w a n s i e n 9 9 @ b l o g s p o t

insta-week

2012-01-31T18:22:00.001Z

Just spent an amazing afternoon. Holed up in my room. All by myself. Wtf.

A cup of mocha, a slice of nutella toast, new romance novel, Se7en and Brian Joo's new albums on loop, and the whole house all to myself. And I suddenly felt like I'm so lucky to be alive wtf.

I don't lead a super dramatic life, filled with ups and downs, passion and excitement etc. It's pretty stagnant most of the time. But I'm the type that prefers a boring night in to a happening, speakers-blaring, alcohol-pumping club, so this is okay to me.

Anyway, I was curled up under my duvet, getting up the point where the girl in the book is developing an interest in the hero, sipping my hot drink - when this giddy rush of happiness suddenly developed and I sat up and hugged my pillows to me, squealing like a pig WTF. I can't explain my actions either wtf wtf.

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So, back to more mundane topics, my past week in photos. I'm getting back into the Instagram way of things. Got the app more than half a year ago, but never really used it. Thought I should start now.

Fat Face sneakers. Taken when I was at the bus stop, on my way to my first lecture of the year.

Heh. These three signs are super cute and describes me perfectly. ;)

CNY keropok! Steph's grandma packed a whole bunch of the sweet potato ones for Steph to bring over, because she knows I love them. :')

Nah, scare you all with a ghost-like photo of me wtf.

There was a CNY celebration at our Uni's park. I missed the lion dances but caught the fireworks. It was amazing seeing it in a wide, open field like that! <3

Deadlines for the next two months. FML.

Chilling at the cafe beside our Uni's lake before we hit the piano rooms. The view was so pretty, but the hot chocolate was meh.

Mapo tofu. Tried out Lee Kum Kee's pre-packed sauce and it was pretty good.

New extention to the Engineering department. The couches were gigantic and oh-so-comfy, I likey.

Think I cried a year's worth of tears in the past two days. Finally got around to watching the final episodes of BOTH Adam and Khuntoria couple. T______T

One last photo, of my CNY outfit. Blue with splashes of red and pink.

Byeeeee, going to dive right back into my book.

technicolour

2012-01-24T22:07:00.001Z

很多事，没黑或白那么简单。又很多事，其实就明明那么不复杂，只因为自己看惯了灰。

问题就在于要解决，或不要。黑，白- 自己选，很难吗？

也许所谓的灰，不是因为自己想，而是别人的期望全都在那里，所以不得已自己也一定要跟过去。

china (iv) - Shanghai

2012-01-21T13:42:00.000Z

The cyberworld is buzzing with the whole SOPA drama recently. Megaupload is officially down now, although not directly because of the SOPA bill, but everybody's busy linking the two issues together. And today, I find that my favourite online photo-editing site is closing in April! :(

Ok lah, merging with Google+, but I'm still super unhappy because I'm a creature of habit and I don't like any changes in format etc etc. So I'm trying out this new photo-editing tool that I downloaded a few months ago. I have it in my iPhone as well and it does a pretty good job. It has a lot more effects than Picnik, but the downside is that it vastly decreases the quality of my photos (by about half!) and makes it more noisy. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.

Anyway, squeezing all my Shanghai photos into one post. There wasn't much pictures to begin with anyway.

Day 4 - 21.07.11, Thursday

We took the bullet train from Suzhou to Shanghai on Thursday noon, only an hour's journey. After dumping our stuff in our room, off to the shopping district. Had lunch in Subway lolol!

南京路 / Nanjing Road.

First thing we saw was this old man standing on a balcony playing oldie songs! So Shanghai feel. :D

People dancing to the music below.

Spotted a Hong Kong cafe and rushed in. China's food is really good, but most of the time we don't know how to appreciate the taste lolol. I think Southeast Asian taste still runs more towards HK-nese food.

上海外滩 / The Bund.

One of Stephie's wishes granted - visiting this place wtf. She spent the first term in her second year crying because she took Mandarin and one of the articles she had to memorize was about The Bund. I distinctly remember one dark, gloomy night where I was up till 4am patiently teaching her how to read and pronounce the words FML.

Huangpu river.

Horrible pollution.

Day 5 - 22.07.11, Friday

Ah Lu was telling us about 田子坊 / Tian Zi Fang so I die-die also must squeeze in a visit. And luckily we did, because I think it was the highlight of the Shanghai stretch of our trip.

If you don't go looking for it, you totally won't see it. It's this artsy labyrinth full of cozy cafes and squashed-up shops selling very interesting and creative little knick-knacks. Love the ambience there, a clash of elegant French architecture and 1980s bourgeoisie Chinese.

Went searching for this really famous restaurant for dinner. They reputedly have the best Xiao Long Baos, but it was packed and they weren't receiving anymore patrons! So in the end, settled for some random food court with mehhh food.

Something happened there which really disturbed me. I was near tears and everything WTF. It wasn't anything major, just a small scene that you'd see probably everywhere but idk, it hit me really hard. Even thinking about it is sending my mood plummeting. :(

(Maybe also because my Itunes is in the Spirited Away section and all the OSTs so damn sad)

No photos of the next day lolol! But we basically did the same thing lor, walked around a few streets, went back to the HK cafe for lunch etc etc. Flew back to Brunei on Sunday.

There, China trip done! :D

china (iii) - Suzhou

2012-01-14T15:16:00.000Z

I was going to apologize for not taking much photos during this China trip because

1) I. Was. Sick. FML.

2) The weather was crazy hot.

But nevermind because there are 48 pictures in this entry lolol.

Day 3 - 20.07.11, Wednesday

There's a saying "上有天堂,下有苏杭" which directly translated, means "there's heaven, and then there's Suzhou and Hangzhou" because the two cities are reportedly so beautiful they are like heaven on earth.

The mother remarked that when she visited fifteen years ago, this was definitely the case, but this time around it has sadly grown very industrialised and commercialised. It's still pretty, but everywhere you turn, there are skyscrapers after skyscrapers. But then again, we only went to a small part of the whole area, no doubt places further away from the CBD would still be gorgeous.

Anyway, 7 early 8 early dragged our lazy bums out of bed to 寒山寺 / Hanshan Temple.

Snack break wtf. Dk where those two got their appetites, non-stop eating all the way! I've lost count of the amount of bbq sotongs they devoured.

Left: The canals that Suzhou is famous for, this is why its nicknamed 'the Venice of the East'.

Then, a short walk over to 拙政园 / Humble Administrator's Garden. It is Suzhou's biggest garden, and one of the most beautiful in Southern China.

UNESCO World Heritage plaque.

Then, 狮子林 / Lion Grove Garden.

Which is famous for its grove of massive rocks in the middle of the place that supposedly resemble lions. In all honesty, I can't really see the resemblance. If I squint hard enough, some do look a little like the head of a lion, but really, they just look like rocks to me.

The area containing the stone-structures was a proper maze though. We popped in for a bit to take a peek and a few photos, and couldn't find our way to the entrance of the next section of the garden FOL.

It was PACKED in there - super crowded and noisy.

One thing you really have to get used to in China is how loudly they talk. When I first met the teachers, I was just overwhelmed at their volume wtf. It's practically shouting, only when they really scream, it's still 10x louder. I don't know how they manage it.

Then, we took a trishaw to our next destination. Even if it was "only a short distance away", nobody wanted to walk because the weather was just crazy. And luckily we did, because even by trishaw it took like 10 minutes wtf.

观前街 / Guan Qian Street - the Oxford Street of Suzhou.

Lunch first! At a Chinese fastfood eatery which served surprisingly yums food.

Bbq sotong again! 没完没了! Omg Steph look at the amount of weight you put on then! She's so much skinnier now. =O

(Took another look at the photo and she looks massive wtf! Must be photo illusion, I don't remember her being so big wtf)

Didn't get any shopping done at all, because like I said the weather was so hot nobody was in any mood to do anything.

Tapao dinner back because all the three of us could fantasize about was a hot shower, then bed.

china (ii) - Yangzhou

2012-01-13T17:28:00.000Z

Day 2 - 19.07.11, Tuesday

Woke up bright and early to squeeze in a trip to the famous 瘦西湖 / Slender West Lake.

That's right, how can you claim that you've visited Yangzhou without making a stop here right? It's one of Emperor Qian Long's favourite parks because of his luck in fishing there. But apparently, it was only because there were swimmers lurking around in the pond, attaching fish to his hook wtf.

Anyway, it was really peaceful, and although it was the middle of (an extremely scorching) summer, it was still quite cool because we went at about 9am. The lake and trees were really green, and the architecture was exquisitely Chinese. There were mini-speakers installed cleverly in various spots in the park playing traditional Chinese music, very relaxing.

This is the structure that everybody goes to the park to see. The colours are really vibrant - red and yellow - it's very striking amongst all the greenery. The ceilings are painstakingly painted with dragons and pheonixes and all sorts of mythical themes. But the most noteworthy thing is that when viewed from a bird's eye point of view, the five rooves perfectly form the shape of a blossoming lotus flower.

This bridge is also famous because together with its reflection, it makes a perfect circle. It's really pretty when you're standing at the opposite bank, looking at it.

After this, lunch at a really famous tea shop, supposedly serving one of the best dimsum in town.

We ordered everything that was recommended by guidebooks and websites alike, and nothing tasted particularly good.

The tea was especially bad. 魁龙珠 / Kui Long Zhu - apparently the restaurant's specialty, and in all honestly, it was like drinking hot water mixed in with herbs and grass wtf. It was virtually impossible to take a sip without choking on the leaves WTF. There were straws placed on our table and at first we were really hesitant to use it because honestly, who drinks boiling hot tea with straws? But in the end everybody gave up, and let me say this - you will never come across a more pathetic scene than three people sipping and grimacing over some horrid green concoction.

A close second is the siu mai. Really, how bad can siu mai be right? Let's just say, it tastes like grass and the mother and I only took one bite before we gagged and dumped the whole thing aside. Steph could still finished it WTF. Allow me to emphasize, it was really really really extremely very very disgustingly bad. And she finished it WTF WTF. The mother's second look at Steph's Amazing Appetite.

The only good thing was that last noodles dish we randomly ordered, because we really couldn't stomach anything. Wait, rephrase - mother and daughter couldn't stomach anything, Steph finished all her share lolol, with a perfectly straight face LOLOL. I bow down to her iron tummy.

After lunch, we took a bus up to Suzhou. The whole journey took about two and a half hours?

At first, I didn't have much of an expectation, because China is a developing country after all, and it's not like Yangzhou and Suzhou were like Beijing or Shanghai right. But to my surprise (and pleasure), the bus services 不会输给英国 leh! Although some of the buses look a little old, but they were just as comfy as the UK ones, and the bus stations are ten times bigger and cleaner.

