Close to 4000 hits

Jessie jots...

I just saw the stat meter that is in the bottom of this page, shockingly coming close to the number 4000 hits after one an half years maintaining Jessie Jots. When I started it, I only wanted a couple of friends to read. Only 2 hits a day on average, cause as I knew, I just wanted the blog as a way to keep in touch and show my friends some of my artwork. Then the blog grew to about an average hit of 12-15 hits a day which is not a lot but shocking to me as to why would people would want to read my humble little blog that has nothing but weird, dry sense of humor, Hushby calls it.

I can't be happier how this blog becomes a bridge to gap up friends I haven't met for years. People have come to know me through this blog and amaze with how much I have change. From an aggresive, rebellious old school rock girl (still is in some ways but not predominantly) to a sweet cottage chic woman as a friend claimed. One polar to the other is quite a transformation and I've only just came to recognize that my blog has help me to see how much I have change. It's crazy how a small lil' webpage can be so unassuming yet powerful as to what it can do for you.

I just want take this opportunity to celebrate the big 4000 number and thank everyone of you who continue to be loyal and willingly read my every little crap that is ever written, to be caring enough to share my happiness and to be so patiently comment after enduring frustrating limited-vocab posts after posts that can take off a little mind work to comprehend what the hell Jessie wants to say here.

If you told me that I would start writing a few years back, I would have laugh at you and call you a liar. I was never good at writing and my vocab is limited. I've been told so many times, from teachers, grammar checkers... whatever checkers. And that's exactly what I told Jane after she repeatedly wanted me to start a blog, which I repeatedly graciously decline only to finally succumb to her persuasion and realize, Hey, it is kind of fun to write.

So thanks for reading. For those who chose to remain anonymous, I hope and I pray that some day you would muster the courage to tell me why you read this blog daily or as a bonus for me, tell me who you are. Tell me what you enjoy reading and I will be your minion. For those who haven't been anonymous, I appreciate you taking a little time off to comment nothing but kind words to me. The words have kept me motivated and keep me inspired. Otherwise, Jessie Jots wouldn't have hit 4000 today! So thank you again.

A Bride's Wedding Planner (P.2)

Continue from A Bride's Wedding Planner (P.1)

2 months ahead:

• Honeymoon accomodation - check
  
• Guests accomodations and guests seating placement - check
  



• Set up wedding itinearies for your wedding dates. Example: Feb 2nd: 5am make up, 6am breakfast, 8am groom arrive.
  
• Have a casual dress and comfortable heels for in between wedding events. Even though you have already step out of your beautiful bride gown, you still need to look your best in between and it is important that you dress that way so that you don't want to look at the pictures 20 years later and say "What was I thinking?!".
  
• Plan Bachelorette Night's items: list of foods, number of seats, attendance and names. Start delegating jobs to your close friends by now, so that they know what to expect for your special day. Delegate tasks to as many friends as possible, in purpose to spread our responsibilities so that a person is not bog down with so much to do that they can't enjoy your special day with you.
  
• Your man's outfit. Shoes, shirt, tie, slacks - check
  
• Find an umbrella and/or chinese fans for your bridesmaids to give you shade and comfort during the wedding
  
  



• Get an Ang Pow box for reception, DIY with nice present boxes, wrap with matching colors and ribbons. Poke a rectangular hole in the middle and assigned the box to one of your bridesmaid to take care of it because it is full of money and you need your peace of mind to where it belongs - the safe box.
  




• Get a box for your future jewelries (KAM HEI) and again, someone has to take care of this. Never, never leave it in the house especially when everyone leave for the reception! Goes to the safe box.
  
• a Guest book
  
• Find an ang pow handbag for one bridesmaid to carry, so that you can give ang pows during tea ceremony or when someone gets the car door for you. Of course, pack your ang pow ahead of time too with reasonable amount like 7, 8 or 9.
  
