Wednesday, September 24, 2014
The Wedding (that never was)
Today would have been the biggest day in my life if I had not called it off.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Teochew Fishball Noodles, Food Republic Shaw House
I am a fan of the Food Republic at Shaw House. It is huge, either the biggest or one of the biggest around, with many non local stalls. You can get salad, xiao long Bao, pho, Korean, Thai food besides the usual mee pok, Nasi Padang, fish soup or chicken rice.
I love the Korean and Thai food here and will usually get that. But I decided to just venture out of my usual stuff and try the fish ball noodles. I had the signature noodle from the Toa Payoh Lorong 7 stall. It includes fish cake slices, fish balls and fish dumplings. The taste is old school with plenty of ketchup and chili sauce. The kick is the addition of lard pieces. Yum.
There is a 10% discount if you watch a movie at Lido. Think the promotion is until end of October 2014.
Monday, September 08, 2014
Tanuki Raw
I do like the twist Tanuki Raw in OrchardCentral put on its sushi. It is probably more crowded in the evening with it's happy hour and promo prices on fresh oysters and salmon sashimi.
My favorite sushi roll is the hamburger. It has minced beef in the rice roll which is then deep fried. Heaven
They also do a weekday lunch special on its rice bowls. Prices start from $10 and includes a salad and miso soup.
I had the salmon lover set for $13++. It includes salmon sashimi, salmon sushi and salmon nigri. Not a lot but ok for a light lunch.
I love the lotus root chip on the salad. The miso soup has plenty of sliced onions making it one of the naturally sweetest soup around.
Friday, September 05, 2014
Oriole
For $19++ you get a choice of starter, main and an iced coffee. Pretty good deal. The selection is not huge but they are sufficient and decent.
I decided on the seared beef with arugula for my starter and it was excellent. The beef was tender and juicy. It went very well with the greens.
The grilled chicken leg with sweet potato fries paled in comparison. The chicken was ok. The sweet potato fries were delicious. I could actually smell it when it was served.
I know Oriole is known for its coffee but the iced version was not very good. Maybe the hot version will be better.
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Certified Massage Therapist
I have mentioned I am making some changes in my life. One of them is going back to what I really like - the wellness and healing sector.
Sometimes you just never see what is coming up along your journey in life. When I was asked what I will want to do when I grow up after graduation, I always feel that I just want to meet and help people. Sometimes I jokingly said "a receptionist" as I will get to meet and help people. I never really know what is meant to be in my life. I have always just coasted along, do whatever that comes up, believing that whatever happens always happened for a reason. Be it to gain the experience or to meet people in the companies or whatever.
So I have always been intrigued by spa and massages when living in Canada. However I have never tried any massage then. I was too shy to disrobe in front of strangers and uncertain of what would happen. So it was always just a thoughtless daydream when I saw spa brochures.
My first experience with massage was in 1999 when I was in Bali. It was a in-room massage and I was so nervous and shy about having someone massaged me then. My godma and her daughter were also getting a massage in the room, so it was not like I was all alone. I was not particularly impressed with the massage. Maybe I did not feel the need for massage and Balinese massage was not the soothing relaxing type anyway.
My next encounter with massage was in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 at Zen Spa inside The Mines. The massage was ok, but what blew me away was the spa facilities. The fact there was no clock anywhere so you could not watch the time. A room with movie showing and comfortable reclining lazy-boy chairs. A lounge where food can be ordered from the ala carte buffet menu. Plus the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. This was all included in the spa treatment price. What an amazing concept.
And in 2001 or 2002 I signed up for a spa package in Singapore and that really started my journey in the holistic wellness area. I dreamed of opening my own spa, similar to Zen Spa. A place where you can really get a massage and stay there to relax and rejuvenate. You will not be "chase off" after your treatment.
I did my research and found out it would not be cheap to open something like what I have in mind. I have grandiose plans and I know what I do not want. No package. No hard selling. No treating customers like cattle or operate a revolving door policy.
I am blessed to meet really kind and generous and helpful people along my journey. I was taught basic holistic massage with a bit of pressure points. I quit my job and started my own home spa massage service in 2004. That was also the period spa and massages were getting more mainstream and accepted. I learnt about my own strength and weakness when managing the business. I realized I could craft the most wonderful marketing materials and content for my website and flyers etc. BUT I just could not sell myself. I was not thick skinned enough to really get myself out there. Quite an irony since I am a Public Relations Practitioner with contacts/friends in the media.
I did push myself to join association, meet more people and I expanded my social network. I also found out people were only interested in what can you do for them. Everyone has their own agenda at the end of the day. I did not regret my stint on my own. It taught me many lessons. It also afforded me time to do my own things. Things I enjoyed.
I read up on healing and massages and any kind of complementary bodyworks. I attended festivals and fairs. I have learned all kinds of dance, starting from Hip-Hop to Jazz to adult ballet and finally finding my natural home in belly dancing. It happened that belly dance actually uses many of the natural element from the Earth. The undulation of the body not only comes from the core but also from the music and the vibration. I was told I had potential to go further but I guessed I was too lazy and I felt I could not memorize any choreography. I dance best to what I was feeling then. So I did not really go far into the belly dance field.
Then I discovered Bikram Yoga. Finally a yoga which actually engaged me instead of making me wish the time would just fly. I never found the Yoga I first learned when in Canada back in 1997. I loved that. I felt one with nature. The yoga classes in Singapore were too focused on the movements and not on the overall being, at least those I tried. So Bikram was quite a good match for me. Unfortunately it was too expensive to continue so I let it lapse.
I dabbled with tarot and angel cards. I was told I had the intuition to read. Again I did not take it seriously. Although I am interested, part of me feel it is just to be taken with a pinch of salt.
