Scene of the Blog: Featuring My Blog!

Hello, my dear friends and readers! I hope all is well with you. It does seems like I have been neglecting my blog lately. Aside from the sad fact that I haven't been spending too much time reading, another reason is that there have been a little 'restructuring' in the department where I'm working and I'm trying to adjust to everything, not to mention with the new superior as well!

Anyways, today's post is not about sharing of my work. I'm sure many of you have heard of "Scene of the Blog" hosted by the lovely Cathy of Kittling: Books. I love reading this feature as it allows me to get to know more of fellow bookbloggers and making new friends as well. And, I just love Cathy's writing style!

Without further ado, let me link you to her blog as this time around, I'm honoured to have my blog featured for "Scene of the Blog". Come on over, and say "Hello!". I'd love to hear from you!

11 Question Meme

Wow! It’s been a long while since I have done a meme; a meme which is non-books related but more on yourself and your life. I love reading other readers’ answers, and yeah I love playing along too. So, when the lovely Trish tagged me for this, I just knew I wouldn’t say no. Here goes…

Rules:

1 You must post the rules.

2 Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

3 Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.

4 Let them know you’ve tagged them!

Trish’s questions:

1. What app do you love above all others? Not an app person? What about website?

I love the greatness and the fun of apps, but seriously I don’t seek them and I will download those which are useful to me. I do download some games sometimes, but not many though.

2. Describe your dream profession (sky is the limit).

I don’t know about you, but I suppose dream profession changes as we get older, or am I the only one who think of that? When I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a scientist. When I reached adolescent, I dreamt of becoming an architect because I think people who created those beautiful skyscrapers are such a genius! When I stepped out to the society to work, I wanted to become a graphic designer (well I was an Arts student during my high school time). Due to that interest, I pursued a part-time course while working in my second job but didn’t venture further. At that time, I was thinking that interest and career don’t mix, but perhaps I was wrong. Right now, if you ask me about my dream job, I will just say, be my own boss. Ha!

3. Appetizers or dessert?

Definitely dessert!

4. If you could be BFF with any fictional character, who would you choose?

Wow, so many to choose from and yet my mind is blank at the moment.

5. I say BLUE. What immediately comes to mind?

Beach. I just want to take a vacation, right now!

6. Favorite song to blast and sing in your car with the windows down?

Probably some songs from Debbie Gibson or Bananarama. I’m a fan of the 80s.

7. What fashion fad makes you hang your head in shame?

I don’t know, maybe jeans in loud colours, like bright orange or lime green?

8. What are your thoughts on 80s Hair Bands--specifically Monster Ballads?

Not a huge fan, but I don’t hate them either.

9. What is a book you wanted to throw across the room? What is one you wanted to hug?

Perhaps the book which I’m reading right now – Asylum by Patrick McGrath. Don’t get me wrong, the writing style and the plot is great! In fact, I’m enjoying reading it. It’s just that I couldn’t understand why a normal, psychiatrist’s wife would want to get involved with a mentally disturbed patient. Bored? Love struck? I don’t know. I suppose I’d find out why the more I read it.

As for the one I wanted to hug, I’ve to say it’s A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It is such a tender yet a powerfully, thought-provoking story I’d read in a while. That said, I also want to hug Connor O’Malley, the boy who is faced with his own personal demons and came out strong in that story.

10. Imagine you are an aerobics instructor--what song must be on your playlist?

Relight My Fire by Take That.

11. What's for dinner tonight?

No idea. It’s always grocery shopping on a Friday night so we usually eat out. I guess it’d have to depend on the malls we decide to go and what eating outlets they have over there. I’ve got a feeling that I may have a Veggie Delite sandwich and cream of mushroom from Subway this evening, hehe.

Bonus: What's your favorite go-to lipstick (including color)

Revlon lipstick. Mauve colour.

And here are my questions:

1. Who’s your idol? It can be anyone and don’t have to be a celebrity or a public figure.

2. If you can be someone famous, who do you like to be?

3. What are your favourite TV shows or movies?

4. Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? Why?

