2018: The Most YOLO Year Of My Life...Yet?

And...it's the time of the year again!!

I actually think that this is the only post I'm actively & enthusiastically drafting every year. Probably cause it gives me a summary and closure of the year and prepares me for the next - also, keeping tabs on my yearly resolution!

SO..How was 2018?

HMMMMMMMM.
I'm actually not sure how to feel about this, but 2018 has gone past too soon. It feels as if time pass faster when I'm older? But there's also a theory behind this where, when you're young, you got more time to spend, comparatively when you're at adulthood stage, you work 9 hours a day and only have that little extra time to spend and make it worth.

But if I had to summarize, I guess 2018 could be titled as the most YOLO year of my life(?)


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Let's see how my resolutions set for 2018 went..

1. Catch falling snow! - Nope..Didn't had the luxury to experience this :(

2. Travel to somewhere new - YES, Bali!! & Hatyai! Though it's somewhere nearby, it was a new place!

3. Blog more (As usual..hurhurhur) - Obviously no LOL!!
4. Save up & probably commit to some savings/investment plan - I did start saving a tad bit more and started on investment plans so..YES!
5. Have sufficient rest everyday (Aka. Rest early) - No, no, no, no, no. I JUST DONT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SPARE :(

6. Sing & play the guitar & keys more - YES!! I actually started off streaming on 浪live & I sing with my guitar & keyboard there so I'm really glad I'm able to realize this resolution! Just a short snippet of the recent mini 彈唱 cover on my IG -

A post shared by 諾伊 Noelle Mikazuki (@noellemikazuki) on Sep 28, 2017 at 4:28am PDT

7. Spend more time with my family (Niece especially) - Half I guess? But I did spend more time with family and friends comparatively to 2017!
8. DECORATE MY OWN ROOM/HOME STUDIO :))) - MY ROOM IS NOT VACANT FOR ME TO SHIFT IN YET SO NO :( SADDEST FAILED RESOLUTION :(

That's like 50%?? HAHAHAHAHA. Not ideal but well..not too bad either!

But well, 2018 has been pretty busy, yet fulfilling for me. I've found a new job which I pretty much enjoy - taking up 200h/mth, I've also my side line streaming that takes up 30-40h/mth, adhoc jamming & gigs, traveling..so..it's been pretty tight on time for me, so much so that by the end of 2018 (now), I feel so mentally and physically drained that I start to let loose my schedules just to let myself slow down and enjoy me time a little.


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Well..other than my resolutions, I did "achieve" certain goals/bucket list items!!

1. DNA Meet Up in TW 

I had my first mini gathering in TW!! I actually held it with Evalee so that we'd both not feel so scared/worried!! Haha, and boy am I glad it went well! I'm also really thankful for those who traveled up North Taiwan just to see me :')

Side note, we don't really call it #DNA for the overseas audience so it might come across weird to call it DNA outing HAHAHA. But yeah, the next gathering would be in Jan & I'm really excited cause a few SG DNA are coming along to join the TW gathering! It's gonna be really fun!!! (Hereby open-jio to DNA who wanna join us for our TW outing in Jan)


2. Joined a TW singing competition 

I think only a handful of you would know that I was the top 300 selected amongst thousands to compete in this TV show singing competition organized by 浪live called 聲林之王, but sadly, I didn't manage to get pass to the TV round - top 30 if I'm not wrong.

BUT, it was hell of an experience to be able to witness LIVE overseas competition TV recording. To see foreign talents, to listen to new kind of music. It was eye opening and enlightening! It was also my craziest, most YOLO moment in life ever. I received the email that I was selected on Friday, and the 2nd audition was on Sunday. I literally booked the flight upon receiving the email and flew that very Friday midnight!! It was insane. During the trip, I also made new friends, jammed with new talents. I didn't take much/any pictures because it was a really abrupt 4D3N trip, with 1 whole entire day stuck in the recording studio feeling hungry and nervous. Yet, this has gotta be the most memorable trip to Taiwan.


3. Travelled with my buddies 

After YEARS of talking about it, me & my poly time buddies FINALLY TRAVELLED TOGETHER! We were initially planning for a roadtrip in Aussie but it never happened because a long trip would mean our timing had to fit each other. So anyway, we went to Thailand, Hatyai. Yet again another new place for me!!

I was really thankful that SY did all the planning, from the hotel we stay, to the places we go/eat/shop/sightsee, and I absolutely loved everything that was planned!

