Randoms

A mid-week update here we go. Taiwan photos are still not done yet, so be patient with me. Though I have to admit, it's really hard attempting to multitask while watching Running Man on the go. Usually I have this habit of opening multiple windows on the laptop just so I can do different things at a time, most regularly watching (or rather, listening to) a video while online shopping or editing photos. Understanding the Korean language however, is not my forte, so I end up needing to read the subtitles in order to understand what's going on, and that ends up slowing down my ability to multitask. First task of 2014 just so happens to be a Running Man marathon, and given the hundreds of episodes already out and with each lasting up to more than an hour or so, my progress has been relatively slow. I know I know, I'm superbly late on the bandwagon, but hey better late than never. Just so you know, Gwangsoo is my favorite.

Back to updates, just some random bits here and there. Things have been slow and back to the usual since being home. I've been tired and whiny all of past week, so I tried to catch up on rest as much as I could. Slowly creeping my way back into the fitness regime, and Jillian Michaels sure isn't letting up on me. Just a week of stopping and a tad too much of Taiwan's greasy goods, my stamina was almost back to ground zero again. First two workouts had me panting like a sick puppy and I had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Not good. Thank goodness for yesterday, it seemed like I was back on track again without any hiccups. With another trip to Hong Kong in March coming up, I foresee another round of binging, so I'd better catch up as much as I can before the next holiday starts.

Met up with one of the besties over the weekend. It was a much delayed Christmas gift exchange for us. Just showing off one of my good buys from Taiwan. These Zara pumps were full-priced in Singapore when I first saw them in stores. Hadn't had the heart to get them then, which thankfully I found them priced at 40% off in stores at Taiwan so I got them in a heartbeat. Still not particularly cheap, but a 40 percent is still kind of hard to pass on.

So the bestie and I went to check out the new Robinsons store, and perhaps we stayed a little too long too. Finally got myself the famed NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and Radiant Creamy Concealer. and I can't wait to try them out. And I'm impressed that every buy comes with a posh bag rather than their usual crappy plastic ones. Check out papa bag, mama bag and baby bag all in a row. Now say aww. Aww.

And just ending this random post with a random narcissistic picture of myself. Finally I can tie my hair up high again (with the help of 100 pins). I've been enjoying my short hair thus far, though perhaps I'll be growing it out to shoulder length for now. I've been contemplating about bangs for awhile now but undecided as usual. I'll probably hit up the salon for opinions and a trim after CNY once the prices die down. So for now, byeee.

out with the old; in with the new.

Anddddddd I'm back. Again a rather bittersweet feeling whenever I end a trip, the feeling of relief to be cozied up in my own comfortable bed and space, and the longing to stay just that bit longer on the other side. Ended the year of 2013 with a bang and now it's back to reality (BOOHOOHOO). Slightly dozing off at my desk here so I thought why not type up a post to keep them senses awake. I'm still very much exhausted from my trip and photo-editing is still in progress, so the sharing bits will have to wait. For now, reflections.

Let's not get all too dramatic on the case cause the year has been rather simple for me throughout. Looking back on 2013, it's been rather smooth sailing and therefore I can't help but feel blessed. Nothing is ever exciting on the work front, but I do feel lucky to be left to my own devices and yet still a supportive boss and team so that was pretty much all that mattered. The past years I've always promised myself to travel at least thrice a year (1 long haul, 2 short getaways), and for 2013 was no exception. In January, I traveled to Bali with a huge group of friends. Although sadly I've drifted off from them, I had my share of fun then. In June it was kind of an impromptu trip for one of the best friends and I to Bangkok. After years since my last trip there and with all the hype from fellow Singaporeans, I thought that a revisit was definitely in check. And since then, I'm already thinking of when the next one will be cause I can't wait to go back. And finally the grand trip for the year, Taiwan. A duration of 11 days, obviously it was the long trip to end off the year. Can't say much of my enthusiasm at first, but I was still warmed by the people (and my travel companions) and loved the weather. Every trip is always a learning experience, and this one was no exception of a worthy stamp on the passport.

