I’m in Shanghai now for my work trip. Can’t believe my boss is still stuck at a wine event at 11.30p.m.!! We have an internal flight to catch tomorrow at 9am, which means we need to check out of the hotel at 7am. She’s going to be so exhausted (so will my colleague and I cos we’re still waiting for her)!!

On a separate note, I sneaked out after dinner today to shop and I bagged so many buys from Vera Moda. I always buy Vera Moda stuff when I’m in China. Yeah, I am so hopelessly addicted.

It’s really strange shopping here though, because the shop assistants always ask if I’m a Korean based in China.

There can only be two reasons: 1) I don’t look Chinese or 2) my mandarin really sucks. :S

Ok..back to report writing. I need to pack up as well! Hope I’ll get to catch some sleep…

I think this is one of the lousiest mobile phones that I’ve ever used in my entire life. The silver outer casing has been scratched beyond recognition with barely half a year of usage.

Its only saving grace is its camera, which I personally think captures better images than my Panasonic Lumix camera.

Going to bed now. After a day of furniture hunting on Saturday, we ended up buying just 1 Simmons mattress. That, coupled with fatigue, has led to the return of the fever bug.

One more week to China… I need ample rest!!!

1) Preparing for my Beijing/Shanghai work trip and meeting individuals who are so incredibly wealthy that I am perpetually awe-struck. To some, 10 million dollars probably make up 1% of their entire net worth. Sometimes I wonder, what on earth am I doing with my life? Haha

2) Learning the waltz with JW and getting confused because surprisingly, there’s so much theory involved. It also doesn’t help that I have never excelled in geometry.

3) Worrying about JW’s airborne exercise. He has 3 jumps in all, 2 on Thursday and 1 on Friday. So dangerous!!!

4) Thinking about how my new house would turn out. We have engaged an interior designer and bought our lights as well as toilet accessories. I love all the lights, especially the chandelier in my master bedroom and this rectangular hanging light encrusted with crystals in the dining room. The colour scheme includes shades of black, grey, white, dark brown and red. Most importantly, we’ll be having some wallpaper accents (I like! Heard maintenance is a pain though) and two walk-in wardrobes!!

5) Pondering about how insane we are. Haha.

Since I’m nursing my flu at home, I thought this would be an opportune time to update on my skincare routine (both day and night are the same). I’ve been using Derma-Rx products for a couple of months (except for a brief period of time when I switched to natural skincare), and I also underwent 1 comedone treatment administered by my dermatologist to extract whiteheads. Thus far, I feel that my skin has improved tremendously. Most importantly, my skin is now clear, smooth and radiant. I hope it stays this way forever *fingers crossed*.

Cleansing is undoubtedly the most important step of the your skincare regime, but many of us tend to forget this. I’m very paranoid about my cleansing routine now, so I double cleanse even if I only have sunblock on.

I use this oil-based make-up remover to remove my make-up or sunblock. Its main ingredients include kukui and olive oils as well as vitamin E. This is very gentle, but it thoroughly removes debris and excess sebum from your skin. I can literally feel the gunk being rubbed off. No artificial fragrance or colour.

Step 2: Derma-Rx Foaming Cleanser

I double cleanse with Derma-Rx foaming cleanser, which contains marine and algae extracts for gentle exfoliation. This is one of the best cleansers that I have used thus far, as it cleanses thoroughly without drying up the skin.

Step 3: Derma-Rx Toner

This toner is alcohol-free and contains skin-calming ingredients such as chamomile and cucumber extract. It also contains glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which are supposed to enhance the cleansing process.

Although I have never been a fan of toners, I’m using this only because my derm told me to.

Step 4: Derma-Rx Comedone Formula (CF)

Step 5: Derma-Rx Lightener

This product promotes an even skin tone and helps to lighten existing scars as well as pigmentation. It is very effective in speeding up the scar lightening process, mainly because the active ingredient is 4% Hydroquinone, but you have to use this religiously to see results. As with all products, don’t expect to see miracles overnight. 🙂

Step 6: Derma-Rx Vit-A-Gel

This contains a blend of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Retinol and Salicylic Acid (BHA) in optimum concentration to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. My derm says it helps to prevent pimples in the long term too. The downside is, some may experience peeling in the first few weeks or months, but I didn’t really experience any discomfort or peeling.

Step 7: Derma-Rx Tinted Sunscreen
I love this sunscreen as it is fragrance-free and provides complete protection against UV-A and UV-B sun rays. It does leave white cast on your face, but it’s very close to my skin colour so it gives me very natural, light coverage. Sometimes, I’ll dust a layer of Chanel loose powder over it as it can make your face look quite shiny.

So there, these are the products that I’ve been using. I can’t say that my skin is perfect now as I still have some scars, but it’s definitely getting better. 🙂

Weekends have been really busy for me. Renovations, wedding prep, gatherings and now, dance classes. Sometimes, I have to take home my unfinished work as well.

I wasn’t feeling too well yesterday. Must be the effect of spending consecutive late nights in the office for the past 1 week. It also doesn’t help that the weather recently has been rather freaky. I was blowing my nose the entire day yesterday, and I felt slightly feverish towards the evening. Despite feeling unwell, Jw & I still went ahead to attend yet another JC class gathering at Shunjuu, where we had countless plates of yakitori.

Too tired to continue typing, so I’ll just let the pictures do the talking. Thanks WQ, for being the official photographer of the night. I’m so tempted to buy a Canon Powershot now. I used to own one when I was in uni, but I ditched it for Panasonic Lumix. Wrong move. I’m now convinced that the best camera brand is no other than Canon.

If you observe carefully, you’ll see that the area between my mouth and my nose is slightly red, all thanks to my running nose. Thank goodness I went home straight after dinner to nurse my cold and fever. I feel much better now, but I’ll probably take MC on Monday to hasten my recovery. 🙂

Though I don’t know you personally, you have touched me in so many ways, the same ways that you have touched the lives of others. I hope you are now in a place that is filled with boundless love, warmth and joy. A place that is free from suffering.

I still remember that you threw in extra falsies for me to try out when I purchased ardell falsies from you. You were such a kind soul.

I still remember how we complained incessantly about our bad complexion even though you had such dewy and glowing skin. I still think you had great skin.

I still remember how much fun we had discussing about natural skincare, and all the tips that you gave me. You were always there to lend a helping hand.

I still remember that fateful day when I received the sms about you being in critical condition. You were in my prayers for the next few days, until things took a turn for the worst.

I still remember seeing a post that said “Hazel has left us”. I can’t believe that I’ll never see your posts nor private messages again.

I will always remember your bubbly and cheerful disposition.

I will always remember your display of kindness and generosity.

I will always remember your eagerness to help anyone who needed an opinion.

Most of all, I will always remember you for being you.