Chinese New Year Manicure by Zhenlin

Auspicious Colours to wear in the Year of the Snake 
(source 'her world PLUS' and 'fengshui.about.com')

2013 is the Year of the Water element - the Water Snake - so to be in harmony with the energy of the year and befriend the ruling Water Snake energy, it is recommended to wear the colours of the Water feng shui element - all shades of blue and black.

You can wear not only clothing, but all sorts of accessories in the blue-black colour scheme, such as jewellery, belts, scarfs, etc. To make it even more powerful, you can choose jewellery with natural crystals and stones with the presence of water energy, such as turquoise, aquamarine, pearls, kyanite, lapis lazuli and moonstone. Or, go for black colour ones, such as black obsidian, black tourmaline or black onyx.

In addition to water element, you can also wear the colours of the Metal element, because in the productive cycle of five feng shui elements Metal creates/supports Water. So, colours white and gray/metallic are also good in the coming year of the Water Snake 2013.

Are there colours that is best to avoid in the New Year, or at least for the New Year celebration? Yes, for sure. Least favourable colours in 2013 are the colours of Earth and Fire feng shui elements, respectively all earthy/light browns and strong yellow, orange and red colours. 

countdown to wedding day : 273

Happy Birthday Mummy! 

Loves of my life =)

countdown to wedding day : 274

Bay South Garden - Chinese New Year

countdown to wedding day : 280

Gown Selection for Taiwan Pre-Wedding Shoot

went for my 1st gown selection and it was a breeze compared to some of the horror stories of camping at the studio for more than half a day or not able to find any suitable dress. thanks to lily from feline bridal for helping with the gown selection and fitting. glad she was around to squeeze my fats into the dresses. =P figured that most brides are skinny and tall as i could hardly breathe in them and most were sweeping the floor with me on bare feet. thanks to dear and my mummy for being there to provide their feedback, saved me loads on the choosing process.

Wedding Gown

tried on 6 gowns in total (4 mermaid, 1 ballgown and 1 column) and eventually decided to confirm the very 1st i put on with slight modification. good and bad thing was i wanted a not so complicated yet not too simple gown which made it much easier when it comes to the initial selection. decided that mermaid cut makes me look slimmer (surprisingly) after 2 attempts and that very much limits my choices as there are not many mermaid wedding dresses (white/cream). was choosing between my final piece and another with more 3D bottom/train (roses). settled on the former as it enhances my not so perfect body and the latter was quite heavy (had to consider luggage space and weight).

Evening Gown

had a choice of bringing 1 or 2 evening dresses for overseas shoot. picked out 2 out of total 6 i tried on (1 coral, 2 red and 2 yellow). this was even simpler than wedding dress as there were only a few colours i was looking at - red, yellow, blue, purple and keeping in mind of a not-so-complicated yet not-too-simple criteria. loved the coral chiffon dress at 1st sight when lily showed it to me and further confirmed my liking after putting it on. however, both dear and myself found it to be too simple/common and decided to pass it. red was not part of my consideration prior to the trial as i already have a red evening dress which can be used but i could not find any blue/purple dress to my liking. 1st red was a mandarin collar capped sleeve ball gown. mum loved the dress but i look fat in it. 2nd was a red ballgown which went right into my confirm list. was prancing around the fitting area in the ballgown while browsing for another evening dress. was looking through the short dresses and nothing caught my attention till lily pointed out that i could choose from the long chiffon dresses too. immediately picked out the only 2 yellow ones from the rack to try them on and my final outfit for taiwan shoot is chosen!

Jackets/Suits/Pants

it was a piece of cake. 1 white, 1 black and we are done! probably need to go shop for 1 more shirt for dear and we will be all ready.

the whole process took less than 2 hours. did not take any pictures as i was following the sign that says no photography. promise to update with photos when i go for my final fitting in march. =)

countdown to wedding day : 284

lack of a better but appropriate way, i had to blog this instead of posting it on facebook. if i was the only one who is feeling the frustration and anger, it may be my issue. there are a couple of us who can't agree on their way of working, it has to be their problem isn't it?

honestly, i think my english standard is average compared to my peers. i wonder how did the trio got past their english papers in school. simple things like 'this is' and 'these are', i believe primary school kids can get this right. it is really ok to keep your sentences short and to the point, without using big words as long as your audience get your point. classic example "i be going on Wednesdays, so tomorrow will be that day".

i can give it to people who are lazy but absolutely smart or streetwise. i respect those who are less intelligent but hardworking or willing to learn. what i can't tolerate is these three are stupid but lazy, not intelligent but like to act smart. after 1 year in the company and 2 years in the industry, you actually didn't know what operator subsidy is. it is not difficult to know what it means by taking the literal meaning. to be fair, it is only right to ask when in doubt, but you have to ask the right person at the right time!

