Marketing: PETE- A New/Not So New Strategy

We live in a world that is remarkably familiar with the 4Ps of Marketing. 

Whether it be from New York to Kansas to San Francisco to Delhi to Jakarta to Berlin, to Taipei, London, Israel, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur, no mistake, everyone and anyone who has ever done an academic pursuit in Business Management or Marketing or even any specialty related to the world of business, they no doubt would have come across these fundamentals of Marketing in what most likely was the very first lecture of the term. 

I would know. 

I should know. 

Understanding the 4Ps got me through the module of a diploma-level group project that involved amateurish marketing research into the branding of instant noodles. 

Application of the 4Ps in a thesis about a social service program earned me my bachelor's degree. 

I had thought I knew (more or less) what the whole business of these 4Ps were about. 

But then life came, I moved around, saw different things, and now I know- not all theories work best for everywhere. 

No doubt it is a good theory, one that guides well when it comes to bringing a product out to market but primarily it works best when there're foundations in place, when those foundations have already been applied, or when there's simulation practice in one way or another. 

What if then there are territories where the foundations and fundamentals have been (for whatever reason) somewhat difficult to apply in the regular context of Trade, Business and/or Marketing, or where parameters for the simulations are constantly evolving?

The world is a big place.

And not every place is the same. 

What works for one market might not necessarily work most effective for another. 

And what doesn't work for one market might in fact be the optimal solution for another. 

Let's say, for example, that there be a territory whose people aren't always at hand to apply the fundamentals- let's say it's a big place, or it's a place with some sort of happenings that do not permit easy learning of the fundamentals, or they might have their expertise in other areas besides applying these theories.

What happens then? 

In this somewhat linear formula of MBA-style 4Ps, will they then never be able to bring their products to market?

Or, let's say they do manage to pick up the fundamentals, how long will it take? 

These were questions that came to mind the more I looked about and looked around. 

But somewhere along the way there came opportunities where parts of the puzzle came together, and now, there is, I think, a roadmap that gives room in such territories for products to go to market without having to pay too much attention to the 4Ps. 

In business lingo this roadmap is known as Entertainment Commerce, or Entertainment Marketing. 

In easy lingo, let's just call it PETE, which, coincidentally, is an acronym for the four components that this solution constitutes. They're not linear, by the way, these components. Rather, they work in a sort of cyclical manner where one leads to another and where one cannot do without the other. 

Are they of equal importance?

Yes, and no. 

Yes, because they harmonize and balance each other out perfectly. 

No, because two components form the bedrock for the other two to work. 

Let's begin with the first bedrock component.

PRODUCT. 

This is a no-brainer.

Without Product, we have nothing to talk about. 

There's nothing to market.

There's nothing to sell. 

To apply this puzzle, the product must be ready to be presented to the market. Meaning that it cannot be 'in development', it cannot be a 'prototype' and neither can it be 'an MVP'. 

It has to be ready to be sold.

It has to be ready to be marketed. 

It has to be ready to be used. 

SkinCalories applied this PRODUCT component in 2019 with the launch of its Active Glow Mist 100ml, followed a couple of years later by its Active Glow Mist in pocket size of 15ml. That's not the end of it, however, you don't do this with one product in two sizes. No, you have to have at least three, and so there's a Bubble Mask and a Beauty Balm BB Cream's coming along the way. 

In and of itself it's best of the product has the attributes to stand out on its own, especially if the market, like that of Skincare in which SkinCalories is in, is a highly competitive one. 

As such, the Active Glow Mist, manufactured in South Korea, is lavender scented, is made 100% out of organic ingredients, has an EWG certification, works for all ages, and can be used on sensitive skin as well. 

Now comes the second bedrock component.

TECHNOLOGY. 

This is fundamental. 

The whole system, the whole ring, needs this component to function, to work, to be applied effectively to all of the other components as well. 

But, mind, in this context the Technology component doesn't refer to merely Internet connection or Mobile connection or apps or communication tools, but it is the exemplar of technology both current and advanced demonstrated in a singular method: An Avatar. 

SkinCalories revealed the presence of the Technology component through the creation of MAGDA. 

In this avatar alone we have the current technologies of 2D software, 3D software, rendering, digital art, and everything that comes along with it. 

The image alone is a good representation of the current technology. 

SkinCalories has used the avatar of MAGDA on websites, decks, social media, and messaging apps. 