And I discovered chiropractic in 2007 and that started me on another journey in believing the body can heal itself. When I was having regular chiropractic treatment, I stopped going for massages. When I start going for massages again, it was for a relaxing experience. No longer was it meant for removing knots and suffering in pain.
This year I decided to go back to massage again and to learn new skills. I started on post-natal massage and somehow went on to get my CIBTAC diploma (UK) and manual lymphatic drainage massage. I found my calling in lymphatic drainage massage. When I first learned massage in 2003, I was concerned I will not have the stamina or skills. I was told then I have the touch and I was good. And the reason I continued with giving massage was that it actually soothed my soul when I was massaging others. I was being relaxed too.
With lymphatic drainage massage, I found it was even more healing for me and also for the people I massaged. The fact that I could actually see swellings go down and people feeling better and radiant made me glad that I was able to help. That went back to my sole motive. To heal and to help.
I tried Reiki again. This time I could actually feel the heat and coolness of people's energy. The energy flow. Maybe I am finally opening myself up to feel. Usually I do not feel anything at all. But with lymphatic drainage massage, you need to let yourself feel the flow of the lymph and to re-direct it to be filtered and drained.
I do not know how my journey will end, but I hope, and do want to be working in the complementary healing area. MLD massage with energy work and prayers? It is all about believing that "you can heal yourself". That is a great book by Louise Hay.
So yes, it seemed like all that I experienced for the last many years were setting me up to be more attuned with nature and the universe and to do healing works.
How does it tie to my belief? In 2000 or 2001 during the Anaconda Rally, I was given the gift of tongue by the Holy Spirit. It was unspeakable joy and tears and speaking of tongue. I was also told during a healing room session in 2012 that I have the gift still and to continue to speak in tongue. To me, these are all the same. I know I still pray for healing even when I am doing the works. God uses us to do His work and I choose to believe this is His gift for me. To heal others through massage, or at least make them feel better and alleviate any stress or pain they have then. Amen.
And who can resist a massage, right? ;)
Sometimes you just never see what is coming up along your journey in life. When I was asked what I will want to do when I grow up after graduation, I always feel that I just want to meet and help people. Sometimes I jokingly said "a receptionist" as I will get to meet and help people. I never really know what is meant to be in my life. I have always just coasted along, do whatever that comes up, believing that whatever happens always happened for a reason. Be it to gain the experience or to meet people in the companies or whatever.
So I have always been intrigued by spa and massages when living in Canada. However I have never tried any massage then. I was too shy to disrobe in front of strangers and uncertain of what would happen. So it was always just a thoughtless daydream when I saw spa brochures.
My first experience with massage was in 1999 when I was in Bali. It was a in-room massage and I was so nervous and shy about having someone massaged me then. My godma and her daughter were also getting a massage in the room, so it was not like I was all alone. I was not particularly impressed with the massage. Maybe I did not feel the need for massage and Balinese massage was not the soothing relaxing type anyway.
My next encounter with massage was in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 at Zen Spa inside The Mines. The massage was ok, but what blew me away was the spa facilities. The fact there was no clock anywhere so you could not watch the time. A room with movie showing and comfortable reclining lazy-boy chairs. A lounge where food can be ordered from the ala carte buffet menu. Plus the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. This was all included in the spa treatment price. What an amazing concept.
And in 2001 or 2002 I signed up for a spa package in Singapore and that really started my journey in the holistic wellness area. I dreamed of opening my own spa, similar to Zen Spa. A place where you can really get a massage and stay there to relax and rejuvenate. You will not be "chase off" after your treatment.
I did my research and found out it would not be cheap to open something like what I have in mind. I have grandiose plans and I know what I do not want. No package. No hard selling. No treating customers like cattle or operate a revolving door policy.
I am blessed to meet really kind and generous and helpful people along my journey. I was taught basic holistic massage with a bit of pressure points. I quit my job and started my own home spa massage service in 2004. That was also the period spa and massages were getting more mainstream and accepted. I learnt about my own strength and weakness when managing the business. I realized I could craft the most wonderful marketing materials and content for my website and flyers etc. BUT I just could not sell myself. I was not thick skinned enough to really get myself out there. Quite an irony since I am a Public Relations Practitioner with contacts/friends in the media.
I did push myself to join association, meet more people and I expanded my social network. I also found out people were only interested in what can you do for them. Everyone has their own agenda at the end of the day. I did not regret my stint on my own. It taught me many lessons. It also afforded me time to do my own things. Things I enjoyed.
I read up on healing and massages and any kind of complementary bodyworks. I attended festivals and fairs. I have learned all kinds of dance, starting from Hip-Hop to Jazz to adult ballet and finally finding my natural home in belly dancing. It happened that belly dance actually uses many of the natural element from the Earth. The undulation of the body not only comes from the core but also from the music and the vibration. I was told I had potential to go further but I guessed I was too lazy and I felt I could not memorize any choreography. I dance best to what I was feeling then. So I did not really go far into the belly dance field.
Then I discovered Bikram Yoga. Finally a yoga which actually engaged me instead of making me wish the time would just fly. I never found the Yoga I first learned when in Canada back in 1997. I loved that. I felt one with nature. The yoga classes in Singapore were too focused on the movements and not on the overall being, at least those I tried. So Bikram was quite a good match for me. Unfortunately it was too expensive to continue so I let it lapse.
I dabbled with tarot and angel cards. I was told I had the intuition to read. Again I did not take it seriously. Although I am interested, part of me feel it is just to be taken with a pinch of salt.
And I discovered chiropractic in 2007 and that started me on another journey in believing the body can heal itself. When I was having regular chiropractic treatment, I stopped going for massages. When I start going for massages again, it was for a relaxing experience. No longer was it meant for removing knots and suffering in pain.
