I used to be so excited when it comes to birthday (cakes, good food, party, friends, lotsa gifts)...especially when waiting to be Sweet 17...*reminisced* but not that much fond of b-day nowadays *grin* I guess when your "number" is getting higher -- you are not ha ha. Anyway, today is my birthday and I will take this very day as a day to introspect and a day to give myself a pat on the back for all the things I've accomplished this year. Often times that I forgot to give myself credit and unintentionally magnify on the missess, the errors and all things I haven't or shouldn't have done...and I know it's not good if I constantly focus on the negatives. So today *fix my hair & my shirt* ....I wanna be good to myself! Well, my mom-in-law celebrated my birthday early on the day (last Sunday exactly) when we visited her for Christmas. She lives in other city so she & I really could not have celebrated my b-day today. While we're there, she got me birthday dinner, cake, gifts and all -- uh-hu, 4 days earlier. 
Christmas time is getting near...my hubby, Jeff, has been so busy with his Christmas lights around the house right after Thanksgiving. Not only adorning the house with lights, he's now adding the bright decor to the tree too (photo: see tree at the far left). One time, the squirrel chewed on the tree lights so he got to arranged a whole new set of lights again (I thought squirrel is supposed to be cute {like my squirrel doll *lol*} and not naughty!) Last night, he took some great shots of the house with all the blinking lights with all the merry Christmasy colors. He is so proud of his annual "Project Lights"...our house has become a delightful entertainment for everyone who pass by our house these days....
The Staff at Gifts define will be back in full swing to assist you on November 5th! Meanwhile, we will try to have a little R&R during our overseas trip to Indonesia (starts on October 20th -November 4th) -- we'll indulge ourselves with some local delicacies ...and in between, we'll meet some new friends to check out our handmade goodness! (who knows, we could get some good deals there!)
Not the best time of years to travel overseas for 2 weeks -- take off from work, the shop & new projects while I am away.....but there's nothing I can do. My brother's wedding in Indonesia is on October 26th and I need to be there! For this purpose, me and hubby, decided to take two weeks off from our job routines -- and have a mini vacation to my home country, Indonesia. The travel time -- well it's only around 26 hours total. Did I hear some gasps?? yeah....I believe some of you would complain of flying for more than 2-3 hours, let alone spending more than a day to fly!! Other thing that makes me upset -- I can't bring my sewing or craft project with me on the plane as they won't let me carry needles or scissors. Darn! If not, I could make tons of dolls, finish some orders or create a new plush design in 26 hours. I really not looking forward to that flight. I am not sure what I am gonna do during the 26 hours. I'm thinking to bring the manual of my new professional camera, so I could learn how to use it better, bring my Tetris game, my IPOD, my sketching book, my laptop, face mist and some of my favorite snacks. It's a good thing that I won't be flying solo -- my hubby is coming with moi! He's so excited to learn some native language (to impress my parents). I'll teach him few basic words and making fun of him at the same time *lol* his Indonesian accent is so funny ... (I am so evil)
Yay..happy 1st birthday to us! It's been one WONDERFUL year!
Living abroad meaning adjusting yourself to local dishes. Growing up in Indonesia where my "pallette" accustomed to tasty, spicy and hot dishes -- my culinary experience in Florida where I live now hasn't been enjoyable at all. The food here is a bit too plain for my taste. Therefore, I always carry with me a mini jar of chili powder in my purse everytime we go eat out in any restaurant (shame on me...I know). I just need the taste to be kicked up a notch (as Emeril would scream out loud).
