A Normal Day Birthday

I turned twenty three yesterday. It was a good birthday, felt like any other day but better. Which is just what I was looking for! John usually takes me to places on the actual day, but this year we are going to Japan in September, and so that is my birthday-present (as well as his). Instead of something grand, we met up in Holland Village and ate at a restaurant we both love.

Cheering Cherry!

There has been a lack of posts on this blog lately. One can say I have been in a trench, if that is an expression used by other people than me. I will try and be better, try and write more about thoughts and discoveries and not just what I do during a day. It feels like that will be more interesting. At least that is what I think!

Burning Barbecue

We ended last week with a barbecue at The Minton. The Minton is a condominium, much like d'Leedon where we live. John's colleague Elson lived there and had invited a bunch of friends to a long lived feast.

Fucking Bunnies

Our good friend Dawn invited us to go see a short movie her long time acquaintance had written and starred in. We knew nothing more about the movie than the name: Fucking Bunnies. It was screened at a place called The Projector, known for its high prices and hipster setting. I had never been there, John had but in another part of the building.

Triumphant Volunteer

Another day at The Cat Museum. John and I discussed if it is still called "my job" even if I do not get paid. We both agreed it is still work, since it is voluntary work. I do enjoy going there every week; the cats are lovely and most of the costumers are friendly. I have gotten to know some of other volunteers and are making new friends.

Sleepy Four Days

John has been home for four days! I have missed him a lot, but I think his jetlag is contagious. Since Monday I have been so tired, both of us went to bed at ten o'clock last night. That said, you will understand that not much has happened during these days. We went out to have dinner at a restaurant yesterday, but after eating John almost fell asleep at the table!

Gift Giving Give Up

Rain in Singapore can really keep one from going outside. This was the case of today and it was not only stopping me from going, it was also stopping Ash. We were supposed to meet at Nex by twelve thirty, but the weather was so bad that even going the few meters to the stations was impossible. Eventually we figured it out!

Potato Movie

Ash and Dawn came over yesterday for dinner and a movie. I really enjoy hanging out with those two, but their choice of movies are not the best in my opinion. They both really like horror movies, the kind that leaves me laying awake in bed long after they have left. Though last night we decided on a chick-flick...

Much Needed Hug

Last week Ash and I had a small dispute, where I was totally in the wrong and Ash had every right to be angry. After an explanation and apology over text, as modern people do these days, we made plans to meet today at Nex.

Thursday Duty

It was a long day Thursday. Between leaving the condo and getting down to the cool underground subway-station, I was soaking in sweat. During "winter" in this tropical country I forgot summers are even warmer! When it is thirty-two degrees, it feels like forty. But I am not complaining! I am enjoying the heat.

A Quick Catch-up

I have not been posting anything new here as frequently as I wish. A haunting headache while being social is not a great combo. When alone, with John still around, I was resting or fast asleep. Here is a long post about what has happened since Friday.

Food, Books and Cats

Third times a charm, right? This time at The Cat Museum was the best so far, and the busiest. I had a great time with the other volunteers and the cats were so playful. Though I need to stop buying books every Thursday, or else I am going to end up like a library.

B-Day BBQ

One of John's colleagues turned 32 recently. John was invited to his birthday barbecue and I came along as his plus one. Some of the other guests I knew from previous gatherings and such, but most were complete strangers.

Hawker Ramen

John has been really busy working all week, having a daily workshop with people flown in from around the world. I do not know much more, since it is all very secretive, but at least I knew he would not be home for dinner most of the nights.

Go Buy Groceries Yourself

For some reason, I do not learn. There are so many times now that I have stupidly decided to walk to the store on a bright, sunny day at noon. I believe this is an old habit from Sweden, since there was never really a problem there. In Singapore, however, the sun is scorching at noon and one pale Nordic person might get burned.

Cinco de Mayo - Singaporean Version

If you are planning an event, specifically a celebration with cheap drinks, do estimate how many people will attend. Last night when we arrived a Chimichanga it was so crowded! The restaurant was a hole in the wall with few tables outside. It was ridiculous!

Racing Fancy

A new first! I have always enjoyed watching horse racing on the TV, but now I have seen it from the VIP room with buffet and free flowing wine. What an interesting experience!

Far East Feast

After PetExpo we called our friend Ash to see if she was able to meet. John and I have since long ago said we would visit her and Steve where they live, all the way out in Pasir Ris. On numerous occasions we have made plans to go only to cancel the same day. Perhaps we sound like unreliable people, but since that is over an hour away with the MRT or forty minutes with car I have to consider my body before I can make the journey. Luckily for us, we were only one station away from the end of the subway line and I had had plenty of time to calm down after travelling to the expo.

