Monday, December 31, 2012

Reflection of Year 2012

Prologue: 

The world didn’t end on 21st Dec and I don’t have any other excuse to skip this post, so here we go!

Start of Rewind: 

I welcomed 2012 with a bunch of best friends at leisure cruise outside of Singapore. After New Year, it was time to bid good-bye to Boly, wishing her all the very best for her future. At the same week, I attended Shiyi’s wedding, which was just so full of love. With some persuasion from my sister, I went to Tzu Chi Year End blessing and learnt more about Buddhism. We welcomed the Dragon Year at the later part of the month, as well as celebrating Winson’s Birthday, both publicly and privately.

The Chinese New Year spirit continued until mid February, with few reunion lunches along the way. I also watched Chingay Parade for the first time. At the same month, our office moved from 991 Alexandra to Maple Tree Business City. Feb is always linked with V-Day, and I’m really happy to be celebrating it with him this year. I also got my very first External HDD and stopped burning pictures to DVD.

March was really calm, except for some birthday drinks *cough. I had my first Russian Fine Dining, thanks to Winson. For the first time in my life, I received flowers, too! :D

On April 1st, I pledged my commitment to health by signing away my $2000 to Fitness First – no April fool. Later, we had our first gateway of the year, visiting Kuala Lumpur and Cameron Highlands. Back from holiday, I finished my first 10km run of the year – Run350.

May was filled with good-bye and welcome. We had farewell for Hui Dong, who is going away to Switzerland for work. I welcomed Feli, my cousin from Surabaya, who decided to stay in Singapore for 18 months to learn baking. At the same month, I completed my very first 21km run.

The highlight of June was Mum & Sis’s visit to Singapore for 5 days :D At the same month, I did my first voluntary by bringing children to Jurong Bird Park in June. Right at the end of the month, I submitted my application for Singapore Citizenship. 

In the second half of the year, things started to warm-up – Alvin’s Wedding, Steven’s Farewell, 5 KM Shape Run, Paint Ball, Garden by the bay… the most important one was... the addition of Ainsley to our family! She is really adorable :)

Come August, it was time for another farewell. Rina decided to pursue further study at Denmark. Jun, my cousin, and her family came here for visit at the same month. I also attended Zhi Wen and Gisela’s wedding, which are really the wedding of the handsome and the beauty.

There were lots of farewells in Sep – Sumita, Tessie, David, Christine, Ranga. I went to Bali for the first time with my close friends. Back from the trip, I received in-principal approval for my citizenship application. And oh yeah, after 3 years, I got my new toy – iPhone5!

I took 10 days off in October and flew back to hometown to celebrate Dad’s 67th Birthday. It was the last time I used my Indonesian Passport. Back to SG, we had farewell with Adelene, and I also did my first blood donation after many years.

Nov was a month filled with events (32 posts, really?) I got my Singapore Citizenship. I did another Half Marathon Run. I hurt my knee. I attended another CSR event. We were cheated $250 by online travel agent and have to cancel our long awaited Phuket trip. I won first prize – an iPad - during DnD. I bid farewell to Endy and Cass.

I still couldn't believe that Dec had come and go. I completed my Standard Chartered Marathon on 2nd Dec, and was stuck with plaster cast until mid Dec. It was just in time for me to attend the last wedding of the year – WK’s. For the last most precious week, we celebrated Christmas at Ryoma’s place, and New Year at Fendi’s :)

End of Rewind 

Epilogue: 

It has been a smooth ride this year, maybe a bit too flat for my liking. There were lots of people come and go (count the numbers of farewells!) which gave me the feeling that I'm being dormant. It doesn't mean that I'm unsatisfied with what I'm having right now. I feel really blessed with my loving family, awesome friends, and decent job. I just want to spend sometime doing something new - and this is when the New Year Resolution comes in!

