Piggy's Diary

I Have Moved

2009-08-24T11:35:00.001+08:00

Hi my dear friends, I have moved my blog to http://qizhu.wordpress.com =)

21st with Eugene - Probably the Best Day of My Life

2009-07-07T11:30:00.006+08:00

I am officially 21 when the clock striked 12 last night. Eugene called me on the phone to wish me happy birthday. Even though we have been together for 4 years now, I spent my last 2 birthdays without him cos he was far far away in Melbourne. So I really looked forward to today, knowing I could spend this big day with him.

We lunched at Sakae. Their lunch promo was quite value for money. There were scallops, fish, chicken, vege, tofu, soup and dessert in the set meal at $28.90++ for 2.

Eugene bought me a camera as my 21st birthday present and I have been on photo-taking mode since he handed it to me. The battery was flat last night from all the photo takings so I charged it overnight to ensure I can capture every single detail that would remind me of this very special day spent with him in years to come. I took out my camera, switched it on, and to my horror, IT WAS NOT WORKING!!! Did I not charge it properly last night? No no no this cannot be happening. I need it to be working today. Eugene kept his cool, took the camera from me to unload the battery, like he was certain the problem lies with me and not the camera. "You loaded the battery the wrong side dumbo," he said and started to laugh like nobody's business. Oh well, that's me. Such a blur cock.

We headed down to Mint Museum of Toys afterwards. I have always wanted to go there cos Sharlene used to be an intern there and she would tell me lots about the place. Wanted to see it for myself and it had to be today, my birthday. I know Eugene will never accompany me there any other time but he will have no choice but to accede to all of my requests on my birthday.

Our next stop was The Cathay to catch Transfomers: Revenge of the Fallen. It was awesome. Kept me glued to the screen the whole time. Action packed film with a sense of humour. haha. I had problems witholding my bladder though. Ran for the washroom the moment the movie ended. Totally felt like my bladder would burst any time.

We strolled along Orchard Road until dinner time. Eugene made a reservation at Capella, Chijmes. The restaurant serves modern Italian food and had a very nice ambience. I was really happy with this little surprise he had for me but felt guilty at the same time too. The menu prices were exorbitant! We were served Evian when I asked for plain water. I would rather they served me tap water.

I got myself potato dumplings in four cheese sauce, Eugene ordered rissotto with foie gras and we shared a mushroom soup and manjari cake with chocolate ganache. We each got ourselves a glass of white wine too.

The food was yummy, very flavourful and the service was impeccable. We were served pineapple sorbet in between meals to clear our palettes and our main courses were served at the same time! You know how main courses are served at different times to different people at the same table in our usual restaurants? Fine dining restaurants make it a point to serve the food at the same time to everyone at the table.

It was a fantastic dining experience at Capella, so was the tab - $132 in total.

Eugene is probably the best thing that can ever happen to me. I have witnessed couples break up cos of infidelity and incompatible characters but Eugene stayed truthful and loyal to me even when we were apart. He may not be the most perfect or the most romantic boyfriend but he loves me very much and that is all that I need, all that I ask for. He would pick out stems of leafy veggies from my plate to eat, he would never let me walk on the outer side of the lane along the road, he would forgo his meals just to get me an ipod, he would let me hurt him verbally and still say he loves me, he would suffer in silence so that I would be happy.

I love you darling. You are the best present anyone can ever give me.

Crazy Day

2009-06-24T11:38:00.005+08:00

So glad I got to meet up with Meiqi today! This dear friend aka soul mate aka distant relative of mine is almost uncontactable. She takes ultra long to reply sms-es and seldom picks up her phone when people call. Anyway, our story dates all the way back to 8 years ago in secondary school. Forgot how we got so close, considering she was in table tennis and I was in badminton. People in our class (sports class) tend to forge closer ties with their sports mates so I suppose it was quite a miracle that Meiqi and I built such a strong bond? We used to hang out after school at our secret hide out in Paya Lebar. The place, isolated (from school) as it seemed, housed our favourite Bubble Tea shop and a quiet foodcourt where we would chat till the sky darkened.

