Fightin' Acnes

Pictures we took this weekend includes 40% MTXX effect LOL. Zapping out all the acne scars and pimples :-p

We're also giving a shot in the next BTO exercise - wish us luck. I heard it's really hard to get the bid in, well, we'll just see how it goes then! I know many friends have told me that we should have bidded for this earlier since we had been together for some time and will probably get married soon (???!!!).... but a year or more ago, we never had that plan to settle down. I guess you'll feel that "it's time" and that time is now for us. It's nice to feel affirmed about your choice!

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I've been breaking out severely ever since the 4th month of Dubai and I haven't had acnes that bad. I once counted the acnes and pimples I've had, and it accumulated to about 15 at one time!!! I used to fly a lot for my job and the cabin conditions and irregular sleeping hours made it worst. I think it was the lifestyle that evoked this entire acne problem.  In addition, I've always had a skin doctors around because I am never happy with my skin condition (but I never had drastic breakouts in the past). They always tell me that the conditions are due to hormonal changes.

Gosh I must have tons of testosterone in me.

I've had friends who do BC pills like Diane35, etc but I'm a "scardy cat". I will never consume pills that my GP/Derm recommends.

Apparently my skin conditions also doesn't call for miracle drug, Accutane at all. Accutane has a good list of negative side effects so I guess the doctors won't prescribe unless your condition badly needed it.

from left: toner, comedone formula, hydrator, vitamin A gel, max-C (supposed collagen and most expensive of the lot), sunscreen and my khiels eye cream

I'm on my 4th month with Drx clinic situated in Orchard, and with Dr SK Tan whom Joyce recommends. Up till now, the treatment has cleared my forehead but I'm still left with breakouts on the jawline. Many papules and 2 acne leisons, darn guys, give me a break already!!

I'm still on antibiotics Spiro (25mg) for the next 6 weeks with the above and hopefully I see some magic. Vit-A gel has been introduced to me this week to lighten the scars but I just need the bumps to go away first. Well, with ageing these scars are more stubborn to stay than I was 21 of course!

I used to be more conscious about my problem but since this has been bugging me for slightly more than a year, I'm more concern about finding a stable cure than what people think about my skin condition. I've also tweaked my diet slightly which caused me to be slight underweight (oops) but I guess tons of fruits and veg could make me healthier, not just for the skin!

I'll keep updating this column and if I manage to find enough courage (plus if my condition improves), I'll post my condition with zilch makeup!

Ok time for bed!

Adaptin'

I'm one and a half weeks into Singapore and it's the job hunting season for me.

To be honest, I am unsure of where I should start.

I've had an interview last week and everything went smoothly on the employer's side, and they are still waiting for a reply from me. However, I have had factors to consider, and I thought location was not ideal. Paycheck was good though.

Well, I hope I won't end up in a "beggers cannot be choosers" state but we'll see.

I did my hair at Sham's and I'm really happy with the treatment. SalonVim had a 30% off Privy Treatment package going on, so they got rid of the bad hair ends that Dubai's hard (unpurified) water left me. My hair is more manageable now. I just didn't think I will get away with highlights but that's what I got - a brown base and subtle red highlights;

I know you can't really see them here but I've not taken very proper pictures lately :\
He also snipped 1.5 inches off and I guess it looks neater than my previously untamed hair.

I haven't been in the best of mood so I won't be posting much photos here today. As much as I would like to write how exactly I'm feeling now, I think I'm torn between "needing tons of attention" and "want to be alone". I've saved a bit of savings when I was in Dubai but my logical mind's telling me that shopping won't be the best treatment.
Hopefully the drinks with Zam & Shaun will make me feel better tomorrow.

To JS and my brother, thank you for taking my sh*t these days. All I can say is, I'm still adapting.

Haze away.

Gonna post a 'what's in my bag' before going into a broader topic.

Carried the black mini bow out today with:
- prada saffiano keypouch
- miu matalasse wallet (3 years old, hooray!)
- raybans sunglasses
- note2 mobile
 - brolly (with the slightest hope it'll rain)
- tissue holder with japanese print
- n95 mask (for self)
- surgical mask (for giveaway)

Many major pharmaceuticals have gotten new stocks for the N95s, so I was delighted to pick up 3 of these for my family, since we don't own one till today. Had difficulty tracking the stocks yesterday and the day before when the PSI was 400, and PM2.5 was over 300.