This year I decided to go back to massage again and to learn new skills. I started on post-natal massage and somehow went on to get my CIBTAC diploma (UK) and manual lymphatic drainage massage. I found my calling in lymphatic drainage massage. When I first learned massage in 2003, I was concerned I will not have the stamina or skills. I was told then I have the touch and I was good. And the reason I continued with giving massage was that it actually soothed my soul when I was massaging others. I was being relaxed too.
With lymphatic drainage massage, I found it was even more healing for me and also for the people I massaged. The fact that I could actually see swellings go down and people feeling better and radiant made me glad that I was able to help. That went back to my sole motive. To heal and to help.
I tried Reiki again. This time I could actually feel the heat and coolness of people's energy. The energy flow. Maybe I am finally opening myself up to feel. Usually I do not feel anything at all. But with lymphatic drainage massage, you need to let yourself feel the flow of the lymph and to re-direct it to be filtered and drained.
I do not know how my journey will end, but I hope, and do want to be working in the complementary healing area. MLD massage with energy work and prayers? It is all about believing that "you can heal yourself". That is a great book by Louise Hay.
So yes, it seemed like all that I experienced for the last many years were setting me up to be more attuned with nature and the universe and to do healing works.
How does it tie to my belief? In 2000 or 2001 during the Anaconda Rally, I was given the gift of tongue by the Holy Spirit. It was unspeakable joy and tears and speaking of tongue. I was also told during a healing room session in 2012 that I have the gift still and to continue to speak in tongue. To me, these are all the same. I know I still pray for healing even when I am doing the works. God uses us to do His work and I choose to believe this is His gift for me. To heal others through massage, or at least make them feel better and alleviate any stress or pain they have then. Amen.
And who can resist a massage, right? ;)
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Plonk
I like the open concept with no walls or doors to break the flow from the inside to the walkway. It is airy, spacious and quite cozy. It serves proper food, bar snacks, tapas and pizza. It also has a good selection of drinks including sangria.
As we just wanted drinks and something to munch on, we ordered a jug of mojito and pizza. The mojito tasted weak though it was refreshing. The alcohol still got to me by my second glass.
The wood fired pizza was of the thin crust variety, similar to Skinny Pizza but slightly thicker. We chose the one with iberico ham and mushroom and that was good.
The washrooms are on the second level and look even cozier with couches and tables by the window.
I will return to try the other dishes. Halloumi is on the special menu for those in love with that.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
The Assembly Ground
I have decided to try blogging again now that I've installed the app again. One reason I stopped blogging is because it was a hassle to transfer photos from phone to computer and work from there. Maybe after much refinements to the app this may be better and easier.
A new challenge I'm giving myself is to try to go to as many of the new cafés which keep sporting up, like mushrooms or weeds.
The Assembly Cafe, at level one of The Cathay, serves coffee and food. The main thing is coffee though. Pretty nice place to hang out with friends. Chairs are wire mesh style, so you will definitely get the pattern imprints on your upper thighs if you're wearing shorts or shorter skirts.
Interior of the place. It is much more spacious than this pic. There are bicycles on the wall further in.
Roast beef with Caramelized onions and cheddar gravy, Parmesan cheese and token salad. Fries are good. Sandwich can be better. Too little meat that it is all bread.
Flat white is good. Sugar is from Mauritius and unrefined cane sugar.
It is still not that busy on week day lunch time. So this is quite a good place to pop by if you're free on weekdays and want to work or chill. It is much bigger than other cafés with just a few tables.
Loaf cakes and regular cakes are available. Would like to try the earl grey and Thai milk tea loaf cakes in future.
Oh there is no additional charges. Service is friendly and prompt. Place your order at the counter when ready. Free iced water at the small counter together with conditions. Reminds me of Maison Ikkoku set up.
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Changes in the Air
I am thinking there must be something in the air or planetary movements as so many people I know are making changes in their lives, including me.
Besides colleagues (several) who have resigned and left to pursue other interests and industries, I know of many others who are also doing something to change their lives or jobs.
So after being in the financial industry for about 4 to 5 years now (where have the time gone to), I have decided to revisit my other passion which was uncovered 10 years ago. So back to school again, but it is not really to academia, but something else.
I am also planning other aspects of my life, to just let go and try. I did that before 10 years ago and it is time to try again. There is no guarantee in anything, but at least I went for it. To just breathe and leave the worries and fears behind.
I rather be doing something I like than to be crunching numbers for the rest of my life. Word is still my love and forte.
Besides colleagues (several) who have resigned and left to pursue other interests and industries, I know of many others who are also doing something to change their lives or jobs.
So after being in the financial industry for about 4 to 5 years now (where have the time gone to), I have decided to revisit my other passion which was uncovered 10 years ago. So back to school again, but it is not really to academia, but something else.
I am also planning other aspects of my life, to just let go and try. I did that before 10 years ago and it is time to try again. There is no guarantee in anything, but at least I went for it. To just breathe and leave the worries and fears behind.
I rather be doing something I like than to be crunching numbers for the rest of my life. Word is still my love and forte.
Saturday, March 01, 2014
Spring time!
Well technically there is no Spring in Singapore. February is gone, we are left with 10 months for 2014.
Chinese New Year is over, and so is my birthday month.
I am pretty amazed at how much I actually spent, just because it was my birthday month (February) and there were various discounts on my VIP or member cards.
