Exploring Haji Lane

Last Monday, as there was no school, Juliana and I decided to explore Haji Lane.

Haji Lane is an eclectic street that is famous for its colourful façades, featuring many boutiques with independent labels and vintage designs, and small Middle-Eastern restaurants. There are many interesting street arts or wall murals, so it is like a hipster-ish place in Singapore. Locals, as well as tourists, go to Haji Lane to take photos of the interesting architecture and colours.

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera along. So I had to go "iphoneography" all the way. After all, I always wanted to just wander around the CBD area with just an iPhone camera. I have been pretty inspired by the iPhone accounts that I follow on Instagram.

Juliana and I went into many boutiques. Most of the clothings were of high quality. Some shops sell more expensive stuffs, while some shops sell clothes that are rather unique yet at an affordable price. I saw this really vintage dress in a shop. It is brown-checked dress, with a really pretty collar. (sorryyyyy I have a memory of a gold fish and I can't remember exactly how it looks like :P) But I didn't buy it because I think it would look too old on me...


All photos below are taken with iPhone 5 and edited in VSCO Cam.

A really cool shop that sells plant. However, they were all so pricey.

Juliana.

A really cute wall decoration. I took so many photos there!

This has no edit because I'm simply too lazy xD

I intended to do a "super mario" jump, however the camera didn't capture the moment that I was in the air so this came out...I laughed so hard at myself HAHA. No edit as well. :)

Obsessed with black and white oops.

Overall, Haji Lane was interesting, but not as fascinating as I thought it would be. The street itself it really short, so it is actually recommended to walk around the surrounding Kampong Glam area, which is a really cultural place. Nevertheless, Juliana and I both enjoyed the day. :)

- Elsa

P.S. Updated the post with more photos!

UK Trip 2013 - Part 1

(Finally have time to write this super-belated post about my trip to the UK in June.)

During the June holidays this year, I went on a Geography-Biology School Trip to the United Kingdom. It was one of the most amazing places I've ever been to. I have always wanted to go to the UK. I love the culture, the history, and the beautiful architecture there. And not forgetting the posh-sounding British accent. And ever since I start liking One Direction, I just want to visit that place even more. (You know, maybe I'll happen to bump into them on the streets hehe.) Oh and did I mention that I absolutely LOVE travelling.

Most people detest flying and being on the airplane. I actually love being on the airplane. I just love the view out of the airplane window ahh. We flew on Emirates airline, on an A380. Like omg. Although it was the economy class, I still felt a tinge of excitement. Every time when I come across an A380, I couldn't help but to stare at it in awe. It just fascinates me how a huge metal body (2 levels, mind you) with all the weight of passengers and luggages is able to soar into the air. Another reason why I love flying because the physics behind all these is just too mind-blowing.I was so disappointed for not getting the window seat, but since all my best friends were sitting with me in the middle block, I guess that made up for it. :)

Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1! Eep I love Changi Airport so much.

Taken with my dearest iPhone 5. Edited on VSCO Cam.

We had a layover in Dubai. So 7 hours from Singapore to Dubai, and another 6 or 7 hours to London Heathrow. I lost track of time because of all the time difference. And the layover just made it worst, being in 3 different time zones was just too mind-boggling. Yes I love flying, but not this time. All the time zones were confusing me, and since I was so excited, I didn't sleep on the flight from Singapore to Dubai. I tried sleeping on the second flight but to no avail. And there were so many meals served on the plane like gosh. I didn't even know whether I was eating dinner, supper, breakfast or what. That's when I realised that I love flying, but not on long-haul flights... When we reached London, Juliana and I were sooooooo happy so we took selfies on the plane hehehe. With my tired looking face and terribly messy hair and ever-worsening panda eyes. I got a shock as the air stewardess on the plane announced that the ground temperature was ONLY 12 degree C. I mean, it was June and wasn't it supposed to be Summer?! Before the trip,I did some research online, and discovered that the temperature will be around 18 degree C to 20 degree C. So I happily threw in just a few sweaters and slightly thicker jackets. Little did I know that it would be THAT cold. 12 degree Celsius. I know you may laugh at me, but coming from a tropical country with an average temperature of 30 degree C, 12 degree C is like winter to me. Now I'm reconsidering my plan of visiting Northern China in December to see the snow.


