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feisty, whimsical, makeup enthusiast, mobile phone photographer, learning to live life to the fullest

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Feisty. Whimsy. Makeup enthusiast. Mobile phone photographer. Learning to live life to the fullest.
  • Mystery. Fantasy. Unpredictability. Beauty. Artistry. Subtlely.

    Mystery. Fantasy. Unpredictability. Beauty. Artistry. Subtlely.

    The six words that form the title describes what I found In Noir Velvet.

    The first picture I saw, that says “Sore eyes; have their unfair habits,” felt like a quaint door in a mysterious city of old.

    The title Six Words Stories screams skillful artistry, for how could one write a story in six words? La fille in the Noir Velvet coat has done it a hundred and sixty-one times and counting.

    Pictures after pictures ooze fantasy and beauty. However, I felt surprised and sometimes almost shocked at the unpredictability behind the photos. Look at this image of a hand that seems to be from a plastic mannequin. Or this pompous pink bouquet of roses. How about a pure white and delicate flower?

    The subtle messages strangely tie in with the beautiful pictures and made me question myself time after time.

    All of these combined were so powerful, gripping, and influencing that I immediate took to writing the descriptions in just six words for all the four blogs in Blogging 101 Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour.

    At the end of the day, I asked myself, “In Noir Velvet what?”  In Noir Velvet, I can find what I would never expect to find, like in a closet of unfamiliar clothes and mannequins.

    nonya-costumes-joo-chiat-singapore-IMG_4561-2

    Have you visited In Noir Velvet? Which of Nina Karadzic’s post do you find most intriguing? Feel free to share that link in my comments box.

    Enjoy!

  • MM 2-23: Monochrome Madness – If I could walk back in the corridor of time | cocoavenings

    MM 2-23: Monochrome Madness – If I could walk back in the corridor of time | cocoavenings

    I knew I had to snap this image the moment I saw the old man’s reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate. The modern decor of the corridor contrasted starkly with the age of the person to produce a surreal mix of fact and fantasy. I almost jumped into that the glass window right then for I saw a time machine. What with those bizarre lights and dim lighting falling upon the glass. How could the time machine not have been real?

    old-man-reflection-in-glass-window-awfully-chocolate-ninethirty-IMG_4563-2

    I do not regret my life, but I am a curious person; if I could, I probably would.

    I had nary a second to shoot before the man walked out of the magic spot that would nail the composition for this photo. I managed two shots, and this is the better one.

    If you could walk across the boundaries of time, either go back or forth, what would you most want to do?

    Enjoy!

    Cocoa’s notes:
    Did you know that I am a fan of famous classic fictions? One of the stories that I like is The Time Machine, by H. G. Wells.

    [Photo: Taken at Joo Chiat Road, Singapore, 2014]

  • Blogging 101 Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour – It’s the little things that we share | cocoaevenings

    Blogging 101 Day Eight: Be a Good Neighbour – It’s the little things that we share | cocoaevenings

    Dear Readers,

    Thank you for spending your evenings with me a day after day. Your comments have put many smiles on my tired face. It is the little things that we share in common here and there that has brought us together in the blogosphere. I hope this does not sound too mushy. I seldom articulate such heartfelt words because I have grown up in a rather restraint Asian environment. We, 101-ers, have been tasked to spread the love, so share, we shall!

    Grab the strawberries before we start. =D

    strawberries-bali-mountain-top-fresh-IMG-0626

    I have left comments on more than four new blogs today, but I shall still keep the sharing to four, in the order that I had found them.

    1. Kathy Mays presents Flowers from the Heart. Experience Kathy’s genuine, tender, loving, care.
    2. Alexk shows you the world with Photography by Alexk. You could also visit Alexk’s Photography Album directly. Entrance to the captivating Mother Nature.
    3. Nina Karadzic In Noir Velvet. Expose in six or take fifty.
    4. Gayle cooks, crafts, and discovers herself with Lula Harp.

    I am inspired to tell all my stories in either six words or fifty!

    Here is a song for you before we part, It’s the little things.

    The tune and meaning of the lyrics in this song are easily one of my all-time favourites. Do ignore the words describing my country.

