Cellulite, You will DIE in 28 days!

Cat and Yoko absolutely believes in this product - Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil. Cat says she has yet to see a spot of blob on her thigh - and Yoko has like a wonderwoman figure.

Though you have to be hardworking and really use the product - and I mean, totally do a Thai massage on yourself.

So, I have been convinced and I will GO ALL OUT AND OBTAIN THIS PRODUCT!
Can't locate it in Malaysia though. So guess who's going to get it for me?
*Evil Laugh*

Neways, here's the writeup on the product. It says that according to research:

Smoothness (21% increase after 28 days)
14 Days +15%
28 Days +21%
On average skin smoothness increased 21% after 28 days

Elasticity (Improved 22% after 28 days)14 Days +15%
28 Days +22%
On average skin elasticity improved 22% after 28 days

What it's made of:

Ingredients: Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tritcum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Limonene*, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Citral*.
* from natural essential oils

For full writeup, go here
And the Weleda official website: http://www.weleda.com.au/

-jade-

To You....

I can't paint or draw too well, apart from flowers
But I can tinkle a bit with new technology
And here's a tribute to YOU who makes loads of things seem easier, and less complicated than I see it =)
Missing you loads

-papergal-

The F means Freedom, not Fear

This is exactly how I feel.
I'm certainly not the only one on the planet who feels this way.
Most times, it is the FEAR of failing, or the FEAR of venturing out of our comfort zones that cripple us, or make us think that "the certain door/option" is shut.
Psychological barriers, they call it.

Well, ballet has taught me one thing.
Just do it! Keep doing it and I would get somewhere.
It's frustrating because you know that you have to work with limitations, and "discrimination" as teachers in Malaysia especially, do not see the "vast potential" in adult ballet - both as a viable income source, as well as talent.

Till then, it often feels like a lonely battle - because not many adults choose to break out of their norm, for FEAR of being ridiculed. Whether it is ballet, breaking out of accounting to do perhaps - travel, painting, changing course etc

Well, I really like what the director of everydancer says. It personifies the challenges that I feel, and I am sure what many feel.

Then again, we really should not beat ourselves up - try giving yourself a second chance. Just do it - go do it, whatever is your aspiration. You really only have ONE LIFE to live!

April 26, 2007 - Thursday
Director's Statement

"Achievement does something to you. It centers you in a way."

"Everyday Dancers" interview, June, 2006

The idea for this documentary came to me when I first attended the Adult Dance Camps in the summer of 2001. For me, walking into a dance studio at the age of 35 was a life-changing experience. It was the first step on the realization of a life-long dream and very possibly the first step toward the rest of my life.

You might think, "So what? Ballet? It's not like it's that big a deal, right?"

To step into a dance studio is an intimidating experience. It forces you to confront a host of issues, including peer pressure, image, physical and emotional issues, as well as the reality of aging bodies which can no longer do the things they used to do. It's deeply personal and often painful. And it can be life-changing.

Adults who pursue this youth-oriented art-form are often looked at as curiosities, people who're stuck in childhood, who want to recapture something they can no longer have. And yet, according to national studies, their numbers are growing. With just under a million people over 30 who study ballet in the United States, adult ballet classes in studios across the country are growing in popularity.

Just like a young adult or professional dancer, for these adults, walking into a dance studio can be filled with frustration, pain and unequaled hours of personal fulfillment. To chase the muse of dance at any age is just as valid, just as difficult and just as rewarding.

This film is really for anyone who's looked out the window of their office or cubicle and wondered if there was anything else. It's about the people you pass on the street without even thinking, or the older woman who takes her place silently at barre every week and disappears into her own, personal world for an hour.

It's about everyday people who gave themselves a second chance.

Divertissement Everyday Dancers Stories

Being given a second chance is always something that is treasured =) Well, this is a story of second chances...and how everyday people can make their dreams come true...

Everyday Dancers" synopsis

"Everyday Dancers" follows 5 amateur ballet dancers ranging in age from 40 – 61, as they prepared for then took part in a grueling, adult only ballet intensive held in August, 2005. Similar to what an aspiring dancer would experience as part of a pre-professional ballet program, these adults overcame significant obstacles to pursue their dream of dance. Most came to ballet late in life, each after 30, an age most professional dancers begin to consider retirement. Along the way they encountered emotional, social and physical obstacles. How they confronted these challenges and how their lives changed became a universal statement anyone in mid-life or confronting a life changes can understand.

Teresa: Through experiencing partnering for the first time, she came to terms with insulin dependent diabetes, in the process learning she could live a fuller life than she’d previously thought possible.

Robin: Her desire to go en pointe at 43 gave her the confidence to make changes in her life, including securing a position teaching dance to inner-city school children as part of the Boston Ballet’s Citydance Program.

