End of 2016 and onward to 2017

2016 will be remembered as a time of being very stagnant and lost. Also a lot of family issues - still dealing with Dad's stuff and having to deal with extended family, conflicts within own family. The irritating and sad fact is that small molehill  issues become big mountains, empty talk and no action,  and this cycle keeps flaring up. After one issue, shortly after another issue. Like no lasting peace. Always a calm before the next storm. Makes me wonder what is the family karma to keep tio such things.

The redeeming points are - supportive friends who are concerned and being able to resume Krav Mags, that gave my life a sort of focus and regular routine. I will be rather sad and lost when I stop KM after grading in early Feb. I need to get the extra flab off in a doable and healthy manner. Thinking of doing those boxing drills learnt at home from Feb onwards. 

There were more family trips this year but I feel mostly there are family obligations and I have to endure and put up with alot of habits, bickering, issues and carry stuff. Not exactly very relaxing. Some trips leave me more tired than relaxed. I do look forward to doing some solo travelling after my employment is settled. I have a Starbucks cup for that. 

I am keeping up with the daily prayers chanting.  The other constant since end May.  Will keep at it. No way near any spiritually enlightenment but can learn to endure happenings in life and also mindful of one's action, words, thoughts and responses. So basically do good, don't do evil. Reading through the Buddhist books I got from Ipoh does make me more careful of sins, given the recent family situation. So I've come to the conclusion,  I can only control myself, not others. So I try to work on my own end. Something like that. 

In 2017, I sincerely hope and pray that my stagnant state can change to something more positive and happening. I will work hard at my job as per the GuanYing lot. Just get me moving forward instead of floating around. 

Christmas Party after a year of absence

This Christmas party, having missed one last year, turned out to be a pretty good. In the earlier morning and afternoon, we went to the temple in Tampines to give thanks to Taishui, cos 2016, Monkey tio it. After a round of thanks via donations, and small tian you money, my wallet was empty. We headed to Tampines central and ate a meal of Ayam Penyet. There goes my calories. Had to withdraw some monies and we hung around a bit at Century Square. There was a small christmas game thingy for those who spent $50 in a receipt. We tried and got a fugly pizza cushion (given away for donation) and $10 NTUC voucher. Fair enough. Though the fixing the puzzle in 1min was stressful. Then my Mom and sis went home via cab and I made my way down to Tab's place.

This Christmas would be remembered for trying to burn more calories by helping out do the chores. I managed to hit about 8500 steps by the time I arrived and later helping Quet to buy her late lunch and also 4 x 1.5litre drinks helped me hit 10000. Though in the end I still out-ate what I had burned, at least the food was good. I had a lot of extra like ice cream, xiao mi jiu, and Vanilla coke plus Snickers and almost an entire pack of chips with salsa, besides the rather healthy meal of turkey with salad, sweet potatoes, carrots and potatoes.

It was really thoughtful of Tab to let us bring back 1-2 boxes of leftover turkey over fresh rice. When I got home, after Krynnder kindly asked ZX to send, I showed my Mom and sis the packs. Asked them what they had. The initial plan was for them to eat a nice meal of Domino pizza or Nasi Bryani from the hawker near my former workplace. But they told me they ended up eating instant noodles as it rained very heavily and so they didnt go out. It was about 10.45pm then. And both were a bit hungry. They didnt eat all the rice. My mom took some with the meat and my sis had meat on bread. So they also had a taste of fresh turkey meat. Remarked tasted like chicken but I feel roasted chicken many a times not as tender nor fragrant. The rest went into the fridge for the next day.

Updates : KM grading, new phone

KM grading:

When I resumed KM two Sat, there was mention of a grading session coming up in early mid-Feb. I thought about it and decided I shall train for it. It kinda coincide with the end of my package. This being my final, so I decided I shall go out with a bang and try for it. I want to pass it cos it will cost $140... another expense I could do without but since it is the final for now. I mentally commit myself to it.

That entailed me going for KM intensively to do revision. I have not gone for regular KM lessons for quite a while, some stuff I had forgotten though after seeing once, I can do it. Some I have forgotten. And also there is a fitness aspect being added.

Last Sat, out of the blue, at the warm-up part, had to do 40 burpees, crunches, mountain-climbers, push-ups and squats. On top of that did the boxing drills that my shoulders and muscles were sore. Sunday, I had to help carry heavy stuff to do prayer session. Then went for weekday KM session, I was asked to do that fitness routine again after class ended. The rationale to build up my stamina and fitness so don't suffer later during grading. I was still nursing very sore muscles so I did them in 20 x 2 sets and completed. Came back on Tue to the same thing. Oh well, did 20 x 2 sets. My right knee is aching. So I decided to have Wed as a rest day. I didn't want to compromise my right knee just for this. So I am monitoring myself as I go. Though Wed, I went to JB and did a lot of walking - railway way. Slapping on a lot of medicated salve to the sore areas.

Think the sore muscles are mostly gone today, left a bit of ache in the right knee. I shall see if I can change my attacks to use less of my right but instead use the left leg. If still sore, I shall rest it more.

Though my weighing scale didn't go lower than 80kg... maintaining there. I hope with the added KM sessions, can make it go down. I realised I have shrunk in volume size a little. Last time I wore L-sized t-shirts and it was like wrapping up snugly against my arms, shoulders, stomach. Not comfortable to be so fitting with so much flab and I opted for XL t-shirts. Now it is actually a looser. So I can now go back to L-size, hoping to go back to my M-size. Jiayou...

New Phone:

My Note2 old phone which has served me almost 4 years, died despite resuscitation on my return journey last Sat after KM. I thought it was the batteries flat. But when I went home and charged up all the batteries and yet when I put in, screen didn't even come up... it died. It must have listed itself under a DNR list cos despite everything, nothing works. I lost a bit of very recent photos, contacts, even my games cos I dunno what ID they were linked to... omg, no more games for me. Maybe a sign to go play PS console instead. Or to do more useful stuff like look for a job or workout...

So I lamented the demise of my phone until Monday then I went with my Mom next door to get a new one. My mom also got a new one. As she is an extremely light user, she got the Gold HwaWei Y6. It had 2GB ram and 16GB memory. It is cheap (but later I saw in Woodlands, even much cheaper but don't expect my mom to go all the way there).

For myself I didn't want to end up paying $800-$900 for a normal phone with 4GB ram and 64Gb memory. My contract is up in May 2017, so I was thinking to conserve some monies by getting a mid-range phone. Looking around while the lady showed my mom the functions for the Y6, I saw this Oppo F1s model that was exactly in the middle with 3GB ram and 32GB memory. Plus I had my own 32GB sim memory. And the price was halved of the normal phones with 2 years guarantee, so I got that instead. Mine is rose-gold and good thing was it came with a cover. Got the tapered glass for $5 cos we buying phones so cheaper instead of $10. It is very like a Samsung phone, in fact the interface is so close with extra features that made it much better than my very ancient Note2, of course. I can finally download Pokemon but no kick liao. These few days, all the running around and KM revisions made me too sore to go out walking and catching pokemons. I am poorer again... hardly made enough from the part-time tuition to even afford this phone.
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I do hope my unemployment status can be rectified soon enough. Frankly at this point, I have no idea how to get myself out of this situation. It progressed to this stage due to the various causes and I am dealing with the consequences alone. I hope to reach the point sometime in the future, when I can look back on this period of time and actually say to myself that it was okay to do what I did. As I had confided in Krynnder that I am not at that point yet. She advised me to be hopeful and positive. I also understand that nothing will change unless I make the moves to change things. As hard, as procrastinating as I am, as much as I fear and as lazy, I am making some moves. Still not at full momentum, but I am moving. Can only hope things will somehow work out in the long run.

Updates

For the past 3 weeks, been trying to do several things,

mainly I was cleaning and tidying up part of the living room and also clearing more of my Dad's books in my room and also some of my own stuff to make it less cluttered. Apparently an untidy messy home would invite roaming spirits to come and settle in cos its so messy and dark and they have dark corners to hide at.

It took quite a lot of effort to bundle up even more books, bring to recycle bins downstairs. Tidied up the things to donate to Salvation Army, taken so far 5 trips via bus, as I went out and made a quick stop along the journey. I didn't know where I found the stamina to do so. Lugging two big heavy bags to the bus stop, take bus, deposit and come back home over 5 separate days. Two of those trips, involving a big ass painting, and some dui-lian (chinese style 4 blocks displays) and art stuff. I did the same, carry to the bus stop, get up the bus, drop off and deposit and go along my way.

But there was a pile of papers and photos and stuff in the room still. Mainly Dad's that took me longer to clear cos by then ran out of steam and momentum. Starting at the tuition part-time and doing relief meant I was out three days a week for two consecutive weeks. Struggling there. The discomfort and struggle made me search for jobs more and I sent out a couple of resume and cvs. Then stalled.

I headed over to JB, my first was two weeks back but the bus queue was jam-packed and I was in the yellow queue that was unmoving, so I gave up after waiting for twenty mins. I decided to head back this week but go straight to the railway way link and instead walk over to the customs. That way, I can cut out one of the two bus journeys and hence avoid one bottleneck. I had to go to JB mainly to do banking - dormant accounts my own, I closed and consolidate into one main personal account. The other was to get 2 working tops that are for interviews. I can't fit into my old working clothes, especially the formal wear. So with the pants I have borrowed and one of my own, I needed the top. Since I have some RM on me and didn't want to pay SG prices and struggle with the sizes, I decided to try my luck first in JB.

So the second trip on Monday went smoothly. I followed the plan and the crowd walking over via the railway was so much much thinner and I reached the customs and cleared in 5mins. Headed to board the only one bus journey. Hopped on the yellow bus then cos there were a few and paid RM$3 for it. Got to CitySquare much faster. I have discovered a new and faster way to avoid the crowd but this is only for those who can walk. Elderly cannot do this way. I managed to buy my two tops, one from Dorothy Perkins (S$60) and a top and a jacket from H&M (S$80). Now I need to get myself interviewed...

