Who can’t smile at someone who swoops in and saves the day?  I know that I will never turn away someone who decided to come to my rescue.  Everyone needs a little bit of saving now and then.

I was saved today but a couple of people and it definitely gave me a smile in a not so happy situation.

When I arrived at my college this morning I was looking for a place to park.  Sometimes parking can be tight and a bit short in supply.  I was maneuvering my way through when I heard crunch.  I stopped and got out to see just how bad the damage was.  I had scraped up the front bumper a bit, leaving some of my paint behind, but no dents.  I left my contact information, grabbed his license plate number and parked my car.  Turns out, after asking at the front desk, that the owner of the car is in one of my classes.  So we go across to figure out how we’re going to solve the situation.

Through everything I was so shaken up (and yes, I’ll admit it, pretty emotional).  This was my first crash dealing with another car.  The only other crash I had was in the winter and it was just my car that was involved in the situation.

Anyways, the reason I was able to smile in all of this?  There was a girl who also went to my school that came in after I hit the car and offered paper and a pen.  She also caught up with me later to make sure everything was okay.

My other reason to smile would be my boyfriend, who is so much better in situations like this than I am!  He’s definitely calm and comes up with solutions that are much more practical than how I was dealing with things to begin with.

So, thank you to both of you who saved me today.

Don’t forget to smile at those who save the day for you too.  : )

More Info

Get a Brighter & Whiter Celebrity Smile in Minutes not Days! Get Your Risk FREE Trial Now!

What is up with girls who don’t smile? Sure girls can be serious and look hot and sultry but I don’t think the red carpet for a movie you are in is the place for that. You should be smiling and happy that your movie is getting a released and people are there to see it. No point in looking all fridgit and robotic, and if it’s because you’re not comfortable in the dress you are in then you shouldn’t have worn the dress in the first place. Here are pictures of Natalie Portman at the primer of the movie she is in called Brothers and she needs to smile more. The one or two pictures that she is smiling in she looks awesome and in the other ones she looks like… she’s afraid of the cameras. Which is odd because she has been acting and has been in the Hollywood machine for a long time, you would think that she is use to the lime light by now. But maybe I’m missing something, maybe it’s her time of the month and she just doesn’t want to smile. Who knows, all I can say is; Natalie Portman- Smile! You look better!

Music Monday Bonus: K-os- I With I Knew Natalie Portman

Joy = Violet

Inceputu este pur si curat! Inceputu meu a fost la fel! Precis ochi mei au vazut prima data ceva frumos…pentru ca mult prea mult
imi place sa privesc ceva frumos, cred ca nici un urlet,nici o injuratura,nici o lovitura nu m-ar afecta si nu mi-ar intoarce privirea
de la ceva frumos,de la un lucru atat de simplu in asamblu si pe de alta parte atat de complicat in detaliu..simplu dar frumos si cu personalitate
astai pentru mine definitia unui lucru frumos pe care il privesti=simplu dar frumos si cu personalitate!!
cu siguranta prima data am auzit si am fost atins de ai mei..cea ce mia dat tona de energie si de optimism sami ajunga o viata intreaga!!

<img src="http://tranquilmoments.wordpress.com/files/2009/09/1iuwsgu0onwf4bbbvxkekvujo1_400.jpg" alt="1iUWSgu0onwf4bbbvXkEKVuJo1_400" title="1iUWSgu0onwf4bbbvXkEKVuJo1_400" width="400" height="266" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-124"

i went for a few intervi

Having a two week old newborn at home is pretty uneventful. Honestly, all they do is eat, sleep, and poop. So I thought….

A couple of days ago Andrew woke up from his usual 5 hour mid-day nap. I got real close to him because I know their eyesight isn’t the greatest yet. He stares intently at my forehead. I hear that newborns see black and white so they will look at your hairline. At least that’s what my wife says.

Anyways, as he continued to stare I noticed his facial expressions change dramatically from a blank look to a smile from ear to ear. I was so excited. He was smiling at me for the first time.

Well it turns out I thought wrong. His expression quickly turned to a strained look. It all made sense now. He wasn’t smiling at me. It was a baby’s instinctual expression when they are pooping. I waited a few minutes and changed his diaper.

I didn’t catch the smile quick enough to take a picture, but I can always get him while he is sleeping.

If you go to your local grocery store or health food store, you will see many advertisements saying that “this” individual product has the best teeth whiting strips. But what you might not realize, is that the best teeth whitening strips may not be what you need to whiten your teeth.

