Re-JUNE-venated

Dear Diary,

So, June's passing signifies that half of 2015 has passed by. It has been a busy but utterly fulfilling month, with some good news to trade and I hope that everything continues to be stellar.

This month also marks Father's Day - hey Dad, wherever you are now, Happy F-Day! And the Chinese "Dumpling Festival", where rice dumplings and dragon-boats are being revered.

After the identification of what I wanted, I decided to take the plunge and follow my heart. So I bade farewell and kicked the asses of the smaller players with their false words and insignificant presences. The Big Boys want to parley with me - ironically, they always do.  So I shall put their brand upon me as the main course, and the sides still flourish well enough.  Thank YOU, for the blessings!

An incident that took place three years back, causing the loss of a well-loved career, has finally been clarified, closed and cleansed. Everything is beautiful and spotless, and for this I also have to thank my wonderful Lawyer Friends (you know who you are!) One chapter closed, one more opens up.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/06/brunch-at-my-art-space-cafe-istana-park.html

I think I am sick - like how I am an intense shopaholic, craving to hit the malls at odd times of the day - craving for the sights, the sounds, the smells and the feel of being in a mall, especially during the non-peak periods.  I have the same craving for F&B joints-  restaurants, cafes, bars, you name it.  It gives me especially more thrills to discover hidden gems in the well-nestled parts of Singapore, whether I am enjoying a quiet brunch, or simply having a coffee by tranquil settings reading a book / working.

HAHA.

Moving on, the Great Singapore Sale is now on, and oddly I haven't bought anything except for 3 rompers! One of the main reasons is really because I have no time to hit the malls these days - believe it or not.   The second one has "Sleeves" that flap elegantly like a skirt.

Okay, I also bought a small black-and-gold sling bag as well, mainly for work purpose.

There had been a short trip with The Beau, a weekend getaway for some sun, sands, sea, ships and serenity.  It was good, it was fun and simple and relaxing - I cannot wait for the long one in September (yes, pardon the repeated yank) when I would see the Bestie and her sweet hubby again.

Finally, I have accomplished and completed what the Food / Travel Blog set out to do, hence there should be a significant reduced number of postings there whilst I focus on other stuff. This month, there has been a few invited tasting events, check out reviews at the other blog:

(I) Xperience Restaurant @ SO Sofitel Hotel (review here)
(ii) Tasconi Pizza's Restaurant @ East Village (review here)
(iii) Café Iguana @ Clarke Quay (review here)
(iv)  Oyster Festival @ Greenwood Fish Market (review here)
(v) Woori Nara Korean Restaurant @ West Coast Community Centre (review here)
(vi)  Portico Restaurant @ Alexandra (review here)

Thank you for reading, darlings. More exciting moments to be updated real soon.  Have another marvellous month ahead  - smoochesssss!!!

MAY everything be Stellar!

 

Dear Diary,

I cannot believe it absolutely, but May is over, and we are halfway through 2015 - and like a roller coaster ride, you cannot look back. You can only look ahead, at what looms overhead, or what falls there would be - what kind of plunges you would take, as the heart lurches forward for the challenges.

I started my May Day working :) 

Okay, so it was business discussion cum shopping, before lunch / brunch with I-forgot-who-for-the-moment, sorry. OKay, you really have to pardon me because I am still typing away at 3.56AM on yet another long weekend, trying to clear off the daily bucket lists I have planned for these 3 days - I don't want to leave anything undone for the next day.

There were some splendid events that took place in May besides busy-ness, fret not. Mother's Day and the Mom's birthday fall in May, so we had the annual combined celebration. The chosen venue this year was Oasis Bay Restaurant @ Toa Payoh (*surprise, surprise!)

The long, circular restaurant situated in serene, almost-enchanting Toa Payoh Park with its murky lake, bridges and trees that resemble willows, was a hidden gem on its own. On top of that, there used to be another seafood restaurant situated in the place where Oasis Bay has now replaced - we used to go there for dinner rather often, when the Dad was still around. So, for reminisce's sake, we decided to come try this new restaurant that sits in the place of the wound-up restaurant we used to  go.

May also signifies The Beau's and my anniversary - the ninth this year (9th), wow time flies. A great part of my youth has been dedicated to him! Ok, so the fiancé and I headed to Stellar @ One Altitude for dinner and drinks - a really romantic, charming and sophisticated restaurant in the heart of the CBD itself. The blog entry will be up soon (I kept thinking I had published it, only to search one big round and found it back in my Drafts in the other blog!) 

