Ending 2013

It time to set the priorities in life.

Move on from the past and don't let it affect the future. 

The year might not have started well, but that doesn't mean the rest of the year has to be bad.

I started this year with this blog entry, telling myself not to make too many new year resolution but to make just one; to be more positive. 

Looking back, I say this year bring about many surprises, ups and downs (as usual), completing many achievements, learning much more, growing up, perhaps smiling more than before and being happier. 

I definitely didn't start the year right, having my plans ruined on 31st dec last year, spend countdown on the computer being on Facebook and even the first day of the year went horribly bad. I got forced to go down to mbs to meet HIM when he refused to even pick me up from my home after what happened the night before, kept asking me to meet him there and finally I went down. And the reason why he refused to pick me up is that he is there already with his family, and thought it would be the perfect surprise to have a meal with them. 

P.s. background story. I wasn't that close to his family at all and barely felt welcomed when I'm at his place. And no it will never be a surprise having a family meal and especially when I'm in a very bad mood. 

The whole journey there was just on whasapp, never a single call to ask where am I or whether I have reached. Only until I finally called him, and he appeared behind me. 

Summary, let's just say it started and ended bad. 

Moving on, there are still a few achievements that I did this year.

For starters, I ended my job at the dental clinic, which I have very much enjoyed my time there and was quite reluctant to leave. One of the best (or rather the best) workplace that I have worked at. And my colleagues even chipped in to buy me my 21st present.

*awkward smile*

That last week was the most insane week for me, working OT everyday and going home late. Tired, exhausted and super busy. 

After I ended work that day, I was flying off to Hong Kong a day later, just in time to celebrate my 21st birthday oversea. One of the things I really wanted to do; go on an oversea trip with my bf. 

I hesitated a lot whether I should hold a birthday party but decided against it and just wanted a getaway instead. At the same time, I was that close to cancelling the HK trip as well over unpleasant argument with HIM and the hurtful words thrown at each other. In the end, the trip was continued as planned. I wouldn't say it was a good trip, but just a decent one. 

Other achievement include a month of bumming at home, and going out on tourist walks with my uncle. Actually trying to cover as much of Singapore as possible, from botanic gardens, to gardens by the bay, to sea aquarium, to river safari, to bukit timah hill, and lots of malls walking. It was a great month for March and I wished it didn't have to pass that fast. 

Celebrating grandma's 92th birthday was super fun. And it was at my favorite restaurant; paradise inn! omg. I love their wasabi prawns like crazy. Super saving up and waiting to find a time where I'm less broke to enjoy a meal there. wasabi mayo prawn, wait for me!

More achievements include going on foodie hunt which I have only started this year. Finding on the internet for desserts places and actually making the effort to go down and try the food out. Learning to take foodporn pictures and at the same time, attempting not to gain weight from the food eating. 

Plus the big achievement was going back to running again. Something that was well-missed over the years. Despite the feeling of running wasn't the same as before, it was still good being on the tracks and aiming for a good timing. Much thanks to my friend Kevin who called me out for a run one random day, and it continued from there. And it developed from simple running of maintaining stamina to challenging myself to run a route at MacRitchie to eventually joining my first race event in Singapore.

This year another colorful year for my hair, though it wasn't as brightly colored as I thought it would be. Started the year with straight hair before I move on bleaching my left side for a bit of red fun. From there I went further and tried dyeing four colors; red, blue, purple and green. And mainly the green remained with a hint of faded red. It went on to dyeing the whole part full green instead which received algae comments. Eventually I took the final step of dyeing my whole head red, with the bottom part being brighter. And I stay this color, for now... Until I find a hairdresser to make it all uniform. 

I started baking again. Starting with simple traffic light cupcakes, before I moved on to simple cooking. Other baking adventures include muffins, brownies, cookies, oreo cheesecake and rainbow cheesecake. Oh as well as a rainbow cupcake in a cup! Still haven't found the right baking techniques especially when half the time, my baking are done through estimation. But it's worth it when the people who eat your baking enjoys it very much. 

Looking forward to my first baking session with Bumpy! 

What else what else? I finished my diploma and currently just started on my advanced diploma. Made new friends in the course. Argued with a lecturer as well. And got bored in class. Hahah. 

Two main achievements were getting out of a relationship which was doing more harm than good to me and finding YOU to love. First one, getting out of the relationship wasn't easy when the other party doesn't accept it and HE thinks that you're still together with him even though you're trying to break up. The number of calls received and the whasapp messages asking what's wrong and why are we breaking up. It was tough, it wasn't easy but it ended. It's happy to say I moved on from what happened.

The second one was falling in love again. Something I wanted to give up on, and just find flings instead, and not care about the other party or dare to open my heart. The first half of the year was tough, the people you thought you could trust or the person you thought was helping you, ended up to be a fraud. Just when you think things couldn't get any better, hopefully not worst, life gives you a turning point. 

No matter how many times I think about it, I finds it amusing about the first time I met him on that night, awkward moment at the table, even more awkward talking to realize you asked him the questions before and totally forgot until he said the answers again. Inside you're hoping he doesn't realize your mistake. 

Maybe this year more different from the rest. Maybe it's a year of change and growing up. Less negative thoughts and more smiles. Less crying and iosmina at night trying to sleep. Less suicidal thoughts and more openness. More laughter and happiness. More fun and joy. More love.

