Melody's Blog

Origami Carp

2012-01-23T22:03:00.001+08:00

Very nice origami carps which I made for CNY following this video =)

Japan Dec 2011 Day 12: Nagasaki 長崎

2011-12-20T21:40:00.005+08:00

About 2 hours from Hakata on the JR Limited Express Kamome is Nagasaki 長崎, where the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945, likewise in Hiroshima 広島. Nagasaki also has European and Chinese influences as can be seen from the architecture.

Getting around by streetcar is probably the most convenient way of sightseeing in Nagasaki. Each ride, regardless of distance travelled, is JPY 120. A one-day pass may be purchased from hotels or the tourist information booth at JPY 500 for unlimited riders.

We got on the No. 1 streetcar toward Shokakuji-shita, get off at Tsuki-machi and transferred to No. 5 toward Ishibashi. From Oura Tenshodu-shita stop, it is a short walk to Oura Catholic Church 国宝大浦天主堂, the oldest Gothic church in Japan, designated as a National treasure in 1933. It is also known as "Church of the 26 Japanese Martys" because on March 17 1865, the hidden Christians of Nagasaki, who were later martyred, were discovered here.

From Oura Catholic Church, you may follow the road sign to Glover Garden. There was a very cute cat at Glover Garden that attracted Chris' attention. He bought fish food but ended up feeding the cat instead hahaha... and what a nice place for a kitty to hang out - near a koi pond LOL

After Glover garden, we hopped on No. 5 streetcar again to Tsuki-machi to check out the Chinatown. We tried their version of kongba bao which we felt pales in comparison to Singapore's haha.

We got on the No. 5 streetcar to Nigiwaibashi stop and after about 2 mins walk, we reached Meganebashi 眼鏡橋. Megane means 'spectacles'. I remember when i first got my specs, the optometrist will give me these ugly glasses to test my degree of myopia and the meganebashi with its reflection in the water looks exactly like those kind of glasses! So cute!

Hopping onto the No. 3 streetcar from Kokaido-mae toward Nagasaki ekimae, we went to Matsuyama-machi stop and walked about 100m to the atomic bomb epicentre and another 500m to the peace statue.

There is a sign that reads:

"This statue was erected by the citizens of Nagasaki in August, 1955, on the 10th anniversary of the devastation of the city by the atomic bomb... The elevated right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons, while the outstrtetched left hand symbolises tranquilty and world peace. Divine omnipotence and love are embodied in the sturdy physique and gentle countenance of the statue, and a prayer for the repose of the souls of all war victims is expressed in the closed eyes. Furthermore, the folded right leg symbolises quiet meditation, while the left leg is poised for action in assisting humanity."

Our last stop in Nagasaki was the night view from Mt Inasa, one of the top 3 night views in Japan. A round trip ticket cost JPY 1200 but if you show the discount coupon here, you can get it for JPY 1080. We had dinner at the restaurant and I tried Nagasaki's specialty Champon, which tasted like Singaporean hokkien mee except it was soupy hahaha... It's a hotchpotch of Chinese yellow noodles, prawns, squid, clams, cabbage, bean sprouts, fish cake and hard-boiled quail egg.

Access to Ropeway for Mt Inasa:
From Nagasaki Station - Take Nagasaki bus (non-red) No. 3 or 4 from Nagasaki ekimae bus stop for Shimo-Ohashi/Koebaru/Aikawa. About 7 min to Ropewaymae bus stop and 2 min walk to ropeway station.
From near Glover Garden - Take Nagasaki bus (non-red) No. 4 from Gloveren Iriguchi bus stop for Shimo-Ohashi. About 20 min to Ropewaymae bus stop and 2 min walk to ropeway station.
From near Peace Park - Board the streetcar at Matsuyama-machi and transferat Takaramachi to the Nagasaki bus (non-red) No. 3 or 4 from Nagasaki ekimae for Shimo-Ohashi/Koebaru/Aikawa. About 5 min to Ropewaymae bus stop and 2 min walk to ropeway station.

We took a taxi from the ropewaymae bus stop to Nagasaki station and it cost JPY 850.

Nagasaki is a small city so it's possible to cover most major sights in a day or two but be preparerd to walk up and down slopes. The entire Nagasaki is very wheelchair-friendly. Every streetcar station is wheelchair accessible and although there are many stairs, there are almost always slopes for the handicapped. Even Glover Garden has travellators to access the different spots.

You could probably try JR Kyushu Nagasaki hotel which is right beside the station.

Hotel: Sunroute Hotel Hakata
About 3 mins walk from the station. Very impressed with the range of amenities =) Will stay here again =)

Japan Dec 2011 Day 11: Kumamoto Castle 熊本城

2011-12-20T21:24:00.002+08:00

The highlight of today is a visit to Kumamoto castle 熊本城. Although only part of the castle is original, it is still a very impressive castle worthy of a spot as one of the top 3 castles in Japan.
The visit is made even more enjoyable by staff dressed as palace guards, shogun and whatnots. Everyone wanted to take pictures of them and with them, me included hahaha

I stuck my head into one of those ready-made costume models

We ended our tour at the Honmaru Goten 本丸御殿 where the living quarters, kitchens, dining areas used to be. We had lunch at level 2, a set that replicates some of the royal dishes that used to be served. Reservations are required, by phone (Japanese only... I used my very broken Japanese again). JPY3000 per person. Do turn up if reservation is made because they actually prepare your meal, set your table with your name and have a shelf with your name for your shoes. Ask for level 2 as it is much nicer.

They spelt my name wrongly

Since we had the car, we decided to check out Tsujun Bridge 通潤橋 which sprouts water from the centre every Sunday according to the website and it was Sunday. However, to our disappointment, there was no water T-T Chris had driven 1.5 x 2 hours for nothing. I didn't even bother to take a picture haha i was just quite pissed hahaha

Dinner was a not that great yakitori at our hotel (JR Kyushu Kumamoto) restaurant. We noticed that there is a New Otani across the road that we my try the next time or perhaps the KKR.

Japan Dec 2011 Day 10: Aso Farmland 阿蘇ファームランド and Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉

2011-12-17T19:17:00.003+08:00

The weather was awesome so we tried going up Aso crater again but gah! Ascent to the crater was prohibited because of gas emissions!! grrrrr… so we stopped by Aso Farmland for some shopping and food and discovered a lovely little mushroom farm inside that grows all sorts of mushrooms =) I highly recommend this place especially for people with kids. They will love the dome-shaped hotel rooms and activities (looks like a summer resort). The farmland is a huge compound with many different kinds of spas.

Dome-shaped hotel rooms in Aso Farmland

The drive to Kurokawa onsen on Route 212 is very very scenic! We stopped by an observatory along the way which sells handmade soba. If we hadn't already had lunch, we'd definitely eat there! Even the toilet cubicles have nice mountain view haha. It has a little farm that will be an educational visit for kids =) Entrance is JPY100, by integrity, no staff manning the place, just a coin box for you to deposit your fee =)

Ryokan: Okunoyu 奥の湯

A pretty large establishment in a hot spring town, this ryokan has 9 hot spring baths, some of which are mixed open-air and private (family) open-air ones. They also serve Basashi, horse meat sashimi... which taste quite nice haha like Maguro but more crunch... hope I won't lao sai LOL wifi only in the lobby...

Japan Dec 2011 Day 9: Kunimigaoka 国見ヶ丘, Amanoiwato Shrine 天岩戸神社 and Amano Yasugawara Cave Shrine天野や菅原神社

2011-12-17T18:34:00.014+08:00

The next morning, we braved the freezing temperatures to drive up Kunimigaoka 国見ヶ丘 for the dawn view. In late autumn, you will be able to see a sea of clouds called unkai 雲海. We were a couple of days too late for that so we only caught the sunrise but it was nevertheless nice =)

Before leaving Takachiho, we stopped by Takachiho Shrine again to see it in the day, Amanoiwato Shrine 天岩戸神社 and Amano Yasugawara Cave Shrine天野や菅原神社, a very sacred Shrine in Japan because it is where the story told in the kagura dances originates.

Scenery in Takachiho

The drive to Aso was a very scenic one but the weather took a turn for the worse when we were up at the crater. It started snowing heavily so although we were right in front of the crater, we could not see a thing because of the cloudy surroundings =(

Pension: Pension Angelica

This pension is a lovely gem nestled about 25 mins drive from Aso crater, with a splendid view of the surrounding mountains and Asosan. Although check-in time is after 4pm, the owner kindly let us in at 3:30pm because of the bad weather. Dinner was awesome!!! Best meal we had so far even though it is Japanese-Western. We felt so touched by the effort into which they put preparing the food despite the fact that we were the only two patrons for the night. They have a natural hot spring bath and parking in the compound is free for guests. It's easy to miss the small road leading to the pension because it's not on the GPS. You need to turn into a road that says "Minamiaso Pension Village" and be able to read the Japanese name for the pension if not you will have difficulty finding it. There is wifi in the room!

