National Geographic Exhibition: 50 greatest photographs

Paid a visit to the art science museum for the first time for the National Geographic exhibition of the 50 greatest photographs. Exhibition ends 27 October 2013 so head down soon before it ends. The exhibition showcases some of the most amazing pictures taken for the magazine. There is also a story behind each of the pictures. Some pictures looked really normal to me but CW kept telling me to read the description. He said that it's the story behind each picture that makes them amazing. As the exhibition is '50 greatest photographs', I was expecting to be blown away by every picture but I guess we have to look beyond just the picture. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You will be able to see the iconic Afgan girl picture at the exhibition. Photography is allowed but without the flash.

What the exhibition was about

Indeed

One of my favourite

Another favourite

And another

As for this, I really like the framing and colours.

The iconic picture from Nat Geo.

Apart from the pictures, they also have activities for visitors but it's limited to a few people only so be there early! I missed all the activities.

Here are some of the activities:

DARKROOM DEVELOPMENTS

Saturdays | 1pm - 2pm

Darkroom in 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic

Complimentary and open to 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic holders.

Discover the process of developing 35mm films to negatives in this hands-on demonstration given by a professional photographer, with opportunities to assist.

FROM NEGATIVE TO PRINT

Saturdays | 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Darkroom in 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic

Complimentary and open to 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic holders. Recommended for adults and young people ages 14 and above. Up to 8 participants on a first-come-first-served basis.

Use traditional darkroom techniques and equipment to enlarge and develop photographs to take home.

FUN WITH PHOTOGRAMS

Sundays | 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Darkroom in 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic

Complimentary and open to 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic holders. Recommended for visitors ages 6 and above. Up to 20 participants; register half an hour before session at workshop venue.

Create your own photograms in a darkroom setting and learn basic darkroom techniques using traditional print photography methods.

Pandora!

I know it's too early to post this but I love it so much I had to share. 

Pandora bracelets started getting really popular this year and CW decided that he was going to get it for our 6th anniversary this year. As he did not want to get anything that I don't like, he brought me along to choose the bracelet and charms.

He bought it really early as we happened to walk pass the shop at MBS after dinner and the shop was empty! As it was really random, we did not research on the charms beforehand so we spent quite awhile choosing. Deciding on the length of the bracelet was already a major headache as 18cm was too loose while 17cm was just nice. Just nice might mean that it could get too tight if the charms are bulky. Oh well, we went with 17cm as 18cm was really too loose. Hopefully the bracelet will expand alittle like what the sales person said.

As for the charms, we chose the Sakura Murano and clips as I love all things Japan. The heart charm and also the bird charm from the autumn collection. Wanted to get the Christmas/ Winter charm as my birthday falls on Christmas eve but it was not available yet. 

I'm only going to start wearing it on our anniversary on 2 November 2013 :)

Love the charms.

The Tiramisu Hero Cafe

'The Tiramisu Hero'

121 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207548

http://www.thetiramisuhero.com

Checked out 'The Tiramisu Hero' Cafe today for dinner!

It is located right beside Jalan Besar Stadium.

Presenting to you the Mascot!

It's really fun to take pictures with.

I can't believe Chee Wee asked me to smile while my head was inside. 

WHO CAN SEE ME SMILNG?

Chee Wee who is too tall for it

Myself on the other hand, too short. As you can see I am tip-toeing.

Look at the decorations in the shop.
Theme of the shop is some sort like an upside down theme?
The doodling on the walls, furniture, colour scheme of the shop is really comfortable and kinda old school. The walls are also really pretty. My favourite has got to be the vintage feel chair. You will see it many times in the following pictures :X

Love the overall look and feel of the cafe.

The walls, seats and decoration are all so pretty! My favourite chairs too.

Check out the seats with vintage feel. 

Doodling on the walls.

Behind the chair (yes that chair) is where all the tiramisu heroes are kept. It is also the main counter.

At the cafe, you look at the menu to decide what you would like then proceed to the counter to place your order and make payment. Choice of food wise there is not alot to choose from. They offer snackers/ mains/ desserts/ drinks. The mains range from Thai food to Western food. They also have a variety of coffee for you to choose from. For payment, they accept everything from cash to NETs to credit cards.

Chee Wee and I ordered the Mac N Cheese, Bangers (sausages) with mashed potatoes, Mushroom soup and Momma hero original flavour.

