24 + 1

It's that time of year again... *sigh*
Time to +1 to my age counter, time to get older! In just a few hours I'm turning 25 (shudder).

I remember when I was a kid, how excited I was at the thought of my birthday approaching. The gifts, cake and the party at my house with my classmates!

But now... I kinda dread that day. It just reminds me that time keeps moving forward always and we grow older everyday. Kinda makes me nostalgic when I think that my teen and early twenties years are over! They went by so fast!

Anyway, I'll have to make the most of my remaining young years before I reach the much dreaded.... 30!!! Argh!

Happy birthday to me!

How to.. give a second life to old jeans

I was looking for a good pair of deep blue skinny jeans the other day... but after looking for hours in stores, I gave up.  Either they didn't have my size (XXL has become the new S), or the style (I only need ONE zipper in my jeans thank you), or the colour (I'm not sure flashy blue suits my skin tone).  So I decided to make my own skinny jeans.

I already had a lot of jeans that I wasn't wearing anymore.  They fit me perfectly but they were bootcut style.  Following this method, I transformed three of my favourite old jeans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIX3PAJDRQ8&feature=related

into skinny jeans :)  Now I get to wear my favourite old jeans again.

From bootcut (left) to skinny (right)

CAUTION: Sewing can be dangerous both physically (needle pricks) and mentally (those darn threads keep knotting up!!!) and requires a LOT of patience.

August already!!!

Man I can't believe how fast time is going by this year.  Everyone is saying how fast more than half the year went by.  I swear there must be something going on.. like the Earth is spinning faster or something :p

This year is the year I take care of myself.  I felt like I spent all the previous years of my life mostly studying.  Working part-time/freelance gives me plenty of free time, I can't complain about that (but I can complain about the paycheck! duh).  But the most important thing is that this year, I'm spending my time the way I want to.  I'm spending much more time with my family and my boyfriend, cuz I felt like I had to catch up on all the times that I couldn't go out or spend time with them because I was too busy studying or doing an assignment!  After all, there's nothing better than spending time with a beloved one, even if it's just having a meal or watching telly together.

That's why this year is my semi-sabbatical year!

iPod shuffle 4th generation

Yaaaayyy I finally bought my first ipod.  I had set out to buy the ipod shuffle 4th generation in blue, but at the store finally decided to buy the silver one :) It comes in the cutest packaging ever!

Not only it's my first ipod but it's my first mp3 player!  I've been feeling the need for an mp3 player lately cuz I get soooo bored during my walks/work out (what? only 5 mins passed since I last checked my watch??).  The ipod shuffle is perfect... tiny, portable, fashionable and wearable thanks to its clip.  Exactly what I needed for jogging and gym!

Pros:

- Small, portable, fashionable and wearable

- Available in attractive colours

- Voice over function tells you the title of the song or playlist!

- Easy to use

- Cute packaging is made of solid plastic and can be used for carrying the ipod, earphones and usb cable around

- Using an auxiliary cable, I can connect the ipod to my car and play my favourite, latest downloaded tunes!

Cons:

- As I'm an ipod newbie, it took quite some time to download itunes, and after that to get used to the software!

- 2 GB storage only.  I thought it would be enough but apparently not.  And I don't even have that many songs.

- Price? Not the cheapest mp3 player out there.. but I guess the smaller the player, the bigger the price :p

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the ipod shuffle 4gen and it was totally worth the buy!

How to.. curl hair with straightener

Since my hair got quite long, I have been considering purchasing a curling iron in order to vary my hairstyle... I always wear my hair down and straight.  I was looking for some reviews on curling tongs on youtube when I stumbled upon some videos showing how to curl hair with a straightener.  I did try this once before, as I had seen a video by one famous youtuber, but it hadn't worked for me.  I guess her technique wasn't that good.  So I had given up hope of curling hair using a straightener.  But some days ago I saw this video and decided to try it out and it worked!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF1e-mEhwzE&feature=feedlik

Using her technique I achieved this look:

I took thinner sections of hair to make it more curly.  I like the fact that it keeps the length of the hair, it's not so curly as to make all my hair spring up and become half its original length.  This type of curl looks young and modern and it's exactly what I wanted to achieve :)

It took me 30 mins max to do my whole head, which is a miracle as I have used my sister's curling tong before and it took me at least an HOUR.  I find this technique easier to do than with traditional curling tongs especially for my long thick hair.  Since you slide the straightener down through the whole length of hair, instead of holding the hair around the tong (as with curling iron), it heats the whole length of hair evenly.  So it makes the curls stay on for a pretty long time too.

