Embracing Taiwan,

Now that Shantel has spruced up an enchanting blog on her life in the golden lands of San Francisco, where table clothes come in checkers, sceneries come in perfection and fries come in cheese, it is time for me to write one up on Taiwan, where the land comes in.... people. Yes, people.

See the things that enchanted me most in my home country were not the smoky mountains, glorious food or prices where you feel like you have to add a zero at the end to make it seem like they're not pulling your leg, but of the people. And no, not that they were the most joyful, blessed or fortunate people I have ever seen; the broken are still despairing and the poor are still desperate, but that they were just. so. interesting. Truly like walking stories. They made me want to sniff their hair, steal their diaries and listen to their journey. It's like they've seen the world, the good and the bad, but they just kept going. Kept selling their food, kept cleaning that yellow duckie, and kept praising God. They don't hide what they're going through, and don't act indifferent. They are real. 

Here's a summary in photos, but next time, I think I'm going to take less photos of food and more of the people. 

And then, after all that, it's back to school. Hurrah. 

California Girl

Airports. This place holds different significance for everyone, whether it be the excited first-time-on-a-plane travelers with nervous butterflies in their stomachs or the tired people making their way back to their loved ones, their homes. For me, I just want to see the world. Other people's worlds. So many times, we get so caught up in our own lives, complications and afflictions that we forget that there's a whole world out there, waiting for us to find. There are things to be discovered, places to be seen and experiences to be felt and I just feel like it's a shame if we don't try and live it out. Sometimes, it's difficult to leave our loved ones, but someone told me time apart is good - it reminds you to appreciate the person when they're next to you.

Time of my life spent in America. I mean, how could I not? Breathtaking winter morning air, rows and rows of houses decorated with Christmas lights, stunning variety of guilty pleasures *ahem* fast food *ahem*, cute college boys, typical American high school parties, wishlists turning into reality (for a cheap price too), and Netflix. I miss Netflix the most. Here's a precious portion of my trip in pictures.

The famous Fisherman's Wharf of San Francisco

 Pier 39 boardwalk (looks like a dream, doesn't it?)

 Cable cars of San Francisco, the last manually operated cable car systems running from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, making it one of San Fran's most symbolic icons.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Life accomplishment: walk across The Golden Gate Bridge - check!

The mesmerising view of the city of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge

The breathtaking Saints Peter and Paul church! 

Fun fact: Marilyn Monroe took her wedding pictures outside this church. True story.

 San Francisco Cannery, fun fun fun

 Cute cafes EVERYWHERE.

The streets of San Jose at Santana Row, it makes me want to frolic in a field of daisies. I mean look at those red and white tablecloths. What?

Burgers and stuff, cause you know, we're in America.

Good stuff.

 Meet the cousin Albert, he's hella swag

 ANIMAL STYLE FRIES. It's like all the good things in life altogether

IN-N-OUT burgers. Trumps Hungry Jacks or whatever sad excuse of fast food Australia has. Trumps all. In-n-out trumps all.

A picture of me drowning in the result of a crazy shopping spree in Union Square and Gilroy.

Though these pictures really don't do it justice, it's been an unforgettable trip. Above all, knowing there are bigger things out there than my afflictions gives me a reason to push through the waves and keep my head above the waters. I'm thankful that I'm alive and get to breathe winter morning air in California, that I get to wake up next to my family and I'm thankful to have a beautiful saviour who loves me and blesses me with everything that I have.

PS. I bought 5 mega packets of Hershey's and Reese's peanut butter cups. They say sharing is caring, but I'm taking a break from that, at least until I finish the chocolate.

Shantel's Sixteenth,

"Strip me back of all my pride, my possessions.

Till all I want and all I seek, is your presence."

Presence Power Glory, Citipointe Live

Annnnnndddd.... -drum rolls- Shantel's finally sixteen! Hip hooray!

The Taipei crew, Mindy, Telly, Shimdo, Gracey, Ben and Alex spent a lovely day out in foreign places to celebrate our Telly's birthday. What a struggle it was for a bunch of us ABCs to read menus, not make a fool of ourselves in public places and survive waitresses and ice-skate sellers. Thank goodness for laughs and people like this to make being stupid seem hilarious. 

Grace.... why why why why.

We first met up at a random hotel lobby, waiting for Mindy and Shantel to arrive (who got off at the right bus stop, could have just walked straight across the road to meet up with the rest of us but nopppeee, completely missed the GIANT hotel sign and decided to take a taxi which took them, you guessed it, across the road), telling stories of our Taiwan adventures and funny mishaps. After, we walked down to a department store, stumbled upon an Italian restaurant Grace really liked so had lunch there! The courses were beautiful, the waiters cute, the prices dirt cheap. Of course the heavily edited photos below show just how yum it was; why else would I edit them?

After our tums tums were full, we went ice-skating at the Taipei Little Big Egg Arena (direct translation), and had fun getting amused by sellers, waivers and the safety measures of Taiwan :) Annnnd after skating, we went to some cute little dessert shop to have waffles and high tea to celebrate the big sixteen. Twas was a great day, happy birthday Tellykins, and hope y'alls having a safe holiday! :D 

RED Tour 2013,

Hi everyone! I'm jetting off to Taiwan in a few hours (Shantel is already there), so this post will be a quick one because I desperately need to pack my laptop up! Thought I'll squeeze this in though; because who knows when we'll get the chance to blog again? As you all might know, last weekend Shantel, Grace, Cassia and I had the wonderful opportunity of going to Taylor's RED concert. To answer the main question everyone seems to ask, no we did not get into Club Red (slim chances of getting lucky twice), nonetheless it was indescribable - definitely one of the most memorable nights of our lives. So without further or do, here are the pictures!

Curly wurly getting readyyyy.

Signature lyrics and thirteen on arms. (Yes we made our own shirts). 

Our outfits pre Christmas lights and glowsticks.

Donning on our light ups. 

Waiting for Taylor...

All 40,000 of us jamming it up. 

Everyone rushing off their seats to get closer when she changed stages// "Brisbane you look beautiful tonight!" We do Taylor don't we? 

Super bad close up, but it'll do. 

She was beautiful that night, giving us encouragements and inspiration throughout all her songs. She gave advice on heartbreak, on relationships, on dealing with friends, and of learning to get back up and begin again. I had no idea her words was going to touch my heart so much- but it did. Thank you Taylor, for coming in at just the right time. 

See you guys soon, I have a flight to catch xx 

Happy Birthday Sharina!

"And this very moment, of timid and fragile honesty.

Is precious and rare and fleeting." 

Scarlet, Brooke Fraser

Hello there lovely readers!

B Blockers are definitely getting into the Christmas spirit!! Yesterday, Marina and Shantel held a wonderful Christmas themed birthday party for B Blockers sans Tiff and Daphne (living it up in the Big Apple and in lockdown for AMEB exam respectively). Twas was lovely to spend time celebrating with the girlies before we all jetted off to our various holiday destinations,  so thank you Sharina for putting in all the effort! These girls definitely don't do things halfway ;)

First up: Candy Cane Hunt!

Happy Families feasting.

One of the presents: Snowflake pandora charm!

Scrapbook filled with tear stains. 

Marina opening the handmade mailbox of birthday messages :3

Classic water balloon fights. 

Happy chap :D

Merry early Christmas from the B Blockers! 

Happy Holidays people, have a good one and stay safe :D