Sometimes chilling out is about close friends (or in this case 家人们) who drinks as much as I do (or more). In the recent Dec trip, I’ve lost count of the number of bottles and brands of beer and cocktails that has gone into my body, only that almost every night there are drinks (whether over lunch or over dinner or after dinner), except the one night in 吉林 when we were dining in my room that it was alcohol free. 

This photo are of 2 of the closest people to me who drinks (more than me 😂), missing only Veron who wasn’t on the trip with us. And in the glasses was a beer so diluted (and bad) that I couldn’t resist trying coz the other tables were having it (cheap and low alcohol percent). Thank god for the 2 of them, so we finished 12 bottles within the 3 of us, on top of the previous round of 12 bottles of another (better) beer 🤭 

I drink, but I am super selective about who I drink with. Company matters. For people to drink and go crazy with, definitely the ‘family’ (that we’re meeting after I come back from India 🤭).

Jan has been a slow start at work, but just today, I realized I’m still not out of the rut yet. Been drinking over the past 2 weekends with the bro and mum, and also having whisky at home alone. Looking forward to catching up with Jas this week, and dives at Hantu on the weekend! ❤️

 

Personal growth, healing, and purpose. 

It was a tough 2025, where I decided it’s time to heal from past traumas and to keep myself grounded. I also lost my purpose towards the second half of the year, and it was a rough patch that I barely got myself out of. 

2025 brought the most emotions with it, emotions that I could finally name and talk about. And it brought me people who were unexpected - people who checked in, people who cared, people who mattered. 

In every season that I experienced this year - spring in Chongqing and Chengdu, summer in Liuzhou and Nanning, autumn in Incheon and Seoul, winter in Northeastern China, different reflections surfaced.

Dec 2025 was spent in a lot of meaningful gatherings, and also 12 days in 哈尔滨 - 亚布力 - 雪乡 - 牡丹江 - 长白山 - 吉林 - 哈尔滨. It was a crazy trip coz I was indulged in everything and everything 🤭 Travelling with my 家人们 and going crazy every night after sunset drinking, sleeping for 5h or less daily, and surviving the cold of -29C. 

As I continue my journey of healing and self-discovery into 2026, I’m grateful for the people who were there even when I didn’t know I needed them, for the metime spent in nature, and for the opportunities I took for new experiences. 

2026 may call for drastic actions and bolder boundaries, but it’s a year I wanna come out of stronger. 

Live, intentionally. 

 

I met my younger self for coffee. 

She was early. 

I was on time. 

She was in a racerback, in slippers, and sporting a tan. 

I was in a tshirt, in flats, and with highlights in my hair.

She had a ghost of a smile on her face, and a cup of latte on the table.

I smiled back tentatively, and ordered myself a cup of hot green tea. 

She looked at me and asked ‘did I stop drinking coffee?’ 

‘Yes you did,’ I replied knowingly. 

‘Oh!’ She paused. ‘Did I continue diving, and my solo trips?’ 

‘Definitely, and you would have visited more continents and countries than you’ll ever imagined..’ 

‘Really? Where did I go?’ She asked, incredulous, thinking of what little cash she had in her bank account. 

‘You went to Russia, Amsterdam, Paris, Belgium, Australia, Timor Leste, China, Africa, America, India…..’ I trailed off. 

Her eyes widened with each place I named.

‘Wow,’ she lets out a bated breath, ‘did I travel all those on my own?’ 

‘Nah, you had company for some, the rest you went on your own.’ 

‘India……?’ She asked, holding onto her cup of latte.

I laughed. ‘You went on your own, twice, coz no one else wanted to explore that country. You fell in love with the country, the people, the food.’ 

She looked amazed. 

I took a sip of my tea. 

‘Did I move on from…….’ She asked nervously, looking at me.

‘You did, but it still haunts you, and you’re now finding ways to heal.’ I replied softly. ‘You’ll also lose someone you hold dearly, someone you would travel for.’ 

Her eyes welled up. 

I reached out for her hand.

