Four Hundred & Eighty One. -Some friends are for keeps.

Some friends, are for keeps. 

We named ourselves, "Exclusives", since N yrs ago.

We may not meet for months, but when we do,

there will be no awkward silences;

it's just endless laughter & constant teasing of each other.

Non-stop random topics from A to Z.

I don't know why, but there is just this cozy & lighthearted feeling whenever we gather,

that kinda genuine happiness that comes naturally.

These are the girls who would tease me for being an auntie,

but at the same time,

Four Hundred & Seventy Nine. --逆光

Song of the day: 孙燕姿 <<逆光>>

也许我一直害怕有答案 

也许爱情仅在风里打转 

离开 释怀 

很短暂又重来 

有时候自问自答 

我不要困难把我们击散 

我责备自己那么不勇敢 

遗憾没有到达 

拥抱过还是害怕 

用力推开你我一人留下 

有一束光 

那瞬间 

是什么痛得刺眼 

你的视线 是谅解 

为什么舍不得熄灭 

Four Hundred & Seventy Eight. --Age is wisdom, not burden. Part II

Photo credits to: Studio Friend

I posted THIS few days back, 

& now, I just saw this on Facebook..

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man .

Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

Written by: Dave Griffith

"Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too!"

Source: Facebook

Share this beautiful poem.
Some people really do need to be reminded.

Four Hundred & Seventy Seven. --Age is wisdom, not burden.

Photo credits to: Studio Friend

During my Miss Singapore International 2012 Finals' Q&A Segment,

I was given a question, which goes something like,
"Singapore is becoming an ageing society. How do you think we should prepare ourselves?"

& I answered something like this,

I had an opportunity to visit Lions Home for the Elders, & had a chance to interact with some of them. 

One of them actually told me, "i feel so useless, & helpless most of the times. At times, i feel unwanted.." 

That made me realized how important it is to allow them to feel loved, and wanted.

I believe the best way for us to prepare ourselves is to create a mind shift in people.

The word "ageing" should not even be taken negatively. 

As the chinese saying goes, “家有一老，如有一宝。”

Let's look at it this way,

we should see it in a way that an ageing population means that we will have more people with 

expertise & experience to help us. 

The elders will feel that they are still important and needed, this way, they will be happier. 

& we will all be happier.

I know my answer wasn't complete and there were so many things I wished I included,

but aiya, I couldnt think so much on the spot, on the stage!

Besides taking care of our own parents, 

I think we really should all learn to show empathy

towards the less fortunate around us.. 

You know, our companion for that short 1-2 hours made such a big difference to them..

The joy on some of their faces when we arrived,

& the sadness when we had to leave..

Indescribable feeling..

Treat them with utmost respect;
CARE: Care&Concern, Attention, Responsibility&Respect, Empathy.
Make them feel loved.
If you are someone who treats them like dirt,
I despise you.
I do know of a relative of mine who treats my grandma so badly.
I despise her, alot.

I know my post sounds incoherent somehow,
but I can't really sort out my thoughts right now.
But I hope you got my drift..

Four Hundred & Seventy Six. -Mactrix Portable Charger

#Gooddealsmustshare!

Quite a number of people have asked me about my portable charger.

Seriously, portable charger is my life saviour!!!!

I'm usually out for work the whole day,

& as you know........

I am always using my phone for emails/twitter/instagram/facebook/weibo/tumblr.
YOU SEE. 

so many apps, it's no wonder my battery always depletes fast.
I always tell my friends,

"When there is Shine, there is charger."

Cannot imagine my life without it!

Now, lemme tell you the awesome brand that I'm using now:

MACTRIX

Encased in luxurious metallic finishes and available in a spectrum of colours,
Mactrix Power offers mobile power solutions specially designed for charging smartphones,
tablets and other portable electronic devices, in range of power capacity 

for the different needs of both businesses and consumers on the go.

 1. Mactrix Power 2200 ($49)

 

2. Mactrix Power 4400 ($79)

3. Mactrix Power 10000 ($129)

Mactrix Power is equipped with battery light indicator and flash light feature,

& each model comes with a carrying case as well as different charging connectors,

for different devices.

The one that I'm currently using, is Power 4400 in red.

Loves it!

You know how some chargers do not allow you to charge fully to 100% at all?

Those square square cute cute ones?

This one that I'm using, allows me to charge to 100% for at least 2 times.

NO KIDDING!

Exactly what I need!!!!!

With this charger, I no longer have to worry about my phone "dying" while I'm still at work.

If you are very dependent on your phone (just like meeeee),

it's time to invest in one Mactrix Power.

It'll save you, trust me. :D

Mactrix Power can be bought at all istudio outlets.

Four Hundred & Seventy Five. -OFFICIALLY DEBT-FREE!

I need to express my joy.. I did it! Yes I did it! 

I am officially debt-free!!!!!!!!!!!

I've cleared my university tuition loan! 