The experience was also really unforgettable because..we got stalked by a pickpocket!! All the way from the night market, till somewhere near our hotel. It was pure madness, and we were not wearing flashy clothings nor jewelries nor do we look rich at all LOL! It was really frightening, after all, we're 3 girls traveling without any weapons in our bags. Thank God we're pretty aware of our surrounding and we spotted him pretty soon when he tried to pickpocket us for the first time, and knew he was following us.


4. Singing & Playing 

As I've mentioned earlier on, I've actually started live streaming on 浪live since May this year and ever since, I've been playing the keys/guitar as I sing online! It was tough in the beginning - to multitask and still stay on pitch or keep the emotions. But it got better along the months (I think?) LOL!

I also got to perform with my band as a keyboardist X vocalist in our gigs, so..I guess that's a great breakthrough for me cause I've never been able/confident enough to do that. P.S. Do check out our latest Christmas medley recorded LIVE (no editing no nothing, just us, raw).




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So now that we're done summarizing 2018,
Here are my resolutions for 2019!!

1. Familiarize myself with minor& sharp/flat chords on the guitar
2. Get a bike/diving license
3. Release a song with proper arrangements
4. Mini performance overseas (with le band)
5. More covers
6. Get more rest
7. Start working out/dance?
8. Have more time for myself to relax
9. Massive printing of photos to hardcopy
10. Travel lesser, but further



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I can't wait for 2019 already.
Though I wish I could stop time & stop aging..LOL!

See you in 2019!

4D3N Thailand Trip [2018] Pooltime Café - Get up close with RACCOONS!

If you're on my IG, you'd have seen me posting about this Café I went to in Bangkok

(And if you're not, click to follow my IG now!!! I update IGStories almost everyday)

It was one of the most memorable café 

(& probably the highlight of my Thailand trip) because

1. I got to see a raccoon upclose

2. I got attacked by one of it LOL

But don't worry, it doesn't happen that often and other than that, they're really cute creatures actually.

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So hereby introducing..

*Drumrolls*

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POOLTIME CAFÉ

582 Soi Sukhumvit 63, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana,  

Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand 

Nearest MTR :  Khlong Tan 

Operating Hours :  1200 - 2000 

Closed Dates : Monday 

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The café was a 2 storey shophouse, well-decorated with a "poolside" theme

(as you can see from the following images)

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What's best about this café, that separates it from the others, was that

THE FOOD ACTUALLY TASTED AS GOOD AS IT LOOKED

I've been to way too many cafés during my yearly BKK trips (of which I don't really post unless I think it's worthy of my time to post) and this café had one of the best tasting "themed café" food around.

When this was served, I was thinking to myself - I'm probably not going to like it.

BUT, the first bite was unforgettable! The "blue" bun was well pan-fried to leave a slight crisp, with the mixture of the patty, bacon, veg, and sauce, it was really good! 

I wouldn't say that it tasted heavenly but it was definitely delectable - considering it coming from a themed café.

This was expectably sweet but really amazing as well

Love how they put fruit loops with the bubblegum flavoured drink

Their pasta was a tad bit spicy for me but it had substance.
I'm pretty particular for pastas cause I really HATE soft and overcooked pastas.
But this was made just nice that it tasted good. Not perfect, but good enough.

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And here comes the best part of this café

INTERACT UPCLOSE WITH RACCOONS!

Do note that raccoon interaction timing is only from 1400H-1800H

They move really fast so it was hard to snap a decent shot of them around the room,
unless they stop to zone out or are really focused on something.


There's the 3 of them, 
Bob, A-Po, Poon


But my photos consist of only 1 - I forgot if it was Bob or Poon.

1 was having PMS, hiding away in enclosed areas within the room.
1 had PMS and attacked me (A thinks that maybe he thought I was a tree or smth) and was removed from the room
Leaving only 1 of them here to play around with us!

If you're lucky enough, the staffs would teach you how to carry them and how they liked to be pet!
I didn't, though, had a little phobia after the incident hahahaha!

(Though they're really cute)

Ending this post with my favourite photo,

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NM's Verdict

Location: ★★★★☆
Atmosphere: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★★☆
Food Quality: ★★★★☆
Customer Service: ★★★★★
Worth the try(?): ★★★★☆

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It's definitely worth a go if you're in Bangkok!

Read up on more Café Visits in Bangkok here:
http://www.noellemikazuki.com/search/label/Bangkok%20Cafes



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Yesyesyesyesyes, I know I've been lazy in updating this space of mine.
I'm trying my best to strike a balance between work, music, stream, social life, friends, family.
I'll do my best to update more on interesting places I've been to on this space!

