Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Conflicts.

Conflicts.
feeling: vexed.
music: john mayer - not myself

University life's a bigger transition than I'd thought it would be. I've been so busy keeping myself afloat in this sea of madness, I'm losing track of my goals and ambition. Once in a very long while, traces of my initial drive surface, only to be submerged by the waves of distraction. I started this new phase with a clear enough intention of how I wanted my life to be like but it seems like I'm on the highway towards the other end. Hopefully I'll find my way back to shore with time.

Caught up with Jem a bit over MSN yesterday and he said that I seem to having a whale of a time here at NTU. I don't think he's far from the truth but the initial hype seems to be fading, just as I'd expected it to.

Hostel life detaches me from life outside campus. There are so many people, people who keep me grounded, who I've been neglecting. My family, Jason, Ceci, Fagan, Marc... And I totally forgot about Ken's as well as my bitch's birthday. I'd really wish to spend way more time and attention than I do now on them all, but I know that I am already spreading myself a little thin.

"Take time off to be alone or something... swim, read a book..." Fagan just told me that. How apt. I'm really in need of some me-time, and I think my required doses of such times are slightly higher than most. I miss hanging out with Fagan. I haven't seen him in over a month I think! Anyway, he's being a sweetie, offering to commute all the way down to my obscure location sometime next week. Things are starting to look up. I need a dose of Fagan's logic!

My temper's gone wonky. Mood swings and what-nots are taking their toll. Had a chat with Ede, my roomie, earlier. It's surprisingly easy confiding in people I realised. Ting Yi has just reminded me that I am not alone.

Anyway, Ede and I are having a convo on msn. (I know, what the hell?) She said something stupid and I replied, "ROFL".
Ede (turning over to speak to me): You never roll.

HAHA! I'm so gonna be a walking panda tomorrow. Night world.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Keep running, keep holding my hand.

Keep running, keep holding my hand.
music: lea salonga - even santa fell in love

Me: -relating dream about bombs-
Aunt: I think it's a sign you shouldn't travel.
Me: I've got school and anyway, how soon is soon?
Aunt: Where are you intending to go in December?

Just like that. Knowing that my family accepts my gallivanting ways is really liberating.

Anyway, I've been too caught up griping and complaining, I haven't properly blogged about what I've been up to the entire week.

Thursday was my day off from school and I took the opportunity to meet up with Lanxi for some shopping. Actually, 'some' is an understatement. We were lugging around so many bags, sales assistants started smiling at us and commenting, "shopping spree?"

With achy legs (and a near-empty wallet), I headed down to meet Jason to catch The Break-Up. The movie wasn't exceptionally good, but I felt that it was an honest enough representation of real life. Headed back to hall, rushed to type out some project work, then went out suppering with Cheryl, Daph and Erwin.

I was supposed to hit the pool with the girls on Friday after class, but they were all feeling kinda tired. I was rather lazy and happy to skip the workout too actually, haha! I was content hanging out in my room and really talking to a good friend. We used to share such deeper conversations until school started and our chats veered towards the superficial.

Friday was date night with Ceci whom I hadn't seen in ages. Only two weeks actually, but we're used to meeting up more often than that. Had dinner in a so-so cafe with sucky desserts and even worse service, and we caught the ultimate of bimbotic chick flicks - Love Wrecked. It was as cheesy as a pop-ish movie can be, though there were definitely swoon-worthy moments that left us going, "awww..." together with the rest of the audience.

Hit the pool with the boys today, though there wasn't much catching-up. Zipped home, lunched and showered, then spent the rest of the day with Jason. Has it been three years already?

Here I am, an hour and a half past the bedtime I'd set for myself. Better go, I wanna go for a run in the morning before the sun gets too scorching. And I've gotta get back to school early to clean my mess of a room. Ecks. Night world.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Take me away.

Take me away.

I spent a lazy morning by CH's pool with CH and Ken, though I'm not sure 'lazy' is an apt description of my days recently. Even as I lounged on the sun-chair, my mind was reeling with the things I had to complete before my afternoon out and about.

