Giddy Tigers

Wordless Wednesday 005 January 30, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Drooling & Cooking, Relax & Celebrate , 15comments

Red red ong ong angpows January 29, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 15comments

One of my pre-Chinese New Year activities, apart from boring old spring cleaning, is collecting angpow packets. I normally start this activity about a month or three weeks before Chinese New Year. Everywhere I shop, I would ask if they had angpow packets to give away. Sometimes I have to *adjust* my purchases just so I qualify to get the angpow packets. Such is my determination to get the angpow packets that I want. Of course, I normally ask to see what the angpow packets look like first, because then I will know if it is worth the while to get them. When I told my hubby I was gonna ask my facial center if they do give out angpow packets, he asked me if my hobby is now collecting angpows. Hardihaha.

This year, I have amassed quite a good collection to date. I’m hoping to get a couple more designs because I am not done with my shopping yet. Plus, I still need to go to my other banks to get some new notes which CIMB bank did not have.

Once I am ready to pack the angpows, I will then assign a specific design for a specific angpow amount. All angpows of the same design (and in this case, same content amount) will be grouped together and placed in my bag. This way, I can easily produce an angpow of the correct amount when the situation calls for it. No need to rummage and peer into angpow packets to check the contents before giving the angpow away.

And what do I do with the rest of the angpows? I don’t know yet. Make more Chinese New Year decorations?

Spinning makes me giddy January 28, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 14comments

It all started with just a comment. A simple one, at that…she had come over to my blog because she saw my name in Simple America’s blog. And the rest, as they so clichély say, is history. Over the span of several months, our friendship blossomed. From simple “Hi there” google chats to phone calls when I found myself in KL, it’s amazing how we click even though we have never met each other. I’m also constantly amazed at how similar we both are, in our interests and whatnot… in fact, she’s just like a little sister to me.

Who am I talking about? Yes, today, my dear friend Rinnah, whom I have gotten to know a little bit more better during the past year, is celebrating her birthday (your 21st, right Rinnah? *grins*). Happy Birthday Rinnah! One year wiser and one year prettier! May you have many many more spinning blogging moments in the year ahead!

Psst…Any leftover birthday cake?

Prosperity plants & pasta January 26, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Drooling & Cooking, Relax & Celebrate , 16comments

Maybe it was because I kept seeing Chinese New Year ads all over the TV.

Maybe it was because I just sent out a whole bunch of Chinese New Year cards on Friday.

Maybe it was because I felt the living room lacked some Chinese New Year “ong”.

Maybe it was because my hands were itchy.

Maybe it was all of the above reasons in one way or another, but most probably it was because we were gonna have Ethan’s early birthday lunch celebration today, so my parents are here in Penang for a visit and yeah, so are my parents-in-law. Double the stress! So what to do, what to do, what to do? I mopped the house and gave the living room a facelift lo, like any good daughter/daughter-in-law would do.

The prosperity plant we had had long since dieded… so okay, we cheated. We bought a healthy-looking one from Jaya Jusco two days ago (RM23.80), and all I had to do was just to scoop out the old soil and replanted the new prosperity plant. The ceramic pot of course remained. The plan was working flawlessly, and I beamed with pride when MIL exclaimed, “What a healthy looking prosperity plant that is!” Unfortunately, my hubby let the cat out of the bag when he retorted, “We bought it from the supermarket laaaa!” Bummer. *grumble grumble mutter mutter*

Next, the space in the living room where once the Christmas tree stood, had been empty for about 5 days now. I took the tree down on Monday and on Friday, I brought out our pussy willow stalks in a tall vase. Fine, it was last year’s but they still look good, so I thought, “Why not?” After hanging the decorations and turning the vase a few times to ensure a perfect angle on the pussy willow stalks (hubby helped a bit with the aesthetics too), I was glad. NOW, it looks like Chinese New Year… well, save for the mandarin oranges we have yet to buy though. Do you think I have got enough decorative elements on the stalks or do I need to make some more?

On a rather unrelated note, isn’t it weird why I would crave for something Italian and cheesy when it is Chinese New Year season? When I work from home, I have the luxury to experiment in the kitchen, and pasta was the main course for lunch on Friday, as I cooked up a mushroom and herb pasta dish. So yummy, so cheesy, so calorie-laden, so…. Okay, okay, so you caught me again. I had some *help* making it (of course I “kah liu” with cheddar cheese and margarine - I didn’t have butter) Still good, no? Works for an Italian-food lover like moi!

