Happy times

June has sneaked here.

I have officially left work for 2 months and back from Japan for over a month. I am beginning to feel it (not that radiation rumour on Japan!) but the good luck that has accompanied me back!

At a recent contest, I won myself a new phone, just in time as M1 totally screwed up my plan. They have scrapped off the whole plan without notifying their loyal customers, including me. I was so pissed but now I know sometimes it's not worth being loyal to your service provider, I have seen too many cases. Unless you are a big corporate client, what's the deal of losing one customer? Especially someone without a premium plan. Thanks M1, I have seen your colors, you used to be much better than this. Anyway, I shall be terminating my plan and number with them and moved on to prepaid life. The life that probably suits me best.

Life is good so far. During the Japan trip and after, I have met a couple of people, some stayed as friends and some left. I can't complain about the lack of income because the time has been filled with eventful activities. Also thanks to some motivation, I have finally finished writing the America trip! Next, I shall continue the Japan stories. Stay tuned!

Goodbye America

The following day, the Green couple was due to leave for London! Awww, time flew!! Syndy and me had one more night but I would be the last to leave. Syndy wanted to go back to Santa Monica for Levi's (that's her only favourite brand I think!), while I decided to spend my time at Manhatten myself.

I took the shuttle down to Manhatten beach and walked by the little stores I missed the other time. It was a sunny Sunday so the beach was really crowded. People were suntanning, cycling, chilling and surfing while I had my pathetic museli bar. LOL. Yes, and I had some unintentional shopping done. I bought a dress from this store and spoke to the Korean woman in there, it was amazing how easy it was to talk to a stranger in America.

Then I waited for the shuttle with a bunch of friendly old ladies to head to the village for some more shopping. I found myself in a mega drugstore and of course had to leave with a few bottles of nail polish, ahhh my little indulgence. I also found a Target store and took a long walk there, it was an interesting first visit. It was like a huge Primark! LOL. Everything was so affordable and I bought some souvenirs and cheap undergarments! By then, I was starving, so I headed to the nearest fastfood place and bought myself a taco before I continued more shopping.

I went back to Sephora and a few stores to get things I missed the first time! Then it was about 5pm when I was waiting to catch the shuttle to the next stop to get the Samsung Tab (bad Angela got me tempted with her kindle and iPad purchase), I saw many people staring up at the sky. There was an eclipse and it was glaring, I couldn't see it clearly until after a while, it showed up.

My fault for writing this a year later!! Haha. I can't recall why I didn't manage to get my Tab that day, was it sold out or the store closed earlier that day. I was so disappointed. But I still headed back to meet Syndy for dinner. After a bit of coaxing, I managed to convince her to go for an In and Out burger with me! As usual, I went to La Quinta where an excellent staff assisted me with directions, he even printed out the bus timing for me (to and fro). Super kind filipino guy! After waiting for the bus for ages, we finally got on and it took about 15-20 minutes before we found it.

I read about the secret menu (animal style) somewhere and we decided to give it a go (haha) even without an idea what it really was. We were so hungry and everything tasted brilliant. The fries which Angela said tasted like cardboard even tasted good to us! We noticed many shops around this area, one of them was Staples.

Later that evening, we had our complimentary drinks at the hotel bar (but Syndy had orange juice!). I told Syndy how I didn't manage to get my Tab, and it was then she mentioned Staples might be an electronic store! I had no idea what made me so determined to get one, I made myself woke up early the next morning to make another trip down just to get it. That morning, Syndy was leaving for her flight, so I gave her a big hug before running out for my Tab mission.

And right on. It was an electronic store but they ran out of stock. I was almost in a panic as I had an afternoon flight and I worried I wouldn't make it back in time. The staff was kind enough to reserve one at the next nearest store and I just needed to find my way there. She even printed me a map of the store location. So I really tried my luck and took a bus headed for the airport. The store was at the Airport Boulevard. I trusted my instincts, alighted and then asked around for the Staples store. Fortunately, it wasn't far, and I really found it. I was grinning from ear to ear the moment I bought it! Till today, I feel my Tab has been under-utilised but I have been watching a lot more movies on it these days :)

I passed by another In and Out Burger on my way back to the hotel but I just couldn't down another of the same after the night before. When I got back, I bought myself a Happy Meal from McDonalds downstairs! LOL. It was just a happy ending to my holiday. Then I packed up, took the shuttle and tipped the driver.

