tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-354264982024-03-13T06:03:11.196+08:00Nicolekiss - Travel & Lifestyle Blogger @nicootan Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.comBlogger1394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-68460345416415719832022-09-27T06:55:00.001+08:002022-10-31T16:46:35.193+08:00Dad is gone too<p> I dread nights like these. </p><p><br /></p><p>Woke up from a dream of my mom retching, mixture of phlegm and blood spew out from her throat onto the sofa. </p><p>My mind has mixed up the illness of my late father with my late mother's. But either way one of them was always sickly or dying in my dreams. It has never failed to strike fear into my sleeping mind. </p><p>Wide awake, I looked at the time: 3:59am </p><p><br /></p><p>I'm used to receiving little compassion by now. I have heard some pretty insensitive and nasty remarks on the dying days of my father. I have come to accept that people can be pretty mean when it doesn't concern them, and worse when things <i>do</i> affect them. I have acknowledged and apologised to people who angrily sprouted words like "has your father died yet?" </p><p>I have built such a wall of tolerance that can only come with tragic life experiences such as my own. Yes I am using the word "tragic" because I am still traumatised and haunted by the memories of their final days even after all these years. It'll be 5 years soon since mom. </p><p>2.5 months since dad. </p><p><br /></p><p>I guess I came on here because I got tired from crying on nights like these. </p><p>I miss you, dad. </p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-48602976369134905752022-09-27T06:29:00.004+08:002022-10-31T16:42:23.365+08:00Death of a non-friend friend<p>This article was written on 15th September 2020 at 4:13pm, I left it in draft all these times and thought I'd publish it. </p><p>"</p><p>A few days ago I learnt that an old, let call him an acquaintance, has passed. Even though we had more interactions at different phases of our lives for him to just be a mere acquaintance, however, admittedly, the last time we spoke was 7 year ago, but I digress. </p><p>I took the news surprisingly well, but the buildup of the shock came after and for the next three days, his death lingered on my mind for reasons unbeknownst to me. </p><p>This was a man I met in my young adult life, whom I looked up to and admired, and perhaps even was a little infatuated with; then years later I met him again in my late twenties, a full grown adult at an incident that would have us be in each other's company frequently over a period of 3 months. At one point we were chatting on a daily basis. In my naive mind, perhaps I had once considered him a dear friend. But this was a person that has always been secretive about his personal life. </p><p>No one I knew knew anything about him beyond what he did for work. He was good looking, charming, very active on social media, and a fairly well-networked kinda guy. But from my knowledge, I had never heard about or seen any of his family members, be it from his friend, co-workers or on his social media. Heck, for all the 15 years I've known him and knew of him, he never had a wife, gf, kids, or family; I didn't even know if he was heterosexual (he told me he wasn't gay 7 years ago but even that answer was kind of vague).</p><p>I went onto his Facebook and found more information of his untimely death but came up with nothing, then found a link to a "father" of his who posted about his passing and the wake that was hosted, by then the wake period was over. Now this wasn't even his real father (different surname) and I could see that this guy has adopted his "father's surname" in addition of his own in recent years. You know, like how Angelina Jolie-Pitt has her dual surname at the back. </p><p>"</p><p><br /></p><p>The article ended abruptly here. I guess I retracted into my own thoughts and lost the flow of the story-telling. If I remembered correctly, his death was on my mind for a week or two, longer than it should have bothered me but it did. So much that I found the need to pen down my thoughts. Which doesn't happen very often these days. The older I get the better I am at keeping my thoughts to myself. </p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-47174718778174114532019-05-01T18:01:00.000+08:002019-05-01T18:04:33.822+08:00This is the 100% Clean All-Natural Skincare Brand Every Sensitive Skin Girl Need in Her Bathroom <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFI9eTV0s1tmwaf8yc9TfhilAVLyv105puE9i1SBgEAOeaq_fRHEh3-EcxUyrtEsE43RoMhn27zEBAgLj0GdhXFEwxux9vQyAJQ91zbvmGOswFgcdrySiTrvUCk3IvT0iHiledQ/s1600/Zd_fJ8CM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFI9eTV0s1tmwaf8yc9TfhilAVLyv105puE9i1SBgEAOeaq_fRHEh3-EcxUyrtEsE43RoMhn27zEBAgLj0GdhXFEwxux9vQyAJQ91zbvmGOswFgcdrySiTrvUCk3IvT0iHiledQ/s640/Zd_fJ8CM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Never heard of <a href="https://huygens.my/" target="_blank">Huygens</a>? Neither had I. But you should. And this is why. </div>
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In recent years, possibly due to age, my face has gotten a whole lot more sensitive compared to my younger years. It's not fun. There are a lot of things I can't eat, like dairy products for example. I will end up with a line of zits on my face like a raging teenager. It has also gotten a lot drier, partially due to age and majorly due to being in air-conditioned rooms all day. </div>
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If that's not enough, I've also developed allergy to certain brands of sunblocks and almost all glitter products. The saddest non-sad thing I had to do in 2018 was bid goodbye to all my glitter eyeshadows. Just as the trend of the glitter eyeshadow was on the rise. Urgh. </div>
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I started seeking alternate skincare products, namely facial cleanser. Something that's gentle enough for my increasingly sensitive dry face. I was told to steer clear of all foam cleansers, so I converted to milk cleanser. I didn't particularly enjoy it. </div>
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Then I was introduced Huygens facial foam cleanser. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmXIRFc5d86E9e8M2prUieUyfoBIxNfM9CDTEmY5ug6_RpBcEtONd8q9EIDtQh9vy4eknE5Z7ZiOFP00CfFnB_qF8-yDFGyv-R3_D0F7Plpb3UPNd75ZwwvShxcYBSG7kj-ZniQ/s1600/20190501-IMG_6559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmXIRFc5d86E9e8M2prUieUyfoBIxNfM9CDTEmY5ug6_RpBcEtONd8q9EIDtQh9vy4eknE5Z7ZiOFP00CfFnB_qF8-yDFGyv-R3_D0F7Plpb3UPNd75ZwwvShxcYBSG7kj-ZniQ/s640/20190501-IMG_6559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The one on the left with a purple label (Lavender) that says Face Wash. </i></div>
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<i>Followed by Body Lotion and Body Wash to the right. </i></div>
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<i>And three mini fragrances. </i></div>
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I was sceptical, foam cleanser? Wasn't that what I should be avoiding? Suitable for sensitive dry skin? You're kidding. </div>
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But nope. Tried and tested. It's certainly gentle enough. I never knew foam could feel this gentle on my skin but it did. And I loved the lavender scent that made prepping for bed time much more relaxing. </div>
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Huygens started from Paris, two founders (Daan and Sebastien) who took over an alchemist's house and transformed it into the Huygens it is today. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii6W_bYaKs_AEdWzEKbFuqiUeXS90WBn8I3aOMfsp7sQOicr0zAPWDsqJhgWjZa5MUU7CrdohIhYcKUxt0MdpvWyrXBZH-F9F_v5qWjKPBe_2hZMuEXrBMABN6fUQVfVZEg0z6Q/s1600/WCAh6qlc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii6W_bYaKs_AEdWzEKbFuqiUeXS90WBn8I3aOMfsp7sQOicr0zAPWDsqJhgWjZa5MUU7CrdohIhYcKUxt0MdpvWyrXBZH-F9F_v5qWjKPBe_2hZMuEXrBMABN6fUQVfVZEg0z6Q/s640/WCAh6qlc.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Super cute right? </i></div>
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Their vision was to create 100% clean, cruelty-free, made-in-France organic beauty collection. </div>
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I'm talking about products that are free of parabens, mineral oil, silicones, artificial colorants, sodium laureth sulfate, and all the nasty stuffs you hear people put in beauty products. It is 97% organic ingredients (because it's not possible to source for 100% organic) and 100% from organic farmings. They also focus on locally-sourced eco-friendly packaging to reduce carbon footprint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmhMuDrYgzOZTbYNm_G5s8hQACOrk-NIvV_8LlmO4hIckzGirrR5pGvZpZIIYTkMe9AlSweV488Fnfdk5gG2G80uHuQVMibowb6stKnRjqfV_3yEViEJOCw4Kn3CY0QdjmjG1jQ/s1600/Kl32B910.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmhMuDrYgzOZTbYNm_G5s8hQACOrk-NIvV_8LlmO4hIckzGirrR5pGvZpZIIYTkMe9AlSweV488Fnfdk5gG2G80uHuQVMibowb6stKnRjqfV_3yEViEJOCw4Kn3CY0QdjmjG1jQ/s640/Kl32B910.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every single product is bespoke. Customised to your skin need and preference. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How does it work: </span></div>
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<b>1. You choose a product base</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JxgMhaXZJbNvtd7iWAO0hmBlsTWqNA5yLO02s4sDWR-PbXiHDGOaHKPEEFs-kYyKCJC7LDYiAscgfFTaEHSVCHkRbjbaTr83o5_0gAPgDNwF7l-QA17J9ZBXrROGL32sKxdYPQ/s1600/15gAvU1s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JxgMhaXZJbNvtd7iWAO0hmBlsTWqNA5yLO02s4sDWR-PbXiHDGOaHKPEEFs-kYyKCJC7LDYiAscgfFTaEHSVCHkRbjbaTr83o5_0gAPgDNwF7l-QA17J9ZBXrROGL32sKxdYPQ/s640/15gAvU1s.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Could be face wash, body wash, etc. </div>
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<b>2. Have the specialist analysis your skin</b></div>
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<b>3. You or the specialist will decide on the most suitable pure essential oil for you</b></div>
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and inject into the product you chose, label it and done! </div>
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Every essential oil has a different function and defining qualities. </div>
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They have a store in Robinsons, Gardens Mall. Or you can check them out <a href="https://huygens.my/" target="_blank">online at Huygens.my</a> </div>
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(free delivery if you spend RM100)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxI3XwPo09WW7_WqL8Q8MfQJ_geQ9Ko570VGWtw27sP7Nx3Z7ILAjTynPqzYiadWYWmDCKyIN7WHNb2n1umlL27MMbpPpU6VY2jRkI0FYGidP0dFt1UdxW3WPpCEOE_IZnfQxZg/s1600/CVLVW660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxI3XwPo09WW7_WqL8Q8MfQJ_geQ9Ko570VGWtw27sP7Nx3Z7ILAjTynPqzYiadWYWmDCKyIN7WHNb2n1umlL27MMbpPpU6VY2jRkI0FYGidP0dFt1UdxW3WPpCEOE_IZnfQxZg/s640/CVLVW660.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They have a bunch of other stuff in store too; like their own aromatherapy oils, fragrances and diffusers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUsv2pK6DA5TmoktnxD6iB9br0WRT8ApT7d_zgC8-47VEN4T5E9uxwraGU_IJKldPvTd51Jk25UKIWyIbSkdWI8IkS-uDn3jLTpoofQOXBPJZ-pSSFwUJS-O7FZl1R7orripfsA/s1600/20190321-IMG_3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUsv2pK6DA5TmoktnxD6iB9br0WRT8ApT7d_zgC8-47VEN4T5E9uxwraGU_IJKldPvTd51Jk25UKIWyIbSkdWI8IkS-uDn3jLTpoofQOXBPJZ-pSSFwUJS-O7FZl1R7orripfsA/s640/20190321-IMG_3827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lF-FgHX9iV7NaMmRTXmh7_WVFh_2c-92EDFHBoNeX9aKOssoAqlVHJSrFmRWftjkfGtB9SbHzjOFDZoEEpnxYScqLtHtm0_9hDzbHFG_bCs44QWf36vDtiHwUSsZW5gzyISzQ/s1600/20190501-IMG_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lF-FgHX9iV7NaMmRTXmh7_WVFh_2c-92EDFHBoNeX9aKOssoAqlVHJSrFmRWftjkfGtB9SbHzjOFDZoEEpnxYScqLtHtm0_9hDzbHFG_bCs44QWf36vDtiHwUSsZW5gzyISzQ/s640/20190501-IMG_0136.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZOrfBqMlGgIm6absLnEddBzUa6_AOvatLYFzd-vj6D9pqY2HG9jfP6lZak99bbpaDT0H5YRlXHCqbZyp2RHefFJADSk0xaaRLcXJ4CCVsSAgsIMdSU6AdDQuM3dk3QOVPBxUqA/s1600/20190321-IMG_3816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZOrfBqMlGgIm6absLnEddBzUa6_AOvatLYFzd-vj6D9pqY2HG9jfP6lZak99bbpaDT0H5YRlXHCqbZyp2RHefFJADSk0xaaRLcXJ4CCVsSAgsIMdSU6AdDQuM3dk3QOVPBxUqA/s640/20190321-IMG_3816.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<i>My fav is the Moon River (blue bottle)</i></div>
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Address: </div>
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Huygens</div>
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Robinsons Ground Floor, The Gardens Mall </div>
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Contact: 03 5892 3890</div>
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Website: <a href="https://huygens.my/">https://huygens.my</a></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-77571247134284001662018-09-17T20:35:00.000+08:002018-09-17T20:35:57.081+08:0018 Most Instagrammable Food in Hong Kong (Complete List)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've compiled the most legit list of must-eat instagram-worthy food in Hong Kong you can enjoy this summer.<br />
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Since I will be travelling to Hong Kong a little more often in the near future, I have organised a complete guide/list of Hong Kong's prettiest food for you instagram foodies out there (you're welcome).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Oddies Foodies</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1yP84hmXq/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Cheers! 🍻🍻 📸repost @sophisticatedly #oddies#oddiesfoodies#eggettes#gelato#hkdessert #centralhk #oddiesgelateria #parfait#softserve</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oddiesfoodies/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Oddies</a> (@oddiesfoodies) on <time datetime="2018-02-06T03:36:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 5, 2018 at 7:36pm PST</time></span></div>
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Let's start with the most notable Oddies Foodies, their signature combines Asian eggettes with Italian soft serve gelato. Take-out only so make sure you have a free hand to hold this with as you eat and explore Hong Kong.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Emack & Bolio's Hong Kong</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlUepu3FaF5/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Spiced cake flavour on fruit loops cone (HKD 85). Walked pass this cute ice cream place and thought why not, since it’s really hot and sunny over here today. I thought the ice cream would be overly sweet but i was totally wrong. It is soooooo goood! Ok skip the cones unless you just want an instagrammable pic. 🤭 #emackshk #icecream #icecreamhk #hongkongfood #hongkongeats #hkfood #hkfoodie #coupletrip #topcitybiteshk #singaporeliciouz📍hongkong</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/singaporeliciouz/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Caecilia</a> (@singaporeliciouz) on <time datetime="2018-07-17T04:50:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 16, 2018 at 9:50pm PDT</time></span></div>
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Like its American counterparts, there's colourful sundaes and scoops of ice cream laden with your favourite toppings. The must have is of course to have it with a cone.