• Second Body Rejuvenation - Steam bath/Body Exfoliation/Body Wrap/Massage
  
• Second Rejuvenation Facial

1 month ahead:

• Manicure/Pedicure (1 wk prior) Don't wash plate or deal with any soapy water from this onwards... your sisters/fiance would have to do them now.


• Guest attendance confirmation/RSVP check if you have arranged seats. Make sure you have at least 10 seats extra for unexpected guests.
  
• Prepare for pre-wedding photoshoot such as dress/nails/hair/makeup.Confirm your own transportation - either to a make up place with a friend or to the reception with the groom.

• Hair Color, highlight and hair trimming, do this at least 3 weeks ahead. You want the color to settle and wash out a little.
  
• Last wedding gown fitting. You may need alteration after all that crazy run arounds. Get a fitting bra and panties for the wedding dress. Try it with your wedding dress ahead of time. You don't want to be seen pulling and tugging your bra.
  
• Confirm where to meet wedding-day Photographer and check if everything alright with itineary.



• Confirm Makeup artist/hairstylist appointment if you have any.
  
• Shop for bride's room bedsheets, decoration items and arrange them -Chinese tradition like using ribbons to wrap make up items on the dressing table, or place fun, feminine decoration items on the wall/door. If you can, replace the curtains... you'll thank me. It'll show up in pictures!


• Last Rejuvenating Facial (3 or 2 weeks ahead). Only light extraction if you must. Go all out on this last one!
  
• Last Rejuvenation SPA session, be it Body Wrap/Scrub/Steam bath. IF you can't afford it by now, get a body scrub and DIY with sugar and honey.
  
• Pack your honeymoon clothes in the bag (2 days ahead)

If you're wondering how in the world I have the right mind to plan this way, that's because I've been a program planner for a bit and I know how it feels to run big events like weddings. It can be very overwhelming and stressful... you might not get your shut eyes days before. I know I did and I certainly hope that no one else is like me. But for sure, do use this wedding plan as a guide, make it your own and please let me know if my list has help or fail you in any way.

I'm only happy to share.

P/S: I apologize for not putting this up earlier for you girls who we were going to have your wedding around this time. I'd just discovered my organizer, which was buried in some box when we moved and had forgotten about it. Blame it on moving stress please? :)

Just Steal 'Em

Jessie jots...

I just created something quite silly: a collage and campaign stealing your boyfriend's jeans. If you don't have a boyfriend, get your Dad's. Yell NO to skinny jeans, they only further impose the size 0 mentality!

I've been revisiting Photoshop lately and started reminding myself to get use to some of its mighty function, hoping to avoid rusty brain before I go back to school in Fall, right? The effect on these pictures and the outcome is addictive. I only wanted a set of vintage pictures but maybe I went a little too bright in exposure. Oh well, live and learn.

Pi's New Sista, Pupu?

Jessie jots...

I've been eyeing on this adorable wrinkly dog for days now... and that poor owner of hers has no bloody idea he has a stalker who lives just a few apartments away. If nobody look, I would steal that dog in a heartbeat... look at her! Peeing... so neat. lol Yes I'm obsess.

"Play wif me?"

"Wait, me need ciggie."

"Ugh I hate him..."

COME TO MAMA~!!

MAMA will play with you... and give you love, and attention, and even give you a new playmate named Pi!

Where is home?

Jessie jots...

The sea is dark blue and choppy, and the bright golden sun rays filled the air with warmth and a sense of renewal as the temperature stays at the low 50s (10 C) this morning. I paid extra attention to the surrounding today for some reason and I even took a deep breath to take it all in of the smell and sound of the dry desert, appreciating the mediteranean beauty of this place, which come July, will be a year I've move up here. I drove up and below turning head to see joggers enjoying the warmer weather of spring, making their way through as I stepped on the accelerator to go up the hilly greens to exit on a freeway back to my apartment, wondering if this is it? A place I will call home? Or is it just another phase until I move again?

