CNY Break

This year's Chinese New Year pawns my previous ones because i was away at PLKN for 6 days. Feels incredibly good to be back home for a break. What i can say so far is that, my experience in the camp so far  has involved and will continue to test not only my physical strength but also mental strength. Overall, everything's been pretty swell. Anyways, let me show you some photos i snapped while i still had possession of my camera. I'm not going to reveal too much until the camp is over, so this will do for now.

Mooooooo-ve

Palm trees, palm trees and ooh wait. nah, more palm trees..

My 'home' for the nxt 1 1/2 months...

Will update before i leave. till then, Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate (:

Tomorrow, i'll be somewhere else.

Didn't intend on blogging, but i felt like i wanted to remember how i felt before going into NS.

I feel slightly nervous.
I am going to miss alot of things...

Waking up (late) in the morning in my cozy bed.
Seeing my parents and brother everyday.
My computer.
Generally, just being at home.
And then, there's freedom .__.
At least, CNY break is only a week away. That won't make things too gloomy.

I wonder what i'll be doing when tomorrow comes...



And to commemorate Foster the People's concert tonight, with one of my favorite songs of theirs. It should be an epic concert.

Bootcamp.

Yeah, basically i am deciding to share the news publicly. I'm reporting back for National Service after deferring for 3 years to finish my degree. The reporting back part wasn't as easy and smooth as i thought, but thankfully everything is confirmed now.

Most people may think i'm 'crazy' for reporting back.

"What??? Why??"

"They won't bother calling you back la!"

Its a decision i made to get it off my plate before i start my journey in building my career. I'm trying to be open minded about it. Sometimes we get thrown into situations where we have to learn to adapt. This is one of those experiences i guess. I don't think i'm on the losing end since i'm not exactly ready to jump into the workforce just yet. 

One thing is, i hope i can endure the physical aspect of it all. Plus, how am i going to survive without internet connection for two months plus?? (But i guess, this will help me jump start #1 of my aspirations for 2012). I don't know which is more 'painful' though :D 

First week there is not going to be easy but i'm going to dig out the tough cookie in me. Anyways, wish me luck! I'll be sure to update when i come back for CNY break! (looking forward to it x5 this year!)

//update

Just wanted to share a photo i took whilst packing for my stay away from civilization (i exaggerate).

Yes my news is real. I even got a (purple) Pail to wash my clothes while i'm there .__. hehe

Labelling almost all of my belongings...

This is just a fraction of what i've packed. My mom was on top of the packing till the point that i got a bit annoyed. or maybe i'm just too darn lazy. I'm glad i had her to boss me around to do it, otherwise i wouldn't have finished packing in half a day! Buying all the necessities was so tiring! I'm glad its over and now i can just relax and mentally prepare myself for the camp.

I'll be leaving this saturday (14/1) so hopefully you can say your goodbyes before then (:

Twenty One.

This year's birthday was kinda of odd. I had pre-birthday and post birthday celebrations and a very low key birth-day itself. Its pretty nice, since it makes it more memorable than the last 20 birthdays. I am truly thankful for every single wish , tweet, fb message i received. The fact that someone takes a time out of their lives to think about me, is just too precious to me. I'm just a sucker for the little things.

something that you don't see very often on my blog - my face :D

This song is pretty much how i feel about turning a year older. I am officially an adult...there's so much more to learn and experience. I'm all for it! 

To another year of living (:

A Natural Remedy.

Darn, maybe all the running around in December has caught up to me. Being sick is always terrible, lets hope i feel better soon!

Nature always has had that therapeutic and calming effect on me. When i used to feel faint, my dad would advice me to 'focus on the green'.  This is the perfect timing to share some shots of nature in Melbourne in my slightly drowsy state (my prescribed meds are strong i tells ya!). Beautiful during spring, luckily it still is during the start of summer!

I'm trying to keep my photos XL (instead of the usual L). this makes me less prone to sacrificing on the quality of my photos. I use to dread having them so big, as people would notice how pix elated my photos were. i usually blame it on my camera, but i guess a poor workman blames his tools (?), I really would like an update from my current camera though, a better lens would be nice (am using a compact, so need to get a new one altogether). luckily for me, the sun was shining and the light was just nice, me thinks. The props need to go to my beautiful surroundings.

My grandma is really a pro at gardening.  Here are some of her 'creations' :

And some at random places :

















Being by the sea always gets me excited. The splashing of the waves is also incredibly calming.


I'm feeling better already :D

Aspirations for 2012.

1. Spend less time on the computer (which doesn't equate to non-existent blogging, more like more efficient  and effective use of online time)
2. Cook more (any simple nice recipes to share, anyone?)
3. Take more photos; so i can improve my camera skills and it'll motivate me to work towards upgrading my camera for a secret (but fulfilling) hobby that has taken a back sit.
4. Be more tidy and organized. (first on the list, the bedroom)
5. Save up my own hard earned money for a decent smartphone
6. Reduce financial dependency on parents.
7. Be more physically active.
8. Be more frugal with money (less eating out, less shopping for wants).
9. Dress up more (in order to put everything in my wardrobe to good use, or else, sell off stuff i barely touch!)
10. Be more grateful, positive and determined and not rest on my laurels.
11. Be more open minded.
12. Reduce sugar intake.
13. Be a better daughter, friend, student (of the world), employee (when the time comes), citizen
14. Worry less over things i cannot control or shouldn't be worrying about.
15. Read more.


