25. My 2016 IN 4 MINUTES

As 2016 draws to a close in approximately 4 minutes I attempt to wrap the year up in a few sentences of the words my mind scrambles to piece together.

It was a year of loss - loss of people close to my heart who I still think of every now and then. Some people worth the tears, some not but my mind still wanders to. It was a year of new experiences - writing up my thesis, waiting anxiously for my results, getting it, the anxiety of job-seeking, securing a job (and all the craziness that came along with that), graduating...

It was a year of growing older, wising up, maturing and knowing that truly, everything happens for a reason.

It was a year of chaos, the world had so much going on in 2016. I watched in awe; other times distraught at how the world could have so many crazy things going on at the same time.

2016 was a beautiful year nonetheless, and whatever I've learnt will put me in good stead for 2017.

Bring it on :)

x

24. Thoughts on the Nicole Choo Ridhwan & DK saga

I am so sick of seeing certain responses to Nicole Choo and Ridhwan's "stunt" that I'm reduced to writing about this for twitter's 150 characters will never be enough.

Sure, I agree that they could have executed it in a better way without bringing pregnancy into the picture but they've clarified and apologised. You know what I can't stand?

Just because they're on the unpopular end of the spectrum they're getting hated on for no apparent logical reason. If you think about it, Dk bullied them, he started tweeting about them first.

What warrants 4 videos and discussing about their relationship at length? Because it fuels the fire and creates attention. Everyone likes to hate on a common denominator: for example, Donald trump for voicing out stupid decisions like building a wall around the USA to keep immigrants out. That's a legit reason to hate on him.

What stupid and illegal thing did Ridhwan and Nicole do that warranted such cyber bullying? He left tjht? So? That was his own decision to make. When the news first came out tjht also put up a couple of instagram posts adding fuel to the fire but the only one who got bashed was Ridh for wanting to get attention. 

He slapped his ex gf but that's super old news. Surely if you were Ridh you wouldn't want to be judged based on one stupid decision you made at one point in your life to define you as a person forever. Then what is the point of the yellow ribbon project? Lets just shun all ex offenders for they will NEVER turn over a new leaf shall we? (sarcasm)

Dk can have his own opinion about this. We all do. Some I don't agree with too. But just cause Dk has the platform, the followers and the right friends he thinks it's alright to speak about Ridhwan this way? 

Don't get me wrong. I really like some of dks videos, some are funny as hell and relevant. I watch him. I don't hate him. But I sure don't agree with the way he's been putting ridh down. This reminds me of freelee when she made a video about Anna Saccone stating the reason she had a miscarriage was because of the food she was eating?! Bitch please no one should be putting anyone else down based on what you see online.

Ridh and Nicole only show us how much of their lives. No one but themselves know what they're struggling with.

Tjht made an instagram video about social experiments to mock Nicole and Ridh. It's so blatantly obvious who he's referring to. Tweens look up to this guy and he's sending the message that it's alright to indirectly bully someone online?

They're getting so much shit for nothing they've done. Everyone just wants to be on the bandwagon that they can benefit from.

I mean what led to Ridh being the biggest idiot in Singapore in one of the videos, even on TOP of Amos yee who got in deep shit with the government, offended Christians and tried to tell us that Lee Kuan Yew did nothing for this country?! Ridh left a company on his own accord and suddenly just cause he's dating Nicole it gets blown out of proportion? Sure That makes him the biggest idiot...

And all y'all saying Nicole looks like crap under make up come on you think everyone is born like Kylie Jenner? Half of the bloggers out there's natural face is complete with false lashes and embroidered eyebrows. Make up is a fun tool for us to play with to add confidence to ourselves and not something that girls should be bashing each other about just cause she looks too different I mean who buys make up to look exactly the same before they put it on?

I'm out. 

23. Final Year Thesis: Done and Dusted

Here's a lighter topic than the previous post =) I know I've been away from the blogosphere for the longest time ever - months. I've been busy with an internship and my final year thesis, which is finally and thankfully done with. 10k words later, I am now officially unemployed and a psychology graduate. I'm doing this post to get ya'll up to speed and also, I that free now.

