The road trip - Part 2

Kuantan was 2 years ago. How time flies. The kids have grown and so did the adults - horizontally.

We almost could not make it as the hub crashed the car for the 2nd time this year. I fear the day I receive the insurance letter premium renewal next year.*shudder*

With a timely stroke of luck and blessings from my parents, we took their car and head off to Malacca with the usual suspects - The Lims and this time, the Tans joined as well.

We stopped over at JB for the famous bak kut teh for breakkie before the long drive.

Arrived around 1-ish and we were famished! Nancy's Kitchen was highly recommended by one of my colleague who frequently visited Malacca.

 

 

  

 

The kids of course enjoyed each other's company. Jayden is a water kid, he needs to at least have a dip in the pool, despite the rainy season.

I can so understand why we can complete Malacca in 3D2N. There weren't much tourist attractions to begin with. But the beauty of travelling with a group is that we get to explore the places together, unravelling hidden food gems - every meal is a fiesta!

Thanks for the awesome company Lims and Tans! Let's do Part 3, 4 & 5 soon! ;)

The reason for my hiatus

And so what seemed like it happened just a while ago has already past for 2 months.

Why have I stopped blogging? Where are the photos?

3 rounds of celebrations

2 back to back buffets (yes one lunch, one dinner)

2 large and very yummy cakes to finish

2 brunches and a lunch later... ....


怎么可能不肥呢?!?!

While I was editing the photos, I looked at myself in horror. The evil hub has secretly converted me to look like him. Like they say, if you cannot lose weight, then make your partner look like you. Ok I don't know who said that but I'm sure that must have been the plot.

It started with a very innocent off-day with C at the spa.


Spa was fantastic and we were even lamenting why it only lasted for an hour. And then C suggested we have a good brunch for my birthday treat. I suspect it meant to 'compensate' our short-lived luxurious day. We had brunch at Antoniette Mandarin Gallery and a very good time gossiping.

One of the perks of being a middle aged woman is that we have the ability to slurge on something we like. We did our nails, went shopping around town - very wrong move to do that when you're in the midst of GSS. C lured me to onPedder and said they had sales. Bought a Stella Mccartney faux python clutch at a steal!

We were all out to be a full fledged tai tai for a day - except the difference was we were using our own money. *hur hur hur* (Mental note: Must not jio C out for shopping on a weekday again. Very dangerous)

  The following day, I went back to Mandarin Gallery to try Wild Honey. Imagine it had a queue on a Mon 2pm!!! People no need to work one huh!     And mini celebrations with the peeps in my life. This has got to be most interesting cake. It was so life-like, I thought it was REAL xiao long baos and a candle! Very creative idea Bon.         The back to back buffet happened on my actual birthday. Met up with the sis for asian buffet at Hotel Rendezvous where they served a myraid of durian bites. I half suspect Liv picked the place for the godson instead. :P And then come evening, the hub planned a surprise get-together with my family members at Scotts buffet. How to eat 2 buffets in a day!!! 怎么可能!   Sharing some photos I took using instagram. :)

 Thank you everyone for your love, your gifts, your well wishes on my birthday. Every single gesture is deeply remembered. And I wish everyone good health and a smooth-sailing life!   Wallet courtesy from the hub. Thanks Dear! :D  

Foodie trip 2 - Taipei

WARNING: The following entry will be mainly on food and shopping. If you have a weak stomach or compulsive buying disorder, please note that I will not be liable for any impulsive decision to fly to Taipei. Although I will be very delighted to share with you the locations =)

So after what seemed like 2 years from my 30th birthday wish, I finally got onto a girly trip with Liv and 2x Irene. The only agenda on the trip was - FUN. We couldn't even care if we came back a few kilos heavier or maxed out a credit card. Ok I lied. I was VERY VERY concerned I gained a good 2kg!!! =(

When I meant girly trip. It was a lie too. Girls are young and poor. We matured ladies have the power to spend. So of course even airline must be the best. :p We came to Taipei prepared - biggest luggage, enough warm clothes and a mind set to just spend, spend, spend! :D

Day 1

Arrived at Howard Hotel with a very angry stomach. So Irene brought us to her favourite "yi-mian" store near the hotel. The food was YUM-MEH and super super cheap!!! Of course, always end the meal washed down with a cup of bubble tea.

Come nightfall, we went to Tonghua night market for some street food and shopping. Was that just our dinner??! Nah. We went for supper at a nearby teahouse. I am guilty to acknowledge that I have broken my "no meals after 8pm" rule on my 1st night in Taipei.

Day 2

Irene wanted to bring us to try BBQ. Unfortunately, the one we wanted to try was closed so we settled for a random restaurant. Turned out the choice wasn't so bad. BBQ on a cool day never tasted so good!

