Lazy Sunday...

This will be a super short one. I had received numerous complains from some of my friends (Well, those who are lazy!!!) that I write too much and there are too many words in my blog. Fine! I WILL GO CHOP CHOP INTO THE DETAILS AND MAKE IT FAST!!!

Insomnia again last night, ended up not going to church with my niece and sister this morning. They came to meet me for brunch at Holland Drive market after their church service . Before I headed to Orchard, I went to Paris Silk at Holland Village and bought a filter and screen protector for my camera. I went to the Crumpler boutique at Wheelock Place and bought a Crumpler camera bag for my Nikon D60 which cost me $107. Sat and ate some snack and did not miss the opportunity to take some lovely photos of my pinkyst. dolls since I had both the camera and the dolls with me. Next I went to Kinokuniya and bought myself a novel and 2 comic books. By 6pm, I was already home.

Ok, I am so sleepy now that I can barely open my eyes. Short enough? *Phoebe dozing off in front of the monitor... Zzz...

Final Selection!

Yup, I have finally decided which are the ones that I will be bringing along with me to KL. I am referring to my cute dolls, pinkystreet. I'm bringing Yoshiko, Moe and Maki (From left to right according to the images below).

Trust me, it is not an easy job on deciding these cute little dolls the ones I want to bring with me. I ended up bringing 2 new ones, and the same one that I brought with me to Scotland. That is my favourite, and is the first pinkyst. that I own.

I will be bringing along extra 2 sets of clothings to mix and match. Refer to the image below as in what I mean by mix and match. Also the girls in their outfits haha... Aren't they adorable?

Sillyporeans?

"Alvin, I'll meet you guys at the cafe instead of MRT station. I'm still at home," I said. "I'll take a bus down instead since I have direct bus".
"They are so right about you being late again. And where the hell is that place? I don't even know how to get there," Alvin grumbled to me.
"Are you a Singaporean? Gosh! How can you not know where the hell Clark Quay is?" I said in disbelief.

Anway, when I reached Necterie (Yes! Necterie again since my last visit which was barely a month ago ^^) all three of them were already there, Alvin, Daniel and Jo. "Are you sure these are enough for us?" Daniel complained. They were looking at the menu and the most filling thing that they served were sandwiches. I told them, people went there mainly for their cakes, not for meals. I also assured them that after a glass of drink, a bowl of soup, sandwiches and desserts, they would walk away feeling bloated. True to my words, by the time all four of us started to dig in at our cakes, we were kind of full already. The dinner was considered free since I had $100 voucher from American Express and the total bill came up to $99 only.

For the three of them, it was their first time to Clark Quay after it had its revamped many years back? I still could not believe when I first heard from them. I mean, HELLO, this is Clark Quay that we are talking about!!! Since that was the case, we toured the place a bit before heading to Mac for a drink and more chatting. We ended the night by agreeing to come out again soon, and me the one to suggest our next venue again haha... My pleasure folks!~

By the way, I did not realise that the chemistry between Alvin and Daniel is so strong? Look at the photos and you will know what I mean wahahaha... =D

A New Toy...

... for me. MY VERY FIRST SLR DIGITAL CAMERA!!! I have always been wanting one (what other things have you not been wanting as well Phoebe??? tsk tsk...), just that I could never bring myself to buy one since it isn't cheap. It is not about being able to afford it or not, it is about the pinch of buying such an expensive toy. Devil side of Fairy says, "Oh, then what about your Chanel, Gucci or even LV bags which are far more expensive than your camera? LAME!!!" OH SHUT UP!!!

Before heading down to Suntec City where the COMEX is held at, I did my research on which are the better models. I narrowed down to 2: Nikon D60 and Sony A200. Price wise Sony is $100 cheaper than Nikon, but both are within my budget.

My first stop was at Sony. I tested out the camera and I loved the zoom, 15mm - 70mm. And fuction wise, it is pretty user friendly. The cons will be that after all it is not known as a camera maker brand and that the lens are just normal lens unless you buy the Carl Zeiss series which the cheapest will cost you $1100? Zzz... And also the grip that is kind of tough for my small little fingers to grip on. After a few shots, my fingers were aching.

Headed to Nikon's booth next and the minute I was there, I was like "Can I take a look at the model D60?". The images was obviously clearer and nicer colors and the lens itself definitely a much better lens than Sony. Also, it was pretty easy for me to grip on for my small hands. But the cons are: $100 more than Sony, zoom is only 15mm - 55mm and less user friendly.

After going back and forth both booths for two times, I ended up walking home with a Nikon D60 which cost me S$988. Tomorrow I will bring it along and try to take some pictures with it since I will be meeting my friends for dinner. . Below are some pictures I took of my camera and the freebies. Nice huh =p

 

 

A Last Minute Decision

2 days ago, I had decided to go for a short trip. Not knowing that my niece's term break starts the following week, hence the last minute decision. By the way, I am a part-time nanny to my niece since currently I am not working. That is why my travel plan is very much revolved around her school holidays.

