For those of you who don't already know by now, probably because ure some random reader or I haven't spoken to you in a while, I'm a food-critic-in-training. Yup. Scrawny little me is slowly training up my palette to be more discerning about what touches my taste buds.

For the past 2 months or so, there definitely has been hits and misses. I'm not too sure if I'm allowed or should be openly dismissing some places, so, I'll just stick to being politically correct and give you the lo-down on the eating scene in Singapore. Or at least try to. Heh.

But here's one restaurant that I rather highly recommend.

Place:
Brown Sugar
Address:
277 River Valley Road, Stardus Clubhouse
(between Kim Yam & Mohd Sultan Rd, enter via Institution Hill)
Reservations call:
63336612 (its a must! its quite a small place, only seats about 35)
Website:
www.brownsugar.com.sg (please remember to type in the "sg"...without it...erm...yar...you get to a site with questionable content -_-'")
Misc:
Free Parking (both in front and at the back of the building)

Setting:

Delightfully cosy and casual, plush and comfortable seating, gorgeous cream coloured wallpaper, mirrored walls, soothing and non-intrusive background music.

Must Try:

Deconstructed Apple Salad
$13
Salad of deconstructed apples, walnuts, brie, apple balsamic dressing

Wagyu Burger
$28
Hand-chopped wagyu burger, truffled mushroom sauce, salad and fries

Sticky Date Pudding
$10
Sticky date pudding with brown sugar butterscotch, walnuts, vanilla ice cream

Pear Tarte Tatin
$12
Tarte tatin of pears with honey and fig ice cream

Other dishes worth mentioning (but have no pictures):
organic mushroom soup, seared tuna salad with capsicum salsa, traditional oxtail stew with mash

If you do go, let me know how the food and service is like.
Sometimes they're nicer towards us because they know we're from the media.
Which, I'm not complaining about of course.
(:

I'm already done with my 7th week of internship.

It's been a great experience so far.
It has allowed me to learn more about myself, what I'm really capable of and meet so many new characters, interesting, weird and totally out-of-this-world.
Most importantly, it has given me the assurance that this is the line of work I really want to see myself get into.

But of course, I'm not closing any doors just as yet.
I'm still young, still full of energy and still have the time to make mistakes.
I want to try everything, sample everything, dip my toes into everything.
From the conventional to the slightly more adventurous.
So many options, so little time to do it all.

Of course, not everything has been fine and dandy.
I've had my fair share of stress, let-downs and moments of frustration.
But I thank God that He has never ever let go of my hand, even when I felt I was alone.
Praise God for always knowing whats best for His frail little children.
Though there are still more unresolved issues, feelings and emotions,
and questions of why He has put me in various situations,
I know and trust that He will still be there.
Thanks too to all those who have been patient enough to hear me rant and praying for me!

Anyway, before my blog gets too boring, I will now present to you with an onslaught of pictures!
Pictures are always a good thing.

The ceremony speaker who just couldn't stop fidgeting!

Michele!

Me!

Us!

Us again!

JY, Me, Michele

Family

Me + Mum

Me + JY

Me + Bro

Me + Bro (again!)

Me + Dad

Dad, JY, Me, Mum, Bro

Ally, Me, Mish

Ally (the photographer!) + Me

Close-ups of my pretty flowers

(:

given the nature of my job i actually have tons and tons to write about.
but also because of the nature of my job i just don't feel like writing anymore when i'm home.

HAHA.

but.
i promise i'll provide all you readers out there with a proper post.
and hopefully i'll remember to bring my camera along to capture the more interesting moments.
or just the plain crazy moments of indulging in cam-whoring.

Hurhur.

anyway,
the August issue of Women's Weekly is out!
Go grab a copy!

(:

exhausted.


drained.


hungry.

