[Day 2; 10th Nov]
I woke up at 10am, two hours off my expectations. After getting out of the warm bed where I was literally sinking beneath the comforter and washing up, we headed to this Italian fine-dining place for brunch. It was gooood. You guys should just assume that every food place I mention from now on is GOOD. Hahaha, and fattening, and yummy. And good. Okay, moving on (there are loads and loads of pictures from Maggiano’s so, if you feel like feeling jealous about Calamari, Stuffed Mushrooms, Salmon, Lasagna, Ravioli, Chicken and Truffle, Tiramisu and Crème Brulee do check them out ;)) we shopped a lot after that.
Because it was almost 3pm after that heartening (or heartburn-ing) lunch, Aunty Theresa had to pick J-zach from school, leaving us to shop at Marshall’s, this department stall that has fantastic brands and awesome prices. I bought myself an O’Neill tank top (for US$9.99!) and Clement’s birthday present (: I think it’s so appropriate. Haha! While shopping at the Sports area, I found PRANA. Okay, I admit, I was looking for chalkbags but I found tops instead. SO PRETTY. There was one that’d match Gwen’s chalkbag..!
We reluctantly left Marshall’s at 5pm, having about 3 hours left till Aunty Theresa picked us up for dinner. We walked into Pak Sun, this shop which had brands like FOX (the riding brand), Split (my favourite!), Roxy and VANS. I almost bought a shirt and a pair of jeans, but the price and fit weren’t great, so I passed. Next, we went into Tilly’s! Yes, I came out with a bag… this time it was jeans. Not just any jeans, hon. Levi’s. And you’ll never believe the price! I got it for a mere US$26! Screams. The States is shopaholic paradise, admit it!
Dinner that night was at Kula’s, after meeting up with J-Zach and Aunty Theresa. Imagine Sakae Sushi, minus red plates and less variety. I enjoyed myself anyhow, grabbing plates off the conveyer belt. I don’t know how it happened, but I seemed to be the only one eating, constantly. Our table for six only raked up 23 plates. Epic fail right? I was responsible for more than a third of that. HAHAH. Yum.
I’m back home and it’s 10.22pm and I’m watching the guys play L4D again. After a bath, I’ll probably tuck me in cos tomorrow spells DISNEYLAND! Or California Adventure, technically :D all smiles baby ;)
PS: got your text! Thanks(;
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Los Angeles! Day 1
FAMILY HOLIDAY (LA, NY & FRANKFURT)
9th Nov – 31st Dec 2009
[Day 1; 9th Nov]
As I boarded SQ638 at 11.45pm that Tuesday, 8th Nov, I couldn’t help but feel sad leaving Singapore for such a long period. It wasn’t one thing in particular though, or someone for that matter. We were running late because our on-standby seats had only just been confirmed, hence for once, I didn’t exploit the free local calls from transit.
The flight was approximately six hours which I used to catch the Half Blood Prince (terrible, I agree with the masses…) and the remainder for resting and meals. Though we were on board the A380, this was probably the first time I’d felt queasy. =S sleeping wasn’t an easy task either; trying to get comfortable on their excuse for a “seat” probably took as long as the movie did.
It was 8’C in Narita when we’d arrived (7am; GMT+9) and we had 11 hours to kill in transit. Donning our coats, we walked around Narita Village and found ourselves in a temple. Pictures were taken, and I enjoyed the quaint shop houses and falling autumn leaves more than the temple. Bryan was really stoned by then, plus his attempt to sleep on a random staircase failed when the cleaners made him leave. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised at the friendliness of the Japanese and their hardworking nature. When it was almost time to eat, we went to this famous Unagi place that a family we’d met on the plane recommended. It was SO GOOD. I just wished I had more appetite for the fantastic melt-in-your-mouth eel that was freshly slaughtered at the restaurant. Our family even sat on the floor to eat (the traditional way) though, I doubt we were doing it right.
Back in the airport, we slept on the seats at the Arrival Hall waiting for time to pass so we could check in and get on SQ12. This time, I managed a two-hour nap, way more comfortably may I add. We bought Royce chocolates in transit (at only 660 yen! Which is about S$9.00 (Taka sells it for S$15)) and I read a chapter of The Pact by Jodi Picoult, which I’d bought in KL’s kinokuniya.
