jovena.

2012-01-30T22:26:00.001+08:00

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i am bee zeee

2012-01-16T17:17:00.000+08:00

sigh!

after school started, i really cannot find time to blog :(

i still have 2 cafes on my to-blog list and i am going to another cafe soon again.. the cafe list will pile up again!

my long overdued bangkok trip post is still not yet drafted!

my commitments to studying, frisbee, the modelling stuff are really too heavy for me to have the "free time" i had during the holidays!

i am sad!

and i have a lot of things to share about the modelling stuff but i just can't find the time to talk about it.

well maybe blogging isn't such a priority after all, but i just feel sad i am deprived of doing what i like.

hahah just ranting, school is great!

enjoying subjects like ethics under Professor Shubhankar Dam and the readings are really so interesting! Set me thinking deeply and ponder, question and doubt all the principles we live by. good or bad i really don't know, but i do know i am learning.

still figuring out the rest of the subjects but i am not hating them either.

i better do very well this semester!

wish i can talk more but stopping here! BYE~

CAFE HOPPING 14 - Forty Hands @ Tiong Bahru

2012-01-06T21:54:00.001+08:00

Forty Hands @ Tiong bahru
Blk 78 Yong Siak St #01-12
Tiong Bahru Estate
Singapore 163078

Opening hours:
Tue, Sun: 0830 - 1830
Wed, Thu: 0830 - 2200
Fri, Sat: 0830 - 2300

Tel: 62258545
http://www.40handscoffee.com/
Forty Hands Facebook

After reading about this nice cafe online, I decided to explore the much underestimated area, Tiong Bahru. I always thought it was just another boring housing estate and only after walking around the area, then i discovered the beauty of its serenity.

Forty Hands was well hidden in one of the streets in the area.

It wasn't easy to find Forty Hands because it was surrounded by many other streets, so Janice and I ended up walking around the neighbourhood (which was good in a way because we could explore the area).

Then, we spotted some modern shops, which happened to be Book Actually, one of the more interesting bookstores i found online as well (more about this later in the entry!). And right opposite the store was Forty Hands!

It looked rather small on the outside and they used very old school tables and chairs which made it look a little like a coffee shop.

However, the interior is rather modern and it is rather artistic. The ambience was nice because of the yellowish dim lighting.

There is an alfresco area which looks really cosy and homely but the day was too hot to sit outdoors!

They have simple decorations but they are rather unique!

I didn't know a simple drink like coffee was this complicated..

Nice drawing on the wall.

I was intrigued by these opaque glass bottles which contains plain water for the patrons. In my memory, this kind of bottles usually contain poison and there will be a skull sign indicated on it! Hehe.

Kind of nice, and special too!

The Food

We shared a slice of banana bread, and it is similar to the Singaporean banana cake, but a little drier. It tasted alright though, worth its price ($2.50)!

I ordered an Ice Mocha. I like the coffee. The taste was quite strong but it doesn't leave a bitter aftertaste in the mouth.

I always thought Mocha coffee was coffee with chocolate flavouring, but after tasting this, I felt like the chocolate fragrance actually came from the coffee beans. I just did some reading online and there is actually a kind of coffee bean that is named 'mocha' so this Ice Mocha i tasted is really authentic. (the normal ice mocha in normal restaurants are really just coffee with chocolate sauce! x.x) Now to think of it, if i could have such a realization through the drinking of the coffee, the coffee must be really good!

(anyway, i am still an amateur in coffee tasting and stuff like that, so i am learning new things as i explore!)

As i was pouring water for myself, they put this on their counter and i was so disappointed i didn't order the hot drink instead!! Blame my preference towards iced coffee.

Pretty..

The Menu

HOORAY TO "NO GST"!

In a nutshell, i think Forty Hands was a good find and their coffee is worth trying (order the hot ones!). The ambience is quite nice for a afternoon chat but not romantic enough for dates (keke). Have fun looking for it in the Tiong Bahru estate!

(click view more to see more photos and the shops nearby!)

Beautiful MBS Sunrise on 31 December 2011

2012-01-02T19:18:00.001+08:00

lovin' my new blogskin!

2012-01-02T12:22:00.001+08:00

Haha. Was just randomly exploring a change in my header banner and in the end I changed everything! Haha using a colour combi that I really like and the fonts are so pretty! Blogger is really the best!

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

Seoul 2011 - Garosugil and Rainbow Cafe

2012-01-01T05:54:00.000+08:00

Garosugil 가로수길, or Tree-lined Street in english, is a really nice hideout near the Apgujeong area, and can be accessed from the Sinsa subway station.

As the name suggests, this entire street is less than 1 kilometre but filled with many interesting cafes and shops within the short buildings. The whole lane is pretty artistic and each individual store is a compilation of everything nice.

-terminology-
1000 won = SGD 1.10
Hangang river - The biggest river that stretches across Seoul
Daekyo 대교 - Bridge
Selca- self camera/self shots

*refer to above for terminology!*

After exiting from subway station, just walk along the street and when there is an obvious bigger street, turn left and you will see the entire lane lined with trees. You are likely to be at the right place.

It was a slightly gloomy day..

I like Garosugil because of its relaxed and artistic atmosphere. The cafes there really tempted me to just stop for coffee but i wanted to explore the entire area before it starts pouring.

Open concept is interesting.

The shop fronts...

One of the cafes i saw..

Cutesy cafes.. Very nice to spend an afternoon with girl friends!

After i reached the end of the street, i took a bus down to a Cafe that was located at one of the bridges across the Hangang river.

I still remember researching a lot before i went to Korea and i saw the actual place on google/naver maps and it wasn't that hard for me to get around because it seemed as though i went there before (on the maps) haha.

I went to Cafe Rainbow, which is located at the start of the Hannam Bridge / Hannam Daekyo 한남대교.

It started to become rainy and just nice, Cafe Rainbow was a good shelter.

The Cafe was rather cool, i had to take a lift from the bridge level.

I freaking love the view from the cafe.. I like how the seats were individualistic. It is so suitable for people travelling around alone.

More photos!

There was a second level of the cafe.

It's a really damn good place to hide. There wasn't any crowd in the afternoon.

The view. Somehow, the camera wasn't able to capture the beauty of the place.

And it started to pour like crazy! :(

After i finished my drink and waited for a long time for the rain to become lighter, I went to the toilet and explored the area under the bridge.

Toilet capsule aha. quite odd.

The sad thing about travelling alone is that there is no one to take photos with you or for you. Haha. selca!

The plan was actually to take a bus back to the Apgujeong area, which is apparently the Korea's orchard road. However the rain was really big and despite holding an umbrella, i was drenched after walking to the bus stop because of the wind and no shelter at the bus stop!

And it was really weird because no buses stopped for me! I guess that bus stop wasn't functional so i started walking to the end of the bridge and it was actually quite awkward there because there wasn't a pedestrian path.. I remember it was quite epic.. Kind of lost, drenched and helpless. hah.

When i reached the normal road, i hailed for a cab and headed to Apgujeong.

Finally it stopped raining for a while and i was actually, rather lost because i didn't know how to get to Rodeo street, which was the haps area and while walking and walking, i realised how big Apgujeong was.. The buildings were big and sparse so it took me quite a while to get from one end to another. It was really a boring area because those weren't shopping malls but company buildings.

Then finally, i reached a place where there seems to be some interesting shops but the rain came down at me again!

So i stopped by a cafe for shelter and bought a cookie because i was on budget. hehe.

Cute serviette!

After 1 hour or more, the rain still have not stopped but it was lighter, so i decided to just walk the area.

It didn't seem very interesting to me because everything looked expensive and there were some branded shops.

Never would i imagine the "haps and rich" shopping area of Apgujeong to look like that, so i really doubt the area i walked to be Rodeo street or the main Apgujeong street...

And i am still very curious whether i followed the map wrongly, but i just checked and i did follow the trail that was supposed to be the Apgujeong street, double checked with the land marks i took on the photos! I think i underestimated the size of the area so the walk took me really really long.

After the cafe, i lost all mood to explore the area because of the stupid rain and the sky was turning dark, so i gave up walking to the Cheongdamdong Street or Rodeo Drive.

It would have been nice viewing the high end malls lining up the roads like how Orchard Road is like, but i guess it wasn't a scenery worth hours walking!

So anyway, i am really not impressed with Apgujeong because all that i saw was boring buildings and expensive stores not worth browsing. But i can't say much because i haven't seen the prime area i was supposed to see. heh.

I am glad i was exploring alone, cus i bet the rest would probably kill me for bringing them in circles!

And anyway, the easy way out would have been taking the taxi and direct the driver to Rodeo Street / drive straight away and i wonder why i didn't. haha.... oh wells.

All in all, Garosugil is definitely worth seeing and Cafe Rainbow is a nice hangout! Apgujeong is only for the atas!

Reflecting Upon 2011

2012-01-01T02:54:00.001+08:00

Before i start on the emo post,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

another year has passed like that.

i really like 2011. It was not as horrible as 2010 and there were lesser ups and downs. And i thought i led a fulfilling and fruitful 2011. I was involved in a lot of different activities and I always felt that i was enjoying life. Enjoying life.

I did well academically in year 1 semester 2.
I was elected into the exco of frisbee.
I went to Korea for an awesome OCSP experience and was able to travelled in Korea as I've wished for 2 weeks.
I had an absolutely awesomely fun summer, doing every thing I liked and not wasting a day of my holiday.
I took part in JB Opens with team B and the whole experience was fun.
I was the facilitator for Business school camp and I got to know a bunch of awesome freshies.
I coped well in year 2 semester 1.
I took part in new things like Face of Olinda competition and won 3rd.
I missed the Perth trip with Ultimate frisbee because i fell really sick but in exchange, i regained health and i had more free time in December.
I spent every day of December happily as well, also doing things i enjoy - sleeping 12 hours a day, exploring, blogging, cafe hopping, watching shows..

It was indeed a memorable 2011. A fun, crazy, thrilling year of my 20th.
Next year i turn 21 and become fully responsible of myself.
Maybe it's time i stop being such a kid.

In 2012, I should become less wilful and be more thoughtful towards my parents who always worry so much for me. I will be even more sensible and take care of myself independently. I should be less reliant and be more helpful at home.

But again, turning 21 means gaining "complete freedom" so that means i might even become more wilful and just pursue things without considering about my parents... hmm. i hope i gain a good balance..
Life is short, and it holds so much uncertainty (especially in year 2012) and I really don't want to wait because it will be too late.
I don't want to live my last day feeling that I could have done certain stuff but delayed it instead.

And yes, the ambiguous 2012. Will the world really end in 2012?

For the last few days of December, i kept thinking, it will be such a pity if all of us die in 2012. I am only 20 years old, lived only a quarter of life, have not experienced adulthood, have not started my career, have not explored the big big world, have not let my parents lead a good life.

It's too early, it better not end so soon.

So before i start my 2012 resolutions, lets look back at 2011's!

1. gym at least twice a week, for the sake of frisbee. plus 2 trainings every week, i will be exercising 4 times a week!
hahhaa i could do this for the first half of each semester.. school work becomes really too heavy for me to go to the gym!

2. study really really hard from the first lesson onwards, stay positive towards learning and be consistent for the entire sem --- to pull up my GPA!
achieved this well in semester 2.. but the latest semester.. i failed to pull up my GPA.. not like i didn't try but sigh. i want to know what was wrong too~ i will do better next semester!!

3. must cut down on fried food. my pimples are coming back and i don't feel healthy! no more daily indulgence in that best fried shrimp dumpling from Kopitiam!
yeah! hahah good skin~! i took more care of my skin and though i still get pimples but my complexion is in good condition!

4. not be afraid of challenges, must not have the mindset of giving up and stop thinking that i am weak.
yup yup! gave myself a try at many new things and learnt a lot in the process. became mentally stronger and fearless!

5. manage my commitments well and not be late!!!
aha blame it on my clique habits, blame it on the bad Singaporean habit, blame it on the long preparation time...i am still late frequently, especially if it's just going out with friends... haha. i'm trying my best already!! but i am still quite a procrastinator.. zz

So generally, i achieved my 2011 resolutions quite well!
and i realised i didn't set any really meaningful ones in 2011, felt quite retarded while reading the 5 above resolutions!! haha

So... in 2012..

1. i want to live every day as though it's the last day

2. i want to be academically stronger

3. i want to continue being thankful and appreciative of every day

4. i want to be more contributive towards my family

5. i want to be more thrifty and save up

6. Choice and focus

And here are some wishes i have for 2012!

1. to be very healthy and happy every day

2. my family, especially my parents and my grandmother to have good health and have lesser old-age pain every day!

and most importantly...

that 2012 isn't the end of the world.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AGAIN!

p.s: i am so glad i spent the last day of 2011 so .. excitingly. haha

CAFE HOPPING 13 - The Little Bookshop @ Siglap

2011-12-28T03:12:00.004+08:00

The Little Bookshop @ Siglap
687a East Coast Road, Level 2
Singapore 459055

Opening hours:
Wed - Thu: 12:00 - 21:00
Fri: 13:00 - 22:00
Sat: 10:30 - 22:00
Sun: 10:30 - 21:00

Tel: 66773083
The Little Bookshop Facebook

I was actually on my way to check out Cheesecake Cafe, mentioned to me quite a few times by my friends.

However, i saw a chalkboard just before the cafe and it pointed in to a really striking red door. I knew i found a treasure immediately.

I really like how they made the door to look so attractive in the English style, and remember what i said about the importance of doors.

Behind the stubborn creaky door is a stairway and wow, i really love the feeling of suspense as i took my steps up.

This place actually sells books and the cafe seems more like a sideline, so as to provide the readers some refreshments while they spend their day reading there. I went in the morning so I was the first and only customer there.

I really wonder, because it's so well-hidden, do they really earn enough to pass the day?

The interior was very straightforward, yet cosy.

Freaky santa :(

Though the interior is rather different from the usual kind i like, but the sincerity to put up the place into somewhere cosy for people to read comfortably really made me feel very at home.