1. First oversea trip with bf

2. Started my diploma course

3. No slashing

4. Joined first race event in Sinapore

5. Broke my whole life saying that I won't date an army boy

6. Become a full time, disciplined dessert eater

7. Ran my first 42km 

8. Fell sick with high fever

9. Cycled over 25km at one go

10. Went drinking and never got drunk

11. Stopped social smoking

12. Started using android

13. Completed a full round at MacRitchie

14. Baked my first cheesecake and second!

15. Started driving lessons

16. First time drinking and got addicted to drinking teh

17. Attended bf's POP

18. Visited neighborhood cafes
19. Dated an army boy
20. Change my spectacles which never happened for five years
21. Wore spectacles out in public
22. Failed my first driving test
23. Used a kindle and read so much books as well
24. Played my gameboy (fond memories)
25. Finished my one year probation
26. Finished my longest part-time job
27. Pulled out my wisdom teeth
28. Went into Changi prison
29. Got scratched badly by a kitten
30. Worked at a day care and got called Miss Lim
31. Finally dyed my hair red
32. Wore red contact lens
33. Completed my diploma course
34. Started on advanced diploma course
35. Started but didn't finish reading my first sci-fri/fantasy book
36. Spend Christmas studying
37. Had my first and second B&J ice cream cone
38. Started a saving bottle
39. Had a worst acne breakout
40. Had my first dress bought by bf
41. Attended so many street events and won so many goodies
42. Watched movies with bf's family
43. Cut my hair short again (OMG)
44. Owning more dresses
45. Attempted abs training
46. Learned how to make a midori sour and be a temp bartender for 5 minutes
47. Took care of my bf!

I think there's more but for now that's all that I can think of. The best achievement is being in a relationship with an awesome, loving and dearest boyfriend.

And what happen next, of course would be thinking of new year resolution. Hmm.

1. Spend less, must be thrifty
2. Wear spectacles more often and look after eyes
3. Be more patience, appreciative and understanding.
4. No dyeing of hair at least for a year
5. Less anger in my tone of voice

Maybe it's also amazing that I'm alive now, and not thinking of suicidal thoughts when a year ago, I was determined to end it all. Telling myself that by Feb if nothing goes well, I go. I mean now looking back, you do wondered what were you thinking then, and how it was like. Moving forward a year later, you learned that maybe life do bring about a few surprises and you never know what's round the corner.

Maybe it was the amount of negativity and thoughts running through my mind all the time that brings me down, maybe I feel awkward sharing with people personal stuffs, maybe sometimes I said too much and wished I would just shut up and ignore everything around me. Just maybe.

I definitely do not know what 2014 will bring. But hey, bring it on!

Don't stop chasing

"I think that one of the biggest reason why relationships do not work out in the long run is because at one point, one side (or both) stops trying. Before one claims another person as their significant other, they would do anything to make that person happy. They would chase, they would flirt, they would be charming. They would send daily morning and goodnight texts every time you wake up or go to sleep. They would write corny messages and pick up lines just to make sure that there is a smile upon your face. But once they claim you as theirs, all of those things eventually stop. The 5 page texts slowly turn into 1. The constant calls turn into not calling at all. And the lovely endearments turn into daily arguments. In order for a relationship to work, don’t ever stop chasing. Just because the person you want is now consider “yours”, it does not mean they deserve anything less than the time when you’re trying to win them over."


What is the scariest thing that happened during a relationship? Is it when arguments occur more often? Couples aren't seeing eye to eye and realize the flaws that their partner had, is now becoming the question of why are you like that? Or is it when one side gave up doing their best 'cause the other party isn't giving in or compromising?

What does it mean to don't stop chasing?

Maybe at the beginning, you gave the person your time, your world, your listening ears and your eyes. But gradually, as things become more comfortable, you start to give her less. And make her give in more. Maybe more time to your bros because you always hang out with them every week, more time to gaming 'cause that's your favorite past time and maybe more time to family cause that's just how it is. But when she asks something from you, there's a slight moment of hesitation. Why?
Maybe it could be something simple of going to her place for dinner. Yet that moment of slight hesitation makes her wonder whether you do enjoy spending time at her place. Or even when you agreed in the end, but after dinner you're looking to leaving the place already to head somewhere else. What does it make her feel? That you aren't interested in spending time with her family, that you're having another appointment elsewhere that you need be at instead, what is?
On the other side, does it make you think that her spending time with your family every week counts as well? That she doesn't tell you she wants to leave at a certain time the moment dinner is over? Does she complain that she spends so much time at your place, yet you don't volunteer to do the same? Sometimes it leave behind a question of doubt in the air.

Don't stop chasing. How often do we practice that in our relationship. The mushy calls usually have a lot of 'I love you' in the conversation. Sometimes there would be the silent pause and you wonder if you have to be the one again to start a new topic. It seemed tiring. It is tiring when the other party isn't contributing.

Maybe then guys will say that girls are being overly sensitive with things and we shouldn't think so much into what a person say. But yet we are just made this way, unfortunately. We girls want to know that the guys are there for us, and can be there for us. We want to know that the guys consider our opinion when we ask them. We want to know that when we ask them to do something, it means something to us when they agree. We want to be surprised. We want to be demanding at times and make you do certain things.

