Popin' Cookin' Sushi Candy Set~!

I love doing craft things, and I love food. I also love my sister, so obviously it works together.

A few weeks back she brought back Japan's popular Popin' Cookin' self-make candy series, where you are given sachets of powder and everything needed to make miniature food that looks exactly like the real thing. It's amazing. Also I don't dare to eat it.

It has Japanese words! Hence, imported! *wild applause*

Apparently the Japanese are nuts about packaging everything.

These are your materials!

So the point is to transform everything you see in those small packets of powder and make it into candy in the shape of sushi. MAGIC.

The good thing about the Japanese is that they're really detailed, and literally you need nothing else. Just water, and even then they have this small space in the middle to hold JUST enough water for everything, it's amazing. Everything fits exactly right, right down to the amount of power to even how many drops of water you need.

This is 'rice'. Considering how it is just water + powder, after mixing it 

for a minute or so, it becomes fluffy and airy. IT'S MAGIC.

Powder for the "tamago".

After following instructions and mixing everything, this is what you get.

That's also how you make the fish roe to top off the sushi... just drop 

a certain solution into another solution and it will instantly become 

the texture of fish roe. It really is magic.

The rice placed on "plates" that's on the packaging itself...

Making sushi! (Look at that roe!)

Final product~

All in all it was a really fun experience! We didn't dare eat it because it even smelled super sweet and it literally is just sugar powder + water, so we didn't quite bother.

It did subtly show us the amount of detail the Japanese put into their work, as well as how innovative they are. Instructions guiding you through the whole thing were done on the packaging itself, eliminating need for an extra piece of instruction leaflet. And even though we didn't understand Japanese, the diagrams were clear enough to guide us through the whole thing, and it was pretty straightforward as well!

Trigonometry, My Nightmare Since 5ever.

It is my firm belief that trigonometry has ventured into the theoretical part of math, unlike traditional views of math- and I hate it. It's horrid. It baffles me. If you give me algebra, or stuff an equation with unknowns- yes that makes sense. It's understandable; x, y, π. Formulas. Cold, hard, logical mathematics. Give me graphs. Even differentiation and integration is easier to understand.

I'll be the first to say I'm intimidated by versatile mathematics.

Even though I manage to do the questions, I do not get any sort of happiness from them. I do, however, get some sort of morbid satisfaction from successfully solving a remarkably tedious question. The same sort of satisfaction comparable to getting a prick out of your hand, popping a particularly painful pimple, or throwing away food you don't like that has turned sour.

And when I don't solve the question, I feel frustrated, dumb, and incompetent. As though my self worth stems from how well I can solve math problems.

This is probably the one problem that comes from Asian parents and society's mindset. That if you don't know how solve complicated math you are considered subpar. That somehow you're just not as smart. If you don't get an A+ in math you're not a 'proper' Asian.

Don't even get me started on failing Calculus 1. Not 2, not 3. Just Calculus 1. I can foresee the shitstorm that's going to rise up anytime soon.

Granted, yes, Calculus 1 isn't hard. But I don't do math like I used to.

Sorry for being stupid.

Sneaker Heels and How They Irk Me So.

First off, if you don't know what sneaker heels are, allow me to contaminate your mind:

These are sneaker heels: like its name suggests, it's a pair of sneakers... but with heels.

Apparently this is some sort of new fashion which mashes sneakers and the conventional high heels. What you get is a a pair of sneakers that don't allow you to run, and high heels that aren't sleek and sensual.

Somehow it's like a tablet phone - a phone too big for you to put in your pocket, and a tablet too small to be tablet-comfy.

I don't understand how people like it, but they do. This includes, le petit ami, who has told me numerous times that it's amazingly sexy.

My mind screams about impracticality, because it's a pair of sneakers you can't run in.

What is the point of this if you can't run in them???

I understand that it's a new type of fashion and yes, for some people it is a huge turn on, but....

BUT IT'S SO IMPRACTICALLLLLLLLL //cries







...and now the worst thing ever?
I think I've grown kinda fond of them, and gotten over the initial repulsion, cuz I figured they'd go really well with shorts/denims etc but they're so expensive!

THIS IS WHY IT'S SO HARD TO BE A GIRL!!!!! YOU CAN HATE IT BUT YOU STILL WANT IT!

She Doesn't Deserve Those Names.

