What's in my bag?

It has been a hot minute since I last did a What's in my bag. The last time I did this was almost 3 years ago and I really enjoyed reading the post and looking back at what I used to carry around with me on a daily basis. I still find it amazing that while I don't carry the exact same things anymore, the category of items I carry are still mostly the same. If you want to see what I carried in my bag previously, you can click HERE to view that post.

The bag I've been carrying around lately is a new acquisition from a recent trip I took to Bangkok. It's from the brand Riya and I got this at their outlet in Chatuchak weekend market. It's really affordable and looks really nice and I love carrying it around with me.

January in a nutshell

January has flown pass literally in the blink of an eye. I have never felt this exhausted or this accomplished in such a short span of time. I have been insanely busy this past month and all off days I've had were spent recuperating and just chilling out in general. I know this is super cryptic but let me get into slightly more details.

In January, I finally got my driver's license. If you've known me, you will know the crippling fear I have when it comes to driving. Just putting me in the driver's seat with the engine on is enough for me to have an anxiety attack so conquering my fear of driving and actually getting my license was an amazing feat for me. I am so thankful to all the people who believed in me and celebrated my success when they found out I passed. On a side note, I'm thinking of doing a blog post on my driving experience. Any one interested in that?

Also, in January, I cleared all 3 papers, M5, M9 and M9A the first time I took them. I was so stressed out the whole January because of them. I literally spent the whole CNY period studying because I was so overwhelmed with the sheer number of things I had to memorise for each paper so I am glad that my sacrifices and late night cramming sessions worked out. All these propels me one step closer to my career and as much as I'm freaking out about what to expect, I am also majorly excited to see what happens next as well.

All these may sound like nothing much but they have kept me up nights in January because I don't deal well with the unknown and change scares the hibbie jibbies out of me but I'm willing to let go and let God because only He knows what may happen next. This year is the year of Jubilee after all and I know only good things will happen from now on.

I have a couple of days off from everything because I needed the time to unwind and just recharge so I'll definitely put more effort into maintaining this blog over the next few days. I'm sorry for neglecting it this past month but you know I'll always return eventually :>

Christmas 2016

We celebrated Christmas (last year) with the usual bunch. I don't think much of a description to this is necessary so enjoy the photos! I linked the vlog right below so check it out if you're interested in what went on x

What's in my bag?

So while my bag does contain the occasional used tissue, receipts and pads like any one else, I thought I would leave these details out simply because no one wants to see all these right? Right. I don't typically keep a lot of junk in my bag because I find it gross and messy and this bag is pretty tiny for my standards at least so I cannot carry excess nonsense if I want to fit all my essentials inside. 

Alone but not lonely

I seem to always be apologising for neglecting this space but truly I seem to have more and more stuff piled on my plate every single week. I haven't had me-time where I do things I truly like just because I like them in ages. This includes trying new makeup products and taking photos of them and penning down my thoughts. This may appear contradicting considering the only updates on my blog are usually reviews but what usually happens is whenever I have a few hours to spare before I have to head off to work, I spend them taking as many photos of as many products as I can, blog out what I feel about them and then schedule the posts just so that this blog is updated, even if it's only once a week.

I'm not going into details about what I've been crazy busy about but what I can say is that I have been so stressed out with everything. I don't even feel like going out and meeting people these days simply because I really want the time to myself whenever I can get the time off. Some days I don't even feel like talking to anyone at all (I sound like such a recluse). It's sad to say that I feel happier not talking to most people, except for the husband and my family members of course.

When faced with negativity, I just feel happier removing myself from negative vibes and these days only a handful of people make me happy which is why I'm glad I get to see them/talk to them on a daily basis, even if it's only at work for a few hours. I know it isn't great to run away from situations when I should be facing them straight on like how I usually do but I just don't seem to have the energy or the time to do so. Oh bother, this makes me sound like I have issues in my life but really, I just can't be bothered with most things. My life is still great, I am still a happy person and I am truly blessed with so many amazing things. It's just that I have so many things to focus my energy on and when negativity slips in, I rather remove myself from that situation and deal with other more pressing matters.

Exciting times are coming and I am glad that I have SH to experience everything with me. I still thank God every day that I have been blessed with an amazing husband who complements me in every way. He is strong when I am weak, and he takes charge when I am too tired to do so.

I will try to make time to head out more just so that I can have pictures and exciting places to update this space but till then, I apologise for my absence and negligence.

#YQXSH | Marriage Proposal

So... I know that this post is extremely late but better late than never right? Also, I only got the footage for the marriage proposal video recently and I wanted to post both the pictures and the video up together so here goes!

So the girls (Cheryl & Charisse) asked me out for dinner to celebrate my birthday a day earlier than the actual day. They refused to give me any hints whatsoever about the places we would be going and the food we were having so I met Charisse at the train station and she brought me to Capricci which is an Italian restaurant near Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. 

