Head up, heart open. Better days are coming.

Just the first day of the week and I'm already dead tired. My friend ponned lecture again, and I overslept (for a 12nn lecture, good job yanqi!). When I reached school 30 minutes into the lecture, I realised I missed out the important part of the lecture. Omg yanqi, seriously. T.T Ought to slap myself for it.

Went for a full-day events job on Saturday, and it was really, really damn shag although we didn't exactly do much. I woke up at 5am and reached home only at 10.30pm sighs. The event was a success and we had a celebratory dinner treat by the boss. Whoopie! Was telling Amanda that I guess they might go TanPoPo for ramen and they really did. Is it I can read minds? :P

(Tanpopo)

On my way to tuition now but my tummy is rumbling. Is it lunch at 5.30pm again? T.T

Throwback to last weekend when we headed back to Gain City for dinner again because free parking LOL #typicalSingaporeans But yeahs, the food is yummy! And we ordered rainbow cake too! :D

(What a spread)

(Rainbow Cake)

To be honest, I don't get the hype over rainbow cakes. They don't taste nice, just sponge cakes with different colours topped with whipped cream that makes it so sinful to eat.

But the colours do make my day. LOLOL! Rainbows always make people feel happy.

When you complain,
you make yourself a victim.
Leave the situation,
change the situation,
or accept it.
All else is madness.

We mature with the damage, not with the years.

Horrible midweek.

When your laptop constantly have problems connecting to the school's wifi at LT10, but you are having two lectures there weekly... When your friend just keep ponning lectures, and you are left alone for most of the days... 

There is nothing to look forward to for school. Nothing at all.

At least last semester I looked forward to seeing my friends during classes. But no, now no. Sighs, I miss those days.

I was on my way home today after my friend 'put me aeroplane' for lunch. To my surprise, I saw Gwenda on the NUS shuttle bus. Omg, finally I see a familar face. I missed seeing her every week last semester for CFG. It feels good to find a companion to go home with, although we parted ways at Buona Vista. But yeahs. 

Anyways, I was feeling a little down, so I got Starbucks drinks for lunch instead. They are having a promotion for their newly-introduced yogurt drinks. Yay, is it Starbucks can read my mind? Their new drinks are not bad, quite different from their usual drinks. But I still prefer caffeine, so... x.x

(Chock Full of Beans)

I went to Changi Village that day to try this highly-raved cafe with the family. I thought it was quite cheap @ $6.50 for this cuppa latte with 3D Art. But still, latte is not my type. I prefer my mocha. Hmmm.....

(KFC's Umakara Chicken)

Two words to describe this: no good.

I prefer four fingers. The KFC's is too dry, and I really don't like it. I had a hard time swallowing this. Sighs, why did I agree to eat fried chicken when I usually stop myself from eating these oily food.

Sometimes I feel that I am quite selfish because I don't want to share my friends. Yanqi, please get a grip on yourself.

Almost all human differences
- from how much one succeeds
to our everyday experience -
is a result of the moments and
consciousness between intuition,
interpretation, intention and initiative.

You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration.

Horrible start to the week when my sandals broke after school today. Sighs. And of all days, I still had to travel down to my events job briefing at Raffles Place. Yup, it was fortunate that I had ended my classes, so I just had to bus down to Kent Ridge to grab some slippers. Geez, it was also then I realised the school sells slippers for $20. Omg, daylight robbery?! And yeahs, yours truly concluded her day by appearing in Raffles Place in her lupsup slippers. Omg.

Had my first GET presentation as well. The tutorial was quite chill, because everyone just had to go present for 15 minutes and we were done with tutorial. LOL. Sighs, what makes me worried was the bellcurve. Dang, if it was so relaxing and all, the bell curve will confirmed be damn steep luh?! To make matters worst, I have unresponsive (and unappreciative) groupmates to survive for 4 more tutorials. T.T Procrastination queens/kings omg. Please, I hope my mindset changes for the remaining of the tutorials. :3

(Dunkin' Donuts)

Inserting a random photo of Dunkin' Donuts. Mama bought some home previously, but I still hate eating them because they are way too sweet. Ahh, diabetes ah?!?!?

I hope we never need whiskey
to talk about our deepest scars
or darkest secrets.
I hope we can talk about these
over a morning cup of coffee and
see each other in the bright sunlight.
I hope we never need darkness to hide.

You're giving me anxiety.

A mere 2 weeks of school felt like 12 weeks already.

