A Little Longer Than Awhile, A Little Shorter Than Forever

It's taking me awhile to get used to this obstacle-free path I now see from my room to the front door. I never imagined that one night could bring so many changes. Small changes with great effects, no less. Now, there'll be no more newspapers to skip over, no more baby gate to cross over, and no more dog to trip over. Sigh. I hate the empty path already.

Princess

2 April 1996 – 31 January 2011

Just Thinking...

You don't have to be married to be in love;

you just have to be sure you're in love to get married.

– Pam Song, 28 January 2011

--------------

This quote / status update was inspired by this video.

Time To Visit The US Of A

Screenshot captured at 5:30PM today.

It's About The Vow

"...to have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

Via Melissa

It's not about the pretty flowers, the fancy decor, the poofy white gown, the snazzy suit, the matching rings, the big wedding or even the marriage certificate. It's about the vow. 

"Through thick and thin; till death do us part;

in sickness and in health; for better or for worse...

What kinda guy would I be if I walked out

when she needed me the most?"

– Chris Medina, American Idol 10 Auditions

And They Say Women Are Confusing... Pfft.

"Once men have tasted caviar,

it baffles me how they settle for catfish."

– Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl,

S04E03: The Undergraduates

Me?? Anti-Social?? Urm... Yeah.

And this, ladies and gentlemen,

is why I shall refrain from initiating

anymore conversation on GTalk. -_-'''

Out With The Old

It's been 8 months since 'goodbye'.

Time to move on. =)

What It Means To Miss Someone

Via Le Love. Only edited and re-designed, of course.

Having been in a long distance relationship

for a good majority of my dating life,

I'll vouch for the truth in this one.

It really isn't about the days, weeks, months or years you spend apart. It's about the many, many, tiny, little, seemingly insignificant moments in a day when you see, hear or experience something great; smile to yourself, send a text, make a call or shoot an email their way to share... then realise a second too late that it just isn't the same as them being there with you to see, hear and experience it for themselves. And because of that, you suddenly realise that what you're seeing, hearing and experiencing isn't quite the same or as smile-worthy after all.

The Could-Have-Been Love Story

Music: Las Dos Hermanitas by Francisco Tárrega • Performed by: This Dude

Ahh, young love. I remember the days. =)

Now, if only we all had the guts to say how we felt then.

Seems easy enough to say, "I like you." Or, "I love you." Especially if we already mean it. Unfortunately for many, that's only true in theory. But cummon... Life's too short to skirt around the issue! Especially when it's something as big as – I dunno – LOVE! If you like/love somebody and they don't know it yesterday, you're already a day late today. So, let's not make the same mistake tomorrow, okay? =)

Best Tau Sar Piah In The Universe!

And I had it for breakfast.

*lansi face*

Super bad hair day.

Ok, fine. I know that's not a lansi face. I dunno how to pull a good lansi face. -_-''' So I guess I'll just made do with pulling... a face. Any face. Like so:

Since you guys seem to be

sooo into them until you even failed

to focus on my very prominent bruise. >(

*holds grudge*

Whateverrr...

I had the best Tau Sar Piah everrrr!
Only available from Him Heang, Penang.

-------------------------
HIM HEANG SDN BHD
-------------------------

162-A, Jalan Burma, Penang.
Telephone: +604-228 6129
Opening Hours:  8:30AM – 5.00PM, Mondays – Saturdays

Weekly/Monthly Segment, Anyone?

I'm thinking of committing myself to publishing weekly segments (or maybe monthly – harhar) of a pre-determined topic, which YOU'll get to pick. Lucky you.

*grin*

@_@

OMG, what am I getting myself into!?

*faints*

Kidding. =)

So, yeah. Whaddaya think about a monthly segment? Ok, fine. Scratch that. I shall strive to be a responsible, dutiful and diligent blogger who keeps to her word... and a weekly schedule. (No promises though. :-/) I'm planning to write based on one of the three topics listed below but... feel free to recommend others if you think you'd like to hear more about something else other than one of this:-

1. Wishful Wednesday. I'll share my wishes and dreams. The simple ones that pop into mind while I'm in the shower as well as the major ones that take lifetimes to achieve.