Then I applied for a couple more jobs. Still saw some and haven't applied yet. Thinking of the customised cover letter is the time-consuming part. Also the requirements of the job and also the skills. The rest is be diligent and patient.
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On the stock market front, it took me forever and such a big prolonged dip then I finally decided to take losses and cleared out 2 lousy counters at a massive loss. Then my portfolio is now healthier looking. I am not sure how to make back the losses, cos of my unemployment status, so I have to keep the lessons learnt in mind and take it as a business loss and remember the mantra: the first cut-loss is the smallest. And also avoid the Msia stock market. Cannot make it.

Distant Worlds Concert: 7 years since the first one

I was surfing the internet aimlessly before and remembered that Distant World has a website that notifies and shows the dates and performance venues for upcoming concerts. When I first checked then, there wasn't any Sg concerts yet. What I saw instead of was the Kingdom Heart concert in Sg. Excited cos it has been 7 years since the last video-game one. Yes that long a time. There was a piano final fantasy one but it was only for one-night and sold out long ago. That was what prompted me to look at that website for information way in advance. So despite being an unemployment statistic, I decided to spend on the concert. So with Quet cos Tab couldn't make it on a Sunday as she had to wake early. Better seats left on Sunday though we booked rather early. The composer of Kingdom Heart is the top female game music composer Yoko Shimomura. She also is the composer of FFXV. I love her Legend of Mana main theme. Very different yet distinct style compared to Uematsu Nobuo.

So shortly after, saw the news on the same webpage that FF Distant World is returning to sg and another #takemymoneygladly moment, bought the tickets with the help of Quet, who logged in early in the morning to secure seats. For me, it is worth it, cos I hardly am interested in any concerts except for these series so attending concerts are few and far inbetween. Worthwhile to do something with my time and money, also revisit a part of my youth and the music that saved me. The music gave me the courage and healed me and I have moved on forward. Hope it grants me more courage and strength through my current stage.

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Dec 3rd, 2016 (Sat)

The concert venue was at Star Vista Performing Theatre but both of us felt the acoustics of the sound system is not as pro as the Esplanade. Wished that they held the concert in Esplanade like the first one. We met up earlier and had a nice meal of pork ramen. Except for the glitch when heading up to the seats where they stopped the concert-goers at the 5th floor for 10mins, and that caused delay and the rude female usher to Quet, about deleting the photo she took of the empty stage backdrop with tickets, the rest was good.

The rude encounter almost spoilt the mood but Roth, the conductor came on and after the first introd tune of FF, he would speak into the mike and address the audience to let us know the next 1-2 songs, adding in reasons for the song choice, information, adding in his personality and thoughts into the address. He had a real nice voice and personality that comes through as he spoke. We soon forgot anything else unpleasant. Earlier during the first or second, I had to shush a young lady who was discussing with her friend about the games to update her friend, who didn't know all the FF series cos the songs spanned the entire series. Luckily she got it and kept quiet. Much better enjoyment. I didn't pay $139 to listen to lowered voices discussing in the background. 

I really love the FFIX music yet with Spotify, I haven't looked for it much cos I was listening to the vocal songs of FF and FF9 with the Melodies of Life felt a bit weaker to the dramatic songs of Susan Calloway with songs such as Distant World, Answers and Dragonsong and Rikki for the japanese love song Suteki Da Ne that in my opinion outshone Eyes On Me. But I was super touched when they play 2 tunes of FF9 that were my all-time favorite - Roses of May and Not Alone. I immediately recognise the tunes though I wasn't as familiar with the names. It made me take out my entire CD collection of FF with the aim to relisten to them.

Rikki, the original vocalist for Suteki Da Ne, made a special appearance in Sg. Such a treat, cos the last concert it was Mr Uematsu Nobuo and this time it is her. Still amazed by her vocals though the mike echo and setting cannot make it. What a shame. 

We were also treated to the remake of the FFVII opening bombing theme and it was so impactful. I think I need to set up another cup to save for PS Vista and the game before then. We also had a mass photo of all the audience wearing the masks of the FFXV main characters. Then another treat was the premiere performance of FFXV Apocalyptic Noctis (by Yoko Shimomura) very very dramatic and strong.

Encore was One Wing Angel - and all the audience have to sing the Sep-hi-roth part. Had to do practice and then they perform. Very memorable concert. 

So we diligently queued to buy the merchandise. I was more interested in the soundtracks - not so much the Distant world CDs but more of the series soundtrack. So I bought FFX (which I realised later I have but was a Taiwan version vs the now Jap version I bought) and FFXIV which is one I don't have but is a blue-ray discs... so can try to listen with Quet's player. I think until I have a PS Vista (which is a blue-ray reader), I have to do that. Dunno if can rip into mp3 but would lose the definition. Oh well, bo bian. So another $110 poorer. I reckon they can keep me going for more years. This concert is worth going to. Hope it will go back to Esplanade if it ever comes again.

I will recheck my entire discs collection to avoid another repeat for the Kingdom Heart concert. Still a distant in May next year. Hope by then I am more settled. 

Source: http://www.ffdistantworlds.com/program

FINAL FANTASY SERIES: Main Theme, Swing de Chocobo, Chocobo Medley 2010, Prelude, Victory Theme, Battle & Victory Theme Medley, Chocobo Medley 2012, Battle Medley I-XIV

FINAL FANTASY I-III: Medley 2002, Medley 2010

FINAL FANTASY III: DS Opening

FINAL FANTASY IV: Theme of Love, Battle with The Four Fiends

FINAL FANTASY V: Dear Friends, Clash on the Big Bridge, Main Theme

FINAL FANTASY VI: Dancing Mad, Opera "Maria and Draco", Terra's Theme, Phantom Forest, Character Theme Medley, Balance Is Restored, Dark World featuring soloists Nobuo Uematsu, keyboards, and Arnie Roth, violin

FINAL FANTASY VII: One-Winged Angel, Opening - Bombing Mission, Aerith's Theme, Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII, JENOVA, Those Who Fight (Let the Battles Begin), JENOVA COMPLETE

FINAL FANTASY VIII: Liberi Fatali, Fisherman's Horizon, Love Grows, Don't be Afraid, The Man With The Machine Gun, Eyes on Me, Balamb GARDEN ~ Ami

FINAL FANTASY IX: Vamo' alla Flamenco, Prima Vista, A Place to Call Home - Melodies of Life, Not Alone, Unrequited Love, Festival of the Hunt, Roses of May

FINAL FANTASY X: Zanarkand, Suteki da ne, Hymn of the Fayth, Hymn of the Fayth - The Sending Suite

FINAL FANTASY XI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds, Ronfaure, Vana' diel March Medley, Fighter of the Crystal

FINAL FANTASY XII: Kiss Me Goodbye, The Dalmasca Estersand

FINAL FANTASY XIII: The Promise, Fang's Theme, Saber’s Edge, March of the Dreadnoughts, Fabula Nova Crystallis, Blinded by Light

Lightning Returns: FINAL FANTASY XIII: Light Eternal

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Twilight Over Thanalan, Beneath Bloodied Banners, Primal Judgment, Answers, Navigator's Glory - The Theme of Limsa Lominsa, Torn From The Heavens

Taiwan trip 4th - 14 days loop

From the previous post, I finished up the excel file for the Third Aunt's lawyer and also poured away the entire remaining stash of Dad's old cheap wine, all in 47 bottles in one shot. It took me a while to do so for both and they were another one of those things you did once in your life and kinda remembered it for life cos it wasn't a fun thing to do.
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Taiwan trip 4th one so far, my second one this year, second time going out of Taipei to the various cities. This time more members cos the sinseh brought along his eldest daughter and my youngest sister also came along. So it is 6 pax instead of the previous 4. A new driver cos the previous one retired after his injuries. He had wanted to fetch us for this trip but the subsequent injuries put a stop to this and he retired.

We did put in a few conditions to mainly cater to my youngest sister who had to have enough time to stay in the hotel to do her dialysis. So we limited to 3 spots max. Wanting to go to those better spots instead of those "wtf?" small and 'duh' spots which Taiwan has quite a bit of. Cos in lesser developed cities and areas, their attractions can be really duh and you kinda of wondered why you ever came. There were fewer this trip but still some.

Tai Chung:

Straight off from the plane, we met up with the driver and had our dinner after half hour drive. After dinner, we continued on for 3 hours plus to reach Tai Chung (Feng Jia), our base area for 4 nights. The worst mingsu of the entire trip, our room was decent but the other room had no hot water. Complain and only after 2 days then change a room for them. Good thing was it was nearer to the Feng Jia night market where we revisited the Taiwanese oden that the elderly like a lot.

Day 2 - We drove out to Nantou. The Xitou Monster Village which is themed after the Japanese monsters myths. I read the review wasn't good and didn't expect to head there. It was okay for a single visit. There are lots to work on. I was happier going to the 7-Eleven and my sisters were busy playing the doll-catchers. One thing caught my eye - the inflatable 1000-tonnes hammer. Once I saw it, I decided I would buy it for Tab before we left. It was 100NT, so quite cheap for a few lame jokes, future cosplay. My mom and the sinseh enjoyed looking at the wet market section and bought fresh persimmon fruits which were super sweet though messy to eat. Nothing much to do in this so-called monster village. I feel it has yet to be fully developed. Think of it like some shops selling food, souvenirs somewhat loosely related to monster theme and some statues here and there. Performance wasnt much too. But I was glad to have bought that hammer.

Second place was Che Cheng, a old train yard, very big that is converted to an open space with some retail and some old trains. It was hot and sunny and I hid at the retail section. Think it is not worth going. It doesnt offer much except the 7-eleven was nice. I sat outside nursing a cold drink after going around a bit.

Lastly we headed to JiJi old street, which is like a very old train station in a small old street. Nothing exceptional, I just help spot out for those nickle presses for sister and the sinseh's daughter. They always make a bee-line for those. I help to provide an ever-ready supply of 10NT coins. Nothing much and we headed back in the evening.

