The Book Thief

I have been reading Proust for months and I tell myself I have to finish all 6 tomes before moving onto another book. I am onto the fourth book, on page 400 for a week now, still have 400 pages to go to book five. I enjoy Proust but it's not easy reading. I was updating my virtual book shelf on facebook the other day and a like-minded reader piped, "she is always reading Proust and James Joyce but she thinks she will never finish either". I agree.

One day browsing at a book store I came across "The Book Thief". After leafing through a few pages, I couldn't resist buying it. The setting was Nazi Germany. Death was the narrator but it was not macabre in any way. The plot revolved around a nine year old girl and the events that happened in the five years Hitler rose to power.

The book reverberated with the goodness of human nature in those stark times. Nine year old Lisel was thrust into a foster home after witnessing her little brother's death and her mom branded a communist. At her new home, she found a loving papa who taught her to read the first book she stole, "The Gravedigger's Handbook", a book she had picked up from the cemetery where they buried her brother.

Interwoven was Death's narration of the souls he had carried away as the war raged on. Descriptions of hard times were told through the life of the young girl and her best friend Rudy, stealing apples, trading them for candies, playing soccer and yes, stealing books, from the Nazis burning and the mayor's library.

The most touching part of the story was Lisel's bonding with papa, a gentle and upright man "with silver eyes" and her friendship with Max, a Jew whom they had harbored in the basement.

"The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole...."

Max, at that moment, knew that only a child could have given a weather report like that. On the wall, he painted a long, tightly knotted rope with dripping yellow sun at the end of it, as if you could dive right into it. On a ropy cloud, he drew two figures--a thin girl and a withering Jew--they were walking arms balanced, towards the dripping sun."

I won't give away the ending but suffice to say, it is a book that stays with you for days after you have finished it. It has a lingering effect akin to "The Kite Runner". In those war torn years, Death carried away many souls. He always marveled at and questioned the best and worst in humans. However, when Death carried away the souls of little kids, he would always kiss them and carry them ever so lightly.

A good read.

What a Delight

As with the approach of every festive season, an onslaught of catalogues would cram the mailbox, beckoning you to browse and drop some coins. One of the most eye catching catalogue is the Mikimoto Collection 2010. The cover of the little booklet is red with gold lettering, which makes it extra Christmasy.

The collection is called Rosy Bliss and the description says the "Jewelry designed to evoke blissful feelings, blooming apace with your pursuit of happiness". Really? It piqued my curiosity. As I turn the pages, I could see design after design of floral motifs in pink sapphires and diamonds set with the famous pearls.

After browsing the whole collection, I really want to salute the people who came up with the wordings for the collection because they have captured the essence of the design. I do feel "blissful" at the sight of the delightful pendant above.

(photo: www.mikimoto.com.hk)

Skincare Tip II Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

The saying goes oil and water don't mix. It's true, they don't. The weather is considerably cooler and drier and the moisture from the skin seems to evaporate with the brisk winds. It's such a luxury to immerse in a nice hot bath filled with bath oil. The problem is, the oil mostly floats on top and it really beats the goal of moisturizing the whole body.

I ask a beautician about this and she says the trick is to put some soap on the palm of your hands, work it into a lather, then pour the oil on top and rub again. After the soapy oil is mixed, you can "wash" it off in your tub of water and the oil will be evenly distributed in the water. The thing to remember is not to put too much soap on your palm, it's only purpose is to mix the oil and water.

I also use a blend of essential oil for my face. I feel so pampered when the oil glides on my face and I can do a mini facial when the skin is absorbing the oil. However, when I wash my hands afterwards, I always feel there is a residue of oil. Then I remembered the tip above of water and oil don't mix. So one day after using the oil, I pump a dollop of liquid soap on my palm and rub them before I touch water. It works. The oil melts away. My face is moisturized and my hands are squeaky clean.

This is yet another great tip if you use essential oil as a skincare routine.
(photo: www.splendicity.com)

Skincare Tip I Sunscreen

Guerlain Sunscreen

For the longest time, I have been "plagued" by a skincare "problem" which is accentuated in photographs. It does not matter if I tilt up or lower my head when photographing, I just can't hide the rings on my neck!! Winters are much welcomed because I can wear turtle necks and hide my neck rings.