2. Happy Friday. I'll talk about the things that make me happy. Every one of them, the big and the small. Because happiness a feeling meant to be shared.

3. Secret Sunday. I'll share my secrets with you. Because we're all human and it's alright to have weaknesses, thoughts and feelings we're not always proud of.

Pick one or suggest another. =)

Makan Monday?
Arty Tuesday?
Inspired Thursday?
Fashion Friday?
Quote Saturday?

I'm open to anything at this point.

And as always, it's never about one-way communication here on Tinki Talks. (Got people who like to solo-solo talk to themselves wan meh??) I like hearing back from you guys, too! So if you've got a wish, a happy thought, or a secret you'd like to share with the class, feel free to email tinkitalks@gmail.com and I'll add them to my list along with your name and blog address when I write. When we decide on what I finally write about, of course. =p Just be sure to let me know in your email if you don't want to be linked and want to remain anonymous, okay? I won't judge. I also promise I won't tell on you. =)

Eventually

I was just thinking about what I want in life. What I want, not now, not this year, but like... eventually. (Not talking about eternal life here, okay. Just about life here on Earth.) Like, after all is said and done. Like, when I'm sitting down with a good cup of tea after retirement and looking back at what's been with a smile and looking forward to what's ahead with excitement. That kind of eventually. And what I eventually want is...

1. TO HAVE A HAPPY FAMILY. To be able to come home to a well-kept, quiet and peaceful home that will always be my sanctuary no matter how terrible the day I've had. Where Laughter and Happiness run free through every room in the house and Anger and Irritation never rear their ugly heads. Where time together is precious, memories are treasured, anniversaries are remembered, and birthdays are celebrated. Where spouses stay loving, kind and understanding of each other regardless of the time, day or issue at hand. Where kids are well-behaved, filial and respectful of their elders at all times. And where in-laws never become outlaws.

2. TO BE IN GOOD HEALTH. And in my books, "good health" means "t-o-t-a-l wellness". Specifically, in body (physical), mind (mental), heart (emotional) and spirit (spiritual). It's not about the number of carrot sticks I eat or the calories I don't. Instead, it's about how alive I feel on the inside, and how much energy I have within me to do what I want, to keep my body busy, my mind occupied and my spirits up for as long as I shall live. (Which, ideally, is looong enough.) That doesn't mean I don't want to still look hawt when I'm preggers or stay trim when I'm not. It just means that I can't just be healthy on the outside. I want to be healthy on the inside, too. 

3. TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY. To pay for bills, food and other necessities without thinking twice or worrying about tomorrow's accounts. To pamper myself as I want, when I want, without having to feel guilty about it. To not have to compromise on what I want with what I can afford. To be able to give presents that my loved ones would really, really want – "Oh, you need a car to get around? Sure!" =p – without even having to consider how much it's going to cost me. To have enough to plan holidays, see things and go places without worrying about travel costs, hotel rates and exchange rates, or worry about coming home to mile-long credit card statements and empty bank accounts after.

What do you want at the end of the day?

Medan Lebuh Campbell, Penang

I know it looked like
I totally etched out the buildings

and deleted bits of the sky for kicks
in that last pic but... I didn't. =)

Butler Bag By Jen Groover

Was reading a magazine Kor Kor snitched off Silk Air when I chanced upon this Butler Bag by Jen Groover which I think is seriously beyond cool. And it's oh-so-practical, too! I mean, just look at it!

A big bag to put all your lady ka-chang in?

PLUS individual compartments in that big bag

to perfectly organise all your ka-chang??

*faints*

I think I just landed in bag heaven.

Is that amazing or is that amazing, I ask you??? A compartment for every knick-knack a woman would ever have or need. In fact, it's so amazing I think it stands a good chance at becoming this year's must have item. But only because digging into your purse like a kitty in a litter box is sooo last year.

