Mama Quiet Time

Today was a quiet day. I went to my appointment with Dr. Sukhi in the morning, then came home to have lunch before meeting an old friend who I haven't seen for a while to chat about a side business I'm considering. However, she had to stay home with her dad who was not feeling well. So we just had a short chat over the phone instead and had the rest of my afternoon free.

Maddi needed to nap, and usually, I can't just lay her down. She loves to be held. So she usually naps in the carseat or stroller while I'm out and about or I carry her in the Moby wrap. However, when I laid her down on the couch to put the Moby on, she just stayed sleeping. Jackpot! Mama gets to have her own quiet time... with some English tea, French cookies, chocolate, classical music in the background and a book - The Artist Way.

The Chins Welcome A Plus One!

My sister sent a present for us a couple of months ago through a friend and on the card it said not to open until my baby shower. I was good and followed directions. On Sunday, Sean and I finally opened the present... and out comes Baby Chin! Isn't he cute?!

Ticket for Two

When I checked the mailbox tonight, this was the most exciting piece of mail we received today - a boarding pass invitation to our friends Nat & J's Mexico wedding! So fun, what a neat idea!

It's unfortunate that we won't be able to join in the festivities as the wedding is less than a month after I'm due to have Maddi. However, if we get bumped up to first class... there might be a chance we'd make it. Just kidding! =P

Pamper Me

It's been a while since I've had any self-pampering... and for the last few weeks, I've been wanting to get some "pamper me" time in. Earlier last week, I called my trusty esthetician for a home service appointment. She's the best!

I love getting spa services done... it's one of my favourite things, but sometimes, it's even better when you can get them done in the comfort of your own home.

Almost four hours later... mani/pedi - check; waxing - check; facial - check! I feel so good! By the way, the colour on my nails is a combination of OPI's Tickle My Fancy and Celebration.

Now, the only thing I have yet to do is book myself in for a massage.

Lavender

Having had a busy day... and a tired hubby who couldn't go for a longer walk than literally just around our building, I didn't have a picture for the day by 10pm. so, I took a picture of my lavender plant that blossomed a few weeks ago.

I've been meaning to take a picture of it, I guess tonight is the perfect time!

Maddi's New Kicks

The other day, when Penny came to do a photo shoot with us, she brought a present for Maddi. Aren't they the cutest little sneakers?! Sooo tiny! Maddi will be stylin' before she's even born!

Thanks, Penny!

Make A Wish...

On a dandelion!

I have always thought these to be sooo neat, albeit many consider them to be weeds. I love that you can blow on them and how interesting it is to see bits of them disperse and fly away... like sending your wishes to the wind, to find ways of making each of them come true!

Admittedly, it is a bit of a romantic way to think. It is a bit childish and a bit of wishful thinking; but sometimes, one has to spend some time with their heads in the cloud in order to catch a dream, then come back down to earth in order to realistically plan how to make their dreams come true!
 
Have you spent any time indulging your imagination with your head in the clouds? If so, what was your experience like? What realities did you dream up for yourself?

My Rocket Dogs

Not just a pretty face, so comfy... my favourite companion for walking around downtown!

You bring out the best kid in me... curious, playful, full of wonder in exploring the world around me.

Look At Me!

During our walk on this rainy Sunday night, something caught my attention. A street lamp shines on some of the branches of a magnolia tree, showcasing their blooms... as if calling out "look at me!"

Perfect

Tonight, hubby and I are hosting our friend, Cathy, who's come to visit us from her romantic and fairytale-like village of Clayburn. She came with a bouquet of vibrant tulips in her arms... and they are the perfect hostess gift!

I read somewhere on a website that because they are not too elegant, nor too romantic, too big, nor too small, too plain, nor too bright; the tulip is always just right. They are like a favourite pair of jeans or mom's fresh-baked cookies in that the messages that tulips convey are ones of genuine coziness and comfort... in all of the right ways.

Thanks, Cathy!

Mother of Pearl

I can appreciate the beauty in jewelry... although I've never really loved them like some women do. However, this necklace is special and has been my favourite since my mother gave it to me as a present on my wedding day.

Some weeks ago, I unconsciously started wearing it. I think I miss my mommy, and wearing it was a way for me to keep her close to me...

Go Lightly

This paperweight was given to me by a friend during my uni days. I was going through some stuff and was taking things perhaps a little too seriously than I should. I can tend to do that from time to time. Over the years, as I've grown older and hopefully, wiser... I've also learned to loosen up a bit.

I've kept this gift all these years because it is a good reminder... and a very appropriate reminder, now that I'm done with my course. It's PLAY time!

Feist Up Your Life!

My sister had a friend traveling to Vancouver from Manila earlier this week, so she sent a package with her for me. She said it's an early birthday present - no kidding, my birthday isn't till July! Sean went to pick it up today and when I got home from work, the package was sitting on our dining table waiting for me.

It's been a looong week... this is definitely a much appreciated fun way to end the week with. In the package was a funky dress with a little punch of feist! I love it! Thank you!

