Perth: Revealed & Reviewed

Beauty Within Budget: Make-up Remover

2009-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Beauty within Budget: Make-up Remover

I'm not sure how many of you out there have applied eyeliner and/or mascara and then find that it gets really really hard (and painful) to remove the make-up on your face!

Even after you've taken a warm shower, cleansed your face, toned, and moisturised, and repeatedly dabbed balls of cotton with XXX brand make-up remover (I have one from Benefit, and it hardly works! ;[ ), you *still can't get the paint off your face.

What you're left with instead is just irritated and sore skin (did you know that the skin surrounding the eye is approximately 7 times more sensitive?) .

I came across this economical beauty tip a long time ago (can't even recall if I read it in a magazine or on a blog or watched it on tv ...) but decided to go out and get myself one today since my Ettusais and Mac eyeliners have recently seen the light of day after a long hiatus.

I got mine at 125ml, but I am definite that you can get it at 200ml as well. At just AUD$4.29 from Priceline, this baby works wonders! (I'm sure Singaporeans can find this at almost any pharmaceutical outlet/supermarket near you!)

I swear by it now, because it was *soo easy and fuss-free (although a little oily c/p to the actual make-up removers) to clear any trails of make-up, especially the eyeliner which can get extremely hard to clean off!

I got mine in Lavender (just cause I love the smell) but you could choose the original one if you prefer a more neutral scent.

So people, stop wasting your $$ on those deceivingly promising make-up removers and get yourself one of Johnson's Baby Oil today because what doesn't hurt a baby shouldn't harm us (certainly not our pockets) either!

Fashion Inspirashion: Karla Derass

2009-09-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

Fashion Inspirashion : Karla Derass

Stumbled upon Karla's Closet
a couple of weeks ago, and I have to say that I really like her style!

She's my age and I think she's a real cool chick! She's got punk! Haha.
She's got to be since she can pull of such a hairstyle well (though I personally prefer her medium length bob ... then again I'm partial to anything remotely feminine except when there's too much feminity like too much lace or something. Moderation is key!).

Some of her ensembles that I really like:

Same awesome cobalt blue blazer, two different styles! <3

Never thought a cowl neck could look this great when paired with wide-leg trousers.

Like the minty colour of the blazer. Just 'POPs!' at your face, but kept subtle with the ruffle details.

Miss Singapore World'09 Ris Low should take a cue from Miss Derass and realise that leopard prints would look more sophisticated and stylish with a well-cut blazer!

Two different textures pieced together weaves a success!

I really like the silhouette this outfit creates.

Effortlessly casual cool but still feminine and put-together.

Wonder who's my next fashion inspirashion.

I know the term sounds cheesy! but I like it like that!!

Singaporeans in Vocal Action

2009-09-07T20:04:00.001-07:00

Singaporeans in Vocal Action (and/or lack there of)

A little something to share with you!

These videos have been spreading like wildfire over the course of a week.
On Facebook mostly.

I mean no harm to anyone viewing this.

They're just for leisurely purposes, really!!

So, sit back and enjoy! (or prepare to cringe your heart out)

Not sure why they're coming out twice each but here goes:

"My Good Friend Vicky"

"Miss Singapore World 2009 - rrrRis Low"

The Spice Girls

2009-09-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

Because Perth is never the same without you

Perth is colder and quieter without Mizah's contagious laughter and her makcikness (but her cooking is sedap given the makcikness), Sasya's crazy laughter and stories about Ben her Fish&Chips Boss, Atul's quiet acknowledgement and generous heart and Ayesha's crazy mama dancing routines.

Miss all of you terribly.

Since it's Ramadhan now, all the more I wish you guys were here to share it with me.

Till we meet again (and not virtually please).

xoxo,
Hannah

City to Surf Run 2009

2009-09-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

City to Surf Run 2009

So the day finally came for my housemate, Kristal, who has been anticipating for the 12k run on Sunday, 30 August. Like I mentioned before, my participation was born out of spontaneity.

On the Friday before the run, I had accompanied Kristal to the Convention Centre behind Esplanade Busport to collect her tag/bib. They had booths set up for last minute registrations.

