2015 > 2014

Time passed so fast, and it's going to be 2015 in a few days' time.

So many older people have told me that once they hit 21, time passes very fast and before they know it they are old already. I think I am already feeling it. I am already 23! Time passed so fast I can't even remember much of what I did in these two years after 21.

My 2014 summed up:

1. I've finally graduated, completed 16 years of formal education and became financially independent.

I've said this so many times, but I'll say it again: I think I am not as excited as my peers to graduate. Studying was the single thing I was confident of doing well in for the last 12 years and graduation means I have to move on to another playing field. Something I am not sure if I can excel in. Not that I excelled in school, but I think I do comfortably well. Now I have to re-adjust and learn the new rules of playing in another field and I'll never know if I can do well again. The only good thing about graduation is financial independence. I manage the money I earn and no longer need to depend on my parents.

2. Took the most trips overseas this year.

Probably cause of my graduation trips. I took 4 trips overseas this year: Europe, Taiwan, HK/China and BKK.

It was so surreal to head to Europe! Couldn't imagine I was looking at the real thing after seeing it in photos and movies, landmarks like Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Colosseum. I love the sightseeing and soaking in how magnificent/beautiful the landmarks are. I also got to see a different way of life, Europeans are much more laid-back and relaxed compared to Singapore.

The trip to Taiwan was my second time with the same group of people I went with for the first time. I enjoyed the trip much more cause there was less shopping and much more activities and sightseeing. We kind of covered the whole of Taiwan so I think I wouldn't be back soon. The only thing I'll miss will be the 阿宗面线！

Next I went on a trip to Hong Kong and China with my family! I am really happy my parents took the time out to show us what goes on on a business trip there. Cause I don't think my friends will ever be interested in a trip there? And even if I go there with my friends, we probably can't navigate it as well as my parents! China is really the factory of the world and I am so amazed by the number of wholesale shops they have selling just one type of item. Sometimes I think China is underrated. So many business opportunities are present there if you care to look! I have visited quite a few places in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'An and Dongguan) but I would really love to visit the more exotic places, like Xinjiang (Urumqi/Kashgar/Taxkorgan), Mongolia (Heilongjiang) and Tibet (Lhasa). I want to go see if Taxkorgan and Lhasa are as what I imagined from playing the CO songs!

I went on a year-end trip with my family to BKK and we did the usuals. Think BKK will always be shopping and relaxing haven to me.

I love traveling and I think it would be a major motivation for me at work! Looking to go to Eastern Europe and a short getaway next year.

3. Won a university level competition

I seriously thought I would never win anything in university. I was just an average student in the school doing average-ly. But this year, I took the courage to sign up for something I was really interested in, roped in my friends and we won something! Still seemed surreal to me, but I am extremely glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone!

4. Started on a jogging routine

Yah yah, I know... I've only been jogging two times a week for 11 weeks, can it even be counted? Furthermore, my motivation went downhill recently. During the first few weeks, I would get up from my bed eagerly (cause I would take a short nap after I get home before going jogging at 7+pm) to go jogging. Now, when my alarm rings, I just keep surfing the web on my phone and refuse to get up until guilt mounts in my heart! I think I will stick with jogging 4km cause I am losing motivation anyway. Hoping to keep it up till at least CNY is over!! Please encourage me, friends.

5. I read the most books this year compared to the last few years.
Most people think it's lame... But I love books (the first occupation I ever wanted to be was an author)! For the last few years I was going through a phase where I can't read long before wanting to fall asleep. I think I've kicked the habit this year, or maybe I have moved on to reading more interesting books. I bought and finished the <A Song of Fire and Ice> series, a few books on finance, some chick lit and I am currently on the <Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy> series, which is quite interesting. I love my new Kindle too!!

Finally, I am very thankful that I have L with me throughout this year! He always puts me first and I am glad I get to share my happy and sad times with him. Also, thankful for my family and friends who are always there for me.

Seems like I didn't do much in 2014, where did the year go?! Sigh, growing old is inevitable... But I also look forward to the new year for it signals a new beginning for new endeavours. My new year resolution for 2015 is simple: To keep on improving in whatever I do & to be contented and thankful for what I have at the same time.

My first facial experience

Recently I went for a home facial with my mum. My mum swears the lady gives the best facial ever and she have had facials at a few places, so I wanted to give her a try.

