So I kinda lied about traveling

As I sit in our living room sorting photos and planning the upcoming long weekends, I realize I should never speak too soon. Chances are, I will be using my passport quite a bit these next few months. Oh well.

Despite the excessive need to flee the country, I'm pretty excited to be diving back into my daily routine of taking the train to work, sipping morning coffee and attempting evening jogs. Imagine that!

Before I do, I'd like to tell you about the most amazing week I had. I was away in San Francisco for a little while catching up with old friends. This was followed by a few awesome days at our Global Sales Conference in Burlingame. Each day I'm at this company, I can't help but feel inspired and extremely grateful.

My previous MD, now a good friend, and I were just reminiscing how I had once expressed during an interview, my desire to work on a subject I could relate to. Back then I had thought, I just need something that I care about and would be happy immersing in. Something I'd want to live and breathe.

And here I am, living and breathing all of this. Good times.

Job aside, there are lotsa other things that make me happy. Meyer lemon meringue tart for one. This one from Boulette's Larder is the best. Neither too tart nor too sweet. Perfection in a slice

Meeting up with a long-time (not old) friend over coffee. Trung, you're so spontaneously awesome


Spending a day at wine country with a girlfriend. PS: Borina, on hindsight I should've snuck a few more bottles of wine back!


Rockstar photobooth shots

And coming home to the bf of course :)

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Just a taste

Raspberry macaron I made at Le Cordon Bleu

I have a gazillion photos of Paris and Barcelona, though we'll have to settle with these from my phone cause poor PC is dying and can't handle the load. Come on Dell Inspiron circa twenty 07. You can do it!

This recent trip was a short yet eventful one. It's like taking the smallest sliver from a gigantic wheel of European cheese and savoring every moment of its pungent deliciousness. Slowly disintegrating the rind between your teeth and letting the creaminess melt into your tongue.

If you're a cheese lover, you'll know what I mean.

The highlights of my travel didn't just end at Charles de Gaulle (pronounced Shahl-duh-gool) but rather continued with my visit to Facebook's HQ in Palo Alto. Every second in the building kept me drunk with optimism and excitement for what we do on a daily basis. It's hard to feel anything but in love so I've included shots from Silicon Valley as well :)

Taken during my Frenchiest lunch ever, and I say this with much affection

Here at Chez George, an obscure restaurant recommended by Alexander Lobrano, everyone is chattering over lunch in fluent French. There is no doubt I was the only non-local in there attempting to hide my flaws with even more flawed French. Tables are kept apart by a mere inch of air. The room was dimly lit, and the decor was mostly paintings, pans and mirrored walls.

I was placed next to 4 well-heeled men who were sitting at a table for four; though in the oddest arrangement ever! 3 to one side and 1 on the other ??? Halfway through his meal of simple pasta with freshly-shaved truffles (I checked the menu and it was 60 Euros a pop!) one of the gents looked over and poured me a glass of Pinot Noir. It was hard not to eavesdrop as this same gent kept pestering his companion to order le fromage. "Pascal loves cheeeese" he explained after asking if I liked traditional French food.

Across from where I sat was a group of theatrical-looking people. It's probably not clear from the picture above, but the lady in the back had a face I've only ever seen in French cartoons! It was really small and shaped like a heart with even bangs lining the forehead. Atop, was an oversized black bow. To complement the look, she had painted her cheeks with shocking pink macaron-sized circles. One on each side. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail that looked like it was snipped at the end, while still held up with a rubberband. She was skinny and fully clothed from head to toe in black. It wowed me to no end. I couldn't help but feel that she could be someone famous I just don't know.

The view from my humble hotel on Valentine's eve. I missed you hon!


Having fun at Miu Miu


What I covet but couldn't bring myself to buy

Cruella deville on her way to Denver

I spy with my little eye...

Day trip to Mont Saint Michel. It was beautiful with so much history behind it. To think monks used to risk their lives making their way there. I'd reveal more, though I'll just ruin it for you. Wiki does it better :)

Fluffy omelet that deflates in your mouth, a Normandy favorite


Seriously, the room I want to have meetings in everyday


$25 worth of fluffiness


At the Google campus

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Travel dates cont.

Guess where to?

I wish I could post pictures of all the beautiful things that captivated me these past months. As well as those from our recent trips and celebrations of all things good. But alas, I can't. At least not now. Don't fret though. I'll be tweeting bit by bit through the weeks. I do miss this blooog :)

Sweet tweets>

A place to call my own

With such sparse updates on my blog, I should consider quitting it altogether. Not that it really matters cause my most avid fan seems to be Auntie Christine who once asked with genuine concern, "You haven't been blogging as often have you?" To which I resignedly nodded.

For once, after so long, I do have something to blog about besides work, work, Macarune and work.

Going back to the States this time around stirred a lot of fond recollections. I remember what it's like to sleep in the car during long afternoon drives with the sun on my face. Stepping out of my room without sweating buckets. Watching chatty chefs prepare seasonal vegetables at Chez Panisse behind the counter where the big bowl of bing cherries stand. Having a cocktail lunch by myself at Spruce after a cut and wash. Rummaging through racks of Theory work wear and weekend pieces by Elizabeth & James at Bloomie's. Or walking along familiar streets that were flat, steep, crooked and straight.

Some experiences were more comforting than others, such as drinking Throat Coat tea with local honey from the farmer's market and meeting old friends.

Others were new yet pleasant, such as staying at a lovely apartment in Pac Heights cooking dinner at an unfamiliar kitchen.

