The Fabulous 4 upgrade

And so.. with 3 Mrs and 2 new babies. I am the poor soul left. I probably need to place an ad to find my prince! LOL. Nothing I can really do to speed things up, can I?

In March 2015, we welcome two super adorable babies named Luke and Zachary. Awww, I can't describe how cute they are. I was getting so excited when they were arriving and couldn't help falling in love with their tiny wrinkled hands and feet. Aaaaa... some baby craze going on here.

So Luke is the baby boy of Syndy and John, he came out at 3.8kg and was described to have the body of a rugby player! LOL. He is so going to be a strong lad... He has little hair (now bald!!) and very sexy lip, I think he will be a heart-breaker like his mum.

Baby Zachary came about 10 days later, the baby boy of Aaron and Joy. He definitely has a softer look like Joy but really distinctive features. He's only 3.2kg but doesn't look anything that light as he is going to be a really tall boy with his long limbs!

I have met Luke but not Zachary. But both are faraway now as they don't reside in Singapore. This is how tough it is to have friendship like this. Even though we do see their photos on Whatsapp very often, it isn't just the same when you can't play with them. I watch Mia, my good friend's girl grown up... she's over 1 now and I am glad she will recognize me as part of her life!

It is so exciting to see two of our Fab 4 moving into motherhood... oh boy, it sounds like the Sex and the City movie!!! And in another year or two, Angela will be upgrading as well. Hopefully I will catching up by then!

Little Britain

So I mentioned I joined the cirus last year.

A couple friend of mine set up a food kiosk last September selling British food, mainly pies. It all happened too fast while I was still running around in Europe on my backpack. When I got back, they already found a venue, got the recipes tested, and were almost ready to kick it off.

It is named Little Britain.

With nothing on my plates then, I decided to give them a hand. I joined my friend at the kiosk serving British food (English breakfast,pies, cornish pasty) to customers in Raffles Place, a place I used to strut around in office dresses avoiding eye contacts with people giving me flyers. I couldn't believe it when I had to give out flyers this time. LOL. But it was just part of the fun. We started with flyers, giving out food samples, we talked to people whom were curious about where we came from. Some even believed we were a franchise shop of a big brand back in the UK.

Anyhow the whole stint at Raffles Place lasted for nearly 6 months, by then we already had a pool of regular customers! Not bad I must admit, with the prices we were selling at and the quality of the food, we could have gone much further, but the rent was a kill. My friends couldn't afford it further, partly also because we were situated in the basement of the building, pretty much hidden away, we couldn't tap on the constant flux of people coming out from the MRT or office buildings.

But those months I slogged, woke up and be the first to leave the house, stood for those 6 to 8 hours continuously, I didn't have any complaint. It was probably one of the best learning experiences I had in life. I witnessed my friends running a business; we did fun things like getting a video company to come shoot our £1 breakfast campaign, remembering customers' names and building relationship with them! I even worked as pie delivery girl, our delivery platters were very popular with office parties and meetings.

I miss all those interactions we had with the customers, and those smiles we managed to bring to their faces! Sometimes they came down to get a breather and to have a short chat with us too!

For the whole time, I also helped to managed their Facebook postings and you can check out what happened over those months back at the kiosk! For now, they still do delivery from home if you're hungry for a British pie. Who knows, they might make a comeback one day!

NYE escapade - 東京(3)

The third day in Tokyo.

It was basically a shopping day for me. From Shibuya to Harajuku. My legs almost broke, and I didn't even manage to cover most of it. I skipped most malls, and randomly walked into bookstores, handicraft shops like Tokyu Hands, cool boutiques selling bohemian stuff. Those kept me in for hours... I didn't even walk into fashion stores, maybe I did but nothing caught my eyes. I looked at food more than clothes to be honest! LOL.

Anyway, the New Year Sale was still going strong. Many were selling lucky bags with items at a fraction of the original prices. I had no idea what to buy and I didn't want to get one just because it was at a deal. I looked at a lot of them but eventually decided I didn't need one. Haha.

I really enjoyed Shibuya. I thought Harajuku seemed to be more for the younger hippy kids. I particularly didn't like Takeshita street, it was almost an ideal place for pickpockets because it was so packed and everyone seemed to be pushing. Unlike the usual polite Japanese. I left quickly after entering, it was an eye-opener but definitely not my kind of hangout.