China, I are proud of you. =)

Anyway, by the time we reached, it was evening already. Plus, it was gloomy and rainy so we just rested in the hotel for a bit, then headed out to dinner.

Pretty atas restaurant. The meal came up to something close to $100, if I remember correctly? Which I thought was a waste because it wasn't like it was mouthwateringly good or anything. Just average.

And ending with a photo of me sipping on ice-cold lemon tea. That night and the next two days were when my fever was at its worst FML.

bzzz

2012-01-12T16:14:00.000Z

...procrastinating...

So here to type a few sentences in the hopes that the guilt of putting off work will miraculously poof up within me and get my ass crackin'. Oh JongNew's Tragedy just came up in my I-tunes. Wait I go find the video and post it up, love that song.

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Onew & Jonghyun (SHINee) - Tragedy

I'd always thought Jjong's singing was overrated. They keep talking about how he's one of the best singers in the industry - fantastic vocal range, soulful and emotional in all the right places, but has the swag and attitude to pull off faster, more up-tempo songs too etc etc. And I was like "mehhh Changmin's better, his live is so much more stable" WTF so biased ahahahah.

But the video proved me wrong, and I so totally get all the hype now. The emotions he poured into this is amazing (why he sound so sad whyyyyyy). His lower range is so sexy lor, SM should get him to sing more lower-keyed songs, they utilize his screams entirely too much.

And of course, Onew always sounds good.

(PS - I still think Changmin does a better job live though wtf)

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Changmin & Jaejoong (TVXQ) - It's raining men

I lol-ed at the top comment in Youtube - "I've always been wondering how much food did Jae actually used to bribe Minnie into singing this song with himXD" - incase you're unaware, the song is widely known to be a gay anthem of sorts.

And contrary to popular belief, I actually prefer Jae's voice here to Changmin's.

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Music Bank 'For Haiti' - You raise me up

Ft CN Blue, SNSD, 2AM, Kim Jong Kook etc.

My FAVOURITE English song of all time. Taeyeon and Yonghwa killed this performance, they should do more collabs together! Their 'My life would suck without you' stage was awesome as well.

TVXQ did a rendition of the song too, with that blind girl in Korea who was born without eyeballs (I think, don't quote me on this) and it was sooo touching. But I wish they'd released a studio version of just TVXQ's vocals, because they sounded amazing.

Incidentally, watching this MuBank performance kinda got me wishing that Jokwon would make an appearance on Running Man lolol. I bet he'd be hilarious, especially as a spy. ;)

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Nah, the only three live songs that I have in my playlist. Everyone knows I'm super anal about my song-collection, everything is labelled and divided properly into languages, then male / female, then singers, then albums etc etc. And I like all my songs to be HQ studio-versions because I don't like hearing people's claps and cheers wtf. But these three are too good to pass up.

china (i) - Yangzhou

2012-01-11T20:16:00.002Z

Haii getting back into the blogging-about-China zone. I know I'm like half a year late, but wait till I tell you this - I have yet to post about SM Town Paris (June) and Dublin (Feb) wtffff. I'm thinking, I should wait till the exact date before I publish the Dublin post, to commerate its one year anniversary WTF. It's the second week of February I think WTF WTF.

Anyway, met the mother and Steph on the 18th July, where I reenacted a very dramatic reunion scene with Mom in the lobby. No lah, I was actually lying weakly on the sofa, waiting for them because I caught a fever that very morning FML. Such is my travelling luck! If I don't get hit by my monthly best friend, I get sick. The mother says I super manja, I was all strong and brave throughout the three weeks alone, but the moment I caught sight of her, I turned back into this useless kitten wtf.

Le' hotel, which Steph couldn't stop singing praises about how gorgeous the architecture was and how quaint it looks etc etc, while the mother and I were just "mehhh".

ANYWAYYY, our first stop was 东官街 / Dong Guan Old Street. It's this ancient street in the middle of the city, pretty touristy but the buildings are gorgeous and the stretch really has that old China feel.

Then, off to 个园 / Ge Gardens. We couldn't find it at first and had to ask around some shops. Steph and her fail Chinese pronounced it as 隔园 (2nd tone instead of 4th) and the salesgirl couldn't understand and merely stared blankly at her wtf.

Anyway, the Ge Gardens was pretty big, and really pretty. It's famous for it's rock gardens and bamboos, and there were some buildings that displayed ancient Chinese tableware and furnitures.

We emerged from the gardens and out of that area only to come across this little old man selling candy that he's drawn in various animal shapes.

A goat I think. I saw these candies in the series 就想赖着你! But can't remember what it's called FML.

Dinner that night was alright. I was feeling too ill to enjoy much of anything, but the mother had her first taste of why I constantly paint horror stories about the best friend's humongous appetite.

Le infamous Yangzhou fried rice, which I found only so-so. I think the fried rice I cook myself better leh.

Nah, a night-shot of rainy, gloomy Yangzhou to end the post. That structure is a prominent landmark, I think it marks the exact center of the city or something.

past eleven

2012-01-08T17:34:00.000Z

"Omg I haven't blogged since last year!!!"

Lol sorry, couldn't resist that. Anyway, this space is sorely in need of some TLC but my life has been nothing but assignments, trying-to-do-assignments, giving-up-on-doing-assignments, watching-Korean-variety-shows, feeling-guilty-over-watching-Korean-variety-shows, trying-to-do-assignments, and the whole cycle re-loops.

Have been really demotivated lately. No inspiration at all, my final project is looking dismal at best right now. I'm slowly (key note, slowly) working my way through my other assignments, but I keep feeling like it's not enough and I need to buck up a lot more, yet at the same time I just can't dredge up any energy or enthusiasm to get cracking. You know what I mean?

Mehh, anyway, here are a couple of photos from last year that I never got around to posting. Still in the process of deciding what my new year's resolutions are, I'll enlighten you all once I have it sorted out lolol.

Just incase nobody saw it, e pic on the left is Ah Fei inside the sister's jacket. She was being very restless and annoying, running up and down the study table disturbing everyone, so my sister caught her and stuffed her into her jacket, where the fattie promptly fell fast asleep wtf.

Bye.

2011, digitalised

2011-12-31T19:10:00.000Z

Once again, it's that time of the year where we look back and reflect on the past 365 days. I think 2011 treated me well - saw alot, did alot, experienced alot. It started off slow, but picked up speed in the middle (June was pretty happening) so all in all, a pretty good twelve months.

January

Celebrated Chiao Hong's birthday ala Hooters way.

February

Quiet CNY with hot pot and a couple of friends.

Weekend trip to Dublin.

March

Caught the semi(s) and final(s) for the All England Badminton matches in Birmingham. The moment where Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia won the game against China's Lin Dan.

And then bumped into Lin Dan himself outside the stadium.

Course leader talked to me about one of my projects being potentially agent-worthy. But in the end, I decided I still didn't have the drive and confidence to take such a huge leap at this point of my life.

April

One-week trip to Croatia and it was super worth it because the country (and company) was fantastic.

May

Surprised bestie on her birthday.

Found out the sushi we make at home beats Yo Sushi hands down any time.

Belated birthday surprise for Gilly.

June

Got into a very serious relationship with Mike (pronounced Mai-ke) wtf.

Attended SM Town Paris and saw SHINee.

SNSD.

Super Junior.

f(x).

And TVXQ.

But slightly miffed that TRAX and Suju-M's Henry and ZhouMi weren't there. So if there's another SM Town concert near me, definitely still going to go. Plus since they're debuting EXO-K and EXO-M soon, I want to see them live too!

Home sweet home.

Before flying off to China for the teaching project.

July

After the attachment ended, hit a few cities in China with the mother and Steph.

Simple dinner with the family to mark my 21st. Unlike some other people, I don't like to make a huge fuss of events - a laid-back, dressed-down affair with the people I love the most beats anything else in the world.

August

Leeched myself on to the family lolol. I think this summer, I went out even less than usual. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of family.

September

Cousins popped over for a short visit.

Surprised the brother with a slice of cake for his birthday. He'd already turned off the lights and hopped into bed, but we burst into the room and started singing at the top of our lungs anyway.

Last dinner before I flew off.

Hello again, Nottingham - new room, new house, new life.

October

Joined the gym. My trainer is super hot.

Made some more new friends.

November

First sort-of-like-clubbing-but-not-really experience. Can't say I'd do it again though. Maybe if they played K-pop, I'd be more enthusiastic lol.

Anrusha's surprise birthday celebration.

December

I was hoping that there would be a photo of snow accompanying this, but oh well, Nottingham remains stubbornly un-white. =/

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Looking back, it was definitely a great year. I learnt new things, grew up a little more, gained some confidence, let go of a couple more ghosts, felt a lot happier about myself and everything else in general.

And so, in the coming new months ahead, I wish that everyone finds the happiness they are looking for - good health, success in endeavours and maybe tiny, very surmountable failures, only because we need a little setback now and then to keep us grounded and thankful.

Happy New Year!

un-white xmas

2011-12-30T19:57:00.000Z

This is my favourite K-pop christmas song released this year.

Got so hyped up when I first heard it. It came out in Autumn and I was already fantasizing about sitting on my bed, steaming cup of mocha in hand, watching little white flakes drifting lazily past my window, and this song on full-blast.

Look out the window, the snow is falling
The white snow we've been waiting for has come

BUT, it never came.

Forecast says it'll snow, but
I don't even know how many times they've been wrong

Darn right, Suju! T____T

Wtf is this. Is it even christmas if we're not blanketed in white? I'm not happy guys, boohoo! But I guess I'd still settle for a white January or something, just as long as it comes. Snow is dreary and annoying and all that, but it's just so pretty as well. Anyway, some photos of Christmas eve and the day itself.

And then we played Ring of Fire and I downed idk how many glasses of vodka and wine, which is why my throat is acting up now, le'sighs.

six smiles - december

2011-12-28T14:31:00.002Z

Christmas is over, and I am officially down with the the cough. Again. This time I'm blaming the red wine. My body is naturally heaty - I can feel myself burning up if I eat too much chicken wine soup or drink too much coffee etc etc, and when it's that time of the month I heat up as well. But smart-ass me conveniently let this slip my mind and drank like five glasses of red wine on Christmas. Short story cut even shorter, I woke up the next day croaking like a frog. Not attractive.

Anyway, my six smiles post for December.

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Even though I don't celebrate Christmas and I can totally do without a tree, can't deny that seeing it lit up in our living room like that still makes me happy.

