And 2017 ends in December
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
Starting off with a notice - I'm trying to update my blog at a fixed time every month, which will be from the 1st to 3rd, so keep a look out for that!
End November to early December contained a wealth of surprises, among which was that my long lost cousin from Shanghai, Kimberley or Zhang Jin which she is known, came to Singapore for a three week long holiday, mostly as a sabbatical and also to work on her novel/writing.
The way I found out in itself was pretty comical. She happened to bump into some issues while in the country before Singapore (she was doing a tour of SEA) and had to meet my parents urgently at the end of November. One day on the way to work my mom was like, "Oh by the way your cousin is in town and your dad and I met her. You should talk to her on WeChat and show her around Singapore!" My first reaction was - what?! I have a cousin from that side of the family? And two, she was always just a thumbnail in our mega family WeChat group and now we finally meet.
So we connected on WeChat and hit it off straight away. I knew we were going to get along when she mentioned that she was looking for a cheap hair salon to get her hair washed on Orchard Road...
So for our first meet I decided to take her to one of my favourite cafe-restaurants along Keong Saik - Potato Head Folk!
Took some street shots with the Sony RXII - here you can see The Pinnacle looming above the shophouses.
This street is full of establishments with a certain sort of atmosphere - very laid back yet buzzing with the excitement of the patrons within. It was here where I met Kimberley face-to-face for the first time.
We were laughing at each other because we sounded like we were interviewing each other when we first met, asking about our work, love and family lives all within the first 15 minutes.
Recommended the Baby Huey and Burning Man burgers, which are the items Potato Head Folk is known for. Sandwiched between its succulent beef patties are sour slaw, jalapeno peppers and all sorts of other goodness. It was the smell of a great night. Further on, we hightailed to Dunlop where a friend's restaurant (or Mexican dive bar) was holding its first anniversary party.
This was the scene when we entered. The party was in full swing at Chimichanga! As a PSA, they do comedy nights, live theatre, lobster weekend brunches and all sorts of fun events themed around their Mexican food. Best of all, their excellent steak is just $18 - a steal considering the favour and texture of the dish.
Introducing Kim/ZJ to "Singaporean" bars, which in this case meant international-themed F&B outlets. We were having a ball of a time!
By chance, we bumped into KK there. Nice to see Stace after not meeting for so long.
It's just our luck that they were having one-for-one margaritas.
Say cheese!
A quick photo before the perennial favourite...
Finally took Kim to Zouk for a spin of the place.
As usual, their displays were greatly on par. Have to wait 20min to get service at the bar? Stare at the psychedelic LED screens behind the bar then, ain't even mad.
As a sort of tradition so dictates "One must buy a Zouk newcomer either Flaming Lambos or Sour Plum shots upon entry", and honouring this time-worn but unspoken tradition, I bought Kim the former and filmed the whole thing. (I love seeing people's reaction to Flaming Lambos when they try it for the first time.)
One week later, BL joined us for a Bao cousin's girls night out. We started the night with red snapper steamboat at a Bugis outlet. Apparently this resto has been serving customers for 11 years!
Walked around Bugis and decided to bring Kim around to the Bugis Street Market. Was actually planning on going shopping but we ended up at a cat cafe instead...
Went to visit Kim's apartment, which was a really nice one room suite at a condo in town. Messed around with Snow and a couple of other filter apps.
It's amazing how much fun girls can have with a bluetooth remote and a mobile phone!
Presenting to you these masterpieces we took using FaceU.
Met Kim during lunch and brought her to one of my favourite lunch places. I think most of you who've read my blog would know that I frequent A Poke Theory a lot. I do hope it sticks around in 2018 as the poke fever dies down.
Was out with Jules one of these days and we were having Korean food and beer. We invited Kim to join and ended up at the exchange. To think of it she's the first family member to ever meet J irl.
Following lunch and that night out, the third "official" time meeting her, and it was with the whole fambam:
With mom, dad, BJ, uncle as well.
This was us back then. It's me on the left and BL on the right.
