AMUSE BOUCHE
Ocean Trout, Mayonnaise, Salmon Roe Caviar

FOIE GRAS ANGLAISE
Goose liver custard, duck confit, ginko beans, truffle salsa, parmesan foam

BEEF CARPACCIO
200 days grain fed Black Angus Beef tenderloin, poached eggs, chives, vine cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella

BLACK & WHITE SNOW COD
Squid ink infused and iberico ham wrapped snow cod, aerated potato creme. globe artichoke, parsley, squid ink crumble

MUSHROOM GNOCCHI
Creamed seasonal mushrooms, potato gnocchi, thyme, parmesan

The boyfriend made a reservation for the both of us at Novus to celebrate our seventieth month together. He found a gem in a quite corner by the Singapore National Museum, and we enjoyed our dining experience there.

I had the Foie Gras Anglaise which really came as a surprise to me because I’ve never eaten foie gras in the form of custard – made with duck consommé (clear broth), goose liver parfait, ginkgo nuts and duck confit. And the foam had a taste to it, which kinda made me opened my eyes when I placed it in my mouth. Babs had Black Angus Carpaccio – fine slices of raw beef tenderloin – and we were tried something called the buffalo mozzarella for the very first time. Quoting the introductory cards place for us when our dish was served, it says “It’s a cheese made from the milk of a domestic water buffalo rather than from cow’s milk. A fresh, stringy textured cheese in porcelain-white, it has an extremely thin rind and delicate taste. When cut, it produces a white watery fluid with the aroma of milk enzyme.” It just burst like a balloon filled with water in my mouth. Mushroom gnocchi was savory, but I kind of regretted ordering it because it made me feel so bloated even before I could finish half of what I was given. I loved Jon’s Black & Snow Cod because I love Cod fish and probably would just love any way it is being cooked, and loved it more when they actually wrapped it up with Iberico Ham that is cured for 48 months.

The mind blowing food aside, thank you sweetheart for giving me the best 70 months of my life. Thank you for all the things you have done, big or small, even though I may be the most oblivious girl in the world but you still do it any way because you have me in your heart. For being the most tolerant person to my flaws and still be as loving as you can ever be – you’re definitely the sweetest thing that has ever happened to me. I love you, and will always do. ♥

After 70 months, I still like the direction that we are heading towards.

My group of poly mates and I wanted to relive the fun that we had in Kukup two years ago, and arranged for a second trip there. Babs joined us this time round, and it was nothing short of fun! It was a pity that some of them couldn’t make it at the very last minute. Mahjong, in between, blackjack, fireworks, karaoke, feasting like kings and queens because neither do we have to prepare any of our meals nor clean them up. It’s probably the first time how I actually felt exhausted taking photos during our fireworks session because I had to fiddle around with the tripod I actually felt like I was panting. And how funny it was when we had to take our mobiles to find the correct way of writing chinese characters as we were scribbling our wishes on the kong ming deng, just because our chinese is terrible like this. I was so exhausted with all the fun and slept at 4am (probably first to hit the sack), while babs joined my friends and continued playing (having eight persons bunking into a room, coincidentally with 2 couple beds and 4 singles). I could literally hear all of them laughing as they all walked into the room when they finally figured that they were tired.

It really didn’t matter how run down and dirty this place may be because the company really made up for it. And this was really the weekend that I had been looking forward to. ♡

Chai Latte and Sunrise Smoothie of Orange Juice, Banana, Fresh Berries, Yoghurt and Honey

Wild mushroom with truffle oil

Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Eggs with Avocado on Turkish Pide

Marinated Portobello and Halloumi Burger with Caramelized Onions, Cos and Fries

We spent the entire Sunday morning lazying around in bed, listening to music on YouTube before finally getting our lazy selves out of my place for our Sunday date.

