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2011 has always been a ‘special year’ in my mind namely because 1) I am born on 11.11 so 2011 makes it 11.11.11 = special! 2) It is the year I graduate from SMU! 3) It is also the year I became a post graduate in BNU! 4) Not forgetting I am going to be here in Beijing for 2 years on my own – my first taste of independence! Other than that, it was also a year full of ups and downs in my personal/love life.
Let’s put my thoughts into quotes from one of my fav TV show, How I Met Your Mother.
Ted Mosby once said that “Sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for better things.” and I can’t agree more. Without goodbye, there will never been this ‘Hello’ we had 6 months back.
He also said that “You can’t talk yourself into falling in love.It doesn’t take days of deliberation…When it’s real, you know pretty quickly and with absolute certainty.” This relationship is definitely what we can call ‘fast and furious (haha). It happened so quickly and we went through so much together that it felt like a fast forwarded love movie. It didn’t took long for us to decide, maybe not with absolute certainty that it will work but we knew it was real.
Barney’s dad, Jerry told Barney that “Don’t get me wrong, settling down is a challenge – it’s the biggest challenge of your life.” Settling down is a huge phase in our lives. Who can guarantee what is going to change in the future? The obstacles we might face (or facing), the fear of the unknowns, the insecurities, the doubts…it is tough, I won’t lie.
But I am quite certain that “I want to be a complete head over heels idiot for one.” like how Ted puts it. Be it over tears or laughter, angry nights or happy moments together. I want to go through all that with just one person. Perhaps I have found the one to be head over heels for – at least for the past half a year, I know it was worth it and it will be.
“I stopped believing. Not in some depressed, I’m-gonna-cry-during-my-toast way. Not in a way I even noticed until tonight. It’s just every day, I think I believe a little less, and a little less, and a little less. And that sucks.” Like Ted, I am not the most positive or optimistic person around, but as long as I know you will be here..that’s something I can believe in and hold on to?
So don’t ever give up on us because I will remind myself to fall in love with you all over again every brand new day and keep this going for a long long time. 6 months was a short yet long journey, let’s make this fast forwarded love movie into a happily ever after =)
Thank You for everything my dear Mr Kevin Chang =) Love you.
Greetings from behind the GREAT Firewall
Sorry for the disappearance! As most of you might know by now, I am in Beijing, China currently!
Finally decided to attempt to cross the great firewall with my wimpy VPN access and back to blogging regularly. It’s tough because the internet connection is crappy and my patience hits the boiling point every time I try to load a youtube video or post pictures up.
But we will see how this goes! School has started for me and the first week has been…miserable. (will explain further)
Well, I am doing my masters in Beijing Normal University (it’s like the NTU/NIE here) and thank God, it is conducted in English with only international students. To be exact, 15 of us from 12 different countries. Need not to say, I’m the only Singaporean in class. So far classes are manageable apart from the fact that it all starts at 8am! The Chinese begins their day really early here with odd working hours like 8-1130am then 2-5pm…that’s a long lunch break and way too early off work time to most workaholic Singaporeans eh?
The people are very nice to us international students, especially due to the language barrier and adapting to the new environment. I’m lucky that I can get away easier by being bilingual and it makes life a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, I am often mistaken as Japanese (probably because I have bigger eyes than most Chinese -.-) and the dorm is ‘invaded’ by the Koreans. It was quite difficult to find native English speakers to hold a conversation with! But most of my new classmates are pretty friendly and we have only each other to depend on anyways.
So far the weather has been cooling and signs of winter reaching soon. Yesterday was insanely cold for someone who has always been staying in a ‘summer all year long’ country. From a 24 degrees to a sudden 14 degrees was a huge temperature drop! Guess I learnt my lesson now after freezing my way to class and back to dorm yesterday. haha
Anyways, just a brief update! Will try to blog more regularly now that I’ve settled down…any special topic requests? You can follow me on twitter/instagram @iammyy for some #onlyinchina scenes too!
Get Out Of The Dot with Zuji!
If you travel often, Zuji is definitely not a foreign name to most of us travelers. Zuji recently launched his interesting campaign called ‘Get Out Of The Dot‘ for Singaporean travellers to…well, get out of the dot! The great thing about Zuji is that – they do the research for you, just click away!
Looking around me, I really can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like to travel. The only reason why we are unable to is probably because – too many places, too little money and time! But think about it, we have a whole lifetime to slog away so the more we should steal some time to enjoy life! Need more excuses to convince yourself to get a trip out of the dot? Here’s top three reasons that I thought of..