Regarding this recent article about a Singaporean college girl being dissatisfied with her boyfriend's birthday celebration for her, I see a lot- A LOT- of comments calling her a 'bitch' and a 'gold digger', coming from both males and females.

I never saw her full written statement until today. And after reading it, I realized... she's not.

Why is it that so many people seem absolutely outraged that she was looking forward to a big birthday celebration? Why is it that people are calling her a gold digger and a bitch?

Can I just say, quite simply, that... her love language is different?

I am not one of those gold-digger girls who is looking for a rich husband. Case in point, if I were, my boyfriend would have been struck off the list long ago.

To make things clear, I myself am very generous to my boyfriend in gifting him with presents. I am not trying in any way to cheat his money. 

They've been together for slightly less than a year- true, if she was she wouldn't have even bothered that much. She also explains that she splurges on her boyfriend. All this simply point to the fact that yes, she values money and class- but that doesn't necessarily make her a gold digger.

According to the 5 love languages; of which there is affirmation, service, gifts, intimacy and quality time; she strongly displays her love with gifts, that much is obvious. That would mean that to her, she feels loved when people shower her with gifts. That would explain why she feels disappointed at a simple dinner and card: there's no gift. It's not expensive. She feels valueless. She feels that her boyfriend doesn't even care enough for her to spend on her birthday, instead bringing her to a casual place and giving her a seemingly valueless (in terms of monetary value) card. That also explains why she spends on him- because that's her way of expressing love.

Her boyfriend, on the other hand, obviously doesn't express his love the same way. He would most likely express it in terms of quality time and probably intimacy- but he obviously does not show his love with gifts. That's why, to him, he would feel that a handmade card is worth more than a store-bought gift.

It's really a simple case of misunderstanding each other's love languages- what they need to do is be aware of this, and work towards a mutual love language. (Love languages are also not exclusive; many people have a mix of all five, but there is one sort that we would feel most comfortable with.)

I can safely say that she doesn't deserve many of the negative comments she's receiving- people, that is bordering on cyber bullying- so do stop and think about it. While you're at it, check out your own love language.

Image stolen from the internet.

It's not hard to determine your own love language, and that of your partner's. Notice what they get super upset about (missing a date or not giving birthday gifts) and notice what is it they do for you that you feel super happy about. Also try to pick clues from usual conversation- notice what they mention during birthdays etc. "I love it when my boyfriend always buys me lots of gifts for Christmas! ♥︎" as opposed to "I love it when my boyfriend always asks me out for Christmas lunch! ♥︎"

Again, as I mentioned, one person can always have more than one type of love language. So do learn this and understand yourself and your partner more, for a better relationship!

*note: love language also can refer to parents, friends or others; basically anyone you have relation to.

OneRepublic Concert @ Sunway Lagoon, 2013.

So... finally. After discovering OneRepublic four years ago and falling deeply in love ever since, I finally get to see them live.

My heart, it quivers.

I love le petit ami for getting VIP tickets for us~! Really dear, it was so much better to see them up close and personal!!!

Too much feels, I started crying the moment Ryan Tedder started to sing Light It Up... The music sent shivers down my spine and prickled my skin. The feeling was amazing... The absolute delight at finally getting to see them perform live.

Many times I was just absolutely lost in the music and the atmosphere... These were the songs that I've made to be a part of myself, that I've lived and breathed and sang to and cried to and fell asleep to. These were the songs that bring themselves forward whenever there is an appropriate situation, the songs that comforted me and the songs that gave me hope and let me live again.

The band was wonderful... It was all my favorite songs, all our songs, the songs that saved my life... No band is quite as integrated into my life and such a deep, critical part of me as OneRepublic is.

Something in their songs speak to me, being just the right amount of tender and wonderful. (Of course, Brent Kutzle's cello-playing skills are simply irresistable.) It's honest and longing and love and wishing and things we've missed and things we've gone through all in one. To experience it live, with Ryan Tedder's amazing energy, just reinforces it all.

Even better than that?

I had a lovely, perfect man holding me through it all. :) I love you, hatsukoi~ ^^

Because, Food.

You know what you're missing in life? Home-cooked food. I know I am.

Finally had my mom's special home-cooked 红枣面线汤 (vermicelli in jujube soup), which is brilliant, because she's brilliant like that. (I'm awaiting her black pepper mushroom noodles.)

Here, be jealous.