For a more curly look, check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpl9KYzmJ6s

Amazing all the different looks you can achieve with a straightener!  And I thought it was meant for straightening :p

First speeding ticket

Caught driving at 76 km/h on a 60 km/h road last week!  And I wasn't the only one...

After negotiating a roundabout, I might have hit the gas a bit too hard... Well it was a wide, flat and empty road... A few yards forward, I understood why the road seemed empty... 4 cars had stopped in the layby surrounded by policemen!  One officer waved me down.  Ouch... I knew I was caught speeding and there was no way out.  It was my first encounter with police officers since I started driving.  When asked for my driver's licence, I fumbled around for it in the car.  Where the hell was it!?  Fortunately found it, else it would have been a double ticket! Ha.

A few moments later, the officer scribbled on his notepad, tore the page and handed it to me after I signed it.  And that was Rs2000 down the drain... That hurts.  Bad.  Especially when you think of all the things you could buy with Rs2000 here.  Snif.

The officer told me 'Miss, do your best so that this is your first and last ticket'.  Hell, sure I'll do that now.  I got my lesson.  I don't want to waste another Rs2000 so soon.  I tried to look at the positive aspect of this.  It made me more safety conscious now.  Sure it can be a pain to drive at 60 km/h but speed limits were imposed for a good reason: you are more in control of your vehicle should anything unexpected arise.  Like a stupid stray dog crossing the road in front of you.

As I drove away, the officer smiled at me and wished me 'Have a good day Miss'.  Argh.  I ground my teeth together and drove away.  Slowly this time.

100 things to do before I die: #6

#6: Perform for an audience

The only people who hear me play piano 'live' are my siblings and parents when I'm practising at home.  I'd like to perform for a small audience one day, be it family or friends.  The idea terrifies me though, as I'm only a beginner and make a LOT of mistakes while playing.  It usually takes several recordings to get one that's decent enough to post on facebook.  I'm not scared of having an audience, I'm scared of not playing perfectly.  Music requires 'perfection' and does not really tolerate mistakes.  Because hitting a wrong note is literally an ear sore.

About being a physiotherapist (1/2)

"So what do you do in life?"

"I'm a physiotherapist"

"Really? Wow.  Um what does a physiotherapist do exactly??"

This conversation occurs quite frequently in my daily life.  I get asked all the time, what does a physio do?  The field of Physiotherapy is still embryonic in Mauritius and most people don't know about it.  Except for those who have already been to a physio before.

So what do I do?  

Basically my job is about improving human movement, function and quality of life.

How do I do it?

By correcting any bodily dysfunction.  

A broken arm or leg? The physio will help you to use it again by doing specific exercises or stretching, a process also known as reeducation or rehabilitation.

Pain in the back/shoulder/knee or any joint?  The physio uses different means and equipment to alleviate pain, eg massage, hot/cold packs, ultrasound, TENS... Then we'll teach you how to take care of your joint and the exercises that will help you use it again normally.

Chest infection?  The physio uses specific manual techniques (a bit similar to massage) to help you cough out secretions and to breathe more easily.

Had recent surgery and you can't walk like before?  No matter the type of surgery you've had, the physio's aim is to get you back on your feet.  We teach specific exercises to strengthen appropriate muscles and with the help of crutches or frame, help you to walk again.

So the main goal in any rehab program is to return the patient to his 'normal' life, so that he can perform the work and activities he was doing before his particular health problem.

In my next post, I'll talk about the pros and cons of being a physio.

100 things to do before I die: #4 & #5

#4: Reach a million hits on my blog!
Hahahaha.  I don't know if that's even remotely possible.  Maybe if I keep blogging until I'm 100 years old :p  But anyway, I'm happy if there are some people out there reading my ramblings and I hope that some posts have been helpful to you...


#5: Get wasted in Vegas
Yeah we're going to Vegas baby!!!  I hope that I'll be saying those words one day.  I wanna play American roulette in Vegas, watch Celine Dion perform, get drunk and party the night away! And get married in one of these chapels! Haha just kidding ;)

10 things I really love

1) I love shopping!!! :D

2) I love when it's raining outside and I'm indoors napping or sleeping.  Yeah I sleep a lot.