I was there alone but the place really made me enjoy SOLITARY so much! I felt like a kid exploring a new place and getting awed by small little things. Rather nostalgic, and it does remind me of primary school a little.

The Food

Because it wasn't a planned trip, I really did not expect anything from the food, but i was so so wrong.

This small little Orange Kissed Brownie really surprised me! It was served straight from the fridge so it was still cold and a little hard.

After the coldness melts in the mouth within 1second, the mixed taste of chocolate, a tint of orange and crunchy sugar bits immediately explodes. It was so good!

The brownie was really soft until inexistent, so i tasted the chocolate and orange bits mostly. Definitely a must try for sugar toothed!

Not to mention, this brownie was only $2!!!!!!!!!!

I believe the white layer is a mix of orange flavour and sugar.

This was the only thing i tried but I am curious about its other menu items too! Shall go back again if i pass by!

The Menu

Besides the brownie, the rest are rather cafe-pricey but i think they do not carry service tax.

Some set deals as well!

The Friend

Was actually waiting for Celine at the cafe..

Goodbye to the door!

Seoul 2011 - Found Gold in Ewha!

2011-12-27T22:26:00.003+08:00

Ewha or Ewha Women's University (Ewha Daehakyo/E-dae/이대) is a popular hang out for the young people in Seoul.

It's located just stops away from downtown, also one of the university populated areas. It can be compared to Bugis in Singapore, because there is a university nearby and is almost always crowded with youngsters. hahah.

It is really one of the best shopping areas in Seoul, I say. There are so many things to see there, and IT'S THE PLACE TO FIND CHEAP STUFF! My friends and I went crazy shopping there. haha.

-terminology-
1000 won = SGD 1.10
daehakyo - University
계란 kye ran - Egg
빵 bbang - Bread
unnie - sister (used to address female strangers who appear older)

*refer to above for terminology!*

This place is rather straightforward, just exit from Exit 2/3 to reach the main street that leads to Ewha University. I really don't understand why they have two exits there on opposite side of the road because the street was as tiny as a lane, so one can just jaywalk across.

This is only the start...

The place is very simple, a little more laidback than the downtown. Small shophouses line the main street and the trees that line the main street also made it pretty!

A small stationery shop selling overpriced stuff. Nice to browse, tough on the pocket.

For those who would like to buy skincare, Ewha is a good place because they hire a lot of overseas students who can speak both Korean and Chinese/English so you are likely to receive understandable tips if you are looking for specific products.

The big brands like Face Shop, Etude House, Holika Holika, Nature Republic and Skinfood are everywhere in Seoul, so you can find all these outlets along the main street on Ewha as well.

Exterior of some of the cafes that dotted the street.

Even though Ewha is a small place, and the main street is rather short too, we spent about 2 hours trying to reach the end of it!! Mainly because we were stuck in a lot of those skincare/makeup shops.. There were really so many things to browse.. haha..

And finally when we reach the end, we see Ewha Women's University and I was quite surprised at how modern it looked at the entrance.

To save us more time on shopping, we kind of skipped touring the public area of the University.. I hope to go there and see2 look2 again if i get to go back! I remember people saying the campus is very pretty.

We were quite hungry so we started looking for food.. Seriously, just enter any restaurants, pick any item on the menu, you are still gonna get something quite decent~! Korea is a place of good food man!

Janice and I shared a biggg plate of fried rice for lunch and omy it was super duper delicious

After our lunch, we embarked on the next street, which was just adjacent to the street where Ewha University marked the end.

Most of the time, we just kind of split up because we were too engrossed in our own shopping to wait for each other. haha. shopping more important than friends =p

And i found a really interesting street stall!

The stall made something similar to the pancakes we have in local Mr. Bean, just that there is only one flavour!

EGG! It was called 계란빵 kye ran bbang/egg bread (pancake).

So it was just like cooked egg wrapped in the pancake.. Selling at only 700 won!! It's one of the cheapest snack I've found in Seoul.

The crowd really raised my curiosity so i bought one to try...

I tasted heaven!! it's really such a simple snack but it tasted so good! The pancake was really scotching in my hands. It is crispy on the outside and a bite into it will release a really nice fragrance. After biting off the pancake layer, you will see the cooked egg inside and the delicious taste of unflavoured egg was nice too!

I don't see this snack anywhere else so if you want to try some egg pancake, you got to travel to Ewha!
I think this should be a popular snack amongst University students..

Anyway, Ewha area is a really confusing place, especially if you are following a map. There are so many small lanes to cover, so you should give yourself a whole afternoon there to make turns here and there to make sure you don't miss any treasures.

I didn't take much shots of the shopping there, and the reason is obvious - i was just looking and buying stuff! lol I really spent a bomb at this place, not because it was pricey but because i bought a lot!

There were so many good bags going at 10000 won and I was really biting my fingers to stop myself. The clothes were very stylish and at least 20-30% cheaper than downtown.. They give crazy discounts too, especially if you act "hard to get", but remain polite.. We managed to rip about 40% discount from the original price by being really friendly and act pitiful to one of the unnies in the shop. hahha. This trick works really well.

Oh one interesting thing about shopping in Korea. All shopkeepers will address you as "unnie" (bigger sister) even though you are evidently younger than them. I think it's because all customers are like "bosses" so they are to be addressed greater than the staff.

We became tired quickly after covering another part of the area so we went to this waffle shop for our teatime..

I liked the place a lot, simple and nicely decorated.

the food there were all very reasonably priced! And no GST or Service charge like Singapore.. We got to enjoy waffles and coffee at really cheap prices!

The ice cream waffle was delicious!!

The coffee milk shake was the best too!!

View more photos of the waffle shop at the end!

Look at how tired Janice was...

Photogenic street!

Finally, we cleared the entire area... And then we found another mall! 0.0 Omg. Haha.. it was Migliore if i'm not wrong, but the place was kind of newly revamped so there were hardly any shoppers and the prices there were a little more expensive.

Anyway, we spotted a pretty church from faraway and we decided to check it out! This time, the tired shoppers like Felicia, Charissa and Janice headed home whereas the still-energetic Pui Sheen, Tee Jun and I decided to walk in the direction of the Church!

Really didn't regret going there! It was really quite pretty on the outside (we didn't go in though).

Sad thing was that there were many electric cables and poles so it was damn hard to find an angle without the cables in the way.

The colour of the sky was pretty nice too!

Anyway, we realised we were at the Sinchon area after walking away from Ewha.. Scroll to the map above, and you will see that actually the whole area is pretty much connected and Sinchon is also populated with another University, Yonsei Uni!

I cannot fully describe THE PLENTIFULNESS of the food there!!! There were so so so many food stalls and restaurants there! It was really hard to settle for a place...

Since Tee Jun was craving for Jap food, we went to a random Jap shop for its cheap offer.

Cute Pui!

I didn't expect much from the bowl so the taste of the Oyako don really came as a pleasant surprise!

The egg sauce was just nice in its flavouring and I really enjoyed it so much!

After dinner, we walk the night streets of Sinchon and we passed by this stall which was crowded with customers too!

Apparently, it was selling barbeque chicken sticks... It took really long to complete one set of sticks as shown above... There were so many things he added! Sauce, fish flakes, nuts, and many many more...

It was interesting just looking at him cook it.

It was about 2000-3000 won and i must say, IT'S DAMN FREAKING WORTH IT!!

It was so delicious..Every ingredient he added all blended so well together.. The chicken meat was so tender as well! The spicy sauce was really quite spicy though, but i really loved it!

That marked the end of the day at Ewha well!

Another day, Felicia and I revisited Ewha for some last minute shopping and I was craving for the same chicken sticks, but i tried another stall which was just at the exit of the subway.

Definitely wasn't as good, but delicious too!

In summary, Ewha was a really fun place, especially for young girls to shop.. there isn't much stuff for guys so Sinchon might be a better place because there is endless food there! Visit Ewha before going to places like Dongdaemun and Myeongdong!! Must go!

Say hello to Ray!

2011-12-25T20:59:00.000+08:00

I've got a new boyfriend!!

Finally, i made the $0 purchase on Singtelshop.com and it arrived on 23rd december!!

I am really glad i chose this phone because it's really quite fast, especially the browsing and it has so many more functions than my x10 mini!

bye bye x10 mini...

Also, the addition of dataplan made my life a lot more convenient.. Now i can check buses, find stuff on google when i have spare time while riding the bus/mrt and connect to my friends 24/7 on whatsapp and facebook.

I am so not a mobile gamer, so i have not downloaded any boredom killer games on my phone.

The screen is of course, much bigger than my x10 mini which was only palm size, and it's in 16:9 HD ratio. Speaking of it, it really does look like my ex LG chocolate which i only used for like a few months because it got stolen....

but LG Chocolate was pretty much a useless phone. it lags so much, touchscreen isn't really good (compared to xperia), and battery dies REALLY QUICKLY. but, it's one of the prettiest phone i owned till i got Ray. :)

Ray is so good both on the outside and inside... and more importantly, it's unique, not like the white or black standard shaped phone that is of a certain A brand. haha.
seriously i don't like to chase after the mainstream stuff, especially if it is seriously over priced.

anyway. i love Ray, already! :)

but slowly i will find out more about its flaws lah. lol.

while many are becoming Apple fans, i am really becoming a huge Xperia fan!! teeehheee

loving Ray!

City Hunter

2011-12-25T20:36:00.000+08:00

I finished this series about two weeks ago.

City Hunter is a really really damn good show! One of the best Korean dramas i have watched!

The storyline is really exciting and deep, and there are a lot of surprising twists throughout the show. I really liked how the characters were linked to each other.

The summary of the story is, 20 odd South Korean soldiers were betrayed by their own people while carrying out a secret mission in North Korea and the sole survivor of the team wanted to take revenge for his fellow cadets. He snatched away the child of his best friend and raised him in Thailand as a professional killer. When this child (Lee Yoon Sung) turned 28, he returned to South Korea with a different identity and decided to go against his adoptive father to carry out his own righteous method of revenge. Despite many pressures given by the adoptive father which include threat to kill the love of his life as well as a Korean uncle whom he saved in Thailand, Yoon Sung persisted in his method and almost got himself caught or killed on many occasions.

The show is rather sad because the Yoon Sung grew up devoid of love and his destiny was to take revenge and in the end, he was in such a great dilemma, to love or not to love the girl (Na Na), to kill or not to kill the traitors as well as finding a way to change his adoptive father's hatred and persistence in a bloody revenge.

It is really very exciting because the methods and tricks Yoon Sung used to carry out his plan was really cool, bold and really smart.

The romance part of it was really nice too, the usual push and pull but kind of sweet and sorrowful towards the end.

The main reason why i like this show is because of the smart plot and its mature story, not like the other romance-filled kind of Korean dramas.

It is really worth watching! And it's really freaking addictive.. Each episode link so tightly together such that you just can't stop when you are done with one.

The last episode was the saddest, really quite painful to watch. It has a good ending though!

And i think they chose really really good actors, especially Lee Min Ho. He is not only deserving of the Flower Boy (pretty boy) title, but also a really convincing and natural actor. His big eyes really expressed his emotions very well, especially the struggle he has about his mission. His build, height and looks also made up a really good image for Yoon Sung.

so anyway, JUST GO AND WATCH IT CUS IT'S SO DAMN GOOD :)
http://www.kimchidramas.net/2011/05/city-hunter.html

All videos are still attached on the link above!

I hate Christmas

2011-12-24T17:31:00.002+08:00

I just want a peaceful Christmas. Just like last year complaining about spending my xmas alone.

I really hate the hassle. The mad rush. The need to spend unnecessarily. I just don't enjoy xmas.

I'm not a christian so xmas is of no significance to me. Xmas is but a reason to meet up with my 2 besties clique.

But presents give me a headache more than anything else. For birthdays we kind of ask for hints about the present. But for christmas we just buy what we think is suitable for the person. But most of the time we end up buying useless stuff and it's just meaningless to me to make such a gesture.

I dunno why I'm ranting so much but I'm just really sick of christmas. Rarr

Next year I wanna run away from christmas.

歌词写出我的心

2011-12-17T22:42:00.006+08:00

Sometimes it's wrong to walk away
Though you think it's over
Knowing there's so much more to say
Suddenly the moment's gone
And all your dreams are upside down
And you just wanna change the way the world goes round
Tell me

Have you ever loved and lost somebody
Wish there was a chance to say I'm sorry
Can't you see?
That's the way I feel about you and me, baby
Have you ever felt your heart was breaking
Lookin' down the road you should be taking
I should know
'Cause I loved and lost the day I let you go

Can't help but think that this is wrong
We should be together
Back in your arms where I belong
Now I finally realize, it was forever that I'd found
I'd give it all to change the way the world goes round
Tell me

Have you ever loved and lost somebody
Wish there was a chance to say I'm sorry
Can't you see?
That's the way I feel about you and me, baby
Have you ever felt your heart was breaking
Lookin' down the road you should be taking
I should know (I should know)
'Cause I loved and lost the day I let you go

I really wanna hear you say
That you know just how it feels
To have it all and let it slip away
Can't you see?
Even though the moment's gone
I'm still holding on somehow
Wishing I could change the way the world goes round
Tell me

Have you ever loved and lost somebody
Wish there was a chance to say I'm sorry (I'm sorry)
Can't you see? (oooh)
That's the way I feel about you and me, baby
Have you ever felt your heart was breaking
Lookin' down the road you should be taking
I should know (I should know)
'Cause I loved and lost the day I let

Yes, I loved and lost the day I let

Yes, I loved and lost the day I let you go

有时候孤独可以寂寞
也可以是自由
能安慰自己的人
比较容易快乐

我这里天快要黑了　那里呢
我这里天气凉凉的　那里呢
我这里一切都变了　我变的懂事了
我又开始写日记了　而那你呢

我这里天快要亮了　那里呢
我这里天气很炎热　那里呢
我这里一切都变了　我变的不哭了
我把照片也收起了　而那你呢

如果我们现在还在一起会是怎样
我们是不是还是深爱着对方
像开始时那样　握着手就算天快亮

我们现在还在一起会是怎样
我们是不是还是隐瞒着对方
像结束时那样　明知道你没有错
还硬要我原谅

我不会原谅　我怎么原谅

在就要转身前突然又想起你
相遇的那天漾着微笑的你
那个微笑
还是很美丽
可惜那个人常常要让人哭泣

太耀眼的城市不适合看星星
就如同你的心不适合谈安定
谢谢你让我伤过心
学会爱情并非执迷
人改变不了改变不了的事情

记得要忘记忘记
我提醒自己
你已经是
人海中的一个背影
长长时光
我应该要有新的回忆

人无法决定会为谁动心
但至少可以决定放不放弃
我承认我
还是会爱着你
但我将永不再触碰这记忆

记得要忘记忘记
经过我的你
毕竟只是很偶然的那种相遇
不会不容易
我有一辈子
足够用来忘记

I'm not comfortable with how we never talk
And I miss you since you went out for that walk
Its been 13 months since May
It still feels like yesterday

I was scared to fix what I had broke
Its a lonely place to live with just a ghost
There is love left in my life, I will see
But you still hurt me

I can still see all your clothes thrown on the floor
There are friends who never call me anymore
I remember throwing out all of your things
But I think I kept my ring

I'm not comfortable with how the story ends
We were lovers and now we're not even friends
You were perfect and I guess I'm just a creep
But you still hurt me

I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,"
Yeah.

Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

it's weird i only came to know "someone like you" lyrics today through nathan hartono. i never got it before.

it's weird how i came across so many songs that described my feelings today.

a note from my inner voice

2011-12-17T02:55:00.000+08:00

每一次我的心沉静下来，我的脑袋一片空白，总会有一个人浮现在我脑海。

有很多未知数一直不停地缠绕着我，有时困惑，有时无奈。

过了许久，你可能也变了，我们的距离也太遥远了，我想象的可能也许真的只是想象。

我也没办法，我也不想想你，但是我还是就是想你。

其实不想说，但是有时候，真的很想大大声地喊出我的想念。

很多记忆，真的以为我忘了，但是有时看到某件事某件东西，能让我对自己微笑想起以前的事。

暧昧，好怀念。

吵架，好可爱。

斗嘴，好甜蜜。

分开，好后悔。

我知道你过得好，我也不想打扰，但是有时也好想跟你聊上二十四个小时，把我们之间中间的所有不知都好好了解一下。

我不期望什么。。但是，也好盼望我们能像电影一样，如果在街上碰到，彼此都会很想坐在咖啡厅里，聊全部的事。

心想，还是有一点害怕，怕你其实还有一点恨我，怕你还没把不好的回忆忘掉，怕你其实一点都不想见到我。

我好想你，我以前的超好朋友。。

THIS HOLIDAYS IS TOO SHORT

2011-12-16T23:23:00.000+08:00

omg.

i see what's left of my holidays.

I WANT MORE TIME.

camp coming up, all the christmas gatherings coming up, going Thailand the week before school starts.

though it's gonna be fun, though i enjoy meeting up with friends, but there's really so much hassle.
i really don't like christmas (though i love my friends) and

I REALLY NEED MORE TIME ALONE.

i want to stay at home and do my own things. i want to walk around alone.
i just want to be alone.

give me more time to be alone!

commitment

2011-12-15T03:16:00.001+08:00

i have been blogging for 7 years.

quite surprised about how long i have blogged, when i saw my archives dates just now.

sometimes i ponder over the same question, why do i blog?

do i blog for myself or do i blog for others?

sometimes i talk to imaginary readers on my blog, but i know most of the time, it's only me viewing my blog. haha.

it doesn't really matter to me, whether people reads my blog. i have all the wonderful cafes reviews, but it doesn't matter if no one is reading them.

i really enjoy reading my own entries, anyway.

it just feels like i am creating pretty looking records of my experience/discovery and i am proud of it.

sometimes blogging is also a way for me to release my emotions, especially if i don't wish to talk to anyone about it.

and reading some of the past entries can really bring back very good memories, or it can remind me of how fortunate i am now, when i read about my sadness of the past.

sometimes, it's also funny and amusing to read past entries, especially those that were written in secondary school.

it's good to keep a record. humans are all forgetful. it's good to remember how you have become the person you are now. it's good to recall all the good and bad pieces that made up your life. that's why a record is important.

i really enjoy blogging. :)

CAFE HOPPING 12 - Crazyworld Cafe @ Temple Street

2011-12-15T02:45:00.003+08:00

Crazyworld Cafe @ Temple Street
24 Temple Street
Singapore 058569

Opening hours:
Mon : Rest Day
Tues: 6pm to 10pm
Wed – Thu : 12pm to 10pm
Fri – Sat : 12pm to 11:30m
Sun : 12pm to 10pm

Tel: 6223 7553
http://www.crazyworldcafe.com/

I came to know about CrazyWorld Cafe through the Ch 8 tv programme, HDB Taitai. It became the next must-visit on my cafe list and I was not disappointed at all when I went there today. This cafe is very special because of its concept and there must have been a lot of thought involved when the cafe was created.

I like the entire package of this cafe. It has successfully combined the factors of concept, design, good food and ambience together. You can actually find out more information about its concept on its website, but basically it promotes local chinese pop music and art scene.

I really like the ambience. A really good place for chit chats with girlfriends and is a good dating hideout as well.

It has a stage set up for their performance nights and there are actually quite a lot of local singers and bands which are linked to this cafe. Some of the performers were even participants of the past cycles of Project Superstar/Campus Superstar. There are more information about the performance nights on their website.

As you can see, the interior is very cosy. The lighting perfected the ambience.

They have a lot of unique decoratives in the cafe as well.

Their wall is also special because of this wall display made of acoustic panels.

Art exhibits on their wall.

The Food

Celine ordered a Irish Cream Latte and it tastes good! Celine kept saying "omg i love their coffee" haha.

I like their mug a lot also, really cute.

The Bailey's Cheesecake came in a set with the latte. The texture was really very unique, a little spongy and carried a sweet fragrance of the cheese. Bites into the brown parts will release the nice bailey scent. The taste was really light, not something that i would be sick of after eating half of it. Would recommend this to those who loves cheesecakes.

I haven't ate for 20 hours because i woke up late so i had their Mum's Curry Chicken with rice.

When I read "Mum's curry chicken", i thought of the soupy kind of curry that is sweet and spicy, so I was surprised with the taste because it was quite the opposite. This curry was thick and had strong spice flavours and quite unexpectedly, even though it was quite spicy, it was bearable all the way till the last mouthful of it.

I like the chicken meat very much because it was well cooked and hence, really tender. The whole dish was quite enjoyable.

I also ordered the Brownie with ice cream and omg listen, IT IS HEAVENLY. The brownie was crispy on the outside and really soft and warm on the inside. Coupled with the sweet ice cream and chocolate sauce, the whole dessert was just PERFECT. I really liked it a lot, highly recommended!

The Menu

They have a lot of tempting items on the menu.. really wish i could try more!

Also, the best thing about this cafe, THERE IS NO GST AND SERVICE CHARGE!! Hoorays!
I worry for them though, they have to absorb the taxes! ouch.

The Friend

Overall, Crazyworld Cafe is one of the better, if not best, cafes i have explored so far and i would urge you to make a visit there. The food and ambience are awesome! :)

If you want to see more photos of the cafe, click the button below!

CAFE HOPPING 11 - 7 KICKstart Brewiches

2011-12-15T01:32:00.002+08:00

7 KICKstart Brewiches @ Armenian Place
50 Armenian Place
#01-02 Wilmer Place
Singapore 179938
Tel: 83897877

Opening hours:
Mon - Thurs 08:00 to 20:00
Fri 08:00 to 22:00
Sat 09:00 to 22:00

Tel: 8389 7877
7 kickstart facebook

Another hidden cafe! This cafe is really hard to find because it is hidden inside an office building and no one would expect to see a nice cafe when walking past the building. 7 KICKstart Brewiches has a very cosy ambience and serves delicious sandwiches!

See what i mean? if you walk past this lobby, you wouldn't even take a second look on your right so likely you are going to miss this cafe.

It isn't exactly hard to find this building. It is just opposite The Substation, which is where famous pub, Timbre, is located.

I think 7Kickstart Brewiches is a cool cafe, but it is not exploiting marketing techniques sufficiently. Its attractiveness on the exterior is on the low side, somewhat like a good book with a bad cover.

One thing that restaurants and cafes should never neglect is its door/entrance. It is the very first thing patrons see and it must look very welcoming and be compatible with its theme. Just look at the picture above and you will know why i say it isn't attractive.

Besides, its logo can also be improved because 7 KICKstart BREWiches does sound rather unique but its design must improve to make it work.

Despite the exterior, its interior is very welcoming and cosy, with some sofa seats and Caucasian style tall chairs and tables.

There are also many interesting displays, most are linked to coffee.

Some other interesting displays that are old-school themed.

The Food

I forgot what was this :/ :(

Olivia ordered the salmon sandwich. It had a special name but i kind of forgotten :/

The taste was quite good! A very unique recipe, because i haven't seen this kind of sandwich anywhere else.

The presentation was also quite interesting. They served it straight on the baking tray. It also looked like they spent some time to stack all the ingredients up like that.

Jocelyn ordered the beef burger and i must say this burger is one of a kind! I've never seen any cafes presenting their burgers like that. Looked like the burger was murdered. Rather amusing.

\

I cannot eat beef so i don't know how it taste like, apologies.

The drinks were also very special, served in measuring cups. This also meant that the portion was big, attractive to those who finds cafe drinks expensive.

I ordered mint float but i didn't really like how it tastes like cough syrup. I wouldn't really recommend this drink.

The others tried their milkshakes and it was quite good.

The Menu

Sadly, i forgot about taking photo of the menu but it was also probably because i was irritated with the design of the menu too. The categories were not obvious and despite their effort to make it interesting by including a lot of write ups, it instead, made it too difficult to read and find the names of the food and price.

The prices are reasonable here though!

The Friends

Overall, i would think this cafe is a good place to visit for lunch/dinner and I am actually quite excited about going back again to try their other food as well :) The ambience was normal but it is a cosy place, definitely.

CAFE HOPPING 10 - 15 Minutes @ Laselle

2011-12-15T00:30:00.000+08:00

15 Minutes @ Laselle
Blk D #01-01 Mcnally Street
Lasalle College of the Arts
Singapore 187940

Opening hours:
Mon - Thurs 11:15 to 23:00
Fri 11:15 to 24:00
Sat 11:15 to 23:00

Tel: 6333 5915
http://www.15minutes.com.sg/

Hidden within the campus of Laselle College is a cool concept cafe called 15 minutes. It is fortunate to have a bigger store space to play around with the interior and it is one of the few cafes which serves very tasty food.

The building itself is of a very special shape, not surprised because it is an art school. I really liked how it looked on the exterior.

It is usually crowded during meal times as it is rather famous. Also not surprising, because the food is good!

15 minutes also has a stage for performances, but no guarantee that the performers are good :/ haha

The ambience is good for a class gathering, especially because of the large tables suitable for groups. You won't be afraid to make noise in this crowded restaurant either.

The Food

They serve their salads in a Jar, which is really special. You can shake the jar to mix the sauce with the veggie.
We ordered greek caesar salad and surprisingly, the sauce was very nice and the salad was very enjoyable.. I am not a fan of raw veggie but i liked this salad.

Usually i won't order salad because it's not really logical to pay the price of a main to eat a few strands of raw veg but i think this salad is worthy of its price.

Oriental Duck Thin Crust Pizza is one of their more famous pizza/dish. It is really very unique and it tastes good!!! The moist mandarin orange pieces on the pizza gave a really sweet flavour to the pizza, very appetizing. Cashew nuts and egg also gave a good fragrance and variety of texture to the crispy pizza.

I am also not a fan of duck meat, but the meat they use didn't have any weird taste of duck and it was rather tender. (only some unlucky pieces were overcooked)

I really liked it.

I went for the sambal chicken thigh because i am a fan of sambal chilli and it sounded really delicious on the menu. The chilli was rather spicy but it went well with the chicken.

Sad that they didn't cook the rice properly. It was a little dry. The sides like tomato pineapple salsa, french beans and tempe all tasted weird! Didn't match with the dish and didn't taste nice either.

The cheese fries came in quite a good portion and it was delicious too.

Passionfruit italian soda. Quite nice and sweet.

There are many items on the menu and it is a place to revisit again to try the other dishes.

I would highly recommend this cafe as the ambience and food are both very good. Nothing like a coffee place for books and quiet chats, but a really good option for gatherings!

The Menu

The Friends

Seoul 2011 - Cat Cafes!

2011-12-13T16:16:00.120+08:00

Korea has a culture of pets cafe. These cafes keep a dozens of pets in the cafe and for most of them, you have to pay a one off fee (about 8000 won) for entrance, and you are entitled a drink and a 1-2 hours stay there.

-terminology-
1000 won = SGD 1.10
Hongdae - Hongik University (홍익대학교 Hongik Daehakyo, Hongdae for short)
남자 - namja = boy
여친 - yeochin = girlfriend
ulu- secluded

There is this chain cat cafe called CAT CAFE and it is very commercialized, usually with a garfield escort at the main pathway near the cafe.

I went to one of its outlets at Hongdae, and as it was my first experience in a cafe packed with so many cats, i was really awed and excited!

I was with Felicia, Darren and Esther ~

cute coffee!

We all noticed something weird - almost all the cats were soundly sleeping (except for one or two) and despite so many people petting them, they did not wake up at all!

I felt a little suspicious, thinking they had drugged the cats because after one of the staff started taking out a toy that made some noise, all the cats started to wake. She started "playing" with the cats using a feather stick, and suddenly the whole place was filled with excited cats. Isn't it fishy?

