'Give-Loretta-A-Japanese-Spitz' fund

It all started with the scary screams all the way from the backyard to my Grandma's house's compound to the stumbling into the front door which saw my cute baby sister of age 10+ being chased by a cute puppy of age 2 months/size of less than 25 cm.

So I have never had a puppy before in my life.

For those who have me on MSN (and realise that I am on their list) would have noticed that I have been going Dog/Puppy-crazy.

I have always been oogling at puppies at pet stores. Complete with the 'awwww's, 'ooooh's, and 'so cute(!!!)'s.

And then I fell in love.

Never have I seen a creature so adorable, so precious and so charming.

Isn't that a white fluff of joy? This is a Japanese Spitz puppy.

Ever since that day, I have been going to the pet store every time I visit Chaddy to repeat the combo of 'awww', 'oooh' and 'so cute(!!!)'. I also started googling about everything dog - how to take care, how to train, how to get free dogs, etc.

Oh, did I hear you ask why I did not get the puppy? Well, it just costs $1800, that's all. Sniff. Sniff.

A friend of mine was nice enough to give me the privilege of dog-sitting for her while she was busy. Of course, I screamed, 'Yes!'. It was so much fun!

I have always had big mean looking dogs at my Grandma's place. The un-huggable, snarling, shoe-biting, chicken-killing (it killed a chicken right in front of my 12-year-old friends on my birthday!) and fighting-scars-bearing dogs. I would fawn over the dogs while they were puppies with innocent-looking eyes before distancing myself once they approach my height *ahem*

I must say the experience with a small dog is entirely different. Given my short stature, yeah, the difference was big.

Introducing Scooby. He is a cute little Bichon x Shih Tzu.

Not only did he not snarl at me, he sat at on my feet and watched me as I preparing to cook.

Not only did he not chase anyone, he crept up to Mr Tan's side and read with him.

Not only is he not taller than me, he is just as tall as my waist when he stands up and dances.

And most important of all - look at those innocent little teddy bear eyes *awwww*

I have gotten mixed reactions when I conveyed this childhood dream of mine to friends and family.

Me: I want a puppy!

Dad: Har? Erm...... Oh..... Mmmm.....

Me: ....Just kidding har har.

Dad: Oh, you were just kidding!!

Me: I want a puppy!

Mum: Why? There will be a lot to do, cleaning, taking care. It is like a small human... (went on for another 15 mins)

Me: Kidding kidding. . .

Mum: I know you were not kidding!!!

Cousin Ivy: Grandma said not to get a puppy.

Me: How did she know about it!

Cousin Ivy: I told her about it haha. She said to take good care of yourself first, before a puppy.

Me: I am taking very good care of myself.

Cousin Ivy: Grandma said, still cannot.

Lowena on my Facebook status about Scooby: Who is Scooby?????? Don't tell me u got a dog, for real OMG. (I am pretty sure if I answered 'yes' or did not reply, the next message would be "I'm telling Mum!!!!!!!!!")

Daniel: You must think about the cost, the responsibility, the on-going commitment.

Me: I know. I will think carefully about it.

Jess: There is a lot of commitment, cost, responsibility but then again, I have always loved dogs and have 4 Shih Tzus at home.

Me: I know. I will think carefully about it.

SueLi: There is a lot of things to consider before getting a dog. Are you prepared etc.

Me: I know. I will think carefully about it.

That's the snapshot there.

But I have been thinking and thinking, craving and craving for a long time now. (All because of my cute sister, cis) I mean, I know it is a big responsibility and everything, but if I keep thinking, won't I be waiting forever?

I do agree that I feel anxious, though. Sigh.

We should all go back to thinking about the hefty price tag. Sigh x 1000.

So I came up with an idea. I am going to start a 'Give-Loretta-A-Japanese-Spitz' fund. This fund will be where all my TRUE and BEST friends 'donate'/'contribute' to fulfilling their TRUE and BEST friend, Loretta's dream in getting a Japanese Spitz puppy.

