I’m an anal packer with a long list of things “I like to do” before I leave, but I’m almost done and in just a couple of hours, I’m leaving solo to Southeast Asia for a month. Travel time is just a mere 22 hour journey … seriously, lol, I couldn’t have flown to one of the farthest part of the globe! I’ll be trying to update on my down time, but I like to include pictures in my entries and I’m not sure if I’m able to get images uploaded. I’ll definitely have snippets updates every week (or so) and be on Twitter.

Bon Voyage and I’ll update soon!

Starting 2012, this year I will be making my first OFFICIAL Top TEN New Year’s Resolution:

#1 – Take a Step Outside my Comfort Zone

Growing up in the same city nearly all of my life, I tend to surround myself in my own comfort zone. I like the familiar people, environment and surroundings. However, starting this year, I’m going to be making a considerable effort to push myself out of my own element. I have this constant intuition that keeps nudging at me to grasp opportunities that I’m too afraid to take and … you know what? I think I’m finally ready to listen. After all, it’s probably worse to hold back than to have never try at all.

#2 – Be Less Controling

I admit I can be a control freak at times! I like life, from my perspective, to be organized, neat and well planned. Which is really silly because life will never allow anyone to dictate it! Starting this year, I will try to be less controlling and more aware of the present than constantly second guessing the future.

#3 – Accept Hard Emotions

I have a quick tendency to build a wall around my emotions when the going gets tough. I’m the type to bury it all inside until the foundation starts to fractures and crack under an emotional pile up … and then I become this huge mess. LOL I need to better learn to express myself and ALLOW myself to feel, so that I could learn to move along!

#4 – Continue Gym-ing

I need to continue improving my health status! This summer, I took the right step in the right direction by enrolling in a gym membership. I’m proud to say, I still keep at it and I need to continue pushing myself to be consistantly motivated and determined!

#5 – Spend more time with Family & Friends

When I was dating, I tended to revolve a lot of my free time around the guy. I need to keep this factor in mind as a lesson and try not to get sucked into it again! I would like to make a considerable effort to spend more QUALITY (doesn’t have to be quantity) with family and friends. As I always say: family and close friends stay, well boys tend to stray! LOL

#6 – Blog More

This year, I will try to write and blog more!

I will be leaving on a trip next week for a month, so hopefully, I will be able to keep at it.

#7 – Increase eBay Revenues

As a side a hobby, I like to run my own eBay listings. I love scavenging for items to sell and buy and interacting with buyers from all over. This years goal is to beat last year’s overall revenue!

#8 – Be Less Critical of Self

I am – myself’s worst critic. I like to beat myself up when I don’t achieve my goals or plans. Thus, this year, I will try and be less critical of myself! :p

#9 – Be More Tech Savvy

I use to keep up with technology, in grade 8 till grade 11 – I was super keen on HTML, webdesign, writing scripts, setting up websites, domains and etc… but then i fell behind BIG TIME. I only got the smartphone this year and I pronounce TETHERING – as something sexual – like TIT-TERING because I can’t remember the name. And I once tried uploading music onto my phone by emailing it to myself so I could download it. You know it’s bad when your friends and younger brother can’t stop laughing at you!

#10 – Find a New Love!

2011, for me, has been a significant year, that sure felt like a roller coaster ride with incredibly highs and some lows!

In the following chronological order:

- In 2011, I was in love, I just came back from an amazing trip where I went to visit my (then) BF who was working abroad. During the trip, I got to meet his entire family and friends. They all treated me with such great hospitality and kindness. I experienced a part of their country I would have never encountered on my own. The memories of our time spent together were super special and will forever be remembered.

- In 2011, I was in the last chapter of my education, and I finished my last two semester of University. Honestly, I found the classes to be the best during my last year. I took FOUR 4th-year level classes and kept my part time job and I literally worked my ass off (scheduling 12 hour group meetings on weekends & 4 hours of sleep to keep afloat) but it was wonderful. I was able to meet some amazing professors, undertook some great projects and met excellent inspiring classmates whom I really adored.

- In 2011, I was so darn proud, I FINALLY attended my very own CONVOCATION and earned my Bachelor Degree in SFU’s (I must toot my own horn, highly competitive) Business Administration. For me, it was a personal achievement that took a lot of time and perseverance despite an extremely tough beginning. What made it EVEN MORE SPECIAL, that in one of my proudest moments, I was so HAPPY and blessed to have shared it with such an incredible, special & supportive group of family and friends!

- In 2011, I was in a dream, I went on a spectacular Mediterranean whirlwind tour with my childhood’s best friend. During our trip, we visited 5 countries (Spain, Italy, France, Vatican City, Monaco and Germany) and well over 12 cities. The trip sparked a fire in me to travel more, explore the world and achieve all that I can do. Visiting ancient towns, seeing new culture, tasting new experiences and meeting people fuels a perspective: Life is short, to truly enjoy it, you must take it by the horns and just run.

