Italy

I remember earlier this year, when those Facebook quizzes were all the rage, y'know the ones that go "How well do you know...?" Well, one of the questions I set up for my quiz was: What is the one place that I would really like to visit but have not before? And the answer was Italy. 

Prayers were answered by dad!

 Family trip baby!

ROME

This was our first stop, this historical city with thousands of years of history. Somehow, I didn't enjoy it as much as the other places we visited though, maybe cuz it was too historical for my liking? Haha. And we had to walk everywhere. But I have to say, it was really cool being able to see legendary sites such as the Colloseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain etc. up close before your eyes. Thumbs up for that.

Making a wish at the Trevi Fountain

My dad is too cute:)

VATICAN CITY

Being the smallest independent state in the world, its situated in the middle of Rome, and its main (and probably only?) attraction is the famous St. Peter's Square and accompanying church, which I forgot the name of. We visited one too many churches during the trip, you see. I kept thinking, "Angels and Demons!" throughout the Vatican visit.

FLORENCE

My mum's favourite. Its such a quaint, small town, said to be the place where the Italian Renaissance started. Hence, we visited lots of museums, galleries and all that artsy stuff. Its also the birthplace of Gucci, so my mum was of course, a very happy woman:) 

Best cheesecake I've ever had. Oh my, now I have to fly thousands of miles if I ever want to go near it again:(

PISA

Quite obviously, it is famous for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was much smaller than they make it out to be. We still had some fun with it though:)

VENICE

This is probably my favourite place that we visited this trip. Since Venice Island is loaded with water, the views were spectacular. Lots to see, lots to eat, and it gives off a very romantic vibe. And as a bonus, we experienced snow on the last day! Which is apparently very rare in Venice. Sweeeeet:)

VERONA

There's a myth that this is the balcony of Juliet, in this town where Shakespeare based his Romeo and Juliet play on. This was just a day trip, so we didn't see much of the town

MILAN

Needless to say, shopping was incredible here, in one of the world's leading fashion cities. Italians as a whole are generally quite fashionable, even the random ones you see on the street.

A very half-hearted post, but there you go:)

That Time of Year

Where rehearsals come in shitloads of hours

When boys put on makeup

When great photography is displayed

When the sound and lighting crew are our heroes

Where flexibility is of the utmost importance

When synchronisation comes into play

When backstage is nothing short of Poser Central

When eyeliner runs out

Where boys get freaky

...and girls get nasty

When blood, sweat and tears goes into producing a lift

When bonds are formed

When the ensemble hoodie is worn with pride

When gravity is defied

When stories can be told

When friends and family come with a handful of support (and flowers!)

When the love for dance is laid out on stage for all to see

... and we feel the reluctance to let go of it all

That time of year

is a cause for celebration

 

Sorry la, very overdue post. And i might've used 21 whens and wheres. I just miss it, that's all:)

Tis' The Season.. To Be Generous!

Don't you just love Christmas?

Pretty ornaments, snowy days and ginormous Xmas trees aside, ITS THE SHOPPING that deserves the carol cheers:D Shopping=presents=a big smile on girl's face=girl loves mum and dad more! :):):):):)

Not only that, the end of year holidays marks the time for family vacations. I love spending time with my family in another country, just the four of us. Especially now that I'm overseas for the most part of the year, times like this I really appreciate.

Happy holidays everyone!

This is Me Being Bored

Internet back here is so much faster! Woohoo! Picture-upload time. 

Back during Spring Break in September, I moved out of College Sq. and into Verve. So a housewarming followed:) But there weren't pictures of the food nor the house:/ Weird. 

All photos in this post - courtesy of Izzie, Nicole and Wen Ting.

Next up, a trip up to Mount Dandenong with Caitlin, Eric, Carmen, Shen, Nicole, Pei Qi, Alastair, Wen Ting and Jun Jing. We stayed in this cute, countryside, traditionally-English-type cottage. Apparently, it usually caters to couples, so the dude was pretty shocked to see 10 young kids taking up his cottage. In retrospect, we were seriously shameless posers the whole trip, yeahh....just let the pictures speak for themselves.

Charades!

Truly Amazed

This is my final day here in Melbourne for 2009. Leaving on the 3.40pm MAS flight back to KL then Penang. 

I am done with First Year. 

I am done with being a "fresher".

I am done being a 'teen' in Melbourne. 

And the list goes on..

For me, this year marked so many personal milestones and so many 'firsts' that at the end of this long journey, I stand here truly amazed at how blessed I am. Peace is not a permanent state, it exists only in moments. The trick is to know when they are happening, so that we can embrace them, live in them.. and finally, let them go. Trust Derek Shepherd to get it right. 

Thank you to my family, my friends in Melbs, my friends in Penang (however little I saw of you, know that I missed you guys and thought of you a lot this year), my boyfriend, as well as all the little encounters I've had this year - each and every one of you has shaped what is now one heck of a kick-ass year. 

BEST. YEAR. EVER.

Well, its finally time to let this one go.

I Put My Daydreams In A Teapcup

I only ever feel like blogging when I'm in a library haha. Which sucks because then I don't have any photos to upload:) Anyhoos, library is the new home for us Melb Uni students because exams commence next week. So everyday, we stock up on our jelly Squirms, Starbursts, coffee cups, lecture notes and laptop, and head off to the libraries to mug.

Kinda like the title of one of those Facebook groups - "I learn 90% of my course the week before exams''. Hear hear! Studying is such a drag. Its times like these when I think, Haiya how would be like if i didn't study Commerce? Maybe study fashion instead, or go to acting school....how fun.

I put my daydreams in a teacup, sip them away, and move on with my work.

After exams, hopefully when I'll have more time to blog, I'll upload all the overdue pictures from Halloween, Flare production, and our Dandenong trip. Oh oh and I think my flight back to Penang is confirmed for the 3rd of December! Yayyyyy! Can't wait:)

Til then.
Toodies!!