CANTUSLUPUS.COM

Days since my last post: 30

And so I've done it again - I've left my blog space to grow cobwebs and get all dusty of sorts. It isn't that I don't love you anymore, but it's just that life hasn't exactly been the most interesting in the past month after all. In between rituals of my every day work life, here's an update on what's been going on as we step into the final quarter of 2018!

I TOOK A BREAK WITH MY OLD ONES

Best travel people ever

At the beginning of August, I managed to steal several days off being a working adult to go on a holiday with my old ones. We had a 3 day 2 night excursion to Ipoh, and we got to do all sorts of touristy things such as taking photos around Concubine Lane and meeting my dad's classmates. I must have gained several kgs after the trip, but when I traded it off with the smiles on my old folks' face - worth it.

I GOT THE KEYS TO MY HOUSE

If you caught wind of my post in the beginning of 2018 - you'd notice that I mentioned being a home owner. Unfortunately at that point I hadn't gotten to my house YET but hey here's an update...

Because we finally got it!

It's been a ridiculous wait for our keys, and it kept getting delayed month after month. At one point I was tempted to write in to the consumers' association on how slow everything had been, but before it happened, the developer reached out to say that the house was finally ready. Unfortunately, "ready" is rather relative because we discovered that there is no electricity in our home when we took the keys. We wrote in to complain, and there's an ongoing blame game between the developer and electricity provider on whose fault this is. Until then, it looks like my other half and I are just going to have to keep calling and asking when they'll just give us power. Renovation and furnishing sponsors are most welcome, holla if you're interested to give me something because I'm looking to periodically update on house renovations on the blog! A whole new section now, woohoo!

I TOOK PART IN THE MILO BREAKFAST RUN

Finally, the MILO medal

That's right, a day before I started work - I joined the MILO Breakfast Run 2018 with Tania from Sugoidays! It's one of the most popular and family friendly runs in KL, and I was lucky to get a spot this year all thanks to her. You can watch how everything unfolded here because Tania took a video from the start to finish but just to give you a heads up...it involves me walking for 5kms around Putrajaya early in the morning to hatch eggs on Pokemon Go. And yes, I still play that. Add me as a friend if you do too: 8071 6398 2505, trainer name Eliephante. Please, I need to complete several tasks!

AND FINALLY, I SWITCHED JOBS

Little one not included

Yes. Again. After I left Publicis in the middle of 2017, I had switched a total of 3 jobs just to try out what fits best. It was my attempt at experiencing something non-agency in case I could do better. This was after that thought that I had joined an agency right as I left college, and I had a burning desire to know if there was anything else out there for me. With that, I've been to a fast growing startup that offers discounts on services, a local digital marketing company, and decided my final test was at a tech startup. Ultimately, everything was interesting but it just didn't feel right. That's when I decided that maybe my life is all about advertising and now I've joined one of Malaysia's largest advertising companies. Looks like I'm about to live, eat, breathe, and die advertising for the rest of my life. How interesting.

To be fair though, if you read through this then it would seem like I've been doing quite a bit of things across the month. I suppose if you're living through it yourself, it really doesn't feel like much. Most of my other days are now spent either planning for my next holiday (Hint hint!) or just bumming around playing games and building blocks. I mean I could be preparing for our home but hey...what do I without electricity right? Seriously, how long could that even take?

Days since my last post: 18

On the 8th of August 2016, the Starbucks outlet located on the 2nd floor of Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur made a small but significant change to their member of staff. While many may not be aware of this change until they drop by for a visit themselves, this marked a positive change for the deaf and mute community - they were hired as Starbucks baristas. And thus, the world's very 1st Starbucks Signing Store was born.

Cheers to empowerment, Starbucks!

It's been 2 years since the birth of this unique store in Malaysia, and the experience for customers has not only been uplifting but also gave them a reason to pick up a new language they perhaps never thought they would like to learn. At Starbucks Bangsar Village II, most baristas are deaf and mute. This doesn't however stop them from giving the best of their services to customers who pop in for a cup of their freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, and if anything they've worked even harder to give a 101% in all they do.

