Spring

Spring beckons an awakening to our winter slumber. With the emergence of new plant life brings along the renewal of our social engagements of dinner parties, the beloved barbeques and numerous outdoor recreational pass time. I cannot wait to set sail under the harbor bridge again and to soak in all that glorious weather. I simply LOVE this time of the year.

It has been a CRAZY start to spring for me. Work is rocketing off to “never-never” land, church activities and commitments have already filled up most of September. And speared all over my dairy are endless dinner and lunch appointments with enough food to feed a little country. =D

And to top off the exciting Spring saga, my parents have recently moved to Sydney!

Can you imagine the number of family gatherings we will be organizing, not to mention the many. many. MANY. long nights we’ll spend playing our beloved Big 2 card games. Don’t ask. It has become a family tradition through the years.

I say. Bring on the glorious life filled Spring!!! I’m excited. *Glee*

My Ten Dollars Earings

We Dream In Colour

I found this while browsing through a friend's blog and thought I'd post it. I just LOVE how funky some of the pieces are! Site

Remembered

A couple of weeks ago, my gf from Japan sent me an email saying her (could die from cuteness overload) almost 3 year old had asked if he could ride the Kobe ferries wheels with me. It had been over 3 months since my last visit to Japan (where I had my almost made me sick ferries wheel experience. IT was 15 STORIES high alright...!!). So I was absolutely delighted and flattered to hear that I was still in his 1Mbyte toddler selective memory card mind!!

Just look at that face and tell me you wouldn't feel the same.
*BEAM*

Time for another mid week shout out

I like Wednesdays.

I like them because we are now only 2 days away from the glorious weekend, and tomorrow is late night shopping which means ...... NO cooking!!

HAPPY MID WEEK EVERYONE!

Gion Festival

As promised....

A nostalgic moment please.....

An old friend of mine sent me pictures of Gion Festival, an annual event that is currently celebrated in the city of Kyoto (which I will post separately).

If you remember, same time last year, I posted pictures of the festival in my July 05 blog and did a short but (hopefully) detailed enough snippet about the festival. So if you want to read more about the purpose and origins of Gion Festival, you know where to look.

Cause I want to go down memory lane today. =)

This old friend and I (not forgetting another, we were 3) go way back. Way back to the days where long pigsy tails and neat pleads were our main and only focus in life. Back to the time where silly ideas like holding hands while swinging together on the swings in our neighborhood playground in demonstration of our friendship bond was our after school afternoon ambition. And acting out little skids that we wrote (mostly inspired by the movie Jaws.. haha.. it was huge back than alright!!), performing to an invisible audience only to end up belly up with laughter was how life was meant to be. haha.

I cannot help but smile when I think about our childhood memories. The hours spent with our ears glued to the earpiece of the phone, the countless sleepover nights and silly “before and after” makeover sessions we performed on each other. Hahaha… what sweet memories.

Years have gone by now and we are all grown up and adult like. So much so that 2 of my 0ldest friends are now mums and living out their lives in worlds that are apart from mine. But that unspoken bond once demonstrated by physic, now replaced by long distance silence broken only once a year when we made a pack to meet up in our motherland Singapore to fill in the gaps of stories and misadventures of life.

What sweet memories to live for and be surrounded by. I suddenly feel like a millionaire. No. Billionaire! Only that money can never buy the glow I am feeling right now. *BEAM*

A blog about nothing and secret world domination dreams!

About 1 & 1/2 years ago I decided to start a blog. I named it Imperial Salts:
Imperial: a character in my mandarin name that shyly screams royalty.
And Salts: because it was to be my electronic scrapbook of the little and insignificant things that season my life.

I did not have any big plans for it as I have neither any real political views and violent strong opinion of the ways of the world to share, nor dramatic life experiences for readers to indulge in or learn from. It was plainly the simple things in life that made me smile, or fume with frustration or ball up and just have a sulk over.

My readers were (or still are) a group of close friends that I find hard to catch up with on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis due to either impossibilities in the geographical sense or simply because we are all grown ups now and have our own little lives to run.

Whatever reasons it may be, I have gown very fond of this little hobby of mine (though sadly work has taken me away from it more often than I like these days) and in some ways, deep down inside, I am starting to secretly hope that perhaps word would have gotten out about this blog named Imperial Salts and it has started to spread far and wide! And perhaps I even dare secretly hope that in some ways, some 10,000miles away from home, someone is reading my little unassuming blog and having a smile or a frown or even a sulk the very same time as me.

