Fireworks and Calligraphy class,

 

Saturday was a wait for fireworks by the bay kind of day. Love the heart thumping of each shoot up.

 

Of Black and White on B&W, featuring my cracked nail polish.

 

 

And the real sparks that afternoon @ Wessex tavern, thanks to Souldeelight's calligraphy class I now have a new tool to play with! Hello pretty nibs and jet black ink, my mind's already bursting about the myraid of colours and magic playing with ganache! Weekends please come sooner.

 

 

July has always been the charm of the year, but work's been horrendously piling up - August please be nice and you will be rewarded.

是什麼讓我遇見這樣的你?

是什么 让我遇见这样的你
是什么 让我不再怀疑自己
是什么 让我不再害怕失去
在这茫茫人海里 我不要变得透明 

 Been diggin' this new indie Taiwan singer, 白安. Stumbled upon her when incessantly surfing Vimeo. Love it that her videos have such a subtle trippy feel to it, and an equally mesmerizing voice to complement - she reminds me of Best Coast! While she has been criticized for her sloppy Chinese enunciation, I love how she embraces it to express herself in song. This artiste makes her way straight into my music library, perfect for the early morning commute on reflective train rides.

We're all nothing but specks of dust in this universe, but what made us abandon all fear of loss, what made us stop questioning ourselves? Amidst the haystack of mankind, two souls meet and they may end up as lovers - is it only fate that makes that happen? 是什麼讓我遇見這樣的你? What let me meet someone like you? I know it's a terribly loose and clumsy translation, but it's testimony to how English can't fully encapsulate the beauty of the Chinese language.

P.S. Am currently reading a mortician's autobiography - while it demystifies death, it inadvertently reveals the fragility of life
 

My cat-acomb of buried thoughts,

Check out this beauty, whose picture was snapped spontaneously by yours truly at Meomi Cat Cafe at Haji lane - on the same day R left for London in April. I was never a cat kinda lady, they're much too independent and unpredictable; and not to mention how I was chased up 6 levels at 5am in my previous HDB estate. And those cold eyes, how they pierce through your soul.

But at a grand age of 23 going on 24, I'm slowly seeing beyond those cold eyes and exterior, they can be rather amicable and meek ♥ Loving their intricate features and smooth fur, and their sleepy faces.

 Lunch at Fika, with the occasional sweet treat heehee.

Ciao!

What do you wish upon?

I'm not a superstitious person by heart, and by faith - but when this wishbone necklace came in the mail, I was really excited ♥ In traditional Euro-American culture, the wishbone is said to symbolize luck. It is customary for the wishbone to be pulled apart by two people, when it cracks the person who ends up with the longer piece will be granted their wish.

Lucky charm or not, this elegant piece is definitely in for keeps. (and sure hope I don't see it cracking!)

The LDR Chronicles,

Look what came in the mail, all the way from the Cold war era Soviet passport photograph machine in Berlin! These picture strips never fail to put a smile on my face, and to brighten up my day :') Having a long distance relationship is never easy, and I'm glad to say we're nearly done with ours - with R graduating next year July/September. God has indeed been gracious through IB, army, our university days and this 3 year long distance that we have to go through. 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

                                                                                                                             1 Corinthians 13:7

I'm not going to count the chicks before the eggs hatch but I'm really thankful for all the experiences that we have seen through. It's not easy, but it's definitely not impossible. Trading personal touch to intimate conversations through computer pixels in the form of Skype, daily (but heartfelt and un-curated) text messages and the occasional air mail that flies over a thousand miles to land in the hands of the other. Counting down to the very day that we'll have a reunion, planning our next adventure trip together or even just looking forward the small things within the relationship like praying for each other and playing gin rummy online (and having his jacket which smells just like him lying next to me hahaha don't judge). R's graduation is next year, but this new (possible) new stage of our life feels very, very, real.

To everyone who is also going through a long distance relationship, hang on there because it'll all be worth it - and you'll know it when....you know it ♥ 

A Beautiful Mess,

Organic mess VS Curated order - which side would you choose?

