tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52545107052335952772024-03-13T21:19:42.465+08:00The Dollhouse Diaries: My Maharaja's Palacedollhouses character doll house miniatures miniature toys doll's houses Indian Palace Mughal architecture 1/12 Maharajah MaharaniSans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-78282853283303242272017-03-05T21:35:00.000+08:002017-03-05T21:35:15.688+08:00Day 423 - 434 The Heart of The Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>What conjures up a home? </i><i><br /></i></h4>
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<i>Surely it must be the sounds and smells emanating from its kitchen.</i></h4>
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<i>Home is the tranquil song the tap sings when water runs through a colander of potatoes and fresh greens;</i></div>
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<i>the tenor and bass in rhythmic staccato when a chopper goes through a juicy chunk of meat;</i></div>
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<i>it is the chorus of the pots and pans clanging in anticipation of some sizzling crescendo;</i></div>
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<i>culminating in the sweet sweet sense of bliss when chicken broth is boiling on the stove.</i></div>
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<i>It took me a long while to build this kitchen, a week and 5 days in fact. </i></div>
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<i>And as my kitchen is fully exposed to the elements, things aged really fast.</i></div>
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<i>But the romance of washing the dishes on a rainy afternoon,</i></div>
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<i>or watching dusk falls on my steps of succulents as I am making dinner,</i></div>
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<i> I will not have it any other way.</i></div>
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<i>My kitchen may only be a stretch of table along one wall</i></div>
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<i>But with it, Abandoned House is finally a Home.</i></div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-27016712371058327832017-01-29T19:18:00.001+08:002017-02-01T14:43:58.712+08:00Day 419- Still Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"A Small Blue Table" </div>
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<i>by Sans!</i></div>
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<i>October 2014</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_kVAdbuumA/WI29tDtx1VI/AAAAAAAAfis/8uukVJgHzFMeqPw7vfv40muFBoHEAdxGQCLcB/s1600/Table-b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_kVAdbuumA/WI29tDtx1VI/AAAAAAAAfis/8uukVJgHzFMeqPw7vfv40muFBoHEAdxGQCLcB/s400/Table-b4.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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A small blue table sits at the east of my abandoned house, right under the rambutan tree. It is a <i>still life</i> not because it is a work of art in any way but because it succinctly describes the state of my mini life.</div>
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It has been close to a year since I last made anything and more than since I blogged. The silence was mainly due to love; then loss and finally in 2016, life.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-TmdCB9hCg/WI2w06w5ryI/AAAAAAAAfiA/KYRfZD7YeYopmB-QToXCqqziaWRtPVSwQCLcB/s1600/Old%2BBasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-TmdCB9hCg/WI2w06w5ryI/AAAAAAAAfiA/KYRfZD7YeYopmB-QToXCqqziaWRtPVSwQCLcB/s400/Old%2BBasket.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A Small Blue Table - detail 29 Jan 2017</span></div>
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I remember it was also after a lull when I went to work on the table 2 Septembers ago. 9 months into 2014, and I have only made <i><a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2014/07/day-415-painting-nature.html" target="_blank">Painting Nature</a> </i>and a <a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2014/10/day-417-perspective-of-fruit-tree.html" target="_blank"><i>rambutan tree</i></a>.</div>
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It was not easy. Starting again after such lack of practice. But I wanted to make a table to display some gifts which I have received from blog friends. Some of these gifts were received so long ago that, regretfully and quite unforgivably, I simply cannot recollect who they are from...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmUDb57wGN0/WI3IRHgqwTI/AAAAAAAAfjE/0OF0x-iFaNgPt4PUlzaFjcVPetrPuiBsgCEw/s1600/Basket-b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmUDb57wGN0/WI3IRHgqwTI/AAAAAAAAfjE/0OF0x-iFaNgPt4PUlzaFjcVPetrPuiBsgCEw/s320/Basket-b4.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
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like this wicker which spoke to me in volumes when it said <i>bash me</i></div>
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or the blooms in a bead</div>
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or the littlest, and my absolute favourite, perfume atomiser.</div>
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Then there is this plastic can.</div>
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One of the challenges I gave myself was to rust this plastic. Alas, 9 months of no practice was telling in the results. I didn't like it then.<br />
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But now it sits as a gentle reminder to myself not to leave my mini world for too long. It is never far though. How can it when it is already a part of my very real world.</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-53274284416760223772015-12-15T14:58:00.000+08:002015-12-16T14:33:01.064+08:00Days 426, 427 -Chinese Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The pleasure of tea </i><i>is doubled </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">when you have company sharing it.</span></i></div>
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<i>Great having you over, Carmen, Claude, Fabiola, Veronique. </i></div>
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<i>Thank you for bringing your own cups. </i></div>
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<i>Happy to see familiar faces from way back and far away, Josje, Piikko, and Maria Ireland. </i></div>
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<i>Glad you like Chinese Tea.</i></div>
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<i>Warm welcome back, Drora, Illona, Kikka </i></div>
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<i>You who have shared and have warmed my heart.</i></div>
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<i>Grateful for the company of friends whom I have not spoken for a while and yet linger constantly in my thoughts, Birgit, Ewa, Betsy.</i></div>
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<i>And always thrilled to share our regular chats again, Ro. </i></div>
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<i>You brought colours to my living room in the garden </i><i>and gave nourishments to my tea. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eM2k7JdD3Qw/Vm-WTMLqiEI/AAAAAAAAeuM/hKuekIdvMz8/s1600/CT-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eM2k7JdD3Qw/Vm-WTMLqiEI/AAAAAAAAeuM/hKuekIdvMz8/s640/CT-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowering tea leaves - Before</span></div>
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My dad loved Chinese tea. He taught me the subtle yet distinct differences between good and great Oolong and showed me the simple but rigid steps to brewing.</div>
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We learnt from him and mum how a cup of tea is more than just a beverage. It is a powerful instrument for expressing emotions that often beggar words; and it bridges what may appears to be the irreconcilable. </div>
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For us Chinese, presenting a cup of tea on our knees is not simply saying I am sorry, it is also showing sorrow and remorse for having hurt so deeply. </div>
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On your wedding day, it is an expression of immense gratitude for all the years your elders have loved, protected and gifted. That cup of tea says at once: <i>thank you,</i> <i>I am now leaving your shelter and I am sad yet glad and I know you are glad yet sad too. </i>It is that flash when your life before that cup of tea were instances when you were educated, scolded or praised. It was for all the tears and laughter leading up to this day when you are finally no longer a child but a man, woman, spouse and maybe parent.</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ohyf1U_KpxM/Vm-KSPwKgeI/AAAAAAAAet0/B9cohUrrNY8/s640/Tea-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="419" /></div>
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I bought the 2 tiny teapots and the teacup from the <a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2009/04/my-maharajahs-palace-day-54-58-pt-3.html">National Palace Museum of Taiwan in 2009</a>. Taiwan was also <a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2013/02/days-369-376-taiwan-with-mum-dad.html">a special trip I made just with my mum and dad</a> in 2013 over the Chinese New Year that year. </div>
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In my little world and the abandoned house, that Chinese teacup from Taiwan will always be dad's special cup.</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-38911256844371942312015-12-08T15:13:00.000+08:002015-12-08T15:13:50.155+08:00Days 426 & 427- The Garden's Living Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9T0qBPH-4I/VmZ55ThN0rI/AAAAAAAAeoY/9vCtbsf33A4/s1600/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9T0qBPH-4I/VmZ55ThN0rI/AAAAAAAAeoY/9vCtbsf33A4/s640/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-0.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">If I am to sit in my garden, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">watch weeds grow, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">earth settles </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">and stones erode; </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4DoNtPOvpA/VmZ55augkHI/AAAAAAAAeoc/GCN3GOhchuw/s1600/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4DoNtPOvpA/VmZ55augkHI/AAAAAAAAeoc/GCN3GOhchuw/s640/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-1.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">It will still be time better spent </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">then </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">meddling with the madness, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">chasing wants, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">lamenting regrets.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLBV_bkm3kY/VmZ55DEA7jI/AAAAAAAAeoU/Ps978S_kEd4/s1600/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLBV_bkm3kY/VmZ55DEA7jI/AAAAAAAAeoU/Ps978S_kEd4/s640/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-2.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<i>I knew when this abandoned house finally completes, the garden is where I will want to do most of my living. It is where I will sit, work, think when I am alone; chat, laugh, eat and drink when I am not. </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qdF9dWeNIo/VmZ_9EjKApI/AAAAAAAAepM/qSLEgxeD8Kw/s1600/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qdF9dWeNIo/VmZ_9EjKApI/AAAAAAAAepM/qSLEgxeD8Kw/s640/Garden%2BFurn-%2BFin-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And so I built this living room of simple yet hardy furniture. A living room I can bring anywhere in the garden, for me; and you if you wish for my company; and of course, those special moments when I want a chat with the Old Man. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLdW2GYphLM/VmZ56FP_HYI/AAAAAAAAeow/xlR3t1HM6wc/s1600/Material.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLdW2GYphLM/VmZ56FP_HYI/AAAAAAAAeow/xlR3t1HM6wc/s640/Material.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The humble beginnings. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvm5ueC43Xo/VmZ56IzU1JI/AAAAAAAAeog/xdOvV6xRHl4/s1600/Material-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvm5ueC43Xo/VmZ56IzU1JI/AAAAAAAAeog/xdOvV6xRHl4/s640/Material-2.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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Much of the construction was in the painting.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abWzhlBV1TY/VmZ56NaKssI/AAAAAAAAeoo/qmOTN3KvnrU/s1600/Garden%2BFurn-%2Bv01-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abWzhlBV1TY/VmZ56NaKssI/AAAAAAAAeoo/qmOTN3KvnrU/s640/Garden%2BFurn-%2Bv01-1.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
