a little moment of introspection.

Given peoples reaction on the train when it was delayed (and my choice to be an observer instead of a change maker). The impatient faces. The irritated faces. The shoving. The unwillingness to give way. The ignorance of pained expressions on others. I do wonder if push comes to shove, and we find our country in a situation of extreme adversity, will we be able to step beyond our individual needs and look at the bigger picture. To strive for the society's well being if it calls for patience and a little self sacrifice.

Sometimes I do wonder why we have grown up to be this way. Impatient with society when things are not served on a silver platter. Pointing fingers and pushing blame. Taking it out on those around us instead of thinking how best to share the cake, little as it may be, so that everyone is happy.

Late night ramblings

Attending the wedding up top together

Food was good. Atmosphere was real chill.

What is money to you?

Someone asked me this morning..

"Melly can I ask you for your opinion on how important money is?"

Well. For me. I see it as a tool - a means to an end. I just need enuff to pursue all the experiences I want. I don't really crave for too much richness at the expense of time and health.

We only have a limited time on this planet. So there's no point in spending your whole life just slogging away to build wealth. To me it's hardly an incentive that will keep me going for long. (maybe cos I've been lucky in life and never really had too much out of reach due to my parents to idling me with a rather comfortable life)

That said. It isnt that you can live without it. Money still is the currency that makes the world go round. You will still need it to do stuff. So i guess what you need to know is why you're accumulating wealth for. Like a house. To start a family. To be able to provide for the people you care about. For further education. To make yourself a better person. To travel the world etc.

Then, consider how many years you have to do it before you need to cash out and go do/buy what you need or want.

So from there you can kinda work backwards. And find the balance.

Double date with the double down.

the colleagues... T. G. I. F

And if I could... I would... give you the biggest hug ever. To let you know that you're not alone and that everything will be alright.

Macaroons

First time baking in Aeons and I decided to give something I've been wanting yet wary to make a shot.

Macaroons :)

Armed with the new toy that Tracy got me for Christmas, ingredients from my morning trip to the supermarket and the ever handy bf Ben - I thought I was ready.

First problem. My silicon mat was to big for the oven. Solution: cut it in half. Which really was perfect if not for the fact it wasn't as aesthetically pleasing after.

Second problem. Grinding almond. First attempt had Ben getting overly enthusiastic and having us end up with almond butter which was quite yummy if not for the fact my throat felt like dying.

Ingredients used on the second attempt:
Macaroon shells:
110g almonds
180g icing sugar
2 egg whites
35g sugar
Vanilla essence

Filling:
80ml whipping cream
100g dark chocolate

Steps:
1. Coarsely grind the stupid almonds in a food processor. Do not over do it to become butter.
2. Add the icing sugar into the food processor too.
3. Sift the mixture
4. Whip the egg whites
5. Add the sugar and continue whipping until it is peaky
6. Slowly stir in half the icing sugar almond blend.
7. Add the vanilla essence
8. Stir in the rest of the icing sugar almond
9. Pipe onto mat and let set for 30 mins in a cold dry place
10. Bake for 20-25 mins at 150 degrees Celsius
11. Let cool for 30 min
12. Boil the whipping cream
13. Pour over chocolate and mix well.
14. Add a little baileys
15. Let set in the fridge for a while
16. Spread between macaroon shells.
- you're done!

A good end to a hectic week.

One of those moment where you had an awesome experience and then realise that you had no picture to capture the moment and share it to make other people jealous.

Oh wells. Shall etch it into my own internal memory.

(Z)En Japanese Dining Bar @ River Valley

50% of sashimi from 6pm to 8pm - which we missed.

And for this month. There was 50% of their wagyu stuff. Which is awesome

First up was the beef cappacio. It kinda just totally melted in your mouth. Like I never really understood marbled beef till today.

Second was the unagi fried rice. Which was yum. :) totally satisfied my jap rice and teriyaki ish sauce craving I had the whole week.

Third was a plate of assorted sushi. No clue really what I ate but it was quite yummy. Even the tuna.

Last was soft shell crab maki. Crab was nice but I didn't really appreciate the spring onions in my maki.

Overall still an awesome meal. Plus I got a surprise bday present in the form of a bag I was previously eyeing. Yay. ^^

Growing old aint that bad when you have awesome friends to grow old with.

in silliness we laugh.

And so after the storm
we stand soaked to the skin
staring up at the sun
laughing in sync
at memories of us huddling
afraid of the end of the world.

Best wishes to the happy couple

First time really helping in a wedding. Was fun being on the "bro" side of things due to a thankfully painfree gate crashing.

Glad the couple is finally hitched and happy and glad to have helped as one of the "useless" brothers.

Congratulations Noel and YC. It was awesome to have seen everything happen from six years ago to the proposal to now.

It is awesome knowing you people and I look forward to crashing the honeymoon.

on a happier note. two weeks in sydney was kinda awesome. not over the moon awesome as i thought it would be but awesome enough i guess. one of the bucket list. one year older. life goes on.

trust me to rant about this...

Don't you just hate it when someone tells you "I trust you to make the right decision"

Firstly, it absolves them of any responsibility, for it tells you nothing of their opinion on that matter.

Secondly, instead of you just deciding and living with the consequences, you're now faced with another set of judging eyes that weighs down the decision making.

Thirdly, if i trusted myself to make the right decision I wouldn't be sharing the problem right?

It sucks especially if that person's opinion matter.

Haiz.

Haiz