After All These Years

I fell sick. Caught a cold and been feverish for the past few days.

I have made an appointment with a lawyer, for the third time, all these years.

I really want to get it done.

I don't want to lie on my deathbed, regretting that I never got a divorce from him.

He said that he would change to my liking. Yet I know, it will never happen.

And you can never force a person to change. And I don't want to make someone change, in a marriage.

How can you change your mindset if you have already decided that if a woman wants to stay home to take care of her kids, she's being lazy and doesn't want to work?

How can you change your mindset if you have already decided that a house must have two working adults to support the family?

How can you change your mindset if you have already decided that children do not need parents to be around them when growing up?

How can you change your mindset if you have already decided that there is no need to set aside a day in a week to spend as a family since the beginning?

How can you change your mindset if you have already decided that there is no need to speak politely to your wife once you are married?

I am not sure why my tears are flowing. I should be glad that I have made the wise decision to leave this man who will never grow up.

I don't want to wake up to awful shoutings every other day.

I don't want to have to fight and shout like a shrew at 12am and 5am.

After all these years, I am tired.

If the bitch thinks he's a good family man, takes care of his kid, coaches his kid, and thinks I don't know how fortunate I am, then she can have him.

I only know I don't want to spend the next 10 years fighting with him.

I am not a fighter. I don't want to win in a marriage. He sees the need to win in a marriage, in a quarrel. He can win all he wants. But he has definitely lost me, long long ago.

I want a husband who truly loves me, not sees me as a trophy to be fought over, wrung from another man's hand.

Ironically, the only time when I felt he was a decent husband was when another man came into the picture.

I told the man, when he left, my husband's niceness would also leave.

Of course it came true.

For so many years, I lie to myself over and over again, refusing to get a divorce, thinking that perhaps I am indeed a difficult wife like how he always tells others about me.

But I am done with that.

Difficult or not, whether I will survive or not, whether I will see my kid or not, whether I will be condemned by God or not, whether I will live in the dumps or not, I want a divorce.

All the emotional abuse. Be gone.

Roaming in Rome on the First Day in Italy

I am documenting my trips as age catches up. This trip was done in June 2017, but I thought it a waste not to jot it down. I might backdate it after some time. Of course, a lot of details would have been forgotten on this small brain of mine but I shall try my best to recover the memories! 

Here we go:

We took a red-eye flight on Etihad Airways to Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome, Italy and reached there at 7.05am

Bought our train tickets to the city

Our train

Their classy Mc Cafe at Roma Termini, the Rome train terminal station

Lo and behold, the dreaded long staircase, as in the train stations of any history-rich city

Prior to our arrival, I had liaised with the lady in charge of our accommodation but she was still at least half an hour late, constantly telling me that she was on the way and reaching. Our spirits were not dampened though. Still very excited about the trip.

The reason for my choice of accommodation: central and close by to tourist attractions and a train station

After settling in at our stay-in, we went for our first meal in Italy at Otello, a cosy restaurant that was nearby.

We tried the fried zucchini flower (bottom right) and we thought it delicious! We ordered a second serving!

We dined outside the restaurant as recommended by reviewers. 

A pretty place with a garden theme.

Need no introduction: Trevis Fountain and Spanish Steps

It was challenging to take a picture without strangers beside you.

We adopted these steps:

Step 1: Compose the picture

Step 2: Ready yourselves

Step 3: Sprint to the spot when someone who finished camwhoring has just stepped away!

Step 4: Press the shutter, NOW!

Pose? Any!

William bought an extra set of tickets for the Colosseum not knowing that the tour I had booked had the tickets included so we decided to go explore ourselves at the Colosseum, blindly.

If anything, we camwhore there first.

I hadn't read up prior to the trip. 

Only vaguely knew that the Colosseum was an ancient stadium for sparring.

Most people stayed at the first and second stories as the stage and basement are restricted areas for tours.

After taking numerous pictures and buying souvenirs from the Colosseum, we walked over to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Can't even differentiate which was which!

Much was lost on us as what we saw before us were ruins, magnificent no less.

There were explanation notes at each point. Some were rooms of the royals.

As we exited the Roman Forum, we saw these street artists spray painting pictures of Colosseum for sale

Lots of passers-by but I didn't see anyone buying

Even the water coolers were so cool

The Colosseum evening lighting was very romantic

We didn't experience any racist treatment yet. At least it was not jarring or so obvious that we could feel it. 

However, by the time we got back to our accommodation, we felt bone-tired! Non-stop walking had taken a toll on our little bodies. Coco and I lamented how exhausting it was just to cover what little areas that we had covered of Rome! We were worried that we would not be able to cope with the rest of the 9 days, but a well-rested sleep left us raring to go the next day!

Grabbed and Bruised

A few nights ago at 12.20am, Coco was coming home from McDonald's near my place.

A young guy who appeared to be in his early twenties and wearing the Grab Food uniform approached her and asked for her contact number.

Coco told him that she had a boyfriend and was not interested.

Instead of backing down, the guy immediately replied,"I also have a girlfriend. They don't have to know." 

