N.

Maybe it's me. Or the world. But doesn't it seem that weddings are always same old same old? This next set of photos convey awfully amazing ideas from photography, hair, jewellery, makeup and dress for bridal wear.

Nidhi + Radhika Wear Bridal Beauty for Grazia India

via fashiongonerogue

Londontown

I'm searching for things not to do in London because I feel that I have to visit every attraction out there. But I'll only have 3 days there. What an impossible mission to do. So I think this video has really helped to just on those things that are most important to do while I'm there.

It came to me how much the meaning of something can truly be reduced because of the lack of understanding in a language you are trying to express it in. Words cannot become a beautiful arrangement without having a deep understanding of them in the first place. That's what I found with one of my favourite's band, their english songs are just so shallow in meaning compared to their touching and heart-wrenching songs composed in their mother's tongue. I knew that things can really mean more to a person when it is expressed in their own language but I guess this realisation is now making more of an impact on me. Just how much effect it has is just staggering, it really doesn't do anyone justice. So just because you think a person is not capable of voicing their own thoughts then think twice. In today's world where people can most often than not, speak two languages or more, you may think less of another person because of this reason. But what if they're actually much much more intelligent and sensitive than you are? With only their blinding facade of an inadequate individual that can be derived from their manners and ways of speaking. Things to think about today.

Ciao,

xx

T E A T I M E

I was making tea for an afternoon tea and I thought why don't I dedicate a post on my love for tea. My mum thinks I buy way too many kinds of teas and waste a lot of money for it. But who can really have too much tea right? :)

My top teas are down below:

1. EARL GREY / LADY GREY
Oh, that's a hard one. I loved earl grey until someone (mum) swapped my tea with lady grey, in which I noticed by the way. It's got an added fruity note to the amazing earl grey. Straight away I knew I liked it better than earl grey but I can't get earl grey off my list just yet. You know how it is with an old love.

2. Orange Pekoe
I love orange(s). I eat it, I wear it (shirts, watches you name it), I see it everyday in my room (bed sheet,  blanket, storage compartments etc). No need to go on anymore methinks.

3. Caramel (Black Tea - Indonesian)
This is made by Lipton Indonesia. It is something I always buy whenever I visit my hometown. It's great made black or add some milk to make a caramel milk tea. Yum! (In fact, this is what I am drinking right now!)

4. Green Tea with Roasted Rice (Japanese)
I bought this by accident once and was hooked straight away. The aroma of green tea and roasted rice takes you to feel like you're in a traditional temple somewhere in rural Japan (I haven't been to Japan yet but my imagination keeps me happy).  I have totally changed up my green tea with this one since then.

5. Peppermint and Chamomile
Whenever I feel restless and exhausted, I always try to make myself a cup of this. The scent of both combined is like a reassuring call to "Relax. Everything is going to be fine. I am here to get you a good night's sleep."

6. Jasmine Tea
I think tea is served just about anywhere in my country, from a sidewalk/street vendors to an upscale restaurant, and jasmine tea definitely takes the leading role over there. Not to mention the ever-growing import of Teh Botol by Sosro to overseas market. We can't get enough of the sweet-smelling fragrance of Jasmine tea apparently. Not to worry because it's a condition that I truly embrace :)

Just another day

I think my motivation to write anything stems from reading my favourite blogs. I only ever end up writing anything after getting inspired by some of the amazing blogs that I follow (for exception is when I write to vent off anger of course haha)

Anyway on this mediocre day, I just want to ponder on the decision I have made recently. I decided to visit Europe again next year! It really just came together in a month's time I would say, it was a pretty quick decision that we came to. All thanks to the earlybird sale, my friend and I caught the bait of buying flight tickets to Europe! We will be joining up a tour around Europe, though not to Spain and some other countries, but we will be visiting France and its other neighbours. We will be on the bus for nearly two weeks so it'll be somewhat a challenge I think. I'm up for it, I think we'll just need to unwind and relax in a 'more extravagant' hotel after the tour ends in London. That is only if we can watch our spending and succeed in not becoming broke as soon as the tour finishes.

We will also be spending some additional time in Paris and London pre and post tour. I'm excited about that! It's the best way to actually explore the city from a local's perspective. Not to mention the plethora of local stores/markets we will have the chance to visit! I can't wait to hit up some of the pharmacies available in both countries. If not, all the countries that we will be visiting for that matter. I see this trip as a foodie/architectural sightseeing/skincare and beauty searching to be honest. I don't know how lucky or successful we will be in ticking off the latter part of the brief. Though I have full confidence that by doing a lot of pre-departure research through this world wide web, we will be able to find some gems in a lot of the European countries!

I should probably document some research that I have already found on youtube :)

I'm happy when you're happy too

What is key of being happy? Unquestionably, it's not just from the joyous experience you individually go through. I feel that it involves much more than that. It encompasses the happiness of others you know or may not even know. Happiness is a virus that does not stop spreading. Everything it touches can feel its positive effect too. Though in today's world, everything seems to revolve around our own happiness but it really is such a privilege to look outside our own bubble. And when you do, the prize you earn is to feel the happiness and love around you. It is even possible to feel it through the virtual world where the source is thousands of miles away from you. Anywho, being happy is not a one-man show. Just look around and find that happiness in you.