Places like Hokkaido, Taiwan, Hongkong and even Canada were in my list. Canada was because my buddy is a Canadian and I have been wanting to visit him. However, he did not reply to my email as of today, so strike out!

Realising that my mom's birthday is on September 7th, I decided to sacrifice my holiday plans and ended up choosing a cheaper destination. Why? For I am paying for my parents and niece. Yes, fully paid for by me! It will consider as a birthday present from me to my mom. I cannot afford to bring them to Greece (That's where I wanted to go and had planned) for each person will cost about S$4500. Multiply that amount by 4? Zzz... Plus, it is so last minute that many of the tours are fully booked by now (Peak season due to school holidays). Most importantly, not forgetting I have no income for more than a year already. Figures in my bank account are getting lesser and lesser. Sob...

In the end, I decided to bring them to Kuala Lumpur for a dining and shopping trip. I had been to KL a few times so it is kind of easy for me to move around the city, knowing where to bring them. I suggested Bangkok but parents rejected that idea saying there are strikes going on and it is not safe to travel there now. We will travel by the most luxury coach ride, and accommodation will be at the Oriental Mandarin Hotel (Mind you it's a 5-stars hotel) which is located right next to KLCC. Let's just say, it adds up not that cheap anymore for travelling in luxury haha...

So friends, September 2nd - 5th I won't be in Singapore. When back, I will definitely update everything about the trip. Not forgetting photos of my cute pinkystreet. Yes, I am bringing them along for a photoshoot! Singapore Next Top Model? =D

Il Mare

I've never watched the other version covered by Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Those who had watched "The Lake House" said that it was a fantastic romance movie. However, it was just a remake from the Korean movie "Il Mare" (Italian for "the sea").

Recently, I had watched it again online with a friend of mine who lives in Philippines. That was also my 2nd online movie date with the same friend haha... I was the one who came up with the idea of watching it together.

On the night itsef, we started watching it together by... "Ok, 54321 GO!" from the same website. He had watched "The Lake House" and it was one of his favourite movies. I told him that "Il Mare" is a fantastic movie. Awesome music score, nice scenery (Especially the house by the sea. The original version isn't by the lake.) and cinematography.

The story begins at the tail end of 1999, as voiceover actress Eun-joo (Jun Ji-hyun) moves out of a seaside home named 'Il Mare'. Before leaving, Eun-joo leaves a Christmas card in the mailbox, with a message asking the eventual new owner to forward any mail of hers to her new address in the city. Meanwhile, exactly two years prior in 1997, Il Mare's first owner, architect Sung-hyun (Lee Jung-jae, who recently co-starred opposite Shim Eun-ha in "The Interview"), receives Eun-joo's card. Thinking it to be a joke, he writes back to Eun-joo and asks her not to tamper with his mailbox anymore, while pointing out that the 'current year' is 1997.

However, after a bit of back-and-forth banter, all doubt about the magical properties of the mailbox are soon erased, and Eun-joo and Sung-hyun begin sending regular correspondence to each other. In addition to finding out that they are both kindred spirits, they come up with new uses for their unique connection: Sung-hyun is able to return a tape recorder that Eun-joo lost two years ago, while Eun-joo is able to send back a still-unpublished book by Sung-hyun's estranged father. Eventually, they agree to meet in person-- an uneasy task given their separate time periods. Though the agreed-upon day is only a week away from Eun-joo's perspective, it is still a full two years from where Sung-hyun stands. Will these two lovelorn pen pals meet?

The most obvious standout aspect of "Il Mare" are the time-constrained interactions between Eun-joo and Sung-hyun's, which result in a number of gee-whiz moments and thought-provoking scenes, such as the film's ending, which is heart-wrenching, uplifting, and mind-blowing at the same time. However, what makes "Il Mare" so memorable is the well-told love story at its core. Without resorting to overt melodrama, director Lee Hyun-seung chronicles the blossoming romance between his two protagonists and how their regrets of the past threaten to tear them apart, brought to life by the natural performances of the two leads.

Instead of heading down to the cinema this weekend, how about having a date at home with your family, friends or lover. Or you can also do the same as I did, watch it with an overseas friend (or if your partner is currently overseas) and have an online date. So, what are you waiting for?

Forget about the people in your past. They didn't make it to your future for a reason.

Friends and lovers come and go in our lives. Like vagabonds, some keep moving on from one place to another, whereas others will eventually find a place and settle down forever.

I am not one who has many friends. Ok, let me rephrase it. In my life, I have many friends but only 2 I can truly consider as my friend. The rest? Like the weather; rainy days they'll remember me and sunny days? Poof!~

Recently, a friend of mine misunderstood about me and we ended up not talking anymore. I've known her since end 2007. I naively thought that she would understand my personalities and what kind of person I am. I guess I was wrong about it. Due to something I had said to a third party, she thought the wrong way of me. Initially I was affected by the whole incident. Such incident wasn't new to me. Similar cases as in friends misunderstood me had happened many times.

