Tranzitlounge

if you're cold and you know it, clap your hands!

2012-02-06T07:42:00.000+11:00

Location: Amsterdam
Time: 9:29PM

A lot has happened since my last post! I travelled to Berlin by train, which took about 8 hours for about 120Euro. Berlin really surprised me. I hadn't thought much about it before I got there, but it is definitely one of my favourites so far. 5 days there was definitely not enough. I think what I love about it most is its youth. They seem like they are going to start a riot, or rebel at any given time. There is so much grittyness and so much beauty at the same time. What was also surprising was the amount of Vietnamese restuarants! I'd been craving Vietnamese food for so long... and it was actually really good. Unfortunately, no photos, but I do have this to show you.

This has honestly been one of the best meals I've had in europe, besides maybe Sebastian's mum's snitzel. I know this is going to sound really depressing and unnecessary, but I have been feeling so unhealthy over the last month. My diet has pretty much just conissted of meats, potato and deep fried stuff. Yes, the weight is stacking on!!! But then I found this amazing organic joint near Alexanderplatz! It's called SpreGold and we all loved it so much that there is talk of opening something similiar in Sydney (if only we had the money). I scoffed down this salad in a way I didn't think was possible. The chai tea was lovely too. I actually had a much more colour salad and pasta on some of the other days, but unfortunately no photos either. Too bad I haven't found another place like this in Amsterdam.

So yes, writing this in Amsterdam now as I have just finished washing bird poop out of my hair. I think I kind of ruined Amsterdam for myself... I had all these grand expectations of it, and now I've been experiencing some disappointment. BUT there is still another night and day to go, so perhaps I am speaking too soon. Here are some photos of Amsterdam and some other random things that I felt like posting.

One of the well-known pieces of street art at the East Side Gallery, Berlin.

The Pergamon Exhibition in Berlin. The Germans have on exhibition huge pieces of the ancient city of Pergamon AND the Gate of Babylon. Seriously? How they managed to move all of this from Turkey to Germany is beyond me.

Welcome to Amsterdam! It has been so terribly cold lately that my fingers and toes hurt after 20mins of walking outside. So cold that the canal has frozen over :)

This is the view from our room in Sebastian's house back in Austria. I miss Ebensee. And, I am starting to miss home...

Fill me in

2012-01-30T07:02:00.001+11:00

Some updates on the past week or so...

Firstly, I finished my exams! haha we all thought we failed by the end of it... really weird questions, and the content had all be squished into the span of 2 weeks. But hopegully everything went well. Then I headed to Bratislava, Slovakia just for one night to visit the hostel kids. Travelled by bus, which cost about 6.90EURO and took less than an hour. Sigh, going home and travelling to uni everyday is going to be such a drag...

After Bratislava, I travelled back to Vienna by the same bus and took a train to Salzburg to meet Bodhi. I took the Westbahn train which cost me 23EURO one-way for a three-hour trip. Salzburg was lovely. We wanted to catch the cable car up to the mountain, but it was too cloudy and the attendant advised us not too.

I am now currently at Sebastian's house in a small town called Ebensee which is about 45mins away from Salzburg. I feel so spoilt here! His family is so so nice - making food for me and Bodhi... and their house is beautiful. I never thought I would love the countryside. I always thought it was too quiet for me, and that I preferred being a very busy city. But man oh man, how I was wrong. I totally get it now. It is so peaceful, and your home is what you make it to be. Being here makes me think about where I want to end up in life and how I want to live it.

Note: coming home every day and smelling like an ashtray is starting to take its toll on me haha yuck.

Here are just some of my favourite photos from the last week or so :)

1.The Austrian boys - Sebastian and Thomas.
2. Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg - this is where they filmed the "Do a deer, a female deer" song from the Sound of Music. Bodhi and I were full gangster. Walked where there were signs telling us not too! And then some Chinese tourists followed our lead and did the same haha.
3.
4. There was a bridge in Salzburg where all these locks where chained to it - a lover's lock. I guess a symbolic thing to lock your love for eternity. This was my favourite and most rustic looking lock I could find. I wish I had known the story between R and R.
5. Hallstatt. This village is built into the mountains. Seb and Thom took us. It was so beautiful, nesting between the rock and the lake. Funnily enough, some Chinese architects wanted to build a replica in China, so they came over and drew down the format of the village to take back to China without telling or asking Austria haha.
6. A church and its graveyard, Hallstatt.
7. Bratislava castle.
8. Yeh, I just love snow hey.

Free

2012-01-23T06:49:00.001+11:00

Oh man... these Disney Princesses have got me right. Right down to the very last pinpoint.

I want more than this provincial life.
What's around the riverbend, waiting for me?

I guess this is what travelling and having complete freedom does to you.

Snow White

2012-01-18T08:16:00.001+11:00

My first snow in Europe! Oh my, how something so small can make me so happy. I could have stood there all day, just watching the fat flakes land on my face and in my hair. If only it wasn't so cold as well haha

x

Photo Diary II

2012-01-15T07:47:00.001+11:00

Warning: this post is going to be photoheavy! I realise that it would probably be easier if I upload everything onto Facebook instead... but I want to write large captions... and I feel that's a bit silly on a social network. So for those who find this annoying, sorry!

I am currently with my family in Bonn, Germany, so I should really be making the most of this quiet time to study... but just can't seem to do it. I'm just so comfortable - finally getting some decent sleep for the first time since I landed in Europe.

FYI, I am also doing this on a German laptop, so typing is actually pretty hard seeing as the keys are in all sort of weird places. A lot of brain power went into the making of this post! Appreciate lol.

My roommate Bodhi doing her thang in the kitchen. She says she can't cook... biggest lie ever.

Me being a tourist on some stairs in the main building of the University of Vienna.

And then... the weekend in Prague begins. These are all from Michael's camera since mine had run out of battery and I had been too lazy (or stupid) to charge it before embarking on this wonderful weekend trip. The city is beautiful! And that Eastern European atmosphere does not go unnoticed haha a bit more ghetto that the atmosphere in Vienna.

At one end of Charles Bridge.

Prague Castle, and Michael's special 'raindrops effect'.

Us deciding to do yoga at 4am in the morning in the freezing cold on some footpath... haha hilarious. I'm the one on the far right, who cleverly avoided the group's instructions to take my shoes off as well.

Dylan and I drinking in a local pub. He's one of the members of what I like to call, 'the Hostel kids'. haha the group Rami (another student in my program) met while in Amsterdam. Sweetest guy ever! Always trying to keep the group together and looking out for all the girls. And he's only 19! Cheers to that!

The cathedral in Cologne, Germany. My uncle seemed to enjoy taking pictures of me in front of everything haha so I was more than happy to oblige (seeing as I once again, forgot to charge my own camera).

Cousin and Aunty.

Inside a shopping mall at Bonn, Germany. Once again, my Uncle's artistic flair and the colourful background.

Inside the Cologne Cathedral. The windows were so beautiful. I can't wait to see Notre Dame. I know this is going to sound a little silly, but I feel like I can feel the spirit of Catholicism in Europe much more strongly than at home. I sort of understand the 'holyness' of it all. Not just in Germany, but also the Charles Bridge in Prague with the huge statues of saintly figures that watch over you as you walk across. I sound crazy, I know.

Being here with my family in Germany for the first time reminds me so much of home. Had home-cooked Vietnamese food (THE BEST) and my young cousin Daniel is making the exact sounds my brother does when playing Starcraft next door. haha. I guess things don't really change that much even when you go half way round the world.

PS. If you're reading this Ella, you can probably tell that I've been making very good use of the scarf you gave me for my birthday! haha thanks so much!
Also, there are those who I owe very long emails. They are coming... I am just trying to find the right words to write. x

Photo Diary I

2012-01-06T22:24:00.001+11:00

Soooo... ready for an onslaught of cultural shit? hahaha chyeah! Sorry, the colour balance on some of the photos isn't so great. I borrowed PB's laptop for the journey (of which has been an amazing friend!) but there aren't any editing programs on here at the moment, so these will have to make do.

1. University of Vienna from outside
2. The courtyard in the main University building
3. Bodhi & I
4. View of one of the streets. Pretty much the whole city is made up of blocks and blocks of streets which look like this. Taking it all in all at once is really amazing.
5. H&M on Stephensplatz! I may have bought a couple of (many) things....
6. Horse carriages
7. Lead violinist at a Mozart concert in one of the halls Mozart and his sister used to perform in! This girl was exceptional. Bodhi. Merryn and I would totally turn for her. You have to see her in the flesh to understand our infatuation.
8. Opera singers
9. Dancers

I wake up so early here, and meals are smaller, so I feel like I'm much healthier over here! Also there has been lots of walking around in the biting wind haha so that helps too. Please leave me little snippets of info of Sydney if you do visit here! I miss home. :)

Arrival

2012-01-05T18:34:00.002+11:00

1. Dubai Airport's version of Moochi etc. Tasted exactly the same! A bit expensive... our equivalent of 11AUD. 2. Loungeroom in our apartment. 2. Bedroom in our apartment. 3. Michael at a cafe down the road. 4. My first meal in Vienna! Perch fillet and butter potatoes. Actually really really good. Tasted like homsetyle food which was fantastic after a whole day of airplane food. 5. Cafe. 6. 7. I just thought this was cool! I'm not that big of a fan of MMA but yeah haha...

So, I have arrived safely in Vienna! After a very long and tortous flight. Seriously, worst flight EVER. stopover for 2 hours in Bangkok and then another 3 in Dubai. Disgusting, gross... sigh. Not looking forward to my plane right home.

Today is my first morning here. Yesterday it was 7 degrees - not too cold yet. The apartment is great, and so are my roomates! Going to go and explore the University today, and do a little bit of shopping ;)

More photos soon!

She comes with baggage

2012-01-03T01:54:00.001+11:00

Does this look less than 30KG to you?

After about 3 hours of pondering, and another couple of hours actually packing and taking things in and out - I think I've finally finished packing! This is the longest that I'll be away from home for to date, so I think I may have over-judged how much clothing I will need. It just looks so bulky because everything was winter clothing and wool is heavy and thick!! (No surprise there) But there is actually a lot of wrapped up packages at the bottom of the main suitcase, which are presents for my family over in Europe. So after all those are given and with the addition of my rucksack - hopefully I'll have enough room to bring home some goodies for me and my loved ones too :)

I can't believe I am leaving for Vienna in less than 24 hours. It's gone by so quick these last couple of weeks! Crazy. I don't even feel like I'm leaving yet still. A bit excited, a bit scared... but mostly excited :). I bought a book to read on the plane too - 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' by Murakami. I've read the first couple of chapters already. Like it more than Norwegian Wood already!

Gonna miss this Australian summer...

Return to Tiffany

2011-12-24T02:22:00.001+11:00

Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Bracelet

:))))))) My first ever Tiffany & Co piece! Gosh, really really love it. I know a lot of girls have lots of expensive and beautiful things. But I've never been one to spoil myself so, or let PB spoil me in such a way. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting or having these luxuries, but I guess I'm the type of person who spends their very limited savings and earnings on travelling rather than anything else. And I feel guilty if I make PB spend his money on me. Haha Sonia calls me low-maintenance. I call it being a worry wort. So, I figured once I can afford it, I'd buy it for myself. But I think he knew I'd been swooning over something classic. And being the person who now knows me best, he picked just the perfect thing for my simple taste.

Thank you so much - you never fail to make me feel special xx I hope I get to spend every festive season with you for the rest of my life!

DIY: Blackboard Globe

2011-12-24T02:07:00.001+11:00

Two posts heading your way on this lovely Christmas Eve! Just for organisational purposes I decided to post in two separate posts. I'm a bit of a neat freak like that.

PB and I decided to exchange gifts today. I was pretty excited. I just wanted to see if he would like what I had spent hours thinking about! I had decided to get him two gifts - one I "made" and one that I purchased. The first is featured here. I got the idea from DesignSponge. The direct link can be found by clicking here. I had a few difficulties. First of all, I scoured every arts and crafts store in Bankstown, Bondi and the city and could not find blackboard paint in more than one colour. It just wasn't stocked! Secondly, I kind of fell in love with the globe I had bought. It was just so pretty. I didn't want to cover all of it. Also, the silver paint I bought to outline was never used. I didn't want to overpaint.

Materials:

Blackboard paint $16.95
Globe - this one was bought from Typo for $39.99
Paintbrushes

I followed the directions pretty much exactly as was told on the DesignSponge. Well, it didn't require that much thinking really - you just paint? As neatly as you can? So yes, here are some photos of how it all turned out! I wrote a message in chalk as well, before presenting the item to PB but that's way too corny for me to reveal on this blog post ;).