Coco was taken aback by his flippant response. She said that she literally said 'lol' and tried to walk away.

To her shock, the guy grabbed her by the arm. 

It happened very fast. Coco was stunned but before she could respond, a lady who was walking past saw what was happening and asked,"Is there a problem?"

The guy immediately let go of Coco and said,"It was a misunderstanding."

When she came home, she recounted the incident to me, showing me her dark purple bruise.

This was taken two days after the incident

Outraged, I emailed Grab about the incident under 'I felt threatened by the delivery partner'.

Honestly, like Coco, I didn't think it was a big matter at first. I was just very disturbed that the guy had touched Coco in an inappropriate manner. I felt that it would come under 'harassment'. If he had asked Coco for her number just verbally without coming in contact with her body, even if he had pestered her a little, I would have let it go. I had guys stalking me for a distance before approaching me for my number at that age. One even simply stalked me, without any intention of approaching me, for quite some time until I shook him off. So I could understand why Coco didn't think much of it.

When I told my parents and siblings about the matter, they felt that a police report should be made as it would be 'outrage of modesty'. 

Grab called me this morning and advised me to make a police report so that they could launch an investigation.

However, Coco has refused to lodge a police report. 

She said that she doesn't want the guy to leave a criminal record with the police as he was very young.

I am still talking to her about the matter. Hopefully it would be resolved soon.

A Review on Shamrock Hotel

This is my second time staying at Shamrock Hotel.

For those who already know me, I am a fussy aunty. To get me to stay at the same hotel, you really gotta be good.

When I say 'good', it certainly doesn't mean that the hotel is luxurious. I find it foolish to spend an obscene amount of cash on a luxury hotel when you spend more than 10 hours outside of it. And of course, I don't have that kind of money to throw away for a family of four.

We took A21 bus from the airport and alighted at Stop Number 12

The bus has an LCD panel which states the names of various hotels at different stops. 

Shamrock Hotel was one of them.

The bus

Took about 50 minutes to get us to the bus stop opposite Shamrock Hotel

Across the road

It ran out of family rooms by the time I booked it on Agoda.

I booked 2 rooms with double beds. 

Amenities and facilities were in order

Nice bathtub for a modest room

After my unpleasant experience with the tiny room on one of my Hong Kong trips, I searched for hotels with more spacious rooms. Location was the priority but room space was the next major concern. A too-small room makes you feel claustrophobic and it's hard to move around. When you get back from out there after one whole day, the last thing you want is to be frustrated by the small space which limits your movement in the room.

This hotel is just a shop away from Jordan MTR. It is a stone's throw away from a few famous eats ie. Australian Dairy Company, Mak's Noodles and Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop.

It is also a short walk to Temple Street Night Market.

Most important of all, Jordan MTR is central to many tourist attractions. It's highly accessible to these places and all the good eats in Mong Kok, Wan Chai, Central etc.

The staff are polite and communicate in English. They take their initiatives to meet your needs. For example, the bell boy asked me what time I had to be at the airport and suggested that I should take a cab so that time would not be so tight. He could even tell me exactly how much the fares were between a cab and the bus for a trip to the airport.

The hotel is also affordable. It cost me just $750 for 4 nights for 3 adults and 1 child.

No beautiful view. In fact, I think the window was locked, but that didn't bother me. We were given the second floor and it didn't matter to me either. I was not there to admire the skyline of Hong Kong.

My priorities were:

- location

- affordability

- room spaciousness

If you are like me looking for just the above, Shamrock Hotel would be perfect.

Day 5 - One Dim Sum, Jenny Bakery, Island Beverley, Yat Lok

Thursday, 27 June 2019

It would be a shame if there had been no attempt to shop in a shopping paradise. The last day in Hong Kong was kept for last-minute shopping.

I had to try this 'better than Tim Ho Wan' place, One Dim Sum

There was no queue in the morning and for the first time in Hong Kong, we got to have a decent-size table for four

I was totally looking forward to all that I could eat!

Steamed chicken & Mushroom Rice

Baked BBQ Pork Buns

Shrimp and Leek in Rice Roll

Steamed Glutinous Rice with Chicken Wrapped in Lotus Leaf

Prawn Dumplings

Chiu Chow Style Dumplings

Bean Curd Rolls in Fish Broth

Mango Custard Rolls

Pork Dumplings - that's what they wrote on the menu!

Verdict:

Those people who raved and gushed over One Dim Sum ought to be shot!

'Better than Tim Ho Wan'? Which Tim Ho Wan did you go?!!

'Best dim sum'? Oh my ...

It wasn't just me. All of us shared the same sentiments. "Best?!! Maybe these people have never eaten dim sum before."

It was at best average. I would go as far as to say that Singapore's Yum Cha is superior to One Dim Sum.

Only the Mango Custard Rolls were quite edible. It had a 'Chef recommendation' icon beside it. It had better be the best of all the items.

I couldn't bring myself to eat another chee cheong fun. 

William had to finish them against his will.

