About 2 hours before 2011 makes its grand entrance, marking the start of another new decade… in a flash, 2010 is over. My, that’s really fast. Considering I have too much to say (let’s leave reflections to another post). I would like to make this the last post I would write for 2010.

To summarize, it’s a year of many firsts for me, and all that experiences money couldn’t buy. It has been a year of emotional roller coaster, and in the process of having found myself, and learning to embrace, love thy self.

May 2011 be my best year yet, as I step into it with confidence.

Nicole

Christmas came and went, and in less than 3 days, year 2010 bids goodbye, and 2011 will be ushered in.

Its been an amazing year, good and bad for me. Excuse me whilst I struggle to sum up my year in 2010. Time is running out!

Battling a flu as I am writing this, and yes, it doesn’t pay to fall sick with the new year closing in every second, every minute. Ok, my mind is a blank at the moment. LOL.

So in the meantime, stick around, grab a cake or something, and be happy.

Nicole

I spent an unusual Christmas Eve, making my first shore trip to Big Sisters’ Island (Pulau Subar Laut), learning how to tread carefully along the shores – avoiding the delicate corals, keeping my eyes wide open for rocks, learning how to spot the different corals, marine life.

As a first timer, I found it quite a challenge to keep my balance whilst walking on the shore and to avoid trampling of the corals (which I am pleased to say, none of the corals are harmed – and it will be kept that way). As learning to adapt was my top priority, I didn’t manage to capture many other forms of marine life. But anyways, here they are:

This Red Egg Crab was a pretty shy little fella, as it paused just long enough for me to get a nice shot, it then scurried away quickly into the safety of the rocks.

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You would recall that Jack’s Place, a place for reasonable pricing, yet value for money set meals, steaks etc… But you do know that their cakes are yummy too?

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these yummy cakes Jack’s place has to offer, and yes, not one, but two promotions for all you readers of my blog, nicole.sg. Here’s how you can make use of them:

1) Festive Cakes

Offer: 15% on all festive cakes ordered through the bakery hotline 62876298.

Mention promo code JPNW1

Valid til 3 January 2011.

Just in time for Christmas!!

2) All non festive Cakes

Offer: 20% on all non festive cakes ordered through the online bakery at www.eatzi.com.sg/cake.php

Simply type in promo code JPSF2 at the check out page

Valid til 31 January 2011.

Both offers not valid with other offers and discounts.

Hehe, these cakes are perfect for almost every occasion, or even for celebrations. Moreover, its the festive season now, why not surprise someone with a lovely cake today? Or perhaps, a little something, to satisfy the sweet tooth in you?

Nicole

Here’s a little something, to help kick start a peaceful Christmas, lest you’re not feeling the Christmas vibe and spirit like me!

9 days to Christmas. 6 more days to end of giveaway. YES! I am referring to the giveaway on my blog. Send me your entries la!

Thursday started on a usual note, and am feeling better after a night of much needed sleep for 8 hours.

Nicole

14 days to Christmas.

*mild panic mode* I’ve presents to make, cards to write and some last minute shopping to do, and gatherings to attend. All in the name of the festive cheer. It ain’t that bad, save for a lack of time to rest, work to rush as the end of the year looms ahead.

after a few conversations with people closer to me, it dawned upon me the need to just keep moving. i know i am in and out of emotional roller coaster rides this year, but at the very least i am still being true to myself. like everyone else, i struggle with emotions, trying to keep myself, reality in check. there are many a times i wish i could just run away or do something stupid, which was really just not worth it in the end. looking around me, there are matters which are more pressing and an urgent need that’s to be done in such a short span of life.

2010 is a beautifully imperfect year. I can’t ask for more, and i am glad that events that are happening in my life might pave way for something better… we will see how it goes… at the very least, there is a reason for every thing that happens.

perhaps the takeaway memory of the year, is realizing that one’s life is short, and truly unpredictable. its a good wake up call, at least to me. values, beliefs were shaken, and i never felt the raw edge of emotions so strong that it scares me still. time for a good ol’ quiet reflection and planning for the coming year.

Nicole

-Foodilicious!

Of course, today’s Friday, thus the Food picture… both start with the letter “F”. Lame, yeah I know. Then again, being able to feast through the festivities, I should count myself blessed and lucky

Am awfully glad that a horrendously odd week is coming to an end. Tempers fray and mood swings, boy am I glad that its sorta over. Of course, the weekends are never enough, and I shall have to content with getting as much rest as I can before its over.

On a side note, I can’t wait for the end of the work day today!

Nicole

-Singapore Garden Festival 2008

Just a random picture of me… being so in love looking at the ladybug picture. I find them cute. Don’t ask why.

The next few weeks could either work out for me, or collapse on me, crushing me to bits. It feels as if I am facing the mountain ahead all on my own.

Had a scare yesterday, when I was forced to factory reset my phone. System errors and low memory errors with no options to do anything apart from hitting the ‘OK’ button and then having it restart over and over again.

Annoying leh, silly Nokia N97. The saving grace was that all data was saved to the other drive and that the only thing I lost, are all my custom profile settings. But still, having a phone that will brick on you anytime, is something not sitting very well with me.

I’m swamped again. Till I write. Take care.

Nicole

Die Misere. Gefühl der Niederlage, erschöpft. Ich will schlafen, und nie wach zu diesem lebendigen Alptraum.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown
Don’t let the greatness get you down

Very apt. Katy Perry’s – Who Am I Living For. Kinda on my loop playlist for today, as I can’t seem to get rid of the ear worm in my head… “At the end of it all, who am I living for?” Myself.

Things haven’t been smooth lately, and it really gets on my nerves. I guess the flare ups on my skin is witness to it… the stress have gotten to me. The festive season don’t make it any better… but I’ll live. I will keep walking and keep the faith.

More over the jump for the full lyrics…

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And with this little gem… one of my wishes is fulfilled. Totally unexpected, and yes, that sped up my acquisition of my first DSLR. It’s a racing red Pentax K-X. I haven’t named it, but hope to give it a name real soon.

It excites me that my photography hobby has allowed me to nurture and grow alongside, in terms of techniques as well as personal growth. I don’t dare say I’m good, but I am just learning and trying to find my style alongside like-minded enthusiasts.

Perhaps I would also like to add that I’m attempting to write more actively on this blog… be it daily musings, or reviews and stuff like that…

Notice that I took down the links? Well, most of them are outdated, and I will have to spend sometime repopulating that section.

December is a month of festive joy and giving, but somehow, this December is tainted with a tad of fatigue.

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Or better still, win a BlackBerry Curve 3G for yourself? Check it out here

Nicole