The whole process took 1.5hrs and cost $90, which according to my mum was a bargain. Mainly cause microdermabrasion & some ultrasound machine to deliver nutrients into the skin was involved. She says facials with these procedures outside cost about $200+. I just tagged along, mostly cause my mum keeps telling me to go regularly and don't regret like her when I am old. My mum believes the facial massage given during the facial will help to slow down the rate which the face sags. Not sure if it's true!

So my first facial experience summed up:
1. The lady exclaimed at the number of black heads I have once she saw my face under bright light. Never give me face :( Extraction was so damn painful and she already let me off easy by stopping after 15mins. I was squirming around and had tears in my eyes.

2. Some parts were pretty enjoyable, especially the masks!! The lady put a very cooling mask on my face after the extraction and it's very comfortable.

3. My face felt damn smooth after the facial! I touched my face and I couldn't believe how smooth it was!! I consider my face to be quite smooth already as I don't get much pimples so not much bumps. I mainly have pigmentation problems, like freckles and dark eye circles. My skin though has since returned back to normal after 2-3 days. Think it was mainly due to the microdermabrasion, removing all the dead skin with a machine that feels like the vacuum cleaner.

4. She helped me lighten the freckles on my face by putting some chemicals. I hope she can continue to do that and one day all my freckles will disappear? Hoping la. My mum said the pigmentation on her skin disappeared after 2 years of regular facials with the lady.

I've yet to book my next appointment but I am quite convinced the facial is worth the price! Hoping it will improve my skin condition as I age :(

How I spent my Christmas

My family doesn't celebrate Christmas, so I spent the day with L. We had a picnic at the Botanic Garden and we brought two dishes each for lunch.

I made sauteed mushrooms and garlic fried rice. The inspiration: I went to Symmetry recently, ordered their Truffle Egg Mushroom ($21) and was very impressed with their sauteed mushrooms! Anyway, I find Symmetry nice but it's pretty pricey. Their Truffle Egg Mushroom had a portion of sauteed mushrooms & scrambled eggs both drizzled with truffle oil, hash brown and salad. That all for $21! 

So after tasting the best sauteed mushrooms ever, which were succulent, juicy and tasty, I became obsessed with cooking mushrooms to that standard as well. I went to research on how to cook mushrooms and found the secret to cooking juicy mushrooms!

Two rules:

1. Do not wash your mushrooms, just wipe it clean with paper towels. Ensure that the mushrooms are very dry when you put them into the pan.

2. Make sure the pan is hot when you put the mushrooms into the pan. You should see smoke emerging from the oil in the pan. That's when you know it's time to put in the mushrooms!

Tadah!! My version. I think it was not bad, at least it was juicy! For the first time, water did not come out of the mushrooms even after I added salt. Seasoning were: Salt, cayenne pepper & black pepper.

The food we had in our picnic. Top two were the mushrooms and garlic fried rice. I still have much to improve on the fried rice, it wasn't garlicky enough even though I used like one whole clove of garlic! L brought cherry tomatoes and boiled prawns. When he took his food out, I was like "HUH, you only boiled the prawns?! Why would you do that!!" If I were him, I would definitely saute it with some sauce? Like make garlic butter prawns or chili prawns. Thank goodness he took out three bowls of dips, which were tartar, pesto and laksa to dip the prawns with.

After eating, we just lied down on the mat and relaxed. Or rather I lied down only cause there wasn't enough space for two people to lie.

After the picnic, we went to walk around in Orchard and we dropped by Isetan because I wanted to buy some furikake to make onigiri for work the next day. I found mentaiko flavoured furikake and I happily bought it. I went to look at fresh mentaiko also cause I want to try making mentaiko pasta some day! One packet, which contained three sacs of mentaiko cost $15. Might buy it to cook when I feel rich next time.

For dinner, L made reservations at Yakinikutei Ao-Chan, which was at Concorde Hotel so we slowly made our way there. I saw so many Paris themed decorations or merchandise when we made our way there. Paris is sooooo overrated. I've been there, and there was nothing great, but I just see so many Paris themed stuff everywhere, even in Taiwan/HK. So many people buy into the idea that Paris is romantic, pretty, magical and whatnot, but I just don't feel the same.

