Australia V3

I think I can smell the air of Australia already.

HEEHEEHEE

mmhmmm

But most of all, I pray for a safe flight, a safe take-off, a safe journey, a safe landing, safe touch down, safe arrival and safe departure for all the flights that are flying around the world - in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years to come.

Short Forms

Photo taken at Alive Museum Singapore

Are they annoying you or what?

Ever since touchscreen phones have appeared, it seems that more and more people are so used to typing almost everything in Short Form. 

I mean, I have no issues with people typing in short form, especially when that short form has reached an universal understanding... what do I mean by "universal understanding"? 

I'd give you a few examples

1. You = U
2. Ave = Avenue
3. Mktg = Marketing
4. ASAP = As Soon As Possible
5. Ltr = Later

Yup things like that, where one can totally understand when it is being typed by someone else. 

But in recent events, I was introduced to so many types of short forms that people form up within their own clique and especially in Singapore - The word "thingy" is overused!  

(Friends around me should know how I hate it when people use the word thingy especially when it is not really a word word). 

Singlish version aside, certain words like.. these..

• "x"
• "nez"
• "G6"

and the list can go on forever  

(in case you are figuring it out like me, it means - time, next, good luck) 

Come'on people. How hard is it to type out proper words? Are they really that difficult? Are you that lazy that your fingers can't even move a little more? Or do you have a problem spelling it? It doesn't take you more than 2 seconds to type out that full word. If you have got a problem spelling it, use spell check! How difficult is it? Goodness.  

It is plain frustrating to figure out what the other person is trying to say 88% of the time when they use such short forms when conversing with me. And it makes it more frustrating when you ask them what does it mean, and they give you the "You mean you don't know about it?". 

Regardless whether it is a text, a whatsapp message or even in an email. Gosh - don't even let me start on how emails are being drafted these days in the corporate world. Totally beyond what words can describe. 

Just spend an additional 2 seconds of your day to learn how to type properly. Not only does it teaches you how to spell the word correctly, it will help in terms of your pronunciation and then that helps for your corporate presentation. 

Don't believe me? Try this test and see how you fare. 

CLICK HERE 

I am not saying I am perfect in what I type all the time and I am not dissing people who are not good in English. I just hope that everyone would take some effort to improve instead of continuously staying put at the same position/level over and over again. 

That aside, I spotted 38, missed 4, and was assuming 6 were wrong! In short, I found 90% of the misspelled words.

Toodles!

Andrea

Making Decisions

 

You see, decision making happens every single day. You decide whether to brush your teeth or not, whether to put on make-up or not, whether to take the bus or the train, or pamper yourself with a cab ride, or maybe hitch a ride from a friend or a lover, you decide what you want for breakfast - whether it is just plain bread or corn flakes or even oat meals (ewww), and then you decide which work is priority, which you would want to start first, whether you want to reply a text, what you are going to have for lunch, why you are having that for lunch, is it a craving or is it just because it is on promotion, what you are going to do when you feel sleepy during work or half way through lecture, are you going to freeze, or are you just going to the canteen to grab a snack to stay awake, whether you should head home for dinner, eat out alone, eat with friends, eat with your partner, eat with colleagues, whether there should be dessert, whether you should suggest after party  whether....

and the list just goes on...

Every day, we make small little decisions in our lives that sometimes, we forget that it can actually be simple, or it was complex to begin with. 

Every time I see this quote, it reminds me again, that at the beginning, everything can be the most difficult. But once you see yourself, walking through and out of the difficult part, everything else just flows, just becomes wayyyyyyyy easier. You just got to be patient, be adventurous, be open-minded!

And I guess that is the best advice anyone can give to any one in this world. Sometimes, it isn't about working hard, being efficient.... Sometimes, it is about meeting the right person, making the decision that suits you best,  bumping into scenarios or situations that help see you through these difficult times. There are some in the world who are lucky, some who are not, some who are ungrateful, some who are. 

Ultimately, it is still up to you.

YOU are the one who is in control of your own life. 

