Monday, February 16, 2009
16 Feb 2009
My Colleagues Elaine and Eliz had arranged to meet at Suntec today for dinner. Initially, we were supposed to dine in Tony Roma's Restaurant. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was shocked that the when I saw the menu as most of the main courses they served were 20 and above (excluding gst and service charge).
In the end, we decided to dine at MOF My Izakaya...
What we had for main course
Desserts Time!!
Oven-baked Mochi in red bean paste = unique =)
After dinner, they were talking about their progress, savings and studies plans.
My Enlightenment from today gathering
Deep inside, I felt that I have been remaining stagnant for so long, not making much effort to get down seriously with anything. For that moment, I have realized I had lost my direction and was uncertain of where am I heading to. The next moment, I recalled my tuition teacher remarking that I am living in a sheltered life, not having to worry about anything my refusal to leave my comfort zone. I guessed what she had commented was partially right, I was not actively looking for jobs like before but was just trying to waste away my time. Feeling of guiltiness filled me which I have decided to make a strong resolution. From today onwards, I would wake up as early as possible to buy the Straits Times and apply for whatever jobs that are available to me. No more late nights staying up but only early nights. Guess I will have to forgo all sources of entertainment and make full use of my timing on more constructive purposes like working and brushing up on my English as I would be signing for the SAT paper and other software skills to enhance my employability when Singapore is having recession at this time.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
9:36 AM
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Met up with a group of friends at Cathay Cineleisure for movie (underworld-Rise of the Lycans).
After movie, 2 of my friends suggested to have a snooker session. We could have gone to the pool shop at Cineleisure but the charges was too high. Therefore, I suggested going to Concorde Hotel pool shop near dholby ghaut as I knew it would be cheaper and I had been there once with my friend. We walked down to Dholby Ghaut and coincidentally I saw bev with her bf. Initially, I did not notice her as I was looking out from the exterior building of Concorde Hotel to see the pool shop was at which level, I was only when she called up to me then I saw her.
When we reached there, the shop was packed and there were no available tables for us to play. Therefore, we decided to walk to Singapore Shopping Centre, we went up but could not find the shop and so we asked the security guard and he told us it has moved to Amk. With our last resort, we decided to try our luck at Parklane Shopping mall (the mall beside Paradiz Centre) and the shop was not so packed.
After 1 hour plus of pool session, we settled our dinner at the Kopitiam opposite Rendezvous Hotel and went home after dinner.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
11:13 AM
Sunday, February 08, 2009
12 Feb 2009
Met up with a friend for kbox at Marina. We enjoyed singing that we sang from 7pm till 1115pm non-stop. As it was 1115pm, all the shops had already closed, we got to exit from the back entrance of Marina (facing millenia walk shopping mall) that we ended up losing our way. Unknowingly, we passed by the Singapore Flyer and realised that we were on the wrong track and that we had went a big round along raffles boulevard. We had wasted alot of our time by routing around that my friend missed his last train.
Therefore, he walked with me to the bus stop to take my bus (the bus stop opposite Raffles City). However, I was not able to locate the bus stop so we decided to walk to dholby ghaut area to take the bus as I knew that are buses for us to take over there. While walking towards, I stopped at a bus stop where I could take the bus 14 but to find out that I had missed it. Therefore, I had decided to take the bus 65 from Paradiz Centre. Fortunately, I had managed to catch my last bus 65 and as for my friend he took the bus to Clementi and took a cab home from there.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
1:34 PM
Saturday, February 07, 2009
11 Feb 2009
Met up with char at Far east plaza as she wanted to repair her heels buckle. We had a light dinner together as char is going back home for dinner.
At 7pm, met up with Jing Jing as she is going to Far East Plaza to exchange her dress from blossomz .. (her button came off)
Next, we went to a place which I had never stepped into for ages (due to some reasons). In this year, I would say it is my first time visiting a club. I would say I enjoyed going with her so I would not mind going with her in future. We went to Zouk to chill out and observe the people and the place. There is one thing I have noticed was that the attraction of clubs lies with their toilets. In the past, I had actually took a picture of myself in Momo's toilet (the golden toilet bowl) .. haha
At 1115pm, we left the place to catch the last bus no. 14.
