A Closure To 2017

As 2017 is coming to an end, I've decided to write down some of the highlights that has happened. I know many have already posted their yearly recap/reflections on instagram or insta-story, but personally I feel its better to write it here and leave it as it is. 10 years down the road, I can come back and read at my hideous grammar and vocab. LOL!

Let's take a look back at what I wrote for my new year resolutions back in January 2017. http://www.donnlicious.com/2017/01/thank-you-2016.html

1: Continue To Stay Fit & Maintain My Physics
2: Travel At Least Twice
3: Keep In Contact With My Friends More
4: Continue To Blog More
5: To Attend More Events
6: To Achieve Something Great In Life

I can't help but to feel ashamed of myself. HAHAHAHA! Cause I barely even achieve half of it. But I'm glad that I manage to travel 3-4 times this year, that is if you wanna include army overseas exercise as one of it. Haha! And also putting in more effort into my meet up with friends.

Now let's have a quick recap to some of the 2017 highlights shall we?

EAT.SHOP.PLAY at 313@somerset

Wow, in a blink of an eye it's already the 4th challenge. For this week, it's all about spending the day at 313@somerset aka the Lifestyle Challenge. But there's a twist, the finalists were all given random alphabets and are required to only go to shops with those alphabets on it. So for example if I got "O" as one of my alphabets, I would have to go to shops starting with "O". For instance, "Old Chang Kee", and/or "OWNDAYS". In addition, we need to come up with minimum 4 activities to do at 313@somerset.

For me, I've gotten the alphabets (C. D. J. L. U. Y). It was hard initially because most of the shops with the alphabets that I was given revolves around F&B, so it got me thinking quite hard as to how I'm going to come out with 4 activities to do at the 313@somerset, because I can't be possibly eating for the whole entire day right? But thanks to my friend Angie (@YourApplePie) who happens to be a lifestyle blogger herself, she manage to give me some ideas as to how to make the idea and plan flow. So without further ado, let's get started with this post shall we?








What Is Tring 313?
Tring 313 is a mobile application that brings users a revolutionary service that utilizes location-based targeting technology. It is available on iOS devices (iPhones, iPods and iPads) and helps users discover exclusive offers and promotions from over 170 retailers within 313@somerset, within walking distance from your current location.

How To Use The Tring 313 Mobile App?
First you have to download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, (Tring313). Then, you can sign up via FaceBook account (which I did), and allow it to detect your location. Voila, you're done.

Most importantly, the app is FREE for download. Browse offers/deals and to receive application alerts. Once the app has been installed in your iOS device, you will be able to search for offers/deals that you would like to download/purchase. Payment can be made through PayPal or Credit Card.

For more information about the Tring 313 Mobile App, you can click on the link here: http://www.313somerset.com.sg/general/tring-313-faqs to find out more.










That summarize my day at 313@somerset. It's definitely a fun experience shopping with only the alphabets given to us. Furthermore, using the Tring 313 mobile app has allowed me to receive and check for deals and offers whenever I'm near 313@somerset's vicinity.

So to conclude this post, here are the list of activities that I did at 313@somerset.
1. Have breakfast to start off your day
2. Shop for a head to toe outfit for the next day of work and/or school
3. Take OOTD at Instagram worthy place
4. Lunch break at Basement 3
5. Great deals from Tring 313 offers and coupons.
6. Stress relieve at Cocoa Colony
7. Gather your friends together for some catch up session
8. Takeaway food to get ready for the next day

Shops Featured.
C - Cotton On, Coco Ichibanya, Churro101, Challenger, Cocoa Colony, Chir Chir Fusion Chicken Factory, Candy Empire, CHARLES & KEITH (In Video)

D - Duke Bakery, Deen Xpress (In Video)

J - JiBiru Craft Beer Bar (In Video)

L - LE Underground/L.E WAY, Love Bonito, Lacoste (In Video)

U - umisushi (Post and Video)

Y - Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Yayoiken, Yoogane, Yoshinoya (Post and Video)

Before I end off this post, here's the video that I did for Challenge 4. It's the first time I step out of my comfort zone to sing and act in front of the public, so pardon me if I look like a awkward penguin. So anyways, here's the video. Enjoy. :)

Satisfy your wanderlust with promo codes and more with Shopback!

[Review]

Me being a shopaholic, I'll always be on the lookout for cheap deals whenever I'm buying my stuff. Be it online or at the malls. Recently, I've been doing alot of online shopping for clothes and accessories at ASOS and what made me realise is I could have saved so much money if I've used ShopBack.