Maybe there is also much for me to learn about relationship. Maybe to see from different point of view. And maybe to let go here and there.

A friend once said why do I sound so angry whenever I speak. And to think I never really noticed that before. Yet it is so true when I found out how angry I sound. Why? Am I that bitter inside that I don't bother showing it, so it shows in my voice instead? Am I that angry and frustrated inside, that sometimes I just don't know how to release it or trust in someone to rant all my problems to, but silently continue letting it build up inside till perhaps one day it just explored. Life always isn't fair and no matter how much I try to make it better, maybe I'm just not happy trying so hard to make myself happy when nobody cares.

Running 42

Wanted to blog this before the day is over, and also starting a blog entry to welcome December. Just another month to the end of the year and a start of a new one. I don't know what next year will bring but much happened this year.

Today I ran my last race event of the year and it was the toughest, most exhausting and enduring race ever. The legendary standard chartered marathon. And off all distance to choose, I'm running 42km. Double good job.

The night before I had trouble sleeping, tossing and turning while telling myself that I have to sleep early. Still only about 11pm that I managed to fall asleep but waking up again about 2am. Finally at 3am I had to get up to get ready. And best of all, my dearest is just on his way home. Tsk at him, yay for me. It's funny thinking that I went to sleep and woke up AND he just finished his dota games. Lol. Excited and nervous for the event.

Thank goodness mummy send us down to orchard. Then again SMRT has so kindly started their service early to accommodate with the big race event so participants can save the cab fare and be on time for the race. Already at 4.30am and I'm standing in the line waiting for the final half hour to pass so I can get the adrenalin running. Wasnt exactly sure how I am going to finish the race but I will give it my best shot. But I also made a promise to my dearest that I would not over exceed myself as well, for two reasons; I have zero training for this marathon and it's my first time running such a long distance.

The first 10 km was bearable and did a reasonable timing of 1:10. We went pass the floating platform before heading towards north bridge road. On my mind I was thinking of pictures angle to take of flower dome and of the city buildings. Self amusement while running. Took my first drink at 10 km mark and feeling quite positive about the run. Then I remembered my doctor's advice of walking for a few mins every 10km. Following his advice, well I tried doing the same and walked for three minutes. But after that starting to jog again was a challenge. I couldn't really find my momentum and had to slow jog instead. It was alright for the next 3km until I reached the dreadful east coast park route. Never a fan of running there because of the route and bored out scenery. Yet today I had to run 17km in east coast. Much dreaded.

Of all motivation just when I was entering ecp, on the other side I see the fastest runner exiting ecp. And here I am having another 17km to go. Rahhhh. Started walking eventually cause the legs started cramping and feeling very heavy. The shoes seemed a little too right for comfort and I was just that tempted to run barefooted. Every km I passed is telling myself I'm getting closer to the finishing line.

Here also when you see runners attempting to get an energy boost through their energy gel. And frequent stops for toilet break. One super unfair thing is how guys can just pee at the bushes while us ladies need a cubicle. Not that we can just pee standing up either. The halfway mark was really far away and reaching my timing target was a challenge. I thought I would leave ecp latest at 4:30 hours but I was so wrong. I left an hour later.

During the race I made a friend through walking and he became my buddy for the remaining distance of the race, where we encouraged, joked and survived through the distance. It really makes the marathon less boring because of the company. We even cheered over the energy gel which tasted weird and shared a banana.

The last 10km was the most challenging. Your legs giving up on you, the whole lower body is cramping and tired. You want to give up and just not walk anymore. You want to slow down in the walking pace and you want to go home to sleep. At times it was a little yawning while walking and feeling the hunger knowing you only had two bananas for breakfast.

A km never felt so far until today.

The final 5km gave me more motivation to pick up my pace, telling myself that I'm that close. The encouragement texts and messages further helped and you just look forward to seeing your bf at the finish line. Best motivation ever!

Final 100m ad I sprinted like crazy. Suddenly the legs don't hurt anymore just in that moment and you just want to cross the line. But after crossing the line it was a bad crumple down to the floor on the wobbly legs. Had to apply muscle rub before I could slowly make my way over. Collecting my finisher tee and medal was a big sense of achievement.

Seeing my boy was happier. Until my vision changed color and I started seeing yellow. Knowing what might happen next, I warned him and grab him tight before I lost it and blacked out. Luckily medic were there to help and friendly passer by who gave their chocolate bar and 100 plus. Probably happened out of exhaustion.

My achievement? Finishing the race whether I walked or ran and did a bad timing. But it was a good experience though not one I would want to experience it again anytime soon.

Slack November

Currently about to murder my phone. Still am very sure that no IT gadgets ever like me and secretly they are plotting with each other to break down on me. First the blogging page on my computer which still I don't know how to solve it and now my phone. Seriously. The whole day it was alright and the day before and the day before before. But just now when I reached home and plug in to charge, it just refuse to charge at all and I panicked! Whether it's cause I spoilt the charger or what happen, I plug it in with my portable charger but it still don't really charged. Frustrated I left it there and went to shower. When I came back I saw that it was somewhat charging in the sense that it kept going into car mode and only then it would charged. But because of that I can't do anything on my phone and it also keep blacking out. Currently left the phone off with battery out, let's hope it get better.