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Version 1 when I only used 1 piece for the table top. The final version had 3. </div>
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Pillows made from trimmings and the tiniest, shiniest beads.</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-83058472637537138782015-12-07T15:43:00.001+08:002015-12-07T15:43:49.777+08:00The Day He Left - Nirvana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfs0VyrVnmQ/VmU1AHxU9PI/AAAAAAAAenk/9XC41AIHkxw/s1600/Nirvanan-V01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfs0VyrVnmQ/VmU1AHxU9PI/AAAAAAAAenk/9XC41AIHkxw/s640/Nirvanan-V01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was a mini sculpture I made in October last year. Shortly after, my dad was taken ill and was admitted to the hospital. He never came home.</div>
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What do you say when someone you thought would be there always leave? Everything and nothing really. </div>
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On 3 December 2015, we commemorated the 1 year since my dad left with a meal. I echo here my brother's words to him:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q6vaTJloO4/VmU3dmMga0I/AAAAAAAAenw/GKx30VnoAd0/s1600/12301766_10153504777339093_3259781001274992797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q6vaTJloO4/VmU3dmMga0I/AAAAAAAAenw/GKx30VnoAd0/s400/12301766_10153504777339093_3259781001274992797_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Hey dad. We bought some of your favourites tonight for dinner. It's been a year now. We're all doing great. And yes, we know you're with us. I know you always are.</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4n3HyBZdrU/VmU032vVzCI/AAAAAAAAenc/iLi9l2wL2W8/s1600/Nirvana-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4n3HyBZdrU/VmU032vVzCI/AAAAAAAAenc/iLi9l2wL2W8/s640/Nirvana-3.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>
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Nirvana</div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-52680181597412351462014-10-21T15:31:00.000+08:002014-10-21T15:32:39.320+08:00Days 420-422 Water Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJwz9Q2f-Xo/VES4XcikrGI/AAAAAAAAVRk/0qk1jo6zMLo/s1600/FinPond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJwz9Q2f-Xo/VES4XcikrGI/AAAAAAAAVRk/0qk1jo6zMLo/s1600/FinPond.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I am a water garden. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I am home to rare orchid and sacred lotus, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">wild flowers and rambling reeds.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Life in my pond is quiet but vibrant,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">restraint but free. </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DySp9cOls8/VES4Z1ZBvaI/AAAAAAAAVRs/gzmba_2Prl8/s1600/Pondb4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DySp9cOls8/VES4Z1ZBvaI/AAAAAAAAVRs/gzmba_2Prl8/s1600/Pondb4-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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My water garden was of humble beginnings. I still recall how on that really hot Sunday afternoon, I took out an egg crate I kept for years and started building the rock surfaces. The Abandoned House was crying out for a water source and it was between a well and the deep blue pond. I chose the pond. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzKZiKjNxS8/VES4bs0yJAI/AAAAAAAAVR0/GfBffRm5AG8/s1600/Pondb4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzKZiKjNxS8/VES4bs0yJAI/AAAAAAAAVR0/GfBffRm5AG8/s1600/Pondb4-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The pond's first life after I laid the tiny pebbles and poured some <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Amazing-E-6000-Craft-Glue-2-oz/17808713">E-6000</a> over, was a plastic plant from an old project called "<a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/search/label/Junkyard">Heaven For Dead Cars</a>". I wanted something special amidst the foliage so I thought, why not a lone stalk of pretty flower?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYDy5NlNsg/VES4em-ukHI/AAAAAAAAVR8/IJ86rNiHYTs/s1600/Pondflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYDy5NlNsg/VES4em-ukHI/AAAAAAAAVR8/IJ86rNiHYTs/s1600/Pondflowers.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The rare orchid in my myriad flora collection was the obvious choice. This was a flower made by a Thai artisan bought from a stall in my favourite flea mart, Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. I think it is a variety of the super rare <a href="http://www.sim1.se/malay/kinab/kinab_03.html">Lady Slipper Orchid</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFgpC-iz_M0/VES4gw37VGI/AAAAAAAAVSE/CgHIBUb78FE/s1600/Pondb4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFgpC-iz_M0/VES4gw37VGI/AAAAAAAAVSE/CgHIBUb78FE/s1600/Pondb4-3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The next weekend, I poured more glue into the pond. This time I used an epoxy mix from Elmer's that promised Super Fast something. It wasn't very super anything nor fast. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUzRUlr1SEM/VES4itLgD1I/AAAAAAAAVSM/CTyjiG4DgVc/s1600/Pondflowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUzRUlr1SEM/VES4itLgD1I/AAAAAAAAVSM/CTyjiG4DgVc/s1600/Pondflowers2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I was soon bored watching glue dry so I decided then my pond would be a water garden. I found more discarded flowers, like the lotus buds and placed them into the middle of the pond.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhxrWzEhl4Y/VES4kiRCvWI/AAAAAAAAVSU/F6-2fYpq5w8/s1600/Pondflowers4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhxrWzEhl4Y/VES4kiRCvWI/AAAAAAAAVSU/F6-2fYpq5w8/s1600/Pondflowers4.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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These rather realistic succulents which I love, I <i>planted</i> at the side of the pond.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPmBN5i8nHk/VES4mybb9CI/AAAAAAAAVSc/j9vRLvne1yc/s1600/Pondflowers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPmBN5i8nHk/VES4mybb9CI/AAAAAAAAVSc/j9vRLvne1yc/s1600/Pondflowers3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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These dried flowers were souvenirs I plucked when I was in Australia. I knew I could use them in one of my projects someday.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wo5psbSU3D8/VES7Aj_bazI/AAAAAAAAVSw/_j7m0TL-fPY/s1600/Pondflowers5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wo5psbSU3D8/VES7Aj_bazI/AAAAAAAAVSw/_j7m0TL-fPY/s1600/Pondflowers5.jpg" height="640" width="368" /></a></div>
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Rambling reeds, another plucked apart dried flower and the pure white paper lotus in full bloom were additions I made on the 3rd weekend when I poured the last layer of E-6000. The glue had bubbles teeming, suggesting vibrancy and life.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FK6K6jlT6F0/VES4o4TSChI/AAAAAAAAVSk/LuauhZ4jZlE/s1600/FinPond2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FK6K6jlT6F0/VES4o4TSChI/AAAAAAAAVSk/LuauhZ4jZlE/s1600/FinPond2.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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When I brought the house out for a shoot and the various plants by the pond started swaying in the breeze, for a moment there as I looked through the lens of my camera, I saw myself standing over my water garden, dreaming up poetry and enjoying the wind in my hair.</div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-85280271794546275982014-10-03T13:06:00.001+08:002014-10-06T10:39:37.494+08:00Day 417- The Perspective Of A Fruit Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSzndW9nS7g/VCzMsvvVtkI/AAAAAAAAVQ8/dW2WRvzvbO0/s1600/Fruit-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSzndW9nS7g/VCzMsvvVtkI/AAAAAAAAVQ8/dW2WRvzvbO0/s1600/Fruit-1.jpg" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
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I was "growing" a fruit tree for the Abandoned House when I was once again confronted with the issue of "scale". It was some rambutans I bought from a Thai artisan which I wanted for my tree but these rambutans were a little on the big side (even by my very imprecise standards). </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYfrEcLVHnE/VCzMtsM9XXI/AAAAAAAAVRE/xKGg7SEhj0g/s1600/Fruits-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYfrEcLVHnE/VCzMtsM9XXI/AAAAAAAAVRE/xKGg7SEhj0g/s1600/Fruits-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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As some of you may know of me, I am not one to measure down to the last millimeter for a flawless 1:12/24/48 scale. After all, the same object can be different things in different scale. For instance, my Abandoned House could be a 1:48 chateau or a 1:24 shed or even a 1:12 pigsty. Conversely, an object can, and do, come in many sizes. There are large, medium or small sunflowers or tables or maybe even....</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOrmSvX8jb0/VCzMuVZkjEI/AAAAAAAAVRI/CONx574-KBI/s1600/Fruits-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOrmSvX8jb0/VCzMuVZkjEI/AAAAAAAAVRI/CONx574-KBI/s1600/Fruits-3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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rambutans..</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwZ0I8AWGm4/VCzMvMsX6RI/AAAAAAAAVRQ/13xQZpanVWk/s1600/FruitTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwZ0I8AWGm4/VCzMvMsX6RI/AAAAAAAAVRQ/13xQZpanVWk/s1600/FruitTree.jpg" height="640" width="350" /></a></div>
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So at the end of the day, how do I tell when something is of the right size? Simple, really. It just must look right, </div>
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Or if it doesn't quite, we can always call it a dragon fruit tree instead of a rambutan tree, maybe even a red durian tree. </div>
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Surely our small world can be anything we want it to be, right?</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-19926714821050844782014-09-30T14:02:00.000+08:002014-09-30T14:03:01.540+08:00Day 417-418- Garden Variety<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klxWFi8hrk8/VCo2bfAWwCI/AAAAAAAAVPY/Ow_o4XZp6gY/s1600/Gingerflowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klxWFi8hrk8/VCo2bfAWwCI/AAAAAAAAVPY/Ow_o4XZp6gY/s1600/Gingerflowers2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ginger flowers</i></span></div>
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<i>There's something soothing about the commonplace. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VigPZWMOih8/VCo3RZNhVwI/AAAAAAAAVPg/gGbaB1zTIJ8/s1600/starlilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VigPZWMOih8/VCo3RZNhVwI/AAAAAAAAVPg/gGbaB1zTIJ8/s1600/starlilies.jpg" height="640" width="368" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Star Lilies</span></i></div>
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<i>In its uncomplicated and unremarkable way, it works its magic. </i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHKgQ3F5XAU/VCpDHY972BI/AAAAAAAAVQM/1Q09pbKvzEw/s1600/Tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHKgQ3F5XAU/VCpDHY972BI/AAAAAAAAVQM/1Q09pbKvzEw/s1600/Tools.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></div>