5. Popcorns. Sweet or salty? Why?

6. Facebook or Twitter? Why?

7. What are your pet peeves?

8. Where do you like to go on a vacation?

9. Your most wonderful memories you had last year.

10. What’s your favourite holiday?

11. Finally, I couldn’t resist asking a bookish question: Would you read a book which has received lots of hype and positive reviews, even though the storyline isn’t what you like to read?

I’m tagging:

1. Violet

2. Naida

3. Wendy

4. Iliana

5. Natalie

6. Sandy

7. Staci

8. Ti

9. Gautami

10. Carrie

11. Ryan

Your Popcorn Choice: Salty or Sweet?

Yesterday my husband and I brought our daughter to watch Gnomeo and Juliet, as this week is a one-week school holidays. We had a wonderful time. I hope to have a review (or rather my thoughts) on the movie up soon. Anyway, what's a movie experience like without a tub of popcorn so we bought one and I found it interesting that they had listed the choice of popcorn we choose and what it says about us. Here goes:

Salty popcorn eaters tend to be down-to-earth, take-charge types who tell it like it is and prefer grim reality to la la land any day. They are inclined to also enjoy potato chips, salted nuts, sandwiches, hot dogs with ketchup and mustard, hamburgers with pickles and other salty things. They make loyal and steadfast companions on whom you can always count for an honest opinion, even when it's not necessarily the one you want to hear. Exponents of character-building tough love rather than wishy-washy-gooey-sticky soft love that does nobody any good, they tend to be excellent disciplinarians, good parents and responsible animal owners. They have strong moral values and even stronger opinions. Popularity holds scant appeal for them while integrity is held in the highest esteem. Their taste in movies leans towards gritty realistic dramas, natural disaster doozies, wartime epics, spy movies, martial arts showcases, action-packed blockbusters and road trip flicks. They tend not to believe in fairytales and take happy endings with a pinch of salt (just like their popcorn).

Sweet popcorn eaters tend to be romantic souls who hanker after happy endings and believe in true love, even when their heart's been broken and patched... and broken again. They tend to also like ice cream, chocolate, cookies, candy and other sweet things. They make good friends who will always try to cheer you up when you're down, and will gloss over the ugly truth to avoid hurting your feelings. If you ask a sweet popcorn-eating friend if your bum looks fat in a certain pair of pants, he/she will say no - the pants are poorly cut... or simply tell a sweet little white lie. Sweet popcorn eaters respond to pretty, bright colours and bright, bouncy pop tunes. They have lots of positive energy and radiate optimism like a little gob of sugar-coated sunshine. Their taste in movies veers towards romcoms, charming animated fables, modern day fairytales, weepies with happy endings, historical dramas, feelgood musicals and anything with an uplifting moral where the bad guys get their asses kicked and the good guys get their just desserts (or sweet popcorn).

So which popcorn eater are you? I'm a salty popcorn eater, but that's because I've always love salty food, ha. As for the types of movies I watch, I've to say I do go for romcoms and fairytales too, aside from those list of salty popcorn eaters. After all, who doesn't love happy endings?

Happy Sunday!

Hi everyone! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Mine was great! We had a fun time going house visiting since it is Chinese New Year! Needless to say, I took several pictures both indoors and outdoors, ha. Above is a collage of the flowers arrangements (except the bottom right since that was taken at my in-laws' place) and our CNY goodies (e.g. egg rolls, pineapple tarts, cashew nuts, pistachio nuts etc) at home.

Well I'll be back to work tomorrow. Life is finally back to normal after the 2-days holidays (and not counting the weekend as well); how time flies, huh! I didn't do any reading or read all your posts on my Google Reader since I was too busy house visiting and/or watching TV, but I definitely look forward to reading all your posts once I'm back to the office tomorrow.

My New Bookshelves!

I have always wanted to buy some bookshelves for awhile; after all my TBR piles are piling high up in our storeroom, and a few of my books are stacked in my living room's TV console and coffee table as well. These may be a pleasing view for all booklovers, but I do wonder what other visitors might think should they step into our house and see books lying about almost anywhere.

Anyway, my husband and I had finally decided on buying from a furniture store which is within the neighbourhood. We bought our first bookshelf from them so we know the quality and the workmanship. Plus, the store owner is friendly and she did not charge us for the delivery fees.

