EXAM PERIOD

i will be back in 6 days...... then perhaps i share what i bought in paris plus my europe trip as well!

and happy girl goes home next month weeeeeeee!! :D can't wait for my vacation!

Decided!

Decided on the MAC (morning after clutch) in charcoal in the end because it's a good size for all my stuff. I'm not used to a smaller sized bag so after some thoughts and googling, I've set my eyes on the regular (thanks yvonne for yr advice!)

I think the actual color's a medium grey but this is the closest picture I could find online. 

Factors that I've considered before wanting this:

a) stuff I put in there, I've tons of stuff, my camera's really bulky so I'm not sure if it fits even the regular.

b) how versatile it is for use in overseas

c) how it matches my outfits (grey, black and brown are my staples i think)

Someone's paying this tab as a gift! Thank you secret loverrrr! <3

+1 picture with the girlfriend. I'm so pale after putting on the filter and thanks to filters that hide my very bad complexion. SIGH. I don't even talk about it.

DIY your clock

Hello, I'm back again.

I know I'm really active these days because I'm grounded home to study for a course. Anything that doesn't have to do with studying, I'll reignite fire (passion), so that becomes blogging!

Besides that I also went into some Art & Craft, or maybe I should say DIY to the minimum.

I bugged JS to get me a DIY clock because I want to do something for my room, and it's been some time I beautified it, besides adding junk and clothes. I got it from Gmarket SG (now called Qoo10- Singapore) and this is the link >>> here if you are interested.

It says on the website that it's shipped from S. korean but honestly I found the centerpiece of the item made in China. Maybe the idea is from Korea because I haven't seen these clocks in China yet. Okay I'll stop digging into its origins, it's just a clock.

*   *   *

Let's begin with my experiment of DIY clock. At first it looked really complicated because everything is in korean on the instruction sheet, so I went back to the website to read its english instructions but i'll do one here, my version of instructions coupled with free explanations.

#1 Cut
 Cut the digits/dots according to your preference. This paper is to ensure your digits/dots do not go out of alignment (very ugly if they do).
 If you want the clock to be all numbers (1-12) then cut all the numbers out.
If you prefer all dots, cut the dots (life is easier if you do so)
If you prefer a mix like I do, refer to my picture:
   

#2 Paste it on your wall
I guess you're supposed to trace the digits and/or dots but I short cut the whole thing.

#3 Numbers and dots
 The sponge is perforated so you just have to push out the digits and dots that you require. Easypeasylemonsqueezy. I think the toughest part was cutting (#1)


#4 Trace
 you should trace out the positions of numbers and dots before pasting but because I'm lazy, I put it over. Smart alec later learnt that I couldn't remove the darn paper, so I began tracing then pasting the figures. :( This tells you that you're not supposed to skip steps.


#5 Screw or 3M it! (pun intended)
 They advice to drill/drive a screw to secure the mechanisms of the clock - (I choose to call it centerpiece) but because I do not own my Dubai home, I prefer stickies.

This one is good - doesn't leave a mark. I like!

PLUS - it's removable because it's velcro - so I can replace my battery for the clock! :) 3M's so smart!


#4 Look at your craft in awe
TADAH!!!
I know black so dull, but it's my all-time favorite color. I know there are silver, pink, blue, white, rainbow blabla, so take your pick!

By the way this is not an ad okay, anyone who says so I will get angry ah, JS paid 100% of it and shared out of goodwill.

The time is pretty accurate and battery included so I'm pretty happy. I don't suppose you want me to write how to fix the second and minute hand for the centerpiece but if you need help just ask away! Except that my room's rather quiet so tick-tock sounds quite loud to me at night. It's very pretty, and I wish I could take a wider view to include my mirror and desk but it's so messy now that I'll be embarrassed to post one up.

I've also edited my Narita pictures but I'll leave it to the next entry to avoid having this one looking too long.

Gonna hit the books again so bye!

