2 days in Singapore!

The five great things about Singapore:

1. Great shopping place.... seriously dangerous for shopaholics

2. Great cinematic experience - IMAX yo!

3. Great transportation system or walkways for pedestrians 

4. Great building architecture.. have you seen The Sands and The Esplanade? 

5. Great Singapore Sale!! Hehe.. up to 80% discounts on branded items!

Awesome view from the plane

Kids need chocolate

A simple space could leave an impact with a bit of attention to details

Kid and dad on the other side

Kid and dad at the Fountain of Wealth

The Fountain of Wealth

A great design for a shopping mall

Attractive!

The Wheel lock place! All you need to do is to look up!

Photo op!

My kiddo posing!

And this is so not appropriate, is it? Could cause a riot if it's in Iran or Pakistan :P

My B'day Gift: LV Neverfull MM Monogram

My birthday is two weeks away but my husband decided to surprise me in Singapore with a treat from Mr Louis Vuitton's shop. We were looking for an iPad 2 casing, as we have seen plenty of LV cases around but unfortunately the casing hasn't been launched yet. So for those who have bought the LV iPad 2 casing.. rest assure that it's a fake. Sorry to break the news to you but the LV specialist told us so.  

Coming back to my birthday gift, he asked me to look around and I pointed the Neverfull MM because I have been eyeing that for quite sometimes. The PM is too small for my liking and the GM is too huge. MM is my perfect fit.  And lucky me, my love said yes! :) 

Not only that the Neverfull has a lot of space, where you can fit a few kittens inside, you can also wear it two different styles. Wear it loose like the picture below and you'd look super cool or you can fold the sides and tighten the laces to make it looks like a chic bag. Tie a scarf, hang keychains.. etc.. personalize your baby. 

The lining fabric design is simple yet beautiful but be careful not to spray perfume or leak any liquid inside. It could be moldy, warned the specialist. 

The trimming is made of cowhide leather, it'd turn tan after sometimes. If yours doesn't turn tan after you used it for 12 months or so.. maybe it's a fake. :P Just saying!

Neverfull design doesn't have any zipper to conceal the contents of your handbag from the prying eyes but at least it has a cute hook to secure the two sides together

For those of you who are curious about the price, in Singapore is  SGD1070, RM2700 in Malaysia and 480 Pounds in the UK. And people say you can get it cheaper in Paris. Duuuhhh!

All in all, I'm sooo over the moon with the gift. Not only because it's LV, but most importantly I received it from the love of my life who knows his wife so very well. Thanks my love! Happy Birthday to me!

My Kid is a City Kid

I helped Tia with her homework yesterday and by help I mean, accompanied her til her work was done. She needed to write one paragraph three times in her workbook. The sentences went like this "Haji Musa mempunyai sawah padi yang luas di Kedah. Dia mengupah pekerja dan menyewa jentera untuk membajak sawah padinya." Apparently, she didn't know anything about sawah padi, jentera, Haji Musa, Kedah, etc etc. Thank God for Google but I couldn't show her Haji Musa though. :P After we're done with the homework, we went upstairs to get ready to sleep and I read to her about fireflies. I told her that I caught a few when I was small. She looked perplexed. In her eyes I could see that she was wondering how was it possible for me to catch fireflies. She had never seen one in her life.

Basically, her childhood and mine are totally different. My kid is a city girl who never walks barefoot on a ground. She never plays outdoor at 3pm without adult supervision. She doesn't know how to climb trees. She never experience riding a bicycle downhill without having any protective gears. She was amazed to know that I had a lot of interesting experiences in my life. On my defense, I didn't have anything to do, that's why! But for her, if given the opportunity, she would love to experience my childhood, I reckon. Looking at her life now, many people would agree with me when I say, it's a blessed life. She could get almost anything that she wants, and she never has to worry about anything. But at the same time, she's losing out on the excitement of discovering things out there. 

I climbed trees as early as 6 years old. I chased and caught chickens just to find out that i'd only get a small piece after all the hard work. Tia could eat chicken whenever she mutters the word 'chicken'. I walked to school, stopped halfway to play in the rubber plantation about half an hour or so before headed home. I plucked multicolor chicken shit flowers (bunga tahi ayam) and made potpourri, along the way to my religious school. I helped my mom picked ciku fruits from the tree, cleaned them and sold them, only to receive 5% of the revenue for myself. When the water supply was cut, I had to walk downhill to the well to bath, wash clothes and carry some water home, uphill!! I didn't have any fancy toys but I spent my days on top of the ciku tree, wasting my time. Haha! 

