iReview

I had this sudden urge to learn more about the art of henna today. So I browsed and found this great website : hennapage.com.

The Hennapage even have free ebooks on howto henna.

I have downloaded one on Learn to apply henna with traditional and modern tools.

I am learning the elements of henna patterns such as the fooffy, the hump, tribbles. But it seems so far I am only good at making the growing vine pattern..huhu.

Oh, did you ever wonder why some people seem to have dark stain when they apply henna on their hands?

“Meat eaters, people who are young, people who do not use lotions or alfa-hydroxy or anti-oxidant products, people who are in robust health, people who are happy and relaxed, people who are physically active, people with high metabolisms, people in their sexually reproductive years, menstrual or premenstrual people, and people whose skin is very warm to the touch tend to get very dark or brownish stains.”

Synopsis taken from tribute.ca:

Centuries ago, the Mayans left us their calendar, with a clear end date and all that it implies. Since then, astrologists have discovered it, numerologists have found patterns that predict it, geologists say the earth is overdue for it, and even government scientists cannot deny the cataclysm of epic proportions that awaits the earth in 2012. A prophecy that began with the Mayans has now been well-chronicled, discussed, taken apart and examined. By 2012, we’ll know we were warned.

I finally got to watch it last weekend while my son was napping. The DVD quality was not very clear so many important dialogues were lost. But it was a good movie, give me something to think about if the apocalypse is really happening soon..huhu!

I am currently reading How to Multiply Your Baby’s Intelligence - Glenn Doman & Janet Doman.

This book is the most comprehensive of the teaching series. Its 21 chapters are a conglomeration of three of the series books (Reading, Math, & Encyclopedic Knowledge) and it shows you in Step-by-Step procedures how to teach your infant these important life-long principles.

It also explains how your infant can learn several foreign languages by age six - and it will also teach you, the parent, about the unlimited teaching and learning abilities you and your infant share.

For those who never heard of Glenn Doman, here are some facts about him.

Glenn Doman and the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (www.iahp.org) have studied child brain development for more than half a century. Their world-renowned work with brain-injured children had led to vital discoveries regarding the growth and development of well children. Their work has helped made well children intellectually superb and brain-damaged children remarkably improved.

Glenn Doman is the creator of the method of teaching babies using word cards, picture cards and maths dot cards. He is the international best-selling author of seven books including “How to Teach Your Baby to Read”, “How to Teach Your Baby Math”, “How to Multiply Your Baby’s Intelligence” which has sold millions of copies in 6 continents.

Her daughter, Janet Doman, is now the Director of the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential.

I was out the other day and stumbled upon a clay craft shop. The shop has workshop for clay flower. Well, being me who are always interested in new craft, I almost sign up for the class but since my son is still clingy (I don’t think he can stand 2 hours of being apart), I come to my senses and decided to go home and think about it first.

So today I Google around for info on clay flower. So far I found 2 websites that mostly do orchids. Check out the picture of Phalaenopsis Orchid taken from lilychartier.com.

Who would have thought that this orchid is made from clay? They are so life-like..huhu!

I also found another website : pattyclayflowers.com. She conducts class as well but she is in Melbourne.

These clay flowers are made from air dry clay, which means no baking needed. They also have cutter and resin moulds to make different type of leaves and petals.

I am so tempted to go to the clay flower workshop!!

I went out yesterday after such a long hiatus from shopping mall visit..huhu! I didn’t notice that the book should get 20% discount so I paid for full price..isk! I know this book is not really the newest work of literature by my favorite author, Danielle Steel but since I have not been reading fiction for so long, I thought it should be a good start to choose from..(after all I like story related to the time when Titanic sinks..huhu!)

Here is the synopsis of the book:

From the glittering ballrooms of Manhattan to the fires of World War I, Danielle Steel takes us on an unforgettable journey in her new novel - a spellbinding tale of war, loss, history, and one woman’s unbreakable spirit….

Nineteen-year-old Annabelle Worthington was born into a life of privilege, raised amid the glamour of New York society, with glorious homes on Fifth Avenue and in Newport, Rhode Island. But everything changed on a cold April day in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic shattered her family and her privileged world forever. Finding strength within her grief, Annabelle pours herself into volunteer work, nursing the poor, igniting a passion for medicine that would shape the course of her life.

But for Annabelle, first love, and a seemingly idyllic marriage, will soon bring more grief - this time caused by the secrets of the human heart. Betrayed, and pursued by a scandal she does not deserve, Annabelle flees New York for war-ravaged France, hoping to lose herself in a life of service. There, in the heart of the First World War, in a groundbreaking field hospital run by women, Annabelle finds her true calling, working as an ambulance medic on the front lines, studying medicine, saving lives. And when the war ends, Annabelle begins a new life in Paris - now a doctor, a mother, her past almost forgotten.until a fateful meeting opens her heart to the world she had left behind. Finding strength in the most unlikely of friendships, pulling together the broken fragments of her life, Annabelle will return to New York one more time - this time as a changed woman, a woman of substance, infused with life’s experience, building a future filled with hope.out of the rich soil of the past.