As simple as that. Simple and pure love and friendship. ;-)

So if you are a TRUE friend of mine, please 'contribute' and enjoy good karma for the rest of your life!

You have to love DigiCams.

I think Digital Cameras may be one of the best inventions ever this century.



All the shots below would be in the "Waste 'fui-lim' (film)" category should digital cameras not exist. [Exact words are quoted from my Sibuga Grandma in hakka: Sai 'fui-lim'!]





Camwhoring would be impossible without wasting 80% of the fui-lim.

Photos with no faces would be a waste of fui-lim! And don't even start on photos of food!

Pictures of socks, is more waste fui-lim than photos of food.

Upside down photos of 'toothless' moments are not fui-lim worthy.

Two big, squashed faces - fui-lim expensive okay?

Photos with your idol - in the cardboard form - will not be allowed.

Random moments of explosive laughter would normally be passed just in case it turns out bad or blurry or pointless - most importantly, waste of fui-lim.

Picture of your Grandma transforming into a super dumpling with half of your aunt will be given the same 'fui-lim' sentence.

Photos without a visible face even if it was a work of nature will make you a 'fui-lim' criminal as well.

No one would want to take pictures like this, what more print out and save up 4 versions of it.

Precious moments will be harder to capture with the "Did I get it?","Stop her from moving!" and "Don't waste fui-lim!" struggles!

Monkeying around with cameras will be frowned upon ("Waste money waste fui-lim!") rather than snickered upon ("So funny, here also wanna take picture").

A picture of stopping other from taking your picture will not be funny ("Look at your face, it is so cute!") but be expensive ("You wasted one picture, pay the fui-lim cost please").

There will be less pictures showing your real-connection with friends as the days of fui-lims have always seen them used for group pictures where everyone wore their Colgate smile and stood straight.

Pictures like this will be inserted into the family photo album with reluctance ("What were you doing? Fui-lim no need money?") instead of being saved into the computer and published on a blog with joy("Damn Godzilla you").

Pictures which continues to mean nothing would not be stored in my computer for more than 3 years!

Magic moments like this will be so hard to capture or you will not know about it until you get the pictures printed or you will not be able to laugh about it until you get it printed and shared with everyone!

Sleeping pictures, with thumbs in it somemore, will be the highest 'fui-lim' crime!

Close up pictures, especially with 'weird' expressions, will draw instant frowns and then, cold hard stares from others.

Pictures where there is an imbalance of readiness will generate mixed feelings of gladness ("I look prettier than her, yes!!") and annoyance ("Waste my fui-lim only, can't she just stop eating for like 2 seconds?"). When digital, you can either request it to be deleted or chances are, you are so used to this pictures you laugh as soon as you see it.

Pictures of irrelevant objects like cardboards in a foreign country will be a big, big mistake. After all fui-lims are limited and should be used wisely. Reasons like 'the girl in the cardboard in Bangkok looking 100% like your sister' will not help.

Funny pictures of people stoning or unready will not be so funny if they were the ones who bought the fui-lim.

Artistic pictures will be extremely limited no matter how much you want to emulate Jay Chou.

The ones being pictured hold a responsibility too! You don't want to spoil a picture and waste some fui-lim by doing something stupid ON YOUR OWN. Unless it is a group thing!

Random hair moments will have to be memorized instead of immortalized in pictures. One, the person might react fast enough to stop you (not really applicable here, as you see, the person in this picture was basking in the limelight). Two, it is a waste of fui-lim.

And picture like this will be - a death sentence. Funny, but deadly.

Let us all scream this now:

Thanks for all the stupid memories - Digicams! Muaks.

addicted

I have an addiction.

Which I hope is temporary.

While the subject of addiction is healthy, an addiction is never healthy I guess.

It fills your mind.

It tingles you senses.