Started paying in October last year, & now I'm done with it.

Do you know how relieved I am?!

It's like an ultra heavy load off my chest!

After graduation last year, I was worried about my loan. Especially since I chose a route less taken.. I rejected Deloitte's offer & didn't settle in an auditing firm despite holding an Accountancy degree from NTU. I chose to follow my passion, which also meant a less stable income. My family is not well-to-do, I knew I had to pay off everything on my own asap because of the cumulative interest. I knew I was taking a big risk.

My first payment was a mere $200 deducted directly from GIRO. Soon after, I found out that out of the $200 paid, $70+ went to interest payment. That was a killer sum. From then, I told myself that I am not gna let the interest accumulate any further. I gave myself 1.5 yrs to clear my loan.

I worked as hard as I could. Took up as many shoots, events, short films, corporate video shoots, as possible. There were a few awkward moments when I met people from my uni course, working at CBD area, while I was working for the events. For a moment, I was worried about how others may think of me. They were in business attires, I was in a white dress/Manila shopper romper/polo tee with jeans. Then, I got over it. I told myself, I know the events that I did, were all decent ones. I made sure I only took up jobs that did not involve skimpy/revealing outfits, or wrong product image. I knew I had to protect myself no matter how attractive the pay may be. I knew that I was working for the events for survival. One thing I really need to say, people should stop stereotyping girls who do events. Ive met so many who are really nice and good ladies. Oh of course there are some who are superficial & all, but let's not go into that. At least the ones whom I'm closer with/always work with, are really "guai" ladies. 

So anyways, back to topic..

For the past 10months, besides food, transport, giving allowance to Mummee, bills, occasional shopping for facial products & minimal shopping for clothes, the rest of my money all went to the loan repayment. I've been avoiding some meetups just so that I wont spend money on expensive dining. of course I still meet up with my good friends! But we go for budget meals i.e kopitiam, food court, hawker centres. :D 

& now.. Finally!!!!! I'm done with the loan!

So so happy. 

Mummee is very happy too! :')

I have many things on my list now that i've cleared the loan:

1. Save up to bring Mummee to Hong Kong next year!!!! It's gna be her first flight and i cant wait!!!!
2. To be able to give Mummee enough allowance for her to retire!!

3. Invest in a good camera

4. Buy an Air Fryer!!!! swear it's one of the best inventions ever. Have tried the food "fried" using it. IN LOVE WITH THE FRYER!!

5. Buy a steamer for Mummee to use. Easier as compared to ironing!

6. Revamp my wardrobe! :O Dont remember when was the last time I shopped! 

7. In the long run, save up to buy a car.

8. Save, save, save!

Being "debt-free" is like beginning a brand new chapter. 

Now I can focus on my career & other things that I want to achieve.

I AM EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD! :)

Four Hundred & Seventy Four. --Nature Valley Chewy Bars

Look what arrived at my doorstep :D

A gift basket from Nature Valley.

Too sweet of them!

Nature Valley's granola bars have always been one of my favourite brands.

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Yes, good news for snack lovers!

Four Hundred & Seventy Three; Kaitlyn turned 3!

About 1.5 months ago (i totally forgot to blog about this!!), 

my sunshine turned 3!

That's my precious & I, doing The Face. oops.

 I didnt teach her that! She learnt it on her own........

from me I guess. hahahah.

She has many similarities as me, almost like my own lil' girl :')

She calls me "Mama Ahyi" :D

Her cutesy birthday cake, bought by her mum aka my sis!

Four Hundred & Seventy Two.

Photo credits to: Studio Friend

A visit to Lions Home for the Elders last Saturday..

It was a pretty emotional trip for me.
Had to hold back my tears a couple of times to stop myself from tearing & looking too dramatic.

Heartwrenching, I would say..

Many thoughts went through my mind..

Especially after interacting with the residents there.

& seeing this grandma who teared as she spoke to me..

People, please please take good care of your parents & never ever leave them alone.

That's all that I would say..
They raised you up, remember.
If you still don't get my point, please read THIS letter.

Love your parents, & tell it to them. 

Four Hundred & Seventy. --Creme On Top;

 

Looking for new blogshop to satisfy your shopping crave?!

I have one recommendation for y'all.

Okay, you can thank me later. ;D

Creme On Top was founded by two young dedicated ladies 

who simply enjoy shopping, fashion & any sweet little things. 

Thus the birth of Creme On Top – sweet dedicate whipped cream on the little dress!

Some information about Creme On Top (before I show you their beautiful pieces!)

• 
  

  
  

  • -New arrivals weekly!!
• • -Sourced exclusively around the world with limited quantity
  • -Affordable prices but quality assured items
  • -Designs: timeless classics to IN trends, classic basics to whacky color blocking!
  • -A good mix of styles that are suitable for many different occasions (work, casual, accessories)
• -The ladies strive in providing prompt and efficient customer service to all customers

& now.......

CURRENT PROMOTIONS!!