Danzation 2014 | Appreciation Post

Hey!

It's quite late but I really really want to post this up for these special people whom I would want to thank.

First up, of course I would like to thank the entire Love segment <3. I never would have thought to have such strong and awesome bonds with these people because even though I was also in Love last year, it didn't feel that much bonded, but this year, it was the total opposite and I love it. Basically, it takes two hands to clap. I feel that our choreographers, Lester, Krisha and Brandon, were so encouraging and patient with us. They were too nice for our own good actually but I'm glad we managed to turn this kindness into strength when we're on stage. All those tears we shed beforehand definitely did not go to waste because it turned into tears of joy at the end of it. Thank you so much for this experience and a group where I can finally call family <3

LOVE SEGMENT x FANTASTIC FOUR

SLUT CLUB!!!
Personally my favourite item, ya'll are so bubbly and sexy to bits. Thank you Brandy for bringing us up so damn well. 

Secondly, I would like to thank Media Team for being so awesome at everything you all do. At first we were split into teams of website, design, photography and videography but over time there were more and more things to do. Like Isabelle and I were supposed to do scripting as well which was weird because we both did not have any prior experience in that and all and suddenly we have to be all creative and write in a stage production perspective. But part of this experience was all about trying new things and growing from it. So even though it was terrifying, I really learnt a lot from this experience and working directly with Alex (Principal of NRA), Jiajun (Awesome Alumni) and Sarah (President of NRA) was really an honour because one year ago I was just a girl in NRA who was not involved in anything and nobody knew me but at least now I know that people are willing to give me a chance for the job. 

Of course there are times when I feel absolutely useless especially with market spoilers like Nana, she is really the goddess of LED. I cannot fathom the amount of stress she had to face during the last two weeks to Danzation. And of course Kaiying and Sha. They are truly the mind, body and soul of media. I feel that, the team was being led by true leaders and they are really inspirational. When I see them working so hard, it really wakes me up and like, try and do my best because when I think I have a truckload of work on my table, I look at them like, they have a freaking Mount Everest of work to do. So, I'm really thankful and so happy to see it all come together as one during the shows. Diana's videos were also super amazing. Even though I couldn't see what she was thinking during the filming, but when I saw the video, I was like, damn, so that was what you were thinking about this whole time. It was really fun doing the makeup and script for the prevideo as well. Like I said, this was a truly new and awesome experience. Thank you so much Media Team for doing so well and so good. You all are amazing!

From left to right: YunRong, Isabelle, Nana, Kaiying, Sha.
Missing Lucas and Diana

Media being cute and all that jazz

Thirdly, this is not really a thank-you post but more of a shoutout I-care-about-you post. So, this goes to my girl Beatryce. All this while, I've never thought that you were so wild. My initial impression of her was just quiet, anti-social and shy. But ever since Love practices started, were started talking and clicking. That wasn't it though because during the Love segment 'talk', we all started to understand each other's backgrounds and realise why certain people act a certain way. I just want you to know its okay to cry, it's okay to be broken because you are flawesome (flaw + awesome). It really broke my heart girl. It broke my heart even more to see your knee all wrapped up in a cast looking thing. Everyone was so worried if you will be able to recover in time for the show. And two days before show day 1, you asked in the Love chat, who wants to replace you because you can't perform for Burlesque. When I read that, I just thought, like your injury was so bad it took away an opportunity on stage but on another hand, I thought like since I'm already here at Kallang and since no one else is here to learn it, I might as well grasp this opportunity to join the Limited Edition item. And for this opportunity I would like to thank you for being so honorable. Because if it was someone else with that nasty ligament injury, that person will still go ahead with the item and hurt himself/herself even more. But I really give you my respect because you really respected your body enough that you are willing to give up this item so that you will still be able to do well in the other Love items. You are awesome. 

Following up on that, I learnt the Limited Edition item quickly and happily in a day at Kallang. It was a new and terrifying experience but I'm really happy I did it and from the start to the end, I was thinking of how Beatryce would do it if she hadn't given up her spot. I really felt that I honoured her and did her proud. Thank you Beats and thank you Burlesque for being welcoming to the Love girls. 

JOELLE who revised with me the Limited Ed item many many times right before the show <3

Pretty Beatsssss

BURLESQUE x LOVE x LIMITED EDITION 

Lastly, I would like to thank all those who came and supported me. Like TeamDeep, Joanna, Clare, Hannah and Siman and hopefully more. But yeah, I hope we delivered a really good show and that ya'll had an amazing time watching us. 