‘You’ll be alright. It isn’t as scary as it sounds. While you’ll have your fair share of ups and downs, wins and losses, you’ll have a strong support system, people who stayed through, people who are present.’ 

‘I will..?’ She asked, tears rolling down her cheeks silently. 

‘Yes you will. You love, and you will be loved.’ 

We stood up. 

She reached for a hug. 

I hugged her, and whispered ‘I’ve really gotta go, but thank you for showing up.’ 

She let me go, tears still rolling down her cheeks. 

‘I love you,’ I said to her as we part, words I’ve never said before. 
She nodded. 
We won’t meet for another 10 years, but I know we will.

Full force last night + 1 😒 guest 

Always great company, fun with laughter and crazy things happening especially after a few bottles of whisky 😁

The MJ gang.. 

The drinking gang + 😒.

When 2 of them started singing Cantonese songs, I 😍😍😍.

Best CNY gathering ever! ❤️

 Coz of the Shifu, I got the chance to go US and take business class that’s fully paid for. 

New York City has always been a dream, since Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys’ times, and it was a shared dream between *her and me many years back to see Rockefeller Center during Christmas. We-ll, I didn’t really get to Rockefeller Center, neither is it Christmas, but sometimes, things are better left unsaid and closed in these circumstances. I thought I needed that closure, but turns out it was already closed, no need to intentionally close it. 

Being able to see all the museums (especially American Museum of Natural History, 9/11 Memorial, Art Institue of Chicago) and attractions (like Moulin Rouge at Broadway!) in both places, and of course visit the Hamburger University in Chicago were dreams come true! 9/11 held so much pain for me, not coz I lost someone, but of the memories it came with. 

I remembered I was in Crez, sec 4, when it happened, and it hit me then. When I saw the partially burnt and badly damaged fire engine, the tears just welled up. Perhaps just before that I had some unhappiness during the trip, and I didn’t quite say anything, maybe it’s knowing how dangerous the job was (all of Ladder 3 company lost their lives), or that it was related to that past of yours. 

And the food in US is really not for me. It’s mainly cold, and I’m ‘definitely Asian’ like what *x was telling me 🤣  I miss my hot food in Singapore, my bed, my plants, even my bidet 🤣 

And then as I was thinking of texting someone, received a text that kinda threw me off guard, or rather, caught me by surprised. 

Alrighty, taking the next 3 days to rest and recover from what jet lag I may get, leaving my laundry and luggages to unpack till tmr. I’ve watered my plant babies, vacuumed the floor, ate dinner, now doing my massage before my eyes close for good for today I think 😴 

Coz the extension after my work trip to Mumbai in Jan gave me the courage to solo backpack in Northern India, and for Holi. Picture above is of Gateway to India, Mumbai. 

And this is of my solo week in Mathura - Agra - Delhi - picture of the other side of Taj Mahal. Took all modes of public transport, from local trains, bus, tuk tuks, autos, Uber car/van. 

A dream set 10 years ago when the guys and I were backpacking in Sri Lanka (exactly this past week), and after 10 years, it happened for real for me.

It’s been a great trip, if not coz the ‘auntie’ decided to visit and made me lethargic together with the dry heat of the place towards the end of the week. Leaving the place with a heart full, and a dry cough 😅 

Looking forward to being back in Singapore despite the humid heat, missing *o and my plant babies much! 🤭

It’s been almost forever since I rode pillion on a sports bike, speeding in the cooling winds. Still as thankful to the 2 person who taught me to ride - *w, pang. And as I was riding just now, I suddenly recalled that *b rode too, and I sat on his bike multiple times too, but I seemed to have forgotten about it. 

Very very thankful. ❤️

Thankful for all the ‘trainings’ many many years ago. 

Riding pillion this week was comfortable.

It was like back into the waters, balancing was easy, the only slight fear I had was when in this motorcycle city I am in, the closeness betweeen the bikes and cars was like less than an inch away from one another. 

But that turned out quickly to be adrenaline and I love how that felt. 😂

Heading out later on many other bike rides, happy. 