I was interning for 2.5 months at AWARE (the women's organization that NS men dislike haha). The pay was um, well, lets just say it felt like free labour but it was a meaningful internship for I got to learn how a non profit organisation works in the inside. I also got to work on really interesting projects - single parenthood, women rights, rights for single parents in the HDB sphere... etc. It really shows you a side of Singapore you do not get to usually see (single parenthood is after all a really taboo subject, just as homosexuality is).

I ended my internship about half a month earlier because it was getting really stressful to juggle my thesis data collection, meeting up with my supervisor and actually writing the thesis. My supervisor, Patrick is God-sent. He was ever so helpful with anything I needed and would actually reply my cries for help at 9/10pm at night. I hit the jackpot with my supervisor this time! Thesis writing..is so so tiring. I have written so many essays, from as little as 1.5k to 4k words but nothing could have prepared me enough for this daunting task. Some days you look at your work and think, what in the world am have I been writing, this is ALL rubbish. Other days you feel quite good and confident but it is mostly tiring and exhausting. Sometimes you have the motivation to continue but you can't find anymore information that seems relevant. You just end up staring at your document and getting a headache from all the words swimming in your head.

Anywho after about 2.5 months of slugging my guts out, I was finally done. Getting them printed and binded felt numb and surreal. I wanted to be done with the university and its shitty admin staff and poor communications with students but at the same time I wanted to continue studying. HOW DO I ADULT. All a student has to worry about is homework, essays, tests and things like that. In comparison to insurance, bills, marriage and the list goes on. Do you know it takes 1 mill to raise a kid in Singapore? Like, I don't think i can even make a million in a lifetime what more by the time I am ready to have a child?

The weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders and now a different kind of weight has landed on them. I gotta start job searching........stat.

x

22. My first car accident: Reflections

I guess there's a first for everything in life? I got into my first car accident recently and boy was it an experience. I was hit from the back while my car was stationary (will not go into the little details), and the Singapore law states that once that happens, the vehicle from the back is at fault. The impact was huge, and the car's Neck Pro (installed in the head rests) activated immediately. It was so shocking and I was shaking even after many hours passed.

For anyone's sake, here are some ''tips'' for if you ever get into a car accident..

# Do not admit to any fault (even if it may seem like it is yours). I read a post before on DOs and DONTs and the definite DONT is to say 'I'm sorry'

# Exchange identification cards, numbers and insurance agencies.

# Take as many pictures as you can of your vehicle and the other party's in terms of damage inflicted.

# Do not agree to settle the payment 'on your own' or at another workshop. Always leave it to your insurance agent to contact the other party's agent.

# Drive (if your car is still in a state to) to the nearest police station to make a report.

# Call the TP (Traffic police) or Ambulance if the car is not in any drivable state and if anyone is injured. Also your relevant cars' 24 hour hotline for roadside assist.

# See a doctor. You may seem fine but you never know what's going on inside your body (My boyfriend - in the passenger seat and I were diagnosed with mild head contusions and he had a sprained shoulder with dizzy spells and nausea)

# Be thankful. You're okay!!! Your life is more important than the car's aesthetics. Thank God or your lucky stars if you're not religious.

Take it as an experience and learn from it.

Drive carefully everyone!

21. Whampoa Market - Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan (Fishhead Steamboat) review

(photo courtesy of fatboo.com)

why hello, Keegan 

I'm back with another short review on, fishhead steamboat, again. This time at Whampoa Market, a lot nearer to me than Tampines! This hawker is bustling in the day time and eerily quiet at night if it weren't for this stall. Be sure to come early (5pm) because the waiting time does get quiet lengthy as the night goes by. We were there around 715pm and got our steamboat at 740pm. You order at the stall and an uncle will come by with a trolley tray with side dishes. They have duck wings, salted veg, taupok and braised eggs :) Humble homely food.

We ordered promfret, medium size, taupok and salted vegetable (not pictured) and the bill came up to $46-47. There were four of us so that would amount to $12 per person which is really reasonable for the amount of food there was! Also promfret is the most expensive fish option! The soup is filled with yam, seaweed, vegetables, fish and the thing I found that allowed it to stand out from the rest is...... garlic or shallot bits? or I'm not entirely sure.. but it made the soup extra tangy and flavourful. You have to try it to believe it. You can also top up the soup!!

Comparing this to the one at Tampines, my heart calls out for this one. Not only is it nearer to me, the soup brings me back to my grandmother's cooking :') It really is worth the trip down if you live further away and the wait on crowded hours.