Finally, for occasions-wise, there was also the wedding of a lovely cousin, so we got to play catchup with lots of the maternal relations and cousins.  It is always happy to be part of a large family - extended or not, especially when they happen to be gorgeous!

Workwise, well, the main-course and sides are equally busy but I love the rush. I am becoming a nerd right now by learning to dabble in Information Technology and the different aspects of it. Trust that it is still at the basic level, but I have transcended past the basic HTML reading and a little site-building stage. In the past, the thought of having to touch these made my feet turn cold.

Another potential partnership is upcoming, and I cannot wait for the next Friday's discussion.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/05/lancome-party-at-bhg-bugis.html

Next up, it has been a fabulously fun month as well - lots of catching up with dear friends in which I got to go back to Beer Market for their awesome luncheon meat fries, revisiting Lantern Bar for their drinks and food, revisiting LeVel 33, etc, all in the name of my post-birthday celebrations or close friends' birthday celebrations!  Look out for reviews at this site here.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/05/media-invite-ultimate-seafood.html

Then there was a Lancôme party in which I got more door-gifts, replenished certain skincare products and learned some fabulous makeup tips from national makeup artist Lina Tock.  Wait - I also enjoyed food tasting and getting up close and personal with Chef Peter Kuruvita at The Kitchen Table at W Hotel (Sentosa Cove) - always glad to be back at the astoundingly beautific hotel and Sentosa Cove!

Finally, some of my shopping loot (despite the promise to STOP buying clothes till I've rid the current overflowing batches) - a collared shirt-dress with white "tie" detail,  a MaxMara black dress with gold buttons and interesting lines, and a casual long black dress with gray denim top.

To end it all up, May has been a rather good month and I look forward to more good months to come. Thank you, all the powers there be, for the blessings!

Thank you dears, for reading my Site, and please do continue to stay tuned for this one-a-month blog!

April - the month of life and death...

Dear Diary,

here is my monthly update, one that is outdated because today is Mayday aka Labour Day.  I hope you guys are faring better than me because I have developed a routine of work-home balance, haha! But fret not, I enjoy what I am doing, with the job and the sides and the freelance assignments.

As I turn over to another page of the calendar to note that May has stolen its way into our lives, it feels so surreal. Where did the rest of the days go? What happened in April 2015 itself?

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/04/dinner-at-white-rabbit-dempsey.html

There was  a new start in a familiar capacity,  not sure how to put it across, but I definitely am back on grounds I know too well. It is both exciting and exhilarating at the same time. The sides I currently have are efforts-centric, I realise - meaning to say, once I stop doing the tasks, the monitoring or the writing, the stream of income halts. I need to find something passive-generating as another side.

That aside, planning for the nuptials that would be taking place exactly a year later - not too busy for now, because I already have an idea of exactly what I want and need. Planning for a short but well-deserved vacation too - one that will take place before the long one in September. I cannot wait!

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/04/lunch-at-yan-ting-restaurant-st-regis.html

April was the month of the Dead, as the Chinese Ching Ming Festival fell in this month. One may look upon it as the Samhain (more commonly known as "Halloween") of the Chinese tradition, where we go tomb-sweeping and make offerings for the ancestors and loved ones who have departed. For the first time in my entire life, we followed the maternal relations to the cemetery this year.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/05/media-invite-dinner-at-violet-herbs.html

Besides that, it incorporated Good Friday, the day Christ bled his last for mankind.

April was also the month of the Living, with Christ rising from the dead. We had Easter a week later, not exactly a celebration but the tradition was more or less observed.

And of course, someone had her birthday in April as well :)

Besides the celebration with the family (Yan Ting at St. Regis) and the Beau (White Rabbit at Dempsey), dinner and drinks with the bro and SIL at Jamie's Italian + Post Bar @ Fullerton, there were the dinners with many friends - thank you precious darlings!! Yes, I had my cakes and ate them too!

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/04/lunch-at-kotobuki-japanese-restaurant.html

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/04/dinner-at-osahime-sushi-bar-restaurant.html

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/04/media-invite-dinner-at-mitsuba-japanese.html

In fact, there were many consecutive days of Japanese food - one of my very favourite cuisine, making me utterly happy.  No, the happier events were the catching up with a couple of friends I'd considered long-lost, and probably even "lost" somewhere in time. I was glad they had resurfaced, and was glad for the meet-ups.

