January Update

Hello! Time for an update. Was about to do a rant but I thought.. better not. Giving an update is much more fun. 

Smile From Within 2 was last Sunday. Had a lot of fun on stage with these girls and really happy to receive positive feedback:) (really appreciate the critical ones too) Always a joy to share the stage with my babies. Thank you to all who came.

Jesper is an angel sent from heaven seriously. The man behind it all. 

Hai...

Forever standing tall - Siren.

Retro love

Team Teddy Bear

Impresario heats were a few weeks back and we got into semis! Come support at Cathay on 17 feb afternoon :) I'm glad these girls roped me into their team despite not even knowing who I am. Anyway MJ classes have been pretty fun and if I must say, the best part of being in NTU. Really excited to start working on Dancetitude, and I think after March I wanna tone down all other dance stuff and just concentrate on MJ. A good balance. And a step to better self-management.

Went to watch Stacie's showcase the other day. Long time never see this girl. I miss Siew Yin and Stace. 

Tonight I have a show and the client has been the most anal pain in the ass (double whammy? :O) Let's get this over with quickly. Jia you!!

Crazy, Beautiful.

ITM is over after almost the whole year of training with my ITM friends. Feels so weird to be so free mentally and physically. I stayed in bed the whole afternoon and just took my time doing things on my com the whole night. Yes I still have one more paper but haha I'll just start tomorrow. Procrastination prevails!!

Where do I start...

I can honestly say that In The Making has been one of the most significant performances yet. For one, I've met people who are so inspirational, giving and dedicated; people who've given me opportunities and made me really think about what I want to give as a dancer. It was also the first time we've had to take so much ownership of the show, doing our own props, programmes, and making everything happen the way we want it to. My life has changed for real.

Making an impact is the best reward.

That final moment when we stood there, looking out at the audience, them clapping, cheering and some some standing; the pride was incredible.

When people trivialize dance, when people see it simply as a way of passing time, it's sad that they don't understand its power. The therapeutic ability that it carries is something so surreal, yet real, that makes it more than just something we do.

Can't believe this crazy month is coming to an end. 2 major productions, 1 competition and 3 finals papers DOWN. We did it!! 

Siren - The best girls in my world. Forever the most supportive.

Kay!! Role model and inspiration.

Did I already mention that my life has changed? :)

My second mother and Ballet teacher since I was 6.

On a final note,

Never get satisfied. 

WHAT IS MY PURPOSE??

Okay this is not gonna be a post about my purpose in life. -.-

Had a meltdown today; one of my overly-tired, self-pitying moments that I'd later question regretfully but substantiate with the knowledge of its therapy. Basically I cracked (maybe it's a burn out?) because I was overwhelmed with all the stuff I had to get done on top of school and knowing that even as I am so insufficiently rested, I will not get the relief I need anytime soon.

I need to know what I'm working for, what my priorities are, what I want to achieve this year. And I think dance wise, the answer to my priorities is very simple. I just need to ask myself what I enjoy and what is important to me, because I know of myself that mostly, my heart leads, not my mind.

Dance wise, these make the top of my list now. (In no particular order)

- In The Making

- Lambado

- Siren

- Other gigs under DCA

Studies will share the top priority next to ITM I guess. Now that I'm in uni and it's not like secondary school or JC mid-years that don't count for anything; every exam counts, and it kind of determines a large portion of my future. Simply, I have more at risk now.

What do I want to achieve?

An awesome ITM, impactful Lambado showcase, to do well for Siren's performances and competition, and learn and have fun through DCA's gigs.

Other than that, the stuff that I don't really place as my priorities, I'll just make do and go with it until the time comes to make a decision whether to carry on or not. I'll try to make it work first. Yes.

:) I'm thankful for the people around me today, who let me know it's okay.

I really can't wait for Christmas too.

Until then, let's not let Christmas be the only season of giving and live generously every day.

Haha so positive.

K, peace.

Fresh from my travels!

Sawadeecap.

I'm back from Bangkok!

Now I really understand what 'Shop 'til you drop means'.

