Confidence is a must, Cockiness is a plus

2012-03-17T15:20:00.000+08:00

The stars must have aligned in some peculiar way because I probably went the most out of character the past few days.

Then again, after talking at length with sarah about it, who's to say that my character or personality has been defined and hence doing something different is abnormal? I guess i'm still searching, just like everyone else. I mean, there are definitely some parts of me that I think will probably stay the same but there's a chance for growth in everyone.

I guess there are some things that were never meant to be questioned. The way the world is run is confusing, complex and almost impossible to understand and trying doesn't make you intellectual, it makes you... naive. In physics, everyone always says that for every action, there's an equal or opposite reaction. But that's not really the case for intangible matters. (and har har i just realised i used a physics analogy who am i)

What I've found out after breaking down to lin is that maybe i don't have to achieve something all the time. Maybe i don't have to try to gain something from every experience. Maybe i should just chill, take life as it comes, not force myself to live it and roll with the punches.

2012-03-17T03:44:00.000+08:00

what happens when one day you realise that one of your closest relationships meant absolutely nothing? When you suddenly see that there isn't any value in it.

I don't want to always be the bigger person. I don't want to always be the one saying "it's okay, nevermind. she's a nice person". I don't want to always be the one fighting for the relationship to work out, making excuses and justifying my actions all the time. I just don't want to be the mother hen, the responsible one or the mature one anymore.

I just don't care anymore. I feel nothing and I want to disappear.

2012-03-08T23:59:00.006+08:00

Remember what i said about the laura mercier silk creme foundation in the previous post?

I take it all back.

I tried it on yesterday during the day and ohmygosh... i nearly fainted. I LOOKED LIKE A FREAKING GHOST I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING. I literally looked like i had put a clay mask on, it was THAT bad. I would love to return it but unfortunately, Singapore doesn't have that kind of practice. I think i'm either going to sell it to my fairer friends for half the price or give it to nana. UGH SO ANNOYING. Stupid sales person. I'm guessing i thought it looked fine before because i used it at night and REALLY blended it in. Plus i used a bit of bronzer and blush so i probably didn't look so ghost like.

Anyway, I still love the laura mercier translucent powder because it's very fine and settles very nicely into the skin. Given how much makeup i have and the fact that i just spent a whole lot of money on my laura mercier products, i really shouldn't be buying anymore.

Which is why i think i have a problem. Buying makeup just isn't a logical, rational thing for me. I just seem to go cray cray the moment i step into sephora. Also, in my (sorta) defense, i felt upset today (and for this i blame my hormones) so i indulged in some retail therapy.

OPI Base Coat ($24)

Before this I used one from the face shop, which cost me a few dollars but did nothing to prevent my nails from turning yellow.

Chanel Nail Polish in Rose Confidentiel ($37)

I absolutely love Chanel polishes if not for the quality, then for the packaging. What can I say? I'm a sucker for branding and lovely bottles. I want to get the May and June polishes from their spring line but the Chanel i went to at taka was out so... another time, maybe?

I also stopped by MAC at Sephora and dum dum duummmmm!

A whole lotta extravagance

MAC Lipstick in Taupe ($28)

This could potentially come off as old lady-like but i've actually been liking darker browns lately. Out of all the Revlon lip butters I bought, seen here, Macaroon is my favourite.

MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee ($26)

I bought this because my bobbi brown gel eyeliner is practically a stone. It's so dry, when i try to use it, flakes come off and fall into my eye. Not only is it extremely uncomfortable, it's impossible to remove when you have contact lenses on! The past 3 times i tried to use it, i had to change my contact lenses. Hence, i decided a new brown liner was in order.

It's alot more matte compared to teddy eye kohl (left).

MAC blushes in Harmony and Melba respectively, $35 each

yeah okay i can't justify these.

neither can i justify this.

La Mer translucent loose powder ($123)

Sorry la, i just wanted to splurge on something ridiculously expensive.

You know, I was thinking of how I was going to justify spending this much money and i thought to pass this off as a reward for my A level results. But then i remembered the epiphany i had a week ago. My results aren't the fruits of my labour, they're a gift from God. So I shouldn't even be rewarded for them because THEY are a reward. After I realised this, i stopped hankering my parents for the ysl bag i've been lusting over.

Instead, I decided to save for the bag myself. Because then i would be able to justify it. Just so you know, i paid for all the above items with the money i earned from serving coffee at loysel's so technically they're a reward for working? Ah well.

I'm off to Manila for a mission trip tomorrow (Why do i feel like such a hypocrite typing this. I CANNOT RECONCILE TRYING TO BE A GOOD HUMAN BEING WITH THE WAYS OF THE WORLD THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING) and won't be back till wednesday. Adios till then.

2012-03-05T23:57:00.000+08:00

Oh Laura

I've heard alot about the brand Laura Mercier and I always thought i couldn't get it in Singapore but as it turned out, a shop at taka sells them. I was looking at their brochure and man, do they charge exorbitant prices for ridiculous services.

Anyway, i used all three products today and i really quite like it. It neutralised the yellow undertones of my skin and so i don't look as bronzed, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how beachy i feel. When i put it on though, it looked about 4 shades too light and i was this close to calling the shop and yelling at the lady who practically swore beige ivory is my shade. As it turned out, you do need to blend it quite alot but it oxidizes and becomes a little less white.

Speaking of foundation oxidizing to match your skin, I really want to try the new MAC matchmaster foundation but i haven't gotten round to picking it up. We'll see we'll see.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Soft Ivory ($83)

It's a water based foundation so you do have to shake it because the foundation separates and if you squirt it, water will come out.

Laura Mercier Tranluscent Powder ($69)

This is probably my favourite of the three. It's extremely fine and is not heavy at all! I would say that it's even lighter than the MAC mineralised skin finish natural. I really like this and will definitely get another one after I finish this.

Laura Mercier Pot Concealer ($59)

I'm not so keen on the concealer because one side (the right side) is EXTREMELY creamy and when i say extremely, i mean it. You can poke a brush in it and you'll probably hit the pan at the bottom. The other side on the other hand, is so frickin dry you literally have to purposely use strength to get on your fingers or brush. And it's pretty pricey but at least you get two concealers and a powder to set it with. On the whole though, I don't like it.

I recently also bought a new chanel nail polish and i absolutely love it. When i first wore it, i felt v sanchia like. Hahahaha! Sanch is always wearing taupe polishes so it's no wonder this reminded me of her. I wouldn't say this is my favourite polish but you really can't beat the texture (and packaging) or chanel nail polishes.

2012-03-04T01:10:00.002+08:00

when I troll my archives and read all the posts about A levels, i feel... giggly. I'm so thankful for my results and honestly speaking, it's a miracle.

In short, there's no way I deserve what I got and God is good.

TAAAAANKS GOD U DEM AWESOMESAUCE.

2012-02-28T21:52:00.003+08:00

Cheeeeeeeeex

Recently, instead of just wearing MAC's Gingerly blush, i've been wearing a cream blush from topshop called nutmeg underneath. It looks better now because it's not so brown and less like bronzer. I use the cream blush on top of my foundation (my complexion isn't this good, makeup is a miracle worker) and set it with the powder blush.

blend blend blend

With Gingerly on top.

2012-02-27T14:52:00.000+08:00

It's been ages since i've last posted anything but i have my reasons. Other than the fact that I am so freaking busy, which i will come to again later, i had to send my mbp in for repair. Apple failed me for the first time ever! But the service was pretty prompt and i didn't have to pay anything because of the warranty.

Lately i've been feeling extremely tired and stretched. It's pretty ironic because it's after As and this is typically the time where you slack all day and do whatever the hell you like. I feel like i have a tendency to take on too much and participate in way too many things.

For instance, apart from working at Loysel's, I'm looking to give Chinese tuition, I'm trying my best to go for as many Krav Maga classes as possible, driving classes, i have Bible lessons twice a week (which i unfortunately, don't try hard enough to go for) and I'm doing transcriptions for MOE (thankfully i only have two more left). On top of all that, my mother wants me to go to her office to help her out because she recently fired her secretary. And of course there are social events. Because of all this, i feel as though spending time with my close friends and family has taken a back seat and i don't like it :(

I also suspect that my time of the month is fast approaching because apart from being whiney (as evinced by the entire three chunks above), i've also lately been feeling rather jaded. Blogging is good because it helps you get your thoughts in order and usually after you've typed everything down, you realise that what seemed like the end of the world actually isn't that bad. Nonetheless, this is the internet and maintaining privacy is still important. Hence i will not divulge the reasons for my jadedness (is that even a word.)

I'm just going to indulge in episode after episode of modern family and read more novels from John Wyndham. (I think Chrysalids has replaced Brave New World as my favourite novel despite how anti climatic the ending is).

bye.

2012-02-16T13:29:00.003+08:00

All my single ladies

Meet my valentine.

Although I knew I couldn't go around school giving all my friends baked treats, I still went ahead and whipped up a batch of red velvet cupcakes (recipe here) with cream cheese icing (recipe here). FYI the hot pink heart is made out of white fondant that i dyed pink.

So i initially had plans with my girlfriends to eat junk food and watch mean girls at my place and i don't know what came over me but i just packed most of the cupcakes, walked out and took a cab sans makeup. Somewhere between packing and not bothering to slap any foundation or eyeliner on, i decided that since I wasn't in school and so couldn't easily brighten my friends' day with something i made, i would make the extra effort and go to them.

Jiamin and Jiaxin's house

Outside Cassie's house

Somewhere in Serangoon (I just looked to cui in this one so i had to crop myself)

Somerset MRT

Orchard MRT

After which, i went to meet my girlfriends at newton hawker centre (to eat duck mee!!) and it was gr88 we just bitched about every couple we saw hahah! Talk about bitter singles.

But honestly, it doesn't bug me that I don't have a romantic interest this Valentine's day. I mean, it'll definitely be nice to have a particular person to channel all that love and affection to but good company doesn't have to come in the form of a hot, interesting boy!

What I'm saying is, i'm glad that i spent Vday the way i did, taking just a little bit more time to meet those who mean something to me and telling them how much i love them.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, BITCHEZZZ!

"You know i was at Botanics playing my ukelele right then this couple thought that i was their personal lyricist or something and started making out in front of me so i played really horribly and they moved to another palm tree" -David

2012-02-15T23:45:00.004+08:00

Lipstick crazy

They're here! They're here!!!!! I've been waiting so long to get my hands on the Revlon lip butters especially since everyone on youtube is raving about them. I didn't even know if they were going to release it in Singapore because it was a US only thing for quite a while.

Anyway, here they are! I didn't buy all the colours because I'm not made of money and also because I wasn't too keen on the browny one and the rly barbie pink one. But I did get a good amount though.

They are pretty sheer because they're meant to be tinted lip balms. If you compare them to MAC's tinted lip balms, these are definitely waaaay more pigmented. They are also quite moisturizing so it's great if you have cracked-ish lips. It's also good because sometimes when your lips are dry, the lipstick catches onto the dry skin and it just accentuates it and looks absolutely horrific. (oh, the importance of exfoliating)

Lollipop, Sugar Plum, Macaroon, Peach Parfait

Today was "pamper myself day" so i caved and got this burberry lipstick that i've been lusting over. It's a lovely nude that doesn't wash you out, neither does it make you look ghostly or tranny-like.

YSL Rouge Volupte #2, Revlon Soft Nude, Burberry Nude Rose, MAC Peach Stock

The colour is absolutely gorgeous. From the swatches you can see that it's alot darker and pinker than the other nude lipsticks that i own. But what really sets this lipstick apart and makes it worth the entire $42 is the texture. It glides on so smoothly but it doesn't slide off your lips like the YSL Rouge Volupte ones do. I actually really dislike the YSL rouge voluptes. The packaging it lovely (as seen here) but it just slides all over the place and it collects in the cracks and omg sooo bad.

