Slow day

Let’s recall my previous post in Feb 16 .

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WHY in the WORLD do we need to wait “THAT” long for Coraline??!!!!!!

That’s more than half a year from its original released date!!

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Hmph. I am no pleased.

Miss Behaving

So I’ve been a bad blogger..

I didn’t post:

- my earthday entry anywhere near earthday   */faint

- that I’m currently on a 3 months study course,
   considering it an introduction to a different industry.

- that I haven’t been able to go out for shootings & outings recently.

- that I have successfully become a cute wall flower..
   Lurking in the background. Tune in. tune out.

- that I’ve walked under a bus and got hit by a train.

- that I missed diving so much my heart aches a little each time I think.

- that I missed lomo too.

So I’ve been a bad blogger…..

Making a list

Saw a series of earth day commercials on Discovery channel the other day where they got some regular/famous people to talk about how they can do their part for the environment and I contemplated doing a household checklist of my own here.

Currently in action:

1.)  We support the National Recycling Programme.
(Got my peeps to get use to the idea of recycling. Initially it was difficult because we keep forgetting to put out the bag on the specific date, and things started to pile up. Now I make it a point to write down the list of collection dates on the fridge notepad as a reminder.)

2.)  Personally I never litter.
(It’s uncool to throw rubbish where it doesn’t belong ppl~)

3.)  Switching off vampire appliances more promptly.
(Sometimes, I will kaypoh walk past my sis/ mum’s room while they are out and switch off their power outlets. hehe)

4.)  Revised my room’s power supply needs. (Warning: technical bore)

Previously I was using an extension cable with 2  sockets and an adapter to power the following appliances; Internet modem, wireless router, tv set, starhub digital cable set-up box, mini compo and the  occasional handphone/ psp charger, clothes iron & hair dryer.

Can you imagine all the wires and electrical plugs going into the adapter and remaining socket?! It started with just the tv and mini compo when we first moved in, I guess I didn’t notice the buildup over the years .

It occured to me recently that this multitude of plug-ins would waste plenty of electricity (see point 3)! That’s because I would usually turned on everything to use one or two appliances. *lazy*

There was also this problem of the adapter not connecting properly, frequently have to tweak and balance and hear the plugs sizzle~

Finally, I had enough of the ‘It’s ALive~~~!!’ routine one day, and I went to the hardware store and got a 5 sockets extension cable and some spare plug keys. Each socket has its own on/off switch. Now I only turn on what I need.
Neater, not to mention safer!

Need to improve:

1.)  Remembering to BYOB.
(Mum has this nice foldable shopping bag she got from Pie Kia for buying their pies that I think is slick! Looks like a handy makeup pouch when folded and tucked.)

2.)  Have to be more conscious about electricity/water usage.
(Hardest thing to do on the list. Am hooked to the computer and air con.)

Wish to be able to change in the future:

1.)  Eventually go for an overhaul and change into energy-efficient light bulbs, water saving taps & non-rotting cooking stove.

2.)  Change existing storage tank water heater to single units electric heaters.

3.)  Plans to drive an hybrid/ electric car one day.

Have you made your household list already? Share share.

The Clocktower

Looking for soul in Korea

Here’s the Trip Write-Up, I’ve separated it into a few sections.

Seasons and Sceneries:

In the southern part of the country, where its warmer, we got to witness the early arrival of Spring, all the plants covered with buds and shoots waiting to burst into colours. Even the air smelled alive with anticipation. Some streets, parks and fields are already lined with cherry blossoms, mandarin orange trees (to be exact, they are sweet, tender & juicy hallabong oranges) and golden canola flowers to name a few flora.

However, in the northern part, Winter has still held on to its last breath. The persistent cold favoring the local skiing resorts, allowing them to extend their operations. Fun and snow everywhere.

Traditional & Culture:

- Seongeup Folk Village (Jeju)
- Gyeongbok Palace
- Namsangold Traditional Village

These places are pretty rustic and interesting for a person who has been dazzled by their rich vibrant culture. Got a peek into the lives of peasants and royalties who lived in ancient Korea.

Activities:

Other than sight-seeing the various landmarks, our tour was packed with loads of activities. Everland theme park, Jeju horse riding, Go-kart racing, ATV (all terrain vehicle) ride across the countryside, playing dress-up (wore Hanbok), made Kimchi and much more.

Shopping:

- TopDong (Jeju’s biggest underground shopping street)
- Premium goods outlets (Massive gathering of branded stores, many bargains)
- Dongdaemun market
- Myeong-dong street

Food highlights:

- Bibimbap Rice + Seafood Shabu Shabu Hotpot
- Abalone porridge for breakfast @ Jeju
- Extravagant Sashimi dinner
- Ginseng Chicken Soup lunch
- Mushroom Hotpot on a snowy day
- Heukdoeji Black Pork Hotplate (”All you can eat”  meat wrapped in cabbage & garlic chilli sauce or with rice & seaweed soup)

I cannot begin to explain how much I love Korean food and how much it agrees with me. Willing to migrate just to eat everyday from little bowls with silver chopsticks and long spoons.

