So Pweety!

5 Days to 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Wow... just 5 days to go before the dawn of a new era... geez... ayat drama betul... *roll eyes* Ah never mind la, once in a blue moon eksyen la mau write like that ya. Lagi pun I haven't updated this blog for sooo long. I have no idea why I don't even bother to update my main blog cos So Pweety is just a blog sampingan. Maybe cos this blog has very few followers?? :)

I am excited to welcome the new year. More races to run, hopefully this year I will be able to achieve my ideal weight. I think I will need to run probably 10 more half marathons to lose all the excess weight = 210Km. Aduiii mak aiyooo (but no pain, no gain so begitu la ceritanya)... but achieve or not I will continue to run because running makes me happy. Seriously I kid you not! ;)

Listen

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:36:00 +0000

How many of us really take the time to listen to others? So many are judgmental of others, so much hate around us. I feel disgusted when people judge others for the way they are dressed, pray, eat, anything different than their lifestyle and they cast others evil and sinners. A lot of people are ignorant. Please take the time to learn other cultures, broaden your mind by reading and get your facts right before you get all riled up and make all kind of accusations. I don't know why Malaysians can't engage in healthy discussions but resort to smearing and talking nonsense most of the time.

Illustrated Nessa

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:41:00 +0000

I love how Emila manages to capture my 'cuteness' (ewah somebody so perasan today)... notice the glowing cheeks and my mole??!! LOL!OK, OK, enough gloating...

This is one of the best besday gift ever. Thank you again Emila, I know I've said it many times over but I just can't thank you enough. You are such a generous and giving person. Ailebiu!♥♥♥

Fancy getting one for yourself? Get Emila to design one for you. Not just any Emila... make sure it's Emila Yusof ok. Price is reasonable :D Yang penting puas hati!

An Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Whoa... last post was February 26th??! That was almost 4 months ago. Just 6 months left before 2012 pops up. Scary isn't it?

I took a long break from blogging after my dad passed away. Did a lot of thinking and reflecting. I decided I wanted to do something I enjoyed. I didn't feel like blogging as much as I used to... even my blog hops to other blogs became lesser and lesser... almost non-existent at times.

That's when running came into the picture. Well, I actually started running a year ago when my weight ballooned due to stress. I was so unhealthy... I remember gasping for air when my blood pressure suddenly shot up. I thought I was going to die. It was scary. It was the turning point of my life and I vowed to do something about it. I decided to embrace a healthier way of life... by exercising regularly and eating right but definitely NOT dieting. I've lost count how many times I've dieted and failed each time.

Running for me is really therapeutic. When I run, I feel empowered. It calms me down and it is the only time that I am totally in control of myself. I decide when to go slow and when to go all out... the best part of a run is towards the end of a race. It's always sweet when someone calls out and give you words of encouragement or even a clap. It does wonders :)

It's almost like an addiction right now. But it's a good form of addiction I must say. OK la... that's all for now. I don't know when I'll post again, maybe next year? LOL! Till then take care of your health. It's never too late. :)

Where Is My Mojo?

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:47:00 +0000

Hi everyone! It's been a long while I've written anything in this blog... so much has happened in my personal life the past few weeks. It's all very overwhelming for me (and my sisters too) but I'm trying my best to cope and try to return to my normal life.

It will be a while before I 'physically' visit your blogs again. I really have no mood to blog-hop, truth be told. I do read your updates from my reader though but I do not feel like leaving comments. I will only be a hypocrite if I did. Do give me time to heal and grieve. I really don't know how long it will take but I'll definitely be back :)

It's not easy trying to get the groove back. Sometimes I sit here for hours with those personalized notepads I have trying to scribble down my thoughts but nothing comes to mind but nonsense. Even drinking my favorite beverage from those promotional mugs I got from GOPromos doesn't seem to stir up the creative juices.

I suppose only time will tell if I'm able to get back on my feet again and find my normal self again. Right now, putting one foot forward is taking a great deal of effort from me. Till then, I'll just cope as best as I can and hopefully the old Nessa will be back here soon!