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The inner geek in me secretly squeals over the Classics and Fairytales. I love my romance novels but when I was younger and all these kinky stuff were off-limits wtf, I spent hours devouring the likes of Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Little Women, Cinderella etc etc.

Oliver Twist was one of my favourites, so I can't wait to see the film adaptation of it. And I've yet to read Jane Eyre or Northanger Abbey so this will be a great opportunity to get to know them.

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New sleepwear! One set from Chiann, and the other that I got at a huge discount from La Senza. When I was younger I went through a phase where pjs were merely an oversized tee and a pair of shorts. But now, I'm gradually drifting back to cute matching sets. I think I'm being heavily influenced by Steph who is going insane buying them by the dozens wtf.

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I like board games, and this is like a combination of the best and silliest party + board games ever. It's a mixture of Pictionary, Charades etc etc, with a set of goofy-looking alien characters that you can dress up in funky hairstyles and hats. Win.

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Currently watching Pokemon Black & White, then I came across some of the stuff toys in Tesco and they looked so incredibly cute! Was really tempted to get them, but I generally don't buy toys for myself so imagine my joy when Snivy and Tepig turned up under the Christmas tree.
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My favourite boys in the world right now. How can you not smile when you have not one, not two, but SEVEN hotties smiling up at you every single day? Love this picture because Sunggyu and Hoya are smiling so happily ehehehehe *blush.

Relevantly irrelevant, I love a guy decked out in jeans, sneakers and a smart-casual white top, my personal definition of style and confidence. Something like Hoya's or Sungyeol's outfit will definitely draw my eyes - simple, neat and HOT.

project 100 - #31

2011-12-24T15:26:00.000Z

It's Christmas Eve(!) but also that time of the month again, so I feel like crap and just want to crawl into bed and be left alone with a hot cup of mocha.

But we have two days of merry feasting planned, and gifts-exchange tonight. So #putsgamefaceon.

xmas market' notts

2011-12-22T17:54:00.002Z

Ahhhh finally some much-needed alone time. These few days have been stressful, to say the least. And the worst thing is, we're not even stressing about uni as we should. Instead, we're busy running around in circles over stupid, unrelated things. Wo bu shi he gen wai ren zhu pffft.

Anyway, some photos of the Christmas market down at the Old Market Square. Bestie and I go there every year, without fail, (multiple times too lolol) because we love the ambience. Vibrant colours, the smell of sizzling patties and hot dogs, and people cheerily calling out "Merry Christmas!". Bliss. <3

This year we're spending a quiet Christmas in Nottingham. Chiann's coming over for the week, so something to look forward to. Will update again soon.

off a tangent

2011-12-13T23:57:00.000Z

I feel like I've been really caught up with life, yet at the same time there's nothing to show for it. You know what I mean?

We're constantly running, running, running. Some of us know where the finish line is, and we run all the faster because we want to get there, because we know that the promise of something better is waiting in the end. Others run only for the sake of running, just so they won't get left behind, just so they can bask in the safety of not being alone.

So am I the runner, or the crowd? Because this vague nagging emptiness within keeps saying, you can do better, but I don't know what I'm working for.

alive, kicking, and in love

2011-12-06T22:16:00.001Z

(...with hot manga boys lolol!)

Hey guys! I am alive!

Nah, slot in one vain shot (more like four but since it's a collage ahem ahem).

So...

Recently got back into reading mangas. I normally pick one-shots or super extremely cannot-emphasise-enough-on-how-short, completed ones because

1) I have no patience to sit around, waiting for the relationship between the male and female lead blossom, disintergrate, then blossom only to disintergrate and finally bloom for good over the span of say, 120 chapters.

2) I hate starting on anything, then having to wait for the next release. The anticipation would probably kill me. Which is why I never watch a series when it is still in on-airing state. Rather twiddle my thumbs and wait.

Anyway, picked up on one this afternoon - it's quite short, only nine chapters. I've just finished the second, so can't say much yet, but so far it's been really good.

Yamato Onidzuka. Childhood bully, punk, and sports prodigy. His old childhood friends are terrified of him, as he used to bully and harass them on a daily basis. When he transferred to a special sport's school, it seemed like his friends' worst nightmare had finally come to an end. But now that he's back, it seems like the nightmare has returned. Join Megu, Yamato, and their 4 other friends on their hilarious roller-coaster ride known as High School!

Source.

Immediately caught my attention because, unlike other typical shoujo mangas, this says "and their 4 other friends" so it probably wouldn't be only about the two mains. And there are 3 guys and 3 girls, so everyone has someone. Fingers crossed they'd all end up together in the end!

I love how their friendship is depicted. Brings back memories of high school. I really really miss the people I used to hang out with. Sucks to have to grow up. :(

They're all really hot and good-looking kan kan? Love all the characters! Yamato the hot arrogant bully, playboy Kiyomichi, and dreamy, always spacing out Shouzou. Then Megu who is clumsy, gullible but determined and caring (typical, but it's sooooo funny seeing her being terrorize by Yamato), Uran who used to be fat but has a killer body now, and elegant, beautiful Marika.

(I'm rooting for Shouzou with Marika! You two have to end up together okay okay OKAY!)

Ehehehehehe back to reading! Ciao.

six smiles - november

2011-11-28T21:25:00.001Z

Gawd knows I need a reason to smile right now - what with falling ill, rushing deadlines and the gloomy promise of Winter around the corner.

First and foremost, stumbling across a place that sells Bubble Milk Tea! It's not particularly good (actually quite bland), but no addict in the throes of withdrawal symptoms has complained about low-quality coke, right?

I'm not a big fan of BMT, but sometimes you just get hit by that pang. And the feeling sort of intensifies when you know the nearest place is probably a two-hour train ride away FML. Now, if I need a quick fix, I know where to go. Next time, I'll try the Taro one. (Added bonus that it's one of my favourite restaurants, and apparently now they do KTV too whoop whoop!)

New books, need you ask?

Still in my very historical-romance mood, and Lisa Kleypas is one of my favourite authors. She still has a couple of titles out there I have yet to read, mental note to get them all. And I recently decided to give a new writer a try, fingers crossed she'll be good as well.

Fresh flowers on the window sill above our landing.

I adore flowers, a weakness that was no doubt cultivated by the father lolol. I associate it with love, romance and a sign that a man cares. Four times a year, without fail, Dad would bring home a bouquet - Valentines Day, Mom's birthday, their anniversary, and Mother's Day.

Sometimes there would be a box of chocolate, sometimes jewellery, sometimes a teddy bear, twice a huge basket of Patchi, until the mother told him if he brought anymore, she'd stuff it down his throat, basket and all (wtf wtf violent relationship wtf), this year an I-pad 2 (wtf he think he very rich issit) but the bouquet is a constant, and a must.

In recent years, he took to buying us three girls little bouquets as well. Once, he walked in through the front door on Valentines, and presented us with three roses each. I think it will forever be the best and most memorable Valentines, no matter what any boy does for me in the future. :)

Anyway, these aren't mine. Anrusha got them for her birthday, but the sight of them still puts me in a good mood.

Nail polish.

Which girl can resist colouring their nails different shades of the rainbow? Nuff' said.

Chicken & bacon toastie, and Caramel latte @ Costa.

Ten years down, when I look back to my uni years, these girly afternoons out where we try on dresses, burn holes in our wallets, and contribute to our expanding wasitline would be what I'd miss the most.

ASOS hauls.

Recently found ASOS, and the bangle-set on the right has got to be my best buy of the year or something. Only twelve pounds, and so delicate and beautiful. Luckily I don't like buying my clothes online, or I'd probably end up on the streets in a months time. Although some of the dresses are oh-so-tempting, I'm still standing firm.

26nov11

2011-11-26T12:03:00.001Z

That time of the year again, where the Lee family reflects on the unbelieveable luck they are blessed with - the parents' anniversary (because without them, there will obviously be no us), and the two youngests (because without them, life just wouldn't be the same).

Even if they can be a pain in the butt sometimes. But no doubt they bring more joy than anger lah. Hahahaha ok ok I hearts you both maximum. ;)

Summer cannot come quickly enough!

needs a break

2011-11-23T21:20:00.001Z

From both work and home. Yahh, mini drama. Hmm actually I wouldn't call it a drama as of yet, just a potentially-will-develop-into-one-if-she-won't-quit-talking-and-I-blow-my-top. :)

Anyway, two assignments due. One on Friday, another on Wednesday. Have yet to finish either one whoopee.

And then, I'm falling sick. Ugh.

-

New jam. Woolim's latest debutee - Baby Soul, and her first single 'No better than strangers'.

Her voice is great and the song is gorgeous. Adores Wheesung's bits, he has such a soulful voice and I like duets like these where the two singers converse with each other. A pity he didn't have more parts, but I think it works out fine as it is.

Fingers crossed that for her performances, she'd get the INFINITE members to do it with her (in turns! :D). Sunggyu and Hoya sighsighs.

Bubye. 1000 words to write out before I fall dramatically ill.

anrusha's 21st

2011-11-20T21:27:00.001Z

Housemate's birthday on the 19th (Saturday), so we kicked off the celebrations on Friday night.

Headed out to Pitchers & Piano at about 11pm. It used to be a church but has since been turned into a bar. Normally, it's very relaxed and chill-out, but apparently on Friday nights, it turns into a pretty happening place with loud music and loads of people dancing around. In Anrusha's own words, "like a very classy, high-end club."

Gotta love my expression. ;)

Got home at slightly after 2am, crashed out and woke up at about 11am. Then it was a flurry of secret activities as we tried to carry out our surprise-party plan.

Anrusha's sister was supposed to Skype with her at about 3pm, then we'd set up downstairs. Poor Nikki and Gilly had to sneak in from the back door lolol. So while Anrusha was upstairs yakking away in her room, we were all hiding in the living room, busily laying out the cupcakes, candles and puffing away at the balloons.

Surprise success! She never suspected a thing.

21! And there was exactly twenty-one cupcakes as well. Steph, Gilly and Nikki spent the whole of Friday afternoon baking away busily at Nikki's place. I was under the impression I was to be Anrusha's shopping partner for the afternoon and distract her from all these happenings, but stuff happened so meh, stayed home staring blankly at my pc screen in the end.

Steph's masterpiece - friends and relatives' birthday greetings compiled into a box made to look like an Economics textbook lolol.

Her family ordered the most gorgeous cupcakes delivered to her. So pretty, how can anybody bear to eat them!

Got her a collection of Hayao Miyazaki's films as well (she's a big fan of Joe Hisaishi's music so she looks up clips of the animes online sometimes). There's Steph setting up our 'home theatre' - oh did you know we have a DVD player and a TV, left behind by the previous tenants. But the colour is slightly off so the movies come out with a bit of a yellow twinge. But nobody's complaining, free stuff yowww!