Officiating the 2nd Year Anniversary of the World's 1st Starbucks Signing Store

100% certified Coffee Masters

Present to celebrate this glorious moment on the 8th of August 2018 was Yang Berhormat Puan Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia, and together with Chief Executive officer of Berjaya Food Berhad and Managing Director of Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei, Mr Sydney Quays, Starbucks took this opportunity to honor 5 newly appointed Coffee Master Baristas in this outlet itself.

Making a match: Coffee and cookies

In conjunction with this celebration, Starbucks Malaysia has also announced the launch of the Starbucks Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies across all its stores in Malaysia. With every purchase of these cookies priced at RM 6.90 each, RM 1 will be channeled to the Silent Teddies Bakery, a social enterprise started by the Community Service Center for the deaf (CSCD) to support programs and its schools for the deaf children.

A speech by YB Puan Hannah Yeoh

Grabbing a photo opportunity with YB Puan Hannah Yeoh!

Speaking at the event, YB Puan Hannah Yeoh notes how workplaces in Malaysia has the potential in becoming more inclusive and diverse in the under-represented groups in the country. This is truly achievable through the help of corporations such as Starbucks as it now provides the deaf community work and the ability to continue developing soft skills. To this, Starbucks has also noted how they are looking to expand into subsequent Starbucks Signing Stores across the nation and hopes that it has inspired the world to create a culture of diversity and inclusion. In fact, Mr Sydney Quays has also mentioned that the very first Starbucks Signing Store in the United States will soon be launched in October!

Coffee Masters of Starbucks Malaysia

So remember, the next time you drop by Starbucks at Bangsar Village II, you're in fact stepping in a store that has created a world of difference with just a small change. Who knows, you may even learn a sign or two from their friendly baristas that will take you a long way.

Days since my last post: A month...or so.

Hi blog space, I'm here to sweep away cobwebs and dust away...well...dust! I know I haven't been the most diligent in updating whatever has been happening in life - and in fact this post was for a stay I enjoyed back in May. I always tell myself to get to it and today let's get to it!

The signature shot

So if you didn't already catch my previous post about how I got to stay at the amazing Villa Samadhi Singapore, you can read it here: Click!

Nestled in the lush greenery of the Labrador Nature Reserve of Singapore, Villa Samadhi Singapore is nothing like Villa Samadhi KL - the first thing being that the one in KL had a rather Balinese touch to it while the one in Singapore was simply colonial from start to finish.

A welcoming lobby

I loved the little touches of wooden window and door panes to help with the style the boutique hotel was trying to achieve, and when you top it off with gleaming cement floors as a welcoming space, guests will begin to wonder what special surprises await them at Villa Samadhi Singapore.

For starters, a place to rest your weary head

Our room for the night was the Luxe Crib, a space so large that I swear could fit another 3 people if we had wanted to. It donned a king sized four poster bed with 4 fluffy pillows and a duvet that's just slightly too heavy for comfort, but boy by the moment you jump on the bed after a long day exploring Singapore, you'll realize there's nothing more comfortable than the beds that are in Villa Samadhi Singapore.

A relaxation area for some peace and quiet

And the showers...oh the showers

The relaxation area puzzled me because there weren't any TVs or any entertainment of any sort to be found in front of the couch so I could only assume it was for moments when couples just want to grab a drink and have a moment of heart to heart talks and not risk dirtying the bed. The toilet space was however amazing, as the water blasted right out of the rain shower (as I enjoyed it) to wash away all the tiredness I could feel after walking around what felt like the entire of Singapore. More than ample toiletries are provided, including shavers for the guys, mouthwash, and almost everything you would need in the toilet.

Feasting

With the birthday boy back then

Upon checking in at Villa Samadhi Singapore, you will be treated to a welcome tea set that includes warm scones with butter and marmalade and tea cakes that change everyday. For this stay we got a funny avocado and salmon combination, but it was delicious nonetheless. A pot of hot tea is also included and rightfully so because what is tea time without tea?

The perfect pre-wedding scene

Winding down with drinks

If you're like us and not quite like wandering out in the nature so much, you'd love the idea of simply slothing around in your room. With green views that engulf you from every corner of the way, it's hard to see why you would say no. By 6pm, you'll also be invited to join the Villa Samadhi Singapore team by the Library for a complimentary cocktail session - all drinks on the house! We had quite a few lychee martinis ourselves, and by 7pm which is when the cocktail session ends, we were quite tipsy.