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Butter Factory</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPyyuDLhDQt/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">新既一年祝大家順順利利! 食翻個 豐衣足食,花開富貴,豬籠入水,紅鴻當頭donuts 🍩🍩!! . Chinese New Year special donuts! Hope you all has a fabulous year of chicken ahead!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/f.o.v_/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> fov</a> (@f.o.v_) on <time datetime="2017-01-28T03:52:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 27, 2017 at 7:52pm PST</time></span></div>
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Colourful and decorated donuts, each piece a work of art. Butter Factory comes out with new limited donuts every festival so be sure to catch their upcoming Christmas or Chinese New Year donuts.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Shari Shari Kakigori House </span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Blb9FGjBHaa/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Blb9FGjBHaa/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The best way to beat the heat☀️Come visit CWB for this new flavor, Strawberry Yogurt (w/ Cheese Cream)🍓 「さっぱりした苺ソースとコクのあるチーズクリームを組み合わせました。」 Served exclusively in CWB ☀︎G/F, 14 Haven Street, Causeway Bay ☀︎銅鑼灣希雲街14號地舖 ☀︎Opening times: 1pm-10:30pm(L.O.)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sharishari_hk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> 🍧SHARI SHARI Kakigori House 氷屋</a> (@sharishari_hk) on <time datetime="2018-07-20T02:31:03+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 19, 2018 at 7:31pm PDT</time></span></div>
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Where there's summer, there's shaved ice. And where else to have Japanese shaved ice but Shari Shari Kakigori House, one of the many shaved ice dessert places in Hong Kong.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Via Tokyo</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR-1nTlDD9l/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR-1nTlDD9l/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">I know I'm in Hong Kong but I'm going to Tokyo! Via Tokyo, that is. I heard this place has the best soft serve ever! I even heard it was better that Aqua S in Sydney and for me Aqua S dominates the soft serve game. But that all changed after today.. I hate to say it but this is the best F&%*#ng soft serve I have EVER had! So smooth (like ULTRA smooth) and creamy (rich AF), I'm telling you that soft serve didn't know what was coming for it. Every bite seemed to make me ravenous for more! I'm not sure I've ever eaten something so quickly! Seriously, Seriously, if you ever go to HK or if you live here and don't go to this place I promise you, you're missing out on the best soft serve in the world. I've had a lot of soft serve guys and Via Tokyo just murdered the game for me! 🙌🏽👍 #Hongkong #hk #hkfood #hkfoodie #foodblogger #icecream #viatokyo #aquas #matcha #hokkaido #bestfoodworld #feedyoursoull #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeast #eeeeeats #foooodieee #dailyfoodfeed #infatuation #cheatday #cheatmeal #foodporn #foodbeast #shoeporn #adidas #nmd #eattheworld #japanesefood #eatfamous #discoverhongkong</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehungrygentleman/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> k e v i n • T H A I</a> (@thehungrygentleman) on <time datetime="2017-03-23T13:11:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 23, 2017 at 6:11am PDT</time></span></div>
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It's a soft serve heaven. Other than the popular matcha soft serve, don't forget to try their equally famous charcoal soft serve and variety of aesthetically pleasing shaved ice desserts.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. i CREMERiA</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgGPBnDnMnA/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgGPBnDnMnA/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">i CREMERiA CREMADORO soft cream, create the uniqueness and luxurious by layering the finest edible gold leaf🍦 Harbour City • Langham Place • Sogo CWB • Fashion Walk • WTC</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/icremeria/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> i CREMERiA Dolce Giapponese</a> (@icremeria) on <time datetime="2018-03-09T09:27:36+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 9, 2018 at 1:27am PST</time></span></div>
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Order a cone layered with golden leaf because, you know, your instagram loves it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Kala Toast</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQeuM-zg8_a/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQeuM-zg8_a/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">劃出彩虹的天空… Rainbow in the sky.....</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kalatoast/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Kala Toast</a> (@kalatoast) on <time datetime="2017-02-14T05:19:30+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 13, 2017 at 9:19pm PST</time></span></div>
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Only video can show how gorgeously beautiful this rainbow cheese toast is. Can't call yourself an instagram foodie without trying a rainbow color food in Hong Kong.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Echigoya</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDfx6ZosrPk/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDfx6ZosrPk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">🍧💙😋 #echigoyahk #echigoya #kakigori #babyblue #sakura #cherryblossom #hkig #nomnomnom #hkfoodie #mochi</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kookieshk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> kookieshk</a> (@kookieshk) on <time datetime="2016-03-28T12:23:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 28, 2016 at 5:23am PDT</time></span></div>
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While we're on rainbow color food, do check out Echigoya's rainbow shaved ice. Unlike other shaved ice, you can have this to-go.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. ATUM Desserant</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhQfp1XDnYi/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><🇭🇰食物藝術> 係ATUM Desserant 得到的唔止係味蕾的享受 更多的係視覺藝術 係食物與藝術的完美結合 黎到一定係叫佢的IMPROVISATION席前甜品 靚女甜品師係雲石枱鋪上膠枱布就馬上開始「畫畫」 首先用上四款醬作底層 紫薯 椰子 芒果 藍莓 再加上不同食材味道 豐富的口感 個人最中意既係一系列朱古力的配料 薄朱古力脆片 黑朱古力液態雪糕 同朱古力奶凍 可可味相當濃郁 餐廳絞盡腦汁加入不同的味道及質感 望住整個製作過程係相當享受 好似真係望住一幅畫誕生咁 有朋友生日黎係相當適合的👍🏻 📍ATUM Desserant @atumdesserant 銅鑼灣駱克道459至461號The L Square 16樓 🌎#iam銅鑼灣foodaholic #atum #atumdesserant #dessert #art #artwork #foodandart #artistic #food #foodie #foodpic #causewaybay #cwbfood #cwb #hongkong #hkfood #honkongfood #hongkongbirthday #birthday #hkig #美味しい #香港 #香港料理 #香港旅行 #料理 #アイス #チョコレート</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iamfoodaholic/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> 香港九十後大食女生👅</a> (@iamfoodaholic) on <time datetime="2018-04-07T05:36:42+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 6, 2018 at 10:36pm PDT</time></span></div>
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This art inspired dessert is definitely for sharing. Make sure you have a group, or at least a partner in crime when ordering at ATUM Desserant. The plating of each dessert can be overwhelming and the preparation/demonstration of the dessert is equally so.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Elephant Grounds</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXciJ7oD3_w/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXciJ7oD3_w/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Ice Cream n' Chill 🍦🍦🍦🍦 🍓Strawberry Fields🍓strawberry ice cream, chocolate cake cookies + yogurt chips 💥💥💥 *while supplies last 🔥🔥🔥 📸: @woawstore #EGICS #EGWoaw #EGCWB</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elephantgrounds/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Elephant Grounds</a> (@elephantgrounds) on <time datetime="2017-08-06T08:35:30+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 6, 2017 at 1:35am PDT</time></span></div>
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Only available on Fridays and Weekends, Elephant Grounds whip up good old classic cookie sandwich ice cream. If your friend doesn't like dessert, they also serve other savoury dishes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">11. Owl's Choux & Gelato</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BePY72AgiNq/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Found these polka dot choux pastries 😍 Would you choose red velvet or peanut praline? . . . . #먹방스타그램 #먹스타 #먹방그램 #홍콩여행 #홍콩 #홍콩맛집 #홍콩디저트 #디저트 #냠 #lamdotdothk</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lamdotdot/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> 𝔼sther 𝕃am</a> (@lamdotdot) on <time datetime="2018-01-22T05:44:34+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 21, 2018 at 9:44pm PST</time></span></div>
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Want something a little fancier? Then get a choux pastry sandwich gelato at Owl's Choux. Their most popular is the Red Velvet Choux.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">12. Yum Cha </span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkX_cdDg7c/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkX_cdDg7c/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">快樂農莊歡迎麻辣包「紅都面埋」嘅加入!一次過試勻飲茶嘅招牌可愛點心,記得食之前比相機食先,tag番我哋呀! Now we welcome Sichuan styled spicy minced pork & shrimp bun to join our Happy Farmville! Don't forget to let your camera eats first and tag us on FB and IG! #Yumchahkg</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yumchahk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Yum Cha</a> (@yumchahk) on <time datetime="2017-09-28T02:43:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 27, 2017 at 7:43pm PDT</time></span></div>
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Moving on from ice cream and gelato, we have now arrived at aesthetically pleasing pastries. Starting with these adorable dim sum at Yum Cha. (Piggy bun is a char stew bao, little birdie is a baked pineapple puff, the dog sausage roll and googly eyes buns the molten custard of different flavours)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">13. Social Place</span></h4>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdCpHkahTwY/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdCpHkahTwY/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">又到聖誕喇!聽完「蒸糕包」,不如嚟唐宮小聚歎返籠 #黑金流沙 蒸糕包啦! It’s Christmas time! Come visit Social Place and try our Mung bean buns with your family and friends! #唐宮小聚 #socialplacehk #中菜 #fusion #熱辣辣 #手機食先 #美食 #hkfood #hkrestaurant #hkfoodie #hkfoodstagram #hkfoodporn #chineserestaurant #gathering #hongkongmoderndimsum #dimsum #chinesefood #hongkongfood #hongkong #central #tst #yummy #本土 #港式 #點心</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/socialplacehk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Social Place</a> (@socialplacehk) on <time datetime="2017-12-23T10:24:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 23, 2017 at 2:24am PST</time></span></div>
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Or these charcoal custard buns at Social Place. Be prepared to whip out HK$49 for three pieces.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">14. Dim Sum Icon </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlcPR1RADF1/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Sailor moon x Dum Sum icon 💕</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikiwong__/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> 🍴 🍰🍣🍤🍸🍷🍧🍵☕️🍦🍴</a> (@mikiwong__) on <time datetime="2018-07-20T05:10:04+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 19, 2018 at 10:10pm PDT</time></span></div>
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You can't go on an Instagram food hunt in Hong Kong without visiting Dim Sum Icon. Each visit is guaranteed a different theme. Sailor Moon fan can rejoice as this summer they are serving everything Sailor Moon related. From Luna and Artemis buns to the Sailors' har kao and chee cheong fan. Click on their instagram and be impressed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">15. Big Grains </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl1d2wugvwg/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Life is #ベーグル #BeLikeNicgau🤤</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicgau_ss/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> ニコル👧🏻</a> (@nicgau_ss) on <time datetime="2018-07-30T00:18:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 29, 2018 at 5:18pm PDT</time></span></div>
