March 30, 2007

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March 20, 2007: To a Butterfly

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I've watched you now a full half-hour;
Self-poised upon that yellow flower
And, little Butterfly! Indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

(William Wordsworth, "To a Butterfly")

March 19, 2007: Who Will Wipe Off the Tears?

walking in the rain

no one knows

I am crying

NOTE:

I am sharing with you again the beauty on my balcony that I discovered after coming back from work.

May you have a beautiful day/night my friends!

Love - Larra

March 19, 2007: Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends. (Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein)

March 19, 2007: My Monday Muse

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i HaVE NevEr LOVE MonDAY so much

bUt i LOvE mOnDAY nOw

i LoVE EVeRY MONday

AnD

I wILL surELy LoVE NExT MonDay MOre!!!!!

March 18, 2007: Food for Thought

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March 12, 2007: Our Garden

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The many great gardens of the world,

of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture,

all make the point as clear as possible:

The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden.

If you don't want paradise, you are not human;

and if you are not human, you don't have a soul.

(Thomas Moore)

March 12, 2007: An Empty Chair

Sometimes

only one person is missing

and

the whole world seems empty.

Have you

ever heard

the sound of an empty chair?

March 11, 2007: What's in the Shopping Bag ...

Hi everyone,

It's a hot and dry Sunday here today. I went out to Berjaya Times Square to collect the flight tickets to Tioman Island and also did some shopping .... which I have not done since .... December or was it January?

It wasn't a shopping spree, just buying things that are needed:

1. After collecting the tickets, I went to Borders to look for book that I promised my five years old grand nephew. Actually it was his birthday few days ago and I've forgotten about it. So, when I spoke to my niece over the phone yesterday, he chipped in just to tell me that he has finished all the cake . Oops! I know I've to pay the price for forgetting his birthday. lol. When asked what he wanted for his birthday, he said 'controlled robot' (I am not sure what it means - but I think he wanted a toy - and he has a lot at home). Instead of agreeing with him, I asked wheter it is okay if I buy him a book. He said he wanted a book on robot. lol. But, I couldn't find any book on robot for pre-school children at Borders. After about 30 minutes searching for it (amazing how I enjoyed flipping through the children book , I found something closer "Uncover T.Rex"and I hope he likes it, because I know he likes dinosaur too ....

2. I also bought another book, "My Sleepover Bag" for my 2-year old grand niece who will be celebrating her birthday in April. Then I went to my favorite sections and bought "The Digital Photographer's A-Z" and "The Lonely Planet Story".

3. Then I dropped by at Goggles and look for a cargo pant. Couldn't find the color that I wanted, but settled down with a white three quarter cargo pant and long cargo pant - khaki. And that's for my coming holiday!!!!

4. Last but not least - 'a dress' ....... that was not planned for .... lol

So, that's how my Sunday goes! How's yours?

Love - Larra

March 11, 2007: You and I

Strangers passing in the street
By chance two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me.
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand
The best I can.

(Pink Floyd)

March 10, 2007: Have a Blessed Sunday!

~

Do not let Sunday be taken from you

If your soul has no Sunday,

it becomes an orphan.

- Albert Schweitzer-

March 10, 2007: My friends ......

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Tea pot is on,

the cups are waiting,

Favorite chairs anticipating,

No matter what I have to do,

My friend, there's always time for you.

Love - Larra

~

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March 09, 2007: Waiting .......

Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering. (Paulo Coelho)

March 09, 2007: A Strong Woman vs A Woman of Strength

Hi everyone,

I found this on OrangJammies's blog and would like to share it with my friends.... Sorry guys, another blog for ladies ...hehehe.

Love - Larra

~

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape
but a woman of strength looks deep inside to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future
but a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks sure footedly
but a woman of strength knows when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face
but a woman of strength wears grace

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong

(Author Unknown)

March 08, 2007: Lady in Red

My all time favorite - I like to listen to this song with the light off. Enjoy!

Good nite LADIES!

March 08, 2007: Afternoon Sun

afternoon sun

i feel the heat

searing my heart

can't figure out

who kissed me

you

or

the sun

March 07, 2007: Party time!!!!!

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Hi everyone,

How's your day or night? Sorry for not visiting any of my friends last night. It was a very long and tired day at work.

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Poor Howard, I have to leave him early last night. I do feel guilty, but I guess I am more selfish than guilty . LOL. I knew he always looking forward - and so do I - for his weekends for a longer webcam chatting, where we will normally chat till I feel sleepy and go to bed. Did I say 'his weekends'? Mmmmmmm, that's because his weekends are Tuesday and Wednesday! On his weekdays, the chatting sessions will only take 1 to 2 hours, before he went to work. So, it will always be "5 minutes more Darling...." LOL. Yup, we 're counting the minutes

.

BUT, maybe I shouldn't feel so guilty, because ...... because ...... HE has done something fruitful while I was asleep. The robins told me that he has been cooking sate (satay) for dinner - and that will be my breakfast!

.

