CH158: Bintan Getaway

CP has suggested a vacation after all the stress we had the past week or two. The obvious choice of course was Bintan for a beach getaway.

Initially CP was assigned to book rooms and I have the links I found from Web Asia because they had the most affordable rates. CP ended up booking something more expensive and I arranged to have it cancelled ahead of CP saying it was okay.

So, end result is when CP tried to book it again, it didnt go through and we got to Bintan without any booking. But, we proceeded to same result and CP booked the rooms while I attended to some work.

CP, without my knowledge, booked a chalet facing the sea. X_x

The resort was amazing! We booked at te Mayang Sari resort which is part of the Nirwana Gardens group (they have beach hotel where water activities are and the main hotel where the pool and kiddie area is).

We went from Friday-Sunday to make the most out of the experience. To say, the least, it was a very relaxing and fun weekend. I appreciate as well the ferry between SG and Bintan as it was unexpectedly comfortable. It was nice waking up with just the sea a walk away from your doorstep.

Pictures!

[Random] What You Get Out of Love

I saw an archived article from Thought Catalog, and I can't help feel that it goes out to all the lovers out there (Friend, etc). The way it's written is very true and real and not kind of love Hollywood makes it out to be. It succinctly explains why it's so hard - well, for me - to just fall out of it. It's as good as a drug can get. It starts off where it's so easy to let go, but once you get into it, you're hooked and your'e there.

Also, the other day, I cooked my version of Honey-mustard-BBQ-garlic Beef + Capsicum. Honey Mustard BBQ because I used a Hunts sauce to add to the mix. It turned out okay, but comparing to previous dishes served, I was told it was not at par with the Citrusy Salmon I made last time:

Enjoy the article!

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http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/this-is-what-you-get-for-falling-in-love/


This is what you get for falling in love. You get to be obsessed, slightly nauseous, like you’re on speed but better because the comedown doesn’t happen for a long time. You get to have something or someone to look forward to, something more than a new episode of your favorite TV show on your DVR. You get to have the privilege of knowing someone beyond their tweets or stupid, ridiculous Facebook. You get to know what turns them off, what turns them on, what makes them yawn with indifference. You get to know that their dad is an asshole and that their mom was once sick with cancer and that things are sometimes strained between them during the holidays but then they all get drunk and it’s okay for a little awhile. You get to know someone beyond the context of going out and getting drinks. You get to know someone at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on a Sunday when they look like shit and are totally boring to be around. Like, they’re just watching TV and they feel no pressure to entertain you. They’re just being who they are and you’re there to witness it. It is dull but it’s also, in its own way, exhilarating.

You get to share your life with someone and invite them to participate in the most arbitrary decisions of your life. “Chicken or fish tonight?” “Vodka or gin?” “Doggie style or missionary? “Baby or no baby?” You get to be inspired to be a better person, to be the type of lover who knows how to really care for someone. You should want to protect them from everything that’s bad. You don’t want to be the thing they need to be protected from. No no, they’ve already had that, they’ve already been burned. You want to be the best partner, an antidote to all the other lackluster ones they might’ve had in the past.

You get to know that if you ever died alone in your apartment, your body would be discovered shortly thereafter. It wouldn’t be left to decay and ultimately be found by your landlord. You get to know that you really affected someone’s life. You left an indelible mark. They will never be the same after you. They will cry, cry, cry in your absence. It all sounds so morbid but, I don’t know, it feels so nice knowing that you have the ability to leave someone grief stricken once you’re gone.

You get to go on vacations and screw all day in some hotel room. You get guaranteed sex, the kind of sex that you know and love and are sometimes bored by but it’s okay because you love them and a little boredom never hurt anybody, right? You get to drink too much at dinner and have someone put you to bed. It’s better than passing out alone, isn’t it? You get to see new things with a partner, revel in fresh experiences together, Instagram photos of you two smiling near a waterfall and be too in love to worry about being cool. Only single people have time to care about maintaining the perfect internet persona.

You get to be a goddamn brat. You get to push the wrong buttons and kick and scream, and trust that you won’t be penalized for it. You get to test their patience away, run them against the wall, be an overall insane crazy person, and still be forgiven.

You get to say no. You get to say yes. You get to say screw you. You get to be okay. You get to be safe. You get to be in love.
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CH157: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

I wouldn't have fancied spending my Sunday icky and sweaty. But, because of having skipped a day or two at the gym, I decided to just to anyway. Because its been raining in SG with thunder clouds, I haven't been able to go out and do my cardio swims (bad timing).

CP and I went out yesterday (Sunday) to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It's also a bit of a travel away. It's actually my first time to linger so far out West of Singapore.

Overall, activity wise, Pulau Ubin is still much more challenging - the bike trails. We weren't able to go around biking in BUkit Timah - just hike through, walked up and down steep trails. It could have been more challenging if we were running I guess :-).

Afterwards, CP and I went to Fusionopolis to shower in Fitness First and sneak in some weights and some core exercises.

Definitely worth visiting Bukit Timah if you want a change in pace. An experience away from urban Singapore.

