Christmas & Boxing Day 2014

Pictures taken at Capilano Suspension Bridge park, with the exception of the snowflake, which was taken at the Trinity Street's Christmas Lights Festival. If you look carefully, you'll always find amazing lights display in Vancouver - somewhere!

This year's Christmas and Boxing Day definitely felt different from past years. The Christmas dinner was fantastic but everything else was not really at where I wished it was. Everyone had magical Christmases but my Christmas (the whole period) had left me feeling quite lonely, to be honest. 

I'm not where I wished I were at, I wish that ALL the people I love were here with me, and I'm missing someone whom I thought would always be here with me. 

Nevertheless, I'm more than grateful for everything I have received this year. May 2015 be an even greater year ahead! 

 

XX

Warm Hands, Cold Heart

Christmas is almost here!

Currently playing: Santa, Tell Me - Ariana Grande

December 2014

Here's the Christmas tree uptown looking extremely gorgeous! I love Christmas - the season, the spirit of giving, the festivities. I just wished I were back home where my family and friends are, and where the weather is a ridiculous 30 degrees C. 

Here's what my friends and I had for dinner last weekend! This is making me hungry...

My new boots from Zara! For the longest time ever, I have been dreaming about a good smooth leather, pointed booties of a reasonable height. When I found them on Zara, they were $160 - which was a reasonable price for a pair of leather booties. However, I was still quite reluctant to part with $160 (before taxes) and decided to wait! Then Black Friday came, and they were 30% off. Guess what? They're mine now! Muahahahaha

My life has been pretty boring - work, home, repeat. Work has kept me busy, and I'm learning a lot more than I thought I would be learning. That is great, and I can't believe that I'm almost done with one work term! Time flies by so damn quickly. It's already December and I can't remember how my 2014 passed by. I rediscovered being a dreamer, and have been day dreaming a lot recently. Possibly Europe with my favourite couple (always third wheeling......sigh), family trip to Japan, road tripping in Canada with the ggfs, and maybe even Bali. Fingers crossed, saving money, and anticipating that the best has yet to come (and will come). I embrace the good times, and will learn from the bad. 

Here's to an even better 2015! 

XX

New Plans

These couple of days, my skin has been uber sensitive. It probably is because of the extremely dry weather coupled with the fact that I have been stuffing myself silly with chocolates and bad food.

I've not had chips in half a year now because I know that they are extremely unhealthy. However, recently I have just seem to have found comfort in chips and chocolates and I have been consuming a considerable amount of both. Also, I am extremely lazy when it comes to making dinner so I just make myself a bowl of ramen. SIGH this is what happens when you are tired AND hungry after a long day of work. Obviously, this is horrible and it has GOT to stop. Today is my last day eating chips (not ramen though), and I'm excited for a healthier diet.

I'm going to limit my ramen intake to one packet in 2 weeks. I'm also going to load up on my fruits and veggies. Tons of tea and water. Sleeping early and a good skincare routine will also help. My moisturiser is almost finished, and I got a new bottle on its way from Sephora! I have been trying out a lot of different facial moisturisers and I'm kinda glad I finished mine so I get to try more! I know I sound absolutely ridiculous, but I absolutely can't wait to try that one out!

Here's to starting 2015 the right way!

XX

Tumblr Inspiration

It's a rainy and cosy night in Victoria, and it would be perfect if I made myself that cup of tea. Here is a reminder that although it might look like a mess, the world out there is beautiful.

XX

Night and Day

We were like day and night.

Our differences were not simple, and we were almost polar opposites. Many people tell me that opposites attract, and I believed in that too. We both made changes and tried to accommodate each other in hopes that we would better complement each other. But each change only invited more unhappiness, and it seemed almost unfair that one of us had to change for the other. We were not truly happy when we were together, and the distance between us certainly did not help. Although opposites attract, I wonder if we were too different, and if, maybe, our differences cannot co-exist.

Although I hoped that courage would find us back together again, but the truth is, we were like the sun and moon. Or noise and silence. You were like day, and I was like night. And to be with you, the night had to pass.

Crash Landing

There are two kinds of love -

There's the kind that you find in good morning texts and shy smiles.
The kind that comes with butterflies and stolen glances.
The kind where you laugh for no reason and a smile is forever glued to your face.
Sweet, simple, honest, pure.

Then, there's the kind that finds you in 2 am phone calls and tears on your pillow.
The kind that comes with a war between your brain and your heart.
The kind where nothing makes you happier, and nothing makes you sadder.
Passionate, overwhelming, intense, daring -
And when it all comes crashing down, 

So

Do

You...

