That Birthday Gift.

As I grow older, I find it less exciting to celebrate the day I was born. 

After hitting the big two five last year, I feel even more reluctant to welcome that day to come. Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful (super!) that I was born and my life is as how God would have want it. I just didn't like the idea of me getting a year older and before I realize it, it's going to be my 30th birthday. That would be a real nightmare.

I'm thankful that I look way younger than my age. It's a gift not everybody has :)

I remembered when I was growing up, most girls always tend to wear/look older than they do, but never for my case. I think even now, if I have a choice to dress like a young girl, I definitely would. 

Anyways, it's like what.. like four more days to my birthday and I feel normal. No hoohaa inside whatsoever.

Then, few days ago, he skyped me and asked that I take a day off on my birthday, which is a Monday (yay! no monday bluess!) and I did, though I didn't wanna like "celebrate" my birthday. 

Then, today, he surprised me with the birthday gift. Definitely not those typical kind of gifts you give to a girl. Actually, he tried to surprise me lah. He tried. Hahaha. 

I love the gift, hun.

Can't wait to use it on Monday :)

Tired Is An Understatement.

I.

Need.

To.

REST // SLEEP // CLOSE MY EYES // BREATHE //  LIE DOWN.

So.

Badly.

Chinese New Year 2014.

So many days didn't even bother coming in here to look-see look-see.

I think for my entire life, Chinese New Year has always been the number 1 occasion in the list. I seriously think that even Christmas or my birthday comes in second and third. 

Number 1 because:

• My family will always get new clothes. A bunch of new clothes. Last time, I even made sure my bed sheet, pajamas set, toothbrush and handbags also must be brand new. Now, I don't do that anymore of course. 
• Spending the money on new clothes/shoes/bag doesn't make me feel guilty at all. Can just spam since CNY is like fifteen days all together. Wait, I still have 11 days to shop without guilt! :))))
• Occasion like this calls for mani-pedi sessions and no one *coughsKOAYcoughs* can lecture me.
• I love the tradition of receiving angpows. Not for the money (believe it or not. Okay, maybe pasrtly lah. Just a small part lah) but just the receiving angpows from people. Also, I don't think I will be receiving them for many more years. So these few years must really treasure receiving! 
• Relatives all get together for few days straight. It's always nice to be at a home where it's filled with people, especially family people. I love that my grandparents (dad's side) has like 6 children and so many more grandchildren. Love big families.
• It's a fifteen days occasion. Not just one or two days kind. Long stretched holiday mood.
• Gaining weight during these few days is okay. It's perfectly fine. 
• Missing it entirely for one year made me appreciate it even more now.

So yeah, I conclude now that CNY is actually my top favorite occasion. Then, Christmas. 

Today is the FIFTH DAY and the mood is still very much active though work also starts today. 

I wanted to snap more photos for the whole 4 days but I think I was either too caught up with food things or I just kinda didn't bother. Maybe a pinch of lazy too. Haha.

My family's tradition to have a bowl of mee suah on the first day before we start the celebration. It has always been five of us. This year, only four because the sister is out of town. Boohoo. Haha.

 Is Koay really taller than my dad? 

Ladies on the first day :)

Family is a six letter word.

Thank you Skype for making it possible to let us see our cute baby girl, who's now in Bali. 

Indeed, it has been quite torturing to not see our baby girl for about a week already. Three more days till I get to see her face again! THREE MORE DAYS!

Thank you Abigail for inviting us to your lovely house over a lovely meal :)

 Hehemiah buat apa tu? Yes, HEHEmiah.. not NEHEmiah.. 

People close to my heart.

Notice how all four of us are wearing green? 

TOTAL COINCIDENCE.

Great minds always think the same :))

God have blessed me tremendously with this close knitted family.

Thank You Jesus for this family of mine :)

Notice how everyone else is walking in the shade and he's not? I'm not too. 

BECAUSE WE less than three THE SUN!

Visit to Uncle Lim/Mickey/Noonday Sun's house :)

Thank you Aunty Mee Thiew and Uncle Thean Kee for cooking lunch and having us over to your house. LOVE THE FOOD AND LOVE YOUR FAMILY! :)

 With Uncle Heok Hooi and Aunty Phaik Lean. The fourth house of the day:)

Our spontaneous visit to Uncle Heok Hee and Aunty Guek Chan's house.

All the unique people unite. 

First day of work and I'm slowly warming up to it. Slowly.. :)

Chinese New Year isn't over yet, guys. 

ELEVEN MORE DAYS TO ENJOY!

DO NOT TURN OFF THE PLAY MODE YET!

Nail Gone Wrong.

I did my own pedicure two nights ago and it turned out pretty nice :)

I did my own manicure last night and when I woke up this morning, it became a disaster. SUCH PAIN IN THE EYE :(

I must have slept through the night like a baby that I didn't realize I was smudging it with other fingers. 