24 hours prior to that, I was reminding myself of where I came from. Hushby and I were talking about highschool, and we joked as we goof around to all the cheesy 90s love songs most girls listen to, like Michael Learns to Rock, Spice Girls, Boyzone and Backstreet Boys. We sang and mumble the chorus of those songs at the same time reminding ourselves they call it, the good ol' days. Around the same time, I also spoke to another oversea friend on the phone who also, and as always with old friends, we often discuss about the good ol' days. The song "25 Minutes" resurfaced and I had such a good laugh and even louder only if my jaw would allow. She then asked me, if I call America my home. For a second, I didn't have to think what the lyrics were or the title of the songs, I know exactly just how to answer that question but I know she would not be satisfied for what she was about to find out.

As much as I would love to call this place my home where I feel comfortable and that I belong here, I don't. Do I call Malaysia my home then? Again as much as I want to, I do not.

I remember returning to Malaysia 2 years ago for my wedding which was the most enjoyable trip I've ever made. The moment I walked in the arrival hall with an oily jet-lag face, I saw my parents standing outside the hall waving and smiling at me, and the instant blast of humid air rush through my skin, instantly felt like home to me. Everything seem to fall in place at first, having family and friends around was the best feeling in the whole world. You get excited, suddenly everyone surround you with so much love, all have their own curiosity in mind as you share updates and how life has been for the years you've been away. The feeling of being wanting to be together were aroused, arrangement for outtings were set and the love keep pouring until 1 month later...

Everyone return to work. Your mom and dad return to work. Your siblings go back to school and your cat goes back to the corner and sleep. You're sitting in the living room by yourself at noon, with no car and friends available to keep you accompany. You don't know where is it again was the best place to hang out, which lane again you were suppose to drive on? Or how to dress again as you want to avoid wanting the locals to call you "saltwater dipped" regarding you a foreigner, hence hiking up the price as you go bargaining. Plus now that I suddenly begin to own a look, many claimed ABC (American-Born Chinese), doesn't help either! That's when you start to question, do I belong here anymore? One day of that is fine, but as months pass by, you struggle to not feel kind of like a weed, a dandelion so pretty at first but it will only turn to dust in no time. At that point, I just want to go back to the US, where I thought was home.

Upon stepping into the American border here in LAX, and as visa holder in which they still call us immigrant or alien, I still have to be in the long lines of immigration department, preparing myself as I'm up for questions. I would then be interrogated pertaining my reason to visit Malaysia and what I bring from there? Then I wait for maybe another 4 hours, in many case, I miss my next flight back to Minnesota (which I don't have to worry about anymore) which can cost me all in all, another day of precious time resting and sleeping in my own place, just to only have the officers chop my passport and get it back.

Then when I return to an apartment I've lived the whole time before a dream vacation to Malaysia, well for a weird reason, things kind of fall into place also but as instant as I feel that, the emptiness set in. The life and the cheerful gestures no longer greet you at the door. The smell of tropical plants and the cat poop by the compound no longer welcomes you in. Then because I was beginning to come down with homesickness, I dig into the fridge hoping to smell a tropical fruit or some sort of Malaysian cuisine to ease some of the 'pain' but it always fail. To only resort to curl up on the couch and meditate.

So where is home? Neither place to me. I guess home is where my family is. Wherever they are, that's where my home is. I can't say for sure I'll feel at home if my family happen to be in Antartica but I will sure feel comfortable and secure the moment I set foot into where they live.

I drove over the bright green hills overlooking well built, blonde surfers floating on the ocean, waiting for the next wave to ride, and where they sprinkle white foamy sea water into the air that so slightly hit onto my wind screen as I passed by unnoticed on the coastline of Dana Point. As I made a right turn heading on Del Obispo to Golden Lantern, joggers continue to run on the road like it's still Easter on Wednesday. Back to my place here in the Laguna area, the pine trees swaying as strong wind from the sea keep testing its flexibility, little birds flew by chirping aloud by the courtyard and as I parked my car on the allocated space under a shady roof where pines scattered throughout, thinking if anyone would have spy me and witness all that pass me by, they'll swear left and right if they know that I am still reluctant to regard this place my home.

