Fanfiction: The Doctor Dies Young

One month of high school and my stress levels are already going up. I just have to think that everything goes uphill from here. That's a movie reference people, guess which one it is! Anyways in my spare time I've managed to write a Doctor Who one shot fanfiction. Please note I'm in love with Doctor Who. It is currently my number one fandom. If you even whisper the word The Doctor don't be surprised if you fell tremors from me jumping up and down at the mere mention of his name. I haven't been in the fandom for very long but my dad has already called it an "unhealthy addiction". Unhealthy addiction? Hahahahha. No. An unhealthy addiction is getting your fix from crack or ecstasy. Doctor Who is merely passion. A devoted passion. Note the significant difference.

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Author: Ni (Me)
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: G

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Summary:

I slapped my mouth shut. This voice was too high pitched to be a man’s. Misery and gloom settled in my frantic mind. I regenerated into a woman. 12 great male regenerations and now this? My last body, the last version of myself to die and rot in this? I looked down at the still water to see my reflection. This was getting worse by the minute.

I'm the last Timelord to have ever lived. A race so ancient to end in a form so innocent. How will I ever cope?

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Self-consciously my hands grabbed my hair, yanking it. It was long. My hands slipped down to my back. I hugged myself, that’s when I realised my chest. Oh no, this can’t be possibly be happening. Quick, short breaths along with wisps of pure energy, which originated from deep within my body escaped my mouth. I was still regenerating into my new form.

In agitation I screamed, “Nooo-!”

I slapped my mouth shut. This voice was too high pitched to be a man’s. Misery and gloom settled in my frantic mind. I regenerated into a woman. 12 great male regenerations and now this? My last body, the last version of myself to die and rot in this? I looked down at the still water to see my reflection. This was getting worse by the minute. I was stuck in a fourteen year old girl’s body? The last Timelord, the last of my race and people to forever fade away in the Universe through the body of a tumblring, fangirling teenage girl. Brilliant. Fantastic.

I swayed like a drunk walking on a line as I stomped to the TARDIS. Thankfully my navigation was working perfectly. I banged open the TARDIS door. I needed chocolate and tea. My girly, teenage senses were tingling desperately. I fought the desperation, grabbing fish fingers and custard instead, my 11th regeneration’s favourite snack. I was a man. Unfortunately my manliness was in the past.  The sweet and salty treat came up my throat as a sea of sick. I hanged my tongue in the air to dry. Obviously my taste buds were still developing.  The urge for chocolate and tea grew stronger in my stomach. I gave it a go.

My eyes widened, I was triumphant. Who knew chocolate and tea was a great snack combo? A jolt was sent through the ship. The TARDIS made a deep, husky sigh. It was going haywire again. I ran to the control room. I sprinted around the control panel, pulling random levers, pressing buttons I’ve never seen before. I let my mind take over. I had no idea where I was sending myself in time and space. I could get stuck in a vortex again or worse go on the wrong side of the Universe.

Riding the TARDIS made your insides churn after regenerating. You were thrown across the floor. You do the splits. I might look young but I have the bones of a thousand year old alien.  I’m a senior citizen of the Universe, I deserve better treatment than this. I grunted. The TARDIS responded with a satisfying thud. She has landed. I don’t know where. Or why. She’s very helpful during these situations taking a mind of her own.

I hesitated opening the door. A stream of dim light came through as I cracked it open. Intrigued I walked into the room. No one was around. Shelves, brimming with books, brushed the ceiling along the four walls. I caressed the worn out volumes with my hands, feeling the pages between my fingers. The soft rustling of paper filled me with lust. The room wasn’t very big, only large enough to hold one mind travelling the world in pages. Most of the books were lined with age, the brilliant coloured covers fading. In a sea of ancient books sat a plush, velvet emerald chair. Something about the atmosphere of this place begged me to stay and read. It felt natural. She sent me to a dream.

I had no time. Footsteps creaked on the hardwood floor. I can’t be caught now. It won’t be easy explaining why a fourteen year old wearing a fifty year old’s man suit is standing in a wealthy person’s personal library. The sight of me is quite peculiar, explaining the latter would make sounding sane a task. I took the ruby book on top of the book tower that lay near the armchair with me to the TARDIS. I pulled the Wibbly lever to send myself suspended in space. I opened the TARDIS door to a spectacular view of Earth. A mosaic of green and blue in different hues against a canvas filled with a mixture of navy blues and tar black. These were accented by royal purples and pinks, signs of burning constellations and far away galaxies. I sat at the edge of the TARDIS pouring over the pages of the ruby book. I marvelled at the illustrations.