I thought i'd only churn out a maximum of 10...this looks promising. The bigger challenge is to make sure i do what i set out to do.

I'll keep my progress posted when i can.

Looking back on 2011.

Its almost the end of 2011. Most people use this time to reflect on the past year and to plan for 2012, and i'm no different. 

I'm really thankful for what i faced this year, although unbeknownst to me, it was going to be a challenging one in aspects i would have never anticipated. But i guess, you can't be prepared for everything! And its the unexpected that really test us. I realized i was being pretty ignorant of what was happening around me for all those years. And when i finally did, i was a little beaten down. But after some soul searching i realized how strong i've become because of it. 

I am thankful for people who came into my life and made it so much better, for people who i've maybe drifted apart from (but i wish them well always), for people who were not very nice (thank you for teaching me patience) and of course, my family whom i love and cherish.

Next year is going to be a big year for me. To be more specific, I will be turning twenty one, reporting back for National Service, entering the job market...and the rest, well, i hope to be surprised with more challenges that  will help me to grow as an individual. I am undoubtedly a little scared but ready to take on everything with stride. 

Here's wishing you a splendid New Year. Make it want you want it to be.

Great Ocean Road Dec 2011

Christmas 2011.

Had a little fun with my Xmas gifts this year. Simple and economical :D
but full of love! The smiles on the faces of the recipients is just priceless.

Lots of love from Australia (for the mean time).

My WishList

With Christmas around the corner, i'm sure most of us have some things we would like to tick off our wishlist. Here's a peek at mine !

(Starting clockwise from 12o'clock) 

 1.Ipod Touch 4 in White ...because i love listening to music and having entertainment on the go. (and i have an ipod dock but no ipod, lol)

2. Canon Ixus 230 in Purple...because i believe my current 6 year old camera needs an upgrade (and the colors are gorgeous, don't you think?!)

3. Rayban ClubMaster...because this style compliments my face best and i like the design alot. (anyone know where to get cheap knock-offs?)

4. Converse AllStar Chuck Taylor Hightops in Bordeaux...i've always wanted a pair, better wear them while i'm at a time of my life where i still can pull them off :D

5. Basket of Fruits...because i lovvveee juicing-up nowadays! 

6. Universal Studios (Singapore) tickets...because i love theme parks and this one is the newest and nearest.

7. Stationary...because i never get tired of colorful pens, notebooks and journals.

8. Denim Shirt...because shirts are my wardrobe malfunction saviour and denim is so versatile.

9. A Book...because i've recently taken up reading more, and this book just spoke to me! (Juicing books as well :D).

I believe coming up with a reason for each of my desires makes them more justified :D

Anyhows, i'll be spending Christmas a little differently this year. It's my first ever Christmas out of Malaysia and away from my parents and brother ): But, it should be interesting and thank goodness for Skype. Flying solo tomorrow for the 2nd time, too! I feel so grown up :D #maybenot

Will be scheduling a post on Christmas/the eve.
Stay tuned (:

Collage application courtesy of POLYVORE 

My Christmas Playlist {Part 1}

Christmas isn't complete without christmas songs like these (:

PoP #7

Credits : Tumblr

Something I...

...made

...watched

...ate

...admired

...received

...am currently listening to

Snaps : Remembering November 2011 (I)

PoP #6

Source : Tumblr 

If i had this as a backyard, i would die happy. 

Listening to : Without You

Any collabs that David Guetta does can do no wrong.
Usher sounds good in this song too.

Refreshing

Sometimes, all it takes is a break from your normal daily routine to open your eyes to the world around you. The experience shows you that there is so much of the world to explore and the little things you normally see as important is just trivial. 

Basically i had a short (and much needed) getaway that helped me put things into perspective.
Can't wait to share some photos in this space.

Snaps : During my exam period

1. Got my green tea latte from the new Monash Sunway Starbucks. The guy wrote my name on my takeaway cup! (Reads : Nicole, not Wicole).And as you can see, i took a very 'strategic' shot of my name and the disclaimer*grin* 

This cup sits idly on my dresser. Not because of my name, but because it was my first time taking away from Starbucks :D 

2. Music was(and will always be) my stress reliever.

3. Basically what i see in front of me (tilt my head up a little) when i study. 

Eiffel tower post card | Random dessert with my favorite fruit = strawberries | Purple (:

Hopefully will find more inspiring things to pin up! 

4. Spongebob memo pad gifted from a close friend.

I always write motivational words on it. 

5. Two things i love : Tagging my book & drinking hot tea. 

(and ps. this was me taking a break from studying for my last exam of my university life!)

An exciting weekend beckons!

Have lovely days ahead readers,

Its a wrap

I'm referring to my exams. The last (fingers and toes crossed) set of exams for my undergraduate degree. 

Glad that its over (the stress) and looking forward to ticking things off my to-do-list before the year ends! And before i turn the big Two One!

Can't believe its almost the end of the year and who knows what i'll be doing this time next year. Exciting and fulfilling things i hope!

Definitely going to chronicle my daily mischief in this blog more often.

For now, i just want to chill and relax = do nothing. Just for a few days (:

Holiday mood is so on.

PoP #5

Credits : weheartit

What i totally need right now. 

Exams are taking a toll on my well being ):

Listening to : Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

Another justification that ColdPlay is one of the greatest bands to date.
The lyrics are poetry and i love the whole video concept too much!