I headed back to Shinjuku to meet Stephanie whom I had invited her back for a cake (got it from the hotel bakery!) and happy hours at the bar. She met Adam and Sebastian whom also had some guests over. We had a quick drink before we left again for Shinjuku for more shopping (for Stephanie!).

It was a really long day, especially one for my legs. Poor legs.

I didn't come across any Monchhichi so far and definitely I had to get them the following day as it was my last full day in Tokyo. I purchased my return coach ticket to Narita together with a subway pass (good deal), and so I could use the pass the next day!

I told Adam I would be abandoning him in the room early the next morning (4th day) as I wanted to get out early (after 4 hours of sleep!!). He was more than happy to stay in as it was the night he got us upgraded to a suite! Staying in a suite in Park Hyatt Tokyo, an expensive dream came true!

I headed for Senso-ji at Asakusa, and this place is practically the home for Monchhichis! Like the birth town, I sighted so many of them but overwhelmed with so many choices, I couldn't make up my mind and only bought one. I later regretted not getting my Kumamon Monchhichi. Oh well! By Senso-ji, there was also a food market and I managed to grab some grilled sweet potato sticks and an eggplant pancake thingy. I then headed towards the Tokyo Skytree in search of places for dango, but unfortunately it was a fruitless trip. Many things were not opened, but I stumbled upon the Asahi Brewery and a very nice river.

I ended off shopping at Uniqlo in Ginza and got some winter clothes which I couldn't wear in Singapore!! LOL. But I am sure I will utilise them somehow for future trips. Before I headed back to the hotel, I stopped by at Daimaru food hall to grab some dinner for me and Adam (who never headed out). I didn't know why Daimaru as they were thousands of departmental stores there but I remember Daimaru from my last Japan trip and the food market was heaven. Indeed, it never failed me, 2 levels of Japanese goodies. I just kept on piling and piling food on top of my shopping bags, bought 2 cakes, 2 dangos, 1 bento set and sandwich but I had to eat most of them as Adam was so health conscious I think he avoided all the sugars! Man!

The following morning (last day), I headed out again for a quick walk in Shinjuku to get any last hope of spotting any more Monchhichi (never did again) but found other things I needed! Then it was time to head back and stuff all the things I bought (together with a complimentary bottle of wine and baumkuchen from the hotel!) into my luggages. I swore they were almost bursting. It was an afternoon flight (but I needed 2 hours to get to Narita!), and my flight back to Singapore was via Seoul. So it was a long way back but I figured I could do with some "Korean skincare" shopping at the airport or maybe a shower too!

But Incheon airport is one of the lousiest I ever seen, most of the shops are closed by 9pm with one or two exceptions and you are not allowed to go in. You can make your order telling them what you want. CRAP. Whoever shops like this??? But I knew what I wanted so I just bought it. The shower room which was said to operate till 10pm was closed as well. So what a lousy transit airport, just utterly wasting time in a boring airport! Even Narita was more interesting! Now I do appreciate how good Changi Airport is!

I finally got back home after a long day of travelling, commuting and flying! And the best thing was a nice taxi driver whom was not grumpy about my destination! I rounded up the dollar and gifted him a mochi before saying bye! Japan, till we meet again! *muacks*

NYE escapade - 東京(2)

The next morning.

Hello 2015!!!

It was a beautiful day and I witnessed my first sleeting in Tokyo. Felt like dancing under the ~rain.

Most establishments are closed on the frst day of the New Year in Japan, so I decided to follow where the Japanese go. To the shrines it was then. I picked Meiji shrine, because it looks really magnificent, you can enjoy a stroll through the nature before you get to it. Because it was the New Year's Day, it was insanely packed. Adam wanted to tag along to snap some photos, so we went together but I think the crowd intimidated him or maybe he has agoraphobia!

There were probably thousands of people but everyone was nice and polite. Nobody pushed or got frustrated. The crowd management was superb, very orderly and very clear signages even for people like me who couldn't understand Japanese. So we queued, got in, asked for blessings, threw coins, then gave thanks and left. On the way out, I paid a small token to draw a lot but it was in Japanese and I couldn't read. I took a picture for translation later (LOL) because I had to tie it into a ribbon right there. Right next to the shrine, there was a food market all set up. I almost went nuts at the variety of food... I wanted to eat everything!

