Stars are Serene

Yesterday we had lunch with John at Galaxis in the area where he works. We were in the food court but it was so loud we almost had to shout at one another across the small table. This made me dizzy and unwell, especially since I had not been at hundred procent during the forenoon. I sat by the table while John and Rebecka bought their food. I had no appetite, no idea what I wanted to eat but I was hungry and I needed something. John helped me choose - something that I had had before and knew was relatively good. Kung Pao chicken with rice.

John went back to work after that. Rebecka and I had plans to go to VivoCity and later the aquarium, but I did not feel good. My stomach was bloated and I just wanted to lie down. She was very understanding. We had company back to the MRT and parted before the gates. Rebecka went of to VivoCity alone and I headed back home where I crashed in the sofa with Ymir sleeping close to me. I lay there much longer than intended.

Eventually they both came home around the same time. John ordered pizza to us two since Rebecka had already eaten. During the wait we played our separate daily games since we had plans to watch a movie while eating and thus hours of gaming were gone. Writing this it might seem ridiculous, but we are gamers. This is what we crave (enough hours a day to play games). The pizza arrived and we moved over to the sofa. We put on Bourne Supremacy and had dinner. Both pizzas were good, I dare say better than ever before. Movie was fun! I remembered key-scenes but not all of it. We are going through them all before watching the latest. I snuggled down into John's lap. Ymir came wanting to cuddle as well so I put him on my stomach where we lay for a long while being adorable.

Today we decided to stay put. Rebecka was kind of tired after a walking a lot from the day before. We took a slow morning and around lunch went out to eat at the food court. We ate from a pick-and-choose place (my naming, but I think we all should adapt to it) were I had two types of chicken and broccoli with rice. Rebecka had rice, chicken, beef and also broccoli. Together we shared a plate of dumplings but neither of us had enough room in the stomach to eat them all. We had to go ask for a take-away-box for the ones we had left. We sat in the sun and we both got a little red on the shoulders.

Being all sweaty we immediately turned in the door and went to the pool. A refreshing dip in the water. We took some photos of me in the pool, since I truly love being in the pool and can not keep myself from being silly. I chose a normal looking one for this post. It felt appropriate. We then lay next to each other on the loungers and talked. I picked up my book and read a few chapters. Around four we were done.

John and I made plans to go out to have dinner. Rebecka was of course in on the plan but stayed behind because of a migraine. I walked to music over to Bukit Timah and sat down by a table at the restaurant to wait for John. Soon he arrived but was in a call. I could finish my Hearthstone match without feeling guilty. We ordered lemon chicken for John and I had prawn and broccoli in garlic sauce (both with rice but lets be honest, most of the meals here come with rice). We had to wait for a while before the meal came and then my meal came long before his did. Not very good at timing things here. There were not even that many guests. Apart from the wait the place is really good. It is called LeWu Cafe and it is our place to go for a casual dinner to a good price.

On the way back I saw two shining dots in the sky and used an app on my phone to see what it was. Discovered I could see Venus shine brightly and Mars as a red small dot above it. We discussed the solar system and the galaxy. It is so amazing to visualise it. I am deeply intrigued by space. I will do an app recommendation of the app I use, so you will see it here eventually. Right now I am trying to only do one app recommendation a month so you do not get overwhelmed. (If you have a different opinion about this please leave me a comment.) Thank you to John for doing Shadowverse last month!

Seasonal Basket

When something is about to be delivered to your doorstep you need to be home to sign and receive. Today was that kind of day for me, only the estimated time was between ten in the morning and five in the afternoon...

Because of this I could not go with Rebecka to Orchard Road. Instead she went on her own and I really wish I could have gone with her. It was a long time ago since I was at Orchard and it always makes me feel ridiculously snobby. Not that I actually buy anything that could be considered expensive. I do not dare to enter the well-known brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada and others like them. Its just the feel of the street, the cars, the buildings, the decor. The people feel regular, middle-class or tourists. I do not see many people dressed in those brands. Maybe that is why I like walking there.

