Chaotic Thrift is going Flea-style!

We are setting up a bazaar stall from 27 January to 11 February 2010!!!!!!
Do join us in this festive season and SHOP YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!

We'll be bringing alot more variety of pre-loved items for u to choose from at low low prices:

F21 demin, Mango tops, pull and bear dress, NUM apparels, and a whole lot MOReeeee!!!

**Items are of good quality (new or worn once / twice at most) and are only available in 1PIECE each so come down and visit as AS FAST AS YOU CAN! You don't wanna miss out on the good stuff ;)

If you can't come down during weekdays, 30th and 31st Jan will be a great time to do so!

There will even be Rose-shaped pineapple tarts for sale that will put your CNY right in place with Valentine's Day :)

Directions to the bazaar is as follows

It is conveniently located at an open-field beside Bishan MRT and Bishan Bus-Interchange!!!

Blessings in Red and Whites

Happy time past by EXTREMELY fast :(
I believe everyone of us enjoyed ourselves :) :) :)







I miss everyone already...
"What would we be like 10 years later?"
The 1st time we said that to each other was 10 years ago.

HPHP!

It's 2am, I haven't finish packing, I have 4 readings to do, and I'm looking at photos on FB.



Couple of months ago, over these 5 cups of drinks, at Cine's HK Cafe :)

And a couple of mths ltr, on a lovely Saturday, tmr...



I'm excited I cant sleep I cant do my work.

Like a little kid waiting impatiently for her trip to the zoo the nxt morning...

OK goodnight.
I love CHAOS :)

HTHT.

Had a HTHT with poppy late last night in the car.
Always glad to have opportunities like dat because it helps to clear the issues that we're having w the r/s or our lives as we talk to each other abt it and share our opinions towards them.

They say Pisceans are dreamers.
And it's not a quality everyone appreciates.
S'times I'm quite bothered by it too.
That's why I know I'm so fortunate to have someone who is willing to hear me out, and give me rational and practical opinions to the issues I'm facing.
One who is genuinely concerned abt me and hope that I get the best out of every experiences.

Last night ended with a sweet note and I feel extremely encouraged.
As if the road ahead is suddenly cleared and I feel less burdened.

:)

Thank you Poppy Pie... And thank you for tolerating my ill-mood and temperaments... I miss the old me too.. I'll try to find it back. definitely :)

Meeting Poppy in town ltr for a little break from CL and IRC.
And spend some quality time with each other.
No driving, just walking, hand-in-hand :)

Do You Rmb?

Always tickled when poppy hear the song "Do You Remember" and do his little flower dance with his hands.

Hurhurhur :X

Self-help.

I figured that my inexplicable low mood may be due to my unhealthy lifestyle.

I was talking to Sham and while we both feel extremely unmotivated to achieve anything at all this sem, I realised that not only do I feel unmotivated, I feel OLD, SLOW and LIFELESS.

So... I've decided to treat myself better :)

Hopefully it lifts my pseudo-depression and slows down my ageing process :X

Eating Habits:

- Drink 2 litres of water each day (4X my water bottle)

- Eat regularly (3 meals each day, must have breakfast but no supper)

- Eat fruits or drink fruit juice for both lunch and dinner

- Stop binging on tidbits and stop trying to finish a big bag of chips everytime I start on one

Sleeping Habits:

- Sleep not later than 2am (I'm taking baby steps, will try to work on that)

- Have proper Quiet Time with God and say my prayer before I slp

- Wake up not later than 9am

- Do not snooze more than twice

Self Care:

- Apply lip-balm ALWAYS

- Apply vaseline b4 sleeping

- Complete 3-step facial daily

- Mask weekly (thursday morning sounds good)

- Get a suitable shampoo

- Hair mask weekly

- ALWAYS dry my hair aft washing

- Shower with my puffy shower puff (bubbles are therapeutic too)

- Exfoliate weekly

- Moisturize 2X weekly (I am gng to have a hard time with this)

- STOP biting my nails

- Go "colourless" for a week aft a mth of nail polish

- No make-up unless necessary (esp when I stay in sch the whole day)

- Visit dentist at LEAST twice a yr (man I hate dis)

Working Habits:

- Take a short break from the screen aft every hr (look at Poppy if he's nearby, look at JD's photo when Pop's not ard :D )

- Take a break from readings after every 45 mins

- Take a longer break after every 1.5 hrs

- Try to work while disconnected if possible (when no research has to be done)

- Read actively and summarize readings so that revision will be loads easier

- Include all activities and plans in planner

- Plan wisely and follow wad is planned (do not be overly ambitious or over-slack)

Activities:

- Have a relaxing / fun day out weekly

- Family outing or go shopping / high-tea with mummy monthly (AT LEAST)

- Warm up properly b4 dance pracs

- Do mini-exercises at least 3 times each week for 5 mins

Finally and most importantly, always give thanks for the day and in prayer, commit the day to God with faith and peace :)

SmileALittleSmile.

