Keep Calm and Happy New Year

2013 is soon to pass, while 2014 takes on the baton, it's high time to do some reflection on what I have been up to for this year.

2013 hold great meaning for myself, for one.. Okay, it doesn't seemed like big deal now. But I finally made it through 2 years of national service! For those who are still in service, I encourage you guys to cherish the time: treat it as a good time to learn something, instead of treating it "as a waste of time". Basic military training (BMT) taught me how to cope with life transitions, hardships, and trusting people I've never met before. My time in Officer Cadet School (OCS) has imbued leadership and several other important life lessons (I don't think I can fit all in here). While keeping it short, army has definitely gave opportunities for me to forge new bonds amongst hardships.

School started soon after.. being a man who feared solitude, I began to forge new friendships with the people I met throughout my first semester of psychology course. Well, psychology is not easy, but school life is so much fun with like-minded people who are (nonetheless) psychos (well, as we named our clique). 

Besides church, I found a new place for my spiritual growth in the school's Christian fellowship as well. Thank God for that. We even got praised for our short "apathy" skit in World Student Day!

Overseas are difficult to come by since the start of school. It's good that we can forked out time (out from our holidays) to chill out in the Land of Smiles.. yeah, that's right. Bangkok. Crazy trip. Crazier people.

Well, I even had my first cricket in Bangkok. Having eaten more than several kinds of insects, perhaps, I should do up a post, say.. "Guide to Eating Insects".

I'm fortunate enough to enjoy a short holiday to visit my relatives in Malacca..

And a break off urban life in Redang island.

And a trip up to Cameron Highlands with girlfriend and her mum..

I haven't been drawing much, apparently this is the only drawing I've done in 2013. Yeah, that's my favourite singer, Katy Perry!

Needless to say, I am blessed enough to savour so many delicious food.

As for my dear readers, who gave unwavering support despite my lack of updates, do look forward to this upcoming year, as I will be bringing more, and better eats around in Singapore (and anywhere else). And no, I am not planning to stick strictly to FOOD, but will be incorporating more travel and lifestyle reads (slowly, but steadily) to you all. I have recently set up an instagram account at: http://instagram.com/thomaschancw, so check it out and follow me for more gastronomical updates!

Well, I can't thank God enough for the things that I am grateful for, and for the bad things that happened, I just treated them as a lesson to be learnt. As I am penning down my thoughts right now (31/12 2340hr), 2013 is coming to an end. 2014 is going to be a greater year, a more blessed one for every one of us.

CHEERS!

Best Regards,

Thomas

Food for Thought @ Botanic Gardens, Singapore

Amidst the lush greeneries of Botanic Gardens lies Food for Thought (FFT), a brunch-dinner place big enough to sit at least two-hundred hungry diners. As most of you all might know, the FFT outlet at North-Bridge has closed down and currently, the other outlet is at Queen Street's 8QSAM. Different from the latter, Botanic Garden's is mostly self-serviced - you order directly from the cashier and the service staff delivers to you. Oh, and you get the water yourself from the water-station as well. The result is the waiver of 10% service charge, or as they put it nicely - it is their pleasure to serve you.

OpenRice TV: Food Tasting at Ambush

Hey guys, haven't been updating for a week or so as I was having a much needed getaway at Redang island the past weekend. Chilling out with my besties at the beautiful beaches, snorkelling with fishes, kayaking and enjoying buffet meals are just a portion of fun things that we did (definitely not including the gruelling bus rides). Like always, do expect a travelogue on my trip soon and OH, just found out that Openrice posted up the food vlog on the tasting session at Ambush (Plaza Singapura), so check it out here:

Awkwarddd.. Nah I'm just camera-shy. Anyway! If you haven't, check out my food review on Ambush here.

 

Nom on. Thomas out.

Reviewing 2012

While the days and months passed-by so quickly that I barely took notice, especially the month of December - it was quite a hectic month for myself, and soon enough, another year is coming to a close soon. For some people, 2012 meant the Mayan's forecast to the end of time, which fortunately did not occur, obviously. And for some, this year has proved to be another abundance-filled and fruitful one, whether you graduated, got a job promotion, found your significant other or even, did something that you wanted to do for a long time, yet did not have the chance (and the list goes on and on..)

 

And, I thought it was high time to review back some highlights of my year.

 

1. TheNomsaurus

 

About 4 months back in late August, I had this idea of sharing reviews of food that I have came across, coupled with my travel journals and occasional recipes, and soon after - this food blog titled "TheNomsaurus" came to life. To be honest, little did I expect it to garner so many views. Although I do humbly know that 8,400 (as of 30 Dec) is nothing to "wow" about, it was indeed an achievement to myself and I will continue to strive for higher viewerships and goals, well.. one step at a time. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers for the support. You have no idea how important you are to the development of this humble blog.

 

 

My Top 3 Blog Posts

Itacho Sushi @ The Star Vista

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru @ Liang Court

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar @ Vivocity

 

 

 

2. Travelling

 

Despite gotten my compulsory vocation as a full-time soldier, I have had the chance to travel around a fair bit this year. In the month of March, I visited my Malaysian relatives at Kuala Lumpur for the first time in many years. After which, we played host when they came over just recently. 

 

 

 

In July, some friends and I embarked on a relaxing journey to Tioman, far away from our hectic lifestyles. Together with girlfriend's family, I visited Kuala Lumpur (and Genting) again in early October. Do check out my itinerary for Tioman under the Index tab.

