My 10 "Life-Changing" Moments of 2015

A lot went down in 2015. I changed my address, I changed my job, I changed the people I spent time with. I redefined myself through my thoughts and what I did with my time. It almost seemed that I had a completely different life than before.

It was scary but I relished the opportunity to work with a fresh slate.

So here are my 10 "Life-Changing" Moments of 2015:

ONE: Moving to Punggol

My new room in Punggol!

This was a huge step after being wishy-washy and having difficulty committing financially because of my uni tuition fee loan. I started renting a room in Jan. I'm finally living on my own! It took some getting used to, looking after household things and getting necessities for myself (like washing detergent which I never had to worry about). My parents were concerned and have still not given up persuading me to move back with them. Admittedly, life would be a whole lot easier not having to pay rent. But the whole journey toward independence and newly-earned privacy is worth it. There's just no turning back.

TWO: Writing for Kronenbourg Celebrates Craft

After my blogpost about moving out went viral, Sugarquoted, a content-creation outfit, picked me up and I secured my first writing assignment - the Kronenbourg Celebrates Craft facebook series. I've had the chance to interview quite a few cool people, from a leather craftsman to a mixologist.

Fahim - giving the best cuts at Hounds of the Baskervilles 

Morgan - producing custom-made furniture, Roger & Sons 

I learned a lot about craftsmanship, about picking up an art, about perfectionism. It was inspiring! On my end, I was given a chance to hone my interview and writing skills. Thinking of compiling and publishing this series of interviews in the near future.

Also write two articles for shiok.sg about ice cream establishment 320 Below and terrarium-making Mini-Nature.

THREE: Hosting the Hot Soup Challenge

I've been hosting internal events for my company at my last job for the longest time, whether they were townhall meetings or gatherings. I've also emceed weddings for the longest time and it was only this year that I actually had the chance to do it as a sideline, and I'm hoping it grows into something more.

Hot Soup Challenge was my first, and most exciting event. Organised by Asian Geographic magazine, it was a competition for secondary school students to pit their smarts against each other. It was memorable not only because I got to interact with the staff behind the magazine and learn from them, MP Baey Yam Keng was also in attendance and I got to ask him a couple of questions about his job so that the students could learn what an MP does!

It also resulted in this epic selfie.

I also hosted Copthorne King's Hotel's Dinner and Dance, followed by Xin Wang's tenth anniversary event where they launched a special menu and had a tasting for digital media partners.

The only time I can't eat food when it's in front of me is when I'm the emcee 

FOUR: InCider

Let me get this off my chest: InCider is no more. Started it with two colleagues, and failed. It was promising and definitely a cool idea, delivering choice ciders and beers to your doorstep for your house parties.

I was in charge of the social media strategy and in the beginning we drummed up quite a bit of publicity and had a good following. I was quite proud of what we had achieved.

Delivering the Brothers promo pack

There was a solid promo campaign for our Brothers pack, followed by a great partnership with Fassler which saw them stock our stuff. We helped during their outlet's opening weekend, publicising and getting customers to visit their shop and trying drinks while they were there.

Unfortunately, for reasons unknown to me, our operations came to a halt just as we were about to work with a major establishment for a countdown party. I was hoping that the event would take us to the next level and it was my contact that got us the gig. My ego took a beating. I apologised to my friend. I'm not sure what more I could have done. I was disappointed and guess, not ready for a business.

Photoshoot for InCider publicity

I didn't get paid for my work, but neither did I lose any money. I just felt that everything could have been better handled. There's some angst on my end but you win some, you lose some.

FIVE: Exploring Singapore

Mucking around at Macritchie Reservoir

With a bit more time on my hands this year, I decided that it would be a shame to travel overseas without knowing what there was to discover in your own backyard so I went to as many of our parks and nature reserves as I could.

The Punggol Tree, that is no more :( 

Along the Green Corridor 

Linkway between St John's Island and Lazarus Island

Was surprised by a lot of the stuff that I found. Never knew that we had so many places hidden away from view, some relatively tough to get to like Sungei Buloh, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Lazarus Island; while others like the River Safari, Green Corridor and the Tree-Top Walk, were, literally, a walk in the park!

