(23) Quiet

Instagram Pocketto via @astrylnaut

It's been a quiet time around here... I know haven't been updating much either. Just lacking some energy to get things going because school's just draining me out plus all these times just discovering places and things. It's crazy how new places excite and exhaust you altogether.

Being here has made me realized so many things I never knew... which I believe is a good thing. And then sometimes, I find myself completely lost.

But well, I guess it's nice to know that after 21 good years of thinking you know yourself best, you still have new things to know about you. Life can be a brand new thing if we will it to be, no? Guess I'm just having an awkward point of realization about many things in my life. And I'm sure we all have those moments at some point.

It's time to finally stop, think, and then smell the flowers.

(22) Around town

From top down: 1. Lunch/dinner at Central Library, 2. Melbourne bicycle rental, 3. Central Library, 4. Chinatown, 5. Dream My Little Pony bicycle, 6. Wall art in Chinatown, 7. Cello busker along Swanston St., 8. My new ride from Reid cycles

Here's some sights I've had over the past two weeks over here and I thought I would make an effort to document more things and share them.

Melbourne has been keeping me excited, curious and passionate about things I want to do. This may sound a little cheesy but I feel like i'm reconnecting with myself and finally doing things that I've been wanting to be in touch with. Been having some ups and downs through it all but at the end of the day, I feel like it's pretty much worth the time and effort.

Keeping this clean and simple, simply because I am so out of touch with technology and the Internet. I have yet to configure some apps on my new Macbook but I'm pretty sure I'll get it right really soon.

Anyway, I finally have better things on hand to share (in due time), so keep your eyes peeled!

(17) What fires us?

Here's a good thought to welcome and fire up the new year: What makes us? What fires us up and gets us going?

This is one overrated topic, yet underrated I think. Because we don't ever address the main issue. Or we just don't realize how we need to alter certain parts of a resolution or thought or even plan we make for the year as we move along.

But I think what really makes us changes from time to time. As much as we all make plans, we still do live in the moment. I hardly think about life and what could come but sometimes I make these plans, plans I want to partake and make happen but I realize they aren't exactly in reach until the moment comes in place no matter how fast time passes. At some point in life, we just need to learn how to embrace these moments in life and understand that we can never have the exact same moment back, ever again.

For myself, at this very point, is leaving the place I call home starting anew in another one. I'm going to Melbourne, Australia to complete my studies for about nearly a year or so. 2013 is going to be a year of extreme exploration and discovery (I do learn new things about myself and people, and life in general every single year as I grow but) because of a literal new environment. Feelings of excitement, fear, happiness and actually, readiness to embrace a brand new lifestyle are all curled up in a ball of emotions within me. I feel lost, but whole, like I can kick 2013 in its face and feel like I'm about to finish up with school and start something else when I get back, just as I got inspired to start Pocketto in 2012.

I do talk about my life in this space. But when I do, I try to tear it down into bits and pieces but that doesn't mean I'm writing for the sake of looking a certain way, I just choose to write a little more sensibly and remember the good parts or of things to remind myself. I think that makes you a little more aware of things in life. It's like understanding yourself after breaking something down thoroughly. I just think a lot more than I have and opened up my eyes to so many other things and issues, and just life itself.

So what makes you then? What's up this 2013?

I'd love to hear if you've got something.

(16) Ready for the New Year

Thank you Grayson for this random hip shot

2012 has been an eventful year and thank you for reading this space if you do! Pocketto is finally a little more than half a year old and I've finally accomplished a few "firsts" for the blog (had my very first giveaway etc.) and for readers too. Things are starting to look up and come in place, and December has been a mind blowing, extremely killer and quick month. But I'm glad I've come this far. Having Pocketto has made me more motivated than ever. I've learnt countless new things about people, things, art, life, music and myself as well. I really hope the blog helps (kill time for you) to bring in a little more interesting information and random awesomeness to your life.

It's been a hectic time for me shuffling between work, play and Pocketto and I know it hasn't been a smooth year for so many of you out there... But thank you once again for making time to be reading this space. I appreciate all your love and support time and time again.

