Groupon Review: Holiday Inn (The Atrium)

Grabbed another Groupon deal to solve our headache on where to head to for dinner last Saturday and we choose this international buffet at The Atrium Holiday Inn which was priced at $36.50 per person inclusive of GST and service charge. Drinks not included but iced water was made available. 

The restaurant seats are pretty well spaced, though I would still consider it a little packed. The waitress got to us pretty quickly at the entrance and politely got us to our seats. 

Here is the buffet spread: 

Appetisers 

My salad serving with some cold sides 

 Salad bar has quite a lot of salad dressing available for selections (thousand island, mayonnaise, low fat dressing etc) and the vegetables are fresh and crispy. The salad bar and cold sides ingredient never runs out since the staff did a good job to keep it stocked up. 

Seafood spread

My  (first to be exact) plate of seafood

This is all that is available for their seafood spread (pretty reasonable for the price). All their seafood are pretty well done especially for their prawns and clams. Fresh and chewy. Really had lots of it. Scallop and mussel is just average, a little overcooked but is not that bad. The crabs over at this seafood section is way fuller than the ones used in the chilli crabs. 

Sushi spread 

Only had a mouth of their shrimp sushi which I found was average because the rice feels a little sticky for me. But Keith found it nice so yea. I think it is really dependent on individual. The sushi spread changes every time each plate is cleared which I thought was really nice!

Chinese cuisines available too 

Chili crabs 

 Other cuisines like steamed fish, salmon otak etc are made available for selection too! They also have a soup corner, but I only had one mouth of the soup cause I thought it isn't really good. (Thanks Keith for taking it so at least I can have a short review). Their chili crab sauce and buns are well done, but you can hardly find any meat in the crab, regardless which part of the crab you choose. I have no idea why, but yea, that is the case. It isn't constantly restocked too. There are several times when we head over and there is only crab shells left and the chef stood there and watch us flipped through the shells and did nothing about it. 

Thought they had a kids corner which is pretty interesting to mention lol. 

My serving of dessert. Almost one of each. 

Choices of cake and mousse. 

Ice cream with toppings

Me and my ice cream 

Desserts served here is awesome! The cakes does not only look pretty but is also soft and fluffy. The chocolate cake isn't too sweet which makes it perfect cause you can definitely get more than one without getting sick of it. Yoghurt cake is my second favourite since it has cheesecake as the base and the yoghurt was a perfect match with it. Ice cream is ordinary. They also have a shave ice machine for you to make your own ice kachang and also bo bo cha cha is also made available in a pot. 

Fruits included of course but I forgot to take a picture. It has watermelon, grapes,, papaya, honeydew ad 2 more others which were all pretty sweet. 

In general, it has a good atmosphere to have a dinner on a weekend and if you want to have something not too fanciful like other international buffet. The staffs are really polite and helpful when you request something from them. Definitely a place worth dining in at the Groupon price! 

4 main reasons why my wardrobe is so empty

Posted a post previously on what is in my wardrobe and so here's why. 

Why is is that a girl does not shop for some proper clothes and follow up with the trends? 

The reasons are as follows: 

1. Better investment of time

Comparing to shopping for hours, I would rather stay home and rest for hours. Or even, sit in a restaurant and have a good buffet for hours. Having to work 7 days in a week, can you imagine how precious getting a day off or half day off is?!

2. Uniform V.S home clothes 

I work as playgroup teacher in the morning and NTUC cashier in evening and weekends. I put on my oversized school uniform most mornings and get into my black polo with jeans on Wednesday and weekends. So, the only days that I need to put on a pretty home clothes are days where I manage to wake up early to doll up which is near to zero? Since that means I need to wake up at 6 a.m. to reach work at 8 a.m. Not forgetting the effort required to remove the make up after a long day of work.

3. Bad fashion sense 

I think my fashion sense is so bad that no one bothers letting me know about it any more. I will probably match a purple top with pink short and walk on the street thinking I look awesome or get the latest trend for dressing like after at least 3 months. So I gave up spending money getting clothes that I soon realise is not nice AT ALL.

4. Waste of money 

I only shop at Bugis street because that is where you get to buy decent clothes that are at $10 - $15 which can last me for at least 3 months. In fact, mine always last more than a year though I wear it at last once a week last time. I can't bring myself to get anything more expensive than that given my bad fashion sense. Imagine spending $30 and above to grab a dress then to realise its fugly and have to let it go to waste?

Given my pay scheme now, $30 means having to stand for 5 - 6 hour of cashiering to exchange for that one shirt that I just wear for once or twice which I find completely not worth it.