Thankful for all the ‘trainings’ in alcohol tolerance too. 

Previous week of drinking didn’t leave me puking or dizzy, just dehydrated on 2nd day of drinking. 

Thankful for the opportunity to try clubbing and do shisha again, and trying balloons. 🤭

Thankful that it’s our first flight trip after this many years of knowing one another, after the many road trips we did, and that we still have yet to kill one another, and that they pass as travel buddies. Mainly coz anything goes for them, and they just follow what I wanna do and pay money 🤣

Burnt out seems much better now, still crunch time for DDDLP, but much much better. Thank *you for asking! ❤️

After a hectic month with almost no time to breathe, I can finally breathe this afternoon, and started on a new drama, just coz 黄景瑜 is in it! 🤭 

Another 3 packed days with a sake session and 2 networking sessions to go while trying to settle some legal stuff at work before I fly out to meet the guys. 

Am so looking forward to no drama sort of trip, especially since I know I’m still recovering from burnt out. It’s the longest I’m feeling the burnt out, it usually comes and goes within a few days. This was serious enough for me to not want to meet anyone except for networking purposes, and also serious enough that I went through a 15-min text-chat with a psychologist. 🧘🏻 

I just needed the space, and still need the space.

Hopefully these all passes before my flight out.

And interesting enough, I saw that you followed me on LinkedIn since 2021, wow!

Interesting how I’m not one for ‘wasting’ my only off day since I came back from Tokyo. 

Gonna roam the streets today then. Thought of asking some for dinner/catch ups, but.. … yeah. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s been a hell of a week, and another hell of a week coming. And then another 2 packed weeks. Before I head for sake tasting for a break and then the flight out to Vietnam. 

Need 🥃 to tide me over the 3 weeks! 

 It’s been 9 years since we last met in person at Holland V, 11 years since we knew each other from CM because of McCafe. Caught up for a bit over his breakfast yest morning at the pantry in KL! And finally got a wefie with him! 🤣

So much has happened in the past 9 years, through social media we knew where and what was happening in each others’ life somewhat, but it’s just so different in person. 

Saw him in office again today, but we were both busy with our stuff, so didn’t quite manage to say hi even 😅

Oh wells! Have a safe trip tmr and have a good break *v! 😊

It has been 2 weeks of crunch, going into the 3rd. 

Crunch started after meeting 小乔 for Kbbq on Sunday 2 weeks ago. It went into wild work mode, class, then work coupling with prep for AFMG. 

Had a quick break on Thursday night meeting Poly friends, a bad Friday night dinner at Fico (🙄) - reservation passed over from a friend who couldn’t make it. And just when I thought I had Sunday to wallow and mull over my own thoughts and the crunch, a comment popped up on my Fico post, which in turn led to my Sunday lunch with Pang. 

It was his crunch week, and heading into a dreaded week. It was my crunch and still crunching, and I was looking for a way out just to breathe. So 误打误撞, we ended up cooking and drinking at my place for a good 6 hours. 

Food was simple Jap, but happy food. Even happier with the drinks - beer, gin, whisky. And then there’s the company. We chatted about everything under the sun, from my Crez friends to his work friends to our lives to his recent travels. Never thought I could do a HTHT with just a guy (but then we did in Dec right 小乔? 🤭) and it had us looking forward to our trip together in Oct! Just the 3 of us (or maybe 4 if his friend really considers and comes along). 

I promise yummy food, seafood, drinks by the roadside and just pure mind blank moments. 

Sunday was definitely a good break from the crunch, and ranting it to someone who is so neutral, and doesn’t vibe negatively and kept all the remarks to himself 🤣

Here’s to surviving this week and the next! 

Can’t wait for end Aug, am heading out for a leisure trip, meeting up with a friend from Hokkaido, made 12 years ago in Malacca! 😊

So much left unsaid ❤️‍🩹

Caught this somewhere in April? Before Gus passed on. 

Now onto the next one. 🤭

Many thoughts, let’s just leave it as it is. ❤️‍🩹

More work travels to come in the following months till the year end, with a couple of leisure trips. 