But anyway, I sincerely hope you'll have an awesome and fun-filled 2013 ahead. It's finally the new year and a new theme is a definite for Pocketto in January, so (in just a day's time!) you can expect more fresh, new, things that revolve around change and the unexpected. In January, it's a lot about us finding identities, reevaluating ourselves and setting the tone for the rest of the year, so I'm hoping I can do that for Pocketto, and help enrich your lives just a little wee bit. Just hold on for a bit because I've got plenty of stuff lined up, including a collab with a good friend of mine, also another upcoming and new store which you would definitely not hate on. So watch out for that one! Just holla over if you've anything you want to share or help improve this space because I definitely want to make it a pleasant(er) read for you, and everyone else who takes time to give me a read (:

Have a good rest and prep yourself up for a brand new year! Good night!

(14) Recovery

It's been a long haul prepping up loads of stuff for this month (and there's more to come!) but I've finally hit a wall just for today. I promised an update for The Tiniest Gifting Guide but in order to make sure it's not churned out for the sake of it, I decided not to update it for now. In any case you guys were wondering, the next one's going to touch down a little bit on travel (stuff) so keep a look out for it!

Work was crazy tiring. Hectic day shifting shoes around at the warehouse yesterday and set-up at the departmental store. I love being a retail personnel but today just happens to be one of the days where I just feel like sitting down and stone or even just start weeping to myself because I'm just extremely tired. It's nice to know some customers can be really sweet people. It just makes me feel like the world always has an extremely good or better side to all the shit that happens.

But on a bright note, Christmas is coming and I feel elated that it is! Then this came to mind:

Cutest video ever heh. So many dumb ways to die, yes?

I don't know what to say (I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard) but thank you for reading if you do and I appreciate it. I'm finally hitting 6 months with Pocketto and plans (or maybe plans isn't the right term) are extremely sketchy as I try to figure some things along the way. So many times I ask myself why do I write and what for? Then I got the answer from a book I bought recently titled, Steal Like An Artist, on how we've got to act on ideas and make it real even though we've got nothing concrete (more on where that came from soon) on hand. Just fake it until you feel it. You never know when you might just hit jackpot. As of now I'm just trying to curate as many ideas as I can and record these valuable ideas (and random ones) and hopefully end up somewhere.

Good luck it is. Good night!

Why Pocketto?

Why Pocketto? How did it all happen and why did I want to make it happen?

It's been a little confusing for the last few months I've had this tiny space. I've had the lines blur as I started out with a few raw ideas. But this month will be different as it marks a real, official debut - a month of firsts for both myself, this space and for all you wonderful readers of this growing space.

To sum it all up, Pokopocketto was an idea I had for a long time, except that I didn't act on it (didn't have the time or couldn't bring myself to make the effort). I'm an average student (if you're wondering) who just turned 21, residing in sunny Singapore, with a lot of random thoughts/ ideas. I've been a loyal reader of certain blogs with tasteful content and it's made me constantly revisit it - whether it was the pictures or just interesting brands or things I've not come across. It's going to sound a little cheesy but I actually had an epiphany awhile back that I was/ we were lacking something (especially where I live) and I wanted to try and close up a little bit of that gap and bridge a little interesting content over cyberspace.

Thus, Pocketto was created in the month of May, earlier this year with a little bit of aspiration and determination (I'm not sure if it's the best way to describe it but ok) to work towards a space filled with content and basically, just anything random, that makes you curious, excited or just simply, interested.

I write about anything under the sun; a random incident from my life, a favourite brand of mine, share about some lovely products, films, things to do and eat, stuff worth your read and time and about friends of Pocketto. My Facebook is where I share a slice of what I do at Pocketto, basically just interesting things or stuff I bookmark as eyecandy, and to update people on what happens here. I'm just hoping in the long run, people will actually share on things they love and see Pocketto as a freedom of expression on basically anything, because I respect that everyone has interests just as I do (I have themes or certain things I love to share, yes) and I hope they'll share wonderful things with me as I hope to.

On why I have the name Pokopocketto - there is no concrete explanation except that the time and place of this inception helped made it happen. I've always liked the idea of having things in your pocket because it is so handy and information that comes in pocket or bite-sizes are just so easily consumed. So I wanted all things wonderful to be squeezed into this little space where you can read anywhere (on the go, in your free time, you name it).