Damages - just because I like to see what I have spent on. It is also a form of marketing analysis to see what works. So I tell myself :p
February 2014 Birthday Month Discount/Promotion
$110 - 20% off at Japanese Sun with Moon Dining (average cost per person over 3 visits)
$9.90 - $10 voucher at Kikki.K (bought a pen)
$15.20 - top from Dorothy Perkins (20% off)
$84.80 - dress from Wallis (20% off)
$60.00 - Melissa sandals from Tangs (20% off)
$20.00 - shower gels from Sephora (birthday gift + double points)
$42.00 - gifts for others from Crabtree & Evelyn (30% off)
$26.85 - eyedrop + saline from Watsons (5x bonus points)
$40.50 - Laura Mercier product from Tangs (10% off)
$50.50 - shower gel + gift from Philosophy at Tangs (30% off)
$60.00 - Biotherm products at Tangs (free samples and coupon for special price on products)
Free - skincare samples from L'Occitane at Tangs
Free - tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier at Tangs
$18 - dinner at Island Cafe at Tangs (20% off)
$19 - massage at The Ultimate (NTUC Income)
20% off at Strip
Total spent: around $557.
I must admit Tangs gives better birthday treats this year compared to previously where I hardly use it. And I believe this is the first time they give discount on beauty products and Island Cafe.
Other cards which I have but did not utilize the birthday benefits:
- Salvatore Ferragamo
- Andersen's ice cream
- G2000
- Fox
- Charles & Keith
- H2O+
- Starhub
- rest of NTUC Income partners
- Sony?
Andersen's Ice Cream changed its benefit - instead of a free double scoop ice cream and your friends get 20% off, it is now a buy 1 and get 1 free tub of ice cream. Logistic wise, it is not friendly as you cannot possibly carry the tubs of ice cream all around town. You will want something you can consume immediately.
Companies which partnered other companies for the discounts are a pain to redeem those benefits as the companies want to make copies of your ID as proof of your birthday month. Hello?! Identity theft, anyone? Plus, why bother having such promotion when you do not trust your front line staff to do the verification.
Places I will usually go to whenever my birthday rolls around will be Japanese Sun with Moon Dining as it is fuss free. Just show your ID and the discount will be given. The discount can also be used on top of any promotional priced food items.
I still go to Crabtree to pick up anything which I did not get in November when it has the VIP preview promotion.
The brands under Wing Tai (F3 & Elite cards) are more of a "I'll get something if I happen to see it". 20% is not a very attractive discount.
Hmmm...I just realized there are no birthday benefits for Mango or Club 21 cardmembers. Or maybe I just never really notice it.
Chinese New Year is over, and so is my birthday month.
I am pretty amazed at how much I actually spent, just because it was my birthday month (February) and there were various discounts on my VIP or member cards.
Damages - just because I like to see what I have spent on. It is also a form of marketing analysis to see what works. So I tell myself :p
February 2014 Birthday Month Discount/Promotion
$110 - 20% off at Japanese Sun with Moon Dining (average cost per person over 3 visits)
$9.90 - $10 voucher at Kikki.K (bought a pen)
$15.20 - top from Dorothy Perkins (20% off)
$84.80 - dress from Wallis (20% off)
$60.00 - Melissa sandals from Tangs (20% off)
$20.00 - shower gels from Sephora (birthday gift + double points)
$42.00 - gifts for others from Crabtree & Evelyn (30% off)
$26.85 - eyedrop + saline from Watsons (5x bonus points)
$40.50 - Laura Mercier product from Tangs (10% off)
$50.50 - shower gel + gift from Philosophy at Tangs (30% off)
$60.00 - Biotherm products at Tangs (free samples and coupon for special price on products)
Free - skincare samples from L'Occitane at Tangs
Free - tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier at Tangs
$18 - dinner at Island Cafe at Tangs (20% off)
$19 - massage at The Ultimate (NTUC Income)
20% off at Strip
Total spent: around $557.
I must admit Tangs gives better birthday treats this year compared to previously where I hardly use it. And I believe this is the first time they give discount on beauty products and Island Cafe.
Other cards which I have but did not utilize the birthday benefits:
- Salvatore Ferragamo
- Andersen's ice cream
- G2000
- Fox
- Charles & Keith
- H2O+
- Starhub
- rest of NTUC Income partners
- Sony?
Andersen's Ice Cream changed its benefit - instead of a free double scoop ice cream and your friends get 20% off, it is now a buy 1 and get 1 free tub of ice cream. Logistic wise, it is not friendly as you cannot possibly carry the tubs of ice cream all around town. You will want something you can consume immediately.
Companies which partnered other companies for the discounts are a pain to redeem those benefits as the companies want to make copies of your ID as proof of your birthday month. Hello?! Identity theft, anyone? Plus, why bother having such promotion when you do not trust your front line staff to do the verification.
Places I will usually go to whenever my birthday rolls around will be Japanese Sun with Moon Dining as it is fuss free. Just show your ID and the discount will be given. The discount can also be used on top of any promotional priced food items.
I still go to Crabtree to pick up anything which I did not get in November when it has the VIP preview promotion.
The brands under Wing Tai (F3 & Elite cards) are more of a "I'll get something if I happen to see it". 20% is not a very attractive discount.
Hmmm...I just realized there are no birthday benefits for Mango or Club 21 cardmembers. Or maybe I just never really notice it.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Ipad Mini!
So I bought the ipad mini with retina from the Apple online store last week when there was a promotion. I got it yesterday and went about setting it up today. New nano-sim card and case, so I am pretty much set. *Happy dance*. I just need to figure out how to transfer books from the ipad to the mini. Somehow only half the books were transferred from iTunes. I shall leave that for the weekend.
The new year has really brought out people whom I have not talked to or seen in a (long) while.
