My first time blogging from my phone. Wifi provided by this hotel requires tedious logging in and out of one device at a time, so I figured I'd just ditch the laptop and rely on the phone instead.
I'm in Hamburg now!
My first time leaving the husband behind for a work trip, and I've gotta say it's not pleasant. So used to travel with him by my side so traveling so far away from home this time, alone is just weird. Except that one time when I was in Amsterdam.
He's away in China too at the moment for a work trip, too - so us both being in foreign countries at the same time kind of screws up our catching up time.
Thank God for technology.
And guess what was the first thing I bought upon reaching this city?
Couldn't resist buying this once I saw it in the store. The feeling is so weird that I realize I no longer think about me (or the husband lol), but the baby.
Hate to admit I'm turning into one of those moms.
I'm in Hamburg now!
My first time leaving the husband behind for a work trip, and I've gotta say it's not pleasant. So used to travel with him by my side so traveling so far away from home this time, alone is just weird. Except that one time when I was in Amsterdam.
He's away in China too at the moment for a work trip, too - so us both being in foreign countries at the same time kind of screws up our catching up time.
Thank God for technology.
And guess what was the first thing I bought upon reaching this city?
Couldn't resist buying this once I saw it in the store. The feeling is so weird that I realize I no longer think about me (or the husband lol), but the baby.
Hate to admit I'm turning into one of those moms.
A girly post I haven't done in a while.
One of the perks being married, you'd do a lot of things together - regardless you realize it or not. You'd watch movies you both enjoy, you eat at places you both like, you go to places you'd know your other half would have fun too.
So going to spa, manicures, watching bimbotic romantic movies aren't in the schedule for our dates. Hence, girly post time? Nada.
(This morning, we had breakfast while watching Transformers. Last night, we watched Goodfellas during dinner. If you've watched the movie, you'd know it's not a girly movie. To prove my point.)
So I feel like I have to do this.
Ran out of my trusted Lip Ice a few days ago which drove me crazy because this pregnancy somehow makes my skin drier, even my lips. I normally don't have problems with dry lips all my teenagers life; so taking care of them was easy. Not anymore T.T
Pregnancy changes your body in ways you'd never imagine.
So after finishing tubes after tubes of Lip Ice with no improvement, I had to look for a solution. I need one that'd moisturize my lips good enough to stay longer.
Not knowing where else to find, one day I paid Sephora KLCC a visit (which I think was the pregnancy brain, too - there were Watson and Guardians, I have no idea why I didn't think of them at that time which would save me a lot of money) to look for a good moisturizing lip balm.
The salesgirl gave me a few choices, one of them the colorful Sugar Fresh lip balm.
Tried it, but it wasn't the type I'm used to and I'm pretty sure I'd get bored of it soon. (probably just wanted a reason to get another color from their range) But it doesn't moisturize as much, I feel.
So the salesgirl showed me this.
I've tried Dior Lip Maximizer before, so coming back to this was pleasant - it has the same "taste" but different texture; Lip Maximizer was way too glossy on me, but this one is just a nice stick of lip balm. Simple enough to keep me hydrated throughout the day!
Ran out of my NYX matte lip cream too, so I got the new one. Been using it in Istanbul shade for almost a year now.
One of the perks being married, you'd do a lot of things together - regardless you realize it or not. You'd watch movies you both enjoy, you eat at places you both like, you go to places you'd know your other half would have fun too.
So going to spa, manicures, watching bimbotic romantic movies aren't in the schedule for our dates. Hence, girly post time? Nada.
(This morning, we had breakfast while watching Transformers. Last night, we watched Goodfellas during dinner. If you've watched the movie, you'd know it's not a girly movie. To prove my point.)
So I feel like I have to do this.
Ran out of my trusted Lip Ice a few days ago which drove me crazy because this pregnancy somehow makes my skin drier, even my lips. I normally don't have problems with dry lips all my teenagers life; so taking care of them was easy. Not anymore T.T
Pregnancy changes your body in ways you'd never imagine.
So after finishing tubes after tubes of Lip Ice with no improvement, I had to look for a solution. I need one that'd moisturize my lips good enough to stay longer.
Not knowing where else to find, one day I paid Sephora KLCC a visit (which I think was the pregnancy brain, too - there were Watson and Guardians, I have no idea why I didn't think of them at that time which would save me a lot of money) to look for a good moisturizing lip balm.
The salesgirl gave me a few choices, one of them the colorful Sugar Fresh lip balm.
Tried it, but it wasn't the type I'm used to and I'm pretty sure I'd get bored of it soon. (probably just wanted a reason to get another color from their range) But it doesn't moisturize as much, I feel.
So the salesgirl showed me this.
"For sure you like wan!"
Ran out of my NYX matte lip cream too, so I got the new one. Been using it in Istanbul shade for almost a year now.
"But..they both are the same color. Why didn't you get a different one?"-_____-"
So I received this in my inbox, sent by the lovely husband a few days ago.
It's Japanese Film Festival this year!
Upon seeing the poster, I knew instantly which movie he wants to see - the ones with Inoue Mao in it, of course. We both got hooked to Hanadan pretty early in the relationship, and as much as I was drooling over Matsujun back then, I knew he was (secretly) falling in love with Inoue Mao, too.
I love her, too, so I didn't mind tagging along to see one of her movies in the film festival at GSC. So we booked our tickets for Tug of War and went to see it last weekend.
The movie was supposed to be a comedy, but I came out of the cinema..crying WTF T.T
There was a lot of comedy in it but there was also a lot of life lessons you'd find hard to miss in any Japanese movie - family, parents, kids, relationships. I didn't expect the movie would be anything but subtle Japanese comedy when we went in, but I was proved wrong (and will never hear the end of it from the husband). You'll have to see it, but if you're familiar with any (good) Japanese film, you'd know how good it can get even though the poster seems silly.
The lead actor, Tetsuji Tamayama (who we both never heard of) was also good. And good looking too. (just found out he starred in Nana back in 2005 - NO WONDER!)
Another movie starring Inoue Mao, The Snow White Murder Case, is showing too. We didn't get to see it yet, but I bet the husband is contemplating on tickets as we speak. (he saved both movies' schedule in his phone -___-")
Matsujun, I'm waiting for your return with new (good) movies, please.
Went to get my Japanese crepe craving fulfilled, too. Somewhat.
Been craving for the tuna egg cheese crepe I used I have back in Hiroshima for a few weeks now, and finally managed to find an outlet in Sunway Pyramid but it wasn't as good. Disappointed, I went searching for other outlets - this Shimino Japanese crepe was the only one alternative I could find.
It was terrible. Nothing like what I used to have back in Japan.
If you happen to know any other Japanese crepe outlets, do let this pregnant woman know. T.T
It's Japanese Film Festival this year!
Upon seeing the poster, I knew instantly which movie he wants to see - the ones with Inoue Mao in it, of course. We both got hooked to Hanadan pretty early in the relationship, and as much as I was drooling over Matsujun back then, I knew he was (secretly) falling in love with Inoue Mao, too.
I love her, too, so I didn't mind tagging along to see one of her movies in the film festival at GSC. So we booked our tickets for Tug of War and went to see it last weekend.
The movie was supposed to be a comedy, but I came out of the cinema..crying WTF T.T
There was a lot of comedy in it but there was also a lot of life lessons you'd find hard to miss in any Japanese movie - family, parents, kids, relationships. I didn't expect the movie would be anything but subtle Japanese comedy when we went in, but I was proved wrong (and will never hear the end of it from the husband). You'll have to see it, but if you're familiar with any (good) Japanese film, you'd know how good it can get even though the poster seems silly.
The lead actor, Tetsuji Tamayama (who we both never heard of) was also good. And good looking too. (just found out he starred in Nana back in 2005 - NO WONDER!)
Another movie starring Inoue Mao, The Snow White Murder Case, is showing too. We didn't get to see it yet, but I bet the husband is contemplating on tickets as we speak. (he saved both movies' schedule in his phone -___-")
Matsujun, I'm waiting for your return with new (good) movies, please.
Went to get my Japanese crepe craving fulfilled, too. Somewhat.
