2013, don't let it slip by again

So here I am in my hotel room in Penang, plans to go for any new year celebration were cancelled, thanks to my parents. Seriously I'm at the point whereby I don't feel anymore enjoyment hanging around them anymore. I know it sounds real bad, but yeah...

Anyways, 2012 flew by real quickly, so did 2011, and 2010, and all the other years backwards. 2012 wasn't really a very good year for me, haha come to think of it every other year didn't seem like a good year for me either. So... Let's do a review of the past 2 years instead ya?

Started a blog
Went to SP
Attended my first fashion show, got to rub shoulders with designers and all
Entered my first blogging competition with topshop
Audition for 星光大道
Joined Nuffnang
Dyed my hair partially blue
Dyed my hair in different shades of blonde (except platinum blonde, which I'm planning to do soon)
Stepped into gym and worked out for real
Ran 5km, first time for me
Entered random singing competition
Went to Taiwan
Got to stay at MBS
Got to play at USS X 2
Did my first official paid job as a photographer

Ok looking back, I'm pretty lucky and thankful to all the stuff that has happened, and all the people that have made it come true for me. I remember how lucky and happy I felt when I got through for the topshop blogging comp. And not to mention MFW.

Haha and now for new year's resolution. I remember making this every year, but only like 10% comes true.

1. Die die record a freaking YouTube video
2. Send my freaking audition video to the Korea companies
3. Workout and have a lean and toned body for good
4. Start my friggin online business
5. To hopefully have a breakthrough for blogging and get a hair sponsor *laughs*
6. dye my hair platinum blonde
7. Get good GPA
8. BE HAPPY
9. BE CONFIDENT
10. BE HEALTHY
11. and lastly, hopefully I can become a singer

So what's your resolution for 2013? Let's work and make this happen!

May 2013 be a all-resolution-come-true year for you guys!

My (failed) attempts at levitation

So after seeing the shots from #levitationSG, I've decided to give it a shot, or 2...Haha but I think I kinda failed :/

 

 

 

hey hey don't laugh ok, its more difficult than it looks!

Wrap & Roll



Sponsored Review

 

 

HI GUYS! Yes I know its been a while, my bad cause my Blogger template was pretty screwed, and I had to redo everything from scratch :(

 

So anyways about a week ago, Cheowyi asked me along for a bloggers food tasting session by Wrap & Roll, and when heard about it I was damn excited! Not cause it was free food (like duh who wouldn't like free stuff? haha), but rather it was because I've visited the place before and I do quite like their food.

 

I know many of you might be wondering what in the world is this Wrap & Roll all about, to be honest when I first passed by, I also had no clue what it was selling, seems to me like some healthy salad joint.

 

 

So WHAT is Wrap & Roll?

 

Straight from Ho Chi Minh, Wrap & Roll is an award-winning Vietnamese casual dining restaurant bringing you an exciting variety of fresh and authentic dishes. It has now over 10 outlets and counting in Vietnam and Australia and was recently awarded "Top 100 Vietnamese Restaurants in Vietnam".

 

Yes it sells VIETNAMESE FOOD!!!

Haha I also don't know I'm so excited, maybe its cause you don't commonly find vietnamese food in Singapore, and for those people who has wanted to try the food, here's a sneak of what I had

With other invited bloggers (L-R)
Tiffany, Me, Jasmine, Cheowyi

The place



1. Crispy Prawn Pancakes ($7.90)| 2. Lime Chrysanthemum Tea | 3. Minced Pork & Mushrooms in Steamed Rice Paper Rolls ($8.90)

Let's start off with the drink. To be honest it tasted weird to me, maybe cause I'm not used to having lime and chrysanthemum together, me prefer to have my drinks seperate.

 

The Crispy Prawn Cakes (No. 1) was good. I had already tried it prior to this visit and I felt that it is different from the typical thai prawn cakes you might have tried before. This is like prawns wrapped in rice rolls and then deep fried. The steamed rice paper rolls is a bit like our chee cheong fun, except that this has a smoother texture and a more chewy bite.

 

No. 3 is the Minced Pork & Mushrooms in Steamed Rice Paper Rolls. Again similar to the Prawn cake, this is rolled in the style of our chinese chee cheong fun. I actually like this more than the prawn cakes though, maybe cause there was meat in it LOLOL! And plus the fried onion really added a crispy crunch to it.

 The Mains aka ROLL-IT-YOURSELF

 

In case you're still wondering why a place that sells Vietnamese food gives itself a name like Wrap & Roll, its cause in Vietnam, they have this habit of eating their food with veg, herbs and rice noodles, and thus they would roll it all up into one (kinda like a spring roll)

 

 

So essentially there are 3 steps towards getting your dishes "rolled" as seen from above

 

The first dish that was served was the Hà Nội Grilled Pork Skewers ($9.90)

 

 

 

The "rolling" process, a bit messy and complicated but you should try it cause its fun

LOL and me and Jasmine had a competition as to who can wrap-roll-eat the fastest. Like duh of course I will win cause ok la, I admit, my mouth quite big

Thx Tiffany for uploading the vid

 

 

Oh one advice when eating the rice paper rolls is to dip it long enough in the sauce that accompanies it, because the sauce helps to soften it, if not it will be damn hard to chew off.

