Insert title here.

What, it’s only the 4^th and I’ve already run out of things to write about? Hmm. I think I can probably go on for a while if I just type stream of consciousness style and just ramble on and type whatever is in my head.

I’m still strangely sleepy today, even though I got about six hours of sleep last night. I suppose I’m still sleep deprived from earlier this week. And still no rest for the weary today… the family’s coming over for dinner tonight. The K-clan and the D-clan (minus Nix) are going to be over at the Madhouse about six, making it even more of a madhouse than usual. Although, to be fair to D-clan, the K-boys are the ones who add the most noise and mess to the house. I’m so exhausted; I’m not sure I can keep up with them tonight! …wait, what am I talking about; I can barely keep up with those boys on a good day!

I have the urge to bake bake bake, but what to bake? I don’t know! Thing is though, I quite like baking, but I’m also really lazy. Which means that I seek out really easy things to make, and if all else fails, I just fall back on my trademark brownies.

I really do have to figure out what to do about the wifi in my room. I can’t get wifi at all when I’m in there! The connection in Bro’s room though is pretty strong, and it’s really quick too. Possible solutions include, but are not limited to, swapping rooms with him or just breaking down the adjoining wall. Simple, no? I’m such a problem-solver, I am!

I mentioned the other day that I got my 2017 planner, and I’ve started to fill it in. And of course, now I’m just planning the long weekends, of which there are several! I get four days off for Chinese New Year. Unfortunately, the places to which I want to go might not be the best idea that weekend. Hong Kong and Taipei are definitely out; besides, Nekowife will be unable to travel then, seeing as how she has to partake in CNY activities.

…Wait. I just had a brainwave. I actually stopped typing for a while to look up flight times and what not…and I think it might just work! Yes, I have an idea of where I want to go; it’s been on my list for a while now, and this might be a good time to go! I think I’ll ask Bossman, aka Houdini about it when he’s less busy.

Yes. It’s decided. (Well, not decided decided. I’ll still have to do a bit more research first.)

I’ll probably go it alone, so would be good to get some tips and advice from someone who’s familiar with the area.

Ooh, I'm all excited now!

Pattaya, here I come!

I'm heading off to Pattaya in the morning. Meeting BenG and KB at the airport at 10; lots of time to check in and get coffee. Because coffee.

Anyhoo, check out where I'll be staying! Seriously, how gorgeous is that? Oh, alright. I know that photos on hotel websites may not always be an accurate representation, but still! Look at it!

So I gotta be at the airport in 8.5 hours...so I gotta leave my place in 7 hours...it's 1.30am now...

I should probably pack at some point.

Pattaya!

How is it some days I'm so busy I can barely breathe, when other days I have so little to do that even breathing seems boring?

Lots has been happening...long story short, I've been pretty busy with work. Also busy with assignments; been pulling all-nighters and almost-all-nighters to meet deadlines. Of course, I wouldn't have gone into panic station had I actually managed my time better and not procrastinated so bloody much.

I have one paper due in two weeks, another paper due in four weeks, and the last one in six weeks. I'd best get cracking on all three, seeing as how December is always beyond manic.

I think I'm going to cut back on my gift-giving this year. I have a much smaller budget to work with, and I gotta be careful with funds, seeing as how my contract is coming to an end.
Shame, I actually really like it here.

Ah well, such is life, and I chose the contract life, anyway.

But December! I'll be going to Pattaya! An extended weekend in Thailand, I foresee lots of fun...and far more booze than is wise.

Alrighty then, back to work I go.

Santorini!

I'm so tempted! I did the math, and it turns out that a trip to Santorini in October, for 7 days and 6 nights, in the Volcano View hotel will set me back, for flights and accommodation and daily breakfasts...just under SGD2600!

I. Am. So. Tempted.

Holiday Planning!

I've used up all my annual leave for this year, what with my summer holiday and my upcoming Christmas leave, and my random days off, so the next holiday has to be next year.

And Neko and I are planning to holiday together! We've decided on the where and the when. All that remains is to sort out the silly bits, like flights and whatnot.

