となりのトトロ Ang ku kueh

Another cute class, probably the last for now. 

Learnt so much from teacher Shirley. 

Mung bean are definitely not the girls’ choice, such a pity that only 2 out of 9 are peanut filled (the leaves are peanut filled). It’s really tiring so I’m not sure if I would make the mung bean ang ku kueh. 

Lash Resurrection on 26th April

Excited to know how this process is going to work. This is what I got from their website - browhaus.com

STEP 1

Your lashes are first cleansed with a lash shampoo to remove makeup and surface dirt.

STEP 2

Growth serum is applied to your lash line to activate and stimulate natural follicle growth.

STEP 3

Relax and finish off your treatment with a heated steam eye mask.

So according to Becky the previous time I went for eyelash perm she said I had some blocked follicles which may impede the growth of eyelashes. And it could be careless cleaning. Huh? I washed my face and always rub my eye area, still not clean?

A measurement is done for comparison later on. See my pathetic 'few strands of hair' eyelashes.

Left side

Right side

I have more hair on my right side. Haha! 

The cleaning with shampoo. Ooh.... that sounds so interesting. Is that for sale?  

I was shown a new set of shrink wrapped attachment, to prove that's it's new. I suppose that attaches to probably a microneedle? Had some weird sensation but heck that, it helps to remove any dead skin cells unclogging the lash follicles. I think mine should be too clogged up??  

The serum is then applied to the eyeline. The serum according to Becky is their own house line, not the same as the Extend Lash and Brow Serum, but it still has panax ginseng in it. 

The treatment ended off with a warm eye mask.

After care at home : 

To maximise the treatment efficacy, pair Lash Resurrection with Browhaus’ Extend Lash & Brow Growth Serum, applying once a day before going to bed. 

Let's hope I can get longer and thicker lashes. 

******************************************************

Footnote : I was curious over the process so went to check on it further. Sadly Browhaus don't say much in their website. 

I got the following information from thelashchapter.com

Not sure if this is the same that Browhaus use, but this is used in The Lash Chapter

The Lash Chapter : "Our painfree non invasive treatment allows efficient delivery of active lash loving properties deep into the dermis layer of your skin with our nano needle lash/brow pen allowing up to 95% better absorption to trigger lash or brow growth within 2 -3 cycles."

In the midst of tidying and organising

With the recent Taobao craze, I wondered where was I these years? It's not that difficult to purchase anything from Taobao afterall even though I'm struggling to read chinese. 

For the last 3 months I'm been getting containers that came in different shipment ; different timing. I must admit it takes a long time to arrive if compared to purchases made in Qoo10 or Shoppee (and a little pricey too!) 

Today, after what feels like an eternity my label machine arrived. And yay… I don’t have to go into computer n photoshop design labels anymore. Just print. I have brother label printers but this is different, have bigger shape option so I can print labels for my pantry, laundry items. Okay, slowly but surely I will get my pantry containers all printed out one day. Today, I got these done. Looks so neat right? 

I can even use my own design. Yay! Means this year's Teacher's Day stuffs I can just print and stick. 

Love this cute label for lil' one. I had it coloured printed out by the professionals more than a month ago. So atas right?  

Responsibility

Lil’ one passed me this paper with all the leadership etc… thingy written on it. Then I’m reminded of the year she was the Environment Rep. I always tease her the “rubbish dump girl”. 🤣

#从垃圾桶捡回来的宝宝回垃圾桶#

I must admit this girl does her duties well, she does her task to the best of her ability. Just like me..... Mom always remind me why everytime whenever she picks me up from school (primary school), I always need to rush back to class to empty the bins or sweep the floor. Infact che-che too! So I'm happy to know that I've raised my kids well. 

Self pampering on 15th Apr

It’s been ages since I last went to my beautician ( before 2019?) . Not all the time, but I’ve done eyelash perming; eyebrow embroidery there a few times. So when I had to book for che-che’s Brow Construction at Browhaus, I made an appointment for myself to do Advanced Lash Curl Up. Was really excited but my lashes aren’t as long and thick as before …😥 cross my fingers that I can blink blink my eyes and 出电 with humsome guys 🤣. 

This is the after result of my pathetic 几条毛 perming. 

It’s recommended to avoid getting the lashes wet for the next 24hrs which proves to be a little tricky. A cleansing sponge helped me for the next 2 days. I have to remember not to be rough in washing my face. I do feel the perming lotion getting into my eyes when I washed my face the first 4 times which was really uncomfortable. I don’t remember I had this problem last time.  

