On the 18th of July, I went on my first ever prawning trip with Shuet Ling, Janet, Hui Ling, Gloria and Pei Ying. HaHa! I only managed to catch one prawn, so YAY for me! =D The rest caught plenty though, especially old birds like SL and Gloria. I kinda enjoyed the experience, and I won't mind coming back for more! =D



Yesterday, I moved in to my hall. Yes, I'll be staying at Hall 1 in NTU for my first year. I always wanted to experience staying in a hostel, so, what better time than now, right? I asked CQ and Joyce to help me move in, as I have quite a lot of stuff to carry over. Besides, I think the room needs cleaning....

NTU Hall 1 looks like an "army camp", according to CQ. Yeah. It's kinda old and derelict, and not really that welcoming. After all, it's NTU oldest hall... After collecting my keys, I went to check out my room....

Which looks kinda big, and chui and old. There's a toilet attached to my room (two rooms share a toilet), which is good la, for the convenience. Below are photos of my room, and some candid ones we took for fun. =D

















After cleaning my room, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch. I treated the two of them (including SL, who joined us, cause I was feeling generous =p) to lunch for helping me out to move in and clean my room. A million thanks to the two of you! =D



I'll be going for my Hall Orientation Camp from tomorrow night all the way till Friday.... I am kinda nervous though, not knowing what to expect... Wish me luck? =p I really love to watch 一切完美. It's one of the best mini-drama series Singapore has produced thus far. Every week for 13 days, I would watch it religiously on Channel U.

You can somewhat say it's Singapore's version of Nip/Tuck, but I kinda disagree. This has a unique character of its own. Yes, the theme revolves around plastic surgery, but this goes goes deeper into the psyche of different people who asks for or needs plastic surgery. I would be doing the show a total dis-service if I try to go into detail further; because I wouldn't even barely scratch the surface of what this wonderful show is trying to tell us.

The show taught me a lot of life lessons, and gave me a lot of quotes that I would treasure. Here are some of my favorite ones:

"When you hate someone, the person won't be able to feel it. In the end, you are only hurting yourself." "当你恨一个人，他不会感觉得到你的恨。最终，受伤害的是你自己。"

"Only when you accept the imperfections, then there will be perfections." "接受得了不完美，才会有一切完美。"

"Only after you trust yourself, then you will be able to trust others." "你得先相信自己，才能可以相信别人。"

If the series has a repeat telecast on Channel U, why not make the effort to catch this perfect show? =) I am a pragmatic and optimistic person.

For the longest time, I sincerely believed in the phrase, "Life is not a bed of roses". I am no fool thinking that I can coast along the path of life thinking everything will be perfect, and I won't get hurt or face challenges. No. I expected a very bumpy ride, from the beginning to the end. I expected it after I truly understand myself...

I believed in that phrase, until now. Now, I say, "Life is a bed of roses". I suddenly realized something. Roses have thorns. Yes, we all are surrounded by beautiful things in life (represented by the beautiful petals of the roses), but yet, we are also hurt by the ugly side of life (represented by the thorns of the roses).

However, I am determined that I can face up to the challenges life can throw at me while I walk down its path. I am determined that if I fall, I will pick myself and try again. I will learn, and I am very determined to create my own happiness, my own happily-ever-after. I am optimistic of what I can do and achieve. Yes, so prick me with your thorns; I am not afraid.

It is also in writing this post that I hope I can inspire my friends out there, if you are feeling down and out, to pick themselves up and walk again. There are better things waiting for you down the path of Life, I am sure of it. Go and find your happiness. =) HK Trip: The Grand Finale

It has been a long 5 days, with me writing all my posts as drafts, and then waiting for the photos to come, and finally, selecting and organizing photos to use in my posts.

Finally, the Hong Kong Trip series of post is completed. Seeing them displayed on my blog gives me an immense sense of satisfaction. Those really came into fruition since Day 1 of my trip, when I began to put them as words in my journal. Now, they have come to life in The Meowings. I couldn't be more proud and happy. =D

Here, I am giving you links to the albums I stored all my photos online. I uploaded all my photos, so you will see a lot that I didn't use on this blog.

Part 1 can be accessed here: Part 1
Part 2, which consists of my remaining photos and all the photos I used from my friends' cameras to put on my blog posts, can be accessed here: Part 2

For more additional stories and things we did in HK, you can go to WQ's Travelogue. He covered a lot of things I didn't, so if you are curious to find out more, why not pop over there? =D

As a final present to all of you, let me present an Easter Egg. Here's me bargaining with SL over discounts on our personal expenses. Enjoy, and thanks for reading all my posts! *Loves* =D

HK Trip: The Review

Well, 6 days just went past like that. I can definitely say that it is a fun and enjoyable trip. For the most part, I didn't really feel like I am really overseas. Maybe it's because I am still essentially in the city most of the time. HK resembles Singapore in the fact that it is a very metropolitan city; you don't have much scenery to look at unless you go up to Victoria Peak or the outlying islands.