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A pastry shop that serves colourful croissants and whole red beans filled bagels, watch out for their eclairs, they're a work of art.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">16. Cobo House by 2am:dessertbar </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BL6K1TRgU22/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Tsujirihei Green Tea Tart 🍵 // Kyoto Green Tea and Jasmine Rice Sherbet 🍚🍦 Been looking forward to try this - it was really quite good 😋 Very extremely rich green tea flavor, crispy flavorful tart and quite light sherbet. Couldn't really taste the rice flavor but light enough after a heavy meal 🙋🏻👍🏻 #CoboHouse #CoboHouse2am #JaniceWong #JaniceWong2am #GreenTeaTart #RiceSherbet #Hungry #Vsco #Vscocam #Hkfoodie #Hkig #Nyfoodie #Nyig #Foodgasm #Foodporn #Foodstagram #Instafood #Instadaily #Foodie #Food #Foodblogger #Hku #HKUEats #HKUStation #Dessert #Desserts #HKEATS #EEEEEATS</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tallgirleats/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Michelle Leung</a> (@tallgirleats) on <time datetime="2016-10-23T14:32:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 23, 2016 at 7:32am PDT</time></span></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span>
A collaboration with Asia's Best Pastry Chef Janice Wong, who is also a founder of Singapore's original 2am:dessertbar, which showcases some familiar desserts if you have visited the shop in Singapore. Do try the signature Tsujirihei Green Tea Tart, Chocolate H2O and Cassis Plum (featured in Masterchef Australia).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">17. Flamingo Bloom </span></h4>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmkLMpuhTwG/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmkLMpuhTwG/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Nice to meet you Miss Flamingo🦄, the hottest tea house in Central.😚 . . . #tea #fruittea #bubbletea #hkfood #hkfoodie #hongkongfood #hongkongstyle #foodie #hongkongstylefood #foodporn #foodpics #foodblogger #foodpost #yummy #foodshare #foodstagram #instafood #hongkonger #ighk #hkig #igershk #美食#popofoodiary #食べ物 #centralhk #flamingobloom #flamingobloomhk #flamingo @flamingobloomhk</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/popofoodiaryhk/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> April Wong</a> (@popofoodiaryhk) on <time datetime="2018-08-17T03:39:44+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 16, 2018 at 8:39pm PDT</time></span></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span>
Finally down to the final two in the list. Drinks! Can't leave Hong Kong without sampling bubble tea. With the interior designed and built for Instagram, Flamingo Bloom serves their boba tea in a mini flamingo float. Instead of the usual black tea and green tea, you can customise your drink with floral teas and add fresh fruits or boba pearls.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">18. Charles Tea Bar 茶理史</span></h4>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmObXpvgB8n/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmObXpvgB8n/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#茶理史 #草莓鮮乳地瓜小芋圓 #芋香鮮乳地瓜小芋圓 #好好飲 🍓🍠🥤</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/susan_chan_/?utm_source=ig_embed" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> susan chan</a> (@susan_chan_) on <time datetime="2018-08-08T16:57:45+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 8, 2018 at 9:57am PDT</time></span></div>
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Want a classic bubble tea? No problem. Head to Charles Tea Bar and get your ombre shade bubble tea in different flavour.<br />
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That sums up my list. Be sure to go on a strict no-sugar diet after if you ever complete the list.<br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-5749141596756996442018-08-03T21:15:00.000+08:002018-08-04T17:50:14.142+08:00How I Was Stuck in An Abusive Relationship for 1.5 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoUS7J0-0b_1Gyfwh9xHbCGzHyRb-uumNiNN7NNurpTsxrqIgEPpYKpcd2kiOydtFZ7-eCzxrq35hCCl81vdnzJvei1TDquPiXawfDH4dHhtXYHMJ9jHDWGO3OStnxNLIiQqPzg/s1600/IMG_7793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoUS7J0-0b_1Gyfwh9xHbCGzHyRb-uumNiNN7NNurpTsxrqIgEPpYKpcd2kiOydtFZ7-eCzxrq35hCCl81vdnzJvei1TDquPiXawfDH4dHhtXYHMJ9jHDWGO3OStnxNLIiQqPzg/s640/IMG_7793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
How I got into this situation was totally unexpected. And while he never laid a hand on me, the emotionally turmoil I went through during this entire saga was enough to scar me. Yes, I was in an emotionally abusive friendship, and I'll be damned if I ever allow myself to be that vulnerable around a friend again.<br />
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It goes to show that no matter how genuine a friend seemed to be or how long you have known him, you'd never know his true self until you live with him.<br />
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<i>(In case you're wondering about the photo, I wasn't physically abused, but trying to make a point that emotional abuse is as bad as physical one).</i><br />
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It all started with an offer.<br />
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I was in a really bad place after losing my mom. I began to isolate myself from everyone around me, I terminated many friendships and kept minimal contact with close ones. Grief overtook me and I lost <a href="https://nicolekiss.blogspot.com/2018/02/ash-growth-tumor-and-blood-inc-photo.html" target="_blank">tremendous amount of hair in January</a>, had terrible fits more than I care to count. But the kicker was this, I fell into depression, and grief didn't even allow me to fight it. While I never told anyone other than my closest love ones who were involuntarily involved, I had attempted suicide and plotted several more during this period. Once, ambulance came to get me to the hospital to extract the handful of pills I have swallowed, but I learnt from attending to my mom that as long as I was sober, paramedics had no right to forcefully remove me. I was executing knowledge I had obtained to my "advantage" to achieve a successful suicide under watchful eyes. As I was the one who was responsible to inject morphine into my mom during her final days, when my plot surfaced, I hid the morphine unbeknownst to anyone and started researching the lethal dose of morphine consumption and its effect. I knew I needed help, fast.<br />
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The offer came in the form of a summer in England. I was in no place nor mood to relocate or travel, but I knew I needed a change of environment, anything to get me out of this deadly (literally) rhythm quickly. So I jumped at the opportunity.<br />
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<b>Little did I know, I was exiting a torture chamber right into the devil's den. </b><br />
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At first it was pleasant and friendly, as how all stories like this always begin.<br />
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Then the small criticisms creeped in, then it became more frequent, it wasn't before long that I realised he treated his friends very differently as to how he would treat me. It was all pleasantries and plenty of room for "mistakes" for his friends but all harsh criticism on me.<br />
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Frankly, I've been a stellar housemate, I cleaned, vacuumed, arranged and mopped his house, kept his kitchen spotless, even cleaned the entire bottom floor of his house when garden contractors left for the weekend, wiping every surface and plates and appliances, mopped twice so his floor was rid of cement dust. Helped cleaned up when he had his friends over for a meal, or even after he threw a BBQ for his friends. Took out the trash, sorted out his living room, and kept the room I stayed in clean and bedsheet constantly washed.<br />
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I opened the blinds exactly the way he instructed (90 degree perpendicular before pulling them apart, not a degree less or more), pull or draw the curtain the way he preferred it (the folds intact and in the right order as it's being pulled aside), switched off the power of the washing machine or appliances the way he wanted it.<br />
(Do you see how ridiculous this sounded? And I complied, his house, his rules, right?)<br />
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The times I forgot to switch off something, I apologised and hardly repeated.<br />
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But the criticisms continued to rain down on me and there's always something he's not pleased with.<br />
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The MOST absurd thing is, he was emotionally abusing me for 1.5 months, <b>without realising it.</b><br />
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The only times he was pleasant to me was when he was either drunk/tipsy, or when he had just returned from a social event and was high on social energy, or both. When the effect of that died down, he'd return to his moody unresponsive critical self.<br />
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The second week, he had a stressful episode with his ex-girlfriend, and whether he knew it or not, he became exceptionally mean to me that whole week. Every statement came with a sarcastic remark, every criticism harsher than the one before, and I was beginning to feel like I was treading on water whenever he's around, that feeling never left from then on. Sometimes I wondered if that was what drove his 6-year girlfriend into the arms of another man, or how another decent normal human being was able to tolerate living with such a dysfunctional being for 6 years.<br />
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There was a day I assumed he felt bad for "being a dick to me" (his words, not mine) he decided to buy tofufa for me. I thought, that's nice, but damage was done, I had built a barrier around me whenever I was around him. One act of kindness was not going to undo ten dick moves.<br />
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If there is any debate on my story being one-sided (and I know there will be), read <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/anger-in-the-age-entitlement/201004/are-you-emotionally-abusive" target="_blank">this article on Psychology Today</a> to find out if you're an emotionally abusive person. I'm quoting this set of questions targeted at men who are emotionally abusive, see how many you have answered yes. </div>
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Man:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Does it feel like your wife or girlfriend pushes your buttons? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Does she have a way of putting you in a bad mood? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Are there times when you don't want to speak to her or be around her? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Do you feel like you overlook a lot or swallow a lot, until you can't stand it anymore? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Does she frequently "do things the wrong way?" </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Can you be having a nice time and then out of nowhere she says or does something to set you off? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Are you sometimes on edge about having a bad or unpleasant evening? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Does it feel like you have to criticize her for not being more efficient, reliable, or a better person? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Does it feel like she makes you yell or shut down when you really don't want to raise your voice or be in a bad mood at all? </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Do you treat her in ways you couldn't have imagined when you first started loving her? </li>
</ul>
If you answered yes to any of the above, here are some things that your wife or girlfriend probably says about you:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>He's so moody. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>He doesn't see or hear me. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I feel like I'm his possession. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I can't be myself; I have to think, feel, and behave the way he wants. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Nothing I do is good enough. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I feel like I'm walking on eggshells.</li>
</ul>
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While I can't answer on his behalf, but from my observation there were at least 4 YESes or more to those questions. As for the second half, it's YES, YES, NO, YES, YES and YES for me.<br />
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Sure we can go into the details of every little thing that happened and defend ourselves (I didn't text because I thought I was giving you space), but this psychology piece should say it all, after all, it's a field he's most familiar with.<br />