Decided to eat in that night, so we ordered some pizzas and settled down to watch Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away (still my favourite anime of ALL TIME! I love the story and the soundtrack, so awesome).

blind - TRAX

2011-11-17T01:22:00.001Z

In regards to the song he composed and wrote (Blind), Jungmo said:

When people look through windows, they are not looking at the window itself, but the view behind it. If the windows were actual people, they would desire others to see them for what they are, instead of looking through it to everything behind them.

Source.

Well said. Genius metaphor.

Because, truly, haven't we all felt like a window at some point in our lives?

I ADORE the song, all five minute twenty seconds of it - from the melody, to the MV, to the lyrics. Amazing production. The more I listen to the track, the deeper I fall in love (wtf), can't fully explain why.

I just love how the emotions are portrayed, how the different instruments filter in and out, Jay's voice, everything. Absolutely gorgeous imageries, very sad and poignant. But from another angle, it can also feel so hopelessly obsessed.

Even if you lean your head against me and blankly look at me, you don't know
I spread my arms and say it feels so cool, but you still don't know

I am invisible, but I am standing in front of you
But your eyes look past me

Just once, just once, please look for me
The more you feel, the more you feel
I become more and more invisible

At the end of my desperate prayers
If only you will find me
So that I can have you in my arms

In the hazy winter frost I try to draw my heart, but you don't know
I gathered the scattered raindrops and shed them instead of tears, but you don't know

I am cold, but I am flowing towards you
I despise myself for being square

My heart is cracked, cut and broken
At the end of a rough day
When I am broken into pieces
You would be able to see me

You can't see, so I love you like this
Even your fingerprints in the corner
I strongly engraved them into me

My blackened and bruised heart
I take it out and show it to you
But you just say that looks pitch-black outside

You can't see so you say that looks pitch-black outside
You just endlessly look outside the window

Source.

So many different ways to interpret this! I guess this is why I've been looping it like crazy. Literally, it does tell the story of a window, always ignored, never noticed. But we can take these feelings upon ourselves, can we not? Every time I put it on, my mind conjures up a different story. I must have heard it at least 50 times already, and still I find something new to think about, even now. Brilliant.

In the hazy winter frost I try to draw my heart, but you don't know
I gathered the scattered raindrops and shed them instead of tears, but you don't know

PURE POETRY. Don't you feel super sad when you think about a window doing that? ♥♥♥

Steph, it's so interesting how perfectly this song ties in to that piece I wrote kankan? It's practically screaming it, like my character's thoughts being sung out (in Korean lolol)! Right down to the title and Jungmo's explanations about the window - "looking through windows" - hmmm. Great minds think alike. ;)

my teaching experience

2011-11-15T15:00:00.000Z

Croatia over and done with, now China! Sorry lah people, my blog is going to be a flood of travelogues for the time being. Who ask me, lazy lazy procrastinate lazy lazy some more. I've forgotten so many details now le'sighs.

T___________________T

Anyway, e post is very creatively titled 'my teaching experience' wtf, and if you're not sure what and why I was there, read this and this.

I arrived at a rather awkward time. It was the week between when the schools officially let off and before summer classes begin, so instead of immediately diving into my teacher's robes, I was sent to the kindergarten's newly built 'English Language Centre' to help with some decorating work.

(Btw excue the crappy quality, most of the photos were taken with my I-phone)

Totally clean and bare when I first stepped in. In the space of one week, a group of us managed to transform it into, well...not so clean and bare. Actually pretty colourful and cheerful-looking rightright.

It may look simple, but we were at it from morning to evening for six whole days - 9am to 12pm, 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Everything was painstakingly drawn and cut out by hand. The teachers trolled through the internet looking for interesting concepts, then adapted it to suit the needs of their own classes. Not bad kan, my artistic skills totally improved x100000 *proud.

And I was promoted to official English Translator. Everything had to have both a Chinese and English version, so I just went round and round, trying to explain to them the difference between say, 'shelf', 'cupboard' and 'wardrobe' lolol.

All the English are by me yowww (except one 'Happy English Happy Everday' slogan that the headmistress insisted on having). Left my permanent mark in Jiangdu forever. Or at least until they change the decorations or tear down the place wtf.

After that first week, I started working in the kindergarten itself.

(Block of flats at the back was the complex I lived in)

I didn't exactly carry a full lesson on my own, because the number of students was too large for a newbie to handle. So I basically helped maintain order, and tried teaching a couple of minutes now and then.

The teacher I worked with throughout my three weeks in Jiangdu, 韩老师. She is super friendly, very patient and animated when in class. She was really approachable and easy to talk to, always made sure I didn't feel left out or uncomfortable. :)

Basically what we did was try to get the kids to practice their English by teaching them a mini play - The lamb and the wolf. Remember that one? Where the lamb goes to the river to drink some water, and the wolf captures it? Then the lamb's friends, the horse and dog and cat etc rush in to save her?

We'd get the children to come up and assigned them different characters, then get them to say their lines. It was hilarious sometimes really, like this one boy who, instead of saying "little lamb", kept insisting it was "little mehhh" HAHAHA. And no matter how many times either of us tried to correct him, he'd stick firmly to his little mehhh.

Contrary to popular belief, the students were not spoilt at all. I was a little apprehensive about them at first, because the kindergarten was pretty atas for Jiangdu standards, so I was expecting loads of arrogant little princes and princessess who thought the world of themselves. But surprisingly, they were very well-mannered and obediant.

Of course, you still get the really hyperactive and naughty ones who just won't sit still during lessons, but even then, they listened well to orders and didn't kick up much of a fuss.

Actually, blogging about them really makes me miss China right now. :(

The kids are just so friggin adorable! Every morning, they'd totter in with their water-bottles and backpacks and call out "Goodmorning Miss Lee!", and they'd be tugging at my t-shirt going "李老师, 李老师" when they want my attention. Eeeeek *maternal instincts. ♥

Little girl on the right - 尼尼 - is soooooo cute I swear I want to squish her everytime I see her. She talks non-stop, like seriously non-stop. I've never met someone who chatters on as much as she does. And when nobody pays attention to her, she talks to herself WTF.

Oh by the way, the stickers on their foreheads are prizes for a job well done. They get it when they answer a question correctly, or volunteer to do something in front of the class etc. Most of them will do anything to get one, so the class is always filled with enthusiasm and loud choruses of "try me try me!"

仔仔 on the left. All the children in the kindergarten have nicknames the teachers give. It fosters familiarity and makes them feel unique and noticed. Anyway, he's one of the ones that won't keep quiet when the teacher's talking. He's forever pulling girls' hair, or poking his seatmate - generally disrupting everybody around him. I try to get him to behave, but he'd quickly sized me up as someone who has no bark and no bite, so he just stares at me with a cheeky grin and sometimes sticks his tongue out when I glare at him. Fail teacher FML.

T______________________T

But I still love him to bits because he's so good-looking and intelligent wtf wtf shallow wtf.

Ok I know teachers aren't supposed to show favouritism and whatnot, but this kid is the CUTEST LITTLE BOY EVER. I swear, for as long as I live, I will never ever find someone as adorable as he is. Just look at that smile!

His name is 谦谦. He's only three, but he catches on to everything that is taught really fast. Everyday, when classes finish and we sit around waiting for the parents to come and collect their children, we'd bring out baskets of toys for them to play with. And I love to pick out different Legos and get him to tell me the colour.

"Qian Qian, what's this?"
"Wed."
"Red."
"Weddd."
"Ok what's this?"
"Booo."
"LOL ok what's this?"
"Yewwowww."
"Yellow."
"Hehehehehehe."

DIES.

He's such a happy, cheerful little guy with the most insanely adorable smile. I swear, when he smiles his eyes sparkles. And he's always laughing! He'd be sitting quietly on his chair, daydreaming and the teacher would go "Qian Qian! Are you paying attention?" and he'd be like ":D :D :D hehehehehe". And if the teacher pretends to be mad and says "what's so funny! Are you paying attention?", his smile widens even more, then he ultimately breaks out into squeals WTF.

AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHH CUTE DIEEEEE!

He has an older brother who I teach during the weekends (more on that later) who is also super good-looking. Superior genes wtf I want also. Next time my son (or sons, horrifying thought. I think I want one only lolol) shall be just as adorable and handsome and cute and smart! Need to search for a suitable sperm-donor now WTF.

So, classes starts at about 9am and end at 11am. Then the kids would waddle off to their next ones, some take art, some music, some dancing.

The kids in China are crazyyy. They do everything! Ballet, art, piano, drums, English, Mathematics etc. Bear in mind it's a kindergarten, so the average age of the children are about four or five. When I was four, the only thing I did was play with barbie dolls wtf!

Anyway, after 11am, I'd hang around in the kindergarten, waiting for lunch. Above is a typical meal, looks like prison food but tastes pretty good actually.

Then I'd go home to rest and plan out details of the next lesson, and come back to the kindergarten at about 5pm to use the computer. Dinner at 6pm, then back home again.

During the weekends, I teach at the English Language Centre. It's a new project the kindergarten recently undertook, and I'm their first teacher I think. It's situated about half an hour walk away from the kindergarten. On not-so-sunny days, I make the journey on foot, but most of the time I take the cab.

Basically, this is a special course that parents sign their kids up for, called 外教课 / Foreign classes. They get native English-speakers to come in so the children can hear how the words are meant to be pronounced. The level of English is a lot higher compared to the normal summer school lessons, and I am required to speak full English throughout the duration of the class.

The HOD took me aside to tell me, very firmly, under no circumstances must I speak Chinese. Especially in front of the parents. So nobody knows I can read, write and understand them perfectly well. They'd be chattering away in front of me, not knowing I know every single word they're saying. >=)

Like once, one of the parents told a teacher "Her English sounds really nice, sort of like American English right? Not at all horrible-sounding, like British English." And I was standing in front of them, keeping a calm face but privately gloating nyeheheh. Yeahh they tend to prefer American, they study it anyway. They find the British pronounciation really tedious and hard to catch.

There are only five kids in my group. They don't neccessarily understand what I'm saying (actually most of the time, they don't), so I have to incorporate loads of facial expressions and body language into my teaching. And it's such a gratifying and awesome feeling to see them responding to me. :)

My classroom. With flat-screen TV and high-five system to boot, and said Happy English Happy Everyday slogan. (Eh I drew and cut out that little boy and girl one!!)

It was a little daunting at first, because it's no easy feat having to hold a five year old's attention, they tend to lose focus extremely quickly, so I have to read the general mood of the class and direct the lesson accordingly.

