Wee Memories & Sisterly Love

Hi peeps, it's time for the very first Wee Memories challenge for 2011! This week we are sponsored by The Twinery and the challenge is to create anything using twine.

I simply love the quality of their twine and the colors are gorgeous. So, without further delay here's my  card using twine. I sew the twine to create the grid panels.

I am very happy with the way this card turned out. It looks clean & simple, without being too simple. What do you think? Join us for this fun challenge for a chance to win The Twinery sampler pack. And checkout the DT creations HERE.

Continue with snippets of my trip to Jakarta. You know, what got me tickled pink when I was there? To see this! check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzSfmPqNlBc

(BTW, I never try to post video on a blog. Any tip, instead of just posting a link?)                       

My baby brother's very first TV ads. :) He's a very hard worker and he had made a name as graphic designer and photographer in Indonesia. And, I couldn't be more proud of him. He's such a fun, loving person and goofy as well. But, behind the goofiness, he's very much a deep thinker, a trait that he got from my mom. He also has a photography blog that you can check out here at JERRY AURUM.

I adore both of my brothers. I always know my brothers are amazing people. Yet, I feel like everytime I get together with them, I learned something new about them that just made me adore them even more. My older brother, Jeff, is a cardiologist who really believe in what he's doing, which is helping people. I mean, when he has patients who couldn't afford the medical bill, he'll donate his service for free.

Yes, I am gushing about my brothers. Can't help it. I truly admire them. Both of them are hard workers. They both started from the very bottom of the ladder and they are where they are right now because of their commitment & hard working attitude. Today, I just want to shout it to the blog land how much I love them!

Well, that's a bit about the people that means the world to me. I'll be back tomorrow for Denami Designs blog hop. See you then and enjoy your weekend. Cheers...

ADFD Challenge & Some Pics

Happy Friday everyone! And, it's a new release day at A Day For Daisies!!! The new images will be up in the store later today in the Just Picked section of the shop and we have an exciting new challenge HERE. A new year and a clean slate, lets give our cards a fresh coat of paint! Get away from last years colored pencils and markers and dip our brushes into wet, fabulous, paint! Try something new!  The challenge begins January 7 and ends January 20, 2011. Here's  my card using one of the ballerina from the newly release set. As usual, the new releases are on sale for $2 this Friday only.

I used acrylic paint to color the dots on the bottom panel. Just used the tip of my stylus and dip it on the paint and touched it to the dots. And, here a look at all  the new releases for this week. Don't they look gorgeous? A Day For Daisies has many gorgeous, dainty, and whimsical images. Go check them out.

Slowly, I am adjusting back to US time. Not easy. This morning I was wide awake at 2.30am till around 4am. Then went back to sleep for a bit more. I called my mom last night and I already miss her so much. Even though my mom lives with my brother & my SIL, she does get lonely during the day as both of my brother and his wife work. So wish I could spend more time there.

Speaking about Indonesia, I am not done with my trip journal. I didn't get a chance to work on the pictures, but I managed to copy some pics from my facebook that my SIL posted. This time it's about food. In my opinion, Indonesian food are some of the best food, because they have such rich, delicious flavor. Indonesia is famous for its spices variation. Did you know that the reason back in the day the Dutch took us over was because of our land richness of spices?

Anyhoo... I totally spoiled myself the whole time I was there. My brothers totally spoiling me by taking  me to all these awesome reastaurant and I got to eat all my heart desires. Which is spicy Indonesian food. Here's some pics. This first one is a yummy crab cooked inside a banana leaves. There are a lot of food being cooked this way. No aluminium foil needed. :)

Here's a pic from my mom's birthday dinner. Typical Indonesian food, you have rice and then you have several dishes to go along with it. There's fried fish with sweet & sour sauce, spicy tofu, soft crab, mango chicken, etc. I actually have lots of good food pictures, and will post them as soon as I have a chance to sort through the tons of pics that I have.  :)

Remember, yesterday I showed youpic of my SIL and I making cookies? This is the result. Yummmiiee. I was pretty good and save 1 box to take back home.

Well, I'll be back tomorrow with new challenges from Wee Memories and more pictures hopefully!! Have a great Friday!

Jakarta Trip Part 1

I was already back at work the day after I came back from Indonesia. And, boy... came 2pm, the jet lag started to hit me. I was sooo sleepy. 2pm here in Houston is 3am in Jakarta, time where I usually deep asleep. It didn't help that emotionally, I am still sad about having to leave my family after 2 weeks of amazing time.

Anyhoo, I tried to get back on the swing of things here. Back to card making. Here's my first card for this year. Lesson learn, when you're sleepy it's better to go to sleep than trying to make card. :) The banners didn't line up quite right, but I just didn't have the energy to re-do it right then and there. Made this card based on the sketch from Lucy Sketch Week - Day 1.

