Merry Tropical Christmas

Merry Christmas! I only have time to blog now. Always delayed. Blogging is not a second nature anymore. Haiya. 

I had a blast with my family for Christmas. I have been missing my family and people back home for quite sometime. It was more than 6 months since I come back to my hometown, I really missed them so much.

This year, the Christmas Party theme was Hawaiian Christmas. Aloha Christmas! Too busy to take photos, this is the only photo in my camera. Hahahaha. My family members loved the theme. Another different theme coming up next year.

What's not there to love Tamparuli whenever I am back here. I get to see all the beautiful sunsets and sunrises that I want. Such a blissful experience!

And to enjoy the food that I love! Yeay! The typical breakfast hour with the family. Love it!

And of course seafood! Oh, how I missed you big fat butter prawns!

How was your Christmas?

Packing

I am going home!!! Yeay. But packing is a hassle - lama sudah nda main packing packing ni. 

Under The Tree

Just in case you haven't heard, me and my sisters had written a Christmas song called Under The Tree. -- and it's available on Spotify and iTunes too.

Start streaming now!

Or you can purchase it on CDBaby

It's the season

Yeah!! December is always hectic. Tis the season to be stressed out. Anyway this is my final semester having to take exams and doing assignments for coursework subjects. 

So, even though the I am battling writer's block for the past few days over my mini proposal; I know I can do this! Word vomit please.

I can do this!

Christmas Deco Time!

Last year, was the first time for me to have my own Christmas tree at my own house. Didn't blog much about it since it was a lonely feat last year. Read it here. 

Anyway, this year, new place (like again) but with the mister and my sister joining me for the deco session. Putting up the Christmas tree is like so sacred to me because it is the time that me and my sisters treasure and it is like the time to reminisce and laugh about memories we made each year with different themes for the tree.

As for here in KL, I can't really have different themes for the tree as storage is an issue. All those different color deco will need space to keep once the holiday season is over. If the christmas baubles can deflated for storage it will be the best to save space.

Deco time! 

And the tree is up!

Modified the string art at the balcony to suit the season.

The TV also get some holiday theme.

Modified the XMAS letters arrangement this year and hang it instead.

Little stuff in mason jars on the shelf.

and my DIY advent wreath that is inspired from this blog. Simple and easy!

What do you think of my Christmas decoration this year?

Unboxing

Appreciate the things that makes you happy. As for me, un-boxing packages is one of it.

View on Flipagram

Binge eating

Current mood: Emotionally f*cked up and stuffing myself silly to feel good.

I come to dread Saturdays, really! Saturdays is for cleaning the house. Well, it can stretch over the weekend or the whole week or whatevs!

I have sort of posted on the wall of "notice" for the house for "gotong royong" chores that needs to be done weekly or worst come to worst monthly. You know those sweep, mop, dust and vacuum thingy. So, apparently living with grown adults is actually a lot harder rather than staying with a bunch kids. Why, because you can't boss them around because they are so used to having their mother cleaning up for them. I mean come on, you can't possibly don't have time for anything? Maybe just one thing done from the list. Just maybe. But no!!! Hell no!

I am torn between letting the house rot and collect dirt and dust to the ground or just do the honor by checking off the "gotong royong" list. Guess which one I chose?

Anyway, I am ranting here just to keep my sanity because I know this blog is dusty anyway and am practically talking to myself. Therefore, there is no one to be "terasa" or anything. On a concluding note, hot and pretty girls are useless unless they can do housework. Ok bai!

#cleanupyourshit #Iamnotyourmother

Hot Hula Fitness

Hey hey hey! 

Besides being a Zumba Fitness and Zumba Kids instructor, I am also a certified Hot Hula instructor. My first class will be next week, so I really need to prepare well. Kinda nervous actually. I hope I can do well.

The beauty of Hot Hula is a low impact, toning and fun Polynesian inspired dance. It is a different dimension of dance fitness that I am trained for. I hope my class will like this new flavor of dance fitness.

You want to try?

Petrosains Science Show Competition 2015

Last week, I went to DBKL auditorium to support my school in the Petrosains Science Show Competition. This is our third year competing on a national level stage. On 2013, the team managed to get a special award for being the promising star. Last year, the team won first runner up. The teacher in charge of the team is Cikgu Ernest. A hardworking lad, who sit next to my table in the staff room. It is actually inspiring to see such determination in a teacher like him.

Riding on a wildcard ticket to the national level this year is a different feat since they did not win the state title in order to reach the national level. Nonetheless, they got awarded the wild ticket card and they fought back!

Our school won first place this year! The moment when the results was announced, we were just cheering so loud and I really cried. OMG, the elation!!! Being an underdog in this year's edition made us feel a bit intimidated. But we finished strong and on top! Congratulations my dear kids, the team and Cikgu Ernest has a lot to offer for the school and the community.

