Rounding up 2014

I know I say this every year, but I really cannot believe that one year has gone past us yet again and I'm about to be a year older. 2014 definitely has its ups and downs for me but my optimistic self would say that, this year has been a Year of Revelation for me. I've learnt many things about myself, mostly what I like and dislike, and have become more in-tune to my own opinions and thoughts. In other words, I would like to think that I tend to vocally voice out my feelings more so now because I feel like I'm not being restricted in any way anymore - which is always a good thing.

Many probably know this, but I went through quite a major break-up at the start of the year. I know right, what a way to start the year. But what most people don't know, is the number of sleepless nights I've had right after, the dilemma my heart went through, the heartaches, the tears that never ever want to stop and how I cried myself to sleep and wake up every morning to choked tears. I wasn't crying because I regretted my decision towards the break-up. I was crying because I know very well that I've lost a very good friend (and mutual friends along with that).

We spent a good 5 years together.

We laughed at each other, bickered with each other almost every other day, ate loads together, and I want to stop there because I only want to remember the good. Maybe there was a nagging feeling in me a few years down the road that this wasn't gonna work out but I'm the sort that will always persist till the end so yes, I know you call me a quitter, but I want to tell you that, I am extremely sad I wanted out as well but it was the only way I could be happier. I know I was holding on for all the wrong reasons aka losing a bunch of friends I've come to cherish because I know that they will wanna protect you. It was the reason why I cherish this bunch so much in the first place, the feeling of being protected. I could let everyone talk me into thinking that they aren't worth it if they let a breakup between two mature adults get in between a good old friendship with me but I know deep down, I'm also protective of you guys and I have loved every single moment spent and I should tell myself that, it's enough for me and that I hope you all remember me.

One fine day I woke up and I knew there and then that I was at a better place. I stopped crying and knew that it's all gonna get better. Life throws you into the deepest ends just so you can get back up again. I started making an aggravated effort to reconnect with a lot of old friends and making new friends. People I talk to around me subsequently got really concerned that I was still in a state of not being able to let go of my old friends. Well, it's kinda hard if you've been hanging out with them for a great 7 years. I was always trying to use words to protect them and saying some sort of generic crap to dissipate the fact that I was really affected by it. Everyone probably knows that, but they let me go on and on about it anyway.

Hanging out with different people did help though. I start to realise that I'm meant to be the free-spirited sort. I don't like people telling me what not to do and I want to get to understand many things and many people at that. Thank you to everyone I've subsequently met on the way because you guys, in a way or another, have brought out a side of me that I needed to know about myself. Thank you for being blunt with me and telling me the truths that I never wanted to hear but probably already knew so myself as well.

I'm not a social butterfly myself, but I wouldn't consider myself a difficult person to get to know or talk to. Simply put, I'm quite an open book. You can ask me about everything under the sky and I will give you my own reply, straight up, not coated with anything else apart from some tact. I've realised that's what I like about myself and that's what most of the people I've come to call my friends like me for so I probably am not going to change that for the world. Thank you boys for treating me like a 'brother' and including me in random house parties, whereby I know no one and for all the nights out and all. Contrary to popular belief, I think that you get to be more like yourself when you're out with people you've no clue about because they don't know you hence, they have no impression of you to base you on. 

Not as if I'm not already a very lonesome person myself, I felt like this year, eased me even more to be in my own skin. I even more cannot be bothered about what people I do not care for, think about me. I mean, there's so many people in this world, there's bound to be someone who doesn't like you for you, so why let it bother you? I did many many things myself and I loved it. I would go out alone and wouldn't shun people away with a disgusted awkward face when strangers talk to me. I would tell people in mrt trains that I like what they're wearing or hand chocolates to little kids on the streets, help an old lady carry her shopping up the stairs, just because I can and just because I like it. 

Went travelling alone to London and Paris and it opened my eyes to so many things and allowed me to experience so much. I feel like I probably won't get to experience this to such a great extent if I were to possibly be travelling w someone for the entire day cos there's the need to accommodate. I cannot put them into words but in short, it's so great to be in control of your own time and space - that I've learnt.

Sadly though, I'm still not a very confrontational person. I only say this in the context of some very great girl friends of mine cos I usually just say whatever the heck I want in front of the boys and I know they won't take it to heart. It's slightly trickier when it comes to girl friends I guess. I haven't exactly found a good ground between being up front and not having to worry about upsetting them. I would like to think that it's most probably obvious whenever I'm pissed about certain things because my face usually shows it, but then again, nobody will really know your thoughts unless you spill them out.

