simplyme

Op shops

2012-02-14T12:10:00.007+13:00

My, do i have a plan for these!

Been busy lately with DIY'ing my small, humble home...the vintage plates on my wall are getting plenty of compliments with friends wanting to give me more vintage plates ! :) how lovely is that? i have added another yellow, floral one & i think i have yet a space for another smaller bread n' butter plate. Hmm, so, so loving it! i tremendously enjoy going to second-hand and curiosity shops- hunting for really nice vintage items which i use for my crafts but i noticed that there isn't much doilies and frames as they used to have and the prices have crept up- even for op-shops.
I suppose the recession brought about the current trend for re-cycling and re-purposing stuff that would have been normally thrown away or even sneered at, remember those days? when op-shopping were only for those who have empty pockets (no sarcasm intended...)? now when i go do my rounds in these shops i sometimes raise both brows when obvious well-to-do ladies or teens stroll in for a looksie...the first thing in my head is- competition (chuckle..), so my eyes make a quick sweep down of the place before anyone else gets to them...ha,ha,ha. Finders keepers, mi'cherie', finders keepers. i feel the adrenaline rush, Lol.

See, the beauty of op-shopping is the pleasure of buying valuable stuff (or potentially valuable) for next to nothing + the bits and bobs that exude with character- old world, retro or vintage charm. There's something about them that is so romantic, so bohemian. Some are just plain pretty plus, plus- they kind of cure my shopping itch, Lol, a lot! i could spend as little as $30 & i can be happy as a bird with a fry.
And because i am into crafting, i always see the potential in items, even the worn out ones. Sometimes they are the best, the worn out ones. ATM, i am keeping busy with making fabric notebooks :) they are pretty indeed and so excited for my ETSY shipment which i hope will arrive soon. I bought some craft items & i can't wait! especially for that alpha rolling stamp, sigh...it feels like Christmas!
Well, that's my blah for the day- hey, have a good one!

One crafty afternoon...

2012-02-08T21:16:00.002+13:00

my vintage plate wall art

which i just adore!

What can i say? i love recycling ♥

after doing two night shifts, my hands are itching

to make something fun & crafty.

so after cleaning the house i looked around,

spotted my old hessian cushion which i think

needs freshening up. I was right, it did look

better with that big, creamy doily on :) ahhh...

i look at the clock, ho-hum, still have time to

do something else- so i re-made my french bunny

frame- added a bit of twine for dimension

and a doily. Yum. Just gorgeous.

Instagram moments: My favourite things around the house...

2012-01-30T18:27:00.008+13:00

Wall Art DIY: alpha's from the local
craft store which i spray painted
black and gold gilded frame
from the op shop :)

this one below is a Trade Me acquisition

a Kate Fitzpatrick settee + an Ezibuy quilt

my better half when Peter's not around, ha,ha,ha

MacBook Air

a corona pendant which i bought at

The Little Big Markets craft fair

the tea towel DIY kitchen curtain i made-

hand sewn + secured with blackbird pegs :)

i was so lucky to get gifted this vintage

scale by our friend Rosemary

for my 37th...i love it!

after 7 years, hubby decided to upgrade & we

had our hearts set on the this gorgeous Tulip table

and BOUDI industrial dining stools.

took it home. Epic love...

my Etsy vintage print + faerie lights branch

& my withering plant, hahaha...

banana-chocolate chip + pistachio nut muffin

with white chocolate drizzle...nom,nom.

dark, moist chocolate cake with

coffee cream filling + ganache

vintage cam + old books browned by time...

my darling Crown Lynn swan, ahh...

hope you enjoyed them

thinking out loud

2012-01-29T01:18:00.002+13:00

Hi there. Another late night. I have been home for awhile after hurting my knee at work & i am absolutely sick of using crutches and in being unbearably slow to walk...i'm trying to limit pain relief pills, even if i am a nurse i really am not a big fan of tablets. Anyway, yesterday was an epic food fest here at home, my hubby can't keep off the kitchen with his newly found passion in cooking and he's trying everything under the sun including offals (yuck *_*) which i am not a big fan of at all. Admittedly he is a good cook, err...maybe, better than me now(chuckle...). I keep teasing him for his pot belly & i'm sure in his head he is teasing me too- he won't dare gave utterance to those thoughts he,he,he...or else- he'll sleep in the lounge.

I wonder how's everything in the ward? i miss work, i truly do and i hate that i injured me'self because i am just starting my work year! grrrr.....i was quite hesitant to self-admit in ED if it wasn't for the shooting pain (which has now settled into a mild throb) i wouldn't have. But too late now.

My daughter Trish has only got a week with us she's flying off to Melbourne & start a life of her own- i'm happy for her. She's a nurse now with a job offer abroad, that is quite an achievement i should say, plus she is the right age too to be on her own, i just wish her the best. I'll miss her for sure :( but it is time to spread her wings, which will leave me with only Ashley & Josh at home.

This year, i have a feeling is gonna be a challenging one with 2 girls away + hubby so i really need to get organized. Really, really, sigh....oh dear. I can do it, i can do it, i can do it.....

Battery's getting low....will need to sign off now, folks :) have a good evening.

playing with digital collage...

2012-01-11T18:32:00.002+13:00

i made these as freebies, feel free to download!

boxed in

2012-01-11T18:06:00.003+13:00

Smitten

2012-01-10T14:15:00.006+13:00

Dear, oh dear... i'm back to my old ways- playing with graphic design again and my blogs just had a much needed make-over as a consequence, hahaha. I LURVE IT, totally smitten with design, be it mixed media, typography (which i like a lot), interiors, graphics of course...i am a self-confessed (nut) frustrated designer, hahaha....

but wait! well maybe i am in my own little way, Lol. I'm not a professional, just self-taught & loving it. I don't know why but my mind and hands are always itching to create something, if not crafts, then cooking or something else. I easily get bored. Anyways, i went to work yesterday & it was another mad shift...ugh...i think i spent most of my time taking bloods and putting luers in. But it gives me a buzz :) though i'm not sure if my feet feels the same, my colleague who wore a pedometer gave a reading of 18 kms.! crikey...so, we well & truly must've been busy. I was only able to sit down for tea around 8 pm. Glad today's my off...just having a lazy day. A well deserved one. Hope you have yours too :)

Summer Rain and Stories

2012-01-07T16:27:00.013+13:00

Hi friend :) finally...a day where i could just do nothing. Since peter came home, it's been a blur of activities & my days fold over one another like clothes in a tumbler drier. I love having him home & making the most of our time together. He whisked me off to Rotorua the other day, just us minus the children. I was truly spoilt- he booked us a really nice place, went to an expensive Italian restaurant for dinner, went round town- in time for their weekly night market- it was good too, mostly food stalls with a sprinkling of jewellry, flowers and other ephemera. I know i'll sound partial but i still prefer our Little Big Markets just because of the variety and well...i don't know- it's just way better i guess :)
Which reminds me- i missed TLBM today. The food licence people won't start processing papers til monday + we have got friends who stayed with us so i needed to skip it anyway. I was thinking of it though this morning, i saw on FB that it was another good one. Good on them but sad to miss it.

Rain, rain go away...
been raining since October & i'm not getting any hopes up that this summer's gonna be bright & sunny- as it should but no signs of that so far. Weather predictions have been dismal and so does the constant quakes shaking Christchurch in the south. But life goes on...
It's been a cold day really, here's joshua beside me having a snooze at 4pm, gorgeous little munchkin, snoring away too, guess all the activity's got to him, hehehe. We had visitors who came & stayed with us from Whangarei on their way back home to Wanganui, they're really good family friends so we enjoyed catching up and just spending time together. Lots of cooking... peter's been impressing everyone with his new found ability to whip up mouthwatering meals- even i couldn't believe how he learnt from scratch, in a month when i started tinkering with pots, pans and spices way back when i was twelve, so go figure, Lolol. So not fair, hehehe...at least he can't bake! hahaha? do i sound intimidated? hahaha.
Good times indeed, plenty of laughter, tired but you sleep with a warm, fuzzy feeling :) ya' know what i mean.
Next week we're off again on a roadtrip, so that would be great. We're gonna do the gondolas & luge then to napier. I have started walking again, i gained weight, ughhhhh, so depressing but i can do it! i will do it- loose weight. Fingers crossed.
On another note- I bought a really neat shabby chic 2 seater sofa off trade me, it's a Kate Fitzpatrick one and really cute. Cannot wait to pick it up. If you're not familiar with Fitzpatrick- think Cath Kidston, that type of theme. I'm a big Kidston fan unfortunately you could hardly get them here in nz, except for a sprinkling of some of her items in shops. I was able to buy a nice oilcloth book bag which i use as my work bag, so that's my share of it.
Sigh...my annual leave is almost over but i did enjoy time away from being a nurse. I love nursing but it can be intense at times so it's good to have a break. I am doing another postgrad paper this feb. so that's 2 towards a PG Dip. i need another 2 but i will most likely take a sabbatical from study next year.
Anyway, that's me. See, wasn't that a good catch-up? how about you? how was your holiday? hope you had a fab one.Anyway, we have been given another year to sow good things...have a fun Twenty Twelve mi'cherie!

