The Forgotten Nursery Rhymes – Chapter 2

Are you familiar with this nursery rhyme? Sing a Song of Six Pence

Now, listen to the version in Malay… Lagu Tiga Kupang

Although, as I know it “Sagu Penuh Tepung” is actually “Saku Penuh Tepung”…

This is one of the old rhymes that we used to sing when we were little. We will act out the song too. It was so much fun. Now that we have a little girl in the house, all these songs are coming back to us. Sometimes, Mak will sing one. Other times it will be Abah.

What other nursery rhymes you remember?

Nesting and Wiring

I think I have enough reference book that will occupy me with projects during confinement. I am not sure how busy or free I will be during the period, so I’m just being prepared for the times where I would feel bored or agitated because I cannot be out and about. Preparation is good, right?

According to Momster, she was so busy during the confinement, taking care of herself and Baby Hanan. So, that’s a heads up for me, just in case. :-)

Below are the books that I purchased today from Kinokuniya. A bit frustrated because I didn’t get any discount! Hmmph!

Braxton Hicks is a regular occurrence now. Still too long and far apart to be a real labour pain. Baby A is till high up, although I do feel more pressure down under. I don’t know. It will happen when Baby A is ready. I just hope that it will be soon. The suspense is making me feel more and more anxious.

Baby A is always stretching and pushing around, trying to make more space, me thinks. So I always tell Baby A that rather than doing that, you might as well get ready in the correct position to come out, because there is a lot of space out here! He he he… My nesting instinct has been more intense these days. People say that shows the time is really near. I don’t know. My take is on Baby A, it will happen when The Baby wants it to happen.

This morning The Hubby said that it’s useless to tell me to stay put. Because the more people tell me to slow down the more I want to move about. If no one said anything, I am happy being at home doing nothing. He also said that as my tummy gets bigger, I get crazier wrapping wires! Ha ha ha… Well, when I first followed Mel to the workshop, I didn’t expect to get hooked really bad. But hooked I did! And I sincerely hope that the investment that I’ve made will turn out to be fruitful.

Some family members and friends have asked me to make jewelry for them already. But I am still not confident to execute it. I need more practice, especially the wrapping, bending and weaving. I have a couple of orders from Sarc already! I hope I can make the items for her soon. Please be patient babe. I’ll make it happen! Let me finish up few more tutorials and practice projects before I start. He he he…

It’s Getting Closer

People say that confinement period will be tough especially if you’re not used to be confined. Especially for people like yours truly who are always out and about.

I am now sort of “confined” to the house by my parents request. Abah is worried every time I do the driving. And I guess, last night dinner with my person will be the last outing for me, driving myself. I know the time is near, and it could be any day now. But, haih… my heart… I just want to be FREE!! Ha ha ha… Mak did tell me in the afternoon that if I am confident enough, she won’t stopped me from going out cause she does not want me to feel “jailed”.

Even during the last few months, I have been feeling a little down, because I don’t really get to go out. My days were very routine where I go to work, come back home and sleep. Over the weekends, I go out if The Hubby wants to go out. And sometimes, I feel a little sad when he goes out with this friends, leaving me at home. Ngada-ngada kan?

Like this weekend, I thought we could go out, spend time together, but he has to work. Luckily I had the wire art workshop yesterday, that kept me occupied until 6:00pm. And then the impromptu dinner with my person. Didn’t realise that I miss her so much! He he he...

Today my MIL and FIL arrived from Kuching. The Hubby is coming to pick me up so we can have dinner together. I wonder if we will have enough time to go to Borders. There are few books on wire jewellery that I would like to purchase. Owh… speaking of that, here are some of the most recent items that I’ve learnt to make during the workshops and my free time…

As for The Baby, during the last follow-up, the good doctor has instructed me to do squats exercise more frequently. The Baby is in 50% correct position, only The Baby hasn’t turned face down and yet to engaged. The doctor wants to see us again this Thursday to see the progress. She said, if The Baby is still the way it is now, she will start to worry. Please Allah, I do not want a C-sect. Please let it be an easy delivery and a fast one. Please make the baby turn correctly by Thursday. I don’t mind if I have to go on labour on the same day. The Baby is moving actively of course, just not towards the direction we’re expecting yet. I’m hopeful though. Please pray for us too, my friends. 

To Barang or Not To Barang

Saya suka ini barang. And I am contemplating of getting it before my confinement starts. However, I have a problem parting with RM1500 (maybe more) in times like this. I mean, with that amount, I can do a lot of things for the baby as well. So how?

