Summer Afterthoughts

It has been just a little over two weeks since I’m back from a two-month break. The destinations this time were San Francisco and Taipei. And though at the risk of sounding cliché, boy, this summer was definitely a memorable one.

 

I went for the summer session at the University of California, Berkeley, and you could say that I also took it as an opportunity to satisfy my wanderlust (guilty as charged!). This was the longest I’ve ever been away from ‘home’, and yet it didn’t feel like I left at all. 

Art8 class photo shot, Summer 2011

(From left standing: Ms Seraj Azin {my prof}, Anni Dai, Phoenix, Ai, Lauren, Me, Trisha, Adrianne, Anakaren, Vincent, Esion {Bao Di}, Adriana, Sol, Masie, Hanna, Justin, Logan, Emerson)

(From left kneeling: Kathy, Ever, Linda, Dana, Shehla) 

The moment I set foot back here, I was immediately greeted with the numerous reasons that drove me away in the first place – the sickeningly humid weather, rude, unappreciative people in the neighbourhood and the ever-increasing cost of living in Singapore.

Perhaps it was the culture, the people, the environment, or the interesting amalgam of all three factors that made me appreciate life and space so much more elsewhere. A newfound freedom is what I call it. While zipping around the big cities alone on my e-bike (hey, SF has many steep slopes!), I enjoyed the sights and sounds, and through open-mindedness I made new friends from all over the world. Even more surprisingly, I felt much happier there. I’d like to think I’m a more pleasant person now that I no longer get mad at little things, but it didn't last. 

Meeting <3 in Taipei, and meeting good friend there too!

It disgusts me to say that things are almost back to square one. The environment here makes it hard to focus on the positive things in life. What a bummer. So I have been wanting to update this blog for months, yet I don't have the discipline and drive to do so. I wonder why. It just reminds me of how much I wanted to be a broadcast personality in radio for years but not even close to attaining my goal. After years of trying and dreaming, it can be quite a blow to my ego. I wonder what it takes to make the cut in Singapore’s small and competitive industry, since media companies here are monopolized? Once, I thought I was a step closer to realizing my dream just because I got into the semi-finals for a competition. How naïve I was. Last week, I went for the open auditions for Fight Club 2011 and failed to get in. Sucks. 

Oh well, maybe better luck next time.

In school, friends have been asking me, 

"So how was Berkeley?"

 I always answer them: AWESOME. And that's the truth. I wouldn't give anything in the world to miss the past 2 months. There are just so many things I learnt and appreciate from this trip. I shall attempt to cover my journey with separate posts.


{Extra love to Jojo who took really good care of me while I'm there (you're the best!!!) and Sanyu who has been very patient. :) }



 

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The ANA Flight Experience

After my first flight experience with ANA, I have increasing doubts of why SIA remain top year after year as the best air carrier. I don’t think the other flights lose out in terms of food quality, entertainment and definitely not in customer service.

If any, ANA probably "own" SIA for its customer service. 

Previously when I fly by SIA, it’s quite difficult to get even a glass of water in the middle of the night to quench your thirst. Flights overnight have an odd dehydrating effect on me. On the contrary, the ANA flight attendants were seen carrying a variety of drinks, strolling up and down the aisle regularly, checking if the passengers needed another drink. And all these were done AFTER lights out.

There's a little down side to fly with ANA too. You know how it’s annoying when you finally manage to fall asleep on a very uncomfortable seat, only to be woken up less than an hour later by the sudden intrusion of lights and attendants peering right at you? I got that. :( They were serving me my breakfast because I didn’t put up my “Do Not Disturb” sign, so technically it’s my fault. Lol.

And I thought the Japanese are healthy people! Hahaha

My supper was served at 11+, then 3 hours later I was abruptly woken up for breakfast! At 2.30 in the morning!

Nevertheless, I didn’t regret waking up because the breakfast was SO good. :D Plus, the in-flight entertainment system is awesome. When we’re flying with SIA, we have to switch channels using the remote and if you missed any parts of a particular show, too bad, you got to wait for it to finish before catching the replay.

Edit: I was told by a school mate that my info is not updated. When he flew by SIA last year, the entertainment system had video-on-demand and could watch anything they wanted, whenever they wanted. There was also a very large library of shows and games too.

ANA, on the other hand, works on a video-on-demand system. We control mostly using our fingers (touch screen) and could pause, fast forward, and choose the language we want. All the programmes are very well-organized, making it easy even for my papa who isn't very English-literate.

Cushy earphones!

Well I spent the rest of the night flipping and turning because the ANA flight didn’t have reclining seats. Instead, the seat will slide out about an inch or two, and that’s about it. No leg rest or anything. D:

By the time we actually started touring, I wanted to sleep so badly. And that’s after yet another domestic flight flying into Hokkaido. Sleep-deprived. 

