OF MICE AND raMEN

Wordish/Wordful Wednesday - Of Chippies and 99

2012-01-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

I found these photos in a missing SD card while cleaning out my handbag.
If my memory serves me correctly, I think these pics were taken somewhere around the Tower of London.

Almost everyone around us was snacking on fish and chips and there was this long queue behind one particular fish & chips kiosk. I was reminded of an ex-classmate who travels to London every year just to get her fish & chips fix. How crazy is that? If I had her moolah, I would prefer to visit a different country every year.
I'm not a big fan of fish & chips but I thought I'd give it a go.

There were several chippies (British slang for fish & chips shops) in the area.

This no-frills British classic meal came in a cardboad box printed with newspaper motifs - a clever substitute for newspaper wrapping. Fish and chips meals traditionally came wrapped in a couple of layers of newspaper, but concerns over ink poisoning phased out this practice.

Salt and vinegar are traditionally sprinkled over fish and chips at the time it is served in chippies in the UK.

Blimey! That was bloody marvelous!

Interestingly, Britain's national dish is chicken tikka masala and not fish & chips! Controversy raged throughout the whole of Britain after former foreign secretary Robin Cooke hailed Chicken Tikka Masala as 'Britain's true national dish.'

Some interesting facts and figures about fish & chips

* 300 million portions of fish and chips are eaten in Britain each year.
* There are more than 10,000 chippies in the UK.
* It is said that Joseph Malin opened the first chippy in London in 1860.

And no visit to Old Blighty is complete if you haven't tasted their 99 Flake.

A 99 Flake ice cream, or more commonly known as 99, is an ice cream cone with a Cadbury Flake inserted into it. The ice cream is usually vanilla flavoured. They are traditionally sold by ice cream vans, parlours and now by the world's first amphibious ice cream van - The HMS Flake 99.

Here's an excerpt from the Daily Mail.

The ‘HMS Flake 99′, which has a top speed of five knots and can also run on land, was created to mark National Ice Cream Week and to emphasise the problem of the increasing number of exclusion zones and decreasing amount of ice cream vans on the roads.
The number of vans falled from 20,000 to just 5,000 over the past fifty years due to growing number of bans from housing estates, parks and outside schools because of concerns about noise pollution and childhood obesity, reports Daily Mail.
After a nationwide tour of Britain’s beaches, HMS Flake 99 will be heading to the canals of Venice next year.

There are many theories as to how the 99 got its name.

Here's an extract from BBC NEWS.

The ice cream in question has gone by that name since 1930, when Cadbury's launched a shorter version of its Flake bar - called a Flake 99 - for the ice cream trade.

Which does rather seem to blow one theory - that the bar is exactly 99mm long - out of the water. The UK is only now edging towards metrification - 70-odd years ago, everything was in imperial measures.

Ditto the suggestion that back in the day they cost 99p. True in the 1990s, but in 1930, nothing cost 99p - it was pre-decimalisation, remember.

Another theory goes that the initials of ice cream are IC, which is one way to write 99 in Roman numerals. But the convention is to write it XCIX - but it's possible this was ignored or not known.

Found this in Cadbury's FAQs
In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King has a specially chosen guard consisting of 99 men, and subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99" - and that his how "99" Flake came by its name.

Billie Achilleos - Louis Vuitton Critters

2012-01-08T18:53:00.000-08:00

The moment I saw these in Charlotte Clarke's blog, I knew I had to post about them. Charlotte, a journalist in training from London, shares really cool finds on her blog - Literally...

British artist Billie Achilleos was commissioned by Louis Vuitton to create these adorable leather critters entirely out of LV bags and accessories.

More pics and info @ Literally...

Jenni Price - Pancake Artist

2012-01-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Illustrator Jenni Price takes pancakes to a whole new level with her jaw-dropping creations. This talented SAHM of 2 beautiful kids loves painting, creating pancake art for her kids, painting on fondant, and all kinds of artsy projects.

I knew I had to share these as soon as I picked up my jaw from the keyboard after visiting her blog. I found her blog when she guest-posted on bloggy pally Stephanie Darmock's blog.

Check out her awesome blog for step-by-step tutorials here.

A Pocket Full Of Buttons

2012-01-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Stephanie and I have been bloggy buddies since 2008. If you haven't met her already, let me introduce this multi-talented lady, the author of A pocket Full Of Buttons. Steph never ceases to amaze me with her endless talents. For starters, she wows me with the super cute bentos she makes for her family.

Even Hubby gets a whale of a treat!

This mommy of 2 sweet princesses is a seriously gifted photographer. Hop over to her gallery at S.Darmock Photography and you'll know what I mean.
These are some of my faves

She's also an incredibly talented seamstress who loves to sew for her two gorgeous daughters

Stephanie sells her adorable outfits at her Etsy Shop

Did I mention she's a fantastic cook as well? Here's how Steph describes herself -
"I am a hyper blogging, tattoo loving, amateur photographer and a big time foodie. I am a monster on the sewing machine and a known fabric hoarder. I take my coffee via IV drip to keep up with my two fabulous little girls. I am wife and sidekick to an amazing United States Marine and could not love our life more.

I am confident but shy, passionate but easygoing, complicated but simple, unfettered, protective and loyal to a fault. Some call me an enigma. Love me or leave me, but here is where I stand. "

She certainly is a loyal bloggy buddy and I love, love, love this amazing lady!

Pendants By Steph

2012-01-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

What can be more delightful than finding a package in your mailbox, especially when it's from a bloggy buddy?

Love that fuzzy feeling of seeing your name on the envelope and ..........

the thrill and anticipation of discovering what's inside.

This beautiful pendant is a gift from Stephanie Quach, my bloggy pally since 2008. Steph is one of the bloggy BFFs who keeps my blog going with her daily visits, kind comments and encouraging e-mail she sends regularly. A mom of three lovely kids, Steph is the author of The Quach Family Part2 and Pendants by Steph. In her spare time, she expresses her artistic side in crafting with her kids and handstamping pendants and charms in sterling silver.

Stephanie lives with her hubby and three kids in California

Here's a peek into Steph's lovely creations. They make such charming, personalized gifts for any one - BFFs, aunts, grandmas, teachers...

Each piece is individually handstamped and no two pieces are exactly the same.

Her current wedding cake forks are a huge hit!

Do hop over to her blogs and give this awesome lady a shout out! You'll be glad you did!

Where Children Sleep

2011-12-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

A child's bedroom can reveal many things about his life and circumstances and James Mollison's book entitled "Where Children Sleep" captures the diversity and disparity of children around the world through portraits and pictures of their bedrooms. Mollison's book is intended to interest and engage children in the details and lives of other children and the social issues affecting them.
Here's a peek into the bedrooms of different children across the globe.

Four year-old Kaya lives with her parents in a small apartment in Tokyo, Japan. Her bedroom is lined from floor to ceiling with clothes and dolls - every little girl's dream.

Eight year-old Rothy lives in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. His home sits on a huge rubbish dump. At 6 o'clock every morning, Rothy and hundreds of other children are given a shower and breakfast at a local charity centre before they start work, scavenging through the rubbish for cans and plastic bottles which are sold to a recycling company.

Indira lives with her parents, brother and sister near Kathmandu, Nepal in a one-room house. Seven year-old Indira works in a granite quarry six hours a day and has worked there since she was three.

Dong, nine, lives in Yunnan province in south-west China with his parents, sister and grandfather. He shares a room with his sister and parents. The family owns just enough land to grow their own rice and sugarcane. Dong’s school is 20 minutes’ walk away. He enjoys writing and singing. Most evenings, he spends one hour doing his homework and one hour watching television. When he is older, Dong would like to be a policeman.

This is home for this four year old boy and his family in Rome, Italy.

8-year old Harrison has everything his Harvard educated parents can provide, including a big screen TV, en suite bathroom and playroom. He attends a private school where hitting and teasing other kids and negative energy is banned.

Prena, 14, sleeps in a cell-like space, toiling 13 hours a day as a domestic servant in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Fifteen year-old Risa lives with 13 other women in a teahouse in Kyoto, Japan. She and five others sleep in a room that is also used as a dining room and tea room. Risa is a 'maiko' – a young girl who has passed the test to train as a geisha.

Ten year-old champion sumo wrestler Ryuta lives in Tokyo, Japan with his parents and younger sister.

Jamie, nine, lives in a top-floor apartment on Fifth Avenue, New York. In his spare time, apart from playing the cello and kickball, Jamie likes to study his finances on the Citibank website. He aspires to be a lawyer like his father.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

See you next year......

Karen Bit Vejle - Psaligrafi

2011-12-19T04:11:00.000-08:00

Psaligrafi literally means to draw or paint with scissors, in other words, the Art of Patience.

