Friday 27 November 2009

When you feel like an idiot...


Have you experienced 'the dumb moment' where you can't stop your mouth and just say the dumbest thing without even know why on earth you are saying it?

Scene #1 happened today
Me n hubby were eating our lunch n watched the NBA game between Orlando n Atlanta

Us: *munch munch munch*
Me: So, which team is better?
Hubby: Both are good but I go for Orlando..
Me: OH, isn't one of their player called Orlando Bloom or something?
Hubby: *munch munch munch* *Speechless staring at me*
Me: ???
Hubby: Babe, Orlando Bloom is Legolas, ok??
Me: HAHAHAHAHA (plus feeling very stupid and was glad that no one else was around)
Hubby: their team is called Orlando Magic..
Me: I don't know why I said that...HAHAHAHA

See what I mean?? I always think I could categorize myself into the pretty intelligent level (although not in the Einstein's liege) but there are times when I doubt myself @.@"

Scene #2 happened quite a long time ago
Me, hubby(then bf), and his friends (so 6 of us, yes it was a bit over crowded) were in a car. It was my first time hanging out with that lot of his friends. We were listening to "the best day of my life" by DIDO on the radio.

Friend 1: I love this song!
Friend 2: Yep, it's very catchy.. who again is the singer??
Me: *Super confident* The singer is very famous, her name is DILDO
Everyone: *S I L E N C E* (everyone was staring at me)
Me: NO!I mean, sorry, I mean DIDO!!! DIDO!!! DIDO!!
Hubby: *looking around* What is DILDO?
Everyone: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

I think I made quite an impression on his friends that day -.-"""


And that's why my mom always tell me to hold my tongue and think twice before opening my mouth LOLz

Anyone?who can beat my dumb moment? hahaha...
Whenever I recall those moments I just laugh, laugh, and laugh at myself XD XP

Monday 23 November 2009

Can you sleep well?

I was amazed by a story from a friend about her insomnia habit, where she can go on for almost two days with as little as 6 hours sleep. If I put myself in her shoes I think I'd be a walking zombie.


That convo made me recall other conversations with friends or relatives on the same topic, some people do have constant problem with insomnia. I guess being able to sleep deep, well, and sound is one of the blessings that I should be thankful for. I did have a period of time where I had trouble sleeping, and these were what I did to cure it:
*Reduce my intake of tea (since I dont drink coffee)
*Try to be as active as possible during the day
*Not doing any activity in my bed (reading, chatting, etc) except sleeping

Are you suffering from insomnia?or have you had any experience with troubled sleeping?if you have, what did you do to get back to your normal sleeping pattern?

And here's my fave snack for summer time! Fruity Honey Yogurt!! Super easy to make :DJust grab some fruits, top it with plain yogurt (you can use flavored yogurt but I prefer plain because I can taste the fruits better) plus lots of honey :D
I think I've been eating kilos of yogurt in the past few weeks lolz XD XD

Have a good day everyone!!
xoxo

Wednesday 18 November 2009

Your Gemolo-girl speaking ^^:How do I (or any other gem traders) get the gemstones??

I got asked this question a lot of times so I thought it will be an interesting topic and useful knowledge for everyone! Today I'll take you to the basic of gemstone tradings!

Many of us like and wear jewelries, such as earrings, rings, necklace, etc. For those jewelries that are adorned with real gemstones (such as ruby, sapphire, diamonds, emeralds, etc), the gemstones got to come from somewhere (I'm not talking abt the shop where you bought it from) :) and it's only natural if people are curious as to how we (gemologist and gems trader) obtain our gemstones. Let's take a peek!

While I was in Thailand, I frequented many gemstones' trading places. On contrary to general extreme assumption (people usually thinks I got the gemstones straight from the mines with all those dynamites to blast the rocks OR from a high tech store with 24/7 super strict surveillance), the real gemstone tradings are still very much traditional with trust plays an integral part of the transactions.The tradings are done in an area called gemstone market.

Here's Chantaburi, one of the main hub for gemstones trading in Thailand. In this old market, people sell and buy stones on the street, alongside the food sellers LOLz...for real...




