My Easter in RIga 2013 Part 1

This year I have been very blessed to have been able to have the opportunity to spend Easter with Czech, French, German and Latvian friends in Riga, Latvia. My exchange mates Arturs (& his GF Evita) hosted us at his apartment and, together with Martins, showed us around their country's capital Riga! 

Our flight was in the afternoon and so I thought I had the luxury to prepare myself a super comforting lunch before the trip. But as usual, I underestimated the time I needed to cook, eat and wash  the dishes and dress myself. This meal cost me to miss the feeder bus to the Central Station where we needed to be to take the coach to Nyköping Airport to catch our Ryan Air flight to Riga. 

THANK GOODNESS HENDRIK CALLED TO RUSH ME TO HURRY UP. AND THANK GOODNESS I MANAGED TO CATCH THE NEXT BUS. I ARRIVED QUITE LIETERALLY JUST ON TIME. 

Curry instant noodles with chic. breast, poached scrambled eggs, baguette and my daily coffee.  

DO NOT EVER EAT THIS BEFORE A FLIGHT!

HAHA!

My bed buddy for the trip. Super accommodating Paul. The first time I saw him I actually didn't know that he was travelling with us. I was hyperventilating and exclaiming in exhilaration to the group  because I had ran from the Central Station to the bus stop where the coach was waiting. Yes, I was so happy that the bus was still there. He was standing with the group and was smiling at me with astonishment. (maybe he was thinking that I'm such a little nuts). I didn't care. I was so happy that the bus and my friends were still there waiting for me. HAHAHAHA!

Riga Int'l Airport. 

Hendrik (far right) and I. Our first haircut in Riga. My very first haircut in Europe! hehe. 

I was told that it translates to 35 Köttbullars (Swedish), which means meatballs. o.0

Our breakfast on Saturday morning. Easter egg prepared by Evita and Arturs. So pretty right?

Our even prettier beds. I was so happy that I was given the sleeping bag with the Swedish flag colours. HAHA. #CheapThrill

After breakfast, Martins brought us for a tour around downtown Riga. and it was SNOWING. I WAS SO EXCITED AND HAPPY. HOW OFTEN DOES ONE GET TO EXPERIENCE SNOW DURING EASTER. IT WAS A FIRST FOR ME! My European friends were slightly annoyed by the snow but I was sooooooooooooooo happy! HAHAHAHAHA!

Martins with his cheeky pose.

Architecture.

Eastern Orthodox church.

Freedom Monument.

The first McDonalds restaurant in Latvia. And as a fan of the establishment I had to snap a photo of it for remembrance.

=)

Riga market.

Non-alcoholic beer beverage that the locals claim to be very good for health! 

National Opera House.

Fortifications from medieval times.

Construction works in progress.

Next we took a train to the seaside to check out the FROZEN BEACH. OH MY GOD LA! 

FROZEN BEACH!

I'm standing on the FROZEN SEA! INCREDIBLE! BUT look at my face. TRYING TO HIDE THE FEAR THAT THE ICE WOULD SUDDENLY GIVE WAY AND I'D BE DROPPED INTO THE FREEZING WATER. HAHAHAHAHA!

After that we climbed a tower that gave us a panoramic view of the surroundings. I was "a little" fearful of heights. HAHAHA. Anyways... enjoy the pictures of the snowy weather!

An outdoor museum where we got to check out some traditional Latvian activities and games.

Easter eggs. We got a chance to decorate, spice and boil our own Easter eggs in a wood burning fire pot.

Me demonstrating my ability to walk on snow and not slip and fall. 

-.-

O M G. I AM SO EMBARRASSED BY MY "LAME-NESS" (or lack of... pardon the pun).

Latvian Sauna. Check out the plant/ weapon. Apparently, that thorny branch is used to "massage" people at the end of a sauna session. OUCH.

The Hendrinks. Hendrik O (black) and Hendrik B (blue). Sleeping bags have all been packed up. Out stay in Riga was coming to an end. 

=(

Our last meal in Riga. At some burger/ burrito restaurant. If you remember that I twitted/ instagrammed my first tweet about having supper at some restaurant after we landed. Yeap, same company, different outlet. Whether intentional or not, I find it really interesting that our trip has come full circle. 

stay tuned for part 2 where there will be MORE PICTURES of our journey from Riga-Stcokholm via ferry!

Until then, 

♡

Because love is greater than you and I.

FoodPorn before Easter

Hello everyone! Happy Easter week! I was in Riga, Latvia during the Easter weekend and wasn't able to post this blog as I had intended to. It was snowing on Easter day! OMG! (Will blog about that soon!) 