Sighpie. It is just the starting of the semester, but I'm already very exhausted. Like really. I can literally fall asleep anywhere now. I'm even having a migraine now as I'm typing this blogpost, but I still have to practice my music before heading to bed. Sighs. T.T

(Ripped from thehoneytruffle.tumblr.com)

I just had a major presentation today. Yes, first presentation of the semester and it was a freaking 40 minutes presentation, and my partner and I only had 6 days to complete it. Hmm, that justified why I haven't been heading out the entire week because I'm just stuck at home researching and doing slides. T.T

But I'm so glad that it was all over. I was such a nervous wreck. I believed my voice was trembling as I presented. My brain simply cannot process whatever I'm saying, so I hope whatever I said made sense. I simply hate public speaking hmphs. It was even more terrifying because it was the first time that I'm giving a presentation without a script (unless you count JC's project work oral presentation), but I guess it will be good practice for me to hone my public speaking / presentation skills.

Thankful for Yurong for her constant encouragement and pretty slides! :D As I witnessed another case of procrastination from the other group (it was extreme procrastination), I am super glad that I've Yurong with me as my partner. Hehehes! :DD

And then, there was this particular tutorial allocation that was giving me a headache. I emailed my professor the moment I got back my tutorial balloting results, but she directed me to the office. I submitted my CORS appeal as requested by the administrative staff, sent tons of emails, and even went down personally to 'complain'. However, it freaking took them 6 days to approve my tutorial allocation. Sighs. Inefficiency much.

I was busy with tuition for this week as well. Two lessons for this week because the kid is having an examination soon. Sighs. The kid stress, I also stress. T.T Sighpie.

Throwback to our recent steamboat meal:

(Soup bubbling)

(Pot full of food)

Because my daddy was craving for steamboat, my mummy had no choice but to prepare for him. There were many various types of food prepared, but my favourite has got to be the prawns! It was delicious!

A happy life is just a string of happy moments.
But most people miss out on the happy moments,
because they are too busy trying to get a happy life.

Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo.

(Ripped from Tumblr)

That moment when you realised you really have nobody to rely on.

As I required some help for something, I was scrolling through my contacts to find whoever I can approach. And that was when I truly realised I really have no friends whom I can depend on. Even though I eventually got someone to help, it was met with complaints and unwillingness.

Ahh. I'm sorry to have put you through all these torture to lend me a helping hand. I'm really sorry. I would love to do it myself, but sometimes in life, you just needed help.

Sighs. Cruel reality.

The same boiling water that
Softens the potato, hardens the egg.
It's about what you're make of,
Not the circumstances.

These scars are tokens of promises broken.

(Ripped from Tumblr)

The moment when you realised that you probably chose the wrong combination of modules for school T.T Arghs, I was writing my assignment submissions and the other important deadlines on a timeline a few days ago, only then I realised how packed my schedule was. Sighs. Shit those assignments and presentations and examinations. Shit my life. I suddenly realised how free my previous semester was. LOL, and thankfully I overloaded last semester.

First week of school had gone like a breeze. They were only introduction lectures and so everything is light, but I regretted not reading my readings beforehand, because everything is eventually going to stack up, and yup, I can foresee a mountain building up soon.

(Ripped from giphy.com)

Went for my first seminar alone, and geez, I came out with a shock that it was my turn to present next week with a partner. It was randomised by the professor, and I have no idea whether to cry or laugh. Being the first group ever is really no joke because we do not have any reference, and really, we only had that few days to prepare? Friday was the seminar, this coming Wednesday is the deadline of the presentation outline, and soon, the coming Friday will be the presentation. and I'm afraid I will screw things up. Then again, tutorials have yet to start, so I have relatively more time on hand to prepare now? Shall just get it over and done with. Jiayous yanqi! :D

Thankful for a great partner, YuRong, whom really helped a lot. Even though the researching and staring at the information for two whole days (as of now) irked me a lot (and partially I wasn't prepared to start school yet), I'm grateful to have this responsible partner who always push me. I initially thought that Amanda was bad, because she is always kanchiong about deadlines, but hahahas now I found someone who is worst. In a good way, I mean. Better to finish things up fast and get it over and done with. I had heard a lot of bad comments about NM majors from Dewei, and geeez, I rather have a kanchiong groupmate than those who procrastinates much. Yes! P.S. This is not a complaint, but more of appreciation that someone is there to push me.

~

Throwback to Tonkotsu Kazan @ Novena Square with the family. I realised I have been eating a lot of Japanese food these days. Oops. Anyways, this restaurant is well-known for their volcano ramen, and so I went there with an excited feeling because it was my second time trying volcano ramen. Hahahas! :D

(Chicken Karrage)

Ordered this for appetizer, and hmm it tasted not bad. The mayonnaise is however, too creamy for my liking T.T

(Volcano Ramen)

The staff will place this cone-lid over your bowl of ramen, and the steam will come out like an erupting volcano. And there you go, volcano ramen! :D Interesting concept LOL.

(The end product of the volcano eruption)

A free bowl of rice is given so that you can mix it with the leftover soup. 2 persons can share this, it is quite a huge portion. But okay, to be honest, this ramen is also not to my liking. LOL.

