Thursday 26 December 2013

Christmas 2013 + songs

My family Christmas celebrations were crazy this year. It rained, despite being summer, and there were tons of kids running around and screaming. They couldn't contain their excitement for the presents under the tree, with their names on them.

Each family came in with bags of presents to put "under the tree". 

I've never given this many presents in one day!

The long, thin rectangular presents above contain chocolate blocks similar to this. They're so cute! "Nice to sweet you" hehe :D

Oh look! It's Asian Santa from another "country" (When Santa was asked where he was from haha)

I've never seen a cake with flashing lights on it! (The heart)

This is one of the best decorated house I've been able to take a photo of. But I don't understand how Santa is able to sit in his sleigh when his legs are sticking out of the chimney...

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas. It's not about the presents but about spending quality time with people you love, eating great food and karaoke (at least in Asian families haha).

Karmin - Sleigh Ride

Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt - What are you doing new years eve?
Now that Christmas is over, it's time to look forward to the new year.

What did you do/get for Christmas?

Saturday 21 December 2013

All that is random #2

Random pic: There's just something so simplistic and relaxing about this picture. It reminds me of Safe Haven.

Bellabox website
These simple questions can give some indication of your personality, but they're mostly to satisfy my curiosity and interest in psychology haha.

Do you zip or button your pants first?
Perhaps if you zip first, you like challenges. If you button first, you'd prefer to have some support in tasks.
I button first.

Do you play chess strategically (think several moves ahead)?
 If you play strategically, it could indicate that you think further ahead in the future, and the consequences of your actions. If not, you focus more on the present, and live in the moment.
I don't play strategically... and don't understand how it's even possible.

Comment your preferences below! I want to know :)

Thursday 19 December 2013

Fav christmas songs!

These are some of my favourite Christmas songs:

AJ Rafael & Tori Kelly - Mistletoe (Justin Bieber cover)
Great voices, festive lyrics and cute video!

Mindy Gledhill - The Christmas Song
Such a fun and feel-good song.

Michael Buble - Mis Deseos/ Feliz Navidad
Both songs sound great together. And the harmonies...

Glee - Merry Christmas Darling
Such a sweet song.

Colbie Caillat & Gavin Degraw - Baby It's Cold Outside
This is one of my favourite songs off Colbie's Christmas album!

Mariah Carey - Oh Santa!
Want a Christmas song to dance to? This is it!

Jason Mraz - Winter Wonderland
Don't know what to say about this... except listen to it!

Any Christmas song suggestions?

Saturday 14 December 2013

December Bellabox!

This month's theme is 'Celebrate Summer'.

Romy Cinnamon & Cocoa Hand and Nail Cream, $33.50
I love the packaging! This cinnamon and cocoa scent will grow on me, I hope. It is made from natural Australian bush fruit, products aren't tested on animals, uses recycled material, and absorbs quickly isn't the skin without being greasy.

Kosmea Rescue Balm, $24.95
Smells like an orange wrapped in a strongly scented leaf... but I promise, it actually smells quite good. It contains rose hip oil  which promotes hydration.

Eslor - Comforting mask $49.95, replenishing scrub $36.95, soothing cream $84.50, soothing refiner and cleanser $36.95
The Eslor brand uses the HPT (hydrate, protect and treat) system. Hydrating products contain aloe vera to moisturise, protecting products use safflower oil to ensure the aloe vera stays on the skin, and treating products repairs and rejuvenates the skin.

Avene Cleanance K, $24.99
The close up shot makes the 5mL bottle look a lot bigger than half of my hand. It oil-free moisturiser smells clean and fresh. It claims to reduce blackheads, absorb excess sebum for fewer breakouts and clearer skin.

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover, $9.99
Remove your makeup! I already own  this, so I can confirm that it is non-oily, non-greasy, non-irritating.

Mary Kay Fluid Eye Colour, $20
This shimmery light bronze colour pigment, in the colour 'Pearl', contains aloe to keep your eyelids hydrated. These are limited edition!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula - Daily Calming Facial Lotion $9.99, Daily Cleansing Gel $12.99
The moisturiser (left) contains chamomile, aloe vera and milk proteins to reduce redness and irritation. The cleansing gel (right) cleans, tones and clarifies the skin.

Bellabox Tote Bag, $19.95
I really like the pattern and colours.