It plays in your eyes.

It tortures your consciousness.

It grips your heart.

It pulls you to it.

It makes you crave.

It induces you to fantasize.

It feeds your desire.

Before whispering, "Resist me".

Oh save me from this episode.

*****

As a continuation to my last post: Genius or hard work?

While I admire both traits, I must say that I prefer excellence born out of hard work. Why? People who have been labeled a genius or are really geniuses - often fail to appreciate what they have. I am not trying to generalize this to all geniuses who might be offended by this statement (but it says something there when you think of yourself as a genius, oh well). But from experience, the 'geniuses' I have met often forget to be humble, to be appreciative and to be selfless.

Instead, they have the feeling of being special or superior. And when things don't go their way, instead of the common reasons of it being the works of fate, a case of mere bad luck or a sign of having to work harder for it, they go to the other extreme by thinking that the whole world is against them, they are cursed with a complicated mind or other people just cannot relate to them. Again, this is not to be generalized to every single 'geniuses' reading this, including you Lowena.

I have met some excellent characters who are humble and more than sharing. Their stories tell of hard work, perseverance and determination. No mumbo jumbo.

I have also met some excellent characters who attribute their skills to being gifted and lucky. Their stories tell of genetic-related luck, the right education and stumbling upon their passion. Mumbo jumbo? No. The distinction here is: these people embraced their gift and are openly happy about it.

The 'genius' I described generally in the begining? Hardly so.

After all this mumbo jumbo of mine, I suddenly realized. I really might have watched too much of The Big Bang Theory. Ironically, I love Sheldon.

Pocket guide to portray a Good Student

Do I give off the impression of being a very good student?

Maybe, maybe not? Chances are it is a yes (I have heard this from both close classmates and distant juniors)

The truth is, those who know me would know that I was and still am not as hardworking, proactive, diligent and attentive as what my student image project me to be.

I APPEAR to be only. There is a difference between appearing to be a good student and being one in essence. A few tricks here and there - boom! There you go, harmony between teachers and students. After all, both teachers and students are always looking for the same thing - trouble-free co-existence.

Tonight, I am going to reveal a few insider's/ tried-and-tested tricks in portraying a good student!

Sleeping in class. No one can escape the occasional heavy eyelids in a mundane class. But, even if you have to sleep, don't do it too openly, please. Usually I assume the 'The Thinker' pose:

1) Head lowered.
2) Right hand on table, on notebook, holding a pen.
3) Left hand supporting left eyebrow.

So it seems like, you are just frustrated/bored: something totally overlooked by teachers in class. There was this day in Form 5 when I was sleeping in my 'The Thinker' pose while my friend in the conventional head buried on the table pose, next to me. Our BM teacher whacked her table, waking both of us up. She got lectured, I got, "Loretta, do you need some Chicken Essence?"

Last minute homework. When I was home-tutored by Miss Leong, I used to get 2 essays as homework per day. And I would do them the last 20 minutes before she arrives, sometimes hidden in my room or even the toilet! Essays are easy to rush - introduction, point 1+2+3, conclusion. But 20 minutes was my fastest record.

What if I had only 15 minutes? I would simply write something as the introduction (anything random or irrelevant but then you would have to cancel it more violently haha), then cancel everything out. So that when questioned, my answer would be, "I tried but I couldn't think of a way to start." Usually it will end up with the teacher telling you how to start.

What if I had only 10 minutes? I would just prepare the framework. The important point here is: to act confused. It will seem like you did your research and preparation but am merely confused by the topic.

What if I had only 5 minutes? This is risky and definitely requires experience: argue with the teacher about the topic. Just blatantly disagree with it. For example, 'Discuss the disadvantages of playing video games' - "If I discuss about video games only it will be insufficient as what about other similar technologies out there like computer games, internet games, etc".