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Cutting him out of my life was the best decision I could do for myself, and I'm in a happier place now. Spending time with my UK families made me feel loved, and normal, and how even right now, sitting across from my cousin while we both work on our computers, a cousin whom I have not met or spoke to in 9 years, gave me more comfort than a friendship that had lasted for 9 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q7BVEaQM-AqvXFY8S3c1BN4JW0Fq0CAglCq6x6xAo3sqJgVCTHFYuC0fnfPGyusS3D3vApE6PJ0EaPtZWXGYbaNRGnN-jZOfs-4jIu85t2pGfsvra0n9Rneeq4xbBqMIqMykeg/s1600/20180803-IMG_2496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q7BVEaQM-AqvXFY8S3c1BN4JW0Fq0CAglCq6x6xAo3sqJgVCTHFYuC0fnfPGyusS3D3vApE6PJ0EaPtZWXGYbaNRGnN-jZOfs-4jIu85t2pGfsvra0n9Rneeq4xbBqMIqMykeg/s640/20180803-IMG_2496.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>my cousin, James. </i></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-22037144247461557162018-07-18T21:45:00.002+08:002018-07-20T07:12:26.317+08:00This Site is a Marketplace for All Your Interior Design Solutions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://atap.co/">Atap.co</a> is an online marketplace for everything related to interior design work in Malaysia. You can find an interior designer (or several) here to renovate your perfect dream house, office, retail space or restaurant. Or if you’re an interior designer or architect, post your work here and have customers come to you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmRcw8mWe2YQZ-1CIIimRL5NTss95DA3KKgJ-PaarSXo_LPhitLW9zwdIiaQgMdc0YLS_8-OAdYytoVqPXACEbKbcJR3zMEfLq4ghnxgqvEp7iPN0by4F-osaW18d9XYpatrk-A/s1600/thumbnail+atap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmRcw8mWe2YQZ-1CIIimRL5NTss95DA3KKgJ-PaarSXo_LPhitLW9zwdIiaQgMdc0YLS_8-OAdYytoVqPXACEbKbcJR3zMEfLq4ghnxgqvEp7iPN0by4F-osaW18d9XYpatrk-A/s640/thumbnail+atap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Dream living room?</i></div>
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After spending a month in London and watching my friend transform his backyard into this spectacular cozy garden with gorgeous tiles, perfectly laid grass and a deck for weekend BBQ, I have been dreaming about my own personal home projects.<br />
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While I don’t have my own garden in my too small condominium, I do have a living room that’s screaming to be renovated. It’s really a pity to leave it the way it is because my place comes with a very pretty floor-to-ceiling window and the current state of my living space just doesn’t do it justice. <i>(Photos of my top 4 living space designs posted below)</i><br />
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Be warned though, looking through Atap.co will have you drool for homes that you might only be able to afford in your next life. Don’t worry; it doesn’t take away the fun of curating and envisioning the cozy apartment you could create within your budget range. As their slogan stated it aptly: don’t wait for your dream home, create it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrQFsOSCXJBhmKeSsatqg_oADFJupB3WVibbZPSV9HMRQNO84ZNP_tQV-Ylazt17e1QuytL6jkbPKSZiG8LH4pQjNvXjSuGc5Z_-PMgCGSRSlyemcCWak8FSCHzNappPZBhR3PQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+7.44.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrQFsOSCXJBhmKeSsatqg_oADFJupB3WVibbZPSV9HMRQNO84ZNP_tQV-Ylazt17e1QuytL6jkbPKSZiG8LH4pQjNvXjSuGc5Z_-PMgCGSRSlyemcCWak8FSCHzNappPZBhR3PQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+7.44.51+PM.png" width="587" /></a></div>
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With 1300 listed interior designers on the site, you know you won’t run out of choices; and with more than 422k monthly users on Atap.co, you can be assured that this marketplace is legit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X53SvofhOc-0M6efbvkybY398LRSfpo9JDhyphenhypheniUsNsKdV0Xdv7QVKheA5YxdHAtZNJJn6ZVUUNKNGa2zlH0sScOaQMHND0SsNMGhfJgQSnCqMp3g0I0dVTKUjWWleEIMcHel4TQ/s1600/Infographic-How+Atap.co+Works.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="981" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X53SvofhOc-0M6efbvkybY398LRSfpo9JDhyphenhypheniUsNsKdV0Xdv7QVKheA5YxdHAtZNJJn6ZVUUNKNGa2zlH0sScOaQMHND0SsNMGhfJgQSnCqMp3g0I0dVTKUjWWleEIMcHel4TQ/s640/Infographic-How+Atap.co+Works.png" width="392" /></a></div>
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<b>How to use Atap.co</b></h3>
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Step 1: Find Your <a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en/professionals" target="_blank">Interior Designer</a> </h4>
You can do this by either browsing through <a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en/projects" target="_blank">projects of listed interior designers</a> or go through their <a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en/ideas" target="_blank">ideas page</a>.
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You can read up on <a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en/advice/" target="_blank">expert tips</a> to get an idea where or how to start creating your space.<br />
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Step 2: Decide on a Budget and Pick A Date</h4>
This is crucial so your ID guy know how to work around your price range and if the duration and dates you propose can be met. These data are to be filled in in Step 3.
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Step 3: <a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en/quote-request?hl=en" target="_blank">Request a quote</a></h4>
After finding your preferred interior designer, you can then click on the button on the right and request for a quotation. You will be asked a few questions like the type and size of the place you wish to renovate, the duration and date you wish to have the renovation carried out, and so on. Once done, just wait for your quotation/response (check your email).
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisslVb_CWUiovEOdn874vAZejmrl4pLUg46AYwUvFlerE2jcO6JaO7OrjoX_tq9IvBZ6eoLTQ22LjJWzsR1iwDIMyJg1q1sjlSRYByWHhsWDUwKZCvAZFKLWzP1-FJSeKTDXJnrw/s1600/Quote+Request.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1500" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisslVb_CWUiovEOdn874vAZejmrl4pLUg46AYwUvFlerE2jcO6JaO7OrjoX_tq9IvBZ6eoLTQ22LjJWzsR1iwDIMyJg1q1sjlSRYByWHhsWDUwKZCvAZFKLWzP1-FJSeKTDXJnrw/s640/Quote+Request.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or if you prefer to have people come to you, then simply post a general request /lead to Atap.co. You can do this via<a href="https://atap.co/malaysia/en" target="_blank"> LIVE CHAT on their homepage</a>.<br />
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After spending two hours on the site, I have narrowed down my top 4 favourite living space designs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjhf9bCmsiDu610B_6-T6VQJT_8tO5T0aqsaMTeyeX6kBc6Ox8_lQ3gG2e7gQGzfzKHBCJZ8iT0fADPSGNNAjYzlvfa935FVyH9slPBlCX4b4hxwJoz9Ho0PDsQfVu6xUfjppAQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.07.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjhf9bCmsiDu610B_6-T6VQJT_8tO5T0aqsaMTeyeX6kBc6Ox8_lQ3gG2e7gQGzfzKHBCJZ8iT0fADPSGNNAjYzlvfa935FVyH9slPBlCX4b4hxwJoz9Ho0PDsQfVu6xUfjppAQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.07.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>I am a fan of contemporary design, it's practical for everyday living. And this came pretty close to being my favourite other than the fact it's a little dark for my taste. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25s7fiWassCOaCfP-5MEMBgDwdAUkbZh4D2ULY2cJM7L80n73Peh3JVNee66FI_8LYpObw9AQmSG63W12euoBPWh37hTH9UGkVxg0Z4nGhnCvL8ACC9UB0Wlze3yf3hA785q9YA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.56.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25s7fiWassCOaCfP-5MEMBgDwdAUkbZh4D2ULY2cJM7L80n73Peh3JVNee66FI_8LYpObw9AQmSG63W12euoBPWh37hTH9UGkVxg0Z4nGhnCvL8ACC9UB0Wlze3yf3hA785q9YA/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.56.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The water feature outdoor definitely helped with the visual appeal of this space but I adore the TV wall built here. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Dg5-bnCMaqIwdvzpXWvb4A6hB6_hBtQB8zJ9QcB4JfknUP3jgS3SDKW4QxhOMi2nIawMPyqRdEHY28arIlxdrFh19vb35fyWdQlrY0ZtjolSzJ0_OvgtR0Omy2MhPtFFP-Drw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.25.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Dg5-bnCMaqIwdvzpXWvb4A6hB6_hBtQB8zJ9QcB4JfknUP3jgS3SDKW4QxhOMi2nIawMPyqRdEHY28arIlxdrFh19vb35fyWdQlrY0ZtjolSzJ0_OvgtR0Omy2MhPtFFP-Drw/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.25.51+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>While I normally don't prefer rustic country style décor </i><i>in my own house, I can't seem to resist the design of this living space; it's such a pleasure to look at. It definitely makes for a fantastic weekend BnB stay. </i></div>
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And my favourite design,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKo7Cu4jxK2C4hX_a4saBQgJh_TOeaw111y0_behfwHWVqtL1hgjSxAM3vYlyoiBaSAj6G7iNE6bo6LbtnkMWc9dsDioh5TVvcWERx5Da8iKuYa7OyeNnpJA_ZmT59VGxIVGZUQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.14.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKo7Cu4jxK2C4hX_a4saBQgJh_TOeaw111y0_behfwHWVqtL1hgjSxAM3vYlyoiBaSAj6G7iNE6bo6LbtnkMWc9dsDioh5TVvcWERx5Da8iKuYa7OyeNnpJA_ZmT59VGxIVGZUQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.14.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>It's cozy, it's cute, it's modern, and it's practical and visually pleasing all at once. It looks grand even though it doesn't have a big space. </i></div>
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So I looked up the ID company and found that their pricing is rather reasonable (a.k.a. cheaper) compared to the other designers listed on the site.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYVfPiAL_4W7rjUxhG5k8TLe6yWTPVe4yy7QaMdElLsxZh_ow7DbDVc3Eyreo6P2WVKvUzFo87f4MXgJMOCpkoN9xq_4-japjwhKVXwtpPiu6PUOf1klBm7hASfp53fWVf3mhxg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.59.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYVfPiAL_4W7rjUxhG5k8TLe6yWTPVe4yy7QaMdElLsxZh_ow7DbDVc3Eyreo6P2WVKvUzFo87f4MXgJMOCpkoN9xq_4-japjwhKVXwtpPiu6PUOf1klBm7hASfp53fWVf3mhxg/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-17+at+8.59.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Portfolio of the interior design company I pick. You can look through the work and info of an individual interior designer before asking for a quote. </i></div>
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Guess the next thing I have to do now is to request for a quotation.<br />
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As for you, have fun browsing for your perfect home.<br />
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<a href="http://atap.co/">Atap.co</a> social media links:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/atapdotco/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/atapdotco/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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décor</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-72211481129176112882018-07-07T06:12:00.001+08:002018-07-07T15:44:23.706+08:00How I Got Molested by a Foot Fetish in London <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok. Where do I even begin?<br />
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This is not your average daily encounter, definitely a first in all 15 of my travelling years.<br />
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In all honesty, have you ever really met one in your life?<br />
Sure, I read about them in comics and maybe watched a documentary or two about it.<br />
But I have never come across a human that would openly admit that he/she fantasises about feet.<br />
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And of all places, this incident took place in one of the most heavily guarded location in all of England: the Buckingham Palace.<br />
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It was one of those mornings where I'd spent my time going around London taking photos of iconic landmarks. This morning, I found myself setting up my tripod in front of the Buckingham Palace, patiently waiting for tourists to clear and clicking the shutter away when a balding Asian man around my age approached me.<br />
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He asked if he could conduct a survey with me and my first respond was to brush him off with a smile and went on with my photo-taking. He persisted, and insisted that it wouldn't take much of my time and it's not what I had thought.<br />
