My apologies.

I've been deprived from working internet for the past 2 weeks. 

We just moved into our new house, and the wifi is finally up and working.

So that is why my blog has been left to rot for the past few weeks. 

(excuses, excuses) 

My apologies people. 

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So what's up Lara? 

Oh not much. School has started, it's living hell. 

Having a proper home here is great.

Oh, and having a chef for a dad sure is wonderful for my constant food cravings. 

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The Sunday night before school began, dad and I had went to Hogan's (a local pub/restaurant) for dinner.

You see that whole piece of meat covered in cheese?

HOW MASSIVE IS THAT. LIKE. HOLY.

I didn't finish it (obviously). But we rolled Asian style and we 'ta bao-ed' it home. 

It lasted me another meal, with enough to share with Curran. 

Here's a picture of my room, when I first got here, hence the untidiness. 

Blah blah blah. 

School begins. 

Here's my face on the first day of school. 

It clearly shows how happy I was to be there. 

The first picture I took with my year 12 exclusive black jumper. Newyear <3 

 Everyday after school, I get a VeryBerry smoothie. 

I'm so beautiful, I know. Thank you. 

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I missed Chinese New Year again this year. While my family was pigging out on the delicious food prepared for the reunion dinner, I was..... lying in bed watching Homeland - which I might as well take this opportunity to promote to all of you. Homeland is a must-watch series.

Forever21 top, Topshop shorts (which you can't see), Diva necklace and a free scarf from a magazine. 

- My 年初一 outfit - 

I went to the city with Jarryd to watch a movie.

Then him, dad and I had our own little 'reunion dinner' at a Chinese restaurant at Crown. 

(Had a good giggle watching Jarryd struggle with his chopsticks!) 

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VALENTINES DAY. 

Oh Valentines day. 

It marked my 474th day with this silly boy. 

My cheeky Chinese class lover boy stalking selfies. 

I hope all of you had a decent day. 

Mine wasn't particularly great, but it wasn't too bad. 

It was nice seeing different acts of love from each couple at school.

What really made me jealous was how Aaron and Wing had matching Chanel (LEGIT) rings. 

One day. 

I had another valentine though. 

Amelia

♥

I love you beautiful. 

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WHO ELSE THOUGHT RIHANNA LOOKED FREAKIN STUNNING AT THE GRAMMYS?!

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And as for tonight, a group of swans (or ducks or whatever type of bird they are) decided to visit our backyard. 

My dad was extremely fascinated - standing out in the rain 'how are you guys today? Want some food?'. 

(Yes, i'm not exaggerating, he actually communicated with them. A comical sight, I tell you, especially with his silly German accent.) 

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I would also like to share my favourites of January '13 with all of you - 

Songs: Heaven by Ailee & Only One by BoA & Daylight by Maroon 5

Food: Humble Beginnings Crepe Cake & McD nuggets/twister fries & SASHIMI

Drinks: Nescafe Dolce Gusto Latte Machiato (Mum bought the coffee machine) & Starbucks  Iced Shaken Passion Tea 

I definitely miss my midnight Starbucks runs with Amelia.

Makeup: (All introduced to by Amelia) Maybelline Great Lash Mascara & MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow (used to draw in eyebrows) 

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That's it for tonight! 

I hope my blog post has kept you guys well informed with the very important details of my life which I'm sure you all are oh so interested in. 

Here's a picture of a stray cat I saw back home.

It's paws! 

xoxo

Twelve more days

[Countdown to year 12: 12 days]

(eew) 

School is starting so soon, and it's pretty tragic really. 

Jarryd and I have agreed that we made a terrible choice to attend this school. 

That being said, it is our final year. 

So in another 302 days, I would be finished with high school (the soul-sucking hole of darkness). 

I think everyone would agree that TV programmes of the American high school life have tricked many of us into believing that high school is actually 'fun'. 

Okay, maybe not 'fun', but tolerable. 

WELL, IT ISN'T. 

How I wish I could turn back time to reevaluate my choices and enter a decent high school. 

I've attended 2 high schools: 

- An all girls private high school

- The school that shall not be named (in case Ms.'love bite' reads this post and screws me over) 

I was foolish and immature when deciding that these schools were my 'best options'. 

Lara you idiot. 

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Anyway.

Because I'll be flying off to Melbourne next week, mum and I went to do some shopping. 

Here's a peek at the things I got: 

I absolutely love theBodyShop.

