Image by thinkpanama via Flickr

There's more to buying your first home than knowing what your budget is and the style of home that you want. With the recession hitting hard, and housing prices aren't increasing, you would need to foresee whether the location you choose will thrive 15-20 years down the road, that will promise you a great investment.

Neighbourhoods surrounding schools, shopping malls and such should be taken into consideration for couples with children or planning to start a family. However, before settling into a "famous" neighbourhood, find out the crime rate in that real estate area as well.

Knowing your mortgage costs, including insurance and taxes, is also vital and experts say that your monthly mortgage should not exceed 28% of your monthly gross income. Buying older homes might be cheaper but take into account the repair costs that might be needed before you can move into your new home. Also, do expect additional costs besides your down payment, such as attorney's fees, survey fee, application fees, transfer taxes and such.

With all that in mind, do remember that when getting a real estate broker, ask a lot of questions and keep in mind that said broker usually represents the seller and is looking out for the seller's interest. Do remember to consider resale-ability when buying your home as well.

That said, good luck to buying your new home and those looking for great real estate in North Carolina might want to check out Wilmington NC real estate!

And...here we go!

1. It's cold and windy at night but damn hot during the day. No wonder I'm feeling a little bit under the weather.

2. I like to check out movie reviews on the rotten tomatoes website.

3. My favorite health and beauty product is my Shaklee soy protein drink.

4. Driving to my husband's hometown in Penang would be a nice long ride.

5. Well, first of all he'll be the one driving because I don't drive.


6. Daniel Henney, Ed Westwick and myself; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was super weird but I didn't want it to end! LOL!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching He's Just Not That Into You on DVD, tomorrow my plans include bringing the kids to watch Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3D and Sunday, I want to stay up late for Music Monday because the school holidays has started!! No more waking up early to prepare my son for school!!

Note: My fills-ins are the ones in bold purple.

Lately, I have been feeling oh-so-tired and sluggish every single day when I wake up. Maybe it's because of my diet... and by that, I don't mean it in an "I'm eating healthy" kind of diet.. It's more of the non-diet diet that's making me feel sluggish, if you know what I mean.

Anyways, if you're feeling like how I'm feeling right now, I have saved you the trouble on googling how to make your energy levels go up because I have done that already.. and I have news for you! No, it's not an energy drink!

Apparently, colon cleansing is a great way to achieve higher energy levels. An excerpt taken from the Colon Cleanse Guide states,

As the various toxic materials clog the colon, more and more energy is required in trying to eliminate them. The digestive system can not work properly and more energy is spent for the digestion of food. When these waste materials are flushed out through colon cleansing, digestion becomes easier and more energy is absorbed from the food.

So I guess I'm gonna try it out and see whether it really does improve my energy level.. which is what I really need right now! All I have to do is read all the reviews on colon cleansers.. With so many products out there on the market, we can't tell which one is the most effective. So far I have only read the Colonix review.

But if you guys have any better ideas, just let me know!!

And...here we go!

1. Moving around aimlessly when I'm bored doesn't seem to burn a lot of calories, it seems.

2. One of my fave Queen songs is I Want To Break free.

3. My best quality is being forgiving.

4. The person who wins my top FC for this month needs to e-mail me his/her details. Got a gift for ya!

5. In nearly 10 years, I'll have to deal with teen angst!

6. Lots of money is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending some time with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include watching Angels and Demons and Sunday, I want to do a bit of spring cleaning!

Note: My fill-ins are the ones written in bold purple.

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr

For those of you who follow my personal blog, you might have read about the annoying experience with this particular telemarketer. Well, actually it was the agent in charge for handling my insurance. So anyways, today I got a call from the insurance company, and this time it was another agent who said he'll be handling my account from now on! He was friendly and thorough and all my questions were answered politely.

With that, I upgraded my insurance to being covered for health AND accidents. The premium I had to pay was just a dollar's difference so I didn't hesitate.

Anyways, speaking about insurance, I found this site that offered so many different types of coverage plans from temporary health insurance, dental insurance, student insurance, term life insurance and others at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina® (or bcbsnc for short).

So if you're from North Carolina or know anybody there, family or friends, you might want to check this site out!

I am stoked that my friend Debbie is having a giveaway at her blog, Ramblings of The Phat (RoTP)! I know I'm a little bit slow in posting about it, but hey, it doesn't mean I'm any less enthusiastic!! I'm positively giddy about the giveaway and I'm hoping that I will be the owner to this beautiful fabric bag!