Wonderwall (free wallpaper downloads)

2012-01-04T21:57:00.003+13:00

Hi all :)

it's another year for all of us

and i thought i'd make some

pc wallpaper freebies for you

to start our 2012.

I haven't been blogging much,

as life got too busy but

i will continue to blog

mi' cherie'...

So, to save the wallpaper below:

just tap on the image

and it will pop-up to

a new window and

right click & 'save' image

to use as your laptop wallpaper.

P.S.

These are my own photography-

feel free to blog it

but kindly link back to this site.

Hope you like them!

Kaye's Place @ the TLBM Night Market

2011-12-25T23:32:00.003+13:00

*some photos from Edorable Cakes :)

christmas is in the air!

2011-12-06T23:05:00.003+13:00

Christmas is just around the corner, sigh! and it's that time of the year when we all become a bit nostalgic...anyway, i know i do. I get homesick, i remember home & childhood memories of Christmas which were all wonderful. I miss the air of festivities and the markets which spring to life with tinfoil decors and lanterns of all shapes and sizes, we call 'parol'. Even the poorest of houses have decors...Hmm, home.
Life just fast forwarded for most of us- i think by the time we hit 30 it starts to, that's my own silly theory anyway. Another year but I am grateful and I thank the good Lord for being the God that He is, I am who i am because of Him. Below is a video of one of my favourite Christmas songs & i thought you'd enjoy it :)

Kaye's Place at The Little Big Markets

2011-12-05T00:32:00.004+13:00

Hello lovelies! Man, i am still buzzing from The Little Big Markets last saturday...it was my first day as a stallholder & it went so well! i couldn't believe it. We almost packed up because the rain was torrential in every sense of the word- Ashley got soaked from putting up the gazebo & well, we all were drenched really from head to toe and i was even the last one who set a stall, when i came- everyone was set-up quite nicely & my stall was sorry-looking, dear oh dear BUT my Mum convinced me to stay and i also thought that if we at least stay until midday and see what it's like (considering i have had all the baking done...) maybe the rain would stop pouring...and it did! yee-har!
I loved it, the minute we have set-up, people just came and went Ooohs and Aahhs with the lovely spread before them and well, bought of course :) HAPPY! i sold out my cupcakes and all the artsy frames and 5 of the craft blocks too. Glad. Below are some pics for you to enjoy :)

Artsy

2011-11-25T22:12:00.004+13:00

Hello dear reader... Just want to share photos i've taken of these french inspired artsy frames i've made to sell at the craft fair next Saturday. I think they're lovely :) don't you?

2011-11-24T01:21:00.008+13:00

Just got home from work, so here's me spending a little bit of 'me' time... Hmm, funny how thoughts always find me, words just crowd my mind especially at night, hence the need to blog... well, i have decided to create a page + a name for my market stall & it was a toss-up between Simply Me or Kaye's Place but i ended up using the latter because SM wouldn't just cut it as a stall name 'methinks.
The last couple of days (which were my off thank goodness) have been most busy cutting fabric, creating artsy frames, finishing up on my craftblocks, buying strap and calico for the bags, etc...busy making buntings to sell- I am a lover of buntings alright, i love, love, love them- so i thought why not sell some since they are easy enough to make or so i thought after finding out later that they are quite tedious little things especially if you're making 20 strands of them. Ugh.
My fingers were so sore the next day, i couldn't stretch them they feel knotted and stiff, yuck. Lolol...BUT, BUT---- i have a gut feeling they are gonna be a hit :) i made sure all my bases are covered- i made 3 each for boys, girls, french-inspired for women or teens, a couple of hipster ones and Christmas buntings of course which they can use year after year :) Yay-ya, It's gonna be worth it.
I also have tote bags, art frames, craftblocks + cupcakes to sell :) i am sooo excited!!!!! anyway tomorrow i'm gonna take photos of my crafts-in-the-making so you have an idea at least. hummmm, yawn, sleepy...nanyt!

P.S. click on the image above to show link + please LIKE my page too :)

pretty prints

2011-11-18T17:24:00.004+13:00

for Peter

2011-11-16T02:36:00.008+13:00

Vow

by kaye

Come now lie beside me

in the even tide,

let us watch the stars together

our hands and hearts entwined,

for to feel your warmth

and nearness

intoxicates my soul,

etched in the deepest recesses

of eternity i know-

that you were made for me

and I only for you,

despite all fiery testings

love will remain fresh

as morning dew.

until we have reached

the height and depth

that mortal love allow,

until life has near exhausted

all breath and strength i vow-

to help carry your burden,

to be a comfort to your soul

to be your friend and lover,

the half to make you whole...

Come lie now in my bosom

until the early hours,

until the last autumn leaf

has fallen...

and time hath buried us

amongst wildflowr's.

Life as i know it...

2011-11-15T00:25:00.006+13:00

I have not blogged for ages because my lovely man came home for a week & i'm so happy to have him back in my arms...love to see him pottering about in the house & this time he knows how to cook! lolol...hmm, another brownie point for P. Although as i am writing this he's away again & naturally a twinge (or more than a twinge) of sadness pinches my dear old, weary heart once more. Never mind, i'll get used to being by my lonesome & just counting down to the day when he comes home...35 days to be exact.
Aah, what can i say about life- is that as we grow old things can get a bit wearisome, i don't know, here's me putting my heart out on my sleeve once again. I guess i just have to be thankful that the Lord has given me and entrusted me with so much, that He is the one holding my ground.
I was so blessed with the message at church last Sunday morning, it was for me & thank God that it was too. I think reminders are very precious and they reach the core of my heart big time. I have to re-assess my priorities and re-focus my energy and effort towards the higher things, towards Godly things. I found myself caught (unawares) with the entanglements of this world... i have become so distracted but i wanna change that. The message just reminded me again of who i am and that i am on my way out of this world. The Lord just stirred up old longings once more and boy, i realized that i have become so lax lately but God has sent His message across & that has woken me up- I am glad that i have a God who keeps me.
A lot of people raise their brows and become skeptical on the mention of christianity or being born-again but it is only because they haven't met the person of Christ yet or the so-called christians they meet are unfortunately professing christians- whose lives does not really reflect Christ. I believe if they have (met the Lord), they will be head over heels also :) He would become the song of their hearts as is mine.
There are challenges out there I am aware- the world is full of thousands of religion & 'spirituality' that people get too confused to even bother, our society has also encouraged an attitude of extreme tolerance where right & wrong has become purely individual. I disagree with that because i believe God has set the standard of right and wrong, it isn't merely up to us to decide what is good and what is evil. I just pity the next generation of people, the younger ones today who are growing up with no sense of values and belief is all up in the air... i do sound grim but that is the reality of this day, sigh.
There is one thing i do know- is that amidst all these chaos and so-called individuality of beliefs... there is one true thing & that is Jesus Christ only. I know this to be true because i have experienced Christ in my own life. The world may roar with laughter & their cauldron of skepticism may overflow but at the end of the day when the last breath of living air evaporates from their lips...they will know for themselves that this is true for whether they like it or not, they will meet with their Maker, but it would be too late then. That is why i am grateful & my heart sings for joy that i have been given a chance to meet the Lord now and to be able to serve and obey Him. I love Jesus & I will testify of Him until i have breathed my last breath because others deserve to know that there is such a thing as salvation to the soul, that there is such a thing as genuine happiness and rest. That there is love unconditional, the kind of love that would strive with our misgivings, a love that does not ask for anything in return, a love that only seeks to do good, a love that sacrificed life at Calvary for your sake. That kind of a love...

The Little Big Markets

2011-11-06T20:28:00.004+13:00

Last saturday was a beautiful, sunshiny day in the bay & the Little Big Markets was on. I have been asked by the organizer to be their blog admin and i said yes- so i am managing that side of things for TLBM. So, what do i exactly do? well, i run the blog for them.
I designed it from scratch since their original blog kind of lack pizzaz. I tweaked everything from layout, to banner, to the coding and i write the posts and roll out stallholder profiles. I also take photos every market day- and yes, all this labour & hard work is pro bono although I do get a free stall and meet people :)
I guess, i was able to take a hundred photos for the market that day...took me an hour & i went home knackered! but it's okay, i think i did a good job with my iPhone photography, Lol.