Oh well, let me break up HK in several components.

Weather

For the first 2.75 days, it was sunny and hot throughout. Which then, for the next 3.25 days, it was constant rain. To me, I feel quite 庆幸 that we are blessed with the sun (although intolerably hot) for the first 2.75 days, cause it allowed us to go to our major tourist attractions and enjoy ourselves. The rest of the trip was raining, and I feel 可惜 that we had to cancel Ocean Park due to the rain. But oh well. Luckily never encounter any typhoons, cause July is the typhoon season.

Transport
In HK, out of the various public transport services, we have only taken the MTR, taxis and the tram services.

I must say, I am very impressed with their MTR system. It is similar to our MRT system, but I dare say that I like their train system better. Their stations might be confusing, because they are seriously huge, but there were at least clear directional signs pointing people to the various platforms. Their trains are so much better, I feel. They have lighted maps overboard showing you which station the train is going in which direction, and even signs telling you which side the door is going to open next. I think that is really useful for tourists (and sleepy people who wants to know which station is coming next) lor. I even saw a sign in one of the station that says "Don't rush for the train, be stress-free" (or something like that la). Ha. If that sign is placed in Singapore, people will scoff and go "siao ar!". But their MTR is kinda expensive lor. A simple train ride to 5 stations away can cost like S$2ish. However the cost, I still think it is very efficient.











As for the tram, it's only limited over certain areas for S$0.34 a ride (no matter where you stop). We rode it when we wanted to go to Times Square from Central. Okay la. Like our normal double-decker bus, except smaller, and less bumpier. =p



Overall, I think that HK's transport system is very efficient. Very much like Singapore's, you definitely can get to almost anywhere in HK you want. You just need to analyze all the train lines and bus routes. =D

Food

HK's food is quite unique, mostly a blend of Chinese and Western cuisine. I discovered that HK people don't eat spicy stuff. Their spciy instant noodles, for example, is like a watered-down version of Singapore's. Even someone like me who can't stand too spicy food finds them "no-kick". Maybe their dominant Chinese cuisine (and Western cuisine too, come to think of it) is not too big on spicy. Which is true la, cause our local food culture is influenced by the Malay and Indian cuisine, which is heavy on chilli. Their food is quite oily also, quite bad for digestive systems. That's why we bought fruits and milk and yogurt back to our hotel everyday to avoid constipation.

Expenses

I think that living in HK is quite comparable to Singapore. Their food is not that cheap (I spent about an average of S$9 per meal), but their fast food is definitely much cheaper over there. But I think, seriously, when it comes to buying other stuff like mobile phones, normal household items (case in point: My Elseve Hair Serum), it is way cheaper in HK. So, mostly, it evens out in the end.

The People

The people there aren't really friendly. In fact, what is "customer service" to them? I don't think it exists in their dictionaries lor. They can be really friendly to you, but when you start asking other additional requests, they look at you like dirt. Most of them la. Of course we met very nice ones, but those are in high-end places like DisneyLand or The Venetian, where customer satisfaction determines everything. In fact, all of us are pretty disgruntled with HKers. Oh well.

My Personal Expenses

I am pretty pleased with how I managed my finances. Overall, I have about S$200+ left from the trip, from the S$1100 that I exchanged as personal expense. Out of my total expenses, I spent about 1/2 of it on my own personal stuff and souvenirs for my friends. The rest went to food (taking HK$1000+), transport and entrance fees to attractions (HK$971).

I am glad I bought along a notebook to record down this blog, and also, my personal expense. I would write down every single thing I spent my money on, and every night, I would tally my accounts and do some cross-checking and balancing. Ha. The 4 of us will spend at least 30 minutes every night doing accounts. In this aspect, I am proud of myself for being so neat with my money.







Overall, I really enjoyed this trip. I mostly got what I wanted. I had great fun touring around HK, visiting their attractions.

How would I rate this trip? 8 out 10, perhaps. 1 is lost to the weather and the people, the other is lost to the really tight schedule, in that for the first 4 days, we are really rushing against the clock to accomplish our tasks, and that kinda takes away some of the fun. But oh well. Would I come again? Maybe not in the near future, but someday, yes, definitely.

I think, what's most important for any trip is not the weather, nor the attractions, nor the amount of money you spent on what. I think that the company is the most crucial for any trip, and I am very glad I went to HK with such great friends like SL, WQ and Gloria. Thanks guys, for making this trip a very enjoyable one. =D *Loves*

Funny Overheard Quote:
I was queuing up at Changi's Arrival Immigration when 3 Singaporean guys queued up behind me...