Half past two the man called on the intercom. Before he did so he had called John to say something but the bad reception made it impossible to hear. Then John calls me and asks in the delivery has been made. John was very fast. It takes less than a minute to get to the door from the basement and John was done with our talk before the man knocked on the door. I opened, I was asked if I was Mr. Rickne to which I answered yes, I signed a paper and took the huge basket handed over to me.

Harrods Christmas basket

contained:

Claret Bordeaux (red wine)
original instant coffee
English breakfast tea nr.14
orange marmalade
strawberry and champagne jam
milk chocolate tuiles with lemon
butterscotch biscuits
mixed fruit flavour drops
lemon discs

And a pretty Christmas bow which will be saved as decoration!

Sunny Shopping

I was really tired this morning so after John left around nine I went back to bed and slept another hour. When the alarm went off I was naughty enough to snooze it for another ten minutes. After five I felt bad. So when I actually left bed I put on gym clothes immediately instead of the cosy pyjamas I really wanted to adorn. Rebecka was already awake. I had a quick breakfast to get some energy before we had company downstairs.

I left her by the pool while I headed to the gym. I feel so good being there. My body gets some exercise and my mind can relax. I listen to a podcast about being an author which really inspires me. It lets my brain think of work while my body is working. I did half an hour on the cross-trainer, a few reps with the leg extension machine and a few reps on the chest press machine. Each episode of the podcast is the perfect length because it is forty to forty five minutes long, which is also how long my gym routine is. Match made in... the gym.

Around noon I walked up to Rebecka standing in the shadow by the pool. I considered going up to write on my book since I was really inspired by the pod episode, but it was a great day; sun was shining, it was hot and the pool looked inviting. So I hurried upstairs, put on a bikini and went back down. It was nice to sink down into the water after the workout. Felt good - even better because it is December. Take that, Swedes!

When the sky turned on us and sent a whole bunch of clouds to cover the sun we felt it was time to head back home. It was time for lunch and we were hungry. There is a small café inside d'Leedon
that serves food all times of the day. We have been there once when Annika was visiting. I wrote about it in April but reading that post now the place does not sound so good. It was the day after their opening so I thought maybe they are better now. I went up to shower while Rebecka ordered and waited for the food. When she came up we both saw the size of the meals. It was literally just a small amount, enough to at least cover the bottom of the container but did not look like a proper meal. This is creamy pasta with salmon for $19 (although it was a 2 for 1 lunch deal so I only paid $10 back to Rebecka). I added some feta cheese to add a little extra. It was very creamy so it was somewhat filling, but I would have wished for more for that price! I do not recommend The Dispensary.

It was in the middle of the afternoon and Rebecka came over to me. Arms, shoulders, back, face, chest - everything was red and burned. I could not keep from laughing. It looked terrible! So sorry, Bex. We got dressed and headed out half past five. It was a pleasant walk over to Holland Village. We strolled along a row of small shops and ended up looking through cheap clothes at a store called Song & Song. I found a tank top with breast support; something I did not own but really wanted. I am wearing it right now. I believe I will wear it a lot. It is so comfortable! Rebecka found two tank tops but the lady behind the counter accidentally missed that the tops were on sale and took too much money for them. We only saw this when we got home hours later. Rebecka and I made a quick round on the upper floor of the HV mall and she found a jewellery shop where she bought a bracelet and a necklace.

John arrived just as we stepped out from Guardian. I bought band-aids since we are always out when I need it. Rebecka also helped me choose a new mascara, so now I am all set. The three of us proceeded to Lor Mambong - a street with restaurants, night clubs, strange dentists, tech shops and other small businesses that do not match the overall feel of a night club street. We took her straight to our favourite Mexican restaurant - Cha Cha Cha. You have heard of it, I have written about it. John and I had chimichangas; one with chicken and one with beef and shared them both. Rebecka ordered fish tacos. I have never tried it but it looked good. I will try it next time! I decided to put the photo of her meal in this post since chimichangas can be seen in the others linked above.