Very useful when creating banners like these to be used as greetings during festive occasions, I tell you. 

But is there all there is to technology? 

No. 

There is still the advanced technology, yes? 

So where does that get demonstrated? 

Say hello to the third component. 

The ENTERTAINMENT. 

Or, as I like to call it, the Character. 

It is the Character that celebrates the strength of advanced technology. 

It is the Character that- with his or her own story- does not drop the line when the campaign is over because she has her own (fictional) journey worthy to be funded as an entertainment franchise. 

It is the Character that enables a personality to shine through so much so that it can be an inspiration, it can be translated into various forms of mediums, it has multiple applications, and it centralizes the whole system in one form or another. 

If you're wondering what the interweave between Entertainment and Technology is, well, let's just keep in mind that the strength of advanced technologies lies in a distinctive function: Real-time Interaction.

What better way, then, to go one step further, and bring Entertainment into the picture, make the avatar into a Character- one that has a story worthy enough to be grown into an entertainment franchise- and through a medium that has the potential to show just what the strengths of said advanced technologies are. 

No more is Technology limited to the abilities of social interaction between person to person, even though we have that in the form of social media and messaging apps. 

Now there's AI. 

Machine-Learning.

Knowledge. 

Which in reality is mostly words until you communicate all that data through the visual of an avatar. 

It could be within an app, for instance- where, say, you make an enquiry about skincare to the avatar (MAGDA, of course), the AI system gathers all the information and knowledge for you, and the avatar MAGDA communicates that answer to you. 

But that's not all. 

Interaction, and real-time interaction are different. 

Plus, advanced tech covers the chips and the graphic cards and the Cores and the augmented reality. 

Technology is moving beyond that of words to that of visuals, and richly colored, realistic visuals at that. 

It is now a technology that pushes for real-time engagement, real-time interaction that combines the best of data from data servers and throws that out to you beyond the context of words into images that enhance and augment your reality. 

It is for this reason that SkinCalories built a universe around MAGDA, taking her beyond a name and an avatar image into one that has a backstory, a Character Bible, a story beyond, a personality, a growth journey and a developmental arc. 

And it is for this reason that she has a Manga, a Music Video (with SkinCalories's own song Vroom Vroom) and an upcoming Anime that forms the Entertainment component. 

Remember what I wrote earlier about the Product component including an Active Glow Mist in its collection, and that it was lavender scented? 

Well, let's just say that the story carries the theme of Hydration, the theme of Five Elements (harmony) and a lavender flower from the heavens that embodies crystal clear luminance and glistening glowing brilliance. 

Some of us might be wondering just why such mediums be chosen. 

Why not do a live?

Why not do a documentary?

Why not do a game? 

Actually... there is a game. 

There always is. 

But we do consider the presence of INTEL and NVIDIA, and of course, the ACG community which is, in fact, one of the largest and fastest growing communities worldwide. 

We have thus far talked about the three components of this PETE circle. 

Perhaps it is hard to understand how E and T can be so intertwined, but when you consider what the whole meaning of real-time interaction is about, when you consider what the upcoming gear of AR glasses and everything else is about, you'll see that it is T that takes the E to the interactive level, whilst the E celebrates the capabilities of the T. 

So in that sense the T interacts with the E, the E interacts with the T, and then there's the product itself- the P- which (through the AR avatar on her packaging) interacts with both the E and the T. 

But as with all things, in the system, even a harmonious one as this, there's always a climax, a high point, and in this case, it is the second E. 

EVENT. 

People have wondered just what the significance of having an Event is- in the context of PETE- and what the relevance is to the other three components are. 

Very simply put, this last E draws all three together and cements it as a complete system. 

We don't need to delve into discussion just how powerful festivals and events big and small. 

It goes without saying that an Event, in and of itself, is a crowd puller. 

It is an occasion that creates a purpose, unites the community, and serves as both a platform and a presence both at the same time. 

That's what Events are. 

In context of the PETE, however, the Event serves as a focal point when the other three components have begun their way. 

It is at this E (of an Event) that one can transform a product into related merchandise, not merely as a product giveaway as most brand sponsorships do, but as a connection point between the product and the nature of the Event itself. 

When it comes to T the Technology part, whether it be current, emerging or advanced, there is no stopping the stage from becoming a celebration of said Technology. 

And of course there's E the Entertainment, which is the crux of the Event, and what this whole thingmajig is organized for. 

