it's almost exactly 24 hours before i jet off for my exchange tmr! i'm going to be flying qatar from t3 at 0220!
this must be the umpteenth time i've said this but time really flies! i can hardly remember what i did the last month. a bit of meeting up with whoever i could; a bit of shopping for the exchange and winter necessities; a bit of time with the family and a bit of tv and reading time for myself; there's cny and then i'm leaving tmr.
it was quite a good month i have to say; without the stress of smu workload which has began to pile onto the unfortunate. i can't believe it's already week four of the acad semester! it seems like i've taken a long break from school; far too long that i've kind of forgotten how it's like to study and be pressed by assignment/project deadlines. irk i don't really want to be reminded of that, not yet.
things back home is pretty good too, probably because i'm leaving soon, everyone seems especially tolerant of each other; tempers down save for the occasional harmless bickering. maybe my impending departure has enlightened each of us in our own ways; it makes me a little sad to leave now :(
anyhow i'm sure the following six months will be a great time for everyone, wherever they're. to a different and great experience in europe!

it's nearly two weeks away from cny which means i'll be leaving singapore really soon! now the reality seems to be kicking in more so than ever.
before i left for batam, there was some tension between my mom and i, sparked off by the exchange trip no doubt. a bit of unspoken unhappiness and grievances on both sides, me not understanding her and she not understanding me etc. i'm glad for the genting break she had shortly after i returned from batam. it gave us both time to think about the issue and decide that time's too short to remain angry at each other. we're back on talking terms now and starting the preparation for cny!

met up with serene and richard on saturday night to go try the much-raved about relish gourmet burgers by wild rocket.

serene chose the chicken burger with marsak sauce. the sauce was the differentiating factor with its sweet and tangy taste. richard said it tasted like the chilli crab sauce. i opted for the seafood burger with lemo mayo which came with generous serving of chunky seafood in the thick patty. richard's choice was the blue cheese beef burger with poached pears. quite an interesting combination i'd say. it looks quite good, with the cheese flowing generously out from the middle of the thick beef patty. a pity i don't take beef!


my review:
nice ambience for a simple night's out with close friends. the thick patties are a major plus point but a tad overrated. most of the burgers on the menu are beef; hence the choice of burgers for non-beef eaters like myself is pretty limited. this would be a good place for burger lovers i suppose. i'd recommend going in the afternoon to enjoy the lunch time set meal which comes with starter, burger, dessert and tea.

off to batam!

our destination - ktm resort.

"It’s a layback and natural haven, which offers convenience and total relaxation for anybody who needs a short getaway from the hustle and buzzle of city life to unwind."

our family cottage which turned out way better than i'd expected. there was a small kitchen complete with a washing sink and cooking stove, two air-conditioned bedrooms each with a television and clean toilet, as well as a balcony overlooking the sea.

the spa was totally awesome! a pampering treat of jacuzzi followed by a full body massage, with soothing music playing in the background against the soft splashing of the waves underneath.

a last shot with the lovely cottage before we are checked out.


one of the stopovers during the city tour on the second day.

it certainly felt longer than two days while we were there because village life passes so slowly. an apt time for a getaway to relax the mind and ponder over troubling matters at the beginning of the new year before facing reality again.

my review:
ktm resort is a pretty good choice for families, friends or even couples looking for a short and nearby getaway from the hustle and bustle of singapore. while the food may not be so good and the activities may be rather limited, the tranquility and appeal to mother nature more than makes up for it. i'd definitely recommend the ocean view spa package! do also bring along a good book and read away by the sea!

the girls i'm thankful for, with whom i can totally see growing old together. it's been five great years and it's only going to get better!

a toast to 2009! here's to rebirth, love and wholesomeness!

single, (subjectively) charming thong. anyone interested?

will be away in batam for the next two days!
till then, enjoy the new year!