In some ways, I do feel super lucky to be here, but lucky is no longer what I aim for, secure and comfortable is what I need for being away this long. I don't feel comfortable just yet, to claim this place my home. I still feel like a visitor on a visa or a temporary worker who is on site to survey. An old friend just emailed me asking where I am actually living now as she is coming over to LA for work, and that's exactly when I felt I needed a tour guide to show her around because I can't take any pride of what Orange County has to offer. A familiar face coming from afar always try to seek comfort through me because of the conception that I should know my way around after being here for years, in which I do know but only to survive. What they do not know is, I'm still in the process to be localized.

As much as I am thankful to have an opportunity to experience some can only envy, I will have to wait and see before claiming this is my home. Where's home to you then?

A Bride's Wedding Planner (P.1)

Jessie jots...

Wedding fever is going around huh?
*Warning* Long post ahead

Recently, a bride-to-be emailed me about her getting overwhelm with planning for her wedding. I feel for her. Feeling like you're not in control can be daunting. I know how frustrating it can be too when vendors are not agreeable. She asked for my advice about all the whats, whens, whos and hows? Obviously, this future Missus has too much to worry! Instead of answering specific questions that does not correlate, in which I didn't think would make sense to her, I laid out my whole wedding plans for her in hope she understand and tame the increasing stress.

Lucky for her, I still have my notes in my organizer which I found buried somewhere. So what better way to recycle all the months of intense effort of planning and organizing than sharing it with future brides. With this self-made planner, I'm proud to say my wedding went well with so many memories to share, which until today friends and family still talk about it. I'm sure you'll also benefit from it too. When you're able to complete one task at a time, it will only make you feel better as you're under control. That way, you can relax easier.

My wedding preparation list is based on Asian/Malaysian culture. If your wedding tradition is entirely Western-based, some of the things listed may not pertain to you.

Without further ado, here's my to do list for my wedding assuming you only have 5 months or less. By now, you should have these down.

• photographer
• bakery
• wedding gown
• reception venue
• invitation card
  

Use it at your own discretion. HINTS tons of ideas at http://www.knot.com/

3 to 5 months ahead:

• A picture of the cake you want, print it and send it over to a reliable friend who can do the favor. Let her bring the picture to the Cakehouse to see if the cake is feasible or if she can book the date and make arrangements for you quickly. Cakehouse can get booked up very fast!
  
  
• Wedding cards must be almost done by now. If not, may God be with you.
  
• Find your perfect makeup-do through pictures online. Buy your make up items if DIY and trial run it yourself at least several times. Make up artist are pretty good too, I trust them. Some make-up artist do a trial work for you, for a fee.

• Find your honeymoon spot. Confirm flight or car, or travel itineary.


• A picture of your ideal reception decoration. If you want to personalize your wedding reception, show this to your hotel event manager/florist and see if they can do it for you. If not, DIY is possible. Like wedding place cards, program cards, table cards, trinkets or small gifts for guests are easily attainable these days.
  



• Contact the music DJ and set them up for the wedding. Get quotations. Make a list of songs you like them to play for reference so that they get an idea of what kind of mood you want to set. If you don't have a live band, get a CD with your favorite songs or compile them for the hotel manager to play the song during the reception. You need to entertain the guests.


• Wedding dance. You can go for classes or if you're frugal like me, buy a DVD that teaches ballroom dances and practise at home. Practise! Practise! Practise!
  
• Contact Hotel Event Manager for further arrangement (decoration, time, flowers, food, whatever is in the package) with the ballroom/exchange vow ceremony.

• Set up your first appointment with florist - FIND pictures of your ideal flower bouquet for them to picture the color combination that what you want. If this florist doesn't understand you, find another. Be assertive to what you want, otherwise you'll regret it. Florist can do car flowers, crochets, decoration, draperies, candles, and any other decors. So you might want to plan with them.
  
