Back to school...

Hi guyssss! Missed blogging so much but I guess I was just really caught up with all the offline stuff and didn't really make an effort to make time to blog.

So... my status has officially (and finally) changed to "Undergraduate"!!! :)

SO... I guess I'm still in the first month of college so I'm not really feeling the heat yet. But omgosh the amount of readings to be done.......

Hahaha, so yeah.
If anyone is interested, I'm currently in NUS FASS, intended major being Chinese Studies but I'm having second thoughts after a few lectures... HAHAHA. Also thinking of doing a 2nd major or minor in South Asian Studies :)

Basically my life in school has been quite good; learning new things in ways different from before... Just a little culture shock since I've switched from science fac to arts fac, but alas I find it much nicer now :)

Well, we all start with high hopes just as we enter a new phase in our lives, just as I feel like I want to make the best out of this 3-4 years in university - exploring different CCAs, going on overseas trips like OCIPs, exchange programme, etc. Basically we all start living our lives as the people we picture ourselves to be, and people we want to become in the past.

I think that's the best thing about college; you get to do what you like (finally, but not entirely, as usual), you decide what modules to take, what to focus on, ... It's basically whatever you want to do!

While I start to question if I'm being overly ambitious, I would definitely still want to fight for opportunities for personal growth, stretching out of my comfort zone, and also new adventures to embark on.

I feel this odd sense of liberation (yet some stress accompanies) being able to choose whatever I want to take and not having anybody judge or question me (not that I really bother anyway). I feel like I'm finally doing what I want to do! Or perhaps, I just only found the thing I really love and want to do. Anyhoo, it's still worth celebrating *wheeeeeeee*

Would love to share more about whatever I learn in my modules with people, so maybe later in time I will!

Till then, toodles and good luck to everyone else and always remember to stay true to yourself :)

Love,
Bel

Little story + some thoughts

So today I want to share a story. Short, but meaningful. I swear when i heard it I went like "wow" - the "yes omg it totally makes sense" and that it sends a powerful message kind of "wow".

It left an unspeakable impact on me and I feel like I have to share it.

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There was this guy who was standing by a cliff but he accidentally slipped off; he fell off the cliff.

As he was falling he found a tree branch so he held on to it. He was petrified (obviously) because beneath him is an endless abyss and if he let go, he would fall to his death. He had nothing to do except to keep holding on to that branch, but of course, he worried that it wouldn't be able to sustain for long. There was no way anyone or anything else could come to save him, so he decided he should pray.

So he sincerely prayed for God to come and save him from his danger. (Note that he usually wasn't a great believer, so technically this time he turned to God just because he needs help)

So God really appeared in front of him.

"Oh thank heavens! God, you are here, save me! I will do whatever it is you ask!"

"I can save you, but you'll have to do one thing - one simple thing"

"What is it? I'll do anything!!"

"Let go of the branch, then I can save you."

--

If you were the man, would you let go?

I think this story sends a very powerful message. Take us humans to be the man. We probably all believe in God, but we don't believe enough to totally submit ourselves and our lives to him. We fear too much, even when God is right by our side.

Like in the story, God is always right by our side, and all we have to do is to let go. Let go of the what, the branch? The branch is just like our worldly desires, emotions and humanly habits. Once we let go of all those, and take up the cross (our true selves) and follow God, we will then be able to be "saved" and return to the kingdom of God.

--

On another note, I just felt like i had to share this as well - my thoughts about vegetarianism and veganism.

I believe that all creatures were created equal; we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and yes of course it seems like humans are superior because we are so diverse and have the ability to innovate. But we are all the same - we are all created by the same God.

Did God intend us to eat the other animals that he created? Did He not love them as much? I don't think so, i think it's the humans that give this self-entitled power over all the other creatures in the world. And i don't think it's fair.

Think about it. We feel pain, right? I'm sure the animals feel pain too.

Do they willingly let you kill them so that they can end up on your dinner plates? Do they specially live so that one day they can end up as the fur on your coat or the leather on your shoes?

They struggle, they scream, they cry in the cages/doors of the commercial industry - for their lives to be spared. They have family (parents, siblings) just like we do. They love and have emotions just like we do - maybe not as complex as ours, but i'm sure they do.

Are you not convinced? So why do our pets have the ability to love us? And feel upset when we leave home for a period of  time? And feel excited when we come home to them? Are they not the same as the animals from the commercial farms? Isn't it just because they simply have a better fate than those farm animals?

You may not feel the pain or the suffering they go through because you don't see it. But just because you don't see it, does not mean it isn't happening. It is real, and it's very real. It's happening every single day to feed the meat-eating population.

What makes us think we have the right to take away their lives? What makes us think we are powerful enough to play God in the animal world?

