Ciao Bella

“Italy”. What comes up in your mind when you hear about the place? Great food - pizza, pasta, gelato, tiramisu; beautiful & romantic sceneries – Venice, Rome, Florence, Napoli, Capri. Hmm… all the wonderful memories are coming to mind now.

I had a chance to stay a year in Italy and I was more in love with the place than I was before. Although I live in a place where it is alive for 24-7, where I can have hot meals at 2 am at a restaurant, stepped in to buy some groceries or medicine late at night, late cinema, pretty much a lot of things. As if people doesn’t sleep here. What a culture shock when I arrived there, everything only opens right after 10am, then a 3-hour lunch break, on Monday they will only work after lunch (right after the 3-hour lunch of course), and on Wednesday all supermarkets are closed after lunch, and of course on Sunday nothing ever opens ever (I said ever twice). 

It was like night and day to me, back in my country people are workaholic and everything is centered around their work. Well, I began to adjust to it or at least I forced myself to adjust. The first month I was there a lot of university matters, permit, bank accounts, paper work, and other official related work were delayed because I was so used to my time, I thought they will always be available. But all my important tasks got dragged for some time, simply because of the long lunch hours, they don’t work on certain days, some transactions are only done on certain days… I know, crazy right!! At least to me it was. But then, since they just like to take it easy, and chit chat a lot among themselves at the counters while entertaining customers, take another 15 minutes to staple and restaple documents, tell you to come back next week since it is already lunch hour… in the midst of it all, I learn to just relax and breath.

Apart from all that, there's a lot to love about Italy. I love a quiet stroll around the town, randomly stopped for “un cappuccino” and just take many-short sips. During the summer, I loved their gelato (well, not entirely true because I seemed to have it every other seasons as well), their farmers market with all the fresh juicy apples. Ahh.. memories. It was really beautiful, and grateful to Allah for such a wonderful experience.

I was sad that I didn't get to visit more places in Italy because of my study schedule. But any short trips that I could get on, I made sure I go. But definitely, hope to come back and visit more places and immerse in the culture. By now, my ability to speak in Italian is degrading and the vocabs that I have got so familiar to is escaping my mind. I better get there soon, before I forget it all.

more pictures here

Onesie Refashioned with Circle Skirt

Awhile back, I decided to make a circle skirt for my baby with this cute polka dots fabric. I fold a square fabric into four and freely cut into quarter circle (a big circle for the skirt length, and a small circle for the waist). I sew in waistband with stretchable cotton fabric and insert in elastic.

But she did not have a top to match, so I decided to make alterations to her plain white onesie. I added lace trimmings along the neckline. First i measured the neckline I wanted to add the lace. Then I cut the lace double the length measured. And I gathered the lace before sewing it on the onesie. Not bad huh! One project that I actually finished in the same day and without screwing up along the way.

QUATTRO ANNI

Happy 4^th year anniversary! My husband and I reached a four-year mark today. We had shared four years together, well not every single day of course. In fact the first two years we were not able to celebrate  it together because we were both in different places. Last year we managed to get a decent dinner together, although I cried in the middle of it when he made a remark about what I was eating (all the pregnancy hormone of course). Well this year, looks like we were both consumed with work and studies and our baby which keep us pretty busy. However we appreciate each other so much and feel so blessed to be together.

Soft Book

I love books, enjoyed reading them. My childhood years were filled with books, I would read any book I could get my hands on. I have memories of my mum reading to me and my first book I received for my birthday from my aunt which I loved so much. I even dreamed that one day I would own a house with a huge library in it for all books and all exquisite collections I could find and I would read by the window. Well of course, now you could just have a laptop or a tablet with millions of e-book stored and that’s all the library you’ll ever need. How convenience! And still, you can read it by the window.

Reading gave me a sense of imagination and knowledge of other existence which I had no idea of during my early age. It made me question things, see things differently, even learn about other cultures I knew nothing of, or even the make-believe part and magic. Well of course overtime I replaced with a more sophisticated, matured and realistic readings. And I still carry a good story book to read with me while travelling; I would read it in the plane, train, parks, or while waiting in queues. I am old-fashioned in that way.

My point is, it is good to expose your children to reading early in their life. It is a great exposure for them and they could fill up their time with meaningful activities. Thus, when I found out that I was pregnant, the first thing I began to make was a soft book. I didn't know when my baby will be able to read it no more than I know how to sew or ever crafted before. But with the help of my friend, the internet and my sense of imagination which I lack of practice lately, I sketched the idea on paper. Soon I scouted for supplies and begged for a sewing machine from my husband and promised him it would be worth his money. Soon my ideas came to life, with minor adjustment here and there, plus the mess I made in the living room. Hmm, not bad for my first sewing/ craft projects. The quality was so so, but the value was priceless. I made it with love, that is what matter most.

The theme for the soft book was counting from 1 to 10. Here is the cover, I love the soft pink and how the yellow initial stands out.

On the first page I made a chick inside an egg and on the second page is a gift box where you could tie and untie the ribbons.

On the third page I made a fish bowl with 3 fishes that I could hide in the water-pocket and page 4 is little finger puppets.

Page five is for harvesting carrots and page six is for six different coloured ballons with velcro at the back for removing and attaching.

Page seven is for hanging your clothes and a bucket to keep them. While page eight is for eight butterflies that can slide on the string.

The last two pages, I was just so eager to finish up and sleep after two weeks working on it. I initially had ideas to make the lights from the candle flip. But towards the end I just don't have the energy left. Sorry my dear daughter. Perhaps I will make it up to you with another soft book.

After sewing all the pages together and attaching the velcro to securely close the book, I am done. I actually took these pictures months later (probably around my due time) and get to publish it now (my daughter is already 6 months old). Hmm... what a tiring first project? But love it so much.. I even read it to myself... lol.

1st Post

I need to express my gratitude… Thanks for the internet. Ever since the existence of internet I have got a lot of my problems solved, questions answered, embarrassments avoided, tasks simplified, new discoveries, and all sort of knowledge inputs. I have found a best friend, teacher, and entertainer. It make me laugh, it eases my worries, it teaches me new things, it connects me to those I love, it helps me in my studies, work, hobbies. Helps me plan many visits around the world, weather forecast, updates on stock price, a good research on many of my assignments and papers during my degree and master, download a movie, learn a foreign language, walk with me during my pregnancy, or even search for a cake recipe for birthdays. It is definitely a true companion, a one source I keep coming for.

But let me thank the real people behind this. To those who are willingly sharing and contributing to the international pool of information that is largely accessible by all living things all around the world regardless of who you are and the size of information shared. I have been using all of these inputs, feedbacks, knowledge, advises  secrets, and ideas in my everyday life. But all the while, I have been feeling nothing but admiration and hoping that I would soon follow in their success.

Thus, that is the main drive in creating this blog. I am hoping to give back what I have been taking and continue to apply from the internet. It may not be much, but I should not procrastinate much longer. Looking forward to sharing more with everyone and I truly welcome feedbacks and comments and definitely friends.