Take Home Dinner

In Christmas of 2007, I went to my Aunt's house to bake cookies for my friends as Christmas treats for them. I put some cookies in complemented them with chocolates and wrapped them up into a nice Christmas package. Then sometime last year, I made lunch at home because I was too tired to go outside.

That feeling everytime I had baked or cooked felt so invigorating that I had vowed to learn how to cook and be better in the kitchen. I think to Addison that already sounds like a broken record. That's why when I got the call from Tor and Ver about cooking dinner last night rather than going out, I knew it was a great idea and was gonna be lots of fun.

After buying all the ingredients from the supermarket, we drove back to my house and cooked the meal. Last night's Menu; Clam Chowder Soup, Spaghetti Bolognese, Gourmet Black Pepper Chicken Sausages and Mashed potatoes. A feast indeed!

The girls did a pretty good job with most of the work and I assisted here and there wherever help was needed! Dinner was very fulfilling and tasted just as good as any Spaghetti Bolognese I've tasted at a restsurant as far, maybe even better ;)

A Triple Threat Birthday Combo

Last Friday night, marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It feels great to finally break free and have time for fun now. To kick things off, Tor, Chris, Dom and I headed to Raffles City for lunch and a movie. It was great reminiscing about the time we used to take the MRT back together from school while en route there.

After lunch we caught the film, "Dear John". A very heartfelt movie. The film portrays the difficulty between two lovers when they are apart for long periods of time. In the case of the film, John played by Channing Tatum is away indefinitely to different countries serving in the US Army. It made me think about my cousin in L.A. now who's having a baby and her husband is away serving in the US Army. Although we have family there to be with her, it still can't be easy doing this without her husband.

The patience one must endure can be overwhelming. Thankfully we have social media or even traditional letters we can still write to communicate and stay in touch with loved ones.

Afterwards, I attended a birthday party three guys were hosting, Peter, Yung Han and Redzuan since their birthdays were around the same time, very cost effective indeed! It was an awesomely entertaining night and I got the opportunity to meet up with many former Patricians at the party and some really cool peeps too!

Don't Come Knocking On My Door

Sorry for the lack of updates, with all the exam fever spreading, life gets more tense and complicated. But amidst all that, I took a break and went for some drinks with my friends at Chevy. It didn't work or at least it worked to a certain extent. Some twisted mess surfaced that night but it worked out alright I guess. Felt like it was a whole Heidi-Spencer-Lauren episode!

There's also an episode of Sex And The City in season 3 when Miranda dates Carrie's ex-boyfriend. He turns out to be an ass to Carrie and Miranda leaves off with her. It's a perfect example of how relationships should never cross the line of friendships. Besides all that, I worked on my research report over the weekend on Social Media and next is Banking Law! I'll graduate with my diploma very soon.

Here We Go Again

There's alot of things taking place in my world at the moment which has deprived me of time to update this site. Okay, maybe that's just as excuse. But seriously, after 3 years in the Polytechnic, my final exams are around the corner. I have 3 papers to sit for and 1 report to write based on Social Media in Higher Education. If I can pull myself together and study harder than I ever have... then by a stroke of luck my GPA may improve, I hope at least.

Furthermore, I have been reflecting ALOT about what I have really taken out of studying 3 years in the Poly, i.e what have I learned and how can I apply it to my future? As I began to ponder, I realized that there have been much to take away from this diploma and it's just a matter of how much I want to take away from it and how much I can remember. If that even makes any sense at all.

The other thing that I am concerned about is that I have begun to feel disconnected with my closest friends. I tend to avoid going out to party or spending time outside lately with my papers around the corner and I feel this is taking a toll on things. I have so much to make up for after my finals. Hold on world and get ready, cause here I come!

A Vintage Hollywood Gwen Stefani

Almost a week ago Gwen Stefani debuted her 2010 LAMB fall collection. I'm so proud of my girl! And she's looking hot as ever with the Vintage Hollywood look and curly blond hair complemented with the heavy make-up and dark red lips and finally that sultry body she walks around with. That was the theme for the collection and hence the models have the same resembling look to carry forward the image Gwen had intended when designing this collection.

