How-to Make a Summer Dress, Threadbanger

Plotting a cover-up

A cover-up for a piano that is... What were you thinking? *snicker*

Noticed a thin layer of dust blanketing Wally this morning just before I began our usual bonding sessions, making music. Got me thinking that I should get a proper cover to keep the dust from getting into Wally's innards. If you're unconvinced about getting a piano cover, read this.

Google-d "piano dust covers" and the asking prices floored me. So did the next natural thing: research how to make one. 

So basically, we need to measure the darn thing. Used this as a guide.

Then Google-d for inspiration...

This lady used 5 metres of fabric from Ikea. Thanks for the guide on how much material to buy :) The hubs not feeling the ruffles though...

He said this looked "meh" but it serves its purpose, no?

< Here's my general idea of how it should look like. Let's call it "my design" for simplicity sake.

Next step is to measure Wally and make a paper pattern. Stay tuned for what happens next. 

In the mean time, the hubs got me this little helper. Isn't it a cutie-pie? (,")

Raintree for our 8th month-sary

But why is it called a Raintree? According to "Tropical Legumes: Resources for the Future, the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. 1979", the leaflets of the Raintree fold together at night and during rainy weather, allowing the rain to fall through. The rain falling through onto the lush green beneath the trees is how the Raintree earned its name.

These trees were an integral part of my growing up years. From kindy to secondary school, the Raintree was a permanent visual feature on my school grounds. My school, Methodist Girls School, in particular was known for its Raintrees.

As a child, my classmates and I used to eat our lunch in its expansive shade. Its gnarled roots provided ample seating for us. Even now, whenever I chance upon a Raintree, it brings back fond memories of my childhood.

This is something new that I learnt about the Raintree:
"...(it) is a legume (family Leguminosae, subfamily Mimosoideae). All legumes have bean pods, the characteristic by which they are most easily recognised. Like Tamarind and some other legume trees, the Raintree produces seedpods with an edible pulp. When ripe, the pulp is sweet and sugary, with a flavour rather like licorice. These pods can also be dried and ground into a meal that makes excellent animal feed."

Source:  "The Raintree - One of the world's favourite trees" by Don W. Cox, Arborist, e-Citylife, November 2003 

What prompted all this reading, you ask? Well, I was curious whether the Raintree would make good furniture. Teak, Cedar, Pine, Mahagony are mainstream wood choices but Raintree?

The hubs and I have been on a look out for a work table for our home office which can accommodate the both of us, side by side. We figured a 7-foot table ought to do it. 

We browsed a Japanese furniture shop in Ikano (forgot the name) which sold solid wood table tops for upwards of 9 grand (OMG!) table legs not included (double OMG!). After that encounter, we were spoilt. Nothing else could come close to that awesome feel of solid wood. Believe me, we tried very hard to pick something else. It was quite disheartening.

Just when we were about to give up looking, we chanced upon this shop selling Raintree furniture along Jalan Gasing in PJ. The vast array of solid Raintree wood table tops were mind boggling. Prices were still OMG! but just sitting there, in an unassuming corner, was the perfect table for us, size wise and price wise. It wasn't cheap but palatable. The hubby and I decided to ruminate the purchase for a few days.

We went to have a second look at it today and the sales assistant recognised us from our previous visit. 

After a long browse, we were still undecided and was about to leave when Uncle Yong (the sales assistant) made us an offer that halted our steps. I looked at the hubs and I could see he wanted the table but was hesitant about laying down the moolah for a piece of wood. Granted it was a BIG piece of solid wood but it was still quite a wad of cash.

So I made the decision for him. It shall be our 8-month-sary present (",)

The Wally Has Landed

After sitting on tenterhooks for the good part of a day, Wally finally got delivered. We got worried after confirming the purchase. Second guessing our choice and worrying about whether Wally could fit into the elevator. Otherwise we would have to fork out extra to get the movers to walk him up the stairs. All 13 flights of it. Thankfully there was no need for such drama.

Sighs... He does look rather handsome sitting there, doesn't he?

Thank you, hubby darling for this precious gift (,")

Waiting for Wally

It's an exciting day! Can hardly sit down. I made special arrangements to work from home today just to be around when Wally arrives.