I travelled in space and times through the pages. Not as great as visiting galaxies but it was close. I didn’t need to bother with steering the stubborn old girl, the TARDIS. Alone reading in peace seemed perfect to me. I drew the characters in the books with great care. The characters I imagined sprang out and became real. My reality was changing as I kept reading.

I, the Doctor sat still reading. Highly unlikely in my first twelve regenerations. My brain was still cooking into this new person. It was filling with cravings for food, solitude and adventure. The last of the Timelords, the oldest and mightiest race of the Universe, ending in a young, innocent form.

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That's my one shot, boys and girls.  Thanks for reading until the very end! Please comment. Any constructive criticism is welcomed. Any flames will be not be tolerated and therefore deleted. 

Ni 

Percy Jackson: The Secret Sibling Rescue

I'm a huge, huge, HUGE fan of Percy Jackson and after reading many fanfictions I decided to make one of my own. Please review and critic.

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Author: Ni (Me) 

Fandom: Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan

Rating: G

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Disclaimer:

I don't own PJO, no matter how awesome it is. Stealing the rights from Rick Riordan is practically impossible. I realised too late that his house is protected by the Gods. Unless I want to be pulverised by Zeus's Master Bolt, I rather not try again. 

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Summary:

Keri Lee knew she was different but never understood how different she was until Percy Jackson came into her life. Things become stranger when it becomes an unexpected family reunion and her best friend's life is in danger because of who Keri is. 

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Chapter 1: Finn Rips His Pants Off

When I asked the Universe to get me adopted by a nice and normal family, Camp Half-Blood was not on my list of choices. It didn’t come under normal - or nice for that matter - it came under brilliant. 

I made that wish 3 days ago when I was crying alone in my bedroom. Usually my roommate and best friend, Cassie, would be here but she went missing yesterday. My throat catches every time I think about it. I was enjoying being a sour puss - I had the right to - when Finn bursts in.

Everything went wrong the moment he banged opened my bedroom door. One, he wasn’t allowed to be in the girl’s dormitory. Two, he was holding a pair of plastic feet and had hooves where his feet were suppose to be. He yanked me from under the covers where I was still shocked and horrified from Cassie’s mysterious disappearance. I quickly slipped on my slippers. 

Clutching my wrist and dragging me out to the hallway he warned, “ Run, Keri! RUN!” 

I had never ran so fast in my life. Despite always missing gym and walking with a limp, Finn sure can ran faster than anyone. I had no idea what was going on and I was in no condition - physically & emotionally - to be running in PJs and bunny slippers. 

I screamed in confusion, “What’s going on?! Please, Finn!,”

Hss. Hss. “No point running demigod, your smell is strong”, came a raspy voice, which you could barely hear, from behind. 

I didn’t bother looking, the hissing sounds of snakes troubled me enough. I looked towards the end of the hallway where we were heading. At the end was a door reading something like Hoof Hoss, blame my dyslexia. We ran straight for it, swinging it wide open. 

Hsss. Hsss. HSSSS!  The snakes were getting louder meaning they were closer now.  

Running up the stairs in bunny slippers is not a situation you want to be in, unless you want to stumble as your death keeps coming closer. That exactly happened as I tripped on the stairs with a thud. 

“Get up, Keri! She’s getting closer with have no time!”, Finn said desperately. 

Too late. The door opened with incredible force and I glimpsed down looking at a nest of live coral snakes on an ugly face. What’s about to come next is either out of panic or bravery, you choose. I threw one of my bunny slippers right between her eyes. Fortunately, it momentarily disoriented her. Finn looked at me with that are-you-crazy-woman?! look. 

“It was slowing us down anyways, we didn’t need it,” before I continued running up, out of breath. 

I opened the next door and we were out on the roof top of the orphanage. The hissing sounds were back. We needed to find a hiding spot but the roof was bare except for a few plants and a water tank. We headed straight for behind the tank.  As the hissing got louder and closer, my panic started rising too. 

“Finn, what’s going on. Please, jus-”, I had so many questions but I couldn’t finish them since he covered my mouth. Then he put his finger to his lips. 

“Stay here. I’ll buy us time for them to come” he whispered yet I can hear the fear in his voice too. Then he ran off to the dark, leaving behind plastic human feet. 

Hss. Hss. Hss.

That sound was back and I peeked out of the water tank. Something blew the door open off its hinges and then I laid my eyes on the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen. She was like a life-sized paper mache doll with thin, green, papery skin. She had red slitted eyes and two, large fangs. All I really noticed though was her hair, or what was in place of it, coral snakes. They hissed and moved around as if they were fighting for space. 

