Weekend Updates: The Beauty of Shopping in HK

Last weekend updates:
...FRIDAY was movie night with my pal, Swong. I got free preview tickets for the movie,The Asphalt Jungle, a 1950s John Huston movie that stars Marilyn Monroe. Nominated for 4 Oscars, it was an Agnès b. sponsored movie event at the Agnès b. CINEMA! in Wan Chai. I've been quite curious of this theater and this was a great reason to visit it. :)
After a quick dinner, Swong and I went to Wan Chai. The theater was small, a bit crap and not much leg room but what can you really expect, right? It's a movie theater that normally shows art films with limited seating. So as the saying going..."things are always better on photos."

The movie was a B&W one but not bad for a 1950s movie. The plot is about a major heist gone wrong due to double crossings and pure bad luck - reminds me of a crude Oceans 11 but with a more simpler effects - basically robbing a jewelry safe. :)
Marilyn had only a few lines in a few scenes. She was the mistress of a big backer, who was already bankrupt. Swong and I can so see what made Marilyn so popular. She portrayed this helpless and beautiful bombshell...interesting really. It's still what men really want in a girl that is quite unrealistic especially for today's working and career-oriented woman. :)
I enjoyed the cinematography and the plot. Swong found it really funny especially with the fight scenes since the guys were not throwing punches at each other but instead were slapping each other! hahahaha! It was hilarious and totally unexpected.

...SATURDAY had late lunch with some friends and my godkids. Good ol' dependable buffet at the Marina. After that, I had to get back to the office to get back to the office to finish off some stuff ~ yes I know...sad but best to get it all done...especially when my boss is already asking about it and I left the office early on Friday to watch the movie. Met up with a friend to have dinner around the area after checking out HMV - got two new CDs - Joss Stone's "Introducing..." and Caroline's Murmurs (chillout).

...SUNDAY was a very productive shopping trip...crazy shopping actually. To think, I was alone and in CWB! I was visiting stores left and right - getting things that I "needed". I can't believe that I have dropped 2 inches in my waist size! Instead of a 28, which I know is what I bought last year, to a 26! Amazing! I couldn't believe it and did go to each store and ask for 28 and 27 but it was super loose. I guess it's all that congee that I've been having at work instead of the typical rice meals.
Getting back to my shopping spree, I got to check out the new branch of Agnès b. Le Pain Grille at Kingston Street. It is more modern than its first branch, behind Lee Gardens but the waiters are all familiar to me and it was a real treat to go to somewhere where you feel at home and know the people. Their menu is a bit more and they offer a more diverse set-lunch. I went during high tea as I wait for my pants to be done (had it cut since it was super duper long for me). The resto was above their renovated store so as I wait for my table I check out the store again since they get pieces frequently though in lots so each week can be different from last week's since they do it slowly...to make shopper traffic more consistent.
In the end, I ended up getting 2 pairs of work pants from Giordano (dependable and CHEAP slacks), black jeans from Sogo (got nothing to wear on the weekend - read on and you'll see why), B&W tshirt, a gray dress and a pair of white shoes (all from Agnès b.). The latter article took me a very long walk to various branches of Agnès b. in the area since I didn't want the display pair that was offered to me due to is discoloration already. This pair was a pain since the saleslady didn't want to phone the other branches around the area to save me the walk and she claims that the color and size are already sold out in HK! Annoying but I still went off to go to the stores and ask these myself! I luckily found one last pair at the last store in the area...it had to be the last store...at Lee Gardens 2...and the saleslady had to get it all the way in their store room so I definitely know that this pair has not been worn. True enough...it was the perfect pair. What a good ending to the weekend and to a great shopping day. :)
I believe I have melted my credit card that day!