New Look

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 05:28:00 +0000

So, how do I look? Better? What, worse??! Be honest now. I can take criticisms you know :P

I've had the old template for almost one year now and I can't stand it anymore. I just changed the templates of my other two blogs, Mumblings and Recipes I Luv recently and it's high time for a makeover at So Pweety! :D

I'm not liking the new template though. Kinda slow to load and it's not 'so pweety' enough to live up to the blog's name... haha! (perasan betul kan)

As a temporary measure I think boleh la until I find a much pweetier template. I prefer Gisele Jaquenod's templates... they're all so cute but I just couldn't find one that suits So Pweety's 'requirement'. Recipes I Luv is currently using her Birdie's Sweet Blog template.

OK. My laundry's done. Gotta go. Have a great weekend people! :D

American Idol Season 10

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:59:00 +0000

Here we go again...

I admit I was kinda skeptical when AI producers announced the 2 new judges for AI last year. Steven Tyler? J. Lo? And why is Randy the dawggg still there? Those were the questions I keep hearing or rather read either in FB and in most articles covering the show.

I forgot all about AI last week. You see I was occupied with 'beautifying' my city at CityVille... hehe. Yeah, stupid game got me hooked on it. Dem!! Anyway, I managed to catch the repeats on Saturday. I must say I enjoyed watching the show and seeing how the judges gel very well, overall great chemistry. Steven Tyler is really something else. I don't know why I'm drawn to his large lips! LOL! J. Lo... oh, she is just gorgeous...

American Idol is definitely a great show to showcase one's talent. I mean real mad talent... not the weird and quirky kind of talent. It annoys me when some clowns start to sing; I'm sure you know what I mean. Their awful shrieks are enough to make my ears bleed! Well, can't really blame the show... after all it is only the auditions part and that is part and parcel of the show. What I really look forward to is the Hollywood week :) Loooong way to go though... *sigh*

Can't wait for the next audition to be shown. This time I'll make sure I remember to watch and I shall try not get distracted by CityVille :) Oh, and if you didn't know... get ready for this ~~~ Akademi Fantasia 9 is coming soon. Yikes!! But I heard it will be the last season and there will be no more AF. Well, I say it's about time :D

Pssst! It has been announced that Ahmad Dhani (vocalist for Indonesian band Dewa) is the new AF9 principal. Ramai ler yang naik hangin ni... drama dah pun bermula. And having back Aznil Nawawi as the host is great news indeed. Maybe this will be the last and grandest AF??

The Idle Parent

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:38:00 +0000

I was doing some online research when I stumbled upon this book. It is called 'The Idle Parent', written by Tom Hodgkinson. In the book, Tom Hodgkinson argues that kids and adults alike need to play more and work less. We put far too much effort into parenting. If we leave our kids alone, they will become more self-reliant and we’ll be able to lie in bed for longer! Oh, how I wish la. :)

Parenting is definitely one of the toughest job on earth. Most of the time we don't get any guidance except from our own parents and friends. I get so stressed out dealing with my kids ... having to cope with the same problems on a daily basis can cause one to lose his/her mind. And I only have two... just imagine if I had five or more! I dare not even imagine it.

Why is it so hard? I asked myself why do I fret on silly things? Why do I get so uptight when I see the house in disarray?? It doesn't help when I'm such a neat-freak but it doesn't help either when such minor thing disrupt the family... causing fights and stressful situations when all it requires is just compromise.

Yes... sometimes I forget to compromise. Sometimes I am so hard headed I don't even want to compromise. And growing up with a strict dad who controlled your every movement has a way of influencing you in raising your own kids. Yes, I had issues with my dad and some of them are still at the back of my head... I get so angry and I cry whenever I think of those years of anger and bitterness but as I get older and have my own kids, and seeing my dad get weaker and weaker... is it worth to hang on to resentment? The past has past, it's history and all that matters now is the present. We do have to learn to let go, forgive and move on.

Now let's get back to the book, shall we :)

The writer elaborated many parents today spend a whole lot of time worrying and wondering- frantically "helicoptering" over their children with the hope that they might somehow keep (or make?) them flawless. But where is this approach to childcare getting us?

According to Hodgkinson, in our quest to give our kids everything, we fail to give them the two things they need most: the space and time to grow up self-reliant, confident, happy, and free. Hodgkinson urges parents to stop worrying and instead start nurturing the natural instincts toward creativity and independence that are found in every child. And the great irony: in doing so, we will find ourselves becoming happier and better parents.

Tom Hodgkinson (born 1968) is a British writer and the editor of The Idler, which he established in 1993 with his friend Gavin Pretor-Pinney. His philosophy, in his published books and articles, is of a relaxed approach to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than toiling for an imagined better future.