Pretty nails is very comforting, but once it turns ugly, it makes me angry. Arghh.

I just called like all the nail salon at town area and all is either fully booked or they charge like RM50 for just a manicure session. NORMAL PRICE IS RM30! 

Then I called the one in Gurney Paragon, Chez Nail and they only charge at RM45. RM5 cheaper than the rest, WHY NOT! 

Dear nails of mine, don't worry. Few more hours to getting you all fixed and looking all pretty when collecting angpows :)

ONE MORE SLEEP TO QONG XI QONG XI!

Mom-Daughter Bonding Over Pineapple Tarts.

I don't know if you all know that I can't bake.

I can cook but I can't bake.

Very beh paiseh right to say I can cook. Haha. Actually I really can cook. It's just sometimes I become so lazy to cook. Also because my mom cooks everyday for dinner.

Anyways, if I have to choose either cooking or baking, it'll be definitely COOKING. No need to think for one second or split second, i sure answer COOKING.

I have so many bad/funny experiences in baking that I no longer want to go near it. 

Once, I tried baking a whole cake. Can't remember what flavour I wanted to do. The dough turned out to be as hard as a rock. NO KIDDING. You see, in the first place, it's not supposed to be like a dough-y kind. Oh wellz. Those were the days. At least I tried a few times.

So this time, I decided to do it once more. Some years my mom made them herself and I remembered loving these tarts to the madness. I would keep popping them into my mouth. This year, my mom got so busy with so many other things and I happily suggested to her to make this but I will do it with her. 

She have to do it with me because if she leaves me to it, I don't know what will happen to the tarts. 

So yeah, apparently I didn't really give up due to bad experiences. I just let myself breathe for a while few years then back to trying. Thank God Koay is not a dessert kind of person. 

Making pineapple tarts is quite easy. Let me show you how.

First, you put some oil (in my case olive oil) on your palms and start rolling the pineapple fillings.

Like this. Yes, I try to be artistic. I try lah. 

Them, you just repeat doing the same thing for the next two hours. Kidding, it doesn't take that long if you're efficient like me *grins*

Tadaaa :)

Cute little things.

Ingredients to make the dough: eggs, flour and butter.

Never too old to bake things with mom :)

Special Edition :D 

And the babies are done. Yumsss :)

Gong Xi Fa Chai, everyone :)

Amazing Stories.

So, I read this article called, "The 35 Most Touching Photos Ever Taken" in Facebook and boy, did it made me cry. Indeed, touching. 

I just want to share some of which really stirred up certain emotions inside. Some. just some.

Here it goes.

Hawkeye, loyal pet to Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson, fell to the ground in front of his owner’s casket in front of friends and family of the deceased, and remained there throughout the ceremony. 

An arthritic 19-year-old dog named Schoep is cradled by his owner, John, in the waters of Lake Superior, where the buoyancy eases the dog’s pain, allowing him to fall asleep comfortably in his owner’s arms. Shortly after this photo started to spread online, people everywhere began donating money, allowing John to pay for the surgery and medication Shoep needed to live more comfortably. John used the remaining money to start a foundation to help other pets in pain.

A father and son’s relationship over the years.

 A North Korean man waves his hand as a South Korean relative weeps. On Oct. 31, 2010, 436 South Koreans were allowed to spend three days in North Korea to meet their 97 North Korean relatives, whom they had been separated from since the 1950–53 war.

A man teaches his girlfriend the alphabet after she lost her memory. “Patience, love, and understanding at its finest.”

'It's been so hard and she's been here the whole time': Amazing love story of bomb disposal expert who lost arms and legs in Afghanistan blast and the girlfriend who has been at his side during remarkable recovery.

 Eight-year-old Christian Golczynski accepts the flag for his father, Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, during a memorial service. Marc Golczynski was shot on patrol during his second tour in Iraq just a few weeks before he was due to return home.

The Weekends in Photos.

Literally sneaked through me quietly.

LITERALLY.

I felt even more tired than the weekdays combined. 

ihatetoadmitthis 

but 

ageisreallycatchingupalready.

Meet my colleagues :)

One of the nicest 3 course western meal that I've had. LOVE THEIR AVOCADO TRIFLE.

Breakfast at the new cafe, Budan Coffeebrew Cafe. Wait, I think it's Budan Coffee.. err.. No, wait.. I don't remember.. Aahhh. It's Budan something lah!

The bag is so huge that she can sleep in them nicely and comfortably.

Because taking proper photo during a wedding dinner is too normal and we no like normal stuff. Haha.

My first time attending a wedding dinner that has no bridesmaid whatsoever. Navy/soldier style ftw. Really very cool.

Weekend that is packed with events and activities. Ohh.