Memorable moments:

1.) Went to Marado, a tiny treeless island off the south coast of Jeju, in southernmost South Korea. Drove free-range on karts, that has transparent sheets with zippers as doors, to explore the island. The place is truly beautiful in a wild, alluring sense. I think its romantic.

2.) After our stay in the Phoenix park ski resort, we took a gondola ride to the resort’s mountain peak to take in the sceneries of villages covered in white blankets of snow. Witnessed my first snow fall.

3.) VIP tickets to NANTA ‘Cooking’ -  The best musical theater show I’ve ever seen so far.

4.) Hand-fed prawn crackers to large flocks of seagulls on board the seagull boat.

Conclusion:

The entry was titled ‘Looking for soul in Korea’.
In my opinion, it wasn’t very difficult to find during the trip.
South Korea is exactly how I’ve envisioned it; colourful, delicious, romantic and hearty. We got to experience and taste quite abit and I know there are much more left undiscovered. Will be looking forward to revisit the country in the future, backpacking this time.

For complete set of pictures please visit my Flickr or click here:
Lomo set
Digital set

Thanks for viewing~

My First “Assignment”

Last weekend, my cousin, Leeling, held a birthday party @ home for her one-year-old, Zayden, and I was asked to be the official photographer (which kinda made me stressed, as oddly enough I’ve never been appointed before).
She also declared, “No lomo pls~” =(  Therefore the shots are done using my two-year-old digital point & shoot camera (Canon A640), mostly without using any flash and being indoors, so please forgive me for all the obvious grains, blurs and noise. I tried my best.

While on the cab to their house that day, I just thought it would look interesting for the party goers to hold up birthday signage for our little birthday boy (a concept some of my lomo friends would be pretty familier with *wink*) so when I arrived I asked my cousin for paper & markers and did some makeshift signs. Hope little Zayden can look back at the pictures and have a little giggle at the silly people who came to his first party.

Robin (my cousin)

Balloons for tails

Jasmine’s turn to hold the sign (insert Leeling’s cameo)

Teeth count. (Btw Chloe don’t smile for just anybody ok~)

Zayden: ”So you play with your foot huh”

Chloe act shy, ssoo cute~~

Zayden’s Mamee & Daddee

One candle to blow

Zayden himself

Complete set here on Flickr.

Thanks for asking me, Leeling~
This entire experience made me wanna get a DSLR… sigh

These are the ingredients for..

I cried twice.  Once before I left for the trip and once on the way back.

Don’t be mistaken, I had a great time in Korea, which stories I will tell in the upcoming entries. This one is about why I cried before and after..

Departure day. Like any ordinary person who is flying overseas in a few hours, I was doing my last minute packing. I had to get some supplies so I went down to the neighbourhood shops.

Passed by a salon and thought I could get a trim on my hair which was growing out abit. Here’s a recipe for disaster – I entered a salon that I don’t usually go (as the usual one was closed that day), when its main stylist/boss wasn’t even there. God I should have shoot myself there and then!

I told the staff I just wanna get a trim and I don’t want to cut it short. Two simple instructions.  She must have heard it because she went on and snipped off a lengthy portion of hair off the left side of my face. At that point in time, everything was too late. I couldn’t decide whether to ask her to stop or to paste it back.

So there I was, sitting on a propped up chair watching myself get the most horrendous, most unethical haircut I have ever received, from a woman who should Never be allowed to use sissors. That’s when I couldn’t hold back the tears.

I got home and bawled my eyes out to my mum & sis, who being the sympathetic family members that they are, couldn’t stop laughing in my face. I wanted to laugh as well.. and cry at the same time. Two hours before going to the airport and I got to experienced my own Korean tragicomedy. Bloody timely.

In the end I had to pack additional hair gel and hard wax for the trip.

And to account for the Second time I turned on the water works.

I watched “Marley and Me“ as one of the inflight movies on the six hours flight back. Enough said.

I only want to add a sidenote that plane blankets do not make good replacements for kleenex.

Okay okay, I know I’m just a crybaby.  =p

Last minute entry

Alright I’m still doing some last minute packing right now,
but we’ll be ready to fly tonight.
If you haven’t already know, I’m going to Korea!
Think theme parks, Hanbok, cherry blossom, drama series, shopping streets and lots and lots of korean street snacks~~~

*paused entry to pack cameras & films*

Anticipation for the trip along with sleepiness is slowly creeping through me at these last minutes, which is good for our flight later.

*packing more films. Guess a few more won’t hurt, since I’ll be sharing with my fisheye-wielding sister*

Hope we’ll have an interesting trip, and then I can have plenty of updates for you guys when I get back.

I’ll see you when I see you~

Mandy

She may love you, but she really, really.. likes me.

- words from her favorite aunt, Cudas

Earlybirds

Once again I am totally surprised.

Outing turn celebration turn costume party.
Laughed so hard today.
Thanks to Cin, Ian, Kase, Shawn, Jas & Kenny and Agnes!

P.S.   Kase & Ian also gave me a song.
Sweet.