My Hottie!

Doggie.

Heh! What did u think it was?

My little baby Zara (ok la, she's 1 already, so not so much a baby anymore)



But still "little".

ok, she doesn't "look" little in this pic..but that's just coz I'm toiny!

She's in her 2nd heat cycle. Her 1st was 6 mths ago (July). Droplets of blood on the floor and worse! my bed!! I had to scrub and dump all my sheets (including my duvet/doner/blanket) into the washing machine!

It's amazing she managed to not get pregnant with my "Hot Stud" - ahem...Chino - around. Right, he's not a stud as yet la...he doesn't even know what goes where okay...I've come home to a pee-flattened head Zara (coz Chino humped the WRONG END! HAHAHAH!) My poor baby.

Chino is now being dogsat(?)/dogsitted(?) by a friend. I woke up every hour one night to tell Chino to get off my bed (where Zara was sleeping). Imagine a lil sharkie (a la JAWS) circling the foot of my bed the whole night...waiting for an opportunity to hop on and hump to glory! (from any side! - he's not the brightest doggie la...he humps from all sides - front, back, sides *shakeshead*)

The Royal guard, outside the Princess' hideout

So, as a "proud parent", I decided it was high time (ABOUT TIME!) to find out more about Doggie Heat Cycles and all that...She's too young to be breeding and I don't know if I'm about ready to be a Gramma yet!

Maybe I should just keep here in her for the rest of her heat cycle...

I found heaps of sites talking about Heat cycles...Whoa!..what an eye opener...

I learned heaps from this site "LOVE TO KNOW"

Did you know that the "heat cycle" is called Estrus?

Well, I didn't.

Doggie heat cycles usually occur once in 6 mths / twice a year. - ok, that looks about right ...July...January.

How Long is a Dog in Heat?

A normal heat cycle lasts approximately three weeks. In the beginning stages, known as proestrus, a bitch's vulva begins to swell, and you may notice her licking herself more than usual. Male dogs will also begin sniffing her more as her hormones start to produce a scent that signals she is coming into breeding condition.

How to Tell if Your Dog is in Heat?

Very soon after the vulva begins to swell, the bitch will begin to produce a bloody discharge. The amount will vary from one bitch to the next, so it may or may not be noticeable.

Sometime around nine to twelve days, the color of the discharge lightens to a pinkish-tan color, and it's usually around this time, referred to as estrus, that the vulva softens and eggs are released from the ovaries. At this point you may notice your bitch flirting with other dogs; this is a sign she is ready to accept a male's advances.

If the heat cycle is allowed to continue uninterrupted, by the third week, the discharge begins to look bloody again. The amount will trail off until the cycle has concluded with anestrus.

Voila!

If u didn't know before...now u do!!

I keep debating on whether or not to get her spayed. It's normally advisable to get doggies spayed before they have their first heat cycle.

Unfortunately, we're a bit too late. Although, I think its still okay to spay a dog after her first cycle.

After watching a spaying operation on youtube however....*tummy convulses*

I don't know if I should spay her.

I'd LOVE to spread the cuteness that are my two LOVELY doggies!! (I may be bias!)

Can u imagie how cute their puppies would turn out???

But, I also don't know if I want her to breed at all. What if she's not the same adorable little Zara after breeding?

She's still my little baby...

Hmmm....Dilemma...

What to do??? WHAT TO DO?

My Simple Life

(photo courtesy of Sharkawi Che Din at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharkawi3d)

~ * My Island Paradise * ~

(photo courtesy of Sharkawi Che Din at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharkawi3d)

I was driving to work as usual today, stopping by 7-11 to pick up a loaf of bread to have with my precious "commodity" a.k.a. Vegemite!, when i had that funny feeling of peace and happiness. Ok, that sounds a bit weird... No, I have not been meditating or achieved enlightenment or anything of that sort. Its just a satisfying feeling of actually loving where I am at...where I live and my life right now. I know its a state of mind, but your surroundings play a big role in forming that state of mind.



I suppose I'm much happier living in this part of the Island, where there's less traffic, not densly populated (not for long though), relaxing and so close to the beach (although i should make an effort to go more often). Yes, I've always wanted to live in Tanjung Bungah. I'm an Island girl...i suppose. I have a NEED to see the sea on a daily basis (and I do, everyday i drive to work). It has a calming yet liberating effect on me.



Whenever I look at the sea, I feel less confined and constricted to the reality that is life. Not that my life is in any way complicated at the moment anyway. But I think you get what I'm trying to say here. I just enjoy driving to work without having to battle through the traffic, getting to my workplace in all of 5 minutes and enjoying the view of the sea along the way.


[there has been a recent influx of massive highrisers sprouting in wild abandonment blocking the coastal view :( ]


When my family lived in Island Park it used to be such a chore going to town or even work for that matter. There's always that Green Lane traffic jam (from CGL to Turf Club and beyond) and over-population that really gets to me. Ah, its just me and my lack of patience (which i'm actively working on everyday - breathe in, breathe out) I've always longed to live closer to the beach/sea (not that I go too often). Its just the proximity thats comforting. So when my mom said that our old house was falling apart on us, I jumped at the opportunity to "convince" my parents to look at houses in the northern part of the island!




My parents use to live in that area when they first got married. So it wasn't very difficult to convince them to move back there! So after viewing a couple of new developments, my parents decided to buy a place right smack in Hillside, Tg. Bungah!! WHOOPIE!!
We moved in 2005 and I don't think anyone regretted it at all! Although I didn't live there until mid-last year.

Some Island Girls!

Its a bonus that we can get yummy Char Koay Teow,


the most delish Curry Mee (a.k.a. Laksa in some parts of the world - so WRONG)


and Assam Laksa,



Nasi Lemak and tasty Chicken rice, all on the same stretch of road! We also have German, Bulgarian, Korean, Thai and Indian cuisine besides our trusty Mamak and pizza joints, all within walking distance. Ice Kacang? We've got that covered too! (go here for pics of all the yummy Penang food : http://shingochan.com/cuisine.htm)

A video of Penang food by Lonely Planet

and how can i forget the Uncle Burger??? Well, the stall isn't called Uncle Burger la...but thats what we call that stall! hahaha! because this Uncle makes the most yummy burgers that even southern inhabitants of the island would make the 13 odd km drive up for. I believe its the special caramalized onions that makes it extra special.

Right, enough talk about food...coz it isn't the topic of the day.

Ok, besides food (there is nothing else in Penang to live for! Ok, i'm kidding) there are no less than 3 dog grooming shops!

My lil bro is now a Junior at Dalat International School, less than 0.5km away from our house, a nice beachfront premises along Tanjung Bungah road.

Tanjung Bungah is such a quiet, relaxing, vacation-like area in Penang that is such an ideal place to live in, albeit prices of landed and non-landed properties do not come cheap. The abovementioned new highrisers can start at Ringgit Malaysia 1.2mil, minimum.

Oh, just in case you were wondering, I'm not promoting any particular establishment...I'm merely appreciating the life that I have and being grateful for the little things we're blessed with.

Video of Penang

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

Hey!

So its the first day of the Lunar New Year and after hitting the snooze button about 3 times I decided it was time to roll out of bed and get ready.

I put on a nice bright red dress Alister bought for me from Tassie (LOVE IT!!), dolled up and we went for breakfast at a coffee shop nearby.



Uncle Soo Hay's house was our first destination of the day. Most of my extended relatives (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nephews) were there already. Munching on all the CNY goodies!!

We then whipped out our respective cameras and the camwhoring commenced! Of course, after dutifully wishing everyone a very Keong Hee! (Gong Xi/Happy New Year) and heh...collecting our angpau.



This is the one day we all felt like supermodels...(mind u, i didn't say "LOOK LIKE" okay). Cameras flashing from all angles...amateur photographers going "Look here" and "my turn" hehe!!