One last week of holidays and I'm back to school next week. Honestly I don't feel ready for class, I don't look forward to waking up for 8.30am and I don't feel that excited to meeting new friends. Maybe it's also because December is suppose to be a fun month but now it's studying and exams after Christmas, it does dampen the mood for the festival period. Plus I was really looking forward to spending a nice Christmas with my boy.

But like what he told me, we don't have to spend it on the day itself. Instead we will celebrate it all month long whether early or belated. It most certainly made me feel happier that he's alright with it. Inside you know it still sucks to be studying on Christmas Day but oh well. Let's hope I have a fun countdown this year.

Anyway back to slack November. It is another slack month for me this year and I do feel like a bum waking up late every morning and being able to just laze in bed without doing anything. Though on the bad side I haven't done some stuffs that I am suppose to do this month. Good and bad side of slacking. But it is a good month to rest and recharge for the next busy six months ahead.

P.s. How do I get rid of those unwanted advertisement on the blog page??!!

Dating you

I watched from the second floor as he walked through the mall entrance, not knowing that I have seen him entering.

It was a game of hide and seek. The rule is simple, find me.

'On second thought, maybe it isn't a very good idea. Is it okay for you to come over?'

'Where is your location?'

'Outside left foot'.

In that split moment it left me wondering, 'left foot, as in minion left foot?' I wanted to ask but I didn't see him walking out of the mall. Still I guessed he probably could have sneaked out while I wasn't paying attention. Heading down the escalator, I turned right instead of my usual left. Walking on I passed a pillar and got a shock, I was the seeker instead and he was,in a way, hiding behind the pillar.

'Hey you'.

Awkward silence. But in his hands were panadol and a bottle of water. He gave them to me, mainly for the relief of my headache. Surprised yet a sweet gesture, coming from a person I barely know, and having met only once.

Yet the confession amused me when he confessed how he normally don't buy Panadol but 'borrowed' them instead. But he bought them for me. Yes maybe I was taken in by his gesture that moment, that day.

But that marks the start of our first date.


Fast forward five months, here we are.

I used to tell myself that I never want to date an army boy (or guy). Mainly to avoid the hassle and troubles of them booking in and out only on weekend, suffering through their confinement or worst, getting send oversea for days without communication. I never want to go through all these and to save myself these trouble, I rather not date one.

But I knew from the start that he was about to be enlisted. Was it in my mind to reject him if he ever confessed that he like me? Maybe give a lame reason that I'm not looking for a relationship. Or better still, admit that I'm a lesbian and is in a committed relationship.

And if we were to get together, I was nowhere prepared for what to expect when he enlisted. I wasn't even sure of I could go through it. I mean what could I prepare for, put it into perspective that it is a long distance relationship in which you only see each other on weekends? Be less emotionally attached so it doesn't bother you that much when he's inside camp? Forget that you have a boyfr during weekdays (hahaha!)  or simply accepting it? Won't the easier way be don't even date him in the first place? Simple answer, simple solution.

But. The irony that now I'm not just dating but in a relationship with an army man (heheh!) whom I'm happy and blessed to be together with. Yes it goes against all that I didn't wanted. Sometimes I ask myself, is it worth it? Suffered the three weeks confinement period, having to wait at night everyday for his calls and making use of the time before he gets tired and goes to sleep, being patience and know that now you can't inform him of things immediately but there a time delay, saving my weekends all for him, sometimes canceling plans cause he is tired and wants to rest at home, knowing that there is only that much that can be done within two (or less) days, charging the house phone everyday to chat with him, knowing you can't use time as an excuse because it's not cause he don't want to but because he can't, hugging him when he's all dirty and smelly from camp, six weeks of picking him up at tampines interchange, the thought of Sunday night book in, the tired boy who fell asleep on your calls, the headache felt when he returned on weekends with cuts from training and suddenly looking at a botak head soldier (yea the initial looking at him botak actually shocked me and made me wondered did his new look bothered me?). Yes I questioned myself, is it worth it?

Yes it was.

It became worth it knowing he allocates most of his time for me, staying up late to talk on the phone even though he is tired and he needs to wake up at 4.45am (or earlier) the next day, staying awake and focused on hearing what I said on the phone, making my weekend worthwhile looking forward to instead of saying it's just another weekend, hearing his voice every night, learning how precious time is and how you want to spend it right, learning that patience is a virtue, reading the little messages that he leave for me during the day (when he can) to encourage me, knowing that when I spam him messages through the day he would read them all always, appreciating the things he do for me even insisting on sending me home personally without fail, that awesome feeling when I see him every time he books out and seeing the soldier he has become.

In fact one main thing that I learned from being in a relationship with my boy is patience. The immense amount of patience to practice is huge, enormous. Why? You need patience to wait for him to get things done before being able to talk to you on the phone. You need patience to wait for his book out, especially especially times when he doesn't know either his book out time and when there are bad delays which can last not just minutes but hours. You need patience to wait for him to wake up on weekends even though you are much tempted to call him up yourself but you also know he's tired and he needs his rest. You need patience to not get angry with him when there are times where he is just too tired to do much on the weekend even though you have already planned activities. You need just that amount of patience to get you through. And I do struggle with that many times. Because it's just not easy and patience is never my virtue.

Do I regret dating an army man? No.

The five months taught me much, taught both of us much more. And even though our first meeting went weird and our first date was impromptu and super unplanned, it's amusing to see how it ended up here, being together.

