YAYERS, ZE HOOOORRLEADAYS R HERE.

Okay wait. It's even longer and better than holidays. What are holidays when I am DONE with Nanyang Polytechnic?!!! Like whuuuuut.

After 2 academic years, 14 weeks of attachment in school & 10 weeks of internship, I am finally free from the school curriculum. No more exams or final year project for me because I'll be off for my overseas student exchange program for the final semester in poly. And my trip will be coming up real soon, in... 13 days.

Amidst my internship, I was busy filling up tons of forms, replying emails, applying VISA (which is really tedious especially for the German Embassy), buying insurance, booking flight tickets and completing other miscellaneous errands. And this was how my independence began. From the way I see it, most students who have the opportunity to attend the exchange programme are 100% guided by their parents, where they settle everything for their child, from A to Z. I don't have it as easy as them and I am not born with a silver spoon, so I got things done on my own whether it is the research/decision/money. Preparation is tough but I know it'll be worth it!

With so much said, I am proud to say that I have been a self-sufficient girl. There's still quite a bit to do before I'm ready for the 5-months trip but it's a good progress so far:

☑ I have purchased my flight tickets which cost me $1.6K+ 

(heart ached like hell when I withdrew my hard-earned money)

The timing for departure is pretty good, transition period is just nice too. 

1 September is a good day, oh, mark your calendars maybe?

☑ almost done with the VISA application 

(currently waiting for collection of VISA which is taking forever)

I feel more at ease now that the important and challenging tasks have been accomplished. What's left are mostly the miscellaneous stuff like winter wear shopping, planning of travelling route. 

The most crucial part of the preparation is to find time and make time. I managed to pull through that with my schedule often packed. And now that I am left with less than 2 weeks before my departure, my schedule is TIGHT. Trying my best to squeeze in time to meet the people who matter to me and to spend quality time with my family before leaving town for 5 months.

I feel really lucky to be going for this long-awaited trip during THIS period. If not I wouldn't enjoy such a cool poly curriculum — having to graduate so much earlier as compared to others and being able to skip exams/projects for an entire year. There are just too many pros for me to list down and I am glad I didn't go for the exchange programme in year 2 or year 3 sem 1. The planning is so smooth, I can't even...! So fortunate that I was picked to study overseas in year 3 too. :-)

+ + more updates + + 

Internship would be more dull (than it already was) if not for this bunch of colleagues/interns. They made the days more enjoyable.

(08/08/14) We even ordered KFC delivery for ourselves, among the interns. It was the best meal throughout the 10 weeks HAHA because there was really nothing much to eat at the canteen.

Internship wasn't all that bad because with optimism, perseverance, self-motivation, love and support, 10 weeks passed by just like that. Now when I look back, it was pretty fast. 

"ALL work but NO play?"

Nope, that line does not exist in my dictionary.

So, no matter how dreadful or tired I am from internship, I make plans to head out for some fun and treats. (um yes, part of the reason, was to meet up and hang out before 1 Sep)

(10/08/14) Picnic Day 2 @ Marina Barrage

Picnic at the Marina Barrage, my favourite kinda Sunday...

 With lots of food and yezzz pizzas (Domino's) + Starbucks + KFC egg tarts + fruits + Charlie's lemonade!!!

And, of course, I just had to get bubbles, blow some bubbles then run around popping them. I had so much fun HAHA. Still young at heart and juvenile.

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(09/08/14) Night Picnic

First night picnic, under the moon and stars. And sushi made by your's truly. Hehe, picnic 2 times in a row cuz I'm cool like that.

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(03/08/14) Work @ River Safari

One-day casual labourer at River Safari was a new and enriching experience for me indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed working there — interacting with tourists (picking up casual talks like where they came from/how their country is like), voluntarily helping guests to take pictures, smiling and greeting guests (feeling really good when polite guests say thank you in return) and playing with animals.

I was totally guiding the otter with my finger.

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(28/07/14) Trick Eye Museum

Went to Slappy Cakes for brunch first. Initially, I didn't know that it was a DIY pancake restaurant until I saw the menu. It was a first time experience and to be honest, I didn't fancy frying my pancakes to cute figures or letters (except for the last drip of pancake sauce).

I'd rather have my pancakes served nicely, with a platter of fruits.