*flips hair, blows nails*

The OCD packer in me loves it. Just looking at it makes me giggle on the inside and runs shivers down my back. Haha. Too bad it doesn't come in quite as chic designs on the outside as it does on the inside. All the patterns I see online very aunty lah! :-/ Sure, I'd give them credit for ingenuity. But design-wise... still cannot make it. So, I guess this makes the Butler Bag urm,... next year's must have item? Hopefully they'll have gotten themselves bumped up the design scale by then lah. Cos right now, I think Jen still needs a lesson or two from Kate.

Chinese New Year 2011: The Song Family Pre-Reunion Reunion Dinner

Yesterday, the oldest of the Song family – my Kor Kor, Dee's oldest sister – came to town. And like it has been every year since Ah Ma and Ah Kong passed away, everybody who's in town had pre-reunion reunion dinner with her at Chinese Recreation Club (CRC) – a local recreation club that's home to Ah Ma and Ah Kong's favourite Chinese restaurant in town.

Our starter for the night? Fried Tom Yam Bee Hoon 

– Ah Ma's recipe – replicated by Kor Kor herself,

and flown in all the way from Singapore!

And our dinner consisted of pretty much the usual dishes we order each year. Tofu, Hong Kong Kai Lan, Roast Chicken... Haha. Standard order wan. =p

But reunions aren't about food. They're about family. And unlike many years before when we used to have 2 tables full of family, we're now down to 15. =(

 Very bad, very blurry panorama picture of the family (minus myself),

no thanks to the 14 cannot-stop-moving human beings seen here. -_-'''

From L-R: Dee's forehead and the left lens of his glasses, Kor Kor,

Ah Pek, Ah Um, Henry, and a very happy Edwin Koko.

From L-R: Edwin Koko, Grace Soh, Alor Setar Ah Um, and Alor Setar Ah Pek.

From L-R: Alor Setar Ah Pek, Joanna, Jessica, Josephine Soh, and Anthea.

And here's a customary family pic

of everybody present. Me included. =)

FRONT ROW (L-R): Joanna, Jessica, Henry and Anthea.
MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Alor Setar Ah Um, Mee, Kor Kor, Ah Um,
Josephine Soh, Grace Soh and Yours Truly. BACK ROW (L-R):
Alor Setar Ah Pek, Dee, Ah Pek, Steven Koko and Edwin Koko.
MISSING IN ACTION: Kor Kor's husband – Ah Teow (SG);

Terence Koko, Bee Yong Soh and their 2 kids (UK);
Adeline Che Che, Sam Ko and their two kids (KL).

1 pre-reunion reunion dinner down,

1 reunion dinner coming up! =)

Book Rest Lamp From The Curiosity Shoppe

"While you're all tucked up in bed reading your favorite book, you can read to the glow of this clever and uncomplicated lamp. Made of frosted glass, it gives off a soft light, ideal to read to but also doubles as a book rest ensuring you never lose your page. But this is no ordinary run-of-the-mill book stand, sit your favorite book on top of the lamp and look! You've made a house! It's just one of those simple design gems that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

Yup. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside already from just looking at this lamp in ID-less pictures. Haha. This Cool-meets-Cute Book Rest Lamp measures 6" x 4.5" x 5.5" and is available online at The Curiosity Shoppe for $80.00 USD. Multi-purpose room accessories FTW! And, uh... earning a living in USD FTW, too! -_-'''

Weekends Are For... (Part 2)

...collecting bruises...

This was taken last night.

...while messing up the house, of course. =p

Weekends Are For...

...back-breaking work...

...and lots and lots of mess. =p

Last weekend was crazy, I tell you. Just crayyy-zee! I'm never buying real furniture from IKEA again. Teeny-tiny macam-macam stuff like stools, temporary storage boxes, photo frames, candle holders, hangers and laundry baskets ok lah. But real furniture like wardrobes, bookshelves and tables? Forget it.


You know, when people say you've gotta "put some back into it" when you work, I didn't realise the saying was literal. This weekend saw me giving up my not-great-but-at-least-still-functioning back for a bad one. One that ultimately drove The Fiancé to force Nurofen 400 down my throat. What a bad trade! -_-'''


So... Somebody? Anybody! I'd like a sponsorship for a spa weekend, please?? I promise you guys it's not for me. I'll selflessly pass it along to someone who needs it more than I do. Namely, my back. And it shall be forever grateful to you for your generosity. Thank you.