Really enjoyed being in nature, exploring, walking and taking photos, so I guess that laid the foundation and solidified the "get closer to nature" theme for 2015.

SIX: Zhui Lu Gu Dao - Taroko Gorge

Ten days in Taiwan didn't feel excessive. In fact, we discovered that there was so much more that we'd left undiscovered that we've probably got to go back to erm, discover them.

The start of the trail is gated - you've got to register to get in

Not so easy

Phwoar

The highlight was Taroko Gorge and this trail, with a long, challenging steep climb up followed by a narrow path at the face of a cliff with a 500m drop. It wasn't that dangerous but it was pretty unnerving. I've managed to keep my footing but have since fallen harder in love with the great outdoors.

SEVEN: Races - Urbanathlon, YOLO Run, Standard Chartered Marathon

Over the years, I've become more selective of which runs I attend, having done ten a year at my peak. I think I've mellowed in my er, older age. Urbanathlon was in March, the first of the year and one that I have been taking part every year because not only do you have to be able to run, you've got to be able to take on the obstacles. It's a total body work out and a real test of endurance and fitness. Loved that.

YOLO turned out to be gimmicky, with its #runshirtless theme they banged on about, but fun because it rained just as we were about to reach Gardens by the Bay and poured even heavier on our way back to the starting point. Drenched!

SC Marathon was one that I didn't expect to do. Took part in an Adidas instagram competition and won a pair of tickets for the 10km run so we said okay, let's do it, despite not having trained much because of the persistent haze. We ran all the way and I was proud to have done so.

EIGHT: SAFRA Awesome Instagrapher

Like I've said before, this was probably the biggest birthday present ever -  a chance to try all the activities that SAFRA has to offer and take over their Instagram for a month.

I could still remember seeing the ad on facebook and signing up for it when I was working out at SAFRA Toa Payoh, and some time later, getting a call from the agency running the campaign to inform me that I had been selected. Unreal! It's that feeling that if you told anyone, you'd be rudely awakened from the dream and it wouldn't be real!

Aikido! 

Rock-climbing!

Zumba!

October became a hectic month, with me trying everything every couple of days, capturing photos, rushing back, selecting them, captioning them and submitting them. It was a crazy, crazy time. More work and commitment than most people imagined but it was insanely satisfying. (It was also satisfying seeing my friends win movie vouchers weekly from the giveaway too!)

Sometimes I get to chill

What I enjoyed most was being active, working out every part of my body and brain, from testing my flexibility at Yoga, my coordination at Zumba, my aim at the air rifle range, overcoming my fear of heights while abseiling to holding my liquor better at Beerfest. Most of all, SAFRA let me share these great moments and form incredible memories with my friends. It was one of the biggest projects that I took on this year and it was a hell lot of fun.

Would do it all over again.

NINE: Jolin - Play

It was 2007 when I saw her being lowered by a pair of rings into the stadium and it was pandemonium. I didn't know then that it'd be 8 years till I saw her live again, and there I was standing in the front row, witnessing her performance on a 360-degree round stage.

One thing that struck me as she sang songs from as far back as 1999, was how she has matured as an artiste, how she was still a perfectionist and how she has continued to work incredibly hard to put on a show of this magnitude. Here's someone I grew up with and it made me reflect on my own journey and where I wanted to be in the future.

TEN: Zoukout

Who's down for partying till the sun comes up? Me!! It's my fourth or fifth one already and even though there were no Hardwells, a competent lineup of Nervo, Axwell ^ Ingrosso and Armin pumped music into the cool drizzling air all night long. It was great basking in that atmosphere of people feeling and being free, enjoying themselves, singing, expressing themselves, bodies bouncing in pure pleasure. A joy to watch, and a joy to be a part of.

With the BFF

When the sun started peaking out from behind the clouds and a small part of the sky starting lighting up... euphoria! It was amazing and I loved it.


