Canada: Winnipeg in the Winter

First November 2007 is a day to remember. It was the day when I experienced my first snowfall!

The start of a -40 degrees Celsius winter.

I did warn you that Winnipeg’s winter is crazy right?

So crazy they need bulldozers to cart off the thick snow.

But the snow does make my school campus look really beautiful.

That winter, I learned the new definition of a refrigerator. It is to keep your fizzy drinks warm from the cold harsh winter. They will explode due to the coldness, if left in the open.

That winter, I also learned that it is wise not to hang your clothes outside of your home to let it drip dry. It will be frozen.

That winter, I also tried my hands at many things that I can never do in Singapore. It was the first time I made a snowman. I was super duper happy.

I also attended my first ever ice hockey game.

Boy, was it violent.

And snowboarding!

I’ve never had so much bruises on my knees before. Pain aside, it is really so exciting to snow board down the never ending slope.

I can’t wait to jump at the chance to go snowboarding again!

Canada: Winnipeg in the Summer

I’m so swarmed with work of late, my wander lust soul is aching terribly. It has been a long time since I did a travel post!

One of my favourite place on earth is Canada. This was where I spent a good 4 months studying and touring the Northern Hemisphere.

So let’s start with the place that I bunked, studied, camped and froze…

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m pretty sure you drew a blank at the name.

Facts about Winnipeg…

1) Unknown to many, Winnipeg was the place where Winnie the Pooh was born… or would you rather say, created.

2) It is also one of the coldest city in Canada- thus the nickname Winterpeg. You get so used to the cold, 5 degrees is summer.

3) It is in the same state (Manitoba) as the polar bear capital, Churchill.

On the day of arrival at the University, I was dead tired. Almost 48 hours of flight and transit was driving me nuts. I remembered that my roomie and I knocked out cold for the next 12 hours or so, sleeping through our very first and only hail storm during our stay.

If you were wondering about the cold. It’s really a serious business.

This was were we stayed.

Days before I was acquainted with Chanel. It’s band tees and jeans.

A really cosy on-campus apartment to lodge in. Loved that it was insulated well to beat the cold! The best part was that we stayed on the second floor, right next to the emergency exit. It’s just a 400 metres dash across the street to the cafeteria. 400 metres is all it takes for you to get your butt frozen (beyond the van).

Taken from my room.

Besides the occasional pool night-out with friends, toony tuesdays, clothes and grocery shopping, there is really little things to do in Winnipeg during Winter.

To make full use of the ending summer, my roomie and I made it to the forks.

At the forks museum. I did say that Winnipeg is closely related to the polar bears.

My roomie and I at the Esplanade Riel. Doesn’t the bridge structure look vaguely familiar?

I also made it to 2 major malls in Winnipeg - St Vital and Polo Park to stash up on winter wear. If there are a few lessons that I’ve truly learnt from my stay in Winnipeg, that is 1) buy all your winter wear in a winter prone country. The clothes are much more affordable and better to combat the harsh winter. 2) It is not necessary to buy thermals. Layer, layer, layer is the way to go. I was a true camisole convert. But, you need to 3) invest in a good outerwear / coat. Shielding yourself against the windchill factor is important.

Unlike the stark winter, the malls are inviting.

This little shop was selling chocolate coated apples!

Care to adopt one?

Happy CNY

I know CNY is way over. But, it’s no secret that I’m bugged with work - my table is overflowing with paper!

So, here are snapshots of CNY.

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Up North..

Would you believe me if I told you I had zero make-up on when I took this picture?

I had to. I don’t believe in sleeping with make-up on.

Oh I love the look of dawn. Very pretty.

And when it was bright and cheerful…

It’s time to celebrate!

I just realise, besides this photo, I didn’t take much during the day.

So let’s fast forward and enjoy the fireworks.

Huat ah!

Happy 400 - I heart Ferragamos

It’s my 400th post on this blog.

Wow, what a milestone. Every time I clock 100, I celebrate it with something special and lovely.

