11 April 2008.
I have anticipated for the coming of this special day, this month. While I have a relatively high confidence that I would be able to break the 6 months honeymoon curse, I still prepared myself for any possibilities. Life has taught me that nothing is impossible on this planet and you just never know.
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PART I: CHANG KOREAN CHARCOAL BBQ
The car turned into Dempsey Road and I thought to myself.. ‘wow, im finally here!’ Dempsey has always been viewed as an exclusive area for drivers in my view. Only then I realised that Dempsey is an area perharps of arts history, scattered all over were stones sculptures or antique shops and even an art sch.
Walking across the bumpy stones on the corridor of Chang’s Korean Charcoal BBQ, the fragrance of the BBQ meat, i think, was really enticing. Hence according to plans, we went for Korean food!
Somehow ‘hey Chang’ this phrase is still hovering in my mind. The name that cheeky kept making fun of this man in tie. He looks like Chang more than anybody else.
The very Modern Menu despite its authenticity.
Not only this is my first time to Dempsey Hill, it was also my first time to a Korean Charcoal BBQ place. Well, I wun take Seoul Garden into consideration. hahas. My mind, of coz, was filled with curiosity with what they have to offer!
Contemporary and Cosy
We were seated on this very long table, as if a table for huge gatherings but no. The whole ambience of the place was rather soothing, one advantage of not being the extremely posh kind. That is, lessen the pressure for observing all the high-class etiquettes.
Real TraditionalWhile I abandoned the need to possess some kind of higher class etiquettes, I found myself exposed to another type of culture and practices.. learning and listening attentively to the great. Things like the metal chopsticks…which I think its damn nice and some knowledge of the life in Korea.
Sides and Samgyeobsal***
Unlike the previous time and my only experience of a Korean cuisine in Singapore, Chang serves a total of 9 sides, 3 more than what I had in Bukang Tuna. And im still wondering why Beansprouts and the fresh onions were included as well. Oh, but both were nice despite my wonders.
When the Samgyeobsal was served, the only question that came to my mind was ‘are we supposed to do it ourselves?’ The waiter did not say anything and just stood by my right hand side and started to cook it skillfully with his pair of tongs. For a moment, I thought…arent we supposed to do it ourselves, for the joy and fun of it? hahas, from another perspective, well..good service! And indeed, we just have to bear the smoke rushing towards us with the potential of smelling like BBQ Pork in return for the more than satisfying pieces of meat.
Bites! Love (the) Bites.Another culture learnt: Wrapping the Samgyeobsal and Daji Yangyeom Galbi** with the lettuce served indeed makes it yummy when aptly combined with the crunch and juiceness of the veg! But between Samyeobsal and Daji Yangyeom Galbi, the Daji Yangyeom Galbi* is much more mouth-drooling with all its marination in it..
Daji YangYeom Galbi and Hobak Bulgogi.
Hobak Bulgogi is the king. hahas. Hands down again. Soft, tender and lightly flavoured. Yummie yummie. The pieces of beef look as if it’s oozing out of the nicely presented pumpkin. Even though i kept thinking that ther’s milk in it, I have to conclude that there isnt. And I guess its just the sweet and light taste from the pumpkin that resembles the taste of cooked milk. UH~
SnapshotsThe most memorable part of the dinner, besides the food, should come from ‘Teaching How to Use a pair of Chopsticks correctly’. At least one of the very few times that I get to teach this man something. But the correct way of holding and ease of moving the chopstick with the middle finger just cant get across that easily. Perharps im a lousy teacher. hahas. But things like this have become such a natural thing to me that I din really realise the mechanism of the whole process – from lifting them up and using them. But as usual, his mind turned so agile when he picked up the pieces of Tofu by letting it lie down on the chopsticks. And, I havent thought of that…leaving me really speechless.
Always
A full body photo that we have every month, except for the Chatterbox month (4th month)
Another important thing in a relationship is to learn from each other, be it knowledge, principles, concepts or anything else.
I’ve learnt alot but i wun say everything is fully internalise in me yet, as my capacity to hold at a time is only so much. On the other hand, im not too sure what this stupid lady here can possibly teach a highly intellectual man.
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PART II: DEMPSEY’S BEN & JERRY
Black Raspberry Yoghurt, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie Went to the Ben & Jerry (yes, again) which many people told me that it is a really nice place for chilling out. So yes, we went over after dinner, a very short drive over. Yayys.
The crowd was amazing over there, with semi-long queues at the counters making the staffs of Ben & Jerry seemingly breathless. The decor of the place was v Euro like with a ‘fireplace’ at where the live band is supposed to be. And just near the toilet area, the place is designed looking run-down with faded paints and tapes around the walls.
My Artistic Shot I Just got all kinds of weird ideas to incorporate the artsy red lamp into my pictures. I was hoping that I cant climb on a chair and take a pic from top featuring the lamp! hahas.
A nicely lit bar.
A cosy and very decent bartop at the corner of the place. So, this place is more than ice-cream! And i heard that ther’s cafe behind Ben & Jerry too..well but that place doesnt seem to invite v desirable feedbacks.
The Evil Queen/Gothic mirror.
Lazy!
Artistic Shot II
Just as I was uttering my usual nonsense, a sudden inspiration came to me. Have to ask my model to pose. hhaas. Still hope that I could climb on somewhere.
Artistic Shot by Cheeky.
The couple portrait
This portrait is just so interesting to me. Diverting my attention continously. Thinking of the meaning behind each layer of colors and drawing. I just believe that there has to be some sorta meaning behind this piece of artwork. This piece of work transmit to me departure. Seemingly sexual yet it feels more like saddness than anything else. It’s like feeling the heartaches, agony and unbearables in it.
Well, but isnt thats being felt when a loving couple has to leave each other?
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PART III: EAST COAST, BACK TO THE PAST
It was near 12midnight or slightly later than that when we left Ben & Jerry and decided to head for East Coast. A place that I would love to go again but thought that I would leave it if THAT particular plan executes.
It has been like 5-6 months since we soothed ourselves in the sounds of the waves and sea-breeze.
While the sea-side always seem to be a very simple place, a place of relatively little intervention from the virtuals and buzz of the world, ironically, it is where the sophistcated minds open up and voice their complexities to the simple environment around. Maybe out there, things are complicated enough that nobody wanna voice their genuine and often complicated thoughts. It just feel different.
As usual, I listened to the contemplative side of Cheeky who puts aside his cheekiness and unveiled his penetrative personal thoughts. More than thoughts in fact. That’s what I fell in love into during the Observatory Lounge Night, Mt Faber and East Coast nights.
Could be the place. Could be the ambience. Could be just the timing. Could be the person. But no matter what is the contributing factor for the contemplative side, glad that I had the chance to listen.
Besides the heart-to-heart talks, the diamond studs up in the sky is more than what I’ve seen any other times with him at a sea-side. What amazed me was WE FOUND SCORPIO! still very excited over it.
It all began with me finding a very nice curve that seems to be nicely joined together. Then the man who has been doing his research on constellations, stars, galaxies etc etc told me it looks like SCORPIO. And back home, things were confirmed with the picture below! Thats exactly what we saw! I feel so sweet! To find and gaze at stars together!
Reality of Phantom
2:04 AM
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***Samgyeobsal: Pork Belly
** Daji Yangyeom Galbi: Marinated Pork Rib
* Hobak Bulgogi: Broiled Beef in Pumpkin
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It just makes the salad taste so nice…and i think it has tinges of sweetness in it too!
