GAMD: I did some shopping!

I was actually looking at this prompt today and thinking to myself, "nah, I've been very frugal and didn't buy anything!" only to later realize that, no, I actually did buy a few things. And they all happened to arrive today.

So the other day I saw a post by a handcraft lady that likes to make these crystal or precious stones bracelets, and she was recommending a type of "hair stone" (it's clear/transparent, but looks like have strands of hair inside -- and after a search I found it "Black Rutilated Quartz", 黑髮晶) but in her photo there was a blueish galaxy-looking bracelet as well. So I asked her what it is and it's a Blue Tiger Eye 藍虎眼. I have no knowledge on these stones so I don't really care what they are for, but I really liked the look of the beads. They shine and every angle shines differently. It's now the "Seventh Month" according to the Lunar Calendar, and it's when the gates of hell are wide open... and that quartz and this blue tiger eye somehow helps to ward off the spirits. *shrugs*. I don't know. I just like it.

Lately I rather like the duo from TwoSet Violin. They are hilarious, somewhat relatable if I think really hard to my piano-learning days. They also do some apparel (TwoSet Apparel), so I checked them out. I liked the Chopin Bag (do you get the pun? Shopping Bag/Chopin Bag) but it was sold out. Then the Neptune cardigan caught my eye. When I online shop I usually don't buy just 1 thing because shipping costs are crazy to my part of the world (I thought those guys are from Australia, so I thought their apparel would ship out from there), so I also got the violin camisole. Turns out they shipped stuff out from Taiwan. *shrugs*. But I also see the quality if not optimal. For the cardigan, the button holes are not... I don't know what it's called, double sewed on the sides, so it feels really flimsy, like everytime I unbutton and button I'll damage it further. Lucky I bought it a size larger, so I'll just wear it like a pullover.

( Cardigan details )

Friday Five 13-August-2021

Oh look, it's Black Friday! (The unlucky Friday type of Black Friday)

Questions from thefridayfive

1. Did you grow up with your parents together as a unit?
This does not have a simple answer to me. Were my parents together as in, were they married? Yes. But as my Dad worked as an expat so most of my childhood he was either working somewhere in China, or somewhere else in China, and even for a time in Vietnam. Not sure about other places. And in the years that my Dad was living WITH us, were they together-together? Well, they were married yes, but I have distinctive memories of there being arguments and fights every single day. So, not exaaaaaaaaaaactly a "unit".

2. Did you reach adulthood with four living grandparents?
No. My maternal grandfather died to lung cancer (or throat cancer..., don't remember the details) when I was a kid. Then I don't remember the sequence, but I think my maternal grandmother died, but I was either University age or working age already. Then it was my paternal grandfather, and last was my paternal grandmother.

3. Is your extended family a close one or not?
I'd say yes, especially for the maternal side. Can't help it with the paternal side as they are over in Europe. We have weekly "Obligatory Sunday Family Lunch" (TM) with my mother's sisters every Sunday, and then, for every main birthday, we have the big extended family lunch gatherings.

I feel this needs to be elaborated. My Mom has 3 sisters. One of them has passed already. The bulk of the "extended" family are the sons of this sister that has passed away, all her 3 sons are married, and with kids. The other 2 sisters, and herself, the kids (your truly included) are not married. So the 3 sisters have weekly Sunday lunch with us single losers (LOL J/K) whoever wants to join them, and then the big big big birthday lunches and Christmas gathering is with the full team including those cousins. There's always someone's birthday every month or so, so these gatherings are rather frequent too.

4. Does your family have a 'black sheep'?
Hm.......................... maybe it was that cousin that has passed away already. He was an alcoholic, and now I hear the stories that my Dad used to have to help (coz he's a foreigner, "gweilo", big, strong-looking, and intimidating) beat up that cousin when he was a kid.

5. What is your first memory of a family member that is not your mother(s) or father(s)?
Oh definitely. One of my cousins (one of the 3 brothers mentioned above, not the dead one). I guess I was not even in kindergarten yet? I was in my grandparents' home. I don't know what I was doing, but suddenly I wanted to write down everyone's names, but as I wasn't in school yet so I didn't know how to write. I asked everyone and they were kind enough to tell me, BUT that cousin. He kept saying I'm stupid for not knowing to write and saying he didn't want to tell me how to write his name.

I'm petty with a vengeful heart. His other brother will ask me to help tutor his son sometimes or help out with English homework, and I gladly do that (that kid is my godson to boot). But if HE ever asks me? Sorry, no. I don't want to. But I think he knows, he has never asked.

Friday Five 13-August-2021 #2: Scattergories Part 11!

I was a bit early this morning, so now I have my Friday Five part 2 with F.riday5.com's questions!

( Instructions: (it's special this week!) )

First, my generated letter is... H

1. What’s something that recently exceeded your expectations?
hm.... this is tough... oh yeah, there's this new Buffet place opened (the new resort that my company opened 2 weeks or so ago) so I busted ass and got a booking for the family. It's probably the first time I see Hummus, and a good one, in a buffet in Macau. My bar of a good buffet used to be the Cheese selection, but after this new buffet place, I have to change the bar to starter foods.

2. What snack from your childhood would you love to have right now?
I actually do miss the old traditional cheap-charlie ham and cheese finger sandwiches... you know, using plain untoasted white bread, fake dubious ham content ham, and cheap kraft cheese slice? Would look something like this. Now, if I ever order a ham and cheese, I make sure it's good bread, good ham, and real cheese.

3. What ailment do you suffer from?
I have no idea, but since I once in a while suffer from acne breakouts, I suppose, hormone imbalance of some sort. Not sure if that's considered an "ailment" though.

4. Which musical artist would be fun to hang out with?
I wouldn't know, I don't really check out artists and their personal lives to know whether they are fun or not. But oh, I've mentioned I've been watching Twoset Violin on Youtube, and they sometimes have Hilary Hahn as their guest. She seems pretty funny and easygoing there, and the plus point is, I've actually met Hilary Hahn in person. She did a show in Macau once and I queued up on the line for signings and a handshake. We had a very brief chat. She didn't have the chance to see the city yet (but wanted to), and then asked what about me, assuming I was a tourist too, and she was surprised I'm a local here LOL.

5. What’s something you’re looking forward to this weekend?
I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should go for a haircut tomorrow. I'm torn. A (not really) much needed haircut, or a snobby elitist day at Starbucks with my MacBook pretending to be the younger hipsters and whatnot?

Thanks for participating, and have a XCSOH* weekend!

* (generated by the random letter generator)

I'm surprised I actually managed to answer all 5 questions with the letter H, haha!