After 21

When people used to tell me 'Time flies after 21', I didn't take much notice of it. 
Now, I'm beginning to feel it. 

Not exactly counting how many additional fine lines there are on my face, or how much my metabolism rate has deteriorated over the years, but rather, my maturity.

I remember my sister, Elsie, telling me that I've grown to become too matured for my age when I was 18 or so. Perhaps I entered workforce much earlier than my friends, so I saw things differently. Before 21 is when youth is at its peak and one experiences all the fun and crazy stuff. For me, it was work, part-time studies, playful (ex)boyfriend, making dinner, paying bills, blah blah blah. I had my fair share of fun on weekends with my group, drinking most of the time in KTV pubs along Boat Quay. However, I grew sick of it due to empty pockets when nearing month end, and clearing up of pukes.

After 21, somewhere in December 2009, I had a different insight to life. I decided to live for myself. I began to think about what I want and the first step I did was to regain my single life. I prioritized my relationship way too much that I realized I weren't myself anymore. But not long later, I jumped into another pit hole. So much for wanting a life of my own. :/

nobody showed me this

After being in a relationship for one year, I've had enough of the boyfriend shit.

What is boyfriend shit? 

It is when your boyfriend behaves like a 14 instead of a 24 and clings onto you like a koala bear. It is when he places his own interest before yours and expects you to prioritize and take care of him. It is when he becomes a 'girlfriend' and start turning over the old accounts.
Enough is enough.

I took joy in my single life. I did whatever and went wherever I wanted. No stupid arguments, complaints, whines. Friends became important. Weekends were always packed with activities. I tasted fun and crazy. I widened my circle of friends. 

Most importantly, I had a life of my own

I even thought that maybe relationships and marriage weren't meant for me after all. I felt changes in myself. Making myself happy is top in my To-Do-List. I also had more time for family activities. However, I became rather insensible. The word 'save' was not in my dictionary. Credit cards were my best friends. Housework became the last thing I ever wanted to even think of. Studies were on and off my mind. And my health? Drinking makes me happier.


4 months and 2 days back, I went into a relationship with silly boy. 

our first polaroid together

Going into a relationship was not an easy step for the both of us as the aftermath of a failed relationship was intimidating. Being in a relationship after so long feels like something new to me - I forgot what it felt like to be in love.

Frankly speaking, I was rather uncertain of this relationship in the beginning. I did not know much about him or his past, and the fact that he ended his last relationship not longer than 4 months then was not very encouraging. I even wondered if he was ready for me. Nevertheless, I pushed these cynical thoughts away. After all, what lies ahead is what I should be looking at.

We have been meeting up almost every other day. Honeymoon period it is. I have less time to meet up with my friends, but I still try to arrange for dinner and shopping dates with my BFFs.

I feel that being single has made me oblivious and willful. I care too much about enjoyment that I forgot about reality. I forgot that I also need to be responsible, dependable and focused in order to achieve what I want in life.

Soon, 25 will come knocking on my door. I hope 25 will be my lucky number, leading me to a better me. 


xoxo, ping.




Love. Forgive. Cherish.




"Why didn't I tell her I loved her? 

Why didn't I say 'I forgive you'? 
Why didn't I say 'I'm sorry'?"
- From "Rick Grimes", The Walking Dead Season 3.



Have I been too emotional lately? 









A weekend in December

After a week, I have finally finished penning down my trips for 2012. Time to update some recent activities.

I had a great time with silly boy last weekend. On saturday, we went to JB for a date. 
Me ♥ dates.

We reached Woodlands Center at about 11.00 am. Walked past Sheng Siong and could not resist the aroma of their Otah.


otah otah! 4 for $1!


yummay!!


tonnes of people queuing for buses into JB.



The queue at Woodlands Custom was long as expected. Worse still, an African man who was in our line got stuck with the immigration officer. Luckily, silly boy queued up for another line and we cleared soon after. Not so silly after all! :x


City Square was bustling with people and it seemed to have changed alot from my last visit. Once we enter, there were lots of food stalls calling out to us. Then, we spotted 许留山, a popular dessert chain in Hong Kong. Irresistable, we ordered one to share :)










silly boy's big tummy block the view of his feet :x


finally!! suddenly, i miss hong kong.


 we both look silly in our own ways :p

We went to Cathay Cineplex to check out the movie but there was not much selection and timing was limited. The neoprint shop which used to be beside Cathay Cineplex has also closed down due to the massive renovations going on in the mall. *Disappointed*
Anyway, we decided to go for our lunch first.


Dontaku Japanese Restuarant

walkway into the restaurant






very extensive menu


scouting for all the salmon items



Silly boy had a Salmon Sashimi Set set which came with salmon sashimi, tempura, california handroll, salad, chawanmushi, miso soup and rice. With all these, the set only costs RM22!
I had Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen. 
We also order Enoki Bacon Roll, Kani Cream Croquette and Salmon/Ebi Sushi.

 
Digging In!


 Rating? 7.5/10
Damage? RM74.20 (Less than $30 #OMG)


After lunch, we went for some shopping. Surprisingly, we spotted this!!


NEOPRINT SHOP!!


I always liked taking neoprints but such shops are hard to find in Singapore these days. Even the last one I knew of in Bugis -Pretty In Tokyo, has close down. Excited, we took our first neoprint together.


time to decorate!


Waiting impatiently for it to be printed


TADAH!!