• Set up appointment with make up/hairstylist - FIND pictures of your hairstyle/hairdo. It's good to let the make up person/hairstylist see this before they do anything to you.
  
• Prepare a wedding speech - when a bride talks, it adds a personal touch to your guests.
  
• First Facial Rejuvenation
  
• First Body Rejuvenation - Body Scrub/Body Massage/Body Wrap
  
• Check budget, see if you're on track

*To be continued*

She

Jessie jots...

I realized I haven't been posting a lot of art pieces for a long time. I should get the ball rolling again... after all, isn't it why the blog was up in the first place? :D

I stared at the model Jane Doe drawn here, hmm... probably for about 4 hours to finalize this drawing. And yes, she was stark naked seated less than 6 ft away in front of me... not even a tad shy of own birthday suit. WELL, not that she should anyway! Not that I want her to be less proud of what her Mama gave her... but, can you imagine yourself letting your boobs hang out in front of 20 over people in the room - who are, by the way, all dressed!

Obviously, I'm a lot more shy than she was eventhough I'm fully dress with layers. The more I observed how perfect the curve of her teardrop breasts is resting on her body, the more uncomfortable I get. And then when it comes to time for me to draw the lower part of her body, the more I feel shy about it, which shows in the drawing.


But what's an aspiring designer to do than to draw the most fundamental object in the world? I guess I just have to bite the bullet and just keep drawing.

Working on more. I have the male homosapien coming up.

Random Tag

1. The person who tagged you
Lorraine Wong (I'LL KILL YOU! LOL no lah... just lepas geram)

2. Your relationship with him/her
Kawan

3. Your 5 impressions of him/her
Funny, big heart, loving, intelligent and extremely cautious (am I right?)

4. The most memorable thing he/she had done for you?
She slapped my back so hard, I went into a coma for a minute.

5. The most memorable thing he/she had said to you
"Li See, study hard so that you can go to a university in the United States of America!"

6. If he/she become your lover you will
I will be the proudest lesbian lover. She's hot.

7. If he/she become your lover, things he/she has to improve on will be
Stay focus on the things you want to do. Just keep doing it, never give up!

8. If he/she become your enemy, you will
I don't think she'll ever be my enemy, even when she slapped my behind.

9. If he/she become your enemy, the reason will be
The reason will be when blood comes out from her slapping.

10. The most desired thing you want to do for him/her now
Give her a hug! 2 decade is long enough! :)

11. Your overall impression of him/her is
A big-hearted woman with a sarcastic sense of humor

12. How would you think people around you will feel about you?
Maybe that she is a little too loud with a colorful personality but then again, that's the Lorraine I know many, many years back. Wonder if she's still like that.

13. The characters you love of yourself are
Fast, Thoughtful, Creative, Intuitive and Cheerful.

14.On the contrary, the characters that you hate about yourself
Demotivating to self, Negative, very negative, Indecisive, Too Sympathetic and Lazy

15. The most ideal person you want to be is
To see myself with kinder eyes and to know how to organize, create and be balanced effectively.

16. For people who care and love you, say something to them.
I'm kinda in a love-deficit mode for being alone for too long. So please love me more! haha I love you too folks!

17. Pass this test to 10 persons who you wished to know how they feel about you.
1. Azleena
2. Charlotte
3. Jane
4. Joey
5. Marlina
6. Ai Nam
I too, don't have that many people who reads and blog at the same time.