Took on a runaway afternoon to Rider’s Cafe for brunch. The sun was burning hot, but thank God that there was breeze and we were under shelter. I loved how the place was so opened that the sun light could just shine through the entire place, and the fact that it wasn’t air conditioned. A little noisy with the crowd on a Sunday afternoon, but that’s okay. I was in the mood for some feasting but thank goodness the more logical side of me (along with the boyfriend’s nagging) won – I was so bloated with all that I had on my plate.

If only every day was a Sunday – even if it means doing nothing and lazing in bed all day, listening to our favourite songs together.

I said, give me the flattest face you can give.

Pre-Lunar New Year walkabout in Chinatown has become a tradition for the both of us. Truth to be told, the boyfriend hates squeezing with the crowd but still willingly agreed to come with me. I really appreciate this little effort from this sweetheart. I am not too sure if it applies to any one of you who are reading this, but walking in Chinatown during this time of the year really brings back loads of fond memories from the younger days. You probably get to see your favourite childhood sweets everywhere, toys (e.g. paper windmill) that you used to play when you were young, and I had a vague memory about my parents bring my brothers and I to walk around until the tradition died off. ☹

Despite the boyfriend complaining a little about how sticky he got with people rubbing their sweaty arms against his, I had fun snapping away with my cameras and enjoying his company by my side.

I am definitely looking forward to one of my favourite festive season of the year with all the goodies that are packed in transparent containers with red lids! x

Work has been exceptionally draining and exhausting with the insane crowd. So much so that I’ve only been almost having just one meal per day for a few weeks already. And this is exactly the reason why I always, always look forward to Saturday nights which marks the start of my weekend.

But this boy. He has just been exceptionally amazing it always lighten up mood. His subconscious little acts never fails to make me feel that the hardship is a little more bearable and easier to get by. I just wish it’d be this easy when he is away.

Thank you sweetheart. For putting a smile on my face with you being you. ♥

Garlic King Prawns

Impromptu supper with the boyfriend at Bukit Timah area, which was the very first time I actually been to this hidden bustling corner of Singapore in the wee hours of the night. Had frog leg porridge, and we ended up buying almost twice of what two persons could have all because the waitress managed to make us think that it’d be more worth it. We slept till late morning the following day, and we started cooking up a simple feast for our poolside picnic. And it was good. Even though we aren’t fantastic cooks, but I do have visions of us spending our weekends through our married life whipping up something new each time. ☺

Later that night, we had dinner at Tatsu Teppanyaki Japanese Restaurant. It was the most fancy teppanyaki dinner we’ve ever had, but the chef made our dining experience a really enjoyable one. He was so amiable it makes it difficult not to smile and start having a conversation. We even got short entertainment and cooking stuns from this fella, who at the very same time catered to each of our gastronomic needs. I can’t wait for our next food adventure together. ☺

And this is one of the best weekends I’ve had in a while. ✘♥✘♥

2012 has been quite an emotional ride even though we are only 4 days through the year. Spent the first few hours of the year in a quarrel with the boyfriend (first time since he returned this time) over a problem and cried. But it all ended well because we went to sleep that night in hugs and kisses. Thank you (and sorry) Amanda for calling you to cry to you over the phone and having the both of us made you angry over our nonsense. Thank you for always being there to wake us up. You know how much we love you.

The second day saw us having a late night full of drinks and games with the boys. Pictionary, memory and drinking games. It was really surprising how good Little J was through the night. Hardly barking and even mingled around the boys so much through the night. Just look at the picture of J popping his head to take a peek on what the rest of them were looking at the laptop screen. *Awwww* He is just too cute not to love. And it is the first time in a long time that I slept at 6.30am in the morning.

2012 is looking to be very good. ☺

The boyfriend and I were sitting on the couch together when I said that I was bored and wanted to visit the Science Centre to burn my Boxing Day. Off we went, just because I wanted to. ☺ Laughed and whacked each other because the boyfriend made us alighted one stop earlier and ended up having to walk quite a fair bit, and both of us got hungry half way through our little excursion and all we wanted was to find food instead. We’re gluttons, but happy just the way we are.