We always have sooo much to talk about each time we meet, I bet the people queueing outside Aston's this evening were cursing and swearing at us cos we took hours to finish our meal. I really love such meet ups with girlfriends, it brings so much comfort to the soul as we share our joys and sorrows.

We parted after dinner and I went on to meet Vincent and his bunch of army friends. Vincent was my colleague in Robinsons. I worked as a full timer at Robinsons three years ago while waiting for school in TP to commence. Vincent claimed one of his close army buddies is going to NUS Communications & New Media too so wanted to introduce him to me and asked me to join his gang of friends that night for supper. Turned out 2 of my HTM coursemates hang out very often with them too! What a small world! And so I met up with Vincent and people whom I do not know at all except for 2 of my coursemates for supper. So wierd but interesting.

Once A Saint Always A Saint

2009-06-23T12:38:00.004+08:00

I went to Saint Andrews Junior College after "O" levels for a year. Did not really like my time there because I hated everything that I was studying. Saw no relevance Chemistry, Biology etc had to working in the hospitality and tourism industry. I skipped school once every two days or so. Fortunately for me, I managed to bond with a small group of friends whom I still meet up with till today.

Sarah could not make it for our dinner date today cos she decided not to fly back from Perth this time round. Sam, Jesmine, Jamie and I settled down at Xin Wang Hong Cafe at Plaza Singapura for dinner. It was so much fun catching up with these girls. Sam is still as much a joker as before, Jesmine is still as busy and Jamie still gets laughing fits every other minute.

Hooters @ Clarke Quay

2009-06-19T14:34:00.002+08:00

Eugene, unlike his usual self, suggested bringing me to Hooters for dinner. He is a boyfriend who seldom had surprises, ideas or plans for dates so I was really excited that evening.

Since he was not hungry and my tummy not in a good condition (have been eating too much spicy food for the last few days), we ordered some finger foods to share. We both agreed on a 10 piece chicken wing since it is Hooter's signature dish and a beef fondue cos I was craving for cow meat. Food was served within 10 minutes or so. Impressive. The wings were juicy and tasty but was served rather cold. It would have tasted alot better if it was piping hot. The beef fondue was interesting. Deep fried beef cubes served with wedges and 3 different condiments (black pepper, curry mayo, B.B.Q). The beef was well seasoned and very tender. It went well with either of the 3 condiments. The wedges, however, were too dry for my liking.

We strolled lazily along the river after dinner in search of a dessert place.

My dessert of the day: Turkish Ice Cream. Saw the ice cream man swivel the ice cream cone 360 degrees, playing a fool with his patrons. Passer bys had so much fun watching. It was my first attempt on Turkish Ice Cream. The texture was chewy like my favourite mochi balls. One thing I loved about it was it did not melt as fast as our usual ice creams. I always make a mess whenever I ate ice cream cones but managed to savour my entire Turkish Ice Cream cone without staining my top that day.

Cafe Swiss @ Swissotel The Stamford

2009-06-13T12:50:00.000+08:00

Originally planned to dine with Eugene alone (for a romantic experience) at Cafe Swiss but since the restaurant was offering a 1 for 1 Great Singapore Sale promotion, he decided to give his mum and brother a treat too. The restaurant serves mainly Swiss and Asian cuisines. The buffet dishes, in general, tasted average but the seafood was grreattt! Oysters, sashimi and prawns were uber fresh and sweet. Yum! The restaurant also serves a wide variety of desserts, including chocolate fondue and Movenpick ice creams.

The downside, however, would be the lack of variety and the quantity of food was minimal. The restaurant ran out of sashimi and my favourite marble cheesecake halfway through our meal at about 8pm. How sad. Nevertheless, it was still a great night, dining with his family in a restaurant with such a nice ambience. The bill came up to $117 for 4 persons i.e $29.25 per pax. The buffet was quite worth it I would say, provided if there is the 1 for 1 promotion going on. Or else I don't think I will pay $50++ per head to dine there.

