June 12 : 11 O'clock

Currently reading : Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn


Here's one thriller I really got into. It's so fast paced I cannot put it down! The last one that captured my attention was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Not the whole series. Just the first one.

I'm doing a GoodReads challenge of 15 books this year. Not many, that's only about one a month. I'm giving myself some slack for the weeks I go without reading *die! Candy Crush!* But I'm halfway through. 7 books into the year. Add me on Goodreads so we can share some books and compare some notes! I love science-fiction / fantasy, historical fiction, as well as classics! On occasion, I veer over to the Bestsellers' list. Some authors I adore include Orson Scott Card (for his Ender series), Neil Gaiman, and Oscar Wilde.

What are you reading at the moment?

On the path to Spirituality

Wow! It's been a week since I've posted! I'm really starting to slack on this end. Like I said, I have been keeping a private blog to journal my yoga practice and thoughts. It's been a very rewarding experience so far. I'm not a religious person. My view is that there will come a point in my life when I will want to find out more. And I believe the time has come.

I started reading up about Buddhism, just because it goes hand in hand with my yoga and meditation practice. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this book before, but I'm re-reading it. I don't usually re-read books. But this one is amazing. I'm gaining a lot of insights on ... well, literally ... the joy of living! Life can be so complicated, but so easy at the same time. You just need to know how to disentangle yourself. This book explains the why and the how, and the Rinpoche (which literally means "precious one") does so with funny and meaningful anecdotes.

Here is one of my favorites. To give a quick background, the essence of Buddhism is to realize that no matter what you think about the circumstances that define you and your life, you are already good, whole, and complete. (And i may have just plagiarized a little, to quote from the book!) This just helps explain a little why I think the following anecdote is especially beautiful and meaningful to me:

I visited a retreat house that was quite near the ocean. The day I arrived, the weather was perfect: The sky was cloudless and the ocean was a deep, clear blue -- very pleasant to look at. When I woke the next morning, though, the ocean looked like a thick, muddy soup. I wondered, "What happened to the ocean? Yesterday it was so clear, and blue, and today it's suddenly dirty." I took a walk down to the shore, and couldn't see any obvious reason for the change. There wasn't any mud in the water or along the beach. Then I looked up at the sky and saw that it was thick with dark greenish clouds; and I realized it was the color of the clouds that had changed the color of the ocean. The water itself, when I looked closely at it, was still clean and clear.

The mind, in many ways, is like the ocean. The "color" changes from day to day or moment to moment, reflecting the thoughts, emotions, and so on passing "overhead". But the mind itself, like the ocean, never changes. It's always clean and clear, no matter what it's reflecting.

I realize that there may be others reading that may offended by talk of religion, or don't share the same world view. I wish to express that it is not my intention to sway your belief in your own religion (and I doubt that what I've written so far is adequately enough to convert the staunchest believers). I just thought I'd like to share my discovery in hopes that you may take something positive with you today. On the other hand, you may also calmly mouse over to the X button at the top of your screen (left or right, depending on your browser) and exit this page if you do not like what you have just read (but thank you for reading this far!)

But, I am elated with my spiritual progress so far and would love to engage in a constructive, organic discussion with anyone, from any religion or denomination!

Namaste!

2013 Resolutions in review

What? you say. Already?


Well, it's almost the end of the first month of the year so I thought I'd just keep track of my progress so far...




1. My rigorous yoga practice ...

Is coming along splendidly! I started going to classes at a yoga studio. I forgot how much more beneficial it is going to a class than practising on my own. Also, I'm keeping a daily journal / private blog to keep track of my thoughts and progress. I started out the year doing yoga and/or meditation every day. But daily life creeps in and sometimes I don't get to do anything. However, i've been consistent with practising at least 3-4 times every week!




2. A photo every day ...

Is so much easier with my iPhone and the Collect App. The app sends me daily reminders in the evenings to make sure I have taken at least one photo that day. And I'm finding out the joys of Instagramming. Sorry, slow poke here, but hit me up @mrsjrizzle



3. One book a month ...

I added this resolution after reading The 25th Hour's challenge and decided to join in the fun. My book for January is done, and I'm working through my next book! Whee!!