I once won Debbie's contest a couple of months ago, on her Craft 'n' Swap blog and I'm hoping to carry on this lucky blog contest winning vibe!! So for those of you who want in on the chance to win this giveaway, just click on the badge below and it will direct you to that post and just follow the rules.


Basically, all you have to do to win is create a post about the giveaway, link back to RoTP and leave a comment on RoTP, submitting your blog post url! Easy peasy, right?

The contest ends 31st May 2009 so if you're interested, go ahead! Although I have to warn you, I will not let anything stand in my way of that cool fabric bag!! hahahaha.. kidding peepz.. just kidding!

I don't know about you guys, but I do believe that the bathroom should be as comfortably designed and look as gorgeous as your bedroom, living room or any other house. Especially since that's where you'll spend time doing your "business", then might as well make it as comfy and homey for yourself and others.

So if you're not the type to read a book, magazine, or newspaper while in the toilet, you might want to think of installing this $5,500 Moody Aquarium Sink by Italbrass. It's soooo cool.. I don't mind having one in my home if I could afford it.

But if you still don't feel like having small beady fishy eyes looking at you while you're doing your "biz", then might want to think of going for a more traditional type.. like one of those zero radius sinks, instead!

If I just so happen to become a multimillionaire today, the first thing I'd do is to take my whole family, my mother and siblings, my aunts and uncle, cousins and best friends, not to mention my blogging buddies to go for a long holiday. Yes, I'm the type of person that loves to be surrounded by people and a vacation alone is not a vacation for me at all.

So what I'd most probably do is rent one of those swanky houses like the Grand Ritz Palm from Outer Banks rentals for 2 weeks.. before setting of to jet set someplace else to go and do loads of shopping!! Now I could really get used to that. Sure, money doesn't guarantee happiness but it sure beats not having any money and having to go through the stress of financial difficulties, right?

I've taken a liking to this song and it's been in my head the whole day, and despite searching and searching for a "happy song" this Music Monday, this song seems to persist in my brain -- making it my "brain itch" for today.

Hope you guys enjoy it! Happy Music Monday, everyone!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





p/s: This song does not reflect the way I feel about my life right now in any way.. I just happen to like it! :)

First and Second Commenter Gets Linky Love

I've been browsing home design blogs lately because I've been trying to vamp out my humble abode here with something other than Allie's drawings on the wall. So I stumbled onto this blog that featured Plexiglas chandeliers by Incidence - a Parisian company that sells affordable lighting.

Pretty right?

And they come as cheap as 38 Euros too! That's such a steal!!

So what do you think? Yay or Nay?

And...here we go!

1. If we had no winter it won't bother me because we never had it anyways.

2. My need to ensure I have correct spelling at all times is a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over it would be constant deja vu...

4. I can't see the inside of four and twenty hours.

5. If you've never been thrilled that doesn't allow you to be mad at people who are.

6. To be interested in the changing seasons designers come up with fantabulous fashion trends.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to plan out a vacation plan, tomorrow my plans include shopping for my birthday outfit and Sunday, I want to get a haircut!

Note: My fill-ins are the ones written in bold purple.

When I moved to KL last October, I didn't do it by the normal manner (packing up my things in boxes and sending them via cargo).. I just packed up my clothes (50% of them) and left my hometown.

I planned to come back for my other things later. So I went back to my hometown in January, supposedly to pack my other stuff, like the children's toys and my mountain of books and all my other nitty gritty.. and we came back only with the children's toys and another 10% of clothes.

I am just absolutely terrible at packing. I hate it. I have been wanting to go on a vacation for years, but the thought of needing to pack seriously puts me off. I know. It's weird. I know of a good Moving Company but I don't know of any packing companies that can give services to help me pack!

My mother also called to tell me that she needs to have my things out soon so that my younger sister can use the room as her own.. Apparently, my 16-year old sister does not want to have a baby crib in her soon-to-be room.

So ANYWAYS, right now, I am planning to go back home early June, so if there's anybody out there who wants to help out with my packing, let me know!!

It's been a while since I last had my fix for Japanese food and after reading Marzie's post on The Talk, it just ignited this craving that I didn't realize I had been seriously missing one of my favorite foods!

Oh how I miss eating out with my family enjoying Japanese food back in my hometown.. I need to plan an outing soon.. Who's with me???

p/s: If you're a fan of Japanese food, you might want to check out these cute sushi pillows!

As I mentioned on my previous post about how much I'd love to go to New York again one day, this time however, I'd rather use the Car Service NY, that provides safe car and SUV transportation throughout New York City, Westchester, Connecticut, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Airports.