(Gyoza)

Gyoza taste average. Sighs. Total bill comes up to $30, and even though it is enough for the 3 of us (relatively cheap for Japanese food), I think the food is not up to standard though :/ Cries.

(Cheesecake by The Cheesecake Factory)

My sister said this is a must-try! I tried and thought it was average, but the crust has a tinge of cinnamon taste to it, which is quite unique. Quite worth it, 8 slices for $15. It is much cheaper than you patronise outside shops. Hahahas! :D

Okay sighs, shall go back to doing up the presentation slides zzz.

And you can use my skin to bury secrets in,
and I will settle you down, and at my own suggestion,
I will ask no questions, while I do my thing in the background.

Baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory.

Throwback trip to the Southern Islands a few days before school starts. Hehes :D I heard from my parents that St John Island used to be a popular camping spot, but over the years, the island is becoming increasingly unheard of. To be honest, if I didn't went to explore Marina South Pier that time with Idris (two semesters back LOL), I wouldn't have known their existence. Hahahahas! :D

(Our ferry to the islands)

The two-way ferry trip costs $18/pax, which is a little expensive (considering Pulau Ubin only costs $6 hahahas!). But ohwell, it was fun to explore a unknown place! Woohoo, excited much!

(6 dogs on board with us)

I had a phobia of dogs, and look how close they were to me. All the time I was squirming in my seat and praying that they would not come near me. Sighs. I have nowhere to run. LOL.

(Seeing MBS near the coast)

First Stop: St John Island

The ferry ride takes 30minutes, and the stupid me got so worried because I only ingested my motion sickness pills the moment I board the ferry (I'm supposed to take it 30minutes before geeez). Thankfully, the waters ain't that rough that day so the ferry was relatively stable, and I'm proud to say, I'm feeling very well! Hehehes.

(Jetty at St John Island)

(Pristine waters)

(Beach)

(Seats for you to rest)

(There is a tinge of black sand)

(The colours are actually nicer but my phone was unable to capture the beauty sighs)

(More trees)

(Kampong houses, and we saw plenty of chickens around)

(Pavement overlooking the seas)

Second Stop: Lazarus Island

St John Island is linked to Lazarus Island, so here we go! Lazarus Island is actually much prettier. :D

(On the way to Lazarus Island)

(The green is pretty)

(Let's take a moment to admire the beach)

(Fascinating weird fruit)

(Walk down further and we can spot Marina Bay at the end)

(It was actually very windy here)

Third Stop: Kusu Island

Took the ferry again to Kusu Island this time, but we only stayed for a mere 1h because of the last ferry. Sighs, I swear the ferry timings are weird. I had to spend 4h at St John Island / Lazarus Island. T.T

(Entrance to Kusu Island)

(All the temples)

(Small beach over there)

(Ending off with a one-try perfect jump shot but you can't see my face because the sun is too bright)

The trip was a total eye-opener, because I get to see the other side of Singapore. There ain't many people around, so woohoo, nobody to squeeze with; I have big areas to walk in; enjoying the peace and serenity. It was a good getaway. :D Thanks my parents for being so spontaneous for this trip.

But it was lucky that I didn't insist having a staycation over at St John Island because the bungalow chalet there really looks creepy... Sighs.

Lonely days of uncertainty,
they disappear when you are near me,
you're around, my life's worthwhile,
and now I hope to see you smile.

Let's grab a bottle of wine and watch the stars.

 Time really flies and summer break has eventually came to an end. It was a fulfilling three months break. I went on my first ever holiday trip with friends, did my favourite hiking activities with my family, found a job and earned some cash to tide me for the semester (albeit insufficient), made a few new colleague-friends, met up with the old friends, and most importantly, stepped out of my comfort zone such as going drinking and giving tuition.

But I am still a little unsatisfied. I could actually work for 3 months rather than a mere 6 weeks. Or better still, find some internship. T.T But ohwell, no dwelling on history. It's time to move on.

And today is the first day of school. It was made less dreadful because I had a friend with me for my first lecture of the new academic year. Although we are not on close terms, it is still heartening to see a familiar face and knowing that I am not alone in this entire shit. Thankful for you. :D

Headed towards the library after my lecture to find a textbook but it was nowhere to be found. Wtf. T.T The library ought to improve on their efficiency, I have been searching high and low for this stupid particular textbook for a week already.

Bought lunch home and refreshed awhile before heading out to Somerset to meet Amanda and L for dinner and a drinking session. Hehehes! :D

(Kanshoku Ramen Bar)

I got their Signature Kanshoku Ramen, but it just tasted meh. I added an egg, but it was also not as flavourful as the previous few Japanese restaurants I patronised. Amanda's Spicy Tonkutsu Ramen just tasted spicy, but I like L's black garlic ramen though! The broth's not as salty as well, so yay! :D

Anyways, a major throwback to Tanuki Raw lunch with dearest Amanda last week. We ordered and shared their Salmon Kaisen and Bara Chirashi lunch bowls.

