Hello ah belle! I saw this pic and thought of you!
How cool is this?
Trust the innovative Japanese to come up with the idea of square watermelons to save precious space in claustrophobic Tokyo. Hahahaha
Archive for December, 2008
Xmas Day dinner & gifts!
I arranged for a damn last-min Xmas dinner with a couple of friends on Polly’s rooftop. She has very generously allowed me to use it and I’ve to say, I continue to get awestruck by the loveliness of the rooftop and its view!
The rooftop and its view captivated the guests.
Matt bought a chicken (couldn’t get turkey!) and prepared fruit platters. He also got A LOT of beers. He bought about 15 bottles the first night and Saraid (Matt’s friend who stayed with us during the same period as Matt was around) bought about another 15 bottles the next trip to City Super.
While they were contemplating what to get, I started to feel bored but when Saraid mentioned we should get beer bottles with nice packaging so I could keep them as vases, I had a rekindled interest in what beers they were getting. And I was happy that they went along with my form-over-function decisions.
But now, I have 12 bottles and cans of beer in my flat. What the hell am I gonna do with them? I would never drink alcohol on my own accord. Gimme my School Bus anytime. Matt was happy though. “Just wait till the next time I get there!” So much for his new year resolution of not drinking…
We were out on Kowloon on Christmas Eve when my colleague Louise called and we had a quick chat. She told me there were a lot of pressies waiting for me on my desk and she got me so excited that I asked Matt and Saraid if I could go to the office to pick up my pressies. And there were six of them! I was such a happy bunny.
We then checked out Fitness First in Harbour City. It has a great view of the harbour and there was even a Fitness First Spa! Matt then spotted a cigar store and browsed for one to puff on during Xmas. How uncle. I kept asking him if his mouth’s gonna smell bad but I guess we were sorta even cos I took many puffs as well – only to have the thrill of seeing smoke coming out of my mouth, which I didn’t manage to at all. Sucks.
How very jang-ster. Matt channelling the Italian-mafia blood in him.
It was a simple but really nice Xmas gathering. Ray, Alvin, Lita & her friend, Mark, Joshua and Zi Kang all came but Esther and fiance didn’t manage to cos she was run down. There were about 10 of us and it was a nice number. I made them played Taboo for a bit, which turned out to be so much fun. Ray, Alvin and Zi Kang were damn good lah! Matt was just good at cheating.
It was nice to see Mark in HK and we managed to catch up a little bit. He’s always such a sweetheart, always concerned about his friends. He told me, “I got quite scared seeing the way Matt drank!” and I was “Huh, really?” cos honestly, he didn’t drink that much. I think. I just brushed off his concern, saying, “Aussies lah.”
And while Josh and Zi Kang were around, I called Sue knowing that Daph was at her place and Karen so they could all catch up a bit and say “Merry Xmas!”
Matt, Saraid and Mark.
Hee, I must have been a good girl this year cos I got loads of pressies from everyone and these are what I got from the girls:
From ah belle! I can't figure out where to put these lights yet! Maybe in the office...
A spastic gift, amongst a few others, from Bern. I'm using the cup cover now and it's totally cute! It looks like I have an apple in my cup. hehehe
Teapot, cup & saucer set from Pomelo! It's so pretty and precious... I love it so!
Another gift, amongst many others, from my tech bf. How loves! She thought of my skinny cold feet in HK. I'm totally loving them and wearing them everywhere in the flat. I think they make my calves look slim.
And from myself:
A little pouch from LeSportsSac, which was 50% off the original price cos my makeup pouch's zip is totally screwed.
And from Saraid and Matt:
A ceramic heater from Rowenta! I shall no longer freeze during winter in HK!
Macaroons from Saraid, which was for all three of us. Soooo yummy but so ex!
Matt also paid for my ticket to Cirque Du Soleil in Macau. And, erm, everything that needed to be paid for during his 5 days here. Thanks baby! You know I have to pay rent right? hehe
And then more Godiva and Royce chocolates from Lita and a few colleagues. And more chocolate bars with fancy packaging from City Super from myself. So many chocolates – so stoked! But can’t have any now. Want to be completely well in two days’ time for New Year Eve and the weekend that follows!
