Live, Laugh, Love

I was helping hubby with some spring-cleaning yesterday, and I came across a folder that I had never opened in a long time. When I flipped open it, I saw this layout I created somewhere between 2005 or 2006.
See how pathetic it looks. Just an A4 cardstock and border stickers. Since I was lost for a title for this layout, it remained in the folder until today. An extremely clean and simple layout for one who was starting with scrapbooking at the time. Yes, supplies was hard to come by because I had no idea where to get them. Plus, I wasn't creative enough to make my own embellishments. In simple language, I was totally naive about scrapbooking.

One of my earlier layouts of Zahra'. She was 1yr 5 months at the time

I decided to revamp this layout by cutting out the photos and redo them using newer supplies and newer sketches. After starring very hard at it and still deciding what to do, I chose to leave it as it is but give it some uplifting.

This is the new look with addition of pattern paper and embellishments. Just a minor touch-up to remind me of how I started my scrapbooking adventure then and now. Not much has changed because I still prefer the clean and simple look. For this layout, I decided to use the busy pattern paper before it becomes antique and left forgotten.

Zahra' was always a cheerful child, but extremely mischievous. She is the dutiful child who would be in bed by 8:00 pm every night without fail. When the clock struck 10:30 pm, she would be up like clockwork, get out of bed, sat on her dad's lap, and together they would watch 'Justice Pao'. This was one of the Kungfu serials that she would watch with her dad every night until the series ended.This was taken after she finished watching one of the series and to get her back to bed again was very tough. She develops a love for Martial Arts very early in life and unfortunately, she did not complete her Tae-kwan-do.

Location: Jalan 4M, Ampang
Supplies : Kaisercraft pp
Pop Arts Flowers
Punched out Flowers using Sunlit Silhouette punch
Kaisercraft diecut flower
Kaisercraft Wooden Flourish
Paper boutique Title



xoxo


Lili Sulastri

Wonderful Friends

In November of 2014, I decided to start a series of layouts for my IG followers and Likers - well only those that I know in person. I started this layout of Miss Khaleeda who is my faithful Liker and Follower. It was a nice start but I got stuck with the embellishments. Then, work and other things got in the way; so Mojo decided to make a beeline for the exit door. I never got around to it even though it kept staring at me to complete it. Well, three nights ago, I managed to complete it, finally.

Supplies : Bazzil Cardstock
Pop Arts Pattern Paper
Kaisercraft Die-cuts
Kaisercraft Wooden flourish
Pop Arts Embellies
Pop Arts Titles and Sentiments
Doilies
Micia Ink
Sunlit Border Punch
Washi Tape

XoXo Lili Sulastri

We Are 2 (Too) Awesome

It's been a long time since I created a layout and the sketch below really gave me the jumpstart I really needed. 

Then I discovered the challenge at Scrap Our Stash Challenge where we have to be creative in using the TWINE. I really dig deep into my stash and used up most of the older ones that I had been seriously hoarding.

January Stash Challenge #22  ~ Word TWINE

Due: Jan 29th 

Create a layout and include an item from your stash for each letter in the word 

T-W-I-N-E

What did I use?
For more than two years, I had this Kaisercraft pattern paper which I dare not use because it was extremely busy. I decided to tone it down using Pop Arts Pattern papers which has some simple designs. As I mentioned earlier, most of the items are months old including the photos which was taken 2 years ago. The only new item is the handmade flower. It was made by my sister Asmah when she visited in November 2014 using scraps of pattern papers from my stash. The photo was taken at KLCC Park one Sunday morning. My daughter's friend slept over because we were excited to watch Bon Odori the night before.

T - Tag (Bottom Left)
W - Kaisercraft Wooden Flourish
I - Ink for stamping
N - Number
E - Embellishments

December 29, 2014 Bangkok Trip - The final Chapter. Part 5

Today is our last day of our Bangkok trip. Before checking out, we decided to have breakfast somewhere else. After getting directions from the Amarin Inn staff, we proceeded to the Pier. This is our last boat trip for the day and we are really enjoying it. Our destination was the Si Phraya Pier.