I’ve signed up for 3 sessions of Lash Resurrection. Becky showed me hers and it’s so thick and beautiful, I hope I’m making the right choice and keto is not causing my eyelashes to drop otherwise it’s really money wasted. originally a 3 session costs $756, I paid $610. I only checked the price later, what the staff told me was $280/session x3 would be $840 so I’m saving. Yay, I forgot they always like to “sell things”, “promote things like so cheap”. They even asked me to get a store credit card which is valid for 2 years and it’s transferrable, would only need to pay 85% of the full price instead. Nah..I still have dunno how many packages with my beautician (ear candling, bust massage, tummy massage, cupping, facial). Forget it, I wouldn’t know what’s going to happen in a year’s time let alone 2. And che-che would head off the the States then, then how? I do not want to have my money stuck here as well. 

Left the place $845 poorer. (I pray for stronger willpower the next trip to say no to anything new they ask me to get) Got a Lash and Brow Undercoat which I have to use it twice a day to protect and moisturize lashes. I applied 3x a day though! Bought the Lash n Brow Serum which helps to ‘achieve longer, fuller and stronger lashes and brows like never before in just 4 to 6 weeks.’ 

Took this from their website on Lash Resurrection 

Revising Japanese n want to learn german

Something that I regret not doing while in SQ is to re-learn Japanese and pick up German. It was a good way to pick up a new language since language is something that we need constant practice, and as ambassadors for SIN and having so many different passengers on an almost daily basis, it's an opportunity not to be missed right? Yah, but I did miss the opportunity.  

So the question is why didn’t I express interest in the course?

1) If I remember correctly, I’ll need to be in Singapore most times (or was I to be grounded for months?). As it is, I was also studying for my Diploma at that time and I’m not that intelligent to cope with so many things. Most times I have to catch up with lessons at least a week or two after the rests, so if I were to add on a language course I’m only putting more pressure on myself. I don't think I'll be able to go sightseeing anymore, as I'd be holed up in the hotel room studying and studying.  

2) I would have preferred to continue with my Japanese if given a choice. I took up Japanese before I joined the airline, therefore it makes sense that I should continue and upgrade myself. However that would also mean that I would be rostered for more Japan flights even if we had Japanese stewardess on board. Another reason, while I love Japan flights with all the kawaii things I wouldn't want to fly to Japan all the time. Still not willing to forgo much of my sightseeing in other countries. PLUS! A big PLUS! I tend to spend more than my allowance in Japanese stations. So how can I have any savings if I were to overspend?   

Fast forward to 2022, 20 years after I left the airline, I finally picked up the ipad (Using Goodnotes to make my notes) and revised a little of my nihon-go. 

Learning German is what I'd love to do, I bought a set of German Language Kit in 2020, hoping to take CB time to start learning something new. 2 years later nothing is done as I'm just so busy. Perhaps I can do it when I don't have to be so uptight over any of the girl's education. 

wünschen Sie mir Glück  

Having fun with an iPad

A few people I know owns an iPad apart from having a phone. They usually use it to watch dramas in a bigger screen. I wasn’t into iPad because I hardly have time to watch dramas after dramas but during our trip to US in Dec I was kind of interested in owning one. 

More so after when we got stuck in LA and I started thinking to self how nice it would be to have one - lil’ one can use it for her SLS. Also I have been wanting to pick up German, I think it’ll be nice to make notes in iPad. Che-Che told me a lot of people in JC do that. Wow! I didn’t know that. I only knew about this recently when I went into study vlogs in Instagram. The students do their notes so asthetically attractive. I didn’t know there’s such an app called GoodNotes and there are digital planners which one can purchase and download. Sounds really good, especially the planners as I’m crazily mad over planning things. 

I was checking between iPad Pro and iPad Air, more inclined towards iPad Air with the cheaper price between the two. Passing by an Apple Store in Brea Mall tempted me. The cons tend to weigh heavier than the pros so I didn’t go in.  How often do I use it? I don’t have time to watch dramas or play games all the time so it will be a white elephant after the interest dies down. Moreoever, I don’t have to wait for anyone to finish their tuitions outside the house now for me to kill time. I usually pick lil’ one up from school on time so.. even if I happened to have that 10 minutes to spare outside VJC, I’d rather do a quick check on my emails; clear stuffs on phone (my phone’s memory is almost full!). 

