One more Paper, 2 more days to a well deserved break

One more paper, 2 more days to go before a well deserved break at Pulau Redang. Hahaha. Finally finished 2 out of 3 of my papers and on Sat morning, comes the third. Let's hope all's well and I can finally enjoy my holiday in peace.

Look at the pretty clear ocean! Definitely something we dont get to see in Singapore. Hahaha.

Clear waters

Island serenity~

Can't wait to see the tropical fishes and 

Seriously can't wait. Haven't been able to take a good break since I started school last year. All my schedules are packed like sardines. Except for the New Year break to bkk - which was just as tiring with all the walking. 

Hopefully, this time would really be a relaxing holiday and I'll come back all refreshed. Hehehe. Just hoping and praying very hard that the island won't look like the picture below. Or at least, not as bad. *fingers crossed*.

Tourist Populated... :(

Will be back with more (actual) pictures once I am back. For now, thank you Google for the nice pictures. Cheers.

Almost the end of another semester

Today marks my second last lesson of this semester (supposedly).

Somehow I have a super hardworking tutor that wants another class next week. He's my Thursday class tutor. So yes, I'll see him this Thursday for one last time but again next week. Hahaha! And I will see him again next Sem for another module/ unit. 

So yes, today is my last lesson on Chinese Business. I can't concentrate much cause the lecturer didn't give us the notes beforehand. Well, he's giving us later but to be fair, as of now, almost everyone is playing with their mobiles. Me included, given that I'm blogging instead of paying attention. Lalalala.

Hahahaha. Anyhow, today is also the LOCAL FR CONVENTION. Most things shared are confidential but we caught a glimpse of Desmond Tan - our local male ambassador. Shiok but not shiok enough cause I didn't get to take a photo with him. Hahahaha. #fangirlmoment #dontjudge

Alright. Back to school. All my tutors this semester have a common issue - pronunciation! They all have trouble pronouncing and enunciating certain or most words. To quote a few, "rule by law" becomes "loo by law", "anti-growth" becomes "empty-growth". Hahahaha. 

Okay, enough for the jokes. Gtg. Blog soon! Cheers~

BUSY Busy busy - another month zoomed past.

I know I was supposed to blog about CNY but there were so many deadlines that I kept forgetting to post pictures. So here goes. A compilation of CNY feasts and gathering photos.

And yes, CNY was pretty good this year. Despite the fact that I fell sick on 初三. No fever there and then but it's just the start of a series of ‘evolved’ sickness. Hahaha. 

I woke up on 初三 feeling a little weird. But thought everything will be fine. So I went ahead to visit my friend’s place – gambled and lost a bit – but got home tired and feeling even weirder because the nasal cavity hurts. Hahaha. Then 初四, I woke up with a bad sinus affecting the left side of my nose and head. And it lasted through the day. 初五, it shifted to the right with the same exact symptoms. Then came 初六 where I woke up with a sore throat. Lastly, 初七, I woke up without my voice. Hahaha. And there you have it, Evolved Sickness as I mentioned.

It was quite sad because I have yet to enjoy any new year goodies. L And, I thought it will continue evolving and get better but it didn't. Monday morning, I woke up with a bad headache and left work slightly earlier than usual to catch the doctor before the night shift. (I failed though.) By the time I reached the clinic, it was already closed. So I had to wait for the night shift. And when I finally saw the doctor, the doc said I was having a fever and gave me 2 days MC – at the same time, reprimanded me for not knowing I was having a fever (again). Hahaha.

So yes. That's the end of the eventful CNY. Interesting, tired but relatively good! Friends and family, all together = awesomeness!

To an awesome year ahead (although I know 1/4 of the year is already almost over!)

Cheers.

Crazy January

It's been almost a month since my last blog post and I'm sorry. I've been too busy for the past few weeks.

Did I mention that the last 2 weeks of January was hell?

I had Bridging on top of my regular classes and I have my project store's opening! My schedules for those weeks were crazy like 0800-2200hrs everyday. Sometimes even later than 2200hrs. And to think I managed to squeeze time in between to study for my exam on 27th? Hahaha. Seriously, I dont know how I did it but I just did. Hahaha. You know how it feels when you just do everything because you had to? In my way of talking, I'll say that I just bulled past everything. Hahaha. So yeah, those of you that kept asking me why and how do I do 3 modules per semester... Here're your answer. 

Put your mind, heart, soul and body to it.
Just Bull Through.

Made it through the week and more. But I fell sick on the 3rd day of CNY. Hahahaha. My body's telling me to stop and rest because its overworked. Hahaha. So yeah, I'm home now, on 2 day MC because of a throat infection and fever. And in time to rush my assignment that is due tomorrow. Hahaha. So yes, I'll be back with more updates, after CNY.

Ciaos~ 

Review: SampleStore - Mane 'N Tail

Remember my daily routine I shared on Christmas Day and that little portion I talked about Horse Oil? I recently received a review invite for Mane ‘N Tail Shampoo & Conditioner. I’ve seen this on the shelves of retail stores many times but I have never tried it before. Because of the BAHYU craze, my initial thought when I received this invite was that this shampoo is made from Horse Oil and was super excited to try it given my previous ‘success’. But, I was wrong… Not too wrong, just wrong.