1) SIANgapore : There’s only SO MUCH (sarcasm) we can do here in Singapore. What’s your regular day out like? Shopping and eating and people-watching at a cafe while trying not to look like a pervert. Yes, we do have cool places like Sentosa, Universal Studios, Singapore Flyer, the zoo..bird park…but seriously, how many times can you visit these places?
2) Learn about us: Traveling is the best time to learn about yourself and the people you’re traveling with! Look at how the ‘true color’ of people surfaces on reality TV shows such as Amazing Race. You will find strengths and weaknesses (probably being direction blind for me) and expand your reality. As the saying goes,all reality expands when you expand your reality. Traveling offers this ‘reborn’ experience for us and you return to Singapore feeling refreshed.
3) Culture Shock, not!: Singaporeans are often portrayed as spoiled brats and taking things for granted. It is time to step out and see how lucky we are in this beautiful island! Do something you’ve never done before – be crazy when you’re overseas! (I have always secretly wanted to try skinny dipping..haha) Learn about others’ culture so you can be a student of the world instead of just a Singaporean! Embrace the culture in a new culture and live in it.
Here’s the (even more) interesting part, I am asked to nominate 3 Singaporeans to get out of the dot..
Barbarella should Get Out of the Dot. I would send her to London to satisfy her Sarong Party (parties?)
Like how ZUJI puts it, Catch a glimpse of the French romance. Or get taken for a ride in London. I’m quite sure Barbarella would love to get taken for a ride in London *coughs* You know, horse riding lessons in Hyde Park in central London.
Furryphotos should Get Out of the Dot. (and not come back? haha) I would love to send him to Cottonwood, Idaho for some furry business!
Since I have to nominate someone else to get out of the dot instead of myself, I think he is the best person to visit this place ‘Dog Bark Park Inn‘ on my behalf! It is an awesome (and world’s biggest) beagle-looking bed and breakfast guesthouse. To be honest, I didn’t know where on earth is Idaho until I googled it. See! That’s the reason why we need to travel more to widen our knowledge!
Last but not least, I would love to send my parents (ok, I’m cheated..that’s two people) to Honolulu for some sunshine.
Not that we don’t have enough sun on this red dot here but we lack a beautiful beach like Waikiki beach! Did you know that President Obama and Bruno Mars are also residents of Honolulu? Pretty cool eh?
By the way, you can still join in the fun by:
- Checking out ZUJI’s FB page ! I love their ‘Get Lucky’ tab.
- Follow ZUJI Twitter who might just offer you some unique opportunities to get out of the dot!
Now I’m really itching to go on a holiday!
TAB Singapore – All-in-One Live Entertainment Venue
I have been swamped with work recently (What’s new?) but if you have been following me closely on twitter, you’ll see TAB as my latest favorite hangout.
Located at Orchard hotel, which is at the head of Orchard Road (Opposite The Forum), TAB is the ‘not-so-new-anymore’ kid on the block of the local nightlife scene. Where else can you experience live music with good food and drinks without sitting uncomfortably under the horrible Singapore weather? The kitchen sure knows how to cook up a storm and you’ll be spoiled for choice. I personally love the TAB burger, Fries (which my friends and I all agreed that the fries have this nice slightly sweet taste to it!) and the Chicken Caesar Salad totally won my heart with its freshness.
TAB is probably a dream come true for music lovers like me as they truly support original music! Not only do they provide a platform but they also showcase the talents of local and foreign artists alike in an intimate, relaxing and cozy setting. Last week I had the opportunity to catch the Lenka private showcase that was held at TAB and it was wonderful – the reason being that Lenka was just an arm’s length away and the space allows you to swing along to the music. I have also watched Oak and Gorski‘s gig when they were down in Singapore, it was wonderful to have such great overseas acts being invited and introduced to the locals who may not have come across them on their own. In fact, SMUBE is now playing TAB artists’ songs on Campus Radio apart from our usual YouTube covers artists!
Singaporeans love promotions, don’t they? TAB is clever enough to have a free flow steak sandwiches & fries during Happy Hours from Mon to Fri 5pm – 8pm for all paying customers. Or if you’re a student like me, you can check out the TAB burger deal that comes with a TAB burger, fries and 1 alcoholic/2 soft drinks for just $12.75++ ! What a deal !