There have been (interested) questions as to how the whole Event can come together

Like, how does it work? 

How can it be done?

It takes a bit of explanation but let's take a look at SkinCalories' upcoming event "Groove & Glow: Ultimate Freestyle War" . 

First of all, would you believe me if I told you that this event weaves the seemingly separate elements of dance, technology and culture seamlessly into a tapestry that celebrates sound, movement, and entertainment? 

Because whilst at first glance it seems to be that of a skincare company (Glow) being involved in dance (Groove) under the genre of freestyle (but which also includes hip hop, street, contemporary and the like), let's not forget the other three elements, namely, Technology, which is, if you ask me, the depth of what this whole event will be. 

But yes, for this Event, there is Technology in Dance.

There is Technology in the Technology.

And there's Technology in the Culture. 

It is expected that dance crews do their best choreography for a competition but Groove & Glow has a technological twist in the form of an (additional) member in their crew- MAGDA. Their moves will need to consider, and include digital character MAGDA in their crew, and by so doing, keep in mind the present capabilities of animation, and motion capture technology. 

It wouldn't be enough, of course, to incorporate motion capture technology and animation and not have a place to showcase it. 

Here's then the Technology part, which, in this context covers both the visual representation of it (MAGDA) and the technology of Unreal Engine that renders the character, and her moves, real-time. 

It is the kind of performance that augments the physical stage with that of a digital character who will be performing the same dance moves as her real life counterparts, bringing the presence of Mixed Reality to what would ordinarily be a regular dance competition. 

Now, if this be the Dance and the Technology covered, where then is the presence of said tech in the Culture?

The scenarios. 

The sets. 

The sets of Groove & Glow are not a blank canvas.

It wouldn't be Mixed Reality Immersive that way. 

So the organizers have planned that the scenarios take place in, say, an Alley, an Underground Fight Club, a Marketplace, a Rooftop... all crafted by Unreal. 

So, yes, there is Tech Tech in the core of this whole PETE system. 

But it isn't just in the hands of the participants. 

It's also in the hands of the attendees and those who are watching it livestreamed elsewhere. 

MAGDA's on the Product packaging, and given that it comes with each ticket, well, there you have it, the Product has turned into Event Merchandise. 

Cold Brew in Me

It's gotten surprisingly hard to write this post. 

And the funny thing is that I don't know why.

How difficult, honestly, can it be, for a person to write about an epiphany that she got one evening at the Starbucks of Changi Airport whilst having a meal of cold brew (with milk!) and a breakfast croissant with what I think is ham and cheese? 

Maybe I'm not ready to talk about it.

Maybe I'm not ready for the gargantuan thoughts that crop up when I have even the slightest thoughts about it. 

But sometimes in life a person must push through...

So, here goes:

I was at Changi Airport Terminal 3 one evening, and not just any evening but the evening of Lunar New Year's Eve. 

I had no purpose being at the airport.

I wasn't there to send anyone off.

I wasn't there to welcome anyone home.

But earlier on I had taken a bus from Eunos to Woodlands, and because I didn't feel like going straight home, had taken the bus from Woodlands to Changi Airport instead.

Now, there were many dinner options I could have had at Terminal 3. 

But I wanted coffee. 

So off it was to Starbucks for a cold brew (with milk!), and a reheated breakfast croissant (because there didn't seem to offer any warm meals)

Did I feel lonely having this meal all by myself over at Starbucks Terminal 3?

Well, yes, and no. 

Yes, because even though I'm generally okay to be alone, there're times where I'm not so good, and having meals is one of them. 

It's a little embarrassing, yes,  but I've never been able to walk confidently into a restaurant and tell the staff to prep "table for one". Neither have I been able to walk into a crowded hawker center, coffee shop or food court amidst a meal time crowd, place my orders, find a table, sit down and eat. 

I'm too self conscious for that, and I never know how some of my dearest friends can do just that.

It's so mortifying for me.

But I'm improving. 

Especially after the epiphany at Starbucks where I realized that I would rather be alone than to have company that is toxic to me. 

"I'd rather be alone than to have to deal with toxicity."

That's the exact line that came to my head as I sat there eating through my croissant and sipping my cold brew.

Yes, I'd rather do things by myself.

Yes, I'd rather eat by myself.

And yes, I'd rather go around by myself.

Better it is that I be alone (from the rare time to time because thank God I have an oppa, a namja and a chingu all rolled into one). 

