On the LOOSE!

Many people who have known me.. my family, my colleagues, friends, teachers and my dearest buddies – they will describe / define me as someone who’s funny (as I tease them a lot and they ended up laughing their ass off) who just loves to have fun – though not necessarily outgoing (my friends should have already know how much I hated the sunlight when I’m not on the beach, I hate physical exercises and I hate to sweat – I worship the AIR-Con – the most important innovation of all time!). Some may even go as far as to labeling me as prissy, uptight, and they keep telling me that “a little sun/sweat won’t kill u” and I honestly don’t really blame them, cause I admit that some people (like myself) have our own weaknesses..

However today, the impossible has happened. (warning: u will be sooo surprised)

This morning, the YMCA-SAMH Chorus (my beloved community service activity) are going to have an outing with our beneficiaries to the “Celebrate Canada Festival” in East Coast (Singapore). On the way there, I have (already) been complaining how blinding the sunlight is, how I’m going to sweat a lot because the weather is just too HOT, (though I admit it’s better sunny than raining – yesh I know, after yesterday night I TRIED and promised to myself to stop complaining, I already broke it – after only a night :P)

When we got there and started to enter the festival arena, this is when my ‘hell’ embraced me.. Yes!! Those are my feet, and my stark-white havaianas/brazilian praia gladiator sling backs – All MUDDY and DISGUSTING, not to mention the insects!

The most important lesson of the day: Apparently, I can handle A LOT MORE than I thought I could.. I can proudly say that I am a SURVIVOR.. yes, DIRRTY, rowdy, (insert thesaurus for filthy) just oh-so-UNGLAM :(

And the funny this was that I truly had fun at the event, accompanying my beneficiary to enjoy the games, and take a look around all the various booths in the festival (yes, in the MUD, though my feet felt itchy and I was totally repelled and disgusted but I eventually let all my inhibitions go away!)

Yes, this is Owen on the LOOSE – completely UNINHIBITED!

I can’t resist to play one or two games, the spider attack (which I turned out to be really good at, out of 3 tries to throw the spider to a wall with nets, I got 2 out of 3!) and I got an umbrella and a ruler for it! (which are considered free, as I didn’t pay a cent for the tickets – subsidized entirely by YMCA – the tickets actually are $10 singapore bucks, with 5 coupons attached – u need 1 coupon to play each game.. I gave my other coupons to my beneficiary to play more games and he was totally a CHAMP – he brought home so many gifts!) after all, like I said before – who doesn’t like freebies?

As the sleepyhead that I am, I was about to skip this outing because I just can’t bring myself out of bed – at 8am, it’s too early in the morning – on a SATURDAY – my weekend!

Fortunately I didn’t and I can safely say that if I skipped the outing, I would regret it so much because it was SO MUCH FUN – (yes, I really did have FUN – in spite of sweating like mad, under the heat of the blinding sun, with my feet drenched in mud and who the hell knows what kind of insects are there!)

Then I had a wonderful lunch of LAMB SHAWAMARS – like a Kebab, from SHIRAZ – the Persian Restaurant booth – (the restaurant is located at Clarke Quay).. and was soooo SINFULLY delicious.. (there goes my strict diet and hard-core gym – but it was definitely worth every bite, every piece of it!) I am even considering hosting my next birthday bash there! You can see how mouth-watering this delicacy is, and how greedily I was devouring each bite of it.. it was WORTH IT!

But, the most important thing was that, not only I was doing community service (a good deed :) but nothing really beats having FUN TIME a bunch of AMAZING friends – my fellow volunteers; Pauline, Joyce and Chor Ming – (I’m going to miss u sooo much when u left for LSE..) U guys are just the BEST (so sad Ying Hui is not there.. we miss ya!)

Now u can really see what Owen is like when he is on the LOOSE – and at the end of the day – I do like the uninhibited version of me (a drastic departure from my usual prim-proper-appropriate-well-kept me).

After all, “Living in fear is INDEED a life half lived” [“Vivir con mideo es como vivir a medias!”] So, to all you guys, take chances and risks - u won't regret it! As always, I hope u all have a nice day and a great weekend, because I sure did!

All thanks to my dearest YMCA friends (once again) who made all this possible!