That's how I want to remember 2015. Like a party with endless energy ending with a huge bang, fireworks and all, then breaking into a new dawn.

Gonna take the first week of 2016 to plan what I want to achieve... not really resolutions, but to find themes that I'd like to learn/explore with my time. With so much happening, and things that are definitely out of one's control, I've discovered that I cannot control the specifics, but I can definitely devote my energy and thoughts to areas that I want more of.

To 2016.

10 TAKE MY MONEY Cafes and Restaurants 2015

I'm the kind of guy who eats to live but once in awhile you've got to indulge, and sometimes sharing a good meal is the best thing to do with people you love.

After a year of eating out so much cos I've moved out, I've spent more than I dare to admit, and gone to more places than I care to mention. Some dining spots were pretty but served crappy food, which was sad. Then there were others that made me go - TAKE MY MONEY!

I'm not some major food critic but here are my taste bud biases for 2015:

ONE: 320 Below

11 Tanjong Katong Road, #01-K1 One KM, Singapore 437157

Ever since I interviewed Aillyn, Director of 320 Below for shiok.sg and got to try their amazing creations, I was hooked! The coconut ice cream and lava cake is epic. You can even request for a mash-up of their ice cream flavours, one of which is lychee earl grey. They prepare the puree in front of you, freeze it with nitrogen at -320 Fahrenheit, and voila, ice cream that's fresh, delicious and with real fruit! Pretty outstanding IMO.

TWO: Curious Palette

64 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188667

Opened by the brilliant Ryan who has more barista awards than I can mention, the good coffee is a given but it's the food and desserts that are quite brainspoil. I've dragged friends there for ice cream waffles after dinner around PS and it never disappoints. Love that it comes with poached pears and other fruit. I've got to go back to try the rest. Visually satisfying, gastronomically tantalising. Nom nom nom.

THREE: Ikoi Japanese Restaurant

401 Havelock Road #01-01, Hotel Miramir, Singapore 169631

Tucked away in Hotel Miramir, the place looks simple but the sashimi is the bomb. Who knew this place would serve up Jap food buffet like it does? Love it! And this boat - just ordered tonnes of sashimi so I could see it plated like this. IM ON A BOAT

FOUR: Itacho Sushi

2 Ion Orchard, #03-20

From one Jap restaurant to the next, this is my go-to Jap food place forever. Relatively consistent, great selection and dishes that throw some surprises my way... I've pretty often, I guiltily admit. Love the sushi - put it in my mouth, take a moment, inhale and then go OMG!

FIVE: Legendary Hong Kong

63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-80 Provisional Unit Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre, Singapore 648831

When it first opened, I was still working in the west so we went crazy when we had gatherings there. Haven't really explored many options for HK food in Singapore but Legendary Hong Kong really takes me back (to Hong Kong). Would love to hear from you if you have more recommendations but this, other than Tim Ho Wan, is at the top of my mind when I have a craving for bo luo bao and his friends.

SIX: Mad About Sucre

27 Teo Hong Rd, Singapore 088334

It's not just on the list cos the BFF works there now. Mad About Sucre delivers! Prettiest cakes I've ever seen and their servers come up to tell you a bit more about the story behind the desserts on your plate. Quite an experience. If you're feeling fancy, you could even have one of their customised teas (blends they came up with themselves and you can't get anywhere else) paired with your dessert. Rumour has it that a lady who used to get her stuff from Grand Hyatt came here instead for her Christmas Party and spent... well, probably my monthly pay check!

SEVEN: Muchachos

22 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089129

Went once before it closed for renovations and then a couple of times more after that. Loving the bad-ass skull outside and the slightly greasy Mexican food they serve. Instantly memorable, huge portions and now with a roomier seating area (but enclosed and everyone's voice echoes like crazy), this is where I want to be when I need to sink my teeth into a burrito or tortilla. Gah. This is making my stomach rumble right now.

EIGHT: The Populus Coffee & Food Co.