Maybe a little overly mushy post. Bear with me.

But there are much to love about him. His expressions, dramatic. His walking style. The impromptu funny ideas we both shared and agreed, doesn't matter how hilarious or crazy it is. His sense of concern. His reactions. His goosebumps. Thoughtfulness. Overly mushiness. Appreciation and manners. And the way he looks at you and you know you're the only one he wants to look at.

Five months down. And much more to go.
Naturally no one knows what will happen in future or even what will happen tomorrow. Life is always unpredictable after all but we take one step at a time to plan.

Life is already irony enough when you're doing something you said you never wanted to do.

Annoyance

The longest I haven't been typing on my blog and my frustration increase each day. It seemed as though my Internet browser is suffering from virus attack or something is up with the useless ads that keep posting on the web page whenever I want to type a post, as such I can't post anything on my blog for weeks. Still yet to figure out the issue, maybe to reinstall my Internet browser again. And mind you I tried it with google chrome and Firefox, both didn't work.

November holidays are here for me and ever since exams ended and holidays started, well, my days are mainly slacking in the morning but stressful and annoying in the afternoon. Another week and my holidays would have ended. Don't think I can confidently said I spend it well, yet I feel it was a good rest also before December kicks in and studies kick in again. The next six months going to go pass very fast, that's for sure and I'll definitely look forward to the end of my course next year. Firstly it makes the end of my diploma course, the mark of my first year anniversary with my love (I know we will be together then and longer!) and a holiday trip to look forward to. As much as it isn't the destination that I wanted to go, still it is a place I haven't been to before and would love to visit.

As the year end draws near, reflections start kicking in unconsciously into your mind, questioning whether you have live up to your new year resolution, whether you did something good this year or whether have you changed for the better. Definitely I'll dedicate a post for that in December to perhaps write a short summary of this year. But with a warning that it is my personal post and whatever thoughts anyone would have after reading it, I most certainly would not be interested to know. The last time I wore such a post and stopped it halfway for a good suspense, it didn't end well but the closure of a good blog. Hopefully this time would be different.

For now, guess it's easier to focus on the present and look forward to tomorrow. After all, tomorrow my love gets to book out from his outfield which I have much dreaded it for the lack of communication. A short weekend this time but that doesn't mean I can't fully utilized it either. May time pass slowly. And next Thursday to arrive faster. On a lighter note, it's a week more to my last marathon/race event of the year and guess what, I'm nowhere near prepared for the race. The thought of completing 42km taunts me everyday when I see runners jogging past me, in preparation of what to come while I'm here on my bed without much motivation to run, let alone leave my beloved bed.

It's almost 1am and I'm awake. Which only means the amount of things bothering and affecting my sleep. Lets just hope it will pass and while it's tiring to be an emotion support, you can only be positive that the person trusted you so much with their problems. And maybe on my side, I'm not ready to open everything up or trust that whoever I'm telling my issues to will understand, encourage, support, listen and not tell others. Or let alone whether I'm willing to open up when there so many things bothering you at once and you're just at the beginning of trying to sort them out and think through them.

December be nice. After all, you are my favorite month of the year.

This is Halloween

Halloween. One of my favourite season to celebrate. Maybe not so much about the treat or trick as much as it would really be awesome for that to happen in Singapore. Seriously. Especially in such a neighbourhood I wouldn't mind dressing up and ringing door bells for candies. Unfortunately in an Asian culture we don't celebrate such event. Major sigh about it.

In adelaide, for the month of October we have fun events like the big zombies walk in the city. Super fun event which I kind of always ended up as a passer by and never a zombie. It's an event where everyone gets to be a zombie for a few hours and actually roam the streets of adelaide, moaning and scaring victims. Zombies who would quietly walk pass you or zombies who would attempt to scare you. It's always the best event that I looked forward to. And honestly it's amazing how aussie dress themselves up to look the part. Here in sg, it's not really a big fuss. Maybe at clubs where they have the waiters to dress up. Maybe at some bars or restaurants. Simple decoration and nothing too elaborated.

But well Halloween also means it's the end of October and hey welcome to no shave November.  The month where guys get to not shave and get away with it. November also mean its two more months away to a new year. How fast time pass. And remember that time and tide wait for no man.

Yet this year on Halloween I'm having my final paper. Double major sigh.  Life sucks.

Bright side I'm doing a horror movies marathon with my love on Friday night. That ought to be spooky fun, chilling at home in front of the tv stocked with dorito chips in cosy PJs. Yea life good when its simple. Finally a night in to chill and relax especially after a week of studying. You just want to laze at home and relax. Not out late into the night. At times its a different feeling to be out late at night, maybe one main thing that I started doing after getting together with my bumpy.
And finally to say I completed my diploma course. Though that also mean hello working life. No work means no cash. Much temptation to just laze at home and do nothing for a month. After all I can argue that it's just a month, why not sit back and chill. Hahha. I wish.

Life is unfair. No matter which angle we try to look at it, it will never be an angle that is fair.


P.s. do you know I always wanted to dress as a vampire for Halloween?

