Spent the whole day with my #2 sister yesterday. It didn't take much for me to convince Laukong that I needed some time-out from him *no apologies required* and for a girly day out.
We ended up spending most of the time (and money) in Iora. I bought 5 shirts (perchance I do not need to make that day trip to Singapore afterall), a pair of shorts and a bag for my sister. Later we went DVD shopping (bought tons for Laukong) and chilled at The Dome. Went for a quick stop at Vincci before heading home - Vincci has failed me this time. I went out empty-handed.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Night at the Mall Cinema
Watched the Night at the Museum with Laukong, first-born and *ahem* an extra courtesy of first-born (will not get into details for fear of offence). I must say I enjoyed the movie despite not being a big Ben Stiller fan (though I must confess I have been guilty of watching many of his movies and enjoying them for some reason unbeknownst to me).P/S Kirim salam to the *ahem* popcorn guy. I can't believe he still works there. Must find excuse to buy popcorns at The Mall.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Easy Like Sunday Gathering
The whole family went to Seria today to visit what's left of our friends still living there. It turned out to be a mini-gathering in our honour, which reminds me of what I miss most while living abroad.
After late-lunch (from corn-dogs & kebabs to rojak & cucur tarap), the whole event turned into a DVD marathon. Well actually it was more like a dissection and scene-by-scene critique of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended version) and The Matrix (with the making-of scenes behind the actions). Of course, the most active particpants were yours truly and a dear friend (who has still stuck to his promise of being my side-kick to our yet-to-materialise backpacking trip to India - bless him).
The kids had the most wonderful time catching up. My first-born enjoyed himself immensely ending with the usual tantrums of not wanting to go home. Yes, this kind of visits normally do end in tears.
Indeed it is always nice to catch up with friends - it has been more than 10 years ago that I first met them when there were, originally, 10 of us batched up together ready to be shipped to the UK on scholarship. We have all come a long way since. Some did not make it through university, some of us got married and became parents (a spin-off of Baby Gatherings soon ensued), some are still enjoying their honeymoon period, some only starting to enjoy the wonders of parenthood while some have since resigned from our employer and onto what seemed like greener pastures. But no matter where we are, we have somehow managed to keep in touch over the years - with some more often than not. But with the wonders of e-mail, we do maintain some kind of contact with everyone through bulk e-mails with news of each other.
I've said it before and I will say it again, the one thing I miss the most is my friends. For it is friends that keep you sane when you feel your whole world is crumbling down (like when your colleague is being a bitch). For it is your friends with whom you share your joy (like when a new handbag is aquired). For it is your old friends that are the best friends.
After late-lunch (from corn-dogs & kebabs to rojak & cucur tarap), the whole event turned into a DVD marathon. Well actually it was more like a dissection and scene-by-scene critique of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended version) and The Matrix (with the making-of scenes behind the actions). Of course, the most active particpants were yours truly and a dear friend (who has still stuck to his promise of being my side-kick to our yet-to-materialise backpacking trip to India - bless him).
The kids had the most wonderful time catching up. My first-born enjoyed himself immensely ending with the usual tantrums of not wanting to go home. Yes, this kind of visits normally do end in tears.
Indeed it is always nice to catch up with friends - it has been more than 10 years ago that I first met them when there were, originally, 10 of us batched up together ready to be shipped to the UK on scholarship. We have all come a long way since. Some did not make it through university, some of us got married and became parents (a spin-off of Baby Gatherings soon ensued), some are still enjoying their honeymoon period, some only starting to enjoy the wonders of parenthood while some have since resigned from our employer and onto what seemed like greener pastures. But no matter where we are, we have somehow managed to keep in touch over the years - with some more often than not. But with the wonders of e-mail, we do maintain some kind of contact with everyone through bulk e-mails with news of each other.
I've said it before and I will say it again, the one thing I miss the most is my friends. For it is friends that keep you sane when you feel your whole world is crumbling down (like when your colleague is being a bitch). For it is your friends with whom you share your joy (like when a new handbag is aquired). For it is your old friends that are the best friends.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
We're S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G. - Brunei Style
Today me and Laukong went down to Bandar sans les enfants. I don't remember the last time we went out "just the two of us". We had dim sum at the restaurant (just realised that I don't know the name) at Hua Ho Mall in Jalan Muara.
