花樣年华

Finally reunited with the Vainpots bunch from Nepal!
Okay technically I've been around Novell and Kim because of MSI but this was our first day out together in Singapore that wasn't pageant-related! The last time we hung out like this was back in Nepal, trying to take #SGxNepal photoshoots. 

The three of us headed to Chye Seng Huat Hardware - \presumable one of the first few cafes involved in the cafe-hopping scene. Ordered us a Huat! Breakfast, an Italian breakfast and truffle popcorn to share. The truffle popcorn is a cute eat; it's a pretty novel idea, and a fun snack that I can't stop stuffing into my mouth. I tried out their Cold Brew which had a strong acidic bite to it. It tasted better once it was diluted but it made me miss the cold brew at Brew & Bake. It was flavourful and gave me this quick buzz. The best part? It was located right behind Eusoff! Yes, I'm an addict needing a quick fix. 

Headed to Kam Leng Hotel to model for Novell's fashion photography assignment! The hotel management really were kind to let us shoot at this 87-year old building!  I love watching Kim (kiminpei.blogspot.sg) at work because she's just in her natural habitat and it's so comfortable posing in front of Novell. I was trying to channel my inner Maggie Cheung from In The Mood for Love with her focused intensity but I may have came across as a constipated hamster instead. Still awaiting for Novell's edits because I am definitely not a techie. 

A sneaky behind-the-scenes shot by Kim:

The next day I had yet another full-day assignment with Laselle. This time round I would be acting for the Puttnam School of Film. Seriously, at this rate, Laselle should just rope me in as part of their student body.

The first half of the day was outdoor shooting, which was pretty alright, considering I've done this before. But the second half of the day was spent in the studio which was just mind-blowing. The set is completely built from the ground up. I never knew how much innovation went into sets. For example, the bed is actually a mattress on a table covered in sheets. The head board was some random crap they found but painted it brown to make it look like wood. When they were busy adjusting the lighting and stuff, I was at the Video Kampong a.k.a the screen monitor, and W-O-W, it looks amazing. The set looks so real and the cinematography is very well done. 

The thing about filming in studio is that you can literally see everyone just staring at you in such close proximity. It can be quite nerve-wrecking, to be honest. You can see their scrutiny up-close, unlike on stage, where the lights are so blinding you can't really see the audience anyway. 

Funny thing that happened on set was that they DID NOT TELL ME that I was involved in a make-out scene which they kinda just sprung on me. I was like whaaaaaaaaaaaaat why does this always happen to me. I would try to avoid it as much as possible but in the spirit of professionalism I just did it and got it over in one take, shook the guy's hand and went off.
I guess in a way I didn't want to let the director down. Apparently, I was the third person to audition and Jasmine loved me so much, she cancelled all the pending auditions after me. I would totally love to work with her again (without any more surprises).
I got asked to act for some of their future projects but I'll be away in Shanghai :-( 

Four more days to Shanghai! Haven't packed and don't know what to expect! Fingers crossed. 

nostalgia

Kanice brought me to The Dispensary - an old Chinese medicinal hall that became a cafe, for a study buddy sesh. I was pretty amused by how my tea latte was poured into a cup that made it look like a 1 dollar kopi from the hawker centre. I love the décor and how reminiscent it was of those vanished years. But you know what they say about nostalgia - it is a byproduct of a yearning of the past, uncertainty with the future and discontent with the present hahaha but it was a great place for me to finalise my piece on early 1960s Hong Kong in WKW's In the Mood for Love (!!!)

if you're not watching this show, you are totes missing out. It is GORGEOUS to say the least, and definitely one of the most beautiful films of all time.

The magic of Easter was that I actually woke up and made it on time for the Easter Service today. I haven't woken up this early in ages! But I was really thankful that Lizo invited me because there was this familiarity that reminded me of the MG days and there was this comfort in being unburdened and lifting up your worries to God. It's something I haven't done in a long while and getting back into it was just...well, it felt like coming home. 

Had grilled eggplant toasties and this unexpectedly delicious Earl Grey Chai latte at Kith for brunch and walked about town for hours until our feet ached. Girl time with Lizo is always a good thing :-)

back in bread

I'm BAAAAAAAAACK! Feeling totes better even though it's been a slow and rough recovery. I'm still on my 48 day MC but I'm (trying) to take it easy while rushing out all my assignments and midterm preparations. Meanwhile, I'm back at intensive 10-hour long drama rehearsals and 3 hour long dance rehearsals. I'm sprouting a lot of bruises on my legs because I spend a lot of time on my knees for drama and I've been hitting the floor trying to nail the harder lifts for dance. It's really not so bad because I'm a clingy Koala bear and Taoyee's my strong, sturdy Eucalyptus tree. 

Ma chou chou Chang and I went to Anthesis, a French boulangerie and we were really annoying customers who kept injecting French phrases into our conversations to sound pretentious. In the same vein, I attempted to be arty-farrrhty and started food styling but the cafe people were très pleasant about it. Since we were on a roll, we decided to be all post-French art noveau (what does that even mean) and have a little photoshoot. Here's a tiny teaser.

childhood reunion

Happy 21st my totally intimate and non-platonic girlfrienddddd from down under. Honestly I'm still in awe about how our friendship turned out :') Just wishing you a happy birthday 4 years ago became us being good friends once more after you have left for Melbourne. LDR works for us heehee much love for you 3765 miles away.

No matter how old you are...PUG PJS ARE ALWAYS CUTE.

Eggs benedict / red velvet waffles / eggplant fritters

seven spices chat tea latte / latte

Met up with another girlfriend of mine teehee

Gotta love having catchup sessions after so long because there is so much to be exited about sharing, especially with this gal! I love how our talks are so comfortable and it just flits from topic to topic so seamlessly. It's always awesome to hang out with someone who graduated from cooking school, because they tend to have interesting little tidbits to share about the food we're eating. But she totally killed the whole notion of red velvet for me so I didn't enjoy the red velvet waffles as much as I should have.
You can read her review of the cafe here: http://coffee-and-crafts.blogspot.sg/2014/01/strangers-reunion.html?spref=fb

I guess you can say my hobby is spending time with friends at interesting cafes. We don't even have to be talking. There is just something to be said about being in the presence of another and indulging in your own thoughts all whilst within arm's reach of a good and warm cup of chai latte.