Fashion Maven

This blog is dedicated to Lena, who personally requested to me for some 'girl-fashion-style' advice.. this is exclusively for you..

Yup, it's none other than the ultimate fashion maven of the moment - Nicole Richie.

Though some have dubbed her as a talentless socialite, (once) as Paris's sidekick - she rose to fame from appearing alongside Paris Hilton in the hugely popular (and addictive guilty pleasure) reality tv series "The Simple Life."

She was quite chubby at first, then she became acquinted with Rachel Zoe, the stylist who is responsible for Richie's 'luxe-boho-chic' look, (which was critically acclaimed by fashion editors all over the globe - amazing rite?) and for Richie's dramatic weight loss.

Though I prefer slim/slender/lean girls (read: Mischa Barton), admittedly Richie is a tad-bit too-thin for my taste, too waif - frail, fragile, and gaunt, compared to the radiant, healthy-looking Hilary Duff (my previous eye candy). It's kinda funny that Hilary's ex, Joel Madden, is currently dating Nicole Richie.. I should be supporting either one right?, Team Duff or Team Richie:p but I'm not really into celeb-feuds, (like I just don't like hatred and animosity in real life) so let's just talk fashion and style here..

Nicole Richie, for me, suits the dark-edgy look perfectly, like how she looks here.. (if anyone can pull off any fashion-forward outfits - it's Nicole Richie for me) she looks fashionably-dressed (as expected!) and the outfit was immaculately put together..

I am partial to grey-black-n-white combo, (like some f u already know) which she rocks perfectly here..

With the fabulous skinny jeans (again! I don't know what is it about girls with fab gams and skinny jeans, I will always notice them and take another look, either when they are walking down the street, browsing the stores in the mal, or just posing - I am just drawn to them) It's just so flattering to a woman's body - the legs especially (though u really got to have long, slim legs to pull off skinny jeans) and gives off that chic-feel, casual but not sloppy, classy but not dressy - juuussssttt righttt..

Futhermore, the gold belt complements the skinny jeans, adding just that enough "sparkle" and 'glam touch' to the whole overall look..

And of course Nicole here is wearing her favorite shoes of the moment (just like every other A-list celebs and fashionistas) - black Christian Louboutins pump-heels (for those of u wo is not in the know - Louboutins have patent red lacquer underneath the soles). Moreover, the 'it' handbag - black-n-white Fendi Spy (I admit this is not the most-recent photo, it's quite some time ago, when the Fendi Spy was the then it bag) completes the look perfectly.

Another point worth mentioning is that when Nicole started wearing headbands against her blonde locks - fashionistas all around the world 'jumped the band wagon' and hailed that particular accessory as one of the must haves items (just like the skull Alexander McQueen scarfs that Nicole later sported - it instantly became a hit, sold out, and spur knock-offs everywhere).

After all, Nicole Richie is a TRENDSETTER indeed..

So, hail to the Queen of (teen-hollywood-it-girl-socialite) Fashion 2006-7 and for more years to come.. Nicole Richie.

In Denial No More

I think most of u (my friends, especially those who are close to me) have witnessed me complaining in one way or another. However, only today have I realized that I am quite an ungrateful person (yesh, Fanny, i'm finally admitting one of my many vices - though this one is dubbed the my biggest and the most irritating/annoying = COMPLAINING).

Well, my best friends since high school, (TOFE - topher, owen, fanny, ewo esp. fanny - she always sing/shout this phrase to my ear -"lifestyle of the rich and the famous, ALWAYS COMPLAINING, ALWAYS COMPLAINING.. " a lyric from Good Charlotte - geez I hate punk rock bands..), they have always criticized me for constantly complaining, mocking me as being ungrateful, unthankful bas**** (and I am constantly denying their labeling me as "always complaining" because at that time, I felt like I was just wishing things to change to be better :P hehehehe, stubborn me - I know.)

My SMU fellow friends (and some of my SIM friends - Dewi, Yuli and Liany) may have heard me complaining how much I HATED SMU, especially LTB in term 1 (Jaenny was my biggest victim) and then later BGS in term 2.. (I have practically told everyone how much I hated this course and how "cruel" I was regarding my opinion of the Prof - yes I still think he deserves to got lost in the jungle - because he's such an arrogant, ignorant, cocky old prick!) Yeah, basically I HATE HATE HATE SMU..I REGRET moving to SMU..