This flight was 10 hours long, inclusive of 2 meals. The second I settled in my seat, I stretched across the adjacent (empty) seat between Bryan and dozed off, skipping dinner. I can’t remember what happened when exactly… but I re-watched 500 Days of Summer, this time taking note of when the songs were playing.
Favourite quote? Summer: They used to call me anal girl. (Tom chokes) I was very neat… and organized.”
Like the previous flight, I wasn’t feeling too good, especially after the lights were dimmed and I’d brushed my teeth. I had no appetite for breakfast because the sight of food made me want to grab for the sick bag. I can’t understand why it’s happening, I never once had trouble on long flights. I’m getting old. The last time to LA, I watched 4 movies in 24 hours, and though Bryan would get bloodshot eyes from watching 6, we never did complain. Actually, we usually welcomed long flights because in-flight entertainment is awesome.
Anyhow, we landed in LAX at about 12pm local time (GMT -8). And with an empty stomach, I waited surprisingly patiently for Uncle Kok Pan to pick us up and bring us to lunch.
We had yummy Vietnamese noodles, Pho, at a shop we frequented in Little Saigon. That, plus iced coffee, was plenty satisfying. By then, we’d also met up with Aunty Theresa (J-Zach was still at school) and my unhappiness on the flight had become history.
It’s 5pm and I’m now seated in their living room half-watching Bryan and J-Zach play Call of Duty on the Xbox 360. Dinner, so I’ve heard, comprises LOBSTERS (:
Check back later!
9th Nov – 31st Dec 2009
[Day 1; 9th Nov]
As I boarded SQ638 at 11.45pm that Tuesday, 8th Nov, I couldn’t help but feel sad leaving Singapore for such a long period. It wasn’t one thing in particular though, or someone for that matter. We were running late because our on-standby seats had only just been confirmed, hence for once, I didn’t exploit the free local calls from transit.
The flight was approximately six hours which I used to catch the Half Blood Prince (terrible, I agree with the masses…) and the remainder for resting and meals. Though we were on board the A380, this was probably the first time I’d felt queasy. =S sleeping wasn’t an easy task either; trying to get comfortable on their excuse for a “seat” probably took as long as the movie did.
It was 8’C in Narita when we’d arrived (7am; GMT+9) and we had 11 hours to kill in transit. Donning our coats, we walked around Narita Village and found ourselves in a temple. Pictures were taken, and I enjoyed the quaint shop houses and falling autumn leaves more than the temple. Bryan was really stoned by then, plus his attempt to sleep on a random staircase failed when the cleaners made him leave. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised at the friendliness of the Japanese and their hardworking nature. When it was almost time to eat, we went to this famous Unagi place that a family we’d met on the plane recommended. It was SO GOOD. I just wished I had more appetite for the fantastic melt-in-your-mouth eel that was freshly slaughtered at the restaurant. Our family even sat on the floor to eat (the traditional way) though, I doubt we were doing it right.
Back in the airport, we slept on the seats at the Arrival Hall waiting for time to pass so we could check in and get on SQ12. This time, I managed a two-hour nap, way more comfortably may I add. We bought Royce chocolates in transit (at only 660 yen! Which is about S$9.00 (Taka sells it for S$15)) and I read a chapter of The Pact by Jodi Picoult, which I’d bought in KL’s kinokuniya.
This flight was 10 hours long, inclusive of 2 meals. The second I settled in my seat, I stretched across the adjacent (empty) seat between Bryan and dozed off, skipping dinner. I can’t remember what happened when exactly… but I re-watched 500 Days of Summer, this time taking note of when the songs were playing.
Favourite quote? Summer: They used to call me anal girl. (Tom chokes) I was very neat… and organized.”
Like the previous flight, I wasn’t feeling too good, especially after the lights were dimmed and I’d brushed my teeth. I had no appetite for breakfast because the sight of food made me want to grab for the sick bag. I can’t understand why it’s happening, I never once had trouble on long flights. I’m getting old. The last time to LA, I watched 4 movies in 24 hours, and though Bryan would get bloodshot eyes from watching 6, we never did complain. Actually, we usually welcomed long flights because in-flight entertainment is awesome.