December 28 - Asiatique, MBK : Part 4

Zahra' very much want to visit Asiatique. After breakfast, we went to the pier to take the boat to Asiatique. These are just scenes from the pier while waiting for the boat to arrive.

As we passed along the Chao Phraya, I couldn't but help take photos of the scene that we passed through. These are just some of them.

We were greeted by a huge sleeping Buddha when we embark the pier at Wat Worachanyawat.

We walked through narrow alleys that were dotted with many little shops to get to Asiatique. When we got there, we were disappointed because the entire area was closed. Asiatique is only alive from evening onwards. Not to be deterred, we decided to look around the quiet surrounding. There were many little shops and other attractions as well.

December 27 - Old Palace and Boat ride : Part 3

Today we decided to visit the Old Palace and the surrounding areas. After breakfast at the restaurant, we decided to walk to the Palace rather than take the bus or Tuk-Tuk. This is what we had for breakfast. Fried eggs with all those condiments and Roti Phrata.

As we walked towards the Old Palace, we stopped to look around us. I couldn't help but take a picture of this old fort.

This Fort can be seen from our Inn actually. We took a slow walk and when we were nearing the junction to the Old Palace, we came across this Marble Statue.

Further up the road, we were greeted with rows and rows of Tourist buses. Three of the buses caught my attention because of the Graffiti.

Remembering the Esplenade the night before, we decided to explore it a little. Really beautiful.

After that we proceeded to the Old Palace. I noticed the roundabout was not spared of decoration.

Elephants seem to be given the highest honor after Buddha and The King.
When we reached the entrance to the Old Palace, we told that we could not enter because the local Thais were having a sacred ceremony and not to be disturbed. We can come again around 2:00 pm. In the meantime, the guard suggested we take a boat ride down Chao Phraya and told us to pay local price since it was a Saturday.He flagged a Tuk-Tuk for us and told us to pay the amount that he informed the driver.
Riding the Tuk-Tuk was an experience in itself. The driver really drive the Tuk-Tuk at hair raising speed and has little regards about safety. In my mind, I could feel that the driver was taking an exceptionally long distance to the pier. The night before we walked to the pier and there don't seem to be much twists and turns.As long as he stuck to the negotiated price, I don't mind.

At the pier we had to negotiate the price of the boat. the guard had already told us that if we were asked to pay more than 1500 Baht for the three of us, we have the right to decline.After much negotiation (my hubby is good at that), we paid the said amount. I felt that it was a bit too pricey but I just went along. We got into the the Long-nosed Boat that will take us a tour of the Chao Phraya. The following photos were the sights that beheld us.
Oh, while in the boat, I couldn't help but ask the couple in front of me how much they paid for the boat ride. When the lady said she paid 800 Baht per person, the 500 Baht that we had to pay was reasonable; but still not to my liking.

My husband would like to visit Wat Arun and even though I wasn't keen on the idea, I kept quiet.

Train ride to Bangkok - December 25 to December 26. Part 2

This segment focuses on the Train ride only.
Since there was so much dilly-dally on booking the flight, more to the timing of the holidays, we end up taking the train to Bangkok.Unfortunately, when hubby went to book the train to Bangkok, he was told that there was no booking for return trip to Prai or Kuala Lumpur. The return ticket can only be bought in Bangkok itself.
On the morning of December 25, we went out to have breakfast and get hubby to search the 2 banks to pay the housing bills. When that was taken care of, we return home to pack the bags into the car. By then Amir was already up. Around 12:30 pm, Amir drove us to Prai Station for us to catch the train at 3:30 pm. We had to be there 30 mins early.

Trust Zahra' to capture this photo. Well, at least there is something for me to remember

Since the station and surrounding areas were under construction, we had to take such a long walk to the train. Good thing I only had two backpacks with me.

Along the way Zahra' managed to capture some photos. Here's a few of them.

