Much ado about my mojo February 19, 2008
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 10comments
At first I wanted to blog about the Amazing Race Asia, but procrastination took control of my life and before I knew it, we were already watching the finale on Valentine’s night, where Adrian and Collin were declared winners. It all went down to the final roadblock where Rovilson did not manage to put the flag to the country fast enough and where it proves that paying attention to all those erasers with flags on them when we were little paid off. I kinda felt sorry for Marc and Rovilson for not winning, because those two practically owned the entire race. They injected humour and entertainment in a race filled with stress and even more stress. If ever I participated in TARA, I would want to play it like Marc and Rovilson did. My hubby did state the obvious when he remarked “But they didn’t win…”, but you know, it was the way they ran the race that I want to emulate. Still, I am very pleased that Adrian and Collin won, despite the adversities and hardships they faced. Congratulations guys!
So now my dose of weekly reality teevee will just be American Idol (down to the final 24 this week!) and America’s Next Top Model, which is a program I totally enjoy watching, together with Ethan boy too, of course. Too bad that while I was googling for the picture of ANTM, I accidentally discovered that the one shown on Channel V now has already been show in the US…. so I found out who won… shucks.
While chatting with Rinnah yesterday, I complained to her that I had lost my blogging mojo, save for updating Ethan’s blog. The dry spell had finally gotten to me, as it had some other bloggers too. We both attribute this loss of interest to the Chinese New Year break. Too many angpows, nothing to write? Have to wait for chap goh meh to be over first? Go figure. I can’t even bring myself to blog about the upcoming elections. This year, I will be voting in Penang for the first time in my voting history. The previous times, I had done my duty as a citizen back in Ipoh. The poster war will be starting soon, I expect. Candidates are probably busy choosing their most trustworthy and honest-looking pictures to print on banners and posters that they hope can withstand the wind, the sun and the rain. So far, I have only seen BN’s banners with the tagline “Keep Reinventing” sprouting out all over the island. I just printed out the details of my voting venue yesterday and am happy that it will be held at a school which is very close to where I stay…within walking distance too, if I am hardworking enough.
Oh, by the way, I am still craving yee sang and hope to lou at least one more time before chap goh meh comes around.
Choose now: ham or eggs?? November 30, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 14comments
Last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy highlighted the story of ham and eggs. Do you consider yourself the ham or the eggs? Notice that with the ham and the eggs, the chicken is involved in the process…but the pig is committed. Similarly in blogging, think about it: ham or eggs - which would you rather be and which one are you?
Pablo came up with a writing project for the month of November which will help each individual blogger answer that question, and perhaps realize what really spurs them on. I’m writing this on the last date of the project period, hoping to complete it before midnight tonight.
1. Why do you blog?
I started blogging in mid-2006, because I wanted to journal the development of my son Ethan. It was a fantastic way of sharing my thoughts and ideas as a first-time mother and of course, Ethan’s *fans* would be able to see his pictures online even though they stayed far away. It was fun to capture funny and memorable moments of Ethan growing up and equally liberating to receive feedback from the people who read my blog. Many of my fellow breastfeeding mommy friends followed suit and soon blogging became second nature.
By and by, I decided to start my own personal blog where I was able to let myself go and express myself in thoughts, words and pictures. Blogging was an outlet for me to explore what my writing could do and I often found myself intrigued by things which were irrelevant to me before I started blogging. I blog because it is my way of reaching the world, to show people how I view the world through my eyes. I also blog because I find it is a very interesting way for me to be creative, and even though I do pepper my blog with some sponsored posts every now and then, I try my best to craft it in such a way as to entice visitors, adding that hint of personal flavor whenever possible.
2. What do you hope to achieve by blogging?
My blogs will serve as a legacy for my future generations. I have no idea if or when I will stop blogging, but until that happens, I hope that my blogs will chronicle my life and how I was touched by what happened around me at that point in time. I hope to write more meaningful posts that would make my readers go, “Hmmm…she’s so right. No why didn’t I think of that before?” And especially with Ethan’s blog, I hope that through it, he will be able to learn about himself and of course, about his Mommy.
3. How much time do you spend a day doing blogging related work?
I spend an average of 2 hours doing blogging related work. Most of the picture editing (if any) is done at home though, but that depends on whether I have time or energy to do so right before I hit the pillows.
I would like to equate myself as the *ham* when it comes to blogging. I want to be committed and to ensure that my blog means something. It’s a long road ahead, and I am learning so many new things every single day. But thanks Pablo, for making me reflect about blogging and about myself.
So what are you: ham or eggs?