I really do miss home-cooked food. I'm sick of all the nonsense on campus, where food is plainly just edible. I live to eat, not eat to live. #firstworldproblems

Due to my super long schedule, I can't cook for myself as much as I'd like to. Which is a huge shame, because I think my cooking is quite fantastic and inventive, and also because I'd like to practice cooking awesome food more, but no. C'est la vie. I have to live with whatever expensive edibles they pass off as food in campus. :(

It's also quite alarming how much people love salt nowadays. Le petit ami has a salt-tooth, in addition to his sweet-tooth, and because I'm not ignorant about high-blood pressure, it kills me a little when we eat out because I know whatever we're eating is most likely loaded with it.

Not like we can do much about it... I simply just don't have the time to cook. Maybe next year, I'll start on all those recipes I've saved up.

This is horrible. I'm so full of negativity. I feel awful. Worst of all I can't sleep.

I can't sleep thinking of all the things I need to do when I wake up. Last sem is starting; it really is the beginning of the end.

Should I take calculus? Do I have enough credits to transfer? Can I even? Where to? How?

I'm scared; I don't want to leave this second home. I'm scared; I don't want to be stuck here forever. 

Lies lies lies lies

Stop lying to myself. 

Golden Palm Tree Resort Weekend Trip!

Finally we had our long awaited weekend at the Golden Palm Tree Resort! Their villas were much more relaxing than I expected, and I absolutely loved their interior designing. Matching white with wooden furniture made the whole place look so breezy and refreshing!

The balcony was rather spacious, leading to a view of the other braches of villas and a nice wide view of the sea and the beach some distance away. The sea wasn't at all deep- we could see translucent, odd fish swimming below out villas; in fact the next day when it was low-tide the water was all drained away, leaving the brown firm mud-bed out to the sun. Surprisingly there was no muddy smell of swamp.

The balcony had a set of rattan table and chairs that was great for 

stoning at night listening to sea breeze.

You could see the sea from your shower stall- if you 

don't mind the fish looking at you while you bathe!

The resort had bicycles that guests could freely use- though it was incredibly hard to be able to get any since many people tend to keep those bikes in their villas, though you weren't supposed to. My cousins had a great time riding them in circles whenever they managed to find an unoccupied one. It's a brilliant idea, if people had the decency to leave those bikes back at the bicycle racks for other people to use and not hoard it for themselves...!!!

After checking out the villa, we went out to the extreme park where they offered paintball, all-terrain vehicle rides, archery and of course, the go-kart.

Obviously, I finished last, because I'm a safe driver like that.

It was relatively fun, (if you're not the one paying for it lol) and then after that we went for a dip in the pool back at the resort.

The pool opened up to an unobstructed view of the sea, so it was as though you could fool yourself into thinking you're in the sea, which is actually really cool.

We chilled for a bit then went out for dinner. We were lucky to find a Chinese restaurant, the seafood was really good!

After dinner we went back to the resort where they had a live band playing at the poolside. Music was playing, and the stars were out. The sea breeze was cooling and the night was spent relaxing.

We woke up in time to make the buffet breakfast, which is typical hotel food. Lunch outside after we checked out, however, made up for the lack of good food. I have a biased view that small towns always have better food, and I was not disappointed. Pretty much had the best curry laksa with its own taste, paired with gloriously refreshing longan drink.

My uncle looking gorgeous in a sun hat.

I finally got my red dragon fruit drink after so long of wanting it! It's locally produced, and they don't skimp on real fruit. I recommend to shake the bottle before drinking otherwise by the time you get to the bottom all you get is pulp, not juice.

We dropped by the beach first, because what's the point of going so far to the sea without having fun on a beach? It was low tide when we got there, so we walked quite a distance into the seabed. We chased the little red crabs scuttling about- they were about the equivalent of the ants of the land, I suppose. There were swarms of them, a shimmering carpet of red on the sea bed.

It felt good to just spend the weekend totally relaxed! Can't wait to come back here again!

Roasted coffee fruits!

Holiday Laziness

Yes I've promised to blog more often; but I've been having the sort of holiday that's packed enough to deter blogging, but not enough to be exhausting. A relatively nice balance, actually.

I've got entries for weekend trips and food reviews lined up... I just have to finish writing them up lol. They'll be up soon... I hope. 

In the meantime here have a sneak peek. 