Here are certain reminders/tips for you out there for the haze sitaution:

- Supplies of n95 masks are more readily available in market from this evening. I have gotten mine in Paragon and have seen little queues in town (inclu. sommerset@313). Stores you can try are Unity, Guardian and Watsons. They should be selling the 3M 8210 (mask with yellow straps - $2.20~$2.50) or the 3M 9210 (mask with blue straps- $3.90) which looks a little like duck tip but yet is great as it's foldable. Each mask can be used up to a week.
I managed to find a link that tells you the difference in the 3M masks sold in the market.

- Wear your n95 the proper way. the metal portion should be adjusted to your nose if you're wearing the  3M 8210 version, and both straps should be on. Here's a video link, credits given to Raffles Medical.

- Even if the general PSI reading is in the moderate range, please look out for the readings for PM2.5 microns level. These particles are the ones you should be wearing your N95 masks for, and try to have them on as long as the PM2.5 reading passes 40. The NEA website gives you both readings. I won't be going out without my mask anymore.

- Out of goodwill, should you be seeing someone with no protection mask at all, especially if he/she is an elderly or a construction worker: if you happen to have a spare mask (doesnt matter n95/surgical), pass it to him/her to create that awareness :-) No mask, how about a bottle of chrysanthemum tea?
For inspiring stories on volunteers' work , please refer to: SGHazeRescue on Facebook

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Beyond haze, JS and I have slipped out where the readings were slightly better, to get to Lee Seng Lee Duck Rice @ South Buona Vista.

Misplaced my raybans aviators in Dubai last week so I got back and replaced with them a new design. Love the sturdy gold frames.

We've been spending quite a bit of time together this week.

The tender braised duck meat that Lee Seng Lee sold for the last time:

The egg & tofu that I cannot stop singing praises ever since Melvin brought me there 2 years ago.

It's a shame that they decided to close down for good, so for the last time, I savor the best of their 3 dishes, along with the sambal Kangkong.

cost with 2 barley drinks: $20.50

Some pictures for momento:


Settled for honeymoon dessert @ 313 Sommeset after picking up my masks.

Mango pomelo sago + Mango with black glutinous rice in vanilla

Satisfaction!

JS has been reiterating the same fact that I've lost too much weight as compared to when we met in Europe, and I've been piling up as much as food as I can. Give me time, Sir!
I guess you would be expecting more food pictures in these posts in the upcoming days.

Off to snack on my Yami froyo :D

Balinese style

I'm heading to Bali in exactly 2 weeks time! 

JS had a wedding to attend in Bali (his colleague, Audrey is getting married!) and me, the partner's gonna tag along! Besides the party, we're also going to do a level 2 (we did the level 1 ayung river) Telaga Waja river! It's a more exciting one since the drop of the river's gonna be higher than the previous Ayung.

We were very comfortable with Sobek team (they were awesome the previous time) so we decided to go with the same company again :-) I know the price's steeper than the rest but it's just JS and I, safety and comfort comes first.

We stayed at this really nice villa with a pool the other time...

had breakfast by the pool, which was amazing...

but this time we decided to stay at a hotel because we'll be spending  most of our time outdoors. Won't be using the private pool facilities as much as we like to so we'll settle for a hotel!

Will come back with reviews because JS has commended the hotel for a good location (according to the map we see)

I don't have much pictures to share this entry, but I'll like to post something interesting I read from facebook 

(credits to Goh Yuting, a friend of a friend): 

While walking through the Garden of Eden, Adam saw God at work and asked, "God, what are you doing?"

"I am making a country called Singapore. I am placing her near the equator so the weather is always warm and sunny, and her people will never suffer bitter cold nor unforgiving desert heat. She will also always be protected from any natural disasters. Her location will be strategically supreme so she will flourish as one of the world's busiest ports, travel spots, and business and education hubs. Her size will be compact yet optimal to set the stage for political and economic excellence, allowing for low crime rates and high living standards for a truly multi-cultural, well-educated and highly skilled developed country.

"Wow," said Adam, "But, God, why are you making Singapore so perfect?"

"Ha!" God replied, "Wait till you see the neighbours I'm giving her..."

:p

Heading to Nook, the creative Pancake place, which belonged to Joey's friend. Can't wait to see what fun we'll get ourselves into tomorrow.
To you out there, have a blessed weekend! 

Weekend

Hello me is back!

Made a huge mess before I left Dubai - 

I tore my visa cancellation (proof) papers, tore my e-ticket because I thought there were just old papers I had. Gosh, luckily they could issue tickets with your passport and the immigration officer was easy... :(

I also lost my Rayban aviators and now im thinking of having them replaced before Bali if possible.. JS bought them for me in HKG when I finished probation in my previous job and we really liked them :-(

So many boohoos that JS nagged me to be less careless when I'm back.

