Embrace love and life.

I am doing a very bad job with updating this space. I don't know if I have lost my penchant for blogging; whether it is due to the lack of interest or the hectic academic semester but nonetheless I am regretful that I wouldn't have somewhere tangible where I've stored my memories, thoughts and life events to turn back to in future.

That's why I am adamant on blogging about my 21st, even though it's slightly more than a week late.

My 21st birthday definitely felt different, and of course, in a great way. Finally, a birthday celebration that was significant of a rite of passage, I am finally an adult! Can finally sign my own consent forms in university, can vote in the next GE! ;)

The anticipation for the actual day wasn't that high as I had a 8.30am class, and another one later at 3.30pm so it was essentially an entire day in school. But thanks to Facebook, many were notified of my birthday and sent well-wishes, smiles and hugs along the way. I got countless numbers of SMS-es when the clock struck midnight which left with sweet dreams and feeling really happy throughout the day.

My awesome India buddies HX and Parveen even SURPRISED me during Sociology of Food's 20 minute break- a bunch of roses, a delish mixed fruit pavlova from Cedele and a birthday song sang repeatedly outside Four Seasons which caused some mild embarrassment on my part. :p Really didn't expect any of that and I felt the love and am so thankful for the both of them. Thank you the both of you! <3



The highlight of my 21st was my party at Treehouse cafe two days later.






Theme: PAPARAZZI. I don't even know what it really means in terms of the dressing, kinda Hollywood glam, red-carpet, strut, pose, all-modelish I guess?! 





I almost chose the theme 'Joyce's Political Party' since my first major is in Political Science; giving out 'Vote for Joyce' badges, posters of a scandal (no politician is without a scandal anyway!) and wouldn't it be fun to come as your 'favourite' political figures? Sarah Palin, Stalin, LKY, Kim Jong-Il..... I AM SO DOING TO DO THAT NEXT YEAR! :p

My closest girlfriends were such blessings to me. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted the whole party to be smooth-sailing, from deco to food to programmes, but I guess I have to just kick back and allow these sort of entertainment events to take its course. However, Slam (the funky pro make-up artist, spicy number emcee and my dearest cell groupie), Sam (the bestie who gave that amazing speech with the hilarious poem we wrote during our younger days!) and Fong (my sister-in-Christ and one heck of an amazing photographer!) were there to sooth my jittered nerves and who made this birthday party a truly memorable one.

I love you girls, life has brought us thus far and I hope to do the same thing a couple of years down the road or should I say, the aisle? ;) My heart can't express the amount of thanks for the help the three of you have so graciously shown that day.



I wish my other close girlfriends could share that day with me, but too bad they were dispersed across the globe or had other plans on that day itself! MG B3 babes (Mish & F5), Olie (who sent a lovely card all the way from San Fran!), Si (who called from Aussie to wish me 'Happy Birthday' and asked if I wanted a hairband or earrings, hehe), Hang, Adora especially! Still, thank you all for the wishes and being there in spirit!

Still, I had a great time with my closest friends that day. SMU school mates- the RunTeam peeps, FTB'08 fellow facis, Frujchaholics, classmates, travel mates, random people I've met along the corridors but are my friends now, Bartley Church CG, AC AA3 lovelies, MG/Girls' Brigade sistas, my dearest family... thank you all for taking time off to make the party such a smashing success! Really, really felt the love!

( MEGA PIC HEAVY. )

And a special shout-out to HX, my roomie for 3 months in India for that lovely acoustic guitar rendition of Jason Mraz's Life Is Wonderful (indeed, it is with my loved ones around)... you have such a great voice and I am really touched beyond words!



Also to my awesome CG guys, Ian and Joash... thank you for the Birthday Song by Corinne May... the lyrics are so so meaningful!! 





