HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014! :)

A short note that MooMoo wrote end of last year:
31.12.2013: last day of the year...

Looking back at all the things that happened throughout the year... Having no regrets, though it was not a smooth sailing year.

MooMoo must be thankful on...
- all the love she received from my loved ones
- all the great food she have eaten
- all the great places she have visited
And all the little things in life.

MooMoo had her happy moments and also the not so happy moments. Cherishing her happy moments and the not so happy moments actually makes her appreciate her happy moments even more.

Met some great people who gives her good memories. Also met some nasty people who gives her lessons and experiences.  Some things just can't change no matter what... Life goes on!

Thanks to all the people who brings joy to her, who is always there for her and always put a smile on her face. 

Looking forward to one great year in 2014! Hope MooMoo will be a better person next year than this year. ; )

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
May you all have a great fulfilling year in 2014!


"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." –--Joshua J. Marine



* MooMoo ended her year 2013 with 2 great classes and started her year 2014 with 2 great classes... plus 1 extra unexpected surprise, which is not so pleasant, towards the end... 

GYPSY

GYPSY
By Shakira

Broke my heart on the road
Spent the weekend sewing the pieces back 

on crayons and dolls pass me by
Walking gets too boring when you learn how to fly

Not the homecoming kind
Take the top off, and who knows what you might find
Won't confess all my sins
You can bet I'll try it, but you can't always win

'Cause I'm a gypsy, are you coming with me?

I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me
Never made agreements just like a gypsy
And I won't back down 'cause life's already bit me
And I won't cry, I'm too young to die if you're gonna quit me
'Cause I'm a gypsy, 'cause I am gypsy

I can't hide what I've done
Scars remind me of just how far that I've come
To whom it may concern
Only run with scissors when you want to get hurt

'Cause I'm a gypsy, are you coming with me?

I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me
I don't make agreements just like a gypsy
And I won't back down 'cause life's already bit me
I won't cry, I'm too young to die if you're gonna quit me
'Cause I'm a gypsy

And I say, hey you, you're no fool
If you say no, ain't it just the way life goes
People fear what they don't know
Come along for the ride, oh, yeah
Come along for the ride, ooh

'Cause I'm a gypsy, are you coming with me?

I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me
Never made agreements just like a gypsy
And I won't back down 'cause life's already bit me
And I won't cry, I'm too young to die if you're gonna quit me
'Cause I'm a gypsy

 

* Enjoyed my Step, Scuplt and Pilates lots today.... the classes were challenging and tough but had lots of fun.  Reminds me of this quote, "Life is like 'EXERCISE', the harder it is, the stronger you become".  MooMoo realise that she is able to do more than what she could do previously and it is really motivating.  So looking forward to the trip back to KL tomorrow night!  ^=^

Art Attack: Scrapbooking with Embossing and Stamping

MooMoo went to attend this Scrapbooking class with Minnie, a few months ago.  It was kinda fun except that it was too easy and not as what we expected.  The class was suppose to be about 90 minutes to 2 hours but it only took us about less than 1 hour to complete.

All the materials were provided and we are to complete the 1 page of scrapbook there.  We all started with painting on the cardboard.  Free style.... MooMoo simply painted hers instead of the usual straight lines.  The rest of them all drew lines, painted it straight and tidy, except for MooMoo and Minnie.  Hahaha.

Next, we had some fun times doing some stamping with 'Distress Ink'.  Time to destress with some distress ink.  Kekeke.  You just buy some ink and use a sponge to brush it along your paper to make it a bit vintage looking.

MooMoo had fun doing the embossing, which is something new, using the heat gun.  MooMoo did the embossing using the pressure before but never did one with heat.  It's pretty interesting.

First, you apply a design by stamping on the paper with something like glue like ink with a stamp.  Then you sprinkle the embossing dust on top and shake off the excess.  After that, you just heat up the design with the heat gun and it is all done.  The design will be raised up with a 3D effect. 

This is how it looks like.... the embossing of a bicycle design.  After preparing all the bits and pieces, you just need to cut them all out and begin your pasting.