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Haven't I heard dozens of similar lines before? I did a virtual eye-roll before giving in. Maybe I'd just answer a few questions and get rid of him so I can go back to my photos. We sat down and he introduced himself, born in England to two Hong Kong parents, he did filmmaking as a hobby and he's doing a film about feet. It all started with some innocent questions like: "what do you think about feet?", "what do you think about walking barefoot in public area", "would you ever be comfortable walking barefoot in the public?", "what kind of place would you walk barefoot on?".<br />
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"Grass" I'd replied.<br />
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More questions and answers were exchanged. And when that's done, he suggested, if I was willing, that we could find a place nearby, like a park, where I could take off my shoes and lay my bare feet on the grass, and perhaps he could take some photos of my feet on the grass.<br />
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Incidentally, there's a park just across the Buckingham Palace, probably the reason why he was hunting there in the first place. He was really polite throughout the whole conversation that my danger radar just didn't go off. Now that I think back, he probably has practised this method of approach countless of times, and I could see why he chose me, seeing how I would be more receptive to his story of a creative background having come from a creative line myself.<br />
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I told him to wait till I was done with my photo session and he agreed; and boy did I take my time, I even told him he should look for someone else since I would still be occupied for a while; he insisted he would wait. It must've been more than half an hour before I wrapped things up. And off to the park we went.<br />
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We found a spot, took off my boots, and sat down on the grass as he whipped out his phone to take photos. Initially I wondered why he was using a phone instead of a proper filming equipment, that should have been a red flag, but then I remembered he did mention that this was a hobby, and I let pass.<br />
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Up untill this point, things were going fine, he finished taking his photos and showed me the photos he has taken of my feet on his phone, he even offered to show me photos of feet he has taken of other people.<br />
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Now this was where things got weird. I was still sitting on the grass with my bare feet out, and as I took his phone and starting flipping through the photos, he made the most bizarre request. He was sitting on the grass across from me, with both his hands outstretched towards one of my feet, and asked:" May I?" Suggesting he wanted to examine my foot.<br />
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I was distracted with looking at the photos that it didn't occur to me immediately how odd that request was and instinctively extended my foot out and he took it with both his hands, and started caressing my foot.<br />
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My whole body jerked stiff at this point, and before I could recover and realise what was happening, he took my other foot and started fondling that foot too! The shock was real, and I was still grasping with what was actually taking place as this guy fondled away at my foot. Foot fetish wasn't the first thing that popped into my mind at the time, but I know I was really uncomfortable and I wanted to get out there quick.<br />
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Almost immediately, while feigning nonchalance, I retracted my foot "casually" from his hands, and prepared myself to get up and wear my boots; all the while declaring that I had to get going.<br />
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When he begged me to stay for two more minutes so he could "look" at my foot; I began to panic (and yes, foot fetish was making its connection in my head). I continued to wear my boots and insisted I had to go. "2 more minutes, please, just 2 more minutes", he begged.<br />
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"I'm sorry, I had to be somewhere now"<br />
"No, I really have to go, I want to take photos before the crowd comes in"<br />
"Yes, I have to go now"<br />
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I persistedand finally, looking defeated, he bid his goodbye and we parted our ways.<br />
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So yea, there you have it. Having my feet fondled by a foot fetish is surely ranked 1 of the top 5 weirdest encounters in my book.<br />
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I'm usually someone who's pretty tolerant with weird things, this hasn't really shaken me other than the fact I'm really uncomfortable with the idea that this guy has photos of me in his phone. But it has broaden my view on people whom I might meet. As a measure of caution, I did request him to send me a photo he took of me from his email so at least I have a record of his email address, even if that meant I was revealing my own email address to him (my email address and FB has never been that private to begin with anyway).<br />
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And here's the photo:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7UdKbT_hbSuuRbA8KulaoaTACDdnrDocG3Ppqt_yK1pyL-jCh0Cgz64krWQfzMs-5ETR-y76tTUCtOkeX-EKlw4Xk4Q__2E0oI9WF4PTXHDO8laV_61_NQJhuE4EgvACSiZCuw/s1600/IMG_6042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7UdKbT_hbSuuRbA8KulaoaTACDdnrDocG3Ppqt_yK1pyL-jCh0Cgz64krWQfzMs-5ETR-y76tTUCtOkeX-EKlw4Xk4Q__2E0oI9WF4PTXHDO8laV_61_NQJhuE4EgvACSiZCuw/s640/IMG_6042.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-23126806824880054892018-07-03T05:53:00.000+08:002018-07-03T05:53:21.834+08:00Of Bone China and Fantasy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When my mom passed, she left behind a set of beautiful china from Royal Albert that I have gifted her over the years. She was in love with them, but never had the heart to use it. So all these years, the pot and teacups and plates just sat in the cupboard in the boxes they came with.<br />
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Being the only female and member in the family who bothers with these stuff, naturally these things fall into my possession. They add to my collection of tea sets perfectly, next to the matcha bowls from Kyoto and tea pots from Iran; I can't help but to feel the melancholy attachment to this collection of English china. Ironically, I am also allergic to caffeine despite owning quite a large collection of tea from around the world. Sure, there are floral tea and white tea that's without caffeine, but who are we kidding, the best teas are always black tea blends (or red/green tea).<br />
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While I still enjoy my camomile every once in a while, it is a very different experience to being entitled to a wide variety of tea selection, the joy of picking a tea flavour according to your mood out of the wooden tea box, or scooping that exquisite tea blends from a luxurious tea tin while you fill your senses in the aroma as you pour hot water into the pot.<br />
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These are the experiences she never get to enjoy in her lifetime, always saving up for that special occasion. That occasion never came. And I will never have the memories of sitting down to have an afternoon cuppa with her. I try not to have regrets in life, but this, the sight of those china filled me with sorrow beyond my own comprehension. The moments I never had and will never get to have. The beautiful fantasy I crafted in my mind, how her laughter filled the air, jokes exchanged, the usual gossips, the appreciation of exotic teas in one single afternoon. I have replayed this fictional moment in my mind far more than I care to admit. <br />
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I broke down last night, in my room in London, thousand of miles away from home but I might as well be back in my childhood house and it wouldn't have been any different. It doesn't happen as frequent now, the tears and the pain, but when it does, the loneliness is insufferable. And breathing becomes an impossible task.<br />
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8 months.<br />
It's been 8 months.<br />
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It still feels like yesterday.<br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-87247054689332925912018-06-25T16:40:00.000+08:002018-07-18T00:33:02.639+08:00REVIEW: My In-flight Skincare Routine featuring the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's how to avoid dry skin on plane.<br />
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I have used <a href="https://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/product-detail.aspx?name=facial-treatment-essence&from=pitera-essentials">SK-II Facial Treatment Essence</a> (FTE) for most of my adult life so it's only natural that this product goes with me wherever I travel, even on board an aircraft. I was recently gifted a new FTE bottle to use and write an honest review, and since the PITERA ingredient in FTE is really good at locking in moisture and giving my skin a glowing effect, I thought I'd write a 3-step/review post on how I maintain my skin when flying using this product.<br />
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The humidity on an airborne aircraft is at about 20%, that's less than half of what we're used to on land. The result is dry and flaky skin. Ever notice how flaky most stewardess' skin is beneath the thick foundation?<br />
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Here are my steps to a healthy hydrated and glowing skin even after a long flight - with my favourite <a href="https://www.sk-ii.com.my/">SK-II</a> product.<br />
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<b>Step 1: Cabin friendly size</b><br />
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If you're going to bring a liquid product onto a plane, make sure it's less than 100ml.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbzXw1D2abLVbKYBNtTzVvwC7c0bJn0uoVcQdG2ltpp50BVP_Y3BGu76mqNsKCtLNq7KpT_AX1pBTD4b9bxESSCj3PboC_GCwJN-1-uDOKSvD4zqU7Tkow6tk8rXS9-JYQZTkSg/s1600/20180618-IMG_5166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbzXw1D2abLVbKYBNtTzVvwC7c0bJn0uoVcQdG2ltpp50BVP_Y3BGu76mqNsKCtLNq7KpT_AX1pBTD4b9bxESSCj3PboC_GCwJN-1-uDOKSvD4zqU7Tkow6tk8rXS9-JYQZTkSg/s400/20180618-IMG_5166.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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How do I pack my FTE? There are many ways you can take it but I prefer bringing my travel size 75ml <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.com/2014/08/sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence-workshop.html">Facial Treatment Essence</a> on board as this method saves luggage space since I use my essence in my daily skincare routine anyways. My other alternative is <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.my/2015/06/sk-ii-mid-day-mid-night-miracle-essence.html">SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence</a>, which is basically Pitera in a spray bottle, kind of like a facial mist. <br />
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<b>Step 2: Compressed masks</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm0kuuwxT2szBsi0uPqTQt6jgP2VpuUbxqlltwgexM6idPK1YlnK53PJKCYOhOZz5Uie-d_kIZJRVyl6uDHX8eeB0cubzypD2t-VOtqefm2XT5zMICrIuHydewrPE0UBqKPhQ1g/s1600/20180618-IMG_5171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm0kuuwxT2szBsi0uPqTQt6jgP2VpuUbxqlltwgexM6idPK1YlnK53PJKCYOhOZz5Uie-d_kIZJRVyl6uDHX8eeB0cubzypD2t-VOtqefm2XT5zMICrIuHydewrPE0UBqKPhQ1g/s400/20180618-IMG_5171.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I got these from a beauty store. These save a lot of space and are incredibly convenient to travel with.
I also tend to bring under-eye sheets with me for when I just want to do eye masks. I don’t know where you can buy them from but I got mine from Taiwan.
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<b>Step 3: Hydrate and Apply</b><br />
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Take a cube/pair of sheets and soak the mask with Facial Treatment Essence solution, this can be done easily on your palm. The compressed mask will expand and form a facial sheet mask, which you can then place onto your face. <br />
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Let it rest on your face for 5-10 mins and then remove. You can follow up with a moisturizer or just leave it as it is like I do. <br />
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If it’s a long flight, I will repeat this routine for a couple more times depending on how dry my skin feels. <br />
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The same can be applied to under-eye sheet mask too.<br />
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<b>The result: </b><br />
As you may have noticed, I have taken these photos on my recent flight from KL to London. Hello UK! (will be posting a video on that) How did my skin feel?
