Aug 23

Tuesday morning Lauren was busy with castings but Miranda and I just relaxed and hung out around the apartment. We got ready and did our own hair and makeup for an event we were working later in the afternoon. After lunch Miranda, Amanda and I left to go to the agency to get our weekly allowance. We met up with Lauren there so that we could all go to the job together.

We arrived at the location on Keppel Bay and got escorted to the "White Rabbit" yacht that we would be working for the Five Star Diamond Award cocktail reception.

When we arrived at the yacht we met Susur Lee who is a celebrity chef from Top Chef Masters.

He was very nice and talked to us about our trip in Singapore and told us about his restaurants in Toronto and Manhattan which we all want to go to now!

After all of us were standing around talking for a while a crew member from the boat brought us models inside the yacht to change into our white swimsuits. When we walked inside we were all amazed, it was so beautiful!

After we got changed we had a little bit of time before the guests started arriving so we sat on the top deck of the yacht in the sun and talked. When we heard that guests would be arriving soon we got into our positions to greet them. For an hour or so I stood on the second deck to welcome and direct the guests to go to the third deck for the reception. In between guests coming I would try to sit and relax but I felt a little dizzy because it was so hot outside. Mr. Norman who hired us for the event brought me some candy to help me feel better and I shared with Miranda. 

After greeting the guests it was time to hand out some Five Star Diamond awards. Mr. Joseph Cinque presented the awards and I helped give out one of the awards. We all took pictures with the recipients and concluded the ceremony so that everyone could make their way to the official dinner event. 

During the cocktail reception and after giving out the awards I had a chance to talk to Mr. Joseph Cinque and his business partner Ms. Karen Dixon, and it was such a pleasure meeting them. Mr. Joseph Cinque has actually worked with the Miss Universe Organization for the past 12 years because Mr. Donald Trump is a Board of Trustees member of The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences which gives out the Five Star Diamond Awards. Here is Mr. Joseph Cinque and the current Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete

I shared with him how passionate I am about the Miss Universe organization and it was fun looking at pictures on his iPad of him working with Mr. Donald Trump and the organization. Our job ended at 7:00pm so I said goodbye and the girls and I took some pictures together before we left.

Then we all changed back into our dresses that we wore there but it was so nice that we got to keep our swimsuits that were about $200. We said goodbye to the White Rabbit and started walking to Vivo City to get something to eat. 

My roommates and I walked to Vivo City and got local food for dinner. I had carrot cake again because I figured it would be the last time I could have it. Then we went back to the plaza by the apartment and got McDs ice cream! I skyped with my parents and Mike, washed up, and went to bed!

Aug 21/22

Sunday morning we purposely woke up in time to get McDonalds breakfast. They deliver here in Singapore and Miranda wanted to get it delivered but the waiting time was too long, we were too hungry. A group of us went and I got my hotcakes (pancakes) that I love! Then everyone took a nap and I skyped with Mike. Later everyone woke up and in the afternoon we took a shuttle to Tanjong Beach Club (yes, the same place everyone was at until 4:30am). Right when we got there everyone ordered food and drinks. I got lime juice and the Tanjong Salad which was a little small but pretty good. 

Miranda and I wanted to lay out in the sun a little bit since we would be leaving Singapore soon. I thought I was going to have a hard time laying out in this heat but it felt so good! I kept falling asleep and Miranda would wake me up so that we could flip over. Then Lauren and others came over to where we were laying out and hung out and talked. Lauren wrote this for me...and she wrote one for Miranda too <3

Then we headed back to the reserved table where everyone was. There wasn't a lot of room at the table and we didn't feel like sitting down so Lauren, Miranda and I went for a walk down the beach. When we were walking we saw a tree with coconuts on it and Miranda was determined to get one down (notice Lauren standing back, relaxing, sipping her drink, being entertained by Miranda haha)

Finally she got propped up and pulled one down! It was pretty heavy and we brought it back to everyone. Someone smashed it on a step to get it open a little so that Lauren could try it.

