March

It's been an overwhelming week, with end of term, B going back, spring week, opera, and LKY's passing at the beginning of the week. I've officially completed my classes for my second year at UCL, completed the spring week that I'd been looking forward to, had the last concert with string orchestra 2 weeks ago, and tonight is the last show for the opera and also my last performance with the symphony orchestra. Now that everything has / is coming to an end I actually feel a bit empty inside, but I guess it must be good if time passed so quickly it must meant that I thoroughly enjoyed everything while they lasted.

Meeting Sabrina and Hue for a quick dinner before the show later, gonna squeeze in some time to practise as well. Next week will be relatively easier and I really need to catch up on my sleep and also sort out my stuff. Will probably update more in detail then. x

Sweden: Stockholm Trip

(I really need to start recording my travel experiences, so I'll just start with Stockholm first since it's my most recent trip and while my memories are still fresh. Will include itinerary and tips!!!)

Carissa and I decided to take a weekend trip last weekend (6-8 March) since it was the last free weekend for the both of us for this term. We both had Fridays off, but I was so busy for the entire year I never had the chance to travel on weekends previously. I initially wanted to go to an EU country since the Euro exchange rates are pretty good now, but Carissa's been to most of them and we couldn't find any good deals for the rest as it was quite a last minute decision. So we decided to go to Stockholm, because return tickets were only 60 quid and it's in Scandinavia!!! I love Scandinavian countries.

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Day 1: 6 March, Friday

We took the morning flight to Stockholm from Stansted and arrived at Skavsta Airport at about noon. Upon arrival we discovered there was only one bus that runs from the airport to the city centre, as with all the other airports in Stockholm. A single ticket costed 159 SEK and it would've been only 139 SEK had we bought it online earlier, but we didn't know. So the bus ticket already took 15% of our money as we only brought 1000 SEK each. Never mind. The airport itself was really small, so we got through the borders really quickly and boarded the bus. The bus journey was rather smooth as well, and it took us about 1.5 hours to reach the city centre. We were really hungry by then, but I've always had the habit of bringing food when I travel so I had tons of supplies. Carissa went to the one of the convenient stores at the central station and bought a cream-filled donut which costed 16 SEK. It was called a "vaniljmunk" (pronounced va-ni-li-moon) and it was the only Swedish word I learnt how to pronounce (I asked our Airbnb host).

Here's how a vaniljmunk looks like:

We then got single tickets to travel to Alvik, where we were going to be staying. There was a 24 hour metro pass available, but we didn't know if we were going to be using it a lot so we got single tickets first. Our Airbnb hosts met us at the station to bring us back to the flat. They were really friendly and nice and gave us lots of tips and advice as to how to get around and where to eat and stuff. And it was also how I asked for the name of the cream donut haha. Anyway, the easiest way to get around Stockholm was by metro, or the tunnelbana because the buses apparently have very little routes. So we quickly dropped off our stuff, left the house at about 3pm and went to buy the 24 hour passes. They were quite worth it since we took the metro rather often and it was cheaper than having to buy single tickets for each time we took.

The first stop was obviously Kungsgatan (King's Street), a.k.a. the shopping street. I'd been sure to ask the hosts how to get there and the nearest station is Hötorget. If anything I was determined to visit the SWEDISH Brandy Melville. It didn't take us very long to find. And the store was so nice!!! I was initially a bit regretful of buying so many things at the Oslo store just 2 weeks ago as I didn't know I would be visiting Stockholm then, and it's slightly cheaper due to the NOK/SEK (=1.10) exchange rate, but I was glad afterwards cause none of the stuff that I bought in Oslo were in stock at the store!! Except for the Nana dress, but never mind. I managed to pick up a pair of All Eyes On You Remi shorts that were the last piece on the last chance rack, as well as a burgundy Bobbie Top (also on the last chance rack), a red Sachi Halter, a Kaitlee Skirt (that I'd been eyeing online since forever and finally bought), a black ribbed Genevie Top as well as a black ribbed Donilyn Tank. And they were all cheaper than if I were to buy in the US and pay US taxes. Especially since the USD/SGD is so high now. I did my math and the magic number was 9.2. But yeah, spent an hour at the store. They didn't have much else though, but there was a gorgeous array of scrunchies by the counter. Also they had Stockholm stickers!!! And the Luna ones. I don't know why they don't have them in the London stores.