I love this frozen snapshot of the security guard post at Red Dot museum (where the colleagues and I went down for a site recce for an event). It's a great juxaposition between the raw organic mess in the foreground and the curated orderly pattern of British styled red letterboxes in the background. Does it speak volumes about our daily lives at large? Do we gravitate towards order? Sometimes, we try so hard to reach out in the distance to curate the future, and yet in the process we neglect the present organic affairs, little thoughts that matter. Or, do we consciously try to curate our thoughts and hold back the unconscious stream of thoughts that truly speaks for who we are.

It definitely reminds me of the art class where Ernest was telling me to be more organic in sketching out some rocks. "Be more organic! That looks so planned, be more human!"

Shying away from order doesn't seem so bad after all, yes? The world needs more beautiful messes.

The setting sun,

Hortpark at dusk, after a full day of work plan strategizing. It was a good day of discussions, bonding and laughter, and a laid back lunch at Vineyard, a charming French restaurant nestled within Hortpark. I'm really glad for the team and everyone ♥ Even though it has only been 4.5 months, everyone has been really encouraging and nurturing; and of course the inspiring synergy  - thankful to have made it to the team and to be learning under experienced bosses.

And to those in Singapore, do jump the bandwagon and hop on to Uber! It's like Grab taxi except that it's incredibly convenient and cash-less. The drivers are really friendly and what's not to love when there's a great promotion going on :P Download the Uber app on your iPhone or Android, and key in my promotion code: yantingc1 and you get $10 free credits for use.

Ciao!

A penny for your thoughts,

If you had a penny, would you give to a happy or sad man?

Instinctively, we tend to have an almost knee-jerk perception to give to the sad man - but why, is the warped idea of money bringing about happiness so deeply ingrained in us for us to react this way?

Mornings,

Toss out of bed, daily regime. Email. Whatsapp. Bathroom, showered and feelin' fresh.
Smooching the furball, and dashing out of the door
Headphones on, world shut off.
Lift a-waiting - tick tock, why wouldn't it stop.
Strutting to the beat, the trains never have a seat.
Heading up north, pacing through the throng and stairs.
Emerging from the fingerprinted glass doors, dart from small talk.
But only to be shrouded in a blanket of warm humid ambush.
Fishing around for a morning pick-me-up, two gold coins gets me none other -
French toast how I like it, baking in the crisp plastic.
Warmth and smile, fresh jug of water.
Good morning world.

The daily grind (or maybe not),

Cutting to the (paper) chase - I don't have an appreciation for coffee and have been abstaining from caffeine but I'm slowly being induced into the world of having that morning cuppa of.......no, I'll save myself before that happens. In the meantime, I'm so glad to be back in office tomorrow :3

Yesterday I saw an article advertisement on the 3 steps to finding that engagement ring.

I think it's a sign, world. (Play along if you must)

One less problem,

   

Spending the long break just enjoying this short soujourn in freedom - lovin' these parodies by Barely political, they turn around any dreary day hahaha do yourself a favour and catch some of them.

Learning it the hard way,

It's been a bad/good long weekend, I can't really decide.

Friday marked the end of a 2-week long project and celebratory drinks for an unwinding.

Saturday was Y's wedding, she's such a beautiful gorgeous bride ♥ The long distance relationship with R made me slightly weepy inside (and I'm such a sucker for sappy love songs) but we know that the distance will be worth the wait :') It was also good to meet the colleagues in an informal setting! Saturday night hang out with the good ole gang over good food and drinks - sinful hawker feast at Chompchomp and drinks at Ponggol waterfront! So glad to be able to catch up with them amidst our crazy schedules, and finally finding time to meet up just like old times :)

So the horror begins on Sunday (or a week ago when I got bitten by sand flies during a picnic in Botanic gardens). I've been battling the sandfly bites close to a week, and had gotten steroid cream from a pharmacist. Unfortunately, that didn't really work very well and during the worst days, I even woke up to the itch of the bites - which cumulated in red swells on my legs. After the wedding yesterday, I decided to visit the doctor for anti-histamines and anti-inflammatory pills and a mandatory injection. And viola, I'm allergic to the remedy of my allergy! Come Sunday morning, my face was dry and flushed with red bumps on my cheeks. Mortified, I stayed home the entire day (while spamming water and honey) and also stopped the anti-inflammatory pills after finding out that there was steroid in them. Did some research and indeed, this was one of the side effects. Fortunately, I'm a lot better now and am so glad!!