There was clear liquid inside and she said it was gross, just salt water inside. Shortly after people were going to head to Azzura but Miranda and I wanted to call it a night early. We walked all the way to the tram and on the way saw a peacock walking in the road and then Miranda said goodbye to Sentosa.

We got back and Miranda put in a movie and I fell asleep on the couch.

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Monday morning Miranda and I got ready and headed to an editorial shoot we had for Wedding & Lifestyle Magazine. First we had some trouble finding the studio but we arrived right on time. Someone let us in and we waited for the crew and hair and makeup people while ELLE Singapore was shooting in the studio. We were just told we were doing a bridal shoot and all of a sudden the stylist brought in these bags filled with Indian dresses and colored pillows. They told us that the magazine is bilingual and this issue would be a Bollywood theme! We both were looking forward to a classic bridal shoot but we decided that the Indian theme would be something neat and different. 

Miranda's eye makeup was done like a butterfly with yellow, green, and blue and I had a light black smokey eye look. The crew packed up and we headed to Boat Quay that I had never been to before so that we could shoot in an Indian restaurant there. 

The first scene we did was beauty shots where Miranda wore a green gown and I wore a purple one.

We took a quick break to eat and then I was excited because Miranda and I did a shot together that is going to be a two-page spread in the magazine. We were both on a bench/bed with pillows around and we were wearing very elaborate Indian wardrobe. This is where the shot was take but they spruced it up.

We were supposed to end the shoot by 5:00pm but we got done around 6:30pm and then Miranda and I walked down Boat Quay trying to decide if we should eat there or home. 

We decided to go home and make dinner since we were close to home anyway. After we ate, Lauren and I headed to PURE Fitness gym because we had to go there to finishing registering our passes. They finally accepted my free membership but it was a week before I would be leaving Singapore...I now have a three month pass that I can only use for one week. The membership fee at PURE is one of the highest of any gym: $250 per month, but Phantom models are supposed to get a free membership. Lauren and I got on the treadmill and did not even last ten minutes. I started facetiming Mike and Lauren and I stretched on the matts since she wants to be ready for cheerleading when she goes back home. I got back and sat around with Miranda and went to bed.

Aug 19/20

Thursday I had an entire day of shooting for White Horse Ceramic.

They chose many different scenes that they wanted to shoot to show their tiles and flooring. Miranda had shot the day before for the company and Thursday I was on set from 9:30am-6:30pm. We did about 12 scenes that were each different concepts. Some were high-fashion, others were commercial and fun, and a few were artsy. A few of them I could use for my book but I am not sure when they will be released.

When I got back to the apartment Miranda and Lauren and I were all hungry so we made dinner and got ready to watch a movie that my Mom left with me...The Princess Bride! My Mom and I love that movie and the girls had never heard of it. At first they made fun of me and some parts of the movie, but overall they liked it! Miranda started to watch another movie afterwards but I skyped and got ready for bed.

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Saturday was a continuation of the White Horse Ceramic job, but this time Miranda and I got to shoot together! Miranda got hair and makeup done first and then she started shooting while I got hair and makeup done. Between the two of us we did somewhere between 10-14 scenes. Here is Miranda getting ready in one of her scenes.

A little bit into the shoot Miranda felt really dizzy and light-headed so she sat down for a while. They brought Canadian pizza and it made her feel better!

Most of the shots during the day were pretty lifestyle type and just a couple of fashion shots.

Here I am lounging on the couch for one of the pictures. It was pretty easy and fun, especially because I got to be with one of my roommates! After the job was done the photographer wanted to know if we wanted to shoot really quick for fun. He has done some magazines before and has nice work so we shot with him quickly by ourselves and then one scene together. We were done by 4:30pm and in celebration of being done we all went out for ice cream! This ice cream place was amazing and I had their famous salted caramel flavor that was so delicious!