The least expected were ones that helped build character: taking a last minute flight to LA for a visa I should've prepared...

Everything seemed so natural. So real. As if we never left. But we did. And now we're back, our luggages bursting with Reese's peanut butter cups and our hearts filled to the brim with more fond memories to share.

There was a time I didn't know where I belong, but now I think I do.

Guess where we're going?

Image taken from Harry Marx, on Flickr

Priorities

Macarune and work have been such a huge part of my life lately, it's easy to forget the other important things like family, love and friends. That's why it's so great there's something called impromptu flights :)

Last weekend, I made a booking for one of these, and we celebrated Mother's Day a week earlier. The theme was polka dots and hearts. And the parents were super endearing, playing along with our whimsy idea of wearing paper hearts a la Julia Child!

More photos when I get the chance.

You say Melaka, I say Malacca

...courtesy of the bf




This past weekend, the bf and I drove up to Malacca. It was the perfect journey accompanied by a perfect soundtrack cleverly titled "You say Melaka, I say Malacca," hence this post's title.

Upon arrival at the hotel, we hung around the lobby waiting for our room to be ready. While we were flipping through magazines, a Japanese staff member greeted us with great enthusiasm for about 20 long seconds, in Japanese! As I suppressed my giggles, the bf simply said, "We're not Japanese." That minor incident left me tickled, though we couldn't help but feel sorry for the confused man who was later teased by his colleagues.

My mom, aunt and sisters dropped by to say hello and to share a cuppa or two. We had lunch at Nancy's Kitchen where a large cockroach greeted us before it met its demise and a very large Nancy didn't, greet us that is. *Sob. The latter disappointed my little sister who spent half her time guessing if Nancy really was Nancy, and mustered up the courage to say hello only to be somewhat "snorted at." So much for Nancy's cozy little kitchen.

We were so excited for nyonya food but were let down by excessively sweet kuihs and uninspiring dishes. Though we couldn't get enough of Jonker88's cendol and Chung Wah's chicken. Super yum! The rest of the weekend was spent swimming in the hotel pool and soaking in sea salt baths. Why can't all weekends be this long and lovely?

Our room at the Majestic Malacca

Old-fashioned floral tiles and cookie jars. Way to reach a girl's heart :)


Afternoon tea with the ladies


Cendol at Jonker88. Gula melaka is delicious! Great reco Shuqs!


All that yumminess triggered a Macarune idea


Chicken rice balls at Chung Wah


Packing up and ready to hit the road


Toodle-oo Malacca!

More photos to come. It's been one looooooong day and I'm just glad it's over.

Heading home for the Chinese New Year!

This year's CNY is also a very delayed Christmas :)

Pressies for the fam

Call any of my family member's numbers if you wanna meet up! And if you know me, you should have at least 1 of 5 member's number. The odds are high.

Where we went to start the year

...and more interestingly, what we did while we were there.

Stole some horns from Muse after counting down at Lounge18 on the Bund


Queued up for the yuckiest snack that smelled like garbage and tasted probably like garbage had I tried that before


Sat on each other given the chance


Stood in the way of other people's photos


...more often than we're proud of


Took a stab at Hanyu pinyin


Posed in bathtubs, fully dressed


Had takeout in our hotel room on the 31st of Dec


"Drank" tea from the spout


Left a mark in Starbucks at the Yuan Gardens


Looked angry and complained half the time


Looked stupid the other half of the time


Had roast geese HK style


Sampled Pierre Hermé's old and new flavors at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant


Lunched at Cépage

Shanghai was polluted, dirty, and icky family fun. HK was the usual indulgent food fest with money well spent. Though the latter trip was cut short due to an important event, it won't be long before I return. This time, with the bf.

Thanks Randy for providing recos and taking us out NY's eve! That really made the night!

And of course, a big thanks to Suen who shared my love for facial masks and desserts in the comfort of her couch. That's pure bliss.

Not forgetting AC who so kindly brought back Pierre Hermé macarons from Paris and taking me out for Yung Kee pei dan. I ♥ you!

More photos here, here and here>

The sweetest thing

The running joke for most Americans about going home during the holidays often involves dread and Everybody Loves Raymond type scenarios. While that may be true, and sadly inevitable sometimes, it is oh so rewarding when you experience the contrary.

This time around, I was reminded how much I miss being around my super sisters. Mom and dad were traveling in Eastern Europe, leaving 3 of 4 mischievous girls behind. So to complete the mix, Chris and I made a trip back to "babysit." Though really, we were the ones who needed babysitting - lol.

Can you believe being surrounded by 4 giggly girls for a whole weekend? And would you believe I have 3 sisters??! Kinda explains a lot doesn't it? :)

Here are a few photos of the weekend. Because I'm still trying to figure out how to upload photos from our new cam without them appearing pixilated help! see the rest on FB.

Chris trying his first toasted chicken floss and jerky sandwich lined with cool cucumbers and ketchup. You're Malaysian now love!

Little sis with Lola

Lola bola!!!

Shin's astronaut from a Cranium Cloodle

Our first time at Kayu

Little sis eating cheesecake with her fingers. And littlest sis squealing at the grossness of it all

At KTZ for supper (that was before wai sek kai and Sun Hin Loong)

Messing around with the little sis before dimsum at Grand Imperial

Chris telling a poo story before dinner. I kid you not

Quiet moments

How we spent most of our time

I miss you girls sooo much - XOXO