YOLO

The fears of the first world country I seem to have experienced all of them in the last year and a half.

1. Losing someone in the family
2. Falling ill
3. Dating a jerk
4. Laptop crashed
5. Losing the photos on my phone
6. Finding a job I like
7. Losing a steady income to join a circus

Speaking of all the losses, I seem to have gained much more than before.

1. I can be me, myself and I
2. Death is a part of life, so are illnesses
3. Choosing to be fit is a choice, skip the nonsense excuses e.g. no time
4. Photos are never as important and valuable than the experiences and memories
5. You need to meet a jerk to know what kind of guy you do not want
6. It's now or never, money or fun
7. Try, try, try till you find it
8. No one said life has to be fair or a fairytale, create your own luck and destiny
9. Trust your guts

Little Mia is 1

Happy Birthday Mia!

My little friend turned 1 the last days. Mia is the daughter of a really close friend. She is so chubby, too adorable and always naughty. But she is also the gem of my dear friend, Cyn. I have seen her grown from a wee little thing (during her confinement) to one pretty girl that is always up to some mischief! She also doesn't seem to like soft toys (I suspect she is taking after her dad then!!!).

Cyn lost her daughter to cancer a few years back and we all knew she always wanted another child, especially a girl. She got her wish indeed about a year back. It just happened too quickly, one point she was single, a few months later she got pregnant. And then 9 months later, a baby girl popped out. Now she has just turned 1. Amazing. Life is a crazy bitch!

I joined a circus

"Don't run away and join the rat race. Run away and join a circus full of people who are living their dreams."

How whimsical!

I just collected my first paycheck from the "circus".

An amount merely a small fraction of my last salary (in the rat race). Yet I felt so grateful for the money, for the learning experience in the circus and the ability to entertain those audience whom we performed for.

I never once thought I would be able to give up a fatter paycheck for a miserable pay till I decided to let go. Every single day that I went to work, I got up with a smile and excitement, creative ideas kept coming! Those dreadful 630am mornings aren't as bad as those days I had to drag my feet to the office with a frown. I am not sure how long I would be performing in this circus but I know for as long as I am there, I will be making full use of the time to enjoy and do as much as I can. It is always difficult to work with friends in many circumstances, but helping a friend whose living her dream is entirely different, and I know when I live my dream, she won't be too faraway.

I don't think everyone will be able to do this. While some think it's silly, some think it's an adventure and others look with envy... I can only say, follow your heart. Money can only take you that far.

A special present for myself

The thing with getting older, you started to gift yourself really odd things! I used to buy myself a bag, a nice meal or a facial last year... but this year, it is a very practical gift. I visited the dentist, not once but twice!!! A really expensive gift that costed me over 200 bucks. But one that has to be done.

A few years back, a bad experience with a dentist stopped me from going back again. But I had a bad tooth. It had been going on for quite a while but I just didn't want to see a dentist, the last one was quite a nightmare. Then somehow, it just hit me, I thought it was just the right time to go. Perhaps a bit too late! The tooth is almost dead (as quoted by the dentist), she tried to save it with pulp capping, or I would have to opt for root canal (Nooooooo!!! To be honest, I would rather extract it but it will be quite hideous having a missing canine tooth!). She told me the pulp capping might not work and there is a high chance I have to extract it or do a root canal in future. But right now, the poor tooth is temporarily fixed and I do hope that the slim chance of it recovering does exist! Please heal. I know miracles rarely happen, but I still believe in it!

Thanks to my friend whom recommended me her dentist. Even though her clinic offers really limited dental services, I felt really comfortable talking to her and she is really quite gentle and attentive. She gave me the most practical and money-saving advices and didn't try to milk me for money. Even though I spent over 200 there for filling 3 caries and polishing, it is still reasonable compared to others where polishing easily costs me near a hundred bucks! I was really glad when she said I can go back in 6 months time (I will probably go annually now).

But this is not the end. I still have to extract a wisdom tooth (fortunately not surgery)... She didn't seem to be keen to do the extraction for me as she said if it breaks, she won't be able to do surgery at hers. So I need to find another dentist (ahhhhh nightmare). I wish I can extract it myself haha, like how we used to do it when we were younger... pulling with a string! Those days...

Anyway, enough of my scary dentist stories! Birthday is actually not here yet... I am so not looking forward to adding another digit to my age, so much so, I am trying not to announce my age unless necessary. LOL! Especially when I travel, people do seem to think I am still in my 20s, and sometimes I know I am the oldest in the group... awww!

