Eat Drink Play Junkie

Pressure Cooker

2010-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

I thought it was good enough that my 1.5 year old could read some simple words already (thanks to the Your Baby Can Read series) but there are people who said that I should teach him the abcs now before it is "too late"? For goodness' sake, my kid is just barely into his toddler-hood!

Boys Over Flowers

2009-11-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

I am so addicted to Boys over Flowers! Central to the story are the trials and tribulations faced by a spoilt and arrogant heir, Gu Gun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) and a feisty laundry girl, Geum Jan Di (Koo Hye Sun). Their love for each other finally conquered all in the end.

I am such a Korean convert now that I might name my next baby boy Pyo. Heh.

Island to Retire

2009-11-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

What is the value of a little piece of heaven (in the Singapore sky)? With the property prices spiraling to sky rocket levels, it might be better to retire elsewhere.

Canada might be a good idea! The cost of this island is probably what you would spend on a year's rental in a downtown condominium here.

Monks, Jesus and Economics

2009-10-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

I came across this interesting posting on Jesus and economics. Perhaps we are paying for the price of happiness of these Buddhist monks.

I am not a religious person but also not quite an atheist. But I do find it funny when I meet people who take religious preachings more seriously than what is doable practically.

There is no free lunch!

Morton's at Oriental Hotel

2009-09-29T08:59:00.001-07:00

Chilled Platter for 2 ($88)

French Fries ($16)

Morton's has always been one of those restaurants on my 'must-try' list, even though I am not a steak lover. Perhaps my expectations were too high and I was expecting the grandiose presentation Australian style in a steakhouse, but the chilled platter was a bit of a letdown. The upside was the excellent service, which was refreshing given the coarse standard the Singapore diner has to tolerate most of the time. That probably explained why the restaurant was so crowded even on a Tuesday night. Recession? What recession?

Suffer the Children

2009-09-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

Can these people be even called parents?

- A two year old smokes and uses a lighter with experienced hands. And he does not even know how to unwrap a sweet wrapper yet.

- Parents who sold their kids for money.

- Yet another baby died of abuse and violence inflicted upon him by his mother and her boyfriend. And the government initially even wanted to protect the psychotic pair's identities.

And we have decent folks who could not conceive despite going for fertility treatments.

Sometimes, reading the papers depresses me and reminds me how the world is full of debauchery and how life is unfair.

Ambi Photography

2009-07-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the photo blog!

First Birthday

2009-07-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

My baby is finally one! We got a 3D cake from The Patissier a.k.a "Cake Nazi", for their very strict bakers' etiquette - we were questioned on how we would consume the cake and they did not want to deviate from what went into the cake. We were also advised to take on a smaller sized cake and not to refrigerate the cake overnight "as it would be horrible to finish so much cake over a few days" given that we were only going to have a small family affair. The cake did turn out pretty yummy to their credit and Baby T couldn't stop reaching for the scrumptious chocolate biscuit base.
We rounded off the day with feeding hay to the horses at the Gallop Stable at Pasir Ris. The mini ponies, Bella and Fella, looked really bored and Baby T was too young for the pony ride. But we really loved the serenity of the place and liked how the area was less crowded than the beaches at the East Coast or Sentosa.

Bad Haircut

2009-06-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

Poor Kiddo bore the brunt of Mummy's over-zealous scissors.

Master of the house thought that he looked like the lead actor from Detroit Metal City now. I didn't think it was THAT bad!

*Groan*

Alibi Network

2009-05-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Is this for real?

"Politicians have spin doctors, celebrities have publicists, corporations
have lawyers and public relations departments, investment banks have analysts, now regular people have ALIBI NETWORK."

If so, why does one really need an alibi to cheat (barring the understandable money + kids excuses...)?

Personally if I were to cheat, it would be a precursor to ending an unhappy relationship and hence I would not have minded if I were found out. Then again, my male colleagues differed, as they believed that if the temptation was great enough, cheating would be a possible outcome regardless of whether they were happy in their relationships (!!!)

Maybe this service is more for men!

Middle Finger Voting

2009-05-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

For those who remember how I chided someone from another country on using the middle finger to point at the computer screen.... Now I know that its a cultural thing.

Twilight Series Banned from Mormon Bookstore

2009-05-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Now, I would be really pissed if I can't get the Twilight series from any bookstore!

Reminds me of how Harry Potter books and merchandise were banned from some Christian schools, including in Singapore.

Flu

2009-05-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

The H1N1 virus has arrived in Hong Kong.

Given the heavy human traffic between the affected regions and Singapore, it won't be far fetched to assume that the virus would arrive in Singapore as well.

S and I are pondering over whether to send Baby to the twice weekly playgroup we signed him up for. After all, this is not the normal HFMD that we are dealing with.

The thing is that we are not sure what is the right thing to do. To minimise Baby's contact with other people given his still under-developed immune system, or to carry on life as per normal and let him gain healthy exposure from interaction with other kids?

Independent Woman

2009-04-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

I usually skip Sumiko Tan's articles in the Sunday Times as I always felt that her articles were overly woe-be-me, perhaps reminding me too much of a friend whom I used to be close to. Her article today however caught my eye. It was about how women should somehow retain their economic power, and not to turn to men for money. This is a view that resonated closely to my heart.

Perhaps my desire to be financially independent stemmed from very young. I saw how my mother slaved and was under-appreciated as a homemaker. My dad was the traditional man who did not want his wife to work and also believed in not overly indulging us. Very often, my dad's almost impossible definition of over-indulgence differed from what the rest of the family had in mind. I vividly remember my mum breaking down in tears of frustration in those altercations as she had no control over the pursestrings. As young as nine, I also learnt not to approach my dad for money and I remember counting the days to when I can start work and be financially independent. When my parents tried to get me to be better at housework, I would often retort that I would rather be a career woman and hire a maid to take care of those tedium tasks.

