oh btw, i'm going friends only. comment to be added.

19 days to the end of exams, 9 days to the start. explains the 9am-9pm stint everyday.

but that is only just one of the reasons why i wish i were anywhere but where i am right now.

selling my 2 year old camera (just sent it for servicing and it has 2 more years of warranty!):



7.1 million pixels
Weatherproof* metal body in four colours: Moonlight Silver, Sunset
Orange, Midnight Black and Twilight Blue
BrightCapture Technology for better low light photography
6.4cm/2.5” LCD
3x zoom lens (equiv. to 37-111mm in 35mm format), 1:3.4-5.7
23 scene modes (incl. Candle, Night Scene, Beach&Snow) plus
Programme Auto mode
Movie function with sound. Recording up to memory capacity
Macro and Super Macro mode for shooting from as little as 8cm
Special editing functions to enhance images and to add creative effects:
e.g. red-eye-fix, adjust brightness, insert frame and/or title
PictBridge compatible
Internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot for new high-speed cards
Multi-language menu plus possibility to download further languages from the
internet
Supplied with Olympus Master Software 1.4 and LI-42B rechargeable battery
Optional Underwater/Outdoor Cases (PT-032/CWPC-02)

Head-turning looks, impressive shooting performance - Enjoy low light photo fun with the Olympus µ [mju:] 700

The 7.1 million pixel Olympus µ [mju:] 700 offers the perfect solution for all those who want to capture the intense excitement of the night. The incorporation of BrightCapture Technology gives this model greatly enhanced low light shooting abilities. One main benefit of BrightCapture is that it strongly reduces the need to use a flash, thereby captured images can truly convey the spirit and atmosphere of those special night time moments. A large 6.4cm LCD further assists users by displaying subjects 4x brighter than conventional LCDs. As with all cameras in the µ [mju:] family, this model is sure to catch a ton of looks. And with its stylish, weatherproof* metal body finished in a choice of four exciting colours – Moonlight Silver, Sunset Orange, Midnight Black and Twilight Blue – there’s sure to be one to match your favourite evening wardrobe while capturing your low light adventures.

The camera’s cool, weatherproof* exterior appeals to the eye through its sleekness and refined curves. 7.1 million pixels ensure crisp and detailed images while a bright 3x optical zoom makes bringing in far-away subjects closer effortless.

Thanks to BrightCapture Technology, sensitivity is enhanced. In this way it’s often possible to shoot perfectly exposed images in low light without needing to resort to the flash. The high-contrast 6.4cm LCD, meanwhile, shows subjects 4x brighter than normal LCDs to make framing in dark conditions considerably easier.

With the versatility of 23 scene modes, the µ [mju:] 700 makes the most out of any photographic situation, from landscape shots all the way through to portraits. In addition, the model’s weatherproof design allows it to be taken outside under most conditions*. For protection against even more extreme outdoor situations, users can obtain the optionally-available outdoor case CWPC-02. And for those wanting to capture striking shots of marine life in up to an amazing 40m depth, Olympus offers the underwater case PT-032.

As well as delivering outstanding results, the µ [mju:] 700 also offers easy operation. Assisting users is a Guide Function that explains different camera functions and menu options directly on the LCD. Photographers are assured long-lasting shooting fun, with an internal memory plus an xD-Picture Card slot for added storage space. Naturally the camera also features a movie function with sound, whereby the recording length is only limited by the available memory.

Incorporating BrightCapture Technology and boasting high performance attributes, the µ [mju:] 700 delivers brilliant results, night and day. Featuring a stylish design and available in a choice of four different colours, this camera is a night owl’s ideal choice.

**Comes with 2 memory cards (512 MB and 1GB).

SELLING FOR S$200! email prislua@gmail.com if interested!

i was actually planning to type a loong long entry about my time in spain thus far (ala wei) and had already uploaded my photos in preparation for the arduous task of blogging.

unfortunately, i got waylaid by researching on bilbao/on spain in general (cos i walked around a lot today and i realised i dunno what al the statutes etc mean)/on flights within spain and its already 130 am! yikes! and tmr ive got to go to the uni/bank to settle my admin stuff.

but anyway, just to let you guys know, im' doing fine in madrid! am loving it here, tho the lang barrier is quite a challenge. my acting/miming skills have increased tremendously. aiyah actually i have a lot to say, but this is just not the right time co si'm damn tired.