Joanna <3

TEAM DEEP <3 Thanks for the baby Christmas tree

Overall, thank you NRA for this awesome and fantastic production. I've learnt so much and grown alot during this course of time. Just want to thank everyone who was there and working hard as a whole. Hope to see everyone again soon :)

JUNIORs & SENIORs with Summer, Fredy and Desiree 

Cheers,

Yun Rong ♔

FMS Study Trip // Korea Beauty Haul

Hey!

(This is a very delayed post.) If you have read my previous post, I spent 10 days in Korea on a study trip and really really enjoyed my time there. It didn't really feel like a study trip though. It felt like I was on a holiday with friends hahaha. Anyway, during the trip, I got very close to four lovely girls: Valencia (my roomie), Clare, Constance and Isabelle. We can get angsty or restless at times, but at the end of the day, we were really happy with each other and the trip. I miss korea so much :(

On Day 7, after visiting the Korean Film Archive and Korean Academy of Film Arts, we were given the chance to go to Hongdae Shopping Street. The first thing that came to our minds were... STYLE NANDA and 3CE. So we immediately went there first. It was quite deep inside Hongdae but with the help of Valencia, we managed to find it. The clothes were so expensive so I didn't buy anything. I bought a lip lacquer from 3CE because to be honest, there are so many other cosmetic brands with prices that are so much cheaper, but I wanted to give 3CE a go. 

On Day 8, after visiting Chung Ang University (best university for media in Korea), we were allowed to go to Shin Chon University Street for shopping. We were really excited but sad because Valencia and I didn't bring enough money for shopping. But anyway, still bought many stuff from there because it was so easy to find decent clothing (better than bugis) for only 5000 or 10000 won which is about SGD$6 and $12. How awesome is that??

So after these two days, these are the stuff that I bought:

On Day 9, it was the shopping street we were looking forward to the most even before the trip: Myeongdong!!! I got so much stuff from there I swear. Every alley, there will be like at least 5 cosmetic stores. I love how cheap the cosmetics are in Korea. The only thing I hate about Myeongdong is that the promoters tend to go overboard and pull customers in. Like, they literally pull. I find it really rude but I guess sales competition is really high there that's why they tend to resort to these tactics.

Anyway, after all the shopping, this is the final picture of everything I bought! Including snacks and merchandise!

For cosmetics only:

The Koreans are really generous with their samples and sachets!

Skincare products 

First row from left:

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off - about 6000-8000 won 
Nature Republic Hawaiian Fresh Clay Pack (mask) - 10000 won
Tony Moly Blackhead Steam Balm - 8800 won
Too Cool For School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack - 2 for 12000 won
The Face Shop the Smim eye cream - 33000 won
Nature Republic Original Power Refirming Ampoule (serum) - 9900 won (amazing price)
The Face Shop Green Tea Serum - 12900 won

Second row from left: 

Etude House Pearl Sheet Mask and Etude House Aloe Sheet Mask - 9500 won (20 sheets)
Sheet masks samples - free
Etude House Rice Ceramide set includes toner, emulsion and cream - 13700 won

The prices for Etude House prices are really awesome, they are super affordable!

Make-up products

First row from left:

Etude House eyebrow pencil in brown - 4000 won

Etude House pencil eyeliner in brown - 4000 won

Etude House pencil eyeliner in black - 4000 won

Etude House lipliner in dark red - 2000 won

Etude House lipliner in red - 2000 won

Etude House Mascara for curl - 4000 won

Aritaum Full Cover Concealer Stick - 7000 won

Aritaum Full Cover Concealer Cream - 6000 won

Skinfood Aloe BB cream - 12000 won

Skinfood Black Egg Pore Gel Base - 7000 won

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Moisture Mist - 5600 won

Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura Make-up Mist - about 8000 won

Second row from left:

Too Cool For School BB cream Travel Size - 4000 won

Tony Moly Eye primers - 3000 won each

Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bars - about 4000 won each

The Face Shop My Lips Eat Cherry Aqua Tint in Juicy Red - about 4000 won

Etude House Dear My Enamel Gloss - about 5000 won

3CE Lip Lacquer Dahlia - 18900 won

3CE Lip Lacquer Desert Flower - 18900 won

Nature Republic By Flower Essence - about 5000 won

Nature Republic Hawaiian Fresh Pore Pact SPF 25 PA++ - 8800 won

That's all for cosmetics!

My top 5 buys would be:

Aritaum Concealer Cream, simply because the coverage is really really good. Its really full coverage in a big tube. 

Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura Make-up Mist because I don't think my skin could have survived without it during the trip. It not only sets the make-up, it hydrates the skin without ruining the make-up too. 