We need to understand that we are in control, of our own life, our own decisions, and that what others have to say, are just based on their opinions and logics and the way in which they influence/advise you. Sometimes, it is a good thing to hear what others have to say, so it gives you a clearer view, but at times, when there are more than a unity of answers, your view gets even more hazy. 

All I have got to say is, don't let someone take the credit/blame for the decisions which you make at the end of the day. It is still your choices, your options. They (people, things, scenarios)  may be a small part of your decisions, but that doesn't mean they rule your world. They didn't place a gun to your head right?

You are the king/queen of your life. 

Now make the right decisions, stick with it, and live through it. 

If it doesn't work, try again. 

If it still didn't work, try again. 

Don't just give up. Don't be afraid to lose. 

You are the judge of your own action.

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And here's a picture of me with the long-time-no-see gang who I used to spend every fri/saturday night with! #alexjuanbigday

Have a blessed marriage Alex & Juan :)

 

xoxo

Andrea

[Sponsored Product] Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum

Introducing the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum! I have been an avid fan of Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot because it worked like magic on my hormones-driven-pimple. 

This package was kindly sent to me by L'oreal x VanityTrove

About Product:
It is the first hydrating power serum containing 3 energising sugars and Vichy Thermal Spa Water that can capture and retain moisture. Further enhanced with dynamic hydration technology to continuously even out moisture in all facial zones for fresh-looking skin all day long

My feedbacks? 

I don't use this on a daily basis. Maybe weekly?

So far, I have only used the serum and not the moisturiser, each time with two pumps. I know it is a lot. But it is also the reason why I skipped the moisturiser. Just don't like to use too many things on my face at night. It is way too troublesome. Since the serum was power-packed with so many great stuff, I would think it it sufficient. Plus... my face would breakout if it is way too oily.  

Upon application, the serum felt super luxe. Like it had a lot H20 ready to burst into my face. Given that I applied such a thick layer, I was expecting for it to be really heavy on my face. 

But it wasn't. Within like 15 - 30 seconds, the product got absorbed into my face and I can sleep through the night and not be afraid that my face would feel dry the next morning. 

The funny thing about this product is, though it feels as it is being absorbed, meaning no sticky, no eeky feeling... but when I wash it off in the morning, or my face come in contact with water/foam later part of the day, I can feel the product coming off.. I'm not sure what the real definition is but... that's  about it! 


Recommended for women aged between 25 - 60 years old who are looking for products that can provide long lasting hydration.

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Side note: Think I'm getting really bad at writing reviews. Thus, I'm going to stop for awhile, until.. I feel extremely motivated to do so.

Oh! Another exciting side note - TICKETS BOOKED!!! 

xoxo

Andrea

The three things a woman shouldn't do

The recent articles that have been shared countless time online seriously needs to stop. I am not just referring to this article but to the many articles out there that determines the things we do in life. It is so freaking annoying. I came across this article earlier. LINK HERE Obviously, it came from China, and China being herself, the men there are all ego-centric and chauvinist (or at least that is the impression that I have).

聪明的女人三不管 
(the three things that an intelligent woman should not care/be bothered about"

1. 不管男人的去向 Should not care/ be bothered by the whereabouts of your men.   
2. 不管男人的钱包 Should not be a financial control freak on a men's wallet
3. 不管男人的信息 Do not read the messages on their phones (text messages, whatsapp blah blah blah)

Their advise for women are the following:

• 管住自己那张破嘴 - Need to learn to think before you speak
• 管住自己花钱的欲望 - Control yourself from spending money on unnecessary things
• 不要做月光族 - Do not be someone who spends without planning 
• 要做精明的财务大臣 - Need to be smart & savvy financially 
• 要懂得装湖涂 - Need to learn how to act blur and stupid 
• 要有危机感 - Need to have a sense of crisis 
• 要懂得珍惜青春 - Need to cherish your own youth 
• 女人要有自己的事业 - Women should have their own career 
• 要学会做家常菜 - Learn how cook simple meals  

Firstly, the list on what a women should do is just.. hilarious. 