Sharon: Despite living in a small, rural town and a host of physical limitations, her indomitable spirit prevails, pushing her to seek out better instruction and opportunities to improve and grow as a dancer.

Tessa: At 61, Tessa is in the midst of a dramatic life change: Entering retirement and moving to a new city. Growing older and reconciling what she sees in the mirror with the dancer she used to be is something she confronts daily with grace and humor.

Lauran: In spite of tremendous social pressure from friends and family not to start dancing, she walked into the only ballet studio in her remote desert town and began taking class with children and teens. In June, 2006, we followed her as she made her stage debut as the Fairy Godmother in “Cinderella.”

These are everyday people united by one, common passion: a love of classical ballet. Divertissement is the story of their journeys and how their lives changes as a result.

For more info, check out: www.everydaydancers.com

Elegance Personified

This is what i call elegance =)
Nice music as well...
Gosh...now why didn't my ma put me in ballet earlier?
I learnt taekwondo, karate, art class, piano, english and the works before dance!
Never mind, better now than never!

=)

Enjoy!

-jade-

Jade's Surprise BBQ by Alvin Chen & Company

My birthday BBQ surprise photos are up!
Al, had a string of surprises set for me for my birthday - starting from the 14 of September all the way to 16th September (Sunday).

Of course, yours truly - has a way of being gullible and fell for his perfect excuse of yours truly having to go for a Korean dinner with his brother, his brother's gf and alvin's good friend and good friend's g/f WITHOUT Alvin being there.

Alvin gave the very logical reason of having to attend a close friends wedding - and that I needed to go to basically be the - PR person to some degree!

Well, so Jade fell for it - went through the motions of thinking that she would be rewarded with steaming hot kimchi soup, crispy pork strips, lots of Korean starters - but no, she was rather surprised to see loads of cars parked outside Alvin's house and wondered whether the neighours were having a riot and decided to use Alvin's house as the extra parking lot.

Little did the very beguiled Jade know that when the "crowd" shouted "SURPRISE" - Jade was honestly VERY SURPRISED. Jade was like - hmmm, surprise for what? Then, Jade realised - OK, there isn't going to be a KOREAN BBQ, but there will certainly be a WESTERN BBQ, thanks to the fantastic planning and elaborate scheming plans from Alvin Chen, Jason Chen, I Ming and the rest of the crew.

THANK YOU ALL for making my birthday a truly memorable one: Al, Jason, I Ming, Kong, Sasi, Morgan, Staph, Pauline, Pearlen, Joey, TJ, Caroline, Chin Yew, Christine......=)

ps: My mother, brother, and father also had a part to play in this cuz the entire family knew except JADE. And my ma got us the delicious ribs roasted to perfection, and so succently chewy and juicy - especially with a dash of HP sauce added to the top. Purfecto!

NEWAYS..some photos for your indulgence!
You can come here: MY PARTY
Or just view the photos that I have pre-selected on the blog!

Love u tons Alvin!
MUaCks!

ps: safe journey across the seas, over the mountains and right into AAAAAAHHHHHDUHHHHHLAIDDD!

Butter cake with Lemon cheese & fruit topping

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

My Ma's creation......=)

September babies 07 @ CG

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Esther and I had our September celebration @ CG. The cake is courtesy of my Ma, who baked it and partially decorated it before Alvin did the final "touch up". Was heavenly!

Jason (the other mastermind & chef ) & his accomplice, Staph

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

Jase and Staph...posing for the photo..and after heavy duty four swishes of the red and white liquid =)

Yummy food!

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

Al and Jason's BBQ are legendary. To book your seats/spot for the next one, kindly make yourself known to the Cziplee crew by purchasing RM 100 daily. Good customers make great friends who then qualify for the reward of: big, fat juicy ribs, salads and roasted vege. And the burgers are AMAZING!

Say Bye Bye To Vintage Two Hands

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

Alvin's greatest sacrifice that evening - his vintage Two Hands in celebration of my birthday, and also to placate the very thirsty Joey.

The Mastermind(s)

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

Kong, TJ and the very creative Alvin Chen

Birthday wish!

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Originally uploaded by jadesjadingjoint

Memememmeeememe....

Video of Exploding Box

And this is the video of the ExPlodIng BOx
I thought I'd upload one so I could guide "show off" Alvin's scrapbooking skills!

It's AWESOME!



PS: I got him to spill the beans on his source of inspiration, and it's been done before by this very creative young lady. Have a go! http://glitteradventure.blogspot.com/2006/11/exploding-box-class.html

Thank you once again Alvin!

-jade-

My 26th birthday EXPLOSION: 2007

Alvin did something totally unexpected this year.

ONE of the surprise gifts he sprung upon me - was a "heart"ful and thoughtful, and totally - cool four corner....! It's called the ExPLOdInG BoX!

check it out....