Despite that, after all the cats woke, all the patrons became really happy because we could all play with the cats proper. haaha.

awww

this furless cat was really interesting! first time i see this breed! the skin was rubbery, very weird but fun to touch! haha

like a boss

the furless cat was SO SCARY! it always stared at people with these fierce eyes and it moves around very very swiftly! its tail was similar to a rat's tail as well!

Really look like cartoon..

Spotted a DAMN RICH looking young korean 남자. He looked rather korean-cute and omg, it's the first time i see someone dressed outright rich!

Maybe that's the difference between rich koreans and rich Singaporeans! Singaporeans tend to hide their wealth, or at least it isn't very obvious - we don't wear a GOLD watch like the Korean boy does.. Seriously, from head to toe, the boy just had "RICH" written all over. Haha. Makes me wonder if he was the typical kind of rich spoilt brats we see in Korean dramas. He came with his 여친 (girlfriend).

(haha don't get me wrong, i'm just surprised because it's the first time i see a drama-kind of character real life. lol)

cuteeeee

And on another day, i visited another cat cafe with Felicia, but this was a really ulu one, called Gio Cat Cafe, hidden in one small corner of Hongdae.

For cat cafe, you just have to take the exit that leads to a KFC, follow the small road that passes Watsons, Skin food and then turn right on the first adjacent small road and walk just a little more and you will see the Cat Cafe sign on the 2nd floorth.

For Gio Cat cafe, you will have to walk about 15 mins towards Hongdae Free Market and along the small road with shops parallel to the playground, turn right into a REALLY SMALL AND ULU lane and you will see Gio Cat cafe at the 2nd floorth.

This cat cafe was definitely more normal, because only some of the cats were sleeping and most of the cats were active. The cats here was also more friendly, they would approach you on their own initiative and sometimes, quite surprisingly as well.

told you so.

Actually it was quite painful when the cat jumped onto my shoulder.. Cus it was scared of falling, it put some nails out so that it will remain stable on my shoulder... so the nails were poking at my skin.. but cats are actually very careful about not hurting people (when they are not in aggressive mode) so it was very gentle when it was moving its paws on my shoulder.

It was really cute, kept rubbing its head against my cap.. kyuttttt

ULTIMATE CUTENESS!

I was extremely obsessed with one of them, it had a permanent "i am so poor thing" look because of its droopy ears! Super cute!

I am a cat lover, if you haven't realised.

This cat looked really funny cus its face was really flat, as though it has been flatten by a car =p
Hahha.. really cute!

y u no look at the cam :(

perma-sad face aww-max!

yay finally!

told you i was obsessed.

The staff also took out some treats for the cats, but she was purely feeding all of them, unlike the staff at Cat Cafe, who seemed to be performing a show for the patrons.

It was rather shocking to see SO MANY cats gathering around the staff.. I think there were at least 20-30 of them..

Their eyes were all wide opened and teary, it was hard for my heart not to melt..

this one again!

Also, one cat suddenly jumped onto my lap and started hugging me! Shocked and surprised, as you can see from the awkward expression. haha

We really didn't bear to leave all the cute kitties because it would be the last time we would be in a mass of adorable, non-stray and clean kitties after we return to Singapore..

extremely pleasant stay at Gio Cat Cafe. I wouldn't suggest anyone to go to Cat Cafe because they really seemed to be rather fishy and it wasn't worth it to pay 8000 won to see a shop of sleeping cats.

go dig Gio Cat Cafe out!

Seoul 2011 - Everland

2011-12-12T22:19:00.184+08:00

Everland is a reallyyy big amusement park located at Yongin-si (Yongin city), which is just a little below Seoul on the map. http://www.everland.com/MultiLanguage/english/everland/main.html

-terminology-
1000 won = SGD 1.10
subway - equivalent to our MRT
kimbap - korean version of sushi

*refer to above for terminology!*

The most convenient way to get to Everland will be taking the subway to Gangnam, which is the "rich area" of Seoul. Then, exit from exit 6 and walk straight till you see a bus stop that has bus 5002. The bus will bring you to another terminal which has shuttle bus to Everland itself. The ride is rather long and i felt like i was brought to a faraway place haha.

note that the bus stop is along the road after exiting from exit 6 (not in the middle as shown on the map)

walking to the bus stop!

pass by these landmarks

go early or the queue might get really long!

Bought some kimbap which is a realllyyyy delicious, cheap (2000 won for one roll!) and filling snack on a long bus ride!

and Everland looks like this....

to me, it really felt like i walked into a dreamland..

It costs 34000 won per person for a one day pass. definitely worth it!

First harmless ride we took!

The "washing machine" ride.. Really felt like we were clothes being swung and swung.. My hat even fell off when the ride turned 360 degree! Luckily it was retrievable!

The milder roller coaster in the park. Though there was 360 rotation and rather fun, it was pretty harmless too. A really good warm up for... T-Express!

The greens were really nice there! Especially down this slope..

Sad that i was taking the photo for them, not with them...

Taking the cable down to the other part of Everland. It's a hugeee place!

The "infamous" T-Express.... Look at the steepness of the drop...

The entry to the doom ride...

The first time we wanted to take it, we were all very scared and worried about the impact of the ride so it really took us a while to pluck up all our courage to start queue-ing for it!

Felicia was sulking cus she was already feeling nauseous from the previous washing machine ride and she didn't want to take T-express.

The 70 degree steep drop!

The first time i took T-express... was really out of the world! The going up was scary enough... It took really long to reach the top, and it goes slowly in a semicircle before it reaches the tip of the drop and then suddenly, zooommmmmm down you go and every turn will force your neck to jerk to one side and the other. it really felt as though my neck could break every turn! then there is one segment where there are consecutive ups and downs like the cos or sin curve and it was scary!

It was VERY exciting and we all were like OMG WE NEED TO RIDE THIS AGAIN!

So we took a break with the other rides and we came back twice to do it again!
We sat at different seats every time to try how it felt like to be in front and all. We thought the front seat would be the most scary but apparently, from those who sat at the back, they said it was WAYYYYYY scarier cus the back felt the biggest impact! After hearing that i didn't dare to try the back seats. haha.

Ate lunch at their Burger cafe. food was just average!

There was also a zoo ride! it was really my first looking at the wildlife this upclose!!

I think it is my first time seeing white tigers too!

Creepy eyes!

They trained their bears to perform "begging" in order to get treats! The bear was really huge when it stood up and it was amusing seeing them put their paws together and beg..

It was a really sunny day!

There was also a small animals zone and the sheep just happened to be running around freely! omg they were so cute! (but smelly)

There was also a "wet ride" and i was really lucky to just be one of the dryer ones after the ride!

poor felicia and charissa!

Only pui and i took the viking ship... It was outdoors, so it was more scary because of the bigger surrounding! The ride was really stomach flopping and I would think this kind of thrill was more scary than the roller coaster kind of thrill!

Really pretty scenery!

The bumper ride was reallyyyyyyy fun! Especially when you are bumping your friends!

Churros!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely my favourite favourite food from the theme park.. Miss it alot :(

After we were done with the rides, we took the remaining time before the sun sets to roam the pretty area!

There were so many flowers and greens, REALLY REALLY PRETTY! 너무 너무 예쁘다!

REALLY PRETTY!

Everland was definitely a very very fun place and it was so fun because the waiting time was short. Pick a weekday! The whole place was really very nicely made and the rides were very fun too!

You would need one full day to just sufficiently cover everything there.. And you would need more than one camera battery if you want to spam photos! I ran out of battery :( so sad.

More photos under the cut!!

CAFE HOPPING 9 - SHOTS @ Ann Siang Hill

2011-12-09T02:21:00.002+08:00

SHOTS @ ANN SIANG HILL
8 Ann Siang Hill Singapore 069788
Tel: 6224 8502
Opening hours: --
http://www.shots.com.sg/

Ann Siang Hill is slowly becoming a secretly popular hangout.. With such a nice cafe marked near the entrance of the small road, it's bound to attract those who seek this kind of cool places!

I take a liking to cafes with simplistic concepts and i would think shots is a really good example of such.

good for htht! :)

Simple layout always give a really nice cosy feel!

The Food

Beef lasagne. Grace said it was a little too sour and it was just average..

I took the special menu item for that day and it was Japanese curry with fried chicken cutlet. The chicken cutlet was over fried so it was rather dry and hard and the curry was a little on the sour side as well.

I guess a cafe is still a cafe. Shots isn't really famous for the food.

On to the drinks.

Cold hazelnut latte. Also rather cafe-kind of average drink. I like the presentation of the drink though the taste was normal.

Grace with the Hot version of the same drink. She liked it though!

Again, the presentation wins.

Packaging is everything. Even though the drink wasn't exactly super delicious or special, the appearance is really pleasant to the eyes and it increases its attractiveness by a huge chunk.

Overall verdict is that, shots is a nice place for friend to have a nice catch up, and thumbs up for its design and ambience, but there's not much hype about the food and drinks!

The Menu

*click to see larger!
(the menu wasn't really visible because the text are really small, especially the descriptions!)

I would say, the price is quite a pinch for the quality~

The Friend

Grace chow!

More photos of the place!

TO THE WORLD:

2011-12-05T21:38:00.000+08:00

I AM FINALLY FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

back to healthy lively and fun again! :)

i want to be healthy for a long long time!

what doesn't kill me make me STRONGERRRRR

this wasn't what i expected for holidays

2011-12-04T13:48:00.000+08:00

been so sick for the past week..
the most sick i have ever been in my entire life...
never felt this horrible before ;(

ate something wrong after my finance paper on tuesday, started diarrhoea and went home and started vomitting... then went to the doctor but whatever prescription didn't make me feel better..

almost couldn't take my twc paper the next morning.... luckily i survived.

but the symptoms didn't stop, so i had to go to the doctor a second time but still no improvements :(

prayed that i would be fine by the time i had to fly to australia, but i was still vomiting while doing my packing 2 hours before the flight.. a lot of disappointment and regrets of not going, but there's nothing i can do lar.

honestly, i don't wanna risk my health also.. i know very clearly i wasn't in the right state to go...

i went to the hospital instead, got a drip for 2 hours and some jabs. felt better but the next day, i felt worse again and i could only lie in bed all day :(

went for checkup again yesterday and i was so shocked when the doctor told me it could be dengue (0.0) if my blood platelets drop further.

thank god it didn't!!!! omg..

was prescribed some other medicine and that made me feel better... now i am almost fine, just need to let my weak stomach slowly build up the immunity again.. and omg, all my muscles have turn jelly... and i have turned skeleton too! so scary :( gotta eat more when i can..

sigh, must have been really fun if i went too... the rest are having fun...

think luck is so unfair to me :(

missed jakarta concert and hence lost $200.

now, i miss aussie trip and i already paid $600... for backing out last minute, i might even need to pay the full sum.

sigh, the only way is to think positive, it's all a blessing in disguise.. if i go, i would meet with something even worse..

or maybe, the reason so many bad things happen to me now is cus the fortune for the year has been depleted :( nvm lar. i had a good share of luck and fortune for the entire year already... going korea for one month and all..

ok blabber blabber.

since i have time on my hands now, i will start my cafe blogging posts again and FINALLY FINALLY start on my korea blog posts... should i start a new blog for that? hahahaa

UNWINDING :)

2011-11-25T23:20:00.000+08:00

after the 2 back-to-back papers yesterday, and the sudden free time i am allocated with because the Jakarta trip was cancelled, i spent the ENTIRE night (till 5am) and day (12 till now) SLACKING!

1. management accounting paper was much easier than the 09-10 practise papers and i really hope i do well for it!
~~1. I want to end my MA finals, feeling that all the practice i did wasn't a waste of my time~~
Goal #1 achieved

(actually, i almost went crazy studying for ma!!)

silent scream of stress~

2. marketing paper was really so easy i was laughing to myself when i read the questions. seriously, not being boastful here, but it's really really really easy... in fact, most of the stuff can be answered with common sense and some creative thinking.. only some structure requires cheatsheet for help..
i finished within 1 hour and i slacked the next half an hour away and i left half an hour earlier.
i know i really shouldn't be so complacent, but i also see no point in checking again and again when i am satisfied with my answers and don't feel that there's any need to correct any more..
~~3. I want to be 100% confident when i do my marketing exam.~~
Goal #2 achieved

so now i am left with, FINANCE and TWC next week.

and what is REALLY disappointing is that, i've received the partial grades of my other components just ytd and today and freaking hell, this 2 profs i have ARE REALLY STINGY...

and i am extremely angry with my TWC grades, and i STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH HIS JUDGEMENT OF MY STANDARD.
but hell, i am gonna prove him utterly wrong in my finals. *FIRE*
4. I want to make Alex drop his jaw. (twc)

3. after marketing paper, i had to leave straight to go for the Olinda photoshoot. think we will appear on the magazine next week or so.
it was fun, but the make up took reallyyyy long.
the photos came out... alright? i think.. hahaha not up to my own expectations but i guess passable..

think i look better here:

i am 1.84m tall here!

yichen is 1.74 without heels!

4. the CNBLUE Jakarta concert got cancelled because of some contractual issues and honestly, i am quite pissed with FNC cus they are doing a v bad job at managing CNBLUE. and i lost my air ticket and hotel booking fees. thanks alot to them.

5. and because of this, i was kind of depressed and after such a long hectic day, i decided to binge on macs n ice cream cus i haven't eaten anything proper the whole day :(

6. i let myself play comp till 5am to unwind! aha~

7. slept as much as i wanted today and woke up to PLAY PLAY PLAY.
initially i wanted to play for half a day but i ended up playing the whole day haha.
tried 2 different make up for fun and it was really fun heehe.