The elderly and Geoky stayed back in the minsu while we go out to dabao dinner. Had to take orders and walk to the FengJia night market nearby. This time we stayed closer to the night market. This arrangement continued for 4 nights. I ate different food and actually less fried food than the previous trip. But I still had to help finish extra food and those cost me my waistline and my weight... sigh

Day 3 - We headed to the main headquarter of Paper Carton King. Had to pay an admission and go to every area to collect a stamp to exchange for a small gift. Verdict, it wasn't impressive to see more of the about the same Paper Carton King figures, same for other outlets except it had a dining, drinking and retail section as opposed to smaller outlets. I had my own fun when I saw the squirrel enclosure they had inside and managed to use the bird-seeds on the table (someone left there) and hand-fed an adult squirrel. The squirrel tail is really long and bushy. We had a drink inside then it was close to noon.

We were brought to Zhong Se Hua Hai (a govt run flower open park) There is a super big hawker center and we hid inside eating different food bought from different stalls. Not very good. The elderly and weaker decided to hide away from the sun. The three of us went to the flowers and took pics. Super sunny. It's Nov but Taiwan was hot and sunny. After an hour, we went back to the food center and also stopped at the small farmer's market. I bought an entire foot long sponge for 100NT. Not entirely impressed by the flower park. Flowers were not as diverse nor as big compared to those sea of sunflowers, tulips abroad.

Then we were driven to the Windmill area. Basically giant towers of wind mills generating energy. A small area where can see the line of windmills. Can see the devastation of the previous typhoon, some were severely damaged. The sun was setting around 5pm during the winter months and tried to make the best of these 'not-fun' locations by at least exploring and taking pics.

Day 4 - We headed off to Wen Wu Temple in the Sun Moon Lake area. This part was ok cos it was familiar and did enjoy this area from the previous trip. Did the coin lot and for my job-search, not good... I didn't need a lot to tell me that with the current economic climate. Sigh... I put in a small donation and went to the retail beside. A pair of Shisa (stone lions) caught my eyes. There were green, blue and orange but the orange ones look cute and cheerful. Bought the smaller version of it and happily left.

At Ita Shao village, we bought a lot from a particular shop we patronised the other time. Left with a bunch of those wooden massage blocks and big bottles of citronella oil. I bought a bunch more to give to friends. We all tend to suffer from aches so a good massage block seems more useful. We revisited the 3 main streets of Ita Shao showing my sis and the sinseh's daughter around. Had an ice cream cone for the heat. I bought 5 bottles of Xiao Mi Jiu at a shot and my sis took 2 and mom took one. These were the 4% ones I bought last time, with a lot of enzymes at the bottom.

We headed to the nearby town of Puli, to the wine factory which turned out to be a small exhibition area with various vendors selling different wine/alcohol products. I bought a pack of two Jiu Dan (Shao xing wine poached eggs) and I ate them a few days later and it was good. The fragrance of the Chinese spirit penetrated through to the yolk and yet the hardboiled egg wasn't overdone. Yolk was still soft. Nothing much there.

The last place was a Guang Xin Paper maker, which I didn't feel like paying to attend the small talk about paper. So I accompanied the sinseh at the resting area to wait. They came over after 40mins and redeemed their tix for a drink. Basically its hand-made paper and making paper fans or prints which they didn't feel like paying extra to do. I sat there and stone until they came.

Day 5: We headed to LuShan and left the same minsu and shifted to a new area. First was to Cing Jing and let those who didn't experience to go to the Cing Jing Grassland. I stayed outside at the food area, happily eating my pork sausage with wasabi and salad. It was good but I didn't feel up for two of it. Waited until the 3 of them came out.

We left to the opposite mountain, Lu Shan which is lower altitude than Cing Jing but has hot springs. We were early and couldn't check-in, so driver told us to go to this spring to boil eggs. But he didn't want to drive and wanted us to walk. It was quite far for the elderly and half way, they decided they don't want to go. The driver walked to his van and drove over to pick up the elderly, while the rest of us walked up the incline slope to first reach the hanging bridge. Then after a while of photos, we walked a further distance inside to find the small spring (a worn-looking sink that has boiling water) and bought a bag of eggs to hang inside that sink and chatted for 20mins waiting. Then brought the eggs back to the van for the elderly. Not great but the air was fresh though not as cool as Cing Jing was.

We had dinner at a tiny street area nearby and I bought more Xiao Mi Jiu (12%) ones that were cheaper than the Ita Shao's and fresh persimmons. Tried to enjoy myself by soaking in the hot spring later on that evening. I even took a soak the next morning before we left.

Things were hectic (cos driver keep setting us to leave at 8.30am so it meant waking at 7-7.30am) and sleep very disruptive for me (cos my sis had to do her treatment every 4-6 hours especially downtime in the hotel. I just put up with it and stayed at my bed area and occupy the least space I could. I purposely don't nap during the journey and only sleep at night. Almost all nights, I slept like a log.

Day 6: Changing minsu again, we shifted to Ali Shan, staying overnight at one of the villages on the top. It got cooler as we drove up. A short stopover at the Fu Qi trees, which were just two big charred broken trees, we saw the mountain bird. Can't remember the name but it wasn't afraid of humans and hung around as we whistled to it. Then we reached the Ali Shan part, the temperature was 10 degrees. Surprisingly I could do with just my t-shirt and baggy pants. Didn't need a jacket nor scarf nor gloves though I packed them along. So I walked around the entire village being stared at by people cos I was the only one without any cold wear on. The rest of the family were all wrapped up.

The elderly hid in the rooms and the usual three of us went out to dabao, convenience food from 7-eleven for dinner. We had a sumptuous lunch earlier, but we are considered small eaters for the portions they give. So even at night, when temperature reached 9 degrees, I was still in the same t-shirt and baggy pants. Ate a bacon cream pasta and had warm ginger tea. Just explored the entire village, cos though we could take shuttle buses to another village, but it was already getting dark and the bus services would stop in another hour. Not enough time to explore or risk being trapped in another village in the dark and having to walk the roads in darkness. Not worth it, so just walked about the village then returned back to the rooms. Slept with heating elements on the bed and thick blankets. I was ok in the cold but my mom and sis were quite miserable with the cold.

Day 7: We spent about 2 hours at the Jigong temple in Ali Shan to give thanks, later explore the small market place outside. Bought more of this very effective medicine called Yi Tiao Gen (one vein).

The usual three of us paid for admission inside this Jia Yi movie set place. It was really disappointingly dilapidated and not well maintained. So little to see and do, just very old movie sets. Did the best we could and took some silly shots here and there. Don't ever consider going there. There are better things to do with your life.

We reached Kao Shiung for the night and later driver drove us out to the Liu He night market to dabao food back for the rest. We could only walk nearby the hotel after dinner, and found a supermarket, which offered a different selection of items than convenience shops. Bought a box of tea bags.

Day 8: We went to another Jigong temple in Kao Shiung. There is a gigantic Jigong statue outside it. Stayed a while then we set off to Ping Tung. Went to the Aborigine cultural village entrance and paid to walk their Rainbow bridge. It was a long bridge but under the hot sun, not a whole lot of fun. Also paid for admission into the Aborigine village. Took the shuttle tram to watch the performance. But we were an hour early and nothing to do. So hid inside an exhibition area nearby that was rather small, you finish in 5mins. The performance was good, about 45 mins but leaving to try to reach the entrance. Had to squeeze with a large crowd to board the very slow frequency tram that can only seat limited. Took another 45mins to finally leave the village. Man, not worth it. By then I was mentally tired.

We headed for a long drive to reach Keng Ding, we reached before nightfall. The setting sun when we saw the long beaches was beautiful. Finally we reached our minsu which was just 2mins away from the night market. Again we were tasked to buy food for the elderly. 4 of us walked the very long stretch of road full of stalls. The good part was there was fresh sashimi. So I was very excited to eat my first Jap sashimi in Taiwan. Been there 4 times but never ate. I bought 10 thick slices of salmon sashimi for 200NT. Yumz, not the ultimate freshest but much much better than the cheaper grade in sg. My sis couldn't finish hers and I ate 14 slices in total. The room was spacious and nicely decorated. Our room had an entire wall cabinet of alcohol (mini) bottles lining every space and covered by glass and of course locked. I had a big queen bed to myself. Just too bad couldn't sleep late cos daily, set off at 8.30am... mostly. End up sleeping out of exhaustion.

Day 9: We set off for Hua Lian from Keng Ding and it was a long drive. We did go to the San Xian Tai, a worthwhile spot to go. There is a big pebble beach, the entire beach are pebbles, large and small. Then there is an arch bridge that has 8 arches linking to an islet. The three of us walked over the arch bridge and reached the islet and there is another long but flat path towards the main rock formation. We walked until the very end and it really looks beautiful but we were f*cked on the return journey cos so far away and also so many steps at the arch bridge back to the meeting point. Super roasted under the sunny weather. We set off to Hua Lian and stayed at this super luxurious minsu. The owner is a retired official and his minsu is really luxurious and the land is very good. Imagine, the back of the house is clear view of the Tarako mountains with very fresh air, yet quiet and still in the suburbs. We dabaoed food from the night market. The owner treated us to the Mango Shandy, super super super ultimate nice.

Day 10: We went to the Taraoko park and stayed there to watch about the Taiya tribe. Enjoy the fresh air. I had my first Yuzu tea. Delicious. Then we drove through the Taraoko range, that super most dangerous highway again. At least it was during the daytime and could see the view. Took a long while and we reached Yilan. The Yilan minsu had hot spring water, so I did another two soaking. Our rooms were joint and there was a separate bedroom suspended at the loft, with stairs that I slept up in. Walked to the nearby shops to find food, found some for the family and dabao back. I couldn't find the Mango shandy but I found another two flavors - grapes and pineapple, which paled in comparison with the Mango one.

We went to a hot spring area called Qing Shui Di Re, a much bigger and scenic looking area made for people to cook the food with the hot spring water. It was developed by the Japanese and numerous many cherry blossom trees lined the area, except they were bare in Nov. Imagine how it would look in spring. We had a relaxing time - boiling eggs and corn in the hot spring water and chilling in the cooler spring water then eating there in the late morning. Nice view, fresh air.

Then we went to the San Xin spring onions field at a grower that does DIY spring onion pie. So we paid and sat through a lesson kneading the doughball given and following the steps to make this twirl that is filled with San Xin spring onions and made into a circular disk that is fried for us and we can happily eat our own spring onion roll. This was a good experience.