How apt is it that I actually have a black and white photo of us? Taken by *o when we met in KL during my sabbatical and pre-birthday week, before heading down to Seremban and then Malacca. And this was us ordering cocktails at 11.30am.

I’ve known you for 9 years, and do you know, exactly 7 years ago today some of us were in Malacca with you? 

Gus, you’ve always been more than a friend. You’re family. The family I go to every single time I went to Malacca, be it bringing mum and the kids, ah ma, my mum, *o, or George or Pang, or even Sam. You were one of the reasons for my love of Malacca, and now that you’ve gone, I’m not sure if it’s a place I’ll wanna head back to. 

I remember the days I drove the village up, or on a whim, or solo drive, or coach-ed up. And also that time when one of the birdies celebrated her birthday in Malacca and their night activity involved roof-top bars and oysters, I chose to meet you and Donny, drinking at Reggae with Ryan. And before Donny sent me back to the hotel after supper. 

I remember the many conversations we had, from your past work, to health, to current, to future plans. And I always remember how you said 7 years in the same place is too long. 

You were someone that I could speak random stuff with, and you never judged. You met all my ‘family’, all the people I hold closest to me. You brought me on a ride on that vintage bike of yours, you brought me cycling round Malacca, climbing up Bukit Cina, visiting Portuguese Settlement. And I remember how we had our fav 炸豆腐皮with beer at 9.30am in the morning, just coz we can. And how I remember that day that we continued drinking the whole day, at the pub during lunch break, dinner and supper at Reggae. I remember that trip I went up solo, and how even though we were tired, you were craving for a good Bloody Mary and you started mixing your own in Knocknock and how between the 2 of us I lost count of the number of glasses we had. I remember the random sake you left me, when you weren’t there when I decided to go up. The intro to Pak Putra, the naan, the spinach thingy, and butter chicken, and your teh tarik kurang manis. The mee hoon kway I love, the many random food and cafes you brought me to. I remember the book you loaned me, and how over a couple of afternoons at Ah Cheng’s, I finished reading it. 

You are the one I booked a tix for 2n2d in Bali 2 days before, and flew out after on the Friday night right after work, just coz I can celebrate your 50th birthday with you. And today, you are the one I booked the flight for KL, just yesterday, after hearing the news. I was there for 3 hours, and now I’m back home, all within the day.

I’m glad the friends I made in Malacca remembered us, that Yalu PM-ed me, and I confirmed with Calvin, whom I met in Bali. And then Ah Wei, and then Ah Cheng. And then Valerie (your niece) whom I had dinner with years ago with Gus and Donny in Ikoi. I missed seeing Ryan and Michelle coming down from Kelantan, but I’m thankful for all these friends. 

I know you wouldn’t want us to be sad, and though I’m not a strong believer in God and afterlife, I thank Him for making your suffering short, and with all the lives you’ve touched in one way or another, you’ve definitely earned your place in heaven. Selfishly, I wish you’ve opted for a place in KL, just so it’s easy for me to visit as and when I want. But then again, when I think of you, I feel you live in me. So wherever that makes you happy Gus. 

Just 2 weeks ago we had a quick convo on FB, and we somewhat made arrangements to meet in Aug when I fly in for work with Ah Wei. And then now you’ve left.

There’s kinda of a hole in me, but I’m glad for the 6 years pre-Covid, I don’t regret spending any time less with you, for the fact that at one point, I was in Malacca almost once a month. 

I don’t know if I’ve come to terms yet, but seeing your body today, I teared again. I read the posts people spoke of you, and I feel them, I teared. 

But one thing I know, you’ll be someone I hold so close to, that you’ll probably be someone I will bury deep and not want to speak about just yet. Coz I know I’m not ready. 

Gus, may your legacy live on. May you be in a better place, still living your simple life, and drinking as you wish. 

