27 on 27

I turned 27 on 27 (May)!

Spent my birthday weekend in Penang this year, was my first trip to Penang

And the whole trip can be summed up with one word - eat, eat & eat. 

I think I had 6 meals in one day (no joke)

Penang Char Kuey Tiao is really different.. the wok hei is way stronger coz they use charcoal to cook

We queued 30mins for this Char Kuey Tiao 

                                               

Had tons of food but my fav must be this Duck Meat Soup Kuey Tiao

It's super good! The soup is not salty and just nice, I love it so much (with the soy sauce chilli dip) that I had it as my last Penang meal before flying back. 

And look at my man buying for me hehe... that's a back view I won't ever get bored of ;)

So, with that I found my true love in Penang...

Heartfelt thanks to my love

He surprised me with sunflowers and the sweetest card~

Or maybe he got tired of me requesting for flowers every time we walk past a flower shop hahaha!

Thank you for doting on me unconditionally 

Cooking for me, taking my bag without me requesting, always there to hold my hands, being the best IG BF...

Although we have our differences

But with you, I never felt I was difficult to love 

Between passionate and stable love, now I'll take the latter any day

And yes, to anyone who asks me if dating apps work... 

I will say take breaks if you must (I did too!) but don't give up

Because if I did, I will never have met Darius

We are 2 different people with different nationality, background and work environment

2 people who without the digital age will never have met, and yet we did

So, thank you e-月老

Because after turning so many circles, I'm truly happy now :)

How it feels lying in a coffin

I think this must be the most morbid title on this blog, ever...

But there's a reason haha

Let's go back 24 hours ago, back to yesterday

16 May'19

Took leave and crossed the customs to JB with Val!

We had late lunch at this super worth it and good service Japanese restaurant at Skudai called 

Warakuya Japanese Garden

Look at the thick Sashimi slices! 

I always found eating Japanese food in Msia is super worth it coz of the exchange rate

And the portions they give are way bigger than SG's...

Val says the 1 slice of Sashimi in Msia = 2 slices in SG hahaha

After lunch, Val brought me to play escape room...

I was super against it at the start coz too scared.

In the end, we went ahead after combining with 3 other Msian Chinese

Most spontaneous game ever hahaha 

But the 3 of them were super nice!

I think throughout the game, the only role I was in charge of was laughing LOL

At one juncture, we managed to unlock a coffin

And I thought smth will jump out of it but NO!

The horror was after, apparently each of us had to lie in the coffin, close the lid and then be pushed into the next room...

o.0

We did it, but I was laughing so hard

It really felt quite scary, like in utter darkness and slightly claustrophobic 

Val tried to climb over coz there was a small gap, but her ass got stuck HAHAHA

So no choice

The gentleman went last and when he climbed in, he muttered, I'm closing the lid to my own coffin

LOL sorry but in that context it was quite funny

We managed to escape after 70 mins! 

Which I thought was not bad

The games were really quite challenging but the creativity is another notch...

Highly recommend playing escape room in JB!

Went to do hair treatment and ate dinner...

by the time we were back in SG it was around 10+pm

Haven't had such quality time with Val in a long while

Glad to have her as my constant :)

17 May'19

Went Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck with my fam + Darius for 3 May babies birthday celebration!

This is the first time we ate outside with Darius and he specially booked a later bus back to KL

The food was so-so only... quite salty in my opinion

And the Peking Duck... can't compare to Beijing, sadly.

But I enjoyed the company, that's the most impt! ^^

Something happened recently that made me really glad I have Darius with me now...

So, one of the bone stuck in my throat for this rs has been his ex, since forever.

Because, he is still friends with her and they meet in a clique once in awhile...

Which is smth I don't think I can ever understand, esp given how they ended. 

This was also the reason why i hesitated getting together with him at the start, because I know I am quite insecure and this will blow up in the long run. 

I like to poke buttons, and that night I decided to poke his IG button

He still kept the sweet moments with his ex (their couple photos) on IG but he never posts about us

So I asked him, why the difference in treatment on social media

One thing good about him is he is super tactful

So he said, to him he alr forgotten about the photos till I mentioned them

And his social media pattern has changed, he rarely posts now

Which I have to agree...

And he offered to delete them if I mind

I didn't give him a reply then, but I thought it through and decided I will feel better if he deletes them

So 2 days later, we met for dinner and I brought it up that I will take up his offer

And his reply was simply: 'I removed them alr'

I was pleasantly surprised, because I did not expect him to be so auto

And I also didn't expect myself to be so happy about this gesture hahaha

So, now I think it really wasn't because I was a bad gf in the past

It was simply incompatibility and maybe dated assholes along the way

亲王子之前，总要先亲几个癞蛤蟆～

Saturdate

Went on a Saturdate with Darius~

Tmr marks our 6 months anniversary!

As a celebration for Darius' first commission, he treated Jayden and I to YardBird

We had the atas chicken waffles and watermelon, mac n cheese, biscuits and also YardBird's version of impossible burger

We were sooooo full by the end omg

But, I think the best was the mac n cheese and the impossible burger was cool too!