Here's a tired looking me (plus bad hair day) and a OOTD to fill this space.
Went out for drinks with JS the day I landed - am surprised I still had energy, might be due to jetlag.

tracyeinny floral dress
casio vintage watch
bbag
zara flats

My BK noodle house minced meat mee sua recommended by Meiting.
I was craving for something not too heavy and this is perfect. JS loved it too!

There's this Mookata (Thai Steamboat) place that JS wants me to try badly - I promise I will!

Seated by Boat Quay, we settled for Timbre and was surprised that a Saturday night seemed to be a quiet one - I thought Timbre and Boat Quay area will be filled with crowds on a Sat night!

That makes me wonder where people have their Sat drinks at?

Timbre now high tech hey...

Service bells on each table and iPad for ordering.

JS wanted to try Stout (he's quite a beer lover on normal days) and I had my mocktail - Shirley Temple because I'm swearing off alcohol due to "healthier" diet reasons.

Hate how my g12 performs at night with low light.
We're thinking of converting the g12 to a underwater camera for diving purpose (someone's pushing me to get a diving license) and getting another semi pro with better low light function.

& Today...
JS in his AE tee and Pull&Bear mustard berms we got in Madrid. He lost a bit of weight recently because I've been telling him to do so. We'll try to avoid bad carbs together.

Grande Iced Latte to save the day.
Singapore's getting a bit too humid and warm for me that I run from mall to mall, and Starbucks' still one of my favorite coffee spots.


Here's me doing some window shopping in Wisma because I threw some of my stuff in Dubai due to luggage constraints and am now regretting some of the things I left behind... such as my sneakers :-(

It's a blur shot cos I'm hyperactive and cannot stop moving.
Bershka offshoulder top
Bangkok purchased blue shorts
Aldo pumps
ps1


Had Seoul Garden Hotpot @ Cineleisure and ordered the seafood kimchi hotpot and marinated beef hotpot respectively. All I can say is service is good but I'm not going to patronise this restaurant again because it's not bang for the buck. I'd rather settle for a normal kimchi soup in a food court for the quality.

It's day 2 and I'm thinking of which jobs to apply next....
I'm also seeing Sham for a hair appointment so that I can get my hair treated, Dubai's water made my hair super dry and weak :-(

Will return to blog soon!

Running around like a headless chicken

Possibly my last few posts in Dubai before I move to Singapore, hooray! :-)

Things I need to do before I go on my final work trip:

- Change my bed linen (things you do when you live alone, abroad)

- Pack my bags to return (labeling and packing!)

- Settle tickets and reservations for mom and/or bro to Dubai

I've sent out a few emails with my resumes attached, and I am unsure if I will get replies from them... 

Tons and tons of things to do before I move :-(

Just gonna touch a little on Hongkong!
I'm dying to post on Nice (in South France) but I'm a little tired now from all the errand-running this morning...

I made my 24 hours in HKG really worthwhile.
A ride on the dingding at night is highly recommended at night.
We sat from Causeway Bay where I was staying put, to the bustling Central.
 

Not a very good picture of me since I was in all black but I had to post this up since it's mid levels.


Settled in a small cafe because I don't want to do alcohol so Peiyu had sangria while I had my usual Mocha.
I would say give this cafe a miss if you see it (it's hard to miss, it's the only few cafes around) and give the pubs/restaurants a go. I find the quality of F&B so-so. Mocha was alright.
Best Mocha = Holly Brown for me. You can find it in Central, Elements @ TST and etc.


Carrot cake was nice though but we hated the chocolate cake below.
It looked like it's gonna be a lava cake, but it was BAD. Served lukewarm.


Woke up at 7am since Peiyu had a trekking session and I have work later, so we settled at a nearby New Star Restaurant for dimsum! Read that this is the only other restaurant that opens that early which is located in the central area of Hong Kong.

Peiyu and her CamOne, which is a GoPro dup. Awesome cam for sports since you can clip it on your bike/diving suit.

Seated around us are elderly folks, chillax-ing with their newspapers and tea.


This is quite a bit for two, but we're not missing any one of these!


Our usuals;

Can you believe this pork ribs steamed rice is HKD1 (SGD0.15)?
 It comes with any dimsum ordered.

Us at the table #selfie

Liu Sha Bao a.k.a.
Salted yolk buns

Lava-style.
The liu sha baos here are highly recommended! Yums!

Happy us at the dimsum table, I would love to come back for more :-)

xo,
Steph