As for Cikgu Ernest, the last competition that I blogged about was another competition in which they emerged as a national champion. Again this time, another competition; national champion again! Two trips to KL for two different competitions and this teacher bagged two national titles. Kalau next year he is not in the Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang list, that will be a mistake. 

Saya tumpang gembira. I hope I can always be inspired and dedicated like my friend here. He is a real good teacher. Truly inspirational.

Have a good day everyone! Always be positive!

Cat Cafe Craze

So, yesterday we did an impromptu plan to visit Purradise Cat Cafe in TTDI just because during brunch after church, there was a cat who go manja-manja at our feet. Then of course it triggered the missing-the-cats-back-home feeling.

Since staying in a city especially in high rise buildings, animals are not allowed, so I kinda miss the feeling having pets around.

Here is the exterior of the shop, the signage is clear and you cannot miss it.

The cafe is on the first floor and the staircase leading to it is next to the 99 Speedmart. Even the staircase is decorated with cat images. Very cute!

I went there with the mister and my sister.

It was on a Sunday and we thought we were the first to reach there, but hey these kids started their day early with playing with cats. There are about 15 cats there. All of them are rescued cats. Some are young and playful but some are grumpy especially when they encounter loud and rowdy kids. Yeah, if I were to be the cats, I will also be hiding when there are kids around. 

I must say the decoration and layout of the cafe is very spacious and nice but to those who are allergic to cat fur, you better stay away from this place because all the bean bags there is actually full of cat fur. Haha. Anyway, if you are allergic to cat fur you would not even want to go this kind place anyway right. So, it's alright.

Manja manja with cats. The cafe provides free drinks of your choice at MYR 15 plus an hour to spend time with the cats. They have to limit the amount of time so that the cats won't be stressed out. And hey, with the steady stream of people coming in after noon on a weekend, this place is buzzing but I guess the cats won't be so happy. Everybody wants to pet and play with them and some people are just ignorant on how the cats will be feeling if they are forced to do something. Give them a break will you? They are not stuffed toys. At some point, I think this is more like cat prostitution (minus the sexual aspect of it).

This is Snowy, one of the cats who is playful but very much a diva too.

A photo posted by Joan of Arc (@joan_jade)

It is a nice cat cafe but if you plan to come on weekends, just come early. The place is busy on weekends and it is always parents bringing in their children to play with the cats. 

Joan's Pinterest-piration: Lighted Wall Art

Hello!

Wanna try this??

Materials

• Canvas art of your choice
• String lights
• Cellophane tape
• Scissors or knife

How to

• Mark the place where you wanna put the lights
• Puncture the canvas. Be careful on this as you do not want to destroy your artwork
• Put the led bulbs into place and secure it with lotsa cellophane tape
• That's it!! All done!

Tip: Decide on where the string lights should end and start your work from the opposite side.

A video posted by Joan of Arc (@joan_jade) on Sep 7, 2015 at 11:29pm PDT

Online Shopping Joy!

This is not a paid post okay. No clicking ads or anything that can make me gain money. Just like to share with you all about this website that I find very addictive + also a burden for my pocket too (cos I wanna buy them all!)

www.althea.kr

You ladies should check this out. I ordered my first order last month and I am very satisfied. 

• quick shipping
• nice packaging
• got free stuff too when you buy more than MYR150 since they ship from Korea directly (and for free) for orders valued >MYR150
• the Laneige brand is way cheaper than the ones sold here in Malaysia (if you are using this brand, this site is worth for the money)

Pink packaging! Love!

Unboxing it! Felt like Christmas!

Bubble bubble wraps! Fun!

I think with Christmas coming up you can just order this and give it to anybody. The packaging is already like a gift anyway.

Okay, I should do my Christmas shopping list soon. 

Joan's Pinterest-piration : String Art DIY

This was a craft thing that I did a two moons ago. I am very slow in updating stuff. 

String Art DIY. 

What you need:

• Cork board / wooden board
• Nails
• Hammer
• Strings

How to do:

1) I got my cork board from Daiso for MYR5.30 and sprayed it white with the aerosol paint, let it dry for a few days (yeah, just to make sure it's really dry)

2) Print out the desired wording you wanna make for the art. (Tip: DO NOT USE fonts like I did, try to find where it is basic and there is a lot space in between the alphabet, you will know why later. Pinterest didn't tell me this)

3) Start nailing the nails according the outline and oh if it is possible for you to trace the outline with a cutter first so that it is easier to take the paper out later.

4) Hammer, nail, hammer, nail. And pull the unwanted bits out.

5) And start stringing away. Hahaha. I like this part the most. It is as therapeutic as the adult coloring book. Well, doing any crafts is therapeutic anyway. And personally this is way cheaper than buying the so called "adult" coloring book that ranges from MYR39 to 59. OMG right.