 

Ok taste wise, not too bad. The pork was tender and nicely marinated (haha Jacinta, the manager, was talking to us about how much effort was put into this dish) , but I think portion wise its a little too small.

 



 

This is the Bánh Xèo Crispy Crepe with Prawns, Pork, Beansprouts & Mushrooms ($15.90)

Let me tell you this is damn bombz! Can you see all the ingredients within the crepe? They were damn generous with the prawns and all, but what I liked was the crepe, cause you know like after the food is served, we are too busy snapping photos and we don't get to eat it immediately, however even after a long while, the crepe is still really crispy! (I'm already missing this dish as I'm typing this post out)

 

And look at the size of this thing! Apparently it serves 2 pax

A huge plate of veg that comes with the crepe for you guys to "roll"

The end product

And this is how Tiffany devours it, in true Wrap & Roll style

OKOK last photo of the Crepe

 

Traditional Deep Fried Spring Rolls with Pork & Seafood ($10.90)

 

This is......Cheowyi's favourite dish! Haha and the whole time she keep talking about this dish only.

Well it was indeed really nice, and it was a nice combination when wrapped in all the side veg and herbs, cause this was fried so it helped to balance out everything. The meat was fresh and it was really good, however this wouldn't be my favourite dish simply cause it tasted similar to the Thai spring roll, so there was nothing really exciting about this dish, nonetheless I liked it a lot.

 

 

The herbs that accompany the dishes. Mint,Thai Basil, Vietnam Basil and something which I can;t remember LOL

 

The last dish: Stir Fried ‘Pho’ Noodles with Beef ($12.90)

 

What is vietnamese food without the signature beef pho (pronounce it as 'fur', LOL alex taught me one) right? However, Wrap & Roll do not have the traditional soup pho, but came up with a twist with its own stir fried pho. It looks like a typical beef hor fun but its not, cause the sauce was really special and different from your typical hor fun

 

 

And now its DESSERTS!

Left: Sweet Mung Bean & Taro with Coconut Cream (Warm/ Cold)
Right: Sweet Bananas & Sago in Coconut Milk (Warm/ Cold)

 

The left one, meh it just tasted like tau suan, just that it wasn't as sweet. Can imagine my dad eating this. *laughs

 

The right was the banana dessert. HOOO MAI GAWDDD IT IS THAT GOOD! I tried the hot version and I only have one thing to say: You have to try it to believe

 



 

The Vietnamese Rainbow Dessert, apparently it was the customer's favourite.

Well it tasted like a mixture of ice kachang and chendol, but I;m really not a fan of desserts normally (except for that sweet banana sago) so this was another meh dessert. It also has like emerald (like thai red ruby where there's water chestnut inside), beans, and jelly. The ice wasn't shaved too finely as well so it was difficult to get to the bottom of the cup.

 

Another thing that Vietnam is famous for is its coffee, and I honestly think that the one served here is pretty good. The coffee is made by the traditional dripping method (the metal thingy on above right) giving it a really concentrated brew. But I have to warn you, its really strong tasting, and thats the reason why they had it with ice and lots of condensed milk

 All in all, this is a place worth trying out. I have tried the Grilled Chicken with Garlic Rice prior to this and it was also really good.

 

Once again thanks to Jacinta from Wrap & Roll and Haren (blog manager from streetdirectory) for the invite!

 

 

Wrap & Roll (Singapore)

The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green 

#B1-11

*walk over from Buona Vista Mrt

Opening Hours:Sun-Thu: 10am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 11pm

+65 6694 4111

www.wrap-roll.com.sg

 



***SPECIALLY FOR YOU READERS***

Wrap & Roll is giving my readers a free Vietnamese Iced Dripping Coffee with minimum $20 spend. You can redeem this free gift with the code W&RBLOGGERS, and offer is valid from now until 31st Jan 2013.

 

一切完美

Still remember I used to catch this show like everyday on Channel U, a really memorable show with a very different and touching storyline.

And this song <<我知道我变漂亮了>> by Shi Xin Hui, the lyrics are just so packed with emotions, and so relatable to me.

