love love less loveless

.: life a s0rta Fa!rytale :. mentioned briefly about marriage;

Penelope Trunk wrote about "Blueprint for a Woman's Life";

and a recent article in Psychology Today defines what love is.


Anyway, I was worried (and am still worry!) about Shorty coughing badly last night.  Got to check him at home during lunch break.  I might need to bring him to see the vet after work.

Shorty, mommy loves you!

Hibiscus shampoo

This is some fun stuff I'm doing in my kitchen after work.

Sort of a relaxing ritual.

And good for the hair too!

Kaffir lime juice - one is enough as I don't want the smell to be over powering.

The hibiscus flowers (5) & leaves (10 - 15).

Pretty isn't it?

The color doesn't look like this in actual - I tried to certain angles but I can't get it!

Newbie kan?  Kalau juru gambar profesional lain la...

Hah!  It is easy to apply on the top, but I cincai-cincai rub in at the back.

Then I leave it on my head for awhile.

Definition of "awhile": 

< start stopwatch >

Feed the boys.  Prepare my dinner.  Clean the kitchen.  Yell at LouLou for making unreasonable demand of more food (he is getting Garfielded!!!).  Remove the make up.  Wash my face.  Apply face mask (another homemade recipe).

< stop stopwatch >

Then wet my hair a little bit & massage the scalp.

Rinse with cold water.

(-:

Education

For those who are interested in teaching, I accidentally found Teach for Malaysia.org.  Still not giving up to go into teaching profession although I failed not one, but two MTest.  But with eight(!!!) sections to fill in, bleghhh... I dare not do it in the office.
And...

. . .

. . .

I am dreaming to have my future kids (18SX - hello, they are residing in my ovary and waiting for potential sperm donor to activate them) enrol in an international school.  But looking at the fees, I am thinking I either:

• Have no kids.
• Have kids who'll study in the public school with a lousy English teacher like the one I met somewhere (rather not disclose the detail).  Unbelievably shocking sial!  How can you teach the subject if you cannot even pronounce correctly and your sentences are full of grammatical error!?!?
• Have kids who'll somehow manage to get into international school whose egg-donor (ME!!!) is a working-slave at least until they graduate.
• Home-schooling he/she/them.

I am daydreaming at work, pardon the nonsensically random thought!

Safety first

OK.  It is Friday.  And you might go for luncheon a bit far from your office because, obviously, it is Friday where we get our extra minutes.  Or you might go for drinks after work - yeah!  to kick off the weekends, right.  Or, you are going to join the crowd in the shopping mall (like me!!!).

Whatever the stuff you're doing, please, please, please... BE CAREFUL with your surrounding.  Watchout who is standing behind you (I always glance at my back when I'm at the ATM).  Walk in the opposite direction of the traffic & make sure your bag is at the inner side of the road - not exposing it to the (sial) snatch thieves.

OK?  OK.  I will keep that in my mind too.  Because you don't want to experience what this girl have gone through, do you?

Enjoy your Friday!

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!

Baby talk

Ducky from we<3it

Am I crazy or what?

I was reading this article on baby.

O M G !  Did I just say  b a b y ? ? ? 

I was delighted at the info for no reason - not that I am expecting one!

Crazy!

Happy face, I like!

“Being happy doesn't mean that

everything is p e r f e c t .

It means that you've decided to look

beyond the i m p e r f e c t i o n s .”

(To Makcik Arbaah who keeps the office merry!  You roxxx!!!)

Lunch's crunchy note

Want a Raise? Wash Your Vagina

O M G !

It was the title that caught my eyes first.

So perfect for my post-lunch's please-snap-me-out-from-the-sleepiness.

I met a donkey

From weheartit
Just one whiff and I am on my way to hell!

One donkey salesgirl put a dot of perfume on the back of my hand.  So donkey that I cursed that she will stuck with this job permanently!

She asked me whether it is OK to interrupt me for a while (I was eating in a kopitiam).  Before I answered her, she already rambling something about the product to which I said “I am not interested.”

She replied something and before I know, dot!  A tiny trace of perfume on my skin.  She asked me to smell it and me, already half burning in my ass, retorted “I am allergic to fragrance.”  With that, she walked away, not even thanking for my time!