My mood was at its peak, so even food on the plane on the way back home were superb. Not to mention, I was given a mini Ben & Jerry ice cream! I remember I sat to this Thai guy and we chatted for a bit, he was studying in USA and going back to Bangkok for holiday but unfortunately we didn't keep in touch.

Bye Bye America, till next time!

The American Wedding (2)

The following morning, we had so much to do for the big day. To do up the venue, get ourselves all dolled up and then run errands for our beautiful bride-to-be. As Joy was busy getting herself transformed by her make-up artist, the rest of us took care of the rest. Angela, Jasmine and me were decorating the place while Syndy made sure everything else was in order. 

Joy was stunning that day and she wore that pearl necklace I got her :) I could felt her nervousness as the time drew nearer... and she was almost in tears when her parents put the veil over her! It was a very special moment and we were all there to accompany her and share her joy. The flower girl, Emma, is Aaron's niece. Joy seems to like her very much and I thought her presence somehow helped lessen her tension :)

Then the boys arrived!!! We helped Joy down the stairs holding her bouquet and train of her gown. Oh boy, I almost felt like tearing. Then we did exactly what we rehearsed. But this time, it was real and when we walked up and stood there watching the couple approaching. We couldn't help crying!!!

They then exchanged their vows in front of their friends and family. After that, the guests went for cocktail while we stayed back for a couple of photos (till now I haven't got to see those pictures yet!). Then while the couple went for photo shoot at the beach, the best men and bridesmaid retreated into the room for some crazy ideas on how we would make an entrance into the dinner. OMG. I was super nervous as that meant we had to dance. I could recall dancing in Scotland D&D but that was different, I knew almost no one and I had so much drinks. LOL. This time, I had to do it while I was sober. As we were cracking our heads, we were also shivering, not with fear but the room was cold! The best men immediately took down their jackets for us, it was so touching! Gentlemen, I call them!

We really did make a memorable entrance to the dinner, the crowd was so spontaneous and began cheering and clapping and somehow that took my embarrassment away!! I was just glad I didn't fall! LOL. Then the couple came in, danced, before the best man and maid of honour gave their speeches. Aaron's brother gave a very funny speech and we almost worried for Angela. But she did really well!!! I was so glad my tips for her worked... after being the maid of honour for Syndy! LOL. And next year, it's my turn to make one for Angela!! The dinner was fabulous and everyone were enjoying themselves, even Joy's parents whom couldn't understand much English were having fun (dear Syndy was their translator). A lot of crazy dancing happened... and I really couldn't describe it ;)

The couple also catered the lovely baby cupcakes as our desserts along with their small wedding cake. Then they made their thank you speeches after the cake-cutting. Of course, our names (FAB 4) were being mentioned and especially those who flew in for the wedding. Joy made a chinese speech dedicated to her parents, she was already swelling in tears. So I volunteered to translate for the guests (I don't know where I got the courage, but I guess I just am not shy anymore, LOL). I blamed it on the wine.

The wedding props were mostly handmade by Joy and they were lovely. Even the "A&J" sign on our table was a clever idea of recycling vintage books. It was a very well thought-out wedding, I hope I can make mine a beautiful one like hers in future!

The night ended with us sending the guests off with lovely wedding favours brought from Singapore by Joy. Packs of childhood sugared biscuits with honey sticks. We packed things up for the newly-wed and then friends of Joy sent us back to our hotel. I think Kat and Don sent us back but we alighted across the street and bumped into a crazy man asking for money!!! We escaped fortunately.

The American Wedding (1)

I was the first of the four to arrive in LA! The others took the train, so they would be a bit later. I got myself checked in without any problem (no issue with the booking under Adam's name, hehe). Thanks La Quinta, their customer service was excellent. The room was cute, cosy and I wish I was staying longer!! We were only booked for a night as the rest we would be staying next door at Holiday Inn due to the cheap rates Adam booked for us. Holiday Inn service was just horrible and unfriendly most of the time! They made us waited so long to get checked in. It felt good to be reunited, Angela and Dan made our time together more entertaining.

The following morning after all the hassle getting checked in, we took the shuttle bus provided by the hotel to Manhatten beach. All thanks to La Quinta again, we found out the bus schedule (No thank you, Holiday Inn!). We missed the first one but managed to get to Uncle Bill's Pancake House without any queue!! We were starving by then and the food really made our hungry tummies happy! The glorious pancakes and eggs... plus that lemonade, I think I could have them everyday! So good!

