The discount off the original ticket price was very attractive. But J would never go with me. I scratched my head thinking who I could jio, and the name Jin Li popped into my head.
I recalled that her birthday in November had just passed and that I had forgotten about it and did not wish her. Plus, she is gonna get hitched with her beau on 18dec2019! So it was a 3-in-1 good opportunity to meet up with her. I told her it would be a belated birthday celebration cum one-on-on bachelorette celebration cum a Xmas celebration with her! So the plan was to do the daredevil swing, and have dinner, and I’ll pass her the kinky yet practical πgift!
And JinLi was so game that she immediately said ‘yes!’ (as if I proposed to her) to my impromptu crazy invitation. This is one game ex-Super Pervertic Officer of mine.
It was drizzling when we met, but we did not think twice (to be honest, I actually did in my heart! π). There was another Brazilian tourist who was at the ticket office the same time as us! At first, I was thinking, let this guy go first, and we could see how it would be. But he jio-ed us to be on the swing at the same time. JinLi said why not! And being the very friendly local, I asked if he knew that was the Fave promotion (obviously, he wouldnt know right… Duh! π). He was earnest enough to want to download the Fave app on his iPhone but it just was not appearing on his PlayStore. So I offered to get it for him. I think the staff inside buay tahan me.. But hey, nothing’s wrong right!
We were seated with the Brazilian kiap-ed between us, likely due to the even spread of load (though I think I probably weighed heavier than him). The staffs strapped us on, and said with a smirk on his face, ‘hope to see you back here at the end of it’ π¨ was that supposed to invoke fear n apprehension in us?
Out of the 3 of us, I was tasked with the most difficult job of releasing the lever of the capsule when the system was ready and flashed green. I thought that would be easy, but hell no, Jinli was counting down from 3, while Miguel the Brazilian was counting up from 1. And i was like.. Wait… What..?
The longer the hesitation, the more fear crept into me. And I shouted ‘OK, I’ll do the counting down myself’ and ‘3… 2.. 1’ and I released the lever. The capsule dropped above the Singapore river and it was just like a Viking ride just that it seemed to be an infinity time of free fall. I screamed my lungs out. And if u would see the video (more on that in the para below) I was the flabbergasted one. Miguel n JinLi was calm as zen! π§ββοΈπ§ββοΈ
The capsule swung approximately 6times before it came to a halt by itself. And we were back on our feet safely! π€ Once down, the staff as usual prompted us to watch the video captured by their Go-Pro and asked if we would like to get it. It was going for $20, and was to be saved in a yellow wristband thumbdrive that doubled up as a souvenir. JinLi and I agreed to share the cost with Miguel, but let him keep the wristband as a souvenir. And we were exchanging fb/ig accounts so that he could share the video with us when he returned back.
10 days later on 18dec2019, me and my ex-boyfriend and ‘Jinli’s boyfriend’ π€£attended JinLi and HongKit’s wedding dinner held at Empress@Asian Civilisation Museum. The food was good, and the company on the table, although I did not know them much during the NTU days, but was able to join in their talk-cock-sing-song throughout the dinner. They are a funny bunch.
On a side note, C is growing up so so fast.. πͺ #timeflies
I’ve spent 10,592 days on this world from the day I was born. For those of you who can’t be bothered to do the math, that’s 29 years for you.
Through this ten thousand odd days, I’ve experienced, learnt and gained much. Β But in this entry, I will just focus on the past 1 year.
Much have happened since my last birthday. There was the surprise rendezvous at Bangkok; there was the prepping and The Wedding Day itself; there was the change in life responsibilities and major relationships; there was the romantic and explorative Honeymoon; there was my first job promotion after a mundane 6 years; and of course there was the creation of life! π
The Rendezvous at Bangkok was planned in an impromtu fashion at the kind generosity of Louisa. J was spending the whole of December in Bangkok in an attempt to be more focused and productive in the e-commence partnership with Louisa. It was trying not having him around, especially when wedding preps were starting to step up in intensity. And I instantly took up the offer when Louisa suggested it. She paid for my return flight and there wouldn’t be extra expenses incurred for accommodationΒ because I would be sleeping in J’s queen bed! The 2 days were eventful, and never once did I feel bored. We cycled at the Bang Krachao (aka Green Lungs), ate lots of street food, counted down to the new year sending our wedding invites to our guests, getting that rootbeer float and curly fries at the now obselete A&W joint in Singapore, and spending my last few hours at Bangkok with our FFF (flurry and feathery friends) at Beer’s Little Zoo Cafe.