18. Who is no. 6?
My ex-schoolmate.

19. Is no. 9 a male or female?
N/A

20. If no. 7 and no.10 together, is that a good thing?
N/A

21. What is no. 2 studying about?
She's working in Target as an Senior Import Coordinator.

22. When is the last time u had a chat with no. 3?
Probably a month ago?

23.What kind of music band does no. 8 like?
N/A

24. Does no. 1 have any siblings?
Yes, 2 other sisters I believe... all famous :D

25. Will you woo no. 3?
If I have a penis, yes.

26. How about no. 7?
N/A

27. Is no. 4 single?
Yes, happily single and available.

28. What is the surname of no.5?
Sara(?)

29. What is the hobby of no. 10?
N/A

30. Does no. 5 and 9 get along well?
I think so?

31. Where is no. 2 studying at?
She used to study in Michigan.

32. Talk something casually about no. 1
Azleena, one interesting woman with a strong interest for photography and has a good eye for everyday beauty and personality.

33. Have you tried developing feelings for no. 6?
I don't think I could, I'm awfully straight.

34. Where does no. 9 live at?
N/A

35. What colour does no.4 like?
All neutrals, especially black and grey.

36. Are no. 5 and 1 best friends?
They know each other for sure.

37. Is no. 7 the sexiest person in the world?
N/A

38. What is no. 6 doing now?
Probably tired from work, resting in bed, dozing off into AngelLand.

Make Sure You Really Want A Cat For A Pet

Jessie jots...

As I was browsing to buy a Ssscat cat deterrent product (I know that I'm cunningly cruel to do that to my own cat but allow me to explain myself), I came upon this review that was so frustrating yet entertaining to read. Pipi, a cute feline as she is, can make me so frustrated and so annoyed at times! Read this review from this person named BadBadCatMommy "MyCatsEternalServant. I'm so glad I did a little research on my pet cat problem, just knowing someone out there is in the same boat with me gives me determination. Please get to the moral of the story part... so true! I can attest to everything she confess here.

"Well, apparently, I have to admit that it's my own fault I ever had to buy this product in the first place. I went out of town for a couple of days and my cat apparently was miserable at my absence and expressed her displeasure by soiling an area of my carpet. I hereby humbly acknowledge that I deserve what I got for abandoning my little queen for two days. Nevertheless, I simply couldn't let her continue in her habit of wanting to go back to that spot over and over to soil, no matter how hard, or with what, I cleaned that carpet. So I bought the Ssscat product and put it in place after having cleaned the carpet as thoroughly as possible for the umpteenth time. And for a little while it worked wonders. The cat started using her litter box again and when the Scat squeeled and sprayed she jumped and ran. After a couple of months, however, my cat started to get ticked off that this Scat thing was standing between her and this spot on the carpet. So, she stalked it for a while, apparently trying to figure out how it worked. Eventually she figured out she could approach it from behind and knock it over. Of course, the motion sensor wouldn't stop going off after this, so I went to see what was going on. There was my cat, paw atop her prey from behind, in victory. I sat the thing upright and the next day saw her intentionally desensitizing herself to the spray. So I gave up on the idea that I would be able to rely on the spray to scare her away and fell back on the fact that when the motion sensor squealed I'd have to impress upon her the fact that I'd be there to shoo her away from the spot she so desperately wanted to get at. That worked for about a week. In other words, for about a week, she stayed away from the motion sensor and I didn't have to come running because of the squeals. Well, my cat hadn't forgotten the fact that I'd come running when the motion sensor squeals and now she intentionally just sits in front of it so that I'll come running (As long as something's sitting in front of the motion sensor, it keeps squealing). Her favorite time to do this is at 4AM when she wakes up and decides it's time for breakfast. This product has mostly served to turn my BELIEF that all living creatures are not only designed to adapt but are clever enough to eventually thwart our best efforts to change their behavior, into CONVICTION. You can best bet my cat will never be alone again. In fact, if I need to go out of town she'll get only the most posh kitty hotel. Thanks Ssscat for helping my cat relentlessly hammer home her point that I may never be allowed to forget my oversight in this case. I am now my cat's humble servant. Is that public confession enough, Princess??? Can I please have some peace, say for maybe another hour, now??? Could I please maybe sleep until 5am tomorrow??? (The moral of the story? Make sure you really want a cat for a pet before you get one. Dogs are tremendously more forgiving.) Oh, well, at least she's started using her litter box again."