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My skin actually feels moisturized and not too fatigued after such a long flight! The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence really lives up to its promise. For me, it is really worth buying the SK-II Pitera Welcome set, which consists of a 75ml Facial Treatment Essence, 30ml Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (which is a toner), and 15g of the R.N.A. Power Radical New Age moisturizer at only RM260.
I’m always glad to have a bottle of travel sized FTE to bring around with me so I can just dab some on whenever necessary.
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Here’s a post on <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-get-fair-skin-my-daily-step-by.html">how to use the Facial Treatment Essence</a> (and other products) in your daily skincare routine. <br />
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I've uploaded a video on my recent in-flight skincare routine with FTE. Check it out.<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rp0mKomJ-oo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Where to buy:<br />
Check out these links <a href="https://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/product-detail.aspx?name=pitera-welcome-kit&from=pitera-essentials">here</a>, <a href="https://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/product-detail.aspx?name=facial-treatment-essence&from=pitera-essentials">here</a> and <a href="https://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/store-locator.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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Also check out these posts on FTE here.<br />
<a href="https://www.lipstiq.com/2018/167810/beauty-hacks-ive-picked-up-to-make-the-most-out-of-the-sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence">Beauty Hacks with FTE</a><br />
<a href="http://marieclaire.com.my/beauty/sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence/">FTE Review</a><br />
<a href="http://q-e3.com/2018/06/editor-review-sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence/">Another FTE Review</a><br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-51899187971309482962018-04-19T18:35:00.003+08:002018-04-19T18:38:53.123+08:00Club Med Tomamu: Ski-in Ski-out Resort <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When a friend suggested to try out the new Club Med Tomamu in Hokkaido, I jumped at it. It's unlimited skiing at a ski resort surrounded by snow and good food and comes with an indoor heated pool. All paired with Japan's hospitality. </div>
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Sounds like a dream? Oh yes. </div>
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The room was divine. And unusually spacious (given that it's club med). The once a week king crab buffer dinner was one of the many highlights on the trip. My only complain was the lack of snow in late March, and since they were new (it was their first season), there were hiccups in the bookings which meant we missed flying in together with our friends. In return they did shower us with more king crabs for 3 days in a row. I am done with king crabs for a long time. </div>
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The ice bar nearby was already closed for the season by the time we flew in which was really a shame. But the wave pool was fun, and indoor spa (non-natural hot spring) came in handy after a long day on the slope. I was particularly in love with the Nest Bar's cosy environment, I could visit this bar every day. And having toasted marshmallow on the top of the snow mountain was quite a unique and yummy experience. I just wish I had gotten more time on the slope. </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-66712577163745571572018-03-30T08:35:00.000+08:002018-03-30T08:35:00.223+08:00Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Photojournal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The poncho cardigan in this photo series has a significant sentimental meaning to me. It was a gift my late mom persuaded my elder brother to purchase for me. In a way, it was the last material gift she ever gave me. The piece was one of the two winter wear I had been eyeing on but the price deterred the purchase. You could imagine the shock and surprise I had when my ever thrifty brother agreed to the suggestion. It was also the first real presents my brother ever got for me (aside from a tiny palm size teddy bear he threw my way on my birthday years ago, I sometimes wondered if it was something he won in a lucky draw). </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-88166360974173066982018-03-16T19:32:00.003+08:002018-03-16T20:09:26.597+08:00Grief: 4.5 Months Later<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last night was hard.<br />
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I was in pain. And loneliness was flooding my soul. I wanted to hear her voice, so bad, even for a little while, a little bit.<br />
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No amount of screaming could mend the tear in my heart, tears flowed and I could no longer hear my own thoughts. I remember walking into the pool fully clothed, and sinking my head beneath the water didn't really clear my mind. But the cold did, slowly, as I sat in the water while the time ticked away.<br />
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I don't know how much time has passed but I remembered the lights were switched off at one point, and there I was, sitting in silence in the dark, half head emerged. Before I knew it, I stopped shivering, the water surrounding my body has warmed up to my temperature. The surface has cleared of its ripples and soon it was mirroring the buildings across.<br />
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"Get over it"<br />
"Move on already"<br />
"This is not how she wanted you to live"<br />
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These were actual words from the mouths of people who meant well.<br />
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"Time will heal"<br />
Yes but when? When does this stop? Why does it feel like it's never stopping? Is there a timeline to these things? Why does the pain feel so real? And the loneliness so unbearable?<br />
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"It's time to move on"<br />
How?! How do I 'move on' from this? What's the guide on this?<br />
Do I wake up one day feeling the world at my feet and everything is in the past? Is there a 'grief stops here' deadline that I missed somewhere between 4.5 months ago and now? Or a happiness switch that I forgot to flick? Please show me the way to move on. Because every moment I'm reminded of her kindness, her love, and her comforting words; and every step moving forward is a step taken without her; and each future envisioned is a future envisioned without her. And each second spent with these thoughts is joy, drive and motivation stripped off of me. I lost interests in everything I do, even things I used to enjoy doing.<br />
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Google tells me that a grief timeline can stretch anywhere from 6 months to 4 years, and I'm in stage 4 of a grieving process. Yet all these are uncertain and merely encouraged. It doesn't tell me how long it's gonna take to get me to stage 5 or how to get through this period.<br />
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It doesn't get easier. You just learn to live with it. And I'm still learning how to live with it.<br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-25188237669159036522018-02-28T14:59:00.003+08:002018-02-28T15:39:10.854+08:00Ash, Growth, Tumor and Blood (inc photo collection of Seoul, South Korea)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Life has always been good to me, but it has also been harsh on me.<br />
I grew up in a loving home with two very loving parents, dominated by introverts that were understood by few.<br />
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Sheltered at birth, I knew very little of the outside world and socialising was hard for me.<br />
It took travelling and many travellers to obtain my personality today, most days I still find myself housesitting because it's where my comfort zone is, it's where I get my "me time" and I need a lot of that, and often.<br />
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Before the internet, my family kind of personality was not well perceived or received in society. People can be cruel towards those which they don't understand. It made me a very angry child, I didn't understand the emotion I was building up inside, so I cried a lot, and then I raged a lot. Which made people distance themselves further.<br />
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I was fortunate in the sense that I was always surrounded by people who love me, there weren't a lot of them at any given time, but they were there. I was never in an abusive relationship, and I had parents who were there for me all the time. I didn't come from money but I never really needed to worry about money, not really, no. I had the privilege to see the world at a young age and to continue that passion till today. I count my blessings everyday.<br />
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Then my mom left us November last year. Too young. Too soon. In an instant, everything I ever knew changed. I saw many things in a new perspective. Few things matter. In a nutshell, my world dimmed. I no longer see colors in the things I do. I stopped being friends with people who didn't matter or bother. I lost the drive to thrive in life. My sole motivation in life now lies in ashes in an urn 100 miles away.<br />
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I spent many nights sobbing following her death. My body eventually gave in and I started experiencing severe hair fall in January. Huge chunks would come out when I swept through my hair with my hand or when I was in the shower. Half my hair volume must've come off in that single month. So I had my hair cut in February to help my visually thinning hair.<br />
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A month ago bf's sister discovered a 20cm size fibroid growth in her, following that a close friend was recently diagnosed with stage 3 thymic cancer and is going through chemotherapy. Then yesterday my dad told me he found blood in his stool, they'll be performing scope on him tomorrow. It felt like I was barely catching my breath before being thrown back into the fire pit.<br />
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I'm taking each day as it comes, and it's been my words of encouragement to those suffering around me. Cause sometimes, that is all you could manage.<br />
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Ending this post with a collection of photos of my recent trip to Seoul, South Korea.<br />
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<i style="text-align: left;">PS// just realised it's my birthday tomorrow. </i></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-37102984596810984222018-02-07T22:47:00.000+08:002018-02-08T19:25:55.744+08:00Best Restaurant in Pai: Silhouette Bar <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Set in the early 20th century, the furnishings of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SilhouetteBar/">Silhouette Bar</a> reminded me of post-war jazz bands and cocktail hours, heavy with British influence buried in the depths of the exotic tropics.<br />
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Overlooking a pond and an empty pavilion, you'd find yourself comfortably seated in restored furnitures flown in from Britain, that meant well built and comfy armchairs and sofas. In the evening you'll be transported back in time as music from a 100-year old restored piano flowed through the dining area, while you'd be served drinks from imported beers to creative cocktails, or have your own selection of wines and hand-crafted liquors from their collection. </div>
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If you're ever in Pai, you <i>have</i> to drop by this restaurant. It is located in <a href="http://reveriesiam.com/">Reverie Siam Resort</a> but it sure didn't feel nor priced like hotel food. I dined here almost every night because I kept finding myself coming back to this place. Seldom have I come across food so fantastically prepared and well priced. </div>
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Not only was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SilhouetteBar/">Silhouette Bar</a> serving the best food in Pai, in my humblest opinion, it was beating even some of the best mid-tier restaurants in Thailand. I couldn't remember the last time I enjoy meals so much. It could be the holiday spirit, the interior, the ambience, the music and the wonderfully crafted drinks speaking, but I strongly vouch for this restaurant. Even writing about this now had me fantasising about their succulent pork belly (and juicy pork ribs).<br />
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<b>Silhouette <i>by Reverie Siam</i></b></div>
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476 Moo 8, Vieng Tai</div>
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Pai, Mae Hong Son</div>
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Thailand 58130</div>
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<b>Telephone</b></div>
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Tel: +66 (0)53699870</div>
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Bookings</div>
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Reservations@ReverieSiam.com</div>
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Info@ReverieSiam.com</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-82763307579031150462018-01-30T15:27:00.001+08:002018-01-30T15:49:49.576+08:00Best Hotel in Pai: Reverie Siam Resort <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My visit to Pai was made perfect by my stay <a href="http://reveriesiam.com/">here</a>. Even with the promising excellent reviews I read online from TripAdvisor, various booking sites like Agoda and Booking.com; <a href="http://reveriesiam.com/">Reverie Siam</a> managed to exceed my expectation.</div>
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Imagine realistic Alice in Wonderland and you get <a href="http://reveriesiam.com/"><b>Reverie Siam resort</b></a>. Founded by an English and two Thai siblings, Reverie Siam is the epitome of vintage English with a hinge of Thai. I'll admit, it's hard to pick a bone with this place.</div>
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After <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.my/2017/08/how-to-travel-to-pai-thailand.html">3 hours of windy journey</a> to this secluded hipster village of Pai, I was rewarded with the best stay on my two weeks long trip across northern Thailand, triumphing over many 5 star resorts I came across and stayed throughout the rural northern Thailand. </div>
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My villa was furnished with a luscious king size bed and fluffy pillows. Chandelier and drapes on the ceilings gave the room its luxurious ambience. Wooden vintage door to the right opened up to an unnecessary spacious bathroom with a garden view and separated shower room and toilet. Next to the window was a man-made bathtub big enough to fit two. Order a bottle of champagne, connect your spotify to the in-room music player and you're good to go.</div>
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Walked out the glass door in front of the bed and you'd find a private small pavilion with a table where you could have afternoon tea in front of a garden. </div>
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Oh the garden. Seldom have I walked in a private compound with such a fantastical garden, while not in size, the landscape was comparable with the castle ground gardens I've come across in Scotland and other parts of Europe. And yes, it came with a central maze. </div>