This is make up 1! Smokey eyes~

This is make up #2! Followed a tutorial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqWEP2oxXeo&feature=relmfu

only did one eye!

the effect was really nice :)

so yes, tomorrow i shall return to study mode! :) need to work really hard for finance and twc!

byeyeye

空窗期

2011-11-23T20:08:00.001+08:00

just saw this over a channel 8 show

"the period of being single is a good time to find your true self, to understand who you really are and to decide what you really want, in life, and in love."

im glad to say, i really found who i am and i know exactly what i want.

being single is so good :)

and pssst, today i have been alone with myself for the entire day.. studying in a gsr.
solitary is so awesome.
i don't know why, but i feel very good being alone.
some dose of social life is good, but enjoyment from independence is :)

When You're Single

2011-11-21T23:01:00.003+08:00

When You’re Single
By: David Choi

That’s how it is when you’re single
And you’re like me, ain’t that the best
That’s how it is when you’re single
Yeah I should mingle, just like the rest (2x)

Yeah I’m single, it’s been that way for a while
I know people playing around
But that’s not really my style

I go to bed around 4-5 in the am
But I don’t have the liver to be partying like them

Honestly speaking I’m just a ~~quiet guy~~
Maybe that’s why I’m alone most nights

I say I don’t mind, as I take a sip of wine
Yeah I’ll tell myself that as I dream of a ~~wife~~ husband

Chorus

Back to my routine, I wake up in the afternoon
Cuz I don’t have that special ~~girl~~ boy to wake up to

No motivation, drive, or pursuit
Where are all the ~~girls~~ boys who are plain and cute?

I’m not depressed because I got no ~~girl~~ boy
I can call up my friends and take over the world

But at night when we all go back to our homes
We all end up the same in our rooms alone

Chorus

Everything’s a little colder, colder
Feels empty on my shoulder, shoulders
I need a little something more, some fire, some fire

Chorus

I gotta find myself a ~~girl~~ boy, find myself a ~~girl~~ boy
I gotta find myself a ~~girl~~ boy, find myself a nice ~~girl~~ boy

i am a diamond!

2011-11-20T03:37:00.002+08:00

stress is very very normal.
and stress is a sign that you are out of your comfort zone.
the only place to learn and strengthen yourself is outside your comfort zone.

(i learnt the importance of this back in my students' council days in VJC. it was definitely a very valuable experience for me.)

so anyway, stress really built up a lot over the past week of studying. intense 12-12 everyday since monday and yes, my progress was great, but i guess i kind of reached my limit.

ytd i felt so stressed that i almost wanted to go crazy. and i did, when i went home.. drowned myself in kpop and danced like mad woman in my own room. a good way to relief stress!!!
today i felt so stressed because mugging was flooding my head and i almost didn't want to have dinner with my friends because all i wanted to do was mug..
and that led to a fruitful conversation with kennethyong which made me realise the root to my stress.

so i was telling him, i wasn't mugging for the GPA, but i was mugging hard to show that i am competent in the subject. and how will it be shown? - GPA.

what is the difference? one, you are just mugging for the sake of retaining the knowledge well enough to survive your finals and as long as you get a A or A+, you disregard everything else.

the other, you are mugging because you want to ensure full understanding of the subject and that through your understanding, you are able to solve all kind of problems thrown at you during the finals, as well as any similar problems in the future.
the only plus point for the 2nd one is that, if you are returned a good grade, it shows that you have really attained the fruit of knowledge for this subject.

but is this really?

does the final grade of your exam really show how much you have understood the subject?

because i believe so, i am feeling so much stress because i am still not getting it, still not getting there. many questions that i can't solve while attempting the papers and it does put me in a lost because there's only... 4 5 days more to the exams.
what's stressing me out even more are the many things that clash with exams and i am afraid..

after some reflections, i also realised every semester, i have a different attitude and hence experience..

in y1s1, i was really slack, the JC-kind of slack. don't listen in class, leave everything to last minute and just fulfill the minimum. fresh from JC and a long 8 month breaks, kind of understandable. did very badly overall and was extremely depressed.

in y1s2, i got over my quarter life crisis and found what i wanted in life. with some deep inspirations from my AS prof, Brian Mooney, (who shared with us his dilemma about the education system) as well as the immense determination to pull up my GPA, i was in full force learning - and i was enjoying what i was learning. i really did my subjects with the mindset that i just wanted to learn. and i was loving what i learnt. and yes, my results improved by a GREAT lap and my GPA was pulled up to an average-undergrad kind of GPA.

in y2s1, things became a little harder because many relevant subjects like Finance and Management Accounting isn't so easy to understand and apply. i was still enjoying what i was learning and i love how i knew that these stuff i am learning will definitely come very very handy in what i do next time. i've been coping very well despite many deadlines, largely due to how all my deadlines were fit nicely one after another rather than stacking up on each other. and now, the biggest challenge i face will be the finals.

so what is different from y1s2? ------ i am studying with the greed to get a even higher GPA.
and this greed is the other half of the reason why i am stressing out.

so two things i need to overcome now:
1. remove the belief that results will show my understanding of the subject
2. remove the greed for nice looking GPA

why?
- i don't need GPA to prove my competence
- i don't need a good GPA to succeed in my career
(because i will be my own boss!)

but, if i work hard, and results return well, then it will just be a reward for me, as an additional sense of fulfillment.

so instead of working hard for GPA, i will have the following goals instead:
1. I want to end my MA finals, feeling that all the practice i did wasn't a waste of my time
2. I want to own TEJ's finance paper.
3. I want to be 100% confident when i do my marketing exam.
4. I want to make Alex drop his jaw. (twc)

i've read somewhere before, if you set goals related to feelings, you will find it easier to work hard towards it. reason being this imagination of the feeling makes you want to work hard to make it happen.

so now, i think i've kind of reset my attitude and i think i can be a little more relaxed now and just work hard enough. i shouldn't give myself unnecessary pressure!

I AM STRONG! I WILL BE FINE!

i can't contain the excitement!

2011-11-19T11:20:00.000+08:00

i am going indonesia next weekend!

while going crazy over mugging, the thought of going indonesia right after my MA and Marketing paper just gives me the perks!

really can't wait.

the most exciting part - independence and freedom!
i think i am really... like a bird. i like to be free!

excited excited!

life is coffee, friends, bread and playing with your puppy.

2011-11-13T23:29:00.001+08:00

宇珩-牛仔裤日记

走走走向左走再向右走
肩上的laptop很沉重
现在几点钟午餐又错过
肚子饿该吃什麽

飞机划过天空轰隆隆被云层吞没
像人潮来去擦肩而过来不及沟通
蓝色午後一个人漫游
有多自由就有多寂寞

什麽是真理真理在哪里
有的时候对的人对的地点但是错的是时间
爱来爱去太多记忆留下的想念
说不好星星之火可以燎原

我天不怕地不怕自己跌倒自己爬
这神奇的力量我感激上帝和爸爸妈妈
他们教会我要诚实要勇敢要包容
还要有一颗善良的心

蓝色午後一个人漫游
有多自由就有多寂寞

世界多辽阔世界多美好
偏偏有些小人坐不住想尽办法引人注目
偶尔风光他们都要成为你的好朋友
偶尔沉寂一个影子也找不到找不到

我说我的人生不会太难但也不简单
一加一等於二有人说等於三
关於生活无奈有时天晴有时下雨
我想是定律无常的定律

我写了歌就大声唱
饿了累了就睡觉
把门关上什麽也不想沉淀释放
计划的旅行有伦敦希腊和土耳其
随时随地出发背着吉他流浪
生命有太多选择题
却没有所谓错与对
abcde 就看你的决定
豁出去吧一起走吧
在天色未暗以前
就这样趁一切来得及

走走走向左走再向右走
在我的人生一日游
一格风景幸福短暂停留
你我昨天的笑容
生命是咖啡朋友面包和小狗玩耍
偶尔的埋怨感伤还算健康
天气晴朗收集阳光
当我孤单可以取暖

this lyric makes a lot of sense. a lot of reflections about life and reminders to self.
simple life is good.
if you can't have a simple life, be a simple person.

11:11 11/11/11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.003+08:00

wah once in a hundred years man.

they say must make a very meaningful wish.

"i just want my family, my dearest friends and myself to be happy every day."

happiness is so important, you know ;)

XPERIA RAY, WAIT FOR ME!!

2011-11-11T03:52:00.001+08:00

yay! so happy ;) but i can only change on 22nd december.. hopefully it will still be on the shelves by then.

i just had a 1 hour debate with a friend who is a fan of apple.
no, i am still anti-iphone.
anti-consumerism!

ahhaha =p

*update*

omg you have to look at this!

so beautiful!!!!!!!!!

omg, her eye make up is imba nice........ and her features are so pretty...

and not to forget, THE PHONE IN HER HAND IS SO PRETTY TOO :)

ray ray ray ray ray ray ray

my latest wallpaper

2011-11-10T12:40:00.001+08:00

totally what i am suffering from man.

i always fall asleep in buses, trains, in classes (when i am not alert for class part-ing) and actually, whenever i am in low activity. i've even fell asleep on the field once!

need to keep my brain energetic all the time in order to stay awake. that's why i always fb in class.

hah.

discrimination against Singaporeans in Singapore

2011-11-10T10:13:00.000+08:00

The winds of political change may now be blowing across Singapore's workplaces in favour of locals who face recruitment discrimination from foreign managers.

The problem involves expatriates — who hail from the West and the region — giving special preference to their own nationals during recruitment and promotion.

The Ministry of Manpower has drawn up new guidelines to try to stem it from developing into a national crisis.

It is a timely move in view of an expected downturn in the coming year and a new wave of retrenchments.

This measure is also the latest aimed at placating public unhappiness. Earlier, the government has been reducing the admission rate of foreigners into Singapore.

The number of permanent residency permits has been cut — although not in numbers that many Singaporeans want to see.

Pro-business Singapore is one of the most open cities in the world for foreign professionals.
With its liberal immigration, thousands have flocked here from Malaysia, Philippines, India and other countries in the past decade.

Many ended up running companies or becoming human resource managers or recruitment agents.
In previous downturns, some bosses were known to have used the excuse of job shedding to bring in more relatives or friends.

Overdue move
"It's about time the government looks into foreign-owned companies dead set on hiring their own kind," a Singaporean professional said.

"Many of the Indian IT shops here do so."

For sometime now, this is also practised by Filipino and Malaysian executives who recruit their own nationals, bypassing qualified locals.
(A trickle of retrenchments has already been reported in some sectors, although the overall employment picture remains good.)

A union leader recently said that in previous recessions in 1986 and 1998, "Singaporeans were retrenched first and foreigners stayed. (It should be) the other way round," he complained.
"The government should look after Singaporeans more seriously when the crunch comes."

For some less-than-professional foreigners, the Asian culture of protecting kith and kin and "our own people" comes into play.

"When they took office, some immediately wired their friends or relatives and got them into the company," a local IT engineer said.

Sometimes, even when there was no vacancy, he said, they would conspire to force out some unlucky Singaporeans and had them replaced.

The new guidelines were described in a large newspaper headline that appealed to foreign managers: "Don't discriminate against Singaporeans!"

They followed an increasing number of complaints, according to a news report — 51 in the first nine months of this year.

One of the guidelines required that job advertisements do not exclude Singaporeans, as an increasing number had tended to do.

One company early this year wanted an "Architectural Structural coordinator" listing these requirements: a Diploma in civil engineering, three years relevant experience, and "preferred Indian citizenship".

Following an angry public reaction, it apologised. The guidelines also called for recruiting firms to develop their Singaporean employees for higher level jobs.

Employers will also be encouraged to work with educational institutions, career centres and recruitment agencies when seeking Singaporean recruits.

For several decades, the trade unions here have been relatively tame, long conditioned by Lee Kuan Yew's leadership. Strikes are forbidden and industrial action frowned upon.
But with the changed politics, no one can predict how long this will last.

More noise expected
According to the Minister of State for Manpower, Tan Chuan Jin, one of the People's Action Party's (PAP) fresh leaders who announced the guidelines, hinted that things might not be the same for long.

The tripartite government-union-employer relationship could get "noisier" he said, adding that it was something "we will take in our stride".

With Singapore increasingly dependent on imported workers — and foreign managers — striking a balance is no longer an easy task, but Tan declared: "Discriminatory practices have no place in Singapore."

Last month in a rare public disagreement, Singapore's two main groups, one representing workers and the other employers, disagreed publicly over the curb on foreign workers.

The unions, affiliated to the ruling party, wanted more measures to reduce employers' dependency on foreign labour because it suppressed local wages and led to domination by foreigners.

The employers' federation, however, issued a statement declaring that any restrictions would increase costs and make businesses less competitive.

Singaporeans have been a little relieved by the move, but most reserved their judgment to await results.

The younger set of Singaporeans is cynical.

"We must be the only country that needs to plead with foreigners living among us to not displace us," one blogger said.

"Why did the government allow the situation to deteriorate to the extent that Singaporeans are discriminated against in their own country?" asked Tracy Tan.

"This is pathetic. No other government would allow this to happen."
Others praised the Manpower Ministry for issuing the warning.

Patriot Wong added: "Singaporeans are not anti-foreigners. We welcome talented foreigners who come with their skills and expertise.

"However, many employers are taking advantage to hire foreign workers at the expense of Singaporeans with the excuse of lowering their business costs."

this must be the biggest joke in Singapore's history. Singapore has all along been known as a country of immigrants, but after over 40 years of history, all the immigrants have long been rooted to Singapore and had given birth to at least 2 new generations of pure Singaporeans.

The government has invested so much in Singaporeans' education, and they successfully bred a generation of intelligent workforce. YET, now, the government's "welcome policy" towards foreigners has mould a group of managers in the intelligent workforce who would discriminate against their intelligent fellowman. maybe some of these managers are non-locals, but wait, why are we letting non-Singaporeans control our workforce? Don't we have enough skilled Singaporeans to fill the managerial roles?

