Things gonna go my way

Posted on April 13, 2009 by The Giddy Tigress

Like a typical sinusoidal graph that has its ups and downs, life’s experiences takes us on exciting journeys now and then.  But with every plunge into a dark ravine, we all pray that the ascent upwards towards better things is not far off.

On Friday afternoon, when I saw these gorgeous blooms right outside my apartment, I knew it was a sign that GOOD things would come my way during the weekend.

…and I was right!!! 🙂

My family and I had a splendid and fulfilling American lunch on Saturday.  Believe it or not, this was the first time I had had an authentic American meal since I relocated here more than 6 months ago. We went to Applebee’s where they had the 2 for $20 deal (2 entrées + 1 appetizer for $20).

 

My parents shared one set, while my hubby and I shared another.  And everything was super delicious!

From the mozzarella sticks and boneless buffalo wings appetizers served with yummy ranch dressing down to the riblet basket, the steak and the fries, we thoroughly stuffed ourselves to the brim!  The photos of the ribs and buffalo wings don’t do them justice though…they certainly DO NOT taste as horrible as they look!

After lunch, we headed to the Gilroy Premium Outlets, where I managed to get TWO items I had been yearning for:

Item 1: Levi’s 501 in *most wanted* color

My hubby and I had been looking for this particular color of 501’s for the longest time.  We have seen it on sale a few times before, but we have never found our sizes available.  So when I saw the 501’s on sale for USD29.99, and I found the very color we wanted in my size, I could hardly believe it!  In fact, I don’t even know how to describe this color – it’s like a destructed washed dark blue, with a tinge of yellow and green, plus it has some *worn* parts which were put there on purpose.

Hubbs and I each got ourselves a pair, but unfortunately I can’t fit into mine yet 🙁

I’m giving myself a few more months…but this new pair is definitely inspiration for me to get into them soon! 🙂

Item 2: A brand new Coach!

I’ll be honest.  I had no intention of getting a Coach bag that day.  I had been into the Coach factory outlet before, and I did not really fancy the designs there then.

But that Saturday, I stepped in anyway, despite the long queue of people waiting to be let into the store.  Most of the items were on sale for 40-50% off the tagged price.  I weaved my way through the store pushing my baby stroller, and then suddenly I saw it: the little shoulder bag from the recent exclusive Coach Resort collection!

… and it was on SALE at a discount of 50% off the tagged price, which was already more than 50% off the retail price.

 

I was torn between getting the shiny black one or the pink one (Punch), but in the end I chose the one in Punch, because it looked so stunning against my black coat.  Plus, I did not own a pink bag 😛

This set me back USD54.99, when the original retail price was USD238.00.

Yes, I still can’t stop smiling.

 

Posted in Drooling & Cooking, Relax & Celebrate, The Fairer Sex | 20 Comments

Waiting, waiting patiently

Posted on April 9, 2009 by The Giddy Tigress

Two days ago, I checked the tracking status of my Fedex package to the Consulate General of Malaysia and it provided me with the status I had been waiting for and expected: Delivered.  The package I had sent the Friday before contained forms and documents for the process of registering Hannah’s birth in the US and also an application for her restricted travel document (one-way passport) to return to Malaysia.

The entire application process had been a lengthy, arduous and not-so-cheap one, and I can’t deny that I have learnt a LOT from it, but the status Delivered meant that now all we need to do is to sit and wait for the return of our documents.

Although the package has been sent and the application is now in process, I still can’t help feeling a flurry of different emotions.

Apprehension, because both my hubby and I have to send in all our original certificates, like our birth certificates, passports, identity cards and marriage certificates.  These will all be returned (safely) via Fedex once the application is complete, but we still can’t help feeling a tinge of fear and “What if?”

Excitement, in eager anticipation of receiving Hannah’s birth certificate (Borang W in this case, as she is born in the US) and travel document.  The receipt of these also means that we would be heading for home very soon!