Photosource: http://www.sgdemocraticalliance.blogspot.sg/2015/04/house-visit-on-18-april-2015-elias-road.html

Last but not least, a little more of community work cum other extra-curricular activities. So much things to learn and complete, so little time....  Then there are the exercise slots and driving lessons as well...

Oh, the music of choice for now would be MUSE - awesome tunes and vocals. I loved them a while back, but now it's rekindled. Check out their tracks "Unintended", "Resistance", "Supremacy" and "Sing for Absolution".

Anyway, till then for now. Do await my updates in May ok - more exciting things coming up, I promise. In the meantime, thanks for gracing my site and stay loved !

March's Momentum 2015

Dear Diary,

It is March already, in fact, the end of the quarter of 2015. Somehow, instead of writing "2014" when I need to put the dates for anything, I keep writing "2016"... an oddity, yes.

Another sequence of events for the month, another start that follows the end. Be prepared for some rather candid rants in this post - the blog reflecting more of my personal thoughts and feelings.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/air-supply-40th-anniversary-tour.html

So, to put the positive events forward first - what happened in March this year? Ahhhh, yes, the Air Supply concert - believe it or not, it was the first concert I went to, haha! It was a wonderful experience, and the duo sang really well. The other one I'd wanted to catch was Garbage two years back, but the Aussie trip clashed with it.  If Evanescence, Def Leppad, Duran Duran or Garbage (again) come next , I would be there surely.

The Beau and I finally confirmed our booking for the wedding venue, so now we just need to sort out the rest of the details. We did not get the original venue or dates that we wanted, but the one that we decided on was very satisfactory for many reasons :)

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/afternoon-tea-at-one-degree-15-marina.html

Also visited some rather swanky spots for appointments and personal hangouts, including but not limited to some clubs and Sentosa Cove etc.  I just love these beautiful spots, whether overseas or locally - but then again, who doesn't?  Nature has shaped many places to look enchanting in their bare states, but men also have been able to create lovely spots that please the eyes and lure the heart.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/murdoch-universitys-alumni-event-mint.html

Attended the university's alumni event for the first time in my life as well -  usually I don't bother, but somehow I signed up for the latest one, for networking and also piqued by curiosity.  It was interesting enough (venue and sequence of happenings), and I made some new friends besides bumping into a couple of familiar faces there.

Passed the examination needed for the career though I did not manage to spend much time studying for it. The sidelines are picking up at a good pace too - I am grateful for the referrals and support, and will continue to keep it going.  There are also a couple of invited tastings (would've been 3, but the 3rd one clashed with something else last minute): check them out here:

(i)   Lime Restaurant at Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel
(ii)  Todai International Seafood Buffet at MBS

Went for Tomb Sweeping (of grandparents' graves)  for the first time as well - a rather interesting experience. I had imagined the graveyard to be silent and eerie - very serene, but there were many other descendents of various families there paying respects to their loved ones as well. There were also firecrackers being lit, which amazed us, and that was amongst the offerings and prayers.   It was a great time to catch up with cousins.



The Rants:-
(i)   Some friends are just so plastic I wonder why I bother trying to keep in touch. I wonder why I bother to remember their birthdays and celebrate with nice treats or presents, when they never even bother to ask or remember when mine is, year after year.   Even for simple catching up sessions, they almost never initiate, would give excuses when asked (or worse, fail to turn up), YET when they need professional advice from my areas of expertise, would come around all sugary and warm. Okay, time to cut the ties for such "friends"  :)

(ii)  Why are some people so ungrateful and unrealistic, really? You thought you were helping them (out of the kindness of your heart, and out of friendship) by referring them clients for tasks in their supposed fields of expertise - because they aren't doing dick for their "jobs". Yet instead of gratitude, they deign to accept the tasks - and instead choose to stay in a surreal world where they believe in impractical work that might reap great results. Note - starting a business is NOT tough,  making it thrive though requires HARD WORK and not magic, or a 3-days-2-nights course on gambling. 

No, wait, and before you start a business, PLEASE do due research to check what are the requirements, what governing body's approval or certification do you need to seek, as well as market rates. And I thought these were the most basic stuff?

