Wriso-ing

Yesterday marked the start of Nanowrimo. I've toyed with the idea for the past few years, but always knew I'd never actually get around to doing anything. So when I heard of Wrisomifu, I thought, HEY! That sounds like something I could actually DO!

Well guess what. Day one has come and gone, with nary a peep from me. I really AM a mifu!

I miss writing though. It was interesting, just sitting in a cafe (usually Starbucks), armed with my coffee, and my writing materials. That's right, folks. I used to write manually. The old-fashioned way. With a pen and my notebook. That was before I got my laptop. OMG. There was a time I didn't have my laptop.

So anyway. Here I am, writing away.

If I write for 20 minutes, does that count as two days, and thus make up for my lack of writing yesterday? In my rule book, it absolutely does.

Hmm. I write slower than I type, so perhaps I should just revert to using pen/paper. That way, I'll hit 10 minutes a lot faster!

Ok, I do have really important things to talk about (important to me, anyway!), but they're topics for another post(s).

I get the feeling I've used a lot of parentheses in this post alone.

These days, every time I hear or the words "I've got a feeling", or something similar, that damned Black Eyed Peas song starts playing in my head.
Sure, it's a fun song, but not when it's set on loop in your head! Head-songs stuck on loop make me loopy!

Seriously. How do people manage to write for 10 minutes at a go? I can't even make it past 5!!! Oh wait. It's taken me 7 so far to write up to this point.

Actually, I'm able to write for much, much longer than 10 minutes, if the mood strikes. Or when I'm not watching the clock.

Oooh, mozzie just flew by. I say 'flew', but it was more like a float-by. Just taking an evening stroll around my room. What's REALLY sad though, is that despite it going so slowly, I STILL missed it when I tried to swat it.

I'm really really tired. Do I have to do this shit? Oh alright, I know I don't really HAVE to...but eh. I signed up for it, I'm going to keep at it.

Hey! Whaddya know? I've managed to make it past 10 minutes! Ok, I'm going to end this mindless ramble in a few more sentences.

I'm going to shower, then perhaps eat, hang out with the family for a bit...and I'll come back to do post for Day 2.

Music and Candlelight

So much has happened in the past couple months. Has it really only been two months? It seems like a lifetime.

I've stopped smoking - 3 months now and counting.
Mum had a brain bypass, and is doing well.
I still stand in awe of her.
Calis is still in hospital. She's amazingly strong and brave and I am indescribably proud of her.

I'm tired. Physically and mentally and emotionally.

But I'm happy.

I am so very blessed to have a family that stands together. Through the laughter and tears, the trials and successes.
I am so very blessed to have friends who stand by me. Through the rants and outbursts, moody moments and breakdowns in front of dairy sections.

And I am thankful.

It also helps that I've just had a lovely warm shower. The bathroom light's blown, so I lit up some tealights, set up my aromatherapy burner, and brought my iPod in. It's been so long; I'd forgotten how relaxing it is to have a warm shower, while being bathed in music and candlelight.


So now I lay me down to sleep, with a smile on my face and peace in my heart; I'm counting my blessings, and not sheep.

Brand's Essence of Chicken

Things have been really hectic lately, so Dad's been reminding me to take a BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken every day. Not a problem to me; I love the stuff!

But, first things first...ever notice how "essence of chicken" is always preceded by "BRAND'S®"? I've never even tried the other brands of essence of chicken, and I think there are several out there. But we never ever say "_____ essence of chicken". It's always "BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken".

Essence of Chicken = BRAND'S®.

Yesterday, I tried another product - the Innershine® Berry Essence.
I do not doubt the benefits of drinking it. What I do know, though, is that it felt like I was drinking undiluted cordial. That's right. Sweet, syrupy, concentrated cordial. My dad loves it. I said he can have it; I'm having none of it.

