It’s October and this means it’s my birthday month!

Those who have been here for the last couple of years might remember that I ask people not to give me anything for the sake of giving me things. Last year, I collected your donations and took several of you to help complete a house with Habitat for Humanity.

My birthday project this year is in motion, so if you’d like to give me a happy birthday, set aside some money and stay tuned for the announcement!

(We’re not going anywhere this time, but you are giving me your money, yes you are.)

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October!

This post is full of photos, because I have little to say.

1. Yuan Soap

I won this in a draw at MyWomenStuff. I got to pick the type I want so picked “Purple Gromwell & Roselle Soap”, which is supposed to be good if your skin picks up all sorts of itches and allergies. It smells strongly of herbs, but once I got used to it, it’s a pretty soothing scent.

2. Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara

Andrea‘s been talking about the MJ series of mascara so I asked her to pick one for me. She got me this one. I tried it out last night. The formula is similar to Fiberwig, which I’m currenly using – it relies on little fibers in the mascara to lengthen your lashes.

It went on a little clumpy; I had to comb it out a bit with a dry wand. But it made my eyelashes look twice as long and the curl held… unlike Fiberwig, which just kills your curl upon application. However, you can remove Fiberwig when taking a hot shower. No need for eye make-up remover. Not so for MJ Lash Gorgeous Wing. Then again, I didn’t exactly try to see if warm water works on it. The box said to remove with a remover.

Don’t mind the frog. She got me that too. He squeaks.

3. Moleskine Volant

Entirely Fariah and Syuk’s fault. Syuk pointed it out. Fariah said I can tumpang order. So I asked for the plain notebooks in green. This is a completely unnecessary indulgence, if you have an idea how much Moleskines cost. But when Fariah handed it to me, I put it straight into my mouth and nommed on one corner for a while. The inset shows both notebooks in different shades of green.

4. Lumiere’s Baby Buki

I’ve been meaning to order a baby kabuki brush from Loving Minerals for a while but I also wanted to wait until I am actually gonna make a minimum of RM100 order to take advantage of the free delivery. Here’s the Baby Buki and a free sample they included.

5. Lumiere’s 9-piece brush set

I was gonna order a bunch of brushes when I realised it’ll be cheaper to get the set. The carrying case is a plus. It eliminates the problem of storage. 

6. LG LCD 21″ TV

I would have forgotten if people didn’t keep asking me about this. I won this at a draw at the work luncheon. This is awkward because I was the one holding the jar with the slips in them. However, my parents spend a lot of time in front of the TV and we’ve never had one bigger than a toaster. I gave it to them, since I don’t watch TV or have space for one in my room and life. (They’re happy, thanks for asking.) So screw you assholes who think I rigged it. If I wanted to rig it, I’d pick the camera. It’s less obvious and I could use a new one.

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Christmas in May

- Funds for HfH: RM420 -
Who wants to raise it to RM450?
(Collection ends at the end of this month.)

So Time and Money, or at least Time, has come to pass. On Sunday, 6 of us went to Emoi’s house at Kampung Senibong (went back, for 3 of us). Here’s the cast of characters:

• My good self – journalist, birthday girl (2nd build)
• Maggie - journalist, colleague, fellow book geek/dresshacker (2nd build)
• Paula – journalist, travel buddy to Gang Starz (1st build)
• Peggy – architect, chief dresshacker (2nd build)
• Henrick - architect, classmate at voice class (1st build)
• Robert - World Famous Writer (1st build)

As I suspected, it was pretty close to finishing. It’s no longer the skeleton of a house we saw on 31 Aug. Instead, we found this:

We got to paint the house. I don’t think it could get easier than that!

After introductions and signing the form, Eric put Paula and Maggie to work painting the undercoat on that bare spot of concrete you see in the photo above, and the whole back of the house.

Painting a house is something just about everybody’s done before, so there wasn’t much brain or concentration required. The two girls outside occupied their brains by being as loud as a plane crash with whatever it was they were discussing.

Meanwhile, Eric popped open a tub of peppermint ice cream paint for the living room. 

Once the paint’s been dispensed into paint trays, we got started with the living room. I didn’t take a photo of the finished work, but rest assured, it is thoroughly peppermint ice cream green.

The four of us moved outside with a yam ice cream pale purple paint, covering walls Paula and Maggie worked on earlier.

At some point, someone wondered about all the other people who worked on the house. When I was about to snap this photo, Robert said, “A world famous writer painted this house.” He worked as a house painter before too!

We took a short break for lunch. Peggy actually bought a load of stuff so we didn’t have to drive off to find a cafe.

After lunch, we got back to work. Maggie and Paula finished off the undercoat for the back of the house.

House owner Emoi works on his back door.

Peggy got me from inside the house while I was watching Paula and Maggie, and waiting to get started with the purple paint.

She gets Henrick too, who is finishing up over on the side of the house.

Paula washed the brushes and rollers after we were done with the outside. Apparently they don’t get running water, so Emoi had to go draw water out of a well.

Eric gets Maggie started on the windows. Blue to match the roof.

Maggie and I comparing stains. Please note red circle.

Since there was a birthday involved, there was a birthday cupcake and birthday song. I had to make do with a cutting implement.

I snapped one last photo on the way out. Later on, I realised that the arrow on the sign pointed two ways. The next build is down the road from Emoi’s house. Work begins this week.

On the whole, it was another enjoyable trip. We talked too loudly and laughed too much, but it made time fly. Oh, and we also hatched a couple of projects. This is what happens when creative people are stuck together for hours.

I also can’t believe how fast this house came up. Has it even been two months? It’s quite exciting to know that Emoi and his family will be able to move out of their two room shack and into a nice and proper 2-bedroom house.

To those who came, thanks for your company and help! To those who wanted to come but couldn’t make it, there’s always a next time. To those of you who generously donated, I’m thrilled. Thanks so much. I almost wish the money was for my personal funds! ;-)

I had more to say when I started, but I kinda forgot how to do this blogging thing.

More photos here.

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Time & money in action

Get involved!

I suspect it’s too late by now to sign up for tomorrow’s build, but I’m still accepting donations until the end of October.

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HfH Quick Update

Get involved!

“S’up?”

Ducky has a new hat and is looking mighty pleased about it. I have a new hat too, but I’m too lazy to model it right now. But it fits, which is wonderful and unusual because I have a big head and everything perches on it. Thanks, Andrea and Joyce!

To non-Muslims, Ramadan is all about the food. Take, for example, the food hampers that keep arriving at the office. A couple of days before Raya, we opened all 7 or 8 of them and had a huge sugar spread in the conference room.

Crazy, but I suppose that’s the only way you share the bounty with the whole office. Except those who were not in.

I’m not much of marathon Raya visitor so I went to a grand total of 3 houses, all either close friends or people I only see once a year.

But this October, I’ll be mostly occupied with making some Halloween costumes because we’re all project-powered at dresshack central. Fun!

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October!