Isn't this cute?

I bought this pair recently after eyeing it for so long. I didn't want to buy it at full price since it wasn't really something that I need. More like, something that I want because it's cute! It's Christmas and it was finally on SALE! :-)

I'm Alive & Kicking

Just incase you are wondering why I haven't blog what seems to be ages ago! I'm still on planet earth and having a great time back home in Malaysia.

Too many fun stuff to do, too little time to blog!

Have a great weekend. I know I will :-)

Factory 798

While living in Beijing, we used to go to this area called "Factory 798" in Dashanzi Area. Built by the Russians in the early 1950s as part of a war-reparations deal with Germany, the large scale state-owned plant in Beijing churned out electronics items by the million. Architecturally, the sprawling pile, then officially named Factory 798, was and remains pure Bauhaus, after the style of German designer, Walter Gropius.

Its significance as a state-owned entity dwindles in the 1990s due to falling orders and others factors, the results being that thousands of workers lost their job. The conversion of 798 into a number of individual workshops became the only way to its survival as a viable property.

But that was before. Today, it is the centre of Beijing's art community. One can find local and international galleries here. And since art collecting has become a fashionable hobby among many, so there is a quietly but vibrant atmosphere in this area as you browse the galleries or visit the classy cafes that has sprouted like mushrooms!

Some pictures taken while strolling the maze-like art district!

Happy Birthday to me!

It's not everyday that you get to hear this kind of alarm clock tune trying to wake you up in the morning!

Yep, this was my husband's way of wishing me a "Happy Birthday" this morning! I wasn't sure if I heard the alarm right but then, it got louder and louder which prompted me to finally open my eyes and got up!

Practically spent the whole morning reading and replying emails and of course, text messages which keeps coming on my mobile phone. Then, I had lunch at the cafe. Supposed to be a light lunch since hubby is treating me to a nice dinner tonight. By the time I finished eating my food and ordered coffee, the staff came singing the birthday song and one of them holding a birthday cake. Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake, my favorite! There goes my "light lunch"!!!

Okay, it's my birthday and I'm allowed to brag about my gifts! Blamed it on my sister because she was the one asking about it. So, here's what I got :-)

Firstly, I really wanted to have a portrait done. So, I gave a recent photo of me to the artist to draw. When it was ready for collection, he told me that it will be my birthday gift from him. Apparently someone told him about my upcoming birthday (this was given to me a week ago).

by Pierre Banzon, a Filipino artist!

Some of you know (my husband included!) that I'm into handbags! So, he bought this for me from Sapphire Ministore, one of my shopping lair!

COACH New Pop C Glam, a gift from hubby :-)

And then, hubby knows that I really like iPhone but I don't want to buy it because it is too expensive. Not really something that I need or can't live without. After all, there is nothing wrong with my old Nokia N73. It works perfectly well. Needless to say, hubby feels that I deserve to have one since I've kept our expenses in great shape so far. Allowing us extra $$$ to splurge! So, indeed I am finally getting an iPhone although I still need to wait for two more weeks for it. A friend is helping to buy it from the Apple Store in Hong Kong because I wanted to have one that will work with any wireless carrier regardless of the country. One that does not require me to sign up with a particular network or service provider. Yes, it does exist and it's fully legal.

As Mark Twain once said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

Backgammon anyone?

Picture credit to www.fotosearch.com

I learned to play Backgammon during my very first trip to Austria in 1997! It's an interesting game to play but I must admit that I'm not very good at it.

Hubby and I played this afternoon and of course, I lost! Oh well, better luck next time.