This year

31 December 2011

2011 was my gap year.

At the beginning of the year, I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted to do for my future. But as the year progressed, I wasn’t so sure after all.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed 2011.

This year, I…

took floral arrangement lessons
picked up playing the cello again
made 52 creative projects
cut my hair into a bob, then grew it out again
helped plan for family church camp
started giving piano lessons
learnt (still learning) how to be satisfied in God
went to prayer group (almost) every other Wednesday
traveled to Hong Kong and Beijing and loved every minute of it
started this blog
took the SATs
played for, and sang in a church wedding
helped out at Saturday children’s clubs in church
made new friends
took O-level higher Chinese exams
read 23 books
turned 20

I did all that and more this year, to say the least.

In addition to the twenty list, here’s what I hope for 2012: be more organized and punctual, complete another 52 creative projects, and spend consistent, daily time with God.

I think the last one might the one I hope I will be best at.

Goodbye, 2011.
You were a good year.

Here’s to an amazing 2012!

xoxo.

The 20 list

30 December 2011

When I turned 20 in September this year, I made a list of twenty things I wanted to accomplish before my next birthday (otherwise known as my twenty list). Although this idea isn’t original to me, I thought it was a great way of making twenty memorable.

The TWENTY list:

1. Get my driver’s license.
2. Learn how to sew.
3. Ace the SATs.
4. Apply for college.
5. Take ABRSM Grade 8 cello exam.
6. Start “note to self” mini-album.
7. Start cooking Chinese food.
8. Try 20 new food recipes.
9. Participate in a race.
10. Decorate/paint my room.
11. Write a resume.
12. Save money.
13. Get a job.
14. Read at least one book a month.
15. Exercise regularly.
16. Start a business/write a business plan.
17. Take a photography class.
18. Organize recipes + make a recipe folder
19. Take higher Chinese exam.
20. Brush up on Spanish.

I think a part of my 2012 goals will be made up of accomplishing things on the twenty list.

Happy New Year’s eve eve! (:

It’s better to give than to receive

28 December 2011

I think that had to be my mantra for Christmas this year, reminding myself that Christmas is about worshiping Christ the Savior, cherishing the people who matter, and spending time with the people I love.

Now that the presents are unwrapped, and beneath the tree is empty, I’ll share the altered notebooks I made for my friends for Christmas this year! I’m a huge fan of handmade gifts because I think they are so easy to personalize and are usually more meaningful than store-bought ones.

So here they are!

In addition to being a fan of handmade gifts, I’m a huge fan of keeping things simple. And I tried to do that as much as possible with my gifts – baker’s twine, patterned paper, washi + paper tape, transparencies…

I hope they liked them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Happy post Christmas! (:

Tis’ the season to be jolly!

24 December 2011

It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas Eve – YET.
But soon, pretty soon, I know it will (:

I don’t mean to be pretentious or show off-y or anything. But I must say that I’m pretty proud of myself for getting all my gifts done (earlier) this year. No mad frenzy to wrap or tag gifts for more tonight, thankyouverymuch. HAHA.

Just some Christmas-ish things I’ve been wanting to share before I run off and get busy with my Christmas Eve!

Somehow, I think I’m even more excited about Christmas this year than I have been in years past; I hope it’s brilliant!

Merry Christmas! (:

HOME SWEET HOME

20 December 2011

After 9 days away, more than 1000km on the road, and 3 cities later, I can tell you quite resoundingly that it’s good to be home.

Truth be told, I’d actually planned on updating and scheduling posts before I left, but I got too caught up with packing and finishing up last-minute preparations for the trip that I didn’t get the chance to.

Anyhow, I’m back! Albeit, a little heavier on the weighing scale, a little poorer in my pocket, and a little (much) refreshed in my spirit.

God worked out this trip to be a lot better than I expected in so many ways, I couldn’t be more thankful.

We spent two nights in KL, one week at Fraser’s Hill church camp, and one night in Malacca. Here are some of my favorite highlights from the trip!