This look brings me back to 2003/2004 when Gwen made her debut into the movie industry with her role in The Aviator which she played Jean Harlow and the music video for "It's My Life".

I read that some celebrities were present at the show and I saw a video with Anna Wintour standing beside Gwen. Apparently Gwen joined the audience to watch the show rather than stay backstage. I only wish she would expand the line to include a men's collection. Maybe in the future?

You Can't Push It Underground (You Can't Stop It Screaming Out)

When Debs and I heard Muse was gonna play in town in February, we immediately booked our tickets on opening day at 9am sharp last year.

After months of waiting, we finally got to witness one of our favourite bands, Muse, perform live! The synergy amongst the 3 band members Matt, Dom and Chris is phenomenal.

Some things I learnt about the band:

1- They sound exactly as they do on their records and hearing it loud and live is really one of the best feelings.

2- They don't talk much with the audience. This was a disappointment because I enjoy some personal interaction with the audience from performers.

3- They really are the best live band (After No Doubt). These are some of my thoughts about the concert.

Debs, Diana and I took a drive to McDonald's for some refreshing coca cola after the hysteria that was Muse and like any rock concert pushing and jumping and squeezing and things breaking that took place. I'm glad Debs enjoyed her first concert and what more than to attend a Muse concert for your first!

Dressed To Kill At The Grammy Awards

There's no denying the success Beyonce has achieved is immeasurable to any other female artist. In the 52 years of the Grammy Awards, Beyonce has made history by being the first female artist to nab 6 Grammy awards in one night! She looked so adorable as always especially when she was at her seat grooving to the Michael Jackson "Earth Song" tribute and as she gave her acceptance speech.

It was also no surprise that Lady Gaga was dressed to kill at the Grammy awards. She was wearing an Armani outfit which was pretty awesome. Her medley performance of "Pokerface" and "Speechless" with Elton John was one of my favorites of the night! The Grammys was definitely a good show this year although I don't entirely agree with some who won that night. Either way every artist nominated worked hard to be where they are. So, win or lose...?

Tennis Royalty Turns 16

Tennis Royalty, Roger Federer clinched his fourth Australian Grand Slam title this evening. His achievement has risen to a grand total of 16 Grand Slam wins under his belt! During the past tournament, Federer also took time to raise money for Haiti. He is an incredible role model to millions around the globe! And definitely one of the special few on my list of "People To Meet" before I die! Tick Tock Tick Tock!!!

We Are A Mix, Let's Ace!

If you thought you had dined in every way possible, think again! Pick one card and you don't know when to stop. I had been hearing good reviews about this restaurant, Ace at Chijmes so last night we went down for dinner.

Here's their selling point: You decide on your drink of choice on the menu, and they lay out before you a deck of cards. You pick a card from the deck and the price you pay for your drink is determined by the card! Yes, so if you take an Ace then it's free or a 2 or 10 then it's $2 or $10. However if it's a King, Queen or Jack then you pay the bar price and what's good is that there's nothing for you to lose. This game can get quite addictive though which would make you want to try again and again. Debs and Mel were pretty lucky that night!

Now let's talk about the drama that went down last night. There was table of Caucasians at the restaurant just beside Ace and Cor got curious about if they were straight or gay! No surprise there. But of course he wasn't going to go up to them himself so the girls took action. Yeah, they formulated a plan and worked together with the waiters at our restaurant and waiters from the other restaurant. Mel and Debs ended up writing a note to their table asking the question and the waiter kindly passed it on. And in a short while, the table replied back "It depends on who's asking, we have a mix". Cor got damn excited I remember he practically jumped out of his seat. This note exchange flirting went on for a while longer and the waiters were happy helping both tables. That's what I call going the extra mile for good service!