Please spread the word!

Happy reading....!!

Just bec it's SO darn cute!!

I accidentally stumble upon this website game over the weekend and thought I'd post it.

The little pigs gave me heaps of much needed bluey Monday lunch time entertainment!!

It's absolutely mindless and just SO (wanna make u puke) DARN CUTE!!! I love it!!!

Top 8 not meant to be

Australia's world cup dream has abruptly and cruelly come to an end this morning after a penalty kick was awarded to Italy just minutes away from the whistle.

It was controversial, painful and oh SO undeserving.

The top 8 was not meant to be.

But let’s not take away what the Socceroos has done for Australia. We have made a mark in the international realms of football and have played amongst the top 16 teams in the world! Surely that alone is worth celebrating for.

So congratulations Socceroos! It has been a great ride.

GO Socceroos!

11:45pm, 45mins into the game.

Score 0-1 in Japan’s favour.

Anger mounted at the controversial goal.

Getting tired and restless.

Half time… toilet break and a quick silent prayer.

80mins….. waiting for a miracle now.

12.35am…. boy am I going to pay for it tomorrow…

Than.

Amongst the sleepiness and nail biting … the unimaginable happened.

Australia’s first and equalising goal by Tim Cahill!

Suddenly. There is HopE!!!

Come on!!!!!!! …. One MoRE…!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And it happened!!!

Breathe held in before the realisation of a wining opportunity!

Jubilation sets in with Aloisi sealing Australia’s final goal.

Score. 3-1.

The whistle ….

VICTORY!!!!!!!!

I say!

What a way to draw the world’s attention to our first World Cup debut in 32 years!

Well done guys! And thanks for a great match Socceroos!!

Come what may Brazil!!! It’s GAME ON!!!!! YEAH!!!!!

Nature Care Clinic

I’ve just had the best massage of my life! A friend of mine booked us in for a much needed remedial massage yesterday. I had stayed up late the night before for the world cup opening game and was feeling the effects after. I was very happy that I’m going to get some treatment for my very sore and stiff neck and shoulders.

It was not our first time there but the lady I got yesterday was incredible. She has really strong fingers but they were not overpowering, and her soothing technique made me feel like snoozing in just under ¼ of an hour.

In short, I was completely relaxed and tense free at the end of the treatment. And it had only cost me $35 for 50mins worth.

If you live in Sydney. Check it out. Nature Care Clinic

Word of warning. It’s a college clinic which means you get student practitioners. The rooms are basic, and it’s pretty limited bookings. But for the price you pay. It’s worth giving it at least one go.

World Cup Fever

Australia has qualified to play in the prestigious 2006 FIFA World Cup. It’s THE king of all kings match in the soccer realms and the whole nation is sited.

Almost every second car has a little gold and green Socceroos flag waving proudly in the rear window. Good luck cheers shouting from all corners of the commercial world to the proud and esteemed team, already crowned as heroes for beating Uruguay in the qualifying match.

I myself (I have to admit) am not a real soccer enthusiast. Though I do enjoy participating in all the fuzz and jazz over 11 men running around madly chasing and manoeuvring a ball. But coming from Singapore, it’s hard to find a real course that would make crazing over a team worth while.

So when Australia made her way into this year’s world cup. I naturally was all hyped up for it. I now have a genuine course in supporting the sport by cheering on the national team of my adopted country. And judging by the performance of the Socceroos in the qualifying match, I trust that they will put up a good fight jammed packed with a truck load of world class football entertainment.

Bring it on!

Work and no play makes..... well.. u know...

I’ve been in my new job for a month over now. It’s still settling in times so things are still cosy and smooth sailing enough. Nothing much to say really… except for the fact that since I’ve starting work, I have found myself being booked in to an endless list of social events all snowballing one after the other! Most not planned and absolutely random and spontaneous!

I’m quite happy with my new ..well.. if you could call it a routine… and am definitely not complaining, though admittedly I would love to have a Sat of just couch sitting and reading. But these weekends curriculum has made the weeks go by really quickly and in a way, makes a week of hard work that much more rewarding!

It’s great!

And to top if off, a good friend of mine will be flying in for a quick visit in a couple of weeks and I've made arrangments to bump over whilst her stay in Sydney. I’ve been dying to visit Bondi markets for ages and now I’ve finally got someone that will willingly go with me!!!! What could be better!!!!

oh. Can I also mention that there is a looong weekend (public holiday) ahead? And come Monday. Japan meet's our very own Socceroos in our long awaited World Cup debut!