Then we headed back and ate dinner and I skyped until we all got ready to go to a party at the Tanjong Beach Club. The beach club was celebrating their first birthday with a moon party. I had bought a new leopard dress and Miranda had a leopard skirt and Lauren had a new leopard top so we suddenly all decided to match again! It was funny because I called us the Cheeta Girls and we looked online and were choosing which Cheeta Girl we were going to be, it was so funny. 

The Tanjong Moon Party was so much fun! There was a stage with DJs playing music and lights shooting out onto the beach where everyone was hanging out and dancing. 

We had free food and drinks coupons and so I got a cheese quesadilla. I walked around and I saw people using huge wands to make gigantic bubbles!

There were also kites in the sky that were all lit up different colors! Only in Singapore have I heard of a kite like this!

On the beach they also had people twirling the sticks with fire on each end which was neat. Overall it was a very interesting party and I'm glad my roomies and I had fun. I went back after 1:00am to talk to Mike and my roomies stayed out until 4:30am. I heard them when they got back to the apartment and they brought friends over who were blasting music. I woke up and was social for a little and then we all went to bed. 

Aug 17/18

I woke up shortly after my Mom and Sarah left to go home and I found notes from them on the desk. It was so sweet I got teary-eyed. Then I got ready and headed out to film a commercial for Aigner. At 6:00am I was walking to the bus stop and headed to Orchard where all the shopping is. 

I went to Paragon Mall where we were filming the commercial and at first I had trouble getting in before the mall opened but I saw other models for a fashion show that was going on and we found a way in. I got my hair and makeup done and we filmed the commercial in the Aigner store.

I was wearing their clothes and we did some beauty scenes as well as scenes of me walking in and trying on purses and looking around and then me walking out with bags full of products! The commercial will be released in September!

I headed back to the apartment and then Lauren and I went to the agency to get our weekly allowance. Afterwards we went to Chinatown like we do every week. I bought a leopard dress that was pretty reasonably priced. Then we took a bus to the plaza by our apartment to get food from the grocery store. I ate some of Lauren's pasta and we watch Finding Nemo! We love that movie and I can never see it too many times haha It was a really relaxing night just skyping and hanging out.

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Thursday morning I woke up and went to my shoot for Men's Health Magazine. 

It was interesting because they wanted me laying down but it was not the most confortable position. It was not the easiest job to pose for but we did some other ones laying down differently and sitting on a stool. Then I did an ad for self-tanning products so they made my stomach tan and sun-kissed and placed the products on my stomach. It was just a half day shoot and I was so thankful for the opportunity! I am not sure if the pictures will look good but I wanted to get a big magazine before I left Singapore and this is my first major magazine ever!

Back at the apartment Lauren and Nadezhda and I ate lunch and chatted. Then Lauren wanted to return a dress to Takashimaya on Orchard which is a high-end department store so the three of us went there and looked around. There was also some sort of market in the basement of the mall that looked neat.

Afterwards we went to another shopping center to go to a store that we get jewelry and nicknacks. Later in the apartment we were all together and started to get ready to go to Soul.

We all got new I <3 SG (Singapore) shirts so we decided to all wear them out together! 

We hung out in the lounge and then I came back early even though I felt bad it was Miranda's last Thursday night in Singapore. We had so much fun coordinating our outfits though, I <3 my roommates!

Aug 16

Tuesday was my Mom and Sarah's last day in Singapore :-( We really wanted to go to the Singapore Zoo before they left because it is supposed to be one of the best in the world and I love animals! Early in the morning we got on a bus to go to the zoo. It was very far out but we actually made it following my bus directions unlike our trip to botanic gardens. We arrived and started exploring the zoo by starting out seeing little monkeys in a tree out in the open with no walls or fence around them! Then Sarah and I got to stand in the feeding zone for parrots.

When we ventured in deeper we started hearing a guide speaking and we joined the group to see the different animals and hear about them. First we saw some pretty big black monkeys come out to get some food.

Then we saw some animals that resembled deer and alligators. Later more monkeys were being fed but these ones were a little bit scarier looking. 

