A Place To Call My Own, Not Too Far From Home.

Back in September 2012, the boyfriend and I balloted for the AMK project. Due to some silly oversight, we missed the application for the 'live near parents scheme', also known as the Married Child Priority Scheme. Hence, we only had 2 ballot chances.

When we got our queue number about a month later, my heart sank: 781 out of 619 available units. In order for us to have a few semi-good units to choose from, we needed at least 200 couples ahead of us to give up.

Selection of units for September BTO started in November, and our appointment was scheduled for 16 January 2013, 5.45pm. The wait was extremely agonizing. January came, and I was religiously stalking the HDB website, looking at the number of units left, as well as which floors were available.

2 days prior to our appointment date, I saw hope, as there was still 1 unit each on level 14, 11, 10, 9, 8 and 7. As fast as I saw hope, the lights on 14 and 11 went out.

On the day of our appointment, level 10, 9 and 8 got snapped up so quickly that I really lost all hope. In all honesty, I felt very dejected. I kept hoping that level 7 would wait for us and be ours.

Went to HDB Hub for our long awaited appointment, and to my surprise, 7 was there for us, waiting. However, after looking at the model and with my Dad's very wise train of thoughts and suggestions, we let 7 slip by us, and took a unit on level 6 at the other block which will have less blockage from existing public housing. In addition, we will probably have fresher air at this unit in future as it is next to the neighbourhood park.


Home =)
You may not have a majestic exterior in terms of height, but I'll see that you'll look pretty on the inside for sure. I'll see you in 5 years' time, my little Home. =)

Happy Birthday, Love

This year is the second year I celebrated the boyfriend's birthday with him, and this year, I put in more effort in finding a nice venue for his birthday treat.

While doing some research online, I chanced upon Zero.Zero, and found that it was the sister company of Tao's and Dozo. Having dined at Tao's before and enjoyed the food a lot, I decided that Zero.Zero would definitely match up and be a notch better than Tao's since the selection of food offered at Zero.Zero is a notch above Tao's, a.k.a more atas.

Instantly, I made a reservation stating the date, time and occasion. The reply I received from the management impressed me, as a midst the confirmation, this was included, "For the birthday arrangement, we will provide a complementary cake with candle for him =)". Seriously, I was already sold even before trying them out.

The whole week I was so excited for the dinner and I kept telling the boyfriend that I hope he would enjoy this year's meal much much more than last year's.

I'm glad to say Zero.Zero delivered!


We started dinner with a glass of Moscato each. Yummy~



The ordering system works as such: Dinner is a 5 course meal. Other than the starter course, under each course there are a few items, and we are to select one dish from each course.



Amuse Bouche: Assorted Platter

Cold Dish (both): Smoked Duck Breast with Apple Slice
We chose the same cold dish, and boy was this a fantastic choice! The smoked duck was crazily tender and flavourful, and when paired together with the apple slices and apple sauce, it was so so so good that I wished I had another portion of that stuff!


Side Dish (his): Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab


Side Dish (mine): Grilled Escargot with Cheese
The soft shell crab was okay but nothing to shout about. The escargot on the other hand, was pretty interesting and tasted mighty awesome and also, that was our first time eating snails.


Main Course (his): Pork Collar on Houba Leaf with Lava Stone


Main Course (mine): Beef Rib Eye on Houba leaf with Lava Stone
Both our main courses were well executed. Up to this stage, there was honestly nothing to complain about the taste of the food as well as the presentation. Although the pork collar was good, we both agreed that the beef rib eye was the winner. Freaking tender and tasty even without having to dip into the sauce provided.

And then came the last course of our meal. Desserts...


Dessert (his): Mille Feuille


Dessert (mine): Pomelo Orange and Mango Pannacotta
At this point in time, I was stuffed and to stomach anything more was really pushing it. But the desserts were great too, and I couldn't help it! =/


The complimentary chocolate brownie from Zero.Zero for the birthday boy!


Happy birthday, Love. I hope you enjoyed dinner this year, and put the birthday present into good use soon. =)

Tribute To PoPo

My Grandmother was a great mother to her 5 sons, and a fantastic grandmother to her 10 grandchildren. She was a lady who puts everyone before herself, especially when it comes to feeding us.

I will always remember the months when Dada and herself stayed with us, and I shared my room with her.

I will always remember how worried I felt whenever I crawled into bed for fear of waking her up.

I will always remember the sound of her soft snores as she slept soundly beside me.

Not everybody has the chance to share a room (much less a bed) with their grandparents, so I am very glad that I had that opportunity.

On 21 December 2012, Popo was called home to be with The Lord, to be with Dada and also to be with her eldest son for eternity. To be honest, I am happy for her that she no longer has to suffer. The way she gasped for every single breath of air in her last couple of days was too painful to watch.

For families and friends who are interested, I will roll the pictures and videos from here on.




With my Mauritius granduncle and grandaunts

The entire family.

Final Service

Encoffin

Service at Mandai Crematorium

Cremation - Goodbye Popo ='(
After the emotional cremation of Popo, we dropped by Dada's niche to let him know that Popo is already with him, and that her remains will be placed with him the following day.

