I don’t know where April went, but it sure slipped through my fingers sooner than I had expected. April saw me adding three new cameras to the collection, as I slowly made my way through each of them, coupled with discovering the fact that two of my older cameras (Diana+ and Diana F+) still had god-knows-when (yes, we’re talking about pre-marital times here) rolls still running in them. May has been good thus far, albeit a little rushed and hectic, all thanks to the mister’s schedule, the recent general elections, and basically, the aftermath of having a wondrous sloth-like 3 long weekends in a row. Barely sneaking into the second half of May, and I must confess I’m already thinking, “Bring on June already!”.

- Zeiss Ikon Contina IIa; Fuji Superia 200

It all began with a pale pink flower planter I got from Totes & Liv, and now I’m hooked. I consider myself more of a lilac/wisteria and lime green fan, but ever since I decided on the colour for my KA (yes, I’m a full-time baker who doesn’t use a KA), thereafter the colour theme for my kitchen (yes, my kitchen colour theme revolves around the colour of my KA; and yes, I’m planning for a kitchen when I have yet to find a new home), I’ve been stocking up on items of the same pale pink hue.

I’ve also recently discovered my love for oats, or rather, beyond my typical oatmeal-green apples mornings. Having had them in my choc+cinnamon chip cookies and wholemeal pancakes recently, I’ve come to the conclusion that I love my grains, and am already thinking of the hundreds of bircher muesli I can start my days with.

Two lengths afore three hands relieved apprehensive souls of their suffering and uncertainty. Two lengths afore three hands lifted a spirit to the heavens above, embracing the reciprocated love yearned therein.

The barren earth sips the Creator’s showers. The clouds unfold to shadow the torch. The leaves sashay, tickled by the dearly-missed breath. While a gaping wound welcomes a figurine devoid of soul, as of a keeper safeguarding Pandora’s treasure.

And so, a body laid sepulchered. For the blinkered, in the depths of the dust earth it doth belong. For the seeing, in the arms of the Lover, it laid encrypted.

I may have written this six years ago, but it resonates strong today. My grandmother passed on two nights ago. On the way to the house for the funeral yestermorn, the brother and I reminisced the happier times when we were younger. She was the gutsy granny we loved, who was strict when she was teaching us Qur’an recitation, loving with the hot cups of milo the morning after our slumber party, and engaging as a storyteller sharing tales from the times of the Japanese Occupation. To me, she was the one who never got tired of hearing my regurgitation of verses, who could understand Hindi and Mandarin films even when she couldn’t read the English subtitles, and the one who told me if I prayed hard enough, Hulk Hogan would win. 

- Vivitar UWS, Kodak Tmax 400

I don’t consider myself much of a traveller, thanks to a perfect concoction of paranoia and social awkwardness. Being married, though, has brought about many changes in me, one of which is the occasional itch to travel and visit new places with the mister. I guess it’s a natural progression for foodies who are constantly hunting down new eateries, anyway (since pre-wed days, our date venues have always been decided by food-cravings for that day). For the CNY long weekend last month, we found ourselves in a situation where we couldn’t go overseas, but the itch (and my incessant whining) led to our usual turn-to, i.e. a staycation, as well as a last-minute day-prior reservation for the much-talked Universal Studios Singapore. Yes, much to the bewilderment of the sis who couldn’t fathom why we would want to pay the ticket price if I couldn’t take any rides. Well, just to take in the sights and sounds I guess!

Just like how I scrambled looking for the designated Pooh section at Tokyo Disneyland, my main aim for the trip was to bask in the glory of the land of far far away. We caught an interactive show featuring Donkey, sitting at the front row amidst little kids, where the little girl next to me was more interested in my flower+bee brooches than Donkey himself. The show was entertaining, though, in Donkey’s defence. I was actually looking forward to seeing my favourite character Puss, but at the very least I got to visit the shop of my second favourite character, Fairy Godmother!

If you follow me on twitter, you probably would have read this. There were quite a number of shots (all taken at the Egyptian area) that had a freaky white orb, and while I’m not going to share all, I thought I’d share the best one I’ve found above. Don’t you think the placement of the white circular thingy wraps freakily around the neck of the Pharaoh? I’m all for lens flare, but duuude, that ain’t no flare, man.

The mister was looking forward to his Jurassic Park (and was sorely disappointed at the dismal settings), so while he was busy snapping away and embracing the pre-historic ambience, I caught an adorable girl playing alone by the fountains, caught in a world of her own, only to break her focus and see her gleefully running away from my twin lens.

- all photos taken on Jetjet (Blackbird Fly); Kodak Tmax 400

Since the mother’s out of town, these days I’ve been spending more time in the kitchen, cooking our daily meals. And thereby learning how difficult it is to come up with a varied 5-day menu, when you’re running on low, almost non-existent culinary skills. When I’m not turning to the oven for comfort, I delve in the realm of winging-it, judging dishes by their looks, rather than actually tasting them. The upside of days of epicurean experimentation is that I’ve learnt three things: one, when in doubt, just stir-fry anything; two, french toast tastes better when they’re cutesy and filled with caramelised apples; and three, anything and everything tastes better than jars of black fish + ginseng essence (twenty jars to go *sigh*).

blue skies enveloping shrooms of clouds, warm kisses billowing by the leaves, lush trees the colour of sunshine, and rays of fireworks on the ground we walk upon.

Indeed, Nature pens His love songs in our every moment, before our very hearts.

- Dexter (Vivitar UWS); Kodak Tmax 400

Oh, and as much as I’m a stickler for round numbers, my favourite number also happens to six [and multiplies of it including, but not exceeding 36], so here are my top 12!