    Is there a compelling post or blog that you have seen over the last seven days of Blogging 101? Feel free to leave the link in my comments box.

    Enjoy!
    Cocoa

  • Travel Theme: Grey – Mudskipper at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

    Travel Theme: Grey – Mudskipper at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

    In response to Where’s my backpack? Travel Theme: Grey.

    Like Ailsa, I am not fond of grey too. But unlike her, I cannot find many photos in grey.

    I have this shot of a mudskipper, though. This photo is one of only a few grey pictures that I have in my stash of photographs.

    The mudskipper compelled me to take the image as it swam in a very cute fashion and was very unique. It is a fish that can survive for a while on mudflats as it stores water and breathe with its gills.

    mudskipper-sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-nature-singapore-DSC09506

    How do you find the mudskipper as a living organism? Have you been to a mangrove before?

    What is another living organism that you find very unique?

    Enjoy!

  • SL-Week 6: Moto – Lego Friends Mia And Her Scooter

    SL-Week 6: Moto – Lego Friends Mia And Her Scooter

    In response to Sylvain LANDRY, SL-Week 6: Moto.

    Landry mentioned that he finds motorcycles or scooters dangerous. How about a Lego scooter? =D

    A Lego scooter could come with all the excitement and none of the risks.

    lego-friends-mia-scooter-IMG-4509There are three main reasons why I indulge in Mia (the girl on the scooter) and her scooter, as follows:
    i) my parents object to me learning to ride a bike because they find that motorcyclists lose their lives too quickly on the roads. As such, I will almost never learn to ride one, must less own one. (See Cocoa’s notes.)

    ii) I have a driving license, and I enjoy driving a car with a little bit of speed, so I will imagine myself as a motorcyclist from time to time. Mia is my Lego doll, my Lego champion.

    My parents are very encouraging and supportive of me knowing how to drive a car.

    iii) I like how photogenic the scooter is – cute headlights and mint colour. I also like the set, Mia’s Lemonade Stand 41027, that includes Mia and her scooter.

    Do you think riding a motorcycle or scooter is dangerous? Have you ever played with Lego? Is Lego still enjoyable for you?

    Enjoy!

    Cocoa’s notes:
    In the Singaporean Asian culture, following parents’ wishes is a form of showing filial piety and respect. One usually does not confront others much, especially not elderly. If one will not die from doing something, then just do it.

  • RSAF Black Knights Performing the SG50 Golden Jubilee Aerial Display on 9 August 2015

    RSAF Black Knights Performing the SG50 Golden Jubilee Aerial Display on 9 August 2015

    Above Our Heads

    I will remember watching fighter jets up close for a long time more. I am still replaying the most memorable moments in my head, so afraid that I might forget them one day.

    These are a couple of displays that I managed to catch on my social media:

    These are the professionally taken ones:

    Have you been to an airshow? Do you enjoy watching aeroplanes?

    Enjoy!

  • Flower of the Day – August 10, 2015 – Bamboo Orchid | cocoaevenings

    Flower of the Day – August 10, 2015 – Bamboo Orchid | cocoaevenings

    I had unwittingly taken a week-long break from posting Flower of the Day. I must have had subconsciously counted down to the long weekend over here.

    Today is the last day of the long weekend, so I will celebrate it with an orchid, the Bamboo Orchid.

    bamboo-orchid-singapore-gardens-by-the-bay

    I briefly mentioned that orchids are arguably my favourite flower because my national flower is an orchid, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. But had I also say that my mother loves orchids? I have never asked her for a reason, though.

    Regardless, orchids are alluring, are they not? They look like dancers in the wind. The purple frills of the Bamboo Orchid look like the linings of a ballroom dress.

    Today, share your favourite flower with me!

    Feel free to leave a link to your Instagram, Twitter, blog post, Flickr, etc, if that is where your flower photo is.

    Enjoy!

    Cocoa’s notes:

    The Papilionanthe Singapore Golden Jubilee! has been created by the Singapore Botanic Gardens to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday on 9 August 2015.