And if you think vegetarians are fighting to eat the plants that the beloved animals eat and shit along those lines, you should really go do some research. The grains that are fed to the animals in the farms can feed more mouths than the meat produced from the animals. In US, the grains and soybeans fed to the livestock can feed 1,300,000,000 people (that's more than a billion btw). 80% of the grains actually is consumed by the livestock while 20% is consumed by humans in US. Imagine the extra number of mouths you can feed instead of feeding the farm animals that will eventually be killed and eaten as well.

If you think carefully, we eat to sustain our daily activities. Is there really a need to eat animals though? As a vegetarian for more than 19years now, i can confidently tell you that vegetarian food can taste good as well. There is not a day that goes by that i have a lack of choice of what food i should eat. Vegetarian food choices are growing abundant in Singapore.

I'm not saying that everyone should become vegetarian/vegan immediately, but if you have a heart for the animals, the animals that were also lovingly created by God to share this planet, reduce the amount of meat and animal products you consume. Eat more veggies instead, it is better for your body anyway.

If you have the time, do watch the clip below. Yes, it is hard to watch. Why? Because you know you feel for them, but you just deny the feelings because you want to continue with your lives. Because you have a conscience, the conscience that you choose to ignore. Because they are "so delicious" you wouldn't think of how they got there.

Every choice you make does matter in making a difference in their lives.

Yes, you don't kill them, but they die because of you. They die so that the restaurants/food industry/whoever get to make a profit of of you.

Doesn't that make you a murderer indirectly?



For the love of God and our earth, think twice for the animals.

Love.

Liebster Award; Oh yea, I DO have a blog.

Man, have I been gone for long! There was just so many stuff going on in my life that I just couldn't find time to update this space but yay to finally blogging again, right? :)

Haha okay so Samantha Marie, my JC friend, tagged me in this Liebster award thing; which is basically just kind of a question tag, and also a chance for me to let you guys know more about myself. (If y'all are interested, of course)

So thanks Sam for reminding me that i actually have a blog!! :)

1) What made you start blogging?

Hmm, I've actually had a blog since like primary school or lower secondary days?? Prolly just following the trend then, haha. (Cause that was the kind of person i was then)

But when i started in JC1 again i really wanted to blog about my food journey? Smth like that? Cause i was super into eating healthy, baking, and all that. I have had many phases in my life, so, that kinda died down a bit, so now i'm back to blogging more about more significant things that happens in my life? :)

2) What is your favourite thing to do when you are feeling down?

I don't think i feel down super often, but when i do, i have a few things i like to do. I may go out all alone to walk it out and do some people-watching and notice the beauty in everyday life, or just stay home and rot it out. But basically, it would be doing stuff that makes me happy and put all the other stuff to a pause for a while.

3) What is your most memorable birthday celebration?

Eh... I don't really have one particularly memorable... Mostly because i don't really see it as that important anymore. 

So maybe i shall change the question a little: Which year in life has been most memorable/significant to you?

I would say the 18th year in life up to now holds the most meaning to me as of now. This is because i actually realised what life is all about (in a sense) and found a purpose in life. In fact, i feel that my life has just started officially since last dec - only since then i started to take everything seriously i guess? :)

4) What is your favourite café/restaurant/food place of all time? (Can be in Singapore, can be overseas)

Once again, i don't really have a particular place that is my favourite, but i would just generalise and say that i love places that sell vegan/vegetarian-friendly food and health-conscious food :) Foods that make one feel good after eating instead of feeling sick after.

5) What are your 3 favourite songs?

As with many people, my favourite songs list is dynamic and will change with time. So maybe i shall name some favourite artistes and some all-time favourite songs? :)

I usually listen to a lot of country-ish songs - Lady Antebellum, Colbie Caillat. Other than that, Christina Perri, Westlife, and Youtube covers. 

All-time favourite songs: (Colbie Caillat) Fallin' For You, (Lady Antebellum) Can't Take My Eyes Off You, (Christina Perri) Arms

[But as of now i listen more to chinese songs so current faves are mostly chinese :)]

6) If you could be an animal for as long as you want, what would you be and why?

I guess i would want to be those farm animals in the commercial meat industry and experience the pain and suffering they go through, so when i turn back into human, i can prove to people that they do feel pain and emotions and hope that people can (at least) reduce the amount of meat/eggs/dairy they consume. :)

7) Where do you see yourself in 20 years' time?

Woah 20years is a long time... by then i would be almost 40. I'm guessing i'll have a family by then and my kid(s) would have grown to be at least 10 years old? Would have paused my career for the first few years of having a kid but after that i would want to go back to teaching :)

8) What is one thing you would change about your life if you could travel back in time to change it?

I wouldn't want to change anything because i know everything happens for a reason and all the things that happened along the way has helped to make me into the person i am today in one way or another.