The thought crossed my mind, but I was still in much deliberation. I mean, I've never entered any of this before. I haven't trained for it, and I was fasting. I brushed it off for a while, and walked around the exhibition hall. There were several cool items, and Kristal even got herself a pair of Asics running shoes at a good buy! She was contemplating on getting the five-fingers shoe though. It's a really unique pair! Check it out:

Vibram FiveFingers Classic in Lilac/White

Cool, huh! It looks just like one of those toe socks except that you can actually wear this one out without getting yourself hurt!

It's lightweight, and from what I can recall, it's within the price range of ordinary sport shoes.

It comes in different colours, of course but for the sake of visual pleasure, I presented you with the one in lilac. (I'm such a girly girl).

The funny part is the slogan on the poster I saw at the booth reads:

Train like an African, Run like an African

It kinda makes sense, lah cause we know that Africans, who are usually known for their fast cadence, run barefooted (not really a choice, I guess but a signature, nonetheless) and it cleverly entices people into thinking that if you run barefoot as well, you can run as fast as them! (these people must be delusional, but I still think the slogan works!)

Well anyway, the morning of the run was a pretty hectic one. I didn't drink as much as I should've had during my sahur (breakfast at dawn before the start of a new fasting day) but I did manage to digest a banana for energy (is this true? my friend once told me to eat a banana before a race, back when I was 9).

Because of the road deviations/blockages, we had no idea how to get to the venue punctually! We booked a cab to get us to the nearest train station (only train services were not disrupted) but instead, the cab driver offered to drive us all the way to the reporting venue. We were so, so lucky! But we also had to pay the additional charges lah.

In the cab, evidently still a little sleepy.

Marathoners along Stirling Highway.

On the way to Esplanade Park, we caught sight of the runners of the 42.4k event. It was a chilly, chilly morning at approximately 7.40 am, and they're up & running already! Didn't manage to capture the leads, who were all Africans.

Oh by the way, the winner of the Marathon will get to bring home $25,000. In cash prize ... I think! The winner is a guy named Joel Kemboi, if I'm not mistaken.

According to news reports, the City to Surf Run 2009 attracted nearly 40, 000 people. Imagine! Running alongside that many people. Apparently, it is the largest event to attract the most number of elite athletes in Australia, since the Sydney Olympics! How cool is that?

If you were wondering, for all 12k events, starting point is within Perth CBD, at St George's Terrace, to City Beach via Subiaco. For the 4k event, starting point is at Perry Lakes Reserve to City Beach.

As I had carried along a shoebag with me containing the digi cam, handphone, wallet and towel, I'll need some sort of locker to store these things while I run. Thank goodness for the Thrifty store people who provided this very service, free of charge!

Basically, you hand them your stuff and place it inside this big white plastic bag, seal it with a portion of your number tag for identification purposes, and you'll meet them again at the end point, after you've completed your run! Awesome, huh?

Kristal's going to store something in there so she can run to her best ability! Haha!

I've never been to an event like this back home in Singapore, so I can't testify to this, but the City to Surf Run was really interesting and vibrant!

They have a best-dressed competition for participants, and a respectable amount of people took that challenge!

There was a group of participants from one of the 12k running categories (there is a 12k walk category) who got all dressed up in their costumes and even carried a big cylindrical shaped advertisement approximately 3-4 metres long. Imagine carrying that for over an hour, up hills and down the hills, covering a range of 12 clicks!

Can you picture yourself doing that? I certainly can't! Sadly, I didn't get to snap a photo of them either but I did get pictures of these fancy-dressed participants:

Her hair must have been heavy, huh? If I remember correctly, she was a 12k walk participant though, so not that much big a deal. I do wonder if her hair managed to stay put throughout the course of the event. You think?

I've got to admit that although I wasn't fully prepared for the race and there were plenty of hiccups along the way, I did enjoy myself a lot.

Of course there were times where I wanted to give up because I got a little thirsty but I keep telling myself, "You paid $34 for this! Better maximise it and keep on running!" Haha. What a way to motivate myself, right? But it worked! It was a good run, and what's most important was that at the end of the day, I felt good too!