Was thinking of doing a vlog instead when I travel - but I've never once successfully completed it LOL


OK TILL THE NEXT POST,
BYE.

8D7N Taiwan Trip [2017] Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村)

Believe many of you guys know of Japan's Cat Village but very few of you actually know that

THERE'S ACTUALLY A CAT VILLAGE IN TAIWAN AS WELL!

And best thing about it is, it's just a HSR train ride away!

The way there is basically almost the same as how you go to Jiufen, just that instead of alighting at Rueifang Station, you alight at Houtong - one stop later.

Taipei Main Station > HSR Train to Houtong

The ride costed 56TWD (est S$2.50) and should take around 30-40 minutes.

A fly happened to stop at "Sankang" lol.

But this is the train map, alight at Houtong (猴硐)

I was feeling really happy once I stepped out of the station because 

Everything was SO CUTE!

(P.S. you don't even have to "tap in/out" of the station, lol?)

Look at this cute map of the town!!

And they had this machine where you can get this souvenir!

There are like 3 designs but I think this is the simplest yet cutest one.

CATS EVERYWHERE. Literally.

And they got food for the cats to eat!

(This was on the bridge to the village)

Apparently you're not allowed to take the package of food away from there nor leave any can food or drinks for the cats - I guess cause they didn't want the cats to get used to a new diet & be picky on food after tasting better food because cats do that!

Was taking a photo and it decided to start cleaning itself, rude. 

HAHAHA JUST KIDDING. ITS CUTE AF, IM DYING.

And this kiddo decided to peek at my phone, SO RUDE.

AGAIN, IM KIDDING, IM DYING FROM SUCH CUTENESS.

And just look at these cute shelters for the cats!! 

I'M DYING FROM AWE AND CUTENESS!!

In the midst of a cat-staring spar

By far my favourite kitty on this village 

LOOK AT THOSE LEGS AND THE COLOR OF ITS FUR AND ITS LONG TAIL

AND THE NOSE AND THE EARS AND THAT KITTY EYE AND WHISKERS

It was a torture to visit during summer, though.

THE WEATHER WAS SO WARM

But then again, I'm not sure if the cats would be out in the open if it was winter..

So I'm glad nonetheless, to be able to visit this village and get to see and play with this many cats.

Ending off this post with an awkwardly self-shot photo.

That's the thing about solo travel.

1. No one to take photos for you - but the people I travel with aren't really great photographers to begin with so..it doesn't make much of a difference.

2. When you take photos on your own, people around judge you T_T

LOL

But anyway, this wasn't the same solo trip though it's to Taiwan and in 2017 as well.

This trip was in late August where I went Taiwan a few days before my friends arrived.

You can view my solo adventures here:

http://www.noellemikazuki.com/search/label/Solo%20Trip

Till the next travel post,

MISS ME OKAY.

8D7N Solo Taiwan Trip [2017] - Qingjing Farm + Swiss Garden

!! WARNING !!

Words + Pictures Heavy Post

Extremely belated post but I really wanted to blog about this because this was my first solo trip & first time I made my own journey to another city in Taipei on my own and eventually lost my way lol.

So anyway, for those of you who wants to go to Qingjing, 

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAPS INSTRUCTIONS.

I actually Googled & followed their instruction to take a train down to Qixia to take a direct bus from there to Qingjing. And guess what? That f*cking bus service operates only ONCE a day in the morning at 11AM. If you miss it, that's it - you gotta find other alternatives!

So, ignorant me went ahead to wake up late and take a afternoon train down to Qixia and when I reached my station, it was already 4 plus in the late afternoon and the sky was getting really shady. I waited at the bus stop foolishly, and was getting worried. Luckily, Taiwanese are the friendliest & kindest people you can ever meet. Some passerby told me that the bus only comes once a day in the morning and guided me to take another bus that led me to the main bus station in Taichung. 

Upon reaching the main bus station, the bus captain told me that it was too late and the bus services that drives up to Qingjing wasn't operating already - it was only 5 plus in the early evening at that time!! I panicked and asked for his advice and another bus captain at the interchange came over and offered to help me arrange for transport. He asked for my hotel details & called my hotel for me to liaise with them to pick me up from a bus stop with their private van, then led me to a bus and told me countless times where to alight and that the mini van will be there waiting for me and transporting me to my hotel, constantly giving me assurance to not worry and that I'll be ok.

Whatever happened after, I was completely lost. I was so afraid and there were too many emotions going on through my mind at that point of time other than getting lost. I clearly remembered how badly I cried once I boarded the minivan. 