“I didn’t wait for eons to play games, Child! Show yourself!” 

She looked around in the dark, confused. She might’ve been fast but her eyesight gave her away in the darkness. 

“Luckily, I can smell you!”, and she ran towards the water tank. 

 Just then Finn appeared on the other side of the roof. 

“Oi! Gorgon! Eons in Tartarus didn’t make you any prettier did it?”

Great distraction for someone with a bruised ego. Unfortunately, she changed directions and ran towards Finn instead. Meanwhile, in the most fabulous way possible Finn rips his pants clean off. I didn’t get to cover my eyes but all it revealed was fur. He took out his flute - correction reed pipe -  at a time like this and played a lazy tune. Green runes shaped like Ancient Greek letters flowed out of the pipe, attaching on to the plants. Slowly, the plants crawled out of their pots. The roses spun in place, shooting out thorns like bullets. The thorns did nothing but annoy her as they bounced off her skin. Creepers alongside the walls crept onto the legs of Ugly making her unable to move. 

But it didn’t hold her off for long. She broke free of most of the creepers and stepped towards Finn, cornering him off. I couldn’t stand there doing nothing. I was not a damsel in distress. I will not lose the only other friend I ever had. I already lost so much. My panic was quickly replaced by anger. I gave her everything I got. I threw my bunny slippers at her head. Ugly’s talons were barely touching his face. This time I aimed for her back with the plastic feet. That got her attention.

“Want to go first young Demigod? You should be honored. You’re my first dinner in eons!”, the brief distraction got Finn away and she headed for me. Good.

I didn’t know what to do. I really didn’t think this through. Despite all the anger I felt, I was shaking with fear. I made my stand, held my hands in front of me and did the only logical thing. 

I yelled, “STOP!” 

I felt a tugging sensation in my gut. My arms tingled. That’s when 50 gallons of pressured water shot out her. 

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If you made it this far, thank you so much for taking time to read. Please review and critic. I need a beta reader, so if you know anyone please comment below.

Ni 

Ukulele Diary: Meet Sunny Phillipa, My Ukulele

Originally, I planned to get a TGM soprano ukulele. TGM is a local Singaporean ukulele brand that's well known and reliable. It's a good, cheap beginner ukulele that has got many great reviews. It was everything I wanted from a ukulele but it was missing something. I was just about to get it but a little voice in my head told me to keep looking. So I did. Then I came across this ukulele made by an unknown brand, Sunny Phillipa was named after the sunflower surrounding the sound-hole. She wasn't actually the ukulele I intended to get but she's better!

She's better for me because she's got character that suits me better. A TGM is all good but it lacks a certain cuteness and it isn't as unique. There was only one of Sunny Phillipa (as far as I know) in that shop. At first I doubted Sunny Phillipa when I got her but in the end it was the right choice.

Moving on...

Sunny is made by Mantic. I don't know the brand. I should've asked but I'm real lucky that they made Sunny a good uke. Despite being a no-name budget brand it comes with good geared tuners and... here's the awesome bit... Aquilla strings. Yep. The real deal, with the Aquilla tag and everything. The uke itself was SGD50, which was right on budget. Unfortunately, I forgot to include a gig bag in that budget. The gig bag was SGD25 so in total it costed me SGD75. A pretty good deal. I got Sunny at Davis Guitar Music Centre. You can know more about Davis Guitar Music Centre and buying a ukulele in my last post.

The strings took about 2 weeks to get itself well adjusted to the ukulele. Any new stringed instrument takes time for it to adjust to the body of the instrument. It needs to get used to being stretched and tightened.

Quick Tips:

• Don't settle. Look for a ukulele that looks as good as it sounds and suits you.
• Remember the budget includes the ukulele and essential accessories. These include a gig bag and tuner. If you're lucky you'll get them as one packet.
• Strings take time to adjust so it's ok if it doesn't stay perfectly tuned every time.The key is too keep playing. 

Ni 

Tumblr World Map

From my brief acquaintance with tumblr by babysitting by friend's blog I somewhat understand a bit of the tumblr empire. This map is actually quite accurate. It's amusing really.

Source

Ni

How to Capture a Lost Fangirl

Fandom, it consumes you. It's your blood and soul. The one thing that keeps you alive and breathing no matter what heads your way. And escape? Do not even question escape. Escape is impossible. Fandom is a maximum security prison, which keeps you sane but every prison has a weakness, no matter how strong. A few weeks ago, I lost my fandom. I was stripped of my life force. I just kept questioning myself, HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO ME?! Yet remember, you can't escape fandom. Eventually I knew I would've come back and I did but it took me a very long time. 