First time I met Kimberley lolol. It was at my aunt's wedding where
1) I threw a tantrum and forced myself into the bridal car (hey I was 6)
2) My brother fell asleep during the wedding and only had 2 prawn heads to eat after he woke up because everyone else finished the food
3) I gathered the children around and narrated fairy tales like Snow White to them (Kim says this is the first memory she had of me)
Safe to say I was a mess from years 1-23 lol
Us now. Feel old yet?
The girls along with our strapping young hunk BJ.
The Christmas decorations were in full swing by then.
Dinner was at BaliThai - at Kim's request to have some southeast asian food. The dishes I enjoyed the most were the tender grilled chicken, green and red curries. Also the mango sticky rice.
We then adjourned to Gelare for some good ol' waffles and ice cream. The talk was about family and current affairs. My heart was full just spending time around everyone.
The three girls then spent some time at Wine Connection at Cuppage, gossiping about boys and the like.
Finally it was time for us to send Kim off to her next adventure, which was her friend's wedding in Chiang Mai. Sent her off at the airport not feeling sad but more glad that I've made a lasting connection with her in her <1 month in Singapore.
The other stuff: Saying that Kim's arrival in Singapore was just one of the highlights is a testament to how busy Decembers can be.
Met KM for our long overdue Employee's Only meetup. Been raving about this place since the first time we met at 2016 and now we finally got to it after a year.
Had the battered prawns, tostaditas (open-faced tacos) and cocktails.
If you come here you must have the New York fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake. It's not even on the menu but those who know it... know. The best way I could describe its texture is like eating a firm, mousse-like cloud of a cake,
Had the opportunity of meeting one of my favourite Buzzfeed YouTubers while he was in town - Steven Lim! His meet-and-greet was at Funan Showsuite and boy was the queue crazy. Queued for what felt like 30-45min before I got this photo with him. He was so sweet because he wanted everyone in the queue to take a photo with him and not cut off anyone so he stayed until the end.
Afterward, had a dinner which I thought was light, but turns out I sort of over-ordered. The bamboo clams were so fresh and succulent! I definitely recommend if not for the price.
Met the babes at Tang Marriott for afternoon tea next. Talked a lot about Ming's upcoming wedding and discussed all sorts of things pertaining to that.
I also got a haircut. I've been going to this Japanese hair salon called Risel Hair and Make. It's really value-for-money! And the stylists are very good. I got the world's most elaborate hair wash and massage here.
Afterwards.
The light was really good because there were golden fairy lights lying around.
My other to-go salon is Hair Talk at Chevron House. Look for Danson while you're there! He's from a renowned hair salon opened by Mediacorp artistes, called Monsoon, and used to be a hairstylist for movie actors and actresses before moving to this salon. I definitely got a steal getting my hair done by him.
Also took time out to get my eyebrows embroidered. They did not come cheap but it's definitely one of the best decisions I've made beauty-wise in 2017. Also permed my eyelashes. With these two semi-permanent makeup done, I now don't need to spend so much effort getting ready. I can even waltz into work without makeup (because my brows look perpetually drawn and my eyelashes now look like falsies) After 3 weeks I've to say my brows are much more natural looking and my eyelashes are still quite perky. The former can last for 2 years while the latter can last up to 3 months.
Boat Quay is one of my favourite hangouts nowadays for its proximity to where I work and its variety of bars and restaurants.
In 2017, I was really into charcuterie platters like this one. Waxed meats, hams and prosciutto are some of my favourite things, along with creamy cheeses.
We all need a little bit more love in this coming new year.
It was my first time at Chatterbox in December as well. I guess it's an occasion thing, where you come here to hang out once in a while... Chicken rice always tastes similar to me whenever you go. (Am I being blasphemous here?)
Chilled out at Sushi Bar after one of my facial sessions at Ngee Ann City. I always order the scallop carpaccio and a retinue of sashimi dishes. They're extremely good. I also went to Hokkaido Sushi at M Hotel, which I couldn't get pictures of because my phone died. Had the most exquisite sashimi there - toro, otoro, the works.
Christmas eve is next and I was out with Ming and T, who's also in Ming's bridesmaid's entourage. Took them to none other than EO for their drinks and food once again.
Had the Ramly burger, pasta and quarter roasted chicken with their cheesecake yet again. (I've a feeling I'm going to keep on introducing the cheesecake month after month because it's. That. Good.)