Nature Republic Hawaiian Fresh Clay Pack because it just smells so good despite its weird colour and having clay in it. I haven't tried it but I hope I will not be disappointed! 

Nature Republic Original Power Refirming Ampoule (serum) simply because of its price. 9900 won for a refirming serum is really awesome. I actually got this for my mom. But the price is really great and affordable for such a great product. 

Lastly, all Etude House products are amazing because the price is super cheap! Look at all the make-up product prices! Especially when you have Etude House outlets in Singapore, you can really compare the prices. 

However, I sort of regret getting the 3CE lip lacquers. I don't know. I really love the colours and all but the staying power is really bad. Like, it fades off in patches and at the end of the day it will look horrible. So, if you're a lazy person like me, I suggest you to purchase their matte lipsticks rather than their lip lacquer. For the price of 18900 won, it's really not worth to me. I really wish I could go back there and purchase their blood red matte lipstick instead of the lip lacquer :< but oh well. 

Anyway, I was thinking if I should do a clothes haul for this trip but decided to do a beauty one first because it's Korea where cosmetics are like everywhere. 

Really really miss Korea right now. Ladies, I really urge you to go Korea for shopping at least once. 

Great places for shopping: Myeongdong, Hongdae, ShinChon University Street (tons of cheap clothes and socks), Insadong (traditional stuff and souvenirs) and Dongdaemun which we couldn't go unfortunately. 

I enjoyed writing this post, hope you enjoyed it too :)

Cheers,

Yun Rong ♔

FMS Korea Study Trip // Highlights

Hey!

I'm back from Korea! The trip was really really awesome. I miss the atmosphere, weather, shopping and everything there. It is actually my second time in Korea! Even though it was a study trip, it really didn't feel like one (in a good way). Spent the 10 days there bonding with four lovely girls: Valencia (roomie), Clare, Constance and Isabelle. We may have angsty and bimbo moments but that makes the experience even more amazing.

I tried starting on a non-summarised version of this post but there were simply too many pictures to fit in so I decided to do a 'highlights' post. It's going to be a long post but I'll let the pictures do the talking :)

Day 0 - Changi Airport

Airport fashion with matching army green outerwears getting ready for check-in and departure

Day 1 - Incheon Airport > Seoul Station > Busan

Seoul square opposite Seoul station

Travelling on the KTX train from Seoul to Busan

Reached Busan in time for Korean BBQ dinner near some fish market

Day 2 - Hanhwa Resort > Youngsan University > Haedong Yonggungsa Temple > YSU Festival

Enjoying the morning view from Hanhwa Resort 

Outside Youngsan University

This was on one of the screens in the control room

Sea breeze by Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Looks like a family photo right? The stones are real!

Managed to catch 4-minute's performance at the Youngsan University Festival! The atmosphere was so good!

Day 3 - Dongseo University > Busan Film Studios > Kkanbu Chicken

At Dongseo University! 

The view from Dongseo University's open space. The insides look quite plain so I'm not gonna post any pictures from there

This was taken at their cafe. It can double up as a comic book library too!

Me trying to be studious again

Love this shot with my roomie, Valencia

Headed to Busan Cinema Studios. The insides were run down and I felt it needed renovation.

Went for dinner at Kkanbu Chicken and had fried chicken and beer! Perfect Korean dinner :)

Day 4: Busan International Film Festival

Valencia, Clare and I on the red carpet. Managed to watch two movies in a Korean cinema!!!

InStyle The Red Carpet at Shinsegae. Apparently it was the premiere of a drama series? There were so many people there! 

Actually melting because of the scorching sun

Day 5: Busan Tower > Kamcheon Cultural Village > Thread of Lies

Busan tower

Cute locks and acrylics on the fence in front of the Busan tower

Panorama of the view from Busan Tower

With Isabelle and Clare enjoying the view

Cute heart shaped photo place!

Walking down Kamcheon Cultural Village!

Enjoying our slushies!

Love this photo with FMS director, Ms Anita Kuan (extreme right)

Caught 'Thread of Lies' with our BIFF ticket and the guest appearance at the end

Day 6: EVERLAND!!!

Everland tickets!

Reindeer :3

Love this shot of Isabelle and the rays.

The T-express really looks dangerous 

Queueing up for the T-express!!!!

Let's Twist!

Eating ice-cream in the cold. Awesome job.

It's like Halloween Horror Night in Everland!

Cute Halloween Parade!

So unfortunately, Constance and I lost the other three of our group and we missed the fireworks because we actually went to the main entrance thinking that they would meet us there. But oh well, heard the fireworks were even better than the national day parade. Would have posted pics if I was there... Oh well, Everland was still amazing with or without the fireworks.