After I gave birth, many have asked if I would stop work to take care of my baby. My answer is always 'Only if I strike a million bucks'. In fact, having a baby makes me want to work harder (in these days its more like trying hard to keep my current job) as I want to make sure that I have the ability to provide the best for him. Yes, a minute spent at work is a minute I spend away from my baby and I have missed the first time he crawled and his first word already. But I know that I am not the kind of woman who is contented staying at home and revolving my life around my husband and kid. I sincerely salute my friends who have stopped work to tend to their kids, but going to work is my way of being motherly to my child.

Farewell Email

2009-03-12T07:08:00.001-07:00

What could have driven a 27-year-old doctor with a seemingly promising future to commit suicide?

In reports by Singapore Press Holdings, it was seemingly due to a failed relationship. The online blogs indicated otherwise.

World's Fifty Safest

2009-03-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

With the financial meltdown on everyone's mind including SinLady's friend, here is a list of the 50 safest banks according to Global Finance.

Honestly, as someone from the industry, I am surprised that they can even come up with 50 safe banks!

Single Ladies - Beyonce

2009-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Wonder how Justin Timberlake looks in heels?

For those who have Facebook, access the clearer version here.

Marysville Disaster

2009-02-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

I never gave much thought to the Australian bushfires, always imagining it to be way out of town and that it happened only in remote 'no man's land'.

To hear that Marysville has been wiped out from the face of earth is shocking. I had very good memories of driving through the charming town with the man in Melbourne when we were dating.

It is very upsetting indeed to read the following:

..Elsewhere, two local mothers are rumoured to have died with their children...

Not far away in Kinglake, the dawn revealed another horrific scene - a jumbled collection of burnt-out cars lining the roads out of the doomed township. These cars were carrying the families who never made it out of the town....

This is a nightmare and I really want to wake up from this.

LOTS the Gourmet Stop

2009-01-31T21:57:00.000-08:00

Beef Burger

fish n chips

I love bacon and eggs on Sundays. And since I could not cajole the home chef into whipping up eggs benedict, we decided to have brunch at the new neighbourhood joint in Changi Gardens.

With a name like that, I was expecting all day breakfast and the works. The menu however was a mish mash of nasi lemak, eggs on toast (no bacon!), pasta and so on. But what the heck, it seemed reasonably priced enough. We settled on the beef burger ($9.50) and good old fish n chips ($8.50). We skipped the coffee as we could tell that they used an automatic coffee machine, which meant that the beans would not be freshly ground. No gourmet coffee at the gourmet stop? This is a big minus already.

There was too much of the fried oil taste in the fish n chips. And the it looked like they used frozen patty and cheap sesame bun for the burger. Honestly, the food tasted like what we could get from the local Western stall in hawker centres.

The saving grace was the friendly service and welcoming decor. But the Gourmet Stop needs to decide what it wants to be - a gourmet stop or a Western hawker joint.

Magic Napkins

2009-01-27T01:50:00.001-08:00

Call me suaku, but this is the first time I have seen napkins like this!

Just add water, and it will expand to normal napkin size.

Apple Smoothie

2009-01-27T01:17:00.000-08:00

The little one had a small case of constipation due to the heavy handedness of the overly ambitious mummy, who decided to up his rice cereal intake from 2 tsp to 3 tsp (Yes, his poo was smelly as an adult's when it finally came out on the third day).

On the advice of the doctor, I added 1/8 of an apple (steamed for five minutes then pureed) to his meal of rice cereal (2 tsp) and breastmilk (20-30ml) for roughage. The end product smelled like a very sweet concoction of apple smoothie. The little one lapped it up.

I don't think I will be having apple smoothie in the near future.

Best Bak Kwa in Singapore?

2009-01-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

I don't really care for Chinese New Year goodies, except for pineapple tarts and bak kwa.

Most people would list either Lim Chee Guan, Bee Cheng Hiang or Kim Hock Guan as their bak kwa of choice, and tolerate the annual rite of passage (aka snaking queues) to savour the sweet meat.

My favorite bak kwa comes from Kim Hock Choon (382 East Coast Road Singapore 428927 Tel 63441913), a lesser known brand with just one shop in the east. Its version is a tad sweeter, but more tender with less charred bits than the rest. I especially love how the fragrance of pork barbequed over charcoal envelopes the room when I open a pack. Certainly enough for me to ditch the diet at least for this festive season :)

The Little Nyonya

2009-01-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

I am typically more of a American show junkie, but lately I found myself rushing home to catch The Little Nyonya on Channel 8. Despite less than stellar early reviews that it is not quite in the league of Da Chang Jin, and that personally I do find that the script is sometimes peppered with infomercial-like dialogue Singapore Tourism Board style, it did bring back good memories of shopping for kerosangs (peranakan brooch), beaded slippers and sarong kebayas for my wedding. Maybe I will pop by Joo Chiat soon for bak changs at Kim Choo and ondeh ondehs at Rumah Bebe!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-26T20:27:00.001-08:00

Due to our little one developing a major case of stranger anxiety whenever we visit our friends at their homes, we decided to go into self-imposed exile this holiday season. (Yes, keep the invites coming and we are not snubbing you!!!)

Happy Holidays!

Flyer Fiasco

2008-12-24T03:27:00.000-08:00

As with most new parents, this was on our list of places to visit with our little one this holiday season.

We could have ended up having some Outward Bound experience instead.

What is disgusting was also the alleged cover-up by its management. And the tourist-centric headline from the papers, which makes one wonder if Singaporeans are an afterthought.

Straitstimes.com forum user panasonicvista, who claimed to be one of the stranded passengers, said “crisis management skills were extremely poor”.