We were so full afterwards. I suggested ice cream but nobody else wanted some so we never had. I am so sad. I really wanted some! We had a talkative walk back home. Later I read out loud what I had been writing today. Rebecka has not heard much of the book since she will be my new eyes on the story once I am done with the second edit, but she got a small taste from the last chapter. She liked it! John had a lot to say, most of it was good if not all of it! I shall continue writing and have this book published soon!

Singing Singaporeans

We went out with some friends from the group last night. Around half past six we took the MRT and entered the mall called Bugis+. There we located Starbucks and found two of our friends - Ash and Steve. They were having coffee and waiting for people. Soon after a few others showed up and the ones still missing told us to find a place to eat.

Normally we do not decide what to eat until everybody is there. Opinions are better heard in person than over the chat. So now we were seven people walking around a four story building looking for a decent restaurant. The first choice had a too long queue so we bailed. Two more joined the group while we walked around searching. We ended up at Coco Ichibanya, a Japanese curry restaurant. In the menu there was a spicy level meter going from 0 (for children) to 5. I had standard, which was a 1. Ash had a 5 but she is tough and used to spicy food. Food was okay, not the best I have ever had but the miso soup included in my set menu was really good! I also got a small salad to my meal which made me very happy.

During dinner we had to split up in two groups and halfway through I noticed that the other group had gone. We checked the clock and noticed our time at the karaoke place had started. We finished the food and headed upstairs. Place was called Manekineko. We found the others in the middle of a loud song and sat down. It was fun and everybody sang something. Ash and Steve are surprisingly incredible rappers! A couple of phones circled the group to add more songs to the list. I think we all added too many because when the time ended the songs I had picked never showed up. Apparently you can move your chosen song higher up in the queue which means the others gets pushed down. Shame. It was a fun evening nevertheless!

Half past eleven we had to leave. Some had already left during the hours we were there, but the few that remained were hungry. Together we walked for fifteen minutes to Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant. It seemed like a popular place. We had to wait but not for long; soon we were placed in the AC area around a large table. Food was being ordered by just a few from the group since everything is shared. We had dumplings, fried fish skin, pork rice packages, noodles, pork buns and other things spread out all over the table. My favourite was the prawn dumpling - a huge prawn tucked into a soft dough. Then there was a dessert dumpling with a very sweet custard inside. I had one, it was good but a bit too much.

We took a cab home and came back around half past one. I was so tired and went to bed as soon as possible. It was a fun evening and I love singing karaoke; even though my voice is not very good. I want to do this again soon!

Sushi board game not edible

Ymir was not very understanding during the night. When Rebecka wanted to sleep he wanted to eat - her feet! He bit and scratched her a little, kept her awake for a few hours and refused to be a cute cat sleeping in a corner. She was awake when we got up. John left for work and we had a slow morning.

First mission for today was to go buy groceries, but first we had lunch. I took her to Empress Mall just outside d'Leedon and walked through the very small market there. She needed a bathing suit and luckily found one simple black in a small stall. Then we strolled around the hawker centre and searched for something to eat. I knew already what I wanted. She said to go there and she could get something from the same place. I had lemon chicken and Rebecka had set menu A which never really had a name. Chicken and rice, as figured. To that we shared a platter of ten dumplings and had lime juice.

Over at Coronation Plaza we made quick rounds at the upper floor before entering the grocery store. I bought two new toys for Ymir as a ten months present. It was a red feather at the end of a steel tread and he loves it! The other was a squirrel with catnip inside, his first drugs ever, and when he was introduced to it he rolled around and went crazy, but now he seems more fond of the toy than its insides. Downstairs we entered FairPrice. I had a list so I went picking everything up. Rebecka loves food stores in other countries so she entertained herself by wandering around alone for a bit. When I found her she had her own basket with two large pomelo and cherry tomatoes. I have never had pomelo so I will make sure to try some when one has been opened. Excited!