UNDER SGD20.10

1. ZA Concealer Perfection — SGD13.90
   (Rated 4.2 on MA) I succumbed to the raves, and tried this a couple of months back. Doesn’t settle into my fine lines, feels light, and not cakey.
2. ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder — USD3
   (Rated 4.0 on MA) I absolutely ADORE this. Was never a contouring person, but now I can’t do without the bronzing under my cheekbones. Long-lasting and the perfect shade (both blush & contour) for me.
3. Silkygirl Funky Eyelights — SGD7.90
   (Rated 4.6 on MA) Super cheap, super fun, and comes in so many colours.
4. Biore UV Moist Face Milk SPF 50+ PA++ — SGD12
   (Rated 4.3 on MA) I’ve switched sunscreens now and then, but always come back to this. Doesn’t leave a tacky feeling, and no bad skin reactions!
5. Topshop Kohl in Juniper – SGD9
   (Rated 4.0 on MA) Wasn’t expecting much, but now I’m glued to this! The dark purple hue gives a softer alternative to black, and the best part is it glides easily and doesn’t smudge.
   
6. Maybelline Total Clean Express Eye & Lip Makeup Remover — SGD12
   Again another staple, this removes the toughest of mascaras and darkest of shadows. I love that it’s gentle and I can’t even begin to count the number of bottles I’ve gone through!

ABOVE SGD20.10

1. Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation — SGD58
   I must admit that I bought it because I was intrigued by the product-saving mechanism (i.e. grinding mechanism), but have grown to LOVE it. This feels super light on the skin, leaving you feeling natural. Doesn’t fade, but the only downside is it’s super bulky.
2. Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer — SGD52
   Got this recently, but am already loving it. Similar to its powder counterpart, this gives light coverage, so I wouldn’t recommend using it on bad breakout days, but rather on days when you need light makeup, or just give your skin a breather. It comes with SPF for the sunscreen fans out there, and if you have oily T-zone like me, just be sure to set it with loose powder, and you’re good to go.
3. Body Shop Wise Woman Eye Cream — SGD45.90
   I can’t say I love this as much as I would’ve liked to, but it definitely reduced the fine lines under my eyes (albeit only just by a bit). I love the cooling effect it has though, and it’s a good moisturiser before I put on my concealer.
4. L’Occitaine Rose Market Set Travel Collection
   Bought this at the KL airport just to try out, and though I’ve never pegged me for a hand gel person, this has changed it. Love all of the 4 different fragrances!
5. Estee Lauder Golden Eye & Face Compact (New Pure Color EyeShadow in Ivory Slipper, Hot Cinnamon and Amethyst Spark, plus Estée Lauder Signature Blush in Nude Rose)
   Got this as part of a Coach-Estee Lauder Limited Edition set, and this is eye & face compact is a dream for travel. The shadows aren’t so pigmented, but it has good staying power, and its neutrality complements the natral flush of the blush.
6. Body Shop Divide & Multiply Mascara — SGD22.90
   This was a surprising winner in my books. Bought it during one of those Body Shop sales, and given four different mascaras, this was the one I kept coming back to. I’m not so sure it delivers on the ‘multiply’ part, but it does a great job separating the lashes, giving you that bright-eyed natural look.

One of the places I had wanted to visit was Tokyo Camii (Tokyo Mosque), which also happens to be the Turkish Cultural Centre in Japan. After having visited the squeezed-in-between-two-apartments Hira Mosque in Gyotoku for our afternoon prayers the first day, we had anticipated Tokyo Camii to be similarly humble (let’s not even talk about the cracked window obviously a result of a stone throw), to say the least. But as we left the metro station and spotted the minaret far ahead, we knew Tokyo Camii would be as jaw-dropping as the stories I’ve heard of it.

Right after snapping this shot, two elderly Japanese ladies walked by, bowed to the mosque in respect, and continued their way. True story.

The stairs led us to a beautiful veranda with an entrance to the main prayer hall, boasting quintessential intricate Turkish designs and high ceilings. The veranda was also where I spent my time snapping away, while waiting for the mister to finish his prayers, and had an interesting conversation with an adorable old Japanese man who collected ‘thank you’ in different languages in his little book. I contributed to his list with an Arabic equivalent. Haha.

After a short conversation with a group of Singaporean girls, exchanging halal eateries in Tokyo and basic food survival tips, we proceeded to the first floor leading to the Turkish cultural gallery, which not only served as a great touristy museum, but also served as a functional venue for gatherings and meetings amongst the Turkish expatriates living in Tokyo.

- all photos taken with Dexter (Vivitar UWS); Kodak Tmax 200

Any [first] trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without Disneyland, so we purchased our one-day passports way beforehand here in Singapore, and joined one of the snaking queues of thousands of visitors braving the chilly weather, awaiting to enter. Anyone who’s been to Disneyland will always pass on the same words: leave your maturity by the gate, and unleash your inner child. And by golly, to refrain would require a greater mental exercise than poring over a Sudoku puzzle with your eyes closed. Pictorial regurgitation up ahead.

We managed to queue up for one show, and while it was interesting watching Mickey and gang interact in Japanese, I found it more peculiar witnessing ladies in their late-thirties/early-forties screaming manically over Minnie-chan, as they fondly refer to her, which leads you to wonder how their younger idol-chasing groupie of teenage daughters would be. But then again this was the land where burly grown men walked around with Goofy ears and Stitch hats, maintaining their gangsta status quo with metal chains hanging by their pockets.

The jaw-dropping sky-scraping castles, the adorable life-sized role-playing characters (we saw Captain Hook trying to abscond with one of the tourist kids!), the so-cute-I-wanna-bring-one-home toddlers dressed up as Pooh, Tigger, Mickey, and the amazingly blue skies with wispy clouds most certainly made the whole trip seem magical, and let’s just say the inner child in me was definitely appeased.