In Zouk toilet
(after a few trials, we had finally
manage to take the
best of it infront
of the mirror, guess we need to
brush up on our cam skills)
Toilet with dog bone prints
Zouk Bar Area
Drinks we had (snowball)
1 for 1 on ladies nite
A cocktail which I had promised to concoct for my friends but I have not fulfilled my promise.
Guess after their exams are over, I would invite them to my house for mahjong and concoct the drink for them. =)
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:34 AM
In Singapore, the places available for one to hang out are limited. Usually, I meet out with my friends for a specific purposes like watching movies, singing karaoke, having dinner or lunch and shopping (when we had specific intention to buy some things).
Nowadays, I have become more updated to different movies that are screening or are going to be screened. Thinking about the past, I would not have known what are the latest movies in the cinemas. Practically, now I would say that I have watched almost all the high rating movies in cinemas.
Movies in mind (waiting for it to be out)
Hotel for dogs
been wanting
to watch since last year
He's just not that into you
(something like mars vs venus)
Differences that man n women had when dealing with circumstances
harry potter and the half-blood prince
Marley and Me
Slumdog millionaire
(will be watching with Jing Jing)
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:33 AM
Ever since I started playing mahjong. I think I am kind of addicted to it. The day when my friends went back home after visiting my house, I went to play online mahjong and did some reading on it. (the rules and combinations)
I have been hoping to play with them after their exams are over.... Wee!!
Msg to them: Yoz ... Jia you for your papers... All the best!! Kan Ba Tei!!...
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:33 AM
During new year eve, I went to my grandma's house for reunion dinner. Usually, it was held at Eunos but this year it was at Tampines. We had potluck. Each family were to contribute and bring a dish or more to my grandma's house. This year, we had Yu Sheng and everyone of our family joined in the fun of tossing the Yu Sheng and celebrated my cousin Maverick's birthday.
Cutting of bdae cake
Ending our reunion dinner with Yu Sheng
Actual day of new year
As usual, we went to our grandma's house for visiting. We had our lunch and dinner there. At the same time, I saw some of my other distant relatives at her house. Supposedly, I were to catch a movie with a friend (Red Cliff 2) but it was very late so we watched it the next day.
Subsequent days of my new year..
This year new year, was a totally different new year for me. I went to some of my friends' house.
First, was Jing Jing's house. She had invited me for a mahjong (playing without money), karaoke and steamboat session. In the morning, I accompanied her to her previous jc to visit her teachers. After visiting, her parents went to pick her up and I followed her to her house. It is very nice of her mum to cook Bee Hoon Soup for lunch. Only then, I realised that Jing Jing is one who is able to like spicy stuffs alot.
Next, we started with our karaoke session until her poly friends arrived at her place for mahjong. I was an amateur in mahjong as I only know the basic rules of playing and winning. With her uncle's and cousin's help, I was then able to win a few rounds in it. We had steamboat for dinner and after eating we went back to continue with our mahjong. Finally, we ended our day with some photo-taking.
In the living room
At her house garden
Flowers in her house... one word,plenty
Taking with the limelight of all props..
(the beautiful swan)
___________________________________
The next day, I invited Jing Jing, char, bev, chai min and lan li to my house for dinner.
I went to my house nearby Astons Stall to buy some food for dinner and bought my mahjong tiles as well. Though, it was kind of rush I did manage to buy the mahjong tiles but not the table so I bought the mahjong paper instead to prevent the tiles from being scratched.
We had mahjong session too.
At my house...
__________________________________
The day after, we went to Beverly's house for dinner. We had curry with french loaf and Bee Hoon. The curry and Bee Hoon were delicious. After dinner, we catch a movie (the wedding game). The movie was average as it does not really had a storyline but it was all about the wedding life of Fann and Chris. I had invited our student care friend Ai Ling to join us for movie as well.
