The zoo will always be a special place for me. The last time I was there was back in 2016. 2016 is one of my favourite years, and it started in the most amazing way. I wonder what 2020 will bring. More clarity, routine and discipline in life, perhaps.
Finally brought my ass to the zoo. It feels different than before, but still a great place nonetheless. The zoo is where I spent quite a bit of my childhood, playing in the swimming pools and learning about animals. Then again in 2016, where we spent the whole day in the zoo, chatting till the sun set. I’ll never forget that.
Now in 2020, hours of walking and checking out all the animals and exhibits again. Then chatted till the sunset and walked around Singapore. I love the zoo and Singapore (surprisingly).
Early birthday because I took my ass out of Singapore for a well-deserved vacation.
Weekly hotpot sessions with the family.
Nothing like a hot onsen in the cold and chilly important day. It’s a beautiful life. I’m beyond grateful.
Went to the onsen to celebrate my birthday. Wore something E bought, something from V and something mine. It made me happy. Came out of the onsen to be greeted by some beautiful (double) rainbow. It’s an unbelievable b’day present. I am so lucky, so incredibly lucky.
Surprise birthday cake from Thomas. It was so good, with strawberries in season now. I’m so grateful.
Nothing like treating myself and doing something on the to do list. I always wanted to go to a bar alone, and I finally did it! Got myself a fancy whisky for my birthday, although I still prefer my Islay ones. I’m sticking to Islay ones for the rest of my life!
These dumplings bring nothing but 2013 Hong Kong memories. We would get these every week and eat by the park. Maybe that’s why it tasted 100x nicer, because it is more than just dumplings, but a time machine that brought my back to a time.
Finally meeting Ning in Taiwan! She came to Singapore twice and Netherlands once, so it’s great to meet her in Taiwan. We had breakfast and walked around the place she grew up. She’s doing so well in life, I’m incredibly proud of her. ❤️
Couldn’t decide between the various cities, and went for the middle one instead. Ended up having a great time with Alesso, exploring the city, drinking fancy tea and eating a bunch of food. Nothing like good company and going on adventures.
It was finally warm weather and I could sit in the park to read! It got too sunny to read, but it was so beautiful to simple sit in the park and lay on the grass. What a lovely morning.
Another day of nature. This time, a hike with Moritz. So lucky to find other travellers to explore together. And it just feels safer to be with someone. Being asians, we spent the whole day talking about food and eating. Asians are the best people!
Perhaps one of the most fun things. There are so many latinos in Taiwan and we had Colombian food. It’s too delicious. Spent the day chatting, eating and drinking. I’m in love with Colombian food. A day of being spoilt. I counted my blessings and lost count.
There is so much beauty in art. When words are exhausted, when actions fail, we can always rely on art and art alone. I love these Qing ceramic wears, for they embody the definition of elegance, art and the highest standards possible.
The lightness, the intricacy and the process required to create one of these is beyond my capacity to recreate. It’s a visual orgasm. I’m lost with words to explain my deep appreciation for these wears.
All we did was torture our stomachs with food every day! Sushi on day 1 and Japanese bbq on day 2. Japan is a new level of torture. I didn’t even begin counting my blessings because I am in pure heaven. Japan, you spoil me!
Sure, I love scotch. But Suntory Whisky in a 4l plastic bottle? I did not find the courage to get one. Still, it was a night of Chilean wine and Umeshu and Dave Chappelle!
The day it was so cold, it was 3 degrees C but felt like -3 degrees. Dawned on Renar’s coat (because I’m an idiot who doesn’t dress for the weather) and went to get some food. Brr, soak from head to toe!
Ramen and gyoza! Always having lunch at 3pm.
Yakiniku all day, every day! Japanese beef is a whole new level of delicious. The fats that melt in your mouth. Gosh, I am grateful for beef.
Fresh takoyaki in the old town of Yakana. Wanted to see how weird Japan is, and we started off in Harajuku. The lady in pink singing(?) out loud made me smile too much.
Alleys, tiny restaurants and pipping hot food in the cold winter.
Sunset with Fuji San. What a blessed life, to have such a view and be working on my tasks. I’m so incredibly grateful.
Sunrise with Fuji san, Yoyogi park and the skyline of Shinjuku. Moments like these where time stops and the world stands still. I’m just in constant awe of how beautiful the world is. How blessed are we, to have mother nature complement the concrete jungle built. What a beautiful life.