Inappropriateness

Wearing: Blackmilk blue galaxy cropped top, GAYA bag, and Timberland loafers. 

Here's a throwback to when I was the most inappropriately dressed person at Yellowstone National Park. I think it was pretty obvious I wasn't there to hike.

XX

Distance

"Distance isn't for the fearful, it's for the bold. It's for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for the little time with the one they love. It's for knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough." -unknown

Thank you for sticking around even when everyone doubted us. After all these years, I can still say that I love you so much. I miss you and we'll keep counting down till the day we meet again! ❤

XX

Victoria & Vancouver, B.C.

I have not been uploading regularly because I've just started working about a month ago! I cannot believe it has almost been a month now! More about the job later, here's what I was up to the last weekend and the weekend before that. 

Daddy and mommy were in Vancouver and Victoria just before they left for home! They left on Saturday night (technically Sunday morning) and I miss them alrdy...

My parents visited me in Victoria, and I brought them around to some touristy spots like this Craigdarroch Castle. I have actually never been here, and we didn't go in because we did not want to pay $14. 

I also brought them downtown to see the Parliament Building and The Empress during the day, but here are some pictures of the view at night! 

It's a little dark but here's me, my mommy, and Uncle Leng!!!

The Empress never fails to impress. It is as popular as the Parliament Building as a tourist spot/photography spot (but I guess one of the reasons for that is that they are almost next to each other). It looks amazing in the day and at night, with cypress growing on the building. It looks like nature was bonding with this man-made building. 

The next weekend, the weekend my parents and Uncle Leng left for Singapore, I went over to Vancouver and we had dim sum. And omg, best dim sum ever??? I'm definitely going back! 

Is chicken feet too weird a delicacy? I love it... 

Mommy and I went to Metrotown (I have lost count of how many times my mommy went there during her trip), and stayed in Sephora for an hour. Sephora is her heaven, and who knows, it might become mine. 

Anyhow, after dropping by Sephora we kinda just drifted around and then went to Thomas Sabo. Since I finally got my first full-time job, and I got my very first pay. I'm finally able to pay for my own rent, food, and other living expenses. I even got a little bit of money to buy my family a very small (and quite inadequate, unfortunately) dinner and gifts. I did splurge on the gifts though, so I hope made up for that! It feels good to finally be able to give back. 

I got T-shirts from Nike for my brother and my daddy. I think my daddy was really happy and really liked the t-shirt - score!!! For my dearest mommy, I got her a pair of Thomas Sabo earrings. And HOLY CRAP, they were pricey! But, it was for my mommy and she never spares no expenses on me. Here they are: 

On the way home, we went to pick up some sushi and ended up taking pictures at random places with trees that just turned a gorgeous yellow!!! Since we don't have autumn in Singapore, this is a pretty rare sight, and photos HAD to be taken!

We all had dinner together and they were packing up and getting ready to leave for the airport... :(

Daddy's girl for life!!!!!!!! This was taken just before they went through the immigration gates. I miss them already :( Can't wait to go home and see them! 

On Sunday, my brother and I went to have hot pot. NOMNOMNOMNOMNOM. I have not had hotpot in the longest time ever and it was really yummy. LOVED IT! 

Le brother happy with his food. 

Now, it's back to work and just hanging around. All's good at work and I like it more than I expected myself to. That is always good, and the other co-op student is really sweet. I've recently just met another university mate to catch up and it felt so nice. My roommate, Jin, and I are also reunited!!! So much love for her!!!!! My life cannot be better! It probably can, but I'm learning to appreciate the small things in life. Positivity is my best friend. My pay is coming in, and I'll probably be visiting my friend in Vancouver soon. So exciting, cannot wait!!! What's new with you? 

XX

Strangers

Don't you see? We're becoming strangers.

Bonding with Nature

I keep trying to bond with nature but unless someone drags me hiking regularly, I doubt I will ever bond with nature. But here's me trying! Also here are my parents looking much cooler than I am! 

XX

Currently in: Vancouver

I am currently with my parents in Vancouver. My holiday in Singapore has ended and I need to get ready for my internship now. Also, I got an internship/co-op job! And I'm so thankful for that!!! 

Here's to another year of schl/fun!