146 Neil Road, Singapore 088875

Yes, yes and yes. This is what happens when you combine the sensibilities of what makes a good cafe and put it into a modern, edgy outfit - you get Populus. New kid on the block and it clearly knows what I want. Gorgeous, insta-worthy food that's prepared with a twist. Loved the stuff I had there. Refreshing compared to most cafes I've been, and although I seem to remember it being slightly pricier than most places, it really got me saying - TAKE MY MONEH!

NINE: Ronin Cafe

17 Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059660

It's like the best well-kept secret. There isn't even any sign of it at the door! The green tea latte was awesome and food was genius, combining sweet with meat... WOW. It's not a place for instagram - it's dark, it's chill, low-key, a place for you to find seek solace, solitude, a place away from the outside world.

TEN: Sunday Folks

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-52 Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278116

There's a pattern here - I have a bit of a weakness for ice cream waffles. Opened this year, I believe. There's a queue no matter the time of day and I only managed to get it when it was the very last order for this. On par with Creamier but cuter and for some reason, tastier. I need to go back.


I'm always on the hunt for places with reasonable prices. Leave a comment and let me know if you've got any recommendations, especially those serving wicked Jap food and sinful ice cream waffles!

5 Reasons to Run Downtown Singapore

Keith and I with SG50 graffiti at one of the underpasses

Surprised myself by taking up a tour of around Singapore, but not just any tour - a Running tour!

Keith, our guide for the one hour, 5km adventure, took us through Clarke Quay, Chinatown, Marina Bay, City Hall and more. The man had impressive stamina. We ran at a comfortable pace for conversation but surely, it must have been a challenge to spout history on the move, and perhaps even harder explaining places to fellow locals like ourselves!

Here are 5 Reasons why you should run around Downtown Singapore:

1. Rediscovering beauty of urban development

The Fullerton Hotel on the right, with a bridge that used to be raised to allow boats to pass under

I love parks, but there's only so many times I can run in Punggol! It was refreshing to pound the pavements of the CBD area with the (hot) office folks who have just finished work.

Our urban landscape is constantly changing too, so there's always something new to discover.

2. Learning and re-learning history

Another thing that got jogged was my memory. All that history of Singapore came to life, with an emphasis on our multicultural background and the lasting impact of WWII.

Doing the Raffles outside Victoria Theatre, which was used as a hospital during WWII

Sri Mariamman Temple, built in 1827, is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple

Civilian War Memorial, with four pillars representing the four races of Sg.

Had a solemn moment walking through the War Memorial when I was told that the remains of war victims were buried beneath it. Reminded me of a war monument in Sense 8, where the characters were reflecting on loss, terror and choices.

3. Touring with the tourists

Merlion Park, overlooking the bay area with a view of the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands

Singapore is packed with tourists in town on a weekday and nowhere is this more evident than the Merlion Park. It was crazy - every single person was trying to capture an Insta-worthy shot at the bay area, of the MBS and the Merlion. I did not expect that our local icons could rouse that kind of excitement in tourists!

Loved the feeling of being tourist for a day. I took a touristy pic there, and at the Jubilee Walk which is a new walkway linking the Esplanade to this area.

4. Getting your fitness on

It was a running tour after all and Keith is pretty serious about running! We went on without taking many breaks in between, stopping only to snap some photos so you've got to be really active to take on this tour. The upside to it is definitely working on your fitness when you're travelling, and covering as many places as possible in the short span time. You'd be surprised at how much more you can see when you speed things up a bit!

We worked up a pretty good appetite for delicious local fare as well, and with the hawkers at Chinatown nearby, we were not short of choices.

Also, my last last minute training before my 10km one at Standard Chartered Marathon this Sunday.

5. Taking postcard-worthy pictures

I think they speak for themselves:

Taking a pit stop to capture the magnificent, newly-opened National Gallery Singapore

Favourite pic of the day - sunset over Clarke Quay

We got the best of both worlds - a good work out and a tour about Singapore. The great part about it is you could get more running if you wanted. Prove that you are up to it, turn up the pace, and you could probably go a longer route and see more. If you wanted a more relaxing one, you could ask more questions, learn more history and stop to take more photos. It's pretty much up to you.

