Tis the season...

It's Christmas season and my plate's been full to the brim. Besides schoolwork's atttempt to murder me in my sleep, my mind's been filled with thoughts about how to enjoy Christmas, despite the issues of global warming, world hunger and even the potential Armageddon that's apparently upon us. (And uni applications too, of course, since my graduation is just months away.)

With so many things in mind, guess what's my (and almost every other girl's) self-prescribed therapy?

Shopping, of course!

But not just any shopping... I'm still concerned about the environment and social responsibility and stuff, so... it's shopping, but it's the environment-saving, bargain-hunting, karma-building kind!! You know, for stylish bargains while saving the world (and your soul) and making someone else happy, this is almost too good to be true.

My secret? Okay... It's not really a secret, but everyone doesn't seem to acknowledge it-- it's The Salvation Army stores!

Seriously, this is the best kind of shopping there is. If you're doubtful... please read on about the adventures of Adrianna and Co., and their quest for awesome bargains (to save their souls).

(Myself, Ms Lee and Auntie)

One fine day, these three gorgeous people decided they had had enough of being depressed over being broke. They decided to go shopping on a meagre budget of $25! (Barely enough to buy half a dress from Topshop, seriously?) Soooo...they made their way to the nearest Salvation Army store at Bukit Timah, just a couple of bus stops from Ngee Ann Poly :)

Guess what?

THEY FOUND LOTS OF AWESOME STUFF.

 

Here we see Ms Lee drowning in clothes. Because seriously, they have LOTS of clothes. There was something for everyone from FUR COATS to BALLROOM DRESSES and even up-to-date trending things too! See Ms Lee's vest. After some begging and puppy-eyes at the nice auntie at the cashier, they went for just $8. It was embroidered and beaded, and would've probably gone for something along the $30s-$70s range in Mango. That fur hat Ms Lee's wearing? That looks like a $60 Zara doncha think? It was hers for 12 bucks :D The suede boots would've been a great buy too 'cept it was just too too small )):

That's the only downside. There's only one of every single item so you gotta FIGHT FOR IT, then hope and pray that it's the right size for you.

Here's my stash (don't be surprised ;)

 

 

L: Anne Klein silk-lined cotton jacket // R: U2 corduroy blazer

 

Pretty, pretty, pretty black-and-white embroidered sundress

 

 

L: Mango wedges // R: Mimosa wedge sandals

...ALL for less than $25 IN TOTAL. Am I awesome or am I awesome?

There was lots of other stuff there too, like spiked/studded heels, leather briefcases, coats (I WAS SORELY TEMPTED FOR THAT FUR COAT ;_; unfortunately common sense won me over) and even books, exercise material, jewelry, etc etc. Really good stuff.

Now. So much stuff for that much money? What's more, it was really fun 'cos I got to spend it with friends, and the hunt was exciting and borderline-ridiculous, especially when we decided on an impromptu fashion show involving wedding dresses, biker jackets and fur boas. XD;;

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to go on a shopping adventure. ;) From Ngee Ann, you can just hop onto bus service 75 or 184, head for 500 Upper Bukit Timah Road (9 stops) and arrive at shopping heaven in 15-20 minutes! :)

Have fun and come back here to tell me all about it!

 

 

 

 

Before reading my post, I really recommend that you watch this video first:

This was shot by university students in the Philippines who were on campus when the floods hit. In the background, you can hear them talking about a man stranded on the roof of his car and another clinging on to a tree for dear life. They also mention the people who were stuck on the lower floors of the building and their friend who might still be downstairs.

I just can’t imagine this happening to me in Singapore.

When you read newspaper headlines like ‘Dozens dead in Philippine floods‘ and ‘Philippines appeals for flood aid‘, you gather that the country needs help, that something bad has happened, and that you feel sorry…after which you move on to the next article, fold up the newspaper, and go back to your everyday life. After all, the storm has never hit your country, the floods have never filled your streets, and you have never had to worry if your loved ones are alive.

