Growing up in the 1990s, BSB played a big part in my teenage years and it was a life-long dream to ever catch them live and perform all my favourite classics!
Helpp.
This moving, it’s proving itself much larger than I thought I could handle. When I thought this is the nth time I have moved, or lived alone abroad many times, how is that possible this time is so so horrible.
Perhaps it is the fact I actually own a place now, every little thing (from furniture, fittings, downright to the fucking small towel hook in the washrooms) has to be done. Add all of the above with a bursting budget, I died.
I have handled numerous tough projects at work, but this personal project has just proved itself to be the toughest yet. For some reason, I also feel very very alone in this process- and I am about to explode.
Ah, work. Does it help I am starting at a brand new client site at this time? A new project, new people, new game plan. The computer screens I see are different, the mouse I hold doesn’t feel the same, the people I talk to are different- every damn thing has to be learnt and re-learned again.
Now you think- why are you so dumb to clash everything all in your life at once. To be honest, no idea. Things happened, and life does have its way of getting to you. I just pray for a lot of strength at this time.
“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”
This year, the wanderlust in me took on a very odd streak. Rather hitting on new countries I’ve never seen, I kept going back to a city over and over again. Perhaps my third trip in 7 months, or is it a fourth?! I lost count 
Time flies, it’s August. Before we know, more than half the year is gone. I thought it apt to do a major throwback of this time last year, for the nation’s most epic celebration- the SG50.
Gary was too kind to extend an invite for a pot luck at his place.
We had great views all at the privacy of his place.
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The long weekend also meant my family and I got to spend some time at the Botanics Garden. Given the free admission thanks to SG50 efforts, why not.
I don’t know why this is not a place we visit often, but I remember really enjoying the slow slow walk amidst nature that morning. I made a mental note to re-visit with hopefully a lesser crowd next time.
The day concluded with bringing them to dinner at the Esplanade and taking an evening stroll along Singapore’s skyline. The Fullerton Hotel was majestically lit in celebration of the SG50. We even managed to catch some fireworks at the Bay Area which was a total surprise.
Come 9 August this year, Singapore turns 51. I’ve always seen myself a world citizen, but will never forget where I grew up. Happy Birthday, Singapore.
When I first saw a picture on Karmakamet in Bangkok, I knew I had to be there someday.
Part aromatic shop, part cafe, entering the secret world of Karmakamet Diner is an experience in itself. This place is stunning. Every detailing in its decor is well-thought without trying too hard. She is beyond gorgeous.
Of course I had to have a go at the Instagram-famous strawberry shortcake, the balloon of cotton candy that got everyone’s attention. Once in a while, we forgot the existence of cotton candy and lollipops, of how being a kid feels like.
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And then there was Everyday by Karmakamet. Though not as glamorous and over-the-top decorated as her bigger sister, this lifestyle shop is a place I spent hours at. Just staring at shelves of all sorts of nonsense they sell.
From stationery to aromatics, to having a cuppa at the community table, this small space has so much going on at the same time.
Messy, distinct, yet harmonious. The Karmakamet concept is definitely one classy act.
“I think the whole world is one big machine. And machines never come with any extra parts. They always come with the exact amount they are needed. So I think if the entire world is one big machine, I can not be an extra part. I have to be here for some reasons. And that means you have to be here for some reasons too.”
Tonight, I got back onto the mat.
It’s been a 1.5 years hiatus since the last I attempted anything yoga. It’s easy to get comfortable, lazing into a day-to-day routine and neglecting any sort of fitness routine.
What I found easy in the past is actually now really difficult. “Be still” was constantly echoed by my instructor, to simply stay still and have an awareness of all corners of our physical and mental self. Did life got too hectic along the way? I am by nature a hasty person. My fidgety self forgot how to stay focused in moments, to stay centred amidst difficult poses, to maintain an elegance in chaos.
During class, the instructor also shared the dangers of getting into comfort zones which I found deeply relevant. Sometimes, we choose to stay in circumstances we don’t like simply because we are too comfortable to get out of it. Be it people, our jobs or in life.
Skipping yoga classes simply got too comfortable for me. I’m glad to have found this journey again. Namaste.
When it comes to alcohol, it’s almost always irresistible for me. But I could never pick a favourite of them all. I go from whisky, to beers, to gin, and back to beer, season to season.
That is, until the evening I had a first sip of this blue-hued potion at The Speakeasy Bar in Bangkok. The one that started it all. 
To consume the Aviation is an experience. From the sight of its bluish-purplish hues, to the sense of how smooth it feels down the throat, to that lingering scent of floral finished off with the sweetness of maraschino cherry at the end. Magic.
It got me reading up about the individual components of its ingredients to great detail. And the reading got more and more out of hand.
Soon, I was in the world of Old-fashions and Negronis. And then I learnt about the Prohibition Era, the days of Speakeasies, and the Savoy Cocktail Book. (I even enrolled into BarSmarts!, but umm. Work beckons)
I hunted down for this same taste in Singapore, bar after bar. Unfortunately, Rothman & Winters creme de violet is a very tough find and does not create the same tastes in the local bars.
I soon learn the cocktail culture is more than just a drink. And went speakeasy hunting with an obsession.
Nutmeg & Clove
The Spiffy Dapper
28HKS
Also the likes of Sugarhall, Ah Sam, Gibson and Flagship.
My latest visit to The Ironfairies in Bangkok is my newest addition to the list of bars I personally favour. 
“Love that is not madness, is not love.” -Pedro Calderon
So, ever since I started at my client’s site eight months ago, I’ve gotten into this odd habit of snapping an OOTD at the lift when I’m alone.
Odd indeed. But I’ve accumulated quite some nonsense pictures over time, and a realisation of the boring colours I wear to work.
Happy Monday!
This is my third trip to Japan, and my favourite one yet. For one, this trip I planned for nothing. All I had was a hotel room under my name and a ticket in hand.
I touched down to days of rain, followed by beautiful sunshine in the days after. I’ve met people I least expected to and have had meals and conversations with them.
Too lucky to have coincided with Prisc and her sister this trip, and an chicken omakase meal at Birdland. Her sister taught us all about snapchats and she’s great at taking pictures for me. 🙂
Endless shopping and good food everyday sure makes for a happy girl.
Trying to live like a local by visiting the local bath houses almost everyday. This picture may not show much, but thanks to my lack of Internet connectivity and maps, I had a hard hard time locating a very easy-to-get-to sento! #achievementunlocked
In the weeks before I flew, I was also immensely caught up with one of the Japanese dramas. The show was shot on location at the Nikko Hotel and I went all the way to Daiba area just to ‘take a look’. Given the time and liberty to do things as and when I want to, for no reason, was sheer luxury to me.
Winding down to desserts and drinks at Henri Charpentier for the evening, was another sheer luxury to me. Perhaps it’s age, but I appreciate slow quality evenings now a lot more, and still tucked into bed by 11. This I find very hard to achieve in Singapore.
Ah, the days of waking up to sunshine and doing nothing. No 9am, no meetings, no emails. I love waking up to mornings like this.
jingle.jangle 