Thanks to Keith for bringing us around. He was youthful (probably a couple years younger than myself), energetic and raring to go. The muscles on his calves were testament to his passion for this tour, which sometimes requires him to do a morning session followed by an evening one. One thing I thought he could've done better was to tell us more in-depth history, but I'm probably just nitpicking! Kudos to him.

View this post as a photojournal without my crappy writing here.


This post is courtesy of the good people at BeMyGuest. It seems like a popular way of exploring the city. Keith sometimes does up to three of these a week. Interested? Check out the Historical 5km Run here. 

Island-Hopping through St John's Island, the fabled Lazarus Island, Seringat Island and Kusu Island

The beach on Lazarus Island - a wide C-shape bay and more sand than most beaches in Singapore.

St John's Island, the fabled Lazarus Island and Seringat Island

The three islands are connected - Lazarus to St John's, Seringat to Lazarus. All you have to do is find your way to St John's and you'd have access to all of them! 

St John's Island

The most well-known of the three, the island has holiday bungalows for rent and well-loved beaches of its own to boast.

Partner-in-crime Thamsy in red carrying a foldable chair and food, among other things.

A landmark that you can spot from the boat, hundred meters before reaching the island.

My cousin mentioned that she used to stay in this house during Sec School badminton camp. There was a row of such houses, which we didn't have time to explore, but looked old and worn, like they had a story to tell.

A lookout point on the causeway to Lazarus. Amazing.

Lazarus Island

As with many experiences that people try to sell you, this one is a tad hyped up.

There're nothing (save for one shelter) on this beach, except sand, sea and trees so you're completely immersed in nature, which I was a happy with, but could be a bad thing for some people. It's on you to bring all you need to make yourself comfortable - a huge beach hat, 1.5l of water and sunblock, in whichever combined amount you would prefer (and I recommend equal), a mat, and some snacks.

When we were there the sun was so hot that you'd want to be in the water or under shelter.

If it weren't that hot, it would have been way more relaxing. It's a decent stretch of beach with white, fine sand, a view of the sea not littered with countless cargo ships and very few people. We visited it during the school holidays so there's no doubt that if you visited it on a normal week day, you'd see almost no one.

If you got a boat.

Seringat Island

Not much has been written about Seringat Island. It's even quieter than Lazarus, which has stolen the limelight for having "the best beach in Singapore". I much prefer it actually! There's a nice path that leads you around the island and a couple of picnic shelters facing the sea thrown in for good measure.

Thamsy and I ended up spending most of our time there, looking at the residential estates of Sentosa Cove and enjoying the food that he prepared. The aspiring home cook is a life saver. We'd be living on chips if he didn't have pursuits like these.

Kusu Island

On the way back to the mainland, the ferry dropped us off at Kusu Island for an hour. You could probably cover its perimeter in twenty minutes. We climbed up to Datuk Kong, which appeared to be a place for prayer, and chilled out by the beach. It gives off a bit of East Coast type of vibe, but more zen. 

Kusu Island means "Turtle Island" and there were tales of how the turtle saved early sailors who reached its shores and the island's mystical healing powers. With more time it I would have liked to soak up the cultural heritage of the place.

Iconic Chinese temple in the background, and one of the many homages to turtles on the island.

Thamsy doing his best to be the last picture in Tyra's hands so he would not have to pack his bags and go home.

How to get there:

The ferry schedule as of June 2015.

1. 

Charter a yacht. Waiting for Thamsy to become a millionaire for this. Or more economically:

2.
Singapore Island Cruise will bring you to St John's Island and back for $18, stopping by Kusu Island for about an hour on the way back.

A typical weekday trip will see you leaving Marina South Pier (which you can get to via MRT to the station of the same name) at 10am and coming back to the mainland at 4.15pm. The weekends offer more timings, which you can check out here.

Resources:

Straits Times: Lazarus Island's laid-back charm
Expat Living Singapore: A step-by-step guide to finding Singapore's best beach