5 Feb 2009
We went to our student care teacher's (Kok Guan Kor Kor) house for visiting and some of our student care friends would also be there. Surprisingly, everyone changed alot, in appearances and character wise. They are more mature in their thinking and actions. A girl called Rui Shan whom I knew, She changed so much that I were not able to recognise her. We had lunch over there and some games (twister, Zhong Ji Mi Ma). During lunch, feeling of nostalgia filled us. We were reminiscing every bits and pieces that were happening when we were in the student care. The food which KoK Guan Kor Kor ordered and prepared was more than enough. Therefore, one of them suggested to play Zhong Ji Mi Ma, the loser will have to eat the food (item by item) as punishment.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:20 AM
14 Dec 08
As we had slept late the previous night, we woke up around 1pm.
Coincidentally, Taiwan Star Luo Zhi Xiang and other stars were having some performance just directly outside of our hotel. The performance was overwhelmed with people that we had difficulty leaving the hotel as practically there were a large number of people outside the hotel entrance. As I am not one who is fan craze, my parents and I went out to had our lunch while my sis and her friend were busy tooking shots of Luo Zhi Xiang from the hotel inside. We had Ah Zhong Mee Sua (阿宗面线）. The best mee sua I had ever had!!
Up till now, I still missed the taste of it. How I which one day the stall could open a branch in Singapore. However, my parents do not like the taste so they decided to have beef noodles at a nearby cafe. The beef noodles were average compared to the one we had at the Flying Cow Ranch. Beef was much tender and noodles was much springy (Q).
Next, my parents and I went back to the hotel to wait for my sis and her friend to be done with all their photo-shooting of the Taiwan Stars and lunch. As soon as they were back from the hotel, I was kind of lazy to leave the hotel. However, after much delays in packing our necessary stuffs, we decided to go for a dip at any public hot springs at Xin bei Tou. When we arrived there, we were just about to pay the shop owner the money when we took a peak inside the hot spring and were shocked that it was crowded with people (men and women) that we decided not to go for it. Practically, there are no space for us to occupy in the hot spring and make me understood why people go for private hot spring where they can have the private space all to themselves though it was way much expensive.
Therefore, we took a train to Shi Pai Station to try the desserts at the shop
水龟伯古早味, specifically the shop famous ice cream pie (recommended by a tvb food delights program). Surprisingly, when we arrived at the shop, most the Taiwanese people are ordering hot desserts and not cold stuffs and we are the few ordered cold desserts. What a disappointment!! The shop do not sell it during the winter season except during the summer season. Even the mango milk ice which my sis friend wanted to order only available during summer time.
End up, we ordered the stall famous purple rice, strawberry milk ice and beancurd grass jelly.
Beside the dessert stall, there is a mini hotpot stall selling one with a bowl of rice for TWD 99=$4.60 (run by the dessert owner also) and my parents bought two different hot pots and we shared among the 4 of us. The mini hot pot was nice, cai liao feng fu and serving was quite big. Worth the money!!
the dessert shop
Mini Hot pot for 99 TWD!!
What we had for desserts...
My sis and her friend decided to go to Shi Lin Market (at Jian Tan mrt station) while I wanted to go to Tian Mu Road to buy those Nike or Addidas socks as my friend has asked me to get for her. (according to forumers, this is the place where we can get the cheapest nike and addidas sportswear as the factory of Nike and Addidas are located here) Therefore my sis and her friend went on their own way while my parents followed me. However, when I arrived there and walked the whole stretch of Tian Mu Road I could not find any addidas or Nike shop and so we asked around. The passerbys directed us and we were able to locate the shop but was disappointed to find that the pricing was same as Singapore. Not long after, Cherry called me and asked me where am I and so I told her my whereabouts and found out from her that this area is actually where the rich Taiwanese people hangouts. What a wasted trip but a big discovery!! We chanced upon a fusion restaurant (P.S. Bu Bu Fusion Food) having models of car as the theme. (people dine in the cars)
The Counter
Dining table
Many celebrities went
there before
like S.H.E etc
Next, we headed to Shi Lin Market to meet up with my sis and her friend. There are a wide range and variety of food being sold here.