It can only go uphill from this on end. Woohoo!!!

Cat Fight

A cold wet night after dinner. Mel and I were settling in for a quiet night of dvds and hot mugs of tea.

“Burr... Salem, u wanna come snuggle on my lap?”

Blank stares at my bath robe……

“Salem…. you want to come sit with me instead….??”

“You know he will come to me. He loves this bath robe!….”

Mel starts to slowly lean back and folded his legs to make a basket like well…

Salem inches forward… Totally aware of what’s happening….

“Here… let me carry you up here.”

“Hey I called him first!!”

“But he loves me more!!!”

“That’s not true!! He’s not purring. Let him choose. Let go!”

“Ouch”

“Here… Come here Salem”

He jumped off the couch and onto his stretching post and gave us both a disapproving stare.

“Now look what you’ve done Melvin. …. He’s just staring at us now…”

“What??!”

Freebie

We have just checked into Singapore Changi Airport and are waiting to board air Vietnam to Ho Chin Mhin city. I spotted this free internet access while buying ourselves ice mocha and thought I'd take the opporunity to do a little blogging. yay!

Last night, we landed at Changi Airport at a quarter to 11pm. After a brief reunion with my parents and exchanges of hugs. We celebrated our reunion Singapore style by whisking off to a late night super of porridge and little pickled veges and meat (Teochew Porridge)!

We chatted, we ate, we laughed, we ate some more. It was great! I felt instantly at home. Meanwhile, a rat ran across the unpolished tiled floor of the little road side restuarant. We shrugged our shoulders and continued while Melvin politely declined eating and quietly sipped his canned ice tea.

Time running out! Got to rush.... Don't you just love free internet access!!!

See you all in Vietnam!!

Holiday frenzy

Oh. My. God!

In 2 days, both Melvin and I will be flying in to Singapore and then Vietnam for 6 days, than back to Singapore for 4 days. And I will be off to glorious cherry blossom spring Japan!!!! AHHH!!

Yes. I will be making a second trip to the land of the rising sun and will be spending a week with my dear friend in Kyoto!!!

I can hardly contain myself! Every living cell in my body is bursting out in anticipation.

What a fabulous April it will be! I’m absolutely high from my holiday frenzy!!!

See you all in about a month!!!

Though I will be logging on and updating all our advantages from time to time, so take a peep every now and than yah! =D

Time out

Mel and I had planned to take a long holiday to visit his sister and brother-in-law in London & a detour to Paris in September this year. We put aside a travel budget and started saving up for it, accumulated our leaves and took note of any flights promotions on offer. We were really looking forward to it.

Earlier this month, I accepted a management role in a new company and will be starting work in June.

In that instance, all our travel plans flew spectacularly out the window.

It was a hard decision to make (not so much for the holidays) but because I have come to enjoy my current job and have grown very comfortable with the company's culture and its surroundings. However, I understand that one has to move on to the greater world out there and take chances from time to time in order to grow in ones career.

So come May. I will be the new States Sales Manager for a switchgear manufacturing company. I will have a team to lead, business plans to draft and goals to map for the future. My direct manager will be the managing director of the company and I will be THE "man" in-charge of the NSW office. And to tell you the truth, if I allowed myself to take all that in one sitting. The apprehension of the responsibilities that awaits me is sometimes far more overwhelming than the excitement of a management role itself! eek!

Anyhow.

With my new job commencing in May, plans for any major holiday this year were no longer a reality. So instead of waiting till 07, I am seizing the opportunity now to take a month off in between jobs. One full month starting April. That should be enough to settle my nerves and take a well-deserved break!

I can’t wait to feel the pre-holiday buzz again and to smell the sweetness of freedom in the air.

We’ve already booked our tickets to Singapore and are making plans for Vietnam and Cambodia!!!

Come what may. I’m ready for any challenges that await me now!!!

The delusional empowerment of holidays! I love it!

Wowhoo!!!

At last.... I'm home alone

It has been way too long since I spent a quiet evening all by my lonesome self. Back in uni when I was living by myself, I treasure the nights when I could throw my feet up, slump my aching body on my comfy lounge smothered in fluffy pillows. One hand armed with a tube of Connoisseur Cookies and Cream, the other, a glass of red and in my DVD, a couple of good quality chick flicks from Blockbuster videos. And just drift away into a world of fantasy and delusional high sugar indulgence!

Very hard to hear yourself speak sometimes after you get married let alone a home free night.

SO. You could imagine how delighted I was when Mel had to stay over a night for a business convention.