So in true fact, a segment of the foreigners whom we welcome into Singapore are actually competing with us for attractive positions. They are no longer filling in vacancies of jobs Singaporeans do not like to do, but snatching away our opportunities.

and, they are OFFERING opportunities to their fellowman, and those in the lowest income group in Singapore will find it harder to find jobs because the "unattractive" jobs are already covered by foreigners.

it's rather sad huh.
maybe next time, my kids won't even have the chance to work as a waitress or something. it's a really good experience and rather fun as a part time job when you are having school holidays.

can't help but wonder, what does the Singapore government want, actually?
less patriotism (when it's already too little now)?
if the situation doesn't change for the better soon, it's really going to be hard to win over the hearts of the new generation, especially when we are all thinking young beings.
and it will definitely be a long term persistent problem.

and soon, there will be a clear divide in Singapore.
the supporters and the non.
and it will be a "if you can't beat them, you join them" kind of situation.

:/ is this really what we want, leaders of Singapore?

it's really so good to keep a blog.

2011-11-09T02:36:00.001+08:00

i get to go back to my "past", get to recall i was once unhappy about life, once non-receptive towards growing up, once unappreciative of my parents. (:/)

because, it feels so great to know that, i am happy with my life, passed the dilemma of growing up, and super duper love my parents now.

and i can't wait to grow older faster now.

i want to start earning money. i want to start supporting my family. i want my parents to take a break.
i want to start clearing all the debts - especially those used to finance my education now.
i want to start doing what i can't now. i want to start having the financial ability.

chasing life ... i hope i won't lose the sight of what i want to chase. i hope i won't get lost in the chase.
i must keep reminding myself, what is important in life.

you can do it, wan swen!

exploiting my youth!!

2011-11-09T02:02:00.003+08:00

CLICK ON THE LINK~

hahah you can choose not to either. cus it's way too funny.

" help me click on this link and like the video please ! it's like round 2 of the Olinda contest i am joining... i know it's quite funny, like it if you laughed! sorry to disturb if u r busy now! thank u!"

so yes, I have proceeded onto the round 2 of Olinda contest..

as mentioned a few posts before, i was busy filming for the advertisement video for the contest and many thanks to my buddy Grace Chow who was there to help! and she fell sick after getting caught in the rain on the first day we tried to go botanical gardens but was met by the heavy thunderstorm :(
really felt so bad :( and she had many assignments, presentations and deadlines due while editing the video for me to meet the deadline. oh dearr..
i must really bring her to Korea if i win this contest (yes, the prize is a trip for 2 to korea! HOORAY)

so if you clicked on the video link (and hopefully liked it already), you would know what i was talking about in the previous post about this contest... the tugging of hairband from my hair... #epicfail moments.. hahha

so anyway, more on the topic of "exploiting my youth".

i am 20 this year (i still have many #fail moments when i write 19 while filling in forms but well :/) and i believe 20 is the age to do WHATEVER YOU LIKE.

this is the period of time, when i can still laugh at myself, for doing silly things and going after, maybe, empty dreams.
this is when, i can accept people laughing at me, because i find it equally funny as well.
this is when, i have enough freedom, to explore new things i have never ever done before.. (even without my parents' knowledge.. shhh don't tell them!)

i don't want to wait.
i don't want to wait until i am too old for everything.
i believe that, at every age, there's a certain set of things people can do, should do. or more like, appropriate to do. no right no wrong, but just how appropriate.

i am only 1/4 through my life, at the peak when pimples have outgrown me, skin is the most obedient, metabolism rate is the least defiant, impulse is the strongest and courage is the wildest.

not that i think i am the best at anything, but at least, i have the chance to win.

and not only that, i think i just opened a door to many more opportunities for myself. who knows whether what i do now will provide me with any surprises in the future?
maybe some investment in time and money has to be made now, but i think the returns would be rather rewarding as well!

besides, there are so many different things i want to pursue, if i don't go after what i can now, i think i will look back and regret! and i hate regretting! grab every opportunity! (i just recalled how "grabbing opportunities" was instilled deeply into all the VJ SC candidates last time! guess it really made an impact.)

so if you are hesitating before doing anything, think about what you can't do after
- you pass the legal age of 21 (you are fully responsible for your own freaking mistakes!)
- you pass University life (no more school life!)
- you start working (no life!)
- you get married (bound for life!)
- you have children (responsible for life!)
- you pass 40 (halved your life!)
- you pass 60 (trying to stay alive~)
- you pass away! (no life, for real.)

not that i want to overlook the great things you can do at any of the above phases, but there are so many great things you can do NOW too.

just have fun, ya? :)
we are at the age OF HAVING FUN!

and remember, never let life weigh down your happy nature, because you decide your life, you decide your happiness! =p

5.5

2011-11-05T02:33:00.002+08:00

i just bought a new pair of heels.

i measured and it is 5.5 inches tall.

that adds 14cm to my height, making me 184 cm tall.

OMG. 0.0

i didn't know, really. until my friend told me.

hahah. i am crazy for heels. really crazy. though i complain about the pain sometimes, i like how it makes all girls - me - look more outstanding than they are.

i like the feeling of walking in heels. so much more poise, rhythm and elegance :)

that's why, i can't stand it if girls can't walk properly in high heels. they are supposed to look better in heels! but they aren't if they don't know how.

this pair of 5.5 inch heels is currently the record holder in my stingy collection and i didn't buy it for no reason lar.

the Olinda contest, kind of required me to train in high heels so.. yeah.

$$$

but i am happy cus the heels v nice... even though the colour makes me feel like vomitting. very gao wey maroon. too bad, the best pair on the sales shelf.

ciao~

Face of Olinda

2011-11-03T13:07:00.000+08:00

hehs.

if u saw my post at the bottom.. yeah, i was selected to be the top 30 candidates for the contest, though i don't know how many people sign up for it actually :/ =P

but well, like what i shared earlier on, i went for the interview at the spa, took a "professional photo" in their photography room and it really came out "nice" in the end.

so for the first round of the first elimination, i invited over 300 friends and their friends to like my "nice" photo and though other contestants caught up with the votes at the end, leaving me at 3rd, the votes from the judges pushed me to the 2nd ! yeah~

so now, it's the 2nd round of the first elimination, which is to create a video-ad to promote Olinda and these few days, i have been busy with Grace chow chow to film the video.
the idea is rather cool, though it is a little similar to other beauty products ads, but the end video would probably look quite interesting, i think. i laughed at the first part when Grace showed me.

it was fun, especially the 'behind-the-scenes".. some of the camera angle was tricky, so even though i was looking pretty in the cut frame, maybe i was actually squatting unglam-ly so that i could fit into the frame.
a lot of times we burst out laughing at the cheesy-ness of my "acting". funny funny.

most epic was, when we tried to film at botanical gardens, it freaking rained the entire afternoon and we went back yesterday again. the weather was sunny and good but i was sweating like a dog and we took about 1-2 hours to take the first part.. when i got changed to another persona, the sky became gloomy so quickly and it was really scary because we had to finish the filming by yesterday in order to meet the deadline! you probably can't imagine HOW FAST we completed the 2nd part of the video - 10 mins!

we were like omg omg hurry hurry *thunder sounds* ok 1 2 3 *act with 200% effort* ok ok should be fine. next scene! *thunder* omg omg omgomgomgogmgomg hurry!
*pulls hairband out of hair to release flowy hair* omg stuck! ok one more time.. STUCK. omg omg one more time again... STUCK omg!!!!!!!!!!!!
hahahahha it was so epic-ly hilarious but in the end we managed to finish all the shots and we ran out of botanical gardens while the dark clouds chased behind us.

and we made our way back to town safely..

hahaha.

so what happens in this elimination is that, the voting of the photo and voting of the video will be added together to see a combined result and the top... 20 will be selected.
i know right.

and all 20 will enter the FINALE which will happen on 10th/11th December.

so in between now and then, we have several events to attend as well.
attended a model course last saturday, and there's also makeup course, makeover and beauty course sharing session.

the model course was very interesting, learnt what is so difficult about standing, walking and smiling.
but it was funnnnn hahaha.

next up will be makeup course and makeover. really excited for it.

for beauty course, it would be rather hectic for me cus i would only fly back from Indonesia in the morning and i have to go for it in the afternoon.

for Finale, even worse. i will be flying back from Australia in the wee hours and hopefully i would look extremely radiant despite not being able to get enough sleep..

so actually i kind of threw myself into a whirlpool, of exams, travelling and contest all happening at the same time. good job wan swen.

well. i shall just give it a go and try my best to pick up my studies and mug really hard so that my exams won't be affected. but a little worried i might not be able to do it T.T

as for the Olinda contest... all i can say is, i am quite confident somehow. confidence is good right! hahah. :)

ok end.

where am i going?

2011-11-03T11:18:00.003+08:00

This year was/will still be an exciting one for me.

First, I spent a month in Korea because of OCSP + extension to travel (which I have failed to update until now =p)

Then, in about 2 weeks, I will be heading to INDONESIA.

Yes, crazy as it sounds.. I am going to attend CNBLUE’s concert in Indonesia, which is probably the nearest to Singapore out of all the countries they are touring. Which is actually quite disappointing actually. How can they NOT coming to Singapore?

Call me a crazy fangirl. I really like their music, and extremely love their live performances. Their live performances are sooooo precious.

The sad thing is, the Indonesian concert is smacked right in the middle of my exams… thurs 2 papers, Friday fly.. Sunday come back, Tuesday 1 paper, wed 1 paper.
Do you think I will die?

But the comforting thing is, I am entering the concert for free – don’t ask why..

Then.

I will be heading to Perth the day right after my exams end on last day of Nov..
This is a really rare opportunity..

I am going for a sports exchange with SMU Ultimate to University of Western Australia (UWA) and it will be a great eye-opener…
And I will get to meet the UWA friends I met when they came over to Singapore for the Ultimate exchange during summer. Namely the Eeley brothers, the only ones I can call my “Idols” in Ultimate. Have never seen anyone play like them before…

It will be really fun. Australia used to be my favouriteee country since young (until South Korea came along) and I always have the fascination about koalas and awesome scenery and the super nice theme song they have for their tourism ad.. (red and yellow and pink and green… purple and orange and blue……..)

But that was when I was young la. I don’t know why I don’t feel as much excitement when I am really going there… maybe I will, when I reach there..

So actually, I am quite lucky this year. SMU gave me so many ~~excuses~~ reasons to go overseas (at a cheap price too), to make up for my deprived travelling experience before 2010… (Thailand and Malaysia were the only 2 countries I’ve been to!)

However, as I rejoice over my luck, I think about my family who can’t even go travelling.. While I’m exploring in my youth, I am riding on the burden of my family. While I am enjoying the sights of the beautiful lands out there, my family actually aren’t there with me.. A little regretful actually.

Next time, when I become an air stewardess.. I will and I must bring my parents overseas..

And sighs, my father is, as usual, so worried for me. I can sense that he feels extremely bothered that I am going away again. I know there’s no way I can ease his stress, so as long as I keep myself safe and happy, I am sure he will be alright.

He made me go to the temple to ask for a blessing.. yes I am kind of a Buddhist under the influence of my family, but I personally believe in some of the teachings in this religion as well..
What I want to share is, I think there’s really something about Buddhism that can’t be explained.. even though I am not the kind of extreme devotee, some experience during this temple trip has made me feel that there’s really a…. supernatural force involved.
I asked for a guidance, whether I should go on this Perth trip and using the very traditional method of shaking the container of prediction sticks, I received an answer which flew out of the container magically (it totally didn’t look like it was going to come out but it really just… flew out.) and when I went to the counter to exchange for the prediction slip.. I had a peace of mind.
It answered my question so directly – “do as you planned”.

A lot of counter-arguments can be made about these stuff, but I choose to believe.
Just like how Christians believe there is someone greater who guides them in life, I received a piece of advice from my “god” as well.

This brings me back to the conversation I had with SamNg that day about religion too. I strongly believe that no matter what religion you believe in, as long as it guides you in the right path and teaches you the right values, then you are believing in the right thing. To me, it really doesn’t matter what god I believe in, because ultimately, I will never know whether they exist or not, but when I need some advice and a peace of mind, and that religion can fulfil it, there’s no reason why I would choose not to believe.

So why not Christianity? I came from a Methodist primary school and I would have easily followed this religion since the influence was for 6 years and since such a young age. The only answer I can think of is affinity. I really almost devoted myself to Christianity but because I had too many questions about the religion, I find it hard to be convinced. I tried asking a lot of my Christian friends before, but I really couldn’t have my doubts answered..

Ok enough about religion. Maybe I should end this post at this point.. will update about the “Face of Olinda” in the next post!

我真的该自由了

2011-11-02T01:12:00.000+08:00

当我给你祝福
我们之间才自由。。

我真的必须放下。。。
毕竟都过了。。太久。。。

当时，真的很舍不得。。。

2011-11-02T01:09:00.000+08:00

日子过了，我也好了
为什么现在又舍不得？

emo max...

2011-10-31T15:53:00.000+08:00

i thought i went on with life well.
moving on to different kind of interests, different activities, different social groups.
i thought i was enjoying everything i was doing.
i thought i was living a happy life.
so many things happened here and there, some rough ones, some good ones.
been very well-blessed with many things, including obstacles and setbacks because they developed me even more.