Since typhoon Ketsana (also known as ‘Ondoy’) hit Manila on 26 September, I have been keeping tabs on the situation by chatting on-line with my Philippines-based friends. We were all worried that the second typhoon Parma (’Pepang’) would strike the capital again while everyone was still recovering from the aftermath of Ketsana. Typhoon Parma changed course and finally hit the less densely-populated northern region of the Philippines. Lucky, right?

Wrong. People populate the north as well. Most importantly, my family lives in the northern region of Luzon (I was born in the Philippines but have lived here for the last 10 years and am now Singaporean). I have my eyes glued online, chatting with my friends and asking them to keep me posted on new developments. You can’t even begin to imagine how removed this reality is from our lives here as poly students in Singapore. This constant worrying about your family, in the face of something you can’t change or control.

I experienced something new in the last few days, something I’ve never had the misfortune to encounter in blessedly typhoon-free Singapore. It’s a new sort of fear, nothing to do with horror cinema flicks or finding a cockroach in your bag or the impending announcement of exam results. It’s the sort of fear you feel when you call your family and friends and the phone rings and rings and nobody answers. It’s the sort of fear you feel when you log on, do a roll call and one or two people do not respond.

I count myself very fortunate that all those I love are alright and recovering, that nobody I know had to stay on a rooftop while waters rise around them and the rain continues to fall, that there were no casualties and eventually everyone came online and reassured me with their much-missed presence.

The youths in the Philippines are just like you and I here in Singapore. They go to school, enjoy on-line chatting with friends, read comic books, play games and watch TV shows like Gossip Girl, CSI and Glee. These same youths are now rolling up their sleeves and dealing with what’s left of their lives…

(NGL, I cried watching the beginning of this. A man wading
through the waters with his children on his back.)

…wading through water, picking up the pieces (literally), scrubbing away the mud, drying out furniture, salvaging their belongings and calling up to check on the well-being of friends and family.

If a typhoon ever hits Singapore (choy choy choy, touch wood), would you be able to deal with it?

(Found this photo on Tumblr- a supermarket in the Philippines emptied of food. Remember, most home kitchens are on the first floor. What do you think happened to everyone’s home food supplies?)

Anyway, not to sound preachy, but you may wish to think about heading down to the nearest fundraising organisation to offer help and to send over food/provisions/supplies and the sort, like slippers, clothes and soap, only, apparently not noodles since they have too much of it. Here are a couple of links to start with:

Google Aid Page, CNN Page (Featuring Mercy Relief and the bigger organisations), Singapore Expats Forums (freight fees are being waived to send supplies).

Mercy Relief will be collecting cash and cheque donations from 29 September to 18 October to further help the victims.

Donations to the Mercy Relief effort can also be made via phone from 1st October, by calling 1900-112-1010 (for a $10 donation) or 1900-112-1050 (for a $50 donation)

Meanwhile, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a public appeal to raise money for the storm victims from 29 September to 30 October.

To kick-start the SRC’s appeal, the Singapore Government has contributed US$20,000 towards the SRC’s Philippines Tropical Storm appeal.

-Channel News Asia

To end off this already long post, let me just say that even in the direst of circumstances, commercialism rears itself. IDGI.

So, I’ve been pretty busy during the holidays! This post’s a bit early, since there are still two weeks of sleeping in and lazing around left, but I wanted to share all the awesome stuff I’ve been doing lately. ^^

Besides the staples of sleeping and waking up late (a full 9-10 hours of sleep a day! You’ll never experience this during term time unless you’re sick lol), cooking and eating whatever and whenever I want (cheesecake for dinner? Why not?!), nonstop manga-reading, game-playing, book-reading, etc etc… I’ve also been quite productive.

After all, one of the must-dos during the holidays is of course, holiday jobs. I’ve had several jobs during the holidays, the most interesting one of all being a promoter for Singtel’s new phone, the INQ Mini 3G

 

It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve had a newfound appreciation for all the retail staff of the world. Singaporeans aren’t the easiest customers to deal with, but there are a precious few that I honestly enjoyed helping out.

Holiday jobs are important, whether as extra pocket money, or if you want to buy something expensive, or, if you’re like me, you need to provide for yourself financially in the upcoming school semester. After all, isn’t it better to slog away and make lots and lots of $$$ during the holidays, so that during the semester, one can focus on studies (and going out with friends)?