Been craving for the tuna egg cheese crepe I used I have back in Hiroshima for a few weeks now, and finally managed to find an outlet in Sunway Pyramid but it wasn't as good. Disappointed, I went searching for other outlets - this Shimino Japanese crepe was the only one alternative I could find.
It was terrible. Nothing like what I used to have back in Japan.
If you happen to know any other Japanese crepe outlets, do let this pregnant woman know. T.T
My mum, sister and baby niece were in KL last week to accompany me while the husband was away for his business trip. It was their first time sleeping over at our new place, so I was looking forward especially to babysit baby niece at home.
Well..things didn't go as planned. Or as well as I've thought.
Baby niece is all grown up now (she's almost 4!) and she's so different from what I've pictured in my head, from last year or a year ago.
She's grown from innocent to a handful. And I didn't realize kids her age are really expressive and can actually quite understand whatever the bull* we tell them, and can actually disagree and fight back.
We went to Aquaria KLCC because I wanted to bring her around, and going to the zoo seems so outdated. So kids like fishes in aquarium..or so I thought.
She was running around, peeking at the aquariums, the fishes and was very energetic at first. But the energy level went down after a while (can't blame her, there isn't much to see anyway. I was impressed at the sharks, mostly) and she was getting restless.
Never mind, I thought, maybe she's tired. So we settled after an hour plus walking around in the Aquaria and went to go for lunch.
We ordered. My sister ordered both for her and baby niece.
Our orders came.
Baby niece looked at mine and said,
I could feel my cheeks burning.
But after a while, she responded.
So I melted and gave her my whole mushroom soup plate.
I don't know if I could survive spending each day dealing with tantrums like hers, but at least now I know - kids can be taught manners.
Well..things didn't go as planned. Or as well as I've thought.
Baby niece is all grown up now (she's almost 4!) and she's so different from what I've pictured in my head, from last year or a year ago.
She's grown from innocent to a handful. And I didn't realize kids her age are really expressive and can actually quite understand whatever the bull* we tell them, and can actually disagree and fight back.
We went to Aquaria KLCC because I wanted to bring her around, and going to the zoo seems so outdated. So kids like fishes in aquarium..or so I thought.
She was running around, peeking at the aquariums, the fishes and was very energetic at first. But the energy level went down after a while (can't blame her, there isn't much to see anyway. I was impressed at the sharks, mostly) and she was getting restless.
Never mind, I thought, maybe she's tired. So we settled after an hour plus walking around in the Aquaria and went to go for lunch.
We ordered. My sister ordered both for her and baby niece.
Our orders came.
Baby niece looked at mine and said,
"I want that one"If there's anything I hate, it's kids claiming everything in the world is theirs. I was Head of Discipline bureau back in high school for a reason!
I could feel my cheeks burning.
"No, this is Acik's (me)"Then she started to throw tantrums.
"Umiiii I want that oneeee"Wailed and screamed.
"No, yours is that one. Mine is this one"I was still berdegil because I didn't want her to think she can get anything she wants, as long as she's screaming. My sister tried to comfort her at first, but resorted to just keep quiet and watch the drama at the table.
"NOOO! I want that oneeeee"So I gathered my calm (didn't know I had, I honestly wanted to scream too) and told her,
"If you want mine, ask nicely. Say 'Acik, can I please have some of yours' to me. Nicely."I had to repeat that a few times because she didn't quite hear me with all the screaming.
But after a while, she responded.
"Ok..Acik, can I have some of yours..."...while sobbing.
So I melted and gave her my whole mushroom soup plate.
I don't know if I could survive spending each day dealing with tantrums like hers, but at least now I know - kids can be taught manners.
After Ubud, pak supir took us to our next destination - a coffee heaven!
Felt like he knows my weakness.
Luwak coffee is apparently so famous in Bali that a trip there is not a question, and it has an area which I called 'ladang coffee' because we were surrounded with coffee bean trees (coffee farm is a better word) everywhere. It is located near Ubud, Kintamani.
So since it's so famous (dubbed the best coffee taste by coffee-lovers all over the world), I asked Pak Suchan,
When we reached the farm, a host greeted us and ushered to sit at a bench where there was a collection of coffees and teas. He asked what we'd like to try, what we'd like to experience, etc.