I've already prep-ed Wally's room.. vacuumed, wiped and tidied up. Now all that's left is to wait...

Where's Wally...?

Project Wedding: Invitation Cards (T-46 days)

Found this really useful template for creating sophisticated wedding invitations with a touch of romance. The template comes in a complete suite including RSVP cards, Menu and Table Number printables. So convenient and best of all, FREE for use! Perfect for a budget-conscious bride 

There are so many other DIY ideas from this site. It really inspires me to do much more to personalise my wedding.

Next project: making a crinoline for my wedding gown...(,")

The power of meditation

Read this article on Harvard Business Review about meditation. Rings quite true especially the part about meditation making us more productive...

"How? By increasing your capacity to resist distracting urges.

Research shows that an ability to resist urges will improve your relationships, increase your dependability, and raise your performance. If you can resist your urges, you can make better, more thoughtful decisions. You can be more intentional about what you say and how you say it. You can think about the outcome of your actions before following through on them.

Our ability to resist an impulse determines our success in learning a new behavior or changing an old habit. It's probably the single most important skill for our growth and development."

I have not been successful in meditating on my own.. EVER! But there is a day a week where I go into a hot room (40 degrees Celsius to be exact), shut off my thoughts and just listen to my yoga teacher's instructions. It get rather hot in there especially when your mind starts to wander but the basis of the lesson is, "stay in the room for 90 minutes".  It is not easy especially when the whiny part of the brain starts to go, "It's so hot and stuffy in here", "Why are we doing this?", "Are you crazy? Doing yoga in this heat?" or generally trying to convince the rest of your body to give up and get out of the heat but, I learnt that, if you bite down on your resolve and fight the whiny voice, it gives up after a while and you gain absolute control of every part of your body. The results are similar to what the author says about meditating:

"Meditating daily will strengthen your willpower muscle. Your urges won't disappear, but you will be better equipped to manage them. And you will have experience that proves to you that the urge is only a suggestion. You are in control."

The ironic thing I learnt about control is, the more you try to be in control, the more you loose control whereas the more you let go and try not to control, the more you are able to "push the right" buttons and get the outcomes you desire. 

When I began my Bikram journey, I never expected to obtain an alleviated sense of understanding and enlightenment. Totally worth every ringgit I paid for the expensive membership!

On an end note, the author, Peter Bregman, is an advisor to CEOs and their leadership teams. His latest book 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done just echoes Covey's Habit of putting first things first. Interesting... (",)

Pin-cushion curiosity...

My current pin cushion (a piece of sponge cut into a shirt shape) is starting to get a little worn around the middle. Poor thing! So I've been considering a replacement.

I've seen these cutesy pin cushions for sale in some haberdasheries (usually the neighbourhood / mom-and-pop types rather than the modern crafters-haven) and almost all Chinese bridal necessity shops sell them.

Photo borrowed from Carmen Maldonado of NostalgiaNest on Etsy

What piqued my interest was seeing the stacked ones that Sereni & Shentel have in their fabulous workshop!

Then I stumbled upon Gertie's blogpost about the tomato pin cushion and the accompanying comments made me LOL. Now I'm seriously considering a sawdust filled tomato with an emery strawberry attached!

Maybe I should DIY my own pumpkin pin cushion, instead since I'm in an DIY mood these days. You can learn how-to everything from the internet. It's UH-MAZING!!

I found this tutorial from Fiskars website. The best part is the difficulty rating which says "Beginner".

Designed by Patti Milazzo

Now, if only I had a sewing machine... (",)

100 in 5 days

That makes an average of 20 pom poms a day, discounting the cast-aways from earlier attempts and those that didn't make the cut. Way to slow progress -__-"

Work Out!

Hauled all of that by myself, in one go, up 3 flights of stairs.

See? I'm working out to fit into my wedding gown... Muffin top away! (",)

Custard apple for a visiting friend

Granted these were not grown locally (imported from Thailand) but there will be more morsels to enjoy as compared to those that my grandmother used to grow in our garden. Oh, how I miss the foods of my childhood! (,")

Skin care discipline

Not that I've been slacking off or anything but loosing my regular facial therapist was traumatic. I've been unable to bring myself to put my face in another therapist's hands after two bad experiences where my face was treated bread dough that needed a good kneading before putting to bake. Not funny at all.