Kristal and I are generally happy with our timings although I'm sure both of us feel we could have done better given more preferable circumstances.

We got our results online the very next day! I'm too shy (maybe a little embarrassed lah) to post the real figures up. Haha!!

Before the race. Still looking a little 'stale'. Haha.

After the race. Definitely more energized! Yay!

We ♥ our medals! (We even took home an extra each. *shameshame!)

There were so many things going on at the scene. It was like a carnival!

You can't see it from these pictures, but there were like rides and stuff (for kids, mostly).

We were blessed with good weather too even though it has been pouring in Perth! Told you we were lucky!

We had wanted to cool down and walk around, check these booths out. But if we did, we'd be late for another event! We were busy like bees that day!

Oh well, no losses. Till we meet again next year!

Hopefully, I'm ready for a 12k run by then!

UWAFP 2010 Brochure

2009-08-31T04:34:00.000-07:00

UWAFP (Taylors College) 2010 Brochure

Hold on to your horses everyone, because what I've got in store here shocked us (Kristal and I).

We had a great laugh about it though, so I thought I'd share it with you here!

These were taken in April this year.

Cover page.

This was the biggest shock of all I guess.

I think I look a little weird - not used to having my face blow up this big!
Haha!

Kristal posing in a Chem experiment at the lab.

Here, she still looks like when I first met her 7 years ago!

A snapshot with Elle, the college's receptionist.

I learnt that she's only a year older than I am, which makes her 21 this year.

Hope you had a good laugh too, somehow! (I know Sasya would, and Mizah too if she took a break from her job at Lavender and read this!!)

Look out for my update on the City to Surf run coming real soon!

City to Surf Run 30.08.09

2009-08-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

City to Surf Run 30.08.09

Kristal and I will be taking part in Activ's City to Surf Run tomorrow, Sunday, 30.08.09

Kristal's participating in the Channel Nine 12k walk/run and I will be doing the 4k walk/run.

My participation was out of spontaneity!

I have to take baby steps and not be ambitious about this because it's my first mass run. So, 4k it is!

Hope we'll get all the love & support from all of you back home or wherever you are!

-

On a different note,

I'm planning to take up a non-aggressive sport to strengthen my back (since I suffer from back problems).

Flex-A-Lates or Pilates ?

Anyone??

They're both pretty similar, but Flex-A-Lates is slightly cheaper! Though the drawback is that classes will begin at 8 am, whereas Pilates will start at 6.15pm.

Both classes will be conducted at the UWA Crawley Campus.

Your suggestions are much appreciated! ( :

Jalan2 Cari Makan: Love & Care Cafe

2009-08-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Jalan2 Cari Makan: Love & Care Cafe
(Walk2 (to) Find Food)

Singapore is widely known for its food culture where cheap and good food are easily attainable throughout the city.

As a Singaporean myself, I'd have to say that food plays a big part in my life. I LOVE FOOD. Or more like, I LIKE TO EAT. A LOT. Being away from home though, especially in a land full of ang mohs (Caucasians) it can be tough finding a good eatery that serves a good spread of Malay food (or even Chinese food, Indian food etc.)

With culinary skills like mine (or lack thereof, really), I'm really blessed to have a housemate who cooks and actually enjoys doing so! (Her shepherd pies are yumm!!) Nevertheless, I can't torture her into cooking for me all the time (just most of the time! Haha!) and moreover, it's nice to go out and get some fresh Perth air sometimes! It's a beautiful country after all.

We would occasionally dine in at a Malaysian restaurant, serving authentic Malay food, located on Pier Street, just across Miss Maud's. A plus point is that it's approximately 5 minutes walk from Hay Street/Murray Street Malls so it's good to drop by for lunch or dinner after a exhaustive shopping trip!

Love&Care Cafe, 38 Pier Street

When I say it serves authentic Malay food, I do mean it. This is not a hoax, people!! Why I say this is because often, in a Western country, you'll find that almost (if not) all Asian restaurants advertise themselves as caterers of 'authentic' -insert country- food. Now now, we all know that surely that's just a good marketing strategy. But since I'm not a marketeer, I'm telling you, the food at Love & Care Cafe makes you feel like you never left home!

