Next adventure......

It has been over 3 years since our last overseas trip. I am so thrilled we are about to embark our journey again but this time will be a different experience. As some of you know my family lives in Bangkok, Thailand.  The purpose of going is solely visiting and perhaps doing a few fun things while there. This year we are going to visit two countries in one trip. We are so excited as this will be a new and exciting place for a family of 3 to explore. Our next destination is Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo is known for the most Michelin stars of any city in the world, helpfulness of the locals, nightlife, shopping, public transportation and cleanliness of the streets. It is a modern and vibrant city with old charms. Tokyo Tower, kimono, sushi, Ginza and more to explore.

Funnily, we stopped at Narita all the times while en route to my motherland but never stepped out of the airport to experience the country in the past 10 years. So why now? With all the stresses that happened last year, I felt it was important to live, chase the moments and enjoy while it lasts. I can't let the fear of uncertainties hold me back or stop me. You still continue to move on and make the best out of it. At least when things get so bad you still have wonderful memories to remind you of good times. Let's go! What we are most excited about this trip is that we will get to have some very unique and memorable experience. Can't wait to share!

Out in a wild

A few weeks ago we took our daughter to the wildlife park. This is almost a yearly visit and a family tradition. It was fun to see those animals up close. Some of the big animals like bulls and buffaloes look quite scary due to their size and strength but they appeared to be gentle (not that I wanted to mess with its giant horns). We left the place happy but filled with dust.  

Grow...Love...Eat

 
Gardening is satisfying and can be addictive. I never realize I enjoy gardening this much. Every year I try to grow different vegetables/fruits for more varieties. It is quite fun and interesting to see how each vegetable/flower grow and evolve. This spring I try some new vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy, napa cabbage and corn. The last 2-3 years, I never had success with green bean, corn or snap peas but this year they are taking off like crazy. I am about ready to pick my first batch of green beans and snap peas. Yum..yum.

Having an organic garden can be very challenging, no wonder why organic vegetables/fruits are so expensive. They are high maintenance. We are talking about dealing with unwanted creatures such as worms, bugs and did I say "slugs" (ewww!). My goal is to go 100% without the use of chemical. My strategy is to rid of those yucky enemies by hands (with gloves of course) which is not easy and extremely time consuming. Thanks to my little one who is not afraid of the slimy slugs, she is my garden's life saver! Some vegetables attract more pests than others. As you can see the poor cabbage has evidences all over (thanks to slugs who ate the leaves for me). Broccoli is such a breeze to grow. Snap peas and green beans have the yellow leaves at the beginning I thought they were going to die but somehow a miracle happened. Whatever it is, I am so pleased.

I hate sewing: One Year in the Making

Project #5   Yes, it took almost one full year to complete this little dress. Not because it was a highly intricate project or anything but primarily with everything that happened last year my creative juice simply ran dry.
I started out with a lower portion of the dress and let that project sat on a hanger over 6 months. By January before I forgot how to thread the machine, I figured I should do something to refresh my memory. I decided to take on another project (a yellow dress with white polka dots which I will post the pic later). Hence skipped my unfinished project once again. As Easter quickly approaching, I pulled the trigger and thought it was about time to get it done. I gave myself a deadline by Easter so this dress finished just in time. Only a few hours before we headed out to the Easter lunch.   I like how the dress turned out with a vintage and romantic touch of pink lace as sleeves. See a 2014 version of the Easter dress {here}.   I Hate Sewing episode How it all started | Project # 1 | Project # 2 | Project # 3 | Project # 4