A Page To Remember

Hi everyone,

It’s Little Miss A back with her writing, except this piece will punch more than the other usually tickles. Everyone writes for different reasons. I write to remember. So, this is a tribute to my memories and the people that live in it.

I left feeling absolutely destroyed.

She stared at me helplessly with drool drooping from her chin

teasing the hem of her green collared shirt

Lips left in a permanent squiggle.

Mouth agape.

Eyes pleading, Blank sorrow was what gripped me

It was what gripped my heart and bunched it up

Ready to tear and rip what was left inside of me

But after what happened next made me think

maybe what lay beneath my ribs was already empty

I had 2 dollars in my pocket and the guy sitting with his skinny eyecandy avoiding eyecontact probably had more

But that was not the point.

The point was that i could only smile guiltily back

The point was that i could only shake my head to her open palm

The point was that I dug through my bag

but didn’t thrust dollars out

The point was that I didn’t reach out to her

The point was that nobody bothered

The couples sitting at the table

All they could think about was their dalliance

The physical desires

The pecks on the cheeks, stroke of the forearm, exchange of saliva

and who knows what else.

They had waved their palms in a slow dance as a signal for her to move on

The guy had frowned, sighed indifferently

The girl had pinched her nose,

waving the air with her other arm, trying to forget.

So prevalent So present and Yet invisible

So invisibly visable.

What a sick but beautiful contorted oxymoron

I rocked out of my seat and took the next escalator up

and threw away my food

because I was sick to the core.

Because life is just a rambunctious mess.

Just a turn and spin machine in the casino

rows and columns of guess and checks

One flip away from poverty or wealth

I wonder…

How far was I then from being her?

My mind twirls as I think how to calculate this

because I want to calculate this.

I want to understand how I have lived for 8 years in a perfectly nice condo

adorned with gold and white accents

fur coats, chunky gold necklaces

right. next. to the slums with dirt coated fruit carts

and measly straw hats.

Too heartbroken to turn our cheeks and too selfish to act

I guess that’s how the world operates

Just keep your head down so you convey sympathy

and wave your fingers to convey you cannot help.

“I’m sorry. I want to but I can’t. “

Being Human

In Singapore, summer was the only season I knew.

The hot, humid fragment of the year that endowed suffocating heat as I stood impatiently by the train tracks was at one point of my life all I ever knew.

That’s why my first trip to Japan in December 2007 felt so surreal. My feet didn’t recognize the crunch beneath it. My hands didn’t recognize the numb and sporadically painful poke of sparks when it brushed against metal bars. My eyes definitely did not recognize the sight of white. The sight of white fields, white streaks toasting in the glare of the early morning sun, white specks caressing my mum’s eyelashes, white showers.

It was an unfamiliar beauty. Like a cold, distant friend who resisted touch and chose to lock herself in a closet rather than reveal herself to others. It was hard to reach out, but eventually I did for I was most mesmerized with its thorn-like texture.

Later did I know that life was such that adaptation is a most painful, cruel way of throwing away your 5 senses and living blank minded. The move to Shanghai slowly got me indifferent to the cool weather and soon the hour long bus ride to and fro from school became a waste of time.

Too car sick to read, too tired to memorize the pattern of the roads beyond the window, my bus rides became sleep sessions, an hour self-therapy session to pay off my sleep debt. And that is life sometimes I suppose, getting so caught up in whatever you’re doing you forget that change of heart, that excitement, tingle in your chest and your throat when you go off to a new space. I am afraid that I’ll fall off the edge like that, forget about all the things that make me human. That’s why I write I suppose, that’s why I think twice, feel, breathe my surroundings. And I hope you guys do too.

Have a happy Sunday everyone!

I’m going to try to make everyday special and hold in my groans on Monday.

Eye Candy: Cali Vibes

sunrays scattered all over my floor

high waisted denim skinnies

Roadtrips to the east

Symmetry in nature

Yellow Crunch for the Summer

Piles of avocado and wet fruit

Skateboards and Graffiti

Palm trees and warm sunsets

Hours passing by slowly

cool clink of ice water and bittersweet greens

Green smoothies and spinach yums

chewy strawberry bits in icy water

Blue plaid collars and crop tops

white walls and short dresses

A stubborn recklessness

Cali has always spurred thoughts of denim, pineapples, tall trees, fresh pressed juices, blue skies, greek yogurt, sunshine, and the feeling of overstretched hours and long, warm, dense days the way I like it.