The restaurant is rather hidden from the public. It's competitors on the other hand, Cafe Karache and Ihsan's Cafe, which are strategically situated, have less than authentic array of dishes. It's just my opinion, but I'm sharing this with you out of personal experience.

Trying to capture the kampong essence of the cafe

With a kampong-style interior, the restaurant has a compact but friendly group of waiters/servers. They serve buffet at lunch, and ala carte for dinner. You could get bandung cincau and teh tarik from here as well. The buffet consists of popular Malay dishes such as Beef Rendang, Ayam Masak Merah and Sayur Lodeh, while for dinner one can choose to have anything from Mee Soto (with rice cubes), Nasi Goreng Pattaya to Prata and Curry.

Since it's Ramadhan (the fasting month for Muslims worldwide) now, Kristal and I visited this quaint Malaysian restaurant earlier this evening for my break fast.

Our plate of appetizers. 2 goreng pisang, 2 jemput-jemput and 2 dates! but my date is missing.

It was thoughtful of them to serve complimentary dates as I broke my fast. That's not all though, Kristal and I also had our first bite (in a long while) of jemput-jemput (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's mashed banana and flour) and goreng pisang (banana fritters)! I liked the jemput-jemput best! It was crispy and tender all at once. Nomnomnom!!

$9.50 Nasi Goreng Love&Care (with fried chicken and egg)

We both had the Nasi Goreng Love & Care, which was tantalizing. I'm no food critic, but I can assure you it was worth the $9.50 (don't be alarmed, these are the 'normal' prices for food here, but it has to be said that the portion justifies the price!). The rice was moist enough with a tinge of spiciness (just a little spice to enhance the flavour), and the fried chicken was ... what can I say, fried chickens are simply yumm!

Love & Care Cafe is by far my dad's personal favourite eatery (although he can never get the name right. He always calls it things like, 'Care & Love', 'Love & Hope', or something way off) whenever my family is here to pay me a visit. He'll insist that we have our meals here whenever possible. If he had his way, that would mean all the time! Haha.

Since my dad is a big foodie himself (he was a satay boy and helped run a family food business years and years ago), I reckon this would be a good recommendation to all of you.

Love & Care Cafe opens on Mondays-Fridays at lunch time, from around noon to 2.30pm, and from 5.30 till late, and till 2.30pm on Saturdays. So be sure to organise your time properly if you don't want to miss this authentic Malay food dining experience in Perth City!

Singapore Turns 44

2009-08-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

Singapore Turns 44

The Singapore Flag
We recited the pledge at 822pm along with Singaporeans all over the world.

I know I'm 2 weeks late, but my family and I (along with my housemate, Kristal) celebrated Singapore's 44th year of independence on the 9th of August in Perth this year. My parents and sister (my brother couldn't make it, sadly) had flown down under to pay me a visit, and what better time to gather the family and celebrate the nation's birthday, while on holiday!

We attended a dinner celebration organised by the Singapore Student Society at Makan2@Vic Park, which has come to be known as the place to be seen, more so for students. It's a cool chillout place, with other students serving at the cafe, popular for their Mamak-standard Teh Tarik. You could also find a bountiful array of local food there, albeit the disparaging difference in local prices. A little out of the way for me (who is heavily-dependent on public transport) but I try to drop by whenever I have the time or craving for a mug of good teh tarik here.

We didn't purchase tickets for the celebration as they were wiped out pretty fast. The ticket, which costs $17 each (for non-members of the SSS) entitles one to a plate of nasi (or rice) with chicken rendang, and a good cup of teh tarik, and fruit punch. We had dinner elsewhere, but were allowed to enter the premises and join in the fun. Each of us did receive a cup of fruit punch, and teh tarik, nonetheless!

Pretty Singapore flag-inspired Cupcake

They were supposed to stream the live broadcast of the National Day Parade 2009, but I think technology failed them.

We were shown videos of all the famous National Day songs instead, some of which Kristal & I sang along to, and most of which are new to my sister (but she caught on pretty quickly)!

