Daphne Maia's Mobile Blog http://www.daphnemaia.mobi Snapshots on the go! posterous.com Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:19:00 -0800 Kellogg's Corn Flakes - "New" old vintage packaging! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/kelloggs-corn-flakes-new-old-vintage-packagin-46486 http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/kelloggs-corn-flakes-new-old-vintage-packagin-46486

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I love it! What a way to repackage!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:44:10 -0700 Dinner Party at Cheryl's - Part II - Desserts! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/dinner-party-at-cheryls-part-ii-desserts http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/dinner-party-at-cheryls-part-ii-desserts

Sticky Date Pudding, Vodka Jelly, Macaroons, Tiramisu, and Lemon Cheesecake!

I love Cheryl's desserts!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:18:28 -0700 Dinner party at Cheryl's! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/dinner-party-at-cheryls http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/dinner-party-at-cheryls

Cheryl's dinner parties are the best. :D

Dessert pictures to follow in approximately 30mins! :P Cheryl made 4 types of desserts. I promise I won't go overboard! Hahahahahaha...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:37:57 -0700 OMG! My boyfriend just proposed to me! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/omg-my-boyfriend-just-proposed-to-me http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/omg-my-boyfriend-just-proposed-to-me

I used to always say that I would marry the man who bought me a Kinder Surprise, cos I love the chocolate and the toys!

Guess what?!

Less than 2 months before our wedding day, the BF decided to propose. Hahahahahahah!

It's so very funny! I can't stop laughing! Hahahahahaha!

After we had dinner at The Garden Slug, and before dessert arrived, he suddenly stood up beside me...

Then he went down on bended knee, and gave me this Kinder Joy, saying, "You always said you'll marry someone who buys you a Kinder Surprise... So, will you marry me?"

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

That's not the best part yet!

I open the Kinder Joy, and I see this thing! It's a cat's collar with a tag! :D See, it has my name on it, and when you flip it over, it has his name and my "adoption date" on it! :D

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

This, my friends, is waaaaaay better than a boring diamond ring proposal. ROFLMAO!

I LOVE NICK. HE'S SO WEIRD. JUST LIKE ME.

And that's why we belong together. :D <3

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:27:09 -0700 Baby Conrad and the Magic Toy! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/baby-conrad-and-the-magic-toy http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/baby-conrad-and-the-magic-toy
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Apparently I bought this for Baby Conrad during one of my toy-buying sprees! I can't remember it though, hahahaha.

His mummy just sent me a video of him, and how the toy works,.LIKE MAGIC.

----

In other news, Facebook video and YouTube video uploads from mobile aren't working for me.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 10 Sep 2011 07:37:03 -0700 Vichy NormaDerm http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/vichy-normaderm http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/vichy-normaderm
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My complexion has been suffering quite a lot recently, with breakouts on various parts of my face. The sis Serene recommended this product.

Got it from Watson's Malaysia for RM60. Price is approximately the same in Singapore.

Gonna try tonight onwards and hope it works, cos my wedding is just 2 months and 10 days away!

Please don't let me look spotty on that day!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:38:14 -0700 My new Vans x Hello Kitty shoes! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/my-new-vans-x-hello-kitty-shoes http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/my-new-vans-x-hello-kitty-shoes

There are also 4 button badges! The Hello Kitty images used in the design are from the 70s; what I call the classic design. Also my favourite!

Thanks for this gift, Jerrick! :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:10:47 -0700 Best Sticky Cinnamon Bun - at B Bakery, Bussorah St http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/best-sticky-cinnamon-bun-at-b-bakery-bussorah http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/best-sticky-cinnamon-bun-at-b-bakery-bussorah
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Doesn't look like much, but it's very delicious! Not always available, so do enquire with counter staff.

You can ask for extra cinnamon drizzle too!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sun, 31 Jul 2011 05:51:11 -0700 Stop this irresponsible Hungry Ghost Festival nonsense! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/stop-this-irresponsible-hungry-ghost-festival http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/stop-this-irresponsible-hungry-ghost-festival
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Look at the mess! Just look at it! Is this what responsible adults do? Damn the Taoist beliefs that ruin the beautiful and clean environment at our neighborhoods! All of you who create similar messes, I condemn you!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:49:40 -0700 Duck leg confit with orange fettucine and salad side from The Garden Slug http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/duck-leg-confit-with-orange-fettucine-and-sal http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/duck-leg-confit-with-orange-fettucine-and-sal
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We're having lunch at my favorite diner, The Garden Slug! :D

Weekend special!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:19:00 -0700 Professor Kishore Mahbubani at U@live forum "Do Asians believe in the rise of Asia?" http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/professor-kishore-mahbubani-at-ulive-forum-do http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/professor-kishore-mahbubani-at-ulive-forum-do

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I attended a forum organized by the NUS Office of Alumni tonight.