All simply because I blog November 7, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Memes & Tags, Thoughts & Scribblings , 17commentsBecause I blog, I have made so many friends the world over. In fact, I have reconnected with some long-lost buddies as well through my blog. Some of the friends I have made are people whom I may not have met before, but still know what I have been up to, thanks to my blog. And because I blog, I’ve received special blog awards and wishes too, which in a way, tell me that I am being appreciated. These really make my day, just like yesterday, when I received a simple yet thoughtful blogging wish from Wen. And so, I’m passing this same blogging wish today to Rinnah, Pink Elle, Paris and Chinnee. Have a happy fruitful blogging day today, y’all!
Because I blog, I won 2 tickets to watch Bee, the movie on Deepavali tomorrow from my hosting provider, Exabytes. All I had to do was fill up a survey, and they sent me the invite! But I’m gonna have to forgo that because Ethan is not yet three years old, hence he would not be allowed into the cinema. So instead of wasting the free tix, I made arrangements to have them transferred to my friend. Because I blog, my friend and her hubby will get the opportunity to watch this movie for free. 
Because I blog, I just discovered that I have been declared one of the 25 winners of the month of October for Nuffnang’s Friday’s contest. This would mean I get a FREE dinner for two at one of my favoritest restaurants, Friday’s. And I can’t wait to claim it!
Now, who says blogging ain’t worth it?
Just One Click October 17, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 4comments
I’m going Pink for October and the following post is published in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month.
I’ve been thinking about what else I can do in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Other than sporting the pink ribbon (which by the way, you can get for free at any Estee Lauder counter), and blogging about breast cancer, I was stuck… until this morning, when I received an email from Mom directing me to this website.It is such a wonderful idea: All it takes is just one click. Clickers don’t need to pay anything, but the sponsors of this site will give away free mammograms to women who need it. And what better time to do it than in Pink October month, eh? I just clicked away, now will you do it too?
Fashionably Saving the Earth October 15, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 11commentsWho would have thought that I would be raving about and advocating the use of cloth diapers now? Who would have envisioned that a lazy person like me would be convinced enough to switch from using disposable diapers to cloth diapers?
Well, I am surprised at the decision I have made too, but I think it is for the best that I have been converted.
It has been a month and a half now that I have been using cloth diapers on Ethan. A month and a half of laundering diapers almost every day, sometimes worrying if they would dry on time. My decision to use cloth diapers on Ethan is primarily because I had read that using cloth diapers result in lower scrotal temperature for the baby. Plus, it is definitely more comfortable for him, without a doubt.
In addition, I am all for the use of cloth diapers because in the long run, the use of these cloth diapers would benefit the environment. Think about it. If everyone switched to cloth diapers, there would be a significant reduction in landfills worldwide. I read somewhere that disposable diapers (soiled with human waste and excrement) takes years and years to disintegrate. After so much money and effort has been spent on implementing a sewerage system to rid the earth of diseases caused by human waste, disposable diapers are bringing them all back into the environment! Isn’t that absurd?
Lastly my decision was also driven by the fact that these cloth diapers weren’t exactly your run-of-the-mill old-fashioned nappies, rather they came in gorgeous designs and prints. Seeing Ethan wearing them is a novelty in itself, and knowing very well that he is sporting cutting-edge fashion and keeping the earth green at the same time makes it all so much better. Don’t you think my boy looks absolutely adorable in them? 
I’m glad that by switching to cloth diapers, I am doing my bit for the environment, however small that may be.
Read more about my diaper-green passion here:
This post is published in conjunction with Blog Action Day, where blogging participants unite to spread the word about saving the environment in their own unique way.
My Postie Decision October 10, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Rainmakers , 4commentsGetting hooked on blogging has been one of the best decisions I have made. Okay, maybe the decision I made was to start blogging, but getting hooked became part and parcel of the entire thing. I am more observant about my surroundings and how it affects me and I now find ways and means of creating interesting posts to make a dreary topic bearable…well, sometimes. Of course, together with blogging, I made another great decision, which was to become a postie. I consider myself still a newbie to PayPerPost because I have only been a member for slightly over six months, whereas I know of friends who have been members for goodness knows how long!
My experience with PPP has been one rollercoaster of excitement and frustration. Together with my gal pal Rinnah, we constantly shared information on PPP news and announcements including blog advertising, not to mention clueing each other in on the good posts to grab, and also lamenting the fact that “There’s nothing good today!” So yes, PPP has certainly created friendships, at least for me. Being a postie has trained me to write better too. I have to look at different angles of each post in order to make it appeal to my discerning reader. And since I love writing, this is an excellent avenue for me. I have no regrets at all!