Anyhow, we landed in LAX at about 12pm local time (GMT -8). And with an empty stomach, I waited surprisingly patiently for Uncle Kok Pan to pick us up and bring us to lunch.
We had yummy Vietnamese noodles, Pho, at a shop we frequented in Little Saigon. That, plus iced coffee, was plenty satisfying. By then, we’d also met up with Aunty Theresa (J-Zach was still at school) and my unhappiness on the flight had become history.
It’s 5pm and I’m now seated in their living room half-watching Bryan and J-Zach play Call of Duty on the Xbox 360. Dinner, so I’ve heard, comprises LOBSTERS (:
Check back later!
Monday, December 07, 2009
MIA
ASH-WIPES will be away from tonight 000hours
and will be back on the 30th of Dec, bearing goodies and souvenirs
take care and cya 2010! (i may blog overseas. MAY.)
BATU CAVES! [5]
0815 – Slept in later today, and I woke up thinking, “It’s the last day already? =S” sigh, that feeling of departure and emptiness washed over me as I hurried to pack and told my roomies to get ready. I had famous amos cookies and tea for breakfast(:
0830 – Stepping into the cab for the last time with Ms Lim and XiQuan, we barely said a word. It was a comfortable silence though. Comfortable for taking a quick doze before gaping at Camp5’s exterior. 0.0 how could I have missed it all this time???
1000 – Anal-ism started around here. Philip warned us the night before that Camp5 was strict on rules and yes ATAS comes with tedious SOPs. We signed and filled up forms, took membership cards and had our pictures taken. It was
1200 – I initially wanted to boulder, but I had SOOOO much fun doing the high walls I didn’t want to stop! Hehee. Climbing on plastic again brought together technique and the new-found confidence we had. I think that channeled into climbing faster than we normally would have.
ROUTE #1 – Lime green 5C+ on top-rope
Easy climb, warm-up and moves that required momentum. I like.
ROUTE #2 – F. Orange 5C+ on lead.
Clement told me beforehand that it was pump-y toward the top plus I had to really commit to the big moves. But handholds were nice. As I got to the top, the pump in my forearms got the better of me. I wanted to give up. I wanted to down-climb and ask for tight. I wanted to fall off and make it seem like a slip. I shut those thoughts out, I mentally prepared myself for the last two panels and I reached the anchor. =) this climb boosted my confidence, and I was surprised at my determination to hang in there. Smiles all around.
ROUTE #3 – Marble 5C on lead
Fun climb, mostly jugs. Another route to get acclimatized to plastic walls (:
ROUTE #4 – Blue bridging 6A
This was an ungraded route. But if I had to grade it, I would say 6A. Firstly the holds aren’t great, and I had to depend a lot on my bridging, which was awkward at times due to high step-ups and disgusting handholds.. The final overhang near the top almost deterred me as well, but I got through after two attempts(: harder than Handsfree in school, and a different experience too.
ROUTE #5 – Blue pocket-y 6A
I wanted to do the 6A green tiles route that Jac and Rah had did earlier…but Kelly said I should attempt something harder. I asked her for the grade, because once again, it didn’t appear on the topo diagram. She said it was 6A but slightly harder than green. The tiles here… were mostly pockets and I remember there being a crux and I had to ask Val for help. I managed to on-site the route and dealt with the pumpiness! :D
Val and I sat there and watched Philip lead the this under-graded 6C+ route that Clement tried out. It was one of those rare moments that he grunted and growled and stepped with somewhat less preparedness than usual. Inspirational indeeeed.
1600 – We left to shower in the ATAS shower room, and then dined at the extinct A&Ws. It isn’t as good as I remembered it to be, and rushing through the meal didn’t make it taste any better..
1730 – Got on to First Coach and bade Philip & Kelly goodbye(: the bus home comprised half the movie “Just Friends” and card games and a marathon-massage session. Yes, I massaged Shakila, then Jo, then Sherwin. I can’t remember who else, but my thumb cramped after all that. Haha, I had some alone-time reading the mockingbird too(:
2330 – We arrived back in
BATU CAVES! [4] pics
More pictures from DAY 4, mostly of the crazy antics that went on during the last night-meeting we had. See for yourselves the condoms and other items that had not-so-hidden intentions. (:
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