Last but not least, the long awaited Taiwan trip was finally checked-off the list in mid-November. Do check out my itinerary for Taiwan under the Index tab.

 

 

3. Giving Back to Society

 

Recently, I have been volunteering in Toa-Payoh/Bishan's Youth Executive Committee (YEC). Although residing in the West area in Clementi, I might consider giving their committee a try. I always wanted to participate in charity or volunteering works, but constantly finding lame excuses to postpone them till furthur dates, well.. I decided it's time to give back to the society. Partially, thanks to my good friend - Jin Kiat, a YEC grassroot leader who continues to encourage me to participate.

 

 

4. Digital Doodles

 

One of my favourite past-times is drawing, and earlier this year, I took up digital art. For your information, I did my diploma in digital media (3D animation major), but planning on taking a bachelor in psychology instead. My drawing  skills are still far from standard, but here are some samples, for more drawings and art pieces (photography and 3D), please do visit my online portfolio at: http://thomaschancw.wix.com/portfolio

 

 

(clockwise from top left): Jayesslee, Seduction of O Adam, My Friend as Wonderwoman, Portman

 

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Once again, I look forward in welcoming you onboard to embark on this gastronomy journey. May 2013 be a more exciting and fruitful year, yet.

Thank you and God bless.

My Unpleasant Johor Experience

"2,000RM fine for 2 photos", the security guard at the Malaysia customs bus-bay told the three of us.

It was last Hari Raya Haji (26 Oct 2012), when Girlfriend Peiyi's family of 8 and myself decided to head out for a day's trip of fun at our neighbouring country, which is none other than Johor, Malaysia. But what was supposed to be exciting and something to look forward to, turned out to be a nasty, unpleasant experience.

We alighted at the bus-bay at the Malaysia customs at approximately 1100hrs, and while waiting for the rest of the family who got seperated at Woodlands Checkpoint, my girlfriend's mother took two pictures of girlfriend and myself with Baby Mitchelle. And stating the pure obvious, it was done out of no harm. Before I carry on, there are NO signage stating that photography or videography is prohibited in the bus-bay. Zero. None at all. Don't tell me I am wrong, because I looked around. Signages baring important notices, offenses and limitations should be obvious, even if there is, it should not be hidden at some crevice on the wall.

One security guard (Guard A) walked towards us and interogated us, with the suspicion that we were terrorists, on why we were taking photographs. Go google "malaysia customs", I confirmed that it will garner thousands and millions of images. I hate to mention it, but he was rankless. We didn't know, we explained to them. They requested for girlfriend's mother's passport, browsed through a few pages and refused to return it. After which he made a phone call to his "officer", another arrogant-looking rankless guard (Guard B) who wears a traffic-police vest and one who claims that he is the head in-charge here. Do I suppose now that they put rankless personnel in-charge of "high security places"?

Guard B then told us to delete the images, or else we will be charged for failing to comply with orders on top of the 2,000RM fine (1,000RM for one photograph). I requested to talk to his head, show him the pictures we took and delete his presence, but he insisted he is in-charged, I mean is there no one higher rank in the chain-of-command than this rankless traffic police? He said that we were disrespecting him and spoke to Guard A in some gibberish malay, which is sadly some language the three of us did not understand. They hinted that we will be brought to the police station and might lead to detention. After some dramatic words exchange, we decided to delete the photographs (thinking of it, why did we do that, when it was evidence we could show). The rest of the family finally arrived and somehow, girlfriend's brother-in-law managed to settle the case. Bribe maybe?

I am sure that my case was not the first, and it will not be the last. It is sad to say that corruption, regardless of severity is everywhere. After the drama, I asked one of the higher ranking officers at the customs and told me that there is no such thing as fine. And despite telling her about our case, she seemed to show the "heck-care" attitute, is this because that this kind of issues happened too frequently? It is obvious that at their management level, it can be better well-managed, but till to what extend?

The whole experience was definitely unpleasant and has made a tainted impression of Malaysia on me. Now, I will think twice before even stepping into Malaysia. It is ironic that Malaysia wants more foreigners to visit their country when they do not enforce a certain standard to the people.

P.S. This post is written with no intentions of flaming the country nor the people. Just expressing my point of view on this particular experience.

People Who Loves to Eat are Always the Best People

“You'll never know everything about anything, especially something you love.” Juila Child

 

 

Just a quick food for thought before I head for a quick holiday tomorrow. Kuala Lumpur, if you are interested, and which I will probably do a short travel journal after. So looking forward to the wanton mee and grass jelly at Petaling Street, the famous roadside bak kut teh, satay and not to even mention, the seafood!

 



I love eating. I love baking and cooking.

I love the scent of freshly chopped garlic, fried bacon and cookies from the oven.

 

I love travelling.

I love exploring the world, meeting people of different colours and cultures.

 

I love to blog, even about the most nonsensical things.

 

~

As Julia Child puts it,

 

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

~

 

Maybe that is why TheNomsaurus came from, a platform where I feel passionate in, a place maybe I can feed my addiction of sharing on. Even if not as single soul bothers to read it (which I absolutely hope not), I will still continue to fuel this humble foodblog with places to eat, recipes to cook, areas to look-about and what's not.

 

It has been a month since I started and the view hit 1500 a few days ago. Maybe it's a lot, maybe it's not. But I definitely want to take this opportunity to thank my readers, friends and families or maybe I don't even know who you are. I do hope that you're one of "the best people!"

 

Till then, do stay tuned to more gastronomic updates!