Therapeutic writing to let steam off.
So recently, the plan failed because Pips was off to Taiwan in the second week of Nov, then Mike had a football match the following weekend, and yesterday, Daddy had classes to attend, so no eat-out moment.
Anyway, so that's that. What I really want to write about is how angry I am about people around my estate. There seem to be a gang of people under the block, hidden from the naked eye, prying on fallen objects. The last time, I was hanging my winter boots to dry and one of the pair fell down so I hurried to the carpark only to find it missing. I searched high and low, went through all the garbage areas and look into all the wash closets but found nothing. I even asked the Garang Guni man if he had seen it but to no avail. I refuse to dumped the other pair, it is still sitting in my balcony. Why would anyone pick one side of a pair of boots?
Then yesterday, I was packing my bag for Korea and brought out some lovely sweaters not worn before and bought when I was in Thailand. I took them to air but not in a few minutes, the strong wind blew them off their hangers and I rushed down to retrieve them. When I got out of the lift, I was pleased to see them on the ground. BUT I was wrong. It was only one of them. The nicer of the two sweaters was gone. TAKEN! Mommy came down to help search for it and we combed the entire area and the neighbouring blocks but to no avail. I curse the fella who took my beloved sweater home. I was looking forward to wearing it in Korea. Now, the trip is marked with a dark spot even before it has started. I hope the person realises it's Evil to take what is not yours and obviously the sweaters didn't lie in the carpark as discarded clothes but that it flew off the bamboo! YOU will never feel warm in that sweater because you know you stole it from someone else who has cherished it till you robbed it away from her.

Together We Can Make It On The Outside

Outside

He wants to give but he'll give himself away
She wants to take but she's taking all she can
They've got it all figured out
He wants to listen but there so much more to say
She wants to shout it out loud but she doesn't
She doesn't open her mouth

Had enough of crying
When she's happy and smiling when she sad
Had enough of wondering
What became of all the dreams he had
Are they out there somewhere

Baby don't you stay there on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside

Can you remember the way it used to feel
We'd run as fast and as far as we wanted to go
But then the walls closed in
And I was one step forward and two steps back
Two steps forward and three steps back

Oh it's all too much
So take my hand we'll jump together

Baby I won't leave you on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside
You and me on the outside
On the outside

Shine your light on me and I'll shine my light on you
Shine my light on you if you shine your light on me
Shine your light on me and I'll shine my light on you
On the outside
On the outside
On the outside

Baby I won't leave you on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside
You and me on the out (yeah)
You and me on the outside

Family Weekend #1.11

I decided that from November onwards we shall have family outings every sunday and to start off, I made a lunch reservation at Fika on friday. It was a delightful place serving halal swedish dishes and all-day breakfast!

Mommy enjoying her grilled chicken open sandwich

Michael and his steak

Guest of the week: Melvin and his breakfast platter

Daddy and his smoked salmon open sandwich

Pips and I

Brownie with vanilla ice cream

Apple crumble with caramel

Mommy surveying desserts for take-aways

Daddy's treat!

Rocher 豆花 Store

Home

A successful day trip with bowling in the middle and mahjong at night! I'm looking forward to the coming weekend now! We're probably going to have Dim Sum! Love...

Help My Poll

Dear Friends,

Please go to The Big Adventures of Sid and do the poll for me please. It's a blog for my history assignment and I'm hoping to collect information about Singapore based on our five senses. So far, I've came up with the Toilet Campaign which is a huge concern to me because it's really such a wonderment that countries like Taiwan and Australia can have clean public toilets but not us. In anyway, thanks for lending a helping hand!

October Weekend

Dearest Min came down from KL over the weekend to say Hi and celebrate Rach's 21st. We went to Spruce for brunch which had a lovely atmosphere but not so good food and service. The cheese and wine section looked good but we didn't get there...

We partied the night away at Helipad and was off for supper in the DJ's van!

This reminds me so much of The Royal Tenenbaums!

The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for.

- Oscar Wilde

Just one of the random lines I copied and stuck to my wall, I often forget what made me write them down, them lines. I wanted to know if what I felt then is what I feel when I reread them.

Self-development. I need it. I need to explore the other sides. I need to broaden my mind and let things go. I need to give my shoulders a break. I need to take a leap.

Beauty

I don't know when in me did I make this decision but it seems that I've allowed myself to get into things that would make my life busier than it ever was. I guess it was time. Time I filled up the empty spaces. Time I do meaningful things. Time I'll spend to know myself. All those other times I've let go idling and sleeping away, I will miss. But there's always a sacrifice to be made. Let's just hope regrets are not conceived.

