"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part, because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness. It is not excitement. It is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just  being 'in love' which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is leftover when being in love has burnt away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident."

"Being in love is being yourself."

- Anna Faris, What's Your Number?

Thank you, Westlife.

Tomorrow will be the last performance of Westlife's farewell tour; a sold-out 80,000 capacity stadium in Dublin. I can just imagine being there. It would've been so great, flying all the way to Ireland and watching them make their final mark; their last imprint as a band on each spectator's hearts, screaming along with them as they strut on stage with their cliched but nevertheless endearing and timeless boy band choreography. Imagine the elaborate lightings and clever sets that make you feel like you're part of something big. Imagine being one in the 80,000 people who share the same reason for being there, in the midst of the surround sound of the enclosed arena caused by every person chanting for the same thing: Westlife.

Sounds like a religion.

And now I sound blasphemous. 

Westlife is (I refuse to use the past tense) so much more than just a band to me. I grew up with them, since Primary school, and they remain avid in my music library, probably the 'Artist' whom I have the most tracks from. Just some little fun facts:

They started out as a 6 member band called Six As One. (Like whuuht? right. haha) They then renamed themselves to IOU (still whuuhht?) and their big break came when one of the member's mothers brought them to the attention of Walsh, then manager of Boyzone. Boyzone was initially passed up by an A&R (artiste & repertoire) man and that same man wasn't going to make that mistake twice. This man is none other than Simon Cowell. Smart choice, Simon Cowell. You passed up on Spice Girls too didn't you?

The band went on to enjoy a 15-year long career with 14 consecutive No 1s, platinum success with 10 studio albums and two Greatest Hits collection.

Well played, Irish boys.

I will try to never forget that feeling of being in the Singapore Indoor Stadium with Marie, Joce, Ash and Jia. At least I hope I will never forget the feeling. It was really like we were in a World of Our Own; one night of pure happiness and contentment that a dream has come true. At least we've watched Westlife once in our life. And when My Love came on, we went crazy because we were expecting them to perform more of their newer songs. My Love is simply a classic. 

Their best.

There was one thing missing though; Brian McFadden. It isn't complete without him. He was somewhat the front man in the Dreams Come True tour. I read somewhere that he actually wanted to join the guys for the farewell tour but due to affliction caused by his inadmissible leaving, the other four did not allow him back.

Nonetheless, I really am grateful for the existence of Westlife for their ballads have brought me through so much and made many of my days. Kian, Shane Brian, Nick, Mark. There could never have been a greater combination of characters that created this perfect harmony.

"I'll always look back as I walk away, 'cause memory will last for eternity. And all of our tears will be lost in the rain, til' I find my way back to your arms again."

I hope there will be a reunion.

Thank you Westlife, for being here for me. Okay, I sound crazy because it's not like they intended it or know me or what. But still, they've done their job as performers and have touched millions of hearts. You'll always be in mine.

Westlife for life.

Your music will live forever.

A banana conversation.

(Siew Yin, Timothy, Claudia and I at dinner)

SY's Chinese is like Chinese teacher pro. True hua ren.

#Truestory

Me: I suddenly forgot what cat is is Chinese...

Timothy & SY: 猫...

SY: Dog?

Me: 狗!

SY: Elephant?

Me: ...

Timothy: 象!? 

SY: Gorilla?

Me: ...

SY: Chimpanzee?

Me: ... AH MENG

SY: Dolphin?

Me: ... 鱼? :D 

SY: Whale?

Me: ... 鱼?

SY: Hamster?

Me: 老鼠...

SY: Kangaroo?

Me: 跳跳的东西

Me: Eh can you test me other things? Flower?

SY: You're gonna die in flower.

SY: Hibiscus...

Me: ...

Timothy: ...

Claudia: ...

SY: 大红花

SY: Chrysanthemum?

Me: Yeo's

SY: Lavender?

Me: La fen de

SY: 熏衣草

SY: Morning glory?

Me: zhao shang guang rong

Me: Can you test me other things? Flower is die.

By the way guys, Hip Hop is 嘻哈舞蹈 (xi ha wu dao).

Learnt something new today? :)

"I didn't trust her. And some small gnarled place inside me hated her for her weakness, for her neglect, for the months she had put us through. Prim forgave her, but I had taken a step back ... put up a wall to protect myself from needing her, and nothing was ever the same between is again."

- The Hunger Games

Fresh from my travels!