Thank You 2016

Its the time of the year where I sit down and really think about what I've achieved. To be honest, because I'm still serving my NS, its hard for me to really do the things that I really want cuz my life is pretty restricted. But nevertheless, lets take a look back at what I wrote in hopes to achieve in 2016.

http://www.donnlicious.com/2016/01/01012016.html

- To Be Fitter
Honestly, I really think I've become fitter as compared to last year. I mean, I'm really proud of myself that I make it a habit to run 5km after for at least 2 times a week. So... *Pats on my shoulder*

- Travel at least twice this year
Managed to tick this off my bucket least as I traveled to Korea alone back in June and Vietnam with my platoon mates in November.

- Blog more
Sadly I didn't fulfil this cuz everytime when I book out from camp I'll be so tired to even turn on my laptop. Furthermore having to sort out my photos and edit them and crafting out the content that I want to write. Even if I do, its some "CHAPALANG" kind of post which I kinda regret posting them. But oh wells.

- Spend more time with family
Thankfully, army made me so tired that I don't really want to get out of my house. All I want is just to "nua" at home and spend some quality time with my family. This year, I manage to spend my Christmas and New Year holiday with them, so I'm really really proud of myself on achieving this. :)

- Start thinking about what I want to do in life
This is the one that keeps me thinking. Cuz till now, I still don't know what I want. My friend(s) have all asked about what I want to do after army, any thoughts on further studying, etc etc. Frankly speaking, I really don't know...

Happy 21st Birthday XiiaoNic

Somewhere in the month of November we celebrate our XiiaoNicole's 21st birthday. It was by far one of the prettiest and well thought birthday parties I've been to and I can see that all the effort that Nicole puts into finally paid off.













I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed themselves at Nicole's party. I mean, the food is nice, the place is nice. Everything is just... NICE! Saw some familiar faces over there and its the perfect time to catch up with one another.

24 September 2016

From the continuation of my previous post -> birthday month of how much I'm bragging about my friends celebrating and remembering my birthday. YES! This is the 2nd part of the post well cuz I have THAT many friends. Okay I kid, I don't. But anyways, on 24th September I turned 24, but me being me I'm super denial and I keep telling people and posting on my social media that I'm #Sweet16.

So on that very day I met up with Joyce, Fenny BaeBae, MyApplePai, Ruoxuan, Weijie, Kaizhi, and Limei which we, together with some other group of friends affectionally call ourselves #Cousins but due to some unforeseen circumstances I don't call us that anymore. #illegagathering sounds nicer.

So I met the above mentioned (excluding Limei) at town area whereby we just walked around and catch up with one another. After which, the plan was to have some desserts at the Craftholic pop up store located at School Of The Arts, SOTA in short. But because the cafe have such poor customer management we were told that dine in was closed for the day. What a bummer! To kill some time, I had my personal manager -> @YourApplePie to help me take my #OOTD shots cuz SOTA has nice backdrop that is insta worthy. LOL!!!



After we're done taking our ootd's, we went back to find the rest. So when I was about to put down my stuff, I saw Ruoxuan's eyes was like looking sideways not knowing what to do. As in, she looked flustered if you want to put it that way. It was kinda funny though cuz she looked equally confused as well. After that Ruoxuan started singing the Happy Birthday song and followed by the rest. Seconds later I saw Joyce walking to me with a birthday cake with a glitter candle on top (I NEED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ITS GLITTER OKAY!!!)

By the way the candle is still inside my earpiece pouch. They told me to keep it and reuse it next year. #Determination (Muscle Emoji)

I was super duper touched cuz it has been awhile since I last saw them. Probably close to a year already, some even more than a year. So to share my joy I decided to share my cake with all of them. The boys were pretty reluctant cuz well, they prefer girls to feed them. But whatever, we're fronds, nothing to be shy or afraid of.



After having some "ME" time, we proceed on with the plan for that day. UNCLE RINGO CARNIVAL!!! I'm abit excited but yet I don't want to have high expectations cuz #expectationsVSreality. Carnival sounds like a pretty fun and interesting "term" but when you get to see the actual thing.... Nah, not so.

So when we arrived at Beauty World, Limei finally met us and I was presented with a box of 12 cupcakes. Hehe! THANK YOU LIMEI!!!

We saw the carnival which from far looked pretty promising. Until we walked one round and think that the prizes for the games and such are pretty meh. What was fun about the carnival was that we all spam our cameras taking shots after shots after shots. We even got the attention from the public when I was taking this photo below of Kaizhi and Weijie carrying me. Hahaha!!!



It was hella fun and we didn't even spend a single cent. It was just pure fun spending time together with your friends. After that, we head on for dinner at some "Zi Char" stall it was a birthday treat from the crew.

You know, I've never thought that I would make friends with people I know online. Furthermore we barely know each other in the beginning. From strangers to people you meet at events and on to friends and now to what we are. Throughout this whole journey it was a bumpy ride. We fought, argued but we look past it and still remain as good friends. This, I truly appreciate it.