My absence and lack of posts can only be due to one thing.
WORK.
It's been relatively ok actually.
But just that by the time I get home all I want to do is sleep.
Haha.
I'm definitely not working as hard as Michele though, who has unfortunately dipped her toes in too many areas.
She's been running around a heck lot more than I am.
Always out of the office for photo shoots, sourcing and whatnot.
While I have been out of the office, yes for sourcing too, but I seem to be able to take my time to walk around town looking for suitable things, occasionally stopping to peer into Pull and Bear or Zara and getting myself a drink from Orange Julius.
Haha!
SHHHHHH.
Don't tell anyone!

And of course, there's been the insane amount of feasting.
Places I've been to (and have been given VIP treatment) are Dolce Vita@The Oriental, Fish&Co.@Paragon, Marche@Vivocity, Say Cheezecake@Great World City.
My next week is just as packed.
Mon - Cilantro Modern Asian@Purvis Street
Tues - Steward's Riverboat@Marina South
Wed - Photo shoot@Yew Tee and Purence Dew Water Launch@The Boiler Room
Thurs - Fujitsu Launch@VivoCity

Gosh.
I really love working in the media!


Well.
I'm really enjoying this change in lifestyle actually.
The transition from being a student to being a semi-professional.
(Though not being paid, but then again, I knew what I was getting into.)
And this has no doubt brought about changes to the way I am, the way I see things, the way i feel about things.
It's scary.
It really is.
Perhaps it has been occupying my time so well.
Perhaps it has been that final step in securing my confidence and doing well on my own.
But suddenly,
It struck me that I am going have to unlearn all of this in an instant.
I'm not sure what to do, if I want to, but I know I have to.
Not entirely,
but having to
re-adapt, re-adjust and re-align
is just
daunting.


I'm at a total loss.

I. Absolutely. Adore. Her. Dress.
and her
gorgeous
Christian Louboutins.

Sigh.
Why doesn't money grow on trees?
(or at least, why aren't i getting paid?)

I can't believe 2 weeks has already passed since the start of my internship.
I suppose I'm finally getting the hang of things and adapting well to the working environment there.
Making new friends and giving other people a second chance (due to miserable first impressions).
Also, I'm learning how the industry works and all the hard work that goes into making sure the magazine you get every month, and flip through once or twice in about half an hour, is out at newsstands on time with worthy editorial articles.
Of course, there are the various situations that I have been thrown into or have found myself unintentionally caught up in.

I'm kinda raring to go for another week.

But behind me all the way has been God.
He's been giving me that extra strength and confidence that has been pulling me through each time.
(:

P/s: My hands and blue cardigan are famous! Watch this space for more!

I don't really know what quite to make of my first week of work.
Except that perhaps it has been bearable and the two food-tasting sessions were the highlights of my week.
Especially since I got to dine at such a high-end restaurant that serves food I'll probably never get to eat again in my life because I can't afford to. And also the free bread I got to take home from Marche.
Haha.
Cheap thrill, I know.

There were the rather horrible moments too but I shan't elaborate on this blog.
If you want to find out more, ask me.

Oh.
Do ask me out on Friday nights!
Because its the end of the week and its rather sad to have to go straight home.
Heh.
JY, hurry up and come back to Singapore!

And finally,
just a very simple question.
Where did my weekend go?

just one word.

EXHAUSTED

...

I guess its just inevitable.

Despite the exciting prospect of gluttony and indulgence as the fringe benefits as mentioned in an earlier blog entry, the jitters are seeping in fast and furious.

I am nervous.
Very nervous.
Sigh.

It doesn't help that I'm so unsure and weary of the bus timing.
Chances are that I'll be really early but I suppose its a lot better than being late.
And it gives me the time to look for the main entrance of the building as well as where the office is.
Haha.
I can't help it if I'm a directional-idiot!

Oh well.
Since I pretty much can't do anything to help the potential situation,
I'm leaving it all in God's safe hands.
He'll know what to do when I need help and provide that extra, and essential, ounce of confidence.

