Winter Break.

Taking a trip down memory lane as I type this!

What happened after Finals:

#1. Post-finals celebration with biz friends at EwF @ Holland V for dinner, epic night soccer, movie night with a bottle of beer/alcohol/dnowhatnameandwhat'sthediffbetweenbeerandalcoholandliquor which I took so long to drink it (couldn't even finish it in the end hahaha. I once heard people saying that biz peeps are all drinkers -not me tho, buay tahan. I'm a milo/juice/yakult/coffee person heheh) Nonetheless, loved the company!

#2. Moved out of second home with mixed feelings. Can't believe how fast time flies and one sem is gone already. Thankful for my cutest CAPT family and biz friends for making the 13 weeks a good one! :)

#3. Chop chop get visa, chop chop pack luggage. (which is not really a chop chop because I took super long to pack my luggage because my theory is packabit-RESTALOT hahahaha)

#4. Met up with my favourite people like Claire and Tze before India! Cafed and shopped and chilled at Claire's, so nice seeing auntie and uncle again! Wanted to bake for my mum's birthday but it failed, cupcakes-turned-kueh hahahahaha, it's ok! Always another time!

#5. India. INDIA. INDIA!!!
5th to 20th December got to be one of the most memorable days of my holiday break. In love with the new culture, new people, new experience, new everything. Had the opportunity (which I'm v thankful for) to visit organizations like SEWA and STEP Academy and attend meetings to learn more about what they do/have done/will be doing. It was interesting putting myself in a different context and perspective.

Somehow, I came to realise that the people living in the rural areas seem to be happier than people in the urban. Despite having less tangible benefits and all. They are more easily contented, they smile more, they wave. The kids especially. They are so happy they shine so brightly it was a joy meeting them :') I guess like what a quote once said, being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfection. Everyday, I learn something new in India. There was once, in the extremely busy Gujarat Bazaar, a dad approached me for a picture. Of his daughter. From his dressing, you could tell he wasn't from a well-to-do family but he dressed his daughter up like a princess. Which was so cute and so moving at the same time, I could tell how proud he was as a father and how much he loves his little girl.

With just 15 days I met people from different castes and different standards of living. It is sad because we were treated really nicely with good food and all... and the next moment you see child beggars and all you can do is offer biscuits in your bag, and what happens when more comes? When they ask for money? You tell them I'm sorry. And you feel really bad. The kind of bad that sinks right into your stomach. And stays there. Poverty happens. Inevitably, differences will always be there, no matter which country... #truth.

Nonetheless, it was a really good fifteen days of learning with new friends! An experience I will never forget. Thank you for the wonderful time India! <3

#6. Day out with Lx at Ikea with our yummy kids meal and chicken wingssss. Did some shopping (my first time in Dec!) and we bought couple tee hahaha. Also met up with my CAPT-DAISY buddies for some good food at Medz, finally satisfied my waffle craving WO AI WAFFLES!!! No matter what kind, what type, what shape. It was a day of good food, followed by dessert at Maccha House and Coldstone. And because I cannot resist good Christmas lobang, my wardrobe waves hello to some new clothes too :D Speaking of clothes... I bought my standard plain v-necks from India. MANY. Stocked up and fully prepared for clothes next sem HAHAHA.

#7. 24th Dec was CAP revelation and dinner with Tze and Cas at our usual spot. CAP was a floppy disappointment -kind of expected it but it was still disappointing because I know my mum's disappointed and I'm sorry. I did my best though... maybe I just can't get Biz. Healing time was speedy as usual, I'm just gng to try out the next foundation basket and try my best again for next sem! There's so much more to life than grades! :)

#8. Home alone with drama and a book. Floppy penguin moments, love it! Got to make full use of time now and nuaaa my best before school starts again! Also can't wait to meet some old friends over good food soon! :)

Andddd that's all for December, for now!

Before the Storm.