Why? Because teeth whitening strips do not have the ability to hold a large amount of the compound that is needed to bleach your enamel all the way through. In order to get a bright white smile, you will need to have a peroxide compound applied to your teeth through a pen applicator or small tray you wear for 20 or 30 minutes at a time before you go to bed.

Home teeth whitening kits have taken over the best teeth whitening strips because they have proven time and time again to produce whiter teeth than what a strip can do. If you have perfectly shaped teeth then the best teeth whitening strips will help you. But, because everyone’s teeth are different shapes, when you apply the strip to your teeth there will be gaps. And these gaps are what can produce a blotched look to your teeth because parts of your enamel are still discolored because they do not have the active ingredient applied to them in such a way that allow the enamel to be permanently bleached.

Getting at-home tooth whitening kits can save you quite a bit of money and have even been proven to whiten your teeth at least 5 to 10 shades. Some people report results after a few days while for others who have darker yellow brown teeth it can take up to a couple of weeks. Time is not really a factor because these at-home tooth whining kits do indeed work and so it is only a matter of time before your smile is white and bright again like it used to be when you’re in your early 20s.

And also whatever you decide to choose for a bright white smile, be sure to maintain good brushing habits and maintain a diet that is low in sugar, coffee, and tea, which can help you maintain a bright enamel that you can be proud of for the rest of your life.

This year, my birthday celebration started as early as 12th November 2009, Thursday. Went for a nice Brazil food buffet with sweetie BFF, Yun. Nice choice though a bit ulu. This girl very  有心. ’cause she cant make it on Friday (the celebration with the sisters), she still “make up” for it by making herself free on 1 day just to celebrate for me. Thank You dearie! And congrats in the mission accomplished! *winks eye*

That very night, I received my first present. Was staring at the stack of letters on my desk and trying to figure out what is that pretty envelope. It doesnt look like a marketing stuff from some company and I cant recognised the handwritting at all. It turn out to be a gift from Darling Joycie and her husband-to-be. Darling made the envelope herself and wrote a personal card for me. Darling, thank you for the effort. Though we hardly meet up or chat nowadays, your friendship is something that I will never ever ever let go. Love you to bits! =)

Friday the 13th is definitely not a bad day for me. Was so worried that school will drag till late but nope, was able to leave early. However the pouring rain kept me back in school for awhile to finish up some work. No grumbles about that. Went home to prepare for the gathering party at night with my sisters dearies. The turn-up was actually very good and am very contented about it. Beloved mummy (Thank You Mummy!!!) helped me with the steamboat food and beloved sis-in-law (she also gave me a quite-ex-brand present – Thank You) allows me to use their house for the party. Simple steamboat. Simple food. Simple company. Simple games. Yet is the not-simple friendships that lasted for a decade that makes all smiles and laughters happen. Thank You my sweeties dearies! Love u all lotz! *Big bro also gave me an angpow…surprise! =)*

Well, celebration continues on Saturday. This time with my “family” – iGAP. Thank you to kor and xiaomei for organising. More food again. Local food to be exact. The food is not fantastic. The price is even worse. However, the company was fantastic!!! We had lots of laughter and suan-ing around. I am very very very happy and moved that my DD can blend in with them so well. =) After dinner, we adjourned to….iGAP’s home…Boss’ house….for…MAHJONG!!! *SUPER DUPER HAPPY!* Or should I say shiok! Thank You my dearest iGAPianz…I have enjoyed myself alot! =)

On Sunday, a day before my birthday. As requested by yours truely, my DD whipped up a dinner feast for me. Rosti + pork chop + apple salad. Thought he sneakily gotten his mum and sister to help out, I still applaud him for his effort. Warm food in the mouth with even warmer feeling in the heart. Thank you Bebe’s, Pipi and DumbDumb’s Daddy! I love you!!!

Ehz, oppz! Thats not the end yet. I dragged my feet to work on my birthday (BLUE MONDAY) and was feeling real grumpy. Cos my hair is ugly (and my powerful hairdryer + straighener not around) and I have to rush to take a bus. Poor start of the day. Yet..what I din know is a surprise that is waiting for me at my desk. My 3 sweeties from work had quietly placed a bouquet of daisy and a box filled with 4 diff types of chocos on my desk. I was real shocked and happy when I saw the presents upon reaching my desk. The feeling was undescriable. I gave them a hug and muttered Thanks endlessly. The daisy accompanied me through the week of work…Thank you sweeties!

Hmmm…not ending yet…haha! I want to note down the happy memories ma. Bear with it all righty!