Guy 1: OMG! Welcome back!
Guy 2: Home sweet home!
Guy 3: Yeah! Finally back! We hate Hong Kong!
All together: Yeah, we hate Hong Kong!!!!

I could barely control my laughter. They must have stayed in HK during the 3.25 days of continuous rain. Luckily, it was my turn at the immigration checkpoint... HK Trip: Day 6

In the last day of the HK trip, I finally had enough sleep. I woke up at 9.30 to do my morning routine and pack my luggage. There's nothing much left to pack actually; all there's left are my toiletries and morning skincare products.





We finally checked out at 11.30, where we went to Mido Cafe for our last lunch. We began our first meal in Mido, and I think it's fitting we end our last meal in HK with Mido as well.







After Mido, we went back to the Crumpler store to get bags for the rest of the ASG. Haha! We bought like 8 Crumplers in total. Me and WQ even went down to Tsim Sha Tsui to go to their main store to get a bag for WQ's brother.

After completing our shopping, we went back our hotel to collect our luggage. We then made our way to HK International Airport using A21.















They had some dinner, and then we just shopped around while waiting for check in. The main buy for today is Wing Wah's 老婆饼. Each of us bought at least 3 boxes each. =D

There's nothing much to blog about the trip back. I just slept.

So, look forward to my last blog post, where I'll summarize my feelings and stuff about this HK trip. Yes darlings. Another post. =p HK Trip: Day 5

"Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me....

I officially name today as "Food Day", or also "Get Fat Day". Let me start from the beginning...

Today, we originally planned to go to Ocean Park and then watch Symphony of Lights at Avenue of Stars. However, the weather spoiled all of those plans. So, last night, we decided that today, we would go shopping to buy what we missed out on.

In the morning, we started with eating cup noodles in the girls' room. After that, we went over to Langham Place to eat McDonald's for breakfast.

Ayioh! Let me tell you hor, HK's McDonald's breakfast is super super cheap lor, like S$3 for one breakfast value meal lor. I've also noticed that HK people like to eat macaroni for breakfast. Both KFC and McDonald's offer a macaroni soup set for breakfasts lor. Wa...

After McDonald's, we went to the supermarket to satisfy SL's cravings for instant noodles. In the end hor, WQ and her bought 2 full bags of chips and noodles. Ah siaos leh...

I dragged the rest to Starbucks, cause I seriously need coffee to perk me up. I really feel like falling asleep right there and then. We spent some time there relaxing and reading papers to catch up with the happenings of the world.

After that, we went to some Shanghai restaurant to have some dim sum for lunch. One of our agenda for the HK trip is to experience 本地正宗 dim sum, and we die die want to experience it at least once. And we did, once again, had dim sum at very low prices.

















Then, being very Ah Siaos, we all went to the mall next to Langham for Lunch No. 2. That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Second lunch. Up until this point at 2pm, all we did for the past 7 hours since we woke up was to eat, eat and EAT. I predict some anorexic days ahead... =P

This time, we went to Modern Toilet, a specialty restaurant in HK where the whole restaurant is filled with toilet decorations and food served in toilet and urinal-shaped bowls. SL said that we must experience this unique restaurant, and so we did.

The food there are served in huge proportions. Seriously huge. Especially the ice-cream. Humongous! All of us were struggling to complete our dishes... Ayioh, can die one ar, I tell you. This place also gave me some inspiration... to go to the toilet 7 times within the span on an hour. OMG. My bladder system is way screwed up...







































After the 8 hours food marathon, it's time for shopping!!

In Flower Street, WQ finally bought the Asics shoes he has been eye-ing since Day3. YAY to him!

After that, we all walked by a store selling Crumpler bags... Well, those were real and were on more than 50% discount... You should know what happened next. We all got ourselves Crumplers, and I got one blue bag for my birthday present from ASG. =D



After the mass Crumpler purchase, we went to Ladies' Street to do some final shopping, and then to yet another dim sum restaurant (yes, yet another) for dinner.

After dinner, I went back to the hotel alone because I had some digestive malfunctions, while the rest stayed in Mongkok to do their shopping.

I finally get to use the bathtub! Haha! It has been like, 4 years since I had a proper soak in a bathtub. Shuang leh! After an hour of bathing, I took a short nap while waiting for the rest.

Then, I went down to 许留山 opposite our hotel to meet them for supper. There was when they gave me my second present from ASG: ckIN2U perfume. I asked SL to buy for me first, cause I knew they wanted to shop for perfume in Mongkok.... Thanks guys! =D I was in such a good mood that I treated them the desserts.

Tomorrow, I am going to buy my last minute shopping, if I can find whatever I want. And also, almond sticks from 美心 (those are really to die for). Wish me luck! =D

Therefore, in conclusion, I spent my 21st birthday getting fat and going to the toilet. Totally not seductive. =P

Happy 21st birthday,
Happy Birthday to Me!"