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
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Category Archives: All Things Inspiring
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.
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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)
3rd Baby & Videos
Once I experienced the beauty of picking veggies from my own garden, there was no turning back.
We installed another veggie bed this year in our garden. It’s our third baby.
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There’s no need to till the earth, just cover it with paper or cardboard.
Thanks to Skye for building us a veggie bed using recycled wood. Thanks to Mahesh and Paul for transporting the veggie bed. 4/18 |
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4/25 This veggie bed is located at a cooler spot. So, I planted some lettuce and peas. |
On the day this veggie bed was born, Karan’s grandpa passed away. So, I thought it was poetic to dedicate this veggie bed to him.
 5/12 Came back from Hawaii trip and what a surprise to find some green babies emerged from the earth already. |
 5/12 Cover the soil with grass clipping (it’s free!) to prevent weed from growing. I certainly don’t want to spend my whole summer weeding! |
6/16
6/16 Ready to be harvested!
Total travel distance to dinner table= less than 25 feet
Total time from harvest to plate= less than 10 minutes
With no chemical fertilizers and no wasted fuel for transporting the veggies!!
Can food get fresher than that? I truly felt that the veggies were still breathing when I ate them.
Here are some short videos of my veggie garden. I don’t know how to edit videos yet. So, I took several one minute short footage. If anyone knows any easy to use and free video editing software, please let me know. Thanks!
These videos are in Mandarin. I recorded some with little bit of Taiwanese accent (I don’t know why I tend to carry Taiwanese accent when I recorded these videos). I actually don’t have much chance to speak Mandarin here, so I might sound a little funny. hahaha. 
I did record a couple videos with Malaysian accent! It was fun, fun, fun! Enjoy.