More often than not, we take a lot of things for granted. What we thought were our rights are actually... things that we should be grateful for. Blessings, even. But somehow or rather, we only treasure what we have when it is being taken away from us. 

It is a blessing to be able to..

Attend weddings and be a part of someone else's big day

Go out and explore

Travel and see the world a little (and eat a little more)

Gather for dinner with a group of friends

Attend a concert

Gym whenever you want to

Eat and chill at anytime and anywhere

Can't wait for us to get through these tough times, and for the world to live a little more normally and happily. Tough times don't last, tough people do.

Stay safe and happy always x

Artbox Night Market, Chatuchak

Roast Cafe, The Commons

Pla Thong Mookata

After You, Siam Paragon

Chatuchak Weekend Market

True Love @ Neverland Husky Cafe

Momo, the big boss at the cafe

Not sure if this is a husky or a bear hahaha, but really, its too cute for words ♥ 

Octave Bar, Marriott Hotel

that view from the 45th floor though

egg, ham and hotdog crepe bouquet for you, maybe? 

Have been so (crazily) swamped with school work and catching up with friends ever since i came back from Canada, that i can never actually find the time to write/post something. I just came back from Bangkok two days ago, so i thought i should post some photos and write a few words while the trip is still fresh in my mind! Can't really say the same for my Vancouver trip though, but i definitely have to get down to writing a post on that pretty soon!

The trip to Bangkok was a pretty YOLO one for me. While i was still in Canada, my friends and i briefly discussed about going for a short trip to somewhere during my recess week. And before i can even fully comprehend what is truly going on, i found myself booked on a trip to Bangkok in February. Honestly, who books another trip while they are on a trip (obviously me, in this case LOL). But i'm not complaining though, because i always like spontaneity. Besides, my friends took over the planning this time round, so all i have to do is to turn up! And, I really love our itinerary for this trip!! If you guys do recall, i went to Bangkok last year with my family as well. And its really different when it comes to travelling with family and with friends, because you get to explore different places. This trip itself, got me going to various night markets, having street food and exploring the different cafes and rooftop bars; basically places that i normally wouldn't go with my family!

Anyhow, i'm really glad that i was able to take some time out from my recess week to travel (even though i'm currently drowning in the amount of work that i have to do) with my bestest friends. Now that we are all so busy with our own stuff, it can get really hard to get together even for a meal. Besides, i really needed this trip to take a breather or two anyways. Can't wait for our next trip already haha :)

Stay safe and happy always, guys x

Finally done with my finals today and it also marks the end of my exchange semester at Brock! Can't believe how 4 months just flew by like that. As much as i miss home, a part of me will definitely miss this exchange life. Heck, now that i'm packing up, i can't help but feel a little sad. Pretty sure i will be sadder tomorrow though, when i close and lock the door of my room and residence. After all, it is my home away from home for the past 4 months. 

Anyhow, on to happier things - received back most of my component grades for all of my exchange modules and i must say that i'm doing pretty well (as compared to when i'm in SMU, what even). I jokingly told my parents that i should probably quit school and just finish up my degree overseas. But of course, i was just kidding because i really don't think that i will be able to leave home for 4 full years (but then again, who knows). Also, heading to Vancouver tomorrow and i absolutely can't wait to meet my fellow friend on Thursday (doesn't help when you are the only Singaporean in Brock okay). I'm almost done with my packing despite my psychology paper ending at 6pm and having to rush back to residence to pack because i'm heading to the airport the next morning. Speaking about luggages, i'm in such a mess - i barely managed to fit everything in, despite leaving out lots of things that i wouldn't be bringing back with me (because it just can't fit LOL). Haven't even reach Vancouver and luggages are already full to the brim. Well done Jolene, well done..

So here goes, can't wait to spend one week in Vancouver! Pretty sure time's gonna fly by again and will be back in Singapore in no time! But not complaining because i can't wait to see my family, friends and eat all the local food yay! 

Stay safe and happy always, guys x

posting photos of my super pretty 21st birthday cake from last year just 'cos

I guess its true when people say that you automatically stop counting your age or look forward to your birthdays once you passed the age of 21. Not too sure if thats really the case for me, or if its because i'm away from home this time round (thus the lack of 'feels'). But you know what, instead of looking forward to my birthday this year, i'm actually looking forward to having McDonalds on my birthday. LOL i'm pretty sure i'm turning weirder by the day haha. 

And yes, i would definitely love to spend the day eating like a king, sleeping like a pig and just snuggling under my two layers of blanket doing nothing. But of course, there's finals next week and although i'm on exchange, i just feel like i need to try my best in whatever i do. I know i just "need to pass" but as strange as it may sound, i always wonder how much is enough to "just pass". 

Still thinking if i should wish myself a "Happy Birthday" according to Singapore time or Canada time. But i guess since i'm missing home, especially on a day like such, i will just stick to Singapore time! So... 

happy birthday Jolene x

Always wondered what's in Quarry View that actually gave my residence its name (Quarry View Residence) and was pleasantly surprised to find serenity in it when i decided to go for a little walk a couple of weeks back. I'm actually hoping to find a chance to head back once more but i highly doubt i will be able to do so anyways - with the upcoming finals next week and the erratic weather. Anyways, i managed to catch the first snow in Canada! I was in my room when my housemate came knocking on my door and went "Jolene, look out of the window!!!". Its not my first time catching sight of falling snow (really blessed actually) but i'm always in awe when it happens!

Just two more weeks in school and in St Catharines! Still can't believe 4 months have went by just like that. Really thankful and grateful to have met some really nice people along the way - including my marketing communications professor and some other exchange friends! Its kind of sad thinking that once i leave this place, the chances of us crossing path again in the future is really close to none. But thats just how the way things work isn't it? When time passes, it will just become a good memory that we can fall back on next time. I'm definitely leaving with tons of good memories and great experiences!

Was just talking to a good friend of mine a couple of days back, a friend who i have just made and is on exchange here as well, and she asked if i would ever come back (to St Catharines and Canada in general). I would say yes but realistically, definitely not in the near future. If given the opportunity, i definitely would because there's so much to see and do in Canada; so many places that i have never been to like Quebec, Montreal and Alberta. But at the same time, the journey from Singapore to Canada is rough - 20 plus hours of flying. Besides, one of the reasons why i chose to come to Canada for exchange in the first place was because i knew it would be a destination where my family wouldn't go because my parents can't handle long haul flights. Just the thought of flying back home is already making me a little sick hahahahaha, plus i have two connections this time LOL good luck to me. 

Am i excited to head back home? Definitely! All good things will eventually come to an end, and for now, home beckons! :)

Stay safe and happy always, guys x