Some time in March,  I remembered hubby has an iPad in the house. He hardly uses it now. When I checked his drawer, I noticed he has 2 - iPad 6th gen (2018) and a mini iPad (2019). My goodness! If I had bought one, it might end up in the drawer within a few months. I asked him if I can have it and he gladly gave it to me after deleting and reformatting the iPad. So yay! I finally got one old model but it’s okay. 

I downloaded a few apps which I’ll need it here. And then I embarked on my “studying”. But you know what? I was trying out the Notability and GoodNotes 5 app and instead of embarking on German, I went to revise my Japanese. Haha! It’s good fun being able to write on the iPad. Bought an OEM iPad pencil from Shoppee and then I had so much fun scribbling with ease. 

Yesterday,  I purchased a digital planner from Etsy and started jotting down a few things. Primarily with lil’ one’s major exam dates and I decided to be more hands-on with her. She doesn’t seem to be in sync with her revisions (can sukat sukat jump chapters, then forget what’s done or not done 😖) , so I have to plan the topics she needs to revise and then I’ll 🐯 mom enforce. I’m still exploring GoodNotes but taking a break now to blog. Blogging seems so much easier here too! I’m lazy to lug the laptop around with me, old laptop also battery doesn’t last that long without the cable. 

はなみ - over some days

あっという間に1年が経ちました。そして今、3月です。桜は、私のお気に入りの時期である春の到来に間に合うようにゆっくりと咲いています 。

私の美しさを見るためにフラワードームに向かいます。

Yes, it’s the time of the year again. My cherry blossoms are here.  Majority of the trees are botak and they will slowly bloom, slowly but surely. しばらくお待ちください 。

Charged my battery the night before and brought along DSLR and lenses. I was a little disappointed as I ended up using my phone more than the DSLR. I think there’s something wrong with my 55-250mm lens. Perhaps it’s time to upgrade my lens😬? It wasn’t easy too especially when Che-Che was with me and I took long time with the photo taking. Honestly speaking, I can’t have anyone with me if my main purpose is to take pictures,  I need to be alone coz I tend to take longer time than anyone else taking photos and usually with family members or friends, I have to do it quickly.  

In the end we only spent less than an hour there

Photos taken on opening day - 4th Mar 

The second time (8th Mar) I went on my own before picking lil' one up from school. I spent almost 2 hours in there. See the difference in the photos? 

Haha! Okay maybe not this shot

On 22nd Mar - spent 1.5hrs. Again I could take as many photos, in many angles. 

 

1st April - was with lil' one. I have lesser photos coz this girl lagi more impatient than her sister. Aiyah! Best is when I'm alone lah!  

My visits to the Flower Dome just for sakura display often exceeds the membership fee I pay. It's my happy place, a place where I can immerse myself in the display of flowers and immerse myself in taking photos not a selfie but of the beautiful flowers. A place where I can put my worries anger aside and live for that moment.

Kawaii 可愛い

It’s been such a long time since I went for any cutesy snack making/baking class. The last in 2019 😜 with Jenny.

Che-che asked me why do I need to go for class when I can always learn a plethora of stuffs from YouTube. She’s not wrong but sometimes I feel for some things it’s better to go for class and learn the 技巧.

Went for dumplings class at The Vanilla Bean. Shirley from Kneadtoonspire is the instructor. I had been following her Instagram for quite some time so it’s time to see 老师 in person. 

Not going to talk much about the class, just putting in the end product pictures here. 

                                    我的作品

老师的作品

The boiled dumplings

Had an enjoyable time away from home; away from housework. Once in a while getting day off is really good for me. 

I hope they will like the dumplings and hopefully I’ll have the time to 展开我的才华 , to experiment with more cutesy designs. But alas my kids are so old now ……

The stationery in US

When we knew we would overstay the new school term in USA, we had to get stationeries for lil’ one so she can get some work done here in USA and perhaps “live lesson”? with the rest of her classmates? 

To be fair we only went to the comparable Dollar Store to look for stationeries. So maybe there are more choices in Staples, Target or Walgreens?

Testpad / Writing Pad

It’s really weird to see their testpad with 3 holes and the lines seem so huge compared to ours. Maybe that explains why Americans handwritings are always so huge? 

Pen

She wanted to get pen but they sell in bulks of 5? And mind you, there no such thing as gel pen or Sarasa or whatever. If we’re stuck in Japan, we’d go crazy since we have better excuses to buy stationeries. haha! The pens are like those I used when I was in secondary school. 

If she uses pen, then she’ll need correction tape right? Lo and behold, there no such thing as a correction tape or even the fast drying correction fluid. They carried the old brush correction bottle. Oh my! 