On the bookshelf : Join in the Fun!

Are you ready? I've already started on my book for the year. I'm now reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I never got past Book 1 when the first book came out because I got so spooked out at the end of the book(!), I stopped reading. And then the movies came out so I took the easy way out and watched them all. Last year, I decided I should read the books and I got through the first five. Two more books till the end of the series! Lots of books on the to-read list this year!

Hit me up on Goodreads

Watching : Anna Karenina

I might be a little slow on the uptake, it says that the US release date was November 16th but I could've sworn I never heard about it till now! This had been on my to-read list forever, but now that it's a movie, I'm afraid i'll have to watch it first! Have you seen the size of that book??? Anyway, Jude Law is in it. So I think I'll override my usual "read-the-book-before-the-movie" rule. I totally love Jude Law! Has anybody watched it?

Found: More books!

Going on a book craze here, but found these awesome pictures on Pinterest and just wanted to share with you book buddies! Enjoy, and happy week ahead!



Via



Via


Now wouldn't this be an awesome nursery?

On the bookshelf: Holiday reads!

Via

As an extension of my Kindle vs Paperback post,
I'm curious to know what you're reading this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is coming up. We plan to spend a quiet weekend with J's family up in the mountains. They have no internet access, so holidays spent there are always challenging. I'm so reliant on the internet for the news, finding answers to random questions, check my Facebook. Whenever I don't have the internet i'm at quite a loss!

On the upside, no internet access = more human interaction! We play board games (*gasp* remember those??), catch up with one another, and take walks outdoors.
And we'll also get the bonfire going!!

Aside from gorging myself, and watching Thanksgiving football, I am going arm myself with a few books, just in case things get a little slow and drowsy
(you know how turkey coma gets to you...)

Right now I have Pride and Prejudice and Murakami's 1Q84 on my Kindle, but I'd like to add a

(1) Science Fiction
(2) chick Lit
(3) Travel fiction / non-fiction
(4) historical fiction

to my list.

So, some suggestions pretty please?

Kindle Bueno!

Hello friends,

Let's do a little survey in this post - the good ol' fashioned paperback vs the electronic readers.


I was pretty resistant to e-readers in the beginning, preferring to leaf through a book, owning actual copies, collecting books with pretty and/or vintage covers.

But then, I got a Kindle for my birthday this year.

And i'm slowly falling in love!

Can i just be a nerd in this post and list the pros and cons, the book vs the ereader?





Books!!




Via


1. I hoard books! I sometimes buy books for their beautiful covers. Like the pretty Penguin Clothbound Classics I've been drooling over...




Via


2. I dream to one day own a little library. As a kid, I watched Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and always wished to have one of my own, complete with the gliding ladder.




Via

3. I love the feel of a book in hand - the weight, turning pages, using a bookmark!




Via

4. Going to the library! Well, if i can't own one, i go to one! Or a used book store!



But then the Kindle came into the picture and...


1. It's so light!! Gone are the days when my wrist gets tired holding thick book spines.

2. It holds a gazillion books! No more difficult decisions about which books to stuff in my carry-on, to bring on a short weekend getaway, on a picnic. I download a few books and then read whatever catches my fancy at the moment!

3. I know that buying e-books can be just as expensive (it's only a few dollars cheaper than an actual copy), but I can still borrow from my local library!! I don't go to the library anymore, but I loan from their digital collection. So it's free, and I can borrow and return books without having to step out of my house!

4. You can also download a myriad of apps, play games, listen to music, get on the internet. Although it's pretty simple for me, all I need are my books and Words with Friends. LOL.


So before you think I'm going over to the dark side, what matters most is that I'm still reading! I love my books, but now I love my Kindle more!

On the bookshelf: Too many books too little time

Yikes.

Very fantasy-heavy, I just realised.