Mark 12:29-31

With all the hate in the world, this is my response:

Mark 12:29-31
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

September

So... I basically sat down tonight after dinner and planned out my schedule for September. Whilst planning, I also included what SH has in September as well and I realised that there may be a very high chance that we won't see each other for a good 3 weeks, not till October starts. The only time we will get to see each other is probably after our classes if he has the time to fetch me so we get to have supper together. Even then, probably not because he has to stay in camp. This is pretty darn insane.

We literally do not have a common off day at all, and since he has army guests he has to entertain till the end of October, this basically means that even if we do have a common off day, he will probably have to stay in camp to "entertain" them anyway.

September was supposed to be a good month, well it will be anyway (yay to Korea!!) but it's going to be a really trying and exhausting month as well. But I have no doubt I will survive through this because I know who has got my back in this.

If this space gets neglected in the month of September, please be understanding because I've just changed my work place and I have so many more new things to learn and I have my fingers in quite a few pies at the moment. I'll try my best to not let this space be dead for too long though. I have faith! x

Last day at Wimbly

Today, was my last day at Wimbly. It's been a long long ride, almost 3 years! And now it's time to move on to something else. Whilst I'm sad that I'll not be working at Wimbly anymore, I'm also happy because it's time I got to do something else and try something new. I'll probably still see all these faces every now and then when they visit me at Little (haha gotcha didn't I, I'm not moving somewhere else altogether). My heart will still always be at Wimbly tho...

Work-Life Balance Revelation

Recently I had a revelation whereby I realised that I really need not push myself so hard all the time. This, is a huge revelation for some one who is a major workaholic.

I used to think that any time not spent working is time wasted, unless it's spent studying. This has resulted in both my family and my boyfriend complaining about how little they see me and how little time we spend together. All these while, I brushed aside their comments because I justified it to myself that they don't understand the importance I place on my financial independence. Lately though, I'm starting to realise that maybe it is true that I really don't need to push myself so hard. Maybe a little less money is okay if it means spending more time with loved ones.

I know this seems like something really trivial to the general population, that spending time with loved ones is definitely more important than working so hard, but it definitely didn't seem that way to me. I worked so hard and pushed myself so hard that it became a bad habit where I always have to be busy, I always have to be doing something. Even when I'm sick, you will have a higher probability of finding me at work than at home resting. This is crazy, I know that now, yet it didn't seem so just a week ago.

I haven't had a proper date with SH ever since school started more than a month ago. Literally, every day that I'm not at work, I'm at school. Yet I took 2 days off just this week from work just because I felt like it (and for other reasons I don't want to state here) and it felt liberating. Yes, I had classes on both nights but just having the time to spend at home with my dad, and my bunny, and to have ample time to revise through everything I've been taught is such an amazing feeling. I feel... free. Or at least more free than I have felt in a very long time.

After this week's crazy work schedule (because of the long holiday weekend), I'm going to take more time off from work to just chill at home and take my time revising. If my family wants to go out with me, I will make time for them. If SH is free to go out with me, of course I'll do that as well. This work-life balance took its time to hit me but now that I've realised that I do need a balance in my life, I'm going to embrace it with all I've got.

And on this happier note, I leave all of you. Happy 50th birthday Singapore! I'm extremely proud to be a Singaporean. Always did, always am, always will be. x

Word Vomit

I feel like I haven't blogged in the longest time. This blog is still filled with loads of posts because I made sure I scheduled a helluva posts before I started school just to make sure I don't neglect this space. I literally did up like 20 scheduled posts or something (I believe) because I didn't know how busy I would be with school and work and I think it's a good thing I did so because I've been sooo busy.

I haven't used my laptop to just chill and watch movies/YouTube videos for more than like 20 minutes ever since I started school 2 whole weeks ago. It's insane! I used to read story books on my phone and/or chilled with my laptop every single night after work but now I find myself with my notes in front of me, studying till 2am. Regardless of whether I had work till 11pm or class till 10pm, I find myself with my notes, without fail.

Whilst it does seem like it's too excessive way too early in the school term, I also know that it's a good thing to start studying early to build the momentum up because I literally have exams every 2 months. Yeah, I know right, 2 months?! The whole duration of one module takes me 2 months so right now, my first 2 modules started in the first week of July and my exams are in end August. Then, my next 2 modules start immediately in September, with exams in October. It's going to be a crazy 6 months but I believe that with Jesus by my side, there isn't anything I cannot do.

Through this all, I'm so glad that I have the support of every one around me. SH for being the amazing boyfriend he is, picking me up from school every single night just so that I don't have to take the public transport back. And also feeding me after class - I usually don't get enough time to eat dinner before class because I'm literally rushing for class. My dad for sending me to the station after work just so that I won't have to walk all the walk to Lor Chuan station and so I can make it to class on time. And of course, every one who has been so supportive of me and telling me that I can make it even when I'm so exhausted from all the late nights and rushing to and fro from work to class.

It's going to be one helluva ride for the next 6 months but I know I can do this. Also, I have an upcoming trip in September to my favourite land of kimchi with the family to look forward to! I'll do my very best not to neglect this space but if and when I happen to do so, please know that it's just because I've been too busy with school & work.

