You have your face for life

I don’t really know how I’m getting all these hits after the skin post (besides visits from my loved ones ~ Eevonn, Nicole ^^) but I just want to thank everyone who’s taken their precious exam-study time to read my goo goo blah blah of a blog. I suppose it’s because skin concerns us all since I haven’t met anyone yet that doesn’t have any skin on em’. I mean, I’m no homicide detective or nuthin’ and seeing what they see would probably scar me for life despite all the horror movies I can stomach.

Anyway, onto make up talk since that’s what I promise y’all (it still amuses me that English classes in France teach this phrase). So yah. I never used to wear make up until before and around France when Nicole lured me to the dark side. Slowly I learnt about foundation, application, and beauty tools and now, apprentice has become master ! X-D JK. I still only wear the basics so here’s explaining what these ‘basics’ are. By the way, I apply in this order:

#14. Participate in Project 365 (62/365)

Creativity/Music

14. Participate in Project 365 ; 1 photo a day for 365 days (62/365)

Thanks for all your (my adored readers) comments & sympathy & love. I hope your exams are going excellent. :-D

September 16th 2009

Movida Next Door which < Movida. A slightly-but-hardly-noticeably cheaper alternative. Personally it doesn’t make my top 20 especially as this Spanish bar/restaurant doesn’t serve sangria amongst other things you can only find in Movida (habit, habit, habit) which I was in the mood for ! Sho shad.

Quest is carrying out illegal business

Living in the city, in THIS apartment is great. Aesthetically speaking that is. The community spirit is lacking but slowly I’m getting to know the other residents who live in this building. However, what I ABSOLUTELY cannot stand is the fact that Quest is illegally carrying business in this officially ‘residential’ building aka allowing guests to stay in the Quest apartments here.

I can’t emphasise how FRUSTRATING it is to live alongside with these rude, often drunk, horrible, selfish, inconsiderate visitors and their obnoxious, plastic staff who smile and are nice to their guests but when it comes to the residents who aren’t on their payroll, their true horrid nature comes out. Recently, I mentioned that my parents have moved out from the suburbs to the city which meant that I got my piano back ! So everyday for at least one hour I’ve been practising and practising. However, I got a note from some Alex-guy (manager) saying that I was causing a nuisance and to have some consideration for the guests staying next door (for like a weekend — dude.. I have to LIVE here under your contradictory rules). Of course, I did happen to play at 3am but at the time I didn’t actually realise that the walls *are not sound proof*. So the next night I played before 12am as I assumed I would be allowed to play before that time (like last year during house warming) and again someone had the nerve to knock on my door (I don’t answer to strangers). Since when did the rules change ? Honestly, if you have some rules and policies you want us to graciously obey, could you at least advise us in advance ? Because this is total bull. I mean — DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE RESIDENTS PUT UP WITH ? I’ll give you a list !

1. Quest’s lack of accountability on their part

They complain all they like but when we complain about something to them, they totally push it aside and belittle it.

2. Drunk people on Thursday night

It’s not uncommon to see drunk people around the entrance. Worse is when they make advances. In this way, I wouldn’t recommend any families with small children staying here. There is absolutely no security around to prevent anything that could happen! It’s like an accident waiting to happen..

3. Drunk people on Friday night
4. Drunk people on Saturday night
5. People performing sexual acts in the stair well

One of the residents here walked into a couple having sex in the stair well. It’s happened more than once.

6. Babies screaming and children kicking walls

In my opinion, this is worse than listening to Claire de Lune.

7. Annoying guests

Some European guy banged on my door and actually stormed into my apartment when I opened it asking for a cork screw. This is why I never EVER open the door to strangers. EVER.

8. Being mistaken as a Quest staff

In the elevator some Russian dudes asked about room service and other amities. Besides that little tiff, they seemed nice.

9. Getting stuck the lift with 4 rowdy (fat) bogans (they even admitted to it)

The lift kept getting stuck in basement level. Scariest 10 minutes of my life. They kept trying to force the door open too. This is why the lifts look so dilapidated and old — because Quest visitors keep battering up the lifts which need CONSTANT repair (money that probably comes out of the body corporate fees). THANKS AGAIN QUEST FOR YOUR LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY !

10.  Guests smoking when it is clearly not allowed

The lifts smell like smoke from time to time and people leave their cigarette buds near and around the entrance. Disgusting. Yes, these are the kinds of people that stay here.

11. Guests making racist remarks at us

Again associated with drunk people. Racism shouldn’t be tolerated in any situation.

12. Listening to guests making inappropriate conversation

Some high teenagers were celebrating one of their friend’s 18th and having a party on level 5 or 6. I hate small talking with people who add “f—” or “s—” or “c—” to every sentence.

13. Shouting and screaming from the next door

.. amongst other inappropriate sounds.

Seriously, the list could go ON and ON. And that’s why the residents have officially submitted a complaint document to the Body Corporate so they can stop this illegal practice. If you saw you you’d be BEWILDERED by its shocking R-rated content. Conclusion: They disgust me. And I’m not going to shy away about it (that’s what they’d want me to do).

Unfortunately all I can do now is hope is that karma bites them in the butt (hard).

Skin, Skin, Skin

Over the past few months I’ve had REALLY bad acne. And the funny thing is, it never used to be a problem — not even in high school aka the ‘raging hormones’ period. I know some would be appalled by the fact that I used to only wash my face and put a bit of Olay (my dad’s “Holy Grail” product) moisturiser on it but I confess, that was my two-step skincare routine from about ages 15 to 19. I don’t think I even washed my face before age 15 ! It was only after I turned 20 that I actually started to use more products than moisturiser. Makeup too. I never used to touch any of that stuff except for special occasions like formals. Not for fear of my face becoming a dried prune one day (all those icky chemicals !), but more like due to laziness and probably ignorance too. I mean, I never had any pressure at school or anything to “pretty up”. There were no boys to impress and I didn’t really want to impress anyone. Still don’t.

But now I have succumb to this other realm (have you noticed how many skincare/beauty blogs there ARE out there ?!) and have started taking proper care of my skin.  After some heafty research about what I’m ’supposed’ to be doing and carrying out trial & error with different products to use , I’ve actually got myself my own skincare routine because trust me, everyone who has excellent skin out there is using SOMETHING other than water. I only wish I had had more guidance from the start. So if you’re a newbie to it all, I hope this helps ! Here’s detailing my “5 step skincare regime“:

Thoughts from the shower

I wish I could take longer showers. I really wish I could. Don’t you find your mind is much clearer when you’re just standing there letting the water drip all over your naked body ? Don’t have a dirty mind ! I mean it ! And all my best thinking is done in the shower. Pity that water is so scarce.

Anyhow today I was thinking about life. Life, and everything in it. How pretentiously profound. And how I’ve noticed a sort of pattern with the people around me. Many of my friends who are in ’serious’ relationships come from broken families or have parents who they don’t derive much intimacy from. I can understand the logic behind it — if you can’t find something here, you look else where for what you desire. While the ones who are single but happily single (or those who aren’t particularly looking for a partner) come from families who they have a close relationship with at least one of their parents as well as their handful of close friends. This also makes sense to me — it’s more about seeking another thing to want, than to need. Although, I do wonder what happen to the happily single people who decide to make an exception for that cheesily “special” person. Do their families become broken ? Do they lose their close friends ? Or do they get to experience a kind of love independent of emotions reaking in desperation ?

Of course, I’m not pretending to be talking about random person X when it’s not just that I can understand this concept, but can totally relate to it. I really don’t need anything more than I have. I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing. But I was thinking about it in this way — I’ve been blessed with a perfectly *awesome* family and an especially close bond with my sister, I have a few close friends who I’d trust with my life, I’ve moved out to the city, and I have all these surreal opportunities just waiting to be lived out. *TOUCH WOOD* haha. The only thing that is supposed to complete mummy’s average adolescent daughter is a boyfriend. Or at least a potential boyfriend. Or even a potential potential boyfriend. But how can I possibly want one when I don’t need one ? Or .. how can I possibly need one when I don’t want one ?

I think an important life lesson is supposed to reveal itself somewhere between these lines. If you see it, please tell me.

#14. Participate in Project 365 (60/365)

Creativity/Music

14. Participate in Project 365 ; 1 photo a day for 365 days (60/365)

September 12th 2009

My dad & I getting Grill’d. He looks so old these days. We’re all getting old. It’s depressing. But enough with the depressing thoughts. We had GRILL’D and it was awesome. I know it’s cheesy saying it but I love my dad. He’s always taken care of Bindi & I. It’s an odd family dynamic actually. But in any case, I couldn’t ask for a better father. Cause’ I mean, even if you did — you wouldn’t get one. :-P

September 15th 2009

Made salmon risotto with capsicum with the new risotto rice I bought from The Essential IngredientColes. After all, it is imported from Spain. I’m definitely sticking to this one whenever I make risotto. The texture is just beautiful and doesn’t turn out too soggy and mushy like the other brands do. Or maybe it’s just me and my lack of Italian/Spanish blood but I think this was a success :-) If anyone’s interested I can put up the recipe & the name of the risotto brand ! awhile back ~ if you can recall my adventures in Prahran. I could REALLY tell the difference in the quality of the rice compared to the usual kind I buy from

#14. Participate in Project 365 (58/365)

Creativity/Music

14. Participate in Project 365 ; 1 photo a day for 365 days (58/365)

September 9th 2009

My sister’s totally douchy photo from school that I stuck up on her bedroom door. *Evil cackle* Speaking of photos, was going thru really old ones the other day on our ancient computers back in the ‘burbs with Bindi and found some classically fugly ones of us awhile back in the early 2000’s. Might put em’ up here if ever I can be bothered. I think one should laugh at oneself from time to time. It’s only healthy.