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<i>Digging, potting, seeding. </i></div>
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<i>Earth, gravel, dirt. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bekbPNIKyc/VCo4mGqT4TI/AAAAAAAAVPs/I1W9SoD9L_4/s1600/oleanderNstarlilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bekbPNIKyc/VCo4mGqT4TI/AAAAAAAAVPs/I1W9SoD9L_4/s1600/oleanderNstarlilies.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Oleanders In A Wheel</span></i></div>
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<i>In the mundane routine, I find my calm. </i></div>
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<i>In the ordinary of my flowers, I find my pleasure. </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJfPXKQeVzE/VCo9r6u9XAI/AAAAAAAAVP8/TV8VOwdP23Q/s1600/NewSunflowers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJfPXKQeVzE/VCo9r6u9XAI/AAAAAAAAVP8/TV8VOwdP23Q/s1600/NewSunflowers-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>And in watching fresh blooms growing side by side a passing one, </i></div>
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<i>I find my gratification. </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4bBdRQX4-I/VCpDYuf2uMI/AAAAAAAAVQU/W5KhKmVRhEc/s1600/LtVerandah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4bBdRQX4-I/VCpDYuf2uMI/AAAAAAAAVQU/W5KhKmVRhEc/s1600/LtVerandah.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Perhaps this is the secret to success,</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNJnohv4dhQ/VCpDmg0fEtI/AAAAAAAAVQc/vkj521KkQ88/s1600/RtVerandah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNJnohv4dhQ/VCpDmg0fEtI/AAAAAAAAVQc/vkj521KkQ88/s1600/RtVerandah.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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<i>our ability for pleasure in the simple. </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2JyxBCkZa4/VCpEEkYArJI/AAAAAAAAVQk/ucccZPm4Pf8/s1600/X10Gdn-B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2JyxBCkZa4/VCpEEkYArJI/AAAAAAAAVQk/ucccZPm4Pf8/s1600/X10Gdn-B4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The base for the abandoned house and thus the garden.</span></div>
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I often find myself veering longingly for my miniatures when I am most stressed at work. In the last weeks, expanding the garden of my abandoned house has worked wonders for my nerves. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ct_vqmLnews/VCpE8dVXalI/AAAAAAAAVQs/1GCRQwR76NE/s1600/Moss2Grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ct_vqmLnews/VCpE8dVXalI/AAAAAAAAVQs/1GCRQwR76NE/s1600/Moss2Grass.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Even in gathering moss from the garden, I found myself smiling. </div>
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Is it like that for you too?</div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-89252801496342632932014-09-24T15:15:00.000+08:002014-10-03T12:26:33.341+08:00Day 418- Spanish Guitar, Desert Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGoFqWdBxhI/VB7otSFZNmI/AAAAAAAAVM8/gG3-Y_aoKUY/s1600/Contar2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGoFqWdBxhI/VB7otSFZNmI/AAAAAAAAVM8/gG3-Y_aoKUY/s1600/Contar2014.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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In the days when I was void of any creative inclinations, inspiration came to me from the most wonderful sources and in unexpected ways.</div>
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Last month, it came to me in a tiny box filled with ginormous flair. I see dedication, commitment, perseverance. In his Spanish guitar, I saw his music. </div>
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Placed alongside a beautiful white shawl from Seville and the desert roses sent to me last year, there was a harmony that made me want to sing along.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYEEnQch5PY/VB7oye7rSXI/AAAAAAAAVNE/u7Ec54s_zz0/s1600/Contar2014-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYEEnQch5PY/VB7oye7rSXI/AAAAAAAAVNE/u7Ec54s_zz0/s1600/Contar2014-1.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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Thank you, Contar for the Spanish guitar which every detail you handmade down to the last string. And thank you to your sweet wife for the shawl that she knitted, warming me to my very core. Dear <a href="http://miniaturasarantza.blogspot.sg/">Arantza</a>, thank you too for the wonderful desert roses. </div>
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But mostly I want to thank all of you who with your gifts have inspired me to return to my art which I have neglected for a while.</div>
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This may be a good time to let my friends here know that my mailing address changes every 2-3 years. Regretfully, I have found out that a friend's gift was sent to my old address. It was not forwarded to me as I have moved since 2 years ago. Even as I write, I have just moved again into this new place on 15 Sept. I hope that the gift was returned to the sender because as with many gifts exchanged in our world, they were made with so much heart, it will break mine if the gift was lost. </div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-85880279788735095532014-09-13T17:27:00.000+08:002014-09-13T17:27:33.524+08:00Colours of Bangkok<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlt4xJEYdrA/VBP-269BXtI/AAAAAAAAVKM/2p1wgfVaizA/s1600/Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlt4xJEYdrA/VBP-269BXtI/AAAAAAAAVKM/2p1wgfVaizA/s1600/Wall.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">External Wall of Building With Birdhouses as Mailbox for Tenants</span></div>
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This trip took a while coming, happening almost 7 months since Indochina. After much persuasion, we agreed on a short sojourn, our 1st holiday. Bangkok seemed ideal as SuZ was there for work. We were also in the thick of the coup and the city was quiet.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrKkgIa-Qhk/VBQB4pp1hDI/AAAAAAAAVKY/V0mV3eXM7Js/s1600/Anantara1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrKkgIa-Qhk/VBQB4pp1hDI/AAAAAAAAVKY/V0mV3eXM7Js/s1600/Anantara1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flower Arrangement at Anantara</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmXru6HEcpk/VBQFeGAckXI/AAAAAAAAVKk/tvr5F8GF_CA/s1600/Anantara2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmXru6HEcpk/VBQFeGAckXI/AAAAAAAAVKk/tvr5F8GF_CA/s1600/Anantara2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Garden Sculpture in Anantara </span></div>
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It was new and lush</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQWsqBAQDiI/VBQFw_Kg71I/AAAAAAAAVKs/UKAV9rXLZWA/s1600/River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQWsqBAQDiI/VBQFw_Kg71I/AAAAAAAAVKs/UKAV9rXLZWA/s1600/River.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">House by the Mangrove River</span></div>
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but it was also old and quaint.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chJZEzay40g/VBQIKqIIVgI/AAAAAAAAVK4/P8Ea0c3JXyM/s1600/watervendor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chJZEzay40g/VBQIKqIIVgI/AAAAAAAAVK4/P8Ea0c3JXyM/s1600/watervendor.jpg" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Water-Vendor sailing away from Bangkok Seaview Restaurant</span></div>
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We saw a Bangkok we never knew and ate at a restaurant sitting in the middle of the ocean where the only form of transport to and fro was a long boat.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIh1i_XITDg/VBQLzTDrXoI/AAAAAAAAVLE/zmKrasmwJkQ/s1600/SeatsBangkokSeaview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIh1i_XITDg/VBQLzTDrXoI/AAAAAAAAVLE/zmKrasmwJkQ/s1600/SeatsBangkokSeaview.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seats at Bangkok Seaview Restaurant</span></div>
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Great food, good friends, laughter and love.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSV51l99XN4/VBQMU_NFOLI/AAAAAAAAVLM/vH-CPJYIhmI/s1600/Corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSV51l99XN4/VBQMU_NFOLI/AAAAAAAAVLM/vH-CPJYIhmI/s1600/Corn.jpg" height="640" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Street Food</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-WyLm-dPlE/VBQMXJua7PI/AAAAAAAAVLU/4Womimz8LUw/s1600/Dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-WyLm-dPlE/VBQMXJua7PI/AAAAAAAAVLU/4Womimz8LUw/s1600/Dessert.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Coconut Dessert</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnMZrtNfvzY/VBQMZEI-IJI/AAAAAAAAVLc/B0Z9uelSg_Q/s1600/CoconutIceCream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnMZrtNfvzY/VBQMZEI-IJI/AAAAAAAAVLc/B0Z9uelSg_Q/s1600/CoconutIceCream.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Condiments for Coconut Ice Cream</span></div>
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And of course, the inevitable Chatuchak Market, coconut ice cream and all the miniature supplies I will need for a while. </div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-33601140865014661922014-08-24T23:49:00.000+08:002014-08-24T23:55:26.091+08:00Day 410- Sarees And The City<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8f6N5P9ijQ/U_n6kY-bOsI/AAAAAAAATxw/ouMuSAGp4gE/s1600/Cover0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8f6N5P9ijQ/U_n6kY-bOsI/AAAAAAAATxw/ouMuSAGp4gE/s1600/Cover0.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I had planned this for a while, making a box vignette for Winni on her birthday the way I did for<a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2013/04/day-390-sadhabhishekam.html"> Uncle Vasu's 80th </a> just a few months back.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmIwZnangIs/U_n8hMFjluI/AAAAAAAATx8/8QDpau1VTH0/s1600/Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmIwZnangIs/U_n8hMFjluI/AAAAAAAATx8/8QDpau1VTH0/s1600/Start.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I wanted to make a box that is essentially her, someone who wears the most outrageously mini dresses but would occasionally don a traditional saree for her boyfriend (she a Catholic, he from a family of a devout Hindu); a beer guzzler who loves to dance but whom I have never seen drunk; immaculate hair except in the rain; a fierce foe but also a loyal and devoted partner.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0OaxIY3zco/U_oCyBs_TkI/AAAAAAAATyU/9cvgDDD-fcU/s1600/InsideDetail-Original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0OaxIY3zco/U_oCyBs_TkI/AAAAAAAATyU/9cvgDDD-fcU/s1600/InsideDetail-Original.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">One side of the box reads: I am not a sari kind of girl but sometimes for love, I kind of am.</span></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I completed the vignette in an afternoon.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdPQZbpxuf8/U_oDO8KJmdI/AAAAAAAATyc/B2JZ0a4vuG8/s1600/InsideDetail-O2jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdPQZbpxuf8/U_oDO8KJmdI/AAAAAAAATyc/B2JZ0a4vuG8/s1600/InsideDetail-O2jpg.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></div>
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She wears a saree of course but it is one of glitter and suede with a veil in the boldest print and brightest blue. Like a leading lady in a Bollywood movie, she dances under a tree but her tree blooms in a burst of untamed hues and she has wild flowers in her hand and hair</div>
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and yet.....I felt something missing.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2L7WaB7B2YA/U_oGNtcIyEI/AAAAAAAATyo/cxyUVRtl1EI/s1600/InsideDetail-Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2L7WaB7B2YA/U_oGNtcIyEI/AAAAAAAATyo/cxyUVRtl1EI/s1600/InsideDetail-Tiger.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Until I found this bottle of Tiger beer </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjfRbyZaihE/U_oBd6KEheI/AAAAAAAATyI/rY9f6Pa5SNw/s1600/Inside0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjfRbyZaihE/U_oBd6KEheI/AAAAAAAATyI/rY9f6Pa5SNw/s1600/Inside0.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a></div>