Stumped by the cube…not! January 6, 2008

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 10comments

Do y’all remember the Rubik’s cube? Sometime in secondary school, one of my classmates introduced me to the solution to the cube. Yup, *the* formula that will enable me to solve all six sides of cube. Of course, I eagerly learnt the formula and was quite the pro at it. But that was aeons ago, and I have since forgotten all about that. Up till recently, that is.

We succumbed to temptation and bought a Rubik’s cube from Toys ‘R’ Us. Hubbs helped to refreshed my memory on the solution of this popular puzzle and I am now pleased that I am again able solve it in no time at all. Wheee!!!!!

While most people would be contented with the traditional 3×3 Rubik’s cube, alas we were not. Well, the curious side of me sure wasn’t. The cube proved no longer challenging especially for my hubby. In an attempt to bend his brain a little more (and also to make him eat humble pie, hehehe), I bought him a 4×4 Rubik’s cube, hoping that he would be stumped for a solution. He started cracking on it December 30, admitting that it was indeed a challenging puzzle indeed. That certainly deterred him not. By referring to the internet for some pointers and guidelines, by New Year’s eve, he managed to solve it in less than half an hour! I was shocked. And he…visibly accomplished.

Me? I’m not there yet… the most I can do is one single side so far. But you know, that is NOT the first step of the solution…

So what do you think? Should I get him the 5×5 cube next?

I’ll be home for Christmas.. December 27, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Memes & Tags, Relax & Celebrate , 18comments

First off, a very merry and blessed Christmas to everyone who has taken the trouble to wish me and my family good tidings for the festive season! May peace, goodwill and God’s blessings be with all of you throughout the coming New Year! And now here’s my Christmas story…

Right before I scooted off for the Christmas holidays, I received an early Christmas present in the form of a tag from Healy. Initially I had planned on getting it done before Christmas but that didn’t materialize, owing to inevitable circumstances.

The Saturday before Christmas, my brother and his wife came to Penang for a visit, so we took them to the E&O for lunch. Well well, whaddya know… they were serving fresh oysters on the buffet spread! It had been ages since I had indulged in oysters so I wolfed down half a dozen…and a couple more. But that turned out to be a disastrous decision because in the afternoon, I felt really giddy and had to take a long afternoon siesta. Woke up with a fever of 37.9°C, took two Paracetamol tablets and prayed the fever would go down down down. I was still nursing a slight cough then too, and so I proceeded to make myself a cup of warm Manuka honey with lemon.

After dinner, my head was really heavy and I went to bed as soon as I can. I felt better in the morning: fever had subsided but my whole body was aching all over. Then in the afternoon, my tummy was grumbling, tossing and turning. Evening came and dealt me a severe blow of stomach flu. Although I felt weak and dehydrated, I still had to pack for our road trip the next day.

Anyway, Christmas eve in Taiping and then Christmas day in my hometown of Ipoh was a rollercoaster of *thinking* I was getting better and then making an about-turn for the worst. All these amid the gift exchanges, fruit cake and red wine. My lower back was also hurting so bad I had to lie down as often as I could. Not a very easy feat to do with a toddler who demands your attention at all times, I tell you…

Finally, I woke up on Boxing Day feeling way better than I had felt in days. Up till now, I don’t know if it were the oysters that caused it because hubbs took them too and he felt fine. But thank goodness, I felt good enough on the 26th to savor the famous Ipoh kai-see-hor-fun, with lots and lots of kow-choy. Wouldn’t have missed that for a thing, even though we had to take turns carrying Ethan whilst eating because the shop did not have any baby chairs available. After lunch it was back to Penang, where more Christmas presents awaited us, well most of them were for Ethan actually. Two more Christmas cards arrived in the mailbox; a handmade one from Mei Lee and a card with a cute gift in it from Rinnah. Thank you darlings! You gals rock!

So today it is back to the humdrum of work. The past week of battling illness has worn me out so much that I booked myself a facial today, just so I could get some me-time in the equation. And so, after my longwinded story of how I spent Christmas, here’s the Christmas tag, as promised. Still done within the 12 days of Christmas… hehe… so enough about me… how was YOUR Christmas?

