F4 F✦FOREVER Concert Review

 

I was slightly disappointed when I knew the reunion happened in China and I missed the first concert. So when they launched their world tour, I decided I need to get the tickets fast (and at all cost), lest they decided not to continue on. So on to Jakarta we went. We've never been there and thought it would make a nice adventure. 

Apart for the tickets which I actually camped for, I got the top public seats, everything logistical was done on a very last minute basis. Oops. The aunties sure act fast cos it was sold out within 2 hours! (Eventually, there were extra shows added, but I wasn't really monitoring.) While camping, I realized that they have top tier tickets with special fan services but you had to whatsapp some authorised dealers on their website. I texted while I was camping, but no one got back. Maybe I was just too late. 

Inclusive of flight, tickets, hotels, food and shopping, it should be well within S$2K for 2 pax. On the concert day, we headed back to the arena at 4pm (to avoid traffic jam) and all, and that was when things got tricky. Most people don't speak English there. So we were directed back and forth at least 3 times before I could get my ticket band. I was a little anxious with slight panic attacks because I didn't know they were pre-allocated and not band collection dependent. Thankfully, we met Chinese speaking fans who assisted!

We ended up skipping dinner (and having it after) because I was too excited to eat and there is food sold within the arena. I ended up heading back to the hotel (read here) to take a bath and glam up a bit because I was so hot and sweaty from all the unnecessary walking. Plus, I wanted to see Jerry in my best form! HAHAHA! There were unauthorised merch sold outside. Didn't end up getting because there wasn't anything I super like. 

Going to a concert in Jakarta was really amazing! I love the bustling energy of the fans. Pre-concert, there were booths set up with lots of people singing and hyping to F4 songs. During the concerts, there were lots of singing along, screaming, shouting and even standing on the seats towards the end. There were a bit of squeezing and shoving when they walked off the seats towards the fans. But it was nothing too rowdy. Husband: I never knew aunties were so strong, my seat was ambushed everytime they walk past. 

A good 25% of the women brought along their +1. I thought we were pretty lucky that A-Shin joined in, although there may be some purist fans who disagree. We initially thought it would be a short concert given the songs F3 collectively had, but they lasted a good 2 hours. A-Shin even sung some Mayday songs which entertained my husband greatly! (Read here on Mayday Concert!) I did feel bad for him because most Indonesians didn't know him, so I tried to give more support by singing along and dancing to his numbers!

Among the boys, Zai Zai is the most popular in Indonesia. His fans even bought advertisements at the metro for him. Vanness was a solid performer, but I was a bit sad he didn't sing some of his old favourites and focused on his new English songs which I can't sing along too. Jerry sung some songs but not my favourites - 一公尺 and 地心引力.

This was my first time so up close with them. They are indeed very good-looking. I always kinda knew Jerry was quite introverted, but after seeing him perform, I now know how introverted he is. But still, I feel grateful that he chose to still perform. He gave great fan service, noticed me in the crowd (I was wearing a shirt full of little dragons) screaming his Chinese name. I won a smile and a heart-gesture. It was an amazing concert and I felt like I finally did what I wanted to do when I was a teenager. And it was also quite special because this time I had my husband to experience the youth he missed with me.  I left contemplating if I should attend the Singapore one with friends, and if the concert outlay and songs would change. 

After-effects of the concert was crazy, I ended up rewatching Jerry's interviews and was singing/ humming the songs for the next 2 weeks! Lol! And if you include the pre-concert excitement. That's like 3 months of singing F4 songs. Haha. I even made gifs of the videos I filmed there. Can't wait for my next concert already, and to be frank, I won't mind coming back to Jakarta for it. Cos honestly, Singapore concerts doesn't have that frenzy energy I adore. 

*Updates* I failed to get Singapore tickets. Thank god, I got the Indonesia one. 

