Ladies and gentlemen!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce that I have finally registered my own domain! 

All blog post are now updated in annabong.com

Click away now!! 

Announcement for something exciting coming soon!

Hello people! 

It's been a loooooong time!!!

Life's been really busy. Too many things to handle at a time, and hence the lack of blog. 

Singapore is a fast pace country, so does my work here as an optometrist. 

I am making an announcement that I will have a new blog account very soon, to mark the beginning of a turning point of my life. 

It will be a very interesting, personal yet informative, and enjoyable. 

Blog URL will be updated in near future. Stay tuned!

Till then! xoxo

New HOBBY

I know I have not been blogging for a while. Been too busy.


When you were younger, I'm sure you have encounter the time you need to write an essay related to your hobby. Kids normally would have the 'generic' kind of hobby like drawing, collecting stamps (anyone still does that now?), etc. As you grow older, you realised, due to various reasons, you may not have a hobby. Life just goes on routinely.


As for me, being away from family for work, I found myself a new hobby! I am an optometrist, and things I love to do during my free time doesn't have anything to do with my work, although the result might still be 'eye-related'.


Since young, I'm into arts (not that kind of Victorian art or Monalisa-kind-of-thing), but more of modern art. I like to draw or illustrate, and I love craft! And I love colours! There was a time, a kid at work told me about this and I bought a starter kit, and now I am attached! I am into beads that if you're creative enough, you can literally make it into anything!

Look at the choices of colours! I have more colours and shared some completed art pieces with my close friends. 

Starting from scratch, I made it into an ornament like above photo. I was inspired by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee so I made this Union Jack which can be used as a decorative, collectibles or a keyring if you wish to! The process of making it is fun and on some occasion, I can make 2-3 art pieces a night! I made it all out of leisure, and hence it's a hobby!!

I made myself a few necklaces and even a name tag for my desk at work, too!! I can't wait to share more of my art pieces with you!! 

Till then, x.o.x.o

Famously British

There's always a time, when you have a sudden crave of certain food. It could be something you have not eaten for a long time, or something you really love!

Still remember the time when I was still in UK, Malaysian food, typically Nasi Lemak reminds me of home. I often drop by at a Malaysian Restaurant, Rumours, on Bath Street, Glasgow, just to have some authentic food from home. Nasi Lemak is a kind of luxury food in Glasgow. To read my previous review, click here or here. I'm now in Singapore, and of course, I still miss food from Kuching. 

Like I said, crave just comes of all sudden. Towards the end of April, there's this moment when I really want to eat Fish and Chips so, so badly! What's worst is that it was the time when I was about to sleep. During my university life, I can eat nice and fresh fish, chips and peas in my uni's refrectory for just £2.80! They do not use any fish but haddock! Mmmm... yum!!! In UK, you rarely get an awful fish & chips, even those from chippy shops are nice!! 



When I returned to Asia, I feel reluctant to eat Fish & Chips as bad experience told me it's no as fresh and as nice as any store in UK. Often, they would use cheaper fish, with very thin slice of flesh plus thick batter! Fish and chips originates from the Isle of British back during the time of first world war. It's famously known and available worldwide! Famously and proudly British!


I googled 'Singapore best fish and chips' (yes, Google is everyone's best friend), and the search engine suggested me a few fish and chips store and mostly are food chain. Until I read a person's blog plus I saw the website, I know the owner of Smiths Authentic Fish & Chips is half Irish and Scottish, and grew up in Liverpool. I was so excited and decided to give it a try! I do not want to go to the usual food chain. 


During Labour Day, May 1st, I, myself took the MRT to Paya Lebar and take a short bus ride to this place in Tanjong Katong. Luckily it's near me so I do not have to go too far for the long await food! 

This is it! After you get off from the bus stop as suggested by Google Map, it's just a short walk away!! I got so excited when I approach the store!

Entering the store, with the smell of the usual chippy shop, I feel overly enthusiastic! I just feel like a summer day in UK!

There it is! I ordered the legendary Fish (Haddock) & Chips! And also mushy peas! The wrap your food with paper, trying to be as authentic as possible because the Brits wrap fish & chips with newspaper on the outer later for insulation and absorb grease!