the last straw came in last night. i knew he visited the wrong store as per what someone mentioned to me a few days back. i am ok with others going to my store but why can't he just admit to the mistake and not come up with lousy excuses? we have all the details of our outlets in the landscape, B2 and level 3 are too far apart to be mistaken as the same store. and not to mention that both stores had different names and had clear signage at shopfront! if seeing M1 means the store is under your coverage, might as well tell me someone with moustache has to be your dad. to make things worse, quoting his exact reply in the email -

"Now my next question will be, am I not to visit the M1 booth since it is in Gadget world, if so why I am task to visit Handphone shop – Causeway (Gadget World) stating in the Masterlist? Also do I fully task to handle All M1 OS and its EDs?  I’m will be glad someone willingly to take up some of the EDs. This is the part where I am confuse now."

thank you for confirming your disability. I would gladly accept your pay and your job to help you visit the stores under your account as well.

new hair colour to welcome chinese new year and taiwan pre-wedding shoot. =) made appointment with roots for a hair cut just before taiwan trip.

almost a complete collection. thank you dear for the lovely pendant for our anniversary. i love you!

countdown to wedding day : 300

Happy New Year!

countdown to wedding day : 312

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas - Peg Bracken

Merry Christmas!

Christmas celebration at home with Gracie and Matt

AJC basketball team, their partners & small ones at PP's place

both dear and i were awed by their order taking using iPad =P

adding to my collection from dear - i love you!

Goodwood Park Hotel - English Afternoon Tea at L'espresso with Janice and PP

thank you all for the pressies!

Our Itinerary for Hong Kong 12 - 19 Dec 2012

12 Dec (Wed)

- Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport

- Prepaid data SIM : Store 1010, one2free card, Terminal 1, Departures Check-in Hall, Level 7 (aisle F/G, past all the check-in counters)

- Shop details : http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/insideshopping/t1/audio/1010.html

- Card details : http://one2free.hkcsl.com/jsp/prepaid_sim_card/power_prepaid_sim/charges/charges.jsp

- Take Airport Express to Hong Kong Station (24mins); Take Island Line (towards Chai Wan) and alight at Causeway Bay Station
- Check in at apartment : https://www.wimdu.com/offers/885YL7VQ?city=Hong+Kong&distance=20&min_bedrooms=1&page=4&path=hong-kong%2Faccommodation%2Fcauseway-bay&price_filter[max]=7&price_filter[min]=0&search_geolocation=1987-hong-kong&seo_path=%2Fhong-kong%2Faccommodation%2Fcauseway-bay&sort_by=score&suburbs[Causeway+Bay+%28%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3%29]=Causeway+Bay+%28%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3%29

Hong Kong Mansion - Outlook is pretty deceiving. Building security is good.

Studio C Interior

- Lunch : 譚仔雲南米線 - Causeway Bay

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=46583

Dear's favourite noodle chain store

- Toys Exploration - Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok

1. Causeway Bay : SOGO (6/F), Windsor Toys "R" Us (311 Gloucester Road, 7/F), Causeway Bay Centre (Sugar Street)
2. Wan Chai : checked out 冠南华 http://www.koonnamwah.com.hk/main03.php on the way, Tai Yuen Street http://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/tai-yuen-street.jsp , Oriental 188 Shopping Centre (Wan Chai Road)

3. Yau Ma Tei : In's Point (Wing Kiu Building, 530 Nathan Rd)
4. Mong Kok : Richmond Shopping Arcade (111 Argyle Street)

- Dinner : 譚仔雲南米線 - Yau Ma Tei (before continuing our walk to Mong Kok)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=31516

- Supper : 翠華餐廳 - Mong Kok

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=46056

13 Dec (Thu)

- Breakfast : 喜喜冰室 - Causeway Bay

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=41969

They took the wrong order and gave us a different set meal. nevertheless, it was good. =)

- Causeway Bay Exploration - Lee Gardens http://www.leegardens.com.hk/at-the-heart-of-hong-kong-island.aspx , Homeless http://www.homeless.hk/

Opened the wrong door >.< actual door is to the right

- Dessert : 人和荳品廠 - Causeway Bay (recommendation : 豆花)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=32057&tc=bc

- Tram to Central

- Dessert : 泰昌餅家 - Central (recommendation : egg tart)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=5522

- Hiking (made our way up to the peak with Shirleen by foot =))

- Dinner : Bubba Gump (recommendation : that chocolate thing *for the absolute sweet-toothed)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=16517