Filled with breathtaking images and historical detail, Danielle Steel’s new novel introduces one of her most unique and fascinating characters: Annabelle Worthington, a remarkable woman, a good woman, a true survivor who triumphs against overwhelming odds. For Annabelle’s story is more than compelling fiction, it is a powerful celebration of life, dignity, and courage - and a testament to the human will to survive.

I managed to read this parenting book - Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby by Tracy Hogg from page one till the last..and I have to say I should have read it long before my baby was born..huhu!

It’s not really for those advocating attachment parenting or breastfeeding on demand, but it’s a solution for parents especially mothers (like me) who need a break (from a demanding baby) and some precious ME-time in everyday parenting.

Read what the reviewer at Amazon.com has to say:

“The last thing new parents can find time for is quiet reading, so many helpful books on infant care rely on bullet points and a “let’s get to the point” writing style.

Tracy Hogg, a neonatal nurse, teacher, and mother of two, uses these techniques to good effect in Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Focusing on newborns and their parents, her simple programs are a blend of intelligent intuition and methods based on years of experience.

The first half of the book is devoted to E.A.S.Y–her name for creating a structured daily routine for you and your baby that makes the most of your baby’s awake times and also leaves time just for you. These concepts aren’t designed to force your bundle of joy into not following her body’s needs, but rather to create a feasible middle ground between total rigidity and on-demand food and sleep (and no time for mom to shower). If it still strikes you as too regimented, keep reading.

The author makes room for differences in personal style and includes short quizzes to determine whether you’re a “planner” or a “winger”, and what level of daily structure you are likely to find helpful. In the same chapter, she identifies five general temperaments of infants, how to get an accurate feel for yours, and what methods of care are likely to be the most effective for his temperament. Her statement that babies prefer routine is backed up by research from the University of Denver.

While most of the book relies on anecdotes to get the points across, Hogg does find room to back up some of her statements with quotes from various researchers and institutions. Included at the end of the book are assurances that E.A.S.Y. can be followed even with a colicky baby or one who’s been ruling the roost for the first few months.

Frustrated parents might like to read the last page first: “all the baby-whispering advice in the world is useless unless you’re having a good time being a parent” is an excellent reminder to enjoy this time with all of its ups and downs.

I was watching CSI NY the other day, when I was reminded of a shirt that my other half bought during his work trip to Boston last year. Actually the “I Love NY” tee was bought for a friend but since it didn’t fit him well, it has been kept in the closet till now.

Anyway, if next time he’s going to the US and I have the opportunity to accompany him, I already made plans on things to do in New York City. I will for sure insist on taking the hop-on, hop-off bus tour with top-deck-only seating so that I will get the best possible views of New York City’s attractions, neighborhoods and places of interest.

Getting on such ride will enable me to snap pictures (for those who know me, I hate walking and tiring myself out while traveling..heh!) I will also go on their night tour from as low as $44 (with online booking). As stated in their website, I will get to enjoy the nighttime views and ambiance of Times Square, Chinatown, Empire State Building , Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and Lower East Side.

Now, I wonder while I am in New York will I be able to see Mac Taylor and his CSI team in action?..haha!

*This is a sponsored post*

Recently I have moved to my own place after many years of renting. And lately I have this crazy (though do-able) idea to make my own water fountain to turn the regular front yard into a serene gateway. Call it the new home owner pride..heh!

So I searched the Internet to gather what’s needed for a simple, make it over the weekend fountain and found this - Pyramidal Pots Water Fountain on Martha Stewart website.

I hope I could find the time this week to get all the materials needed. Can’t guarantee you the result, though..heh!

I think I haven’t been on a bus for ages, what more a bus excursion anywhere. The last was maybe when I was 10 or 11, on a school trip to the capital city..heh!

One of these days, I think I will make it a point to go somewhere and use the hop-on, hop-off bus tour that the city might have. (I had that chance in Singapore but missed it)

One major benefit of taking such bus trip would be the ability to capture as much pictures from the top-deck seating without worrying that I will get lost and get stranded in an unknown street. (I do hate driving in unfamiliar territory anyway..huhu!)

If you are handling a large group tour to New York for instance, try bus charter services like New York Bus Charters.

They have video and audio capabilities, PA systems, reclining seats and lavatory in their vehicles. To ensure comfort, all their vehicles are clean and well maintained. The buses are all equipped with the most modern communication equipment in order to keep in contact with their 24-hour dispatch operation, thus providing reliability and on time services.

The company could provide transportation for your group to amusement parks, conventions, trade shows, day trips, Atlantic City, tailored custom tours and hotels or transfers between airports. Go on, hop on the bus and make your trip a memorable one!

As I was browsing the women forum on the topic of craft, I read about 3D decoupage. I found a website that shares on how to decorate hand made card with 3D decoupage technique. It is different than the usual decoupage technique I did on tin or wood. So here it goes - 3D decoupage on card.

It is important that we have the printed decoupage sheet since the picture will be glued layer by layer, giving the 3 dimensional effect.

Above is the picture of the completed card.