There I was, fuming over the donkey and the effect of the bad perfume.  The smell is so bad that I imagine anyone wearing it will look similar to the whore-like donkey!  Really!  At first glance, I really thought she is one of cheap China dolls but when she spoke to me, I realized she is a local.

I had to unwind my windows so that the smell will not linger in my car and causing me headache.  I tried to wash it with soap but I still can smell it!  Worst yet, my head is now throbbing – not a good sign!

I hate such pushy sales person who never listen to customer!  HATE THEM!!!

Another day of headache

Happy Shopping!

It has been awhile ago since I did my last online shopping. So the online shopping mood strikes me again as I was stuck at the office with not much workload due to Raya, yeah!!!

Today I got my parcel safely from GRABBIT. I had it sent to my office address because in my past experience:

• I had to rush to the post office after I reached home from work, mind you, despite the considerably short distance between work-home-post office, the traffic just made me want to run instead of driving! or;
• I had to pick it up the next day and left me wondering about the item I was about to receive - I hate surprises! or;
• Once, a brainless postman slipped the parcel in between my gate but luckily it was not raining or else everything got soaked!

Tata! I'm going to shops now!

From weheartit

Bagaholic

Muddle-head me left my office key at home after dropping by at lunch time.

The thing is, I was soaked in the rain while collecting a document in the town.  Since I will pass by my house on the way back to office, I thought, why not go back for a while and change new clothing.  Besides, I can see my boys too.  Perfect!

But I had forgotten to take out the key.

I only realised it when I want to put the car keys and the wallet into the drawer.  While I can still ask my colleague to keep for me, I was somewhat unsettled.  Not because I cannot trust my colleague, no.  But the fact that my bag is inside the drawer.

Then again, I still can go home without my bag.

Those who did not carry bag when going out might see my habit of carrying a bag as pointless which is quite true.

Inside my bag is:

• a little black book which is a black-cover Moleskine where I scribble nonsensical stuff while I am waiting for friend in Starbucks, or when I need to write down someone’s address/phone number – seriously, I am an old-fashioned person who can record things faster in hand-written form than typing it into a phone.
• a pen.  For scribbling.  Or drawing on someone’s skin when I am bored.
• a sunblock.  Now being just few months away from celebrating my 30^th birthday makes me more aware of my skin.  I do not know where and when I got the stupid idea that a tanned skin (like me!) is more resilient to UV rays.  Perhaps nothing visually evident to me now, but I believe if I continue to go sans sunscreen, sooner or later the damage is too severe to ignore.
• a thermal spring water spray which I only use when it is too hot or when my skin get irritated after eating something (I am still to determine which food makes my face get flaky and red and itchy).
• a small pouch containing tampons and pantyliners.  I can only estimate when I will have a period, so I always carry it whenever it is almost due to avoid going around the office secretly to ask if anyone have pads (I bet none of them ever try a tampon before).
• a hand lotion.  The air-conditioned room is doing nothing good for my dry, coarse skin.
• a pack of tissue paper/wet tissue.  Because I do not want to be caught surprised after finishing my toilet business.
• a bunch of spare keys.  Again, being a muddle-headed like me is no fun.  Sometimes I forgot where I placed my keys.  Just the other day I accidentally left my keys hanging on the padlock at my front door!  I must be halfway locking the house when LouLou/Shorty/something/someone gotten my sidetracked.  Luckily I only went out for a short while.
• a medicated oil.  Headache or not, I have the habit of sniffing it.
• a comb.  I have a really long hair which seems to get tangled when I am not in front of the mirror holding a comb.  Vain me!
• a lipstick.  To do my artsy drawing in the public washroom.  Should I explain?

Those are unimportant things but I really, really hate if I am not prepared should something happened unexpectedly.  Yeah, especially the tissue paper/wet tissue part.  Eww!  Sometimes during an outing, I would carry even more stuff in it like a water tumbler and a scarf/sweater.

It's a beautiful PMS-days

There is always one period of a month when everyone in the office becomes your foe. Or that your boyfriend is really getting under your skin for no reason? In addition, you feel deeply miserable over something trivial. Blame the PMS!

While I thought estrogen have something to do with whacking haphazardly into my mind system, I was neither true nor wrong.

Apparently, even the scientists and the medical experts wondered how the hormone might affect the emotional part of the brain!