But if i had to say one thing, it is to make sure i keep contact with all the old friends from primary school and secondary school :)

9) What are your top 3 favourite foods?

Hmm, a good salad, Vietnamese rice rolls, most kinds of soup :)

again, basically feel-good foods that taste good as well

10) Where would you travel if you had unlimited funds but only one week?

I would travel to South Asia, probably India, Pakistan, Afghanistan or Maldives. Recently realised i have this indescribable attraction to that area from reading, travelling to Nepal, and watching movies. :)

Supposedly there's only 10 actual questions but i really like one of them on Sam's blog so i shall do it as well :)

11) What do you think happens after we die? Do you believe in a life after death?

To me, i do believe there is life after death. In this life, we do good things and commit sins as well, so based on that we will either go to Hell or Heaven. In Hell, you will receive punishments for the sins you have done and after that, you may get another chance as a human or reincarnate as animals (related to your past sins). In Heaven, you will continue to cultivate (not all who go to Heaven become saints) and there may still be punishment if you have done smth wrong.

I believe in karma so whatever you do to a person, you will have to pay back in one way or another; might not be immediately or soon, but someday you have to. I also believe our souls are eternal and may go through infinite reincarnations until we attain full enlightenment (the level of saints/gods). 

But of course, that is just my take.

12) Who will you nominate and what are your questions for them?

Hmm, i don't know many bloggers so any of you who would like to do this can do it and then leave me a message so i can read it :) if you don't have a blog, i guess you can tweak the questions :) (do it on fb or smth)

Questions:

1) Why did you start blogging?

2) Name 3 things/people you hold dearest to you.

3) What is one thing you really wish to do in the future (can be near or many years later)?

4) What is one place you would like to stay at for a prolonged period of time given there are no problem with funds or language?

5) Current favourite songs?

6) What are your favourite hobbies?

7) Describe something/anything that you truly believe in with respect to religion.

8) What constitutes a happy birthday?

9) What super power would you want to have if you can only choose one and why?

10) What is one thing you have always wondered about life/this world/anything else?

11) Nominate your favourite people :)

-- 

So yeah this is my question tag thing? Hope my answers weren't too lengthy or boring, and through this, you have a little bit more understanding about what kind of a person i am and what i believe in :)

--

Btw, it seems to other people i have a lot of time given i'm not working anymore and staying at home most of the time but on the contrary, everyday seems full of tasks to be completed with meetings, driving lessons, homework, etc.

Well.

But on another note, i have finally accepted the offer to NUS FASS. Currently thinking of majoring in either English Literature or Chinese Studies. (might even do a double major if it is possible LOL) Other than that i'm also interested in South Asian studies so i might take it as a minor. :)

Recently i have just been wondering if the teachers that have once taught me would be proud of me if they see what i've become today... Esp my chinese teachers and english lit teachers. Would they be shocked/surprised that i want to pursue these subjects? Or had they alr seen something in me since last time? 

I kinda miss them. 

But yea, looking forward to Uni life :)

Till next time,

Bel :)

*pardon the weird highlighting. idk how to get rid of it and too lazy to :(

CNY + Tekong experience + V Day

Wow it's been such a long time since I blogged, haha but I've been super busy nowadays. It's been fulfilling though, so yay! :)

So... somehow CNY has passed and Bin is in Tekong right now and Vday just passed, all in the blink of an eye!!! Okay shall just let the pictures do the talking ~

This was on Chu Yi (day one of CNY) :)

This was on Chu Er (day 2 of CNY)!

This is the evilest bunch of goodies that never fail to tempt me into eating them. Transformed me into a glutton :( Y U SO GOOD

Chu Si - Tired pig is asleep when he came to visit ~_~

REMOVED MY BRACESSSS on 4Feb :)

Goofin' around before botak

DAMN GLAM

Becoming a monk

On the bus to ferry terminal vroomvroom

WE HAZ SAME SMILE NOWWWWW :))

On ze ferry to Pulau Tekong swooshswoosh

ARRIVED ON LAND

Warm welcomes

Then we had to go our separate ways - guests go on a tour around the bunks and etc while enlistees went to get their ICs exchanged.

The bunks look quite good leh

Oath taking session about to commence. It was somehow touching to me O:

The vegetarian food at the cookhouse that only gets a 5/10 rating from me :(

Final picturessss

Fatty with his parents

Fatty and fatme

Then, we went to see them fall in at the parade square and said our final goodbyessss. Aww man it was a mix of excitement for him but also sadness cause i won't be seeing him for 2 weeks plus D: Missing him everyday and there's still a few more days to go!!!