I would like to think that I've influenced my mom to not just scream at me whenever something goes wrong and to be open with our feelings through texts. I will text her when I'm angry about a certain thing but also knowing that, her reply will always be one-sided. Up till today, I wouldn't know how the three of you at home manage to be so oblivious about certain things that even strangers who don't belong in the family realise, but not you yourselves. I still, pray every single day, that someone will wake up slowly. It's kinda sad that my aunt has to be the one doing the consoling only because she's the only one that noticed my sadness whilst the ones at home, one probably doesn't notice and two probably don't care. I have to be told by people and my aunt to just live with this pain, can you imagine?

I've also come to know very well that, I'm very appreciative of people who are generous, who aren't stingy with money and aren't afraid of sharing, people who would go distances for you just because you matter that much to them. I've friends who would drive me home even though they stay up extreme north and after dropping me home, have to send their other half to the extreme east of where I stay. I didn't ask them to but they would. People who would go out of their way to meet me for dinner, and not only because it's somewhere that's convenient for them. People who would accompany me to the hospital so I don't have to see the doctor alone whilst being blind and those that will come visit me at my place after work or during the weekend. I'm super appreciative of it and I generally tend to be extra nice to people who are nice to me because I believe in giving and taking. I would be the unconventional one to treat guys to meals just because they have been paying for drinks and covers on our nights out. I guess I just tend to veer towards people who are like a reflection of me in a way. Because of that, I also get disappointed w some people sometimes but these are things that I can't exactly help either. Just put more effort in people who put effort in you I guess. 

Here are just some people I would like to give special mention to in the year of 2014:

J

Actually, there's not much to mention but the mere fact that we probably didn't have a proper closure. I truly hope you've been well and whenever I hear of people telling me you've been doing good, I still feel proud of you. I never wanted for us to drift apart this drastically, with all the fb unfriending and all, but I will respect it if you wanted to cut all ties with me. I guess it's working in a way, because things that I still feel for and care for with regards to you, I'm beginning to get a little indifferent about. I'm glad that you're happy now and that you're at a better place too.

E

It was short but I can't deny the fact that you've made me happy. Thank you for always wanting to stand up for me in every way possible and showering me with all that care and affection whilst it lasted.

Dancers

I love you girls. Thank you for supporting me and seeing me through the worst times I've had this year. Char, thank you for allowing me to phone you at the most ungodliest hours and listening to me cry. Co, thanks for going out for drinks with me and being the one "in the same boat" as me once upon a time. Xw, thank you for telling me some of the truths I needed to know. Can't do without you all so thank you for just simply being there for me.

Jols

I just wanna say a great big thank you for all the homemade goodies you've gifted me with and always singing me with such high praises. You're right when you say that you always end up not posting photos of us or your best friend being together cos we spend most of our time chatting properly and catching up instead of taking Instagram worthy photos haha. Thank you for being so similar in so many ways and sharing so many things with me.

Nat

I'm super super thankful that we got to reconnect with each other through Karaoke lol. You're the most independent friend I know and I can relate to you on so many basis because we face similar family problems. Thank you for going the distance for me nat, for being so generous and just so alike to me. I appreciate you with all my heart and I want to keep you with me forever.

Leon

We haven't known each other for very long but I'm amazed at the things you'll do for me as a friend, as I would to you. Thank you for including me in things and being as random as me. I love people who aren't afraid to meet strangers or feel awkward around people they don't know so you're definitely ranked high up on my friendship list. 

Alex

Thank you for all the K sessions and for including me and my friends in all your party party sessions. I'm sorry I didn't manage to get you a girl in the end lol but I'm sure you'll forgive me for it :D

Amy

Love talking to you and all our dinner and coffee sessions. Will definitely cater to your atas tastes more often haha. Thank you for being you and making the effort with me as well (:

Cass and Nette

Thank you girls for being there for me and all the random catching up over dinners, for not letting me feel like I'm alone in certain situations. Looking forward to more dinners!

Cher

Hi girlfriend, thank you for all the partying sessions and random catch ups too

Josia

As you would put it, "we are kinda in the same boat" lol. Thanks for meeting me for meals and allowing me to knock sense into you and actually listening to my advices. Hope they've all been helpful!

