Naruwan, Welcome to Taiwan

Apologies netizens, this is seriously a delayed post. But still, it's up now:)

Having been to Malaysia, Hongkong, Bangkok, the next stop is Taiwan. An awesome 5D4N Taiwan trip to mark the start of the year 2011. A good start and may my family be blessed for this whole year. Despite the previous short semester break i had, my family and i managed to plan a short get-away to Taiwan. Yesh!!! It's Taiwan, the place that i've been longing to visit since few years back. Dreams come true. I finally got the chance to do so last semester break. You could imagine how eggciteddddd i was when it was nearing my Taiwan trip. We went during first week of january after the countdown. Our flight was Singapore Airlines and it was a nice flight with meals provided on board plane. This is the reason why i prefer SA to budget airlines 'for there are better services, media facilities and definitely more comfy seats. When it comes to long hours' flight, I'll definitely not go for budget airlines, haha.

Check out the first part of my video here as we bid farewell to Singapore and welcome Taiwan.
OFF THE CHECKPOINT TO OUR DESTINATION




How great it is to be able to bump into my idols first thing upon landing in Taiwan. Though it's only a poster... hahahahaha! Photo as keepsake, definitely!!!;)

There's no time to waste when you're overseas. Every minute counts, especially when it comes to this food and shopping paradise, Taiwan. I believe most must have heard about the ravings of food in Taiwan. You can never have enough of them. Alone the streets down Xi Men Ding, you can see hell loads of stalls, selling all sorts of Taiwan delicacies you can ever find. In particular to this Ah Zhong's mian xian which i would like to recommend it to you. This is one of the best food i've savoured in Taiwan. It is heavenly delicious, keeping one warm during the winter season. The taste is lingering in my mouth now. The thought of it every now and then makes me feel like teleporting back to Taiwan to have another bowl again. The interesting thing about having this Ah Zhong's mian xian is that there's no proper tables and chairs for you to have your meal. You'll have to stand to eat. Despite that, there's still hordes of crowd queueing for the food. I'll be updating you more about this food paradise in another entry.

Speaking of shopping, Taiwan is no doubt a shopping paradise. To me, food still rank top, then shopping. The reason being some of the items are still exorbitant or of similar price to Singapore's. Definitely if you were to make comparison to Bangkok's shopping paradise, Bangkok's one is dirt cheap! Well, but i'm not saying that Taiwan's shopping is not good. I still enjoy and indulge in its shopping paradise during my stay there. Perhaps, partly it is due to the winter season and i can't find those normal t-shirts when i was there during that season. Nevertheless, i got my accessories, bags, shoes, light winter wears (both tops and bottoms)...etc) Bags and shoes are best buys in Taiwan. I bought a checkered design sling bag as well as a black school bag and they cost around sing dollars 9 plus each. Shoes are also going at around this price. Near 10 sing dollars for a pair. So worth the buy given the cheappppp price! My shopaholic fever is back always when i'm overseas.

I love my bags and shoes' designs! Now i can wear flats to school.

With that, check out the second part of my Taiwan's video to find out more about the hot spots we visited in Taipei.

You must not miss out Shilin Night Market, Xi Men Ding, Dan shui...etc if you ever visit Taiwan. There are many more places for us to explore and we've yet to even comb the entire Taipei. Just alone Taipei is 6 times larger than our Singapore! Oh my goodness. Imagine if Singapore is this big, you'll have endless shoppings each day...

A quick post for now. That's for the shopping paradise in the video, more of the food recommendations in another entry. Stay tune. Watch this space.

That's for now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUM

Coco Exotic Indulgence

Best wishes from the family. Happy Birthday, dearest mum♥

That's for now.

A New Beginning11th of June 2010, this special day is a joyous occasion which my family is celebrating for its my cousin's big day. It has been a long wait for the arrival of this day, especially for the old folks. My second eldest cousin is the first one to get married from my mum's side. Though i've been to wedding dinners a couple of times from my dad's side, however, this 11th of june's cousin wedding holds important significance to our family for this is the first time we are holding such a grand event in our family. i was excitedly anticipating upon the arrival of june 11th then.