Another must try dessert. You pick your main - either grass jelly or bean curd and then add 3 more ingredients. I picked yam balls, pumpkin balls and barley. Ultimate shiokness!

Very random shot of me posing with my pumps. Shoes are madness cheap in Taiwan!! Everytime I hesistated to buy a pair of shoes, the evil voices from the girls rang in my head "It's just $20 nia....." Gone case. I succumb to the voices eventually... ...

Day 3

Ok. Come to Taipei must do some touristy thing. Like patronize their Toilet Theme restaurant. Everything is toilet related! From the bowls, cups, table, seat - yes we were literally sitting on a toilet bowl while eating! Food wasn't so bad either.

After lunch, still got space to finish a bowl of "Ah Zhong mee sua". Recipe for a good bowl of mee sua on a cool day = Lots of garlic, chilli oil!

Don't be mistaken, the dumpling fest was during dinner time. After all the feasting, what rewarding way to work out the calories than shopping in the night markets!

Super love the pumps! It is so comfy and uber uber cheap! Each of us got a pair and a color of our favourite choice!

Day 4

We skipped breakfast just to have this for brunch. It is a Sichuan restaurant opened by a few Taiwanese celebrities. The restaurant was at some random street that you would hardly notice. But the food was fabulous! We even had to make a booking a day prior in case we meet the lunch crowd.

And off to Danshui - almost the end of Taipei to get some local goodies!
Disclaimer: Notice that most of the photos were just Irene and me? We're the buddy partner for the trip. Liv brought her partner along. So Irene and I, sleep, eat and take pictures together most of the time. The only thing we didn't do is bathe together la.

Come nightfall, we went to the famous Shilin Market. I must say, even Tonghua and Shida beats Shilin hands-down.

Day 5

After 4 days of combing night streets, we decided to pamper ourselves with a good meal. When I meant GOOD, it was a 5 course meal with a decent size portion at only $60/pax! Where to find this price in Singa-exhorbitant-pore!!!

This is also the day Dylan and I got our 2nd piece of good news for the house! :) More on that later.

For the past 2 consecutive nights, both Irene and Liv had their own plans to do. But both of them took turns to keep me company. To reward ourselves, also at the expense of making Liv salivate while she was at a concert, Irene and I tried shabu shabu! $20 for free flow of 五花肉! Tell me worth it or not!

Day 6

Finally, our trip came to an end. By the last day, all of us were living by the last dollar in our pocket. We almost had problem having our last meal. Hahahah. It is alarming to know all that we have stashed on the ground is a 4 figure sum!

We went back Singapore with everything expanded - expanded luggage, expanded waistline and an expanded credit card statement.

Suddenly, holiday trips with the husband seem so lacklustre. :p

Bye bye 2011

So 2011 came and gone. It whizzed by so fast that I didn't have the time to blog about what had happened for the past 2 months. I am also ashamed to look at the number of posts I had done in 2011 as compared to 2010.

We had alot of "First time" experiences as well so let's re-cap.

Thanks to Adrian, we got a night stay at the renowned MBS. Of course, we had to take a dip at the "must-go" Sky pool regardless of how cold the water was at 8am in the morning! Like tourists, we also walked around the mall for the first time. I know, very suaku.

We celebrated Rene's birthday together with a new addition to the group - baby Mabel! Finally Jayden gets a playmate. Welcome to the world baby Mabel!

And I finally get to go to Universal Studios for the first time! Another suaku moment. All thanks to our company team building event - imagine tonnes of fun at ZERO cost! Sweet.

And for the first time, I muster enough courage to take up the challenge to sit on ALL THE RIDES. Talk about good team spirit. I have no idea where I managed to find the guts to even convince myself to walk up the stairs to The Cylone. But I did and our team won the "Amazing Race"! Prize is free meal ticket to ANY restaurants in Singapore! :D I am thinking Cut, Les Amis, Kunio! Anything to bring a smile to my stomach!

For the past 3 years, it has almost become a ritual to host the X'mas party at our place. This year, we got to make merry at our friends' new houses instead. And for the first time in 5 years at our place, we actually did not bring the X'mas tree out. Dylan is very pleased with the arrangements as it saved up alot of his house-keeping. -_-

First stop, the Tan's abode. Lots of yum-meh food painstakingly cooked by chef Rachel, pressies and alot of blues in the house! A very heartwarming event indeed. Hopefully, we keep this tradition going on for years...

And my two boys opening up their pressies on X'mas day itself. I have intentionally hidden my self-bought gift(s). Tsk tsk. Note the plural form. All I can say is, I'm very satisfied with the purchases. :)

2nd round of merry making at Bon and Trav's new place. Another round of feasting and gift exchanges. I am almost certain that dieting should be shelved up in the month of December.

And finally, we wrapped up the year counting down at the 25th floor with an excellent view of the fireworks! How awesome is that! :D Another "First", this is Jayden's first time counting down with us since the boy is old enough to stay up till 12.

