Oh, hi there again! Did you miss me? I don’t miss you as much, but I guess today is the day that negates it.

I’ve been planning to risk something that is in the grey area. You know it’s not helping when you read Seth’s blog (been meaning to read Guy Kawasaki’s scribbles too), and at the same time, you talk to a lot of friends about concepts and ideas. It gives birth to a new concept or idea, which never fails to interest me.

So you may ask: why? Because people would be bored in the long run on something that’s too good or too bad. Let’s just say, the intention is to prolong people’s engagement by baiting them into something that’s bad or does not conform to the usual norm, but in the essence, it’s not really intended to be “that” way. Non-conformity never fails to intrigue people. It’s a fact of life that sometimes the law of magnetism applies to people’s interests on things. Opposites attract. Like poles repel.

Of course, there is such a thing as too much. Too much is like a call for desperation. It’d more likely tire someone’s desires, and look for another fish to catch, probably a more intriguing fish. Being in the grey area is ambiguous, and it piques someone’s curiosity. As long as someone’s curious, he or she is hooked on and engaged to it. And then finally, you’re in for the kill!

Disclaimer: this is strictly business folks.

It would have been a pain for someone whose everyday life requires a lot of trudging — children most especially. If roads have been smooth and well cushioned into perfection, it would have not been much of a problem. Hence, I thank the person who discovered and invented footwear. If it weren’t for this person, I would have chosen the path to extreme indolence. That is, having to ride instead of to walk. I would’ve been topping the obesity charts in addition.

Here in Thailand, however, it’s a tradition to be shoeless when you’re inside home or a formal, sacred establishment. I got adjusted into what’s customary, and here I am, sauntering barefoot inside my own house.

So, what’s the point of writing this? TOMS, one of mi favorito shoe brands because of the comfort it gives to my overworked-underpaid lower extremities (read: feet for those who can’t read without thinking of something risque), will be having a One Day Without Shoes Event in the Philippines! Sounds exciting isn’t it?

On April 10, feel free to participate by walking barefoot on the grounds of Greenbelt 3 Park from 3:00-7:00 pm. This is to support less-fortunate children who cannot afford to buy a pair of decent footwear, and walk barefoot instead. Sad story, I know. I loveeeee kids as I used to take care of my cousins, younger uncles and well, siblings, back in the days so I always have a soft spot for them. I hope you guys accept the challenge. As for myself, I’d be barefoot in my own home all day long (LOL not so much of a challenge).

Put yourself in a child’s shoes by removing your own.

Surprise to see me again? Not really!

I must admit that I’ve had 2 days of internet withdrawal syndrome coupled with PMS and some undisclosed turmoils of the thalamic region.

Anyhoo, I remember this song from Beatles, a cult classic English rock band that I grew up with.

Happiness is a warm gun. Happiness defies boredom, brings chaos to our world, and kills us softly until we reach our own nirvanas.

I’ve been into difficult situations all my life, and I’m happy to say that I’ve survived until today. Oddly enough, I’m a continuous work in progress, despite such unyielding characteristic. I digress on the notion that people cannot change. If there’s such a constant thing in this world, it’d probably be “change” itself.

Honestly, I do not believe in karma, in such a way that one cannot ascribe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. We create our own rules, and what we call “destinies” in life. There is no such thing as a happily ever after. Life is flawed, and isn’t perfect. It’ll never be perfect. However, what makes life perfect is its imperfections. Truly, it makes life more interesting, lest people would choose to shoot themselves down because of sheer boredom.

Happiness is about letting loose and letting go. No one will ever be happy unless one chooses to let live and let go of anything and everything that holds that person back into achieving true happiness.

Never would I imagine that one day, I’d get to stumble upon true happiness whilst it lasted. Life is full of surprises, really. I was able to know that it’s certainly possible!