If you walk into my bathroom and check out my body products, you'll realise that everything is Cocoa Butter scented. I'm obsessed. 

This Beautifying Oil is great because it doesn't leave me all oily and greasy after I use it - it absorbs instantly into my skin, so I'm not left walking around my room in my undies reluctant to make contact with anything around me. 

OH MY GAWD THE HONEY OAT MASK. I LOVE IT. 

It smells 'delicious'. I swear I was so tempted to eat it. 

It has this really interesting texture which I find so fascinating to touch. 

Actually, it feels like really dry muesli, literally. 

Mum said she could see instant results after I used it (I couldn't). Always trust the Mum. 

I have been obsessed with Daiso since I came home last month.

I mean, who doesn't love a Japanese RM5 store?  

I got these pink cotton swabs from there. 

Does this happen to any of you? - You're at the counter paying for something at Watsons/Guardian and they whip out a catalogue of products that are cheaper because you've spent more than RM20 and they keep persuading you to get something off the catalogue, and you decide that you actually DO 'need' something from that catalogue (when you really don't) and you end up buying it. 

That's how I ended up with this Bio-essense spring water. Mum has been raving about it so I might as well give it a try. 

Dark green TopShop skirt. 

One thing I've learn't when shopping at TopShop - WAIT FOR A SALE. 

Dammit. 

I spent heaps during my trip home last October when shopping at TopShop, and guess what? Most of the clothes I bought were on sale a few weeks back and everything was like half-priced. 

*slaps myself* 

THESE (above) ARE THE BEST WIPES EVER. 

So many people have been asking me where I bought these wipes - Watsons. 

How adorable are they? 

They come in really small packs.

And the wipes smell amazing (especially the pink one).

MY NEW BOOTS (from Roxy). 

It was love at first sight. 

The inside of the boots are really pretty too! 

... A shoe pocket. For like magic beans or something. 

I've been looking for boots like these for ages (quality ones) so I'm extremely satisfied that I finally own a pair. 

By purchasing the boots, I received a RM40 gift voucher so I decided to get this little purse to store all my coins. Australian coins are really heavy and for some reason I've been finding $2 coins everywhere. 

It also had a chain so I decided to hang my new house key - for my new place in Hidden Valley! 

(I'm super excited that daddy's moving over to Melbourne) 

I know, i'm in desperate need of a manicure. My nails look revolting. 

I might have a stationary addiction according to my mum.

I spend about 45 minutes walking up and down the pen isles in Popular carefully choosing my pens. 

Everyone in school uses the Zebra Mildlighters but it's impossible to find them here in Penang.

So.

When I came across the essenti highlighters (above), the feeling that I was overcome by is probably similar to that of when a Belieber meets Justin. 

I WAS ABOUT TO DIE OF JOY.

(I apologize to the people who were stunned by my sudden squeal of excitement in the store)

I really like these highlighters because the colours are pastel and not the intense-blinding-neon colours. 

Subtle highlighters for a subtle girl like me. The perfect match. 

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This isn't a recent purchase but it was my Christmas present from mum. 

I asked for an exercise ball. 

It serves many purposes to me, except helping me exercise. 

I spend time in my room bouncing on it, it's my favourite pastime. 

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We had family guest over last weekend.

Mum and I brought them cycling around Georgetown, being all touristy.

Hello. Spot the sling bag all tied up under my boob - I'm paranoid about snatch thieves. 

I am now a 'babi panggang' - all sunburnt. 

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Some time last week I decided to tie my hair up in a bun to sleep. 

I was super happy with the outcome (below).

Sadly, I fail all the other times I try to do it again. 

Stubborn hair. 

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Here's a picture of Tommy, my uncle's cat in Holland. 

(This post is coming to an end) 

Amelia will be staying over some time this week and we've got exciting plans for our blogs.

So check in on Sunday to see what cheeky things we're gonna get up to! 

xoxo

Best of 2012

Since Amelia did a post recapping the whole of 2012, I thought I'd do something similar.

So. 

Here's the best memories of 2012 in pictures.

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Chinese New Year [Family photo shoot]

My 姨妈, 小姨, 小舅 and 干爸 came back with their families and we stayed a couple of nights at Park Royal to celebrate. 

All the nephews and nieces with the favourite uncle - My God father

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I flew back to Melbourne via Singapore Airlines Business Class. It made it to the best memory list because it was the only time i've ever flown Business Class. I delayed telling daddy my return dates so most flights were booked, and this was the only way for me to get back in time. Cheeky me.