Went to Get Juiced after. Made the horrible mistake of wearing heels, which resulted in toes feeling like they're fracturing the whole night. I used to be able to do this - so what gives?! Age is no kind master. Anyway GJ is a very awesome new bar with a cool, cashless concept. The bar staff don't take orders, you order through digital displays or an app, get a queue number, and collect your drink at the bar when your number is shown on a TV screen. Kind of like a hospital or MacDonalds.
Jagerbombs are the drink du jour! Ended the night with smushed toes, aching ankles and 4am sleepy faces after ringing in Christmas.
Christmas dinner was spent having steamboat at BL's. Had a lot of fun playing Psych! It's hilarious and practically the best party game for small groups.
The next day, I went to run some errands before the 27th, which was a mega day for me in terms of friend's appointments. Shuttled around town, first to find a specific gift I wanted to buy, but could because it was sold out at one outlet and the other was closed by the time I reached. (It's a humidifier/scent atomizer from Japan Home. It's really good, I have two, one for my room and the other for my office). Also managed to squeeze in Japan IPL and retouching my roots so it was a fruitful day.
The afternoon started out with Joy and Charms @ 328 Katong Laksa. Ended off with another Psych! sesh and visiting C's bf at his workplace which also doubles up as a community work spot.
In between I had time to go home, change and then hightail to Sephora for my 5pm free makeover. My makeup was amazing that day because it lasted through dinner, drinks and post-drinks inside of a smokey bar without budging or smudging (except for the lipstick). It's all because of the it (it's a brand) pore minimizing and anti-oil primer. I've used a lot of primers before but I've to say this one is life changing. It gives your face a 3D "blurring" look where it covers your imperfections from beneath your foundation or BB cream, and smooths out your complexion while making sure whatever you layer on top of the primer stays on the whole night. Spritz on Urban Decay's long lasting makeup setting spray and your makeup can last for more than 12 hours.
Met the CSC bunnies next! We've writers, teachers, journalists, doctors amongst our midst. It's incredibly humbling what my friends get up to within the short span of a few years.
Had Mexican food at Moustachio at Cuppage Terrace.
Next, skedaddled to drinks at... You guessed it, EO's for the third time this month, this time with the Rebels/Jerichians. We did a mini-Secret Santa as well.
The night ended at Lulu's with Cher. I've to say it's like a younger version of EO, with souped up acoustics, like a live band before 10pm, and a live saxophonist complementing the music after.
28th, BL texted me and we were on our way to check out Cow Play Cow Moo at Suntec City Mall. It was my first time here I think? I was under the impression that we'd be playing the shooting or co-op games but quickly realised it's more about the slot games. In a blink of an eye, we were addicted to the coin pushing machine and the fruit wheel-of-fortune game.
And for my $30 worth of coins, I got 4715 tickets to show for it and I exchanged it for some snacks. :( Not the most fulfilling way to end the day due to the investment-reward payout ratio but on hindsight, actually had a ball of a time trying the machines. Definitely a good way to destress (or get even more stressed?) after a long day at work of if you don't have anything else to do for the day.
Hung out with Jules at TBC on the 30th. This was my first time tasting a Bloody Mary! TBC makes good ones because they use premium tomato puree and black pepper. Sadly Bloody Mary's sound great in my head when I order them but they don't taste anything like what I think they should. (Waaait a minute... I'm thinking about carrot juice instead of tomato juice... whelp, moving on...)
Had some delicious noms here including the oysters, a coconut, burger and rosemary chicken. Would have been much better if it were sunny though. The gloomy and wet weather kind of damped the mood a little.
I like this quote but this is really not my shade of lippie.
New Year's at C and D's! Had a ball of a time. This was just yesterday. Made a lot of new friends and drank so much Moscato and Champagne. I think I'll do a New Year's Resolution's post in another separate entry? Not sure what I'd write there though as I'm not much of a resolution maker.
It's the first day of work tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it! New year new tidings as they say. Anyway this was a monster round up post so please excuse the typos as I don't have the time to go over them as yet. I'm thinking of working up a regular post schedule - I'll promise to post at the start of every month from now on! That's the 1st to the 3rd the be exact. So till next time~ Toodleloo.
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