I added on Poko in the front because Pocketto alone wasn't available as a domain name and I'm crazy about Japanese cartoon characters (scroll below if you don't know who Poko is) which included Poko-chan, the face of some snack I used to eat all the time, making it Pokopocketto as you know it. I just thought it had a certain ring to it but I can't be using his face all the time (due to copyright issues) but I am just in love with it.

Well, this is definitely not a pocket-post (I know it) but thank you for reading through this one and for being on this space if you have (or just to find out who I am or why this exists anyway)! I am extremely appreciative of everyone's love and kindness for supporting me throughout the set-up of my space, giving me constructive criticism and just liking what I do. It's not going to be an easy time to make this space better but I'll try to make it happen, hard knocks are to come but whatever works (:

Here's a start to a Happy Christmas and an ode to all things random and wonderful! And we've got more lined up for you so stay in sync with me, will you?

Film: A Clockwork Orange

Original cover of A Clockwork Orange published by Penguin Books

An epicly written novel by Anthony Burgess, that gets your mind twisted at the most unexpected intervals; I present to you, A Clockwork Orange. This novel was then directed into a movie by the extremely talented, Stanley Kubrick. His take on the film made it a hit, and has transcended through time. It has received critical acclaim time and time again and has generated controversy on the portrayal and "glorification" on sex and violence. This year, we celebrate A Clockwork Orange's 40th anniversary with limited edition releases and its debut on Facebook.

The band of droogs at the Korova Milk Bar, where the drinks are doped and described as knives (that dictate his mind like liquid courage) by Alex

I know this movie has been around for ages but I finally caught on it and realized how warped certain theories about the modern society were already formulated back in the older days, and how they actually turned out to be true. The protaganist, Alex Delarge is classified as an anti-hero, a wasted youth with ultra violent tendencies. I can't tell if it was supposed to be a mental illness or some sorts but either way, the story really has its ways of making karma look like it exists. 

Alex with his signature lower eyelash look

Alex goes to prison after getting sabotaged by his own "droogs" (aka friends/men) after a heated small discussion which looked like a rebellion of some sort so that he would step down as leader. I'm not going to go into detail of everything that happens but it's going to be messing with your mind for the two hours you're sitting in your sofa or bed trying to digest every bit of it. Themes of freedom, choice, the good vs evil and other somewhat vulgar acts of murder and rape are being portrayed throughout this film.

The story also shows his struggle to have an early release from prison by being subjected to tests that are about to mechanically alter his reactions to violence so he would not cause harm to society as he did before. Alex then gets rejected by the people in his life and find karma hitting him right in the face.

Alex is saved by a victim that he crippled two years ago, and the victim finally discovers his identity

Alex subjected to a demonstration of the anti-violent reaction test before his release

The usage of classical music definitely heightens the whole experience you're getting (Alex has an obsession with his dearest Ludwig Van, better known as Beethoven himself). It's seriously mindblowing how Kubrick made it look so convincing and together considering this film was produced in the early 70s when it was really hard to use computer graphics to sub for some of the somewhat disturbing scenes in the movie itself (especially when Alex was subjected to a test where his eyes were kept opened by metal lids that were definitely torturous).

I've tried reading the novel and only made it halfway because of Burgess' usage of the Nadsat (language) which was heavily influenced by the Russian language. I'm making an effort to re-read the book and hopefully re-evaluate what I think about it now that I've watched the film. Definitely something for you to catch on if you haven't because it's so crazy on realistic themes. It's amazing how this film has remained current despite its time of release.

Fun fact: the film did not finish up on the 21st chapter's ending of the book (the actual last chapter) as it was omitted in the American series so that it will end on a darker note. Burgess however, intended for it to be how good is able to prevail the evil with time and patience.

And before I go, here's a trailer of A Clockwork Orange if you will:

Enjoy and have a great week ahead!

Things: Cuddles and Rage

Peanut's costume on Cuddles and Rage

Who knew a pile of funny dough and craft could look this cute?

To kick off my November art adventure, I chanced upon Cuddles and Rage, all thanks to HelloGiggles (founded by Zooey Deschanel and two of her best friends) and fell in love with these cutesy creations right away. We're definitely not insisting that these are the kind of art everyone has to love but just really cute, funny twists to puns (especially those we always see on Threadless). How could we ever resist this?

