GoodBye 2009, Hello 2010 !!

Spending the last day of the year across the seas at Indonesia. Be back on Sat night or Sun morning!

Catching an evening ferry!
Am completely clueless about the NYE happenings going on at BTM though.. but i'm excited since you can purchase your own fireworks there!!

Re-started on my JP Spring trip research just a couple of days back!
its like happening in 80+ more days?!
i can't believe that i'm actually touring in JP in less than 3mths!!!

Alot more to research on...
need to write up a detailed itinerary since its our 'virgin' F&E trip to 'kawaii'land!
don't wanna screw up...

anyways,im' Real looking forward to 2010!
Not the work bit...but my personal life!
hoho!! i Plan to get my driving license too!!
2nd half-after my JP + Bali trips...

May Everyone have a GREAT YEAR AHEAD!
HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!
Wishing all LOTSA JOY,HAPPINESS and LUCK!


loves,
nana

Merry Christmas !!

Merry Christmas to All !

*just in case i don't have time to post an entry tmr*

24/12

Half-day at work and then Christmas Lunch with the Department !

meeting up with A. for a short while tomorrow for tea+sweets and...

Thereafter would be dinner with Mar. and a movie likely...

+ packing along my camera for xmas shots together with Mar!!

(just realised we do not have a decent Xmas shot YET !)

25/12

Hopping over to JB for a short retreat with Mar. on Xmas day!

Let's hope its' not too crowded!

My 1st time ever staying @ a JB hotel. (Yes-i will take pix!)

26/12

Evening - Steamboat dinner @ CY's! i Am looking forward to...

27/12

Cycling @ East Coast Park? (tentative)

Not sure if we have the energy to do so... we'll see!

Hmmm... looks like another PACKED long wkend for me..

i hope i dun tire myself out !!

loves ^ gd nite!!

FAST FORWARD : before the DECEMBER BKK trip..

So s-l-o-w in my entries that i'm posting everything in one entry!!
hahaha.. i have way too many pictures in my PC now! Goodness!!
anyway, before i went on my bangkok vacation early this month.... November was a pretty busy month too...catching up with friends ,events, birthdays etc.
so here goes.. (the significant ones..)

1. Val's Pre-Bday Celebration Dinner !
Eat-Till-We-Puke @ KushinBo Ladies' Night Buffet
After-Dinner Drinks @Eski Bar
Had to do Val's celebration earlier this year as my travel date to BKK is on Val's actual birthdate!
Ooops... forgot when i was purchasing air tickets!!

@Suntec

@Eski bar

@Eski

@KushinBo Buffet

2. Huge LV Trunk Sighting !!
i Saw this on a FaceBook contact's page and went to check it out myself...

Fronting Ngee Ann City as advertisement for the expansion of the luxury boutique,

this definitely attracted a load of tourists happy-snapping away !

3. Happy 'Tree-Collecting'
I have a mini year-end project for myself.

To create a new FLICKR set titled 'Christmas is LOVE'...

Snapped Xmas Trees from around Singapore + during my recent Bangkok trip!

not many people around me know this since i don't publicise myself.

haha.. another 1 day to Christmas Day! (AND i have yet to finish uploading all my collected 'trees' so far!)

@Vivocity

4. Went to a Blythe Gathering! (AFTER SOO LONG!)
Yes, i went to a dolly gathering once again after MIA for such a long time!

I do acknowledge that my dolls are NEGLECTED!

I 've downsized my Blythe family a little... they are now at a decent number!

The gathering @ TCC,Changi Airport T3 was good ! A whole 4 hours ??

hehehe, but this was the only pic i took of my Blythe that day!

5. Batam 2d1n HopOver
Usual monthly trip to the Indonesian Island.

I love this place for its food+drink !!
Pictured : One of my favourite eats - Ayam Penyet !

@RIA

6. BBQ with the ex-KINO colleagues
Location : Pasir Ris Park

Food : Loads!!

Weather : Was REAL BAD! (1st time wearing a raincoat @ a BBQ~)

But Lucky thing,the company really made up for it !

@Prawns laced with Beer - YUMMY!!

7. Southern Ridges with the colleagues

Exploring the Southern Ridges on a Sunday!

We spent close to 5hrs' starting out from HarbourFront MRT station > Kent Ridge Park!

Ended the day with tea/dinner @ IKEA Alexandra.

Natalie, my mondrian joined me on the trail !

It was my 1st time exploring and i was impressed with Hort Park!
Henderson Waves was a tad disappointing... or maybe it was the scorching sun that spoilt everything!! hoho!!

Otherwise we had a good time !!

@henderson waves

it's that time of the year again...

