DAY 116

Dec 26

1) Today was a very relaxing day for me. Woke up way later than usual, had my breakfast before watching a really old animated movie called "Akira", considered by many as the catalyst that sparked interest in Japanese animation. For a movie that's 28 years, I must admit the animation has aged remarkably well, and I can well understand how it would be considered state-of-the-art in its time.

2) After the movie, it was time for lunch so I went downstairs to reheat the farfalle pasta I made a couple of days back. This time I reheated it for 8 minutes, to make sure the food was hot throughout. Tasted just fine in my opinion. Had a short afternoon nap after that, and by mid-afternoon I was making my way to Khee Heng's apartment to chill out and watch anime XD. Finished "Fate/ Stay Night" today, and by this time it was approaching dinner.

3) This evening, Khee Heng, Zi Yan, Jason and me were invited for dinner at Brooks Hotel by Esther's parents, along with Esther and her best friend. We met up at Millin at 6.20pm, before walking a short distance to Brooks Hotel. All eight of us had the Christmas Dinner Menu, at €39.90 per pax. While the portion sizes were a little smaller than I would have desired, the flavour and presentation was top notch, and on top of that we washed down everything with some excellent Merlot.

4) Throughout the dinner, we chatted with Esther's parents, sharing stories and talking about student life in general. We spent a good two hours over good food and even better company, and eventually Esther's parents retired to pack up, as they were leaving for Belfast the next morning. Me, Zi Yan and Khee Heng returned to his apartment, where we watched the movie "Pixels". Turned out that I'd watched part of it before, but forgot the ending haha. Anyways, I returned home soon after, to have some cookies, tea and an orange. That was my day, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Cheers!

Trio of toast XD

Pasta for lunch yummmm!

Menu at Brooks Hotel

Couscous and super seed salad

Clonakilty black pudding croquette

Vegetables Soup

Grilled Fillet of Sea Bass

Fresh Veggies of the Day

Whole Potatoes

Group photo ^^

Clementine Cheescake

'Brooks' Christmas Pudding

Reception

Brooks Hotel,

with Zi Yan and Khee Heng

DAY 115

Dec 25

1) Today was Christmas Day! Slept in (my first in a long time), before waking up for brunch. Reheated the fusilli pasta I made previously, garnished with some cheese. Spent the afternoon lazing around, taking a short nap. Late afternoon, I went back to my friend Khee Heng's apartment, bringing with me a box of pizza and some packets of biscuits for the potluck dinner we were going to have tonight.

2) Spent the rest of the afternoon watching Fate/ Stay Night, and stopped with four episodes remaining. By this time, Zi Yan had arrived, bringing a box of three pepperoni pizzas from Dunnes Stores. So we set up our Malaysian-esque Christmas dinner XD. Stuffed the pizzas into the oven, before cooking Maggi Mee. For dessert, we had oranges and some tea and Milo.

3) Next, we sat down to watch "Dr. Strange" the movie on Khee Heng's laptop. In my opinion it was so-so, but my friends seemed to like it a lot. To each their own I guess. Anyway, it was getting late after our movie, so we decided to call it a day and I returned home. Typed the blog update for today, and will be getting a good night's sleep soon. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great day. Cheers!

Kawasaki Rose

(origami)

Toast as usual ^^

Fusilli pasta for lunch

Me mates and me!

Pepperoni pizza from Dunnes :)

DAY 114

Dec 24

1) Today was a very relaxing day. Woke up later than usual, then went down to have breakfast. While preparing my toast, I also cooked pasta for the week. I'm trying to batch cook to a) save cost and b) save time. I'll try out for a week and improvise as I see fit.

2) Remained home for much of the morning, and went to Tesco Baggot later on to get more groceries. Reheated my just-cooked-this-morning-pasta for lunch, and it tasted absolutely fine. Took a short nap, before walking all the way to my friend, Khee Heng's apartment. Stopped at Euro Giant to get two more containers, so I wouldn't run out in case of emergency.

3) Reached Khee Heng's apartment at around 3.00pm. Then we continued our anime-watching for the day, stopping briefly to go out for dinner. Originally we planned to go to Boojum, but as it was closed, we went to Hot & Chilli instead. I tried the mixed kebab meal this time around, and it was great!

4) Walked back in the windy weather, where we continued our anime, "Fate/ Stay Night". Finished the first season, and started a bit of the next season. We should finish the series by tomorrow or day after. Anyways, we stopped early so I had time to write this blog update before returning home. That's all for today's blog.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year! May the coming year fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter! Cheers!

Toast, along with the four meals I made for the rest of the week :D

Bentley Continental GT, spotted on my way to Tesco Baggot

The tiles can be flipped, the left pic showing trees before blooming and right pic after they have bloomed in springtime (pic taken near St. Stephen's Green)

Mercer Library, closed until 27th Dec )):

Origami dinosaur, made by Khee Heng

Dinner at Hot & Chilli

Nothing like some chamomile tea on a chilly day ^^

DAY 112

Dec 22

1) Today was another very enjoyable day. Woke up and had my breakfast, before heading over to the library. Skyped with my parents for a long while, before terminating the conversation as I had to go out soon.

2) Had my lunch at AK. Henry's, before going out with my friends to book our first trip (next Thurs) to Powerscourt. Walked all the way to Moore Market, where I bought 12 oranges for €2, a bargain if you ask me. Returned to Khee Heng's apartment, where we watched #2, Fate/Stay Night.

3) By around 5pm, Khee Heng had to go as he was expecting a visitor. That left just me, so I continued watching YouTube vids and listening to songs. I had scones from AK Henry's for dinner, and had an orange after that. A cup of Milo (courtesy of Khee Heng) and I was full.

4) At night, had some cookies and tea. Soon after that, packed my stuff and returned back home. That has been my day, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Have a great day, cheers!

Breakfast

The Spire

Street performer at Grafton St.

Scones for dinner XD