Grrrr!!!

I am kind of mad with the people who talked at ear-splitting decibel.

It kills me at bullet-speed!

I wish I bring one of these books (which I hunted at the recent book fair) and read it in the washroom.

Quickies: leadership forum & book fair

Grrr!!!  Work, work, work is chasing me now.  But I must share with you these info:

• 49th & 50th IATSS Forum - Apply to the IATSS Forum (International Association of Traffic & Safety Sciences, an ASEAN young professional leadership forum started by Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda.  I saw it in the NST Saturday edition - I seldom read NST but The Star was sold out when I went to the store & I just picked it to see updates on Japan's tsunami.
• Popular Book Fair - Nationwide - Perfect for budget-tight book-lover a.k.a ME!!!  By the way, I checked MPH and they have this 50% bin where all the not-so-perfect-but-still-can-read books go to.  I was not in the mood to look for one because the mall was very crowded with holidaying kids!  It made me so dizzy.

That's all for now.

Have a happy period! good Monday!

Sprinkled! & her coffee

Coffee splash from na roda-gigante

I was meeting an acquaintance after work yesterday.  We had agreed to meet at Starbucks but yours truly was evil enough to disguise a 3-in-1 instant coffee in her Starbucks flask which she prepared before going out from the office.  So I waited her there with a hot coffee on the table (thankfully it is a short distance from office to Starbucks so that I don’t get there with a lukewarm drinks!) and a good book on my hand.

There I am, saving few ringgits on a coffee.  I mean, a pack of 20 sticks of instant coffee would only cost me RM10 (only RM0.50 per cup - if I use a stick a cup; free hot water from the office pantry), while just a cup of my favourite grande caramel macchiato could easily makes me poorer by RM10 (that is, after a “bring your own tumbler” RM2 discount).  Of course the taste is different (instant vs. freshly pressed) but heck!  I promise myself to make a decent cup when I reach home.  But no, thanks, dear barista, no coffee for me today.

Wow!  Isn’t it exciting enough to learn that I can actually stretch my ringgits without losing fun?

Saturday's therapy

I'm so sinful!

My initial plan was to get Elizabeth Gilbert's Committed but I ended up with extras!

1. As I mentioned before, it's sinful if I don't get it by now.  RM35.50 @Popular; but I got a 20% member discount so yeay!!!  Happy reading to myself!
2. L'oreal Total Repair Night Essence - Leave In.  RM36.90 @Guardian.  To fix breakage, dryness, dullness, coarseness & split-ends.  Poor hair, I only get it for you now. 
3. Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub.  RM16.88 @Guardian.  I love scrubbing my face everyday so a daily scrub sounds perfect!
4. Scholl Foot & Nail Cream.  RM23.90 @Guardian.  I think my normal body lotion is not creamy.  Valid reason, eh?
5. Nivea Hand Age Defying Q10 Plus.  RM14.09 @Guardian.  I'm afraid that my hand will age faster than my face if I don't pay attention.  I should learn to love my hands just as much as I love my face (and other parts of my anatomy, as the matter of fact!).
6. Giordano Skinny Fit Jeans.  RM125.10 (after discount, that's it).  Why I need it?  Because the other pair is getting thinner (the fabric, yeah...).  Ooh yeah!  I need to send it to a tailor to make a minor alteration before I could actually wear it.

Sinful, sinful, sinful indulgence!

Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Price:
Bought at MPH at RM35.60.  Original price was RM37.50; but since the book was already sort of pre-loved (must be the bookworms who read it inside the store), I asked the salesperson if I can get a discount.  So I got a "5% budget corner" discount (that is what printed in the receipt).  Still pricey but I don't think I can get it from the uncle selling second hand books at the street anytime soon.

* * * * *

Alright, I am way behind the others.  But I am glad that I bought this right before the Chinese New Year break.  I was inseparable with the book during the 4 days long weekend (I'm exaggerating!).

She wrote it into 3 separate big chapters with another small numbered chapters in each chapter:

• ITALY Or 'Say It Like You Eat It.' Or Thirty-six Tales About the Pursuit of Pleasure
• INDIA Or 'Congratulations to Meet You.' Or Thirty-six Tales About the Pursuit of Devotion
• INDONESIA Or 'Even in My Underpants I Feel Different.' Or Thirty-six Tales About the Pursuit of Balance

But I think I read it too greedily.  But if I don't finish it now I'll be busy with work next week!  I was reading quite fast in ITALY; perhaps because all the pasta and gelato and pizza made me hungry, thus, need to get away from the chapter fast!  Seriously, the way she narrating her experience made me very eager to see the next thing.

But INDIA was tad boring one for me.  Perhaps the spiritual thing is not my favorite topic.  Ashram.  Yogi.  Richard from Texas.  Scrubbing the floor.  The poet from New Zealand (I can't remember!)...  None tingling my book-hunger bud.