All those work out, put to waste though when we decided to hit Beach Road for some steamboat buffet! :-)

[Random] Cooking Experiment 2

So, I've been living up to 2013 plans by continuing to learn how to cook. Yesterday, I experimented with Citrusy Salmon with Broccoli Side.

Instructions are quite simple.
1. Remove skin of salmon. Wash salmon. Dry. Coat with salt and pepper on boat sides.

2. Squeeze lemon to cup, mix water in and add sugar. Experiment with measurement to your taste.

3. Heat butter up In skillet (medium heat). Put salmon in. Cook 2-3 mins on one side and then flip. Once flipped, let salmon cook a bit more before adding the lemon mix made.

4. Let salmon and mix sit in for 8 mins. Regularly check to make sure salmon doesn't over cook. Remove salmon:

5. Let sauce thicken up a bit more by letting sauce mixture simmer.

Broccoli was cooked by boiling it in hot water until crisp and green.

Pour sauce over salmon and broccoli.

Haha, to be honest, the sauce I made was a bit strong so I didn't put too much on the plate and only a drizzle for that kick. But overall, it was well received.

And no, this does not usher in a food or cooking blog. :-)

CH156: Masonry

Perhaps, at some point, you realize that there is something wrong - something dysfunctional.

You initially figured that arguments happen, gaps arise, and the next consequential thing to do is to reconcile and hold each other tighter.
That the prospect of a life without the other is too much to bear, so you're willing to get past the differences and the harsh words thrown at each other.
Because, you've been happy and you've seen how much more you can be with the other person, that you realize maybe that person is your soul mate and you're afraid of letting go.
Because you're afraid that the person may be "the one that got away" (ref: Katy Perry's song).

But, it dawns on you, if the cycle repeats itself, maybe it's time to think of yourself for once.
Instead of reconciling during/after arguments, what if, this one time, you build a wall instead?
Instead of looking forward to a reconciliation of embrace, of tears shed, of meaningful exchange of words, that this one time, you build a wall and walk away?

And as Ellie Goulding so beautifully sings it - "It will never be the same."

CH155: Dust

To say the least, we have about reached our conclusions.

The world continues to move.

Time, the faithful assassin, creeps on.

Today, we went out with nothing in particular planned. We first went to West Coast Park thinking we could just go and cycle around the park. But, apparently, the place sucks and does not have any bicycle rentals. I suggested we just head off to Vivo City. That way I could buy new underwear, some socks, and a shirt and shorts I can use for today and tomorrow given that I didnt pack any overnight stuff.

We cycled leisurely around Sentosa - went to Sentosa Cove and enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful houses in what I would say is one of the most expensive places to live in. We even went and biked up a mountain path all the way to where people went down on zip lines. I would say that RPM lessons in Fitness First in a way did prepare me for that challenge. Nothing will compare though to the difficulty and challenge in the Pulau Ubin bicycle trails (CH151: Pulau Ubin Bike Challenge).

After cycling around, we decided to stop by and laze by the beach side in Azzura Beach Club - to get some sun and swim by the beach/pool. Almost through the day, we argued - and argued.

In conclusion and summary I write a haiku.

Dust

Emotions at high.

Amidst the billowing dust

We have walked away.

[Random] Calvin and Hobbes

Veering away from a sad post: CH154: Abrupt Endings, I happened upon an article from Gizmodo (Photoshopping Calvin and Hobbes into Real Life Makes Me Really Happy). To say the least, after viewing the article, I recalled the fond memories I had with reading the said comics. It's one of the few comics I've read that has made an impact in terms of humor and personal sensibilities.

All the works below belong to Nite4awk / Michael Den Beste from http://realcalvinandhobbes.tumblr.com/ check more of his work through the link. I love the idea of how he incorporated the characters to real life photographs. It feels a bit surreal looking at how the comic characters blend in so well.

My favorite one

My next favorite

Happy Friday! Good vibes.

CH154: Abrupt Endings

CH149: CoDependency

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Should we continue on ignoring the fact that somewhere down the road, there is a bridge waiting to be crossed?

You have your fears and I'm afraid that if we continue to ignore the bridge down the road, that I'd end up crossing it only to realize you stayed behind.

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"...I know it hurts to let go...But now it's the end | We will be with you | When you're leaving | We will be with you | When you go | We will be with you | And hold you till you're quiet | It hurts to let you go" - Gotye

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In the dark room, tears tumbled down - while you're right there beside me, sleeping, quiet and at peace. There's a turmoil running through my mind. The thought that the ending is so near gripped my heart hard. Suffocated at the thought and the tears that everything will be over soon - too soon. An abrupt ending to a wonderful holiday out of town - our second together.

Contemplating how I am today compared to how I was before - before I met you I mean. I smile at the thought that once, before I met you, I had a hard time imagining a decrease in activity online - less presence in social media. Recalling as well my excessive tweeting, instagram-ing and facebook-ing. An abrupt ending to social media. An abrupt ending to social media on the web, mobile and "mobile apps."