BUT then recently I saw how hard the bridging students from Indo studied for their SATs, looking very anxious when waiting for their results and then enthusiastically asking the seniors for tips on how to ace their admission interviews and it just struck me as a revelation - they reminded me of how hard I have worked in the past, my tremendous struggle just to get in to (my dream uni!) SMU! (I have practically spent my blood, sweat and tears and worked my ass off to get here!)

It suddenly dawned on me that once, I was THEM, I wanted to get into SMU sooo much - even juggling SIM exams; which literally determined me failing or passing my first year diploma in economics; with studying for SATs to get in to SMU. My point of view back then was that even if I got in to SMU, (and then my diploma in econs from SIM will be deemed useless) I still want to earn that certificate - by passing all my subjects (I failed stats 2 - the advanced one - during the mock/trial exam - that's why I was so terrified).

After all my parents have paid so much money for me to study in SIM.. and my extravagant living expenses while in Singapore (yesh- I lead a pretty lavish lifestyle - I must admit).. This is not to mention that if I did not get into SMU, I SOOO terribly need to pass all my subjects in year 1 diploma in econs from SIM-University of London because I want that damn certificate and I don't want to repeat the subjects I failed!

Anyway, back to the complaining part.. I often said sarcastically and cynically how I REGRETTED making the move from SIM to SMU because in SMU, the competition is really stiff - the Spore people are so kiasu and I just can't really cope with the general attitude and the atmosphere was off. Adding to my dissapointment, my first term results was really low, and I was just really at a low point, or you can say - having a total mental breakdown.

But then it dawned on me that I am actually very LUCKY, because not many people can got accepted to SMU - (named the 3 best uni in Spore, after all the govt approved unis are only NUS, NTU and SMU - the hip and hottest uni of the moment.)

A lot of my friends got rejected (even I was rejected in my first attempt! but then I reapplied and finally got in :).. and then for ME to say that I REGRET it after getting what I have worked my ass off for a year, putting my fail/pass exams in SIM at an excruciatingly great danger and humongous gigantic risk.. I just realized how extremely ungrateful I am..

And then today, at the SMU Gym, my ipod played this song by Sheryl Crow, (her old song) "If it makes you happy, it can't be that badddd, if it makes you happy, then why the hell are you sooo saaaddd..." and I just felt like I just really need to STOP complaining, be grateful for once and be happy for all the choices I have made.

I have been blessed with more that I could ever asked for and I can safely say that I have been sooo fortunate to have all my wishes, hopes and dreams to (eventually) came true. (I have made it to SMU, when so many others can't)

After the traumatic, morally-degrading term 1, I focused on my work in SMU and I actually improved my GPA quite drastically by the end of the term 2, though not in the "genius" league.

But now, I've been constantly (and incessantly) complaining about how I regretted taking Management Science Course during summer term 3A because it's just sooo damn difficult, thus frustrating to me.. (when I could have been home, relaxing and prepping up for my big europe trip in june!) ahhh the regrets and the complaints.. here we goo again.. (as they say.. old habits die hard!)

And I just realized that I should really be grateful, because even though I have made some mistakes (that I wished I could have undone), I have really grown up and become more mature, in a sense. (I hope sooo :P)

Even getting rejected from SMU in the first place, (which forced me to go to SIM - my biggest dissapointment up to date,) have been a good thing, if I dare to view it more positively. After all, I have made some wonderful friends there in SIM (Yu, Li, Dew - Lena, Meme, Maya, Daisy, Shally, Yulia, Wilson, Sandy, Oscar, Affin, Pipiet, Rafael and lots lots more peeps that I can't name one by one) but most importantly, I have learned how to handle rejections gracefully [with my dignity intact] and eventually move on with my life - (though undeniably with many complaints along the way! - which is expected - knowing me :P)

So right now, I shall finish off with an amazing quote from Grey's Anatomy (at the end of the first episode in Season 1) "If you dare to take the time off to take a look, the view from the other side is SPECTACULAR"

Undoubtedly TRUE indeed.. So many people are envious of me and are jealous of my accomplishments and for me not to be thankful and grateful with myself and my achievements is such a waste of time and is just sooo DUMB. (not to mention annoying/irritating to my friends - yes I know - please forgive me :)

So, yes, I'm TRYING to STOP complaining from now on.. (though I may have slips every now and then) but then again, there's a first for everything right?

