Putting your hope in God

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” Psalms 43:5

often we are troubled because we put on hopes in people who will change and at times disappoint us and let us down. But God on the other hand is constant, He is the same yesterday today and forevermore. So why don’t we put our trust and hope in Him, knowing that:

“this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5

so Charis, as you are reading this in the future, have faith and put your hope in Him who has never once failed you. stay strong

Protected: Thank You my love 2015

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Protected: A note to the 28 yrs old me

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14 Things to do in 2014

I bet this is what everyone thinks when 2013 ended: wow, time flies. another year just passed

it’s such an overused line but it’s so true! When I looked back on 2013, I couldn’t believe it’s over even though so many things have happened – changing of jobs, meeting of new friends, traveling to 5 different places and many more! It’s been a bumpy ride, so many tears shed but yet so much joy at the same time. So thankful for the friends who stood by me, who partied with me, who patiently hear my whines, who shopped with me, who went crazy with me!

I always have the habit of resolutions but this year I decided that since I have never really fulfilled most of the resolutions I have been setting, I did not bother setting any. haha. BUT here is what I know I will do in 2014 and you should too:

1. KEEP CALM AND SMILE ON! 😀

2. EAT LOTS OF GOOD FOOD

AND MORE AWESOME FOOD!!!

3. WHEN IN DOUBT, JUST DRINK.

4. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO NOT TRAVEL

5. BURN THE FATS AWAY. NO PAIN NO GAIN!

6. SAY HI TO MOTHER NATURE MORE OFTEN

7. HAVE MORE CRAZY MOMENTS

8. AND WEIRD MOMENTS

9. STAY FOREVER YOUNG. It’s okay to act childish and do childish things at times 😀

10. WHOEVER SAYS MONEY CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS DOESNT KNOW WHERE TO SHOP

11. SPEND MORE TIME WITH LOVED ONES for they are getting older too

12. TAKE MORE BREATH-TAKING PHOTOS

AND OF YOURSELF AS WELL

13. CELEBRATE MORE BIRTHDAYS. Age doesn’t matter as long as you have make up on. haha. kidding

14. MOST IMPORTANTLY, PRAISE GOD IN ALL THINGS FOR THE LORD IS GOOD AND HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER (:

SO HERE’S TO AN AWESOME 2014 WITH MANY MORE MEMORIES IN THE MAKING (:

thanks for the lovely wishes

haha. it’s been such a long time since I post anything personal in here! been super busy juggling work, God, friends and family. haha. working life is no joke. i miss school and its freedom. haha! But the upside of being a working adult is the monthly income and weekends to chill. So I guess I can’t complain much either.

First of all, I would like to thank all my dear friends who took time and effort to celebrate my 24th bday for me. (Yes, I am getting older. sigh) I will dedicate a blog post for this when all my celebrations are over. But I feel really blessed with such awesome people in my life that I can’t wait to thank all my friends. Really. without all of you, I think I wouldn’t be who I am today. Sometimes, I wish time would just stop at this age and not go any further. haha. But nevertheless, I will spend my early 20s well and happy as time waits for no man! As Mark Twain said it “twenty years from now, you’d be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”

As many of you know, I am seriously bitten by the travel bug and I can’t wait to get out of Singapore again!! Traveling is seriously addictive, I am addicted to the adrenaline rush of flying out of Singapore and land in somewhere foreign. Maybe that’s why all my trips are super spontaneous. haha! I am going to Hong Kong this month from 20-23rd July and Korea next month from 2nd – 9th Aug. Let me know if you want anything from these two places! I am seriously very very excited about my Korea trip. It has been 3 years since I was there?! I totally wanna relive my exchange days even though I know it’s quite impossible since the people are no longer there. But nevertheless, I am super psyched about going back there! HELLO SOJU AND KOREAN BBQ! Not to forget CHEAP COSMETICS FROM ETUDE HOUSE, LANEIGE, FACESHOP AND SHOPPINGGGG! haha. okay, I am going slightly crazy just by the thought of it. I have yet to book my accommodation though I should book really soon. If not i will end up being a hobo. haha!

I will attempt to write my Vietnam post soon! Vietnam was really good and I can’t wait to share the interesting part of Vietnam that most people don’t know about.

Things to do in Hong Kong: Eat

Haha. This is such a long overdue post as you probably know by now that I have been really busy and thus I have a list of posts in my drafts. Went to Hong Kong in Jan. It was a super spontaneous trip, I booked the airticket like 2 days before I fly.  It was a trip I much needed though I think I gained like 2 kg there from all the eating. I seriously ate a lot. The amt of food I ate in Hong Kong for one week is the same amt of food I eat in singapore for 2 weeks. Anyway it’s my third time there, so it was mainly a time of catching up with my friends as well as rest 🙂

Do watch out for my 2nd Hong Kong post as I am going there for boat trip from 20th to 23rd July! 😀 can’t wait. Hong Kong has totally become my second home man!

at the airport

I had a list of food places to go but unfortunately, I didn’t even follow the list because I was just following my friends. haha. anyway to me, hong kong food all taste great! so just hit up any restaurant and you will find great food. haha.

