JOANNECHIA: 2014

Here we are again, after a year, doing some recounting of what happened in the year, and penning down our new year resolutions that we never ever fulfill.

I only blogged like 10 times this year. Can't believe how I managed to blog like 343 times in year 2009. More free time as a student, I guess?

So this year, was actually quite a year of learning to adapt into new changes in my life. Because.. I finally GRADUATED from school!

Graduating from school means stepping into the adult life. The 9-5 jobs, every day, same routine. But thankfully, I studied Design, and I believe its something I have passion for. I've been working for 8 months now, and I still look forward to work each day! Call me crazy, but I really love my job at Vintedge.

I guess the most important part of staying happy in a job, is having awesome colleagues! If it weren't for them, I don't think I would love this job sooooo much. They bring me lots of laughter every single day. Apart from laughter, they actually took very good care of me too. I guess because I'm still the youngest in the company? Hahaha.

My creative team, my lunch khakis, my badminton khakis, the people I work with day in day out. I'm thankful to have them in my life.

Other than stepping in to the adult working life, I've also went to the Singapore Air Show for the first time too! Actually, cause I was working at the event for a catering company la. Haha, but still, for the 6 days or so, being at the airbase everyday, seeing fighter jets fly in the sky, I sure I was happy.

Not forgetting, its also the year that I had my first plane ride!

And I finally went to Hong Kong, for a change. It was a great trip!

And also overcoming this ride at the themepark!

It was a great year, even though I have to take up much more responsibilities now after being a working adult, like.. paying my own bills, and everything else. But it also means I now have more freedom of spending my money on the things I want! Its a great feeling, to not have to painstakingly save up dollar by dollar just to go for a shopping spree and be back with $0 to spend.

Next thing, I AM STILL SINGLE. Hahahaha. Prior to writing this blog post, I was reading up my previous end of year post and I realise I've been single for two years. Sobs, but I've definitely learnt a whole lot about myself in this two years of singlehood.

Not forgetting, Michelle, my best friend, whom have always been here for me. I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

As well as my family, of course.

So for 2015, I'm looking forward to more opportunities at work, at love (hehe), and also, my 21st birthday party! I've never had a birthday party before, excluding the ones I had when I was young and my parents did the inviting and all. So I guess if I don't finally hold one on my 21st, when do I do it?

And also, BANGKOK TRIP, YAY! This trip is already in the midst of planning and I'm so excited to have a huge shopping spree in Bangkok. The place where my friends have been there multiple times, and finally its my turn!

I'm also hoping to actually get a driving license. It may seem quite redundant for now as even if I get a driving licence, I don't even have the means to get a car, right? But I was thinking maybe for special occasions, and I rent a car and drive my family around. Even the thought of it sounds so unbelievable. Like.. me? Driving a car? I wonder if my family dares to be the passengers. Hahaha, but I'm gonna learn from my father, so I guess he can give them some assurance?

Here's to greater heights and memories in 2015!

After a good 3 months, I finally found time to edit and upload the photos I took at Hong Kong! Being the lazy person that I always am, I wouldn't want to painstakingly edit 200 over photos one by one.. So I batch edit them on photoshop. Hahaha, so some of the photos if they are overly contrasted or bright, just ignore okay? Heh heh. A few are nicely edited with my one of my phone's app cause I posted them on instagram. Food photos are mostly quite blur and low quality, because hey.. how to resist not munching on the delicious food asap?

Video of the trip, recorded and edited by my sister!

So I went to Hong Kong in early September with my family for 5D4N and it was my very first flight of my life. Days before the trip, I was so excited because I'm finally going to fly in a plane. Of course, it was my first flight. How can I miss out taking a photo of my air ticket? I was quite lucky to be able to fly with Singapore Airlines on my first flight!

I swear other passengers sitting near me in the plane knew it was my first flight as I was busy taking picture of everything. Exclaiming at every single thing that I see outside of the window. Look! We're leaving Singapore~

My first airline meal. It's not that bad as what I've read on the net. I actually kind of like it!

Up in the sky with these fluffy clouds! So glad I was able to get a window seat. SPAMMMMMM photos!!

As it was a guided tour, we had out tour guide waiting for us upon arrival. Luckily, it was a small tour group that only consisted my family and another family with 2 young kids. So its just an 8 person tour group! The other family were quite nice and soft spoken kind of people too! They definitely made the whole trip more enjoyable and smooth!

The first day of itinerary was kinda packed, so we had our luggage tucked in the bus that was going to transport us around. We only get to check in to the hotel at night after everything! The first place we went was Mong kok! Its quite an amazing feeling to be able to be physically in Hong Kong, and not just looking at Hong Kong through the movies and dramas!

The Tour guide was quite a funny guy and he gave us 2 hours of free and easy time to go walk around and visit Ladies Street at Mong Kok.

Signboard and more signboard. Thats Hong Kong.

Typically street foods in Hong Kong.

Some street signs.

And one thing I find weird about buildings in Hong Kong is that they often have one particularly tall building in the middle of all short buildings. And mostly are like square in shape.

Next stop was Tsim Sha Tsui! We were there for the The Avenue of Stars where we are able to tread on the handprints of famous celebrities. Love the sea view and the breeze!

A Statue of Bruce Lee.

We had our first meal (Dinner) in Hong Kong at a local restaurant and the food was really nice, especially the roasted goose. My favourite food in Hong Kong, and not forgetting the Roasted Pork Belly!!