Professor Kishore Mahbubani (Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy) is indeed very inspiring speaker. Learnt lots about international politics though I know he has barely scratched the surface at the U@live forum tonight, where he gave us about 1.5hrs of his time.

If you're interested to know what was discussed tonight, read #ualive on Twitter for some highlights and log on to the U@live website to watch the video recording of the event (I think this will be available at a later date. I will update the link when it is available).

:)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:34:33 -0700 Hello Kitty pen and pencil set! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/hello-kitty-pen-and-pencil-set http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/hello-kitty-pen-and-pencil-set

<3 cute! I love red and white Hello Kitty, and vintage looking Hello Kitty.

Not so much the pink collections, though I've received some really gorgeous pink Kitty stuff.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:09:00 -0700 The new Orchid Hotel at Tras Street is now open for business http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/the-new-orchid-hotel-at-trash-street-is-now-o http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/the-new-orchid-hotel-at-trash-street-is-now-o

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But I don't like the logo and name. Looks tacky like a budget hotel!

And although there is a great number of KTV bars and pubs in the area, I hope the clientele won't be too dodgy.

I don't wanna walk to work and meet ladies of the night leaving the hotel! Hahahahahahah

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:05:00 -0700 Our fabulous Roomorama rented holiday apartment in London http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/our-fabulous-roomorama-rented-holiday-apartme http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/our-fabulous-roomorama-rented-holiday-apartme

During my London trip for the Harry Potter World Premiere earlier this month, I had the opportunity to stay at 2 different places. 

One of them was The Washington Mayfair Hotel on Curzon Street, and the other was an apartment at Collingham Place, at Kensington (which we rented via roomorama.com). Both were located at fantastic areas. Sadly, I found my hotel stay to be rather lacking, although the per night price of the hotel stay was a lot more than the apartment at Kensington.

Here, I'm sharing some photos taken by my sister, with whom I stayed at the Kensington apartment. I'm also writing a review of the specific apartment I stayed at, and my experience with the property managers.

The apartment is a 3 minute walk away from Earl's Court Tube Station (even for my short Asian legs, as my BF says). Fairly easy to locate, and there are many convenience stores and supermarkets in the area. There's Sainsbury's (just round the corner, 1 minute walk away) and Waitrose (about 5 minutes walk away, near Gloucester Road Tube), both of which I love. 

This area is within Zone 1 of London, which means it is really close by to all the places you might want to visit, plus a direct train ride on the Piccadilly Line to West End (Leicester Square).

This apartment is located on the first floor, which is a blessing, because the last time I stayed at a Roomorama apartment, it was on the fourth floor, and I had to lug my huge bags up 4 storeys! Not a fun experience. :P

There were two double beds in the apartment, one in a room, and the other in a "loft" just above the living room. I slept in the "loft" room, which is accessible through a staircase from the living room, as you can see from the photos.

The one bathroom in the apartment is shared, and not attached to the bedroom, although it really is just outside the bedroom. It has a bathtub, which was nice for a nice long bath after a long day of exploring London and returning late at night when temperature had dipped to about 10 degrees, even in the summer.

I love the little Miele kitchen that was equipped with a microwave, oven, induction stove, electric kettle, and basic cookware, drinkware (including wineglasses) and diningware. There is also a hidden fridge with a freezer, behind the door in the living room that led to the entrance of the apartment. We didn't cook any meals, but the kitchen and dining room allowed us to prepare a simple breakfast each morning, before we headed out for the day. It was nice sitting at the dining room with my sister and brother in-law, chatting over breakfast, and enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the night while watching TV in the living room together.

You can view the apartment posting on Roomorama here, and you'll find that the photos are very good and clear representations of what the apartment actually is in reality. I've uploaded my own gallery in this blog post - not much difference, is there? :) I know some websites and apartment owners (even hotels) make their property look way better than the actual conditions are, but in this case, what you see is really what you get!