It is a very good barang actually. And during confinement, where my Mak already warned me that I must stay put and not moving around too much (I cannot imagine myself staying put really), it is another good reason to own this thingamajig. I foresee the 16GB will be full as soon as the first day I own it. Mostly with books. Owh… I hate reading books on my laptop, because I don’t get the same satisfaction from a paperback, but holding this barang in my hand, it feels… right. So how?

At times like this, how I wish I have a rich uncle or aunty that can tell me, “for your birthday my dear, just ask for anything, and I’ll get it for you!” Waaaaaaaaa…. Mesti best! Yes, yes, I can get it myself, don’t need someone else to give it to me, BUT I heart my RM1500 a lot. So how?

The more I see it, the more poisoned I am. When I try to put the thought away, it becomes that little thing that burns at you in a distant just at the back of your mind. Haih. I want. Maybe I just have to be a little more patient, and there will be an occurrence where somehow this barang will become reality. Hmmm…

I’m a little scared that if I actually write the name down in this post, I end up at the store and buying it away! So.

My New Hobby

Few months back I attended a wirework workshop organised by the owner of Whimsical N Quirky. And although I had to bring my own cushion to support my back, felt the strain, and went back with sore fingers, I regret not one second of it! Thanks to my friend Mel for introducing it!

I did not continue with the practice, nor did I attended the subsequent workshop. Mainly because my focus was shifted to getting the PMP certification.

Anyway, last Tuesday, I started again. I continue with the tutorial, doing the piece that I did not get to do during the workshop. And after that, I just continue, slowly. Just tonight, I completed another pendant. A bit rough, I might say, but hey… I’m still learning!

I Won!

I have never won any lucky draw contest before… It’s so exciting when I did recently.

Thank you PickADress!

My post here: Pick a Dress Giveaway

New Body Extension

I am now an owner of another piece of worldly luxuries. Although the purchase did not trigger the euphoric mode like my previous purchases (lesser in monetary values), I am excited to make full use of it. I have plans. But I just do not know how they are going to be materialised. But slowly and surely, one by one will happen, InsyaAllah. I just have to believe in the power of believing.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I present you Kak Anoi, the Canon EOS 550D.

You can read the review on this camera in dpreview HERE. Suffice to say, for a somewhat beginner to photography, this is a kick@$$ unit. I know I wrote not too long ago (Are You A Photographer?) about my intention of owning one and how I felt that it will be a waste of money. However, I decided that it is in a good sense to purchase one because not only I can pursue my “devious” plans (please, Allah!) at least The Hubby can make use of it in his jobs too.

As a bonus, since The Hubby is also using Canon, we can share the lenses and other common accessories. Isn’t that awesome? He he he… I will in time put in the shots that I successfully capture with Kak Anoi.

I am also hoping with this shared interest, The Hubby and I can have more quality time together. I sincerely hope I will not be cramping his style or make him feel chained just because we are on photo outing together. ;-)

Truthfully, I am a little anxious going back home to do some shots around the house. Ha ha ha…

Award Time!

Few days back, Momster gave me an award. This is so far, the second I’ve been honoured to receive. :-)

Thank you Momster for this. It made my day. He he he… According to her I write my mind out. Regardless whether it’s main stream or not. Well, not exactly in those words, but I’m improvising to make me sound awesome.

I knew Momster since we were in uni, although were were not exactly close friends back then. We have a mutual friend, Toonie who is now lost from the blogging world. We started to share our life happenings after we started working. And throughout the years that I’ve known her, I admire Momster. She has this beautiful boy who is just adorable. And when she has more, I’m positive they will all be just as adorable. Momster makes me want to have babies right this instant. Ha ha ha…

The Rules are as follows:

Step 1. Accept the award and put it on your sidebar.
Step 2. Describe 7 things people do not know about you.
Step 3. Award the Award to 7 other Beautiful Bloggers and describe why they deserve the award.

Step 1 :
Done.

Step 2 :
7 things people do not know about me?

This is a bit tricky, because I’m pretty much an open book. And the things that people do not know about me, there might be reasons why it’s that way. Ha ha ha… so, let me just recap 7 things about myself that probably made me have a bunch of good friends around, people that I’m thankful to have in my life.

1. I am not a religious individual. But I believe I am a spiritual being. I believe that everything that I do will take me a step closer to Allah SWT. And whatever choices that I make in my life, there will be rewards and lessons. And all these just ask me to communicate more with my Maker.

2. I believe that happiness is a continuous state as long as the things that keeping you happy keep on happening. So, I believe in doing things that make you happy. And avoid things that makes you sad.

3. I love cooking. I haven’t got the chance to arrange a get together with my friends and just stuff them with food. I’m a good cook, but not a chef material. But I wouldn’t mind taking that direction as oppose to what I’m doing now.