This post is no different.

xxx

I have a super duper soft spot for leather shoes. Since the end of 2009, I have resolved never to buy shoes that bite. Out goes PU shoes, in comes leather shoes.

1) I like my feet to be happy.

2) I like my shoes to go the distance with me.

3) I like the smell of fresh leather - it’s a strange fetish I’ve developed over the years (GAH).

Since then, I’ve only broken the rule once. I purchased a stylish PU suede bootie from Charles & Keith. Had to hunt it down in Raffles place for they were sold out island wide in less than a week!

Anyways…

Since that resolution in 2010, I’ve developed a softie heart for Ferragamos!

This lad started my obsession with the comfy shoes.

I bought them on sale 3 seasons back. They were half size larger and I had to get my shoe maker to fill in with padding. The padding made the shoes so comfy, I practically lived in them for all my formal functions.

I’ve worn them to all my friends’ wedding dinners. It’s amazing how comfy they are judging that they add a cool 10cm to my height. All the other stilettos that I own - leather or not - makes the ball of my feet burn.

So during the last season’s sale, I woke up really early and headed for the annual sale.

My heart skipped many beats. I secured all the shoes that I’ve been eying all season!

My sister got this pair as well. We love nude shoes. They are so versatile.

Nudes are the new blacks.

Adding a pop of colour is this pair of mustard heels. The plastic that you see peeking from the sole is rubber padding. A tip that I picked up from my shoe maker.

But my favourite buy at that sale, has got to be this…

Paired with friendship band from Phuket. And my black tulle skirt from Japan.

Nude flats; in my size!!!!! I was so lucky.

Another girl wanted the same pair in the same size. She had spotted the pair before I did; but her SA got her a size bigger. My SA was quick - actually my sister was quicker and told the SA we wanted the pair in our size - and out she came with the correct size. There was only one pair.

Voila! It was love at first sight.

Tick tick tick. When will the spring sale happen?

xxx

Lots of hugs and kisses to all my readers who have made my day many times over. =)

Phuket Old Town and Tours

If you are in Phuket, there a few adventures that you can embark on.

Walking through Phuket Old Town.

Well, I make it a point to walk through one heritage trail in each city that I go to. Phuket is no different.

Phuket Town is famed for its old sino houses.

I love this picture below…

If you’re hungry, locate this eatery next to the students’ apartments along this street. I’ve forgotten what is the street name. But it’s near the town clock.

To end your night in Phuket Old Town, you can shop and dine at Central Festive Market. It closes at 22 00.

Safari Adventure Tour.

I’ve always wanted to sit on an elephant. I finally gotten my chance to!

The elephant that I sat on is the same age as me! I heard he is very hard to tame. I had to feed it with bananas to keep it from throwing a tantrum.

A tip when signing up for a safari tour or snorkeling trip (below): Do book your tickets when you are in Phuket. It is almost 1/3 less than what you pay online. My day trip to the Safari and Snorkeling (below) was 1000 baht each.

Snorkel in the big ocean.

A big must is to snorkel in Phuket. The sea life is enchanting.

I saw long-finned banner fish, striped fish and purple fish! (I’ve no idea what their names are.)

Take one of the speed boat, as you can reach Maya Bay. This is where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed the beach. This beach is inviting and the sand is soft and white - no photographs though.

I did, however snap a photo of the ’secret look-out’ directly opposite Maya Bay.

Gorgeous ain’t it?

Next, the boat will bring you to the viking cave. A little staged in my opinion. But there is a thriving bird’s nest business growing there.

My favourite part of the snorkelling trip is… the snorkelling!

The pictures did not turn out great though.

I had fish swimming so near me. I had cuts on my calves from their sharp fins scraping past me.

One great place to snorkel is Kai Island. Calm and filled with a good variety of fish, it is an ideal place for beginners like me.

I’m definitely going back to snorkel sometime in the future.

What about you?

A Phuket Getaway: The Street Show

I took a break a week before Christmas and flew to Phuket.

You would find it hard to believe, but… this is my 3rd time to Thailand and I’ve yet to visit Bangkok.