I didn’t hit the bed till 1am that night and though I was twitching the morning after from sugar high. I was sublimely happy.

Women. Aren’t we a funny specie?

Bamboo art

Some months ago, we had a working bee day to eradicate bamboo that had run wild in our back creek. I have become a fan of bamboos (thanks to Jamie Durie) and watching them being hacked and dumped like worthless trash made me feel like I had to do something.

So. I decided to salvage some and start a little art project of my own.

It’s not great in the picture. But boy am I proud of my mahogany painted sticks now proudly nested in my chrome vase in the corner of my living room.

I sense a 2nd project coming on..

Stay tuned… yay!

Salem

Salem had recently developed tiny crystals in his bladder. It got to the point that it prevented him from going to the toilet and made him really irritable and uncomfortable.

I sent him to the vet and they did all sorts of things to get him to wee normally again. The hardest thing to vision was the catheter, which they inserted through his “manhood” to drain out the urine from his bladder. The final option if that didn’t work was to go through an operation that will literally transform him into a girl. Arg. It was not a pretty sight.

Anyhow. He managed to escape the operation but the poor thing spent a week in the hospital and managed to rack up a hefty bill of $1031.00.

AARRGGG!!!

I swear. If he clogs up again, we are renaming him Jessy.

A soft mushy weekend

Over the weekend, we attended a friend’s wedding. The reception and ceremony was held along one of Sydney’s beautiful and private northern beaches. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining and the sea breeze was cool and refreshing.

The bridal party was beautiful. The bride’s maids were all in dark sandstone frocks with little fragrant frangipani posies. The men in their traditional black suits and the bride in a long sleek flowing gown. They were beautiful.

I love going to weddings. It just brings out all the softness and mushiness in people and engulfed it all into a night’s celebration that embraces and celebrates the vulnerability that (let’s face it) we are all so reluctant to show these days.
I had a ball and I was so happy to be able to share all that soft mushiness with the man of my life.

Parents-in-laws

I found this while I was clearing out my camera. Thought I’d post it and have a BIG shot out to my fabulous parents-in-law whom in their collected 7 weeks stay with us have done nothing but fed us with the finest food and warm our home with their wonderful company.

So thank you for your care and love!

Come and visit soon!

Melbourne

I flew in to Melbourne for a week of work. I was kind of dreading it because I will be alone and away from the city and all the wonderful shopping. So you could imagine how happy I was when my good friend from Singapore rang to tell me that she would be in town the same week as me!!!

It was great catching up with her. And in a shopping hub like Melbourne! We spell trouble. Just 1st day of her visit. I had already bought a fabulous pair of golden hues, a delicious cherry red silk skirt and a couple of cute little camis.

What a trip it was. Who says work never go with pleasure!*grin*

Cool paper bags

Someone sent these pictures to me. Some of these are pretty cool.

Back in Action

Ok. So I've been slacking off and have not written in my blog for like what.... a month!

January was absolutely crazy!! Mel’s parents were over for a holiday. A couple of friends flew in and stayed over. Lots of dinner parties. Lots of family lunches. Chinese New Year celebrations!! We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I celebrated my 30th birthday! EEK! And started some mini-reno projects around the house.

Phew!

SO. I’ll be getting right into again, and start filling you all in on my latest gos, coolest trends, latest craze. AND more shopping sites 2006 has to offer.

Stay tuned….

"Twenty something" no more

31st of January 2006. I sadly bid my much beloved “twenty something” title goodbye.

Events from a couple of days before;
- At the gym: Trend mill key in age blinked @ 29.
- Sydney Bridge Climb Declaration Form: age group (25 to 29) ticked.
- Participated in a telemarketer survey for Sydney Herald – accepted category: Late twenties independent professional.

I tell ya. I was adamant to use my "twenty something” title to the very end.

2 days later.

I am now a full fledge, 100%, settled, happy woman. (Alicia Keys "A woman's worth" playing in the back ground).

And to celebrate my womanhood. I had a wonderful 30th Birthday Bash. A yummy classic luxious afternoon tea party! I am after all twenty something no more!! hehe..

A big shout out to all my friends who were there to celebrate this "big" leap with me. =D

Rock on!

Happy 06 everyone!

We were invited over to a friend's for the new year celebration. His backyard patio has THE most magnificant and close up view of the harbour I've ever seen. What a BASH!



Here are some pictures we took......

Happy New Year to you All!

oh... did I mentioned I made a gingerbread house...