XX

Cand goes to Taiwan 2014: Part 2 - Taichung to Taipei

So this was the ice cream we had from Miyahara that I was talking about! It was pretty cheap as well, compared to the extravagant prices in Singapore. I believe it was 10sgd for 3 couples of ice cream, a waffle biscuit, and 4 different toppings. 

They had pretty interesting flavours, we chose a tea flavor (tian tian tian lan - Blue Sky), sugarcane, as well as one milky flavoured one that I can't recall. In all honesty, I expected too much for the sugarcane since I really love the drink. It disappointed me in its ice cream form. It felt almost like it was iced sugarcane drink... However, the other two flavours were pretty much amazing!!! I loved them! And so did the boyfriend.

We had a hard time choosing the toppings because there were so many different toppings to choose from!!! We ended up choosing the cheesecake (arguably the most popular topping), red bean biscuit, sesame biscuit, and some nuts/oats. Loved them all, no complains about any of them.

After having our breakfast, we checked out and left for the High Speed Rail station. The trains were so frequent and it only took us about an hour to get to Taipei! 

Before we got there, we saw Carton King - a shop and restaurant where everything is made out of cardboard boxes! Everything....? I bet you were questioning that... So, let's take a look.

Here's the store front... With the boyfriend and his subtle posing.

I believe they are either display items or... musical things. You know, the ones you wind? My vocabulary is failing me. 

Table Lamps.

Lights.

Hats, which are washable by the way.

How about a cardboard decoration of a sheep for your house?

Just a table and chairs. 

Now do you believe me??? They have many more things that I did not take pictures of. 

I think Carton King is an interesting place to drop by and visit if you happen to be taking the High Speed Rail (HSR). Otherwise, I wouldn't come all the way out here to visit this place. Unless you are a cardboard enthusiast or you want to eat something out of a cardboard box. Then, be my guest! But this place is still rather small! But it is definitely interesting to drop by if you happen to pass by it! 

Moving on, we are going to take the HSR!!! And I was really excited because I knew it was going to be an experience. I have never taken a HSR and it is just amazing what technology has done for us to be able to travel at 287km/h. I enjoyed the ride - it was short and pretty sweet. Except that we didn't have a window seat and the guy had the blinds down the whole time he was there (which was 3/4 of the whole trip) before he got down at the airport station. 

SELFIE. 

And the guy left!!! So now we had the window seat and I could take a look of our surroundings! I think I was the only one in the whole cabin taking pictures LOLOL! Everybody else was either sleeping or using their phones. Okay guys, whatever floats your boat as long as I get to take my pictures!!! 

Got a thing for fluffy skies!!! 

Got to the Taipei Main Station and manoeuvred around to check in! 

Our hotel was near Ximending - lo and behold: 

11 floors of KTV madness. THAT is what's up. Stay cray, Taipei. 

It was still early to check in, so we just left our luggages there and headed to Tsamsui. From there we took a bus to Fisherman's Wharf and the Lover's Bridge. Just because we are lovers, otherwise I would probably have given this place a miss! 

The bridge. Nothing special I think, just a bridge. Maybe it would be more special if I knew the story behind it. Maybe a pair of star-crossed lovers build it to bring them closer to one another. #dramaticstory

"Wishing you: Happiness everyday"

My lover and the bridge.

I think at this point, there was something on my camera lens! OOPS. Probably my fingerprint.

My handsome lover. Teehee!

Just me being a poser. 

There is something about the sea and its endlessness. 

"I am Christopher Columbus and I found, uh, this railing."

Just you know... Looking into my future. 

THAT MARK IS SUCH AN EYESORE. Urgh. 

Got back to somewhere near the main station and ate some of these sweet potato balls. Which are bloody delicious. The guy laughed at me for taking this picture. This is what I go through for taking pictures!!! #sorrynotsorry

Went to the wharf to see the sun set. 

After a while, the sun began setting... And within seconds you could see it go it... It was such an amazing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

This...

Then this... 

And it's gone. I mean, in a minute, the sun was gone. Just amazing, what nature has to offer.

After that we walked around the market for a while, before heading back to the hotel. We bought some tie dan (Literal translation: iron eggs). I liked it but my boyfriend did not. So I bought some home to share with my family...or to eat them all by myself secretly. LOL. 

We stayed at Cho Hotel which had fantastic service, but the room was INCREDIBLY small. Like all hotels in Taipei. Now we're in the city! There were less motorcycles, and transport was way easier. Although it was pretty straightforward in Taichung too! 

Next up: Taipei City! Not as many pictures, but a whole lot of fun! 

XX