What’s country #5? Hong Kong > Germany > Singapore > Japan.
So lucky and grateful to always be given good seats. Had the emergency row on 2 flights and empty row on the other. I’m so grateful! I get to stretch my legs and lie in the neck pillow from Peter. Funny thing, it says Japan on the neck pillow!
Ps: 2h of catching up w Elliott about everything is my favourite chat. Chatted till I had to board, and I’m incredibly proud of his growth, realisation and clarity. What a beautiful soul. And how lucky it is for us to meet.
Sunsets and sunrises are so special. They exist everyday, but I’m still in awe when I see them. And sometimes, they are so beautiful but no one notices them. Yet, they continue to illuminate the world in their glory. Be like sunsets and sunrises, always beautiful even when no one is looking.
Decided to get my ass out and visit the city. The sea is only 10min drive away and Elliott loves the city. So I took myself out to find some fresh spring rolls and enjoy the warm after being in the cold for 3 weeks. Full belly and warm skin later, time to head back!
Hearing the waves crashing. Watching people surfing. Enjoying the sun on my skin. Life is 100x more beautiful in reality than in dreams.
Happy face is satisfied and well-rested. I can’t wait to jump back into my routine and accelerate with work. I miss having the routine of reflection, meditation, office and running. It has been truly fun, and now I am ready to charge forward. This was a good break. I have had my fill. Sharpened my saw and let’s chop down some wood!
Above all, I’m most grateful for the people I’ve met, both old and new. Beautiful souls, insightful conversations and happy faces. I’m spoilt with the best type of friends all around the world. I’m so blessed! Friends around the world. Ah, I’m running out of numbers to count my blessings! Chubby face and happy soul.
Nothing like home! Bought the cake and met dad and mum at the train. Then came home to celebrate X’s bday. He got drunk(!) and we played card games. Ah, good times. Also stole W’s clothes because I was only in nice fancy clothes :p What are brothers for, am I right. Either stealing X’s or W’s jackets or shirts. I think men’s clothes fit me better.
Family is more than blood. So happy to catch up with part of the family! And just so glad that everyone is doing well with career, life, family, love and everything.
This city, impressive as ever. Every time I am back, I am just impressed by the sheer infrastructural and economical growth. I can’t say that I used to live in Saigon anymore, because everything has changed. Vinhomes is now the new Thao Dien and it’s an upper class village on its own. The growth is amazing, and this might be what future cities look like!
Watching the sun rise from the river, against the backdrop of D1. Yup, it’s just a beautiful life.
Eat, eat and eat some more! Met with Adel, my cake buddy. We had Banh Mi, coconut coffee, shopped for groceries to cook dinner, explored pho by the roadside and chocolate cake. All that’s missing is fresh spring rolls! Felt terrible boiling the lobster to death. But man, was that a delicious lobster.
Tennis at night and met a couple of cool friends. Drinks and pizza at Kat’s house after, chatting about bad dates. I think I might only have 1 bad date before, as in there was no connection between us. Other than that, I can’t think of a bad date. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
It’s really fun to have a celebration every month. This month, it’s dad’s birthday! We had fancy Japanese over the weekend, and decided with bbq, pool and cake for the actual day. Xav, Wes and I went to buy groceries and marinated the food at night and I went over again in the afternoon to prepare the bbq.
Instead of paper plates, we used banana leaf as a mat to eat. Everything was cooked perfectly and it was such a fun night. Also taught Mae to make roast pork and she was part of the bbq too. We ate for ages, talking about random things. Dad decided with chocolate earl grey cake, which was so delicious! I said this year is for family, and for family it is indeed. I’m loving this.
I’ve also decided to move again for a few months. It feels right. And it feels like grandma is still taking care of me in her own ways. Some things are too coincidental. I’m grateful. My heart is bursting.
Summer is here. Q2’s spring has been strange but a necessary evil and lesson learnt. I’m grateful for it, but I do not want to repeat Q2. Here’s to Q3. Summer tan and smiley eyes. Got my tan back and she’s happy as can be!
Can I have it in my portfolio instead of on my plate?
Sweater weather and supermarket runs
Scotch bars are closed. Have to deal with cocktail bars. But it’s the company that matters!
What a beautiful day for a lunch by the river, under the shade. Lockdown is over and it’s time to be meeting friends again. Oh boy, do I miss my wonderful friends!
Weekly zoom routines. I’m most grateful for friendships near and far, not disturbed by lockdown or geographical distances. I’m so grateful. My heart is full. How do I ever deserve these most wonderful people in my life? My heart is overflowing with kindness from the best people.
Receiving flowers are great, but there is nothing like buying and giving flowers! Choosing the right colours, the smells, the combination. And the surprise when they least expected it. The happy emotions, the teary eyes, the uncontainable smiles. Nothing more precious than making someone really happy! And reading in the morning while feeling all well rested. It’s just beyond lovely. How is this my life? It’s unreal. I’m so grateful!
Aunty giving us free food because Ian and kiwi are flirting with her all night long 🤣 Missing Rob, because it’s only 5 people per meeting 😭
The loves of my life. I’m so proud of us and our growth. We all met at a strange time, growing and figuring out our place on this planet. 7 years later, we continue to grow and become better versions of ourselves. Distance and time apart don’t change the fact that we are there for each other and supporting each other all the time. That’s what family does! I’m proud of us. My soulmates ❤️
So grateful for coffee deliveries to start the morning. Fresh coffee when I’m freshening up in the shower. The sweetest!
First weekend where it did not rain! We took the bike and cycled to the end of Singapore for beers, pizzas and plane watching.
Cleaning up aunty’s place and found some nice memories. We’ve come a long way. Aunty is in a better place now, and I’m glad to be loved by her and to love her so much. She taught me so much and continues to inspire me.
Yellow sunshine on my skin!
It’s no Läderach, but still chocolatey and nice. Japanese and chocolate dessert on mid-autumn saturday!
Mooncake and getting bitten by mosquitoes while squeezing through the crowd. Thai after was so nice and perfect to complete the day.
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Date nights of working on math and nerding out 😛 I have all my cards in my phone, but I still have my card pouch to put polariod and card for home. When I feel unmotivated and lazy, I see this polaroid and get excited to be nerdy again!
Office aunty gave me cheese pancakes because I didn’t have time for dinner. Oh my heart. Aunty is the sweetest person! She’s just so adorable. 🥳
Smiley on the outside. Sleepy on the inside. 8am meetings and 11.30pm meetings because timezones. I love what I do though, although it’s so hard to focus on 11.30pm meetings.
Ended work at 1am and morning work updates the next day. Caught up and drank via calls instead, only to go to bed hungover! 🥃 So happy for my girl to become Mrs 👰🏻 and planning life in such an adult way, babies and all.
Got 2 mooncakes for K and we went to Gardens by the Bay. Izakaya by Robertquay in the day, chocolate cake after, mooncake at night and Thai food for dinner! What a lovely night.
Really nice catch up with the globe-peeps and celebrated Dewali too!
Really wanted to make quiche so I made some! It was so good that I made a lot more and gave some to K. To which he said it’s the best he had! So happy about that 😚
I am definitely terrible at ordering food because I’m always over-ordering them! We end up with way too much food. Full bellies!
I felt incredibly loved when K bought chouquette in the morning. Aw 🥰
Another cycling day that rained after 🌧 cycled in the rain, but first with warm cuddles and hugs.
This is my favourite status in Singapore! It’s a big fat bird with a poop hole 🐦 I have no idea why.
Finally found this place. Pancakes for breakfast. Then lay under the tree and listened to another bedtime story. Another wonderful weekend, x’mas style. 🎄 Let the X’mas countdown begin!
All dressed up and headed to the rooftop for date night. But I was freezing and we left really quickly. (Plus, the beer sucks. I’m only there for the view.) The best way to end a busy stressful week is lots of cuddles and tons of silly laughter!
What a fun night. The later it gets, the better friendships are formed, I’m 100% certain.
Every weekend, I’d make something Christmas-y till the big day of Christmas. And every weekend, I blow K’s mind off with something super delicious. Now, he wants all of the countdown dinners to also be made for Christmas time. 🙈 Guess who’s gaining too much weight
This year, I added new people; those who pre-ordered my physical book. And the rest, to the usual loves of my lives around the world. I actually love them so much, I kinda want to keep them for me! 🎄