Than to deal with a person who hurts me, disrespects me, insists on full and complete obedience, don't see me as a person, dominates and controls me, and speaks words of toxicity to me (anytime and all the time) as if there are no consequences. 

Today is a day where the memory of a person wanting to take my last $50 still rankles in me. 

Today is a day where the memory of a person being 'generous' in granting me my last $50 still rises bile in me. 

Never have I felt so poisoned as in this last season alone.

I have had no choice but to be attached with such and such a person for the longest longest time, but now emotionally and mentally I've drifted away- or to the very least I'm conscious when words of toxicity come back to haunt me.

I will have to learn to do more things alone. 

Like adulting stuff.

Like travel.

Like eating.

It's going to be a process, I suppose, and I trust it will be easier than my over-stressed brain thinks it will be. 

But yes, I'd rather be alone and do things alone. 

And I pray that this toxicity will never come to haunt me, never return. 

AIWA's Walkman

Okay so about a month or so ago, we were at this place near Chinatown for dinner. I say that it's near Chinatown because to be quite honest I don't  know how to define this area that's actually opposite Hong Lim Complex and across South Bridge Road. 

Some people will say that this is part of Raffles Place and Shenton Way.

Others, however, will say that it's actually on the outskirts of the Business District, and even though China Street and Telok Ayer Street are a short walk away, it's right in the middle between the housing board estate of Kreta Ayer, and the business district of Cecil Street, China Street and Church Street.

The actual name of the street where this Taiwanese cafe is would be Nankin Street, but, with it being completely pedestrianized now, few of us actually bother about that. 

Here's the funny thing, however.

At another time in another mood I would not have been able to write about this as fluidly as I do now. 

But somehow today, for reasons unknown, I can. 

See, the AIWA Walkman has always been familiar to me. 

Not so much perhaps in the last twenty years or so- that's how things go- but I know a place where on the shelves there're still disused AIWA hi-fi CD Players, and old AIWA Walkmans sitting in the drawers. 

Because Mr. Radioman spent a good part of his life in the company, and it was a significant day when the corporation closed its operations, upped and left. 

I cannot look at an AIWA Walkman (any model, it doesn't matter) and not think of spreadsheets, little plastic parts and pale blue engineer-type uniforms. 

And there was one, right here, in this Taiwanese cafe, so close to me,  at the table beside, on this warm weekend afternoon.

Seeing it brought back a host of memories. 

You know how people say they never really forget how they operate certain mechanics and certain machinery? 

That's how it was for me with this Walkman. 

I didn't need to walk over and have it in my hands to know just where the eject button was. 

Neither did I need to walk over and feel its weight in my hand to know how chonky it felt.

I'd had had models similar to this a long time back.

Black, mine was, with buttons in similar places, and which I used until I was gifted a (prototype) lean, rectangular-shaped, dark green one with a shiny surface which I absolutely loved. 

That green one was probably the last Walkman I used before CD players took over. 

But you don't forget things, even from your own perspective. 

Till today I cannot look at an AIWA Walkman and not think of all the tiny little components that go into making this piece of (vintage) consumer electronics that's made life much more pleasant on the ear.

The boomers and Gen Xers know just how it's like to have the joy of listening to music on-the-go, wherever we are, wherever our feet take us.

And as branding a statement as it might sound (hello SONY), it's true, really, that there's something special about having our favorite music, and our favorite playlists with us wherever we may be. 

It brings us back to things that we've done, places that we've been.

It brings us back to the impact point we got when we first heard that song.

There are times where we might forget aspects that happen in our lives. 

But if we've been listening to certain genres and certain music in those seasons that we were there, chances are, the impressions will stay, and they'll pop up again every time we hear the music all over again.  

Peace of Mind

To be honest, I don't know if I should be writing about this and I don't know (I'm afraid actually) that it may bring about a consequence which I don't wish to have, but there's perhaps something about this place being the very first picture that I snapped in the year of 2024. 

We were there for what I call a maintenance appointment. 

Not for me, but for an elderly who, due to very unfortunate circumstances several years ago, went through a bout of depression and so came here to see a Professor whom, thankfully, after all these years, continues to see her elderly patients here at the clinic in the Institute of Mental Health. 

Today everything was good, thank God- just the usual round of maintenance medicine required. 

However, coming to this place so early in the year made me think about myself, about the year past, and how it had been. 

I'm just going to say it as it is.

It wasn't good. 