Coco was also disappointed with the baked BBQ buns, after eagerly placed an order for them upon a friend's mother's recommendation

Not sure why people would recommend One Dim Sum. Read that it is also a One-Michelin Starred restaurant but it certainly didn't taste that way to us! Service was good though.

After our misadventure at One Dim Sum, I thought I would be able to have a shopping good time at the malls in the area. 

To my disappointment, the malls in Hong Kong do not seem to open until 2pm or 3pm!

When I entered Allied Plaza at 11am, only one or two shops were opened! 

I didn't give up.

I moved on to New Town Mall, another 10 to 15 minutes' walk away. To my astonishment, most of the shops had not opened either!

Never mind. "Let's go to Tsim Sha Tsui. I'll go buy my Jenny's cookies first before going to Rise Shopping Arcade."

I was met with this when I reached my destination

For the glorious buttery cookies that would readily melt in my mouth, I climbed to the second storey.

A hand with a cookie sample stuck out as I was about to reach the second floor. Hey, Jenny's Cookies need no introduction, much less a sample! So I said,"No." and asked the lady in the baking apron,"Where's Jenny Bakery?".

Her face, surprisingly, immediately sank into a state of sian-ness and threw her index finger over her shoulder to direct me.

I was puzzled why a Jenny Bakery ambassador could be so careless and lacklustre in her service attitude but I felt awfully pai-seh when I saw the apron with the big words "Top Bakery"!

OMG! This is embarrassing.

But she shouldn't have stood at the door of Jenny Bakery to promote her cookies, right? It's easy to misunderstand.

Jenny Bakery at the second floor

It's a bakery like no other. No breads, buns or cakes on display to entice potential customers. 

Just get in line, suckers!

I bought 2 small tins of 4 Mix Butter Cookies and 1 big tin of the original Butter Cookies

My sister reminded me that Jenny Cookies are also available in Singapore.

I replied,"The ones in Hong Kong taste better."

Nobody disputed that.

We walked on to Rise Shopping Arcade which was in a small alley. Seemed dingy.

The security guard advised me on the opening hours of the mall: 3pm (!!!)

Bye, Mall!

As we trotted back to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR, we passed by a boutique that went by 'Sixty-Eight'. I bought my only dress from Hong Kong and two bralettes mean for backless dresses. Not sure if I have any use for it but the aunty in me won the debate: Buy lah! You never know when you will need it!

My virgin Ding Ding trip was on this electric tram.

Before boarding it outside Central MTR, William and I had a few frustrating moments trying to understand the routes and how the routes worked.

We checked out the route map at the tram stop and the sign in front of the tram, and asked the driver if he was going to Causeway Bay.

The driver only shook his head. That's just about how helpful he was.

We went back to figuring out how it worked again and William eventually got it. He matched the last  destination with the sign on the tram and told us that that was the tram! 

We boarded the tram from the back and sat at the upper storey as advised by the whole world - "for a better view".

I was surprised that the tram was quite tiny inside.

When another tram came towards our direction on the neighbouring track, I finally understood what people meant when they said the trams were very near to each other. 'So near that you could stretch out your arm to touch the other passengers sitting by the windows.' 

My favourite place to shop at after my last trip

This tiny 3- or 4-storey shopping mall is just next to Causeway Bay MTR.

It sells mainly Korean fashion and the shop owners do not allow customers to try on the clothes. However, I have bought 3 dresses here on my last trip and I loved them.

This time round, I didn't manage to loot any good finds though.

When I asked if I could try this on (just pushing my luck), the saleslady said no and showed me the price tag 'HKD 980'.

How rude!

We rushed here for our last meal in Hong Kong at 3.15pm.

"We must target to finish our food at 3.30pm." I told them.

"Huh? That's impossible!"

Wouldn't I know that? But still must try, right?

No queue and immediate admission at that timing

In the Michelin Guide from 2015 to 2019!

What's a Hong Kong trip without Yat Lok roast goose?

No goose drumsticks (again!) so we placed an order for half a goose

After a hasty but satisfying lunch, we rushed back to the hotel and the bell boy offered to call a cab for us. HKD 300 for the trip as opposed to HKD 33 per pax for Bus Number A21.

We never noticed that cute logo on the wings until then!

At 12.30am, William decided it was a brilliant idea to pay A&W at Jewel a visit.

There was still a queue, albeit a short one.

And who eats fried chicken at A&W?

Like I said, if it had been fantastic, it wouldn't have died out in Singapore decades ago! 

People are doing the 3- or 4-hour queue just for nostalgia's sake.

Where to go:

One Dim Sum

G/F 209A-209B Tung Choi Street (Prince Edward MTR Exit A)

Opening hours: 11am - 12.30am (Mon to Fri), 10am - 12.30am (Sat & Sun)

Jenny Bakery

Shop G24 Ground Floor & Shop 42 1st Floor
Mirador Mansion
54-64 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

(Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Exit D2)

Opening hours: 9am – 7pm

Yat Lok 
G/F, 34 - 38 Stanley Street, Central (Central MTR)
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (Mon to Sat), 10am - 5.30pm (Sun)
Closed every last Wednesday of the month