These tastings are free, while for Luwak coffee, you'd have to pay 50,000 rupiah per cup. I tasted all except coffee ginseng and ginger tea (ginseng and ginger and tea WTF), and my favorite was Oka coconut coffee. It was so good that we even bought a packet as a souvenir.
The verdict? As a coffee addict, I don't see why it's so famous - it tasted average to me. Pak Suchan said you'd have to be really really into coffee to notice the difference between this and other coffee.
Well maybe I'm not that addicted after all.
Then, we went melilau around the coffee beans farm.
Felt like he knows my weakness.
Luwak coffee is apparently so famous in Bali that a trip there is not a question, and it has an area which I called 'ladang coffee' because we were surrounded with coffee bean trees (coffee farm is a better word) everywhere. It is located near Ubud, Kintamani.
So since it's so famous (dubbed the best coffee taste by coffee-lovers all over the world), I asked Pak Suchan,
"So what makes it different from other regular coffee beans?"He said,
"The coffee beans are produced by musang who would eat the coffee berries first and when they poop, the coffee beans would come out. The farmers would collect their poop and process them into Luwak coffee beans we drink today"It didn't sound so appealing after all.
When we reached the farm, a host greeted us and ushered to sit at a bench where there was a collection of coffees and teas. He asked what we'd like to try, what we'd like to experience, etc.
"I'd like a good taste of coffee"So he made us several.
These tastings are free, while for Luwak coffee, you'd have to pay 50,000 rupiah per cup. I tasted all except coffee ginseng and ginger tea (ginseng and ginger and tea WTF), and my favorite was Oka coconut coffee. It was so good that we even bought a packet as a souvenir.
They have this special device to brew the Luwak coffee beans, which resembles my lab apparatus back in uni.
Boiled, and done!
The verdict? As a coffee addict, I don't see why it's so famous - it tasted average to me. Pak Suchan said you'd have to be really really into coffee to notice the difference between this and other coffee.
Well maybe I'm not that addicted after all.
Then, we went melilau around the coffee beans farm.
The musang who makes Luwak coffee happen.
We get to experience how to process the beans too! (albeit for just 5 minutes doing this)
It was one of the most memorable trip in Bali to me, because we get to experience many things that were different from usual at this farm. And probably because I love coffees and teas, and the fact that we get to do tastings just simple enough to amuse me. (I read reviews on the internet - most of the tourists didn't like the tour because it's not adventurous enough WTF haha I'm so weird.)
If you're in Bali and have a pak supir to bring you around, chances are he'd take you to this farm since most of them would include this one in their packages. Be sure to try this coffee if you're a coffee addict because well, who wouldn't.
Took me a while to post this.
Was in a work-related training for 3 whole days in KL which I love cause I get to carpool with the husband every day, had dinner out (ha!) and spent some alone time in the car with him which we don't get to do so often these days.
But reaching home at 9 pm every day wasn't so thrilling.
Felt like my body weighs 10 pounds heavier and dragging it around and out and home late at night (9 is late for a pregnant woman) was so tiring.
And highlight of the week, I no longer fit any of my pants.
Was in a work-related training for 3 whole days in KL which I love cause I get to carpool with the husband every day, had dinner out (ha!) and spent some alone time in the car with him which we don't get to do so often these days.
But reaching home at 9 pm every day wasn't so thrilling.
Felt like my body weighs 10 pounds heavier and dragging it around and out and home late at night (9 is late for a pregnant woman) was so tiring.
And highlight of the week, I no longer fit any of my pants.
Bye bye pretty pants. Sob.
Jeans have become a no, so I had to look for stretchable skirts and pants in my wardrobe. Been wearing a skirt from a peplum set I've gotten last 2 years which can still fit (thank goodness for stretchable waist!) but everything else is too fitting and not very comfortable for my bump.
Everyone says I shouldn't buy any from maternity line as they would be a waste after the birth, so I basically have 2 options :
- buy normal pants and tops some sizes bigger, or
- buy from maternity line
Husband is away to Hong Kong for a work trip, so I'm determined to spend this week getting everything wardrobe-related sorted before he gets back. At least he gets to be back to an improved, un-sloppy version of his pregnant wife. Haha.
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