As with all birthday parties, it's simply wrong to not have a birthday cake! To ensure that every one gets their fair share, all of us were offered the National Day cupcake! Something refreshing yet nothing new (seeing as how cupcakes have gained widespread popularity because it looks really pretty and cute), the cupcakes were aptly red in colour and adorned with colourful little stars. Real pretty isn't it? Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of cupcakes (I don't like how bland they taste) and I basically just scooped off the icing! Sinful, but I just had to try this one.

My sister was ecstatic when she received the goodie bag!

We were also entertained with games & quizzes, and winners get to take home the NDP goodie bag! They had many to give away, so that meant a lot of quizzes! Some questions were easy-peasy, but some needed a little think-through.

One question went, "Name the tallest building in Singapore". Someone was chosen and she quipped, "Err ... Taka?" :-O !! Major giveaway but what an embarrasing moment for her as loud gasps could be heard from all corners of the room. Either she's not Singaporean, or she hasn't come home in a long time. The answer to that is the Swissotel the Stamford, by the way.

We weren't picked to answer any quizzes even though my mom attempted to gain the emcee's attention (and we were sitting right in front!). We did manage however to get home with not one, but two goodie bags! My sister was the youngest person there (since it's a Uni event, and most if not all are students), and perhaps the organisers felt she deserved to get one! HOW LUCKY! In Singapore, only those who went to the NDP got the goodie bag. We weren't at the NDP, we weren't even in Singapore, but we still got it! Syiok!

An event organised by the Singapore Students Society (UWA)

The celebration was mediocre on the whole, but I'm sure all of us had a good time as we gathered in a room where the person next to you is bound to be a Singaporean. A feeling that can't be described, unless you're living in another man's land.

I had a wonderful time spent with my family. Really blessed and glad I had them to share my patriotism with (haha), and I can't wait to see them again soon.

Such is the life of a student living abroad!

Perth's Treasures: Pigeonhole

2009-08-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Perth's Treasures: Pigeonhole

Pigeonhole @ 80 Barrack St

The very trendy (and costly) 'Kronan' bicycle
Kristal wants one of these for her collection.

Perth is often regarded as a rather 'dull' city in comparison to its more vibrant, and metropolitan (read: 'hip', 'happening') counterparts, like Sydney and Melbourne. I'm just mentioning these 3 cities because I assume that they house many, many Asians, and especially students like myself. As such, I'm always on the lookout for something 'out of the ordinary', something 'quirky'. Shops that are comparable to the ones at Haji Lane, for instance.

I discovered this shop one day, sometime last year when I read Karen Cheng's (a fellow Australian-Asian blogger) blog. I was excited, because this would mean a different shopping experience than the time spent at Myer, or Target, or Dotti and Sportsgirl even. This meant a different shopping experience because I'll be browsing 'cool' stuff, like pencil cases that are made from recycled leather sofas, lomo cameras, an umbrella in the form of a bottle etc etc.

It took me a while to find the place, because the pioneer store is tucked away in an unassuming building. Almost a year later, Pigeonhole has successfully opened another store (although still nicely tucked away in a 'lane').

If you're planning to unwind yourself in Perth anytime in the near future, or if you already are in Perth and have no idea what else to do on cold, wintry days like these, do drop by Pigeonhole at Barrack Street (really, really near the popular Hay St/Murray St Malls in Perth) or take a stroll to the other end of the street malls, and envelope yourself in the atmosphere of the other end of the Hay St/Murray St malls, adjacent to King Street(where it's peppered with sidewalk cafes, other off-beat, quirky stores, and a couple of luxurious shops) and get yourself to Shafto Lane!

You'll have no regrets! Because you're sure to find a little sum'in sum'in for yourself or a loved one.

I'm not too sure about Pigeonhole's opening hours, but do check out their website
for more details!

The Arts Fac

2009-08-12T22:45:00.000-07:00

The Arts Fac

I find the above 'thread' pretty hilarious. Saw it in the cubicle around the corner of one of UWA's many lecture theatres.

Not the ideal place, of course but you'll be surprised at the amount of conversations and interaction that take place in one cubicle alone.

I was just mentioning to Kristal the other day actually, how I'd feel inadequate if I were to come to school in merely tshirt and jeans. We talked about this cause Kristal was donned in well, tshirt and jeans and had commented that she felt like a Poly student (no offence to Poly students out there. Besides, what's wrong in wearing tshirt and jeans??).

