Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Father's Day

A Five-Day-Long Post
Part III
"The Last Post"
from the Black Book
20 June 2KX

For the things I've gone through during these two weeks, I give thanks.
Because it has made me tougher and (not to boast) wiser.
I don't need to shout to be heard.
I don't need to brag to let people recognise my talent & capability.
I don't have to respond when I'm not required to.
I have learnt to listen.
I have learnt to tolerate and to overcome.
That's it.
Overcome.

Suicidal thoughts ran through my head last night, because I embarrassed myself. 'Extreme much.' (I know right.)
I caught myself, and I was actually quite shocked at how my emotions had the ability to bring me close to the edge.
Then I remembered: I have God.
I told Him, "I will choose to trust You, that You can change the situation."
Jia was there and the comfort and the words she said to me were so true and encouraging:) Yayyy (L)

It's Father's Day and I can say that my dad is elated and satisfied.
He put so much time and money into this beautiful wedding - only to take a step back, look at it and say to himself, "All is well."

Chinese New Year 2009
 My father is the most hospitable man I have ever known.
He puts other people's needs before him. When my friends came to sleepover, he bought them madeleines and some pastry first thing in the morning before we got up.
He uses his financial resources to help people he hasn't even seen for years - trust issues definitely come in here and it really makes my blood boil if people misuse that trust.
My father is also a great golfer; he shows me that if I'm passionate about something, go for it and DO YOUR BEST.
Work hard at it, train whenever you have the time and you'll eventually hear Kevin Rudolf's "I Made It" soundtrack in your head when people speak your name.
And all this is not achieved because of "man's envy of his neighbour" but of pure passion, sincerity and determination.
Sure, he's a walking chimney with bellows of smoke shimmying out of his mouth now and then but honestly, those cigarette breaks have given me quality time to talk with him about everything under the sun on the deck of our home.

Dad's Birthday 2010
From ODB, on the 20th of June:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 says: "We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children."
My dad binds our family together: to exhort is "to call near".
My dad listens: to comfort is "to console".
My dad declares his support for me: to charge is "to affirm".

Queen Mary Cruise, Southampton
15 June 2006
Chinese New Year remains as a must to bring everybody together as well as Sunday night dinners.
My father has also played a significant role in my spiritual walk.
If he hadn't given me the freedom to explore Christianity, I wouldn't have grown this much as a person.

Eastern Europe Trip 2008
Pa even takes the time to send me to church every Sunday morning.
The most touching fact is that he waits up for me on late nights when I go out with friends and come home at around twelve to one in the morning (this is when I have concerts that are held at the Expo).
He knows I'm afraid of the dark, so he leaves the light on whenever he's too tired of waiting:)
I feel comforted when I listen to the sound of his firm footsteps thudding up and down the stairs, or even the slight murmuring of the commentator on the Golf Channel at 5 in the morning.
I feel like the most loved little five-year-old girl whenever I'm around him and I'll always remain that way.
I love my Dad and he knows I do.
It's really nothing, to write this post about him after the mini but significant sacrifices he has undergone for me.

Dad and me at present
19 June 2010
Will's Hong Kong Wedding Reception

I'm sitting in a smokey room that doesn't really smell of wine and cheap perfume.
To end off:
Whether it's being ignored on purpose, or being picked to have a debate with: I give thanks because these scales on my eyes have been peeled off and now I can see clearly.
That although this world has its fair share of meanies, God puts them in my life to build me up into a well-meaning individual with self-control, tolerance, sincerity and love.
A drama queen doesn't deserve her title if she can't control the drama, eh? :)

Random:
If I don't make it out alive,
Tell 'em that I've grown stronger and that Heaven is where my treasures are stored in.

John 6:27 says "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that ENDURES to eternal life."

Love,
Ling

-- End --

Ling's Black Book presents...