Arteastiq Cafe de Art

Have you ever heard of Art Jamming? Well neither did I till I went to Arteastiq.

Arteastiq – Today’s Social Painting and Tea Sipping Place 

There is a huge creative potential in you that is relatively untapped, because traditionally we are in a very business and money-oriented city. People rarely take the time to explore their creative side. Arteastiq tea lounge unveils its social painting space that incorporates tea as a whole therapeutic experience that exposes the artistic you. 

Customers are given a 50 x 50 cm or 60 x 80cm canvas, unlimited acrylic paint, sponges, brushes and paint palette and are let loose with their imaginations. One free beverage from Arteastiq will be supplied and would-be artists can also order alcoholic beverages to help stimulate the flow of creative juices. Arteastiq is set to be the latest rave in Singapore. 

Arteastiq jamming studio allows up to 30 pax in total, an original ad hoc freestyle group painting and tea party place. Start JAMMING now!

(Credits: x)

This is the only part of my surprise that I knew about, simply because we needed to prepare for it. Well I guess technically you can go there and free style it but we preferred finding a picture and attempting to paint it rather than to just attempt to paint something from nothing.

So we were given a white canvas each with a packet of brushes, disposable palette paper, and paints.

Mandatory photo before we started.

So first, we used pencils to lightly sketch what we wanted to draw. Be sure not to draw with a heavy hand because if you were to paint light colours on top, the pencil marks can be seen through the paint.

Ordered their pear tea which I really liked!

Starting off with painting my background.

This was pretty stupid because after painting the background, I basically covered up some of my pencil marks lol. Wasted my time sketching so detailed.

My semi-finished work (before I outlined parts of my picture). Can you tell what it is?

With my finished art work! Can I just say how pleased I am with it? Even though it looks nothing like the picture I was trying to copy, I'm still pretty impressed with what I managed to do.

With Cheryl's masterpiece.

Charisse doing up her finishing touches.

Honestly, I think our art pieces really reflects who we are as people. Even the way they are painted reflects who we are. #justsaying

If you're interested in doing something totally out of the ordinary, I would say give art jamming a try. I'm not creative or artistic in any way and I really enjoyed myself there! The price is a little steep but it's definitely worth it.

Arteastiq Cafe de Art

Address:

| 200 Turf Club Road, #02-K70/71, Pasarbella at the Grandstand, Singapore 287994 |

2014

As the title of this post suggests, I'm wrapping up 2014 in one little post.

2014 has been, without doubt, one of the best years of my life. I have been blessed in so many different ways this year and I am so thankful for everything that I have right now. 2014 has indeed been a year of Greater Glory for me.

I'm usually the type of person who will ramble on and on in person. But to type out everything just isn't my style. I'll try nonetheless.

Let's begin!

In 2014… I graduated from Nanyang Technological University.

I did my parents proud. There were honestly times when I thought I wanted to quit school so badly because I had 10 deadlines/projects/meetings/tests/tutorials/presentations due in a week and I could barely breathe. But I did! And I succeeded. 

You can read my full post on my graduation HERE.

In 2014… I finally changed my phone.

This may seem trivial to most of you but if you've survived with a shitty iPhone 4 for more than two years, you'll understand my pain. 

I queued up for nearly 4 hours for this baby and I absolutely adore my new iPhone 6 Plus! Everyone's phone looks ridiculously small right now compared to mine. And I love how light and slim it is. There's nothing I don't love about my baby~

In 2014… I bleached my hair ombre. 

Once again, this may seem trivial to many but it really means a lot to me. I've been meaning to do something drastic to my hair for the longest time but I never had the guts to. So this year, since I self-declared half a year off for myself to play, I dragged myself to the hair salon and finally did it!

It took many hours to get the stubborn red streaks out of my hair but even though it still isn't the colour I wanted it to be, it's good enough for me :>

In 2014… I successfully planned and executed Wimbly Lu's 3rd Anniversary D&D with my team.

It's my first time handling an event of such scale and I have never been more proud of my team and I for handling such a difficult event amidst our crazy work and school schedules. The whole place was beautiful and magical and I managed to catch up with people I haven't seen in ages. I'd never have been able to do this without the help of my favourite people. 

You can read the full post HERE

In 2014… I got attached to my favourite boy.

We've been dating for more than a year before we finally decided to make it official and earlier this year, he "popped the question" when we were in Phuket. I have been badly burnt in my past relationship and I honestly don't quite trust men not to hurt me anymore. But his dedication and perseverance slowly allowed me to heal and learn to trust that men may hurt me, but he won't. I'm leaving my heart in your hands SH.

In 2014… I travelled quite a bit.

I made it my mission to travel as much as I can and although I didn't travel quite as much as I hoped I would, it definitely has been pretty amazing nonetheless.

Batam, Indonesia

Jeju/Seoul, South Korea. Twice.

Phuket, Thailand.

For my travelogue posts, just search click on the "travelogue" label on my blog!

2014 has indeed been a magical year for me, filled with grace and blessings. I hope everyone had an amazing 2014 and may 2015 be even better for all of us! x