Tag Archives: Shopping

Ben Thanh Market

28 Dec

Ben Thanh Market is a very vibrant place but I find the vendors there very aggressive and intimidating to a certain degree. It’s very crowded and competitive. One cannot simply make any eye contact with them. The minute they see you looking at them, they latch onto you,  that’s it!

One should not also touch any products on display if you have no intention of buying. They think you want to buy and they latch onto you, that’s it!

But buying is also a skill. You must not show interest otherwise you won’t get a good deal. We did not buy anything this morning from the market. And honestly I find haggling too much, it’s not in me.

After a while, we left and headed to Saigon Center for some cool air.

 

Fancy some fresh seafood?

  

Maybe veges instead?

  

How about frogs?

  

I think seafood would be good

  

Crabs looking crabby, all lined up

  

Peeled crabmeat

    
 

Feeling Lost

25 Apr

M2 went off for camp on Friday and both of us felt lost. We weren’t quite sure what to do! It has been routine so far with her weekly night tuition classes but last Friday, she had to give it a miss and go off for a school-organized 3 day, 2 night camp.

And what’s with camp for schools nowadays? When I was in school, there were no such things as camp, let alone overnight excursions. I don’t remember. Then again times have changed…

So there we were, the two of us, indecisive on what to do, what to eat and where to go for the weekend. We ended up wandering aimlessly in six different malls over two days, not because we wanted to, it was more to kill time and anyway, it was too hazy to be outdoors for golf.

Imagine this was only a three day absence and we were like this. I dread the day when M2 goes off to college. 

The Shoe Queen, Part 3

28 Jan

The Shoe Queen in me struck and I bought another pair of golf shoes on Monday when we went shopping. Unbelievable. My last pair, the Skechers, bought not too long ago is still in good condition but I couldn’t resist this latest one, an Adidas Adicross. It’s adorable plus it was on sale.

At the rate that I am buying golf shoes, I am certain it has surpassed my collection of heels and work shoes. Then again, when I wear Skechers to work, my other work shoes are hardly used. And also, when one has a pair of classic Ferragamo Vara, one does not buy any other shoes. And when there’s also another Ferragamo Artiste heels, there is no need for further purchases.

Except maybe for golf shoes…

  

Chat

I Could Get Used to This

26 Jan

It was another three-day weekend (the first being the New Year stretch) as yesterday was a replacement holiday for Thaipusam which was celebrated on Sunday. But going somewhere is just not viable especially when it is only two weeks away to Chinese New Year. So we went about doing our stuff over the three days.

I got most of my Chinese New Year preparation done, played a round of golf, had a massage, went shopping and basically enjoyed the three day break with hubby and M2. M2 completed her art assignment, reproducing an existing packaging and I think she did a good job!

I also caught up with my virtual games, bull-dozing my way from Level 1460 (Divine Diner, Episode 98) into Dessert Desert for Candy Crush and 844 for Monster Blasters. However, still stuck at Level 854 for Farm Heroes, 603 for Soda and 56 for Jelly. But I’m not worried. 

Come next week, we will be having yet another three-day weekend because Monday is another public holiday. Back-to-back three-day breaks! I could get used to this. Am pretty sure those stuck levels will be a thing of the past by the time next weekend comes along.

 

We get to eat the Kit-Kat after this!

  
 

Love at First Sight

8 Sep

The curvaceous lines of the body made me want to caress it longingly. The size was irresistible plus the height and shape was just right. I could not resist, it was love at first sight.

The new 350ml baby blue Thermos flask beckoned me. I had to buy it.

This was a few weeks back when we were at the mall and we happened to walk pass the Thermos display. Hubby and M2 rolled their eyes at me. We already have four Thermos flasks at home, why do we need another one?

Somehow they managed to pull me away from the lure. But on Sunday, when we went to the mall, I brought up the subject again.

Amazingly, they allowed me to go buy my flask! Oooh… I am in heaven. I went off quickly in case they changed their mind.

So now there’s five Thermos flasks at home. Oh, it slipped my mind, we actually have six but the 500ml one went off to college with M1. Is this an obsession?