Pray for me alright?
(:

ARGH.
STUPID BLOGGER ATE UP MY TEMPLATE.
now i have to do everything all over again.
worst part is that blogger keeps saying that the codes i downloaded from blogskins.com is not correct.

BLEAH.

If I heard correctly and Aunty Angeline described it accurately,
I should have a ball of a time during my internship.


Job Description:
Eating and Writing Food Reviews

Disclaimer:
"I guarantee she will get fatter after a month."
-Aunty Angeline-


Haha.
I suppose to many this would be considered a dream job.
Trying out different foods without having to fork out a single penny and being paid for it.
Ok whether I get paid is a completely different matter but it doesn't seem that bad after all.
Its also helping to suppress the pre-work jitters given the exciting prospect of being able to hone my tastebuds, food critiquing and hopefully try out new cuisines that I
1. would have never thought about eating
2. wouldn't have enough money to pay for
and
3. couldn't find anyone to go try them with!


Unfortunately, my preparation in the clothing department has been highly unsuccessful.
I combed the streets of Orchard yesterday with Amanda and got only 2 tops.
Amanda, on the other hand, showed off her prowess in battling the crowds and scored so many things I can't remember all that she bought.
Haha.
The fact that I'm highly adverse to crowds and heat probably contributed to my dismal results.
An unfeasibly small budget just makes matters worse.


Shucks.
This means I'm going to have to brace myself to fight the throngs of people another day and soon.
Thankfully I've found shopping "kakis" like Michele and Adrian.
Hurhur.
Be prepared though, I'm a rather picky and particular shopper.
Haha!
You have been warned.


And just to end off,
this is specially for Wee Foong because I know he reads my blog,
We're still in the month of MAY!
:P

Ok let me start off by saying that my brother, as much as we possibly think each other is annoying and childish, has been really sweet by offering to help me with the little things that I need to get done.
Haha.
Like going to the police post with me, because I didn't want to go alone, and helping me to post a letter because I'm just too lazy to get out of the house.
Hurhur.


Oh oh oh.
I have good news!
At least I think its good news.
Hurhur.
Michele got the internship as well!
But she's starting a week later than me.
But it means I'll get my money earlier than her.
HA!
Just kidding.
Anyhow, it also means that we're stuck together again.
Haha.
We've been in the same primary school, same secondary school (same cca), same junior college (same class), same university (same major), and now same internship company.
Woohoo.
Like I told her before, we should just start our own company and work together.
Heh.
Can't wait to see what "pink thing" she got for me from Japan.
Hurhur.
So girly.


Alrighty,
let me end of with some totally irrelevant "Blogthings".
Haha.
I know it's such an out-dated thing but it's fun!
And very useful for killing time.
The accuracy of the results, on the other hand, is for you to decide.
HA!

You Are a Strawberry Margarita

You're so sweet it's a little overwhelming, and people are a little afraid of corrupting you... It's a little difficult to imagine you with a margarita. And you're truly a different person after you've kicked back a couple!

What Flavor Margarita Are You?

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

You Are 24% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?
(I like this quiz answer the best. HAHAHAHA.)

(:

Way cool.
I wanna get my hair cut like hers.
Haha.

(By the way, I think that belt of hers is like the modern day equivalent of a corset. It looks painful. Hurhur.)

2 more weeks of bumming around before internship starts and I'm already beginning to feel the jitters.


Yesterday Aunty Angeline clarified with me about the allowance system.
As if being paid per assignment wasn't horrible enough, I now will not be getting any money until a month into the internship.
This is because, as she explained, many interns don't last a month or a month and a half and the company doesn't want to be paying out money to these so-called "contract-breakers".
Apparently, there isn't a formal contract to be signed to hold down these interns.
Oh well, I guess I must either be really crazy or really interested in the magazine industry to be going ahead with it.
I hope its the latter.
Aunty Angeline even gave me the chance to back out now.


