your own pics here.

Oh hello! It's you again!

Here for some sweet tea and love cakes, I see? I'm sorry. But I'm feeling a little woozy from all that traveling and hours of flight. But of course, the thing is...is that I'm back!!!

It's good to be back. Back to the weather I'm most familiar with. Even with the late rain at half past 6 in the evening, I was most delighted.

12 days is as long as it gets! I am dead tired. I was so drained that half way through my trip, I fell ill. How inappropriate, really. When you're sick, you can't do anything. You can't eat anything. And you have no energy for anything. And you waste a lot of time falling ill, being ill and recovering.

Well, we'll come to that a little later on!

Day 1

When you arrive in China, you're required to produce a completed arrival card/form just like most other countries. And after filling it, I flipped over the other side and that was what I got. Are they really talking alien aliens?? Or are foreigners considered aliens too??? I was really quite confused. Surely instructions on documents of such importance such as an immigration form would have no such errors.

Having landed in Shanghai's airport, I thought our 6-hr journey was over. But we still had to make a 2-hr drive to Su Zhou!!! We met our tour guide as we exited the immigration area, and with the driver, we got moving.

Egg tarts for dessert after dinner that night!

And because I didn't bring any of my winter overcoats back, I was wearing one faithful black one the entire time. This black Zara jacket helped me fend off the cold winter temperatures of 1 degree at its lowest!

Toodles. Off for a very late dinner of Hokkien Mee and Cantonese Fried Noodles.

{/9:20 PM} ♥

'Tis the season to be jolly!

I'm jetting off to Shanghai in a few hours' time!!! It'll be pretty cold there. Which is great! Because I've had enough of this no-aircond nonsense and a blotchy face.

I'm a little frazzled by the whole last-minute ordeal. Everything's so last-minute. Tickets were collected just 2 days ago. Packing's definitely so last minute because I'm not even completely done now. I also needed to back-up pictures and videos, fast! But I don't know why it took forever. Plus, my laptop died one me. Twice! I gave up on copying the don't know what Picture Motion HD Still Images and went to watch E! Entertainment.

I won't be posting anything up here for two weeks! However, if I do get access to internet and a computer over there, I'll cook up a quick update. If not, watch this space in 2 weeks' time!

Also, two weeks means Christmas will not be spent here~ I'll be in colourful Hong Kong! So, I'd like to wish you folks an early, Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

What are on everybody's Christmas wishlist? Is your Christmas celebrated large or celebrated warm? With fruit cake and christmas cookies?! Gingerbread men and Santa's reindeers?? I'm going to get carried away! Maybe you're like me. With the scent of baking, I'm on a high.

When I was younger, I would decorate our Christmas tree with my sister. I would make sure if we had two red hollies, one will be on the left and the other on the right, so that it will be balanced. If it's just one bell, it'll be hung on the side facing everyone. I'm not sure whether I made a fuss if I didn't get to put the star right at the top of the tree. Our tree's only 4 feet high, btw. But when my brother came tottering along (when he was a few years of age), I would put the star in his hand and carry him to the top.

"Put here?"

That's right baby boy.

xoxox

{/6:48 AM} ♥

What did you do this Sunday afternoon?

Have poached eggs with hollandaise? Or did you have dim sum?

I had Lunch at Chili's, BSC with Chong and Ruwan. But before that, I had this screaming frenzy at the carpark. Why? Because there was a minor, minor accident (not worth screaming for, actually!) between Chong's car and a pillar. Chong and I waited very patiently at Basement 1 of BSC. We eventually found a carpark but because his car's so long, he had trouble adjusting into it and he had to keep going and reversing. Going and reversing. Going and reversing! Again and again! Especially since there was this car (illegally parked) obstructing his way.

"Go down and see if there's space."

He had centimetres at the front! And just a little more at the back. I signalled for him to reverse and ZOOM. He hit the pillar and I saw the car bumper dent inwards slightly right before my eyes. OMG. This looks bad on me and no one's gonna trust my judgement again ):

Aah well. Chong said it's alright! Cause it was just a very, very small scratch. So now he has a new scratch atop one he already had before. He'll wait until he gets a few more before changing the whole bumper!

Ruwan's Triple Play.