So here is a picture of my bookshelves. I bought two shelves; one with two columns, and another with three since that's the most our study room's space could allow. This time around I bought the bookshelves without the doors as I think it is easier to clean and maintain, and most of all it resembles library shelves. I spent the whole Saturday afternoon cleaning the shelves and arranging my books onto them. I have never felt so happy doing chores, ha!

I apologise for the poor picture quality though since I took them from my mobile phone (I was too excited and I think downloading pictures from camera take up some time).

Tada! Most of the shelves are already filled up, and I have fully maximised the space by filling two stacks of books front and back in one cubbyhole. The first column on the left (from top to bottom that is) is where I put all the YA novels (the last cubbyhole isn't filled as I have more YA novels which I need to sort out from our storeroom), fiction are on the second (again I need to go through my TBR piles), and the third is thrillers, mysteries and romance. The fourth row is where my Chinese novels and manga are, and finally I left the last column for my daughter's school textbooks and some studying materials from my husband during his Master's Degree days. Those thick files which you see piled up on top of the shelves are his too. I can't wait to see all the shelves are nicely filled up!

So this is how I spent my weekend. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend too!

Monday Ramblings

Strawberry Shortcake has been one of my favourite cartoon characters when I was a little girl, despite that Strawberry Shortcake and her friends had revamps over the years as each got a makeover with a complete new looks, clothes and style.

Anyway, when I knew that Strawberry Shortcake and her friend will be performing in one of our neighbourhood shopping malls as part of their holiday season celebrations, I was exhilarated and felt like an eight-year-old girl all over again. And what makes me happy is that my seven-year-old daughter likes this character too so the more I should go watch their performance, isn’t it?

I was lucky that I was able to get into the line so that we would have the chance to take a picture with these characters after their performance. The event was so much fun as it was filled with great music and loads of interactions between the performers and the children. Though it was only a 20-minute show, still I was glad to be there and that I had a wonderful time with my daughter as well as with the other children (their shouts of joy was simply contagious!).

Reading-wise, I had just finished reading Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn on my way to work this morning. What can I say? It was a delightful read and the premise is so, so clever! I hope to have the review up this week.

I can’t believe that it is already December and that Christmas is approaching. Have you done your Christmas shopping already? I have not; I am such a slacker but then again, there have been a lot of things on my plate lately (I suppose this is a valid excuse, no?).

Well, I hope you all have a great week!

I've Got Mails!

I remember there was a time during my childhood days that my good friend and I used to send letters to each other once in a week, even though we were classmates and we have so much to talk about in classes. I know some of you may think we were weird or even funny, but it meant something to both of us at that time because we enjoyed the writing moments, and moreover it was fun anticipating the letters to arrive in our mailbox every week. However, we discontinued this 'habit' after we went on separate ways when we were posted to a different high school and the additional school work and activities had kept us all busy.

Even though electronic mails are popular and so much quicker and easier to use, I still prefer the traditional way of writing and sending mails although not many of us do so often nowadays due to our hectic schedules and so forth.

So, I had received some wonderful mails over the past few days and without saying, I was both thrilled and touched to find they are all from my best blogging friends. Let me share them with you:

First, Nymeth sent me this lovely Christmas card and two beautiful handmade bookmarks she made for my daughters! Isn't she sweet and talented? I especially love the prints of her bookmarks; I love the brown elegant designs and the other is just adorable with little chicky prints and white polka dots!

I then received a very cute Christmas card by Wendy. I have to grin whenever I see the card because not only the penguin is adorable with its skiing gears but penguins happen to be one of my favourite animals too!

Follow up next is a book titled Gossamer by Lois Lowry and a beautiful Christmas card by Alice. What made this gift so special is, Alice gave it to me after she found out this is on my BookMooch wishlist! I was simply speechless after opening her mail and at the same time, I was also touched by her thoughtfulness.

Thank you so much, ladies! You have no idea how much they mean to me!

Merry Christmas and Long Live to our friendship!