Life has been so hectic of late. Tons of readings, research and what-nots are waiting for me to deal with, yet I can't seem to ever finish them all. It's quite like poly life, only way busier. And I am not even involved in a CCA. I haven't read a book or even a magazine in ages, nor have I watched MTV. Social activities on the weekend are starting to feel like obligations and I don't ever like feeling this way.

I know I really need to spend some time with myself and find my centre. No work-related stuff. Nothing. Just a day, or an afternoon even, doing nothing.

Better yet, somebody bring me. Take me away to a place where time stands still.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Double standards.

Talking in riddles.
music: the quiet of the night.

Ain't it funny how life turns out? Things I'd agonized over to find a solution to are suddenly no longer an issue. And I'm missing the agony. Things which I'd predicted to be a joy are suddenly awkwardly painful. And I don't remember the joy.

I'm so afraid I may turn into you.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

One stop south of paradise.

One stop south of paradise.
music: boz scaggs - miss riddle

My house keys are starting to feel unfamiliar. When I'm back home for the weekends, I come up with my hostel room key each time I grope around my purseful of keys. Hostel life definitely ain't as luxurious as life back at home but I'm enjoying the freedom and independence that comes with it. It's nice to be fussed over every once in awhile, but I like having my own space.

This post is from home actually. Tomorrow's tutorial was cancelled and I figured I very much missed my clean bed. For the unenlightened, my hostel room faces the very dusty PIE, and my roomie and I are definitely not the most diligent of cleaners, haha. Dust can never be good if those darn pimples playing checkers on my face are anything to judge by. I need to do something about this, and I need to do it soon.

My emotions and intuition have been at an all-time high these two weeks. Many a time I've been tempted to channel them all into a song, but I just haven't got the free time to sit down and write. They've come and gone though, dang.

I'd better take full advantage of my night back home and get some shut-eye before midnight. I swear my body clock's gone haywire ever since I started hall life. Looking forward to a good run in the morning (would have hit the beach for the run but my kaki's got classes till noon) before meeting Lanxi in town for a spot of retail therapy and Jason for a movie.

Note: Pass Jason a dollar for the shoes he bought me. I know, my superstitions drive many crazy.

Night world.

Monday, August 21, 2006

Pardon my grammar; i'm really tired.

Pardon my grammar; I'm really tired.
music: ryan cabrera - true

The weekend's passed by in yet another blur of events. Erwin's dinner on Friday night was a pretty laidback affair. Dinner at this beach shack along the beach, after which a bunch of us headed down to the coffee club for a cuppa.

I think I've played a tad too much through the week. A whole lotta stuff was waiting for me to settle over the weekend and I was really quite tempted to hole myself in my room on Saturday to set up the Mac, settle the rebate forms and do whatever I had to. I finally understand how difficult it can be juggling time between oved ones and impending work. Balance balance balance.
Anyway, work took a backseat like it should and I spent the afternoon with Jason before we joined Kelly, Xinkai and Mich C at Movies at the Padang in the night. It was a Saturday well spent I thought. I had my workout in the morning, some alone time with my boyfriend in the afternoon and a picnic in the evening with friends.

I obviously didn't get any work done last night and I was tempted to hole up in my room this morning. Then again, I hadn't had a meal with my folks in the whole week, thus to brunch with them it was. Which I'm glad I took the time out for.

I don't think I mentioned this... I'm blogging from my hall room! Which means my Macbook is all set up and connected and all. Woohoo.

Sleep's beckoning. Night world.

P.s. Will blog about the CS Homecoming. Extremely inspiring.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Dinner party at Beacon, this obscure little beach hut by East Coast. So obscure it was I didn't quite feel like I was in Singapore.

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P8186851
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Tingyi, Cheryl and Charmain.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

I can't remember what made Charlene and I so happy.

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P8186842
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

That's us, with the birthday boy.

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P8196871
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Check out his new specs.
Very "cocky guy from advertising" i think.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The 'happy' strut to go with his 'happy' specs.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The girls.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The food.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

One of my favoured swimming babes!

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The enthusiastic crowd.

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P8196903
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Xinkai, Kelly, Mich.

Friday, August 18, 2006

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bd1
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

The Blind Date.
A mini photolog by Leigh Khoo.
Starring Nelson Khoo, Yixiu and Jazzy.