Friday 13 December 2013

The fault in our stars

I have smiled, laughed and cried during the 1.5 days of reading this book. My curiosity got the better of me and I finally decided to start it one night, before bed. What I thought was going to be 10 minutes of reading, turned into an hour... I couldn't help but think about it the next few nights before falling asleep.

The Plot 
I was hooked from the first chapter, which rarely happens. At first I thought it was a predictable romance, like in A Walk To Remember, but it wasn't at all. The twist blindsided me! But I love it! Basically, Hazel Grace, has cancer and attends Support Group meetings. At one of these meetings, she meets Augustus Waters. They fall in love bla bla bla... you get it.

The Characters
Hazel - She has an interesting outlook on the world, and life. She is portrayed as vulnerable and strong at the same time, if that makes sense (if it doesn't, read the book!). At one point, she thinks of herself as being a 'grenade', which may explode at any moment and hurt the people she loves.

Augustus - As girls, we all wish to find someone like Gus here (unless you've already found him). He's so loving, supportive, considerate and says the most unbelievable things (in a good way). He is am amputee as a result of cancer.

Peter Van Houten - Was described as an 'assclown' by Gus haha. This character highlights that there's good in everyone, and that there's usually a reason for their mistreatment of others.

The Love Story 
The relationship developed slowly, and there were moments of doubt, which makes it realistic. I completely fell in love with the love story and their relationship. I wanted to be Hazel. Despite having cancer and through all the suffering, she managed to find something worthwhile (other than her parents). I also love the 'okay' as a form of flirting between Hazel and Gus. It adds to their relationship.

The Writing
 Green's writing flows so well, and he makes the characters come to life. Saying this, there were many sections in Van Houten's letters and conversations between Hazel and Gus which I had to re-read. Even then, I did not understand it completely. I just can't imagine 17 year olds speaking like that. 

The events were made to seem so real. For instance, towards the end when Hazel witnessed Gus' inability to take care of himself (when he pissed the bed, and when he called her to help him).

There are so many memorable quotes:
  • "The existence of broccoli does not in any way affect the taste of chocolate"
  • "I bought them a minute. Maybe that's the minute that buys them an hour, which is the hour that buys them a year"
  • "The world isn't a wish granting factory"
  • "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities"
  • "His sisters were there with their banker husbands and three kids, all boys, who ran up to me and chanted who are you who are you who are you, running circles around the entryway like lung capacity was a renewable resource"
  • "Pain  is like fabric: The stronger it is, the more it's worth"
  • "You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world... but you do have some say in who hurts you"

 You should read The Fault In Our Stars if you:

  1. want to experience an emotional rollercoaster
  2. haven't had a good cry in a while
  3. haven't experienced love
  4. love reading/books
  5. don't love reading/books

If you don't want to read it, the movie is expected to be realeased in mid 2014. Mark your calendars, June 6!!

Image. Shailene Woodley as Hazel. Perfect!




Image. Ansel Elgort as Gus. Not what I envisioned, but not too bad.

Ansel Elgort 2013-11-15 20-40.jpg
Image. Now this is what I pictured.

Any other differing thoughts about the book? If you loved A Walk to Remember, PS I Love You or My Sister's Keeper then read it!

Sunday 1 December 2013

Children write the most interesting sentences

IMAGINE
Image.
Children have a great imagination, but they can also be very in touch with reality.

With their wild imaginations and limited vocabulary (or not, they can be quite surprising!), it is no wonder that children's writing can make your day :) I've been reading some very interesting sentences, and thought that they would brighten up your day.

Recount (Year 2): Write about the time you were bitten by one or more mosquitoes.
  • "Once a annoying mosquitoes flew and got to my hairy arm at it sucked my blood"
  • "When I got home my mum put cream on for me. The next day it was better. "Thank goodness!"
  • "Then I went to the buttefly garden I noticed that there was buzzing noises coming from mosquitos. So when I was coming home i had about 20 mosi bites"
Factual text (Year 2): My name is ___ and I was born on the ___ of ___ 200_. At present I attend___ school.
  • "I don't like teasing people, cockroach sprey smell, carrying ruubish bags, loud nosie, getting sick, vilont movies, brightness, dolls, shutters, swooln glands, looking at the sun, cleaning the floor and playing games on the compter."
Procedure (Year 3): Write how you would make a cup of tea for your mother.
  • "pour hot, boiling water into a cup (Be careful)."
  • "tip: serve wit crackers"
** the sentences were written exactly as shown above