Yakinikutei Ao-Chan is a Japanese BBQ restaurant. Realized I've never eaten Japanese BBQ before and the experience was pretty good. We ordered:

1. Wagyu beef harumi

2. Iberico Tontoro! I loved the tontoro yakitori from ToriQ so we ordered this. Didn't disappoint but I definitely preferred the wagyu.

3. My favourite pork belly!

4. Onigiri for us to grill

5. I didn't take photo of the best beef I've tasted, Beef Belly Cubes. It's in the center of the picture. Tasted so good and was so juicy!!! 

After that, we headed to get some Tsujiri ice cream and headed home. T'was a good Christmas spent!

Sick

Recently my manager went on a 1.5 weeks leave, and so during this period, I cannot leave my desk at all. I have to eat in during lunch as well.  Sighhhh... Cause in this line, our speed of response to clients is of utmost importance. We have to be there at all times to attend to their queries/needs/orders. Also, my manager and I have to take turns to work during non-important public holidays. It's a little sian cause all my friends would be hanging out while I would be stuck to the desk even though business would normally be slow.

Sad to say, I got a little sick of my job already. Time passes very fast while I am on it, but I just dread the daily routine of doing something I don't have a passion for. Weekends and leaves are so so so precious nowadays. I will be on leave next Monday (yay, going for my first facial with my mum) and I have been anticipating it since last Wed when I applied for it. I really really wish I could enjoy work because it takes up a big chunk of my time (around 27%) and it's going to be the next thing I thought I will derive satisfaction from, after my studies. Yes, recently I feel very satisfied with myself because I managed to handle everything on my own without the manager. So far, no cock ups yet. Keeping my fingers crossed to the end of the week. However, once my manager comes back, I think I will feel unsatisfied again, because my manager is kind of like the main man and I am just the assistant so I won't manage so many orders anymore.

It's on my mind everyday and I am trying to change it. So sorry it's been the topic of my posts so frequently. Maybe I'll try to post something lighter in the next post!

Europe Travelogue Day 11: Last day in Paris

For our last day in Paris, we woke up bright and early and headed to the Luxembourg gardens. We saw people jogging and sitting on the green chairs just chilling and reading a book. I notice French people seem to love the sun! I wouldn't want to read a book directly under the sun, cause I would turn dark. I also noticed it from the way they prefer outdoor seats! Almost all the cafes in Paris had small tables arranged outside, with the chairs facing outwards to the pavement (for people watching) and it's always crowded. Why would anyone want to dine under the sun?!

Pretty flowers

We walked to Little Breizh for crepes, very nice and value for money! They had a set lunch menu and we get to choose two crepes each, a savoury and a sweet one. Think I ordered something smoked salmon for my savoury choice.

Afterwards, we headed to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Since there was a long queue to enter the cathedral, we decided to walk around the vicinity first.

The love lock bridge is nearby as well. Shortly after we returned, one segment of it got so heavy, it fell into the river.

Decided to queue to enter the cathedral since we had nothing much to do.

The stained glass is so pretty! It's a prelude to what we're going to see in Italy afterwards.

Finally, we traveled to Centre Georges Pompidou, which was an art gallery with a unique design. It also offers a nice view of Paris at the eighth floor.

Afterwards we walked around and went back to our hotel to pick up our luggages to go camp at the airport as we had an early flight to Rome the next day. We were miserable and sleepy at the airport but thank goodness we had the Korean drama "You who came from the stars" to keep us entertained.

BKK through fish-eye lens

Took a short trip to BKK with my family over the last weekend as my sister won free a pair of tickets from Airasia (again?!). It's only my second time there and we did the usuals. Since it was a short trip and I have been there before, I gei kiang and insisted on taking all photos through fish-eye to make it more interesting. After reviewing the photos, I don't think it's as nice as I thought in my head haha. But nvm, I will make do with it.

We landed on Sat (midnight), checked in our hotel and the next day, we went to visit Chatuchak!

My brother outside the hotel, waiting

We stayed near Pratunam so we walked to the Phaya Thai station to take a train to Mo Chit, which is where Chatuchak is located. Walked past railway tracks!

Waiting for the train...

While on the train...

Had a much better experience at Chatuchak this time round, probably cus I wasn't suffering from food poisoning. And the weather was slightly better, it was still hot, but wasn't as hot. The heat was still bearable!