Click HERE to see all of them.

Below are my personal favourites:

Treasures...

2011-10-27T17:31:00.003+13:00

[my lovelies. a photo i've taken of my children- one of my favourite shots...]

Aaaw...

2011-10-27T02:40:00.001+13:00

weep

2011-10-22T17:49:00.004+13:00

My eyes have swollen from weeping...been teary eyed for days, sulking, unashamedly bawling in front of people...sigh. I am so apologetic afterwards but i can't seem to help it. I'm just sad at the moment but I know i'll get over this. I have gone through so much worse compared to this but somehow this hurts more, maybe because i've thrown myself in completely and without reservation and so it will naturally hurt when disappointments come along. I am grateful though for my friends who feel for me... i'll miss them (which makes me sadder, i suppose for i have developed good friendships). It's just frustrating to think that after so much work there is nothing at the end of the tunnel, ugh...and i've worked so hard too :(
But anyway, i will move on, i will gather every ounce of courage that i have left and move forward. Unexpected things happen in life and i just have to learn to accept frustrations and disappointments. Something else will replace what is lost... and it will be deserving of me.

A nursing heart...

2011-10-22T00:05:00.013+13:00

I still cannot sleep, it's late at night but my head is still buzzing with thoughts so I'll just blog it out if you don't mind. I'm just doing a bit of reflecting lately, I realized it's been a bit of time now that I am working as an RN officially and boy, I have fallen head over heels in love with this profession. I have confirmed my gut feeling that I was born to be a nurse & if you ask me why it's because to me it's more than a career, I really, genuinely love what I do. I feel so happy at work that it's no work at all, you know? The satisfaction I get from serving people through nursing is tremendous and especially when I feel that I have looked after them well.
I remember one time I had a patient who came in with COPD and his anxiety level was just to the brim, he was an elderly man too, living on his own and I feel so sorry for him...I did the best that I can of course, sticking well with the treatment and plan but what made the difference, he later told me (when he was better) was the way he was cared for. He almost shed a tear when we transferred him to another ward and he gave me a big hug too. I felt all warm and fuzzy after that (chuckle).

Amazing, when all I remember doing apart from the usual meds, obs etc...was checking up on him often, making him comfortable by putting the table in front of him with a pillow so he could rest his arms when he leans forward, I remember giving him cold flannels to freshen him up and give him a little comfort from his suffering- because he was really suffering.
I was teaching him to purse his lips when breathing, relaxation techniques etcetera...to ease his anxiety. He was also quite pleased when I offered to refer him to our MDT such as our social woker, physio and OT. He was getting a bit worried see, when he goes home because he lives alone and is really quite used to being independent but he has become frail and sickly of late. I think it is important for me to know too that I have made 'lifelines' to services when he finally gets discharged.

Even though we were busy at the ward, I made sure I worked around his pace and stuck to his normal routine as much as possible, this care was carried out also in partnership with the HCA's in our ward who were very helpful in attending to his needs as I cannot be with him all the time. Their help proved invaluable as they give me feedback and observations about the patients and I realized how it truly is a team effort, you know? it is not a one man's job. I make sure discussions are in private and not within hearing shot of anybody to protect my patient's privacy. In light of this privacy and confidentiality thing I also make sure I put away files, close trendcare or intranet windows and that charts are covered over by the name form. I realize that once you have become a patient, most privy information are open to health staff such as names, contact numbers, social and personal situations and matters and I thought if I were in my patient's shoes I wouldn't want my personal information open to public. A call for medical ethics and conduct, as well as values are needed.
That is another thing I have found out- is to value all the members of the team, from our dear cleaner, caterer, volunteers and HCA's who all chip in to help, the value of delegation and when to utilize it. I used to be a health care assistant and I make sure due appreciations come their way as they do so much.

I didn't think much of it before but now in hindsight, I think by just being there for him, by being 'in the moment' and knowing that he is looked after gave him a lot of comfort and re-assurance. I cared for him like I would if he was my father see and maybe he felt that. No wonder they call it 'Nursing'- because the root word comes from 'nurture', to cherish, to nourish...it's such an intimate word.
It sometimes is an epiphany when realizations come...the moment when everything starts to unfold- for me that unfolding is to realize that we all are human beings and that we all have that basic need to be cared for, that human connection is important in a hospital setting because everything is so alien to you. The fact that your health is threatened in one way or another to get admitted automatically makes one vulnerable and with so many procedures to go through and so many different faces and health professionals to meet and discuss things with, to share a room full of strangers and goodness help us- all sorts of diseases and conditions, plus the very wearying hospital routine and obs taken at very ungodly hours- is already so overwhelming. And for a nurse to come your way and really look after you- 'nurse' you in the very sense of the word, makes the greatest difference in a patient's experience. And according to research as well, inpatient experience influences health behaviour and I can clearly see how.

If we put ourselves in his shoes I think it paints a grim picture- alone, old, hardly getting any air into your lungs, limited social life and then suddenly found yourself hospitalized. Sigh, isn't that sad?
If I did the opposite and just treated the patient as COPD, if I looked at him as just a bedspace number, if all I did was carry out the treatment to a T but did not establish a trusting relationship with him- do you think it makes a difference? That question he has answered. And I feel that this is a reminder to nurses like me.

Now, dear reader- can you see why this is for me an epiphany? I learnt the simple fact of true nursing- it is the human connection. That is the key. Everything else will fall as skill, theory, duty or task...but the heart of nursing is in the art of caring itself. I guess that is why I am partial to Jean Watson's human caring theory because it reflects my own.
And I am thankful that nursing enables me to do just that, it is an avenue for me to use my character strengths to benefit other people beyond the circle of family and friends and I tell you it's so fulfilling. Despite the stress that comes with the job, I still go home feeling satisfied. My cup runneth over :)

Ephemera

2011-10-05T23:51:00.006+13:00

i got bored with how my hall table looked like, so i took

out a handful of my favourite things & put them together.

I thought it looked lovely :)

i love doilies! i used it to decorate this vintage bottle, pretty :)

Love to my God

2011-10-05T09:52:00.001+13:00

[click the stop button on the audio on bottom of page to watch vids, thanks]

missing you

2011-10-04T02:22:00.007+13:00

the night sky is grumbling

and it's tears are pouring

here's me all alone in this bed...

i'm missing you terrible

by myself is so horrible

i hope i dream of you

tonight instead.

it's been a week here

without you

with no warm hugs to give to

or hear the beating of

your strong heart.

i sure miss you beside me

the way you smile funny,

wish i was nestled

in your arms tonight.

will you take care of yourself

and come home soon-

i'll just close my eyes til

the days go on by,

i will dream of our

laughter together

until i have you again

by my side...

[a not-so-very-good poem penned very late last night, lol...]

*image by weheartit

busy as a bee!

2011-10-03T20:46:00.001+13:00

Hello pretties! today's a busy day at home preparing stuff to sell for the Little Big Markets in december. Trish my eldest is busy sewing her tote bags, i'm busy with buntings, the craft blocks i have made some in the early months but i still have 4 to go, i'll bake my cupcakes a day before and ice them on the day too...uhm, what else? the only thing i have left to do are the photoblocks. I'm not sure if i'll sell some though, they're a bit expensive to print, maybe i'll do canvass instead. My girls are getting excited & so am i :) can't wait!
...i am actually just having a wee bit of a break from cutting fabric, my eyes are getting sore now, ugh. I've made Christmas buntings, shabby chic buntings, kiddy buntings too so there- ya' all know my love for them hey? Lol. I won't post pics yet until they're all done but by golly- the bags are looking great.
I accepted a cake order and made a Thomas the Tank cake, i made it nice & colorful to make it appealing to the littlies, though i should've used a smaller star tip on the top border of the cake & the icing for the border should have been thicker...i tend to have trouble with my icing when there is too much humidity in the air. Anyway, here's a photo:

prose

2011-09-28T21:43:00.004+13:00

Ebb & Tide

by kaye

Words take form within my head

but with wings swiftly fly away,

woven with memories of long ago

they well up to tease and linger...

they ebb and tide

within, without

clamoring to be remembered-

words unspoken, songs unsung

embraces that faded into the dusk,

bittersweet irony,

maddening passions wilting away

in the shadows of past.

Fragments of episodes

like mosaics,

press through the idle mind;

they bring joy or angst

even wonderment

re-living years that

have flitted by...

