Unabashedly Me

Date A Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

2011-12-27T15:12:00.000+08:00

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilightseries.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

(In Response to Charles Warnke’s You Should Date An Illiterate Girl.)

Desktop wallpapers.

2010-11-13T11:31:00.009+08:00

Now that I'm back into a routine, I've allocated some time to spend here, so hopefully, you'll be seeing more posts.

If you know me, you'll know that I have a pet peeve for organising. Lists, boxes for things and my many programmes and folders and files on my desktop. So I love a simple desktop design that gives me lots of space but is so much fun as well.

Head to Simple Desktops for more! :)

Hot and humid.

2010-11-12T12:30:00.002+08:00

I'm back in SG and am already missing life in Aussie. I'm occupying myself with unpacking, meeting up with friends, Christmas preparations and searching for room decor ideas and a job. I'm loving this jewellery storage idea by Martha Stewart.

Now if only I can get my hands on some vintage china cups and saucers on etsy.

Are we there yet?

2010-10-29T07:22:00.005+08:00

It's odd how much one can collect in a mere three-month stay in Australia. Brochures on places I've visited, receipts (did I buy that many things??), beer and wine bottle caps. I'm bringing the whole lot home. So even though I've thrown out my track shoes (they finally gave way during my trek to the waterfalls), my 273 pieces of baggage will definitely be over the weight limit.

Speaking of weights. Most of the clothes I brought here have miraculously shrank in the wash! Or... No, could it be I put on weight? Tsk, too much good food and too little exercise. No, no. Tsk, the washing machines here.

Spent the last week re-visiting places in Adelaide, taking photos like a real tourist, packing and forcing Zy to play scrabble. I'm going to miss all these.

See you back in the haze.

P.S. Has it gotten better?

{Wearing Mng dress, Mng cardi, vintage scrabble tile brooch}

Last weekend in Adelaide.

2010-10-25T19:10:00.009+08:00

Hello you, how was your weekend? :)

I had a lovely time getting my portrait drawn by an art student on Rundle Street. He was a lovely young chap, drawing portraits for free. Well, technically, for a donation of any amount. I wanted to take a photo with him, but he seemed like the shy sort.

Doesn't quite look like me, I must say. Gasp! I have one eye bigger than the other!

I also headed down for a walk along Torrens River with Zy. It's where the guys do their weekly run. On the weekends, it's crowded with runners, cyclists, families having walks and couples lying on the grass. I'll miss this spot in the city when I head back to Singapore.

Zy having fun with the swans.

{Wearing Mng blouse, Mng pants, Mulberry belt, H&M flats}

Alexa Meade.

2010-10-22T14:37:00.005+08:00

Alexa Meade is an artist who creates two-dimensional works by painting on three-dimensional subjects. She puts the paint directly on people and objects used. This really combines performance, installation and painting. Amazing! Click here for more.

Spotted over at A Cup Of Jo.

Blazing.

2010-10-21T23:00:00.002+08:00

A peircingly bright day, much too glaring for a walk.

{Wearing Bess dress, Valleygirl cardigan, Nine West heels, vintage belt, ASOS ring, vintage scrabble tile brooch}

True colours.

2010-10-21T15:54:00.008+08:00

I leave you a rainbow in lieu of the weather today! Gonna munch on some strawberries now.

By artist Helmut Smits.

Three and a third.

2010-10-20T18:06:00.003+08:00

Some really fresh vegetables at the market today eh? The snail was oblivious to my screeching and went about its own business.

And we had taro tea to celebrate today. :) One of the things that I love about zy (and what frustrates me the most too, go figure) is that he doesn't give a dime about how he looks. He completely doesn't care about what's fashionable. Rolled up pant cuffs - "too restrictive for sitting down". Buttoned up polo tees - "itchy on the neck". Clothes in general - "too expensive; why buy them when you can get them free?"

He thinks it's perfectly reasonable to head out of the house wearing ah-pek white singlets, shorts and slippers because it's comfy and practical. And we're talking about an outft to... well, anywhere. So I'm mighty glad that he wears the stuff I buy him and that he listens when I say that the oversized poo-coloured mangy tee shirt with the hawaiian floral print is restricted to inside the home.

I once asked him why and he answered without hesitation: because you like it this way.

But I secretly admire his I-don't-care-what-you-people-think-of-me attitude. ♥

Light up my life.

2010-10-19T18:52:00.002+08:00

via.

Aren't these adorable? If my new room has switches like these, it'll make me one happy girl.

via.

These delicious stickers can be found here.

Oh hey, it really is Sunday.

2010-10-17T19:40:00.005+08:00

via

Got an adorable Frankie diary and pink-red scarf from the boy! Heh I'll love taking out this beauty amidst all the black ones in meetings.

Self-indulgence.

2010-10-15T19:49:00.006+08:00

It seems a cold spell is here after a couple of wonderfully warm days. Boo. There are two more weeks before I head back to SG, so we (or rather, I) decided to visit the op shops here before dinner, which, by the way, was a wonderful oven-baked rosemary lemon chicken. Ahh photos! I need to remember to take them!

Huge mirrored window along the street and yeah I know, people take photos while COVERING their faces.

The free tram in the city, which is usually packed. Surprisingly empty today.

Leather belt I bought at Salvos for 5 bucks. I NEED to stop buying brown leather waist belts, I think I have 4, no wait, 5 now.

P.S. I bought 3 tubes of lip balm! What do I need so many for?? Oh well..

This about sums up South Adelaide.

2010-09-09T09:15:00.005+08:00

Was glad of the chance to get out of the city and see some greenery. The food was good, the sights wonderful and the people amazing. What else could I ask for?

Adelaide is finally, finally heading into spring. The sun is out and everyone is visibly wearing less layers. Time to get the dresses and shorts out of the dustbags! =)

It costs WHAT?!