Karen Bit Vejle's papercuts are performed from a large, continous piece of paper that is folded one, two and three times and then cut using only a pair of scissors.

Every cut is carefully planned and the slightest mistake would mean disastrous results.

Scissors for a brush

Karen's Website

Sunday Citar/Simple Things Sunday/

2011-12-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he
Proverbs 16.20

Count the days that gladness bring,
See the best in everything,
Count your hopes and not your tears,
Count successes and not fears;
Count your home joys, comforts,pleasures,
Past delights that memory treasures,
Count glad hours of friendship true,
Happiness will stay with you.
CLARA SIMPSON

* Citar means quote in Spanish

Kyle Lambert - ipad Finger Paintings

2011-12-15T20:32:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there is a $8 app called Brushes for your ipad tablet?
UK based artist Kyle Lambert marveled the world with these jaw-dropping paintings that were done using only one finger as his brush.

Madonna

Obama

Kathy Holmes

Jennifer Aniston

Megan Fox

Jude Law

David Beckham

Rihanna

Will Smith

Beyonce

Visit http://www.kylelambert.co.uk for more info.

A Holiday Miracle

2011-12-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

This is just wayyyyyy too sweet to pass up!

Enjoy!

W/W - Deck The Malls

2011-12-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas over here as malls go the extra mile to create the festive feel at this most wonderful time of the year.

O Christmas tree, O christmas tree!

This mall takes on a nautical theme

These clam angels are adorable!

Amber Spiegal

2011-12-12T00:36:00.000-08:00

These gotta be the most exquisite cookies I've ever seen and I have many done many cookie posts on my blog. They are the creations of Amber Spiegal, a Baking and Pastry Arts graduate at The Culinary Institute of America in New York. Visit Amber's blog - Sweetambs for more tantalizing treats.

Love the Victorian-inspired ones.

Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot/Simple Things Sunday/Sundays In My City

2011-12-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

Gotta love this photo taken by Hubby in his hometown. It looks more like a painting than a photo, don't you agree?

Bear ye one another's burdens

Galations 6.2

Somebody's Praying

When life's path is overcast and grey,
Then the sun grows brighter through the day,
And the burden lifts, we sometimes say,
'Somebody's praying'.

Blessed thought that someone really cares,
Sweet to know that somewhere someone shares,
Lovingly concerned with our affairs,
'Somebody's praying'.
C.SIMPSON

* Citar means quote in Spanish

The Angry School Photographer

2011-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

This sweet and short film by Nick Scott received 800,000 views in six days. It's about a cynical, jaded school photographer who is having a bad day and attempts to wipe the smiles off the kids' faces. He tells one little boy to repeat after him, “The banking crisis means I’ll never afford a home.” Next, he crushes a little girl but telling her “there isn’t a pet heaven” and another "you don't get pocket money, you have to work hard every day". He continues to dish up one reality check after another until a cute persistant red-head got him smiling.

School Portrait (2011) from Michael Berliner on Vimeo.

The kids' expressions are priceless! It shows that sometimes, no matter how much you want to bring people down there's always someone there who wants to keep you up. A wonderful Christmas message for all in these pretty gloomy times.

Of Taekwondo Fingers And A Dancing Squirrel

2011-12-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

A couple of smile-worthy videos to tide you through another boring day.

Hiiiiiiiyaaaaaaa!!! Watch it attempting to slice some 'bricks'.

Did you see it scratching its butt? LOL! I guess some people obviously have too much time on their hands!

And this one is just tooo cute!

It doesn't look like a squirrel to me but that is the title of the video as translated by Google Translate. Hmmm, I wonder if I could get my overweight guinea pig to do that?! Nah, her butt is wayyyy tooo HUGE!

Everything I Need To Know About Life I Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle

2011-12-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sharing this puzzle analogy of life I received in an e-mail forward.

1. Don’t force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The Creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the Creator’s guidebook often.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11.Take time often to celebrate your successes—even little ones.

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.

13. When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

QR Codes

2011-12-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

If you're behind in technology like I am, it's never to late!! I learned about QR codes only a couple of days ago! And if you're still clueless about what this thingy is, here's a quick intro.
QR codes are an increasingly-popular way of converting data like website addresses into a form that can be easily scanned. Thus, it’s possible to publish a website address in print, and readers can go to that address without having to type in the address. Interestingly, I've read somewhere that there will be a mobile device for every person on earth by 2015 and that mobile searches have grown by 4x since 2010.
With that in mind, I've just created a QR Code for my blog. You can find it on my left sidebar. Not sure what good it'll do but there is no harm, right?

There are now many free QR Code generators floating in the internet. I used this one to generate mine - http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

Just like barcodes, QR Codes too, needn't be boring.

Love the elephant in this one

HBO's True Blood season 3 was the first TV series to get a designer QR code in an ad

Louis Vuitton

Farmville

LA Tourism Bureau

Albert Einstein

Mona Lisa

Kieron Williamson aka Mini Monet

2011-12-02T22:55:00.000-08:00

Kieron Williamson aka Mini Monet is only nine years old but his paintings were snapped up in 10 minutes and 50 seconds, earning him a whopping £106,260 in a recent exhibition.

Kieron first began drawing independently on the Williamson's first family holiday to Cornwall, England in May 2008. At the age of 5, Kieron had shown little interest in drawing up to that point in his life, but, inspired by the boats in a nearby port, Kieron asked his parents for a sketch pad. The very next day he was drawing pictures of boats and as the holiday progressed he began to add backgrounds, scenery, hills and houses.
As time progressed, so did Kieron's abilities.

Bad News!! No More GFC!

2011-11-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

My google reader had 0 items for the past couples of days and I was clueless about the bad news until I visited Katherine's blog today and learned that as of March 1, 2012, Google Friend Connect (GFC) will be discontinued for non-Blogger sites.

Here's the excerpt.

Source - http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-spring-cleaning-out-of-season.html

So how are you taking the news?

Katherine Kalnes - Celebrity Pancakes

2011-11-28T01:12:00.000-08:00

Whom do you wanna sink your teeth into - Edward or Jacob?

Kelly Ripa

Chicago-based artist Katherine Kalnes crafts her yummy celebrity pancakes using a contraption called a 'batter blaster' and other edible ingredients .

Steven Colbert

Frosting, raisins, blueberries and chocolate chips are used in this pancake portrait of Ellen Degeneres.

Justin Bieber

Ryan Gosling

Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot/Simple Things Sunday

2011-11-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Finally, with a stroke of luck, lots of patience and mosquito bites, I *captured my first silhouette photo.

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves ... are still"
Psalm 107.29

"It is glorious to have a big trouble,
That sweeps you right out to the sea,
That sinks you in the depth of the ocean,
Yet safe in His keeping to be;
To come up again and acknowledge
His wondrous deliverance and care,
How He calmeth the storm in a whisper,
How you triumphed because He was there."

C. SIMPSON

* Citar means quote in Spanish

*The photo has been edited with Windows Photo Viewer

Mandie Manzano

2011-11-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

Enjoy these visually stunning stained glass style art by Louisiana-based artist Mandie Manzano.

Tiana Of The Princess and the Frog

Beauty And The Beast

Alice In Wonderland

The Little Memaid

Disney's full set

Pocahontas

Tangled

Princess Aurora of Sleeping Beauty

Sally and Jack Skellington, A Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

Potter Pals

Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot/Simple Things Sunday

2011-11-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like the simple pleasure of stopping and smelling the roses at the flower stalls in a street market to brighten the day. I just love the vibrant mix of colours and scents. Flowers make me so happy!

"For He careth for you"
1 Peter 5.7

Dear Lord, it is good to plant
A bulb, dry, brown and bare
And then, in a short time, to find
Enchanting beauty there.

And it is good to know that hearts,
Cast down by grief and pain
Fed by the soil of Thy great love
Can break to flower again.
Author - Elisa Campbell

* Citar means quote in Spanish

Bird Feeds Dog Spaghetti

2011-11-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

Hope this video puts a smile on your face!

Wordish Wednesday - Dubai's Pink Taxis

2011-11-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

Unsure where the taxi stand was upon our arrival at the Dubai Airport, we sought the assistance of an airport personnel, who, to our surprise, directed us to a stand where several ladies in pink uniforms were waiting in front of a row of pink cars! Next to the pink cars, were a row of red-topped taxis.

These pink taxis, driven by ladies, are intended for female passengers and families while the red ones are for men.

I am so loving this concept! I wish we had the same system in our country. Imagine traveling solo and arriving in a foreign land at an ungodly hour. Doesn't the thought of hopping into a car driven by a male stranger to some unfamiliar place scare you?