After a few days, I told myself that I should not let such a trivial matter affects my emotions. In life, there are bigger challenges ahead waiting for me to confront them. I realised that these are the people I should not consider as my friends for true friends will not give you bad attitude forever. True friends will sit down, think over the situation and confront it maturedly. After the confrontation, moves on and the friendship will be stronger than before for it has passed another trial. After thinking it this way, I felt much better and moved on my life without this girl in my life. I can't say that I am a fantastic person or the perfect friend. But at least I know that when I decided to befriend someone, I'll give in 100% of myself to that friend.

"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings." - Ralph Blum

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Ever wonder why your life is such and that things don't seem to work out as you had planned? Some of us would think that going for a holiday, taking a break or doing something will help us to find ourselves. We thought that by doing so we will know who we are or what we are. We are too caught up by that idea that we try so hard to chase after that someone whom we think we are.

For this very reason, I have lost myself many years ago. I have forgotten who I am and I don't even know myself anymore. Everyday, I'm trying to find a reason for my existence. Everyday, I'm trying to find myself. I was wrong. I only ended up falling deeper and deeper in the dark abyss, lost.

It is all about how you mould yourself. It is all about creating yourself. Everyday I simply just chasing after clouds that I could never grasp in my hands. I want to create a different me. How do I go about doing it? I don't know. I only know that I can't do this alone. I need to seek God for help. He will guide me and give me the strength and perseverance in doing so. Amen!~

Greece, Italy, Japan or Spain???

I'm so freaking bored!!! Yeap, still jobless after a year and I still don't intend to find one yet. I'm still slacking at home doing nothing except going online and being part-time nanny to my niece. HOW DULL CAN MY LIFE BE??? *Fairy on the verge of going cranky again... oopsie!~

This year hasn't been doing much travelling. I'd only been to Lombok, Indonesia early this year for few days at a private spa villa. Right now, I'm planning where shall my next destination be. The thing is, being a slacker for a year & still spend like there is no tomorrow has been rather damaging to my financial status. Going to these countries will gonna cost me a bomb. Should I choose a cheaper destination or just follow my heart?
I wanna go to Greece badly, mainly because of this island called Santorini. It is absolutely beautiful!!! I first saw this island from a movie and instantly fell in love with it. I told myself that I must definitely visit Santorini in my living years.

As for Italy and Spain, more for the historical architectures and not forgetting, SHOPPING!!! *Phoebe getting all excited over the word "shopping" Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Zara, Mango, & the list goes on... Not only the travel expenses will cost me a bomb, the shopping is definitely gonna be a killer too to my bank account. Oh man! If only I have 1/10 of Bill Gate's wealth hahaha...

Japan will be mainly to visit my brother who is residing in Tokyo.  Due to his business, he lives in both Japan and Singapore. I'm so jealous at him, being able to to something that he likes as his career. I'm not very keen in Tokyo though, cos it's just another city. Too cosmopolitan. I would prefer to visit places like Hokkaido and Kyushu.

Maybe I should just simply toss a coin and decide on it... Wanting to go on a holiday can be such a dilemma as well. Oh bother!~

The Chef In Action

Lately I've been cooking quite a lot at home. I love eating, & definitely love to cook as well.

Back when I was much younger, it had always been a disaster if I stepped into the kitchen. Food served by me was awefully disgusting! Trust me, you wouldn't want to be one of my guinea pigs >.<

My family would always complain about me cooking and them having to digest on my failed experiment. But hey! Now I can cook! Who would have thought that the gal who used to fail badly in cooking, now has become such a terrific cook? *tsk tsk... humble Fairy!!! =p

I don't really follow recipes or cook books. Those are just for my reference to give me ideas to create my own recipes. I enjoy creating something new, something different. Or at least try to cook something similar to what I'd eaten at a restaurant. With my new talent, I end up throwing dinners and parties pretty often. Friends would bug me to invite them over for a meal.

Been receiving emails from strangers enquiring about my cooking class. Talk about cooking lesson, I haven't been getting to sit down and plan out a schedule on what to teach or when to conduct the lessons. I'm so lazy and have been procrastinating for months. Afterall, this isn't my dream. My dream is to have my very own cafe or restuarant. Somehow, I dare not  take that big step. I know I can cook well, but am not confident enough to be a real big chef yet. I mean, afterall, I have never been to any cooking academy or any sort to have a proper training. I just happened to be so called "enlighten" and can cook out of the blue many years back then. Ask me why? I can't explain it either.

For the time being, I'm just happy cooking for my family and friends and happy to see their smiling face munching on whatever I served on the table. So just let me slack more and decide what to do next...