A walk down memory lane in 2011: -

• Holiday trips - Went HCM, Europe, Hong Kong and Club Med Bali!



• Baby boom - 5 friends popped - 3 boys and 2 girls!



• Career - Got double promotion with an excellent remuneration (stayed on the current job for > 3 years. Broke my record) and Dylan changed to a better job



• Health - Finally got the clean bill after a year of doubts



• Family - Spent a staycation with my family on Jayden's 4th birthday



• Indulgence - Spent a 5 figure sum in Europe (something which I would never EVER do), made my 2nd timepiece investment in Aug - a whopping $7.4 grand (after severely influenced by Dylan), bought 2 pairs of extravagant shoes at $400+ each (after laughing at Cel that spending that kind of money on shoes is like stepping on your money. Note to oneself: Never laugh at a friend again). I have come to realize that this kind of indulgence (within my limits) is a necessity in "Living life to the fullest" (even if you don't agree to my methodology)

I am exceptionally glad that 2011 had been fulfilling with so many great things going on. What used to be an uncertainty in my career is finally taking flight, everyone's healthy (minus Dylan's slipped disc) and we visted so many new places in a year.

I hope in the year 2012,

• Finding a new home - After 5 years in our nest, it is time to move to greener pastures, hopefully a place near Jayden's prospective primary school.


• More holiday trips - Booked BKK in Feb, going on girls trip to Taiwan in Mar, HK Disneyland in July and hopefully States in Dec!


• Career - Hope to move on to new roles to move up the ladder. Stay in the same company for the next 2 years. Likewise for Dylan for a smooth sailing career.


• Health - Everyone to be in the pink


• Family - Hopefully Jayden to stay in the new school for the next 2 years. Be patient and kind to family members.


• Bonding - Despite everyone having their own family now, make a point to stay in contact and never stop our traditional celebrations - birthdays, anniversaries, festivals.


• Indulgence - I am still trying to keep the wallet tight but having bought 10 pieces of clothes for Chinese New Year is not a good sign.

And certainly, to live life to the fullest!

In the pink

And so another year older has gone for me. I cannot be more than grateful than to have lived another year unscatched, healthier and happier.

I did say I wanted a low profile celebration this year. But this group of friends had never failed, rain or shine, to keep this day free just for me. And this year was another surprise again. They arranged to go to a long lost poly friend's restaurant. Four of us used to hang out together, after lectures, skipping lunch to go to one of their houses for a quick nap and long coffee chats at Starbucks after school. Those were the days... ...

Definitely felt like a superstar that night!

Superb Japanese fushion food! I am salivating as we speak!

Thanks my dear friends for having me in your thoughts as always! Of course, not just the gifts but all the yummy treats as well! I can certainly feel the tightness in my pants now.

Ok, after all the appreciation, it's time to show off. Please bear with me. Bleah.

Gift no. 1: Goyard St Louis GM
Gift no. 2: Classic Chanel logo necklace in Swakorski crystals

Got the hub to get the Goyard St Louis when he was in London. Super happy as we didn't had the time to go to the boutique in Paris. :D
Yes, another bag. *yawn* But bags of different shapes and sizes, patterns and colors, suits for different occasions. So how will one complain about having an extra accessory right? :D

Gift no. 3: Loewe Amazona boston bag in blue slate color

Ok. This was never part of the gift plan. But I'm sure people will understand love at first sight. *goes on digressing and indulging* After having a few shoulder bags, I felt the need to get a hand carry boston bag. And this color, according to the SA is a limited edition shade.

That was it. She said the magic word - LIMITED EDITION. Just take my credit card!!!

Gift no. 4: Gucci zip-around wallet

This was part of the scheme. But after I got Loewe, it was slightly forgotten until I saw this. Similiar shade with my Loewe !! How to miss right! *sigh*

Gift no. 5: Tory Burch belt

This was an impulse buy. I have never own a belt for more than $30. But but but the material was soft, the design was pretty and it was on sale, blah blah blah.

Alright.

So after all the impulsive self indulgent and getting the limelight, it is also time to reflect.

2010 was a rather traumatic year for me.

I contemplated whether or not to share my life on a public blog. But I thought it served as a good reminder as well and not to take things for granted.

I discovered something and went to do the necessary tests. Thankfully, the results came back negative but the doctor could not pin down the cause of it. It was a constant nightmare having to wonder what was wrong and if the diagnosis was really benign.

After almost what felt like a year, I took up the courage to seek a 2nd opinion and decided to get rid of it from my system. The process was swift but excrutiating. I really hope that is the last of it.

So now, being in the pink of health is my life's priority. I cannot be more thankful that I'm still here receiving love from people who cares about me.