Lunch is with 3 other colleagues (from my dept). They treated me to sushi, bought me a plush toy and a choco banana cake from Jack’s. Nice of them to organise this lunch. However, 美中不足的是…haiz. Shall not dampened the mood of this entry. Anyway, during the lunch, I received a real sweet phone call. Someone (Ervin with Jen by the side) sang a birthday song for me over the phone and he is….my ex-colleague from KF. Damn moved can! Had a good chat with him and I demanded fried laksa for my birthday present. So looking forward to 7th December for the treat with them. Yummy YumYum!!!

More surprises came in when my sneaky DD tried to hide from me at the LRT station. Only to show up with a bouquet of red roses and a present. 12 pretty red roses. My heart totally melted. This is the most beautiful bouquet that I have ever recieved and love. Though I can totally guessed the present that he gotten for me, I still appreciate him trying to act 神秘. Wahahhaa!! A new member is added to our family – DumbDumb. I want it to be a guy simply because of the name DUMBDUMB! =P DD, I really really do not know how else can I express my love to you, all I can say again is I LOVE YOU!!! =D 

I thought that was the end also since my birthday ends exactly at 00:00 on Monday. However another surprise came in when I went for iGAP Outing 6 on Wednesday – 18 November 2009. I went purely cause I want to support Kor for his first project. Never did I expect myself to recieve another bouquet of flowers. This time is a stalk of sunflower and a bear. This surprise gift came from Jo. Is really really very surprising to get a personal gift from her. Really appreciate it. The  bouquet is very pretty. Felt so loved by everyone suddenly. Thank You Jo!!! 

Well…haha…that marks a sweet end to my birthday. Received quite a bit of presents and fatty ang pows. Will make good use of the money (all shall be contributed to me perming of my hair) and all the presents.

Thank You to each and everyone of you for the wishes on FB and sms-es (esp those whom I hardly keep in contact with) and all the sweet celebrations. Thank You for reminding me how much I was being loved by all of you again. Whenever I feel depressed with whatever thingys that happened, I shall always remind myself that I have my friends, love and family with me. Nothing else really matters anymore. The sad will eventually turn into smiles with all of you around. Thank You!! =D

*Feeling blessed and loved is THE MOST WONDERFUL feeling ever!!!*

How many of us spend our days willing time to pass? I have to admit, the Princess often finds herself doing just that. The result: a lot of wasted time and a day that lasts forever.

This week, I think I will try a new strategy! Make the most of every moment! Here’s the plan:

• No procrastinating! Get things done before they are due and relish the feeling of accomplishment.
• No downtime! Take “nothing to” do time and turn it into “improving the Princess” time.
• No wheel-spinning! No complaining! No whining! Like Nike (the shoe company, not my friend the Godess) says, “Just Do It!!!
• Reward myself richly! At the end of a busy day, sit back with a nice glass of wine and feel good about all that I have accomplished and the fact that I used my time well!

This week, I will enjoy every second of my day! My smile will be real and I will not waste a second of my precious time!

“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other — it doesn’t matter who it is — and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.”
(Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. 1910-1997)

This is another portrait that I have shot last Sunday as I was walking near Lal ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).
Then I met several kids and young men bathing in the holy waters and listening to the lectures of a priest sitting under a big umbrella.
When they saw me each asked for a picture and of course I was happy to make a few portraits that I promised to print and to deliver at the same place today.

Excellent photography by the Czech photographer Vlad Artazov …

“Soul receives from soul that knowledge,
therefore not by book nor from tongue.
If knowledge of mysteries come after
emptiness of mind, that is illumination of heart.”
(A poem by alal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, known as Jelaluddin Rumi – 1207–1273)

Last Sunday I was walking near Lal ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras) and I met several kids and young men who were bathing and listening to the lectures of a priest sitting under a big umbrella.
When they saw me each asked for a picture and of course I was happy to make a few portraits that I promised to print and to deliver at the same place tomorrow morning…

Random facts about myself that I figured out just recently…

- I have an unhealthy obsession with post-its. Especially pink or yellow post-its. But I don’t do anything with them. I just stare at them or smell them sometimes…creepy, I know.

- I love shopping alone. Whether getting lost in a crowd or figuring out which mickey stuff toy I have to buy, I love it! Which reminds me, I still need to shop for red shorts…hhmmm…

- I smile at particularly no one or nothing at times. Oh, wait. That’s not something new, is it?

- I discovered that I have been having conversations with myself in my head ever since I knew how to think. And I never once find it creepy until now when I know what “dementia” means.

“Is it your face
that adorns the garden?
Is it your fragrance
that intoxicates this garden?
Is it your spirit
that has made this brook
a river of wine?