4. I love books. I love reading. I like writing. And I hope that one day I will gain something out of this passions.

5. I love photography. And I do believe the reason that Allah made things happened between The Hubby and I is so that I can pursue this interest. Because taking pictures make me feel happy. And having someone to share this common interest is a plus.

6. I have an awesome bunch of people whom I call friends. I’m sure they know who they are. And these people, they are irreplaceable lot. I love you all!

7. Lastly, I mean what I say, and I do my best to be an honest person all the time. What you see is what you get. I am a nice person. But I suffer fools and evils badly. So.

Step3:
I would like to award these bloggers:

1. DNAS – one of the hot awesome working mother cum blogger out there.
2. melisamuhd – she’s my friend AND neighbour and she and her husband are The Hubby’s close friends
3. acitnadey – she’s one of my closest cousin, we practically grew together
4. bleepit – this woman is the boss, and she’s on a journey.. ha ha ha…
5. dakwanie – one of my closest friends since skool, she’s now serving the country in NYC

So there you go.

New Layout and Live Writer

Momster suggested that I use Windows Live Writer to blog. She said she has not been accessing blogger directly for quite some time because she’s enjoying Live Writer. It’s easier she said. Hmm… What I’m finding interesting is that I can use other fonts for my blog post. Let’s just see if the font that I’m currently typing with will be displayed correctly. It's looking lovely in this draft… I shall blog more about Live Writer and my feelings on it in another post.

Next, the new layout. What do you think of it? I would prefer the white spaces between the texts on the right column is smaller. But beggars can’t be choosers, right? Until the day I create my own template, I should just use what’s given, follow the instructions AND credit the creator. There are tons of templates to choose from that I sometimes feel overwhelmed. So, this is the second time I’m picking out a theme from this website: instantShift; which means, millions of people might be using the same template! He he he…

“tak vampiric pun”, was the response from The Hubby on my new layout. But I did mention in my previous post that I want the new layout to be more… fresh and fun right? There were others that attracted me, but they were either too bright or fell into the same colour theme like before; black and red.

Well, I will rejoice in this new layout and the experience of using Windows Live Writer. We shall see which will stick around after a month! Ha ha ha…

New Project!

One of the gifts that we received was this; a Kenwood Breadmaker. My colleague asked me what do I want and because I have this secret dream to be a breadmaker (amongst other things) I asked for this. That, and also because I really do not know what else to ask.

My fingers are itchy to try it out.We've already brought it back home from my parents'. Maybe I'll do something this weekend and see how it turns out. And if it's pretty and edible, I shall blog about it! He he he...

Yes, yes, I know... I am slowly becoming too domesticated... But it's fun, right?

Recap of The Weekend

My weekend started of with a series of spa treatment. Isn't it a great way to end the week days and start the weekend?

Went to Kajang with Ems for the bridal spa treatment. It's our first session. There will be three more sessions to go before our weddings. For this session, I did the sauna, body scrub, herbal bath and resdung treatment. All of which I enjoyed tremendously!

While waiting for Ems to finish her treatment, I started to change my clothes and put on make-up for "that fun thing". And after that we quickly made our way to Puchong, since we were already late!

As soon as we arrive, I was told to immediately, you know... pose. This is my first experience doing a studio photo shoot, so I was a mixture of nerves and excitement. Luckily, Ems was there and she sorta "directed" me. Ha ha ha...

It was really, really fun session. Besides Ems, my dears Mel, Sarcylicious and Kak Mas were also there making the day happen. We had a great time together. And we are so looking forward to see the pictures. I would like all three of them to know how I appreciate them being there with me. Thanks gals!

Only after we have finished the session, and all of us were sitting at the mamak joint, that I realised that I was not in my complete "costume". I had the flower, the peasant blouse and the jeans. BUT I did not have the turquoise accessories on me! I was already without the so called hippie hair during the photo shoot, and to realise that I did not have the accessories I prepared was... blurgh. Ha ha ha.. I guess, we were having so much fun that I'd forgotten about the accessories altogether!

On Sunday, I woke up quite early, made myself breakfast and started to sort things out to get to work. Get to work on the gifts thingy. I managed to complete everything, although there was a little hiccup along the way. And just before my parents came back from Singapore, I was already putting the nets for the bunga pahar.

And that, my friends, conclude my weekend adventure.

For that fun thing!

In reference to my previous post; Something fun to look forward to!, there's another accessory that I'm creating for the day.

Presenting the bouquet!!


With turquoise ribbons, of course!!

ps: picture from Flowersgrowing.com

Something fun to look forward to!