Early in the morning even before sun rise, we woke up to wash up and get prepared to set off to my cousin's house for the wedding traditional custom, which they called it the tea ceremony. That was my first time attending it. Back in the past, i only went for the wedding dinner during the night instead of tagging along with my parents to tea ceremony. This time round, it's different. That's with my cousin and her ready-to-be husband. Nicely dressed in wedding gown and suit respectively, along with my cousin's "sisters" who were behind them...

Having to wake up at dawn and to stay perk up throughout from morning all the way till night is seriously deadbeat. We were all overcomed by fatigue by the time the whole wedding ceremony ended. But it was great experience! i had loads of fun with my family:D Multiple photos were snapped as keepsake. i love most of the photos captured with my digital camera that day... Above are some photos which we took in the lobby before proceeding right into the restaurant for the wedding ceremony. It was a good take, with my family, my cousins and relatives. Supposedly, i should be driving my family to this venue, Holiday Inn, to attend the ceremony. However in the end, it was once again another failed attempt. i didn't rent or borrow any car either. Dad said it wasn't worth it to just rent a car and drive there during the night for the charges are high and you would have to waste another day on saturday for we couldn't possibly return it on that friday itself when the whole wedding ceremony will end as late as 10plus night time. There goes it... Here's one of the photo which brother took for me right outside the entrance of another chinese restaurant. They were located on the same floor. i like this flower pot. Nice pink petals. For friends who know me well, you guys should know that black is one of my favourite colours. It simply goes well with any colour except for the really dark ones.

Next up, here's a video which i've filmed during my cousin's wedding. Her husband looks kinda' funny when trying to pop out the cork of the champagne. i was given the privilege to sit right in front at the red table. This was my first ever opportunity to experience that. How cool! As a result, i also ended up standing right in front of him when he was doing that action and i tried to stay a distance away for fear that the cork might just hit straight right into my face! (*laughs*)

i was saved though...it didn't hit me!

Before ending my entry here, i would like to once again express my heartfelt wishes to this lovey-dovey couple, wishing them a blissful marriage. Your journey begins here and there's a long way ahead of your...

(P.S. This entry is supposedly to be posted up on my blog quite some time ago and i've to apologize for the delay 'cause i was especially busy during this whole period with adventure camp and outings. i'm finally able to settle down now and take a breather off my hectic schedule. And there's seriously few other blog entries lagging behind!)

i just need a bit more time... Till date, i'm enjoying every moment of life and i will continue to.

That's for now. God Bless, Love my family and friends:D

For that special someone...

"Mum carries the child in her womb for nine months and in her heart for the rest of her life." These few words sum up the importance and significance of the word- mother. On this special occasion 9th of May, dedicated to the greatest love of my life - Mum.

The one who motivates me in my studies ever since i stepped foot into school;
The one who has all along being my confidant all these years;
The one who shares my joy, happiness, sorrow and worries;
The one who provides me with unconditional love♥;

Is NONE other than you, Mummy!

i'm really grateful for all the things that she've done not only for me, but for the family all these years. On this special occasion, i just wanna' tell you how much i love you and a BIG 'Thank You'. You're always that special someone in my heart whom i earn respect to. i hope you've enjoyed the pre-advance Mother's Day celebration last week:D

Hereby, i wish all mothers a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


This was the cake which me and brother bought for mum. Coco exotic indulgence! She loves♥ it.

A carefree day

A Carefree Day

Part one of the day

1st of May, 2010 is coincidentally my cousin's birthday as well as labour day! i always like public holiday falling on weekends, especially saturday. You might be wondering why 'cause usually saturday is as well a weekend break for most. Unlike for me, i have to help my boss out on saturday, hence, most of my times were devoted to mindmatters instead. I've been waiting for this labour day for quite some while. It's time to take a one day break off from my hectic sat! How wonderful!

Anyway, this is not an entry about the birthday celebration with my cousin, instead, we actually had pre-advance Mother's Day celebration. Allow me to further elaborate on this wonderful day of mine!

Dad, me and bro brought mum to causeway point to indulge in a sumptuous lunch. It was a late lunch though. Mum had cravings for pizza, and so, we accede to her request and went for this feista combo meal, inclusive of a crunchy cheesy bites pizza, one regular pan pizza accompanied with drinks and soup of the day. All of us went for berri sparkle instead of summer sparkle. Thirst-quenching! This new crunchy cheesy bites pizza tasted not bad. i love the cheesy part with cornflakes on it.

