Happy Birthday NN!

Coincidentally, Nuffnang and I share a same nickname. Some friends do call me NN. So when I was typing the title of this post, I thought I was wishing myself happy birthday. Hahha. Anyway, this post is an entry for me to get tix to Nuffnang's 6th Birthday Bash. Hehehe. This is the first time I'm joining a competition like this and if I do win passes, it'll be the first time I'm attending social events for bloggers!

Happy Birthday Nuffnang!

Two months ago, on this exact day, I celebrated my birthday too. (Yes I'm an Xmas baby) Birthdays for me are more of a time for self-reflections and I have not written some of my reflections for my birthday so I think I'm gonna cheat and write some here too. Haha. And what better to write about them than with songs.

This entry requires me to choose 5 songs that I would like the DJ to play at the birthday bash. I thought I would inject some fun into this entry and choose songs according to a theme and my theme is "Movie Memories". Haha. It's inspired by the fact that Nuffnang is six, and when I was younger and around that age, there are songs from certain movies that instilled in me some of the values and principles I hold to this day. Of course, I couldn't include some of my favourite songs from films like Sound of Music and Mary Poppins - too musical for a birthday bash I thought. haha. In the end, I decided on 5 songs that I think are upbeat enough for a party, and at the same time convey positive messages. I think positivity is real important in life and I find that I always renew my sense of faith and hope during birthdays. ahah. So here's towards a bright future for Nuffnang and all who's gonna attend the party!

Ok, here goes my playlist.

I have shared it on my Facebook and my Twitter.
I'm so embarassed to tell you that I have just created this Twitter account. hahaha.

For the purpose of this contest, I also need to share my favourite album and it has to be Kate Nash - Made of Bricks because she is crazy and because she is a Brit-eesh. Pronounce that in Cockney accent please. Despite her craziness, I find her lyrics profound and her music, musical. Haha. She is so unique and there's no one like her. I just can't stop loving Kate! My favs are Mouthwash, Skeleton Song, Mariella - crazy songs. Some friends think I have weird taste. :( So why not you have a try and tell me! :D

And luckily for me, I could find Kate Nash's songs on Deezer. :)
Yay! And I am listening to her now!

Now back to my Deezer playlist and what the songs mean to me. Told ya I'm gonna cheat a bit and write some of my own reflections.

1) Just Keep Swimming - inspired by Finding Nemo

"Just keep swimming, it will work out eventually"

I always imagine myself swimming in a large ocean towards my next paradise. This songs tells me to keep swimming and never stop or never give up regardless of my circumstances. And I think it means more than just not giving up; for me, it also means that, when I achieve something, I also do not stop and rest and be complacent. I am reminded to always look for ways and means to keep improving myself.

2) Hakuna Matata - from The Lion King

"Hakuna Matata, it means no worries, for the rest of your days"

I have always loved The Lion King and its soundtracks, so much so that I almost watched its Broadway musical when I was in New York. But at that time, time was a constraint so I passed Broadway. Then, The Lion King musical came to Singapore two years ago, and this time, I wouldn't pass! I dragged invited Mr Choe along and I enjoyed it so so so much! Hakuna matata teaches me to stop worrying and start living! I have come to realise that, to worry or to move along is just a matter of choice.

My short fringe once upon a time.

3) The Bare Necessities - from Jungle Book

"Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities"

This is one of my all-time favourite songs. I have listened to it since I was a young girl and always found this phrase to be so true and so meaningful. And now that I am a young adult, I feel this simple truth even more. The most happy people are contented people. In this competitive world where people are trying to win over others, or show off their material possessions, I know that these victories are just temporary. The best things in life are still in the simplest things - a smile, a kiss, a hug. :) I always remind myself to be contented and also humble with what I have.

4) You've Got a Friend in Me - from Toy Story

"You've got a friend in me"

Toy Story is a story about the adventures of many unlikely friends. Friends complete my life in many different ways and for all my friends who have been so kind to me, I always try to be a good friend too. It's about appreciation. :) So thanks to all who have been so good to me all these years, I'm really grateful and hope that I can be a better friend each day. Hehe.

5) I Like to Move It - from Madagascar
"I like to move it move it!"

Well this is a party song that I think will get everyone moving! Sometimes in life, we just have to let loose and enjoy the journey! Life's a party. :D

With these songs and messages, I wish Nuffnang a happy birthday! And hope I can be part of the celebration!

To join, log onto Nuffnang website and start submitting your entries!

*fingers crossed* ^.^

Taiwan: Taroko National Park to Chingjing

This is another picture-full post. Hehe. I really enjoyed taking pictures in Taiwan, there are just so many beautiful things to capture. And this, has to be one of the best places in Taiwan. This is the most scenic route we took; from Taroko National Park all the way to Chingjing, stopping by the peak of the mountain range, Hehuanshan. When we were there, Hehuanshan recorded a temperature of -2C. Luckily, when we reached Chingjing, where the sheep are (as you will see), the weather became very kind to us. It was about 13C, with bright blue sky. Again, I can never tell you enough, how much I love a BLUEEE sky.

This is going to be a chronological post. You will see how the scenery changes from Taroko National Park, all the way to Chingjing. It's really mind-blowing. First, we saw amazing rock/mountain formations at Taroko, then we encountered think fog at the Divine Tree Boulevard, then a SPECTACULAR display of an endless blanket of clouds below us. In Mandarin, it's called "yun hai", 云海. This is what I learned from the tour guide. Hehe. It's truly amazing, truly breath-taking, that at that moment, I thought I made it to heaven, where the angels live. Our tour guide mentioned that we were so lucky to see the sea of clouds - it does not happen everyday. I guess Mother Nature worked its magic specially for us, or maybe it was my birthday gift from the Gods above. ;))

At Chingjing, we had so much fun chasing the sheep, feeding the sheep and watching the sunset at Green Green Grassland,  and then strolling in a little park called Little Swiss Garden. We were at Chingjing from Christmas eve till Christmas. So happy I got to experience Christmas high up in the mountains, with sheep as my company. Hahaha.

I believe this is a must-go destination, and this route is a must-take route, should you visit Taiwan. I hope my pictures will do the place justice. ;))

Told ya, this route is definitely worth it! Charter a vehicle, and go up the mountains!

Taiwan: Yilan in pictures

Yilan is a very peaceful town in Taiwan. It may not be the most popular tourist destination in Taiwan but we are glad we visited Yilan. It's really relaxing and we had a lot of fun just being on our own. We also tried to do some "elevation" shots as you will see below. Haha. ;))