Samit Das

Altar - An exhibition by Samit Das is going on at Indigo Blue Art till 31st this month. Although I haven't heard of this photographer, this picture is enough to stir my curiosity. One of the places I shall be after I recover.

Just before the kids had to return to the books, we had a family picnic at Tanjong beach. It's been quite a long time since the big family met up and a longer time since we've been to Sentosa.

Vanessa and Sophie in charge of Aga Aga while Auntie Iris gets ready her drink stall.

Mommy and Tuah Tuah Yi enjoying kachang puteh.

Uncle John and his nephews getting ready the sandcastle's mould.

The older ones were recruited to be diggers.

Soaking up the sun in the cool waters.

Uncle John enjoying his private pit.

Soph going over the pit in style...

while John tries to meditate.

Group photo against the current.

The two Daddies enjoying each other's company.

Waiting to dry out...

Up the pavillon to catch the panoramic view of Sentosa.

Crossing the suspension bridge that went left and right thrilled the kids and Mom.

To prove they weren't beat, they had to come every tree in sight!

Cool down in the food court before setting off for the Merlion.

View from the top

with the upcoming Roller Coaster ride in sight.

In the mouth of the Merlion.

Thanks to Rachel, we had a marvellous time catching up and playing with the kids. Next time, the kids can come over for Wii while we play mahjong...

Round Two

Day 1

Taiwan, with a different crew, is another unforgettable experience. Min came from KL, Malaysia to meet us and off we were.

A returning plane as we took off

Look at all that Fluff!

At Taoyuan station, Taiwan High Speed Rail

Day 2

Taichung Main Station - Our backyard

The backyard public loo

On the public bus to Fengle Sculpture Park

By the time we got there, the rain clouds caught up so instead of exploring the park, we went to one of the quaint restaurants nearby.

This is just the start of all that awesome Taiwanese food

Not just the taste but the size...

Little Europe Market

We left Fengle and headed to Tiger City Shopping mall to avoid the rain

and managed to get a view of the city as good as Taipei 101.

Fengjia Night Market - where our shopping and eating demands were met.

Day 3

Dakeng, where we wanted to go on the nature trails but was once again hindered by stormy weather.

The famous cardboard house restuarant

where everything is made of recyclable paper and cardboard.

Bees that are bred for honey

and a store full of paper souvenirs.

After all the walking around and the weather still not looking good, we decided to hit the indoor hot spring.

It continued to rain even after our hot spring session. It was so heavy, the buses that pass through couldn't see us waiting by the road side. Thankfully an elderly couple came to our rescue.

Back in civilisation, a hot pot dinner to warm the soul.

Day 4

By this time we were used to the rain so nothing could stop us from our shopping ventures. Jesmine had to have her daily dose of coffee and we decided to stake out at 7-11 like the locals do for some delicious cup noodles!

Yam store - Min's must try list

It was a bowl of gummy yam and sweet potato flavoured stuff.

Another one of Min's must-tries: Pepper biscuit

To overcome the weather and not be drenched for a fourth day in a row, we went to get our hair done

and found the yummiest of street food in Taiwan!

Day 5

On the train to catch the High Speed Rail

In the waiting area

and here it comes.

Ximending, where we feel most at home.

An unexpected coincidence: Meeting Jamie and her group of friends in a sports shop. We spent about an hour there catching up and exchanging places to visit in Taipei, so engrossed that we amused the shopkeepers so much.

Day 6

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

The wide space was yelling for jumps!

And finally, SUN! Umbrellas used to give some shade.

The inner museum

Time to replenish our energy

Day 7

Yangmingshan

and its hot spring.

Shilin Night Market where you can be in the bustling streets and at the same time enjoy the stillness of the mountains.

Good food galore!

Day 8

Danshui - My favourite place in Taiwan

and only the best - Red Cafe.

Jesmine and her sheltering tree.

The yummiest ramen noodles in the foodcourt at 星光三越.

Our Taipei 101 night visit

Day 9

Tamago ya!!!! Our favourite restaurant, only we found it too late!

Ice shaving at 三妹

Day 10

Our last day in Taipei, we slept till noon and prepared our luggages.

We went back to have Tamago ya again even though our pockets were almost empty.

And Min found a new band to support!

So even though our trip started off rough with bad weather and problematic transport system, we managed a great time and returned home with a bag full of bounty.