Edited to Add (6.13PM):

I have another surprise when I received this beautiful glass of tulips from my best friend, Jennifer, for my birthday earlier! She had specially ordered it from a local florist although she is living all the way from Pennsylvania! I am so, so touched by her kind gesture! Thank you so much, Jen!! I miss you too!

Dewey...You'll Be Missed!

I am simply at a loss for words after reading this post from The Hidden Side of a Leaf. Dewey, the owner of this blog passed away on Tuesday evening. Although I do not really know her well, her passion for books and reading, her creativity and her efforts for putting together this bookblogging community is inspiring and has left me a deep impression. She will be sorely missed.

Tuesday Musing

Time really flies, eh? I remember on this same day last month, I was staying in the hospital after having given birth to my second daughter, Kai Lin. But I am not going to mention about my hospital stay in this post, because currently my thoughts are on the confinement lady and the assistance she had given me during the one month while I was on confinement.

I got to know her through my younger sister's recommendation. My sister had given birth to her second child in March and it was the first time I met the lady when we visited my sister then. My first impression on her was that, she was polite and quiet. I think she is in her forties (till now I do not know her age and her full name, although she told us to call her 'Ah Khim' but I insist on calling her 'Auntie' as a respect) and she has a motherly aura around her. I told her I would like to engage her and gave her an amount as a deposit on the spot. I also gave her directions to my house, after all she is not local and her home is in Malaysia.

During my discharge from the hospital on 29 Sep, I remember telling my husband that I was quite worried about 'Auntie' finding her directions to our place because the journey is quite complicated and one has to cross an overhead bridge to take a public bus after leaving from the designated MRT station. I told 'Auntie' to give me a call if she has any problem but it seemed like I worried too much because she had no problem finding our place at all. Her wits impressed me, and that was my second opinion of her.

She set to work immediately after arriving at our house; running a shower for the baby and myself and not to mention to prepare a pot of red dates soup for me (in Chinese tradition, women who have given birth are recommended to drink red dates soup instead of plain water to prevent water retention and bloating in the stomach). To tell you frankly, I was awed by her efficiency and diligence. Because of 'Auntie's' assistance, this explains why I had time to read and review books during my confinement period. She had everything all taken care of; I felt so pampered and spoilt. I know some of you might say it is her job after all, but I think it is her overall attitude that says it all. And to top it off, she is initiative too.

'Auntie' is not really 'a woman of few words' as I had thought initially, but that is because we do not know each other well when the first time we met. She is actually quite a chatty person once you get to know her well. I treated her like a family member and did not know I was so used to her company until her last day with us last Sunday. Her departure had really hit me hard. I was misty-eyed when she packed her things and bid us goodbye. She refused to take a picture despite my coaxing, saying that she does not like taking pictures. So I can only count on my memory as a remembrance, but I know the image will slowly fade away as the time goes by. I guess I am just being emotional, oh well. . .

Goodbye, 'Auntie'. I will miss you!

Teaser Tuesdays. . . and an Orchid I Received!

First, I want to thank Alice for dedicating this orchid picture to me. Isn't it beautiful? Alice is a "photo-holic" and I always enjoy viewing her pictures... Thanks again, Alice! :-)

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TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

My teaser sentences for today:

"I know what the once upon a time stories say, but they lie. That's what stories are, you know. Lies." ~ Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (Pg 55)

The Likeness

ISBN-13: 9780340924785
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2008
553pp

From the blurb:

Still traumatised by her brush with a psychopath, Detective Cassie Maddox transfers out of the Murder squad and starts a relationship with fellow detective Sam O'Neill. When he calls her to the scene of his new case, she is shocked to find that the murdered girl is her double. What's more, her ID shows she is Lexie Madison - the identity Cassie used, years ago, as an undercover detective.

With no leads, no suspects and no clues to Lexie's real identity, Cassie's old boss spots the opportunity of a lifetime: send Cassie undercover in her place, to tempt the killer out of hiding to finish the job.

Plenty of murder cases turn into battles of wits, but this was different. My real opponent wasn't the murderer but the victim: perfectly matched against me in every way, too close to call . . .

The previous instalment, In the Woods had left a deep impression on me. Never mind if Rob Ryan, the protagonist's mysterious past is not really solved (I understand there is a controversy on this issue), for I think Tana French has her reason for doing so and this might be just one of her styles. Anyway, I enjoyed the story. When I knew there would be a sequel to it, I was overjoyed.