2010-09-04T05:22:00.002+08:00

Marni

This Marni necklace reminds me of primary school friendship bands and the weave bracelets and key-chains all the girls used to do. What a price to pay for something you can do yourself!

Hm come to think of it, time for some diy!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-16T11:18:00.004+08:00

Two sides of a card. I love the second photo of me mum and dad, they're adorable! =)

This is the life.

2010-05-14T21:27:00.002+08:00

Pass the Shades Avery Dress

School's out, I'm doing what I love (teaching English and Drama!) and bought this and CAN'T wait to get it! =)

And so it goes.

2010-04-03T11:44:00.003+08:00

ZY: So have you done your research on Adelaide?

Me: (excitedly, waving my arms around) Yeah! I checked out alot of the fashion blogs in Adelaide!

ZY: (Stares at me and a full minute of silence later) *sigh...*

And then we doubled over laughing. =)

2010-04-01T13:45:00.002+08:00

He's beautiful -

- when he laughs with abandonment and wrinkly laugh lines appear. =)

Because it took us a year...

2010-03-26T22:23:00.006+08:00

and we had to! How could we not? That's like a year's worth of arguments, frustrations, major intellect usage, fears and finally... joy. =)

My smile is waaaay too wide. Now on to the presentation.

You can hardly tell, but I'm wearing the UO top. And it's pretty k.

How was your weekend?

2010-03-22T09:45:00.003+08:00

This past weekend could not have been any worse, juggling two modules on top of rushing through the final fyp report. But I am thankful for the little things. A very late dinner with the boy (my fault!). And my really pretty and romantic silk top from UO has arrived!

My entire family hates it. They think it's something a grandma would wear. Tsk.

Top from UO.

Another thing I am looking forward to is decorating my room. I hope to have a white/red colour theme, although mom thinks white furniture is a horror to upkeep.

Ack, I forgot where this pic is from, saved it on my desktop a long time ago!

=)

2010-02-26T23:17:00.003+08:00

Parisian children at a puppet show in 1963.

Photos by Alfred Eisenstaedt from A Cup of Jo

Shameless-ness begins today.

2009-12-28T10:49:00.004+08:00

Today is the start of the survey-ing. Finally. We had a number of setbacks but we're ready to go. I'm sure the end of December is a little bit late to start our island-wide(!!!) survey but I also believe we can do it, as long as we are shameless enough and that we begin by: "Auntie, we're not selling anything!"

Christmas was a much needed respite from all the FYP preparations. I had loads of fun with the family and ZY. Speaking of the boy, I am extremely grateful to him this season - accompanying my grandma and waiting eons for her eye check-up, sending her and my cousins to and fro alone, without me. He didn't make a fuss; didn't insist I gotta be there, although I'm pretty sure he must have felt a teeny bit awkward communicating with my grandma.

My brother is enlisting next Wednesday. Oh, my baby brother! NS! On one hand, I want him to grow up. But I also don't want him to get bullied or suffer. Haha, I feel like a nag-gy mother.

Happy Birthday, Apple!

P.S. Thank you Yvette, for writing a post about the notebook! =)

What I've been up to lately.

2009-10-14T08:49:00.002+08:00

Peek-tures.

2009-06-17T16:36:00.014+08:00

My very excited Mom, and half my dad.

My adorable granny!

Birthday girl. =)

Nikko's the princess for the day.

A bee is never as busy as it seems; it's just that it can't buzz any slower.*

2009-06-09T15:31:00.003+08:00

I do apologize if you’ve been checking back and the same old post pops out and stares lamentably at you. Too many things happening at once. Busy as a bee but happy. Are bees happy? I would like to think so – there’s so much honey. But I read somewhere it’s extremely cruel to take honey away from the bees because the honey bees are kept by bee farmers and the bee farmers use chemical smoke on the bees to knock them out so as to take the honey. Poor bees.

By the way, I’ve only had 15 minutes of sleep last night. That’s my feeble attempt at an explanation. Why am I even explaining myself?

I promise pictures soon.

*Kin Hubbard, American humourist and writer

Cosmic forces – phuuuwah!

2009-05-21T12:14:00.003+08:00

I didn’t want to say anything lest I jinx it but here goes: I got casted in Short+Sweet! Give me a mo while I retreat to my corner and clench my fists and jump up and down and yell yesyesyesyesyes!!!

Right I’m back. I know Short+Sweet probably isn’t a huge thing on the radar for theatre-goers (Much Ado About Nothing, anyone?) but this will be my first professional performance sans links to school or The Young Co. So heh. =)

I WILL do a shameless sales pitch on Short+Sweet when it gets nearer the date. So everybody, please get your butts there or else. Yes, I can do anything.

Click on the pic for more information. Now.

P.S. Argh, this means I will only shuttle between Short+Sweet, TYC, NTU and my bed at home. See you next year, peeps.

Ooh, I forgot! I forgot!

2009-05-20T17:50:00.008+08:00

I use Google on a daily basis because of work. And the thing I like best about Google is the pictures the Google team comes up with that goes above the bar where you type. (Sorry, I'm not good with tech terms so I have no idea what to call that picture thing!) So far, I like the Fossil one best.

Google

And it isn't just because it provides some variation; there's a story behind it. Try clicking on the picture next time! This one in particular led me to a whole lot of reading about Darwinism.

That aside, I recently change my prescription glasses. I don't have one of those techy cameras so this picture is the clearest I could find on the net.

Prada eyewear

It looks exactly like my old one and pretty boring, doesn't it? Plus it doesn't look like the price I paid for. But I veer towards glasses like these. Anyhow, my old ones are still in use, for emergencies/sports/some dangerous activity. Hah, I need to laugh at myself first. Sports? Dangerous activity? I'm about as active as my pinkie finger.

My mom, on the other hand, bought these.

Prada eyewear

Darkish pink with hot pink rhinestones along the edges! Can we say she's way cooler than I am? =)

Surprise!

