The Beginning to The End of Good Things

July 6, 2010

Wow. I feel like I’m back in Singapore again. The heat here in Northern Virginia is unbearable. I just read that the temperature is over a 100 degrees and I’m just about to melt! I foresee many, many McDonald’s soft cones in the future.

As you can see, I’m back in the States and while I’m still sad that my summer trip to Asia is over, I’m looking forward to a productive month (and a half) here in my parents’ house. Who says you’ve got to be overseas traveling in order to experience new adventures? Not I. I tend to reap the most out of my summer, no matter where I am and what I’m doing.

One thing I’m really reluctant to let go, however, is the business class treatment I’ve received for most of my flights. As I’ve mentioned before, me getting business class was entirely by God’s grace, because my parents certainly don’t have the kind of money for that.

Well, one downside of being pampered is that you’ll never be satisfied with the mediocre again. I’ll probably never have the chance to indulge in it again, but dang was that worth it while it lasted!

First of all, the lounges:
Free food, free beverages, free snacks, free meals, free wi-fi, free entertainment. Each time, I made a point to check-in into the airport at least 4 hours before departure time, just to chill at the lounge. Hey, why pay $10 for a crappy cold sandwich when I can get unlimited servings of free food at the lounge?

Second, the seats:
No more cramping in between smelly, cranky, or fat passengers, holding your pee in for hours, or getting cramps in your legs and neck. Nope, you get to stretch out your legs, and even pull your seat back into a horizontal inclination.

Not that you’re gonna sleep much, because you get non-stop entertainment from the personal screen before you. All the recent blockbuster movies, TV shows, documentaries, video games, music, etc, right at your fingertips. Enough to make you forget about the lack of Internet for 16 hours.

Finally, the food:
Of course. There is nothing more exciting than the sight of an air stewardess pushing food trolleys towards you when you’re up in the air. And I have to say, I think I got my best on-flight meal on this particular flight. Apparently Asian Airlines won Airline of the Year 2010, and I’m not surprised because their food is freaking awesome, and not just for an airplane meal.
Just check out this lavish dinner they served me! First course, or Canape if you’re feeling snotty:
Baked Shrimp Cocktail with Pimiento Salsa. If I liked shrimp I would love this more, but I did love the salsa. It was yummy!

Second course, an appetizer:
Seafood Terrine of Salmon, Shrimp, Asparagus and Red Bell Pepper, side of Tomato Salsa and Hoisin (?) Sauce. It was the first time I got to try terrine. I’ve always thought it was so…gourmet, the kind of food only available in high-class restaurants. Look ma, I’m eating terrine!

On the side, we had a mini salad:
No wilted iceberg and puny tomatoes in sight. I really dug the baby corn and sprouts.

We also had a selection of warm bread from a basket, and I chose a cheese focaccia roll:
And for the main course, I chose Beef Tenderloin Steak with Herb Crust, served with Broccoil, Carrot, and Fried Potatoes with Onions:
Now, I usually vehemently discourage anyone from ordering beef in a plane, but this one was surprisingly good. The stewardess poured some rich, flavorful gravy over it, and together with the crunchy herby crust, the steak was actually really delicious.
And cooked perfectly, too! Look at that, medium-rare, just the way I like it!
This lovely multi-course meal was topped off with a sweet refreshing dessert:
Haagen Daz strawberry ice-cream! Nothing like licking on ice-cream while watching a comedy, don’t you agree? By the way, Date Night is hilarious—highly recommend. Our Family Wedding…not so much. And I didn’t really enjoy Avatar, either. Does anyone else find the whole concept of “dreaming” into an alien body and mating with one incredibly creepy and disturbing?

Before I knew it, it was time for breakfast. Despite the fact that it was only about 2am for me, I was already ready to chow down. Watching movies and sleeping with your legs stretched out is hard work. We started out with strawberry yogurt and fresh fruit:
And then I was provided with a selection of breakfast pastries, to which I chose a cranberry muffin:
And for the main course, I had Crepes stuffed with Creamy Chicken, Potato & Mushrooms, served with Green Bean, Bacon, & Toasted Bread Crumbs:
One bite and I was convinced that I needed to try making crepes again. Why are crepes so freaking good? They’re just anorexic pancakes. But they definitely taste super indulgent and luscious!
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and this one ended when I landed at LAX. From then on, I had to wait 3 hours (lounge-less) to take an economy class domestic flight back to DC. I spent the 3 hours licking on 3 McDonald’s ice-cream cones (the cheapest “lunch” I could find at the airport) and browsing trashy magazines. That was easy enough; it was the actual flight back home that really sucked. You see, after you’ve been spoiled with business class, economy class is just…unbearable. Especially if you’ve got a wailing baby sitting right behind you for 6 whole hours. Kill. Me. Now.

I got so frazzled that I left my passport on the plane when I got out. I only realized it at the baggage claim and had to rush back in a frenzy, because it was well past midnight and there were barely anyone hanging around in the airport.

But I’m right now safe and sound back home, laughing at myself. So all good things may come to an end, but new ones never stop to form. And I just know this summer will continue to be great!

Question of the Day: So we’re half-way through summer. What was the highlight of your summer? And what is your biggest plan for the remainder of it?

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Heather (Where's the Beach) July 6, 2010 at 5:54 pm

Now that’s the way to travel I am looking forward to a weekend of workouts at the end of this month. Not only will I get to get my butt kicked by my favorite instructor (Cathe Friedrich) I’ll also get to meet 2 blogger buddies.

'cuz burping and slurping is mandatory and polite when it comes to good eats

The Beginning to The End of Good Things

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