Happiness is about doing unpopular decisions at the cost of your own happiness for the sake of other’s happiness. There are tough decisions that people make, and one cannot simply evade nor completely escape it. I’ve never been equivocal about it. Truthfully, I’ve done this many times, sacrificing my own sobriety. It’s painful and hurtful, but the courageous soul in me acts like a tiny candlelit amidst the empty, pitch black space.

Yes, I’m a little girl, a kid at heart, but probably a kind and wise one.

At the end of the day, I hope you’re happy, too.

Now, back to business.

Back in Manila, I remember playing this song on loop because my seatmate loves it. Whenever I play this song, she couldn’t help but sing with it.

So, I deliberately play this song again and again, coz I know she’d do the same thing over and over again. And, we’d end up happily singing together.

Disclaimer: she’s no way my lover. LOL

Anyway, I felt like writing a bit, because I feel like it. Yes, I know, I don’t make sense again. Must be that I’m extremely, inexplicably tired today. I think I’m really getting old, coz I tire easily.

Best of all, I’m losing my mind, sans any warning sign. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. But, let’s keep the balance in between.

As we end this adventure experiment, I therefore conclude that time flies so fast.

It’s been just months ago since I first flew in Singapore. I next thing I knew, I stepped onto Orchard Road’s pavement roads again, sauntering whilst looking for a place to shop.

Initially, I was there mainly for business, although the business part went rocky and bombed. Nonetheless, amidst all the stress that this ditz who’s currently typing away random shite had, I was still able to score a tourist one.

Anyhoo, I’m here to chronicle my happy thoughts, and leave that short period of distress be.

As soon as I landed, I jump-started my day (or rather night) by visiting Clarke Quay again, and ate at the same place again along with an old friend and a new friend. I know, I know, I was feeling nostalgic, hence I almost did the same things I did the last time. I kinda miss the place, or should I say, I kinda miss the “city”. I’ve been living in a province for almost a month, and I guess I’m still amidst adjustment period.

Come second day, I did more interesting things by making a quick visit to Ngee Ann City’s Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken BBQ (where I ate an expensive but worth-the-bucks lunch), strolled along Orchard Road where I passed by an Art School (which’s one of my future plans), stopped a small garden-slash-park, and finally took a train ride to Marina Bay.

I wasn’t able to visit Marina Bay Sands during my last trip, so I took the opportunity to view the cityscape from the hotel’s Skypark.

But, my main purpose was to watch the awesomest play in the universe (been watching local plays so pardon my sheer ignorance with actual Broadway plays) — Wicked!!!

The best part went to Elphaba levitating whilst singing Defying Gravity. For me, it’s the play’s denouement already! I was immobilised, frozen in pure awe as I watched it. I thought I was going to well out after. ‘Twas that spectacular!

This isn’t the exact play I watched (not a good copy either), but well, you get the picture. It’s way, way awesome when seen by naked eyes. Jemma Rix really rocked the part!

After which, the day ended dining at the same place, Lau Pa Sat, and eating the same food, beef and chicken satay with the best peanut sauce I’ve ever tasted!

Last day came to pass, so I had a quick visit to Sentosa for one more time.

Of course, went straight ahead to Orchard Road for the last time. I need some therapy, you know.

Finally, had my dinner at Crystal Jade La Mien Xiao Long Bao, where I had prolly the best dumplings in the world.

Then straight to Takashimaya where I got assorted Japanese cakes and this: Rokumeikan’s Leaf Pie.

Passed by Kinokuniya, where I got books and magazines. I was a happy bubble after. I don’t have any onsite pics, coz I was busy feasting my eyes on beautiful things.

Last stop was in ION Orchard, where I shopped for some necessary stuff (at least in my honest opinion).

I saw a lot of Pinoys, specially in Sephora. One of them was a cute Pinoy guy who assisted me picking some scents…not until some beki cut in and ruined my moment. Ha-ha, kidding! The beki was helpful naman indeed.

I’ll try posting something semi-specific during my Singaporean trip, but well, I have a feeling it wouldn’t happen soon or ever.