I didn't know MSN chats can be so therapeutic.

:)

MDD, FYI.

Criteria for a Major Depressive Episode:

1) Five or more of the following symptoms being present during the same 2-wk period and represent a change from prev functioning; with at least on if the symptoms being 1) Depressed mood or 2) Loss of interest or pleasure

i) Depressed Mood

A person may report feeling "sad" or "empty" or may cry frequently. Children and adolescents may exhibit irritability.

ii) Decreased Interest or Pleasure

A person may show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.

iii) Weight Changes

Significant changes in weight when not attempting to gain or lose (a gain or loss of 5% or more in a month) may be indicative of depression. In children, this may also present as a failure to make expected weight gains.

iv) Sleep Disturbances

Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday.

v) Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation

The person may be observed to be either agitated and restless or physically slowed down in their movements.

vi) Fatigue

Deep fatigue or a loss of energy nearly everyday.

vii) Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt

Feel that they have no value or they may feel inappropriately guilty about things they have no control over.

viii) "Brain Fog"

Diminished ability to think, concentrate or make decisions.

ix) Thoughts of Death

Recurring thoughts of death, especially thoughts of suicide, with or without a specific plan.

2) Symptoms do not meet criteria for Mixed Episode

3) Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment.

Taken from:

http://depression.about.com/od/diagnosis/tp/depsymptoms.htm

and

Abnormal Psychology Core Concepts

New Commitments.

My annual review post of 09 has been sitting in my draft folder for the longest time.
And I still have not managed to get it done.
I think I'll just do a brief summary of the commitments for the last year and the new ones for this year so as to get myself oriented to wad's gng on.

2009:
- Serving in church's Tuition Cell
- Dance (EMCC perf in March)
- Private tuition
- Chaotic Thrift
- Driving
- Honours year
- Internship
- Mission trip

2010:
- Cont' serving in Tuition Cell
- Dance (EMCC in end Feb)
- Final Sem
- Bringing CT to Bazaar
- Look for job
... to be cont'...

It's only been a week since the start of the sem and I'm starting to feel weary alrdy.
It's 3-4 readings for EACH mod everywk + assignments and presentations.
And I din get Counselling :( All thx to our very smart CORs system.
It's ok... I believe sth good's gonna come out of it yes :)

Haven't been feeling very appreciative of myself lately... (u noe wad I'm trying to say??)
Like... I'm constantly trying to be someone or attaining a certain expectation which I feel like I'm no whr near and it's not an awesome feeling.

This is when Carl Roger's theory comes to play:
Real self vs. Ideal self
"I am" vs. "I should"
And when they don't coincide or are very far apart, anxiety kicks in.

Sounds bad. But I know it's not gonna kill me so I'm gonna learn to commit my worries and doubts to God and find ways to reconcile my "selves".

The new week's gonna be exciting.
Promise :)
Cheerios ppl~~

All Planned Out.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

-Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that no matter how stubborn I am, You will re-direct me when I am on the wrong path. Let my focus be on You and not on myself and my plans. Change me so that I trust You. Increase my faith so that I always follow You and only You. Thank You for loving me enough to gently guide me to a new path when I stray.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

It takes time.

I guess it's not u but me.

So eager to try, so eager to give my best, so eager to attain perfection.

It takes time, it's not gonna happen overnight.

I noe.

Ultimately, I guess i was just too eager to make u proud.

Still, I know I'm extremely fortunate :)

It takes time.

I noe.

New Year, New Sem

School officially started on Mon.
My 1st lesson was a one hr Gem with Poppy ystday.
Today's my 1st psych lesson (back t the days of 3hrs seminar -_-)

Taking History and Systems with Alicia and Correctional with Sham.
But will be at Addictive alone. Sounds daunting. Coz it's a new mod as well.

1st prac for WL's item ltr at 9 with EVERYONE :) :) :)
Have to dig out my dance clothes and get used to wearing sneakers all over again.
Can't believe it's been almost a yr since the last time I had to pick up a choreography.

Hope I'm not too rusty to move.

Year4Sem2.
I feel so old :(

**AJ's leaving for Sweden tonight. Can't go down to send him... seems like we'll not be having such frequent FS gatherings aft he leaves. I kinda miss him alrdy :( Hope the RL scarf keeps him warm in the chilly weather there :)

Done with 25th :)

Poppy has hit the mark of "quarter-century old" yesterday :)
Bought his present over the weekend and passed it to him excitedly, 2 days b4 his actual bday...



