I wrote this last Christmas but did not post it. Since it is December again (time really flies!) let's not waste this sharing.


Hi everyone! It is December, the time of the year. Let's start preparing for Christmas.
Take this time to reflect on the good and bad decisions you have made this year. Take this chance to visualise where you want to be this time next year. Most importantly, take this opportunity to thank those who had made a difference in your life. Thank them for the valuable life lessons and the experiences.

DIY Christmas Sew on cards

I am going to share a very easy and idiot-proof DIY Christmas card for your loved ones. Make it yourself and remember to fill every word, fold and thread with gratitude.

Colorful DIY Xmas Cards

1. Fold the stock paper into half.
2. Sketch a triangle, I tend to align my bottom vertices to the corner of the papers.
3. Puncture holes along the outline of the triangle with the needle.
4. Choose thread of your desired color, knot it and start threading through!
5. Knot once you're done with a color, try your best to keep it as close to the card as possible.
6. Repeat until a desired design is achieved!
7. Stick on a star sticker or you can choose to draw it on
8. Decorate however you like!

(PS it's so foolproof I don't think I need to take step-by-step photo hor)

DIY Xmas Cards, finished!

Done! So easy but the finished product is really nice. Remember to write your little note to the receiver inside :) If you find the inside of the card ugly (cause of the threads and all), you can glue another piece of paper over it.

Merry Xmas!

Graduation trips

Taiwan with Family

Krabi with the Girls

Penang with Dearests

Went for 3 separate trips with three different groups of people. They are not those fancy trips/Europe trip but I really enjoyed myself. Why enjoy once when you can have it three times, at probably a fraction of the cost? Budget and time were the two main concerns for all of us anyway. Nonetheless, wonderful memories.

PS, finally travelled overseas with my dearest group of friends, well after discussing about it for a good 5-6 years? Not sure how long it took us but at least we did it.






Career

Started my career back in May, officially. It took me a long time to decide, a long time to learn (in fact I am still learning and improving every single day). Appreciate the patience I have from my mentors, the trust people place in me and the encouragement and understanding I've received thus far. They shaped who I am today, this very moment.

It is no doubt stressful at times but I enjoy what I am doing.


For those who have just began their journey, you will do well too! Give yourself some time to polish up and keep learning!




I shall leave updating about other major things next time!
Can't say I am back blogging for good but I will try my best as long as I have the time and energy! Thanks for hanging around~

Mookata originates from Thailand. It is basically a Thai barbecue surrounded by a rim of soup base for steamboat. Best of both worlds in a pot.

Found this gem tucked away in a quiet private condo. Yes you read it correctly, Tenryu Japanese Dining & Teahouse is located INSIDE a condo (Dairy Farm Estate) along Dairy Farm Road. It is not too difficult to find but at the same time I wouldn't say it is easy.

Salmon Sashimi Platter ($24.80, 15 slices)

Sakana Bowl ($10.80) Fish Cutlet with egg & onions

Tori Karaage Curry Rice ($11.80) Fried Chicken Curry Rice

Salmon Garlic Yaki Meshi ($10.50) Garlic fried rice with generous salmon cubes

Yuzu Beer ($12.80)

Tenryu Japanese Dining & Teahouse

Locking in the date. Edit in a bit!


Refer to This Post for details!

Que Origin | Etude House | C20 Vitamin C

1. Que Origin Lavender Shower Wash

The scent is the first thing that stole my heart. This lavender bath wash smells divine, or at least to me haha. I really like using this especially at night because it really calms and relaxes me for bed. It doesn't foam but cleansing power is good. It is actually quite moisturising too. The best of all is that it does not irritate my skin as much as many other shower washes because it is formulated from natural ingredients. I have sensitive body/back so if the soap I use is too harsh, I will have a lot of red, itchy spots.

This was sent to me for a no obligatory try out btw. Quote 'jjoyis' for $3 off your first purchase (PS ON TOP OF FREE SHIPPING PROMOTION!)

Alternatively, click the the referral link here and everything is already nicely keyed in for you.