Alaric
For bothering to reply to all my nonsense online. You're still the busiest person I know and the hardest person to meet up with lol

The Bartenders

For letting me feel at home whenever I come to visit and allowing me to talk nonsense to all of you.

Jav

For never changing and always being the same whenever we do get to meet up.

Aunt Janet
Thank you for noticing all my fb and instagram posts and willing to go out for lunch with me and listen to my problems. Only family will understand and I'm glad I have you as family.

For the year of 2015, 

I hope things between certain people will be merrier. That time really heals everything. I hope to meet more lovely people that will make an impact in my life, to meet like-minded people, and people who are generous and won't stinge on me. I wanna travel and learn everything I could learn from others like a sponge and take the time to connect with people and not let social media take over everything.

I'm not entirely sure what the next year will have in store for me, but whatever it is, I hope it's wonderful.

xoxo

Amelia

New York Diaries | Museum Sightings

Yes, I know this is super backdated. But better late than never!

Visited a ton of museums whilst in New York, namely the MET, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Guggenheim Museum and even unconventional ones like the Museum of Sex. Being the geeky art student major that I am, my favourites were the MET and MoMA. Could literally stay in there for the entire day.

(Photos aren't in order)

xoxo

Amelia

Not hiding

It's funny how, when people start talking to me for real, then they realised how objective a person I am. or how my thoughts have my future in store and they start to understand or recognise what I mean by, "I know what the hell I'm doing".

To some people,
it may seem like mistakes. Things to regret over. I beg to differ.
I don't believe in mistakes in general. Sometimes, the mistakes are there for you to make so that you can learn otherwise from it. It makes you a better person. It makes you realise facts that you probably wouldn't have realised before.

I do not have any problems telling you about my weaknesses or admitting to the fact that I suck at certain things or am wrong about some issues. I apologise if I'm in the wrong. People should learn how to apologise. But who am I to impose such thinking on the general masses right?

I guess that's why I have a problem engaging w people who cannot let go and learn to embrace their weaknesses. With people who find a constant need to hide who they truly are. I find beauty in vulnerability. Accepting the fact that you are vulnerable in certain aspects does not make you weak.

In fact, it makes you strong.
It makes people adore you.

It makes me love you for it.

E

Maybe I just need to get used to this feeling

This feeling of not being wanted

I am sad, slightly dejected

I used to mean the world to you

I want to remember you

Or perhaps, the idea of us

You are like fireworks

Short yet spectacular

Wandering heart

I don't have a wandering heart. My heart has always been still. When I like someone, I try as best as possible to make things work, even if sometimes it may involve compensating. I may not be the easiest person to please. Yet, on the contrary, I'm the easiest person to please.

I just want love. Wholehearted loving. The affectionate loving. The sharing of emotions loving. I would like very much to be on your priority list and never ever leave that spot.

My friends say I'm too nice for my own good. I have heard this phrase being said to me for over a decade. I thought, over the course of heart-shattering events, I would learn to be less nice. But, I never got there. Did I? I can't even stand up for myself at home. Just because I care for my mom's feelings too much. I don't want her to get hurt. I wonder how long more I can live in a home that isn't a home to me.

I like to travel because I like to escape. As if, escaping ever helped anyone.

Maybe that's why I need double the love and affection. To make up for all that lost love I rightfully deserve. For once, I would also like to matter a bit.

Bali x photos

The last photo never fails to crack me up. Comes in a series so you could see the entire process of my weirdest friend Corinne trying to jump onto the float whilst I was balancing on it (which is already crazily hard to do). No idea what she was thinking but definitely makes for funny memories haha.

Perhaps for my next post, I could do one on the places we went to eat in Bali.

xoxo

13 Things to Eat in Hong Kong

Let's just face it. We all visit Hong Kong to eat. Shopping hasn't been all that great the past few years because the prices have risen quite a bit so we just end up eating all the time. Best thing to do! Just got back from a trip to Hong Kong not long ago and ventured to quite a few places.

YAT LOK ROAST GOOSE

You cannot leave HK without having their roast goose. They are the most succulent meat and most satisfying dish you will find in HK. Trust me. Pair it with some oyster sauce vegetables and iced milk tea and you have yourself the perfect meal!

I've tried quite a few other roast goose places in HK such as Yung Kee Roast Goose but I really like the Yat Lok one as well.

Located very near to Central MTR station, it is one of the stalls located on the right lane.