The paint drying after the second coat.

Close up of the matte finish.

Loved working on this project and giving it to PB!

Merry Christmas everyone! xoxo

Late nights in Bed

2011-12-10T02:36:00.001+11:00

Just some more photos of Japan from Feb 2011 for no good reason.

1. PB & the city of Kobe.

2. The stairs in the Abercombie & Fitch store in Ginza, Tokyo. This place was insane. Really. Everyone in there looked like a model and had to dance while folding clothes. As soon as you walk in, it's like you are in a very famous club that is only for famous people. Really, just insane. Didn't buy a thing! But walking through each level was better than anything I could buy haha.

3. Food stores and signs in a district in Osaka.

4. Me fooling around with multiple exposures again. Ginza crossing on Valentines Day!

Kind of sucks that it's been pretty cold and full of rain this past week in Sydney. I won't get to enjoy summer for very much longer, and it isn't even feeling like summer! I bought new bathers in my excitement last week while shopping with mum too...... I bet they are best friends with the mothballs in my drawers now.

Oh, Mr. Jones

2011-11-30T00:00:00.001+11:00

It's that time of year again, where I frantically start searching for Christmas presents! I know it may sound a little silly, but I love making sure I put a lot of effort into every present so that it becomes a useful present. Not those ones that you kind of go "ohhh... thankssss...." and end up throwing away the next day. I want my cousins, aunties, mum, dad etc. to have the best likelihood of at least liking their presents. So it is always a very stressful time for me! Especially when it comes to PB - he is so picky!

I stumbled upon this very creative watch brand, Mr. Jones Watches, while shopping around the interwebz. The concepts are really clever I think! I was looking at the Everyday Special one for PB, but unfortunately the date I was after was sold out, and they only make one exclusively for each date. Then I was thinking about the BPM, since PB loves his music. But it looked a little too feminine. Sigh, so ended up deciding against it. But I still think these watches are wonderful ideas! So thought I would share :).

Here is a video of the Love Knows Not watch. Trippy, ain't it?

Love knows not... from Mr Jones on Vimeo.

Down in the Dumps

2011-11-22T01:08:00.001+11:00

I'm on edge. I'm frustrated. I'm sad. I'm not good company. I'm feeling a bit like Oscar the Grouch.

:(

But I thought maybe I'd share something I found interesting through my studying for Anthropology 151. There's an ongoing experiment in Russia on the domestication of wild silver foxes. I disagree with the methods used because the foxes seem to be suffering in their confined spaces... but I guess there would be no other way of doing it to get the results and with the lack of funding. Anyway, if you watch the below videos, it's pretty amazing how through breeding on just behavioural selection, there is a marked change in appearance which follows. Really interesting. I wonder if in the next 50 years, foxes will also be another common household pet. The first video is particularly informative - I think it was worth sitting through the 10mins. I might even try and find a copy of the documentary. The third video is just a snippet of the Fennec Fox - exotic pet. Really cute! But I hate how they're nocturnal naturally. Makes me feel that its extra worse for them to be domesticated because they are opposing their wild forms by being active during the day. Kind of how I feel about slow lorises as pets too.

^ fast forward to 2:10 to see the drastic physical difference! Looks a lot more like a dog!

Is it weird that I post about what I learn? haha

Tooth Fairy

2011-11-16T19:48:00.001+11:00

Wheee! One more exam to go! And then it's holidays. Not that I'm not in holiday mode already. My next exam (and last) isn't until next Thursday, so for the last 2 days I've just been sleeping. ALL DAY. But today my excuse wasn't just laziness - I got my upper 2 wisdom teeth pulled out! I was so scared. What a baby hey? I've been putting off this date for as long as I can, but today I had to bite the bullet.

It... wasn't that bad. I think my lower ones will be much worse. But this experience was actually cool! My cousin is my dentist, and I kind of insulted his expertise by asking too many questions. E.g. "is my right side supposed to be more numb?" "Yes Emily, I put a needle in that side first, remember?" haha I can't explain the feel of it when you feel your tooth come out. Cause technically, it's all numb. But you can feel something. Kind of like ... when you pull a small plant out? And you can feel the roots come up out of the ground? Yeah, something kind of cool like that :). I should've taken a photo of my bloodied wisdoms after it had all been done, but I was in such a state of shock that it had been so quick that I forgot.

So instead, he's a clip of a band I found via my FAMOUS friend Rosanna. haha more on her next time.

Gonna head to basketball now! Let's hope my front teeth don't get knocked out too.

200 Seconds, Decemberscene
Google 'em. They're sure to make you feel proud that you're a Sydney-sider. The guy on the right reminds me a little of Freddie from Skins.

Eggling

2011-11-12T22:50:00.001+11:00

I am so so OVER feeling stressed and frustrated. I think Uni has been pretty good to me this year. I've been really happy at Macquarie (Gosh, I can't believe it's been a year already). But right now, I want to shred these two take home exams to pieces. At UTS, I didn't even know what a take home exam was. We always had centrally conducted exams for Law which ended in about 3 hours. This.... this is just complete torture. Some of my friends have said that it's easier. Perhaps. But my lack of motivation and the fact that because I have all this time means I just stay home and stare at the computer screen all day. Not fun!

Come on Em. Two more days... you can do it!!!!

:'(

Anyway, I worked today just to get a little air and because it's nearly Christmas, Myer have those display outs where they suggest gift ideas to passing customers. I have to admit, it's a pretty good batch this year! There's the usual cups (which my dad LOVES). Some gardening tools, etc. But then I saw this. EGGLING. The concept is pretty cool. You crack this "egg", water it, and a plant grows! How amazing! I'm sorry, I love it when nature gets moulded into human modernity. There was this store I went to in Japan that kind of reminded me of these Egglings. PB and I bought a scarf there, and as a complimentary gift, the store gave every customer a little packet with a small seed inside. The instructions (in Japanese but luckily Rick was able to translate) said to water and watch. We did. It was awesome. We had a little plant in our stay house. I was so attached!

Anyway, pretty sure I'm gonna snab up some of these for my little cousins. I don't know if they'll enjoy it as much as I seem to be just marvelling at the concept. But the only other option is sea monkeys. Little Krill things, or a plant? Plant, I think.

Sneaky Mum

2011-11-05T20:23:00.003+11:00

haha I seriously watched this 3 times in the last hour. Got me smiling so badly! I had to cover my mouth with my sleeve to stop from laughing out loud (which would've been inappropriate considering how silence is the norm in my current location). The two kids at the end are lovely! I love it how the older brother says "it's actually 4... but you were so close". Such great encouragement :) Reminds me when I was a little kid. I used to LOVE renting movies. And when my dad promised to take me, but didn't hold up his end of the bargain, I would make such a fuss about it. I would be so disappointed because I'd been looking forward to it the whole day...
This is my second saturday in a row spent at UTS Building 5. I like this place cause the natural light filters in. Kind of like at State Library too. I heard somewhere that windows help you study better. Sounds like something I would academically write... if I was an academic. I'm kind of silly like that. Little things like light or colours make me happy.
Vienna is approaching so fast and it's been crazy trying to get everything organised and working on my take home exams in between! I'm SUPER EXCITED. Don't think I really need to emphasise that at all, but yes :). I booked my flights a couple of days ago - so I'm a little broke.
Itinerary is as follows:
3rd Janurary 2012 Depart Sydney - Arrive Vienna (Emirates)26th February 2012 Depart Paris - Arrive Abu Dhabi (Etihad)Stopover in Abu Dhabi for 2 nights and then back to Sydney!
All up STA Travel charged me $2180AUD. Not bad? I think? Though, Student Flights are offering some crazy hot deals at the moment for Europe during Feb and March 2012. You should check it out if you're planning to go somewhere :)

Fruit Salad

2011-10-29T14:20:00.000+11:00

I really really love fruit.

Working at Boost for six months last year wasn't a chore because I got to sniff fruit as much as I liked!

I love fruit so much that PB has to make sure I don't eat too much because my sugar intake is insane.

Too yum.

The best thing you can ever buy at Westfield Parramatta. MMM!

Hermitting with my Macbook

2011-10-26T18:52:00.000+11:00

Lack of posts equates to immense overload of University assignments, correct? Yes, correct.

This is where I groan a lot, and squirm and maybe hit my head against the desk. I have a lot to look forward to! Which makes the constant stream of work a little more bearable. But I feel like every night when I lay my head down to sleep, I can't stop my brain from thinking "OK tomorrow, do this. And then, on saturday, renew your passport. And don't forget to call..." and so on and so on. But then I think about what someone (stranger) commented on Facebook (oh the irony). It was a comment on someone else's status concerning pretty much what I am writing about right now. And it went something like this:

First world problems.

Yep, you just put me right back in my proper place mister. I don't have a right to complain about anything! But then, how can someone who is not living in poverty conditions be expected to not consider their own non-poverty-conditioned issues as reasonable and significant problems? It's like me telling you that what you're feeling anxious about is not significant because what I am going through is so much worse. But regardless, I'll stop complaining.

Glee makes me so happy. Is that lame?

Lately

2011-10-10T00:25:00.000+11:00

Girls day out today with my good friend, 'the other' Emily! She suggested going to The High Tea Party at Shangri-la Hotel a while ago, so we bought tickets... and the day finally came! I had so much fun running around looking at the art installments, laughing at how really silly some of them were, and just plain laughing. Almost couldn't drive properly on the way home cause I was laughing too much.

MMMMM SCONES. Here are some other photos from the day - mostly around The Rocks Markets, Wynyard, Martin Place and Pit Street Mall. Sydney ain't so bad ;)

On another note, I am so sick with the flu. Didn't get sick once throughout winter, and now, getting the full brunt of everyone's leftover diseases.........

Romper Stomper!

2011-10-08T15:31:00.004+11:00

I did another shoot for Material Attention about a week ago the other day. Sigh! Now that Vienna is most probably going to happen, I need to be really really stingy. So no more online shopping! A bit worried that I will run out of money when I'm over there... so looking to see if anyone will hire me as temporary staff for the next 2 months haha. A long shot, but I'm getting desperate! These are a couple of the things that I have been really wanting to get from MA but haven't had the funds to do so.

Haha yeah I know, kind of funny how I end up wanting the things that I got to wear in the shoot. I think it's because it means that I actually tried them on and I can feel the weight of the fabric, or how things fall nicely here and there. Online shopping will never give you that satisfaction! But it's still addictive :) And to prove that point, here are my latest purchases from ASOS lol - I bought these before I knew I got into the program, alright! But yes, strict saving from here on out.

Spotted Pussy Bow Dress, Dahlia Collar Romper

Yellow

2011-10-04T12:45:00.004+11:00

Figured I should blog since anybody who has been to this page in the last week more than once, is probably soon to conflict self-harm due to my incredibly whiney voice. I named this blog entry 'yellow' because that's what I think of when I hear the word 'happy'. And that is exactly what I am - yellow, and happy :). I feel like I've gotten so much good luck in the last couple of days that I'm probably dreaming or that something really really bad is going to happen soon. But for now, while nothing has happened to disrupt this bubble of mine, I'll share the good feelin' all round :)

For the first time since... forever, I managed to actually "dress up" for a themed event properly. The theme was 'once upon a time' with the hosts encouraging any sort of twist on traditional fairytales. So I decided to go as the swan that the ugly duckling turns into but in the kind of style of Natalie Portman in Black Swan. Clothing was simple enough - some sort of black dress and a feathery something. The make up though... I took a risk with that. I'm happy to say that although my lines weren't quite as neat and I sort of changed the tutorial a little bit, I'm glad I gave it my all! PB says I looked really scary hahaha. I watched quite a few tutorials, including Michelle Phan's version, but it all looked so difficult and quite a dramatic statement. I wanted something a bit more subtle. So I went with the tutorial below.

Photo can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zerbetron/5323959411/

Youtube tutorial to be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIadAKFrSjA

My version - and my two animal bunnies! I didn't have quite the supplies that the tutorial used.

Liquid eyeliner - Heroine 0.5mm (Japanese brand)

Shiseido eyeshadow palette

Revlon Matte blush and Foundation Primer

OKAY, TIME FOR THE BIG NEWS. Remember how I've been really sad since I didn't have enough credit points for exchange? Well, I was extra sad also because the only other option I had was a short term program, and the one I really wanted only accepted 20 students. TWENTY. From the whole university! I'm dreaming, right? Wellllllll...... My application got ACCEPTED!! I am OVER THE MOON. Honestly, when I opened the email, I almost started crying. I read it maybe 4 times before I could even bear to tell anyone. :))))))) So I'll be attending the University of Vienna this coming January (so long as they accept my registration and nothing goes wrong with that). I would swear a lot right now, but I think I've done enough of that on Facebook haha.