Thank you all for your love and care all these years. To some, 7 years may be short. But to me, time doesn't determine a friendship. Its about how both parties juggle their time. If they care, they will. Even if both parties only meet once a year, you'll still end up having countless topics to talk, and endless things to laugh about. Words are not enough to express how thankful and grateful I am of each and everyone of you. Even the simplest "happy birthday" message puts a smile on my face. The thought of people remembering your birthday is just special. It makes me feel special. Be it Blogger Friends, Army Mates, Poly, ITE, Secondary, Primary school friends or my Family. Thank you guys so so much. :')

For the fun, peace, love and joy. 

Happy Birthday to me. 

#donnygaoSweet16

Drey's 21st

Blog Evolution

Hello. I've been wanting to write about this topic for the longest time, just that I don't have time to go slowly get all the photos and upload it. Now I've got the time, I thought why not just get it over and done with?

So, what triggered me to write this blog post is because I was wondering, who the hell still read blogs nowadays? And from the time I've started blogging till date, I've seen many come and go. Many started, but not many stayed. Well what I mean is that not a lot of people actually have the patience and time to continue to update their blogs and eventually they just left it there. Or some, they just closed down their blogs. I want to write about how I feel regarding this "blogging" industry and how time has changed everything.

Remember back in the days, the only bloggers I knew was Benjamin and his brother Randy (Typicalben & Randyys). Shawn (shavvn), Andy (ANdyStorm), Jayden Tan (Jaylief), Alton Keh (AltonKeh), Fauzi Rassull (fauzirasull) - Singapore's Only Male Bitch, and some of my circle of male blogger friends like Weijie (vveijie), Meldric (Sexy-Swisz), Hong Peng (hpility). As for female, you don't say cuz same as to modeling (CHEH MODEL SEH!!!) its more of a female dominated industry. The female bloggers I know of was Xiaxue, Esther Xie (IceAngel), Sheylara (Sheylara), Valerie Lim (Dweam), yes she was called DWEAM back then... Peggy Heng (ThyDowager), Tammy Tay (OhSoFickle), Jessica (Underage-Girl) back then she was called Underage-Girl, until she decided that she was no longer "UNDERAGED" so she rebrand herself as Shiberty, Lao Zhar Bor (in case you don't know who she is, she damn popz one okay!) And of course, some of my circle of female blogger friends such as Joyce (Forest1012 or was it Joyce1012?!?!), Ying Zi (Dream2BreakAway), Wynnette (LilYellowLorry) and Dawn (Dawnrockka). Just to name a few.

So as time pasts, some of them are no longer in the "blogging" industry, but thank god for Instagram. I manage to keep in contact with some of them. (Not sure to be thankful or not) cuz with the birth of instagram, here comes all the "hipster" food/fashion grammers with instant hundreds and thousands over of likes. Ohyah, I totally forgot about Twitter. It was the biggest social media hit back then, until Instagram came about...

Back Then

I was introduced to blogging via this friend of mine during secondary school. She was the one that intro-ed me to this whole blogging thing and to pen down my thoughts cuz well... I was relatively emo in school. Mainly because my previous pet dog passed away and I didn't hand any mood. I was 95% putting my head down and sobbing in class la. LOL And did I mentioned that my previous pet dog shared the same birthday as me?!?!?! So losing him made me really disheartened and depressed for the following month.



Throwback to my very first blog entry. Please, go ahead. Laugh all you want. HAHAHAHAHA! I cringed so much whenever I read the things I wrote in the past. Not forgetting the photos I'd take. I kennot!!!! Like what they all say, we were all once young.



So as time goes, my blog became a ranting ground, a place for me to post my daily updates and narcissism. I don't even know how I can manage to post 2 - 3 posts a day. LOL! Back then I really damn free. Like nothing better to do. LOL!





ANDANDAND
Do you guys remember no one actually uses the comment box on blogs, what we all used was TAGBOARD!!! HAHAHAHA!!! And some muthafuckers would tag you at your tagboard to do something like this.



Moving On
After using blogger for close to a year, I happen to bloghopped till my junior's blog where she had this "I ♥ Nuffnang" or was it just "Nuffnang" tab on her sidebar, so I was quite curious so I clicked on it. I find it rather sketchy cuz my mom told me that there's no free meal on earth and not to trust whatever you see on the internet, I didn't sign up for it. Well but eventually I did cuz I end up asking that junior of mine what's that. LOL!!!

So after which I signed up and I put that "Nuffnang" tab on my sidebar. I began receiving emails from them regarding movie invites and blogging contests. This is when I found that passion to do up good blogposts so that I can win those god damn contests.




