Monday, November 30, 2009

Weekly Project (November 23rd-29th)

Last week, Art House Co-op had us "Tell a story in 100 words or less with an accompanying image." A request to write 100 words? How could I resist? I chose to write something about a drawing by my son, and the big words he used to describe it. An art historian in the making? Check out the other stories featured on their blog.

For next week's project, we've been asked to tell them or create an image of what we would do if we had 5,000 ping pong balls. Hmm... I think I will write something. A quatrain? A poem? A short story? We'll see.

Weekly Project (November 16th-22nd)

Several weeks ago, Art House Co-op called for us to create a monster or creature out of the items in/on our desks. Here's my impromptu creature, as featured on their blog.

More desk creatures and monsters can be found here.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Can-o-worms @ Venusbuzz.com


My friends think I'm strange for having an inordinate fondness for frogs, but I admit that not all slimy creatures are dear to my heart. For example, I've always been very squeamish about worms. I mean, who isn't?

Recently however, I've been reading up a bit on vermiculture or worm composting, the answer to organic waste management. Now, a Malaysian company called Hijau Kembali is making vermiculture accessible to homes, with Can-o-worms. I first read about the company in The Star, and quickly emailed them to find out if I could feature them on Venusbuzz.

I emailed Norhana, their GM again yesterday, to tell her that the article had come out; subsequent emails revealed that she once worked for the museum I work for. Small world!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Oprah's adieu

Here's something I wrote today... thought I'd share...

My colleague let out a blood curdling scream from her desk. At first, I thought she might have impaled herself with a letter opener, but as I ran over, tripping over wastepaper baskets, I saw that she was staring transfixed at her computer screen. Her eyes were bulging and she seemed short of breath. “What’s wrong?!” I asked. She pointed to the screen… The title of the article read, “Oprah Decides to End Show After Much Prayer.” My jaw dropped...

PS: I exaggerated, my colleague did not scream, she merely gasped... loudly.

Burton, Child and Powell

First of all, let me just say, that I would give almost anything to see Tim Burton's retrospective at MOMA...

Sigh.It's 6.22 pm on a rainy Saturday evening. I feel very stuffed, having eaten a late lunch takeaway of Kenny Rogers and a bar of Kinder Bueno, both courtesy of my husband. I just watched Julie and Julia on my computer. Meryl Streep = Goddess. Amy Adams = cute. Great story.

I am very happy for and a tiny bit envious of - Julie Powell. I am sure I'm not the only one ;) She started with a blog, she then wrote a book, and then it got turned into a movie by Nora Ephron. Julie and Julia is the first film ever made based on a blog, and it's a successful movie at that.

Having visited Powell's blog(s), I can't say that they came off as very interesting... particularly because there aren't any pictures. I am a visual person, what can I say? I am a fan of food blogs, and follow quite a few, so I suppose I've come to expect that such blogs come equipped with gorgeous, inspiring pictures. But, clearly, it's her words that draw people to her.

I will make it a point to read her posts, and learn a thing or two. I promise not to swear on my blog though.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Good advice for freelance writers

Specifically, this is good advice for people who have full-time jobs and moonlight as freelance writers... like me. Here's what i found on the Internet today:

1. Freelancing with a full time job on Suite101.com by Lisa Rufle.

2. How to balance freelancing and a full-time job without burning out on Freelancefolder.com by Michael Martine.

3. Getting started freelancing while keeping full time work position at Freelance Directory.

4. Balancing part time freelancing with a full time job at Freelance Switch by Susan Johnston.

5. How to benefit from a freelancer's mindset at Harvard Business Publishing.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wearable art & Face Forward? @ Venusbuzz.com

Here's my highlight on the latest cool stuff from jewellery blog shop Itsy Beadsy. And, check it out, Chris from Itsy Beadsy gave me a shout out on their blog!