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Get lose in the maze and find yourself wandering inside a secret garden. Only guests were allowed to enter this section, and what a privilege it was. Within the walls you would find two salt pools (a plus for me): infinity pool and stone pool. The latter of which was accessible via the balconies of Deluxe pool rooms and has had a shallow zone for toddlers. </div>
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The hotel provided shuttle bus to various drop off locations in Pai. You can find the <a href="http://reveriesiam.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Map-Shuttle-Bus-with-timetable.pdf">map and time table here</a>. Which is plenty convenient. But if you need something more private, you can always charter a private ride/tour with the resort and you get a personal chauffeur for half the day/full day. <i>(Tip: ask them bring you to <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.my/2017/08/yellow-flower-field-pai.html">this secret location</a>)</i></div>
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As if all these were not enough, the restaurant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SilhouetteBar/">Silhouette Bar</a> was the cherry on top of the magnificent cake. Easily the best Western and Western fusion food you could find within 100km of vicinity of Pai. But I think that deserves another post of its own, especially when this is where I had the best pork belly of my life. </div>
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<b>Reverie Siam Resort</b></div>
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476 Moo 8, Vieng Tai</div>
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Pai, Mae Hong Son</div>
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Thailand 58130</div>
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Tel: +66 (0)53699870</div>
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Info@ReverieSiam.com</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-18448707776402258112018-01-18T00:42:00.002+08:002018-01-18T00:42:24.526+08:00Giant Brown in Seoul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Seoul was a lot different from what I remembered 16 years ago. For one, K-pop trend was just emerging, a far cry from the global phenomenon it is today. There was no such thing as k-beauty and most of South Korea felt like China in the 1900. </div>
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Food was boring and blunt but mostly cheap. Heck, the whole of South Korea was cheap. </div>
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It is no longer the case today.</div>
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Travellers have told me the food here can be and is more expensive than Singapore, and I agree. </div>
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Last night I walked down to the food court in a departmental store and ate two plates of sushi taken off a conveyer belt, the bill came up to 17,000 won (that's USD16 or RM64). Then I walked over to a random food stall and ordered 250g of fried seasoned chicken cubes as after-dinner snacks, the small bowl of chicken cost me 10,000 won (USD9.50 or RM38). My dinner had cost me more than RM100 and I barely felt that I've eaten anything, and this was from a food court! </div>
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I spent an hour around Myeong Dong and was visually flooded by the sheer volume of Korean beauty products available for purchase. Thankfully I wasn't into Korean beauty products, but I could imagine how easily someone can get sucked into this world, and has her wallet emptied in one afternoon. It's a shopping heaven, and shopping I wasn't not interested in. </div>
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Which brings me to my final point, aside from the endless fried chickens, mom and pop's korean food joints, and BBQs, Seoul doesn't have a lot to offer, at least not to me. It felt just like another big metropolitan city with too much shopping and food to offer and nothing else. Bars and drinks here aren't as good as Japan, and clubs and nightlife aren't as posh as Shanghai's. Everything else fell short when in comparison with another big city out there, and the price tag made it all the less attractive. </div>
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I have to give them this though, Korean Fried Chickens, hands down, the best there is. </div>
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I will miss this when I leave. </div>
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And who can resist a photo op with the biggest line bear (Mr Brown). </div>
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<i>Taken at Myeong Dong's Line Friends store. </i></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-29608527917267606622018-01-15T01:00:00.001+08:002018-01-15T01:05:09.747+08:00First Trip of 2018 (After Shanghai)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>note: check out <a href="https://imotorbike.my/en/">imotorbike</a> if you want to buy or sell motorcycles and accessories. Sellers get to post for free. </i><br />
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It's three hours till I have to wake up to get ready to head to the airport, yet I can't sleep. I can't help but feel that I'm running away, it's three days till your birthday after all. You would have been seventy by then. I had planned to celebrate elaborately for you this year, especially when I was too financially strapped to celebrate your sixtieth. You couldn't wait, and left all but too soon.<br />
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Circumstance like this harshly reminds me that time waits for no one. I wished I celebrated your living on earth like it was your sixtieth everyday. I always thought I had at least till the next year, or maybe I just refused to believe you could go. But you could, and you did.<br />
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We always said we would visit brother on one of his work trips, and you said a few months ago you wished you had gone while you had the chance.
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So I'm going.<br />
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And maybe, on the day of your birthday, we will finally get a buy you a cake and celebrate in South Korea together. <br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-81895251581625284202018-01-04T08:29:00.000+08:002018-01-04T15:19:48.517+08:00Welcoming the New Year 2018 in Shanghai <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shanghai was a nice getaway from everything back home. It provided solitude in a foreign territory, away from everything I knew. The feelings was still raw, but somehow the distance helped, and the absence of constant physical reminders helped. The nights in the spacious hotel room, however emotional, were therapeutic in a certain way. It reminded me of a time I used to travel, just my thoughts and I, disconnected from the life back home.<br />
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The modern city provided enough distractions in the day time and occasionally in the night time. I strolled the tourist hot spots that were crowded by local tourists from other parts of China, stood in queue at popular eateries, fought through the wave of crowds in Yu Yuan, and walked the evening streets of central Shanghai city.<br />
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On my last night I visited a well reviewed speakeasy bar "Speak Low" and had a great chat with a Japanese bartender while I watched as he prepared cocktail after cocktail. The drinks were expensive, but wonderfully crafted; paired with good company, it was an enjoyable an evening. It's been a while since I've enjoyed anything at all.<br />
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I have already dyed my hair dark at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hareta-Hair-Studio-590743230995115/">Hareta</a>, I thought the vibrant colours didn't reflect what I've been feeling inside, being a brunette suits me better now. Despite the growing length, it was a lot more manageable than being a blonde; my hair hasn't felt healthier in years.<br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-5762934161518586372017-12-31T01:23:00.000+08:002017-12-31T20:00:41.253+08:00Rainy Shanghai <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Woke up with a face full of make up and in my day clothes, it’s 12am and I’m in bed in a hotel room in Shanghai. I got up to wash my face and changed into my pyjamas.<br />
<br />
You filled my head as I routinely cleansed my eyes and then face. It’s the last day of the year 2017, and tomorrow I will begin a year and a life without you. Everyday I counted the days since you’ve left us, it’s been exactly 50 days.<br />
<br />
Shanghai, a city I had not visited in 10 years. Much hasn’t changed and much has, like the rest of China, the city progresses fast, and things have became more expensive since my last visit. I thought about the times you said you wanted to visit Shanghai. I was always the first to deter you, it wasn’t an interesting city you would like, I decided. I wish I’d brought you, and showed you where to have the best “xiao long bao” in the city, you would’ve like that.<br />
<br />
Shanghai has been raining since I landed. The cold winter rain made it difficult to walk around the city. I stood by my judgement that it’s not an interesting city for someone who doesn’t like partying, night life, shopping or hunting for the best food. But I had to admit I’m glad to be away. There’s no where in the world where I could run to without thinking of you, that’s a norm, and a given, but I appreciate the little distraction being in a distant city provided.<br />
<br />
Dad misses you, he doesn’t say much of it but he gets really lonely, but you already knew that. He still goes to the shop everyday, but he understands it is a lot harder to manage now with your absence. Brother took up the role of taking care of the household rather well despite living in Singapore. He paid for most of the expenses that’s incurred since your passing, took up the responsibility of handling your will and your wishes. But there are late nights, on his visits back, while on my toilet break in between my sleep, I would see him sitting in dad’s rocking chair, red-eyed, in deep thoughts. As you have predicted, I handled your passing the worst. There are still moments where I lost it, my mind, my voice and my sanity. And I have lost count how many times I have cried, most times without intending to. It’s as if my tear glands have a mind of their own.<br />
<br />
I became angry, at everyone, at the world, at myself. I shut myself out to a lot of people who cared. In my mind, they didn’t care enough, even though I knew it’s not their fault. It’s only recently I started talking to my best friend, whose wedding I missed because I was still trying to handle your passing. I was angry at her the most for not being there for me when you took your last breath, despite knowing she had a wedding to plan and that it was ‘pantang’ to attend the wake and cremation service. In my mind, all I thought was I would have been there for her in a heart beat if our roles were reversed; I couldn’t be less emphatic during those times. My irrationality was driven wild by my emotions. The pain was raw and real. Guess I have a lot of growing up to do.<br />
<br />
It’s late. I should be getting back to bed.<br />
<br />
Mom, I miss you.<br />
Till we speak again. </div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-46539588651514818252017-12-19T17:13:00.001+08:002017-12-19T17:14:34.127+08:00Coping in a world without your presence <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I will miss you in my free time, so I occupy myself with work, and more work. Diving myself into a world where I am forbidden to miss you is like taking drugs, it only lasts till I sober up. So I sank deeper.<br />
<br />
Few days ago I received an amount banked into my account, it was from a small trust fund you had set up for me years ago. Even in death, you were taking care of me. Clutching to my phone, I stared at the numbers in my bank account and bawled.<br />
<br />
So many things mean so little to me now. I'll trade everything I have in a whim to have you back in my life, yet not all the wealth in the world could bring you back.<br />
<br />
If there is a word to describe what I'm feeling, I haven't found it yet. </div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-11956418797867370482017-12-09T00:34:00.000+08:002017-12-09T01:20:23.663+08:00Thoughts of You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Copied these post from my FB wall so I have a record of these thoughts. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Written om 10/11/2017<br />
I don't know how people do it, still have a life while their love one is bed ridden waiting for death to knock on door. I can't bring myself to be happy, or to enjoy a moment. I envy those who can, even for a bit. My life stopped the moment I knew my mom was slipping away right before my eyes, even before she entered a coma, even while she was still conscious. It's been a hustle of switching from hospital to hospital, doctor to doctor, emails and phone calls to various treatment centres around the world. And then it was too late, before I knew it, I have been back in Melaka for more than a month taking care of her round the clock. My whole world is lying on a bed, a tube down her throat, lifeless-like aside from the warmth on her skin and the irregular breathing through her mouth. She is here and yet she is no longer here. I still tell her I love her every day, then planting a kiss on her forehead, even when she can't hear or feel my presence. Every inch of this house is shrouded with my memory of her. I miss her every day, but especially so every night. Often I would roam the dark living room, the hall, the rooms, chasing memories in my head. Last night while sitting alone in the dark, I realised I haven't spoken to her in weeks, or say 'mom' the way I would usually call my mom. So I called her out and pretended to be talking to her like I used to, before I knew it my face was soaked in tears.
<br />
<br />
<br />
11/11/2017<br />
Mom passed away today at 5:29pm in her own home surrounded by family and relatives.
In loving memory of Mdm Ong Him, wake services will be from 12 Nov - 14 Nov.
Cremation on Wednesday, 15th November at 2pm.<br />
<br />
<br />
17/11/2017<br />
I will miss you till the day I breathe my last breath.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-3hmfglLtkMcuPzZu-JRBPegLqaFIB81pief3uRE2rput2S5tMZAyehzPXIwooB3x13A8ZIoXSEJmGHyLIkwEdtEbT2YUFkOaskctAgRNy3rOO5tPnu7lYWKhczU-zS9XLnfMQ/s1600/20171111_132208.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-3hmfglLtkMcuPzZu-JRBPegLqaFIB81pief3uRE2rput2S5tMZAyehzPXIwooB3x13A8ZIoXSEJmGHyLIkwEdtEbT2YUFkOaskctAgRNy3rOO5tPnu7lYWKhczU-zS9XLnfMQ/s640/20171111_132208.png" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
29/11/2017<br />
Today marks the 18th day since you left me. It felt like an eternity has passed. Yet your scent, the feel of your skin, the shape of your nails and fingers that I came to know so well sitting by your bed through all those weeks, your pain and sufferings, the sound of your breath and so much more still vibrantly etched on my mind like it was yesterday. I can't sleep, like many nights before; this night (or morning) I'm plagued by your groans when you're in pain, the sound of phlegm stuck in your throat which I had to help perform suction to extract, the wounds and open sores I helped mend throughout your body, the twitches in your hands, then your arms, followed by your entire body, the theme defines this to be one of the harsher nights to get by.
