I almost went to Shabby Chic again today but the thought of coming home late with packages from them to my husband made me change my mind. I should’ve brought with me my things so Icould start on the other 2 layouts.

By the way, below are the two layouts that I attempted. Maybe someone who has scrapbooking experience can tell me how I can improve.

(pictures taken down 27/2 )

I know the texts are not very original- its Nat King Cole’s! Haha. But I used to love one of the Australian Idol’s contestant’s rendition plus, I really enjoyed what Vixennova did to here. I promise I will try to be more original next time. Hehe. (More because I was confused with the lyrics- I sing it ‘E is for even more than anyone that you adore’, lyrics on the web says, ‘E is for even more than anyone that you adore can’ and Vixennova sings it as ‘E is even more than anyone that you can adore’.

I don’t know the proper terms for the things that I used- yet. I painted on ‘L’ and ‘V’ but used patterned (vellum?) papers on ‘O’ and ‘E’. All the letters (cardboard!) were initially joined together, so I had to separate them. The buttons, butterfly and ribbons were from Hokko.

Today at Hua Ho Yayasan, I saw a roll-on acid free double tape. So might get that this weekend and a tool box to keep everything. I’m using a C&K shoebox to store the things right now. Hehe. Oh, the husband was sweet enough to carry a slightly bigger table for me to use, rather than the tiny table I was using.

I’ve told him that maybe he can get me vouchers from Shabby Chic for my birthday, or perhaps I should put together a wishlist so my friends can get me something from there? Hehe. I know they did this for V-Day, wonder if they could do it for B-days. My colleagues have also asked me for my wishlist. Last year they gave $150 voucher for c&k. Maybe I can tell them to go to Shabby Chic too! Haha.

Can’t believe the long weekend is almost over.

Few days ago, I was re-organizing my photo folder and came across few photos, which I thought would make a great scrapbook. 4 layouts, I thought.

Yesterday, after checking out, I asked the husband if he wanted to go to the Mall. After doing our usual window shopping, we finally dropped by at Shabby Chic. The husband was patient enough to stick around whilst I wandered around the shop choosing things to buy. I ended up spending quite a bit but left the shop feeling excited.

Unfortunately, I forgot to print the photos and hence, I spent last night looking through Scrapbooking websites, after processing my national day pictures that is.

Today, the husband didn’t want to go out but I was itching to start scrapbooking but still needed to print the photos. Went out for a quick run (of shops that is!) with her, which included the Book Fair (spent too much money here- but books should never be too expensive, right?), Hua Ho Manggis Mall (developed the photos here) and Kiarong (I loooove Hokko & Fleur De Lys!).

Now, I have completed 2 layouts! I’m so proud of myself! Hehe. The husband thinks it needs more embellishments but Peach said its fine as it is. I will only start on the other 2 layouts next weekend. Don’t think I can manage to bring the things back to Bunut tomorrow. Nevertheless, I am already planning for my second trip to Shabby Chic with pictures from the beach

As long as it doesn’t become an addiction…. Hehe..

Im off to bed now and start reading the books i bought today. Maybe I can drag the husband away from processing his photos and cuddle me.

G’nite all! xoxo

ive been trying to edit my previous post as I spotted few errors but somehow, wordpress decided not to save it and ive been trying for the past hour.

all photos were taken using a Lumix FX-7

My plan to laze in bed (or more like sleep in) was scrapped off as he decided to join me in Bandar. The initial plan was to just sit at Coffee Bean and see the world (okay, Brunei) passes by.

However, this girl could not stay still and decided to take advantage of the many photo opportunites available! At one point, I was kneeling on the road trying to get a shot (awu, prasan handal ni anak ani!), when I heard murmurs. Turned around and saw few guys in suits with huge-a$$ lenses. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but sudahtah camera diurang basar, lenses diurang semua L-lens (I know. Yang ada line merah around it- atu kan L-lens ani?), panjang-panjang lagitu. I bet in their heads, ‘bini2 ani banyak eksen, camera point & shoot saja…’. Hehehehehe.

I was trying to take this shot.

I didn’t get to take many shots as I would love to as

1. I was on 256mb memory. I know, I know. Newbie bah eh. Huhuhuhu. Getting a 1gb or 2gb is already on my wishlist.

2. My battery ran low after march past number 60+. I was upset because I havent even taken shots of behind the padang, let alone inside the padang.

Went to Yayasan with intending to buy a new memory card but silly me, it was only 9.30am! Plus, there were too many people around.

So these were among the shots that I took. I hate the fact that I am not yet fast enough to capture some moments. My camera is not fast enough as well. I have yet to learn the right techniques too. Oh, all the photos are of low resolution as I was eating up the bandwidth (sorry husband!) in trying to upload higer resolution photos earlier.