So I guess I can only blame it on my bad fashion sense or my too busy work life to get some proper clothes to fill up my wardrobe. Or perhaps I am just too stingy to spend my hard earn money on clothes when I don't really need it to begin with. I am more than thankful that I am a freelance model with good photographers who gives me some clothes and advice on my dressing. If not, I think my wardrobe will be even more empty right now HAHA. 

What's in da wardrobe?

Some people are really curious why am I always wearing the same clothes, on a rotating basis. 

(especially my photographers) 

So, since I am having an off day today, I shall showcase my messy wardrobe to all readers and what is exactly in my wardrobe. 

So here is my messy and small wardrobe. May seem a little small to be a girl wardrobe but it is definitely big enough for me. Here's some info to how my clothes are basically arranged. 

Top left 

Here is my jacket, cardigan, tops and dresses. 

Which for now, I am left with 3 dress, 4 jackets/cardigan, 4 tops, 2 qi pao and some sports jersey. 

Top right 

All my blazers and clothes with memories (which are clothes that I wore when I am in primary school. ) So this is one wasted section of my wardrobe which I hardly even touch. 

Middle left 

Where my shorts and skirts are. However, only one short and three skirts (which two is the almost look alike black skater skirt) is valid. While the rest are shorts that have been in my wardrobe for too long untouched and have some mould on it already. 

Middle right 

Pyjamas; Which are generally my class tee, work tee and old PE shirt from secondary school. Plus pants of course. 

Bottom left 

All the uniforms I have gotten from IT show and event jobs. Mostly are shirt from IT show like asus, acer and toshiba. 

Bottom right

Jeans, work pants, and old clothes that my mother don't want and use the space in my wardrobe for herself. 

That's all that my wardrobe contains. If you analyse it carefully, I am technically only left with the clothes that is in the top left corner to be matched with the middle section of my wardrobe as bottom when necessary. Sad to say. I have only 3 dress and 4 tops which add together as 7 sets of attire, just nice to be rotated within one week without having to wear the same attire over two days. 

So my sincere apologies to photographers who need to provide me with attire because that is how pathetic my wardrobe is. Thank you <3 

5 main reasons why I dislike working with friends

Working with friends is really a lot of joy, I will admit. 

It is when you get people that you can share inside jokes with, train rides gets less mundane, and for me, I got someone to wake me up every morning to ensure that I am not too late for work.  

Most importantly, you know that you have someone to talk/rant to when something happens at work. 

Despite of all the benefits that working with people you know can have, I am never a fan of asking friends to work together with me since few years back and everyone keeps asking me why.So here's why .. 

1. Not having to ask for 'permission'

Working with friends means that you are not an independent individual at work any more, which means that you have this one more person to inform about your whereabouts even if it is just as simple as going to the wash room. To me, its is really too much of a hassle.

2. Reduced work performance/efficiency 

You can't possibly leave your friend alone and stand at one corner alone during work when your are good friends, right? Knowing that I am an ever chatty girl, I can to totally see myself standing with my friend having small talks in every opportunity I can have. This equates to one less customer served and one more sales lost while talking.

3. Restrictions for making new friends 

You can't make new friends without including your friend in and what if your friend tell you that "eh, actually I don't like her lei" and tada, one new friend lost because you don't want to be sandwich between the new friend and your friend or cause any unhappiness in anyone. Working alone means you can be close to anyone with 'no strings attached'.

4. Jealousy 

Who is more popular? Who got more sales? Who is more efficient? And so, who is better? I am cool with having friends that perform better than me since I can proudly say that I have an awesome friend, so why not? But you will never know how your friend think if you are better than them in certain aspect. Will she feel sad? Will she feel demoralised? Will she be jealous? How do I motivate her to not give up? Working alone means I spare myself from all this troublesome concerns and just go all out to do my best and achieve whatever I can.

5. Friendship vs personal benefit 

"You're promoted." Isn't that the best news to receive from your boss if you have been wanting a promotion so you can finally see the balance in your bank account increase? But what if your friend who work with you has been wanting that too, and now, you are the only one who got it? I am sure to feel guilty and why should I to begin with? So working alone means I can have a party and tell everyone the new without having to think of how to break the news to my friend.

Therefore, for people who can't understand why I always work alone, it is really because I love to give all my best during work and would love to eliminate factors that may affect my performance. 

Nonetheless, I am still really thankful to have two of my best girlfriends to work with my as cashier for the most recent IT show because your made my bus/train ride to and fro work so much less dreadful, and allowed me to learn so much more about myself. <3 

First day of work as toddler class english teacher!

Wasn't able to sleep last night and so I woke up to do up this thing for my blog that I wasn't able to do it the other time. It's an accomplishment for an I.T. retard like me okays. So don't judge if you think it is an easy task. 