Breakfast

1. Tsui Wah (they have quite a few outlets, there is one near lan kwai fong)

SO, my first breakfast in Hong Kong is at a listed cha chan ting. lol. quite amazing how a cha chan ting gets listed. haha! I wish there were more cha chan ting in Singapore

breakfast with alvin

2. Australian Dairy Company at Jordon

This place sells awesome egg toast but my advice is to just do take away and eat it at another cha chan ting cuz the queue is always really long plus the seats inside are really close to each other.

3. Dim Sum

Dim Sum is a must try in Hong Kong! There are so many places with good dim sum.

Maxim Palace

My kind friend brought me to this place called maxim palace and it was pretty good!

Address: City hall, level 2, Central

Lin Heung Tea House

Apparently this place is really good for its dim sum but I didnt manage to try. I heard it’s really crowded and the dim sum usually sell out by around 4pm so better to go early!

G/F 160-164 Wellington Street, Central. Sheung Wan MTR Exit D1

Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Jun Mun Dim

This place is known for cheap and nice dim sum, must try their char siew bao.

2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok

Sun Tong Lok

I haven’t been to this place but I heard it’s supposedly the best dim sum in Hong Kong and it’s really expensive.

Tea Time

Hong Kong is a great place for tai tai to have their tea time with their friends. There are sooo many tea set menus around!

1. The Mandarin Hotel

is one good place to have tea. it’s pretty chill and the cakes are really good 🙂

2. Best Egg Tart!

Check out the long queue! the egg tart is really good! If only I could stomach more in, I would! haha. This place is located somewhere near Central.

3. 許留山/ Hui Lao Shan

This is a chain of dessert place and one of my favorite cafes in Hong Kong, it’s cheap and it’s good! Every time I go to Hong Kong, I will never fail to order the XO carrot cake from there. check out what I’ve ordered for myself. lol

Lunch/Dinner

I rather eat lunch/dinner at any cha chan ting. haha. but nevertheless, among all the places I went to, this restaurant wasn’t too bad:

1. Tai Ping Koon Restaurant (4o Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui)

Try: their signature souffle, Beef Hor Fun, Chicken Wings in Swiss Sauce. I didnt manage to eat the chicken wings because it was just too much for both of us to eat. their dishes are not bad but not really my kind of thing. I prefer modern hong kong food as compared to the olden days one

check out the huge souffle

Drinks

1. Mira

my friend brought me to this place called the mira, I thought the place was pretty chill! nice chill out place.

Lastly, when you go Hong Kong, buying back Lao Po Bing (老婆饼) is a must! There is this shop call Heng Xiang which is located at Yuen Lang (pretty far) but it’s superrrr good! I always buy a dozen back home!

TADA! the stash of food I bought home!

Savour 2013

haha. okay. this is such a long overdue post. i have so many in my backlog!! been really super busy! i really respect how some of my good friends can update their blogs in the midst of their busy lives. so anyway i figured if i don’t post this, i will never post it so here it goes! Savour 2013 (11th – 14th April)

Went to Savour at the pit building with Sherman, Kelvin and Hazel and we had such a good time there even though the sun was scorching hot. Thank God we manage to find a table in the air conditioned area if not, I think it wouldn’t have been that enjoyable.

I must say that the organizer did a good job organizing this event, they managed to bring in many good restaurants, famous chefs and rope in a lot of sponsors. Nespresso was their official partner and there was free nespresso everywhere! A pity that I am not a fan of coffee. haha

The good thing about going in groups is that you get to try a lot of things with combined funds. I think all in all, we spent about SGD$288 at the fair but we managed to try 20 dishes! By the way, all the dishes are available in their actual restaurants albeit less presentable and maybe for some, smaller in portions during the fair. However, of course they are sold at a cheaper price during the fair. BUT some of the dishes are really worth paying the money for to go try at their restaurants. I have highlighted those Must Try in red. Credits to Sherm’s photography. So let the feast begins!

JAAN (#22 Asia’s 50 best restaurant)

http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/singapore-stamford/dining/jaan/

1. 55° Smoked Organic Egg (Must Try)

Slow-Cooked Organic Egg, Smoked Ratte Purée, Chorizo Iberico, Buckwheat, Porcini oil

This is one of their signature dish and definitely lives up to expectation. I like how it is interactive whereby we can pour the egg into the bowl with other ingredients. 