“There was no honesty, they refused to talk to us on several occasions on the PA system and when we got down the bottom, they were 100% concerned about getting us away from the media and not about telling us what happened.”

“Instead, they asked - how many tourists are there in your cabin?” added panasonicvista.

Baby Break Dance

2008-12-19T06:59:00.000-08:00

Gosh, is this for real?

The Ball Has Started Rolling...

2008-11-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

You know that times are really bad when DBS, the supposed 'iron rice bowl' of the local banking industry, announced 900 job cuts over the week.

Now, it seems that banks are beginning to make margin calls on housing loans.

How can anyone repay a huge lump sum immediately after being laid off?

I worry for my friends who are working in the banking sector and who took up Singdollar loans to finance their overseas properties in the past year.

Where Do the Good Genes Come From?

2008-11-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

I am definitely the mother of my baby :)

And like most parents, I think my baby's the cutest in the world!

Giving Up The Seat

2008-11-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant, it warmed my heart whenever someone gives up his/her seat to me during the much dreaded rush hour on the train. Interestingly enough, the kind soul is more likely to be a lady than a gentleman.

It is annoying enough to see able-bodied men pretend to sleep whenever a pregnant woman is in close proximity, but this prick certainly went too far.

Perhaps a shame list will be good!

Proud Mama

2008-10-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

To mark my 100th post...

My little tyrant just rolled over today! yay!

Ready to Help in Bad Times?

2008-10-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

I came across this article on how the government is willing to help in bad times and find it ironic given the timing of recent rise in prices

- Singapore to raise electricity tariffs by 21% while Hong Kong lowers by 3%

- more of the dreaded ERP gantries

- higher public transport fares

- higher university fees

Perhaps the solution is not to have fare hikes at all in these trying times?

Sarah Palin vs Hillary Clinton

2008-10-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Why don't we have Saturday Night Live here??

Ambi Photography

2008-10-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

Our website is launched!

Please help to spread the word!

A Different Birthday Experience

2008-09-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have a newfound respect for stay at home moms without maids. Before the arrival of the little one, I used to dream up a list of what I could do during my maternity leave - meeting up with friends for tea, going for a mani/pedi, trying out new recipes, etc. But I have been so busy with our bundle of joy that I have done none of these in the past 10 weeks! Even to the extent of almost forgetting my birthday!

It felt like a lifetime ago that we were able to just take off for a holiday as a couple for special occasions such as this. Now, the best present for me (which I got) was that the man look after the little one while I indulge in some spa package in the neighbourhood.

Nonetheless, we managed to go to Wahiro for a much craved for Japanese kaiseki (yes, I am still into sashimi after not being able to have it during pregnancy - the sashimi is great by the way, I would say that its better than what we tried in Tatsuya). Luckily for us, the little tyrant only started getting restless after the fifth course so we got a pretty decent meal, and I survived the rest of the dinner perfecting the art of using chopsticks with my left hand and balancing the little one using the right.

Yes, some mobility is lost for us. But I am looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays to come as a family :)

Health Scare!

2008-09-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am so shaken!

Who would figure that a simple recent eye infection (according to the GP anyways) could quickly develop into something more serious, requiring emergency minor surgery at an ophthalmologist? I had three jabs to numb the affected area, but the infection was so deep set that the entire process really hurt like hell (worse than childbirth! of the c-section kind anyways).

According to the doctor, the eye infection came about from germs entering through the root of my eyelash and there was apparently nothing I could do to prevent this freak infection.

The pain is almost gone, but the doctor warned that I could develop a scar from this infection. I can only pray that the damage will not be noticeable.

My only consolation is that this is not contagious and Baby need not go through the same ordeal as well.

New Mamy Poko Boy?

2008-08-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Mamy Poko Boy (in Pampers)

Tatsuya

2008-08-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

Salt Crystal

Sashimi Bento

Sushi Bento

With a newborn, going out for lunch is like a mini excursion (diaper changes and feeding on demand, anyone?). While my mother in law is still in town, we took the opportunity to venture out for lunch (just the two of us!) at Tatsuya in Park Hotel (Tel: 67371160) to satisfy my craving for sashimi, yet another forbidden delicacy during pregnancy.

The fish is flown in daily from Tsukiji market in Tokyo and from Fukuoka - the quality of which was apparent in its dishes. My suggestion to beat the pressures of inflation is to go for the set lunches (which ranges in the $20+) which are far better value for money, as the ala carte dishes can set you back quite a bit (for example, seaweed wrap for $25 and two small slabs of cold tofu for $8 - I can't help thinking I can buy the same for a few cents in the supermarket)

I've Popped!

2008-07-25T06:53:00.001-07:00

What I Love About Pregnancy

2008-06-22T01:13:00.000-07:00

I have reached the stage where I just cannot wait for the little one to arrive.

To keep my mind sane, I have drawn up a list of what I love about being pregnant...