I told Laukong that I wanted to get myself a pair of earrings since the one that I have been wearing is getting a little bit too rusty now. It's about time I update my good old dependable B$2.50 version from Nanyang (I'm surprised it has lasted this long considering my earlobes normally get infected for wearing non-gold earrings).
So off we went to The Mall as I recall correctly there is a white gold jewellery store. I got more than I had bargained for - what with Laukong feeling - rather unlike him (sorry, babe) - should I say...generous. An extremely happy me got out with a pair of hooped-earrings with diamonds, a pair of diamond studs, a pearl necklace (on my wishlist) and a pair of pearl earrings as an afterthought.
Then I managed to buy 3 tops for myself, which is a feat in itself considering most shops in Brunei only cater for stick-thin Hongkie-sized gals.
Laukong also bought me The Sims 2 - Pets for my PSP (only later to be claimed by my first-born), and we bought Seasons 1 & 2 of Little Britain for our Friday night DVD sessions back in Nigeria.
My jet-lag is showing some signs of improvement. I woke up at 10:30, courtesy of a phone call from a dear friend.
I told Laukong that I wanted to get myself a pair of earrings since the one that I have been wearing is getting a little bit too rusty now. It's about time I update my good old dependable B$2.50 version from Nanyang (I'm surprised it has lasted this long considering my earlobes normally get infected for wearing non-gold earrings).
So off we went to The Mall as I recall correctly there is a white gold jewellery store. I got more than I had bargained for - what with Laukong feeling - rather unlike him (sorry, babe) - should I say...generous. An extremely happy me got out with a pair of hooped-earrings with diamonds, a pair of diamond studs, a pearl necklace (on my wishlist) and a pair of pearl earrings as an afterthought.
Then I managed to buy 3 tops for myself, which is a feat in itself considering most shops in Brunei only cater for stick-thin Hongkie-sized gals.
Laukong also bought me The Sims 2 - Pets for my PSP (only later to be claimed by my first-born), and we bought Seasons 1 & 2 of Little Britain for our Friday night DVD sessions back in Nigeria.
My jet-lag is showing some signs of improvement. I woke up at 10:30, courtesy of a phone call from a dear friend.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Home Not So Sweet Home
Holiday's over. We are now in good old Brunei Darussalam. Not in Nigeria, I hear you say? Oh. Did we not tell you that we have been evacuated? Yes, the wonders of living in such a politically volatile country. After much incident of bomb attacks in Port Harcourt (I'll let you google/search/whatever it on the Internet) - our employer has decided that all dependents are to be evacuated back to home countries. This happened just before our scheduled holidays in South Africa. So we flew back to Brunei straight from Jo'Berg. Oh the pain.
It just hit me that coming home unplanned is so not fun. Boo-hoo. I'm homeless (we're living at the in-laws); carless (so-have-to-depend on Laukong to take me out); helpless (how do I continue to work in Nigeria if my children can't come with me?)
It just hit me that coming home unplanned is so not fun. Boo-hoo. I'm homeless (we're living at the in-laws); carless (so-have-to-depend on Laukong to take me out); helpless (how do I continue to work in Nigeria if my children can't come with me?)
We're S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G. - The Revenge
...yes, tomorrow WAS definitely another day. I had a follow-up visit to LV and bought the following:
1) Monogram Sac Plat
2) Monogram Speedy 25 for my mum
3) Monogram wallet
1) Monogram Sac Plat
2) Monogram Speedy 25 for my mum
3) Monogram wallet
Saturday, January 06, 2007
We're S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G.
Hurrah! Hurrah! Definitely got my dose of shopping today. Bought myself the following:
1) LV Manhattan GM handbag
2) LV Monogram Canvas Zippy Organiser
3) Prada shoes (really cute!)
4) Gucci handbag with the classic bamboo handle
5) Gucci belt
6) Gucci baby bottle holder
I am definitely a happy bunny today.
...but tomorrow is another day. Hah hah.
1) LV Manhattan GM handbag
2) LV Monogram Canvas Zippy Organiser
3) Prada shoes (really cute!)
4) Gucci handbag with the classic bamboo handle
5) Gucci belt
6) Gucci baby bottle holder
I am definitely a happy bunny today.
...but tomorrow is another day. Hah hah.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Gimme Hope Joanna
We've just arrived in Jo'Berg today. Frankly it's not as nice as Cape Town. If it wasn't for my handbag craving, I would have probably given it a miss.
Laukong was a happy man today though. For a change he did the shopping and not me. He is now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro. He hinted that he will count it as his belated birthday present. So I told him if that's the case, then it will be his belated/crimbo/advanced birthday present combo. Hahaha!