Moral of the story: do some research before introducing anything foreign to your body, or learn it the hard way.

I daresay it's been a good weekend though, Saturday at least ♥.  Really hope it gets better by tomorrow, and hope that all you folks are having a great long weekend! Ciao!

Hygge,

25 September 2014

Had a Mexican affair with Hygge, a cosy picnic in the gardens with lovely company. It's also a great way to meet new people, please check them on their Facebook here. Thanks to Pam and Wex for the awesome homemade dinner, I had a lot of fun catching up with everyone (and before Chin flies off too) and meeting you guys ♥

On a side note, I'm suffering the wrath of a million sand fly bites on my legs, if anyone knows of tips on how to soothe them, please please please let me know!

Ciao!

Ticking,

1. Time is of the essence, feeling much like a pressure cooker - especially for the next couple of weeks, so sorry for the lack of updates!
2. R's arriving from London tomorrow morning and I'm stoked ^^
3. The smell of rain is invigorating
4. Ginseng makes research papers so much more bearable
5. We'll weather the weather // Whatever the weather // Whether we like it or not.

Peace out till later.

Hello world,

Song of the moment: On my own - les misérables

It's the season of examinations, which cumulates in a rolling cycle of getting out of bed each day to face my unceasing mountain of readings, stressful afternoons and seeing the world from my bedroom window beam. But it's ironically the season where most philosophical and enterprising thoughts come creeping into your consciousness - what can I say, inspiration doesn't wait for you to be ready, it lurks around and pounces on you on the most unexpected of moments. Seems far from romantic, but that's the beauty of imagination. In other words, just one more week and I'm ready to face the world once again (planning a trip to Nepal, keeping my fingers crossed) and another for R to finally be back, I simply can't wait to see him at the arrival halls ♥ Ciao!

Lazy daisy,

Hello folks! The title holds a half truth, and I would like to think of myself as the dainty flower without an ounce of inertia but of course, it's really up to you to interpret. The past month has seen me labouriously checking off my college deadline to-do lists, meeting friends who flew off for their overseas terms, starting up our LDR once again and just getting used to being in senior year. I've also gotten myself a bundle of joy in a form of a big black folder, which holds my studio essentials for art school. Juggling between college and art school can be quite a strain at times, especially the shuttling from my Psychology seminar which ends around 6:45pm @ Kent ridge to my class at 7pm @ Lasalle every Monday - and to make matters worse, the peak hour jam exacerbates my situation. But all's good because God willing, my classmates and teacher are all extremely understanding and fill me up on what I've missed out on. And studio time is such therapy ♥

Insightful talks with amazing classmates with whom I've grown close to really remind me how precious life is and how we tend to take our freedom for granted - freedom to love, freedom of speech and freedom for religion alike. To be able to share openly about grievances and intense experiences within the coziness of the studio is a blessing, and really opens my eyes to underlying issues that may not be as apparent to a layperson. Funny how Art brings all of us from different cultures, nationalities and ages together.