After we left Brandy, we went to Fjallkanken that was right opposite. C and I were both carrying our Kanken bags in UN Blue on the trip LOL. I really like the baby pink and white ones. Then we started walking in the other direction and couldn't resist not stopping in American Apparel. They were actually having like 70% sale, and I found the Sunflower denim shorts and the floral corduroy skirt in my size!! Also tried on the watermelon shorts but didn't like the colour as much however I am still hesitating. And C also succumbed to the temptations and bought a pair of floral denims hahahaha. But I am really happy with my buys even though AA is still much cheaper in the US.

We took the metro to T-Centralen to get the free shuttle bus to IKEA. The bus stop is along Vasagatan and it comes every half an hour. We caught the 6pm bus so by the time we reached IKEA it was already 6.30pm. Went straight to the restaurant first to eat Swedish meatballs lol (what a thing to do) but the whole meal was probably the cheapest you can get in Stockholm i.e. 50 SEK per person. They were decent, though I honestly can't really tell the difference between the ones in SG and the ones there. Walked around IKEA after that but we only had until 7.30pm to catch the last bus back to city centre. It was really classy though and C bought a cushion and a panda soft toy. It took us forever to navigate to the cashier because the building was so big, and we almost missed the bus cause we were waiting to check out the cushion and the panda. Managed to just catch it and it took us back to T-centralen. Most of the shops were closed by then (8pm) so we went into Ahlens which was this big departmental store that was open until 9pm and just walked around before taking the metro back. So that pretty much concluded the first day, returning back satisfied with all our buys HAHAHA.

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Okay I'm really tired now so I think I'll continue this another day and hopefully post photos!!

School

I've been MIA for so long because I've been so super busy with everything. Supposed to do French now but I think my brain just stops working after midnight but I can't wake up in the morning so I have to finish it now omg .........

Anyway, happy CNY! Not much happening over here. I wish I was back in sg hahaha and I haven't even had time to watch the CNY countdown yet T_T It's a thing which I need to do lol I'll probably replay it this week and like speed through the boring stuff. I am also craving mandarin oranges which they don't sell here so clementines will have to suffice.

Life has been super hectic and packed but exciting! I went to Norway a week ago and spent a week there. Managed to see the aurora borealis twice, and also visited the Brandy Melville store in Oslo and got a ton of stuff - 4 Donilyn tanks + 1 Nadine + 1 Chiyo + 1 Ellie + 1 Genevie + 1 Bobbie and a Nana dress, which is basically the long sleeve version of the Alena dress. Too bad it only comes in black for now :( I was there on Thursday and they had a whole bunch and I hesitated cause it was 330NOK which is like 30GBP/$60?! Then I went back the following Wednesday and it was THE LAST PIECE on the last chance rack and I just couldn't bear to leave it behind LOL. So yeah. I also caved in and finally bought the American Apparel Tennis Skirt in white and am intending to get it in more colours ... New clothes hooray!! Brandy just had a warehouse sale ytd in Cali. I wish I was in Cali.

In other news strings concert and opera are coming up in less than a month, making it 5 more performances this term since the opera runs 4 shows. I'm slightly dreading the thought of having to play for 3 hours non-stop (okay there are breaks in between the acts but still) but it's my first time being involved in something that's not purely orchestral so it's very exciting! We just had the first rehearsal today with the chorus and some of the soloists and they were really good. In addition I've also finally reached the end of SW applications and have spent the past few weeks on apps and interviews. But I'm pretty happy to have came out with 2 offers, so Easter's looking very very busy. Exciting days ahead!!!

And I'm going to quickly finish up my French and sleep asap.

Oversleeping

Wasted my morning oversleeping when I could've gone for French. This sleeping thing is going too far because I can't even wake up to like the fire drill alarm clock now. And I just fall back asleep even if I do wake up on time and then I actually have strange dreams and don't wake up until hours later. So super annoyed with myself these days argh.

