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.

Favourite Yong Tau Fu for lunch, caught a chinese chick flick, and a savoury dinner at Tonkatsu.

It all isn’t so much about how fancy our dates are. It is really about how much we love spending time with each other, how much I love spending time with you. All the laughter we share even when we were walking on the streets. And the way you’d smile to me showing off to me about your achievements in a game, after sitting outside a shop playing on my iPod while I was shopping away. How you’d actually text me to see if I wanted a lift home, when I expected you to be just lying on my bed fast asleep.

Thank you for being the best boyfriend in so many ways, for being the most unjudgemental person I’ve ever met (and that itself always serves as a good reminder for myself to be a better person, and still trying to), for being the most patient and tolerant man. And for being the sweetest living thing that ever existed.

Happy 68th sweetheart, you always amaze me with the love we share. x

Nobody ever makes me feel this comfortable existing the way I am; even if I didn’t have any make up on, with me putting on my ugliest temper, or even doing the most disgusting thing. It just feels… right. And only because it is you, I get to see this side of me.

Thank you for making long distance relationship so much easier despite the rough times we had while being physically away. Thank you for studying hard because you want to secure a good future for the both of us. Thank you for being practical > romantic in times of need – afterall, you are looking at the bigger picture of our future in years to come. Thank you for the multiple trips that made us explore so much about the world together. Thank you for holding on to us so fervently even though I feel that things might not work between us (how silly was I to even think of that)?

Thank you for being the stronger of us two, for keeping us together till this date.

If there’s something that defines me, it’ll be nothing but you, us, and our love.

Happy 67th month, babylove.

We’ve came such a long way together.

x

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.”

Breakfast at The Hardware Societe 

Waiting list

Poached Eggs

Croque Madame

Cocette Eggs

Omelette

Bircher

Winter socks

x Woke up later than we planned, but still went ahead to The Hardware Societe for breakfast as planned. Apparently it is one of the most talked about places to dine in Melbourne, and we had to wait for quite a while upon arriving. And to satisfy our hungry and growling stomachs, we order a feast for five just for the four of us to share. Bircher - muesli with vanilla & rosewater pears, raspberries and macadamias – was a very refreshing dish in my opinion, but all of us agreed in unison that Croque Madame was the best of all.

x Drove over to Toorak and we had desserts at LuxBite for some savory cakes and macaroons. The desserts was not too bad, and as good as the macaroons may look (I mean, the colours of all macaroons always make it looks delicious doesn’t it?), I only liked the salted caramel flavoured one. A very unique combination of salt and sweet, reminding me of having pop corns.

x Chinese cuisine at Sichuan House for dinner with the spices, and I loved the soup. I am quite amazed how Melbourne has so many amazing restaurants/cafes/eatery in secluded alleys which will probably be left unoticed if not for the word of mouth.

x Cacao Green froyo2, which is suppsoedly available in Singapore as well, for dessert. Bring on any cold and refreshing fruits and I’ll take them all.

x Girls vs Guys exciting game of Pictionary. The guys beat the girls down by two steps ahead. Close match.

x Lastly, happy 22nd birthday and 64th month to my dearest sweetheart. Thank you for being the sweetest and most tolerant boyfriend through these years/months, and holding on to this relationship as much as the both of us would want to and for experiencing so many of our first times together exploring new possible hobbies. I hope you know how much I love you, through all the downs that we have. ♥

Beautifully blurred

Had late birthday lunch with my dearest Soulmate at Ippudo Singapore, which served awesome soup base (can never emphasize enough on how much I love soups) though I had high expectations on the whole. But I couldn’t finish my share because there was a fly that landed on my spoon, and hoping that I’d blow it away, in landed inside my soup instead. I was this close to telling the staff that I found a fly in the soup and get a replacement bowl. ☹

Parted with the sister and met up with le boyfriend for Latin American cuisine at El Toro Bar & Bistro. Honestly, I was rather reluctant to have my birthday dinner at this place because I haven’t heard about it before, but I found myself leaving the place satisfied. I love the sauce that went with my cod fish, and the mashed potato found underneath. A pity that I couldn’t finish my share because I quickly felt bloated. I like how the boy never fails to know exactly what I’d order for my mains, every single time we visit a new restaurant. I may just be boring, but he knows exactly what kind of boring food gets me.

Seems like this day, in both my dining experience, taught me a lesson which I’ve already learnt before: No expectations brings happiness more than what expectations do at times.

But overall very simple birthday, but it felt complete. ♥

The best relationship is when you two can act like lovers and best friends. It’s when you have more playful moments than serious moments. It’s when you can joke around, let each other have piggy backs, have unexpected hugs and random kisses. It’s when you two give each other that specific stare and just smile. It’s when you’ll rather stay in to watch movies, eat junk food and cuddle, than go out all the time. It’s when you’ll stay up all night just to settle your arguments and problems. It’s when you can completely act yourself and they can still love you for who you are.

Happy 63rd xx

New York

Our little driver for Treasure Hunters

Chicken Tandoori

Beef Lasagne

Crumplers

Emergency food the boyfriend brought

Potion drink

Battlestar Galactica

Le boyfriend’s

My usual

The boyfriend and I woke up early on a Monday morning to some drizzle, and thank God it was only a drizzle because we had already planned to visit Universal Studios Singapore. We headed towards Battlestar Galactica the moment we arrived, and being the cowardly me (as usual), I had a huge fear for taking thrill rides as much as I want to have the fun. I would always, always, hold on to the boy’s hands/arm to soothe my fear and all seems real fun thereafter. Conquered both the blue and red track, and also The Revenge of The Mummy rollercoaster ride. We went through the rides that we had already went through together in the states, but it still makes the both of us so happy.