Time to gear up and get not only the umbrellas, but the FULL BODY RAINCOAT ready. It's the time of the year again! While majority of the presentations are gone, thankfully, finals are coming our way instead! Let's fight them!!! Therefore, a random weekend post before the storm:

Saturday was well spent with mum. Accompanied her to Thomson Hospital! Where I was born hehe. Did work on laptop while she was having her checkup and I kept dozing off and ended up sleeping on the sofa and becoming a public obstacle/nuisance haha. There were so many newborns/babies/toddlers it was a happy place! (P.S. witnessed some spoiled kids who dresses up all princessy being mean to their parents :( may my future children be nice and kind pls) Hopped over to Parkway after that for lunch:



and got my burden blazer which was....(wait for it) $1 0 4. even after 30% discount. HEART BLEED WORTHY AMT OF $!!! :'(

Came home to beautiful postcards all the way from UK.



and proceeded to snack. much. one of the many:



Took an unintentional 10 hours long sleep and came back to second home in the morning, just in time for my second breakfast (EVERYTHING COFFEE <3)



and very importantly, just in time for...



NBA Morning with Tze! Finally watching tgt since we're neighbours now heh heh, more to come! (Even though I was multitasking with work and rockets didn't win)

Ended the day with mint chocolate ice cream from the italian restaurant and some grocery shopping at NTUC. Time to get back to work and wave hello to crazy weeks ahead! I'm ready and I can't wait to get you done and over with!

Content.

“Sometimes it is the smallest thing that saves us: the weather growing cold, a child’s smile, and a cup of excellent coffee.” — Jonathan Carroll

#truth. Rum x chocolate waffle saved me yesterday. Food is always a life saver. 

My week has officially ended with marketing project meeting, it was a productive one and I'm glad. Chilling with a strawberry swiss roll/  nice soundtrack in the background/ sunlight shining on my bedsheets/ I think today is a good day. I'm learning to look at positive side of everything and it's keeping me healthy inside. 

Next few weeks aren't going to be easy with three projects due and so many deadlines to meet. But it'll pass and winter break will come and all will be fine, 

I'm positive.

Gravity.

Caught this amazingggggg movie today with the bro after our respective mood-spoiling marketing classes in our different schools. On a Saturday (!!!) It has been such a long time since I last watched a movie, this is so worth it! Makes you smile and cry -squeeze out all your emotions dry hahaha. Food therapy as usual, happy afternoon well spent!

Returned home and spent time watching vids about Autism and tadah -crying session part 2. They are so beautiful and sweet :') Time to really start on work now though, got so much to catch up on, -have been procrastinating alot.

Ending this post with a really good quote:

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” - Hunter S. Thompson

Mornings.

Good morning view from the window / I love it when I wake before the sun rises and it's pitch dark everywhere but it's a different kind of pitch dark. The hopeful kind. 

Gobbled down my breakfast too quickly, now my stomach is feeling strange but it'll be gone soon. It's not a TGIF today because there's meeting later, reflection essay due tonight and early class tmr. 

But I was thinking why not TGIMTWTFSS? Ought to be thankful for everyday :)

Freedom is the kite's response to the wind.

Kite flying, Cambodia 2012

Today's my official Thinking Day. The very dreaded day because it means I need to face the issue and stop running away from it. One of the toughest things in life is probably making decisions. So many consequences and what-ifs to ponder on, sigh. Heavy heart. Freedom of choice -what an irony. Because I'm blessed with this freedom that traps me. 

Give yourself permission to try, and try again.

Thinking Day.

as I scroll through tumblr:

You are good at something, stop lying to yourself. You’re good at breaking down comic book plots, cooking ramen perfectly, making your friends happy, knowing the time without looking at a clock, getting the perfect ending at RPG’s, or figuring out the twist ending to movies. Don’t let society tell you your talents are meaningless because they don’t serve an economical purpose. Your talents reflect your interests and passions, and what’s important to you is important.

I think I need another random last minute ice cream escape.

-

No I don't anymore. Healing time is fast as usual. Too fast it's actually quite funny. I got distracted by tumblr and my day got made by happy things. Especially this: (please watch the last four sweethearts)

Now I'm recharged with the energy to do (something I don't find happiness in doing), but it's all in the mind.