I know I can behave erratically during the time, hence I choose to channel my energy into something I enjoy, for instance, blogging. Well, perhaps I might write something tasteless but heck! This negativity must go elsewhere no matter what! That is better than venting my anger towards the others.

I also find it is relieving to clean the house. Perhaps a spotless room create a peaceful atmosphere for the mind and the body. Or is it because I let go thousands of the toxin when I sweat?

How do you tackle your PMS?

Interesting articles:

• Natural Strategies For Supporting Women's Monthly Cycle
• PMS® Information
• Menstrual Cycles: What Really Happens in those 28 Days?!

Baby, baby, baby, ooh!

One acquaintance lamented: “Those who wish to have one but cannot / still have not got it; while the others were simply abandoning the new lives” when she saw a newspaper headline.  It is hard to ignore the baby-dumping news because now it appeared almost every day.

I seldom read thoroughly such news because to me it is just more or less like reading a Hollywood (or put it a Bollywood if you want) gossip.  Except, it is not a gossip and the mother (and maybe her family and relatives) will be the hot topic amongst the loudmouth aunties.

What would the others think I am?

I personally know someone whom went through an abortion because:

• She was not married at the time
• Fear that she’ll be kicked out of uni if the authority know about it

(I don’t know about our uni rules/policy on single, unwed student getting pregnant until now; and never thought of searching for it if that could help her making an optional decision earlier on.)

The social stigma apparently has more effect on her than the love for the unborn child.  I cannot blame her for giving up; neither do I know how she feels about the whole thing.  Because she only shared on how physically drained she was; how she wanted to have ginger chicken soup with wine… just the surface matter, nothing on the emotional part.

I love you

I don’t have children; but I treat my pets almost like my own kids.  I love them to bits: I get worry about them as I left them at home or when they fail to come home when the curfew is over, nag them if they didn’t finish the food…  If I can feel such love for my furkids, I believe so are the young mothers who abandoned their child.

BUT, BUT!  Obviously they love themselves more.  NO!  I say, they love (or loved) their sexual partner more that they’re willing to compromise their own wellbeing!  Can’t we find anyone who is more foolish than that?!

The solution

Blame the pornographic and the western culture (Valentine’s Day & New Year)?  I watched porn videos and always enjoy New Year holidays (I would have enjoy Valentine’s Day too if we have one or two public holiday on it, LOL!!!).  If your theories are true, I could have been stuck with numerous pregnancies, you idiot @$$h0L3!

Perhaps it’ll take us longer to change the public perception that an unwed pregnant girl is not a slut/whore/tart (not matter how hormonal-frenzied she is).  I know those makcik-makcik whom favourite afternoon fiesta is including whispering “her daughter is living together with the guy, that’s how she got pregnant” or “she can’t hide her tummy in that wedding gown, already got only get married”.  See how judgmental, destructive our behaviour is?  I really hope these old sluts/whores/tarts aunties find one way or another to spend their free time in a more positive way.

And the girls just have to be more selfish than ever:  PLEASE RESPECT AND LOVE YOURSELF MORE THAN ANYONE/ANYTHING ELSE!

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

Wordless Tuesday

I am in the mood of writing although I have nothing to say actually. Yeah, the other day I was tempted to write about someone who got under my skin. But then again, I was thinking, that someday when I hit the old age I want to read something from the younger me which reminds me of a good time, a good friend, a good pet, a good food, a good place… Basically all the goodies stuff.  Besides, I believe that the person have no intention of doing so if he/she know that it blew me up; perhaps it is in their genes, you know, being nosey and all.

I also don't want to take the risk of them red-flagging me.  :o

Anyway, the office hour is almost over now.

I'm thinking what's for dinner tonight...

Monday headache

I am having a real bad day at work today.

The cleaning service lady was using a fragranced floor disinfectant which caused me a headache and made me feel like want to throw up. This is not a first time I am reacting badly to something smells strongly in a closed space. I cannot stand air-freshener and fabric softener the most, while some household cleaning liquids are still bearable. It can be an upsetting time if I happened to sit in a same car with someone whom wears perfume / smelly hair gel, which is just as worst as having someone with bad BO besides you. I first know that I might be a fragrance/perfume allergic sufferer after experiencing a severe headache upon using a softener while doing my laundry.