I feel as though every day, I'd have to invest in a decent amount of time to pull together an outfit, particularly now, because it's winter and there's just so much layering that needs to be done (opt that out and you'll most prolly freeze). It's all fun, of course because you get to play around and actually put on things you forgot you had.

But it struck me though, and my mom couldn't have said it better when she asked me, "Are you going to school or a fashion show?"

I cheekily replied, "Fashion show,"

Exactly why I chuckled when I saw that someone had drew an arrow and said, "Arts Students?" when 'Who has the time to dress up for school?' was posed.

I'm not sure what's it like in Singapore, but I have to say, the girls here at my Uni, they dress pretty fashionably. It's like a vast runway and I often draw inspirations just by walking around campus.

Then again, I largely commune to and fro the Arts Building and the Soci Building, so I can't say that *all the girls at UWA are fashionably-inclined.

Oh!

And I wore my super discounted pair of SteveMadden rainboots from Myer to school today (sediakan payung sebelum hujan, katekan) and thought to myself, if I were to go for a run in these boots, I think I'll get me some sturdy leg muscles ... and some leg injury because obviously they're not suitable for such activities.

Food For Thought, Lessons From Anthrop

2009-08-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

Food For Thought, Lessons From Anthrop

So I was reading up on an article by David Counts titled Too Many Bananas, Not Enough Pineapples, and No Watermelons at All, and I came across this particularly interesting 'lesson' of 3 lessons:

[If you are a little visually-challenged (or majorly, like me), it reads: Never refuse a gift, and never fail to return a gift. If you cannot use it, you can always give it away to someone else -- there is no such thing as too much -- there are never too many bananas.]

We've often been taught that we shouldn't possess too much of a commodity and/or intangible good(s) since it might derail our moral standing.

I find the quote above a fresh twist to the normative dogma we've been coerced to adhere to.

After all, where sharing is caring, I guess one can never have too much of anything.

I therefore urge you to participate in SWAP activities, instead of purchasing commodities at any opportunity there is.

If you're in Singapore, do keep a lookout for SWIRL's SwirlSwapSwop (www.swirlgirls.blogspot.com)

and

in Perth, a good example would be Winifred&Bance's Vintage SWAP Party (www.winifredandbance.com)

It'll be a unique experience each time, I guarantee.
Hahah, well well who am I to anyhow guarantee like that, eh!
Just from past experiences I guess.
Best if you can attend it with a friend or two.
Three friends and you might end up fighting over the same stuff.
Haha!
Unless you're all of 3 different sizes la.

7 Years of Friendship in a Bundle of 20 (and a 19.75)

2009-08-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

7 Years of Friendship in a Bundle of 20 (and a 19.75)

Our first and (hopefully not the) last sole trip to Thornlie. A little over a year ago, because we haven't discovered the halal chicken at City's Shimizu.

One of the many crazy nights where we popped by Sasya's place.

Right before we set foot for the journey to a higher level of education. I miss Uncle Raymond's/Sunni's sushi!

At your 17th birthday at Jalan Kayu's Spizza, where we had to squeeze into the Musso.

Sec 4 Farewell Assembly on my 16th birthday. You were joyous because, well because it was my birthday! Hahah!

Feelings go up,
Feelings go down

but no matter the weight,
I'll still carry you on my shoulders.

I will try la. Cause you know. We're both not light.

Kidding, K!

I know you had a BLAST today!
I'm glad you like the home decor. Eh! Wait. You never said you liked it, but can tell la from your face that you like it a lot!!

Cause it came from the heart.

Love you Taltal,
Love Hannah.

I Can Breathe the Airs of Spring

2009-08-02T22:56:00.000-07:00

I Can Breathe the Airs of Spring

The blazing sun with a hint of the cool breeze.
Trees are shedding, paving ways for new lives.
Sounds like spring, smells like spring!
Rightfully though we're all still stuck in dreary Winter here in the southern hemisphere, but nonetheless, I still demand that it's spring! September's only a month away, in any case.