So I told myself to do self-maintenance at home. I've been fastidiously cleansing, toning, serum-ing, moisturising and spot treating my skin for the past 5 months. Unfortunately, haven't been very disciplined in masking once a month much less the recommended weekly regime. Oh well, you get what you put in. My skin hasn't been fantastic. The last bout of flu had be breaking out after a course of antibiotics. If I could use a word to describe my skin condition, it would be "ANGRY". I had the worst breakout I've every experienced in my life. There were several clusters of painful pimples and acne all over my cheeks, chin and upper lip. Trust me when I say it was truly painful.

Thankfully after 2.5 months, the painful swelling and redness reduced and my skin regain some form of normalcy. Granted there were still slight bumps and some scars (I couldn't resist not scratching and pressing!). Most importantly, I didn't look like I was in the throes of puberty. But I knew that my skin needed help cos I'm getting married in December!! Have you ever seen a "mo peng" (pock marked) bride? I don't want to have layers upon layers of make-up piled onto my skin just to achieve the smooth-skin look.

I need professional help. And I need it fast!

Then I saw a deal on a popular group discount website for an Assata Intensive Facial Package for RM68 (normal price of RM826). Decided to give professional facials another go. I bought my coupon and made the appointment.

Will blog about my experience in the next instalment.

For now, I need to keep to a disciplined regime to ensure bride-ready skin.

It has arrived!!

 

Cheque issues

The fiance is writing cheques from his new checking account today for the first time in years.

Progress check 30 minutes later and he tells me that he kept making mistakes and have used up 10 cheques so far. Oh my...! -__-"

Maxis vs Celcom = From the frying pan into the burning fires of HELL

When I was with Maxis, I complained incessantly about the lousy call quality and high call drop rates. So when my Maxis line was terminated due to complicated circumstances, it was time to pick another service provider. I signed up with Celcom without hesitation. Celcom, supposedly the numero uno mobile phone service provider in Malaysia, should be doing something right in order for Malaysians to pick them as the preferred mobile carrier right? WRONG!!

Signing up a new line with Celcom was a sync. Using the new line wasn't. Took me 3 attempts to activate itemised billing whereby I was charged RM3 per month for 3 months but I still did not get my itemised bill. By the 3rd call, I was prepared to tell them to shove the itemised billing and just refund me my RM3 when the customer service person finally got it right. In the first place, why do they need to charge me RM3 for itemised billing? Paper cost? Administrative costs? My next question was, "can I subscribe to e-Billing thereby saving on paper and administrative costs?" The answer: sorry miss, we do not have this service. So can I charge them "inconvenience costs" instead?

My job requires me to travel often. Recently, I went to Singapore and was roaming on my new Celcom line. Imagine the shock when I received my itemised bill for that month. RM0.50  + RM 2.00 roaming fee per sms sent . That's RM2.50 per sms. What the *bleep*! Calling was cheaper than sending text messages.

After the initial shock wore off, I decided to pay off the bill and change my carrier back to Maxis as I was familiar with the call / sms cost structure as I was travelling to Vietnam in a few days time. Better the devil you know, right? WRONG AGAIN!!!

I "ported" my number from Celcom to Maxis 2 days before I was due to fly to Ho Chi Minh. I made sure to ask the counter guy who processed my application to activate international roaming. He said, "sure no problem, miss. As you have international roaming activated with your previous service provider, it will be automatically transferred and activated with Maxis." He gave me a new sim card and told me that it would take 2 working days. That was a Thursday. I was a bit concerned that my account would not activate before I travelled but he assured me that it would be in service by Saturday (the day of my departure). I was sceptical initially but knowing that Maxis is a commercially-driven entity, I'm sure they wouldn't dally to grab.. er.. i mean.. earn more money. Off I went to Ho Chi Minh.

When I arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I turned on my phone. "Sim card failed to register". Well well what do you know? Maxis was indeed efficient. So with a smiling face, I declined the friendly airport service staff's offer to set me up with a local prepaid card and proceeded to officiate my new Maxis sim card. Everything checked out except there was no service. Hmmm... Strange? What happened to roaming? Maybe Maxis doesn't roam in Vietnam?

