Face Threading Experience

I've always noticed that I've lots of fine hair on my face (quite a hairy person actually).  No, not gorilla kind of hairy but those really fine and light coloured fur hair.  So on one of the trip back in Kluang last month for Mid Autumn Festival, I itchy backside decided to go for 'face threading'.  Reason being, I've this strange idea that it will result in less pores being clogged up, less blackheads, less breakouts thus smoother and brighter skin. :p

One look at this expression I bet you can tell that it was painful.  Trust me, it was.  Tear jerking kind of painful.   Droplets of tears were forming at the corners of my eyes.  For the first 60 seconds, on that chair of torture, I wonder why did I put myself thru it. - Answer: Vanity.  Lols.....

Short history:

An ancient method of hair removal practised by the Persians for the eyebrows and spread amongst the Iranians for the entire face. 

Procedure:

The practitioner hold one end of a thin, twisted cotton thread in her teeth and the other end in the left hand and rolled it over untidy hairlines, moustaches and so on, plucking hair at its' follicle level.

Advantages (own observation):

Inexpensive (mine was RM25), fast & neat.  Face appear smoother and make up stays.  The pain can be rather enjoyable after awhile... :p

Disadvantages (own observation):

Can get pretty painful at the beginning.  Slight itching & reddening after the procedure. 

Once I got used to the initial pain, it wasn't that bad.  Quite alright in fact.  Only when it come to those sensitive parts - around the lips, it was torture all over again. :p 

Personally, I find this is more painful than when I had my tattoo done.

The end result.  True enough, less clogged up pores thus less blackheads, less breakouts.  Smoother & brighter skin too.  Will I do it again?  A definite NO, NO & NO.  :p

Birds & Tears

A bird poop-ed on me this morning while I was out for a walk with @missyblurkit (Evie).  Yeah, I know, what's the odd right??  The only lucky thing about the episode was, it landed on my shirt.  If I'd walk 0.0003 seconds faster, it would have smack right on my nose.  Imagine that... :p EWWWWWWW.... with everything capitals... that's right... lols!

Anyway, here is something I left out sometime ago when I was back in Kluang.  Went back to visit mom for Mooncake Festival.  Just the usual lepak chill and eating.  Nothing much.  But I did went for something out of the ordinary.  You wouldn't have guess what I did.  Hint: A tear jerking experience.

You Contribute The Monies, We Contribute The Sweat!

Remember I mentioned something about pledging for every kilometer completed for our run come this Nike10KMalaysia Run on 10.10.10?  Well, here's your chance to do some charity thru our blood and sweat with every kilometer we accomplished.

As you already know, a bunch of us will be running on the 10th October and we urge that you can pledge a minimum of RM10 for every KM that we completed. Ken Chin of KCAT Services will be auditing the account for the funds and ensure that 100% of the monies received will be split in equal share in bank drafts to:

(1) HOPE Malaysia

(2) Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better

As promised, the sweats will be on us:-

Gladys Lee a.k.a. Redbabe (5km)

Jo Lee (10km)

Lilian Yeo (5km)

Charlie Chia (10km)

Evelyn Ang Loo (5km)

Florence Lee (5km)

Mambo Ng (5km)

So basically you can opt to pledge for all of us :) or even one of us or some of us.  The maths works out as follows:-

--> If you pledge on me (Redbabe) who runs 5km = 5km x RM10/km = RM50

--> If you pledge on all of us ;)  = 45km x RM10/km = RM450

A bank account has been jointly opened by Jo & Evelyn at RHB 1-14138-0040592-3.

Please bank in your pledge and email us at Nike101010@evoke.cc with your reference number and the amount you have banked in.

Closing date: 17th October 2010.

Let's do some charity together.  Every little effort will make a difference big or small.  We will crawl to the finish line if we have to. :)

More Running, Dancing Plus A Day Trip To Malacca!

The whole of last week has been super awesome.  Did so much, met so many, covered more KMs.  Though a little tiring, it was all worth it.  I believe once I get used to the routine, it will all be alright.  

Other than the cakes that I've baked, the few special people that I've met up with, the kilometers that I've conquered with my run buddies Evie and Florence, the new Walkman from Sony, I have also gone to Malacca for a day trip with my bunch of crazy  friends for some makan-makan (eating spree), made a decision to accept an offer to start training for a dance team audition (not sure if I made the cut yet), completed my first 5km on a threadmill and collected our run pack for the Nike 10.10.10 marathon!  How much more awesome can it get?