We met Ash, Steve and Dawn at the airport. Dawn having plans to see other friends and was joining us before going to their location. At the arrival hall we met Ash's mom and later some of her extended family from Great Britain. Our plan was to go to a bar/restaurant called Georges @ The Cove, which we have wanted to visit since our first invitation from Ash and Steve. Ash's family was very kind and gave the five of us a lift. They dropped us just outside their home and we met her dad for a brief moment. It was a bit of a walk from there to Georges but the air was kind (low humidity and a cool breeze) and the park was cosy. I pointed out Jupiter in the sky, the only bright shining dot above the creepy leafless trees.

When we got to Georges there was only one table available for a party of five - it was next to the dirty dishes and the noisy kitchen. While we went through the menu we asked for another table and was soon seated further away. The food was rather expensive. John had a burger for ~S$18 and I had pork chops with less than a scoop of mashed potatoes for ~S$17. I confess I had a glass of the house white wine, a very generous glass for $8. I know, I was on my diet and I should not have had any alcohol. It was a day of small cheats (and I regretted it afterwards). Though Georges was expensive it was not very special. I think we paid for the view - the sea (or wide river as John proclaimed) and the Pulau Ubin island, some pretty airplane lights in the night sky - but it was almost too dark to see anything. I understand why Ash likes the place, but I would not pay it a second visit.

Dinner ended around ten. We made a short walk to a roundabout and split up in two groups. Our friends had their taxi arriving almost at the same time as we came to the pick up place. John and I had to wait a few more minutes. It was half an hour or so with car back to our place and I was happy to get out when we did. I do not do cars very well. I felt better soon enough though. It was an entertaining day and I am grateful to have such great friends in Singapore.

See Seaweed Salad

I have never been to the cinema alone. I think I should, I think it sounds cosy, but I still have not done it. I thought about it yesterday, though. Instead I asked Ash if she wanted to join me. Of course she would! We checked which movies were screened and even though many had strange timings (like one was screened at noon and twenty minutes past midnight) we found one that worked.

Ash was going to be a bit late and only arrive at Suntec a few minutes before the movie started. I decided to head in an hour earlier and just walk around for a bit. I am not very good at solo shopping, so I brought a book with me. The estimation of three different apps told me it would take slightly over forty minutes to get there, but as usual with Singapore it felt (and probably was) only around twenty. I found my way around and walked past Boost, smoothies, where I bought a Banana Buzz. I sat down next to the extremely loud mixers, opened my book and sank into the words. I suspect people looking at me wondered how I could read in that environment, but when the words from the book gets inside my head I can not hear what goes on around me.

Here is a long story about me buying seaweed:

I found a store called Tao Kae Noi Land and recognised the figure from my favourite seaweed snack. It was impossible to resist, so I went inside. Apart from seaweed bags with flavours I had never heard of before, there was tea, noodles, candy, etc - all with seaweed flavour or added seaweed to the side. It was surprising, all that for some seaweed. There were several costumers in there, walking around the isles, taking samples from the small jars everywhere. As soon as I stepped in the man behind the desk approached, said hello with a warm smile and the instant chose an item he appeared next to me with a basket. I picked up my all time favourite (original flavour) and found a deal where I could buy four bags for ten dollars. I calculated that it would only save me one dollar, but I had actually already planned on trying some of the new things. I put down Japanese sauce flavor, seaweed with sesame grain and seafood flavor in my basket. The sauce flavor had a picture of sushi on it, so I thought I would like that, the seafood on seaweed just sounded funny and when I stood considering the sesame grain the clerk showed up unannounced again and held the sample jar towards me. I thanked him and tried one and then I took a bag, which I had already decided that I wanted. I went to pay, was offered some samples which he happily gave me, and then realised he only took cash. I had some but not enough, so I said I would come back for my bag and pay him. He told me to bring the bag and come back with the money. I tried to tell him to keep it until I could pay for it, but he seemed very keen on trusting me and pointed me in the right direction. I went down one floor, took out some cash and went back up (wondering what stopped me from just taking the seaweed and leave, but I am an honest person and he had been kind). After I had received my change he bends over the counter and points at some candy beneath it. Take some candy he said and I declined, not wanting some candy at all. Take one, is free he continues and picks up a candy-bar. I try again to decline it since I do not eat candy right now but he is very persistent. I took the candy, thanked him and left the store feeling very white-privileged. It did not occur to me that the other costumers had not been treated the same way as I had been.