Qiang Sen's 20th Birthday + Slumber @ Karen's Place!

2009-06-12T23:53:00.000+08:00

Went down to Costa Sands Downtown East for Qiang Sen's birthday party today. I always love attending such parties cause I get to see my beloved Anglicans again as we indulge in the reminiscence of our glorious and amusing secondary school days. Class, teachers (who were subjected to our bullies), training camps, tournaments... I will do anything to relive those moments...

After the gathering dispersed, I spent a night at Karen's place, in her very cool room that has a cosy corner and a ceiling covered with glow in the dark stars. We gossiped through the night and finally KO-ed at around 7am in the morning.

2009-06-09T08:57:00.007+08:00

I reckon this is my first post in gazillion years. Decided that I should do something extraordinary since I am turning 21 soon. Will try to update my blog diligently in future. haha. Anyway, here is a summary of the latest happenings in my life:

Graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management...

Went on a graduation trip to Taiwan...

Deciding between an undergraduate course in NUS and Curtin...

Opening up a blogshop (AGAIN?!) soon to sell all the wonderful goodies I managed to chance upon when I travelled... Stay tuned at http://hersummerfling.wordpress.com/!!!

Taiwan Graduation Trip (Day 3: Sun Moon Lake, Nantou)

2009-03-05T16:40:00.001+08:00

Woke up real early this morning too cos its a long journey from Miao Li to Sun Moon Lake, Nantou. Have to take a train to Taichung, then transfer to express bus and then transfer to shuttle bus that will bring us to our hotel (The Lalu) in Sun Moon Lake area. ARGH! We had to wait approximately 45 minutes for our express bus to depart from Taichung and so we shopped around the vicinity. Things are really cheap in Taiwan. The ankle socks were going for SGD1.00 a pair and I bought enough to last me a lifetime.

When we finally arrived at Nantou from a 2 hours bus ride, our hotel car was already waiting for us at the bus stop. It came to pick us and us only! So atas right? The moment we got out of the car at the hotel entrance, we were greeted by their staff and escorted to the lobby area where plum tea and nuts were served. Apparently The Lalu is a 5 star hotel that provides luxury accommodation, comprehensive facilities and immaculate service and that do not befit our status. We were budget travellers who had no other cheaper alternatives. Sun Moon Lake is a very famous tourist attraction, hence all the hotels in the vicinity charge rocket high rates for their rooms. The Lalu seemed like the most value for money (SGD$340 per room per night) accommodation available on Asiarooms (http://www.asiarooms.com/).

A staff escorted us up to our room once it was ready and gave us a brief orientation. The room, in fact the entire architecture of the hotel, was beautiful. Furnishing was contemporary with a touch of Zen, exuding elegance. I was really facinated by the design of the toilet because it actually blended with the rest of the room (instead of the usual enclosed design) by having the basin cabinet located in the centre of the room like an island on a vast ocean. There was also a balcony, with a day bed and a spectacular view of the lake.

The Lalu also has a warm water swimming pool. How cool is that?

Later in the afternoon, we went on a 1.5 hours boat tour around the lake for SGD$15 per pax, one of the recreational activities offered by the hotel.

The boat made stops at several islands for passengers to explore on foot. I managed to try the best herbal tea eggs I have ever tasted in my entire life. It was flavourful and the egg white was very Q, not too hard or soft. Story has it that this herbal tea egg shop has been around for at least 50 years and even has an online blog!

Eugene and I met a real cool Singaporean dentist couple during our boat tour. Justin and Jeanie treated us to a sumptious dinner and invited us to their room for a chit chat session afterwards. It was only after we visited their room then we realised that our room was of the lower grades. Justin and Jeanie's room was TWICE the size of ours with a living area and a huge bathroom. Pretty~~

Card playing was our favourite past time during the trip.

