A WISE OLD OWL

I found an interesting lamp for my desk yesterday.

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

THE JOY OF GOING ON A HOLIDAY

The start of a holiday is always fun.

SOME MISTAKES NEVER GO AWAY

Some mistakes never go away but remain to haunt you on a daily basis.

I am referring to a pretty wooden letter organiser I bought which has the words,

"Cherish Life's Simple Pleasures"

Or so I thought when I first saw it at the shop.

It was only when I reached home that I discovered the words actually read .......

"Cherish Life's Simple Preasures"

Oh well, I guess I will just have to live with my carelessness and try to learn from it.

But as you can see from the cupcake dish episode, I didn't really learn anything.

MCDONALD'S PROSPERITY BURGER

Every year, as Chinese New Year approaches,

I eagerly look forward to a very unChinese

but crucial (for me, anyway) aspect of the Lunar New Year.

As I grow older (and my waist grows thicker),

I try to stay away from fast food.

But when Chinese New Year is around the corner,

the PROSPERITY BURGER beckons with its seductive taste and texture.

And I tell myself, "What the heck, life is short"

And some spoil-sport of a friend would warn;

"And it will be shorter if you gobble down that burger"

Well, I am glad to say that just this evening, after work;

A like-minded friend joined me in a once-a-year gastronomical pleasure of burger paradise.

There is no point in me describing to you how good it is.

You have to experience it for yourself.

And you have to eat it at the restaurant.

No such thing as takeaway.

Oh, and you also have to suspense all feelings and thoughts of guilt and diet.

Otherwise the pleasure will be diminished.

Oh dear, I think I just might have to change the "once-a-year" rule to "at least once a year"

THE MILLENNIUM TRILOGY

It's been a very long time since I read what I call an "unputdownable" book.

The Millennium Trilogy is written by Stieg Larsson and consists of: 

1) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

2) The Girl Who Played With Fire

3) The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest 

I read all three at one go.

And when I turned the last page, 

I felt like I had just said goodbye to a bosom companion.

And now I don't know what else to read.

It is difficult to find another book that is comparable.

The tale is dark but not sick.

It is gripping to the very last word.

After Larsson finished the 3rd book, he died.

So there will be no more Millennium books from this amazing story teller.

KNICK-KNACKS

Some pretty and adorable knick-knacks in Jennifer's apartment.

 They are all MINIATURES!

CLOCK FROM TURKEY

I absolutely love this hand-painted clock that is hanging on the wall 

of Jennifer's apartment. She bought it when she was holidaying in Turkey.

JENNIFER'S CHINESE NEW YEAR DECOR

CHINESE NEW YEAR

 

 

In 2011, the first day of Chinese New Year falls on 3rd February.

And it will be the year of the RABBIT.

I will be going home to the parents on 1st February;

and so will millions of other people.

There will be a veritable exodus from the cities

To reach home in time for the last dinner of the year with family.

I will be too busy to blog during Chinese New Year.

So I will wish everyone a New Year filled with .....

TO SLEEP; PERCHANCE TO DREAM

  

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. 

(Robert Frost)

HOME AND HEARTH

MY FAVOURITE DREAM KITCHENS

If Home is where the Heart is

Then may your Home be Blessed
A Shelter from the storms of Life
A place of Rest,
And when each day is over
And toil put in its place
Your Home's dear warmth
Will bring its smile
To light the saddest face!

(John McLeod)

THE ROSE

When the night has been too lonely

And the road has been too long...

Just remember in the winter

Far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed

That with the sun's love, in the spring

Becomes the rose.

iPhone 4

I have a new toy.

Still trying to get the hang of it.

MOM's GARDEN

Mom threw some seeds on the little patch of ground

outside her bedroom window. When she came home

from New York 3 months later, she found THIS!

(the secret is that she uses organic fertilizer)