Note: To buy or not to buy.... it depends on the book's price! ;)

Miss Katy Blue Belle

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:36:00 +0000

I'd like to introduce to you my awesome readers and friends, my new best-friend.

Yes, my brand new best-friend. I found her on Saturday... well, I bought her for RM64.50 actually... hehe

Meet miss Katy Blue Belle... tadaaaa!!

She looks small but looks can be deceiving. She is HEAVY!! Miss Katy Blue Belle is a Kettlebell... she's not a handbag. ;)

A 20-minute workout with them is worth about an hour on the treadmill! ~ Fitness Magazine

The kettlebell is a cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle, used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.

Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to a clubbell. This allows for a wide variety of ballistic and swinging movements. By their nature, kettlebell exercises build strength and endurance, particularly in the lower back, legs, and shoulders, and increase grip strength. The basic movements, such as the swing, snatch, and the clean and jerk, engage the entire body at once, and in a way that mimics real world activities such as shoveling or farm work.~ Wikipedia

New Year Merriment

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:14:00 +0000

A very Happy New Year 2011 to all friends and readers of So Pweety! :D

How has the new year been treating you? Though it's still too early to tell (only the second day) but so far the new year has been pleasant for me. I haven't gotten angry like a monster... well, not yet anyway :D Tunggu la besok when school reopen, all hell will break loose... not looking forward to waking up at 6.00am tomorrow and facing all that new year traffic jam. *sighhh*

Time flies by pweety fast these days. I remember going back home to see my ailing dad back only in November, celebrating Christmas and doing the New Year countdown in KL. It was a very quiet affair... made me miss my family back home even more. :'(

I remember how we used to have barbecues to welcome the New Year and the tradition of taking showers when the clock strikes midnight. The floors would get soaked cos we would be splashing each other with water, cold water preferably! We'd also have karaoke sessions singing songs in English, Malay and Kadazan... "Ehh, mansau-ansau oku... lalalala".

Dad bought our first karaoke machine, well actually it looked more like a music player complete with a mini keyboard on top. We never thought of taking a picture of it so I don't have any pictures to show... too bad. I still remember the two Chinese salesmen selling the karaoke machine... they sang real loud and they sounded really horrible but my dad was baited anyway cos he bought it... LOL!

Well, hopefully the rest of the 363 days will go just as good as the past 2 days :D

Blogging Takes A Backseat

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:11:00 +0000

All my favorite reality shows have concluded... The Amazing Race, The Amazing Race Asia 4 and The Biggest Loser Asia 2. I had a feeling Raj would win the title but I was secretly hoping for Nai to win. Nai sure looked hot! Look at his arms... hehe

Anyway, nothing much to write. Been busy, very busy actually. December always makes me frantic... year end stuff, you know la so many deadlines. Grrrr...

Kesian this blog always gets neglected. I have no idea why I bother to have 3 blogs when I can hardly maintain even 1 blog. Those days I was so driven... writing post after post after post. Now, even writing one post takes a lot of effort. Tiapa la bah kan... one post pun still a post juga.

OK la... gotta go!

Blank!

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:07:00 +0000

i dunno what to write i donno what to write i dunno what to write i donno what to write i dunno what to write i donno what to write sia tia tau apa mo tulis write i donno what to write i dunno what to write i donno what to write i dunno what to write sia tia tau apa mo tulis!

Stan Walker Gives Me Goosebumps!

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 03:31:00 +0000

If you haven't heard of him, I don't blame you but seriously the whole world should know who he is. He is an amazing singer with mad vocals. I've been youtubing him since last night and I can't seem to get enough.

Stan Walker is the winner of Australian Idol 2009. This song is just awesome... it is his second single, written and produced by OneRepublic lead singer, Ryan Tedder.

Stan Roto Walker (born 23 October 1990), is an Australian/New Zealand pop-R&B recording artist. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Walker auditioned for the seventh series of Australian Idol (2009) and became the winner. Check out Stan's latest album, 'From The Inside Out.'

Pandelela

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:46:00 +0000

Image credit hoohaa

This petite lass from Sarawak has certainly grabbed people's attention for her amazing dives. I have never heard of her prior to the Commonwealth games. She won the Women's 10m Platform Final at Dr. Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Complex on day eight of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games on October 11, 2010 in Delhi, India.