With her permission, I took this picture of our lady driver who was from Sri Lanka.

Yayyyyyy for the pink ladies!!!

Stephen Kline - Dogs Lithography

2011-11-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

Internationally renowned artist Stephen Kline creates portraits of dogs drawn entirely from the names of their breeds. His lithographs have been featured by major dog clubs worldwide. Visit http://www.drawdogs.com/store/ for more info.

Drawn entirely from the words: SAINT BERNARD

Drawn entirely from the word: CHIHUAHUA

Drawn entirely from the word: DALMATIAN

Drawn entirely from the words: GERMAN SHEPHERD

Drawn entirely from the word: BEAGLE

Drawn entirely from the words: GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Drawn entirely from the words : Siberian Huskey

Drawn entirely from the words : Scottish Terrier

Drawn entirely from the word : Akita

Drawn entirely from the word : Bulldog

Parker's Crazy Cookies

2011-11-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

I was googling gift ideas for Christmas when I stumbled upon Parker's Crazy Cookies. Yep, they are insanely cute!! Love his cookie company's tagline - Where you can be a cookie and we can make it happen!

Monkey Helps Blind Devotees

2011-11-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is so beautiful I had to share it. The pic and excerpt are from an Indian newspaper.

“Two blind people wanted to drink water at the RagiGudda temple, Bangalore. When they were unable to operate the tap, this mother monkey opened the tap for them, allowed them to drink water, drank some water herself and then closed the tap before leaving the scene.”

Sometimes it takes a beast to remind us what humanity is.

Wordish Wednesday

2011-11-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like the clip-clop sound of hooves to get my heart a-thumping!!

We saw these horse-drawn carriages outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. I am guessing that they were from the Royal Mews where the State vehicles are housed. These carriages are used for Royal and State occasions, State Visits, Weddings, etc.

Since 1843 the daily messenger brougham has set out from the Mews to collect and deliver post between Royal households.

To prepare them for London traffic, every day a horse-drawn Brougham carriage sets out to collect and deliver royal packages around London, including the Palace’s weekly copy of "Country Life".

Interestingly, did you know that a bolting horse almost caused a pandemonium during the royal wedding procession to Buckingham Palace?

Here's an excerpt from the Mirror.

"The newlyweds had a narrow escape when a horse bolted in front of their carriage as they left Westminster Abbey – causing panic among the royal procession.
A black horse from the Household Cavalry was spooked by the crowd, causing it to rear and crash to the ground – dismounting its rider.
Although the guard tried to restrain the horse, it was too strong and charged up Whitehall, overtaking William and Kate’s 1902 State Landau carriage.
One onlooker said: “Kate looked shocked and worried but William calmly spoke to her.”
Thankfully, no one was hurt and the horse was herded to its box."

The Horse Guards Parade at the Old Admiralty Building

A couple of horse quotes to share

"The hooves of horses!
Oh! witching and sweet
Is the music earth steals from the iron-shod feet;
No whisper of lover, no trilling of bird,
Can stir me as much as hooves of horses
Have stirred."
~Will H. Ogilvi

"Look back at our struggle for freedom,
Trace our present day's strength to it's source;
And you'll find that man's pathway to glory
Is strewn with the bones of the horse."
~Author Unknown

Dong Hong Oai

2011-10-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

While hyperrealist artists Tom Martin and Roberto Bernardi paint pictures that replicate photographs in astounding details, the late Dong Hong Oai did just the opposite. Using a technique called pictorialism the Chinese artist created a series of photographs resembling traditional Chinese brush-painting.

25 Ways To Wear A Scarf In 4.5 Minutes

2011-10-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Scarves were never my thing and when I used one, I usually wore the European Loop or as a wrap to hide my wobbly arms. But after watching this fantastic video, I am totally inspired to add a couple more to my boring wardrobe. Hope you find this video helpful especially now that scarf season is in.

What's your favorite way to wear a scarf?

I am loving the Bunny Ear!

The Pumpkin Geek

2011-10-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Alex Wer aka The Pumpkin Geek is possibly the best pumpkin carver I've come across so far.
Following are some of his insane creations. Each pumpkin is painstakingly hand carved on a 'faux' pumpkin for an everlasting keepsake.It takes Wer between four to six hours to complete each piece.
He also does commissioned work so head over to The Pumpkin Geek for more info.

Twilight

Oprah Winfrey

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

Cher

Neytiri (Avatar)

Yoda

Hellraiser

Catwoman

Jack Sparrow

Indiana Jones

Wordish Wednesday - The Plunge

2011-10-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Letting go of all supports, my balance perfect,
I raise my arms in a salute to the heavens
and push off, forming a graceful arc
as I dive headlong into the Mysteries

What ecstasy as I break the surface,
silken blackness streaming over me,
welcoming me in this trajectory
toward the bottomless depths of the Absolute

Down, down, down
further than seems possible,
beyond all barrier,
beyond consciousness,
disappearing into silence.

There is no place I would rather be,
no golden beaches calling me,
here in the stillness of eternity
I am home—
a star in the night sky
whispering to you that it is safe,
you will not be hurt
if you dare to let go.

Take the plunge.

Author - Jasmin Cori @ http://www.jasmincori.com/content/freefall-beloved

* Pics taken at the Dubai Mall

Jirka Väätäinen

2011-10-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Finnish graphic student Jirka Väätäinen brings Disney heroines to life through her photo manipulations.

Here are some of her jaw-dropping interpretations of the Disney characters.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Belle (Beauty And The Beast)

Esmeralda (The Hunchback Of Notredame)

Princess Jasmine (Aladdin)

Pocahontas

Mulan

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Megara (Hercules)

Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

The Simple Things

2011-10-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

I love these moments when my precocious tween isn't chained to his computer, when the simple pleasures of childhood aren't forgotten.

Climbing a tree....

Chasing ducks...

and feeding the birds.

"The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing."
Eric Berne

* Citar means quote in Spanish

Pavan - World's Fastest Henna Artist

2011-10-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

At 26, Pavan holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest henna artist, completing 314 armbands in just an hour! Each design had to be unique!

Check her out @ http://pavanonline.com/

Dhow Cruise

2011-10-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

The most memorable part of our visit to Dubai was the dhow dinner cruise. Gliding along the colourful shimmering creek under a moonlit sky while dining to the mesmerizing sound of Arabic music was an enchanting experience.

Dhow - A traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more masts. The Burj Al Arab was built to resemble the sail of a dhow.

Inside the dhow

Glimpses of the glittering Dubai skyline

From futuristic to .......

ancient.

The Sheikh Saeed Heritage Village

At night the colourful reflections from the bling of the dhows and buildings transformed the creek into a sea of glitter.

The 2 hour cruise included a Tanoura dance and henna painting

The tanoura is a dance performed by men twirling in long, colourful skirts.The dance originates from whirling dervishes.
So what is a dervish, and why do they whirl? A dervish is a Muslim religious man who spins around in circles until he reaches a trance-like state. Stripping layers of his clothes as he spins represents the different stages of ridding themselves from earthly needs and reaching a state of spiritual surrender to God.
Our performer here was like a human top. He spun continously for a good 30 minutes without faltering. I got dizzy just watching him!

Henna Painting
Getting my first henna tattoo

Applying the henna paste

It was a little ticklish!

The paste left a cooling sensation

Rodney wanted one too!

His was a scorpion

The longer the henna stays on the skin, the darker and longer the stain will be. The paste is scraped off when it is dried.

What wonderful mementos of our visit!!

One Night In Dubai

2011-10-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

As soon as we stepped out of the Dubai Airport, we were overcome by the intense desert heat. Coming from a country like Malaysia, I thought the Dubai climate would be the last thing we would sweat over but the oppressive heat, coupled with the high humidity was unbearable. The abrupt change in extreme temperatures from frigid London to the torrid emirate made it even worse.
I had wanted to check out the souks (traditional Arabic market places) in Old Dubai and the boys had planned to sandboard or perhaps ride a camel in the desert but the brutal heat thwarted our plans and we weren't risking a heatstroke. It seemed like the only 'cool' things to do were checking out the Dubai Mall (World's Largest Mall) and cruising down a creek in a dhow (wooden sailing vessel) after sundown. I was told that temps hovered around the 50s (100s in Fahrenheit) in the summer!

Pic taken in the our taxi enroute to our hotel.
Can you see the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa?

Isn't it amazing how a city can arise from a desert?

A tired Rodney and Josh at the hotel lobby while awaiting our rooms to be cleaned

The portraits of the two sheikhs on the wall are emirs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An emir is a title of high office (a prince/commander/general) used throughout the Muslim World. The face on the right seemed to be plastered on posters and billboards throughout Dubai. He is Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, and absolute monarch of Dubai. The one of the left is the crowned prince of Dubai.