1. I get chauffeured everyday
2. I make people give up their seats for me on public transport
3. My customers will not yell at me for fear of triggering labour pains
4. No one says that I am fat
5. I indulge in ice cream and chocolate everyday
6. I do not have to wash the dishes at home
7. I leave work at 6pm and no one bats an eyelid
8. Screw combat training classes!!
9. My baby keeps me entertained with his kicks and punches
10. Baby shopping :)
11. I can nap a lot
12. I can blame everything and anything on my changing hormones

I think I might suffer from post partum blues later on :)

Whitebait and Kale

2008-06-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

Cappucino Art

Pavlova

Fish and Chips

Snapper Pie

Since I confirmed my pregnancy, I have not been exploring new restaurants or eateries much simply because the man has developed a feverish obsession for my diet. Given that it is not easy to achieve his notion of the ideal pregnancy diet if we dine outside, he ends up cooking at home to ensure that I get my dose of dietary musts almost everyday - big serve of green leafy vegetables or broccoli, omega-3 enriched food and brown rice. (Which also explains my lack of food related posts recently)

Meeting up with D, a girlfriend whom I happen to meet up only once a year for some reason, was very much welcomed for the opportunity to expand my 'culinary reach'. Given that the 'in' place of the moment, Caffe Cova, was full booked for the day, we decided to give Whitebait and Kale (Camden Medical Centre, Tel +65-63338697) a shot

Lets just say that even though I cannot drink the lovely cappucino due to its caffeine content, the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable for an afternoon of girl talk and catching up. The notion of a healthy diet was thrown out the door as we dug into the sugar laden pavlova

Exercises for a Natural Delivery, Anyone?

2008-06-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

I am approaching 33 weeks in my pregnancy, making my pending delivery anytime from 4-8 weeks from now.

Like any first time mother, I do feel overwhelmed by the possible choices presented for delivery - cesarean (the name came about because of the saying that Julius Caesar was born out of his mother's stomach), induced natural delivery or wait-it-out-till-the-water-breaks-while shopping natural delivery - and pain relief - epidural, spinal block, laughing gas (good way to get high legitimately I heard!). I am a Libran and so cannot make choices!

I definitely prefer natural delivery but I do not want to go the natural route and end up doing an emergency cesarean as it happened to so many women (so "wasted" to go through the pain of contractions for natural delivery and then suffer the tougher recovery stage of a cesarean, ouch).

A well-meaning friend found this device which "exercises" the vagina for natural delivery. No offence VL, but this is so funny! Honestly, it looks like a sex toy/ balloon, really kinky :P

Kicked in the Rib

2008-06-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Ouch! I got one potent kick from Baby today. Looks like he is going to be one naughty kid.

King on an Island

2008-05-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

If you ever get bored of exploring the usual resorts like Phuket, Bintan or what-nots in the region, let me know if you ever get to try this one, which is a private island that you can rent for $5,900 on a weekend.

I particularly like how it calls its huts 'palaces' and its FAQs on safety:

"Are there pirates in the area?

Rest assured, we are on top of security arrangements.

....

Our General Manager is Indonesian and was born in Bintan and hence has his ear to the ground (or should that be water) with regards to maritime security in the area. If there was the remotest possibility of harm to any of our guests at any time we would immediately advise you not to travel....."

Isn't She Gorgeous

2008-05-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Click on the photo, and you can see the photographer's reflection in her eyes!

What Babies' Cries Mean

2008-04-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

I love to amuse myself with such gems these days.

Someone actually deciphered what babies cries mean!

Lets see if I can put it to practice in another three months :D

Super Smart Babies!

2008-04-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

I do not remember understanding anything at such a young age!

But this 1 year old cutie is reading already

Screw Up

2008-04-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

Today, I received a letter from the cord blood storage company I signed up for. It goes something like this -

Your Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood Unit

We confirm that your baby's sample has been processed and the results of the tests carried out on the Maternal Blood and Cord Blood Unit will be released to you 8-10 weeks from the date of your baby's delivery.

XXXX

Once again, congratulations on the birth of your baby!

And I have not given birth yet.

Cover Up Culture

2008-04-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

My friend in Tokyo discovered her newspaper missing from her door last Friday morning. And newspapers were missing from every door in the condominium that morning. The trouble that the building management went to hush up the whole matter!

A Japanese man living in the condominium was arrested for a body parts murder. The Filipino victim was a housemate of the alleged murderer and her body was machine washed before parts of her were placed in a World Trade Center coin locker. Apparently, this same man was arrested for a same style murder of another Filipino victim in 2000 and sentenced to just 3 and a half years in jail.

It makes me wonder about the short jail time the first time round. Is it because the Japanese court is particularly forgiving? Or is it because simply the victim is a foreigner?

Let's see what happens this time round. If justice will be served.

Money-ed Relations

2008-04-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Would you pay for anything without your name on the title? It seems that practices like this are pretty common.

Call me a realist, but I would most certainly be voodoo-ed if I enter into such transactions. One thing I learnt is that for any big ticket items, it is best to keep your guard up (be it with friends, parents, siblings, children or spouse). Otherwise, the combination of one greedy party and another naive/ hopelessly trusting goondu is just too lethal and heartbreaking.

HypnoBirthing

2008-03-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

I used to think that only epidural is the only option to save mothers from delivery hell. I am so glad to be going to give birth in Singapore, and not be forced to go through a natural birth like my friends did in Japan, where such a pain relief method is almost unheard of. (Honestly, I think it is probably one of those insidious Japanese ways to make women suffer!)

According to hypnobirthing advocates, natural birth can be achieved by breathing and relaxation techniques. The theory is that labour pain is experienced because society has poisoned our minds with tales of horror in the delivery room.

I asked my gynaecologist whether she had patients who went through hypnobirthing before, and she gave me a blank look. Not very encouraging. I asked her what pain relief option she took when she went through delivery herself. She said epidural.

No surprise which one I am gunning for.

Nest In Our Midst

2008-03-08T01:12:00.001-08:00

A discovery of a nest of mysterious insects in our garden by our well meaning neighbour brought some excitement to an otherwise lazy Saturday afternoon.

The neighbourhood pest control guys came within the hour, identified them as wasps, got into some serious looking heavy protective gear from head to toe and got rid of the nests within minutes. According to these guys, the wasps may look tiny but the pain from their sting can last for three days.

Eww.. nasty!

Compare Your Income

2008-02-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

A friend just forwarded me a fun link today to compare your income within your age range and a list of top 100 jobs in Singapore.

Unfortunately, I think the results are skewed. They did not include the pay of top civil servants for sure!

Lucky Baby

2008-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

Our baby received its first pair of shoes today.

I love how it says 'JOGGING' on the side!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T04:57:00.001-08:00

Our English is not Perfect but it's Better than Yours

2008-02-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

Reading this article, about some Taiwanese variety show making fun of Singaporean English, just annoyed me to no end.

Well, at least we have to brains to speak "proper" English when we want to, unlike many of these Taiwanese celebrities who speak incomprehensibly bad English. By the way, speaking in some faux American accent does not make your atrocious English any better.

Yu Sheng

2008-02-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

We had our annual Chinese reunion dinner with the gang, again at some seafood restaurant (this time at No Signboard) where they do not charge corkage for the first few bottles (a real money saver for a group where people usually clean up one bottle of alcohol each).

Yu Sheng, a raw fish salad eaten during the Chinese New Year and apparently a Singapore invented dish, is a must-have auspicious dish at such a gathering. 'Yu' (fish) in Mandarin sounds like 'surplus', which symbolizes prosperity and wealth in the new year.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

The NewlyWeds Game

2008-01-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

I see where the spirit of today's reality tv shows lies. They do not make gems like these anymore!

To Belly or Not to Belly?

2008-01-26T02:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's official. I am pregnant.

I have been disciplined enough to avoid booze and caffeine (only sneaked one cup of mocha soya so far - so not counted). I have also been shooting piercing glares at any smokers who dare to blow smoke in my direction and am very much on the verge of complaining to Ministry of Environment about people who gather around the only entrance/exit of my office lobby for ciggie breaks.

Being on the more paranoid end of the spectrum of mothers-to-be, I have also avoided exercise in the first trimester for fears of "over-exerting" and "over-heating" the baby. It has been tough for someone who feels rather frustrated with not getting off her butt if I miss an exercise session.

Now that the danger period is over, I am contemplating being on the move again.

Yeah!! Thank God for instructional videos.

Thai Prawn Curry

2008-01-20T03:58:00.000-08:00

It has been three months since I last cooked.

Most of the time, cooking serves as a therapeutic means for me. This time, it took a few days of taking care of my significant other and stress over how little I know about my living space (how my dog has to be coaxed into eating, how I am afraid to use the washing machine with its multiple options, etc) before I picked up the frying wok again.

I realized how much effort he has put into maintaining a comfortable living space for me to come home to. To show my appreciation, this time I prepared dinner.

Future Prime Minister of Pakistan?

2008-01-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

picture from The Sun

“We’re ready to bring hell on earth. . . waaahahahahahah.”

Even for a Bhutto, a 19-yr-old will always be a 19-yr-old.

Seeking Dried Mangoes

2007-12-29T22:03:00.000-08:00

It is near impossible to find dried mangoes without added sugar or preservatives in Singapore. Even when it costs $7.20 per 75g, I went and swept them off the shelves at Four Seasons Market (an organic store in Great World City) anyway.

Please let me know if you find any cheaper alternatives!

Christmas Cravings

2007-12-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

We decided to have a quiet Christmas eve dinner at home.

What I didn't expect was that the master of the kitchen would bring his recently developed mantra of healthy eating to the dinner table yesterday. Sure, the dish of polenta, white bean salad, mushroom, scallops and spinach (above) looks really appetizing, but not if you have been having spinach and scallops as food staple for the last few weeks! And I know polenta is very christmasy in a way, but wholemeal food will not do when you want a dash of sinfulness in the meal, to go with the christmas spirit.

Sometimes, all I want for Christmas is a plate of good old creamy tomato pasta :)

Do they know it's Christmas?

2007-12-20T04:39:00.000-08:00

Is it me? This song is likely written with the best intentions, but do you sense just a hint of prejudice in this popular song written by 'Bob Gandalf'?

It's Christmastime
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime

But say a prayer

Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging
chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the world
Feed the world

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmastime again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again

Are you Age-Orexic?

2007-12-17T01:46:00.000-08:00

It is two more weeks to yet another year. This is my favorite time of the year - this means celebrations and parties, and that how a new year symbolizes new beginnings and hopes and all that good stuff.

However, as the years go by, my happiness is somewhat watered down by the behavior of some people around me, who appear to greet each new year with dread. A little probing around seems to suggest that these people hate the new year, simply because they are one year older.

You see that in Facebook, where users get an option of revealing their birth year or not, and some of my peers using that option. You see that in the media as well (I met one gorgeous model at a party who told me that she was turning 30, and how she does not mind telling people her age, except that her agent shaved 4-5 years off when presenting her work to the clients. This lucky gal looks no older than 22, I kid you not). You see that at work too, and I work in the boring banking industry (I was quite amused when I found out that one colleague went around telling people that she is a twentysomething, when she is not).

Well, I respect that some people wish to keep their age a secret for good reasons, like avoiding discrimination and judgement. Yes, age is but a number, but why lie? What is the point of taking a couple of years off your real age? It is like denying part of your history and not facing up to who you are.

Perhaps my tune will change in 10 or 20 or 30 years' time.

For the record, I am 28 years YOUNG. Hit me back with this posting if I ever lie.

Happy Birthday!!!

2007-12-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

We have reached a point where we can't put candles on our birthday cakes anymore.

Happy Birthday XOXO!

Androgynous Men in Tokyo

2007-12-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

What is it with androgynous men and their appeal to Tokyoites? Men in Tokyo are following the look - shoulder length permed hair, lip gloss and thin bodies in tight suits. It is understandable if yaoi (gay romance manga) is selling well to gay men, but to the female crowd? Plain weird.