I still need to ask Ivan to upload the photos he's taken! Amazing to have friends so interested in photography to capture the special moments :)

And, I got really meaningful gifts that are 'just so Joyce' as friends would say- recipe books, pretty notebooks, vintage print stationery set, a study Bible (thank you CG, this was really what I wanted), a cute chunky ring, cosmetics, various accessories like earrings and a hairband, a bottle of Vodka, a teddy, a daisy, a quaint little picnic basket, 2 storybooks (one of which is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, one of my favourite books, thanks HX!), a book on Christian dating (yeah, it couldn't come at a better time...), 3 dresses (2 of which have floral prints, and a black one), a couple of gift cards, 3 bags, beautiful cards with even more beautiful words in them... and oh, 1 box of Special-K cereal, 4 cups of low-fat Chocolate pudding, a box of Twinnings Chamomile Vanilla tea, 1 packet of DIY strawberry yogurt, 1 packet of healthy nuts... Haha my roomie knows me so well. BUT I REALLY LOVE EVERY SINGLE THING I'VE RECEIVED but the most important things like MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE PRICELESS. Cliche but it's so true!

(Photo credits: Fong & Sher)

AA3 people, you gotta hear this! It's to Kanye West's 'Homecoming' song. :p

Audio link here.

( OTHELLO IN A RAP )

Who would have thought you could integrate Shakespeare with hip-hop music?!

( With tangerine trees and marmalade skies )

Some things have become a yearly tradition, like our JC Christmas gathering. Not everyone turned up but it's the good times as usual. Reks, Arina, Steph, Simin, Ches, Adiba, Mel, Ank, Ivan, Amos: You guys are missed! Thanks Si for opening up your house to us, and for the great dinner of sushi, potato salad, sweet fruits and chicken which for obvious reasons, I didn't eat. (More photos soon!, photo credits to Sher)

This week has truly been a week of gatherings, catching up with old friends.

We had our Primary 6 Reunion Dinner @ Purvis Street/'Field Trip to Zouk' on Wednesday evening. The songs played while I was there sucked, it was mad-ass packed so it was hot, sweaty and gross, but my companions on the podium were great. HAHA we didn't even touch much alcohol but man, our moves were groovy baby! I'm going to do a collage of photos (addicted to ComicLife), thanks to Milene and Jeanne who took most of the photos.

Yesterday night, I accompanied Tallie to the airport to pick her exchange buddy up. Her name's Janine, 23, and she's born in the Ukraine, raised in England, and is currently studying in Germany. After checking into a hostel, we brought her to Sophia Road which is just a 5 ninute walk away from school to view an apartment. It's so crazy; one bedroom with attached toilet costs S$1200, or S$1300 with utility bills like electricity, water and gas included. Per month. Guess that's because it's on prime PRIME land. It's a nice place though. Texted her today but she hasn't decided. (P.S. The South-Korean guy who rents the place out is hawt-cute and I don't actually pass these type of comments often. He is epitome of sporty-toned-tanned-geek chic and I am not kidding you. Friendly too. Too bad he is returning to his native country in March, and he just completed his exchange at SMU. Tallie and I were like, DARN, we missed him! HAHA. ;D)

I'm so, so tired. Averaging on 4 hours of sleep a night for the past week; starting the days early at 7am as driving practicals were at 8am (about 5 more lessons to go and I am done, I just need to pass the practical test!), with the nights stretching till 1,2 am. But I know when school starts proper (I really don't want!), I will become a dork again. 8-) I really need to work like triple-super-duper-hard this semester. I don't want to let myself down again. I can do this!! And I'm going to write a resolutions list for 2008. I need take some time to think of several realistic resolutions.

On a side note, I visited the school library today after my CIP meeting (more changes, but the team's getting closer) cos I needed to print some stuff (BGS course outline cos our prof wants us to read up before first lesson) and I realised that the library stocks some pretty cool books. I'm not talking about the journals or reference textbooks, but like a Jamie Oliver cookbook, 300 pages thick, full-colour and costs 15 pounds! I promptly borrowed it. And they have Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs and To The Lighthouse by Virgina Woolf!! and many more. I am so excited. I love love love reading books.

Eyelids are heavy....zzzz