;)
Matt & my 1st Xmas
So the days I had so looked forward to came and went. Sigh. Time really flies when you’re having fun. I picked Matt up at the Airport Express station and grinned as I saw him. He was actually wearing a jumper and sneakers! What a rare sight from his usual singlet, boardies and flip flops.
He was excited about seeing my flat for himself and I was happy when he was going through every hook and cranny. And seeing him in my flat – it definitely makes the place felt more like home.
He was impressed at how I’ve quickly turned the place into a cosy home and as he said it looked like I’d stayed there much longer than two weeks!
It was a nice and simple first day. I brought him around the neighbourhood and first place was Cafe O where the School Bus smoothie had also very quickly became Matt’s fave smoothie of all times.
We then popped down to Pure Fitness. See where Matt’s priority lies – he would get a tour of every gym in HK if he could. After a quick tour of the gym in Soho, the sales manager gave us a three-day pass each and guess what, I went to the gym two consecutive days for the first time in three years (not the consecutive part, just the whole gym part).
Pure Fitness on Xmas Day. Yes, we went to the gym on Xmas Day! -_-
It was good being able to go to the gym with Matt as he could customise the workouts I should do, given my scoliosis – to strengthen my core and the other parts I want to define. It’s like having my personal trainer for free! Woot!
So by the next day, I was aching EVERYWHERE. I found out I had muscles I never knew existed. And it’s NOT GOOD when you stay at the Mid-Levels and you have to go down the bloody slopes. OH GAWD. But surprisingly, they were all gone by the third day. It normally takes me a week to stop aching. I must be doing something right?
As usual, the gym was dominated by males. And while I was doing my own exercises, I kpo-ed and looked around. I mean, that’s natural right? And those guys who grunted and groaned when they lifted the weights, gawd, it’s so funny! I had to look away to stop myself from bursting out from laughter.
Thank God Matt doesn’t do that. It could really be a turn off. I actually enjoyed how I felt after the gym sessions so much that I kinda miss going now. I know right, coming from me. O_o
As I had hoped, Matt was completely charmed by the neighbourhood. Just like mine, his fave part was the quaint restaurants everywhere. He also like how he could potentially see the Mid-Levels slopes as a good workout facilitator. That I don’t agree.
After a trip to the supermarket for grocery shopping (where Matt bought like 10 diff types of beers just cos they cost just an average of S$2 per 500ml bottle), I made a Chinese dinner for us. Matt was impressed that I’m eating healthier and saving money by cooking at home regularly. I’ve to say, I’m pretty impressed myself. But what to do! Have to take care of myself and pay rent every month!!!
We also went shopping for the flat and it’s nice seeing how Matt has suggestions for this and that. He also bought numerous stuff for the house. I like how involved he is, definitely feels like I don’t leave alone. Although I do, technically. :(
It was so good, having him around. Just him and me doing simple things together. Cuddled up into bed, trying to warm up under the doona and watching The Love Guru together. The next evening, we ushered in Christmas quietly on Polly’s rooftop. It was so beautiful, peaceful and may I just say, romantic. :) I had my jazzy Christmas tunes playing on my MacBook and it felt like a date.
We then spent the next morning haunting for a good breakie place and found one which I forgot the name. Food’s great but smoothie’s still not as good as Cafe O’s.
We’ve also finally dined at the Vietnamese/Thai restaurant in IFC Mall called Lian. Yipee! Great food but relatively expensive and the service was only so-so.
Matt left this morning and damnit, I hate separation. I can never stop the sniffles and tears from coming but no denial that it does get easier every time. But still can’t help feeling sad and sore on the way back home. :(
Every time Matt and I spent time together, it’s so hard not to fall for him a little deeper. He dotes on me so and spoils me silly. It does always make me feel really loved when he does the smallest stuff for me. I could get used this. But a part of me likes it when I’m all alone, my independence makes me feel anything is possible. I love that I get to enjoy both extremes and I hope I don’t ever take either of them for granted.
I should really get to bed if I wanna beat this cold of mine and prevents it from turning into flu. Sigh.