Now, that I get the card posted, I want to share some pics from my trip. The first pic is of my sister-in-law Regina and me spending one evening making my favorite cookies called Snow Princess Cookies. Well, she made it and I just helped shaping the cookies. I do have a very thoughtful SIL, she spoiled me so much and she always remember what I like and do her best to make or get them for me whenever she can. Growing up, every Chinese New Year, my mom would get a couple boxes of this cookies, one box for people who visited our house, and another one just for me. :)

Hmm... yeah, we weren't planning to have our picture taken, LOL, so sorry for the messy appearance.

Next picture was from our Christmas eve family dinner. My uncle and my foster brother and his wife joined us as well. That night was the first time in a long time where all of us together and it was such a blast. We kept cracking up jokes and had laugh till you cry kind of laugh. I enjoyed this evening so much and to hear my mom said how happy she was to hear all her kids laughter at the dinner table again was priceless.

I wanted time to stood still when I hear my mom saying that. I said a quick thank you prayer to God for this beautiful moment and for the chance to be with my family.

Besides visit with my family, I also had the chance to catch up with some old friend. Here's pic of me with my best friend from high school, Eva (in the blue dress) and her sister, Cherny. Whenever I go back to Indonesia, Eva is always one of  my friend that I try to see at least once. It's always fun catching up with old friends that know you from way back when, when you were still just an awkward teenager. :)

More stories from my trip on next post. Thank you all for stopping by and thank you so much to everyone for the warm welcome back. I miss reading your blogs and already started visiting as many as I could yesterday. Hugs! 

I'm Back!!!

Hi peeps! Happy New Year to you all. I am now back in the States. I arrived yesterday after about 31 hours journey. Hubby picked me up at the airport and when we got home, as I walked in the door hubby surprised me by having the house decorated with welcome home banners & balloons. He always know how to cheer me up as he knows leaving my family always hard on me. And yep, I arrived at 2pm and I was in bed by 6pm. Totally crashed!

I have no card, yet for today. But, I am looking forward to visit you blog again! I will have so many blog to catch up and already have long list of assignment waiting to be completed. Can't wait to see you all on blog land again. I will be commenting on you blog to my best as I can. :)

And thank you to all of you who sent me such lovely cards for Christmas. Hubby had all the cards line up on the counter for me to see. You gals totally rock!

Cheers...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

January 3rd is my mom's birthday and I am so grateful that this year I am able to celebrate her birthday with her. Living far away always hit me the hardest during birthday and special occassion. So, this year just feel so special for me. Yes, she was in the States last year, but my brothers were not there.

This year, we all here and that's just awesome. Last night, we threw her an early surprise birthday party as this evening I will be heading back to the States. All the important people in her life were there and I just love seeing her big smile. She's the happiest around her kids and it feel great that we can make her birthday so memorable. She truly enjoyed the celebration.

As my mom walked in everyone sang happy birthday.

Our family 2011

Today, I am dedicating this post to my mom. Mom, I love you so much and I can't thank you enough for always being there for me, for always believing in me, most of all for always loving me. I wish I could be with you for each of your birthday. Mom you are my rock, my life line. I wouldn't be where I am today without your love, support, & guidance. I hope, when people sees me they see a little bit of you in me. I hope I make you proud. May God always bless you and may this year be filled with many blessings that brings you joy and happiness.

I miss my hubby a lot, but still I don't feel ready to go back to the States, yet. 2 weeks just not enough for catching up. I feel like I still want to hug my family a lot, seeing them face to face. I wish we live closer to each other. Even now, I can't stop crying. The 26 hours trip to go back to Houston wouldn't be easy. My heart ache already just thinking I have to leave my family again. So grateful I get to spend 2 weeks with them, just wish it could be longer.

Mom, I simply love you more than words can express. I love you and I am thankful for having such an awesome family.

Happy New Year

Hi all! As we close 2010, I'd like to wish you all a very happy New Year! May 2011 be a great year for you filled with many great things that brings you joy and happiness.

I am enjoying my last weekend here in Jakarta. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. Christmas eve, my mom cooked a wonderful steamboat dinner, and my uncle also get to join us. It was awesome! My brothers and I kept joking around and we just laughed so hard teasing each other and sharing memories.

At one point, my mom was sniffling due to runny nose and my brother jokingly said, mom, why are you crying. My mom's replied had me stopped for a second. She said, "I am teary eyed because it's so wonderful to hear the laughter of all my kids at the dinner table again." I think at that moment, all of us felt such gratefulness.

