MONOCHROME

Black and White is still one of the easiest colour (or rather colourless) combination, I'm aiming for days where I don't find myself staring at my not very extensive wardrobe thinking of an outfit – don't you agree we sometimes spent too much time doing that? I'd like to channel that energy and time to doing something else, like abs workout which I have unsuccessfully keep up with (did it only thrice over the week, I'm really hoping to do it daily because it takes me less than 10 mins to do so). I think dressing effortless is key and it all simplifies to the essentials, but it'll take me a long while before I can achieve a minimalistic wardrobe because first, I need to sell the clothes that generally don't suit me anymore. So help me out here, pretty please?

–
taobao shirt / thescarletroom jacket

BANGKOK PART II

Bangkok, Thailand Part II

Bangkok, despite recent protest activities that is still ongoing, I managed to visit the city twice a month safely (first with my family, second with my cell group). I did not encounter any protest at all (though I kinda wished I did at least catch a glimpse of it, thought it'd be quite an interesting sight to see). Apart from that, shopping and food were so so so good. I don't know how you guys define good shopping, but to me its making purchases that are essential and suitable for me at cheap prices – talk about cheap thrills! Food, I don't think I need to convince anyone that Thai food is really at its best. Thankfully I've been trained to take spicy food since a young age (as I type this, I'm mentally drooling at the thought of tom yam, green curry, phad thai, spicy fish and more green curry.....) Moving on, I also got my body stretched and cracked ever since I stopped dancing 4 years ago at Thai body massage, it was pretty good except that all my guy friends got asked for "indecent special service" which they immediately reject without hesitation.

Traveling around the city on tuk tuk was my favourite, though it is not the safest transport, it really makes me feel so amazed by their driving skills and traffic situation. Almost anytime and everywhere is jam packed in Bangkok; vehicles, humans and even boats when we were at the floating market. Most Thais are able to speak basic English, which makes bargaining and enquiries much more convenient, but we also had a very humorous moment at a non tourist eatery and we had to google images of a bowl to show the waiter & waitress when we requested for an extra empty bowl. There're so much more places I've yet to explore and discover in Bangkok, praying for the protest will go into peace soon. I'll definitely be coming back to this city someday soon!

CONTENTMENT

#1 Guideline for 365 days.
/ 12 pieces of apparels (excludes staples which are essentials & somehow gets worn out easily). Thankfully I live in a single season country, so I don't really need to invest in that many winter clothing.
/ 2 pairs of shoes, only if I need it
/ 1 bag only if I need it
/ 2-3 accessories. I'm not an accessories person, but if I do wear them, its kept as simple as possible.

#2 What I need now.
/ Bra and underwear
/ Sports bra and a new sports dry fit tshirt
/ Dark blue denim jeans (the one I'm always wearing has gone out of fit after 3 years)
/ A pair of black heel for special events (realised more of my friends are getting married each year)
/ Still considering if I need to get a new pair of running shoes to replace my current one
/ Simple navy dress instead of having everything black

#3 How I should go about doing it.
/ Visit stores only for what I need + forgo anything that looks nice on the rack which I don't need or already have something similar
/ Don't window shop or browse through online stores whenever I'm bored (instead if I'm bored I should spend the time reading the Bible)
/ Keep a shopping list only and truly for what you need
/ Never buy on impulse just cause its cheap or it's on a mega discount
/ Don't go for brands, unless it's bags or shoes that are really worth investing for long term use

#4 What I should do to clear my wardrobe.
/ Sell them (which I've been trying to – so support me here! Sometimes at fleas but sales are always bad unfortunately)
/ I'm packing several items to giveaway to the Salvation Army which I think are not suitable to sell

#5 Things to work on.
/ Improve on DIY skills for apparels, so perhaps I can make them instead of buying (money saver and fun!)
/ A better finance planning with disciplined control (really need to set aside daily expenses, school fundings and savings for the future)

One of my 2014 resolutions is to reduce my wardrobe – something I've set my heart on since this post I wrote last year. To be accountable to myself, I decided to blog about it so we shall see by end of the year when I reflect about this. I want to be satisfied with what I have and not seek to have more all the time. Many times, we really don't need that much. Less is always more.