Neko has come here for a weekend, I've gone there for a weekend...now we're finally going to holiday together!

Just me and my wifey. It'll be like our honeymoon or something.

City of my Heart

From the second I stepped out into the wonderful city of London, I felt like I was at home. I felt like I belonged like never before. I can't even begin to express how much I am totally and completely in love with London.

I might get around to actually blogging about it eventually. I'd planned to write one blog post every day, but I was too busy having a blast and soaking it all up that I never sat down to write. There was so much that happened, so much I saw and did... and there's still so much that I didn't have time to get around to!

I might just go there again next summer...

And when I grow up, I'm moving to London.

London Itinerary

My itinerary is filling up fast! I've scheduled a few things that are must-sees for me, and certain things are only on particular days and times. Plus, there are the things that I've made reservations for.

Yve and I have made reservations for afternoon tea at The Wolseley, so that's been blocked out on my schedule.

I've booked tickets to see Les Misérables, and I've been looking forward to that. Have wanted to see it for ages, and I'm finally going!

Neko shoots me a text today, to ask if I like musicals, and if I would watch Wicked. Turns out, she wanted to buy me a ticket for an early birthday present. Bless her heart, she bought me both the ticket AND dinner!

This is shaping up to be a brilliant holiday, and I'm not even packed!

3 sleeps to go before I fly, and I'm going now to cut that number down to 2.

Goodnight!

London's Calling!

Flights are booked!

Look out London, Ki's a-comin' to town!

We're all going on a summer holiday
No more working for a week or two!

Top of Taipei

And so it continues.

No prizes for guessing where I went yesterday. Neko had to go back to work (insert Nelson laugh here), so her brother kindly took me around.

First stop was breakfast, of course. Second stop was Taipei 101. I'm glad I waited to go up - the sky had cleared quite a bit, and the sun was shining. Loved how fast the elevator was. It took less time to ascend 89 floors, than it does to go up 8 floors in my office building!

I'd love to go back on a clear day though. As it was, the view was terrific, but I can just imagine how much more amazing it would be when cloudless. When we were back on the ground though, everything just looked too big and really strange. Now all I have to do is go to the Burj Khalifa, and then I can proudly say that I've been to the to top three tallest buildings in the world (having been to the Willis Towers back in ...I think it was '03, when it was still called the Sears). No, hang on a sec. Sears is the 4th tallest. Darn it, now I gotta go to Petronas first!

We went to the National Palace Museum after that, to gaze in wonder at the artifacts. We trudged up the steps, gasped at the intricacy of the Jadeite Cabbage, got a craving for pork when we glimpsed the Meat-Shaped Stone, we....ok, I lied. We just drove up, took a couple pictures, went into the souvenir shop, and declared the trip completed. Took all of forty minutes to get in the car, drive there, go in, and drive out. But hey, I did go there!

Had a great lunch of spicy beef noodles. If that wasn't the best beef noodles I've ever tasted, it sure came pretty darn close! Then bought some goodies to bring home (and some for the office too), and made my way to the airport. Of course, I bought more goodies to bring home, but completely forgot to buy dinner for myself.

On the flight, I was ravenous. I just couldn't bring myself to pay five bucks for a Cup Noodles, so decided to wait til I was home to eat. Of course, I was too tired by the time I landed!

It was a pretty good flight, though. I didn't feel as claustrophobic as I did on the flight out, and I had pretty considerate seat mates too. Usually, sitting in the middle seat really agitates me, but this time it was fine. Taiwanese man on my left and Singaporean lady on the right were both friendly, and they just went to sleep shortly after take-off. It's a shame there wasn't as much turbulence though - I actually fall asleep during turbulence, and can't sleep otherwise.

Landed, and found to my amusement that Terminal 1 Changi Airport is undergoing construction/renovation, as is Terminal 1 in Taoyuan. I was too tired to get food, mostly because the lines for both food and taxis were stupidly long, so decided to queue up once, i.e. for a cab. Of course, though, I wasn't too tired to hit up Duty Free for some alcohol!