And then there was the first year of meeting both our relatives over the Chinese New Year. Both of us have kinda ‘kept our relationship under wrap’ for 5 years now, but with the impending marriage in May, it is only appropriate that we at least attend the CNY visits this year round. You may probably have guessed it, lots of questions and ‘interviews’ came our way – what are you doing, how did you know each other, where are you working, blah blah blah..
Since January, I also started my S Dip course, and managed to complete and graduate from it in October. My Department Head was kind enough to offer me this opportunity, because he only intended to send 1 staff from our department. I had always wanted to further my studies, with 2 M.Sc application, but both didn’t materialise because of poor sign ups and low intake. S Dip was a relatively much manageable course, having only to attend a 3hours slot every twice a week for 6 months. Not to mention, there were no exams to decide your fulfillment – instead I just had to ensure that I attempted the regular assignments and submit some report for Final Project, and Viola ~ I got the certification.
The Wedding Day was the happiest and luckiest day of my life, because my bestest friend finally became my lifelong partner, who would share weals and woes, joy and sorrow for the years to come. We had planned the Big Day for some time, and we wanted something that was special and meaningful to both of us. So instead of a luxurious sedan car as the bridal transport, I requested that we exchange it with a Vespa that comes with a sidecar. And to make it happen, it would mean J would need to get his riding license in time, otherwise, it would look peculiarly odd that the bride was fetching her groom. And man, he was good! He passed his Class 2B at the first try, one month before our Wedding, giving him some time to practise riding on the room with my scram. And I must make special mention that after just 5 minutes and less than 500m of collection of the rental Vespa from the owner, I crashed the 3 wheeled vehicle into the crash barrier on the opposite direction of the road. What a way to mark Wedding Day eve. Lucky for us, we weren’t injured much except for some superficial scratch. The Vespa however had some cracks and dents, which we compensated in cash to the owner. Dinner banquet was quite a cosy affair with 22 tables at Ban Heng Restaurant because we wanted to only invite guests whom we really wanted to invite instead of inviting acquaintances just to make up the minimum number of tables most posh hotels required. The first few days after were spent recuperating from the lack of sleep accumulated over the past weeks, and we had our first-ever staycation as husband and wife.
And with the Wedding Day over, it marks the beginning of adulthood, where I now move away from my parents’ home from which I had spent all my life since birth, to the new place we bought which I now call my home. Surprisingly, it wasn’t all that hard to get used to staying away from my parents. Probably because I had spent long period staying outside on my own when I was on Erasmus exchange in Czech Republic. But I still made it an effort to return for a visit, a dinner and the weekend outings with my family. Afterall, I wouldn’t be who I am if not for them.
6 weeks after our Wedding Day, J and I embarked on our adventurous Honeymoon trip to Mongolia. Not that a popular choice for Honeymoon trip, because newlyweds would usually prefer glamourous, romantic cities, in contrast to laid back, rural countryside. But both J and I enjoyed our Mongolia/Beijing trip so much, having secluded ourselves to the outside world for a whole 2 weeks where we had no Wi Fi connection other that the emergency GSM calls. It felt good, there were so much more things in the world that were clouded whenever we are addicted to our devices. Technological advancement is inevitable in this time and day, but we must never forget those smaller, more important and intangible things in our lives.
Returning back to work after honeymoon, I received the nicest news that I was finally promoted, like finally… Not that there was anything wrong with my work performance or work attitude, I think, but Small Boss did explained that the market right now gives out job promotion like it’s free, in an attempt to entice their young staff to stay. Which I agree! Back in my previous company, any junior staff becomes a ‘senior’ in the span of 2 years, and what do they know? Nothing that warrants the senior title. People become more η±ζ θθ£ nowadays and recognition is something that they brag about on LinkedIn.