Friends & I have plans for a lil’ beach do this afternoon. The lasagnes are almost ready, the mats are in the car but I still need to prepare the cordial. It has been awhile since we all went for a picnic. Everyone will be there except for Arul & Jim- we will have another beach do when you guys balik, okay?

The husband & I have also planned for a lil’ local holiday. Haha. Jadi tourist kami di bandar for tonight and esok. He will leave early in the morning for some photography with my brothers and I have plans to lounge in bed with a book, overlooking bandar. If only they had a spa, like Empire does- it would be great! But staying at Empire this weekend will sort of beat the purpose. Hehe. This definitely calls for an empty SD card after the beach do.

Sunday will hopefully be a me-time. Planing to go for a massage (yes, I’m addicted to it now! it’s been helping me with my sleep!), pitstop at the salon and a little shopping for a project I have in mind but we will see. I will probably end up waking up at 11, brunch at 1, surfing the Internet at 2, nap at 3 and before I know it, the sun has set and I have to get ready for a whole new week .  The horror.

Have a good weekend y’all! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! (That’s not much you know. Haha).

Oh, before I forget, Happy Belated Birthday Ellez!! (I wished you yesterday pulang sudah. Hehe.) Don’t worry, we will bring those guys with bows only later…… around their neck, of course! Hahahaha. Much love from the Mr. & I.

Long drives I had this morning and afternoon. I could rant about it but I reckoned it was my impatience that led to it. Sigh.

Had a quick lunch at Babu’s with C today as N  was taking the afternoon off. With little spare time before we had to head back to the office, I thought we should drop by at a certain jewellery shop that HE has been recommending- something about getting discount if you mention his url.

Well, I didn’t have to mention his url because I made up my mind NOT from the arrogant salesman! OMG. I have never met such an arrogant and patronizing salesman! I’ve met a lot of such saleswomen but not a salesman.

Argh. I get angry at the thought of his tone and hand gestures. C had to leave the shop because she couldn’t handle how he was talking to me. I would gladly slap his face (seriously!) if I wasn’t worried of being sued.

He showed me some ring samples and I tried to put it on my finger with ring, to see how it looked like together.

Me: Oh, it’s a tad bit too small

Him: It’s too small for you.

Me: I know. I just need to see how it looked like together.

Him: Its too small. It won’t fit.

Me: I just want to see it together.

Him: It’s small.

Bloody hell. I said I knew. GOD. Like I would run away with it. DAMIT kali ah cincin ah.

I then asked him about the diamonds they would use if I was going to get a ring of them.

Him: Look, the diamonds are whiter than your diamond.

Me: What are the grades and clarity you would use?

Him: Our diamonds are small but better grade. That is why its expensive.

Me: Any of your diamonds come with certificates?

Him: Only if it’s more than 0.25 carat (with a judgemental look- my ring is more than that, idiot!) but our diamonds are of good quality.

Me; Okay. So why don’t you tell me about your diamonds. What diamonds are you going to use?

Him: Good quality diamonds.

Seriously. WTF? I know good quality. But tell me what diamonds are you using? I need you to justify why I should spend thousands of dollars buying from you.

No, no, no. It didn’t end there. I asked him to quote a price for me.

Him: This size 7 is $1880. Full Eternity.

Me: For my size on half Eternity?

Him: I will give you $1950

Me: What? Less diamonds for that.

Him: Yes. After discount. Your size is 13. That is 5 up (dengan tangan2nya).

Me: I don’t understand. Explain to me how is that possible.

Him: I break the ring in half, widenned it and join with more white gold.

Me: But the size 7 is $1880. Full diamonds.

Him: You’re size 13. That is 5 up. (still dengan tangannya!!!!)

Tell me if you’re not exasperated by now? Alum lagi the whole time he kept on saying, ‘made to order mum. less discount. made to order mum. less discount.’

Whatever, lah ah. If I want to spend almost a month’s salary worth of diamonds, I have the right to interrogate you with more details. You have to justify to me why I should spend that much money on your diamonds. But if your intention is to just patronize me, advertising on Ran’s website won’t even work for me.

Sorry Ran, you know I love you but seriouslyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I like Julia. She’s nice and I was hoping I’d see her there but her staff was just oh-so-arrogant.

Ko mau jual atau inda? He’s probably not on commission.

I could’ve said to him outright on how patronizing he was but I think he gathered from the look I gave him and from my intentional loud, ‘Oh My God! He is so patronizing!’ that he gave me a sorry look and said, ‘Mum, you can look at other shops and you will notice that our prices are almost the same for the same quality of diamonds’.

1. Don’t call me Mum. I didn’t give birth to you.

2. I’ve had a look at other shops, and their prices are cheaper than your maybe goo quality diamonds.

3. How do I know you have good quality diamonds when you didn’t even want to tell me about it in detail?

PSFT. Yes, I’m angry.