The general view of the station at the time

Not sure where this is

The Eastern & Oriental Express Train. Zahra' and I planted a dream of one day riding this
 train to Bangkok. I know it is going to cost us a bomb but it will be a good experience

Our train - 2nd Class with Berth

Route - Butterworth to Bangkok

After boarding the train and taking our seats, we find that we were near the door that connects to the next coach. This location proved to be 'fatally' annoying as the journey proceeded after our stop at Hatyai. I shared my seat with hubby while Zahra' shared hers with a stranger. Throughout the journey no words passed between them. They both were lost in their own worlds and their books.

Two strangers lost in their own world

We stopped for Immigration checks at Padang Besar. As hubby had done lots of investigation, most bloggers wrote that the food on the Siam train is not Halal. Since we had a two hour stop at this check point, we took advantage of the situation by doing our prayers, had a light meal and buying some food for dinner and breakfast.

While we were busy with customs, the two coaches acquire additional family members. Yes, the original two has increased and our coach remain the last coach. At about 6:00 pm we started our journey and cross the border to Thailand. As it was customary, the Thai authorities wasted no time in doing their rounds. They asked us to show our tickets and checked that the seat number on the ticket correspond to the seat we sat.

The journey started slowly, then it went very quickly and slowed again. There were a couple of stops where passengers either alighted or get off. At every stop, there was bound to be mobile hawkers selling their wares and even though I find this a bit irritating, I decided to ignore them for most part. This is their livelihood and the only way they know how to earn money. 

Hawker stall at Hatyai Junction

But the annoyance is nothing compared to the two neighboring families that kept going to and fro one coach to another. I was already seething with rage so I chose to look out the window. I noticed some parts of the rubber plantation were under water, prove that southern Siam really was flooded.

Rubber plantation under water. Blurry image taken from a moving train

What saddened me most were the houses. All along the river past the rubber plantation, the stretch was dotted with wooden houses that were in shambles, tiny or in a very sorry state. That's livable to the family's standard. I believe our squatters are even better. Couldn't take any photos as the train was really going fast.

The next picturesque scene was the padi fields. Nearly all flat land.

Padi Fields

By now the sun is almost set and in the train, almost everyone was busy having their meals. We ate our meager food and this is more for survival than actually filling our tummy. I am happy with what I have and so to my hubby and Zahra' After relaxing for a few minutes and freshening up we rest for a while until our Coach Guard started his rounds of getting the berth ready for us to sleep. The following pictures showed the Coach Guard in action.

This how the final work looked like

By 9:00 pm everything start to be quiet. Hubby asked me to sleep upstairs while he slept downstairs. Zahra' had made a sleeping arrangement where she slept downstairs and the seat partner slept upstairs. Somehow I dozed off until I felt the train rocking and swaying and I got up. I looked at my watch and it said 2:00 am.I pushed the curtain aside and I saw that my neighbour was up and she was inspecting her children and husband. Slowly I get down from my berth and as mother would do, I checked on Zahra' and my hubby. Both were sound asleep, like all the rest of the passengers. sleep eluded me completely. I then climbed the stairs to my berth and lay down hoping to sleep. I could feel the train slowing down and then stopped. I heard announcements so the train had reached another station. I looked at my watch and 15 mins later the train moved. Half an hour later it stopped again and I strained my ears to hear anything for the stop. It seemed like a long time. My eyes was glued to my watch and I hear another train passed by. This was more than 30 mins. for the next 2 hours it was the same scenario. I stepped down again and find a comfortable sitting position on Zahra's berth. Not knowing what to do except Zikir, I took her camera and started shooting these:

My Berth

Hubby's Berth

Zahra's Berth

This must be boredom to the 100th degree. slowly, my mind went back to 1981. Yes, I was on 2nd class train with berth going to Bangkok with my KESUMA (University Malaya Cultural Group) to perform at various Universities, Colleges and Schools around Bangkok and Chieng Mai. It was lively then. The boys were up making so much noise and playing musical instruments to remain awake. At 4:00 am, I chose to freshen up, then climbed back to my berth and then lie down again. I must have fallen asleep because I suddenly heard "Li, Li, wake up. It's already morning". I searched my watch and saw that it was 7:30 am. I cleared my berth, climbed down and joined my husband. We thought Zahra' was still sleeping. When she got up, she showed me the video she took of dawn breaking.