Now I'm not going to say that it was completely bad- that wouldn't be fair to those who love me, those who look after me, those who have helped me and who continue to help me- but I have to admit that not for one day since early January of 2023 have I woken up feeling free and filled with zest to face the day. 

I mean, let's start with the fact that Night Owl me who used to sleep at 2am (waking up at 9) now wakes up at 630-645am no matter how late the previous night I've gone to bed. 

It's been like this for a whole year, now even more. 

I long for a day where I can sleep past 830am. 

I long for a day where I can not have to waste a precious hour in the evening speaking to persons whom I don't wish to speak to except for the sake of keeping the person happy (when there was never that much of a need to).

I'm tired of doing things for persons who take up so much of my time that I can't do anything else or have to factor those persons' s*** in.

And I'm tired of wasting a day getting stuff for persons who actually can jolly well do it themselves. 

What hurts isn't merely the time and the effort and the hassle. 

What hurts is that the appreciation given is just another tool to keep doing.

Still that's something one can try to cope with.

But what makes it impossible is the toxicity.

What makes it difficult to breathe is the level of control administered where subjugation (as a renowned psychiatrist told me) is a way of life. 

This is beyond mere control. 

This is a situation where persons tell you to do what to do, exactly how to do it, and hell become yours if you do it any other way. 

I've not been able to shut out the toxicity that sweeps upon me (in my head!) every time I have to do something for the persons. 

Neither have I been able to be comfortable and trusting because whatever interaction carries deep within it deceit, evil, self-centeredness, domination, and malice. 

There was a time I stopped the smile in the interactions.

Later I realized it got worse for me when I stopped the smile. 

So now I continue the lie to smile.

But tenterhooks and stomach churns do s*** to you. 

Perhaps all I long for is to have peace of mind. 

Peace of mind to truly be myself without having to 'devote' time to this and that and this and that. 

Peace of mind to live without having to balance two lives of which they must never, never, never intertwine. 

Tell you honestly?

I want to sleep.

I want to sleep and sleep and sleep.

I won't do it deliberately. 

There're visuals that I have that prevent me from trying to fall asleep.

It's not fair to those who love me and those who have helped me if I go through day on day with a black, sourpuss face. 

It's also not fair to those who have chosen to help me and solve s*** for me as much as one can. 

So even though I'm very, very, very tired, I try to heal.

This battle needs to be won. 

And I need to rest, I need to really, really heal.

The River by Jalan Kukoh

At a weekend breather not too long ago at Robertson Quay I found myself making a rather interesting observation. 

You know how it's often said that Singapore as a small country of land size tends to cobble her people together regardless of where we come from, who we are, and what we do?

Sure, we've worked (hard) to keep the two separate- in one way or another- but from time to time one finds two distinct strata of society muddled up together. 

You don't feel it so much in the suburbs, but on occasion you'll come upon places like Ghim Moh and (old) Queenstown, and you'll wonder why a single road, or a single stone-paved path can be such an allegoric wall.

At Robertson Quay it wasn't a path, but, if I may say, a river, and a road, maybe. 

It's a little puzzling, because on one side of the river you have landscaped trees, beautiful red walking paths and all these condominiums, restaurants, wine places and cafes, yet on the other side atop a very high hill (I must add) you have blocks of flats whose shops are on the other side, and whose kitchens look down over the flow of the river, the space of the condominiums and scattered flowers blown off the branches of the flowering trees. 

I'm not sure if there're pretty flowering trees up here on the hill. 

Maybe they're not in season.

But there're little trees, little shrubs, and lots of potted plants. 

It was my intention to come this side of the river this time.

Not so much for the convenience of it, but because it seemed a bit of a pity to not explore further there.

Climbing up this hill wasn't fun, I assure you, and quietly I had to admire those who made it a daily thing. 

They must have strong calves, strong thighs, and fit exercise. 

I'm far lacking in that, I'm afraid. 

The view from the top of Jalan Kukoh housing estate is an interesting one.

It's one of those views that stump you because in one glance you're seeing the country's development of her society, her people and her economic worth, whilst at the same time you look around you and wonder what it is in between that makes the difference. 

From the corridors one looks over the parapet to the neighbors opposite, the roofed shelter, the open space activity area, the sheltered walkways and the playground. 

From the same corridors too one looks across to the trees of Pearl's Hill opposite, as well as the towering structures of Wallich Tower, International Plaza and all those in the CBD, plus Shenton Way. 