2009-05-08T09:50:00.003+08:00

The lovely boy surprised me on Wednesday night with a Cath Kidston book of labels and stickers! =)

source

It's basically a book filled with lots of yummy labels for files, envelopes, tags, anything really! You must be thinking: why do people even need a book full of stickers for this? Just cut out a label from paper. Well, the sticker labels in them have lovely vintage prints and where else can you get a book with lots (and I do mean lots!) of wonderful vintage prints in one place?

I'm guessing that you guys will be receiving one or two of these stickers on your birthday/Christmas cards. Hmm, it's a bit early to be talking about Christmas though. Anyway, I'm a really happy girl!

Thanks darling. =) Especially for running up and down to get this while your friends were waiting in the car.

Pictures as promised.

2009-04-28T15:58:00.006+08:00

There aren't a whole load of them. I wouldn't want to bore you anyway.

Writing Ros's card

There, the birthday girl!

The boy's birthday. We were on our way to Asians Civilisations Museum and we were both squinting because the sun was a piercing, blinding white light. What happened to the golden rays of the past? Climate change is what happened, so stop asking already. Save the earth! Switch off electronics when not using them! Recycle paper! Recycle plastic! Recycle aluminium cans! I don't understand how some people can just throw away stacks upon stacks of paper just like that. I mean, come on, how much effort does it take to set up three bins/bags at home for recycling right? Right?! Right, I'm ranting. And that's a post for another time.

P.S. I don't mean to sound like a saint. Like, I do leave my carbon footprint on Mother Nature and I don't buy organic all the time (and hey, did I tell you guys about Body Shop's organic cotton? It comes in a bio-degradable plastic bag! The plastic is damn soft to the touch) but all of us should try to start somewhere small.

The boy's birthday present. The surprise was spoilt by him guessing what it was by peeking at the shape of the present.

Ta-dah! A full shot of the present. I tell you, I never knew DVDs cost this much until I bought these.

...a pointy reckoning that will shudder you

2009-04-14T15:41:00.001+08:00

I thought it’d be another ‘let’s tapau lunch’. My colleagues like doing that and I don’t cuz I swear my butt will simply melt into the chair soon. Hello, cellulite butt and thighs, nice knowing you! So it was a lovely surprise to meet the boy for lunch and a nice, long walk. Not that what we had was fanatically healthy (read: chicken rice!) but the boy cheered me up immensely. So thank you.

Update on The Play. Daniel is going to assign parts?! What happened to auditions?! So he’s going to match faces to the names, without knowing if we’re capable?! Well, I’m not going to bitch and of course we’re capable and talented and cancryattheflickofourhair. Oops, I promised no bitching. But the point is: how does he know if we’re capable of the role he thinks we’re capable of?

“Okay, hmm…” Hands on hips with small pout and slight frown over left eyebrow. “You’ve got the Tituba/Rebecca Nurse/Mercy Lewis vibe so plop, there you go and stay there. Now now, no crying.”

If I get Tituba/Rebecca Nurse/Mercy Lewis or along those lines, I too, can cry at the flick of my hair.

Right, I admit, he’s the teacher and the guy who supposedly knows us best.

This is getting so depressing.

P.S. I’ll update which character I’m playing. If I don’t, means I got… you know.

Penfriend.

2009-03-31T11:48:00.006+08:00

So I've finally sent out my package to Sarah over the weekend. Phew... There goes my guilt.

Ain't it pretty? Double printed envelopes and a pretty little necklace. Right, I'm sorely lacking in adjectives right now. These are what Penfriend sent to me.

And here's mine.

Handmade notebook and a pencilcase on which I did her name and hung a couple of charms. I wished I had remembered to take a photo of the pages in the notebook (I was in a hurry!). I printed cute flowers at the corners so the pages wouldn't look so sad.

And colour-pencils! Haha I love them, and markers too. For doodling all over notebooks and post-it notes.

Gimme me a big smile.

2009-03-25T12:54:00.003+08:00

It’s a very busy week, oh yes it is.

Anyhow, I’ve found time to ogle at beautiful (but rather impractical!) suitcases.

Picture from Smallable

I’ve begged, coaxed, yelled, threw a hissy fit at my very disagreeable wallet but she refuses to join me on this adventure.

What? It's just the two of us?

2009-03-20T08:54:00.004+08:00

Cold mornings + steaming green tea = Comfort.

So anyway, I travelled down to Pulau NTU last night to audition for this year's Paparazzi production. I'm nuts, what with the coming FYP and The Young Co. production. But I think I can pull it all together.

That's if I even pass the auditions!

Am seriously thinking of getting these.

2009-03-18T16:03:00.005+08:00

Pictures from asos.

Penfriend.

2009-03-12T09:57:00.006+08:00

Here's what Sarah (penpal I wrote about before) sent over.

Picture is grainy, I know. Artificial lighting is never as good as natural daylight.

And here's what I sent to her.

Cheers, hope she likes them.

I know I said July.

2009-03-09T10:10:00.006+08:00

But I couldn't help it. Not when they were going for 11 bucks! Alright, so they were $11.90 and that makes it 12 bucks.

Apologies, the photo quality is bad. Taken using the cell.

I've said it before: I don't particularly like shoes from CnK. It's simply that they are the only ones who produce shoes in size 4. But sometimes, a lovely pair or two comes up.

This one is mustard yellow suede. Suede gets dirty easily, but I'm determined to keep it clean for as long as I can. I like that this pair has a bit of vintage vibe going on, and that it's yellow.

Anyhow, this makes Clara a happy girl. =)

Whoopie!

2009-03-05T10:57:00.003+08:00

The girls in faraway China have received the teabags and sugar! =) Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the teabags. If you're wondering why I need to take a picture of teabags, it's because I actually sewed the teabags.

But never mind, I'll be making a couple more for a penpal swap so I'll take pictures of those. Yep, penpal swap! Haha, how old fashioned and I'm pretty excited! =) The swap idea originated from this girl called Sarah, whose blog I'm reading on the sly prior to contacting her. So the swap is actually us exchanging parcels containing bits and pieces of things I like or think she would like.