Dinner: Cold cuts platter

Sea bass

Salad

Steak

Dinner dessert platter: I was really impressed with the golden thread which are very difficult to make

Breakfast juices and Aso milk, all for the two of us =)

The very generous breakfast which I couldn't finish so felt very bad

Very very fresh fruits and yogurt

Japan Dec 2011 Day 8: Takachiho 高千穂

2011-12-17T16:25:00.002+08:00

After an almost 3-hour drive from Miyazaki using a Japanese GPS (they ran out of English ones! Haha really praise God we reached there safely!), we arrived in Takachiho高千穂, well-known for the gorge and dance performance at the shrine.

The weather couldn’t be better as we strolled through the gorge, carved out by volcanic lava from Mt Aso. It was a very thrilling experience for us to row a boat (actually Chris rowed the boat) down the Gokase 五ヶ瀬川river. We bought a packet of duck biscuits before boarding and the smart duckies seem to sense that we had food so they followed our boat haha!

After a scrumptious dinner at our ryokan Kami-no-ya かみの家, we took the free shuttle from the ryokan to Takachiho Shrine 高千穂神社 for an Iwato Kagura 岩戸神楽 dance performance (JPY500). It consists of 4 acts and is predominantly about Japanese myths involving deities. Only the last act was interesting and quite funny.

Ryokan: Kaminoya かみの家

A small ryokan with only 8 rooms but the furnishings are rather modern. It has a lovely Hinoki bath-tub and wonderful meals =) The owner speaks pretty good English and reservations may be done over email. It is really difficult to get accomodation in Takachiho, let alone staff who can speak English, so this ryokan is quite a find. Free parking and free shuttle service to watch the Kagura dance performance. Wifi in the room!

Japan Dec 2011 Day 7: Miyazaki 宮崎

2011-12-14T20:01:00.001+08:00

We stopped by Seki-no-o-taki　関の尾の滝 hoping to catch the waterfalls from a bridge up close but unfortunately, the entire area was under restoration so the bridge was not accessible. We could only take some pictures from the observation deck. The sun was also too strong for any slow shutter speed shots of the potholes. You may take a bus from either Kirishima Jingu, Nishi miyakonojo or Miyakonojo stations. Do check the bus times as the buses are very infrequent. We took the bus from Miyakonojo station and it cost JPY560 per person one way.

T-T

Hotel: Richmond Hotel Miyazaki

We had the kampong chicken dinner set at the hotel. Quite spacious room and 1 min walk from station but nothing spectacular. Very helpful staff though - I screwed my tripod onto my camera too tightly and asked the hotel staff for pliers and the girl tried her best to help me unscrew but she didn't know how to do it so she was very apologetic. I then borrowed her pliers and piak! unscrewed it... haha... it's my camera mah! haha

Japan Dec 2011 Day 6: Okayama 岡山

2011-12-14T19:55:00.004+08:00

On our way to Kumamoto 熊本 from Matsuyama, we made a brief stop at Okayama岡山 to visit one of the three famous gardens Korakuen 後楽園 and Okayama castle 岡山城 beside it. You take No. 18 bus (JPY140, non-JR) from bus-stop No. 4 in front of Okayama station.

From the garden, you can see the castle perched at the top. It was a very pleasant stroll through the fields, tea plantations, lakes and maple trees. We had a leisurely lunch (our cute anpanman obento) at one of the benches.

The castle is a re-modeled one so it’s nothing special, just a by-the-way visit after the garden.

Hotel: JR Kyushu Kumamoto Hotel

Right next to the station, very convenient but nothing spectacular.

Japan Dec 2011 Day 5: Shimanami Kaido しまなみ海道 in Imabari 今治

2011-12-14T19:41:00.004+08:00

We took a limited express JR train from Matsuyama to Imabari 今治 (about 25 min) and changed to a local JR train one stop away (4 min) at Hashihama for the pick-up to Sunrise Itoyama サンライス絲山 bicycle terminal which I had called earlier to book in my very broken Japanese (reservation is by Japanese only). You may also take a local JR train directly to Hashihama (about 1 hour). When we arrived, we were a little worried that we may have got the station wrong because it was a deserted train station with no train master. Other than an old lady and us, there was no other human being LOL. I called them again and was told that the pick-up is on the way. We heaved a sigh of relief when we saw the van =) After a short ride, we arrived at Sunrise Itoyama, where you can get a splendid view of the Kurushima Kaikyo来島海峡 and rent a bicycle. A rental bicycle costs JPY500 each with a JPY1000 deposit that will you will get back if you return the bicycle at the same place where you rented it. Serious cyclists use their own specialized bicycles as the rental ones are really basic so you are better off pushing it up the spiral track toward the start point haha.

The entire route stretches a total of 70 km, covering several islands and bridges, will take 8-10 hours to complete one way. We targeted to just go to and fro Kurushima Kaikyo 来島海峡 (4.2 km one way) which consists of 3 bridges. The view is really spectacular and since the weather is cold, it was great for cycling because you don't perspire!

After the refreshing ride, we returned to Sunrise Itoyama to have lunch at Kaze-no-resutoran 風のレストラン which serves Japanese Western meals. Their prices are very reasonable and the food taste very good. From the restaurant, you can get a wonderful panoramic view of Kurushima Kaikyo too!

The people at Sunrise Itoyama are really helpful and gladly showed us the way to take a public bus back to Imabari 今治 where we caught a limited express 25-min JR train ride back to Matsuyama. Here’s a photo of the time-table, where the yellow highlighted times are for Sunrise Itoyama.

We had planned to take the Botchan steam locomotive (SL) in Matsuyama but were not able to catch it because of the infrequent services. Maybe we will try to another time if we come back again =)

Japan Dec 2011 Day 4: Matsuyama 松山 in Ehime 愛媛

2011-12-14T19:35:00.006+08:00

An almost 4-hour JR train ride from Tokushima 徳島 via Takamatsu 高松 brought us to Matsuyama 松山 in Ehime 愛媛, our last stop in Shikoku 四国. We took the anpanman train from Takamatsu to Matsuyama and I was very trilled to eat the cute ekiben! =)

To get to Matsuyama castle 松山城, take a ride (about 10-min) on streetcar No. 5 outside Matsuyama station, going towards Dogo Onsen 道後温泉 and stop at Okaido 大街道. Walk up a small street away from Okaido to the ropeway station. You may choose to go up either on the ropeway or lift but I strongly recommend the lift (unless you have small kids which is too bad for you haha) as it is way more fun and exciting!

After visiting the castle, you may return to Okaido streetcar stop where you alighted to take the same street car for another about 10 min to Dogo Onsen. Once you arrive, you can't miss the cuckoo clock and the busy street leading up to the big bath house, which is the model for the one in Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Spirited Away.

They offer various packages and you choose one that suits you, depending on whether you want a towel, snack and what kind of relaxation room you prefer (with the masses, moderate or private). Do bring your own toiletries as the onsen only provides the bare minimum of shampoo (no conditioner), CAKE soap (yucks!) and hairdryer. We bought the JPY1200 package that included entrance to two baths, tea and snacks in a room for about 10-12 people, and a tour of the emperor and imperial bath house. Dogo onsen is the only onsen in Japan with a bath house for the imperial family and it has been used only 10 times by the imperial family. I was astounded that the emperor's squat toilet is surrounded by tatami! Dogo onsen bath powder sachets known as yu-no-hana 湯の花 make excellent souvenirs.

湯の花

Hello Kitty Dogo Onsen towel and notepad

What I like:
1. There is something very cool about having bathed in the oldest hot spring.
2. You get a chance to see the imperial bath house, once used by the emperor, even if you don’t know him haha
3. The quality of the water. It makes your skin tsuru tsuru smooth =)

What I hope was better:
1. It’s really crowded because every tourist (especially Japanese) has the same great idea to bathe here.
2. The amenities are really bare minimum unlike in most other hot springs I have been to.
3. The only view you get when soaking in the bath is that of other naked women (if that excites you, great). But I guess you can't change this since it's an old bath house.
4. The towel they gave doesn’t have “Dogo Onsen” printed on it. It only had タオルー which means towel -.-||| I had to buy another one with Dogo Onsen on it. At least the one I got in Gero Onsen had “Gero Onsen” printed on it.