Mac N Cheese (S$8.90) was pretty good! It's not as sweet tasting as other Mac N Cheese that I had before. It was a pretty big bowl so it felt a little salty/oily towards the end. Maybe alittle too much butter (if they added butter). I would suggest sharing this!

My order of Mac N Cheese

 Mushroom soup ($6) was not really soup soup (if you get what i mean). It was like a thick mushroom paste. If you like those watery kind of soup then this is not for you. The texture of the soup was good but the one that I like was the bread! Really crunchy and goes well with the soup.

Mushroom Soup

Bangers with mashed potatoes (S$15) was what Chee Wee had. You had a choice between mashed potatoes and Mac N Cheese. Since we already ordered Mac N Cheese, he went for the mashed potatoes. If i'm not mistaken, there should be 3 different kinds of sausages? I'm not a fan of sausages so I couldn't tell. Not bad but would be better with a little more sauce for the mash :)

Bangers with Mashed Potatoes

Lastly, how can I not try the tiramisu? Went for the original flavour Momma Hero ($7.50) since I have not tried their tiramisu before. It's really savoury with the different tastes all packed into the bottle. What's not to like with all the effort put into the packaging! Wanted to try other flavours but we were too full for more. Will definitely be back for more.

Momma Hero Original 

 They gave us a 20% discount so the bill came up to around $32 ($37 originally). 

I think the discount was given because they have only opened for a few days!

We got 20% (Hero Fans) discount!

Because the place is new, there is definitely room for improvement. Initially I think our orders were forgotten (even though the cafe wasn't packed) until a lady came to check our orders. That was 20 minutes after we have placed our orders. After which food came out swiftly. Staff were also really friendly and water without charge was also served. I have worked in my uncle's restaurant before so I know it's really not easy to run a place like this and it takes time to get it up and running proper. Given time I think this place will blossom and thrive. Had a great time there! (Especially when I received an email of a job offer) Their official opening is on 30 September 2013 so I'm glad that I visited this place before it starts to get crowded.

I'll definitely take the seat outside if I visit again. 

The 'grass patch' outside looks really fun! 

Great idea but i'm not sure if it's going to be easy to maintain especially when it rains.

HATer SnapBack Easter Bunny and Flannel With Bandanna

Adding 2 New designs to my collection!

HATer Easter Bunny Color Tie Dyed Snake Skins Snapback

This is sooooooo pretty! Love the contrasting colours. 

Really thankful to my aunt for bringing it back from Hong Kong. It's slightly cheaper in Hong Kong as compared to Singapore.

Flannel With Bandanna Snapback

This is another basic design for frequent wear! 

This is also the only one with the normal plastic adjustable back strap in my collection so probably my bf who has a big head will be able to wear this!  

The other designs have more fanciful adjustable straps that are too pretty to unhook :x

Shoes from Gojane!

My shoes are finally here! So happy to finally try them on. 

From left to right: ankle strap heels from Gojane, camel and black/gold lucite heels from Gojane, wedge from Jeffrey Campbell. 

In Singapore, my shoe size is between 37-38. When I made the purchase online, it was like a gamble because I really don't know how well it will fit me. My feet is 24.5cm and I ordered Size 7 for all 3 of them. It all fit me really just nice! So happy that I ordered the right size :D

I think I'm slightly obsessed with shoes. Just slightly :x

Japanese Language Class

I am into my 4th lesson of Japanese Language Elementary 1 and I must say that it's pretty challenging despite having some prior knowledge of the language. The teaching style is really different from NTU's Japanese language modules.

In NTU, they will teach Hiragana, Katagana and Kanji right from the first module. However at Bunka, Kanji only comes in at the much later levels. Elementary 1 touches only on Hiragana. I'm so glad that I already knew Hiragana before starting class because I would have been really lost if not for that.

I'm really determined and motivated to carry myself through this and my first goal now is JLPT N5. I'm slowly heading there!

Also, I just got my hands on Hera Products ( CC cream in pink beige and sun mate leports) that I got friends to buy from Korea. Can't wait to try them out. The CC cream smells really good as compared to the other creams that I have used. Not cheap (S$92 for both) though.

Baan Khun Nai Authentic Thai Kitchen

Baan Khun Nai Authentic Thai Kitchen

11 East Coast Road #01-22 (The Odeon Katong)

Tel: 63466274
Facebook link

It is a small cosy restaurant at level 1 of The Odeon Katong. They have only been opened at this location since late June 2013. They have another branch located in 'The Foundry' at 18 Mohammed Sultan Road.