Besides a few people who started contacting me again, I have also re-connected with my primary school friends and even a teacher! Yes, my primary two form teacher. She is much loved and well liked by almost everyone in school. I met her 2 years ago at my cousin's wedding. Apparently he kept in touch with her and invited her to his wedding. I passed her contact to a primary school friend who contacted me last year and we were supposed to meet but somehow it did not happen. And just a few days ago somehow more people were contacted and connected and so a group of us are going to meet this weekend. It is truly amazing. We first met 30 years ago.
And it is also the 20 years anniversary of when I first moved to Canada. So there may be another sort of gathering for friends I met there.
And 10 years ago was the time I had my best birthday. I wonder if this year will top it.
The new year has really brought out people whom I have not talked to or seen in a (long) while.
Besides a few people who started contacting me again, I have also re-connected with my primary school friends and even a teacher! Yes, my primary two form teacher. She is much loved and well liked by almost everyone in school. I met her 2 years ago at my cousin's wedding. Apparently he kept in touch with her and invited her to his wedding. I passed her contact to a primary school friend who contacted me last year and we were supposed to meet but somehow it did not happen. And just a few days ago somehow more people were contacted and connected and so a group of us are going to meet this weekend. It is truly amazing. We first met 30 years ago.
And it is also the 20 years anniversary of when I first moved to Canada. So there may be another sort of gathering for friends I met there.
And 10 years ago was the time I had my best birthday. I wonder if this year will top it.
Friday, January 03, 2014
Happy 2014 - New air conditioner installed
Yay! I finally got a new air conditioner. I am a happy camper now.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Reflecting on 2013
This time last year, I was back in Canada. Spending 30 Dec 2012 in Vancouver, the last few hours at Queen Elizabeth Park at night where it was all dark and I could barely make out the twinkling lights of Vancouver city. Tim Hortons for the last donut (Maple cream for me) before heading to the airport for another chapter of my life.
There I was, alone at White Spot in YVR, having my favorite strawberry milkshake, thinking about what would happen when I got to NYC. Then off I went. Arrived in Toronto airport on New Year's Eve early morning. Watching the leftover snow on the ground, waiting for the next flight which would take me into LaGuardia in New York City. A place I never thought I would go, or rather NYC has been an elusive city to me. So many times I was to travel to NYC and something would prevent the trip from happening.
Finally I arrived in NYC on 31 December 2012. It fulfilled a wish of mine. To spend NYE in Times Square, watching the ball drop, with someone special.
New York City is massive. Awesome. I love it! I never thought I would like NYC. In my mind, it is just like any other major city. Boy, was I wrong. Nothing can prepare me for the vibrancy and life of the city. The city is just full of energy and things going on. It is huge, stretches way over what the naked eye can see. I can finally understand why he said he will not move to Singapore or why he did not show much interest in the sights. What we have in Singapore seriously pale in comparison.
So I started 2013 on an exciting note, filled with uncertainties and possibilities. It was a whirlwind visit of East Coast USA. Spending days in NYC, driving down to Washington, DC, passing through Virginia, Philly, Maryland, West Virginia. Seeing the White House and other historical buildings, flying down to Orlando. Behaving like children again, going on the rides in Magic Kingdom in Disney World and Universal Studios (Island of Adventure). Got to see the Harry Potter Village, another to do thing on my bucket list ticked. Drove to Tampa just for an awesome Columbian dinner. Back to DC and to Atlantic City. Stayed at Borgata which was really amazing, playing the slots in the casino and clubbing late at night. All too soon it was over, and I flew back to Singapore. Waiting, wondering what would happen.
Work
It was steady, it got better. I moved to be independent and now I am working on my own. Colleagues left and new colleagues came in.
Health
No issue with teeth now. Nagging cough for almost 10 weeks. Had to do an xray and blood test. Otherwise quite alright. Now, if only I can get my weight down. Still an uphill battle.
Love
Status quo. It is over. I would not be moving to NYC like I thought I would be. Nor would I be getting married like what we talked about.
Friendship
Still mates with my bff and other good friends. Taking a step back from toxic people. More selective in events to attend. No more rushing around.
Family
Everything is going well. No major issues. An uncle passed away, after 1 year plus of being bedridden because of stroke. An aunt is diagnosed with stroke but with the grace of God, she is able to walk, talk and move. A miracle, seeing that nobody knew she had a stroke when she fell in the bathroom and could only get up with sheer will and wits after close to 2 hours and then called my cousin who went over to check on her and took her to the hospital. A blood vessel burst in the brain and apparently that was a very serious type of stroke. Now she just has to focus on physio to regain her strength and better mobility without a walker.
Giving Thanks
- good health with no known or chronic illnesses.
- implant holding still
- traveling to USA/Canada
- many short trips in the region (Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Penang and KL twice)
- good friends who are probably sick of listening to me talk or rant
- being made a Yelp Elite, knowing more people through it
I do not know what 2014 will bring, but I certainly hope it will be better than 2013 and that it will bring some of my hopes and dreams to fruition.
2012 brought me giddiness, hope and excitement. 2013 was filled with many uncertainties and what-ifs. So hopefully 2014 will bring something more concrete and less of wondering.
There I was, alone at White Spot in YVR, having my favorite strawberry milkshake, thinking about what would happen when I got to NYC. Then off I went. Arrived in Toronto airport on New Year's Eve early morning. Watching the leftover snow on the ground, waiting for the next flight which would take me into LaGuardia in New York City. A place I never thought I would go, or rather NYC has been an elusive city to me. So many times I was to travel to NYC and something would prevent the trip from happening.
Finally I arrived in NYC on 31 December 2012. It fulfilled a wish of mine. To spend NYE in Times Square, watching the ball drop, with someone special.
New York City is massive. Awesome. I love it! I never thought I would like NYC. In my mind, it is just like any other major city. Boy, was I wrong. Nothing can prepare me for the vibrancy and life of the city. The city is just full of energy and things going on. It is huge, stretches way over what the naked eye can see. I can finally understand why he said he will not move to Singapore or why he did not show much interest in the sights. What we have in Singapore seriously pale in comparison.