  • Share Your World – 2015 Week #31 – SG50 Golden Jubilee Long Weekend in Singapore | cocoaevenings

    Share Your World – 2015 Week #31 – SG50 Golden Jubilee Long Weekend in Singapore | cocoaevenings

    In response to Cee’s Photography Share Your World tag.

    Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures?

    Take pictures! You will see from my pictures.

    Where do you like to vacation?

    Sea, sand, and Sun! You would have realised from my photos too! =D

    If you had to describe your day as a traffic sign, what would it be?

    120px-Singapore-Road-Signs-Information-Sign-Expressway-Distance-Marker-PostI would describe my day using the Expressway Name and Distance Marker sign. I had rushed from one place to another throughout the day. I met my beautician for facial then I went home to shower and change before rushing to take out enough food for my friends and rushed over to the friends’ gathering.

    I needed to look up my Basic Theory Test book for this. I checked out the Road Signs in Singapore on Wikipedia as well.

    This question posed a great challenge for me! Very interesting.

    List at least five favorite first names.

    Ah, yes! Beautiful question. Aurora, Calista, Ophelia, Alex/Alexa, Rain/Raine/Rayn.

    Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

    Four days of the weekend as it was a public holiday on Friday, and it will be a public holiday this coming Monday.

    Happy Birthday, Singapore!

    youth-celebrate-sg50-happy-birthday-singapore-50th-golden-jubilee-national-indoor-stadium-sportshub-kallang

    Regardless the occasion, all of us could do with more rest days! =D

    Enjoy!

    ***

    Click the banner below to find out more about Share Your World tag and participate.

    cee-photography-share-your-world-tag-banner

    Also, read Cee’s Share Your World response this week.

    [Photo: Taken at Youth Celebrate, National Indoor Stadium @ Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore, 2015.]

  • Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: 2015 Week 31 – Anchor in the sand | cocoaevenings

    Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: 2015 Week 31 – Anchor in the sand | cocoaevenings

    In response to Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: 2015 Week 31.

    The sight of this anchor that was dragged a little in the soft sand is odd because I still cannot pinpoint what about it caught my attention. Like how Cee describes oddball, such a sight fits into no category, and I cannot bring myself to delete it.

    anchor-in-the-sand-phuket-island-thailand

    The anchor could have drawn me over because an anchor is one of my mother’s favourite symbols. My mom likes seagulls and anchors.

    The anchor could have pulled me in because it resembles a cross. Crosses resonate with me somewhat because I attended a Catholic school for six years.

    The anchor could have caught my sight because it was new to me. I never see anchors in my urban surroundings since they belong to a class of objects that appear in the media and textbooks in the city.

    The anchor could have attracted me because of the pattern created in the sand as the boat drew it along.

    The anchor could have brought me over because it was rusty, and I am curious about a whole rusted anchor.

    I cannot pinpoint why I took this photo, but I cannot delete it. What an oddball!

    Are anchors a familiar sight to you?

    Click the banner below to find out more about Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge.

    cee-photography-odd-ball-photo-challenge

    Enjoy!

  • Fallen autumn leaves undulating wonderfully

    Fallen autumn leaves undulating wonderfully

    In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Beneath Your Feet.”

    I experienced autumn for the first time in my life in Nagoya, Japan. I live in a country that is almost on the equator of the Earth, so I do not go through four seasons a year where I live.

    On the day that I took this photo, I was completely immersed in the mystical feel of the park near Nagoya Castle. I felt like I was in an Enid Blyton story where the leaves and branches grew so dense and spread so wide to form a canopy over where I stood. I had walked into a tunnel built by naturally growing trees.

    Yellow leaves covered the ground completely. The sight was alluring. And I was so attracted that I took off my fleece glove, placed my camera on the ground, and pressed the shutter button.

    fallen autumn leaves in nagoya japanI was so surprised to find the leaves undulating wonderfully. The world is so different when seen from this angle!

    I even managed to capture the solitary statue in the distance.

    What lies beneath your feet? Have you experienced autumn? What was most memorable about your autumn?

    Enjoy!

    [Photo: Taken at Nagoya, Japan, 2013.]