A question to test your general knowledge.

Q. Is Dubai a state or a country?

A. Neither. Dubai is one of the seven emirates in the country United Arab Emirates.

1- Abu Dhabi (Capital)
2- Dubai
3- Sharjah
4- Ajman
5- Umm Al Quian
6- Ras Al Khaimah
7- Fujairah

An emirate is a political territory that is ruled by a dynastic Muslim monarch styled emir.

I didn't know either! I thought the UAE and Saudi Arabia were one and the same!!! I sucked at geography anyway!

The city as seen from the rooftop of our hotel

In the morning, we could see the roads covered with sand the wind had whipped in apparently from a sandstorm the night before. A sobering thought - how long can man battle the elements? Will the sands of time close over the city?

The Dubai Mall

The Mall's Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre officially earned the Guinness World Record for the world's "Largest Acrylic Panel

The Gold Souk

Pic taken in dhow as we were cruising down the Deira creek. More pics in upcoming posts!!

The boys checking out a hookah - An oriental tobacco pipe with a long, flexible tube that draws the smoke through water contained in a bowl. I couldn't help thinking of the hookah-smoking caterpillar in Alice In Wonderland!

The Burj Khalifa as seen from our hotel rooftop.

Even with the wind blowing in our faces while we were at the rooftop at midnight, the heat was unrelenting. It was like standing in front of a hair dryer all day.

Expecting to see burkha-clad women and men in white robes, I was surprised to find that the locals were nowhere in sight! Our taxi driver was Sri Lankan, the hotel and airport staff were largely Filipinos and Indians and the driver who picked us up at the hotel to the jetty was a Bangladeshi! Later, I learned from the driver that the locals only make up 5 percent of the population in Dubai, the rest being foreign workers.

So what's my take on Dubai? A very happening place with superlatives (biggest, tallest, fastest and FAKEST! The climate is for camels, not people!

* I was told that everything in the metropolis is fake! The water is desalinated , the gentle breeze on the man-made beaches is blown by giant fans and even the trees are fake! In Dubai, they don't water but wash plants 'cos they are all fake!!!

Some important tips to share when visiting Dubai

Official Language Spoken
* The official language of Dubai is Arabic. However, English is widely spoken and understood.

Dress Code
* Dubai respects western style of clothing, but does not tolerate revealing attire. It is advisable to cover knees and shoulders. Spaghetti straps, low cut tops may be viewed as offensive. Bikinis are fine on beaches and swimming pools.

Alcohol Consumption
* Alcohol consumption is not allowed in public places but permitted in hotels, private parties, bar, clubs and restaurants.

Ramadhan Month
* Ramadan is the religious and sacred month of fasting and prayer for Muslims. Smoking, eating and drinking in public places are banned between sunrise and sunset. Alcohol is available in 5-star hotels but dancing and loud music are forbidden.

Photography in Public Places
* Care should be taken while clicking photographs in public places and of people. Seek permission while capturing shots of government buildings, malls and people unknown to you, especially women.

Greeting fellow Arabs (if you can find one!)
* To welcome a Gulf Arab, a handshake is sufficient. Men greeting women or vice-versa is not recommended. However, if the female offers a handshake it would be appropriate to accept it out of courtesy.

source - http://www.dubai.com/v/cityinfo/

Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot - Trees

2011-10-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~Joyce Kilmer, "Trees," 1914

The trees are God's great alphabet:
With them He writes in shining green
Across the world His thoughts serene.
~Leonora Speyer

*Pics taken by Hubby in Saint James Park

* Citar means quote in Spanish

Croydon

2011-10-13T00:54:00.000-07:00

According to a survey, London has the world's most expensive hotels. A night's stay in central London is more than twice as expensive as a room in Sydney, Toronto or San Francisco and more than 25 times more expensive than Mexico City. A night's sleep in London would cost a traveller 110 times the price of a McDonald's Big Mac. Paris was the second most expensive at 84 times the cost of a Big Mac. At the lower end of the scale, Mexicans could stay at a hotel in their capital for the price of just four Big Macs.

How does the thought of lying on a bug-infested bed with springs poking out of the mattress in a room the size of a broom closet with paper-thin walls sound to you? How about a smelly, mouldy bathroom on the side?
Stained sheets and towels, chipped teacups, holes in walls stuffed with tissue paper and malfunctioning heaters were some of the nightmarish experiences shared by reviewers on budget hotels in central London in a travel forum I visited. The most scary one was a thief breaking into the room of a couple and stealing the cellphone that was charging beside the sleeping girlfriend! Horrors!
Choosing safety and a good night's sleep over inconvenience, we decided to stay in an outskirt of London instead and ended up in Croydon, a charming borough off the beaten track. And what a gem it turned out to be!

Loved the victorian charm of this quaint town,

the largely pedestrianised town centre and

the blend of the old and new.

The Whitgift almhouses

The red brick houses with chimneys made it easy to imagine yourself in a previous century.

A traditional English pub

American beer is not normally considered a manly drink by British males! Bitter is what Americans call beer. And beer in the UK is what Americans call lager. Confused?!!

Pub Trivia
1. The word pub is short for public house.
2. Pubs have traditional names which date back over 600 years. Some typical names are The Chequers, The White Swan, The Crown, The King's Arms, The Red Lion and The White Horse. People often refer to the pub by its name when giving directions: Turn left at the Rose and Crown. There is usually a sign outside the pub showing the pub's name with a picture.
3. There is no tipping in an English pub! Instead, if you wish, the common practice is to buy the publican or bartender a drink. The correct etiquette for offering a drink to the publican or bar staff is to say "and one for yourself?"
4. And if you're buying the bar staff too many rounds, he/she will think you're hitting on them!

And look what we found!!!

Finally, nasi lemak for the daily chili fix we had been missing back home but at 6 times the price you would pay for a plate in Malaysia? Er.....No thanks, I'll pass so it was back to bangers for breakfast again, everyday!! Ughhhh!!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Tower Bridge

2011-10-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Like many others, I had mistaken the Tower Bridge for the London Bridge until we saw the sign below!

The London Bridge

This is the London Bridge, the one in the nursery rhyme. It's the next bridge downstream.

The 'London Bridge is falling down' Nursery Rhyme is based on the one of the most famous landmarks in London. It's history can be traced to the Roman occupation of England in the first century. The first London Bridge was made of wood and clay and was fortified or re-built with the various materials mentioned in the children's nursery rhyme. Many disasters struck the bridges - Viking invaders destroyed the bridge in the 1000's which led to a fortified design, complete with a drawbridge. Building materials changed due to the many fires that broke out on the bridge.

source - http://www.rhymes.org.uk/london-bridge-is-falling-down.htm

Interestingly, it is also alleged by some that the song refers to the practice of bricking live children into the support of bridges as a sacrificial ritual to appease the water god. The theory is based around the idea that a bridge would collapse unless the body of a human sacrifice were buried in its foundations. However, there is no archaeological evidence for any human remains in the foundations of London Bridge.

And who's the 'my fair lady' in the song?

Several attempts have been made to identify the 'fair lady'of the rhyme. They include:

1. Matilda of Scotland (c. 1080–1118) Henry I's consort, who between 1110 and 1118 was responsible for the building of the series of bridges that carried the London-Colchester road across the River Lea and its side streams between Bow and Stratford.

2. Eleanor of Provence (c. 1223–91), consort of Henry III who had custody of the bridge revenues from 1269 to about 1281.

3. A member of the Leigh family of Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, who have a family tradition that a human sacrifice lies under the building.

source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_Is_Falling_Down

Crossing the River Thames on one of the most iconic landmarks in the world was an unforgettable experience.

Oblique views from the North Tower

1. In 1912, aviator Frank McLean was forced in an emergency to fly his small bi-plane between the bascule roadway and the high-level walkway.
2. In 1952, a London bus had to make a leap from one bascule to the other as the Bridge began to be raised owing to operator error.
3. Visiting U.S. President Bill Clinton's motorcade was forced to split in two in 1997 owing to the lifting of the bridge bascules

The Gherkin Building and Tower of London are seen beyond the trees

The Old Man And The Pelican

2011-10-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

While cutting through Saint James Park to get to the Admiralty Arch, we came upon this big gorgeous bird that was attracting quite a crowd. It seemed to enjoy having its picture taken, shifting poses and moving its head to the side and front and tilting it up and down like a model during a photoshoot!

Alongside the gazillion of tourists and lunchtime snackers who had come to visit the park, we noticed an elderly gentleman who was seated on a bench behind the bird, gazing at it affectionately.