So I started 2013 on an exciting note, filled with uncertainties and possibilities. It was a whirlwind visit of East Coast USA. Spending days in NYC, driving down to Washington, DC, passing through Virginia, Philly, Maryland, West Virginia. Seeing the White House and other historical buildings, flying down to Orlando. Behaving like children again, going on the rides in Magic Kingdom in Disney World and Universal Studios (Island of Adventure). Got to see the Harry Potter Village, another to do thing on my bucket list ticked. Drove to Tampa just for an awesome Columbian dinner. Back to DC and to Atlantic City. Stayed at Borgata which was really amazing, playing the slots in the casino and clubbing late at night. All too soon it was over, and I flew back to Singapore. Waiting, wondering what would happen.
Work
It was steady, it got better. I moved to be independent and now I am working on my own. Colleagues left and new colleagues came in.
Health
No issue with teeth now. Nagging cough for almost 10 weeks. Had to do an xray and blood test. Otherwise quite alright. Now, if only I can get my weight down. Still an uphill battle.
Love
Status quo. It is over. I would not be moving to NYC like I thought I would be. Nor would I be getting married like what we talked about.
Friendship
Still mates with my bff and other good friends. Taking a step back from toxic people. More selective in events to attend. No more rushing around.
Family
Everything is going well. No major issues. An uncle passed away, after 1 year plus of being bedridden because of stroke. An aunt is diagnosed with stroke but with the grace of God, she is able to walk, talk and move. A miracle, seeing that nobody knew she had a stroke when she fell in the bathroom and could only get up with sheer will and wits after close to 2 hours and then called my cousin who went over to check on her and took her to the hospital. A blood vessel burst in the brain and apparently that was a very serious type of stroke. Now she just has to focus on physio to regain her strength and better mobility without a walker.
Giving Thanks
- good health with no known or chronic illnesses.
- implant holding still
- traveling to USA/Canada
- many short trips in the region (Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Penang and KL twice)
- good friends who are probably sick of listening to me talk or rant
- being made a Yelp Elite, knowing more people through it
I do not know what 2014 will bring, but I certainly hope it will be better than 2013 and that it will bring some of my hopes and dreams to fruition.
2012 brought me giddiness, hope and excitement. 2013 was filled with many uncertainties and what-ifs. So hopefully 2014 will bring something more concrete and less of wondering.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Deciding on Hotel in Singapore
Here I am....trawling through the world wide web, looking for a nice hotel to stay in either January or February next year. I guess I just want a bit of pampering, to be in a spacious room with super comfy bed with thick soft duvet and strong air-conditioning to freeze my ass off. A big bathroom with an inviting bathtub and separate shower.
Am I spoilt? Maybe. Most likely.
If I am going to spend good money for a hotel room, it has better be worth it. That means the room has to be at least 40 sqm or so. Anything smaller can be quite claustrophobic and I might as well stay at home, in my own room. Having this requirement also means there are not that many hotels with such room size now, especially those newer hotels which seemed to go the way of our apartments. Shoebox, anyone?
Looking at the various hotels, I am struck with memories...places I have stayed at before. Dating someone who is not based in Singapore means you do get to see plenty of hotels though we had a few favorites.
Anyway, because of my inherent want or need to fulfill a requirement by the Starwood Preferred Guest club thingy, I am wondering if I should select a hotel under its group so that I can reach the next level sooner.
The choices would be:
Sheraton Towers is convenient, but the room is tiny at 30 sqm. The room looks old too, with shower curtain!
St Regis is the popular choice but it is expensive. I would want to take the spa special at $500++ but the dates are all gone. And somehow the cheaper rates' rooms only have twin beds, no king.
W Sentosa is too far away and somehow I am not really a big fan of Sentosa. I do not really want to stay there though I like W.
Westin is very new and right in Shenton Way. Not a place I fancy. Pretty much just a drinking area at night, unless you want to trek over to MBS.
So I am leaning very much towards St Regis....if only it is for King bed and at a good price.
There is always my old favorite - Fairmont. I would say Fairmont (or the old Raffles the Plaza) is a place I stayed at most often, besides Ritz Carlton and MBS. I guess I should say MBS is the place I stayed at all the time in Singapore now. At one time, it was almost a monthly affair.
I would like to try Four Seasons or go back to Conrad again. Mandarin Oriental is another option. Somehow I am not a big fan of Pan Pacific.
Oh well I guess I will figure something out...or maybe I will just save this money and spend it for my upcoming trips in March and April next year.
Am I spoilt? Maybe. Most likely.
If I am going to spend good money for a hotel room, it has better be worth it. That means the room has to be at least 40 sqm or so. Anything smaller can be quite claustrophobic and I might as well stay at home, in my own room. Having this requirement also means there are not that many hotels with such room size now, especially those newer hotels which seemed to go the way of our apartments. Shoebox, anyone?
Looking at the various hotels, I am struck with memories...places I have stayed at before. Dating someone who is not based in Singapore means you do get to see plenty of hotels though we had a few favorites.
Anyway, because of my inherent want or need to fulfill a requirement by the Starwood Preferred Guest club thingy, I am wondering if I should select a hotel under its group so that I can reach the next level sooner.
The choices would be:
- St Regis
- Sheraton Towers
- W Sentosa
- Westin Singapore
Sheraton Towers is convenient, but the room is tiny at 30 sqm. The room looks old too, with shower curtain!
St Regis is the popular choice but it is expensive. I would want to take the spa special at $500++ but the dates are all gone. And somehow the cheaper rates' rooms only have twin beds, no king.