My friends and I were talking about cooking and recipes when I thought about “writing to this blog”.

Dear Blog,

Funny that I stumbled upon you today, after several months of putting you on the back burner. I’ve had enough giving sorry excuses like being on a hiatus, being too busy at work, or forgetting to schedule a typing sesh with my computer. We shouldn’t be dwelling on the past, and should rather care on what’s today which is much more important.

Today’s news is pretty much like yesterday’s. It IS boring. The only difference about doing mostly the same thing everyday is on where it is done. If you’re one of my closest friends, which’s apparently not, you already have a clue where in the world I am right now.

Close to two weeks has passed, since I flew from Manila to Koh Samui. To tell you the truth, I had never known that such place existed on the map, until I got a new job. My friends and I would pretty much talk about Phuket (that resembles Coron, only more expensive to travel to and fro) or Bangkok (for shopping for clothes that People Are People sells at + 500% or more of the actual “net” price. It’s just chismis, so I can’t prove the verity on that), but not Koh Samui. Anyway, I’ve been feeling like Mark Twain. I’m up for a new adventure. Koh Samui isn’t really a bad place n seeking for something to scribe on a new chapter.

Back on the news. Like what I’d been doing in Manila, I’ve been doing it in here. Here I am at home, the bedroom in particular, lying on an enormous bed and staring like a gecko all day long. I remember one time telling to myself that I’d want to be a gecko. I just wanna sit in the middle of nowhere, staring to nothingness and satisfying myself in the process. I usually tell that whenever I’m stressed or burnt out. Weirdly, they’re indeed a lot of geckos around here, doing the same thing as I’ve been doing – playing dead (well, I caught one dead and I was sure of it).

But hey, you don’t call news ”news” if it were just merely mundane monotonies of living. I assure you that I pulled out a few strings and made some measly tweaks on my life.

Unlike my usual Manila Friday night which involves doing the same usual routine (lie in bed, watch stuff and read some fluff – except Murakami’s and Gaiman’s of course), I’ve been going out with my new coworkers for booze, games and fun. Typically tiring, but worth the shot (pun not intended).

I don’t eat lunch on my work desk anymore. I haven’t done it ever since I got here. LOLOL.

I visited a massage parlour last night, and tried the original Thai massage for the first time. ‘Twas really good. The back massage was fair enough, but the leg and feet massages were heavier than usual (which I like).

And then, there’s work. I don’t really discuss about work during idle time. But anyway, work’s been different around here. It requires me to utilize my noggin that’s been almost devoid of neurons and synapses for so many ages.

To sum up my new list of activities (planner, you know how I just love making and jotting down lists), I’m planning to pull off a dish of my own one of these days. I’ve been ordering food to-go, and I know that one day I’ll eventually get tired of it. The day has yet to come to pass, though I feel that it’s pretty close.

I was supposed to post my out-of-the-country sojourns, but yours truly is devoid of time (or pretending to). Anyways, I’m in the middle of changing my course, and this one’s something that I can relate to — on a not-so-enamored level.

Better in Time – Leona Lewis

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Just a segue post. I’m currently hooked on it. It smells so delicious that I really wanna take a chunk out of this dome-shaped lippie. Read more about it here.

Wow, my plans of keeping this blog updated with my Singapore and Kuala Lumpur sojourns have obviously bombed, but I’m doing my best to catch up. I hope my memory serves me right; it’s the only thing that I can really trust whenever I blog something quite late.

Been referred by my lovely co-bloggers, I attended King Chef’s Grand Opening a couple of weeks ago.

King Chef Fine Dining Restaurant is owned by husband and wife tandem Michael and Marites Ang, along with Cantonese Soup Kitchen and King Chef Dimsum Kitchen which are also found in the vicinity.

For someone who does not frequent the place, I must say it’s a hidden sanctuary in Banawe.

