2D1N Johor Bahru trip - City Square & KSL

Hi peeps, I just came back from my enjoyable KSL overnight stay.
It was great spending time with my bf, and eating and walking around the malls :)
These makes me happy.

1. City square

Headed to Arashi again for sukiyaki and shabu shabu

He had the herbal soup which taste pretty good.

Walked around doing much but window shopping.

I've yet to buy my CNY clothes, fml.

Most likely wearing "old" dresses, sian.

Blogshop dresses are getting more expensive, and most of the sizes don't really fit me.

Ma fan!

2. KSL Hotel

Checked into our room for our 1 night stay, yay!
The room was decent - I'll give it a 4 star?
Not sure why I had terrible expectations (have you been to Genting hotel?), most probably read them from blogs.
I was telling my bf that the hotel must be cui.
Turns out I was wrong, haha.
Quite cosy leh! The toilet is really clean as well :) + the king size bed was comfy.

a. Penang Laksa

One of the must try if you're at KSL.
The penang laksa had me drooling when I smelt it.
I'm salivating as I type - it was really delicious.
The soup taste like tom yam, and the noodles were transparent.
I am missing it now!
Had 2 bowls, one yesterday and one today!

 b. Tang Shi Fu

Bf decided to dine in this Chinese restaurant but I wasn't keen -.-

Anyway, both of us ordered mee sua.

Mine is the 十全大补 mee sua which consists of multiple herbs - don't ask me what hor, I don't know.

What I know is my mom cooks the soup every year, and her version is the BEST.

 His boring looking mee sua with 2 pathetic pieces of abalone (he generously offered me 1 :D) and my dear boy was praising the mee sua while he ate
"Very nice!"
*rolls eyes*

 This is a must order though - ginger beancurd.
Their beancurd is really soft and smooth.
It's less sweet than laoban douhua in Singapore - this wins laobao (anyway, this is overhyped just like bubbletea)

c. Hong Kong Eggette

This is another good to try in KSL - to me, it's just another waffle version, but okay, it was quite addictive to eat.

Just pop each round eggette into your mouth and you will want more!

I had the original.

d. Blackball

In China, I had Xian Yu Xian and I loved it.

In Singapore, we have the Blackball version and it's pretty good as well.

In fact, we're more familiar with Blackball than Xian Yu Xian (XYX in City Square has closed down).

So, we decided to get 1 bowl of the signature blackball.

In KSL, just eat la.

e. Bak Kut Teh

This morning, bf suggested to head opposite of KSL for this bak kut teh for our breakfast.

Luckily we didn't have to queue and got a seat almost immediately.

Had 1 portion to share.

Their soup was sweet, rather than spicy (my mom usually cooks the spicier version, but my tummy can't take it)

I think this is good to try as well

f. Frog leg Porridge

For lunch, we had the frog leg porridge.

Sounds gross I know, I was telling my bf "omg, so disgusting. I don't know why I'm eating frog meat."

See, we're so used to eating chicken meat, pork and beef, and we don't really bat an eye.

But frog meat, being a less usual meat on our dining tables, seems gross.

While I was chewing on the meat, I could imagine myself eating the GREEN SLIMY FROG'S LEGS, WTF.

 But okay la, quite nice leh :D

g. Manicure session

Took this photo just now as I was admiring my nails.

One of the main itinerary was to do my nails for CNY.

Not really cheap since they had CNY surcharge, and I guess it would be cheaper if I'd bought Groupon deals, but nvm la huh...bf paid for it hehe

I didn't do gel nails although it's more popular among girls - I think my nails are pretty well-kept and long...plus I didn't wanna spend so much and go back to soak them off.

I opted for express mani and classic pedi.

Haix, waste my money on classic pedi. They were supposed to massage and remove the calluses but they didn't!

The lady was telling me my feet is very smooth and I don't need it.

Wah lao, then I might as well opt for express pedi too (I didn't want classic mani cause my nails are okay, I just need some colours on them).

Anyway, the end product as below.

Pls don't judge, I seldom do my nails and have no idea what colours to choose.

I just opted for HENG HENG colours like gold and red.

But since I'm doing my nails red, I chose glitter pink.

For express, the lady shaped my nails squarish - not a feat since my nails were rather squarish to start.

If I can paint my nails properly, I'd rather do it myself and save the money - but I can't :P

Freaking myself out with my nails because I didn't expect it to be so red!

The lady told me she won't cut my nails since there're pretty nice already.

The only thing she did was to buff and shape my nails (just slightly).

Now I've learnt my lesson - either go with dirty unkempt nails and do classic pedi, or opt for express haha!

That's all folks!

Preparing for dad's 60th birthday （60大寿）

For the Chinese, the 60th birthday is a call for celebration.
This year, my dad is 60, and I'm racking my brains on what to get him!