Like soft, silvery waves

washing between the toes,

they remind me of the frailty

of a human soul;

coming and going,

lying and rising with each breath

I now know-

that the span of life are like

waves which ebb and tide,

it comes and then it just goes.

snap happy

2011-09-28T00:29:00.001+13:00

i just LOVE old buildings ♥

aren't they grand?

Me & Mac

2011-09-26T21:40:00.005+13:00

My hubby thought Mac could keep me company whilst he's away...

i didn't argue with him.

Ha,ha,ha.

Well, i certainly didn't utter a word nor dare to even grunt in disapproval

when P told me he'd buy me a Mac Air (yipee!)...would you?

if anything it gave me a 10 second atrial flutter, Lolol.

I'm still learning how to drive my Mac, my first one ♥ & boy, i'm so impressed

with how slim it is, gee whiz.

It's like a, uhm...like an ultra thin sanitary pad- ha,ha,ha,ha.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

Memoires

2011-09-25T22:29:00.038+13:00

The rain suits my mood pretty well...feeling sad as P goes away to Oz for a few months to work. Sigh...oh well, i hope the days and weeks fly by quickly. It's quite funny how every time i drive home from Auckland, it's always pouring! i hate the fog on my windscreen and the slippery road but i think i did well trekking Auckland to our city in 3 hours despite the rain and a stopover.
Paeroa, a small sleepy town made famous by the L&P fizzy drink is truly a treasure trove for antique stuff...i had to have a look!
I ended up buying nothing- i was only after a typewriter (the old manual one) but there was none or an old suitcase- which there was plenty of however their top half are either almost caving in or so worn out i didn't think it's worth to buy but i loooved looking around, twas' a treat to the senses :)
It's like being transported back in time- the musty smell of old memorabilias, vintage posters, Salter kitchen scales, English tea cup sets, rusty kitchen tins, authentic vintage gowns- some really lovely, some quite gaudy and gothic looking, ha,ha,ha...Plenty of books, music sheets, pictures+frames, furniture and bits & bobs. I adore the jewellry, lovely antique rings and necklaces, sigh...romanticism at it's finest.
i wouldn't mind to own one of those old-style dial up telephones but they were a bit pricey for $96. I especially like the clear bottles, that's one of the things i want to collect in the future, antique milk bottles, love!
Well, that stop was worth it since it swept me back in time and out of my lonely space for a good hour. I couldn't resist but smile when i overheard a few elderly customers talk about their childhood and their first doll, ahhh, bless! but what really catches my eye when i browse shops like this are the photographs of people, browned & aged by time...i wonder about them- the lives they lived. I wonder, maybe in the future, the generations ahead (if the Lord tarries...) will also take our place & wander into shops and collect Mac or other pc's, iPhones & such as their vintage. Funny to think about that now hey. Maybe they'll look at my family pictures too and think about the life i lived...that once upon a time in this world- i existed.

*Below are some pictures I've taken, enjoy-

my daughter says they look rather creepy in a group, hehehe...

'pediaphobia' fear of dolls?

nah...i thought they were gorgeous, dolls from different eras. Fab.

once upon a time lived a mother & her daughter....

makes you wonder about the people who used to own

the things they sell at antique stores

from the pantry :)

camera love...

Sigh!

2011-09-21T21:35:00.002+12:00

I feel like a zombie, after 5 straight pm's, one off and another 4 am's...counting the days when P leaves for oz (sob...), an upcoming & thankfully last assessment for my postgrad paper, 9 month CAF and an e-portfolio by October, thinking about coping strategies. Gee whiz- talk about stress levels, mine is full to the brim. I feel floored, knackered, what have you....just exhausted eh.
I wish time could stand still for just a moment & give me time to breathe. I feel pulled into so many directions lately, i can't wait for my days off when i can just go the beach and exhale. I want a piece of me too. Though i know there's a saying- there's never too much to give [of yourself]- i really think there is and there is a need to replenish & nourish one's self in order to maintain the ability of serving others. Hmm, food for thought. But that is one of the many things I am learning at the moment- is to have some 'me' time. I believe I have to look after myself as much as I look after others at home and at work.
But let me tell you how I am utterly enjoying my new career as a nurse :) i love it- the challenge of making me use my thinking cap more, the challenge of prioritizing etc...it is a huge learning curve but boy, am I learning. All that theory is now being set in motion in my practice and it feels good.
...anyway, on the sad side- i am feeling rather glum because i know i'll be missing P so much too & just thinking about it makes me sad already. I have to be strong because it's for our family i suppose. I know we can survive the months he's not here (sigh..) but- i'll miss him terribly.

wordless sunday

2011-09-18T13:58:00.000+12:00

A to Z of Me (just for fun)

2011-09-17T08:58:00.003+12:00

A. Age: 37...
B. Bed size: Queen.
C. Chore that you hate: I hate ironing clothes! i don't even know why...Lol, too impatient i guess.
D. Dogs: we used to have a Shitzu named Charly back home.
E. Essential start to your day: prayer :)
F. Favorite color: black, white, gray, duck egg pastels, navy & green.
G. Gold or Silver: gold!!!!
H. Height: 5'4ish?
I. Inspirations: God & family
J. Job title: Registered Nurse @ APU
K. Kids: 4! love them all to bits- Isha, sarah, ashley & josh :)
L. Live: in New Zealand
M. Mother’s name: Maridel- She's the best mum ever!
N. Nicknames: i'm a katherine but have always been called kaye
O. Overnight hospital stays: only when i do graveyard shifts, LOL...
P. Pet peeves: I can't stand higher than thou people, judgemental attitude & pessimists.
Q. Quote: I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it , but because by it I see everything else by C. S. Lewis
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: Jerry, Khristine, me & Karen
T. Time you wake up: Between 9-10 on usually, am not a morning person.
U. Underwear: Must be comfy :p
V. Vegetable you hate: artichokes
W. What makes you run late: I'm the type of person who likes to be 15 minutes early.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: none, knock on wood!
Y. Yummy food that you make: Ooh, I'm such a foodie and I love cooking. I personally love pasta & baking.
Z. Zoo animal: the wee little otter at Auckland Zoo who loves having an audience before she displays her antics! such a clever thing.

poem

2011-09-17T01:09:00.004+12:00

The Unrequited
by kaye

still life,
unturned

like browned pages

which frayed over time.

every grain

of sand counted,

every faint movement

mattered,

but things remain

unchanged.
chasing shadows
which cannot be
caught,
imprisoned by time
and walled.
what shall i say

to calm the

beating of the heart?

shall i tear apart

the only hope

it knows?

to sever ties

and birth angst-

is it less cruel?

than to sustain

a dream that

begets torment

and sorrow?
but let it be
granted a
gentle death,
a ceasing
from all hope...
lest time
stand still
altogether.
here am i

left wondering

the fate of

the unrequited.

September Food Month! - made with love ♥

2011-09-16T00:41:00.002+12:00

Been cooking lately xx

Torta de Ricotta

[ricotta, almonds, dark chocolate & amaretto liquer]

Pollo en Funghi with White wine sauce

[as the name suggests]

Joshua's school cake

[strawberry cake with white chocolate filling & marshmallow frosting]

Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Sweet treats!

[pavlova, meringues, red velvet cuppies & brazo de mercedes]

*all photos are mine- you can re-post but please link back :)

fine print photography

2011-09-14T11:37:00.009+12:00

original photoprints with my favourite quotes
that i'm selling @ the Little Big Markets in december :)

A sentiment

2011-09-07T23:12:00.002+12:00

Sorrow
by kaye

the sadness linger

and tears collect

in my soul-

disheartened,

unravelled,

undone...

the ache,

the angst

pulsating with

a life of it's own.

will this pass

i wonder?

will it ebb like the

tides of the sea?

i wish
i pray
i sigh
as the night tears

drown me

in my dreams.

Changes...

2011-09-06T03:09:00.005+12:00

Don't look so surprised- but yes, i decided i needed to change designs again. I'm not completely done away with my Tabitha Emma banner of course...i'll use it again in the future. Just now, there are so many, many changes happening in my life and i thought i needed a simpler one, a more quiet & serene look. Sigh...
life...what can i say about mine in particular? is that it never gets boring, not your usual run- of- the-mill mundane, routine, what have you kind of life. Mine is never mundane. Sometimes i feel it gets too exciting for my own good. Hmp. But given all the circus and drama, i know, like all things- they pass too...i actually wish things speed forward, just so i could skip the tears and heartache. I know God is being patient with me and my sulking, as i really am sulking and stuck in bed for a day or two. I even think i am mildly depressed. STOP! i take that back...i don't want to invite that spirit in. Ugh...i know, i know...i'll give myself another week or less and i'll be a box of birds again. I just need to trust the Lord and commit all things to Him as i have done in the past and as He has done innumerable times also- He has delivered me from my sorrows.
I need to breathe again.