Till the next lifetime Gus, I’ll still want to be your friend, but till then, I’ll miss you, and now I’ve no regrets, for I’ve seen you this last time. ❤️‍🩹

Thank you to technology, I’m now attending the FB live of the prayers. I’ll attend the one for the last send off tmr if I can. ❤️‍🩹

So much feels today when walking over to CCKP. And again when I was having Pastamania for dinner at BB. 

那是我们曾经闲晃的地方。

I rmb those nights we were at Rasa Istimewa. And the chats we had on those steps. 

那是你曾经停车的地方，也是我们上车的地方。

我再也忍不住了，七年后的今天，我主动发了短讯给你。

Thank you for replying. 

We’ve both grown and matured, maybe me more so than you. 

Maybe one day, I’ll be ready to meet you again. 

As friends. 

❤️‍🩹

Been a while, and definitely been a long week! 

This was what kept me going the past week, drinks at 9pm, dinper at 10pm! 🤭

Random topics, random laughs, random setting of dates. 🤣

Till the next! ❤️

 

Not sure what I’ve gotten myself into for a 14 months weeknights and Saturdays course on top of becoming a Master Trainer and my full time work. But this is definitely one step towards my goal to retire at 55, and become a curriculum designer. 

One of the most tiring thing I realize from the module today (first module out of 7), is the reflective practice itself. 

Reflective practice is about reflecting on the experience, of what I said and did, and if I may, the impact of my actions. Professionally, I feel this is what sets a facilitator and trainer apart. And why some people are always just at status quo or getting weaker as the environment evolves this quickly. 🙄 

This also got me thinking on my personal life, how often do I allow myself to reflect? 

5 attributes of an adult edcuator: 

1. Adaptable

2. Professional

3. Business orientated

4. Future orientated

5. Passion for lifelong learning 

I probably meet only 2 out of 5, and no one says this journey is easy. 

Many messed up thoughts in my mind, shall take the next 30 mins bus ride or so to clear the mind before replying to Gorden on my reflections as a Master Trainer. 😅 

Would be lying that I’m feeling nothing after that 4 hours of HTHT after everyone has gone home. I’m not confused (not really), but just a lot of thoughts running through the mind. But ok la. 

YOU. YOU STOP BEING SORRY. 👿

I’m glad it happened actually, and like you said, they’re feelings pent up for years and it was a release on that night. I know nothing is gonna change for me, except maybe that we should have more frequent 3 pax gathering on top of the bigger group ones. The friendships stay, we all know how far we have come - 13 and 12 years each. 

For the fact that you guys are the only guy friends I’ll ever be open to. Or what I call my best men. 🤭 We will never end up as partners/better halves, but that doesn’t mean I will stop feeling the way I do. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ok la, time to let this messed up brain go sleep le. After that HTHT, I only had 2 hours sleep before working long hours. 

Thank you 小乔 for bringing the sensitive topic up, and more so that we’ve all let it out now. ❤️

也不知从何时起，我最想听到的是你的一个问候。😔 

 Still emo-ing. 😔

Emo-ing over the missed AFMG, emo-ing over gonna miss having the F2F session with my idol from US who’s in town, emo-ing that I stopped putting that smile or bringing that happiness to you, emo-ing over the left behind scars. 😔

The scars are not ugly, or huge, or painful, but it makes me sad everytime I put the cream on it. And I will just tear. 😔

It’s ok to be not ok, right? 😔

After 12 years, it finally caught up and ruptured, causing pain that brought me back to exactly that fateful day 12 years ago (and also in Oct). 

Proud of my own practicality coz it happened at work, I just downloaded what need to be done to my teammates (and coz there were 3 guests waiting to meet me), and grabbed myself to A&E. 

I went private, just coz 2 days before, *o hurt his arm so bad that he thought of going A&E (suspected fracture), but the wait time at NTF was 6 hours 😱 So I drove us to Gleneagles on his insurance agent’s advice, and all in all took just an hour (just strained ligament, no fracture, thank god!)

What I didn’t know was that this trip for me would have me staying in hospital for 2 nights, just coz an emergency surgery was needed while I was on 2 packets of drips. 