Why do I need to change my wardrobe?
I have never changed my wardrobe to be honest. I normally keep what I have unless I grew out of it. It's not a yearly or seasonal thing that some might go through, though after the above experience, I wouldn't mind at all. :)
All this is due to the Chinese tradition of mourning - wherein I'm only allowed to wear cloths that are white, black and maybe gray. No reds, family of "reds" - pinks, fuscha, yellow, orange, gold (silver is okay), aqua, bright and happy colors in general.
Blue jeans are out though good thing white is in since it's summer already. Gram's timing is great - white is currently so "IN"! :)
Upon my arrival in HK, I took out 3/4th of my cloths here and thus had to revamp my wardrobe to the specified colors. Note...although, I heard my dad and his siblings has been spotted wearing khaki pants (though browns are not suppose to be worn also...since they say that it has "red" in it...) to the office instead of white. I believe we are all pretty lenient about this clothing issue.
***Confession - I have been repeating a lot of whites, blacks and grays that I have. I'm glad that my officemates won't really care since we are all busy with our own work to really notice these days. :P

The rest of this week...
Slowly got into the swing of scrapping again this week. Nothing much to report on though Ed's coming for a visit this weekend. Yipee! It would be a lot of going out and just hanging out with Ed. We didn't really get to do much of that on my last visit since the sting of loss was quite prevalant in everything - from not being able to go to friends houses to visit (Chinese traditions also) to not being able to express joy or happiness in any way & wearing all white for days on end.

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Kit: Mikki Livanos' Coffee Haus Paper Pack & Essentials Kit and April 2007 Newsletter Gift- Showers to Flowers (Scrapbook-Elements)
Template: Doodleboogs' 12x12 Template #Twelve - Irregularly Horizontal Template Kit (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we choose. (based on a Chinese Proverb)
Notes: Some good friends of mine...goofing around while we have hotpot. :)


Kit Location: Pajamas (Freebee Gift) by Mikki Livanos (Scrapbook-Elements)
Elements: City Love's Elements Kit by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Paper Tears: Sticker Notes Tears #One - Grungy & Bright by Doodleboogs
Template: 12x12 Template No. Eleven - Asian Flair by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Journaling: The art of love...is largely the art of persistence. ~by Albert Ellis
Font: Times New Roman
Program: PS7.0
Notes: Vday 2007 - last Vday before we are hitched. :)


Kit: Civilized Punk by ShabbyScrapDesigns/DPatterson (DigizinesDigitalDen
Template: Doodleboogs' 12x12 Template #Twelve - Irregularly Horizontal Template Kit (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Program: PS7.0
Notes: A friend's photo share of my good friend's whole family's most recent trip to Niagara Falls - TY Ellen!

Kit: Brenda Johnson's A New Life Kit (Scrapbook-Elements)
Tape Element: Mikki Livanos' Tape'n it to the Max! (Scrapbook-Elements)
Button Element: Civilized Punk by ShabbyScrapDesigns/DPatterson (DigizinesDigitalDen)

Journaling: My breath is taken by the sweet treasure I have been given... al-ways e-ter-nal in-fi-nite for-ev-er end-less
Font: Times New Roman
Program: PS7.0
Note: A scraplift of Caroline Ikeji's EAT. See below:

If you think scraplifts are easy - it's not. Finding the right amount to lift and what to follow one's own instincts are pretty tough. My photo just shows you one of the many important things that makes me happy at this moment.

11/20 Random Thoughts

Random things about this weekend and for next...

* First and foremost - excited to be going home this weekend...even if it's only for two days...it's always good to see family and Ed...Mom and I will be heading back together...miss traveling with her.

* Had a good weekend...Saturday lunch with my good gal pal and her hubby before they flew back to Mla; Sunday lunch with my godchild, Ally, and her family...sweet as ever...she showed me some ballet moves that she's learning.

* Paid for my Chinese New Year plane ticket - confirmed that I will be spending more than a week - about 10 days (wooohooo!) back home and will be attending a wedding around that time too...aside from me being involved in that wedding. :P Won't be going back this January and will just save my money for the Feb trip. Crazy that if I left HK on either 15th or 16th, ticket price is more than double the cost! Had to go home earlier so it would be normal price. Nice blessing all together since I get to go home early and stay longer. :) Super excited all over...even if it's more than two months away!

* Mom's still here so we went around HK and checked out shops...took the tram all the way to Western Market...got too much time and didn't know what to do by Sunday. I love my mommy!