Next, we went to take the one-way Peak Tram Ride up to Victoria Peak. The tram which is pulled by steel cables, climbs at an angle of 373 meters. Its steepness is not exaggerated as I feel like I am leaning at a 45 degrees angle watching the skyline! Thanks goodness we were on a guided tour, so we get priority boarding. The queue was MASSIVE. And there, was where I met the KIASU-ESS out of all the kiasu people. Sorry to say but they were mostly China people.. They were extremely violent and forced themselves up the tram. I was at least 10 times the push as the usual morning rush hour in Singapore.

Up at Victoria Peak, there is the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum! Its where I took lots of photos with wax figures of celebrities and famous personalities!

Bruce Lee

Jackie Chan

My Hong Kong Boyfriend.

劉德華

Daddy and Queen Elizabeth

Mum with Obama and Dad

Albert Einstein!

This guy's voice is super unique. No need see face already know it's him. But sorry, I forgot his name.

Marilyn Moore. Think the fan on the floor wasn't working, so her skirt wasn't really flying.

What's David Beckham looking at?

Had a game with Yao Ming. Tried to stop him from throwing the ball into the hoop..

Forgot his name too.

Jay Chou!! But I think his wax figure don't really look as close to his face. Other wax figures looks more real.

Lady Gaga

Spiderman

Iron Man. I'm pretty sure these aren't wax.

Hulk tried to stop me from leaving the museum.

My favourite comic character, Doramon!

After visiting the museum, we went up to see the Hong Kong Sky line!

It was a crazy hectic DAY 1 of our trip and after checking in at our hotel in Causeway Bay, we went down to a neighbourhood shop to have supper. Their wanton mee is the BEST I have ever had.

Our hotel.

This is the hotel room, sister and I shared.

We're in room 605, while my parents were in room 602! SO FAR.

Day 2

Rise and shine! We started Day 2 with a Dim Sum Breakfast at a local restaurant. The ambience and atmosphere there really reminds me of what I've seen in their Drama and Movies. Lots of elderly seating around in the restaurant, talking loudly to their fellow friends!

The Dim Sums we had!

Daddy was impressed by the size of the fish and wanted me to take a photos of himself with it. Hahahah.

Locals going to work.

After our breakfast, we went to visit the Golden Bauhinia Square, which is a gift to mark the widespread joy of the Chinese in the return of the territory to the Motherland after 156 years.

These trees look like those in MBS. Hahahha.

Spotted a funny signboard that says "No drying of Linen and Clothes". I guess people have done that before since the sun was so strong there!

Managed to see a helicopter land and take off!

Love the sea waves!

We were then brought to visit the Aberdeen Fishing Village, supposingly to experience the life in a fishing village. But apparently, we just sat on this little motor boat that was controlled by an old lady, then was brought for a round around the fishing village.

Next, we went to Repulse Bay. It is a long and broad reclaimed sandy beach. The sand and trees looked really unnatural there.

We saw a 10 metres tall statue of Tin Har, Goddess of Mercy constructed inside an ancient Sea View Tower build on the beach.

Beside, it is the Bridge of Longevity across the image of Yuexia Laoren (God of Matchmaker). Mum said it was said that if we walk around the bridge, our life will extend a few more years, but remember, never to walk back once we cross the bridge, cause it would then mean cutting short of our life. There is a space to walk back beside the bridge, but I see a few caucasians just walking back from the bridge..

Had our lunch at another local restaurant and also got to try the famous dessert Hui Lau San!

After the meal, the tour guide let us off for free and easy for the day! So we walked around and explored the vicinity!

Bus stops in Hong Kong. A single line of queue. These queue really stretches quite far in certain places!

One thing about Hong Kong is that their construction buildings are mostly supported by bamboos! I see no safety rope, nor any metal poles. Amazing how they can tie these bamboo sticker so neatly and secure.

Fresh seafood!

Dough Fritters in the oven?

Temple Street

Notice that buildings in Hong Kong, if its gonna be an office or skyscraper, the walls are bound to be glass! Most of their cement buildings are quite badly painted or maintained. I guess thats why the solution to low maintenance while keeping it look good, are glass and metal!

This is what we get when we asked for plastic bag to store the can drinks we bought in a random supermarket...

We also went to take the MTR back to where our hotel is located. Causeway Bay!

Choose a random restaurant and had our dinner there.

We walked around more and Causeway Bay is officially my favourite place in Hong Kong! Love the vibe there, and even late at night, there's lots of people walking around! The night is still young!

A block of aluminium cans. I wonder how they did this,

Day 3

This is a day of magical events and encounters because we're going to spend the whole day at Disneyland!!! Let the pictures do most of the talking here okay?

Find these tiny plush toys super cute especially when they are all stacked like this. I will always smash them down whenever I see them! (see far left of the image)

Balloons!

The magical castle.

Managed to take a photo with Snow White! She called me a PRINCESS okay! Hahahhahaa.

Cinderella Carousel!

The sun was scorching hot and we decided to have ice cream!

Our lunch at one of the restaurants inside.

The Disney parade!

My favourite ride in the entire theme park! The RC Racer!!!

After watching the fireworks at Disneyland, we went back to Causeway Bay and had our dinner in a shop near our hotel. It was super yummy!!

It was already the third day and we still hadn't tried any of their egg tarts, so we bought a few when we passed by along the journey of returning to our hotel. It was nice, but we found a nicer one the next day at one of a random store.

Day 4

A not so magical day but still, enjoyed myself with some of the thrilling rides for half a day at Ocean Park!

So glad I manage to conquer my fear and took on this ride! The Abyss!

Another thrilling ride that I took alone because my sis didn't want to go on the scary rides!

We randomly walked in to a restaurant in the park for our lunch and realise it was a PENGUIN Restaurant! Omg, we dine beside a large aquarium of penguins! They were sooooooo cute!