Time to Make Merry & be Jolly!!

I'm all done with buying all the Xmas Gifts...
Alot of damage to my pocket the past week!!
hhoho! Shopping for myself inclusive!!

So far, have done 2 Xmas Gifts' Exchanges..
1.I got my IKEA pillow that i've always wanted! (Thanks Carita - my Secret Santa from the KINO Exchange!)
2.MICKEY 2010 Organiser from CY (2nd time i picked her pressie!)
Two upcoming exchanges !! (yippy!!)

Have been feasting alot too since the beginning of this month! (in SG + in BKK!)
Kushinbo Buffets... International Buffets... Japanese Dining..Chinese... etc.
MUST DIET after all this!

Anw, it was my little bro's 21st last Sunday!
i Treated my family to Japanese dinner @Sakae on Sunday...'Neither did I buy anything for him nor pack him a red packet! hahaha...
Bought Mum the face cream she wanted for Xmas/Bonus Gift
- AND YESS...she was happy!!

Looking forward to Xmas Dinner with the Gals @ IL LIDO,SENTOSA this evening~!
*PIX SOON*

Loves!

One week AFTER

it has been one week since i've got back from my short BKK trip with the poly pals!

BKK trip,though it was a short 4d3n was indeed a memorable one!!
One of my best BKK trip to date!
Good Food!! Good Experiences!! Good Company!!

Thanks to my online BKK contact,ipumug who offered me trip advice, suggestions & reserved a good table for us @Baiyoke!
(ps. the view was fab... with loads of fireworks' display in view of the King's Birthday!!)
+ BIG thankU to JiaHao who volunteered to be 'treasurer' of our travel group funds!!
your help was deeply appreciated!


I MISSS......BANGKOK!!
iMISS the super-spacious + comfy van ride from Airport to Hotel!

iMISS the times we stuffed ourselves with the buffet spreads!!

iMISS the experience+FUN on the express riverboat ride!!

iMISS the steep climb up Wat Arun with the gang (minus cy+zq cos' they were exhausted)

iMISS the sumptuous Shark'Fin/Chinese dinner spread @Chinatown -All thanks to ZQ+CY for the recommendation!

iMISS the thrill while on the tuk-tuks!!
(we rode twice on this trip.....)

iMISS the huge crowds,fireworks,parade floats,road closure @Khao San Road Area celebrating the King's Birthday..

iMISS the fields of yellow on our daytrip to Saraburi Province..

iMISS the views+good buffet spread at Baiyoke Sky Hotel at HALF-PRICE!! (cos' of a Fathers' Day promo..the thais celebrate Fathers' Day on the King's Birthday!)

iMISS the stunning Christmas decor/trees at the various malls! (the tree @ Centralworld was absolutely pretty!)

iMISS the Breathtaking night-time view of Bangkok Downtown from Vertigo @Banyan Tree over cocktails!
(the full moon that night was an added plus!!)

iMISS those times browsing through Chatuchak Weekend Market. (spent the longest time ever in this labyrinth and finally saw the pets' sections here! Thanks to bai!!)

iMISS the 2 fab meals we had @Fuji Restaurant!
Yummy Jap food for CHEAP!!

iMISS the Thai-style 'Getai' Live Music @ Suam Lam Night Market. hahah... it was amusing just watching them perform!

iMISSed the shopping @Platinum Mall!
(not enough time nor $$$ - we only had 2hrs' before rushing off to airport!)


...BACK TO REALITY SUX!
i miss vacations... i want vacations...
Can't wait for my next in March 2010!!
TO JAPAN!!!

taking a short break now..
recuperating from my cough/flu/sore throat/fever since i gotten back home frm BKK!

Back to JP research when the new year comes!!

BANGKOK - HERE i COME....AGAIN!!

Whee~

i'll be in bangkok from 4 - 7 December !
Got an early morning flight to catch in a few hours' time!
Have a good wkend my friends & do lookout for Peektures when i'm back!!

iPray for good weather throughout our 4 days' there...
iPray that the sunflowers daytrip will be breathtaking!
iPray that my itinerary will workout alright!
iPray that i don't blow my budget !!!

Emma my LUCKY Goldie will be joining me on this trip!
blythe x vacation is LOVEEe!!
hohoho! =D

take care for now!

BANGKOK.... this friday!!

photocredits @ ipumug

Humming to Xmas songs that my Dad is putting on as i'm typing this entry.. lalalala~!

Aahhh...today's the 1st of December !
a month more to a new year, 2010 !!
AND a few more days to BANGKOK baby..... !!!
(SUPER excited - can't wait to see the sunflower fields on Day 02....)



