Of the french teacher and her iron fist

My french speaking and understanding has accelerated recently with the new semester and new professor who I hated feared for the first few weeks because she was strict and very scary. She's pushing the class so hard, sometimes when I get out, the world spins, and I am left reeling with the enormity of everything else I have to learn.  

In the past few weeks, my performance in class has been a far cry from the time I was top student in the easy peasy super beginner's class a mere few months ago. 

BUT because I am innately kiasu, I've been having to go home and actually sit and revise and study and practice every single day after class. This is all so when I get called on, I can answer smugly and correctly like the teacher's pet I want to be again. Yes, yes, I am aware I have an inordinate need for approval and recognition. :-x So what?!? *defensive* 

Je voudrais parle bien le français! 

Anyways, the moral of the story is: It's good when you get your butt kicked sometimes. You advance further than you ever could have sitting on your pretty ass.  

il n'y a pas de soleil aujourd'hui

(there is no sun today) 

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Breaking out the color

To match the bright sunshine we are having these days, I've taken all my colorful stuff out of storage.

The clothes are still in the process of being washed, but here's my first and most favoritest ode to spring.

 

the softest, most supple, well shaped leather. 

in the brightest, richest yellow.

Ahhhhhhh... this beauty gets more and more and more beautiful year after year,

and is reminiscent of Super Mi & Daddy's trip to Tuscany years ago.

check out my bright pink nails too :p

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le printemps est arrivé!!!

These pictures were taken when we were on holiday a couple of weeks back. But they're apt for the weather and my mood here now.

Spring, sun and smiles have arrived. And I'm loving it! :)

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Thank you

CNN has been running at home all day the past few days, and the recent developments in Japan and Libya have put me in a slump. Though I do realise my little worries are nothing compared to the heavy troubles the people involved with these tragedies have, I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from the screen even after hearing one bad news after the other, and just went deeper into thoughts of doom and fear. Not helping at all.

Today, I decided there needs to be one less sad person in the world.

So, I give thanks that I have the sun, fresh breeze, peace, love and life.

100% guilt free shopping

Fellow shopaholics listen up!!!

Got this in my inbox today from forever 21.com :

- On March 18th, for one full day, 100% of every cent you spend goes directly to the relief efforts in Japan.

Now go and spread the word.

I'm gonna be busy putting stuff in my shopping cart.

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Guide to a clean car

Got complains from Starr that I haven't been blogging enough, and have decided to do a super random post about car cleaning in Europe.

Not only do I miss my kakaks and ah yis in Asia who I could depend on to clean my house, I also miss the dudes who'd wash (and polish) my car while I sat waiting like a princess under the trees.

So, if anyone's planning to move to my part of the world, here's how we clean cars:

Step 1: Choose a bright sunny day, and find follow the signs which say 'lavage'.

Step 2: Vacuuming. See sign below. That's the vacuum station.

Step 3: Pop coins in slot, and start vacuuming away.

Step 4: Go to station for washing car, slot coins in according to time required, and turn switch to whatever cleaning requirements needed:

Step 5 (and most important step of all): Get husband to do all that while you sit in the car and wait like a princess. 

*Tee heeee :)

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Say cheese

Here's what being married to a French guy is all about: A whole lotta cheese (pun intended) :)

This is our weekly supply.

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Raw - Japan

I can't say much about what is happening in Japan. My words seem to be insufficient and insignificant in this traumatic time, but here is is a raw and beautiful post from someone who was there that made me cry (yet again).

 

Pic Source

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Random holiday shots #2

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY KINDLE!!!

 

Random holiday shots #1

We just got back from our one week holiday in Super Hubby's hometown. I'm rested, exhausted, happy and grumpy all at the same time. :) These mixed emotions might have something to do with the fact that our drive home was 15 hours long, and costed us 350 euro PER WAY in petrol and toll charges.

WE SHOULD HAVE JUST TAKEN A FLIGHT!!!

*complaining wife mode off*

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 *yerhhh! my husband so cute loh! :)

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Happy Birthday Bryan!

Bryan turns 21 today.

HIP HIP HOORAY!

He was the 'small one' for so many years that it keeps coming as a surprise to me that he's all grown up now.

It first hit me that he's no longer (literally, that is) my baby brother anymore sometime this time last year. It was around my wedding, and I needed all the hands I could get. There was of course Don, who I expected to pull his weight anyway, but a big pleasant surprise was having Bryan equally helpful and doing everything he could to make things nice and easy for everyone.

Calm, smiling, and nice through it all, he went from organizing William's Bachelor party, to being the 'drebar' for all my visiting friends, and running errands all over town to get last minute stuff ready, and best of all, being my secret surprise wedding singer (he was, FYI, the BEST wedding singer I could have ever-ever-EVER wished for).

Who would have ever thought that the little boy who is ten years younger than me, and who in my mind is was such a baby could have turned out so nicely? :)

I swear, he's such a fine young man now. And so fun to hang out with as well. Having him (and Kim) in Luxembourg late in Jan was so refreshing and enjoyable that I kept looking at him in wonder, and thinking how proud and happy I was to have those moments with my very very very cool and nice little brother.

On a rare emo note (since we're always poking fun at each other when we talk), I hope you know this Bryan: Annoying or not, nice or not, all these years, I've always loved you so much. Growing up, we may not have been as close as I wished because we were always separated by distance, but you were, are, and will always, always be on my mind all the time. If you ever need anything, I hope you know I'm here for you. Always.

Happy Birthday dearest Bryan. And cheers, with a caipirinha, to many more years of fun times for us.

Kiss, and a great big hug.

Present time

I got it, I got it, I got it!!!

Say hi to my Kindle!!! *wide smile*

Somebody needs to stop me from buying the ebooks though. My baby Kindy's been charged for all of 5 minutes, and I've already bought 5 books.

And... I just realized something. I needn't be ashamed about my occasional chick-lit read with the floozy covers anymore. No one can ever see what I am reading! :)

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Gold

A couple of days ago, I read this on KBF's blog, and while I haven't personally read the book yet, was deeply moved by the paragraph she highlighted in her post.

So beautiful, I need to share it here.

Gold can be found everywhere if you look for it… sprinkled by sunlight on clear water… in the evening sky and the coming of each new dawn. It falls like scattered coins on the forest floor and gilds the leaf of every tree; glitters on every blade of grass after the rain and turns each dewdrop into a precious jewel. You will find gold in kindness; it can be found in the seeking of happiness and in helping others. Try to find your fortune among these things, collect what you can of this real gold, and one day you will be quan-jin. 

So nice, right?

I am quan-jin :)

 Dress: Romyda Keth

Baubles: Konplott by Miranda Konstantinidou

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