After snapping a couple of pics, we were out of the park and must have been gone for at least three hours before we came back in again, on our way back to the train station. To my surprise, the old man was still with the pelican though they were now in another part of the park. It appeared that everywhere he went, the bird followed. Those two obviously shared a special bond.

A friendship this special must have been forged over the years. I couldn't resist asking the old man if he came to the park regularly. Showing us a peanut he had fished out from of one of the 3 large plastic bags he was carrying, he explained that he traveled from Peckham to the park every 3 days to feed the pelicans. Like a proud father, he regaled us with stories of the pelicans' antics. Stroking the head of his feathered friend, he added, "This 'boy' pelican here is very shy, unlike the 'girl' pelican out there on the pond. She's the one who catches the fish for him."

Then he asked us, "Is this your first visit to England?" We nodded and with a salute, he greeted, "Welcome to England!"

Awwww! What a sweet old man!

* On googling, I learned that the 'boy' pelican is Willy, as affectionately named by his fans. He's London's most photographed animal and the old man is Willy's biggest fan.

St. James Park

2011-10-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

One of the suggestions on the "Top 10 things to do in London" list that was posted in most of the travel forums I googled is visiting the city's many royal parks. Growing up on Peter Pan stories, I had Kensington Gardens in mind as the park was the setting of J.M. Barrie's book "Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens". Unfortunately, there were just too many places to go in the short time we had and we ended up in Saint James Park, the oldest of London's royal parks. It was just across the street from Buckingham Palace. I was so glad we did! The park was crawling with the cutest camera-friendly critters!

The squirrels in this park were super friendly. One actually climbed onto my lap, expecting to be fed! I was going to reach out for my camera, then changed my mind. The spell would have been broken.

And this pretty duck here just waddled up to me waiting to be photographed!

A plaque marking The Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Walk

Dedicated to the memory of the late princess, the walk is a 7-mile (11 km) long circular walking trail in London It goes between Kensington Gardens, Green Park, Hyde Park and St. James's Park in a figure-eight pattern, passing five sites that are associated with her life: Kensington Palace, Spencer House, Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Clarence House. It is marked with ninety individual plaques, each of which has a heraldic rose etched in the centre made of aluminium. It has been described as 'one of the most magnificent urban parkland walks in the world'.

We could see the Eye Of London from where we were standing.

If I lived in this country, I could see myself visiting the park daily, sitting on a bench all day, enjoying the invigorating cold air and watching the world go by!

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

* Citar means quote in Spanish

It's Sunday, and that means... it's time to post your Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot! Join the fun and make some new friends in the process. Link up at http://tabithablue.blogspot.com and http://www.nihaoyall.com if you're participating.

Bath, Somerset

2011-10-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Here we are in Bath, a World Heritage Site. Bath is famous for its hot springs, Roman baths and stately Georgian architecture.

Rolling into the city of Bath in our coach

Great Pulteney Street

The Circus

Strolling along one of the mainstreets

The Roman Baths

The domed ceiling at the reception hall

The Great Bath - Built by Romans in the first century

The hot water in the spring rises at a rate of 1,170,000 litres each day at 46°C. It bubbles up into the King's Bath which was built in the 12th century AD.

The pool of the Great Bath, heated by the ancient Sacred Spring. The spring and the temple complex were dedicated to the goddess Minerva.

12 facts about the Bath House:-
1. There were hot, warm and cold baths
2. Water was heated by a boiler over a fire
3. The hot room was called the caldarium
4. The cold room was called the frigidarium
5. Men and women used separate bath houses
6.The floor might be covered with a mosaic
7. You had to pay to use the baths
8 .You could buy refreshments at the baths
9. People did weight lifting at the baths
10.Public slaves could give you a massage
11. There was no soap so people used oil instead
12. Sticks called strigils were used to scrape dirt off the body

source - http://www.historyonthenet.com/Romans/bath_house.htm

The Celtic people were well aware of the curative powers of the hot springs. In 863BC Prince Bladud supposedly took a dip and had his leprosy cured. He is said to have dedicated the area to the Goddess Minerva.

The Romans arrived in Britain in AD43. They discovered the wonderful thermal springs and established the town of Aquae Sulis, meaning 'Waters of Minerva'. They developed the baths as a scaled down version of the great baths back home. The original plan included heated rooms, steam rooms, baths, swimming pools, a gymnasium, playing field and social rooms for eating and drinking. Around the site was the Temple of Sulis Minerva. The temple was believed to bring good fortune to those who bathed there.

source - http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Burkes-Backyard-Overseas/Roman-Baths-UK/2864

Costumed characters alongside the Great Bath

Model of the Bath Temple Complex

Gorgon's Head from the Temple Pediment

Goddess Sulis Minerva

Bath Abbey

A statue in front of the Bath Abbey

The Bath City Hop On Hop Off Bus

Bath and the Somerset countryside

Jane Austen lived at No 4 in this house

Salisbury

2011-10-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Salisbury was one of the stops we did on our 3-attractions-in-one-day tour. How I wished we were given more time to explore this charming town. Unfortunately, we were only allotted an hour and a half for this stop, with the options of either exploring the interior of the Salisbury Cathedral or the town with the quaint marketsquare and traditional shops. We chose the former.

I snapped these pics as we were walking out from the cathedral to our awaiting coach.

The school where William Golding (novelist of "Lord Of The Flies") taught.

Lord Of The Flies was required reading in Malaysian secondary schools back in our days.

Oh, before I forget, Salisbury is pronounced as 'Sawlz-bree'. Those English names were continually messing with my mind.

Noticed the bricked-up windows in the above photos? They are the result of an unpopular income tax called the "Window Tax" that was introduced in 1696. Property owners were taxed on the number of windows their houses or buildings contained. In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up some of their windows and as the bricked-up windows prevented rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as "daylight robbery". It is alleged by some that the idiom "daylight robbery" originates from this window tax.

Notice the sign that mentions Sunday Roast, a traditional British meal served on Sundays

Our tour guide explained that during the agricultural revolution, Yorkshire families left a cut of meat in the oven before going to church on a Sunday morning and returning to find lunch cooked. Hence the name.

Saw this neat contraption made of cast iron located near the front steps of some buildings.

We learned from our guide that it was a wall mounted boot-scraper used to scrape dirt or mud from the bottoms of shoes or boots before entering the building. They were common before roads were paved.

Salisbury Cathedral

2011-09-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

A visit to England was right up my alley because of my obsession with all things gothic. When I was in secondary (middle) school, I could name all the six wives of Henry VIII in a flash but struggled with remembering just one name of our eight ...er was it seven Sultans who ruled Malacca! I was a big fan of British author Jean Plaidy (1 September 1906 – 18 January 1993) and read almost every single novel from her Tudor Saga series.

This gothic cathedral is one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Britain. How can one not marvel at the beauty and scale of the building?

Apparently, parts of the building are watered by an underground stream where the water level is checked 7 times a day! If it ever dried up, the building would collapse!

The Spire
Erected 800 years ago, the spire stands at a whopping 404 ft, the tallest church spire in England.

The cathedral is also home to the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta

How can a building of such splendor be built in those medieval times without the use of today's machinery? WOW!

The Nave

The infinity pool at the entrance of the nave

The tomb of a knight

The mechanism of the turret clock displayed at the nave of the cathedral

In those days, turret clocks were highly regarded for timekeeping and this ancient clock of the cathedral since 1386 is still ticking away, making it the oldest working clock in the world.

The Cloisters

Despite the crowds, I was struck by the tranquility of the place.

At the time of our visit, Sean Henry's exhibition was on

Ancient meets modern

Sean Henry's sculpture of a modern man placed on the west front of the cathedral

Sunday Snapshot is hosted weekly by Stefanie .
Link up your post and have fun meeting new friends on your hops!

Stonehenge

2011-09-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

I don't think I'll ever forget my first glimpse of the stones in the distance as our coach was approaching this mysterious landmark that has stumped the world for 5,000 years. Visiting Stonehenge was on my bucket list.

Watching the spectacular monolithic stones rise against the horizon was beyond description.

The stones in all their glory

Stonehenge is one of the seven wonders of the medieval world. There are theories abound surrounding the inexplicable rock formation. How did these ginormous stones get here out in an empty field in the middle of nowhere, remote from any settlements? Who assembled them?

Was it a religious temple? A sacrificial temple for the gory rituals of the Druids? An astronomical clock? A Bronze Age burial ground? Was it built by aliens?
You could almost feel the energy from them. I've read somewhere that cellphones start to play up when you're near the stones - something to do with the powerful magnetic force from the stones - the kind of force needed for a landing ground for alien spaceships! What do you think? I'll go with the alien theory.