To make matters worse, the taxi driver couldn't understand me when I told him where I wanted to go. The plan was for me to tell him and if he couldn't understand, I was to call my friend (whom was hosting me) and have him talk to the cabbie. Since my phone didn't have service, how to call? It was an anxious ride for me as a newbie to Vietnam topped off with a language barrier. Pointing at the complimentary tourist map was no good. Fortunately, the cabbie managed to call for directions and took me to the right place *whew!*

Lucky for me, my host's girlfriend was generous in letting me use her notebook. I YM-ed all my friends whom I knew were on Maxis to ask them to help me find out what happened to my roaming. Thank God for good friends! They all got back to me about the same time saying that I needed to put a RM300 deposit with Maxis in order for them to activate the roaming service. WTF?! I was NOT told this at the counter. Fortunately, getting a prepaid card in Vietnam was a painless encounter. It was cheap and convenient really. For VND60,000 (approximately RM12) I was kitted out with a local Viet sim card as quickly as you can say "sixty thousand vietnamese dong".

Needless to say, when I arrived at LCCT, the first thing I did was to call Maxis customer line to sort out this roaming nonsense. All efforts came to nought. I still had to pay a RM300 deposit and to top it off, need to give them a photocopy of the first page of my passport. What the *bleep* for? "This is our procedure, miss." I was resigned to either having to cough up RM300 for deposit or to wait out 6 months in order for the roaming service to be activated without the deposit *SIGHS!!!*

You would think my ordeal ends here but NO...

The very next day, I received a call from Maxis. A very helpful lady informed me that according to their records, I have complained about poor service and she has called to assist me in resolving my complaint. Long story short, she told me to fax a copy of the first page of my current passport to her and she will activate international roaming for me at no charge. She also told me to call customer service again once I have done so to confirm receipt. Great! This restored my confidence in Maxis somewhat.

I followed her instructions to the T. But when I called customer service to check if my fax had made it through, the chap on the line said that the number which I have faxed to does not exist in Maxis! WTF??!!

Long story short, after numerous calls and countless strands of hair loss to frequent gripping, I finally got my number registered with Maxis and am grappling with the devil I know. God bless! (,")

69 days...

Panicking yet? Strangely, no...

I haven't firmed up my invitation cards design much less make it.
I haven't decided on a bridal bouquet except that it must be made of flowers that can last through 3 days worth of ceremonies / events and incorporate an apple or two.
I haven't gotten my wedding dress customised to my liking.
I haven't started on my veil.
And the biggest HAVEN'T that takes time to get done is: shape up / loose the flab.

I did a costume reality check 2 nights ago and le wedding dress fits a bit too snug around the belly area. I seriously need to get a move on!

Geez... I must be the most laid back bride-to-be ever!

Eyelash extensions vs perms

For me, the standard go-to for gorgeous model-worthy eyelashes are falsies that can range from sparse to furry caterpillar like things... Or in this case, twigs like things...

Freaky, much?

So the fascination with eyelash beautification started when I read Tiffany's review on eyelash extensions (read it here) and later learnt about eyelash perming. Imagine having that many options to beautify the itty bitty hairs growing on the eyelids. Curiouser and curiouser!

The scary thing (to me) about extensions is that they glue fake lashes to your existing lashes. Few concerns came to mind:-
(a) what if I'm allergic to the glue?
(b) what if the extensions were to heavy and my natural lashes broke?
(c) what if the broken lashes don't grow fast enough or worse, never grow back?
(d) what if my lashes grew out the extensions and I look like a retard?

So many what ifs...

My SIL told me that her friend had bald eyelids from an extension job gone wrong! Oh eem gee...! *shudders* I cannot not have eyelashes. Mucho freaky-o!

Then I came across this alien concept (to me again) of eyelash perming. What I learnt from the world wide web (Google is your friend!) is that it is not quite unlike perming of hair. Apparently this procedure has been around longer than eyelash extensions, about 22 years give or take some. Gee... I have been living under a rock!

Armed with new information about beautifying eyelashes without the hassle of curling and/or falsies before mascara , I was quite tempted to try eyelash perming. Imagine waking up every morning with ready made eyes. Kinda like "just add water" and I'm ready for work.