It's a contrasting sight.

Because what was the view like way back in the 70s when this estate of Jalan Kukoh (and York Hill) were built? 

What was it that they saw then? 

And what is it that they see now that (somehow) have made them one of the most unusual housing estates in this country?

This is a view that- if you care to- will make you think. 

I'm not sure how those who dwell here perceive themselves in relation to this view.

There may be those with a sense of contentment and gratefulness.

Or there may be those who cannot contain their free-spiritedness. 

It's all very individualistic, and it depends very much on how you perceive yourself, your surroundings, who you want to be, and how you'll get there. 

I had intended to find my way to the Jalan Kukoh hawker center this particular afternoon.

But then there came a need for a Thai brand (medicated oil) and so forwent the plan.

Maybe I'll hunt for the hawker center from the Chin Swee Road side next time. 

I've heard there's pretty good food there. 

The Arsenal of Scents

If you're wondering why it is that I've shared a picture of my beauty routine, well, it's not because I'm trying to be a make up influencer or beauty influencer or anything. 

Of course not. 

But now I finally understand why people sometimes call make up war paint, and why people sometimes say that they cannot function without their beauty and make up routines. 

I never used to think that applying lotion on my face and hands were that important.

That is, until I discovered the gap, and the emptiness that followed, when I couldn't bring myself to apply it one bright, sunny morning. 

Never ever laugh at someone who swears by their lotions, their mists and their spritzes. 

It might make the difference between them getting out of bed, or staying in it dull, listless and lifeless, the entire day. 

I didn't think I'd ever place so much value in these little bottles and tubes in my box at my beauty corner.

But now I do. 

Because a big deal it now means to me. 

And a bigger deal when I realize that, without them, I might not have gotten through day after day after day. 

You know how it is in life sometimes when a spritz of face mist in the morning isn't just a spritz of face mist. but an act that gets you to the next step of the day? 

That's what the bottle of SkinCalories's face mist did for me. 

I felt the cool on my face.

I breathed in the scent of "Lavender water infused with the essence of the Lavender flower".

Then I tied up my hair.

The scent of lavender didn't stay with me only in the mornings.

When the hour came and I had to go out, there was first Yardley's Lavender EDT, and then, together with lip balm, that tiny little sample-sized tube of SkinCalories' lavender-scented BB cream. 

Don't laugh at my choice of SkinCalories. 

I'm working in it.

Don't laugh at my choice of Yardley either. 

So, it is a little mumsy, but oy, it was the only Lavender EDT I knew- and the most affordable one for that season in time.  

I'll gladly tell you that I've sprayed it quite liberally. 

I'll also gladly tell you that the SkinCalories' BB Cream made for a light, calming lavender-infused make-up coverage that helped me get ready to face the world. 

The arsenal wasn't all lavender-essence, and lavender-infused, however.

There was cherry blossom, courtesy of Nivea.

And then there was goat milk-scented serum from Korean dermatological brand Dr. Hedison. 

I won't say that this is all that has gotten me through to where I am now. 

But it's been a very, very critical part. 

It's made me feel human. 

It's made me feel like life had a purpose that was entirely my own, and not someone else's.

And it gave me (back) my identity. 

See, it doesn't matter if you're not able to get up and 'do something'. 

It doesn't matter if you cannot bring yourself to apply face powder and foundation and eye shadow and lipstick. 

No, all you need is a lotion (to soften your dry, parched skin), a face mist (to cool it), a BB cream to make you look presentable (even though you don't feel it), and a lip balm (so you don't look too dead). 

If a scent makes you feel alive, don't care how cheap or expensive it is, use it.

And if that's still not enough, get out the coffee, get out the tea, play the music, write a journal, hug a stuffie.

You might need it.

So might we.

Yotel and the Runaround

It was at this place that I made the decision that I really, really, really wanted (someone) out of my life. 

It wasn't because of a disagreement or a quarrel or hatred- no, not any strong emotion like that- but because simply I realized there was just no more sharing with each other except what was carefully curated, and all the interference didn't make sense anymore. 

Perhaps it is a bit extreme to say that there're people in my life whom I don't wish to see or hear to speak to anymore, but it's human, and when the existence of each other's presence becomes a bane to each other, then there's no point keeping each other in each other's life anymore. 

Add to that the realization that there's no more hope for it to improve or change- there's just no point anymore. 

It wasn't the environment of Yotel that made me come to this decision. 