Bbq sugar canes were sold (something unique)
I bought the korean rice cake (being curious to try it as in korean dramas the koreans will always eat it). It tastes horrible as though you are practically eating flour that were dipped in some hot sauce. Luckily, I bought the smallest size as the serving for TWD 30 was quite alot and I did not manage to finish it. Next we went across the road and went to kfc, I ordered the mochi egg tart (QQ and got kou gan). I was very delicious and unique. (something which we can never find it Singapore kfc) We shopped and shopped that we had forgotten the time that we almost missed our last train but we were still able to catch it.
However, we were busily talking on the train that we missed our stop and overshot by one stop so we thought we could wait for the next train but the train officer at the waiting bay told us there is no more train. We got to go down the other line to take back to Xi Men Ding. We were so anxious that we might missed the train from the other line (long way to the other line), we hurriedly ran to the station. The moment we saw a train arrived from the station and everyone were rushing into me, we boarded it without checking whether it is the correct direction. When the train had left the platform we realised that we were taking from the wrong direction but it was too late. (even further away from Xi Men Ding).
Knowing that there are no trains operating, we made the last resort - took a cab back to the hotel.
15 Dec 08
Home Sweet Home
I woke up early, had my breakfast and took a train to Zhi Shan station to buy the famous mango chessecake at the shop called Cheesemate (recommended by 完全娱乐 variety show) and took a back to Taipei Main Station 地下街 to walk around. The place was big but there were not much things to shop. Next, I received a call from my parents that we need to catch our flight so I hurriedly left the place and took a train back to the hotel. We did our last minute shopping at Xi Men Ding ( nearby to the Fei Gou Bus Pick up point to fetch us to the airpost), packeted the Ah Chung Mee Sua, finger food, curry fishballs and bubble tea (to use up our small domination coins as it would be of no value if we converted it to SGD when we are backed in Singapore)
Well, I missed Taiwan very much, the food and everything, hoping to go there on a holiday with my friends someday again. =)
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:16 AM
13 dec 08
We slept throughout the journey and arrived at taipei main station at 5am the next morning. There were no mrt trains operating at that time to bring us to the hotel. We took a cab to our hotel. (2 in a cab due to the limited space of the cab) We slept the whole day and woke up at 2pm while my dad went for his church 10am church service. As he was tired, he decided to stay in the hotel and sleep while we went ahead with our plans.
Plans for the day: Taipei 101 (emphasized by Cherry that we should not missed going there), Dinner at Mr Jay Restaurant (Jay Chow The Secret themed restaurant) and Wu fen Pu (place where one can get alot of girls' apparels and accessories)
We took the mrt to Taipei City Hall Station, followed by the free shuttle bus that goes directly to Taipei 101. We went up the observatory floor of Taipei 101 (99flr) and took some pictures. The best view to see the whole of Taipei.
Night view of Taipei
taken from the top of Taipei 101
Height of Taipei 101
It was so cold that the people
working there
(wearing yellow suit)
had to cover
themselves from
head to toe
At the top of Taipei 101
On the clouds
Wind Damper that prevented Tapei 101
from collapsing during the Earthquake
Due to our rush for time, we took pictures of the necessary exhibits and took a bus to Mr Jay Restaurant. We ordered baked penne with sausage, pizza capricctosa, grapefruit juice, chocolate special and orange juice and shared among ourselves as the serving was big enough for four persons.
Chocolate Special
pizza capricctosa baked penne with sausage
orange juice
grapefruit
juice
It costs 900TWD = $42. I would say it is worth the price as the food quality, service, ambience was 5 star rated. In Singapore, dining in a normal restaurant would have cost more than that much more we are at Jay Chow restaurant.
At Mr Jay Restaurant
Taipei 101 taken from
Mr Jay Restaurant
Food menu front cover
Wine cellar
interior of the
restn
(restn is a circular
form results
in this outlook)
Props in the the restn
After dinner, we took a bus to Taipei Main Station and a train to Wu fen Pu (like sg bugis street but much bigger). We shopped around till 11pm and caught the last train to our hotel at Xi Men Ding. Due to time constraints, we had not enough time to shop the whole of Wu Fen Pu. We stayed up to watch the Taiwan drama (love or bread) and slept around 3-4am.
♥ the world will turn WILD.
12:15 AM
been wanting