Finally, INDONESIA.  Where she trustingly help a Balinese woman with a huge sum of money!  A woman who can heal a banana.   LOL!!!  You have to read it if you want to know what is this 'special' banana!    And of course Ketut Liyer.  He is a funny man to me.  Of course, how can I not mention Felipe, the Brazillian guy?!

I haven't watch the movie yet, not even the trailer, nor do I have intention to watch it.  Because I am always a book person; whatever translated into a movie always disappointing me i.e. Memoir of a Geisha, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Da Vinci Code, Angel & Demon...  Ooh, I can't say about HP or Hobbits because I didn't read any of it (help!  what were the titles???  I sort of loss memory here.)  Yes!  Lord of the Ring!

* * * * *

Side Dishes:

I stubbornly look for this original cover; not the other Julia Roberts cover!  As I mentioned above, the book was so loved by the previous readers that it wrinkled slightly, still, I took this one because it was the last one for that kind of cover.  Because I feel sure that I will read it again and again, I wrapped it nicely possible.  In fact, I have already put it into my working bag for tomorrow's reading.

I think I want to get 'Committed' soon!  The synopsis sounds delicious!

Checkout for her official website (I haven't go through it yet, shame!):

Elizabeth Gilbert - Eat, Pray, Love

Hada Labo Face Wash Comparison: Arbutin Whitening vs. AHA/BHA

Hada Labo AHA/BHA Face Wash

Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Face Wash

Note:  I have an oily, sensitive skin.

I've been using my first 50g tube of AHA/BHA cleanser before I tried the Arbutin Whitening (AW) one.  The thing is, I wasn't looking to whiten my skin when I picked the AW.  It's just that the 50g AHA/BHA wasn't available at the drugstore at the time of purchase (I like small package stuff); or else I won't ended up with it.

Is AW face wash works for me?  No.  On the 3rd day, I brokeout.  Big ones.  Plural.  Not delighting me, at all.  No-no.  I was using it both in the morning and at night.  I am very sure that the cleanser caused me the (emotional & physical) pains as nothing else changed in my routine during that time.  And I wasn't on my pre-menstrual days too. (I prone for breakouts before periods.)  So being a nerd, I firstly compared the ingredients.

AHA/BHA:

• Water, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Sorbitol, Methylparaben, Alanine, Arginine, Betaine, Glycine, Lysine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Gylcol Distearate,  Lauramide DEA, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Myristoyl Glutamate, PEG-20M, Propylparaben,  Sodium PCA, Glycolic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid.

Arbutin Whitening:

• Water, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Sorbitol, Methylparaben, Arbutin, Cocamide DEA, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Myristic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Ampelopsis Grossedentata Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Atractyloides Macrocephala Root Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Root Extract, Syringa Vulgaris (Lilac) Extract.

The two face wash share a few similar ingredients; with AW containing Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (and other macam-macam extracts!).  Could it that I am allergic to Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate?  Because I tried to study about my other facial stuff (being a nerd, I told you so!) and came with the conclusion:

Sprinkled! cannot use anything containing Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.  Or she might want to use it alternately with other non-Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate containing products.

Yeah, that's my self-imposed beauty rule.  I still don't dare to use it on alternating basis yet.  For the time being, I'm happy with my 2nd 50g tube of AHA/BHA face wash.  It does the cleaning job and doesn't give me extra pain!

Grocery shopping

Bacon RM17.80

Chicken RM6.47

Eggs RM 3.80

Sweet corn RM2.69

Cheese in olive oil RM7.50

Carrot RM1.99

Broccoli RM1.42

Purple cabbage RM2.71

Baby butterhead RM2.55

Thai small red onion RM3.99

Total RM51.00

 

By the way, I was slightly mad when I saw Jusco is selling a toothpaste at RM13.49.  I bought the very same toothpaste from Giant at RM14.99!!!  I am not Giant's big fan but was sort of being dragged into the hypermarket.  I rather shops at Jusco at any time (it feels less wholesale-like market than Giant, Tesco & Carrefour) but I wonder why some said Jusco is more expensive than other stores.

 

And I do not cook the chicken and the carrot for myself; it is for Shorty.  I just mix grated carrot and a chunk of chicken into the rice and voila!  Dinner done, my boy.  (Shorty's lunch is always provided by his kai ma, that lucky boy!)

Enough of rant.

P.S.  I really hate carrot as my food, but I can accept carrot juice.

Sunday, I like you!

One of my Sunday’s pleasures is rummaging the old books at the second-hand bookseller.  The first pick was Bound Feet & Western Dress by Natasha Pang-Mei Chan.  On the second visit, I bought Wild Swan (Jung Chang).

(I shall write reviews that are more detailed on the books when… when it is possible erm, when I want to!)

I love the atmosphere at the open-air street market.  The air.  The vibe.  The uncle who blares his amplifier – I have yet to check out his collection of piring hitam (LP).  The auntie who asked if I want to buy her flowers.  The shoppers haggling for a lower price.  The durian seller with his display of artsy durian-chopping skill.  I prefer to observe these while slowly making my way to the favorite bookstall.