Then I saw somebody holding on to a potion bottle, and I thought it was so cute that the both of us went scouting for it. Only to find out that it cost $15.80 when a regular cup would just cost $4.50. But the boy bought it for me any way, just because I wanted it. ☺

Most of the rides were similar, but we had so much fun together that we were so exhausted neither of us talked during dinner. And in 6 months, we visited 2 different Universal Studios – Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore. Together.

Happy 62th Month, sweetlove. You brought me through the best rollercoaster rides in life. ♥

I was: Working, met up with my DOPT mates for a birthday gathering after work till about 12am odd.

He was: Having a BBQ with his OCBC colleagues.

The entire day was spent with us totally forgetting that it was the 7th, and the only thing we did together (which was after 12am though) was to sit in front of my TV together with my parents, watching the news about General Election 2011.

Happy 61 months.

Fifth year anniversary dinner 

Le boyfriend looks exception charming here. I’ve something for smart looking guys.

Soupe du jour. The chef told me what the soup of the day was but I didn’t know what it is, and still ordered it anyway. This was the first dish I tried, and it was the one that made me want to try out the mains asap.

Pan-fried foie gras. This was mind blowing. I always hesitated about trying duck liver and I never know that this french delicacy tasted so good it almost melted in my mouth.

Baby’s steak. I love the way they display the mash potato and the texture was unique. The portebello mushroom was heavenly, and as a non-beef lover, I thought that the beef tasted great too. Best of all? The beef was thick.

My main: Black cod pan-fried with prawn and asparagus risotto. The cod fish was so nicely pan-fried the golden brown was beautiful. And the risotto – it was amazing. Had a tinge of lemon taste and I have never tried risotto with a soup base like this with foam. The portion looked pathetically small but I was so filled up when I finished it.

Sequined bandage toga dress from NYC, bag from Far East Plaza, bracelet from Tiffany and Co, earrings and heels from Aldo.

Fifth year anniversary - Jon & I met up after his work and headed to the restaurant that he made a reservation at. I have no idea what was instilled for the night, except for the fact that we’d be having french cuisine for our celebratory dinner. Wanted to settle for Au Petite Salut but Jon had made the change in plans after hearing his colleagues raved about this place. Didn’t have much expectation of the place but boy, this restaurant impressed me from the moment we step foot into it. The service of the waiters/waitresses were polite (e.g. helping us with the door when we entered) and I love the ambience. Even more so for the fact that it wasn’t noisy. We got a quite corner all by ourselves. I enjoyed my dinner so much, and Jon asked if I’d want to come back for more. Yes is the answer. And for the first time, Jon and I felt bloated from fine dining.

Our anniversary was a simple affair just with the awesome celebratory fine dinner we had. Few days back, I kept disturbing Jon if I was going to receive a bouquet of 99 roses for this special occasion. No, no flowers was received but I was glad that he didn’t surprise me with a bouquet when we met up. While waiting for the boy to arrive from his work, I was wondering if he’d really buy a bouquet because I’d be so awkward if he did. I am so glad he knows what will make me happy. And I was even more impressed with him when we were deciding on what to have for our mains, he got it spot on as to what I was about to order. I really think that there’s no one else in the world that can understand me better than he does.

When we were back at my place, we were having some sentimental time together. Jon was looking at my collection of earrings on my earring rack, and started asking why didn’t I wear them anymore. Then he noticed that they were rusting and asked me not to wear them anymore. But this boy, he told me not to throw any of them away because they all hold sentimental values and started telling me what outfits I used to wear with which pair of earrings. He remembered them, and I never knew that he’d actually remember what I’d match with them. This boy is amazing.

Nothing makes your life better when the one you love wakes you up with a kiss on your lips when you are deep in your sleep, wishing you Happy Anniversary.

Forget the air, I’ll breathe you instead.

I am so amazed at how time flies and it is already the fifth year and it just felt as though everything just started not too long ago.

We’ve come such a long way and we are both making plans to get our very own home together, striving hard for both our careers to work for our future together.

I like how we sit on the bed with each other taking a corner, arguing and fighting through the wee hours of the night, only with us hugging each other to sleep in the end. I love how we are almost cohabiting because we stay at each other’s place almost every day, yet we respect each other by taking a day or two off from each other to have some own personal me-time. I love the way that we are not excessively clingy to each other, probably because we are such an old couple. I love how you’d bravely bully me in front of my Dad and think that it is all okay, because all that results from it is to have my Dad joining in to joke about it. I love it even more when my parents wants to give you a duplicate key to our house, just because you are his son-in-law.

I love how we have changed over the years but compromised, all because we still want each other so bad.

People would probably think that we are a couple who take life too seriously – hardly partying, slogging our life with work/studies – but there is just a side of us that only the both of us would know. Traveling with you around the world to see everything and anything we have never witness before, experiencing our first times together. Cooking up a feast for an occasion, and we are not even sure if it is good enough to be consumed. I love how we’d experience so much of our first time together with each other.

And the best thing I actually love about us is that we actually carry out the plans that we have made. We’re realistic. We are real.

I am amazed at how a love that started when we 17 has brought us this far. 17 sounds so young, but we have made the right move ever since.

Forever is never enough.

Happy fifth year anniversary, sweet love. ♥

Where we go, we don’t need roads
And where we stop nobody knows
To the stars if you really want it
Got a jetpack with your name on it
Above the clouds and the atmosphere
Say the words and we outta here
Hold my hand if you feeling scared
We’re flying up, up outta here

Life seems so much easier with you around. And it is.

♥