And, is your baby's stroller stressing him/her out? Yikes!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Weekly Art Project

In last week's Weekly Project, Art House Co-op asked us to "Take a picture of the view outside of your favorite window." Feeling rather bad that I didn't participate in the first Weekly Project, which was to make a fountain in your kitchen sink, I made a submission. I'm very happy to report that I'm one of around 65 people from all around the world that sent in a photo. Here's my snapshot:

Caption: "This is a view of the playground opposite my living room window. I took this picture right after arriving home from work, which is my favourite time of day. The sky was nice and clear that day, none of the usual smog and haze."

You can see all the submissions from last week here. This week, we've been asked to "create a monster or creature out of the items in/on your desk." Things is, my office mates and I have just been asked to clear our desks in preparation for a renovation.

The guideline is that we have to use things that are currently in or on our desks.. hmmm... maybe I can use the stuff that I've already packed away in boxes. But, maybe that's cheating... Aiyah! I must submit somehow!!

Friday, November 13, 2009

En Route to Mecca @ Essenze magazine

Got a package today! It contained the new Essenze magazine (Vol.16-09), which has just hit bookstores and newsstands. Inside is my article on how the Hajj inspires Muslims all around the world and how it is reflected in art. My article was turned into a lovely 3-page spread, check it out!

Essenze Magazine Vol 16-09

Random rambling

Today's random ramblings:

1) I cannot sufficiently explain my current inordinate interest in Katy Perry's songs... although I cringe whenever I hear her sing live.

2) I am as close to floating on cloud nine that I've been in a loooong while.

3) I am very thankful that God has answered my prayers and has given me a way to get out of the deep hole that I've dug myself into.

4) After a brief bout of depression, believing that the thesis I wrote was utter crap... I've learnt to accept and realise that I've done a pretty good job after all...

5) It's always nice to be given a new writing gig, and it seems I will be landing a new one! Yaay!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Omega-3 for baby @ Venusbuzz.com

When I was pregnant, someone told me that I should take Omega-3 supplements, and I did. I'd like to think that it did not only my brain and heart good, but my baby's as well. Omega-3 for baby via mummy? Most definitely! Find out why:

What a relief! @ Venusbuzz.com

Over-the-counter medication and antibiotics are not necessarily a parent's best friend. There is mounting evidence that they're bad for our kids. How do we treat our babies when they have a cold or fever then? Here are a few suggestions for back-to-basics home remedies.


Old school book vs kindle @ Venusbuzz.com

I love audiobooks, but I'm not so sure about e-books just yet. I've tried reading books and comics on the computer screen, but I must say that it doesn't appeal to me very much. I still like the feel of a book in my hands. Someday, maybe I'll find the need to buy an e-reader, like a Kindle, but for now I'm happy with a good old book. But, which is more eco-friendly? The paper-based book or the battery-operated e-reader? Check out the debate:


Monday, November 9, 2009

Wrote a slogan, won a pair of earrings!

I have a thing for costume jewellery and when I read on Itsy Beadsy that there was a chance to win a cute pair of earrings (see above) by writing a slogan, I couldn't resist... Today, I got an email from them saying that I'm the winner! Yippee!! The contest was held in conjunction with Detailed Wears'1st Birthday. I can't wait till they arrive, they are too cute!

What was my winning slogan? Here it is:

"I like the confection-inspired shades of Candy Swirl Earring Studs & will wear them everywhere to brighten up my day!"

Image via Itsy Beadsy

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Do you know about BPA? @ Venusbuzz.com

I wish I was more aware of the dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA) poisoning when I was pregnant and when my baby was being bottle fed. The ill effects of this chemical is very unnerving indeed, which is why I put together this two part article to remind other mums out there of its dangers.

Part 1 discusses toxic baby bottles:


And Part 2 discusses BPA-free pregnancies:

Welcome 2019: Time to Grow

Happy New Year everyone! I'm so so excited for 2019 and everything that it'll bring. I'm starting the year with gratefulness for...