DIY lamp

Bought this fairy lights from cotton on. They come in different colours. I bought the blue one. This is battery operated. 

With any bottle, you can create a nice looking lamp. I chose this milk bottle that i gotten from cotton on as well. You can reuse any glass bottle from your drink. 

I am going to try not stepping into any cotton on/typo shop. The damaged to my wallet is too much! Haa. 

Music Wednesday

I don't want to set the world on fire - The ink spots

Back to the 40's

Into the last month of 2015

I didn't realised we are nearing the end of 2015. I thought we still had a few more days to December. I  had been back in Hong Kong for a few days. It is good to be back to routine though Melbourne has been great.

Melbourne has always been fun for me despite the weather. The buildings, the street performances, the tram rides, the food and etc. There are so many cafes now. I was stuffing myself with coffee (long black) this trip and most of the time, I might be caffeine high.

It was supposed to be summer, but Melbourne weather is unpredictable. Some of the days were as high as 31 degree, while some were 17 degree. This also meant that I needed to pack for 2 seasons. I went with 20kg of luggage.

The weather is not the most annoying thing, the flies are. They were everywhere, even attempting to fly into your mouths. I have decided I like winter more, even though I will most likely freeze to death. One thing good about summer, the sun set around 8.30pm. You will feels like you have more time.

Docklands

Night view from the observatory tower 

Beside federation square, temporary noodle night market. 

Hello Melbourne

It's been a while.

Singapore

I am back!

I really want to share this video I took while on the river taxi.

Singapore

I am feeling seasick from watching the video. I must admit my video taking skill is not really fantastic. I will improve. 

You are really beautiful, Singapore. 

Music Wednesday

Let her go - Passenger

Been listening to this song for a while, it is addiction. 

Sunny land and friends

My August had been a really good. With me going back to Singapore and friends visiting me in Hong Kong, I would say it was a busy one. Lucky me, all the eating only caused a max of 2 kg gain. I imagined it to be more. Singapore really has all the awesome food.

I didn't take much photos of the food I ate in Singapore. I will try to post some yummy food photo soon.

Happy Birthday Singapore

This year is Singapore 50th Birthday and this is one of the reason why I am back during this period. I feel the need to be back to celebrate our National day. I know a lot of Singaporean are actually out of town because of the long weekend, maybe that was why I felt the need to be back. Hahaha. 

I went to Marina Bay area to see the fireworks. Below are some photos taken using my handphone. 

Once again, Happy Birthday Singapore. 

Of gadgets

and so my laptop survived, my handphone not. The power button on my handphone is not working and sometime my handphone will turn off by itself(having a mind of his own). I am thinking of another water proof phone, but nothing in the market seems pleasing to my eyes. I can only afford another handphone in October, leeching on J's mobile contract. In the meantime, if I don't reply you, it means my handphone most likely rejected your call/text by itself.

What do you think of this?

[Images taken from caterpillar website]

During my laptop episode, I did an intensive research on wine pour on MacBook. I was surprised how many people did that. I realised even if my laptop is working now, it might not in near future. The sugar in the wine will corrupt the wires in the laptop. I will give it a few more months I think. So, I am looking at new laptop already. Hahaha.  

Hung over

Yup, my laptop got drunk from red wine. It was having hungover for the past few days. Check it out.

After leaving it for a few days, it seem to be working again *fingers crossed*. Please continue to work. I am saving to buy a new handphone. My handphone is giving me problems as well. Nope I didn't spill any wine on it. Part and parcel of ageing I guess. I always have problems with gadgets or electronic products, they never last with me around.

Music Wednesday

Japanese Gum - Her Space Holiday.

Saw this song while surfing net. I actually got hooked. Such a weird song. 

Sleepless night

Saw this quote and I really like it.

"Death ends a life, not a relationship" 

Mitch Albom 

Did some googling, I found this one more meaningful(not by the number of words can!).

"Death ends a life, but it does not end a relationship, which struggles on in the survivor's mind toward resolution which it may never find" 

Robert Anderson 

I really enjoy all these quotes.

Light it up

One of the things that I really like in my room/house is candle. I like how they light up the space and fill it up with scent.

My friend bought this for me when he was in Dubai I think, and I really like the scent. There is no Bath and Body Works in Hong Kong, however, there is one in Macau, Venetian. I am looking forward to Macau soon. I finished lighting this after a few months. 

This is my new buy, L'Occitane Cherry Blossom candle.

Surprising I like the scent. I don't usually like floral or sweet scent. 

I started burning this yesterday. I realised L'Occitane candle design is not as good as Bath and Body Works. The salesperson told me to light up the candle for at least an hour to make sure the side of the candle is melted, so the candle will melt evenly instead of the center. I light it up for more than an hour, but the side refused to melt. I used a spoon to scrape the side of the candle. I guess I will only buy L'Occitane candle if I am lazy to go shopping. 

Actually I still have this in my cupboard, but I can't bear to light it up. Saving it for special occasion I think. 

I really like this. I have them in three different sizes. This one was gifted by my friend.

I have no idea why I am documenting this down. Haha. Maybe to remind myself what kind of candles I like. 

Half into 2015

Just like that, we are in the second half of 2015. This year, minus a few mishaps here and there, has been good.

It is good if you get to slow down your pace and take a look at the surrounding. I consider myself lucky to be able to do that. I am writing this down here so I will remember to count my blessing next time when I feel like I am failing in life.

