*Ladie Fire*’s Neighborhood

This Day in History - History Made Every Day - [Video]
Born on this Day - www.biography.com - [Articles, Videos]
Photographs that changed the world - Biography on line - [Images]
Boxing Day has history - [Article]
Things that changed our lives this past decade - Global Times - [Article]
The Year 2009 Time Magazine Covers - [Gallery]
If we all hate consumerism, how come we can't stop shopping? - [Article]
20 Questions you should ask yourself each Sunday - [Article]
Laughter is the Best Medicine - Reader's Digest Cartoon Archives - [Gallery]

Finally I have reached the end of my study in Plymouth, UK. After two years of bittersweet memories, everything has come to an end. But memories will be cherished, and talked about in almost every aspect of life. It seems like it was only yesterday that we came to land of the English people. I wonder when will I be able to visit this place again. Like my lecturer in Portsmouth said, you might be able to come back but by that time everything must have changed significantly. The people you've met may not recognise you and you might not recognise them. Probably facebook can help with that. Even so, the feelings and atmosphere may not be the same.

I will be leaving Plymouth on Christmas eve and on the plane on Christmas day.

Goodbye Plymouth.

Frequently, I will fall madly in love with a piece of furniture that leaves even my closest friends & allies scratching their heads in confusion. Such was the case with my new desk. When I first showed it to my husband, I could tell he was skeptical, but knew better than to say so...When the glimmer is in my eye, just back away.

It was love at first glance on Craigslist for me: 

As you can see from the original photo, the desk & chair look a bit rough around the edges; the image itself was taken from inside a cramped storage locker of some sort. I knew, however, from first sight, we were destined to do great things together.

So I contacted the owner to arrange a viewing. We had several conversations over the course of a few days while attempting to fit our schedules together and I learned that the desk had belonged to his mother and he had the pity-able task of sorting out her belongings. I told him that I was a furniture maker and would take really good care of it...that I wasn't sure if I would refinish it, or leave it alone, but either way it would be loved. In a small way, I think these exchanges may have been a bit therapeutic for him, as I sensed he was perhaps a bit choked up on the other line.

I should mention, in addition to being incredibly kind, he was also extremely fair with the price ($45 for desk, chair, & mirror) and generously offered to deliver it to me for free.

So yesterday, when he showed up, it was an easy no brainer. I saw it on the truck, knew it was love, handed him the money, and brought it in the house. It was a little dirty from being in storage, but a little simple green & elbow grease was all it took to clean up nicely: 

While pulling out one of the drawers, my husband discovered hidden treasures had fallen into the back of it. I couldn't believe it - a beautiful desk AND hidden treasure! I had hit the jackpot. The best things we found: an antique bottle opener, stolen from a San Francisco hotel called The Raphael; a porcelain lid to a tiny box (this must have made her CRAZY trying to find it); an old silver swiss army knife? or nail cutter?; and best of all - a tiny gold skeleton key with a #2 on it.

Doesn't that just pique your sense of wonder & adventure like crazy???!!!! WHAT on earth does that key open and HOW will I find it?

Well, those questions may have to go unanswered. I plan to call the man today and offer him what I found...but I'm REALLY hoping he doesn't want them back, because I love them so much! I would like to keep them with the desk, either displayed behind my computer or in a shadow box on the wall. Each item has so much history and so many secrets to tell...If I am allowed to keep them, I know they will provide endless inspiration and possibly good luck while spending long hours feverishly writing at this desk.

 

When I was a desk jockey in San Francisco, I frequently changed my desktop image to something happy and tropical because I was, well - unhappy & cold. Now that I'm back in Hawaii, I wanted to put some images out into the internets, in case anyone out there is searching for warm, flowery, happy, tropical, Hawaii wallpaper:

Making a list, checking it twice... How's your holiday shopping going? Who's left on your list?

I've done most of my shopping for my relatives and extended relatives. The only one I have not bought is probably for my dad and my little sister. I'm going to the city for the last time in Plymouth, saying goodbye to my favourite shop spot Sportsworld, Madhouse and Poundland (and also British Heart Foundation, Scooe, Red Cross, Oxfam!). The stuff are relatively very cheap, so I'd recommend anyone who are thinking of saving money for Christmas to visit these places.

And maybe I'll get some souvenirs for my lecturers in Malaysia. Probably the last ones on my list? :3

Well, probably not.

Chasing Pigeons – Shahin Edalati – Stunning B/w found on Flickr – [Image]
Little Egrets from Bali – Bocavermelha-l.b. - Flickr – [Image]
Three Birds - by Pink Chaise - ArtBreak - [Image]
Black birds by Kitsmumma – Flickr – [Image]
Outsider Art – Birds, Animals & Other Creatures – Mosaic Artist – Nek Chand – Chandigarh, India – Scroll down – [Images]
Paper Crane - Artist : Roman Diaz - Origami - [Image]
Vacation for the birds - Time to Travel - Artwork by Grace Weston

What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

I'm hoping that it will bear fruit instead of gifts. Hope the tree will grow with hopes and anxiety to embrace the future. I don't celebrate Christmas so I don't have Christmas trees. But I'm on my holiday too and it's new year anyway, so why not wish for something good?

I wish for a better tomorrow. Peace to the world.

I wish for success in whatever that I do.

I wish for everlasting friendship.

I wish other people would share the same wish under their trees.

Happy holidays everyone =)