grey heels

grey heels

New grey heels, semi-fierce.

So the other day, I was surfing the Net and came across the Sartorialist. I saw the picture below, and decided that I MUST have grey pair of shoes in the semi-fierce style before it goes out of style! It's the season's must-have's!

Must. Have. Grey. Heels.

So when I walked past Charles & Keith after the appointment with the dermatologist, I walked in and decided, if they have a pair of grey heels in the style I'm looking for, I'll buy them, no second thoughts! (Okay fine, I didn't walk past C&K. I made a huge detour.) But there they were! The shoes that I've been looking for!

I came home, hopped over to the Sartorialist again, saw another picture, and decided that I made an excellent buy! :D Grey heels are the new must-haves. Go get yours today everyone! Hahaha. I really love my shoes!

Right choice!

And this is how I wore mine. Paired with a princessy dress for Shan's 21st birthday party. I apologize for the bad picture quality, but I was running late! Haha. Can't wait to wear them out again!

happy food

happy food

Half of my happy dinner. :D

School has been REALLY crazy and I've been staying till late most evenings of the week to do my work. And the one thing I dislike about staying in school is the lack of good food, especially for dinner. The sad part is, even if I get out of school at 10pm (that's when the library closes) for a late dinner or early supper, most of the stalls at Clementi Hawker Centre are closed.

I've also been having impossible cravings for the duck rice there, but we kept missing the stall because we left too late. As if that wasn't bad enough, one day, just as I decided to settle for nice, cold dessert and satay instead, I watched the dessert store close just as I was walking towards it! Wails.

THEN. One rainy evening, we decided to leave at 7pm for a decent dinner! And voila! Duck rice stall, dessert stall, drinks stall... everything's open! I was SO happy. :D

ten dollar skirt

ten dollar skirt

I threw on a jacket from Bonitochico for cold classrooms and LTs.

When I was heading home the other day, I walked past a push-cart store and saw this cute high-waisted floral skirt waving at me! Upon asking for the price, I was absolutely thrilled to find that it's only 10bucks! Of course I bought it without so much as a blink and wore it to school the next chance I got.

I paired it with a simple black spaghetti top and my favourite comfy red wedges. Not the ones in the picture. I won't be able to survive a 12hr day in those. YET. And I figured dressing nicely for school makes my day. Pretty clothes make a happy girl!

a breather, finally

a breather, finally




It's that time of the semester again, when assignments and mid-terms pile up in attempt to compete with Mt. Everest. And congratulations profs of NUS, we're actually winning. I have 7 assignments and 1 project spread over 4 modules this semester. Je pense que NUS est devenu fou.

Anyway, the university declared this week e-learning week, meaning all lectures (sauf français) will be webcasted. I secretly think it's put in place because too many students are threatening to kill themselves or stab their professors due to the overwhelming workload. Recess week was one big farce by the way.

With all the assignments due within a week of each other, I was an assignment machine. I hate rushing assignments. Unlike readings, they can't be done when you're half asleep. And I'm definitely not one of those people who can plan to finish planning in 1 hr, write the paper in 2 hrs and actually do it. There comes a point where I just can't think of anything anymore. I'll need sleep and a change of environment.

Southeast Asian assignment saw me awake at 3am in the morning, squinting at the laptop (font size 20 and screen size 200% because I forgot my specs) at Zuojin's hall. Then Lit assignment saw me staying up until 5am one morning nestled at my desk, listening to the world wake up. And finally, Soci assignment saw me running away from the laptop to my bed at 2hr intervals for the whole of yesterday. In the end, I gave up at 2am, woke up at 6am, worked on it for an hour or so, then I ran over to Glenn's place so I'll have my favourite boy and favourite dog cheer me up before writing my conclusion. And that's the picture you see.

Alors, what's the point of this post? Rien. I only wanted to announce that I AM DONE WITH ALL MY ASSIGNMENTS (for the time being at least). :D

phuket stories - daredevils

phuket stories - daredevils

This is the only lousy photo I've got.

It's a stillshot from a video that we took while riding in the park with no traffic!

So here’s the craziest thing I did in Phuket – I rode a scooter without a license. And Sarah was my pillion. I have never been on a bike before, and the only two-wheeled thing I’ve operated is a bicycle. I don’t know what kind of guts I had, but yeah, I did that. Hahaha.

Actually, we kind of got tired of being ripped off on transport, and it just didn’t make sense to rent a car on the last day because they couldn’t make arrangements for us to return it at the airport. After talking to other tourists who persuaded us that riding a bike is the easiest thing in the world, we decided to rent a scooter for 200baht. Which is less than 10bucks in Singapore dollars. A one-way 15min tutuk or cab ride costs like 300baht, no second price.