We also revisited Ya Dian - a confection maker and I bought 2 rolls of the Japanese style kway lapis but much lighter, fluffier and less greasy. Had a 3 scoops sorbet ice cream with two doryoyaki making up the three piglets design. But nobody wanted to eat so I ate the entire thing. Man... dessert quota filled.

We left and reached Taipei in the late afternoon and checked into the minsu, it is very near to Ximending, my area. So we dabaoed food for the elderly and then I brought the other two exploring. First I showed them the sports arcade and we played until we worked up a big appetite. At first was too full from lunch. But after all the exertion in the very activity based arcade, playing games like basketball shooting, cycling, skipping. Got my sis to try out the indoor baseball and also shooting. Spent more than an hour inside. Then I showed them where the Modern Toilet restaurant was, in case the following evening, they wanted to go. On the way back, I saw the stall that sold the cheaper Angry bird plushies that time I went with my sis to Taiwan. Basically this stall sells the plushies at the cheapest in Ximending. This time it was pouches and some plushies. I bought two pouches for myself - a pokemon and a Totoro one. Started using immediately to put my wallet, phone, common wallet and coins. Worth the 100NT. My sister and the sinseh's daughter bought a whole bunch and I asked and gave further a bit of small discount for them.

Day 11: Then we headed to Shifen waterfall, I stayed at the front part, didn't walk in. Accompanied the elderly. Ok not great. Then we went to the Shifen old street. Finally walked it properly cos I was sickly the last time we came and didn't walk about.

We ate some food not spectacular and went to Jiu Fen. It was still very crowded during a weekday. The elders couldn't walk and stayed at the seats. We walked in the covered walkway. I found the Ocarina shop and bought Tab's request after checking carefully for cracks and flaws. Bought a small dark blue traditional one for myself. Didn't reach the tea house, didn't walk all the way through. We stopped and sat and eat the famous Sweet Potato Balls from the grandma stall. Then headed back out. While walking out, I saw the small soot ball plushie key chain, it was only 50NT and bought it. At least feel more 'Spirited Away' with it. Nice cute match to my Totoro pouch.

We were brought to the HouTou cat village entrance but nobody wanted to walk inside to see cats. We were brought to this confectioner to buy some sun cakes etc. I found the tastes too fine for my liking. Also pricier. My mom and sis bought a bunch and it was wrapped up in a box.

So we headed back to the hotel. With the extra time on hand, I brought the usual to the Taipei Central rail station underground mall. Then my sis needed to go to Q-square to buy some branded shoes that are cheaper in Taiwan at a mall nearby and we walked kilometres underground. Then underground parts have expanded hugely. Then at the supermarket, I bought two small boxes of teabags cos running low on luggage space. We rushed back to Ximending so the sinseh's daughter can buy a particular brand of pineapple tarts from this brand call Kubo Vigor which my entire family found to be ordinary in the last visit. I brought my sis to visit one of the confectioners that I previously bought from. She bought another box of sun cakes and they were cheaper and more pieces per box. I still prefer the taste, after trying it out.

Then the three of us went to the Modern Toilet to eat our dinner. First time for them both and they had fun taking toilet pics. Then we returned back for the night.

Day 13: We headed out to Sheng Keng Toufu street and stayed a surprisingly long 2 plus hours. Helped bought the cute cat shoes but unfortunately Taiwan shoe sizes were slimmer and smaller... I ate 2 of the smelly tofu. We waited until the stall open and bought a whole bunch. My lunch was grilled smelly tofu with different pickled toppings.

We headed out to Dan Shui old street and I am still underwhelmed by it. Walked the wharf and bought ginger tea. The Yu Ren fisherman wharf is also underwhelming, except we ate an entire meal of sea food that consists of crayfish, lala, clams and abalone. Not my cup of tea. I prefer sashimi instead of these clams. I wasn't in a very good mood cos I tio my sun allergy and already suffered for two days the pain. Won't go these few uneventful places ever.

That night we had a massive laundry washing and drying. I spied a small pasta stall, near our hotel while looking for coin laundry. Dabaoed that for my sis and myself. Also managed to buy more Mango shandy from Family mart. Strange that 7-Eleven just don't carry the mango but can find exclusively in Family mart. Had a delicious and cheap clam pasta dinner (70NT) with Mango shandy (37NT). Happiness and bliss can just be simply so in simple things (merely S$4.90)

Last day I was glad to be back cos it was exhausting by then. The early mornings and travelling and walking about had taken its toll. We flew back on a Kitty flight. My lower calorie special order meal was good - good old chicken breast meat with vegetables. Kept the plastic utensils. Now dunno what to do with them.

This time I spent S$888 for spending monies. Lower than before excluding air fare, insurance, driver and accommodation of S$1,630. Total is $2.5k, half of a Japan trip?

No Octobeer nor Halloween this year - blind boxes instead

Coming out from Muar kinda made me lose track of some stuff that I had in mind to do, to remember. I came back with more 'legal and accounting' homework. I did do up the accounts in Excel file. Then later that night, I did some manual calculations on paper which I haven't transferred into Excel format yet. I was rushing to do it out then my mom told me it can wait, so my progress slowed. I shall try to finish up the Excel files before I fly.

Then got other stuff taking up the time:
Going for KM, going out meet friends, going out to visit, errands to run, settling monies for upcoming trip.

Things to do:

I have to pour away another 2 container cases full of cheap wine. I poured like 15 bottles in one night and didn't continue. Still have 2 cases. Let me also pour them away before I fly.

Going to start the packing of the travel luggage on Wed. Don't like last minute packing and I am trying to bring minimal though the weather is cold, maybe coldest is 12 degrees? Good thing is alcohol is cheap. If needed, I can always get a pre-mixed bottle at any convenience shop.

Tidy up my Dad's files and put them away until needed. They are taking up my limited space in the room. Hope to go back to my small space enough for exercise on the floor. Now it has become so cluttered, there is barely space.


Fun stuff:

Nothing much. Met up with Tab on Monday, which incidentally is the actual Halloween (but a school holiday due to the Deepavali weekend). We met up in Nex, partly to get food there, for me to return library comics and borrow more and also to get the Blind boxes. I was aiming for one Kidrobot Yummy World vinyl figure and Tab was keen to get more Pusheen. A pity that the Pusheen plushies that were at the gift shop were gone. In my visit, I saw the surprise boxes and was tempted too.

We bought ours and headed to the Graffiti cafe to eat wanton mee and wantons. Updated with regards to the 'Game of Throne' and how I've realised that at least my Mom and I were more naive and honest people... that we don't look at others with schemes. I think I rather remain as I am.

After that we bought some grocery and went to Tab's place. Helped her film another Unboxing video and vice-versa. I got another fish-related item. I got a Sushi (more Ebi than Salmon) though the color kept making me think it's salmon instead of prawn. With the cute prawn tail, it was bullied immensely by Tab's numerous Pusheens. There's the big one, the medium Sherlock, and the three small ones. All bully the poor sushi. The name on the Kidrobot site is Eri Ebi, a boy. Sounds funky. So that's our Halloween this year of 2016. A rather mild year compared to previous pictures from years ago - not that we did anything crazy but more dressed-up. One with the full make-up (but slimmer figure then) and the masked one with Haagen Dazs ice cream as the saviour. Did make myself two drinks - Rootbeer gentleman whisky and oishi lemon tea with lemoncello.

Updates - many aspects

Many things are happening and a lot which I have to deal with. A lot of the issues are on-going and more keep popping up just when finally things are seemingly clearing up. All due to family ties and for money.

Irritation and frustration on my end. Sadness on my part, as this is what family ties amounts to - dollars and cents, lack of integrity and honesty.

Why am I the one having to do the "cleaning up" and then have to clean up again when things get messed up?

Once again, isn't this a common recurring issue amongst families?

Let me focus on some other things in my own life instead of dwelling upon the fact that my time and energies are mostly taken up by all the family issues and stuff to settle.
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I resumed KM once a week, Sat class so far. Despite some shitty stuff at the sparring. I sms the instructor that I will sit out the sparring after a few sessions of it. So far they changed things to exclude the sparring. Then I get my fitness trashed into me through doing the intensive work-out, think I have gotten a bit fitter, though not any trimmer yet. But strong enough to survive the aerobics parts and don't suffer any aches that lasts for several days. This to me is a sign of my old levels of fitness. I still have to work on my weight and fitness more.
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My sis told me about the HPB (health promotion board) app and contest for SG, whereby you log in 10,000 steps daily and win vouchers and money. My old phone cant use the pedometer app assigned. I signed to get the free pedometer at a allocated timing after the Taiwan trip. Ironically I definitely hit more than 10,000 steps everyday during that 2 weeks that I have Quet's corporate phone catching pokemons.

That was an interesting time, like keep going out jalaning and tracking pokemons. I had a few interesting pokemon stories to add to the list so far. Laying in wait around the Alexandra office area, climbing up Mt Faber via small road, getting a ride offer from an uncle, Dragonite catching with my bags of food on the bus home. My sis asked me if it was fine for me to do this, like so aimless and useless. I told her it is the calm before the storm from "Game of Throne", so enjoy it while it lasts. How very very true indeed. These recent episodes are shittier than the previous ones.
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With the 1-for-1 offer from Starbucks, I am very into Hojicha frappacino ice than Matcha nowadays. So my sister treated me once. I treated her back. Decided to keep one of the cups. Using it as my container for cash. Remembering what Tab joked about me and my delayed delayed trip to Japan, I took her joke and put a 'Japan Trip Funds' and used that as my piggy bank to save up for Japan. I had a small cup of $1 coins I have been putting aside just out of habit. 

Then I have some notes returned to me from leftover Dad's 1st anniversary (cos I accumulated all my small 4D winnings to a sum and passed over to Mom to use for the anniversary expenses, excluding the memorial orbuitary) So the remaining notes returned to me, and I threw inside. Had a few tens returned for me using my own cash to photocopy all the docs and stuff. Also threw in. Maybe I will soon have enough for the air ticket, about $670 range. Still have hotel, transport, travel insurance, spending money, some splurges (fresh sashimi from Tsukiji, FF stuff, one onsen with kaiseki dinner) Will work towards the goal of $6k, have a 3-weeks solo trip. 