14 Dec (Fri)

- Breakfast : 添好運點心專門店 - Central IFC Mall (recommendation : 叉烧包, 糯米鸡, 萝卜糕)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=61957

* colours of top 2 photos are off as I forgot to adjust the white balance =P

- Disneyland Hong Kong

http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
* MUST TAKE Rides:
1. Toy Story Land - RC Racer
2. Grizzly Gulch - Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
3. Tomorrowland - Space Mountain
4. Fantasyland - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Golden Mickeys, it's a small world

The many faces of my Dear =P

* Fireworks at 2100

With compliments from Dear

- Dinner : Comets Cafe (Tomorrowland, before fireworks shoot preparation)

Three Treasure Rice & Pork Cabbage Wanton Noodle

- LEGO® X'mas Villages - Times Square

http://www.timessquare.com.hk/eng/event_detail.php?event=11

15 Dec (Sat)

- Breakfast : 添好運點心專門店 - Mong Kok (with the boys and probably the last at this main branch as they will be relocating to Olympic)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=30806

- Lunch : 源品車仔麵茶餐廳 - Tai Hang

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=111728

- Hiking (with Shirleen & Kee)

http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtrail/hktrail/hktrail2.htm (trail 6)

- Freespace Fest 

http://www.freespace.hk/en-us/

- Dinner : 劉森記麵家 - Sham Shui Po （recommendation : 虾子捞面)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=10414

- Dessert (couldn't remember which outlet it was at Sham Shui Po)

16 Dec (Sun)

- Breakfast : Choux Creme

http://www.chouxcreme.com.hk/shops.html

- Lunch : 醉月樓 - Tai Wai (with Shirleen, Kee, Simon & Ariel)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=13108

- Cycling
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=70848

- Dinner : Pane Vino - Tai Hang

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=117837

- Dessert : 甜姨姨私房甜品 - Tin Hau

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=32066

17 Dec (Mon)

- Breakfast : 喜喜冰室 - Causeway Bay (recommendation : pancake and chicken pie in pea soup set)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=41969

* bottom 2 photos are recommended set items

- Causeway Bay Exploration - Times Square, Lee Gardens

- Check in at apartment : https://www.wimdu.com/offers/1BSX7E1N?city=Hong+Kong&distance=20&min_bedrooms=1&path=hong-kong%2Faccommodation%2Fcauseway-bay&price_filter[max]=7&price_filter[min]=0&search_geolocation=1987-hong-kong&seo_path=%2Fhong-kong%2Faccommodation%2Fcauseway-bay&sort_by=score&suburbs[Causeway+Bay+%28%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3%29]=Causeway+Bay+%28%E9%8A%85%E9%91%BC%E7%81%A3%29 (just next door >.<)

Studio B Interior

- Tai O Fishing Village (from Tung Chung : bus 11 50 mins)

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/outlying-islands/lantau-island/tai-o-stilt-houses.jsp

- Citygate Outlets

http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/home/Pages/home.aspx

Buys for the day

- Romantic walk from Central to Causeway Bay 

Ballerina in Action

- Dinner : 海皇粥店 - Causeway Bay (recommendation : congee, XO carrot cake)

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=48134

18 Dec (Tue)

- Breakfast : 譚仔雲南米線 - Causeway Bay
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=49668&tc=bc

- Causeway Bay Exploration - SOGO, TrendyLand http://www.trendyland.com/ , Times Square

- Happy Hour : East End Brewery - Causeway Bay (rain ruined our hiking plans but we headed for happy hour instead =D)
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=6306

- Snack : 君御燒味 - Tin Hau

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=40841

- Snack (couldn't recall the name of the stall)

- Dinner : Lardos Steak House - Tseung Kwan O

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=8804

19 Dec (Wed)

- Breakfast : 大熱高湯麵 - North Point

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=75460

- Toys Exploration : Toyzone (RM B, 4/F, WAH HA FACTORY BUILDING, 8 SHIPYARD LANE, TAI KOO; Tai Koo MTR Exit A1/A2)

- Check out of apartment 

- Kowloon Station : Deposit our luggage http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/getting_around/aestations_kln.html

- Dessert : Share Tea - Mong Kok

http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=41800

Finally!

- Toys Exploration : Richmond Shopping Arcade, In's Point (the latter has a high concentration of shops selling LEGO but the former offered better prices)

Buys for the day

Dear's new favourite toy - Iron Man Helmet

- Take Airport Express from Kowloon Station

- Dinner : Popeyes (Terminal 1, Departures Check-in Hall, Level 7)

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/t1/fastf/pope.html