Wishes for 2019

As 2018 draws to a close, I want to thank everyone for being a part of my life. 
Here's a photo I took which nicely represents the hopes I have for all in the new year. 

Wishing all my friends, my colleagues (past and present), my students, and my family (local and overseas) a Wonderful New Year in 2019! 

Go Your Own Way by Lisse

I recently started watching A Discovery of Witches tv series. The series is my favourite genre of supernatural mix with drama and romance. I will start reading the books once Marieann had finished reading them. This is not a new song but I heard it when watching A Discovery of Witches and it got stuck in my head. 

Go Your Own Way by Lisse (uploaded by Alexias B.)

"Go Your Own Way" Loving you Isn't the right thing to do How can I ever change things That I feel If I could Baby I'd give you my world How can I If you won't take it from me You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day You can go your own way Go your own way Tell me why Everything turned around Packing up Shacking up's all you want to do If I could Baby I'd give you my world Open up Everything's waiting for you You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day Yeah yeah yeah... You can go your own way You can go your own way

Never Enough by Loren Allred

I only managed to watch The Greatest Showman recently. Love the song, Never Enough by Loren Allred. It's really haunting.

Never Enough by Loren Allred (uploaded by Atlantic Records)

What Animal were you in a past life?

This is interesting. Wish I have more of that confidence now! Must have used it up lol. 

You Were a Cougar

You are a great leader who has dominance without ego.
You are wickedly cunning and off the scale confident.

Autumn Leaves Colour Test

It's been a long time since I last took a blogthing quiz. 

You Are Charming and Impassioned

You encourage others to take a leap and to take action. You know it's hard to make that first step sometimes.
You are easily distracted. You prefer to multitask, and you're always adding a new task to your list.

You have a positive attitude. You try to keep a sunny disposition, even when life is getting you down.
The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. You have a lot more power over people than you might think.

Meowgical Christmas 2018

A Meowgical Christmas 2018 to all!

Lovely illustration by Seo Kim

All's Quiet ...

in the office on Christmas' Eve!

Mother's Love

My mother's love in the form of a bowl of deliciously cooked bee hoon soup with hand-made meatballs from scratch. 

Happy 冬至 (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Happy 冬至  (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Research Plans

New research plans are brewing...

Mother Earth Take-out Lunch

As the NIE canteen is closed, we had to look for alternative lunch venues. Lucky us, our friend went to Mother Earth Vegetarian restaurant for lunch and helped a bunch of us to buy back take-out lunch bento! 
Even if you are not a vegetarian, I would recommend Mother Earth vegetarian restaurant. The price is reasonable and the portion is large. I had a hard time trying to finish everything in my lunch bento! Most importantly, the food is really tasty! Love ourselves and our bodies once in a while by having the healthier option of vegetarian food. :) 

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, Ma and Pa!

My parents have been married for 48 years since 1970. 

CORE Team Lunch

Lunch with the research team. A bunch of passionate researchers. My fortune to be able to work with yet another great bunch of colleagues and friends! 

CORE research team (not everyone here as some are on leave)

Release of N Results 2018

I accompanied Marieann back to school to collect her N level results. As usual, I was much more anxious about it than Marieann! "Keep zen, keep zen", I was muttering to myself while seated in the hall, listening to the teacher and Principal addressing the students. By 2:20pm, Marieann had collected her results. However, by 245pm, I still had no idea how she did. In her usual manner (as with PSLE), she was comforting her classmates. 

Marieann walking to collect her results

Marieann did well enough to continue with her O levels or DPP (Direct-entry-scheme to Polytechnic Programme). She decided to do her Os. 

Everything I Need - Aquaman Soundtrack - Skylar Grey [Official Video]

A really beautiful song.


Born on the wrong side of the ocean With all the tides against you You never thought you'd be much good for anyone But that's so far from the truth I know there's pain in your heart And you're covered in scars Wish you could see what I do 'Cause baby, everything you want Is everything I need You're everything to me Baby, every single part Is who you're meant to be 'Cause you were meant for me And you're everything I need You can say I'm wrong You can turn your back against me But I'm here to stay (I'm here to stay) Like the sea Should keep kissing the shoreline No matter how many times he pushes her away 'Cause baby, everything you want Is everything I need You're everything to me Baby, every single part Is who you're meant to be 'Cause you were meant for me And everything happens for a reason It's started passing in the skies I used to question who I was When now I see The answer's in your heart 'Cause baby, everything you want Is everything I need You're everything to me Baby, every single part Is who you're meant to be 'Cause you were meant for me And you're everything I need

Aquaman

Watching Aquaman brings me back to my childhood, just like Wonder Woman did! :) Thank you, DC! There's action, there's humuor, it's good fun entertainment.

Aquaman trailer (uploaded by Warner Bro. Pictures)

 Aquaman final trailer (uploaded by Warner Bro. Pictures)

Cat & Cake

A good combination any day - cat and cake 

Boss of Lola's Cafe

Honey Apple cake with ice cream at Lola's Cafe

Happy Birthday, Yaw Ming

A very Happy Birthday to my brother, Yaw Ming!

A cute Happy Snowman cake

Starbucks Christmas Limited Drink

I love trying out the various Starbucks Christmas drinks. Tried the Green Tea Java Chip Frappuccino. It's not too sweet. 

Potato Chips

I have a weakness for potato chips, especially if they are of unique flavours. 
I found this at the supermarket - Gammon & Pineapple flavour. I thought it was just ok, couldn't really taste the gammon and pineapple. The girls didn't like it though. 

Off-time

I had some off-time with Juliane since she didn't go to Penang with Marieann and I. 
We went to watch Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Marieann didn't go with us as she has already seen it with her friends.) We had a late lunch at Muji cafe after the fantastic movie. 

A quick photo before the movie started

Cat-themed Souvenir Snack

A cat-themed souvenir snack for a friend who is a cat-lover. 

Cat in Nook

Found a beautiful black cat in the most unexpected nook.

回家的感觉 @ Katasumi Koohii 一隅珈琲

Had my afternoon tea at Katasumi Koohii (一隅珈琲) situated within Grassroots Book Room (草根书室) since returning from my solo Tokyo trip. 
Going to Katasumi Koohii cafe gave me 回家的感觉. I found out by accident a while back that the owners are Taiwanese too, like my mother. No wonder. :) 
The cafe doesn't have an expansive menu but it didn't matter to me. The owners' 诚意 more than make up for the menu. I enjoyed the pairing of my Red Ruby black tea with the Salted Caramel roll cake which is soft, fragrant and not overly sweet. I enjoyed the quiet ambience of the cafe which is perfect for doing a bit of reading and/or doing a bit of work.    

Salted Caramel roll cake and Red Ruby black tea