On another note, work has become extremely up my neck. They say with greater power comes greater responsibilities. I got my promotion and a handsome remuneration package. Now I just need the time to spend it. :p

Baby boom

Nope. Nothing from me yet.

This year seems to be a good year for baby influx. Just last month we attended 2 baby showers in a row and I have 2 close girlfriends delivering in Oct (Yep, 2 more Oct babies!)

It is truely amazing to watch your friends moving on in different ways of their lives, having their own family. And to think we were once kids ourselves!

This is Daniel's precious girl Kailynn. I knew him as early as when Nintendo was invented. Back then, we will look forward to weekends where our parents will bring us to the country club and we will do all sorts of monkey things - hide & seek (yes, imagine in a huge country club compound. we end up not finding each other anyway), seeing who can do the longest head stands, playing gin rummy and seeing who can last the longest at the arcade with just one token. Yes, those were the days.

With our next generation, hopefully we can pass on these memories to them as well.

Lunch was at Pan Pac Claymore. Buffet is always a child's favourite as they look forward to the sweet treats towards the end. Obviously, the son is very delighted.

The following week, we attended Dylan's buddy's baby shower. Meet Jerome. Likewise, Dylan and his buddy were secondary school mates. I think his buddy knew more dirty secrets of Dylan than I do. Haha. As you can see, the man is pretty happy for his friend. But did he have the sudden urge to have another baby? Guess not.

So another 2 more babies in Oct. It's also a boy and a girl each! I wonder who is next on the list?

February is always busy

Ever since I got to know the man, February was never a quiet month anymore.

Every 7th day of the week in that month, would mark a special meaning to us. 7th Feb - Our ROM Anniversary, 14th Feb - Valentine's Day, 20th Feb - Dylan's Birthday. Very convenient for me to combine all occasions to one gift too. :p

Knowing that Dylan needed a new pair of shades, selecting a gift for him was a breeze. Until it came to my turn, the golden question "So what do you want?" - in case he got me a box of horror gifts that would highly end up in the darkest corner of the house.

It took a while to pick the shade in the design and colour that Dylan wanted. I'm glad he went for my suggestion. Then a voice echoed "Why don't I get pair also?". I think the SA managed to pick up the vibe and conveniently suggested "We have this nice pair of shade in the same color lens as your hub." and proceeded to lay it on my hands. The rest is history... ...

Oakleys in the same color lens for our anniversary cum valentine's gift - how appropriate to the theme! :D

On other news, we also had mini celebration sessions on both side of friends. Lots of good food, fun and laughter. Can you see why I don't bother to make a "Eat less" resolution for this year?

Happy 33rd Birthday to my old man!

Next up, your birthday treat from me to Ho Chi Minh! :D

Ushering another new year

I didn't mean to have this late post. But I was waiting for *ahem* some overdued photos which is still overdued because someone is busy sipping red wine on the other side of the globe. *looks at C's direction sternly*

Anyhow, despite our ever-increasing hectic schedule, that never stopped us from having our ritual New Year dinner.

This year, C picked a quaint gem spot somewhere on the west. The ambience was good, food came in decent portions, topped up with a nice bottle of wine - simply divine. It is little moments like these that makes me appreciate my life is pampered. :) Thanks for the great food & company!

Our 5th New Year Celebration

I was trying to dig out last year new year dinner posts and I came across my 2010 resolutions.

1. 1 long holiday, probably USA or Japan & 1 short holiday, hopefully to bring Jayden along to Hong Kong [Went to Club Med Bali with my parents and had many other short trips]


2. Be more patient to Jayden [Still trying to attain zen]


3. Celebrating my 30th birthday overseas with my gfs [Celebrated at Festive hotel instead]


4. Going diving again [Unfortunately, I'm not sure when this will ever happen :( ]


5. Getting my dream bag - Chanel 2.55 Classic Jumbo (when can I own you!) [Hopefully in my upcoming trip!!! Got a Balenciaga to make up for the 'loss']


6. Staying healthy - swimming and hitting the gym every week [This has dwindled to once a month affair]


7. Going health screenings yearly - have to plan one for Dylan soon [Did mine, not so good. Still trying to psycho the man to do it]


8. Start saving to plan for house shifting in 2 years time [Savings will start after Europe trip]


9. Stay on my current job at least for > 2 years (I job hop every 2 years) [I don't know if I should be proud of this but I have achieved it]


10. Further studies to enhance my portfolio and of course better pay to fulfil Pt 8 [Not happening yet]

I decided not to have any resolutions for 2011 although there will be some points above that will be on repetitive mode - Health, savings and family. My motto is simple - Keep moving forward and enjoy life to the fullest.

So with that, I leave some photos of the past. I think we haven't aged much! :p

2009 @ Conrad

2008 @ Kushinbo & Flyer

2007 @ Hanabi

2006 - @ The Line with no kids!

Cheers to another great year!!! Now where should we go?