But before I get to that, the 3 things that women should not do, men should not do as well. Men should not ask the whereabouts of their female partner, should not control their spending and... should not check on their messages. (how does that feel? If it sound cool to you, great, but don't come crying or feeling all angst when you find out that your partner have taken your trust for granted and cheated on you. All I have to say is too bad. Yes we can trust them, but like the wise man have said - once trust is broken, there is no way going back)

Next, 

Men need to understand that women are emotional animals. We speak from our hearts and even though sometimes a few words may come out wrong, we do not know. Because you chose to keep quiet, and not make a response out of it. Therefore we take it that it is ok. 

If we switched the game and place two females together. Both would either start shouting what they really feel or end up crying and hugging each other after a big fight. It is true. We function this way. So if you, as a guy, is not happy about what she has done, tell her nicely, and work a solution with her instead of just keeping quiet. 

Next, which is probably the most ironic thing ever. 

Women should get a job and learn to spend money wisely. 

(this basically covers most of the points above)

Yes. All women should at least work once in their life and have a feeling on how difficult it is to earn money. Learning this point will help to deter our actions on spending. Getting a job would also require some sort of qualification. Being exposed in the real world also gives us reality checks and of course, makes us a whole lot smarter and wiser. So please, don't expect us to be dumb or bimbotic.

I admit, there are times (ok, many times) we spend uncontrollably. It could be because our bosses were giving us a hard time at work or we are going through a rough patch (PMS). Yep, we fancy big brands and we love buying items that we probably would not wear more than once or a bag that we keep in the display shelves, but isn't men the same?  You spend money on things that interests you - new IT gadget, a new game and etc, which probably last you less than 3 months.

HAH. You want us to stay youthful, be up to date, to defy gravity and time? #whatwereyouthinking You think cosmetics and skincare products CHEAP AH? So stop complaining about how wives turn into old hags when they try their best to keep themselves in shape. If you want them to look good, motivate them too instead of oogling at other pretty young thing.

While you buy your investment plans, we buy insurance. Is that not thinking about a rainy day? 

Lastly, the ability to cook. If a girl can cook maggie mee only, be grateful. If she can do better than that, KEEP HER. Now, even when she doesn't know how to cook a proper meal, learn how to cook together instead of expecting her to do everything. It is an extremely tiring chore you know?

Don't say I never say.

Women these days are way different from the past. We are like super heroes. We work the same hours as you, go home,  do the laundry, sweep the floor, mop the floor and all other household chores. Remember what is in the fridge, what is expired and what needs to be topped up. On top of all of that, we have a 12841024 step skin care regime to follow every night and every morning so that we can stay youthful. 

And you? 

Sit in front of the couch and asks for a cup of water or a specific drink. Thinking that you are the only bread winner, and the only one who is tired. Then thinking that the drink miraculously appears and boil/restock by itself. And every time when we go to the supermarket, you complain about why we buy so many bottles of a specific brand but forgot that you are the only one consuming that brand. 

Bahhhhh. 

Men, it shouldn't just be women getting a reality check, you need to as well! We are not asking you to treat us like princesses, all we are asking is to share the load. Don't be a selfish ass and only care about yourself. 

xoxo

Andrea

 

    

Easy Bake Vanilla Cake!

So for the very very very first time, I finally learned how to bake a cake!

It was over the weekends and I had plans to bake a cake for a really long time, but never had the courage to do so, because I have heard so much about cake not rising up and blah. This recipe below is edited to suit our taste buds, it is very sweet, so I suggest you think twice about the sugar amount.  I took it from one of the BBC food recipe but I can't seem to find the link now.

Any ways, I know it sounds easy, but it sure isn't. Especially when you don't have the right tools at home to make it possible - such as the mixer.