Come everyone, let see what he has for us on the table. Come, don't worry he has enough for his friends and my friends ..... there's enough for everyone! Missy! stop jumping, where's mom? Stacie, Heidi, Kimmie, Pia, Charlie, Shar, Rina - are already there! Come Chrissy - please get Catherine to come along; RainyDay, Sameen, OrangJammies, Saad, Sepehr, Aysha, Pet & Lud, A.J. Anon, Rubs, Fariha, Turtle, Jule, Kid Q, Miss Kitty, Marwan, Jim, Shelley, Onelove, lunadreamin, Rob, Bob, Larry, Chikkiestgrettagirl, Molly, Bill, Ruthie & Morey, Nina, Joni, Karolo, aWild, Hoacucxan, Deb, Jen, Vanda, Cravenway, UmIman Lori, Lara, EdC, Magic Soul, Rick, the Humanist, Sprite, Hartanto, Andre, Sue-Ling, Melinda, Siham, Fredie, Josgeo .......................... Party time!!!!!! ........

.

Love - Larra

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p.s the yellow rose bud that I posted yesterday, turned out to be a white rose! I was cheated! lol

.

March 07, 2007: Reading Time!!!

Hi everyone,

I found this tag on BarnDweller's blog who was tagged by her friend Potsy. Since I am currently reading a book on aromatherapy that was sent to me by Herb, I decided to play along. (I received 3 books on aromatherapy oils and massage from Herb last Friday - not sure whether I can finish it before Marh 26, 2007! )

The rules say (as on Potsy's page):

1. Grab the nearest book. Don't think, just the nearest book.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog (Please include the book and author) along with these instructions.

5. Don’t you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.

6. Tag five people. Make sure to let the people you're tagging know by leaving them a comment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Title: The Complete Book on Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

2. "Tonics stimulate the circulation, reduce oilness, and help refine open pores and unevenly textured skin. They are usually applied after cleansing to ensure complete removal of any residue left from creams or lotions. A skin tonic has a much milder effect than an astringent and should also refine the skin texture."

3. I am not going to tag anyone, but those who would like to play along, you are most welcome. You can post it on your blog or post it as comment to this blog entry.

4. That's all about the tag. Now I would like to share some info from the book on making your own aromatherapy skin tonics and astringents.

a. Ingredients:

Tonics:

i. Normal to Dry Skin - Rosewater (3 ounces), Sandalwood (1 drop), Palma rose (1 drop)

ii. Normal to Oily Skin - Orange flower water (3 ounces), Neroli (1 drop), Orange (1 drop)

iii. Normal to Sensitive Skin - Chamomile infusion (3 ounces), Chamomile german (1 drop)

iv. Blemished skin - Lavender water (3 ounces), Lavender (1 drop), Juniper (1 drop)

Astringents:

i. General - Witch hazel (1 ounce), Orange flower water (3 ounces), Cider vinegar (1 teaspoon), Juniper (2 drops), Lime oil (1 drop), Grapefruit (1 drop)

ii. Stimulating - Witch hazel (1 ounce), Rose water (3 ounces), Cider vinegar (1 teaspoon), Basil (2 drops), Chamommile blue (1 drop), Peppermint (1 drop)

b.Method: Put all the ingredients in a bottle and shake well. Leave for 24 hrs then pass through a paper coffee filter. Rebottle and use as needed after cleansing or just to freshen up.

c. Note: Essential oil used in tonic and astringents are very effective, although they are not easy to blend without a dispersing agent and should always be shaken well before use.

Happy reading everyone! Reading is to the mind, what excercise is to the body .......

Love - Larra

March 05, 2007: Hot and Sunny Day Here!

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Note: The frog courtesy of BarnDweller (Thank you Stacie! ) and the Yellow rose from my balcony

March 04, 2007: Before .... and After

Hi everyone,

How's your Sunday? Or still Saturday night to some of you.

My Sunday was fun! Sitting for 5hrs 15 minutes while the hair dresser messed with my hair! My hair has always been short for the last 20 years or so .... and the time spent at the hair salon is only about 30 minutes every 2 months! But since December 2006, I have received an order to keep my hair long .

This is how I look like in January 2007

But, when the hair gets longer and touching my neck it felt so uncomfortable and I also have to curl it in so that it doesn't look messy. (see, that's why I like it short and sassy)

I definitely cannot cut my hair, or someone will kill me So I have to find ways that won't require much of my time to manage it That's how rebonding came into the picture!

Rebonding is the straightening of hair that was previously wavy and curly. The process is made up of adding cream softener, which contains protein and moisturizer, to hair so that it can be softened for straightening. The end result is extremely sleek, straight hair that is considerably softer than the previous hair texture.

The whole process normally takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on the hair thickness. BUT today it took me 5hrs and 15 minutes to get my hair done!

First the cream softener is applied to break down hair bonds so that they will be softer and easier to manipulate. The hair is then steamed for approximately 10 to 40 minutes, depending on the texture of the existing hair. This is where the torture begin, because my hair is so thick and strong - according to the hair dresser ! So, instead of 40 minutes to the most, it took me 2 hrs before it become softer!

After that, the hair is rinsed clean. Once rinsed, the hair dresser blow-dry the hair. When the hair is sufficiently dried, keratin is applied onto the hair for protection. Now the action begins. A crimper is used to set the hair straight by "ironing" out the hair in sections repeatedly (this is actually a torture )

When the "ironing" is finished, a neutralizer is applied to the hair to reset the bonds and stabilize it for about 30 minutes. After that, the hair is rinsed clean. Once rinsed, the the hair is blow-dried. Then the ironing is done again as a final touch up!

And here is the outcome!

Rebonding anyone?

Love - Larra

p.s What do you think of my new hair style? Don't worry, I won't kill ya...