Rewind,

Snagged myself a sparkly Buffalo journal last Thursday (and lovin' it), it was 1 for 1 so R got a vintage brown one too. I love buying notebooks, even though I can't bear to use them because they look so gorgeously untouchable. I'm going to use this one though, it promises to shine through even the bluest of Monday. Two more weeks to the advent of the a new semester, standing ahead as tall as lions, which is honestly quite daunting but I know it will all be worth it ♥ 14 days of summer rush, and I'll be a sophomore no more - junior year let's go.

P.S. Typed senior year at first, but Karen helped me with the quality control hahaha thank you!

HΔppy 21,

21st July was indeed a memorable night ♥ Held a humble gathering at my place, at the clubhouse rooftop area which proved to be really cosy yet having a laidback charm. The party wasn't for jumping the bandwagon but what can I say, I'm clumsy with my words so this was what this small get-together was for :) Nothing too wild or fanciful, just a day for giving thanks to many of you whom have brightened up my life in one way or another for my past 20 years or so. Think lighted tea light candles, fairy lights, clipped on polaroids on wood coloured rope, mats and cushions strewn over the floor - so pleased with the set up! I'm so immensely grateful to all my lovely guests who came by and made an effort to dress hipster style (Best dressed would definitely be my girls Sand and Shiany) especially those who stayed all the way to set things and clear up; and for all the gorgeous letters and gifts I'm so touched :') I'm really blessed to have such a wonderful family who helped me out patiently and fervently with the preparations, and to all my loved ones who selflessly helped out in many ways or another :') God bless you all ♥

It hasn't really sunk into me on turning 21 yet, but it has definitely changed certain perspectives I have on life - crawling out of my shell to see the world and yet not forgetting my place in homeground. And being contented with what we have, even though that's not easy in this modern society. Not to mention of course being an excellent time to give thanks to God for all He has placed in my life - my family, loved ones and friends! Even amidst all the material gifts, I sincerely seek for contentment and to continue to be delighted in His presence, of which this bible verse aptly resounds:

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

Psalm 27:4

P.S. Will do up a post for the party soon!

Phuket part III,

On the third day, we woke up early specially for a hearty hotel buffet breakfast which was held at the pretty pavilion overseeing the pool. The spread was a decent selection of cereal, asian/western dishes, bread choices , salad and fruit platters for the price of THB200. Our mini bus came shortly after to pick us up for white water rafting quite a distance away, the journey took about an hour and a half but we visited an elephant camp along the way and did the Flying Fox half dazed.

We extended one room until 6pm for THB900, so while taking turns to shower, the rest of us went to take a dip in the heated (awesome!) pool. Overall, I thought that the resort and spa was really worth staying.

A few shots before leaving the resort:

Ending the trip with a seafood meal with the tze char place which we patronized on the first night - craving for the mango with sticky rice once again.

 

Goodbye Phuket, till we meet again!

Phuket part I

Phuket part II

I'm not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat;

Song of the moment: Ellie Goulding - Lights

Happy Monday to all! I love how the sun was positioned in a way that its rays reflected against my window pane, the shine help my lifeless darkwood shelves come alive. Catching up on my sleep debt after last week's party weekend, and coincidentally my last week at work too. It's the first day after my 10 week long work stint (which I somehow miss already), home feels pretty empty on a weekday morning even with Ellie Goulding on top volume in my room. Loving the post shower rain smell lingering in the air, and cool breeze - perfect for a day spent indoors ♥ Trying to decide on a theme for my 21st party, along the lines of floral chic and indie but the guys are obviously not going to follow suit...

Phuket Part II,

 

We woke up early the next morning after a long night, only able to manage Pandan bread we bought the night before for breakfast in the arranged mini bus - for a day tour of the islands around. We went to Phi phi island, Maya bay, Monkey island, Viking's cave and many other attractions around. For a place so widely publicized for ecotourism and holidaying, the beaches and bays we visited were stunningly beautiful and seemingly untouched! Except for the waves of tourist visitors they receive, it would have been a gem if they were more secluded. It's pretty picturesque for landscape shots as well, with high cliffs on the sides. 

Maya bay was the location where The Beach (1999) was filmed, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio (our guide was prompt to emphasize this point repeatedly). The bay had really soft sand, which was a refreshing change compared to Singapore public beaches. If you enter it on your own, you're required to pay a National Park entry fee of THB200, however this was included in the price of our booked day tour.  The best time to visit Maya Bay is between November and April where the seas are calm.

Favourite group picture of the trip!

We also made a pit stop at Khai island to chill around for 90 minutes (which was way too long in our opinion, felt a bit gimmicky) While the rest slumbered into siesta, YM and I went on our little adventure around the island and snapping shots. The tall rocks were really fun to climb to feast upon a panoramic view of the vicinity. While the rows of colourful umbrellas and beach chairs were a visual delight against the blue horizon of the sky, and perfect to go with a beer and possibly an afternoon siesta in the heat. The beach, however, was a disappointment because it was way too crowded and strewn with bone dry corals that were really painful to step on barefooted.

 

Beer drinking monkeys

 

It seemed like there were a few designated areas where drivers of the speedboats moored for us to get into the waters, snorkel or canonball onself into the waters. The water here was pretty deep, but the coastal waters at Khai island were clearer and we enjoyed it more because the fishes were more visible to feed. Unfortunately, because the waters were really shallow near the beach, I got many deep cuts from the barnacles in the area which kept bleeding :(

Delvin's somersault into the water won us hands down hahaha

 

 

Washed up and headed to the Phuket weekend night market, located along Chao Fa West Road opposite the temple Wat Naka. Chicken rice for dinner before Xiner and I walked around the non-food section while the guys went off in pursuit of more snacks. Caught a Tuk tuk to Phuket Town and roamed around.

That's all the pictures I have for Day 2, Ciao!

Phuket part I

Phuket part III