pictures of you, pictures of me...

Finally, something came in the mail for me...
My new instax 210 by Fujifilm!
I was excited to get my hands on this as the photos are twice the size of my instax mini 7s.

I first got into instant photos a few years back when I bought my mini 7s in Singapore on a holiday. Back then no one really had one. Since then pretty much most people have got one within this year as it's become more popular.

Even though I love my mini and people ALWAYS comment on it whenever I get it out, the photos can be too small.

This is where my 210 comes in! It takes great wide shots and the picture size is fantastic.
My only quibble with it is the size!
The camera is a BEAST. When I revealed it to the family, everyone was like, "WHOAH. It's HUMONGOUS".

Yes unfortunately it is...hopefully they will make a thinner version sometime. So I don't think I will be putting it in my handbag much.
Also I wish it came in a better colour than black. But that's just me.
Other than that, it's pretty impressive and far more techy it's sister the mini with increased settings and macro settings.
For all those who are interested, it cost me about $70-80 with shipping and I bought the film on ebay from someone in HK.

I'm keenly awaiting my new purchase...a kindle!!! Can't wait...

A little light of mine

I've recently been to the same lighting store about three times for a table lamp -

Once with my brother (where I fell in love with all the glittery, metallic lamps).

Second with my mum to get her objective opinion because I couldn't decide between two or three lamps.

And the third time my mum went on my behalf to get me this one which was my original love. 

So tonight I took some photos for the benefit of my colleagues who all wanted to see what it looks like.

As you can tell it's sparkly and glittery and I love the intricate latice-like metal pattern. It's actually been cut out from a big sheet of metal and it's perfection. The base of the lamp is a pewter colour - though it looks black in the picture. You can also get it in silver. 

Currently I have a 60 watt light bulb inside which is perfect for a nice ambient glow. When I had the 100  watt light bulb I literally was seeing stars thanks to the shininess and ultimate GLARE. 

I haven't been able to find a lamp quite like it at any other lighting stores...so I'm very happy with this find :) 

Why?

The most annoying question in the whole English language.
WHY?
Here's my answer to you: WHY so nosy?! 

On another note...read this on my Uncle's fb and think it's really great.

Cloudy sky, stormy sea;
And grace enough to last.

Failing strength, unanswered prayer;
And grace enough to last.

Lonely heart. weary day;
And grace enough to last.

Shadowed vale, pain and death,
And grace enough to last.

Grace, God's grace, sufficient;
And grace enough to last.

Home, sweet home, dawn of day:
Home, through grace at last.


Happy Thursday - one more day then the weekend!
And yay for the rain :):)

Home Decor

One of my secret hobbies/obsessions is interior design. 

I'm one of those people who NEEDS to live in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Otherwise I get all heebie jeebie and really uncomfortable. 

Recently I transformed my room. Chucked out a whole bunch of stuff and said goodbye to the past.

It was quite an experience, one which I'm still needing to sort out all the stuff I've relocated else where to 'store for now'. 

But here are some quick pics of what I've done:

I bought these gorgeous gorgeous boxes from a craft store.

They ranged from $3-6 per box.

I'm particularly in love with the round hat box.

After digging around in my closet, I knew I needed to display these amazing purple beauties!

My mum and I spent a lot of effort trying to get these shoes. FYI - they are unworn. I would never display worn shoes. *dirty soles iik*

I bought the sparkly rocks from the same craft store - just grabbed a packet of clear and purple ones. I would have preferred to display the shoes in a glass display box just like Tamara Mellon has in her house, but I couldn't find any that were under $200 per box. 

I was also so pleased that my beautiful ottoman had arrived today!
It's a lovely champagne colour with diamonds in the quilting and silver trim across the top and bottom.
It makes the perfect edition to my room and a place where my friends can sit - so they don't have to sit on my bed. It also makes the perfect place to put my hand bag + shopping bags after a long day.
BTW- photo does not do it justice!

How sparkly!!! FYI I bought the ottoman online :)

And last but not least, I've always been into travel themed things. I bought a world map, stuck it on my wall and put stickers on all the places I've travelled to. Then looked and shook my head at how much more of the world I need to see. To continue with my travelling theme I bought this awesome book/box. It looks like a book but it's actually a box! Since I was little, my mum gave me the idea of collecting postcards from the places I go and visit. Including some lame ones. But I decided I would store them in this neat book box. And to top it off it had New York on it. The one place I am dreeeaamminnngg to go to soon!

And there it is, an intro to what I've decorated. Perhaps more later...hope you had a happy Tuesday. I sure did! :)

How oh how retail has changed

The world is a very different place than it was even a couple of years ago.
And while I could talk about the woes of moral degradation, I'll save this post for something more fickle.
Online shopping!
I'm amazed at how many places are now (and finally) allowing us to purchase things online. Even retail spending at the shops has gone down thanks to online shopping. Probably on the opposite hand, an increase in credit card theft.
Anyways on a brighter note, I am definitely one of those people who have jumped on the band wagon.