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Been to Quet's place a few times. During her two weeks abroad, Tab and I headed there once. It was during the typical exam period so Tab was marking instead of playing the piano. She listened to my updates about the "Game of Throne" things happening then. I was telling her the story while sweeping the floor, then went over once more with the wet wipe, much cleaner. I dabaoed a nice rojak as a snack then we ate western food with Alger joining in later. We didn't go back until Quet came back.

These 2 weeks, cos Tab had volunteered herself to play a piece in her violin school's recital. Her teacher was too ABRSM trained to play the piano accompaniment, so pulled Quet in. Interesting. I jio myself along when they meet up to practice. Use as an excuse to pop over and catch up. We ate out later or dabao in. Talk and catch up about the happenings then they warm up and practice, I sit and watch TV, catch pokemon or massage in the chair. I don't mind. Need to relax more, do more sane things instead of dealing with things at home constantly. I consider it a safe refuge to be human again. 

So after 2 practice sessions, from the sounds of it, a little bit better. Still got some clashes and timing issue, definitely common performance issues all performers face. More practice will solve that. In the meantime, more relaxing time for me.

Though another funny thought pops into my mind when I first heard Tab's first practice was, "I seriously need to push back the day Tab can play either the violin part for Suteki Desu Ne (FFX love song) or Chrono Cross (starting theme), until my deathbed." We joked that maybe she won't reach that standard and then while she was playing at my deathbed, I died earlier in hopes to escape the playing.

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Quet helped me to buy a vinyl record player from London. In the interesting WhatsApp conversation between us at 3am sg time, it turned from a Lenco-85 to the Audio-technica LP60USB. It turned from a small compact box to a much bigger square box that she hand-carried back to SG. She was telling us how she managed to pass all the strict customs for the hand-carry. Another epic story to add on to our adventures. Nowadays there are Blue-tooth record players to link up wirelessly with more advance speakers. But not my household, we still very wired. 

I set it up and it can play my Mom's old records. It works well and the sound quality is very good when connected to a much higher quality speaker. It sounded like a 'live' concert cos the instrument sounds sharper and richer, at least to my ears. I find myself happily listening. Though depending on the condition of the record, there may be jarring or skips if the grooves were affected by dirt, scratches, mold etc. 

But my mom's records are dusty and some a bit of mold so I only clean and tried on 2 records, one of which is the BoneyM record with my favourite track, Rasputin. If I can find clean record sleeves, might consider cos have to clean up 2 cases of records. 

It was a different but amusing experience to have this funny set-up. I had the grand chore of looking through the Second Uncle's excel files in detail. So I set up the record player to test it playing through an entire record, both sides A & B. Then cos it was at night, I connected it to my own lower-end speaker and then connected a pair of earphones to listen. So it was like listening to a giant-sized CD player, except there is no repeat, or skip button. You have to lift the stylus, then position over the different grooves that indicates the song. It goes from outside in, so first song is the outer most rim. There are obvious grooves height to differentiate the different songs. Max of 5 on each side of the record, at least for the BoneyM record. Happily rocking to the grooves of Rasputin to power through the unpleasant task of eye-balling and understanding the excel files. 

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Taichi may start after the Taiwan trip. It is like $30 for 3 months. Maybe joining the one near my sis's place if I can't find anything decent in Clementi itself. 

Think I might go swimming in the evenings if I am not working. Need to get some goggles and a new swim suit. See how things go.

Also need to go shopping for new interview clothes. Think I cannot fit into my older clothes. I will look through my wardrobe once I come out from this Muar trip. 

So far I try to control and be more aware of everything I am eating. Lost 1kg from my highest max of 80kg... Man how did weight go so high. Since it wasn't all gained in one day, it can't be lost in one day too. 

At least a small victory is I have gotten stronger, at least on the pull-up bar. Though I feel my weight and can't hang as long as when I was 76kg... I can now twist my legs upwards til very close to the bar and sometimes touching my hands. 

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I miss my simpler life. My happiest and freest moments were ironically during my first solo Bangkok trip. At least they were the happiest in 2015 I remembered before my vacation ended in Aug, and the things started in Sept. Then my life paused completely. It's almost a year to the day of my no-pay leave. 

As unsure as I am about things, I will start to apply for jobs very soon. I am no fan of interviews and definitely will have quite a few wasted ones before anything might work out. As sian as those can be. I will have to face them and do it. 

Give me the courage to face the fears and move forward. 

The grit to persevere and move on. 

The heart to be strong mentally against the negativism.

The spirit to be free and be happy still.

  

Last ditch diet changes

Wearing the bigger shorts I had bought some months back in Feb, then it was loose but in recent days it became fitting!!! That meant I had definitely grown fatter to fill out that 2 sizes up. Think overall thus far, I had put on at least 15kg+ and pants waist had gone up 3 sizes... Shirts I had gone from Medium to Large and sometimes prefer the looser X.Large. Erm really had let the weight gone on ahead.

As a last ditch effort. I decided to literally clean up my food. I restarted my meal prep that I had done 3-4 years ago. This time, drawing upon my previous experiences, I prep packs of chicken breast meat into zip lock bags with the marinate added and put into the freezer. Then pre-cooked some of the vegs like sweet potatoes (steamed) and carrots (cut and boiled) then put them into containers and put in the fridge. Had fresh vegetables - tomatoes and lettuce which are only cut when going to be consumed. The prep takes an hour plus to prep all the packs, chuck into fridge then can be consumed with a bit of cooking for 7 days.

Then I usually replace the lunch meal cos now I am still not working and also it meant, I could prevent snacking if I am full from lunch. In fact, I find that I dont snack nor eat others after the meal. Good for me.

There were some breaks in-between but I intend to keep this up for 30 days then re-evaluate how to get better. But I welcome the cleaner and simpler food cos it kinda tamed my mouth from craving all the rich tasting foods. In fact I found my cravings for food went down to almost zilch.

In the second round of mass food prep, after the supermarket trip, I moved to try out pork chops. And reducing the amount of meat a bit, I repacked into 12 packs instead of the previous 7 chicken packs. I find that I need to experiment with the pork chops a bit in terms of how to get the marinate into the meat, how to cook it so it is softer and tender. Chicken breasts is easier for me cos I had tried it out before. Into my 2nd pack of pork chops so far, and slight progress. The difference I find is the porky smell whereas chicken didnt have that, so that meant stronger smelling and tasting marinades are needed. Also have to get used to the lesser protein portions cos under the 7 packs of chicken, I had 5 inner breasts whereas now I am eating 1.5 thin pork chops. So far still adjusting to it. Will try to cook the pork differently though my basic ingredients are the same for all 12 packs. Look forward to success and a full tummy that is slimmer over time.

Nonetheless there were some successes - garlic with diced tomatoes were wonderful, chicken with onions were delicious, sweet potatoes are very nice to eat.

Weight loss does not purely come from exercising alone nor eating alone. It comes from both. I had just resumed KM (only for 6 more months) to use up my package that I suspended on grounds of injuries. And with more exercises at home and also healthier eating, I hope with some time, I can see small results.

Kinda fell off the wagon - trying to pick myself up

I was kind of getting into the groove of things, culinary-wise, after the last baking sessions and was excited about making Pork carnitas, tortilla and salsa from scratch. Things had to be on hold cos had to go back to Msia.

Then after the hectic time in Muar, I came out and kinda feel lost. Lost the groove of things. Felt lost and dont know where to restart from? And also there were issues weighing heavily on my mind and heart. Worries that are nagging at the back of my mind. 

The only thing I kept up was the recitation of daily prayers. Everything else, I dropped and lost focus. This saying of daily prayers came about after my sis's last bout near end-May. The feeling of helplessness and also with added understanding from all the 'supernatural' stuff... the conclusion is that the only thing I can do, within my power, besides helping out physically and also managing the family's finances, is to pray. (apart from doing good deeds)

All these years, there are very few instances when I sit down and chant the Buddhist chants. A couple of times once-off for teachers and family friends who passed away. A handful over the years. I only know one chant. But during the final days of my Dad's hospitalisation in Oct, I took out the beads and chanted. After he passed, I didnt, until months later in May. 

It wasnt easy to focus. I find my focus waning after a while. Or my mind wanders while my mouth is chanting. Or my eyes wander... Even when I try to refocus on certain concepts in my mind, there are times when the mind wanders off. I try to hold onto the feeling of sincerity and compassion but at times the focus wanes. Partly cos I set increasingly larger number of times to recite the prayers. I started with a few hundred which is reached quickly and increased to about two thousand times which takes a much longer duration, so the mind wanders off partly. Have gotten better at it and hope to keep this up. A way for me to try to get some inner peace from all the frustrations, irritations and issues on my plate. 

Exercise-wise I have fallen off the wagon... and after the trip, I weighed myself, and am up another 2kg... Seriously hard and these few days I have bad cravings and munchies... Need to relook and try to work out a longer term weight-loss plan. There goes my slimmer self that took me 1.5 years to achieve. Now though I havent been working and technically should have more time to exercise. Not doing much cardio or anything intensive, meant no flab loss. *Sigh, have to put my back into this* Health is definitely wealth and I need to get myself into shape again, though I would acknowledge that this will not be easy nor fast...

So been partly zoned out and feeling kinda off these past 2 weeks. Felt better after I went to meet up with friends, headed out for Poke-hunting walks about the estate. Slowly I am finding my focus again. Also did a bit of exercise here and there, not regular enough. This Sat, I will jumpstart my cooking cos I have to bake the two items - Pumpkin cake and Pandan swiss roll as offering to give thanks to the deities for their help. Other than that, I have only cooked a pack of instant noodles and a fried egg for myself. Feeling rusty.