The first cut of the fish, makes me nearly tears! It's exactly like what I had back in UK!! And the chips is nice too!! Don't expect the usual fries you get from McDonalds because British chips are meant to be softer and fried with actual potatoes, not the frozen fries! 

The thickness, freshness, and size of fish is just right, and worth every penny (well, in this case, worth every dollar). The battered is just the perfect thickness and done it well! And of course, you have to eat fish & chips with salt and vinegar! That's the authentic way of eating. Not by adding tomato sauce or others! 

The mushy peas, yum, love it!!!!!!

From the picture, what do you think it is? Banana fritters? Fish fingers? Oh, no no.. It's wrong!

The famous chocolate bar that everyone should know, Mars Bars, is hidden in the batter! Yes, it is the well-known-from-Scotland FRIED MARS BARS!! When I first heard of it, I was like, 'What?! Fried Mars Bars? That's just odd!" And I didn't get a chance to try it when I was in Scotland. Scottish eats pretty unhealthy food, including fried pizza! No offence. 

This is it!!! The taste is so good that I can't describe it with words. The fusion of hot batter expect it to be eaten with something salty, instead, it's sweet in the inside for its Mars Bars!! I must admit it is sweet but I can tolerate sweetness as I occasionally eat brownie for breakfast! This fried Mars Bars is good to share as dessert with your friend(s). I highly doubt anyone can finish the whole bar. It's worth a try, especially when served hot!

When I'm typing this blog, I am already thinking when to go back there and have my newly found favourite fish and chips store? I saw many of the owner's regulars went for fish & chips, mostly expats. My first experience with them would definitely bring me back there many times! 

Smiths Authentic Fish & Chips

230 Tanjong Katong Road,

Singapore 437018 

Open all week:

1130am – 11pm daily

http://www.smithsfishandchips.com

Whoooop!

With just a few blinks, it's already end of April. In fact, it's May tomorrow!!


I've been wanting to update my blog since a long time ago but time doesn't permit. 


For the past month, I have been really busy with work, including a sick leave. And of course, not to forget I was home during Easter period, for a refresh and recharged holiday. Kuching has never been better!! 


Being an optometrist is my dream when I was younger. I have never regret walking on this path, and the uni I graduated with planted me with a strong root to begin with! Of course, there's up and down at work, it'd definitely be a lie if I said there's only the ups! It depends on how you deal with your downs, and your busy work life. I must say, I have an optimistic mind that I rarely take things too seriously when it comes to the down side. 


At work, I deal with patients from 2 years old to above 80 years old. A mixture of patients daily is something really interesting, compared to those office-based work when you just see the same group of colleagues daily, with repetitive routine. I, personally enjoys and feels happier when it comes to kids. Checking kids vision may be challenging, as some would co-operate with you when some don't. It is the joy when you listen to how kids think, what they say and their super-imagination! The question they ask is interesting too!!

Nevertheless, no matter what job/study you're in, you just have to find a way to enjoy it. Life's too short to be unhappy!!!


So I'd like to end my this blogpost with the latest Rihanna single, Where Have You Been. It is one of my favourite song from her Talk That Talk album. And I must say, I kinda like the tribal feel of this video, and is a little different from her usual eccentric-self. Enjoy!

Spring Forward!

Every girl is a fashionista at heart.
It would be a lie if a girl said she doesn't like dress up on a daily basis. We, all the girls, care what do we wear everyday, and it reflect how we feel as well!

My favourite season of all would be Spring/Summer! As it goes with my personality, I like something that is bright and seems to be happy! You will spot me around with colourful nail polishes, bright coloured shoes, yellow dress and so on. Of course, I do not wear all the brights together and will make me looked insane. Haha!!

I always try to brighten up my daily outfit with at least something with colour, not all black/grey/white. I'm sharing this little blog post (might not be that 'little' afterall) dedicated to part of Spring/Summer 2012 fashion focus.

Spring/Summer 2012.
As usual, when it comes to better weather, with more sun and spring flowers, you would link it to floral prints, brighter colours like pink, yellow, grass green, purple and yellow, etc! I love brights that's why Spring/Summer is always my favourite!

This season, there's lots of yellows in SS12 runway, especially Mulberry! Colour blocks! Colour blocks this year is slightly different from SS11 as there are much more pastel colours. Love 'em! This post is specially dedicated to my favourite colour, yellow!!