The packaging of the Burberry lipstick is also fantastic. It is pretty heavy and sturdy and there's actually a magnetic catch. Also, can you please just take a moment to look at the beautiful embossing detail on the lipstick???

Anyway, I also went to touch up my highlights, got a haircut for the first time in three years and had a manicure & pedicure with sanch today. I go all out in pampering myself sia. In that same vein, i'm going to pamper myself some more and watch modern family, cake boss and criminal minds.

On a side note, i'm really excited to go to university. I just can't wait. I hate not having an aim. I hate letting my brain rot and i especially hate having a pen feel foreign in my hand. I try to jot down as many things on my planner as possible not to remind myself but just so i can practice my penmanship. It sounds so sad and depressing, it really does.

Also, after all I've heard from Alan and Sam about uni, i'm so eager to go there and experience it for myself. In case you haven't noticed, I'm expecting it to be great. A level results are going to be out on 2nd march and i'm just praying that i'll be able to give my mom a great birthday present. I still feel so anxious even though how I do for As are quite inconsequential because I'm applying mostly to the states. I guess after all that slogging and hard work, you don't want to get mediocre results.

Just a few days ago, i was telling Sarah how vastly different our lives are now compared to last year. This time last year, I was preparing like a mad dog for I not Cupid, Arts Night and season. I went to school at 6 and went home at 10. Now, i'm sleeping at 3am and waking up past noon. It sometimes scares me to think that life is going to be even more different next year. But all this change is good. It'll be even more horrible when i start working and every year is the same.

Wouldn't it be so tragic to not be able to expect surprises or anticipate great changes in life?

2012-02-06T15:34:00.006+08:00

Makeup Update

I finally got around to collecting my camera from Jem and since it's daytime and there's good lighting, I took some pictures of the new-ish makeup I bought since it's been awhile. But because i have so much makeup, I've decided to not spend anymore money on cosmetics. I've also decided that I want to start investing in higher end makeup so when I do eventually buy makeup, I'm not going to make any crazy big purchases from allcosmeticswholesale or beautyjoint although there are some really fantastic products from those sites. (But i already have most of them or smth extremely similar)

Anyway, Nana came back for Chinese New Year and what I love about having a sister who enjoys makeup as much as I do but has a bigger budget for indulging is that i get high end cast offs!

YSL Touche Eclat, number 8 & Dior Show Iconic Extreme mascara in 090 black.

Nana didn't like either of these because she said they don't do anything for her. I, however, love them!!! The touche eclat really brightens up the under eye area. FYI i use one click per eye.

I've also really been enjoying the dior mascara. I usually use two different types of mascara, one for lengthening (Loreal telescopic, middle) and one for volume (Maybelline falsies, far left). The wand is alot fatter than the aforementioned two but there isn't that much product on the wand. It coats the lashes pretty well and it separates them so they don't look clumpy. I will, however, say that it's not very build-able and a second coat doesn't really make a difference. It's a good daytime mascara though and the makeup wipes (i use the biore ones) remove it pretty easily.

I also recently made a few online purchases and amongst them is this Bourjois Volumizer mascara. I've heard so much about this mascara so I'm frantically using up those I've already opened so i can try this out for myself! It's same concept as the MAC haute and naughty mascara- there are "2 steps", the first for daytime and the second for a more dramatic night time look.

Bascially it just has two caps and two different plugs. For the 1st step, the plug is tighter around the opening and removes more of the product so the wand looks skinnier and not as much mascara is left on the wand. Ergo not alot of mascara will be deposited on your lashes. The 2nd step has a larger plug that allows more mascara to get on the wand. There is only one mascara wand. For the longest time, I thought there were two wands, with one hiding within another but I WUZ WRRROOONGGG.

I would take pictures to illustrate this but I haven't even torn the plastic off the mascara yet so till then, I hope you understand my wordy explanation.

Also, after surfing and tanning in Bali, I got way darker so my Bourjois healthy mix and MUFE HD foundations were too light for me. Hence, I went to MAC and got the Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 and it matches me pretty well now.

But, as seen above in comparison to my two other foundations, the MAC one is alot yellower. It oxidizes on your face after awhile and becomes slightly more orangey. It stays put pretty well and has SPF 15 so... not a bad foundation. The one annoying thing though, is that the freaking foundation doesn't come with a pump. I had to buy the pump separately for $8. I tried using it without a pump but it was so time consuming. I literally spent a minute hitting the mouth of the bottle against my hand each time I put my foundation on.

Oh yes. I also got the MAC mineralised skin finish natural in Medium Plus, which i use as a setting powder because the makeup store one that i have makes my foundation look very cakey since it's a heavier powder foundation. The MAC MSF Natural is very sheer so it works well as a setting powder. I wouldn't use it as a powder foundation on its own though because it won't really make a difference.

On a side note, I recently found out that MAC MSFs are usually quite shimmery and are used as highlighters or a sparkly blush. I personally don't really like my blush to reflect light because it makes my cheeks look bigger and my face, rounder. Since I already have the giant MSF from the MAC wonderwoman collection and the pearl cream colour base (picture here), I don't see the need to buy any other normal MSFs. The MSF Natural however, is more like a powder foundation, as aforementioned. I just thought I'd share that because MAC MSFs always baffled me.

Oh yah. Also, after being HORRIBLY SUN BURNT (OMG worst experience of my life it literally stung like a bitch to put ANY product on your skin, even moisturizer and it took freaking forever for my face to go back to normal. Forever = a week. Normal= not peeling. When I had to go for an event, which happened to be the 184 garden party, i exfoliated my face, which HURT LIKE A BITCH OMG SOOOO PAINFUL, and moisturized, WHICH ALSO HURT LIKE A BITCH, and then very very very gently stippled on my foundation with a duo fibre brush. I didn't bother putting powder cos my face was so dry. I was about a shade darker than sanchia so from this photo, you can really see that my foundation was like three shades too light. Idk why the MAC foundation matches me now. Probably cos i bought it a week after.), I vowed never to let my face crack like that again so I've been using this sunblock that Nana so kindly bought for me.

After moisturizer, before primer (pictured above. I have since run out of my MUFE pink toned primer).

Nana also got me this NARS blush in Sin. Nars to me, is a super luxurious brand because not only can you not get it in Singapore, it's pretty darn pricey. The packaging is lovely and I'm so tempted to ask Sam to buy the blush palette for me from the US.

Anyway, this blush is a pretty good everyday colour but it is quite plummy. It's definitely darker than Gingerly by MAC but i still prefer the latter as an everyday, don't need to think about matching eyeshadow, colour.

Nana also got me the lush foundation which i really don't like because it doesn't cover ANYTHING. I guess if i didn't have that many blemishes, it would work as a good base to even out my skin tone but i tried it once and really did not like it. I will try to work with it again though, just to see how it goes. If it really sucks, I'll probably give it to someone with fantastic complexion like... nicole or shan.

Also, the one good thing about getting sunburnt is that it sorta clears active breakouts. I had a few before i went to Bali (that's to say pimples that just sprung out and hurt when you touch it) and they sorta died with the rest of the skin on my face when i got so horribly burnt.

In a bid to soothe my skin, I used up all of the previous Kiehl's moisturizer i got and Nana got me this. OMG, this is the best moisturizer ever. It's a gel so it's not oily at all and IT'S OIL FREE SO IT WON'T CLOG MY PORES. I love it and so far I haven't had any breakouts. Since I haven't changed anything but my moisturizer, I'm attributing my clear(er) complexion to this product. It's around $50 so it's pretty pricey but I would definitely buy another tub once i run out. Unless of course, i suddenly develop a crazy allergy to it or i find something better.

Lastly, I made a huge order for makeup brushes. I got a few more of the flat shader brushes and the MAC 222 dupes but the brushes that I was most excited about are these.

I got the sigmax brush kit, which is basically their super dense synthetic brushes that everyone on youtube is raving about. Nana has the bigger face set and she likes it for foundation so i bit the bullet and got the deluxe set that included the eye brushes as well. It cost USD99 if i'm not wrong.

So far, I think they're okay, nothing extremely special about them. I gave one of the face brushes to my mom and can't seem to find the other. Anyway, they buff foundation in pretty well but because they're so dense, they tend to absorb alot of the product and take forever to dry. I prefer the round top brush because you can't use the tapered one in circular motions and it tends to leave streak marks. The duo fibre brushes are still the best for a flawless finish. I usually use these to buff the foundation onto my skin and then use the duo fibre brush to get rid of any streaks.

OKAY THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LENGTHY ENTRY I WILL GO WATCH MODERN FAMILY AND EAT MCSPICY NOW BYE.

2012-02-04T23:32:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was my second day of work at Loysel's and i broke three glasses. Yeap. it was possibly the most dramatic time of my life.

You know how when you watch movies and when the waitress ends up breaking all the dishes in front of all the customers and they slow mo it? Well, let's just say that in real life, you don't realise that you've broken a few glasses until you see the shards everywhere and the look of horror on the customers' faces.

In other news, Phuture was amazeballs last night. The only reason i'm posting about clubbing is last night was one of the best, if not the best, nights i've had ever. It was good because Sanch, Debbie and I managed to find guys who weren't trying to rub their dicks against our asses. Seriously, what is up with that? I spend more time elbowing, pinching and shoving people that i do actually dancing. But anyway, we met these two guys and it was freaking fun because not only did they not try anything, you could tell that their agendas were the same as ours. They just wanted to have fun and enjoy the music!

However, i must note that my feet hurt so bad, it is such a pain (literally) to walk. Also, I got a second job woohoo am i a workaholic or what. But it isn't one of those office jobs that require you to spend the whole day at work. Nope. I'm going to be working for MOE! I'm going to record and transcribe conversations for the teachers at the ELL department. It's pretty cool and i can't wait to add my pay to my bag fund.

Also, i'd just like to add that I find it so much harder to blog when i don't have photos. I really need to get my cam back from jem asap.

GG TO WATCH CRIMINAL MINDS NOW.

2012-01-27T00:00:00.001+08:00

184 Garden Party

I've been down with the cold since the first day of CNY and it sucks. It's pure torture to see everyone else eating pineapple tarts, cashewnut cookies and all other sorts of goodies and not be able to partake. Also, since i passed my dslr to jem for our little project, I cant take nice pictures of all the cosmetics i've purchased so far. (Though I haven't been buying much the past two weeks because i'm taking a hiatus to save for something bigger)

Anyway, last week, lin organised a wonderful garden party at her home. It was amazeballs~~~~*~*~***~*~**~*~**~*~**~**~*~*~*

David and Mayann came over to my place to cook. I made Nigella's meatloaf and Julia Child's buttered peas, Mayann made club sandwiches and david made his awesome mushroom risotto. it was pretty good if i do say so myself. I also made the Nigella's girdle buster pie but we left it in lin's freezer.

Cuddle corner.

Lady gaga-esque.

"Jack! I'm flying!!!!!"

K gg to watch criminal minds now.

2012-01-21T02:15:00.001+08:00

Don't get mad, get even.

2012-01-21T00:06:00.000+08:00

"Jan! Jan! Show Auntie & Uncle Bubbles' tricks!!!!!" -My Marder

And so the entertaining for angpows begins.

2012-01-19T21:10:00.000+08:00

So Sanch and I were waiting for Mayann with three cups of Bubble tea...

Hope you never look at Bubble tea pearls the same way again.

2012-01-19T02:18:00.001+08:00

Melbourne V5

See V4, V3, V2, V1 and instagram pix.

2012-01-18T00:25:00.000+08:00

We be Bali-n

Yes, I am very un-creative. Seh came up with the above witty phrase and it's the only thing i've been using as a caption for my facebook album and instagram pixxx.