* Got to finish some quick digi-LOs this weekend...Sunday night...enjoyed it since it's a template project and I basically had to just use some pp and nice photos.

* Lastly, I was able to get some more ideas in a project that I'm doing with mom's help and her shopping capabilities and I'm super happy with what we both found...now it's time to get it all rolling on this part of the world.


*****Some Recent Digi-LOs*****

Title: Paris 2006

Kit Name: Timeless (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Brenda Johnson (Sweet Sodypop Designs)
Photo Credit: Angie Li
Font: Monotype Corsiva & Baskerville Old Face


Title: B*Y
Template: Holiday 4X6 Templates #1 by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit: Cosmo Kit by Mikki Livanos (Scrapbook-Elements)


Title: Family Memories
Template: Holiday 4x6 Templates #1 by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit: Back Home by Deborah Vessels (DigiZinesDigitalDen)

Stressed & More Stressed...Thank God for Mothers

Busy week (and -end) but have done a few more LOs.
Hope things get better. I'm currently worried and stress with some work and added responsiblities outside of work. I'm glad to hear some "good news" (that it can be done) just now but the price that involves is far more than what I hoped/expected that I wish there was a way around it...
Happy though that Mom's here visiting and helping me out. :)


Title: Maxine
Kit Name: Honey Vanilla Chamomile (Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Brenda Johnson (Sweet Sodypop)
Font: French Script MT
Journaling: The beauty of a girl cannot be mimicked, fabricated, or created by human means, it only occurs naturally. -- Pam Callaghan
Program: PS7.0


Title: Blessed
Kit Name: Honey Vanilla Chamomile (Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Brenda Johnson (Sweet Sodypop)
Font: French Script MT
Program: PS7.0
Journaling:
You came from heaven, oh, so sweet
As pure as an ocean's pearl
And here on earth we finally meet
Our beautiful baby girl!
People will say you've got my eyes
And daddy's wonderful smile
But we're just happy that you came
We've been waiting for you a while.
Now every night before we sleep
We thank our Father above
For sending us a special gift
That fills our home with love.


Title: S&L
Kit Name: A Bit of the Blues (available at Divine Digital and Scrapable)
Kit Designer: Veronica Spriggs (Vivarant)


Title: PC
Kit Name: A Bit of the Blues (available at Divine Digital and Scrapable)
Kit Designer: Veronica Spriggs (Vivarant)

Happy Birthday Michelle! (also Elsie Update)

***ELSIE UPDATE 07 NOVEMBER 2006***
Just to let you guys know - Elsie replied back to me when I emailed her to let her know my supplies for LO above and this is what she told me -

"thanks for the kind words!!!! you are so sweet!!!! ~elsie"
Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:13:54 -0800 (PST)

This is so rockin'!!!

ON ANOTHER NOTE...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIZZM!

Birthday greetings to MizzM! Happy birthday girl!!! Hoping and wishing you everything wonderful and great on your special day! Wishing you also a lot of scrapbook mojo that it would never run dry!!! I got you a nice cake over to celebrate! :)

HUGS!

Some unposted LOs...

Catching Up Game

Been very busy doing the "Catching Up Game" since :
a) monthend just finished;
b) went home for the weekend (last weekend) so I'm still in vacation mode...or r&r mode since I wasn't able to rest too much; and
c) loads of work just piled up at the office.

I thought I would get more photos to use for this week but discovering that I was busy with the baptisms that I didn't get to hold my camera most of the time!

There were a few pages I have done before monthend and I was only able to do this now. Enjoy!


Kit Name: When I Grow Up (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Brenda Johnson (Sweet Sodypop)

B&W and Colored Layering

I recently came by the idea of having one's photo be all in B&W except for some focal point or focus. I know that this is nothing new and I'm sure that there is a better way of doing it than how I do it but I'll get better soon. :)
I did it at a previous LO called Citi Family as a first try. I basically have two layers - one B&W and another colored. I erased the layer with the color section, making sure not to erase the section/area that I wanted to highlight.

I was worried about this kit when I saw a preview of my next DT's assignment just around the tail-end of last week. I don't have much girl photos and this kit might be a tricky one since the elements could pose a challenge. I use more ribbons and pattern papers than elements as a habit. This kit pushed me a bit to put some funk like the crown and the decorated "Princess" lettering.