W Sentosa is too far away and somehow I am not really a big fan of Sentosa. I do not really want to stay there though I like W.
Westin is very new and right in Shenton Way. Not a place I fancy. Pretty much just a drinking area at night, unless you want to trek over to MBS.
So I am leaning very much towards St Regis....if only it is for King bed and at a good price.
There is always my old favorite - Fairmont. I would say Fairmont (or the old Raffles the Plaza) is a place I stayed at most often, besides Ritz Carlton and MBS. I guess I should say MBS is the place I stayed at all the time in Singapore now. At one time, it was almost a monthly affair.
I would like to try Four Seasons or go back to Conrad again. Mandarin Oriental is another option. Somehow I am not a big fan of Pan Pacific.
Oh well I guess I will figure something out...or maybe I will just save this money and spend it for my upcoming trips in March and April next year.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Bucket List
Places to go, things to do.....
Things I have done:
- Climb Sydney Bridge
- Visit Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves
- Ayer Rocks
- Revisit Broome
- Revisit Byron Bay
- Paris
- London
- Antwerp
- Brussels
- Geneva
- Rome
- Valencia
- Lisbon
- Greece
- Vienna
- Northern Lights / Aurora
- Lapland
- NKOTB concert again
- Maldives
- Bora Bora
- Hawaii
- NYC again
- Road trip on Route 66
- Eat beignets in New Orleans
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans
- Caribbean chill out
- Koh Samui
- Kota Kinabalu
- See Rafflesia
- Boracay
Things I have done:
- snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef
- Niagara Falls
- Theme parks in Orlando
- Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Cu Chi tunnel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- See fairy penguins in Phillip Island
- See dinosaur footprints in Broome
- prison boab tree in Kimberley area
- Hike in Whistler
- Tulip fields in Skagit Valley
- whale watching in Vancouver Island
- NYE countdown in Times Square, NYC
- ........to be continued.....just realized I have lots to count my blessings.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
New World Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City
After much searching and checking, we finally decided to just go with my cousin's recommendation and booked New World Hotel. Apparently it is considered a 5-star hotel in Vietnam though it is more like a 3-star hotel to me. I think I am spoiled with the better international chain hotel such as Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Fairmont etc.
There are many types of accommodations in HCMC and it can be for under S$20/night in the backpackers area to S$300/night in the better hotels. You can also find decent, reasonably priced hotels in the District 1 area for S$30-S$60 range or higher. But they will be smaller rooms, like those found in Hong Kong, and not have its own building in the entire block type. Instead they are narrow spaces, much like a townhouse style.
We were lucky that New World had a promotion when we booked the room. Stay one night and get the next night free, so we paid close to S$300 for the 2 nights. Granted it was for the premier room, and breakfast was not included. The reason to book that room was for the free Wi-Fi in room.
We were kinda upgraded to the Club Room when we checked in. All because they did not have twin beds for us. The only room with twin beds then was on the smoking floor in the Club level. We requested to see both rooms (our original with King size bed and the smoking room) and as the smell was not very obvious, we took the twin beds. The privilege of staying in the Club Room is that breakfast and cocktail/canape are served in the morning and evening. So yay! Free breakfast for us :p
It was interesting to note that when the receptionist took us up to check the rooms, she would knock on the door twice and called out "Room Service" before opening the door. That got me thinking if the place was haunted or it was just common practice in hotels. In any case, we did not feel anything during our stay.
Oh and the toiletries for Club Room is Elemis, I like that.
The room itself is not that big, maybe 30 sqm or so. Quite an average size for the older hotels. I am so used to 40 sqm that anything less than that is small to me. There is a sitting area with armchair and sofa. The bathtub is a disappointment as it is so low and small. No bath for me despite them providing bath salts.
There are many channels available for the TV which is nice. Tap water is not potable and 2 bottles of drinking water are provided. I wonder if some people actually use those bottled water to rinse after brushing their teeth.
We decided to check out the Club Lounge in the evening and see what is served during the cocktail session. I was quite impressed. The food served was actually substantial with a small selection of salad, fried noodles, dim sum items, cold cuts, Vietnamese rolls, fruits, and more. You could also have any cocktail you desire, just tell the staff and she could make it for you.
I had the tequila sunrise as I just could not think of what to have, or what would be sweet. I also had a bit of the roll, fried noodles and siew mai. Pretty good too.
For breakfast, the selection was also decent. I was expecting a continental style of breakfast with only danishe, croissants and toast available. I did not expect a row of fresh juices, fruits, cold meat, cheese, selection of bread, danishes, croissants, miso soup, etc. You could also make your own coffee or latte or cappuccino, espresso etc.
Just as I was thinking why was there no hot food, I realized you could also order from the menu where the hot food were. Duh. There were pho, waffle, big breakfast, omelette...I had the big breakfast on one day. The bacon was not crispy and the poached eggs were so-so. Only one was with runny yolk. The next day I had the pho (yummy) and the omelette which was much better.
If I am going to stay in New World Hotel again, I would take the club room if I know I have time to eat there.
Service is ok, nothing outstanding. Even though Vietnam does not really expect tipping or at least tipping from other Asian tourists, the bellboy did hang around the room after bringing our luggage up, expecting something. And most could understand and do speak Mandarin too.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 28 - 30 September 2013
A bit late to the party, but I finally made it to Ho Chi Minh City last month. Several of my friends went to Vietnam a few years ago, and 3 of them actually went in the same year at different times with their families. All experienced diarrhea and maybe that turned me off Vietnam.
I don't know when but somehow it got into my head that maybe I should just go to Ho Chi Minh City at least, to visit Cu Chi Tunnel and have street food like pho and bahn mi. Oh, probably it was when my cousins went to HCMC many times and so I wanted to go since 2010 or so. Finally when Jetstar had a promotion and a friend asked if I wanted to go Vietnam, I said yes.