(From top to bottom)

1. Seventh Son (Orson Scott Card)
2. A Game of Thrones (George R.R. Martin)
3. The Joy of Living (Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche)
4. Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
5. Eldest (Book 2 of Inheritance trilogy, Christopher Paolini)
6. Brisingr (Book 3 of Inheritance trilogy, Christopher Paolini)


I'm currently at the end of GOT (A Game of Thrones) and I seriously love the book! Haven't watched the HBO series yet and Season 2 had premiered a few days ago. The J-man watched the whole of Season 1, which is in essence, the first book, and we were comparing notes about the differences between the two. So far the TV series has been pretty faithful to the novel! *rubs eyes in disbelief* seeing how they butchered The Sookie Stackhouse series a.k.a. Trueblood.

I rub my hands in anticipation of Book 2, 3, 4 and 5! I think there's more to come. Why do the books have to be so LONG! I'm such a slow reader!

And not to forget all that Hunger Games hype! Hands up if you haven't watched the movie! *gulps* Is mine the only arm raised?? I have to get my hands on Book 2 and 3!!!

I started on the Seventh Son, because for a while I was in a readless-lull. But halfway through, my friends recommended GOT so i had no choice but to shelve it. Will get back to you Mr. Card! I did like it very much, and unfortunately, it is yet another first of a series! GAAAAHHH!

But I'm getting my reading momentum back (which typically means a crafting dry spell...NOOOOO)



What is on your reading list? Hope you can share some enjoyable reads!

xx

In the Mail: An Itty Bitty bit of Home

I was so surprised to receive this in the mail today!



My dearest friend Sherry Jess sent me a surprise package to remind me of home. Thank you my dear girl! I am having a good laugh reading through it!

So, just a brief introduction. Singapore English, or more affectionately known as Singlish, is a form of pidgin spoken in Singapore. Because we live in such a culturally diverse society, our everyday lives are a mix of many different languages. Singlish has become our very own unique blend of English, Malay, Tamil and all the various Chinese dialects!

As I flipped through the introduction, I was almost bent double in laughter, reading through the paragraphs heavily peppered with Singlish terms.

Here are a few excerpts of some of my favorite entries, the phrases I always use back home, but have not heard in awhile. And in my current situation, I am most likely not going to be understood if I were to use them.

alamak |ah-lah-ma'h|

A Malay expression of dismay, surprise or alarm that has long been rumoured to mean "Allah's mother" but more likely comes either from the Arabic "Allah Ma'ak", meaning "God be with you" or "Allah maaf kar" meaning "God forgive you". It is thus used to denote a situation or action of such calamity or stupidity that God's intervention is necessary.

(My note: Most people use it as an exclamation, an equivalent of 'OMG')

Usage:

"Alamak! Why you go and do this sort of stupid thing?" translates into "OMG! Why did you do such a stupid thing!"


kan cheong |gkahn tjee-ong|

A Cantonese and Hokkien term meaning nervous, harried, overanxious or uptight.

Usage:

"Your exam in June, now only March, you so kan cheong for what?" translates into "The exam's in June and it's only March now. Why are you so nervous?"


kan cheong spider

Epithet describing someone who's kan cheong, i.e. a nervous wreck.

Usage:

"Eh, don't so kan cheong spider lah! Also not late, hurry for what?" translates into "Can you not be such an overanxious twit. Why are you hurrying? We're not late."

Somehow, I feel very English after all the translations...


To PRISCILLA (this one's for you!)

pecah lobang |bper-cha loh-bahng|

A Malay phrase which literally means to break a hole. It's used in the same way as the English phrase "to let the cat out of the bag".

Usage:

"Don't tell him anything secret. He like the BBC like that, sure pecah lobang." translates into "Don't tell him anything confidential. He's sure to broadcast it like the BBC."

So if you're interested in reading further, or have plans to move to Singapore in the near future, The Coxford Singlish Dictionary is a very good guide to help you understand 3/4 of the population. Okay. Now i really miss home!