End of Week 2

Second week of school has passed and things have been slowing down to a more acceptable pace since the submission of my French essay. I know I've said this enough but I really NEED to stop leaving things until the last minute but it's just that I don't have this sense of urgency for some things?! But anyway, it's done, I just hope it'll be a good ending to this module because I really quite enjoyed it. The thing about literature modules is that it gives you an extremely good reason to READ and you get to read novels instead of textbooks. Novels!!! I haven't been reading much since JC to be honest and I always feel like I'm not sure what type of books I'm supposed to be reading ... I mean I still enjoy children's books LOL but I go through them pretty quickly and like young adult books are not very meaningful and sometimes too emotional ...? And then there're the classics which I've already read and popular novels which I have also read so now I'm kind of at a loss of what to read. I guess I need to start on Les Mis in French, after all I'm watching the play soon. And I haven't read the Fault in Our Stars and it's been so hyped up on Tumblr so I guess I should read it soon. But anyway, I really liked 19th century French lit partially because a lot of the works were more familiar, like Madame Bovary and Cousine Bette so I've read a number of works by the authors. However the emphasis of the module was not to read it in a conventional way, but rather from other perspectives and trying to get a deeper sense of the meaning. While it was pretty enlightening studying those texts I think it'd be too difficult to try the same with all other novels ... I mean I just want to enjoy a book. Haha.

Overslept on Thursday morning and missed the econs lecture :( Macro is actually starting to look better this term we're doing forex!! My favourite part of econs haha. Went for dinner at C's place today and stayed until quite late talking. I love days like this!

Currently browsing the Brandy Melville site. They really NEED to have a UK website soon I'm not kidding. It was up for like 2 days? And when I went to Carnaby yesterday it was under renovations and closed for a week. I am so tempted by every single thing on the website T_T My current favourite top is the Genevie top which I got in Milan. I usually hate wearing long sleeve tops and horizontal stripes but omg this top is perfect, I got it in the navy base with white stripes as well. I love Brandy <3

Back to School

It's barely been 3 days in and I'm already overwhelmed with so many things to do. I'm glad that a lot of things have been settled quickly but there's still a lot of last minute surprises (or rather shocks) popping up and lots of uncertainty. Of course the topmost priority now is my essay which is due on Monday but I am still less than halfway done. I really need to stop doing this!!!

Also been sleeping very late and taking naps in the afternoon (why is London so cold) but at least the days are getting longer. Having afternoon classes in December was just completely depressing because you walk into your tutorial at 3pm and it's still relatively bright and by the time you come out one hour later it's completely dark. I miss summer days and wearing skirts and shorts.

In other news I have also discovered the wonders of Topshop Joni jeans. They're high waisted so I don't have to bother with belts and stuff and the jeans with their new material are super stretchy like leggings. They also go well with crop tops which is why I am still wearing crop tops and cropped jumpers in winter. I currently own 3 pairs but I really need to get a pair in black even though I don't wear black in general.

This is actually quite a pointless post but I'm trying to record my days so that I can look back next time and know what I was actually doing lol. Today was actually a pretty smooth day, I managed to wake up on time and prepped myself for school without being in a rush. This waking up in the morning thing is really getting to me because I just don't have the energy to do anything if I wake up too late but yet I just can't wake up earlier. Tim's alarm clock Christmas present has been pretty effective the past few days (yes I got an alarm clock for Christmas!! Cheers for practical gifts) but I'm still waiting to see how long it can last before I get immune to it again. Anyway, the micro lecture was pretty good, I paid attention throughout the entire lecture and took notes and all, then I came home and on the way back I met my French tutor and we said hi. It's quite coincidental that she actually lives really near me and I've never seen her around the area before. Then I had lunch and lazed around but didn't fall asleep which is a good thing, did a bit of work and then left early to prep for rehearsal. Reh was pretty good as well and then I came back and lazed around some more (I really need to stop) and now I am going to shower and finally get started on work.

3 due dates tomorrow please let me survive them all.