We had dinner at a restaurant right beside the bath house and I scraped the bowl clean of ikura ochazuke. Chris slurped up his crab miso soup heartily too!

Oh, Ehime is well-known for Mikan so do try some! I had some in the hotel for breakfast and also bought a bottle of mikan juice =)

Hotel: Hotel Sunroute Matsuyama

About 2 min walk from the station, not the usual modern ones. Can try some place else.

Japan Dec 2011 Day 3: Tokushima 徳島and Naruto鳴門

2011-12-14T19:26:00.002+08:00

About an hour from Takamatsu is Tokushima 徳島, well-known for the Awa Odori Dance Festival in August every year and Naruto whirlpools. Tourists can get a taste of the dance at the Awa Odori Kaikan, 15 mins walk from JR Tokushima station.

To view the Naruto whirlpools, you may take a bus from Tokushima to Naruto Koen 鳴門公園(about 1 hour JPY690 non-JR) or take a 40 min JR train ride from Tokushima to Naruto station followed by a 20 min bus ride (JPY300) to Naruto Koen (This is the same bus as the one from Tokushima to Naruto Koen. It passes by JR Naruto station). Do ask the tour info (opposite the bus terminal) for a bus time table before departing.

From Naruto Koen, go up the steps toward Uzu-no-michi渦の道, a passageway under the Onaruto bashi大鳴門橋, 45 m above the whirlpools, with glass windows on the ground where you can view the action. A combination ticket which includes entrance to the passageway and a Uzushio boat ride (JPY1750) may be purchased at uzu-no-michi. Do check tide times before going as the optimal times for viewing the whirlpools are during low and high tides. Uzu-no-michi also displays the tide times. Allow half an hour for a walk through uzu-no-michi.

We met a really nice lady at the uzushio boat station who offered to help us call the restaurant at JR Naruto station to remain open for us because by the time we reach, they would have been closed.

Japan Dec 2011 Day 2: Takamatsu 高松 (Kagawa香川, Shikoku四国)

2011-12-14T19:19:00.001+08:00

Okayama 岡山 is the gateway to Shikoku 四国which, as the name suggests, consists of four main regions: Kagawa香川, Tokushima徳島, Kochi高知 and Ehime 愛媛. Crossing the Seto Ohashi bridge 瀬戸大橋 to Shikoku for the very first time, we arrived at Takamatsu高松in Kagawa 香川 for lunch. Although Kagawa is famous for sanuki udon (fresh udon with some light sauce), I opted tempura udon and was overwhelmed that it came in a wooden bucket! Chris had curry udon.

Takamatsu is famous for Ritsurin Koen栗林公園, a lovely strolling garden and one of the Japan Scenic Spots. Although it is not one of the three famous gardens of Japan, its refined beauty does not pale in comparison to the famous three. Make sure you visit Kikugetsu-tei 菊月亭for some wagashi and matcha (JPY710) and Hiraiho飛来封, an excellent photo-spot where you can get the best view of the garden and the hills behind.

Kiku in Japanese means “scoop” and getsu means “moon”. Once, a priest made an unreasonable request, “Get me the moon”. A monk said, “Yes” and scooped out the water in the lake with a reflection of the moon in it. This legend teaches the Japanese that they either give something as impossible or change the form from impossible to possible.

From Ritsurin, we hopped onto a JR train to Yashima屋島, from where you can catch a free shuttle bus (about 20min) up the mountain top to get a panoramic view of the straits between Okayama and Takamatsu.

I felt a little “train-sick” on the way back from Yashima to Tokushima that I hardly touched my Tokushima ramen at dinner.

Hotel: Hotel Sunroute Tokushima

I strongly recommend this hotel! It’s right opposite the station with very spacious and modern rooms and a nice natural hot spring bath!! Even people who are non-hotel patrons come to use the bath too.

Japan Dec 2011 Day 1: Yanagawa 柳川

2011-12-14T19:00:00.004+08:00

Although it was drizzling when we arrived at Fukuoka airport, we were told that it’s still possible to go to Yanagawa, about 50 mins on the Tenjin Nishitetsu line from Hakata博多 Tenjin 天神. Hakata is 5 min from Fukuoka airport.

Yanagawa is a small and quiet town with numerous waterways, much like a smaller and very serene version of Venice. We bought a combination ticket that included a return JR train trip, a leisurely boat ride down the waterways and the local specialty unagi no seiro mushi lunch at any of the 8 restaurants listed. My photos of the boat ride didn’t turn out as expected because we were wearing raincoats so I couldn’t capture the boat master in the signature white and blue tops.

We settled for lunch at Ohana Villa with a lovely garden.

We shared the boat with two Japanese men and chatted with them on the bus back to Yanagawa station. One of them said, “Singapore is beautiful! I like Sentosa!” Hahaha… I think he was being very polite.

Dinner was ramen at Yatai in Tenjin天神, Hakata博多.

Hotel: Centraza Hakata

Nothing spectacular but it’s right beside the station so it’s very convenient.

Lost and Found

2011-08-31T23:40:00.001+08:00

Wow... a miracle happened this evening. My girlfriend who was with me was stunned beyond words LOL

This morning I told chris that I'll be meeting my girlfriend y. for dinner and requested that he pick us up at around 8+ from taka. However, my phone battery went flat at about 6pm but I managed to send an SMS to y. to confirm the meeting place. I had planned to use her phone to SMS chris to confirm the time and pick-up location.

So at about 7:30pm I SMSed chris. There was no reply after half an hour. So I called him... the call went straight to his mailbox. SMSed again. still no reply. Started panicking... and called like 10 times to no avail.

Then I called my MIL to ask her to also help contacting chris but she too was not successful.

So we thought of all possibilities...

me: maybe his phone battery has also run out...
y.: hope he didn't lose his phone...
me: what if something happened to him? GASP! maybe he is having an affair with another woman and switched off his phone!!
y.: -_______-|||

So we waited for almost an hour and there was still no reply. After a couple more unfruitful attempts at contacting him, we made the decision to just send him a last SMS "we take taxi go back le" and go home by ourselves.

On the way up to the taxi stand, I felt very uneasy... what if he was really waiting somewhere for me? What if his phone really ran out of battery and he sent one last SMS/whatsapp to tell me where he was waiting and gong gongly waited there thinking I got his message?

Suddenly...

me: is there a coffee bean here?
y.: think no more...
me: can i take taxi from paragon? i want to check the coffee bean there...
y.: erm, ok, i'm crossing the road to take bus, i'll go with you...

so we walked towards CBTL and as we entered, y. gasped!

y.: HE'S REALLY HERE!!!!!
me: DEAR!!!!! 我终于找到你了！！！！！T-T

somehow i just had a hunch he will be waiting for me at CBTL haha

haha i know chris so well... i hope he knows i like macadamia nut choc chip famous amos cookies (private joke)

y. was totally in awe and speechless that i actually managed to find chris LOL but i felt really relieved that chris was lost but now am found =)

Old Yellow Gourd Soup

2011-08-23T22:07:00.001+08:00

My colleagues have been asking me about this so instead of repeating myself, I better write it here haha This is slightly modified from Sam Leong's cookbook e.g. his original recipe uses scallops and prawns but I used chicken.

Ingredients:
Old yellow gourd 老黄瓜 - 1
Conpoy - 2
Slice of ginger
2cm piece of white part of spring onion
Some chicken pieces
Wolfberries - about 10
Chicken stock (Home-made or if lazy or no time, store-bought ones may be used)
salt to taste
Cilantro for garnish

Method:
Soak conpoy in water for 2 hours (if you're short of time, you can soak in hot water for 30 mins). Discard water. Lightly shred, removing rubbery part. Cover with chicken stock, add ginger, spring onion and pinch of salt and steam for 45 mins. Remove ginger and spring onion and keep this conpoy chicken stock for use.

Meanwhile, prepare the gourd. using a sharp knife, carve a zig-zag pattern down the middle and open the gourd into two halves. cut off the ends slightly so that each half can stand. dig out seeds. Steam for 15 mins. Pour away any water.

Fill gourd with meat, conpoy and wolfberries and add conpoy chicken stock. Top with more chicken stock if necesssary. Steam for 15 mins.