Besides all that drama, we had some good laughs playing a new game. It's simple, it only involves the words "penis" or vagina" and movie titles. So simply put it, if it's your turn you apply either word into a movie title. For e.g. "He's Just Not That Into Your Penis". If you pass 3 seconds or if the phrase is lame then the player either takes a shot or decided on a "truth or dare"!

If you haven't been to Ace, I would recommend this restaurant which offers delicious Indian cuisine. And to our dearest Cassie, we have your grandma in our prayers! Take care!

I'll let you decide on the caption! lol

The cards are laid, now taking our pick!


The Boys!

Now the Girls turn!

You Can Do It!

Something I had perceived as going to be boring ended up to be so refreshing to my mind. I'm talking about a Social Media sharing/ conference I attended this evening, organized by my Poly.

The sharing was given by business entrepreneurs like Mr Brown, the NuffNang team and 3 others. What really hit me was hearing about their passion in life and how they accomplished it. Some also shared about how the first attempt at their online businesses failed but they learned from the experiences and tried again. And today they are successful people living their dream because of that.

This got me thinking about so many people in the real world and how everyone living their dream now didn't have it easy in the beginning. The drive for what they believed they could be made it possible. And later through much endeavour, fighting to reach the unltimate goal, it somehow became a reality for them. "It's just that easy and it's just that hard". As these thoughts ran through my mind, it is no wonder the history of No Doubt begam swimming in my mind.

No Doubt released their debut album in 1992 from their label, Interscope. However, the album didn't perform well on the radio or charts. Because of this, the label lost the attention of the band which led No Doubt to release an independent album "The Beacon Street Collection" which received more attention and was selling out quickly in their home town.

This prompted Interscope to give the band another shot. Although the band began facing many challenges and obstacles, I remember Gwen saying "they were so passionate about the record that they just MADE IT WORK" and they released "Tragic Kingdom" in 1995. Their breakthrough record in the entertainment industry and have since then come very far!

If you want something, if you have the passion for it, then it's up to you to make it work!

The Resistance

The countdown begins. Only 10 days to the Big Night Out. Their new single "Resistance" is out and I saw the video on YouTube a while back. It's an awesome track. Do check it out if you haven't!

I've not been this excited since partying it out with No Doubt at F1 Rocks! I'm certain Muse would be able to deliver the same energy but in a different style.

On a side note, I found the setlist on Wikipedia that Muse would be doing. The songs in bold are those I'm really psyched for! However, I'm quite disappointed that "Unintended" is not on there. I hope they perform it still!

Main set:

1. "Uprising"
2. "Resistance"
3. "New Born"
4. "Map of the Problematique"
5. "Supermassive Black Hole"
6. "MK Ultra"
7. "Interlude"+"Hysteria"
8. "Nishe"
9. "United States of Eurasia"
10. "Cave" or "Feeling Good"
11. "Guiding Light"
12. "Helsinki Jam"
13. "Undisclosed Desires"
14. "Starlight"
15. "Plug In Baby"
16. "Time Is Running Out"
17. "Unnatural Selection"
18. "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Overture)"
    
19. "Stockholm Syndrome"
20. "Knights of Cydonia"

Keep On Surviving!

A lot has been happening in the past week. I've tried to update this site in the past week and managed to finally find time now.

Just some things I've been working on: Financial Planning, Banking Law, Independent Study Project - Social Media in Higher Education and the 67th Golden Globe Awards, the beginning of the awards season. I was excited to see the cast of Glee, Neil Patrick Harris and movies that I got to catch and were nominated. It all turned out well and found some photos of those I thought looked rather dashing at the event!

PS: Olivia Wilde will be auctioning the Gucci dress she wore to the Golden Globes (Picture below) in a benefit to help raise funds for relief in Haiti. I guess we cal all do our part to help in whatever way we can. Last but not least this coming week is going to be another whirlwind for me! Praying for the people in Haiti and myself may stay survivors!

Neil Patrick Harris, Olivia Wilde, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Halle Berry

Sofia Vergara, Cast of Avatar, Sandra Bullock, Maria Menounos

Sink Or Swim?