1. Staying at an amazing, super comfortable apartment, Ascott Somerset Ampang.

2. Shopping in KL and Malacca. (I still can’t believe that I came home with five pairs of shoes!)

3. Seriously authentic char kway teow and pulau hitam from the Little Penang Cafe at the Curve.

4. Perfectly roasted barbecue pork with the best ever marinade, and crispy roast pork belly from the Overseas Restaurant, KL.

5. KRISPY KREMES! (Please bring it to Singapore!)

6. Hanging out with these girls (and all the young people) at Fraser’s Hill. I actually really miss hanging out with them!

7. The BEST putu piring from Malacca – the taste is exactly the same since I had it as a little girl ten years ago.

Add to all that, really great traveling companions.
‘Twas a brilliant trip, indeed!

So, Christmas is only FIVE days away. My Christmas wrapping is (soon to be) underway, and I hope you’ve gotten all your shopping done.

I CAN’T WAIT! (:

Debut: Scrapbook Workshop

8 December 2011

I taught my debut scrapbook mini album workshop on Tuesday this week. Thanks to the help and co-ordination of one of the moms, I taught seven 7 to 13 year olds how to make a matchbook mini album and a card. The girls were super, and we had a blast putting everything together; I loved seeing how the girls got creative and enjoyed themselves!

Pre-class preparations, waiting for the girls to arrive.

Class time!

And all the girls standing proudly with their creations (:

Thank you for an amazing time, girlies!
This is (hopefully) the first of many more exciting classes!

Have a smashingly good Thursday (:

Lily Bee Sketch Challenge

7 December 2011

This week has been insanely busy.

But, I managed to sneak time in to particpate in the last Lily Bee sketch challenge of the year! Lily Bee papers are one of my favorites and they made the layout come together so easily.

And here’s my take!

Supplies: Bazzil Basics cardstock, Lily Bee This and That teacup, This and that postcards, Memorandum time clock patterned papers, American Craft Lullaby Thickers, Maya Road mini ticket strip transparencies in black, Maya Road sheers, We R Memory Keepers bakers twine, Dymo embossing label maker, badge

I love this layout of me and my little sister. And the sweet and simple sketch really focuses on everything I love about this layout – the photo and patterened papers. And this makes 52 projects for this year! I can’t believe how soon the year is coming to a close.

In other news, I taught my debut scrapbooking class this morning to seven 7 to 13 year olds. Twas’ super exciting and so much fun. More on that coming soon!

Happy Tuesday! (:

Christmas wish list

1 December 2011

This…

or this?

Or both?

I’ve been thinking about the Fujifilm instax cameras for awhile. Then the Instax 210 came and blew me away with it’s Poloroid-like film. Still, I can’t decide between the two, because they’re both super in different ways. But either of them is definitely on my Christmas wish list this year (HINT.) I’ll just have to wait and see what this Christmas brings, haha.

But we’re finally into December and can finally start counting down the days to Christmas – 24 days to go! (:

Start playing the carols, and getting into the spirit!

A layout & chocolate chip cookies

28 November 2011

Friday was exactly one month until Christmas. Seriously, where did time go? But I’m really glad I’m finally, actually getting a head start on my Christmas presents/gifts this year, and not procrastinating or waiting until last minute to get them done.

Anyhow, my local scrapbook store Made with Love ran a sketch challenge this week. I was counting on joining in, but I got caught up with life over the weekend that I didn’t quite make the deadline. But I decided to finish the layout anyway and here’s my take!

Supplies: Patterned paper – Jenni Bowlin, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, Bazzil Basics textured cardstock, Maya Road kraft journaling tags, American Craft Thickers, washi tape, Hero Arts flower stamp.

I guess that makes 51 projects this year thus far! I can’t believe how soon 2011 is going to be over.

Andddd, I made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies this past weekend. YUMMYYYY!

FAVORITE, MUCH! (:

I like my chocolate chip cookies crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. How do you like yours?

Enjoy the last two days of Novemberrrrr! (:

Thankful

24 November 2011

I’m thankful for rainy days, blue skies, sunshine, thunderstorms, chocolate, (best) friends, family, scrapbooking, internet, telephone, faith, freedom, love, hope, safety and security, protection, laughter, tears, smiles, lessons learnt, desserts, big dreams, good rest, pretty things, creativity…