Source

It doesn't hurt to dream big :).

Facepalm

2011-09-23T01:37:00.003+10:00

Skinny Love - Bon Iver

My very poor attempt at playing a really great song. This video is on private for a reason. I'm pretty sure if Bon Iver heard this, he would faint. It's the first time I've picked up the guitar in ages... I never bothered to buy new batteries for my tuner. Anyway, HAHA .. just watched this again. WHAT AM I THINKING? Hope this makes you laugh :) or maybe hide your face in embarassment?

HAHAHA....................... facepalm

PS. If the embedded video above doesn't work, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_oLx1kdZ_A

ty kindly :)

Spring-time

2011-09-18T01:48:00.000+10:00

I attended my first Conception Day at Macquarie University last friday! Just gettin' into the uni life, ya know.... ;) I mean, a bunch of drunk students rolling around in manicured grass. Who would pass up the opportunity to join in?

It was only 26 degrees Celsius, and I was already feeling the heat! I don't think my over-sensitive skin likes the sun too much. But it was so warm and lovely... lots of music too, to suit all tastes. I really really love getting my dance on.

Also really really in love with the shorts I wore that day! They sit exactly where I like em on my waist - that is, pretty high up there (so that my bum is extra supported). Purchased from Cream on King , Newtown. Top was found by Sonia at the Salvos, Oxford Street for a measley number. :)

Gold feathers

2011-09-14T23:32:00.001+10:00

A lot of things made my day today.

1. I saw these ducklings and their mother waddling around on the grass while walking from Uni to the station. haha they looked so happy, and the weather made it all the more merrier.

2. I FOUND MY DIARY. Thank the Lord! After searching high and low in my room, and probably checking my bag and turning it inside-out a dozen times, I decided that ringing the UTS security office would be my last resort. If it wasn't there, that was it. Had to get over it, and just get a new one. So I called. The security man wasn't very pleased to have to check through lost and found.

Security man: "No sorry, there are no diaries. Ok, bye." He didn't even check before answering me. I don't blame him, I mean, he probably gets hundreds of phone calls / students a day asking to check for lost USBs and the like... but still. These things are important to people!! So I called back, and made him look again. "It's gold, and you'd probably think it was a notebook if you didn't know it was a diary," I said. I'm so glad I pushed for it and didn't give up. IT WAS THERE. WHEEEEE. And my dear little brother went all the way there to pick it up for me. What a lifesaver!!!

Can you tell I'm really happy?? Never letting this diary out of my sight again!

On another note, I'm pretty sure I did badly in my Anthropology midsem exam. It was multiple choice. First one I've done in years!! And everytime I was unsure about an answer, I put a mark next to the question in the paper so I could go back over it after.... out of the 80 questions, I marked 36.

HAHAHAHahahahahaahaha.............

Panic

2011-09-13T01:01:00.003+10:00

I've lost my diary...

Seriously, this is the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I know, I'm such a girl! But my whole life is in that little book! It's not a journal, just a weekly diary that keeps me organised. But it has all my classes, all my assessment dates, all my events... It is just so so personal. I write all sorts of things in there. Not to mention, a very embarassing stream of sticker photos can be found in the back from my trip in Japan. I don't understand! I take that thing everywhere I go, and it is always in my bag.

I just hope it turns up somewhere.

All you need is One

2011-09-12T22:54:00.000+10:00

" At this moment, there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world.

Some are running scared.

Some are coming home.

Some tell lies to make it through the day.

Others are just now facing the truth.

Some are evil men, at war with good.

Some are good, struggling with evil.

6 billion people in the world, 6 billion souls.

And sometimes all you need is one. "

- Peyton Sawyer, One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 1

My absolute favourite scene from the whole series of One Tree Hill. Reminds me of my high school days where a silly television show made me feel like I wasn't the only one who was lost. You can watch a clip of the scene here. It wouldn't let me embed.

Black Rose Gold

2011-09-06T14:21:00.001+10:00

Mimco Large Turnlock Wallet in Black Rose Gold
Can be found online here

I got a nice surprise gift from PB a couple of days ago :) Thankyouuuuuuu so so much! I guess my hinting skills must be top notch because he knew exactly which wallet I had had my eye on! The photos don't really do it justice (Blackberry camera) but it is really soft and the perfect size for me. I should've waited until I got home to use a proper camera to take some photos, but being in the library for a long time makes me do desperate things. My old Mimco wallet needed to be replaced, so I had been shopping around - other brands too - but I always come back to Mimco. The only problem is my grubby fingers get fingerprints everywhere! haha

Last weekend was spent in Wollongong but I will save that story for another day because I have no photos yet! They're all sitting on Sonia's camera, waiting to be uploaded. Soon, soon :)

This is your song

2011-08-30T00:25:00.004+10:00

I love her eyes and her unique voice. Perhaps its due to the fact that she reminds me of Luna Lovegood. Not a very good vid, but it was the only one that would let me embed!
In other news, got my tax return! Booyah! Got all of it back! Thanks Dad for doing the paperwork for me :). ONLINE SHOPPING BRB.

Swing, swing

2011-08-24T01:25:00.003+10:00

Photography by T5 Photography

Model: Nicole Millar

Styling by Basilia (Little Lady Love)

Make-Up by Olivia Liu

Recently I have been doing a bit of on-the-side work for online store Material Attention. They have a fantastic range of quirky and versatile clothing and the girls who run it are so lovely and very hard working! I've been doing it for a while now... but I don't like to blog about it much because to be honest, I'm not quite used to seeing myself in such a commercial context! Above are my favourite shots from the shoot, some of which are not available on the Material Attention Facebook Page. Speaking of which, you should definitely 'like' the store on Facebook because there are always lots of promotions that only fans will know about! All the clothes above are available on the site. That purple lace top was one of my favourites from the day.

Maybe it would appropriate here to make a note about this "modelling". I don't consider myself as a model, in the occupational sense of the word. I think it would be more apt to say that I'm experimenting. I would be lying if I said I didn't love it though. It's fun, I get to express myself in a different way, and I love how the outcome can be so completely different to what I expect through various artistic inputs from different people who contribute to the overall process. I definitely have lots to learn, and I hope one day I can say that I'm good at this! :) I owe a lot of my confidence to Kimberly Ngo though, and the fun times we've had just being creative with a camera!

Once again, I have to make a note to the location. It was stunning. Oh gawd, that house........!

I should really be studying... what's with these late night blogs?!

Kickin' back on a saturday night

2011-08-21T00:05:00.003+10:00

Opening of Tekkon Kinkreet

I'm at home on a saturday night working on a law assignment that is worth 15%. So sad. Actually, I'm more sad because my application for exchange is not going well so far. After days of chasing down the right person to talk to, and sending out a handful of naggy emails to various members of the academic board... I was told that I may not have enough free credit points to go. Devastated. My heart is bro-ker-ded... I really hope I get some luck over the next couple of weeks.

The above is an anime motion picture directed by the same guy who made the 'Animatrix' collab. There is a screening happening TONIGHT (Sunday 21st Aug) at the Sydney Opera House with live music. Event details can be found here. Too bad I have this assignment to do, and also found out a little too late... definitely going to get a copy of the movie somewhere though!! I hope everyone is having a better week than I.

Oh well, tomorrow is Dumbledore's Army's first FINALS in the unisex competition! Wooooooh :) wish me (us) luck.

There's something I'd never allow

2011-08-09T12:49:00.003+10:00

Freedom at Uni can be a benefit, or a downfall. This morning for instance, it was a downfall. I was supposed to wake up at 7am for my 9am tutorial start... and I just could not do it. I couldn't will myself out of bed, and probably mentally persuaded my body to show flu-like symptoms. I started debating in bed about whether I should get up or not. Is it worth going? Will I fail this class because I don't go?

In the end I did finally go. But god, was it was painful! 3 hours later, I'm sitting in the library and decided to fall asleep at a computer only to be awoken by a security officer telling me I can't sleep here... I'm currently decaying in a corner somewhere, hiding from the rest of the university population because I was too lazy this morning to get dressed properly. PJ lookin' attire and daggy glasses all the way! So, here's some more summer-inspired tunes because that's all I feel like doing.

Oh gawd, that zoidberg (zoyd?) guy gets me every time!

don't you know I'm just a heartbeat away...

2011-08-07T01:16:00.004+10:00

Summer is coming! And it feels SO DAMN GLORIOUS. I wore a skirt without stockings last night and it was the most free feeling ever! (I think it's time to shave my legs though...) haha so funny how a little thing like weather can make me so happy and excited.

However, summer does make me feel a little sad. Because it means that a lot of special people in my life are off to explore the globe!

These are all the people who are leaving me...

1. My cousin Brian. He is now exploring the States before settling down in Canada for the next 6 months or so. This photo was taken at my Grandma's recent 80th birthday celebration! Our companions are fennel. I'm ashamed to say I wasn't (and still am not) sure of what fennel actually is. I thought it was onion...

2. Dear Dizzy - who will go and pig out with me now without judgement?? Dizzy is also off to the States... he'll be studying near New York. *evil glare* he's probably doing all sorts of cool things right now and has forgotten about me...

3. Linda (2nd from the right) - jetted off to the Netherlands.

I guess I got an alright trade-off though. My cousin Mark came home from Mongolia just in time to replace his brother (Brian) :). Pretty cool tag-team system my family has goin' on!

I am itching for it to be my turn; currently going through some exchange processes at Uni. But being patient is extremely difficult! The only thing that is keeping me from going insane is the thought of those long days under the sun at this year's music festivals. Can not wait!

Hello Bag Raiders! Stereosonic 2011 & Conception Day 2011.

2011-08-02T17:26:00.002+10:00

First day back at uni, and PB and I are hard at work! Well, not really... I've just been running around all day enjoying the sun... hehe

Oh forgot to mention before, I actually did well for Uni last semester! Surprisingly :) Gotta keep it up for this semester too.

Hidden Farmhouse, Behind the Scenes

2011-07-26T15:42:00.009+10:00

Last Sunday I drive to Wilberforce to do a photo campaign for Material Attention's new season. I was so nervous and excited! And have just had a small glimpse of the photos... I don't want to spoil anything, so here is just a sneak peek at some behind the scene shots. It took me an hour and twenty minutes to drive there, and the place was amazing... I literally slowed down as I was driving just to take in everything around me. Gosh. I'm sure that house has not changed since it was first built!

The team were fantastic and the clothes, of course, were great fun!

Photography by T5 Photography

Make-up by Olivia Liu & Styling and hair by Basilia Dulawan

Clothing courtesy of Material Attention

More tea please!

2011-07-23T01:54:00.003+10:00

The weather in Sydney has been soooo terrible lately. I'm shivering as I write this in bed and tonight was spent running through the rain from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour. I really hope I do not catch a cold. Nothing worst than getting sick! Despite the rain and the wind, Jennifer and I still trekked it to the CBD for some high tea, shopping and a makeover :) What troopers we are!

High tea was enjoyed at Bacco on Level 2 of the Queen Victoria Building. The canapes and the sandwiches really hit the spot! I liked the pastries too, but Jen didn't seem to like them that much. This is the second time I've been to high tea, and I've realised that I never really touch my share of the sweets... it's just too sweet for my liking? I can never eat much of those. It was a great price! Only $33, compared to the $50 spent last time at the Queen Victoria Building Tea Room. The main difference between the two, besides the price, was that Bacco lacked the giant scones (with jam and butter) that the Tea Room also included. Both had a great selection of teas, and if you're looking for a more affordable alternative, Bacco is definitely worth a shot!

Jen & I - Haha my hair refused to be tamed!

Before we started eating...

After we stopped eating!

After tea, Jen and I headed to my friend, Yoshimi's (Mimi), hair salon DJ's. It was the same place I last had my hair dyed, and is neatly tucked away in the new Westfield on Pitt Street Mall. And it was time for a lift-me-up makeover!! Jen wanted something with a lot of volume at the top and lots of layers. She was very prepared too, with quite a few photos to show Mimi. Some more before and after shots follow, but overall, I think we were all very happy with the result! I'm so happy with Mimi's skill and great service, that I've made plans to come back next week to get a bit of a re-style myself!