Sparks

I love how you're my motivation

and when you smile I hit the ground

and when you kiss me gently I melt

and I end up thinking of all the things I never thought I would.

.

I love how I try my best

and I won't even get tired

because at the end I know

it's worth it; you're worth it.

.

I love how we hold hands

hold pinkies hold hearts

and the silence is nothing

but warm and comfortable

.

I didn't fight so hard

fight my self my mind my life

if I didn't hope for this

and it's so much better.

.

I think I want to keep you.

SEMESTER BREAK AGAIN, FINALLY

I don't know how on earth I did it, but I survived Death Week. I might not have gotten a lot of sleep, and I have ugly stress-pimples on the side of my face now but Death Week is O.V.E.R. and I have 3 weeks of break to look forward to now!!

All I'm going to do is
1. sleep
2. eat
3. read
4. blog

with smatterings of DIY crafts, writing, cycling and other stuff I'm too tired to think of and lacking motivation to do.

I'm hoping to whatever higher power that I get relatively good grades this semester considering the amount of shit I went through, because if I don't I will be sorely disappointed at myself and I doubt I can handle next semester's subjects very well.

Also, ALISON TAN. YOU ENJOY YOURSELF IN AMERICA OKAY. OMG GIRL. YOU'RE GROWING UP SO FAST. *cries*

Thank you for being a brilliant best friend, love all the silly things we've done. :)

We'll be fated to meet each other again, don't you worry!

Looking forward to all my socializing later this week! (⊙‿⊙✿)

It's Okay To Be Angry.

Sometime last week I found this on Taylor's Confession page... And judging by how often we hang out at SLC and how many other couples give foot massages (read: none) I have no doubt it was directed at le petit ami.

Friends kept telling me that my anger was unnecessary and that it shows how insecure I am in my relationship. That I need to trust him, and just take a chill pill.

Let me get things straight: I am not insecure that le petit ami will run off with some other girl, because thinking that is not only far-fetched, it is an insult to him. I am, however, angry that some girls think it is okay to think of other people's boyfriends this way.

First let me address something rather alarming at the response I get: why do people say I shouldn't get angry? In fact, what is there to not get angry about? I feel violated at this statement. I feel violated on behalf of  le petit ami as well. To make it easier to digest my analysis, this confession has the following:

1. Acknowledgement of a public relationship between two people
2. Subsequent disregard of the girlfriend
3. Replacement of self into the role of the girlfriend
4. Assumption that my boyfriend would heed his/her offer of sex without love and commitment

Is my anger clear now? On all levels this person has disrespected both of us and our relationship together. A relationship that, mind you, has been smooth sailing and high flying for close to a year.

In this case I again strongly enforce that it is not wrong to be angry for the right reasons. Someone disrespecting you/your partner/your relationship IS a right reason.

Yes, this person is just saying stuff on the Internet, where bullshit can be said with no consequences, yes s/he shouldn't be a threat to our relationship if we're strong enough, yes I should trust my boyfriend... but while I do all this why am I told be chill? Why can't I be angry to defend myself?

Which brings me to secondly: the dignity of such a person. How on earth do you disrespect someone else's relationship like that? How much disrespect do you have towards yourself to offer your body in exchange for such a service, with someone you don't know and don't love? You're like a cashless version of a prostitute: I don't think I missed the mark when I name you 'bitch'. There is a great deal of hate for the third party in relationships meant for two, and there is a reason why: they don't deserve any respect, because they don't have any, for themselves or for others.

Le petit ami and I discussed the possibility of the person maybe just admiring our relationship and how well I'm treated. But I'm sensitive to words. I know this person isn't coming from the point of admiration, but selfish want. The want to have someone treat him/her like that. Look, if you want a great boyfriend, firstly be the sort of person that matches up to a great person.

For context: a great boyfriend won't cheat. If you can get a boyfriend by being the third wheel (and eventually kicking out the previous girlfriend and becoming the second), what stops the boyfriend from doing the same to you? Dumping your sorry ass for another third wheel? And so obviously he's not a great boyfriend. In short, don't do this third wheel shit because karma will come back and fuck you up.

So will the previous girlfriend, she'd probably key your car and bust his tyres, just sayin'.

It all boils down to respect: respect others, and they'll respect you too.

(Ps. There has been two other confessions about how cute le petit ami is and I wholly agree with those because of the lack of malicious motives behind such confessions. I don't get angry for nothing.)