So ended the first day of work in my new preschool, BrightMinds, at Boon keng road Blk 22.
Was such a stressful morning I swear with all the children running around and also, with so many parents watching what we are doing. Getting to sleep for 3 hours the previous day was not helping at all either. However, despite all the chaos, I think it still went pretty okays. My turn to conduct art and craft lesson on Monday. Gonna do hand painting. Please let it go smoothly.

Thanks for Jin Guo, Keith and my lecturers for all the reassurance and encouragement before I go to work. I was really so stressed over it and all the talk really helps a lot in one way or another. Be it if I will be fired after one months or I may just quit because I can't stand the culture or workload, I will still try to do my very best in every day of my work. Wish me luck!~

Thank you guys for 2014!

rea

Time flies and 2014 has came to an end. 

It has been an eventful year with lots of drama, but still, thanks to all this drama and people who go through the drama with me, I believe I have grown up a little more again this year and so, I would like to give thanks to people who have been through hell with me and tolerate the hell I gave. 

Especially, these people.. 

(For easier reference, look for your picture if applicable.) 

Xmas dinner @ greenhouse 2014 

First of all. of course, I am thankful for my family to be still here with me through 2014 and we are all safe and healthy throughout the year. I am so glad that with some effort each of them put in, we are more bonded than we used to be. More buffet to go together! 

Thanks sis for getting the watch as my belated birthday present plus Christmas present the moment you got your bonus! Really appreciate that! Feels blessed to have you to sleep beside me every day almost every night because I was still scared and went to sleep with lao ma when u went JB. (though you always steal my blanket and pillow). Hope you stay healthy and happy in 2015 too. 

*stay retard too!* 

Birthday 2014 #throwback #notenoughrecentphoto

嗨老妈！也很感激你在2014年里的照顾，和做我们家的免费劳工 plus ATM。 虽然你最近都花很久坐在那里吹头发，还是很亲幸自己能有像你一样 in 的老妈。 谢谢你在这一年来，不断给我的支持，教我那么多人生道理。也对我一年来一直换来换去的男朋友都那么好， 等你有第二春，我也会对他好的。但是最好长帅一点啦！ 谢谢你接受我的懒惰，但还是希望，改天别忘了洗我的校服，少洗一天，第二天先排我的衣服吧！就是暗示你明年还是要做一个 in 的黄脸婆咯！ 希望你永保青春哦！

Following my family member, I would of course like to extend my thanks to this yao xiu pua peh boy that make my 2014 so much more stressful yet meaningful at the same time. (sorry the photo is a must have). I still miss your long hair last time though, ur camera came a little late i guess. But still, thank you for spending tons of money on me even if it means that you get near to none for yourself. Hope you are not too sad $20 fly cause i gave the lotion to my mum. xD Maybe we didn't end on the live happily ever after note, and no one knows what will happen next, I am still thankful for your numerous attempts to change yourself. Maybe looking back at the photos, you will also realise that you have lost some stuff and hopefully, you also gain so stuff along the way! Thank you for still staying by regardless of what happen. Well you got the longest post up till now, so not that bad I guess. Hope that 2015 will be a more fulfilling and meaningful year for you too! 

Yes. Next grateful person I have in 2014 is you. Thanks for staying by with me over the two years and being always available though I went mia for the past 1 year and only started contacting you back later this year. It is good to know that you are still here with me somehow or another. Apparently good for you, cause you didnt seem to age at all under comparison from the photo on the left which was in 2011 and on the right which was somewhere in 2014 where we first met again for movie. Thankful that you are still alive and so is my cat lol, but unfortunately your ted dont look as shiny anymore liao lol. Since you so busy this year, its your turn to arrange time out in 2015 already okays. 

Stay handsome, stay safe, keep growing at your own pace! Please look older a little man. Sian. 

Next up, thanks kor for being with me through 2014 and not forgetting me even when you have a girlfriend. So thankful that I have you with me through thick and thin in business and always having someone to rely on for opinion. Thanks for accepting me for who I am though I can really be very naggy and harsh at most situation. But really, only you can tame me and let me calm down. All the best to you and your girlfriend. Keep doing better and I will catch up with your success soon again in 2015 okays!  

First friend to credit after all the special people is of course you la! 

Who apparently escaped to china and abandon me and your bf alone here in Singapore to countdown ourself. Still, good to know you for five years. Thanks for always maintaining our friendship no matter how much I mia lol. Also, its so good to have a lazt friend and another house that is so near to mine to roll around. Thankful that your mum and cousin is always so welcoming to me and make me feel at home. Please gain some weight in 2015 so I won't look so fat. I love you babe. Just joking.

COME BACK LA BITCH. LOL. I'M SO BORED. 