Before at Bacco

Mimi doin' her thangggg...

Voila!

I'm glad I got up this morning and battled the rain. Well worth it :) xx

taxi terrors

2011-07-10T23:17:00.007+10:00

In the bathroom of Mr B's (bar) 1 and 3, Civic Hotel 2. Yes, a bit of my luvo-side took over!

I am wearing a T by Bettina Liano top. Not that you can see much of it.

And my mum's old YSL lippy.

First of all, happy 21st birthday to one of my oldest friends, Jennifer! This lovely lady turned 21 over the weekend and we celebrated in a grand style. First it was dinner at Fujiya's (unfortunately I have no photographic evidence of this), then a bar for predrinks, then a club for messy fun! I had not had a girl's night in ages, so it was lovely! BUT my other reason for posting today.... is to share the drama of the night that unfolded.

Jen seemed to be pretty close to crashing at around 3:30am, so Jenny and I decided to take a taxi from the city home. After managing to wave down a cab, the driver asked us where we were headed. We answered with "Bankstown". Now, both Jenny and Jennifer live about 30 seconds from eachother in Bankstown. I was to be dropped off last, as I lived a little further in another suburb. However, it is only a 5 minute drive from Jennifer's house to mine.

Everything was going well enough. Jenny got dropped off first, then Jen. I walked Jen to her front door because she was a little bit wobbly. When I got back into the taxi, I asked the driver to drop me off at Condell Park, my suburb. HE REFUSED. "No, sorry" he said. "You told me you were only going to Bankstown. It is getting much to late now, and my base has been calling me non-stop to return. My shift is finished". I was flabbergasted. What did he expect me to do?? It was 4am in the morning! I explained that I literally was only 5 minutes away... still, he refused. He gave me a company card and told me to wait at Jennifer's house and book another cab. I was so shocked and angry, I couldn't speak. I paid him his money, slammed the door, and watched him speed away. I was so upset I started crying while I was booking another cab over the phone. I explained to the operator, and then to the manager about what happened and they found me another taxi straight away. Unfortunately, through my stupid shocked state, I didn't think to ask for his ID number / his cab number or anything of the sort... GOD. HOW I WISH I HAD. HOW I WISH I HADN'T HANDED HIM ANY MONEY AT ALL. So I sat outside Jen's house while the other taxi came to pick me up.

It was hands down, the worst experience I have ever had with taxis. I understand that we weren't clear about where we were going, but I do not see the problem in dropping me off and taking an extra 5 minutes, even if his shift had ended. This is of course, assuming that he was telling the truth about why he had to kick me out. He was getting paid for crying out loud! Also, I was a girl stranded at 4am in the morning. Don't taxi drivers have some sort of duty of care as well?

Anyway, that's my vent for tonight.... :( finished having a little sook now haha hope you've all had nicer taxi drivers than this one.

awake

2011-06-28T23:43:00.000+10:00

This looks like a really interesting show.

deus ex machina

2011-06-21T23:50:00.005+10:00

Deus Ex Machina Workshop, Store and Cafe

Camperdown, Sydney

I have been working a lot lately... almost every day! Trying to save up for my potential trip to the Americas during the summer holidays. Sigh, it is so exhausting. I have no idea how I will cope after uni is finished.

So I finally had a day off today! And PB and I decided to go on a little adventure :) it was exactly what I needed. First we popped by the Deus Ex Machine store at Camperdown. I love that place. Every single motorbike has so much character and history. It's almost like walking into a museum. I always feel a little intimated though... since I don't actually ride myself. I'm just a tag along. I feel like I don't deserve to be in the presence of anything so cool haha.

Grill'd

Tuscan and Almighty Burgers with Hot chips and Sweet Chilli Mayo Sauce

Surry Hills, Sydney (photo courtesy of PB's iPhone)

Then it was off to the Grill'd joint on Crown Street for some lunch! Highly recommended for home style burgers with awesomely seasoned hot chips. The weather was sooo good during the early afternoon but as we finished eating... the rain started coming which meant that we had to cut our day short. I also had plans to visit a French patisserie and the Rocks, but it's okay. There is always next week. It was still one of the best days I have had lately, and I have PB to thank for it! x

I am also secretly stressing out about whether I passed last semester... OHGOD!

Petticoat

2011-06-16T23:34:00.002+10:00

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat and Soft and Gentle

haha this just shows how ridiculously often I use the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish products... my soft and gentle is ALL GONE! Well, most of it anyway! It's the only thing I've actually used up from my make up stash and needed to replenish. I love how it never fails to lift up my face even when I've had zero sleep. Makes me look deceptively alive haha. I've tried the darker colours, but I think my skin tone is way too pale for them. They make me look a bit too bronzed up.

Bought this petticoat one recently off Ebay. Love it too! It's very similar to the soft and gentle in that it is subtle, but gives that hint of rosie-ness that the soft and gentle doesn't. I remember seeing it in MAC stores a while ago as part of a limited edition range... and I didn't buy it. So kicked myself when I couldn't find it anymore! Thank goodness for the Internet :)
Do you guys have any make-up products you can't live without??

the varsity jacket

2011-06-14T14:54:00.003+10:00

Team Suzuki Racing Varsity Jacket Vintage Harajuku OP Shop

I finally have time to do some blogging now that it's holidays! So today I made PB do some posin' for me :) I think he does a pretty good job, don't you? haha

I love how the varsity jacket is skyrocketing in popularity these days. Unfortunately I haven't found one for myself, but I like to steal this one from PB when it is particularly cold. I've been keeping my eye out for a suitable jacket for myself on ebay... but no luck so far. They are either too big, not good condition... or the lettering is too random. PB is soooo lucky! This was the second varsity jacket he picked up from our last trip to Japan. And it was only $15AUD!! For a leather garment that is also a genuine Suzuki product... just unbelievable. I am a little bit jealous!

How MARVELlous!

2011-06-14T00:13:00.006+10:00

Did you see what I did there with the title? Haha lame! I know. So as you've probably guessed, I treated myself to a screening of X-MEN FIRST CLASS after my last assignments and it completely satiated my craving for anything Marvel. Below is a clip of my favourite scene from the movie (might be a spoiler so be warned!!). Besides Wolverine, I think my favourite character would have to be Beast. Not only because he is played by Nicholas Holt (Tony, from Skins), but because he is just so... BEAST?! Alright, enough with the puns :)

Wishing this foul weather would blow over already......

Also considering purchasing the checkmate dress ($229.95) from Review as staff uniform! There is a 50% off selected styles running in stores at the moment... so I am soo tempted to buy some sale stock instead. One of them is the lucille cardi which I couldn't find a picture of. It's navy, has the hook & eye feature (so not buttons), and a sequin scalloped trim down the middle. Gah! Cannot decide!

milk tea, a cure for depression

2011-06-08T13:27:00.003+10:00

Another long haul of assessments, exams and essays is about to come to and end tomorrow. And I am so so relieved... the finishing line is so close! I can touch it with my fingers... its just me, this last essay, and the green green grass on the other side. I have been pretty down on myself though. I feel like this semester I have been trying, and I have been sabotaging my own success by making really stupid mistakes. To be more specific, my last law assignment received a pretty bad mark because I misinterpreted the question and half my paper was irrelevant. On monday, I had to make a poster for a media subject. My interpretation of a poster was something more visual... and so my info was pretty minimal. But that wasn't what they were after either. Lo and behold, the rubric was actually on Blackboard, and I didn't see it until I got home. Like really! How silly is that?? So pretty much been trying to get over feeling sorry for myself haha. Really hope I pass everything *fingers crossed*

Anyway, sitting in Building 5 at UTS even though I don't even go here anymore. Old habits die hard. And also, it is just so much easier to get here and to get home. Just sittng here procrastinating like mofo, drinking my Chatime and hanging with my Mac. lol sad sad sad....

Lovin' Chatime so badly. It's like Easyway, just loadddddsss better! If you're not asian, I'll try and explain. Basically, it's just loads of different drinks made mostly out of tea. My favourite is the milk tea with grass jelly. I always want to try something different, but just too chicken. It looks pretty gross from the picture above... especially since I've drunk 80% of it... but it is actually really good! I mean, I bought one today even though it is FREEZING outside. It has to be at least decent, right? :)

I hope everyone else is doing well with their assessments :)

Across the Universe

2011-05-09T23:55:00.003+10:00

Plasmo

I have been looking for the name of this show for so long! I always remembered it for some reason... I grew up watching ABCKids on TV from 11am-4pm when I was too young for school and my parents left me in the care of my grandparents. Best days of my life, I think! I would just sit on the couch, with my bottle of milk and my toys and be the best behaved kid ever. Anyway, for some reason... this show stayed in my memory. It unsettled me, and that last shot of the tower towards the moon is exactly as I remember it. I grew up needing to know how it ended. Did Plasmo get to space? Why was he even going to space? That's why I was so ecstatic when I found the clips on Youtube! Hoorah! The search is finally over!

However, watching it as an adult still hasn't provided me with the answers I want. Still love the show though. :)

DIY: Photo Line

2011-05-08T01:48:00.002+10:00

DIY: ~~clothing~~photo line

You will need:

Some twine
Nails and hammer
Pegs
Polaroid camera - in this case, the Fujifilm INSTAX 210 was used with Fujifilm INSTAX film in wide picture format
Pieces of paper
Sharpies

Step 1. Choose a wall or some sort of fixture on which your line will feature.

Step 2. Nail some rows a certain distance apart.

Step 3. Wrap twine across the nails to form a taut line.

Step 4. Take photos!

Step 5. Write messages!

Step 6. Peg them up on the line!

A recipe for instant happiness! I wanted to have something different to record my memories of my 21st birthday so I formulated this kind of... pin-board type thing. I had seen a friend use polaroids before and stick the photos in the book... but thought this would be another fun alternative. Luckily, I bought a box of pegs from Officeworks for a mere $4.99! All up, I think the whole project cost me about $120AUD. The film was the most expensive... but I had my friend Sonia to thank for lending me her camera. :) Polaroid cameras are wonderful, aren't they? You can do a million things with them!

Urban Outfitters are currently having a bedroom competition! The above are a couple of my favourites so far. I tend to like really simple rooms with minimal clutter. The prize is a $500 gift voucher with UO. I wish my room was of a higher standard so I would actually consider entering... but it is such a mess!

graffiti on the man-made

2011-04-18T23:12:00.003+10:00

I had a Photo Media assignment recently. The theme I chose was 'graffiti on man-made objects'. It was pretty fun :) My first time doing a photography assignment. I used my dad's Canon G11. I wish I owned a DSLR ha! I had a couple of issues... just with my "partner". Grrr... don't you just hate it when people are unreliable? I probably shouldn't talk about this here, but I was so frustrated! Without going into too many details, my partner ended up not being much of a partner... so I did the assignment individually. Below are just a couple of my favourite shots.

Most of the photos were taken around Erskineville, Newtown and Sydney CBD. Editing was done via iPhoto haha I guess first years don't get to touch photoshop!

Happy Easter everybody :)

Red Beats

2011-04-12T00:35:00.004+10:00

It's music to my ears - photographs taken via PhotoBooth in bed

I am so spoilt! Everything in the above two photographs are presents from PB. The jumper was for our third year anniversary, and the headphones are my early 21st birthday present. Thank you so very much. I feel like a very special little princess :))))))))

You will probably be able to recognise the headphones - they are Solo HD Beats by Dr Dre. I have never ever spent much money on headphones. As much as I love my music, it was too much of a luxury that I could never afford. Having been using these for the last 2 hours though, I am never going back to ipod standard earphones.

The Solo HDs are the smaller and more affordable option offered by Dr Dre and come in four colours - white, black, graphite and the limited edition red which you can see here. This red limited edition version came with the standard box (which is so expensive to the touch, with velcro and magnetic features) and a cable especially designed for ipods and iphones (so you can adjust the volume, change songs and so forth without having to go through the actual media device). There are many many reviews on this product on the Internet. I found this one quite useful and also this one for a comparison between the Solo and the Studio. Because of the lack of noise cancelling of the solos, there is some noise leakage. But in terms of practicality, I don't think this is much of a problem since most of the time I would be using the headphones in a noisy area and the leakage would hardly be noticeable.

I know I may seem like a follower by saying this, but the sound quality for me is very impressive. Please note though, this is coming from a consumer who has not really tried any other high-end headphones. Regardless of my lack of expertise in the world of headphone products, the sleek design and aesthetically pleasing elements of the Solos are hard to ignore. Come on, they look pretty awesome, and the sound quality is at least decent, what else is there to say? :) If anyone else has these headphones, please leave a comment as I would love to hear what others think!