After that, we took a stroll down Manhatten beach, drooling at the surfers... enjoying a visit to the pier aquarium. It was all very relaxing. Manhatten beach is lined up with some of the most beautiful houses I ever seen, so posh and I wish one day I can have something like that. Or at least just a house by the beach! Then we took the shuttle further to the village with plenty of malls. It was pretty late by then so we checked out the nearby stores, it was at the electronics store where I got tempted to buy a Samsung Tab!

Then we went to Whole Food Market to get some dinner. There were plenty of choices, from hot soup, sushi to pastries and cakes. The first thing I really wanted to get was a fruit tart (one of my favourite things)! LOL. Everything else didn't matter and so I settled for the soup. Everything wasn't cheap but they did really taste fabulous at least! Then we retired back to our hotel room, it was an easy day.

The next day, we decided to try out Denny's which was a short distance from our hotel. Everything at Denny's looked so good and sinful. Two of us shared a set each as it seemed huge, and fortunately we did. It was good but a little too salty for my liking :) After the sumptuous breakfast, it was time to head to Santa Monica on a BUS! Yes, public transport as the one whom could drive was obviously out of practice. It was my first time taking public transport in LA and I witnessed lots of weird people in the bus. People who sang to themselves, beggars, hippies... We were told public transportation are mainly for the poor people!

Anyhow, after about an hour on the bus, we finally got to Santa Monica. Four of us headed to the Santa Monica Pier for a little stroll. There was a small amusement park for kids, but this place felt more like somewhere done up to sell souvenirs, just very pretty but nothing really special. I prefer the Manhatten beach somehow. After that, we had to head off to meet the wedding couple whom would pick us up for the wedding rehearsal and dinner (I can't recall where we were supposed to meet, LOL!!). But I knew we got lost somehow and took a taxi there in the end!

After a few rounds of rehearsal and looking around the venue, it finally dawned on all of us it was going to happen. It was so exciting, and we were going to have a girls' night all to ourselves that night at Joy's apartment. The boys would sort themselves out :P The rehearsal dinner which was on Aaron's mum was held at Baby Blues BBQ, they had the best ribs ever. I swore I ate so much, the ribs, wings, mac and cheese, GOSH, everything was delicious - Look at my plate (right). I didn't care about putting on calories that evening, seriously! LOL. They must be really surprised how much I could eat ;) At the dinner, Aaron's mum gave a touching speech and there were tears!!! We were introduced to each other at the dinner and dear Joy gave the bridesmaid a little gift for being there for her wedding (I was one of them) :)

I don't know how we all managed it, after the dinner, we still had ice-cream at Sweet Rose!!! Just because Joy said they have the best one ever, so we were all going to stuff it in! :) My rose geranium with salty pistachio was perfect, just what I would need to end that beautiful day. After that, Joy drove us back, we tried out our bridesmaid dresses and had our usual girly gossip! It was one precious night as we were all living faraway from each other. I was trying to play with Mocha but this anti-social kitty didn't want to entertain us except when you swung her favourite toy in front of her face. I didn't know if the bride-to-be got any sleep that night but I surely did!

He exists

"You can always find work, but you don't always find love."

This just came to me and I thought I should write it down. Yeah, isn't it? I always thought to myself, do all women think the same? Maybe not. Maybe my sister is one of those that places money over love. Maybe its cirumstances, maybe its her choice. She's always thinking of how to make big money - maybe like many other men. It's good, a motivation for entrepreneurship, that's what makes life a little more interesting. Yet I am somewhat of an opposite, I rather retreat into my little house by the beach with the love of my life, we can be poor (preferably not) but we should be contented and happy.

I dread men who worry about my ability to support myself, because it seems like they are not ready to even be supportive of me. I had met guys when I was in between jobs, and they probably thought if I didn't have work, I would be depending on them. Then they are wrong, they do not know me. Sorry to say, then they are not right for me. I also dread guys whom think I travel too much, because they would be thinking,"Gosh, she must not have any savings because she's just travelling too much." Then they would start multiplying negative thoughts in their heads just like the former category kind of men. They probably have no idea what travelling is all about and do not know what hostels are for.

And I know that kind of guy I want to meet, he knows how to have fun whether I am working or not, whether I am travelling or not. He thinks about travelling with me, he thinks about all the dates he can have when I've so much free time. He knows that I can support myself and I will find my means to live. Yes, I know he exists :)