Spain

Monaco

Nice, France

Italy

Rome

Vatican City

Venice

- At the end of 2011, I was in tears, for the lost of a 7 year relationship and a broken heart that still aches. This year, I quickly learn that accepting and moving, has to be one of my biggest life lesson. Thank You girls (you know who you are) for all your love and continuous support!

- Ending 2011, I have hopes for a bigger and brighter year! I’m no longer attached to anything in Vancouver and there is an ocean of opportunities. I mean, look at what I found on my cheese and crackers, a smiley face! Which means good things must be on its way!

Thus To all my lovely readers (providing that the world doesn’t end, lol), may 2012 bring you a healthy, happy and prosperous new beginning and New Year! The slate is now wiped clean, don’t wait, begin your new journey now!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Hope you’re having a warm and wonderful celebration.

I had a great Christmas feast with family and friends this weekend. I never ate so much food, dessert and chocolate!

On a side note, I was really looking forward (as silly as it sounds) to wearing these nail decals for the holiday , but they are absolutely the worst nail product I have encountered.

The design is beautiful, but they are literally tough pieces of stickers that you have to cut with scissors and shape and stick on to your nails. Absolutely nothing like Sally Hansen or Incoco.

Most surprisingly, they are made by BUTTER London (a reputable nail polish company), so for the sake of their credibility, I hope they take these off their market! At $12, they aren’t cheap and I think I will be throwing them away. While trying to fit them onto my nails, they literally peeled away my nail bed.

So, I ended up designing my own colors. I wanted it to look like metallic Christmas wrapping paper, so I used a layer of Chanel’s Peridot and topped it with China Glaze’s Snow Globe with a stamp of Konad.

During the pinnacle of shopping season, a huge aspect working behing the scene is marketing.

To be more specific, I find PERFUME marketing the most intriguing. I, myself, don’t wear a much. However, it ALWAYS entertains me to find how scents are marketed.

Something as simple as liquid in a bottle can be given a character and an attitude. For your entertainment, here are of my favourite perfume commercials:

1 Million by Paco Rabanne

A personification of a perfume, with a million bucks, all you need to do is snap your fingers to attain the car, money, fireworks, and girls. I thought his last look, chiseled jaw that could slice through paper, was impeccable.

Giorgio Armani Attitude Extreme Fragrance

This ad is definitely catered to the ladies, although the perfume is geared towards men. With a flip of the bottle, perfect washboard abs come to life. I didn’t know they make stomach muscles like this anymore.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

I blanked out here and only noticed white underpants. You’ll have to figure the rest out for yourself.

Which perfume ads are your fav?

I hate to blog my personal feelings, it’s like I’m airing-my-dirty-laundry-out,but my blog is a place
where I am free to sort out my thoughts and say my peace.

I’m going to be honest, this holiday, I’m currently feeling like I’ve been disregarded, disrespected and abandon by someone whom was my anchor for the past 7 years.

I don’t care for drama and I hate being overwhelmed by emotions. I’m a tough cookie to crack, I’ve been through the loss of a parent who meant the world to me, so no … I really don’t get upset easily over many things. Perspective changes, I’m not the type to cry over silly plans that don’t go my way or boyfriends who go astray.

Yet, after the call a few days ago, I am upset that you will never understand how I feel. I wish I hadn’t picked up and I wish things had been left broken instead of shattered -making it go bad to worse. Good timing buddy, it’s a fantastic holiday this year. For your future, I hope you never feel the same scorn as I been through, by someone you care about. Or maybe you should, it might do you some good.

Anyways, enough already of my constant beleaguering.

For once, just this once, Im waving a white flag.

My heart hurts and bleeds because of you. Do you understand?

Frosted Tangerine Cake and Sticky Toffee Pudding

The scents were actually inspired by a recipe contest Bath & Bodyworks hosted, and they included a winning recipe with each candle. Since I decided to be responsible for dessert this Christmas, I’ll be making the Frosted Tangerine Cake. (Although, I might substitute Tangerines for Mandarin Oranges if I can’t find them.) I’ll blog about the dessert when I make it!

Here’s a picture of little Hazel! She sleeps on the floor beside my computer desk and gets up every time I get up. That’s the face she peeks at me anytime I move, she’s like my little shadow. For some reason, her pointy face always reminds me of squirrel!

Succumbing to curiosity, I purchased one to give it a try.

I purchased Cotton Candy which is a sheer pink.

Swatched it on my hand.

Picking out $125 worth of free stuff was a little overwhelming. I didn’t know what I want. It’s a weird feeling to take anything you want and not have to pay for it.

They were out of the Dior Holiday Eye Palette, so I opted for the Smashbox Girls on Film Eye Palette, Dior Nude Powder (came with a mini kabuki brush) and a $25 Cinplex Gift Card