And lastly, the major happening this year! I am now carrying lil’ J or lil’ H! And as you might have guessed it, the lack of Wi Fi connection and distraction from the world made it happen. ;P
And to wrap things up. This year was probably the first in which I received a mere handful of birthday wishes from friends and closed ones. I hope it’s not me that is the one excluding myself from others. I choose to believe that it’s because we have set foot onto a different phase of our life, where hi-bye friends were a thing of the past and that people have different responsibilities and priorities such as career or family (their own ones). Anyway, as long as the few important ones remain, I guess the rest don’t really matter anymore? I just hope that those whom I still make an effort to keep in contact with, could reciprocate and maintain that friendship. I’m no longer that ‘social-butterfly’ I was 10 years ago.
Yes I know my last post was in December 2015, and there has been a long hiatus since I last blogged. Actually, there had been many eventful happenings in the past 16 months that was worthy of keeping memories, but I guess I got lazy busy. I really do wish to return to regular blogging and noting down the events as I embark on the next few exciting phases of my life.
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The day before, when I met ChangTai for dinner, I smelt a rat that something was going to happen during this long weekend. All along, my bridesmaid gang had dropped hints that the gathering / meetup / bachelorette party was going to be a surprise for me, on a day that I would least expect it to be. Somehow during the dinner, I spoke with ChangTai regarding this issue, casually mentioning that the girls are assuming that I would be available no matter which day they plan it to be. At the back of my head, I know the days leading up to my wedding are getting pretty packed, but yet still no news of that gathering / meetup / bachelorette party. I was getting disappointed. Maybe everybody was just too busy to find a common time for such an event. Or maybe I wasn’t important enough for them to want to spend some time with me. Then to my surprise, ChangTai replied, “How do you know you had not been booked?” with a cheeky smile on his face. Thoughts raced through my mind. The weekends leading up were packed with appointments with J. So the only way anybody could have booked my time was through J. “But only XiEr has Jarrod’s contact… and you” I said, and to which he posted again, “How do you know they haven’t asked me for J’s number?”. That got me excited, but I decided not to probe further so I wouldn’t spoil the surprise myself.
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Friday, 28 Apr 2017
Today after work, I was supposed to meet J to go pick up the gowns which I have sent to Gelen for alterations. The gowns were going to be bulky, so I didn’t ride to work today. Shortly after I reached office, J texted to ask me for Gelen’s contact because he said his friend Cheryl was looking for a seamstress to alter some dresses too. Not thinking too much about it, I provided him Gelen’s number.
About an hour later, Gelen texted me to cancel my collection appointment for tonight, citing the reason that her aunt Wendy, the gown specialist, was feeling under the weather, and that it would be better if I came when she’s around. I was feeling a little sian because I especially left my bike and took public transport to work just so I could lug the big Ali Baba bag of gowns home.. But I guess it can’t be helped right, everybody is entitled to applying for Medical Leave.
So I updated J that our evening ‘date’ to collect dresses was cancelled and we would probably just have a simple dinner after work. He sounded excited upon hearing it, but that’s him, always excited at the sound of us being able to spend time together. (I’m not complaining about that!)
5.30pm. He waited for me at the mall downstairs of my office, with his usual bag, but the bag looked stuffed. Being usually sensitive, I asked him what he had in his bag. He replied nothing. I offered to take turns carrying it for him, but he refused. I didn’t press on further. He suggested having ιΊ»θΎ£ι¦ι in Chinatown, even though I was having 3 enormous ulcers in my mouth. But knowing how much he loves them, I obliged.
When we reached Chinatown, he suddenly mentioned that his mum was thinking of making rice dumplings for the upcoming DragonBoat festival (η«―εθ), and since they shifted to the Studio Apartment, they threw away that precious deep pot deep enough for boiling the dumplings. We headed inside of OG, to the top level at the kitchen’s department to see if we could find something useful. Nope, there wasn’t. He walked slower than usual to the hawker centre, occassionally stopping here and there to comment on something and anything random. I smelt something up his sleeve. Because it seemed that he was trying to buy some time and he wasn’t being his usual self.