What if you totally forgot about it? Don't look like you 'forgotten' for too many times. Out of the 10 times you forget, make 9 times a case of 'miscommunication'. "Eh, I thought it was due yesterday so I did not bring it today!" or "I thought you said page 63 and not page 36. . . "

Forgetting to bring books. My Science teacher in Primary 6 asked all other students to take me as a role model and be 'attentive' in class, when I was only being so cause I forgot to bring my notebook and she was damn scary with this aspect. Tip: Stare straight at her, trail her finger as she points to the blackboard, don't give too many nods(!!), instead appear to be pondering (shows that you are thinking!).

Underprepared presentations. Supplement with creativity - do something outrageous, something your teacher can never expect. For an oral test for the same BM teacher in Form 5, I gave a monologue on . . . . . . "What I thought about the night before my oral test". So basically, I just sat in front of her, talking about what I was thinking at that time *shrug*. Zero preparation, 100% attention and affection haha.

The same goes for paper presentations. You might lack substance or research but kill it with your presentation - colourful pictures work better than 1000 words of description, use quirky words instead of textbook words only. Simple things like that.

Question and Answer sessions. Scariest part eh? To avoid being called, instead of the traditional eye-contact-avoidance, try my ways and see:

If it is a Maths question, start scribbling on a piece of paper or calculator, but point here is DO NOT APPEAR TO BE COUNTING TOO FAST OR ANXIOUS. Take your time - make it seem like you know what you are doing and eh, you are just taking your own sweet time doing it! Another alternative way is, act like you are looking for paper - usually teachers will bypass you if it is not a question which requires you to do it on the blackboard.

For questions which tests your memorising skills, like my grade C5 Moral haha - look up at the ceiling for a while. Make it seem like you were just searching and then 'found' the answer.

If all else fails, and you were called for a question. It is not the end!

Even if you don't know the answer, don't let out the big 'I don't know' straight away - it will seem like you don't care or did not even bother to think! Try this: Open your mouth and make it seem like you are about to give an answer, then hold back and say, "Erm, actually I am not sure". The teacher will either prompt you or say it is alright. If the teacher does prompt you and after some time, you still don't get it (!!), wait until a point where you can counter with a question of your own. E.g. "But I thought we use that formula for air pressure, so we can use it in this context as well?"

Talking too much. There are times when you talk a bit too much, not realising the teacher is there - no sweat. Change the direction of the conversation. If you were loud, then try to involve the teacher in the conversation - "Don't you think so, teacher? The globe is really getting warmer isn't it?". If you were soft, then try to switch the topic to something serious/dramatic/academic-related - "I still think we should ask the teacher about that question."

There are much more tricks of course, but Miss Good Student here is getting sleepy from a full day of work!

The point of this detailed discussion is not to spoil or be a bad influence to students, instead it acts as a little guide to being nicer and respectful to teachers much like how one must know how to interact with the society.

It is clear that these are not tips on how to butter-up or polish-shoes of teachers. It is on how to live in harmony with teachers, being a little nicer to them so that they can be nicer to you as well!

Should anyone need more tips or have their own tricks to share, please drop a comment - my blog caters to the young generation that is students :-D

Vintage Collection #1

Ahem ahem, hello there peeps :-)

I have just updated hikari*s closet-o with my Vintage Collection #1 (click!)

Please do go check it out and hopefully you will see something you like. Well, I for one, sure love everything there.

In fact, if those items stay with me any longer, I might just keep them all to myself, sigh.

Anyway, have a very vintage shopping time there!

The 2003 KFC Promise

There was this day back in Form 5 when Po Wah said, "Let's come back for a reunion here in KFC 5 years later!"

That was in 2003.

The 2008 five years later came and went, with no one remembering that 'date'.

But even if we are to remember now,

I will be going to KFC Melbourne.
Steve will be going to KFC Brisbane.
Choo will be going to KFC Sunderland.
Po Wah, Tshun, See Yeng, Ting, Loong them will be going to KFC KL.
Shuk Ye will be going to KFC Sandakan.

