Brooklyn Bridge and Casa Mono

Decided to treat myself to some sunshine (blue skies after the snow storm!) after being cooped up all day yesterday reading through folders of research reports. I decided to check out the Brooklyn Bridge (was told that's a very New York thing to do..) -

But because of the uber long walk, I was 25 mins late in meeting with Charles- a really awesome friend/mentor. Fancy a millionnaire driving ~1.5 hours to meet me? Crazy. There are just some special relationships in life that you nurture... and although you don't see each other very often, it can be amazing how much you connect when you eventually meet.

I should know. I don't see many friends very much these days.

We had amazing tapas - I really need to go experience Spain for myself. :) Much of the time was spent talking about love, life, loss; entrepreneurship, strategy, passion; commitment, competence, confidence (you are pretty. Nobody says that to me. I still can't believe it).

I think there comes a point in one's life when you just want to help build people, build communities and build a legacy. Why not start early?

Sleeping Beauty -NYC Ballet

I believe we should insert mini-retirement days into our every day life. Why wait till the end of your life to begin enjoying it? So after work today (how ironic), I treated myself to a mini-retirement indulgence of classical ballet (really amazing!) and caught up with an old friend from Global Village. (Gosh, it's been 5 years since we last saw each other!)

I've always felt that old friends are gold. Today's conversation really reaffirmed that - it was really warmy-fuzzy to reminisce about old times, the love stories between villagers and all. Even I was that close to getting attached!

Time really flies. Our paths have diverged so much since college. What would I do differently if I could be 20 years old again? I think I'd have taken more shots in life. Live life closer to the edge. Take more risks. Dare to dream. And really dream big.

Divine...Gotham Bar & Grill

Treated myself to a hedonistic delight at Gotham Bar & Grill today - also rated as a 1 star Michelin restaurant. Probably my last affordable Michelin restaurant for now...though I might go back again since I missed out on the dining experience this time round.

Craziness. I zipped in and out of the restaurant in 30 mins- surprising everyone, even myself. The restaurant even needed the top guy's approval in order to serve me as they did not want to compromise their reputation if the food and dining experience was forcibly rushed. I didn't get enough time to enjoy my meal (and so had to tar pau my dessert and missed the seasonal ice cream that's supposed to come with it!) The 'woes' of a working adult. :(


I guess I could have returned another day but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so decided to seize the opportunity of being relatively free during lunch today to try something I would hate to miss. :) No regrets- really top notch quality food. I was surprised at how they could made very common ingredients so tasty! (I regard that as the hallmark of an excellent chef) Gotham is as close as it gets to Per Se for now! :) - Btw, interesting fact: 3 Michelin-star restaurants (like Per Se) are SOOOOOOOOO rare, there's only 81 in the entire world!

Every little girl's dream...

...Is to live happily ever after... with her Prince Charming of course.

Thank goodness everyone has different views of who Prince Charming is (or we'll be fighting till the end of times no? O_o) ... :)

So my dear sister is finally getting married! *gasp!* (ok, I shouldn't use the word "finally"...that sounds too despo.. heh!) She was (is!) soooooo atas, she took a flight to NYC just to visit a bridal boutique to try out some bridal gowns...LOL

Playing Princesses was quite fun - I highly recommend one plays that many times before THE REAL STUFF. :o) Now that sis is down, the target has automatically turned to me..."When's your turn?" ..."Don't be so fussy!".... Aiyoh, how I know! Plus this kind of life decision, how can be ching chai?? A marriage can either be a bliss, or a blister! :)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven - Ecclesiastes 3:1

I forgive the loud ambience given it's a Saturday night at the bar/ tavern... LOL Thank goodness the food was good! I liked the appetizers and dessert here, though the main course was just about so-so. It's going to take a lot more to win Per Se's place in my heart - so good! (click/ see post below) When oh when, can my taste buds be tantalized in the same fashion again? :-)

Ok! 10.35pm now- time to hit the gym! ^_^ ...before I indulge in yet more Michelin food tomorrow! My current project has gone really well and bosses are well pleased so I'm treating myself to a Broadway Musical tomorrow, alongside my final 1-star Michelin gastronomical experience! (the last affordable one for my NYC adventure...) :P

3 points for Fruits & Vegetables

A Biometric Health screening was conducted today as part of my company-provided wellness benefit. I have always felt heavy... and corollary, I'd probably be the last person laying claim to be as fit as a fiddle. The results today stunned me:

What is this mann....why so cheem one??

I was particularly surprised with my Triglycerides score - I know mom won't believe that. For some reason, she always thinks I gobble fried food, fatty stuff, salty stuff, sweet stuff more than anything in the world. -_-''' Thank goodness there's medical technology to prove my (partial) innocent. Heh heh! :-)

The doctor said he thought that I was extraordinary happy and that my positive attitude and outlook was one reason why my Triglycerides level was so low. LOL. Really??? ^_^

Was also very surprised at my "good" cholesterol levels. It's >40% of my total cholesterol and has jumped since my last biometric screening at my old company! How come?! I don't know!

There was yet another test...

Lost 3 points to not eating enough fruits and vegetables...Yes, I plead guilty. So with my rejuvenated confidence in my "not all is lost"/"there is still time to treasure the wealth in my health" future - I went to buy a bag of ORANGES!!! LOL! To me that's a big deal because all my close friends and family know I will NEVER EVER EAT ORANGES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. Just because. LOL ;-)

Ok, time to keep the momentum going! 2am now and time for a run! (although they say lack of sleep causes pounds to add up...LOL)

USD$240 accrued in my pocket and a strong message that Preventive Health Pays!

3 Star Michelin- Jean Georges

One of the things on my 6-hour planning list is to treat myself to a 3-star Michelin feast! Given that there's only 4 of such restaurants in the entire food capital of the world (New York), and not even a 1-star Michelin in Singapore, my gastronomic desire was finally fulfilled and my tummy can rest in peace today. LOL

Was good but I still think it can't rival Per Se: