A Letter to 2014

This year has truly been a very different year. Penning down my thoughts and feelings is just a way to remember the things/people I have gained and the things/people I have lost.

This year is special because ever since I had a vision of what I want to do in life, I have always earmarked the year when I turn 40 to be a year that will change my life. Year after year, I will tell myself that when I reach 40 years old, my dream will be fulfilled. Little did I know what was in stored for me.

The year began with a sentence, "leaving your comfort zone". I knew it will be a year of new challenges and probably challenges in mindset as well.

On April 24, I lost my father suddenly. He just left in less than 8 hours. Without a last word, without a goodbye. The pain and anguish stays even till now after 8 months. I miss my father. And since that day, a part of me changed. For the first time in my life, I experienced sadness that cannot be removed. I was emotionally very weak. I started to think no one loves me, friends round me are suddenly not as close as before. Even family seemed a bit different. I felt like even family cannot understand how I feel. I felt lonely and that has been my nemesis for a long time.

On Aug 14, barely 4 months later, my father-in-law also left us. Battling with cancer for more than a year, he has been as close as my own father to me in the past 12 years. Physically and mentally I know it may be a relief for him to go but no one can be emotionally prepared for death. I can only thank God that I went through it first so that I can stand stronger for my wife and my extended family. Going through the same ceremonies struck a raw nerve I thought was buried.

Now, both Kless and I are only left with our mothers and we will do our best to keep them healthy and happy. That is my resolution for the rest of my life.

In work, for a 40 year old man, this should be the time for consolidation and stability. But far from it, I was asked to switch department in my office. To a very different job scope that in my wildest dream, I would never thought of doing. Like I said, this year is a year of "leaving the comfort zone", so I am ready to take on the challenge if I am needed. I have no time to slip into mid-life crisis as some may say. I can only go forward and stronger than ever. Usefulness creates purpose!

Personal - this year I did something I didn't plan for - a solo overseas trip. Without my wife, my family or my friends. Many friends came to me after the trip and questioned how did I get permission from my wife to go alone. Irony was, Kless planned the trip for me. She suggested the venue, chose the dates and booked the flights for me. But I'm thankful for such a great wife (not because she allowed me to travel alone), because she is truly one who cares for me and wanted me to be better. And indeed this trip changed me. I was more opened to risk and changes. Which probably resulted in my decision in the career switch as well. Now a few friends were jokingly saying, solo trips when you are 40 is the benchmark for a man.

There are a dozen more events that are significant in 2014, like career KPIs, ministry breakthroughs, family trips, etc. But to end off this year, I just want to say a big Thank You to my wife. She has been my support for as long as I can remember. She has been by my side all the time, through the bad and through the good, so much so, I told her that traveling with her alone is equivalent to traveling solo. We are just too close to be separated. I love you dear!

Not a single year passed for the last 8 years I will not give thanks for my family. They have been my support and will be my support forever.

2015 will be another amazing year for sure. At least I know in work, I'll be expecting lots of changes and adjustments. For my family, I want to create more memories before my girls outgrow that stage of wanting to bond with me. For my mothers, I want them to enjoy life more than ever. For my friends who have seen me through the dark times, I sincerely appreciate your love and concern, we will grow stronger next year!

Last but not least, I pray that 2015 will be a victorious year for my spiritual family, all my leaders will be blessed and God's hands will not be shorten towards them.

Taiwan Trip 4D3N (Part 2)

First up in Taipei, we went straight for the famous and in my personal opinion (a local Taiwanese said that there are stalls which is better) the best Mee Sua in Taiwan.

In case you do not know where is this stall, it’s inside Ximending 西門町.

 

Notable good food around the same place will be the 豪大大鸡排.

And you have to try this highly recommended 滷肉飯 (Braised Pork Rice).

 

For the first time in our trip trip to Taiwan, we finally tried the Railway Lunch Box 铁路便当, and it was indeed delicious as shown by my beautiful wife.

 

We travelled to Shi Da Night Market 师大夜市 for the first time, and I think I will come back again, cos the fashion and vibe are totally to our liking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I realized the locals really like 滷味 a lot. Almost every stall is fill with waiting customers.

And I found the best food in 师大. The super duper delicious 生煎包.

I was not hungry but still I was able to eat 5 buns. Trust me, no matter how full you are, don’t miss this!

 

Another personal recommendation is the 滷味面, this dish is simply heavenly. Add in a bit of spice to enhance the taste.

One thing appealing to us in 师大 was the sight of more young people, especially so from the nearby university. They really liven up the mood.