The implications are rather daunting because it probably reflects the heavy amount of work that is involved that would cause these interns to want to give up.
I'm wondering if I might be like that too.
At least I know I have that "no-formal-contract-system" in my favour too if I should feel I can't cope.
Gosh.
But that sounds like someone who is already prepared to give up.

Sigh.
Only God will know how I fare and survive in the industry.
And I trust that He too will be with me each step of the way.


Right now, I need to do what I can do.
Get my office clothes.
(Yes yes yes. I still haven't got them or started looking around.)
And pray Michele gets the internship too!
Cause that would make things a whole lot easier and more fun.

(:

Gifts Galore

Just like the flowers, I'm not putting these photos up to show off or anything along that line, but rather its a way to say thank you to jy and show everyone how lovely and generous he is.
The presents are also extra special because he's a million (well, not exactly, but it definitely does feel so) miles away.

(Altogether now, awwwwwwwww!)

And he even bothers to take photographs of them to show me because he knows I'm just too excited and can't possibly wait till he's back!

(:

Anyone up for the Robinson's and Tang's sale?
Trust me.
Its not that I want to go shopping,
but rather,
I really need to get my office clothes.
Preferably CHEAP ones.
Hurhur.

Anyone anyone anyone?

(:

updated at 10:53pm:
to my uni spg - food&drinks at Brewerkz?
and anyone up for the opening night of the Singapore Arts Festival?

Sigh.
This morning, I had to drag myself out of bed when it was the perfect weather to sleep in.
I had a stomach ache just when I was about to go out of the house.
Then it started to drizzle heavier when I left the house.
The final straw came when I walked all the way to my destination only to find it closed.
To begin with, I didn't want to go at all.

BAH.
What a way to start the day.
Shucks.
It also means I have to make another trip there another day.
Problem is, I have no idea what time they open and close.
I've scoured the entire internet and still no mention of their opening hours.

Tsk.
And you thought you could find anything and everything online.
Hurhur.

I guess I was just harboring ghastly false hopes of being able to wear jeans to work.
Actually, it isn't really all that false.
I'm just working in the wrong department as the creative arts department is allowed to wear my favourite article of clothing to the office.
Boohoohoo.
So much for the skinny jeans and levis on my wishlist.
And of course no slippers.
Other than that, according to Aunty Angeline, I should be fine.
But it's just too vague, at least for me.
So do I wear a long sleeve shirt and pants?
Surely not.
And where's the fine line between being formal and smart casual?
How about tailored pants that end at the knee?
Bah.
So troublesome.
Suggestions are more than welcome.

The only thing that is perhaps positive about this whole situation is that it provides a very good reason for me to go shopping.
However, it also means spending money.
Sigh.

On the other hand, I am really excited about the job.

A bit worried, nonetheless, as I'm afraid I won't be up to standard in terms of my writing style and articulation.
And I ain't looking forward to the 1 and a half hour bus ride. It's as good as traveling all the way to NUS again. Hurhur.

Oh wells.
I have another 3 weeks to bum around.
Anyone up for going "office wear" shopping with me?

(:

God really has a reason for every single thing He does.
He gave me this knack for melody and lyrics which so many times have comforted me.
Do allow me to share another song with you which I've been humming.

Hillsong
None But Jesus

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore

(:

On a totally different note (which involves gluttony)
I've been itching to make my own pancakes.
From scratch!
Since the ones they have in the supermarket are uber expensive and me and mum have been waiting for ages for it to go on sale
and
there's just this added sense of self-satisfaction and achievement when you've done something all by yourself.
Ok not totally all by myself if you're going to be picky because I couldn't possibly have laid the eggs or produced the milk or milled the flour on my own.
Hurhur.
I wanna try baking a quiche too!
My ikea baking tray is slowing moving into the untouched black hole of the kitchen cabinet if I don't do something with it soon........
Now all i need are ingredient-sponsors!
*kat attempts to flash her sweetest smile
:D


(oopsy. i think i scared away more people than i did encourage them. heh.)