11.27.2013

Hong Kong

So, we went to Hong Kong the other week. It was awesome! {blog posts seem so daunting when you have a million great pics to edit and share in just one go} Michael was in HK the entire week for work, so we decided it would be fun if I popped up on Thursday night and we made a weekend of it. The flight time from SG to HK is only about 3.5 hours, which isn't too bad when you're a, 'I've flown the longest flight in the world - literally!' survivor. Can we get t-shirts made? 

Night one naturally started out with some drinks in Lan Kwai Fong. "LKF" as the cool kids call it, is like Hong Kong's Bourbon Street - packed with bars, restaurants and people looking to have themselves a good time! 

See...


Our first night we had dinner at Posto Pubblico. No pics because it was dark and the food was too good. This place was on a few peoples lists to try and it didn't disappoint. If you shut the front door you would have sworn you were in the West Village. 

Friday, we hit the streets runnin'


HK is an amazingly vibrant and gritty city. It's seriously like Asian New York. It felt so good to be back in the hustle and bustle. Oh how I have missed piles of trash on the street, sirens, power walking and crazy people yelling and cursing at each other. 



Next we took a quick ferry across the river to Kowloon. We didn't spend much (any) time in actual Kowloon, but it was fun to get out on the water and see the skyline. The size of HK is so expansive and impressive - much larger than I had imagined.  





Visiting Victoria Peak ("the Peak") at night was pretty much our only 'to-do' for the weekend. We took a quick (and winding) taxi to the top one evening after dinner. I am kicking myself for not knowing how to properly use my new camera (sorry, Dad!), but the view was unlike anything I have seen. She's a real beaut'. 




The best picture from the Peak was this hilarious kissy/overly staged pic we paid for from one of the many eager photogs at the top. It has a logo and boarder and everything - think "Splash Mountain".  

Would you believe me if I told you they build all buildings (read SKYSCRAPERS) with bamboo scaffolding? I didn't believe Michael either, but it's a trumor. 


What's that? Why yes, I am wearing a crop top, thank you. 



So if the whole IB thing doesn't work out, Michael knows his next venture... 

but really. cute name. 


Close your eyes PETA!


Bye, bye pig face. 







Saturday night ended with an amazing dinner at Wagyu. Michael had fond memories of great oysters there when he traveled to HK with his old job about 5 years ago. I have a feeling our time in LKF and that trip were a little different ;)

 

Our trip wrapped with brunch, a final fitting for the suits Michael had made, a long walk and an art project.




Michael gave me flack for being the only person over the age of 5 taking part in this. 







Last stop before the airport...tea at the Mandarin Oriental.

C: [stands up, hovers directly over table, takes pic, sits, adjusts, takes another 3 pics]
M: Seriously, act like you've had high tea before, will ya. 


Hong Kong - the good life. 

C
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11.24.2013

The Weekender: Shopping & Brunching

Hi Guys! 

Sorry I have been MIA (ugh, I promised myself when I started this blog I would never begin a post that way...) Anywho, I have been crazy busy (and beyond exhausted) since we got back from Hong Kong (recap to come) and I started WORKING!* yay.

Here is a recap of our eventful weekend:

Friday evening began with a fun work related outing - an organized tour and event celebrating the opening of the brand spanking new Westin Hotel in the Central Business District of Singapore ("CBD"). Holy-moley this place was incredible. Who knew a Westin could be so posh? The hotel is fully integrated into a high-rise office building. 

Check-in lobby on the 32nd floor? Mind is blown. 


Infinity pool, check. 


Amazing views, check. 

Plus lots of crazy tech things like the room remembering your temperature settings every time you come back to the hotel. Crazy.  


Afterwards, I walked over to meet Michael for some Korean BBQ at Wang Dae Bak. 

KBBQ is kind of becoming our Friday thing. 



Saturday morning we were up bright and early for work duty. This was the first weekend we were in Singapore since our container arrived from NY so we had lots of shopping and organizing to do.