3) I love potatoes.  Baked, fried, boiled... cooked in any way!!!  If there's potatoes in it, I'll love it.

4) I love playing the piano.  When I play my favourite songs, I get carried to a peaceful and happy place.

5) I love The Vampire Diaries.  Seriously, I've never been so engrossed in any other TV show before.

6) I love a walk in the park alone.  It's been even more enjoyable now that football and dogs have been banned from it.

7) I love shoes.  A girl can NEVER have too many shoes.  Or clothes.

8) I love spending a weekend away from home once in a while.  Resorts are the best (and expensive! tsk!).

9) I love songs that have meaningful lyrics.  I put it on repeat and listen over and over.

10) I love driving my car.  I've had my toll of public transport!

10 things I really hate

1) I hate it when it rains and I'm outdoors.  It's so messy and my feet (and shoes!!!) get all wet.

2) I hate getting up before 8 in the morning.  It's so inhumane.

3) I hate it when I don't get what I want.  Me? Spoilt?? Nooooooooo.

4) I hate salesgirls in clothing boutiques.  Either they are of no help at all, or they overdo it and make you feel compelled to buy something.  Either way, some boutiques would be much better without them!

5) I hate when I do impulse buying.  I waste my money and I end up with loads of useless stuff.

6) I hate acne breaking out on my face and chest area.  So gross.

7) I hate that I have such bad eyesight that I have to wear glasses or contacts all the time if I don't want to walk into walls or poles.

8) I hate noise.  All kinds of noise, whether it's kids screaming, dogs barking, traffic noise and lately, I've been especially hating the work being done in the neighbourhood; it's been generating so much noise close to our house.

9) I hate being discriminated because of my skin colour and ethnicity.  Yeah who doesn't?

10) I hate bad hair days.  There's nothing like hair going in all directions and doing its own thing to drive you crazy.

10 + 1) I hate hate hate... getting nasty comments or catcalls when walking on the streets, especially if I'm wearing something a little bit more 'daring' than jeans and a t-shirt.  Try walking 10 metres out of your house in a skirt and high heels here, I'll bet you a million rupees you'll be getting some sleazy comments.

Weird cause of insomnia

Last week, I suffered from bad sleep for a whole week.  No matter how tired I was physically and mentally, I couldn't sleep well for 6 nights straight.  This was frustrating and strange as I usually have pretty deep sleep.  Then I remembered that I had had this before...  What I did then was change my toothpaste brand, from colgate to aquafresh, and it did the trick.  

Last week I was using the aquafresh brand, but it was the fresh & minty flavour.  I changed to mild & minty, and tadaaa.  Welcome back to the world of dreams.

In fact, I had read once on yahoo that there are many little things like these that can ruin your sleep.  In my case, the toothpaste had too 'fresh' a flavour, that was stimulating my brain and preventing me from going to sleep.  Other fragrances like lavender naturally help you to go to sleep.

So if you too are suffering from insomnia these days, I would suggest trying to change one small habit at a time before going to sleep and see what works for you :)

Double eyelid tape damage

I received my double-sided eyelid tape last week and used it for only 3 days.  During these 3 days, it took me several tries to get it right.  However, when I finally got it right, I was happy with the results and it made makeup application so much easier.  On the fourth day, I was shocked when I woke up.  My eyelids were so different, and not in a good way.  The eyelid skin looked thin and droopy.  I became so scared.  When I washed my face with cold water, my eyelids went almost back to normal, but not exactly the way they were before I started using the tape.

When I think back, I realise that my eyelids have started changing a few weeks before.  I had noticed that eyeshadow wouldn't stay.  Could it be because my skin got drier these weeks?  So the eyelid skin was dry and fragile, and the tape had stretched it? :(  Also, I never used to moisturise the skin around my eyes.  On that day itself, I went out to buy an eye cream to try to repair the damage.  

I asked my family and boyfriend, but they didn't see any difference in my eyelids.  Of course, these are the kind of things that only you can notice.  I haven't used the tape again, and am moisturising my skin a lot.  I don't think it will ever go back to the way it was, as eyelid skin is the most fragile skin :(  I'm hoping it won't get worse.