(The lunch bowls looked small, but surprisingly filling.)

It was not bad, but I guessed it shall be my first and last time patronising the restaurant, because I don't find it that fantastic for its price. Then again, sashimi are all expensive and this is considered a cheaper alternative....

If people want to build a ship,
don't drum up people together to collect wood
and don't assign them tasks and work,
but rather teach them to long for the
endless immensity of the sea.

It sucks when the emotions run deep, but the communication is weak.

So I recently read a Dayre post whereby the author was saying how she did not want to embark on the giving-tuition route because she was afraid that she might 'ruin' the student's future with half-hearted teaching. Well, I do agree with her. Giving tuition, despite being an extremely well-paying job (for undergraduates, at least), requires high commitment and responsibility on the tutor's side. And I think it is important for tutors to keep to this unspoken pact with their tutees.

Many friends of mine are giving tuitions, and to be honest, I am quite tempted to as well. This is quick money really; where else can you find a job that pays well with little working hours. Hahas, but I was not academically strong, hence I did not want to take up tuition for fear of 'ruining' the student's future (LOL).

However...

(Ripped from http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu)

1. University expenses are really very high
(and I need to save some money for exchange)

2. Since everyone is doing it, why can't I!

And so I decided to challenge myself.

It actually took me quite a long time to decide if I should accept the assignment, because I'm worried about the commitments (school and music lessons are time-consuming already) and my capabilities. However, I eventually give in to the temptations and jump onto the bandwagon.

I realised I can still handle primary school work, however I am just afraid that my teachings/explanations are not up to standard (ie. my kid have no idea what I'm talking about). Sighs.

But I will do my best.

~

By the way, my mummy dragged me to Keisuke Tonkotsu King the other day for lunch, and viola, I tasted one of the best ramen in Singapore (so far). We ordered two bowls of ramen – normal and black spicy (peppery version) – with seaweed and flavored egg (semi-runny, and the yolk is simply amazing).

Their pork bone broth is so tasty (despite being a little salty) that I ended up slurping the entire bowl clean. This outlet really lived up to its name when it says it specializes in pork bone broth. It is really that delicious.

(Normal flavor)

(Black spicy ramen)

The only bad thing was that I felt a little claustrophobic inside. The space is very small, so walking is very difficult. Everything is very squeezy (is it the same as Japan? I haven't been to Japan yet. Sighpie). And the million-dollar question, is it expensive? Well, the total bill came up to $30, which is the average price of ramen bowls, so hahahas, I would patronise again.

Deep down, away from all the noise,

Where your soul blankets your heart and your dreams,

Lie in wait. You are not afraid.

We're all just rats caught in a race.

Finally visited Timbre after one year of trying to round my friends up to go :3 Friends ah, friends. It is so difficult to find a time that can accommodate everyone's schedule sighs. But I'm glad we finally did. LOLOL.

(Roasted Duck Pizza)

Tried their highly-raved Roasted Duck Pizza, and I find it to be mere average. The crust is thin and crispy, the toppings are unique, but it is a little difficult to slice up the pizza into smaller bits to fit my mouth. LOL, despite it being a huge portion, it is not filling. So we ordered another pizza (only then we realised we can actually order two flavors on a pizza – half half), and we got Roasted Garlic Shrimp Pizza and Yakiniku Chicken Pizza, both of which are not bad.

Got Timbre Chicken Wings as well which is their chef recommendation, and whoa, I really like it. Hahahas, must eat while it is hot, because it is really finger-licking good. LOL! :D Also, we complemented the food with some drinks and hehe, life's all good, except the fact that my wallet is crying. x.x

Met Huiqi the next day for a long-awaited singing sesh at Teoheng. Three hours of non-stop singing with just the two of us is ripping our throats apart. Glad to be grabbing the microphones once again and belting out hit songs, but ah, went home with a hoarse voice afterwards. Anyways, whoopee, the girl is finally embarking on her route to getting a driver's license and she is excitedly telling me all about her lessons. Hahahas, jiayous girl. The brave soul is taking manual. :D

(Seafood Zuppa)

(Cheese Sausage Salsiccia)

Headed over to Pastamania for dinner again and I got my favourite seafood zuppa! :D So we spent the entire day talking about life, such as future jobs and money and marriage (LOL) in particular, and ahh I suddenly felt the weight of these burdens falling on my shoulders again. T.T Anyways, recently, I engaged in a talk with a friend about marriage and religions. The conversation made me think alot, and I just got that sudden realisation that religion really matters alot when it comes to the union of two people. Can love really transcends the differences in religion?

And if I asked you to name all
the things you love,
how long would it take for you
to name yourself?