This is Nelson, brimming with hope.
Maybe, just maybe, he'll find true love this time.
And so with a sunflower, he waits for his date...

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bd2
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Still waiting...

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bd4
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

"She's coming, she's not coming. She's coming, she's not coming."
Discouraging thoughts fill his mind.

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bd3
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Blind date number one finally arrives.
She's stumped.
"Oh my goodness that's my date?!?!"

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mfm5
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

A disappointed/shocked/dumbfounded blind-date number 2. Time for that image overhaul Nel, heh.

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menel
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Nelson my bro.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Nelson and Yixiu. The ex-scandals. Heh heh.

karinme


karinme
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Karin.

michme


michme
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Mich.

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mfm3
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Manhattan Fish Market.

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mfm1
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Nelson (foreground) and Jovi. He's hungry.

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mfm4
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

We were actually trying to get a shot of us with the fish behind. I think this was the eighth (unsuccessful) attempt.

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mfm2
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Sarah and Rosell - the unseparables!

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mfm8
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

The Khoo siblings.

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mfm6
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Yum.

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mfm7
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

giraffe


giraffe
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

I'm totally lovin' this canopy-like sofa seat.

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giraffe1
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Us at giraffe.

Impaired.

Impaired.

Words can barely express how frustrating it is to live in the hall without easy access to a computer. With so many assignments, online readings and research to do, it is darn darn darn frustrating (honestly, no better word fits better) to be impaired this way. I can't wait for my Macbook. My ipod was delivered to my home a couple of days back, so I'm hoping for a miracle whatsoever that my laptop will come soon after.

In case you're wondering, this quickie post (I know Xiu, again!) hails from one of the PC labs. Currently waiting for Charlene to be done with her printing and hit the pool. My third time this week. Lay Ming commented that I'm starting to smell of chlorine. Hahaha! I'd better give myself a good old scrubbing later.

Headed down to town (I feel isolated from civilisation here in the West) for a good old catch-up with the IG peeps last night. And I got to take a peek at giraffe! A pretty atas place, but good ambience nonetheless. Managed to sneak in a drink at Pre-Rouge with TC as well. It was good seeing him again after so long, but it never feels good to know your friend's hurting and not be able to do anything about it.

She's done! Time for a swim.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Sunday in solitude.

Sunday in solitude.

This weekend's gone by so quickly, I'm hurrying yet again to post this before leaving for my computer-free hostel room. Ecks. I hope my Macbook comes soon.

Went by Ikea yesterday to pick up the remaining things I need, like a cushion and a garbage bin! Lugged back a few more knick knacks along the way, so I'm really blessed to be able to hitch a ride from Jason's family, who are also coming by for a quick peek. I'd really ought to get around to cleaning my room again. I can feel the dust.

Oops, they're here. Gotta run.

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P8094271
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

He's sleepy.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

"Don't you think it's nicer to not look into the camera when taking a picture?"

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Melt me.

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P8134280
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Lunch, with love.
How I've missed home-cooked home. Check out the heart-shaped sunny side up my auntie made.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Obssessive compulsive.

Obssessive compulsive.

I think I must be one of the most neurotic people around. Having spent enough time deciding between a Mac or PC laptop, I went ahead to place my order for a Fujitsu Lifebook yesterday, decided today that I'd very much rather have a Mac book, then spent a good whole three hours purchasing it online. I'd better get my ass down to the computer shop to cancel my Fujitsu asap.

Next dilemma? Exemption from certain subjects. Should I drop or should I not? Dropping would definitely mean more time on my hands and lesser examinations to sit for. Then again, I'm not really keen on accelerating. Someone, please knock me unconscious before I drive myself crazy.

I'd better get some shut-eye and get the flu out of my system. Check out the two candid shots I stole from Cecilia's blog. That sneaky girl.

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bintan4
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

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bintan2
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Retarded ramblings.

Retarded ramblings.

Why am I so zonked? It's not the first that I'm surviving on six hours of sleep. In fact, six hours ain't that little come to think of it. Yawn. Must have been all that swimming and walking Lanxi and I did today.