Hope you had a blast for Christmas and hope the new year will be even better! :)
Waxing in Hong Kong
I went for my first waxing experience in HK at Nude this evening and I’m glad to report that it didn’t turn out too bad. In fact, I was quite impressed. The therapists speak impeccable English, they have the latest international women’s magazines to entertain waiting customers and I love the cosy interiors and lounge music they play.
I signed up for a buy-2-get-1-free package so that costs me S$50 for each treatment. Pretty good! Given how its closest rival, Sense of Touch costs about S$80 per treatment! I’ll try Sense of Touch next time just to have a comparison.
In terms of the pain factor, it’s the same as Strip in Singapore where no matter how used to waxing I am, it still hurts for that moment when they stripped off the wax strip. However, my benchmark for the ultimate no-pain salon is Honeypot in Singapore.
I’ve been to Honeypot twice and honestly, it surprises me how painless it is every single time. At Strip, I would have to ask the therapists to remind me when I need to breathe in and out but at Honeypot, I would be like “just do it!”
I was chatting to my therapist, Bingo (O_o), and she said hardly any local goes to them as the Hong Kongers don’t have a waxing culture. I told her it’s just a matter of education as Singaporeans didn’t know the hygiene of waxing as well. At the back of my mind, I thought the whole Edison’s sex videos would scare the local women into waxing after seeing how scary what’s-her-name’s bush was.
Anyhow, Nude is at:
- 17/F Soho Square, 21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central (this is the one I went to)
- 9/F Vic House, 4-6 On Lan Street, Central (this one is very new, only 2-week-old!)
WGSN’s 10th anniversary video
About three months ago, the company had a videographer and photographer in the office to take pictures and videos for WGSN’s 10th anniversary global project.
Everyone said something to the camera about what inspires them and I said my piece too and guess what, I’m the only staff from the HK team to appear on the video.
Click on the short 6-min clip to see how bimbotic I sound. Gawd. Everyone’s all smart and savvy and all I said was, “I like… kaleidoscopes.” O_o
“Creative Intelligence – a short film about WGSN and what creative intelligence means to us.”
The simple but enjoyable weekend
It was a simple but enjoyable weekend. But a big part of me suspects the wonderful weather has a big part to play. Anyhow, on Friday evening, all my outstanding work for ’08 were done and submitted and I went to bed, satisfied and happy.
I woke up at noon on Saturday to Matt’s sms, got up and went for my usual (it’s becoming a regular weekend thing!) all-day breakie at Cafe-O with my work laptop. I sent out a few emails for work and researched on pilates studios in Central. I found 3, wrote down the addresses and made a mental note to check out all 3 places.
I then walked down the road to Japan Home, grabbed some more stuff for the flat, lugged the bulky stuff home without attempting to hail a cab. I then cleared the flat some more, hoping to make it as presentable as possible by the time Matt arrives next week.
By the time I was done, I was wondering what else to do. I suddenly felt lost that my flat was as done up as it could possibly be and all my work assignments were completed. I didn’t know what to do. I was free and I actually didn’t quite the feeling. I mean, I like how I wasn’t burdened by anything in my mind but it just felt so aimless. If only I have all my jewellery material with me, at least I could churn out a few pieces for myself. :/
My boredom made me sleepy and I took a 90-min nap before meeting Polly for a Thai dinner in the neighbourhood. We then met one of her friends for drinks and called an early night at midnight.
Woke up today to meet Ray and Esther for lunch in the neighbourhood. I really love how convenient it is to stay at the Mid-Levels! And I still haven’t gotten sick of coming down the steep slope and having all the sights and people to take in every day.
We had lunch at a cha chan ting that was apparently quite famous but Ray and I were not too impressed. But well, at least it was cheap. We then went to On Lan Street cos Ray needed to find a gift at Commes des Garcon. Nothing interesting so we popped into the Martin Margiela store next door. Loving the decor. Ray and I stepped out into the balcony on the top floor and imagined we were king and queen, greeting our ‘people’.
I also managed to check out a pilates studio called Iso Fit at D’Aguilar Street with them in tow. The studio was closed due to the festive period but we managed to look into the interior and I’m loving the way it looks! Gonna come back in the new year.