Break Time!

2011-04-12T00:08:00.006+10:00

It's midsem break! Woohoo! I have loads of work to catch up on and some assignments that I really should start... but for now, I think I will just have two days to myself. So tonight was spent watching some movies. One was not even worth mentioning. It was beyond terrible. If you must know, it was 'Battle of Los Angeles' which I mistakenly took as the new Hollywood sci-fi, 'World Invasion: Battle LA' which won't be released until later this year. Yes, big big mistake on my part. Please don't be fooled by the similar titles!

The second film I managed to watch today was 'Morning Glory', starring Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford. It was a light drama / comedy that had a lovely feel-good soundtrack. Like really, I think I paid more attention to the music than Rachel McAdams' incredibly cute performance. There were two songs which particular tugged on my fancy - Newton's Faulkner's 'Gone in the Morning' and 'Same Changes' by The Weepies. Definitely check these out! I think they're going to be perfect for the early mornings up ahead. The only thing I will say though, is that I was a little disappointed in Harrison Ford's character who was symbolic of the news and its significance for democracy and the public sphere. The movie basically reinforced that in this day and age, "real news" is no longer a priority. Nevertheless, I didn't really feel like delving into anything too heavy, so it was perfect for a little snuggle with my pillow and a laugh with my mum.

I love movie nights! They are my favourite kind of night :)

my excuse for looking like this? I'm a writer

2011-03-28T00:07:00.004+11:00

Scribbles by abbyladybug

Do you ever listen to a song and wish that you wrote it? This happens to me a lot. 'Falling Slowly' is one such example. It's kind of like I have all these thoughts and feelings, and then that moment comes along and bam! All that jumble of human consciousness falls into place, in the perfectly coherent fashion. I wish I had the talent to write something good. Not just good, really good.

So my sleeping pattern is completely effed up! I sleep really late, take naps in the middle of the day and get little or no sleep before my day actually begins. Hopefully by the next blog post, this poor behaviour will have been corrected.

Tonight I had a marvellous game with my Dumbledore's Army unisex basketball team! We had one hell of a game. The boys wanted to 'throw it' since the general consensus was that for our first season together, we wanted to be put into a lower division in order to heighten our chances of winning the finals. So much for that idea! Tu, my lovely female team-mate, was more competitive than all 5 boys combined. End result? We won :)

Then it was off to Burwood for some much needed R&R with my favourite group of people. We watched the film 'Limitless'. Please see trailer below. Not a bad movie in my opinion, but I was hoping for something a bit more dark, a bit more uncontrollable. I think I'm too positive to be a critic. But I hope you enjoyed it Sonia! I know how much you were looking forward to watching it! haha kisses and hugs to you!

I hope everyone one had a good weekend! Now its back to monday monday monday...

One Eight

2011-03-21T02:09:00.002+11:00

I should really be asleep right now (university calls) but I thought I'd squeeze in a blog post before I go to bed. It is now officially my brother's 18th birthday! We had an early celebration for him on the weekend though, with lots of the usual family food that gets whipped up for such occasions. Mainly, my aunty made her special pasta and potato salad. Dad on the other hand, manned the BBQ.

The party started off with a lot of rain but overall, I think my brother had fun! :)

The birthday cake that I bought. There were 4 in total! Not all of them from me, of course hehe.

I don't think we look similiar AT ALL.

The BEST drink in the whole wide world! I drove all the way to Strathfield to purchase six bottles of this alcoholic goodness! It comes in two other flavours too - Apple, and Wild Berries. This one is my favourite though. Unfortunately for me, I have only been able to find it stocked at Dan Murphy's. But I don't mind the drive, it's just so yummy! It actually smells like real strawberries! Highly recommended :)

So how was everyone else's weekend?

Seeing Copper

2011-03-17T22:06:00.002+11:00

Source 1, Source 2, Source 3

Once again, Autumn is here. And it is my favourite season of the year! Why? Well, for the most predictable reason imaginable, it is the season in which I was born. This year, I will be turning the big two-oh. I'm sure it will be like any other birthday, but I can't help but be excited about a little special treatment :)

To be even more predictable, the oranges, reds and yellows of the world are also my favourite colours. The air these past couple of weeks just seems that little more crisp, don't you think? Less humid, less sticky. I think it's time for some cuddles...!

oh bright lights!

2011-03-06T03:01:00.003+11:00

I have a thing for DIY projects and the like. I have made a couple of things in the last couple of years - usually using PB as an excuse to start a new project. However I hereby vow to make 2011 a year of excessive amounts of arts and crafts!

Among the things I have planned to do, these are the most prominent:

1. Revamp my room with 'The Wave' Japanese drapings I purchased from Nara, Japan

2. Paint pieces to go with my room

3. Do some block printing

4. Make these lights for my 21st birthday party (pictured below also from Wit & Whistle)

It's time to get my hands dirty! :)

wind through bamboo

2011-03-04T19:01:00.002+11:00

Gosh! There is just not enough time for anything! I am still trying to settle into Macquarie at the moment. However, my first few classes in Media have been terrific! For one class, we spent most of it posting a blog post about ourselves with a picture taken during class. Ha! Blogging! One of my hobbies is finally going to help me gain some academic merit haha I do miss UTS though... just the convenience of it mainly. But things are well :)

Here are a couple more photos I wanted to share. They're pretty random and in no chronological order.

Shopping strip in Ginza, Tokyo. I was playing around with the multiple exposure setting of the DSLR. Most of the stores here were up-market brands - Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Dior etc... there was also an Abercombie & Fitch store which was astonishing! The place was like a nightclub! The sales assistants would finish folding clothes, and then start dancing. They were all extremely attractive and greeted everyone in an American accent "what's goin' on?". I can't begin to describe my surprise haha.

Tokyo Fish Market. This man was our chef for that early morning, The earliest morning we ever had!

You've probably realised that I really really love Studio Ghibli.

Me and Roz trying to fit in.

Topshop/Topman in Shijuku, Tokyo. It was their official opening day when this photo was taken. We attended a mini-party in the store :) free beer and champers!

Nijo Castle, Kyoto. No photos were allowed inside, but the walls of the palaces were perfectly preserved. And those walls, were beautiful age-old paintings. Kyoto was my favourite place, hands down.

Bamboo groves, Kyoto.

The jumper I am wearing in most of these photos is a vintage mickey mouse one. I purchased it in one of the many vintage op-shop stores at Harajuku. Vintage shopping was surprisingly, the best ever in Japan!

Hiroshima and Tokyo Photo Diary

2011-02-15T04:16:00.002+11:00

Currently I am in Tokyo, living in the suburb Ikebukuro (I hope I spelt this right). It has been magnificent so far! I think the BIGGEST highlight was the first day that I... saw... snow. It was beautiful. I know everyone says that, but the feeling of little ice balls falling across my face was just exhilarating.

Second favourite moment, was entering DisneySea. Anyone who has spent time with me knows that I am a hugeeee Disney fan. My favourite all-time movie is The Lion King. I should also mention that visiting Hiroshima and the Hiroshima War Memorial Museum was a very emotional experience. I completely underestimated the devastation that occurred due to the atomic bombing. I think everyone should visit the museum at least once in their lifetime. I didn't realise how ignorant I was.

On the way to Hiroshima

The A-Bomb Dome

Memorial Park. The entire park was built to be a prayer in connection with the atomic bombing. You can see the A-Bomb Dome through the curve

Coffee brewing bottles in a Cafe

The Alice in Wonderland Cafe in Ginza, Tokyo

Woohoooo DisneySea!

A dancer during a river performance

Yuki

Universal Studios, Nara and Osaka Photo Diary

2011-02-15T03:44:00.003+11:00

Finally sitting down again to blog! :) I heard Australia is in a heat wave, and I am a little sad that I'm missing out on the heat. But I've been a busy bee in Japan. Two big posts coming up!

I love Snoopy!

Spider Man noodles

Anorld visited Universal Studios - soooo cool

Nara Park!

My friend Rosanna and her awesome dessert at Umeda, Osaka

Kobe, Japan

2011-02-06T04:43:00.003+11:00

I celebrated Chinese New Year this year by travelling to China Town in Kobe. Thank you to Rik for guiding us. The food at the stalls were sooo goood... unfortunately I was too busy eating to take photos!

On a train, on the way to Kobe! Lovely Janna is on my right.

Top Shop bear beanie - came in handy!

Exploring China Town.

Kobe Port.

I hope you all have a most prosperous New Year! Thanks to the Jet Star sale, most people I know have already been to Japan recently so if you have any suggestions, that would be marvellous :)

Osaka, Japan

2011-02-06T04:18:00.003+11:00

I finally have a quiet moment to sit down and do some bloggin'! haha it is quite frosty outside... but the apartment I am currently staying in, in Osaka is very heated. I have so many photos and things so I thought I would separate the posts into the different cities. This one, obviously, is dedicated to Osaka.

My jetstar flight was delayed by 5 hours because of a volcano eruption (in Indonesia I am guessing) 30mins before our departure! It was terrible... waiting on the plane was absolute hell because we weren't even going anywhere! Then we had to refuel because the plane was forced to take an alternative and longer route. THEN when we were finally good to go, there was a plane parked in our way so we couldn't taxi out to take off... one of the passengers applauded our bad luck when this was announced over the intercom haha.

Regardless, I am now in Osaka and it is glorious!

Day 1. Went straight to Dontonbori to have some takoyaki. I think I've had a bit too much of it over the last couple of days...

Rik, my "tour guide" and old highschool friend. He is fluent in Japanese, would you believe!

Watching the amazing sea life at Osaka Aquarium. :) I love fish.

There was a whole room dedicated to Anenome Fish! This picture is only funny if you knew that all through highschool my nickname was Nemo. Can you see the resemblence?

I don't know why, but I decided to stamp my passport with the Osaka Aquarium stamp. I hope this won't later hinder me from getting back into Australia!

PB decided to wear his newly purchased Stitch suit to MacDonalds to go get some food at 2am in the morning. Unfortunately we ran out of coins at the end to get something from the vending machine...

Osaka Castle

Pupils practicing a form of self-defence / martial arts on the grounds of Osaka Castle.'

California Trooper

2011-01-25T18:23:00.008+11:00

I have not blogged in way too long. It has just been so busy in this little house in Sydney! I have been cleaning non-stop because I am now the only member left in my household. Cooking for 2 every so often is also much harder than thought - I hate having ingredients left over because I know I will probably not use them, and it is such a waste! Also, I finally made my decision. Thank you to everyone who offered their advice! It really did help me a lot in the end.

I have decided (and am well in the process of sorting out my enrolment) to attend Macquarie University and take up my offer of Media Arts/Law. I was a bit upset I didn't get into UTS, but it's okay. I have also decided I will apply for foreign exchange for one semester to satisfy my obsession to travel while also being able to address money issues, family issues, and boyfriend issues. :) One semester is much much more do-able than one year, I think. I just arrived home from a trip to Macquarie University actually. A trip wherein I was straddled on the back of a motorbike. If you haven't been on the back of one in a blistering hot day as today, I recommend you do not try it. I thought my arms were going to fall off!!

I have also been doing fun things though, for example - dancing it off with Sydney friends, an American and a Danish; and shopping around Surry Hills and Paddington with the very stylish Sonia Kathleen. (see her blog here)

A-Chau from Denmark :) Here I am also wearing the American Apparel Disco Pants in Black. Am hoping to do a proper outfit shot of this because I was so amazed I even tried to pull off this edgy look! All thanks to Sonia haha.

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in California Trooper. Weird photo, I know (lol). I was surprised to see that American Apparel had a line of nail polish, and in such cute shades as well! Lots of beiges, nudes, and pastels. Sonia basically launched herself at the Mint one haha! I had to get used to the brush, but I would say the quality is quite good for the price ($8AUD for one, or 3 for $24AUD). Happy happy consumer! :)

feeling dizzy, for dizzy!

2011-01-17T15:45:00.001+11:00

Last weekend was my very good friend, Dizzy's, 21st birthday party! There was a hawaii theme, and I had a blast wearing those 'leys' (sorry not sure how to spell?). I also had a navy costume ready, but when I got there, the feeling was that most people were just wearing bright coloured shirts. So I thought I'd just stick to what I was already wearing. :) I was also honoured enough to be one of the people who made a speech!