Photo trails of a Coromandel weekend...

2011-08-28T23:21:00.002+12:00

100% goodness

2011-08-28T22:14:00.002+12:00

What a full-on week, i'm glad that i have 3 days off, yay! well- what have i been up to? I'm currently working on designing another blog for an upmarket shop in Wellington called GOODNESS. It's a complete make-over because i thought a very posh shoppe will need a properly laid out blog cum website. So, been toiling at nights to finish it and it's looking great if i may say so myself...Have a look, however i'm not completely finished yet, i'm still working on it and will fill in the tab details soon.

[ CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO THE SITE ]

prose

2011-08-26T09:42:00.002+12:00

Alone

by kaye

alone at last, finally...

waiting all day

to exhale

waiting for the silence

to swallow all

wandering thoughts

and drown out

the world's chatter.

alone-

i could sigh now...

i could cry the day's cares,

i could smile at

the mem'ries created

and weave humble

dreams for the morrow...

alone-

makes me realize

the errors of my ways,

the lessons i have learned
and wounds that needed

healing.

alone-

with no one but my God

breathing out prayers

and waiting on Him,

gathering strength for

unknown battles

which lie ahead.

alone, at last-

i am in a place
where i can be just me.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T22:33:00.001+12:00

red velvet cake

2011-08-19T13:41:00.005+12:00

baked this last night, absolutely lush!

attempted my first red velvet cake

~ 'twas absolutely moist & yummy

recipe found HERE

"My cup runneth over..."

2011-08-17T01:48:00.000+12:00

There is pun intended before you think of the positive connotation of that phrase & it's all about my stress level of late...First, i am so, so relieved that we only have one other assessment to pass and this PG paper is finished, only the E-Portfolio + three monthly assessments left with the newgrad paper and finito~ that is it. Earlier this day however, we've been hearing talks and hint-dropping that next year, the DHB here will fund us for further studies (again) and the speaker went on and on about the benefits of a Graduate level certification, obviously overlooking the fact that we are so exhausted brain and body wise already at this point in time from juggling everything and we are only halfway through the New Grad programme. I feel like i'm gonna puke up, 'scuse my french...
We feel pushed into that direction, i must say, rather than 'herded' and at this stage although further studies are well & good...i feel suffocated with study. I do not understand the sense of urgency at all. Do we have the option to even pace ourselves? hmmm. I just might go against the tide & rest for a couple of years...
Speaking of which- i feel i deserve a one day hibernation, one i will indulge myself in as soon as i finish blogging (ha,ha,ha...). Dear, oh dear....life is getting way too busy for me.

Google Chrome

2011-08-17T01:22:00.001+12:00

Hi all :) just tried opening this blog using Safari & Explorer browsers (thanks to Flutter Happy's Arvee) and i was disappointed to see that Simply Me looked so unkempt layout-wise in these other browsers...oh, glum :(
I used the blogger templates as my base anyway and just tweak things to my taste- so there must be some compatibility issues, i would think? So, just to give you a nice, little tip- you can view me best using Google Chrome, as that is what i use and everytime i add or subtract any design element i don't really bother testing for compatibility with other browsers...i am lazy, i admit. Please, please use Google Chrome for optimal viewing pleasure! lolol...and because i am a thoughtful little girl (chuckle...) i have posted links below so you could download it conveniently:

Google Chrome for Windows

Google Chrome for MAC

OR here

Thanks pretties!

My very own Crown Lynn~ at last!

2011-08-16T18:14:00.002+12:00

A Blog Makeover :)

2011-08-11T21:30:00.002+12:00

I was asked by the organizers to be the blog admin + designer for our local Indie market called THE LITTLE BIG MARKETS and of course i agreed ^_^ knowing my love for twiddling with graphics and templates plus the fact that i am a big fan of alternative and independent artists and crafters. Etsy started that for me, i just loove browsing at Etsy, then i found out we have our very own here in NZ called Felt...i've read (through other blogs) about craft markets in Aussie and nearby Auckland & i was dying to go to any of those. Now through FB i saw that we have one after all, oh bliss! i even thought of joining in- just for the experience and fun of it :) so i contacted Rachelle, the organizer and left my details and blog link ;)
i think she liked my blog lolol....because she made me manage their blog. I had a look & see and it wasn't looking as great so after feeling flattered (chuckle...) i started working on it and is now finished. Do have a look & see HERE

Now, it's not too fancy or 'websitey' i wanted to keep the interface fairly simple so even those who are not too computer-oriented can explore it. Though i must say- i am proud of the banner i made :) i love the bike & florals...Ashley helped me photoshop the logo though so that went well. Not too bad eh?

A Cupcake Party!

2011-08-08T09:59:00.001+12:00

My good friend Ruth asked me to bake some 24 strawberry and chocolate cupcakes for her daughter's 4rth birthday, now 12 of those only needed frosting since the rest will be decorated by the kiddies themselves...However- accidents do happen! now i know :( after having frosted them beautifully, they decided to tumble on themselves while i was putting them carefully in the box, grrrr! last minute thing of course. Great- i thought. I'm late for the party and i have to re-do them all over again. I just decided to whip up another batch of frosting and bring it to Ruth's kitchen. I should have thought of that before, duh.
Anyway- here are the pics i've taken including the party which Ruth has prepared, planned and organized herself- a Cupcake theme, yay! it was truly a magical experience both for the little ones and the adults. I wish i had a party like that when i was young, he,he,he...Enjoy-

dreamy, creamy cuppies!

Ok, now below are some pics of the party :)

Le Cygne Blanc

2011-08-03T14:09:00.002+12:00

Look what i found!

a lovely vintage swan which i bought for

a reasonable price ^_^ at Tres Chic

it's not my dream Crown Lynn but, sigh... this will

do for now.

in dreamy faded pink.

*sitting happily on our dinner table

*All photos subject to copyright. However, feel free to post it in your blog or site, just give due acknowledgement and link please. Thanks!

Bittersweet

2011-08-02T00:59:00.004+12:00

If you ever meet me in person, you'll know in a minute flat that i am a sunshiny kind of girl. I'm full of giggles & happy thoughts but i don't even feel like lifting the corners of my mouth today to attempt a smile.
I've had some pretty tough things to deal with lately & though i'm handling it well, things are just simmering from beneath the calm. And as i have always done, i seek solace in the Lord...my heart was just heavy with grief this morning i decided to go to my favourite place to spend some alone time with my Father. So i went to the beach...drank in the sight & smell of it & it did me good. I needed that.
It feels good to take the time not just to unload & to pray but to be still enough to fellowship with God. Life gets too busy, too immersed in the world i feel i needed to breathe to root myself deeper and sort out issues- external ones.
Now, don't think i'm depressed either, am not & will never trek that path again. I'm just sad BUT i believe that all things work for good to them that love the Lord & i know with all the certainty i can muster that no matter how big the waves are that rock my boat, Christ is there to calm the storm. He is my life's anchor & has proven that countless times.
Moments like these when i realize all the more how priveleged i am to know Jesus. I'm glad that He made himself known to me. And with all the crossroads, mazes and mountains set before me i am sure as sure can be that i would be lost if it weren't for Him...

*ANYWAY, here are some picture trails of my afternoon

spent at the beach, enjoy:

One Sleepy Sunday

2011-07-24T23:40:00.006+12:00

Woke up at 1 pm, still feeling knackered from my graveyard shift and I missed another church service :( oh, glum...i miss coming on tuesday nights too but i was sick for 2 weeks and missed the meetings (sigh). On another note:
This afternoon i went out for a stroll with my daughter Sarah, 'twas a nice time to catch-up over a steamy grande mug of caramel macchiato- yum, just what i need to wake up ^_^ because i drove to town on auto-mode! LOL- scary! but the coffee + sugar served its purpose- woke me' brain cells up, hehehe.
One thing about New Zealand is that they love their weekends and Sundays are quiet days in most towns except for the metropolitan cities like Welly and Auckland of course. And where i live, most shops close after lunch which is frustrating especially if they're on my days off -coz i love window shopping & checking out new stuff.
Anyway, enough moaning- here is a Picture trail of my afternoon:

*my favourite shop

a newly opened shoppe :) cannot wait to check it out!

My daughter Sarah, so proud of her she got accepted in Med school :)

my Starbucks poster! ha,ha,ha....

*l hope you like my photos! :)

For the love of books!

