We bought ourselves some Marimo recently:

Marimo (毬藻, literally “ball seaweed”), also known as Cladophora ball, Lake ball, or Moss Balls in English, is a species of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta) found in a number of lakes in the northern hemisphere. A marimo is a rare growth form of the species where the algae grow into large green balls with a velvety appearance. Colonies of such balls are only known to form in Iceland, Scotland, Japan and Estonia. (source)

Did you know there’s a legend behind it too? Apparently, in a tribe near Lake Akan in Hokkaido, the daughter of the chief of an elite tribe fell in love with a warrior from a rival tribe. Their tribes forbade their love, so they decided to give up their possessions and flee from the land where their love was forbidden. Although their new life was harsh, they survived because of the deep love they had for one other. Legend has it that the lovers’ spirits metamorphosed into Marimo, a plant of love at the deepest reach of the Lake Akan where they lived happily ever after. Marimo has become a symbol of determination in overcoming adversities in search of true love and happiness.

I don’t exactly believe in legends, and that’s certainly not the reason why I bought the Marimo. I just think that it’s interesting, and doesn’t require too much care. And since it’s small, it can be kept on the table or somewhere where the dog can’t get at it. I just wonder how long before they grow noticeably bigger…

I bought mine from Giveaplant, but Marimo can be bought online and from some fish shops as well.

“When I was little, I didn’t understand why ferris wheels existed. They were just sluggish and went up high. I got bored with it after only one ride. The roller coaster and the loop slider… I only paid attention to the thrilling rides. But… I kind of understand now. Ferris wheels are for slowly cutting across the sky with the person you like and maybe saying things like, “Isn’t this a little scary?”
― Umino Chica

Vocal Point’s “I’ll Be Missing You” is one of the few performances that brings tears to my eyes. It’s not technically the best, since there are some pitch issues, but that’s really understandable since the lead singer’s father passed away before the performance and this song was sung as a tribute to him.

The song made me think about the people I had lost, especially my grandfather. He passed away while I was still in primary school, and because I was still young then, I don’t have many memories of him. But what I remember was how he would look for me after church to pass me the toys he had bought for me. My parents would always ask him not to go to the expense, but he still bought them anyway. They were the cheaper kind that you could buy at provision shops back then, but I nevertheless liked them because he picked them out for me. I still remember his smile and how happy he was to pass me the toys…

My grandfather’s health had always been fine, and no one would have expected him to leave us so soon. But (assuming that my memory doesn’t fail me here) one day, he fell when he went out to buy bread. He hit his head in the process and was hospitalised. The injury didn’t seem too bad though and his condition was improving, but one day, things suddenly took a turn for the worse. He was admitted into the ICU, and I remember heading down to the hospital with my family, and waiting while my parents went in to visit my grandfather. They wouldn’t let me see him though, since he had tubes stuck into him and they were worried that I would be scared by the sight of it. That was the very last thing I remember before he passed away just like that.

I only saw my grandfather on Sundays, and even then it was just for a short while. But even though we were not close, and didn’t communicate that much, he’s the one I miss the most out of all my grandparents who have passed. There’s just something about the joy he had seeing us, and the warmth that surrounded him and will always stay with me. Most of the toys have since been broken or given away, but I still have 2 small figurines coming from a particular set of toys he gave me that I can’t bear to part with just yet – they’re a reminder of how he loved buying toys for me.

Met up with old friends last week after out last gathering, which was… during my wedding? We seen each other through from secondary school, from the time when some of us started dating, till now, when we’re starting to get married. Can’t wit to fly to Australia for Linda’s wedding this December!

Today was my post-LASIK checkup. One week after my procedure everything looks fine. My eyes are healing normally, and my light sensitivity is getting better. My eyes still get dry easily (especially in shopping malls!), but the dryness is improving as well, and I last longer in the lab before having to put eye drops. I was a little concerned that the vision in my left eye is slightly blurrier that my right, but it seems like the culprit is the slight residual astigmatism (I technically have no myopia now). I doubt it’ll ever get better or go away with time, but I can gladly live with this! My vision is so much better than what it used to be, and peripheral vision is wonderful

My next checkup is in 3 weeks, and hopefully things will continue to look good then! One thing LASIK really made me appreciate is the gift of sight. I never really bothered to take care of my eyes during my younger days, but I certainly will from now on!

I scanned this in from the latest issue of steady. (Feb 2012), since it’s a pretty simple tutorial with nice, large images, and the looks are suitable for normal daily wear. The instructions are in Japanese, but the images are easy enough to follow even if you can’t understand it. The tutorial is based on Asian eyes, but probably can be adapted for other eye shapes as well.

For double eyelids

(click to enlarge)

1. With a brush, use the lightest shade to highlight the socket, extending to the area slightly beyond it. Applying highlighter all the way to the bottom of the eyebrows gives off an old feel, so take note of it.
2. Using the larger end of the eyeshadow applicator, apply the medium colour in the palette to the socket area.
3. Apply the darkest colour on the double eyelid. Layer on the colour to get a gradient effect.
4. Apply the highlighter shade to the inner corner of the eye with the smaller end of the applicator.
5. Apply the second shade (used in step 2) to the middle third of the lower eyelid. This shade should be close to your skin colour to brighten the eyes.
6. Apply the third shade (second darkest) to the outer third of the bottom eyelid.
7. With the darkest shade, draw a thin line along the outer edge of the lower eyelid.
8. Apply eyeliner along the upper lash line and the outer third of the lower lash line.
9. Go over the eyeliner　with the darkest shade. Doing this helps to blend in the eyeliner and prevents it from smudging.
10. Apply mascara.
11. Go over the space between the lashes and the inside of the upper lash line with a gel liner.

For single and hidden double eyelids

(click to enlarge)

1. Using a thick brush, apply the medium shade from your palette to the socket area, extending slightly beyond it. Those with single or hidden double eyelids don’t need to highlight the socket area.
2. With the same thick brush, apply the second medium colour (should be similar to the first shade used; the tutorial uses a shimmery one) over the socket area.
3. Draw a thick line with an eyeliner. A pencil liner is preferable since it’s softer, and will be easier to draw a thick line with.
4. With the thicker end of the eyeshadow applicator, apply the darkest shade over the eyeliner and blend upwards.
5. Apply the highlighter shade to the inner corner of the eye.
6. Divide the remaining area on the lower eyelid into half. Apply the shade used in step 1 to the portion directly below the iris, and the shade used in step 2 to the remaining half at the outer edge.
7. Line the outer 1/3 of the lower eyelid. Avoid making the line too thick.
8. With the thinner end of the eyeshadow applicator, go over the line you just drew (in step 7) with the darkest shade in the palette.
9. Apply mascara. Mascaras with comb-type applicators are recommended in this case.
10. Go over the space between the lashes and the inside of the upper lash line with a liquid liner.