A lil' step of chance

Sometimes, it just takes a lil' chance, a lil' step of fate, you'll be surprised how much they lead you to...

To Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo...?

Have discussed with my buddies and decided on April 2013 to embark on a 'only guys' trip. It would be a milestone, a very significant one, probably the last one before any of us commits to marriage - or the decision which Barney Stinson (from How I Met Your Mother) deems as the end of one's life... haha.

So I was checking out affordable air tix and zoomed in on Scoot, double confirmed by skyscanner.com (just discovered how awesome the website is, thanks to facebook and Titus!). More spacious than budget airlines and less pricey at less than S$600 than a full fledged flight, I think we're comfortable forking out that amount for an awesome trip.

What's stopping us is only a confirmation from Busy Roys! I hope this trip will materialize. Why I'm looking forward is because I have minimal idea of what to do in Tokyo, how the city looks like, the places to visit etc. That means low expectations, greater surprises.

What would possibly go wrong with awesome company, heavenly food (sashimiiiiiiii) and a vibrant night scene (or at least that's my impression is from the movie Tokyo Drift haha)?

I miss playing Maplestory

The all-so familiar scenes:

For the latter pic, I remember I was battling in the wee hours of the morning with half-closing eyes and suddenly I came across a super duper rare drop - Steely! Could go for $18M at that time, if I still recall correctly?

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Do they still have Maplestory in LAN shops? I miss bashing around like how a real DK stamps his authority and makes his presence known in a map.

Had a really good weekend

Had a really great one, spending quality time with people who mattered :)

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Started my Saturday usual at the street soccer court. Great work out but haven't been able to find my form in recent weeks. Hmm. Think I need a cooler head and greater stamina, haha.

After a refreshing shower, I convinced my parents to walk to the nearby neighbourhood shops for lunch and grocery shopping. I also purchased an affordable utility plastic-framed spectacles for exercising, sports, and maybe for the odd change of accessory. The afternoon was a great time spent with them as we chatted about everything from cheap 佛手瓜 and how cockles should be cooked, to reminiscing the gorgeous food at Ipoh (just realised the topics all revolve around food o_O). Whilst on our way back, it started to pour cats and dogs and we laughed at our helpless selves, as my parents did their best to shuffle their feet 50m to the nearest shelter. Later, I attempted to frighten my mom by hiding behind a corner but ended up outwitted by her! Haha so funny. :)

Got woken up groggily at about 6.20pm, urged by mom to head out for dinner. This time, my brother joined us to the nearby zi char place my mom recommends. The food much exceeded expectations, the fried sambal tapioca leaves was tasty, curry fish head yummy, japanese marinated ribs mouth-watering and fried french beans with small shrimps fragrant. Many other patrons ordered san lou hor fun and fried rice that kept our eyes busy. Definitely heading back there again! Took a slow stroll home and told my mom it's being a long time since we did so, reminded me of when we were younger and we would walk back to old abode from Simei using that darned winding overhead bridge...

Saturdays are never complete without glueing our eyes to the football matches at night! Went over to Busy Roy's and joined by my girlfriend and Huiwen, we gathered in the cosy living room, savouring Busy Roy's new attempt at 'longan beer' but which probably turned out to taste more like dark brew, but still a thumbs up! Keep the concoctions going bro! Arsenal came back from behind to win 3-1 with West Ham, good win against a tricky opponent.

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For Sunday lunch I brought my dad and siblings to The Vines at Novena, was just here last week with NZ peeps and the food was so good and affordable I think my family would love it! Besides, the restaurant is closing end of the month (due to some lease ending/en-bloc thingy) and if not now, then when? I love the ribeye steak I had last week, the meat is imported from NZ and done exactly medium rare, the way I requested, not any bit under or over done. This time, my dad feasted on the prime rib, my sis tenderloin steak and my bro the humble fish and chips, and we shared half dozen of escargot in tasty olive oil and oxtail stew which was done to perfection. AWEEESOME they were, happily satisfied and full we were, we decided we should return soon to try the other 101 items in their menu!

Sent my sis to Serangoon for her violin lessons and I hurried down to Tampines East CC for blood donation. I was the last donor for the day (they said I don't get a prize for being the last). Hastily filled in the form and proceeded to have my left arm poked. For a moment I was worried I'll suffer from blood pressure loss and faint due to the heavy meal I just had (recall: medical examination after heavy buffet lunch) but henggggg ah this time the process went smooth.

Rushed home to shower and all before heading out to MBS for dress-up date with girlfriend! We're going to AVENUE Q! :D

Grabbed dinner at MBS food court (wah piang has to be the most extravagant hawker food in Singapore) before heading into the Grand Theatre, excited and looking forward to an entertaining musical! We got prime seats and were just metres away from the stage!

The set was lovely, reminscent of a recognisable NYC street and subway entrance. The show started on a high with 'The Avenue Q Theme' and catchy tune 'It Sucks To Be Me'. The singers actually matched their puppets' movements and the lyrics with appropriately exaggerated facial expressions and bodily stances, brilliant! Some parts were funny and I admit there were a few which I think subtitles would have helped haha. Love 'Everyone's A Little Bit Racist' and 'Special' by Lucy (the slut), the latter mesmerizing the audience with her powerful and raspy vocals! My other favourites are 'Purpose', 'For Now' and 'The Money Song'. There was a part in the latter during which the singers dashed down and engaged with the audience, haha entertaining! Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the musical for the songs and acting, but the story was abit too BGR for my liking haha.

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Monday blues kicked in late Sunday but glad Monday went by well.... having audit the rest of the week, hope it goes all well! *fingers crossed.

Key takeaways

Had the privilege to attend a really inspiring talk this afternoon, by a very confident, assuring and far-sighted individual who delivered his speech simple, well-paced and in a calming manner. His ideas were straightforward, easy to remember and apply and most importantly, they were impactful and inspirational. Many were awed and bought over by his calm and steady delivery, his key messages seemed to ingrain in our hearts instantaneously. With a clear vision and bright future envisioned, I sincerely hope this will forge a stronger team striving towards greater achievements because "only with a crisis do we learn - there is no better way to create a better opportunity".

And my key takeaways:

The 3 levels of sure-ness:

Be Sure - for self
Ensure - for the organization
Assure - for customers and public perception

How to achieve our goals:

• Service
• Unity
• Responsibility
• Excellence

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Random pic: