Finally… after so many years… I have the option to cash out!!! Like seriously!! 😀 Thank you all who quietly visit my blog/click my ads… it means alot!!
Shall cash out BEFORE I go back to SG for vacation next yr!
Disneyworld – Day 3 Animal Kingdom
I think this park is the most boring of all. Well.. it has alot of animals (duh!) and it doesn’t have the ‘magical’ feel which I like. haha.. this park also closes the earliest
17 Nov
Ok.. so BH wasn’t feeling well.. i think probably indigestion? We had a very short and unexciting day here. Hmm.. photos are limited too as we used the lomocam
Luckily, BH was feeling under the weather.. I was spared from taking ‘Expedition Everest’ Phew! The parade in this park is also “meh…”
The most exciting was a ride through the safari… wow! the animals are real and they are super close to u! good experience! It’s like we are suddenly in Africa!
That’s all…. our Day 4 is really awesome though! Stay tuned!
Disneyworld – Day 2 Magic Kingdom
Disney isn’t Disney till you see the majestic Cinderella castle 🙂
16 Nov
The first Disneyland Bh and I went to was the one in Tokyo. Well.. Disney is always magical.. no wonder it’s called the happiest place on earth. I feel even more magical in Magic Kingdom since… it’s the HQ!!! 🙂
Marie the cat was the first character we saw… OMG.. she is sooo adorable! What I love about this disneyland is taking a photo is NEVER a snap and go experience – the characters actually interacts with u.. and the superb photographers will capture these precious moments… and yes… no matter how young or old , they treat u the same!!! LOVE!!
Things at Disney are not cheap… The lanyard that I’m using was from my Tokyo Disneyland trip – it lasted sooooo long!!! It’s super useful to put fastpass and disney day tix/resort card. After 1000000x coaxing from BH.. i decided to invest on the ears… hahaha… don’t I look good in it? hehe.. i should have bought it many years ago but was too overwhelmed with practicality – decided to put all these thoughts away during this trip!
Nobody can miss the parade at Disney!!! Love how joyful and happy everyone are!!
More pictures!!!
So happy!!! It’s a happy place u know!!! yes… it’s crowded.. but we were very patient to wait in line for pics and rides – most of the time.. it’s worth it (for me la.. BH finds it boring and childish)!!!
It gets dark very soon… On selected nights (like this night we were in the park), there is a “very merry x’mas party” This is a special event that requires you to purchase extra tix to enjoy the extended hrs, special performance, parades and meet characters who don’t usual come out for pics! oh.. u also get free flow of hot choc/apple juice/apple slices and cookies all night long! wow!
BH told me about this parade – it was $65/person !! I was too stingy so I told him “don’t bother to spend the extra $” However, I was really excited with the things I can see/do and was reluctant to leave at 7pm ( when the park starts to shun away people who don’t have the special wristbands – YES.. they DO CHECK) .. so we bought the tix last minute and join in the fun!!
You know what makes the night even more magical? We were in line to buy tix and happened to chat with a lady in front of us. She was super friendly…then she told us that she have extra 2 tix for the special event because her son and in-laws’ flight was delayed! She was super nice and wanted to give us the tix!! Imagine!!! $130 for FREE!!! BH felt super bad.. and paid her $100! Lucky us!!!
It was a great night… totally worth it!! I mean.. if $65/$50 can mk me happy… why not??!!
Another tiring day spent at Disney… I fell asleep with sweet dreams 🙂 Thanks to my dearest hubby!
Disneyworld – Day 1 Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We took a whole lot of pictures and I’m wondering where shld I start?!
There’s 4 major Disney theme parks. We bought a package via a vacation planner: Small World Vacations The package includes 4 night stay at Pop Century resort , 3 Nights at Art of animation resort, 7 days pass to themepark+ Free 4 days of quick service meals
15 Nov
We reached Orlando bright and early *yawnz* Early means 6.30am ( there is a time difference of 3 hrs!) We were zombified BUT glad to survive the uncomfortable plane ride
First thing.. we took the Magical Express and checked into the Pop Century Resort We took the room which was available ( twin beds instead of King) as we just wanted to rest a little before heading out. The thing about staying inside a Disney’s resort is your bags will be transported magically to your room – there’s no need to wait for it at baggage claim or carry it yourselves! Another thing is.. u can get free bus transport to all the parks + downtown disney! No need to rent car/drive! I love holidays when both of us can relax!
As you can see, there’s nothing special about this room. In fact, this resort is quite dated. I am glad that we booked the Art of Animation resort in the later part of the stay as it is very new and beautifully furnished!
We headed to the first park….
Disney offers this photopass – it’s a card that you give the photographer and they will save the pictures for u. You are not obliged to buy the pics and they will stay in their system for 1 mth!! wow! anyway, their photographers are quite good! Hence, we took many pictures!! I think it’s the first vacation that we have so many pictures together!
My favorite ride – Midway Mania! It’s like a virtual paintball shooting game in a vehicle! Super fun! I played this 3 times!! 🙂 Love it to max! Strongly suggest that once u step into the park, zoom to this attraction and take a fastpass – the waiting line is the LONGEST of all the rides!
Ok… so while i take my fave ride for the 3rd time, BH went for the Tower of Terror! Gosh.. I was supposed to go with him BUT chickened out.. He went for it alone and LOVES it!!
The highlight of the night is the Dancing Lights along of streets of this park! OMG! it’s soooo cool.. the lights on the buildings lit up to the rhythm of the Christmas songs! The colourful decorations gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling… ah…. I feel so happy and blessed that I get to experience all these with my fave person! 🙂
It was a tiring 1st day… we survived almost 12 hrs of no proper sleep… zzzzz.. in fact, I think I fell asleep during the Fantasmic fireworks show….
