Taichung

I last went to Taichung in 2009, when I was exploring whether or not I should be setting up a drinks business.

I had 3 impressions of Taichung back then:
1. There are a lot of nice drinks shops in Taichung.. It is, after all, the "birth place" of bubble tea
2. The Fengjia Night Market is very big and probably one of the nicest I've been to
3. Taichung people are very friendly.. Someone offered to help me with my luggage up and down the stairs at the train station, which did not have any escalators

This trip to Taichung with The Husband and Little N, I still think that the above holds true.

Except I also think now that:
1. Things in Taichung are very affordable.. compared to Taipei and certainly compared to Singapore
2. The Yizhong Street night market is smaller than Fengjia but nicer.. with delicious street food, good restaurants and small shops selling nicknacks
3. Food in Taichung overall is of very high quality.. and there are lots of options available

Most Singaporeans tend to travel to Taipei when they travel to Taiwan. With some direct flights now to Taichung, I think it is actually a good city to travel to for just a long weekend.

In my next post, I'd share what are some of the things I think one can do in Taichung.

Loads of yummy food in Taichung. Bubble tea is a must!

We stayed in a hotel room with loads of sheep on the wall. 

Little N went "Baa Baa Baa" in the room all day.. very funny!

Got our keys!

We got back from Taiwan about 3 weeks ago.

So many things happened since.

My grandma got a lot worse.. was admitted into the hospital because of a stroke and things got really bad for a while.. Then she got miraculously better.. but still, she is now at home with a nurse by her side 24 by 7 and is also being managed by a hospice care doctor. But we are really thankful she got somewhat better because that means we have more time to be with her.

Then, we got notice that the keys to our new place are ready for collection just before we left for Taiwan.

Here's a picture of our new place.. Lots to do and exciting times ahead.. Yet... I am not sure I'm ready to be moving so far away from my parents!

First Birthday and a Trip to Taiwan

I have really been neglecting my poor blog.

Being busy is never a good excuse but it is indeed the reason why I haven't been blogging.

I haven't even been reading the blogs I follow too much. Tsk tsk.

Anyway, a lot has happened over the last couple of months... apart from super hectic days at work!

Firstly, Little N turned one. Yep, she's officially a toddler now... Aw... only, I still feel she is a little baby. Maybe it's because she doesn't walk yet... nor talk too much... Maybe it's just the way all mothers feel.

It was a little milestone for me, nevertheless. I survived Year 1 of motherhood - breastfeeding (yep, still continuing somewhat), middle of night wakings (yep, definitely still happening) and diaper changing (yep yep).

In celebration, we went to River Safari to see some pandas, fishes and alligators. The River Safari is under soft launch and I feel it's such a far cry from the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. I probably will not be visiting it any time so soon. But the pandas made a big impression on Little N and she now says "da" when she sees any pictures of pandas.

We also had a few other other things happening at home. My grandma fell quite ill and got us quite worried. It is unlikely she'd recover so we are just treasuring the time we have left with her.

This Saturday, we will be going on our first family vacation. Just the 3 of us. We'd be in Taiwan for 10 days and honestly, I feel a bit nervous.. The food will be new to Nicole because we'd probably not be able to cook most of the time (we are only staying in an apartment for part of the trip).. and I have no idea how she'd handle air travel and missed naps plus late nights.

But still, I'm looking forward to a break from work and lots of time with The Husband and Little N.

Wish us all the best!

Overpriced panda "bao" but so cute!

Little N at 1 year old and her daddy (whom she calls "paaaa")