Taiwan Graduation Trip (Day 2: Miao Li)

2009-03-04T14:19:00.000+08:00

We woke up early this morning to catch the express bus down to Miao Li. When we finally reached Miao Li after a 2 hours ride, I realised we were kind of lost in the mountains! Fortunately, there was this Ah Peh, who was very hospitable and kind enough to offer his help. He called the owner of Dahu Hakka Village Resort (the place where we will be putting up for the night) to come pick us up at the bus stop. While waiting, we took our lunch at McDonald's. Eugene bought the McSpicy Chicken Burger but I got something special for myself. Teriyaki Chicken Burger! Singapore don't have.

The owner of the Village Resort had a cherubic face with rosy cheeks. Comparable to my face after I apply blusher. You have no idea how envious I was. Anyway, he offered to drive us to Sheng Xing Train Station (a tourist attraction) before we head back to the village. So nice right? Eugene and I took about 20 minutes to explore the place, take photos and buy souvenirs while he read newspaper in his car.

The ride up the mountain to the village took about 20 minutes. According to cherubic faced owner, it would take us approximately 2 hours to walk, crawl, climb up to the mountain top by feet. That was what he did in the past when he was a child.

I simply loved our theme room. Just as I had expected it to be. Comfy, romantic and we had a view of the vast greenery from the balcony.

Miao Li offers a totally different experience with its breathtaking scenery, fresh air and serene environment. We spent the afternoon lazily, drinking Ke Jia Lei Cha (traditional Hakka tea), picking strawberries and basking in the serenity.

Dinner was sumptious and slightly pricey. I suppose it is because they use really fresh ingredients. They grow their own fruits and vegetables. Turns out the cherubic faced owner was the one who whipped all all those delicious dishes! We had meat with preserved vegetables, stir fried vegetables, prawn balls and strawberry salad and a pickled vegetable soup. Yum! We also realized that he is actually head of the village cause halfway through our meal, villagers gathered at a huge table beside us for their dinner. We paid only SGD125 per night for our room, inclusive of breakfast and ultra good hospitality! Find out more at http://www.130.com.tw/

Taiwan Graduation Trip (Day 1: Taipei City)

2009-03-03T13:14:00.001+08:00

My dream is to travel around the world with Eugene, to see beautiful places and experience beautiful things with the love of my life. We went on a short trip to Bangkok, Thailand before he left to study in Melbourne for 2 years. Now that he is finally back from Australia and I have completed my course in TP, it is time for us to embark on a deserving long holiday to... TAIWAN! We decided not to follow a tour group so that we have the freedom to go places we want to at our own pace. So I researched and planned our itinerary using the free time I had during my internship in Vietnam. The long awaited day finally arrived and believe it or not, I could not sleep the night before. So excited!

We reached Changi Airport Terminal 1 way before our flight so that we would have time to chillax, eat lunch and shop around. We flew on Jetstar and touched down Taiwan at about 5pm (local time). Eugene felt rather uneasy in his new environment with all the signages written in traditional chinese. Lucky for him he has a girlfriend who took Higher Chinese in school.

We saw a crowd at the customer service counter (to the right of the arrival hall) and walked over to see what was going on. The staff were actually issuing the "Youth Traveller Card" to the tourists and so we got 2 for ourselves too! The card comes with lots of privileges such as discounts for attractions, accommodations etc. so be sure to grab one when you are travelling in Taiwan.

To the left of the arrival hall were the ticketing counters for all the express buses that bring you to the different parts of Taiwan, including hotels. We bought tickets from Free Go Bus cause they could bring us to our hotel in Taipai City (Wonstar Hotel).

We really loved our room even though it was small. We paid only SGD90 per room per night for such a cosy and clean accommodation located right smack in Xi Men Ding. The hotel provided complimentary breakfast too. A real good deal! Can visit http://www.wonstar.com.tw/ for more details.

By the time we settled down, it was time for dinner and so we took a walk around Xi Men Ding. Eugene was craving for their local delights so we ate braised meat rice (SGD1.20) and oyster omelette (SGD2.50). Taiwanese oyster omelette is slightly different from ours. It was served on a bed of green leafy vegetables and topped with a ketchup like sauce, tasted more sweet than savoury. Wierd. I prefer Singapore's version of it.