I love that the apartment was really clean and well-kept, although it didn't come with any toiletries provided. We had to go out to buy some shampoo and bath gels at Sainsbury's! They did provide towels, of course.

The apartment rental rate on the website does not include the  Roomorama.com admin fee, but it is still a very affordable price for London accommodation. I think the fee is calculated based on a percentage of the total rental fee, so for this apartment, we paid £50 for admin fee.

Also, you'll see on the website that for this particular property there's a £250 safety deposit (the owners tell us that it's necessary because they have experienced really bad tenants who completely trashed the apartment, and stole their TV and other electronics), and a mandatory one-time £50 cleaning fee. A bit pricey for cleaning fee, but I guess this ensures that you get the apartment in a clean condition always. I don't really want to wonder if my sheets have been changed since the last person slept in it, or if there are bed bugs in my bed. The cleaning fee should be enough to take care of all these! :P Although I would like to suggest to the owners or managers of the property to actually include the cleaning fee in the rental price, so as not to cause any unhappiness from tenants who might have missed out that clause while booking the apartment on the website.

Anyway, we got our safety deposit fully refunded after checking out, so no complaints there. My brother in-law, however, was a little baffled by all the admin work that was asked of us before we checked in. We were asked to sign a contract for rental and then scan and email it back (we didn't have to go through this during our previous stay at another apartment in London), and at one point we were also asked to provide verification for our credit card. However, this was solved by a Roomorama.com representative and we could skip that step. 

The apartment's property managers (or owners?) were business-like, curt, and overall not unpleasant to deal with. It wasn't a very personable encounter, and they were not as friendly as some of the owners of B&B's that we've stayed at, but it is rather what you'd expect at hotel receptions as well.

All in all, this was a really good deal that we got through Roomorama.com - We paid £505 in total (inclusive of £50 admin and £50 cleaning fee), for 3 nights, and that worked out to be about £84 pounds per night for each room. The apartment sleeps 4 pax, so that works out to be £42 per person per night. Very reasonable indeed, for the luxuries provided in this apartment, considering my £300 per night hotel room at the Washington Mayfair in London and I must say I definitely enjoyed the stay at the apartment.

Among all the apartment options available on Roomorama.com, I'd say the price of this apartment is somewhere mid-range, and you can definitely get different apartments for different types of budgets. For example, I paid only £72 per night for 3 persons in a room, during my previous stay. So really, look at your budget and see what you can afford, and work around that to find your ideal apartment or room on Roomorama.com. :)

If you have any further questions about my experience with them, do leave me a message! I'm most happy to share more information. :)

Roomorama was featured in ST Life! today! I can't find the link to the original article, but you can read it from the forum here.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:29:57 -0700 Happy Birthday @Weiru! :D http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/happy-birthday-weiru-d http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/happy-birthday-weiru-d

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:38:55 -0700 Justin and I at Ollivander's, during the Harry Potter World Premiere in London! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/justin-and-i-at-ollivanders-during-the-harry http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/justin-and-i-at-ollivanders-during-the-harry
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Remember last week I was in London for the Harry Potter World Premiere? I was there by invitation from Windows Live / Hotmail (Microsoft), who sent 1 blogger and 1 contest winner from each country (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines).

This is a picture I really like, of me and Justin Ong (the winner from Singapore) at Ollivander's. I made the wands we're holding, and rented the robe and hat from moephosis. Justin's robe and glasses are his own. 

I'm really happy that I got to know Justin on this trip, cos we found out that we have so many things in common! :) Including the awesome Harry Potter t-shirt from Threadless that he's wearing (I have one too). Hehe!

By the way, I think it's totally awesome that Justin joined the contest because he read about it from my blog! :D And he won! So you see... There's good things to be had when you read my blogs. HAHAHA.

More pics and blog posts about Harry Potter and London trip coming up soon! :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:00:00 -0700 Winner of the Harry Potter movie tickets! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winner-of-the-harry-potter-movie-tickets http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winner-of-the-harry-potter-movie-tickets

Last week, for one of the Harry Potter Giveaways (for the Harry Potter movie tickets), I asked blog readers to name me all the characters (and the respective actors/actresses) in the order that they appeared on my blog when I attended the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows World Premiere in London on 7 July. 

The trip was sponsored by Windows Live / Hotmail / Microsoft Singapore! You can read all about it here!