Looking back at the earlier New Year resolutions, I’m proud to mention that I meet 3 of the resolutions (I totally forgot that I ever set the fourth ones)

  1. Limit my KFC intake to 6 times per year – I used up my quota in June and have to endure half a year without KFC. Talk about perseverance. 
  2. Participate in 21KM run - I finished Sundown and Great Eastern Half Marathons. After my first half marathon, the feeling was so great that I signed-up for the Full Marathon afterwards. I conquered 43.195m this Dec. Don’t ask me how. 
  3. Learn all the countries with their capitals. I did. I really knew all the countries and capital at one point of time in this year. Some knowledge might have evaporated by now, but I’m so much more comfortable with my geography knowledge afterwards. 
  4. I forgot that I ever set a limit to work the max of 5 OTs per month, and hence never track it. I don’t think I meet this anyway. There is a 9 – 10pm call every Wed, which means I already used up the 4 OTs. Well, at least I keep trying. 

After one month of real thinking, I decided to commit myself on these two resolutions for next year:

  1. To start 1 new activity / habit (sounds really vague, but I really need time to think it through)
  2. To read at least 1 novel per quarter (I started this year with Steve Jobs’ Biography, and I was hardly half done)
So… wish me luck!

Ending this post with a set of 25 pics for the 25-years old me.

2012 - Memory Contained!
Bye, 2012!
ED

New Year's Eve @ Teck Whye Resort

As usual, we started the New Year's Eve discussion well ahead of time. Few ideas were thrown. At the end, based on the cost & benefit & experience & satisfaction, we always ended up with Fendi + Tomy's palace, known as Teck Whye resort :p

This year, we went really practical. We ordered Domino's Pizza pack and fried some nuggets and fries by ourselves (OK, It was Tomy who fried, I came and eat). Simple.sinful.food. Just the way I like it :p Tomy predicted that we would all have sore throat the next day, which really happened ^^;

Domino's Pizza - I have been craving for it for the whole year!
After dinner, we indulged ourselves with our Tradition - Saboteur! This time, we upgraded ourselves and play Saboteur 2! The expansion pack was really nice. We broke into laughter every time someone made a move ^^;

Saboteur - 2!
Time flies and very soon we started the countdown from TV :) Oh, thanks to Helios, we had a special guest on that day and get to see Rina from Skype Video :D

For some reason, I'm the only girl that night. Where are all the girls!!
I left to catch the LRT 10 mins after the countdown, and reached back home at 1am. A simple but satisfying countdown :D

2013, bring it on!
ED

Last lunch for the year @ Joe’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine

It’s our last exploration lunch for the year 2012, which happened to be the last lunch of the year as well. The four slac… I meant, adventurous people decided to go to somewhere new. Despite the urge, none of us really have any ideas in mind =__=’’ After 15 mins of discussion in a car, we finally decided to try out Joe’s Kitchen, which was opened by our ex-colleague.

The restaurant served decent Thai food, no complain, no praise also :p The taste is somewhere around Thai Express, while the price is slightly cheaper. For all the dishes we ordered at the table, we paid $12 each at the end.

Basil Leaf Minced Pork, Seafood Tom Yum, Green Curry
Mango Sticky Rice - $5.5 - The mango was really sweet!
Nice last lunch, and I’m looking forward to more next year! (and yes, I get the last free Starbucks of the year!)
ED

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Dinner with Ari @ Bistro 10, Star Vista

After many months, I finally had a catch-up with Ari over dinner on Sunday evening :D Since his service is at Star Vista, we decided to have dinner around that area. Based on the some of the billboard I see at the MRT, we decided to give Bistro 10 a try! (victim of advertisement).

District 10 - slightly too hybrid for a spanish look
They were having a opening promotion until end of the year - 1 beer / wine + tapas for $10 net. That’s really affordable! Due to our hungry nature, we ordered additional 2 items and the bill went up to $70. It’s a bit pricey, but I have no complain on the taste :)

The Menu! and the promotions!
Sautéed Mushroom with Garlic and Parsley + Hoegaarden for $10 
Patatas Bravas with Spicy tomato and garlic mayonnaise + Cabernet Red Wine for $10
Huevos Rotos with fries and Jamon - $14++ 
Pizza with Iberico Ham Rocket and Parmesen Cheese - $29++ - this is delicious!
For the first time, my face didn't turn red after the beer. Either it's too diluted or I actually improved :p I like trying new place, but I'm not sure if I will go back to District 10. Nothing really fancy or set it apart from the rest :)

Continuous eating,
ED

Badminton Resumed! + Free Red Bull

I decided to wake up today morning and went to badminton (man it was really hard). As expected, whoever in the same team with me, lost for the first few of the games ^^; One month without badminton and suddenly everyone was level up to 80. Thanks to Inche and Fendi, we managed to win 2 out of the countless game I had.