Today, I forgot to take my bottle from my sister's bedside, so when I went down to Mum's ward, Dad grabbed one from Mum's bedside for me.
Thing is, it was the one with Cordyceps. Now, cordyceps is good for you. It boosts energy levels. World record-breaking athletes were taking cordyceps.

It does not taste right. Perhaps it's purely psychological, but I just didn't like it much.

Which brings me to a simple conclusion, one that is mathematically proven.

If Essence of Chicken = BRAND'S®, then BRAND'S® = Essence of Chicken.


Man, I love the stuff. Shame it's not exactly cheap. I love the stuff!

It reminds me of Bovril. I like Bovril too. :)

iCaved

I'm now the proud owner of an iPhone 3GS. White, 32gb.

It's so purty! Got it delivered today. So yet another reason today was a lovely day. For starters, I got to stay in today, and had time to myself. Watched a couple movies on HBO, one of which was the film adaptation of the book I'd just read - The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. The book, of course, was more detailed and explored the characters a little more, but as film adaptations go, this one was quite decent!

Other things that made me happy today include, but are not limited to:
- Calis, as always
- frozen yoghurt
- listening to Drake music
- cheesecake

Hmm. What was that other movie I watched today?
I don't remember now.

In the meantime, I gotta go to bed.

Oh, and I had a dream that had VK the Bastard Ex in it. It was strange - he was dressed in a suit, and his hair was greying. He actually looked rather good, in a distinguished way.
But I was still avoiding him out of fear. I think that's very telling. But then I was at a beach, and the water was calm. I dream of water a lot, and the water is always a reflection of my emotional state. So yes. Peaceful, calm, relaxed and beautiful. :)

OMG SHOES

Yesterday I'd decided to buy a new pair of shoes today. Bella was banging on about needing new shoe racks, and I was pretty much of the opinion that new shoes are enough - shoe racks can be fashioned out of the shoe boxes themselves.

That started me thinking about a new pair of shoes.

So I decided to wander JP after work and see if I could find anything decent and, here's the challenging bit, in my size.

It's a curse to have feet as large as mine. Not only does one have to put up with names like 'Bigfoot', shoe-shopping can be the most frustrating, heartbreaking, agonising, tear-inducing activity in the world. Finding a great pair of shoes in my size? Mission: Damn near impossible.

So I wasn't really hoping for much when I set out on my expedition. Wandered in and out of shops, nothing really catching my eye.

Then I walked into one shop, and something did capture my attention. Dark red (some might say it's more maroon), a good heel...Unfortunately, with that range of shoes, they only carry sizes up to one smaller than mine. As I was looking longingly at the shoe, I decided to try it on.

Lo! And behold! It fit. Oh alright, it's perhaps ever-so-slightly snug, and since I'd been wearing trainers all day, my feet hadn't swelled as much as they would in killer heels. But these weren't killer heels, and they were so pretty, and they were going for a decent price too. I was debating with myself on whether to get them or not, when salesgirl delivered The Line.

"That's our last pair."

I believe in fate. And if I find a shoe that looks good, is affordable, is IN MY SIZE...I should get it. If it's the very last pair...well, then it was meant to be. So I finally have that pair of dark red heels I've been looking for.


And I got the same pair in beige too.

Hey, if the shoe fits...buy it!

Things that made me happy today

1) Chai tea latte from Coffee Bean. Totally made of win.

2) Popular bookstore was selling Jodi Picoults at half-price! Well ok, not exactly. It was buy 1, get 1 free...so, half-price! Oh, and I threw a Sheila Flanagan in there as well. Full price, but hey, I get members' discount anyway.

3) Calis being so happy that I bought her an ice blended from CBTL.

4) Chicken stew for dinner. Really, how can anyone be unhappy after eating homemade chicken stew?


Also, finished reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.

Just nod and smile

Co-worker S is really really long-winded.

She just spent the last 10 minutes telling me stories of her family that, frankly, I'm not interested to hear.

But she's finally done, so I can stop nodding and smiling politely.