Spoonerisms

The j-man is horribly dyslexic when it comes to writing and reading aloud. This is evident when he reads telephone numbers in the wrong order and consistently says things like 'a-mi-nal'.

BUT


everyone is guilty of a little bit of spoonerisms now and then.

The MIL said, in the car today.

"Oh my gosh, did you see that crane trash on the news the other day?"

HUH?



Here's a great book by Shel Silverstein (Author of The Giving Tree) that plays on spoonerisms! Check it out!


What are some spoonerisms you've overheard? Share them! I'm in need of a good chuckle.

And don't forget about the giveaway! Ends this Friday!

Happy Memorial Weekend! x

Thrifting: Goodwill Hunting

I persuaded the J-man to take me to Goodwill one Monday. I had wanted to go to the one nearest our home, but J surprised me by taking me to a bigger store in Mooresville. Well actually, he had also wanted to go to this Indian restaurant, Mint for lunch, which was why he so graciously suggested the Goodwill around the corner. And I'm not complaining!

For $25,

HER:


2 comfy pairs of jeans


1 lovely floral skirt to twirl around in

HIM:





2 hilarious tees (love the forrest gump quote)

US:


3 hardback classics


SCORE!


Goodwill
214 Williamson Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
(704) 696-0033

And apparently the Goodwill in Cornelius is EVEN better! *hyperventilates*

Etsy Pick of the Week :: King Paper ::

So this week, I have been intrigued by vintage posters and print. Here are some of my favorites from King Paper!



Ruth St Denis, was one of the pioneers in early modern dance, whose students include the famous Martha Graham, and was also known for her "oriental" productions. I've always wished I had the opportunity to watch one of her performances. I really am born in the wrong era!



The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti and illustrated by Arthur Rackham. I first came across Rackham's work when I was doing some research on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I love his paintings, and according to Wikipedia, Rackham had invented his own technique of photographic reproduction, first using pencil to sketch an outline, before filling in with pen and india ink. When working with colour, he would apply multiple washes of colour until transparent tints were created. I love the ethereal quality of his paintings! There are many more Rackham prints in King Paper's Etsy store.



This one just reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Bernice Bobs Her Hair. He is one of my favourite writers. Short stories are not really my thing, but I enjoyed Fitzgerald's collection. Time for a re-read!


They're offering a Buy 2 get 1 free promotion so go check it out! *excited*

10 things i did on my day off

1. Got my driver's license (FIRST thing in the morning)
2. Prepared ingredients for chicken casserole supper
3. Vaccumed and dusted the house
4. Started reading 20000 Leagues Under the Sea!
5. Bird watched for a bit (saw a hummingbird!)
6. Watered and weeded the garden
7. Did the laundry
8. Updated my blog!
9. Finished a 500 piece puzzle in 2 hours (with MIL's help!)
10. Called my parents (because I didn't do it over the weekend)


Phew! That was one busy day! I felt so accomplished! I think I rather like waking up so early in the morning, I get so many things done!

Thrifting: Birds - Their Life, Their Ways, Their World

Matt, who had recently returned from Argentina, brought this book over to my place. He had found it in his house stashed away on a shelf, thought of me (how sweet!) and my newfound bird-watching hobby. His grandparents had given it to him as a gift 18 years ago. It's only on loan to me, but wow, what a treasure to own!





It's a Reader's Digest publication and printed in 1991. I flip the pages very carefully, while reading about birds, their features and behaviour. You can be sure I'll be on the lookout for birding books the next time i go Used-book hunting!

Thrifting: Half-Price Books

I recently went on a trip to Houston to visit my friends, Rose and Jo. Jo has been living there for a year now, so she knows the place pretty well. She promised I would like this area called Rice Village, which has an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants and stores.

Books will always appeal to me. I am a shameless hoarder. I will never walk past a bookstore without going inside. And I have a soft spot for classics. And I judge books by their covers, the quainter the better. So here are the spoils.



Books at $1.00 apiece.