-

The return flight was much better with reclining seats. Fell asleep almost throughout the entire flight. Had breakfast at 5am (JP time, 4am SG time) and dozed off while eating. Yeah, I dozed off while chewing pancakes, and also when eating my apple slice. :P 

Tee hee.

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Singapore, We Now Have Baskin-Robbins!

The day has finally arrived!

The day where Baskin-Robbins finally opens its first location in Singapore! Ice-cream lover rejoice as this favourite American brand opens at Velocity@Novena!

Last Thursday also marks Baskin-Robbin's  4000th international location, as they held the grand opening at Novena Square. Where I was last Thursday evening is the first shop in Singapore, but the  48th country in which now Baskin-Robbin has "checked-in" (4square, you know?). Super awesome. Usually I can only get to eat my favourite ice-cream in Genting, Malaysia and the last time I had BR was in Phoenix Blue Canyon in Korea (and that was like 6 months ago). They are also in Nepal and Thailand.


Scoop and Scoop, along with Baskin-Robbins, plan to open another 10 more locations in Singapore over the next few years! Can't wait for one to open up in Sengkang or Ang Mo Kio. Hehe.

So....what is Baskin-Robbins famous for? Its 31 unique flavours of course! The "31" stands for a different ice-cream flavour for each day of the month, so even if you choose to eat one junior cone daily, you won't get sick of it. I was told that Singaporeans will get to enjoy Asian flavours like Green Tea and Mango Tango, which is made with King Alfonso mangoes from India. I did try the Mango Tango and it's yum - like a sweet blend of mangoes and cream.


One of the flavours that I tried belongs to a program of "Flavour of the Month", where each month BR introduces a new flavour. June's "flavour of the month" is Crimson Passion Sorbet, which is made from blood orange and passionfruit. It's a little too sour for me, but quite refreshing.

Singapore Specials such as "Berry Brownie Good Waffle Sundae" and "Berry-kissed Banana Waffle Sundae" cost S$9.50 per scoop.

 I was busy trying out flavours, but I didn't manage to try all 31 of them and the specials. Others I tasted include Chocolate Mousse Royal (made from dark chocolate, but it's unlike the usual thick chocolate glut,  this one tastes more like a mousse, different texture, like a light cake), and  World Class Chocolate (blend of milk + white chocolate, surprisingly good, not too sweet, tastes just nice).

If you have a sweet tooth, go for Pralines 'n' Cream (damn sweet I cannot tahan) or Maul Brownie Madness (this is actually a lowfat yogurt leh!) My favourites of the lot are Very Bery Strawberry (since a long time ago) and Black Forest (it's a rotator so it's not available all year round). Other worthy mentions are Cotton Candy (coz' it's very shiok that it's not too sweet, really tastes like cotton candy and pretty in pink& purple) and Mint Chocolate Chip (self-explanatory, really :D). 

Just go try them already! Prices are:

Junior Scoop - $4
Value Scoop - $5
Regular (2 juniors) - $6

If you think these stores only serve ice-cream, you're wrong lor. They also have cakes and milkshakes too! As part of the event's activities, we all get to make our own milkshake by choosing three flavours. Mine was too sweet though. :(

Love  their signature pink lounge seats, interactive LCD menu displays and the life-like cake/sundae models!

My favourite decor in the house has got to be the iconic pink spoon door handles, and textured walls that are made to look like waffle cones.

"Hello, evaryboday, my name is Barbarella Baskin-Robbins!"

Guess who's the host of the evening?! Our favourite local SPG, Barbarella from The Noose! 

Her sexy pink bodycon dress is so attention-grabbing. So happy to finally meet her in person. The event was then officially launched by Baskin-Robbins' International President, Mr. Srinivas Kumar and Mr Cheah, President of Singapore's master franchise, Scoop & Scoop Pte Ltd.

There were a lot of buzz and people watching the opening, so it was very lively. Barbarella also did a good job making the crowd laugh, although I do think one of the VIP don't fully appreciate her sense of humour. :/

Me, sandwiched among others, busy taking pictures.

Hospitality was great that evening, and especially so when this guy served us ice-cream, he was so polite, helpful and all smiles. Ask for free tasting at the stores!

The top 5 milkshake flavours that Barbarella liked most are created by them. She made them explain the creation and why the name.

 

 

Later she was whisked off by the omy team to do an interview, and I cannot resist one photo like this - journalist staring on while she puts the whole cone into her mouth! (They dared Barbarella to do it! )

 One of my few local role models! :D

Goodie bag - I'm keeping the brochures for future reference, too many flavours!

By the way, for those who live in the West and find Novena too far, there's also another Baskin-Robbins store in Clementi Mall. Don't forget to 'like' Baskin-Robbins Facebook page for special deals/offers like free ice-cream (both outlets gave away 100 free scoops on Saturday!) and discounts for your cakes!

"We Make People Happy".  BR makes me happy.  Now I'm just hoping they'll bring in the flavours with the sizzling bits in them! :)

 P.S. Sorry for the late update. Was having trouble with superscript! }:(

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