The patty is a meat replacement using plant based protein and is all the rage recently about sustainable alternative food supply, something that SFA is working on as well

Interestingly, it doesn't exactly taste like meat but it's not bad! 

After the meal, we parted ways with Jayden and went Jewel Changi

It is still sooooo crowded after 1 month of opening, and taking photos is almost impossible without other people in them lol

Still managed to grab some selfies together with the vortex waterfall behind!

Coincidentally, Val was at Jewel with Chao as well

Alas, we didn't bump into each other~

Look at how small Darius' eyes are! LOL

Mine was closed, but his still had a small slit open 

-.-

IG BF in action hahaha

Never saw anyone take photos with the vortex waterfall from this angle before

Really like how Darius made me look so tall in this photo hahaha

There are whole walls of greenery in Jewel that are good for photo taking as well

Went to check out the queue for Shake Shack and it's crazy long

So... we went Starbucks instead

When we were in Beijing, we went to the 3-storey Starbucks Reserve 

Darius tried this innovative drink called Cold Brew Malt and he was just mentioning he had craving for it....

When we saw that Jewel Starbucks Reserve also has it! 

Jinx lol 

Got a Cold Brew Malt for sharing! 

The ice cream in SG version is blended in, but I recall in Beijing it was just melted ice cream

The drink we had in SG is also slightly more bitter, think it is because of more caffeine in it

The aftermath of drinking Cold Brew Malt made me realise I am really lactose intolerant

I've been having stomach bloating and pain for the longest time

And recently, I've been experimenting to see what's the cause

I had stomachache after drinking the cold brew malt 

Sigh pie, have to bid goodbye to my milk BBTs for good :(

Was a chill Saturday~

Time zooms really fast, can't believe Darius and I have been together for 6 months

It is the longest rs I've had so far 

Based on track record, usually by about 3rd month or so? We will start quarrelling

Not saying Darius and I don't have disagreements... but he has a way of managing me lol 

I can only say, his EQ is really good 

Maybe that's why he is a recruiter

With him, I feel cared for and secure

With him, I don't feel like I am being difficult 

With him, I don't feel inadequate as a gf 

With him, I feel like there's a chance things will work out

With him, we are buddies in crime 

最初的心动

和一个人在一起久了，有时会忘记当初的心动

为何会爱上你？

渐渐的忘记你的好，只记得那些琐碎的‘不好’

很喜欢大俊渊的这张照片

那是我们第一次一起去的Adoption Drive

他就这样抱着小黑，小黑就在他怀里睡着了

那笑容就像慈祥的父亲哈哈哈

还记得那一刻，我觉得这位男生好暖，好暖。。。

我觉得所有感情都有它的步调

有时激情，有时转淡都是其中

如何准确的拿捏，才是一门技巧

一开始都是激情的吧

因为什么都是新鲜的

第一次，都是最难忘

像第一次一起出国去北京

5天24小时在一起

以为会受不了，以为会吵架

相反玩的很融洽

最后一晚我哭了

不是因为被欺负，而是因为我舍不得

但是，随着日夜的柴米油盐

抹去了爱情浓烈的步调

开始为琐碎的事吵架

慢慢看到了对方不好的一面

是我无理取闹，还是你不懂我？

一开始以为我们好像，以为你就是我的灵魂伴侣

但相处久了，发现我们其实有好多不同的地方

包括想法和理解

也许也是我们生长在不同环境的关系吧

Kit 和妈妈都告诉我，马来西亚华人很念家

你确定他会留在新加坡吗？

一开始喜欢你的一点，就是觉得你很孝顺，喜欢你念家，喜欢你大家庭的融洽

但是，时间久了

发现喜欢的反而成为我的厌倦

觉得为什么我不是第一

Kit 笑笑的对我说，你要收了你这份任性

在他心里，他的家人永远是第一

也许，是我应该改变我的想法和重心

一开始不用想那么远，但日子久了，想法也多了

最初的心动，是因为你的暖

因为你的细心

因为你的孝顺

因为你保留的赤子之心

深深的印在我心里

Thank you, AVA

31 March, today is the last day of AVA as an organisation. 

Starting tmr, it will be a new start for the Singapore Food Agency. 

In the span of 3+ years, I'm at my 3rd company, this time albeit not a conscious choice on my part. 

A bit sad that half of the team is spilt and some colleagues who I regard as a friend will be going to Nparks...

But, as the saying goes,

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened

COD

Thank you to my dearest community outreach team.

Although our portfolios are quite individualistic and I do wish we can be closer...

nevertheless there's no politics and everyone is always willing to help when asked.

To Poh Choo - Thanks so much for the life advices and lunch sessions.

I've learnt a lot to worry less and be more open to other perspectives. 

All the best in Nparks! 

And to my fellow Gemini Monkey Hoe Pang,

thanks for the bowling/singing session we had!

It's easy to talk to him, perhaps it's because we are the same age.