I stayed the night with a couple of other lovelies. Towards the end we were telling ghost stories about supernatural encounters, the notorious Picton tunnel in Sydney, the abandoned Magic Kingdom and the like... One of the stories that most fascinated me was about magic folk from the Philippines. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really one of those people who love the supernatural or go looking for it. I just find it really interesting. I mean, if I chose to believe in these things, wouldn't I have to then completely change my perspective on the world as I know it, altogether?

Anyway, getting back to the Philippines, one creature that was mentioned was the "Aswang". I got the gist that these were "humanoids" who liked to eat the human foetus. Then there were stories about shape-shifters too. To void off these magical beings, my friends told me that their families planted, what I call, kamquat trees. They're basically like lemon trees, only the fruits are orange (a bit like miniature oranges) and have a really nice smell. The plant also has white blossoms on it during Spring. My grandma has one of these. Very interesting..... never heard anything like this!

The birthday boy and I *love*

Not sure what I am doing here... I think I thought this was a muck-up photo.

My best attempt at being some sort of animal

Dear Em

2011-01-16T15:15:00.003+11:00

"Dear Em,

We are in Saigon safely, 1st day a lot of eating, sleeping and talking with relatives, Everything should be fine with you at home, right? Don't forget to feed Angel.

Love

Dad, Mum and Tim"

******

Haha, classic Dad. I kind of miss them. It's a bit lonely with no one to come home to. But I have Angel. Looks like its just going to be the two of us over the next two weeks! :)

the road less travelled

2011-01-11T01:05:00.003+11:00

Source

I know it's silly, but every time I start having thoughts of the decision I have to make after next monday, I start getting all teary and overwhelmed. See, I have this problem. I am currently studying Law/International Studies. My International Studies course requires me to spend one year in France. I'm not sure if I want to go. I know I want to... but I'm scared. I guess I'm scared of not being able to cope, of feeling lonely... Also, there is the issue of leaving my family... money.... and leaving PB. So, I decided to try and apply for Law/Media Arts and Production instead and go on exchange for six months instead of twelve. But life has it that I am extremely bad at Law. I'm very doubtful of whether I will be accepted.

So, my decision is as follows -

If I don't get into any of my applications, do I go to France? OR do I drop international studies and continue with straight Law?

If I get into Macquarie University and not UTS, do I go?

I do believe that spending time away can be very helpful. I wish I was one of those people with ambition, with vision. But I'm not. I've just been blindly scrambling my way through University hoping that someday I will wake up and have an epiphany. And all of a sudden, there will be a purpose to all of this. I guess my vision of France is that it will help me to this epiphany. That I will be able to "find myself"... but my Dad believes otherwise. He thinks France is a selfish holiday with no fruits. Don't get me wrong, my Dad's not unreasonable or anything... he just has a different perspective of things - which of course is a consequence of his additional forty years or so on this Earth. Dad has suggested I move to Melbourne instead and that I can find what I want there. But I feel Melbourne is too close to home. That I will still be able to rely on family, and friends and not experience what I would if I were alone...

But who knows. I really don't.

n. fox

2011-01-04T22:47:00.003+11:00

I knowwwww... 2 blogs in one night! I am really loving this super quick internet :)

I just finished watching the latest cycle (Cycle 15) of America's Next Top Model, ha! It was an ok season but my favourite of all the cycles that I've watched, has got to be Nicole Fox. She was just so quirky, and a total artist! I think I first wanted my hair ginger when I saw hers.

Source

crème

2011-01-04T22:04:00.004+11:00

So like... Japan is in about 3 weeks and I should really cut down on my spending. But I had wanted these shoes for so so long! And they never went on sale, no matter how long I waited.... but these are just lame attempts at trying to justify my actions. I know they're nothing special, but I think these Tony Bianco boots (or any such similar shoes) are pretty much a staple. Gotta have one pair in your chest of drawers!

From left to right: Bronx cream brogues (ASOS), No brand boots (some boutique in Hong Kong), Tony Bianco Nemesis in Stone (Wanted Shoes), Switch Strap Heels (Betts Shoes).

I think I have a thing for browns and nudes.

Average size. Though I have really narrow feet, so most of the time heels do not fit me properly. I will just have to put up with the pain instead!

TA-DA! My Su-shi bag came! It is much more purply than it is on the website. I thought t would be more of a deep burgundy. But I don't mind much :) It's still lovely. And smells like new leather. mmmmmmm!

What have you spent money on recently? Let's all share our spoils!

cheers to a new year!

2011-01-04T00:22:00.004+11:00

Wheeeee! It's finally 2011 and I am also finally uncapped so I can write a few words on this momentous occasion! I had a wonderful night in which I did not drink a drop of alcohol, and had a very chill time with close friends. I had to have a tame one this year since I had work the next day. Really really desperate for some monnies as you can see...

Dizzy!!! And my asian squinty eyes lol

The only shot I took of the fireworks. 01/01/2011.

The night began with Sonia, Berny, PB, Dizzy and I having dinner at a Thai/Laos restaurant in Canley Vale, Twelve Spices. Totally would recommend it! Prices are decent and the fruit shakes are delicious. Then, PB, Dizzy and I trekked it to Ashfield where I parked the car (with some fail moments) and then we took the train up to the city. Dizzy's godsister works at Rendezvous Hotel at the Rocks, so we were lucky enough to be able to go to the hotel's rooftop for the fireworks!

Though... they were to be honest, nothing spectacular. The three of us were really more interested in telling eachother ghost stories. Kind of ironic since only one of us, Dizzy, lived next to Rookwood Cemetary haha.

New year resolution? Didn't really think of having one. I guess it will be the same as every year - study hard (or should I say, harder than before), and be a better person generally. :) I hope everyone had a safe new years eve!

boxing day boredom

2010-12-27T01:52:00.005+11:00

First of all, I hope everyone had a very FANTASTIC AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I wanted to take some festive photos with my reindeer headband from Westfields... but silly me, I forgot it at work! Technically, it is no longer Boxing Day as I am writing this... but I figured writing "day after boxing day" was a bit too lame.

I am still awake because of my effed up sleeping pattern. It's my fault for always sleeping late but I can't help it! My bad lifestyle however may have reflected in my little incident yesterday on Christmas Day. My family and I went to Christmas Mass yesterday at 10am. It was not a very hot day (unlike the scorcher of a Christmas Sydney had last year) - but for some reason while I was kneeling I started to get really dizzy. So I couldn't go up to receive Eucharist. Then, I had to rest my head on my dad's shoulder for quite some time... but started to not be able to breathe. So I asked dad to help me outside. As I was walking down the aisle, I felt so so sick! Next thing I know, I'm sitting on a chair with these strangers all around me - fanning me and telling me to drink some water. I blacked out. This has happened before, but it was when I was about 13 and also in mass when I was still attending school at MSJ. I have low blood pressure, but I'm not sure what the reason was for this embarassing incident!

I couldn't sleep, so here is a very amateur video. HAHA. Gosh, face palm. Don't even know why I decided to put this up. The song is Amsterdam, but my favourite band, Coldplay. As you can tell, my rhythm is shocking, and so is my singing. The video was made after about 20mins of learning the song and playing it through maybe 3 times... I hope this amuses you all! :) I wish I was great at music, but alas, I wasn't born with such fortunes. I wish I could SING!

No make up, bed-hair, and total lack of talent lol.

(not sure if it uploaded properly, will fix later)

caramel

2010-12-22T15:05:00.004+11:00

Christmas is a time for giving, and thus, I have not much money in my pocket after shopping for the ones I love. So to satisfy my hunger for new things, I've resorted to just window shopping and browsing online. Gosh! It's excruciating! I always find things that I like... but I wouldn't necessarily buy them since I know if I go to the next site, I will also find something else. Haha, indecision.

Some finds I've stumbled across over the last hour haha there are just infinite consumeristic opportunities!

Image source $55.00 (currently sold out)

Kimchi Blue Suede Bow Skimmer. $38.00 Image source

Macbook Decal Sticker Iron Man $9.99USD Image Source

Macbook Decal Sticker Totoro $6.99USD Image Source

Clearly I am a little obsessed with bows... and my macbook!

mama !

2010-12-22T00:32:00.003+11:00

Woohoo! I finally got my camera back. I had actually left it at the refugee ball but was to embarassed and ashamed to have done such an idiotic thing to have admitted it out loud... BUT I will recount what happened. My table dared me to stand on our table and yell out "TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!" in return for their donation of another $200. So I thought, what the heck, its for charity - and $200 is quite a bit of money! So to get onto the table I had to put down my camera onto the table so I could use both my hands to climb up. And then, I inhaled as much air into my lungs and shouted TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS before jumping off and laughing till I was red in the face. Everyone thought I was one freak of a volunteer. But anyway, that's how I forgot my dear camera... on that lonely ball table... to be picked up by James Kemp of the ALIV team!

Finally trekked it to Bondi today to pick up the camera. The following are some photos from the Ball with my mother. Everyone says I look like my dad, and I think that's pretty true...

Speaking my dad, he bought me a macbook pro for christmas !!! :D I am SO ecstatic. It has been a bit of a drag having to share computers with my brother as he is CONSTANTLY playing Starcraft 3 and kicks me off after a mere 20 minutes of facebooking / emailing / blogging / anything. It feels so good to have my own personal space and this beautiful laptop is much more than I could wish for :) thank you so much dad. I promise I will clean my room more often!

Playing around with some photo editing features on my macbook pro.

A full length view of my dress. It's not very clear though. But it's the only one I took! Despite the deceptive picture above, mum's dress was blue. I think she looks quite regal :)

b e e t l e

2010-12-16T20:04:00.002+11:00

I forget how much time I have when I'm on holidays. Work has had to cut back shifts - probably since we haven't really been hitting target consistently... but gosh, I just feel so broke! So basically my days are spent sleeping in, hanging out with PB, eating, and watching movies / shows. Last night I saw 'Beetlejuice' with my parents - dad had decided to purchase it for himself as an early Christmas present. I wish I had seen it earlier! Would've been awesome as dress up ideas for Halloween.

I also watched '9' recently, another Tim Burton related movie which I referred to recently in a previous post. Such a different animation! One of the villainous monsters were really scary.... I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but still, brilliant ideas!

melbourne film and vanessa

2010-12-10T18:06:00.003+11:00

Introduing thje photographer of all these lovely photos from Melbourne - the one and only, magnificent PB! All the photos were taken with a EOS500 Canon film camera.

Voila! C'est Melbourne!

State bikes in the CBD. I think the point was to promote the decrease of travel by polluting vehicles. You basically put in a dollar or something and you are then able to use the bikes until whenever you like and then return them and get your money back (I think?). I actually saw some people take up the incentive but I guess you'd have to come really prepared with your own helmet and gear and that.

The all famous graffiti alleyways. Love this shot. :)

My cousin Chris and I walking down one of the CBD shopping strips. I really don't remember the name of all the streets unfortunately. Didn't even know this photo was being taken either! Sneaky sneaky!

Flinders Street Subway station.

Outside Federation Square.

The following pictures were taken by kimberly for fun while we were doing some other stuff for one of her uni assignments. The bike is PB's. Her name is Vanessa and she is a soon-to-be restored cafe racer! She's quite beautiful as she is - golden rust and all. The other photos can be found here.

mahogany

2010-12-03T14:42:00.002+11:00

Yoshimi's salon in Westfield Sydney. Taken via my Blackberry.

Woohoooo! My exams are finally doneeee! Though, that corporate one... sigh, I almost cried when I left the room. It was so so bad. I left out two whole questions!!! They were EMPTY. BLANK. God... total of 10 marks down the drain. So really I only answered 35/45 marks. Dismal. I pray to God I pass. But with just a pass, I'm not sure if I'll get into the course I want. :'( Why does life have to be so difficult?

After my exam I went straight my friend, Yoshimi's, salon in Westfield Sydney. Gosh! Talk about star treatment! I wanted to go a copper red... but at the last minute chickened out haha. So now my hair has no more of those ugly yellow streaks, and is a rich mahogany! Perhaps I will be more brave while on my trip to Japan. Pictures soon. I'm still too miserable to enjoy my hair and my holidays properly... (I sound so emo)

gold mesh

2010-11-25T19:32:00.005+11:00

Woohoo! My Mocha2 Gold Bow Ballet Pumps from Topshop came today! Best surprise ever after such a fail day at studying... (I failed to mention in my previous post that I left the house without my wallet this morning). You can still find them here on sale at Topshop. If you're anything like me, I wear and wear a pair of flats over and over until they break - like, seriously kaput. So these are a godsend after walking in my half torn flats in the last few weeks.