Eliza Doolittle - Big When I Was Little

Would you know me know me know me
If you saw me saw me saw me
Nothing but hopes and live in the moment
Where we were meant to be

Oh those days don't seem so far
When im flicking through my old polaroid photographs
Me and you you always made me laugh 
Dancing to cassette tape singles
That was big when I was little
Big when I was little [x2]
Just like Malcolm in the Middle 
That was big when I was little

Hey Dad

So this is it.

Si, I decided to take a semester break from university. Quite dramatic for someone like me, isn't it? I think it is the best decision at this point in my life. Things are just passing by so quickly. The other day I was still worrying over finding a good car to purchase. And today came, the time to hand over the money for the car and later today, I was able to take it home. And now on this night, I currently have a car, I am out of university for the moment, I have a clear and strong plan for the future. I know where I have to go, what I have to achieve exactly, in life and spiritually. I love life and everything else in it.

On another note, Barcelona post is still not up. Huff. Maybe it will never come up. Doesn't matter, there's always other adventures to post up here. Til then!

Ciao ciao!
xx

When procrastination kicks in

It's that time of the year again. Back to uni, back to work, back to boring day to day tasks in life. It is only the first week and I am feeling a little discouraged and unmotivated to do the best I can. What is happening to me? It may actually be the worries I have over the work commitment and final results that the students are expected to achieve by the end of this semester. It is the final semester of second year, after all. It makes it that much more daunting if I don't produce great works or ANYthing that I can be proud of by the end of this semester, in that matter. Anyway, life must go on. Let's look forward to a more productive tomorrow.

Ciao ciao!
xx

Back in the motherland

For the most part, I have always thought coming back would always teach me a lesson or two. No doubt, it has but the funny thing is that this time around, I see it as a negative aspect of the trip. I'm not entirely sure on how to describe it but it may be the result of how the society runs over here. A system that I really do not condone and wish would never happen else where. Of course, this is just another one of those utopian thinking I have in mind again. In all seriousness though, I am willing to detract as much as I can from this whatever thing going on around at this place.

It's rather frustrating that in a place you would think you could understand and fit into, turns out to be the opposite. That in reality, you really still don't. I know this postt has been somewhat cryptic but even I am having a little difficulty to describe it.

On the other hand, I will be back to my daily life in a couple of weeks time so I'm really looking forward to that.

Ciao!
xx

Hola from Barcelona

These are my first glimpses of Barcelona when the weather was far from being ideal. But Barcelona being Barcelona, I still loved it. My first day consisted of roaming around the city in a city tour group. It cost quite a bit for just riding the bus but anyway, I was on a tight-schedule and this was the way to go for such a lightning trip in Barcelona.

Gaudi is one genius man. It was just amazing to see his works in real life. I have been very lucky indeed. Day 2 Barcelona - Salvador Dali tour post soon :)

xx

Snippets of other Parisian Days

Eiffel Tower was totally mesmerising at night. Not long after arriving, the lights started to come on and twinkled frantically but beautifully nonetheless on our beloved and most romantic tower. Why is it associated with romance by the way? I absolutely have no clue but that's what people usually say, so I'll join in and coin the term too. Oh yeah, love locks. Like that's not romantic enough. My favourite bit would be when I came across a massive bike chain amongst all the other normal locks. So obnoxious but smart at the same time! If the whole thing were really to come true, their love would definitely be the most strong and secure.

Other snippets include photos taken from our walkabouts to Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Musee de l'Orangerie as well as Musee d'Orsay. We may have gone to other places but for some unknown reason, I felt too tired to take photos at this time of the trip. It was nearly the end of the trip so I think the stress and depleting energy affected me a wee bit. Anyway, Paris was amazing and again, I would have loved to explore it some more but with the given time, it was just impossible. No more mistakes like this next time! I think I would much prefer just spending a long long time in one country instead of hopping around to anywhere else.

I finished my second year semester 1!! Some of my friends will be going on exchange so I'll definitely miss them but I'm happy they get a chance to go. I can't wait to see them again when they come back. Happy holidays!!

xx

Melbourne in 2012

Rewind a year ago, back to the Melbourne trip deep in wintertime.

Obligatory snap from high up in the air 

First peek of Melbourne city 

Most amazing display of cakes 

La Belle Miette - second favourite macaron place in Melbourne behind LuxBite 

State Library (from memory) - it looks lovely at night

Chadstone Mall

Lui Bar

Flying Pig! 

Rainbow Yum Cha Buffet - Best $23 ever spent

Brighton Beach

Melbourne Central

I wish we could have stayed longer. Three days were simply not enough to explore this wonderful city!    We barely had any time at Melbourne Central :( we had to rush back to the hotel then airport. I so regret for not exploring the city enough. The next time I'll be sure to do better research and planning ahead so that I can be better prepared and not waste anytime while I'm there :)

xx