$7.90, 250 mL from Que Origin

2. Etude House 10-in-1 Wonder Pore Freshener

This is my holy grail of the month. Might be my holy grail for my whole life as well. Remember I mentioned (a couple of times) I have been breaking out and nothing is making it better. I mean sometimes it gets better but sometimes, omg please don't talk about it. Opened this last month and my skin is getting better and better! I am so thankful something is working.

I use this like a final cleansing step and it really lifts off any leftover impurities my make up remover/facial wash left out.

I wrote about Erude House wonder pore 7-in-1 (older version) in one of my favourites too. You can read if you are keen. They work quite similarly but I find this 10-in-1 version even better.



$32 (500 mL) @ Etude House stores

3. OST Original Pure C20 Vitamin C Serum 

After all the outbreak, it is common to deal with dark spots/scarring. I find this serum helping in fading those unsightly spots. My skin plumps up and glows after using this for some time. The only drawback is that it can sting, especially if you have open wounds.



$16, 30 mL from Qo10

4. Etude House Face Blur Base 

Received this as a gift from my friend and I loveee it. The texture is light and not sticky for daily use. It brightens your skin slightly and helps to manage sebum production (doesn't control fully though). I use it under make up, I use it on its own. Basically, this is an everyday product. I've been wearing this with a bit of concealer on days I am conducting lessons or heading out to study. It is just so convenient to put on and remove.



$27.50, 35g from Etude House stores






Didn't have a lot of products for Feb but I love all of them. See you guys in Mar's favourites!

Hi guys! It has been a really, really long time since I last sat down to pen something. As much as I want to, I can't. After all, I am not a full timer blogger. Now I can finally, well sort of, understand why many stopped even though it is something they enjoy doing.


Anyway, it has been nearly 3 months into 2016. Let me update a little about my life so far.


2016 has been pretty good and really packed. Still juggling between a few major things in life - school, work, lessons, friends


School

My last semester in University. Or proper education, that is if I do not further my studies. I am trying my best to absorb the last drop of knowledge from the lecturers. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy studying. It is stressful/tiring at times but learning is nonetheless, very fun.

And of course, I enjoyed my fair share of skipping lectures. I will definitely miss the 'flexibility'.
PS, we have online lectures!



Work

This is a new chapter for me. Opened it earlier but so far so good. I might share more about it in the future but I shall keep it offline for now.



Lessons

Nothing much changed. I wonder how long can I continue this for. I know I have to stop tutoring one day but let's not think about that for now. I am happy as long as they are doing well.



Friends

Practically hanged out with the usual few groups + other small pockets of people whenever I can. I feel extra grateful when I manage to spend time with them.

Sometimes I really want to reach out to certain friends first but it is just.. hard. Initiating contact is never easy for me and seeing how people slip away is not making things better. Important people I mean.

So that is why I count my blessing and give thanks every day - for the people who came and never left. 


Nonetheless, I thought I should make it a point to reconnect with more friends this year. If not now, when?


Hahaha why does it feel a little emotional here ah?



**********


Okay what else...?
Nothing.



If you miss me, I am on Dayre (daily crazy moments). Find me @jjoyis! It is quiet there too ahaha. 



Moving forward, I cannot promise I will update more but I promise to update a little everyday so that this space/my social media will not extinct.

CQGF Aljunied Outlet

Chong Qing Grilled Fish

Spicy Chicken Cubes ($16)

The dish is so red!

Mouth-watering Chicken ($7.30)

Spicy Fragrant Conch ($14.90)

Fragrant Smoked Pork with Mushroom ($16)

Offal Slices ($8.30)

Chinese Spinach With Salted & Century Egg ($11.60)

Close up

String Beans with Minced Meat and Dried Chilli ($11.70)

Spicy Numbing Sea Bass Grilled Fish

This is like mala Xiang Guo but more on the Ma (numbness) side. My tongue literally seized up hahaha. It was a weird experience haa!

Pickled Cabbage Sea Bass Grilled Fish

Hot & Sour Sea Bass Grilled Fish

STEAMBOAT!

Lots of condiments

What we had

Yuan Yang Steamboat

and it's a place for supper too!

Chong Qing Grilled Fish