It’s scary and exhilarating to think that in less 4 months I’ll be breathing Los Angeles air. The legendary city of flowers and sunshine.

I’m excited to explore beyond the flowers and sunshine and witness the shadows and shock, but for now I’m happy with fantasizing about my new next home occasionally in between the swamps of work and fun in Singapore.

Movie Craze: 500 Days of Summer (2009)

“Today is the day,” I thought to myself. “I’m going to do a movie review on a movie I really should have watched 6 years ago.” Hahaa. I know I know people are going to roll their eyes because this is a classic, almost like a must-watch “Mean Girls.” But at least I tried it today right? Well without further ado, here is my take on the movie.

“500 Days of Summer” is a RomCom starring the 2 most outrageous and amusing actors, Joseph Gordon Levitt (Tom aka. the hopeless romantic) and Zooey Deschanel (Summer aka. the “cold hearted” casual girlfriend.) It explores mainly Tom’s side of the story- as he reflects on the 500 days they’ve been together, when Summer dumps him with not wanting a “serious relationship” as the reason.

Review

Storyline: 6/10

I loved the cute, memorabilia scene at the beginning, when the 2 protagonists was introduced to the movie. It was so sweet because it was as if we were watching grow up.

While I was hooked, and I loved that the scenes transitioned so flawlessly, the plot wasn’t perfect because not every single moment counted. If I were to delete a scene, I bet nobody would really notice because the scenes were all so similar in a way. This would be different in… Disney’s Mulan! (Which is my fav by the way.)

I also didn’t love the ending… I didn’t understand how Summer left the company, then out of the blue, met her future husband 1 or 2 weeks later even though she claimed she wasn’t one for romance. There were a couple holes towards the end when Summer and Tom met on a train out of coincidence- it was abrupt and unnatural.

Chemistry 9/10

But the chemistry was just so on point. Sparks literally flew and my toes tingled when I saw the way Tom looked at Summer. It was so special; it was like they were the only ones in the room. So for that, acting is also on the verge of flying colors. I liked the depth of the characters and how the directors peeled back their skins a little by little, especially Summer!

Aesthetics 9/10

The aesthetics as a whole was so amazing. The lighting, angles, close-ups, flashbacks were the highlights of the movie. It rolled so seamlessly; I was mesmerized.

A few of my FAV parts in GIFS: (because I’m cool like that) [Insert Emoji with sunglasses]

The part I weeped pretty hard inside when the scenes were set up via Expectations VS Reality for Tom.

The Penis Game.

The beautiful moment Tom tried to show Summer his world of architecture.

The scene where they pretended to be a couple and Tom exclaimed “Huh. All 4 of our sinks are working” and Summer raced him to the bedroom. (I’m sorry there is no GIF for this. But then again WHY aren’t there GIFS for this?!)

That INFAMOUS, gutsy scene that describes every boiling emotion

And that’s all for this week babes. The weekend is almost there- you know you can see it!

Have a great day tomorrow!

XOXO

Spread the love:

Hi guys!

Miss A is back; sorry she was gone so long. But last week has been especially hectic.

Monday marked the start of my PR internship at a social marketing company and then BOOM work and distractions continued to pile up. At one point I was carrying so much I think I could hardly look at my toes. But alright. If we were being honest here, I would say I disappeared because of 20% work and 80% distractions.

Lately I’ve been on my toes because of a particular person… and exploring my emotions because I guess that’s what you do as a teenager. Guess and Check.

Searching for my identity reminded me of a poem I wrote during my good old underclassman days when I was just another perky, quirky 16 year old. And I thought it would be great if I shared a little slice of my past since I haven’t written much lately. 😦 The poem I’m about to share was actually done for a Creative Writing class but it was one of my writings that I dwelled on alot during the brainstorm stage, because I tried so hard to put all my emotions and expressions into scribbles on a page, even more so because I had to step out of my shoes and look at myself from a third person point of view. But  this poem makes me smile a little sometimes when I think of my old self and how much of a ball of sunshine I used to be.