Girls, if you're considering using eyelid tape, DON'T.  It's not worth the damage it could cause to your skin.

100 things to do before I die: #3

#3: Skydive!
I like experiencing new thrills, so I'll have to book a skydiving session one day.  I've been to amusement parks in Europe and loved loved the rides.  However, what I find pretty unfortunate is that it's awesome only while it lasts.  But as soon as it's over, the adrenaline stops rushing and you just forget what it was like!

100 things to do before I die: #2

#2: Have a photoshoot session

Like #1, I would like to have a photoshoot session before I'm 30.  Well there usually is a photoshoot session for a wedding, but I'm talking about a photoshoot session outdoors in casual clothing.  Portraits of me and my boyfriend when we are young and so in love.  Taken by a professional photographer, before the first wrinkles start appearing :p  Oh I'm so scared of becoming old.

100 things to do before I die: #1

I have decided to do a list of 100 things to do before I die... This way, I can always check on it and see if I have reached my goals.  I will post them one by one or in groups, and in a random order, as they come to my mind.  Maybe the list will go beyond 100 :p

So let's begin:

#1 : Get married before I'm 30 years old. 

When I was 15, I thought the ideal age to get married was 25.  Well I'm nearing 25, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.  Maybe in 2-3 years... but I'm really hoping it will be before I turn 30.  No one wants to have wrinkles on their wedding pictures right?  Plus I like the idea of being young newlyweds, it means more time to enjoy married life together when you're younger.

Slippery shoes fixed!

Got both pairs of slippery shoes (one white pair and one black) fixed by the cobbler.  He glued a layer of rubber sole at the heel and at the forefoot parts.  He did a nice job and it didn't cost that much.  Now I can enjoy my shoes without the fear of falling down and hurting myself again!

Almost 2 weeks since I hurt my knee.  The scab is slowly going away, it's only the size of a bean now.  It itches and I have to resist the temptation of pulling the scab away!

The EX Factor

r

This video had more than 2 million views within only 2 days of being posted on Youtube!  I discovered this when one of my friends posted it on her Facebook wall.  I find this video very entertaining and also quite true.. especially for relationships that end badly.

This video shows how 2 strangers become lovers.. and then strangers again.. I would have loved it if at the end of the video, the producer showed how these 2 could have worked things out and have an alternate, happy ending to the relationship.  But I guess if a relationship doesn't work, the best thing to do is move on..

Breaking up is never easy.. especially for long-time relationships.  It literally breaks you up.  However, I read an article once in Cosmopolitan, saying how your past partners help you find The One.  As you go from one partner to the next, you get a better idea of what you are looking for.  Some partners might be perfect, but not perfect for you.  Of course, some lucky ones find their right partner on the first try!

I'll agree with the video, when it says that the Chase and Honeymoon are the best parts.  I especially like the Chase, and it's much more fun when you are the one being chased, not the chaser :p During the honeymoon phase, both partners are on their best behaviour.  They do everything to please the other and do not see any flaws in the other one.  This is a physiological process whereby you are 'blinded' by love.  Nature wants us to feel in love and to reproduce.

I guess if there is one thing that every couple can do to make it work, is to continue to try as hard as during the chase and honeymoon phases.  Keep the courtship going like in the early days.  As soon as one stops trying, the trouble starts. 

From my own experience, when a relationship is too much hard work, it usually doesn't work out in the long run.  Being together should be relatively easy and natural.  Sure there are bound to be bumps on the road, but nothing that cannot be sorted out calmly.

If your relationship makes it past the 3-year mark and you are both as much in love, if not more, than in the beginning, then you have found the right one.  Our minds are physiologically programmed to be 'in love' for 3 years.  Nature programmed us this way so that a couple would be together long enough to have a kid and raise that kid during his early years.  Unfortunately after 3 years, you start seeing flaws in each other and things start deteriorating.

I'm no relationship expert... very far from it!  But I've found these simple things to keep my relationship going strong:

- Do not take arguments too seriously.  Try to make the other one smile/laugh even during an argument

- Do appreciate the simple things he/she does for you

- Say 'I love you' when he/she expects it the least

- Do continue going out on dates and court each other to keep the romance alive

- Do look your best for your partner.  Put on a nice outfit when going out together to impress him/her, just like in the early days!

- Do talk about the past (nice times together) and the future


Good luck to you all!