A Five-Day-Long Post
Part II


18 June 2KX
Nikko Hotel
Hong Kong, duh
And indeed, I did get more printed tops!
Causeway Bay's Retrostone was such a great find for accessories and printed tees.
I couldn't stop raving about it.
This crazy shopping spree has unleashed the bimbo side of me and I've spent a massive but reasonable amount of money on the clothes and makeup that I've bought.
Hong Kong's great finds are along little lanes or up a flight of unflattering steps that lead to magical boutique wonderlands for the Shopaholic.
Island Beverley is one more place to grab unique stuff :)
Shopping, I have to say, is sweet, sweet madness. 
I didn't write anything for the 19th of June because I was dead tired.
Pictures speak a thousand words anyway.
The captions should do too.

I found this underneath my bra in my luggage
Lunch was undeniably good this time round as well:

Chee Cheong Fun wrapped over crispy dough stick
(I didn't get to try this one):

Corn, mushrooms and greens

Some eggy-tasting cake 

I think this is Vegetarian Har Kow. Very yummy:)

Personal Favourite #1: Char Siew Bao

Personal Favourite #2: Crispy dough with chewy Pumpkin

That's a lot of food, I know

Ron smoking squid

They were having a 'photo fight'.
Will tries to cheat by reaching over for her camera.
SEE THAT LOOK ON HIS FACE! :o

"noooooo"

So we went to Causeway Bay after lunch.
The famous Hong Kong tram that I really wish I could've been on.

There was this shop where we could do some stamping.

I loved this place.
It's some Exports chain which sells shoes at a slightly lower price but the clothes weren't very cheap.
This place had so many things and exploring its many corners was just as pleasant:)
Hide-and-Seek would be a good game to play here. Seriously.

Adidas Apparel store. I want this on my room wall.

And then we had some Mango dessert.
Jia Yun's Mango + Coconut Noodle

Da-Sao's Honeydew + Crystal Balls amongst what-nots

This place was a great hit. SHIOKKKK store to shop at, I tell you.
The clothes weren't too expensive and the accessories were whoooots!!!

Examining part of a goose's brain/whatever-that-is

Finally, a fluffy egg tart.

You want? :)

Yeah I don't mind *drools*

Traditional Dragon Beard candy

The uncle was so nice to let us have some for free.
We bought 2 boxes.
You bet my Dad loved it :)

Pot Rouge 02 Calypso Coral Blush

By Bobbi Brown

New make-up is always so purrfect and..

flawless!

Getting ready for the wedding dinner @ Shangri-La

Feeling pretty achieved.
Throw in some glitter dust and tadaa! we be looking FAB <3

Ron wanted a photo all by himself

So I scooted over to Clara and took one with her! Hmmph.

JY's super awezum hair done by Jia

Hello Clara

Smiley smiley:)

Will and Karen K.I.S.S. *awww*

Uncle Charles - Karen's Dad

A fake Diesel bag that I bought from Ladies' Market in Mong Kok
(With Ron being a very good shopping partnet + bargainer)

Swirly night mode on camera

The view outside our room window

To Be Continued...

Monday, June 21, 2010

Ling's Black Book presents...


A Five-Day-Long Post 
Part I

16 June 2KX
Nikko Hotel
Hong Kong

Dear Shawn and Kelsie, if you're reading this, do not bother tagging :)

This trip to Hong Kong was not random: we had the intention of attending my brother's wedding dinner there. 
We stayed in Nikko Hotel at Tsim Sha Tsui.
The rooms get complimentary plates of cookies and fruit everyday.

