J-emine's reflexionando

It was to Taipei again for work last week – last minute trip. The objective of this work trip weighed heavily on my heart. Mainly, not having enough time to prepare, but deep down I knew too well there is never a right/enough time to be ready for such delicate situation. It was more of gritting the teeth, rolling up the sleeves, and be brutally honest with those involved.

Knowing that it was going to be a tough work week there – I chose to fly back on Sat afternoon instead of rushing my ass to the airport once the meeting ends on Friday. Extending my work stay in Taipei is always welcome, can’t say the same for some other places that work brings me too.

The short (very) extended stay this time was save solely for family.

The meeting stretched from 10- 430 pm, there was no ounce of energy in me willing to stay on till after 5pm.  Headed back to the hotel to zone out for awhile before dinner with the god- bro and his best buddy.

The two boys just got their university allocation results and were riding high on excitement for getting into the university/faculty of their choice, so it definitely called for celebration. The boys were keen to try out Zee Live House and got there early before the crowd came pouring in for the 9pm live showcase. Two and half hours of comfort food (pasta with crab roe was divine) and light, nonsensical topics –  as the boys entertained me with their high school stories, the girls in their class (the kinds of girls they like), their latest craze and funny jabs at each other.

I shoo-ed the boys home by 9 pm, whilst I head to the night market near the hotel for a walk. The night market was awfully quiet for a Friday night – due to the rain showers earlier on and forewarning of heavy thunderstorm – which was just nice for me. Umbrella in one hand and very much lost in my own thoughts, I walked circles around the market and vicinity.

Such walks never fail to calm me down, especially on work-trips. It’s my zen way of ending a tough work week. How do you guys unwind after a hard week at work? Tell me!

On my last trip, I didn’t have a chance to see the nieces because of their packed school activities and tuition classes. However, with the lure of desserts at the Hello Kitty cafe and begging from my end, the mummy was willing to bend the rules and let the girls have Sat afternoon off. 

First stop: San Yuan Hao for lunch 

I specially requested for ‘Ru Ruo Fan’ (braised pork rice)  – heck the diet. Braised pork, egg, gravy and rice. It’s as simple as it gets, but one of the most delicious Taiwanese grub that I’ll gladly do extra runs for.

 Desserts: Hello Kitty Cafe 

Not my kinda thang but for the girls…I’ll gladly soak up the cat and pinkness. The desserts were mediocre but presentation was cute enough for the girls to shriek with glee, the interior was rather seasoned and could do with a good clean-up, but that itself did not stop the looming queue (and 45 mins wait for a table!). Glad the cousin-sister had the foresight to make reservations!