And what made it even scarier was that the parents always sat in as well. As I'd mentioned, it's a new project so they were definitely curious about how these 'foreign teachers teaching' thing worked. It was hard lah, having such protective, judgemental eyes trained on me all the time. But as always, I learnt to cope wtf wtf. ;)

The head of the English department, Lucy, helped me loads though. She gave me a lot of tips and stayed in my first lesson to help me. AND she even sic-ed her daughter into my class to help me wtf. Cos I very friend with her daughter one, and she's the type that will raise her hand and clamour to be chosen for questions, no matter if she knows the answer or not. "Help get the other kids to respond too," Lucy says.

Oh this is 叔叔. His daughter is the headmistress of the kindergarten, and he and his wife are the caretakers. He's also super kawan with me. One day, he even solemnly told me "I like you the best out of all the teachers I've seen", most probably because unlike the others, I can actually communicate with him. He even gave me his number and told me to call him if I had any problems when I was staying there, awww.

And on my last dinner, he cooked me dumplings. Even added a little egg on top.

T_______________________T

Dumplings are a big deal in China, eaten in big gatherings and important dates. Ngam ngam his wife wasn't in that day, or we'd actually be eating lunch's leftovers. She's more kiam, she always glares at her husband when he tries to give me more food or fusses over me LOLOL.

Actually the favouritism is damn obvious. When it rains, he'll be anxiously asking me if I have an umbrella, and he'd insist on heaping me with raincoats and plastics even if I do have one with me. His wife would whack him and say "she has an umbrella!" wtf wtf.

Went to the kindergarten on the day I was leaving to say goodbye, but he wasn't there #*(@)#*!(@!!

T________________________T x10000.

But anyway, this teaching English in China project has helped my self-confidence enormously. Sooo glad to have gone ahead with this. Initially, I was really scared and nervous, it was the first time I was leaving home to navigate in a foreign country, all by myself.

I was actually praying that some sort of disaster would happen that would prevent me from going (CHOI!). Obviously, said disaster didn't happen lah, and I packed myself off to China for a month. And it was awesome. It was something no one around me has done before, and the experience is definitely, indescribably valuable.

blind tomorrow

2011-11-13T22:58:00.001Z

I have come to terms that I'd never be one of those girls with a super flat tummy, just not in my genes! :(

I just want to lose all the weight I've gained the past five years, and maybe one or two kilos more. I don't ask for much (more like can't be bothered hahaha wtf), but afterall it's more important to be healthy than stick-thin rightright.

Anyway, I'm still gym-ing pretty frequently. Two-three times per week on average. No weight lost yet, and no significant slimming down - but I do think I'm toning up and I've definitely built up more strength and stamina. So, we'll see guys! ;)

---

Two songs that have been on loop recently in my I-tunes. They aren't super mainstream K-pop (although the singers are still pretty popular) and I normally don't listen to them much, but these songs are awesome.

Tablo ft Taeyang - Tomorrow.

Tablo's from a group called Epik High, and I do put on their music occasionally. They are especially apt for gloomy, rainy days where you laze around in your room with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. They have a mellow, very easy-on-the-ears sound, with loads of rapping and insanely catchy choruses that nevertheless never make the mistake of falling into boring, repetitive territory. Try One or 1 minute, 1 second - my favourite EH tracks.

Anyway, Epik High is unique among the scores of K-pop acts being churned out. Not only because their music is very different, but because their lyrics are really deep and meaningful - some have classified them as lyrical poetry. The frequently deal with societal issues like drugs, sexual abuse etc.

So Tablo recently joined YG Entertainment (Epik High is on indefinite hiatus right now boohoo) and it kinda perked my curiousity because YG's productions are pretty top-class (Big Bang yowww!), and Tablo is the genius behind some of Epik High's most well-known songs.

And then, I found out he has a BA in English Lit, and an MA in Creative Writing from Stanfod U *eyes fall off. Definitely not your typical flower-boy, gangsta-wannabe rapper-singer lor! Plus I feel a strange affinity because we are fellow Creative Writers wtf wtf!

Awesome not? The song totally blew me away, fell in love the moment the first line rolled out. The piano sounds so gorgeous sighsighs. YG is damn smart to have arranged this duet between the two - Taeyang's smooth vocals and Tablo's husky rapping compliments each other perfectly.

And then I watched the video and was blown away a second time. Such an awesome concept, YG really does come up with the best MVs. Love how the cars are constantly speeding in and out of the screen (although there are a couple of times when it looked slightly clumsy), and the helicopter which looks suicidal more often than not wtf.

(Just looked up the lyrics and it is so poetic. Tablo Y U WRITE SO WELL!)

You can't just receive because love gives

Go away because time walks

Live on because a man breathes

---

TRAX - Blind.

Ok ok I admit, at first I clicked on this purely because Victoria and Kyuhyun are the main leads. I mean, Kyutoria - one of my fave SM pair-ups - after Mintoria and Changtoria of course ehehehe.

The MV was gorgeous. Victoria is effingly, super duperly, I can't even...PRETTY.

And she's one of the rare few in the industry that hasn't had any work done on her face. She looks exactly the same pre-debut and now, truly what they call a natural beauty. Lolol if you still can't tell, I have a gigantic girl-crush on her. How can anybody not? She's so perfect. ♥_____♥

So of course, what is an SM Ent. MV without the usual slow-mo camera work. But this time, it actually matches well with the song and doesn't feel like they've dropped some in randomly just to make everything look cooler, so the effects are nicely dramatized.

There's a mini storyline as well (if you can call Kyu and Vic looking heartbroken a storyline lah, but with SM this is as much as it's going to get), which is great because all SM has done lately is to churn out boring video after boring video. I mean, they're visually pleasing, but still total fan-service material - basically all cuts of their singers dancing and wearing runway-worthy outfits, looking gorgeous and sexy - but so gawdawfully boring. 'Blind' was a refreshing change, and it actually also matches the lyrics perfectly too (so rare!).

And the song is awesome, I love the metaphors they used with one person being blind to another's love etc. The last few lines were particularly haunting (oh noo my inner writing-critiquing mode is coming out again. I'm telling you, being on this course has ruined the pleasure of reading and listening to songs for me)

ANYWAY the melody started off smooth and relaxed with the guitar riffs, then built up into such a sad, dramatic ballad when the drums and electric guitar came in. Jay's a great singer with this soulful, hearbreaking tenor in his voice that just clinches the emo-nemo songs (like a boss lolol). Plus he is super cute!

1 x8

2011-11-11T23:59:00.001Z

Ok lah, since everybody is making such a big deal about today - here is my two pence's worth.

When the world turned 11111111, I was in class racking my brains trying to figure out how to clean up a copy (editing talk sighsighs) the lecturer handed us this morning. And then someone whooped and said "hey its 11111111!" so I took a snapshot of my phone's lock-screen. Just because.

Shopping in the afternoon, and decided I really need to lose more weight to fit in to all the pretty clothes that are coming out by the truckloads nowadays. But I ruined it by stuffing myself silly in Nandos afterwards.

Mehh zzz time. Need to wake up early on a Saturday morning (again!) because my trainer loves scheduling meet-ups during the weekends. It was either this or Sunday night *glum.

croatia (viii) - Split

2011-11-10T21:01:00.001Z

This one baru last day in Croatia lolol. Done (for real) guys! ;)

Spent the day properly exploring Split. They also have a section of the city that is similar to the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Again, this one is smaller but like the one in Dubrovnik, it's pretty much commercialised and touristy.

Seeing-dog.

Breakfast at a roadside cafe with a gorgeous view of the sea.

Popped by a bazaar that was situated in this dungeon-like place. The things they sold were pretty cheap-looking and ugly, but still great fun to look at.

The little red cushions and mini wooden tables belonged to this very atas-looking cafe nearby. People order drinks and snacks and sit there, soaking in the sun and atmosphere. Very cute. ;)

This photo got the 1930 Shanghai feel horh? ;)

Then, climbed up a tower to check out the view, and everybody took it in turns to try and give me heart failure because they all insisted on hopping up between the pillars to take photos. Incase you didn't know this, I am terrified of heights. T____T

Doggies having a bath lolol.

Dinner at a really cozy, squashed-up restaurant which served great food.

On the way back to our hostel, passed by the cafe I mentioned earlier (with the red cushions) and there was latin music and dancing going on. Really reminds me of KK - my family used to go to this open-air place with restaurants and pubs and fastfood chains, order pizza and just kick back and enjoy the live band and maybe a couple bottles of beer. =)

Packing-up, lol at IS's super colourful turban.

Cheap red wine (which tasted foul), a movie, and egg noodles with water and garlic WTF (leftover supplies from the night in Dubrovnik when we cooked. It was surprisingly good, granted ~~a little~~ extremely bland lolol) in the middle of the night.

It's always awesome going on a trip with this bunch, because if there's one thing we know how to do, it's chill, enjoy and get fat. ;)

THE END. :D

croatia (vii) - Trogir

2011-11-09T23:44:00.000Z

Edit:

OK apparently this isn't the last day. There's still another day before we leave for London wtf wtf!

---

Second last day in Croatia! (Technically last day lah, since our flight was scheduled the next afternoon, we just grabbed breakfast and left).

Took a 45 min-ish bus ride from Split to Trogir, a UNESCO heritage town.

They have an Old Town, very similar to the one in Dubrovnik. But this one was smaller, less clean and more authentic. Chalk-filled with twisting alleyways and sand-coloured brick walls as well.

Romeo-Juliet-photographer moment going on here. ;)

Bus ride back.

Dinner and some drinks, then back to the hostel.

I think I have one more post about Croatia + London, and that's it! Omg damn proud of myself can, I managed to finish my Croatian travelouges. There was a point where I thought I'd leave it to rot and collect dust forever, but somehow I dug out an inner well of strength *macho pose.

Now I just have to finish Dublin, China and SM Town Paris, and all my blogging debts will be cleared. When that day comes, I swear I will feast on ice-cream and cheesecake wtf wtf.

croatia (vi) - Split

2011-11-08T15:25:00.000Z

Day 6 in Croatia.

Rented a van to drive us from Dubrovnik to Split, left at about 11am and reached at about 4pm, stopping by loads of little landmarks on the way.

First was another great wall, not unlike the Great Wall of China.

Then, our driver drove us to an oyster farm and asked if we wanted to try some fresh ones.

Salmon pate on the right, eaten with their complimentary bread.

Golden crispy-coated oysters and steamed ones, sosososososososo GOOD!

Raw, which was really good as well. It was very fresh, so no horrible after-taste at all.