The pumps are a little on the tight side, but I'm sure they will stretch after a little wear. The metal bows are actually more weighty than I thought - they bounce up and down when I walk. But gosh I love the velvety feel of them around my feet!

Angel is being a little crazy and spastic in the yard haha x

My oh my! Two posts in one day! ... I really really must be avoiding my books.

trapped

2010-11-25T13:23:00.002+11:00

I'm a little birdie trapped inside UTS library, and can't get out into this awesome sunshine because of a little monster called 'exams'. I know everyone complains and groans about this monster... but seriously... I am the last of EVERYONE to be done!

So, through all my hours "studying" I found all of these fantastic videos! And, there is light at the end of the tunnel - my Su-shi wine leather satchel bag is on its way! hoorah! Although... uni will be finished by the time it gets here but I DON'T CARE mwahaha

I really really want to watch this movie! It was released in 2009 - how could I have missed such a Tim Burton gem?? Mais, où se trouve??

Also, these guys were at Harbourlife - they wore little aviator hats and goggles! Very appropriate, I say! Lovin' the groooove

silks, florals and sunshine

2010-11-21T23:46:00.005+11:00

haha I am so silly! Silk floral oversized shirt from Nu+Nan.

Yay! So one exam down... one more to go... Corporate Law. Yuck. Evidence was pretty okay - but I don't know ... Last time I thought an exam was okay, I failed. :'( I've also done my applications for Law/Media Arts and Production through UAC. I really really want to get in. Haven't wanted to get into something this much for ages!

The weekend was spent relaxing at Pat's farewell dinner, Harry Potter 7, Harbourlife and Olivia's birthday. Gosh, it felt sooo much like I was on holidays already! What a tease.

Harry Potter 7 was the bomb. Didn't get to dress up how I wanted, but thank you to PB for putting up with my childish obsessions! Also, big happy birthday to Olivia, you gorgeous little lady.

Mmmm what a lovely weekend. Now back to studying!

The view from the steps @ Harbourlife! Image taken via Jess' blackberry.

Me and jono - just enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze! Image via my Blackberry.

pressing rewind

2010-11-12T00:07:00.005+11:00

It's back to exam period... so I don't really have anything inspiring to update on. Oh besides the fact that I am going to watch Harry Potter 7 Part 1 very very soon! Well, one week to be exact... which may not be soon to a lot of people, but it sure beats my position when I first heard about the opening date! Anyway, since I'm blogging on my dad's computer... I thought I'd share some old photos with my lovely cyberfriends. :) don't laugh (too much)!

My brother and I at my grandparent's house. Not sure when this was taken... but yep, don't let my brother's cute face fool you! He is such a brat!

haha this photo makes me laugh soooo much. This is probably Year 9 / 10. Our best ever gig at a Fairfield Music Youth Night. I played bass, Emily played guitar and Nat played drums... Nat hasn't really changed much, has she? I wonder where all my musical dreams went...

A fun shot with PJ and Sam at their photoshoot. It was sooo cold! I needed to stay warm somehow!

dumbledore's army

2010-11-04T22:12:00.002+11:00

Yoomin & I at Friends of STARTTS Refugee Charity Ball 2010
Picture taken via my Blackberry
Review Bella Cocktail Dress, MAC lipstick in ruby woo

Dunbledore's Army

Last night was the night of the Refugee Ball - it finally happened! Most of my contribution was mainly to the trivia questions... but most of those didn't end up being used. Other than that, Yoomin and I had a grand time ushering people to and from their seats, being silly and loud during the donations period, and eating lots and lots of food. The event was held at Dockside which was quite pretty! The table I was assigned to, Table 30, ended up donating to about $800! I had the BEST table. Hilarious! There were bets made in which I had to do embarassing things for more money to be pledged haha

And yes, I think I am a little obsessed over Harry Potter at the moment. Can NOT wait for the new movie to come out! It looks so EPIC. I'm so obsessed that I suggested the name "Dumbledore's Army" for a new basketball team (unisex Sundays) that I'll be playing on. Hanz, another player and friend, thinks it's gay. He also won't let me write "Dumbledore's Army" but will only agree to "D. Army" or "DA". It's such a cute and awesome name, don't you think?

pumpkin face

2010-10-28T22:48:00.004+11:00

How cute! I love when little people dress up in furry costumes! I can't wait to have kids and dress them up... they will probably hate me for it too, but it's my parental right! Gosh, too adorable...

So I have a halloween party this saturday and I have no idea what to be / wear. Jen says she will lend me her "goddess" headband, so I can be a Greek goddess. Watch out for some dress recycling! I don't have money to buy new things! I've always been pretty fail at dressing up...

Happy halloween everybody :)

Image Source

love for jam

2010-10-25T00:53:00.003+11:00

My best friend, James Pham. I love you!

Happy 21st Birthday!

(white dress with gold beading from Sportsgirl)

The totally awesome food under the beautiful white marquee. I went a little nuts with the oysters... even after everything was packed away and no one else was eating... (photo courtesy of James' phone)

More food! (photo courtesy of James' phone)

So much love in one night! I think my speech was a little fail... especially the part where I started playing an acoustic rendition of Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. I couldn't stop laughing! So my singing was more splurting than anything - and THEN, I forgot the chords. haha! Such a hilarious night. I will leave out the messyness which occurred towards the end, but it really was wonderful. Shout out to Carmen for being such a heroine! And to Leslie and Leewee for doing the speech with me... even though they didn't end up singing AT ALL!

melbourne air

2010-10-19T00:26:00.003+11:00

Back home after a very fun and adventurous weekend! Reality has kicked in with all the things I must catch up on. My to-do list for this week is as follows:

Make some money - I am very broke from spending so much money on food in Melbourne. I didn't even by anything for myself, just food!
Buy a white dress for Jam's 21st
Help Jam with his 21st
Catch up on uni work
Finish the Trivia Questions for the Refugee Ball - I have done some decent ones... but some are still a bit ridiculous I think. I never knew Trivia was such a hard thing to organise!
Buy a dress for the Ball
Photoshoot with Kimb at the end of the week

Oh Lordy! What an impossible list. Especially the bits where I have to do some shopping... I really don't think I have the time (OR MONEY) to look around and buy something nice! So, to try and tear myself away from my busy life I will leave you with some of my favourite photos from the trip instead.

P.S. There are no photos from the MotoGP because I didn't even end up going! I am actually quite sad about this... it was just so so cold and wet and windy, and taking public transport to get there was just too much! Even so, I am quite disappointed... Though as long as PB is happy, so am I :). The most important thing is that we got to do something special together.

My cousins Laura, Chris and Sara. I really really love Chris. He was the best! Took me all around on the days I was there, paid for food, and was just his hilarious self! Chris has always been one of my favourite cousins - I really do love him. :) (by the way, in case you're wondering, he's half Vietnamese, half Italian) I don't know why this photo is so blurry - I think it might have been on the wrong setting and I didn't know until it was too late. Though, it's the only one with all of us in one shot!

This was the white chocolate and strawberry dessert pizza from D.O.C, a restaurant Chris took us to on Friday night. IT WAS SO YUM. SO YUM. I'm not usually a fan of dessert or chocolate in particular... but this I adored.

Winnie and I at Alumbra (club), Docklands. I deceptively look sobre, but I assure you, I was far from it! The club was very pretty with a asian-esque theme which included a giant Buddha head and some silk banners.

voila !

2010-10-14T22:39:00.004+11:00

The back of my door - so messy! But I love the newly purchased hat I bought (on the right). Can't wait till it gets warmer so I can start making good use of it :) it was 25% off at Myer!

Random photo of my desk and the polaroids from my 18th birthday (courtesy of Jimmy) plus my blackberry and a tissue packet from fellow French student, Dianne.

MotoGP tickets woohoo! plus my Mimco wallet.

You don't understand how difficult it was to get these physically into my hands. Poor Xu-heng had to keep ringing up Ticketek AND MotoGP because they were never available for collection. I only paid for access for the Sunday (Race Day) but for some reason they gave me 3-day passes! SCORE! I guess it's to make up for their inefficiency and lack of friendly service. Hmph.

I am flying to Melbourne tomorrow arvo! I am sooo excited, even though its just an interstate trip. Much of my mum's side lives in VIC, but I haven't been down for about two years now. It will be my first time at MotoGP too - I'm going to try my best and take lots of beautiful photos.

I think it is time to start some packing... how to limit my outfit selections to only 3 choices???

Au revoir Sydney! Bisous, xx

busy busy bee

2010-10-10T00:37:00.000+11:00

Yay! My top sold on ebay. :) I am super happy.

Also, been so busy with work, uni and the Refugee Charity Ball that I've volunteered

for. Proper post as soon as I have something interesting, and less mundane

to talk about.

second chances, second place

2010-10-03T23:53:00.006+11:00

Source

So we all know about the blunder in the finale for this year's Australia's Next Top Model series... I don't think it was set-up but I definitely think Kelsey is one of the luckiest runners-up ever! My favourite was always Jess (far right) and I guess Amanda was cool too, but I think Sophie deserved a lot more credit since she was gunning it in the last few episodes. Kelsey, of course, was PB's favourite haha. We tried voting for her during the live finale with the foxtel remote, but it wasn't working! She could've actually won if we had tried a little harder... maybe...

I've done some very stupid and silly things over the last day or so. Sigh. I have to learn how to communicate the way I feel in a more upfront way. I don't know why I can't do it! It's like... I know I should say something is bothering me, but I feel like what I think is unimportant, or selfish, so I don't end up saying it. And then the inevitable happens - I blow up.

No more of this! I am going to try really really hard to always speak out. The person taking all the brunt for my habits is PB. I'm going to make sure I stop all this nonsense and insensitivity. Second chances are rare and few, and I'm not going to let it be for nothing. I didn't deserve a little something which I received today (photos soon)... He really can be very romantic when he wants to be... I get teary so easily. I think words are important, but actions show a lot more.

For as long as he will have me, I will forever stive to become someone worthy of being part of his world. x

leather in wine

2010-09-29T15:07:00.002+10:00

Old School L Vintage Wine Pre-order Reservation Novemeber -

€169.00

I just purchased this bag from Su-Shi
and I feel so so guilty... With shipping it added up to about 270AUD. Gah! I'm not usually a big spender on little things - usually the most money would be on air flight tickets or accomodation for a holiday... but oh well. I'll make myself feel like I deserve it!

It's so pretty, no? I've been pining over it for the last 3 or so weeks... but the wait for it to be physically in my hands is going to be total suffering! It's on pre-order so I probably won't receive it until mid-november. Sigh. Until then :)

spring cleaning

2010-09-28T23:09:00.004+10:00

So, I'm trying to get rid of my guilt for spending so much money on new things to selling old things which I never wear anymore. This blouse is the first of my ebay listings! Click here to view it :) I really hope it will find a loving new home!

birth by sleep

2010-09-27T02:39:00.002+10:00

Source

My last assessment is due today at 6pm. Woohoo! It's a problem question for Evidence and Criminal Procedure. I think it is going better than my other assessments so far... Corporate Law was just.. DISMAL. I thought it went alright until i got home and remembered all those things that I didn't write about. I wish there was no such thing as exams!

The picture above is for a game called 'Birth by Sleep', on PSP. I want it :) lol. As you can see, I am heavily distracted in finishing this Evidence assignment. I probably won't get the mark I want because I don't deserve it... but oh well. This game is just epic. So epic that I am contemplating to buy a PSP JUST to play it. For other game fans out there (female ones - I kno we are few in numbers), Birth by Sleep is a prologue to Kingdom Hearts I. Need I say more?

Sorry to have scared you all with my ugly foot and even more hideous blister !! This is what eventuated after I cleverly decided to wear heels on Saturday night. Poor PB. First we walked from Market City (where we parked the car) to Darling Harbour for Nick's birthday drinks. Poor PB. I had to stop every couple of minutes to rest my aching feet. He had to put up with a lot of irritation and frustration! Even random girls along the way were eyeing me and giggling at my failed attempted to be a lady. By the end of the night at Nat's 21st, I was dancing shoeless. Can I embarass myself anymore?? The last time I am wearing new heels on a night out. I'm sure other girls don't have this problem. I am just too noob.

curly wurly

2010-09-18T01:02:00.009+10:00

Clockwise from top left: smile! oops did you take that picture already? shhhhh! wheeee!