Got home about 2am, finally got to bed about 3am, to sleep for about 3 hours.

So my first trip to Taiwan was a success, and I got to hang out with Neko, which was great. Pictures are to come...eventually.

And so ended Day 8.

Last Night in Taiwan

And so it continues.

Didn't do a whole lot today, really. After a fitful night, thanks to the consumption of alcohol, I woke relatively early. Surfed for a bit, ate two Choco Pies for breakfast, showered, then Neko finally woke up. We took a while deciding what to do, but finally we were off.

Started our day over at the University area, where we went for...get this. We went to eat burritos. That's right, I came to Taiwan, to eat Americanised Mexican food. At the burrito place, there was this group of really annoying students. Honestly, they were talking at the top of their voices. The teacher in me was rather tempted to walk over to them to tell them to use their 'indoor voices'.

Anyway. Was stuffed after that, so walked around a bit. Didn't see anything worth buying, so decided to go to 101. Sadly, it was still rather cloudy - it had been raining all day - so I didn't go up. It would have been quite pointless to go up, really. What would I have seen?

So we wandered around the mall for a bit, not that we actually bought anything. I didn't much feel like shopping at the likes of Gucci and Prada. Did have a look at Coach, but they didn't have the bag that I wanted. Oh wait, we did buy something from the mall! We walked into Page One, where Neko promptly lost me. Well, I wandered off, really. I just love bookstores so much. Got me a couple books, cheaper than what I would have gotten them for back home. I did see a few other books that I want, but they were definitely pricier here.

Wandered around the shops again, but still didn't see anything I wanted to buy. I was tempted to buy a couple things from The Body Shop (one of my favourite places), but realised that it would be quite pointless. Sure, I'd save a ton of money on the products (there was a sale on), but then I'd exceed the liquid allowance for carry-on baggage, so I'd have to check my bag, which would then cost me the same ton of money I'd saved. Besides, I can get the same things back home, with a 15% discount.

We did briefly consider watching a movie, but there wasn't anything showing that either of us particularly wanted to see. Figured that hey, if we really felt like watching a movie, we have tons of movies that we can watch on Neko's computer.

Started feeling a bit hungry after, so made our way to the area near Neko's place, where we went for...get this. We went to eat Japanese food. That's right, I came to Taiwan, to eat Japanese food. At least it was more Asian than lunch!

So here I am now, in Neko's room, at Neko's computer, eating grapes and blogging. I think I'll relinquish the computer to her, while I watch movies on her eeepc, or maybe read one of the books I bought. Then again, she's playing a new game on her DS, so I might just keep on using her computer.

Last night here. I think I'm going to start packing my things tonight. That way, I don't have to rush tomorrow. At least I know if I do leave anything behind, Neko can always just mail them back to me. Neko goes back to work tomorrow; I'll be sightseeing on my own for a bit - definitely planning on 101 if the weather clears up...and maybe even if it doesn't. Neko's also roped her brother in to bring me around, so that'll be brilliant.

Alright then. Time to start packing, and then chilling out for a while more. I love being on holiday!

And so ends Day 7.

Another Day in Taipei

And so it continues.

I wrote out this post longhand because Neko was on the computer last night, and I didn't feel like touchscreening. What I wrote last night:

Today was, as always, a lovely day. But what did I actually do? I'm struggling to recall...Alright. So I know I woke up pretty early, especially considering
1) I'm on holiday
2) Neko and I stayed up late last night watching Chuck. (up til 3am!)

So yeah, woke up early-ish, had a shower and lounged around - catching up on the LJ flist, blogs, and some other regular reads, and reading my book while waiting for Neko to wake up. I knew she must have been quite tired - she was snoring! When she finally woke up, we got dressed and made our way to the computer mall. Grabbed breakfast on the way, of course; I was ravenous! I must ask her what it's called...I refer to it as "Chinese calzone". It was this fried dough pocket filled with pork or beef or vegetables. I had the pork one, and a bite of the beef one. It was yummy! Perhaps I'll see if I can get it again today.

Before we actually got to the computer mall though, I got distracted by the Farmers' Market. I persuaded Neko to swing by for a bit, not that it took much persuasion at all. Neko's so obliging! I bought...let's see. Not much actually. Got a box of their drip coffee, which I think would be perfect for the office, plus the girl threw in a couple coffeebags for free. Also bought a box of aloe vera tea for Mum and Nan to try. It's actually quite good (I had a sample) and it's probably really healthy too.

Didn't get anything from the computer mall. Anything that caught my eye...well, I could prolly just get it from Sim Lim back home. Not that I actually go to Sim Lim, but still. I could. The place that Neko wanted to take me to after that was closed, due to the flora expo. At least, it was open, but now it was part of the flora expo. So we made our way to a pretty neat cafe called ecole, where I indulged in a slice of chocolate cheesecake toffee latte, which was nowhere near as amazing as the Toffee Nut Latte from Starbucks. I was disappointed that the Toffee Nut Latte isn't out in Starbucks here! It's is back home though, so I'll prolly have one when I get back. Anyway, I got kinda bored and tired after a bit, so we headed back to Neko's.

Where I promptly crashed. For a couple hours.

Woke up after dark (it was about 6pm) and got dressed to go out. We'd originally made plans with Neko's colleagues, but one by one, they bowed out for various reasons. I think they just didn't want to meet Neko's weird Singaporean friend. So we stayed in for a bit, watched the latest episode of Chuck, then headed out.

We went to eat at a food court first. We had wonton noodles (which was great!) and a traditional Taiwanese dish - this white radish cake. We do have something similar in Singapore, only the texture was slightly different, and there was this great sauce over it. I really do have to ask Neko what it is!

Then we decided to hit the bars. First we went to Brown Sugar. The drinks (we both had a Roman Coke) were bad and overpriced. Sure, it wasn't as bad as King Robert's Dark Rum, but still...rather unpalatable. And the live band left a lot to be desired. So we left after finishing our drinks, and crossed the street to Barcode. I actually quite liked the place. It had a fun, relaxed vibe going on, and a decent crowd. Great music, and most importantly, the drinks were much, much better.

Oh, and I just remembered that Neko and I didn't do shots after all!

Anyway, we did manage to get a decent buzz going, and we finally decided to head home. But not before grabbing grilled fishcakes (for Neko) and sausages and bacon-wrapped spring onion (for me). Nothing beats street vendor food when you've been out drinking! So yeah, we're back at Neko's, we're both showered, she's online, and I'm sprawled on her bed, scribbling all of this into my notebook. But I'm done now because my arm is aching. I blame technology - I used to be able to write for hours on end (hello, 'A' level essays!), but now...well, now my arm aches. So I'll stop now and go to sleep. I am, after all, already in bed.

And so ends Day 6.

Remember, remember...

...the 5th of November. That's today. I don't know why that rhyme gets stuck in my head. I know next to nothing about Guy Fawkes, the gunpowder plot or Bonfire Night. Although I've read enough Enid Blyton books to just know about burning the guy on the bonfire.

Anyway. Still in Taiwan! Today was pretty eventful, I thought. Slept in...oh, glorious glorious sleeping in, how I have missed thee! It's not a proper holiday unless you get to sleep in, really. Anyway, after I woke up, for some reason I had a hankering for some bacon and eggs. So Neko brought me to NY Bagels for brunch. Well, it was rather later than brunch, to be honest. But yeah.

I consumed an orange, two pancakes, two pieces of lovely lovely bacon, two eggs overeasy, potatoes, a blueberry bagel with cream cheese, and a coffee.

Yeah, I'm not sure how I managed to get up and walk after that.

Dropped by a bookstore afterwards, because really. I might be out of my homeland, but you can't keep the books away from me! Actually, Neko just wanted to have a look at a guidebook, to get an idea of where we could go, and to see if there's anything that caught my interest. After a while, I saw the English book section, and I picked up one that looked rather interesting, and got quite a few pages in, before Neko came back to pick me up.