My relatives from Australia are here for the next month so the house is alot livelier than it normally is (especially after all my siblings left to go somewhere else in the world leaving me all by my lonesome). I can't wait for Chinese New Year. Anyway, seeing how my life is pretty uneventful and things have been going (somewhat) smoothly, I don't have anything else to say i shall just post chio photos from the trip.

After staying at a farm in Melbourne and going to Bali, I can safely say that I am definitely a city kind of person. I just need the convenience! I need to be able to take a 10 minute bus/taxi ride to cold storage/ntuc or even 7/11 to grab some essentials. I also need people around me. Llamas, goats, cows and the beach are all lovely things/places but i can only interact with them all for a few days tops.

Also, when we were in Bali, Sanch pointed out the high number of interracial couples. People from all over the world who went for a vacation in Bali, fell in love with the place/a local and ended up living there for the rest of their lives. I could never do that, ever.

While I think it's romantic and so heartening that people are willing to give up their life of comfort, stray from the norm and quit the rat race to material wealth for someone they love, I would never do that. It's like Mirander in Sex and the City. She's a Harvard Law graduate but she ended up marrying a bartender and living in Brooklyn!!! I mean, it's not so much the same thing because Brooklyn and Upper Manhattan are both still in New York so technically there isn't much change. But you get what i mean.

Nonetheless, i must say i thoroughly enjoyed myself in Bali. Why?

1. I got to spend good quality time with Sarah and Sanch.
2. I didn't have to feel guilty about lazing around and watching Criminal Minds.
3. I could eat as many Kit Kat bars and drink as much milo as I wanted. (Knowing that I was going to start Krav Maga lessons when I went back)
4. Food was gr8.
5. I got to literally just lepak on the beach, chatting with our surf instructors and drinking Bintang beers.
6. I bought the cutest backpack for Bubbles.
7. The view.
8. I got to spend good quality time with Sarah and Sanch.
9. I got to spend good quality time with Sarah and Sanch.
10. I got to spend good quality time with Sarah and Sanch.

I love you guys :')

2012-01-16T11:30:00.000+08:00

Bali was just about the most chill holiday i've ever been on. It was great, every night we either all huddled on the couch or on the bed and watched criminal minds while drinking hot milo. Sanch and I drank at least, cos seh's stomach doesn't agree with dairy products.

The shopping there was so so but I did manage to find some uber cute items for bubbles. I'll post pictures later on with the rest of the Bali pixxxxxxx.

Right now i'm too burnt to go out of the house or really to move my facial features too much. My skin is literally cracking and peeling off my face. (Sounds so a-peeling ha ha ha im so punny)

But on a more serious note, I'm really glad that seh, sanch and i were able to take this little vay-cay together. I mean, seh is already starting her internship today which means I won't get to see her as much ): Also, after we get our results and eventually go to uni, our lives are going to go in completely different and separate directions. I'm only applying to the US, Sanch is only applying to the UK and Seh is applying everywhere. It's great that we get along so well despite our different interests but these interests are going to be what determines where we go and although i cannot wait to start my college life, I don't want to leave my friends ): How cliche and horrible does that sound?

BUT IT'S TRUE!!!!!!

Okay, before I sink into depression, I'm going to embark on a Criminal Minds/Big Bang Theory marathon.

2012-01-11T02:33:00.000+08:00

Melbourne V4

2012-01-10T00:15:00.002+08:00

Out with the girls

Bali tomorrow but I'm too busy fretting about my USC app to worry about packing. I went to the National Museum with Mayann, David and Seh today cos we kool like dat.

The paintings were really amazing. My favs are:

Sigh, David.

Sigh, Sarah.

It almost feels as though you're looking out a window.

There was also this area afterwards where we could try our hand at sketching.

Guess whose.

Also, since i was feeling arty,

Yeap.

The National Museum was great. It always seemed like some place reserved for school excursions but it really is beautiful. Plus they have pretty cool things like vintage movie screenings and art exhibitions like the one above. To be honest, i'm not a huge art fan and I can't really appreciate the pieces. I can't tell what's exquisite and what's nice. They're all nice to me. Nonetheless, the atmosphere of the place + the fact that you can see these paintings up close really helps you better appreciate the amount of effort and time put into them.

Anyway, a few days ago, I went to Mayann's Bible College for lessons on Anthropology (it's a weekly thing and I'm glad because it means that I'll defo see Mayann at least twice a week whoopee!). I'm super excited to start going for classes because I remember sitting in Starbucks with David and Mayann talking about the end of the world and what Revelations says.

New Doc Marts

After the lessons, Sanch joined us and we went for a feast at St Nicks. Orange bowl, auntie meow lang, chocolate toast... i'm drooling just thinking about it. It's comforting to know that after so many years, they all taste the same.

I swear the reason so many St Nicks girls go back to 'visit' is orange bowl.

Speaking of St Nicks, I read on twitter that the top scorer is from SN again. WHOOPDEDOO! Like Mrs Goh said, "When St Nicks is at her best, no one comes close".

:')

Sanchia is the queen of accessories.

OKAY IMMA GO PACK FOR BALI, WATCH AN EPISODE OF CRIMINAL MINDS AND SLEEP.

2012-01-07T23:27:00.000+08:00

Question. Which is a better option. To be able to relate to songs like "Someone like You" or to have no one in mind when you sing said song.

The past few days have been... extreme. I spent New Years Eve at home rushing my uni apps because the people working at the admissions office seem to think that 1 Jan is the perfect date for submissions. It was great though, because Sarah and David came over. We chilled at the attic, talked, ate lots of chocolates, popped champagne and watched the fireworks from my room. The fireworks were abit anti-climatic la but it was lovely nonetheless.

In other news, Sanchia stayed over yesterday and I've honestly never felt so sloth like in my entire life. We spent a good portion of the night slumped in bed watching criminal minds. When we finally woke up, we lazily ordered macs and had breakfast/lunch in bed while watching more criminal minds. (I'm a CSI girl but criminal minds is okay to tide me over till the new episodes of CSINY come out. Besides, Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore are freaking gorgeous)

Also, WHY IS IT SO DARN EXPENSIVE TO DEVELOP FILM? If all 6 120 rolls have 16 good pictures, i have to pay close to $200 to print them. Just thinking of shelling out $200 (so many eyeshadows...) makes me want to attempt to develop the film myself.

Lastly, I'm glad to say that I've actually been doing the things i said i would do as part of a post A level thing. I signed up for my BTT, I've confirmed my attendance on a mission trip to Manila, I scheduled Krav Maga lessons for the week after next, I went for a job interview and...

I'M GOING TO BALI WITH THE GIRLS IN A FEW DAYS WOOHOO.

That should be enough to keep my mind off things. Oh yeah and i almost forgot. I taught Bubbles how to roll over. SO EXCITES I M SUCH A PROUD MOM.

2012-01-04T00:13:00.001+08:00

Melbourne V3

2011-12-28T23:41:00.004+08:00

Paradise
When she was just a girlShe expected the worldBut it flew away from her reach soShe ran away in her sleepand dreamed ofPara-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradiseEvery time she closed her eyes
When she was just a girlShe expected the worldBut it flew away from her reachand the bullets catch in her teethLife goes on, it gets so heavyThe wheel breaks the butterflyEvery tear a waterfallIn the night the stormy night she'll close her eyesIn the night the stormy night away she'd fly
and dreams ofPara-para-paradisePara-para-paradisePara-para-paradise

2011-12-23T00:26:00.000+08:00

HOME

I can't tell you how much I've missed Singapore. I know it sounds extremely contradictory to the previous post but superficially, everything here is better. Sure, the scenery and weather is slightly better than Singapore but food, service, people etc. Singapore is waaaaaay better.

The flight back was pretty horrible, just like any other flight but since this was my first holiday with a friend, I had the time to leisurely browse duty free and spend my allowance on what would seem to others as exorbitant and unnecessary items. Yeap, makeup.

It's SO MUCH CHEAPER AT DUTY FREE I COULDN'T RESIST. Plus, the higher end brands all have travel sets, which are freaking nice and not that expensive.

Case in point, this Dior travel set. It's so beautiful i feel absurdly happy whenever i look at it. I'm not so sure about the quality of the shadows because I haven't had the chance to try them out yet but since they're Dior, I expect they'd be pretty good.

This set, with 6 eyeshadows, 4 lipglosses, one blush/highlighter/bronzer and one mascara, cost $98.50. It might sounds crazy but one Dior eyeshadow palette in Sephora is already over $90 so i'd say this is a steal. Plus, the packaging is lovely.

I also got this lipstick when I went to Aussie. It's grubby looking, as do the rest below, because i've used them already. It looked so dark in the tube and i just bought it because i mean, if you're going to splash out quite a bit of money for a high end lipstick, you might as well get a colour that you can't find in watsons. After swatching it i was pleasantly surprised because it's pretty sheer and it comes off pretty berry toned. It kinda reminds me of the clinique black honey line.

But anyway, this was only $35, as opposed to the $48 you'd normally have to pay. Same goes for the Chanel lipstick.

Chanel lipstick in Boy.

I've bought this lipstick before but because my expenditure for the month was particularly high that month, i gave it to my mother.

I absolutely love this colour it's the nicest pink shade. It doesn't make you look like you have lipstick on and it glides on so smoothly i love it omtian.

There was also a MAC counter at the departure hall so i picked up a few things as well. The lipliner was $20 if i'm not wrong and the lipstick was $23 as opposed to $28. I'm not too sure how much lipliners cost at the normal counters so i can't provide a comparison soz.

A horrible photo of a swatch of the lipliner.

While i'm taking photos of cosmetics i got at duty free, i might as well just post pictures of the other cosmetics i got on the trip.

I got a shitload of mascara to try/as backups. I love the covergirl lash blast volume and the maybelline falsies but you can't get them in Singapore so i bought two of each. I also got the Maybelline stiletto mascara to try because they were having a sale and it only cost AUD10/S$13. My sister also passed me her extra fairydrop mascara because i love it but she's not that big of a fan.

LASTLY, what i'm MOST EXCITED ABOUT. When we went to Chadstone, which is a giant mall, we went to INGLOT!!!! I feel like kicking myself for not having bought more because they are so much cheaper than MAC and are way more pigmented.

This palette cost me AUD50, which means it's S$13 per eyeshadow. MAC eyeshadows are $28 a pop and these are HUGE. They have some freedom palette system where you choose the eyeshadows and they pop them into a palette for you. The shadows don't have names, only serial numbers, which are at the back of the pan and i'm not going to take them out so there. FYI, the cover is magnetic and it's pretty strong so it won't fall off and mess up the shadows.

OKAY I NEED TO UNPACK AND SLEEP AND DO CRAZY LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TOMORROW SO BYE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE!

2011-12-19T20:08:00.000+08:00

St Kilda's/Luna Park (Instagram edition)

2011-12-17T11:58:00.003+08:00

It's been a week but I'm still not tired of Melbourne. Yes, the weather is erratic. Yes, the shopping is horribly overpriced. Yes, the people can be extremely racist ('NI HAO!!!!"'). I'm guessing it's just the idea of being away, of being apart from everything you're used to. Of being able to put on anything you want without worrying about what those you know will say. Of being able to actually relax and listen to music without thinking about being late or meeting deadlines.