I can imagine and see how/where our life is heading towards. Beautiful. x

After work on Christmas Eve, the boyfriend drove over to my place to pick me up and we spent the first hour of Christmas doing some groceries shopping for our Christmas Potluck. It was raining and the night was just chilly, and somewhat blissful for some reason. Baby J who wasn’t sleeping when I went over came to join me up on the bed while the boyfriend was outside using the computer and accompanied me. This pup is really a sweetheart in every single way. ♥

Christmas gathering was held at Darren’s place, and it was nothing short of awesome. Simple company from the boys and Amanda, with endless laughter which even makes me chuckle as I think about it right now. From the random moment that Amanda broke the chair (epic moment for life) while eating, and all the boys just laughed for a good whole 10 minutes/wanting to take a picture instead of helping her up. Prepared our meals together and our dinner was an absolute feast. It was probably the best christmas dinner I’ve ever had, and the most heartwarming one too. Pictionary-turned-charade where Lance and I had to portray “birthday suit” and he started stripping while I just stared in awe. But it was hilarious. And skyping with Vincent who is currently in Perth.

Christmas, filled with good food and alcohol, good company and laughter.

Thinking back, this is probably the best Christmas I’ve ever had for the past 22 years of my life. x

Met up with Amanda for lunch at our favourite Yong Tau Fu place before roaming around town for her last minute christmas shopping. Turned out to be quite a wrong decision because the rain was so bad and it was just a massive human jam everywhere.

Pre-christmas dinner with the girlfriends and the boys at Santouka for dinner was good. Loads of catching up, laughing and what not. Settled at Starbucks thereafter for more catching up and gift exchange, and it was hilarious! Some got really nice presents, while others were small but wrapped up in so many layers (Linda) to give its receiver a big trouble opening up their presents (me). But I guess the funniest was when Eugene got March’s present and it turned out to be a set of pink towels. Boyfriend knowing what the girlfriend bought, and had no choice but to accept it. Traditional Christmas walkabout, then we headed over to Playnation to play Wii and Kinect till it was 3am in the morning! Too much dancing and moving in the wee hours of the morning my hands and shoulder ached so bad.

Too much fun in one night. Too much love to contain. Christmas is all about the gift of love and sharing.

I’ve got mine. x

Over the weekends, the boyfriend fell while playing football and sprained his wrist, so we had to change our plans from going on a date together to taking care of his hand and trying to seek medical advice. It was so swollen he could only do minimal movement. ☹  Stacey’s best friend arrived in Singapore and it has been quite a while since I last saw her. (My trip to Hong Kong, three years ago, was the last to be exact) But the weather wasn’t so nice because it was raining so heavily. ☂ Thank goodness I stole my boyfriend’s umbrella before I left the house. We had a simple Singaporean chicken rice dinner at Far East Plaza, and went to play Kinect. It was so much of a fun but exhausting that my unfit body woke up to an aching shoulder and arm.

The weekends is over. This weekend would be an exciting one I hope. Merry Christmas to everyone out there in advance! x

Putting Baby J to sleep. Look at him snuggling his head into my arms aww…

This has been pretty much how my life has been since the boyfriend’s return. Simple and blissful – I can say I am almost living the life. Work has been exceptionally draining and busy lately, but I’ve had good closures to every single day thus far. But coming home to see J’s adorable face and playful self, and putting him to sleep together with the boyfriend is just like we’re putting our real baby to sleep. And the warmth I fall asleep to every night – it’s priceless.

I am looking forward to this Sunday. In fact, every Sunday. x

[Pictures taken with Olympus E-P3, using the amazing lens that Faidhi has lent me which I am considering to get. Christmas is coming, is there anybody who is feeling nice/generous to get me this and this?]

Surprise early breakfast takeaway from the market outside my place by the boyfriend, who accompanied me thru the train ride to work and went all the way back to city to meet up with his friends. x Our almost-every-night. x Kelvin and Pei Yu’s 21st birthday celebration after work.

Counting blessings in every way possible. ☺