If this tragic and terrible event has happened to you, I'm here to say it's ok. Come here, I'll give you a hug. *hug*. I don't usually hug strangers because for all I know they might be pedophiles but for you I'll make an exception. I know the pain. Sure, she’ll come back but capturing a lost fangirl is as infuriating as waiting 14 years for the Doctor. 

But I’ve made it simpler for you guys to capture the lost fangirl. 

Materials needed:

• Internet
• Other fangirls
• Minimal art skills
• Sleep Deprivation
• Will To Live

Steps:

1. Prepare for no sleep.  Fangirling takes everything you’ve got, so don’t be shocked if you don’t get any sleep from the all those marathons and fanfiction. Cover yourself with a blanket or jacket.  Supply yourself with food on hand, just incase you forget to feed yourself. Make sure the room temperatures right. Then lie down on the bed/couch to make yourself comfortable.
2. Have a hardcore marathon. If it’s a book,  break your back rereading it everywhere, on the couch, on the bed, while brushing your teeth. Same goes with a tv series or movie except invite a fellow hardcore fangirl. Don’t stop until you’ve read/watched every single book/episode/movie or listen to every song. Basically get your hands on every single piece of the fandom basics.  
3. Don’t stop there read some fanfiction. You must feed your thirst for more because rereading and watching it again isn’t enough. 
4. Draw your favourite characters or OTP. This goes especially for book fandoms, visualizing them means your one step closer to becoming them living in their world. If you lack art skills or just positively suck then do this anyways to prove your love.
5. Surround yourself with fellow fangirls. If you’ve fangirl friends, great! If you’ve just friends then pester them 24/7 anyways. If you’ve no friends, pester other people using tumblr. Either way tumblr’s a great way to breathe in the fandom.

With these simple steps you’re on your way to becoming a fangirl (again). 

Good Luck

Ni 

Unfinished Skull Drawing

Here's just a skull drawing I never got around to finish that I did sometime ago...

If you like it, I can show more of my drawings...

Ni

Ukulele Diary: Buying a Ukulele

You've done your research and have all this information about which kind of ukulele you want to buy when BAM so many choices in your face when you get to the store. Then there's this little voice in your head going:

What to do?! 
What to buy?!
OH MY GOSH THAT'S SO PRETTY!

The Store

Hold up. I get it you can get all googly-eyed but no, no, no don't be fooled by the number of choices. The #1 thing to keep in mind when going to buy a ukulele for the first time is to go to a store that specialises in ukuleles or has good knowledge on it. Depending on where you are, do a little research on which stores are good ukulele stores around your area. I live in Singapore so I can recommend two stores in Singapore:

• Davis Guitar Music Centre 
  Address: 3 Coleman Street #B1-40/41
  Peninsula Shopping Complex
  
  This is a great store for those who are just starting the ukulele. They've a good range of budget ukuleles, sopranos starting from SGD29. The staff was very helpful, friendly and had good knowledge on the ukulele. Peninsula Shopping Complex itself is packed with stores that sell great ukuleles, so do some looking around in the area as well. Some stores even offer free gigbags (the soft case which you store your uke in) and chord books.
• Ukulele Movement
  Address:
  Address: 66 Kampong Bugis, Level 5, Kallang Rivergreen Building
  
  Personally, I've never been there but, it's where it all started in Singapore. It's THE ukulele place. I've looked around their website and they offer workshops for all ages. THE store to start off the whole journey. I didn't go there since: a) It was too far from my house and b) they don't sell the cheap ukuleles I was looking for

Looking Around

When you look around keep these in mind:

1. Ask for help but don't pretend you don't know shit. 
2. Try out different size ukuleles to see which one feels right in your hands. Maybe you were going for a soprano but right now a concert feels better in your hands, then go for it. A concert really is not as different it just has a higher range of notes and (as the store staff told me) a lower, fuller tone. 
3. Keep an open mind. You might've a particular brand that you're ready to buy but remember to see what the store already has. They might even have something better than your original plan. 
4. Look around at other stores ,if possible. This store might have the one you've been searching for but if something in your gut says to look around ,go with it. 
5. Make sure your budget includes a ukulele and essential accessories. These accessories include a gig bag and tuner.

