The Canopy

It was a perfect Saturday morning. Two easties found themselves driving into Bishan Park II excitedly in search of this cafe called “The Canopy” that reportedly serves Australian breakfast. Correction: She didn’t give him a choice.

Building on the excuse reason that she had to buy her dog’s shampoo at Ang Mo Kio, Bishan Park was just a short drive from AMK anyway.

The Cafe.
The entrance was within sight of the public, yet the cafe was tucked away in the greenery, surrounded with wooden furnishings and cobbled-stone paths.
Very pretty, very quiet, very peaceful.

 
As she was pretty interested to see what an “Australian breakfast” is, she poured over the menu. But all she saw was just simple American breakfast stuff: “Eggs Benedict; Eggs Florentine; Eggs (Choice of scrambled, poached, or fried) served with a sourdough slice.

   But what the heck.. just order lah.
So her order was: Poached eggs with a side of honey-baked ham …. $10
But as much as the eggs was perfect, with the bright yellow yolk oozing out; the ham fried to a more wholesome taste; and the sourdough bread .. well, she loves anything sourdough, she realises, “heck, I can cook all these myself”

On the beverage menu, it stated: English Breakfast Tea. Earl Grey, etc. (Tea leaves) …. $5.80

So, she ordered an Earl Grey, only to find that they put a cheap looking teabag into the plunger pot that they serve the tea in (wtf. plunger pots are plunger pots for A REASON); and the teabag didn’t contain tea leaves, it was tea dust. And it looked suspiciously like Dilma. I could have bought a pack of 40 Dilma teabags with less than $6.

It was really quite a disappointment. Their servers were all international, and some weren’t even well-versed in English. It is sad when a company’s cost cutting measures are so apparent- by hiring low-cost labour (but can’t give proper service), and by serving less-than-promised products (i.e. $6 tea that isn’t brewed with tea leaves).

But, they had fun with the salt and pepper mill anyway.

Let’s do a Whose-Line-Is-It-Anyway!

And now it’s over

So the OCBC Cycle Singapore came and went..

Distance covered:
Race proper – 40km
Getting to race ground and back – 30km
Total distance = 70km

I have concluded that I no longer possess the strength to carry me through 70 km at 28km/hr (which could be done easily a year ago). As a result, I was lagging quite a lot behind the team.

But the weather was good, the crowd wasn’t as scary as we thought it would be, and it was a refreshing ride after a long long while.

Race pack collection two days before – OCBC Cycle jersey!

Team Zero Limits gracing the event (hahha), arriving at the race ground at 6:30am

James and Lesley

The throng of people clad in their jerseys and some sporting seriously kick-ass bikes

Race ground: Singapore Flyer / F1 Race Pit

40km starting line

Ready.. Get set..

Daniel “Panties”, Bryant and me all raring to go!  
(The rest of the team were lined up way up front)

33km into the rideBy then, my butt was pretty sore, my perspiration was blurring my vision, and I was huffing and puffing until it felt like my heart was going to give way. And I was telling Bryant that my thighs were burning up when we were going uphill.

Then, 100Plus came to save the day.

Here’s the team right before the ride, when we still looked pretty fresh.

Overheard this group of seasoned Malay cyclists looking over at us, and saying something along the lines of “SMU” and “Alaska”.

Gave me this surge of pride. (=

It’s here..

It’s the OCBC Cycle Singapore! Received lots of negative comments about this event, paid a wee bit of money (though, we had student discounts and OCBC card discounts), but nonetheless, looking forward to riding with the ZeroLimits gang again.

40km ride.

Absolutely no training at all. Didn’t even hit the gym to spin. Haha, beat that.
Hopes for great weather, friendly people, good ride. (=

I don’t understand

Sometimes, I really don’t understand the world that we live in.

What’s right; what’s wrong,
What’s fair; what’s unfair,
What’s black; what’s white,
What’s contentment; what’s complacency,
What should be done; what shouldn’t be done,
When to fight; and when to know you’re fighting a losing battle.

The me -

As a closet romantic –

I’ll find myself giving a smile and my insides will go all gooey and “awww..” when I see a lone guy on the streets walking purposefully with a bouquet of flowers.

Maybe because I know most guys hate to walk alone in public holding flowers. So if a guy was to do that, that must mean that the girl means something, right?

- – -

As a procrastinator –

Shamefully, I procrastinate. Like crazy.

I can see a pile of Datou’s fur on the floor with bits and pieces of insects’ outer skin and still think to myself, “I’ll get that later.”

And I am trying very hard not to procrastinate my school work, but judging from what I’m doing this instant (i.e. blogging), it’s not working.

- – -

As a child -

I still love watching Disney on Ice. Even till now.

It’s the flowy costumes and how they twirl and glide on the ice that adds to the magic and fantasy of a fairy tale that still enchants me.

They’re coming back in March, I think. I’m hoping to go. Haha.

- – -

As a compulsive blog reader and photograph browser -

 

When I have nothing to blog about, I read blogs or browse photographs on DeviantArt. It’s quite a bad habit, really. Once my Internet Explorer opens, I delve straight into either of the two, even if my intent on opening IE was for an entirely different agenda.

You know, some girls online-shop, I read blogs and browse photographs.

- – -

As an amateur photographer wannabe –

Haven’t been able (time and inspiration-wise) to take as many photographs as I would have liked.

For better and for worst?

I was shocked when B’s mum said that Glenn Ong and Jaime Yeo are splitting up. And seeing my reaction, she went, “oh, you like them?”
No, actually, I’ve never taken on any liking towards them as individuals, but I thought they made quite a happy couple. I was sincerely happy for them when they appeared in magazines as a couple, or when Glenn Ong talks about her affectionately on radio.

And then, B’s dad said, “well, looks can be deceiving right..”
Yes, very right.

It’s always sad when a married couple has to go on separate ways. Makes me wonder if it’s because of the societal evolution that greatly diverted the necessity for a couple to keep trying in a committed relationship, and that people are fueled to pursue greater personal happiness.

Then B’s dad added, “it’s about how a couple weather the storms.”
Right again.

Of course, it isn’t easy to weather storms. But I think we’re hitting an age where the word “divorce” is as ubiquitous as “marriage”, and the vows that people make in matrimony don’t matter that much anymore. That is probably one of the saddest turns in societal change.

So, I think the wise older generation is right about weathering storms and keeping faith; and we, the younger generation (myself included) should take these as virtues to work on in our own committed relationships.

And friends are friends forever

You know your friends are the best when:

1. They fuel your addiction to Fruit Plus grape-flavoured sweet by helping you tear the wrapper and placing the sweet in front of you even though you strongly reject their offers. With the ultimatum being the entire big pack of Fruit Plus brought to your table.

2. They give due advice on the matters of the heart.

3. They bring you back to reality about your actual cup size.

4. They peel peanuts for you wordlessly and consistently for the entire night after learning about your incapability to peel peanuts.

(=
What will I do without them?

Romancing

 

“So call me romantic,
Oh I guess that must be so”

Him: Ehhh… what are we doing on Saturday?
Me: Hmm.. I thought you’re having your dental appointment?
Him: Oh, yah. But it’s also valentine’s day.
Me: And…?
Him: Oh.. erm.. you want to go for dinner or something?
Me: Erm, no?

I was never really a fan of Valentine’s Day. I think the commercial world has spoiled it for me. Bouquets of roses, with plushy teddy bears hidden within isn’t for me, especially not with a 500% mark-up.

But as much as I dislike the commercialization of valentine’s day, I suppose, the romantic in me still relishes its meaning.

But anyhow, I think I’m more of a “any day can be valentine’s day” kind of person.