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and finally, I think I have made a box that is essentially her.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_s-ZY2bx-Dg/U_oKSDiYjPI/AAAAAAAATy0/RRgr0vFmFbY/s1600/DSC02757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_s-ZY2bx-Dg/U_oKSDiYjPI/AAAAAAAATy0/RRgr0vFmFbY/s1600/DSC02757.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyoK2pDz0yE/U_oKx5WciNI/AAAAAAAATy8/FYwW9mbUzq4/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyoK2pDz0yE/U_oKx5WciNI/AAAAAAAATy8/FYwW9mbUzq4/s1600/Cover.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Sarees & The City<br />
<br />
by<br />
Sans!</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-7453974462160986802014-08-09T22:27:00.002+08:002014-08-09T22:32:29.196+08:00Celebrating National Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMgYCkDiqpw/U-YYIYUEDuI/AAAAAAAATu8/uwYEY3eDOY0/s1600/Flat-1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMgYCkDiqpw/U-YYIYUEDuI/AAAAAAAATu8/uwYEY3eDOY0/s1600/Flat-1A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mass rapid transit train (metro) running in front of a block of flats</span></div>
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We celebrate National Day today. </div>
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Exactly 49 years ago, Singapore gained independence from Malaysia after a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Republic_of_Singapore">rather unceremonious expulsion </a>from the Federation due to racial tension.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xy72oZPUe0/U-YYJStpCMI/AAAAAAAATvE/QjPwVMrGdZE/s1600/Flat-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xy72oZPUe0/U-YYJStpCMI/AAAAAAAATvE/QjPwVMrGdZE/s1600/Flat-1.jpg" height="640" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flat with playground featuring Dragon slide</span></div>
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Since then, this country celebrates the 9th of August, rejoicing in how through the very difficult early years, we have built a nation where people of different races now call home.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6tIBZk3VKM/U-YYKtcz1jI/AAAAAAAATvM/cJmM5KGX6KY/s1600/Flat-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6tIBZk3VKM/U-YYKtcz1jI/AAAAAAAATvM/cJmM5KGX6KY/s1600/Flat-2.jpg" height="640" width="376" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flat with clothes hanging out- a typical sight</span></div>
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Typically, in the days leading up to our National Day, many events with themes revolving around the country's achievements are organised. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4FnHvGvbU/U-YYMRPVj0I/AAAAAAAATvU/mseuTJ8946k/s1600/Flat-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4FnHvGvbU/U-YYMRPVj0I/AAAAAAAATvU/mseuTJ8946k/s1600/Flat-4.jpg" height="640" width="374" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Of special interest to me this year is the Recycled Project organised by </span><a href="http://www.yeos.com.sg/History_and_Heritage" style="text-align: justify;">Yeo's,</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> a Singapore company that pioneered the use of</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra_Pak" style="text-align: justify;"> tetra pak </a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0pX9TnKvfo/U-YjYAT_FfI/AAAAAAAATvk/w7VMe_ZaFNw/s1600/Flats-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0pX9TnKvfo/U-YjYAT_FfI/AAAAAAAATvk/w7VMe_ZaFNw/s1600/Flats-3.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hundreds of kindergarten children came together to build miniature blocks of <a href="http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/from-villages-to-flats-part-2/">HDB flats </a>(our public housing) using Yeo's tetra pak drinks packaging.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRrloWjIT40/U-YjZAgRG6I/AAAAAAAATvo/9fB7nGDIP3w/s1600/Flats-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRrloWjIT40/U-YjZAgRG6I/AAAAAAAATvo/9fB7nGDIP3w/s1600/Flats-7.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a></div>
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90% of Singaporeans live or have at one point in their life, lived in such a flat. Today, more than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_housing_in_Singapore">80% of us</a> still do. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAMcusOzIxA/U-Ym2SiWSdI/AAAAAAAATv4/wv87DKR1-1M/s1600/Flat-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAMcusOzIxA/U-Ym2SiWSdI/AAAAAAAATv4/wv87DKR1-1M/s1600/Flat-6.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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Looking at how creative the little ones were with these recycled packaging truly inspired and amazed me. All the attention to details made me want to build one too.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7GWMpCnkRI/U-Ym5VI3T6I/AAAAAAAATwA/yWp5A6aY3Uc/s1600/Flats-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7GWMpCnkRI/U-Ym5VI3T6I/AAAAAAAATwA/yWp5A6aY3Uc/s1600/Flats-8.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vertical gardens are more and more common in our high rise these days</span></div>
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Most of the material used was the packaging of course but there was also paper, plastic, straws and strings.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpcBYm-44VU/U-Ym67MlivI/AAAAAAAATwI/jFNZdQisYws/s1600/Flats-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpcBYm-44VU/U-Ym67MlivI/AAAAAAAATwI/jFNZdQisYws/s1600/Flats-9.jpg" height="640" width="370" /></a></div>
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The children even used little cut-outs of themselves to illustrate how myriad the households in a flat can be.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw1Q3qUlEMM/U-Ym88V1K6I/AAAAAAAATwQ/_Mi5TGKwmd8/s1600/Flats-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw1Q3qUlEMM/U-Ym88V1K6I/AAAAAAAATwQ/_Mi5TGKwmd8/s1600/Flats-10.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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Many of the flats were of course decorated with flags and string pennants to commemorate the National Day.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiC6PKoZeDw/U-Ym_bT6CcI/AAAAAAAATwY/jMdbETiaXH8/s1600/Flats-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiC6PKoZeDw/U-Ym_bT6CcI/AAAAAAAATwY/jMdbETiaXH8/s1600/Flats-11.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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What I especially love though are the playgrounds, so many of them reminiscent of my own childhood.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVo5y3TCquc/U-YqeG8_tRI/AAAAAAAATwk/D1hdIU8zbdw/s1600/Playground-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVo5y3TCquc/U-YqeG8_tRI/AAAAAAAATwk/D1hdIU8zbdw/s1600/Playground-1.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Playground with Dragon Slide</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK6GlJJcVE/U-YqggwdJDI/AAAAAAAATws/6KfSdZK5tk4/s1600/Playground-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK6GlJJcVE/U-YqggwdJDI/AAAAAAAATws/6KfSdZK5tk4/s1600/Playground-2.jpg" height="640" width="394" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfKOBa5pw3Y/U-YrCTk6MRI/AAAAAAAATxE/cHNUygDKURE/s1600/Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfKOBa5pw3Y/U-YrCTk6MRI/AAAAAAAATxE/cHNUygDKURE/s1600/Park.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Park made entirely with paper</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxY8AVr2ScI/U-YqkGjpSlI/AAAAAAAATw0/2pbAbp4sUq0/s1600/Park2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxY8AVr2ScI/U-YqkGjpSlI/AAAAAAAATw0/2pbAbp4sUq0/s1600/Park2.jpg" height="640" width="370" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcW3ZQZREac/U-YqnwpoxnI/AAAAAAAATw8/7e_42sybr5k/s1600/Pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcW3ZQZREac/U-YqnwpoxnI/AAAAAAAATw8/7e_42sybr5k/s1600/Pipes.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Water Tanks" and "Pipes"</span></div>
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Walking through rows of these miniature structures, I was brought back immediately to all of my childhood homes, the last of which I left for good only after I turned 26. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh17SPie9rU/U-Yr2p7P6kI/AAAAAAAATxQ/GZvGVSpZHX4/s1600/RealPlayground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh17SPie9rU/U-Yr2p7P6kI/AAAAAAAATxQ/GZvGVSpZHX4/s1600/RealPlayground.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lomography.com/magazine/locations/2012/07/10/dragon-playgrounds-from-the-1970s">A real life dragon playground from 1970</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca7hqYdiW3M/U-Yr6M-ypDI/AAAAAAAATxY/p3B9OCm81xw/s1600/tanglin-halt-hdb-flats-1960s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca7hqYdiW3M/U-Yr6M-ypDI/AAAAAAAATxY/p3B9OCm81xw/s1600/tanglin-halt-hdb-flats-1960s.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/from-villages-to-flats-part-2/">Ten storey flats from 1960s</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bczdYa9P1_8/U-Yr7x-FlDI/AAAAAAAATxg/UYYFXpSfSVA/s1600/rochor-centre-colour-flats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bczdYa9P1_8/U-Yr7x-FlDI/AAAAAAAATxg/UYYFXpSfSVA/s1600/rochor-centre-colour-flats.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/from-villages-to-flats-part-2/">Colourful flats close to where I live today</a></div>
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So kudos to all the little children and their teachers and thank you for the special memories. You are all creative geniuses.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY 49TH!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pTW2n1mRos/U8tpZs69CnI/AAAAAAAATtk/OLtau6m6nAw/s1600/BasketNFruits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pTW2n1mRos/U8tpZs69CnI/AAAAAAAATtk/OLtau6m6nAw/s1600/BasketNFruits.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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<i>I still can't believe sometimes how long it has been since I<a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2012/11/day-356-abandoned-house.html"> first chanced upon</a> the Abandoned House. </i><i style="text-align: justify;">It is of course hardly abandoned now but naming it thus reminds me of how it once was before life was brought back to what is now a sanctuary. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPocAVEDVNQ/U8tqjaP0bLI/AAAAAAAATtw/-8wbN2kT7I0/s1600/TrayTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPocAVEDVNQ/U8tqjaP0bLI/AAAAAAAATtw/-8wbN2kT7I0/s1600/TrayTable.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>From a place doomed for destruction to a space for creation, my personal belongings now mingle companionably with the Old Man's tools, books and effects. </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQzDve2eF3w/U8tvsq6Sc4I/AAAAAAAATuQ/VRfVU9o8ktU/s1600/BedrrmLigts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQzDve2eF3w/U8tvsq6Sc4I/AAAAAAAATuQ/VRfVU9o8ktU/s1600/BedrrmLigts2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Candles burnt down to decorate old bottles, </i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUf32OxMgss/U8tsg5yvxcI/AAAAAAAATt8/6q-pZSVS5TY/s1600/Kettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUf32OxMgss/U8tsg5yvxcI/AAAAAAAATt8/6q-pZSVS5TY/s1600/Kettle.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>the kettle is almost always on the boil. </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wBTta1a8rY/U8tu0oT3cQI/AAAAAAAATuI/9ThMFQ_Wi4I/s1600/houselights-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wBTta1a8rY/U8tu0oT3cQI/AAAAAAAATuI/9ThMFQ_Wi4I/s1600/houselights-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>It is now a home,</i><i style="text-align: center;"> constantly warmed with wood fire from makeshift hearths.</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/86Jr0v1QC08?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i style="text-align: center;">***********************************************</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FLzxG2VdXY/U8t3lk6cmnI/AAAAAAAATug/MJVIqunkerI/s1600/BatteryCandle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FLzxG2VdXY/U8t3lk6cmnI/AAAAAAAATug/MJVIqunkerI/s1600/BatteryCandle.