ALSO, I can't believe I took the T-express twice. TWICE. First time in the second row, second time in the first row!!! AT NIGHT! It was so scary at first, but the second one was so fun. I learnt to appreciate it already. LOVED IT. It was my very first time sitting right the front too. We sat all the thrilling rides, like T-express, Let's Twist, Viking ship, Rolling X-train, and Double Rock-spin (crazy ride). We didn't take the Hurricane though because we felt it wasn't thrilling enough.

Day 7: Korean Film Archive > Korean Healthfood Restaurant > Korean Academy of Film Arts > Hongdae Shopping Street!!!

Korean Film Archive

Cool stuff like being able to play and watch the actual film

Office people in Seoul. They look really photogenic here.

Had Ginseng Chicken for lunch!

Korean Academy of Film Arts: quite a small school with only 24 students

Surprisingly good shot of Valencia at the tiny balcony/smoking corner of KAFA

Went to Hongdae's Style Nanda and 3CE!!!!!

Beautiful Style Nanda

Cosmetic haul will be up soon!!!

Day 8: KBS On! > Chung-ang University > Shinchon University Shopping Street

3D glasses for concert!

Amazing piece of art outside Times Square

Gifts from Chung-ang University! They are super welcoming! No.1 university in Korea for media!

Picture with our student leader, Hyun Joo! (i think his name is spelt like that)

Picture with our other student leader, Daniel! (all the girls are spazzing about him and his charms)

See the pink girl in the middle? She's Minnhee! (not sure if I spelt it correctly)

I love Chung-ang. Great atmosphere and study environment.

Enjoyed cheap shopping at Shinchon University Street. Lovely grape candy snack!

Dinner!!! Forgot what this is called ><

Day 9: White house > Gyeongbokgung palace > Insadong > Myeongdong!!!

The view while we were visiting the White House museum place

In the museum

Love this shot. Beautiful scenery.

Love the gradient sky and how foreign this picture looks.

First and only selfie with Alvin. My groupmate from previous FMS Malacca leadership trip.

The palace is huge (duh)

Guard in beautiful costume

Constance and Isabelle having the U-shaped ice-cream at Insadong! I couldn't eat it because I was unfortunately sick.

MYEONGDONG! Every street and alley has cosmetic stores. It's heaven. 

See what I mean. It's even more crowded and filled with pushcart stores at night!

My haul post will be up real soon! I bought a shit load of stuff :D

Day 10: Kimchi School > Incheon Airport > Changi Airport

Kimchi School!

Salted cabbage with kimchi sauce (contains lots of ingredients and spices)

Wrapped my own kimchi! It will be donated to the needy :)

Hanbok <3

Foreign.

Journalism team!!!

Best shabu shabu I've ever tried. Last meal in Korea :'( 

Bibimbap with the freshest vegetables!

Would love to thank this amazing woman who was like a mother to me: Noriko! She took care of everyone so well! Especially when I was sick, she made sure she gave me the right medicine and would check on me everytime she sees me. She's so much better than the other tour guide hahaha.

Time to go :'(

Funny moments I forgot to add: 

1) All five of us alighted one stop earlier when we were on our way back to Hanhwa resort on the second day. We were practically stranded at that station and were so anxious. Now that I think about it, it's super hilarious. Luckily we managed to get onto the last train. Embarrassing part was, the whole group was waiting for us to get back. Guilty af.

2) Valencia actually spilled slushie on her hair when we were at Kamcheon Cultural Village. She was trying to catch her hat from flying away and forgot she was holding a cup of slushie. Then shit happened, and she realised her hair was covered in slushie ice. hahahaha I went to the toilet with her to wash her hair. Hilarious.

3) Making fun of the tour guide. I'm so sorry but he was really funny and we couldn't resist it. We just could not understand 3/4 of what he was saying. Hence.. ya hahaha.

4) Diamond Hotel sucks. We stayed there on day 4. There was actually a night club at the basement. Our room looked like it was used for prostitutes and their customers. The sofa was so old and the wall behind the bed looked like it had stains of c**. It was so bad and one of the beds was strategically placed directly in front of a mirror. The toilet was so bad, it was so old and creepy. It had like old ass tiles and a bath tub with a rusty bottom sink thing. The shower head was older than ever. We had to manually press the button every time we wanted the water to come out. I had the door opened while I was bathing. God, it was horrid.

Well, all good things come to an end. I really really enjoyed this trip and would definitely love to come back for the third time. I will definitely remember this trip and the awesome moments with my girls. 

My next post will be a beauty haul! Can't wait to post it up ^^!

Cheers,

Yun Rong ♔