Spring cleaning

Void deck of block 257. Saturday morning. 8.30am. I'm typing this while listening to the elderly around me speak about their everyday lives. Grocery shopping, collection of cardboard, their children... All in the hokkien, such a familiar sound. It's a nice Saturday morning, I woke at 5.30am (CLAPS CLAPS CLAPS) to complete some work because I slept at 11+ (again) haha yay for productive morning. Woke up to discover that I'm business queen while tze's nursing queen, according to CAPT Confessions and I LOLed as usual. Must be William again!

Going to start spring cleaning for the elderly -looking forward but pls pls pls let there not be any cockroaches haha my highest level of buay ta han. This is the first post since school started but I'm going to hiatus a long while again hahahaha. 

Will be back. 

Penang

Today is going to be a good day, I can feel it. Finally a rest day, after so long, am thankful for today even if it's just 9.37 in the morning now! And rest day means blogging day!

Got back from my second Penang trip with tzelin and tzelin's dad! This time Lixin could make it too! This was three years ago:

Us with our extremely epic pictures. Anyone who's in a bad mood can just go and take a look at tze's album of penang pictures, laughter is guaranteed (Y). I was also much heavier then haha, can u tell?

Penang was equally awesome this time, I love allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the food there. Wanton noodles, char kuay teow, iced milo, barley, lok lok, dim sum, duck mee sua *v* Sneak peak:

Their small hawker centres were super old school and cool. Checkered tiles and dented metal chairs and wooden tables and stained floors... feels like I'm back in olden Singapore. The food was srsly the best, massive thumbs up 10/10 happiness guaranteed!

It was really nice to see tze's grandparents and family again, her granddad is so cute he practises his english "Good Morning!" and is always so smiley, grandma was really nice too, they made us feel at home! <3

We left SG on a night flight on the 4th July Thursday and I was quite annoyed with myself because I forgot my toothbrush and sth tze asked me to buy... plus my bag died that night too. BAD START D: Reached Penang at midnight, tze's nice uncle came to fetch as usual and tze's dad bought me toothbrush from 7-11, thank you :)

Friday, we woke early at 7am and headed over to the hospital for tze's check up! Lx and I watched Running man on her iPad during the wait,

and we had dim sum for breakfast!!! And then, the shopping begins! :D Caught a movie <Badges of Fury> and we started laughing in the middle of the show... not because it was funny but because it was really so ridiculous. I guess the humour in the show was too different from ours haha. For e.g., the policeman on bicycle can FLY with his bike and bounced past buses on a busy road, and when it bounced, there was the SuperMario Sound Effects OMGGG That part I really cannot tahan, laughed damn long. And he crashed into the bus and broke the windows and crashed out of the bus and broke more windows and was absolutely unhurt and in zero pain and continued running HAHAHAHAHA. But it wasn't a superhero show! It was just a police show!!! It ended weirdly too haha wasted my $ but good experience nonetheless. At least I had my caramel popcorns :D

Saturday was a great exploring day! We took the train up to Penang Hill and had fun walking around, it's a beautiful place. There's this signboard everywhere that says "You haven't been to Penang if you have not gone to Penang Hill"... which means this is my first trip to Penang haha.  

SO GU NIANG RIGHT! This is a fake pic hahaha I had tons of unglam but I didnt save them to my com so I'm lazy to upload them! But the zhong dian is, can u tell how lang man the place is! :D

It's damn sad I mostly have pics of myself in my phone only because all of the real pics were taken using tze's real camera and she hasn't upload them! So it's just my face for the time being!

We went to The Mugshot Cafe for dinner, tze's auntie brought us there, and it was so atas! *v*

Gugu brought us to see the murals after dinner! There were so pretty but my stomachache ruined it :/ Worst stomachache I ever had, I couldn't stand straight haha. Here are my photog masterpieces of my friends! 

It was Penang's Heritage Day on Sunday and tze's dad brought us to GeorgeTown! Such a beautiful place Penang is.