I don't take anything for granted. I savor every moment, every laugh, every hugs, jokes, etc. I want to remember it all. This Christmas trip means the world to me. My family totally spoiled me. My older brother commented how his siblings (me and my younger brother) could be so independent, yet as soon as we're by our mom, we could be like a baby again. LOL. I had to laugh. That's so true. :)

Anyway, more stories later. Again, have a blessed New Year and my this coming year brings you health, prosperity, happiness, and joy. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!! Cheers....

Hello

Hi peeps! How are you doing? I am enjoying my time with my family in Jakrta. It feels great to be able to talk face to face with them, hugging my mom, chatting all day long, etc. I am really close with my family and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, that I don't even want to sleep in and waste time sleeping.

I also got to meet up with my best friend from high school, who came to visit me with her mom, whom I haven't seen since 1994. That was so awesome. Hoping I will get to meet some other friends while I'm still here.

Literally, there's so many things to do and so many catching up to do. 2 weeks is really not enough, but I so appreciate all the time I have with them.

Since hubby couldn't come with me, I took a bunch of picture to show him what Jakarta looks like and all the yummy food we have. I plan on sharing those pics with you all as well when I'm back in the States.

For now, I just want to say a quick hi and I'm sorry that I can't check out your blog at the moment. I'm only accessing computer during short down time here and there. Hope you all have a great week! Hugs. :)

Wee Memories Color of The Season

Hi peeps, it's time for Wee Memories new challenge. This week our theme is "Color of The Season" and we are sponsored by Pink Cat Studio.

Here's my card for this challenge using their Birds on A Wire digi stamp:

I hope you will join us on this fun challenge! The lucky winner will get 5 Digital Stamps of your choice from Pink Cat Studio. For more inspirations, go check out what the DT gals created at Wee Memories blog.

I am enjoying my time with my family and looking forward to eating some yummy Indonesian food that I've been craving for a while! Have a great weekend, everyone! Cheers....

Hi From Singapore / Jakarta

Hi all! I am editing the blog from Changi airport during transit. I do love Singapore airport. They're nice, safe, and many internet kiosk where you can use internet for free.

My flight was great. I did a movie marathon. I watched 3 movies on my way from houston to Moscow (Legend of the Guardian, Salt, and Inception). Then from Moscow to Houston I watched Despicable Me. Only one movie as my need for sleep finally catching up with me.

As this post goes up, I should already be in Jakarta and there could only be 2 options. Either I am able to stay awake and enjoying catching up with my mom, brother & SIL or I am passed out from jet lag. There's 13 hours difference between Houston & Jakarta, so it's quite an adjustment. When I am editing this it's 7AM, Singapore time. Feel pretty fresh & awake. can't wait to see my mom. A few hours later, I probably crash! :)

I already plan on having at least one day of pampering. Thank goodness that my aunt from my dad's side has a salon/spa place. So, I'll be taking advantage of getting some massage & pampering. I love, love Indonesian spa. One of the best out there. After jet lag, massage is definitely helpful. :)

Okay, today I have a couple projects to share. First one is a Christmas tag / tree ornaments I made using one of A Day For Daisies new releases called "Just Hanging Out" for their "Tag & Tassel" challenge. I started this as holiday tag, but it looks so adorable that I ended up hanging it on our Christmas tree. Can I say, that I love, love the way this one came out. :)

The tassel was made using baker's twine from The Twinery. Below is a closer look of the tag. Aren't those cubs the cutest? Love the one that lay on its back & snuggling on the mama's bear paw. Truly one of my favorite image from all the Christmas stamp I have. Go check out what the DT gals created using the new releases HERE and would love for you to join us on this fun challenge.

Here are the new releases and you can buy them at A Day For Daisies.

Next, is a card I made for Mami Doodles "Anything Goes" challenge using this sweet image "The Storyteller". Check out Mami Doodles DT creations HERE. With anything goes theme, you know how easy it is to enter your card.

Hope you enjoy your visit here and have a great Friday!!

Skipping A Day

Today is the day that I somehow skipped during my flight to Indonesia. Yep, I left on Wednesday afternoon and by the time I arrive in Indonesia, it'll be Friday already. No Thursday for me.

I am guessing, when this post goes up, I am somewhere between Moscow & Singapore?? And, missing my husband dearly already.

Here's a quick post of another simple tag I made. I love turtles. Used to have a couple that I named Valentino & Rafael (from Ninja Turtles) and yes, I have a little collection of turtles stuff. I have weaknesses toward cute & cuddly stuff (translation: stuff animals). Luckily, they're all mini size, otherwise I wouldn't have a place to put them.

Oy, I rambled all over the place, didn't I? Hope this post goes up without a glitch and I pray that I arrive safely in Jakarta. Hugs!