After the game, there were two pretty girls came and asked if we want free Red Bull. Of course I said yes!! :D What a refreshing drink after a game :) Apparently they are promoting Red Bull as energy drink. The highlighted that it's made in Europe and kept telling us that it's different brand from the gold color Red Bull sold at Kopitiam. Oh well, whatever free :p I deemed myself lucky to do my comeback on that day.
Free Redbull @ Clementi Sport Hall :D
The renovated food court is now open (amazing how much different a month can make). We wanted to lunch there, but it was too crowded. In the end we went back to our usual kopitiam and I had my favourite pig organ soup :)

Last badminton of the year. See you again next year, Clementi Sport Hall!
ED

Friday, December 28, 2012

Fitness First - Starting All Over Again

To begin is always the hardest part. After a month break from gym, I'm so used to sleeping until 7.30am, I don't know if I will ever be able to wake up at 6am again.

Regardless, I decided to go back to gym this week and this is my records:
- Monday: Afternoon Swim + Body Pump
- Thursday: Afternoon Pilates
- Friday: Evening Body Pump + Body Combat

I failed miserably in waking up in the morning T_T I didn't even really putting an effort to it (how to wake up at 6am when you slept at 2am)? And here is what happened on my first week back to gym:
1) missed the morning bus
2) late for Pilates
3) fought for a spot during body pump
4) accidentally kicked someone during body attack
5) took someone else towel at changing room
6) waited at the lift for a min... before realizing that I didn't press the button

I hope these are really just a beginner syndrome and will go away next year ^^; Got my body fat checked and it's 4% beyond my usual percentage! Die.

Hardwork next year,
ED

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Post Christmas Lunch @ Poulet, Bugis+ & Dessert @ Ah Chew

I had a meet up with Feli during my leave and we decided to go to Bugis+ for lunch. It was 12pm and I found the place was too quiet. Only after few secs I remembered that it’s weekday and other people might actually be working XD That was actually a satisfying feeling :p

We decided to give Poulet a try. My cousin told me that the chicken is very nice, and I happened to read it via ladyironchef as well. The cuisine looks French, but guess what, it’s apparently from the same group as Thai Express ^^;

The restaurant and decoration look quite high end :)
The food was decent and the price was ok. I was actually too engrossed with the food that I forgot to take our usual cousin pics T___T

The Salad De Paris ($9.8++) - only order if you really like grass
Poulet Roti - Whole Chicken ($28.8++) - love the creamy sauce!
Escargot de Bourgogne ($8.8++) - nicely done

The food was decent and the price was ok. I was actually too engrossed with the food that I forgot to take our usual cousin pics T___T

After lunch, we went around Bras Basah looking for cake ingredients. She is leaving for Surabaya the next day and planned to bake something nice at home. That’s so lovely :)

Before departing, she treated me a nice dessert at Ah Chew – one of my favorite dessert restaurants :D I managed to fulfill my craving for yam that day.

Mango Sago ($4) and Yam Sago ($3.5) :D
Merry X’mas cousin, and see you again soon ^^
ED

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Dinner @ Nani’s

When Fendi asked if any of us want to join Nani’s house warming, I took the offer regardless of the location (Pasir Ris!!) It has been awhile since the last time I met up with Fighterz and I don’t want to miss it again :)

Right after our tour at Science Center, we travelled from Jurong East to Pasir Ris. It’s a long journey, but not really that bad when you went along with friends :) Inche and I chatted throughout the journey to the east ^^; We reached just in time for the dinner to start :p

Managed to snap a group pic at the BBQ area before the sky turned pitch black. I had fun catching up with friends on what has been happening over the year.