Be Sad and Eat Oats

10 Aug

Sunday morning my laptop died. It can’t turn on. My MacBook Air. Gone. Kaput. I was not in the least upset but more worried that I could not play my games! Aargh…

Hubby declared, “Do not touch my laptop!” killing off any hopes of using his device to play my games.

Oh dear. What should I do?

We googled up tips and tried everything possible to resuscitate my laptop but to no avail. The laptop just cannot turn on after I shut it down the night before (instead of putting it to sleep).

So after lunch, we went to the mall and sent it in to Apple for service and was advised to leave it for two days. Two days without my laptop. How to progress for my Candy Crush and Candy Crush Soda? The two games that I now have no choice but to play on the laptop because there’s no updates yet for my iPad.

I felt miserable thinking about my options. And wanted to buy something, anything to drown my sadness. 

Walking pass every shop and retailer, I itched to buy the travel bag, eat gelato, buy a Thermos flask (I already have two) and drink Starbucks or a juice, an impulse reaction at being a loss.

When we walked into the pharmacy, M2 pointed to the oats on the shelf and suggested I “be sad and eat oats”. Cheeky girl, goading me on.

Boo hoo hoo… 

I hope the laptop will be fine.

We ended up eating a choc vanilla waffle and drank a Starbucks frappuccino.

Comfort food

Why Do They Do That?!

19 May

It was a typical Sunday several months back when we decided to go to the mall. I wanted the girls to have a quick bite before we left the house because lunch would not be so soon. With traffic to contend with and time needed to look for a parking spot, I didn’t want them to starve.

So M1 had a piece of bread… with a cookie on it, literally. Yes, you read that right. Not a flavor spread but a cookie, placed on the bread. I was aghast! As if that was not enough to freak me out, M2 made her breakfast and put mayonnaise, generously, on her bread; just mayo on as a spread. Eeeks.

Why do they so that? Where did they acquired such taste? Eeeks again.

M&M Time

24 Mar

It was a Thursday during the school holidays (for M2) last week and I dropped the girls off at the mall situated right in the heart of the city. They requested for a change in venue from our favorite malls for this outing to make it special and uninvited us. No parents allowed.

Prior to leaving home, M2 mentioned in passing that it was the end of the world. I feel for her. Her sister, possibly her best friend was leaving and they wanted this private time together.

I asked how come I was not included to which they replied it was an M&M time, and since I am not an ‘M’, I cannot join in. But I pointed out I was an ‘M’ too as in ‘Mommy’ but they insisted it does not count, I am not an original ‘M’. You just can’t have ‘M&M&M’ they chorused! It is only ‘M&M’ that is right.

So both M1 and M2 spent some quality time together. My eyes would well up with tears every time I think about it now. Sniff.

Both hubby and I met them later in the evening for dinner.

Fruitful Weekend

16 Feb

I feel as though I should give myself a pat on the shoulder for accomplishing quite a bit over the weekend. It wasn’t the big battle with the Chinese New Year crowd that I thought I’d have to do but my games!

The pat on the shoulder was for me finally crossing Level 185 of Candy Crush Soda, which was so difficult and also Level 821 of Candy Crush, which was even more difficult. I have been stuck at these two for sometime and perseverance finally paid off.

Honestly, I also managed to complete my Chinese New Year purchases without stressing too much. The secret? Online shopping! The bulk of the necessary was made easy with Tesco’s online services. With free delivery for this festive occasion, I totally took advantage of it and saved the hassle of going to the mall and fight with the last minute shoppers.

I am ready to usher in the Year of the Goat come Thursday.

Chat

There’s Not Enough Time

8 Dec

We have been in Bangkok only four days and it feels like forever yet not enough time. There’s still so much to see, to do and to eat. Tomorrow we leave with memories, bagful of goodies and sore legs!

This holiday with the girls is definitely one to cherish for we may not have this quality family time again once M1 goes to college. Family time aside, both hubby and I will definitely be back to this wonderful city again, for the food, some shopping and golf.