Though there's already cheese inside the pizza itself, but you still get to dip into this rich cheese sauce. You will love this meal if you're a CHEESE-LOVER! Mum's the STAR for the day for it's a pre-advance Mother's day celebration with her. She gets to enjoy this pizza treat from us. It was a fulfilling meal despite me having only a small portion. I was trying to save my stomach for the later part of the day as i will be meeting my besties over at bishan for manhattan. Oh gosh, two good meals in one day! I'm a extravagant spender! Well, but should be alright once in a blue moon. (*laughs*) Anw, it was meant to be a treat for mum! i love this berri sparkle here. There's little chuncks of strawberries inside.

i'm a strawberry-lover:)

Part two of the day

Following up next was part two of my day. Evening dinner with sok and wk over at manhattan. Manhattan was my first try that day. I love the fish. In comparison with fish n co', i think somehow i preferred manhattan to it. The fish is very crispy on the outside, soft and fresh on the inside. i chose clam chowder over asparagus soup with an additional top-up of one buck. Erm, i think ambush's clam chowder tasted much better, tsktsk.

This was the fried dory fish i ordered. $9.90++ main course.

i really enjoyed my day. It was a good break. An opportunity for me to spend more time with my families and friends. If only it could be like this every saturday. Alright, i should not ask for that much. Actually i do feel contented helping out over at mindmatters for i've a bunch of funny colleagues over there who tends to tickle me with their lame jokes at times.

It was a carefree day spent last saturday, with no tuition, no work, free from studies stress, purely just devoting my time to my precious family and friends. I love you all. The significance of your presence.

i'm a happy girl!♥

Achievement Day
(Par Excellence)

Congratulations to brother for achieving second in whole cohort and maintaining his kranji scholarship. You did us proud again!

He owned it a lot to his own hard work, determination and passion for studies. lf only i'm as good as him. (*laughs*) well, i guess different people have different talents and we excelled in different areas. As long as we've given our best in whatever we do, there should be no regrets!

(This was secretly taken by me when he was awaiting his turn to go up on stage. Somehow, he seemed to have noticed me and mummy as he was looking into our direction when i was filming.)

(Once again, congratulations to brother and two of his class friends for their excellent academic performance, clinching the first three positions in the whole cohort.)

As usual, an award ceremony would do without these performances towards the end. Firstly, we have the kranji choir leading us with the school song as well as two other songs. Next up, comes the modern dance troupe and lastly followed by the symphonic band! lt was entertaining. Applause given to them!






Time flies, in the blink of an eye, my brother has turned sixteen this year. This is an important year for him for it's his O-Level. i believe that given his persistent hard work, god would not fail him. Most importantly at the end of the day, you've gained something through your learning journey. Put in your best effort when you're doing it and there shall be no regrets!

i shall strive hard for this semester too!

it's the CNY Festive Season!

(Share the Joy)

Happy Chinese New Year to ALL! Time flies. In the blink of an eye, the tiger year is here.(ROAR`) Once again, marking the arrival of Chinese New Year! As we share this festive season with our love ones, it brings us joy, excitement and happiness:)

i'm here to blog about my first and second day of bai nian!

(This was my first day's attire to my relatives house)

First day of cny was a tiring one for me. As usual, on every 初一, my family would go visit my father side's relatives. We always have to travel from house to house. Thankful for this year, daddy drove us around to visit our relatives. We paid visits to 6 houses in a day. You can imagine how tiring it is! To make it worst, the weather was humid, making one uncomfortable.

i captured a snapshot of my brother while we were still at home...This was taken before we set off to our relatives' houses... The first house that we paid visit was somewhere near cck, very near sok's house and i was smsing her that day, joking with her i'm coming to pay her a visit! haha... Both my relatives live there, somemore it's together in the same block. Upstairs and downstairs. How convenient!

Though i have a lot of relatives over at my father's side, but we seem like *strangers*. Nothing much to talk about except wishing one another happy chinese new year and the elderlys a good health. i guess the reason is because we rarely visit them, only occasionally on chinese new year. Most of my cousins there are much older than me, and some have gotten married and even have kids. Sometimes, i ended up playing with their kids instead of catching up with them...i don't really know how to broach up a topic with them, unlike with my friends. (guess perhaps it's age gap problem) Hence, usually my 初一 is a boring one. i just sit there, with my goodies and phone as companions.