These were taken using my phone when tze's camera died! The murals were *v* and I got to try out ice ball from the olden times and went into many old shops selling vintage stuff and all. So pretty, Penang is now in my top countries list hehe. Caught another movie, Andy Lau's <Blind Detective> which was creepy but not bad! :) Ended the trip on a really nice note with Macs Bfast at Penang Airport and left on Monday morning's flight!

Thankful to Tze's family, especially her dad for bringing us around all the time! I really want to head back again when I grow up, Penang, 等我！:D

家。

Tearing as I watch this.

This brought back too many memories, 

so much love for this place I call home. 

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.

That's my quote for Grad Book! :)

Decided to post about JC life after reading the blog post of a JC girl which got a bit famous on social media and after talking to wang a little bit about school because she was telling me how her driving instructor reminds her of our Chem teacher last time.

Back in P6, I wanted to study in RGS because of my bro (I'm his shadow for life, this includes studying lit in year 3 and econs in year 5 and our favourite yakult drink and even our current email password LOL). But my results couldn't make it, so no more RGS haha! Choices were limited, and I didn't want to take O Levels so DHS was the best choice!

I peaked at year 1/2 with a GPA of around 3.8 hahaha thanks to the many drama projects and project work that we always do quite well in haha. Izare was quite a mugger class and I mugged hard! Then I met 3F/4F, which is a class with a so many different people with different interests taking different subjects coming together nicely. There were two floors of sec 3 classes and we were the "third level" class, which is inferior to the "fourth level" classes academics wise. We were loud, crazy and 'bad' kids. 4F thought me so much in just a span of two years. It taught me about friendship, unity and almost everything in life... except academics hahaha. I remember so clearly how a teacher labelled us as "below average class", how we did our worksheets together as a class because it was chinese and 4F hates chinese, not forgetting chemistry work because we were so afraid of our chem/form teacher but at the end of the day after what we have gone through, she will forever remain the one we love the most, (I will never forget the scene when she scolded us till she started crying and continued scolding us because all she ever wanted was the best for us. She wanted us to prove our worth and I really hope we made her proud), how we passed all our food around during lessons, how we got scolded by almost every teacher so so frequently and how we'll head to Parkway/Ikea/Siglap/Playgrounds to nua and laze around and eat and have fun and relax so often after school. I ended my year 4 with a GPA of 3.6 which was unexpected haha and I'm glad. I'm thankful for all the memories with 4F, just thinking about them makes me smile.

Next up! Senior High years!!! I had my gang who survived through it with me, beside me, together with me. :') The first row + the left hand side of the class people! HAHAHAHA SHIT MAN I LOVE THEM. We got picked on by so many teachers/ called up to present our answers so many times/ and most memorable part of all, we failed our tests together. Common scenario will be: Person A flashes script. Person B flashes script too. and we'll all start laughing and be happy because we've got each other!!! There's nothing to be afraid of!!!! All is well!!! Mugging sessions often turn up to be talking sessions. Thankful to the right hand side of the class for teaching us when we needed help and lending us their tutorials generously :') My average score for all subjects was a 'U' for most of the time. OMG I remembered how I got a 'B' in Year 5 Math Promo exam but when Year 6 came it dropped to a 'U' again and just stayed there all the way with some improvements!!! I think it went up to a 'D/E' for prelims! Then there was Bio which was epic because I wanted to drop H2 Bio to a H1 but my teacher convinced me out of it. However, at the same time, he told me about how I'm drowning deep underwater and I can't survive LOLOL it was super funny. He promised my mum that I will pass my Bio in A Levels and my mum was quite affected hahahahaha she didn't want just a pass. Econs was equally bad, or maybe even worse hahaha I failed it too badly in Year 5 (didn't pass econs before) I had to retake it during the Dec holidays so that I can continue learning econs in Year 6. Spent the holiday mugging econs sadly and yay I passed the retest because the teachers were so kind the questions were so straight forward and easy hahaha! I felt so proud of myself when I passed it though, will remember that good feeling forever. The first time I passed Econs was quite special to me hahaha. Next up, Chem! It's always and only... U!!! HAHAHAHA There were some good times when I'll score an D/E but good times don't last and U is back hahahaha. Made the grand decision to drop one H2 to H1 and debated between bio and chem! Thanks to my lovely H1 chem mates who explained to me its difference compared to H2 syllabus, I dropped chem even though it was just a few months away from A's so there were people telling me how wasted it was to drop at that time. But I knew I couldn't make it with 4 H2 haha and yep so 3H2 it shall be! My JC days were not really stressful despite the grades haha because I wasn't affected by them that much. I guess it became kind of numb. The left hand side peeps only knew how to be happy. We would be worried and stressed for a short while and then it'll be gone again HAHAHAHA. I wouldn't have survived through my JC life without them! :') Of cos, there are also the usual three girls who stood beside me all the way since Year 1 <3 And my mum who believed in me even though I kept telling her to be mentally prepared that I'm going to fail A's haha!