Honestly, if I didn't care as a friend I wouldn't have bothered - and would've let them go and bang the walls if they are being fined 5-digits for the breach. Maybe it would instil some sense of reality?

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/paying-last-respects-to-sir-harry-lee.html

The Darker Aspects
Well, the official National Mourning period is over, and Mr. LKY's body has been churned into ashes by now. The demise was not a shock, but it saddened, nonetheless.

What I never shared with anyone was a dream I had on the morning of 18th March - I had a strange dream of watching Mr. Lee and his wife together, in younger days - she in a cheongsam and was apparently much younger with dark curls (note that I have never had much impression or recollection of her since I don't follow her news / or his, for that matter).  Then he left the scene and she was alone, captured in a black-white photograph. It was utterly strange.

I may not agree with everything he has done, neither do I support his party for some of the decisions they have made - but I am rational enough to be grateful for the things he has done for Singapore. Amongst the disarray and melancholic mood of the nation, it was good to also know that unity and care exist - through the queues and voluntary work I got to experience first-hand.

Rest in peace, Sir.   Whatever happens to Singapore now, whoever may get to rule it now - it is not just one person's efforts - everyone needs to play a part to ensure their own future is good.   No one owes us a living.

That said, well, thank you for gracing my personal blog once again - have a fabulous week ahead lovies. See you in April

-------<------ (@

Fantastic February 2015

Dear Diary,

After naming my February entries "Fabulous February" two years in a row, I decided to stop being boring... at least  not on the title front.  This is a short month, and also the month we have all been waiting for, but alas, it's over.

Today marks the 28th (and final) day of the second month of 2015.  It marked a new beginning leading to a newer beginning. I hope to get more accomplished this year itself, including the courses I have been pursuing and the nuptial needs settled.

So, what's been up in February?

Expanded the side business into ghostwriting and copywriting, that was one of the aspects.  Thought the other side business could kickstart as well, but again it's fairy dust because of incompatible partner. Maybe I should just find time to do it myself.  Confirmed a trip in September this year, and lots of shopping this month.

Photosource: http://www.thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/02/afternoon-tea-at-courtyard-fullerton.html

Will also be doing more intensive sports to shed some fats - you can also see that my food hunting has been reduced considerably, as I am slowly stopping the food blog. However, we could not resist a High Tea meeting at Courtyard @ The Fullerton the other day. The catching up and food and ambience were all very lovely.

Photosource: http://www.thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/02/valentines-dinner-at-ristorante-amarone.html

For February, there were 2 major occasions / festivals , the first one being St. Valentine's Day. It may not hold any special significance, but rather just something to look forward to - a nicer dinner, a reminder of another Vday spent, etc. A good day for the retailers and restaurants to jack up the price and earn a fortune as well. The Beau and I went to Ristorante Amarone this year, enjoying the elegant ambience, lovely food as well as first-rate service there.

Photosource: http://www.thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/02/visit-to-river-ang-bao-2015.html

Then came Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year).  This marks another year has passed, and also a time of gathering between families and friends, as well as lots of feasting. There was the spring cleaning, tons of things to buy in preparation, and now we end up with lots and lots of Chinese New Year goodies at home (cookies and tarts, mainly).  The mandatory visits to the River Ang Bao funfair, a little poker games and karaoke (KTV) sessions were not spared of course.

As a kid, we looked forward to this festival mainly for the myriad types of snacks, food and money from the red packets from married adults. These days, the money has reduced significantly, and we in turn give red packets to the elderly and the cleaners around the estate / offices.  We value the gathering and catching up with relatives and friends more, as well as preserving the tradition.



Gel nails for CNY - they change colors according to temperatures

That said, I better prepare to head out soon. Meant to get this entry out sooner but ended up checking out many other sites and research online concurrently.

March will be a very busy month too, I can foresee - have already booked vaccination shots appointments, hotel wedding banquet workshop, 2 alumni networking sessions, some company's Open House, colleague's wedding, food tasting sessions over the course of next two weeks!

In the meantime, here are some clothes and shoes purchased just for the Lunar New Year (a little excessive, but......)