So after we got the scooter opposite our hotel, we took turns to try it in the carpark. We agreed whoever who turns out less dangerous would ride the bike, and the other one would be pillion. Sarah fell off the bike after 3metres. Hahaha. So I guess that made me the less dangerous one. After 2 rounds around the carpark, trying to find my balance with Sarah on the back of the scooter, I told her “I don’t care if you’re ready or not. We’re going out on to the road now. LET’S GO!”

And there we were. Two crazy girls wobbling on a scooter, attracting wide-eyed stares because we were probably screaming “Road Hazard”. Hahaha.

Then the next day, we decided to take the scooter out and explore more of Phuket. We tried to find Phuket Town from Karon Beach. Without a map. All I had was a rough idea from Google Earth and one remote road sign every few miles.

It started raining, and the roads got crazy. There were huge slopes and sharp turns and medium traffic. At one point of time, I had to make a huge right turn up a steep slope. Should I not make the turn and accelerate straight ahead, we would end up in a ditch, because they were having road works. I think I made the turn by 1 inch, with my knee almost scraping the ground from the turn. The whole time I was thinking, “Tilt your body, don’t use your hands. Tilt your body, don’t use your hands!”

All of you who gave me advice on how to ride a bike on Facebook that night, you probably saved our lives.

So we survived the slopes and the rain and U-turns (during which Sarah asked, “Are you confident?” And I said, “No.” Then I made the turn with her screaming behind me. Hahaha), But naturally, we had to have an accident. Guess where? When we were trying to park the scooter.

I forgot to switch off the engine after I slotted the scooter into the lot, and while trying to pull it back a little, I PULLED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE THING LURCHED FORWARD LIKE MAD! Hahaha. Sarah had to reach forward to press the brake for me, but we still fell onto the wet ground. Her on the bum, and me on the boobs for some reason! So I had a wet patch on my boob for a while. Shit.

Thinking back, I think we were impossibly gusty, and if you asked me if I’d do it a second time, I might not. Haha. So I guess it’s true, you’re only young and crazy once.

goodbye, hippo

goodbye, hippo

About 4 weeks ago, I discovered a tiny bump on Hippo’s nose that looked like a start of a pimple. Worried, I brought her to the vet. She was prescribed anti-biotics, which I had to coax/force-feed her every night.

A week later, there was no improvement, and the bump had grown bigger. Glenn, being very sweet, brought Hippo to the vet for me, because I had a busy week. The vet managed to extract some pus, and gave her a stronger dosage of anti-biotic and some vitamins. The poor little thing looked very upset after having her nose squeezed and poked at.

Still, the bump kept growing. The last visit to the vet saw a non-invasive operation to determine the nature of the lump, and I was told it wasn’t a pus sac. Instead, it’s a solid tumour, probably cancerous. Nothing could be done.

Over the weeks, I saw less of Hippo’s usual antics of digging around her wood waste, scurrying around the cage or running on her wheels. Slowly, she stopped eating and I fed by hand every night. It broke my heart.

I thought of putting her to sleep towards the end, but I decided not to. I didn’t want to play God. What if she didn’t understand? What if she was simply fighting to draw her last breath? So I told myself, when it’s time, God will take her. Until he does, Hippo shall have her favourites till the end. Then he did.

Hippo was my first pet in a long, long time. She was the smartest and the cutest hamster I’ve ever had. She’s a funny, greedy and friendly little thing. She’s taught me a few things about life, and I think I’ll always remember. So here’s to you, little creature.

I remember when I first got you, a small little ball of fur, hiding in a corner of your cage, shy. I remember playing with you with taped fingers, because you were young and feisty and you bit. I remember you learning to tear up the newspaper to line your little hut before I bought wood waste for you. I remember showing you off to my hall mates, and how you spat out all your food because you got scared from the noise and touches. I remember you peeing on my hand.

Then I remember you in your braver, grown-up days. I remember lugging you to hall every week, afraid you might get motion sickness from the journey. I remember when you got too fat for your wheel. I remember you teetering at the edge of my laundry basket, earnestly trying to run away while a big, buff boy (which would be Glenn) struggled to catch you. I remember bringing you out of my room every night because you made so much noise with the wheel we couldn’t fall asleep. I remember you running along the corners of the living room, surprising everyone with your surprised look. I remember your excitement each time I clean out your cage and put in new wood waste. I remember your favourite sunflower seeds and your dislike for banana. I remember the photo of you, looking alert and full of mischief, with the yoghurt right beneath your nose.

