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.