I've downloaded several new high-res movies - Flight, Drive, Django Unchained, Cloud Atlas and even the new episode of the Amazing Race season 22. Last night, after our experimental (i.e. new routines) workout, you were to stay over. But when I narrated how I got several friends, colleagues and team mates inquiring about NZ, you became quiet. I didn't know you had all those fears bubbling inside you. In our discussion, you say in surrender that you're no longer planning to go to NZ. That it doesn't fill you up with excitement, only fear. The discussion goes on over a light after work-out meal. And then, it's time to go. We go our separate ways - you back to yours, and me a walk across from where we ate. An abrupt ending to what would have been a fun and lovely night.

"Because not everything is planned and not everything planned will turn out okay. Because things happen. Because that's just how it is. Because that's what we call living." - MkSurf8 

And after a stress-free togetherness since I got from my short NZ trip (to activate my visa), after last night's discussion, things feel a tad bit awkward. An abrupt ending to over a month of bliss and romance.

I'll let the tears fall once the bridge comes around the corner. For now, after the abrupt ending last night, I'm at the beginning of an impasse and state of confusion. What do I want then for us till the time comes for us to decide whether to cross the bridge or not?

CH153: SG-KL-Melaka-KL-SG

As was mentioned in my last entry (CH152: New Kind of Fun), CP and I decided to go to Malaysia over the Chinese New Year. And man, was it hectic!

CP went over to my place around 8pm Friday evening as the bus company is just opposite my block. CP watched Argo on my laptop while I took a nap, I was still feeling bad from my cold. It was disorganized to say the least and the bus company was not prepared for the flood of people leaving. Lots of shouting, some delays, etc.

I thought it will be quick to get out of immigration of SG and MY. But I was wrong. The bus was in queue to get to immigration of MY for 1 hour 30 minutes. We were just sitting in the bus waiting for nothing and we haven't even left the Singapore border! It was also severely disorganized and messy at the MY side. We couldn't find our bus! We were able to find out eventually, that our bus left with other passengers (from same company) waiting after immigration. We were assigned to a different bus eventually (with Lazy boy seats - much better than the ones we were on).

Our itinerary was:
Feb 9 SG-KL-Hotel Hunting-Genting Highlands-Jalan Alor Food Street
Feb 10 Checkout-Hotel Hunting-Sunway Lagoon-Petronas Twin Tower-Chinatown (Petaling Street)
Feb 11 Checkout-Pubu Sentral-TBS-Melaka-Hotel Hunting-Tour
Feb 12 Tour-Checkout-TBS-SG

I won't go into the details of the experiences per itinerary, but of note, a backpack style was delayed on the first day as CP and I checked in to Concorde in KL - a 3/4 star hotel to off set the gruelling experience of immigration and bus ride.

We were duped as well in Melaka to go back to TBS (KL bus terminal). Apparently, all the tickets going to SG and Johor Bahru was sold out that day. The queue in TBS was also CRAAZZYYY! A lot of people were there sitting on the floor, and people were saying all the tickets going to JB and SG were sold out and the earliest you can leave is 10PM!!! We arrived from Melaka in TBS around 3:30pm. In a stroke of luck or an angel looking after me, despite a work colleague telling me that the e-kiosk for tickets was sold out for all, I found a ticket leaving for Singapore at 5PM! I got CP and I the last tickets in the bus and the earliest one to leave as well.

So, now, pictures galore!

I beat CP in Archery!

suggestive Cable car number we got on

Jalan Alor food street fireworks

More Pics in Melaka!

CH152: New Kind of Fun

CP and I will be off to Malaysia over Chinese New Year, and here I am in the office trying to fight off a cold. Trip is not really planned out - no hotel reservations etc yet. The plan was to try and go at it ala backpack style. Just have the money ready and go at it! Rough idea on activities to do and places to visit will be: Genting Highlands, Sunway Lagoon, Petronas and drop by Melacca on our way back.

In other news, since we're on alcohol restriction (which is saving me a lot of money! like 300-400 sgd per month), we've been putting our energy to better use. Aside from going to the gym, our weekends have been spent going out for movies, shopping, going for a swim and playing billiards (and recently bowling). I never really liked playing pool before. I think growing up and seeing the crowd hanging around the places turned me off from trying to learn the sport. Add to that how my brother got into it, and growing up I didn't want to do activities where I will be foreshadowed.

So, I've been playing pool the past weekends with CP, and I think I'm hooked/addicted to it. There's so much to learn still though, I think I've only played 12 times so far (each weekend having 3/4 plays) and prior to us trying the sport, I've only played maybe 3/4 times before ever. 2 of those games were from highschool when a pool place opened near my school. I've been on a losing streak though. It's frustrating to lose but fun since it's with CP.

To put an end to losing - well, we tried out bowling last Sunday in Marina Square - and I won 2 rounds out of 3. And to make the win more of an official and not just a by chance thing - we summed up our scores and with the overall sum, I still won. It wasn't as much fun playing bowling though since we did it after we lifted weights and did our gym session with Body Pump.