Minimac

 

saw it on one of my colleagues from the states and I was surprised it didn't come from a big, big label and how portable it is. The cowhide leather is really soft so I went online to research on the brand itself. Then saw it few weeks later on my friends from singapore and knew this brand might also grow in Asia. Just that i couldnt make up my mind the color i wanna get or should i go with the one with 5 zips (im not sure if i'd be as edgy as 5 years later).

Will you like to help me make a decision from the first 3? :)

3D B&W

Guess what?
I found kindle paperwhite in Virgin megastores in Dubai, but for at 1.5 times the price of UK of course... :( I guess that could ease the pain of waiting since they had current stocks but I'm still playing the thoughts in my mind of how difficult it is to get credits blabla, why amazon has to make things so difficult T_T.

Nowadays I become the lazy blogger which I really feel like doing a picture a day, or 5 pictures a day or sort of. I feel the need to blog words more than photos because I still haven't got my photoshop and neither did i find my current X11 program workable.

Me loves my Marriott bed loads that I find difficulty waking up for breakfast every other time... and always had to have my colleague to call me up so that I don't miss the day's activities!
I always only use the bed nearer to the wall (kinda comfort zone feel), the other bed's used for packing my stuff before they end in the luggage.

Breakfast, i LOVEEEE hashbrowns!
 ... OK , anything with potatoes is my thing. I don't care about carbs, not now, maybe next year. I know my metabolism's kinda slowing down...

My getup for 10 degrees.
I think I got used to EU's temperature since my last vacation so it's easypeasy for me even in london. I was in hounslow again for shopping.

my fluffy Abercrombie jacket with oversized tee and my sturdy converse shoes.
Feels like a student!

Gradient pullover but I dropped it because I need more coats than pullovers to pull through winter.

looked like a clown with the striped jersey tee so I gave that a miss and got the black jeggings instead, and the stone dress with yellow belt that I felt I must get cos I so loved its cutting and material.
I've got shoes and some other awesome stuff I'll take pictures of them next time.
I came back, unpacked and stuffed them in my wardrobe without giving them a second look because I was so tired returning at 10am.

and this is me today in my pink peplum top which is slightly too big on me but I bought it anyway cos I love peplum like everyone does, and the black jeggings as above :)


I promised becks to watch this movie:

So through the first few minutes of the movie our conversation started like this.
S: "Becks, you asked me to watch black and white movie???"
B: "erm, I think its just the first few minutes, don't worry, it'll be in color later"
few minutes later...
S: "it's still black and white babe!! Think it's gonna be 3D black and white throughout.... "
B: "wait let me google".... "oh it's gonna be black and white for the whole film"

So there goes.. my first 3D film in black and white..
The  last time I also paid 50 dhs (S$17) for 3D, it was titanic which was 3D with cut scenes... Dubai always make me feel lugi (discounted) somehow.
:(:(:(

I kinda like Sparky so it's fine but the movie was weird (frankenstein style) though it ended warming my heart. Mmmm..

Becks chose movie so I chose dinner venue and it is my first time to iHop. I know what a biggie it is in States so I will try when I get a States trip but till then, this should suffice. After the pancakes, I find it so hard to finish the rest of the breakfast items, but someone who likes brunch as much as I do, is delighted to know that they serve breakfast all day.

I just wished mall of the emirates is closer to me. Shake shack burgers are there too :(

that's becks and me if you're trying to put a face to the name :)

Becks also bought a PSVita for Paolo so she did make me itch for a Kindle ~.~
Well, till the next, I'll be mugging for a course before I start work again next month! Waiting for pay day... :)))

I become.

Revamped my blog design a little since I got bored of the last. The last was a cath kidston wallpaper ( i love sweet backgrounds). The blog title was quoted from Derek Walcott's "I read, I travel, I become".

Talking about reading...