We have never celebrated his birthday, because he hate cakes (or anything with cheese, cream, chicken whatever).
At most, mum would cook him mee sua with an egg.
Our birthdays were also rarely celebrated with joy - I remembered a period of time when I was growing up, that I had NO BIRTHDAY CAKES, because we were "poor" (or so my mum said, I guess during that time, it was the financial crisis and my dad could lose his job anytime).
I also remembered crying in my room lamenting and comparing, "why are my friends able to celebrate birthdays with their family, and dine out?" "why don't I even have a cake?"

To this day, our birthdays are just any other days.
We have a cake, but sometimes there're no one who sing "Happy Birthday" for us.
I don't even have a 21st birthday party! (Ok, I'm socially awkward)
But now that I remembered, on my 21st, we did went to a hotel for their buffet, which wasn't exactly cheap.
Okay...

So, with my dad turning 60, and the importance of celebrating one's 60th birthday, I'm starting to prepare for these misc stuffs.
Lousy brothers who don't bother helping.
Here are some plans I can think of

1. Longevity meal in a Chinese restaurant

No, I'm not going to call my relatives or my dad's friends to the restaurant.

Not on close terms with them, and anyway I believe a simple family meal suffice.

I've been comparing and trying to find restaurants that offers birthday packages.

Unfortunately, most offers 10pax menu - we only have 6 pax.

Anyone has any ideas for a cosy birthday meal?

2. Gifts for dad

Kind of having a headache thinking about this.

a) Was asking my brother if we should get him gold.

But, we don't know how to buy it, and I'm not sure how useful it will be for my dad.

b) iPad or laptop

The first question, does my dad use iPad or laptop?

He doesn't play games, and he uses the computer for stocks check (ever since Teletext "resigned")

iPad could be good for him, and my bf said it's better than a laptop since it is easier to use.

c) Or should I just get him a red packet? Was thinking of $888 hahaha.

d) a shirt for him is too normal, we've been getting him a new shirt every year for CNY. But, it is another alternative as well...just more boring.

e) what about a 寿 painting? But ehhhh, my dad is not so cultured :P

What did you guys prepare for your parent's 60th birthday?

Let me know :)

Hopefully my list gave you some inspirations as well!

If you wish to find out what I got for him, click here: http://cherrycheong.blogspot.sg/2014/03/gift-for-dad-60th-birthday-osim-urelax.html

A letter to the 29th year old me

Hi there, how have you been? I’m typing this letter in the office, after being inspired by a girl in the US. She was 12, but has passed away. She wrote a letter to herself, to be opened in 2023 – 10 years later. I'm just going to post this for the WWW to see.

5 years later, how are you doing? Are you married? Have you given birth to cute healthy babies? Have you gained weight? Are you even more stressed at work? I’m just 4 months into my job. It’s kinda tiring, of course, compared to schooling, but at least I haven’t OT much yet. Phew. I hope you won’t be too stressed up over work, that you overwork your body! Health is more important than wealth, get it?

Are you happy with your life right now? Have you looked back to the past and think, everything happens for a reason? I sure do now. I often lament to myself that I could have done better in my studies, be it PSLE, O levels, A levels and Uni. I could have gone on to better schools. Maybe you would have been earning big bucks with your stellar academics. But, in reality, you’re not doing too badly either. You manage to do averagely well, and go into the local U, enter a stable job...life is still ok la.

I could have made more close friends. Friends come and go, but as I grow older, I’ve lesser friends. I’ve known this fact from young, and I’ve no one to blame. Maybe, I can blame myself, for not putting in effort to keep the friendships. Well...I hope you’re not regretting it as you read this! But well, everything happens for a reason.

Don’t fret too much. I hope you’re happy, and received lots of love from your loved ones. It is possible that you’re no longer in your first job. But that’s okay. You need to gain more exposure. I hope colleagues have been treating you well!

Have you own your own house? How is it repaying the housing debt? Hehe. Have you compromised with your partner on the housing location? Are you staying in the central west? If you’ve moved, you must have changed a job near to your home.

I really hope you’re happy, and healthy.

Be positive.

Good things will come your way if you stay positive.

Love,

Your 23-24 year old self.