Finally, I remember you in your last days. I remember wrestling with you with a broken hand just to feed you your medicine. I remember how you always go into your sand-bath tub when you got upset with the medicine left on your nose. I remember holding the watermelon bits for you so that you could eat. I remember cradling you in my hand for the last time, knowing it was about time. And it was.

You taught me that hamsters are not supposed to bathe in water and that Science isn’t magic. Initially, I expected the vet to have a foolproof cure for you each time we visited. You taught me that death is a part of life. I’ve been sheltered for most of my life, and have been fortunate enough to have never faced death. I was terrified of you dying, but slowly, I learnt to let go.

All I hope is that I’ve been a decent owner, and made your life happy, because you’ve definitely brought joy into mine. I’ve left you in a place where the morning sun will shine each day. Rest in peace, little Hippo.

Je n’ai pensé jaimais que je t’aimerais comme ça. J’ai appris de toi que Dieu a créé l’amour le même pour tous les choses. Il n’y a pas beaucoup de différence entre les humains et les animaux, vraiment. Je t’aimais, ma petite créature.

bad streak

bad streak

Someone up there must be thinking that I've been enjoying my holidays too much and have decided to wake me up to reality. I've been having a horribly bad streak!

First, my new camera died on me after I came back from Phuket. Then, I brought my old camera out one day after I came back and LOST it on a cab! The cab company couldn't find my old Fuji. Canon told me my 4month old camera is beyond repair. Instead, they offered me their new model at a "privileged" rate because I won't be needing the battery and stuff. And don't even get me started on that.

Some guy who doesn't know his stuff told me over the phone that IXUS95 uses the same battery as my dead camera, IXUS80. So I happily settled for it. THEN, when I purchased the IXUS95 and tried to put the old battery in, it didn't fit! The Canon people then told me it's the IXUS100 which uses the same battery. Would I care to throw in another 60bucks for either the battery or the IXUS100 (which is rather ugly)? They'll even courier the IXUS100 to my house AND waive the admin charges for ordering it!

The answer was NO. I refuse to pay a single cent more for their stupid mistake. If that is the best service that Canon offers, I want a full refund and then I am totally switching brands! Appalling! And the whole time, this poor employee had to shuttle between his manager's office and the waiting area because THE MANAGER REFUSED TO COME AND TALK TO ME.

So, no new camera. I intend to lodge a formal complaint. It's disgusting. BUT. I haven't done so because I was desperately praying to get my French module and South East Asia Studies module on CORS, and I'm secretly scared of karma.

And I just found out my 413points for French got outbidded at 453points and my 1086points for South East Asian Studies got outbidded at 1286points.

DOES MY LIFE SUCK OR DOES MY LIFE SUCK?? ))):

a story of ours

a story of ours



It's a typical night out. But this time I am so late it annoys you. I thought you weren't going to talk to me the whole night. You're hardly angry, and when you are, you're scary and strangely sexy at the same time.

This doesn't last long. You never stay mad at me for long. I snuggle my way into your arms. Finally, you're my sunshine boy again.

After dinner, it pours. We are stranded, and plans to go for drinks at Chijmes just aren't going to happen. It's okay, we're experts at Plan Bs. We always figure a way out. I like surprises. You like adventures. This time it's to be Canele, at Robertson Walk.

We walk and walk and walk and my shoes hurt my feet. You're tired from all the running and jumping when we went crazy at the beach the day before. We both curse silently. I know it, even if neither of us show it.

Then, I take off my shoes and step onto the wet pavement, barefoot this time. You tell me there's no going back and laugh. I laugh with you and go ahead. The world suddenly seems a lot more beautiful, even though I am 10cm shorter, looking like a lunatic.

This would be the night we'll look back on and laugh about. In the light drizzle, I walk down Boat Quay and past fancy restuarants, holding your hand and my heels in the other. Because it's a crazy night, you walk funny so that we can be weird together. We pretend to be drunk, swaying to the music from the pubs. Oh, and the stares!

By this time, we've given up on Canele, and start walking in the direction of One Fullerton, a place we've always loved. I go into the washrooms to put on my heels, then we slip back into normalcy, and have coffee like normal people.

You look bored while I reply messages on my phone. I notice this, and send you a message. I love you. Because you are probably the only one who'll walk across boat quay with me holding my hand while I hold my heels and walk barefoot. They say a boy like that will walk with you your whole life.

From across the table, you take my hand and smile at me.

"Yes, and you're the only one who'll walk with me while I waddle like a duck . They say girls like that will walk with you forever. So, will you be my girlfriend?"

I look up, surprised into into a wide smile that I can't help. It's that one question that has been dancing around us forever. And now that it's spoken out loud, warmth courses through me and rushes to my cheeks. I feel myself flush and my eyes sparkle. I am pratically glowing.