Not bad for a guy eh? I mean - he does is so well, scrapbooking + Guys + Alvin..hmmm...never really came to my mind, but he sure did well! Thanks to extra help from up north too! Thank you I Ming and Aster Mei!

The ExPLODing Box certainly takes the cake =)

He also did other stuff - like cook me an extra delicious basil,tomato omelette and prepared me brekkie for my birthday (though it was like 8.25am in the morning...totally lack of sleep man)..

And he got me a nice aromatherapy lavender bath/masage oil, loofa, foot cream, soap and basically the works from HARN and HARN...=) I am into all these stuff nowadays...its all sourced from Thailand..and i think i can get it cheaper direct from there lar! But I won't be a wet blanket!

Thank you very very much Alvin =) I truly have enjoyed the three years we have had. You have been a blessing and so much more! Plus, every birthday is always something to look out for cuz u are Totally creative..gosh, what am I gonna do for urs?

Arrgh!

ps: That's not all, I also wish to thank all those who remembered my birthday and who SMSed and called. Thank you =) Your well wishes are very much appreciated!

To those who missed it, it's oklar....im not too good at remembering birthdays...so u are forgiven! Just buy me a meal k!

And, thank you to my dear colleagues who got me: a FOOL PROOF water bottle ( i spilt my water one too many times!, and my EVITA PERONI HOT PINK hair band...i LOVE it! and the band, as well as the skinfood mask and the teeny tiny stuff that came with it...and also, TQ TQ TQ for the lovely thought of preparing breakfast for me at the office! How sweet!

Love always

-jade-

.

Ballet Crisis: HELP!

Some ballet nonos...

Which I practice...the above is the arched back...

- i have a tendency to stand like this..

- which is actually very normal for non dancers

- try standing straight...like really straight.. u might be standing like this!

- mebe it's more for me too as above cuz I have an arched back....as in a natural indent in my back due to hours of long sitting!

This is the nono for developpes or anything to do with ur grand battements to the side, or raising ur leg to the side
- try doing that
- fine, u can certainly raise it right?
- well, try doing this - dont move ur hips, yes I mean, dun even move it..
- try placing ur hand at the hip
- extend ur leg out to the side
- ur natural tendency is to move the entire leg, and hip, as per the pic above
= that looks pretty ugly
- what u need to do is to actually, raise it, with ur heel (yes, the rough part of ur foot - leading the way, with ur entire inside of the leg being turned out)
- hahaha...lost me there?
- well, ballet is tough!


Help help...Hmm...my ballet teacher wants me to go to another grade, which is the interfoundation, even though - i am not taking my intermediate foundation, and even though - i have just recently grasped the steps..Being an adult ballet dancer with the kids is tough - the kids are actually 12 - 16 year olds and they're really good!

It's tough..especially the part where she gives u free work - ughhhhh....free work is when she just choregraphs some terms WITH french ballet terms and expects u to do the choreography..its what they call "en chay maun" okk..thats how they pronounce it..but i believe the proper spelling goes something like: "en chaimaine"...


I think thats the toughest part...cuz i think like one step at one time..the kids can get the choreography real quick though! but i will go at my own pace..

I guess my worry is that..hmmm...if i go to the next grade..id probably forget the previous grade..and if i wanna take my exams (for the intermediate foundation), which she knows i would like to do (and she has subtly said) - i'd be confused doing two separate grades at one time..it's like learning your form 4 and 5 at one go..and wantng to go for the form 4 examinations!


Not too sure whether what she advised me is good....id rather i just stay back in the intermediate foundation and just continue - because i can concentrate more on my technique rather than get muddled up with the steps! BESIDES being confused by interfoundation steps..

Only catch here is that, the current intermediate foundation class - is really slow, and somehow - she thinks that they are too slow for me..and i wont be able to "learn" as much....I think she doesnt really like the intermediate foundation girls batch cuz they are quite tardy, as in miss classes, they're not even into pointe yettt........but if i stay in interfoundation (with the current batch) they are more dedicated..and all - i dunno lar..



option A: Take both interfoundation + intermediate foundation together - if she sees i can take exam, then later join back intermediate foundation, but meantime, be challenged and confused by interfoundation?


Option B: Just concentrate on intermediate foundation, and polish up


Option C: Try out interfoundation, and if i can't cope - go to intermediate foundation

Option D: Go find another studio and teacher (though, ive moved so many times...and so lazy to find another one)


Besides that, I am looking for a school with teachers who "emphatise" more with adult ballet students..i am one rare species in this school..the only adult with the kids! actually adult ballet in Malaysia is super rare...very rare..don't see many around


And I need to work on my flexibility...


Hmm.....decision...ur comments and opinions are valued if u have any advise...


ps: check this out: http://www.ballet-bible.com/


-jade-