That's the official event tshirt that we will be running in.  No separate bib.  The number has been pre-printed on the t-shirt.  Nike dri-fit tshirt... don't play play. Other than that, there were also a 'race day guide' and a dunno what (that red thingy) that we are supposed to latch onto our trainers to monitor our run.  My first reaction when I saw the colour of the shirt was... "Wah... blind also can see wor...".... lols... Florence was even funnier, when she got into the car, she went... "Very nice colour.  When the race is over can wear to direct traffic.".  Hahahaha....

Our trip to Malacca was originally planned for Penang.  As the date got nearer, we decided to just head down to Malacca for a day trip.  The main itinerary was for this mouth watering Cendol dessert. (shaved ice drizzled with generous portion of 'gula melaka' and coconut milk).  The rest of the day is just to go with the flow... lols...

Of course it has to be our first stop.  :)  We even did our meal backwards because of that.  Started with dessert, only then followed by the main course.   Lols...  It does taste heavenly even to a non-santan (coconut milk) lover like me.  Or perhaps it was because after talking & laughing non-stop throughout our 1 hour journey, it just tasted extra refreshing.  Lols...

We ordered ourselves some Nyonya dishes for lunch - Asam Fish (good), Ayam Ponte (so-so), Otak-Otak (good), Paku Vege (good) & Fried Cincaluk Eggs (normal).  The lunch was absolutely hearty.

With stomachs filled, it was time to explore the city.  As it was extreme hot, the thoughts of walking under the hot sun were not really inviting.  We decided to head for Pahlawan mall.  At least, aircond please!  Enroute, passing by the 257 years old Christ Church Melaka.  Landmark of Melaka, our historical city.

At the mall, we went a little mad trying out all those funky sunnies.  Was so tempted to buy one of those with diamond studded frame for Halloween.  But not sure who I wanna go dress up as yet...lols... better not waste $$$.  Am currently on my personal 'OPERATION CODE RED' a.k.a. 'OPERATION DO NOT SIMPLY SPEND MONEY'...lols... But somehow, dunno how it happened, I accidentally bought a pair of Nike shorts last night which sent the husband o.O ... "......... and you BOUGHT it?".  Then I pretended to be ladened with guilt and he bought me Haadgen Daz.  Lols....

Anyway, back to our day trip, our next stop was coffee at this little cafe above the mall that served delicious layered cake.  It was really good.  Slightly different from the standard layered cake we usually have.  Instead of 100% of sponge cake in layers, they filled their's with some cream/egg thingy every alternate layer.  Tasted  somewhat like beaten egg whites with icing sugar.  Yup, that's right.  Beaten egg whites + icing sugar.  Nice. 

Jonker Street (a.k.a. Jalan Hang Jebat) was next after chilling out at the mall for 2 hours.  We parked our car quite a distance away and took the opportunity to explore down some historical corridors.  Well, since it is known as the historical city, I bet every dust that sticks on our skin are historical as well and that includes the corridors too. :p

 Spotted an old fashion set up of a boutique selling these lovely kebayas.  Nice...! :)

We made Harrison take from a high angle so that we look slim & nice. :p  It works!  I think I've slim thighs, slim arms, slim face here!  Praise the man!  The only thing is, I thought we also look like 3 cartoons....lols...

A little research revealed that The Stadhuys was built by the Dutch in 1650 to house the Dutch Governors in Malaya.  It was a reproduction of the Frisian town of Hoorn in the Netherlands between 1420 until 1796.  It was not originally red.  Only painted in 'salmon red' by the British in 1911, 85 years after they took over from the Dutch in 1826.  Why 'Salmon Red'?  Reason not known though.  I think maybe they have consulted some local bomoh who advised them that RED is good to ward off evil kua... lols :p (don't believe me on the last sentence, I just gone mad a little.).  Hehehe....

Pretty flowers dotting the landscape of The Stadhuys.  Lovely... wonder why my garden never bloom like that... Ahhh.... I know, because I am the gardener.  That's why... :p

The cleaned up Malacca river.  What a pretty sight.  Wish that all our rivers in Malaysia look this.  No floating plastic bags... floating bottles... floating carcasses... floating babies, oppstt, did I just said that.

Cartoons in action in front of 'Sam Shu Gong' (a stall selling local goodies).