It was half an hour until the movie was starting. Ash was lost and somewhere in the mall, trying to find her way. I told her which of the three towers I was in, but I got it wrong and did not help her at all. Quarter to six we met and hugged. Ash took some photos of me while I sat in the sofa promoting Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Not the movie we went to see, it will have premiere in Singapore 27th of April. We had tickets for Kong: Skull Island. Now, I have seen the previous movie starring Jack Black but Ash had not seen it (at least that is what she thinks, she remembers the Empire State building, which she could have gotten from a trailer or poster really) and told me she had to ask her boyfriend if Kong was the movie about the big ape on the building or Godzilla. I laughed so hard! I think we talked a bit too much during the movie, but I always do that and so does Ash apparently. Also, there was this old couple with their, I assume, grandson and they were much more noisy. The one or two (maybe three, I can not tell how old a child is by just looking at it) talked loudly, burped a lot, coughed crazily and the granddad had to pat his back for minutes at a time several times during the movie. I think our talking helped to ignore the sound.

I will write a full post about the movie, I have many opinions.

The movie ended at eight and we were getting hungry. Ash had worked at Suntec previously, before recently getting a new job, and knew where to go to get food. We walked towards she signs telling us where Restaurants and Bars were, but we only found two, three bars/miniresturants which was not really what we were looking for. She took me to a place called PasarBella which I said was a fancy food court. The description at their website says A GOURMET FOOD HALL, INSPIRED FROM THE STREETS OF LOWER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK CITY - WITH STREET ART ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAFFITIED WALLS AND FUSS-FREE MEALS-TO-GO. Very pretentious, but we both found good food and a place to sit. I had a The Big Daddy salad which was sweet potatoes, baby spinach, rib-eye, walnuts, guacamole and a vinegar sauce. It was really good, I was very hungry! Two young women behind me in the line asked what salad I had taken and I told them which one, but then I looked at them again and recognised the Swedish looks. I do not look like a typical Swede, but these two shorter, very blonde women could not be anything else. Then I heard them speak, confirmed Swedish, and had a short conversation with them while my food was being done. I wished them a happy travel, backpackers, and went back to my friend to have dinner.

When we were done the stores were closing all around us. Ash wanted to go to one specific store, hopefully still open, so we went there. It was called MEGAFASH and only contained expensive things you think you need. Strange pillows (although I would have bought that fish if it had not been a hundred S-dollars!), scary phone cases, jewellery, candles, clothes with inappropriate prints ("Random Ang Mo"), office equipment and bags. Everything ridiculously expensive but also very tempting.

When we left it was nearing eleven. Stores were closing and we could not think of anything else to do. Maybe go to a bar, but I would not drink so it would not have had any purpose. Instead we walked incredibly slowly while still talking towards the next nearest MRT station. We said good night, split and I headed home. It definitely only took twenty minutes this time. John had seen half an hour of a movie called Constantine (a very interesting movie that I recommend to everyone) and together we cuddled up in the sofa to see the rest of it. 

Resisting

I can not complain. I live in a land where there is no such thing as cold weather. There are storms; heavy rain and loud thunder, but even then it is hot outside. The rain is like a warm shower. So the really good days, the cloud-free sun-shining days, are vicious. It was one of those days yesterday. I took my laptop, water-bottle, some pistachios and made myself comfortable on the balcony. It was a great place to sit and write, but it got really sweaty very soon. Luckily it was a cool breeze so at least I had that.

The day before I could not resist the pool. I brought my book and a bag of popcorn, took a swim and relaxed in the chair. Like I said, I can not complain. I do not miss much about Sweden. Summer there is never satisfying enough, probably why Swedes like to travel to the tropics. There are even Swedish schools in Thailand specifically. I was pretty happy in my chair. The sun was going down and the crowd was thinning. Soon there were only me, still in bikini, and another couple fully dressed next to me. It was half past six when I headed up to change into clothes.

I started the food challenge on Saturday last week, so soon there has been a full week. I will write an update post about it on Saturday. This challenge is interesting but it forces me to buy groceries more often. I need fresh vegetables and, since I do not eat gluten, I eat a lot of it. So on Tuesday I met John on the MRT and we walked around inside ColdStorage. I was really hungry since I had not eaten since lunch and got cravings for gnocchi and ravioli. I know what I am going to eat in May! Instead we bought chicken, beans, vegetables, potatoes and had butterfly chicken made in the oven with cooked potatoes for dinner. It was all good. We even had hummus on the side which went surprisingly well with potatoes. I had the rest of the chicken and some broccoli for lunch the next day.

Yesterday John bought dinner from the hawker centre outside d'Leedon. I saw so many things I really wanted to eat. Cheese prata, lemon chicken, dumplings! But of course I could not. I had made myself a promise to stick to the challenge (I refuse to call it diet. It means different things in English and Swedish) throughout this month. John was kind enough to help me cook my meal, which ended up being shrimps in coconut milk with a chilli to spice it up, some french beans, couple of tomatoes and couscous. I have tried couscous a few times before, never really liked it, not the taste or the texture. I had some yesterday and guess what? I still did not like it... It felt like crumbled cardboard, tasted almost nothing which only made the texture worse. Nope, couscous is not for me. Not anytime soon at least. Not anytime at all more likely.