Unlike Monday, the pool was infested with beefcakes today. That means lane cutting, weird grunting and pure testerone overload. Well, Lanxi and I still managed to do our thing and complete our laps. We even threw in abit of sunning on the sun chairs. (Comfy, I like.)

We were somehow ravenous after the workout and without even bothering to shower, we changed into our rumpled togs and sat down to a good old zhi char lunch at my hall's canteen. Haha, thank goodness the place was almost empty so no one we knew saw us in our dishevelled states.

Decided to pop by Charmain's stall at the bazaar and I led Lanxi across the campus and back. Sorry babe! I really ought to do something about my sense of direction. Headed down to Jurong Point for dinner and here I am in Erwin's room for his internet services. I'm supposed to be checking out some poly exemption stuff I have to submit tomorrow but there's a whole lot of stuff of I have to print. Doubt I'll be able to get it all in on time.

Enough with the blogging. Better stop before Faiz gets pissed off with my unauthorized use of his laptop!

I tell you that hat, don't fit my head.

I tell you that hat, don't fit my head.
music: joss stone - the chokin' kind

Tomorrow's yet another day I'll have to spend without my computer. I really ought to place my order for a laptop tomorrow, though I am still deciding between a normal pc and a mac. Dilemmas dilemmas. I think I make things too hard for myself sometimes. I'll just go with my gut tomorrow.

I don't know how this is gonna make me sound but today was the first in several years that I'd actually sat down to watch the whole parade on tv from the start to the end. I was watching some movie on the couch with Jason when the greyish clouds parted and mild sunlight peeked through. It was an afternoon that made me think of a field of red poppy flowers, don't ask.

The sunlight was warm and inviting and I was filled with a sudden urge to be outside in its gentle warmth. Jason wasn't exactly dressed for the beach so I thought I'd try my luck with the next best place that reminded me of red poppy flowers.

Me: "Wanna go down to Ikea after this show ends?"
Jason: "For what? You wanna buy something?"
Me: "No, walk around. It's too beautiful a day to spend cooped up inside."
Jason: "It's almost 4 now!"
Me: "So?"
Jason: "National Day Parade starts at 6! We'll never make it back in time!"
Me: "Oh, you wanna watch?"
Jason: -mouth agape- "You mean you don't?"
Me: "Eh, I'm okay whether we watch it or not."
Jason: "What?! It's the National Day Parade!!!"

Me: -sheepish smile-
Jason: "Oh my god! You're so unpatriotic!" -goes into rant about how he feels everytime he watches the parade-

Haha. I am feeling pretty amused. I had no idea I was dating such a patriot.

Time to get some shut eye. I gotta be up in 5 hours for the poly exemption talk. Hitting the school pool with Lanxi after that. Toodles.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Keep me on cloud nine.

Keep me on cloud nine.
music: keri noble - talk to me

Settling into my hostel was way easier than I'd expected. No more frantic packing or lugging of huge bagfuls of knick knacks - I am fully moved in. It's really interesting how a person can be defined by the room he/she lives in. Heard from Daena that one of her friends has got a Winnie the Pooh shrine. Hmm. Haha. I don't know about a beach shrine for myself, but I've done all I could to give my room a laidback vibe without overcrowding it with accessories. My string of flower lights must been my best buy from Bangkok. To think I'd actually almost left Suan Lom night market without it!

My first day was a blast! The funniest thing we all did was probably running across buildings and up stairwells searching for the elusive LT11. I was breaking into giggles half the time, haha. Checked out the school pool together with Charlene and Erwin after lectures. I think I've found my new hangout! Uncrowded + clean water + no lecherous lifeguards = my dream come true.

After an unsuccessful attempt at napping in the late evening, Charmaine, Chrystal, Erwin, Venetia and I hit the Nanyang Auditorium for the Hall Bash. With drinks and djs from Dbl O, the event was surprisingly happening. And I surprised myself by dancing despite my prior protests. Must have been the drinks I downed with Chrys and ZL before we rejoined the dance floor. I have permanently sealed my cannot-dance status but it was fun, liberating even, letting myself go.