Dear Fiancé,

This is what I want for Valentine's Day:

 Via Michelle Woo via One Charming Party

Since you're back and all, ya know? And we can finally do away with V-Day SMSes and Skype calls, ya know? And can proceed to bake lovey-dovey, fancy-pants pizza together-gether till we burn down the house, ya know?

Love,
Your Fiancée who wants

a hearty pizza this Valentine's

(Har har, I'm so punny.)

p/s: Can you believe the last Valentine's Day we actually spent together was 4 years ago, back in 2007??? @_ @ Really cannot more pathetic liao lah. T_T

Too Much Liao La

I like to eat. And when people get to eat and I don't, I get upset. And when people get to eat and I don't, and then come and gloat to me about it, I get even more upset. But when people get to eat and I don't, and then come and gloat to me about it, and then go and screenshot my feedback and FB status it, I get the mostest upset.

Click here to view from source.


Rawr.

He wait.

My revenge will be sweeter
than his Chee Cheong Fun.

Nyeh-heh-heh.

Lunch

That's my McDonald's Double Cheese Burger Plain

with Extra Cheese from my Medium Value Meal. YUMS!

Down Memory Lane

While clearing the kitchen yesterday, Mee and I stumbled upon an old icing set my Por Por (Mee's mom) bought her when she was 15 (Form 3).

As you can see from the box, it cost them RM11 –  a LOT of money back in the day for my not-very-well-off maternal family. (Think: 6 adults + 5 kids in a small Semi-D with only 3 breadwinners amongst them. And I don't know about the rest of the men but my Kong Kong was a government servant with little to spare.)

40-year-old metal pipe icing set that's begun to rust. =p

Although it was the set itself that Mee oohed and ahhed over, I was more taken in by another familiar sight I've somewhat come to miss – Por Por's writing. All over the back of the box. Like so:

You see, my Por Por was taken out of school by her mother at the tender age of Std 3. "Cha bo thak chek, thak aneh kuan cho hamik??" my great-grandmother said. (English translation: "Girls study, study until so high for what??") Sigh. How male chauvinist of her to think that way. Mee and I always thought it was odd that she should have such a backward mentality considering she was an educated woman herself. (I don't know the specifics of her education but I know she could read and write well.)

Whatever the case, Por Por's life

was crippled because of this decision.

But... Although she stopped

learning through formal education,

she never stopped writing.

My Por Por loooved to write. Morning, noon and night, she would sit, hunched over any material that would take to the ink of a pen or marker, and write. Due to her lack of education, her writings often revolved around names, dates and simple words copied from product labels, newspapers or brochures lying around the house. She'd just repeat the words over and over, all in cursive, all over the place.

In her home, curly scribblings covered newspaper corners, tin cans, bottles, even cups, plates and cutlery. And at the end of every school year, every unused page from any of my exercise books, she tore and kept for later use. Because paper was precious. And because she never had the luxury of having books of her own.

I know I speak of Kong Kong a lot more on Tinki Talks than I do of Por Por. Perhaps cos he and I were closer to each other than I was to her. But that doesn't mean she didn't leave an impression.

Matching Mirrors!

Match wat, you ask?

Match the bed I don't have lah!

Haha. Super syok sendiri. -_-'''

Winter's Perch Mirror and Who's The Fairest Mirror.

Both from Anthropologie.

After much deliberation between my right brain and my left, I have decided that Winter's Perch is the mirror that gets my final vote. Even though it comes with a little birdy on one of its branches. Heh.

Forest Canopy Bed From Anthropologie

I'm not usually big on metal bed frames (they're a health hazard!) but I'd totally make an exception for this dreeeamy Forest Canopy Bed from Anthropologie.

I'd fall asleep each night thinking I was Sleeping Beauty!

Thaipusam Is For...

Clearing the kitchen and visiting the hardware store. It was the perfect holiday. Now, I'm SO looking forward to Chinese New Year. Hip hip hooray.