Next, stopped by a vantage point because the view was breathtaking.

So picturesque and peaceful. And actually, looks like somewhere the Loch Ness monster would live in. ;)

City of Split.

Our hostel damn cute - colourful bunk beds and equally colourful decor, with a pc-tv to boot.

Waterfront, where we had the oddest encounter ever.

This white monk (he said he was one, but he didn't look anything like it. Had a tattoo of Guan Ying on his arm though!) hailed us suddenly, tottered over and started telling us about our auras and whatnot wtf. Like he pointed to IS and said "you're the smart one of the group", to Ah Lu "you're the mother" (MOTHER WTF HAHAHA), to Chiao Hong "deep down you're very sensitive" etc etc, and it was all very accurate actually.

Everyone had like relatively normal 'fortune-tellings' for lack of a better word, until he turned to me and said "You were a Japanese in your past life." Then he asked me if I was Japanese and when I told him no, I'm a Malaysian but of Chinese descent, he nodded in a very contemplative way and said "You were a Japanese. White dragon skin. Very good." WTF WTF.

White dragon skin (inserts more WTFs, I can't say this with a straight face)! When I came back, I tried researching but I don't think there's anything like a white dragon in Japanese mythology. There's one in Chinese though, apparently they're descended from white-gold dragons and symbolize the south. AND since white is the colour of mourning, they represent death. -_-

After telling us all these, he told us to 'have a nice day' (did I mention he knows how to speak Cantonese), and disappeared as quickly as he appeared wtf.

Dinner in a restaurant whose owner used to live in Brunei! Talk about a small world. This Croatian trip has been nothing short of surprising.

Went back, and spent half the night watching horror movies, then laughing because they were pathetically horrible. Couldn't scare even an eight year old kid.

croatia (v) - Dubrovnik

2011-11-07T12:57:00.000Z

Day 5 in Croatia, last day in Dubrovnik.

Everybody woke up late. Steph and I were the first one up, but I spent like an hour just curled up under the blanket feeling like I wanted to die. What felt pleasantly dizzy the night before became horrifying, turbulent seasick in the morning wtf. I'm not sure if that constitues as a hangover, but it was horrible. Everyone seemed fine and chirpy, but can't say much because two already emptied their stomachs before they went to bed, one fell asleep before we even properly started drinking, and the other anang can hold her liquor very well.

Then somebody had the gall to suggest a freakin boat ride around the islands *goes green.

First, lunch at a semi-atas restaurant.

View of the city from the ocean. <3

I was feeling ill when the boat was still bobbing about at the harbour, but after we pushed off and picked up speed, I think the fresh air and wind actually helped. Dubrovnik is absolutely gorgeous, I really want to go back again some day.

Bride and bridgeroom on the left.

Haha e right, cutest picture I snapped in the entire trip. The guy was cupping up water from the fountain for his dog. And the dog actually lapped from his hands, awwww!

Did some light shopping at a nearby convenience store because we decided to dine in. Must make use of the fully-equipped kitchen.

Spent hours over dinner indulging in what we call 'CHMS talks'. Good times.

croatia (iv) - Dubrovnik

2011-11-05T00:22:00.000Z

Each entry gets progressively more picture-heavy lolol. But everybody loves looking at pretty photos, nobody likes reading blocks of crap rightright.

Day 4 in Croatia, chilled at one of the beaches near the Old Town.

Look at Steph's face WTF! Even the me in that point in time was very amazed at her expression WTF WTF.

Hahahahaha Steph never does well with candid shots. But this one damn cute, don't know what she was so happy about.

(She pointed out how ironic it is that her top reads 'Moody' YA LOR HORH WHY SO FUNNY ONE!)

IS: I fly!

Wei Yik: Yeah bro.

Steph: Omg, sure lose.

Chiao Hong: Whoah...

Left at about three-ish in the afternoon, because we wanted to squeeze in the City-Wall tour (basically just walk along the walls, and you get a stunning, paranomic view of the coast and the Old Town), and grab the cable up the hill to catch the sunset.

After dinner, we proceeded to play some drinking games and got extremely happy as the night progressed. Suffice to say, we were so happy the neighbours threatened to call the police if we kicked up the same racket the next night WTF.

croatia (iii) - Dubrovnik

2011-11-03T00:14:00.000Z

Day 3 in Croatia. I'm on a roll yow.

Took an early flight out from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.

Had a van waiting for us on arrival to deliver us to our ~~accomodation~~ villa.

En route.

Found a chessboard and for the next three days, a mad scuffle over chess competitions ensured between Steph, Chiao Hong and I. I actually love playing chess even though I suck at it, lolol so nerdy lolol.

Left for brunch (we reached at like 9am wtf, told you it was an early flight) and to explore the Old Town. I adore it - sand-yellow walls, cobblestone floors - it is essentially an area with stone walls encircling it and stairs on all sides zig-zagging up away.

Prepare for a flood of photos.

(This was also the day we met the three groups of Belgian students)

The left - favourite shot of the day.

Tsk tsk, e photo on the right so vulgar.

After the Old Town, we decided to stroll along the harbour.

And then we went to a supermarket to get some essentials (toilet paper wtf!) and for some reason, IS decided he wanted some play dough as well, and when we got back, he and Steph went on some silly play dough-making contest.

Steph's hamburger on the left, which IS crowed at and said "no originality!" and his duck, which personally I think wasn't any much better either lolol. ;D

The Old Town at night, while we were out and about searching for dinner.

Gorgeous pottery in the restaurant we were dining in.

When we got back, IS decided to make good use of his time to create what he termed his 'masterpiece', a replica of a 50 Kuna note wtf wtf. He was very proud of it and wouldn't stop bragging over the next few days to anybody who would listen lolol.

croatia (ii) - Plitvice

2011-11-01T13:07:00.000Z

Croatia was half a year ago (hahaha sheepish laugh hahaha) but I couldn't bear to let the photos go unpublished, because the country is just amazing. I've been to relatively many places but seldom do I feel the urge to want to go back - Taiwan, China and now Croatia.

Anyway, continuing from Zagreb, here are some photos of Plitvice Lakes from my camera. Even with my lousy point-and-shoot and even lousier skills, every single shot still turned out stunning. Of course, the pictures did not do the real thing any justice, but they'd have to do. =)

(Plitvice Lakes is reminiscent to Taiwan's Taroko Gorge, which is another MUST-VISIT place. You just have to have to have to)

Whew. Don't think this is even 30% of the pictures.

We spent a good five-six hours wandering around in there, soaking up the sights and atmosphere. Even met a very awe-inspiring backpacker from HK. He fits the stereotypical 70's hippie right down to the T, completed with ponytail, dangly earrings and grand views of protests and human rights. I think you can spot him in one of the photos up there.

It was a great day. =)

project 100 - #30

2011-10-30T20:44:00.000Z

함께 식사~ 우리의 새 친구, Jeongmi 언니!

그녀는 정말 귀엽~ 또한 f(x), SNSD의 팬이다!!

Lolol not sure how grammatically correct my sentences are. Just strung together phrases that I know and hope for the best wtf.

I'm determined to learn Korean! At least enough not to worry about getting lost on the streets of Seoul.

six smiles - october

2011-10-26T22:08:00.000+01:00

I think I should make this 'six smiles' post a monthly routine.

Too often, we only concentrate on the negative aspects of living, and I admit, I'm totally guilty over this. Definitely more a half-empty glass than full type of person. I get so caught up with life and the drama it brings that most of the time, I'd be left feeling tired and emotionally-spent, and I'd question myself, what's the point of all these really.

So setting a time out and thinking hard about what has made you smile in the past week / month (no matter how mundane or unseeming they appear to be) really helps, I think.

-

First and foremost, I finally joined the gym - which is reason enough for a smile because I signed for 9 months straight at the get go (a round of applause for my dedication please) - but more importantly, my trainer is super hot and super cute and super ripped with just about the most gorgeous smile ever.

It's seldom the case that I take notice of any angmohs, but boy when I finally see see one, I fall damn hard wtf. And this works out oh-so-perfectly for me, because he's total eyecandy material but doesn't qualify for my crush category (aiyah how to explain ah wtf). So basically I only like looking at him but he doesn't inspire any of that heart-thumping, pulse-racing, roll-eyes-teeny-bopper emotions in me. WHICH is all just great because it's awesome motivation to go to the gym but I'm not too nervous to talk to him or anything. Inserts big smiley face HEHEHE.

(Just got home from the gym and both Steph's and Anrusha's trainer are not as cute as mine, whoop pee do! AND saw a semi-cute Chinese guy there. Darn it should have signed up in my first year. What have I missed all this while wtf!)

-

People who do not have sisters will never know the pure joy of having one (two in my case, double the good times!) I mean, no matter how close you are to your friends, blood is thicker than water after all. And there is no two people in the world I'm most comfortable with than these two bums.

Facetime sessions are always such a laugh, always a great stress-reliever to unleash the inner ahlian-bitch in me without worrying about the odd looks or subtle judgements.

-

Ignore the naughty-looking cover and the awfully cliche-sounding title wtf, isn't my bungee-bookmark the cutest thing in the world? Tigger is my FAVOURITE Pooh character (who can resist the springy tail you tell me!) and there's even an adorable little ladybug at the other end.

I got it eons ago in HK but never gotten around to using it. Recently dug it up from the rat's nest I call my room, and I really question my good judgement - how could I have resisted flaunting such an insanely-cute buy for so long! Tried searching for it online because I thought it'd make a unique gift, but couldn't find any.

-

I know right, my life is so blessedly INFINITE-filled right now. Said blog header, desktop background, phone wallpaper and hopefully some posters as well soon!

I recently found ebay and life as I know it has changed forever. I am was a loyal Amazon user, because I thought the user-interface was friendlier and it seemed much easier getting my books off them. But a couple of days ago, I tried looking up some K-pop posters in ebay because Amazon didn't have any, and well...

Nuff' said. Hello to INFINITE and SHINee gracing all available wall spaces.

-

Yah you all should know I have this thing about phone pouches and casings. I think the correct term for it is obsession. I used to go nuts buying all kinds of pouches for my old phones, and now that I've switched to my I-phone, my oyster shell has expanded as well.

There are so many cute bumpers and casings out there, I have to literally bite my tongue to prevent myself from maxing out my bank account over them wtf. I've been incredibly thoughtful, only getting two. They're both flip leather cases, so adorable rightrightright. Currently using the SOS one, it's a little pricey (slightly over 20 pounds) but I love the colour so meh.

-

Bear curtain-huggers, omg how to resist you tell me. Purely an impulse buy, but I somehow convinced myself that I die-die also must have something to tie back my curtains with.