All these things

I am

A word, phrase, and quote from my favorite movie I’ve seen countless times

A stranger sitting on a subway seat, watching as people carry their instruments and burdens

Stale, crumbly ciabatta and the redolence of yesterday’s blue cheese and cherry tomatoes waiting to be indulged in the fridge

Black fibers unraveling and stray ends on a new, white polyester sweater in my closet

I am

Coffee splotches on the yellowish, dog- eared pages strung together with a thin string in my favorite book

Words tangling in throat, tongue knotting in mouth, heart thrashing in chest when my eyes meet yours

Dark circles, blood-shot eyes, half-hearted smile and all chaos in the early morning

Balled-up blank sheets, yanked-out chunks of hair and close-knit eyebrows in the late evening

I am

Neon pink earplugs and fidgety eyes, staring vacantly out the window in the car ride

Steady beads of perspiration and a synchrony of footsteps and pants on an empty street at the break of dawn

Quiet crinkly eyes, dimpled smile, and wrinkled nose around my friends

20 seconds of insane courage when adrenaline course through my veins

Random splutters of snorts in reminiscence of the good times in the past

I am

Unexpected flamboyant flamingos, sudden streaks of red and orange and swollen  swarms of butterflies

The smudges of color outside the intended lines

The breathing, living journal of yesterday

The verve of here and now.

On that positive note, make the best out of the rest of your week guys! Remember to stop in your tracks once in a while and open your eyes a little bigger and your heart a little wider. Let everything that coming in through your 5 senses swallow you up and let it be part of you even for just a second. It has always made finding myself and my place in this world a little easier.

Aug Faves

Hello darlings,

This month has been alternations of long and hectic days (I am finally wanted for a PR internship though.) Yayy. But I took the time to compose this post for you because I’ve so many great products to share this month. 🙂

The Complete Set

VS Noir Tease

The Body Shop Strawberry Sorbet

Can’t beat that consistency

Majolica Majolica Brown Mascara

Benefit Posie Balm

The Face Shop Single Blush

EOS Strawberry Sorbet

Tony Moly Golden Love

The product!

The Review:

1. Victoria Secret’s Noir Tease Body Mist

This light flirtatious, cloying scent based on black vanilla, frozen pear and blooming gardenia brightens up my day everyday! It smells so amazing I think I’m addicted. I definitely recommend this to everyone who loves a thick & sweet vanilla scent accompanied by a prettily packaged bottle! If Noir Tease could be described in abstraction, I would associate it with lace and feminity with a hint of recklessness.

2. The Body Shop Strawberry Body Sorbet

Body Shop is renowned for its accurate sickly sweet fruity scents so it’s no surprise that this body sorbet, infused with cold-pressed strawberry seed oil, actually smells like strawberries! Hmmm. My favorite element of this product is actually its water-like consistency; it’s smooth and very light and perfect for those, like me, who hate the leftover thick, gluey texture after lotion.

3. Majolica Majolica Brown Mascara in BR666

Complete your no makeup makeup with this mascara to achieve flawlessness. This is by far my favorite brown mascara because of its smooth consistency and overall effect. My only complaint is maybe its straight edged applicator because it doesn’t swipe underneath my lashes very well.

4. Benefit’s Posie Balm

Benefit is the bomb. I love every single product because they’re so creatively packaged and Posie Balm is no exception! An extension of its hydrating tinted lip Balm, Benefit’s Posie Balm combines practicality and aesthetics. I love the perfect balance of moisture and shimmer in this product- it always leaves a pretty poppy-pink hydrating veil on my lips. A quick sweep and you’re ready to take on the world… or a long day.

5. The Face Shop Single Blush

Trying to fill up your wanderlust savings jar? Purchase The Face Shop single blush for an affordable and simple, no-hassle dab of color. This is perfect for those who prefer a power like as opposed to a pasty texture.

6. EOS Strawberry Sorbet

Alright, I’ll admit it. I first got to know about this product because I succumbed to its popularity; at one point, everyone had one. Boasting over 100+ flavors enriched with “natural conditioning oils, moisturing shea butter and antioxidant vitamins C&E), EOS is a rejuvenating delight- a 2 second full package spa for your lips.

7. Tony Moly Golden Love Facebook

Enclosed in a golden and rosewood plastic book adorned with white snowflakes, swirls and silhouettes, Tony Moly’s new Golden Love facebook presents: Moisture Keep Make-up Base, BCDation all master light base, All Flash lip pigment, and two perfect eyes- gel fit in caramel and dark brown. This beautifully packaged goodness reminds me so much of a romantic white Christmas. Cheers to being in Singapore though ahaha.

Until my next write

Love,

A Step Into Johor Bahru

Last weekend, my family (+ extended family) and I took a trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It was amazing because the trip was almost effortless- crossing the border took only a couple hours and then bam we were in a different country! We shopped, ate, and walked in the streets. I captured moments like crazy and here are the results.

