Creating a retreat within a garden is a rewarding project. Whether swings under a large shade tree or an arbor with with a bench in a quiet corner, a garden retreat is a relaxing and enjoyable addition to any home.
1. Find an area in the garden that is quiet and peaceful. Any area that serves to relax or inspire is the perfect location for a garden retreat.
2. Purchase a variety of garden retreat additions, such as a large arbor to place in a quiet corner. Add a small sitting bench under the arbor for a place to relax.
3. Place a decorative pots and urns in a pattern or randomly throughout the garden for a whimsical touch.
4. Create a gnome sanctuary by populating the garden retreat with several gnome statues.
5. Install a waterfall and water features to enhance the garden retreat with the sound of a trickling stream. Ponds can also add a sense of calm and serenity by themselves or together with Koi fish.
6. Add a small gazebo for an extravagant garden retreat. Small structures add a sense of scale and solidity to a garden
7. Utilise old bathtubs, sinks or plumbing fixtures for planters to add a touch of charm
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
50 Years Of Malaysia Independence: Look Back - Then And Now (Part 2)
8. Clothing
TODAY: Youths today often choose to clad themselves in jeans and colorful tops for a casual day out. Feminine types also enjoy boho skirts and dresses.
IN 1957: Krishnan says that 1957 style wasn't half as 'flashy' as it is today. "We'd wear pants, and plain shirts. I can't believe some of the slogans that are on shirts today," he says bemusedly.
Rani says that 1957 fashion was much more safe than today. "we'd wear three quarter pants with shirts, and dress up in skirts when there was a party. We'd never think of showing our cleavage."
9. Hairdos
TODAY: Hair dye has become the rage! Our styles may remain for the most part fairly simple, but youths today enjoy being able to choose whether to be blonde, redheaded, or raven-haired for the day.
IN 1957: Clean-cut was the style, and Krishnan says young men back then liked gelling their hair back in much the same way young men today do. "If you wanted to talk to the ladies, you couldn't approach them without having some slick in your hair," he laughs.
"For young girls, the beehive (think a toned down Marge Simpson) was extremely popular. Another hairdo that was pupular was 'the page boy cut'. "We'd cut the fringe in front, and curl it either in or out," Rani Raymond, 64, recalls.
TODAY: Youths today often choose to clad themselves in jeans and colorful tops for a casual day out. Feminine types also enjoy boho skirts and dresses.
IN 1957: Krishnan says that 1957 style wasn't half as 'flashy' as it is today. "We'd wear pants, and plain shirts. I can't believe some of the slogans that are on shirts today," he says bemusedly.
Rani says that 1957 fashion was much more safe than today. "we'd wear three quarter pants with shirts, and dress up in skirts when there was a party. We'd never think of showing our cleavage."
9. Hairdos
TODAY: Hair dye has become the rage! Our styles may remain for the most part fairly simple, but youths today enjoy being able to choose whether to be blonde, redheaded, or raven-haired for the day.
IN 1957: Clean-cut was the style, and Krishnan says young men back then liked gelling their hair back in much the same way young men today do. "If you wanted to talk to the ladies, you couldn't approach them without having some slick in your hair," he laughs.
"For young girls, the beehive (think a toned down Marge Simpson) was extremely popular. Another hairdo that was pupular was 'the page boy cut'. "We'd cut the fringe in front, and curl it either in or out," Rani Raymond, 64, recalls.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
50 Years Of Malaysia Independence: Look Back - Then And Now (Part 1)
After 50 years of independence, there are so many changes happens in our life. The young generation has a better life with new technolgies. For the blinds, they can use computer with the aid of "screen reader JAWS", using "TALK" for their handphones and chatting via "Skype".
Even lifestlyes and trends changes over time. Let's look some differences between life in the old days and today.
1. Transport
TODAY: For those of who aren't so lucky as to have a car, trains (PUTRA LRT, STAR LRT, MONORAIL, ERL and KOMUTER) have proven pretty convenient for us to get about. Live in Gombak and want to get to Bangsar? No problem! The LRT can get you there without any stops in half an hour.