So if you are looking for a place to hang out which allows you to satisfy both your tummy and music crave, TAB is definitely worth checking out. Pssst…you know where to find me when I’m not at work/in school ! Hehs.
For more information, you can check out their official site (the gigs, promotions and location etc): www.tab.com.sg
Disclaimer: This is not a paid ad post ! I am simply just infatuated with the place recently..hur (plus SMU Campus Radio loves them!)
The Job Hunt and Hunted
During every gathering I have been to, most of us end up talking about work. You bump into someone in school, the first thing that greets you is ‘Hey! Last semester right? Graduating soon? Have you found a job yet?’
As for me, I am graduating this coming April as well. Looking for a job never came across my mind so far (ok, once in a awhile), not because I want to be a bummer but I am going to try my luck with my masters plan. If I do apply for a full time job now, I might have to leave the country when I receive the enrollment package. I am probably going to take it slow and wait till June for the results to be out before planning my career path.
- Travel opportunities – cultural experience or relocate
- Work challenge – learning experience
- Social networking opportunities – able to interact with people/clients
- Not a 9-6 boring desk job
- Best if related to media/music/films/art
- Leadership roles or at least a team that encourages sharing
- Work-life-family balance.
- Allows me to continue blogging
- Encourages contributing back to the society- CSP
- Decent pay
Sounds too good to be true if I can find a job that fits all 10 criteria! I’ll be happy to find one that fulfills 6 out of the listed 10!
As a graduating undergrad, I would say I’d prefer to plan my career path properly before jumping at any job opportunities offered. Not because we should be picky on an entry-level role but I think it is only right to know how you can contribute to a company instead of being half-hearted at your job. You wouldn’t want to work for a couple of months and dreading work every single day for a few years. Worse, to quit your first job after a year ?
So how was your first job hunt like? Did you end up straight away in a job that you like?
Any tips for job seekers out there or personal experiences are welcomed !
Getting Behind The Wheels
And so, if you have yet to hear about the unfortunate news – I am currently taking my driving lessons. After talking about it 5 years ago, I figured it’s about time and it’s never too late to learn how to drive…right?
After 3 lessons, I am happy to announce that my instructor is still alive and we did not face any rides that came close to a fear inducing situation. In fact, I must be pretty good if I get to drive out to the streets on my first lesson ! Alright, just let the egoistic me enjoy the moment there. But I must say it’s much easier for a girl to learn auto instead of manual driving, I’d admit that girls are less of a driver compared to guys. (In general!)
You will be happy to know that all my friends are really supportive – they make sure they stay at home in order not to distract my driving lesson and avoid the area at all cost. How nice of them ! In fact, I doubt I will get into any accidents in the future as nobody is going to be on the roads when I am ! Yes, I am that optimistic and I choose to view their comments in a positive manner. Haha!
On a side note, I find that driving is a rather satisfying task. So far the main challenge for me is to check my blind-spots before every other turn or lane change. I feel like I will get a damn neck ache from turning left-right-left-right all the time. There gotta be an easier/better way to do it ! (Actually no, I’ve checked.)
The machine is winning…but not for long !
Survival Guide For Festival Virgins
Music festivals can be a memorable experience, for the wrong reasons. My virgin music festival extravaganza happened 3 years ago and oh boy..being a first timer, I was clueless to what I should wear or what to bring ! Thank God I was blessed with good weather and a well-prepared group of friends who made sure I was taken care of. After being to a couple more of such events and with many upcoming concerts and festivals coming to Singapore, here’s a (yet another) survival guide for others out there ! Disclaimer: The following guide is just based on my own experience and observations. Feel free to contribute more tips!
Have A Game Plan : It’s important to know the line-up for the day. You wouldn’t want to miss your favorite band’s act or not knowing who is playing on stage right now. If there are more than 1 main stage, know which performing area you want to be at next. If you have no idea who are the bands playing, just go for it ! I have discovered good music by randomly picking a band to watch too.
Ditch Your Friends : Don’t spend the entire day sms-ing and trying to locate your friends. You’ll bound to lose them halfway (somehow). Just enjoy the music and who knows, you’ll meet new people and usually you always do. See also ”Spot the spot“.