. . . and the others going to the many other KFC's all around the world.

So when will this 'date' happen?

Or is the most we can do to take a smiley picture of ourselves having KFC on the same day, despite being in different places?

Let's all have KFC Day one day, why don't we!

Pajama Working Ban

There is this thing about working at home.

You don't know when to start and when to end.

Just like being a student back then with assignments, you tend to start as soon as you wake up and end before you sleep with lots of unneeded for breaks in between.

Another thing is, being in the comfort of home, you tend to work in your pajamas or gym clothes while sitting slouced on the same chair.

Furthermore, you tend to walk the 5 steps to grab a banana, a chocolate bar, a cookie, a piece of raisin bread, some yoghurt and cereal, all the time.

More on this, you tend to spare time to do your laundry, marinate some chicken, check the postbox, check Restaurant City and gaze at your own overgrown backyard.

. . . . . . . . .

Not the best working environment, eh?

I have decided that I need more discipline in this. I have decided to create myself a working environment at home!

1) I will give myself a set 'working hours' with one lunch break. 8.30am-12.30pm-Lunch-1.00pm-4.30pm.
2) I will dress up for 'work' - nothing too over the top, but just not pajamas or gym clothes
3) . . . .

Those are the only two things I could think of so far. Hmmm.

It is always about food and fashion to me I see.

Is there anything else I can do??

A new blogshop is born

Check this out! I am cool cause I have a CLOSE friend with her own blogshop.

Jeng jeng jeng :-)

It is called *Pieces and Colors* (please click here!)

While I dare not publish her pretty picture here without permission *ahem* (we are really close friends okay!), let me assure you: The styles in her little blogshop bound to grow big are very much HER in every sense. Quirky, eclectic, everchanging and stand-outish.

A very simple and clean layout oozing with HSCness.

So don't wait anymore as you are just a click away! I would love to do a LOOOOOOOOOONG coverage of this CLOSE friend of mine, but I wonder whether she'll like the idea haha.

By the way, anyone remember about hikari's closet-o? Buahaha, still alive okay?

In fact, I am thinking of trying out something new sometime soon. Seeing how almost 50% of my readers are from Malaysia, I am thinking of using my incredible bargain hunting skills to rake up unique pieces around Melbourne from the many vintage/craft markets and local designer stores and selling them from hikari's closet-o.

After nights of scouting around for special fashion online, I realized I would love to see a store like this and lay my hands on romantic items from Paris or kawaii pieces from Japan.

Will see will see.

But first off, anyone care to tell me whether they would be interested? Should I go ahead with this idea?

My new header!

After 3 new posts, I am more than ready to hit the snoozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzze button (the z's emphasize the length of sleep). But lemme explain a bit about my new header!

I have been thinking of what to put as my new header since the accident of deleting the blue and cute layout (which was the beautiful work of someone else).

I decided I wanted to make this blog more personal so I wanted to make the header personalise me!

I tried getting a picture with a beam or light (hikari means light in japanese) but it looked corny and amateur-ish cause I have no talent in photography ma.

I tried photoshopping a picture of myself (hikari* is all about me after all) but I do not even have photoshop apalagi the skills for it.

So in the end I decided to doodle.

Anyone who knows me would probably know that doodling is what I do most of the time.

In class. Watching TV. Reading novel. On textbooks. On returned assignments. Of Rukawa. Or imaginary friends. Of ramen. To vent out frustration. To keep awake. For fun.

So tell me, does that remind you of me? (and all the good times we had together haha, like a pop song lyric haha)

Shoujo power go!

My next mission: To participate in a Run. *Or Marathon (in tiny whisper)*

My inspiration being the Run for the Kids event organised by Herald Sun on the 5th of April. This was a fund-raising event for charity where around 30,000 runners participated either in the 14.1 km or 5.7 km course. Woo Hsian, being the President figure of all time, initiated this to everyone in our gang. And only Ray joined. Gasp? Hardly a gasp-able moment, isn't it?