Delicately Arty

This is a hand-painted Chinese snuff bottle that I got while on a cruise along China's Yangtze River in 2006. A very small bottle, similar to perfume bottles... the artist paints with an angled brush from inside the bottle. The opening on top where the brush goes through is tiny, and the cavity within the bottle in which the artist maneuvers the brush as he/she paints is very narrow.

It is quite amazing to watch the artists paint these bottles in less than an hour! They weren't being sold for much at all... at least not on par with the talent it takes to make this art piece. The price made my pocket happy... but I definitely appreciate it more than what I paid for it. It is a valued souvenir from our travels.

Next time you travel, look for great art... even among the cheap stuff. Get artistic inspiration everywhere you go!

Exploring The Secret To My Happiness

I have to be honest... more than the odd occasion, I get very dissatisfied and frustrated at work and I wonder why I am still working there. But then, there are times when I get that reminder of why I haven't left, why I do what I do. Today was one of those times.

I work for a personal growth and finance training company. Harv, the owner of the company, travels a lot and it is quite a rare occasion to have him in the office. Today, we got a visit from him and had a gathering to acknowledge staff members that have been with the company for certain milestone years as well as those that have shown excellent performance above and beyond their call of duty. I was awarded for 7 years of service, and was presented a set of Cross pen and pencil as well as a gorgeous custom journal. For those of you who know how much I love stationery, this was definitely a much appreciated gift.

We then had an Ask Harv Live opportunity where the staff got to ask him anything we wanted - on either business or personal topics. After, he led us through an exercise where we got to uncover the "secret" to our happiness - "To be happy, I need to do things that make me feel good... about me." I must say, it was a pretty neat idea.

I've been going through some personal crisis in the past few days... and this has been very instrumental in helping me get clear on what I should do - not what I need to do to feel good, but what I need to do to feel good about me. Now I know what my new journal will house - notes from my journey as I explore the path to my own happiness.

Fun With Colours

Got a Living Social deal of $20 for $40 Red Ginger Cosmetics gift card... and saw this 120 colour eyeshadow palette which was $80 but on sale for $40. Bingo! So I got the gift card and ordered the palette. It arrived yesterday and I'm excited to have some fun with it!

Play... with whatever you can get your hands on!

Show Your True Colours!

After submitting payroll today, I took the rest of the day off so I can have extra time to study for my midterm tomorrow night. Sean has today off from work as well and when I got home, I was greeted with colourful mums! They totally brightened my day, despite knowing that I can't escape having to study! The mums were in different colours: blue, purple, yellow, orange, pink, green (yes, green - they were dyed). The colours are so vibrant.

Their message: don't be afraid to show the world who you are!

Whimsy

Another teapot in my collection, a Joyce Shelton Tea Party design. I love how whimsical her designs are! "Whimsy" is what my heart longs to be; but right now, my brain has to be more analytical than it wants to be and get through the rest of this dreadful Economics course. Unfortunately, it is a necessary evil for what I'm trying to pursue, and is made worse by an incompetent instructor. I am counting the days until it's done... and there will be celebrating!!! Midterm exam on Thursday, wish me luck!

Mr. & Mrs. Chin Say Gung Hei Fat Choi!

Mr. and Mrs. Chin are a set of salt and pepper grinders I got as a Christmas present one year from my sister... and possibly the most "Chinese" thing in my house at the moment. I was a bit worried about my post today. I wanted something to tie in with the Chinese New Year celebration, but wouldn't have the time to go hunt for the perfect picture to take and put up. So I scoured the house last night to find something I already have, no luck. Then when I woke up this morning, it just came to me - Mr. & Mrs. Chin who live in my sideboard! Time to pull them out for a portrait shoot! Aren't they just darling?!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! May the Year of the Rabbit be a prosperous, happy and lucky one for you!

Click here to read about your Chinese Horoscope for 2011, Year of the Rabbit

Click here to Find Your Chinese Zodiac Animal

Ticket To My Happy Place

One of my favourite ways to spend my morning hours is having tea and journaling. Over a year ago, I discovered that the smell of jasmine tea had this incredible way of transporting me to my younger days, running around with my cousins at Ama Zamboanga's house. Ama is grandma in Fookien, the Chinese dialect my family speaks. Zamboanga is a city in the southern part of the Philippines, my mom's hometown.


Ama Zamboanga enjoyed having a house full of noisy grandchildren. It was especially noisy in the Summer, when many of us visited. Every once in a while, she would stop us from all our running around for a quick sip of tea. She served hers at room temperature, sweetened with sugar - possibly because that's the only way we would drink it. Then, we would be off again, doing what kids do best - playing!


My Ama Zamboanga passed away when I was about 12 or 13 years old. It was an unexpected lovely surprise when I had my first experience of re-connecting with her after so many years, aboard the Jasmine Tea Express. Now I have an easy way to get to my happy place, I just gotta get my hands on some jasmine tea!