Half Price Books
2537 University Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005

And again, they have many many locations. So check out their online website. Link above.

Thrifting: Book Buyers

Bought the books for 2USD a piece.

So glad I found this gem in the heart of Charlotte, NC. I have always been a terrible book hoarder, buying from Borders, warehouse sales and wherever I chance upon them. Now that I have to watch my spending more closely, buying books is a luxury that I should be doing without. I have been very good, making frequent visits to the library ever since. However, when I found this place, I was ecstatic! This spacious store is well stocked with shelves and shelves of secondhand books, all in very good condition. It is possibly one of the largest used books store I've ever come across.


Book Buyers
1308-F The Plaza
Charlotte NC 28205
Phone: (704) 344-8611
Operating hours:
M-S 10am-8pm
Sun 12-6pm

Animals Galore!

I'm super excited about the following weekend (Feb 18-Feb 21) because the annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place then. This is a four day event that calls on all bird watchers to come together to count birds!!! Of course, it will not be a pointless activity, but we will have to report our results online which will be tallied to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the continent.

Participants can count birds ANYWHERE for as little or as long as they wish during the four day period, but unfortunately this only takes place in the United States and Canada. Otherwise you can be sure I'll be calling all you friends to join me in this activity!!!!

I've already started practicing. I told Dad about it the night before and he immediately refilled the bird feeders. So this morning, while i was chewing on my sandwich, I was also eagerly looking out the window checking out the birds to see what kinds we have out there. Sad to say, because I'm such an amateur, I could only identify the most obvious ones like the cardinal and the blue jay. I scanned the list of birds on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify the other mystery birds in the yard to no avail. Partly because I need a pair of binoculars to look up close, the birds fly around too energetically for my liking(!) and I have to be less squirmy. Everytime i got out of my chair to move closer to the window, the birds, sensing movement, fly away. I wonder how i am going to be able to sit outside during that weekend, in the cold, without the slightest movement. But I will persevere!!! The best part about it is I get 3 days out of the 4 off work! I don't have to work that Friday, Saturday and Monday!!!!! And from now till then, I am going to familiarize myself with the bird species and get me a pair of binoculars (i think Dad has one somewhere, for his hunting needs).

So far these are the brightly coloured, easy-to-spot little friends out in the backyard:


The pretty Blue Jay


The Cardinal


The Red Bellied Woodpecker


All images via The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In other news, I'm also reading this super interesting animal book called The Peaceable Kingdom - A Year in the Life of America's Oldest Zoo by John Sedgwick. The author spent a year at the Philadelphia Zoo interacting with the staff and animals and this book recounts his experiences through the seasons. It's funny and informative, and gives a heartwarming account of the individual animals that live (and die) at the zoo. My favourite section is about the pachyderms -- the elephants (of course) and the rhinos. It makes me want to go work in a zoo now!!!

If you happen to come across the book, read it!

Trail mix

Currently reading Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods and i'm so inspired!! I want to do the Appalachian trail!!!!!

I love Bryson's writing style. It's easy to read and humorous at the same time. He also packs a lot of side information into the book. That was what made me read the otherwise daunting-looking The Short History of Nearly Everything. He makes reading non-fiction real fun.

But can you imagine? A 6 month hike beginning from Springer Mountains in Georgia all the way through the east coast towards the end point Mount Katahdin in Maine! A total of over 2000miles! What an adventure!!! But, the J-man and I are probably too baby to be "thru-hikers", people who finish the whole trail at one go. Not to mention how we would have that amount of time at our disposal. More manageable would be to attempt the trail section by section. I took it as a sign from the heavens that we must attempt it because as I sat down to read the book, Nat Geo decided to show a documentary about the AT at that same moment.

I think somewhere along the years we have plans to do the John Muir trail as well. The J-man is rather sore about not getting to Yosemite on our last road trip, so I think we will need to attempt that at some point.

So many trips, so little time!!!

Only daydreaming...

about this




and maybe the whole collection of these