Do make reservations at 63466274 if you are heading over at peak hours like Lunch or Dinner time or going in a large group. Do also expect to wait a little for your food to come during peak hours (especially during weekends) as the restaurant is always packed during the peak hours . Good food are always worth the wait right? :) Also, they do not have service charge or GST. They also do not accept NETS payment (there's a POSB atm just beside the building) nor do they serve ice water. Credit card payment (VISA/MASTERCARD) available for spendings of $30 and above.

The menu has a huge variety of Thai Food and also Thai Desserts. They have $8 set lunches that comes with a small bowl of Tom Yum Soup (seafood) and a drink. Set lunches are available on weekdays (excluding public holidays) from 12pm- 3pm. Really value for money!

I have tried many of their regular Thai dishes and these are a few of my personal favourites!　おいしい！
1. Spicy Grilled Pork - I love this! And I love it with extra spice :x Grilled to perfection with the right sauce just makes it really savoury.
2. Tom Yum Noodles Soup - I always order this with Ma-Ma noodles instead of the normal noodles as I personally feel that it tastes better this way! Their Tom Yum Soup base is really amazing to produce the noodles soup with this taste.
3. Pineapple Fried Rice- This tastes really good with extra chicken floss!
4. Claypot Tung Hoon Prawn- Tung Hoon marinated with pepper sauce with prawns. Love it with extra pepper!
5. Thai Style Steamed Seabass- If you are into spicy and sour thai sauce, this is the fish to order! The sauce is absolutely tasty for those who like the thai seafood sauce. Warning: Might be too spicy for some so it's better to request for sauce on the side.
6. Glass Noodle Salad- This glass noodle salad has the same seafood sauce as the thai style steamed seabass and that's one of the reasons why I like this dish too. It comes with generous portions of seafood and minced meat. Do also request for sauce on the side if you are afraid that it might be too spicy for you.
7. Tom Yum Fried Rice - As I am a Tom Yum lover, I love the Tom yum fried rice as much as the Tom Yum Soup!
8. Olive Fried Rice - Did not dare try this at first cause I thought the Olive taste will be really strong but i was wrong! Turned out to be one of my favourite rice dishes!

Extra Spicy Grilled Pork

Tom Yum Ma-Ma noodles with additional egg with Pad Thai Pork in the background

Glass Noodle Salad with sauce on the side 

Tom Yum Fried Rice lunch set with small bowl of tom yum soup

Spicy Grilled pork and Claypot Tung Hoon prawn

Olive Fried Rice

Other than the regular Thai dishes, they also have Mookata (Thai Style steamboat) set. It is available at $39/ a set for 2 pax. Really love the soup after cooking for awhile as the essence of the BBQ-ed meat goes into the soup! Not very healthy but who cares! haha. The meat is well marinated and the portion is just nice for 2 if you go with white rice! I LOVE MY MEAT! It is really enjoyable to have my meat and just sit around while CW does the cooking :D

Mookata set for 2 at $39

I LOVE MY MEAT.
Comes with crab stick too but I requested to change it to something else as I don't really like crab sticks.

And the cooking starts!

Need to stop eating so much!

Braces update! (14 weeks)

Here's my update of the progress of my braces! Doesn't look like there's much changes but I think in 2 month's time, all my teeth will be in place. There's a tooth left that's still not connected to my braces yet. A spring is in place to make space, it will be hooked on by next month so i'm really happy with how it's going! I have a rubber band in a really awkward position that's driving me crazy but I know it's going to do good. 

I can't wait for straight teeth! Happy!

New HATer SnapBack !

I got myself a new HATer SnapBack! This time, this snapback shows my love for all things Japan.
Adding to my collection is the new Red Geisha HATer SnapBack. Really LOVE the prints! Both SnapBacks have the Japan feel! Can't wait to see what other designs HATer can come up with.

Geisha HATer snapback and Oriental Floral HATer snapback

きれい！

Dear Grandma....

It has been 3 years but I miss you so much, more than usual today. There's so much going on in our lives that we would love to share with you and also hoping that you are part of it. No matter where you are, I hope that you are well and happy. No longer sick and in pain like before. We are all doing well so don't worry. Your grand children have grown up, graduated from college and are in the working world. If, just if, you were around for another 3 years, you would have:

1. Attended to my graduation.
2. Attended Ah soon's wedding.
3. Attended Grace's graduation.
4. Attended Dorothy's graduation.
5. Attended Jeffrey's graduation.
6. Been to Uncle's new restaurants.
7. Scolded the government for making us move away from Rochor Center.
8. Seen the model of my future flat in Bedok.
9. Met Jeffrey's girlfriend.
10. Known of Ah soon's son.
So many milestones in life that I would like to share with you.