This piece was already prepared for all - made from Ice cream sticks.  We were just suppose to paint and stamp the wordings on it.  MooMoo dabbed the gold colour at the sides to create the vintage look.

Finally, this is MooMoo's end product.  A page of 'Precious Moments' with MooMoo's 4 precious little ones.  MooMoo actually watched them grow up and the boys are actually going to be 15 next year.  How time flies.... : )

* It's always FUN playing with ARTS & CRAFTS!!! : )

MooMoo's 1st F1 Experience

MooMoo had her 1st F1 experience on 20th September 2013.  Thanks to one of her gym buddy, known as Ms. Taxi, for the free pass! : )

MooMoo never really knows what F1 is all about, except for the high speed racing cars and the cute drivers.  Hahaha.  Not a big fan of all these automobiles stuff.  If MooMoo's 2nd brother is still around, he is sure to drool over these passes and would make his way to Singapore for the race.  After going to the race, MooMoo managed to read a little about it.  

F1 or known as Formula One is the highest class of single seater auto racing.  It is a race with a set of rules which all participants' cars must comply and it is held throughout the world on different circuits and points will be calculated to determine world championships for both the drivers and the constructors.  Some of F1 top drivers are Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Louis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Mark Webber.  Malaysia have our own F1 driver too, Alex Yoong, but now a retiree from F1.

There were quite a number of food stalls and merchandise stalls in the area.  MooMoo bought herself a pair of ear plugs.  Initially, MooMoo thought it is not really necessary.... till she hear the sound of the racing cars.  OMG! It's damn loud... really need ear plugs to save your ears.

MooMoo got herself this real expensive Champagne MAGNUM.  This cost SGD$8!!!  Beer and Ice cream, watching F1.

There were some fun booth setup for little kids to play remote control race cars.  Wanted to try our skills but long queue with kids, so end up no play.  Hahaha.

The weather was great that night though a bit stuffy.  Check out the Marina Bay Sands tower! Can you see the F1 car lightings on the wall?!?

The seats that MooMoo had were quite good.  There were a lot of tourists from all over the world.  MooMoo and friend only watch for awhile and left after that.  It's kinda boring for MooMoo watching the car just zoom past.  Really not MooMoo's cup of tea.  Hahahaha! :p

There were people all along the sides of the circuits at the different sections.  There were also concerts and shows at a designated place for the spectators to chill out during the break.  Justin Bieber were here for the concert performance on the last day, official closing.  

Shot taken when the car zoomed past.  Hahaha... it's so fast that you can't really see much except for the shadow.  Well, what to expect when you take it with iPhone.  =P

* MooMoo really thinks that the F1 drivers are really great... full of determination and endurance... it takes a lot to be a F1 driver... and it's a quite dangerous sports.  Thumbs up for them!!! :)

Brand New Me

BRAND NEW ME 
By Alicia Keys

It's been awhile, I'm not who I was before
You look surprised, your words don't burn me anymore
Been meaning to tell ya, but I guess it's clear to see
Don't be mad, it's just a brand new kind of me
Can't be bad, I found a brand new kind of free
Careful with your ego, he's the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God knows something had to change

I thought that you'd be happy
I found that one thing I need
Why you mad, it's just a brand new kind of me
It took a long, long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses, one too many lies

Don't be surprised, don't be surprised
If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you're wrong
If I walk a little taller
I'd been under you too long
If you noticed that I'm different
Don't take it too personally

Don't be mad, it's just a brand new kind of me
Oh, it took a long, long road to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
I've taken one too many excuses, one too many lies
Don't be surprised, oh, said you look surprised

Hey hey hey, if you were a friend, you'd wanna get know me again
If you were worth the while
You'd be happy to see me smile
I'm not expecting sorry
I'm too busy finding myself
I got this
I found me, I found me, yeah
I don't need your opinion
I'm not waiting for your O.K.

I'll never be perfect, but at least now I'm brave
And now my heart is open
I can finally breathe
Don't be mad, it's just a brand new kind of free
That ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of me
Don't be mad, it's a brand new time for me, yeah

* A quote MooMoo likes, from the movie "BRAVE"....

"Our fate lies within us.  You only have to be BRAVE enough to see it."