POP LOH

Haven't been much active on blog lately again. Then again this platform is more like a diary to record main things that I want to read back again in future.
So much things happened in a week since my dearest recruit POP and we had a whole week to ourselves.
Let's start with his POP.
The last time I went to anyone's POP (passing out parade) was years years ago when my brother enlisted into the army. Then at a young age, I barely knew anything about army, just that he was botak and he had to wear the green uniform. Even when I went to Tekong for his pop, I didn't know what was it about. Vaguely remembered that it was a horrible seasick boat ride over to Tekong, watching so many guys in green matching around, and finally at the end, all the parents headed down to the parade square to find their sons. That moment I was amazed how my mummy knew just where to find my brother. To me, every guy looked the same.

On Saturday I was excited again to attend my Bumpy's POP. Plus now the POP is held at the floating platform, the more I was excited to attend. After all, I have seen many pictures of my friends attending their boyfriend (or friends) POP and the scenery just so beautiful for pictures taking and the fact that you can be down at the floating platform itself makes a lot of difference.

Early in the morning and I was up. The night before was half chatting with my Bumpy on whasapp/text and finding out what time he reached the platform and what he had for breakfast that morning.
It was simple to know where everyone was heading to when they alighted at Promenade and just follow the crowd to reach the destination. Outside, I was quite worried that they would not let me in since they had placed a sign asking the public to show the letter. But watching others walking in without showing the letter, you just follow suit and it works! Hahah. It was easy and the army were nice enough to provide you with two packets of oreo biscuits and a big bottle of mineral water.

The whole event lasted about an hour, watching the recruits march in with their bags and weapons. To me, they first looked like little caterpillar marching to the greenery. And yes, it is still insane to spot anyone from that field of greenery. Even when I knew where his company/section/platoon was, it was difficult to even see which one looks like him.
The event went on where they presented the best recruits their awards, and after that the soldiers marched past us one platoon at a time before they disappear back inside to return back their weapons and come back outside. The final part where they did the recruit roar and threw their caps up into the air. That moment when inside you're like I'm done with bmt. Now for the next phrase of army life.

The next trouble comes when we had to go down to find him. It was a queue of anxious parents, family and friends rushing to find their sons and even I had a hard time wondering where is he. But like all mummies, it's instinct that they know where their son is.
Didn't care that he was sweaty from his walk before and the marching just now, all I wanted was to hug him tightly. Grabbed a few pictures with his family, and his sergeants before we headed off to find his friends.

The day couldn't have started any better than this. The recruit of mine who went into army on 12th August and is now officially a trained soldier.
Sometimes they say bmt is the toughest part of army life, where breakups happen or that some couldn't get used to army life. Maybe it's true. After all, there are times where I miss him real badly, and even when I hear that he couldn't book out on certain weekends, it does bring the mood down. But we learn to get through it together, staying in connect whether through sms or calling or leaving random messages throughout the day, letting him know how's my day and any nonsense things that I done.
After all, in a relationship, it takes two hands to clap. It takes two hearts to fall in love with each other, and it takes two people to mend what's broken and not simply throw it away.
Now my Bumpy entering his next phrase of army life; going into sergeant course.
Naturally it would not be an easy route, it might even be tougher than bmt but whatever the route is, he knows that there are people here to support and encourage him. And at the end of the day, his kitty would always be waiting for his calls whatever timing he's gotta call.

Beef?

Continuing with later part of Friday.
Headed back to my now second home (or rather that's how I'm gotta nickname it now) to shower and play minion rush!
Hahah. Nice to have a second home now in Singapore. After the past three years of changing two homes, and now I got a second home with a cosy bed for me to nap in every Sunday (so far).
A little errand to run with Bumpy's mom to Popular and Kitty kind of got stuck at the ice cream stick art. Lol. Now I'm just tempted to get a pack of coloured ice cream stick and make some kind of container with it or something.
After that it's a trip down to Bugis! A much needed trip there in a sense 'cause I needed to get my nail polish bottles and a watch. Maybe some accessories.
And we tried this store near Haji Lane which seemed to receive many positive feedback about their red wine chicken noodles. Feeling curious, we brought Bumpy's mom there for lunch as well.

On a Friday late afternoon, the shop was quite empty with only two tables occupied. And we ordered two bowls of the noodles together with a bowl of their home made fishballs to share. The foochow balls were nice, just that it didn't had enough filling, but still to know it was homemade was good enough. Especially nowadays all we get is factory-made fishballs. For the red wine chicken noodles, the soup base was good and with the mee sua noodles, it was a good combination. However, I wasn't exactly happy with the chicken. Not quite a fan of boiled chicken, 'cause the meat gets dried up and without much taste to it and with the huge chunks of chicken meat, the more I felt that the meat was too dry for my liking.
Overall, I might come back to eat if I'm just around the corner. I just might.

Seow Choon Hua Restaurant
33 Sultan Gate
Daily: 10:00 to 22:00

Fast forward a lot of hours. We had our couple romantic dinner together!
Our first earned candle light dinner in a nice cosy restaurant. Kind of like our monthsary dinner celebration. Last weekend we had lunch celebration, this week we do with a dinner celebration. Hahah! Either way, we're on foodie-diet.
A nice restaurant and we were seated in a cosy corner facing the window. The restaurant is famous for their beef and hence we're there to give it a little try. After all, I haven't been a good beef eater lately. A little strange for me to be eating beef in a cosy restaurant without wine, but hey there's always a first for everything. Was explaining to Bumpy how red wine is usually for red meat, and white wine is taken with seafood. And for me, dessert wine is with ice cream!
Super happy that Bumpy likes my favourite dessert wine; Brown brothers moscato. Just that for that price in S'pore, it's not worth getting a bottle. Super feel like flying to Australia just to buy my bottle of moscato, midori, doritos, tim tam, red rocks chips, honey melon and HUNGRY JACKS.