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick Xmas shout out to everyone! Have a great Christmas and remember to celebrate Xmas for what it really is. The remembrance of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1
22:All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. 23:"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
Luke 1
10:But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11:Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Salem's new roomy

Mr Jangles has been with us for over 2 weeks now. He is an incredibly gentle and mild mannered cat. And compared to our weird, quirky black monkey, he is an angel.

Only thing.

He will not stop eating Salem’s dinners!!!!

I’ve tried everything!

Feeding Salem something Mr Jangles is not accustomed to. Doesn’t work.

Watching them eat. Salem never finishes his food in one hit, so that meant I have to sit and watch Mr Jangles devour his, and than stand guard while Salem leisurely waltzes in and out of the laundry taking little nibbles at each go. ARG!

Smacking. Not enough to deter him…. Double ARG!

Feeding him more so he stays clear of the other bowl. Double whammy. He finishes his own huge dinner and continues on to Salem’s for desert!!!

I give up! Just have to secretly sneak snacks and nibbles to the little black guy for now.

Brisbane shopping spree... oh .. I meant business trip...

I was in Brisbane for a couple of days for work and the last meeting for the day got cancelled.

Need I say more....

Here are my 2 new gorgeous dresses!!! And just in time for tomorrow’s Carlton Xmas Party!


Woohoo!!




Both pieces are from Brisbane designer Dogstar.

Agave Attenuata

I fell in love with this obscenely exorbitant green life since I first set my eyes on Jamie Durie’s Patio design.

I had always loved succulents because of its sturdiness and determination to stay alive. So it’s only natural for me to fall in love with the Agave because of it’s reputed boldness and rich texture.

I had made many trips to the nursery but have never bought one back. They were either TOO expensive or …. TOO expensive.

The Agaves are extremely slow growing plants. A good size teenage plant will set you back (easily) over $80. And an adult, with its beautiful structured longneck stem, over $180!

On a recent visit to Dural nursery for a working bee day. I stubbled upon 4 baby Agaves priced at a cool $30! On sales at a cooler %50 off!

My two little crowning glories are now nested proximately at the 2 corners of my balcony. Now all I have to do is to sit and wait for them to grow up into a stunning garden feature.

Hmmm…. Let’s see…. 10 years should do it?!

Mr Jangles

We have agreed to pet sit a friend’s cat while she’s away for the summer holidays.

I am a little apprehensive as to how Salem would react to this new four legged guest. So to help us to prevent a potential blood bath. Our friend sent us this article….

All I can say is… I hope it works!!! Eek…!!

The introduction to other pet cats in your home
If you are bringing your new cat into a home with other cats, keep in mind that there are diseases and parasites that cats can transmit to each other, and some of these are fatal. Before you bring a new cat into your household, take it to your veterinarian for an examination and stool sample check. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what vaccinations your cat needs and check your cat's stool for intestinal parasites. Your veterinarian can also perform blood testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Then you can bring your new cat home without concerns about compromising the health of your current cat(s).
Keeping the new cat in a quiet, separate room is especially important if there are other cats in the house. The other cats will quickly become aware of your new cat's presence. The cats will usually sniff at each other under the closed door. Do not be surprised if there is some initial hissing. Help the cats get used to each other's scent by rubbing a towel over each of them in turn. Feeding them on either side of the door that closes off the room the new cat is in is also helpful. They will start associating the smell of the other cat with a good thing (food). After a few days, take the new cat out of its room, put the old cat in that room with the door closed, and let the new cat begin to explore the rest of the house for a few hours each evening.
The next step is to let the cats see each other, yet still keep them separated. An old screen door or a piece of Plexiglas works well for this. Another option is to prop open the door of the new cat's room, just enough so that the cats can see each other and put a paw through, but not enough that they can get through the door. After a few days of this, try feeding the cats together, but at opposite ends of the room. Monitor the cats during this time, and separate them except at mealtime. Each day, move the food dishes very slightly closer to each other, until the cats are eating side by side. The idea is for the cats to associate each other with the pleasant experience of eating. It is not unusual to hear occasional hissing, but this should decrease as the days go by. If things do not seem to be improving, try decreasing their interaction for a few days.
Once the cats seem comfortable with each other, you can move on to the final step. Open the door all the way, allowing the cats to come and go as they please. Monitor them closely, in case they fight. Do not leave them alone for any length of time until you are sure they will get along well. Make sure there is at least one litter box per cat. This helps to prevent a more dominant cat from stalking the other and keeping him from using the litter box.