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The first time I went to Curran's house (land, actually).

I was out of my comfort zone, but it was an 'experience'.

JimJam & Al. Such strange animals, alpacas....

One of the first pictures we took together and he sketched it up.  We had won the cutest couple in Year11! 

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My seventeenth birthday.

My brother and Andreas flew down to Melbourne to celebrate with me. Daddy got us the Tower Suite! (It took a lot of begging and a lot of 'test-acing') 

Of course Sonia (my mke) came along  for the weekend getaway. We saw a Bentley, hence the O-face. 

Yes, you can't see anything but look at Sonia in the hotel slippers! She was so excited she started opening/using everything she touched!

My birthday crew - Baz, Sonia, ME, Curran. 

We had dinner at Rockpool. This has become a tradition for my birthday celebrations in Melbourne. 

I sometimes make believe that I'm a unicorn. 

Sonia has graduated and is currently back in Tanzania. Baz has changed schools. 

What am I going to do without these 2 wonderful people in my daily life? 

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 * My boyfriend in Malaysia. *

This was definitely the best memory of 2012. 

Nandos! - His first trip to Gurney Plaza. 

That's us! 

JUSTIN BIEBER @ MTV WORLD STAGE 2012. 

Amelia and I went to MTV World Stage but Curran refused to join us so he stayed home. I will never be attending a concert without allocated seating EVER again. I nearly suffocated and died. 

Ignore the ugly face. 

We met daddy in Singapore and stayed at Marina Bay Sands. We got VIP passes at Universal Studios and we had a blast. I forced Curran to get on the roller coasters. He thanked me afterwards. 

Curran was in Malaysia for about 3 weeks. He did everything local style and picked up the 'lah' slang (but he doesn't know how to put it into context). 

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WHO IS SONIA?
I've mentioned her a few times in this post already.

Sonia is was my 2011 and 2012 roommate in boarding. We are the same age but she graduated a year earlier than me. She is infused with African roots and is the most gorgeous/adorable/funny/hardworking girl ever.

I call her my MKE (pronounced as 'mm-kay'), which means wife in Swahili.

Without her I wouldn't have survived 2012.

Once or twice a term we would head to Chadstone to do some shopping, where we would meet her brother Bill.
We rarely ever spent time in Melbourne city, we were chaddy-obsesed.

Our attire in the picture above is what we wear when we're out of uniform. And I can guarantee you that 9 out of 10 times you see us we are in that outfit exactly - leggings, a hoodie and Vans.

Nakupenda. 

 This picture (above) was taken on the day Sonia finished her final art exam. She was really happy and it was wonderful so see her let go of such a heavy weight from her shoulders. It was one of those special days where even though nothing BIG happened but you just feel so joyful and light-hearted.

Not the best picture, but the only one I had with Eric. 

Eric is the 2012 school genius. Because of Sonia, I spent a lot of time in the art room with all the year12 art students so I got to know them fairly well. Eric and Zoe are absolute darlings and they never fail to make me laugh when i'm around them. School is going to be oh so very lonely without them! I wish them best of luck with university and may their university life be better than their high school one. 

The memories I made with Sonia through all the time I spent with her last year, are and will be memories that I will hold on to forever. 

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Annual trip to Europe (Holland & Germany).

My Oma wasn't feeling very well so we made a 2 week trip to visit her during my half-semester break. I SKIPPED CAMP (muahahahahahaaha)!

Mussels. Oh my gawd. Mussels. 

We ate mussels almost everyday. 

YUMM YUMM YUMM. 

We made a day trip to Muiden. It was so beautiful there - the houses, the boats!

(what) 

If you know me, you would know that I never take a proper picture without pulling a silly face beforehand. 

So, enjoy this ridiculous picture of me pulling a face. 

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Christmas time in KL with Amelia! 

Any time spent with Amelia is time well spent. 

I enjoy every single second I spend with this friend of mine. 

Isn't she beautiful? 

Cheers to my 'OMG YUMMY FOOD, SH*T I'M GONNE BE FAT' face!

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That's it for my best memories of 2012. 

It wasn't a very good year, but I couldn't deny all the wonderful things that did happen.

To end this post, here's a picture of the cat I picked up from the roadside when walking back from school. 

 

Check out Amelia's blog: http://meliajyin.blogspot.com

xoxo