Sheer Freedom : Screw fashion, dress wisely – my ideal attire is shorts/berms+sneakers/flats+baggy T-shirt. Ladies, do not come in heels and maxi dresses. I saw a couple at Laneway earlier on and they inspired me to post this entry. As for wet weather, some others would recommend wellies but not many Singaporean probably owns a pair. I would say just wear a pair of shoes that you’re comfortable throwing away or ‘losing your sole’ at the end of the festival with. Do not wear flops because you’ll probably lose them in the mud and end up barefooted. Of course, ladies in white is always ‘sheer happiness’ for the guys – if you know what I mean.
Baked or Mudcaked : Being at the festival is not just a commitment but also an endurance-wise challenge. You will be there for hours so bring sunblock ! You’ll need it even if you think you want to get a tan. Hats and shades are recommended if you’re going for the earlier acts. Bring umbrella or ponchos (some events provide them too) in case of rain. Just remember that your umbrellas shouldn’t be blocking others’ views too !
Spot the Spot : Mark your territory! It is important to find a good spot where you can see the stage. Be a typical kiasu Singaporean – ‘chope’ a spot that your group of friends can hang out and easily locate each other in case one of you lose their way after visiting the loo or make a stop at the bar. Picnic mats are a good idea if it’s good weather and well, if it rains like how it did at Laneway – don’t bother.
Water Parade : Keep yourselves hydrated ! You don’t want to faint and be sent to the hospital before your band comes up stage. As much as you do not wish to visit the port-a-loo, just drink up and sweat it off by dancing the day/night away. There will be expensive mineral water being sold at the bar tents but it’s always wise to bring a bottle along. Of course, there will be alcohol and whatnots at the F&B tents too. See also “Cash It”
The Piss-Stop : There is no way you can avoid the port-a-loo throughout the festival. Yes, it will be stinky and dirty. I would suggest looking for the nearest cleaner options available for the girls (e.g Malls and nearby buildings) It will not be a 5-stars hotel toilet experience so always remember to bring tissue/toilet roll and hand sanitizer ! Not only to keep your hands clean but take a whiff of it before holding your breath in. (One trick I’ve learnt is to spray perfume on my tee/collar and pull it up to cover my nose before stepping in!)
Cash It : There will be merchandises and bar tents that provide snacks like hot dogs, nachos etc. Most of the time it’ll be double the price of the usual price outside so don’t get a shock. Drinks will also be available – most of the time it’s S$4 for a bottle of mineral water and S$8 or more for beer/housepour drinks. Remember to bring your cash since credit cards are most unlikely to be accepted. So if you want to save up, bring a bottle of water or if possible (most festivals do not allow outside food/drinks actually), bring your own lil picnic!
Moderation is Key : You are bound to end up drinking, dancing and singing out loud like nobody’s business. You will meet new people whom you would have never imagine knowing in your entire life. You will probably have a few butt gropes or arms around you for no reason. You will see crazy things happening around you. Just remember, it’s probably an once in a lifetime experience so unleash that crazy side of you! It is the way to live our lives as it is meant to be lived!
Buzzing Good Time : You will probably feel like your legs are breaking and you have gone deaf with that buzz ringing in your ears after the festival. BUT WHO CARES ANYWAYS ? Have a blast, be it rain or shine and enjoy the great music. Make it worth your ticket price and go home with a story to re-tell your children next time.
And for chrissakes - Don’t forget your tickets!
*Pictures taken off Google images*
HIMYM : Bad News
**mild spoilers**
This week’s How I Met Your Mother (S06E13 ‘Bad News’ ) was interesting – who would have thought this comedy can get fans tearing up at the end of the show ! I almost thought ‘Bad News’ referred to the couple’s pregnancy results but surprise! The ending was a gloomy scene that came as a surprise to most of the viewers, it was a loss that everyone would feel for. I think this episode was one of Jason Segel (Marshall)’s best performance.
Marshall: “We’ve had unprotected sex 203 times in the past four months. Obviously, I’m the problem.”
Barney: “Problem? That’s the dream. I’d give my first born to not be able to have children.“
Finally we see Barney’s doppleganger ! It was quite a funny scene to see paranoid Lily and Marshall refusing to believe that the fertility specialist doppleganger isn’t Barney himself. Though I must say the second visit to ‘Dr. Stangel’ the doppleganger, Barney really got Marshall and many of us fooled when he impersonated him (the doctor) ! NPH can really pull off the beard and dark hair eh ? I love how Lily and Marshall high-fived over the number of times they tried to conceive and places they have been doing it (coughs..ideas ? haha) The part where Marshall’s parents were interrupting his ‘hair drying’ moment was really funny too.