For a little activity this weekend I am planning to go with this look...

Hippie hairstyle

Peasant blouse and jeans

Couple those with turquoise accessories

Let's just see how it'll turn out, shall we?

Vampires? I LIKE!!

NOTE: This post is a pleasure read. Has nothing to do with the living or the dead. Or the undead for that matter. Ha Ha ha...

If there is one thing that I really have interest on (other than my other half, family and friends) are VAMPIRES. And I think I've mentioned this before. There are few handsome vampires out there...

The post today was an outcome from a link that was sent by CapalPerak to me, as a joke. But then, when I was really reading it, I think I scared him a little. Ha ha ha... Well darling, one thing that you love about me, IS my dark side, right? So here goes...


ANGEL - from the Angel TV Series. Although he has Buffy, it does not stop me from obsessing over him during my early 20s. He exudes this aura of a tortured soul; which he is really. Sad eyes, beautiful mouth. Even when his face changes when he calls his vampiric side, I still love him. Yummy, really. Anyway, Buffy has cheated on him with Spike, so I still have some hope.


BILL - "What kind of a vampire with the name Bill," exclaimed Suki. Very witty. Like Angel, he is another tortured soul, in True Blood. Being robbed of his soul, unwillingly when he was just being true to his late wife. I like Bill, although sometimes I think he's a little sissy. He's sexy, but I don't obsess over him like I do over Angel...


Edward - Ahh... Edward Cullen... I knew him first through his stories. He might be ancient, but he's still a teenager. At first, I don't think him as "handsome" or "sexy" for that matter. Come one! He's only 17!! But in this photo he does look a little yummy. Ah well.. he married Bella, so I can just admire from afar.

There you go. What's YOUR obsession?

My Blog - Uber Amazing!

Wow... This is the first time my blog has ever been given any awards.. :-) Thanks to DNAS for giving it. This is what she said about my blog...

Looneypuff: I started blogging because of her. We used to work for the same company. Back then I didn’t even have enough time for toilet breaks, let alone writing F.O.C at some column/blog. I only started reading her blog after I handed in my resignation letter and found myself blogging a few weeks after that. She’s getting married this year, yeay!

So nice of you... So, since I'm tagged, I've a job to do...

The rules:
o Write five (5) interesting facts about the person who gave you this award.
o Jot down ten (10) interesting facts about yourself or your hobbies.
o Pick your ten (10 or less) most deserving recipients and describe them.
o Leave a comment on the recipients' blog to tell them they've been tagged.
o Paste the award badge in your sidebar.
o Have fun!

5 interesting facts about DNAS:

1. She is one of those super-moms people always talk about; a mother to two lively boys and another is on the way, and she has this high flyer job which keeps her on the move most of the time.
2. Because of point #1, I'll never know when's the next time I'll be seeing her, unless she arrange for gossiping session herself!
3. When we were working at the same company, we were never really close. It all happened after the company. Ha ha ha.. weird eh?
4. She remembered to send me a postcard, when she was sipping coffee in London...
5. She can write really well and we share the same not-so-secret wish to become a successful writer one day.

10 facts about me:

1. I am engaged to be married, insyaAllah :-)
2. I have to put up fact #1, because it seems like some people could not believe it
3. I am already started to get bored with my current job. I'm doing my best to keep it exciting everyday, to stop myself from hopping yet again.
4. I actually suggested to my mom to have fried noodles and nasi lemak at my wedding reception.
5. Everyone thought I was joking when I made the suggestion in #4.
6. I was not joking.
7. I can still pass as a chic in her twenties eventhough I've crossed the 3-series border.
8. I am yet to drive a 3-series.
9. I found out that once I can afford to make my wishes come true, I always settle for something more practical.
10. I have my first gray hair last week. This might be due to fact #3 and it's . Last I checked, it's still there.

The recipients:

• DakWanie She's one of my dearest friends. We've lost contact for years. We managed to found each other again just before I got engaged. But now, she's in NYC. She's one quarter of the Itik Jawa clan!
  


• Momster Another super-duper mommy. With a son and job, plus some additional activities she's juggling so well. One of those people I look up as icons for the future me. :-D


• BleepIt Ahh... what can I say about this lady here? She and I have become chummy over the years. We know how to talk serious talk and how to have fun when fun is in the agenda. She's here to stay.

New Addiction

I was urmm... introduced to this new online drug by Queen. And once I had a sample of it, I'm hooked!! Things are getting better/worse, depending on how you look at it...

RestaurantCity @ FaceBook!

HELP!!

I might need to cure cold turkey if this addiction worsen... :-( Last I checked, my point was at 4500, going to Level 9. I already installed two toilets to let the customers answer their nature calls. I have employed a cleaner... :-p

But, on second thought, do I REALLY want to be helped?