I don't remember the bus captain's name or anything. 

But THANK GOD for such kind souls that helped me along this journey.

Couldn't imagine what else I could've done without them. 

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Pictures I took on the train to Qixia - before knowing how much I was getting myself into LOL.

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Moving forward to after I alighted the van & finally settled down in my hotel.

This was the hotel/minsu I stayed at - 

Star Villa Cingjing 

(清境民宿天星渡假山莊)

The place was beautiful & peaceful. 

And why I booked this minsu? Because of this spectacular sky gazing view area.  

Some say that if you're lucky enough, you'd be able to spot a shooting star clearest from this view.

But that very night that I got lost and found out some doings about someone that I used to hold dearly, there was only 1 star shining bright in the sky. I've no idea why but I broke down at that spot after such a tough & emotional day. I swore to that only shining star in the sky that I would be stronger, and would never ever be vulnerable enough for anyone to hurt me ever again. 

And because I arrived so late in the night, there was no other food options available other than cup noodles from the minsu. And that was my first meal and last for the day. Worst day in Taiwan, yes.

K ENOUGH WITH THE EMO. 

Here's how my room look like

It was simple, nothing fanciful, but clean. 

And I love how I could look out of the window with a great view when I wake up in the morning.

LOOK AT HOW SWOLLEN MY EYES WERE FROM CRYING LOL

CRYBABY.

What I love best about Qingjing was that it felt really peaceful.

I feel detached from the busy world I'm in when I was there. I stopped using my phone as much and slowly learnt to appreciate the surrounding sceneries, the weather, the breeze, and nature in general. 

More views from my minsu before I move on to the farm.

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So foolish me, again, decided to WALK from my minsu to Qingjing farm because I spent 600TWD on the minivan the night before and wanted to save on taking the cab. I thought it'll be nice to have a morning stroll - 

I CLEARLY WASN'T IN THE RIGHT STATE OF MIND IN THE MORNING WTH. 

On my way up, I realised it was a f*cking 2KM walk UPSLOPE and immediately regretted my decision. But it was too late to hail a cab on the way up - there were no empty cabs. 

& P.S. I don't even do 500M of walk nor take 2.4 during schooling times.

I WAS DED, LITERALLY. 

With my cameras & tripod (that weighed at least 2KG) load on my shoulders.

Lastly, without water.

Really, how bad could my trip go LOL.

But after the torturous 2KM upslope stroll, lol, it really wasn't that bad.

I got to stop by and see many sceneries, though I was too tired to take my camera out to capture them.

And I felt like I've overcame a challenge I put onto myself, that felt great.

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Definitely, when I finally reached Qingjing Farm,

Everything I've went through for the past 24h was worthwhile!

You gotta buy entrance tickets that costed NT160 for weekdays & NT200 for weekends.

This was really cute. It's a stamp for re-entry!

Stopped by for some food before I carried on to see some sheep!

Yes, this was my first meal of the day. I must have been really crazy back then to want to walk 2KM without any food or water. HOW DID I EVEN DO THAT. 

Anyway, the food tasted normal, not really great but there ain't much choices up there. 

And finally..the moment I've been looking forward to most.

DO YOU SEE THE SHEEP IN THE FAR DISTANCE

This looked like the route in Initial D. LOL!

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It was a crazy hike up to Qingjing & within Qingjing itself. 

I have no idea how my legs did it without breaking apart, considering the fact that I barely walk on a daily basis, not to mention exercise. 

I went on to Swiss Garden, via cab this time round - finally my brain was functioning normally again.

To be honest, there was nothing much there to see if you're not really into flowers (?) They have this flowers garden that you can visit upon paying admission fee but I wasn't too keen and I wasn't in the mood for steamboat so..really, nothing much there to visit.

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Checked out after the Swiss Garden visit and headed back to Taipei.

Took the minsu-arranged transport back to Taichung Station where I took a train back to Taipei.

I'm not sure if saying "I was glad I got lost" is the right phrase to use because I wished I didn't.

But the experience did change me and made me stronger, challenged myself and brought myself out of my usual comfort zone. I learnt to enjoy the moment itself and understand that everything will be alright at the end of the day as long as you stay strong and push on. 

I learnt that I can be strong, alone.

So yes, hope you guys enjoyed reading how I got out of my mind to

- Travelled to a new city alone

- Got lost & cried like a crybaby

- Hike 2KM upslope without food or water

HAHAHAHAHA.

Till the next belated post, xoxo.