Another photo because it's just flippin' aww.

walnut shell

2011-10-24T01:55:00.000+01:00

Ah, what is life without drama?

Hmm actually I wouldn't call it drama per se, but it's enough to make life slightly more complicated. As if we need anything else to worry about on top of uni and graduating and life after graduating.

掌中的乾坤戏如人生, 我想换新匿称
离开那些不真实的掌声
掌中的乾坤扭转晨昏, 想通了就不闷
人生没量身订作的剧本

-戏如人生; 潘玮柏

It's one of those nights where I have a barrage of thoughts stampeding through my mind, but no idea how to put into coherent sentences. Remember when I said I'm suffering from an identity crisis, I think I'm finally starting to figure out who I really am. And though I'm still a long way into becoming someone I can wholly accept and love, I think I'm getting there.

So in a nutshell, life's good right now. =)

china project (i)

2011-10-18T16:08:00.001+01:00

So I find myself with a block of spare time (who am I kidding, I'm just procrastinating) and figured I'd finally start properly blogging about China (three months late but who cares right right).

Anyway, this was on the second last day of my project and Tim (project coordinator) brought Samantha and I out for the day.

First stop of the day, at the ungodly hour of 8.30am - dimsum at a really famous place in Yangzhou. I say ungodly because Jiangdu is about an hour's cab ride away from Yangzhou, so we had to be out of the apartment by 7.15am. Which meant yours truly had to be up at like 6am to get ready pffft.

Up at six on a Saturday FML.

For the life of me, I can't remember what the restaurant is called - but it is extremely popular both with locals and tourists alike. We had to stand around like a pack of vultures, eyeing all the tables and deciding which looked like they would be finishing up soon, then stand persistently behind their backs, subtling egging them to hurry up while glowering at potential table-snatchers.

Tim said on an extremely busy day, you had to wait up to two hours. We were apparently 'very lucky' because we only stood for 45 minutes.

L: Shredded tofu in a mild light soy sauce dipping, a Yangzhou specialty. I actually thought it was shredded chicken breast at first glance, but it was extremely yummy.

R: Red bean bun, Thousand-layered cake / 千层糕 and crab meat bun. The first two was so-so, nothing we haven't tasted before. The last one was pretty unique, I've never had pao with crab fillings before, and it was actually really good.

One of the river-cruise boats outside the restaurant. It's pretty expensive, but I think the purpose of such a cruise is just to see and be seen lolol.

Next, Tim drove us out to the outskirts of Yangzhou just to show us how a typical, rural Chinese village looks like. Samantha was very amazed and stuff because it is totally different from the English countryside, but I thought it looked exactly like Malaysia's - Kelantan's, to be specific.

Brought back so many memories of running wild on the streets of Kelantan. Now that everybody's all grown up, we cousins don't indulge in stupid, kiddy antics anymore.

But a decade ago, we used to chase after chicks, then get chased in return by furious mother hens; dance around cows trying to provoke them, then squeal in fright when they bellowed at us; nervously avoiding geese and goats because they've been known to run after anything that moved within sight; net up tiny shrimps so we could use them as live bait to go fishing; scoop up guppies from the ditch behind the house etc etc.

I could go on forever. Truly, I experienced so much that an otherwise city-kid wouldn't be able to see. You could say I got the best of both worlds. I wouldn't want to grow up in a kampung like that, I love my creature comforts a little too much, but being able to go back for a few weeks now and then, to indulge in all these rural fun - it was great.

And I suddenly feel so forlorn and sad, knowing that it is impossible to ever revisit such childish pleasures. Growing up is no fun. Mehh.

Dropped by to see Tim's grandmother and relatives, before he drove us back into Yangzhou and to his penthouse for lunch. Yes, penthouse.

I swear, he must be filthy rich or something. He drives an expensive car, has an awesome two-storey, very finely-furnished penthouse and graduated from the UK to boot.

I know we get loads of Chinese students nowadays, but a decade ago it was practically unheard of. And it wasn't like he's from Shanghai or Beijing or something, Yangzhou is pretty small-town so his family has got to be really well-off for him to have gone to the UK.

Anyway, his parents were so excited I could speak perfect Mandarin. They don't get many volunteers that can (actually only one other and he was Brit / HK mix so his pronounciation wasn't any better than the rest) so to be able to converse with me was like, a miracle wtf.

Tim's Dad especially, took to me at once (he's very good-looking by the way wtf wtf) and wouldn't stop chatting over lunch. But his subjects were all how China is better than the UK wtf, right in front of Samantha some more wtf double.

After lunch, we went off to this Karaoke place - apparently a must-experience if you go to China.

I've never been to a karaoke lounge before, so I don't know if say, Malaysia's or Singapore's is anything like China's - but I swear, that place is amazing.

1) It is gigantic.
2) It's decorated like a night club or something.
3) The servers are all damn good-looking.
4) It is gigantic.
5) Oh did I meantion it is GIGANTIC?

I think it was about the size of Hua Ho Gadong stretching all the way to The Mall or something. Freakin' amazing.

To be honest, I was dreading this part of the day at first because I can't sing for nuts. But it was an extremely fun four hours, I must say. I didn't even notice so much time had flown by.

Mostly, it was Tim and I singing Jay Chou's, JJ Lin's, Jacky Cheung's and Andy Lau's songs (inserts one Wilber Pan track 'Bu de bu ai' but we gave up after awhile because the female part is just impossible), and Samantha singing her English songs. She was so $&*(#@)@)! nobody wanted to sing with her, but it's not my fault I've never heard anything that she picked out.

I saw a selection for Korean songs and was so tempted to click on it, but decided against it in the end wtf. Was going to choose TVXQ's Rising Sun WTF because it's the only one where I can sing about 3/4 of it, but I didn't want Tim or Samantha to look at me all O.o

We wrapped up the singing session at about 4pm, then took a cab back to our apartment where I spent the rest of the night playing The Sims 3 lolol.

infinitely

2011-10-12T17:35:00.000+01:00

Gif Credits.

Hell yeah. Especially e second left and fourth left.

I wish.

It's a close call guys but like I said, 7 > 5.

Too obsessed with these two.

Yeah, Paradise yoww.

-

Ugh. So bored with life, it's so mundane sometimes.

paradise - INFINITE

2011-10-09T13:15:00.000+01:00

Hey guys, classes have officially swung into full-motion and life has settled into a somewhat predictable routine. Dieting is still going strong, so far I've been maintaining my daily calorie-goal. Although there are predictable laspes every now and then, but I always make up for it the next day. Soon, I'll sign up for gym. Soon.

One photo to make the entry less bland.

Dropped by the Goose Fair on Thursday night, which proved a miserable outing because it started raining the moment we got off the tram. Still managed to squeeze in a ride on some horrible spinning thingy before the rain forced us into MaySum for Chinese buffet wtf. I think I was over my calorie-count by about 800 or something FML.

And INFINITE won today's Inkiyago, which is totally a major deal because they were up against Super Junior, Brown Eyed Girls and Kara - like super strong and popular groups with crazy fanbases in Korea puh-lease. And they still being relatively new to the music scene and whatnot. Definitely made my day.

I adore the song (stalker-creepy always fascinates me) even if it freaked me out really badly one night. I mean, it inspired me to write something but halfway through typing, the combination of being an object of such fixation + the notion of not being able to leave Paradise seriously scared the crap out of me. I don't like the idea of not being able to leave anywhere, even if the place is gorgeous and beautiful and is heaven or something. Which is why even the mere thought of being casted adrift in space is enough to kill me wtf.

The song is slightly reminiscent of Hotel California (another song that used to give me nightmares wtf) so if you're curious, here's the subbed version of Paradise.

Even the MV looked a little sinister, reminded me of a train-ride to the Underworld or something. I read somewhere that it's supposed to represent the Korean (and Buddhist I THINK) belief that a soul will stay behind for 49 days after the body has died before proceeding to the other side etc etc, and in this case all the INFINITE members represent that one soul that is still reluctant to give up on his lover so he stalks her while still in that state of limbo. Spooky but oh-so-inspiring for my work. =)

I guess that's all wtf. Bye.

d word

2011-10-04T21:58:00.002+01:00

And so starts another round of determined dieting.

Not sure how long this bout will last, but I hope I can really do it this time. I've never felt this serious or dedicated before - previous attempts have merely all been half-hearted projects. This time I really am no-nonsense about the whole thing.

Hopefully lah. ;)

Chicken, potatoes and carrots soup. Total comfort food.

Am trying to cut out rice from dinner now. I'll start slow, figured the potatoes are a good carb substitue. Then maybe finally move on to just lean meat, vegetables and fruits.

WISH ME LUCK I'M GOING TO NEED LOADS OF IT.

a-cha

2011-10-01T20:41:00.000+01:00

As promised, some photos of my new accomodation. =)

Living room.

Kitchen.

Toilet.

Bedroom.

Haha such unimaginative captions, but I've been feeling really sleepy the whole day so meh. Anyway, looks pretty neat right? The kitchen is lovely and spacious, and the toilet is really bright and clean.

I adore my new room. It's a little cramp (what with the double bed and couch) compared to my room last year, but I actually prefer it this way. Small rooms are cosy and homey, I hated my old room because it was too big and bare.

My desk still looks a little cluttered, but no matter how I try to organize things, it just stays messy-looking. I think it's all the wires criss-crossing everywhere. Shall need to get one of those wire-holder thingies that holds all your wires in one band or something.

Zoom in to my favourite corner. I've lined all my favourite books on the sill, and it's especially enjoyable to laze in bed with a book in the evenings, because the setting rays makes everything look really golden and pretty.

burnin' bright

2011-09-29T10:42:00.000+01:00

Oh hai, I'm shocked myself as well - blogging two days in a row.

But since I have yet to settle in my usual UK-sloth ways (when you wake up at 8am everyday, you quickly find that time seems to go on forever), and I've finished unpacking as much as I can right now (need to get a bookshelf, so many boxes of books littering around, it's like a maze in my room FML) and classes have yet to start (and this sentence is getting entirely too long with all the brackets wtf), and I don't feel like getting into any series or shows just yet (ok, full stop here first). So, the main point is, this is why I'm here wtf.

My last night in Brunei, the mother organized a tiny, impromptu BBQ, just because I casually mentioned that that was the only thing I haven't done in the summer.

Lee family.

DJ of the night yowww.

Spot deranged little old me. ;)

Roasted sweet potatoes <3.

So flattering. This is what happens when you hand your camera to your brother for a bit.

Already looking forward to next year's summer.