A stall selling parangs

Leather and animal skins

The three Ng siblings while my parents went to the toilet.

This time, we only stayed at Chatuchak for 3 hours. Most of the time, everyone was accompanying me to buy clothes, so I was quite paiseh! We left and took a cab to Central World Ladprao... To have MK Steamboat!

It's a famous steamboat restaurant in Thailand (I was shocked to find out that the company was listed on the stock exchange, must be a very big company.) and it has two outlets in Singapore. Always wanted to try it but I find it too overpriced in Sg, for the same price I'd rather go HaiDiLao instead.

Our food!!

I would say it's not bad! Love the prawn balls and thinly sliced pork! But I definitely wouldn't pay $40++ in Sg to eat it. So yay, finally tried it in BKK which is cheaper. Think the bill came up to less than $20 per person

After that, we went to the famous After You cafe. There was a long queue so we went to shop around for awhile.

Ordered three plates of toast + icecream & everyone couldn't wait to dig in.

It was soooo good!!! My favourite is the Shibuya Honey Toast. The toast is so richly buttered and goes down damn well with the icecream. However, I got sick of it before we finished eating and felt like my arteries were clogging up! I probably gained 1-2kg from just sharing the three plates of desserts! Delish, but too sinful!

The nutella toast! Thought I would like it cus I am a big fan of anything nutella, but I preferred the Shibuya toast instead.

Shopped around the area and we dropped by Union Mall as well.

My brother enjoying some minutes on the massage chair in a random mall

Took a cab to Siam and had Somtum Nua for dinner

My favourite mango drink!! Didn't taste as real as the previous time though... Didn't take food photos cus we digged in straight!

Headed to Mango Tango nearby for desserts! It was okay only, much like the XuLiuShan in HK, just cheaper.

Ended our day after praying at the four-faced Buddha at Erawan and going for massage.

The next day, we tagged along as my parents went to replenish their stock for the shop.

Decisions, decisions... The shop was actually closed on Sunday, but my parents insisted on calling them. So two of the workers had to come downstairs (it was a shop house) to open the shop and entertain my parents. There goes 1-2hrs of their weekend :(

A bored selfie, you can see a massive number of belts behind me

Afterwards, we headed to Platinum to do some shopping and headed to Somboon for dinner!

I love love love the curry crab from Somboon!! It was so good we ordered three plates, each of us had two pincers. I kinda overate and got a bit sick of crab.

The third day, we spent the day lazing in the hotel as my parents went to settle more stuff for their shop. In the afternoon we headed to MBK to develop photos! It's my first time on a tuktuk, quite fun!

Managed to find a photo shop and developed the photos at ~20c per piece. I developed about 100 photos from my Europe trip and had lunch @ MBK foodcourt.

 Followed by desserts at Swensons'. Subsequently, I gave up on my fish eye project, damn.

Headed to T&K after packing!

Grilled river prawns

Stuffed crab was not bad!

T&K was quite unhygienic. I dropped a piece of mushroom on the table but I quickly picked it up to eat, to much protest from my parents. I was feeling quite good until I saw baby cockroaches crawling across the table (ok I saw two) and I quickly jumped out of my seat. The waiter helped to kill it and cleaned the table up. But omg, so gross!! I will never pick up anything dropped on the table in Thailand anymore, even though if it was only there for less than 3sec! Thank goodness I didn't get food poisoning! If not I might not want to return to Thailand ever.

We went for our last round of massage and with that, we headed home. I was quite happy to head home! I like how cheap BKK is, but the environment made me feel uncomfortable. I still prefer clean Singapore. But as usual, if you want to get cheap stuffs, then you gotta tolerate the bad environment.

We saw a lot a lot of Singaporeans during the trip! When we went for massage, we actually had to wait 40 minutes because the parlor was filled with Singaporeans but it was pretty empty 1.5yrs ago! Same with the famous wanton mee at Petchaburi Soi 19 (Saeb Saeb), we were there for both days and both times, there were at least 10 groups of people in the queue and guess what, all Singaporeans again! I hate that I'll have to queue for so many things now.

As I think back about the trip, I actually missed it! Miss the over-ordering and spending time with my family. Now, everyone's busy and back to their own schedule sighhh... & I have to go back to jogging to shed the weight I gained from all the binge-ing. Hoping to go back again next year though!!