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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I used battery operated candles for all my lights here.</div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-82059717705865366002014-07-11T21:10:00.000+08:002014-07-11T21:59:34.888+08:00Day 415- Painting Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTUd_nA4Vnw/U7_X0SBfM5I/AAAAAAAATsY/dGsLY7hG5IE/s1600/DeadFlower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTUd_nA4Vnw/U7_X0SBfM5I/AAAAAAAATsY/dGsLY7hG5IE/s1600/DeadFlower.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">When Nature fades, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">is there really no stopping the perish?</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZeWQeVdRjQ/U7_aGz7KvjI/AAAAAAAATsk/ZjZFgbzkr94/s1600/Brushes-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZeWQeVdRjQ/U7_aGz7KvjI/AAAAAAAATsk/ZjZFgbzkr94/s1600/Brushes-2.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Can we not pick up our brushes, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">dip them in the most vivid of colours</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp9fIvgrN-o/U7_asjtXhlI/AAAAAAAATss/vkOEc3xoKAs/s1600/PaintingFlowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp9fIvgrN-o/U7_asjtXhlI/AAAAAAAATss/vkOEc3xoKAs/s1600/PaintingFlowers.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">and paint it back to life?</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxq1Qhfsk4o/U7_cHQkWAlI/AAAAAAAATs4/04v87cCymrY/s1600/PaintedFlower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxq1Qhfsk4o/U7_cHQkWAlI/AAAAAAAATs4/04v87cCymrY/s1600/PaintedFlower.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> No, not just life</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">But Immutable!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Immortal! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Immemorial life!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">**************************</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm1fxW9PGzg/U7_gmEzVG4I/AAAAAAAATtM/HB5vOg6E8dk/s1600/Painting+Nature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm1fxW9PGzg/U7_gmEzVG4I/AAAAAAAATtM/HB5vOg6E8dk/s1600/Painting+Nature.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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<i>Painting Nature </i>was made this afternoon. This mini sculpture was done in about 2 hours. With a splitting headache from a terrible toothache, I knew I had to get my brushes out again so I could forget the pain.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_rGO3njCdM/U7_hIzn1q2I/AAAAAAAATtU/EM6nexMVuww/s1600/WIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_rGO3njCdM/U7_hIzn1q2I/AAAAAAAATtU/EM6nexMVuww/s1600/WIP.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Will you believe that the bouquet is in fact THE Bouquet , one of the blooming tea leaves from the flowering tea bundles? I hope your flower tea leaves will also inspire you to create something for your minis. If it does, I will really love it if you can show me?</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-73194247310183914072014-07-08T20:31:00.000+08:002014-07-08T20:34:25.193+08:00Day 414 - Of Friendships, Gratitude and Blossoms In A Pot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4WhD6Z7TVY/U7vWNRDrY3I/AAAAAAAATqw/TBzoZZBwcMk/s1600/Bouquet-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4WhD6Z7TVY/U7vWNRDrY3I/AAAAAAAATqw/TBzoZZBwcMk/s1600/Bouquet-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Flowers really speak to me. In the language of beauty, they conjure up stories, evoke memories,convey feelings. Silently and in a single stalk, we can say I am sorry, I love you or I am really happy for you.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzjgZdcVILk/U7vXL9gUQdI/AAAAAAAATq4/KopynLtdl4g/s1600/All4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzjgZdcVILk/U7vXL9gUQdI/AAAAAAAATq4/KopynLtdl4g/s1600/All4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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So I picked flowers again for my very belated anniversary presents (in December when I fell off the edge of blog-land)<i style="text-align: center;">. </i><span style="text-align: center;">Balls of blossoms in a pot with names like Bliss, Bouquet, Eve and Angels.They were selected for you based on the history we shared, the significance in the name or the state I think you are in. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgm_1B75d9k/U7vZa2NNZMI/AAAAAAAATrE/ZPvmsRkG9T4/s1600/GlassTpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgm_1B75d9k/U7vZa2NNZMI/AAAAAAAATrE/ZPvmsRkG9T4/s1600/GlassTpot.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">When I was in Bangkok last week, I began to receive email from some of you telling me that you have already received my little bundles. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua1wlJ3NfrM/U7vba0UZHTI/AAAAAAAATrQ/C2oLXn--C9I/s1600/Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua1wlJ3NfrM/U7vba0UZHTI/AAAAAAAATrQ/C2oLXn--C9I/s1600/Water.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I hope you have a glass jar or pot or any kind of transparent drinking vessel. You will want to watch the story unfold, trust me. Carefully place the ball of leaves in there before you pour hot water about 30-60 seconds after boiling. Then just put your chin on the table, let the tea steep and watch...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaC4uzaok9k/U7vcVNKoVdI/AAAAAAAATrY/QYEWOp6Mi38/s1600/Bloom-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaC4uzaok9k/U7vcVNKoVdI/AAAAAAAATrY/QYEWOp6Mi38/s1600/Bloom-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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and you will start to hear my feelings, maybe even to a tune.</div>
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<i>For the times you were here when I was not,</i></div>
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<i> for the times you shared when I was, </i></div>
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<i>for the times you thought of me, </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NarNE7QxTY/U7vda0LhPmI/AAAAAAAATrg/SOolX2UQnwg/s1600/Bloom-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NarNE7QxTY/U7vda0LhPmI/AAAAAAAATrg/SOolX2UQnwg/s1600/Bloom-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>I thank you.</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYWI7SRJcEc/U7vdubZKBjI/AAAAAAAATro/JMRVOKcltVo/s1600/Bloom-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYWI7SRJcEc/U7vdubZKBjI/AAAAAAAATro/JMRVOKcltVo/s1600/Bloom-3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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All over the world, dear friends, we are drinking our teas and thinking of each other, conversing without speaking. What is your flower tea saying today? Will you tell me? </div>
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By the way, don't throw the tea leaves out so soon. Re-brew the tea leaving some water in the pot by adding fresh hot water, 2-3 more times. You can drink it all afternoon as you work on your minis. And of course, you can think of me that while longer. </div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-60487333874593937062014-06-30T15:36:00.001+08:002014-06-30T15:36:11.057+08:00Day 413- Shambles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lx_7cBxiPUk/U7ERDstmZMI/AAAAAAAATpU/zAgPTwsR-Vg/s1600/Shambles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lx_7cBxiPUk/U7ERDstmZMI/AAAAAAAATpU/zAgPTwsR-Vg/s1600/Shambles1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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One of the consequences I had to face up for being away for so long was the sad state of my tribal house.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_0BzUWshoc/U7ERkHhhY4I/AAAAAAAATpc/DaqwDQ2qo5c/s1600/Shambles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_0BzUWshoc/U7ERkHhhY4I/AAAAAAAATpc/DaqwDQ2qo5c/s1600/Shambles2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Almost everything was falling..</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-QZVEXabmY/U7ERyTp93CI/AAAAAAAATpk/UN8WeB-6R44/s1600/Shambles3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-QZVEXabmY/U7ERyTp93CI/AAAAAAAATpk/UN8WeB-6R44/s1600/Shambles3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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and apart.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0raSZEGECg/U7ESGNvQy2I/AAAAAAAATp0/2W6bkTV-LSY/s1600/WaspNest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0raSZEGECg/U7ESGNvQy2I/AAAAAAAATp0/2W6bkTV-LSY/s1600/WaspNest2.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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I was gone so long other inhabitants have moved in </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQZ8SOYUBm0/U7ESOCXEvgI/AAAAAAAATp8/in6QRASwSR0/s1600/WaspNest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQZ8SOYUBm0/U7ESOCXEvgI/AAAAAAAATp8/in6QRASwSR0/s1600/WaspNest.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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and made their homes here.</div>
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Yes, the wasps were back, kicking and hissing.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWpjXkT9V98/U7ER89daskI/AAAAAAAATps/ZsLGKacekRo/s1600/DeadInsect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWpjXkT9V98/U7ER89daskI/AAAAAAAATps/ZsLGKacekRo/s1600/DeadInsect.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Others lived to a ripe old age like this one who was found very dead but still beautiful. </div>
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I hope she was at least happy with her lodging.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYOY09AYL0Y/U7ES1XJZ22I/AAAAAAAATqE/JiQ9oRQ0koE/s1600/Clear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYOY09AYL0Y/U7ES1XJZ22I/AAAAAAAATqE/JiQ9oRQ0koE/s1600/Clear.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Cleaning out the tribal house was my first task getting back to minis. </div>
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Took me one day just to finish this room.</div>
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Even then, I swear I could still hear the hissing wasps...</div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-73006069959474755992014-06-23T11:16:00.001+08:002014-06-23T11:49:50.240+08:00Day 414- Late Bloom<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcZgYK68Ito/U6eaSK8VEaI/AAAAAAAATpE/tnZpO3LjLYs/s1600/FlowerTea-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcZgYK68Ito/U6eaSK8VEaI/AAAAAAAATpE/tnZpO3LjLYs/s1600/FlowerTea-1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have had the most amazing few months but I have also been aching for my mini world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends, just know that you are often on my mind, so much so that some of you might have even sensed them? In the last week especially, p</span><span style="font-size: large;">erhaps we shared faraway thoughts? Did you maybe feel my ardent albeit distant wishes? Little kisses in the breeze on your face? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to go now but I won't be far. When the first of you let me know that you have received my little package, I will post again. </span></div>
<br />Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-24375527132722971842014-04-14T14:20:00.001+08:002014-04-14T14:25:00.219+08:00Floating In Cambodia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vBLQAJL-y0/UyfwjOurhVI/AAAAAAAATl8/on3EIWHEI6g/s1600/TS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vBLQAJL-y0/UyfwjOurhVI/AAAAAAAATl8/on3EIWHEI6g/s1600/TS-2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Floating village houses in Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Cambodia</span></i></div>
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Some of the best moments on my <i>Indochine</i> trip last December was spent on a boat. Apart from the slow cruise down the Mekong River, a river that spans 5 countries, the one truly memorable day was the morning at a floating village called Kampong Phluk on Tonle Sap.</div>