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** If you are considering to go for a gig trip as well, w\use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Magic in the Kitchen - NNIO Glass Airfryer

For young adults espeically in Singapore, most of us are inadequate in cooking. Before I had my kids, I didn't really cook much. One thing I am really good at is fast, nutritious meals. I do make use a lot of sleek cooking equipment. So yes, I am skilled in the oven and also the airfryer. But today, I want to all about the latter. 

Personally, I love my meats but hated cooking over the stove because of how much oil it tends to splutter. The clean-up was always a nightmare. So, I always ate out when I had any meat cravings. But the airfryer was such a gamechanger to both my diet and my wallet. Check out the fancy meal we made using just the airfryer!

Using the NNIO glass airfryer, every time someone works from home, we will whip out our own gourmet dish. :D For me, I use it for my meats (proteins) and vegetables. There are reports that advise against airfrying starch. Prepping is quite easy - usually I add a piece of ginger (to mask the gamey smell) add a pinch of salt and pepper for good flavour and in it goes. At 170 degrees and 12 minutes later, I get a flavourful piece of meat ready to be eaten. Prep work and cooking all within the allocated 1 hour lunch time.

Cost-wise, I save some money but sometimes I end up spending a little more because I choose a better slice of cut. But I am definitely eating healthier because I am making more conscious choice on the ingredients! A lot of the people who know me always ask how I find the time/ energy to cook so much at home - right tools!

Every family needs to have an airfryer, if you haven't already got one. Price-wise, they are all very affordable. We are using the nnio glass airfryer (going below S$100 during sales). I enjoy watching my food getting cook so the glass really appealed to me. They have already preset 8 functions so it is really easy to use. This one is small and compact at 4L, great for cooking for 1-2 pax. We didn't want anything bigger because there was way too many things on our countertop and this one fitted in well with the design/ space of the kitchen.

Cleaning is also quite easy. Usually we soak it in soap water and the residues loosen. My only grouse is that it can't go into the dishwasher but it has already saved us way a lot of cleaning work.  Now, we spend our WFH days experimenting different dishes and finding better way of cooking. Here's us trying slices of fish using baking paper to suck out the oil so that we don't need to wash the Silicone Heat Resistant Mat!

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NNIO is having a sales now. Apart from the airfryer, they have a lot more products. Check out their showroom if you need to see/ feel the products in person!

Yakult Factory Tour Review

Feeling utterly privileged to be invited to the launch of the Peach Flavour Yakult with my little girl. My little girl was feeling very excited because this is one of her favourite drinks! So fun fact, she has only been on this Earth for less than 4 years and this is her 2nd visit. You know how thrilled she is when she wants to take photos with everything. 

Basically, the factory tour starts off with at the entrance with a display of the presence in the world and the different packaging in each countries. We headed up where there is a sharing session on everything Yakult. There, you will be treated to a free bottle of Yakult. Hurray!

For the first time in 46 years, Yakult is introducing a new flavour - Peach to replace Orange. Honestly, I always liked Original and Grape. And I barely knew anyone who had strong feelings for Orange. So I guess this is a great move! My little girl fell in love with Peach at once because it is pink and taste yummy! It is her favourite now!

Next, we visited the production area. No photos or videography, but I always felt that it was fascinating for those who never worked in the F&B Production. You will then understand why bottle designs cannot be changed at any whims and how scientific it can be! For those who has never visited, you must make a trip there at least once. 

Because I am an aunty, my favourite is always at the end where we can buy discounted Yakult. The last round the husband bought home 80! This time, I lugged home 50. It is mainly because it is discounted and there is reduced sugar flavour . Most importantly, you get a gashapon chance when you buy 40 bottles. Most of the merchandise are pretty lame but the kids love playing with it. We got lucky this time and scored the Yakult Gold Coin Box.

For maximum savings, best to go there with the Community Centre. We went there on our own expense and gosh, transport cost killed us. I probably made 0 savings. But I got to spend time exclusively with my girl and doing something she likes. That's special! <3 Will I go again? Of course, but this time with Community Centre and still buying 40 bottles haha!