So here's a rough overview of what we covered over the 4 days:

Day 1

• Head from airport to hotel

Thais (or maybe just those in Bangkok) are very good drivers. Their aiming is like wtf?! When we were in the minibus, people can walk as close as like, right next to our window, like a boss. It's totally normal for them and surprisingly (or not) there was not one accident. I was thinking, 'You're supposed to give pedestrians and cyclists AMPLE CLEARANCE!!' (damn BTT) but no it's not necessary here 'cause Thais are cool like that.

• Check in at Pratunam Pavilion 

Most people didn't know where Pratunam Pavilion was because it's really new and tucked away into some dodgy corner. BUT, I strongly recommend this hotel. It's situated at the end of Pratunam Market and is within walking distance of Platinum Mall and Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Despite it's dark alley-ish location, the inside is very comfortable, clean and cheap! Siew Yin and I shared a twin bed room which was connected to Claudia and Tim's queen bed room. They also provide complimentary Tuk Tuk services to nearby places (very nearby only though...like 2 minutes away kinda thing).

Just us in our very nice room before embarking on our adventures 

Stocking up

Okay enough of my advertising...

• Shopping @ Pratunam Market 

Kekeke

Day #1 Buys

Likabause.

• Dinner time!!

Only cost each of us about SGD$9!

 AND WE HAVE OUR WINNERS FOR THE WHOLE TRIP!

This mango salad is soooo good omnomnom. It's sour but with a tinge of sweetness from the mango, a little tangy from the onions and has different layers of crunchy from the vegetables and peanuts. And it's spicey! Sssss

Fried crab with curry IT'S TOO SHIOK ALR I DIED 

• Thai massage 

Pretty okay, wish the masseuse pressed harder though, and covered more of my lower back. Other than that, Thai massage is a must-try because they really covered many many muskles and the atmosphere was nua max.

Day 2

• Breakfast buffet @ the hotel (omg so early, holiday not supposed to be waking up before 8am...)
• Off to MBK via BTS!

MBK is just like 2 MRT stops away (including an interchange) from our hotel area. 

If you're looking for genuine imitation bags and wallets, this is the go-to place. :)

80 baht all you can eat Thai buffet! (The catch: it's vegan) But still shiok and super super spicey. I died.

• Headed to Silom area to chill while Timothy went for his massage. After eating we seriously just sat and enjoyed not moving. 

• Next was Patpong Night Market

This is haggling heaven. Quality of bags is definitely not as good as MBK but you can find many exotic and interesting accessories and deco here. When bargaining just don't go too low a price, it'll scare the shopkeepers away. (Tested & true. Heh.)

Day #2 Buys

Day 3

• Early breakfast then took a Tuk Tuk to Platinum Mall

Okay we had a slight detour to this jewelry shop (that was part of the city tour that we decided to forgo for shopping. Yay! Unexpected sightseeing!) because our driver wanted to go and pick up his free petrol from there. Haha. 

Tuk tuks are high-tech ok! Surround sound system all siol. No joke.

• Platinum Mall

This place is like Bugis Street x1000. Five floors of non-stop shops and they sell a lot of sheer material stuff like Far East. You should go with more people to this place because they sell by retail (1 piece) and wholesale (2 pieces & up) prices and the wholesale prices are really wholesaliao!

Milk tea from Platinum Mall. It's really good like comparable to Eskimo standard.

View from an overhead bridge

• Back to hotel to put down our stuff then out again to MBK to buy a bag for my mommy:) 

Dinner at MBK; this steamed fish with lime sauce is the ultimate. The fish is so smooth and tangy from the lime sauce and there's just enough garlic. Awesome.

• Back to Pratuman Market for last minute shopping then to hotel to R&R

Day #3 Buys

Day 4

• Slept lika dog. While Claudia, Timothy and Swing went for breakfast again and out to Pratunam Market to shop, I slept until 11.30am.
• Checked out and had lunch at the same place where we had our dinner on the first night

Cantaloupe Juice

OMNOMNOMonomonomnom

• Manicure! (My nail polish got ruined already but oh welllll)
• Back to Singapore! 

Felt extremely tired the whole day 

Last meal at the airport! Thank you Tim, for the treat :)

Verdict:

Before

After

Awesome trip. Won't be shopping for a very long time! 

Wadecap!