People say there are two places that show your age, your hands and your neck. Well, I have a turkey neck since my 20's so I guess I am born with it. I have used many different brands of neck creams that promise to reverse or halt the process of developing neck rings. Aside from being more moisturising than face creams, they simply don't work.

One day, I point this out to a makeup artist and she says neck creams are a waste of dollars and since the rings are already there, it's impossible to make them go away without plastic surgery. Okay, I won't go under the knife for this, but she says there is a way to lighten them and keep new neck rings from forming.

She says since there is no fat deposit on the neck, the skin is prone to sagging and forming rings. She asks me if I use sunscreen on my neck. I just use it on my face. She then suggests that I dab sunscreen on my neck. Since we don't usually apply makeup on the neck we can reapply the sunscreen during the day.

I really have my doubts upon first hearing it. However, after a summer's of diligence, it has paid off!! The rings on my neck are still there, but much lighter. The best thing is the tone of my face sans makeup and my neck are the same. Usually the neck is darker for most people.

I am so happy it has worked and sunscreen comes so much cheaper than the pricey neck creams. It's a routine now. When I apply sunscreen on my face, I dab on a thicker layer on my neck. What a wonderful skincare tip!!
(photo www.guerlain.com)

Stella McCartney - Designer with a Conscience

The "It" Shoe for A/W 09, laser cut perforated faux nappa thigh high boots

I received The Style Hunter newsletter from Lane Crawford a while back. I went WOW on the second page which featured these thigh high boots designed by Stella McCartney. She had been my favorite designer since she joined the house of Chole. She's now with Gucci and has her own line under her name.

A few years back, Stella had a crossover with Adidas for women's sports clothes and shoes. I coveted that pair of Adidas shoes for a long time but never got to buy it. I finally got a top. I had serious doubts about the comfort and fit at the asymmetrical cutting, but it turned out to be super comfortable and it wrapped the body really well.

Aside from the fabulous designs, I loved Stella's support of Peta and her not using fur or leather in any of her designs. She is a vegetarian and very vocal about her belief of "no-animal" policy in her clothing lines. Her message appears on her labels and on one of her Adidas jacket, it even says "it's suitable for sporty vegetarian". Sir Paul McCartney is also very supportive of Peta and he protests against designers who use animal furs for designs.

Stella launched a skincare line called CARE two years ago and its ingredients are 100% organic. I have tried the line and it feels good to know you are using products with no preservatives. The line is really simple, with a cleansing milk, floral toning water, day cream and night cream. At the same time, Stella has launched a fragrance under her name.

I really admire Stella McCartney for advocating her beliefs in her designs. With her name and fame, I hope more and more people will be aware that great designs don't have to scream pain. She is a designer with a conscience. Hats off!!
( photo: www.stellamccartney.com)

The Meaning of Christmas

Animals Asia's gift catalogue

I have been supporting Animals Asia for years. When I received the gift catalogue and the appeal for donations this year, I cannot suppress a smile. Aside from the usual bear related merchandise like calendars, key chains and t-shirts, plus directly befriending a bear by donating each month. We could choose gifts directly for the bears like pots of honey, fruit baskets, vet care for a month, bear health check, climbing frame, gall bladder surgery and a hammock.

Christmas is a season of giving and spreading love, in this case to my charity of choice. After years of suffering, these bears deserve all the things they are entitled to from the beginning. I am so happy Jill Robinson has founded the cause to rescue these bears and has brought the plight of the bears to the world. There is a little note that AAF has brought an increased awareness to animal welfare in China, the origin of the bears suffering.

I am saving for a hammock for the bears. The picture above has brought a smile and a warm glow all over me I haven't felt for a while. A writer once said that when you feel poor, try to give whatever you have to someone worse off than you. You will feel richer afterwards. I believe he is referring to the giving of love and the love bounces right back to you in the form of appreciation.

Celebratory copy

I received this year's annual report copy in the mail two days ago. The deadline was real tight this year, but I didn't expect to see it in print so soon. Compared to the subdued red cover last year, this year's design had a celebratory feel to it. It reminded me of Christmas lights.

It is my second consecutive year doing translations for this association. I am going to keep this copy alongside 2008's copy on my bookshelf reserved for writing work. It still feels surreal to see your own words in print. I wonder what it's like if it's not a translated work but my own writing. I bet it would feel real gratifying.