When we walked back to the condo it was half past one and the sun was blasting hot. Even though it is December we both managed to burn some part of our skin. Rebecka on the back and I on the chest. It takes skill to make that happen! As soon as everything was loaded into the fridge we changed into swimsuits since both were pretty sweaty and the weather was nice. We walked over to the best pool and slithered down into the cold water. Not as warm as it was in June, but still pleasant after a quick warm up. Eventually though, when it never became warm enough, we switched sides and sank down into the jacuzzi. The sun was above us, warming a little but not quite as satisfying as I would have wanted. We talked for a long while and enjoyed sitting in a jacuzzi in December. Then we lay on the stools for a while too, using towels as blankets. Then it started to rain and we hurried home.

It was four o'clock and Rebecka fell asleep. I do not think she meant to but she was really tired and I did not want to disturb her. We did not have any plans for three hours anyway so I let her rest. I sat by the computer with headphones playing a game a chatting with John. We were supposed to meet him at a restaurant across the street after work and I thought I could wake her up when he left work. She magically woke up the second I removed my headphones to do just that. Slowly we got ready, well I was kind of quick but assured her she did not need to stress. It was only funny when John called half an hour later wondering where we were. We had not left the apartment yet.

At the restaurant he sat by a large table looking at the menu. We sat down on either side of him and ordered together. Pork buns - their signature dish - and fried rice with chicken. Tofu with sesame oil and fried tofu with crumbled fish on top. Some vegetables and the best of all - sweet and sour fish. But here is the thing; it tasted like cinema popcorn! It was so good and I think I ate most of it. Truly amazing! So yummy. Lets have more! John and I ate too quick and my stomach did not like that. I was feeling rather full and dazed afterwards.

During the last hours of the day we made drinks and played our new Sushi Go Party! game. Since it was John and mine first time we played the original set up, meaning without the party edition. But we learned fast and next time we play we will have a party go! It was a fun game. I lost because I wanted most maki but that did not give me a lot of points. John won but soon after realised he had counted wrong and so Rebecka won! Congratulations. Good game. I want my sushi now.

We ended the day with an episode of Planet Earth II. This time it was in the jungles and they showed the most unusual animals. It was a hide and seek place where most animals melted into the background. We all grew tired during this and so we skipped the diaries in the end. Now off to bed!

Santa Bex

Rebecka is here! John's sister finally arrived and it is her fist visit to our apartment. She has been to Singapore previously, but that was before we moved here. I am so happy that she came! The two of us will have most time together since John is working. So weekends will be sister-brother time and weekdays I will have her all to myself.

The flight was half an hour late so she came to our place around eight. When she texted John she was nearing the condo we thought that she might not know where to go. From personal experiences taxi drivers can get confused in this area. Difficult to find the right basement and then the right drop of point. We have had to literally point in the right direction. So we thought she would be stuck outside and not being able to contact us. We left the apartment to go stand by the road where she would eventually drive past. Halfway there John receives a text saying that she has arrived. We see a taxi turn down into a basement (the correct basement) but we can not see if she is sitting inside it. We felt stupid since now, if that was her, when she called to our apartment nobody would be there to answer. We split up. John stayed and I went back. Luckily I am clever enough to check downstairs before going up. My thought was that if she had already called to our apartment and we did not answer she would sit there and wait. And so she did!

I had made a broccoli pie that was just coming out of the oven when she entered our home. John called and I let him in. Hugging party! We talked about the flight and it sounded like it went well. She handed over three bottles from Tax Free. Ymir was afraid of this new being entering his precious castle. Eventually I picked him up and made him meet her. He calmed down after that. The dinner was okay, not the best pie I have ever made. I feel it is difficult to cook here since the ingrediens are so different from those I used in Sweden. I can not use the same recipes and do not know where to look for one as well. If I google a recipe in English everything is American. I do not understand Americans! Why do you use cups?

Christmas came early! Annika and Thomas, the parents of these two, had sent presents with her and we received them immediately. I was given a lot and I am so thankful. I find it a bit difficult to accept gifts so when package after package was handed over to me I shed some tears. In the picture below you can find some of the presents. There is a red filofax, something I have long wished for since I am so organised and love to keep track of my days. Three Christmas-cards. A Sushi Go Party game which I love already! I have no idea how to play it or what type of board game it is, but I love sushi and they look so cute on the package! From Rebecka I got two thick colouring books for adults. I was given one when I was over at her place almost a year ago and she knew I really liked it. The themes in these are vintage and geometric patterns. I look forward to this! With them she gave me new pencils that can be used with water as well as just pencils. Something I also really wanted since I only have felt pens. I also got a colouring book from Annika and Thomas with pictures of Stockholm - in case I missed my hometown. This will also be fun since I do miss it and I had flashbacks when looking at the pictures inside!