This year, our bai nian also commenced later. By then when we got back home, it was late and i was feeling really lethargic after the whole day of visitings. i just knocked out after that...

Second Day of CNY

Definitely, the second day of my bai nian is the BEST of them all:) Love it! i cliqued well with my cousins here. Though we have slightly younger cousins with us, but we hang along well with one another 'cause we grew up together as playmates since young.

This was captured when they were busy *gambling* away. They didn't realise it except for the one who is looking into my camera. i took a secret shot of them. (You guys are caught in my camera!) Not illegal gambling, alright! They're just having some fun during chinese new year. This year, i don't really have the mood to gamble. After one or two games, i quitted.

And my cousin, wei liang laughing away... (i like this candid angle shot!)

A mini video clip filmed by me while they were busy playing away...

For the first time today, i saw my cousin's boyfriend. she brought him to ah ma's house to pay a visit during chinese new year. They're getting married this coming june! Excited and looking forward to it 'cause this is my family's side here first cousin's marriage!

Why this snapshot of a car out of nowhere?!? i finally laid my hands on the steering wheel once again earlier. Borrowed it from my eldest cousin and drove it around the vicinity. lt was a good drive. Awesome hot red car!

And this was my outfit for 初二! My top is a newly bought shirt and i simply just matched it with another short pants from my wardrobe since i'm only going downstairs for bai nian, haha...My ah ma and ah gong just live directly downstairs. The reason why i like 初二 best is also partly due to this reason, convenience. i stayed there almost for the whole day. lt was a memorable chit chattie session and short *gambling* session with them earlier. Though i quitted like halfway... Spent most of the time watching them play while i captured the different snapshots in the house! lt was a lively atmosphere! My cousin was on a winning steak earlier and after she went off, my mum became the one during the night; it all depends on your luck!

Finally, we managed to have a cousins' photo together, along with our ah ma! Oh my Goodness, my cousins are tall. Can you guess where am i? one of the shortest in there. i guess one day, even my youngest cousin, yiling (the one dressed in pink) will outreach my height! She's ONLY primary four this year, imagine her having this height now...In the next few years down the road, i will become the shortest of them all...

we had kfc delivery for early dinner. For once, we forgotten what's the number to dial for kfc delivery! i texted my friend, sok and managed to get the number from her. Now i know it, it's 6222 6111. Easy to remember! Speaking of kfc, the delivery man sent us the wrong order just now. we're a bit pissed. In the end, jianrong called back and they returned us with 8 pineapple pies which they've forgotten. But in actual fact, they gave us additional 10 small pieces crispy drumlets. i love KFC popcorn chickens! Finger-Lickin' Good!

Wishing all a happy chinese new year and my family blessed with good health! Always happy, always loving as one. May this tiger year be a good one for all! Let's strive hard together in 2010!

Vivo + Ajisen @ LOT 1

It's been quite some while since i went somewhere far with my family. Back in the past, family outing on saturday is a norm. Ever since i started work after A lvls, i couldn't join them every sat and i really miss those family outing days... Thankful for the public holiday last fri, we went to vivo city, somewhere further from our usual hangouts. If i didn't remember wrongly, i've only been to vivo twice till date ever since its opening. The very first visit there was also with my family. I did not really buy anything back during friday's visit, except treated myself to a blackforest ice-blended coffee from coffeebean. Specially like coffee from starbucks and coffeebean. Once again, the aroma and the taste is back...

Dad showed me and brother the constructions of Singapore's first casino at Sentosa which is going to be opened next year and that's visible from vivo city. It's just across the sea. Casino on this small island, Sentosa. If given a chance, i would love to visit the casino, not to gamble but to explore:)

We stayed at vivo for few hours and proceeded to lot 1 after that. Mum and Dad had an in advance birthday celebration for me by treating me to Ajisen. They always treat me and my brother to good meals during our birthdays and i really appreciate that...

Introduced them to this spciy cha-soo ramen at Ajisen and we also ordered white fish and chicken wings as our side dishes. Love the spicy cha-soo ramen soup, and also not forgetting the chicken wings.

The crispiness and the tender meat simply makes it mouth-watering. Trust me, you just can't stop at one...