I'm right into my third week of uni as of tomorrow, Monday the 3rd. Thus far, it's been pretty easygoing. Actually, I kinda feel like I'm still on holiday! That doesn't sound right, does it? Maybe it's just me and my relatively laidback timetable (school starts at 10 and ends by 2). Maybe it's the units I'm taking this sem: 2 Ling, 1 Comm Studies, 1 Anthrop - Anthrop has the most amt of readings in my opinion, and I haven't really started on them. I'm really liking Ling1102, Language as a Cognitive System, as well as Comm Studies. My lecturers are usually American since I share the same lecturer for both Ling units, and my tutors are all approachable and interactive. So yes, that's uni life in academia but the social scene is still bland for now. I'm getting there, I hope.

I haven't been doing much here in Perth cause I get really lazy to lift myself off the warm support of the couches and bed! But, I'd have to say the past few days have been rather eventful.

First off, on
Friday,
Kristal and I headed down to the City after school. We had planned on going for the Freshies BBQ organised by the Singapore Students' Society (SSS) at Matilda Bay which is just across our apartment, but abandoned the idea because it was too awkward. We did bump into Ophe and Feng Xian en route our escape though. Kristal got her necessities and we had bubbletea! Pretty much combed the city as usual; saw some stuff I liked but I'm getting a little broke because August is a wonderful month (haha). Friday spells late night shopping so yes, that was what we basically did. Spent the last few minutes at Mango where Kristal got pretty good deals, and where I acted as her personal shopper. Hahah, I was really actioning can. Just grabbed, grabbed whatever I thought was 'right' for her. Of course she didn't get all that I'd offered, but still, I hope she's glad for her buys! We haven't had dinner, but the bubble tea kept us satiated. I really wanted her to try Macs fries dipped in hot fudge sundae though (a tradition from more than a decade ago). Stepped into the 24h Macs, highly patronized by Australian youths. It was pretty scary for us, because well, the people there were seemingly rowdy and gangsta. Of course, I deduced this only based upon their mannerisms and attire. Not sure if it's accurate, but you'd know what I mean when you see them. A group of boys were sitting on the counters of the McCafe and it made the manager on shift pretty furious! Kristal said they reminded her of the mats back home. I said I think the mats aren't as bad (and threatening) in comparison.

This was after our meal (which consisted of an apple pie, a hot fudge sundae, large fries, and a filet-O-fish)

Argh! Why did it come out like this? Anyway, we had half an hour to kill before the bus is scheduled to send us back home. FAT FACE!

So on
Saturday, we had a mission! To get to a contempo cafe nestled in the North of Perth, in a town called Vincent! MILKD. You can check out their website! It's a pretty small dining area, inc. al fresco setting, and they serve all day breakfast here (as with most Australian cafes. Haha.) but Kristal and I only had a good mug of flat white (for her) and a cup of sweet hot chocolate! It was good. To me. Inevitably filled up our stomachs, with all the milk (and the calories) but ah, it's all in the name of good fun, yes?

A graffiti-ish mural on the wall where we sat.

The cafe from Kristal's pov. Lighting wasn't good where we sat. And my camera not as pro as someone's. Haha.

After completing our mission, we set foot for Winifred and Bance, a vintage shop in Inglewood. We knew what buses would bring us there, but because we weren't familiar with North Perth, we had trouble finding the bus stops that would provide us with the appropriate buses. So we walked over to the petrol station, and got directions. Turns out, we had to walk over a km to get to that suburb. So we walked. And walked. It was actually a pretty long walk, but it didn't feel like it. Perhaps it was the weather. The weather made it really bearable. I didn't time how long it had taken us to travel from North Perth to Inglewood by foot, but when we got there, we managed to find the right bus stand almost right away. So the bus came, and we weren't sure of the exact address of the bus stand. When I boarded the bus and tapped my SmartRider (Perth's ezlink), I approached the driver and enquired:

Hannah : Hi, does this bus go to Bunnings?
Driver: What?
Hannah: Bunnings, you know the big shop?
Driver: Well do you know where it is??
Hannah: I think it's along Beaufort Street.
Driver: Well then, just press the bell! What do you think the bells are there for!?!?
Hannah: (puzzled and annoyed all at once) Oh, ok. Thanks.