I have purposely not bought any handbags yet since we will be spending 4 days here. If I were to buy them today, I would get the earliest flight home tomorrow and not bother with the other 3 days.
So for now, let's give Jo'Berg a chance and see what she's got to offer.
Laukong was a happy man today though. For a change he did the shopping and not me. He is now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro. He hinted that he will count it as his belated birthday present. So I told him if that's the case, then it will be his belated/crimbo/advanced birthday present combo. Hahaha!
I have purposely not bought any handbags yet since we will be spending 4 days here. If I were to buy them today, I would get the earliest flight home tomorrow and not bother with the other 3 days.
So for now, let's give Jo'Berg a chance and see what she's got to offer.
Cape Town: The Greatest Hits
Our wonderful apartment at the Marina in The Waterfront area.
The Waterfront
Camp's Bay
Boulder's Beach in Simon's Town
The Great White Shark at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Long Street
Where Nelson Mandela made his first Freedom Speech
p/s That's not me and Laukong btw.
Table Mountain
This mosque was all that remained of the old District 6. In 1966 the apartheid-era government declared it to be a "whites-only" area. All coloured people were forced to move out of the area. The only remaining buildings alllowed to stand were that of worship - hence the mosque.
Since the abolishment of the apartheid rule, many coloured people returned to the District 6. Most of whom are decendants of slaves from the Far East during the spice trade. Traditionally houses were not numbered, so the houses were painted in different colours to differentiate. That trandition has evidently since continued.
Bo-Kaap the Cape Malay area, also now predominatly where the Muslim settlers live. Some Malay words are still used like "lebaran" for the Eid celebrations (though you may want to pronounce it in an Afrikan accent - which I could definitely get used to!).
It's a long, long way to Tippereree...
Finally a place I learnt in my primary school history books
Cape Point
Cape of Good Hope (at least I can now claim that I have gone sampai ke hujung dunia with Laukong - well, almost).
Sightings of the ghost ship The Flying Dutchman (of The Pirates of the Carribean fame) have been claimed - apparently.
The Waterfront
Camp's Bay
Boulder's Beach in Simon's Town
The Great White Shark at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Long Street
Where Nelson Mandela made his first Freedom Speech
p/s That's not me and Laukong btw.
Table Mountain
This mosque was all that remained of the old District 6. In 1966 the apartheid-era government declared it to be a "whites-only" area. All coloured people were forced to move out of the area. The only remaining buildings alllowed to stand were that of worship - hence the mosque.
Since the abolishment of the apartheid rule, many coloured people returned to the District 6. Most of whom are decendants of slaves from the Far East during the spice trade. Traditionally houses were not numbered, so the houses were painted in different colours to differentiate. That trandition has evidently since continued.
Bo-Kaap the Cape Malay area, also now predominatly where the Muslim settlers live. Some Malay words are still used like "lebaran" for the Eid celebrations (though you may want to pronounce it in an Afrikan accent - which I could definitely get used to!).
It's a long, long way to Tippereree...
Finally a place I learnt in my primary school history books
Cape Point
Cape of Good Hope (at least I can now claim that I have gone sampai ke hujung dunia with Laukong - well, almost).
Sightings of the ghost ship The Flying Dutchman (of The Pirates of the Carribean fame) have been claimed - apparently.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Happy New Year, 2007
Happy New Year! Happy New You! Happy New Me!
Not one to bother with new year's resolution - so am not about to start one this year. However I have been enjoying my holiday here in Cape Town. It is such a wonderful place to be.
I finally did some "real" shopping today - much to Laukong's horror, but who was he to stop his much deprived better half. Bought myself a pair of Chloe shoes and another addition to my Paddington bag. Yippee!
We will be departing to Jo'berg on Thursday and plan to do more handbag shopping there. So no more bag shopping in Cape Town for now - heh heh *fingers crossed*.
Not one to bother with new year's resolution - so am not about to start one this year. However I have been enjoying my holiday here in Cape Town. It is such a wonderful place to be.
I finally did some "real" shopping today - much to Laukong's horror, but who was he to stop his much deprived better half. Bought myself a pair of Chloe shoes and another addition to my Paddington bag. Yippee!
We will be departing to Jo'berg on Thursday and plan to do more handbag shopping there. So no more bag shopping in Cape Town for now - heh heh *fingers crossed*.
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