Sampling all the cool refreshing drink offered in 'Sam Shu Gong' to quench our thirst.  But, didn't buy any... lols....

Jonker's Street.  Apparently it used to be where the rich people live during the era of the Dutch colonization.  Today, it housed the not-to-be-missed weekend night markets for tourists and local alike.  You can find plenty of knicks knacks, keepsakes or even antiques too (but not sure how authentic are they). ;)

Spotted some big white birds (seagull I think) flying in V-formation.  They are so pretty.  Our life are surrounded by lots of beautiful things.  We just have to open our eyes to see. :)

A huge giraffe hidden at the back of some alleyways on way down a narrow path to Cheng Ho's Tea House.  Don't ask me.  Not sure why they built such huge giraffe in the middle of no where.

Our final stop at Jonker was this place - The Geographer's Cafe.  I've passed this place so many times but never once did I stopover for a drink until now.  Quite a nice place.  Very cosy.  Love the colours there - green, orangy yellow, brown....

A bucketful of icy cool Carlsberg beers to the rescue.  It was freaking hot that day.  But then again, Malacca is always stuffy and hot.  Nothing beats a cold beer after a hot day. :)

Can't remember what was the conversation about.  Lols...

Bollywood actors and actresses trying to act natural.  But I like.... :)  Very nice.

Our dinner destination.  Another alleyway.

Eat squatting down on miniature stools.  Check out the red pails in the middle of the table.  They actually make a hole in the middle of the table to fit the pails.

The pails are for discarded shells :)  The shells/clams were really fresh and yummy.  It has been years  since I last had any of those.  Just couldn't open up the shells.  The girls were so kind taking turn opening them for me.  Lols.... So sweet.  No, extra sweet actually.  Hehehe 

We called it a day after dinner and headed straight back to KL.  We had such a free & easy 'go with the flow' day in Malacca.  Everybody enjoyed so much and that include me & the husband.  Never like fixed itinerary.  Fixed itineraries are boring.  Spontaneous is fun.  No expectation, more surprises. :)  That should also be how we live our life!

My Second Sony Walkman MP3 Player Within 15 Months.

Remember this? My Sony NWZ-200 Series Walkman MP3 Player which I received sometime in June last year as a "I am sorry" gift from you-know-who?  Haven't been using it for awhile until two weeks ago when I am back on track, running again, training for my mini marathon.  

But when I saw this, a newer version to the one that I am having, which a friend/ex-colleague/office-mate/fellow runner is using, I fell head over heels with it and wish I have one of that too.

I know you may be wondering, what's the difference?  Well, let me tell you.  This is an enhanced model as compared to the one that I have.  Better water resistance, better plastic holder, a cover on the usb port which were non in existence priory (preventing oxidization), better magnetic strip which is anti-rusting.  But, since I already have mine, no point wasting RM299 for another one right?  Afterall, I only have a pair of ears.  I don't need two sets of walkman.

Then, something happened.  Two days ago, mine died on me suddenly as I was walking home after a run in the morning.  Nothing I did could revive it.  I've only owned it for 1 year 3 months and used it for less than half of that duration.  Trust me, the heartbroken part is greater than the friction of joy I felt.  Yes, there is a friction of joy.  Just a tiny bit for at last, a reason for me to replace it.  

But as I thought more about it, somehow the heartbroken/joy evolved into anger.  I really not willing to spend RM299 for a brand new one however much I wanted it.  Rather spend it on the Nike+ Sportband which I've my eyes on lately. :p  In the end, I decided to just send it in to Sony to see if it is reparable.

I told the guy behind the counter to hurry the repair as I need my walkman and he said he will try his best and state that usually for cases of walkman malfunction, they will replaced it with a new one.  I went like.. o.O , is this for real??!  Without realizing it, I shut my eyes, placed my palm together and went... "I wish I wish I wish hard hard I get a new one!" out loud.  The husband laughed and I told him to wait and see. ;)

And guess what, I got just that.  What I've wished for and what I've been drooling over.  A brand new walkman of the latest model!  Sony called me within 24 hours and told me that they have rectified the issue with my unit and that I can collect it anytime I am free.  He added before hanging up... "We are replacing your's with a brand new one!".  I went like... "Yay!!!" and he just laughed... lols...

How wonderful life can be sometimes.  

