LOOKING THRU MY NEW PAIR OF EYES (Specs)

Two major headaches was all it took for me to finally decide to give in. Last night was the final straw.

It all started last year when I had a terrible headache after going through more than 20 pages of costing sheets with font size smaller than 8 I think. It was so bad that even after trying to take some rest and forcing myself to sleep, I still woke up in the evening with a throbbing headache. I usually have a high threshold for pain but I reached my lowest point during that night that I cried myself out because of the unbearable pain.

Shoe Expanders work wonders!

photo courtesy of Walmart

Have you ever heard of shoe expanders? I have to admit I've only heard about it a week ag when my friends and I were chatting about how I often complain about the shoes I buy. It's not really the fault of the shoes, it's more of how sensitive and wide my feet are that even with a fabric or softer material I still need to buy those gel pads to avoid chafing.

Smiggle - seeing RED

If you're someone like me who likes (from time to time) to buy matching colored school supplies for your kids (or yourself) then Smiggle may be the shop to go to. They have a wide range of stationery - pencils, sharpeners, erasers, pens, high lighters, colored pencils, notebooks, different types of pencil cases, lunch boxes, bags and more! And in different colors, too!

So far, my boys have gotten their Smiggle items like pens, pencils, pencil cases and wallets, to name a few. Most of the items are reasonably priced, although I have to say some of their products are also costly. Their pencil cases are quite durable - my elder one has the black bubble hardtop pencil case and the younger one has the green puffer mesh pencil case.

If the shoe fits

One of the things that always stresses me out is (believe it or not) shoe shopping.

I do love to shop around for good, comfy and cheap footwear. But most of the times I get flat shoes if not sandals or flipflops (and the likes). So when it comes to buying casual to formal footwear I'm always in a rut.

Recently I needed to get a black heeled shoes (I've been wanting to get one again just in case I go back to work). Went to shoe shops alone, then with a friend, then again for the 3rd time with the same friend (thanks, Mydie for the patience).

Found a nice design with straps (Kiyo) but the price wasn't right for me. So had to look at other options. I ended up opting for the more classic design (no straps) and finally found one at Bata (but I'm not crossing out that Kiyo pair from my list).

Three days after buying them, I realized they didn't really fit my feet well (I always forget that when shopping for shoes I should go in the afternoon when my feet are at their full-blown size).

I called the Bata shop where I bought the shoes from and asked if I could exchange them. Luckily they allowed it (since I haven't really used the pair yet). Not only that. I was also given the option to exchange them in the closest Bata shop to my place!

I was relieved to find the perfect pair for my imperfect feet. Thanks, Bata! You're really a reliable brand (so far).

New Perspective on Fashion

Since I started attending the dressmaking class in July, I had a new perspective whenever I go out window shopping for clothes or bags.

Before, I would go to a shop, look for clothes or bags that I like, check the price, try them on and then decide to buy them or delay the buying process till the next visit. 

Now, I go to a shop, check out designs that I like and then my mind works like this:

- what fabric is good for this design?

- how was this top made? 

- will this be good in a different fabric?

- will I be able to make a pattern for this?

- what other design is better for this fabric?

- will my sewing machine be able to sew on this kind of thick fabric?

and so on....

It's like my mind has it's own mind (if that is even possible). I now think of how I can make the clothing or bag that I see on the shops, not if I have enough money to buy them. It's really interesting.

Biking brothers

The boys got their new bikes in February. Kelvin needed an upgrade since his bike was a bit smaller for him already. Ira wanted a bike so he could play with his brother and our neighnor (who also happens to have a bike).

Ira was pretty excited to get his bike. When we were at Carrefour Suntec (we went there quite early to avoid the weekend crowd)  he tried riding a small bike, just right for his size. He drove around the bike section. He didn't want to leave the place without his bike. But we still had to take our lunch and we couldn't bring the bikes along (such a hassle that would be). We explained to him that we will come back for the bikes and then pay for them and bring them home after we had lunch. But he was so worried someone else might buy the bike. So we asked if we could pay for the bike first, and then come back for it. Good thing it can be done.

After paying for the bikes, we were off to lunch. It was a short one as the boys were eager to get home and try their new bikes. We dropped by Carrefour to get the bikes, took a cab and off we go.

Upon arriving at home, the boys hurriedly removed all the cardboard and plastic covers, and drove their bikes along the corridor. Ira was speeding most of the times. This is the first time that he was playing with his brother and our neighbor on a bike. Usually he just runs or walks while Kelvin and their playmate are riding their bikes.

Over the weekend, we headed to Punggol Park for the boys to practice. It was the closest place we could go that Ira can pedal his bike without getting too tired. I asked him to wear his helmet for safety reasons. At first he was quite hesitant. But after explaining what the main purpose of the helmet was, he obliged.

positioning his bike

getting started

Kelvin and Ira went one around on the walking/biking track around the pond. Then Ira did 7 laps (small track) saying he was training. . They didn't even play for a long time in the slides! That was surprising cause we usually go there and the kids would spend the whole time in the playground.

and off he goes...

going up the slope

just finished a few rounds

trying to be adventurous

discussing where to bike next

trying out Ira's smaller bike. It works!

Singapore Coin Sorter

01 October 2009
Carrefour, Suntec City

I have been looking for a Singapore coin sorter / coin bank for quite sometime now. I saw one from an acquaintance a year ago. I thought it would be good for the kids to have one.

Good thing we went to Suntec City during Children's Day. I saw these coin sorter cum coin bank on our way to the cashier.

I asked the boys what design they wanted. Kelvin chose the panda while Ira chose the bear.

The coin bank sorts Singapore coins - $1, 50 cents, 20 cents and 10 cents.

Good thing about this coin bank is that the kids could easily count their money. They know if the coin bank section is full. Then they hand it over to me to exchange for a bill :)

A fun way of teaching them how to save and recognize coins.