We saw so many different kinds of monkeys throughout the day and none of them were behind a fence or glass! Monkeys were climbing over us and eating right in front of us! We also went to see orangutans and it was so cute when they all gathered to eat and there was a little baby! 

We saw flamingos and penguins which my Mom has always loved penguins. There was one little guy separated from the pack who was looking for attention flapping his wings. It was super cute <3

I had to leave for a shoot but before I left the zoo I wanted to see the elephants! We went to the Elephants of Asia area and I saw a place where you could pay to ride an elephant! (Mike was very jealous) I wanted to do it so badly but it was only available later in the day when I would be at my shoot. I saw in the guide that there was an elephant show so we sat down and watch it! It was a nice show that had comedy and showed off many talents of elephants. I got a picture of an elephant balancing on a log :-)

Elephants are very impressive and I was sad that I had to leave the show early to get back in time for a shoot that I had. My Mom and Sarah stayed at the zoo for the day. I traveled an hour and a half to the shoot and when I got to the building I could not find the exact location so I wound up being about 15 minutes late, which I am never late for anything so I was sad. I was very apologetic when I got to the set and they understood.

The shoot was for Atomica online magazine (http://atomicamag.com/) September/October issue. It was very high-end crazy editorial because the theme was that I was an alien who was captured. The outfits were nice but then every scene had something to do with plastic, either on me or around me or in front of me. We will have to see how they came out!

After the shoot I went to the apartment and I scooped up Miranda and headed back out towards the zoo but this time to go to the night safari with my Mom and Sarah! When we walked in there were shops and a stage for a show. We looked around and then got on the tram for the safari! We were not allowed to take pictures with flash so I dont have very many pictures.

We saw many types of deer, some that were right next to our jeep! We also saw a lot of boars and animals from Asia that I had never heard of. Some of the coolest animals were the tigers and elephants. There was one giant elephant that was standing by the edge of the habitat who kept swaying back and forth and it looked amazing in the moonlight. The scariest animal were the hyenas because there was no fence or wall between you and them, and one was running looking like it wanted food. (picture difficult to see)

Afterwards we walked around a cave that you could go in and Miranda got scared by a bat that flew over. Then we all took the bus back and I stayed at the hotel. My Mom and Sarah had to leave at 4:00am that night so they were checking in online and paying the bill. I wanted to help my Mom so I packed a suitcase of stuff I wanted her to bring back and I also folded some of her clothes. Then I laid down because I had to ge tup early for a job. When they came back I said goodnight to them and told them to wake me up when they were leaving. A couple hours later they woke me up and I had to say goodbye :-( I was so sad to see them leave!

I wish all of my loved ones back home could have come here to see me but I am so blessed and thankful that my Mom and Sarah came here to see me. We had so much fun and it made my trip that much more amazing!

Aug 14/15

In the morning I got ready and my Mom and Sarah came to the apartment. We scooped up Lauren and went to the plaza to get food. We went to McDs because I always crave their "hotcakes" (pancakes). The food was good but our experience there was a little strange because a woman next to us had her little son pee into a cup in the middle of McDs in fornt of everyone. That is not common here and I am not sure why she didn't bring him to the toilet. Anyway, we headed out and took the MRT to a bus to get to the beach. While we were on the bus we saw Miranda's Tiger Beer ad on the bus stop signs!! Our friend Eduardo is also in it and it looks like this...

So we took the bus to Resorts World and went straight to Candylicious and took pictures with the candy statues out front and looked at all of the candy inside. We also stopped into Hersey's store too because we all love sweets. Then we walked around out front of Universal Studios and took pictures in front of the globe. The pictures are on Sarah's camera but some came out nice because no one else was around in the background.

Next we headed to the Merlion statue so that my Mom and Sarah could see it up close. we walked up a staircase path so that we could see the Merlion from a higher height. When we went up the stairs there was a spot where there were parrots and birds that you could get your picture taken with them.

We wanted to keep heading to the other parts of Sentosa so we took a neat walkway to get onto a tram. I had never been on this artsy walkway prior to them visiting so it was nice to do something different at the beach. 