We left the party only to come face to face with overcast skies. Armed with nothing but a resigned sense of humour, we set out to battle the pelting rain and fight our way back to the comfort of warm rooms and cosy sheets. It's been a couple of months since I'd last walked in the rain and while I wouldn't count thick jeans and clingy tops as ideal outfits for rain walks, I enjoyed the experience.

I didn't get to bed till four in the morning and while I was looking forward to sleeping in, the national day celebrations from the primary school across the road woke me up at 730, very much to my chagrin. And so I lay in bed drifting in and out of sleep but mostly listening to the off-key renditions of patriotic songs. Urghs. I gave up and started to write a poem in my notepad, only to have the music stop. How great.

Fagan came by in the afternoon for lunch as well as to check out my room. Thanks for making the trip down dude. I know it was painful! Heh. He was absolutely enraptured by the picture of him flipping upside down beside the Burj Al Arab.

I'd initially planned to head home after lecture but dinner plans at Mos Burger (what's it with us and that place?) with Daniel and ZL materialised. ZL and I later accompanied Shannon for his dinner at the foodcourt and the three of us ended up chatting for a good three hours about topics as random as closet gays and first impressions. I'm exhausted now, but it was good time spent. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and the insight to the boys' minds.

My body's demanding sleep and the vainpot in me wants to eradicate those eyebags. Night world.

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P8074264
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

The official start of school! That's me at the bus stop with Daphne, Cheryl and Justin. Erwin and Faiz are somewhere at the back. Didn't post up the picture of them both for the sake of their reputations... hahaha.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

My 'shrine'. That's a photo collage of the people who mean the most to me, and that DHL stickie below's a note from my roomie.

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P8084267
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Collapsing on my bed after the painful journey all the way from Bedok.

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P8084270
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Fagan my bud came a visiting!

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Quickie.

Quickie.
music: norah jones - be here to love me

I can't believe how quickly my day has gone by. The dimsum lunch at Little India (I know, how ironic) took way longer than expected and I ended up doing my grocery shopping at Mustafa Shopping Centre. It was my first time in that place and I really did wish I had more time to shop around.

It's now 6.24pm and my brother's arrived. I'd expected him to be horribly late in coming to pick me up, but oh well. Murphy's law. I thought I'd brought enough the last time around but I've got four huge bags this time. And a television set. Haha! I'm really pushing my luck taking the time to blog this entry, but I know I'm gonna the convenience of the internet. I'd better get my hands on a laptop asap.

A quick update on Indochine night. I gotta admit that I've always been a little intimidated by the whole exclusivity of the place, but it was surprisingly unpretentious inside. The band, with a playlist of excellent slow rock songs, was awesome. So was the company. One might have thought Ceci and I would have chosen a slightly more intimate setting for good old talking but having to strain our ears and our voices from our seats directly in front of the stage did it for us. I loved the conversation, I loved the music, I loved my night.

I'd love to ramble on but my stomach's rumbling and I've yet to shower.

Till Tuesday night. :)

Lazy Sunday mornings.

Lazy Sunday mornings.
music: howie day - collide

What is your idea of a lazy Sunday? I know many who think it to be a day for sleeping in till it's time for lunch but I like to rise early. A leisurely breakfast, a mug of steaming coffee, reading the papers. Mine started kinda late today, but I'm heading out for brunch with the family in abit, so all's good. And I've got to fit in a whole bout of supermarketing to stock up on my hostel rations. Haha!

This whole week of moving into the hostel and adapting to university life has given me quite abit of a buzz. So has the many FFLoosh outings and socializing. Yesterday was a welcome change from my routine of late. No groups. No need for small talk or anything. It was just me being around people I am most comfortable with.

I'd love to rave more about my wonderful Saturday, but the dad's rushing. I'd better get my ass out of here. Toodles.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

And this is my roomie!

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Packing!

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

My once barren closet.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Jazzing up my room with flower lights.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Erwin, the Ikea handyman.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Shannon.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Zi Liang and Shannon. I am still rather amazed that ZL and I are from the same primary school! What a small world.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Stolen moment.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Shopping's stressful. Really. Just look at Ceci.

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Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Drinks at Indochine. Diggin' the live band baby!