I guess it's also the idea that I can momentarily leave behind some of the less desirable issues. I say it's an idea because flying thousands of miles away doesn't actually do that, true escapism can only occur in the mind. However, being confrontational, aggressive and somewhat direct, I am not a fan of escapism. I remember talking about this to Lin and I guess in that sense, I'm somewhat like a boy. I'm playing up gender roles here because if you want to be all philosophical and obnoxious you can always say that traits that are ascribed to the different genders are all a social construct and just cos you're aggressive it doesn't mean you're like a boy cos being confrontational is not a 'masculine trait' blablabla. Anyway, I can be pretty oblivious and that's why I always tell my friends to tell me whenever they get offended or angry about something I say or do cos if they don't, I wouldn't think about their sudden mood change and try to link it to a particular action or utterance. Then if it continues pissing them off and they expect me to know then it's just going to build up and blow up one day.

It's pretty ironic because i'm aware of my ignorance. Nonetheless, I didn't realise I was that unaware until Lin told me some stuff what seemed like many nights ago. (Is it me or do you lose track of time when you're not in your normal setting? Also, all this talk about being unaware of my awareness is rather confusing.) We dubbed it çonfession night' and honestly, I am absolutely aghast. After the initial shock, I went into my usual aggressive, confrontational mode and sought tangible revenge, which was quite hard because like i said, i'm not a fan of escapism and so being thousands of miles away proved to be quite the challenge.

If i were to look back at the past two days, I'd see that I've learnt many things. People are complicated, people can be bitches and people can be unreliable. It's too often I see people verbally championing a particular value and what they perceive to be 'right' and then chicken out when it actually comes to tangible actions because of public perception and a lack of guts. It disgusts me to no end and I absolutely abhor it. These people are the worst kinds of hypocrites and unfortunately you only realise this after you try to rely on them. Unless they are actually people you want to have around, I'd say leave them be and just not help them next time they seek your assistance. You could also scoff and roll your eyes the next time you see/hear them talking about how 'doing this is wrong'.

Sigh. I think my period is coming, that's why í'm so angsty. Not that everything i've written above is untrue or not what i feel. Strange as it may seem, PMS is like being high for me: I become more uninhibited. Anyway, Lin and I are going to the cafes downstairs for a cuppa and then to the Pony bar tonight to watch a band she found so... adios amigos. Just remember,

YOU CAN ONLY RELY ON YOURSELF (and family).

2011-12-14T22:41:00.048+08:00

I'M IN MELBOURNE, BITCHEZZ.

It's been great so far, though the weather has been super erratic and it's too cold for my singaporean body and clothes. We went for tea at the famous miss marples at mount dandenong (food was so so, decor and ambience were absolutely perfect), horseback riding, hot springs, where you dont have to take off all your clothes like in Japan, some maze and one and a half days of solid shopping. it's quite amazing, how much we did, given the fact that it's only our fourth day here.

By the way, did i mention that after close to two years, I MET MY BEST FRIEND. It's so nice to know that aside from the accent, Karen hasn't changed. She's as retarded and goofy as ever. I took heaps of photos with my film cameras so unfortunately, Í can't see how they turned out until I go back.

OMNOMNOM

Tourist face

We also met Sarah for awhile at Chapel St. The things there were beautiful but horribly overpriced. Lin wanted to buy everything she saw but with the help of the three of us, she managed to not spend everything on the first shopping trip.

I went to Chapel St and all I got was this lousy iphone cover.

Jokes, I absolutely love the cover, it sparkles like maaad in the sun, it's almost as chio as my bb cover.

Dinner at Lygon Street, which also has freaking fabulous gelato. We had some Argentinian ones after dinner and it was fantabulous. The good thing about eating frozen treats when it's cold out is that it doesn't melt all over your hands. That being said, your fingers feel as though they're about to fall off after five minutes of handling the ice cream. Well worth it, I say.

To end everything, we saw some pretty funny things while here. Funny meaning rude, explicit and somewhat bizarre.

Look familiar?

"This is damn smart if I open a club I'm going to do this also." -Lin

Let's have some "Paratha" for dinner tonight.

2011-12-03T23:13:00.008+08:00

Book Haul/ Makeup Party

I've been feeling like absolute shit lately. I guess the erratic weather has finally taken its toll on me. I spent the most part of yesterday sleeping and watching CSI NY in bed. I woke up at 8 to re edit my texas essay because I had to send it in by 1 and i spent about three hours waiting for Alan to be done with work so we could discuss it over skype.

I managed to send it in in time though, but today i received an email telling me that my application is incomplete. Omg, i nearly had a heart attack. I did send them an email about it though so hopefully i'll get a reply and settle this. Uni apps are seriously killing me. I'm defo more stressed about them than i ever was about As.

Anyway, Phoebe, Nic and Sarah came over yesterday to try on makeup for prom. I was sluggish and sniffly but it was still a heap of fun. Sanch came over the day before and we also played around with my extensive collection.

(Sanch looks so bloody cute in the second photo)
*

Exfoliating.

I can't tell you how important exfoliating is. It makes your skin so smooth and foundation just goes on so much smoother. I like making my own just with baking soda and cetaphil.

I would like to buy her face.

Hahahaha, phoebe is so darn beautiful that any kind of makeup would have looked amazing on her. Though after looking at the photos I think the look will be better with a lighter lip. I really need to sort out my lighting because it's making the makeup uneven. MEH.

Nicole's skin is so darn good that i only used a sheer, tinted moisturizer, cream blush and a strong winged liner.

The last few pictures are from sarah's facebook. I made seh look like a mongolian baby as per her request but she didn't post the photos of herself!!! Which is very uncharacteristic if you know sarah. hahahahahhahh

But that was yesterday. I went shopping with my mother and sanch today despite feeling horrible and it was pretty fruitful.

I am officially an SKII member woohoo! Hopefully it'll clear up my complexion because my skin has been absolutely horrendous lately. I have a pimple the size of singapore on my left cheek and two slightly smaller ones on my right cheek and my forehead. So basically my pimples form a triangle on my face. How bloody appealing.

I'm not sure how well these will work but i have high hopes for them because I've heard so many great things from Marie and Sarah.

By the way, i bought the $99 set from Sephora at ion, which is sort of a beginner kit to try out.

These are from an earlier trip to Kino. I freaking love books. I love the smell of them, the feel of them... I will probably never get a kindle or a reader or whatever. How can you replace books? I was crushed when Borders went bust. Now I have to walk all the way to Taka to get my books ugh.

The above two are trashy novels because hey, we all need a little brain-degenerating novel from time to time. Rachel Gibson is my fav because she has such cheesy plots and her books are so predictable. I like predictable books. It's stable. Although I should mention that there are pretty graphic sex scenes so... yeah.

I haven't read the other four yet.

Books on politics because i'm doing a bit of research for my Uni Apps.

This is from today (except Brave New World). My mom loves Malcolm Gladwell and insisted that i get this so, we'll see if he's as good as everyone says he is.

I also cannot wait to read the Lee Kuan Yew book because... he's my idol. I don't care what you say, he has done great things for the country and we wouldn't be here without him. I want to meet him before he kicks the bucket but i can't think of a way ):

Anyway, today's 2nd December, which means that november favourite videos are coming out on youtube!!!!!! I'm going to spend the next three hours lying in bed with a box of strepsils, redoxon, water and tissues watching youtube videos.

Speaking of videos, if you're an archie comics fan, you will either love or abhor this. I happen to love it because i think Archie is cute and the Jughead character is spot on. Although, it does mar the wholesome image of the comic book but ohwell. I wish it wasn't a fan spoof i would defo have watched the whole movie.

Lastly, I'm thinking of doing a few makeup tutorials. I'm not sure what yet, but i'm thinking of doing one about school makeup. Which technically, would be nothing but moisturizer what with the strict rules. But I know most of my friends slap on at least some concealer and a bit of blush so i thought it'd be good as a first trial tutorial thing.

It'll be completely with photographs because i feel as though videos are abit too... personal i don't know it's weird.

My posts are always so disjointed and are practically a stream of consciousness (ha ha ha lit). Oh wellz.

K I GO WATCH MY MAKEUP VIDEOS LIAO.

2011-11-29T21:19:00.004+08:00

Post A levels

Goodness knows how long i've been waiting for this day to come. I knew it would be anti-climatic, but i didn't know it would be THIS anti-climatic.

Nonetheless, i celebrated in true girly fashion and went shopping with sarah. I got me some goodies at MAC because the MAC at tangs had just got their stock (!!) which meant that they had everything. So i bought a few things that i've been telling myself i'd buy but somehow haven't gotten.

I also came across a barbie doll that came with dozens of dresses at the John Little sale, which is situated at where Borders was. It was only $30 so pretty good deal.

On a completely unrelated note, Miss Chng is just about the sweetest teacher ever. I always talk to her about my love for true blood and how hot Steven Moyer is. She burned the movie he starred in in a CD and gave it to me today :') I really pity the J1s this year because they're going to lose so many amazing teachers. Miss Chng is leaving (i really REALLY REALLY PITY the J1 ell batch. I should prolly sell my notes at an exorbitant price. Any takers? I'm open to offers!!!), Mr Tay is going to MOE and Mr Tanu is also leaving. GOOD LUCK MAN, U GUYS NEED IT.

But, i should speak too soon. Later I kena fail everything. Wow. Everytime i look at the word 'kena', all i think about is 'kena passive' and how it is derived from the chinese character 被. Extreme nerdome!

Oh yes, a few days ago, i went to Muji and bought what i presume to be stationery holders for my lipsticks. They were $13++ if i'm not wrong i can't remember.

I took a picture of my entire lipstick collection but it was hideously orange so i won't post it.

The Pearl cream colour base is a great cream highlighter. I can't wait to use it on my classmates for prom woohoo! Speaking of prom, i'm collecting my dress on Thursday and i'm hoping that it'll fit so that i don't have to alter it.

Also, I got gelish nails!!! It's supposed to last 3 weeks without chipping. I got it at some store at Far East for 50 bucks (which really is quite an indulgence but oh well A LEVELS ARE OVER!)

Also, I found some cute photos of Bubbles that i thought i'd post. Whenever i sit on a chair or bench, she likes to come right in front of my so that i can conveniently use my leg to rub her belly.

The REAL Superdog.

Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. After the ELL paper, Hongzhang, Ashleigh, Sarah (after much persuasion) and I jumped into the pool. There's still some water in my ears and i've been sneezing quite a bit. So much for ending with a splash (har de har i made a pun).

Smexy.

Okay. I'm off to do my uni apps now.

2011-11-27T11:22:00.000+08:00

A Levels are ending in a few days but I reckon i won't feel any sort of relief. I'm actually expecting it to be rather anti-climatic.

After all, i still have heaps of essays and uni applications to do after ELL.

Must.Soldier.On

In other news, i bought lots of new shit but i'm too lazy to take photos, edit said photos and post it. But in essence, i got a few books on politics in America, the Steinbeck novels i said i would get, a few trashy novels, which i've already finished, Chanel lipstick in Boy (faaabulous pink my new fav) and a new mac palette to fit the rest of my miscellaneous shadows.

2011-11-15T22:56:00.001+08:00

A Levels aren't difficult because of the content.

No, seriously.

It's difficult because it's the ultimate test of mental stamina. It's the biggest and most important exam you'll take in your life so you get panic attacks a few months before the exam, study like mad and then burn out. I swear i've just been so saturated since prelims i can't do this anymore.

I honestly feel as though i'm going mad. I have copious amounts of time by myself, with no human interaction because i'm expected to be studying. The monotony of revising the same facts over and over again but not being able to remember everything because a. there's just so much and b. you keep worrying about not remembering that you actually forget.

Thank God for Bubbles because if it weren't for her i swear i'd be so over the edge right now. I just told Mayann, whom i called in my moment of desperation, that i wished a mosquito would land on me just so i could smack the life out of it.

THE INFORMATION IS SO DAMN FAMILIAR THAT IT'S UNFAMILIAR IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

It's no wonder they have solitary confinement as a punishment. THIS LACK OF HUMAN INTERACTION AND MONOTONY IS DRIVING ME NUTS.