I'll post pictures of our parcels when the time comes!

This is long overdue.

2009-03-04T15:26:00.008+08:00

But I'll still post pictures of the day up anyway, cuz I enjoyed the Zoo very much. More so the company. =) And also cuz it was my birthday.

Look at me. I was super excited and kept wanting to take photos in

the car, but ZY kept going 'Don't disturb me, I'm driving!' Oops...

Plus, I want to show the sunglasses which I seldom wear but paid alot for.

Dang.

Mandatory touristy shot in front of the Singapore Zoo sign.

Hey after all, I haven't been here in what, ten years?!

I have got to show you this member of the reptilian family.
It was posing on the walkway meant for humans
and was this close to us.

And this was a strange bird.
The enclosure had no sign indicating what it is.
The blue is a beautiful shade and the bird looks serene and evil at the same time.
It almost looks like a stuffed animal but it was breathing, I assure you.

Also, please ignore the reflection of ZY's leg. This is the clearest picture of the bird I have.

Okay, that's all the pictures of animals I'm showing. The rest are the usual lions and giraffes and hippos and the likes. Alot of monkeys though, the Zoo trying to make it a primate-kingdom sort of theme.

Anyway, go now. Before we all start getting married and popping babies. It's an interesting place for a date.

Want a free Kelly bag?

2009-03-04T14:25:00.005+08:00

If you like crafty things, check this out from Hermes...

Free printable versions of their Kelly bag! I don't suppose we can use them as actual bags, not with the unpredictable rain we're getting. But it'll be great for door gifts, party favours, gift bags or simply for leaving them around the house as decorations.

Go to Hermes, select your language, click on ‘travel the world of Hermes’ and you’ll find it! Have fun with your imagination!

P.S. The patterns on the 'bag' changes from time to time though.

I didn't say it.

2009-02-06T15:45:00.001+08:00

A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.
- Coco Chanel

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees.

2009-02-04T13:55:00.002+08:00

A special affection for headbands has recently started. I made one a couple of weeks ago. It’s a brick-red precipitate colour, the only phrase I can conjure up for such a colour. Chemistry lab lessons were influential. I hated them. Anyway, with whatever materials I had, I made a rather large flower out of organza ribbons and some buttons and sewn the whole thing onto a plastic headband. I wore it out to the mall and my brother kept avoiding me. Explains a lot, I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.

And just the other day, I saw a black & white feathered headband from Déjà Vu Vintage. 75 whooping bucks! I held it in my hands and my legs were urging me to the counter. ZY stopped me and said 75 bucks?! And then I reluctantly put it down. I got a bit pissed, not at him but at myself. So I popped down to Spotlight and sighted a gorgeous but pitiful bunch of feathers. Gorgeous because it’s a beautiful dark pink streaked with white and black. Pitiful because there were only 6 feathers! I vow to go back to Spotlight to find more of those and then I’ll get down to business and make my own feathered headband. I hope it’ll turn out nice.

In any case, these are examples of the kind of feathered headbands I'd like:

Photo from SallyJaneVintage

I didn't say it.

2009-01-30T16:38:00.004+08:00

Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
- Cree Indian Prophecy

Towards Year 4.

2008-11-26T12:00:00.003+08:00

"The whole fyp grouping shit is like such a big conspiracy and tactical crap. Why must we all hide and play guessing games of what people want?"

Read this on a blog, and I have to say: I totally agree. I hope the person doesn't mind me putting this up.

Anyway, exams are over and surprisingly, I don't feel the rush of joy and freedom I'm supposed to feel. The papers were alright, except for the one on Corporate Comm. I'm sure what it tested didn't come out in lectures and all the questions required at least 5 pages of answers, which is impossible in 2 hours.

A month or so of outings and birthdays and lazy days before internship starts. I actually am quite looking forward to it, and hoping that someone else (i.e. someone nice) from school will be interning there too. As for the hols, I'm aiming to complete a small, achievable project everyday. It can be anything - craft work, cleaning up my wardrobe, packing my notes and files from school, learn a new song, do an invert on my own in pole class. It's to discipline myself and not laze around the house watching TV, and also to know I've done something useful.

I like talking to Fiona about friendship and circles and stuff, she puts things into perspective.

I'd like to leave pictures of all the bruises I get from pole class because they look mightily big and scary, especially with the flipping myself upside-down on the pole business, but I figured the bruises are all pretty much situated in places I'd like to keep to myself. =)

Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?

2008-07-30T10:24:00.006+08:00

I was heading out of the house for work when my brother wanted to test the camera. I was very late, hence the pained expression (if you can even see it at all).

Hmm, the photo is alright in Preview. Why is it blurry here?

The point to all this is to show the hair clip I clipped onto my top. When I got to work, a kid asked me why there was a flower growing out of my shirt. Children, you got to love em.

The hols are ending in exactly a week and I'm going to miss the kids in Kumon. My plan of working every Saturday will not work out because rehearsals for drama takes up the entire Saturday.

Dressing up, rushing assignments and gossiping at the CS benches are coming round again. Ugh.

Cathy's 21st!

2008-07-15T11:31:00.005+08:00

I've been very very good at uploading photos and sending them out pronto. I got them sent out to everyone in the photo below 2 days after Cathy Chia's 21st birthday dinner. =)

There were copious amounts of pink that day (it was the theme because Cathy is extremely girly), and Apple and Fizzah flouted on the 'wear pink' rule.

Dinner at Aerin's:

We went for drinks at Chijmes after and we had the most fun taking silly pictures with all the tourists looking on. Hai yo Fiona, don't have to embarrassed, it's all in the name of good fun.

Below is the birthday card I made for Cathy. Making birthday cards now fall under my jurisdiction.