Next next, is to thank this girl right here that I didn't had any recent photo with and still owe birthday plus christmas present person. Thanks for being with me in 2014, always encouraging me and rejoicing over my small tiny baby steps in anything. Though I am very naggy and harsh everytime, thanks for still staying with me and go through all the shit I give you in project and being with me with every relationship issues I have. I can't express how bless I am to have you in the past 1 and a half year, Hope to have you in 2015 too so I can learn more and more things! I promise I will give you your present le la HAHAHAHAH. Meet up soon and you stay pretty and not too kind okays. <3 

Apart from all the people that I have picture with, I am more than thankful for the people who has made a very big and positive impact throughout 2014, and they are: 

Teachers and children of EIC: Thanks for making my internship so meaningful and enriching. despite of all hell I got, I can't even speak more proper English now. 

Staff of Phillips (esp my partner Andy): So, I got into Phillips as a part timer and joined several events in this year after working for them during carnival. Though it seems like a ordinary work environment, the people here are just so friendly and helpful with heir individual interesting characteristics. Thanks for my packing partner who always tolerate my shits and mistake, fine, next time jio you go eat something kkays. When my pay comes in. HAHAHA. Thanks my boss Joseph for sharing some EQ concept with me and I really learnt a lot over just the short few events. 

Siong wei: Thank you for offering me the camera at such a good price eh. And also the dry cabinet that I didnt had a time to properly thank you on. Would get you something soon if I can start working for tekmedia again! And also, the meal the other time! Stay handsome and healthy in 2015! 

Eugene: Damn you Eugene, for annoying me one year with texts and also invites on LoL. But oh manz, it was still so good to have you to constantly harass me and letting me know that you care. I hope you stay annoying in 2015 dude and don;t you dare stop trying to harass me! We Will meet up soon hahaha. 

Foursome: Dear randall, Wilson and Daryl, Thanks so much for the outing yesterday. Was so good to meet you guys again after so long. (Fine, i admit it was long), hopefully in 2015, we meet up more often and don't end ourselves up not meeting for 1 year plus again okays. Thanks for all the joy and Krsipy Creme Daryl! Too lazy to import the photo from my phone to the computer. Sorry guise, See your on January and Randall plan the damn staycation kays. Love your too! 

Tekmedia: Thankful for tekmedia because they bring me up in sales for so long, ever protecting me and giving me lots of benefits and care during work especially Joe. I am wishing so bad to be able to work for your again soon manz, Still, hopefully, I get to meet you guys soon again in 2015. 

My GYSS Senior with our never came true outing: Yes, Xun Quan, kenneth, Wei Long and Ben koh, thank you guys for ever giving me false hope that we will be meeting up lo. But still, hoping that 2015 will be a good year ahead for your and PLEASE LA MEET UP SOON LA. PIANG EH. 

My secondary school rubbish friends:  YIYANG, HONG ZHI AND JOANNE.  Damn you guys ungrateful child, didn't even contact or arrange meet up for the past months and near to 1 year. Especially Joanne, she forgot to give me and pamela christmas present lo pls. But still, guys, chinese new year mus meet and come my house take $2 hong bao kays, Love your! 

And thanks for everyone else who exists in my life but I can't finish crediting because it is already 12.22am and this post is so late. Wish all of your a good 2015 ahead! 

A small reflection after a phone call with a special friend

Just had a phone call session with my friend Randall after so long and it is really good to hear that you are doing well in your business and to hear your more mature thinkings now. You have really grown up quite a bit since the last time I talked to you and thank you for sharing me about what it is like to be in your kind of corporate world. 

I am thankful that it is your turn to teach and attempt to help me to get some social connections that is essential for any businessman, but I think you also kind of reminded me of what I really want in life. Maybe I am not as ambitious as you are, or it is just me being a woman. My aim in life is still to be able to sit in a tranquil place, by the sea, just like the image, with people who are meant to be in my life without much worries. 

I don't aim for my business to go global, or for it to be well-known. All I want in my business is for it to be a place where I can fall and grow up in with no worries. Some thing that makes my life more meaningful and solid. Unlike corporate business, it makes my life richer, but I know it is never for the soul. Especially when we start to grow, and people become more materialistic, and money becomes a greater interest than any relationship, the time invested in making people happy and befriending them will just vanish once there is a conflict in interest. And maybe, the thought of it just make me feels empty. 

So, I am very thankful for your time to share and attempts to bridge some stuff for me. But I guess I will be happier to be the one small person at the corner watching you succeed and clap for you than to be on the same stage as you and receiving claps from other people. I am sure you will be very successful in your world and I am proud to have a friend like you. I will definitely be the one friend you can fall back on if the time ever come. But the condition is, if one day I decide to go into the corporate world, you better be there waiting and being available for me too.  xD