Thailand flood situation 2011

I'm sure by now the Thai flood crisis has been hitting news headlines for the past 2 weeks. Indeed, one of the worst floods in 50 years, things seem so surreal, Ayutthaya province that I visited 2-3 years ago is in one of the worst situations. The water is inching into Bangkok, flooding Chinatown and Don Meaung airport which are about an hr or so away.

Nearing the end of last Friday, there were threats that waters could overflow into the capital. Thus, the Thai Government declared a five-day holiday from Thursday to Monday for people to evacuate. The extend of it was unclear with the onset of a seasonal high tide approaching around... TODAY.

Preparations for flood in Bangkok:

Many shops pilling on sandbags and makeshift wall barriers.


Water getting scarce; 27 Oct. 

Toilet paper and diapers totally sold out. 

My stock of flood crisis supply.

An aerial view from Google maps of the affected areas.

For the past few days, the waiting was getting unnerving. Dad advised that I should leave to South Thailand. There was news yesterday that the area 3 BTS stops away from my place was flooded. Therefore, in 2 hrs, I made a decision to leave, packed and managed to book a hotel in Pattaya(despite 2 failed booking attempts). Really, I felt like I ran a marathon after my bookings. 

Currently, I have safely arrived in Pattaya via a 2hr bus ride. 

Praying for the better soon as many provincial areas have been in 2-3m of water for months. 

More pictures on the situation here from "the Atlantic":

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/10/bangkok-underwater/100178/

Singaporeans who wish to donate, here's a link to "Mercy Relief" for details: 

http://www.mercyrelief.org/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=278

So long. 

Bye. 

Drinking water in Bangkok

Those who have been to Bangkok for vacation would have seen signs customary pasted in front of Hotel sinks, warning you not to drink the tap water. This left an impression for me back then on my first visit as a tourist. Imagine, in sleepy tranquil holiday mood, the unfamiliar message stops-you-in your-gurgle (chokes* and chokes*!!!).
OMG, did I drink any of the water?!!

It was a distant sweet dream (back in Singapore), the basic routine of waking up in the morning, drowsily fetching a glass of H2O from the kitchen. Everyone here in Thailand drinks mineral water. That means, buy it, drag it, lug cartons of it back home and "7-eleven" is not convenience, it is haven.

Luckily, every soi (street) or corner has this 'Reverse Osmosis Water Vending machine' since idon'tknowwhen. My current apartment has one on the ground floor. 1 baht every morning for filling 2/3 of my jug.
A love. hate. relationship.

Bye. 

A glimpse into AI Fashion show 2011

A peaceful year without any political unrest had us streamlining through our 3rd and 4th semester. Finally, our 2011 AI fashion show was showcased at Siam Paragon on 7th May according to schedule.


Working one semester ahead, our class of 8 harmonized as a company to present a collection. Each of us worked on one design with the overall show theme:
" Not in the sky, not underground"
"~ an Italian inspiration~" 


Photo used under Creative Commons by mueredecine.

Our conceptualised collection was based on the 1960s film "La Dolce Vita" (the sweet life). 

However, we envisioned our own story of a woman going for her romantic first date. 

~She wants something feminine with a hint of sex appeal. Comfort is also key. 

The colours would be soft, the texture light. ~

So each of us got down to business. 

Before getting all fancy sewing, mad mathematics was done for my dress proportion. 

Perfecting my corset cup for months and 3 prototypes later... I QUIT! 

Nah~ Just kidding~ I was finally ready to make the actual outfit.

Lots of hand-stitching for the lace and ruffles. 

Used a luscious double sided material for the contrast of the corset, exquisite lace and silk chiffon.

Only the best for the lady on her first date~

...and leftover fabrics used for Designers :(

Final fitting day for all the collections:

One of my seniors. 

One collection per person for final year students. 

My outfit looking good on the Brazilian model. 

1 day before show:

Full day rehearsal. 

Actual day:

More rehearsal, waiting, even more drama from morning to noon. 

Then we had 4 hours to showtime to get ourselves ready.
At this point, I can't remember how sleep feels like~

Also had to take photographs for my photography exam.
rrrrrrrrRRRRRRROAR~~

Models waiting for rehearsal...

Final rehearsal in outfits. 

About an hour to show time...

Did the final counts and checks, unzipping zips, matching shoes and dressing models in their first outfits. 

Yup, mine was ready since the beginning of time ~~ Hur Hur~

Our teams' designs :)

Photo courtesy of Kitty Nitteeranon. 

Photo courtesy of Nen Chadathan. 

Photo courtesy of Pupe' Chaninart. 

Photo courtesy of Nen Chadathan. 

Looking like a hobbit beside my model~

(-_-)

Designers all ready too! 

Let's roll~

Photo courtesy of Pupe' Chaninart. 

More collection pictures in this link:
http://thaicatwalk.com/wordpress/2011/05/italiana/

Photo courtesy of Kitty Nitteeranon. 

Photo courtesy of Kitty Nitteeranon. 

A big thank you to my lovely friends, Chieko, Doy, Sorya and Eduourd who came for the show and the flowers!

Bye. 

Item of the Day - Butterfly pea drink

Butterfly pea flowers.
Basil seeds.
Honey.

Bye. 

2010 AI Fashion show and Butterfly peas

Im sooooooo hungry!

... yeah it's 5am I know but I can't sleep as usual and there are no snacks.

Been feeling weak for the couple of days, probably because there isn't enough sugar in my diet.
Eating alot of protein-rich food. 

like this!

Tasty and easy to make egg mayo sandwich.

*Aiyo, this is so trivial.

You know what's not trivial?

I bought butterfly peas... (-_-)

Anyway ok, so I have only 3 weeks to my school's fashion show.

Getting a little stressed, only sketched 4 final drawings for one subject so far (this week) and there's much more to be completed actually. Seriously behind time but I'm quite tired to continue now.

One of my sketches as of now... 5am. Yeah!

*Her eyeball-less sockets look quite creepy

2010 Year 1 Fashion show: 

By the way, I have not posted the pictures of last year's fashion show!

How could I?!

Final outfit that me and partner Jinni(who's also the model) did!

Partners in crime backstage.

Working weeks before the show...

Lili and Rui making it happen.

Jinni also making it happen.

Me looking like a hard worker.

Me with a lame-nooby smile.

Some nice backstage pictures.

Helped to dress this model in pink.

Pretty and super tall.

Backstage B****! Let's roll!

Our Team of 7 princesses for the theme "Fashion and Music".

Rollin'...

Finale.

So, I'll stock up on my snacks soon in the coming weeks for the upcoming 2011 show and exams.

Bye.