I'm no longer certain if chasing after your memories is torture or healing, maybe I am desperately clinging onto whatever connection I have with you, perhaps reliving old memories I had with you, or forming new ones. A week ago I found photos of you in your teens, photos I have never seen before, a side of you I never met, knew or heard of. I couldn't pry myself away from the photo albums trying to discover more hidden sides of you. I was getting to know you all over again, it gave me comfort. But it was followed by an immediate sadness knowing I will never find out where you were in those photos, who were those friends you're with, was it a fun day at the waterfall because in the picture you looked happy.
Mom, do you know what is the hardest part? There are times I still can't believe that you are gone. The reality of it would hit me so hard, and swift, I would literally grasp for air. It could happen anytime, on sleepless nights like this, in the afternoon while I'm reading, when I'm thinking of you, or worse, when I woke up from a dream. Those days are especially challenging.<br />
<br />
5/12/2017<br />
You last words rang loud in my heart.
"Be strong".
You knew life can be harsh, cruel, difficult and filled with all kinds of challenges, because you had a hard life, and an even harder childhood. Life had not been kind nor fair to you despite your compassion and emphathy to others. You were the strongest person I know. Not a day has passed that I don't miss you dearly.</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-52214274382793565532017-11-09T13:08:00.000+08:002017-11-09T13:08:20.223+08:00Don't Say "Get Well Soon" to a Dying Patient <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's a little girl (13 yo) across our bed that's aneroxic looking. She has been waiting for a liver transplant for the last three years, and she lives in agony every single day. Her heart rate is a constant 110-120. She has a swollen belly and stick arms and legs. She suffers perpetual diarrhea (sometimes with blood) and she has lost the ability to recognize people, not even her own mother who sits by her side every day.<br />
<br />
She's always sitting alone, and rarely receives a visitor. No one talks to this mom, not even the nurse unless it was necessary. And she just went about her day caring for this child of hers. Cleaning her up, watching over her, attending to her pain and needs. And when people do talk to the mom, they ask about her daughter's condition and then you could see they shift their eyes away because they felt pity, and they are at a lost for words.<br />
<br />
On my side, my mom was taking a disturbed sleep in her bed. And I thought about the visitors we have received the past few days and the words of concern that flowed in.<br />
<br />
It baffled me just how much people don't know what to say to a cancer/dying patient. Most of the time, albeit unintentionally, these words can do more harm than good.<br />
<br />
No, we don't need some miracle treatments you read online/heard from a friend or referral of an uncredentialed doctor.<br />
<br />
Please don't say 'how are you feeling?'. Same as yesterday, same as the day before and the day before that. There are going to be good days and there are going to be bad days. But they are generally all bad. So if you are expecting to hear good news from asking "how are you" on repeat, don't ask.<br />
<br />
And please, for the love of God, don't say "get well soon". No, it's not going to get better. It's always going to get a little worse everyday/week/month. That's how it works. Saying get well soon just shows your indifference and insensitivity. Instead, say I'm here for you. And mean it.<br />
<br />
Offer help. Bring food, offer to clean, lend a ride, offer a shoulder or just be there.<br />
If you don't know what to say, say nothing, your presence is good enough. Don't stay away or avoid contact just because you don't know what to say, that's just going to hurt more. Offer a prayer, regardless of religion. Kindness and compassion know no bound.<br />
<br />
One evening, as this mom was talking to my brother and friend over the condition of her daughter, I could see she was getting emotional. So I walked up, opened my arms wide and embraced her. I held her for a long time, and whispered "I know" (because I sincerely do) repeatedly. I didn't let go. She cried into my shoulder as I held the back of her tudung as she clung onto me. I don't know how long I held her for, but I hugged her hard and could feel her pain vibrated through every vessel of me. By the time I released her, my eyes were wet and I know none of the pain has been reduced, but it got its release that evening.<br />
<br />
I don't know this woman, I have never spoken to her, I don't know her daughter nor the full extend of her condition. But I know her pain. And while words are lost, all she needed/wanted was a hug.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-56787749824854815302017-10-30T13:06:00.002+08:002017-12-10T22:12:56.261+08:00The Morning We Had Japanese Pear <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Grieve comes in levels and in waves. I don't know how to stop it or when it will come. When it comes, there are moments I feel that I can no longer breath on my own.<br />
<br />
I remember so clearly the last meal I shared with you two mornings ago. You haven't been eating much and has little to no appetite to almost everything. Most of your days were spent in bed, and whenever you were awake (however little), you would sit on the chair next to the bed. You were never awake for more than half an hour at a time. I asked if you would like to eat some food, you said no. Then I asked if you would like to eat the Japanese pear we bought, you agreed. I brought the whole fruit in, sat on the floor and cut it in the room while you sat on a chair watching. I passed the first slice to you, you held it with your right hand and ate it. Then I cut a slice for myself and ate it. It was the nicest pear I've had. But it would taste nicer without the skin, so I sliced another piece and removed the skin, and passed it to you. You took it, then you wanted another, and another one. It was the most I've seen you eaten in a week. The final two slices of that 3/4 pear, you said you had enough but I mentioned just one more slice to finish this half, I popped a slice in my mouth, you extended your hand and said the longest sentence you said to me all morning :"you said you would pass me a piece but you ate it". I handed you the last slice smiling. After you finished that slice, I stood up and got some wet tissues to wipe your fingers. The moment I was done, you asked for some wet tissues and I told you your fingers were already wiped. You accepted the answer and sat there for a while before declaring you want to lie down.<br />
<br />
I helped you up, then sat down on the bed, lifted your swollen legs onto the bed. You flipped on your side and closed your eyes to rest. I touched your hair and watched your rest for a bit before leaving the room.<br />
<br />
Never in my wildest dreams that this scene would haunt me even in my waking hours.<br />
<br />
You deteriorated fast that day, by afternoon I knew something was wrong and called for the ambulance, you refused to get on it. My brother arrived back from Singapore then, and even he wasn't able to get you on the ambulance. It took us till midnight before you were wheeled through the emergency door. I stayed by your side the whole night while you physically struggled, I watched as you mentally slipped away from me each hour. By morning, you no longer had your conscious and could not recognize me or my brother, but you still had the ability to recognize our voice. By afternoon, you lost that too.<br />
<br />
As I watch you now, you can no longer swallow water nor spit out phlegm. I don't know if you can hear the "I love you's" I whispered in your ear, or feel the kisses I planted in your hair, or notice the tears on your clothes. Mom, I don't know what I'll do when I can no longer feel this warmth emanating from your hand.<br />
<br />
You have walked through every pain in my life. I have never felt pain this lonely.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-91806875651997549042017-09-08T16:45:00.002+08:002017-09-08T16:45:37.330+08:00Why I Switched to Android from iPhone and Now Want to Switch Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="20lie-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.digifloor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/iphone8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://www.digifloor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/iphone8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="20lie-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Ever since switching from iPhone to Samsung two years ago, I have been loving and hating this new change. But more love than hate.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4ridk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bco8e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="bco8e-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Love (for samsung) in descending order:</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="d1ts1-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d1ts1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">removable storage sd card (photo arranging is a dream) *</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">google drive (most convenient file sharing) *</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">deleting & sharing multiple photos is a simple drag and delete/share</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">automatic photo album sorting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">nicer night shots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">nicer selfie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">charging cable can be used for power bank and camera (travel convenience) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">no scratches or lens crack after two years (rough usage with no lens protector)</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="cnupl-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cnupl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="cnupl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="8iia4-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="8iia4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hate (for samsung):</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="e9ti6-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9ti6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">loud speaker function when calling is CRAP *</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">buggy and slow (gets worse over time)</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="ebb3q-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ebb3q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="ebb3q-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="5m47c-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5m47c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5m47c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="anju3-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="anju3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="anju3-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Love (for iPhone): </b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="93c1m" data-offset-key="4r39d-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4r39d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">amazing day shots (depth effect omg) *</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">more photo editing apps available (more apps, period) *</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">video recording is superior</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">auto bluetooth sync to AirPods and beats headphone </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">can use front camera as mirror (no auto filter)</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
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<span data-offset-key="6u1qd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hate (for iPhone):</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">back up and sync </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(this is the MAIN reason I'm hating iPhone, it's a smart feature but at times it's a bit too smarty pants, like jumbling up aka arranging my photos according to its own preference and making my life a living hell). **</span></li>
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<span data-offset-key="49u6a-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>* or ** key reasons where I place the upmost importance </i></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="49u6a-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You would see that a lot of my loves and hates revolves around photo sorting and taking. It is the core usage of my phone, so it places an important element in my mobile phone purchase decision. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7vlja-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Now that <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/07/google-drive-on-pc-ending-in-favor-of-backup-and-sync/">Google Drive is going to be dead soon</a> (they are switching to 'back up and sync' like WTF). By doing that, you remove the key reason I love about my Samsung and add it into the hate list. Yes I am inclined to switching back to iPhone just because. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7vlja-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Because it means I will have more key reasons to love iPhone than I do for Samsung, and more key reasons to hate for Samsung as well.</span></div>
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It is also perfect timing because iPhone 8 will be launched soon and while Note 8 will be available soon, since the last disaster (exploding) I have to lie if i'm not skeptical to sticking to Samsung. </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35426498.post-44642344600688394842017-09-06T18:18:00.000+08:002017-09-06T18:21:39.583+08:00It's Going To Be EBC (Everest Base Camp)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Me: Where do you want to go or what do you want to do on your birthday?<br />
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C: I don't know. Let me think about it. </div>
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Two weeks later. </div>
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C: I'm thinking to trek Everest Base Camp on my birthday. </div>
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Me: (eyes widening)... Alright. Let's go. </div>
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Sometimes when I think about it, it's tough finding friends who can be spontaneous like that, let alone a partner. I suppose I'm incredibly blessed in that way. </div>
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6 years ago I embarked on a <a href="http://nicolekiss.blogspot.my/2011/04/in-nepal.html">6-day Langtang trek</a> in Nepal after deciding the trek of Everest Base Camp (EBC) would take far too many days. I ended the trip in the hospital for 5 days vowing I was never going to do it again. </div>
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Only to tell myself a year later that one day I would return to conquer EBC. </div>
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Years gone by and as more commitments came and went, EBC remained an elusive goal. </div>
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You know, those things you said you would eventually get around to do but never did because there are other priorities in life and places to visit that ranked higher in your list. And since I already did Langtang, which meant I <i>have</i> climbed the Himalayas; EBC naturally just crawled down my list. </div>
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But it was always at the back of my head, the epic adventure that got away. The 14-day journey up one of the highest places you can climb on earth. </div>
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The trip is to be less than two months away, which means what followed was days of planning and plenty of research. It dawned on me how much there is to prepare and plan and train for, and how unprepared and reckless I was in my previous endeavour to the Himalayas. Served me right for getting altitude sickness and food poisoning, but the view on the chopper ride down was magnificent so it wasn't all bad. </div>
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So far I bought a pair of hiking boots, ordered solar panelled power banks and did 50 squats. </div>
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In that order. </div>
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I don't know what's more worrying, the fact I attempted 20 floors of steps today and almost died, or that I'm fussing over insulated drinking tube more than I should. </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836980999308116832noreply@blogger.com0