My 40th birthday

And I am so practical that I can't think of anything I would like, even if my husband asks me.  Usually he loves to surprise me, but last year, we noticed that I don't need anything.  This year, it's ridiculous.  So we may just end up with a dinner or two, and a trip to the Fullerton Hotel.  I loved it so much the last time that I wouldn't mind luxuriating there for my birthday.  Well, at least this is an idea!

Fullerton - Singapore

Two weekends ago, my husband had a conference at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. I went along since it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I have family business in Singapore, being half Singaporean. Suffice it to say it was out of this world. Only complaint would be a weekend-package family who brought water guns into the smallish pool, yelling and shooting. In Singapore, I discovered they sell La Roche-Posay, and after five minutes, was parted with around 60 sing$ for Redermic. No regrets! Not bad at all! My wrinkles are lessening in appearance, not as deep, eye area not as dry. She gave me samples of Hydraphase which created smooth, silky skin.
Back to Fullerton: it is a business 5-star hotel. We were lucky with the Courtyard room, it being big for all 3 of us. The service is impeccable, almost too much that I felt a little paranoid as if my privacy was invaded. I leave the room and 10 minutes when I came back, the wet towel was replace, the floor was dry. I suspect they spy on each guest leaving the rooms :) As mentioned, the only real complaint would be perhaps a pool boy with stronger authority and presence who would step in when necessary.

High Maintenance

So I've been accused by a colleague that I am high maintenance. Understand though, that he is the really open, friendly, type who didn't really think before he spoke, and when he realized too late what he said, he apologized profusely and said that was not what he MEANT. This same colleague this morning mentioned I'm motherly. Now, 3 weeks ago during Parent Conference, I was superficial, materialistic, but really he meant I dress well and am proud of my appearance, and suddenly today I'm frumpy, dowdy, and caring. Caring was what he MEANT. Since I'm both, I'm going to be superficial and talk about eye cream. Since hitting 39, I was in despair. For two years, I noticed bags, black eye circles, and puffiness. For two years, I've tried several eye cream, from RoC to Origins to my mother's Lauder, the "miraculous" brown-colored one. Finally, after extensive research, I've decided to splurge and went for Perricone's smelly chemical with DHEA and other deadly ingredients. After 4 weeks, there IS an improvement. I now need just a small dab of undereye concealer (M.A.C in honey) and I don't seem to be carrying a handbag under my eye anymore. The blackness is faded to a small area of gray. My wrinkles improved a bit only, but I'm already happy with the darkness. The pouches are reduced, and two frozen, pre-wet cotton pads left overnight and pressed against my eyes in the morning bring it down even more. Do all expensive things work? No. But there might be some truth to some of the pricier options somehow.

A Time Waster

Wow, blogging really is a fun, technologically smart way to waste time.  There really are so many things I can do.  Just playing with widgets can take the whole day: finding the perfect few, for example.  When will I ever find time for deep thoughts?  My new resolution - deep pontification only on my professional blog at ctanarnaud, and fun, superficial stuff here.  

Ironies

Ironic that my work email blog is used for personal blogging.  Ironic that I'm actually feeling comfortable with technology.  Ironic that it IS the expensive stuff that works even if all counsel that we consumers are being ripped off.  Ironic that those who work hard, save conservatively, think ahead are the ones who may ultimately be punished.  Yes, the economic downturn is preying on my mind incessantly.  Ravings and rantings... (testing #3) - to be deleted.  Admittedly, this is rather infantile.

Spelling patterns

Irregardless of the fact that academic experts tout that there are patterns to English spelling, I find it frustrating and feel cheated. Somehow, the patterns seem forced to fit the words. There really isn't a real clear pattern in English. Though, thought, enough, bough, we have all heard about it and made mild jokes about it. French, on the other hand, in one little book called the Methode Boscher, has incorporated all spelling patterns and their irregularities. At 5, my son was studying it. By 7, he has a clear grasp and can make educated guesses. Yet I am persuaded again and again that really, Real Spelling has rules, and once he knows them, he will understand how spelling in English works. Perhaps I am unfair in comparing a "pure" language with a widely acknowledged "mix-bag" language. Seriously, wok, amok, and deju vu as vernacular English words?