So Hong non-voluntarily became my mixer/whisker. #myboyfriendsoawesome

Here's my Recipe 
(for 25inch rectangle tin I bought from Daiso)

• 200g Caster Sugar
• 250g Self Raising Flour
• 250g Unsalted Butter
• 5 Eggs
• About 50g Plain Flour
• 2 tablespoon Vanilla Essence (I love this, you can add 1 instead)
• 100ml Plain Yoghurt

Method

1. Heat your oven for 20minutes in 180 degrees 
2. Grease your baking pan and line the cookie paper 
3. Beat the SOFTENED butter first, then add sugar progressively. Make sure you don't hear bits of the sugar when you beat them. Do that till they turn smooth and creamy. 
4. Add the eggs in one by one. You need to judge this, because if it becomes slimy looking, add the plain flour. Add in your Yoghurt and Vanilla Essence here.
5. Once you have a consistent texture, FOLD the self-raising flour in, gradually as well, so that it would become "pasty".  
6. Place your mixture into your baking pan and send it to the oven for 1 hour and 15minutes.
7. Use a satay stick or a chopstick to poke through to see if there are any sticky substance left on the stick when you pull it out. If there is, it means it isn't baked thoroughly yet. 
8. Bring your super chio cake out, and leave it on the rack to cool for at least 30 - 45minutes (Singapore Weather)

I was extremely thrilled when it turned out so so so good. Really! #achievementunlocked

Lastly, this cake can be kept for 3 days in the fridge, it tastes a lot like pound cake. To make it more interesting,  you can also make up cream/icing to be placed in between layers. It is freaking simple, but extremely fattening. After making this, I realised how how how much sugar is used and how unhealthy it can be. But who cares?!

Frosting/Cream Ingredients

• 175g Unsalted Butter
• 200g Icing Sugar

Method

1. Beat the butter till it is really really really fluffy.
2. Add in the icing sugar gradually and constantly taste. If you think it is sweet enough, stop. 
3. If you want to create a different flavour of frost, I suggest you can add Milo Powder or Cocoa Powder, or coffee powder - whichever that rocks your boat.
4. Once your cake is completely cool, you may frost it all over your cake and enjoy it with a cup of tea without sugar!

Hope you have fun making this! It was surely a freaking tiring event. Although I must say, it is a good work out for ladies who want to rid off butterfly arms. HAHAHA! 

Now here's a photo to cheer your Monday Blues - Hong's Shih Tzu that got its hair tied up by me. 

I am a 1 yo + male, non sterilised.but because I hate to have my fringe snapped off, I have to get it tied.

xoxo
Andrea

To the women who disrespected my family - Eileen Ng

http://schmid.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bang-bang.jpg

Today I am here to share about something unpleasant that had happened which I felt was uncalled for.  I will not be publishing her picture here, but if you are interested to find out who she is, it would be my pleasure to share with you the kind of woman that I had to deal with.

I was being awoken in the wee hours of the morning. Details I will leave it aside. But what happened between this lady and my family was completely unacceptable. I will refrain from using profanities in this blogpost as I think that I have to be an example for your future reactions to similar situation.

Knowing that Social Media is a powerful tool, it didn't take me more than 15 minutes to find out who you are and what your name was. It was exceptionally easy especially when what you wore, was what was on 99% of your pictures. Apparently you love that cap of yours.

My advice to you is that you start buying the cap in different colours and text or maybe change your dressing a little so that it would be slightly more challenging to look for you in the social world. Although, I would say that saving most of your social media account private doesn't have much effects either. But I shall leave it to you to decide how you wish to privatize your account further. Perhaps removing your account is a good choice.

Next.

You are not a good friend.

Here are 3 reasons why:

1. A good friend of sound mind, does not agree with a friend who is drunk/tipsy to act out of control.
2. A good friend who have had a few alcoholic drinks, would not, in the right mind, drive their closest friends, harming their best friend's and their own life.
3. A good friend would have advised her close friend to take a minute or two before acting irrationally/impulsively/unreasonably.

In my honest opinion, your actions are uncalled for. What is worse, are the words that came out from that mouth of yours.

Freedom of speech you may argue. But let me tell you this. 

You of all people are in NO POSITION to give comments.

I do not appreciate what you have said and what you have done is immature. Which is also the reason why I gave you a lecture when you were standing outside my door, about what kind of friend you were. 

FYI. My circle of friends, knowing that I have a fiery temper, would not have chosen to add fuel to the situation and make matters worse. If you had took a minute, or maybe 5 to think through about the consequences before you came knocking at my door, perhaps it could save both of us the agony of going through this. 