As we stepped out of the airport, out of the comfort of the air conditioning, I started shivering immediately. It was soooooooooo cold. The wind just sent a chill down my spine. (No, really. I mean it literally.) I was in a short-sleeve t-shirt, with a tank top underneath, and a normal summer jacket over. All my friends and I were jumping around, trying to increase our bodies' metabolism rate to generate more heat. We headed straight to Wales on a coach. And oh my. Beside the highway that we were travelling on, there were green fields that stretched endlessly into the horizon. With the vast blue sky, everything just looked so calm and relaxing. And there were occasional sighting of sheep and cows that roamed around on the fields. There were so many kinds of wild flowers by the roadside. The small and pure looking daisies, the bright and colourful buttercups, the fluffly balls of dandelions, and wild carrot flowers (Queen Ann's lace). And yes, my knowledge of wild flowers increased significantly after the trip. We stopped twice at those gas station-ish kinda place. (Service station?) Once for "exploring" that place, where I bought a packet of sweets, and another time for lunch. It was quite weird though, as while we're eating lunch, it was around dinner time in Singapore. I couldn't finish my food (oops) because the portion was really big for me, and I had no appetite after the long flight. And I'm proud to say that I didn't suffer from jet-lag as I survived the whole day while some of my school mates couldn't open their eyes towards the end of the day.

View while travelling on the highway.

Taken with iPhone 5. No edit.

Lunch: Chicken something with fries (they call it chips)

Taken with iPhone 5. No edit.

Hot chocolate with cream. Yummm.

Taken with iPhone 5. Edited on VSCO Cam.

While waiting for some of my schoolmates to finish their food, my friends and I sat on a field FILLED with daisies and took photos, before we continue our journey to Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Daisies.

Taken with my beloved Canon 650D, with 50mm f1.8 lens. Edited on VSCO Cam.

On the coach!

Taken with Canon 650D, with 50mm f1.8 lens. No edit.

On the way to Pembrokeshire!

Taken with Canon 650D, with 50mm f1.8 lens. No edit.

On the way to Pembrokeshire!

Taken with Canon 650D, with 50mm f1.8 lens. No edit.

Stay tuned for the next post on Wales!

To be continued...

- Elsa :)

Me.

Hello everyone!

So this will be the first post on this blog. Let me tell you a little more about myself.

My name is Elsa, although people don't actually call me that in real life hehe. (Only my mom calls me Elsa sometimes.) I'm 16 years old, turning 17 this December 15th. I speak English and Mandarin fluently. I have learnt French for 4 years, but I'm not really good at speaking it. I prefer writing French haha.

I like photography, as it allows me to see the beauty in the world, even amongst the smallest and most insignificant things. I play the piano, and I like singing as well. I am a dancer in my school's dance club, but I have never attended any "formal" dance class. People dance to express themselves, but for me, well, I guess I just really love the feeling of my body moving to the music. And that worn out feeling after intensive practices. (oh my gosh I'm so weird I know)

My favourite singers/bands are Birdy and Of Monsters and Men. Birdy is so talented and pretty and amazing. I really admire her song-writing ability and she's kind of my idol and inspiration as well. I wish one day I will be able to play the piano and sing like her! And even write my own songs hehehe. (I know, it's hard.) Of Monsters and Men's live performances are simply amazing. So much energy coming from them! And I love how they have an accordion and a trumpet in their band. :D

My newest favourite band (?) and also my inspiration is The Piano Guys. If you have never listened to their music on YouTube, you. have. not. lived. Just joking, but really. I really love their creativity, and their passion for music. Their music will really touch your heart. And their videos are so so so great. All the filming and editing is just so amazing! In their most recent video, they actually brought the grand piano onto the Great Wall of China. :O I highly suggest that you should watch that video, if you haven't already!

Well, I do have some favourite pop singers as well. I have been a fan of Taylor Swift for 4 years now, and I love One Direction. :)

And yeah, I can't think of what else to write...so here are some links where you can find me on:

Instagram: @_outofwater (photography account), @fishieeeee_ (my personal account. There's 5 e, and an underscore :)

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/_outofwater (I post my "more edited" and full sized photos on there)

Tumblr: www.out-ofwater.tumblr.com

Ask.fm: ask.fm/fishieeeee

VSCO Grid: out-ofwater.vsco.co (iPhone photos only, edited in VSCO Cam which is an amazing app. The edits can really look filmy if you know how to use it!)

So yeah, until the next time,

Elsa Fishie

P.S. I like to use the word "yeah"...