At the end of the path there was a castle type structure that I had seen before from the tram and always wanted to go there! We got onto the tram and went to the rope and wooden bridge that connects over to the Southern most point of Continental Asia. It was relaxing and nice to walk around the island.

Then we walked all the way to the beach club on the way seeing a wild peacock and some birds in an animal exhibit. We got to the beach club and ordered food and drinks right away. My Mom and Sarah ordered a hamburger, an order of chicken quesadillas, and two diet cokes and the bill came to $59! I am thankful for my weekly free coupons. I gave them my drink coupons later so they enjoyed some mixed drinks.

We went swimming in the pool while we waited for our food to come out. The water was so nice and it was fun swimming with my Mom, Sarah and Lauren. Miranda was still not feeling well so we missed being with her there. We got out and enjoyed our food and just sitting and relaxing. Then we walked out to a little island part of the beach club to look out at the water and boats.

We went back to where everyone was and we were trying to figure out if we were going banana boating and hanging out at the night beach club or if we were going to go to an aquarium. It was my friend Chantelle's last weekend so she said we should all go to Azzura the night beach club.

We headed there and right away my Mom, Sarah and I went for a walk on the beach to go see the surfing practice wave place and the zip-liners. We also walked out onto a floating dock and then headed back to the club since the sun had set. I ate some cheesy fries that the club always gives us and we hung out listening to the music and watching all of the lights. Andrew from my agency got us pizza and I ate so much. My Mom and Sarah had some drinks and then we headed out to go to the hotel. On the way we watched some of Songs of the Sea show and looked at the lights.

We stayed out pretty late and it was fun!

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Monday my Mom, Sarah, Miranda, Lauren and I were all planning on going to the zoo but I found out that I had a fitting during the middle of the day and it was raining outside. My roomies decided to stay in for the day but my Mom, Sarah and I took a bus to the Terracotta Warriors exhibit at the Asian Civilisations Museum. When we got there we looked at some exhibits that showed some history of Singapore. 

I enjoyed reading about the improvements of Singapore over time as well as the growth of banking and finance here. Then we went into another exhibit that involved Buddha and many small statues which was pretty cool.

Then just because I did not have a lot of time we went to the Terracotta Warriors - The First Emperor & His Legacy Exhibit. 

There were cases showing off little artifacts from the time, a sword, and statues. The Terracotta Army and horses were funerary art buried with Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These were to help guard him in his afterlife. It is estimated that there were 8,000 soldiers and it was very neat to be able to see some of them!

Unfortunately I had to leave to go to a fitting for an Aigner television commercial so my Mom and Sarah stayed at the museum and I headed to Paragon mall. The fitting went well and we got our outfits chosen to film the commercial. Afterwards my Mom and Sarah met me at the mall and we went shopping. Sarah wanted to go to Far East Plaza where there are some good deals so we went there for a while. We took a break and ate at Pastamania...mmm! After our evening of shopping I left with a swimsuit, a vest, and a dress which I am excited that I got.

I went to my apartment to find clothes that I have not worn and gathered presents that I have bought for people to give to my Mom to take home for me since my bags were packed coming here. I went to the hotel to meet up with my Mom and Sarah and Sarah's work friend showed up and said that he wanted to take us to a historic lace to eat here in Singapore. We went there and it was all local food and we ate on the streets that they block off.

I ate some carrot cake (the Chinese radish) and I tried something new! There is a food here that was explained to me as rice skin soaked in sauce. I watched them make it and it was very interesting. It was like they pulled a cloth off of a layer that was the rice skin.

Then they rolled it up and cut it and soaked it in a brown sauce. It was pretty good and I was full by the time we left. On the way back to the hotel we drove by the red light district here which is where prostitution is legal. I did not see much other than the doors that go into the places that the girls live but everyone here says you should drive by because it is part of Singapore culture. We got back to the hotel and I skyped and got ready for bed :-)