2008-10-02T23:22:00.007+08:00

Attended a management meeting today where all the department heads and company directors were present. I was rather intimidated by the occasional awkward silence and tense atmosphere. I feel obliged, as an intern, to voice out my opinions but fear that I might say the wrong stuff and make a fool of myself. Better do my homework before attending the meeting again next Thursday. haha.

We head down to the staff lounge for a rock and roll karaoke session some evenings. Singing with Yan Ping is always an agony cause her voice is so powerful I have to stress my throat and literally shout into the microphone for myself to be heard. tiring one leh. haha.

Fruits I see in Vietnam so far are either extremelyyyy small or ultra BIG... I wonder why.

*green apples*

*longan*

*DRAGONFRUIT*

2008-09-28T22:41:00.006+08:00

Today is my last day at the golf reception. Starting work at the events department next Tuesday so took some photos with my super fun and wonderful colleagues.

*Ms Trinh and I in the office. they always buy fruits and snacks to work and so I get to feast throughout the day.*

*my supervisor Ms Loi*

*Ms Thoan/Vivian; isn't she adorable? lol*

We get to order from the ala carte menu for dinner today and I got myself a club sandwich with fries. It was yummy and definitely something different cause it is my first Western meal in Vietnam. haha.

2008-09-27T23:24:00.001+08:00

There was a blackout at our apartment today!!! What's worse? The tap water stopped running while I was halfway through my shower! Luckily Yan Ping and Shi Qin thought of using our drinking water to save the damsel in distress...

*our precious drinkable water*

*who would have thought that the basin Shi Qin uses to wash her undergarments could actually serve such an important purpose? haha!*

*Yan Ping, Ming Li, Wendy (from left to right)*

*Shi Qin*

The water came back on after a while but it was black. Like squid ink.

2008-09-23T09:33:00.000+08:00

Received news of my grandfather's passing away only 5 hours after he actually did. My family wanted to keep it from me because I was in Vietnam for internship but my little cousin leaked the secret. Called home immediately but they didn't agree to let me fly back to Singapore for the funeral. I insisted and booked the earliest flight I could get.

It was a Christian funeral with pastors and singing etc cause my grandfather was baptised 2 years ago. I did a good job hiding my feelings during the wake and infront of my friends and relatives but tears rolled down like avalanche while we were at the crematorial hall.

Everything feels so unreal. I am still hoping I will get to see my grandfather the next time I go over to his house for dinner. Memories of him keep resurfacing these days and it constantly reminds me of how much he loved us but I didn't reciprocate. The older I grew, the lesser time I spent with him and the lesser I talked to him. I regret it so much now that I have lost him forever. 爷爷请您原谅我来不及跟你说我爱您。

When the clock hits 12 midnight tonight, it will be the 7th day of his death. I really hope to see him again. You know the Chinese belief that the dead will return to his home on the 7th day? I have wrote him a letter and will be camping at my grandparents' house tonight. Haha...

2008-09-10T19:16:00.000+08:00

Leaving for Vietnam in less than 5 hours. Have been having mixed feelings about this trip ever since my grandfather's condition worsened. I spent the whole afternoon with him today at the hospital because I couldn't bear to leave; I know I will never be able to see him again the moment I step out of Ward 48. 爷爷，对不起我不能再陪你了。

2008-08-05T15:13:00.002+08:00

Tears welled up when I saw my grandfather lying on the sofa today. He is so skinny now, unlike the robust and healthy man who could carry tons of groceries when I was a kid. The cancer has robbed him of his health. He can barely walk, hardly eats, stares into space while suffering in pain. It hurts me to see him like that but I don't know how to make him happy or lessen his pain.

He was always there to send me to school and fetch me after my class. He cooked for me, brought me out to play, watched "Tom & Jerry" even though he didn't like it because there was only one TV. He has aged and I never realised how much I have been neglecting him all these years. I am always occupied with school, work, friends and myself. Wake up girl, or you will regret it when he only lives in your memories.