I had to filter out so many and I settled for these. I really wished I had space for more. But fortunately I didn't stuff myself because when I headed out, there was another stretch of food market down Harajuku and I found BBQ mochi!

We headed back to the hotel after, I wanted to stay out but everywhere was swarming with people and Adam looked stressed out (LOL!). So we went back, this time we switched to Park Hyatt Tokyo. The hotel is magnificent, the lobby is on the 41st storey and has a view of Mount Fuji! Everyone was impeccably dressed, from the porter to the receptionist, Park Hyatt seems to hire the best. Model height, slim and very pleasant features!

We couldn't check in till 7pm as it was full, so we enjoyed our Happy Hours at the bar where the bartender promised me anything and everything! LOL. I am impressed indeed. There was a selection of tapas, though limited choices they were prepared on the spot! Read more on my stay on Tripadvisor.

Finally we got checked in before 8pm. I got so restless that I just ventured out to Shinjuku after I dropped my bags in the room. I wanted to breathe the cold air in Tokyo and not trapped inside the hotel no matter how posh it was! It was about 4 degrees outside. I managed to have a little stroll though many things reamined closed. At least the vending machines were always available, and a hot drink definitely warmed up my tummy!

When I got back, I realised I haven't had dinner, so did Adam. LOL. We looked up places to go for food before he suggested 24/7 Denny's which was a 15 mins walk away (but better than going back to hunt in Shinjuku). We walked in the cold, cold and hungry at around midnight... but the HOT food in Denny's made everything worthwhile. I had a very very delicious beef Sukiyaki! I bet I could sleep really good after that!

NYE escapade - 東京(1)

東京

Tokyo.

My first time.

This was pretty abrupt. Barely a week before the trip, a friend chatted me up. During the conversation, he mentioned he was going to Tokyo to join a friend's birthday celebration. And out of nowhere, he asked if I wanted to go along. I knew him for maybe 7 years, we have met a couple of times during a trip or two when they happened to concide. It was the first time he invited me. Well, of course, I wasn't suspecting anything unusual or whether he had any motive... my only thought was he wanted a companion for the trip. So I agreed. He said he was burning his air miles anyway, and he had accomodation sorted, so all I need was to come along.

Booked.

I flew to Haneda on Singapore Airlines and sat with two very polite Japanese women. It was a night flight, so I managed some sleep on the plane. I arrived on 31st December, it was early in the morning and the tourist information counter at the airport wasn't even opened yet. So no free wifi for the trip (I read they do give out free SIM card). I sorted out the bus ticket directly to the hotel, arrived there but couldn't check in, so I left my bags and went into the city for breakfast.

The weather was freezing but I loved it.

So my friend, Adam, was only arriving later that evening, I decided to hook up with a fellow Singaporean friend living in Tokyo to have a little tour. I met up with Stephanie, an ex-intern in my company before, Stephanie is half Chinese half Japanese, so having her around helped a lot! She took me to Jiyugaoka, a hippy area outside the city centre to see the "Little Venice", we chanced upon a good ramen place and some cool boutiques. We also ended up in a tiny cafe serving awesome cakes, and regretted we didn't eat more that afternoon! LOL. But I had to get back to the hotel for check-in and also probably heading out for more food that night.

So when I got back, Adam had arrived. He was with his friend, Sebastian, who was staying next door. I don't know why but Adam did not bring a winter coat (haha!), he was probably travelling too much he forgot it was THIS cold in Tokyo. Thanks to all the NYE sale, he found a really good bargain at GAP. After that, all of us went to this quaint Japanese restaurant for dinner. It seemed pretty authentic with lots of Japanese customers, we had to keep our shoes in lockers, kneel or sit around a small table for food. The whole place was a bit smoky though and I was sure we smelled after that!

I decided to pick what the locals would go for, Hoppy beer with intestinal skewers. The boys opted for safer options, pizza and some sausage-alike skewer! LOL. I didn't realise I could get high on Hoppy beer as they actually mixed it with shōchū. After that, I could feel the heat on my face and had to get some snack from the convenience store to dissolve my intoxication.

We didn't have the most exciting countdown for sure. I was there whatsapping with the guy who broke my heart before (wrong move!!!) and making myself a lovely bath, while the boys headed down to the lobby for some champagne. Goodbye 2014 and goodbye to that jerk.

I was staying at Hyatt Regency Tokyo that night, here's my review on Tripadvisor.

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.