So, I had a bit too much time on my hands while I was waiting for dad to get home with the car. I'm actually wearing a maxi dress, but only a psychic would be able to tell. Got a little too ahead of myself since today was soooo warm... end result? I froze my butt of at Darling Harbour! Though it was such a lovely night, and I must say, I was spoilt rotten :) and for no particular reason. I don't get nights like these often... so when they do come around, theyre really quite something *heart*

I woke up at 2pm this morning (I mean, afternoon?). Complete failure! I AM A FAILURE! So much for trying to wake up early to study. Sigh, corporate law is MAJOR PAIN. The textbook has teeeeeeny weeeeeny text. By the end of it, I think I am going to go blind.

Goodluck to everyone else in exam-period! May we live long and prosper!

peaches

2010-09-15T20:05:00.010+10:00

Rynie structured jacket - thrifted from my mum's pile of samples
Another recent purchase, Nars blush in Gina

Woohooo ! One exam down, one more to go and one assignment ! Today was the French mid-sem... I think I did ok? Not really sure. It's so hard to tell. The listening was a killer. I always have so many blank spaces. And grammar is a no-go zone too. My writing section basically consisted of me seeing elephants on my trip to Koh Samui, Thailand. Hopefully my teacher likes elephants :)

I am also now an owner of a blackberry bold! Wheeee! Been waiting for a blackberry for about a year now. I love it to death. God, so materialistic... I know... anyone have one too? We can be friends on blackberry messenger ;)

Please excuse my dismal facial expression above. I think I need to wash my hair.

Rachel Rutt

2010-09-12T02:03:00.004+10:00

Images via models.com

My uni friend, Janini, commented last week that model Rachel Rutt reminds her of me. UM. I don't think so? hahaha. Rachel is half Singaporean half Australian. Another reason to love Singapore and Australia. :)

m-m-m-magic

2010-09-06T21:17:00.003+10:00

From top to bottom: me being a loser (taken by PB), a very scary and blurry Town Hall, the crossing at Queen Victoria Building, and Xu-heng in front of Kinokuniya when we were waiting to get a seat in Ichiban (noooo film burn!)

By the way, do you guys believe in Karma? I am starting to really feel like I am getting the worst of it...

click click

2010-08-31T00:46:00.002+10:00

Happy Birthday to Michael Nugo!
Above: Maria & Loraine & Braceface

Hehe he had the sweetest mum. She made me take home a container of curry. I couldn't refuse! It wasn't the best of nights. I wasn't able to meet up with Jam and Leewee in the city and I was very sad about that. Yep! Lot's of making up to do!

hehe, Angel got a hair cut and a wash. Doesn't she look cute? lol. I personally prefer her with shorter hair. You can see more clearly how pudgy she is. I can't believe she's almost 10 years old. She doesn't look it, hey? I'm glad she has made a full recovery *heart*

Finders Keepers

2010-08-30T00:30:00.003+10:00

Tonight has not been a very good night! Sigh, I could cry, but I'm not melodramatic enough. For one, my laptop died on me. I hate the colour blue. Hate. Blue screens are evil. Secondly, I took out my cam to upload some photos from last night but when I went to eat dinner, it disappeared! I've been looking for it for the last hour... I have to find it. It was a gift. A very special gift. I know it HAS to be in the house SOMEWHERE. It's just a matter of finding it.

Whenever I lose things like this, I always go back to that book I read in primary school. It was called 'Finders Keepers'. I think this is correct, from memory. In 'Finders Keepers', the author has a theory for how we suddenly lose things. Things that we specifically put in a spot which should still be there, but impossibly, is not. So, basically, there's this alternate universe and every time a portal opens between our world and the other, an object is lost through this portal. Usually the people from the other universe throw it back over but the portals never open in the same spot twice. Hence, when things reappear again and we "find" it, it's in a different though near position to where we last left it.

Okay alternate universe, throw me back my camera already!

EDIT: My dad found my camera this morning. It was in my brother's drawer. Emily Rodda was right, they always do throw it back! I also finally got my shoes from ASOS through the mail. WOOH!

nom nom nom

2010-08-25T02:00:00.003+10:00

Wheeeeeeeeeee lookie at what I have ! :)

P.S. I developed and printed my Holga photos. They weren't as great as I had hoped! The taping did work I think, to some degree... but the photos are SO blurry. It was my first time using fujifilm as opposed to Kodak. Not sure if that has an effect? Also there was still some film burn even though I taped it. Sigh. I really need a scanner. I like maybe one photo. Though the 6x6 size is soooo pretty!

be careful with fragile things

2010-08-19T22:04:00.004+10:00

Source

I spilled the ink across the page

trying to spell your name

It won't fly the seven seas to you

Cause it won't leave my room

But it awaits the hands of someone else

The garbage man

So he opens it up and reads it out to all his friends

Amongst the crowd a heart will break

And a heart will mend

Paper Aeroplane - Angus and Julia Stone

I am twenty years, three months, and seventeen days old. In the middle ages, I would probably be married now with a family of five. But in the 21st century, I am an in-betweener. An almost adult; a floater of the worlds of my family's Vietnamese generation and that of the contemporary Australian student.

I know what I want. But I am young.

I know I was asking for it today, when I asked you all those questions. I am happy you answered them without hesitation and with honesty. I'm not sure whether the answers were what I wanted to hear, or something I was ready for. I'm not upset. The only thing that makes me a little sad is that I am nothing new. For me you were unknown terrain - an exciting risk that sent electricity through my bones. But for you, I am different, but not undiscovered. But this is something I can not change. I have to deal with it, and that is what I'll do. It is pointless to dwell.

Note to self: Please check the price of those tony bianco velvet (suede?) wedges tomorrow.

smiles

2010-08-18T22:40:00.003+10:00

Can you feel summer in the air?

I can :)

By the way, I finally got off my lazy bottom and made myself a brand new banner! yay! Do you like it? I know it's not spectacular... but it is my first ever. So I'm pretty proud. Today I went around the city holga-ing (thanks to Sonia for the term). Some of the things I snapped included a homeless man with his dog, some pretty buildings (i.e. Town Hall), Xu-Heng, PB, and a giant mountain dog named Snow Bear. You have got to see Snow Bear. He truly is part bear, part dog.

I am developing the photos tomorrow. I wanted to develop the roll today but the photo store in Market City were going to charge me $30 for processing and 12 prints. That's right, TWELVE PRINTS. UM NO. I will try my luck again tomorrow at Bankstown.

supercharge me

2010-08-14T20:57:00.004+10:00

I wish I had as much energy as the fellow above. God... remember when we were in highschool and zipped around everywhere like energiser bunnies? I miss that. Now that I think about it, I think I was at my peak right around year 11 / 12. I played basketball every spare minute I could; WALKED everywhere; and ate a lot more rice and non-fatty foods at home. I guess your fitness and body really does reflect your lifestyle. I need to get back to that.... somehow.Maybe all the makeup that I've started using is starting to building up in my skin and organs. Makeup is pretty disgusting gunk if you think about what's in it. Well, maybe not mineral makeup. Actually, I have no idea.

You've probably noticed that I like to find "relevant" images to go with my blog posts. Yes, very predictable and non-creative way to blog. I try to do it in an anaesthetically pleasing way, but somehow... it doesn't look how I want it to. And this layout is just terrible! I wish I was technologically intelligent too.

I hope everyone else is staying on top of their health more than I am x

je ne sais pas!

2010-08-09T21:19:00.002+10:00

I really really love this icecream! I finally found it at an asian supermarket at Bankstown today. It was probably very easy to find, I just didn't look hard enough. The strawberry is my favourite! Coconut is pretty ok too... I should try the others next time.

French is getting sooo difficult. I can't seem to store words and phrases in my head! Yoomin and I made a vow to try to use it more E.g. when we see eachother, we will greet eachother in French. haha I'm gonna look like such a noob. I hope no authentic French person walks by when we do this.

the spell is broken!

2010-08-06T23:13:00.002+10:00

So yeah... I'm trying to study on a Friday night because I want this semester to be the best yet! But, it is more difficult than I had hoped. I guess I can't beat myself up too much. It is the first week after all. Still, work tomorrow at Top Ryde, then work on Sunday at Blacktown! This is my only night to read read read...

I used to love the Gargoyles series when I was a kid. The above video is the intro for the third season of the series. I only ever watched the first season though. No idea what happened to it. All the good TV shows just disappear like that.

Biennale 2010 (photoheavy)

2010-08-03T22:35:00.005+10:00

Some photos from Biennale a week ago :) (Photos courtesy of Jess)

Trying to blend in with the art...

This installment was pretty cool. You could walk on it, and touch it and everything! Apparently some of the spectators role the old tyres around for fun... though Jess and I didn't do that.

Pretty cool huh? It was supposed to be like exploding cars like you see in Hollywood movies. lol @ our fail mirror shot.

J'adore Jessica

I spent $148 on ONE textbook today! Totally depressing! There goes the money I was saving for that red skirt in Newtown haha.

cone of shame

2010-08-03T00:13:00.004+10:00

This is my poor doggie snuggling in her new bed with the cone of shame around her neck! Gah! I sit down and hug her every 20 minutes cause looking at her makes me so sad. Though she's really cute with the cone. She can't see very well, so when I call her she has to do a 360 degree turn to find me. And then when she runs, she forgets that the cone is quite big so she bounces off the wall when she runs too close. Even though it cost a small fortune to save her life, I'm pretty glad my mum was so adamant on doing it. My dad is a bit stressed about the money... but it would be too cruel to know that we could've saved her but chose not to due to monetary reasons.

It's good to be back at uni. I feel like I'm doing something productive again. Though, I doubt I'll feel like this in a few weeks time. I actually had a bit of a nervous breakdown a couple of days ago about my "future". God... even saying that word is kind of depressing. I have just been really down and unmotivated because of the big fat F on my transcript. I feel really dumb doing law - I'm just not very good at it. So I started freaking out about not getting any experience and ultimately not getting a good job. But I guess all I can do now is keep trying...

very soon

2010-08-02T00:25:00.002+10:00

I am capped, once again. Hence, no blog updates. But as a quick mention... my doggie is home! She's a little weak still and has stitches down her stomach. She also has a cone around her head now to stop her from licking and infecting her wounds! I took a photo. Will upload as soon as the 4th of august comes around.

Welcome back to uni UTS students!

how much is that doggie in the window?

2010-07-25T21:49:00.002+10:00

Today was Market Day at Bankstown Paceway Markets! This is basically what Danny and I got up to for most of the morning and afternoon...

4:30AM. Danny finally gets home from clubbing at Sanctuary Hotel and tells me he is going to sort out his stuff and come over and pick me up.

5:00AM. Danny gets to my place and we begin loading up the van. Although we're both pretty much dead with noooo sleep AT ALL. The feeling was terrible! A rooster was going off somewhere in the background...

5:40AM. Got to the markets and it was PACKED. Like, seriously?? The sun wasn't even up yet! It was freezing... and Danny and I realised that we had no cash to pay for the stall ($40). I didn't want to be rejected for a space in the market since it would just suck having to get up for no reason... so I ran back home (lucky I live like down the road), got my car, withdrew some money and drove back down to the markets. Luckily, Danny got one of the last spots left, and we start setting up.

7:00AM. Our stall is set up!

The market was sooo much busier than I thought it would be. Funny that the markets have always been so close, and yet I had never been there recently enough to remember anything about it! People were selling all sorts of stuff - really vintage gameboys, bolts of all shapes and sizes, lemongrass...

My auntie, uncle and little cousins even came to contribute. One of my cousins ended up spending $15 worth of Danny's merchandise. Danny made a killing! $200+ in sales! While I on the other hand... only managed to sell one jumper for $5. Depressing. Though all in all, it was a really fun day. Now I'm thinking of ideas for the next time I decide to do this :)

sheepskin

2010-07-24T02:05:00.004+10:00

Got some other photos from Samaine! I really like the second one... although to be honest the direction was taken from a similar photo that PJ had on his iphone. My legs look a bit wonky :) Sam also linked me to his photography website: http://www.samainephotography.com/ - so you can check out his other stuff there too! One of the portraits of me on the site I'm not that fond of... cause the wind at Woolwich Wharf kept chapping my lips! And it was actually taken towards the very end of the shoot. Not sure why Sam likes it, but haha oh well! There are also pictures of my cousins, Mark and Brian, and I on facebook which make me smile lots and lots. I'm going to miss Mark when he leaves to Mongolia!

Today was spent immersing myself in art with Jess as we visited the Biennale sites. She will post up pics soon I bet so check out her blog on the right (Lady Jessus).

I guess things do work out. Well, nothing's ever perfect but oh lordy, how I love you so.