Good read

Healthy Eating, Happy Living in Singapore: Musings and Writings #1:


2. He loves her- there is no doubt about it. Like a checklist of things to do, he ticks off his mental checklist on life. Got a degree, friends, done well somewhere, career, girlfriend, wife, kids, car, home maintenance bills, change the light bulb tomorrow. He works hard for all of them, drags himself out of bed each day, kisses his wife who sits at the edge of their marital bed dying a little. Their conversations a week number but a handful of sentences. Last night he crawled into bed, too exhausted to say or do anything but to give his wife a quick peck on the cheek. His wife chooses her words carefully. There is a window of about 3 minutes before he falls fast asleep and is dead to the world. Should she tell him about the kid’s homework, the brawl that happened in school, how much she misses him? “The washing machine broke down today. can you repair it this weekend?” she finally says. He mumbles in reply, promises to ‘look into it’. The same promise he made about the broken shower door, the kid’s broken bar on the babycot- a cot that has been used, stowed and stored away, broken bar and all, a good 5 years ago. It’s hard to ask of him anything. He’s always so busy with something much more important than she. Dates are pushed back, ob/gyn examinations that she goes alone. She merely shrugs when she receives yet another sms tellling her he’s been held up; he’s sorry but there’s just so much work to do. it doesn’t really affect her anymore. In fact, she would have been surprised if he did actually turn up. Periodically he holds her hands in his, gazes meaningfully in her eyes and says ” you know i do all this for you and the children don’t you?” She nods mutely. She knows. At the end of the day, when it’s all over, he leans back in his easy chair, tells the next generation how important it is to love your wife and be there to meet her every need. How important to stay faithful. “i’ve never ever cheated on her. Always stayed faithful these 50 years” he declares, with a tinge of pride. He sleeps easy that night, next to a woman who wonders if this is what love really is.

Skyve Wine Bistro and Alkaff Mansion Ristorante

It's the second last day of the year (30th Dec 2013).
My bf and I took leave that day.
It made me missed the carefree uni days, where my bf and I could roam around as and when we like!
GRAAHHHH, slowly disliking work.
Well, most of us do right? We work for the money, but somehow this is not the best mentality to have.
Oh well...

In order to utilise our Entertainer 2013 vouchers, we headed to Skyve for lunch and Alkaff for dinner.

Skyve

Skyve isn't exactly accessible for me - thankfully my bf drives.

With our coupon, we were allowed to order 2 mains.
However, my bf decides that we should get a Main & a brunch set instead.
Okay lor, since you pay, I'll listen hehe.

I like what I had at Skyve.

Ordered the Skyving breakfast, with overeasy eggs and wholemeal bread.

 My bf had the lamb shank, which he thought was delish as well.
Not much for me, since I don't really appreciate lamb meat.

Thumbs up for their service as well - tbh there wasn't much people when we dine, since it's a working day.

Staff were prompt and polite.

Alkaff Mansion

Possibly one of the more atas place we went too.

If not for the 1 for 1 voucher, I may hesitate to come here.

These fine dining places doesn't really suit me.

I prefer hawker food anytime.

That said, the place was a great spot for photo-taking.

On the other hand, my bf forgot to bring his DSLR (wtf), anyway he sucks at taking portraits too (okay, maybe I'm not photogenic).

The photos are thus taken by my note 2, no editing done though.

Look! It looks like a great spot for wedding, but I doubt I'll fancy such layout.

Back to food, I had the Gnocchi with half canadian lobster.

Yes, I was attracted by the lobster - I imagined it to come with the lobster shell and all.....but, no

Initially I wanted to try the homemade ravioli in alba truffle cream sauce, but the lobster seems more enticing...

 Second option was the Red Drum.

You get it, the prices aren't cheap.
This is a fine dining place after all.

Here comes my gnocchi, now where's the lobster? :'(

My verdict of this dish is that, it's not worth the price.

I had better gnocchi elsewhere for a cheaper price.

The gnocchi here was a little too soft for my liking - it felt like baby food.

The lobster chunks were okay though.

I started to get sick of the dish after a few mouthful, sigh, what a waste of money.

The thing is, I'm always shy to complain about the food.

As long as there's no hair, insects or whatever, I'll just silently finish my meal.

The waiters came over a few times to ask if the food is okay, but hmm, I hope they can tell from our unfinished meals!

 The red drum was average too.
It was a really small portion.
The fish skin was crisp, but way too salty.

 I don't particularly enjoy my meal at Alkaff.
The food wasn't fabulous - definitely not worth the penny if not for the 1 for 1 voucher.

The staff were not extremely polite either - the moment they saw our voucher, one of the staff took it away and said he needs to check.
A while later, he mentioned "remember to show us the voucher when you pay."
Okay, I know, please don't treat us like we're some poor people who can't afford to dine here.

Sometimes I wonder if waiters at fine dining places discriminate Singaporeans vs foreigners too obviously.
I do notice that they treat foreigners (i.e Caucasians) much better because they'd bring them all the way to their table, speak more respectfully to them, hover around their tables to render more assistance.
It could be that I'm reading too much into it.
Well, just my two cents.

Generally, I'd prefer Skyve > Alkaff, as the former is more laidback and the food was much better.