Everything's in Mandarin though, even the stall name so do keep your eyes peeled for the roast goose hanging on display along the road

28 Stanley Street, Central

+852 2524 3882

MTR: Central

YARDBIRD

Yardbird is a yakitori bar. They serve up an extensive selection of nose to tail chicken yakitori skewers, salads and delicious cocktails. We stayed at Sheung Wan and yardbird was literally a 5min walk from our place. So convenient!

We ordered a good amount of yakitori skewers but that bowl of KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower) really blew my mind. It was mixed with this korean yuzu chili paste thing that included mirin and topped w sesame seeds. I've never tasted cauliflower this flavourful

and THIS. Their Chicken and Egg rice that comes w crispy chicken skin, a soft boiled egg and peas and you're supposed to mix everything up into this yummy delicious concoction of chicken rice. The egg yolk made the rice really sticky and tacky and full of goodness.

For drinks, I got their yaki lime which consisted of rum, lime, mint and muscovado sugar. Usually, I don't drink sour drinks at all and wanna associate myself w anything too sour but the muscovado sugar in the drink really gave it a nice balance. Technically similar to a mohjito

Nice atmosphere as well, staff are really friendly and they even make their own tshirts for sale!

33-35 Bridges Street

+852 2547 9273

(Monday to Saturday) 6pm - 12midnight

MTR: Sheung Wan

LAN FONG YUEN

You also cannot leave HK without having breakfast at one of their Cha Chan Teng. It is like a staple for the people living there. We had the noodles w luncheon meat and egg and their pork buns. People rave a lot about their pork buns but I thought it was good, but not fantastic.

Love their french toast though and you must drizzle it w the honey sauce. Amazeballs.

2 Gage Street

+852 2544 3895

MTR: Hong Kong/Central

UNDER THE BRIDGE CRAB

Under the Bridge Crab is a chinese restaurant that sells dishes, and their most popular being their chili crab (which is nothing like the chili crab we have here in Singapore)

Their roast meat platter

This is their chili crab. I believe it came with like a spicy level as well and we chose something much milder but already had quite a large chili kick to it already. Filled w crumbs and chili flakes in them. Not for the weak-hearted.

405 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

+852 2573 7698

MTR: Causeway Bay

QUINARY

Quinary is one of the most popular mixology bars in Hong Kong, so definitely a must go if you are someone who's into your cocktails. Helmed by Antonio Lai, Quinary draws customers in with their interesting molecular mixology that entails deconstructing and re-interpreting classic cocktails. They even have a rotary evaporator that infuses and redistills the base spirits and makes use of a centrifuge to combine ingredients and flavour combinations. Intrigued already?

Their crowd-pleaser Earl Grey Caviar Martini. It is a mixture of sweet and sour, Cointreau, Absolut vodka, elderflower syrup topped with earl grey caviar and air. SO GOOD.

Orange peel stamped w their name

They surprised Eugene w a strawberry alcohol ice-cream that comes w marshmallows for his birthday so I'm pretty sure they have this on their menu as well.

Perks of dating a bartender lol. You get to try things like wasabi vodka and lemongrass tequila

56-58 Hollywood Road, G/F, Central

+852 2851 3223

(Monday to Saturday) 5pm - 1am

MTR: Central

CLASSIFIED

The streets of Hong Kong are also littered with many cafes around. Classified is one located in Sheung Wan area. They have a very chill rustic vibe to it, somewhere you wanna sit with a good book and a cuppa coffee for the entire day

108 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Sheung Wan

+852 2525 3454

8am - 12midnight

MTR: Sheung Wan

LIAN XIANG LOU

If you wanna experience having dim sum breakfast the Hong Kong way, this is the place to go. Be mindful that the staff here may be rude and they only speak in Cantonese, unless you meet certain friendly kind souls that are willing to help you out in Chinese or even English if you can't speak the dialect. 

Basically, everything's self-service here. You seat yourself, order tea from the waitress and they will hand you a card. There will be ladies wheeling carts around with various dim sum and you bring the card to them and choose what you want and carry them back to the table yourself. This place tends to get rowdy because of the crowd and all that noise but the experience cannot get any more authentic than this. You've never been to HK before if you've not experienced this.

160-164 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan

+852 2544 4556

(Daily) 9am - 10pm

MTR: Central

LITTLE BAO

If you can't tell by the trend already, all the great places to eat are near the Central/Sheung Wan area so if you're wise enough, choose to stay somewhere near that area.

Little Bao's a very small restaurant that serves up bao and other yummy stuff. We were being greedy and ordered almost the entire menu.