Honestly, I had no confidence in my stamina and strength. So, instead I volunteered to become the photographer and cheerleader instead. Ray, WenJi and I departed early freezing morning to Flinders Station to see something quite amazing.

A long line of people walking towards the starting point like ants trailing towards a pot of golden honey. I have honestly never seen that many people near Flinders before. Not even during Moomba! You see runners of all kinds - the Colour-coordinated, the Branded, the Muscly, the Flinstone-themed, the Youngsters. The most amazing ones: Daddies or Mummies running with their babies in prams. Cuteness.

Although we were both non-runners, we were the important people or supporters behind the runners. Something like the sponsors *jeng jeng jeng* (Notice my Aaron Kwok hair coming out again, sulk) It was fun just being there. And when the race was starting, everyone rushed to get their place. Family and friends and even pets stayed at the sidelines, cheering and barking (lame?).

What was inspirational was actually this view of all the runners (this shot actually managed to capture only 1/4 of the crowd). Everyone having a common goal and everything having to do with charity. The vibe from the runners, their high spirits, the meaning behind this Run, the excitement in the air - more than inspirational. (The arrow is pointing at the two ants we sponsored).

I began this post by saying I had no confidence in my stamina and strength. I now end this post by saying I want to build up my stamina and strength.

Okay. It is not really the end of the post because since I did not run on that day, I had a lot going on with my other fellow non-runners in the city.

Started the day with none other than a Big Breakfast along Southbanks. I love Big. I love Variety. I love Meat.

. . . yeah, people like Me. Inspired people, haha.

After the race, all the runners were given grapes! The results were out since yesterday. The top male runner did the whole 14.1 km in approximately 42 minutes while the female winner completed it in approximately 45 minutes. Isn't that impressive? So impressed I am still that I still remember his name - Martin Dent and the female Olympic athlete (well, I am inclined to remembering things about guys). As for our sponsored runners, I will have to ask for permission before revealing :-)

Not allowing any time to rest, we proceeded to the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.

There is something about flowers that makes a girl sweeeeeeeeeet. To you. To everyone. To the world. (Note this, guys)

There is also something about flowers that drives a girl to her own little or huge fantasyyyyyyyyy world. Ignoring you. Ignoring everyone. Ignoring the world.

Don't remember the name of this flower but Oli loved the colour combination here.

I so want to be like these two statues. Lying gracefully on a bed of flowers. Naked and rocking a hot body. Probably I will put a bikini on, nyahaha.

After browsing through the stalls outside, we entered the hall. It is the hall where students from Melbourne Uni take their exams and the hall which used to send a shudder to Eric.

And upon entering the hall, my girlish fantasies came alive full blast! I could literally see myself staring straight ahead, body straight with a flashlight shining from behind and mouth open gasping at the sight of. . . endless rows of beautiful flower decos!

These are called England or English Roses. I love the pale hue of pink.

These roses epitomize romance. I am utterly in love with this. Utterly.

Somewhere along the lines, did you actually guess any of my fantasies? No....?

Now, to the more creative and edgy ones. . .

These were designed and dressed by RMIT students.

Although I am not a big fan of Elmo (especially after the laughing ticklish Elmo came out), I thought this was extra cute. Notice that Elmo's nose was actually made out of a yellow rose in full bloom.

The most interesting part of the Alice in Wonderland deco. So sweet.

A guitar-ful of oranges! I dedicate this shot to Mr Stephen Chu. I dedicate all things guitar to him. This is you 2009 birthday present.

And more more MORE MORE FLOWERS xoxo.

I received a particularly sweet surprise as well. It was extra sweet probably because I was totally engulfed by my own fantasies or my eyes were shining with romance. I was in my own shoujo manga world, for goodness' sake!