Of course being in private comes with a cost (praying hard insurance and Medisave covers it all, thanks Michelle! ❤️), but even so, at the speed the issue was fixed, I will still pay though my nose for it. And coz it was private, food was amazing, service level was top notch (thank you Siam and Erica and all from 826!) and I basically just slept and slept and slept (and got woken up every 2 hours to take blood pressure - and I rmb there was one in the middle of the night that my pressure dropped way below, and freaked the nurse out 😅). 

Today is stitch removal day, all done and dusted in 30 mins, and an ultrasound scheduled for this Saturday just to make sure my ‘insides are good to fly’ on Monday. 😂 

Been trying to do some work, but the level of concentration is low, and I can only sit still for 3 hours max before needing to lie down. Slept the rest of today away, waking up with a headache (coz dehydrated), and now sitting in bed and watching the rain and cars go by, missing the team and the people who are partying at AFMG 😭

No white water rafting next next week, gonna be a while before I can do strenuous activities and carry heavy stuff (like more than a laptop in a backpack). Sighz.. Just wanna get well so I can fly fly fly and enjoy my dive trip in Dec. 

Emo-ing.

 Trying to internalize it all. 

A work conversation that was from 6.45pm to 11.30pm.

Chicken sandwich from the bakery at 7.20am. Hotdog bun at 12.30pm. And that’s all I had today.

I’ve had enough. 

我累了。

This can only mean…….. 🫠

Woke at 7am, procrastinated in prepping for the immersion, finally got out of bed at 9.45am and started work at 10am. Ending work day at 1.03am. No power naps today, just 30 mins for lunch, 30 mins for dinner. 🫠

Not looking forward to the weekend with one New Look on Saturday and a working Sunday to pull the monthly reports. 🫠

Never felt so in the box before. Today must be that record. 

This probably the worst week ever, worse that RLP. 

Mon: 8.45am to 6.30pm, farewell dinner till 10pm.

Tue: 8.45am to 8.45pm.

Wed: 9am to 11pm with 2 power naps. 

Thu: 10am to 1.03am with total 1 hour break. 

Fri: 9am to (minimally) 7.30pm. 

You. You will bring me out for happy food on Sat. Don’t ask me to decide. I cannot. And I don’t want Ippoh again. 🫠 

And don’t you dare come and tell me work’s not worth it and chill. Unless you’re gonna 养 me (and I’m high maintanence I know), if not, your advices are not welcomed. 

 

Didn’t feel so good on Fri, so cleared my 1/2 day leave then. Took meds and rolled in bed watching 沉香如屑. Nua on Sat (till dinner with birdies), Sun was nua whole day. I can count the number of steps I took out of the room 🤭 Cleared all 38 episodes of part 1, caught 1 episode of part 2. A little draggy, but I do enjoy the show. Sighz. ❤️ 

Today was 3 calls, and then slacked. 🤣 Went for a swim, came back, did laundry,

 and cooked my only meal of the day. Now nuaing again on the sofa enjoying my playlist from the Beam, shaking legs and blogging (coz I’m lazy to journal) 😂 Working tmr at JE and then meeting 小乔 for dinner. Then Wed I’m on leave again. Where shall I go? 😏

Hui Lin jio-ed for badminton on Thu at TPY, so yeah, found my racket and looking forward! Just need to plan how to get home after without grabbing. 🤣

Exercising makes me happy and clears thy mind. And makes me sleepy too. Gonna head off to bed then before an early start tmr!   

The 2 male platonic friendships I look forward to for catching up! They either listen to what I have to rant (小乔 more than Pang - but both without complaints 🤭), or that the topics we talk about are everything under the sun. Though just 2 hours catchup (dining time 90 mins this time) with 3 soju (yeah!!!) between us, the no drama, chill vibes just gets to me. 

Love these peeps who are around for 1/3 of my life, with the past 7 years of so of us getting closer! ❤️ 

Thanks Pang for driving us back! ❤️ 

Holding you both to my k and drinks and food session at my place! ❤️ 

A mixed feelings kinda day yest. 