BANGKOK PART I

Bangkok, Thailand Part I

2013

I know I'm late but first off – Blessed New Year! I spent a long day and night in church reflecting 2013 and setting goals for 2014, staying up till 530am after the countdown and then proceed to knock out when I got home (I'm not a person who stays up late so being waking in wee hours is such a torture to me). So now on the second day of the new year, I have finally compiled my past year as best as I could.

In May, I completed my Diploma in Fashion Media (previously known as Fashion Communication) and eventually started on my final BA (Hons) studies. I am privileged to have a few of my works being showcased in Lasalle's exhibitions. As 2014 began, I'm left with my final semester as a student. What comes after my graduation is still quite unclear at this point but I trust in God's sovereignty and I'll await for his call as I complete my studies.

2013 also saw me starting to enjoy the art of cooking which I used to find it a chore. Though I don't cook often when I'm busy, I do KIV possible recipes I can attempt next time. Here are some I felt were considered quite successful! This reminds me how long I have not cooked but its time to.

I started attempting analog photography, something I'm trying to explore further as well but I don't see myself doing this frequently as film photography is quite a pricey hobby and it would hurt my wallet a lot if I do this frequently. Anyone knows a shop that sells cheap films and develop photos at a lower price?


I turned 20 on 20th October and I'm very thankful that in these 20 years of breath, I'm able to be a child of God since birth. We should never be defined by our age; to see a person grow more mature, lovable and Christ-like is much more important regardless of age. This year I will be turning 21, I'm not sure if holding a party to celebrate is necessary but my mom likes the idea of it and I think it would probably be a good opportunity to have a family gathering as well as reconnecting with friends. I don't hold birthday parties, so if I do, I definitely not want it to be like the typical 21st parties.


In my personal style wise, I think it has became more minimal. I've never really been able to describe my style in a few words, I think I'm a comfortable minimalistic while balancing femininity and masculinity. Ok, not sure if anyone gets what I mean but its somewhere along the line. DIY is something I'm still very interested in but it stops when school's hectic workload gets in the way. Hoping to be able to continue sharing #joeydoesdiy on the blog.

Mid of 2013 I went across the border to Johor Bahru for a short church retreat, and in December, instead of going for the usual winter vacation, my family went for a sail on a huge ship and also visited Bangkok twice (which I will share more in time to come). I'm always travelling within Asia but I don't complain about it. Though I'm patiently awaiting for a trip to Europe or Australia and many other places in the world, I'm thankful I have the health and family financial ability to travel. My second Bangkok trip was my first time travelling without my parents and also not for a school trip with teachers. It was an enjoyable experience with my cell group, and I learnt a lot, it being not able to rely on my parents throughout trip and taking full ownership of big and small things like my valuables, checking into flights, searching for transport etc. Through this trip, I also met fellow Christians and got to know my cell group mates (friends I've known for my entire life) even better and deeper.

2014 will be a tough one but I do look forward to it, with better things to come at the end of it. I'm also going to be stricter with myself as to saving up financially for the future. I don't have a long list of resolution but here are two after reflecting upon myself over the year: 01 To build a closer relationship and spending more time with God through personal devotions. 02 Be a more patient and lovable person to the people around me.

I realised I didn't manage to update this blog regularly in December as I had promised to, been travelling and couldn't sort the photos out quickly. Secondly, does anyone has any idea how I can get rid of this slideshow function in all my photos? I don't know if its annoying to any of you but it does to me. Lastly, thank you to those who have been following my blog and taking some time to read them. It means a lot to me even though I don't know who you are, at least I know I'm not writing these to nobody. It makes me enjoy blogging more and more (except for certain #firstworldpain issues that makes blogging a pain), and I will continue to blog.