When it really started? I have no clue. It is just one fine day that suddenly your body is telling you: “Nah, I don’t like this smell” without any warnings ahead. I am guessing that my body is aging sooner than what I thought. Maybe it is time for me to screen through my food coffee intake.

The Face Shop: Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Emulsion

Bought a bottle of Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Emulsion from The Face Shop as my new makeup remover.  Luckily I've done my homework about it before going to the shop because:

• The sales girl have braces & a thick accent that I could hardly understand what she was saying.  But I was glad because she actually spent quite some time behind the mirror while I quietly browsed the products before approaching me.  I DO hate it when they tailed me as if I am going to steal anytime!  Okie, okie, I know they have good intention of answering my questions & promoting stuff...
• The Faceshop is currently having sales & lots of the products are on discounted price!  I left the shop before I start having the itchy "impulse buying".

The initial verdict:

• A little on the oily side but not as heavy as the previous makeup remover (Clinique).  I hope it won't give me spots!
• A very subtle smell yet still acceptable & doesn't give me dizziness (I don't like scented ones).
• A total of one & a half pumps of the emulsion is enough to remove my makeup - how much to use is depends on how light/heavy the makeup, I think.
• Save my wallet (price is 1/3 of Clinique or 1/2 of Avene).

Let's see in one week time on the effect!  ^_____^

Edited on Sept. 2, 2010
The final verdict:

• It does not cause breakouts to me.
• Overall, it done a good job as a makeup remover.

I am so thankful

Source

Why I should be thankful?

• I am not an alcohol-dependant person.  Yeah, to some, my addiction to caffeine is as bad as being addicted to alcohol.  But that is all.  Despite how cranky I can be when I am deprived of it, I don't go out and start slaying and butchering and swinging knife or axe everywhere.  Not like this idiot.
• I am not being abused - unlike the wife in this case - and I think that is good enough being me.
• I love myself.  Period.  (:

Female driver = bad driver (part 2)

Again, I would like to reiterate that I have nothing against female drivers (please see Part 1 here).  But those impotent drivers are really making my BP gone up!  And I have the tendency to erect my middle finger while the blood is boiling.

Oh!
This female driver was talking at the phone while driving.  That didn't pissed me off.
This female driver who was talking at the phone while driving was moving slowly at the fast lane.  That.  I.  Tell.  You.  Made.  Me.  Mad.  Very.  Very.  Mad.
Why would you want to go into the fast lane knowing that you'll have to drive slower because you are not Dr. Octopus.  Or spider.  I would have squish her to DEATH if she is a spider.
One hand holding the phone; another to maneuver the vehicle.  Malaysia Boleh!

Dan soalan cepu tembaga untuk hari ini:

Why do you want to jeopardize you life and other road users with your brainless (oh sweetie pie, is that an under-developed brain I saw hanging out from your bonnet?  I'll be glad to replace it with something less complicated for you - an AA battery - what say you?)  act?  If you are so excited to be in the road fatalities statistic, please do not involve us (the involuntary parties).  Pi main jauh-jauh!  Shoo!  Shoo!

See what the paper say today?

More women getting nastier behind the wheel

Oh dear...  When can I have a peaceful drives on the roads?

Where is all the stuff?!

I bought a bag.  A black bag.  Actually I don't need a new one since I've so many bags actually - all of it freebies - like one from The Body Shop; another from Clinique and a Starbucks one.  But there is one thing that strike me only recently: all these bags are green-toned.  Two of it in fresh lime green to be exact - no, I don't hate lime green, in fact I love its refreshing, cooling effect.  See?!  I told you!  Try to read the lime-green text again - it's fun!  Go!

But none of these have a designated compartment for smaller stuff, or stuff that you want to hide from the public view.  But then again, I have nothing to hide actually.  Yeah, you will find nothing interesting inside my bag.

So I bought this new bag which have...  let me check...  Inside:  2 open compartments & 1 zipped one.  Outside:  1 zipped compartment.  I supposed I will get more organize if I have these funtional compartments, NO!  I still stuffed everything huge and tiny into the bag, I am as clueless as a blur sotong as what to do with those zipped/non-zipped special spaces.  Oh!  Enough of nonsense rambling.  Here's the pix (photo credits to Zappos):

Front View

Back View