Garnish and serve hot =)

Osmanthus Konnyaku Jelly

2011-08-21T21:17:00.004+08:00

Inspired by my friend Ling Ling, I tried making these and my colleagues love the refreshing and healthy dessert and have been asking me how to make them =) So here's the post =)

Ingredients:

Osmanthus flowers 1.5 - 2 metal rice spoons (about 3-4 g)

available from Hock Hua 福华 for $6.50 per bottle
(There is one Hock Hua at Compasspoint, the rest of the outlets I'm not sure)

Some sugar 冰糖

Konnyaku Powder

I find Red Man brand Premix good. The premix is very slightly sweetened so you can adjust the sweetness yourself. Some other brands have no malic acid so you have to buy it separately which is very troublesome. For some, the powder tends to clump easily. Others are too sweet or make jelly that are too hard. So I go with Red Man Premix (available from some supermarts or Phoon Huat). Note that red man also comes in a small packet but you have to buy the malic acid separately. I use half a packet of the premix and keep the rest in the fridge for another batch.

Wolberries (about 3-4 per jelly, soak in room temperature water for about 15 mins to plump them up)

Water

You will also need pretty moulds that are available in most supermarts.

Using half a pack, you can make 2 trays of 8 each plus an additional 3.

Bring water to boil and add in flowers. turn off flame and let infuse for about 2-3 mins.

i drain the flowers and set them aside. add sugar if desired and stir until all dissolved. turn on flame to medium and add in konnyaku powder, stirring continuously until all has been incorporated. leave the flame on at minimum to prevent thickening and scoop into moulds.

Add wolfberries and some flowers into each mould. when jelly is gooey, give each jelly a light swirl with a chopstick to spread the berries and flowers around so it looks pretty when turned over.

Chill til set, tease the jelly out from the mould with a toothpick and serve chilled.

Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne

2011-06-26T10:00:00.002+08:00

This hotel, the first 5-star hotel in Lucerne has a long history and is one of the important landmarks in lucerne. Situated right in front of lake lucerne, the grand building cannot be missed if you stand on the side of the KKL. Schweizerhof is a chain in Switzerland reputed for it's good locations and service.

Welsome snacks which we brought on our cruise

Cruise on Lake Lucerne, with the hotel in the backdrop

From KKL, the cultural centre (for perfomances, conferences, exhibitions etc.)

What we liked best was the fitness and wellness centre which all guests have access to.

Check out my video :)

Rate: SGD$450+ per night for non-lakeview without breakfast. Add CHF80 per night if you want lake view, CHF35 each for breakfast.

Hotel Gletschergarten in Grindelwald

2011-06-26T09:52:00.001+08:00

Of all the hotels we stayed at in Europe, only two are worth mentioning here: 1. Hotel Gletschergarten in Grindelwald and 2. Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern.
Grindelwald is one of the two gateways to Jungfrau (Top of Europe). The other is Wengen. I simply love this hotel with splendid view of the mountains nestled in Grindelwald, 35 mins from Interlaken OST station. Grindelwald n wungen are the gateways to the famous jungfrau region.

Run by a couple, the fourth generation owners, the hotel gives you a chance to stay in a traditional Swiss country-side cottage. Although 100 years old, it is very well-maintained and clean with modern amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet.

They very kindly picked up our baggage from grindelwald station so that we could go straight to jungfraujoch, the highest peak in Europe. After our jungfrau trip, we were picked up from grindelwald station and checked in immediately, with our baggages already placed in our rooms. No need to show passport or present credit card.

I really have no complaints about this hotel. The owners are so warm and hospitable, the hotel is so cosy, the view and location cannot be better, the food is awesome and the price is so reasonable!

For it's awesome location and view, with buffet breakfast, it costs CHF240 a night for two (very reasonable by Swiss standards)! The 4-course dinner was CHF40 per person which is very value-for-money by Swiss standards (a MacDonald's fillet-o-fish meal costs CHF9.90).

Our dinner consisted of

Quiche Lorraine
Broccoli soup which I would have licked clean if I was at home
Salmon with hollandaise sauce
Raspberry w cream

Chris accidentally dropped his iPad and spilled water onto my almost finished quiche Lorraine. They swiftly removed the soiled table cloth and changed to a fresh, new one and offered to give me another quiche but I declined. That's awesome service.

If we go back to grindelwald (very likely), we will definitely stay there again!

Tax-Rebate Fuss

2011-06-20T22:27:00.002+08:00

It's such a fuss to collect tax rebate if you make purchases in an EU country but leave from a non-EU country like what we did. I made purchases in Milan, Italy (EU) but we were to fly back from Zurich, Switzerland (non-EU) to Singapore. When you do that, you need to get a custom stamp at the last EU point of departure. No custom stamp = no refund! Reach Switzerland = too late!

If you travel by plane from Milan to Zurich, that's not a problem cos you can get the custom stamp from Milan airport. Unfortunately, we were going to travel from Milan to Chur in Switzerland via Tirano. So we had a hard time figuring out where to get the custom stamp because we had no idea where the border is! The worse part is that the Italians themselves have no clue! Is it at Milan? Is it between Milan and Tirano? Is it between Tirano n Chur?

Here are the versions we got:

1. Ferragamo salesgirl

Just do it at Zurich airport

This is the biggest mistake! Once you reach Zurich, it's too late!

2. Girl at tax-refund counter in La Rinascente shopping mall beside Duomo Cathedral

Get on the train, tell conductor we need the stamp and the officer will get on at Como Chiasso to give it to us.

She got it totally wrong! Cos that's the wrong border! That's if you go from Milan to Zurich directly but we are not going that way!

She also told us that although Tirano is in Italy, it's not part of EU so we have to get the stamp somewhere in between Milan and Tirano which she insisted is Como Chiasso -.- this is sooooo wrong!

3. Milan station officer
She said "I don't know!"

Great... But it's at least better than saying the wrong thing...

4. Hotel concierge
Get the stamp from Milan station.

This is also totally wrong -.- cos Milan is not the last EU departure point -.-

So we scoured the Internet and found some suggestions. I prayed really hard, couldn't eat couldn't sleep... Cos some of the purchases were made on behalf of my colleagues. If i don't get the refund, its fine but i feel bad towards them :(

Here is the correct way to claim tax if you go buy from Milan and then travel to Chur in Switzerland via Tirano onboard the Bernina Express i.e. You travel from Milan to Tirano on trenitalia then from Tirano to Chur on Bernina Express.

From Milan to Tirano is about 2.5h. You get off the train from the Italian side

and cross over to the Swiss side (they are just side by side). The customs office is in the Swiss ticket building.

Show your tax-refund forms and passport. Be prepared to show your purchases (read my precious post "You is crazy"). Get the stamp, fill in your credit card info (if you have not already got it in cash) n all relevant info, seal the envelope and mail it in the red postal box in front of the tourist info office.

This is so inconvenient! Pui! In Japan, they just charge me the tax-free price right away!

You is crazy!

2011-06-18T22:55:00.001+08:00

The custom officer at Tirano is very funny! When I presented my tax-refund forms for the custom stamp, he insisted on seeing my Ferragamo shoes so I showed them to him...

Custom Officer: These shoes? This price *points to receipt*?!?!
me: Yes...
Custom Officer: *suspicious look*
me: *points to the brand* Ferragamo
Custom Officer: *shakes head* You is crazy!!
Me: *run my fingers over the stones* Swarovski crystals...
Custom Officer: Ah... Hm... Your (h)usband (will) kill you!

LOL

All these happened when chris was happily sipping his minestrone soup at a restaurant and when I related the incident to him, he also LOL haha

Retail Service

2011-06-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

Been shopping a bit lately, doing my part for Singapore and can't help but notice that there are more foreign salespeople around now than a couple of years back and I must say they provide very good service, especially the ones from china and the Philippines (even though they speak like Lulu and Leticia)

I was at raoul in paragon and the china salesgirl was so patient and helpful. She let me check every piece of leather bag before I decided on the best and served me nespresso coffee. When I left, I realized that the shop had actually closed an hour ago because they were supposed to have staff dinner. Yet she patiently waited on me and even walked me to the door with my purchases which she wrapped beautifully.

Then I went to Guess? to check out some watches and again, the china salesman earnestly showed me the pieces I pointed to and explained the special functions of each. I didn't end up buying but he remained very warm and thanked me.

Was at Taka checking out some bath salts and the Filipino salesgirl warmly introduced me to every scent in their range so I ended up getting the lavender one :p

Then I bought a gift from Clarins for my MIL n asked for it to be gift-wrapped while I made payment. To my horror, the local salesgirl wanted to wrap it w a piece of Taka paper which she dug out from the drawer. I was upset, "you are not going to wrap it w that r u?" then she reluctantly went into the store to dig out a nice box to put my purchases in. This is not acceptable. Clarins is not a cheap brand n mind u I spent quite a bit there. So pissed.

Then at best denki, i asked the local salesgirl whether there are new pieces she said, "all there already". -.- at least pretend to search can?

some people really need to go for training...