It was really fun taking neoprints although I was quite lost and stucked on how to pose. Silly boy as usual, had many ideas on his pose and expression.


After City Square, we took a cab to KSL which costs us RM8. It was a 5 minutes ride. We headed to MBO Cinemas to check out the movies and decided to watch a Chinese romantic comedy 'My Sassy Hubby'. 
Only RM22 for 2 tickets #OMG again.






No Nachos here :( 
so we ordered fries instead, which was delivered to our seat in the cinema.


flimsy movie tix.


Candy Bar Menu - Combos, Drinks, Hot Food, Popcorn


CZ12 - silly boy's must watch
Jackie Chan is one of his idols, but I didn't know he fantasizes about grabbing his idol's b***s. :x

The movie was on for about 2 hours, pretty lengthy for a Chinese film. Ekin Cheng and Charlene Choi were the main casts. This movie is actually a sequel  of "My Wife is 18". I really enjoyed the onscreen chemistry between these two stars. But also, my tears flowed like an open tap for the last 45 mins. It reminds people of the bittersweet in marriage, and love. Sometimes, people become uncertain of their love due to many reasons. It can be due to friction, which is bound to occur between couples, or perhaps a greener pasture on the other side which is too alluring and bewitching. A marriage takes two hands to clap, and some people fail to see that, it's actually more than just a piece of paper. Love is necessary in a marriage, but eventually, it evolves into compromise, commitment and greater love for your partner than yourself.
To me, marriage is probably the biggest challenge in life.

OK, enough of emo talks and stuff. After movie, I brought silly boy for classic pedicure at one of the nail parlor I used to frequent. His feet really need some pampering!




#likeaboss


  
before and after. cleaner and shapelier. ;)

We went for shopping and ended up at Tesco, the supermarket at the lowest floor of KSL. We bought our favourite Mi Goreng and Mi Sedaap.



It was already 9pm by the time we walked the whole of KSL. We chanced upon a new stall selling fried oyster and it smells really good!! By the time we went back again, they were closed for the day. Hungry, we took a cab to Taman Sentosa for dinner.

There are two Chinese restaurant in opposite the new Sentosa Mall, Kimdo and 101. I bought silly boy to the usual 101 as food and service were better there.


BBQ at 101. 
Ordered chix wings, prawns, abalone slices and abalone mushroom.

Rating? 8.5/10 (9.5/10 for the chilli!)
Damage? RM20

Zi-char at 101.
Rating? 7/10
Damage? RM47.30 ($19 #OMGx3)


The food standard at 101 has dropped slightly. The sweet potato leaves had some clam shells in it. The hot plate oyster egg fared below our expectations. However, the fried baby squid was good and salted egg pork rib was the best dish of the 4.

It was a lucky night and we managed to get a cab within 3 minutes. Headed back to Singapore with smooth traffic and the night ended perfectly. 




On Sunday, silly boy randomly suggested to go for brunch at Riders Cafe. I always wanted to visit Riders Cafe but did not have a chance to. Excited, we got ready and left home at 10 am.

Riders Cafe is located at Bukit Timah Saddle Club at Fairways Drive, along Eng Neo Ave. Brunch is served on weekend only from 8am to 3pm.



 









interior of riders cafe


balcony seats overlooking the horse pen


('_')?


#gay




rock glass on horseshoe coaster


weekend brunch menu


snap snap


My Iced Latte and his Iced Mocha


Mine - 'The Usual' 

 Silly Boy's - Smoked Salmon & Creamed Eggs

Rating? 8/10
Damage? $48

Full and satisfied, we explored the surroundings of Riders Cafe.


staircase with framed memories






gloomy, but perfect for stroll :)


 
charming horse which we never got near to

majestic tree outside an empty cafe

took a snap together before we left

We bought ingredients for dinner at Sheng Siong Supermarket. His favorite kailian, favorite chicken feet and favorite prawns.


For the rest of the afternoon, we became couch potatoes. I introduced silly boy The Walking Dead and he was totally hooked. Everyday, he never fails to tell me about walking dead synopsis, walking dead twitter, $5.98 walking dead game, walking dead thia, walking dead that. We had The Walking Season 1 & 2 marathon for a week and finally, Season 3 for Sunday.


The Walking Dead Season 3 is FANTASTIC. I felt that their landscapes - prison and Woodbury town, elevated the whole feel of Walking Dead series. New characters were introduced and of course, existing characters died.


One of the deaths which has the biggest impact on me was Lori's. I cried pretty badly when Lori said her last words to Carl.


"You are going to beat this world, I know you will. You are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave, and I love you. You gotta do what's right. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world. So, so, if it feels wrong don't do it, alright? If it feels easy don't do it, don't let this world spoil you. You're so good, my sweet boy. Best thing I ever did, and I love you, I love you. My sweet, sweet, boy I love you."


Too many tears, not enough tissues. It was agonizing as Lori sacrificed herself in order to keep her unborn baby girl alive. Worst, Carl had to shoot his own mother to keep her from reanimating.

This serial can be quite wicked at times.


Halfway through the serial, we prepared dinner and continued watching. Totally addictive. #Hooked



Sunday dinner at home

It is hard to not grow fat with silly boy. We enjoy eating and cooking way too much. We have breakfast, lunch, dinner, sometimes supper and when we are couch-potato-ing, we snack. 

Also, my napping after meals habit has grown on him. "Exercise" and "Gym" have been stuck on our To-Do-List for several weeks now.

Say hello to the laziest couple on planet Earth. :p