Toodless

Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Tan
Mon: 17:00 - 21:30
Wed - Sun: 17:00 - 21:30
Closed on: Tuesday

#01-14/15,
Whampoa Market,
91 Whampoa Drive,
320091

20. Yves Rocher - Haul!!

So recently I've been introduced to this brand by my mom's friend and when we went down today, there was a sale! 1 for 1 storewide, but only till the 8th of March. I suggest ya'll hurry down to grab their goodies from Yves Rocher - all made in france, made from plant extracts and all things good you'd imagine. Some of the items are selling out quickly too! In this short post I'll just share with you some of the things I got with my mom ;-)

*enlarge pictures by clicking on them for specific names*

Their vegetal range for oily & combination skin. I do like to switch my skincare routine every now and then plus the fact that my faceshop range has been discontinued has motivated me to try this out! The facial wash (blue gel) is from the moisturising-hydra vegetal range so that it won't be too harsh on my skin if I use all of the vegetal range. 

L-R: Serum $20, Face wash $14, Toner/Micellar water $18, Gel Cream $24

ETD for the man or woman in your life -

L-R: Nature Cedar Wood & Lime (subtle), $38

Nature Guaic Wood & Juniper (stronger scent), $38 ($19 each after 1 for 1)

Female: Cherry Blossom $30, Green tea $30 ($15 each after 1 for 1)

Lip balms - Macadamia & Karite (no color or scent). They have others with tints and scents too! 

$5 each ($2.50 each after 1 for 1)

Been watching lots of youtubers lately and realized I am lacking in the eye-serum department.. my current one is for dark circles but I figured 22 would probably the time when anti-aging eye-care would come in handy.. This is under their signature elixir 7.9 range (7 plants, 9 anti-aging patents) and is retailing for $42. My mom bought one as well for her age range and that cost $55. Thus, each eye serum would be $27.5 after the 1 for 1 promotion. Which is pretty reasonable if you ask me! 

Not pictured is their olive oil body soap which was already running off the shelves! They were $6 each after the promotion. The 1 for 1 is till the 8th of March only (Tuesday) so hurry down if you want to grab these deals. They also have shampoo and body/foot scrubs which I didn't purchase. 

Yves Rocher

Ngee Ann City

#B2-03

P/S I'll definitely do a review of the above products once I have tested them out for a period of time. Happy shopping!!!! 

19. Saudade

Mama you were called home today (yesterday) to be with the Lord. I refuse to accept it but as I saw your body at the hospital, to the mortuary and to the casket.. I knew that reality would soon kick in. You were always there at every step of my growing up years. Whether it was kindergarten, sunday school, mgs, acs, and even when I started uni. It was pleasant and comforting whenever kong kong fetched me and you were there in the passenger seat. From macdonalds to tapao-ing my favourite chilli noodles, to my requests for instant noodles after school for tea and for my hair to be tied in braids, you gave in to me.... I loved staying over in your room for afternoon naps and even at you and kong kong's stays at Amara hotels and various chalets.

There's so many things that have gone through my head today and whatever I can make up from a slew of incoherent thoughts is how selfless and unconditional your love is with kong kong. I am so so so incredibly lucky to have been your grandchild, and with the rest have grown up so well because of you and kong kong's taking care of us for so many years. You took care of me for almost two decades and I couldn't be more thankful.

I relish in the thought that you're now rid of all pain, suffering and sorrow. I love you so much.

Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

18. Remembrance

I'm currently going through a rough time and what better way to blog about it, seeing as nothing else I do seems to help. Recently, I got the news that my beloved mama is in critical condition...and I'd leave the technicalities out but things haven't been looking good for a couple of days.

When I was a kid, she and my kong kong would look after me when my parents were away. They were just like my own parents, showering me with unconditional love. They were the epitome of love. They brought me to McDs, chalets, hawker centres, taught me how to swim, appreciate chilli in all my food, tutored me in every subject, fetched me to and fro for school/tuition.... the list goes on. Not everyone has the privilege of growing up with grandparents or the privilege of growing up alongside loving grandparents like me..