R and I have also started up our LDR again, which is quite a bummer because I've gotten so used to having him by my side that it felt really unnatural for him to suddenly be a thousand miles away from home. Skype and whatsapp have nevertheless been such a delight to communicate through, and we're finally down to just 43 days of reuniting, I can't wait! Sometimes I just get the urge to hop onto the next plane ride out to London....while it feels really lonely at times, I think it's part and parcel of getting used to it and on the bright side, I get more personal time aka DIY and painting time (Just made a DIY fringe shirt, keep a look out for that). Counting down really helps with storing up motivation, or making plans way ahead of time so you can look forward to them,  here's a quick shout out to couples in the same boat to have faith ♥

On a lighter note, I've recently revamped the layout here and I love the refreshing change! Many of the tabs are still in construction, and will be updated soon. My inner geek is looking for more ways to improve the interface so do let me know if you have any comments for improvement or how you think about it please :) I've also started some new upcoming personal project such as featuring young talents and their stories, for I think it's truly inspiration to hear about their journeys and aspirations for the future. If you're looking to be featured, do drop me an email at yanting91@gmail.com.

Oh and before I forget, I've recently jumped the bandwagon (I know, I'm like a mountain tortoise in this) and hopped over to Instagram, so join me on Instagram with a click of a button below! Ciao and thanks for reading, hope you had a lovely weekend, I'll surely update soon ♥

Join me on Instagram:

Peek in,

Just a glimpse into my life - school has officially started two months ago which means beckoning deadlines and presentations. Oh the joy! But honours classes have been quite a delight, mostly because of having electives that are more geared towards our specific interests and we delve into them in greater detail. I've also started art school at Lasalle, and met a bunch of people from all walks of life but bonded in the spirit of art, opera and random banter. Looking forward to Monday and Tuesday nights in the studio belting out oldies and classics! They're truly an amazing bunch, and coming from different parts of the world, it's really humbling to be absorbed in conversations with them -  be it on traveling, how to eat a cheese platter right, current affairs or female empowerment. Can't wait for abstract art classes to start! And for all the scuttling around from school to school, nothing speaks of comfort more than jeans folded up in this tropical heat, worn-out moccasins, the perfect crop top to balance it all out and an embellished headband from to chase away Monday blues.

In other news, R has left for London a month back. Being in a long-distance relationship is not a bed of roses, nonetheless we're starting to warm up to the perks of having an LDR. The personal time to pursue interests individually, snap chats that pop up unexpectedly, hand written letters and sharing about our days spent in places thousand of miles apart. And not to mention the sacred countdown till the reunion :') Of course, there's just that charm about face-to-face interactions and personal touch that pixels on my computer screen cannot possibly replace. Even in this new age of technology. But with each and every goodnight and sharing of possible insecurities about the future, any faint specks of loneliness fades away with the dead of the night. So for those who share the same woes as me, seize this opportunity to enjoy personal time and take heart ♥

Moccasins, Primark; Crop top, H&M; Embellished headband, Diva; Jeans, New Future

What's in my bag,

Happy National day to all my Singaporean folks! I've recently transferred my usual Kate spade (I love it because it's so simple and roomy) into my new black quilted bag. It's elegant, but small so it doesn't seem to contain much of my much needed necessities at times. Here's what in my bag on a random day:

1. AHAVA Deadsea mineral hand cream
Perfect for any light pick me ups, especially when you're enclosed in an air-conditioned room and your hands feel dry to the touch
2. GOSH velvet touch lipstick 150 kitten pink
Bought this from a drugstore in London for about 8 pounds, I love the subtle pink and how it softens your lips.
3. Ashley series 140R pointed brushes
No. 2 and 4, snagged them from an Art Friend sale, can't wait to start art classes soon!
4. Painting knife
Also from Art friend, it's my favourite store so I can spend the entire day gallivanting in it.
5. Renoma leather wallet
I've had this classic gem for years now, and it's still such a loyal friend, I love it.
6. Sunglasses
Bought from an Optical shop sale along Camden High street, they make me feel like a mini John lennon. It broke the week after I bought it because I sat on them....but I glued it together and it lasted me through Greece as a backup pair of sunnies (because I broke my current pairs then by sitting on them, once bitten twice not shy)
7. Gold dove earring
One side of my gold dove earring, absolutely no idea how this fell into my bag
8. Buffalo journal
As mentioned on my previous post here, I like to write down my thoughts now and then and also perfect for those moments when you have to do lists and doodling on long bus rides. The sparkle helps me deal with Monday blues.
9. Foldable comb with mirror
Also bagged this from a drugstore in London, it's my perfect travelling companion because my usual comb is so bulky. I was using a small wooden comb R got me from a resort in Phuket but I left it in Singapore....