A million visitors from across the globe flock to Stonehenge every year.

Those mounds you see in the distance are round barrows,a form of burial monument associated with the earlier half of the Bronze Age. They contain the cremated remains of the people/beings who built Stonehenge.

The boys and Hubby, however, did not share my fascination for the great ancient circle. And Mr. Krabs here didn't fancy coughing up £20 (that's almost 100 ringgit) to get past the fence to a slightly closer fence for a half-hour audio tour around a pile of stones you can't touch or go near!
It was just as awesome peering through the chain-linked fence.

*The photos above were taken through the fence

Buckingham Palace

2011-09-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837.

Did you know that Buckingham is pronounced as Buck-ing-um? The h is silent as in all English place names like Clapham, Birmingham, Cheltenham, Debenhams, etc.

It was surreal, standing here at the palace where the Royal Wedding took place only a few months ago.

In June 2003, three German tourists climbed over the walls and camped overnight on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, believing it to be Hyde Park. Sarah Ferguson found them barbecuing sausages on the lawn. When her royal highness interrogated, "Do you know where you are?" The campers nonchalantly replied "Hyde Park!", unaware that she was the Duchess Of York herself!

Then there's this tale of Michael Fagan, the prowler who broke into the palace and entered the Queen's bedchamber in the early hours of 9 July 1982. The Queen woke up when the Irish intruder disturbed a curtain, after which he sat on the edge of her bed talking to her for about ten minutes.The Queen was only able to raise the alarm when Fagan asked for a cigarette and she called for a footman who held him until the police arrived.

Disclaimer: The facts shared here are as told to us by our tour guide who was quite a funny guy. Half the time, we couldn't tell if he was serious or merely pulling our leg. We were all foreigners in the tour group he was leading.

Rodney with Phil Bennett, our tour guide of Evan Tours. Phil was fun and quite the entertainer! Loved his humour! It seems that he has been told many times that he looks like Matt Damon. He does, actually, minus the bowler hat and pipe!

The Reluctant Travelers

2011-09-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Note to self - Never EVER drag two reluctant boys (one teenager who didn't think that traipsing down the streets of London was fun and a tween who had serious withdrawal symptoms away from his computer) along to a family vacation that lasts about a week. I would've gladly left them at home except that nobody wanted to babysit them! I mean, who wants to be stuck with a hormonal fourteen year-old who's determined to make you a recipient of The-Worst-Mother-Of-The-Year award or a precocious twelve year-old who drives you crazy with his incessant questions? And I was beginning to think that an overseas family vacation would be easier now that they are older! Wrong!

Give me those babies/toddlers anytime!!

One - You can't shove a pacifier into a teenager's mouth when he whines about entering yet another cathedral or church or abbey.

Two- You can't strap them into a stroller and shop till you drop.

Three- You can't smack their behind when they bicker over who gets the window seat on the plane, in the coach, train or tram.

What was I thinking? Coercing one and a half teenagers into holing up in the same room for more than 5 days? It was against all the laws of nature. In their defence, London isn't exactly the perfect place for a family vacation. Checking out cathedrals, museums, historic places and shopping aren't a teenager's idea of fun.

Anyway, I was about to plot my revenge by writing the boys off my will for snafuing the vacation when Josh gave me a big hug and said, "Thanks Mom. London was awesome!"

So, did we have a wonderful time in London? Absolutely! London was surreal and everything I had imagined it to be. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. And yes, with the boys in tow. Nah, they're not that bad. At least it didn't turn out to be a National Lampoon Style vacation!

Here are a few random pics to share. I will upload the rest in my upcoming posts.

Salisbury Cathedral

The iconic red double decker buses and phone booths

Big Ben

The Tower Bridge

Admiralty Arch

One of the statues at the Queen Victoria Memorial

Moon Cake Festival

2011-09-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the photos of this year's Moon Cake Festival. There were fewer kids participating in the neighbourhood lantern parade this time. You don't see my boys in any of the pics this year as they refused to be seen holding lanterns. Not cool! They now think that the festival is for kiddies. Teenage snobbery!
For those who are clueless about the festival, read here....

Gotta love this crab-shaped moon cake!

Sunday Snapshot is hosted weekly by Stefanie .
Link up your post and have fun meeting new friends on your hops!

Canned Sardine Curry

2011-09-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Canned food was our staple when we were in college but after one-too-many meals straight from the can, my roommate and I became creative and you'll be surprised at the many ways we could rock a can of sardines! My roommate was Indian and she habitually sprinkled curry powder to everything she cooked - instant ramen, baked beans (it tasted like chili con carne), and even on spam! Some dishes tasted weird but this sardine recipe is really good! The tomato sauce from the canned sardines just blends perfectly with the curry spices. My boys always lick their plates clean whenever I prepare this dish.

Ingredients :

1 canned sardines in tomato sauce
2 tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup coconut milk or evaporated milk
2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 cup water
Salt to taste
2tbsps cooking oil

Blend
100gm shallots
50gm garlic

Mix into a thick paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsps curry powder
a few tbsps water

Method :
1. Remove sardines from can, retain the tomato sauce. Set aside
2. Heat oil in a wok and stir fry blended mixture until fragrant.
4. Add mustard seeds,coriander seeds and curry paste. Mix well.
5. Add water, the canned sardine’s tomato sauce, tomatoes, and bring to the boil.
6. Lower heat and add in the sardines, cook for 1 min.
7. Add coconut milk and salt and simmer for another minute
8. Dish out, serve hot with rice, bread or paratha

Back To The Start

2011-09-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

This is so hauntingly beautiful, I had to share it.

The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.

Beautiful in every sense of the word.

So I guess it all boils down to making a choice of either paying the farmer (for the more expensive naturally-raised meat) or the doctor.

Dear Photograph

2011-09-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

DearPhotograph is a site that invites readers to submit a photograph of the present with a juxtaposed picture of the past. The site is only a few weeks old but it has attracted a large following. Love the poignant caption of each photo.

Dear Photograph,
We were inseparable for 26 years, till cancer came her way. Can you please give me my sister back?
Loesje Kessels

Dear Photograph,
Dad is gone…but the strength of his arms will always be around us.
Holly

Dear Photograph,
Those were the days, when Mom would put us in matching clothes.
Fabio

Dear Photograph,
28 years ago I never realized how much Lakeside would become my rock with all the moving around we did. It will always feel like I’ve come home.
Stephen Bailey

Dear Photograph,
Letting go of my mother’s hand the first day of school was always the hardest.
Liz

Dear Photograph,
I hope I’ve made my dad proud.
Ryan

Dear Photograph,
Please tell Tobby I love him. I’m so sorry I didn’t have the courage to say “goodbye”…
Always in my heart.
Michelle

Dear Photograph,
The old swing is empty, but this Mama’s heart never is.
MaryAnn Yutzy

Dear Photograph,
Summer days at the bay, there’s nothing like it…I hope my son will keep the family tradition for generations to come.
Lindsay

Dear Photograph,
These were your first big steps of many that will be made in your lifetime.
Love, Mommy

More pics at http://dearphotograph.com/

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

"Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God"
Job 37:14

I thank thee, Lord for common things...
For each known bird that flies and sings...
Each blade of green grass...sweet wild flowers...
Refreshing breezes....cleansing showers...
Each newborn day...soft fall of night...
For gentle shade and glorious light.

I thank thee for the commonplace...
For all the loveliness and grace
Of Earth beneath and skies above...
Showing the bounty of Thy love.

Author Unknown

Sunday Citar - Sincerely Wrong: An Improbable Journey

2011-08-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

I've made many friends through blogging and one of these terrific bloggy buddies is Sandra Kovacs Stein aka Great Granny Grandma whose blog greatly inspires me with her messages of God's love for us and the awesome ways He has worked in her life. If you haven't already met her, Sandra is the mother of two children, a grandmother of seven and a great-granny to two little ones. Sandra never ceases to amaze me! Her book entitled "Sincerely Wrong: An Improbable Journey" has just been published! I am so proud of her! Her book is beautiful! And you can tell from the very first page that she loves the Lord and wants to share the tremendous and awesome love that He has for each and every one of us.
After the tragic loss of her husband, Sandra went on a quest for a sense of purpose in her life, taking the wrong path in what she sincerely believed to be the truth in New Age and occult doctrines. At 39, she became a published numerologist and was unconsciously misleading others into buying a lie that her vulnerability had deceived her into believing it.

Sandra's book is a powerful testimony of how she was rescued from the darkness that was engulfing her. Writing this book wasn't easy as Sandra is a private person. In her afterword, she says "if my story can help even one reader come out of the darkness and into the light, then baring my soul will have been worthwhile".

Following are excerpts from her book.