Deciding The One

So you've taken a look around now when it comes to the right one I just have one important tip, go with your gut. Go. With. Your. Gut. Nothing more. A sales staff can stuff so many options down your throat that you drown in them but once you see the one that feels right you'll it in your gut. Of course other tips include:

• Stick to your budget. No matter how much you want that ridiculously expensive ukulele it's only worth it when you get better. Plus, if you find that the ukulele is not the instrument is for you at least you didn't dig your piggy bank a grave. I can't stress this enough. 
• Avoid ukuleles with fancy shapes and detailing. A little bit of colour and design is good but is too much is just a distraction from playing. The flying-v shaped ukuleles should be avoided for beginners since they poke you and is just plain uncomfortable.
• You can play it. Yes, seriously. If the edges are rough and the strings sound pathetic but it looks good then it's not worth it (unless you're buying just for that).
• The fretboard doesn't have the metal things stick out. 
• The strings sound good.
• The tuners are geared. You can buy friction tuners but they tend to get out of tune quickly (as the store staff said) and unless they're quality friction tuners get geared ones. Friction tuners (like on violins) rely purely on the friction between string and pathetic peg of wood for it to be in tune. Gears (like on guitars) rely on the tiny gears plus the metal pegs. 

A Mini You

Not exactly a mini you but a representation of you. There are so many ukuleles out there that you bound to find one that represents you. The cuteness and the look really encourages you to play it more often. It's like the wands in Harry Potter, the uke choose you. *dramatic music* No two are the same! Ok... that's taking it too far, but you get the idea. This is one of the greatest thing about ukes is that unlike other instruments you can actually customise and find one that suits you.

Ni

Forever Alone... For Now

If it was two weeks ago, I wouldn't post this since well... I was rejected by someone.
Yes, I'm a human being so naturally I was sulking like the teenage girl I was.
All that I was left with was this quote:

I didn't get it at first. I thought it was just another thing, I had to cry over.
Then, EPIPHANY.
I did a double check on my age, yep. Still 13. Ok, I'm good to go.

That's the thing see, my friends, my world, expect me to find someone or have someone at this age. At the start I thought I needed to follow that trend, be the person I'm supposed to be, this is where it gets all wrong. We are constantly having this fight between ourselves, our observed identity and our inner identity. Our observed selves follow these secret rules and regulations that society expect us to blindly tag along to. We rarely check these rules and regulations if it's fair and just.  Mostly people expect this from our observed identity, the part of us that people think they know. Then our inner selves have different opinions, maybe we rather bend the rules or skip them all together. When I say rules I'm talking about stuff like wearing make-up, talking in one way, listening to the "right" music, etc.

So I come the across the quote again and I think "I get it now". I shouldn't mull over this like a deranged person that has reached rock bottom (don't worry I'll get there someday). Instead I should smile at this experience behind me. Even laugh at it. 20 years from now, when I actually find that someone (I hope I will, I'm not that hopeless), I'd probably forget about this.

Got rejected. Check that off my list. Now smile! :)

So all the ladies out there my age, don't get too hung up. We still have light years ahead of us. And right now, it's ok being "Forever Alone". No one really is "Forever Alone". You have your best friends, your family, your siblings who you love to pieces because a someone doesn't mean to have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Just right now, you don't need a that kind of a someone to ride on a f-ing steed with polished armour and hand you roses. So I'm here to tell you that it's perfectly normal. I thought I was weird too when I wasn't like my friends who wanted a someone, but I now figure it's normal. The most important thing right now is to show that inner identity of yours. You've this observed identity, a person which others stereotype people into. You wear dark clothes, conclusion, emo. You're too happy, weird perky kid. You're all about sports, jock. Well, people are more than just 2 dimensions you need to know them completely to love them. This term, love, is used so freely nowadays that we barely even know the true meaning of it anymore...

Ok, back on track from that.

 Just have fun with yourself. And maybe you do want a someone, that's perfectly fine too. Just remember and think "Is this what people expect from my observed identity or is it something my inner identity wants?". The worst thing about the whole of this kind of a mess is liking someone because your friends teased you into it or you're expected to like that person.

Ni

Have a break, Have a Fika - A Halal Swedish Restaurant

Fika - "Fika is a social institution in Sweden; it means having a coffee with one's colleagues, friends, date, or family. The word has quite ambiguous connotations and can mean anything from taking a break from work or other activities, to going on a date."

- Fika, restaurant website

No pork.
No lard.
No alcohol.
Halal meat only.

So many restrictions being a Muslim when eating. It gets difficult when you're in a foreign country or when you want to savour foreign food. This is why a HALAL Swedish Restaurant is a definite gem bomb. It's as rare as finding Unicorn meat. Ok, maybe not that rare but it's amazing. I've always wanted  to try the IKEA food. I heard the meatballs were good but without further ado, Fika.