It opens up to reveal 8 triangles. One for each of us to write a message in but Joyce couldn't make it so I had to fill one triangle up with something.

Till the next birthday!

I know I said no pictures of my hair.

2008-07-11T22:00:00.000+08:00

Now that you (and I) have seen it in photos, I realised that it doesn't look all that curly from the front. It's much messier at the back. But hey, something different from all those straight bobs around eh?

With this hair, I have found a new love - hair accessories. I've been putting bows and flowers into my hair.

This was taken when Dee and I headed out for breakfast, Red Cross then lunch. Had a brilliant time out with her looking at old stuff and eating our way through half the day. =) The ladies working at Red Cross actually asked us: "Are you girls from Korea?" I can understand if Dee looks Korean (she's very very fair and pretty) but me?!

At Red Cross, Dee's mantra of the day was "buy it!" because 90% of the stuff was priced from a dollar to 5 bucks. Really cheap. I bought 2 waisted belts and the round bag you see pictured above for a grand total of 5 blooming dollars! Haha I'm picturing ZY's look of absolute joy.

That aside, the round bag says 'Dior' and according to Dee and the cashier at Red Cross, it's real. It looks cute. Downside is that it's got a stain that's about 5cm long and I've got to try and get it out.

2008-07-03T11:55:00.003+08:00

It rained every single day I was in Hong Kong. As a result, I did not do much shopping. I did alot of donating though. At every corner I turn, there seems to be a handful of elderly ladies selling flowers/fruits or begging. It twisted my heart and made me very sad.

Stop despairing, Clara, about finding out on blogs of parties/outings/news you weren't privy too. You're being very shallow.

Shoe clips.

2008-06-17T13:45:00.003+08:00

photo credits to www.absolutelyaudrey.com

Why have I never heard of these before? I think they're pretty amazing. Just clip them onto any plain flats or pumps to jazz the shoe up. Plus, I think they will make cute brooches or bag accessories.

I'm inspired to find old clip-on earrings now!

A two-hour train/bus ride there.

2008-06-17T13:17:00.004+08:00

It's pretty alarming how I've only been to Praisehaven twice and the grumpy lady who sorts out donated clothing tells me I look familiar and then goes on to offer me a discount card for all Salvation Army thrift stores.

Come to think of it, it's even more alarming that thrift stores actually have discount cards. I don't know why but it just seems weird.

Anyhow, not that I'm complaining because I like shopping for old bags there.

I got a Enrico Coveri bag. Dark chocolate brown, rectangular and simple. Looks pretty authentic to me (all buckles are engraved with the brand and there's a tag inside that says "Enrico Coveri. Made in Italy"). No idea who or what is Enrico Coveri until I came home, google-d it and found out it's an Italian designer who's still going pretty strong.

I almost wanted to get a beaded maroon dinner bag with gold trimmings. Really girl-y and pretty and also very 70s. It would work really well as a clutch if I remove the straps. Problem is, it weighs approximately the same as a 5kg bag of rice. Can't imagine carrying it anywhere.

Darlin', it didn't come from a Campbell can.

2008-06-11T11:29:00.005+08:00

Now, anyone in my family will gladly tell you that Clara cannot cook, cannot clean and will most likely never become a homemaker, unless of course, the definition of a homemaker is one that looks after her husband and her kids while minute details such as the cooking and cleaning and ironing and general upkeep of the house is taken care of by someone else.

So believe in the adage "Love Is Blind" when ZY mentions he loves cream of mushroom and I get up early on Thursday morning to go to the market, come back home, chop up the necessary ingredients, wear an apron(!) and begin cooking.

My family and ZY say it's yummy! The next time there's gonna be a potluck, you know what I'll be bringing.

Oh, and results are out. I'm happy but you know me, it can always be better.

Birthdays

2008-05-30T12:11:00.005+08:00

3 birthday celebrations. There are a ton more photos but I'm quite lazy to sort them together so only a few here.

Tricia's at Aranda Country Club:

Fizzah's at Amirah's Grill:

Uh, not that anyone would care to know but the reason why my outfit is the same here and in the above photos is that both parties were on the same day, not that I didn't wash my clothes and simply re-wore them!

Wang Quan's at East Coast Chalet:

This is why I love you.

2008-05-27T10:47:00.002+08:00

Thank you for playing Hopscotch and Captain's Ball with my little cousins. I know you weren't embarrassed at all. =)

Birthdays

2008-05-14T12:17:00.002+08:00

Two birthday parties to attend this weekend.

Hmm, kinda makes me wish I had thrown a party for mine.

Summary

2008-04-28T02:42:00.003+08:00

I cannot begin to describe the freedom/boredom I have right now. I know I'll regret ever saying that when the new semester begins in three months.

I'm going to get back into crafting & working & going out on weekends during the hols. How predictable.

Oh well, at least I'm looking forward to Hong Kong and getting the lump under my eye removed, finally.

Oh, and I'm looking forward to meeting everybody again! Like Dee and Liling. I really miss hanging out with you guys.

By the way, I like The Other Boleyn Girl. The acting was -wow!- plus the dresses are pretty. Although when I read up on the history of King Henry VIII and his six marriages, the movie is Hollywood-icized. I realise that's not a word.

I set an alarm to remind me that I have a 21st birthday party to attend on Wednesday night. I did so because I completely missed Norvin's party (Norvin, I'm so so so sorry!) when I was busy studying for the exams. The date completely slipped my mind. =(

I brought ZY to Absolute Haven for dinner for his 21st. The food's good, go there one day if you can. It's at 70 Prinsep Street.

And he got a parking ticket! For parallel-parking (in a parking lot!) against the flow of traffic. Hmm, I didn't know one had to park with the flow of traffic when parallel parking. I thought one could park any way one likes as long as the car is in the lot, no?

The fine is 50 bucks. Hmm, that could buy me the green dress I'm eyeing in an online shop.