I hate you Dad and I love you

Every household has its own problem. I have friends whom totally love their parents, friends whom also detest their parents and many like me, a love-hate relationship. It seems to be normal. Can anyone tell me? Have I already said these before? 

I envy the western cultures where kids move out at eighteen or for college, I think somehow the living apart helps to better the relationship. Because parents will always be parents, they want to mother you no matter how old you get. They always assume those responsibilities that tend to make them overprotective, controlling and in fact they seem to want you to live the life they would like you to have (not having it your way!).

For over 30 years, they never seem to ask me what is it in life that I want? They never seem to want to know but always reckon that we should act like the way they were children to their parents (my grandparents). Back then, they had to earn to support the expanding family and to ensure the younger ones could attend school. Dear mother, those centuries are over!

Is it just my parents, or are yours the same?

10 years ago, my dad got retrenched and has since been sitting at home. He was only 55, 10 years shy of the retirement age (and now 12 with the new regulations). He just never thought of working or supporting the family again. It was a huge blow that never seems to have recovered. My elder sister was then 24 and the youngest was still in school. I was stranded in UK on my working visa, trying to find that independence that I never had back in Singapore. My mum has always been a housewife, and she struggled to find work despite her poor health. That old man never stood up again, not for us, and not even for himself. He lost not only himself, but his authority and all of our respect for him. It is difficult to look at a father figure whom was once your role model but now succumbed to someone whom has practically nothing. That quote "I started off with nothing, and I still have most of it", it describes him quite perfectly.

Emotionally he's a cripple, he has almost no friends, no social life and his self esteem seems to have abandoned him as well. I don't remember how all of us survived the 10 years without a fatherly figure, but we did. If you ask me if I hate him, yes I do. If you ask if I love him, the answer is the same too.

Bears' Wedding in London (4)

Day 6 & 7.

These 2 days were entirely reserved for my bestie so I could help her do up her wedding props and other preparation. We checked into the hotel a day before the big day, but there were still things not done. Poor Angela was so worried. But I assured her everything would be okay and we would work through the night to get them all ready. Her cousin, Joy and brother were a big help!

The night before the wedding, we also had a pre-wedding dinner at a Spanish restaurant. All of us forked out a small amount of money and the rest was taken care of by the bride & groom's families. We had suckling pig, sangria and really fantastic tapas! It was a fun evening, also I got to meet Alex (Laura's son), this cutie got stuck to me most of that evening. He was so adorable everyone was dying to get a piece of him.

That night, we really worked through the night (with a few hours of sleep!!!) with the company of Paul's cakes!

The next morning, Angela, Joy and me had breakfast at a nearby restaurant and ran through the checklist for the wedding. We had to set up at the venue, basically to lay out her photo albums, photo frames, her wedding favours, the decors on every dining table, do up the table she was going to sign her wedding certificate (I was the witness!!) and get all the beautiful ribbons to be tied to the chairs. They also engaged a photo booth which the guests would be able to take home with them a memorable shot or two for that evening. The dinner was buffet style but the wedding party and family table would get served instead! The cupcakes Angela catered were super addictive, also that candy bar she set up was a magnet for kids (and big kids!).

Both Joy and I had to give a speech, but we didn't get to rehearse at all. LOL. But I was glad it somehow flowed smoothly and I didn't cry this time! I think Angela almost did! The wedding was lovely, very romantic and almost perfect. The only bad thing was I didn't get to take as many photos of them as I would love to as I was the maid of honour and was running around all the time! We danced and drank a lot that night and smuggled a lot of candies back too!

I gifted them a self-compiled photobook depicting the story of FAB4 and of the recent memories we had together, and was so proud when they displayed it together with their wedding album.

Not forgetting we took lots of silly photos at the booth, I can't wait to see their whole compilation when I visit them next.

May you both live happily ever after, Mr & Mrs Green!

Bears' Wedding in London (3)

Day 5. Friday.

I hanged out with Joy & Aaron whom just got back from Paris as well as Angela's family members. We went to Borough Market, my favourite food market. The good thing about going with so many people was that we got to try much more things! So much more than the last time I went with Glyn.

Not to mention, there were also many eye candies around. Some selling cheese. LOL.