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Tonle Sap is such a big lake, you will think you are looking at an ocean when you are floating in it on an aimless boat whiling the afternoon away.This lake is unusual in that it flows in opposite directions during the different seasons. As a result, the lake expands and shrinks dramatically depending on the time of the year.</div>
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In the dry season, the tide on its tributary is so low that no boat can pass. Once the wet season arrives however, the stilts disappear and the houses look like they float on water; the lake swells so much that it floods the surrounding forests and fields, providing a great breeding ground for fishes. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fishing traps underneath a floating house</span></i></div>
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In 1997, Tonle Sap, the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia and an ecological hotspot was designated as a UNESCO biosphere.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjQM7vsHtJ4/U0txXTi1-GI/AAAAAAAATn4/PjoX8GShkt0/s1600/Harvestngshrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjQM7vsHtJ4/U0txXTi1-GI/AAAAAAAATn4/PjoX8GShkt0/s1600/Harvestngshrimp.jpg" height="640" width="376" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lady harvesting shrimps from nets on boat</span></i></div>
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As one might expect, Kumpung Phluk's economy is based primary on fishing, in particular shrimp harvesting.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vertical Hydroponics Garden</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A floating store or boat selling household goods</span></i></div>
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Accessible only by boats, villagers try to be as self sustaining as possible, growing their own vegetables in hydroponic gardens, making pig pens out of old boats and of course, farming fishes and other available sea lives. For all other goods, they rely on floating stores of wares and fruits, meats and rice.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Town Hall</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">School</span></i> </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Temple</span></i></div>
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A cluster of three villages of houses on stilt, Kumpung Phluk is built on a floodplain about 16km off Siem Reap. The villagers are mainly Khmers and there are about 3000 of them. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A child, barely 6 years old, rowing a boat</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Returning from School</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">On a House Boat</span></i></div>
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That morning though, I think I barely saw 300 of them, mostly women and children. I still see them, barely out of baby-hood, precariously but deftly moving from boats to boats; the women performing back breaking chores, their children at their shoulders as they rowed and carried, cooked and gathered.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The lady rowing my boat</span></i></div>
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Kumpung Phluk's growing popularity for tourists nonetheless meant new job opportunities. We lunched at a nice restaurant waited by locals who could speak English, walked through the flooded forest on sturdy board walk built by carpenters and rode on small sampans through the mangrove paddled by the young mothers.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mangrove forest as we drift in and out the trees on our small boats</span></i></div>
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And even though I do not envy them their lives, my half hour on that slow boat, weaving through the trees and watching the dancing lights, did make me wonder if I would like a life like this. </div>
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Perhaps only as a passing ship....</div>
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What about you, my friends, will you like it?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Siem Reap,Cambodia -En route to Kampung Pluk Fishing Village</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a trip I had planned since August last year. I did not know then that this was to be a trip of farewells. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Luang Prabang, Laos- Village Near Kuang Si Waterfall</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some of you, my absence might have appeared like some sort of a goodbye here as well. Really, I was just coping with what I thought were the endings and thus new beginnings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Luang Prabang, Laos- A Monk School</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dalai Lama once said "</span><span style="font-size: large;">No beginning, no ending". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps there was no need for goodbyes, just a new way of saying hello. Or maybe some endings are necessary so that we may lay a firmer foundation for a fresh start.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2puDfDRAAM/Uw69wSMInvI/AAAAAAAATlc/K0Ou5Bl4mho/s1600/PakOucave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2puDfDRAAM/Uw69wSMInvI/AAAAAAAATlc/K0Ou5Bl4mho/s1600/PakOucave.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pak Ou Cave- Along the Mekong River</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever it is, I am blessed with many friends who wondered when I wandered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends, you make coming home sweet.</span></div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-60276088748335423852013-12-03T18:43:00.000+08:002013-12-03T18:43:38.128+08:00Day 412- Worn Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2itgIjtamk/Up2zDEYza6I/AAAAAAAATjk/cBAQ2jVKJP4/s1600/WornBallet-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2itgIjtamk/Up2zDEYza6I/AAAAAAAATjk/cBAQ2jVKJP4/s640/WornBallet-2.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<i>I have a pair of ballet shoes that look like they are 100. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSO8bMx9qA4/Up2z07jn-2I/AAAAAAAATjs/9QFJdJs75cQ/s1600/WornBallet-music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSO8bMx9qA4/Up2z07jn-2I/AAAAAAAATjs/9QFJdJs75cQ/s640/WornBallet-music.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>But in them, </i></div>
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<i>you can still hear the music</i></div>
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<i>and see the grace</i></div>
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<i>feel their passion. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S93MZ7Ev_Y8/Up20zrBiu9I/AAAAAAAATj0/6doHu1WD6ik/s1600/WornBallet-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S93MZ7Ev_Y8/Up20zrBiu9I/AAAAAAAATj0/6doHu1WD6ik/s640/WornBallet-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I kept them, this pair of shoes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Worn, empty but more significant than ever before. </div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-76145359926626987652013-11-26T23:32:00.004+08:002013-11-26T23:39:32.447+08:00Day 412- Elevating The Mundane <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5cogohGQJE/UpSq6Pdft5I/AAAAAAAATiw/ADGxyjHVpw4/s1600/LaundryDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5cogohGQJE/UpSq6Pdft5I/AAAAAAAATiw/ADGxyjHVpw4/s640/LaundryDay.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mundane is when you start having to worry about laundry. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlDGiEUR-kE/UpStBm0PLtI/AAAAAAAATi8/_7W5kGJ94q4/s1600/Apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlDGiEUR-kE/UpStBm0PLtI/AAAAAAAATi8/_7W5kGJ94q4/s640/Apron.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But it does not mean there is no art involved</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fidjmJvbGk4/UpSuVRdcB5I/AAAAAAAATjI/N40TtJg5How/s1600/Bottle+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fidjmJvbGk4/UpSuVRdcB5I/AAAAAAAATjI/N40TtJg5How/s640/Bottle+holder.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>or meaning</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_RXycWxgX0/UpSui4abBrI/AAAAAAAATjQ/5LTeQWVz5lY/s1600/ClothesHanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_RXycWxgX0/UpSui4abBrI/AAAAAAAATjQ/5LTeQWVz5lY/s640/ClothesHanger.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>or the celebrating of genius. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Laundry day at the abandoned house is every bit art, meaning and genius </i><i>as it is ordinary.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>With the brilliant yet simple contraption made by my friend<a href="http://sjemco.blogspot.sg/"> Remco</a>, </i><i>drying on the retractable rack are moments of marvel at its inventiveness and engineering prowess, the precision of each solder. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Now do you see </i><i>Remco's milk carrier right beneath the drying rack? That is to be my bottle garden of natural dyes. There will be little babies of dahlias and french marigold, rosemary and hibiscus. What is there not to love I ask, of this everyday object, right down to every rusty bits. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Finally, there's the tub, a gift from my friend <a href="http://mini-escenas.blogspot.sg/">Eva</a>. A lotus pond in the making perhaps? But for now, it makes the chore of washing one of smiles and nostalgia for it reminds me of all the times I have the pleasure of spending with her. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Here's a thank you to my friends, for making washing day at the abandoned house a really special day.</i></div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-56151483745598616272013-11-16T16:23:00.003+08:002013-11-17T01:38:10.045+08:00Day 411- She's Here! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPQqLM4bxWo/UocEXnzGpgI/AAAAAAAATes/Hz6Ev35kYhg/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPQqLM4bxWo/UocEXnzGpgI/AAAAAAAATes/Hz6Ev35kYhg/s640/office.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
As a matter of fact, she's been there sitting in a little corner at my office since Monday, 11 November 2013.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht2okoy_eZk/UocIai1VypI/AAAAAAAATfA/CkITPmBTIac/s1600/whitebox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht2okoy_eZk/UocIai1VypI/AAAAAAAATfA/CkITPmBTIac/s640/whitebox.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She came snugly packed in this box</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnQ6vKa4Okk/UocIK-l-YWI/AAAAAAAATe4/w2Dj0q7XMXU/s1600/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnQ6vKa4Okk/UocIK-l-YWI/AAAAAAAATe4/w2Dj0q7XMXU/s640/box.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