I’m not sure why but I found myself constantly in laughter with Ray and Esther together. They are such great fun. We did spastic stuff and said spastic things and were just very tickled by everything we saw.
We also spied two TVB vans along Wellington Street and I spotted this dude who always act as the villain in drama series! I squeaked excitedly to Ray and Esther and they both got really enthusiastic about it as well. At one point, famous ‘villain’ was walking next to me and I told Esther how I should pretend to take a self-portrait but would conveniently include him in my pic as well.
Seriously. TVB stars are running rampant in HK. I see them everywhere! This is only my 5th month in HK and I’ve already had four sightings of them. But as I agreed with Esther and Ray, all of them don’t matter when none of them is Tony (Leung lah. Who else.). Sigh. Carina, stop keeping him to yourself already!
Noticed how Ray had a different hairstyle and I had a different outfit from earlier on. hahahaa
We then took the tram to Causeway Bay for further gifts hunting. Shortly after, Char gave me a call. The ‘sum part’ girl is in town with Alwyin and I honoured my promise of bringing her for a tasting of ‘my’ condensed milk toast. So to Tsui Wah we went. And both her and Alwyin had the reactions which I so love from converting first-timers to my beloved condensed milk toast.
Char was going on about how she was doubtful of my rave but I brushed her off, saying I was so confident of my beloved I didn’t have to defend it. She would know when she tasted it and she had to eat her words after. hahahaah
We then went to G.O.D. where she and Alwyin went gaga like how I did. She so sweetly bought me the doormat I’ve been hankering after as a Christmas gift. I went home and immediately put it down next to my new Christmas plant and took pics:
I told Char how cool my plant was. That the leaves are red when the weather’s cold and turn yellow when it’s warm and that girl, in all her directness, said, “Huh, it just means that it’s dying right!” And I was “oh.” -_-
My poor cheapo Ikea doormat was brushed aside to be placed outside the elevator instead. So now my neighbour gets to enjoy the use of it too. How considerate of me. It’s nice though cos each level only has two flats so it does kinda feel like it’s a lift to apartment feeling.
I also managed to get myself a HK mobile contract. I was good and didn’t sign up for a new phone, just a new plan. So for as little as S$46, I get to call back to SG for 500 minutes and still get another 500 minutes of local calls every month. Woot!
Tomorrow, I’m gonna deactivate my SG number and only activate it again when I’m back in SG. Hopefully, that will save me from my exorbitant bills from my SG number since I arrived in HK.
I got home to Skype with Matt and Matt was trying to ask my mum to help with something and it always amuse me endlessly seeing them trying to communicate with each other. Funny!
I also had a quick chat with Mum and she told me how Sue called her so she could bring over the Xmas pressies the girls have for me so Matt could bring to HK for me. Mum was saying how Sue told her, “Hello auntie! I’m Yi Lian’s friend. The one who looks like a Malay but is Chinese, remember?” HAHAHAHAHA
Damn spastic but a good one cos that’s exactly how my mum managed to remember her. hahahahahahahah
Am looking forward to the coming week! But not the week after. :( Darn Sue and Karen. Liars! Now I’ll be spending NY alone. :(
Matt’s got a stalker
I would have termed her as an admirer but after analysing the situation, she’s definitely a stalker – but at least not a scary one. Yet.
It first started about 3 weeks ago during the time I just returned to SG. Matt got dropped off an Oreo cheesecake (his fave, other than carrot cake) and a cup of coffee from Dome at his clinic. Alongside was a note that said, “Just like the way you like them.”
He reckoned it was from me. I would have gotten him the cheesecake but not the sweet coffee as I know that boy likes his flat white. So, it was just a harmless cake and coffee, no biggie. But the question is, how the hell does she know he likes Oreo cheesecake?!?! Matt swore he didn’t tell any random chick about it but then again, that boy’s memory is as good as the goldfish’s so I wouldn’t trust him on that.
According to the receptionist at the clinic, it was a Chinese girl so he thought it was me.