Taking a Breather… October 8, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 12commentsI was on the phone with a total stranger this morning (don’t ask). Anyway, after exchanging the usual pleasantries, she asked, “Why do you sound so sad?”
You know, short of us hearing our voice recording, we never know what we sound like on the phone. So we have to rely on the other party to tell us what we sound like. So well, I told her my sad tone was because it is Monday today. The beginning of a week, with a ton of work glaring back at me, all needing to be completed before the long Raya holiday break this coming weekend. The upside is that THAT is something to look forward to.
I do have a small favor to ask though. Can you make me feel a tad happier today by updating your links for my RSS feed? Last week, I finally got down to burning my feeds using feedburner, in a quest to find out how many people *care* about what I wrote everytime I waxed lyrical about something. Right now, the number of subscribers for my feed is showing up as a big fat ZERO. So could you please just update it? Thanks a bunch!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go bury my head in my work…
Subscribe to or Update my RSS Feed Now!
Cheong Cheong Kau Kau Month of Awards October 2, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Memes & Tags , 5commentsSeptember came and went in a blink of an eye. It was a month of change, at least for me, but it was also a month of awards. September brought with it a flurry of awards that spread through the blogosphere almost as fast as the blogivitis itself.
First, Chinnee gave me the Creative Blogger award. She says it is because my blog posts have the “oomph!” factor. Hmmm… I wonder if the “oomph!” factor is because I drone onandon sometimes and complain about things that happen to me in a *creative* manner? Is it because of the food pictures I put up on some of my posts? Because if that’s the reason, then it was completely worth it asking my meal companions to wait “just a sec” while I get that perfect angle that would show off how tasty the food is. Or is it because occasionally I would spurt a poem on some random topic? Well, whatever the reason, merci beaucoup for the award
Then Pinkelle made me smile when she told me I made her smile! Awww…. she’s so sweet, ain’t she? With a sugary-sounding name like that, of course she is! She just celebrated her birthday last Friday too! Happy belated birthday, dear Pinkelle!
And then just when I thought things could not get any better, the Genie King swung by to let me know that I am totally fabulous! Whee! September is indeed a rewarding month. I feel like I just attended the Oscars.
So if you’re reading this, I’m giving all of those awards to you too, just because I can!
Edited: I have been overwhelmed! You guys are just TOO sweet! I forgot that my good gal pal Rinnah also thinks I am fabulous! Hehe… I think you’re fab yourself too, Rinnah!
A New Addition September 20, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 9commentsThe idea came to me in a very unconventional manner. Then that very same night, a good blogging buddy of mine announced she was creating a new blog with the exact idea I had in mind. It was certainly déjà vu. And right then and there I knew I had to do it.
So I created the site. Toyed with the thousands of Wordpress themes that were out there. Messed up a few, then shortlisted some more.
Then the procrastination set in. Days and weeks went by without any progress on the site. I thought I spotted some cobwebs lurking there too…eek.
A certain amount of fear then encroached upon me. Would I have the time to add another blog to my name? Was I being overindulgent in this aspect?
I threw caution to the wind and decided to bite the bullet. I picked myself up and started work on the site. Finalized a theme and spruced it up bit by bit.
And now, I am ready to announce the launch of Kaki Shopping, a site dedicated to (what else?) all things shopping!
Was it that hard to fathom, since I am a self-professed shopaholic to begin with? Do visit if you can and drop me a line or two!
Would you promise this too? September 19, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging , 8commentsSome bloggers are often led astray when they have been blogging for say months on end, or years… they forget the reason why they started blogging in the first place. It becomes a problem when blogging takes over your world totally and you live as a recluse, not wanting to socialize or have anything to do with the outside world. You forget your bearings and live solely for your blog. Okay, I am not describing the symptoms of blogivitis here, because for some bloggers, they don’t even admit they have a problem.
Last night, as I was doing some blog-hopping at home, I read a very thought-provoking post at Liz Strauss’s site. She wrote about the blogger’s promise, something that was originally posted by Joe. Crystal clear. Precise. Straight to the point.
I want to reaffirm my blogger’s promise today.
My Promise
- I will be sure to comment on other Blogs if I can add to the conversation.
- I will respond to comments on my own Blog.
- I will acknowledge any links to my Blog with a comment on the linker’s Blog.
- I will continue to link to other Blogs that are pertinent to a post’s content.
- I will once again be a part of the Blogging Community.
That is my promise to the Community as a whole, in part, and individually.
If you feel you are losing some of the interaction that is an integral part of Blogging, you may want to join me in this Promise to the Community.
Would you care to join me in making this promise today?
Ethan Boy
Our Journey of Love