Chong's Grilled Chicken.

My Chicken Crispers.

Chong was telling us both about Teuscher chocolates. Like how they were flown in from Switzerland every week and how they were the best chocolates in the world. How come I never knew we had "best in the world" stuff over here?! Must go try! Hence, after lunch we decided to go see. It's on 1st floor of the old wing, BSC near Guardian and Royal Sporting House. Indeed they are delicious and worthy of their claim! Especially those dark chocolate champagne truffles. There were also beautifully decorated boxes just for Christmas! I'm talking miniature Christmas trees on boxes!

I went over to Chong's place later to play Digimon on his PlayStation (which I lost terribly in, needless to say) and I saw...

Ruffles!

He's still as fluffy! And still cute! His nails were long. And he kept slipping on the marble floor when he ran which made him look even more adorable. No, Ruffles, no! But he continues licking my toes.

{/8:38 PM} ♥

Bright eyed. Maybe you'd like to know. Come.

Having been away for a year, you must think I have a tale to tell. I may, but what makes you think I'll post it up here? With you knowing, the whole world knows. I'll tell you what. Let's test the waters.

Oh. I cannot tolerate chinese whispers. If that's you, move along! Shoo shoo.

For a year, I was focusing on bringing myself back to solid ground. My hardcore weekly partying nights dwindled to twice this year. With less clubbing, I gained the few stubborn pounds. (Is that even possible??)

"Clean up your act or..."

I had a mission. I started living the life of a typical university student. Attending classes. Doing my required tutorial work. Completing assignments. Handing in assignments. Having a budget. Only throwing on my heels and wearing make-up on special, special occasions. It took a lot out of me and I was constantly shaken. So afraid of what and how people would judge.

Dressing up is perfectly fine. But when it becomes an addiction, it's problem. A serious one, for that matter. You look in the mirror and you're bound to disagree with something. And for the ones you can better immediately, you do it then and there. Why? Because you're a dimwit. Maybe some mascara and that eyeliner. Bronzer powder? Or perhaps, blush. And don't forget your kissers. Once you pick up that one tool, you go the whole nine yards! Note: I'm not generalising! People do manage well. Not me. I get sidetracked.


Last year, I met several people whom I could have done very well without. Okay, not to offend good friends whom I met last year...you should know it's not you. But gosh. Some people are just plain idiots!! Useless and irresponsible with a cowardly attitude. Why are there such people? Why! Die! Oh dear. Don't let me see you again.

Warned.

'Twas the past.

There's more! But it might be way too bitter. Way too dark for any good now.

I am thankful and grateful for being allowed back to Melbourne. I do love it there and I enjoy the perks of being there. I want to show you that this was indeed most fitting. I'm proud of my performance this year. Not a 100%. But I'd give myself a pat on the back. I'm more appreciative of my good friends around me and I'm spending more time with them. Having good company around is awesome and furthermore, it keeps you in check!

I've kept my part of the bargain. I've lived up to expectation. There are the few tweaks in life I'd like to tamper with if I could! But don't ask for more, my friend.

{/7:38 PM} ♥

You're not here nor are you there.

I am helplessly stuck with you.

What do you do?

Many a time, I find myself swallowed by my own thoughts with no one to reciprocate them with. I am sitting at home in my own room. Staring blankly at my computer. And the cursor arrow, motionless.

Then without me knowing, it goes clicking on facebook pages I've seen too often. Websites I've already visited. My inbox with no new messages. And old nostalgic photos that make you pensive.

The air stays musty and I wipe the drops of perspiration above my lip. My stomach still full from breakfast. A bowl of cereal and toast. And a couple of Jacob's cream crackers. I am wondering now if I should start on my new Korean drama series. Or go finish watching episodes of Gossip Girl, ANTM and Glee.

Oh my. One year and I can't seem to find anybody's blog! They're either privatized or moved or just non-existent anymore. What's the meaning of this?! Help me find you.

Anyhow. I'd like to congratulate my fellow graduating friends of 2009: Sheryl, Jac Kee, Caleen and Sarah Q. I knew y'all would soar high with flying colours. Congratulations and I am tonnes happy for you guys!!! An achievement worth celebrating big!

{/12:26 PM} ♥