I had a bit of trouble getting the kit since Gigasize's Asian servers are being upgraded thus uploading or downloading capabilities from Hong Kong for awhile. I had to use my office computer since downloading would be easier - time zone difference.

After getting the kit, unzipping and picking one main photo I wanted, I played around with layering b&w and having only the girl to pop out. It was easier than my previous photo since the colors are more simple now. I wanted to use the photo frame and got inspired by those photo frames on one's walls that are hung through a thick ribbon, which was what I did when I used the violet boa behind the photo. I used a sequence of other photos to highlight actions then added an appropriate poem. I know I wanted to use the crown but didn't want to overwhelm my LO but it worked out quite well with the resizing.
This LO was great since everything came out fast and I was happy with it. These types of LOs are what makes me smile and happy ... easy and it all just flowed as I wanted. I was done before lunch time!

The family I featured is my brother's classmate/friend's family.

I end up liking what I did a lot! See below photo and details ~
Kit Name: Glitter Girl (available at Scrapbook-Elements and Scrapoutsideofthebox)
Kit Designer: Brenda Johnson (Sweet Sodypop Designs)
Font: Century
Program: PS7.0
Journaling: When you came into this world I was smiling. Smiling to hear you scream for the first time, so small and perfect, I held you for the first time. Smiling, you opened your eyes to me, I couldnt believe you were mine. You made me so happy with every cry. After all those months of having you in my life, I realized you are my everything! Month after month watching you grow, you filled me with hope, love, and happiness. Watching you sit up by yourself, taking your first steps, your first tooth, your first real bath. Looking at you at 1 year old is so scary. Hearing you realize things are there, knowing who is who. You are growing up so fast, I look at pictures sometimes cry at the memory. You were so small, Now getting bigger. Theres alota stuff you yet to learn. Soon my little princess won't be so little. When that day comes you will know, but at 1 years old, I'm gonna take you all in, every smile, every cry. You are my little princess! I'm still smiling.
~ by 2005 Mallory

TYFL!

Taking Things a Knotch or Two Down

"I think it would be best if you take things a knotch or two down."

That was what I was told by one of my boss/co-worker a few days ago. I know I've been feeling very burnt out and over-stressed by the littlest of things. Note that this is a very tough thing for someone who was taught to do everything now, not tomorrow or later. My mother trained me to do what was assigned to me the fastest way I can and finish all the work before I leave the office. That's what I did at home and that's what I practice at work. It's great and all as long as the work is correct. The problem comes about if problems and carelessness happens.
I am trying my best to slow things around like take a step back and see what I did before sending anything out. I take more time with my reports...moving around...take a break, chat a bit, scrap a bit then come back to see if what I did is okay and correct. There are times when you do need a change in scenery then come back and see another angle. I hope it makes me less stressed out and off-the-wall with unnecessary request/documentations!
The same goes for scrapping. It's okay if I don't have journaling and more or less can glance what I wrote at an instant but for long journalings, I have to force myself to read what I wrote. I'm not big on reading to be honest...unless it's emails from friends and gossip. :P

Amazing of what Ed did...for once he did what I told him or requested him to do! I'm so happy that I strongly believe that hell just froze over! Can't disclose what he did but I'm glad that there are things he do know matter to me. I'm such a stickler to details. Better safe than sorry. :P As what we both say "soon".

Here's some photos of my nephew that is growing bigger by the day! I think fatter too. :P

@ 6 weeks old~ "laughter"


@ 7 weeks old (close to 2 months) ~ "Sweet Souvenirs"


@ 8 weeks old ~ "Sweetest Smile"

How adorable. I can feel so excited and happy for my brother and his wife. :) With a face like that...whose heart wouldn't melt! These are the moments when parents take photos of newborns by the days or by the weeks. Heehee!
I feel like using the 8 weeks photo again soon. I got so many titles in mind so that would be great to use again. Love love this photo of him aside from my current number #1 photo fav which is the feature photo of the Laugher LO. :)