Tsunahachi Tempura

2007-11-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

20 minute wait

tempura served fresh

chef at work

There is one similarity between Japanese and Singaporeans. We all love to join a queue when we spot one. Tsunahachi (3-31-8 Shinjuku, off Shinjuku-dori on the side street that runs along Mitsukoshi department store) surely knew a trick or two in keeping customers keen. Take the counter seat, where you can see the tempura chef at work, picking up fresh fish or vegetables for the pan-fry.

Shichi-Go-San Festival

2007-11-18T04:32:00.001-08:00

What can be cuter than little kids in kimonos? Shichi-Go-San celebrates the coming of age of Japanese kids aged 3, 5 and 7 on 15 November.

Autumn Viewing (紅葉) in Nikko

2007-11-18T01:29:00.000-08:00

I may not have seen cherry blossoms in full force yet, but the autumn viewing (koyo) is just as good! We went on a day trip out of the city to Nikko last week (the viewing season has been unpredictable, worsened by global warming), which was towards the end of the koyo season but we were lucky to catch some of the action.

A stone lion protecting the Shinkyo-bashi? Legend has that Shodo Shonin was carried across the bridge (which was rebuilt recently in 2005) by two serpents.

On our way out of Rinno-ji, marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Beautiful autumn leaves near Toshogu

On the way to the waterfalls

Kurifuri waterfalls

Would you pay 1,500 yen for this?

2007-11-17T21:08:00.000-08:00

Degustation, Patisserie Sadaharu AOKI Paris
Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi

Romantic Tokyo

2007-11-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tokyo City View, Mori Tower, Roppongi

Olinda Cho's Album - REWIND

2007-11-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Olinda's first album is finally out! Get your copy at all CD-rama and HMV stores...

Four Seasons Duck

2007-11-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

As I get older, I become more of a 'comeback kid' and crave for traditional chinese fare. This craving intensifies especially when I travel for work or for too long (experience of 'hardship' translates into need of comfort, which naturally means 'familiar food' for a glutton like me :)

At the end of a work week, we went to the famous Four Seasons Restauant (84 Queensway, Bayswater). Finally, after hearing so much about it, we got to try its famous roast duck. The wait was ridiculous and booking beforehand is essential. Like in any popular Chinese restaurant in a foreign land's Chinatown, the tables are placed at an uncomfortably close distance to each other. By the time the food arrived in the busy restaurant, we were so famished that everything tasted good! My favorite is the pancake with crispy Peking duck, even though I thought I had it better at Wan Hao Restaurant at Marriott Hotel back in Singapore.

Forget Oxford Street, Go to Brick Lane

2007-10-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

Oxford Street is the mecca for mass market and label shoppers in London - with Selfridges, Topshop, H&M and the works. However, for those who wish to avoid the mad shopping crowd and keen to explore the grungier and less pricey side of London, start with a hearty breakfast (the eggs florentine tasted better than the eggs benedict, as the salty ham overwhelmed the dish) served by good looking wait staff at Canteen (2 Crispin Place, Spitalfields, +44 845 66 1122) and head for Brick Lane's (Up)Market instead (nearest station: Liverpool Street). I especially love the small trendy boutiques (I actually could afford something there!) on the side streets such as the Laden Showroom (103 Brick Lane Tel +44 207 247 2431), which carries works by 47 independent fashion and accessories designers.

Firedrill Fashion

2007-10-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Some came down fully dressed. In our case, we found time to brush our teeth and wash up (yes, vanity vanity!)

Some came down barefooted.

Others were just wrapped in their bathrobes.

We realised that many of the guests belong to the pensioner's crowd.

A 5am false alarm on a Sunday brought such amusement.

Fish Central

2007-10-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Once in London, I decided to bust my diet and go for good old fish and chips, a dish born out of deep frying poor quality fish for the working class that the British capital is famed for. Following Timeout's advice on where to find the best fish and chips in London, we headed to Fish Central (149-151 Central St, EC1V 8AP, nearest stations Old St or Angel, Tel: +44 207 253 4970). Unfortunately, we found the food to be overrated, as the breading for the seafood platter was too dry and the chips were disappointingly soggy. Even the fish and chips at hamburger joint like Garfunkel's restaurant at Heathrow Airport was cheaper and tastier (p/s this does not mean that it is to die for either)

The search continues...

It's Raining Babies

2007-10-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

It is strange how quickly the conversation topics with my girlfriends change over the years. From cute guys, tryannic teachers, worklife, weddings and now babies. (Though some of us are still in the 'cute guys' phase)

Congrats HS!

Right Brain vs Left Brain

2007-10-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Check this out. Let me know if you can see it both ways like me.

This is freaky!

Tom Yam Goong

2007-10-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

*adapted from Popular Thai Cuisine*

6 giant fresh water prawns
150g straw mushrooms, halved
hot chillies, lightly crushed (to taste)
5 slices galangal
2 stems lemon grass, cut diagonally
4 kaffir lime leaves
coriander plants (to taste)
2 tbsp fish sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
3 cups chicken stock

1. wash, shell and devein the prawns, leaving the tails
2. boil the chicken stock. add lemon grass, galangal and cook for a few minutes.
3. add the prawns, mushrooms and boil through for about 5 minutes
4. season with lime juice, chillies and fish sauce.
5. add the kaffir lime leaves and coriander.
6. ready to serve 4!

Chatterbox Chicken Rice on the Cheap

2007-10-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone remembers the $16 a plate chicken rice from Chatterbox at Mandarin Hotel? Luckily for those living on the east side, the retrenched chef Mr Low decided to venture into Downtown East food court with his first chicken rice stall. Simply named 'Chicken Rice', there is always a long queue and it is usually sold out by 7pm on the weekends. The best part of the experience is in its rice, which is fragrant and glistening with sin (they say that chicken rice is cooked in butter!), which tempts us to go back for more. The chicken itself is tender and surpasses those popular ones like Five Star and Boon Tong Kee, the latter which always gives me a bad MSG after taste. My only grouse is that it is not 100% boneless. Nonetheless, I am surprised by the number of lacklustre reviews online. For $5 a set, this is a steal compared to the same deal at Mandarin Hotel.

Looks Distorted..

2007-10-08T02:20:00.000-07:00

Who Should Paint You: Alfred Gockel

All American yet funky, you inspire an artist's imagination
And while not everyone will understand your portrait, you will!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Popiah Party

2007-10-08T01:47:00.000-07:00

Taking a week's break from work, not going on holidays and a rainy week compelled me to revisit stuff that I used to enjoy, like cooking. I learnt to make popiah from my godmother long time ago, who used to operate the food stall at Hill Street (so good it had a good review in the papers! It was famous for its egg-skin popiah). The popiah, which is pretty healthy and much like local salad wrapped in a thin pancake, is a great party food, as guests could have fun at constructing the popiah from their chosen mix of ingredients.

Ritz Carlton Seafood Buffet

2007-09-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

In this land of chili crabs, it is tough to find a good place to enjoy cold seafood, Aussie-style, in Singapore. Despite not being big fans of hotel establishments, we decided to try out the Saturday buffet at Ritz Carlton, which still comes out tops in terms of freshness and variety, and one of the few places in Singapore which serves yabbies (yum!) with live music playing in the background. The appetizers and desserts are also very prettily arranged in shot glasses and entices you to reach out for all of them. The price has increased to S$65++ from S$45++ per pax just a couple of years ago and they sadly omitted the whole getup of mini jams with tea served in lovely chinaware at the end of the meal. All in all, it is still a very enjoyable dining experience for a married couple who leans towards all-you-can-eat buffets.

Birthday CakeS for the Glutton!!

2007-09-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Mousse @ Ritz Carlton

Rum and Raisin @ 2am Dessert Bar

Another Good Year

2007-09-28T22:49:00.001-07:00

2am Dessertbar

2007-09-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

For me, great chocolate brings back memories of taking romantic walks in Paris and savouring delectable tarts from serious chocolatiers like Christian Constant with my loved one.

Today, these memories have been revived with 2am DessertBar (21a, Lorong Liput, Holland Village, Tel: +65-62919727). The newly opened bar has mains listed as 'sides' and is clearly focused on the sweeter side of things. This is certainly the best chocolate tart (the camera does not do justice!) I ever had in Singapore, with chocolate piped in upon order by the chef. As the wait staff brought the dish to the table, the whiff of deep, dark chocolate that is of the best quality tantalized the tastebuds. The experience definitely did not disappoint, as the warm chocolate tart matched with orange sorbet is just a perfect culinary match.

Heavenly!

Rainy Day at Last!

2007-09-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

garlic and sizzling cheese on toast...

... and Hurst's 15 bean soup (can you spot them?)

Tampopo

2007-09-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

The name Tampopo makes me tickle, simply because it so reminds me of Sinpopo KTV outside my secondary school years ago (For those familiar with the East, it is now named Tricycle along Tanjong Katong).

Well, Tampopo (Liang Court Shopping Centre, #B1-50, 177 River Valley Road, Tel: +65-63383186 - it is located in the supermarket) is far from your average sleazy joint, with warm lighting and cheery decor, it is also very popular with Japanese expats. It is actually owned by the same people who run Tom Ton (apparently the boss used to work at Pokka), so you can order from both restaurants.

The restaurant's specialty is the Black Pig Ramen (stock is boiled over 2 days - this is however nothing compared to some shops in Tokyo, where ramen stock are boiled for decades). However, our favorite is the Tonkatsu, where the crumbly bits are fried to a glistening golden and you do not experience the overwhelming oily taste when there is overfrying. For plum lovers, I recommend the plum and pork fillet set, which comes with soup, cabbage salad, rice and watermelon.

The soup is also not your usual msg laden miso stock, but pork pieces boiled with onion and carrots in stock so tasty, I used to go back to the restaurant just for it. The fresh cabbage salad is crunchy and juicy just like the ones in Japan (I still cannot find the same version in local supermarkets). Our mains looked smaller than when we first patronized the restaurant, but I guess that is something very Singaporean - things get more expensive and come smaller in size.

Overall, its 4.5 out of 5 stars for me!

Vinegar and Kelp

2007-09-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

"What a smooth and mild taste!"

Try it at Tampopo.

Soya Sauce or Apple Juice

2007-09-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

I love cloudy apple juice. It is quite difficult to find cloudy versions in Singapore, as consumers seem to prefer the filtered and clear version, when the cloudy version is actually tastier and more nutritious.

So imagine my delight when I found one in the resident Japanese supermarket, Meidi-ya. At S$10, it was also relatively cheap from memory, the Yoichi versions in Japan cost about 1000 yen (S$13) per bottle.

Unfortunately, My Juice turned out tasting more like soya sauce than fresh apple juice.

Yucks!

Nanny State

2007-09-15T05:15:00.001-07:00

Even for cyclists. Haiz.

Of Kimchi and Chicken

2007-09-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Koreans love their kimchi. They have kimchi pork stew (slurpalicious with instant noodles, another one of their favorites), meat and kimchi barbeque on hot plate (where the hot plate is interestingly placed at an angle to let the fats flow onto a container) and even kimchi as appetiser in a Japanese restaurant. Enough of kimchi for me!

