Fabrica to re-launch showroom at Gadong. Well, not exactly Gadong.. but it's located at Gadong Properties and it will be opening on the 9th January 2010 and there will be a special discount from 20-50% discount on selected items and there will also be special souvenirs to be given away.

So for those who doesn't know Fabrica, they don't just provide high-end quality curtains but they also do consultation services as well as in-house interior design. There's a showroom at Gadong Properties for those who are interested to know more.. You can also add them on their facebook page for updates.. You can click here. Good luck on the launch in January....

Fabrica to open at Gadong Properties on 9th January

Fabrics to choose from

A mock up display for patrons to see

RECAP March 2009. Najibah Era chosen for Commonwealth Women's Antarctic Expedition.... JIS Showcase Music Concert..... The BGIC VII hosted by ISB.... Aberden Brunei Senior Masters.... Muji's birthday celebration...The Knots officially opened.... HSBC's Point of View contest created a huge buzz.... Iqbal and Efra won trip to the catch Liverpool beat Man Utd 4-1 at Old Trafford... BFF celebrates 2nd year... Brumesh officially launched by HRH Princess 'Azemah Bolkiah.... Flew off to UK for Manchester-Liverpool match sponsored by Blink! and Malaysia Airlines.... Reunited with former BEDB interns.... Faiz Damit made first cut in Singapore as pro-golfer and earns Asean Tour Card... Searching candidates of Asean Beauties and Feez & Safwaryna were chosen.... B.mobile's trend setters roadshow.... Red Sunday at Kenangan Beach hosted by LSCB.... Ultimate Frisbee trying to make an impact in Brunei.... DPMM FC were leading the S.League at one point.. KK trip for Breeze Gig at D Junction with Superfriends... Abdul Aziz Harun wins Bintang Kecil 2009.... GHK turns 36...

Crown Prince at Aberden Senior Masters at The Empire

The 2nd anniversary of Brunei Forever Forum

Our famous swimmer is a great vocalist too :)

Catching up with the former BEDB interns in the UK

Photo with a KK celebrity at One Borneo, KK

RECAP April 2009. Rozana came 2nd in KK Toastmasters Convention... My trip to KL for F1 Mega FAM Trip... My visit to SKALI office... AM Gunners beat Muara Vella FC in charity match.... BARA held environmental talk... CLEX 2009..... Family reunion during Mom's birthday at Polo... Jangan Tegur had mixed reviews... HSBC Media Appreciation Night... The hit-and-run accident which cost the live of a New Zealander, the late Leanne Jefford... Bobby Chin and Anthony Worrall in Brunei... Loius Pang held workshop in Brunei... SMARTER announced new building... Relaunch of Shikai Restaurant... Baiduri Masters 2009.... Foodie Bloggers' Challenge at Pablo's... DPMM FC sweet victory over SAF FC 2-1.... His Majesty planted the seeds for Laila Rice.... Azmi and Nora's wedding... Simunic celebrated his birthday with fans at Season's...

A family reunion during my Mom's birthday

Meeting celebrities Belinda and Josh during Puma event in KL

AJ's birthday gathering

Loius Pang's workshop at The Empire

LCB visit to the iCentre

I miss the crazy crowd of DPMM FC

Rano says two more days before 2010 takes over the year and it truly has been an interesting year indeed. I just hope for the better in 2010 and I already have plans for next year.. Definitely I will be traveling here and there for some coverage and I'll be busy again with the upcoming BCG 2010 in late January.

I read yesterday's newspaper with regards to screening issue at the Brunei International Airport. Most of the airports worldwide have taken drastic action to beef up the security and also carrying out 100 percent security screenings.. Not much have been said in Brunei waters but there will be a 100% screening at the airport for each passenger and pieces of cargo and cabin luggage. This new stricter policy came after reports of a failed attempt to blow up a US Northwest Airlines by a Nigerian few days ago. But for Brunei's case, it is more of detecting drug smugglers.

And guys, I have to tell you frankly that I don't like queueing up for ATMs *LOL* As most of you are aware, this week is the bonus period and man, even paying a visit to the ATM after 11pm won't make a difference. I do notice that most of the guys are paying for their CCs at a minimum through the ATM *LOL* and I was the only one in the queue who was withdrawing cash. So I thought to myself, that's quite interesting that these guys are planning to make full use of their CCs more by just settling a minimum amount first. So guys, I do suggest that you don't spend too much and if possible, use cash to pay for your stuff ;)

An interesting article was published yesterday about the locals preferred to work in the government sector - because of money. It's true that some private sectors can't match what the government is offering unless you are working for big companies like Shell, BEDB and so on.. I believe the overall system implemented by the government and the private sector have shaped the decisions of individuals on their preference and that is most individuals prefer to work for the government. This has already become a culture though there isn't enough supply to cater to the high demands of government related jobs. What do you think an economist should suggest to neutralise this trend?

Anyway, you'll be noticing a new guest blogger for RA and we had an interesting conversation last night on a new gimmick that both of us will introduce next year (a few days' time really) and hopefully this will bring RA to a slightly new angle. I will reveal more on that later but firstly, I would like to introduce my guest blogger - Stephanie - who initiated this idea to be her truthful self when it comes to opinions and it will be shared on her mini-post through RA. You may like or may not like it but you have to bear with it. So a bit of warning from Mr. RA, don't mess with her *Just Kidding... LOL* Maybe that's why we both click because of our opposite characters though we still have other similar "colours" (attributes).