Well done Ms Pandelela Rinong anak Pamg!

Postcard From London...

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:32:00 +0000

I meant to post about this special postcard from London a few weeks back but I was always pressed for time and was unable to do so. Wouldn't it be great to have a few more extra hours in a day?

Marzie went to London, England for her vacation and was so sweet to send a postcard to me. She knows I collect postcards and I'm into Postcrossing as well. I haven't been active for the past couple of months though... so my postcrossing activities has been put on hold for the time being. I'm still waiting for her postcard from Amsterdam, Holland... alahai encik Posmen, cepat la hantar my poskad!!

Thank you so much Marzie for thinking of me while you're on vacation. You're the sweetest friend ever!

A New Toy

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:36:00 +0000

It's water-resistant, wire-free MP3 player and most of all, it's a Sony! I don't normally buy expensive stuff but this one is so worth it. I have been saving $$$ for this gadget for several months now and when I finally made my purchase... I was on high! LOL! OK, enuff said...

Now to 'show off' my new award!!

I'd like to thank Mrs Graig (aka Kenny) of Mom & Her Diary for awarding my blog with the One Lovely Blog Award recently. Thank you ah, Mrs Graig. I think she has been a long time follower of my blog but we only exchanged comments recently.

I'm supposed to award this to 15 other bloggers (15??! Atukoii!) but I'm gonna be selfish and keep this all to myself...

Tickets, Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:31:00 +0000

The kids are happily watching TV right now and here I am pondering how to write about some tickets. Not just any tickets, mind you. Have you ever heard or even purchased FedEx Field Tickets, Louisiana Superdome Tickets and SUNDEVIL STADIUM TICKETS?? I have never watched a live NFL Football game before. Football in Malaysia is not your typical American football... here it's popularly known as Soccer. And Malaysian soccer is not how it used to be in the 80's. Such a pity...

image credit EmilaYusof.com

Tomorrow (September 16) is a public holiday because it's Malaysia Day (not to be confused with National Day). It is to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation (Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia) in 1963. Singapore pulled out (or rather expelled) due to conflicts and political differences. I suppose it's a blessing in disguise as Singapore is doing extremely well on her own.

I don't know if there's any event being held in the capital city to celebrate the occasion. The kids are still in their 2-week school break and I was thinking of bringing them out to the capital city tomorrow. I might bring them to Berjaya Times Square Indoor Theme Park @Cosmos World. I'm just hoping the place won't be too packed with visitors and the roads won't be too congested.

We visited the place during its premier opening several years back but it was too crowded and queue lines for the rides were super long. I remember my son wanted to ride on the bumper cars and I couldn't even get a spot for him because everybody was rushing to get on those cars... geez! Macam sakai seja.

I just read about their new attraction called The Haunted Chambers. It claims to thrill seekers a hair-raising experience. Oooh... sounds like fun! I hope it really is haunted and scary... unlike the one we went to at Genting Highlands last year. It was a hopelessly horrible ride; even a baby would cry out of frustration because it was not at all scary. We were all puzzled at which part of the ride was really supposed to be scary.

My youngest son is extremely happy these past few days because I finally bought him a bicycle! It's his belated birthday gift and I'm RM299.00 poorer. But it's a good buy because the bike looks sturdy and looks pretty dashing too. I do hope he'll take good care of the bike, which he nicknamed 'Toxic'. I have no idea why he chose that name.Hmmm...maybe he fancies Britney Spears!

Today's Reminder

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:44:00 +0000

... I can forgive but I can never forget.

A Prayer For 9-11

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:33:00 +0000

Lord,
the threat of terrorism
and violence affects our lives as never before.
Guide us, as members of the world family,
towards a lasting peace
and a genuine love
and understanding of one another
which will enable us to find just
and nonviolent solutions to the problems we face.

For where Your peace and love abide,
there can be none of the anger, hate,
and bitterness which cause a person, race,
or nation to strike out against another.

Help us, by respecting the dignity
and rights of each person and nation,
to find Your will
and Your way in the situations we face.
Amen.

~ Martin Barillas

Pots On The Fence

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:16:00 +0000

These would be so pweety to look at, it's like a work of art. Don't you think so? Just how do they hang the pots that way??

Such a clever and unique way to display your potted plants... rather than just putting them on the floor.

Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:28:00 +0000

I just had to post this when I saw it at Emila Yusof's blog. Thank you Emila... this is just fabulous. Go and grab the codes at Emila's blog if you like this; there are so many to choose from. Just copy the codes and paste!

Happy Birthday Marzie!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:26:00 +0000

Today is my dear fren Marzie's special day...

May this birthday be just the beginning of a year filled with happy memories, wonderful moments and shining dreams.

So make a wish
Upon the candle stick
Just close your eyes and imagine it....

Now blow out the fire
And open your eyes
For what you desire
Will be a SURPRISE!

ps. Today takyah BD la... eat like a queen later ya ;)

An Addict No More!

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Do you remember the very first game you played on your computer?

Mine was solitaire! It's a single-player card game which involves a shuffled deck of cards and your goal is to arrange them in order of rank and type (diamond, spade, hearts and clubs). Hmmm... why am I explaining this to you? You all are probably pro's at it.

I remember playing the Pinball game too. I think there was a time when I was so engrossed playing the Pinball that I would even forgo my lunch at work... hahaha! Playing games while working (shhh, don't tell my boss, well, ex-boss for that matter). In fact I still have that game on my PC. I haven't played Pinball in a long time, since I'm into blogging and Twittering now.

I've also played slot machine games but not of the gambling variety. I'm too much of a coward when it comes to gambling online cos I'm not a very good player. Well, maybe if I played with a bunch of pre-schoolers then maybe my chance of winning is bright. I stress the word 'maybe' here...

I hardly have time to play online games these days. I don't even play the games on Facebook anymore. I used to be so addicted to those Facebook games... parking my cars, upgrading my house, buying stuff for my pet, arranging my flowers, etc. It took so much of my time. When it got so bad I deleted my Facebook account for one whole year. Really, I did! But that move did me good cos now I'm totally recovered. I'm not addicted to the games anymore. Yay me!

Miss Mexico Wins Miss Universe 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:26:00 +0000

Mexico's Jimena Navarrete won the Miss Universe 2010 pageant, she is 22 years old. She is Mexico's second Miss Universe, after Lupita Jones (Ms Universe 1991).

From L to R: Miss Mexico, Miss Jamaica and Miss Australia.

Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps and Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell came in second and third placings respectively. Campbell also won the Miss Congeniality Universe award.

Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe as well as the award for having the best national costume.

Malaysia was represented by Nadine Ann Thomas (23 years old) from Subang Jaya!

photo credit Smh.com.au

The Ambition

noreply@blogger.com (Nessa) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:16:00 +0000

When I was a kid my ambition was to be a teacher. I think I was about 8 years old when my uncle asked me what I wanted to be when I'm all grown up.

10 years later, I landed a job as an Audit assistant in a public accounting firm. I started working after my SPM exams... boy, it was liberating earning my own money and being able to give my mom something. I hated studying (just like my son now) but I did my revisions anyway and I'm quite proud to say that I never flunk my exams (except additional math la). Well, I didn't have much choice cos my dad was very strict when it comes to education. So I studied hard even though I hated studying.

OK, back to my ambition to being a teacher... I never did become a teacher. I don't have the patience when it comes to rowdy kids. I probably would have been a great discipline teacher though, but then everyone would hate me... hahaha!

I've had jobs ranging from audit, bank teller, sales assistant, marketing executive even to being a secretary! LOL! That was another job I hated as my ex boss kept smoking his pipe relentlessly at work. This fella was considered a top lawyer back home and he's quite famous too. He has this stern appearance but has a good heart.

When I started working in KL, it was a whole new experience having to adapt with the new surrounding, the people and the slang. You really have to learn to blend in. But I guess it's the same everywhere. The thing I hate most when it comes to working is office politics. I hate taking sides and I hate confrontation and everywhere I've worked at, office politics is rampant. You get sneaky colleagues badmouthing another colleague. Getting jealous for no apparent reason.

I do envy a friend of mine who is working part time but the job pays well. She's a very determined person with a 'thick face'... I guess she has to as she's in the insurance line selling business car insurance and life insurance. I've seen her in action trying to convince her potential clients about group health insurance rates and it's hard work sometimes trying to convince people to even listen to you. I guess selling any kind of insurance policy be it a business insurance policy or even a life policy is not the easiest of professions but she does it like a pro, as if she's selling hot pancakes. LOL!