Awful service.

We succesfully spotted Bunnings (more like Kristal). I was expecting a big building with an apparent display of 'B-U-N-N-I-N-G-S' in white against green wall, but nope! this Bunnings (I think it's like Courts) was a little hidden. We crossed over to W & B, and scanned the whole shop first, and then began to surreptitiously find for treasures. Haha! Kristal has been looking for bags, and we saw a few ridiculously vintage (not sure if they function well but it could serve as a chest display or smth) luggages, priced at $45! In fact, W & B is very affordable, bearing in mind that these are vintage goods (most are I believe, 20 years or more). A clear contrast from Singapore's usually overpriced vintage stores. I finally got a $10 black coat with grey fur (very drama, huh. but $10 only la. got a hole in a pocket though) after much deliberation. Also got a tweed pink blazer from another recycling shop from across W & B. They have quite good finds too! Really nice bagsss. But a little pricey for our liking.

This one's my fault. I didn't rotate the picture. But the prev one's just plain, faulty. Kristal with her new found glory!

I'm so sorry. I think iphoto is facing some probs at the moment. So anyway, this is Winifred & Bance, the vintage store!

Momo's. The other shop I went to.

Sunday.
We had plans to go catch My Sister's Keeper at the nearest theatre, which can be found in a neighbouring (not so neighbour, there's still a 20 min bus ride) suburb called Subiaco. I kept insisting we purchase the tickets first, since we were there abt 45 mins early. But Kristal laughed and told me, here, 10 people in a movie theatre is considered full house already. Haha. The disparaging differences. The movie was really, really good by the way. At least for me. I read the novel of the same name by Jodi Picoult 3 years back, so I can't remember details and the ending even. Just the plot, I can recall, along with the fact that it was a novel that made me cry hard at the end of it. I still remember the day I finished the book! My maid had brought my sis down for a swim and I had stayed home cause I planned to read my book. I plopped myself down on the couch and started reading. I cried, with mucus flowing and all (so gross, but I like the feeling when I'm really sad and not to wipe it off! hahahahah.) and then I got to the ending, and just cried. Like a baby. Like waa! waa! that kind. Okay la, not as whiny, but you get the picture. So, I heard the movie's ending had a twist, and honestly, I can't tell cause I really can't remember the ending for the novel, but the movie was a definite, definite tearjerker. I had read a review of it by the NY Times a few weeks ago when I was back home in Sg, and it mentioned that the theatre was sobbing and stuff. It's true! The people around me were all sniffing, and resisting the tears. The works. The girl in front of me was trying so hard not to cry, she kept fanning herself, in the manner where you really want to cry but you don't want to cause it'll ruin your makeup or something, ala beauty pageant queens.

Oh, and we had BASKIN ROBBINS too, since it can be conveniently found opposite the theatre. I tried a sample of the Green Tea and Shafiqah!! It's almost as good as the Jap one just ard the corner! Really. It's like the Green Tea frap! I had my usual Mint, and Kristal had Buttery Almond! We headed to the market after the movie, got our dinner, and scurried to purchase a bag of fruit to keep healthy (haha) hoping we'll make it in time for the bus back home. We were 5 mins early, so we decided to walk further up to the next bus stop. The bus didn't come after 30 mins. I rang the infoline. I was told because there was an AFL (Australian Football League) at the Subiaco Stadium (or whatever it's called), the bus service is delayed. So much for the delay. The bus never came at all! I got super mad. Because it got really cold. We thought of taking the cab but that's a little out of our budget, and cabs are elusive in Perth! Most of the time. And I didn't want to call for one, cause that'll mean more money spent! So we had to walk out of the suburb, and towards Shenton Park to get a bus back home. Thank goodness we didn't miss that one. Otherwise, Cranky Me will come haunt.

I told Kristal to take this cause it feels so American Suburb. Haha. Commercialisation.

Kristal says they look like they're friends.

Angry. Cold. And Waiting. RAWWRRRRR!!

OK. BED BECKONS, BACK'S HURTING TOO.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR WEDNESDAY TO COME! :D