I think I mentioned previously that Horse Oil is actually the extracted fat beneath the horses’ mane. So technically, a healthy mane is necessary for good quality horse oil – which brings me to my review herein. Mane ‘n Tail Shampoo & Conditioner!

Herbal-Gro, Original, Deep Moisturizing

I did my research and I think there are 5 formulas of Mane ‘n Tail retailing at 15.90SGD island wide at all major drugstores and departmental stores like Watsons, Guardian, major Cold Storage, Robinsons, John Little and BHG and NTUC:

·         Original,

·         Herbal-Gro,

·         Deep Moisturizing

·         Gentle Clarifying & Replenishing

·         Anti-dandruff*

*Anti-Dandruff is only available online. You may purchase it from e-Store Maimee’s Corner.

Mane ‘n Tail shampoo formulae contains high lathering and ultra-cleansing agents that are fortified with moisturisers and emollients to help leave hair soft and ultra clean. In fact, I read that the initial product was designed for horses and hence the name, Mane ‘n Tail.

• Original formula is the formula that started it all. The popular formula contains emollients providing body, shine and manageability for healthy looking hair every time you shampoo.

• Herbal-Gro formula is the complete hair care system that is formulated with natural herbs blended with an olive oil complex to nourish, strengthen, and fortify hair from root to tip.

• Deep Moisturizing formula is micro-enriched with deep hydrating botanicals and naturally locks in moisture while fortifying your hair with Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B

However, the products have since been ‘adjusted’ to the match the human needs as well. According to the website, you can actually still use the Mane ‘n Tail Original on your pets as well and there are no animal testing done for their products.

After cleansing with shampoo, you should follow up with a conditioner that can help to nourish and promote healthy hair growth. I’ve friends who tell me that they reject using conditioner because it will dry out their hair more, create dependency for your hair, etc. Frankly, I don’t see how you can not condition your hair, especially if your hair is long and way beyond your shoulders.

Imagine this. 

When you have long hair past your shoulders, your hair actually rests on your back. When sitting or walking, no matter how small the actions, your hair actually rubs against your shoulders creating friction that causes your hair to tangle. Even with a Tangle Tweezer, it’s bound to be a painful combing experience trying to untangle those tiny knots at your hair ends. If you have short hair that is above your shoulders, I believe that so long as your hair is healthy, it is not absolutely necessary to apply conditioner.

Anyhow, Mane ‘n Tail series are actually enriched with protein formulae to help prevent hair breakage that causes splits ends and also aid in repairing the ends for stronger, longer and more lasting hair. When hair tangles and when we untangle them, most of the time, the ends are already damaged and will sometimes cause split ends. Doesn't this shampoo and conditioner sound amazingly good? What’s more, some believe that the Mane ‘n Tail shampoo encourages hair growth. For the few of us that parted our hair a little too tough, we will have that little patch of emptiness and “Encouraging Hair Growth” in a shampoo sounds just about FANTASTIC.

"Everything you can imagine is real." - Pablo Picasso

Frankly, I havent had the time to evaluate each of them to the fullest. So, I made my own checklist below to showcase it's pros and cons.

Personally, out of the different formulae, I prefer the Herbal-Gro the most. Not just because it is green in colour. But if you can see from the chart above, with the limited time I have with these products, I preferred the HerbalGro the most because it is a combination to die for. Hahaha. Strengthening of your hair strands, Moisturising and nourishing your hair from root to tip. What is there not to love? Especially for the few of us that stays in Singapore and are exposed to the harsh and sudden changes in weather, this formula is the best you can ever ask for. 

By the way. Did I forget to mention how amazed I am that you can use the Original conditioner as a leave-on as well? Yes, you read right and you will read the same thing on the bottle as well. The Original conditioner can be used as a regular shampooing conditioner and at the same time, it can also be used as a leave-on for your hair.

A little goes a long way. There is no need for too much product to be used. Imagine this,

Depending on your hair length, estimate approximately a 10c coin for short hair. A 50c coin for mid-length hair. and approximately two 20c coins for hair past beyond the shoulders should use an approximate amount of 2 20c coins. 

Shampoo -
Placed the coins there for your reference,
but they spread out before I could hit snap.

Conditioner

Introducing my freshly blown dried hair
And the length...

Anyhow. Just remember to lather the shampoo, apply, rinse, and apply conditioner before rinsing it off again. Or you can choose to leave-on the conditioner for the Original conditioner. Hahaha. Awesome right?

Anyway. Are you tempted to try it yet? Wait no more. 

Go on to SampleStore.com and redeem your free samples! 

At the same time, visit their Facebook page at Mane ‘N Tail to ‘Like’ their page and stand a chance to win a pair of return air tickets to Hongkong and many more prizes during this month and next (February). Good luck~! 

