Flowers for Lauren

Was coincidentally in town when Lauren celebrated her birthday with some scones, cupcakes and tea. Granted I was kinda late seeing as I had to check in to my hotel that day in Amsterdam, but I made it for the most part and had lots of laughter and fun with everyone. Lauren's favourite colour is purple, so we bought her some pretty flowers.

Hooked on Haarlem

Spent a weekend in Haarlem staying at Luis with Nicole. He bought an air mattress (but what a piece of art that was) for us to sleep on, and I called it the bouncy castle. It did provide an awesome night's sleep after the 13-hour flight.

Haarlem is a small town just outside of Amsterdam and has a really chill vibe about it. It's only 15 minutes' away by train and is a popular place to stay for people who work in Amsterdam but don't wanna live there for some reason or another. It packs a punch - small but is self-sufficient and quiet enough to get away from the city vibes. I love it!

It was a sunny day out when we arrived so we took a walk around. Luis brought us for yummy hot chocolate spoons - absolute chocolate sweetness melting in a cup of hot milk. If it doesn't sound yum enough, here's some picture proof that it was!

Happy times with these 2 :)

Get Down n' Dirty

Guess who turned 30 last weekend?? :)

We had a dirty messy yummy blast at Cajun Kings. Felt it was a little pricey for the combo - SGD95 for half an Alaskan crab, 250g of prawns, clams, corn sausages all mixed in the King's sauce. We also got some little cornbread muffins to not waste the dip. 

Other dishes we ordered included the Southern Fried Chicken, Pork Belly something (soooo good but it's basically fried pork belly) and some lobster rolls. The lobster rolls ain't expensive, like SGD35? But Laylay said the ones at Pince n' Pints were much nicer, shall have to try it out someday! 

The glorious mess we left behind.

All in all, the food is pretty yummy but we probably wouldn't go back cos it's a little on the ulu pandan side and there are several similar restaurants that are in more convenient locations. If you drive then no biggie la. 

We then headed to Club Street to get some drinks. Unfortch my nose (which had started to drip the moment I stepped out of the house) decided to take a turn for the worst after 10pm, so I was pretty sedated, sitting on my stool sipping my rum and coke, eavesdropping to everyone else talking. Still had a pretty chill good time though catching up with everyone and meeting Laylay's new boyfriend who was really sociable and funny and clicked with everyone :) 

We're really into camou print if you can't already tell LOL. In our defence, we had a theme going that night haha.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE, and to many more birthdays we will spend together <3>

2015

2015, may you bring us more (good) surprises, sights and experiences than 2014!

The last few moments were anything but spectacular - if you count us curled on the sofa waiting Big Bang to come on stage for the new year's TV broadcast. However, we did spend it together, conversing about hair colour and sweaty kpop boys, shared a yawn, wished each other happy new year, and went to bed.

I follow some bigger-than-life personalities on Instagram, and I remember one posting "If you only knew how boring my life really is..." and I can 100% relate to that. Having purple hair and tattoos doesn't mean I drink all day and party all night. I have a proper day job which I enjoy, and we often reach home before 8 to do laundry. For 2015, I wish to continue that, because this represents stability to me, and a comfort level which others can't even envision. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Before 2014 ends

 I've been trés horrible updating this space ever since we came back from Taipei as work was seriously just avalanched on me and only took a slow turn this week when everyone went on Christmas break. 

Thought it'd be great to reflect and recap upon my year since I have some time now - just using photos in my phone haha! Ok let's see...

New Year's brunch with pals - a tradition it has become. 

Nettie's thousandth and one durian cake for her birthday. She has since sworn off durian for a year.

Having expensive teppanyaki with the teppanyaki queen herself, I don't think I've ate that much teppanyaki in my life ever since she discovered Teppanyaki Express at Nex.

At my cousin's wedding. I think I hung out more with my siblings this year as well. Still can't believe Daniel is turning 20 next year!

Impromptu fireworks one night at Fullerton Bay when we were bringing colleagues out for a drink. I said I had arranged it for them hahaha.

Yet another one of us moving overseas, this time Gracie to Australia. This was at her farewell dinner. 

Nettie at the Fountain of Wealth making a wish for during Chinese New Year. Looking back I'd say it's been a pretty good year for us financially haha! 

Meeting up with old friends again who you know, may disappear once in a while but will always be there. 

Our big regional event organized by my buddy and me here. It was also a sad week as her dad passed from ALS. 

Moved to our beautiful new office at MBFC. Kudos to my wonderful Nettie successfully owning the biggest project of the year! A great view and environment really does help work productivity and creativity!

First work trip of the year to Amsterdam. My team and I having a delicious dinner in an old church.

Of course nothing beats coming home to my dear Nettie. A rare day we ventured out to the beach. 

Celebrating my birthday with a Minnie Mouse theme! Everything was covered in red and white polka dots!

How can I forget this epic team photo where we dressed up as Spice Girls (and a weird gym trainer) hahaha! 

Birthday trip to Bangkok where the Dalai Lama graced me with a wefie! 

Sis was hospitalized due to an infected gall bladder. Plus parents were in HK so I had to step up and become mum for the week. Unforgettable experience that bonded the siblings. 

Crazy hair in Taipei! 

Epic (hangover) night at Luxy where we were VIPs for awhile. I even got recognized the next day on the streets of Ximending. Okayyyy....

Onward to Seoul, a relaxing week of photography, cafés, BBQ and streets.

We even became Koreans for 10 minutes. This is Emperor Nettie and her 3 concubines lol~ 

Groupfie with my granny at my cousin's wedding dinner. Check out the photo bombers. 

Pinkdot 2014 - a sea of pink love!

My brother POP-ed! 

Another old friend who appeared. 

Really I think the start of the crazy work period. Thankful for inspiring spots in the office to tide me through.

National Day with the red bunch! We very patriotic ok.

Qingdao...first and last....trip with her mum lol. 

Summer party! The lone pirate battling the stormy seas around the merry sailors.

At the most fun and joyous wedding I've ever been to. Screw traditions we say! 

One of the many selfies Nettie sends to me when I'm on work trip. The ones I send back are scary hahahah cannot post! 

Favorite team photo ever!! 

The week when Luis came over and we brought him for roadside bahchormee and bahkutteh. He absolutely loved it. 

12 days in Tokyo! The calm before the storm I think.

Luckily we had so much coffee it kept me running for the whole period in Taipei after, where we braved the elements to get awesome landscape photography.

Yeah that's us the whole of Taipei, wet chickens. Really thankful she was there, literally sheltering me while I worked, keeping us on schedule and motivating us to keep going through the grey weather. Boohoo.

Wouldn't have climbed up the mountain to get this shot if it weren't for her encouragement.

Weekends with this one. The one who will buy coffee for the cup. Go figure. 

Decorating the office with colleagues. Though we didn't win the decor-off and my clothes got stuck with the stupid red felt from the $10 outfit but it was an experience we will never forget! 

And finally last week, for some reason one of my fav family photos this year or ever. Food prepared by my daddy and full acceptance of my purple hair. What more can I ask for? Haha!

Oh yes. A skateboard. Ask and it shall be given - not my scraped knee didn't ask for that but I guess it comes with the board. 

Happy holidays and a magical 2015 ahead everyone!!