The last time we were in New York (which was eons ago, by the way), my father ran a red light because he was confused with the next traffic light up ahead. It happened somewhere right in front of the Trump Building. The whole family - my parents, my grandmother, and all 4 of us kids were in the rented van, sleeping. Only my parents, my brothers and my grandma was awake at the time.

When my father beat the red light at the intersection we got rammed on the passenger's side by a dump truck. Within minutes though, the ambulance arrived and although my memory on this is really hazy, I still remember my mom being treated for the small cut she had from the glass embedded in her elbow and she was trying hard not to cry while my grandmother was calming us down and clutching hard on her rosary beads.

But thankfully, despite the impact and the nature of the accident, that was the only injury suffered by any of us. That cut that bears a scar on my mom until today. Other than that, all of us were fine and we barely knew what hit us. I'm so thankful that we all came out unhurt!!

So yeah.. this time around, if I make it to New York, I'll make sure to use the NY Car Service!

Last Saturday, I went to The Curve for a family outing and decided to drop by fellow blogger Emelda a.k.a. Kadazan Bonita's birthday celebration. She announced on her blog that she and her boyfriend, Daniel a.k.a Gallivanter will be at The Laundry from 9pm onwards and that all were welcome.

So I dropped by for a minute to catch up with them and heard from Daniel that this year's Sabahan Bloggers Gathering MAYBE held on 31st October 2009 - Halloween. I'm not sure whether I'll be attending this year's gathering but I'm thinking that if it would be held on Halloween, there must be a Halloween dress code, right?

If I were to go, I think I'd dress up as a sexy equestrian rider! LOL! That would be a hoot!! I'm not sure where I can get the sexy equestrian apparel, though..

That is.. IF I'm even attending the event this year.. I don't know whether I'll be back in my hometown during that time. But last year was a blast..

*flashback to 2008's Sabahan Bloggers Gathering*

This year I'm adamant about going for a vacation - it doesn't matter where I go, whether it's within the country or overseas.. I want and need a getaway! So I decided to have a little fun with Blogthings and check out my travel horoscope..

You Should Travel to Paris

When you travel, you demand the best. You desire total luxury. You want a vacation full of pampering, delicious food, and the ultimate in comfort.. You should travel: To any Four Seasons hotel Via a luxury cruise To world class cities like Paris and London To any five star spa or resort Via a private jet

Ever wanted to get a home alarm system but didn't have the budget to set up camera surveillance around your home compound?

Well, for the time being, this Dummy Security Camera with Blinking LED looks pretty cool!

Check out the features on this one:

• Pan and tilt adjustment
• Security stickers included
• Low maintenance
• Authentic styling
• Takes two AA batteries
• Dimensions (unit): 4" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• Dimensions (with mount): 6" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• Housing: Weatherproof Anodized Aluminum

So what do you guys think? Would it scare off robbers or would it make them more interested in what you have in your home that you want to protect so badly?

I have been scouring high and low for the perfect giveaway gift for my 1st Giveaway for The Accidental Fashionista. Naturally, it will be something for the ladies, but the men of course are welcome to join - on behalf of the ladies in their lives.

Anyways, I saw these really great looking Juicy Couture personalized tote bags that I just wished I could purchase for my giveaway.

I guess I've gotta wait until I'm making major "kaching" before I can give away great prizes like that for my readers. But of course, if anyone wants to sponsor it, my arms are wide open!! LOL!

I just added my older brother, who's like 4 years older than me, on Facebook.. and boy, was I jealous of his activities back home. Apparently, he has just taken up diving and he's been going to the islands almost every weekend.

Tell me, how can I not be jealous?!?!

Okay.. fine.. I admit it. If I go back to my hometown, it's not like I'll be taking up diving anytime soon.. but still.. it makes me miss home! I miss my mom and my two older brothers and my little sister. Even Ani and Victor.. my mom's helper and gardener who's been with us since forever.

Anyways, moving on to my Music Monday choice, I just have to say that as a child, I was hooked on to the 80's or whatever my parents were playing from their CD collection they got through garage sales.

In my early teens, the songs I listened to were heavily influenced by my brother.. he made us watch his videos of Guns 'N' Roses from their Use Your Illusion tour over and over again. Hey, I'm not complainin' as long as I get to ogle Gilby Clarke!!

So here's one of my all time fave songs.. mad guitar skills by rock legend, Slash and my teen crush, Gilby Clarke. Here's Wild Horses..

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be DELETED without prejudice.