Marshall: “I’ll give my dad a call after Dr. Stengal gives me the thumbs up.”
Ted: “Ew! He has to do that?“
Robin’s subplot wasn’t too interesting but I love her thumb-down moments. Enjoyed the short snippets of her embarrassing moments, Robin Sparkles rocks! I thought it was sweet of Ted to pay a visit to Sandy Rivers’s house as well but the main plot and the distracting countdown stole the attention. I honestly thought that the countdown was for a special ‘New Year’ gimmick but apparently it’s meant for counting down to the sad ending. I would have thought that it was rather attention-seeking since I noticed the numbers right from the start but I actually enjoyed looking out of the next number during the show. In conclusion,I appreciate the sudden seriousness in the comedy and Jason Segel’s brilliant acting. Oh, not forgetting Ted’s “Sensory Deprivator 5000″ from S02E14 ‘Monday Night Football’ !
If you missed the countdown in the show, here’s a nice HIMYM countdown recap I found !
So how did you find this episode ? I’m looking forward to the lasertag game that Barney is bugging everyone about !
[UPDATE] You can also view my bff’s review here at The Picture Radio ! That’s right, his blog is full of reviews on TV shows that you might have missed out! So check it out !]
Hello,Twenty Eleven!
What I wish for in 2011,
for loved ones - health,wealth and love
for myself – less tears,more rest, more fun, more love.
In general, I wish there’d be more positivity in the world. It’s been a sad 2010 for us, waking up to negative news every other day. We are surrounded with such negativity that every relationship seems to be coated with this toxic. Why live in such bitter resentment? Why the lack of compassion?
Life is short. Make the most out of the time we have, with your loved ones. Tame the selfish self and be selfless.
I wish people would be more honest with themselves, that includes me. Be it in a relationship with someone or yourself. Communication is important and honesty is the foundation to all relationships. Don’t fool yourself anymore in this brand new year. Know what you want, express yourself, don’t bottle things up. Nobody is a mind reader and everyone deserves the truth. Be honest with yourself,with your feelings. Know what’s right and know when to stop. Learn to let go.
On a personal note, I am going to start detaching myself from school (not that I’m very attached/fond of it to begin with) and start focusing on my next step in life – work or masters ? Either way, I know I will enjoy it (be positive) and make the best out of it. By the end of 2011, I hope to stay in touch with people I love (yays to bff coming back!), meet new interesting people, have a healthy and balanced life, get my driving license, get a job/enroll to masters, pay back university fees debt, enjoying my part time jobs,remember to control my temper,stop falling in love with the ‘wrong’ people and love myself more, blogging for 2012.
[update : I had an awesome start to 2011, counting down with bestie and friends and a bunch of random people at a cozy pub. Wine and food with them and parents afterwards. Had fun talking on the phone with a couple of people, whatsapp-ing bff and a couple of other friends, forgetting half of the conversations when I eventually knocked out at 5am...how did you spend your first few hours of 2011? Hope everyone had fun !]
In less than 140 characters
Decided to keep things short and wrap twenty-ten in one tweet.
“Heartbroken.Loving myself more.Self discovery.Table talks treasured.Parents aging.Home alone.Final sem.New jobs.Doomie.Blogging continues.“
Back to singlehood, learning to love myself more and re-discovering the focus in life. Appreciating chats with friends and the oh so wise parents (though I refuse to admit it most of the time). Great experience to have the house to myself for a couple of months and I have to say, taking care of me myself alone and the flat is tiring yet quite an adventure. Bid farewell to year 3 and moving on to my final year as undergrad in SMU. Started coaching students and totally loving my new job. Picked up a new language (French).Gotten another part time job offer which I’m looking forward to begin in the new year. Doomie the hamster never fails to amuse me and she has no choice but stay by my side during teary lonely nights. Blogging has been fun despite the once-in-awhile-laziness but grateful to meet new friends and having opportunities such as being Top 20 World’s Coolest Intern and the chance to attend awesome events etc.
It has been an interesting year – not exactly my best but I am grateful for all the experiences I’ve had. Hopefully 2011 will be a better year (Of course it will…I am FINALLY graduating!)
Thank you for being part of my 2010 and continuous support as a friend/reader! Let’s have a blast in 2011 together!
“You live only once, but if you manage your life right, once is sufficient.” – Joe Louis