To Know Me is To Love Me

Your Chinese zodiac is 6, year of Snake and you are born on Friday.

Personality : People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have martial problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.


Your tree is Cypress: The Faithfulness.

Personality : Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy content, optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless.

Blush is Me!

I actually planned to get the blusher from one of the pharmacy racks. Cheaper kan? But, I couldn't find the best shade. Not too pinkish, not too brownish, you know the drill...

And because of that, I settled for the safest option; I turned to M.A.C. (Please note that I am not getting paid by writing this. :-p ). My first purchase with this brand was several years back when I was looking for two-way cake (foundation-powder) with suitable colour for my skin tone. The ones I used before has always been too dark or to light. I've tried Maybeline, L'oreal, even Revlon. They are more suitable for one who is fair, medium or dark skin. And since I'm in between medium and dark, it kinda limit my options. And once I purchased the StudioFix, I never changed it until today.

So yesterday, I went to the outlet in KLCC, since I was supposed to meet up with a friend. The salesgirl introduced me to the Mineralize Blush range. I like the texture very much. And it has shimmer to add the glow a bit lah. She put this colour on my cheek and I was sold!

The shade is called Warm Soul. And it really does! Ha ha ha... so, I was a happy shopper; another mission accomplished!

Owh... actually, I also love the shades that Bobbi Brown has. Last week, I went to the outlet in MidValley just to see the options that I have. The friendly lady showed me the combination of liquid foundation with loose powder and a nice blush to go with it. I loved it. CapalPerak liked it. But alas, since I already have the two-way cake, I don't see why I need to splurge on the whole shebang.

I just read the skin tone guide from M.A.C. Apparently my skin has a cool-golden-beige undertone, thus my powder comes with the colour code NC. I feel beautiful already. Ha ha ha... However, the reality is that I don't wear make-up everyday. I just put on moisturiser and dab a little baby powder. And sometime, I blush myself up. But I like to have these things handy for you know... occasions. Hehehe...

So, there you go. A girlie post for today. Never imagined I'd be talking about make-up! Wouldn't have done so if it was five, six years ago!

Still a Happy Baby... Heart is Still Merry!

It's a brand new day today. Nothing extra-ordinary happens, but I woke up with a new kind of vigour this morning. Although I took my sweet time to get up and get ready for work, somehow, I felt lighter.

I put on a new top this morning, switching from my ordinary worn out shirt to a turquoise blouse. I don't normally wear so casual to work, but today, I felt like it. I let my hair down, although I stick to just powder, a little blusher and lip balm as usual. No, nothing special is going on today. Neither did anything special happened during the weekend.

Fun things and meaningful things did happen during the weekend. CapalPerak and I went to see Max Payne on Saturday. I hung out with Sarcy on Sunday. I shared something that happened several years ago with CapalPerak last night. And today CapalPerak starts his new job. Normal hours finally. And maybe, just maybe, the fact that our hours won't clash so much anymore makes me feel lighter. He he he...

Other than that, nothing special happened.

While watching Max Payne...

Jade: Owhh.. owhh... do you want to know what he's going to do next?
CapalPerak: No.
Jade: Isk...

Later...

Jade: I'm sorry if I spoiled the movie for you... I think my brain is too Hollywodised already... I seem to be able to know what's going to happen next... Hmmm... maybe I should become a script writer. Or write that book I've been wanting to write!
CapalPerak: Just do whatever you want to do darling. [smiling his exasperated smile]

Much later...

Jade: Ohhhh... Bordersssss.... Oooooweeeeeeiiiioooouuuuuuweeeeeiiioooouuuu... [moving fingers in a circular motion at each side of the head - as if being hypnotised]
CapalPerak: Oh my god. I'm dating a cartoon character...
ZuZu: [Laughing at the back seat]

I was a Happy Baby

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite Yoga poses. It is called the Happy Baby pose.


This pose helps to release the lower back and stretch your hamstring muscles. But I plain like it because it's fun. And you'll see why soon enough. This is how you come to be a Happy Baby:

1. Lie on the back.
2. Bend the knees into the chest.
3. Open the knees, bringing them towards the armpits.
4. Stack each ankle directly over the knee, so that the shins are perpendicular to the floor.
5. Flex the feet.
6. Hold the outer edges of the feet at you draw the knees towards the floor.

An extra move that you could do is while holding the pose, rock from side to side slowly. It's like being in a swing. And this is why it's fun!

As you can see, there is nothing mantra-ish about it.

NOTE: Picture and instructions taken from Yoga About.