I like the one with the Pink cross
At the train station on the 3rd day:)
Today I saw the most jaw-dropping, show-stopping pair of heels along Tsim Sha Tsui's shopping lanes.
Black and gold is seriously the way to go.
Throw in those secksy military chains and voila! you're ready to strut that street!
I'm just so amazed by fashion and how it has no limits imposed on it.
And make -up as well.
I can't resist it - I just can't flip through a fashion magazine without stopping to give my eyes a treat on every page.
And I go through that magazine really, really slowly and I never want that visual feast to end. *sparkle sparkle*

I've been spending so much time with my family recently.
Today I heard a comment that broke my heart and thwarted my perception of that person but I shrugged it off anyway.
I'm glad I had Ron to talk to :)
There are so many things that I'm discovering about myself and other people.
Sometimes people don't sound nice because, maybe, (frankly and positively) they just don't know how to be nice.
Talking to Ron, Michelle and Lifeng over these two weeks was somewhat of a spiritual encouragement and love at its best.
To have someone listen.
To have someone respond (not laconically) - to have someone help me see others in a positive light; to train my mind to see the good in a person with sincerity. Even if the damage inflicted is on purpose.
I've always been critical and I think it's time to change that.

Hong Kong promises me freshly baked eggtarts in the morning.
I say this because going to Macau for that authentic shit is kinda impossible :(
Tomorrow, those shoes (I hope I pray I WANT) will be mine.
Day One is over because it's 1:07 now.
Jia Hui is my room mate.
Happy Holidays everybody :)

17 June 2KX
Nikko Hotel (again)
Country: Go figure

Today, I'm proud to say that I own that pair of heels.
I'm a happy girl.
I just bought the most psychedelic-ish printed crop top ever and I'm blushing just by looking at it :$ (It knows that I have a major crush on it)
I gotta say that I appreciate the oversized+printed+crop top look much more after trying it on.
It really compliments my frizzy hair and poofy bangs. Sweeeeeet.

This year's Monsoon look is, apparently, the hippie look with headbands and large oversized shirts with loads of colourful rings and bangles thrown in.
Don't forget that crazy bag with loads of patchwork and Persian-carpet-inspired patterns. 
Having something plain will cramp its entire style.
Mmm the hippie look isn't one of my faves.
I'll just get giddy while looking at myself in the mirror.
Like if I wear a large tie-dyed shirt and because the most common pattern is centralised in the middle, I'll get hypnotized by my own stomach and I'll literally start falling head over heels.
Then maybe I'll really start seeing stars (why'd you go and put stars in my eyes!) and reliving Saturday night's drunken dreams.
And date a boy named Jack.

OK. 
The food here in HK is ah-mazin'.
Chew on this, peaches.
For breakfast we had:
Eggtarts + 'Pineapple' buns (that doesn't taste like pineapple, it's just crusty sugar baked on top)
I look delighted, I know - I am!
Chee Cheong Fun
Lunch was even more satisfying:
Toasted bread with Butter and Condensed Milk drizzled on top
This wins hands down.
Crispy noodles with prawns and tomato ketchup
Cantonese French Toast definitely makes it on my Favorite Food List too
Auntie Nancy slicing that goodness up :O
My mom spent a bomb on dinner this evening:
It was such a beautiful place with a beautiful view.. with a beautiful bill too.

An interesting drink with papaya and soft potato.
Very orange and very pretty:)
Wrapped vegetables
Common Shark's Fin soup
This fishie had its scales on while getting cooked!
I have never seen a fish being cooked without being scaled (yes I know I'm some mountain tortoise).
The waitress definitely peeled those scales off before serving.
I love how every dish is presented so well (except the fish)
Abalone with Mushrooms cut up in cubes.
If I were still five, I would've taken that shiny mussel shell :P
The Laser Show just outside the window from the dining table at 8 o'clock
Dessert was interesting:

Pastry in the somewhat successful impersonation of a Walnut with warm Black Sesame filling
Peanut-shaped Cookie
Sesame Ball with Lotus filling
A little photo editing makes the world a little brighter:)
This Pumpkin shaped Mochi with hot Red Bean filling really caught my attention.

My mom spent a bomb on dinner this evening.
Oh and Jia forces me to give her my hair straightener and her iPhone alarm just makes me go "O.O?! wtfbbqwtfeatshit" the moment I wake up.
Jia is having "act cute time" where she squeals Jia Yun's name over & over.
"Yannie! Yannieeee!"

I must buy more printed crop tops.
Just can't get enough.
:D

To Be Continued...