Then the week after, I went to wait for him to knock off and he showed me this painting he got. It was a small B4-sized oil on canvas painting of a foot. A very kids’ kinda drawing so I thought it was a grateful patient. Till I turned the painting over and read the back.
It went something along the lines like “your words of encouragement gave me hope and faith”, “you’re my one true love” and “you’re amazing!”
And I completely went O_o, WTF?!?!
He laughed and said he got it when he went over to his regular Subway haunt to grab lunch. Now, this boy goes to Subway like once every two days. So, this stalker/admirer is either a patient who had obviously followed him to Subway (his clinic’s at Tanglin Shopping Centre and Subway’s at Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade!) or a staff at Subway who’d followed him back to the clinic.
IT’S SO FREAKY!!!
It’s been two weeks since and she hasn’t came up with a new gift. Either she’s found a new love or she’s trying to top the previous painting and poetry attempt.
The thing about Matt’s job is that he’s gotten random patients asking him out (straight or not straight alike) or patients trying to match make him with their daughters, nieces or friends.
There was this particular local journo at ST who goes to him pretty regularly and kept asking him to meet this friend of hers. Matt kept telling her he already has a girlfriend but she just wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and had even ‘introduced’ them via email! I find it utterly disrespectful. Just cos he helps your feet get better doesn’t mean you need to give him a relative/friend or yourself to thank him, you know?!?!
Ok, rant over. Seriously.
This and that
Remember how my blender got ‘stolen’ during the company Xmas party? Yesterday, two colleagues chipped in to get me one! Philips one some more! WOOT! I was so absolutely stoked and couldn’t stop grinning for a while. :D
Another colleague got me a bowl and spoon from G.O.D. I’m just a sucker for G.O.D. It doesn’t matter what’s inside, as long as it’s from G.O.D., I’ll be happy!
Anyway, the house’s coming together more nicely now. I’ve finally put up the main curtains in all the rooms, after getting the curtain rods earlier. Also got a metal shelf for my water cooler, which also arrived this evening. Absolutely, absolutely stoked! Now I can drink my hot tea in this nice, cold weather.
It was funny cos throughout the entire evening, I was cooking and fixing stuff around the flat with Matt on Skype with me the entire time. He saw it when I was shouting hysterically at the jumping garlic on the hot oil and he saw it too when my curtains kept falling off the rods when I was trying to get them up on my own. He was just laughing and I was like, “All you do is sit there and look!” And he said, “But what do you want me to do?!” hahaahahaha
It was a nice evening cos I finally left the office before 11pm, at 6pm actually! That’s cos I was ‘forced’ out of the office – having to be home by 7pm and was still ambitious enough to pop over to Ikea at Causeway Bay to get the home stuff.
Thank God the delivery guys were a bit toot about the directions so in the end, I managed to get home by 7:30pm and still had time to go down to pick up the laundry while waiting for them.
And being able to speak to Matt (not constantly lah. Where got so much energy to keep talking) for close to 4 hours on Skype. It’s nice cos today’s our 9th month anniversary and I guess this is the closest we can get to spending it together.
Meanwhile, I can’t believe what a klutz I am sometimes. Two mornings ago, I was walking to the office when I felt my right boot felt a bit odd. And as I was crossing the road, my right leg suddenly felt shorter and lighter. I looked down and behind me and the ENTIRE sole of the right side fell off and was on the road behind me!!!
Gawd! It’s HK and its busy streets some more! I walked back while trying not to burst out laughing, picked up the sole, threw it into my bag and refused to look up. Ralph Lauren some more! Che, it sucks! Ok lah, it’s been around for a couple of years lah.
THEN! I changed to my Irregular Choice boots in the office. Thank God I keep a good amount under my table. As I was walking home that night, it felt weird again! I reached home to see that the right side’s sole is coming loose a little. *what’s with my right leg and shoes… OH! The osteopath discovered my left leg is slightly longer than my right. O_O
I brought both to the street cobbler just outside Central MTR station on Pedder Street and it was only S$10 for both sides! Nice.
And oh, remember I mention the lion’s head on my metal gate? Hahaha, here it is:
I know some people find some traditional touches too ostentatious but I absolutely love it! I love my old-school stuff.