I adore reading so I am looking at getting a Kindle Paperwhite since it has the new backlit. I think it would cost USD139 for a set. Though I really wanted to get one, I faced problems with:
i) getting a set because they don't send kindles internationally, at least not for SG and DXB.
ii) you need to get a kindle account tagged onto a UK/US permanent address to download amazon ebook contents.
How troublesome, but it'll be a good tool to get. *heaves a big sigh*

Still in the midst of editing photos for Switzerland and I came across one that is worth blogging.

Swans and mallard (water) ducks!
So prettyyyyyyyy.
Every other day I pass by Lake Zurich/Lucerne, I looked forward to these beautiful white swans. Look at how the one in the center of this picture folds its wings in, looking like those napkins you see on hotel tables when you attend a wedding dinner! ;D

*  *  *

Have been doing a few work trips before I went on vacation. I hardly took pictures because I had little time to do so, so here's a few I took.

Manchester ;

In my cableknit jumper and loafers. I love jumpers 'cos there're so easy to put on.

Chinese food buffet for 4.90pounds.
There have tons of dishes so that made us really happy!
Mini's from HK and Xiaojun's from China so chinese people who saw chinese food = delighted!

We went shopping after and of course, we did Primark. Primark's amazinggggggg for basic tees ( you could get one for 3pounds or so) and if they have sale, 5 pounds for off-season dresses! Shoes are 6 pounds and up for flats and I saw fluffy winter boots for 5 pounds. They're pretty decent quality so don't judge the item for its price :p

Looking forward to head to London tomorrow to do some more primark-ing!

I tried to do a Paris work trip before my actual vacation so that I can have a feel of what it is like.

A local friend told Krist and I that we have to go to Montmartre's Sacre Coeur so we went there before catching the Eiffel. It was my first time in Paris but I've heard so much about it (to be really careful) so I was holding onto my bag and Krist so much!

We went into Sacre Coeur and it was a beautiful basilica, no pictures were allowed in its interior but both of us spent some minutes sitting in silence, enjoying that very moment of peace before we headed out again.

On its beautiful green patch of grass ;)

We took a lot of pictures mainly because Krist's a huge fan of taking pictures (ie. camwhore) and he adores Paris. He knows I'm not quite a big fan of its environment but I loved its ancient sights, such as this one:

Arc de Triomphe near Champs Elysees. We took this picture while in the middle of the traffic. X_X


We didn't really have time for Champs Elysees and since I knew I was coming back, we gave it a miss and went to Eiffel instead.

Indeed Eiffel is a bronze figure during the day.
 
A horse carriage!

More pictures at 7pm;

 

and as dusk falls, the eiffel lit up ;)

and the most exciting part of it is when it starts "glistering", if I could put it this way. Here's a short video on it for your viewing pleasure:

byebye for now!

A summary on my 11D Swiss/Paris

Hello all! 

I have taken a long break from blogging because I had been busy planning my Swiss-Paris trip (which I already have taken flight to do and it was a really awesome experience). Being me, I'm really bad with directions but I was glad my parents were spontaneous to go free n easy with me. 

Doing a free n easy trip is great because you get to spend a lot of time to do what you needed to do and I guess I was also led to believe that I've saved a bit on travel expenses by taking chance on my discounted tickets (which is quite a bummer to use).

Switzerland has been more than amazing - my first snow experience and the beautiful views that I couldn't have brought home with me by pictures, but these pictures I've captured could bring me some good memories in future when I look at them.

I had one too many sausages in Switzerland really, oh yes, and Snitzels.
We visited 2 beautiful mountain/alps - Mt Pilatus and Jungfraujoch top of Europe which the latter was a pity because we met with very bad weather and a -4 degrees when we were up there so we couldn't walk out since it was snowing heavily.  People were reallyyyyy nice n helpful, like seriously, they spoke perfect English I couldn't help but be impressed, and Swiss is beautiful and well-maintained (ie. clean) so it's like a european Japan for me. No tourists scamming stuff, but of course, I would say there's a good price to pay - Swiss is a VERY expensive city to visit and stay in. My hotels cost a good SGD400-500 a night for a 3-4 star but it's all good for what we saw.