I shot an email to my besties for a quick opinion poll. None has done perming save for one who has tried extensions. M warned me not to try anything drastic with my looming nuptials just 2 months away. But the thought of not having to wear falsies which could potentially fall off into my soup is so so tempting. What to do...? What to do...?

Then I saw a promotion for eyelash perming on a popular group discount site. Within a heartbeat, I clicked my way to a discount coupon and made the appointment. I refused to allow myself  to think further about whether I am making the right decision for my eyelashes.

Came the appointed time, I made my way to the saloon.I spent a total of 45 minutes in the saloon (including a quick trip to the toilet before the procedure). Although my eyes were closed the entire time, Connie talked me through each step of the process. It went like this:-

• she applied a sticky strip to my closed eyelids which were supposed to help my lashes curl better
• then she applied a liquid on my lashes before attaching a felt-like-rubber strip close to my lash roots 
• she proceeded to curl my lashes onto that felt-like-rubber strip and wrapped a piece of cling-wrap and warm towel around my eye area
• I was told to rest for 15 minutes... siesta!
• when she came back in, she removed the towel and cling-wrap and applied a peroxide-base solution to my lids. It really brought back memories of the time when my mom used to go for cold perms at her friend's saloon while I used to play with the curlers *nostalgic*
• then back came the cling-wrap and towel and I was given another 20 minutes to nap while the solution  worked its magic
• the final step was to apply a moisturiser to my lashes and I was sent on my way

It's been 24-hours since, and my eyelashes are still curled perfectly upright. Well... at least the left eyelashes are. The right side ones are kinda unruly if you look closely enough. I tried combing them  and they behaved for all of 30 seconds before going wonky again. Connie advised me to use non-waterproof mascara to instil a little discipline on the rascals. I'll stave off for now. Afterall, the whole point of getting my lashes permed was so that I can do WITHOUT the mascara.

After I got the perm, only then I dared to read the horror stories and bad experience.

 So, if you are also in a dilemma whether to go for extensions or perms, my take is to pick the least scary option and whose results you will be able to accept and live with. That said, I think I got off quite lightly with this whole perm thingie (",)

Second chances

How many people actually get second chances in life?

Not many.

If you do get a second chance, wouldn't you grab it with both hands and never let go?

I would.

And I am :)

You are free..

Choong Woon Leng
07.07.1976 - 17.06.2010

Until we meet again...

Doctors explained that her brain cells were shutting down which caused the seizures. There is no saying if she will ever regain consciousness.

I remembered being very calm when he explained this to me. It was in the wee hours of morning as he was going on his rounds. I had spent the night huddled in my sleeping bag at her side, keeping an eye on her as she had a troublesome breathing tube which kept slipping out whenever she coughed.

I prayed fervently for God to be merciful and not let her suffer. I sang mantras as I stroked her hair and hands, or massaged her feet. I helped the nurses clean and dress her. All the time praying she never had to suffer.

Then came May. I had made plans to climb Mount Kinabalu. My family and I turned the matter over and decided that I should proceed with the climb even as grandma was slowly slipping away.

A few days before my departure, I whispered my goodbyes to her. Although we have promised never to cry in her presence, I couldn't hold back my tears. I told her I was leaving her bedside to conquer the moutain and if she could, would she please wait for me to return so that I can share my victory with her.

She waited for me well into a week after my climb. She even regained consciousness just before her birthday. I was elated and very certain that she would wait for me. I got caught up with work (it was a critical turning point in my business as well) and put off rushing back to see her. I called home everyday for updates and she was showing positive signs of recovery. I snuffed that little voice that taunts "calm before the storm". I willed her to wait for me.

Alas, she slipped away on Thursday morning just after dawn. She passed away in her sleep. My mom called to break the news. I prayed and thanked God for leading her to the afterlife.

It's been 9 months since her passing. This blog entry has been sitting my draft box since June. I still cannot control the tears whenever I read this draft, even now as I sit in a bus full of strangers, making my journey from Prague to Vienna.

It was grandma's dream to visit Europe or, as she puts it "ang moh kok kar" (red haired man country), as I conclude my trip which took me from Budapest to Vienna to Prague and back, I feel that she is with me, enjoying the sights, the cold air, the general experience of being in a foreign land. I know she is smiling because I am (",)