I remember how excited I'll be and I'll always ask my friend (Qianyi) to help me with taking pictures and filming for most of my contests entry. :)

My First Ever Monetary Win
That was when I didn't believe what my mom said about never to trust what the internet says. Cuz what Nuffnang says is all true. LOL!!! I know $50 is not a lot but to be able to win some *KA-CHINGGG* online... Its something worth showing off. Hahaha!




I went for Singapore's first ever bloggers flashmob party located at "The Heeren" where Xiaxue, Jessica , Esther Xie, and some many other bloggers were there as well. Spot me at 1;59, lol!!!




After that, I begin joining more and more contests. LIKE EVERY SINGLE CONTEST EMAIL I RECEIVE I'LL BE LIKE... JOIN!!!

LOLOLOL!!!
But its not a everytime thing cuz everyone have their "day". So when I did not win or anything I'll always tell myself to try harder next time.

My Very First Big Win
So I took part in so many contests that I could barely remember which one I took part in. One day I was having lessons, and I receive a sms from Hong Peng telling me that I won 2nd prize for my Singtel's Live Life Online Anywhere With Singtel Mobile Broadband. I was shock cuz 2nd prize was a iPod Touch if I'm not wrong... Rushed home, and on my computer immediately to check my email. INDEED!!! I WON!!! I was flabbergasted!!! My whole body was shaking in disbelief but yet I'm happy at the same time...





My Next Big Win
Next up was this Chinese New Year blog contest, where we are required to blog about how we could spend an entire day at The Grand Cathay. This one was tough cuz many people took part, even the strong ones like Andy. So I got help from Meldric and Qianyi to film and take pictures for my blog entry. I still remember how I was having time restriction cuz I was having my internship, so I was pretty much occupied most of the days.

But nevertheless... I WON AGAIN!!! Yes, 2nd place again....This time round, a Blackberry Bold 2. If I'm not wrong, its quite expensive to own a blackberry back then... One would simply costs near to $700 - $800?!?! Or maybe more???






After Which
All these contests started dying down and I've also stopped updating my blog. It was more or less dead, but I never had the thought of closing it down, just leaving it there would be a better choice, cuz in case one day I wanna look back and write again...

CNOS/CNOS 2.0
I decided to take part in Cineleisure's Next Online Sensation back in 2012. Probably the biggest hit in the blogging scene cuz A LOT of popz people are taking part and it was overly subscribed if I'm not wrong. I decided to take part in this competition together with Fenny (fennyhwang) and Yingzi (Dream2BreakAway) forming team Y.D.F. I was so excited cuz imagine winning and taking the title. So many pair of eyes will be on you. But sadly, we didn't win. :(



Ohyah, not many people know, but just a little sharing, do you guys know Isabel (prettyfrowns) was also in CNOS 1?!?!?! Yeap, the center one.


Credit: http://lovewithberries.blogspot.sg/2012/03/cineleisures-next-online-sensation.html

A year later, CNOS is back with a second season, this time round with vlogging included in all the challenges, also, its individual instead of competing in teams. This means it will be tougher and more competitive than before. I was having dilemma of whether to join cuz I don't wanna be left disappointed again. Two, its kinda waste of time cuz I remembered during cnos 1, I had to go down to Cineleisure to film almost every single day. But still, I last minutely decided to join.



#THANKYOUGUANYINGMA




I managed to bag home the 1st Runner Up aka 2nd Prize for the contest. (DAYUM 2nd AGAIN!!!) With that, I was also the online brand ambassador for Cathay Cineleisure Orchard for that year. After my win, perks and emails started flowing in and that was probably my best win EVER in my whole blogging scene. After that, I set my mind that I should continue to update this blog whenever possible. That's why you see the constant updates and better quality pictures now.

THOUGHTS
With the overflowing of new generations of social media savvy people coming in, I'm afraid that this whole blog thing will soon die down. Now we have our mobile phones with us and with apps like Snapchat and Instagram taking over the world, its like no one really bothers to read blogs anymore.

Even when attending media events, I feel that its no longer the same as before. In the past, we would all gather and sit together at some place and chill and talk cock over a cup of coke?!?! LOL Now, we all will just leave and not bother to mingle around.











Back then when Dawn and Wynn were still little secondary school XMM's. When Joyce wasn't so particular about her make up. When Mel had no hair and Weijie had long ass fringe. When Ash was still round and had fringe almost covering his eyes. When Jing Long had cap on top of his head whenever we're out. lololol!!! I miss taking long bus rides home together after an event. I miss talking and catching up on life with one another instead of looking at our phones whenever we meet up. I miss when things were all so simple. I miss the good old times.

Never will I stop writing cuz I'll always remember why I started it. It is to pen down my thoughts. It is to track and retrace back the times where I was foolish and young and the mistakes I've made. If given the opportunity, be thankful. Remember, its a given, not demanded.