2011-07-22T20:40:00.007+12:00

Surrounded by browned pages, frayed leather covers, the characteristic musty smell of olden books- i took it all in with my senses. I love it. Instilled by my mother as a child, i have always been a bookworm and yes, i have gone through the rigmarole of going through the tachycardic-inducing romance novels from Mills and Boons, to war stories, to sci-fi's, biographies, christian lits and even the conspiracy theory themed or investigative type. It's funny really at this age i feel like going back and savouring the hidden wit and wisdom of classic children's stories- you know, the old ones?...i just enjoy reading them and now as an adult i can appreciate the artistic illustrations that were all hand-drawn and painted. It's just amazing. So much work invested in olden day literature compared to now where with a few clicks from the mouse one can easily conjure up a graphic- NOT that i am against it because i am a graphic fanatic as well...just labour-wise is what i'm pointing out. Standing in the middle of the book shop- i just feel thrilled to the bone ^_^ i ended up buying 3 children's books for me & Ashley, lol....

{Beatrix Potter & Maurice Maeterlink}

I'm starting to take photos to bulk up my collection as i am aiming to open Le Memoire fine art prints on Etsy by the end of the year, hopefully...i've registered, studied the terms & conditions and well, am not yet a 100% but we'll see.
So, as i've blabbered on earlier Mum & i went to town this morning, braved the spine-chilling blustery southerlies and went to see an art gallery, ate at our favourite sushi house and to the local book shoppe. Here's some of the photos i took:

What do you think? this set is darker,

i have got sets of pastels and vibrant ones too...

i need feedback ^_^

if you don't mind

Cheers!

Crossing my fingers xo

2011-07-22T01:32:00.001+12:00

Just come home from work and here's me unwinding. An idea's brewing in my head, i'm thinking of opening an Etsy or Felt shop for my photography- thinking of printing them on canvass, fabric, recycled paper as cards, prints or wooden blocks too. Hmmm, i'm 70% convinced at this stage...but that's my plan anyway..i might do trial prints of my best photos and see how they come out. I plan to name my shop after my photo blog 'Le Memoire' and well, i have to dissolve that blog in case i push on with this. I'm giving myself til the end of this year...will see but i am getting excited. I'll start gently with photo prints which will come in different themes and sell them as sets, perhaps a set of four prints. That's the plan anyway so wish me luck will yah?

Mid-Winter Christmas Fest

2011-07-16T22:47:00.019+12:00

What a lovely day today has been! my friend Cordi texted me if i wanna go to the Historic Village for the mid-winter christmas festival (one of the 'olden days' preserved villages) and i'm glad i went :) 'Twas nice...french crepes, mocchacino's, BBQ, craft stalls + an Indie clothes shop and fake snow! hahahaha.... some photos below:

adorable retro kiosk from the NZ Crepe Co.

really, really delicious

French crepes + hot chocolate

this side of town...

Ok, now who would have thought the historic village

is housing an indie clothes shop???

the buntings were a dead give away :)

knew it was that sorta' shop-

so i started taking photos & went in

to buy Ashley something nice-

guess what i found?

a lovely vintage leather belt and satchel

~ affordable too.

Oh, ecstasy!

Okay- enough of bunting love- Meet the lovely Hazel :)

who was kind enough to let me click away...

they are a group of designers who make

their own clothes, so i presume most

clothes would be one-off's- w/c makes it even

more valuable & unique, wouldn't you say?

If you're a local then do check them out

Well, somebody's happy...Lol...

beautiful Sophia...too bad i didn't capture her smile

Oops! the smile came after the click, lol..

the giggles came with the book :)

With my friend Cordi who told me

all about the fest :)

Mum, joshy & ash~ on our way home...

Joshua loved the snow

and the people

and his lolly necklace...

*It has been a lovely day :)

Vintage hearts Fridge Magnets :)

2011-07-13T00:20:00.008+12:00

Enjoyed making these as they were so cheap but i thought they look gorgeous on my fridge ^_^.

Only costed me $15 for the wooden hearts,

scrapbook paper, pearl dust & glue. Not bad eh?

Rainbow

2011-07-09T16:47:00.005+12:00

took this on our way home today, it was breathtaking!
God's covenant with man :)

Sick

2011-07-05T21:52:00.009+12:00

Oh no.... I don't have time to be sick :( but here i am day2 of being in bed, absent from work, missed an in-service, ordering fastfood for lunch & dinner. Great. I now have a sniffly & congested nose, ears and a headache - the works, course, 'cept that i am afebrile- no fever. woot!, just one woot for that. i'll be stingy & grumpy today. Tomorrow i'm on nights, i think i'll sleep the day through so i could go to work. Possibly.
I think it must be viral because antibiotics aren't working and i'm sure Sarah brought it with her from Auckland because she's got the flu when she came home. I know what you're thinking- i thought so too, as a nurse working in a hospital i could've caught it there naturally, but amazingly enough- i haven't at all...but when my daughter brought her flu home that's when everybody starts feeling a bit unwell.
But i'm praying it away, praying it away. Maybe it's my body telling me to slow down a bit...hmm, possible too. I'm just achy all over & my left ear hurts, sob......

So i'm in isolation in my daughter's room because i don't wanna spread any bugs around & entertaining myself with books, angry birds, FB & blogging. I hate inertia (sigh!) but i now know i have to look after me'self too.
As you can see i look awfully frumpy and miserable. The house looks so unkempt with dishes piling up in the sink, tissues all over my floor, clothes that needed folding... aaaw. S.O.S. mode.
Wish me better!

poem

2011-07-05T11:36:00.007+12:00

{Reflection}

spinning madly down the drain

i wonder where time goes?

does the ticking of the clock

rests for tea, now, i suppose...

now i ask because the woman

in the mirror that i see every day,

seemed to add another streak of

frayed hair in silvery grey,

the lines under the eyes deepen;

the flush of cheeks is almost gone

oh dear what a predicament-

shall i just put my hair up

in a bun?

but then i stopped

and looked again,

i looked closer than before-

there was something i missed to see,

something that can't be found in

youth at all...

there was wisdom in the eyes

like an endless well,

the smile was even kinder

and with no more folly

or arrogant swell,

the lines tell of a story-

of battles that were fought,

tears cried over prayers for

answers being sought.

I then finally understood

that woman in the mirror,

i began to accept who she is

and embrace the self nearer.

For true beauty comes not from

garments or pearls,

nor from frills or

glittery things

but from a heart

shaped by the Creator above,

to last from hereon to everlasting.

by kaye

*illustration by Charmaine Olivia

Wishlist

2011-07-03T22:56:00.003+12:00

I often get asked by people-
how do you manage your time? how could you write on 4 blogs.... and take photos.... and look after your family....and cook..and bake...and do a NET-P programme....and a Post Grad paper....and do crafts...and work?????? all at the same time???? (LOL, now that's a lot of question marks...)
Honestly? i don't know. If there's anything remotely close to a logical answer would be in Horace's famous latin words:

I seize the day
because i know I am only mortal
and that time flies...

And it's true- that is why i also nurture my spiritual life because i know i am accountable for the life i live. I want to let the world know that Christ is real the way He is to me ^_^ and i wear that proudly on my sleeve.
Anyway- that is why, even at 37 i still have so many things on my wish list:
1. I want to learn how to use the sewing machine :( imagine what i can do- hmmm, drapes, tablecloths, cushion covers...sigh...
2. I wanna learn to play the guitar. I go green with envy with people who play well, hmp.
3. Screen print. It's been playing in my head for ages.
Now, i must do some planning....wish me luck!

Nocturnal musings on my quotidian life

2011-06-26T23:59:00.007+12:00

The cold just nips at the bone tonight...i'm all wrapped up from head to toe & i still got goosebumps. No fire as we don't have a fireplace and the heater's got no oil- pretty useless huh. So what have i got to tell you today? well, i did have a wonderful morning, spent at church & enjoyed the message...this afternoon i had a terrible headache and yesterday i felt a bit crappy, i feel so fatigued & unwell...i work too hard, i suppose.
Anyway- here i am once again, late at night with Yamagata & Sigur Ros' humming on the background and slaving away in front of the computer, reluctant yet trying to finish my essay for friday's due date. Wish i'm in bed though specially on a freezing night like this- all snuggled up & cozy in my goosedown duvet and flannel sheets, all ten toes warm & toasty, not chilling like what mine's doing at the moment...mmmmm. Tempting.