Life is different for many kids nowadays. Tia is well-protected by us. From home, to school, to babysitter's house, to home again. Never once I let her out of my sight when we're together. But as a kid, she has also experienced many of us could only imagine, like traveling the world. She's six and she's been to many countries, meeting kangaroos and koalas, experienced extreme cold in Shanghai and autumn in Korea. She is gaining knowledge from books, a lot of books. She learns what she loves to do like dancing and drawing. 

Our childhoods might be different but as long as she's happy and she's got to experience life at its best, I don't think it matters. I'd like to introduce her to kampung life but I don't know where to start and I think she's not cut for it. Haha!  :)

A Sexy Emma

Her name is Emma. She came as a big surprise one day, a very pleasant gesture from a very nice man. Met her once, took a photo with her and left. Never thought that we’d meet again. Came across many others, none as appealing as she was. On the day she arrived, the heart skipped a beat, the eyes simply refused to look away. Oh how beautiful she is, the body is gorgeous, the skin glows; everything is perfect. She looks classy yet one can sense an air of toughness around her. A soft caress on her skin, you immediately get the feeling that she comes from a good place. Admiration surfaces, the heart surrenders. This is it; Emma is the one.

Well, I’m talking about my latest handbag by the name of Coach Madison Leather Large Emma Satchel. I just want to try writing a paragraph about something without using I, my, mine. Can or not? This bag is exceptionally comfortable. You can wear it with a sling or without. What I love the most is the inner red lining of the bag. It just gives you the feeling of luxury, and the red is simply sexy. The bag has just enough compartments at the sides for you to store your smart phone and other women essentials, and there’s this large space in the middle where I put my handbag organizer in. The calfskin leather is soft and slightly shiny, exudes sophistication and style.

Emma is just a perfect bag for any occasion, well.. probably not for dinner parties. And the Coach logo is tastefully placed in the middle front, subtle and just enough to my liking. This bag is offered in black and beige and I’m so glad that my husband chose the black one. It looks stylish and classy for any occasions. Emma is my first Coach handbag. Honestly, I am not into Coach bags, as I don’t like large flashy logos and the many Cs, but its leather collections are not bad at all. Thank you my love for the lovely gift. Much love. XOXO.

Grin..grin!

The size is just perfect for an everyday bag

A nice subtle logo

Sturdy handles

Sexy red lining

Listen

I have always been interested in politics; not to be involved directly in politics but to keep myself updated about politics. The recent development in my beloved country however had been greatly politicized even though the issue is not totally about politics; it is about the voice of the people; unless the authority does not consider us, who support the cause for a clean and fair election, as people. 

When you take care of a country, you should take care of the people – those who like your administration and those who don’t. That should be the responsibility of the government. Period. Politics is one thing, government is another. 

What disturbed me the most about this rally that shouldn’t be named, was the overreaction of the government. Your people wanted to walk peacefully for 2 hours for a great cause. Not only that you said “no” and closed all doors for discussion, you also took out all your armies and weapons to intimidate your people, and even worse, after the event you tried to justify your move by saying that you have done a good job??? Don't even start talking about the stadium, you lied. It's as simple as that. 

How could you not know your own people? Malaysians by nature are moderate people, we are not confrontational, and I couldn’t comprehend why did you go to great lengths trying to prove your people otherwise? Did you really want to see bloodshed? Did you really hope that the event would turn out to be like the Jasmine revolution? Are you now frustrated? The irresponsible main media and the authority displayed molotov cocktails, parangs, and bundles of rally that shouldn’t be named’s t-shirts weeks prior to give the impression that this rally was going to be violent. You banned the freaking t-shirts, you considered the piece of clothing to be extremely dangerous?? Why??? I am perplexed that you take us your people for fools. 

Despite all your demonizing efforts, people still went to the rally. People wanted to be heard. These people are educated people, these people are my friends, these people are the ones I look up to, these people are your future generation. And I am a good citizen who never fails to pay the country tax, do not commit crime and work to better our country. Don’t mind the opposition parties, majority of the participants of this rally are your people. I read the updates from both sides, the government media and the alternative media. This rally produces a lot of heartfelt stories about how people from all races united for a common cause. And unfortunately, despite the 1Malaysia slogan that you called for, all I heard about from the government are lies after lies after lies after lies. 