For the winners selection, I entered all those who had answered the question correctly into a random draw. I used this website, to randomize the selection, and the draw was only done once.

Watch the video clip to find out who won! :) (You may have to download the small clip to see the winners' names clearly. Sorry about that!)

Winner_of_Harry_Potter_Movie_Tickets.swf Download this file

The full answer to the question is as follows:

Evanna Lynch - Luna Lovegood
Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy
David Thewlis - Remus Lupin
Miriam Margolyes - Professor Pomona Sprout
Bonnie Wright - Ginevra "Ginny" Molly Weasley
Timothy Spall - Peter Pettigrew
Helena Bonham Carter - Bellatrix Lestrange
Mark Williams - Arthur Weasley
Imelda Staunton - Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge
Ralph Fiennes - Lord Voldemort
Emma Watson - Hermione Granger
Domhnall Gleeson - William Aurthur "Bill" Weasley
James / Oliver Phelps - Fred / George Weasley

Congrats to the winner! I will be emailing you soon! :)

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:32:00 -0700 Winners of the Harry Potter Hogwarts Sorting Hat! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-hogwarts-sorting http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-hogwarts-sorting
Last week, for one of the Harry Potter Giveaways (for the Hogwarts Sorting Hats), I asked blog readers to answer this question: 

What is the company that has sponsored my trip to London to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? 
For the winners selection, I entered all those who had answered the question correctly into a random draw. I used this website, to randomize the selection, and the draw was only done once.

Watch the video clip to find out who won! :) (You may have to download the small clip to see the winners' names clearly. Sorry about that!)

Winners_of_Hogwarts_Sorting_Hat.swf Download this file

The answer to the question is: Helena Bonham Carter! (She acted as Bellatrix Lestrange, btw)

Congrats to the 2 winners! I will be emailing you soon! :)

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:22:00 -0700 Winners of the Harry Potter Gringotts Magnets! http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-gringotts-magnets http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-gringotts-magnets

Last week, for one of the Harry Potter Giveaways (for the Gringotts Magnets), I asked blog readers to answer this question: 

What is the company that has sponsored my trip to London to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? 

For the winners selection, I entered all those who had answered the question correctly into a random draw. I used this website, to randomize the selection, and the draw was only done once.

Watch the video clip to find out who won! :) (You may have to download the small clip to see the winners' names clearly. Sorry about that!)

Winners_of_Gringotts_Magnets.swf Download this file

BTW, I allowed all who answered with any of the following to enter the winners random draw: Hotmail / Microsoft / Windows Live

Oddly, quite a lot of people said that the trip was sponsored by Warner Bros! 

Congrats to the 2 winners! I will be emailing you soon! :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:33:00 -0700 Winners of the Harry Potter T-Shirt Giveaway Contest http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-t-shirt-giveaway http://www.daphnemaia.mobi/winners-of-the-harry-potter-t-shirt-giveaway

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You might remember that last week I launched a blog giveaway contest for 2x Harry Potter T-shirts!

And...

The 2 winners are... *drum rolls*

Diana and Sook!

Read their answers to the question "Expecto Patronum! What should be the form of your patronus, and why?"

Diana says: My patronus would be an arctic fox because I tend to come off as shy from first impressions as I usually don't speak upfront and open up instantly when making new friends. But once I get into my comfort zone, I can become quite the social butterfly. Many people have told me that I can approach almost anyone effortlessly, but I prefer to have a small group of close friends who really mean the world to me. Like how I am, a fox tends to be a little bit playful but definitely someone who's willing to put up a fight when needed, especially to protect itself and its loved ones. Also, personality wise, as playful as a fox is, there are also times where it demands solitude, and hence I feel that the arctic fox really is a really great representation of myself.

Sook says: Pine marten!  Because it is one of the first animals that my significant other introduced to me and it always makes me happy when I think about it. Although simply adorable, it is still not a weakling little animal; it can be quite feral, which kind of gives me an impression it will be a good patronus to scare off dark things.  It also brings back good memories for me, of that moment when he showed me what a pine marten was. It represents a continuing process of discovery with him in our journey through life together!

Congrats to both for presenting your answers so well! I will email each of you about collection / delivery of the prizes!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/120666/hellokittyicon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aB1R9PLNgxr Daphne Maia daphnemaia Daphne Maia