Pencils 

Decided to get her pencils instead. After all as loads she gets her work done, her teachers can’t blame her for using pencil right? It was then a choice of the wooden pencils or the mechanical pencils that comes in 5s. We settled for mechanical pencils but they use 0.7mm HB lead. This is just so weird… I wouldn’t have paid attention to stationeries if not for the situation we were in. But it certainly is an eye opener. 

Eraser

Having being so used to the soft Japanese erasers, it was a struggle to use the huge and hard polymer eraser

Anyway, some pictures to show you what we got. Perhaps if we had gone Staples there would be more choices? 

 

元宵节快乐

🍊 元宵节快乐 🍊

正月十五喜庆多，

苔家团圆委福多，

心情愉快朋友多，

身体健康快乐多，

财源滚滚钞票多，

年年吉祥如意多，

祝大家好事多多多。

Her bestest attendance in school thus far (heehee!)

Lil’ one’s school attendance this year so far is so “good”. Excluding PH, her attendance is  13/26 or should I say 13 days plus 4hrs? Her record! 

Last Friday (4th), the man was tested positive. Results came at 2pm, then he called to inform me. I called the school to check since lil’ one had to stay back for CCA. The school lent her ART kit so she did the test, she didn’t call back so it means she’s negative. Big girl n myself quickly tested ourselves, negative too. We were then issued HRWO - High Risk Warning Order for the next 7 days. 

Monday(7th) was her e-learning day so she didn’t go to school. Tuesday, she called at 9+ and asked me to pick her up

Her report book won't look good this year. *wink*

#notpontangschool# #colivingwithcovid#

Stargazing in US - Dec 2021

Last year’s stargazing  🔭 day in the freezing cold winters. 

I got my DSLR n correct lens n tripod all ready but it was so so so cold + the strong wind 💨. I couldn’t do any set-up as I think my camera will freeze in the cold. My hands and fingers will freeze until someone invents a warm but sensitive to the touch gloves. 

I experimented with my new iPhone 13Pro. I must admit the phone is marvellous. Most of these pictures posted here are unedited unless otherwise stated. 

Let’s start with the last stargazing in JTNP, which we wouldn’t have gone if we all returned home on schedule. So count our blessings. 

31st Dec 

*edited to bring out more stars*

It’s only 6.13pm but we had to make our way back to hotel. We can’t help but stopped along the way to look at the dark sky again coz the moment we head back to Palm Springs, visibility will be low. 

A ranger drive by and stopped to check if we’re alright. Maybe we pulled off at a wrong spot? Or maybe there are wild animals around? 😅 We can’t help but to lay our eyes on the huge masterpiece. This is our last chance to stargaze. Nevertheless he was very friendly with us, I mean I could pick up conversation with him and chat about the stars and this beautiful national park we've been twice already, but I think he needs to get to do his other duties. 

One's feelings is changed the moment we have that darkness all around us and only thrown to marvel the creation of the universe.

How many more days will we be stuck in US? Maybe can we go Death Valley? 😉 I miss DVNP! 

Our position 33.8734° N, 115.9010° W

I really miss the dark sky 🥰. How many times have I repeated this sentence? 

I took some pictures in Grand Canyon but I think my hands were shaking from the cold that my pictures turned out a little blurry. I was not able to get any pictures without the trees, not sure why. All I wanted to do is to snap and run back into the room. I really wonder how some people can stay out so many hours in the cold stargazing and snapping pictures.  

On 13th Dec, the day we arrived in GC. Mr Moon was up and I wondered if I can get any pictures. I’m so glad that even if the sky wasn’t that pitch dark 伸手不见五指, I did manage some shots

The lodge is at 36.0542° N, 112.1199° W

Taurus, that obvious V shape was spotted and immediately I looked up to find the 7 sisters. 

14th Dec - was cloudy. Tho I kept opening the door a few times to check but left disappointed after so many attempts. Moreover weather forecast says there’s going to be a snowstorm in the night. If I apply my geography knowledge, a sudden snowstorm means there’s way too much “droplets” evaporated days before = cloud cover. 

We are not guaranteed clear nights all the time. But I must admit I am disappointed, I don’t live here! If out of 365 days in a year, I still have many days and chances of stargazing I wouldn’t be so disappointed. 

15th Dec 

15th Dec - taken on the day we drove from GC to Page. After a stop in the supermarket, near Page’s City Hall, I just had to look up into the sky even though there were streetlights around us. 

Nearer to the building are Jupiter and Saturn. And the other bright star (to the top right of this photo) is Altair.