Swimming Instructor from Hell?!?

* expensive swimming board... the little porcupine does not comes with it...  :)

MooMoo recently signed up a swimming lesson package from 'Women and Sports' promotion and the lessons are taught by instructors from 'Happy Fish'.  It started from 5th September and there will be a total of 12 lessons.

MooMoo missed Piggy lots when going for her swimming lessons.  She used to go to swimming class with Piggy before Piggy shifted to Koala Land.  MooMoo can swim but techniques are not very correct.  She thought that if she wants to swim, she better swim correctly.  Therefore, she decided to sign up the class to correct her techniques to swim better and also to learn how to tread water.  One thing that MooMoo still could not do after many times -> TREAD WATER! :p

On the 1st lesson, MooMoo thought that her instructor was from hell.  MooMoo smiled and greeted her instructor and it was returned with a serious, unfriendly look.  Then, MooMoo thought the instructor is having PMS.  Oh boy... the instructor can get really sacarstic and almost killed MooMoo the very 1st lesson.  MooMoo thought she have left office and away from stress but there's another episode in the swimming pool.  Hahaha!

There were a 15 minutes drilling session on theory, which MooMoo finds it very unnecessary.  MooMoo were also very naughty as she answered her instructor the way the instructor asked questions.

**************************************

Conversation #01

Instructor:  You must not go swim alone. Understand?

MooMoo: OK.

Instructor: If you swim in the pool, do you care about people and your surroundings?

MooMoo: Yes.

Instructor: Do you?!?

MooMoo: Yes....

Instructor: NO!!! Nobody cares...

MooMoo: Noo... I care.. I will look around where I swim and make sure I do not bump into people.

Instructor: No! Nobody cares.  So, imagine you go swim alone and you drown.... then no one will come to your rescue.

MooMoo:  There's life guards.  If I am the life guard I will watch the people in the pool and rescue them.

Instructor:  You think they care?!?

MooMoo:  OK, I will go swim with someone who cares about me. :p

**************************************

Conversation #02

* Earlier before, MooMoo's friend said that instructor mention she will not do demo when teaching...

Instructor: When you kick, you pull in your leg and lock your ankle then kick outward, relax your ankle and close your leg. 

MooMoo: Can you demo?

Instructor: No...  I don't need to demo.  You can try and you can see the 2 girls over there. (her students that apparently can't really swim also)  

MooMoo tried for awhile but can't really do it well.

MooMoo: You mean you are not going to demo throughout the lessons?!?

Instructor: ..... No... I will demo when necessary, when doing corrections.

MooMoo: OKKKKKKK.......  =.=!!!

**************************************

MooMoo's friends actually asked her to switch instructor but she wanted that time slot and the swimming pool so she gave the instructor 2nd chance.  The instructor is kind of mean but she is actually pretty knowledgable.

MooMoo thought that she is the only one feeling that the teacher is mean and sacarstic but apparently, she is not alone.  MooMoo spoken to 2 of her students and one of them said that she almost didn't want to come after the 1st lesson.  Hahaha!

In the end, MooMoo didn't change the instructor after all.  MooMoo feels that she still learn something through the instructor though she is not so likeable.  MooMoo managed to correct her strokes for breast strokes and working on her free styles right now.  The instructor ain't that bad after all, since MooMoo improves after a few lessons.

Well, I guess there's a difference between a strict teacher and a mean teacher.  If you learnt something, the teacher may be strict and it you didn't learn something, the teacher may be mean.  It's pretty subjective and it all depends on individuals.  

It reminded MooMoo of her funny Step instructor, good at heart, but sometimes just doing some things in a mean way, which may not be the intentions.

* MooMoo hopes that she can soon swim like a Dolphin and can tread water... working towards her goals.... GANBATTE!!! No swimming lesson for MooMoo today coz AV :(

Tao Suan Attack

Lately, MooMoo is having 'Tao Suan' attack and she kept having craving to eat this dessert.  Tao Suan is one of the Hokkien snacks, which is cooked with green beans.  It is cooked with split green (mung) beans together with sweet potato flour and sugar.  It seems simple but you have to cook it with the right portion so that it will not be too watery or too sticky, else it taste yucky!  It is best eaten with you tiao!