Teriyaki Chicken

2011-05-30T22:32:00.001+08:00

Here's a simple teriyaki chicken with home-made sauce. i always have sake, mirin and soy sauce (shoyu) in my fridge so i just make my own sauces.

Teriyaki chicken (1 piece of thigh)

Ingredients (for 4 people)
Sauce - 3:3:3:2 tbsp of soy sauce:sake:sugar:mirin (reduce sugar if you find it too sweet)
Boneless chicken thigh 2 pieces (for healthier version, remove skin). Cut each piece in half.
sesame seeds
oil for frying

you need a pan with a cover

Method
Bring sauce to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer for 10 - 15 mins. Leave to cool.
Marinate chicken with sauce for at least 30 mins in the fridge (singapore's weather is way too hot to leave it out in the open)

Heat a non-stick pan on medium flame and oil it a little. place chicken (skin side down is with skin) n brown for a few seconds then pour in remaining sauce from the marinate n cover, simmer for 3 mins. Turn chicken over, cover n simmer for another 3 mins.

Remove chicken from pan, cut into pieces and drizzle with sauce from pan. sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with rice.

You may keep any unused sauce in the fridge for a week (if u cook only 1 thigh like me, you can use the sauce for two servings). The sauce will thicken but that's ok. I used the remaining sauce for chicken wings and threw in some shimeji mushrooms. it worked well too =)

Daughters vs Sons

2011-05-29T16:35:00.000+08:00

Me: hi dear, where shall we eat for your mum's birthday?
Chris: anything...
Me: I got her something from Clarins
Chris: ok

Me: fathers' day is coming. Let's get your dad an iPod!
Chris: he won't know how to use one. r u going to provide the tech support as well?

Me: how about buy him a Christian CD? *walks into CD shop*
Chris: let's go... All these can buy from iTunes what

Me: i know I know! Buy him the LKY book!
Chris: er... Can you buy it? I'm not doing it

Me: How about go fly kite n have picnic? W your dad n mum n grandma
Chris: >.<|||

Me: oh oh! Let's bring your parents to USS!
Chris: so that I won't have any regrets?

-.-

Women & Shopping

2011-05-28T11:47:00.000+08:00

The excuses we make

Hubby: Wa! You bought so many things!!
Wife: Check out my free toaster oven and free vouchers!

Hubby: you went to Taka sale again??
Wife: I saved $100!! Got discounts!
Hubby: (if u don't buy u save even more)

Hubby: this dress looks new...
Wife: is it?? Hm... I wore before but u never see la

Hubby: why do u need another pot?? U have so many!!
Wife: but this one is different! It's a thermal pot so save gas n electricity!!

Hubby: u have many cups u still buy!!
Wife: but this is for Chinese tea... Different!

Hubby: do you really need that many skincare products?
Wife: ah ya, if top up to a certain amount I get all these free gifts!! V worth! And I got this for your mum for her birthday!!

Hubby: no more space Liao u still buy new shoes!!!
Wife: but v good discount v worth!!

Marina Barrage

2011-05-07T22:02:00.000+08:00

The first time we arranged to go to Marina Barrage to fly kite, my niece kirstyn was down with fever so we postponed it... to today

So I prepared Japanese chicken curry (for my bro, my SIL and I. Chris thinks we're crazy and refused to go) in one thermal pot, rice in another, honey dew n Haagen Daz ice cream in a third thermal pot, apple juice and picnic mats (two plastic, one fabric).

charged my olympus pen, checked the 20mm pancake and 7-14mm UW... drove to Sengkang to buy two winnie the pooh kites...

while waiting for my brother to come and fetch me, i was smiling to myself saying 万事俱备，只欠东风... of cos, to me, the 东风 was my nieces =DD i imagined the wind kissing their cheeks and them running around happily and us taking pictures with the MBS and singapore flyer as the backdrop against a deep blue sky... music was playing in my head... i was feeling =DDD

my brother came at around 5:30pm and we happily made our way there 今天天气好晴朗，处处好风光!!

but when we approached, we saw a LONG LONG line of cars

me: wa! everyone has the same great idea!

then we turned into the carpark and i DIDN'T SEE ANY KITES...

me: something's not right... usually this WHOLE sky is dotted with kites!

turns out that it was the Nike goddess 5K run!!! and only the canopy is open to public. but as we approached, it was so crowded!!! imagine chinatown during chinese new year >.< and we couldn't get to the stairs to go up to the roof ='(((((((( i was REALLY PISSED

me: i wish all the runners will put on 10kg!!!!!! *breathe out fire*

we were contemplating whether to leave or wait it out and decide to wait it out. by the time we managed to go in, it was 7+ and we only had about half an hour of sunlight. the whole roof was crowded with women in orange tee shirts, loud music, tentages and deejays (got that utt). haiz.... sians... so crowded

when my brother saw my piping hot curry (because it was in the thermal pot), he was speechless...

kor: wa, see beh kua zhang! haha

my brother tried to show that he can fly a kite and i forgot to tell him that the spool i bought had one loose end so he fly fly fly zhioop! the string came off and the kite flew off! hahaha then about 15 mins later, someone else caught hold of the string and started flying OUR kite! like that also can?!?!?! i saw that the guy was with his young daughter and she was quite excited to "find" a winnie the pooh kite so i didn't have the heart to get it back from him haha

it was dark and i only had my olympus so these were the only decent shots i took -.-

i am thankful that we still had a great time and i felt happy that my nieces enjoyed themselves despite the initial hiccup =) we will definitely go back! nothing will stop me! i want to take pictures of my nieces!! ROAR!

How Did You Pass Driving Test??!!!

2011-04-23T11:05:00.001+08:00

that's what chris ALWAYS asks me -.-

we went to seng kang sports hall macdonald's for breakfast and the car park was full so i had to park outside - PARALLEL PARKING >.<

i picked the FIRST lot i.e. no car in front and stopped a few metres ahead...

me: so...? how?
chris: reverse! full left!
me: *reverse full left*
chris: right right right!!!
me: *turn right*
chris: ok, reverse in
me: *reverse in* eh... stuck... (my wheels were scrapping the curb)
chris: you are driving into the curb!!! keep your car straight!!!
me: er... ok... so now how?
chris: turn right!
me: reverse mode or drive mode?
chris: *spurt blood* forward! right!
me: o... k... *forward right* then how?
chris: *breathe out fumes* reverse left...
me: *reverse left*
chris: ok ok right!
me: *turned left*
chris: RIGHT!!!! O.M.G.
me: -.-

so i managed to park... IN FRONT OF my lot and my car got stuck again with the wheels touching the curb...

chris: get out! i park
me: ~.~

after that...

chris: how on earth did you pass your driving test?!?!?!
me: instructor says the sticker pass first pole full left then after that don't know what then 2 turns right then 1/2 turn left... got a method one...
chris: no wonder you still can't parallel-park! you learn the method but don't understand the concept!
me: ~.~
chris: that's how some teachers teach their students too! teach method never teach concept! the students know how to follow the steps and score in the exams but they can't think! you twist the question and they get stuck because they don't understand the concept!
me: ~.~ don't get so worked up ma...
chris: are you sure you didn't wear short skirt and low-cut blouse for driving test? -.-
me: NO!
chris: you should put your P-plate back up!

Leticia and NSF fieldpack

2011-04-14T22:26:00.002+08:00

Finally, Leticia says something LOL

Gen Y Soldiers

2011-03-30T21:45:00.002+08:00

I don't know if you have been following the buzz recently about the army boy who was caught with his maid carrying his full-pack... it's created quite a stir on the internet...

The picture which was uploaded to Facebook was picked up and placed on STOMP

Then these hilarious photos surfaced and were placed on STOMP again

today the mainstream papers carried a report with regard to the first picture and apparently, "A Ministry of Defence spokesman said in response to the report in The Straits Times that "the SAF takes a serious view of the conduct of its servicemen in public" and that it will investigate and take the appropriate action." ~ STOMP

Ever since the publishing of the photo, people have been branding Gen Y Soldiers as "soft", "spoilt" and "pampered". The TNP interviewed some NS men and among other statistics reported is this: out of 23 with maids, only 1 washes and irons his uniform. there was also a parent who insisted that her son is not "soft" because he is very "fit" and that the training is tough. OK lady, "fit" is not synonymous with "not soft". It is possible have a muscular, fit guy who crumbles under pressure or a flabby/scrawny guy who holds up under severe mental stress. Chris says it's about mental strength, resilience and discipline, nothing to do with whether one is physically fit.