BIG THANK YOU to ipumug who gave me so much advice re. the sunflower fields that i'm planning to visit & much more ! i am super thankful !!

TO-PACK LIST
Blythe : Have Shortlisted Emma/Natalie/Michiyo...
Cameras : bringing my dslr , a spare digital & my trusty film Vivitar ~!
Toiletries : Checked!
Currency & Passport : Checked!
Itinerary : Checked! (I'm hoping my itinerary will workout well~!!)

4d3n BANGKOK TRIP PLAN
Day 01:
4-faced buddha (erawan shrine?)
Riverboat Ride
Chinatown
Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Wat Arun*
Khao San Road*

Day 02:
Daytrip to Saraburi Province (Sunflowers!!!)
Baiyoke Sky Dinner Buffet
After dinner Drinks @ Vertigo / Sirocco

Day 03:
Pratunam Wholesale Area
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Suam Lam Night Market

Day 04:
Platinum Mall
CentralWorld


My Objective for this BKK trip : Photography,Sightseeing
i wanna take loadss of beautiful pix pls!
=)

[Kdrama] YAB finale !!

Just completed Ep16 of You Are Beautiful (YAB) !!
its' a pity that such a wonderful series had ended so quickly!

long time since i actually saw such a good series - my last being Shining Inheritance?

Love Hwang Tae Kyung Oppa...... (All-rounder! he's awesome!! Love his singing in this drama!!!)

Shin-Woo...

Jeremy....

Must admit I LOVEEEE A.N.JELL !!!

(gosh... i sound like a high-school girl now!)

For those that have yet to catch it, PLEASE DO START !

It's definitely on my BEST KDRAMAS' LIST - and possibly my BEST 2009 kdrama!
<3

Must skydive this 2010 !!

hoho,

metup with dear Stace last evening.
-shop for Val's bday pressie
-ramen dinner at Aoba,Ion Orchard

Talked about Skydiving up in Segamat,Malaysia.
Stace got a friend who just did a jump....and looks pretty interested to try it herself!

i'm DEFINITELY KEEN !!!
trying to psycho Val so we could plan a trip there to JUMP!
hoho.... val's bday celeb with stace + MM this evenng!
=)

so many activities to do/learn!
skydive... diving... bike touring... etc.

BKK RESEARCH !

wheeee~
heading to Bangkok in 2 weeks' 3 days time!
in the midst of doing research + help to head to the sunflower fields.

thanks to ipumug for the PMs. it kinda helped me abit.
Rail is an experience (since i've nvr taken long distance trains in BKK b4!)
but i think there' s only a time-slot @ 0640AM - i don't think my travel mates would like that!!
Hahaa

i have also emailed the hotel that we'll be chkg-in and asked if they provide transport services.
Thankfully they do!
@ S$28/pax. pretty reasonable for a daytrip.
considering its a 2-3hrs drive (one-way).

Waiting for a couple of email replies b4 i make my decision!
Great its midweek tmr - To the KittyLAB @ EXPO !!!

We're HEADING BALI !!!

*not my pic* spotted@flickr

Christmas comes early for me...or should i say my B'day?!

....
.....
.........

....anways, the BF is bringing me to Bali during my b'day week next year!
i'm ELATED + there is so much for me to look forward to in 2010!!
i'm actually happy to know that 2010 is in 1.5mths+ time??

BALi trip will be from 25-29 May.

Short trip i know! BUT - heck,who cares!
my first time celebrating my birthday overseas!



wooHOO!!!~

Looks like there's more Travel Research+Planning to do!!
i'm gonna be busy for the next couple months....

日本plan # 5 - All accomodation settled!

I have settled all our accomodation for our JP trip!!

First 6 nights' will be@ KYOTO Tour Club (http://www.kyotojp.com/)
Thanks to Amy who introduced me to this.
Booked the twin/japanese style room with attached bath/toilet.
Ryokan is looking good from the online pix!

Our next 6 nights' will be@ Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou!(http://www.toukaisou.com/index.html)
Thanks to Isi on my flickr contacts' stream who introduced this!
Will not be staying at the initial planned IKEBUKURO area..
instead will be chkg in at Tokyo's Traditional district.
this will be another Jap-styled room w/Attached bath/toilet!
cheap CHEAP!!

+ PLUS!
Good news! Amy will be heading to Tokyo + chkg-in to the same ryokan as me!!

Now that accomodation is settled, can sit back + relax for awhile before proceeding with my research for jp attractions again!
=P

ION X Lee Hom

@ 23 October 2009
Accompanied Mum & Aunt to ION Orchard.
Official Mall Opening Ceremony.

the newest kid on the block - ION Orchard

[after the opening fireworks' display]

eye candy!!!