If there’s a philosophy in this, it’s work hard, play hard. The holidays are there for you to do whatever you want in it ^^

But I’ve just been talking about work hehe… So what about play?

 

This is a fairly old game, having come out a while back, but I just finished playing Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift!!! After hours and hours (70 hours, according to the game) of smashing away at buttons and trawling the internet for FAQs (I cheat, yeah, so what? :p), I finally beat the final boss hehehehe~~~

…I’m actually also really getting hooked on WoW and StarCraft Online T_T. I dread the day school starts and I’ll be unable to level up my characters on a daily basis. It’s hopelessly addictive!

All this aside, I’ve been striking a good balance between work and play too. Since coming to Ngee Ann, I’ve been focused on completing project after project, so much so that I’ve neglected some of my more time-consuming hobbies, like painting:

 

Sad to say, I feel like I’ve lost my touch, but I have time to practice now! Hopefully I’ll be painting like Monet and Rembrandt by next week LMAO. But seriously, holidays are good times to pursue things one usually wouldn’t have time to deal with. I’ve even gone so far as to pick up a new medium, and am experimenting more with mixed media

Besides painting, I’ve also been writing a looooot. I know, it sounds a bit contradictory, but it’s not related to schoolwork at all. I’ve decided to participate in NaNoWriMo 2009, and I’ve started planning for my 50,000-word novel. It’s exciting and time-consuming, but it’s also fun and a good learning experience. It’s like daydreaming with a purpose, which is somewhat oxymoronic (there’s no such word, btw), but it’s fun enough.

So, all the sleeping in aside, my holidays have been pretty busy! I’ve been trying and learning lots of new stuff, keeping myself on my toes and moving around. I think it’s the best way to spend the holidays. Too much lazing around and I’m gonna get soft. D:

P.S.

Sad to say, my NAPFA is next semester and I have done absolutely nothing to prepare for it. It’s the holidays anyway. Who wants to run 2.4 in the rain? (I’m going to regret this…)

Wanna be super prepared for overseas job opportunities or study trips?  Then take up language courses right now! Luckily for us Ngee Ann Poly students, we get to take our pick from the wide range available at our School of Interdisciplinary Studies (IS).

When I first started studying in Ngee Ann, I was spoilt for choice and had to have a good, long think about what I really wanted to learn. The Enhancement Programmes in Foreign Language offers lessons in French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean and Bahasa Melayu. Complete the course in three years and you’ll bag  a diploma with certification in the language.

I decided to pursue the Japanese language because of my love for anime<3 I had zero experience but  I took up the Basic Japanese 101 course in my second year. Now, I can read basic Japanese characters, introduce myself, and talk about my poly in Japanese!

What’s more, because I took  ’O’ Level French, I was also applicable to take a placement test to join an advanced class in preparation for the DELF, an official Certification in French Language Proficiency awarded by the French Ministry of Education. There is also a similar pthree-year program for Japanese Language students: the JLPT.

So, take my word for it, acqure language skills so you can take on the world when you graduate! Here’s to hoping I pass my exams ^^~

So, yesterday was our official “last day” at the FMS m:idea office. Whole load of *coughbeeeeeepcough*, of course, because we’ll be there till the next semester comes, or something. But to celebrate, Wenxin, Ray, Mizie and I took (utterly ridiculous and unmentionably awkward) photos at our own photo studio! I know Mizie looks really unglam there, but this is my best photo and this is my post, so… lmao sry Mizie~

LA LA LALALALALALA LALALALALALA~~~!!

We’re too gorgeous for words. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Photoshop-free, people. 

We’re so weird, but I realise that I’ve made a group of friends… With people I hardly ever spoke to and likely wouldn’t have in my 3 years in school if not for our IBP (Industry-Based Project). Realizing this, I feel happy having it.

Anyway, moving on, our “last” day means just that. It’s our last day of work!!! In other words, it’s

THE FIRST DAY OF OUR HOLIDAYS

Oh gosh SQUEEEEEEE~~ I’ve got a list all drawn up and ready! Remember my previous post complaining about how I have no talent whatsoever? Well, I’m gonna solve that problem right there.