Their short-rib pan fried dumplings comes w slow-braised organic OBE beef short ribs and a celeriac coleslaw. The beef certainly melts in your mouth and it was very out of this world. I love it.

For the Baos, we ordered their signature pork belly bao which comprised of slow-braised pork belly, leek & shiso red onion salad, sesame dressing and hoisin ketchup. Definitely an interesting rendition of our famous kong ba bao that we know all too well

A specialty for the day - this wasn't on their menu. It's the spicy fried chicken bao which came w chili garlic black bean mayo and scallion coleslaw. I think I actually preferred this to the pork belly one. Don't get me wrong. Both were delicious but if I have to pick a favourite, I'll pick the spicy fried chicken one simply because the sauce was so GOOD! So good.

If you thought this was any other ordinary mac & cheese, you're wrong. Instead of pasta, they used steamed rice rolls and it's covered with a mentaiko cheese sauce. I am not kidding when I tell you we licked every morsel of cheese off the bowl.

We also tried the Eggplant and Shiso Pork Tempura that comes w a ume ponzu dip. This wasn't as mind-blowing as the rest though but still delectable.

Ice-cream sandwich boas! So cute haha

Deep fried bao with green tea ice-cream and their special salted caramel ice-cream for the day and topped w condensed milk.

I got them to surprise sneak-attack Eugene w them cos it was his actual birthday. The staff were so friendly and even dug up the birthday song for him. Very very nice people.

G/F 66 Staunton Street

+852 12194 0202

(Monday to Saturday) 6pm - 12midnight

MTR: Central/Sheung Wan

THE ENVOY

Another bar under Antonio Lai, The Envoy was only 2 days in operation when we visited. It's located inside a boutique hotel so the interior's very well-furnished. They serve up proper food as well and they have seating located inside the bar for it.

Comes w very interesting drinks too. I had the Dinosaur which consisted of Absolut Elyx, Godiva chocolate liqueur, evaporated milk and a Milo ice ball topped w Milo powder. I swear it was more of like a dessert than a drink. It's pretty dangerous because I felt like I wasn't drinking alcohol at all. The milo ball could be smashed and when it dilutes, it's like another drink on its own.

Beside it is the Birds of a Feather drink consisting of Talisker 10 years, blueberry & pomegranate tea syrup, wild blueberry jam, malt essence and lemon juice. One great thing about the drinks here is that their presentation is so awesome and the glasses they use are so unique. I'm sucha sucker for pretty glasswares and drinks

Spot the pandan leaf in the hair

3/F The Pottinger Hong Kong

74 Queen's Road Central

+852 2169 3311

(Monday to Sunday) 1130am - 2am

MAK'S NOODLES

Mak's noodles need no introduction because they are very popular. Their noodles are very bouncy and that's probable their drawing factor. Beef tendons are really tender as well

It is a chain restaurant and located everywhere in HK so just google it!

18 GRAMS

One of the more popular cafes in HK with their very iconic corner shop space. I was really shocked though cos the space was so tiny, it could probably only fit 10 people in the cafe.

Since coffee is subjective, what I like may not be what you like. Hence, I'm going to say that this isn't my favourite and the coffee was okay only.

Unit C, G/F, 15 Cannon Street, Causeway Bay, HK

+852 2893 8988

MTR: Causeway Bay

TIM HO WAN

Yes, they have it here in Singapore too. Not just one now, but a few outlets. Somehow a trip to HK just seems inconclusive now without paying a visit to the ever so famous Tim Ho Wan. Still relieving the very first time I visited their outlet in Mong Kok (which has now closed down) a few years back and having to queue 3 hours for it.

C'EST LA B

The desserts look very pretty and the chocolate cake we had was extremely decadent. A good dessert stop after a day's shopping at Harbour City

G111, G/F, Harbour City

17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

+852 3102 2838

9am-11pm

MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui

CUPPING ROOM

Home to a barista champion, Cupping Room is also very conveniently located in the heart of Sheung Wan and it's the place to be seen for coffee.

Coffee is great, one of my favourites so far in HK. Their brunch fare looks and tastes amazing as well.

I like the whole vibe that the cafe gives off.

299 Queen's Road Central

+852 2799 3398

(Mon, Wed to Fri) 8am - 5pm

(Sat) 8am - 6pm / (Sun) 10am - 6pm

MTR: Sheung Wan

Ending the post off w me drinking coffee :D