The traffic that leads to the ATM

Steph says this is my first blog entry on RANOADIDAS. I am soooo going to blog about styling your hair. I have always get my hair  done in SINGAPORE. The hair salon I regularly visit is located at TAKASHIMAYA. It called the Kim Robinson. It just opposite the newly open LV boutique on the 2nd level. I'm sooo used to going there for almost 13 years. I started going there when I was 12 years old.

I recalled back why I was there for the first time. It was all because someone had accidently cut my hair to a style which I felt ugly and it made me felt so uneasy for the whole day. You know that feeling, right, when you have a bad hair day?? So I was recommended to go Le Salon (Kim Robinson) for a re-cut.

So I decided to give it a shot and it cost me about $97 at that time. To me, that was a big amount of money... because i was only 12!!!!! But in the end, I took the risk and it turned that I loved it. For almost 3 months, I didn't cut my hair. And i let it grow, so i went back for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th time... and ummpth time (countless). But the prices increase as time goes by, it became like 150+++.. OMG. You know how la how Singapore market is. Price goes up like nobody's business.

But when you divided the money, you spend on hair per month cut will be ... $35 including washing n cutting. So $35*4 months will be $140. So to me it was ok. But now.... in year 2009... the price increased to 350+++... (another OMG moment) .... But I don't mind going.... You know why? Because I only cut my hair like 2x a year!! lol.... And my mummy is a frequent client of there... =P she spend like $500++ on just digital perming.. and it looks awesome....!!!!

Hi-lighted back in early July 2009 *Wasn't satisfied*

Hi-lighted twice in one day last Sunday - colour on top still has bad finishing

In Singapore, there is another famous salon called Passion ... And this hair stylist that I like and his name is DAVID GAN!!! but I think he is just normal! He charges high because his clients are normally celebrities!! Thats all. I had a friend who tried there...but it turned out that it is not as good as what Le Salon (Kim Robinson) is giving.

As age catches up, I tend to be more creative... I was willing to try other salon as well... As usual, it turns out like S**T!!!! and I went back to Kim Robinson to salvage my ruined hair!! LOL... and he always scold me... But he always do a good job in the end!! and my hair was saved (again and again). So I recommend you to visit that salon if u r in SINGAPORE!!! But you need to call for advance booking though. It always fully BOOKED!!! Look for Michael... He is good (although he is not good looking! hahaha) ... Even from Michael.. I heard that he has lots of Bruneian customers every month!! Woooooo.. he is just GREAT!!!

In Brunei, I experimented lots of salons!! Frankly speaking, all people have who gave a few recommendations, none has satisfied me... The results were not to my expectations... Basically no one can match and understand what I want!!

So i thought maybe the famous one here could be good.. so i went to a popular salon in KIULAP. And the result - I felt like crying n feel like punching people!!!!! I went there twice though the boss weren't around but I was entertained by another hairstylist.

Most of the salons in BRUNEI... will say the same thing!!! I have dyed and hi-light my hair for many years and I have a simple request and that is having it dyed from the root. And the salons I have tried, couldn't fulfil that. They left like at least 1-2 cm away from the hair root!!!! Their reason being the hair dye cannot be dyed near to the root!!! I was like WTH!!! How can that be... I've been dye-ing my hair ever since I was 12. Hello!!!!!! I bleached my hair... to blonde... to purple... back to black... to green... so many times... but yet they told me this type of reason... Is the chemical not good enough or the experience is not that good?? And they used the kind of old style of lighting the hair!!! And they dye my eyebrow using hair dye!!! WTF!!!! hello!!! Wake up!!!!!! You are not suppose to do that!!!! UGH!!!! *shouting in pain*

I was happy with this.. done in Singapore

I'm just someone who will keep quiet and i wont go there for a second time!! And I telling AGAIN!!!! I won't go there again!!! Even if they are going to give me FREE!!!!! I spend like $200 ok!!!!! It's worse than in SINGAPORE!!!!! The salon I normally visit ... is going to cost me a bomb like $350-$490... But for what I'm spending, it is like spending on two salon visits here in Brunei!!!!!!

RIght now, I'm trying out at Erick's Salon after I re-did my hair twice at another salon in the last 18 hours. We shall see what he can give me... For what i know... he is GOOD and i know he will give me what i want!!! And he totally know what I want for my hair!!!

U know what is important to a lady!! Her face complexion.. her hair.... and her dressing... if her hair sucks, she will look like she just had a major ACCIDENT!!! which I'm facing now!!

I MAYBE....just maybe consider giving the other popular salon a 2nd chance... But it must be done by the boss and not the other hair stylist!!!! =P Have a nice day....

Communication is very important and Erick understood what I wanted

This is important so dyeing is easier to execute

A new coat applied at the previous hi-lighted area

This is the one that takes most of the time

It's washing time....

The job is still half done

Another coating is applied for the colour that I wanted

Yay!!! It's not there yet but definitely way better than the previous work

Thanks Erick for saving my hair... You rock!!!

DESEO's year end promotion. Hey peeps.. Since it's pay day, why not take advantage of Deseo's promotion on some selected items.. There are some on 50% discount, 20% on selected dresses and 10% on accessories...

The dresses on display

There are also rings available

Artistic head bands too

The 20% discount section

Flowers for home decor

Jeans for ladies

Simple head bands for ladies