Lee Hom was present for the mall's official opening ceremony as well !!
double JOY

=)

Bake!! Angie's 21st

Baked my 2nd Strawberry Charlotte Cake to celebrate angie's 21st @ office !!
this time did a mini version... haa..
loved the box I've managed to find @ Daiso! its LOVE!!
the punnet of strawberries were a disappointment.... my cake turned out 'uneven'!

Nevertheless, hope U like what we've prepared,Angie dearie !!

BB Wayne's 1st month//Angie 21st//Bike-City+Sentosa Route

17 October 2009 :
Was a busy day for me!

Was invited to a buffet lunch @ her place.
her sis-in-law just gave birth to cute BB Wayne!
he slept the whole time i was there!!
sweet !

Afterwhich i head back to Paya Lebar to meet Wendee.
Was almost an hour late! (so sorry,W!)
Cabbed down to East Coast Park to the Goldkist Resort where Angie held her 21st party!
Reminds me of my 21st..... how time flies!

my fellow co-workers

*LUCKY*birthday gal + her pressies!!!

After the BBQ party, walked to ECP area C to meet my bike kakis for our usual monthly ride.

XP's colleague,Rachel joined us this time!

Our group of 4 biked from ECP - F1 Race tracks - SG flyer - Esplanades - Lau Pa Sat - Harbourfront (supper stop) - Sentosa Island - Back to ECP

Start Time : 9.40pm

End Time : 6.50am ,the next morning

sad to say, we won't be meeting for overnite cycling this month (& probably next too!)
i'm busy all wkends this month... xp+sharon will be travelling next mth and its the festive season too!

Next ride : January 2010 i guess ?

...And here comes December !!

I can't believe that December is next month !!!
Shocked to know that it's here so quickly, but on the other hand...
it's My happiest month of the year..

WHY?

i'm simply looking foward to December cos'.... there are many reasons to!
(1) It's the year-end festive season soon.
Time to make merry+feasting+giving
Catching up/dinner parties/gatherings/xmas parties.... Here i come!!

(2) the streets and malls along Orchard Rd are the prettiest at this time of the year with the fancy xmas decorations + huge xmas trees... (i spy more this year with the new malls!)
AND.... i read on the papers that they are extending the lightup/decor all the way to Marina/Suntec Area!!!

(3) it's my little bro 21st birthday !
Turning '21' was special for me... now its' my bro's turn..
ahhh... i'm still not decided on what to get for him.

(4) super LONG weekend holidays come DECEMBER !!!
lets' see... we have xmas eve + new year eve on Thursdays !!! which means 3.5days of Weekend!
Pity that i'm not taking advantage of the long wkend to Travel......
*blame it on my BIG Spring vacation next March*

(5) BKK with the poly gang !! (first week December)
my 1st time travelling with them... time to shop+eat till 'WE' drop@ the Land of thousand Smiles!!

(6) FAT PAYCHECK month is in December !!!
Yeesssss....my 1st full bonus! i'm Definitely over the moon.... BUT,
a huge percentage of it will go to my Spring Vacation Fund.
it's about time i start saving up for my 2weeks break.

(7) Time to think about my new year resolutions and to reflect back on the previous year.
Life's too short not to live happy & healthy.
Everyone have their own perspective of Life.
(I bet everyone's interpretation of it is different!)
What is Life to you ?

(8) MOVIES/BLOCKBUSTERS !
I love the movies that are screened during the festive season.
Most usually with a sense of warmth/comfort/endless humour.
.... and that Christmas Spirit !

(9) X'mas Gifting
What i LOVE most about the xmas season is shopping for gifts for my sweets!

In my dictionary,

Giving = Happiness (minus the $$ factor)

Well, this year, I can't afford to splurge.... (Sadly,cos' of my upcoming trip!)
HAVE to shop within my budget.

(10) Wishlist-Making
I must say that I have gotten everything I've wanted in my wishlist so far.
(minus the long list of countries that i want to visit!)
So its' time to make new ones!

CHECKED!
The Canon dslr that I've got a while back was the most desired item I ever wanted.....
CHECKED! The new mobile to replace my 2 months' old LG. Thanks to my Mar!
CHECKED! The LV Damier neverfull that I liked. (even though i kinda regretted buying it now)
CHECKED!
Air Ticket to Tokyo/Narita via SQ A380 (U know how that feels - its my 'virgin' trip to JP!!!)


Well,thats about it. (if not what I can think of !)
My bulk of deadlines @work are cleared. Gone are the weeks of hectic work!
At least I can take a breather now !!