Address:

No. 257 Beach Road / Arab Street, 

Singapore

#01-20 Millenia Walk,
9 Raffles Boulevard

Opening Hours:

Sun-Wed 11am-10pm

Thu-Sat 11am-11pm

Telephone:
Beach Road - +65 6396 9096
Millenia Walk - +65 6336 7234

Pricing: 
3/5
Average food pricing: SGD17
Average drink pricing: SGD7

The boutique restaurant is nestled right at the entrance of Beach Street and Arab Street. I haven't been to the one in Millenia Walk. It stands out amongst the neighbouring shops as it's simply furnished. Unlike the other shops its painted white with white chairs and tables. It gives off a relaxing, polished vibe. The staff was very friendly and upbeat. They all had a smile on their face, which I needed since I haven't had lunch even though it was 6PM and my stomach had a bad case of the grumblies.

Now, let's get to the important bit, FOOD!

Delicious food

The Rose hip Soup (left) was definitely unique. It tasted like the juice of a fruit that's a cross between an orange and apple but warm and thicker. I wasn't expecting that. It was... different. I can't say I loved it but it's so unique I couldn't hate it. But I wouldn't order it again. It tasted better through a straw then a spoon. Yes, I sticked a straw in there. Aside from tasting, I also learnt of a new fruit. The rose hip fruit is the fruit of a rose (duh, no surprise there). Rose hip, sounds so exotic and hip. Not hip in a hippy way but in a more "I found a Unicorn" way. Rare. The Minestrone soup was good and had lots of pow! Also warming in the stomach. 

I'm a beef lover. I love it. So naturally I got the Meatballs. They were so good. They had a crunchy outside and a soft inside that's simply flavoured. The lingonberry jam was delicious, sweet and sour. The portions are large, so it's better to share a meal, even my dad couldn't finish his Paanbiff by himself. 

Desert Counter and a Swedish Chocolate Ball

 Oh! My sweet dessert! They had a variety of cakes and all of them were looking good. I could've eaten any of them but since I'm here for the experience I tried the Swedish Chocolate Ball (bottom, right) instead. If I wasn't so full from all the Meatballs, I would've finished it. One was coated with chocolate sprinkles (shown) and one was coated with coconut (not shown). The one with sprinkles used less dark chocolate and was sweeter. The coconut one was much darker. It's the perfect dessert for dark chocolate lovers.

It's a great restaurant for special family occasions or to grab a bite. So, now go on, try it yourself!

Ni

I Hate (Love) Summer

I'm on a love/hate basis with Summer (yes the season). She's a great frenemy and you can't pull out of her orbit. She's just so much fun to be around, every time you hang out you get this rush of excitement. That's when the hate comes in. The fun is just a rush. You get a dose of it here and there, which is worth it, but then she avoids you for awhile. During the time she avoids you, you go into a period of boredom. Endless boredom. To avoid this troubling relationship I've come up with a solution. So far it's working. My summer is definitely better than the last one. I think. I've bad memory. I put up a long list on my wall with all the things I want to do so I'll never forget it. It's the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night. I won't be wasting summer.

No TV lounging. (That I could do)
No moping around. (Ok... That's iffy)
No lounging around and being lazy. (That's a laugh. We all know teenagers are lazy. It's built in us.)
Go exercise. (Good. I'm nagging myself. Sarcasm? Nah. Please.)

If you're like me and have a love/hate relationship with Summer call her. Tell her you want to hang out with her more often by doing something. Yes. Actions. If I, lazy and unmotivated when bored, can do it you can too. God, I sound like one of those corny exercise videos.

When you write it up somewhere where you'll see it everyday you're more motivated to do. Then when you don't do it you'll immediately feel guilty that past you depended on future you to not be lazy. Gah. The self guilt, which I will feel when reading this post if I don't do everything on my list.

Now go. Do something. Summer is not hibernation season...

Ni

Children Little Museum

All seen on the 1st floor

You always need to start somewhere to explore the world. The thing I dread is that I rarely explore my own home. My dad usually says, "You can do that later. You live here after all." I can prove that wrong so easily. I live here. Life is not a holiday. I don't (usually) have time to do touristy things and when I do I, unfortunately, prefer the comfort of my bed. I could blame the Universe for making my bed so comfortable but ultimately it's because I'm lazy. Lazy to get up and look around Singapore. So when I finally get around to planning a mini staycation weekend for my dad, sis and me, I couldn't believe the amount of things I've been missing out on.

