November 29th.

I left for Phuket a day before my birthday and the plan was to meet my family there once they're done with their 4D3N in Bangkok. As much as I was excited, I was feeling anxious or rather, very gelisah for god knows why. I mean, I've been on a plane on my own twice before so... I don't know what kinda emotions settled in me but ya. My Sayang picked me up at around 8ish right after NUS 110 Concert in the Park ended (this is another event altogether and my source of income for the past 3 years 8 months fyi hahaha). In fact that few days prior to 30th November, he's been such a sweetheart fetching, feeding, carrying, whatever la. He did it all and I'm one hell of a lucky lady. I just hope he feels like he's the luckiest man on earth as well. :P

 The card that he bought and had an essay in it, is something that I keep close to my heart. And you know, when someone writes from his/her heart, you can somehow feel it. This goes to their actions as well. He picked that gorgeous pair ("paling lawa kalau you yang pakai") but that other silver ware was what I had the most fun with. It's a musical turn and twist thingy that will play the tune of a 'Happy Birthday' song in the most classical way ever. It was something he got when he was in New Zealand and have been keeping it for the longest time (boy was he excited when he it was November 29th!) before he surprises me with it! I love it. Also, that's the second red box he got me for our special occasion. Will the third red box be it? #ifyouknowwhatimean

Had a quick dinner at Al-Azhar before I head home to do finally packing. Zaki left for his usual midnight soccer match and here comes the scary part. He went to JB right after for petrol x car wash x burger, the usual things he or we do when we have time together butttt there was a slight jam when he's entering back to SG anddddd he fetched me a little late to the airport. Both of us were pretty cool and we could have reached on time if there wasn't a traffic jam (again) at the east side. Thank god he was smart + confident enough and I was a willing risk taker (i'm barely one), to re-route our self in order to avoid the slow moving traffic. Rushed and the moment when we had to part ways, I did so reluctantly but I got out of the car quite fast as I was afraid I would cry. HAHAHA yupp I was bloody emotional. Ps: 3rd day of menses and bleeding heavily. Stupid. So annoying.

+ I didn't have to queue for my boarding pass. I just have to scan my itinerary and passport then voila, boarding pass's printed automatically! That surely saved a lot of time and of course, I had to call him back to ask if he had driven far or still have a chance to park to see me off. #wantedtocrysayinggoodbye #clingyiknow. I had a feeling that he either was driving slowly or actually did a quick u-turn to park at T2? Before he took the sky train and met me beside the famous tear drops of Changi Airport. Anyway, we lingered around for 10mins (KFC had a longgg queue and I was honestly famished but luck wasn't exactly on our side) before it's time for me to rush in. At that very moment, I knew I love this dude too much. Way too much and that's erm.. Scary guise.

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." #projectMaldives (Part 1)

Maldives was to die for.

I'm not sure if I were to say that this trip was spontaneous but one thing for sure was that it wasn't exactly on my to-do list so soon. We booked and settled flight around 1 or was it 2 weeks before? and the accommodation confirmed just days before we fly off! A no-brainer that Maldives are suited more for honeymooners but damn this trip was literally a #gojerdontscared and I'm not regretting it, at all. The clear baby blue sky and the 50 shades of blue was just breathtaking. I was in awe right from the moment we arrived and upon reaching the jetty, we were blown away. If I'm any lighter, I would probably need to tie myself to my luggage!

 Meet my lovely travel partner, Atiqah! We were extremely psych about this whole trip and almost whatsapp/instagram each other on everything and anything! Hmm in fact, she's also one of my victims that have to layan my nonsense selfies every now and then. If you don't already know, she's like my second boyfriend already hahahahaha. Also, we are doing this as part of her birthday trip!!!

Anyway, we reached Male on a Friday and they don't exactly work on that day so.. We had no choice but to stay in Eureka Inn for a night before setting off to Maafushi next morning. Even though the surrounding was quite ghetto (totally a lot of Males then Females you know! hahaha) and the room is a little dusty, we managed just fine! Here's a sneak peek of the room...