Hundreds have looked for you
and died searching
in this garden
where you hide behind the scenes.

But this pain is not for those
who come as lovers.
You are easy to find here.
You are in the breeze
and in this river of wine.”

(Behind the Scenes, a Persian poem by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, known as Jelaluddin Rumi – 1207–1273)

I took this picture of my friend Juliette Sushila last Sunday as we were walking on the ghats along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).
It was one of the last summer days even though it was November.
That day she left for Paris and a kind of winter monsoon came.

Among several things my friend is running charity business with an hospital in the Indian state of Karnataka where she needs support.
www.donnonslavie.org/

photo by strollerdos (via Flickr)

I took a very interesting test recently in which I was shown video of 20 people smiling, and was asked to decipher if I was looking at a genuine smile or a fake smile. I got 17 out of 20 correct. It certainly wasn’t easy, but I think that we are all programmed with pretty good bullshit detectors. We can usually tell if somebody is lying to us, giving us a fake smile, or isn’t genuinely interested in us. This can be a client, a new acquaintance, a cashier, a potential love interest or a customer service agent. And we don’t need to see their faces to tell if someone truly cares or if they’re just going through the motions. It’s generally very difficult to glean tone via text alone, but it is easy to tell if a person, company or organization is “phoning it in” even in e-mail or social networks. Yes, it will take you longer to respond to people, and to post new information, but take that time to make it genuine. It may seem like you’re accomplishing a lot when you re-post the exact same information across a dozen different networks or to your entire e-mail database. But, I assure you, you are accomplishing less. We can tell you don’t care about us. We can tell you’re not treating us special. We can tell you’re giving us a fake smile. Take the time to be real and make us feel special.

By the way – TAKE THE TEST

My Version of the many posts in the interwerbs.

This year’s AFA was really epic except for the traps. The program outline’s really fruity and succulent!
My version of the AFA entry will be split into 3 Parts
1 ) The DC x GSC Experience.
2 ) Personal shoots.
3 ) Regional Cosplay and other Whatnots.

So lets get the first one started!

Mirai and her Bike.

Kodomut really did a great job for the bikie!

BRS

Really a joy to see it up close!

Excellent crafting!

Trust me. All the delays shall be worth it.

Peek!

Figmas

I Love Ani-Song ;P

らきすた！

Posing by: Akiyama-San.

Hmmmm...

The White Devil with Pink Feathers.

Puchi Puchi!

iM@s

Deathnote Puchies

Nendoroids

Moe Moe Kyun!

Her hat attaches on via a magnet!

More stuff about the Event on the –> “Cast We love Nendoroids and Figmas” Links and on
Figure.fm
LEon

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT GETTING ONE OF THESE EATABLE BOUTIQUES AS A GIFT? WOULD YOU EAT THEM?

When you first left me I was wanting more
But you were doing that girl next door, what ja do that for
When you first left me I didn’t know what to say
I never been on my own that way, just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found a light in the tunnel at the end
Now you’re calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it’s only because you’re feeling alone

At first when I see you cry,
yeah it makes me smile, yeah it makes my smile
At worst I feel bad for a while,
but then I just smile I go ahead and smile

Whenever you see me you say that you want me back
And I tell you it don’t mean jack, no it don’t mean jack
I couldn’t stop laughing, no I just could help myself
See you messed up my mental health I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found a light in the tunnel at the end
Now you’re calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it’s only because you’re feeling alone

At first when I see you cry,
yeah it makes me smile, yeah it makes my smile
At worst I feel bad for a while,
but then I just smile I go ahead and smile

lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala lalala

At first when I see you cry,
yeah it makes me smile, yeah it makes my smile
At worst I feel bad for a while,
but then I just smile I go ahead and smile

lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala

.. since 1989

Its been awhile since I posted on here, sorry. I’ve been caught up in school and in my friends and love life.  Well, Roxanne and I go to different schools now but I still talk to her. I recently checked out her blog and it hit me hard that even though we dont talk alot , she still struggles and hurts. I had hoped that high school would be a fresh start for her but it was apparently the beginning of a fresh start for her parents. Yeah, in other words, a divorce. Divorces are hard on everyone but I can tell she feels it extra hard. She hates it when her parents yell and I’m sure a divorce isn’t always the most peaceful thing in the world, if you catch my drift. The divorce is taking its toll on her, she is getting urges toward a relapse. What do I plan to do now? Keep her smiling and laughing. She is my friend and a relapse shouldnt be an option, not when I’m here fore her. I’m here for her and she will get through this.
Love you, Roxanne.

-Valerie