But I tease you. "Hmm well, what if I said it's my turn to have to think about it?"

Stumbling, you say, "But my offer only stands for.. one minute."

Trying my best not to grin like a mad woman, I reply, "Then I'll take the full minute."

And sixty seconds later, I say "Yes."

At that same moment, I see myself repeating the same word in church. At that same moment, I hold your hand and think, this is the man I want to marry.

golden summer touch

golden summer touch

The Summer Touch League that has lasted for MONTHS (it started on Valentine’s day, my friends) has finally come to an end on 6th June! For countless Saturdays, we had to trudge down to the faraway Turf City and gallop like horses around the field. Today, we played the finals and won 8-4 against UWC! And I scored a try!

Off a three-men ruck, I side-stepped a girl, and saw the plain huge green field beckoning to me. I was through! I heard my team mates calling out for me to make a pass or take it down, because the UWC players were really close on me. But in the heat of the moment, I just ran my heart out, dove for the line, and there I was!

It was a very happy game for us. UWC gave us a good run and we played well. It definitely pulled us out of the post-exam gross phase. UWC was the first team we met after the exams in the league, and we lost to them because we were fat and slow. ): This was a good new start.

Anyway, we signed up at the very last minute for Nebo’s Youth in Touch the next day, and ended up having 7 players (in a team up to 14 allowed) for our last game. That means we only had ONE sub! On top of that, the organizers decided to push forth the last game, before which we had a long break. We were all sauntering in from lunch with our taitai wallets and whatnots when everyone on the field was yelling for us.

That was when we went “OH SHIT!” and sprinted to our playing field while our ONE sub went to get water for us. You could hear her screaming “Don’t sub while I’m gone! The sub-box is empty!” Hahaha. In the end our hap hazardedly formed team managed a silver medal for the day.

I am superbly proud of these girls and honoured to be part of this team. They are the best friends I’ve made in NUS and they’re the only people who don’t gasp at my weekly battle scars, because we all have them. I really want to win SUNIGS this year and play IVP 2009 with them before I fly to Canada!

Champions!

Going mad. Hahaha.

Touch Attack at NTU the following weekend.

Damn unglam but a touchdown! (:

away from the city

away from the city

Though I’ve been lamenting about the cold and the lack of excitement up in Cameron Highlands, I actually really enjoyed myself there. After the first day, I got used to the weather and the loss of my fashion sense. Having the cool wind in your face while the sun warms you up is a lovely feeling, not to mention not perspiring at all the whole day!

The air is fresh and sweet, and there’re green mountains all around you. It’s a good break from the hot and sweaty city, really. I even regret bringing my Mac there, sort of. Haha. We went on farm tours of various kinds, did a little trekking, ate fresh local veggies and fruits, and just hung out at the hotel with the rest of the kids (aged from 8 – 14).

There was no fixed itinerary and no rush. It’s probably not the kind of holiday I would go on with friends, but kudos to Mommy and Daddy, it makes a great family getaway. I’m sure both fathers had a great Father’s Day!

I took a whole bunch of photos of nature, because it was beautiful. I also liked the laid-back towns, though after awhile, you begin to see that one part of rural Asia isn’t really that different from the other. Here are the pictures!

First picture of Brinchang Town, early in the morning.

I was cold and sleepy.

Strawberries were a major theme of Cameron Highlands.

Funny yellow zebra trucks.

Barber. Very old-school.

Roadside fruit vendors.

Kids, trekking down the unbeaten path.

Me, happy with the lovely backdrop from the hotel's garden.

Cottage from fairytales.

I still like my Mac.

Night market in Brinchang Town.

Keychains! No prize for guessing which one I bought.

Girls, doing what we're best at. Hahaha.

The sweetest corn ever. You can even eat it raw. It's juicy and nice!

All the ladies in the house!

Poorer areas.

Mommy, high up on some mountain early the next morning.

Fashion disaster. It was too cold, so I wore a dress outside my tank top and shorts.
Runners because the guide said slippers aren't allowed for trekking. ): No legwarmers at least!
Family shot with my godsis in the tea plantation. It's so pretty!

Group photo, everyone!

Mommy pretended to be a gardener. Haha.
I smelt the rose, and exclaimed "This is not a rose! It smells like bandung syrup!" HAHA.

Pretty flowers. I love the macro function.

Mommy and Daddy, too cute!

Harvesting strawberries.

Freezing my ass off on the last morning to catch the sunrise.

But the fog came in, and this was the best view. First sunrise!

Then, on the coach back home! I love the luxury coach. It's like a bed with a TV and console.
Awesome!