Cooked a big meal earlier which is usual on Sundays, actually i have been cooking since yesterday- made some tiramisu :) yumm, i feel i ate too much tonight though :( ...suppose to make my famous flourless chocolate cake but i got too tired to do it,lol....maybe next time. I watched 'Ondine' yesterday~ - it's a nice film, i love it! love the cinematography, the story, the acting & the soundtrack- was amazing, it's kinda like Chocolat, it's a dreamy film, not too melodramatic for a love story, well, a bit more magical i suppose with a twist, but it sure was charming.
On another note-
It's half the year already! can't believe it. I feel like going back to writing my supposed novel in the making...lost all inspiration though because i was doing my degree. Again, another maybe...maybe when i'm retired i can re-visit my writing. Sometimes, i think i already am writing a story with my life and maybe i am :) but that can be a bit scary because it means people will read you especially your children, if you are a parent and that's a huge responsibility. And i actually have more thoughts about parenting but i'll save that for another post.
Oh no....my eyes are are trying to shut themselves to sleep, lol....shall i? Zzzzzzz.

Time for a Treat!

2011-06-15T23:31:00.010+12:00

Flourless dark chocolate cake- yummmy!

you won't believe how exquisite it tastes

yet so practical & easy to make.
Serve it anyway you like-
layer it with filling, dust with icing sugar, as cup cakes, or just as it is :)
it looks heavy & dense but it's actually light and the chocolate taste just bites, hum-hmmm...

Flourless Gourmet Dark Chocolate Cake

(easy as 1,2,3!)

you will need:

5 large eggs, separated

200 gms. dark chocolate

200 gms. butter

3/4 c caster sugar

pinch of salt

step1:

Using a double boiler over simmering water

place saucepan with butter + chocolate

melt together

(make sure it's water-free otherwise chocolate will seize)

while that is cooling...

step2:

In a bowl whisk yolks + 1/4 c sugar

til thick & lemony in color ^_^

add vanilla if you wish.

*whisk in chocolate with yolk

til evenly distributed...

step3:

whisk whites until it has reached soft peak

then add 1/2- 3/4 c cup sugar

[sweetness depends on your taste]

whisk mad til stiff & glossy

fold it in the chocolate batter

*Bake at 150 deg. for 35-40 minutes or

until toothpick comes out clean

{you can serve it plain or serve it with clotted cream, sour cream or chocolate sauce, which i preferred...}

Chocolate sauce recipe:

Using the same boiler technique,

melt 150 gm. chocolate with 1/4 heavy cream...

when chocolate melts- take off from heat

& allow to cool and thicken.

{for a more gourmet flavour- add a tsp. of your preferred liqueur like orange, kahlua or bailey's

to the chocolate sauce- now don't get carried away! a hint of taste will do...}

Have a piece?

moan, moan, moan

2011-06-14T00:27:00.005+12:00

I know i should be writing my case study for my PG paper right now but here i am once again perpetually and deliberately putting the task in the back burner. As if it would go away, hmp. May sound harsh to those who are pro-academia but i am sick of studying and the endless assessments and stress that comes along with it. Haven't i just finished a degree? doing my NET-P stuff and now a PG....crikey. The next couple of days are study days actually. Nooooo *_*
I NEED to rest my firing neurons & i wish i have money to reward myself with a holiday after this. I wanna go visit dad in Adelaide, maybe grab a cheap flight & use Mr.Visa, LOL. Dreamer....
I know i will have to do all the exams and requirements anyway despite all my moaning but after this- i have to have a break & just focus on my nursing care. I am learning plenty of things though as i go...there's just so much to remember, so much to do in an 8.5 hour shift- it never is enough. The paper work, the liasing with mdt's, documentation, ho-hummm....the best part for me is still bedside nursing. Talking with my patients and sitting down and giving them a piece of my time is the sweetest part but somehow i feel that with all the push, pressure & shove to be academic nurses + the politics and bureaucracy, the 'being in the moment' caring part is being compromised. Not always and not intentional of course, because i can see how much a majority of nurses try their best to spend time with patients despite the ton of paperwork and behind-the-scene work that we do...but that's just it- there is too much paperwork :( i think we can't win if we err on being cautious 'medico-legal' wise. We just have to do our best, perhaps it is the quality of the time we share that matters most. That just may be the winning formula.
---> as for my sabbatical, it was only a couple of days long, LOL...my daughter complained and it's a bit of a lifeline between us so i jumped back in but only made my wall visible to family....and i'll try to limit my exposure- if i can! hahahaha...

*image from Decorum

Pretty Food Vids

2011-06-13T01:28:00.002+12:00

I thought i'd share some really nice food videos, hope you like 'em !

Videos from Vimeo

Facebook Sabbatical (?)

2011-06-12T02:23:00.002+12:00

Well, i decided to swim upstream- against culture itself, lol, but i sort of feel it's time for me to leave facebook...maybe permanently, we'll see. Nothing to do with privacy issues as i'm sure once you're on the net nothing really is private & i am not really against it per se because i think it's a good way to keep in touch with everybody esp. family.
Just have a feeling it's time to keep things now to myself. I mean, without updating anyone about what i've been up to & not having that annoying yet irresistable urge to check on my phone everytime it vibrates with new notifications. I feel that i'm on it too much, lol...With blogging i sort of have a sense of control with what i share and when so it's okay ;)
So- it sure was fun while it lasted... may experience some withdrawals but i'll survive, hahaha. Ta-ta FB!

Never Too Late to Cultivate Kindness

2011-06-10T00:56:00.004+12:00

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
~ Mother Teresa

I've been wanting to write about this for a long time but never seem to pen it down til tonight...inspired by someone i know who i have never ever heard say something nice about another person. Why are some people so negative? i wonder. Complains about almost everything- about issues, about this, that & the other- it's driving me nuts when i'm around people like that. They bristle about every little thing except themselves. The atmosphere they carry is just dark and infectious too...when the tongue starts to wag- it gets others wagging as well. I'd rather keep to myself and bite my tongue. Even if it bleeds, lol. The tongue if let loose can be an evil thing, it can do so much damage and hurt.
..but then i thought there must be another side to the story, maybe the person's just unhappy & is venting it out on everyone. Still, I think we all need to examine ourselves every now & again...I really do. We have to have the ability to reflect inwardly- to just assess our weaknesses and how it impacts on people around us and try to be self- aware and at least try to improve. It is good to be tactful and courteous, it is good to offer kind words and praise rather than ridicule, it is good to have patience when somebody makes a mistake and perhaps with hold judgement a little bit more. To see the goodness in others is the way to go, don't you think? and it's never too late for good changes :) never too late at all.

Beach Pics 8.6.11

2011-06-09T09:03:00.006+12:00

It was a sunshiny day for winter but i'm not complaining :) I leisured my morning away on the sand like a beached whale & snapped happily away with my cam to my little heart's content- as you can see below, lol.
The Mount is spectacular as usual and my hubby & i had brunch, nice time spent together before i went to work ^_^ Aaaahhh....i know, i am a hopeless romantic. Enjoy my photos below!

A Very Special Thanks

2011-06-07T23:36:00.026+12:00

Me & My iPhone

2011-06-06T21:37:00.007+12:00

It's not funny, hmp... My hubby (who is a perpetual penny-pincher, Lol) switched internet providers- the cheapest one of course & for days now we cannot access the net! So i am blogging from an app at the moment and it's so,so,so inconvenient- typing becomes such a tedious task, sigh :/ i still prefer a keyboard and i still prefer Vodafone, hmp.

Speaking of apps, i love the photography apps of iPhone :) in fact i love all the apps i have downloaded. Never thought i could be so attached to this lovely little gadget! it's just awesome & i don't think it can be topped by any android in the market.

I love Camera+ and Instagram... I do! i do! and i hate to say this but- i got addicted to editing photos so much tehehehe...See, my self portrait? Hahaha... classic eh? There is of course a roll of them but i won't post em here, lol.

I also love the medical apps which works magic for me, i use it a lot at work esp. when there are medications that i am not familiar with & then there's facebook and Angry birds, lol... my own guilty indulgence hahaha...well, i keep in touch with my sister and my daughter via FB, i also try to make good use of it by posting inspirational quotes & encouragement. As for Angry Birds it just kills my boredom & gives my brain a bit of a break from tasks that demands thinking. Something mundane and fun :)

Hmm, anyway us here in NZ have entered wintry days and all the woolies, flannels & fleecy bits came out of their boxes although it hasn't gotten too cold- yet! Can't wait for magnolias to bloom and the cherry blossoms too. Hmm, i love the change of seasons, don't you? BUT if there's anything i'm missing is the Mount, going for my long walks there by the beach, praying, meditating and taking my good camera for shots. Tomorrow may be a good day for a walk and some more picture taking if the weather permits.