3 years after, i thought i was happy, still independent, free, all on my own.
being single is good. nothing too much to think about, go after things that really interests me, having time to do whatever i like.
being single is so good. there's so much of myself involved.

and then, some thought buried deep in my heart resurfaced. it kept digging out things i thought i forgot. it kept rewinding to those things that happened in the past. it kept telling me i missed out. it kept reminding me of that particular person.

i don't know what's wrong with me, but i know something's really wrong with me.

i cannot stop thinking about it. it was long over. so long ago.
he's moved on. he's got someone else.
i moved on. i am perfectly good on my own.

but i kept wishing otherwise.

maybe we were too impulsive. maybe we were too inexperienced and immature to handle a rough patch. maybe i was too selfish. maybe i thought i knew what i wanted. maybe i thought there would be someone better. maybe i was wrong. too wrong.

it wasn't easy to get on with life. i remember missing you so much i could die. i remember feeling so awkward wherever i go, because those were the places that we left our trails behind. i remember how it feels like to lose an extremely good friend. it was hard for you too, right? why didn't we think of getting back together?
why didn't we.

or should i be thankful that we didn't? because if we did, we would have gone through even more unhappiness , given the existing problems and our immaturity?

i don't know what came over me. i don't even know why i am thinking this way now.
i miss you. i wish i could talk to you. i wish i knew what was going on in your life. i wish we were still talking friends.

now, we have really drifted so far from each other. i don't think there's a chance of going back. my friends asked me to stay away too.

what if, i only want to ask for a friend back?
is it too much to ask for? or maybe, i am in no position to ask for anything..
maybe i should just bear with this phase and get on with life.
it must be some syndrome. it's not normal to think so much about someone when i've forgotten about him for 3 years.

what if? what if i suddenly bump into you now? what will i say? how will i react?
what will you think? what would you do?
what if we start anew?

too many whatifs that won't happen.

i can't change anything. neither should i...
maybe you are happy with what you have now, and i am happy for you.
i just hope that maybe, someday, there's a chance for us to jus meet up and catch up. because i still care for you. because i still treasure the friendship we used to have. because you were once so important to me.

nothing will change, for now, period.
i should quickly get over this phase. really.

now i understand, what they mean when they say "you will always be a part of me"

i missed you so.

:(

2011-10-26T10:25:00.005+08:00

在就要转身前突然又想起你
相遇的那天漾着微笑的你
那个微笑
还是很美丽
可惜那个人常常要让人哭泣

太耀眼的城市不适合看星星
就如同你的心不适合谈安定
谢谢你让我伤过心
学会爱情并非执迷
人改变不了改变不了的事情

记得要忘记忘记
我提醒自己
你已经是
人海中的一个背影
长长时光
我应该要有新的回忆

人无法决定会为谁动心
但至少可以决定放不放弃
我承认我
还是会爱着你
但我将永不再触碰这记忆

记得要忘记忘记
经过我的你
毕竟只是很偶然的那种相遇
不会不容易
我有一辈子
足够用来忘记

我还有一辈子
可以用来努力
我一定会忘记你

what make up can do for a girl!!!

2011-10-23T03:00:00.001+08:00

seriously, make up does WONDERS.

make up is a skill/technique, it takes a lot of time and effort to learn. when you do something correct, the results will be great.. and in order not to waste it, CAM WHORE A LOT!! ahahha

MORE UNDER THE CUT...
and some epic comparison.....

Finally sick and tired of acting pretty acting cute...

i removed my make up and laughed at my bare face...

If you remember the cliched Taiwanese "before-n-after" make up episodes of some variety shows... this is quite a good replica of it!!

ok lar, i dont think i look THAT ugly without make up, but the difference is significant after make up..

it's not like i can't face the world bare-face... i do, all the time, when i am out doing sports.. but other than that, if i have time i would put very basic stuff before going to school... dont wanna scare the world with my horrible dark eye rings..

one more comparison, specs, off specs, make up!

hahaha there are hardly any photos of me wearing specs, if u realise... u'd probably have to scroll back to year 2008 to find any photos of me in specs. hahaa

and i need to highlight some cliched sayings!

"there are no ugly women in the world, only lazy women!"
"make up doesn't change how your face is, but it highlights the good features you already have!"
"1-inch thick make up is nothing without confidence"
"make up might cover up your natural beauty, but your natural self must shine through to make it all work hand-in-hand!"

*the end*

(hahahah when studying gets boring.... this kind of lame posts will appear...)

he is just still far away.

2011-10-13T02:26:00.000+08:00

not that i am complaining though....

i miss life in korea!

2011-10-10T04:05:00.001+08:00

Still remember roaming around on the streets of korea, walking for hours finding places, exploring new areas and snapping photos everywhere ALL ON MY OWN.

Little me in the big world. Myopic me looking at the big world.

I miss that kind of feeling. I want to do it all over again.

i don't dare to post this on my facebook either

2011-10-10T03:15:00.000+08:00

for an online singing competition i failed to get selected.

music is my life...
damn cheesy when i see people typing this on their msn status last time.
but it's so true for me.

but i guess singing will never be my forte.
some people just have limited talent. so i guess i am one of them..

but who cares ;)
i enjoy singing. i will keep singing.

i don't dare to post this on my facebook

2011-10-10T03:04:00.005+08:00

in this little space where i can breathe in my skin... these are photos that i asked my friend, grace chow chow to help me take..

this is for a photo entry into this competition, The Face of Olinda 2011.. Olinda is a korea make up brand new in Singapore and they are holding a contest to look for faces, as the name suggested..

don't know whether it's a right choice or not, but i am going to give it a try.

seriously, i have a lot of fear for joining this kind of public contests..
especially now the trend is to have popularity contests held over facebook, where your personal life is involved largely..
fear of being judged.
i always say, those who join this kind of competition must be able to take in or ignore criticisms because they are bound to be critiqued. and i say it because i am damn critical when i evaluate contest participants with friends just for fun...
i used to pick on people's noses, face shape, eyebrows and all but now i think i am going to get picked on too.

today, i went for the interview and i guess almost all the girls who got selected will kind of get through the first round so that we would buy their products first before we can enter the next round of competition.
luckily they made it quite affordable and value for money.
paid about $100 for 3 skincare products (worth 200 over) and 1 'free' facial and a free nail polish. i will just take it as though i was buying my daily skincare stuff and disregard it as an investment for this competition.

why? cus higher hopes, higher disappointment..
shall just take it one step by one step...

so, the next step will be... having my photo uploaded on their page and getting all my friends on fb to like the photo.
this is like a hugeeee obstacle i need to overcome. asking people is easy. but i must block my ears. i can't listen to what they say. be it teasing, jeering or commenting... i must learn how to ignore. it's such a scary thing, don't you think! omg...

hahahha but nvm... i am joining this for fun!!
i am young, i have all the freedom to do whatever i like!
i can make as many mistakes now, take as much risk as i want, because youth permits it!
doing more means learning more, so i shall take this contest as a learning experience..
people's stares are much less important than experiencing exciting events.

at least, if i lose all things, i gain THRILL!

guys, I AM EMBRACING YOUTH!!!

y2s1w8 - grab huck score

2011-10-09T23:12:00.001+08:00

the very 3rd mid term break i had in SMU so far.

i am thankful for that small little weekend that i could chiong all 18 episodes of "阳光天使" (taiwan drama by wuzun woooo) and now i regret for that 18hours or so i "wasted" because i have so much more studies piling on my desk waiting for me.

this week had been so hectic for me. preparation for grab huck score (ultimate frisbee event organized by SMU, US.) is no kidding. packing nearly 600 goodie bags, moving so many freaking logistics, making a freaking coffin and doing all the decor stuff at chalet was really so tedious. not to forget the almost-sleepless night on Day 0, waking up at 4am in the morning of Day 1, moving damn lots of logistics again, setting up, putting the tombstones into the ground and many other strenuous chores..

fighting each other in drunken state.

if you are a bit lost, the theme for our Grab huck score this year, was HALLOWEEN. so we had many spooky decor, but i realised.. in the end, it still looked really little on the big tentages! and i was disappointed the coffin began to fall apart before the event even started, because the fruits in it were exerting force against the walls of it. SIGH. spent so much time making it leh T.T

janice the very scary ghost

omg! the ring.

bang having fun scaring yiliang.

finished product

at least the tombstones that marked out the field # weren't disappointing..

all in all, the process was really fun, EVEN THOUGH it was freakingggggg tiring, and i almost crashed on the day itself.
but i must say one thing - i prefer playing on the field instead!! hahaha

awesome crazy exco.

another thing i had was frisbee chalet, planned by yours truly. thank god i just had to order a bungalow, order the food, order my exco, then the rest just fell together in place.. i didn't have to be the social glue to make the freshies and seniors interact. it was fun anyway. though i couldn't hold my liquor T.T 5 cups and i was gone..
sleepy drunk i am. never good to drink too much! sigh.

so now, it's the last few hours of week 8. and i needa chiong my studies again.

sad life. and i am getting myself involved in a lot of things that might affect my studies. entering red zone. zzng zzng znng zznnggg...

3 years later

2011-10-09T21:57:00.000+08:00

It feels like I've been dreaming for a long time.
I've wandered and wandered around for a while
As if we made a promise
Standing here in front of each other
like that day from four seasons ago.

Those beautiful stories that we wrote down together
Those eternal promises that we prayed for at that time
They're all coming back to me now and
I don't think my heart can take it
I've even restrained myself at the thought of you
How has your one year been?

For a long time I've been living, having forgotten of you
For a while, I thought I was doing fine
However I started to realize it as time pass by
That I am nothing without you.

At that time, If only we had been a bit more mature
If only we knew how we would be right now
I have no confidence in overcoming these endless regrets
So I've had to just repress them
One year has pass like that.

Could your feelings perhaps be the same as mine?
Will you give me another chance?
I know now that we can never part of each other
The one person I love and love again.

I wish we can go back to our first days
To the beautiful, happy and loving days
Those heart-breaking stories and vain arguments
Just bury all of that now
And promise that we won't take them out again
No matter how many seasons pass and how many years go by
I hope we won't meet like today again

every line speaks so much of me
there's no return, i know.
bear. bury. move on..

omg I WANT THIS HAIRSTYLE!

2011-09-25T23:11:00.000+08:00

omg, i so want jihoo-sunbae's hairstyle! been thinking about it since DAMN long ago.

next year! NEXT YEAR I WILL CUT THIS HAIRSTYLE!! (and i will dye my hair 2 shades lighter!)

tall and not guilty!

2011-09-07T15:24:00.001+08:00

i love heels. like mad.

but i can't wear them without getting scolded or criticized.

i know i am tall, and i so-called "don't need heels" because i have the height.
for shorter girls, they wear heels because they wanna look taller.
but for me, i wear heels because all girls look nicer in heels.
so what if i am tall? wearing heels is not wrong!

of course i would irritate those people who effectively become shorter than me after i put on a 5cm or so with those heels, but what gives them the right to scold me! HMMPH! hahah i am not angry or what, just that after getting scolded for like 5 years or smth, it suddenly occurred to me that,
I HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS TO WEAR HEELS!

so from now on, i will not silently accept all these comments! I WILL FIGHT BACK!

hahah angsty angsty.

:) jkjk.

but thinking about it, does being shorter make one more inadequate than others?
there are advantages and disadvantages for both short and tall people, so why does it always seem like short people have something against tall people? maybe it is the general/societal perception that being taller is always better, so everyone always have this wish that they would be just a little taller, no matter what height they are of. some are envy, some are jealous. so there will always be this little grudge when people who are tall still wear high heels. joking or not, passing a comment to suan the person will of course, be a way for them to express their dissatisfaction, though they tend to forget how the tall person will feel (after feeling good about wearing their fav heels), just like how the tall person neglects how the short person will feel when they become even taller than them.

isnt it the same about looks as well? There will always be this group of people who are better looking, and we don't go around telling our pretty friends "walao, why you so pretty already still put make up?" it is just weird. so why isn't it the same for height and heels?

the only thing i can say to conclude this post is that, just be satisfied with the way you are, especially if you can't do anything to modify your body (with relates to height) and don't compare yourself to the taller people and make yourself feel miserable for no reasons! be confident about yourself and you can appear even more attractive than tall people.

who says you can't be the best!

singing keeps me sane!

2011-08-31T21:47:00.002+08:00

a very nice song by younha - "my song and..."

she sings a lot a lot nicer than i do.

this is my best try alrd, though. hahha. what to do, so lousy at singing.

prince charming

2011-08-31T11:20:00.001+08:00

hahhaha. so true.

epic stagnancy

2011-08-25T10:01:00.001+08:00

hahaha guilty guilty.

haven't been blogging for a longgg while.

first, after i returned from korea, i've been so caught up with frisbee events that i hardly had time to do much stuff for my blog. been uploading photos here and there on facebook and photobucket, but the inertia to start typing the text for the blog posts is just too great.

2nd, school started and to-do-list is starting to pile up.. and, i am STILL busy with frisbee. trainings are twice a week, exco meeting almost once every week, and random frisbee stuff popping up on my calendar. this whole weekend will be consumed by frisbee as well. tmr, exco meeting, annual general meeting, and team dinner. sat, training for whole afternoon, sun, important seeding competition for a placement in SING OPENS. will continue to be busy with frisb till sept, after SING OPENS end.

really excited for the comps, cus it's the first comp that i am taking part in representative of SMU, and also one in which TEAM B can prove ourselves. we don't have to win, but as long as we strive to win, the process will be extremely rewarding. but of course, it's good to win.

and from what i see, i don't think i will ever have a period which i will be freed from frisbee. events coming up one after another. whatever, will just take it as it comes. i am having fun anyway.

some random stuff :

phoon pui sheen - one of my female team mates broke her collar bone during training. ultimate sadness cus it was a really bad injury and besides the fact that we are one girl short for SING OPENS, the thought about her having to go through such a horrible experience is saddening.

katherine yuen - my management accounting prof. from hong kong. she is really so funny - she just have to open her mouth. the hong kong accent is really very amusing and she is very humourous as well. really enjoy her lessons very much. one of the best things she said in class "my name is katherine yuen. but you can call me kat. because by the time you call kat-the-rine, you can do many things" in her hong1 kong2 accent. hahahahha damn funny

bondue absinthe - i was a faci in the BONDUE (business school) camp and my group of freshies are the best. haha. really had a lot of fun with them and we are still in contact. hopefully we can continue to be tight for a while.

UWA Exchange - frisbee team from University of Western Australia came to SMU for sports exchange. it was really fun hosting them and they were a nice and funny bunch of people. and i crowned 2 of them my idols. they were the "eley brothers" and i will never forget how calmly their discs fly across the field, how impressive their layouts are, how amazing their chemistry is and how attractive they are (on and off the field) haha.

Choa picnic - our korea OCSP team met up for a picnic just the day before school started. we went to marina barrage and it was sooo enjoyable. awesome weather, good food, good company. really miss those times we spent in Korea doing the OCSP.