will try to have a short day tomorrow so i can spend more time unpacking (still living out of the luggage cos damn lazy to unpack all 46kg worth of stuff!), more itme blogging, more time talking to friends, and more time researching on spain and reading up.

am planning a weekend trip up to bilbao with a friend (on exchange from smu!) so will keep you all updated.

charred: if youre reading this and i dont talk to you before you leave, HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT!!! its really quite fun being on exchange. dont get emo okay OTHERWISE YOU CAN REPLACE ME AS THE EMO QUEEN (tho i really dunno why i'm called that cos i didnt even cry at the airport unlike LEE WEILING and LAN HUISHAN hurhur). i will try to visit you in london soon! the prospect of flying all over the place and visitng people is very appealing!!

and mum: dont worry about me! i even drank redoxon just now haha am taking my vits and fruits and all that. maybe we can skype tmr (4pm your time) so try to be at home OKAY.

alright, time to sleep, night world!

to ever-lasting clingwraps, aluiminum foils and tupperwares:



so THIS is how we say goodbye



because you guys can make me laugh and smile and cry all within the same breath. because we have setpieces for conversation, brutal honesty for late nights, inside jokes for fun, and cake for supper.

wowee didn't realise that i hadn't blogged for so long. its been easy and natural enough, i suppose, to stop myself from prostituting my life on the www, seeing as how i'm beginning to feel that i dont want so many people to be privy to my thoughts and my life, cept for those who really matter of course.

i guess i fear being an open book, i fear people thinking they know me when they're barely scratching the surface, and i fear the idea of pre-conceived notions because who should know better than me that first impressions aren't always what they seem?

ok enough of all this verbosity.

the point of me blogging today is that it suddenly struck me today (due to the culmination of many things happening at the same time i guess) that so many things are changing and i'm starting a lot of things anew.

for one, and a most significant one at that, i reformatted my mac a few days ago and i'm still grappling with the strangely unfamiliar functions and programs on my mac. it feels like the soul of my mac has been replaced-no more sweet, slow & dependable laptop, but its now a sleek, fast & somewhat fierce laptop. its rather bewildering, to say the least.

and well, with today's agm, my term as vp has finally come to a close. feels somewhat strange to no longer wear this hat, to no longer have people call me 'madame vp!', to no longer be part of a larger organisation. not that i'm feeling particularly weepy over it or anything, in fact, i'm not even sure if i'm sad, but there's definitely a sense of loss, which is rather disconcerting.

and of course, with my frantic meet ups with friends + misc running of errands to get this, that and everything + a rather inexplicable feeling of wanting to eat all the famous food in singapore (though i'm sure those joints would still be open 9 months later...), i can all but feel the weight of my impending Departure bearing down on me. going back to school has also been a rather disconcerting experience. everything looks and feels the same, but its just, strangely enough, a little unfamiliar because i'm not walking around school with the knowledge that i have these readings to do or that i need to go for class etc, instead, i'm in school not for school's sake.

and of course, the insane hours that i've been keeping (slept at FIVE am last night cos i was rushing the agm report) and the long days have resulted in me blogging incoherently, in me feeling all kinds of strange emotions, and in me feeling like i'm caught in limbo. i'm neither here not there right now. and i think thats just about the most apt way of describing how i feel right now.

in other news, i seriously need to sit down and plan my packing and what else i need to buy. everything's scattered all over the place and i feel horribly disorganised :((

and to everyone else who has been asking me when i'm leaving, its in TEN DAYS!!!

whenever i face this empty box with the cursor flickering on high, i can almost sense its expectancy, but as usual, words fail me. i never know how to start an entry without sounding empty and vacuous or frivolous and stupid. which is why i hardly blog, really.

i guess it will be better when i blog about my exchange, cos i'd be able to fill up the blanks and spaces with photos of happy people, narrations of my trips, or if all else fails (ie. i have no friends/i dont go travelling at all), pictures of the streets and architecture.

its times like these (like NOW) when i feel like time is crawling by me. the holidays have passed, the hype about exchange has come and gone, and im still here!! not that i'm dying to fly off immediately (or, for that matter, even at all), but it just seems like i've been waiting to leave since forever.