After lunch, I took Angela's family to walk across London Bridge which we then parted. They wanted to go shopping in Oxford or Knightsbridge while I headed towards Tower of London hoping to catch up with Joy & Aaron to see the poppies exhibition. But we were too early, they were still installing them, and I didn't see both of them too. They underestimated the time they needed to get there so I left after waiting for 30mins.

I wanted to take a selfie of me and the poppies but it was so tough with the crowd so I gave up! LOL. Maybe a selfie stick would have helped!

I managed to get to Petticoat lane and Spitalfields market just before they closed! I bought a handmade necklace by an Italian lady, really pricey but I just thought I should splurge on myself a bit. Also I found a really pretty wrap dress. After a happy time shopping and indulging myself with a banana milkshake, I got to get back to Covent Garden to meet the gang for dinner. I was lost. LOL. I couldn't find a bus to Covent Garden. So I took one to somewhere nearby and walked over.

We settled at this English restaurant called Porters. The food was awesome, ten times better than Jamie Oliver's Italian for sure. The portion for the pies was also huge. I had the Guinness Steak Mushroom. It was DELICIOUS! It was a great night with Angela's family. After that, we decided to do a brief hen's night for Angela - just me, Joy, Michelle and the bride-to-be.

We went to a stretch of bars, picked one and had some drinks as Angela wasn't feeling spontaneous that night to do crazy things. The poor bride-to-be was so stressed out she broke down that night... We were shocked but we managed to calm her down and brought her back to smiles! Fortunately. Of course, we didn't forget our colourful wigs and made lots of silly photos with it.

Bears' Wedding in London (2)

The following day, I lazed. Not really. LOL. I needed to finish booking the accommodation for my Europe trip which was a week away! As everything was planned very last minute (unlike the me in my 20s!!!), things were a bit chaotic. But somehow the plan seemed to fall into place nicely.

So I asked my hosts if there was anything I could do around the area (without going to town). They suggested a nearby farm. A great idea I thought! Glyn took me to the first British farm about 6 years back and this time I could go to one again. With the best guide I have (London A-Z), I found my way to Deen City Farm. There were a bunch of kids and I felt like one of them, I fed the sheeps and cows! There was also owls and gigantic bunnies.

After the free farm tour, I headed to Marks & Spencer for a late lunch and got some grocery. I almost wanted to buy half the supermarket! LOL.

Day 3.

I had planned a trip to Harrods Food Hall, this seemed to be a must. LOL. I couldn't resist good food and I wish I had a bigger stomach and a more efficient digestive system! Haha. I got almost £10 worth of food for my picnic at Hyde Park. It was a pity no one could join me but it was a great sunny day to sit out there and people watch. After my picnic, I went to HSBC to run some errands before making my way to Oxford Circus. Yes, you can walk from Hyde Park to Oxford Circus, thanks to the non-humid weather!

On the way, I chanced upon St Christopher's Place where I sat down for a smoothie and witnessed a middle aged woman begging for food and money from someone sitting besides me. The kind lady really bought her food! Bless the kind lady!

Finally I made my way to Oxford Circus where I caught up with Johnathon, a guy I met during my tour in California which was about 2 years back. John took me to a really cool pub for pies, said to be one of the best ones in town! It was called The Windmill. I had the seasonal pie - spicy chicken and chorizo pie, houmous & tzatziki; it was thin and crispy on the outside and very juicy and hot on the inside. I really loved it, it wasn't like the traditional beef and kidney pie with hard crusty exterior. It was still bright at 9pm that evening... amazing. I bid farewell to John after the lovely catch up and went home and continued to have big cherries for supper! LOL.

Day 4.

After my breakfast, I went on to find a money changer to get my European currencies. There were so many different ones it was a bit confusing, fortunately I could order them online and head down to collect it. Then I was supposed to meet Selwyn, a bloke I met in Japan a year back. LOL. All these travelling have gotten me quite a few friends.

I nearly couldn't recognise him already! LOL. But I remembered that smile. He was also very sweet and made me a lemon pound cake he promised me on Facebook some time ago! It was really yummy and my friends loved it too. So we went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch, as usual the quality always seemed to be much better than the one I had in Singapore for that price. It was called Sticks 'n' Sushi by Covent Garden.

When we stepped out, we saw this food market by Covent Garden and there was this amazing pulled pork burger that I could die for. We promised to be back for them for dinner, but it was sold out by then. DEVASTATED. :((( I must have it on my next trip to London!!! Look at them!!