Sawadeecap.

I'm back from Bangkok!

Now I really understand what 'Shop 'til you drop means'.

So here's a rough overview of what we covered over the 4 days:

Day 1

• Head from airport to hotel

Thais (or maybe just those in Bangkok) are very good drivers. Their aiming is like wtf?! When we were in the minibus, people can walk as close as like, right next to our window, like a boss. It's totally normal for them and surprisingly (or not) there was not one accident. I was thinking, 'You're supposed to give pedestrians and cyclists AMPLE CLEARANCE!!' (damn BTT) but no it's not necessary here 'cause Thais are cool like that.

• Check in at Pratunam Pavilion 

Most people didn't know where Pratunam Pavilion was because it's really new and tucked away into some dodgy corner. BUT, I strongly recommend this hotel. It's situated at the end of Pratunam Market and is within walking distance of Platinum Mall and Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Despite it's dark alley-ish location, the inside is very comfortable, clean and cheap! Siew Yin and I shared a twin bed room which was connected to Claudia and Tim's queen bed room. They also provide complimentary Tuk Tuk services to nearby places (very nearby only though...like 2 minutes away kinda thing).

Just us in our very nice room before embarking on our adventures 

Stocking up

Okay enough of my advertising...

• Shopping @ Pratunam Market 

Kekeke

Day #1 Buys

Likabause.

• Dinner time!!

Only cost each of us about SGD$9!

 AND WE HAVE OUR WINNERS FOR THE WHOLE TRIP!

This mango salad is soooo good omnomnom. It's sour but with a tinge of sweetness from the mango, a little tangy from the onions and has different layers of crunchy from the vegetables and peanuts. And it's spicey! Sssss

Fried crab with curry IT'S TOO SHIOK ALR I DIED 

• Thai massage 

Pretty okay, wish the masseuse pressed harder though, and covered more of my lower back. Other than that, Thai massage is a must-try because they really covered many many muskles and the atmosphere was nua max.

Day 2

• Breakfast buffet @ the hotel (omg so early, holiday not supposed to be waking up before 8am...)
• Off to MBK via BTS!

MBK is just like 2 MRT stops away (including an interchange) from our hotel area. 

If you're looking for genuine imitation bags and wallets, this is the go-to place. :)

80 baht all you can eat Thai buffet! (The catch: it's vegan) But still shiok and super super spicey. I died.

• Headed to Silom area to chill while Timothy went for his massage. After eating we seriously just sat and enjoyed not moving. 

• Next was Patpong Night Market

This is haggling heaven. Quality of bags is definitely not as good as MBK but you can find many exotic and interesting accessories and deco here. When bargaining just don't go too low a price, it'll scare the shopkeepers away. (Tested & true. Heh.)

Day #2 Buys

Day 3

• Early breakfast then took a Tuk Tuk to Platinum Mall

Okay we had a slight detour to this jewelry shop (that was part of the city tour that we decided to forgo for shopping. Yay! Unexpected sightseeing!) because our driver wanted to go and pick up his free petrol from there. Haha. 

Tuk tuks are high-tech ok! Surround sound system all siol. No joke.

• Platinum Mall

This place is like Bugis Street x1000. Five floors of non-stop shops and they sell a lot of sheer material stuff like Far East. You should go with more people to this place because they sell by retail (1 piece) and wholesale (2 pieces & up) prices and the wholesale prices are really wholesaliao!

Milk tea from Platinum Mall. It's really good like comparable to Eskimo standard.

View from an overhead bridge

• Back to hotel to put down our stuff then out again to MBK to buy a bag for my mommy:) 

Dinner at MBK; this steamed fish with lime sauce is the ultimate. The fish is so smooth and tangy from the lime sauce and there's just enough garlic. Awesome.

• Back to Pratuman Market for last minute shopping then to hotel to R&R

Day #3 Buys

Day 4

• Slept lika dog. While Claudia, Timothy and Swing went for breakfast again and out to Pratunam Market to shop, I slept until 11.30am.
• Checked out and had lunch at the same place where we had our dinner on the first night

Cantaloupe Juice

OMNOMNOMonomonomnom

• Manicure! (My nail polish got ruined already but oh welllll)
• Back to Singapore! 

Felt extremely tired the whole day 

Last meal at the airport! Thank you Tim, for the treat :)

Verdict:

Before

After

Awesome trip. Won't be shopping for a very long time! 

Wadecap!