yet, i also know that just in the blink of an eye, 3 months have passed, soon august will fly by and it'll be time for me to leave this sunny sunny island. i am trying to look at it as an adventure, as something to be joyous about, but at every turn, someone is reminding me of how sad i'd feel at leaving those who matter behind. i really am dreading the scene at the airport more than anything else :/

and then of course i had to go stupidly sign up for another internship. to think i thought that i'd be damn free during the month of august :((

its been such a crazy tiring few days :/ lots of pictures coming up (in the next post cos i'm simply too lazy and tired to do anything abt em right now).

today was especially tiring. woke up at frigging 550am for the city walkathon, where i braved the gross and extremely muddy padang (with oodles of mud SQUELCHING through my toes and defacing my trusty havianas :/), the crowds thronging the entire area and battled my irritation down along the way.

evening was spent at sanjee's party, which was really pretty fun. i'm seeing so many of my friends turn 21! yesterday was charry charred's birthday and we had yummilicious homecoked food and incidentally, i ate the same cake twice in a row. i think rive gauche is catching on, yikes!

after a thoroughly entertaining night, we adjourned to blk 85 for some heart to heart and some oily local delights. i reckon we spent 3 hours ++ just sitting there talking, and yes, we must do this more often!

and now i'm exhausted, my legs are aching (culmination of the day's walking and the killer heels which almost broke my ankle haha) and my eyes are stinging :/ good night all! will try to update with photos soon.

photos! cos SOME PEOPLE have no facebook and cannot see photos of my almost-perfect holiday :))


haha this is my usual 'dont bug me' face!


the water villa we stayed at for the first week at olhuveli resort. it was cool and all, but really scary walking back to our villa at night cos we'd be surrounded by all that dark water and the pathway wasn't very well lit (supposed to be romantic lahhh) and it was even more horrifying when the gale was really strong and i was really damn scared that i'd be blown into the water! cos it was the monsoon season and it rained now and then. on the last night, when we were headed back to our villa at 6am (mj marathon), there was a thunderstorm! and it was crazy walking back to our villa cos lightning was streaking across the sky, thunder was rumbling and the winds threatened to push us into the water! crazily exhilarating though!!


the beach! doesn't it look so inviting??


with my parents on our usual early morning stroll!!


i love this photo! its like a gateway to heaven :))


in the swimming pool, which overlooked the sea.


i went wakeboarding!! well, at least, i tried to. its really damn difficult :(( and i ached like shit everywhere the next day! will try it again in singapore sometime soon!!


we went sunset fishing!! and i was SOO determined to catch a fish! we used lines with tuna bait and i waited extremely patiently for a tug on my line and reeled it up excitedly whenever i felt something BUT it was never a catch!!! the bloody fishes ate up my bait but didn't get caught on my hook!! i was so exasperated and irritated and finally i gave up :(((


last day at dinner. we ate like gluttons over there cos every meal was a buffet and they had SOOOO much food + desserts my goodness!


ok this is a photo of the 2nd resort we went to: island hideaway. it really is hidden away at some obscure corner of hte maldives, cos we had to take a tiny tiny aeroplane to an island first (domestic flight) THEN take a speedboat to the resort itself (an hour's journey!). the speedboat went really fast and the journey was a bit rocky but i loved it! it was like a mini rollercoaster, riding the waves and bumping from left to right while whizzing right along :)))


the pool bar. fantastic view wherever we went lah. and this resort was incredibly private. tucked away at a little corner, and the resorts were placed such that you hardly saw your neighbours too. didn't even see my parents all that often cos we were both happily ensconed in our villas!


room service!! the food at this resort was really really really good as well! and we were so lazy usually by the end of the day that we always ordered in. and cos each villa had a butler assigned to it (he'd help you with anything you needed, and i mean anything!!), our trusty butler would come with the platters of food we'd ordered. anyway, they train their butlers incredibly well, ours was so accommodating and he gave us everything we needed and more! photo of him coming up!!


after breakfast posed-pensive shot haha


mum posing at the entrance of the spa. we did the balinese massage and facial there together which was soo soothing, i fell asleep midway!


relaxing in the living room at night. this villa was reallly huge! they had a separate living/dining area and it was REALLLY Comfortable. lotsa pillows and cushions. and the shower area in this place was outdoors!! (cos their motto is to get in touch with nature so the place is really very unspoilt. lots of vegetation and the air is incredibly fresh as well.) so sometimes i'd be showering and then the rain would come!! and i would huddle under my boiling spray and pray that the rain would end asap hahahaa what an experience!!