So after late lunch, we went to British Museum. As usual, I could never get bored there but it was closing really early (by 5pm I think!!!) so we had to find elsewhere to go. Selwyn suggested bowling, I was a bit intimidated as he bowls for competition but I still went ahead! It was at an underground bowling alley and it all looked a bit dodgy from the outside. Haha.

We went back to Covent and were disappointed about the burgers. So we just got something else for dinner. I couldn't remember what because it was so insignificant compared to that burger!! But I did remember I got home with a big pretzel! :P

Bears' Wedding in London (1)

Back in London again! This time it was for a greater cause, my best friend's wedding, it was about 3 years since I last visited. But Angela was back couple of months ago when she brought her in-laws to Singapore for a tour and meet her parents session.

It always felt good to be back. It was as if I never left, just grown older! LOL. Anyway, my plan was to spend a week in London before embarking on the European tour which I should have done years ago, then back for 2 days and back home to Singapore.

I was supposed to be flying with Jan (Angela's good friend) on Malaysia Airlines to Heathrow, but the MH17 crash on 17 July freaked us out. Just days before our departure and on that identical route we were supposed to be taking, we decided to cancel the booking (we lost the booking fee as we bought it through CheapTickets). With an earlier missing plane MH370 incident on 8 March, there was a rumour there would be a third incident. I have to say the customer service on CheapTickets had been exceptional with this Malay girl keeping me updated all the time about the refund process and status! Everything got sorted out promptly, it also brought a huge relief not only to us but our family and friends.

That was about 2 weeks away from the wedding day, Jan and I both had no flights. I quickly scanned through all the airline sites for promotions, even emailed or tweeted to some of them, but not many were compassionate enough about MAS incident. But Lady Luck was smiling on our side, I chanced upon British Airways for a really good deal (direct, no transit and awesome timing, it was a night flight!). Just a few hundred bucks more, and almost a week before departure, that fare was unbelievable!

I can't believe when everyone else is jerking up prices for last minute flights, the European airlines are the ones letting them go cheap. Thank God for BA, I will fly with you again!

Booked.
British Airways.
27 July - 22 August 2014.

The flight there was about 12 hours, I didn't manage to sit with Jan as it was almost full by the time we booked and most seats were taken up when we checked in online. I was sitting with a mother with two cute toddlers but my entertainment sound system was faulty, so I got shifted to another aisle seat further back with no one besides me! I ate, watched some drama, and fell asleep.

When we arrived in London, Jan and I got on the tube but went on our separate ways. He was going to his airBnB while I was bunking at Angela's. I knew the way (good memory) so someone was waiting for me back in the house that morning. It was going to be very laid back as I didn't have much plans except to help Angela with her wedding preparation and see some old friends.

The first day in London.

So I met Glyn again, we had tacos at Wahaca in Covent Garden. I wasn't sure if I would recognise him after another 3 years but apparently we did. After the late lunch, we had a bit of a stroll down the Thames River and Millennium bridge. We had a good time talking about the past and how things have evolved. But sadly, I don't think I will see him again, I have to stop there and then.

It was a bright sunny day but still a little chilly. Little did I know that the weather just decided to go cranky that afternoon, and I had to shop for a sweater to keep myself warm! Ha. British summer.

Then I went off to meet Daniel (Angela's hubby-to-be) whom kindly took a few hours off work earlier so he could show me Shoreditch, one cool place in London I have missed out. I didn't manage to buy anything though I was really tempted but Daniel found a few things he liked. We had a quick beer before we went to meet the rest of the gang at Jamie's Italian for dinner.

Our first Jamie Oliver's experience and maybe also our last. We weren't that impressed, and we decided to switch the other dinner venue from Jamie Oliver's to a traditional English pub. But we did get a complimentary bottle of Prosecco that night because of some mishandling of one of our orders.

I also didn't forget to get my favourite Paul's flourless chocolate cake (almost) every time I saw it. It made all breakfast perfect.

Man & wife

My good friend, Yusman's wedding (which is today!) is one of my must-go-to wedding list of year 2014. I am very glad for him that his effort and persistence paid off, he married a beautiful Chinese girl whose parents were initially against the relationship! Way to go MAN! I can't wait to see a cute mixed baby in the coming future!

And a candid shot to go along with this post ;)