The freaking rib eye is huge! The size of my hand maybe. And with a bed of fries, yeaps I'm never losing weight.
P.s. the menu even convince me that the fries are free flow. Not that anyone would be insane enough to finish the fries and still ask for more.
But one thing I love is the lamb. FREAKING NICE.
So fine, maybe they are famous for their beef and lamb. Either way, I'm not coming back here again till I'm a working adult.

One thing for sure, it's the company that counts over the food.

Bishan Park

A little interesting Friday for Bumpy and I.
We managed to wake up for a morning run/walk/picture taking at Bishan Park. One of the nonsensical thing that I have been bugging/asking/bothering Bumpy since he enlisted into army; when would he run with me again?
And on Friday since he get a day earlier to book out, that's when he kept his promise. Okay technically not a promise but he gave in to my request (at last!).
We had a nice start, you know warming up and aiming to run 10km that morning and at least to cover that distance in whatever timing we will take. BUT HOR. The moment we reach Bishan Park, it was a whole different thing. Okay, kitty's fault since I got amused by the surrounding and self-reminding myself to snap pictures later. Eventually we just totally stopped the run and just snapped pictures instead. Good job!

 
Definitely a park I want to explore more the next time round and hopefully run a whole round! Hahah. No more pictures taking the next time, must concentrate on covering distance.
As much as I'm still in agony that I have to run such a long distance. Still, you can argue that it's cause I'm not training for it that's why I'm complaining about the distance. But logically thinking, it's not even advisable for someone whose longest distance ran is 12km (two years ago?) to suddenly triple her distance covered in such a short time.
Least when I'm not constantly running as well. Sigh at weird peer pressure. Just hope I can survive through the run and at least try not to walk that much. Hello music, you're my only company (if Bumpy only accompany me after 21km). After that I reckon I'm calling it quits for such insane distance for running, I'll dutifully stick to only 10km. Honestly, it's short attention span.

Mmkay enough of scenery pictures, now is couple pictures! Hahah.

 
At the end of the run, I asked Bumpy for a couple shot where he piggyback me! And he agreed \(^_^)/
Well, we did ask a passer-by to help me snap the pictures, but what was surprising was that he even snapped the process of the piggyback, sort of accidentally.
And it's the only freaking picture where it looked as though I have toned legs. Must treasure this rare picture!

We started off with a run, continued with a walk and ended with a piggyback!
Best morning spend of the week, of the month! And after that we're off for breakfast at Long John Silver and there goes the calories I tried burning off (but failed).

Creamier ice cream waffles

Cloudy with a chance of ice cream!
And that's what happen on a cloudy Thursday afternoon.
Hidden under and behind blocks, is a little cafe tucked away from the busy streets on Toa Payoh.
At the beginning, it took us a while to find the cafe, but with a turn of the corner and noticing the buzz at the front, we know we're arrived at our destination.

Simple design of the cafe. But one major flaw is the lack of available seats, and customers either have to stand and wait till a table is available or they can choose to have their dessert at the tables near the playground instead. We chose that option since we weren't sure how long we had to wait for a table. The only main thing we had to worry about is the black birds hovering above and nearby, as well as the undesired thought that ants might drop from the branches above.

The menu gave you a choice whether to have waffles with single or double scoop.
Flavors that day was Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Plain O' Chocolate.
Both are interesting flavors which I enjoyed, except that after eating it for a few more bites, I grown a little sickish of the flavor. Surprisingly to me, especially for the chocolate flavor, I mean for a person who adore chocolate, it was upsetting that I had to force myself to munch down the rest of the ice cream in cringed agony.
The waffles on the other hand were nice and crispy, unlike the other waffles places that I tried which had 'not too bad' waffles. The cripsy-ness was there and try your best not to spread the ice cream over the waffles too fast, they do, afterall, get soggy eventually.

Overall, it's a nice cafe. Just not one where I would see myself spending an enjoyable afternoon there. It's like finishing your dish so that others can have your table, and with the tables closely placed to each other, it's not the best chill out place either. Good for fast dessert eating. And with a reasonable price of $7.50 for the waffles set.
Bright side, it's a check off my list.

Shiok Maki

On Saturday I had one of the most enjoyable lunch with Bumpy.
One of the places that has been on my foodie list for a while, and we just haven't been there. The thought of the queue turn us off, and we weren't sure how long we would queue, especially on a weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, it was a bargain.
We were to meet there at noon, and it's for our monthsary lunch!
The awesome place to celebrate our monthsary together. And the night before we were up till super late (or early in the morning). Waking up about 9am the next day wasn't easy and initially we were meeting at 11am but it got pushed to noon instead.
A super good time I reached there at 11.45am and I even got a window seat! Hahah. Now I can spy on people while I have my lunch. Yes little minions walk past me and not know that there's someone upstair spying on your every move.
Half hour after I arrived, the crowd started kicking in and before I know it, the restaurant is packed. Even when we ordered then, we were told that we had to wait about half hour for our both maki to be ready.