This looks bad but the combination was good!

My cutie gingerbread man hehehehehe.

After queueing for about 50 mins (lucky us even tho the waiting time was 1.5 hours), we stepped into the museum, thinking that there will be nothing much to see except the common ones that people post on Instagram. Well, no. There were a lot of exhibitions to see and was shocked that we took almost 4 hours in the museum! In reality, the art pieces were not as realistic or 3D-like as compared to the pictures. Once they were captured, it looked so real. I wonder why but I am amazed by the pictures even until now. The museum has lived up to it's name 'Trick Eye' indeed.

 

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(27/07/14) Visit to River Safari

After so long, I've finally visited the River Safari! (this was before working as a casual labourer there)

The boat ride was interesting and we managed to see quite a few animals even though it was supposed to be their bed time.

Of course, I had to try the Panda Pau. It was so irresistible to eat when it was that cute!

Both the chocolate and red bean flavours were acceptable. It was $2.90 each, pretty affordable.

Red panda was so fluffy!

The treasures of Singapore. Treated so well with full-blast air conditioners (so cold I was freezing), stress-free for their job is only to eat and sleep (and climb). I wished I was a panda too.

Alexis meets the catfish.

Look who finally got her Tumblr??!?! After a gazillion years, I got my hands on this, all thanks to papa bear :-*

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(24/07/14) Park Date with the Bestie

My sweet sweet bestie made a scene on the sands of Pasir Ris Park.

Thankful to have you as a bestie!

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(20/07/14) Impromptu Beach Date with Benben

Because we had the feel for some sand, sea and fun, we made an impromptu decision to Palawan Beach. I LOVE the beaches.

Time for some shameless selfies, excuse me.

Hi there.

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(17/07/14) Reunited with the Bestie

Honoured that I was the first person he spent time with right after his flight back from Germany. Missed him so much after not having to see him for 3 months. It was a good catch up over bah kut teh  and alcohol.

BKT @ Ng Ah Sio

Extremely average and not worth the price.

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(11/07/14) Ben's birthday

Right after internship, I rushed to celebrate 2 people's birthday. The plan to spray whip cream kinda failed but we still had a good laugh over it. Had dinner at Anthesis and a good chat with my favourite bunch of people.

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More café-hopping or in this case, food hopping for the café girl? Whats new eh!

{ fArt tArtz }

Granola Tarts in a Jar — Tiramisu flavour and Earl Grey flavour

{ OZ Specialty Coffee }

Smoked salmon and avocado sandwich was yumz.

I love their belgian waffles!

Food was good and beverage was average. The ambience was pretty, only a pity the place was rather small.

{ Working Title }

Back at Working Title for the second time to try their main dishes instead but they were still rather disappointing.

S'mores waffle was very s'mores HAHA, it was good but too greasy/sticky after a few bites. I definitely recommend sharing the waffle!

Very good soup and salad! The salmon eggs benedict was satisfying to the stomach, so as the waffles. Food was good, yum yum.

{ November 8 Cafe & Company }

Food standard was poor... The chicken was overcooked, I had so much difficulty slicing it because it was really hard. The croissant was tasteless. Service was bad too!

{ Dean and DeLuca } 

Went to Dean and DeLuca again but was ultimately disappointed even after making a trip down before and being satisfied with their food. The salmon was too raw that it didn't blend in well with the poached eggs (which weren't even poached). Pasta was horrible this time, too hard...

Pretty much in love with the ambience!

{ TWG Tea Company }

I still prefer the macarons from Laduree!

{ Domino's Pizza }

Not a café, yep, but hey, pizza delivery and beer while chilling at home, I love it still. It was the first time trying Domino's Pizza and I must say their pizzas are the best, hands down.

{ Timbré }

Duck pizza and spicy mussels were gooooood.

{ Starbucks }

A place I visited a lot during internship. Did I mention, that I am Starbucks 'ambassador'?

{ Udders }

Food was average.

{ IKEA }

Still lovin' the meatballs and chicken wings. The beer tasted really badly though.

Tried some FRIED OREOS from a pasar malam at Tampines. This was superb, definitely something new!

Will be updating this space again, really soon!

I can't wait for my trip and I'll definitely be blogging about travelling too. Till then!