2. Langoustine Tartar – Jaan

Tartare of Langoustine, Avocado Purée, Horseradish, Pickled Kohlrabi and Aquitaine Caviar

I felt this was okay only because I didn’t like the pickled kohlrabi that was wrapping the langoustine. the texture tasted weird to me. haha

3. Choconuts

A combination of white, milk and dark chocolate.

Took a photo with none other than Chef Julien Royer

BO INNOVATION

4. Molecular Xiao Long Bao

5. Cha Chan Tang

FOREST

This place is opened by Celebrity Chef Sam Leong, located at RWS Equarius Hotel.

6. Braised Baby Abalone with Chicken Glutinous Rice

7. Chilled Coconut Jello with Black Pearl and Aloe Vera

I seriously love this dessert. I am not sure if it’s cuz I am currently obsessed with coconut (after coming back from Vietnam) or the weather was just so hot. BUT this is a must try dessert if you are at Forest

OSIA

Prior to this, I have never heard of this restaurant. But I must say I would want to visit this place after trying the food at Savour. It received the Best Dining Experience Award in the Singapore Experience Awards 2011. Can’t wait to go to the restaurant!

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Homepage/WhereToEat/OSIA

8. Lychee Frozen Martini, King Crab

Awesome combination on a hot day and you know me, I love anything with lychee!

9. Foie Gras with Beet, Rhubarb Riberry

GUNTHER (#43 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants)

This french restaurant is located at Purvis Street.

http://www.gunthers.com.sg/home/

10. Cold Angel Hair Pasta Oscientra Caviar

The pasta is good but I felt it was just truffle oil overdosed.

WILD HONEY

11. Squid and Mackerel ‘Burger’, Salad of Sea Greens, Moroccan Lemon Peel

12. Classic English Strawberry Trifle Scented with Rose Petals

L’ATELIER DE JOEL ROBUCHON (#24 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants)

13. La Caille

MIKUNI

14. Sakura Pork Belly Shio Gama Yaki

horrible. don’t ever try it. haha

THE TASTING ROOM (#57 World’s 100 Best Restaurants)

15. Seared Scallop, Aerated Scallop and Dill Vichysoisse, Barley and Squid Ink Crumble

I quite like this dish but not enough to put it as a must try. There are simply too many better French restaurants out there nowadays.

16. Beetroot Sponge, Wild Rice and Macadamia Salad, Baobab Yoghurt

POLLEN STREET SOCIAL (1 Michelin Star)

17. Slow Cooked Angus Ox Cheek

braised in Burgundy, Horseradish & Potato Puree, Roasted Carrots & Bone Marrow Crumb

THIS IS SUPER GOOD. The horseradish and potato puree is seriously heavenly! They melt in your mouth. I can’t wait to go check out the restaurant myself! Chef Jason Atherton actually has 2 ventures in Singapore – Pollen located in Gardens By the Bay and Esquina located at 16 Jiak Chuan Rd, near to Outram MRT.

http://www.pollen.com.sg

http://esquina.com.sg/

KEYSTONE RESTAURANT (2 Michelin Stars)

http://www.keystonerestaurant.com.sg/

18. Oyster; Confit Potato, Dashi

19. Pork belly, Mushroom Duxelle, Onsen Egg

MIRAZUR

20. Hibiscus and Cherry Soup with Red Fruits

The verdict: Our money was really well spent and there are 3 restaurants that I can’t wait to visit!  – Jaan, Osia and Pollen. Gosh. I am going to be sooo broke. haha 

Life isn’t a race, so take it slower

I came across this poem while reading the ‘4 hours work week’ and I thought it served as a good reminder:

Slow Dance by David L.Weatherford

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,

or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight, 

or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don’t dance so fast

time is short, the music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,

when you ask “How are you?”, do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,

time is short, the music won’t last.

Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow,

and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,

cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,

time is short, the music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it’s like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn’t a race, so take it slower,

hear the music before your song is over.

Simple Happiness

Today i met this really cute old loving couple. they were making fun of each other in front of me and I can tell the husband really love the wife. and for a moment, I was slightly envious of the old lady (not that I like the old man but I wish I had a guy who loves me as much as her husband loves her too)

such is pure happiness – to have fun even when u are old and know that someone loves you for who you truly are 🙂

God’s calling

Been rather low lately. I was losing my motivation for work and I was struggling very much with how God is calling me to the line of work that I have never planned out and thought myself to be in. I was doubting if it is really His calling. But God was faithful and He spoke deeply into me during this weekend with cell group, church and quiet time.

During cell group, we were reviewing on Genesis 12, the call of Abraham. It says:

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

One of my cell group members shared something that struck me greatly and that is the sequence how God works. He first bless us and then our name will be great and finally, we will be a blessing. But many a times, we try to do things our own and we try to make our name great ourselves. We forgot that God is the one in control.

Today I came across something in my quiet time material that reminded me again.

Are we partakes of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through – we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize – “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”