Just as we stepped out of OG, he exclaimed that he came across this interesting place at the rooftop of People’s Park Complex, and that we should try that for dinner instead of ιΊ»θΎ£ι¦ι . I was like “Are you sure…..?” in disbelief. When you say People’ Park Complex, the only 2 things that can ever come to your mind would be (a) money exchange and (b) Tiong-food. Interesting place and People’s Park Complex just doesn’t seem to associate. J said the place was on the 6th floor, and having not been past the 2nd floor in my entire life, my adventurous self shouted OK!
All the mall’s lifts we found only took us to the 5th floor which was for carpark usage, and the last lift which we finally decided to take, was a run down, poorly lit, dirt-layered delivery lift. Β J laughed at our choice – always picking the one with the most risk. But hey, life is a daring adventure or nothing right. Just look at the header of my blog site. The delivery lift made lots of sound, crawling its way up, and when it finally reached the 5th floor, there was a jerk, as if the brake was engaged last minute to prevent the lift car from overrunning. ~Phew~ we survived the lift ride! Haha, but it was hell of an experience!
Once out, we took the stairs and found ourselves emerging on the rooftop of People’s Park Complex. The atmosphere was immediately different from the sinister delivery lift and stairways, and there were hippy music blasting from somewhere. So there was really an interesting place here! This eating joint is called Lepark (a word play on the original Malay word ‘lepak’ which you would be very surprised to know that it is actually an official word that you can find in Oxford Dictionary).
Entrance to Lepark. (Image from danielfooddiary)
And ta-da, guess what, once I stepped inside, I found 2 of my bridesmaid, Myra and Vanessa seated right inside there! And all doubts were cleared! J has successfully conned me into getting here without raising any suspicions! So this is the start of my surprise Bachelorette Party.
[UPDATES: Sadly, Lepark has ceased operation as of November 2017, read about it here.]
Dinner didn’t take quite long, as my bridesmaid had a much more eventful night awaiting us. J left me in their hands, with the stuffed bag, which I came to know was what I needed for the rest of my Bachelorette party.. Awww~ how sweet they were to plan this out right..
So after dinner, we headed towards a place at Tanjong Pagar, where Myra said we were going for ‘poetry’ classes. How learned. -.- haha, but guess what, we arrived at a Pole Dance Studio instead! OhMyGawd.. this is definitely something I wouldn’t have tried in my whole life if not for today. They booked a 1 week experience pass @ $40, which allows for 3 classes within a span of 7days. Tonight’s class was Introduction to Pole, and the 3 of us did indeed enjoyed ourselves trying to be sexy. π
They made me wear that sash and tiara with the veil! These crazy friends of mine.I made more use of the pass by attending a second class on Aerial Hoops! That was way more challenging than Pole, because you need a lot of core muscles for all the poses. I was a far cry from this fellow student. >.<
All I can say about Pole-Dancing was that it’s not only for the ‘bimbos’. It actually requires a lot of core muscles and involves a lot of bruises due to the constant skin friction when dancers plaster themselves to the shiny slippery pole. Think of the firemen who slide down the poles, trying to reach the fire engines in record time. But don’t forget that they are actually wearing fireproof uniforms which probably protect their skin as much as their curly leg hairs. Looking at the pole dance instructor, the muscles that she exhibits are no less than any rock climber or even an athlete!
After we had our cool-down and wiped down the poles and the mats, I asked what was installed next. To which, the both of them replied to go to a minimart to stock up for the night. That again left me in suspense what was to happen for the subsequent hours to come. We grabbed arms full of instant noodles, bottled drinks, chocolates, and chips. That definitely gave me an impression that we were expecting more of us to join. Afterall, I had 4 bridesmaid in total!
With our prized collection, we were on our way to the next destination in no time. Within 15 minutes, we arrived at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. And to my astonishment, this was where we were to have a staycation for the night – in a Deluxe Room. If not for this opportunity, me as a local in Singapore, I don’t foresee myself staying in MBS ever in my lifetime.