 The Will on Cuddles and Rage

The Pumpkin Patch on Cuddles and Rage

Just so you know, Cuddles and Rage is a mixed media web comic based on the evil, yet often cute, adventures of food and animals living in Snuggle City. New comics are launched every Monday and on their Diorama Wednesdays so if you love cute stuff like that just holla over to cuddlesandrage.com and you're going to gush over these little things like a seventh grader over a boy.

It's seems like every time you add a smiley face that goes like c: (this) onto anything, it could immediately look like the cutest thing EVER on the planet. Like adding smileys on to cookies, or a glass of milk or even your average salt and pepper shaker. These people really know what to do with a colon sign and bracket which really is annoying but so hard to say no to.

I wish I could just make these things into a whole set of plushies, I'm sure they would make a wonderful farm on my bed.

This has thus far been an extremely fattening weekend. I wonder where my motivation to shed all those pounds went. Been plonking mac'n'cheese into my mouth, along with other fried foods. My tummy is about to block my feet from my view I feel disgusted with myself but I'm happy eating the food. Vicious cycle this is.

The Shredded Cheese on Cuddles and Rage

Just found the above highly appropriate. I think it's time I started exercising before I regret it.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

(12) Failure

You know as the saying goes, practice makes perfect? I certainly think so.

Welcome, November!

I have failed my driving test for the second time again. Not too sure what to make of it but I guess I could deal with it. I can't decide how is it worth the effort and having every test to cost a bomb. Well that's just life isn't it? Overused but failure is just another new start to get in touch with yourself and ask yourself the right questions again and again, and put yourself back up.

This isn't a worthy piece of art but a random wr(ant)ite-out. It's been a tough October so I hope this month will bring me more ease than it has already been. Decided to make do with whatever I had in hand so pardon me if it's not as it was intended. October's been a whirl with the exams but I'm glad it's over. The following pictures and items are a random depiction of my extremely average life for that month and the start of November that has passed faster than the wind.

From top: Saltwaters at the train station, finished bottle of Nutella, a friend's Yashica MG-1,
Peko-chan (Poko's love in chocolate form), home made Rosti meal, an afternoon in bed

It's hard to explain the kind of feeling where everything feels right, and in place.

I experience extremities in one day. I laugh really hard at jokes and feel mad emotional and upset about results I cannot attain at some points in life. I don't understand what's the real fuss but I guess exploring and understanding certain aspects about yourself can be rather liberating. Expression is key, and I'm getting a better hang of it overtime (taking it as a form of art I guess?).

Certain emotions like feeling ready and being aware of your current situation are highly underrated. How can we know when is the right time or situation to feel a certain way? Why do we need a state to dictate how we are supposed to feel? Stereotypes are just, but stereotypes. They create an illusion of a reality we need to observe but they aren't binding as they seem, as people think they are. The last thing I would want to go through is to be shackled down, mentally, by things I cannot fathom.

Have you understood you thoroughly then?

(11) Cigarette Burns - Flunk #nowplaying

Came across Flunk thanks to a friend of mine. I love the uber light-heartedness of this and the slight chills it gives at some points. Either way, it's a great song and Anja (on the vocals) looks really old-skol perfect, which I also love.

Beginning as an instrumental and sampled vocal project, this Norwegian-based act has evolved to have the sound it has today. Flunk is a electronic band consisting of producer Ulf Nygaard, guitarist Jo Bakke, drummer Erik Ruud, and vocalist Anja Oyen Vister (I believe it's pronounced An-ya (?) but fine these are the names I can never pronounce). Hidden gem it is! Or maybe I'm just too slow to catch up with times.

I am feeling jelly today. Not jealous jelly, but a jelly-like state. I was driving with my eyes half-open during class today. The exams are over.

Weeks and weeks and weeks of mad studying and training has made me a lunatic (I think). Overloading on information that probably will not make a difference to my life in the future, one and half stacks of full skep, three pen ink refills, and getting distracted by the TV and the Internet. Taking runs and hitting the gym to (attempt to) reverse the severe consequences of an exam binge. Died at 9 pm. My pen ran out of ink halfway through a paper. I left twenty minutes earlier for another.

I studied like my life depended on it (ok it actually does, for now).

Haven't really been able to focus on things I want to do on this space because I just haven't been able to. As they all say, the time and place has to be right. It is crucial. I'm just waiting on it. I want my own store. I want to share the joy of listening to and buying lovely music. I want to buy things I don't need. I want people to laugh. I want a confetti gun so I can pull the trigger on it every time I open the doors of my store. Is this happiness?