Normally I don’t stay at the stall for too long, perhaps just a good 10, 20 minutes to pick a book before I head out to the wet market to get my breakfast and Sunday’s copy of papers.

Bound Feet & Western Dress is a little bit old by my standard.  The book was cockroach-infested; judging by the holes and the stains in some pages.  Nevertheless, I am always fascinated by the old Chinese bound-feet culture so I got it for one weekend reading bliss.

As for Wild Swan, I borrowed it from a library before.  However, I still want to read it for a second time (I read some books for a second, or third, or numerous times).  A valid reason to purchase it, eh?  This one is still in a good condition – not smelly, just a little dusty (I guess due to the storage), although the edge of the cover is torn.

Have you read any books recently?

Skinfood’s Aloe Sun BB Cream SPF 20 PA

I stumbled upon ParisB’s entry about BB Cream (BB stands for Blemish Balm) which prompted me to give a review on this particular BB cream.

I just started using Skinfood’s Aloe Sun BB Cream SPF 20 PA in May’10, that's about a 3-months period. The reason I’m experimenting with this BB cream is because the previous foundation (Clinique’s Superfit Makeup) made my face super-oily just after 3, 4 hours of application! It claimed to be oil-free, even the salesperson said it is suitable for my skin type (combination, sensitive & occasional breakout).

This is now my BFF!!!

Photo taken from:  Skinfood

At first I was sceptic about it, or, I should say, about the BB creams in general. But after doing my homework (reading the brand reviews from the other users), I headed down to Skinfood counter. Although I have clues of what I was looking, I still asked the young girl for recommendation. It won’t hurt to get other opinions although they might be slightly biased (i.e. need to hit a sales target).

The verdict:

• The color blends well into my tanned complexion, although Clinique’s gives me a more natural/nude finish. Also, the cream is thicker compare to Clinique’s, which is more watery and easier to spread on the face. Maybe this dry/thick texture is what giving me a matte-look, but I don’t feel my skin is dry anyway.
• The matte look remains until I leave the office at 5.30pm. All I have to do is just blot my face using one blotter to appear all-fresh again before heading out. While using Clinique’s, I have to blot once around 10am, one time after lunchtime, and another blot after office hour. The oil blotter company might be happy because I’m using more, but I’m definitely not a happy one.
• It was cheaper than my unfinished bottle of Clinique’s too. Although I won’t mind splurging a little extra if the product suits me well.
• It comes with an SPF 20 PA. Although I wish it is slightly higher, maybe at 25 or 30, because the sun is so unforgiving!
• It has quite a strong smell of aloe vera and sunscreen. And I’m not a huge fan of fragranced stuff so I favored something non-fragrance like Clinique’s. So far it didn’t give me headache (yet), I hope it won’t!

Did the BB cream suit me? Yes. It worth the effort of a lazy person like me and save my money too. I since skipped using day moisturizer (which I used when using the normal foundation) and go with BB cream alone.


From,
A happy Skinfood's Aloe Sun BB Cream SPF 20 PA user

Post-madness

Obviously I was too mad with with the Government's decision to cut the subsidies.  Still a little mad now but I am trying to figure out what I can do.  But I do wish that when they said "cut!", it just one item (i.e. sugar) at one time.  So that the coffee shops & mamak stalls have no valid reason to increase their prices as only sugar price is increased.  But as the diesel price is increased as well, transporting goods (not only sugar) will cost slightly more than the previous one.  Who'll absorbs it then?  The final consumer.

I admit that I am too lazy to cook but eating out means I have to pay for a price I might not agreed.  I have to start eating at home if that means I can save some, if not more.

Where is the used plastic bags?  I need it to go shopping for groceries!

Half a beef sandwich

• Bought a beef sandwich for lunch yesterday; I thought I take some bites while driving but turn out it is not as conveniently small as McD's Fillet'O Fish burger which I can efficiently hold only my left hand (the same hand also navigate the gear) and right hand 100% on the steering wheel.  Missed my lunch but again, efficiently converting it into Shorty's and my breakfast (half for each).  He's happy, and I'm happy too.  ^_____^
• Texted Najmi.  She called but the line was so blurry!  So I emailed her instead.  Miss her!
• Done a bit of online (window) shopping.  Didn't order anything.  Want to learn to be like Queen Mother.
• My head is spinning from too much of excitement.  Giddy dizzy bits of me!  Life, is so full of it, don't you agree?!

Trippy tripping!!!

Photo Credits To:  Trip Advisor

Photo Credits To: Backpacking-Asia

So excited!

We girls are planning for a holiday; although we haven't decide where to zonk out yet - I feel in love almost instantly when I saw this while browsing for the accommodation:

Photo Credits To: Father's Guest House

In their very own description: "...French Doors opening out to our beautiful garden."

How tempting is that?!  Very!  Absolutely!  Positively!

And it fits our budget very well.  Purrrrr... FECT!!!  Girls on a shoestring getaway!

(Back to searching-mode.  Bye for now!)