"My exploration of New Age and the occult did not begin until after my husband's death. It started very furtively, after I read an article on transcendental medication. At the time, I had been feeling stressed and rundown, and was looking for something natural that might help me feel better The testimonials of how this method of relaxation not only reduced tension., but improved physical and mental well-being as well, persuaded me to try it.."

"As for the tragedy of a wasted life, has it truly been so? If I had pursued my talents and education to the fullest, would I ever have felt a need for the Lord or for His saving grace? Would I have spent my life chasing after the things the world has to offer, instead of the things that have eternal value? Would I have missed God's gift of salvation, a greater tragedy by far? Life has become fulfilling and exciting. I can't wait to see what the Lord does next!"

Click here to purchase her book or double click on the book icon at the right sidebar of her blog for the free pdf version or here for the kindle link to her book.

Note that this is not a review. I am sharing this 'cos Sandra's genuine, compelling testimony has deeply touched me and I too, want to help spread the word of God.

Let's show a fellow blogger some bloggy love and give her a shout out at Sandra's blog At The Foot Of The Cross. You can also communicate with her at skstein2010@gmail.com

Thank you, Sandra for being an instrument of God in leading us back to the right path.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." -- John 14:6

Sunday Citar is hosted weekly by Tabitha .
*Citar means "to quote" in Spanish

Link up your post and have fun meeting new friends on your hops!

Bart Soutendijk

2011-08-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Bart Soutendijk 'draws' with wire. He makes murals for public, commercial, and residential locations out of wire. His wire sculptures adorn the walls of hotels, airports, hospitals, museums etc.

Cowboy Breakfast

Airport

Golf Swing

Conductors (60 X 85 inches) a portrait of Sir Georg Solti -- purchased by the Hot Springs Convention Center.

A 35 by 80 inch mural of dogs flushing out Bobwhite Quail for an outside porch on a home in South Carolina.

Kids Fishing (36 X 58 inches) was one of three sculptures installed at the Little Rock Convention Center, Little Rock, AR.

Jazz Funeral

C'est La Vie

OaKoAk

2011-08-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

French artist OaKoAk creates witty street art that will put a smile on your face. Giant green hands prise open a damaged garage door, an oil spill becomes Captain Caveman, Calvin and Hobbes sliding down a handrail, a pipe is an elephant's trunk............ Absolute brilliance!!

A crime scene

Mechanical mouse

Fierce rhino

Calvin and Hobbes

Captain Caveman

More fun pics on his blog.

I HATE MY PARENTS!!!!

2011-08-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

These kids are not amused with what's being done to them and someday, they're gonna pay back big time!!!

Pics and captions from I Hate My Parents

Thanks Dad…really thanks…

You should have said something….

Ulric Collette - Genetic Portraits

2011-08-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

Who do you look like in your family?
I was told by my aunts that my mom was very pretty when she was young but unfortunately, I have not inherited her looks. I don't look like my dad either. I'm short like my mom but my dad is a very tall man. No fair!!
Josh's baby pics and mine are almost identical. A shame though 'cos Hubby is the one who has the looks. I'm the one with the brains!!! Interestingly, all three of my neighbour's kids (2 boys and a girl) of mixed parentage are clones of their mom who is Chinese but they look nothing like their Malay dad!

Check out this cool project by Quebec-based graphic designer and photographer Ulric Collette where he explores the facial similarities between two different members of the same family by fusing together a half of each face.

Son/Father, Nathan, 7, Ulric, 29

Brothers, Matthew, 25 & Ulric, 29

Twins: Laurence & Christine, 20

Father/Son: Denis, 53 & William, 28

Father/Son: Denis, 53 & William, 28

Father/Son: Laval, 56 & Vincent, 29

Brothers, Christopher, 30 & Ulric, 29

Sister/Brother: Karine, Dany & XX years, 25 years

Daughter/Mother: Veronica, 29 & Francine, 56

Sisters: Catherine, 23 & Veronica, 29

Cousins: Justine, 29, & Ulric, 29

Adam Ellis - Never Be My friend

2011-08-16T22:56:00.000-07:00

Which is worse? Being tagged in an unflattering photo of yourself on Facebook or be mocked in a caricature of you?

That's the risk you have to take when you're friends with Adam Ellis on FB! When he is bored, Adam browses through his friends' photos, cartoonizes and publishes them on his blog. Says Adam, "Sometimes I take... liberties. Let's just call it artistic license." He names this funny series: "Never Be My Friend."

And yes, Ellis did lose a couple of friends who didn't appreciate his artistic license!!

The Adventures Of Sweet Sugar Belle

2011-08-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought Eleni's Playfully Unique Cookies were the best in the world, I found these darlings by Sweet Sugar Belle!

I'm totally smitten by her Four Decades Worth of Cookies Project that totally captures the quintessence of each era.
The 50s

The 60s

The 70s

The 80s

All together

Remember the peace sign? I had stickers of that plastered all over my stuff - guitar, books, school bag, badminton racquet, etc. I thought it was the coolest symbol ever!!

Check these out too. Can they get any cuter?

Irma Gruenholz

2011-08-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

These surreal sculptures in plasticine are created by Spanish illustrator Irma Gruenholz. Her illustrations are used in books, magazines, advertisement, online marketing, etc.

I Have A Bad Case Of Diarrhea

2011-08-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Trust me, you don't need to speak if you have a bad case of diarrhea! Reminds me of the time when I was in a JAL plane enroute to Los Angeles when I had a really, really bad case of diarrhea. It must have been the inflight sushi meal. The queue to the toilet was long and I badly had to go. Desperate needs called for desperate measures. Bending over double, I groaned loudly and pointed to my butt, faking excruciating pain. The person in front of the queue immediately gestured to me to take his place! See, no Japanese needed!

Enjoy this video of Japanese learning how to speak English.

Chalkboard Backdrops

2011-08-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just how cool are these chalkboard backdrops created by Russian high school students for their yearbook pictures?!

Hasegawa Yosuka

2011-08-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

Japanese artist Hasegawa Yosuka folds bank notes from around the globe into hilarous portraits of our historical leaders.

Mexicana Hamiltan (USA)

Uncle John's Holiday (Canada)

Earth Defense Force Bronze Statue (Brazil)

Ngurah Rai The Sailorman (Indonesia)

Pope Lincoln (USA)

Second Baseman Beth (UK)

Female Servant Flagstad (Sweden)

Diamond Cut Ho Chin Minh (Vietnam)

Street Gang Ghandhi (India)

Handsome Cowboy Hamilton (USA)

Here's something Josh attempted with our 1 Ringgit Bill

More fun pics @ http://fickleflickers.fc2web.com/noguchi/menu4.htm

Pol Tergejst - Flames Of Art

2011-08-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Russian artist Pol Tergejst gets creative with burned matches, flames and smoke.

Josh's First Violin Recital

2011-07-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

At the end of every month, the kids at Josh's violin class are encouraged to give a recital together with the students from other music schools. I gave Josh my word that I will not share any videos of him performing until he can handle a 'real' song. He was kinda embarrassed 'cos he could only fiddle baby songs as he started taking lessons only 2 months ago.

Here are the photos to share.

Josh playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

"Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
William Congreve

Sunday Snapshot and Sunday Citar are hosted weekly by Stefanie and Tabitha .
*Citar means "to quote" in Spanish

Link up your post and have fun meeting new friends on your hops!

Marshmallow Art

2011-07-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

These insanely cute edible painted marshmallows are the creations of foodie and blogger Meaghan Mountford.

Who would've thunk?

Thanksgiving

Fall Showers

Picasso, le reve

Sand, Surf and Lawn

Spring

Harry Porter Series

Mustachioed Snowmen

Steamed Cod Chinese Style

2011-07-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Steaming is a healthy, no-fuss, no-mess method of preparing fish. Try this jiffy, mother-in-law-approved recipe.

Enjoy!

Preparation time:
Less than 15 minutes

Ingredients
300g white cod fillet
1 heaped tbsp julienned ginger
Sprigs of Chinese parsley for garnishing

Sauce:
1-2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce (optional)
a pinch of sugar
dash of pepper

2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 tbsp cooking oil

Method
1. Preheat steamer.
2. Place fish on a platter and sprinkle ginger strips on fish.
3. Steam fish over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes. Do not oversteam or the meat will become tough and dry.
4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a sauce pan and fry garlic till golden brown. Turn off heat.Mix in sauce ingredients.
5. Once the fish is ready, remove from steamer and pour sauce over it.
6. Garnish with Chinese parsley and serve hot with rice.

Renaissance Portraits of Modern-day Celebrities

2011-07-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

I totally love, love, love these post-worthy renaissance renderings of modern-day celebrities I received in an e-mail forward. Unfortunately, I can't find the artist who so deserves the credit for his/her brilliant creations.