Hasn't feel much for the past 2 months(empty?). Now I wonder is that peace that I am feeling. I am looking forward to my 2 weeks in Singapore in August. Can't wait.

Music Wednesday

Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz)" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Not my usual genre but it is stuck in my head. Imagine 9 days, every other minute someone singing "what what what" right beside you. Yup, I am infected. Randomly, I will sing out the "What what what" part out loud. This is like a virus. Hopefully I am infecting you! 

New Zealand: Taupo

I din't really get to travel around New Zealand. We only went Auckland, Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua(briefly). I really like Lake Taupo. It is a small town with a few restaurants. Okie, my fondness for Lake Taupo might got to do with our accommodation. We stayed in this really gorgeous apartment. The name of the apartment is Sacred water if you are interested. We stayed in the 3 rooms apartment with 2 toilets. Let me show you why I am in love with this apartment (I can't decide which is my favourite, Auckland apartment or this). This might be more expensive than the rest of the accommodations but it is worth it(in my opinion). 

The view when you come out of the apartment. Imagine waking up in the morning, before a long day ahead, take a walk with this view. J and his friend went for a run. They really had a good time. The view is surreal. 

This is the apartment we stayed. Check out the big dog. 

As Lake Taupo is near the Volcano, the naturally heated up. We went during winter, so there is no one  in the water, except 

the Ducks. 

They will go near you, thinking you will feed them. Actually there are black swans as well but I din't take any nice photo of them, so I am not going to post it. 

We had a lot of good food here as well except the "indian cuisine". Stick to the local/western cuisine and you won't go wrong. Typing this entry make me miss Lake Taupo so much. I want to go back!

I am sharing this to pay forward the goodwill of other travellers online reviews. 

Dips: Guacamole

J has been craving for guacamole every other day and they are really expensive, so I decided to make my own(truth is I have a lot of time on hand). It is really easy.

Ingredients: 

- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 lime, juiced
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 tbsp red onion, diced
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp spring onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomato, diced

Steps:

1. Cut the avocado into half, remove the seed and scoop out the avocado from the peel(Save one seed)
2. Mashed the avocado in bowl. If you like it chunky, don't mashed too long. I used a fork to mash it.
3. Add this all the rest of the ingredient. Be careful you don't want to add in too much lime juice, remember to taste before adding. Adjust salt to own preference
4. Mix them
5. Put the avocado seed in the guacamole (The guacamole will not turn brown so quickly)
6. Put it in the fridge and serve when chilled

I used green tomato so you can't see any red here. The green tomato is yummy.

I am bored, so I took a few random similar photos and thought I will shared them here. 

Next, I want to try the spicy guacamole. Will update once I get it right.  

New Zealand: Auckland

One of my favourite photo of Auckland

It was a really good and easy trip, maybe minus the part I was the last to get ready almost everyday. I can't wake up early to save my life. Everyone was easy to get along, the house was noisy most of the time, never ending alcohols and food or fruits, dangerously loud laughters. 

All of us would really appreciate a good view from our apartment, so we splurge on the accommodation if possible. 

Check out our view

Sometime I would sneak out with a hot cup of green tea to refresh my mind. I think we stayed in one of the most expensive area in Auckland. I am glad we went ahead to book this apartment. If you are interested, the name is Auckland Waterfront Service Apartment. It is right beside Hilton Hotel. I love staying together if possible. Be sure to check for the number of toilets. It will be torturous if there is only 1 toilet for  a group of 3 and above.

Took this photo while on the way to one of the sleeping volcano. The sky looks picture perfect. 

I took quite a few photos for this trip. Hopefully I will be motivated to post them up soon. =D For now, I will just leave you with these few above. 

A break from my break

(credit to photo online)

Will be traveling to Auckland, New Zealand in 2 days time. I have absolutely no idea how to pack or what to expect, but i am excited about it. Been a few years since I am traveling with these group of people. Hopefully it will be another adventure in my memory.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

"I want to go wetland park." My brother said when he was here last month. Wetland park it is, the bummer ask, the bummer gets.

This is my first time to Hong Kong Wetland Park. I think we were there to early, else I believe the bloom will be nicer. It is still very peaceful and pretty place. I will spam you with photos.

The glasshouse lookalike entrance

One of the bloom

I wonder why they kept the lotus this way. Easier maintenance?

The wooden bridge

I like how the lone tree grow so tall

This is so pretty

This is how they grow actually

Now my favourite photos of that day

I really the wooden house right beside the lake (It is actually a hut to look at birds).

I had a lot more photos but i decided not to spam this space. We left the place around 4+ 5. It is quite calming to the mind to spend an afternoon in the nature. 

Right outside the place. A few groups were actually having picnic or just lying on the grass looking into the sky. 

The flowers along the way to take the train/tram. 

The train/tram that goes round this town or village.

This is my first time to this town. I am surprise to see this town promoting anti pollution. Cabs are to turn off their engine if they idle for more than 3 minutes, else they will be fine. Very few cars were spotted too. Most of the people that stay in this town use the tram. 

I will move here too but it is too far from the city. I am guessing I will be visiting this town more often. 

Welcome home

Been a while since my last banner. Here is a new (not-so-new-2-months-old) banner I did to welcome my family when they were over last month. 

This time round, I tried fishtail flag and cloth pegs. I love this color combination. It is so simple and chic. The red heart brighten the whole flag. I am already brainstorming/stalking for more ideas.