I got to admit that I didn't put in my best in mugging for A's at all. One day before the test I couldn't even finish memorizing everything, esp Econs and Bio. Thankfully, life is so kind to me I cried when I got my results at a tiny corner beside the hall (no one saw me hehe). Those were tears of joy and disbelief and contentment and shock and everything from these six years of learning. I can't be more blessed with my bunch of friends who stuck with me through thick and thin. I will always, always be proud of how we created a miracle in A Levels together, wlao eh, we finally passed :')

COFFEE.

Dedicate my title of this post to something I can't live without! Super happy today because the barista @ McCafe made my iced mocha very sweet and chocolate-ty and yummy, hahaha made my day.

Recap of the busy busy busy week:

Today! Took me so long to wake up, terrible at waking up early, forever making my mum pek chek haha. Day started off happy with Patrick hehe, we played sword games today haha so cute as usual. Headed for Tampines and nua-ed at Macs with nuggets and iced mocha! Charli made my day too because I can see really obvious improvement in her math! :D So proud of her! Came home with KFC for family, mum cooked tofu, brocoli, chicken soup for me hehe blessed. NTUC with mum after early dinner, met up with cousin and my niece for a while too! Sophia's favourite place - NTUC hahaha she was so happy! Had to take a pic because she makes me so happy hahahaha. She keeps holding this Kodomo Body Wash and grabbed two bottles somemore haha love. CAN'T WAIT FOR BALI WITH MY BABY GIRL, my cousin assigned me with the important task of taking care of her so she can relax haha. My pleasure max pls!



Yesterday/Saturday! Rare one-tuition day @ AMK! P6 changed to tuesday for this week. YAY hahaha quite shiok to end tuition early in the morning. Am worried about Andrea's progress, spammed her with homework I really hope she improves! Met Auntie and Mum @ Old Airport for lunch + alter some of my shorts yay, can't wait to wear them again. Had yummy Grilled Fish w Terriyaki sauce omg typing about it makes me hungry again. Day ended off normally with gym!

Friday! Met Cas and Tam for brunch @ Tampines! Had Yong Tau Foo that made me sooooo full. Cas had to leave for work, Tam and I headed to Coffee Bean to nua/mug/catchup <3 Shopped around abit, no idea why I dont have any desire to shop/buy clothes recently and none of the clothes I see everywhere seem to catch my attention. Need some new clothes tho hahaha I'm always wearing the same thing even my tutee comments about this. Two tuitions after that, lazy but whoop they were over in a flash!

Thursday! Just tuition @ Tamp, nth much hahaha, gymed after tuition!

Wednesday! Labour day!!! 1st day of May!!! Standup event early in the morning, broke my record this year haha woke up at 7am hahahaha. It was not really my thing to go around socialising, but yep I'm glad I helped out with the balloons and made a tiny difference haha. Was really nice seeing happy faces everywhere :) Ate @ Clarke Quay with Lixin and Aiwee omg the old times man, tuition @ William!!! Memories. Nua-ed at Starbucks with LX till tuition time came and took a straight bus there yay! I was so sleepy I kept dozing off on the bus but I made it! Shifted tuition timing to late afternoon and yay finally dinner-ed with mum after SOOOO LONG. Super rare tht I'm free at night hahaha. Had fav mixed rice :D





Tuesday! Met Aiwee and Huihan @ Paya Macs for PANCAKES!!!! With hot fudge and maple syrup yay finally satisfied craving! Hmm but hh's right. I prefer the normal maple syrup hahaha. Had a good time nua-ing away at Gong Cha after that. Two tuitions that day!