Of course not. 

But Yotel did make me see that there was a world which I belonged to, and which I could be a part of. 

Maybe me being on the 19th floor made a difference. 

You see things differently.

You feel things differently too. 

Some days the light's odd. 

Some days the light's better. 

How you interpret it is all very subjective. 

I actually liked the coziness of the room, which, if you ask me, is not exactly how one might describe the place. 

Yotel prides itself on having decor likened to that of a space-themed cabin. 

The most fascinating thing about the room is its bed which is of the sort that can be raised up and down from a flat position to a reclining position to a sitting one. 

What I liked, however, was the wardrobe area, and the hangers. 

For some reason they made me feel like I had to be neat and structured in my placement of things.

Being a structured sort is one way to feel organized in Yotel's room. 

That, or have what we call organized chaos. 

I guess I belong to the former. 

I like my things by the side and in rectangular shapes and squares. 

That works for Yotel's style, I suppose, although the latter type can be comfortable enough just as well too. 

I was determined to experience as much as Orchard Road as I could staying here this time.

And I did, with a bit of shopping, and, well, a lot of dining. 

Lunch right after check in was at Itacho Sushi in ION Orchard diagonally across the road. 

We were hungry, so we ordered something different, and we ordered more. 

There was the Kagoshima wagyu sushi, and at another time we might have gone for the soy sauce salmon sushi with the cod roe sauce. but today we decided we'd have an extra order of soft shell crab, and sweet potato fries. 

The crab was of a nice size, crispy on the outside, well fried and great to bite. Then I got the soft crab flesh beneath the crisp, of course, and there was the burst of flavor once bitten into it. 

We couldn't resist our usual order of roasted salmon belly sushi, and a favorite order that I call salmon maki with tempura bits. 

All this- at a late lunch hour- however made us feel very full and so we decided to make our evening meal a supper instead.

There's a place in Shaw Center right on Orchard Road, so we agreed we'd go to that after my hour-long (responsibility) was over. 

Being not very hungry I thought we might just take only dessert (which is something the cafe is popularly known for) 

But then we looked at the small bites menu and decided to try out their nachos as well. 

We weren't disappointed. 

Cafe De Muse might have a bit of a Korean influence somewhere, but their nachos were good. 

Crispy, crunchy, filled with black olives, green olives, red peppers, chopped tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream, it was a great portion, and we had a wonderful time chatting and finishing it all. 

Nachos weren't the only thing we had at Cafe De Muse.

We ordered a chocolate bingsu too. 

This, I particularly loved.

There was this mountain of chocolate shaved ice, there were these huge cubes of chocolate (something)- I think it was dark chocolate- there was a drizzle of chocolate sauce all over, and on top of everything there was a huge scoop of dark chocolate ice cream.

I loved it so much I told my friend I would come back here next time and maybe order the same dark chocolate bingsu all for myself. 

My friend laughed. 

We, however, weren't done with the chocolate. 

Not for this particular weekend breather in any case.

Because the next day we went to this place at the back of Tanglin Post Office, and we had another chocolate cake. 

Best part, it wasn't just the chocolate cake that was good. 

Our mains were notably perfect too. 

Like the steak (I forget what cut it was) he ordered, which was gloriously tender, came with black pepper (or was it mushrom) sauce, and a wonderful selection of vegetables that included carrots, h and soft, delicious potatoes. 

And like the fish and chips which I chose over the pasta because I felt like having something fried as much as I felt like having hollandaise sauce with fries. 

I'm glad for the choice.

The batter of the fish was just how I liked it, and I almost wished there were pieces more than two. 

This place on Nassim Hill I will say I really do like, and when opportunity comes, I hope to head back here for a meal again. 

There weren't a lot of unique meals after that, but I didn't mind. 

I'm more than happy whenever our breather comes with breakfast.

Which, yes, we did have here at Yotel- eggs, waffles, toast, salad, cereals, yogurt, dim sum and a bit of Asian here and there. 

Coming here to Yotel was to relive an experience that I'd somewhat forgotten, and being in the space, and in the room, reminded me of how life does change, how things don't always stay the same, and how it's best that we define who we are, and at least try to carry on. 

Maybe I might have been here on the Shaw Center side of Orchard this, but my mind wasn't completely absorbed by my surroundings or the hotels around me. 

There were moments when the skies reminded me of Los Angeles, and gave me hope of a time when I would return there.