Elicina review (acne)

I decided to buy a jar of Elicina cream after seeing adverts in the local newspapers and magazines.  The adverts claimed that this 'magic' cream could erase scars and reduce acne.

I have mild acne which is mainly hormonal, as I tend to breakout more before the time of month.  Then my skin will improve for a few weeks before breaking out again.  Sooooooo frustrating.  I've been to the dermatologist at least a dozen times since I hit puberty.  It was always the same: antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and a lot of other creams/gels to apply.  Sure my skin would improve with these treatments but after 3-4 months, my skin would adapt to these creams and it would become just as bad as before.

So I've been applying Elicina every morning and night for the past 2 months... and I must say that it's a MAJOR disappointment.  Maybe it needs more time  to achieve its effect.  I'm a bit more than halfway through the jar and don't know if I'll be ordering again.  I'm a bit skeptical as to its effectiveness.  I've read many user reviews on acne websites and many have not noticed any difference in their skin with this cream.  Some have used it for several months and seen major improvements.  So maybe it does need several months for visible effects.

During the first few weeks, I applied only Elicina at night.  After 2-3 weeks my skin had a big breakout.  So I applied benzoyl peroxide over my face after Elicina.  My skin improved a lot but recently I had another breakout.  Sometimes I also use Sudocrem after Elicina at night.

It only made me breakout on the areas where I usually do have acne though, like on the cheeks and chin.  I didn't breakout on the nose and forehead.  So maybe it's making all the acne under the skin come out so that my skin can be better.

Last year I was using mainly benzoyl peroxide.  After a few weeks, my skin did get better but then again it began to adjust to the treatment and did not respond as well.

I've read many positive reviews about Sudocrem (yeah the nappy rash cream) which is also indicated for acne as it's an antiseptic cream.  I'll have to use it more consistently to see its effects.

I wash my face every morning and night with Clearasil, scrub 3-4 times a week and apply a mask once a week.  I also do a facial hammam once a week.  I eat a pretty much balanced diet as I'm quite health-conscious and drink lots and lots of water.  But still!!! That acne won't leave me alone aaarrrrgh.  I'm quite tired of this war against my skin :-(

Double eyelid glue + makeup mess

OK I guess the Eye Charm glue works fine, but only if you're planning on wearing no makeup.  I've tried it several ways and it always ends up in a mess! 

- I tried putting glue first, then makeup.  The makeup clumps on parts of the eyelid where there is leftover glue.  Eyeshadow becomes very uneven and messy.

- I tried putting makeup first, then glue.  Parts of my eyelid had the eyeshadow 'erased' due to the glue, and therefore the eyeshadow and eyeliner is uneven and all messed up.

On top of that, it is veryyyyy difficult to remove even with makeup remover + washing with water.  There is always some leftover glue and I fear it's not too good for the fragile eye area skin.

Maybe the double eyelid tape will be better.  It is more expensive than the glue, but maybe it won't be as messy to put on and take off.  Waiting for my order to arrive...

Royally ever after

It's the media event of the decade.  A dream wedding, a much awaited one in the world's most media-covered royal family.  After all, the most eligible bachelor of the world is getting married!  The effervescence will come to a climax this week, after months of speculations. 

Kate proves that fairy tales do come true, but only for one girl in a million.  As most fairy tales go:

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl named Kate.  She lived in the countryside with her parents who worked as farmers.  Kate had one cherished dream since she was a little girl: to get married to the handsome Prince William whom she secretly loved.  One day, the King organised a ball where all the maiden girls of the country were invited.  The Prince would have to choose his future bride on that night or he would be disinherited from the crown.  The Prince was very upset and had little hope of finding a bride that night.  Suddenly, his gaze set on a beautiful girl in the room.. She was the most beautiful girl he had seen and he immediately fell in love with her.....

... and they got married and lived happily ever after"

William and Kate's story are not that much different from the fairy tales we are told as children.  Their story is a fairy tale with a modern twist.  Kate is from a middle class family, and William was smitten since he first laid eyes on her.  They meet during their study years at the university.  How many girls have dreamed of being noticed by the prince and to become a princess?

Kate is surely very lucky.  Although she has some points that could have ruined her chances.  Like being a few months older than her prince.  Like not being from a royal bloodline.  Like not having a real job. 