which was in turn secured in this one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now tell me, how can anyone not be excited when you see such a huge box delivered to your doorstep?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6bBnJhMsv4/UocQha4vVyI/AAAAAAAATfQ/-jtNQvDjJEE/s1600/Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6bBnJhMsv4/UocQha4vVyI/AAAAAAAATfQ/-jtNQvDjJEE/s640/Back.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw her back first with the half hidden OM tattoo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzZveOGnthI/UocQwguKnTI/AAAAAAAATfY/dq4XDWSoKfw/s1600/Head-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzZveOGnthI/UocQwguKnTI/AAAAAAAATfY/dq4XDWSoKfw/s640/Head-1.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, that by now familiar smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SeRhyBa_uzk/UocQ77RrVVI/AAAAAAAATfg/sSQhCEW88do/s1600/Back-Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SeRhyBa_uzk/UocQ77RrVVI/AAAAAAAATfg/sSQhCEW88do/s640/Back-Full.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I carefully fixed her on the stand as I was instructed to do</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB6fz0Dat3c/UocRHI7JXXI/AAAAAAAATfo/GA6m7Ppv0To/s1600/Body-Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB6fz0Dat3c/UocRHI7JXXI/AAAAAAAATfo/GA6m7Ppv0To/s640/Body-Side.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I turned her this way and that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JZMJZXmibk/UocRZ8c97TI/AAAAAAAATfw/zLcd3MBpNxk/s1600/Hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JZMJZXmibk/UocRZ8c97TI/AAAAAAAATfw/zLcd3MBpNxk/s640/Hair.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I played with her hair a lot as I am wont to do with my own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hers was much softer though and lovely to the touch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVNHVBslFOE/UocVjMyVqYI/AAAAAAAATgI/bq9maFXJBF4/s1600/Apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVNHVBslFOE/UocVjMyVqYI/AAAAAAAATgI/bq9maFXJBF4/s640/Apron.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I marvelled at her apron </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVXeLPQBqMg/UocYXUCFUGI/AAAAAAAATgU/hYxnin2MCuY/s1600/Apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVXeLPQBqMg/UocYXUCFUGI/AAAAAAAATgU/hYxnin2MCuY/s640/Apron.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
which looked so like mine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09DbbzN7jhk/UocUOmAO-BI/AAAAAAAATf8/oM86gJKZm6s/s1600/Foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09DbbzN7jhk/UocUOmAO-BI/AAAAAAAATf8/oM86gJKZm6s/s640/Foot.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She has paint stains everywhere</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a89Ho9KyAKg/UochPbTwiNI/AAAAAAAATgk/8LYb1n3pM78/s1600/Brush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a89Ho9KyAKg/UochPbTwiNI/AAAAAAAATgk/8LYb1n3pM78/s640/Brush.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she is really messy when she works. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC4UK4irLt0/UociMC9v1nI/AAAAAAAATgs/zKZJqcK4FoY/s1600/MyLeftFoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC4UK4irLt0/UociMC9v1nI/AAAAAAAATgs/zKZJqcK4FoY/s640/MyLeftFoot.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So like me that way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIfBvEcOwcs/UocibN3HvvI/AAAAAAAATg0/8rzgL0HKf9k/s1600/Props-Floor-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIfBvEcOwcs/UocibN3HvvI/AAAAAAAATg0/8rzgL0HKf9k/s640/Props-Floor-1.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtNLtJOt8A/UocjYF4SNpI/AAAAAAAAThA/yF_AQd9W1KY/s1600/Paints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtNLtJOt8A/UocjYF4SNpI/AAAAAAAAThA/yF_AQd9W1KY/s640/Paints.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and many,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Tl83h1fAC4/Uocw0yFn4iI/AAAAAAAATig/Wa3CEGfwD5c/s1600/Shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Tl83h1fAC4/Uocw0yFn4iI/AAAAAAAATig/Wa3CEGfwD5c/s640/Shelves.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
many<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9V_0Jkd2VQ/UocmqBIJHCI/AAAAAAAAThU/GI_PkKWPoHA/s1600/HseSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9V_0Jkd2VQ/UocmqBIJHCI/AAAAAAAAThU/GI_PkKWPoHA/s640/HseSide.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_HBh_z-IWw/UocmCY3u3-I/AAAAAAAAThM/c6LYtAG-15w/s1600/hse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_HBh_z-IWw/UocmCY3u3-I/AAAAAAAAThM/c6LYtAG-15w/s640/hse.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
other ways. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MlP25doEwYs/UocnSBGxnPI/AAAAAAAAThg/3IMSCK3Og88/s1600/threads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MlP25doEwYs/UocnSBGxnPI/AAAAAAAAThg/3IMSCK3Og88/s640/threads.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From that bowl of threads</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAaZs59ualM/UocnzNFP9HI/AAAAAAAATho/TeuPjs2LVQU/s1600/slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAaZs59ualM/UocnzNFP9HI/AAAAAAAATho/TeuPjs2LVQU/s640/slippers.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to my pair of straw slippers from Japan,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmrcXmxmOxM/Uocvh-cQ0HI/AAAAAAAATiU/U7Az6ft06oA/s1600/Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmrcXmxmOxM/Uocvh-cQ0HI/AAAAAAAATiU/U7Az6ft06oA/s640/Garden.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
the view outside,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJOTJk8Feeg/UocoFpB1rYI/AAAAAAAAThw/aiqwEeKH9Yc/s1600/bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJOTJk8Feeg/UocoFpB1rYI/AAAAAAAAThw/aiqwEeKH9Yc/s640/bracelets.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the blue bird in her hand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are all my stories re- told in such magnificent yet precise ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sC-R6hO-w/UocqOGgNVII/AAAAAAAATiE/zB5Fx0tc9os/s1600/2013-11-14+13.08.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sC-R6hO-w/UocqOGgNVII/AAAAAAAATiE/zB5Fx0tc9os/s640/2013-11-14+13.08.45.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here she is,<a href="http://www.renatajansen.co.uk/gallery/exotique/sans.asp"> Ren</a>,<br />
<br />
a very happy pair of us.<br />
<br />
Saying a big thank you<br />
<br />
heartfelt and afar.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-44267067664820116472013-11-11T00:26:00.001+08:002013-11-22T07:28:03.495+08:00A New Queen In The House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXEGdpX0loc/Un-Zhmv2c_I/AAAAAAAATdQ/DREK4Wjn66E/s1600/amitis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXEGdpX0loc/Un-Zhmv2c_I/AAAAAAAATdQ/DREK4Wjn66E/s400/amitis2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
She is Amitis Shahbanu and she's the reason why I haven't been able to get back to working on minis like I was planning to this weekend. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfFSWXORwGc/Un-bJSuycaI/AAAAAAAATdc/gjaCPkvVOzs/s1600/amitis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfFSWXORwGc/Un-bJSuycaI/AAAAAAAATdc/gjaCPkvVOzs/s640/amitis3.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I, who am not Persian.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We brought Amitis home from the local animal shelter (<a href="http://www.spca.org.sg/">SPCA</a>) only yesterday. Our meeting was serendipitous to say the least. In the course of the past week since we have decided to finally adopt a cat again, she was my 7th and only successful attempt. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTfWoJk8_F8/Un-kz0pe0gI/AAAAAAAATds/hfVNRB9XJdE/s1600/ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTfWoJk8_F8/Un-kz0pe0gI/AAAAAAAATds/hfVNRB9XJdE/s640/ginger.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<i>Ginger aka Pretty</i></div>
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It all started with Ginger, who had to be returned to the shelter because someone in the new adopter's family was allergic to the cat. We got back to the new adopter too late and that cat went back to the shelter, to be renamed Pretty. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_-6ATBiXc/Un-leXZ0H5I/AAAAAAAATd0/sJPB86LQ75c/s1600/Golem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_-6ATBiXc/Un-leXZ0H5I/AAAAAAAATd0/sJPB86LQ75c/s640/Golem.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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<i>"Golem"</i></div>
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Then there was Coco, Sisi, Naim, Golem (the kitty above and I don't know her real name but don't you think she looks a little like Golem, and I mean it in a cute way) and Sherry, not counting Pretty. If only you could see me the 6th time I heard the words <i>Sorry but...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJYihZYkct0/Un-Y74YnApI/AAAAAAAATdI/w1-SkfOARhI/s1600/amitis-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJYihZYkct0/Un-Y74YnApI/AAAAAAAATdI/w1-SkfOARhI/s400/amitis-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Amitis in the living room</i></div>
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You see, once upon a time, we had 2 long haired cats and we had them for a long, long time. The white one we named Xerxes and the other a solid blue with just one eye, we called Moshe. They were both named after Persian rulers. Xerxes was the last to pass on and it was only now, after 4 years that we were finally ready to adopt again.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9npZD1xiZw/Un-nuHpx-VI/AAAAAAAATeA/NQzHU_pmjk0/s1600/Amitis+-+Shahbanu+Wife+of+Cyrus+the+Great.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b9npZD1xiZw/Un-nuHpx-VI/AAAAAAAATeA/NQzHU_pmjk0/s640/Amitis+-+Shahbanu+Wife+of+Cyrus+the+Great.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<i>Artist Impression of Queen Amitis Shahbanu</i></div>
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Imagine my thrill when after the 6th sorry, the staff, Ellen from the SPCA, to whom we owe our eternal gratitude, pointed her out to me and said I think maybe Misha is still not taken. That was when I first laid eyes on 2 year old Amitis and I swear I thought I saw the reincarnation of both Xerxes and Moshe combined. Except she is a girl and the other 2 were tom cats. Like Xerxes and Moshe, Amitis who was named Misha by the SPCA was also listed as a Persian which accounted for why we named her after a Persian queen. </div>
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I am not sure what is her breed but I doubt very much she is a Persian. She has the characteristics of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon">Maine Coon cat</a> but it really does not matter because she is a Queen in our book. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQZvTiSjF64/Un-rTr5drhI/AAAAAAAATeM/NvcMyWakX4I/s1600/Amitis-hiding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQZvTiSjF64/Un-rTr5drhI/AAAAAAAATeM/NvcMyWakX4I/s640/Amitis-hiding.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>
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<i>Hiding in a dark corner when she first came</i></div>
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I still don't understand how anyone can bear to give her up of course. The story was that it was due to family problems.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCV5F8Csuco/UoD0rDTBMrI/AAAAAAAATec/yWHb63xRoPU/s1600/A-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCV5F8Csuco/UoD0rDTBMrI/AAAAAAAATec/yWHb63xRoPU/s400/A-s.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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I don't mean this flippantly but I guess that family's problem has turned out to be my family's fortune. After a mere day, Amitis is no longer hiding and depressed. She's eating and pooing in the litter box, torturing bugs and jumping at lizards. And of course, she's already got all of us at her beck and call. </div>
Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-65586440044544936212013-11-03T22:02:00.000+08:002013-11-06T13:47:00.741+08:00Day 408- Sans! By Renata Jansen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAbhdxx_l88/Um_ZMCw-HDI/AAAAAAAATbg/3mrYQCLBbQk/s1600/1381953_439543032821461_1721433614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAbhdxx_l88/Um_ZMCw-HDI/AAAAAAAATbg/3mrYQCLBbQk/s400/1381953_439543032821461_1721433614_n.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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I have yet to see her or hold her or experience her in any way up close but already she is singularly my most precious possession. You know, the kind where someone ask, if there is only one thing you will rescue if your house is on fire... Ya, she's it.</div>
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That's <i>Sans! </i>And with her, <a href="http://renatajansen.co.uk/me.asp">Renata Jansen</a>, her beautiful creator. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rciUYfzLBio/Um_ZpcTnRyI/AAAAAAAATbs/Xd1WuzYiZdQ/s1600/1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rciUYfzLBio/Um_ZpcTnRyI/AAAAAAAATbs/Xd1WuzYiZdQ/s640/1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://renatajansen.co.uk/gallery/exotique/duetII.asp">Duet</a></i></div>