Here are some of my favourite picks in-line with SS12!

Mulberry Holiday Bayswater in Lemon Sherbet Spongy Patent, £895

Mulberry Holiday Small Bayswater Satchel in Lemon Sherbet Spongy Patent, £795 (S$1960)

I've been eyeing on this bag when I saw it during Mulberry's SS12 Runway Show! I've waited for months and finally saw it in the Mulberry Store of Marina Bay Sands Shoppe here in Singapore. I had a touch of it, it screamed my name. It's a sling bag, and I just love it!! It's so expensive here in Singapore!! Trust me, I was so tempted to buy it and what more to say I love Mulberry and Yellow is my name!! The sales assisstant at Mulberry was so friendly, allowing me to have a touch on it and once I tried it on, it was like 'OMG!'. What more to say when it's patent leather and easier to maintain as long as I don't place it under heaty area for a long period of time! Should I, should I not?? (maybe not as I have something planned on the horizon that needs money)

Saw it on net-a-porter that Mulberry Mini chain-strap patent-leather shoulder bag, £275. It is exclusively for net-a-porter.com!! So cute but too bad I have quite a few mini bags. I can melt with anything with the colour of yellow!

H&M, imitation leather bag, S$59.90.

I've seen the actual product, the pvc skin is slightly thinner, but the colour is just nice. Mustard yellow. Should I get this to fulfill my lust of having a yellow bag?

In addition to bags and shoes, the other accessories that I think all girls should have a fair bit of collection is HEADBANDS!! I love headbands so much that at some point my friends ararely see me without one on my head.

One of my favourite brand of headband is sereni and shentel! I must admit I have quite a collection of their headband!

In line with Spring/Summer 2012, here are some of my favourites for bright/pastel colour. Even yellow, it comes in bright (daffodil) or pastel (lemon) in hues.

Bunny Ears in Daffodil, Kuching Cat in Lemon (Side Option), Party Hat in Daffodil, Ice Ice Baby Matte in Lemon, Blair in Daffodil &Block Party in Lemon. All by Sereni and Shentel!!

Aren't they lovely! Headbands are the solution to any bad hair day, or whenever you want to colour-up your daily outfit!

And their LATEST addition to the Sereni and Shentel, Lolita in Daffodil!!

Dare to dress this season in brights! I'd say, yellow it is!!! Let's brighten our daily life with yellow and bring out the sunshine in you!

Have a nice summer! x.o.x.o

Self-indulge: Tea and a Book

Tea wasn't my choice of beverage until I went to UK. I adapted to the British life quickly and I started to love anything local. They ranges from tea, scone, sandwich, pizza, pasta, etc. If you ever been to UK, you will realised all the tea time mini bites or desserts are very sweet. Their brownie or cupcakes are the best but they are also very sweet as if you will have ants crawling over you. (FYI, you would not see even shadow of ants in UK, probably because of the cold weather).

There's a reason for all the sweetness of desserts! The well-known English Afternoon Tea often comes with a two or three-tier cake tray and tea! Yes, tea! Tea is commonly consumed without addition of sugar or milk, and will balance out the sweetness of all the bite size desserts!

Ever since, I started to enjoy tea, more than I used to in Malaysia. I started with English Breakfast, Darjeeling and Black Tea. I enjoy having tea with a cake, as a way to relax myself. Occasionally, I will read a book with tea. My favourite tea of all is Earl Grey. It has a special fragrant and when you dirnk it, it's very light and drinkable!!

Back to Singapore.
Last Sunday, after church service, I do not have plans, so I decided to go to Marina Bay Sands Shoppe to have a look at some store. I was hungry and I've decided to have my brunch at TWG Tea Salon. I've ordered Eggs Benedict with Salmon, side with salad. The pouched eggs are delicious with the way they cooked it. I ordered my brunch with TWG specialty blended tea, 1897 Black Tea, with the fruity smell, tasted with smooth with less bitterness. I like it. Overall, I'd rate is as 7.5 out of 10! I enjoyed reading my book after meal with cup of tea, and the feeling is just so relaxing and stress-free. It's a posh life but a healthy one!

Till then! x.o.x.o

TWG is one of the oldest Singaporean tea company, selling a wide variety of tea,