Tab had a National day bbq at her place and there were 4 girls. For once, I was kinda of glad not to have to end up being the one cooking. I almost always end up grilling if I go for bbq. Well I did help to light the grill, refill the charcoal and cut up the bell pepper and poke the sticks of beef n tomatoes n bell pepper. Also washed some of the utensils and threw the rubbish. Fair enough. But I kinda decided to remove myself from the situation that arose from really nothing... not really in the mood for any confrontation over such mild and insignificant issue. Given I already have a lot of issues on my plate from family situation. Decide to be hands-off and walked to sit at the sofa, enjoy watching TV, play with Pusheen and chat with others. Also made myself 3 generous alcoholic drinks - 2 Lemoncello with Heaven Earth Lemon tea & Green Tea with Gentleman whisky. Felt pretty relaxed after the drinks cos this bbq was just after I came out from Muar.

A few days after the bbq, I headed out to town to explore and wander a bit to clear my mind. Still feeling the loss of focus then. I passed a laundry shop and saw something. It turned out to be the chinese comic version of the book "Journey to the Underworld", not the english novel but a scripture book that supposedly the Jade Emperor of Heaven commissioned JiGong, to bring a devote mortal man in recent times, 1978, to visit the levels of Hell to record the punishment and happenings into a book, to reveal the inner works so that humans can learn and repent and not fall into the abyss of Hell. Especially so in the current age of science, there is strong loss of morals and many evils are being perpetrated (think terrorism, wars, illegal).

I had started to read up about it to try to understand the Underworld, because JiGong is inside after the Taipei trip. The version I read was translated into English in a blog. But after reading this comic version, I found the comic version was so much more comprehensive than the english translated blog version. The pictures in the comic made it much easier to comprehend and gave a more complete version compared to trying to read the Chinese text version.

The comic version book was placed at the corner of the laundry shop free for the taking, as part of the Buddhist way of putting out buddhist books for those interested to take home and read. But these books have to be treated properly. No writing on it or anyhow dirty or throw it about. They cannot be thrown away nor recycled. They should be returned to any of such buddhist books spots or to temples that takes back such books if you dont want to keep it anymore (though in recent years, fewer and fewer of such temples and spots are found in SG)

So I read through the chinese comic version and it was very comprehensive. It does explain the process when one passes away and what happens etc. Besides the main theme of the book which is to let humans know what are the sins and the severe punishments, so that humans can avoid them and be more compassionate. There are also lessons to be learnt. Things about being compassionate, having strong morals, not taking any shortcuts nor taking one's life, ways to repent etc. I feel it has given me a clearer picture of things in life. I read it twice to keep it fresh in mind. Gave me some perspective of things that are within my control. Some life lessons too.

Even for those of other religions, it is mentioned in the book. That this is not about Buddhism spreading but revealing that this "Immigration process" is the same irregardless of the religion and that Buddhism actually supports equality and tolerance of other religions, because it matters not the religion but the heart and the sum of good vs evil deeds done in one's lifespan. Knowing the evils and sins to avoid can help. Knowing how to do good also helps. Such knowledge wont hurt anyone irregardless of religions.

Pokemon hunting came about after National day. My sis downloaded on her phone and that week I borrowed her phone adn headed out for a number of walks. A walk to run errands spans several poke-stops. Then there are afternoons when I loaned her phone and headed out for Poke-walk around the estate specifically for poke-hunting. Even to the West Coast park. Had a double mc spicy with the new potato wedges. Man, Macs has good thick and solid wedges.

Last Friday, Tab, Quet and I ended up in Vivo. Nearer for me. Something to do for Tab. Pokemon for Quet. Both of them ended up catching quite a number of pokemons. The drive to my place, I held onto Quet's phone to help her refill as we drove past the pokestops and also catch any if they pop up. Near my home, 2 dratinis showed up and Tab caught one and I caught one for her. Think its a good thing that my phone cant download Pokemon Go cos of the older operating system. So I can only play if I borrow my sis's phone. I am limited to a short walk or at most an hour or two out with her phone. Hence mainly to nearby areas. Which I dont mind cos after a while, I feel the urge to play waning. After so many poke-walks, it is getting a bit tiring.

Today I went Poke-hunting walk cum errand and caught some but find it a bit weary after walking about quite a bit under the hot sun. But I had refilled the pokeballs. My last walk was 3 days ago. I had refilled enough >100 to last until today when I felt it was a bit low and decided to make another run.

The "Game of Throne" scenario is starting in Muar and I dont mean the actual show. I have to be involved to my disdain and frustration at how long it has been since the funeral and how slowly things are moving... I do feel trapped at times and stagnant. But it seems that I have to be involved, and I can only hope things can move in motion and be set right and then worry about my job later on. *Sigh*

Felt food purse / Dory toy avatar / Baking for 2 days and Pusheen Surprise Box - Baker and Taco avatars

The second sewing course I signed up for was to make local food from felt. I thought I might end up with a salmon plushie but it was to make mainly felt 2D food by mainly gluing and then using valcro, stick onto the purse you had to kinda sew together.

This time the environment wasnt as peaceful cos the aunties were chatting and got a kid at my table. So kinda distracting and I was surprised that it was more of gluing together than sewing though I did re-learnt the "whip stitch". After the 2hrs session, could only finish the purse. Dabao the felt back to finish but cos didnt went about it yet cos partly is mainly sticking together. Felt so unpolished. And I lacked certain felt colors to make the sushi. My set was to make the Hokkien mee.

That was my last course until I signed up for more. Nothing that seems to pipe the interest and also many snatched up.

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Influenced by Tab's continous sublimal message plus I saw the Dory toy while looking at the Pusheen toy videos and liked it. So while my pusheens were held up by that stupid Brit1o, I decided to buy the Dory toy on a Tuesday afternoon. Went to jalan Toys 'R Us at Forum and walked all over until I ended up in P.S.

Dory is very cute and I was happy with it. Though it felt funny having to pose Dory with food initially. Plonked myself in the kopitiam in P.S to rest my dead tired knees then and stoned inside. Tab came and joined me after work and had a few funny pics of our avatars. Cool word for toy. Mine's a fish and hers a cat. So you know what pics would come out. Even collaborated to have a funny poem based on the pics taken. Toys aren't just toys, can derive so much other fun from it.

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Had to experiment and try out some new dishes to make as offering for thanks. So I sought to try out Nonya kuih - Baked Pumpkin Cake. It had the least coconut milk and almost entirely pumpkin which is healthier. Did it on Thurs and it wasnt difficult. Did half of the recipe portion and still it turned out a lot. Taste wise was pretty good, soft and moist. Though I didnt have the right size baking container and it turned out lower cos of the bigger sized container used to bake it. Cut into smaller pieces so it is not jialat to eat. The thing about nonya kuih, some are kinda heavy to eat. This one surprisingly does have a bit like that except when it was cut into smaller pieces, then ok. I felt it was a bit sweet for me so maybe reduce the sugar a bit next time if I make it.

Cos on Sat, might have things to do, I decided to utilise Fri and bake the second experimental dish - Pandan Swiss Roll with coconut cream filling. It had more steps and was more complex but I was happy when my swiss roll turned out fine. I almost charred the top by letting the top heat brown 5mins. Next time just 1-2mins is fine. After the swiss roll was rolled up and chilling in the fridge, I decided to try out the Giant cookies, as I needed to test out how the baking goes in our cheaper oven. Baking differs from oven to oven.

At one shot, to finish using that one egg I whisked, I made 4 different cookies. The Pandan Coconut one failed. Turned out spicy and bitter, reminiscent of the Cinnamon one. But I didnt add any cinnamon nor spice to it. A mystery but had to throw it. The first Oats and Raisins turned out drier cos I baked it a bit too long 5mins. Then the second, above, failed. The third one was PeanutButter and the fourth was GingerCookie. Taste-test, the second failed. The peanut butter was very nice. I love the ginger one too. Yay. Actually still left with one more flavor, Coffee. Until next time.

I was worried after tasting the Pandan Coconut cookie and it turned spicy??? So I quickly took out the swiss roll and tasted it. It was fine, phew! My mom and I were perplexed why the cookie was spicy and bitter?

As I was meeting Quet, packed a box, a bit of each, help me eat cos too much for my family. Too bad Tab wasnt free, otherwise I would have packed her one too.

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Went to Dolby Ghaut to pick up my pusheen parcel. Happy to see the Baker but after I had finished my baking endeavors. Nevermind, more in the future. The two surprise boxes, I kept unopened. Supposed to let Tab choose hers first so until I settled down and get her answer. Was happy with the Baker. Quickly stopped at Daiso and bought the felt I lacked and headed to Quet's house.

We went to her home cos I was bringing a bit of each of the cookies and cakes I made and better to keep the cakes chilled. Whilst at her home, msg Tab to choose her box, so that I could open mine. She was playing coy and I jokingly threaten to let Quet choose for her. Quet asked if she could keep the box she chose. We headed to eat western food again. This time I had a double grilled chicken but chose Honey Mustard and Fiery Buffalo, so it turned out to be the same grilled and still delicious chicken but with different sauce generously drizzled all over the top.

After that we headed back and walked around the shops. Quet checked out the new fruit stall and bought some lemons and watermelon. We went back to watch a movie. I chose Batman v Superman and I must say the Batman cannot make it. Superman also not as hot. But cos it didnt have too much dialog, we could chat, dun focus on it and still not miss any plot. Kudos to the Lex Luthor actor and character. Unfortunately even Alfred the butler had more character depth than Batman, who looked really fat in the suit.

So while watching, we could chat, look at phone, and even film the unboxing of the Pusheen surprise box after Tab finally chose one. I was really surprised to get the Taco cat which incidentally spelt backwards is still taco caT. Cos I really liked it since I saw the designs and from watching those unboxing videos, know that Taco is one of the rarer designs. The rarest is the purple Doughnut. Then the rarer ones are Taco, Ice cream. Rare ones are Cookie and maybe Burger and super common are Cupcake, Mug and Pizza. I didnt realistically think that I stand a chance to get it from just buying 2 boxes and taking one of them. Think the Taco cat will inspire me to make some tacos from scratch. Baker and Taco cats can inspire more baking and cooking dishes. Yumz!