So when the news hit, I was nothing but devastated and shocked. These few days I've realized the different depths and types of grief. I've felt sad before, over a breakup, over doing badly in an important exam... in being a 'disappointment', in failing to achieve certain goals I've set for myself, in losing friends, in an argument... but I had never felt grief to this extent before. I had just lost my paternal grandfather in December and suddenly this all too familiar yet distant feeling of grief came back.

I was not ready. Then again, who is ever ready for such things. 

The past few days I've watched as family members, friends, pastors all came to see my mama. We prayed with her, and she knows. She knows when we're there, talking to her, singing to her and our mere presence is known. The doctor says that one's hearing is the last to go... and I hope to God she knows that we love her so so dearly. We cried, lay tirelessly by her bedside... and I felt numb all of a sudden. I could not read, listen to music, surf the internet, I just sat there and felt numb.

In this same few days I've witnessed the meaning of unconditional true love. My kong kong, even in the past (for hospital visits, at the nursing home etc) would visit her every. single. day. He'd stay the longest. He read to her, sang to her, talked to her, held her hand, caressed her... and I know anyone would long for such a love, even half of the kind of love my kong kong and mama had..

It pains me to see my mama like this, it pains me to see my mom, kong kong and sister in this state of numbing sadness and grief. I don't count myself as a religious person but dear God I really pray for strength... for all of us.. strength both physically, mentally and the willpower that you will grant onto us.

I'd end with my favourite bible quote that always made me feel better in times of need, ever since I was a kid I'd scribble this down in my dairy...

17. Hai Chang Fish Steamboat Review

Back with a short little update - a review:) 

                 

Just one picture for this post cause we were all too hungry!

My dad recently introduced this place to me and my mum, today we brought along my sis and BIL. It's located at Tampines Simei area (I'll include the address below) and is worth the drive or journey down even if you live at the other end of the island like us! 

We ordered the red snapper in medium portion and the highly raved sambal kangkong (my Favourite zhechar veg) and sweet and sour pork. It was delish! Sweet and sour pork is usually disappointing for me because the skin is too starchy and it starts flaking off once you bite into the meat.. But this was so good. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The kangkong was fresh and did not have an overpowering amount of sambal. 

The charcoal is painstakingly put in by hand in each steamboat and I believe it's quite hard to find authentic stalls around Singapore that do it well. 

Hai Chang Fish head steamboat is closed in the day time (the food centre also boasts famous kolo Mee, Nasi lemak & tiong bahru fishball in the day time) and comes alive at night. Definitely a place to check out:) Especially with the Chinese New Year festivities coming up, it'd be a great place for friends and family alike.  

The three dishes set us back $38 which is pretty affordable for 5 Pax. Be sure to try their marmite chicken and braised beancurd as well. Their braised pork is supposedly a love-hate dish, some love it and others do not see the rave, I'll definitely be back to try more!  

Hai Chang Fishhead Steamboat 

Address: 

Blk 137, Tampines St 11, Tampines Round Market, Singapore 521137 

Opening hours: 5-9pm 

Closed on Mondays

16. A Bad Start

A picture paints a thousand words.... 

15. Goodbye

Yesterday, on New Year's Eve, I found out that my grandpa passed away. He was a man of few words, but his presence was always felt. He was a man of God, always saying goodbye to us with quotes from the bible. My dad would speak highly of him and always made sure we spent time together despite everyone's busy schedules. 

This picture was taken on the 13 of December, in celebration of my 21st birthday. Amoy street. Where ACS first started. He was always talking about ACS, like the institution changed his life for better. He was the guest of Honour for founders day on many occasions - never losing the opportunity to visit ACS. He would sing the anthem for us, "From days of yore"...."Oldham dauntless hero came and planted a beacon of truth and light".... And I guess that rubbed off on me too for I love and cherish the time I had in ACS when it was my turn. 

But this is not about me. This is about my grandpa. I'm lucky to have four grandparents by my side as I grew up. And even luckier that they all played (and continue to play) important roles in looking after me and  my Sister, as well as their other grandchildren. I shan't ramble on. 

Grandpa, on the 31st of December I attended the last class/lecture I would in university. It was a milestone for me, before commencing thesis writing. But on this same day, you went back to God. It is with a heavy heart that I usher in the new year. I love you and treasure all the meals we have had, the time spent together and I know you're in a better place now. 

As it is said... 

The best is yet to be.