I have never been to the army so I shouldn't criticise but I do agree that the first picture does not put the soldier in a positive light. some on the internet are speculating whether he has a shoulder injury. poor guy... if SAF ever found out his identity, he is so screwed... i wonder how many extras he will have to sign and the nasty names he will be called by fellow NS-men.

the story has been reported in an overseas Chinese news segment... oh dearrr... this is beary bad...

I am just waiting for Mr Brown to pick this up and perhaps write a hilarious song or Leticia from the Noose to say something about this.

Idea + Square = Origami

2011-03-27T22:00:00.002+08:00

This guy's talk is really interesting... it's so awesome how Math can be applied to something seemingly unrelated.

I checked out his website http://www.langorigami.com/ and guess what I found among other cool stuff? Folded from 2 full pieces of US$1 bill.

After watching his video, I am so amazed that I am speechless... If I can get my hands on one of his books... I'd like to explore the Mathematics behind his work.

@ Punggol

2011-03-21T21:16:00.001+08:00

Wa, there is a new hip and cool hangout in Punggol, very near Punggol Plaza. If taking public transport, get off at Riveria LRT station and walk towards the temple. Enter Tebing Lane and follow the road. It appears very ulu but once you hit the carpark of @Punggol, wa, you'd think the entire Punggol is there! LOL

We checked it out on Saturday night but it was too dark to shoot anything... except some pics of the supermoon with my i-Phone.

then I went there for a jog on Sunday morning without my phone -.- so we had dinner there this evening =)

Try to reach by 6:30 if you wanna be able to find a parking lot. Reach by about 6pm if you wanna check out the promenade and Lorong Halus Wetland before dinner. I already checked out the wetland and Chris was hungry plus we felt a few raindrops so we turned back after we reached the bridge to hit the restaurants.

Chris wanted to eat Popeye -.- so I tagged along and boy did I regret it. The fish fillet in the sandwich is so over-fried that it was so hard and dry. I don't mind fast food once in a while if it's worth the calories... like MacDonald's fillet-o-fish... but this??? =P and it's not cheap. At $7.60 for a meal of sandwich, fries and drink and $5.60 for a la carte sandwich... ouch! But the fries and onion rings are not too bad la. there are currently only 3 restaurants but I read that a 4th Japanese restaurant is opening soon =)

It's a nice place to chill with your family and friends =) Protect your kiddos with anti-mozzie stickers just in case ;)

Check out the video I made with my phone =)

Bonding Bunnies

2011-03-20T18:07:00.000+08:00

Since West's demise, we have been seriously considering finding another companion for Claire because we are worried that she will feel lonely while we're at work. We found a suitable candidate, Inkie, a Netherland Dwarf who has the same colour as Claire. Inkie is about 3-4 years old and lives with Claire's nanny. She is a very inquisitive little bunny who will hop around sniffing here and there... very very cute =)

Claire seems fine to have her as a friend but not to "share her house". On the first day, I return home from the office (had some clients to meet) and to my horror, there was pee and poo all over the enclosure! We initially thought Inkie is not toilet-trained but later realised that the culprit was Claire! bunnies pee and poo to mark territory. She must have been really upset to have someone in "her territory". West used to be quite a bully and she was sad for a few days after he was gone but became kinda more lively and happier that the tyrant is no longer around LOL so perhaps she is afraid that Inkie will be another tyrant.

So for the time being, we a cage in the enclosure for Inkie so they can have contact yet they each have their own space. (Note that when keeping bunnies in a cage, it is important to place a resting board in the cage because prolonged standing on wired flooring is very bad for bunnies' soft paws. Unlike dogs and cats, bunnies do not have padded paws so may get a condition called sore hocks).

This seems to have solved the problem of Claire feeling the need to mark territory. It's going to take time for Inkie to gain Claire's trust so that we can put them together =)

chris: hm... Claire seems so docile.... didn't expect her to be so territorial.
me: You bring another woman home lor, see if i will be territorial...
chris: -.-??? (a bit cow head not match horse mouth...)

This afternoon, we found them grooming each other which is a wonderful sign! Bunnies groom each other when they feel comfortable =) It's kinda like humans. Our sphere of personal space decreases as we become closer to the other person. We will sit closer to people we like and even touch, hug them etc.

Let's hope for the best! Claire and Inkie, FIGHTING! *(^_^)*

Genpatsu Kun

2011-03-20T11:14:00.000+08:00

The Japanese are still so Japanese despite the recent tragedy... Their analogy is so cute and if you understand Japanese, you'd find it quite humourous too...

My Brother the Charmer

2011-03-19T10:33:00.004+08:00

I don't know how my brother does it but he always manages to get free stuff. Free drinks don't say... yesterday we wanted to eat chocolate fondue at the Haagen Daz near their house which they frequent. he chatted with the waiter (waiter hor, not waitress) whom i think he knows. then the waiter suddenly gave us this fondue set.

he touched my brother's arm and said it's free... i was amazed...

me: *to Chris* wa, my kor 出卖色相 to get free stuff... dear, you also let the waiter touch your arm la, maybe can get another one LOL
chris: -.-
kor: yaya, touch thigh got even more free stuff want? -.-

haha... i think my kor just has good PR skills. i may be able to get good grades but he is the one who can get free drinks, free stuff, discounts etc with his mouth (ok, that came out wrong LOL). i mean he is very friendly and can make people like him. he has friends everywhere LOL now with my nieces in tow, it helps even more cos people find them cute so will give free cookies, free marshmallows, free drinks etc. LOL

but yesterday my poor nieces can only eat fruits cos kirstyn is coughing so she can't eat ice cream. and since kirstyn can't eat, gwyneth also can't eat otherwise when kirstyn sees gwyneth eating, she will want to eat too and start her diva thing then we'll be the target of stares from everyone else.

chris: they come to haagen daz to eat fruits? so cham...

so we had to pretend that the chocolate fondue was super spicy LOL

Daddy/Mummy the Chauffeur

2011-03-19T09:35:00.000+08:00

I don't know about you but I grew up in a generation that believes it's very rude to sit at the back of a car with only the driver in front if the person is not a taxi-driver or your chauffeur. But it seems that this is a common sight among school-going teenagers. Every morning/evening, you'd see these parents driving their princes/princesses to/from school like they are the chauffeurs.

I personally feel that it's very wrong and I will never sit in the back-seat of a car if the front seat is empty and someone I know is driving. Even if my dad was a taxi-driver, I'd still sit in front when he gives me a ride. It's called respect.

Unless of cos, they really ARE the chauffeurs then I have nothing to say...

Why is there NO Looting in Japan?

2011-03-16T09:58:00.004+08:00

... but I'm not at all surprised.

Chaos and looting is a common sight in countries that have been struck by disaster. However, news reporters are amazed at the patience and orderliness displayed by the Japanese victims in the Sendai earthquake catastrophe that hit Japan last week. Why is there no looting in Japan? they ask, with pictures of Japanese forming lines to buy/collect food despite severe shortages.

So here's why I'm not surprised:

We have been to Japan 9 times not just because the scenery is great and the food awesome but also because of the Japanese culture.

The Japanese have a great sense of social graciousness and are generally very honest people. They place a lot of emphasis on "not inconveniencing others".

We can place our luggage at the end of the train carriage or on the ledge above our seats, fall asleep and not fear it getting stolen. In some countries, we'd probably have to hug it and grab the handles. On rare occasions when we take the taxi (taxi is super expensive in Japan), we are quite certain the taxi-driver will not try to go round and round in order to charge us more. We certainly don't have to haggle. In some countries, you have to negotiate and agree on the price before boarding.

When shopping, we are assured of the quality of the products. If something is expensive, there must be a reason: either the quality is superb, the workmanship is exquisite or it is rare or difficult to cultivate. We can buy the same item at different places and it's the same price. When shopping in Japan, we NEVER bargain because we know they don't con people (it is v v rare). In some countries, you're not even sure whether the tea you buy is indeed tea leaves or just some unidentified plant.

When we dine in Japan, we are usually assured of the quality of the ingredients. In some countries, you wouldn't even know if the chicken they say is chicken is really chicken *shudder*

Japanese streets are generally very clean despite the lack of bins. Japanese also sort their garbage everyday into glasses, paper, cans, combustibles. It is ingrained in their culture. Not doing so will be "inconveniencing others" (such as the person who has to then sort your garbage for you). Public toilets are generally very clean, even at the most remote train stations. In a European country we went to, the subway underpass reeked of urine. In another Asian country, toilets in rural areas are not for the faint-hearted. Modern Japanese toilets even have a button that creates a flushing sound so when you're doing a Hiroshima in your cubicle, your neighbour or the person waiting outside will be spared from hearing the unpleasant audio effects.