Left Tab's chosen box at Quet's place cos I wont be free on Sat and I asked Quet if she would be meeting Tab. She would be, and now the surprise box is with her, Tab would surely not miss the meeting up. Like held ransom. And later on I saw her unboxing video, glad to see she also got the rarer one - Ice cream cat. Soon, we would all suddenly have the urge to eat tacos and ice cream cones.

Enough money spent on toys cum avatars for me for now. Indulge a bit but enough otherwise everywhere I go, have to bring a pack of toys about. At least until GUND suddenly releases series 2. Remember this surprise box is series 1. Let's hope it wont be anytime soon.

A day of sewing and visiting Geylang Serai bazaar

From the leathercraft making course that we managed to sign up for, it has led me to sign up for a series of others, usually I attend them solo cos Tab was having her holiday in UK then and also some courses suited my interest more and also me having time on my hands, so even weekday courses are fine.

From our first leather keychain beginning to a leather coin pouch, I have assembled a small drone and tried flying it 3 sessions and have slightly improved my flying skill.

Went for the 3D printing training and actually I have 'tinkered' with a 3D design but dont have a laptop to install a program that is like a printer set up for me to download my design and set its 'print' format. Only then can I go and try to print out the design with a slot at the library.

Headed to a Chinese water painting course where I learnt the two genres of Chinese painting and tried my hands to paint a lotus but I think my color blending and shadowing concept needs to be strengthened. Plan a couple of art jamming at Tab's place, if DF doesnt mind (maybe one of those sats before Nat day)

My most recent one was on Sat morning, 11.30pm. I had to drag myself out of bed cos of my chaotic sleeping timing. I am still in the midst of readjusting but I have some success on some days where I am up early in the morning though I still slept late, 2am. On Sat, I managed to get up around 9am and out of bed by 9.30am. Got ready gradually and left home around 10.45am to have ample time to reach JE library by bus. I actually overslept for the previous Chinese painting one at 2pm... yes I woke up way past noon and had to cab down.

The session was on sewing and making a fantasy-theme passport cover. It had caught my attention mainly cos I am unable to sew. Didnt have much success in secondary school days and couldnt absorb the very few sewing sessions we had. My mom helped me in my home economics sewing part. So this was my chance to pick up the basics. At least the project was not to make some culottes but a more accessible passport holder. The interesting part was making your own sewn patch and later sewing it onto the passport holder and finally using running stitch to sew up the passport holder.

I learnt how to do the basic 3 stitches, back stitch, running stitch and overcast stitch. Also how to make your own patch using the stabliser (like a sewing design transfer tracing paper that melts and disappears in water) and a fabric marker (that disappears with ironing) and with simple instructions from very kind and gentle ladies instructors, we went about tracing, pinning and sewing. I must say it was very easy to comprehend and some of my latent sewing foundation came to the front (that I didnt know I had). I could thread and do the stitches with ease after a brief demo and can even ask some questions about sewing, like double line. Learned a bit more from asking some questions one-to-one.

I listened to my playlist on Spotify and proceeded to thread and sew. At first was a bit slow and hesitant but gradually got better as I continued on the outline of my Shire patch. Can see the improvement as I settled in with ease to sew. The music and quiet room made it enjoyable. Almost entirely women, except for one table with a family and the husband and wife were sewing with their older kids who were matured. Kind of therapeutic and got into the 'zone'. 2.5 hours zoomed passed in a jiffy and I was sewing up the passport cover when we all had to stop. None managed to do 2 patches though many of us took two designs to work on. The instructors allowed us to take home extra strings to sew and they have a good range of colors and also thick and thin strings. I took some and packed up to find lunch. Said goodbye to the nice ladies who had instructed us kindly and left.

Decided to head back to Clementi to first drop off a cheque and then eat lunch before heading down to Paya Lebar mrt. In Clementi, I had found a good Bee Hoon Soto stall and I feel it was so much nicer than the ones in my immediate area. So whenever I have to eat in clementi and I want a healthier and calories-friendly meal, I would go for it. Then hopped on the train, got a seat and listened to my new playlists on Spotify, quite enjoyable.

I was early and hung out in the Paya Leba square mall. Glad that SG has strong air-cons in public transport and malls, given the recent searing heat. Walked every level and got myself a dragonfruit juice drink. Waited for Tab to come and we walked over to the Geylang Serai bazaar. I remembered we had gone for one years ago, our usual gang and found it small and limited. This time, it is so much bigger.

So we walked about a bit before Quet came and joined up. I was super-glad Tab made me queue for the Thai milk tea drink. It was super thick and reminds me of the powerful Thai milk tea smoothie I had last year, the one that powered me walking under the scorching heat during Thai summer. They helped me buy a kebab box which I ate much much later but found a generous amount of chicken inside. Yumz. The milk tea did help to cool me down a lot and we went on walking, looking for the Instagram stalls.

Our next stop was the assorted flavors of Churros at Loco loco, which comes with luxurious flavor dips. Tab bought 2, the original and the assorted. She asked for the sauce separately - gula melaka and salted egg yolk. *At this juncture, I am still perplexed about Sporeans obsession with salted egg yolk sauce on just about everything. Personally I only like the zhi char crab version. The rest, I find that it over-powers the original flavor of the food but yet not thick enough*  Actually I found the churros nice to munch on without any sauce. I didnt manage to eat the pandan flavor ones but the original, red velvet and oreos ones were tasty by itself. Each having its own distinct flavors and textures.

Quet stopped at a flower stall and bought an orchid for her home. We were looking on and I remembered the days when I was young and planted cactus and also a chilli plant from seed. Those were good childhood memories. I found I seem to have lost the green touch after I started working. Then we walked into the nearby mall on my request to cool down cos I was sweating buckets, back was soaked and I could feel the sweat on my thighs. We went into one and used the toilet too. Tab gave me a wet wipe and it felt good to do a quick wipe-down. After being cooled down, we walked to Quet's car to deposit our load and lighten our bags before a round 2. She had parked at CityPlaza. Man, I havent been here since Tab's wedding. Going there to look for something to wear for her gate-crashing session. That was years ago and felt like a few lifetimes ago. Granted I was much slimmer then and now with my heavier self, even more no need to bother looking at the stuff. I got to eat my kebab box, my main, while they were looking about.

One shop that got our attention was one that sold analog cameras and digital cameras from our youth. The tetris hand held game was one that brought back so much nostalgia. Remembering an even earlier game, Western Bar that was the epitome of hand held consoles. So tempted to buy a tetris game for $10.

Tab's footwear died and we did a quick entry into another old-school mall to look for footwear. The small shop had very good sneakers from Converse and Everlast. So tempting but I have no space, no need and also better be thrifty. Would consider that next time. Tab got her new footwear and we continued.Then we headed back to the bazaar. We chanced upon a socks stall and they bought some five-toes socks and funky ones.

I was full, had my Thai milk tea, churros and then kebab box, in reverse order - drink n dessert then main. Tab wanted to eat the salmon burger and get the Paddle pop dadil drink. Many stalls sell those, at $5 per pop but the Salmon burger stall had the nicest color combinations. Some stalls had 3-4 colors but this one had 6-7, all nicely layered. So Tab bought her main and we got bottled juice drinks with basil seeds inside and settled our butts down at the tented area where many others are having their food seated. Found a spot and plonked down to take pics of the Paddle pop dadil. I was too full to try any and just had my drink. The sky had darkened then and we chatted a bit and rest to cool off.

Once we were done, we got back to the mall to cool down. Went to walk about and into a toy shop then settled in a HK eatery. Had to endure Tab's sudden burst of creativity over fried yam cakes instead of fried carrot cakes. Thankful Quet generously gave me a lift home. A good outing, we did hit some of the food but didnt severely overeat. In fact, I think I ate pretty alright and was full. Reached home and bathed off the sweat from all the crowd and the sun. Knocked out that night. We did do a whole bunch of walking.

It was nice to revisit Geylang Serai bazaar. Like reliving some memories from years ago.

Kill many birds with one stone - Delicious cookies and Decadent pizzas

Arranged with Tab to go over to her place on Sat with many agendas.

First was to borrow her scanner to scan the grant, so that I can use it for email to NTUC to settle off one more item on the Sg side. Secondly, she wanted to fly the drone I made earlier from the nlb course. Thirdly I wanted to borrow her kitchen, which she agreed, to bake. Previously was cinnamon rolls but since I did it at home, so I changed it to Giant cookies and pizza dough. The cookies can be for tea and dessert. The pizza dough can be used to make pizzas for dinner. Needed more stomachs, hence Tab lumped me and Juls together on the same afternoon. Later Quetzal came over in the evening for dinner. I msged FH but he wasnt free on such short notice. Finally also to catch up with Tab who just came back from her trip but hadnt had the time to fully listen to her travel stories and look at her pictures.

Overall, it was a great day of baking and enjoying the fruits of our labour.

I am still in the midst of realigning my body clock to saner sleeping time and hours but I managed to wake up. I was quite afraid to have overslept cos I was supposed to meet Tab and Juls for lunch there. I had to go buy a last minute item - baking paper and then packed my KM bag full of ingredients, some baking tools. In a second bag went my important documents and the drone kit. Set off around 11.30pm and reached around 12.40pm. Met Tab and her mom at the doorway.

So I settled in and took out all the ingredients I've brought, baking tools and recipe sheet. Then as we chatted, Juls came and I was doing up the first pizza dough. It was my first time so wasnt sure what was the serving size but later after it rose, we felt it was enough dough for one pizza. I started making the giant cookies. Came across the recipes on Youtube videos while I was checking up about cinnamon buns. They seem simpler and so great for Tab's kitchen cos dont need so much specialized equipment, lesser mess too. And after making the cinnamon buns, I wanted to try out pizza doughs.

Tab showed us a slide show of her travel photos. So we looked and if we saw any interesting photos, she'll tell us about it. I glanced at some and listened to the stories and join in the conversations that arose while going about with the first giant cookie. It was supposed to be chocolate. I was surprised by the size of the giant cookie after it had finished baking. And continued with the Sugar cookie, then Raisin oats one and finally the Cinnamon one. Interestingly they all came out in various sizes though the biggest could cover my face. And it was unanimous that the Raisin Oats was the best. I feel it was due to the molasses sugar I used. It has a fragrance and creaminess about it. After a long while, I was about done with giant cookies and switched to doing up the second pizza dough. And also flew the drone about a bit, more like try to let it not bump or crash into things. Tab had a go and it was not easy. This was my third time flying the drone, had slightly improved control but this is really not the model to be learning to fly cos it had too many instabilities for a beginner flier.