I also love walking to work and home to and fro the Central MTR station cos I really enjoy riding the Mid-Levels travelator. There’s so much to see along the way. Loves. And I especially like this nicely done up building on the street just below mine:
It’s soooo pretty. So London (as if I’ve been there before). But according to Polly, rent’s here per flat is like S$4,000! BAH.
And I’ve also found (not like I’ve REALLY gone around the neighbourhood yet but I plan to soon!) my fave cafe so far:
Cafe O at Caine Road serves all-day breakfast! Seriously! How not to like? Especially great on weekends when you sleep in and still wanna have some decent breakie when you wake. And their strawberry/banana (my fave combi) smoothie is the best I’ve tasted EVER. Yes, it beats Boost Juice hands down. Or Mix (a Boost Juice equivalent in HK?). The one at Cafe O is freshly made, nothing of those frozen fruits and sorbet stuff and they include stuff like honey and museli in the smoothie, making it really yummy and healthy.
The environment’s really productive for work too. I always get quite a bit of work done when I’m there. Nice furnishing and music and wireless Internet connection. Yayy! There’re altogether 5 outlets in HK and I think 4 in Central and 1 in Wan Chai. None in Kowloon – so mean.
And they do delivery too! New <3
Cutie Kristy and the makan gang
When I was back in SG, I was stoked when I got to meet up with the makan girls at PF’s new place at Eastwood and most of all, Kristy! (Sorry girls, still love yall. But got chubby baby lah. A bit hard to resist.)
PF’s place is damn gorge and seriously, after being holed up in HK, I would seriously have no idea how to fill up my home if it’s that size. Then again, knowing the hoarder that I am, I may just be able to.
For the first time, we didn’t part at the usual 10pm. Since we were so cosy with aircon, hot green tea and in the comfort of a home, we chatted till 2am! Indeed a first with the makan girls. But it was thoroughly enjoyable. I love that they like my gifts to them and honestly, as a gift-giver – that’s the best gift in return. :)
Moreover, it was Germ’s birthday and we were seriously (I should stop saying ‘seriously’.) honoured that she chose to have dinner with us. Too bad she stay in the far West and had to make an early return.
And Kristy is the cutest thing ever!!! She’s so chubbs and whatevs and cute that I wanted to bring her home for a night. PF’s immediate willingness had me think twice though…
She was so cool – didn’t fuss at all the whole 6 hours I was there. Could sleep wherever, whenever and more admirably, oblivious to her mum’s incessant chatting. hahaahahah
She cooed and laughed so much that night, it was totally hilarious! Apparently, according to PF (in her own words ok!), I was the first person to make Kristy laughed like that. Woot! Yes, making kids like me is a life-long goal of mine. I would even go my way out to bribe the kids if I have to just to make them like me.
Pics!
<3
Seth, why can’t you be just as chubbs!?! Tsk.
WGSN on Shop Til You Drop
I was just reading the Dec ’08 issue of Shop Til You Drop, an Australian publication by ACP when I came across this article “Who decides what’s in anyway?” And guess what they typed?
“The answer is WGSN – which stands for Worth Global Style Network – and a handful of other sites like it. The online network www.wgsn.com was founded by brothers Marc and Julian Worth to help buyers spot the latest style trends.
But while the site enjoys the patronage of tens of thousands [YL says: "35,000 - to be exact!"] of users including Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Sony, its biggest flaw is actually its extraordinary success. Its monopoly of the industry means it is indispensible to many fashion houses. This, of course, leads to companies sourcing the same content, which then inspires them to similar conclusions once they start sketching. And with the current state of the global economy, few designers are prepared to take risks.”
[YL says: "Dear Emma Markezic (the writer of the article), but that's exactly how every season, designers are singing similar tunes that you consumer titles get to tell your readers what are the trends for this season and next!"]
That said, I do love Shop Til You Drop for constantly updating me on the Oz fashion scene! Molely and I used to subscribe to it straight from Sydney, until Kinokuniya started bringing it in. And in the end, buying straight from Kino (some more had my 10% discount card!) is cheaper than the subscription! Moreover, Kino gets it before we do. Hmph.