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It was this year, 3rd January, a little before 10 am and I remember sucking in my breath sharply and then going ooooooh. My memory of that 1st encounter is as vivid as if it happened only yesterday. The piece was <i>Duet</i>, the 2nd one of hers in the series of the same name. I was of course, bowled over. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HH2q3xKjnM/Um_Zrd57KQI/AAAAAAAATb0/SRGKt4FZvnU/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HH2q3xKjnM/Um_Zrd57KQI/AAAAAAAATb0/SRGKt4FZvnU/s640/12.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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An artist painting an artiste and in the true sense of life imitating art, we see the artist in a dance pose with her painted dancer as if they were in a <i>pas de deux</i>. The idea for this evocative masterpiece was germinated from something as simple as a mini canvas Renata found in an art shop. It gave her the idea of sculpting an artist painting the canvas and then it progressed into a figure painting a figure. </div>
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The piece spoke to me in a way that was at once rousing and intimate. Intimate because the themes of art and dance were so close to my heart, rousing as I watched the lyrical reaction of the artist to her art. She might as well be depicting me, lost to the world that I have created, living in my <a href="http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/search/label/Abandoned%20House">abandoned house</a>. </div>
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4 hours later, I found myself typing an email to Renata asking if she would create another Duet for me. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_4y3AOsmVo/Um_ZtchJWpI/AAAAAAAATb8/EYryyUU3jmE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_4y3AOsmVo/Um_ZtchJWpI/AAAAAAAATb8/EYryyUU3jmE/s640/1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://renatajansen.co.uk/gallery/exotique/duet.asp"><i>The Duet</i></a>,1st of the series</div>
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Re-reading those January email reminded me of how tentative I was. Awkward and too terribly shy to tell her outright that I wanted the subject matter to be about me, I was actually glad when she replied to say she could not start another project till July. Our exchange ended with her promise to contact me some time after July or at the end of that month. </div>
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To my immense surprise, she really did write and on the dot too. 25th July 2013, I received an equally tentative <i>are you still interested because if you are not, please don't be worried to tell me,it's perfectly fine and I won't be offended </i>email from her<i>. </i>It was only a few days ago that I found out what was behind Renata's discomfort. She was concerned about writing after so many months to ask if I still wanted to commission her as she thought I would go oh no, now I would have to say
yes even though I really didn't want to anymore! That could not be farther from the truth as this dream sculpture that I felt only Renata could realise had been looming large and real in my head and it had refused to go away. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J78KsGmxJvE/Um_ZvIeGSVI/AAAAAAAATcE/fJ0IZ3Z1JGU/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J78KsGmxJvE/Um_ZvIeGSVI/AAAAAAAATcE/fJ0IZ3Z1JGU/s640/32.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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That is the kind of person Renata is. She is completely humble and void of any self importance, so unassuming and always thoughtful. In the past months from late July to October when we were emailing back and forth about the work, I found Renata to be everything you could hope for in someone you want to entrust something important like realising a dream. Where I was unsure, Renata was patient, coaxing and gentle. When I was insecure, she was encouraging, generous and sweet. There were so many times when I was desperately trying to convey something significant without the right words but Renata knew exactly what to do. What I couldn't tell her, she read it at my blog. </div>
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With time, she made it easy for me to tell her how I felt and she in turn, shared with me something of herself.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgs_A9Jud6k/Um_ZyrxZjKI/AAAAAAAATcM/5m4SAoxMtVg/s1600/32+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgs_A9Jud6k/Um_ZyrxZjKI/AAAAAAAATcM/5m4SAoxMtVg/s640/32+%25281%2529.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://renatajansen.co.uk/gallery/nomadites/damia.asp"><i>Damia</i></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: start;">Art has always been a big part of Renata's life. At college, she studied textile design and was a designer of fabrics for bedding and curtains for 12 years. She had jokingly mentioned that she could paint a flower with her eyes shut but I believe her. She still loves painting but apart from painting the walls on the bases of her sculptures, these days, most of her time is taken up with sculpting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Renata started sculpting in 2006/2007 which makes this only the 7th year that she has been doing so. It all began when her daughter wanted to make friendship bracelets to sell at a fund raising event at school after the 2004 tsunami and Renata thought maybe they should make a face from polymer clay for each bracelet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While researching online, she found artist making amazing faeries and then <a href="http://www.mad-sculptor.com/">Mark Dennis or the madsculptor </a>who was and still is a true inspiration for her. From there, she was hooked. Hours were spent surfing s</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">culpting forums and scouring tips and know how. So while she waited for her </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">birthday to get clay and tools as presents, s</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he started sculpting in her head.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xU_Gy44CyY/Um_Z1Acl9pI/AAAAAAAATcU/RDFHu-ci61g/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xU_Gy44CyY/Um_Z1Acl9pI/AAAAAAAATcU/RDFHu-ci61g/s640/34.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Renata told me how when she finally started really sculpting, she was terrified, wondering if she would really be able to do it. </div>
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When I shared with her my own insecurities about creating, she has this to say: </div>
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<i>Feeling wobbly when it comes to your creating is just the right way to be. It is then that you push yourself. Doubts are good only if you can push through them and keep going, they can make you do better because you are never satisfied. The one thing is to not let your doubts make you feel so down that you don't want to do anything. </i></div>
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<i>Art should first and foremost be about loving what you do. It is about doing things that'll make you so excited you can hardly think straight. Don't ever worry about whether something will sell or if you will do something others will like. Just do the things you love and the rest will sort itself out. The most important thing about creating art is how it makes you feel.</i></div>
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<i>I love it because I can be in a bad mood when I start sculpting and in about 5 minutes, I will have forgotten what upset me. It relaxes me and excites me and makes me feel like my life is buzzing with energy!</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkCVCLBHedg/Um_aKTrYKxI/AAAAAAAATcY/OZE4mwc1qJU/s1600/1381296_441296939312737_1940789745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkCVCLBHedg/Um_aKTrYKxI/AAAAAAAATcY/OZE4mwc1qJU/s640/1381296_441296939312737_1940789745_n.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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3 months, 80 email and hours at my blog later, Renata was finally ready to unveil <i>Sans! </i>I remembered it was in the wee hours of 25 Oct that I saw the 1st picture (also the 1st picture in this post). So thrilled and excited I was that I barely slept that night. </div>
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To say that Renata has a gift is stating the
obvious. And an understatement, I might add. It's the thing she does with her gift, now that must surely be the domain of a
mere handful. She has the ability, with her incredible talent
and art, to make a person feel like she's God's special child
because that's exactly how I felt like when I saw the "me" she has created. An ideal version of oneself forever immortalised
in a happy state, doing what she loves,what more can a girl want? </div>
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Many of Renata's friends thought it was a self portrait and even when she told them no, it's Sans, look, this is her blog, one or two still insisted. What a huge compliment that was for me. </div>
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Yet, despite all the accolades and acclamation, Renata still refuse to acknowledge or accept her own brilliance. She said in an email : <i>San, ... I can't take the credit for how your sculpture
turned out in the end ....I didn't know how she would turn out
and didn't plan it...Sometimes I really think these things come from
somewhere else and we are just the hands that do the work! She evolved
into what she is now and ...I think she was always
going to be like that...you were there in her before she was even made.</i></div>
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Ren, I don't care what you say. You are everything everyone says you are: superb, amazing, brilliant, <i>not of this world!</i> I am in awe of you, as an artist, as a person, as a friend. </div>
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To you, <i>Sans!</i> may never be a a great piece of art but forever for me, it is a masterpiece that will always affect me in the most profound way. I had wanted to freeze time so that I can remind myself whenever I am down how much happiness I have had doing what I love. You have done that and more, Ren. You have truly encapsulated for me that moment of consummated satisfaction, that intoxicating thrilling instant when I have made something successful. </div>
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Thank you Ren, for surpassing my expectations in every way and for making my dreams come true. </div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254510705233595277.post-8467296515564715942013-10-31T13:28:00.003+08:002013-10-31T23:18:25.248+08:00HellllllllllloooooOOooooooo Again<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CoS29ds2yY0/UnHnwpBT-cI/AAAAAAAATco/erMe0V1UE3g/s1600/536911_10152354881997516_238367817_n(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CoS29ds2yY0/UnHnwpBT-cI/AAAAAAAATco/erMe0V1UE3g/s640/536911_10152354881997516_238367817_n(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Conniving Lawyer and His Evil Dentist Son</b></span></div>
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send their love and coldest greetings!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqi9QwqW6Fg/UnHoccx-C4I/AAAAAAAATcw/YV7PZh_HLQM/s1600/2013-10-31+09.24.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqi9QwqW6Fg/UnHoccx-C4I/AAAAAAAATcw/YV7PZh_HLQM/s400/2013-10-31+09.24.58.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">This is what happens to Little Children With Itchy Fingers!</span></div>
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My brother Winston and the now going on 5 year old Xander going to the school Halloween party in costumes his mummy made. Xander who insist he's a dentist and not a surgeon can't wait to share his <i>finger</i> food with you ...</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">mwahahahahahahahhaahaha</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Halloween!</b></span></div>
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Sans!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07142349451568183257noreply@blogger.com16