TGIF tomorrow!
Dinner @ Val's place after work....

New Mobile / November 2009

dearie got me a new mobile!
Thanks baby!

<3

I'm going to the Kitty Lab Event @SG Expo~!!

Long Live Hello Kitty !!

my favourite cat since primary school days.
this cutie will be in Singapore come November for a Kitty Lab Event at the Expo.
Have just bought our admission tickets this afternoon..
i'M Heading there with Angie+Wendee!

I can't wait for November to come!!
its' SO gonna be a busy month......

New cam addition : Canon 450D

Ta-dah.... Here's my latest camera addition!

Got this baby last weekend and still in the midst of learning how to use this.

it's just like entering another level - its sooo different from the conventional digi cam!

Abit not used to taking pix through the viewfinder (which is a must for this slr!)

Now, i have 5 more mths to learn how to handle this before I head to Japan !!

Existing Camera Count : 3 digitals , 3 films

November Happenings SG : Kitty Lab !

http://www.kittylab.com.sg/

It's happening 14.11~29.11 @Singapore Expo Hall 1.
wondering what is it..
but i'm sure it will be kawaii,kawaii + more kawaii ~!!

Asking around if any is interested to go with me.
admission tickets@ $35/wkdays,$38/wkends.

日本plan #4 - 6N in Tokyo !

its like another 5 months to our big trip to jp!!
Our deadline for booking our 6nights' stay @ tokyo will be November.
Afterwhich, can concentrate on planning out our itinerary !
Have been looking at tokyo accomodations + Tokyo Metro map. ( my eyes went O.o )

i'm currently shortlisting a few .
-Asakusa Area
-Ikebukuro Area
-Ueno Area

Pointers to note：
1. Easy access to most of the spots we wanna visit in Tokyo. (to save on rail transport)
2. Cheap! (we're on budget travelling)
3. With Attached Bath/Toilet


Tentative Spots We Plan to visit in Tokyo:
*Ueno Park
*Asakusa/Sensoji Temple/Sumida Park/River
*Tsukiji Market + Tuna Auctions (if we can wakeup in time)
*Disneyland + DisneySea
*Shinjuku / Shinjuku-koen
*Shibuya
*Harajuku / Yoyogi-koen
*Omote-Sando
*Roppongi / Tokyo Tower
* Naka-Meguro River Night Sakura Lightup
* Ikebukuro
* Ginza
**Side Daytrip to Fuji-Kawaguchiko / Kamakura Area

Will I get to see these this December ??

(photo credits @ AllenHsu on Flick)

As you know, I will be heading to Bangkok again this December !

This time with the poly gang ! (our 1st trip together)

I'm hoping to catch the Sunflower Festival up in Lopburi Province.

Still have not heard from my online thai friend regarding the rail.

Guess i Have to some 'homework' on my own first.

Countdown : 5 more weeks to BKK ~

Currently Watching ...

SMILE,YOU (Kdrama)

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL (Kdrama)

Autumn Concerto (Tw Drama)

Loving all of it !

NO complains... episodes are all exciting !

Go watch it for yourself ~

Smile You + U're Beautiful are 2 of the better ones after Shining Inheritance !

super funny !!!!

Autumn Concerto pretty much has a predictable storyline

but its a tad different from the other tw dramas I've seen.

kinda old-skool 'feel' i get!

I'm still stuck with soo many 1/2way through dramas to add on.......

- Gourmet *3-4eps more to finale*

- Painter of the Wind *1/2 way*

- Vineyard Man *1/2 way*

日本plan #3 - JAPAN BIG TRIP !

YAY !!

We've secured our kyoto accomodation!
have gotten the confirmation email!
One down~ we'll be staying @ Tour Club,Kyoto for 6 nights.
Have decided to stay 6n in kyoto and make daytrips to osaka/nara/kobe etc.

Now,time to confirm our tokyo accomodation for the remaining 6 nights !

Well, i'm getting a new toy this coming wkend as well - partially for this trip!
more updates dears !!
=)

Family Pets / October 2009

'Fatty' - trying out a broccoli (she loves it !)

Hebe + Ella (my 2 lovely red-eared sliders)

random

Road Trip : Barelang.Batam

during my last wkend to batam earlier this month,
we set off on a roadtrip to Barelang!
took us almost 3hrs to & fro
Sadly - we still couldn't find that nice beach! (melur beach i heard)
But, nice views along the way though!!

Barelang Bridge - my fave place in batam
one of the many plantations we saw along the way

my drink - Zest Green Tea

kelong-restaurant with a view!

stim-udang / steam prawns

(just one of the many dishes that we ordered!)