The young ladies + boy

The Ladies

The next victim, whoops..i mean relative's house was our Grandaunt's place (Gu kor poh). Now, if there ever was a person who's personality was bigger than the person..it would be my Gu Kor poh. She's TOINY!! (about half my size) but extremely lively, jovial and robust! She must be about mid-80 and can still remember ALL our names (grand nephew and nieces). Not bad huh?

Oh, more snappy happy picture taking at her cute mini water feature garden (compulsary).



There's where my camera accidentally fell down and well...looks like thats the end of my trusty (free) Kodak digital camera (the er..."gear" is dislocated, so it needs to be sent for repair, or i might just get a new one, depending on how much the repair would cost me)

The last snap before my camera dieded

The last house we went to was our Or Cheem's house at Batu Ferringhi. There's where we properly sat down and munched on the goodies (kuih kapit with chicken floss filling, mini springrolls, almond cookies)...there was even Roti Jala (i didn't have any, coz my tummy was a bit dodgy when i woke up)




We adjourned home around noon. I haven't even open a single angpau yet....its not that important to me now. I tried to take a nap..didn't happen. So here I am now...blogging...uploading pics...

with my bros, David and Gary

OH, it wasn't too hot today! Thank goodness.

with my babies!

To the Most Special Man in My Life

~~~~~***~~~~~***~~~~~***~~~~~

~*{HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISTER Y.}*~

I LOVE U BABE!!

~~~~~***~~~~~***~~~~~***~~~~~

REUNION DINNER

Oh yes yes yes!! I'm so looking forward to dinner tonight at my relative's.

GREEN CURRY CHICKEN!!!

JIU HU CHAR!!!

LOR BAK!!!

(these aren't mine, i got them off the web)

To me and my tongue and my tummy...my Aunt makes the best!!

Her green curry is exceptionally thick and full of flavour! Nowhere else comes close to my aunt's green curry chicken!

That's the best part of Chinese New Year! oh yea besides reuniting with all my family members...exchanging news, gossip and taking loads of pics!

What we do every year, with my extended family, is we all meet at my eldest Uncle's house (dad's big bro) and have a scrumptious dinner my aunt prepared, then sit around till late-ish...

The next morning, we'd all gather at my Uncle's again and have breakfast, left-overs from the night before...YARMMMEEHHHH!! Leftovers always taste better the next day!

We then head off to visit some other relatives....we used to visit at least 5-6 relative's houses...but now, its down to about 3 houses...if we're lucky...(meaning, if they haven't gone off for a holiday!)

We'd all go in about 5 cars...Eldest Uncle's family, Eldest Aunt's family, My family, Fourth uncle's family and Youngest Uncle's family. This is all from my dad's side of the family.

We have been practicing this "custom" ever since I can remember. I love it, even though the weather is exceptionally HOT during Chinese New Year. Getting together with my cousins and having a laugh, stuffing our faces with all the CNY goodies and taking heaps of pictures...camwhoring all over town.

The only thing I DREAD about CNY (some of you might have guessed it by now) is when relatives ask me "WHEN ARE U GETTING MARRIED??" seeing that i'm already way past the "Right age". All the unnecessary comments like "You're gonna be the last one to get married" or "Don't be so choosy, all the good ones would be taken already"....blah blah blah...

No really, is life ALL about getting married?? Are u a failure if u don't get married?? Is it some kind of achievement to get tied down?

Am I not as good as my cousins if i fail to snag one?? Jeez....it really gets to me...(only because i let it, i guess).

Sometimes I wonder if they ask because they Genuinely are concerned about my bleak future or if its the lack of topics for conversation...

I always have to think of "polite" responses to the above questions...it can get tiring, when all i wanna tell them is..."STUFF IT!"

Ok, i shall not rant about that now...because this isn't the time nor place....but yes, that's what I'm NOT looking forward to...

When we were younger, CNY was all about having fun and collecting angpau's (red packets filled with money) given by married couples to kids and unmarried young people.



Now, I don't mind so much about angpau's. Especially if they come with all those "Why are you not married yet?" comments....yea, i'll pass on that one.

But anyyyhooo..... Have a VERY HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR y'all!!!