Although this story is about Detective Cassie Maddox working as an undercover, it actually revolves more on Lexie Madison's life being a graduate student and her close relationship with her other four friends. They live under the same roof and are co-owners of the old house which was left by one of their families. The latter further dictates how close they are.

However, Lexie has her own secrets and one minor mistake has led her to her own death. Cassie fits into Lexie's world perfectly; and she is determined to find out the killer for she is certain he or she lives amongst them but she is getting too emotionally involved, as you would read from the passage below that reflects her thoughts:

"When you're too close to people, when you spend too much time with them and love them too dearly, sometimes you can't see them."

I think this is one price to pay when an undercover is working way too deep into the case. Sometimes, they get too involved so much so that it muddles their minds and ruin their judgements if they are not being careful. But I think the scariest part is the sacrifices an undercover has to made whenever there is a call for it, e.g. doing drugs; not that Cassie is doing them that is.

I liked Cassie; she is one heck of an undercover. She has guts, and she is not really afraid of consequences. Reading about her relationship with Sam shows her vulnerable side, for there is a time she is tied between work and love and she has to make a choice.

The Likeness is a mesmerising page-turner. It is more than a whodunit story; it focuses more on humanity issues and then of course, the friendship 'Lexie' had with her mates.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best crime thrillers I read this year. I would highly recommend this author to anyone.

Other blog reviews:

Bookgirl's Nightstand

Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?

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How is everyone doing? I surely miss reading all your blogs! Also, thank YOU for the well wishes! For the past few days, I have been doing nothing but spending time with my baby, napping and catching up on my reading. Life could not get any better! Just imagine I will be doing these for 16 weeks, as this is the amended maternity leave (used to be 12 weeks) implemented by the government on 17 August this year. I hope I would not turn into a couch potato by then, haha.

My baby is doing well. She sleeps a lot during the daytime, and well night feeding is no joke! But I guess I will get used to it.

Also, I apologise if I do not get to visit your blog as much as usual, but I will try to whenever if I get the chance. Till next time!

Our Bundle of Joy

My husband and I are very proud to announce that our second bundle of joy had chosen to arrive on 27 September morning! She weighs 2.9kg (equivalent to 6.4 pounds) and we have not decided a name for her yet as we intend to consult a master based on her date and time of birth.

Despite my gynae's "warning" beforehand, I was still quite taken aback of her early arrival; after all my due date is supposed to be in the middle of October. Anyway, we are all very happy that both the baby and I are healthy and fine. I have also engaged a confinement lady so she is currently staying in our place and helps to take care of my baby and do some simple household chores and cooks for the family. Frankly speaking, I do not know what I would do without her assistance during this "recuperating" month.

Well, I hope everyone is doing great and had a great weekend! :-)

Picture taken at home

Picture taken at the hospital

Mid-Autumn Festival

Yesterday was Mid-Autumn Festival (it falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, when this day the moon is the brightest and fullest). During this time and as a tradition, family members will gather around to admire the full moon while eating mooncakes, steamed mini yams and pomelos with servings of tea while the children have fun playing with their lanterns.

So on Saturday evening, my husband and I decided to bring our daughter to a lantern festival held at the Chinese Garden. This year's theme is "F8-Hello Kitty Go Races!". As this was the first time she attended to such event, we could tell she really enjoyed it a lot. Here are some of the pictures we took at the said event:

There were a lot of people and it was hard to get your pictures taken with some people jostling around.

Vroom! Vroom!

"Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engine!"

Congratulations to Kitty, who got first prize in the race!

It's party time!

We were thrilled to see some fireworks. We did not take many pictures of them as my husband had captured it all on video.

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the sea...

Some Chinese ladies blowing their flutes.

One of the highlights in the Chinese Garden - The Pagoda. The lighted figurine at the top is Lady Chang'e, who is believed to be the Chinese goddess of the moon.

A carp out of water.

Well, I hope you enjoy viewing these pictures. I just had a quarter piece of a mooncake before putting up this post, and it was delicious! ;-P