As much as I love singapore, this is one reason i can't wait to get out. TO GET OUT OF THIS STIFLING COMPRESSOR. Every one is on a paper chase and LIFE HAS NO MORE MEANING SERIOUSLY. I keep telling myself that life only begins after As but WHY THE HELL IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO COME TO AN END?

WHY, CAMBRIDGE, DO YOU DRAG THE PAPERS OUT??? IT IS DAMN BLOODY CRUEL OKAY I AM LEGIT GOING MAD. shdoiashdoiahsoidhasoidjhaoisjdoiasjokxajsoidja i want to stab the genuises who thought that putting a week between lit and ell was a good idea.

CB I sound like a suicidal moron. I HATE LIFE A LEVELS END NOW PLEASE.

2011-11-11T12:12:00.001+08:00

I hope i'm not the only one who finds Nicki Minaj's Super Bass music video extremely degrading to women. The frolicking in a pink pool surrounded by men? The scene where she and four other girls are practically performing strip teases for the guys who just sit on the chairs and have a good time? Meh.

This video, together with all of taylor swift's songs just take the feminist movement back 50 years.

2011-11-10T23:48:00.003+08:00

IH was a piece of shit

After the absolutely horrendous international history paper, Marie, Mayann and I went to Antoinette at Mandarin Gallery for a faaaantabulously decadent dinner. It was lovely spending time with them and the dinner sort of reminded me of the more important things in life (that do NOT include exams).

I wish I had taken photos of the place because it was really beautiful but I didn't because we were in our school uniforms and our bulky bags took up a heck lot of space. I also enjoyed being judged by the tai tais there. Talk about perpetuating a stereotype... ohwellz.

After that I went to the Chanel boutique at ion to pick up some foundation for my mom cos I noticed that she was running low. I also got a reeeaaalllly chio eyeshadow which i am beyond excited to try out. Unfortunately that will only be in three weeks. I also went to sephora because come on, i never go to ion without going to sephora. I went in with the intention of buying the Urban Decay book of shadows IV but after looking at it and swatching it, i decided not to part with $94 for it because the colours weren't all that fantastic. Urban Decay eyeshadows are fantabulous though. I absolutely LOVE their eyeshadows the pigmentation on them is amazeballs.

But anyway, i did pick up some goodies from MAC, two of which are from the holiday collection. The new Kat Von D sets are out and I would have gotten her eyeshadow book thing if it weren't for the packaging. I mean, it's pretty creative what with it being set up as a sketchbook and all but so so so impractical. This was another reason I didn't get the UD Book of Shadows. (What are you going to do with all that cardboard?!) I predict i will be doing a lot of Christmas shopping at sephora because i am now surrounded by people who enjoy makeup almost as much as I do.

Well, that was a succint albeit emotionless summary of my day after the history paper.

I love going to the Chanel boutique because they give all sorts of nice stuff. Also, since it is chanel, the quality of them are amazeballzzzzz.

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in 88 Vert Khaki

I love how the chanel eyeshadows, and practically every other powder product, comes with that little velvet pouch seen in the background. It just makes the product seem so much more luxurious and i'm sure it didn't cost that much to make. Little things like this make the -ahem- experience so much more indulgent.

MAC Sheertone blush in Gingerly

My favourite blush of all time is a cheapo $4 one that I got off the forever21 site on impulse and I especially like mixing it with Tenderling, which is also from MAC. The two colours (Gingerly and Tenderling) are pretty similar but i'd say that Tenderling is alot pinker and Gingerly leans more towards the browns. Gingerly is definitly alot darker though.

MAC Paintpot in Nubile

This paintpot is from the holiday collection, i'm not sure which one it is. It reminds me of the Benefit Creaseless Cream eyeshadow in Sippin' and Dippin', which has a golden sheen to it. In my opinion, both are beautiful as all over lid colours or as bases.

MAC lipstick in What Joy! (S)

I really really REALLY like this lipstick. And i have many many red lipsticks. I am particularly fond of this one because it's a blue based red which makes my skin appear less yellow. I mean, that's what i gather from the swatch i did on my hand and i can't say for sure since i've never worn it with a full face of makeup so... i might be wrong.

To be honest, i've gotten so much makeup the past few months (BECAUSE I STRESS AND THIS IS HOW I DEAL WITH STRESS. SO DANGEROUS) but I haven't had the chance to use any of them fo real because I'm a student and I have A levels. It suckkksss but i think after As i'm just going to kidnap a friend of two and experiment with all the different eyeshadows, lipsticks, bronzing bases yada yada that I've accumulated over the past few months, which is definitely a significant amount. I'm not even half way through my papers and i'm already fantasizing about what I'm going to do after. siiggghhh, oh wellz.

2011-11-06T21:40:00.001+08:00

I don't even need to say anything about my mood anymore

Nana, if you're reading this: I just couldn't resist!!!!!!

i apologise for the lousy photos. ohwell.

2011-11-05T17:44:00.002+08:00

I think i've found out why seeing a local speak with an accent/differently stirs up violently negative reactions. I mean, after studying ell p2sb, i've found out that language is a means of creating solidarity amongst a group, which is why teenagers speak in slang and find it strange when an adult speaks the same way.

So when we see a local, we expect him or her to speak Singlish because we can identify with that tone and hence feel more idk... Connected? Thats also why lee hsien loong (or was it goh chok tong?) used "laksa mai hum" in his speech, which started the whole my humps spoof by mr brown, so that he could appear more affable woohoo ell!

So anyway, when said local subverts our expectations and starts speaking in a foreign accent, especially an American accent since the influence of the USA is so pervasive in sg and hence we have preconceived notions and certain stigmas associated w said accent, he or she is effectively dissociating him or herself from you.

WHICH IS WHY U FEEL PISSY AND ANNOYED!!!

I mean, there are definitely other contributing factors like your assumption that they speak in a different way on purpose becase they're insecure/ashamed of their heritage/wna be angmoh pai whatevs.

I'm blogging about this because im at Rochester starbucks, which is absolutely beautiful by the way, and there's a Singaporean girl speaking with an obnoxiously inconsistent american accent with her caucasian counterpart.

ps. She just said that Asians are insecure!!! WHAAAAA... Speak for yourself, ho!

2011-11-04T20:38:00.005+08:00

Lashes and Lifesavers

As are in a few days but I can't stop thinking about my new eyelashes. It sounds as though I went for eyelash extensions but nope, i just got some new pairs of false eyelashes from asos and feelunique.

I got these individual lashes from asos because you get to pick and choose how long/thick you want your lashes to be. They are exactly like the ones those shops at far east use to do eyelash extensions. The eyelashes were all around $10 per set. (Asos and feelunique have free intl shipping).

They have a special kind of glue that requires a remover, it's not like the normal glue that you can just peel off. I'm guessing it'll sting so i'd go easy on that.

I got these feathery looking ones because I had put them in my shopping bag and they were running out of stock so i was like heck! And just got them. Talk about impulse buy...

So Girls Aloud is some British girl group with cheryl cole inside and i bought these lashes because of this video. Yeap. I am very easily swayed.

Also, since Sex and the City is my FAAAAVVVV tv series of all time. i JUST HAD TO GET THESE.

I skipped the carrie lashes because i don't really like carrie and her eyelashes had like a little star at the corner which i don't think is 'cute' or 'cool', which is what the packaging says. Also, they were like two bucks more expensive.

Samantha

Samantha is my favourite character ever. Not because she's raunchy and extremely sexual but because her character is absolutely hilarious. These lashes really are dramatic and long so... I don't know when i'll wear them.

Charlotte

Miranda

Whenever Sarah, Sanch, Cass and i play "which satc character are you?" I ALWAYS GET MIRANDA. I mean, I'll vehemently reject it because her dressing is like shiat on the show!!!!! There was one episode where she wore... DUNGAREES AND A BASEBALL CAP. But anyway, these lashes are actually the most wearable ones so i'll probably be using these first.

On another note,

I finished reading Of Mice and Men and I love it. It's such a sad book and it'll really touch you. It is mostly about friendship and omgggg, i can't say anything without spoiling it because the part that really gets you is right at the end. It's a relatively thin book that i'm sure you'll be able to get through in one sitting. Along with 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale, i highly highly recommend this. The next time i go to kino, i'm going to get Cannery Row and The Grapes of Wrath.

Also, i bought myself a rose.

I am my best lover. Hahahahahaha. No, it's not strange. I always buy flowers for myself whenever i feel like i need a bit of a pick me up. Who says boys are the only ones who can give flowers. I find it far less complicated and far more self-assuring when i receive flowers from myself. Just sayin'.

Lastly, I apologise for the shitty colours of the photos. My dad recently got the lights in my room replaced with even yellower lights so yeap. No amount of limited editing i could do with iphoto could salvage that.

Need.to.get.camera.filer.asap.

2011-11-03T17:11:00.000+08:00

On days i feel like shit, i either

1. go to sephora and buy myself some frivolous cosmetics that i do not require (see previous post)
2. laze around in bed thinking of wonderful things i could do when i am older (which is what i've been doing for the past 5 hours)
3. send a weepy and emotional email to karen.

Yup. Moments like this, i really wish i had karen, jiamin, jiaxin and sarah with me just so we could talk about our future together and not feel as though we're staring into an abyss.

2011-10-30T17:25:00.000+08:00

Sephora

I went to sephora. SIMPER SIMPER. I can't really be bothered to type anything because short of buying these products, nothing interesting has happened in my life. Like, nothing, nil, zilch.

Just a little comparison between the clinique bottom lash mascara and the covergirl lash blast mascara.

Also, I finally bought my mac palette!!

I filled it with the neutral shades that i had, which is most of my eyeshadows, and plonked the rest in my z palette. That's where beauty marked and black tied are going as well. I think i'm gna get another mac palette soon. I'm thinking of using the z palette strictly for non-mac eyeshadows. Cos i'm a mac elitist duh.

2011-10-29T14:26:00.000+08:00

Fuel

I keep a little box of food next to my table for when I study because... i'm a fatso.

A half-eaten gingerbread man cookie from Starbucks

Nescafe for obvious reasons.

Muesli bars for when I'm hungry and don't wanna go downstairs to get food. I like the Special K strawberry ones but they're quite sweet so I buy these instead. The yogood one is frickin amazing.

Roasted Cashew Nuts. Extremely delicious and good for health, except cashews are the most fattening nut. Ohwellz. NOBODY TO IMPRESS ANYWAY.

Dried Cranberries.

Waterrrrrrrrrrrr, in a bottle that my dad got for me.

Also, STARBUCKS IS FEELING LIKE CHRISTMAS!!! I'm so glad they finally brought out the toffee nut lattes again. It's my favourite drink of ALL TIME and i've already had one yesterday. I even went all the way down to nex just to get my hands on another cuppa and yup, i got the venti one. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out on life. I can't tell you how insanely happy this drink makes me :) :) :)

random photo of seh and I from our class dinner.

Random photo with bubbles

Deliciousness. Oh yeah, this is what the gingerbread man originally looked like.

:')

I can't wait for As to end. Seriously. I've so many things lined up I JUST CANNOT WAIT. I'm going to Melbourne to visit nana and Karen with lin. There's also prom, post prom and zouk out! Speaking of which, i really need to curb my coffee drinking. All that milk and syrup and goodness knows what else they put inside is not doing any good to my dress size.

But till then, i'm going to just try to do work.

2011-10-24T17:05:00.002+08:00

"I believe in Truth, Freedom and above all things, Love."

-Christian, Moulin Rouge!

2011-10-22T18:21:00.001+08:00

The Best Movie of ALL TIME

2011-10-15T11:27:00.002+08:00

So after playing L4D2 with some of my classmates yesterday, i got an epiphany.