All's worth it to see him so happy and excited like a little boy on Christmas morning :) :)
We super love how the photos turned out with the new lens. We had to focus and re-focus 10,000 times with the kit lens to get the effect dat we have w the prime lens.
Sui lah :)

Made a photo-scrapbook for Poppy as well.

The pockets were labelled A-Z because the plan for his bday was to take photos of meaningful things from A-Z :)
But seems like it's too big a task for just 1 day, so we went to vivo, sat at Gloria Jeans and had warm white choc while we brainstorm and chatted.
A simple and relaxing day :) :)

Moved on to town where he went CNY underwear shopping at Taka :X

Then to Clarke Quay for dinner.
Due to some stupid cock-up at Hot Stones, we walked up and down from Riverside Pt to Riverwalk and back again.
Thank God I had PPs there to help be settle the stupid mistake that Hot Stones made.
And he was happily greeted by the PPs at the A971 Cafe :)
He was so stunned he stopped in the middle of his track and din move until Ryan came over with the cake lor...

Went on to Brewerkz aft dat as we chatted till it was past his 25th bday.

Not forgetting the mini surprise celebration w WK and XM the day b4 which really caught him by surprise as well :)

That night, he also gave me my NEW P-plate and the 2 guys spent an hr giving me a crash course on pole-less parking. OMG. So tough coz I can't see the lines.... Thanks for risking ur lives guys hahaha


I was doing the driving for the entire day ystday. Went to vivo from sch, aft dat to orchard and went from orchard to Clarke Quay. Having poppy nxt to me while I drive is like having a permanent instructor dere... He had to correct my mistakes and tell me all the directions coz I suck at recognising ways.

My 1st time driving at 90k. wootz~

May God bless you with a beautiful year ahead as you grow and mature in His love, care and guidance. I thank Him for placing you in my life everyday :) Muack.

Bye Little Blue Book.

Woke up today at 830am expecting to feel all the crazy jitters I had anticipated.

But I felt pretty ok. No performance anxiety... yet.

Checked the weather, sunny with a light breeze. Perfect.

Washed up, took my breakfast and went down to catch the bus. While I usually had to wait close to half and hr, it came aft less than 10 mins. Great.

Arrived at the driving center with 15 mins to spare. Nice.

Instructor picked me up for warm-up at 10am. No jitters but dunno y I reversed too fast and knocked down the poleSS during parallel parking -_- And rolled off a little at the slope. Road was ok.

Came back to the driving center and waited for the tester to pick me up as I sat in the waiting area with 9 other anxious looking students.

Tester came, not too fierce. Good, no pressure.

Test route 1. I smiled as if I've passed.

Jerked when I brake at the slope. Tester not comfy :( But the rest of the circuit was smooth and parking was my best attempts so far.

Dunno y we right-turned at the entrance (route 1 supposed to go left). But not much problem. Half way thru, tester shook his head. Den I realised I moved off at Gear2. DAMN. Did u-turn at green arrow. Smoooth. And we're on our way back. Clear traffic so it was easy to overtake.

10m away from the entrance back to driving center, taxi stopped to pick up passenger at the side. Over took and went back to the test lots safely.

Tester din wanna tell me my results, he says have to print out :S

Waited impatiently at the tester room.

He sat down in front of me w my result slip and reprimanded me for my mistakes. I din hear much coz I was busy trying to peep at my results.

18points Thank God!!!
But stupid Taxi, I got deducted 12 pts because of u :( :( :(

Still, I'm very very very thankful coz:
1) I dun have to go to the new driving center at WOODLANDS.
2) I dun have to do POLE-LESS parking
3) I dun have to spend MORE money
4) Poppy told his family I'm taking my driving test and uncle said, "good, must pass one shot."
5) I can drive 蓝宝宝 while poppy sit next to me and erm... rest :)

I was praying to God the entire time and I realise I really dun feel as anxious as I thought I would and was greatly blessed with great weather, one of the easiest route, smooth traffic, not too fierce tester and the ability to rmb all the silly mistakes I've made b4 and not make them today. Thanks to all who prayed for me :) :)

Yayyyyyyy I can say gooooodbyyyyeeeee to my Little Blue Book :)

Salesalesale.

Went to vivo last Sunday b4 gng over to Rev's house.
Still alot of salesalesale gng on :)
Poppy bought another pair of Zara jeans... so with his RiverIsland jeans, he now has 2 distressed jeans :D I love distressed jeans.

He saw the suede jacket at Zara on salesss:

*Pardon my extremely pixelated hp camera. I had to "steal" this photo u see...

The sales at RI is really good too... half price.
But dun expect to find sizes like 6 and 8... maybe the less nicer looking ones which are not worth the price anyway...
Still... I liked this pair of jeans..

But Poppy thinks it's too.... loud.
And I probably won't wear.
How often do I wear jeans anw... (not very).
But the price is still super worth it lah.
I ended up buying a stack of bangles from F21.