6) String, string, string. Voila! See, this is an almost pinterest fail where the words don't really pop out because of the font choice. Also, since this is a negative color design (the color is outside), so the choice of my font is oh-so-wrong. Maybe a positive color design will be better but I am so lazy to change the strings. So whatevs!

7) Now, it is part of my mini garden at the balcony decoration. From a distance, it is not THAT bad after all. Hahaha. 

Ok, happy trying you all! 

Pause for a while

When you get overwhelmed with negative emotions, PAUSE.

Been chaotic in the head lately, drama and distractions. Maybe this will remind me to re-focus my energy again.

Procrastination be gone!

photo courtesy of chibird.com

If there is one thing that I wish I have right now is gonna be THE quick fix for my procrastination. That two months of holidays for my studies is totally eating up my determination. I really took the whole of September for granted and not doing anything that is helping me enriching my knowledge or whatsoever sorts of academic thing going on.

And hey this blog too is neglected since Instagram sort of took over my life. (Yes, you can see my feed here on the sidebar too). Facebook is kinda yesterday, that is more for a bunch of aunties who just migrated to the digital world. Sharing recipes and what not. Yes that includes my mom. Hello. Hmmm. Whatevs!

Anyway, I really need this blog up and running again. Well, it is more like a journal kinda thing nowadays since this is my reference point to recall back on my memories. No joke! My brain don't really have space to remember so much these days. Errrr, am I becoming one of those aunties on Facebook. Hope not.

Petronas All About Youth National Champion 2015

I really have to blog about this. SMK TAMPARULI emerged as the national champion for the Petronas All About Youth (PAAY) Competition. Their community project is the Flood Warning System that is installed at the old bridge of Tamparuli. Anyone who has been to Tamparuli know that this bridge is located very much lower and nearer to the river hence it is always being flooded.

The SMK Tamparuli team managed to get through for the state level competition by raising funds through various ways to make the project up and running. The flood warning system actually did make a difference to the lives of the people of Tamparuli and this project actually made them won the national level competition as well.

I know they have been working hard for the past 7 months to get this project going and kudos to all who have been working, sacrificing time and its all blood, sweat and tears for this. RM50,000 to the school as the winning prize and as well as other prizes for the kids. They also won the People Choice Award for being the most favorited team on social media.

It has been a while for me to be surrounded with students of mine and this particular batch of students who are in the team is now in Form Four. Most of them are my students two years ago when they were in Form 2. It is good to know that with the proper guidance and opportunity, they actually blossom to be promising individuals in the future.

Also, it is a morale boost for the school as it has been a while that we win a national level competition. SMK Tamparuli came close to winning the Petrosains last year by winning first runner up. Credits has to be given where its due and of course all of this would not happen without the dedication of everyone. Teachers, students, parents, the community in Tamparuli and the Petronas people.

Congratulations SMK Tamparuli PAAY team 2015. You made a mark in history!

Momboros do Dusun

I for one is not proud of the fact that I am not fluent in any of my mother tongue. I am a Sino Dusun. I can't really speak Dusun
I can't really speak Mandarin either
Such a shame.

And hey it is common among Sabahans Y generations and above to not being able to converse in their mother tongue let alone reading and writing it. Unlike our counterparts in Sarawak, most of them I noticed still do and still can speak in their mother tongue language.

It is good to acknowledge people like Sigu Dusun Les who put materials like this in the digital world. All the more reason for the younger generations to be exposed to their language.

and this video by Jasmine, is so OTOPOT to explain everything. Hahaha. Good job girl!

The Move

Story of my life:

Two years ago on September, I got married and a year ago around this time as well, I moved to Kuala Lumpur. I traded my full time job for a no pay leave to study full time in UM. (thank God, my prayer for a full pay study leave is granted).

Been living in a very nice house in KL. Landed property. It is like a dream come true to be living in a landed property in a KL address. 

Anyway, fast forward to 2015, economy turns bad and oil and gas is badly hit. Well, my husband is in the industry and we are affected too. As the company is paying for the house rent and (sigh) we have to relocate.

It has been a whirlwind and the relocation is quite an emotional one for me. The move had to happen during the busiest time of my semester last June. 

Packing packing packing

Doing assignments in between the boxes and thank God that our new place is actually just down the same road as our old place. But this time, it is a high rise place.

Yeah, that's my husband looking very happy with the new place. Yes, smaller and cosier. As for me, there is quite a number of things I need to adjust.

Boxes, boxes, boxes

'

Unpacking is actually harder than the packing part, so setting up the place for the first night that we stayed there is very OMG. I even cut my finger while digging in the toiletries box. Damn you razor.

That was the condition of our bedroom. That's the best that we can do after all the boxes and furniture have been moved in by the movers. Downsizing from a 3500 square feet place to a 1850 square feet. Despite the move during the busiest time of my semester and almost during my exam while needing to set up the new place, I still managed to score all As for my paper. Thank God!