*This is a shoutout to my friends.. esp my current MS groupmates Serla and Della - who are always patiently lending their listening ears even whey they are busy with their own workloads and with their own life.. thank you so much for being such wonderful friends to me.. and ultimately bear with my complaints :) hahaha..

Some people really can CHANGE you know, or at least you know I'm TRYING TO.. hahahaha..

C u all till my next post!

Oh My God(dess)!

Due to the extremely high-stress-pressuring me from all the mugging for MS (Management Science), I need a dose of my 'goddess' - [yup, Mischa Barton] to relieve my stress and sore eyes..

Though these two images are relatively old pictures, (when she was still starring in the O.C.), they remain my fave shots of her (though undeniably, there are still lots and lots pics of her that are equally gorgeous and breath-taking, however I just can't post all of them!)

I don't know what it is about Mischa Barton and white gowns, (obviously, stark-pure-white-almost-nude-transparent gowns made her look LUMINESCENT and incredibly sexy) but she just screams "Ethereal-Greek-Goddess" to me.. just "oh-so-puuurrrrrfect"..

So.. I hope you enjoyed this (much needed) eye candy:) as much as I did!

With Love..

Yes, it's the newly brunette Hilary Duff! - one of the top Hollywood It girls..

I began to take notice of Hilary Duff from the Disney's "Lizzie McGuire" movie - I thought she was cute, and just a nice, girl-next-door type, especially with her honey blonde hair, and that warm smile of hers. (I later catched her TV show and "Agent Cody Banks" - her first movie - I think)

Her music - "Why Not?, What Dreams Are Made Of, So Yesterday and Comin' Clean" - I thought they were catchy and fun - for young teens.

Then I saw her in "Cheaper by The Dozen" - although her role is not that prominent, she was a still a 'breath of fresh air' in the funny and meaningful family movie.

Came the movie "Raise your Voice" and her accompanying single "Fly." I love her edgier music, with a touch of rock and it became and instant fave in my music playlist. The feel-good movie was quite inspiring and the morals of the movie -"have faith, believe in yourself, because if you believe, you can achieve your dreams" - was heartwarming and positively encouraging .

However, it was her major-lead-starring-role in the movie "A Cinderella Story" that I began to really pay attention to Hilary Duff.. she was sooo good in it, her acting was natural, believeable and she suits the modern-cinderella-personality oh so perfectly. (she looked super gorgeous in her halloween-cinderella-white-bridal-dress-with-the-white-mask!) I love the movie, everytime I watch it, it made me smile. The catch phrase of the movie " Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game" was really memorable and sort of become my fave quote. (even until now)

And now, she took drastic measures - transforming herself from a blonde teen queen to an edgier brunette, with new white veneers to boot, and a brand new slimmed-down HOT figure! Bang! As a fashion style maven, she just rocks! Skinny jeans, 'it' handbags, christian louboutins, her style was casual luxe, generally covered up - not revealing too much- she kept it classy-cute-and dignified, which made it only right and justified that she called her brand new spanking album DIGNITY.

Yes, she is an all around entertainer, a good actress (with a long bright career ahead, I have faith in her), and just a nice, kind, radiant personality, inspite of being an A-list celebrity. She kept a rather low profile life - not 'right in front of your face' all the time (unlike other celebs her age, who got so much coverage in gossip mags by getting into rehab, jail, dui charges, esp with those raging paparazzis). Hilary is much more mature, (though sometimes she lets loose, have fun and hit the clubs), she came off (to me) as a genuinely humble modest person - unaffected by her social status.

Despite being under constant criticism for lip-synching, Hilary continues to explore her talents in music, taking a more contemporary approach by recording the more upbeat, clubbing songs (a departure from her bubblegum pop music - which appealed to a younger fan base, she now reinvented herself musically). Her latest hits "Play With Fire" and "With Love" got me hooked instantly, (they are my faves in my ipod!)