Plus, the beach that's just 5-7minutes walk away? MAJOR PLUS POINT AND THE WATER WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

 We were famished and smartie us "ventured" into some lane and took a pitstop at this restaurant which would totally make it in one of thos hipster cafe's list but unfortunately I didn't snap the interior and exterior look of the place. Went back the next day to try our luck for food or rather, ice cream but it was all close! I must add that the serving's huge and price wise was reasonable as well. It's called Rolly Polly or something along the line. I forgot liao. Hahaha.

 Very basic breakfast was served but it's cool because we had a private alfresco dining hahahaha at the rooftop. + we got to see and hear seaplanes flying every now and then. Even wished we could be on it but damn that would cost us a few hundred USD just to get on it for the necessary transfers! A quick note to share.. Basically, when you're staying at Eureka Inn and you wanna go to the top floor for food or hot water, you'll have to go through someone's room. Idk how to explain it but it was quite weird at first but then, heck it. It's just for a day, or rather, a night! 

Till we meet again, Hulhumale! xx

 It's either you roll your eyes at me being all narcissistic or you'll just.. Laugh it off! But hey, this is one of the best ways to past some time while waiting for the public bus and trust me, I've probably become such a pro at it that selfies no longer take that long anymore. HEH HEH HEH.

 We had to take a ferry to somewhere (oh god I'm so sorry for forgetting!!) before Atiqah got to do her prayers here. Beautiful beautiful place inside out. But then again, all mosques are beautiful right? :) And I was envious for I didn't get to do what I've niat-ed for e past week but it was the time of the month for me (yeah what luck! mehhh ) so I had to wait outside for a while before we cabbed to the other side of the ferry terminal (sorry I forgot again zzz). The timing's pretty much fixed so we chilled at the ferry terminal area for like boring one a half hour or so before we got on Ranthari!

Survived on this keropok ikan courtesy of Atiqah's mom and the 1.5L of mineral water. Yupp, doze off in e ferry and please don't judge me hor. Also, I'm officially the annoying orange..

 1.5 hours later.. Arrived in Maafushi and I fall in love with the place even more.. Sorry for the abrupt ending but till part 2! x

Valentine's 25th @ The Duxton Hotel.

 

My views on The Duxton Hotel is that it was too dim for a birthday party. It actually turns the atmosphere to be a little "gloomy" especially when coupled with frequent rain and lesser light that comes into the hotel. But of course, for a cosy staycation for two it might have been nice though I wouldn't recommend and would rather one head over to another boutique hotel. I do have to say that the lobby was nicely curated but aside from that, no biggies bout the place uh. The only thing I liked was prolly the bathroom because it was all in emerald green marble!!! 

 

May this #quarterlifecrisis be a wonderful turning point to begin something new and that all great things be sprinkled upon you darling.
 Have a blessed birthday kak yims hehehehe aka valentine!

Dating with the datin - Asian Market Cafe @ Fairmont Hotel

So I've decided to begin this blog post with a plate of unglam left overs of yummy chili crab and.. Atiqah. Hahahaha.

We both had tons of fun making our own ice kachang. I mean.. How often do you get to play with the ice shredder thingy? Perhaps not even once a year lor. Anyway, we took a took a video but I bet none of you could understand because it was all just both of us.. Laughing? HAHAHA merepek gila, I swear. And nope I barely touched any of the desserts (because I'm not really a dessert person) but I'm regretting it now because I would loveeeeeeee to sink into 10 or more pineapple tarts now! Spamming photos of food that I didn't eat simply because it will serve as a reminder that I should try them the next time round! Yeap, I would definitely recommend lunching here when you've got the time and cash! :)

1. The chili crab could have been a little spicier and it'll be perfect!
2. The roast chicken was a little dry.
3. The satay (peanut sauce was GOOD!) and no comments on the otah-otah coz it was sedap also! Totally giving both 4.5/5. In fact, I don't really know what's missing that I ain't giving it full points but yeah.. Hahaha.