IN1957: Bicycles got the 1957 youth from A to B. "I'd cycle to school via rickshaw," says Rani. "If the distance was too far, you could use a bus. They operate until half past six in the evening."
Krishnan says that begging your parents for a car has been universal thought the ages. "I started asking my parents when I was 13, Krishnan says, "anticipating that by the time I was 16, they'd agree!. They didn't, but I was allowed to drive their car from time to time.
2. Necessary Accessory
TODAY: A mobile phone is essential to the functioning of every day life. Not only does it serve as a useful social device, young people also utilise it as alarm clock, an organiser, a camera, music player.......
IN 1957: "There were no electronic items for us to fiddle with," says Rani. "Fashion was all we had, so handbags and nice shoes would become 'necessary'."
Krishnan says the one item that guys had on them was a comb. "You never knew when you'd have to fix your hair up for someone special," he winks.
3. Crushing
TODAY: When a young person fancies someone, they'll create some excuse to ask for a phone number, and then proceed to text them mercilessly. That way, if rejection comes their way, they can say they were just being "friendly".
IN 1957: "When I started courting my wife, I had to ask her father permission first," says Chin, who said he would never dared take her out beforehand. "Things were very clean then. It's too bad young people don't think about following the old ways - they could learn a lot! Asking for permission shows respect towards the girl's father, and also to the girl in question."
Rani, however, says for the most part, she and her friends were very "innocent" when it came to guys. "I'm sure some of us had crushes on them, but we'd keep it secret. We usually only thought of guys as friends."
4. Music Tastes
TODAY: Youths today listen to an array of music. For instance, we listen to rock in the form of the White Stripes, The Killers and the iconic U@, hip-hop via kanye West and Nelly, R&B thruogh the likes of Mariah Carey and Usher, and of course, pop music, featuring Christina Aguilera, Katherine McPhee and Clay Aiken. Diversity is the new game.
IN 1957: Acts like Tony Bennet, Rosemary Clooney, and Frank Sinatra reigned the day. The difference between then and today's music, according to yesterday's youth, is that music was "a lot more meaningful."
"The music, the words, they all meant something." says retired schoolteacher Alan Lim, 65. "They have a universal message; even my grandchildren admit it. They are not like some of today's songs that talk about petty relationship and drugs."
5. The iPod vs. The Record Player
TODAY: Young people today listen to music with the help of a handy new invention known as the iPod. Depending on the memory of the device, youths can store up to thousands of songs on their iPod. It's also mobile, meaning we've the advantage of being able to listen to it anytime, anywhere.
IN 1957: "When we wanted to listen to music, we had to find a radio!" exclaims engineer Ahmed Mutafa, 66. "Most people I knew had one, but I had some friends who'd come over to my house to "hang out" and listen to the radio." Record players were there for those who wanted to pick what music they liked listening to.
6. Story of The Year
TODAY: Paris Hilton spending a few weeks in prison was one of the bigger stories of this year. Youths were either laughing at her, shocked at the harsh sentence, wondering how she'd survive, complaining that everyone talked about it too much.
IN 1957: "Our independence was the biggest story then," says Rani. "Petty celebrity gossip paled in comparison.
7. Idols
TODAY: Every one was caught in the chemistry Brangelina after Mr & Mrs Smith. Other hot idols whom we'd like to get stuck with on a dessert island includes Orlando Bloom, Hillary Duff, Robert Pattinson (aka Cedric Diggory) and Keira Knightley.
IN 1957: "We swooned over Rock Hudson," murmurs Rani. "We'd go to see his movies because he was so handsome."
Alan says he and his friends fancied local actress, the late Siput Sarawak, mother of Anita Sarawak. "She always playing the witch or bad woman, which we found sassy. Later on, Sarimah became our main idol. I'm still her number one fan!."
Even lifestlyes and trends changes over time. Let's look some differences between life in the old days and today.