It was quite spontaneous as she asked in the morning, I checked the tickets, messaged back on dates and tickets were booked. All done within 2 hours. Then came the waiting...but it was quite alright as I took the time to just check on hotels and things to do.
What can I say? 3 days is not enough, especially when we only have 1 full day. 4 days will probably be better. But I like Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). And no food poisoning at all.
The picture is of Rex Hotel. A historical place during the Vietnam War.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Brave - Sara Bareilles
I am loving this song Brave by Sara Bareilles at the moment. Catchy, pop-pish and inspirational.
Be brave! Say what you think or feel. After all, nobody can read your mind.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
4-Day Long Weekend
By the quirk of fate, today is the start of the 4 day long weekend. Kicking it off is Hari Raya Puasa (Selamat Hari Raya Puasa to everyone who celebrates it), followed by National Day (48th years old and counting) and the weekend.
I know people who took 3 days leave this week and got to enjoy 9 days of leave, enough for a jaunt across the ocean. A week in Paris and London? A week in Australia traveling down the East Coast or just have a relaxing chilling week on the sunny beaches nearby. Maldvies? Mauritius? Samui?
I decided not to go anywhere and just stay in Singapore, enjoy the better traffic and less crowded buses and trains. With my 21 days of annual leave + whatever is leftover from last year, I no longer need to take advantage of such long weekend to save the leave. In fact I have a hard time using up my leave. So now I rather take my leave during the low season, less people and cheaper flights and hotel accommodations.
What will I be doing this long weekend?
August 8 - lunch with the extended family, followed by a long cycling event in the afternoon. From Pasir Ris Park to Punggol Park. I don't know if I will be up to it but I can always try. It has been a long time since I last went to either place and I have not cycle for hours in a long while. I have always shun cycling (only doing it once in a while) after high school days in Canada where the bicycle was our main mode of transportation. Yes, we cycled everywhere. To school, to the mall, to the grocery store, and even to the "nearest" MacDonalds which was about 45 minutes bike ride away. Needless to say I hardly went there :p
August 9 - likely to the National Museum to view the paintings from the House of Liechtenstein. It will feature works by Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Raphael and Lucas Cranach the Elder, celebrating the period from the late 15th century to the mid 19th century - the High Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical and Biedermeier styles.
Nothing much planned for the weekend though we may go to a kelong in Malaysia to chill and fish? We shall see.
Enjoy the long weekend, everyone. There is always the Starhub promotion of free channels the entire period, catch as much TV programs as you can. With Starhub AnywhereTV, you can also watch it on your computer now. Really cool.
I know people who took 3 days leave this week and got to enjoy 9 days of leave, enough for a jaunt across the ocean. A week in Paris and London? A week in Australia traveling down the East Coast or just have a relaxing chilling week on the sunny beaches nearby. Maldvies? Mauritius? Samui?
I decided not to go anywhere and just stay in Singapore, enjoy the better traffic and less crowded buses and trains. With my 21 days of annual leave + whatever is leftover from last year, I no longer need to take advantage of such long weekend to save the leave. In fact I have a hard time using up my leave. So now I rather take my leave during the low season, less people and cheaper flights and hotel accommodations.
What will I be doing this long weekend?
August 8 - lunch with the extended family, followed by a long cycling event in the afternoon. From Pasir Ris Park to Punggol Park. I don't know if I will be up to it but I can always try. It has been a long time since I last went to either place and I have not cycle for hours in a long while. I have always shun cycling (only doing it once in a while) after high school days in Canada where the bicycle was our main mode of transportation. Yes, we cycled everywhere. To school, to the mall, to the grocery store, and even to the "nearest" MacDonalds which was about 45 minutes bike ride away. Needless to say I hardly went there :p
August 9 - likely to the National Museum to view the paintings from the House of Liechtenstein. It will feature works by Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Raphael and Lucas Cranach the Elder, celebrating the period from the late 15th century to the mid 19th century - the High Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical and Biedermeier styles.
Nothing much planned for the weekend though we may go to a kelong in Malaysia to chill and fish? We shall see.
Enjoy the long weekend, everyone. There is always the Starhub promotion of free channels the entire period, catch as much TV programs as you can. With Starhub AnywhereTV, you can also watch it on your computer now. Really cool.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Deja Vu: 2003 and 2013
Suddenly this song is so appropriate. "Just A Fool" - Christina Aguilera featuring Blake Shelton.
It happens again. Deja vu. All so familiar.
2003: My heart was broken
2013: My trust was broken
Different strokes, but the same result.
I do not know how this story will pan out or if it is truly the end of another chapter in my life.
Nothing is guaranteed in life. The lesson learnt in 2003, and to repeated again 10 years later.
Promises are just words. They can be dashed. Shattering dreams and hopes.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Another song - Jet Lag by Simple Plan
The song for the moment, which is so apt right now. For anyone who is either in a long distance relationship or whose partner is always flying. I have heard of this song before, but the lyrics never really registered in my mind until now.
Somehow I prefer the French version better. Maybe it is because it just sounds different. Plus they are from Quebec so they do speak French.
Enjoy. I don't want to be jet lag anymore though. Waiting...counting the days, hours and minutes till it will end.
Hmmm...just noticed the lead singer looked a bit like my Canadian pal. It's a common face in Canada :p
Somehow I prefer the French version better. Maybe it is because it just sounds different. Plus they are from Quebec so they do speak French.
Enjoy. I don't want to be jet lag anymore though. Waiting...counting the days, hours and minutes till it will end.
Hmmm...just noticed the lead singer looked a bit like my Canadian pal. It's a common face in Canada :p
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