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....