Recently I've purchased some clothes, some furniture (!) and some instant photography (more details later). I will update the items as they roll in...in particular the most fantastic ottoman I picked out and will be delivered sometime this month. It will make the perfect edition to my room which I have been clearing and sprucing up.

Happy November, it's almost Christmas time, my favvvvourrite time of the yearrr and only 6 weeks or so till I travel to Israel :)

Hello Mercy

This song reminded me of something that happened last night:

Also if you're searching for mercy...

Goodbye Chuck and Blair

And here is to a closing of two characters so meant to be that they were never meant to be. I think it has become clear that we need to say goodbye to the possibility of Chuck and Blair. I have never seen such characters meant for one another in a conniving sort of way. I will probably keep hoping. But for now, it seems like it's too late.
And now, to end off with some classic C+B banter...
Chuck: You're lying.
Blair: I am not.
Chuck: Your eyes are doing that thing where they don't match your mouth.
Blair: I wasn't aware that robots got jealous. Did they update your software while I was away? 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blair: Good afternoon Chuck. I thought we might enjoy some tea. You know how I adore those Empire bacon scones.
Chuck: I know everything about you, which is why I know your visit probably has more to do with a scheme than a scone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blair Waldorf: Isn't there someone else you can torture?
Chuck Bass: Probably but I choose you. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like a boss

It's been a bit of whirlwind lately but I'm happy to say it is the end of Term 3!
Which means I get two weeks of peace at work where there are no kiddies *breathes out with relief*.
It has been a great term with lots of fun times, laughter, lots of tears, hugs and random rants. I thank God for my colleagues! They are all so special to me and it makes working so much fun. It also reminds me each day about my testimony at work and how I can show them Christ's love. Although, I admit many times I fail, but I thank God for that constant reminder of what my purpose in this life is for.

Last night a youth we were listening to a sermon and the verses quoted were -
Matthew 8:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

How blessed I am that God has allowed me to find the narrow way. Though narrow, it leads to life and few find it. But now it's time to show others the narrow way too!

On a more random note, here is a snap picture of a cute little doggie I saw a while back when going shopping with a friend. Isn't he adorable! We were very close to splitting 350 bucks each to share this little doggie. Without saying he's looking at me, like a boss (bawss).

Being honest with God

I fight sometimes with being completely honest with God and knowing that I should give Him the respect that is His as my Creator and my God. 
But I looked at Lamentations and found a deeply honest Jeremiah.

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his [God's] wrath.
He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day...
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces...
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forget prosperity.
And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord.

Jeremiah was so completely truthful with God how he felt and his perception of God. 
After reading those verses, I could not have phrased it better than Jeremiah about some of the emotions I was feeling. 
But his next verses revealed some things about God

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord...
For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men...
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

And how about those who cause us misery?
O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me...
The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day...
Render unto them a recompense, O Lord, according to the work of their hands.

Enough said.

Feeling tortured?

Skies are crying
I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence as it's ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to, make me feel like there is nothing left of me?

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like i'm made of glass
Like i'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper...
Like a skyscraper

As the smoke clears
I awaken, and untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better to watch me while I bleed?
All my windows, still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper...
Like a skyscraper.

Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear, yeah
Go run, run, run
Yeah it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper, Oh
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper...
Like a skyscraper.

God makes no mistakes

I believe that God makes no mistakes. And I find it more true every day when I work with the little kids that I do.
Today I went on a school visit to see a little girl. During the visit I saw the most beautiful boy. He had was holding hands with one of the teachers. He had a huge smile and was so affectionate and cute. And he had Down Syndrome.
It reaffirms to me that God makes no mistakes. And He doesn't make mistakes when He makes children with Down Syndrome or Autism or anything else. Each person is specially made by the Creator. Lovingly crafted and given their own special characteristics.
I feel blessed to have the job that I do :)

"He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deuteronomy 32:4

Tuesday's Karate Kid

After having a chat with a friend over how cute the picture of "Titanic's" rabbit and bear, I found another one. This time Karate Kid. Hehe. Happy Tuesday!

Hope you went to prayer meeting tonight :)

You can have me.

If I saw you on the street,
and you said "Come and follow me".
But I had to give up everything,
all I once held dear and all of my dreams.
Would I love you enough to let go?
Or would my love run dry when you asked for my life?

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me.
Father of Love you can have me,
you can have me.

If you're all you claim to be,
then I'm not losing anything.
And I would crawl upon my knees,
Just to know the joy of suffering.
I will love you enough to let go,
Lord, I'll give you my life.
I'll give you my life.

Happy Snap

This weekend was super hectic but exciting. Lots of birthdays (more on that later).
Anyways here is a picture I had to share. Too much cuteness for myself to contain. Hope it helps you to have a happy Monday :)

Happy snaps :)

Food snap

Waffle-goodness :)

Snap of tonight's dessert. 