Tonigh, I’m going to stuff myself with cakes from Sheraton. It’s Nini Boy & Nini Girl’s wedding anniversary

Guess who came to visit us at work yesterday? There were two of them but they were too wild! I couldn’t get a picture of both of them together.

The drums were so loud and it went on on my floor for awhile. A good 30 minutes perhaps. They did their usual rounds and this year, I stuck 2 angpows near my working area and loads more near my team’s area. No, silly. Am not superstitious. We didn’t even put in much *cough*karit*cough* but we wanted to enjoy the moment plus, we wanted the lions to do stunts! Haha.

This is just behind my working area. I wanted to stick the angpow on somewhere high so the lion could jump. However, I could not risk them jumping on my desk! Hence, I only stuck the angpow on my computer. Hehe.

We were hoping that the lion would open the orange but I forgot to take it out of the plastic. Hehe.

And this was when the lion ate the angpow.

I left work early as all the drums gave me a bad headache. Next year I am going to leave the office after the lion eats my angpow.

Am not feeling too well at the moment. Will write a proper post tomorrow, insya Allah- complete with pictures hopefully! We had 2 visitors to the office today and hence, the headache.

G’nite y’all!

As the husband had to do more work, we decided to go to Bandar yesterday afternoon. It was hot! If we weren’t walking around a lot, I would probably bring a book to read. However, as we were going to walk around Tamu Kianggeh and then the 24-hour market along Jalan Sultan, I decided to bring my digicam and try taking photos as well! Hehe.

However, since I had to resize them, it has lost its sharpness (thanks to Picasa!). Well, the husband said it was because of that anyways. Plus I saved it with low reso and it was JPEG not RAW. Husband, maybe you can get a DSLR for my birthday? The 400D looks good! Hehehe. Nadabah, what I told you I wanted will be enough :p It’s relatively cheaper too! Hehehe.

The perahu man kept on saying, ‘pusing.. pusing…’, which we declined. I wonder if we looked like tourists around Bandar yesterday.

Assorted drinks sold to quench your thirst!

And fruits and vegetables!

He must be thinking whether the arrangement will attract more customers. Dari Nazmi kali jua ia ani!

A try at macro. I swear it looked better before. Am blaming it on the low reso. Haha.

We then went to Gadong, but the traffic was bad as compared to the traffic on the main road. Perhaps caused by the man with a trolley of onions?

(This is definitely a bad photo. I was on a moving vehicle and it wasn’t even an attempt to take a good one! Hehe.)

Few friends have asked me to write a letter about the little Brunei flags but I don’t think the Minister wants to hear another complaint from the same person in the same week.

I had lunch at an ‘Italian’ restaurant in Gadong yesterday and parked underground. When I saw people sticking the little flags to random cars driving through Gadong and cars parked around Gadong, I panicked- will my car be one of them? I was the happiest girl when I saw my car got away with it whilst all the cars around me had little flags on the corner of their windscreen. I was already thinking to give my next post, ‘The Girl Who Got Away’.

Come evening, the husband had to do some work around Gadong and decided to drop me off at CB, where I was going to meet up with couple of friends and cousins, when we saw a traffic- caused by people not just giving out those little flags, but actually sticking them on cars.

Told the husband to just take the flag and not let them stick it on my car. Came our turn, the husband put down the window and told them, ‘No, thank you but we will take the flag’.

But noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. They decided not to listen, wiped my windscreen (so that their good quality tape will stick better, no doubt.) and stuck the little flag on it!!

I love my country for sure. I sang-a-long to most of the songs the sang during the reharsals in Bandar. I even know some of the patriotic songs by heart. I gave up opportunities to work overseas because I could not imagine being away from Brunei for so long. I defend Brunei when people say the place is boring. I gave presentations about Brunei during uni years proudly. I have dreams on how to make Brunei a better place, given the opportunity. I just love Brunei, okay.

Sticking a flag with good quality tape on my car? That is where the line is drawn. Damn you.

Curses and names flew out of my mouth the whole night. Seriously. If we didn’t say no, manasajatah ko but we explicitly said no. Argh. Even the thought of it is still making me pissed.

The husband tried to calm me down last night. Among the words he said, ‘Baik lagi dari ia simpan bendera negeri lain’, ‘Kereta Miri lagi ada memakai’ and ‘Mercedes lagi ada flag’, in which I responded by saying, ‘I don’t bloody care. This is my car’. Although I think he’s just being pro-little flags because it involved his Ministry. Psft.

Drama queen much?

I will try to post a picture of the flag on my car later. The husband has not taken it down. I don’t think he has plans to take it down. Senghajanya tu. So he can make fun of me being angry.

Dear Little Flags Committee,

As much as you would like the publicity by seeing that many cars have the little flags with good quality tape on them, appreciate if you could advise your team members to ask politely. And if any of the public said no, they really mean it. Afterall, being polite and courteous are part of being a true Bruneian.

p.s. so are cursing and name calling.