Becoming Mrs Chan

Monday, March 4, 2013

Arteastiq @ Mandarin Gallery

After graduating from Junior College, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the university. I contemplated many courses, and ended up applying for three in no particular order. The first was Engineering; boring but appropriate coming from a double maths and double science background. The second was Finance; fun and seems like a good place for a slacker like me. And the most bizarre choice was Architecture; because I thought I was insanely talented in art. Now where did that come from?

Last weekend, we spent a few hours at Artistiq @ Mandarin Gallery and that just proved my point. The hubs was ambitious and wanted to try painting Van Gogh's sunflowers. "How hard could it be?" were his famous last words. So here goes.

We spent so much time painting over our errors upon errors that we didn't even realize that 3 hours have passed. And the hubs finally admitted that it's not a simple as "just filling in the coloring book". Nevertheless we had fun laughing at our nonexistent drawing skills. It's a great place to just relax with a cup of coffee and painting yourself silly with the loved one.

BTW if you think the drawing looks some what OK, it's only because it looks nicer with the picture filters. And BTW I am a Finance graduate.

Arteastiq @ Mandarin Gallery

Boutique TeaHouse

Mandarin Gallery #04-14/15

333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867

Opens: 11am to 10om Daily

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Brunch at The Coastal Settlement

Last Saturday was the last day of the hubs' week-long reservist. After booking out from Kranji Camp, we celebrated the end of his week long suffering at this obscure brunch place at Changi Village called The Coastal Settlement. Finding the place was no easy task, I tell you. Even the GPS could not locate the place. Given my limited supply of patience, I wouldn't have made it here on my own. Bless the hubs - he has the patience of a saint.

So we finally made it, and I was pleasantly surprised with this little charming brunch place. It reminds me a little of Burps and Giggle in Ipoh as the decoration is simple with a touch of retro. The best part is it's not crowded at all, unlike the cafes in River Valley.

We ordered the standard brunch menu and food was alright, nothing fantastic. But hey, we are not really here for the food are we.

A couple of bugs spotted at the vicinity of the one-storey shop house. Apparently there is supposed to be playground as well. Love this place, and will definitely recommend for romantic couple meals, or just group hang with the gals. Parents can also bring the kids to hang out at the playground while they sip on lattes.

Anyway, it's a brand new year. And I am on a hunt to try some thing different, or go some place new at least once a month. Let's see if we can keep this up.

The Coastal Settlement
Opens On: Tuesday - Sunday 10.30am till 12 Midnight
Address: 200 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508529.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

It's Full Moon Again

Koh Phangan is a little remote island off the more frequented Koh Samui island in Thailand. It's famous for its monthly full moon party. Not the kind you hold for kids, but a real beach party with booze and weed and loud music. Picture Singapore's Zouk Out but in a smaller beach area with this really huge moon shining down upon you as you party and dance away, wilder and lots more fun. I have been there twice now, and always wanted to show the hubs what the place is like. So when my ex-boss gave us a free resort stay at any Anantara resort, I chose to go to Koh Phangan.

So we took a few days off work, and headed to the little island. The journey there was horrendously long. We took a flight to Koh Samui (1.5 hrs), then a bus transfer to the pier (30 mins), boat ride with Lomprayah (30 mins) and then a cab to the resort (30-45 mins). Blech. If it's not for the full moon party, I wouldn't even bother going there.

Hubs happy with Chang

Very Good Engrish

The resort was great!! We had a little jacuzzi on our balcony, which faces the sea. And we had a honeymoon welcome too. What a treat. Thanks ex boss. We arrived on a Saturday, and the full moon was on Sunday. So we spent the whole day just relaxing and I obviously treated myself to the glorious Thai massage.

The resort is at the north east side of the island, within walking distance to Panbun Village. It's such a quaint little village peppered with bamboo hut eateries and legit massage parlors. Some of these eateries are opened by foreigners who live there, some of whom I suspect love the perpetual carnival-like activities too much to leave.

Cheekily named pizza joint, also found in FourSquare

It's real what they say about full moon in Koh Phangan. It's exceptionally brighter and more beautiful than ever. And what a treat to be able to dine under the full moon. I can't even begin to describe how in awe I am with it. God's creation is truly amazing.

Our favorite pandan chicken

Hubs playing with a pet rabbit outside the massage parlor

Beach side restaurant - food is nothing too fantastic, you pay for the beautiful sea view lit by the moon

Okay, here comes the part that sucks balls. The full moon party that I thought was happening on Sunday, turned out to actually be on Saturday. Yes, that Saturday night that we were happily dining under the moonlight. That Saturday night that we were lazing around in the hotel room enjoying the bed, jacuzzi and everything nice. Yours truly managed to confuse the dates. What a douche. I felt a flurry of emotions when I finally realized the screw up.

Confused - how could I be so careless not to double check? I did check and saw that it was on a Sunday. Did they change it to Saturday without notifying anyone. Turned out i just saw the wrong day. Doh.

Upset - Oh no, I brought the hubs all the way here so that he could experience the party.

Embarrassed - This is seriously embarrassing. What the hell.

Angry - I was angry for my speed-reading habit. Angry that I didn't get the hubs to double check. Angry that I could be so plain careless.

The good thing is the hubs was pretty cool about the whole thing. Which surprised me, because I was expecting him to be at least a little bit upset. Or disappointed. But none of those negative reaction showed up and he was consoling me, the douche. Ah, there is so much I can learn from the hubs.

Anyway, we spent the rest of the holiday swimming in the ocean. Nature vs man/woman : 1-0. Awesome fun though. Swimming and drinking by the pool bar. And you know.. couple stuff *wink*.

There is nothing a drink by the beach can't fix.