First Post Booboo... (my bad~)

Some of you know that I always draft my posts on my phone when I get the mojo. Hahaha. But yes. I'm sorry, I didn't realised that the following post did not get published successfully until now. Yes, I'm actually writing my Samplestore Review and I saw a strangely familiar post saved as a draft. Refreshed my page and it was still a draft. And I realised...

So here goes - what was intended to be posted whilst I was on my way back from Bangkok... And what was supposed to be my first post of 2016. It still is, just that the date is delayed. Hahaha.

Monday, 04-January 2016

2016's First (& Resolutions)!

I think I previously mentioned when reviewing my 2015 resolutions that I will come up with my 2016 resolutions while in Bangkok. And I did. Here I am, sitting at Don Muang Airport, typing on my phone and waiting for my flight back to Singapore.

So yes, my resolutions for 2016.

They're simple.

And they're lesser than 2015.

Especially given the fact that I failed at my resolutions terribly in 2015. Hahaha.

Easy enough? Seems like it ya? Hahaha.

1. I am aiming for on-time graduation. And that means September 2016. No repeat modules, no extra fees. Hahaha. Results are expected to be released some time in the next few weeks. So, till then, fingers crossed and yeah.
2. Seems like my standard resolution but I added one small point which is to sleep enough. Not too much, nor too little but just enough. Seems a little hard these days but let's do this!
3. Work. Life. Balance! Everyone seems to hang this by mouths but many dont seem to practice it enough. AFTER my studies, I'm going to try! Hahaha. No more workaholic Ellie (maybe...). We'll see!
4. Removing my braces this year. Hahaha. January marks the 18th month of my braces. The Orthodontist did hint that I will be removing it soon. I doubt it will be before CNY but it should be somewhere around that time. Hopefully. 
5. Preferably, I should really start to look into Lasik/ Epi-Lasik more and decide on my procedure. Make appointments with SNEC for my consultation and move on from there. Let's try to get this box ticked by the end of 2016. Cheers to good eyesight!

So yes. It's easier than last year right? At least there's 5 less chances to fail. Hahaha. Yeah, like I said. Few more weeks to my results released. So, praying hard for now and hoping for the best. The new school year is going to start tough not only because of the 3 units per trimester, but also the bridging courses on my weekends coupled with my new store opening. Crazy month, crazy me. Fighting people! All the best to all in 2016!!!

Review before 2016...

I should have done this review in June, like a mid-year progress check but I think I forgot about it. Hahahaha. So, we'll just do it at the end of the year ya?
Before I whisk off to Bangkok for the new year, let's talk about what I've done and not done for those resolutions that I set out to complete in 2015.

Alright then. So looking at the 2015 Resolutions, Super "Proud" (ahem *ashamed* ahem) to say that I have achieved 4.5/10.

Let's talk about those I achieved.
(1) Eat Healthier & exercise more +.5
Technically, I am eating healthier but I dont see myself exercising more. At least not much different from the previous year. Now that I've received a FITBIT on my birthday, let's try running more in 2016.

(4) Spend more time reading
Essentially, I only got my kindle after my birthday, but yes, I've been caught up with all the paperbacks I've stocked up on previously. Yes, nerdball here but who cares? I love me fictions and fantasies. A girl can dream. Hahaha.

(5) Spend more time with my family
Probably because of school, I'm getting off work earlier and home more often. My schedule's like schools on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays nights. And when I dont have classes, I either finish rushing my work or to head home earlier to rest. Somehow, somewhat, through all these rushing, more time is spent with the family which is something I am pretty happy about.

(6) Revamp the house
If you've been reading my blog since July, you would have noticed a few renovation photos. So yes, this is definitely checked!

(10) Consider School
I was supposed to seriously consider school. The keyword here (or there) was CONSIDER. However, when I was looking through the applications, good timing I may say, I chanced upon a 'recruitment talk' for Murdoch with Kaplan. One of the choices I was considering before. And almost right after the talk, I signed up. So instead of considering, I've made the choice and yes, I am suffering the effects now. Hahaha.

As for those I failed to achieve are:
(2) Get Lasik Done
I had to save my savings for school fees so... this just has to wait.

(3) Get attached
Hahahahahaha. I received many questions about this too cause I am at that age where my friends are all starting to get married or engaged. So... my answer for now is... I want to. However, I cannot be selfish. I hardly have time for myself after the work and school. I cannot imagine someone giving me only 10% (or 5%) of their attention and I can't do the same to someone else. So yes, this too have to wait till I graduate.

(7) Work hard & (9) Get Promoted
It's always disappointing when you know you've done your best but the results just doesn't show ehs? Yeah, this was it. Pissed off but there is nothing I can do but wait till the day it comes. Even though I can only wit till 2016, let's just hope it comes soon.

(8) Play hard
Truthfully, I highly doubt I have been able to play at all, let alone hard. This year has been tough but I'm toughing it out like I usually do. Sow the seeds and bear the fruits. Hopefully, the fruits will ripen by Sep (since I will end school then - provided I pass all my units) and everything is much easier then.

To a better year! Will share my 2016 Resolutions after Bangkok. Some fresh air to think, some money to spend before I decide on anything. Hahaha! Cheers, and have a happy new year guys!