We may be neighbours in the future too! Till our paths cross again~

Media Team

Although I'm not part of Media team, but I've always been closer to ShuZhen, Ginny, Wendy and Kai Ting. 

Somehow, I quite envy the bond between the media team people, although they work way more too (always fighting fires)

But! They are more nonsensical and fun to be around hahaha

To Wendy Chua - Thanks for being my yoga partner~

Sometimes I forget we are of the same age coz you are already married and gonna be a mum in a few months! 

I'm so happy for your next stage in life~ Please rmb to jio me to your baby shower hehe

To Kai Ting - Thanks for the lunch sessions and being my Grab buddy.

All the best in Nparks!

One last photo of AVA CCRG! 

And to AVA...

Thanks for the experiences 

Being an expert in animal welfare for Happy Pets Happy Hood II when I first joined AVA.

Organising SG Farmers' Markets and introducing the agri-food industry in Singapore.

And last but not least... A goodbye to my favourites in AMG - our fellow animal colleagues

Ginger~ who walks with a limp because she was a hit and run victim

And Samson on my first trip to AMG to see them (and when I could still carry him)

And to many more memories to come. 

Till then,

Zoe 

最幸福的2018

The past 3 months have been a whirlwind of exhilarating events and many firsts...

Oct - Taiwan'18
It's been 8 years since I went TW
and the country is even more beautiful than I remembered

Sunset at Taichung's Gao Mei Wetlands

Tip for those heading beyond Taipei, best to self drive or get a chartered bus if travelling in a larger group...

The public transport in this areas are not as developed (no MRTs) and bus services were at 20 mins intervals.

Hence Hilda and I almost cabbed everywhere, we spent so much on cabs

The trip to Gao Mei Wetlands cost 1800NTD to and fro (98SGD), but the view was so worth it #noregrets

Highlight of the trip was staying at this pretty B&B halfway up Alishan!
It was so tranquil and pretty...
Totally recommend! I was a bit sad we had to leave after 2 nights, would totally hope to stay longer.
The host told us that the longest a Singaporean had stayed was for 1 week! Just to destress and lead a slower pace of life...

Say hi to LuLu~ miss this cutie meow

Highlight of the trip must be waking up at 3am to catch the sunrise on Alishan peak

And the best thing I brought along on this trip is...a selfie stick HAHAHA

It's so useful for taking photos above mass crowd's hands/cameras and heads >.<

Although we have travelled a few times to Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and S.Korea, this is the first time it's just the 2 of us.

And I must say, it turned out better than I expected!

Think is because both of us are quite easy-going, that's the most impt when travelling with friends. 

Nov Weddings

11.11.18 Hui Min and Zhiyong's wedding

Was my virgin bridesmaid experience!
The night before I stayed over at HM's sis place coz her place is toooo far from mine.
Literally one end of the island to the other >.<

The bridesmaids squad:

Joyce, Me, Kymberly, Lynn, Evon 

And groomsmen squad...

We were making them eat 酸甜苦辣 here

HM made me the gatecrash IC and it was so fun! muahahhaa

If you think about it, gatecrashes are the only time bridesmaid are given the 'rights' to 作弄别人

Oops

And the happy couple! 

Half-way through the photoshoot session, HM's veil fell and we did an 恶作剧之吻and made ZY wear the veil hahahaha

With the HDB peeps who attended the wedding!

***

17.11.18 Hui Juan & Wilvin's Wedding

大坏蛋成人妻咯！

Happy for her :)

but the wedding session itself was quite a torture for me to sit through...

Coz Bug was there zzzz 

but, luckily that should be last time I'll need to see my ex-boss

巴迪

Mr DK.
Where should I start?
We matched on CMB on 9 Nov, he spoke to me on 12 Nov.

He is the kindest, most respectful and 细心guy I've met from my 2 years of dating.
And it wasn't even from how he treats me, but how he treats others.
On our first date, a little boy got lost in the Artsci museum and started crying behind us.
I brought the little boy to find the museum staff for assistance and when I went back, he wasn't at his original place.
I called and to my surprise, he went around looking for parents who are looking for their child.

For dinner, he brought me to 'Signs a Taste of Vietnam Pho' at midpoint orchard, opened by a deaf couple.
While waiting for our food, he suddenly asked me if I know what's the hand signal for thank you?
I didn't, but he did.
Apparently, he googled on our way to the place so that he can hand signal to the couple.
That moment, I was awestruck by his attentiveness.

From then, we've met for 10 times. 

He has been to 2 dog adoption drives with me, we've been on movie dates, bowling date, Christmas gift exchange... 

But, this feeling is not how I've felt before. 

Towards him, I don't have butterflies in stomach feeling. 

It's... comforting and secure, a feeling I've not had before. 

Meeting him, may be the best thing that has happened in 2018. 

One year ago, I would never imagine I will be happy again... but here I am. 

He opened my eyes, that there are still kind, respectful and considerate man out there. 

So, thank you 巴迪 for everything.

谢谢你让我的2018年画下幸福的句号。

Zoe

So this happened....

X

#achievementunlocked