September 10th 2009

Getting some coffee with Yan Yan, fellow monash student. I spot a girl in the back who I recognise from a tutorial not being subtle with the staring at me.. ! (No I am not taking a picture of you). Does anyone know who Mo Bear is ?

#14. Participate in Project 365 (55/365)

Creativity/Music

14. Participate in Project 365 ; 1 photo a day for 365 days (55/365)

September 6th 2009

Alice’s 21st. Look at the tower of cream-filled profiteroles her talented sister Beatrice made ! Love thru food — it’s awesome :-D Check out her delicious blog. She’s a seriously gifted, what we call in the foodie world, “caker”.

September 7th 2009

Nicole & I all team worky for our french presentation. Man we stayed up till 3am doing it ! Talk about fanatic dedication.

My online life (I suck at coming up with titles — can you tell ?)

I’ve been doing a lot of what I’d call “proper” blogging lately aka actually writing about what’s going on in my mind and such instead of letting the photographs do the talking. I find that I write a lot better when I’m feeling ‘emotional’ rather than the desensitised, detached-self I usually am. It is contradictory to the statement to admit it ?

I also want to experiment with my blog’s content too. As in content less focused on my 101/1001. For that reason, I’ve been contemplating getting a typepad next year — a paid blog that allows me to have my own domain, more customisation (freedom !), with the same awesome blogging tools WordPress provides. Since there’s a trial period, it’s the only service I’ve really been seriously thinking about, though if any of you know of any others that you’d recommend, please share !

Another thing I was thinking about is Facebook. Does ever a day go by that we don’t think about it ? (Except for Amy !) For your average, socially-ept young adolescent, I doubt it ! Even if we’re sick or traveling, we’d try and find a few minutes of our day to log in and see if anyone’s written on our walls or poked us (lame). Well, I’ve been trying to ween myself off it, except to play Plock, and deleted over 200 “friends”. It’s kind of amusing when you get re-adds and in that case, I do re-add them cause’ I mean, they at least give a damn.

My rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t go up to the person and say hi, then it’s unlikely you’re going to be  suddenly interested in their lives. Unless you’re a stalker. If you are, I have just three words for you that doesn’t have the word ‘love’ in it: FIND ANOTHER HOBBY. I did. (That’s a joke folks.) I know some people just add everyone they know (of) and that’s fine, but today as a 21 year old me, I realise there’s only so much time to cultivate good relationships. I don’t want to find the time for others unless you’re the author of a stunningly awesome blog haha ! So I think I have a morbid fascination of people who do that. Why do you do that thing you do ? Seriously. People are fascinating. Though, not always to me.

Blur

I had one of those all too real dreams last night where there is little distinction between reality and dream. It freaks me out because I never always know which is which.  Even now looking back, sometimes I’m not entirely sure which memories were real and which weren’t.  One of those particular ‘memories’ involved a horse at our school sneezing all over this poor girl. It was gross but funny. I think that’s another underlying reason why taking photographs is so important for me.

It’s especially  scary when I’ve had a dream about a loved one dying and I’m literally blubbering with tears. It happens a least thrice a year ! I don’t know why they’re so vivid. Even my sister says she dreams in full sound, colour, smell etc though she does tend to dream about mundane things such as eating an apple !

Well, I had a dream last night that ‘Mookxi‘ and ‘Melissa‘ (my catholic name) were split personalities and that Melissa was slowly fading away into non-existence.  Why does one split personality succumb to another ? I imagine it’s because the other is weak, and too innocent for this “harsh” world. Mookxi on the other hand is the strong, impermeable one. The one who never lets her guard down and doesn’t recognise anything or anyone from her past. Like the slates been wiped clean. Completely. This brings me back to the poem #5. I better not wish too hard.

On a less freaky topic, I bought my lovely limited edition (Hello Kitty roflmao !) Fuji polaroid, finally, along with 300 films to take on my trip ! I can’t wait till it arrives. And as soon as it does, I’ll be putting up a metaphorical tonne of pictures of the picture-taking device. They’ll be no stopping me !