 The salads served was a little different and it's actually a positive one because I enjoyed the squid salad, a lot. Or maybe I'm just a big fan of sotong. Hahaha. There was a certain spice that was used that made it refreshing? AND OMG THE CHILLED SEAFOOD WERE SO DAMN FRESH? I'm sorry for the lack of vocab on how to describe food but yeah, I loved them nonetheless. Till now, I wonder how the hell do they boil those prawns to be sweet? In fact, I can just chill one corner and peel them prawns.. If only Faezah and Sopi were there with me, pretty sure there's gonna be a competition! Speaking of which, I miss my girlfriends already! :(

Two things that I menyesal nak mampos aka regret like wanna die are as follows: 

LAKSA AND BRYANI. I mean.. How can I even not eat those two right? Surely it's my first saying NO to practically an all-you-can-eat Bryani but oh wells, guess there's a first to everything. HAHA padan muka sendiri but takpe, ade rezeki, we shall attack tu beras basmati goodness.

 

 Again, thank you Mak Su aka Atiqah for the belated birthday treat! Delicious food, good company and I don't even have to worry about using my hands to eat (damn you sweet prawns and shiok chilli crab!), be unglam and a lil dirty hahaha. Another plus point to dining with someone you're comfortable with, enjoying your food to the fullest! hehehe and cheers to many more years of friendship! Thank you for all the things you've done for me and staying by my side throughout my merepek times where some couldn't handle! XOXO, Kak Long.

Thoughts and gifts.

I unwrapped my gift from my sayang earlier than I was supposed to. As much as I guessed it right when I was in the ferry to Batam, I could only tahan till a few hours before it strike midnight. He did checked/asked me how I feel about owning a GoPro and I told him that it was pretty cool to own one but at the same time, it's too expensive and I don't know how often I'm going to do "extreme" sports. I fear for not making full use of it and I thought he'd just get the not so latest edition because Hero 4 is erm.. Expensive? But guess what, dude went ahead with it! And it didn't stop there, additional 2 Pandora charms was added! Still smiling whenever I see the 'My Princess' tiara charm because ... Unfortunately, the "pet name" he gives me is Kedondong. HAHAHA. So when he says, "You'll always be my princess" cracks me up. Haiz sayang ooo sayang why the hell are you so funny la? This reminds me of the birthday letter he made for me. Freaking A for effort!!! Every single word, was like a reflection of him and us. Sweetest and bestest man I've had in my entire life like-omg. Anyway, I've planned that the bracelet he got for me would basically signify us and it'd be filled with all sorts of charm such as our initials, our favourite hobbies, his favourite color and we'll build it along the way. Ps: It's gonna be an all emerald green theme with occasional white and silver glittery charms. :)

My dearest sister Shahidah bought my gift (FitFlop - The Skinny) like a week before my birthday and she consulted me on the size, colour and pattern before she purchased at TANGS. I can be pretty cerewet if you'd like to know and believe it or not but she got duped into a fake website when she first made purchase for it online. I swear it was hilarious because she had to call POSB to enquire etc and was on a panic mode in the kitchen while I was doing the dishes hahahaha. Thank you for the effort you've put in babe, I know you're pretty much new to major online shopping! Hehehe now I got something to wear on an everyday/weekly basis as my Steve Madden sandals in a bad shape now! <3

Nurul, Sopi, Zie, Faezah, Zaimah and Zie got for me gifts that I totally need. Yes another red lipstick is always welcome right? Gotta love how pigmented and moisturizing it was but sadly, it has almost zero staining power. But I don't care, it's smooth on the lips and the deep red (#showstopper) is something that I've never had! + that pair of earring, gonna be my next statement piece hehehe. Long live Marc by Marc Jacobs! Whereas that perfect blue mini tote from Calvin Klein was from Atiqah and Imah. Cheat sheet: Atiqah asked what I wanted as she was totally out of ideas of what to get for me hahaha. I wanted the same version but in cream and black but that was out of stock. Bummer! Nonetheless, the bag came with 2 roses and a glitter globe.. C'mon how sweet can this Atiqah be you tell me!? Anyway, that's my everyday work bag from then on! :)

Appreciating the good people around me and thankful for all the gifts that they've showered me upon. I feel so lucky. May god bless them all. XOXO.