In the meantime i'll leave you with this uplifting quote: ----------------->
Have a fun week everyone!

*typo from Tumblr

Baking mad!

2011-06-05T17:26:00.002+12:00

The rain and blustery winds kept us all indoors yesterday so i baked most of the day... I baked some yummy cuppies for work for two of my favorite colleagues who were given appreciation Certificates for staying in the org. for a number of years, i thought that was good ;) 30 & 15 years in the same hospital sure is one to beat eh.
Later that day, after having cleaned and scrubbed the house i found me'self bored witless again and guilty for not baking some treats for my brood, hahaha... So i made some gorgeous walnut brownies and macaroons. Nyum, nyum!

Rants of a blogista

2011-05-30T22:02:00.002+12:00

Sometimes, i do ask myself why i love to blog...why i love facebooking...why i like to talk & exchange ideas and thoughts with people? tonight is one such night and i still don't know the answer. Some say, it's because of my birth sign, i am a gemini- well, lemme' see...hummm, for one the element symbol for us is 'air' (lolol...) which is not surprising, we were told to be social, creative + verbal creatures- which again i can relate to and personally i really am an expressive person (ha,ha,ha). I do express everything that is in me, if i can't it will literally break my heart i guess coz' it'll just seep out of every pore of my body. lastly, i am a frustrated journalist, as writing truly is my first love. I started to write a novel 2 years ago but lost motivation midway.
...anyway, that's just me, i am an extrovert to the max i suppose :) although i do remember keeping a diary since i was in 6th grade, so from 12 years up to the age of 30, I already was penning my heart out on paper and then this blogging phenomena erupted which got me hook, line & sinker, LOL. Even better, i thought- ha,ha,ha...feeling a bit reflective since the month of June i would've been a blogger for 6 years now. Imagine that.
But kidding aside- what got me into blogging in the first place is my desire to share my personal experience with Christ. I am a christian and I'm proud to tell the whole world that I am- because it is God's love and kindness toward me that moved me to share my walk with Him to others. I know about sadness and brokenness, I know about poverty, I know about feelings of hopelessness and isolation, I know about abandonement, suicidal tendencies and depression- but God came to my aid when no one was there for me. He came to me, sought me and wooed my soul with His love and compassion. It might sound so cliche' to most of you- but I have met the Lord and He did change me, a lot- i should add. And for that I am eternally grateful. I want you to get to know Him too, on a personal level and not just on a church level...there's a difference, see. Anyway, for those who are interested visit my site PURE FAITH and i hope it becomes a blessing to you.

Freebie from me to you :)

2011-05-24T01:14:00.004+12:00

took this photo early today :) hope you like it!

Blues

2011-05-24T00:17:00.004+12:00

Sadness

dew drops

streaming down

your cheeks,

i can almost

hear your heart

sobbing...

your sadness

is palpable

under your skin

sighing,

breaking,

throbbing.

what's the

matter?

i ask,

'nothing'

you say...

but the cracks

and lines are showing.

i looked closer

and saw you

all curled up

forlorn and weeping.

i looked and your eyes

glistened with

fresh tears,

i knew then
i had to look away...

for the mirror

had much too much

to say.

by kaye

Enjoy these really cool vids :)

2011-05-22T23:27:00.003+12:00

*my hand pick vids for the week :) from Vimeo

...and for my finale' video- you should all watch this-

Cute Finds

2011-05-16T18:07:00.003+12:00

credits: gifs from tumblr

this one's from me :) wild rose bushes at Somerfields

Fact of the Matter

2011-05-11T23:54:00.008+12:00

I sat through a really impressive yet intellectual take on existentialism this morning and it was fairly good. Our speaker was a clinical psychologist and he spoke about death and it's pertinence to Alzheimer's. He explored
and questioned man's fear of death and the common reaction that death is a negative event.
He unashamedly verbalized our secret fears of being forgotten and ceasing to exist ever again in this world, he talked about and is challenging us really on a paradigm shift from mainstream thinking that Alzheimer's is not a disease process but is in fact natural- that it simply is age-related decline which eventually leads to mortality. He presented facts as well and believe you me they were facts- statistics and research findings which suggests a conspiracy theory- that someone is medicalizing the natural process of ageing and hitherto getting funded billions of dollars for the quest for a cure...for which there never will be. That is the summary of his thoughts minus the PC of it all.

His speech blew me away because i enjoy listening to lateral thinkers, by far he is one of the 3 people that has truly impressed me academically speaking...However- (there's a catch, see...LOL) let me shy away now from his take on Alzheimer's as i agree with every bit of it and although I agree with 80% of what he said, I disagree with some of his personal opinion on spirituality. I wasn't surprised that before he began his spiel on death and man's denial about death, he discredited- for lack of a better word- the 'notion' of God and he strengthened his supposition with atheistic quotes as well. He professed that he has no religious beliefs whatsoever which in my mind is stating the obvious really.
Hmmm...there's that bad seed being subtly planted, uh-oh...

Therein lies the irony- that as much as they are trying to prove that men dodge the abstract truth and reality of death despite the fact that 'we will all die anyway', they are doing the exact same thing by denying themselves the truth about God and eternal life. They are actually robbing themselves of that great opportunity to go beyond the veil, they choose to end their journey here on earth and end their appointment with the grim reaper when we are offered more.
For there is more...there is a God who provided a way for us to step out of time and live eternal lives and we are born on earth to make that decision . The existence of God is not dependent on our personal or popular opinion- it does not matter whether we believe it or not, He exists anyway. All the theories or science in the world could never, try as they might, confound that truth. Faith will always be stronger than carnal, finite opinion.
I think when their eyes open beyond this breathing world, they would cry with horror that they wasted all their life believing the lie that God is but a myth- for He never is nor will He ever be, much to their disappointment. So, i think i would end this post with a quote from C.S Lewis's (who is FYI a former atheist):

"God will invade.

But I wonder whether people who ask God

to interfere openly and directly

in our world quite realise what it will be like

when He does.

When that happens, it is the end of the world.

When the author walks on to the stage the play is over.

God is going to invade, all right:

but what is the good of saying you are on His side then,
when you see the whole natural universe

melting away like a dream and something else -

something it never entered your head to conceive -

comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us

and so terrible to others that none of us

will have any choice left?

For this time it will be God without disguise;

something so overwhelming that it will strike

either irresistible love or irresistible horror

into every creature.

It will be too late then to choose your side.

There is no use saying you choose to lie down

when it has become impossible to stand up.

That will not be the time for choosing;

it will be the time when we discover which side

we really have chosen,

whether we realised it before or not.

Now, today, this moment,

is our chance to choose the right side.

God is holding back to give us that chance.

It will not last for ever.

We must take it or leave it."

~C.S. Lewis

My little craft for today

2011-05-03T23:01:00.003+12:00

went to the warehouse and saw adorable crafty stickies-
my lightbulb started flashing, LOL
and my nifty lil' hands started to itch
hahahaha!
so i collaged them on a cork board...
unfinished and not a true craft really
but i thought it's cute, so i thought.

a bit crude but that's ok :)

Pathetic Moaner, ha,ha,ha...

2011-05-03T01:23:00.010+12:00

I miss being alone! to just be by my lonesome is a challenge.
I miss spending some quiet time where i could just exhale, reflect and pray. My life has been very busy of late & every bit of me wanted to stay still and quiet but i am being pulled in so many directions. My brain is constantly buzzing it hurts.What a dilemma, smirk!
I can't go out to the beach either because the rain has not stopped pouring this side of the world for 3 weeks straight...unbelievable. Blustery winds and rain! and it's just hilarious when i drive our humongous van because i am fighting against the wind all the time & praying that we won't get toppled over (seriously?yes- the wind is that strong!).
Yep, moan, moan, moan, moan...and more...
I miss reading books, i just bought 5 new ones and i have only gone as far as 6 pages past the intro- sad huh. Am i depressing you enough? (giggle).

Well, uhmm work indeed is keeping me busy + home + cooking but nevermind. It's just one of those things i guess... did you ever noticed how time just seem to trickle away like flowing water? i go to work, i go home, put my feet up and cook tea and when my eyes hover over the clock the day has gone.

There are plenty of things that still needed doing on top of work and home life and my postgrad paper is starting next week too! dearie me. Hmmm. I thought studying can take a backseat after finishing my degree but the nightmare seems to start all over again, so hopefully after this paper i could give myself a much deserved break and holiday. So wish!

Anyway, i have got a solution
to ease my angst, LOL
i just look at my darling little boy

[who's busy looking at something on the floor]
& all my rants give way to his

awesome cuteness.
Joshua the Great-
you mean the world to me :)