We went back to Mandai the next day to collect the remains of Popo, and like Dada's time, each of us took a piece of Popo and placed it in the urn.




At the niche, Dada's urn was taken out to place Popo's in first. For easy identification, their names were written on their respective urns.



Sealed together, for eternity.

Rest in peace, Dada and Popo.

Run Events In 2012

26/05 - Sundown (21.1km)
15/07 - Shape Run (10km)
22/07 - Race Against Cancer (15km)
09/09 - AHM (21.1km)
21/10 - Nike 10K
28/10 - Adidas KOTR (16.8km)
11/11 - GE 2012 (10km)

S.E.A. Aquarium

The boyfriend brought me on a date at Sentosa, something different from the usual. We visited the World's largest aquarium, S.E.A Aquarium.

As the weather was kind, it was a fine day for a stroll, so we took a walk from Vivocity to Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk.




After queuing for quite some time, we finally got our tickets!











Spaceship Stingray!



Finding Nemo...

And the boyfriend being the cheeky self he always is, cannot do away with being cranky and doing retarded stuff. Cracked me up like crazy, hahaha!

Thank you for bringing me on this date! It was fun. =)

BARF By Budak Pantai

J brought me to a mini concert performed by Budak Pantai at Fort Canning Park last Sunday, and like always, this a capella group never fail to surprise and impress me. Thank you for the invite. =)




My babymeh got photobombed by his brother!


2 babymehs who haven't met in a super long time.
I am unable to upload the videos of 2 songs I filmed, but I will try soon, when I have more time on hand.

Last Race of 2012

2012 is coming to an end, and with so many run events that we have participated this year, D and I ended with our final event being the Great Eastern Women's Run 2012.

My 7th event this year, and also my last for the year. The cool thing I realized, was that my first run event last year (which was also the first ever run event I participated), was the Great Eastern Women's Run 2011, and this year I end my last event with it as well.

Not my best timing for 10km, but it was still not too bad a race at 1:05:17 (unofficial timing).


Tired and sweaty after our run, but still able to smile for the camera. =)

We then met up with K, J and B who went for their Passion Run and leisure run respectively, for brunch at Hatched.



And now, I look forward to HK Standard Chartered event in February 2013!

Subaru Challenge 2012

When the boyfriend told me that he managed to call through the radio hotline for the Subaru Challenge, I thought he was kidding. I thought he would not go for it, and then I thought that maybe he would, just for the fun of it.

The challenge is over, and his record shocked me, considering the fact that I thought he was in it for a cheap thrill, and for the fact hat he was a first-timer.

On the morning of 27 Oct, he went down to Ngee Ann City for registration, and he balloted number 250 which was on Car 7. I arrived minutes before the challenge started and I was so glad that I managed to give him a kiss before he started.




And then the challenge started at 1pm sharp!





The time went by hour after hour, but my boyfriend still looked so happy after nearly 4 hours.





At 5pm, I collected the family pass which entitled me to enter the area everyday during the 7pm 5 minutes break.


More time passed, but the boyfriend STILL smiled for my camera!






After being by his side for more than half the day, I had to head back to rest for the following day's KOTR event.

On Sunday morning, the sun was merciless, shining down on earth at full blast with no cloud coverage at all. As I was running my 16.8km, my mind and heart went out to the boyfriend, who was also under the scorching hot sun, with nowhere to move.

Went down to NAC right after KOTR (thanks to J), and when I saw the boyfriend, it tickled me like crazy because of this:


HAHAHAHAHA!
Went home for a quick wash up and rest and then I went down to NAC again. Upon reaching, I saw contestants from a few cars being released for an additional free 5 minutes break because the weather was extremely hot.


Like a shiok!
And then the challenge resumed.











If I could stay there the entire night with him, I would, but I had to work the next day, so I reluctantly went back home.

The next morning, I surprised the boyfriend by heading down to NAC before I went to work. The look on his face was priceless, and I know that it gave him a much needed boost.





44.5 hours of standing and without sleep, but he still looked pretty good!

Stayed for 2.5 hours with the boy and then I left for work. Kept checking his progress online and whenever I refreshed the page to see if he was still "alive", my heart beat doubled.

It poured like crazy at 5pm and I rushed down right after work but I was 10 minutes too late. The boyfriend dropped out of the challenge because his palm slipped due to the rain and because he dozed off, lol!



My champion! Damn proud of him for lasting nearly 53 hours! This is one heck of a crazy thing to do, but he did it with much encouragement from family, friends, and even colleagues! I am so proud of you, Keith!

When we got back, K saw a picture that his friend tagged him in from the I Love Subaru FB page. The both of us were in awe at the picture:


This shot was taken on Sunday night, during the 5 minutes break at 7pm. The boy was tired, dirty and wet. Our kiss was chaste and swift, yet the photographer managed to capture this shot so perfectly and clearly. Thank you for this shot, we love it to bits. =)

Many times during the challenge, the boyfriend wanted to give up, but he persevered. For the length of time that he was there, I respect every single minute of it. I am so very proud of you baby!