Nearing 5pm, we headed out to the supermarket to buy the ingredients for the two pizzas. This part, I let Juls be in-charge cos my goal was to make the cookies and dough. Plus Juls and Tab had made a quick-hack pizza last time using pita bread and simple ingredients. After checking with Tab exactly what she had in her fridge - 2 onions, we can gauge what ingredients to buy. So they decided on making Hawaiian and Bacon Mushroom pizzas. Then with budget conscious shopping, plus I added Vanilla ice cream (for the cookies), we arrived home with the ingredients that averaged $8 per pax. Would have been lower if not for the ice cream. By then a whole afternoon of chatting, baking had caught up and we lazed about on the sofa and enjoy the fan cos it was hot hot and sunny on the way and back from the mall.

After lots of playing around with the Plusheen and Peanut plushies which involved lots of cat butts and evolved into the search for peanut-love and peanut-phobia fetishes. Erm not my idea nor my fetish.

At 6.30pm we started to get ready to make the pizzas. I only did the rolling out the dough onto the baking paper. Tab and Juls washed, cut and prep the ingredients, laid out the ingredients on the half-baked dough and others. Spices and ginger were sprinkled generously to give the pizzas more taste.

There was a part where we searched online how long to bake a pizza and a bit of trial and error on how to transfer the half baked dough from the oven to the counter. All went well enough. No kitchen burnt down, no charred pizzas, no exploding oven. So it was great to have enough hands to help out. Feels easier also with the work spreaded out. Then of course the cleaning was also easier, cos while cooking, we were cleaning up and washing up so there was no mess.

The joke was 'how many people are needed to ...?" , to take a picture, to move a pizza out of the oven, to make a pizza.

The first pizza Hawaiian was not baked at high temperature but came out with the mozzerella cheese still melty and our first few bites, there was the stringy cheese. The dough was fluffier. My first pizza with so much toppings that it covered the entire dough surface except the edges. A big generous decadent quarter. After we ate that, we were a bit full.

Then went about cooking the second Bacon Mushroom pizza. This time cos the bacon was raw, so decided to cook it a bit longer and a bit higher temperature. Keeping an eye on it wasnt easy cos cant see through the oven door clearly. But luckily nothing burnt. It came out to be a juicy pizza with the cheese browned by the heat. Phew. We realised the 'juice' was the oil from the bacon so we tilted the pizza slightly over a tray to drain the oil. While letting the pizza cool, we headed to Tab's study room to borrow the scanner to scan. So while scanning, we looked around her study at the number of cameras, her travel booklet and others. Then after the scanning and emailing was done, we headed out to eat the pizza.

I was worried that it would turn out hard cos the dough wasnt as fluffy compared to the first one and, cos it stayed longer in a hotter oven but except for the edges, it turned out great. Like pita bread. When we all bit into the pizza, all let out a very satisfied groan of yummy. So meaty, tasty, juicy, flavorful. After that quarter, it was like the inner carnivore in all of us were satisfied. Quet and I had liquor while cooking and eating the pizzas.

Then we had hot tea to aid digestion and clear the palate. Tab and I managed some vanilla ice cream with cookie crumbs, so satisfying. Soon it was time for me to head home or risk missing the last bus. I left around 10pm and reached home close to 11.30pm. Bathed, and slept soundly.

This successful and delicious session makes me inspired to find more of such stuff to try. I wouldnt mind making more DIY-pizzas in the future too.

In a state of flux and stillness

There seems to be a lot of things happening in my family and also nothing happening in terms of moving forward.

My sis's episode set us back to staying mostly at home and deferring the next step to go back to Muar. Also the accountant who was doing the msian taxes hadnt finish yet. And the sinseh was ill two weeks back. Then my other sis is going to have her operation next week. All these coming together meant, we stayed home mainly. I stayed around to help out instead of heading out. Even on some weekends. Waiting til near the end of this month to go back to Muar to settle some stuff. I try to plan those free library courses and my own activities around all these happenings.

On my end, once I received the notification from CDP about the successful transfer of the few lots of shares to my cdp account, I got my mom to sign the account closure form and mailed it out. And I decided to go down to either of the three brokerages to try to close my Dad's accounts without my mom, and also pay off the remaining amts owed to them. The first one I went to, couldnt so that meant I didnt have to go to the other two. But at least for the first one, I paid off the amt owed and the lady gave me the forms for my mom to sign and mail back. She also made a photocopy of the grant and stapled the whole set. Just need her to sign and mail back. Hence that is the end of one account. Two more to go.

My mom was super busy and occupied with the ceremony last Sunday. So leading up to it, she was buying ingredients etc and I helped out in the preparation for the ingredients on Sat afternoon, evening and also on Sun morning. Then the next few days, she was busy making sure the food cooked was heated up and eaten. Too much of the oily food for my liking. I feel like eating simple and clean food.

Today I asked my mom if she was free. Tomorrow, I will accompany her to the two other brokerages to close the accounts. Cos at the moment, nothing much else happening. The calm before the next thing, my sis's operation, so quickly go and clear up another part of the estate stuff. Then I would be left with the NTUC share and one more bank account at the SG side.
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Personally, I am at a very stagnated point. My endeavors - Bazi, FH's project, reading stock books and Malay are all stagnant. Even my exercise is very much reduced to 1kg dumbbells, body weight exercise. I miss KM sorely yet my knee havent recovered fully. Two weeks back, I was out for 4 consecutive days to JB, in town, in MarinaSquare and in Vivo. The amount of walking I did, hurt my right knee especially. I could feel the pain while walking about but didnt say much. Later on the sinseh told me got some internal bleeding. So ate meds and homebound to rest it but that made me stagnant...

Thing I did was mainly reading storybooks, did get some stock books, havent reached them yet, and did the baking. I did copy down the recipes for more cookies and pizza dough but havent gotten about to it because there is too much food left in the fridge since Sun. Have to wait until mainly finished before I can do something. So again, the feel of being stagnant.

Cinnamon Buns - restarting my cooking experiments, and more bread and even cookies are coming soon

I love cinnamon buns. I dont really eat it often but it is one of those bread I would choose when I see. Yet the ones bought from outside seemed to lack something. The main thing is most are soggy by the time you bite into it. Not like those freshly baked ones. Not sure if its meant to be so.

So one day some weeks ago, when I saw and bought spice (paprika powder and cinnamon powder), I committed myself to try and make cinnamon buns from scratch. From the internet, I looked around for the recipes. Settled on 2 recipes, copied them down on paper (no printer) and compared them. One has fewer ingredients and also made much fewer portions 12-15 whereas the other had many more ingredients (definitely better tasting from so much more ingredients) but make into 24 servings. How is my family of 3 going to finish all that? Hence I chose to try out the easier one.

Tried it out on Tuesday. Cos got many things happening in my family and got distracted and busy with settling stuff. Some days too lazy or tired. The day before, I headed out to buy the ingredients, flour, yeast, sugar, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract and butter. Had already bought the cinnamon powder. Then I am set. Using milk and an egg from the fridge.

It was interesting to be able to mix the ingredients into something that resembled dough. Yellow dough. But too sticky so I slowly added more flour until it became something more manageable. Then I dont have a clean surface to work on, so an idea struck me, I used the baking tray as the flat surface. Floured it and knead the dough like on TV cooking shows for 10mins. Good exercise, I should use my left hand more but being right-handed. Just purely right. Then got to rest the dough. Meaning, you leave it in a bowl preferable near somewhere a bit warm to let the yeast work. When the yeast ingest the sugars, they release gas which raises the dough and makes it swell up to twice its size at least. So for that 1 hour, I went to the living room and watched one episode of recorded show.

One hour later, I went to knead the dough a bit to flatten. It did rise up though not to twice the size. I put the shrink wrap on the table to try to create a clean surface but it didnt work so well. So I decided to use the baking pan again. Divided up the dough to two portions, I rolled and flatten one using the rectangular baking tray as the guide. Applied generous amounts of butter and a mixture of sugar and cinnamon powder. (With hind sight, more cinnamon, less sugar or use confectioner's sugar might be better) Rolled into a big roll and cut 1.5 - 2 inches width. Repeated with the other and put them into the baking pan. But they kinda looked squished up and my mom was telling me, might turn out hard, cos they dont have place to expand. Will put in the baking tray next time round.

So I have to set it aside again, 45mins to an hour, to let the cinnamon rolls raise again. That meant another episode of recorded cable TV. 20mins before, I preheated the oven and mixed the glazing. (Think less butter and confectioner's sugar) After the time, noticed that the space between (which wasnt much) pieces were nil and put into the oven to bake. 30mins is enough but I checked every 10mins. Took out for them to cool and I had to cut to pull out the pieces from the tight baking pan. Next time must let them have lots more space to expand or maybe consider two batches to bake. Applied the glazing after they have cooled some.

The taste is pretty good, except I think I overdid the glazing. Chewy on the outside, soft on the inside. Some of the sugar inside didnt melt, so can chew into sugar grains. That can be improved upon with confectioner's sugar instead. I ate two and the next day two. Gave 3 to my sis, other sis ate 1, mom ate 3, she gave 3 to her friends in the market (otherwise how to finish) and viola, all gone.

Later I went online to look for more bread recipes for those that I like to eat, like pita bread, own pizza dough etc. Dont mind trying out and making own pizza.

And just now, I came across the Youtube video for a Giant Cookie for one. Great and super easy from the videos. I am so amped up to try to make but I still need to space the cooking out so that we all dont end up gaining weight from eating all these and secondly, my mom needs the kitchen during some days, especially this coming weekend. So I will leave the single-serving Giant Cookie to the next week. Can use the time to get the ingredients I lack. At the back of my mind are the Cinnamon cookie and Peanut Butter Jelly cookie. Yummy.