I know, killing zombies/humans does not seem like an activity that would trigger some sort of giant realisation. But it did.

I realised that for girls, or rather just for me, attachment to someone is usually caused by feeling well looked after. It's strange, because i am more than able to look after myself. Aside from company, i think that would be the main reason i'd seek people out. Sarah said that that is why we're attracted to people who are so well-rounded. Because the fact that they can more than look after themselves is a sign that they'd be more than able to look after you.

Moreover, after watching friends with benefits, which was great but had alot of sex, we reached the conclusion that every girl wants to be swept off her feet. Even those who seem the unlikeliest.

Then i began asking why. I mean, this whole 'want to feel protected' business seems to go against the core of feminism and i kinda dont want to admit it. This is exactly why people bring up the idea that a woman cannot be happy when she is successful in her career. The assumption is made that being successful in your career means your love life takes a backseat and how often is it that you read a novel or watch a movie featuring a seemingly well off female only to realise later that she is unhappy because there is no meaning in her life. it's the idea that she can look after herself, but deep down she just wants someone to look after her and since she can't look for that someone because she's so busy earning shitloads of money, she is not leading a happy and fulfilled life.

Is this need, this desire to be taken care of a result of effective sublimial messaging? Or is it a genetic, natural thing that no one can help? I think it's a bit of both.

Sigh, i dont know.

"That's because every woman wants to be saved" -Charlotte from Sex and the City

2011-10-14T16:56:00.003+08:00

Baccelaurate/Baccalaureate/Baccelaureate

FYI, the second one is correct, i just googled it.

Yesterday was the last day of school. Instead of feeling immense sorrow/nostalgia/sadness, i actually felt quite relieved. I'm definitely going to miss all the wonderful time i've had with AA1 but i am just glad that this chapter, this last two years of formal education in singapore (hopefully) chapter, is over and done with. That being said, there's still the Big A that has is slowly but surely creeping up.

Anyway, the service was crap. Honestly not worth pulling myself out of bed at 530am for. I don't know why, but last year's seemed so much better. And i wasn't even in the graduating class last year. I think it's because they didn't play sappy graduation songs like Vitamin C's The Graduation Song (CLASSIC) or At The Beginning by Donna Lewis. Seriously??? All we got were 2 songs that were there solely for those who can sing to show off their belting prowess for the last time. I hadn't even heard of both! Granted one was from glee, but come on seriously?

Ugh, but the day did get better because i spent it first with Sarah, Sanch and Cass (we went for lunch at some chinese restaurant and watched 2 movies back to back), and then with 2AA1 for dinner at Marche.

I woke up at 130 today and can already feel the guilt of not studying hence i shall just post pictures. I only brought my polaroid, and the battery was flat so no polaroids of school, so the photos are mostly from facebook. They're either Sarah's or Vincent's.

Going for dinner w the team at chomp chomp now teehee!!!!

2011-10-11T16:38:00.000+08:00

I was on rockstar diaries and saw this.

SO APT FOR MY, AND EVERY OTHER J2 STUDENT'S, LIFE NOW.

2011-10-08T16:02:00.002+08:00

Post Prelim Haul

So remember I said that I was expecting a package that i'm pretty excited about? well, it's here!!!

I made a huge purchase from allcosmeticswholesale.com and to be honest when I saw the site I had my doubts about the products. So I went on youtube and did a little research and it seemed pretty credible so I went ahead.

There are some things to note about this site though. Shipping is quite crazy, you can choose the cheaper alternatives but they don't have tracking. Also, you have to buy insurance for your packages but I just didn't want to spend more so i took the chance and went without. Lastly, the products do not all have super new, flawless, department store packaging. Some of them can be pretty scratched up so I wouldn't buy anything from them as gifts. But if you want it for yourself and don't really mind if there are scratches on the outside (the inside is pretty much brand new), some of the things there are really a steal.

Overall, i was the most pleased with my MAC purchases. They all looked good as new, no scratches on the containers whatsoever and they honestly look like the ones i buy from any MAC counter.

Prices are in SGD after shipping.

Eyeshadows

You can actually see the scratches on the lancome palettes.

I got these refills from lancome. I don't actually have a lancome eyeshadow but i do have my z palette, seen here, so i figured i'd just pop them in there. I sorta had to depot them so i took pictures in case anyone was wondering how to get them out. You can use this method for eyeshadows that come in pots also.

Lancome Colour Design eyeshadow refills in Garment, Volcano and Vue, $8.50 each.

The heat from the hair straightener melts the plastic and the glue. I push a thumbtack through the little hole and it just pops out. As soon as I get a palette for my mac eyeshadows i'm gg to go on a depotting spree.

MAC eyeshadows (clockwise) in Et Tu Bouquet? (F), Glamour Check! (SF), Bold and Brazen (SF), Humid (F) and Mulled Cider (S) ($28). $22.20 each except Mulled Cider, which is $28. These normally go for $28 each.

Lancome Colour Design Shadow Quad Mini, $10 each.

They're pretty small, all four together have the same weight as one MAC eyeshadow (0.05oz).

Lancome Colour Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow palette ($19.80)

Lipsticks

The YSL lip thing, i don't even want to call it a lipstick, is so darn cool!! ($16)

Givenchy Rouge A Levres #13 ($16)

Lancome Colour Design Cream in Natural Beauty ($10)

I accidentally closed the cap on the lipstick ):

Benefit creaseless cream eyeshadow in sippin' and dippin' ($19.80)

MAC Sheertone blush in Tenderling ($27)

I this these normally go for $32?

Oh yes and by bad packaging i mean they either come in no boxes or the boxes are like this.

I HATE how yellow and orangey the pictures look aurggh looks like i might just have to buy that colour filter.

2011-10-07T22:18:00.000+08:00

Hatched Boox

Since Miss Tan wasn't in school today and there was a 5 period gp lesson in the morning, some of my friends and i decided that it would be perfect to go to Hatched for breakfast. The food was pretty good, though honestly nothing spectacular. But the company made the $22 cab ride there pretty darn worth it.

Photos from phoebe, koped from facebook. I love her camera omg the colours are so vibrant. I'm thinking of getting a colour filter and indulging in some lenses.

Hatched

26 Evans Road

#01-06 Evans Lodge

+65 6735 0012

Also, I now have tuition for H1 math! Whoopdedoo! I had my first lesson today and after meeting sarah at liat towers starbucks for a much needed talk, i went to some steak place at taka for dinner with my parents. I can't remember what it's called. And since we were at taka, we paid a visit to kino and omg, i tell you i felt so deprived because i just saw SO MANY books that i just wanted to get.

I love the smell and feel of books. I don't think i'll ever buy a kindle.

2011-10-04T17:26:00.002+08:00

Retail Therapy v2.0

Sooooo, As are in a month. Which means, it's time to shop.

It's strange but I'm not as stressed out about As as I am about uni apps. sudhaisuhdiauhsdiuhasiuhd where to apply where to apply when to apply pq sgc honours night gaaaaahh

Anyway, I popped by ion today and picked up 2 things from Chanel. I love how beautifully packaged everything is. That's why i like going to those stand alone boutiques. The prices are the same but the service is so much better (the people know the products) and they give you nice paper bags.

Even the receipt is in a nice card holder.

I got the Chanel Bronze Universal (bronzing base) and the limited edition eyelash curler. I've been lusting over the bronzing base for the longest time but each time I bring myself to go to the shop, I don't get it. It was always either out of stock or I didn't feel as though i had enough to spare for it. The eyelash curler is really quite an impulse buy but it just looked so beautiful I couldn't pass it up. The eyelash curler is around the same price as the shu uemura one if i'm not wrong. In fact i think the latter is more expensive.

However, seeing how I'm going to be holed up for the next two months, I probably won't get to use these two products much. But it's k i can just keep staring at them.

I also recently made some purchases online that i am beyond excited about so when it comes, which i'm expecting will be in 2 weeks time, i might take some pictures.

2011-09-23T20:17:00.003+08:00

Post Prelims

I haven't had the energy nor the time to blog because lately i've either been panicking over how little time i have left or actually doing some work. We did 2 ASEAN SBQs today and it's amazing how different i felt after them. I initially felt secure, that my work was actually paying off when we did the practice during lecture. After we did the second one, i fell right back on to the panic wagon.

There are less than two months left and i've never felt so unprepared for such a major examination ever.

Nonetheless, i know it's infinitely better to stop whining and start working than to sit around worrying about how i am supposed to cover everything in the next 50 odd days.

Well, enough babbling. I try to make it a point to include photographs into every single one of my posts because i feel as though it makes it more interesting.

On a brighter, much brighter note, my TOMS finally arrived!!!!

It comes with a nifty little shoe bag. I am absolutely in love with my pair. They fit like a glove and the olive looks pretty darn good if i say so myself.

It can now join my shoe closet/rack/pile.

Also, i was helping my mother edit the church cookbook and lo and behold! I found this on her shelf!

One of my favourite shows is Julie and Julia. And THIS book is what the movie centers on. I immediately flipped through the beef section, looking for that one recipe for the "Bouef Bourguignon" AND I FOUND IT I AM SO GOING TO MAKE IT ONE DAY. And can you imagine my excitement when i found out that the foreword does really start with "for the servantless American cook?"

Also, these wafer things are ridiculously delicious. They're so readily available and so darn cheap. I'm actually abit suspicious of what they put inside but since they taste so good, i'm not going to bother worrying about it.

Lately, i've also been pretty encouraged by my History tutors. I am not actually going to mention their names because a few days ago Sarah got confronted by my J1 IH tutor about an entry she posted about his cologne. Yes, it is strange. And awkward.

Anyway, I, and pretty much every other history student, respect my history tutors a great deal. The dedication they have is really just mind blowing. Instead of choosing what time they want to have consults and putting said slots on the lms, they pass us their timetables and let us choose. When i saw their timetables i was... i don't know. shocked? Impressed? They have literally no time to eat. All the empty slots are taken up by someone or the other.

It's mad! I guess this is why i'll never be a teacher. I don't like people that much. I don't want to have to interact with a different group every few hours, and probably answer the same questions too. My history tutors are amazing people and i am not one to show my admiration explicitly so if they do see this, i'm praying it's after i graduate because like i said before, awkward...

But yes, the amount of work they put in makes me feel bad when i don't do well. I guess this is why the distinction percentage for history was so phenomenal last year (60+%!!!) and other subjects only had a measly 20%......................

It makes me realise that when you have a passion for something, the amount of effort and time you want to spend on it is so unbelievable. I guess it's true what they say. It's better to do something you love and be happy than to do something you hate and have all the money in the world. It makes me feel kinda sad also because unlike many others, i don't really know what i want to do with my life. I always have a goal, and right now i want to do accounting. But to be honest, i have no idea what accounting entails. I don't even know if i'll like it that much! I just know that I want to be in a position of power and it seems as though the only way i'm going to get to the top is through studying sums and numbers and accounts and auditing and goodness know what else. Sigh. I hope i'll eventually find my calling in the next 2 years because if i don't, it's highly likely that i might end up in the group of people who don't love their jobs. What a bleak notion.

Well, i better practice what i preach and go do some history now. I M GG TO GET MAH A.

2011-09-14T15:22:00.002+08:00

Bubbles

My poor bubbles went for a surgery on Monday. While playing with her, which essentially involves me scratching her belly, i noticed a few lumps under her nipples. Naturally, i panicked and made an appointment with the vet.

So apparently, since she isn't neutered, she developed what are known as 'mammary lumps'. I didn't want to spay her because I felt that it was kinda inhumane. I mean, by neutering an animal, you are basically denying it of reproducing/procreating/having offspring! And since i've always wanted to have 6 children (yes, ever since i was a little tom boy. Only i did not share my aspiration with anyone because i felt it would be incongruent with my 'i hate pink and anything girly' persona. oh how things have changed), i felt as though it was cruel and a clear case of humans abusing their power. Technically, we're biologically altering them so that it will be less troublesome for us. There won't exist the possibility of them getting raped by some stray dog, no joke this happened twice to my aunt, and the subsequent, unexpected liabilities.