2d1n - after Vivace (SMU CCA fair) last friday, our frisbee peeps went to have korean meat bbq buffet. we waited for hell 2 hours! it was really so crowded, exceedingly popular. after we went in, the dinner was still only 50% enjoyable because it was steaming inside the restaurant because of all the bbq heat.
but the food is still awesomeeee.. i shall revisit again with just 1 or 2 friends because eating in a big group over a small hot plate isn't very satisfying haha.
also, we got chased out of the restaurant because we were the last standing in the restaurant (only cus we went in so late!), i was still eating but they really just chased us out. oh wells, at least i have an excuse for not finishing the stuff on our plate - all of them already K.O-ed, only i was eating still, actually.
big eater, thanks mummy daddy for high metabolism rate.
(p.s: will NEVER reveal the name of the restaurant on my blog. they are over publicised. i want it all to myselfff)

hahaha ok ok i will end here.
i will try to find time and motivation to post about korea. cus i have awesome photos n things to say about korea.... aahhh

byeeeeeee

i am in korea~

2011-06-19T23:40:00.000+08:00

this is the 2nd time i visited korea and i haven't even blogged about my first trip to korea last year.

haha, as mentioned before, i came here for an OCSP (overseas community service project) and so far the experience has been awesome and fun.

shan't talk too much about it yet. just wanna post up some awesome photos i took ^^

this are some REALLY wise words

2011-06-15T00:02:00.003+08:00

"Your twenties are about making mistakes. Falling down. Getting up. Being irresponsible (not too irresponsible). Crying while laughing. Learning from friends. Falling in love. Changing your mind a hundred times -- then changing it back again. Feeling invincible and vulnerable at the same time. This is all corny stuff, I'm sure, but I believe it. I don't think there's another time in life when I can be as deliciously selfish. The stupidity of the teen years are over, and I have some basic wisdom now -- so I feel I can enjoy life better."

CAFE HOPPING 8 - LOYSEL'S TOY @ KAMPONG BUGIS

2011-06-14T18:05:00.002+08:00

LOYSEL'S TOY CAFE @ KAMPONG BUGIS

66 Kampong Bugis
Ture, #01-01
Singapore 338987
Near: Lavender MRT

Tel: 94510236
Opening hours:
Tues - Fri: 09:00 - 18:00
Sat - Sun: 09:00 - 19:30

http://www.loyselstoy.com/
facebook page

I would rank, Loysel's Toy Cafe as the most interesting cafe that i've visited, thus far.

Hidden in a place that no one who expect to find anything cool, this cafe is really one good
place for friends hangouts and dates.

It's really not hard to get there.. If you know where is Crawford bridge (in between Kallang and Lavender MRT), you just have to cross this small bridge over the Kallang river stream and you will find this sole white building on your left and tada.. Loysel's Toy Cafe on the first floorth.

The cafe has a lot of seats, because of the big alfresco area it has. The indoor air-con seats are fewer.

Alfresco

Their kitchen. lol.

Indoors

We sat at the center table and the whole ambience was really nice. we felt carefree and we were able to talk without worrying that the patrons beside us were eavesdropping on us. there were loud chatterings all around so it sounded really cosy.

The whole decor was just simple and down to earth.
Smell of coffee in the indoor area was also nice.

Really like some of the decors they put in the shop. Very nice!

They even had a damn cool looking retro coffee machine!

The Drinks and Food

I ordered a Ice Cafe Mocha and my friend, Grace ordered a Ice Cafe Latte.
This place is supposedly known for its coffee, but it was... just as unique as other coffee places.

I would guess the reasons to be:
1. We ordered cold coffee.
2. We do not know how to appreciate this kind of coffee yet.
3. The glass was too big. (hahaha filler reason)

There weren't many choices on the menu, so i went with Ham sandwich and Grace picked the Chicken sandwich, which had special descriptions on the menu.

This is the chicken sandwich. Chicken was ok, the mango that came with it was DAMN nice. really made the entire taste a lot more special.. There was supposed to be some curry mayonaise sauce but we really couldn't taste any of it.

The ham sandwich wasn't too bad either. Ham was salty enough, otherwise, the taste of the sandwich would be close to boring. It's just like any other normal ham sandwich, but the portion was just sufficient, and the ingredients came in generous servings.
One bad point about the sandwich is the bread. really too hard. We were like cutting cooked beef.

The chips were quite hard and not very tasty too.

The Menu

CLICK TO VIEW LARGER

The cafe's food and drinks are really affordable, most are under 10, so you won't feel the pinch (that much).

The Friends

More Photos

They served receipt in a cup and sugar syrup in a measuring cylinder. lol.

Nice graffiti art blocked by ugly chairs.

There was also another restaurant upstairs and we went up to explore..

Level 2 Restaurant.

career plan

2011-06-10T04:06:00.002+08:00

that day, randomly, i suddenly linked up all the aspirations i have and it all seem to work really well for/with each other.

1. air stewardess.
2. property.
3. cafe dream

1.
i want to be air stewardess. i really want to be. been seriously thinking about this ever since sec sch ended, and been desiring even more after jc.

i really wanna see the world, see all the pretty and ugly of every place. and even more, cafe hop in those countries, and collect cool collectibles.

2.
i heard being air stewardess provides the opportunity to meet people who does property and selling property, especially high end ones, is really lucrative.

maybe it'll be hard work, to bring clients around to see houses and all, and might be even harder to clinch a deal.. but i think i can endure this.

besides, i will get to know contacts, suitable places (for building cafes) and probably better deals for rentals..

3. cafe dream
ultimately, i want to reach this dream.
i really want to start my own cafe chain.
something really unique.
something Singapore is lacking.
the cafe culture that is still not popular in Singapore.
i will have ideas and inspirations from cool cafes from all over the world.
i would have collected enough cool items to be displayed in the cafes.
i would have gotten to know contacts (local and abroads) who could give me good deals in rentals and renovations and decor design.

really, the 3 seem to be complements, idealistically, of course.

can't wait.

8 years? should be enough!

22 - 24 air stewardess
25 - 27 property agent
28 - 30 cafe chain owner

sounds like a plan~

swimming

2011-06-10T03:17:00.000+08:00

hahha my blog has been deserted for way too long.

i was supposed to talk about swimming.

yes, i do not know how to swim. i would easily drown in waters for the past 19 years of my life.

SMU is such a good sch. they offer swimming course (7 lessons) for beginners for only $30!

embarrassing to learn at such an old age, but better late than never!

sadly to say, out of 7 lessons, i missed 3.

but now, at least, i can float, i can do free style, i can do back float... just that i can't weave in the breathing.

i just can't do it. i don't trust my body when i turn to the side to breathe. i will just start sinking and the fear just eats me up.

sigh. i think i should just keep going back to practise. shall do that when i come back from korea.

but anyway, it's still good, that i know the basics of the basics..
at least, i can stay afloat on the water. i will survive at least 48 hours in the water if i happen to meet a shipwreck.

hah ~

2011-06-10T02:17:00.003+08:00

if i had a chance, i would tell you i missed you

我怀念的

2011-05-09T02:49:00.000+08:00

这首歌真是太动人心悬。听了好悲伤。

我怀念的，多了。

summer is REALLY fun - Frisbee, Gendermah

2011-05-03T03:39:00.001+08:00

hello yall!

i am really enjoying my summer so far, though i am really shagging myself out so far!

been going out a lot and haven't started clearing up my stuff and doing housework. bad bad girl.

too many highlights in my life for me to blog about them in details!

1. Frisbee!

been hanging out with my frisbee friends a lot a lot. i see them more than my best friends.. haha.
every other day, we kind of meet up or have training or to have a meal.

we had a Pacey Fu tournament, which is inter-year + alumni tourney. so sad that my batch didn't do well. haha. nevermind, we will come back stronger next year and win the old farts! it was a really fun event though.. being able to play seriously yet having fun.. the in between games were really funny too!

had a food fight during the food battle and people like Janice Yun and Matthew Pan got it damn bad. janice smelt like beer for the remaining half of the tourney and it was really so bad.

the results for the ultimate elections were announced to the club too.
i am the welfare head for my batch and i am happy to receive this role. i think i would enjoy the outings/club events to be organized for my ultimate peeps!

2. Gendermah!

this is a tournament for single gendered frisbee teams and SMU sent one male team and one female team.

our female strength was really small and on day 1, we had at least 4 substitutes, which was not too bad. however on day 2, 1 was down due to injury from day 1, another had to leave, the other 2 was absent.

so there was only 7 of us left to savage (meaning = all 7 on the line to play throughout) for our last game.

we did well for our very first game in the tourney, and we won ACJC's team. it was good that our team was playing the right strategies and working well with each other on the field.

however, we had tougher competitors in the next few games and we lost all.. however, i enjoyed our last game against jack harem (or smth).. they were a bunch of super experienced players who have been playing frisbee as long as we have been schooling. we were really no match, but i enjoyed our team's flow of the game! it was really very smooth most of the time and it is rewarding because most of our runs and cuts were not wasted.

after day 1, smu uf peeps went to eat dinner at nearby kopitiam and it was fun just chilling with them and talking crap....
tired like mad!

day 2, we returned on the field, with muscles ache... because we didn't stretch down after day 1.

we played against disc knights, which was made up of club players and omg they were really fast, experienced and imba... i played with most of these girls for Open circuit (another gender tournament held during march) so i know most of them..

we were quite discouraged after a lot of points scored by the DK girls.. they had a lot of subs whereas we had only 1, because 2 were down from injuries. sigh.
it was a tough match and DK made very little accidental mistakes, so we had little chance to turnover.

however, we learnt determination from this match because all we wanted was just 1 point and we managed to get it after a tough fight in one of the turns.

straight after the game, we had our very last tourney game against vudoo, the vietnamese team whom we brushed shoulders with on day 1 before.

they were a team full of spirit and sportsmanship and though they were a lot more senior than us, they did not despise us and even taught us how to improve after the match! really very nice people!

so for day 2, when we played against them, we told ourselves, we must really try to win back what we lost the day before and this round, we were really playing savage all the way! 7 on the line for one full hour, non-stop running. the only breaks we could have was after every point. even a 1 minute walk to the line was a precious break to us. i had to take a lot of water breaks because my stamina couldn't take it. i was really thankful for the weather though, because the sun didn't come out at all. it was a really really nice weather to play in.

this game was a really really damn good one. we had 4 consecutive scores to nil and we were really very very happy. however, they suddenly caught up smoothly and swiftly, and the table started to turn against us.

our flow was really very very good and there was a lot of chemistry between our players... it was really so much fun, to get the disc moving down the line to our end zone and it was so damn shiok to catch the hard catches and to get past the defenders with our long throws.

we finally went beyond just normal play, and we started to make use of strategies, and also to keep changing strategies everytime the opponent did a counter-strategy... our strategies were all really super effective.. but i guess vudoo stopped going easy on us and they really went like 101% to catch even very impossible throws, especially at their end zones. i saw their layout queen lay out for the disc right before my eyes. imba ttm.

i think i really learnt a lot in this match and i played to a level i have never ever played before. i did things i never knew i could do, and i could really understand the game play so well.. i applied everything i learnt during drills to the game and it was really ultimate fun!

in the end, the match ended 11-7 to them, but it was really a tough fun fight, so we felt like we had won. and we build such great friendship over the game with vudoo.. they had a really really great nice captain and the players were all so encouraging. we only had 2 non-playing smu girls at the sidelines cheering for us, but their remaining sideline of about 10 people or so were all cheering for us! they were really nice.

after our game, debriefing and talking to each other, munching down 2 hotdog buns and 1 banana (just me, i felt like i could eat a mountain after our last match), we went to watch our guys play their last game. and it was really exciting to watch. they improved so much and really did very well.. very proud of them!

3. Post gendermah

after that, we went to wash up and took cabs to marina square... ate suki n yaki for buffet lunch! it was a very fun and funny lunch.. we had hot plate and steamboat and we were all frisbee-crazy.. we started lining our meat up in vertical stack on the hot plate and did cuts with the meat. then we huck the meat to janice's mouth! hahha really siao already.. super duper funny.

most of the food tasted very nice, esp the bbq-marinated chicken! thankful that each of us had a role, i was the hotplate cook, janice was the steamboat i/c, and kris and cherlyn peeled prawns. our meal was really well-facilitated. haha. only leon leeched on our table! he cooked meat and took all of it. tsk. kick his butt.

the 2 neighbouring tables (of frisbee peeps) had a quiet meal, i really wonder why, because our table was having so much fun. hahaha!
i must have been the differing factor. PUAHAHAHA.

after lunch, we just hung out a bit and then we went to coldstone ice cream at orchard central. it was my first time eating there and wow the ice cream there is really not bad! but after half the cup, it became really gelat. but what was so fun about eating ice cream there, was that you can play catch the ice cream with the staff! they would ball up the ice cream for you and then do a toss over the counter for you to catch in the cup. freaking fun. if it drops, they make one again for you.

Our king bernard tried and HE CAUGHT IT. imba man lol.

after the ice cream, we went to robertson quay to watch soccer.. i am not so much of a soccer person but it is quite fun to watch if the match is exciting lar.. so i just joined everyone. i suggested Boomarang bar because it was really a good place but we didnt have good seats. then we scouted and found Medley Amaii, a ice cream place / bar / cafe which had air con and sofa and space. so we moved there instead. the others ordered beer at boomarang already and they had to finish it before coming. then they arrived, acting like they were drunk. we were really fooled. omg. lol.

the match was quite exciting, arsenal was really strong. but the referee sucked for not giving fouls to arsenal when there were so many obvious ones!

towards the end, my eyes really couldn't take it anymore and i really felt like sleeping.
nothing much exciting after the match so i decided to just go home and rest.

and today, i woke up with a great body ache and i was slugging in my bed and sofa until i was energetic enough to do my laundry (argh)... what a wasted day but at least it was a "fulfilling" day of recovery cus i do feel better now.

ok i am tired and i need to sleep

i wanted to post about Swimming and JB but i shall do it the next post

good night~