Paris is more of an adventure. I couldn't register the whole paris metro mapping thing so going everything was me bringing up the map and looking at it though I only stayed 8 mins from Eiffel. 
Met many nice people in France who helped us with our luggages, sometimes with directions. Paris is one place with really beautiful and old sights but a real pity - I'm afraid I still do not like Paris as much as a city - and I'm not sure why they kept targeting dad (or they might think Chinese looking Dads carry more cash but truth is cash is with mom & me :p)
 I would like to write these down if you wanna visit Paris:

- Rode on the metro going from sacre couer (line 2- Anvers) and it was crowded as usual. 2 female teens were trying to pickpocket from mom and dad. Unzipped my mom's backpack for the easier to reach compartment (of course she had nothing in the front pocket since her wallet's deeply buried in the main compartment), and one of the girls had her hand reached into my dad's jeans (pocket). Dad was alert so nothing was pickpocketed. Shame on these girls.
Be very careful on the way to Sacre Couer and back. Montmartre has these people trying to tie a friendship band around your wrist and ask euros from you. Just be very careful around that area.

- We stayed on Rue Cler (i love that area - bustling with good restaurants and pubs at night), on the mainstreet but there were always some punks trying to ask for cigarettes. Well, Dad got tired one day and refused to give him anymore of those sticks, and he tried to act punk. Went away after he saw us going back into the hotel.

- While we were at Tuileries' Rue Saint Honore shopping for mom's bag, a woman picked up a gold ring and asked dad if he dropped it. Dad said no so the woman asked if he wanted it. He grew suspicious so he tried saying why not, and woman asked him for euros (well we all know the story). So Dad refused and she then asked him for a bottle of coke which Dad also refused. Dad walked away to look for us to tell us what had happened. I would believe if Dad brought out his wallet to buy her the coke she wanted, she would have snatched and ran. The gold ring could be just an item she picked up from somewhere, or stolen from.

- At Paris airport waiting for our flight, we sat down to have lunch at Mac's which is the only restaurant I could find open on a Sunday at Terminal 2C. Dad got approached to buy a guy a meal at Macdonld's but that man only spoke french, so Dad couldn't understand him and shook his head to tell them he didn't know what he was saying. Dad only knew what happened when another man in suit bought that guy a meal in Mac's. Dad later saw that same guy (who asked for the meal) when dad went out to smoke because that guy was smoking too. Hmmm..

Other tips to Paris:
If you can, avoid taking the line from CDG airport to town especially in the night. If you're 2 or more people, just take a taxi though I know it cost a lot (my cab from rue cler to airport cost 55 euros for 3). I've heard a lot of people whom I've met in Paris/heard gone to Paris got robbed/pickpocketed on RER B train. The train and train stations are not luggage or wheelchair friendly anyway, lots of stairs that annoyed me much.

For bags- I highly recommend Galleries Lafayette (most brands are there but i doubt they're very well stocked for the amount of tourists you see in there) and Rue Saint Honore (Mulberry, Balenciaga, Miumiu are there). I don't do LV but if you like it - I think the 4 levels store in Champs Elysees will be the highlight because they have really good customer service.

Up to here, when I think about Balenciaga, I wished I had bought the classic city but I stopped myself. Oh well, might get it next time!

Other than that, I'll prepare a pictorial entry next, and hope you enjoyed this wordy one! Ending with one of my sentimental notes I posted on FB:
因为去了巴黎，没有太多的自动扶梯，所以我们走了很多的路和梯，才发现父母老了。。
走楼梯也慢了。。我曾经很依赖的父母渐渐因时间而老了。。眼花了，脚和手也不再那么灵活了。
而急性子和坏脾气的我能为他们做些什么？这是我现在应该想的、不要等到像奶奶那时一样，太迟了、后悔了、 没有第二次机会了。daddy mummy 我爱你！❤

No regrets about this trip - because I managed to let my parents see Europe with my own efforts :)

JS is in TW doing his solo trip - and I'm left to sleep alone in my room in Dubai. Boo :-(