The first of them is the Children Little Museum. Not it's not a grammatical typo. It really is a little museum. It's located just in front of Sultan Mosque in Bussorah Street. You might miss it, first mistaking it for another little antique toy shop. The tiny museum is upstairs and inside you'll find toys, amongst other things, of the olden days. Or as I like to call it my Dad's Era. The Era where you've no Internet and you go outside when the weather's nice... This was a real memorable trip because it's one of the few times I hear my dad talk about his Era. Sure, I had to hear my dad say "When I was you age..." repeatedly but it's worth it to see my dad get excited like a little kid by everything he saw. I could see him fill up with the warmth of Nostalgia. The shop and museum owner was very friendly and held an impressive collection.

Address: 42 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199460
Admission: $2
Opening Hours: 10AM-10PM

Shop Entrance

Shop Entrance

 You can recognise the shop by it's iconic Entrance, guarded by this futuristic robot. Despite being made of metal, all I wanted to do hug it. Hug in the sheer cuteness and nostalgia, which I couldn't feel. By this time dad was just eager to get into the shop. Nostalgia Syndrome I bet. You can buy souvenirs on the 1st floor (top right hand corner picture).

Second Floor Museum

You go upstairs and see the salon and the barber shop. Dad said women use to gossip in the salon (like they don't nowadays...), somethings don't change. The belt in the barber shop, to the right of the mirror, was used to sharpen the blades of the knifes used to murder and slice people's throats  sorry for my active imagination shave and cut hair. 

School

It's time for school! If there was a bell we could ring at school now, I would ring it until my arms ache for lunch. If I get too sleepy, I would put my ears next to it then ring it until I'm wide awake. I should put up a notice for my school to issue a bell, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. In the top right corner are some old kampong games: parachute, darts, gasing (spinning tops), skipping rope and chapteh. Chapteh is a game where you try to keep a weighted shuttlecock in the air using anything except your hands.

Shops

Right outside the school is what my dad claims as an exact replica of his stationery shop outside school. He pointed at everything in the display cased that he had, like those shoes and those board erasers. He was hyperactive, jaw dropping in awe. I don't get to see that often.

Toys...

And more toys

I loved everything in there except for one thing. Those creepy, baby dolls with them blinking eyes and sweet, twisted voices shouting "Mama!". If I was your mama, dolly, I won't be coming for you. I'm convinced they're evil and possessed. In a few words, Chucky's girlfriend. I will not enlighten you on Chucky.

On the top right hand corner (what is it with me and pictures put there...?) is a movie area. I've always wanted to see an outdoor movie with my family and friends. To watch under the stars, covered with blankets, surrounded with food. In Singapore they've one outdoor movie event hosted fortnightly by MovieMob. I haven't gone to one yet since I've just learnt about them, but I can't wait for their next event. You only know the location, date and time of the movie a few days before the show, so it's better to sign up for a newsletter. 

And that's a wrap, It took us only 20 minutes to soak in The Era. So stop by when you've the chance, whether a tourist or resident, this is a good stop. 

Ni

Ukulele Diary: Figuring Everything Out

One of the biggest problems during the summer is that you lose a few (or more depending how lazy you are) IQ points along the way. Since this summer I won't be going anywhere until the end of July, I've had some serious thinking to do on how to not loose  lose my precious IQ points. Then lo and behold! A mini epiphany! Come on say it with me, EPIPHANY! I love that word and I believe in epiphanies, where the world changes around you as you think of something so small yet monumental. I'll learn the ukulele. It seems like an easy, fun instrument to play. It also sounds beautiful, bright and bouncy. I've heard it on Paramore's three Interludes on their new album Paramore. I can't wait to play I'm Not Angry More on the ukulele. 

Now at this point I was just screaming, "I"M GONNA PLAY THE UKULELE!" but then a problem occurred. I don't have one. I don't know where to get one. I don't even know how it works... So many questions and it was even more confusing with no one to guide you. Now, if you were in my place at this point after your glorious epiphany, let me guide you through the first part of your journey with me.

1. Read up on the ukulele and take note of it. Keep a ukulele journal 

Below are a bunch of articles that you need to read before buying a ukulele. These sites are great and they've helped me a lot on deciding whether I wanted to play it or nor. They also gave me a great crash course on the ukulele. 

• Seriously Sarah - A Singapore based blog that tells you the basics on buying a ukulele. Read the comments below her posts as well as they were helpful.

  Buying a Ukulele

  Where to buy a Ukulele in Singapore

  How to test a Ukulele

•  Ukulele Hunt - This site has pretty much everything from chords to tutorials. Below are the articles for beginners.

