A tree stared at me when I drove pass it today.
It’s that time of the year to reconnect with your creative self. Let’s spirit away and fill the air with loads of spookiness.
“I am watching you ~~~~Muahahaha” (2nd Street)
Spookiness
Reply
Author Archives: OuOu
Autumneter
This tree next to my house has turned half red. Soon, it will turn all red and then the leaves are going to fall by the dozen. When the leaves are all gone, that would mark the end of fall and the beginning of another cold winter.
I call this tree THE AUTUMNETER.
My Independence Day
I woke up.
OMG! I could see the words on a book cover from five feet away.
* * * * * * *
09/09/2009
Nine is considered a very auspicious number in Chinese culture because it sounds like the word “longlasting” (久). Therefore, to choose 09/09/09 for a life changing experience is not only appropriate but poetic as well. :=)
Upon recommendation from my sister, I decided to improve my vision at Centre for Sight Laser Eye Centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The cost of LASIK is around RM4000 (approx. USD 1200) and RM6000 for the custom package. It’s much cheaper than the prices in USA.
My assigned patient ID is 09090, another beautiful number. Isn’t it a lucky sign? 🙂
I’ve watched videos and read a lot about LASIK surgery, so I am very familiar with the procedure.
My surgeon was Dr. Choong Yean Yaw and I had full confidence in his ability to perfom a successful LASIK surgery.
My sister, Mee Ming volunteered to help me record my big day. What a brave girl. 🙂
During the procedure, my eyes were numb but I was fully aware of what was going on. I must admit I was SHIT scared when the incision was made to create the round corneal flap. Maybe I shouldn’t have watched the LASIK video afterall. All I could do was to focus, and think positively during the surgery.
My surgery went well despite of a minor delay due to a technical issue with the operation chair prior to the surgery. Dr. Choong and his team gave me the impression that there’s nothing they can’t handle.
I celebrate my freedom today. I am freed from wearing sweaty and foggy glasses. No more blurry vision while swimming or in the sauna room. I can now wear sunglasses without contacts. No more cleaning contact lenses. If you wear contacts or glasses, you know what I am talking about.
Sharing with you here it’s a video edited by me (see below). I know I shouldn’t overwork my eyes after the surgery, but I can’t help myself.
Restoration Project
Last month had been a busy, stressful month for me.
Karan and I decided to put our 304 South Court house on the market before the summer ended. That was when all the madness started. We rushed to complete all the unfinished projects in the house, fixed up our new house (a house that he had purchased early this year), packed and moved.
Will I miss 304 South Court? Sure, it is such a blissful and delightful home, so many memories. But we felt like it was time to move on.
It’s our passion to restore older houses with lots of characters, especially if they have a solid foundation. It’s not easy to look past all the junk and restoration work required in order to make these houses beautiful. But somehow for me, it’s actually a joy to discover those diamonds in the rough. They speak to me. I know they are waiting for some tender love and care.
We are hands-on and very involved in every design and construction decision, so each project is a back-breaking process. It requires a lot vision and patience.
Now we know that our job is done at this South Court property. The next perfect owner would come and create his memories here.
I’ve posted photos and details of 304, S.Court at http://SouthCourtHouse.blogspot.com. If you think this house is perfect for someone you know, please pass this url along.
Here are some behind the scene photos. Enjoy.
Exterior – East (Before)
Exterior – East (After)
Old bushes were pulled out. New plants were hand-picked and planted by us.
Exterior – East (Before)
Exterior – East (After)
Fireplace (before)
Fireplace (after)
Old cracked subway tiles were removed and replaced by natural stones. Mantel was painted.
Kitchen (before)
Kitchen (after)
New: porcelain tile floor, countertop, tile backsplash, paint, light fixture, faucet, stove, fridge, range hood
Kitchen (before)
Kitchen (after)
New: porcelain tile floor, countertop, tile backsplash, paint, light fixture, faucet, stove, fridge, range hood
Balcony (before)
Balcony (after)
Balcony was a complete redo with treated lumber. Our contractor did a great job.
Bedroom/spa room (before)
Bedroom/spa room (before)
Layers of linoleum need to be hand-scraped.
Bedroom/spa room (after)
Yellow pine floor was professionally finished by Ian Temple Floors.
Bedroom/spa room (before)
Bedroom/spa room (before)
Bedroom/spa room (after)
Sunroom (before)
Sunroom (before)
There’s gorgeous yellow pine floor under the nasty old carpet! The floor needs to be hand-scraped before it could be sanded.
Sunroom (after)
Removed trailer style metal windows and installed new energy efficient windows. Insulated walls and ceiling. Added recessed light fixtures.
Sunroom (before)
Sunroom (after)
I Heart My OXO Salad Spinner
I am not a big fan of green salad. I am simply not into raw vegetables. Ask any Asian on how much green salad he has had this week, or this month, or this year? Most probably the answer would be close to none.
If you are in Asia and you suggest that you are going to bring a green salad (not fruit salad, not potato salad) to an Asian party, don’t be surprised if no one jumps up and down out of excitement. It’s not you, it’s us.
My mom bought lettuce from the market and she chose to stir-fry it. Frankly speaking, I quite enjoyed the dish.
I decided to eat more raw vegetables this year, so I started a new lettuce veggie bed.
I threw some seeds in my veggie bed and now the lettuce greens in my veggie bed are growing like wild horses! Seriously. I have given away bags of greens to friends and even my dog is getting some in each meal too. And still, I have a hard time keeping up with my lettuce!
FYI. My dog does eat vegetables. Here’s him chewing on a celery stick when he was four months old.
 |
 |
Now it only makes sense for me to consume more greens too. I know, I know, eating greens is healthy and blah blah blah. Knowing it is one thing, but actually eating it is a whole different story.
I picked some lettuce from my garden and washed it. The greens were damp, soggy and the salad didn’t turn out good. I was pretty bumped.
When there’s a problem, there must be a solution. What can’t you find on internet? Thank God for internet.
Who doesn’t know about the existence of salad spinner, please raise your hand.
Has this product been around for a long time? I have never heard of it. Pardon me!
Definition of Salad Spinner from dummies.com.
salad spinner: A two-part device made up of a plastic basket inside a large plastic bowl. Place washed greens inside the basket and spin it (using whatever method your spinner offers). Centrifugal force removes the water from the greens.
Ok. Boys and girls, now let’s give a big round of applause to whoever invented the salad spinner!
The process is much like the last cycle of your washing machine: spinning the access water off your clothes.
I was sold on the idea and quickly ran to the At Home store and bought one.
Now, drum roll, please.
OXO Salad Spinner
1. Put freshly washed salad greens in the non-slip bowl (you can wash the veggie in the basket).
2. Press the non-slip knob to start the basket spinning.
3. There’s a built-in brake to stop the salad spinner.
4. Done! The greens are crisp and dry! If the greens are still little damp, just put them in the fridge for a few hours. They would dry out naturally.
5. To store the greens away, simply press down the knob and lock it.
I noticed that the greens stay fresher longer when I store them in the salad spinner.
We learn something new every day. Don’t we? 🙂