Not many of MooMoo's friends are aware of this snack, except for Singaporean friends.  It is hardly found in West Malaysia but it is more common in MooMoo's hometown and Singapore.

Lately, MooMoo found this new store which is quite good with their Tao Suan.  The shop is located in NEX Shopping Mall in Serangoon.

Dough Culture
Serangoon NEX
23, Serangoon Central
#B2-85
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 66342061
Website: http://www.doughculture.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Serangoon (North East or Circle Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun till Thurs: 9:30am till 10:00pm
Fri till Sat: 9:30am till 10:30pm

* Maybe MooMoo should try making this dessert herself...  The recipes seems to be quite simple.  Just that she gotta go buy the you tiao outside as it's gonna be very messy to fry the you tiao herself....   =p

Porky Pie's Full Moon Party

MooMoo went to Porky Pie's Full Moon Party with Ms. Mo today.  Time really flies... Porky Pie is coming to 1 month old on 10th Sept 2013.  Ms. Mo is really funny... she told us that Porky Pie is a Virgo... then we all scratched head and asked why?!?  Ms. Mo said correct what... if born around this month is a Virgo... =.=!!! Err... it's full moon party today?  Porky Pie's birthday is one month ago...  :p

MooMoo is not a big fan of 'ang ku kueh' (red tortoise kueh)...but these tasted quite good and there's peanuts in it, other than the green bean.  MooMoo helped Aunty coloured the eggs red too.  Aunty complained that the colour not as Red as the one that she made when she is in Penang.  Aunty said the colouring in Penang better.  Hahaha.

* Today's Sculpt was a really good workout... really worked hard on the arms, shoulders and waist... sure will ache badly tomorrow... but it's great to burn all the extra calories going in today... Hahaha

Tree Planting Day

This morning, MooMoo went for a 'Tree Planting Day' event.

Lately, it has been raining in Lion City, till flash flood at some parts of Singapore due to raining for hours.  Thank GOD last night it rained heavily the whole night, so this morning the sky is clear but one bad thing is that the ground is super wet and soggy. :p

This is the 1st time MooMoo plant a tree.  Each group of 3 to 4 people is assigned to plant a tree.  All the tools are provided, such as the hoe (cangkul), gloves, nutrient soil, tree sapling and a spot for the tree.  It would be lucky to have guys in your team.  Haha!

This is MooMoo's team's tree - No. 202.  Nice number!  There's 2 guys in MooMoo's team. = )))

There were briefings on the step by step, how you plant a tree.  First, you dig a hole deep enough to put your tree and you can measure with your hoe on the depth of the hole.  Next, you cut the plastic on your tree sapling and shift it into the hole.  After that, you just put back all the soil that you dig out earlier on and try to compact them.  Then, you can pour the nutrient soil all over and around the tree to cover the soil.  Finally, you can water your tree and it's all done.  Sounds easy huh... and the demo from the gardener looks very effortlessly too.

When the work takes place, it ain't that easy.... especially when the soil is wet... what a mess!  It was quite fun though, digging away.  One of the guy actually accidentally step into the hole and create a mess on himself. =.=!!!

You need to be quite strong to shift the tree into the hole.  Luckily with the help of the 2 guys in the team, the tree is in place.  You got to make sure when you put back the soil, the tree is always straight to make sure that it will be going well and stable.

MooMoo planted a tree!  Hahaha... doing her little part in saving the earth, compensating on how she use aircond, which is damaging to the environment, as if it can help much.  Well, better than nothing...

All done and ready to go off and MooMoo's shoes is super dirty and wet.  She had try to clean the best before she head to the gym.  Luckily, she didn't get killed at the gym with her dirty shoes. :p

* Is it true that "Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit"?!?......

Mo, Mu! Mooooo....

MooMoo just got herself a new handphone skin, as she spotted one with a cute Moo-Moo cow.  MooMoo's front protector was just peeling off so just in time to change to a new one.  Looking at it just makes her happy. : )))

* If only some things were so easy to change...  

"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know." ---Pema Chodron