Miscellanies

I ended the rabbit year with death, a surprising one. At the service I’m told he’s going back into the arms of heaven, comforting words to soothe the hearts of those left behind to suffer his absence. As the others sang hymns with their hands in the air, I thought about how my parents could only have another 12 years to live, and the thought alone made me choke.

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Chinese New Year was the usual boisterous affair: hearty servings of buah keluak, itek tim and popiah; pineapple tarts and kueh bangkit in tubs with red lids; money in red envelopes, money on tables with cards; lo hei on the table, in the air and on the floor.

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I talked to a watch dealer in a shady shopping centre. We sat among rows of Panerai and mahogany wood furniture. I tried on a Rolex from 1950 with a solid gold bracelet, a worn out face and bubble back feature. I’m sticking to my Casio for now, but talking to people with a real passion (and not just the motivation to earn money, even though in this case they go hand in hand) is always inspiring (and makes me wish I have a properly developed one).

Cereal milk panna cotta; Turkish food; new favourite ice-cream flavour: luo han guo; exhibits at Art Stage 2012, including the human hair dress and the most mesmerising dancing lightbulbs. 

I spent the last couple of days of 2011 sipping coffee in Tiong Bahru; eating meekia for breakfast; setting up a barbecue (quite foolishly with newspapers around it); eating until my stomach hurt and then eating some more; dreaming about what 2012 might bring.

Five best events this year:

1. Finishing my honours thesis and that wooshhh light feeling
2. Graduation and having one of those ‘the world is my oyster’ moments
3. Vacationing in Hong Kong - visiting the sea and eating a lot of good food with friends I love
4. Time in the honours room and in class trying to soak in other people’s intellect as much as possible
5. Having meals at counters and talking to strangers, both in Singapore and in SF, and always ending up feeling like people are not so different after all

Five worst events this year:

1. The process of writing my thesis, nights in front of the computer battling feelings of inadequacy, the persistant taste of vomit in my mouth
2. The general loneliness of writing and having only 1 class to attend
3. The school-to-work transitional period where uncertainty is everywhere and for once I have to account for others, not just myself, and wondering if the decisions I made were right, and trying not go fall into the not trying = not failing thought loop, sitting and wondering if the sacrifices I made (and still make) will be worth it
4. Customers - everyday evidence that payment gives the consumer a ridiculously inflated sense of self-worth, a concept most trying and limiting
5. Having some friendships suspended because of negligence and irresponsibility

What have you learned?

I learned that the solution to all the hard knocks in life is to have generous, giving, considerate and affectionate people as friends, family and superiors. If unsuccessful, find greener pastures immediately.

Was the year what you expected?

Some things did come unexpectedly easily, which was nice.

What’s your most listened to music this year?

Christmas music. On loop. For what seemed like forever.

What new people did you meet this year?

I bonded with people in spite of obvious differences, which is always refreshing.

What is the best you’ve read?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Room by Emma Donoghue.

What did you spend most on?

Swedish products and whatever Lisa Eldridge convinced me would change my life. That witch.

What did you do on your birthday in 2011?

I went out for Korean food and built The Burrow using LEGO. Wouldn’t have spent it any other way.

How would you describe your style in 2011?

Much more understated than the previous year. Just key quality pieces on heavy rotation and a greater investment in jewelry, a concept I hope to maintain in 2012.

Via

I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again, if I had it my way, I’ll wear only J. Crew and Madewell for the rest of my life. The shoes in looks 1-3 are really calling out to me.

Via

Perfect style.

From Roost.

This is the kind of food photography I admire. The gorgeous lady behind the lens is just an added bonus.

The Locals

Goodnight.

San Francisco, CA. 

If I lived in SF I would go to Ferry Building daily.