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Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Today is when all shops are closed, majority of the nation goes visiting and others flock to the beaches for family picnics. It's a long, long weekend for everyone this Chinese New Year and for the first time in two years, I am actually HOME!

I love going through my instagram feed and seeing all my friends looking fabulous and spending the day with their families. Not to mention, all the food pictures! Pineapple tarts, pot luck dishes, yu sheng... mmmmm~

Spent this year's at Miao's this evening. Albeit short because I had to rush for a family gathering, I was glad to see everyone again! There were more than 25 people crammed in one house, having a GREAT SPREAD of food and lots of merrymaking. 

Round Two was mooooreee food and I came into the room to find my sisters and cousins playing the old school game of five stones. I used to be good at it in school... now my skills had zeroed. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow, busy with our Uncle's wedding. More food, more merrymaking, more people.

P.S. My week-long silence is JUSTIFIED as I am currently working on something exciting for this blog. It's a major, major change and just a few tweaks more I am ready to reveal it for all you wonderful readers to see! So, stay tuned!

Paradise Found

My five days spent in Bali had been a very unique experience for me. Went to three very different places with three very different agenda. I went to the beautiful village of Ubud to meet a dear friend, Citra; Nusa Lembongan for a little bit of me time and finally, Kuta for some partaayyyeeee!

The Lembongan islands were magical! Tucked away about 45 minutes away from mainland Bali via slow(ish) boat, the two islands, Lembongan and Ceningan are surrounded by crystal clear blue waters Lembongan is the bigger island with more to see, while Ceningan has the best spots to cliff jump from. The two islands are separated by a dodgy looking yellow bridge, as seen below. 

There are no taxis and minimal cars on the island, and the primary mode of transport are motorbikes you can rent for cheap almost everywhere. It's best to rent a bike to explore the island (not recommended if you aren't a confident rider). Another alternative would be, if you were backpacking alone like me, make friends with the locals and you'll be treated to a day of going off the beaten track and discovering the beauty of the two islands.

Stayed at Dream Beach hotel, where they had an infinity pool facing the sea, so perfect.... and so, SO wishing that I hadn't come alone. It's a real beautiful place for a couple's getaway. OH WELL, maybe next time if we can co-ordinate our off days, or take some leaves....... I might actually come back here again. Otherwise, I had a great time alone half the day chilling by the pool, catching up on my reading and the next half exploring the islands.

The Dream Beach hut I stayed in had an interesting open air ensuite bathroom concept. Before you cringe, lemme assure you that it is very private, and an entirely different experience. Hated that it didn't have a hot shower, but I enjoyed my view while showering. STARS WERE APLENTY. 

The in room air conditioner is useless, but no fret, there is a ceiling fan right above your bed to cool the air while you sleep under a mosquito net. In all honesty, I was thankful for the net because I tend to attract mosquitos and.. I hate bugs, big or small. It gave me a sense of security... sorta.

Will definitely head to Nusa Lembongan again in the near future, probably with some friends or my other half. It's paradise compared to Bali's Kuta beach madness. Loved everything the island had to offer... but in all honesty, one full day there was enough for me.

I can haz new Kase-ing?

Who would've thought customising your own mobile phone casing could be so quick and easy? It was lunch time on Monday when I strolled into Parkway's basement with a purpose. Special thanks to The Kase, I was going customise my very own handphone cover!

The shop wasn't at all difficult to find, especially when you're a Parkway veteran (my schools were in Marine Parade for 10 years, go figure.) I was greeted by an array of colourful and unique casings for many types of mobile phones imaginable. The designs were all so quirky and I couldn't wait to get started.

The process is simple:

1. Choose a type of casing suitable for your mobile phone. 

There are silicone rimmed ones that come in different colours, flip covers etc.

2. Have a photo of choice ready in soft copy to be printed onto the phone cover. 

It can be off your blog, FB, email.. etc.

3. Send it to the email address the nice guy at the store will provide for you.

They have an app to view your custome designs before deciding to print it!

5. Wait 10 minutes.. 

Or go get yourself some bubble tea, or Old Chang Kee while waiting....

6. Your phone case is DONE!

Happy girl is HAPPY!

I love that it's so simple, and rather reasonably priced too from $39.90. I was quite concerned about the quality of the print because my phone goes through a LOT of trauma. I wanted the prints to stay vibrant no matter how badly I treat it and stand the test of time. I was assured that the prints will stay intact (I tried scratching it later, and SURPRISE! Still good as new.)

Out with the old....

In with the new!

And to all my readers with a flair for design, The Kase is holding a design competition in February! If you'd like to win some moolah, and get your awesome design printed, you should definitely give it a shot! Unfortunately, as much as I want to try my hand at designing cases... I'd really rather not. Blame it on my zero designing skills.

Click here for more details! 

Lil Monster has gotten BIIIGGGGG!

So my baby sister received her O level results today. She did great, which didn't come as a surprise because she's the smart one. I was always the kind who studied at the last minute or don't study at all.

Secondary school seemed ages ago. I actually miss it. It was four years of actual fun. I remembered the day I received my O level results back in 2008. I was a wreck, fervently praying for satisfying results. My prelim scores weren't that great and couldn't land me into the course I wanted to go. When results came out, I was ecstatic because for the first time in three years, I actually scored above an F for Mathematics! I am forever grateful to the one person who pushed me so hard because without her, I wouldn't be where I am right now.

Thank you, Mrs Geraldine Chua for everything you've done for me during the last six months in school as my Mathematics teacher and for the four years (and beyond) that you've been my Guider.

To my dearest sister, so proud of you for a job well done. Now you're going to enter an entirely different world, breaking away from uniforms.. and slogging hard for the things you actually like to do. So you decided to follow in my footsteps and our big sis's going down the poly route. No matter what course you choose to do, I know you'll do great at it.

xx

FIRST TRIP OF THE YEAR!

Currently lazing in bed, cursing the fact that I have less than 24 hours in Auckland before going home... It's almost 1 am here but, but but, it's only 7.45 pm in Singapore! #jetlagclub
But I am looking forward to the two more sleeps till I jet off for my very first non work related trip of the year!

I am excited for the spontaneity of it all; I have no set plans. I've booked flights there and back, and I have a sketchy idea of what I want to do. One sure thing I wanna do is to visit Citra! It has been a really long time since I saw her and I can't wait for the girly, bitching sessions!

Where am I going?

BALI.

I've been wanting to head there for the longest time. The closest I've been to Bali is the Ngurah Rai Airport. We fly in, and an hour later out.. back to our destination. I never had the opportunity to get out and have a looksee or head to the beach. I'd always press my face on the window, staring sadly at the blue water and white sandy beaches as the aircraft makes its way across the runway. Sigh.

NOW I ACTUALLY GET TO STEP OUT OF THE AIRPORT!

If only I could look this stylish travelling to places on Singapore Airline's business class. 

Sigh. Someday my prince time will come~

P.S. I post real-time updates on instagram so let's be friends at SESAMEBAGELS!

Gotta catch 'em all!

I've always thought Pandora charm bracelets were waaaay too common and definitely over my budget. Had a discussion about it with my friend, Gwen and now I've decided to get one for my own. It's how you customise your bracelet that makes it uniquely you. 

Before flying, I used to have tons of arm candy. The bands and bracelets round my wrists each have a story of their own. Some of them were given by friends, and others are from the places I've visited. When I went for my trip round Thailand and Laos, I had almost 8 bracelets round my wrists and for months they remained intact. 

I still think it's pricey, but it's worth an investment. There are so many cute charms to choose from, and with new designs cropping up every few months, the possibilities will never get exhausted. Setting aside a few bucks for a charm of my choice every month is ideal, but a charm is more special when a loved one gifts one for you. Brings good memories, and a better story to tell when someone asks. And when someone else have a Pandora bracelet, I swear it's easier to get a gift for them. 

P.S. Gwen and Seri, I love you both cos I don't have to crack my head open thinking of gifts for you.

Too broke this month to afford a starter's kit. Will definitely update when I get my paws on one!