Travels + Happy New Year

It's 2015! Been a long time since I last posted, school + winter break was completely packed. I don't even remember how I survived Term 1 with 2 rehearsals a week, 5 concerts, 6 mods and 1 essay due. And there was so much stuff for Music Soc, hopefully Term 2 won't be so bad as it's just going to be opera and strings have one concert and I'm so thankful that I've found a proper concert venue. Was literally freaking out over the past week after having emailed about 20 churches in the vicinity and getting quotes going up to 800 quid a night?! But at last one of them replied and I went to see the church yesterday morning and it was a perfect location. So that's one thing done.

Over the winter break I travelled for about 3 weeks which explains why it's the night before school reopens and I've still not completed my work. I went to Switzerland and Italy the first Monday of Christmas break, and came back a few days before Christmas. In Switzerland we were in Geneva but didn't really do that much, I can't really remember what we did except going around the city center, travelling to Montreux to see le Chateau de Chillon, going up to La Cure and trying to find the Old Town on the last day. Switzerland was really expensive, the cheapest meal we could find around was 17CHF and I'd only changed 150CHF for 3.5 days which was not enough. For one thing the train tickets costed about 40 or 80CHF for a return so a lot of our money went out to transport. Food was also really expensive with the exception of Lindt chocolates so we ate mostly bread and ham and chocolates there. I felt so unhealthy as we didn't eat any vegetables for the whole time so I had to get a coleslaw on the last night.

We took the train from Geneva to Milano Centrale. I really wanted to visit Milan and it was primarily because I wanted to go to the Brandy Melville stores there. Upon arriving at Milano Centrale, we got scammed while buying the metro tickets. It was a lot harder to read and communicate in Milan as opposed to Geneva because the people spoke French in Geneva so I could at least understand and reply in French, but Italian was just foreign. Anyway, we were having difficulties reading the instructions on the ticketing machine and not realising that there was actually an English option when this HORRIBLE man came up to us and offered his help. I was quite confused at that point in time so I stupidly accepted his help. The metro tickets costed 3 euros and I had exact change in coins, but the man claimed that the machine doesn't accept coins?! So I wanted to put in a 5 Euro note and he pointed to the machine where the 5 Euro words were scratched out and said I could only put in 10 Euro. I should have realised at this point he was a freaking scammer but no I don't know what was wrong with me then. So I put in the 10 Euro, he gave me the tickets after they were dispensed when I could've just picked them up myself, swooped away all the coins and handed me back a 1 Euro coin. WTF??? He was still holding another coin in his fingers so I actually snatched it back and then he disappeared with a smirk. And then I realised I'd only gotten back 3 Euros in change which means he just stole 4 Euros from me?! Was completely shocked that things like this could actually happen in public and we couldn't get any help. I later found out it was actually a common tourist scam. Ugh Milan is SO DAMN DODGY but lesson learnt.

The airbnb that we got in Milan wasn't as nice as the one in Geneva as well. The son of the person that I booked with messaged me via airbnb at the last minute saying he had work and won't be around that evening but obviously I wouldn't have had wifi on the train so I didn't see the message until we were like at his doorstep. Thank goodness his flatmates were in so they opened the door for us. I mean the room was pretty decent and all but the whole place reeked of cigarettes so I've learnt to check for No Smoking when booking airbnb. The only consolation was that food in Milan was actually affordable in comparison with Geneva, and I had some extra Euros left over from last year's trip to Barcelona so I was feeling a lot less poor than I had felt in Geneva.

We only had 3 days in Milan so we didn't really do much besides shopping and visiting Lake Como. Lake Como was really beautiful and I definitely spammed a lot of pictures there on instagram LOL. It was quite misty on the day we went but nonetheless the scenery was still worth it. We wanted to visit Castello di Vezio and climbed all the way up only to discover that it was apparently closed in winter ... Also had 2 gelatos there hehe. BTW in Italy if it's a single scoop of gelato it actually means double LOL cause they allow you to mix up to two flavours! And who cares about painstakingly making sure that the scoops are perfectly round balls (ahem sg), the Italians just slap the gelato onto the cone and voila the taste makes up for everything! I think I had 8 scoops in 3 days hehehe.

