You know what they say, there's no mess that a little ambient lighting can't fix. It's no secret how a top down white fluorescent light can make little dirts and bits too in-your-face. For someone like me who doesn't like to clean as much, I really needed to take the extra mile somewhere else to make the room more presentable (or at least buy me some time).
I loved my little lamp, but since I was hoping to get a new dimmer one anyways, I wanted to search around for alternatives. I figured that the chain lights (a.k.a Christmas Lights) concept you'd usually find in Pinterest sounds like an interesting idea so I picked up a set of chain lights, and carpe-ed the hell out of the diem.

Materials:
1 x IKEA SÄRDAL chain lights (24 bulbs)
1 x pack of Command(TM) Decorating Clips


 Since the clips are clear, it also comes with clear strips (which is relatively new, I remember having clear clips with white adhesives. Glad they figured out how it did not make sense before.)


I put 1 clip each corner and 2 in the middle part equally apart. You don't really have to measure. I just followed my gut placing one on each side. Then, I just let the ends of the chain down freely.

Aaand here's how the chain light looks in action. Sweeeet!

The IKEA SÄRDAL chain lights are sold at S$19.90 (IKEA) and the Command(TM) decorating clips about S$5 a pack. You can find them in in Cold Storage, Stationery Superstore and Fairprice.

This photo doesn't give it much justice but it's actually in Green

It's no secret that only very few people are patronising Sony Xperia phones these days. So for the few Sony fanatics like myself, you can only imagine THE misery of going store-to-store asking "Do you have any cases for Xperia Z5?". You'd think the Sony-made covers are lying around in Sony stores but they don't either--and don't even get me started with other retailers.

I had this phone with me since it hit the PH shores in November last year and I have been ordering accessories from overseas since then.

SEE:  Amazon Shopping with POBox.ph - Kindle, Xperia Z5 Charging Dock and Spigen Case

You'll find a wide range of Z5 accessories on Amazon, but this Style Cover Window from Sony is particularly hard to find! I was very sure I am not getting any other case that isn't either clear or matches the phone color exactly! (Bec. I knew head on, that I was getting this phone for the color alone. LOL) To be honest, there's a few you can find on eBay, but, extremely overpriced, so that's off the table.

I've looked in every Sony Store I know in Singapore and Manila (and trust me when I say Every. Sony. Store) and lost all hope until yesterday, finally, after 2 months of actively searching, I ever so fortunately found one in Singtel Shop @ComCentre!
Yey! Even cheaper by a few bucks vs. Sony store prices.

Here's how it really looks. LOVELY. It's the same color as the phone. Ugh. The beauty.

As of yesterday, (14 May 2016), there's one piece left in green, one in black, then plenty in white.
If you don't know where Singtel Shop ComCentre is, it's very close to Somerset MRT. Take the exit along Somerset Rd. then walk towards Tripleone Somerset, then walk across the Skate Park. You couldn't miss it.


Here's a very simple guide in setting it up, in case you need it. :P
http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/stylecoverwindowscr42/userguide/One-touch-setup/

My passion for phone cases has not failed me. It's a fantastic day! Hahaha.
--

Sony SCR42 Style Cover Window for Xperia Z5
$46 (SGD)
SingtelShop, 31 Exeter Rd

Was the title too tacky? Oopsie.

I've been to Singapore twice in 2015, but both were vacation with my family. Singapore is amazing and as a tourist from Manila, it really looked like a better place to live in. So this time, it was different. I had no concrete plans, but working overseas has always been in the picture.



A few months later, I found an interesting opportunity and was offered a job--and I took it.
It wasn't easy-peasy. I don't know if everybody really had to go all through that (countless exams and interviews), so when I finally got in, it was very hard to say no.
I didn't tell a lot people. It's a very personal journey and I wanted to do this with the least outside judgement. I wanted to see if I really wanted to be a Java Developer. If that's my true calling. (That sounds lame but it's true)

My thoughts were:
If was going to suck it up and stay a programmer anyway, might as well do it in Singapore.

In my next posts, I might be sharing tips for other Expats like me! :)