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate… because I don’t even know what egg nog tastes like.
2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree? Methinks his elves wrap the presents. Santa just delivers them, no?
3. Colored or white lights? Whitish amber lights. And blinking ones.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not this year, but I would love to. Next year, perhaps?
5. When do you put your decorations up? I already did… two weeks ago. And they are still up…maybe till after New Year comes and goes.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Mom’s homecooked food.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Spending Christmas with my family, writing long lists of presents for Santa and hoping he’ll bring them
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can’t remember… but I really really thought I heard him and his sleigh on the roof some Christmases ago.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nah…it has to be past midnight, i.e. really really Christmas.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With my bare hands, and of course, this year, with silver and blue ornaments.
11. Snow: Love it or hate it? Love love love! But must have awesome boots to parade in la.
12. Can you ice skate? Not if you call skating falling on my butt! O-U-C-H!!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The gift of salvation, when I was baptized on Christmas day many many years ago.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spreading love and cheer to everyone dear.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Cheese cake, with a strawberry on top. Had it at the E&O that fateful day… no strawberry on top of that one though.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Singing Christmas carols together as a family.
17. What is on top of your tree? A silver star

18. Which do you like best giving or receiving? Both. I also like shopping
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night…okay, I love all the Christmas songs…
20. Do you like candy canes? Not really, but I’ll take them if I get them

Sending Christmas cheer, peace and goodwill in the form of a tag to Rinnah!… also because she announced she is tag-free! hehe…

And heaven and nature sing December 21, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Christianity, Relax & Celebrate , 20comments

Joy joy joy because my Christmas holidays start now!
Joy joy joy because the roads are all clear as most people have already made the exodus back to their kampungs.
Joy joy joy because I get to spend the FULL five days with people I love and care about most in the world…
Joy joy joy because it’s Christmas season, and we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. And it is the perfect time to remember that!

Have a blessed Christmas everyone! And happy holidays!

By the way, thanks for the pretty silver gift wrapped in pretty red ribbon, Paris! That will go right under my Christmas tree, not to be opened till Christmas! And here’s the song that has been playing in my head the whole day long today:

Joy to the world - Mariah Carey

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the earth
The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me

He rules the world
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders and wonders of His love

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me

Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me

Across the oceans and seas December 19, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Relax & Celebrate , 11comments

Pretty little surprises greeted me in my mailbox today. I’m talking physical mailboxes okay, not the email-boxes… Miray, our sponsored child, sent us a short note that doubled up as a Christmas greeting card and a 2008 calendar all in one. And then there was also a cute red Christmas card (what a coincidence eh? *wink*) that goes oh-so-well with my blog, sent all the way from Australia by May! Thank you for being so thoughtful! I have to admit, this year I began sending Christmas cards again. After so many years of e-cards, I have always felt snail mail cards are just so much more personal. But that’s just me! The two cards I received today will add to my Christmas card collection this year, the first one being the one I received from Mom and Dad last week, all the way from Ipoh.

In the final 5-day countdown to Christmas, the foot of our tree is certainly gearing up for the festivities. Last weekend we found a silver star to complete the look at the top of our tree, and it’s perfect. I still have some Christmas shopping left undone and of course some more Christmas gift wrapping to complete. With tomorrow a holiday and just one more working day left on Friday before the Christmas break, I am certainly more-than-ever filled with the Christmas spirit…

“Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now….. “

Sweet honey baby please… December 18, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 8comments

Photo credits: 2 Tasty Ladies

My department will be holding our annual Christmas party tomorrow afternoon. Yeah, we get paid to partay tomorrow - whooopeeee! And guess what? I just found out that I have to lead the Christmas caroling session then. Of course I will have backup music provided, i.e. guitar. This year instead of passing out song sheets, I suggested putting the lyrics up on the projector. Saves the environment by not having to print them out, no?

So I just finished preparing the slide show of all the Christmas carols we are to sing tomorrow, and verified the key to be played on the guitar for me to sing (I sing in G). Well, everything looks set except for my poor throat. I’ve been nursing a sore and dry throat for the past two days, drinking water by the gallons and going to the loo more often that normal. I hope it will feel better tomorrow. Won’t be very nice to hear a croaky “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” now, would it? I think it’s time I made myself a cup of warm honey to soothe my throat, eh? I hear that works wonders… Makes for a much sweeter voice too.

In any case, I can still sing along in tune to All I Want For Christmas Is You, one of my favoritest songs for Christmas! *starts singing* “Won’t you please bring my baby to me….”