched at the side of this man made pond). I think it's different to what city slickers are accustomed to and some may appreciate the view though.

 

Alright let's get to the food. The food that is being offered is Thai style cooking food. There are a variety of seafood, meat (excluding pork), vegetables and desserts too. My father in law ordered seafood tom yum (Thai spicy and sour soup/broth), baby fern stir fry with garlic, chicken feet salad (not for me), catfish salad, baked (on charcoal fire) shell fish and crab, tilapia fish cooked in Thai lemon broth and a few other dishes which I cannot really remember (and coconut drink for everyone - it costs RM5.00 here and I usually get my stock of fresh coconut from my local fruit vendor at RM3.50 each). Seriously before I can even start my lunch I saw rodent/pest on the loose. MONKEYS!

If you have not seen a monkey real life (the ones you see in the zoo does not count) these ones are wild and the monkeys practically try to gorge themselves with the food left on the table. The problem with this place is that they do not have enough waiter/attendants to clean the tables after the patrons have finished (half finished) and left their table. Further the rubbish bins are left opened or maybe the monkeys figure how to open the lids and decided to have a party there. The rubbish bins are also placed at each section of the platoon and it's really undesirable. What made matters worse is that the monkeys will jump on unattended table and help themselves to the pot of rice left on the table. I am beginning to wonder whether did these people continue to serve the same pot of rice to unsuspecting patrons. EEK!

 

Review on Food:

Let's just say the food is not authentic Thai. Thai food is supposed to be full of robust flavour like sourness from the lime and spiciness from the chili which flavours are really lacking from our food. Am disappointed. The salad that we ordered really fall flat and the condiments for the baked seafood is sad - only one type of dipping sauce which seemed watered down. I mean you are in a Thai restaurant, you do not even have a decent 'nam prik'. Food is expensive and I guess I will not be coming back for the second time.

 

The only thing that is different is just the view I assume but many restaurants have catch up and this is really just a gimmick as we know it, so I really do hope that the owners will buckle up.

 

 

 

 

Hungry fishes that are not afraid of human. The funny thing is that you can buy fish pellets at RM2 to feed them. Smart owners, get the patrons to feed the fish huh.

Really really expensive crabs, I have better ones at Selayang.

Food glorious food? Nah.

 

BOOK

Parenting Based on A Book

Parents do not like to be told hold to teach and discipline their children, just like how most (arrogant) chefs do not like to be told how to cook.

 

I am a parent and I needed help in how to communicate (discipline) my child. Seriously during my parents generation they just discipline my siblings and I in a manner which they think is appropriate (or just for the sake of shutting us up) or in accordance to the method that their parents have inflicted upon them during their childhood.

 

As I am older now, I do think that my parents methods are flawed and leaves a lot of undesirable and unpleasant marks on me. One of it being most significant is that I find it hard to communicate my feelings as we are taught to repress our feelings and not to show them as it is a sign of weakness (so much bullshit here) and the most famous phrase of all 'Children are to be Seen and not Heard'. How wrong is that. Nevertheless I do understand what generation my parents came from and why they would have acted in the manner they did.

 

First of all I am from a typical 'Chinese family' - a father's job is to put food on the table and a mother's job is to make sure that the children are well managed (i.e. children should not utter a single sound/word when the father comes home from a hard day of labour or the children will get some heavy beating and be locked away). Secondly, my parents would have endured the same practices by their own parents (some crap practises to pass around huh). Thirdly, actually being typical 'Chinese' says it all.

 

I realise that at some point or another H & I may have used some of those practices on our children (ok I don't lock my children, I just asked him to stand in a corner). I felt SUPER guilty and I hated myself. Changes need to be made.

 

I did some research and I bough a few books to read about communication (well I do want to foster good relationship with my children so that they will not be 'emotionally' jaded when they grow older).

 

 

Book: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

 

Being a parent does not come with a manual as all children are different (that's what you think). Further there's never a manual in how to be a good mother too right. However at certain point in our lives we want to make things better for the ones we love so we make the effort and take the initiative to change. I hope my children will grow up to have emotionally stability and learn to never fear their feelings or worried about how they can talk to H and I (yup I have difficulty talking to my parents about the emotional stuffs because I really do think they do not know how to acknowledge my feelings, besides they like to side step the issue). Let's all be good parents to our children.

 

*Quick Review



 

The book is likable with real problems that parents can relate to, which I believe happen in all household. It offers several insight in how to handle the 'problematic' situations and it teaches parents to change their mind set in how to communicate and acknowledge their children feelings. I am only on the first chapter but so far so good. My real life example as below:

 

I bought a present for my son's friend and my son insist on opening the present. My son kept asking whether he could open the package even though it was not for him.

 

In normal situation all parents will just say NO. What an easy answer but it is wrong as all parents should also know that saying NO never works anyway so why bother saying it but if used correctly it can be very effective no doubt. The book teaches that in a situation when a child is not able to obtain what he/she wanted and what should be done instead. See below:

 

 

 

 

I tried it with my son by asking him to imagine that we are having the present in our hand. We start to tear off the wrapper and to our surprise we found a gift even better than what we thought was in the present. Guess what, he was a happy camper. He seemed satisfied with that and we went on to talk about other things after that. I was surprised and pleased. I know that there will be situations where it might not work but then again I am still on Chapter One. I am hopeful. My son was happy that I could relate to him.

 

I have also used another method as suggested in this book to acknowledge his feelings when he refused to do something asked him too. The best thing of all is that I prevented a melt down and the task was completed faster than how it normally would. It's all good.

 

Good luck to parenting!