I would also have:
1. Bought you flowers every mother's day.
2. Brought you good food every time I visit you.
3. Brought you overseas.
4. Given you allowance from my salary.
5. Made you laugh with my nonsense.
last but not least, spend more time with you.

Life is too short for regrets, treasure those around you.

Of life.

I think I have changed a lot from 6 years ago. Character wise not as much, more in my thinking.
I've lost interest in almost everything. It's really hard to get me interested in stuff right now. I find everything boring and would rather stay at home most of the time. Not sure what caused the change but I really don't like myself right now. It's really scary to not have a goal in life.

Having thought through many nights, I have decided that this is not going to go on like that. I need a change. To change, I need to change the way I think, the way I feel and also my attitude of life and the things around. I also need to be less harsh on people.

1. I need to be more positive.
2. I need to go ahead and do stuff that I want to do instead of just thinking of doing it.
3. I need to appreciate people around me and the things that they have been doing for me.
4. I need to reconnect with people.
5. I need to find a goal in life.

To be able to work on the above 5 points first will be a good start. I decided to pen this down because I want to constantly remind myself of what I have to do.

For a start, I have finally gotten down to register for the language class that I have been wanting to take since forever and never got to doing it. I have wasted a lot of time procrastinating but it's never too late to start right :)

Here's to a better me!

Braces update! (11 Weeks)

Here's another update of the progress of my braces at 11 weeks! 

The lower braces is FINALLY on!

My teeth is getting there! OMG. 

Happyyyyy!

Braces is truly amazing. Though it hurts, being able to see progress a few hours after changing the wires always amaze me and the pain is all worth it. My only regret is not getting it earlier.

We got married (Global version)

Recently I've started watching we got married global version. The 2 couples ' Gui Gui and Taecyeon' and 'Fuji mina and Hongki'. I LOVE the Fuji x Hongki couple.

Fuji Mina is SO PRETTY. Her eyes are perfect. She is perfect! Hongki is so adorable too! Being so different character wise and also even though she is older than him by 2 years, they do click quite well. Hongki is playful/cheerful but at the same time really thoughtful. The proposal was really sweet and he's a really good singer! I admire his character when he said 'I'm always happy/cheerful.' Some couples in this show make you feel so loved. This is one of the couples :D

' Gui Gui x Taecyeon ' is cute but they really feel more like a brother sister couple or good friends. I think language is a major problem for them cause Gui Gui could not communicate her feelings well enough to him.

The global series is shorter than the normal ones so everything is progressing very quickly. Only a short 15 episodes for both couples. Would be nice if it was longer :)

Insanity work out

UuAfter the first session of insanity, I had a 2 months break. I should not have stopped. Initially, at the end of the first session, my stamina was really good! Much better than it has ever been. I stopped when I had my wisdom tooth removed. Then I became lazy.

I lost 5kg from the first session of insanity. My abs were showing slightly. I really regret the break!

Now i'm starting the second session. The first session after the break was HORRIBLE. I was alright but really not as good as I was. Hopefully I will improve and be able to keep up soonish. I'll try to eat healthy but probably won't be as strict as I was.

To those who are not familiar about the insanity workout, here are the different workouts that they have:

In the first month, we will rotate from 1 to 5. Second month from 6 to 10. There is also a fit test every 2 weeks. The 2nd month's exercise is hell but it is all worth it. The muscle ache is addictive.

You can find out more about the exercise here: http://www.beachbody.com

Wish me luck! Like what Shaun T always say: DIG DEEPER! COME ON Y'ALL!

HATer Snapback

Recently, I've become slightly obsessed with snapbacks after getting my first Hater Snapback.
I got my Hater Snapback from Japan which is slightly more expensive than it is in Singapore.

Picture of the Hater Snapback that I got:  (picture credits to the website that i got it from)

Oriental Flowers

Loving the details

It's so easy to just put on the cap on a bad hair day. Now that the caps are so pretty, it's a really good fashion accessory!

ThyPaperCrane also recently had a Haters Snapback Giveaway! The floral prints are to die for! Congratulations to the lucky winner who brought it home :D

There are still so many pretty designs that I want :X
You can check out their facebook page for more of their designs!

I am also looking for this Iron Man Snapback! It's the one that HAHA wore in running man!