last day there :(( this resort was my most favourite one! the service was impeccable (really, the butler service worked fantastically well, and all the other staff there were really friendly and seemed really glad to be able to help us), they gave us lots of privacy, and the villa was extremely comfortable. food was excellent as well. i was rather sad to leave ://


with one of the many buggy drivers!


with out butler, shafeeq!!


the tiny aeroplane we took to take us back to the airport. where we boarded another speedboat for our third (and apparently, best) resort: reethi rah. i must have sat enough seacrafts to last me a lifetime hehe but i loved the crazily fast speedboats-so damned exhilarating (and a better alternative to rollercoasters which are just deadly hahahah)


the villa at the third resort: they had a lap pool outside. and our villa faced the beach. the beach at this resort was without a doubt, the best one i've seen in all 3 resorts i went to. very clean and unscathed and pristine. will post some photos of it later!


the living/sleeping area. this villa was pretty big as well.


they had a separate partition for the dressing/showering area.


the view when we lazed in the pool :))


even had a hammock right oustide our villa


banana pancakes for breakfast :)) this resort had the BEST food (and the most exp too! an average lunch/dinner cost at least 200usd! and our brunch on the last day cost a whopping 340usd!! INSANE!!)


the beach!!!! FANTASTIC VIEW.


JUMP for joy!


the evneing view. really really breathtaking.


this resort had a little bridge in the middle and the view was crazily beautiful. the water was so blue and clear and the vegetation so lush it looked almost artificial.


spent the last day tanning and frolicking on the beach hurhur

brunch on the last day-the crazily expensive meal (though the desserts were Really Fantastic).


lounging around after brunch waiting to leavee


the yacht we took back to the airport :)) so damned opulent!


the interior!


we went on deck and THANK GOD for that cos i caught a most amazing sight: the sun set! with the sea breeze, the yacht speeding right along and standing up there with the sun at my back-that was truly a most amazing moment. unforgettable.




see what i mean??


:))


never fails to astound me. and i just had to break that spellbound moment cos i was trying to figure out where the sun went after it set.... i know i know. stop shaking your head at me! my primary school science wasn't very good, CAN.

AND THAT"S IT!! omg i think i spent close to 2 hours doing this. YOU BETTER BE ULTRA GRATEFUL TO MEEEEE!!! this is a super concise summary of my 2 weeks there.

and on a completely unrelated note: i love this song!! heard it on mtv while in the maldives and promptly went out to buy the cd today. fantastic music video too, i love the imagery and the metaphors. and its almost like a tangible souvenir from my holiday.

right enough of blogging for at least a month, i reckon.

BACKKK!!! from my wonderful relaxing beach holiday. it was complete rest & relaxation and the only thing i had to think about everyday was hmm what shall i do today? lounge in the sun with a book? swim? gym? go walking around? take copious amounts of photos? and EATT of course. my goodness, they had such an abundance of food there, i think they could feed africa twice over or something.

so it was 2 full weeks spent there, visited 3 resorts altogether, courtesy of my dad cos he knows the resort owners so all expenses were paid by them. shiok no? it was truly the most luxurious holiday that i've EVER taken in my life. imagine, people waiting on your every need, them trying to do everything for you, getting chauffered from place to place, good food at every turn, room service, spas and massages, speedboat rides, private yacht rides, learning wakeboarding, windsurfing and going on sunset fishing trips etc.

and then there were the early morning walks with my mum, talking, walking and being surrounded by such beauty, peace and serenity, those walks were truly one of my best experiences of the entire trip. despite everything that ive said and despite everything that i've done, i will miss her sorely. and then there was the sunset we caught on our way back to the main island while in the yacht, which was nothing short of magical.

i did want to come back because i thought i'd enough of all that rest but now looking back at the photos, i really really miss the place. no worries or cares at all, i could do anything and everything that i wanted to do, cut off from the hustle and bustle of everyday practical living, not having to face or deal with the inane mundanities and obligations of life. it was such an unhurried, relaxing and completely indulgent stay.

was pretty much a perfect holiday.

now i dont know whether to be happy or sad. shucks.