John got two large envelopes in which he was given missions. In one he were told to buy a new phone. In the second he was told to buy a PS4 Pro. Two things he really wanted but would be difficult to send over from Sweden with his sister. Therefore we will buy these items in Singapore, but I think he will start with the phone at first. I was also given a mission; to plan a trip for a certain amount of money which will be executed next time one of them visits. I will have to look into this. There is a fair amounts of islands around Singapore I would like to explore.

We could not stay up too late. John had work today and Rebecka needed sleep after her flight. Although I think I was the one being most tired.

Ribbit Dinner

Yesterday I went to One-North and met John after work. Our friend picked us up after some confusion where each party was and travelled in his green car to an area where we had never been. Nevertheless I was sure I had seen these buildings before, but John questioned if I thought all of Singapore looked the same.

Our driver struggled to find a spot to park on the street. This neighbourhood seemed to only consist of one-way roads. We parked three streets away from the restaurant and walked through strange alleys to find our way there. We passed temples, golden elephant statues and simple food with a plastic spoon sitting in the street. Our friend explained it was for the Gods and I wondered if the Gods really needed a spoon. The only being I saw eating the food was a small undernourished street cat. One I squealed over and wanted to bring home. Then I saw a second and had the same reaction. Then a third and later a forth.

When we sat down around a table at Eminent Frog Porridge Seafood restaurant our friend needed to fetch something from his car and said we could order something to drink. While sitting there alone we quickly discovered we were the only pale people in sight. Even though we made a few attempts to receive attention from the personnel nobody came up to talk to us. We felt avoided. As soon as our local friend sat down a waiter came up with bowls and sticks and asked if we wanted to order now. We were still waiting for one person more so we declined. We bought drinks across the street where the food was being made. Our second friend managed to arrive during the few minutes we were away.

If you are planning on moving to Singapore I suggest to touch up on your English. Also, try learning Chinese. I believe the reason nobody came up to John and I was because we looked like we did not speak it. Our friends ordered in Chinese. Even though we did not understand what they said, when the lady taking our order pointed towards the two of us and smiled we saw that she judged us. Casual talking erupted once she left and soon the food arrived. We had rice porridge which tasted like rice crackers, a specific brand common in Sweden. I liked it a lot! To this we had two dishes of frog. First time eating frog. It was said to taste like chicken (which everything is explained to taste like these days) but it had less taste of chicken and was more like simple meat. Not a lot of taste in it. It was a filler for the porridge. It was good, but not fantastic!

I was almost full when one of the guys found an eye in his bowl. Seconds before they had assured me there were only the lower parts of the body in the dishes after I proclaimed I had found a head. I lost a bit of my appetite after that and took it upon myself to finish the porridge. After three more bowls I was finally full.

A girl from the chat (all of our friends are in the same chat) joined us unexpectedly in the middle of the dinner. It was an open invitation and it was only fun to have another girl there. A bit shy perhaps but I solved that by staring at her during the dessert.

After leaving the restaurant we travelled by car a couple of blocks down to a specific dessert place. Like a kiosk in the middle of a row of other small shops. We tasted bean curd in syrup, something we both dislike hence no picture of it, and egg tarts which John liked at least. Soon after that one friend needed to leave. The rest of us got into a car and had a tour of the area. Apparently a shady street; the lower the number got the shadier the area became. We saw brothels called things like Happy Nr Two (two being the number of the house) and men standing outside. A few girls could be seen but most were probably inside the houses. An interesting view of Singapore we had never seen.

Thank you friends for taking us there. The food was surprisingly good and it was fun to see a place in Singapore which still looked like it did in the 70's. Our friend said that and I believe him. He was kind enough to drive us home.