Strangely enough for someone who overdosed on herbal soups as a child, my favorite restaurant in this trip turned out to be To Sok Chon (Tel: + 822 737 7444), one of the best known samgyetang restaurants in Seoul. The ubiquitious ginseng chicken (you can either try the normal or black chicken) is served as a whole and stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujubes and a hint of ginseng - all in a delicious broth. Apparently, it is the custom to eat either samgyetang or yeongyangtang (dog soup, eeks!!!) during sambok (the three hottest days of summer). If it is good enough for President Roh, I guess its good enough for me :) To get to To Sok Chon, get off at Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3, Exit 2) and walk 120 meters, turn left at the GS 25 convenience store and you'll find the restaurant on the left. Go there early to avoid the snaking queue in hot summers.

Another of my favorite is the jimdak (yes, the chicken is a 'dak' in korea), a spicy braised chicken and rice noodle dish. The spiciest is apparently Andong Jjimdak (subway line 4 to Myeongdong, exit 8. dark brown interior with rooster mascot in front, quite easy to spot). However, I still prefer Bongchu Jjimdak (Tel: +822 3676 6981, open 11am - midnight, subway line 4 to Hyehwa, Exit 1 or 2), as its version had a good balance of spice and texture, and reminded me much of the Singapore hor fun spiked with lotsa chili :)

JUMP!

2007-09-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

We love the theatre, even more so during our travels. Theatre shows in Singapore are often played in a venue that is too big (you cannot see the faces!) and tickets are usually more expensive (no thanks to the high rentals), be it compared to London, Vienna, Tokyo or Seoul.

And when it comes to countries where we don't speak the language, non verbal performances make the obvious choices. Seoul has no lack of such performances; we caught Tobeki Storm four years ago, and this time we managed to watch both JUMP! and Nanta (also known as Cookin').

JUMP! outshone them all, with energetic performances, wall walking and countless somersaults by the actors done with perfect comic timing. Ladies would enjoy watching the martial arts display with great abs :) The whole performance hyped me up, and I wish I were more religious at attending my kickboxing classes and could do a handstand without straining my wrists. Nanta in comparison, got a little lost in its focus as I expected it to have more displays with cookware. For Tobeki Storm, well I simply forgot what it was all about. However, JUMP! and Nanta do share many similarities, like the common storyline between the sweet young thing and the hunk around the block much like the country's famed drama serials, exaggerated non-verbal expressions and surprisingly much audience participation.

BAU House - Doggie Cafe

2007-09-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Waiter!

The residents

Maltese taking a break from mischief

Food and greedy canines

Chihuahuas

Brave kitty

Being a dog lover, I was so thrilled when I read about Igloo Cafe, a hip dog cafe in Apgujeong, on lonely planet. However, we went on a 30 minute wild goose chase for the cafe, which in the end turned out to be under renovation according to my Korean friend. Determined not to leave Seoul without visiting a doggie cafe in a country known for having dog meat on its menu, we managed to find BAU House in the trendy Hapjeong area. (WARNING! its not too easy for us to find the place even with the map)

Expect to be greeted by no less than 15 resident dogs as you step into the cafe, this doggie haven has its dogs jumping on your lap or on your table to share in the food. We were also amused by the presence of a resident cat who is clearly the bravest and toughest in Seoul, who royally looked down on the silly antics of the canine race from her throne.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

2007-09-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Nature in the city

Tourist trying out the Korean horn

Girl posing eagerly for her caricature

Kids playing under the highway

Four years ago when we first visited Seoul, we found it to be a not-too-liveable city for foreigners, with its bad pollution (I returned to Singapore with a bad case of sinusitis), lack of English and terrible address system.

This time round however, we were pleasantly surprised. The city now has noticeably gone green (perhaps its simply summer!) with a revitalised and pristine Cheonggyecheon Stream, a 5.8km long body of water that runs from the Jongno financial district to Dongdaemun and Gosanjaro. At below street level, the stream offers a great way for families to spend their afternoon, for children to play and for street performers to strut their stuff in the semi-park.

Silence Broken

2007-08-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

5 surviving comfort women

Nuns joining the protest

Every Wednesday at noon, a peaceful protest would be held outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul. The protesters are former comfort women, who were lured by the promise of jobs or coerced into becoming sex slaves for the Japanese military during World War II. Many of these women were deserted by their families and never found a spouse after the war.

Half a century has passed and the Japanese government still resisted against admitting to its war crimes against the comfort women. Its newly appointed Prime Minister Abe caused an uproar in March this year when he said that there was no evidence that the government or the military had forced the women into sexual servitude.

But as long as they live, the comfort women refuse to be forgotten.

Baby Boom in Seoul

2007-08-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

The hip thing now seems to be making babies in Seoul. The city seems full of happy parents and little cuties! Like the Chinese, Koreans also adopt the lunar calendar, which is based on a 12-animal system. 2006 was a "double spring" year, which apparently made it the best year for marriages in the last two centuries and led to a wedding frenzy. Incidentally, 2007 is the year of the golden pig, which occurs only once in 600 years. The combination of auspicious marriages and the golden pig which symbolizes fertility and prosperity, makes it no surprise that newlyweds are rushing to have little tots running around.

Plastic Surgery Nation?

2007-08-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

Any other country with directions for plastic surgeons on the subway map?

Street Eats in Myeongdong

2007-08-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

33 cm tall soft serve!

pasta in a cone, anyone?

Sweet potato, cuttlefish, fried larvae - you name it, they have it

Quest for Hokkien Mee

2007-08-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Finally we savoured Hokkien Mee in the east good enough to rival that famous stall in Bukit Merah's! The serving is really generous at Ah Liang Hokkien Mee (Stall #135, Marine Parade Food Centre) - the young boss gave us two big platefuls for the $5 pack we ordered - and stood the one day after taste test. The local favorite still remained very sedap (local word for 'yummy') with crunchy prawns and salivatingly fragrant (thanks to the opeh leaf used for takeaway).

This one will be on my late night supper list for sure :)