Do you really think we are blind? 5000 to 6000 turned up? Who were you kidding? Minimal force? Really? All videos in YouTube were edited? Seriously??? People were paid to be there? How much? You made fun of people who were injured. You justified your hideous acts. Who do you reckon we are? Criminals? Some low-lives? A group of people who you shouldn’t care about and should be condemned? 

For a government who claims to champion Islam, this move alone is so unIslamic in so many levels. 

All these people wanted is to be heard and the government has time and time again, adamantly shown the people who are loud, the closed doors. I am one of the silent majorities you’re talking about Mr Prime Minister, and I know there are many more out there. Perhaps you should take a moment to reflect on your doings and listen to your people. It’s time. 

Singapore Stands for Shopping!

Yeah, yeah I know Malaysia is also good for shopping but when Singapore calls, I have to answer. :) We are planning on a short shopping trip to Singapore just before Ramadhan to get some clothes and items for Raya. Just so happen, we will be there during the Singapore sale and THAT my friend, deserves a woo hoo! 

What's so great about shopping in Singapore is the variety of choices; it's a retail therapy city, where shopaholics could get their fix all day long. In terms of price, I think it's not much difference from Malaysia but in terms of choices, Singapore offers a lot more. Many brands come to Singapore first then only consider Malaysia. Latest I heard, H&M is opening its store in Singapore in Fall 2011. It's my OMG moment! I love H&M clothes but I reckon the price would be more expensive than if we were to buy in Europe. But knowing that the brand is just next door, it's kinda comforting. Pity that it'd only be available by Sept/Oct. 

I haven't had the chance to visit Sephora in KL but I think Sephora is brought down to Singapore some times ago. I'll be checking out Sephora in KL soon and compare with the one in Singapore. Interesting? 

So what will I be looking for in Singapore this month end? I like tops made from chiffon or crepe silk.. you have that soft touch, nice to pair it with a jacket. I also want to find nice jackets and perhaps a long skirt and a pair of cool jeans. Plus.... a pair of shoes. Cukup? See how lah... And of course the diva of all is Tia lah!! Mestilah nak cari baju dia yang coolness! And as for my hubby.. he's also excited to shop til he drops. I'll post pics of my catch(es) when I'm back from the city. Well... lama lagi kan... but I'm excited!! hehe.

Negative Correlation Between Age and Birthday Gifts

When I was young, nobody remembered my birthday. Birthdays were kind of exclusive, ONLY YOU remembered your own birthdate. Haha! There were a dozen of us, so to remember all dates was not our major concern. On my 7th birthday, I kind of told my mum about it and she made a special fried rice just for me while the rest of my siblings ate plain rice. Share? Didn't think so! :) Though it was not a grand gift, the gesture was really nice! It touched my heart and it'd forever remain in my memory.

Time passed by and during adolescent years I envied my friends who got a lot of exciting birthday presents from their families and friends. I always imagined that I would receive a teddy bear one day though I realized it was a far-fetched dream for me. Sob..sob...But dreams do come true and I received my first teddy bear when I was 17. Yeah, it was too late for a teddy bear at that age but I was ecstatic on that day. My heart swelled with pride because now I have my own teddy bear. Don't judge! Teddy bear was something grand in my olden days. 

Then adulthood said hi and expectations grew. I wanted flowers, handbags, watches, shoes, jewellery on my birthday and thanks to Allah, I received them all. Alhamdulillah. I have no complains and I believe that my life is a good life.  

My next birthday is around the corner and my husband hinted to me yesterday that it has becoming harder to choose a gift for your spouse.

I could relate to him. There are several points to look at. One is the value factor - should this year's gift be more expensive than the previous year's? Another is the repetition factor - could you repeat the same gift you have given two years ago? For example, a watch in 2009 and another watch in 2011. Third is the surprise factor - is it okay to surprise her or you'd be at risk of surprising yourself because your surprise has becoming predictable? Fourth is the excitement factor - how would the reaction be, would I be seeing that fake smile  or is the smile really genuine? I don't know about other people but I am really excited when it comes to buying my spouse's gifts. Perhaps a bit more excited than him. haha! For those who care about our partners, I suppose the feelings are similar. 

So for my coming birthday, I plan not to give any hints so that he could 'suffer' in the process. Can? :)  One thing for sure, I love my husband with all my heart because he has given me the best gift ever, Tia Sofia... si kichik sikit and the gift of happiness.