On the emotional side, I can't say that my spirits were always at my best. I like to think and I like to ponder, and many times I'm just an old worrywart. But I get over them soon enough and pick myself up again. The half past year has been quite an awesome one for me. I decided to ditch the whole 'get skinny' mentality and took on the 'keep fit' challenge. Since then, I've been following my Jillian Michaels routines on a timely manner. I haven't actually lost any weight, but my body definitely feels more toned up and I'm happy to keep up with that. My recent holiday has slowed me down since I stopped during the period, and I've been feeling so sluggish I can't wait to get back on track. On the beauty side, I realized that I started being more daring with my looks too. I've stuck on actually using the loud lipstick shades (orange, deep set pink) to work, and in November I decided to chop off my long locks. Impulsive decisions sometimes make a good decision. Speaking of which, just before my trip last month I made the final impulsive decision to get my new piercing once and for all. Having thought of it for over a year, I guess it was go or no go. Well, what the hell let's do it. Don't care about others cause I love it and that's all that matters. Glad I finally got that one out of the way, bucket list checked. And last but not least, in a moment of frustration and realization, I took it upon myself to book a trip to Korea this May, solo. With 99% of my friends attached, broke, uninterested, or doing boring stuff like saving for mortgage, etc... I was pretty sick of waiting for a travel mate. It dawned to me that I could try it out on my own, and well, I went for the idea and booked myself a plane ticket. Baby steps since I'm not all out to conquer the world, and Korea is pretty safe so I'm thinking it's a good start. Let's just hope that it turns out a successful trip anyway.

And that pretty much sums up everything. Another year gone, can't believe that I'm hitting the big 3-0 soon. The age 26 is probably my last count for young age, no prize for guessing what I'll be stocking up most in Korea then. No resolutions this new year, instead I plan on sticking to those I've already planned and kept for the previous year. The bucket list, as always, is extensive.

Cheers to the new year, let's get ready to roll. To a better year.

ZoukOut 2013

I've never been to ZoukOut before, and have always been curious about this 'thing' being the largest event held in Singapore. Partying in a club is the usual thing, but a beach party? Something I had yet to try. Glad to have another tick off my bucket list. Previous years it never really struck to me to attend, one thing which was I wasn't really into house music in the first place; and secondly, I was always given the impression that partying on the beach was disgustingly crammy, sweaty, smelly and all just a tiresome ordeal. Well, things have changed. Since last year I've somehow grown out of my R&B phase and got hooked onto house music and haven't turned back since. Perhaps R&B just isn't the same as it used to be anymore, long gone are the amazing days of 'Rollin' from Chamillionaire and all that jazz.

So this year I took a chance with ZoukOut and decided to go for Day 1 anyway despite not knowing anyone else besides two acquaintances among the group. Usually I'm not a fan of partying with strangers, but hey, since none of my usual sidekicks were interested I thought why not. It's about time I shrugged off the 'wait for friends' mentality and just go with my flow. My heart's still young enough to have a go at it, so might as well have fun while I can (YOLO). Anyway enough talk, here are just some pictures from the night. Do excuse the lack of quality here but these will have to make do, all in variations of repetitive poses and people with tacky filters. The night was really fun, I sweated balls and balls (hair dripping like nobody's goddamn biznaz), got really hungry at 4am, sat down at McD's for nuggets and fries and started dozing shortly after. Obviously it was time to go home by then cause I no longer can withstand such long nights with multiple hardcore fistpumping action anymore. But the night was a good workout, and I'm always in for dancing in flip flops (bless'em feet). Though, heard that Day 2 was equally or more fun so I'm kinda bummed that we missed out on that. But hey, there's always gonna be next year right? ;)

Gang of the night:

Crystal, Jeff, Michelle, Lak (luck?), Laressa (not sure if I spelt this right), Vanessa & sorry-I-can't-remember-your-name

Random dudes, I have no idea.

Beyond smashed and pooped out. Ah and drippy hair. Good times.

Perfect.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I want to be happy.

I want be the feeling.
I want to be the thrill during roller coasters rides.
I want to be the peace before sleep takes over the mind.
I want to be the cheer after a job well done.
I want to be the butterflies of a first kiss.
I want to be the passion behind marriage vows.

Let me be the emotion,
so you can’t be without me
every time you listen to that song,
discover the light in the darkness,
hear your name slip from your lover’s lips,
and receive kisses and hugs.

I want to be the admiration and triumph.
I want to be the feeling
when parents see their baby for the first time,
when the sun kisses the horizon,
when blissful memories are made,
when you go on merry-go-rounds,
when life treats you the best hand there is.

The opposite of grief.
The reverse of unworthiness.
The contrary to helplessness.
The inverse of disappointment.
The antithesis to fear.
The contradiction to pain.

So, ask me again
what I want to be when I grow up.

 —by Natasha J., Happiness (NJ.)

Throwback: Japan (IMY)

Today I thought of finally dedicating a throwback post on Japan. It's coming real close to a year since the trip, and till now I still miss everything about the place. This year I'll be heading to somewhere new, but before I do I thought it'd be apt to reminisce about Japan again before fresh memories start forming anew. Let's take a scroll-through of some of my favorite things about the land of the rising sun.

1. Signboards - loud & bright everywhere.

2. Food - you don't need to get me started, we all know. M I N D B L O W I N G

3. Technology - #ftw

4. The city - modern vs tradition