A Little Late On The Bandwagon But Still Worth A Mention

Today, I made my first eBay purchase! Yay! =D

It was also my first PayPal transaction!! Double yay! =D

I feel sooo cool now.

*lansi face*

Technology is my slave; the Internet, my mistress.

Working Girl Says, "Hi."

But what she really wants to say is, "Bye."

Today's Late Afternoon Snack

Maggi Hot Cup in Kari Ayam flavour.

Surprisingly, it was so good that I began wondering why I always stuck to Tomyam. And if you know me at all, you'd know that says a lot about how good I thought Kari Ayam was. Just cos I'm such a stick in the mud when it comes to my food and its flavours. Haha.

I'm NOT Crazy. I'm NOT Paranoid. And It's NOT An Irrational Fear.

I've been shat (shitted?) on by birds more times in my life than I care to remember. (I distinctly remember the first experience to be extra traumatising. I got a splat right down the front of my face by a very accurate bomber crow at Public Cafe, Gurney Drive. T_T) It's like bird shit just gravitates my way. -_-''' And trust me, I wish I was kidding you but I so am not. T_T


I also used to have crows caw and swoop down over and over again to attack me at my first house in Penang (12P, Jalan Delima =p) no thanks to Dee who accidentally rolled over and killed one of their chicks with the automatic gate. He opened and closed and opened and closed the gate numerous times cos he thought it was funny that an open gate orchestrated a lot of cawing and a closed gate didn't. And then he found out why. @_@ Whatever. This is his fault. I blame him for my plight. >(


People think it's me who's paranoid and that I have an irrational fear (a.k.a phobia) just because I'm half past crazy and a quarter to cuckoo. Few people understand the extent of my fear and fewer still help me through it whenever it strikes. (Which is whenever a bird appears. -_-''') Some try telling me, "Nothing wan. They're so far away! See? They don't care about you also!" Yeah. Right. What they don't understand is that those birds may just go about their business and not care about them... but they will care about ME. Cos I'M the one they want!

You think I'm crazy, don't you?
Well, think again! Cos now...
 

I FINALLY HAVE PROOF THAT

CROWS OFFICIALLY HATE ME.

Watch and learn, people who think that these black winged demons are so innocent. For today, you'll discover that you couldn't have been more wrong.

"Wild crows can recognise individual human faces and hold a grudge for years...," says Bob Holmes in his article "If you think a crow is giving you the evil eye..." Doug Levey of the University of Florida in Gainesville adds, "We may think they are just bystanders minding their own business – but we are their business." 

You see??? It's not paranoia!
HAH! And with that, I rest my case.

Old Penang

It's been so long since I've lived lived in Penang that I've forgotten to how much I used to appreciate the sights seen here that can rarely be found anywhere else. Except probably Malacca. Or Muar. Or some other godforsaken kampung with no electricity and running water. Har har. Anyway, here's a little collection of what I've seen (and bothered to capture). Enjoy! =)

This is the same Penang my Kong Kong
opened my eyes to 20 years ago!

Help Me Find These Modernised Traditional Chinese Tealight Oil Lamps From Thailand!

I know, I know. Everything in that Post Title is contradictory. Haha. But if you bothered looking before judging, you'd see that every bit of it is trueeeee!!!

Tealight bases instead of kerosene-soaked wicks. =)

 I really love the lamp on the left with floral motives. <3

Saw these pretty little things at Perut Rumah Nonya Cuisine, Jalan Kelawai last night while celebrating a farewell and fell instantly in lamp love with them. Asked the staff if they were on sale and the lady speaking to us said, "No. We don't sell." Then she scoffed and added, "And you cannot find here wan. We buy from Bangkok." T_T Sigh. Talk about rubbing salt into a wound, man. If I had no conscience, I'd totally have just whisked one home. :-/

ANYWAY... will someone out there please tell me the lady is wrong and that I can find them around and about town? (Town = Semenanjung Malaysia, specifically Penang, KL, Ipoh or Malacca.) I'm not particular about which design is available – although I really love the floral one I indicated above – as long as it's still classical-looking. Lemmie know ya? Thanks loads!