Is it possible to outgrow somebody you've known for almost all your life?

Could you be wrong and so naive to think so. Who takes responsibility for the blame in this case? It does take two hands to clap.

Was the friction so strong to the point wear and tear overpowered the smooth but at times rocky sailings of our little boat we built? However hard we worked at it, holes emerged everytime though we tried to cover them up.

Perhaps we just avoided it mostly. Sink or swim?

Hysteria takes over and doubts whisper in the air from side to side. Is this a risk I'm willing to take or a regret so big it's almost unforgivable.

Love and friendship is like an epiphany. You've never really known what you've got until it's gone.

Something Kinda Ooh!

Happy 20th Birthday, Caitlin Beins!

It came to a surprise that we never celebrated Debs birthday together in the past 3-4 years that we've known each other. To mark the first occasion, we made reservations at Timbre and had dinner together.

The band was awesome too. We thought we make it a tad more special and got the band to help. They announced the Birthday message we wrote to Debs and the waiters brought out the cake simultaneously as we sang her "Happy Birthday"!

It was depressing that we all either had work or school the next day, hence we called it a night by 11pm. It would have been a lot more fun if we stayed on having more drinks and perhaps gone dancing! Also, Universal Studios is opening soon!!! Something to look forward too.

Happy 20th Debs! Welcome to adulthood and wave those teenage years goodbye.. It's gonna be awesome!

Run Like The Wind

It's been such a whirlwind these past couple of days adjusting back to Poly life!

Anywho, upon graduation, the next phase of life in this country is to enlist in the army. Prerequisite to the national service is to complete the national physical fitness assessment (napfa) which I took yesterday. Not having taken this test in 3 whole years nor running 2.4Km in a year, I did not know what to expect but wonderfully, I succeeded! I even came in first position in the 2.4 run and attained a Silver medal for the overall test!

The run was exhausting which makes you really admire horses and their amazing speed. Like the horses above I think it reflects the entire cohort or herd that is us running too!

PS: 2010 resolution: Ride a horse!

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.

Winston Churchill

Rebel In The New Year And Decade!

Post-New-Year celebrations was in order. First club and First party; For the year and for the decade!

Together with Corey and his cousins, we hit Rebel at Clarke Quay. Spent the night downing whiskey, dancing, tequila shots, dancing and more tequila!

After that awesome wild night, we went for McDonald's breakfast nearby, especially since some of us were craving for Hotcakes! Is there anything better for breakfast, seriously?!

Cheers before taking a tequila shot/ Nikki doing her best dance impersonation of Corey

Twist The Champagne

New Year's eve was spent with the family which is a rare phenomenon here! Whereas in The US, the family meet every weekend at least.

So it was Bowling in the afternoon with the cousins and thereafter I brought my nephews and niece back home and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks with them. Had dinner at my cousin's home afterwards and headed to a bar called Blue Moon for fine champagne and the countdown to 2010! It was a pretty sweet night and headed back home for more drinks... post-countdown style!

Let's get it twisted!

A Decade Of Love & Friendship

As a decade comes to an end and a new chapter opens, it is interesting to look back at the past 10 years. The people that we have met. The places we've been to. The events that have taken place. The things we've said and things we did not get to say. The risks we took or didn't take. The people we've found and those we lost. The growth and changes that has taken place in us.

Have we successfully crossed the ring of fire? Have we accomplished anything of worth in the last 10 years that we can proudly broadcast to the world? For me, the best moment of 2009 would be meeting Gwen Stefani and No Doubt for the second time. And of course all the effort Addison put through with me to make it possible! Finally to all my friends and family that had made 2009 and the past 10 years such a meaningful and pleasant period. For that I am truly grateful!

As we enter a new decade and a new year, I hope we take the leap and dance to greater boundaries in whatever we do. Why, because we are so young! Finally, It's not what people want of us, rather what we want for ourselves. It's 2010!