1. Transport
TODAY: For those of who aren't so lucky as to have a car, trains (PUTRA LRT, STAR LRT, MONORAIL, ERL and KOMUTER) have proven pretty convenient for us to get about. Live in Gombak and want to get to Bangsar? No problem! The LRT can get you there without any stops in half an hour.
IN1957: Bicycles got the 1957 youth from A to B. "I'd cycle to school via rickshaw," says Rani. "If the distance was too far, you could use a bus. They operate until half past six in the evening."
Krishnan says that begging your parents for a car has been universal thought the ages. "I started asking my parents when I was 13, Krishnan says, "anticipating that by the time I was 16, they'd agree!. They didn't, but I was allowed to drive their car from time to time.
2. Necessary Accessory
TODAY: A mobile phone is essential to the functioning of every day life. Not only does it serve as a useful social device, young people also utilise it as alarm clock, an organiser, a camera, music player.......
IN 1957: "There were no electronic items for us to fiddle with," says Rani. "Fashion was all we had, so handbags and nice shoes would become 'necessary'."
Krishnan says the one item that guys had on them was a comb. "You never knew when you'd have to fix your hair up for someone special," he winks.
3. Crushing
TODAY: When a young person fancies someone, they'll create some excuse to ask for a phone number, and then proceed to text them mercilessly. That way, if rejection comes their way, they can say they were just being "friendly".
IN 1957: "When I started courting my wife, I had to ask her father permission first," says Chin, who said he would never dared take her out beforehand. "Things were very clean then. It's too bad young people don't think about following the old ways - they could learn a lot! Asking for permission shows respect towards the girl's father, and also to the girl in question."
Rani, however, says for the most part, she and her friends were very "innocent" when it came to guys. "I'm sure some of us had crushes on them, but we'd keep it secret. We usually only thought of guys as friends."
4. Music Tastes
TODAY: Youths today listen to an array of music. For instance, we listen to rock in the form of the White Stripes, The Killers and the iconic U@, hip-hop via kanye West and Nelly, R&B thruogh the likes of Mariah Carey and Usher, and of course, pop music, featuring Christina Aguilera, Katherine McPhee and Clay Aiken. Diversity is the new game.
IN 1957: Acts like Tony Bennet, Rosemary Clooney, and Frank Sinatra reigned the day. The difference between then and today's music, according to yesterday's youth, is that music was "a lot more meaningful."
"The music, the words, they all meant something." says retired schoolteacher Alan Lim, 65. "They have a universal message; even my grandchildren admit it. They are not like some of today's songs that talk about petty relationship and drugs."
5. The iPod vs. The Record Player
TODAY: Young people today listen to music with the help of a handy new invention known as the iPod. Depending on the memory of the device, youths can store up to thousands of songs on their iPod. It's also mobile, meaning we've the advantage of being able to listen to it anytime, anywhere.
IN 1957: "When we wanted to listen to music, we had to find a radio!" exclaims engineer Ahmed Mutafa, 66. "Most people I knew had one, but I had some friends who'd come over to my house to "hang out" and listen to the radio." Record players were there for those who wanted to pick what music they liked listening to.
6. Story of The Year
TODAY: Paris Hilton spending a few weeks in prison was one of the bigger stories of this year. Youths were either laughing at her, shocked at the harsh sentence, wondering how she'd survive, complaining that everyone talked about it too much.
IN 1957: "Our independence was the biggest story then," says Rani. "Petty celebrity gossip paled in comparison.
7. Idols
TODAY: Every one was caught in the chemistry Brangelina after Mr & Mrs Smith. Other hot idols whom we'd like to get stuck with on a dessert island includes Orlando Bloom, Hillary Duff, Robert Pattinson (aka Cedric Diggory) and Keira Knightley.
IN 1957: "We swooned over Rock Hudson," murmurs Rani. "We'd go to see his movies because he was so handsome."
Alan says he and his friends fancied local actress, the late Siput Sarawak, mother of Anita Sarawak. "She always playing the witch or bad woman, which we found sassy. Later on, Sarimah became our main idol. I'm still her number one fan!."
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