Unfortunately dinner didn't look so appetising in photo.

We were going to order bananas with it (oh, I love bananas) but you had to add an extra $4 =_=. 

No thanks, I'll rather buy my own $4 banana (which is pretty much how much they cost now).

Waffle + 'Only Banana' and 'Choc Chip Cookie Dough'

Nail-tastic

Here is a preview of a few of the nail art decos my Aunty bought for me.
After having a manicure that included sticking on of nail decorations, I quickly saw that I could easily have done the same thing as the girl doing it - well the sticking of art decos that is.
I will probably give some away as it seems I have too many and only one set of fingernails. Thanks Aunty and my cousin who brought it over for me to Australia. Unfortunately Australia has only a limited (ugly) selection and at $$$.

Cost: RM3.8 each = ~AU$1.20

Btw, you know those days after work/Uni that you're so exhausted after dinner you just fall asleep on your bed and wake up hours later? That's pretty much my day today. Ok back to sleep zzz. Good night :)

If I lived in a gingerbread house

I love watching people cook. That's why I love MKR and Masterchef!
Unfortunately I have no talent of that myself :(
I now have a quite extensive cooking vocabulary though thanks to cooking shows!
Here was my favourite challenge -
The Adriano Zumbo GINGERBREAD HOUSE aka House of Horrors!
It is amazing and very very very difficult to make. The effort and skill is ridiculous! I was so excited to see it...unfortunately the contestants didn't really make it well.
But anyways here's the master's original!

Another of my favourites was the cute "Snow man" by that top Danish chef whose name escapes me. And here I was thinking that Heston Blumenthal would be on Masterchef again *sighs*. Nevertheless it's so cute!! Now that's edible art :)

Good morning! Hello Traffic

A snippet into my lovely Monday mornings (and every other working day I should say).
Freeway congestion at peak hour.

However, I quite enjoy my stop-start ride to the city.
I guess it's the only time I'm quite still and have alone time. Just me and my mp3 :)
Also it's a nice way to start each morning listening to songs and sermons. I've attempted praying as well throughout the drive, but sometimes get distracted by trying to switch lanes ^.^
It's just a good time to reflect, talk to God, focus and listen. Which I try to do most days, though other days I feel like I'm on autopilot and somehow reach my destination by God's Grace!

Being freeway savvy I've figured out how to bypass many of the cars in traffic, which lanes go the fastest, when to stay in a merge and when to quickly zip to the next lane.
I would tell you, but then you'll know my secret, and clog up my lanes :)

traffic-jam

Have a nice Monday!

Tottering around in...

As fickle as it is, here are the shoes I wore today. First time these kicks saw sunlight. That's all :) 

Black ruffle and silver sparkly beads plus a kitten heel with silver trim

Bookworms

Yesterday I went with Dad to Koorong after looking at the latest catalogue sometime last week. I noticed that they were introducing 6 new A.W. Tozer reprints. 

I really wanted to get my hands on 'The Price of Neglect'. 

Blurb: Tozer examines the price of following trends instead of God's Word. What about secularism, carnal worship and lifestyles identical with those of the world? Are these things the price that has been paid for following trends instead of God's Word?

I thought it would be a good book to read for myself and also to send to one of my cousins. 

Unfortunately the store didn't hold it so I will have to go to the website and get it. 

I did manage to pick up another one instead. 

Especially since starting working life, I've often found it very easy to be a part of the world and not stand out enough for Christ. 

This is my official attempt to get back on track with reading more spiritual books.

Sensitive Skin

When I was in my teens I could use anything pretty much on my skin and it would be ok. Over the past year or so I've developed quite sensitive skin that reacts badly to a lot of skincare brands. This has made me determined to keep my skincare as natural and basic as possible.

Walking in the shops today I went to Lush. After speaking to the sales assistant (who was extremely helpful) and trialling masks, I finally decided on the BB Seaweed Mask. It smells really good, is hand made with natural ingredients and they don't add any preservatives or nasties. Can't wait to use it. The only problem is that it's slightly costly since it expires in a few weeks and must be kept in the fridge.
Photos below:

Dear John [insert OPI instead]

Dear OPI,
I love your nail polish. But I wish your glass bottles were not so easily broken. So that when they get into the mitts of the slippery-handed (namely, me) they would not fall and shatter on the tiled floor of David Jones. I also wish you were cheaper too...
From, Me.

Colours: 'Tainly Look Marvelous' and the famous 'My Private Jet'

For the record, I do not like Katy Perry at all.
But I do love these colours...colours as stated on the photo.

Jar of Random

And here is my attempt (once again) to start writing. Let's see how it goes. And for the record, I don't think this is going to be particularly interesting. But hopefully it will leave me with a few memories and moments in time...and some megabytes on the internet.