Here's one of the town's oldest market corner, where buyer sits down and wait for sellers to come and introduce their stones. All transactions are in cash, no refund. Quick and sharp observations as well as experiences are crucial, since there are many crooks trying to sell synthetics and fakes. But once you got caught selling 'lemons', you're out of the game...pretty much... it's quite a tough and unforgiving market...
Here's another market's corners. Look at the crowds... they are all mixture of buyer and (mostly) sellers/brokers. This humble place and the one I mentioned above have been around for at least 100 years, and still unchanged.
Below is the relatively new market centre, with air-con... Seller can hire a table for the day and write down all his requirements that he needs, and wait for abit....
Within a few minutes (literally)...sellers from all corners with any gemstones that meet buyer's spec come and present their 'wares'. That's my friend sitting (sleeveless top), that particular day he was looking for blue sapphires and rubies.

Selection is made while those sellers watching you. For many who just begun, this is quite a tough mental test as you need to fully concentrate on the gemstones and make your decision quickly (usually in less than 5-10mins).

Can't speak Thai? Not a problem, that's why they invented calculator :) tough bargain is part of the transactions. When the price is agreed, then the cash and the gemstone exchanges hands.
Even seasonal and experienced buyers got duped once or twice in a very long while. But that's how you learn in this field, unfortunately there's no other safer way if you choose this kind of market. But also, if you master your skills, then you're ahead of your competitors since you get more bargains by cutting middle-man. So gemstones trading could be a tricky field :) But I love it...and I enjoy the games...

Well...this is only a very brief preview of what actually happens on the market. Not every gem trader physically go down to trading towns like this one due to the risks involved. There are safer alternatives but price-wise, way more expensive...but each to his/her own way in doing business ;)

My advice:
Educate yourself before you make a purchase of a particular gemstone, dont be lazy when you're about to pay hundred or thousands of dollar for your jewelry. Ask your jeweler questions before buying, about the property of the gemstones, the quality, the cut, etc (but make sure you do your homework before asking). If they can't answer even your basic inquiries, then...maybe you should question the stuff they are selling. If they answer wrongly (and again, the only way to know this is if you've done your homework), then...again be cautious..
Im not saying that every jewelry seller who can't answer your question is a cheating bastard, but they (since they don't have the necessary knowledge) COULD be cheated by the people whom they bought the gemstones from without knowing it, and guess where the gemstones will end up at?? At the buyer's hands, and it could be you :)
So.....google up...hahahaha...

The simplest way would be asking for international certification...you pay abit more but you will be sure you get what you're paying for ;)

I hope you enjoy this post!!
Latersss all!! :)))

Sunday 15 November 2009

Things that I love about Melbourne: Gardens and Foods


One of the many things that I adore about Melbourne is its many parks tucked a little way off or amidst the city centre. I like just to sit or stroll around those gardens, make a nice escape from the hustle bustle of the city activities. On last fine Saturday, me and hubby went to a friend's picnic at Treasury Garden, which located on the eastern boundary of CBD (near Spring st).





Another things about Melbourne of course is its foods!! Today we went to a nice Korean resto called Han Guuk Guan at Melbourne CBD. Only me and hubby ate, so we only ordered two of their famous dishes, since their portion is SO BIG @.@!!

The yummy and infamous sweet and spicy chicken for AUD27 (we couldn't finish it, and left the resto with a full take away box)


My fave Jajangmyon (enough for two people) AUD10. It tastes pretty good ^^

Here's the address if anyone is interested although I think this resto is pretty well known already :)
13A Victoria St Melbourne VIC 3000 - (03) 9639 1747

That's all for now.. Me and hubby just rented a house so we've been busy moving our stuff back and forth :) and I've been quite overloaded with works too...
So...hopefully my next post will be longer :) meanwhile stay safe and happy!

Have a good day everyone!!
God bless

xoxo

Monday 9 November 2009

Finally, Im an A. G.

Finally, after much toil and sweat (literally, in the ever hot Bangkok city), I obtain my AG (Accredited Gemologist) Diploma!! ^_______^ Super happy!!

As for the MIA, I have been busy changing countries for the last 2 weeks, now I'm back to my hubby's arms *snuggle snuggle*

This will be a quick post, I notice there are some new followers!! How exciting!! Hellooo *waves* some of you didnt make your blog public so I cant follow back, but I'd love to so please let me know of your blog if you dont mind :) thank you for following!!

And lastly (told you it's gonna be quick), my lovely niece is turning into 1 soon (how time flies, it feels only yesterday when she took a dump on my lap -.-")



That would be all for today. Hope everyone is doing ok and take care *send much kisses (without the flu) and love to everyone*

xoxo