Fighterz Group Pic!
Fight for the delicious food!
Nicely done dessert :) Thanks Auntie!
Nice biscuits that no one knows how to eat XD
Livia - The name of the Condo! We were at the BBQ Pit area
After dinner, we went back to the flat and did the gift exchange. It was fun to receive gift from people!! I got myself a cute notebook + a set of coaster. Thanks Nani!

The Gifts, ready to be exchanged :)
Happy faces after the gift exchange ^^;
Considering that all of us have to work the next day, we left at around 8.30pm :) The benefit of taking a journey from Pasir Ris is, you’ll surely get a seat at MRT. A very big benefit especially when you stayed at the west :p

Thanks Nani for the hospitality, and hope to meet everyone again next year :D
ED

Christmas @ Science Center

Who on earth will go to Science Center for Christmas? Not many. That’s why we were enjoying ourselves at the one of the few not-so-crowded places in Singapore during Christmas. Thanks to Inche and Fendi, we even got in for free :p

One card to rule them all - Free Pass to Science Center!
It’s either my second time or third time in Science Center, but I know it’s the virgin visit for some of us. Honestly, the center is really huge. Even after several visits, I still find myself amused of what’s in-store in the Center.

The Changing Mirror - The algorithm was actually really accurate.
30 years old Time Capsule! I remember reading about it few months ago
Many faces of human XD
Lonely Albert Einstein, was in the middle of nowhere, so decided to take pic with him
One of their best shows - Fire Tornado!
Group Pic at the Sound Center
Special Performance for Christmas! Full of Chemical knowledge +_+
Group Pic while queuing for the performance
Group Pic at the end of the day :) Missing Tomy :(
We started our journey at around 10am and concluded the same at 4pm - would have stayed for the Imax, but we got another appointment at Pasir Ris… so… till next time!

Learning through Christmas,
ED

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve’s Gathering @ Ryoma’s Den

I have passed the age of “going-to-orchard-for-countdown” around 7 years ago. I prefer to have a gathering at someone’s place anytime. It’s a cheap and effective solution for a real catch-up. You can get as much airtime as you want with your friends without grumpy waiters hushing you away. So, for many years, we have been doing our countdown at friend’s house. This year was no exception :) Ryoma invited us over, and I got really excited as it’s the first time I went there as well ^^;

The host for the day!
She prepared a really nice (and huge portion of) corn soup, salad, turkey, and ham – really can’t think of the need of anything else. Our gathering this time was done over a movie “Step Up Revolution”, as well as a sweet finish with log cake :)

Nyummy Corn Soup! with crunchy bread too!
Never know a salad can taste so good!
What is movie without snacks? :D
The look was way too serious for a dance movie =__=''
Log Cake from Coffee Beans, sponsored by my cousin!
Family Pic :) Merry X'mas all!
Love you all,
ED

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas lunch with Cit @ Tao’s Restaurant, PoMo

I didn’t know this kind of restaurant (&mall!) exist until Cit introduced it to me. It’s located near to Dhoby Ghaut MRT. I really, really love the place. The chinesy name might be a bit misleading – I mean, It does open by Chinese, but the dishes were nowhere representing Chinese cuisine. I would say that it’s a French fine dining at the fraction of the price :)

Tao's Restaurant - Moving soon to Clarke Quay
They offered 6 courses set meal at $25.8++, which made up to less than $30 nett. Without further ado, lets go to the food!

The Menu! They offered 6 course / 7 course menu 
Bacon and Mushroom Gratin - This HAS to be their specialities! It tasted super delicious.
My Salad - Chicken Salad
Cit's Salad - Tao's Signature Fruit Salad
Cit's Drink - Iced Rose Apple Tea, Mine - Iced Summer Peach tea - really refreshing!
Our Soup - Mushroom Soup - up to expectation :)
My Main's - Tao's Signature BBQ Pork Ribs - Full with meat!!
Cit's Main - Sirloin Steak with Brown Mushroom Sauce
My Dessert - Creme Brule, Cit's Dessert - Tiramisu
Thanks Cit for introducing such a lovely restaurant :) Had fun catching up and eating. And Thanks so much for the lovely Christmas biscuits, which went to my tummy before I remember to snap a pic of its existence :$

Leaving the place with happy face :D

Wish to find more gems like this next year!
ED