我知道我变漂亮了 - 《一切完美》主题曲
詞/曲：石欣卉
製作：陳達偉

过去的批评嘲讽 Let it go Let it go
过去的轻蔑冷落 Let it go Let it go
有些人口不饶人 却忘了瞧瞧自己
又有什么资格

时刻都善良待人 Let's move on Let's move on
时刻都做好本分 Let's move on Let's move on
有些人心思浅薄 绝不是宽容
自暴自弃的理由

也许 确实也受过言语打击
也许 从来也没什么好际遇
但千万别将勇气深锁在阴影里
我们又不会妨碍这世界继续美丽

我知道我变漂亮了
我知道我被注意了
曾难过 失落
微笑一下就过
外在的美貌容易戳破
内在的美好细水长流

我知道我变漂亮了
我知道我也豁达了
不自卑 不埋怨
就算还差一点点
用内涵弥补一切缺陷
内在的美 迷住每个人的眼

Tutorial: DIY ombre/dip-dye hair

Ok so a little while ago, I got crazy with my hair, and impulsively decided to attempt to DIY my hair an ombre blue color. I've seen many GIRLS trying out the ombre/dip-dye thingy, but I was wondering why there aren't any guys doing it, I mean we could do it on our fringe right? Yeap, so I just decide "what the heck" just do it.

To start off, if you've no idea what ombre/dip-dye hair is:

Cool right? so here's how I did it after researching from a variety of sources, I hope you read through the entire thing as I included some of my wrong stuff I did inside.

So the very first step is to bleach your hair first. Normally I use this packet form from korea ( it used to be available at CK department store, but can't seem to find it anymore) but for this time I got the Gatsby bleach, which I think isn't as good cause it stings and leaves an orange tone.

*one advise when bleaching your hair, is to condition your hair straight for 3 days, and add conditioner to your bleach mixture when bleaching, cause I personally feel that doesn't "dry" your hair that much.*

And the box on the right is the blue dye I got, bought it from JAPAN HOME at Tiong Bahru Plaza incase you're wondering, and I checked with the shop already- the do not bring in the stocks consistently so stock up if you want. Oh and Lolane is a brand from Thailand.

the hair dye from CK

1. This is how you hair will look like after bleaching. I had to bleach my hair first cause my previous hair color was uneven + I wanted to make the color combi of blonde with blue. For the bleach, pls follow the instructions on the box VERY IMPORTANT! If not your hair might fall off in clumps.

2. After dyeing my hair ash brown, I wrapped a strip of plastic under my fringe, to seperate my fringe form my sides and forehead. This is to prevent the dye from staining parts that you do not want to dye.

3. Bleach the parts of the hair you want blue, like in this case my fringe. I know I've bleached like almost half the length of my fringe, but I strongly suggest only bleaching a quarter or one third of it only, so the blue color won't be that random and out of place.
You could wrap the bleach parts with plastic or aluminium and heat with hair dryer (on low strength) to quicken the process.

4. I know there's no photo, but basically it is dyeing the parts that have been bleached out with the blue dye. You can dye A LITTLE of the unbleached portions too (which is why I say to only bleach a quarter in length) to have a nicer ombre effect.

THIS IS THE FINAL PRODUCT (after styling)!

Ok I know the blue looks kinda dark, but after a few washes it will fade. Mine actually faded to a really cool ash blue-torquoise after a week. Actually I think that the black+blue combi would look better on asians because of our skin color.

I hope this helps, and for guys who wanna dip dye your fringe, REMEMBER THAT THE LESSER THE BETTER cause we have short hair so just one third or quarter of fringe would do

KTHXBYE

Starting anew...

Hello earthlings, if there's any still present here reading this post. I have decided to start my blog anew, and removed all my old posts since I started. I actually a post scheduled but I FORGOT TO SAVE, so ya there goes everything. Realized I have close to 200 posts and I've grown so much over the yrs, different characteristics at different period. I guess I need to rethink my life, the direction I wanna take, what I should and need to do.

And I know that a lot of people have been asking me how I dyed my hair, yes I would do a tutorial on it soon (hopefully this weekend? But so busy trying to catch up homework and in the midst of a singing competition)

Here's to better blog content, and English, maybe.

Kthxbye :D

Ombré/Dip-dye hair

Just in case you guys don't know, I DIY my own hair to some ombré blue blonde color. Don't rly know if it's ombré or dip dye but whatever. I think it looks cool but quite sure most people will feel its a joke for a guy to have this type of hair. If you guys like it, I can upload a tutorial: it's really easy, but just time consuming.

Here's a photo

Singapore Polytechnic x Roy on Poshism

HEY GUYS, I AM ON POSHISM ONCE AGAIN AFTER A LONG LONG TIME, PLS HELP ME VOTE BY CLICKING "POSH"

STEP 1: Click on login (if you're not logged in on FB) , so just sign in with any of the accounts.

STEP 2: Click on POSH (cause FB "likes" don't count)

STEP 3: ASK ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO "POSH"!!! Haha

LINK HERE

(winners get like $1000 cash price, so vote for me kay cause I need some moolahs to get my braces!)

KTHXBYE

Compass

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| SongJM |

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