I used to shun lining my lower eye-line coz I think it makes me look fierce.
U guys probably realise I dun look friendly if I dun smile anw.
But recently, I thot I'd like to give it a try...



Ok lah, dat was a random post -_-

Internship Review.

My internship was at PSB Academy's Counselling Dept and I'm very very thankful for this opportunity because my principal counsellor was really all out to make my internship there a fulfilling experience.
She asked me what I truly want out of the internship and carefully planned for the things for me to engage in during my short stint there.

I was given independence, responsibilities and at the same time patient supervision and guidance from her. I completed an evaluative report for a program that the department was running, designed a brochure for the students and I even got to sit in at a couple of sessions for observation which I believe it's quite a rare opportunity (1st of all, most places doing such intervention will not take in undergrads for intern, 2ndly, the counsellor must feel confortable to let u sit in, 3rdly, we must obtain the consent of the party involved and finally, it's the exam followed by holiday period, we were seriously not expecting there to be any case at all!!).
It's one thing to read abt the intervention techniques, it's really another story to watch it in play at a real-life setting.

On top of that, she always puts aside time to meet up with me so that I can clarify any doubts and to ensure that I have been picking up the important things from all the observation sessions.

Her review of my performance at the end of the internship was pretty good and very encouraging to me :) She stressed that I should really invest on a good Psych program when I further my studies coz she really hope to see me going far.
I hope I can do that too... But there's alot of considerations to make... I dun think I can do it right aft I grad :(

Oh well... whatever it is, it was a truly great and fulfilling experience. I wished I can be there longer, but too bad time doesn't permit. I hope I rmb all that I have learned ( I SHLD actually, coz I had to keep an e-journal as well) and make the best out of the experience that I have gained :)

Yummy New Year :)

Was deciding between a couple of things to do as we usher in the new year, one of it was to go night cycling with Churchies. Which I was rather interested in because it'll be such a wonderful and interesting and not to mention healthy and adrenaline pumping (literally) way to kick-start the new year!
BUT. We suddenly realise that we can't go coz we have a bday party of a relative to attend the nxt day zzZZ...
So.. Instead of a healthy and sweaty start, we brought in the new year with FOOD.
yeah, wad's new right?
Well, the diff is we actually stayed at Poppy's home during NYE (when everyone's out crazy partying) and whipped up a feast for ourselves to celebrate 2010!
**Thinking abt all the food makes me hungry again!**

The items on our menu dat night were:
1) Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
2) Lemon Spaghetti
3) Roasted Vegetables

We went grogery shopping at Giant (there was a crazy crowd dere... like everyone's gonna be cooking sth for NYE) and started cooking ard 6.30pm...

He was the chef and I was the assistant :)
Explains why I have the luxury to be taking photos while he slogged away :P


Very brief view of our ingredients:


The roast chicken was alot of work and one of the steps involve putting ur hands b/w the skin and the flesh of the chicken to put the butter paste inside... ew.




Initial plan was to put the vege to roast as the chicken twirl above the tray and the essence of the chicken will be dripping dwn on the vege.


But plan fail coz either the chicken was too big (which we doubt coz it was only abt 1 kg) or the oven is too small :(
So we had to wait for the chicken to be cooked b4 we put in the vege to roast...

It was alrdy 8+ and we were dying of hunger :(
But when we sniffed the sweet aroma of the chicken 40 mins ltr and saw the wonderful brown skin.....
All was worth it :D


As we sent our vege to roast, we started on our Lemon Spaghetti


And here we have it, a feast dat's supposed to feed like 4 ppl?

The sad thing is... we could not really taste the lemon zest in the chicken (which was a hell of tough work coz Poppy din have a shredder at home so I used a small knife to scrape the lemon skin), but the chicken was fabulous all the same :)
And the spag was YUMMY!! Super appetising.. a little sour, a little salty, a little refreshing..
*salivates again*

So we only had our dinner at 9pm and we could not finish the food but we were extremely satisfied and enjoyed the time we spent we each other :) :) :)

Hope u guys had a great NYE too!

Clean Room.

Finally, a day to myself to declutter and clean up my little space at home :)

My room is always a paper junkyard aft the exams and dis Sem I din have the time to clean up till now.

At least I managed to do it b4 the start of a new sem :)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

No more thick folders of papersssssss everywhr :)

I spent hours and threw away a bunch of stuff (i noe I always say that when I declutter my room... but we are always buying more than we throw away... right?)

And nth beats sitting in a clean and nice smelling rm aft dat :D

Keith, Jac and Kathy came over to visit and aft dinner we went to have DURIANSSSSS!!

(of coz I called Pappy along :D )

OMGDAMNSHIOK!!!! :)