Chinese New Year 2015

The yearly CNY visiting affair is here again! Thankfully it falls on Thurs & Fri this year, the long weekend is much appreciated. But the longer the break, the more visiting and celebrations we have. That's always the case.
CNY Day 1 (19 Feb 2015)

Wefie in the car!

The mandatory family shot every year.

 With the cousins (dad's side).

And a full family shot with my dad's side!
I kind of look plump in the photos don't you think? No judging, its cny. I'm allowed to gain weight. LOL! I look better in the photos on other days (I believe so).
Every year there will be some relatives whom we are not familiar with. At that moment, I'll be asking my brothers, "eh, who are they ar? what do we call them?". It's the same every year. I just can't remember how to greet them when we only see them probably once a year, or once every two years or so. Awkward moments.
CNY Day 2 (20 Feb 2015)
It was a hectic day, visiting my relatives first, before leaving to pick Jz's mum & grandparents up from Tiong Bahru. This year, his CNY gathering is held near Lakeside, hence we had to pick his grandparents up. Lots of photos were taken, took quite a while because Jz's mum have 9 other siblings! Its kind of incredible for someone to give birth to 10 kids imo. 

A shot with the grandparents. :)
CNY Day 3 (21 Feb 2015)
Its my family's open house today! Didn't take any photos except for the feast that I helped (a little) to cook. At first I thought all these food were sufficient to feed 20+ people. Sadly no. I was only left with 2 lil prawns, veg and rice. Hahaha! Its okay though, I'd rather the guests have more food.

CNY Day 4 (22 Feb 2015)
It's the most relaxed day today, because work is starting the next day (no more good food, no more enjoying). :(

I caught a movie with my love after CNY visitings! Kingsmen is really an awesome movie! Great plot, good looking casts, and the fireworks are really cute. Haha! It's worth watching!

Ended the day by sending my brother back to camp, and bf back home. <3

IELTS Singapore

I decided to put together this informative post about IELTS test in Singapore because while I was googling for information, there was literally so few websites or blogs that can advise me on the steps I should take or any preparations I need for the test.

You'll need to take the IELTS test if you're going overseas to study (Australia, UK, America, Canada schools require a certain level of English proficiency before you are allowed to enroll in their schools), or if you are migrating to the English countries.

There are 2 places for you to take the test. You can take it from IDP Singapore (S$310) or British Council (S$330). Both places are doing the test sittings almost weekly. You can check the test schedules online when you are registering for your slot.

1) IDP Singapore
http://www.idp.com/singapore/ielts
2) British Council:
http://www.britishcouncil.sg/exam/ielts

I registered for my test with IDP Singapore, just because its cheaper. You will need to scan your IC or Passport copy (in colour) when registering. Here're some of the sites I practice on before my tests.

Practice Sites:
1) http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx
2) http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-practice-tests
3) http://www.ielts-exam.net/
4) http://www.ielts-blog.com/ielts-writing-samples-essays-letters-reports/

Test Format:
http://www.ieltsessentials.com/know_the_test/test_format.aspx

My registration with IDP Singapore is fairly simple. I registered and paid online for the test slot that I want. About a week before the test date, the test administrators will email me my test details (speaking test slot is allocated by them, but you can email them to request for a certain timing, subject to availability).

I did my Listening, Reading and Writing tests on 7 Feb 2015 (Saturday), Speaking test the day before.

Before every test, you will need to "sign in" to the venue by scanning your thumbprint. My speaking test slot was at 11:45am, but I reached there around 11:15am and I was the next candidate to take the test. I believe it doesn't really matter for your timeslot as long as you are there, you can take the test earlier.

Speaking Test

- A Caucasian lady was my tester, she started by introducing herself and announcing my name to the recorder (whole speaking test is recorded).
- Personal questions (about 10 questions?) regarding you work, hobbies or family
- A question with a few parts to it (you will be given 1 minute to think of your speech), you will need to speak for 1 - 2 minutes
- Open ended discussions (can be related to the previous question)

My advice is.... be calm, speak slowly and read up on recent news. The question I got was "Are there any good news that you have read on the internet or watched on the news recently?" I couldn't think of any good news even after my 1 minute is up and I just had to bomb some news that I read decades ago, and pray that she's not aware of the news.

The next day, I arrived about an hour earlier to do my registration / tagging of bag / and thumbprint scanning to enter the test venue. You can only bring in your identification document and a clear see-through water bottle. The 3 tests are manageable, you just have to take note of your time limit while doing the writing test because there are 2 essays to write.

The 3 tests will take about 3 hours (1 hour each) and tadaaaa. You're done with the tests! And then.... the 13 calendar days wait for the results to be released. You can opt for sms notification of the results. And the official results transcript will be mailed to you. :)

Good luck to those taking the tests!

XOXO,
Stacey <3

V'Day 2015

Its da V'Day once again! Its my turn whipping up dishes for this year's vday. Cos the boy cooked for me last year. I ended work around 4.45pm, and headed to his place to get the ingredients needed for the dinner (and next day's breakfast).

We finished grocery shopping around 6.30pm and we can finally eat after a 2 whole hours battle in his kitchen. :( The kangkong is abit overcooked though, don't mind the unappetizing photo. It's been a longggggg day at work.

As usual though, I don't like to eat the things I made. I don't eat the cakes I baked, I don't really eat the food I cooked. Maybe its because I'm too tired after making all these stuff. I usually just want to crash on the bed. 

Breakfast is so much nicer than dinner the day before. I still took a long time to make it, I took around an hour or so. I think I really need to improve on my skills before heading to UK for a year. If not I'll probably slim down alot over there. :D

So ya, this concludes this year's Vday celebration. No fanciful dinner or date because the boy has got exams the next Monday. :( At least we managed to have dinner together and he got me cupcakes! <3 #simplepleasures

i heart you baby! <3