Which reminds me, if anyone is interested in knowing at all, I have long broken my no-shopping rule. Sigh... I have no willpower at all but I must admit that I have indeed bought a whole lot less. Since the implementation of the rule, I have only bought:
- a pair of gorgeous gorgeous gold flats from Pedder Red (which Fiona says are lovely and which ZY says are like Roman sandals)
- a LBD from Garcon
- a rose-gold Agnes b bag charm
- a cute bra with ladybird prints from Women's Secret
- a blue ruffled top from GG<5
- er, I'm looking at receipts in my wallet and I can't remember what they are for anymore so er... never mind la.

To be honest, I'm afraid of going back to Kumon. I'm not sure I remember how things work anymore.

ZY has simply been lovely.

Stress

2008-04-03T23:38:00.002+08:00

Filming, literature review, drama essay, quizzes, datelines, examination dates.

You don't realize how mentally and physically tired you are until someone forces you to slow down and rest.

Missing him.

2008-03-30T21:08:00.004+08:00

ZY left for Cambodia this afternoon. I know it's only going to be for 5 days but I miss him already.

Come back safe.

The Pillowman

2008-03-29T11:10:00.003+08:00

The Pillowman was intriguingly lovely, though it's a bit too long.

I liked most of the stories, but I liked the one about the green pig and the three prisoners the best(s?).

Micheal Corbidge was really good as the mentally retarded brother, with the consistency in his actions and facial expressions. It may be just me but I thought that when Michael got really angry with his brother and began shouting, he occasionally lapsed into 'normal' speech.

And it's mesmerizing to listen to Daniel Jenkins tell those stories. I got sucked in.

I didn't much like the way Shane Mardjuki spoke - his speech and accent was rather jarring on the ears.

Anyway, it is really bloody tiring standing for 3 hours.

2008-03-24T22:00:00.000+08:00

The dear boy came a little before 8 with cheesecake for breakfast. I'm a happy and contented girl. =)

a lil' something for ZY

2008-03-15T12:44:00.004+08:00

I love my sister.

2008-03-05T23:41:00.004+08:00

I'm not sure how many people can say that for certain but I know I do. Others say we don't get to choose the family we're born into, much less the siblings that emerge out of a gazillion other possibilities. I'm really thankful you're you. Plus, you're not fat. And you're beautiful.

We annoy the shit out of each other at times but I know you'll always be there if I needed help.

On another note, I love how Moms like dressing sisters up in matching outfits! I think we look adorable! =)

Crafting

2008-03-02T01:56:00.006+08:00

After learning how to make my own notebooks (the kind where the spine is glue) from a website, I quickly got down to making 3 notebooks of my own:

Because I was so excited at the prospect of making my very own notebooks, I couldn't wait until I had time to head down to Popular to get proper lined paper for the insides of the notebook. Instead, I hunted around the house for 'leftover' papers from old notebooks and foolscap pads. Hence the weird looking papers inside the notebooks.

Note: 'weird' meaning papers with yellowing edges; papers with cartoons splashed across the page; papers with vertical lines in place of horizontal ones. But hey, save the Earth! =)

It took an entire day to finish making the notebooks and decorating the covers but I'm happy with the results! The papers DON'T fall out and they look pretty professional to me, i.e. the pages are all in line with the cover. I checked and double checked that the sides were the same length and breadth.

Below is the first notebook I made. Initially wanted pretty flowers and stuff over the notebook but I realised that would be quite impractical when stuffing it into my bag for school and whatnot. So plain and simple does it.

Apologies for the terrible lighting. I used my phone camera to take the photos. You can click on the pictures for a larger version to see the details!

may i feel said he

2008-03-01T11:15:00.003+08:00

may i feel said he
(i'll squeal said she
just once said he)
it's fun said she

(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let's go said he
not too far said she
what's too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
(which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
is it love said she)
if you're willing said he
(but you're killing said she

but it's life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don't stop said she
oh no said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she)
you're divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)

E. E. Cummings

I stole this picture from Kur.

2008-02-27T14:58:00.004+08:00

Which explains why Kurseth is in every picture and I'm not. Didn't bring my camera to Weekhee's, hence the lack of photos on my part.

Hope Kurseth doesn't mind.

Dresses

2008-02-22T09:59:00.002+08:00

I'm contemplating tailor-making a dress in the style of these:

I love the whole girlish-ness of it all. And I don't care if it's the in thing or not. I'll wear them on the streets and strut up and down.

"Departing is my arriving/ Wandering is my residence"

2008-02-06T12:30:00.000+08:00

Kuo Pao Kun's Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral

In sunny Perth

2007-12-27T16:56:00.000+08:00

I saw...

Dang the eyes. Didn't, or rather, couldn't go shopping at all.

In retrospect, it's all pretty weird and funny. Doctors in Australia are all really young and good-looking. Callie couldn't stop oogling at the male doctor who was attending to me. Plus, Royal Perth Hospital is suppose to send the bill to Singapore but it hasn't arrived. Heh, you think they forgot?

2007-11-17T12:10:00.002+08:00

Far too tired to get any studying done, so decided to start on Christmas cards.

ZY: "Eh, exactly how many pairs of shoes do you have?"

2007-11-12T17:23:00.000+08:00

I went to count.

While I was counting, I realised I don't have certain types of shoes, like boots or wedges. Okay granted, I hate how wedges looks. But I really really want a pair of boots. A pair of brown boots. And maybe couple of heels - in red and blue or perhaps green. Oh and a pair of slippers. I really need those.

I need to go shopping, desperately need to. Studying 24/7 is just argh...

I've completely stopped looking at how my blog layout shows up on screen. So I've decided white is the way to go.

2007-09-17T16:55:00.000+08:00

It went well! Even though I missed a line. Hmm, or two. But I think it went well! I had a lot of fun onstage and as Ras pointed out, I would seriously consider theatre if opportunities arise.

Thank you to all who came!

Apple, Deanna and Felicia – for the first bouquet I received for the play!