In trains, they refrain from talking loudly or using their phones so that they do not disturb other commuters. Phones are set to silent mode and if they need to make a phone call, they'd go to the area between carriages. Before the train arrives, they form 2 lines which part like the red sea to allow other commuters to alight before boarding. They always stand on one side of the escalator so that those who are rushing for time can then jog through. They are so disciplined that all trains and buses arrive one the dot.

At fast food restaurants, they clear their own tables and do try to sit at the bar if alone so that tables can be freed for groups (unless of cos the restaurant is fairly empty). At buffets, they take only what they need. At supermarkets, they don't press the fish or meats packed in clear wrap cos that will leave an unsightly dent which will of course upset other patrons. They also don't tend to dig dig dig and select the packet of milk that is right inside. They just take what is displayed in the front. When they take food for guests at a table, they'd turn the chopsticks around so that the guests won't have to eat their saliva.

They take great pride in what they do and give their best, even if it's waving a rod at an infrequent train at the most remote station (we enjoyed chatting with that uncle while waiting for the train), cleaning the toilet etc... In Japan, the person who collects garbage is Japanese, the construction worker is Japanese. You get the drift. In Japan, there are volunteer tour guides who take you around for FREE (you only pay for transport, parking fee and admission charges) because they just want to share the beauty of their country with tourists. In Singapore, no one will work for free.

Before SARS and bird flu in Asia, Japanese were already wearing masks when they have the common flu, so that they will not spread the illness to people they come into contact with. They cough with their hands covering their mouths and refrain from sneezing and blowing their noses in public (there are, but rare).

The only other Asian country I know that is quite close to Japan in terms of social character is probably Taiwan. Read our story here and here.

So, am I surprised that there is no looting in Japan and people Q up for food despite severe shortages?

Not at all. It is the true reflection of the beauty of the Japanese character, which the rest of the world should try to learn from.

Our Short Getaway to Sentosa

2011-03-15T21:13:00.010+08:00

We stayed at Capella, a 6-star hotel and a member of Small Leading Hotels of the World, of which many of the GHM hotels (such as The Chedi Club, The Chedi Chiang Mai, The Legian etc.) and Banyan Tree are members.

Room rate: $549++ per night for a garden view room with complimentary buffet breakfast and English afternoon tea as well as everything that's in the fridge. Complimentary parking (overnight parking costs $50) and re-entry pass if you leave Sentosa. They upgraded us to a seaview room.

The WA! moments:
+ the lush greenery with free-roaming peacocks, peahens and chicks =)
+ the nice seaview
+ they upgraded us to a seaview room because we told them it was our 9th wedding anniversary =) (yes, 14th Mar... 3.14... get it? haha)
+ high-tech touch-screen panel that controls all the lighting, air con, curtains and blinds in the room
+ complimentary drinks (which includes san pellegrino, coke, juices etc.)
+ nespresso machine! (ok, i don't drink coffee... but it's a nice touch)
+ Gryphon tea (Earl Grey, Pearl of the Orient, English Breakfast)
+ bose speakers
+ i-Phone dock
+ v nice range of Abahna toiletries from UK (white grapefruit and may chang)
+ large bath-tub with nice view =)
+ they gave a free bottle of wine (ok, we don't drink but we brought it home to give to someone who does) with schott zweisel glassses
+ when u r at the pool, they serve you Fiji water. They also served us a very nice mango juice with blueberries and raspberries
+ nice English afternoon tea with Waterford Wedgwood fine bone china
+ good service (although we do find that some of the local staff speak with an irritating fake accent)
+ our bathroom/shower area flooded after I took a shower. But they did rectify it when we called and the housekeeping team came to clean up the place pretty fast.
+ Auriga Spa is a very nice spa. the massage was so good i fell asleep when i was face-down and i drooled LOL woke up in time to slurp it back into my mouth LOL make sure you go early to enjoy the spa facilities. there is a hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy cold mist, warm tropical rain shower and herbal steam bath room. we went for the "capella celebrates" promotion where you get a 1-for-1 signature treatment if you stay for one night. We did the 2-hr waxing moon treatment (U.P. $280 per person) which included a rose and sugar scrub, rose mud wrap, body massage, facial massage and head massage. i'd say for the 1-for-1 price, it's very worth it =)

The WA LAO moments:
- the food is super expensive and not worth the money. do not, i repeat, DO NOT pay to eat at the knoll's restaurant. chicken rice is $28, nasi goreng is $30, beef kway teow is $34!! ouch. we did and boy did we regret it haha... it costs 10 times more than at hawker centres but the taste is not as good. The beef in the beef kway teow is supposed to be wagyu beef but they clearly over-cooked it so it was not tender at all. quite disappointing... good quality ingredients but i think the chef didn't do justice to them... you're better off driving out to vivocity for your meals (which we did the next day haha).

Will we go back?
Maybe... for a special occasion and if they have the 1-for-1 again. Otherwise, we feel it's really extragravant.

Telling a Story

2011-03-14T09:42:00.001+08:00

Accepting his 2007 TED Prize, war photographer James Nachtwey shows his lifes work and asks TED to help him continue telling the story with innovative, exciting uses of news photography in the digital era.

Japan - sad... ='(

2011-03-12T22:21:00.000+08:00

Very sad... haiz... see the video taken from Sendai airport... super scary after 0:45

And there MAY be nuclear leak too...

CNN

Busy Bee

2011-03-11T11:07:00.000+08:00

If you look at the frequency of my posts (or rather, lack of), you will be wondering what happened to me. Well, I have just been swarmed with work. Have been working late almost every work day and sometimes bringing work home over the weekends ='( I start at 7:30am and since the beginning of this year, leaving the office at 6-7:30pm is not new.

Very tired and very stressed =( that there was a recurrence of some old problems of mine, gastritis and insomnia =(

A much needed break is here but #@%$@#$#@$ still have loads of more work to do >.<|||

The Age of Innocence

2011-03-11T10:54:00.001+08:00

Battleship Yamato

2011-02-27T22:25:00.006+08:00

I don't care what's the plot. When I saw the poster I told myself, "I want to watch this show..."

Michelle Chong is Good XD

2011-02-26T10:31:00.001+08:00

YAY! I win again!

2011-02-25T23:01:00.000+08:00

That day when i got home, there was a parcel delivery notice from the post office at my door. When I went to collect it, I was very pleasantly surprised =)

My letter to Fancl newsletter has been selected to be published so I received a retail size Skin Renewal Pack =)

nice *(^-^)* and this is not my first time XD

Kids Grow Up Really Fast =')

2011-02-24T22:45:00.000+08:00

Here's a short video of Gwyneth solving a puzzle and Kirstyn singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" =)

Kirstyn Gets Help From Gu-gu

2011-02-17T21:37:00.000+08:00

my nieces came over for dinner and kids being kids can get a little boisterous. But my brother got really upset that Kirstyn didn't want to sit down and keep quiet so he threaten to cane her. I was in the kitchen preparing dessert when from the corner of my eyes I saw a little silhouette standing outside the kitchen peering through...

me: *opens the door* yes kir kir, what do you want? =)
kir: =(
me: is daddy angry?
kir: *nods*
me: are you scared?
kir: =(
me: go and say sorry to daddy... go...
kir: *shakes head*
my brother: COME OVER HERE!
kir: =(
me: ok ok, gu gu go with you...

so she walks beside me to go to my brother

my brother: YOU THINK GU-GU WALK WITH YOU I WON'T CANE YOU AH? SIT DOWN!
kir: sits down... ='( looks at my brother with those going-to-cry eyes
me: aiyah... don't cane them la
my brother: i'm serious... downstairs got sell cane?
me: er yes... don't la
my brother: you don't have cane ah?
me: light-sabre have, cane don't have...
my brother: GO HOME YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET CANED!

aiyoh... so poor thing... even if i have cane i won't take it out lor haha

Cute

2011-02-16T22:35:00.000+08:00

Haha... I wonder how many of my photographer friends are like that... hm... am i like that? haha

From http://www.googlygooeys.com/tagged/fact

Volkswagen Commercial

2011-02-12T14:24:00.003+08:00

Super funny... especially if you are a Star Wars fan and I wonder how much George Lucas charged VW for this haha

Boo Boo

2011-02-07T09:00:00.000+08:00

Chris has been having an irritating cough for weeks but totally ignores my MIL and my advice to avoid cold drinks.