Birthday blessings

Our biggest surprise for the evening however was how glorious the service was at Villa Samadhi Singapore - particularly by a resident manager (Or so I believe) who addresses herself as Mama Helen. She was chirpy, friendly, and at the very moment she heard that we were celebrating my other half's birthday, she immediately sent for a cake ala Thai style and 2 glasses of champagne - complimentary. It truly made his birthday just that much more special, and I'd hope it's one he's going to remember for years down the road.

And then we left, wanting to return again

Sadly we had to leave the very next day, but not without asking for a late checkout that can be arranged upon availability. We were already hungry for another stay at Villa Samadhi Singapore and mainly for its warm hospitality that made the stay perfect. Big props to Mama Helen and her team for it, though her name was really the only name we caught throughout the stay. It's stuck with us since, so you can definitely assume she's made her mark in our minds.

Until next time, Villa Samadhi Singapore

Unfortunately with the pros comes the one and only con of the hotel and that is that it has the trickiest location in Singapore ever. Most GRAB drivers in Singapore are mostly directed to Tamarind Hills which is a restaurant owned by Villa Samadhi just up the road. It's also a bit far to walk from the Labrador Park MRT station if that's what you have in mind, but a good workout for those who seek it. Would we return? We actually did for the second time to be honest, though I doubt I'll be writing about that experience that much. But we would love to go back again...and again...and again. Because at Villa Samadhi Singapore, the experiences just keep getting better.

Days since my last post: 12

I'm here, I'm alive...and I'm missing the ridiculously lavish experience I had at Villa Samadhi Singapore by Samadhi so much! So the story goes like this...

The life changing contest

On the 25th of October 2017, I'd been casually scrolling through Instagram when I came across this post by Lifestyle Asia KL. If you didn't already know, they're an e-news site for all things finer in life across KL and if you stalk their social media channels enough, you'd probably get lucky with the contests and giveaways they hold. And get lucky I did. Basically all I had to do was to follow their social media feeds - which I already had been doing, then tell them why I deserved a getaway with someone of my choice.

The best announcement ever

I think it was about a week later when they made the announcement, but I really didn't give much thought to it because I was never THAT lucky with contests after all. When I saw that they had tagged me, I thought it was for passes to the Samadhi Carnival 2017 but boy was I in for a surprise. That...that was me! That's my username on the announcement comment stating that I had won a 2D1N stay at Villa Samadhi Singapore! I scrambled to reply them with whatever details they needed, screaming at my other half that we could go to Singapore and not stay in hostels anymore!

And to Singapore we went!

We made the trip on the 28th of April this year, the day before his birthday so that we could check-in to Villa Samadhi Singapore on his birthday itself instead of being on the road. Because the voucher we got only granted us a 2D1N stay, we had to make do at an Airbnb on our first night and that stay taught me that staying in the city is extremely important when you're traveling. Never again, outskirts.

It was the first time he played in public for me

Despite how tiring we felt after the entire day of running up and down, trying to pack in as much as we could in the first day because we wanted to make the most of the trip, I'd say going on the getaway was worth it. I learned that my other half definitely had much more patience compared to me and at times of exasperation, he would just say, "That's okay we'll figure it out".

That photography skill

He also excelled in taking photos of me, regardless of how sticky I'd become after a long day of adventuring. The perfect #InstagramHusband material, I'd say. By the end of the day, we'd spent the entire trip just eating Japanese food that it almost seemed like we were trying to tell ourselves we had gone to Japan. Not happening with the current financials we have.

We also stopped for cake

We had cake on his birthday obviously, and it was at Antoinette - Mandarin Gallery. We were introduced by a friend of mine, Tania and I'd say the cake was really good. It had perfect tinges of cake and Earl Grey mousse - a personal favourite although it's not so much a birthday boy liking. But you know, what I want, I get.

Blessed birthday again, husband

I'd hope as I write about this experience all over again that my husband remembers the time we went to Singapore for his birthday, then went all over the city in a slightly tipsy mode because he had drinks at lunch. I'd hope he remembers the good times we had when we experience the bad in the future, and that perhaps everything is solvable by cake. Really now, let's go have cake in Singapore again.

Older Posts Home

About Me

LIKE ME

The Past

INSTA ME @ ELIEPHANTE

FOLLOW ME @ ELIELAM