Liling and Peggy – for coming down and for the adorable flower and butterfly. Peggy especially, not sure if you understood all the funny lines in the play but thank you nevertheless.

Dee – for making the matinee show worth performing for!

Mom and dad – Haha! For coming down to watch even though you guys knew that I’d be hurling vulgarities and having an ‘orgasm’ onstage in front of so many people. Thank you thank you thank you!

Callie, Jerrold and Damien – thank you for the flowers and putting up with my temper during the period I had rehearsals and were flaring up every now and then.

Fiona, Wee Khee, Wanting, Marli and boyfriend – thank you for making the effort to come down and thank you for the sunflower! Special thanks go to Fiona for asking people to come!

CS friends – thank you!

Ras – for the guidance, lessons learnt and generosity shown!

Shannon – thank you for sharing, even though we aren’t really close; for the liang teh, curry puffs, coffee and rides home!

Seng Tuck and Ralph – thanks for the chocolates and for coming.

Zhiyang – thank you for so many many things. For the flowers, and I know they cost a bomb. For the late nights after rehearsals ferrying me home. For the suppers. For your endless patience and understanding. For accepting, even though you may not necessarily approve. For the love and support.

2007-09-14T08:58:00.000+08:00

Opening night of Paparazzi: A Night of Madness with Christopher Durang.

Jitters.

Will update on how the performances went. =)

2007-07-31T22:04:00.000+08:00

"Life has many gifts - take time to unwrap them all."

Boy: So... do you love me?

Ask me that 2 years ago and the answer would probably be a vehement "No". I honestly never thought that we'd end up together so I'm thankful and glad that I gave us a chance. Thank you, darling, and the answer is "Yes".

2007-07-02T22:04:00.000+08:00

"And there was salt, but it started to taste better when there was pepper.
Anyway, by myself, I'm nothing special. But with you, I think I could be."

- Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult

Thank you for going places with me; for telling me there's glass in front of the exhibits; for asking me why babies need to be fed and burped and most of all, thank you for telling me I'm important.

Anyhow, the picture's really cute eh? But it seems a shade ironic though.

2007-06-26T12:07:00.001+08:00

Mom was clearing out her cupboard for a major cleaning session when I chanced upon really old pictures of the family. I was pretty excited at seeing all these old photographs so I decided to take pictures of them! I think my mom looks pretty in her wedding photos! Excuse the light reflection though...

And... I saw pictures of my mom when she was young and oh my gosh! My mom and I really really look alike as kids! We're both on the right side of the respective photographs. Haha check us out!

2007-06-25T18:40:00.000+08:00

They give one blisters and corns and hurt your ankle when the arch is too high, yet there's something about shoes that I'll always go crazy over. Thong slippers, ballerina flats, heels, wedges, matte, shiny, leather, crystals, sweet bows...... Gorgeous!

My shoe cupboard simply wouldn't allow me to stuff in another pair (what with three women in the house; poor dad) and with the purchase of yet another pair of heels, dang! I realised I really 'over-bought' on shoes this month. And tah-dah! I've got pictures of the shoes I've bought in June! =)

1) Rose-gold ballerina flats with big black bow
I know, I know, I can already hear Fiona yelling What?! Another pair of flats? But this is really lovely! I adore the big bow against the sweet colour of the shoe and flats are always so comfy!

2) Leopard print flats with ankle strap
Okay... Leopard prints can be a little aggressive and not very Clara but I thought they would give me a different look.

3) Green Kitten heels.
Simply because I like green, in all shades.

4) Peep-toed brown heels
Hmm the picture doesn't show much of the shoe but the cut-out details on this pair is really nice. Big plus - the heels aren't high so my feet won't hurt in them even if i wear them to shopping or school! Okay on second thoughts, maybe not school, too many stairs in NTU to climb. Or maybe I'll wear them when I have a short day in school.

There, 4 pairs in June. I really ought to stop buying shoes for a while.

2007-06-07T20:37:00.000+08:00

Those save-the-earth reusable bags that grocery stores are so big on now are invented for a reason: to save the earth by encouraging one to use less plastic bags.

[Fiona intones: “Clara! They take 1000 years to biodegrade!”]

So imagine my horror when I saw an ah-pek requesting his 283 items to be put into said evil plastic bags before loading them into – gasp! – his 283 save-the-earth reusable bags.

Tch.

2007-05-26T14:41:00.000+08:00

2007's Mother's Day card. Tch, a little simple.

2007-05-11T20:54:00.000+08:00

Picnic at Botanic Gardens:

Deanna's Shopping Trip:

Hello hello! Photos are finally loaded onto my computer so let me know if you want these photos yeah?

2007-04-20T23:24:00.000+08:00

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.

- A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

Don't they look gorgeous?

2007-04-19T19:22:00.001+08:00

You know you’re out of the loop and utterly in your own naïve and gullible glass globe when friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends are hanging out. Not that it matters much eh?

Yeah right, delusion – comfort.

I’m pretty thrilled about being able to see the potential ‘freshies’ at their interview this Saturday. To think that was me a year ago.

And Fiona, I really have to thank you for doing the work at 4-bloody-am while I snore away on your bed and took your quilt and ate your food and took up your time. Utterly indebted. I promise absolute silence until Sentosa. I promise I will mop the floor next semester. Many times. Promise.

2007-04-16T22:29:00.000+08:00

Haven't been to NUS to study before so Dee and I decided to head down to NUS Central Library. WOW! Their library is so much newer, more colourful and bigger than NTU's! Hmph!

Met Marli, Wanting and Kurseth! And a really cute guy that Dee and Marli didn't think so. Ha Dee gave him a 3.5 out of 10. Went to NUS co-op (Dee claims if you haven't been to NUS co-op, you haven't been to NUS). Met a bunch of SCI students studying there too.

Got bored studying and took photos with the Mac! Here you go, Marli!