What about you, what’re you going to do during the holidays?

So. Fame. I was just kinda curious about this Facebook application that’s gotten NP’s ICT department all smiley.

I mean, I saw it in the papers and was all “:o” when they said Fame was created by our very own grads. I mean, I’ve played Sorority Life (join my house, let’s go kick a** :DDD), Restaurant City (forgot how long ago I logged in), Pet Society (is my pet even alive? ;o;) and all the other games, so I was really, REALLY curious about Fame.

Ummmm, so, Fame.

My first thought when going through the whole introduction sequence (they have an introduction sequence!!) was that it’s pretty darn cool. And just thinking that someone I brush past in NP’s Makan Place might be the next creator of some über cool app is just like, whoa.

While it’s still a tad too complicated for me to grasp (maths is not my forte, sadly) the game’s entertaining. You can play with your own friends or random strangers. Plus! You get to compete for real-life prizes (i’m not spending my ‘money’ lmao, they have $200 up for grabs this week ;D) and buy stuff like Aaron Kwok and Lee Minho and stuff so I’m kinda amused xD;

For those who want to give it a try, here’s the link http://bit.ly/1GawTi

I hope it catches on real soon, on a massive scale. It’ll be way, way, way, way more fun then.

Okay, so with our internship coming to an end, I went out with old friends to watch GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Granted, I do love action movies, comic book based ones even more so. But GI Joe… This movie I enjoyed for a completely different reason.

Cool gadgets, check.

Huge explosions, check.

Missiles, bombs, heavy artillery, check, check and check.

 

 

It was altogether a great combination for a Friday evening movie with my friends, and I was totally enjoying myself till Lee Byung-Hun came out, wherein I totally spazzed in my seat. All suave and stoic in white, he played Stormshadow, the bad guys’ ninja assassin. In the midst of his totally tight fight with the GI Joes’ Snake Eyes, his shirt inevitably gets shredded to pieces, exposing his torso and inducing squeals of delight from the theater’s female audience.

In my mind, I stood up and clapped. It was just that… spazz-worthy!

… All in all though, this post’s got to have a point, right? At least besides the fact that Lee Byung-Hun, despite being more than a decade older than our generation, is nonetheless extremely attractive…

Ahem, the point, yes, the point of this post. Seriously though, lately there’s been an influx of Korean stars making their way to Hollywood. Rain’s admittedly somewhat embarrassing performance in Speed Racer being one, of course.

For a long time Asians in Hollywood movies meant that they were either 1. Martial Artists or 2. Owners of Chinese Restaurants. It takes quite a lot to break into Hollywood, regardless of how popular one is in Asia. So it made me really proud, and happy, to see him be so popular suddenly.

Anyway, I’m off to rent the dvd for Bungee Jumping Of Their Own, a movie Lee Byung-Hun starred in in 2001. Also, All In, his drama featuring the casino world, is showing on Starhub Ch 172.

Screencapture from:
Seoul Dream Series Official Website

So basically, they’re having a Youtube contest, with the top prize being a free trip to Seoul (flight and accommodation for 4 nights) and a chance to meet some of the popular Kpop stars.

Here I was, getting excited, when I read the entry details. Right at the beginning they say: “Simply show off your talent…”

…And I just stare, absolutely stumped. That confuddlement fades easily enough, only to be replaced by utter depression.

Talent?! What talent?!

(Please note that it is somewhere around this time that I begin to realise that any hopes of meeting DBSK or Girls Generation have been completely shattered.)

Do I have a talent? Um…

Writing? Writing’s a talent, isn’t it? I’ve been doing it practically my whole life anyway, so I’ve got to be somewhat good at it right? Or at the very least, competent? But… No, not really.

There’s always going to be someone better, of course. In Singapore, one can do one’s best and with effort and a bit of luck, anything’s possible. But worldwide? With thousands, hundreds of thousands of other people who’ve lived entirely different lives with different drives and motivations and inborn talent– Is it possible for hard work to get anywhere?

Usually, I’d have something optimistic or something at least approaching insightful to say, but right now I’m completely stumped. What do I define as a talent? Is it something you’re born with? If you’re not born with it, does that mean you can’t go past a certain level- despite any effort- as just anyone with an inborn talent can do with barely any effort? 