Black half-sleeved dress with colors, from Marks & Spencer



Short, navy-blue mock-turtleneck dress with gold trim and fringe



Blue and cream lacey mock-cheongsam dress with split-hem

Yellow dress with cross-front straps - I have the exact dress in black

Black cotton / wool dress with gold zips at the shoulders, worn loosely or with a belt for casual occasions



Tiffany's blue off-shoulder dress with pleated flare skirt

Tiered u-neck, scoop-neck dress with black-cream layers

 

Two-colored dress with gold buttons and horizontal pleats / ruffled top

Cream / beige, high-heeled shoes with veil

White heels with gold rope straps

Black veiled heels with silver stilts and dark purple straps

Stay happy and healthy in the meantime - see you in March, lovies ! *muachx*

Genuinely January 2015

Dear Diary,

So, after December's frenzied list of events (read more here), the Earth has finished its revolve around its axis - and it is a brand new year. Surreal as it may seem, time certainly has wings.. or has technology + fast-paced lives made it seem as though time is passing faster and faster? I wonder how many kids these days still cannot wait for time to pass faster so that they can enter the world of adults soon?

Well I have been doing everything and nothing, in a way...  the job, the blog, extensive research & arrangements on the upcoming wedding, learning HTML (see the new look I have given my other Blog here - not fantastic, but I did everything myself, mind you) and some projects for the side business Espererelle.


Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/01/media-invite-hungrygowheres-eat.html

I never thought there was so much to prepare for weddings - nothing short of ironing out every single detail, hunting for solemnisers, wedding planners or DIY, etc.  I could have made things easier by asking my many happily-married friends or cousins on the procedures, but me being me, I just wanted to do the full research and legwork.  I should be starting a mini-series on Wedding Preparations as part of my ongoing blogging project.

There were also shopping, events, catching up with various friends, wedding dinners and baby showers etc in the short span of 31 days as well. Congratulations to the happy parents and newly-weds! I have bought 3 non-black dresses and 3 new pairs of shoes for the upcoming Lunar New Year - shall be showcased in February's entry.



http://thearcticstar.blogspot.com/2015/01/dinner-at-sushi-airways-bugis.html

Sometimes I wonder why people like to put on a very "self-important" or "successful" façade. For instance, claiming that they are making so much money every second of the day, even "guiding" people on how to doing it, but yet when it comes to business deals they always choose the free or cheapest alternatives.  Either that, or companies that claim "100% success rates" but are so afraid to invest in staff, infrastructure etc, hence hoping to enjoy free labour for as long as it takes.

Or those who act important / famous, but maybe are feeling very insecure within, which is why every photo also must link themselves to the same semi-famous artists time and again, with captions such as "my guitarist friend", "my national footballer friends"!   Oh please, if they (or you) are that famous, people would know you and which line you are in - no need to keep reminding others. Maybe I should start labelling all my friends too, with captions such as "my lawyer friends", "my doctor friends" or "my bosses friends"??   Thanks, but no thanks.

Moving on...

What were the Top 5 things I liked about 2014?
(i)  The change of status to being a semi-Mrs
(ii) The better part of the career (recognition) and starting of my own company
(iii)  Advertorials, media invites , featured reviews and an award
(iv)  The overseas trips
(v)  December (Christmas, the Bestie's visit, etc)

What were the Top 5 things I disliked about 2014?
(i) Under the rulership of idiots and discovering the meat-wine buddies
(ii)  No time to complete driving lessons
(iii)  No time to do more exercise
(iv)  No time to devote religiously
(v)  The excuses above? Lol.

What would be the resolutions / improvements for 2015?
(i) More time and devotion to do the above "no time" activities
(ii) Settle all wedding arrangements and solemnisation ceremony
(iii)  Better career advancement
(iv) Get the driver's license already
(v)  Make a dream count - whether in publications, fashion, French lessons or taking Espererelle Services to new heights
(vii) Cherish people around me more
(viii) More financial and physical contribution to charity

Finally, here is a list of media invites for the month, do check them out:
1.  Dinner at Miki Snacks @ Katong Shopping Centre (click here)
2.  Dinner at The Cathay Restaurant (click here)
3.  Hungrygowhere Eat-lection Preview + Lunch at Etna Italian Restaurant (click here)
4.  Dinner at Dian Xiao Er Restaurant @ Junction 8 (click here)
5.  Dinner at Fu Lin Men Chinese Restaurant @ Jurong Country Club (click here)
 Supposed to have another one but unfortunately it clashed with a dinner appointment.


That's it.   Have a fabulous February 2015 ahead, mon cheres.... kisses!