11pm:A walk around City Square Mall; 12pm:We had lunch at a store boasting one of the best “guotiao.” (A silky, translucent type of noodles). It was fairy delicious but what really made me beg for more was the deep fried fishcakes accompanied by homemade chilli sauce. ; 2pm:Shopping at KSL Shopping Mall; 5pm: Walking in the streets on the way to find good eats; 6pm: We tried delicacies: Stingray w Chilli, barbecued honey chicken wings,Nasi Bryani.

The front of the store.

Chopsticks at the ready.

Deep Fried Fishcake x Ngohiong

A snapshot.

Motorbikes parked casually

The Malaysian Flag

People outside KSL Shopping Mall

The buildings

Streetlife x Yums

The sky looked like it was an icecream that melted.

Miss A being artsy

Stingray, BBQ Chicken Wings, Nasi Bryani

Stingray up close. Woahh.

Until my next adventure Loves,

Little India Chronicles

In a strict sense, I haven’t really been “home” in 8 years. So as my days fell apart into catching up friends, blogging, marathoning TV shows and reading as much as I can, I decided to explore Singapore. Its a little weird feeling like a tourist at home, but I guess that’s a fact I have to accept because at least 5 people asked me where I was from today… hahaha interesting.

I stepped off the MRT station and straight into the heart of Little India and I was greeted with this cheery casual atmosphere.

The street was cramped with brightly colored stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Each stall was anything but spacious so it made sense that everything was stacked up. But it still amazed me how beautiful and orderly each pile was; it was unlike what I would have seen in an ordinary wet market.

The fruits that were so beautiful you could mistake that from plastic contrasted with the grey walls, plastered with posters,newspapers and advertisements. The paint had already peeled off, and there were many crevices on the wall, but the place still looked so vibrant and in the moment. The streets weren’t glamorous but it had looked real, raw. It was almost as if I was in India where the appearance didn’t matter as much as the goods.

After having a snack (Mee Goreng) at the market featuring cool graffiti, we set off on Buffalo Street and I got henna for $8! I made friends with auntie who had been in the business for over 8 years and learnt that Henna is a dye prepared from a plant native to northern Africa and western and southern Asia. It is used for cosmetic purposes especially in Ancient India and remains an important custom among traditional families as well as a charm of “luck.”

I got a picture with her!

After my henna adventures, I decided to enrich myself about Indian tradition and culture in the newly opened Indian National Centre featuring religious, historial granite sculptures and hand knit textiles in a  kaleidoscope of colors and patterns.

I also shared a short talk with a friendly security guard Roger who originally studied in Toronto and spoke perfect standard English.

After that enlightening session, I visited a beautiful Hindu Temple! It was so crowded and lively there. People spread out on the floor in clusters and went up to the altar one by one, eyes closed, offering their honest prayers.

My trip to Little India was definitely a pleasant, enriching experience. Exploring Singapore is definitely on my bucket list before I start university! Share your thoughts below!

Signing off,

Juice it up!

Hello Lovelies x

I’ve always stayed too long on the unhealthy side before I crossed over, back to where I should be. But this week has sort of been a breakthrough for me. In the midst of my hypnotic-like Singaporean food craze since I’ve returned home, I finally decided to kickstart my healthy diet (sort of) with Juice Junkie!

Nestled in the serene, modern streets of Duxton Road, Juice Junkie is a humble gem waiting to be discovered by fitspos and fellow Singaporeans craving for a healthy refreshment or dessert.

From organic, cold pressed juices, summer perfect acai bowls to prettily packaged raw nut clusters- the store has it all. What pushed me deeper into obsession was the décor! Generously furnished with wooden and white accents and an entire wall constructed of shelves stocked with Figi water bottles, elegant greens, fruit and neatly stacked books, the store emanated clean, modern, lush vibes. It also smelt so good I just wanted to melt in there. My only complaints if inquired though were the little interaction the staff initiated with customers and the lack of seats! The latter was a little disappointing because I had this vision of snuggling up in a seat and enjoying my treat. : (

My treat of the day was an acai bowl; it consisted of blueberries, strawberries and bananas complete with 3 toppings: protein powder, acai and chia seeds. It was screamingly delicious. It was so pretty I felt bad digging my spoon into it. It was slightly expensive though; I guess the price wasn’t as pretty… but I would still give it  a silver medal!

Facade of Store

Cute Wooden Board

Smell this goodness.

Hmmmm.

Modern Chic.

Healthy Snacks to boost your energy

Oh fingers.

Feeling sunny inside out.

Say Yum!

XOXO,

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