The rainy season is here. You may say hello to my wellies in due time.

November is ARTifact month. Keep your eyes peeled. We're going to start small. I'm going to try so hard to not disappoint (even though I'm not a great artist but I'll try).

Nobody's Ghost - Drug Cabin #nowplaying

I chanced upon this on an absolutely random late-night at Starbucks studying my ass off. This song really caught on to me. I was enjoying every single song on this playlist that I literally recorded down the titles of every single song that came on to try and compile it. It was a stupid thing to do trying to Shazam songs but I had fun in the midst of scribbling notes like a machine. Thought I would share this because it really stood out a lot to me.

Drug Cabin is a Los Angeles based act by Nathan Thelen who is also guitarist of Moonrats, Pretty Girls Make Graves. This emerged as his solo project and despite its slightly more mellow tunes, there is some sunshine layered on top of it. I'm not too sure how to describe this feeling exactly but it makes me feel like I'm in a good place. Give it a listen if you would try. His other songs are absolutely wonderful too and is definitely going to be worth your time and ears (promise!). Either that or check out Drug Cabin on Facebook via here.

On a lighter note, this torturous bout of my school semester is about ending. I know this hasn't been a great place to be in the recent weeks but I will definitely work on it and make this a better one in the next few months to come. Directions, directions... They can get a little annoying sometimes but do keep up and we'll definitely (try to) have more juice for you.

I'm thinking along the lines of ideals and the idea of being idealistic. Or create a topic for the month. Do you have anything in mind or something you would like to know or read about? I'm curious. Share it if you can I'm all ears, definitely. Find pocketto here.

Thought (01)

Have you ever had a dream of some sort? Where you wished you could have been in a fierce looking office suit carrying that thousand dollar bag and own it all? I guess we all have. Or at least at some point in life wished we had "the life" (the best kind).

I came to a revelation (I guess I took awhile) as I was speaking with a friend of mine, that we are different people every year even though we're stuck in the same body... except that we age as time moves along. 2011 me would probably tell 2010 me to stop sobbing over life that there is a lot more to it than settling down for something... and 2004 me would probably ask me now why do I have colored hair when I swore I would never have it.

That being said, we all make the stupidest mistakes and take the hardest falls and here's crossing my fingers that I actually took some lessons with me from all of it before I start regretting and let future me shake her head in disappointment at the choices I make. Then again, how many rights can there be if there were no wrongs to begin with?

(10) Grand Hiatus y/n?

 

This quickly sums up the past month. Well, most of it. As you can see, Instagram has done a good load by making sure my phone serves its camera functions. I get bored easily but not of this, yet.

What's a great picture? A crazy amount of filters or is it perspective? Or is it just taking a picture of a great subject? We all get confused don't we. I can't say for sure it's awesome work, after all it's an amateur's take with a layman phone camera. Well I don't know if it's scary how mobiles and social media is changing the way we do and look at things but hey, it's about the biggest revelation since the industrial revolution (so I was paying attention to some part of lecture).

Anyway, getting back on the real issue. I can't decide if I'm really away because I can't seem to stay away from sharing random things at the moment. Work is starting to hit me like a giant wave with no stop to it. Not until next Tuesday is over.

Lastly, here's a surprising number from Norah Jones with Say Goodbye on her most recent album, Little Broken Hearts. Please do give it a listen, it will not disappoint, I promise! I hope these Monday blues will start going away already.

du du du du du

Absolutely random

I have no idea why but I randomly remembered that I had this illustration stuck in my hard drive for a long while. Drew this during my internship for a client but it didn't materialize into something. I wished it did though. The internship forced me to work for so many things but I guess it only meant one thing; we're past the stage where we didn't understand life and stuck around simple things and just laughed.

'Tis the season for a million Mini Coopers and Mercedes cars in (the school) carpark. I'm not even kidding. But I love the idea of having a car (and drawing one...) so anything goes.

This shall serve to be a good reminder. One fine day...

Work for the weekend!

Good Monday (08)

Good Monday to you I am officially in hibernation mode as I try to keep zen from the piles and piles of school work starting to hit me in the face like a bitch. Looks like I won't be able to invest too much time or effort in the next two weeks in my interests or my little space because the outside world is about to drain me of it.