To be continued…
Disneyworld!
I am here!! Magical indeed 🙂
Lumia920
New WINDOWS PHONE!
Lumia920 was out at AT&T on 9 Nov. I have no idea why.. but BH decided to get his phone on the first day. I went along with him.. just for the fun of it… and.. to our surprise….. there’s a LONG line ( everyone wanted the Lumia.. I was embarrassed to tell the sales person I wanted the Note!)!! we lined up for 2.5 hours and finally got the phones! yay!!! His is RED, mine is WHITE. Such a Singapore colour right? hahaha
Initially, I wanted the Galaxy Note 2 ( which was also released the same day at AT&T) However, they only had gray 🙁 and after playing with the phone, Andriod just felt difficult to use. At that time, there was only 1 Note left.. ah… dilemma…hard decision…BUT I decided to stay with Windows Phone 🙂
Avocado House Party!
I was thrilled that I got selected for Avocados House Party! 😀 I applied for other House Parties previously but didn’t get selected. Lucky me!! I was 1 of the 1500 lucky hosts!
This House Party comes with 15 shopping totes + $15 gift card for the host. It was a great experience for me and also one of the greatest reward as a couponer! Above all, this party would not have gone smoothly w/o Jo’s help (in cooking and preparing) and Dave&Jo generosity for allowing me to host at their house! Thank u!!
For food, we have….
Recipe from Noobcook This is a good recipe for parties..and it taste so good + very filling too! We made 2 batches (white rice on one tray, brown rice on the other) – everyone loved the brown rice version, even when they don’t like brown rice!
Recipe from Scarlettabakes. This is Jo’s idea! OMG… it taste sooo good…
It does not taste like avocado at all.. and looks like Kaya!!! we omitted the lime glaze.. and it still taste good!
How can Avocado Party not have tacos?! Recipe from Guilty Kitchen
A pic of all of us enjoying the party! Thank you House Party and Avocados From Mexico
1st canvas painting!
A while back, I bought discounted vouchers at Costco for painting classes held at Palettes and Pairings I was looking forward to my first canvas painting! Imagine hanging your masterpiece at home!!??
Finally, found a nice painting I’m interested in and signed up for it 🙂 The best thing is.. YS and Jo joined in for the class too! It was fun to paint together.. hahaha.. The voucher includes painting materials + a drink and light snacks. It was quite worth it – can’t think of a better way to spent Saturday night!
Yes… my oversized space needle.. Bh thinks that it looks like a UFO invading Seattle. hahaha… There’s always a first time right?
It’s only a small painting but it’s quite tiring to focus and paint. Now I can imagine how Michelangelo felt when he painted Sistine Chapel’s ceiling?!!
I was abit disappointed that the instructor did not teach us any painting technique – she just told us what colours to mix and paint on the canvas :/ hmmm.. well.. she did teach us how to draw the space needle/ferris wheel but it would be good if she provided some tips on merging the paints
Then again, I will go again (hope for a better instructor) as i think it’s therapeutic to paint.. love it when I see the final product! 😀 It’s also a good activity to do together with your date/girlfriends! In the mean time… Let me enjoy my masterpiece..hehe
My 20 seconds of courage
I love such nights when we put away technology and enjoy each other’s company. It’s rare but I treasure these moments 🙂 This time we watched “We bought a Zoo” on HBO. This is an inspirational true story about a UK family who actually bought a zoo! It’s sounds so ridiculous BUT they really did! WOW! How brave!
My favorite quote from the movie “All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage and I promise you something great will come of it.” What’s your 20 seconds of courage?
For me..
20 seconds of courage to tender my resignation and break my bond
20 seconds of courage to decide to drive in WA
20 seconds of courage to take a roller coaster
…and lots more…
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And I just passed my driving knowledge test last sat! Now… my practical driving test is 6 weeks from now… shiver!! I can do it!!
Meeting Mr Brown
How now brown cow?
It was amazing to see a popular Singapore blogger in Seattle! It felt like I finally met an online friend! 🙂 Mr Brown’s presentation was nothing about having kids, HDB, CPF, PAP.. it was more of a personal introduction to him as a blogger and also an intimate insight of his humble family and life. After or rather during his presentation, I admire him even more! I am very impressed with how a very normal Singaporean could do what he love and excel in it! I believe that he is not earning alot.. and he have 3 kids!!! out of the 3 kids, 1 of them is autistic! Yet, he still follow his dreams.. and now.. everybody know who he is!
My favorite part of the presentation was the podcast of his wife’s “I Am Singaporean” message. It was very touching – “Behind every great/successful man there stands a woman” How true!
After the presentation, it was Q&A. Mr Brown was really frank in all his answers. However, BH felt that a question (along this line) “How do u cope with a Autistic child?” could be planted. Mr Brown answered and told us the importance of family support, which obviously.. most of the overseas Singaporeans do not have. Still, I think that the presentation and Q&A was sincere and it does not sound/feel like a script.
I would say that Mr Brown’s presentation is a “silent weapon” – he did not directly tell us about Singapore BUT used his own experiences/life to make us think of home. This is an intelligent way to plant the seed ( of where u truly belong) in every Singaporean’s head! 1 word.. POWERFUL.
For once, after so many years… I miss home 🙁 It’s a successful presentation , Mr Brown!
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His presentation made me feel empowered and inspired! I shall not wallow in self-pity.. I want to take control! I had decided to take the first step to acquiring my WA driving license. I also applied to be a volunteer at a local children’s hospital. To be updated 🙂