My mama said

#1. Don't take your sandals to UK. Your feet will freeze, sport shoes are easier to walk in.
Wrong. The weather isn't as cold as everyone thought so I'm searching high and low for some cheap shoes.

#2. Pack more T-shirts with long sleeve. Forget all your spaghetti straps - it's too cold.
Look at my coursemates - they're wearing that wat! So I'm itching to buy more of it.

#3. Don't bring the can opener, it'll make your luggage even heavier.
Now I have 3 cans of Campbell chicken soup and no can opener! ARGH!!

#4. Your school bag is too small for you to bring along, take your father's travelling bag.
Father's bag not nice enough so I bought a new one.

#5. Stop converting the prices, otherwise you won't eat at all.
Now I'm buying and eating too much unnecessary food. I'm thinking Cornish ice cream (1 pound), Smarties and toffee cookies (1 pound for 2 I think), chilli corn carn (1 pound also). It's 5 ringgit and 80 cents for each btw =)

#6. Buy some dresses if you like. There are nices ones you can't get here.
Yes mommy. I bought 3 dresses so far. After converting to ringgit I feel like shooting myself.

Pageant Predictions: Miss Teen USA 2009

Okay so Miss Teen USA 2009 is on Friday and you can watch in online. Yay! It should be 1am Saturday morning UK time.

So, this is the teen pageant which is also owned by the Miss Universe Organization. I feel the teen program doesn't get much attention, mainly because the winner doesn't go on to Miss Teen Universe or some bigger international pageant. Still, it's nice to see how these teens carry themselves at this age. I was a teen once and never in my wildest dreams I could compete in a pageant. Height and looks aside, these teens are role models for many young girls around - they do well academically, some take part in competitive sports, they volunteer, they do public appearances etc.

I wonder if I got hooked onto these pageants earlier on, maybe my life outcome will be different. Oh well .. not too late to start now.

Picks for semi finalists based on headshots only.

Alabama - Alexandria Blansit

Alaska - Zlata Sushchik

Arkansas - Allison Kusenberger

Colorado - Taylor Schettler

Georgia - Brooke Fletcher

Idaho - Marissa Wickland

Iowa - Allyson Hovda

Kentucky - Jefra Bland

Louisiana - Brittany Guidry

Maine - Jordan J. Shiers

Minnesota - Vanessa Johnston

Nebraska - Sarah Hollins

New Jersey - Alexa Brunetti

Ohio - Kelsey Stevens

South Dakota - Fallyn Patterson

Tennessee - Stormi Henley

Utah - Tasha Smedley

Vermont - Brittany Kelemen

Washington - Sadie Porter

Wisconsin - Elizabeth Bryson

Wyoming - Amy David

Photos courtesy of:
Miss Alabama Teen USA
Miss Arkansas Teen USA
Miss Colorado Teen USA
Miss Georgia Teen USA
Miss Idaho Teen USA
Miss Iowa Teen USA
Miss Louisiana Teen USA
Miss Nebraska Teen USA
Miss Ohio Teen USA
Miss South Dakota Teen USA
Miss Tennessee Teen USA
Miss Utah Teen USA
Miss Washington Teen USA
Miss Wisconsin Teen USA
Miss Wyoming Teen USA
Stewart Smith Photography
Miss Teen USAUnited States of Beauty Forums

West Kirby

I rode the Merseyrail to West Kirby after Friday classes with Fei Lin and Farah. I was pretty stoked to have them on this trip with me. It was a 30 minute train ride from Lime Street to this charming little town at the mouth of River Dee.

The picturesque Marine Lake and North Wales in the distance.

Gulls.

Hilbre Island during low tide. The island is a local nature reserve and is home to the Hilbre Bird Observatory. If you're not into wildlife, then you can take in the views. I imagine it'll be a nice photo opportunity. Unfortunately for us, we had to retreat halfway when we heard thunder. Also note there are specific timings and route to walk across, so check the information board at the West Kirby beach entrance. Alternatively, you can read here.

Fish and chips from Marigolds. We had planned to have lunch by the seaside before it rained, so here we are at the train station. P/S - the green stuff is peas if you're wondering.

Leaving my fleeting mark.

View from the Marine Lake.

Windsurfing and sailing is a norm here at the Marine Lake.

Lawnbowlers at Ashton Park.

Yay the sun came out! Here we are strolling around the Marine Lake border.

If this isn't cute, I don't know what is

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Boost

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. August will be hell, but I'll make it back. It's not my first time. Cliche quote I know, but sometimes it's the simplest of quotes which describes you best. The last 2 semesters in Advanced Diploma opened the eyes of those who go by the "No pain, No gain" quote. The 3 month internship shows how little you know about the real world. It's a dog eat dog world out there.

The strong hearted survives. The weak ones barely scrapes through but they'll get there. The average ones either hope they'll stay put, go up and pray not to slip down the ladder. Sometimes all you need is luck, sometimes it's brains, usually it's because of your own determination and other times you're just plain unlucky. As for me, I'm trying to live the western university life you see so much in movies.

Lil things

Peace