Just thought I would share some music before I get out of the zone. I'm currently listening to a lot of floaty (no I don't mean it any way else, but literally; I feel floaty listening to it) tunes... which includes Alex Turner and his Submarine OST (lovely movie it is!). I never got over the movie and not the songs either. I'm in for the Arctic Monkeys so you can't count me out on this... So here's some lovin' with Glass In The Park by Turner for Submarine.

Well, I can't decide if I'm supposed to sad or just heartbroken like a real fool but I feel that when I listen to it. I don't know. Do you have a song that makes you sigh and want to pretend all of this never existed and melt into the walls and just watch everyone else? I guess we all do... At some point in life, we all have.

I guess, it's that time of the year... Where I shuffle my feet and can never decide what I want out of it.

Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un m'a dit #nowplaying

It's been a hectic week and it will be another hectic week ahead and I guess it's about the same for everyone else in school.

This song came to mind as I was searching for something "quiet" and "calming". I thought it would be appropriate for times like this and I hope you love it. Carla Bruni is a true beauty and lovely songwriter. If you've caught (500) Days of Summer (also one of my all-time favourites, in fact already my #1 movie), this one's on the soundtrack.

But on an extremely random note, a cup of coffee would do some good. I've just had one of the oddest or should I say almost awkward time having a haircut but I guess it's funny to see how people function. All in all I love my stylist because she's absolutely cute and wonderful.

In any case, have a happy weekend coming your way!

pocket daily (07) + #nowplaying

Your Song - Kate Walsh

This one's a pretty, heartwarming/wrenching tune but I love it all the same because Kate Walsh is amazing just the way she is. I know it's been awhile but if you've caught Angus, Thongs and The Perfect Snogging and loved it, it happens to be one of the soundtracks in the movie.

Anyway it's been a long weekend... again! Happy Hari Raya and have an awesome celebration if you're going visiting! (: It's been an extremely inspiring and fun weekend (yay happy first to CJP and I)! Meeting new people, learning new things, refreshing my views and take on marketing as well as pigging out on food and more food without exercise... Life can be a bed of roses if you want to make it!

On a random note, has anyone caught the Spice Girls at the Olympics closing ceremony? I thought they were smashing! Who knew they could still be this charming after eons...

In any case, have a great week ahead and keep your eyes peeled for more!

On: The Olympics

I'm sure everyone's been caught up in the heat of the Olympics. Even if you're not the most avid fan of watching the games, I'm pretty sure you would at least have a gist of what the games are... We all know it happens once every four years and the cream of the crop comes to contest for the gold. And we all know Phelps and Usain Bolt's going to bag home some medals again... But what exactly is the Olympics about?

Usain Bolt inching forward to create yet another world record.

The Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius", is a Latin expression that translates to "Faster, Higher, Stronger". Most of us see the Olympics as a platform for glory. We know what it's like to strive for the best and have a taste of victory at some points in life (for example winning your school race or accomplishing something you've always wanted to do). We know these people are here to compete and put on a show, so on and so forth.

But what we (at times) do not realize is that the games represent something more... It is a contest for the strong-spirited who are willing to conquer endeavors, and congratulate one another despite the outcomes. On top of it all, it is a game that embodies "Friendship, Respect and Excellence".

Oscar Pistorius of South Africa realized his dream and became the first Paralympian to qualify in the 400m race event. He finished second in his heat with an astonishing timing of 45.44s.

Oscar Pistorius of South Africa and Kirani James of Grenada exchanging bibs after the 400m finals race. Despite finishing last, Pistorius was only two seconds behind James who won Gold in the event.

More importantly, the games are one of the major events that brings the world together, it helps unite everyone in a certain harmony that we cannot quite comprehend. It is a shared language we all understand without even having to try, one of the only ones next to music. A lot of us find ourselves glued to the television or wanting to know what happens in the action or at least just be in the know.

We hate it, we love it, we don't know about it then we ask questions - it all leads us to talking about the games and making people unite for a shared interest.

Great Britain's women's soccer team made an OT goal to have a place at the gold medal match and spurred a roaring reaction from the crowds.