A shot before we mess up the room.Complimentary macarons π€€
To enjoy the privileged access to the world acclaimed infinity pool on Level 57 was a must! But disappointingly, the pool was extremely crowded and it was almost impossible to take a nice far away photo without any photobombers.. But to give credit to the awesome view so high up in the city centre, I had to upload this photo that was from MBS’ website.
Yes, this was the view I saw if you get every single visitor out of the 150m long infinity pool. (Image from MBS website)
After the swim, we laughed ourselves silly reminiscing the good ol’ days when we knew each other in JC, chomping down the big bag of Lay’s potato chips, and coating our teeth with the sugar laden Coke.
3 four-eyed ‘teenagers’ at a sleepover
Updates : ChingYi had the runs and couldn’t join for the staycation, while XiEr couldn’t make it this weekend. But I am still very appreciative that Vanessa & Myra went ahead with the surprise plan.
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Saturday, 29 Apr 2017
Enjoyed a morning swim with Myra again at the Infinity Pool while Vanessa slept in. The pool was not as crowded as the night before, and we managed to find 2 vacant sunchairs in the pool. Basking in the sun while we had a Heart-To-Heart-Talk – that definitely brought us back to 10 years before. We chatted on our relationships, our goals in life (now that we are hitting the big 3 very soon), and our memories of our friendship..
They insisted that I had to put on the tiara and sash. And the teeshirt was what I printed for them to wear on my Big Day!
With leftover chips and chocolates being the only food left to fill our growling stomachs, those almost empty vessels started orchestrating out of melody. We headed for brunch soon after..
Our spread
And I thought that was the end of our rendezvous for the weekend. but no… there were more on the planner installed! The next Uber driver sent us to Jalan Bahar. And NTU ex-students would have guessed that we are headed for Dragon Kiln (Pottery Thow Kuang) where ChingYi joined us! My sisters signed us up for the Adult’s Pottery Workshop which cost $60 for a 2.5hour session that included material, instructions and all necessary equipment required to do a piece of hand moulded clay item, and another more professional item on the potter’s wheel with guidance on throwing techniques.
Package pricelist from Thow Kuang. Contact them for the latest schedule and prices.4 happy faces
After a brief explanation by the trainer and introduction to all the tools, glazing materials, and add-on accessories available to us, we were given time to get back, unleash our creativity, and work on our masterpieces.
See that look of concentration.. π(Clockwise from top left): Mine with a 3D wolf figurine, Vanessa’s with an intended fading yellow skintone for the dog, Myra’s tealight candle burner that looks like a strawberry, and ChingYi’s Muji-inspired simple design.This is definitely not for any beginners.The end product of which I contributed 2% just by lending my fingers. HAHA..Vanessa with her short and stout cup. I wasn’t sure what she was laughing so heartily about but that was my best guess.
The whole course was very experiential, and was a brilliant exposure to beginners like any one of us. To be able to bring home 2 self made potteries was an achievement to be bragged about when there are guests at your home too! The only inconvenience was that you had to make another Journey to the West about a month after to collect the items after they fired them in the kiln. Imagine staying in Pasir Ris… π°
We traveled back to the city, this time round to Orchard Road’s Mandarin Gallery, where we had afternoon teas at Arteastiq. Arteastiq is a recently popular place for young groups of people to do art-jamming, and enjoy some quiet chill over afternoon teas. While we were there, there was an assortment of exotic locally flavoured cookies like Nasi Lemak flavour. Interesting but not something that would get you addicted, in my opinion.
Lychee Tea, Honey Lavender Tea, and some Wolfberry Tea. I love my Lavender Tea for its sweet mild fragrance. π
And I finally understood, that we were there because that was where they asked J to pick me up after borrowing me for 24hours! An eventful weekend, with so much effort put into it.. I really couldn’t thank them enough.. and I hope to still be able to meet up with them on weekends like this to catch up in future, as we keep busy with our individual lives.
Life is a daring adventure or nothing 