I read it with a sigh of relief that my cat is not that bad, just yet... but the underlying problem is the same. The felines are too smart and brave, they outsmart the product and turn the canister or whatever we don't want them to do into an attention-getter.

Pipi doesn't have any litter problem (thank God!) or that she attack the Ssscat canister, but the fact that she wakes me up at 4am with her relentless meowing and that now, she became besties with the Ssscat by sitting beside it when the air spray is suppose to scare her, is what drives me nuts!

After all the money and time spent observing and politely asking her to stop, she still meows in front of our bedroom door around 15-20 times at 4 in the morning! Then she start the whole series again at 5am. And 6am and then 7am! Until Hushby wakes up for work, only is she satisfy that finally her human slave wakes up to attend to her royalty needs! OMG I'm totally at my wit's end now, at this very minute, trying to figure out how do I stop my super courageous cat from meowing before the birds chirp!

And from going into the kitchen cabinet that is already entirely smacked with double-sided tapes!

And to stop biting our toes when we are wearing her favorite socks!!

My Exercise Regime

Jessie jots...

Jeyanthy was interested to know how and what I do in the quest of losing weight and she requested I blog about it.

For the record, I have now lost 5 pounds after 6 weeks.

Certainly, I'm NO expert in losing weight. By all means, use my exercise plan if you choose to refer but just speaking from experience, you may need to tweak your exercise plan from mine cos' what works for me, might not work for you. I know some people like pilates or yoga to keep them lean, but as much as I wanted to like those type of exercises, my body just couldn't agree with it. It's an ongoing process for some people who has harder time losing weight like me, largely hormone and thyroid system to blame but never give up. You will have to experiment yourself before finding what works.

Bear in mind that I wrote this post way before I went to see the doctor. So here goes...

What I do for exercise?

• At least 4 cardio a week. I do running on the treadmill for 30 mins or home video aerobics for 30 minutes. The cardio must not be too tiring for you. My rule of thumb for cardio workout is tiring enough for you not able to speak a full sentence of words. If it's too tiring, you can get discourage to do another workout the next day.


• Immediately after cardio, I do 100 times crunches for abs. 10 times of each work out the obliques, lower ab, upper ab, middle ab and all over body. You can find these variations in books or videos, I'm sure they'd explain better. Abs for Dummy is a good guide.


• On alternate days, I do strength following a home video carrying 10-20 lbs of weight. If your gym has weight machines, use it. If not, buy your own weights (preferably the ones that has adjustable weights as you might need as you get stronger) I do alternately between gym machines and home video. The video I use is called Power 90.


• In addition to my workout days, I jump in the chance for hiking, swimming, running outside, shopping... or even just housechores, mopping the floor, wash the toilet, do laundry. Whatever it is, the calories burn while you do activities will work for you.

For food:

• For breakfast, my food can be as following: A cup of oatmeal (5 tbsp of oatmeal and 1 tbsp of sugar), a frozen waffle with some maple syrup, one cup of cereal with light soymilk, two toasted bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter or on weekends, I'll have two eggs (scramble, half-boil or sunny-side-up) served with 2 sausage links. I make it special on weekends coz with Hushby around, I tend to eat more.


• For lunch, I always do dinner leftovers. Usually a type of protein like lean pork, chicken or beef, 4 tbsp of brown rice and lots of veggies. Or sometimes I do a cup of spaghetti with lots of salad. No salad? Replace it with fruits.


• For snack in between (around 3-5pm), I do a handful of roasted almonds or prunes. Sometimes lots of water, or even another apple, orange, banana or a handful of bluberries and my favorite, blackberries. At times, I'll reach out for some Special-K cornflakes or a bar of Chocolatey Mocha. Sometimes a combination of these foods.