Sometimes it is inevitable (afterall, there is only one gold medal for every event) that we face disappointments watching the ones we support lose out (huge support for Malaysian shuttler, Lee Chong Wei who was up against Lin Dan of China), but it's OK, because we know these people have given it their best shot.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." 
- Coubertin's ideals expressed in The Olympic Creed

And I think this is something many people fail to see; because it is not losing that is the real failure, it is the failure to be involved and to want to participate in something that makes you the real loser.

It's going to sound entirely cheesy but having experienced some of the Olympic magic during my short working stint at the Youth Olympic Games, my love for the games have been cast in stone. It was beyond awesome meeting new people and athletes from all over the world and on top of it all forging meaningful friendships in just 20 days (I get so emotional everytime I think about the amount of effort and fun they are going to put in and have throughout the games hahah). But if ever you have a chance to be a part of it, go for it!

Anyway, it has thus far been an amazing showdown between most of the athletes. Singapore's finally made new history by bagging two bronzes this games, and still rooting for #TeamUSA in the basketball mens and women's quarterfinals!

My apologies for the extremely lengthy post on this one hahah, but have a wonderful Tuesday!

pocket daily (05)

The Dempsey Brasserie + Pretty bicycle that belongs to Yew Jin's mom

This has thus far been a pretty neat week, following some quality time spent with wonderful people. I've recently been taking more effort to be more active on Instagram (I know it's a little late) but well it's worth a try. I actually think of it as a positive invention because many people appreciate details more as they photograph them down into a virtual mini vault. It's like taking a second look at something and trying to capture it in the most captivating way possible and letting others have a peek into your tiny library of images.

In any case, for anyone who is in need of a new food heaven, please visit The Dempsey Brasserie. It serves extremely good French Onion soup (fyi it's served with bread and tonnes of melted cheese) and Lava cake (I think they might have called it the chocolate fondant too) !!! And if you love mussels, it is definitely worth a trip (it's their signature dish).

I know it might sound all a little too good to be true but there's nothing I can put down about it. Awesome service from the waiters (we had rounds of puns and laughter) and it's too lovely of a place to dislike. Maybe except for the heat that can start attacking you midway through the meal but seriously I would rate this a 9/10.

On an extremely random note, I have decided to number my entries to keep track of my progress and how much I've written overtime. So there it is, numbers in my title headers...

Lastly... pokopocketto is now on Facebook! You can now receive updates, random posts and share anything you like! Click here to join pocketto on Facebook ^^

Good night for there will be Scandinavian presents tomorrow <3

pocket daily

I feel this insane surge of happiness rushing through my body. Right at this very moment.

It's 3:37am. It's late (to also be cutting random strands of hair at this hour). But I have to write down this whirlwind of emotions down. Something's tugging at me to get this done. I shall.


Sidetrack, I just (just, being at 12.30am prior to my sudden urge to write all of this down) caught Submarine. Yes it's a year late, I know but who cares it's one of the best films I watched. I love movies like that. Even though it's a tad bit typical but I know there's a fair number of people who will agree with me about it. Shall not swoon about it (ok fine I included a still from the film up there) but I think I will when I have time to.

School's been a bore. I haven't been paying attention. At the least I caught the lecturer talking about averages and things that do not matter or correspond to my life. I feel stupid. But at the same time, sorry for these people who took plane rides that cost thousands of dollars to educate people who are disinterested. I'm not speaking for the majority but well, for myself, at least or even a minority who might share the same point of view as I do.


Right now, I just feel extremely motivated (AND HAPPY). But I can't seem to put a finger on what it is... Honestly, I haven't figured out what it is but the idea of getting something in place is a rather good start to this mundane period in my life.

Then again, maybe it's a temporary form of escape as I tell myself "something good can work".

Read a book by Paul Arden titled "Whatever you think, think the opposite". I think it's quite a good statement to live by. According to it, we need to understand that living within the rules and the norms isn't going to help us progress or make things better. It's what restricts us. We need to find our catalyst and make sparks fly with the right twitch.

Arden also mentioned that ambitions and aspirations coupled with determination will change the outcomes if we work towards it. And true enough, Obama became president, just as James Saatchi became the first to put an "ad" on the other side of the Berlin wall and eventually set up the now well-sought after ad agency, Saatchi and Saatchi.

I actually envision this space to become something more... More than just a space. I can't say for sure that things are going to happen but in time to come, it might. It just might.

Goodnight.