I am not particularly accustomed to Cantonese fine dining, being exposed more to the Western side of fine cuisine. I remember the time though when I was a little girl; we regularly ate at this Chinese restaurant called China Pearl sitting within the slew of restaurants in Tomas Morato. Of course, I just know the usual Chinese dishes like sotanghon, chop suey , siomao (dimsum), siopao (pork pao) and pancit among others.

Going back, most of the dishes served were quite new to me. Sophie, who was my seatmate then, introduced me into the world of “Chinese Imperial Feast”. Such gastronomical celebration is common during Chinese weddings and other (perhaps, traditional) festivities.

The ten-course meal was just overwhelming for someone who doesn’t eat a lot (lies ), but then again I didn’t succumb and got to taste everything!

I arrived earlier than the usual, registered, and had my snapshot taken on the makeshift photobooth whilst wearing a crown headpiece (lol). Then, I paced upstairs, and there loomed before me a huge dining area upon reaching the next floor.

I looked for the bloggers’ table, grabbed the nearest seat, and chattered with my seatmates who are food bloggers. It was my first meal of the night. The rain was pouring down intermittently during the day; hence it was a good thing that a cupful of brewed tea was primarily served, along with a platter of Fried Prawn Dumplings (King Chef’s bestseller) and Malaysian Cakes. Due to my churning stomach, I wasn’t able to take pictures of these and gobbled like a monstrous glutton instead.

After minutes of waiting, the feast finally started. Much to my insatiable appetite’s delight, we indulged in Double Boiled Native Chicken Soup which didn’t fail my vapid taste buds. The meat was soft and delectable, reminding me that of Hainanese chicken.

Next was the Cold Cuts Combination. Funny to see a Japanese maki surrounded by Chinese delicacies.

Century egg has never piqued my interest. I completely forgot the details, but it was a childhood nightmare for me. Since then, I never dared trying it. Sophie, however, made me try the shredded jellyfish (salad). It turned out to be really good! It reminds me of Atchara.

The Suahe Tea Leaves was one of the interesting dishes served. The presentation as well as the aroma of green tea leaves caught my attention.

Of course, a Chinese (or any Asian) meal wouldn’t be complete without the rice. Here’s King Chef’s version of Yang Chao Fried Rice.

Loved it to bits! The rice wasn’t oily unlike its run-of-the-mill fast food versions. I was initially planning to scrimp on the rice, but I just couldn’t. It was that damn good!

The King Fish Mango Sauce was really, really yummy! It complimented well with the Yang Chow. The secret ingredient lies within the mango sauce itself.

Along came these huge slices of Imperial Spareribs. I loved the tenderness of the meat, which was really juicy on the inside. The sauce was good as well, although I liked the mango sauce more in terms of uniqueness of taste.

The dishes kept on coming. One of which was the Crab with Sotanghon Hotpot. I’m not a huge fan of sotanghon, but I was just in-love with the flavours. The sotanghon was nicely done as well. I chose not to dig into the crab much though, lest things would end up with a messy affair between me and my plate!

I found these Chicken Fortune Bags too cute that I didn’t wanna break them apart! I got some broccoli to boot, which almost jumped out of my plate (my bad haha[!]).

Saved the best for last with a huge bowl of Herbal Lemongrass with Mixed Fruits. Supping the lemongrass proved to be quite refreshing. The fruit titbits were light enough, so I was able to consume everything in my much smaller bowl.

All in all, it was a scrumptious experience. I ended up with my stomach so full, yet so satisfied! I therefore conclude that binging on Chinese cuisine has never this satisfying! It paved a way for me to re-embrace Asian cuisine in a new light.

So, how about a part two? Or perhaps, share the experience with someone else?

King Chef Fine Dining is located at 987-989 Banawe Street, Quezon City. For reservations, you may contact them via landline at 441-4177.

Thank you to King Chef Fine Dining and Abigail Ang for sharing this one-of-a-kind Cantonese cuisine experience with me.