Also, i had to spend my Vday obamaself but then again thank God for awesome friendssssss hehehe and great food as well :)

Went on a lone movie date on the eve of Vday watching a hilarious movie!!! Watched the previous sequel(s) on TV before and hahaha it's super funny! Yes, it may be based on prostitution but there's still a storyline ok.

Went to have Jiv Jago (FINALLYYYYYY) for dinner on Vday :)

AWESOME PEEPOS <3

I was quite okay with the fact that i had to spend Vday alone since i had work and i was meeting them for dinner, but then i had to wait for a while around Bugis before we met up so i witnessed sooooooo many couples everywhere. Like really everywhere. But i enjoyed myself watching couples kiap toys HEHEHE. Also saw the different types of couples yay - I am pro-homos if you didn't already know.

So yeah it was a wonderful month (?) so far and the following weeks will be quite happening too. LEGGO I CAN DO IT. 

Btw friends, you can always come and talk to me kays, i'm not the conversation starter kind, but i would be more than glad to talk to you :)

LOVEEEEEEE,

Bel :D

Work life so far...

Hey guys, so as i said in the last post, i went to work at a bakery called Delcie's Desserts!

So far it was great - i learned how to cut cakes into layers, frost them and cream them! Also learned to do some piping and writing on the cakes yay (prolly my favourite part of it all :D). Oh, other than working in the kitchen, i had to learn how to entertain customers - explaining our products and what we do, recommend cakes based on dietary requirements - and cashiering. In my opinion, cashiering is the most stressful thing of all...

So anyway, for the first two to three weeks, i got to work at the central kitchen down the road from my house, and it was great cause i learned most of the things required over there! Then, when the pastry chef came back, i was posted to the branch at Fortune Centre. I've only worked there for a day (yesterday, in fact) haha but man was it hectic! *hopes it just happened to be like that ytd*

But i guess i'm quite lucky since i get to experience working at both places in such a short time - almost like just when i get the hang of how things work at the central kitchen. Also, i started work at this period of time which is the CNY season, so i get to learn how the cookies selling part goes too! :)

One thing i'm particularly excited about is ordering a cake by myself and completing the order whoop! (for my dad's birthday, most prolly) CANNOT WAIT FOR IT YAY

Okay, so here are some pictures of me/stuff at work:

Me in the apron and hat + the dessert cups i made yay

Look at those pretty colourssssss

More dessert cups hahaha

LOOK AT THIS BEAUTY. I DID THIS ENTIRELY BY MYSELF. *cries*

Haha, i didn't take many photos because most of the time we were busy/dirty so... I will try to snap more if i have the chance! :)

---

On a totally unrelated note, the #SteamboatSeason has started and omgosh it was 3 days of steamboat consecutively (i feel dem fats blooping)

Day 1 and day 3 of steamboat (day 2 omitted cause busy busy)

Here's to a whole week of steamboat when CNY does arrive!!!

Went to Cafe Salivation with Sam the other day and it was gooood! Can tell that the chefs put in lots of effort to present the dishes and i must say it was good good food for a reasonable price. This came as a set lunch at only $14! (i mean, i think it was worth cause you don't always get good vegetarian food that don't skimp on the "liao" or flavour)

Have a few pending blog posts alr - went to SAM and going to Hong Kong - but i can't seem to find the time (or perhaps motivation, oops) to blog. OK NO I MUST DO THIS. 

Seeyou soon people, as we approach the season of (angbao) giving :))

Love, Bel <3

Heipi niu year!!!

It's 2014 guys. Wow, just wow.

2013 has been... happening in the worst/best (i can't decide) way possible but i really do thank God for every little thing. It showed me who truly mattered and who didn't, and taught me to look at things from a different perspective - life is not just about living a happy life (define happy) but to fulfill a greater purpose.

*i'm sorry but i think words are too limited to describe what i want to say, or rather, my grasp of the english language is not profound enough to bring across these thoughts/feelings i have, so i shall leave it*

Looking forward, i'm absolutely thrilled to see what 2014 has in store for me - fear of the unknown but excited about what is going to come. I feel like i have found a purpose in life; i seem to be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel but the light is still a mere spot. Can't wait to see what life brings me, in general.

On a totally unrelated note, i'm starting work tmr omg!!! Uber excited!!! Will update soon about that :)

Oh, and i realised i'm a person without anyone i can really expose my thoughts/feelings to (like those deeper ones) so i'm going to start writing a journal as a form of release. But i do have a problem of short-lived passions so i guess one of my new year resolutions is to see this through the year of 2014? Hehe

Wishing you guys a wonderful 2014 and may all your wishes come true (with hard work) <3

Ending off with Wang Lee Hom's "Still in love with you 依然愛你" because he was on TV last night hehe <3 So glad to have spent 13/14 with the important people in my life (family excluded cause everybody is/was busy :( )

Love, Bel :)