You see, I can deal with it, if the comment was against me. But when you put my family into the picture, YOU HAVE CROSSED THE LINE.

Now, obviously I am expecting an apology from you, specifically to my mother, but given your actions last night, I doubt you would come to your senses and do that. I do however hope that you would reflect on your actions and the words that come out from your mouth.

My final advice to you is...

WAKE UP YOUR BLOODY SENSES AND LEARN TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

Thank you and Goodbye.

Andrea 

Mid-day; Mid Week [TBT]

Yikes! I hate mid days and mid weeks. I think these periods are designed specifically to allow the snooze monster to conquer your mind or maybe just an excuse for everyone to drift away in their tiny bubble and think of other things that are not so important at the moment.

Anywayyyyy... I hope everyone found the Boracay post helpful in some way. I tried my best to explain everything I could, from preparation to being there and now.. (ploop), I'm suffering from a mid-day, mid-week syndrome. Just want to escape from work and go shopping for the day, or just sit at home and watch shows that don't really make any sense at all. 

So, since I don't have the chance to head out for some shopping right now... I can always shop online!

As you all know, these days, blog shops, or online retail stores are losing their charm because of a fairly new introduction of  TAOBAO 淘宝 (TB). 

At TB, you get to find practically everything! I was first introduced to the website by an ex colleague of mine and initially, I got so so so so so hooked on shopping on TB. I even created a nickname for this activity - It's called TBT - Tao Bao Time! It was like joy during work (skiving actually), to go online and look at pretty clothes at relatively affordable prices.

The reason why I say affordable instead of cheap is because of the shipping costs that are involved when you cart out. Although Singapore Currency is still stronger than China, but as each minute passes, the Ren Ming Bi 人民币 is getting stronger and stronger. Soon, I will not be able to divide the price by 5 but 4 or even 3. 

Oh wait, but that's not my point of talking about TB. The reason is, there are so so so so so many unethical blogshop owners, I won't name who, that orders from TB and charges exorbitant prices back on consumers like you and me. So many blogshops are hosting "backorders" now because they all buy from TB! Some even worse, they would say  self-manufactured or it is exclusive to them, sew their tags on, then...the next minute you see its replica on another blogshop that probably isn't as famous.

Because I visit TB quite often, I know what are the upcoming designs and when I see them on certain blogshop claiming that they manufactured it, a little devil in me, really wanted to take a screenshot and paste it on their facebook wall. But that would be a very very very bad move. So... I decided to take it to my blog. 

YES PEOPLE. BEWARE OF UNETHICAL BLOGSHOPS!

How? You may ask... well, simple. Simply head on to www.taobao.com and you would discover that what I have said is all true. Certainly there are risks in the size that are being portrayed as well as the colour, but fret not, they also have review section in each of the "mini shop". They work just like how Qoo10 works for Singapore. 

Of course, there are bound to be hit & misses. Just take the same amount of caution you have when you purchase them by reading on the reviews first and checking the shop owners' credibility - usually diamond/hearts/crown

Go under Women section and click on NEW ITEMS - as indicated in Picture

Trust me, you will be shocked.

But of course, to visit TB, you really need to have the ability to read Chinese characters. At the beginning, it was a little overwhelming for me as there were just TOO many Chinese characters to read at one go. But subsequently, I picked up a few important words like.. dresses are called "连衣裙" and the rest, I leave it up to you to explore.

By the way, they really sell everything under the roof! A pretty amazing site for any shopper at any age. 

But please don't get me wrong. There are still a handful of blogshops who are very honest in their business. They would tell you that it is imported or really self-manufactured. It is very obvious when the item is self-manufactured. The design, the cutting and the materials used will be different and of better quality that what are usually sold "off the racks". I think that as long as Blogshops stay honest, then it is ok. 

Otherwise, just boycott and shop on TB. The timing of arrival is just like every other BO carried out by Blogshops. 2 - 4weeks. 

Ok, 3PM already. TBT!! 

Happy Shopping Everyone

Bahhhhhhhhhhhxx
Andrea