I never thought that by leaving her as she was, i'd actually increase the risk of her contracting diseases like cancer and other ailments like a urinary tract infection, both of which can be life-threatening. I always thought that God made nature perfect. The idea that only humans are flawed and nature, flawless.
I guess it is not so much humans being imperfect, but the entire earthly world (hur i couldn't think of a better phrase) being defective.

Sigh, i don't know where i'm going with this. Well, to cut the long story short, she went for the operation to remove the lumps and got spayed.

In other news, i've been limiting myself to one episode of CSI New York per night. It's fantastic, i can't tell you how much i love the show. I've been watching all three CSIs since i was a kid. The day AXN decided to screen all three of them one after the other (CSI SUPREME SUNDAY!!!) was just about the best day of my life.

Also, i made an appointment at brow haus holland for six people today. I luv my friends.

Lastly, i bought the MAC fluidline in Midnight Blues from the Mac me over collection despite having close to no money in my account. I just couldn't resist.

Absolutely gorgeous.

2011-09-12T00:11:00.002+08:00

I am sooo not going to get any sleep tonight.

Because i'll be worrying about tomorrow.

2011-09-11T16:28:00.004+08:00

The unlikeliest of family portraits

Unfortunately, my mother's eyes are closed.

We try to make it a point to skype with my brothers every sunday and Nana calls my dad everyday so yeap, we stay in touch. Needless to say, my parents were delighted when they realised that technology enabled them to have a face to face conversation with their children.

It's a nice way to spend a sunday afternoon- chatting away with my siblings and laughing at my parents' kuazhang reaction whenever one of them comes online. My mother literally shrieks in delight whenever one of them appears.

2011-09-07T22:33:00.002+08:00

My Fat Ass

Meet my first love, Bubbles Yu.

The pet shop owner wasn't kidding when she told me that beagles were known for being greedy. I swear, if someone tried to burgle my house and that someone happened to have some food on him/her, bubbles might as well be an accomplice.

I got her when i was 10, so she's 8 now.

In case you're wondering why my laptop is my dinner date, I watched CSI NY with Josephine while we had dinner. Not the smartest thing to do, especially since they have such gruesome autopsy scenes.

Okay i go do math now adios.

2011-09-06T16:58:00.003+08:00

Separation Anxiety

Am i on a blogging kick or what? I'm sitting in Starbucks at Marina Square with Sarah, pretending to do some lit. I should've known that coming out with my laptop wasn't a good idea, especially after i figured out how to access wireless.

Anyway, my parents are in Lijiang, a little place in China. As mentioned before, my dad travels quite frequently because he's rather adventurous when it comes to golf. I don't know about you, but every time any of my family members fly somewhere, i get extremely nervous and worried.

This separation anxiety is probably caused by the fact that my parents are extremely paranoid and morbid. I feel as though i've written about this before but heck, i'm going to write it again. My dad wouldn't park the car all the way inside the driveway, because he thinks that the car in the driveway will create a great ambush hideout for someone trying to burgle our house. Since i go to school early in the morning, he worries that someone might hide behind the car and ambush me. Yeap.

Also, up until very recently, my dad refused to travel anywhere with my mother because he feared should anything happen, at least one of them will still be around to look after us.

My mother is just as bad as my father. A few days ago, before they flew off to Lijiang, she came into my room and told me about her will and what i should do in the unlikely case she and my dad do not make it home. I swear, the only reason i tell myself i'll never marry a pilot is my parents' constantly telling me how flying is so dangerous.

But but but, i did not suddenly decide to write about this without any rhyme or reason. So now that my parents are in Lijiang, the anxiety does not stop. Horror stories about people getting their kidneys stolen or getting kidnapped or whatever in China are sooo pervasive. My sis also suffers from the same separation anxiety as i do and when my dad didn't reply her messages, she started to whatsapp me.

I, being the good daughter i am, called my dad and HORRORS OF HORRORS HIS PHONE WAS OFF. My dad NEVER turns his phone off. So, naturally, i panicked and sent my dad this message.

And my mother sent us this email.

Sigh, i'm still not going to get a peaceful night's sleep until my parents are breathing the same pomegranate scented air as me.

2011-09-04T17:20:00.006+08:00

Rain + Sun = RAINBOW

Okay I know the title is abit ugh but the main point of this post is to show off some of my culinary skills. I BAKED ME SOME RAINBOW CUPCAKES!

I know that now's the time to really be studying, especially after realising how screwed you are from the experience of prelims but i seem to veer towards channeling my energy into baking. After the red velvet cupcakes and carrot cupcakes for teachers day and david's birthday respectively, (seen in the previous post, or if you're too lazy to scroll down, click here) you'd think i've had enough of cupcakes.

But nope, i was trolling the internet and stumbled across some videos on youtube on rainbow cupcakes. I knew that rainbow baked goods would look absolutely stunning ever since Rohan baked a rainbow cake for Cassie, Marie and Mayann's birthday (seen here) and thought to myself, 'Well, today's a bit of a strange day. When i look at the window on my left, it's downcast and gloomy but when i look at the window on my right, it seems pretty bright'.

IT WAS A SIGN TO BAKE SOMETHING RAINBOW RELATED.

Anyway, i shall not continue to bore you with my rambly thoughts and justifications for baking instead of studying and just let the pictures do the talking.

For those wondering, i used this recipe but i cut down the sugar by half. Just so you know, they taste as good as they look. I was expecting it to have a bitter after taste, what with the colouring and all, but i was pleasantly surprised. I'm guessing it's because i used food colouring paste instead of the liquid version. Since the paste is more concentrated, i didn't have to use that much, hence the lack of a bitter after taste. Food colouring pastes can be bought at phoon huat.

I used the leftover icing (yes there was some more left) from the red velvet cupcakes, recipe here

Ps. there's no need to buy green colouring, all you have to do is mix blue and yellow. Just thought i'd point that out.

2011-09-03T02:12:00.002+08:00

Teacher's day/David's 18th

I don't know about you, but whenever I think about teacher's day, all i can remember is staying up till the wee hours of the morning either trying to finish baking brownies/cookies/mini cakes or waiting for said baked goods to cool.

Well, seeing how this is my last year celebrating teacher's day in a local context, i thought i'd go all out while learning from past experience and start baking early. I initially baked 2 whole batches of nigella's chocolate chip cookies (seen here)- that's 2kg of chocolate by the way- but they were abit too big and hard to package so i ended up giving them all to Sean to bring back to camp when he came for tuition yesterday.

Anyway, I met Sanch after her art paper and we went for ice cream at the salted caramel and decided to bake the fool proof red velvet cupcakes (seen here). The recipe's been tried and tested, it's good. We popped by phoon huat at amk to pick up the containers and the ingredients we needed and whipped up some pretty decent and professional looking cupcakes if i do say so myself.

They don't look that good in the photos because they're incomplete but we ended up printing out cards and tying brown string around container, deundelight style.

Also, David the ho is 18!!

To celebrate his coming of age, a few of us went to this quaint little Italian restaurant at tanjong pagar called Pasta Brava. It's a really nice place, perfect for dating. In fact, Sanch and I spotted a guy waiting for his date at a little corner. I hope he didn't get stood up at such a nice place.

Pictures from Sarah

Also, Sanch and I made 2 batches of the cream cheese icing, which was waaaay too much for the cupcakes we baked for our teachers so i decided to make use of what we had left and made some carrot cupcakes for David.

Finally, NICOLE'S BACK!! (from Indonesia, that is)

I met Thongs and Fiona at Cityhall and nic picked us up at Bishan. They came to my house to chill for awhile before heading back. (what a series of boring ol' sentences)

Nicole is so sweet, she bought me some cosmetics from the US because she knows how much I love mah makeup.

Benefit Dandelion boxed powder, "that gal" primer and bad gal lash

I cannot wait to try the bad gal lash, i've heard so much about it!!!

Thanks so much nicky, ILY!

Okay, it's 2 in the morning so i shall abruptly end the post with a photo of bubbles' ass.

2011-08-31T00:39:00.003+08:00

The Inherent Singleton

Ever since prelims were over and I've discovered the wonders of torrent, i've been immersing myself in the land of vampires (True Blood), New York City (SaTC 2) and hot British actors (Bridget Jones' diary 1 and 2). In every single one of these films, the plot revolves around a relationship or relationships in general. So naturally, I got to thinking about my -ahem- love life, and noticed a worrying trend. This might seem odd or familiar to you but... i don't know whether it is biological, emotional, mental or whatever-al, but here goes. Whenever someone starts to show interest, i immediately get extremely disgusted and completely cut off contact with said person.

It sounds horrible and probably even unrealistic. Is there something wrong with me? Or am i just inherently un-dateable? I have no traumatic experiences to speak of that might provide a reason for my reaction because i've always been this way. Yup, ever since a guy asked for my number on maple story and i gave it to him, felt completely disgusted and swapped sim cards with my mother. (She doesn't give out her number she only uses it to make calls, after which she turns it off so that she can 'be the master of the phone and not the other way around'). AND DON'T JUDGE ME, everyone played maple story at one point in their lives okay. I was a level 78 assassin just so you know.

I know that by writing this, i stand to potentially scare off anyone and everyone but I just don't understand what is wrong with me. Hence, i thought it best to air my dirty laundry in public via a blog.

I got to thinking about my train of thought when this *phenomenon* occurs and i've come to realise that this is not something that is logical. It is very much psychological. Maybe I don't like the idea of being tied down? But speaking over the phone does not entail anything more than conversing through a set of wires and goodness knows what else telephones are made of.

Maybe I'm a lesbian? Well, I know that this thought has probably occurred to a few people who know of me but i am pretty darn sure of my sexuality. Sometimes i even feel as though things might be simpler if i were romantically interested in women seeing how it seems the only people i can ever get close to without feeling shivers running down my spine (not in a good way) are of the female gender.

It's not even a 'because this guy is gross' kinda thing. I mean, yeah there are guys whom i've felt are not so desirable, in which case my friends and i seem to think that my actions are justifiable, but i've reacted the same way to people whom i was actually interested in initially.

I sincerely hope that this is just a phase because if it isn't... my aspiration of having 6 children? not gonna happen.

In other news, I recently bought the seche vite top coat that everyone has been raving about and you know what? It's good.

My nails actually look decent with this because i'm not constantly smudging them. It's $22 from sephora though.

2011-08-26T17:55:00.001+08:00

WATSONS IS HAVING A SALE.

Buy one revlon lipstick and get one free, it's usually $17.90 so technically one costs $8.85.

I don't know how long it'll last so go get it now now now!!

2011-08-25T17:57:00.001+08:00

Haulin'

Prelims are over.

I wish I could say that with more gusto.

PRELIMS ARE OVVVVEERRRRR!

I don't know why I don't feel any relief. It's probably because even my guts know that the battle hasn't even begun. Sigh. Ohwell.

The forever21 things came so i thought i'd do something i've never done before. Take pictures of the clothes i got!

Overall, i'm not really happy with the things i bought. I don't know, i feel as though some girly, frilly monster took over me while i was making my order. Either that or the website styled the clothes differently because these aren't clothes that i guess i'd normally go for.

They're too... lacey and pink. (Prices are after conversion plus shipping)

Lace overlay dress with a sweetheart neckline, $36

The lace isn't that sheer and the dress itself is quite heavy. It came with a metallic belt though but i don't think i'll use it when i do wear this dress.

I don't know i can't imagine wearing it BUT I WILL.