Relief, because I do not need to deal with the Consulate General folks anymore.  Although the email communication with the Consular had been quite informative and pleasant, I have also had to make several phone calls to the Consulate General, and most of them had resulted in frustration on my part.  Sometimes the call would get disconnected for no reason, and I also found out that apparently the Consular works only Mondays – Fridays 9:30a.m. – 12:00noon!  On one occasion where I had to talk to the person in charge of the Birth Registration department, a very bored and tired voice greeted me, sounding very much like a disgruntled employee, and sighing with increasing impatience as she answered my questions. (…and all I could think of was that they had exported the infamous “gahmen service” to the US as well!)

…ah well, I expect the waiting process to end in about two months’ time…until then, I am praying hard that all our documents will be in order…

Posted in Close to Heart & Home, Thoughts & Scribblings | 5 Comments

Sometimes, if and maybe

Posted on April 5, 2009 by The Giddy Tigress


Credits
Elegant word art (road of life) from Bethany

Life…

It is like cruising down the freeway, with the wind blowing in your hair, while you are admiring the splendid view on either side, and listening to the soothing strains of Andrea Bocelli belting out Bésame Mucho…

Sometimes the ride is all smooth sailing but sometimes you hit a bump on the road…

Sometimes…that bump is a minor one that you recover from, one that is but a small hiccup in your journey…something we all call a “no biggie” and before you know it, you are back cruising…

Sometimes…it is a bump that leaves you with an minor injury, like a neckache or a backache…but soon you inadvertently recover from it, although there may or may not be a little scar to remind you of the incident.  Nevertheless, you still continue on that same path, maybe slightly hurt, but always wiser.

Sometimes…as you are driving along the freeway, you are forced make a detour and exit the freeway because of a roadblock.  Maybe it wasn’t your fault to begin with, but because of an external factor or factors which you had no control over, you are forced to make changes to your itinerary.  You are forced to go a different route because there is something else in your way now.  Something obstructing your path that is too huge to go around it or to go over it.

…and you have no choice but to avoid it by choosing an alternate route.

You do not know where this new route leads to, and you have no idea if it will be any better than the one you are on, but all you know is that that’s where you are gonna be from now on.

Maybe you will be faced with difficulties and obstacles.

Maybe you will be challenged beyond what you ever imagined.

But on the other hand, maybe this new path will bring about spectacular views.  Beautiful scenery you had never imagined.  And you would not even know it existed had you not taken this path.

Maybe this new path will teach you great lessons that you will remember for life.  Maybe this new path could bring you immeasurable joy and happiness.

And you won’t know this for sure till you embark on this journey.

But you know what…?

The final destinations of both routes may probably be the same, but the “how you get there” part is the most important thing of all. 

Trusting and leaving it all in the hands of God, I know that He will provide.

I say bring it on.

Posted in Thoughts & Scribblings | 6 Comments

Overflowing photo bucket

Posted on March 30, 2009 by The Giddy Tigress

Okay, stop hitting F5 on your keyboard.  It ain’t  your PC’s problem you’re not seeing images on all my blogs. 😛

Five days ago I was given a warning:

Then this morning, this email alert appeared in my inbox:

Ooops!  Looks like all the photobucket-hosted pictures on my blog will not be viewable till April 2nd. 

I am definitely not gonna upgrade to a Photobucket Pro account, not even with the TrialPay option because that requires me to sign up for something else extra before the free upgrade can take place (a case of GOT strings attached, kapish?).

But you know what?  In a way, I am kinda honored that my blogs have garnered enough traffic to exceed my Photobucket monthly bandwidth.  So THANKS everyone!  Meanwhile, please come back again April 2nd to see all my previous pictures now, will ya? 

So where am I uploading my photos to now?  To my web hosting server of course! 🙂

Posted in Blogging | 6 Comments

Angel in faded blue jeans

Posted on March 26, 2009 by The Giddy Tigress

 

Not yet.  Nope.

They still don’t fit.  Believe me, I tried. 

But I’m gonna get ’em to fit me soon.  You’ll see.  It will only be a matter of time.

Posted in The Fairer Sex, Thoughts & Scribblings | 9 Comments