For ignoring all the flaks from the show biz industry, and for never giving up on both her music and movie career, Hilary Duff has started to really grown on me. Hilary's courageous move to constantly revolutionize herself has not been an easy road but she overcamed it eventually, but most importantly - she keept her dignity intact throughout the way, and I applaud her for that.

So really, what's not to love about her? :)

Playing Mr. Nice

Since I felt "incomplete" if I haven't post a 'personal feeling' section for the day, I am bound to write a wrap-up for my second day blogging..

After receiving mixed reviews on my "Tease of the Week" section and the controversy started to get a lil' too heated for my liking, I have decided to delete the post and unfortunately discontinue it.

Well, some people just can't take some (supposedly meant to be) light-hearted humour (aimed to make the readers "laugh their ass off") and because I'm generally a nice person (though some of u may dispute this :P) bottom line: I don't want to offend other people's feelings. My sincerest apology goes to the 'victim' who is my dear friend and those who are offended. Let's just put all this behind us..

On a 'slightly' lighter note:

I want to thank my friends for supporting me on this blog - your comments meant a lot to me, I got to know what you guys think and felt about my writings, any particular impacts from reading my blog or as some of u puts it: u regard my blog as a stress reliever entertainment - which made me really happy as that's my initial goal :)

So continue reading my blog and post your comments. I'm open to any constructive criticisms, advices and suggestions :)

Have a good nite, and a nice day tomorrow, always, everyday :P

London Style

This is the reason why I put up with all the "awesomeness" of our beloved SMU Gym:

I need to work out and diet (like crazy) to be able to pull off these amazing looks..(which were taken from London street style blogs)

As those of you close to me have already know that I am going to Europe on 24th June for 20 days, I need to slim down to a lean/slender figure to be able to rock these outfits (which I intend to wear) and consequently look good in the pictures [real reason], as the photos will be kept as the living proof documenting the wonderful memories that I'm SURE going to experience during my vacation :)

Pathetically, my flabby abs and not-so-toned torso will be unforgiving should I insist to wear these outfits - the irony.

Anyways, let's rave about the fashion styles of the Brits..

Button-down shirt - that's basic and fool-proof/ fail-safe - when in doubt, always revert to basics. You just can't never go wrong, u'll never be underdressed nor overdressed with such classics.

Cardigan - my STAPLE, I worship cardigans because:

they are lightweight (very important - SMU students carry tons of stuff and I don't want to add ever more heavy stuff to my bag - I never want to visit a chiropractor *knock on wood*)

and thin (which won't bulk my bag)

and warm enough for seminar rooms in SMU but cool enough for Spore weather. And my prediction is that London in Summer will pretty much have the weather that will allow me to wear my plethora of cardigans collection.

My personal opinion - cardigans just redefine a man's style - so much classier and luxurious compared to other outerwear. Cardigans give gentlemen that young executive look (with a twist!) when worn with dress pants, or relaxed and sporty when worn with jeans. Cardi, cardi, cardi - just soo preppy :P

Slacks - I would prefer skinny jeans, but he rocks the outfit anyway (yeah, because of the slender/slim/lean body *envy*)

White shoes - again, I am partial to white shoes, I have an array of white footwear, so sue me.

The 2nd pic:

Have I mentioned that I am (again) partial to dark tops (because they hide my flaws [read: bulging belly] perfectly) but Black & Blue (navy blue that is) combo is just SOOO spot on!

Khaki Cream (gasp!) skinny jeans - works well on him, but I will never ever recommend this on non-models a.k.a. normal Asian guys who doesn't have long lean legs like the Westerners because it will just be the ultimate sin u can commit - looking like a real fashion victim!

White shoes - it just accentuates the freshness of the light pastel color of the skinny jeans making the whole outfit looks crisp, simple, clean, no fuss no muss, making the guy look perfectly and immaculately dressed from head to toe.

Did i mention that white shoes complement just about every outfit? There, i said it again.

This is eye candy for the girls, and a fashion fix for the guys!

At the end of the day, I always aspire to be known as that guy with style - comfortable in his own skin.

Meanwhile, I shall work on my fitness to eventually live/breathe/wear my ultimate style guideline I've set for myself: subtle, understated but oh so right. :P

Till my next post!