New Running Routine, Banana Cake and Choc Chips + An Impromptu Visit

It's 10:30am now and I am feeling so... SLEEPY.  Have been waking up 6:30am both yesterday and today for a morning run/walk with a friend who is staying nearby.  Very semangat hor (motivated)?  Felt that way too... no choice la... have to push myself a little or I'll never make an effort.   I think having a training buddy does make a whole lot of difference.  It makes running/walking fun!  I actually look forward to it despite of those ungodly hours.  Anyone who knows me can second that I am never an early bird.  You can have the worms. :) The only thing about this whole new routine is, I just need to train myself to hit the bed earlier. 

I had a great afternoon yesterday when a very good friend whom I haven't met for a while decided to pop by for a visit and hang-out a little.  Was it 4 months ago since we last met?  Hmm.. about there la...  Seriously, nothing beats an afternoon like this - great company, enlightening conversation, freshly baked treats, aroma of coffee lingering in the air (I think I imagined this one out)... ahhh... heavenly!  Yea, co-incidentally, I baked more Banana Cake with Choc Chips yesterday cause I wanna get rid the bunch of leftover bananas that was still sitting on my kitchen top and that, explains the 'freshly baked treats'!  One step into the kitchen, my girlfriend went... "Wah... u baked these? You became so 'yun liong suk tak' (homely) already...".  And I replied... "Yeah, since Sunday" hehehehe... crazy girl.  I gave a loaf to her to take home for her family too.

I thought yesterday's batch turned out rather weird.  The colour & texture were a little off-ish.  But everyone  seems to love it and that 'everyone' includes a non-banana lover, a sweet-toothless person and my husband who actually whacked three quarter of  a loaf for supper which I actually reserved for a friend. o.O  It must be good then.   But then again, the husband's review cannot be counted as one cause he is suppose to whack anything I served with a big smile + encouraging words, even if it tasted toxic.  It is in the contract of our marriage. :p

Anyway, if you wish to attempt this cake at home, here are the ingredients you may need:-

5 ripe bananas, mashed (add a drop of banana essence into it)

125gm of butter (soften)

300gm of castor sugar (I used only 150gm cause I added choc chips)

2 eggs (lightly beaten)

150gm of flour + 1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda + 1 pinch of salt (sieve together)

35ml of milk

Choc chips (quantity as you pleased :p)

(1) Creamed butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
(2) Add beaten eggs a little at a time into mixture.
(3) Next, add in mashed banana.
(4) After that, fold in sifted flour and milk alternately.
(5) Throw in choc chips and mix.
(6) Pour batter into loaf pans.  Half filled.
(7) Leave in preheated oven to bake for 30minutes at 175deg celcious.
(8) Once baked, turn out the cake and leave to cool on wired rack.

Note: Usually I takes them out when they turn golden brown.  To test if it is thoroughly baked, poke a toothpicks thru it.  If the toothpick comes out covered in batter, then you need to leave it in the oven a little longer.  If the toothpick comes out clean, then your cake is done!  Oh yeah, remember to preheat your oven at least 20 minutes before putting in your batter ok.  :) 

Happy trying.  Why not make this your little project for this weekend and update me on the outcome! :)  I  would love to hear from you. :)

An Agenda-less Day - A triple *LOVE* Day

Today is one of those rarest day that I've got no agenda on my list.  Woke up to nothing to do, no place to go.  Always love a day like this.  :)  It has been quite awhile since I have a day like this.  *love*

After brunching on a cup of hot java + slices of banana chocolate cake which I baked the night before, decided to visit a very special friend who I haven't seen for quite sometime.  It was a good choice for the day.  Brought her a loaf of the cake too (baked 3 loafs) and we enjoyed it together over tea time.  Had a very inspiring and enlightening afternoon. *love*

When I got home later, decided to make ourselves some simple dinner.  It was so simple that I called it  'the cheating spaghetti'. Cheating cause I used one of those pre-made sauces from Preggo's instead of making them from scratch :p.  Except that I added carrot, sausages & onions into it.  Just can't bring myself to serve spaghetti kosong :p  (plain spaghetti with sauces). Lols... Found some potatoes and eggs in the fridge and made a potato salad too.  It was seriously yummy.  We wallop-ed all the food before I could remember to take any photos of it. Hehehe.... perhaps next time la... *love*

I always love a day like this.  Sunshining morning, drizzling afternoon, zero agendas and spontaneously whipping up a meal.  No hassle.  Simple & nice! *love*


p/s: Oh yeah, btw, like my new background?  Got bored with the old one and decided on this new one. :p