Anyways, here is my very own #foodporn for your viewing pleasure!

;)

My very first time baking a cake and I felt that it had to be a classic cake that everyone loves.

Fab's Chocolate cake!

Here's another picture of my chocolate cake resting and cooling on my table! I think it is deflating in the centre. Perhaps this recipe can be adjusted for a Crème brûlée... hmm.

This was the fish soup that I prepared before my Management Control exam! 

Another stunning example of how one can combine 2 carbs and 2 proteins in a single meal. Crispy fried bacon, Alaskan pollock, potato wedges, pasta and some peas just for colour! And of course to add some fat and additional sinfulness to the meal, a blob of mayonaise in the background to tie it all up! I can't believe I ate all these just a few nights before my exam. I think I must have been really stressed!

To end this post, I shall leave you with a pic. of something which I have taken quite a liking to. Oxpytt– Potatoes with bits of meat and onion! Of course, I always believing in embellishing and personalising my food!  

The 2nd time it snowed in March & letters from home

Last week, 

It snowed on Tuesday & Wednesday.

These photos were taken on Tuesday. 

What I do every morning when I wake up. Check to see what has happened last night! Always crossing my fingers I see snow. 

***keke***

The following pictures will give you a view of LiU.

 Hey there Mr Snowman! ☃

Bicycles. SO MANY!

A huset (house). Where most of my lectures are held.

Marta! My project mate!

:)

Squinting in the snow***

do you like me with small eyes? 

hehe.☺

Student kitchen in LiU!

What a colourful wall!

I like.

Yummy.

The 2nd time it snowed brought with it letters from back home

When I got back home, I opened my letter box. At first, I thought that the letters were just the purchases that I made on eBay. But when I saw the word "Singapore" one of the stamps, I LITERALLY DROPPED ALL MY STUFF AND OPENED THAT LETTER! HAHAHA!

❄
❄
❄

Thank you PeniLLa (aka Penila/Pei Yu), Laura & Adeline!

♡

Welcome back Amandine

So Amandine just got back from France from her competitive math exam. She hustled us all to have dinner together after having been away from us for nearly a week! 

And so we did. 

During the time that she was away, I was super lazy. If you've been keeping track of my instargram,  I didn't really cook. So tonight I decided to actually cook something from scratch. Spaghetti in tomato sauce. FROM SCRTCH OKAY! NOT POURED OUT FROM A BOTTLE. 

Ingredients: Wholemeal spaghetti, minced pork, mushrooms, onion, garlic and tomato.

 Milardo and his meatballs. He's the one who's been telling me that horse meat > beef! I am inclined to agree! hehe!

My dinner :) 

Welcome back Amandine! 

;)

The Young Victoria: The sweetest words

The sweetest words a man could ever say to his woman, I'd imagine.

My CRAZY but ever-so-LOVELY CORRIDOR MATES

Dedicated to the people who make living in Sweden that much easier for me. 

Seby & Amandine. 

<3

The infamous whiteboard. Can you see the B.S. that we write!

Artsy.

The tables have spoken!

 It wasn't me!

Get ready for a series of group cam-whorish shots! 

Our motto: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

YEAH RIGHT...

LOVE YOU GUYS!

<3

My first haircut in Sweden by hairstylist Mona

So, I last had a haircut in Singapore nearly more than 2 months ago! I really don't like it when my hair grows out for than 2 months. My sides get all puffy and I my fringe looks like a lost broomstick, not knowing whether to sweep left, right, up or down.

And a regular haircut in Sweden costs at least 250 SEK (50 SGD). So when Mona offered to cut my hair, I AGREED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY! 

F.Y.I. I was the second person she has ever cut hair for! HAHA!

*SCREAMS*

This is Mona my hairdresser trying to scare me! I was quite nervous! 

Even though we didn't have much, Mona tried her best to uphold the highest standards of professionalism that she could muster.

Tickled, but thoroughly impressed. ^_^ 

 the Pro. at work...

Hairstylist working on the finishing touches!

BOOMS!

And there you have it, transformation complete!

Me giving my sweetest smile for the camera! 

I really am genuinely IMPRESSED by what Mona has done! I mean, if I closed my eyes during the haircut, and didn't look, I would have believed that my hair was cut my a regular hairdresser!

If this was a sponsored advertorial, I'd highly recommend her services to you. Too bad she's just doing it as a hobby to pass her time. Some friend I have huh! :P SO HAPPY!

  

:)