Meanwhile, for the first dish, we had the grilled unagi ($15).
Super a big fan of grilled eel ever since I started eating it years ago, and it's always the sauce that makes the difference to whether it's good or just alright.
This dish won us over, the sauce was just awesome and together with the tender meat, I'm in love.
Hahah! Even the lettuce salad that came with the dish had a simple feel to it with the light sauce on it. Definitely glad we ordered it.

Our shiok maki gen 1 ($16.80) and salmon ($8) arrived next.
Just the perfect timing when we had finished the unagi. Now that's when we finally tried the dish that everyone has been talking about.
The first bite, or rather the first piece (freaking huge piece!) was mouth-watering. But I struggled a lot at the first bite. The thought of being greedy and wanting to stuff the whole piece inside my tiny mouth, but it failed in the end and I passed Bumpy the piece instead and took a smaller one.
Bloody hell, he opened his mouth and the piece went in easily.
Fine, I got a small mouth. Deal with it.
The sauce on top of the sushi was the one that made the difference, and how it makes the sushi better than the rest. As well as the grilled salmon at the top, it's a combination of shiok-ness alright. Somehow the sauce seemed to be a mixture of Japanese mayo and something else. Just can't figure out what.
But it's my favourite (okay second favourite after unagi).

The second shiok maki second gen arrived. Even with the half hour wait, I reckon it's alright since we needed time to consume each dish and we get to finish one dish before 'attacking' the second dish. For this dish, it's with grilled salmon at the top as well, with the awesome sauce but inside it's filled with grilled prawn instead. The first gen is with unagi, maybe also that's why I enjoyed it so much. For this, I didn't quite like the combination of prawn and salmon.
Conversely, it's Bumpy's favourite dish instead.
Either way, it's a must order dishes when you're at Koh Grill & Sushi Bar.

For the four dishes that we ordered, surprisingly it was just nice for two to share. Sufficient for lunch and quite filling as well. But one thing for sure, I'm definitely returning back here again maybe end of the year for another round of maki & unagi & salmon. Repeat the same four orders as today. Heheh!

Koh Grilled & Sushi Bar
Wisma Atria Shopping Centre #04-21
Daily: 11:30 - 22:30

After lunch we headed off wandering around Orchard. And Bumpy suddenly had the thought of getting macaroons. That's when it all begins...
I mentioned to him about the cheap macaroons that I found at the top floor of Ion which was selling for only $1.50. I mean I don't see macaroons selling that cheap before, even the minimum amount I thought would be $2. But $1.50 is a good steal. Let's just hope the cost and the taste is reasonable as well.

We tried two types of chocolate macaroons, just the lighter one include coffee. The darker one is with marshmallow filling. And that is better than the second one, softer and more chewy. The lighter one is nice as well, just that it wasn't that soft, feel like it has been in the fridge longer.

The second store we tried was from TWG. The macaroons selling at TWG are $2 per piece. A little more pricey but with more flavours available (but with weird names).
We tried three this time; a rose flavoured, a mint tea flavoured and one with kaya inside.
Personally, I felt that it was a major disappointment. The white and blue one taste more of kaya, mainly because of the kaya filling. And for macaroons I found it interestingly weird to have kaya filling.
And the rose flavoured, unfortunately, taste like bandung. Super funny. Bumpy had the first bite and told me of the taste, and when I had mine, after I realized what he mean, I started laughing.
Definitely not purchasing any more macaroons from TWG.

The last store to try was obviously from Laduree. And it is the most expensive one as well, we paid $3.80 each! I can get two pieces of macaroons at the first store for that price. This time we tried salted caramel and chocolate (yes again). The salted caramel was interesting, when you first bite it, you taste the sweet caramel, but eventually at the last taste, somehow you end up with a little bitter taste. Is it normal for all salted caramel macaroons? Even today when I told Carolin about it, she had the same experience with salted caramel (and we bought from different stores!). Perhaps it's just that way.
The chocolate piece is the best macaroons eaten! It just so chocolatey and awww, it does not feel like you're eating a macaroon but like a rich chocolate brownie. Hahah.
Appreciate Bumpy for being my hand model throughout the three store, holding his hands still for me to arrange the macaroons for pictures taking and holding out for three pictures each time.

And yay, I introduce Bumpy to my favourite Boost drink; King William Chocolate milkshake. A Boost drink that I always order when I'm in Australia and most people that I introduced to enjoy the taste of chocolate and bananas in the cup. It's in the indulgence section that is said to be 98% fat free (but is it?).

Off for birthday shopping after that before we headed down to Pasir Ris for another 21st birthday celebration. Almost died of exhaustion this weekend from staying out till 3am in the morning and waking up at about 9am the following day. And I almost fell asleep at the party as well. On the other side, it's also nice how Bumpy brings me along to his events and get me associated with his friends, as well as giving me some night life into my boring life.
Here to an awesome weekend and us crashing in bed on Sunday afternoon, two hours of napping and his mother's awesome dinner to end the day. Hahah. See it's almost as though I'm living with him already. Every Sunday afternoon is spend at his home, napping from our busy weekend before a family meal together. Soon it will be Bumpy turn to be doing that at my home, perhaps during his POP week. Make him come my place so much till his turn to feel as though he is living at my home. xD

Till another blog post, probably about more food again.