Ok bye, heading out to IKEA soon to do some more damage to my wallet.

six smiles - september

2011-09-28T18:38:00.000+01:00

Things that made me smile this month:

Because we all have mornings where we just want to crawl back under our sheets and never wake up, and sometimes a simple message is all we need to get going.

-

Because the light smell of roses or lavender in the air is always enough to calm (my) overworked mind.

-

Because someone cared enough to think of me when they were on holiday.

-

Because red wine means lazy Sunday dinners loitering around the dining table even long after the dishes have been cleared away.

-

Because there is nothing more enjoyable than reading in bed, peeping from the window at people as they stroll past.

-

Because just a tiny dash of it is enough to turn each and everyone of us into a stronger, better person.

-

Hello, it's day 3 back in Nottingham and let me say this, I ADORE my new house. It is gorgeous and clean and I just really love it. Such a huge contrast to last year's crappy shanty. I'll post up photos of the place soon!

210911

2011-09-21T14:37:00.000+01:00

Happy 18th yow.

Because your patience with me is infinite, because our Skype and MSN sessions are always so random and stupid, because you respect and look up to me even if I'm nothing special, because I can always depend on you to get rid of nasty spiders and gigantic cockroaches.

Because I know, not everybody's brother is as awesome as you. ♥

-

Random photos:

Mid-autumn festival was spent stuffing ourselves with home-made TomYam hot pot.

It rained just as we were about to leap out with our lanterns, so we had to make do with merely hanging them up in our car porch FML.

-

My kinda-looks-like-Suzy's-in-their-'Goodbye Baby'-MV eye makeup.

I always have such a hard time lining my right eye. Oh the woes of having a 内双 eye, le'sighs.

On a related but also totally unrelated note, I have SUCH a humongous girl-crush on miss A's Suzy and Fei. They are so friggin pretty omgomgomg *nosebleed*

-

I will miss a lot of food when I go back to the UK, and this definitely has a place in top 5.

There's NO mochi ice-cream in Nottingham, oh my god the blasphemy!

-

Hah vain photos.

Commercial break mah wtf wtf.

-

Daily Mimi torture.

HAHA for some reason I always crack up when I see these photos. She looks so 'yeah-yeah-hurry-up-and-get-this-over-with', which is not as funny as her disgruntled expression, but still damn funny. F her life.

into the mirror

2011-09-19T14:38:00.000+01:00

This must be what they call an identity crisis.

Because whilst in the midst of changing, I realize I hate who I am becoming. But when I look back, I don't like who I used to be either.

When will we stop searching, and finally settle for a person that both we and everybody else love? Or is this just an elusive a myth as that fairytale Mr. Perfect?

holla

2011-09-17T05:18:00.000+01:00

Ohai. It's that time again where I start thinking "Oh shizz my blog FML I better doodle some stuff on it". It's getting such a burden to maintain this space, and more often than not, I dreamily think of deleting this whole thing altogether, accompanied with loud trumpety fanfare and a dramatic flourish. But as much as I yap, I never can carry it through because corny as this sounds, my blog feels like such a part of me. ;)

I guess I'm really growing up. Boo this is no fun. I'm losing interest in everything I used to find pleasure in. I'm turning into one of those boring, oldy-baldy people le'gasp.

Anyway, my cousins are flying in from KL today, so I'm going to be a busy bee for the next few days. Then it's the final few days where I try to cram a summer-worth of 'things I want to do and food I want to eat' before flying off. ;(

Can't say I'm not looking forward to going back, but at the same time I really don't want to. Does anybody get this?

Anyway anyway, here are a few songs I've been jamming to lately. Has anybody caught on to my habit yet? When I don't know what to blog about but feel obliged to, I post a few songs, pat myself on the back, think I've been very productive and call it a day wtf.

Yah they all Korean songs as usual. Once you go K-pop, it's hard to go back.

-

B1A4 just dropped their mini album, and like their last one, I'm loving it.

This song, especialy, although has horrendous English but is so insanely catchy I've been looping it like crazy.

(Plus they're all so squeaky clean-cut and adorable, who cares if I'm turning into a pedophile because of them wtf)

I've never been a fan of Kara (Lupin was such a major hit but I didn't like it so I never went back to them) but Ryan Seacrest actually blogged about them and this video, so I thought I'd take a chance, and what do you know, another group to add to my growing list of girl-crushes wtf. On the very top is f(x)'s Victoria, Amber, Sulli and miss A's Suzy and Fei, incase you're wondering wtf wtf.

Never got the hype surrounding Goo Hara, but after some time she really grows on you. She looks a little like Angela Zhang, but I think Hara is prettier.

-

U-Kiss's Neverland.

The choreography is wow, and Eli, you gorgeous hottie. Nuff' said. ;)

-

Bang Yong Guk ft B2ST's Yoseob - I remember.

Amazing singing, amazing rapping, amazing MV, amazing acting, amazing amount of replays in my Itunes. ;)

on rainy days - B2ST

2011-09-09T08:58:00.000+01:00

I adore rainy days. There is just something about them, that puts a smile on my face.

I know I'm withdrawing. But from who? Or what? And why?

Or is it that I do know, just that I cannot comprehend.

opera - Super Junior

2011-09-06T10:14:00.000+01:00

Quirky, catchy, just that little bit cluttered, and my FAVOURITE track in Super Junior's new album.

Because no matter how boring our lives seem on the surface, everybody is stuck acting out their own private little opera.

Underneath the shining lights on stage
In the midst of the applause pouring over my shoulders
There is love that everyone once dreamt of, even betrayal
In that short 3-4 minutes, everything is there
Right here

It’s not easy, sometimes I can’t even talk because I’m out of breath
I try to do what you want and take this heavy suit off
Mozart, Handel, Bizet - all of their amazing stories have nothing on me
I’ll show you everything
Watch closely

People ask how I can bear to do a course where I write, and write, and write. Where do I get my ideas? How do I begin? Where does inspiration come from? How do I put it down to paper?

Well, it starts like this - a snatch from a song, a scene from a movie, a line from a book - sometimes, I see / hear / read something that makes me sit up. It makes a clicking sound in my head, I see flashes of colours, vague shapes that form a scene. If I'm quick, my mind clings on to it, then I have this freeze-frame, much like a photograph. If I'm too slow, or don't realize soon enough, it melts away and more often than not, I can't find it back.

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You know it's a good melody when even if you don't understand what they're singing, it still manages to tell the story.

Just now, I caught sight of feathers, masks, and heartbreak. Definitely heartbreak.

project 100 - #29

2011-09-04T05:48:00.000+01:00

Romeo and Mimi are perfect nap-buddies, especially on gloomy, rainy days.

They're so warm and huggable and most importantly, they don't mind sharing bed space - which is all I can say for Ah Fei who is all teeth and claws when you try to hold her in one place for too long.

run away

2011-08-29T13:58:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, I marvel at how mere alphabets, when strung together, can evoke such an emotional response from people.

I wanna run away (where do we go)
I wanna run away (where do we hide)
Can we find a better place (where do we run)
Boiji anha nae mami apa wa
Meoreojyeo ganeun haneuldo byeonhaeganeun jeo taeyangdo no (where do we go)
I wanna run away oh no (oh ah away oh no)

I see a lot of broken bottles scattered on a field of broken dreams
So many shattered windows from hopes thrown away
It seems we enjoy the pain that we bring into our own world
Light a fire, watching it burn
I'm sick and tired, I've had enough
We need time to heal and stop picking at the scars
If we can grow together instead of growing apart
Maybe we can save what wasn't even ours from the start

rising sun - TVXQ

2011-08-25T08:46:00.000+01:00

Sunsets don't signify an ending, they give way to new beginnings.

And when you open your eyes the next day, the world will seem so much clearer after the beauty of last night's darkness.♥

travel captions - china #1, Jiangdu

2011-08-10T09:40:00.000+01:00

Finally getting around to seriously sorting out my China photos.

It's taking me some time to get back into the whole twitter / facebook / blogger mojo. Since I've been deprived of them the whole month I was away, I'd kinda gotten used to life without them. Not such a social-network addict after all. ;)

Anyway, this is the busiest, most commercial area of Jiangdu - a small town situated on the outskirts of the city of Yangzhou. Of course, 'small' here is relative because it is still bigger and a lot more populated than Brunei-Muara wtf.

This is where I'm based at. It's a forty minute cab-ride away from Yangzhou, and about four and a half hours by car from Shanghai.

People there are more kampung, and obviously compared to Shanghai, it's less trendy and fashionable and whatnot, but I adore it there. It's friendlier, more welcoming, a lot less foreign, a lot more like home.

I've made friends with so many people - teachers, cab drivers, hawker-stall owners, shop assistants etc. In fact, most of them don't even know I'm not local. Sometimes, they start chatting to me in their own dialect, than get confused when I just stare at them blankly. I can't decide if I should take this as a compliment or not lolol. I look very China kan?

Everyone is insanely curious about me. I have a very odd background, to them at the very least. Every time I introduce myself, it takes at least ten minutes. "Hi my name is Wan Sien yes I can speak Mandarin my anscestors are from China so yes I am Chinese I'm technically Malaysian but I grew up in Brunei oh it's this small country very near Singapore I'm studying in the UK and yes, here I am right now"

My project coordinator always gets this kick out of talking to me in English first in front of any new teachers that I haven't met, than suddenly switch languages and laugh when their faces go O.O when I yak right back in perfect, fluent Mandarin.

*Cues barrage of questions and me duitifully reciting my self-introduction once more*

They "wahhhh" that I speak perfect English and Mandarin, "wahhhh" that I speak Malay, "wahhhh" that I know the Arabic alphabet, "wahhhh" I can understand basic Cantonese and Hokkien, and "wahhhh" when I can read both traditional and simplified Chinese.

Come to think of it, I'm a genius WTF.

3 out of 1 - INFINITE

2011-08-08T10:27:00.000+01:00

Because vanity is never gratifying unless shared with these two. ;)

It is only when I'm older and all grown-up, when I view things away from my rose-tinted glass, when I learn that the world never really spins the way I want it to - it is only then that I realize, how truly lucky I am.

I have everything I want, and more. And my family, though not exactly perfect, doesn't feel that far away from it either.

three's a crowd

2011-08-06T15:08:00.000+01:00

"You can feel lonely even amongst thousands" - how true yonder phrase rings.

I'd always thought myself a city girl, but I hated the environment that Shanghai offered. Too packed, too rushed, too cold.

I think I'd thrive in places like Nottingham or Yangzhou more - where the pace is more relaxed, and people actually can afford to slow down and say hello.

Happy Chinese Valentine everybody. And Happy Birthday to that Taiwanese singer that was and is still the proud holder of my longest-running celebrity crush ever. ;)