Woke up and did the usual morning routine on the phone, and then I saw your nick appear at IG under ‘…from your contacts, is on Instagram as…’ and I was like ‘Oh! He’s on IG..’ 

Couple of hours later you texted. I read. But I didn’t know how to reply. 

Later that night, a baby bat flew into my place, and after posting, some say it brings luck (which I bought some numbers and 1 of the number jumped today but ended in both starter and consolation 🤭). 

And yes, I replied your text, after 5 years of radio silence. I also don’t know why I did it, but I do know that there is finally no more guilt towards *o when I did, so maybe that’s why I did it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Not looking for anything, it’s been 10 years since we last met, not sure how I’ll react, given how much both of us have grown. Not expecting any explanations or reminiscing of the past, coz what’s past is past, I don’t wanna go back there. Don’t feel like you owe me anything, coz it’s nothing anymore. If the texts comes, I’ll probably take it as that you’re an online friend. How I will respond, I have no idea too. So do pardon me if I ghost on you when I’m at a loss of speech. I’ll respond when I’m ready. I’m also unlikely to text you first. So please don’t get your hopes up. 

… … 

Looking forward to timeout with my 2 drinking kakis tmr at our usual place. Just realized 3 of us have never been there together. Always me with one or the other. Definitely looking forward! ❤️

After being Covid positive for 5 days and stuck at home for that same number of days (plus 2 days), it was a welcome change to finally be able to have the gang over for dinner! ❤️

It was an agreed upon Kobe beef dinner since December, when this dinner was supposed to be on 29 Jan, 2 days after I realized I had Covid. Call it gut feel, but coz was supposed to meet Jas and the SJCC group for dinner, but due to a sudden sore throat, I decided to swab myself before the meet up and ta-da! 2 lines. 😅

The fever was the killer, but thank god for tele-consultation and home delivery of meds. Was in and out of sleep for 2 days or so. And after was just mild symptoms like normal flu. Thankful for the vaccines and booster in this case I guess! 😂

So once cleared, it was to play host and cook to the gang, there were starters, mains, desserts, and of course drinks to accompany the courses. 🤣

We last met in December, less 小乔, but the conversations just didn’t stop. Mum reached first about 4ish, we started chatting, then 小乔 came at 4.35pm (you just had to be exact yeah?), *o came back about 4.45pm, Pang came about 5ish. And everyone was chatting, hanging around, walking around.. And we only packed up and stopped the convos at 1am. 

We finished all the food, 2 sakes, 1 moscato, 1 gewurztraminer, a mini magnum each (except *o), and Pang had 2 bottles of Asahi. 😅

We agreed this was a definitely cheaper meal as compared to outside, and with no time limit. 😂 For the fact that we had Kobe beef, ikura, foie gras, drinks, for $80 each, and that I didn’t have to wash up, it was well worth it! ❤️

Love the conversations we had last night, and now in hindsight, thank god I didn’t agree for Clarence to be around, coz I’m pretty sure the conversations would have been very much different, and we would have ended the night much earlier. 

Thank you for all the goodies, from angbaos, to oranges, to bak kwa and the back massager (you never follow instructions ah 小乔! 😆) .

Happy to be hosting the gang, and for the many years of friendships that went through the test of time. We were just colleagues turned friends, and the kinda friend that it’s not necessary to be meeting every week, every month, even though we try our best to catch up monthly. ❤️

Sending lots of love to this gang! ❤️

无意间发现我们居然在十四年前认识

认识后的第一个宵夜就是一天后

之间

一起吃饭、看电影、喝茶、闲逛、闲聊

的时间

加加起来

也只不过几个月

但却在这几个月里

都是满满的回忆

像是一个五味瓶

样样齐全

这也是我成长最快的时候吧

学会了爱

懂得了醋

学会了忍

懂得了珍惜

学会了放手

懂得了可贵

也从那时起

之后的两段感情

也会拿着跟你比

我们从来什么都不是

但他们还是被你比下去

七年的空窗

我意识到了自己

也找到了现在的幸福

在这一刻

只想说

如果你还没看开

如果你还没放手

如果你还觉得有歉意

如果你还没找到你的幸福

加油！

 