• For dinner, try to eat before 8pm. I'll try to go light but it doesn't always work with a cavemen who has appetite like a dinosaur - I tend to eat more just looking at him. Unless I have snack throughout the day, I don't crave for food as much at night. For regular oriental, home cook food, again I'll do one portion of veggie and another lean protein like chicken, fish, egg, tofu or pork serve with 4 tbsp of brown rice. If western food is served, I'll eat more veggie, a deck of card size of meat and about half cup of good carbs like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or pasta. Don't forget, pasta is high in protein too.


• For dessert, it can be as following: a scoop of ice-cream, a low sugar, low fat cupcake, frozen yogurt, apple sauce, a piece of dark chocolate or just diet coke. If I don't have any cravings, I won't do dessert.


• Before bedtime, I try not to eat but I have been experiencing tummy growling lately usually 2 hours after dinner. It is a sign that the metabolism rate has increased, which is a good thing but it can be torturous if you obey to Oprah advising against people eating after 8pm and especially before going to sleep because the reason you feeling that way is due to your body burning the fat. I find that hard to give in... I can't go through that hunger and worse, I always wake up with a stomach pain. So to combat that feeling, I'd take a half cup of cornflakes or just a cup of chocolate soy milk and it works great! No more discomfort in the tummy.

My tips for you:

• For the first few weeks, muscle aches are unavoidable. It is best to be patient, and it is crucial to rest more for you to do better the next day. When I feel extra tired or if my joints feel pain, I would not go workout that day, even if it means that I would be skipping a day's workout.
• For shorter recovery muscle ache time, try eating more alkaline food like all green veggies, avocado, lemon in water to eliminate some of those lactic acid in our body.


• Not every day will go as plan. On some days you will find yourself breaking all the rules on your own meal plan because you're super hungry, or you just don't find the stamina for running because you lower ab hurts. Don't fight against it. Rest if you need.


• Do have a cheat day once a week. It's the day you may go for a BBQ buffet, or have a whole load of finger lickin' good fried chicken - if you decide.


• If you're running, take a magazine with you and cover the TIME part. I hate to see the time ticking away because it goes by SOOooooo SLOWwwwwww. I found that by covering, I lost track of time and my cardio goes by faster. And then of course, a good pair of running shoes and an iPod helps too.


• Make sure you do stretching and warm up enough for your workouts. It is necessary to prevent injury and stitches. I get stitches in my abs muscle all the time and didn't realize it was the insufficient warm up.


• Create goals that are small and easy, and near enough to reach. For example, set goals for 2 weeks, to lose a pound. Or in 1 week, you want to do 4 cardio and strength workouts. Plans like that are easily achievable than say, 3 months from now, I want to lose 20 pounds. In between, you lose the motivation because it is so far to reach.


• You have to make a meal plan that works for you. DIET DOES NOT WORK because lets face it, nobody can survive without sugar, fat or carb for their entire life. It is impossible! You cannot skip dinner just to cut 500 calories or you cannot NOT eat ice cream for 3 months. But what you can do is make healthier choices and it will be part of your lifestyle before you know it. If you feel like having steak, do it but eat only half a portion. If you need ice cream, by all means, have a scoop but nothing more. The more you suppress your craving, the more you will gobble everything up and fall off track. At least from my experience, I can say that's for sure.


• Don't just take your weight into account. Your body measurement is a good way to keep track of your weight loss. I learned so much talking to our OysterSpeak founder the other day, that what matter is how you feel and how you look. Not how much weigh you lose.


• Treat yourself well everytime you reach a goal. It could be a spa day or play your favorite game online or buy yourself something you always wanted. Whatever makes you happy.


• Drink 2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted with a cup of water before you brush your teeth and an hour after lunch. Helps to detoxify and melt that fat. It has lots of other benefits too, but do your research online. Your body may disagree if you have a weak stomach.

Good luck!

Don't Be Koi About It

Jessie jots...

Doodling is fun, especially when the result is such.

Happy April Fool's Day!