I guess some people are just born under a lucky star (sigh).  But for all the envious girls out there, just think of the downside of being a princess.  Like not being allowed to dress even a teeny bit provocatively even to go out (IF you can even go out).  Like being dragged from ceremonial to ceremonial and forced to put on an interested face.  Like having to look good in ALL circumstances as you will always be followed by paparazzis...

I know, this doesn't really help to overshadow the glamour of being a real princess.  But we can all find our prince, one who will treat us like a princess as we too deserve it!

Happy Easterday!

Happy Easter bloggers and blog-readers!
For many people, Easter equals chocolate eggs, bunny rabbits and all the beautiful chocolate artwork that you see in supermarkets at this time of year (yummy!).

The real meaning of Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion.

For me, Easter day reminds me of another exceptional person.  A bit similar to Jesus, this person bears the weight of the cross daily.  This person is Kenny Easterday.  Here is an excerpt of the Wikipedia article on him:

"Kenny Easterday is an American man born with a rare disability called sacral agenesis. To improve his mobility, his legs were amputated at the hip when he was six months old.  Easterday gained some notoriety following the 1988 release of the Canadian movie The Kid Brother (1988), in which he played a fictionalized version of himself. To this day, Kenny Easterday refuses to use a prosthesis, preferring to walk on his hands or use a skateboard.  He was married at the age of 19 to an able-bodied woman named Sarah; they were divorced two years later. He was a regular on The Jerry Springer Show as The Messenger."

 Here is the link to watch a video of one of his appearances on the Jerry Springer show:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9DgFabuCWM&feature=related

Sadly the woman on the show was scared of him and was not very friendly to Kenny.

For more pictures:

http://acidcow.com/pics/8696-the-story-of-kenny-easterday-33-pics.html

I recently watched a documentary on him, and being a physiotherapist, his case really caught my attention.  I watched in awe how he walked on his hands, and did pretty much about everything- the dishes, household chores and even his manly duties (yes he does have his private parts).  He plays pool, goes bowling and even drives.  I remember watching his movie The Kid Brother when I was a little girl.  All I remember from the movie was a boy with only the upper half of the body but who was very agile.

The world is full of exceptional people.  I've also seen on TV:

- people with no arms playing the piano with their feet

- a woman suffering from the same condition as Kenny giving birth to 2 kids

- a blind boy who moves around using sounds to guide him (using echolocation like bats do)

I'm sure there are many other extraordinary people I have yet to see. 

Now that's what I call inspiring!!!

Stupid slippery shoes!

Had another is-shoe today.  I had decided to go to the capital city to do some stuff.. and mainly shopping!  I dressed in a city chic style and put on some peep-toe ballet flats I bought not so long ago.  I had worn them only twice before.. and although I thought they were slippery, they didn't give me any trouble.  But today, I hardly took a few steps outside my grandma's city house that I slipped!!  My left foot went forwards and I landed on my right knee on the tar! Ouch!

Luckily I had only superficial grazing, but does that hurt! Even after 12 hours it's still hurting.. it's like it's throbbing.  I cannot imagine the pain one can feel for more serious injuries.  I'm just glad I wasn't more seriously injured.

If I hadn't been so sloppy and had gone to the cobbler to put on anti-slip soles, this wouldn't have happened.  It totally ruined my day.. and could have caused more serious injuries.

So if you have slippery shoes, get them fixed!! Or just don't buy them! 

Glue for creating double eyelids

About a month or so ago, I never imagined something like double eyelid tape or glue existed.  For me, you were either born with single or double eyelids.  I thought the only way to change that was surgery.  This kind of product is very popular in countries with a majority of Chinese, Koreans, Japanese...(the most likely to need this product) which is not the case here in my country.

While watching some videos about Asian makeup on youtube, I discovered double eyelid tape and glue.  I became fascinated by it.  So much that I ordered Eye Charm glue on Ebay.  Got it for US$ 1.89.  I finally received it after 5 long weeks of waiting for it to come.

Isn't Ebay the best thing ever?  You can buy products you would never see in your country :p

The reason I chose Eye Charm is because it was inexpensive and can also be used as eyelash glue (I also became fascinated by fake lashes lately).  It comes in a tube, with a forked prod and a user manual which is not very explicit and not in very good English.  Luckily, you can easily find helpful tutorials on youtube.