Saw this on our way to the store. 'You mean tell me this things goes on land AND water?!' I couldn't get over this. First time someone comes to visit we are TOTALLY doing a duck tour. 

  

I cannot quite understand the allure of the durian. Literally there are signs in buildings and malls and public transportation that strictly prohibit durians. Can you image walking into a mall and seeing a sign that says, 'no oranges allowed,' ha. Anyway, if you are not familiar, they. smell. but are popular? I do not know. If you're interested in learning more, just go to YouTube and search durian. 


So we had some fun, but honestly not as much as we had hopped when putting together the apartment. Long story short, we spent a small fortune since half of our stuff does not work out here. RIP west elm lamps, RIP vacuum, RIP iron, RIP coffee maker, the list goes on. You would think we would learn after a while to stop plugging things in. You would be crabby too if you had to replace almost EVERY singe electronic device you owned. 

Sunday fun was had. We went to this amazing brunch with some new friends. The cuisine was Mediterranean and the location was extra charming.  

EXTRA thick bacon and eggs. I mean, this bacon was 1" thick...

Lamb shakshouka...a cast iron pan of roast lamb meatballs, yogurt cheese, Egyptian herbs and spices and two fried eggs...OMG (says Michael).

Another round of drinks to wait out the storm - gladly. 



Finally, out of our many purchases this weekend, this was by far our favorite. We got two new Persian rugs and we are very, very excited. It is so thin and so silky soft. 



Have a great week y'all! 


*Please contact me directly if you would like any additional information on this topic :)
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11.05.2013

The Weekender: Race Day & Sentosa

We had a great weekend! We were feeling extra happy, comfortable, active, productive and enjoying the city. 

Friday started out with a great dinner at a Japanese BBQ joint down the street from our place. The thing Michael misses the most is having a grill, so every so often we have to find an interactive restaurant where he can get his fix. The meat was great and we left happy and not too stuffed. 


Saturday started off with brunch with some new American friends and a trip to Taylor B - a furniture store per their suggestion. Holy-moly this place was a-maz-ing. I think I will dedicate an entire post to the place sometime. 4 floors of beautiful and amazing pieces of furniture and home decor at affordable prices. Even Michael was impressed with the place - and that says a lot! 

  On Sunday Michael and 2 other colleagues ran in the Nike WeRunSG 10K. I watched and cheered them on. 
   

Go Michael, go!



Finishers. 


Quick photo montage on our cool down walk home. 




Seeing as we were up at 6am...ran...had brunch...and all before 10:30am - we had a full Sunday ahead and decided to venture out to Sentosa for the afternoon (a 15 min, $10 cab). 





Several of Michael's deep thoughts throughout the day: 

- do you think this is what living in LA is like? 
- today has been a weird day
- ew, who orders pizza on the beach
- yah, I bet this is what living in LA is like. 


 




Cheers!

C 
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11.01.2013

TGIF

TGIF everyone! 

I am writing this as I relax and watch Michael swim (2,000 meters! I was impressed until Michael stopped and asked me in all seriousness to 'check on him every once in a while.' What?), listen to a swarm of children run around the pool, and a Halloween party complete with a DJ rockin' Miley, Rihanna and major Shakira. So, like, a normal Friday night.  

A couple pics from the week. 

We went to a great BBQ (Azerbaijani style: lots of lamb, onions, humus, baba ghanoush) at Michael's colleague's apartment. I'd heard so many nice things, but it was great to meet them all in person finally. 



Followed by tea on the 35th floor. 


Then we caught a lizard in our apt! 


No pics of the bowl of Halloween candy I put out that no one ate and melted everywhere. 

Oh! We also spent a small fortune buying our flights home for Christmas. Can't wait to see everyone!

On tap for the weekend: Japanese BBQ, brunch with new friends, Michael runs a 10k and researching how to teleport to Tokyo to see Paul McCartney next week. 

Have a great weekend y'all!

C 






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