  Uke Buying Tips

  10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Ukuleles (Before I Bought One) - This is definitely a must read 

  

2. Answer these questions and save it in your ukulele journal:

• What's your purpose for playing the ukulele?

• How interested and committed will you be playing the ukulele?

• What's your budget?

 A good, budget ukulele can be bought at around SGD50. If you're more serious about it you can get ones that are SGD100 and above. 

• How do you want your ukulele to look like?  

Seriously, once you get to the store you'll be OVERWHELMED by the number of choices you have. The cuteness of the ukulele matters. If it doesn't look like it would suit you, you would be put down about playing it. Maybe you want a coloured one. Maybe a simple design is for you. They're are many options. 

3. Decide which size you want to buy

There are four sizes, from smallest to biggest:

Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone

Most beginners go for the soprano, like me. Others go for the concert, which is like the soprano except its bigger (duh) and better for those who have bigger fingers. The best way to know which size is for you is to go to the store and try it out. Feel which one you're most comfortable with. Tenors and baritone ukuleles are also more expensive, this isn't good if you're on a low budget and just starting out. 

4. Have an idea on which ukuleles to buy 

They're many good beginner ukuleles out there but buying the right one depends on your budget, purpose and size. For sopranos, here's what I found were good ones with some brief information that are around SGD50:

• Lanikai LU-11Soprano 

- Found in Davis Guitar Centre (Singapore)

- More unique

- Good and reliable

- Stays in tune pretty well

- Sounds good but not as rich as the expensive version the LU-21

- Tuning might be an issue 

• Eddy Finn Minnow 

- Found in SV Guitars (Singapore)

- More unique 

- Mostly positive review

- Great sound

- Rough around the edges 

• TGM UK-10 Soprano

- Found in Davis Guitar (Singapore)

- Sells quickly 

• Makana UK-2100 Soprano 

-Tends to go out of tune quickly

Image used (clockwise from top left corner): http://www.southshoremusic.com/lanikai-lu-11-soprano-ukulele/ , http://dalymusic.com/store/eddy-finn-minnow-soprano-ukulele-6-pack/ , http://www.stclassifieds.sg/sell/musical-instruments/hobbies-and-interests/tgm-uk-10s-soprano-ukulele-for-sale-brand-new/ad-650036 

That's it for the first entry of in my Ukulele Diary. In my next post in my Ukulele Diary I'll talk about buying a ukulele and my ukulele, Sunny Phillipa. I hope this post was helpful and unmuddle your head about the ukulele so you've a better idea of what's going on. 

Ni 

Replay + Restart

Replay! Replay! The whole school year like a bittersweet song I would replay it over again. But I can't and that's the most difficult thing about moving on. It's like rock climbing down. You stand at the top of the rock wall, clinging to the rope, frozen and afraid of falling even though you know it's the only way down. You're there now, you choose that path for yourself and chickening out is not an option. You start to lean backwards knowing there's nothing to really catch you except your own feet. You fall, it feels good, dangerous at first then it feels natural. You're in control of what happens when you go down. Sometimes you trip as you go down but most times you land with both feet on the ground. Moving on and letting the past be sounds unbearable yet it's for the best.

I've just graduated from 8th Grade.  I love my homebase class. It has been a long time since I've felt accepted and loved in school considering I was the only foreigner at my old school. My homebase here is like a bag of candies. Some of us have that sour outer coating to get to the sweet nice inside, like a Skittle Sour candy. Others you know what they're like by the look of their wrapper. Either way it takes a bit of digging to know one another. My homebase is (I'm still finding it hard to think of it in the past) loveable. We knew each other. On the last day we grouped hugged each other for a good 20 seconds. Surrounded by warmth and love, remembering the past but not living in it.

I need to move on. Everyone needs to keep going and press the restart button at some point. If we keep pressing the replay button our whole lives will just keep repeating with no changes. How boring and dull is that? We'll be miserable people. Wishing that this moment was perfect and what if this happened... Moments were created like they are because you choose the way that it was suppose to happen. If that moment didn't happen the happy events after that won't happen either. Think about the positive things. Those "what if?" moments can be fixed too. Just confront that person and ask them what would happen if this happened. Relief will go through you. That never ending feeling of curiosity is lifted off your chest and you won't be haunted by what would happen.

Moving on is essential or else you won't get anywhere.
Every moment has a purpose and meaning because good things come from that.
What if moments can be solved as long as you've the guts to confront that person.

Ni

Picture used:
Rock climbing: http://techsciencedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/insane-rock-climbing.jpg