Ok...okay...i Love Blossoms....cherry, apple, peach...watever....they're pretty....

WISDOM ! I has it! (finally)

A huh...

and there I was .... thinking I was already Ms. SmartiePanties all along...

Till i discovered, due to my sudden (or prolonged) discomfort, that my wisdom tooth was finally growing.

Har har..go ahead and laugh...yes, I'm 28 going on 29 and this is my FIRST Wisdom tooth....

Actually, it has been attempting to emerge for about 2 years, I think...because I've been having discomfort in my gums..where its 'supposed' to grow...but there was hardly anything (tooth) for months on end...so I thought it was NEVER gonna happen...and I really didn't think I had anymore space for anymore teeth!!

But I looked today! and its THERE!! nah, I dun think I'll be taking any pics...or posting any either...(thank God!)

Ah I wikipedia-ed it...like I do with all things that randomly pop into my head....
There u go...knock urself out...
Mandibular third molar


Sorry...this ain't such an exciting post...but then again..nothing much has been happening lately...

Oh, I'm meeting up with the girls tonight...POPCORN and DVD!!!



We're gonna watch a "re-run" of something that has already taken place...*cringe*

Oh, does anyone know how to make popcorn WITH Caramel? I know how to make popcorn .... but how do u mix the caramel in without killing the whole thing?

HALP!

La Vie en Rose

"La Vie en Rose" (French for "Life through rose-colored glass," but directly translated into "Life in pink") was the signature song of French singer Édith Piaf. (wikipedia)




What have i done so far in 2009?

...er...not much...immersed in work...(boring)

fiddling with some gadgets in Blogger...adding some music to my page and basically learning a bit more about the kind of music i love...

Spending lots of time with my babies/doggies...living life day by day and relaxing.

Most of my friends who have watched Twilight loved it! One or 2 have read the book...and say the book is so much better...which is normally true...I've linked Bella's Lullaby (Twilight) from youtube on my sidebar, so feel free.




I watched Twilight in Launceston with Alister the day before i left Tassie and we loved it! Although, Edward Cullen didn't do much for me (in the movie)...dunno why. Less (wo)men more share??



I've borrowed the book from Fran (a Twilight fan) and will start reading it .... when i finish this book i bought from Sheffield, Tassie.



ok, back to La Vie en Rose...which I'm currently obsessed with. Yes, a very old song but its BEAUTIFUL. I do like Sophie Milman's version better though (link on sidebar). Maybe its the recording way back then that makes Edith's version sound a bit scratchy.




There was a movie about Edith's life out in 2007, how she became the voice of France. The movie is called La môme, (in France) and La vie en rose (everywhere else in the world), starring Marion Cotillard who won an Academy Award for her performance, marking the first time an Oscar had been given for a French-language role. She is also the first French actress to win a Best Actress BAFTA and the first to win a Comedy or Musical Golden Globe for a foreign language role. It also became the first French cinema film to win two Oscars, the other for Makeup. (quote from Wikipedia)




But here's the Original lyrics. Enjoy!!

La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf

Des yeux qui font baiser les miens,

Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche,

Voila le portrait sans retouche

De l'homme auquel j'appartiens

Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Il me parle tout bas,

Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,

Des mots de tous les jours,

Et ca me fait quelque chose.

Il est entre dans mon coeur

Une part de bonheur

Dont je connais la cause.

C'est lui pour moi. Moi pour lui

Dans la vie,

Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie.

Et des que je l'apercois

Alors je sens en moi

Mon coeur qui bat

Des nuits d'amour a ne plus en finir

Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place

Des enuis des chagrins, des phases

Heureux, heureux a en mourir.

Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Il me parle tout bas,

Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,

Des mots de tous les jours,

Et ca me fait quelque chose.

Il est entre dans mon coeur

Une part de bonheur

Dont je connais la cause.

C'est toi pour moi. Moi pour toi

Dans la vie,

Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie.

Et des que je l'apercois

Alors je sens en moi

Mon coeur qui bat

LOVELY!!