Textured Maxi Dress, $42

This dress... is frickin long. I know it's a maxi dress and so it's supposed to be long but when i tried this on the hem was sweeping the floor.

I think i'll only wear this dress when my hair is really long and when i curl it it doesn't bunch up and i end up looking like bo peep. IDK, i just think this dress will look really nice with long curls and sandals.

Woven Shorts with wraparound belt, $30

I love love LOVE the colour of these shorts. They are darker than they photograph (think brick red) and i can't imagine wearing these with anything but a simple white v neck tee.

Lace tee, $30

Okay so i initially wanted to get a lace tee to wear with this mustard colour skirt i bought the previous time i ordered from UO. BUT, this top is way too short and it's a really strange pinkish colour which i think kinda clashes with the mustard.

That's how i initially wanted to wear it but i don't think it looks nice. Looks like i'm still on the hunt for a white lace top.

Cuffed Sailor Shorts, $25.20

Smooth Finish Ring, $12

Okay, let me just say, after taking this photo, I COULD NOT GET THE RING OUT. Seriously. My middle finger started getting a very deep purplish red and i honestly thought my finger was going to drop off. I only managed to slip it out after putting vaseline all over.

Looks like i'm not going to be wearing this ring much... Not on my third finger at least.

OKAY IM GOING TO GO SLEEP COS I DON'T HAVE PRELIMS ANYMORE

2011-08-22T21:00:00.002+08:00

History, Milk and Makeup

Let me just say that I feel a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that both history papers are over. Right now, i just feel like kicking back with Clockwork Orange (I haven't had the time to read it yet :( ) and a nice cuppa hot chocolate.

BUT, i still have 2 more papers so i guess the kicking back will have to wait a few more days.

Speaking of hot chocolate, i've been drinking a cup of some milk based drink every single day. After my parents discovered the wonders of email, they've been spamming me and my siblings with 'health warnings', so much so that I junk them (it's horrible i know but come on... do i really need an email to tell me that doughnuts and french fries are cancer causing?) After seeing my copious consumption of dairy, my mother warned me that "cow's milk may not be suitable for Asian women and may cause breast cancer!!!!"

I admit, that kinda scares me and i still think about what she said whenever i make myself a drink but aiya, milk is too delicious. And this whole drink milk and not get osteoporosis thing is really pissing me off. I mean, I've been drinking a cup of milk everyday since i was 7 but MY FINGERNAILS ARE STIL SO DARN BRITTLE. Honestly, I can never grow my nails out because they keep peeling!!! and the sally hansen nail strengthener i bought does not do shit. AURGH.

Well, that was quite a rant on milk and nails.

Anyway, after my history paper, i went to Vivocity to wait for my dad who was playing golf at Sentosa and while i was there, i did a little shopping at the MAC counter.

MAC eyebrow pencil in Lingering, MAC eyeshadows in Twinks (VP) and Expensive Pink (VP)

Expensive pink reminded me of the pinkish colour that i like to use as a lid colour in my too faced Naked eye palette (more pictures of it here) so i grabbed it and compared.

Turns out expensive pink is waaaay darker.

Then i decided it looked alot like mythology, so i compared that too.

And then i swatched them all and realised that Mythology and Expensive Pink are REALLY SIMILAR. And then i also realised that i like colours that all belong to that colour scheme. So i swatched it all.

Nyx Ultimate Pearl Shadow in Sahara Pearl, Too Faced Satin Sheets, MAC Expensive Pink, MAC Mythology, NYX UPS in Bronze Pearl

I would use all these colours, except maybe the NYX Pearl Shadow (haul seen here) in Bronze Pearl as an all over lid colour. I couldn't take a photo of my arm with my DSLR because there's a minimum focusing distance (trust me, i tried. My arms are still aching from holding the camera with one hand) so i used my phone to take photos of the swatches.

And yes, that little bump under the swatch of MAC's Expensive Pink is a mole. I have very moley arms.

I wouldn't buy both Expensive Pink and Mythology. I guess if i had a choice, i'd buy EP instead of Mythology because i prefer the Veluxe Pearl finish. Mythology has more glitter in it so it feels abit more gritty and rough.

MAC Twinks, MAC Sable and MAC Satin Taupe

I love all these colours if you like makeup please go to your nearest MAC counter and buy these colours kthxbye.

By the way, i want to buy studio lights but i don't want to spend a bomb (har de har what can you expect from a student who's leeching off her parents) MAYBE I SHOULD TRY EBAY, hmmmmm.

2011-08-19T23:11:00.005+08:00

Lifesavers

Sooooo, i initially didn't want to blog because i know i'll feel bad given how i'm in the midst of my prelims. BUT, i realised that i had 666 posts when i went on blogger and so you know, i felt it was a sign telling me i should blog.

The past week has been tough. Prelims are no joke man. Gone are the days of studying in between papers! But ah, i feel as though my blog has had too many posts lamenting on the coming As. Hence, i shall instead post photos of the things that i have been doing in between attempts at studying.

After studying at Cathay with Shan, Nic and Val, I indulged in a little retail therapy and bought some fairy lantern lights from this shop at Wisma called edit. If i'm not wrong it's related to cotton on somehow (because they gave me my products in a cotton on bag and no it is not a push cart so they didn't just reuse bags). They were having a sale and these lights were going for $10 a set!

I, being an ultimate closet auntie, acted on my kiasu instincts and bought 2 sets because i was afraid one set wouldn't be long enough. Turns out i was wrong and now i have an extra set. I don't know what to do with it, maybe i'll give it away to someone.

"Here lies Carrie. She had two loves, and lots o' shoes"

I don't have any intention of harbouring a shoe obsession like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City but i do have to say that nothing beats a well structured, well-made pair of clodhoppers. (I'm just kidding i don't wear clodhoppers).

I recently organised some of my shoes (i like to keep my favourite pairs in my rooms), taking polaroids of them and taping them on to the shoe boxes so i know exactly what shoes are in which boxes. I'll probably post a more in depth entry about mah shoes after prelims/As.

Oh yes, my Z palette arrived. The palette is basically a huge magnetic sheet. Seeing how this is my first palette, i just realised that you know what, companies don't actually make the makeup pans out of metal. It's probably aluminum which, as i have so recently found out, is not magnetic.

Ugh, now i have to go find a magnet sheet and i have no idea where to get one. Darrrrn.

Also, i am now the proud owner of an iPhone 4. Sorry bb users, iPhone pwns. (seriously, take it from someone who's used both).

I feel as though apple is taking over my life. The three material things i cannot survive without (my phone, my computer/laptop and my mp3 player) are all from apple. I found myself typing my ipod initially. SEE? I heard from my brother that it is some phenomenon in America where they don't actually call something by its name, but by the brand of the company that holds the monopoly in the industry.

For instance, they say 'xerox' instead of 'photocopy' and 'kleenex' instead of 'napkins'/'tissue'.

Actually, we also do it here in Singapore. I mean, who refers to diapers as diapers? I call them pampers.

My life in a picture.

I shall go get back to it before the guilt starts eating me alive.

3 more papers, 9 more hours and 10 more essays to go.

2011-08-16T08:13:00.002+08:00

"Vintage" photos

So a few days ago, i was poking around my father's drawers looking for batteries. My father has everything in his drawer and other than the batteries i needed, i also found a dusty roll of undeveloped film.

I brought it to the shop at Holland after the Lit paper on Friday and prayed that the film wasn't expired/overexposed/mouldy. I WENT TO COLLECT IT YESTERDAY AND OMTIAN. Apparently i went crazy with a disposable (presumably) camera when Sophia, Shuxiang and Peiwei came over in primary school. That film is over 6 years old and the pictures came out perfect!!

It's so strange because the day they came over was one of the best days i can remember. I even dedicated a 3 page long entry in my diary to it. I wrote down everything in excruciating detail, that's how much fun i had. I wanted to make sure that the memory of that day would stay with me forever. And now it can, because i have pictures!!

For some reason, i can't seem to upload the photos so...

You can see the photos here

2011-08-13T22:32:00.006+08:00

Life as an only child

I kid, i kid. I have 3 siblings, in case you did not already know.

Sam flew off to LA on thursday and well, i told myself i wouldn't cry but... I COULDN'T HELP IT. I cried like a baby when it was time for him to go in. I cried so much that my contact lenses came out and in my embarrassment at my sudden outburst, i wiped it away somehow. That is actually my theory because i thought it went to the back of my eye but i couldn't find it so it could still be stuck there for all i know.

Anyway, I guess it's because Sam and i are only 3 years apart and so are closer than me and my other 2 siblings. Don't get me wrong, i love the other two equally much. It's just that Sam and i have spent so much more time together. I know i can tell him anything and everything and he won't judge me, he'll just be there supporting me. He, and the other 4 members of my immediate family, dote on me like crraaazzzyyy. One time, i was being a baby and felt scared because i was home alone and sent him a weepy text, he came home immediately! I M SO LOVED.

I now dread family gatherings. I always felt more inclined to go for family gatherings (more my father's side though, my mother's side is v cray cray and fun) only when sam or na was going with me. It could be the fact that the only cousins on my dad's side whom i used to be quite close to have migrated to Canada or that the only people there are over the age of 40.

Now what am i going to do when i don't feel like studying? I can't pop in to his room and watch a few episodes of desperate housewives, SATC, glee or Ugly Betty with him anymore, neither can i toss myself onto his bed and complain about how difficult A levels are. (I tend to do that a lot. Both the tossing and the complaining)

Since Sam's departure (ugh this sounds horrible), i've noticed a slight change in my parent's attitude towards me. I guess being the youngest means bearing the brunt of the 'empty nest' syndrome. I can already feel my mother's grasp tightening. Hahahahahhaa, well to be honest i actually don't mind. For now, i'm reveling in the new attention. (Though it is abit strange to have them come look for me every few hours asking me if i want anything)

This makes me wonder about what will happen when i leave. 'when i leave' is a presupposition that i will be studying overseas (a little bit of ELL for you) and i do not care, i am doing whatever it takes to not go to a local university. Strangely, the one living organism i worry about is Bubbles. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY BABY?? I think i'm going to start saving money for her plane ticket over. I DUN CARE I AM NOT LEAVING HER.

Well, that was a bit of a rant. I really should go and do more h1 math now (It is not as easy as they say okay. Especially when the last time you touched A math was more than a year ago. not to mention the fact that the h1 math syllabus does include some h2 topics)

adios amigos

2011-08-08T14:37:00.001+08:00

I know that now is probably not the time, but...

i just baked a batch of red velvet cupcakes. Yeap, the same ones seen here.

What is up with my, and probably every other J2 student's, conscience lately? Could it have anything to do with the fact that prelims are in a few days, or is it the severity of flunking the last major formal examination at the end of the year?

Yeap, it's that time again- exam season. I feel as though i haven't actually settled down ever since Os were over. I have a suspicion that this is the reason so many who do well for Os end up doing average for As. To be honest, i've had enough of the Singapore education system. It's been a 12 year journey and i feel as though, I'M ALL BURNT OUT.

I am not going to hate myself for baking a big fat batch of cupcakes, neither am i going to feel bad for watching the last few episodes of Sex and the City season 5.

I don't know about you, but i feel as though the more i tell myself to study, the more i find myself trying to not study. I go on youtube, i blog (case in point), i bake, i sleep, i watch SATC, i play with bubbles etc.

I have decided, to just let everything go. I'm going to leave everything in God's hands and stop forcing myself to know everything. That being said, i'm not going to shift into post A level mode and start partying and slacking. I'm just going to trust that everything will turn out fine in the end and no matter what grades i get, there's nothing i could have done about it because it's God who decides what i get anyway. (get my drift?)

Okay, i'm going to go eat some of my red velvet cupcakes now.