10. Eyedrops

Solve dry eyes immediately.

11. Small white canvas board

R's subtle way of getting me to paint something for him, aww :')

12. $1 coin

I make it a point to have loose change in my bag, because its always turns out to be a life saver! The last time I was craving pushcart ice cream, I had to redraw from an ATM which only pressed out 50 dollar bills. Needless to say, the ice cream vendor raised the price by 20 cents since then (though I would like to think I played no part in this price hike)

13. House keys

Everyone tells me how oddly shaped my main door keys are, and they really are! Duplicating it burns a hole in your pocket. The charms were scored from Camden market, and remind me of Carpenter court, where I used to stay in London - had them on my keys for six months.

I usually pack in a book - reading Norwegian wood at the moment - and a shawl for the cold indoors since Singapore buses always feel like subzero temperatures. On a side note, the past few days have been good, meeting friends and spending time with loved ones. Last Wednesday saw me suffering from really bad cramps and being really fainty in Outram before meeting S and S for lunch: sprawling on the floor like a hobo with the cleaner chasing me out from the restroom, with everyone staring and walking around me to avoid a commotion, except for two friendly Bangladeshi workers who made small talk with me in an attempt to see if I'm okay, so touched :') And also thank God for my amazing friends and R who rushed down to get me and not judge even though I looked pretty beaten up :') Without them I would have probably continued to lay the floor in the open for a few more hours....yup, that pretty much sums up my drama for the week. Ciao!

London calling,

Happy 2013 to all! The past year has been blessed with the joyous and its fair share of downs, and for that it has really taught me that whilst God permits us trials, He also provides us with the comfort when we fall. I'm truly thankful, and for the Christmas miracles that unfolded one by one ♥ And it's even more surreal that in 24 hours I'll be setting off for the next 6 months, something so excruciatingly exciting....yet still bearing that cloud of apprehension. I'm honestly really thankful for my parents and friends who supported me through my affiliate application, and provided much needed support and advice. It's funny how I have (most probably) experienced the epitome of being a Singaporean in the past week than in the years of existence - Gardens by the bay, MBS, partying, char kway teow, old airport road, East coast park cycling, sunbathing, seafood dinner and homely family gatherings!

An unending list of to-dos, but for now - London is calling. Ciao, mes bons amis!

Washed up,

It's yet another lazy Sunday, without the alarm interrupting my peaceful sleep. Finally found time to handwash my soft white shawl (which has been thoroughly abused throughout the summer holidays I'm afraid) and seeing the tail ends flutter in the breeze is oddly therapeutic. Comfort food never fails to cheer me up, I present to you my childhood feast of plain crackers with cheese slices and green apple Yakult. The past week hasn't been an easy, be it turning 20 or having staying up with puffy eyes on a Sunday night on the phone with a close friend or missing the Module Preference Exercise or the revelation on how much a certain someone was needed through my darkest moments. This 20th birthday, I finally realized how much words can dig up the ugly past and I really hope my single wish will come true. 

But of course, I had my sunshine moments too - awesome clean fun at Union camp with the Cornflakes! And to those who sent their encouragement and love and/or birthday regards, I really appreciate them and I can't thank you enough ♥ 

Plus the birthday surprises and cakes I'm extremely grateful for, the only day out of 365 days I can uncover the princess side of thyself ♕ 

And of course, Kudos to my trusty furry companion throughout, I love you very much ♥♥♥

On a side note, my film camera is itching to bask in the glory of the sunlight heehee.

Off to afternoon retail wonders (hopefully) and meeting the cornflake mates in the evening, sounds like a spell for a great day ahead, can't wait ☺