I'm very happy to announce that we have just entered yet another phase in our lives - getting a flat!
Our dating/family building sequence is slightly different from the couples in Singapore where they ballot for a flat first before considering marriage. I revise - that was a slightly sweeping statement. They briefly consider marriage before balloting for a flat.
I see balloting or applying for a flat a very serious issue - no room or money for mistakes. Tex is with me on this, hence we did it our way, with him initiating to propose, got registered before we decided to get a flat.
I see it like our little act of defiance against the strict regulations of Singapore government where citizens are so drawn into the movement of getting a house hence the registration of marriage. I don't think our little act can make a difference but it sure makes a difference to our insights and lives and that is enough. As Tex aptly puts it, "Yesterday I was clever so, I thought I could change the world. Today I am wise so, I will change myself."
So yeah, today our proxy has selected a small little hole for us and we are very happy to have finally closed in on one flat for our future! It's a 3-room premium flat, yes I know the popular choice nowadays is the 4-room flat and like much people who have suggested that we should have gotten a 4-room, Tex and I had our little discussions NUMEROUS times and still, we decided on a 3-room flat.
We thank all who have given their two-cents worth and I assure everyone we have seriously considered all your suggestions (hence the internal struggles 3-room or 4-room? TIMES 100 times). We weighed in on all possibilities and options, trust me, we even used up statistics options to help us reach a decision and I believe, this decision will serve us really well in future, in consideration of our lifestyle choices.
To infinity and beyond.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Travelogue - Vienna, Austria September 2012 (1)
Aaah, finally squeezed some time out to blog about another of our favourite city that we've visited - Vienna! Ever since we returned from Europe, Tex and I have been daydreaming about living in this city for a short while. The schnitzels that we had were to die for! Of course, it wasn't all about food. The people were friendly and the city was just refreshing to be strolling around in. A good mix of ancient architecture and modern buildings. Already in love!
We overstayed in Vienna simply because the hostel that we stayed in was too awesome to leave. Decided to give Bratislava in Slovakia a miss as we didn't want to just score countries - we were quite worn out by the travelling and really needed a rest. The Believe-It-Or-Not Hostel was such a home to us! Lily really did a good job!
Arriving at Wien Westbahnhof from Salzburg, we took another train to yet another station (which I completely forgot the name, the German!) before taking a bus to the district called Neubau. It is known to be a 'young and liberal' district but naturally you can expect slightly more dodgier characters around this area. Having said that, the area still felt generally safe at night. Perhaps I was with Tex all the time.
Called the owner, Lily, when we arrived at the door step and she let us in 'electronically'. I have no idea how she did that. She doesn't even stay at the hostel.
I have a good feeling about this place already!
Moving on into the rooms! This is the 8-bed dormitory, the larger room.
This is a smaller room, only four beds. Tex and I slept on the beds up at the loft.
Very hungry after the train ride and all the transiting hence we headed our for some dinner/supper! Came across this Japanese restaurant which was still open at 10PM hence we went straight in!
Went in search of our next quest - the Viennese Schnitzel! It is one of the best known Viennese cuisine and where best to eat it but in Vienna itself! It's sorta like our chicken cutlet but pounded by a hammer and mainly made from beef or pork.
One thing Tex and I noticed was that the sausages served at kiosks were really tasty and they were normally cheaper than what you have in restaurants! So if you're visiting Europe on a really tight budget, kiosk food can give you a run for your money! One hotdog is prolly about only €2!
When I woke up early the next morning and was having a cuppa with Lily, our hostel owner, she recommended me to visit Cafe Central, since I told her we love hunting around for cafes and would love to experience the coffee culture there. Quoting her, "It's really hard to get a table, you would normally need to make reservations. If you do not manage to get a table, it's even worth it to just enter and take some photos of the place!"
With such recommendations, we walked around for about half an hour, battling the cold winds and rain because I underestimated the weather! Tex had to buy me a dual-cardigan from a very nice old lady and it's his best €29 spent!!
Reached and it was located at a very odd corner of a fork. And we managed to get a table without even waiting for long!!
So we ended our day with roaming the streets of the city centre in Vienna, tried to buy my Ferragamo shoes and my Longchamp bag but didn't in the end because the colours and sizes were not to my liking. Oh well! "Money saved!"
Hahahaha, favourite phrase whenever I miss something from a particular launch. Blogshop shoppers would understand!!
Pardon my really slow posting - the weather in Perth has been crazy. 38 degrees Celsius is not doing my body good and I've just been really lazy, drinking a lot of water and well, lazing around. Not to forget that I've been enjoying getting my hands on the fresh ingredients here and cooking all sorts of dishes for Tex to try! I do update regularly on Instagram though, so you can check my photos out there!
Alright, till the next! :)
We overstayed in Vienna simply because the hostel that we stayed in was too awesome to leave. Decided to give Bratislava in Slovakia a miss as we didn't want to just score countries - we were quite worn out by the travelling and really needed a rest. The Believe-It-Or-Not Hostel was such a home to us! Lily really did a good job!
Arriving at Wien Westbahnhof from Salzburg, we took another train to yet another station (which I completely forgot the name, the German!) before taking a bus to the district called Neubau. It is known to be a 'young and liberal' district but naturally you can expect slightly more dodgier characters around this area. Having said that, the area still felt generally safe at night. Perhaps I was with Tex all the time.
 |
| I know this looks like quite a deserted creepy corridor. |
 |
| Reaching at the door step! Ringing the bell. |
Called the owner, Lily, when we arrived at the door step and she let us in 'electronically'. I have no idea how she did that. She doesn't even stay at the hostel.
 |
| Coming through that door on the left! |
I have a good feeling about this place already!
 |
| Behind those two doors - a closet and a toilet. |
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| The hall area - where everyone mingled. I finally noticed on the last day that the yellow thing in the background was a hammock! |
 |
| Travelling information for the travelers. |
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| The book exchange corner! You take one, you leave one behind. |
Moving on into the rooms! This is the 8-bed dormitory, the larger room.
This is a smaller room, only four beds. Tex and I slept on the beds up at the loft.
 |
| Spot my Dora The Little Explorer towel. Hahaha! |
Very hungry after the train ride and all the transiting hence we headed our for some dinner/supper! Came across this Japanese restaurant which was still open at 10PM hence we went straight in!
 |
| I can't decide if this is Chinese or Japanese. It's Roast Duck Ramen. |
 |
| Yummmmmmm! |
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| Yaki Soba? Can't remember. |
Went in search of our next quest - the Viennese Schnitzel! It is one of the best known Viennese cuisine and where best to eat it but in Vienna itself! It's sorta like our chicken cutlet but pounded by a hammer and mainly made from beef or pork.
 |
| Had one here. Not impressive, in my opinion. |
 |
| Viennese sausages. |
One thing Tex and I noticed was that the sausages served at kiosks were really tasty and they were normally cheaper than what you have in restaurants! So if you're visiting Europe on a really tight budget, kiosk food can give you a run for your money! One hotdog is prolly about only €2!
When I woke up early the next morning and was having a cuppa with Lily, our hostel owner, she recommended me to visit Cafe Central, since I told her we love hunting around for cafes and would love to experience the coffee culture there. Quoting her, "It's really hard to get a table, you would normally need to make reservations. If you do not manage to get a table, it's even worth it to just enter and take some photos of the place!"
With such recommendations, we walked around for about half an hour, battling the cold winds and rain because I underestimated the weather! Tex had to buy me a dual-cardigan from a very nice old lady and it's his best €29 spent!!
Reached and it was located at a very odd corner of a fork. And we managed to get a table without even waiting for long!!
 |
| All these tortes! Ahhhhhh! |
 |
| Hello sir. |
So we ended our day with roaming the streets of the city centre in Vienna, tried to buy my Ferragamo shoes and my Longchamp bag but didn't in the end because the colours and sizes were not to my liking. Oh well! "Money saved!"
Hahahaha, favourite phrase whenever I miss something from a particular launch. Blogshop shoppers would understand!!
Pardon my really slow posting - the weather in Perth has been crazy. 38 degrees Celsius is not doing my body good and I've just been really lazy, drinking a lot of water and well, lazing around. Not to forget that I've been enjoying getting my hands on the fresh ingredients here and cooking all sorts of dishes for Tex to try! I do update regularly on Instagram though, so you can check my photos out there!
Alright, till the next! :)
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Exhaustion
The past few weeks have been so crazy that I have neglected myself. I can't wait for 13 Feb 2013 to come where I will be joining Tex in Perth for a good two and a half weeks holiday/meet-up/rest trip/feasibility-study-trip-for-permanent-residence, whatever you call it. I'm just happy to be staying away from Singapore (and fussy people) for a while. My little sabbatical of its sorts. I'm sure I'll miss my parents though, they've been nothing but accomodating to my temperaments and busy schedules. So Mum, abalone it is, I'm buying it for you because I know you love it and I love you.
I find myself drawing back to this space whenever I feel overwhelmed and looks like typing away on this lovable keyboard is my kinda thing-of-the-moment. Tex is leaving Singapore for good (by that, I mean Perth) tomorrow and I am actually feeling okay about it. Not much sadness involved but I'm pretty sure it's because I'll be joining him in a week's time. When I come back from Perth on 3 March 2013, please don't meet me up on 4 March because my swollen eyes have no space literally for meeting friends. And I will probably need to say hello to the Indian uncles at Little India to get my supply of calling cards (again).
I've not been posting OFTDs on my Facebook though I normally tether my Instagram photos to both Twitter and Facebook. I realised it's just quite strange that your relatives know what you wear everyday and.. it's just weird.
Florals is pretty much the theme for my CNY outfits this year. Without Tex around, I'm not sure how I can handle his family's sides of celebrations but I think I'll do fine. Things have gotten a little awry for now, but nothing time can't solve. It takes kindness to offset some hostility and I am in the midst of my own evaluation to assess whether I can do that. :)
All I can say, I am grappling with multiple issues at hand but I have faith in natural processes. Some things can't be rushed. :)
I find myself drawing back to this space whenever I feel overwhelmed and looks like typing away on this lovable keyboard is my kinda thing-of-the-moment. Tex is leaving Singapore for good (by that, I mean Perth) tomorrow and I am actually feeling okay about it. Not much sadness involved but I'm pretty sure it's because I'll be joining him in a week's time. When I come back from Perth on 3 March 2013, please don't meet me up on 4 March because my swollen eyes have no space literally for meeting friends. And I will probably need to say hello to the Indian uncles at Little India to get my supply of calling cards (again).
I've not been posting OFTDs on my Facebook though I normally tether my Instagram photos to both Twitter and Facebook. I realised it's just quite strange that your relatives know what you wear everyday and.. it's just weird.
Florals is pretty much the theme for my CNY outfits this year. Without Tex around, I'm not sure how I can handle his family's sides of celebrations but I think I'll do fine. Things have gotten a little awry for now, but nothing time can't solve. It takes kindness to offset some hostility and I am in the midst of my own evaluation to assess whether I can do that. :)
All I can say, I am grappling with multiple issues at hand but I have faith in natural processes. Some things can't be rushed. :)
Monday, February 04, 2013
Meet-The-Parents Dinner!
I would love to blog about our solemnisation but I thought this dinner was very meaningful to me and I would like to keep this event in virtual memory. :)
This was the first time both our parents came together for dinner and Tex and I were kinda nervous and apprehensive about it. Yes, no doubt, my parents visited Tex's Mom (now my mother-in-law) in Perth (and we even went on road trips together) and travelled together with Tex's Dad (obviously now my father-in-law) to Malacca, to meet all of them in one sitting can be quite nerve-wrecking.
Thankfully it turned out well. With my mother-in-law around, she is the topic-shooter who never, ever, runs out of things to say. I'm sure it was because of her, my parents felt more at ease and we, the younger generation, also felt less apprehensive and enjoyed the dinner tremendously.
Venue for dinner was Tex's pick - Beng Thin Hoon Kee (nope, not cigarette) Hokkien Restaurant as I really wanted to try authentic Hokkien fare, even though I am a true blue Teochew. I must say, all our picks the dishes turned out to be awesome!
We were so full from all the food even though the set was for 6 pax and there were 7 of us! What goes on during a meet-the-parents session is subjective. Some may see it as a chance to meet up each others' parents before the wedding day and familiarise with each other since they are going to become relatives. For my family, my parents are slightly more traditional where they would like Tex's parents to give them a '交待' as to asking for my hand in marriage even though Tex has already asked them. =X
For that, I thank Tex's parents as they were very understanding and accomodating. And Tex's mum even went super old-school and asked "我的德順可以娶你的Melvina嗎?"
I think the moment she asked that, everyone was super embarrassed. Hahahaha!
Although they were all slightly awkward during the first few dishes, it was still nice to see them chatting away at the end of the dinner.
Thankful for the opportunity that both sets of parents managed to mingle before the solemnisation! The ambience for the solemnisation definitely wasn't strange and everybody were already friends! :)
This was the first time both our parents came together for dinner and Tex and I were kinda nervous and apprehensive about it. Yes, no doubt, my parents visited Tex's Mom (now my mother-in-law) in Perth (and we even went on road trips together) and travelled together with Tex's Dad (obviously now my father-in-law) to Malacca, to meet all of them in one sitting can be quite nerve-wrecking.
Thankfully it turned out well. With my mother-in-law around, she is the topic-shooter who never, ever, runs out of things to say. I'm sure it was because of her, my parents felt more at ease and we, the younger generation, also felt less apprehensive and enjoyed the dinner tremendously.
Venue for dinner was Tex's pick - Beng Thin Hoon Kee (nope, not cigarette) Hokkien Restaurant as I really wanted to try authentic Hokkien fare, even though I am a true blue Teochew. I must say, all our picks the dishes turned out to be awesome!
 |
| Steamed Fish |
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| Fish Maw Soup - Those who know me well who know I have a constant struggle with Sharks' Fin broth so this is the best compromise :) |
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| Roast Chicken |
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| Orh Luak! |
 |
| Spinach with Wolfberries |
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| Kong Ba Pau |
 |
| Duck Salad |
We were so full from all the food even though the set was for 6 pax and there were 7 of us! What goes on during a meet-the-parents session is subjective. Some may see it as a chance to meet up each others' parents before the wedding day and familiarise with each other since they are going to become relatives. For my family, my parents are slightly more traditional where they would like Tex's parents to give them a '交待' as to asking for my hand in marriage even though Tex has already asked them. =X
For that, I thank Tex's parents as they were very understanding and accomodating. And Tex's mum even went super old-school and asked "我的德順可以娶你的Melvina嗎?"
I think the moment she asked that, everyone was super embarrassed. Hahahaha!
 |
| Look like who leh? (No idea why the photos look so blur) |
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| Tex & YT |
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| The two Mums. |
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| His family! |
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| That's us! |
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| The men. |
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| The women! |
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| Happy to be doing this with you. :) |
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| ♥♥♥ |
Although they were all slightly awkward during the first few dishes, it was still nice to see them chatting away at the end of the dinner.
Thankful for the opportunity that both sets of parents managed to mingle before the solemnisation! The ambience for the solemnisation definitely wasn't strange and everybody were already friends! :)
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