 

When we are tired of the street food (momentarily), try out the cafes in the vicinity too. A choice more for the tourists but still good.

 

They say a good latte art is when after you finished the drink, the art is still visible.

 

Another night market to recommend is Tong Hua Night Market 通化街夜市. Usually for first time visitors to Taipei, you may want to just visit either Shilin or Shida, but if you have time no harm travelling to Tong Hua for a look. Though it is relatively smaller compared to the Shilin and Shida, but it is by no means a walkover in terms of variety of food.

 

 

 

 

We tried the Grilled Flamed Beef again. Can’t stop eating. How I wish we have such delicacies in Singapore too.

 

Another type of grilled meat.

Shopping wise, so-so. Not very impressive but ok.

Finishing off our trip with some night shopping at Ximending. I will be back again for sure, Taiwan!

Taiwan Trip 4D3N (Part 1)

This is my second trip to Taiwan, and both times are with Kless only. So Taiwan is like our overseas ‘paktor’ trip. Since we spent about a week in Taipei alone, this time round we thought of visiting TaiChung for a change, especially when so many friends have been saying how nice are the food and shopping at FengJia Night Market.

Chose a hotel that is just right in the night market vicinity, and after we left our bags, we can walk down and start enjoying the vast variety of food and snacks, not forgetting the famous ‘pearl milk tea’ in Taiwan.

Even the grannies will come out in their wheelchairs for the food in FengJia, that shows you something right.

FengJia Night Market (Chinese: 逢甲夜市), also known to some as FengJia Shopping Town, is one of the biggest night market in Taiwan, and with it so near to the Feng Chia College, you can be sure the fashion and food are quite up-to-date and nice.

Our first taste of food in FengJia, Spicy Fried Beancurd and Chicken Breast. Yummy!

Just besides the chicken stall, we saw this stall that sells prawn, actually it was the signboard that captured our attention. It’s the best grilled live prawns I have eaten ever. The name 懒惰 means “lazy”, and the reason for such a name is because with this prawn, you do not need to de-shell to eat, just bite chew and swallow. Nice!

Can you count how many signboards this stall has? This is true Taiwanese spirit, never enough to be just offering one thing, always giving more than enough in service and offers.

So what can you expect from this huge night market?

This is probably one of the best (top 3) food I tried in TaiChung. Charcoal grilled fresh snail 螺. Super tasty! Sad to say, I don’t find it in Taipei night markets. Anyone know?

 

 

“Or Lun” (Hokkien) or 黑轮 is a must try food in Taiwan, a bit like our Yong Tau Foo, but the soup is simply awesome. And the best part is, you can even find this in 7-11 stores! Can we bring this into Singapore? Our late night supper will go up another level.

  

 

Ever eaten a steak done this way, on the streets? As a beef lover, I can’t help but ordered 2 sets, you get to choose from various seasoning by the side, but my recommendation is to go with just some light salt. Enjoy the taste of perfectly flamed beef.

No one can claim they have tried Taiwan night market food without trying the famous Fried Chicken Breast Meat. And in FengJia Night Market, this is the stall you have to try, the queue is about 30 pax at all times, but I guess all good food is worth waiting for.

Grill Sotong. Don’t ignore the side streets, cos more good food are quite often found in such a street like this.

  

A city that doesn’t sleep. Even after 12 midnight, the streets are still full of traffic and people walking around.

 

A quick breakfast before we set off to Taipei. Not particularly tasty but definitely a very local try instead of the usual cereals or bread.

Next post will show you more photos of what we ate and did in Taipei. Hope you like it so far.

Side-note thanks to Canon Singapore for all the photos.

In this trip to Taiwan, I was able to loan a Canon 6D from Canon Singapore and a big thank you to them, I was able to try out a full frame camera and experience the difference in using Canon as compared to my usual Nikon. I have to say that comparing Canon 6D to my Nikon D90 is like comparing a BMW to a Honda, different category but same functions basically. Personally, I was surprised how easy it was to switch over to Canon despite the different arrangement in the handling. After a few tries, I was quite familiar with where the main buttons are, how to set my aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. But what really intrigued me was the difference between a cropped frame camera and a full frame camera. Not sure how to put in words, but the view seems so different and the amount of things captured is so full as compared. Now, after trying the Canon 6D, I am quite sure I will change to a full frame camera in time to come. The experience is too good! Maybe Canon? Especially when most or almost all of my photographer friends are using Canon. We shall see. Once again, thanks to Canon Singapore for the opportunity to try out your camera. Hope that my photos from this trip pays compliment to your loan.