Note to self: for further reference, since you didn't get that book, and it was rather interesting, it was A Soft Place to Land, by Susan Rebecca White. Get it. Seemed like a good read.

After that, we stopped by at hers, where we freshened up (and by 'we', I mean 'me', and by 'freshened up', I mean I redid my make up while Neko looked up driving directions).

So yeah, we had a lovely drive around the mountains, where Neko got temporarily lost, and I got to see quite a great view of Taipei. We ended up at the Tsuan-Tang Hot Springs, for my first hot spring experience. I decided to go with the private one though; I didn't really want to see a bunch of naked arses around me, nor did I feel overly inclined to expose my bare butt.

Anyhoo. I quite liked it! It was so relaxing...definitely glad I crossed that off my list, and will do it again if and when I come to Taiwan again. I'm not sure my skin is any better though. I'm still as gorgeous (and modest) as ever.

After that, we did another must-do - we stopped by the Shilin Night Market. I still wasn't hungry by this point (see: huge brunch consumed), so we decided to walk around a bit first. I did of course have a bubble tea first. Suuure, I can get that back home, but still! Can't come to Taiwan and NOT have a bubble tea, right?

Didn't buy anything. Strangely enough, I haven't really been bitten by the shopping bug while I've been here.
I did eat an oyster omelette...without the oyster, strangely enough. Yes, another thing I can get back home, but Neko got it for me, and it was quite the noms! Together with that, Neko got us another dish that I'd learnt about back home from some travel cooking show. Mum asked me about it, I asked Neko about it, and turns out that Neko quite likes it.

So I had my first taste of deep fried stinky tofu. I...did not like it. I could barely swallow the first bite. As much as I'd wanted to like it, I just...couldn't. But hey, at least I say I've had it!

Last thing I ate was guava and strawberries. The loveliest, juiciest, sweetest strawberries ever. Again, noms!

Pretty knackered after that, plus it started raining, so we made our way home. By home, I mean Neko's, of course.

So now we're here, both blogging, and drinking rum and cokes, planning to snuggle up and watch Chuck.


And so ends Day 5.

Hello Taiwan!

And so it continues.

I wrote the following out the old fashioned way. I used actual pen and paper!

4 November 2010; 0700hrs

What's the point in staying up all night if I'm going to end up running late anyway? Didn't even have a chance to use the bathroom, nor to grab a coffee.

Arrived at the airport after the check-in was closed. The guy at the counter made a call, and turned out that they would let me check in anyway. Problem is, I'd forgotten to print out my itinerary, so I had a minor hiccup when checking in. Thankfully, all turned out ok.

So here I am on the plane. Everyone's settling in and waiting for takeoff.

Seats are tiny! I'd forgotten how cramped the budget planes are. But at least I got a window seat; I can survive 5 hours.

First time going to Taiwan. I'm excited! Also, going to see Neko again!

Alright, Captain has started mumbling over the PA system. I suppose we're almost ready for takeoff.

Oh dear. I'm starting to feel claustrophobic already. Not good. This means it's time for a nap.

~~~

Still 4 November; 2159hrs
(back to keyboard)



First day in Taipei has been terrific! Landed about noon, Neko picked me up. After dumping my stuff at hers, the two of us and her brother went for lunch at Din Tai Fong. Noms!

Roamed around after; swung by the Sun Yat Sen Memorial. Creepy giant statue of the Doctor winked at me. I just know the rumours are true - it does get up and walk around, I just know it!

Wandered about a bit more, then went for a two hour massage. Foot massage was painful (hello pressure points!), but oh so welcome after all that traipsing around in high heeled boots.

Settling in now. Early night, because I'm knackered after not sleeping all night (with sporadic and uncomfortable naps on plane), plus rather relaxed after massage.

I think I'll head for the shower, then snuggle up in bed to watch videos. Sounds like a wonderful way to close a wonderful way, no?

And so ends Day 4.



- Posted from KiP

Location:Neko's Bed