This post is unbelievably to-the-point and probably my first narrative post. Thought it'd be weird to just post up 3 photos without explanations. So there.

2007-04-12T22:38:00.000+08:00

This is what happens when I'm sick of studying Comm Research: you get a meaningless post.

My roommate is blaring some Chinese music station on her radio and hey, not everyone loves squeaky pop-princessy music while they're studying! I've turned on my iTunes and am right now, blaring alot of jazz pieces. You'd think she'll get the picture but nope... People walking outside my dorm room must think we're fusion-fanatics.

I should have gotten her ear-phones for her birthday.

On to my side of the room, I'm drinking too much fruit juice. It's the second carton in 3 days. By the way, Red Grape from Ceres is gorgeous! Ruby Grapefruit is quite nice too, although Fiona says it's extremely bitter and why the hell would I drink something that tastes like floor cleaner! But I don't care, it's lovely!

Utter shit, I've just looked up and saw the post-it note that proclaims in big bold letters "5 Days To Exams!"

"Usefuler!"

2007-04-07T12:21:00.000+08:00

Maxim has undergone a new look. Or so its tagline proclaims: "Funnier! Sexier! Usefuler!"

Hey wait a minute, did I see "usefuler" on the billboard?!

Not that I've got anything against men's magazines. They do provide the laughs, after all. But they've crossed the line with their atrocious grammar.

All these on a poster at the bus-stop opposite a school. For gawd’s sake!

2007-02-22T21:46:00.000+08:00

EDGE (1963)

The woman is perfected. 
Her dead 
Body wears the smile of accomplishment, 
The illusion of a Greek necessity
Flows in the scrolls of her toga,
Her bare 
Feet seem to be saying: 
We have come so far, it is over. 
Each dead child coiled, a white serpent, 
One at each little 
Pitcher of milk, now empty. 
She has folded 
Them back into her body as petals 
Of a rose close when the garden 
Stiffens and odors bleed 
From the sweet, deep throats of the night flower. 
The moon has nothing to be sad about, 
Staring from her hood of bone. 
She is used to this sort of thing. 
Her blacks crackle and drag.
 
- Sylvia Plath (1932-1963).

2007-01-29T23:06:00.001+08:00

"Why is it we want so badly to memorialize ourselves? Even while we're still alive. We wish to assert our existence, like dogs peeing on fire hydrants. We put on display our framed photographs, our parchment diplomas, our silver-plated cups; we monogram our linen, we carve our names on trees, we scrawl them on washroom walls. It's all the same impulse. What do we hope from it? Applause, envy, respect? Or simply attention, of any kind we can get?

At the very least we want a witness. We can't stand the idea of our own voices falling silently finally, like a radio running down."

- The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood

2006-12-29T21:42:00.000+08:00

Hand on heart, I wasn't all that excited about going to China, especially after the rather disastrous experience the last time around. I was more than glad to spend the holidays right in rainy Singapore reading a good book but as my Grandma wanted to visit, the grandkids gotta go. I make it sound like a duty and I suppose in a way it is. Anyhow, the trip was surprisingly quite enjoyable. I played with fireworks! (Not the sparklers we have in Singapore but the real fireworks which were banned ages ago because they were dangerous). I ate too much and slept too little. Here are pictures of China, Hainan Island!

Right first up, fireworks. I'm pretty sure most people my age have never played with them. They are deafening and extremely smoky. You could hardly seen your own hand after the whole thing is burned out. You might think that there's nothing amazing about seeing fireworks burn but I couldn't help noticing all the adults' and teenagers' child-like laugh when the noise rings in your ears. And I played with mini 'National Day' fireworks too!

Aftermath of the fireworks! Pretty ain't it? (Ignore the circle on the top right-hand corner of the photo).

This isn't some replica of life in Singapore in the 1960s. This is THE KITCHEN of many of the households which I visited. Such kitchens only exist in the more rural parts of Hainan Island. So the meals that I ate were prepared here. Argh, it's better not knowing how the kitchen looks like or else one wouldn't be able to eat in peace. I didn't take a photo of it but the women chops the meat and vegetables on the floor!

Anyone up for a haircut? It's really cheap!

Dressmakers operating in the wet market.

A common sight of dustbins in Hainan Island. Nice aspirations though?

I took this photo just in time as they were turning a corner. 3 isn't the max, there were as many as 5 on a single motorcycle!

My favourite boy is the one in the blue and white jacket! He's 13 and at once absolutely childish and mature at the same time. He comes from a really poor family and is often bullied by his richer cousins. He yearns for a better life but hates studying. He may not know much about the world and can only imagine money counted as far as in the hundreds (and this is in renminbi) but he is always helpful, polite, unselfish and effusively grateful for little pleasures like chocolate. I look at him and I'm overcome with mixed feelings of pity and injustice at the vicious cycle he's stuck in.

Be thankful.

"It's a lick-and-be-posted-to, strip-and-be-poked-into, fall-and-be-kicked-upon world."

2006-10-12T17:55:00.000+08:00

The title is a line from a local play, problem is, I can't remember which play.

A new round of tests and a graded 10-minute play.

Noorlinah says google "3 hander plays" and you'll get loads so that's just what I did. Hah, why do I get pornographic websites?! I'm trooping down to the Esplanade library in hope.

After doing Liling's card, I've not done any scrapping in ages. School has taken over my life, bleah. After I've got this round of photos developed, I'm going to do at least one! Hopefully, you'll also see pictures of Liling's card. Took them at the airport in very bad yellow lighting.

I love these stanzas from "If I Kissed You" by Corrinne May (did I spell her name correctly?):

If I kissed you
Would fireworks fly
Would angels sing with lollipops
Would dinosaurs cry
Would babies all gurgle with laughter and surprise
If I kissed you

If I kissed you
What would Michelangelo say
Would he still have sculpted David
Would we be immortalised in clay
Would the poets write of love like ours
Would John Donne have his say
If I kissed you