Jennifer Aniston

Madonna

Eva Longoria

Drew Barrymore

Cher

Michael Jackson

Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie

Julia Roberts

Sharon Stone

Dustin Hoffman

Dancing Squid - Could You Eat This!??

2011-07-22T03:47:00.000-07:00

Seriously, can anyone stomach this? This is sooooo wrong. I've no qualms about eating squid but to watch my lunch doing a jig on my rice? Ughhhhhhh!! I'm freaking out just looking at this.

On googling, I learned that this is a controversial delicacy called Odori-don that literally translates as 'dancing squid' served in a restaurant in Hokkaido. Apparently, the squid is dead but the sodium in the soy causes neurons to fire, making the muscles twitch, creating the illusion of a resurrected squid.

Bon appétit!

Mochimochiland

2011-07-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn knit guru, Anna Hrachovec, knits the cutest, littlest toys. Her insanely adorable itty-bitty knitted creations have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, all around the web, and in print.
Visit Mochimochiland for knitting patterns that you can buy and download and print out yourself.

Amadillo

Vampire

Cow

French Fries

Kangaroo

Squid

Baby gators

Leprechaun

Skunk

Snails and Slugs

Mutt Mugs

2011-07-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here's something for the dog lover in all of us. I found these enchanting handpainted mugs from Blue Witch Ceramics Inc, a family owned company founded in 2007 by Art Schuller and sister in-law Pomm Bunyakhet (Madame Pomm).

Chow Chow - Originates from China, and originally bred for herding, hunting, protection, and cart-pulling.

German Shepherd - A pastoral dog, the German Shepherd is loved the world over as a family pet.

Great Dane Harlequin - Shares the loyal, gentle characteristics of other Great Danes, but has a beautiful and distinctive colouration which is sometimes mistaken for a Dalmatian.

Greyhound - Known for its speed, and dating back as far as 4000 b.c.

Irish Wolfhound - The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dogs, and was originally bred for hunting wolves and lions.

Maltese - With its dainty and luxurious appearance, the Maltese is lively and sweet-natured. Bred for companionship and originates from the island of Malta.

Pug - Ideal as a family pet, or as a watchdog, the Pug is outgoing, tough and charming. Originally bred in ancient China for royalty and companionship.

Poodle - From its roots as a retriever, the Poodle's distinctive look has made it famous around the world and is known to be an intelligent, and thoughtful breed.

Basset Hound - Laidback, affectionate and thrives on company.

Akita - The heavy-boned, thick-furred Akita is known for its loyalty and strong protective instinct. Akita means 'tender in heart, strong in strength'. Remember Hatchi, the Akita-ken who waited every day for 9 years at the train station until the last train for his master in the movie "Hachiko: A Dog's Story"?

More doggie mugs and pooch trivia @ Blue Witch

Light Painting

2011-07-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Light painting is a photographic technique in which a handheld light source is moved in a darkened room or at night and captured by long exposure photography.

Enjoy these images taken from rafoto's flickr photosteam

W/W - Devil Curry

2011-07-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Devil Curry, as the name suggests, is one hell of a delish fiery hot and spicy curry from the Eurasian (people of mixed Asian and European ancestry) kitchen. The curry has its roots from Portugese settlers when they invaded Malaysia way back in the 15th century.

Here's a recipe to share. This is a mild version of the original recipe but you can load up on the chili if you want to surprise your guests with a dinner they'll never forget!!!

Ingredients :
600 gm chicken/pork cut into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, quartered
1 tomato, quartered
1 green chili , seeded (optional)
200gm carrot, cut into wedges

Ground spices:
6 dried chilies
6 fresh chilies, seeded
10 shallots
3 cloves garlic
1 thumb-sized ginger
2-3 thin slices fresh turmeric
1 tsp mustard seeds

Sesonings
3 tbsp vinegar
3 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1 tbsp sugar or to taste
salt to taste

1/2 cup water
5-6 tbsp cooking oil

Method:
1. Heat oil in a saucepan
2.Fry the ground spices until fragrant and the oil rises to the top. Add meat, carrot, onion and stir-fry well.
3. Mix in green chili, tomato and seasoning. Bring to the boil, then lower heat and simmer covered for 25 - 30 minutes or until meat is tender.
4. Serve with rice

Tip - Prepare the dish a day before serving to allow the flavours to mellow.

Enjoy and BOB! ( Belching out burps!)

Prayers Needed

2011-07-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

This beautiful family is in need of prayers for their sweet baby Emerson who has Trisomy 18. You can read about his condition here.

Sweet Emerson is the nephew of bloggy pally Alissa Apel

Emerson' feeding tube came out last night. Hospice came to fix it, but his color hasn't been the same since. He's had 2 apnea spells.

Please pray for Emerson's family and help his Mom, Dad and Brothers feel at peace @ The Apels.

Judith G. Klausner - Oreo Cameos

2011-06-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Can you believe these Victorian-style cameos are actually carved from scratch on oreo cookies! They are the creations of Somerville-based artist Judith G. Klausner using toothpicks, straight pins, and a balled-tip sculpture stick.

And all I can do is just twist, lick and dunk!

W/W - Smashed Chicken

2011-06-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ayam Penyet is a traditional Indonesian dish that literally translates as 'smashed chicken'. When I first heard the words 'smashed chicken', I had this mental image of poor chickens being smashed to death!

Hey, before you report to PETA, read on pallies!

The meat (from the humanely slaughtered chicken!) which is marinated in a variety of spices and herbs is 'smashed' with a wooden mallet and then deep fried. This tenderizes the meat and detaches the flesh from the bone resulting in chicken that is super crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. The fried chicken is topped with some kind of fried crumbs and served with a killer sambal (shrimp paste) and tempe (Javanese fermented soybean cakes).

Josh enjoying his 'smashed chicken'

I had the smashed gurami (catfish)

Mmmmmm!! It was a smashing meal! I'll definitely be back again to try the smashed bakso (beef balls ....er...I mean... meatballs).

The Sand Bubbler Crab

2011-06-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

While beachcombing in Bintan, we were fascinated by the radial patterns made of wee balls of sand that littered the beach. On closer inspection, we found itty-bitty crabs hurling little sand balls onto the beach, creating a unique artwork that patterned around small holes. I thought those teensy-weensy critters were hermit crabs. Turned out I was wrong. They were actually sand bubbler crabs.

Here's what I've learned.

A sand bubbler crab - it measures no more than an inch across

During low tide, the sand bubblers emerge from their burrows to feed. They ingest the sand, sieving out detritus (the food particles hidden within the sand) and regurgitate unwanted particles in the form of tiny perfectly shaped spheres of sand that are littered all over the beach.

With only a few hours available before the tide returns, the crabs need to work super fast. Each crab produces 12 balls every minute which adds up to 3000 balls per crab in a single day between the tides!!!

Losing one's way among the thousands of balls is easy so the bubbler crab leaves behind an escape route - a narrow passage free of balls that leads straight back to the safety of its burrow!!!

You can almost tell how long the tide has been out by the patterns of their sand balls. The more intricate the pattern, the longer the tide has been out.

Watch a sand bubbler in action in this cute video! - http://videos.howstuffworks.com/animal-planet/29027-fooled-by-nature-sand-bubbler-crabs-video.htm

"Everything that ever walked or crawled on the face of the earth, swum the depths of the ocean or soared through the skies left its imprint here."
Robert M. Fresco

* pictures taken at the Mayang Sari Beach, Bintan

Sunday Snapshot and Sunday Citar are hosted weekly by Stefanie and Tabitha .
*Citar means "to quote" in Spanish

Link up your post and have fun meeting new friends on your hops!

Kindskoepfe (Grown Ups)

2011-06-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

fThese fun digitally manipulated images are the creations of a team of Hamburg-based artists consisting of photographer Paul Ripke, art director Florian Schmucker and post production company POP.
The pictures are from a series in which parents swapped their heads with those of their kids! Too cute!

Sven & Maximilian

Sandra & Mia

Esther & Amy

Silviu & Leonardo

Sandra & Filipa

Silke & Cecelia

Theresa & Polly

Daniele & Luis

Ole & Piet

Dominic & Emilian

Calvin Nicholls

2011-06-16T02:06:00.000-07:00

I've posted the works of several papercrafting artists like Joe Bagley, Carlos Meira, Jeff Nishinaka and others but these paper sculptures are surely the best I've seen so far. They are the creations of Canadian artist Calvin Nicholls. The artist uses simple materials like sheets of paper and scalpel to craft incredible forms. Visit his website at www.calvinnicholls.com