The advantage is that it changes your eyes temporarily and painlessly.  No need for surgery.  And you can apply makeup over it.  I've only tried it on twice, and still have to get the hang of it.  It takes a few tries to be able to create a crease that best fits your eye. 

My left eye has a tiny double eyelid whereas my right eye is a monolid.  Sooooo frustrating.  My right eye looks smaller and droopy.

Before glue                                   After glue application

I still have to practice in order to make the crease bigger.  But even with a tiny crease above the eye, it DOES make a difference.  The eye appears bigger.

However my eyelid is tacky when I put on the glue, and I wonder how it will look like if I apply eyeshadow over the lid.  It could cause the eyeshadow to clump.  I have yet to try it.

Welcome to Paradise Island

Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed in Mauritius.  We hope that you've enjoyed your flight.  Local time is 3.30pm, temperature is 28 degrees celsius with 80% humidity.  We look forward to welcoming you aboard Air Mauritius again.

Hurray, you've made it, you've landed on the small island in the middle of nowhere (technically in the middle of the Indian Ocean).  And you look forward to enjoying the sunshine, beaches and clear blue water.  To seeing those smiling welcoming faces of the Mauritian people.  To savouring your stay in this multicultural country where all races live in harmony.  Aaah Mark Twain was right, this IS paradise.

Then why are so many things wrong on paradise island?

Take any newspaper, you'll see headlines screaming about rape, murder, theft, fatal car accidents. 

Listen to the news, you'll hear about child abuse, medical negligence and crimes committed in broad daylight.

Take a walk outside, and you'll probably be victim of street harrassment.  Especially if you're a member of a minority group just like me.

About the street harrassment: have been a victim of it since my teenage years.  If I'm walking alone, and there's a group of people (esp boys), I just know they'll make inappropriate comments or insults.  Many girls are victims of street harrassment, but this is even worse for chinese girls.

Chinese people represent less than 3% of the population here, and probably the most street-harrassed community in this country.  And in a country with mostly dark-skinned people, it's not easy to go unnoticed.

I don't really know how to react to those insulting comments about my ethnicity.  Mostly I just ignore them and walk by quickly.  If they are in cars and driving away, I may insult them back.  Hatred generates hatred.  The hatred and rage I feel inside at these times is beyond words.  These waste-of-space losers should be the ones in wheelchairs or bedridden.  Maybe that will change their perception of the world and make them less full of themselves.

I don't like to wish ill to other people, but if they cannot tolerate me, then why should I have kind feelings for them?

How to fix pump shoes that are too big

So about this is-shoe I was having, the pump shoes that were too big (bought them from the internet).  Went to the shop and they still hadn't restocked the insoles (the ones that you glued at the back of the shoe).  Went to several pharmacies and they didn't sell the product.  So I came back home frustrated and impatient.  I get very impatient sometimes when I want something fixed.  I needed it fixed right now!

So I remembered having saved some foam that had come with new shoes a couple of years ago.  So happy I kept them.  I knew they would come in handy one day!

I placed them at the back of my shoes and tried to walk, and my foot didn't slip out of the shoe!  Plus if you add the ordinary insoles that cover the whole sole of the foot, or just the front half (as in the picture below), the shoe now totally fits!

So I cut them out nicely to fit the shape of the back of the shoe and glued them on with powerglue.  It took me 30 mins.  Gosh I wish I had thought of that earlier! 

When I put them on, no one can see I glued the foam inside the shoe.  The shoe (which was probably a size too big) now fits perfectly. 

Isn't that genius? :p

To make a living out of fashion

OMG I sooooo want these shoes!!!! :(

I love fashion.  Clothes and shoes.  I spend all my free time browsing through fashion galleries on the internet, checking out the latest trends.  Budget has been pretty tight lately, and I cannot really afford to go on a shopping spree.

I've been thinking about starting a small business.. selling clothes and shoes.  To make a living out of my love for fashion.  Isn't that every girl's dream?  To see all those beautiful clothes and shoes in front of your eyes, neatly arranged on shelves & racks.. even if they won't end up in your own closet, it is a pleasure just seeing them.  Better yet, if you sell them, you will make a profit and be able to buy newer trends and enjoy seeing even more beautiful things.. aaaah.  I dream of beautiful clothes, shoes and bags everyday.  If I could become the owner of a fashion boutique, I'd be the happiest girl in the world.