…It’s depressing. And I really want to be able to give an answer… So look out for that!

Haha, till then, here’s to my attempts at finding my talent. I kinda hope I find it too.

Dunman Secondary School
Class 4 Section D 2006

So one day after school I decided to hop on to a 61 to Ikea Queenstown and bought a few boxes (IKEA SAAAAAALEEE???) to help me somehow wrestle my room into some semblance of tidiness.

Initially, I thought about how this week’s post will be about the awesome Queenstown area (no, seriously, do you know how cheap you can get perfectly fashionable, serviceable clothes from the outlet stores at Anchorpoint?) but while cleaning up my room I found that photo up there.

It’s been three years. That was taken a couple of months before my ‘O’ Levels, and omg. Pimples. Fat, oily face. Bad hair. Unfashionable clothes. (Well, I wasn’t skinny enough to look nice in the school uniform, unfortunately.)

Looking back on this, I know I’ve changed quite a bit mentally, I’ve grown up, experienced life and all that important stuff blah blah blah, but all I can really gush over is how much better my skin is now.

Call me vain, I say I’m being honest.

Coming to Ngee Ann, where the fashion scene is as diverse as anything you’ll see in Orchard Road or Bugis Street, I learnt to experiment with what I wore, and honestly, I think I have my own sense of style now, however… unique (roflmao, “unique“).

With gym facilities available, and having to walk up a ridiculous amount of steps up the hill to the FMS building, I think I might’ve actually slimmed down a bit. (Either that or the fact that I’m always too busy to eat! >_<)

More importantly, my skiiiiiiin. Omg, seriously, my skin. My pimples are gone (sadly, all that frantic popping has left me with a few scars D:) and I think I have to thank my own state of mind for that. Somehow, I guess I’m less stressed. Of course, there are still projects, weeks where I break out like mad while trying not to die before the deadline arrives, but otherwise, I’ve gotten used enough to poly life that I’m quite relaxed.

Drinking water regularly helps too, of course.

But no, really, even though I’m constantly in one project or two (or five!!), and I should be shriveling up from the stress, I’ve realized that I’m actually having quite a bit of fun here, regardless. Maybe it’s the masochistic tendencies one quickly builds up in first year, but running around libraries, running for group meetings, running around looking for open printing shops, running to the submission box, staying overnight at the loft to chiong projects… Wait a bleeping minute.

…Now I know where that extra 5kg went, eh?

Get ready for a change of pace…
Image reblogged from PaperTissue

I remember receiving my ‘O’ Level results three years ago, and being ecstatic that my grades would be enough to get me into the course I wanted since my primary school teacher recommended it.

Now, fast forward 3 years back to the present, and I’m faced with another decision, seemingly more complicated than the last. So, university huh? Are you staying in Singapore or going overseas? Singapore? Ah, so are you going to NTU or NUS? What course are you taking? Isn’t it better to go overseas? But studying in America’s expensive, are you going to work first? What about scholarships? …And so on and so forth.

To be honest i’m still not sure. I’ve narrowed down my choices, (pros and cons lists are blu-tacked to my bedroom walls) but multiple paths still stretch out before me and I’m still as confused as ever, while my trepidation only seems to increase. In short, it’s all become a massive headache.

When lost, confused, or otherwise in pain, I turn to my mother for advice. So, buoyed with hope and an imminent solution to my little conundrum, I cheerfully pose the question. Here’s how the conversation went:

Me: So mum, about after I graduate…
Mum: (Doesn’t look up from cooking) What about it?
Me: Well, I know that when I went into Mass Comm, I wanted to be a journalist, but things have changed and I was thinking, well, there are many things that I want to do–
Mum: Just do what you want. It’s your choice, just make sure you don’t regret it.

…Helpful, eh?

No, really. At first, I thought “Walau, be more concerned la!” but after thinking about it, her advice (as usual) was actually the best she could give.

After all, whose life is it? Whose future is it? If I go up and take Accounting, who’s going to be an accountant in the future? Thinking about it, I picked my current course because I liked it, why does choosing my University course have to be any different?