First time MJ-ing with this group. Not too bad la.. But I do miss the usual gang of MJ kakis. 😂

8 hours of MJ, from 8ish to 5ish in the morning.. After a booster shot. Hahaha. No joke, but we survived (and won money la! 🤣) 

Looking forward to playing over the CNY with the usual kakis (but then again, not having a MJ table at my place coz of the space and noise level). But I may change my mind again, maybe! 🤣

 

The gang that mattered most.. Missing you ah 小乔! We didn’t quite ate your share.. But it’s ok.. Feb is coming soon! 😁 

To think I’m known everyone of them for at least 11 years.. It’s amazing how time flies. And how we continue to meet up (though now more regular than previous years). 

To all neighing and big eyes when we were MJ-ing earlier.. 🤣 

Merry Christmas one and all! ❤️

 First 2 months of hell and getting used to the role.. Which isn’t too bad, given that I took 2 months just to get things into routine. Or rather 1 month for things to get into routine, 1 month to adjust.. 3rd month was back to back of classes, whether I’m a facilitator, a participant, or coordinating it with external partners. 1 more to go for the coming week before I officially close the classes for 2021. 😂 

Papers for the house signed end of October, reno started after Deepavali. Both toilets hack + tiling all completed. Hacking of a room’s wall done. Kitchen hacking done. All electric works + air con trunking done. Blinds measurements all completed. Met the carpenter last week to discuss the details of how wide the doors, how many drawers, etc. So once carpentery completes, it just left with the cleaning up and varnishing of floors, and I should be able to move in before CNY. 🤞🏻 

Hahaha.. And I’ve friends who 不请自来 already. 🤣 I told *o.. These friends who auto come are those that I’ll have invited anyway. 🤣 

So they are the ‘family’ including of the drinking kakis, random friend, birdies, Mr Wong and Ah Bee, sotong, and my immediate family la. The rest sorry (not)! 😂

Anyways, at work since most are back to routines (and trying to manage underperforming, underachieving people), I told myself to take a break by catching dramas again. 😂

And this was a 40 episodes C-drama I completed over 4 days of weekends (or so). And it struck me that again, I can never stray too far from guys in green. Sighz. ❤️‍🩹

Been my soft spot for years, and it just doesn’t change. 

Anyway, the plot was decent, and the Chinese dramas are catching up times, faster than anyone could have guessed. Ok.. On to the next one that catches my eye before sleeping till tmr!

 Way too much drama in the past month and this. 

Weekends are the recharge. This weekend was almost perfect. 

Celebrated Oktoberfest alone yest at Brozeit with 3 different beers and got myself a Oktoberfest Erdinger mug after chatting with the host! 😆 Shopped for stuff for the house.. And then met Sam for dinner and drinks! 3 beers, 2 welcome cocktails, 2 cocktails. And was still sober enough to be driving. 😂 

Had lunch at the recommendation of Mr Wong and Ah Bee. 4 of us went but sat apart (like of course) and it was so good! And met Jack there too! 😄 Such a small world! And it was alcohol diet too of sake. We shared a bottle, one of *o and my fav. And then Jack opened another on his own and had Fiona to bring over to us. 😁 And thank you for Mr Wong for treating us to the lunch! Next month’s lunch at Yoshi’s on us! 

Loads of work due but I decided I shall multitask instead tmr during the calls. 😂

Looking forward to next Sat’s sake masterclass with Joshua and Jack again. And of course the restaurant week dinner on Fri. 

Was telling *o earlier over dinner/supper how much my social circle has changed. And not in the least upset about it. Lesser drama is good. Work drama is killing me. 🙄 And that with the house coming up, my expensive meals for the months has gone down.. Hahaha. Instead of 1 to 2 every weekend, it’s down to 1 per month. 😂 

Looking forward to getting the keys this month, just that am facilitating class yet have to go HDB to sign the documents. 🙄 Fingers crossed that it’s during their prep time rather than my faciliting time. 🤞🏻