The highlight of my Milan trip was actually Brandy Melville LOL. Went to both the stores on 16 via Statuto and Via Cesare Baccaria (sp?) and I spent a hundred euros there LOL. The first store we went to actually had this sale basket with everything going at 10 Euros holy shit! I didn't even see the basket at first so I spent a long time looking around because I couldn't bear to leave the place without buying anything. In the end I picked out 2 striped long sleeve tops, one in a navy base with white stripes and the other one vice versa (my problem of having to buy the same thing in different colours). They were only 15 Euros each and actually costed cheaper than if I were to buy it in the US (cause of US tax and shipping and all). So I paid for those and decided to take one last look around and that was when I saw the sale basket. OMG. Apparently it had been there the whole time but I just don't know why I didn't see it earlier! So yes I raided the entire basket and found tons of things from the summer collection that I've been wanting for ages like the Heather skirts and Kaitlee skirts and this blue suede skirt that I've been looking for. So super happy with my buys ^_^ At the other store they didn't have this amazing basket unfortunately, but they had those cute wooden signs in the Brandy Stores and I've ALWAYS wanted one of those. There weren't many designs though and I contemplated getting one of Paris but it didn't really make sense since I didn't apply to Paris for my year abroad which means it won't be relevant to me in the near future lol. The one that I really, really want would be one that says LONDON or one of those proper Brandy Melville ones with the pink wooden heart in the center! There was also this really nice food market next to the Duomo, and lots of shops around the Duomo as well. We discovered shops that were really similar to Brandy - what is with Italian labels taking the American style anyway?? And then walked to this outlet (can't remember where) which was rather disappointing ... Didn't do much on the last day because to be honest Milan is actually quite boring after you've seen the cathedrals and the shopping so we went to the airport a few hours early and used wifi there hahaha -_-

Came back to London for Christmas and didn't really do much except playing Pokemon LOL and had a relatively peaceful Christmas except for the I Hall christmas gathering! Then it was Boxing Day which was quite disappointing this year and the sales weren't that good. I ended up only buying like a bar of soap from LUSH (which wasn't even on sale please) and a down jacket and 4 heattechs from Uniqlo (which I ended up returning 3) so yuppp. Trying to cut down.

The day after Boxing Day we left for Norway! It was absolutely freezing there and I was wearing like 4 layers - heattech, fleece, down, hooded coat (cause my other jackets didn't have hoods). The cold really hurts LOL like my hands were hurting even though I was wearing gloves. We actually reached the airbnb place at about 4pm and decided to laze around and watch tv and not knowing that the Oslo Brandy Melville does not open on Sundays T_T And it also does not open on public holidays i.e. New Year's, and those were the only two days we were going to be in Oslo ugh. This is my major regret lol. We brought food to Norway so hooray for Nongshin instant noodles! On Sunday we went to visit some of the museums, and did I mention it was the first time I saw proper snow! The snow in Switzerland didn't count because it was mainly ice flakes. But WHITE SNOW. SO PRETTY.

We took the train to Bergen the next day and stayed in Bergen for 3 days. It was snowing the morning we arrived and we took a long time to get to our airbnb place because it wasn't that near the city center and the snow from the previous days were knee deep. The place was on the top of a hill so it was quite difficult to climb up as the snow had covered the steps leading up. Some of the snow on the roads had melted so it was more like dirty slush. BUT SO MUCH SNOW. I've never seen so much snow before. 

There wasn't much to shop in Norway, but I got some cute socks from this shop called Cubus and the material feels very soft, almost exactly like Brandy's micromodal material. The highlight of our Bergen stay was the Gudvangen Fjords tour and also NYE fireworks. The Fjords tour took one whole day and it was on a ferry so it was really cold but it was all worth it. We stopped at Flam and had lunch there and walked around the very small town before taking the bus back to Bergen. NYE was pretty chill, the view of the fireworks was amazing since we were at the top of the hill. Travelled back to London on 1 Jan so that was the end of my travelling for now!