Weight-watch freak

I'm a weight-watch freak.  I weight myself almost everyday, sometimes several times a day.  I'm currently 1m70, 54kgs.  That's a BMI of 18.7.  Borderline underweight, as many would say.  I have always been slender but never athletic.  My body is anything but firm.

During university years, I didn't have time to work out.  Even if I did have time, I was too tired and chose nap over gym.  That's when the bathroom scales started to shoot up.  I weighed myself occasionally, but did not worry about the weight gain.  I thought I could easily lose them whenever I wanted to.  After all, I had the asian genes right?  I could eat anything I wanted and not exercise, and still not become fat right?

WRONG!!

After hitting the twenties, your body starts accumulating fat more easily.  It's not like the teenage years, where you could eat, never exercise, and not gain weight.  Your metabolism slows down after adolescence.  Even with asian genes, you eventually put on weight if you eat too much and don't exercise. 

No exercise= weight gain.  It's as simple as that.  Yeah life's a bitch.

The best way to not put on weight, is to prevent it.  Last year I lost around 4kgs, and have since regained 3kgs.  I am currently watching my weight very carefully as I do not want to gain more kgs.  I am careful about my diet and try to exercise everyday.  Mostly walking/jogging for around 30 mins everyday.

Last year I cut off anything too fatty (>12% fat) or too caloric from my diet.  And exercised twice a week, sometimes 3 times.  It was very effective, I had become skinny and lost 4kgs.  However it was too rigorous for me, and I have since abandoned the strict diet.  I do indulge in caloric and fatty foods sometimes, but try to control myself.

If I hadn't started to become more aware of my weight and diet, I would have continued to gain 1-2kgs per year.  That really adds up to a lot over the years.  The earlier you start taking care of your body, the better.

Sometimes you may not have the will to exercise, but just think about the results: a slim slender body.  That should boost you!

And it's time for me to hit my daily 30-min walk!

Another shoe issue

Seems like I'm having a new is-shoe (issue) now. Sigh. The more shoes you have, the more is-shoes you get.  I bought this pretty pair of red peep-toe pumps, and the left shoe is slightly larger at the back than the right shoe.  And it doesn't help that my left foot is less strong than my right foot.  So now everytime I take a step, my left foot just comes out of the shoe.

Asked the cobbler if he could do something about it, but apparently the cobbler cannot solve all is-shoes.  He referred me to a store where they sold Scholl shoe inserts that you glue at the back of the shoe, but they were out of stock.  I just have to wait a few more days before they restock.  Hope this will solve my problem... sigh.

How to.. shorten a (too) high heel

Got my shoes today!  The cobbler did a pretty awesome job.  I'm very satisfied.  The heel is visibly shorter.  When I measured it, it was shortened by only 1cm, but it makes a huge difference!

1) The heel looks much less daunting

2) The balls of my feet don't burn as before.  Much more comfortable and I'm more confident in them now.

3) I'll be able to wear these more often and even to dance!



Before



After

Shortening the heel didn't affect the balance or the shape of the shoe.  That's because the cobbler took off only 1cm.  So if you have super high heels that are just sitting in the closet, go to the cobbler and ask him if he can shorten it!



Shorten a high heel?

I bought a pair of heels yesterday.. Length of heels: 4 inches.  Thats the highest pair of heels I've ever bought.  I've never worn anything higher than 3.5 inches.  I'm 5 feet 6" (around 1m70) and always thought super high heels made me too tall.  People in Mauritius are short, I've always been the tallest girl in my class and I know few girls as tall as me.

The high heels are quite uncomfortable as I'm not used to them.. and I walk funny in them. So I've been thinking about shortening them.. I've read about some people taking their too-high shoes to the cobbler and have 1/2 inch removed.  I'm gonna go to the shoe repair shop tomorrow and enquire.. I hope they'll accept to do it  :(

Blogger newbie!

My very first attempt at blogging!  It seems like everyone has a blog nowadays, and I thought, hey this could be a nice way of sharing the things in my average girl's life.  I'm 24, live in the tropical island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, population 1.2 million.  100% Chinese, born in Mauritius, grew up here and went to college here.
Finished college last year, currently unemployed, working as a freelance physiotherapist.  Have loads of free time and so.. decided to start my blog!