Some shopping prior to jetting off. My sister’s Christmas pressie.

I love Iris. They are very pretty. Not to mention, extremely expensive.

As the flight was full, I had to sit by myself. On the bright side, I was giving the seat along the emergency exit. My feet were very happy. So much leg space! It’s definitely largely than the seat that I had to pay $3000 plus for to Canada.

I had space to have two tables. Beat that.

I was pretty lucky to be at Phuket when the Street Show was held. It’s the first in its history.

These were deers on stilts. They performance was haunting.

They were twirling and twisting in sync.

There were other performances from international artistes.

Nijuumaru. They bring juggling to a new height. I only managed to catch the closing number.

There were really a lot of people enjoying the Phuket Street Show.

Steve Marshall’s magic art drew a huge crowd. And I’m not exactly 195cm tall.

So I resorted getting the memorabilia.

A periscope for 100 baht!

On the road back to the hotel, I took a picture of the traffic light. Much to my amusement.

More on what to do in Phuket in the next post!

On Christmas Eve

New York at Christmas time will always hold a special place in my heart.

View from across at Brooklyn Bridge.

The lights, the dazzle and the coldness all melt into one makes one very happy Valerie.

Day…

And night…

Oh festive festive.

Ground Zero and Beyond

Taking the sub, I reach ground zero.

I still remember that fateful incident many years ago. I was due to sit for an important exam the next day and it was the first time I came to know the term ‘terrorist’.

It’s sad and the world came to learn about the pain that a thoughtless act can inflict.

Here, we remember those who lost their lives in the 2001 September 11 incident.

The only part of the building that was left standing was this sculpture entitled “The Sphere”.

The mood was sombre and you can see people paying their respects to those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

The Manhattan skyline was never the same again.

And from across this site, at Liberty island…

The soft light cast by the midday sunlight makes Manhattan appear so serene as if the accident has never occurred.

As the statue of Liberty looks on, let’s all remember those who bravely battled to save lives and lost their own. Let’s also pray for the families who have lost a loved one in 9/11 and may the Lord comfort them.

New York: Madam Tussauds

“In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There’s nothing you can’t do. Now you’re in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you. Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York….”Alicia Keys

New York is a fascinating place. There’s really nothing like New York.

Three Autumns ago, My friend and I made a transit stop at New York prior to flying to Canada. It was a public holiday and the streets of Manhattan were freakishly empty and quiet.

4 months later, after our exchange, we headed back to New York for a 10 days long holiday. Those 10 days were the best days of my life!

Day one, we headed to the busy streets of Broadway and headed for the Madame Tussauds.

The hall was bustling with activities.

I met a lot of celebrities.

Or at least wax versions of them.

I even met Einstein!

Now a wax figure of myself.

Night was spent shopping along the streets of New York. It was close to Christmas and the air was filled with excitement and happiness.

Shopping in New York during festive days is a treat. The sales are incredible! What a pity I didn’t step into Saks 5th Ave to get a Chanel bag. =( I did, however, get cosmetics from Nars. *Laughs*

In the next post. Remembering 911.

DC: National Archives

My roommate fell ill during our trip to DC. So for the large part of the DC trip, I travelled alone. It’s rather refreshing to browse through the museums at my own pace. The only downside? You have to bother other tourists to help you snap pictures.

On my must-see list…

The archives of USA.

It houses the original copy of the Declaration of Independence. You live only once, you really got to see this manuscript in person.

I had to queue 1 hour to get in… And I was one of the early birds!

Hello humans… Jostling with the thick crowd is no fun at all.

And here it is. This is what I came for.

These people really have lovely handwriting.

After having spent my early morning looking at the document, I headed to see gems at the Smithsonian museum.

And I thought these were huge.

This, I like. It costs $1 billion Chanel bags?

Can I bring this home? I think it’ll look really pretty sitting in my room.

This would do too. =)

But my favourite, is this.

The famed “Hope Diamond”.

And that rounds up my trip to DC. See you at New York!