Monday! Tze had driving in the morning and I was supposed to meet her at 10am... but... I overslept :( hahahaha and was forgiven.The usual Monday: Bedok green > Niece > Whampoa Drive.

TADAH DONE WITH MY RECAP :)
Bali in June is happening and confirmed, just in time before uni officially starts - I. can't. wait xD

Monday Blues.

Spinning headache + fever + aching legs from all the kneeling yesterday. Badddd day to start the week I hope I get better by tomorrow!

Time for lunch and panadol.

Busy Days

Am living a busy life right now. Everyday is packed with tuition/driving/meeting friends, I'm happy. 

12.04.13 - 13.04.13: I've been bloating myself up for the past two days. Met Lixin before tuition yesterday to pass her cupcakes I baked for her birthday and ate ajisen. Bad choice despite the good food. I've no idea why I got SO full it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable after the meal. Contemplated whether to go for tuition and I decided to go for it! (after advice from Huihan haha) Too guilty and full I had to gym after tuition... and I did it! YAY :D Same case for today, had a late dinner with family at Eunos and I was SO full again. Drama part 2. Gymmed part 2 too hahaha. 

Ah Ma Bai Bai event is happening from Friday to tomorrow. Spent most of my time there after tuition, going through rituals and folding paper money. We got her a huge house and a huge car. I wonder how is she, please be happy wherever you are, <3. 

Our baby in the huge family :)

11.04.13: Fun baking time with HH again! AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL!!! YAY US. Proud proud #bakersforlife :D Met her at our usual favourite bakeking and bought our mixed rice lunch and off to baking!

Double Chocolate Oreo cupcakes for Lixin's birthday! Posted them on Insta thinking that LX doesn't check insta anymore but sadly... she checked and she knew. sigh hahaha. I suck at surprises. 

10.04.13 - 11.04.13: Cas came for a sleepover! :) All we did was: watched RM, caught up on life and slept late. A short but nice time :) 

10.04.13: Met up with PALT peeps @ i12 for a reallllllllly good movie, Saving General Yang, which was even better because I watched the drama and know the story so I'm not lost haha. We were T.T most of the time though, and we ran out of tissues HAHAHAHAHA. Had Manhatten 1-for-1 @ Bugis and Chewy Junior for dessert time! YUMMMMMY MAX. (even though I hate the cream and will take them out before eating hahaha.)

07.04.13: Rise and shine even before the sun was up! Woke at 5am+ to set off for a faraway place! Visiting my maternal Ah Ma and Ah Gong <3 I was really sleepy by the time we ended at noon time but tahan-ed till tuition ended at 4! Home sweet home after that. 

06.04.13: AIWEE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! Met Aiwee and Lixin at Paya Lebar's Delifrance to nua till Tze ends her work! Headed to Aljunied to eat some good food at a famous Penang Restaurant but it was too packed and the queue was too long we headed for food court instead! Food was not bad too :)

Pathetic cakes I bought for Aiwee, so sorry it wasn't a proper cake because I had to hide it well in my bag and a normal cake will be too huge :( Sorry AW!

The usual people :* <3 Six years of birthday celebrations together and ten years with AW!

03.04.13: $$$$$ Collected our pay @ Airport for the last time with Tze and we decided to eat some yummeh food at HF Cafe! REALLY VERY YUMMEH. Curry Ramen with Chicken!!! Drools. Will be back for another plate!

02.04.13: A nua day at home before tuition at night! It was good with tea break from my bro (YAY): 

Done with update! Am giving up on March's updates I'm too lazy hahahaha. Tomorrow shall be a good day! :)