Last night during dinner at my MIL's, I stepped into the kitchen to get more soup and heard someone opening the fridge door behind me...

so I said in a very stern voice: 不可以喝冷水!! (you're not allowed to take cold drinks!)

a voice replied: 我可以 (I can)

It was my father-in-law's voice

>.<|||

West Wong 王西 (西君): 25 Oct 2007 - 02 Feb 2011

2011-02-03T10:46:00.004+08:00

3 days ago, we noticed that some of our bunnies' stools are smaller and less in number than usual so on Mon, we brought them both to the vet. She examined them both and could not find anything unusual. She assured us that they both look very well and healthy and there is no need for any further treatment. But Chris, the very observant one, noticed that West's appetite has decreased significantly. While he would usually get very excited and devour the fresh veggies we leave in their enclosure, he showed little interest in the cai xin we presented.

So on Tuesday, Chris brought West down for an x-ray and it was discovered that he had gastro-intestinal stasis. There was blockage in his intestinal tract so he could not pass motion properly, hence the lack of interest in food as he must have felt very uncomfortable with the constipation.

Chris took leave on Wed morning to observe West and continued administering the medication, hoping that it will clear his system. Last night while feeding him that medicine, West passed out a couple of hard and small pellets.

This morning, Chris woke up to find West lying motionless, cold and hard ='( When he told me, i was stunned at the sudden passing and jumped out of my bed... When I touched West's hard body, I just cried and cried...

We just came back from Mt Pleasant after settling the schedule for cremation. During breakfast at Serene Centre MacDonald's, Chris couldn't finish his meal and i was sobbing between mouthfuls ='(

Our only consolation is that he had a good life while he was with us and he is no longer suffering. But our concern is also for Claire as they're bonded mates so we hope Claire will not be too affected. I have read about bunnies dying of a broken heart ='(

West, daddy and mummy will remember you forever although there will be no more wake-up calls, no more pitter-patter of your paws on our bed-side. You have brought us much joy and we will meet again in heaven as you wait with Brownie and Hiro kor kor. We love you...

West and daddy

West loved to lounge around

West and Claire

A very young West

with Cheh Cheh Eunice

Very young West with mummy

Responsible Pet-Ownership

2011-01-29T10:20:00.002+08:00

In the year of the bunny, do the bunnies a favour and DO NOT BUY ON IMPULSE!!

I get very upset every time people buy hamsters, bunnies and dogs as pets in rat, rabbit and dog years respectively. Pet shops cash in on the "auspicious-ness" of these animals and people buy them on impulse because the animals "look cute".

The fact is, ALL FURRY ANIMALS LOOK CUTE. and ALL BABY ANIMALS LOOK CUTE. just like babies... all babies look cute but some grow up into really horrible people.

Before you get a pet, think of the following:

1. Can you commit to looking after the pet FOR LIFE? for dogs, that's about 15 years, for bunnies, it's about half. it's like when you want to adopt a child, you don't adopt and after a few months say, "erm... sorry..., we changed our mind, can give back?" for couples without kids, think about whether you will still be able to look after your pet when your children arrive. if not, do not get the pet in the first place.

2. Are you willing to pet-proof your home? just like when you have kids, you need to baby-proof your home. bunnies like bite wires and eat plants. cats like scratch leather... or scratch anything. dogs like to bite shoes. and if you have a cat, you may have to put window grilles otherwise they may crawl to the neighbour's house... haha

3. Can you provide a comfortable home for your pet? for dogs, it means space to run... for cats, it's space to roam or lounge. for bunnies, they need space to run too and they LOVE to run and jump! some people think bunnies can be kept in a cage. if you do intend to, pls make sure the cages are large enough. I was really upset and pissed to see these pictures of an exhibition in suntec city. the poor bunnies hardly have space to stretch! it's like you living in your bomb shelter... but wait, some people make their domestic helpers sleep there... and bunnies do not have padded paws like dogs and cats so standing on wired flooring for prolonged periods of time causes a condition called sore hogs. you just imagine yourself standing barefoot on a wire mesh ALL THE TIME you will know what i mean.

4. Do you have the resources to care for your pet? i.e. buy food, vaccinations, vet visits when they're sick etc. note that each visit to the vet is not cheap. it's almost like seeing a specialist doctor.

5. Do you have the time to care for and play with your pet? you will need to not just feed the pet but also clean up their poo poo and pee pee. pets can be toilet-trained, including bunnies. you need to walk the dog at least once a day (and YOU should do it, not your helper).

6. Can you accept whatever the pet comes with? yes, the pet is very cute but bunnies will molt i.e. drop fur EVERYWHERE and deposit their faecal pellets here and there. can you accept that you need to eat and breathe dog, cat, bunny fur? it's on your clothes, on your furniture. there isn't an inch of your house without fur. if you have allergies, i suggest you don't get a furry pet. pets can be mischievous so are you willing to train it? and the cute pet will one day grow old and get sick. can you take care of it?

DO:
1. read up material to prepare yourselves. just like if you want to have a kid, you read material, go for seminars etc. before you have a baby right?
2. talk to people who have pets.
3. prepare the home for the pet before buying it.

DO NOT:
1. give a pet as a present. a pet comes with lots of responsibilities.
2. buy a pet as a "token of your love" when you're dating. cos when you break up, who's gonna care for the pet?
3. buy a pet for your kid as a reward or because s/he thinks it's cute, insists, cries and wails at the pet shop etc. or worst, BECAUSE IT'S CHEAP... hamsters cost only about $15 each so parents don't think twice about buying them. bunnies are much cheaper than dogs. kids are kids. once the novelty wears out, the parents are left to take care of the pet and as most parents are, they're busy so the sad truth is many such animals get abandoned or worse, die of hunger or diseases due to utter neglect.
4. "let your pet free". the chinese think it's 放生. i call it ABANDONMENT. domesticated animals CANNOT survive in the wild. a bunny out there is food to predators. when you adopt a child, you don't go and change your mind and say "why don't we let the girl/boy free" and leave him/her in a park...

and yes, DO NOT buy on impulse.

My Nieces Say the Cutest Things - Part 2

2011-01-18T20:14:00.001+08:00

My sister-in-law has been trying to teach my nieces some simple differentiation just for fun so i tested them...

then SIL also tried teaching them to differentiate x^3 using some hand sign... 3x^2 is the answer so she made a 3, crossed her arms to make X and used index fingers and thumb to make a square...

SIL: differentiate x^3 you get...?
kirstyn: 3x... rectangle...

-___________-|||

My First Time

2011-01-17T08:00:00.005+08:00

I pumped petrol manually for the first time last night after driving for more than one and a half years... =P i never had to pump petrol cos my car always has petrol (Chris pumps it) and i don't have to top up cash card (other than when i go for shopping spree at Takashimaya) cos my cash card always has money (Chris tops it up).

My idea of pumping petrol is to drive up to the pump, press the switch in the car and tell the guy, "Red colour full tank."

but chris insisted i try pumping manually at least once so i reluctantly got out of the car...

chris: open the cap...
me: *turn anti-clockwise...* argh...! *turn clockwise* argh...
chris: -.- *turns anti-clockwise* nah!
me: -.- eeee.... is it dirty???
chris: -.- take the pump. red colour.
me: argh argh argh...
chris: put into the hole
me: -.- argh argh argh....
chris: cannot anyhow force!!! -.-||| *puts it in place* k, wait until the pump meter resets itself...
me: zzz...
chris: ok...
me: ok what? nothing's happening...
chris: -.-||| *flicks the pump ledge up*
me: *presses the handle... petrol flows in... release... petrol flow stops... press... release... press... release...* wa, like that damn tiring neh...
chris: ROFL *flicks the catch on the pump for steady flow* usually friedrich drinks about 35-40L
me: GAH!!! 40 litres le!!!! ahhh!!!! how do you know it's full??? what if it overflows and boooo out??!!!!
chris: -.-|||
me: *pump jerks and flow stops* AAHH!! oh...? ok le...
chris: >.<|||
me: =D
chris: put pump back
me: so? done?
chris: got to pay!! -_______-|||
me: oh ya... what will happen if i forget to pay and just drive off ha??
chris: -__________-|||

Wake-up Call

2011-01-16T08:00:00.001+08:00

In most hotels, you can arrange for a wake-up call.

At home, I used to be Chris' wake-up call but West has since taken over that role. I'd let them out in the morning then West will go to the side of our bed and poke Chris with his damp nose. If Chris doesn't budge, he'd stand on his hind paws and poke chris with his fore paws hahaha... then Chris will wake up to feed and stroke him =)

Hairspray!

2011-01-15T23:20:00.003+08:00

I was so thrilled that they showed Hairspray on TV tonight =) Here's my favourite song =)

My Nieces Say the Cutest Things =)

2011-01-15T15:00:00.002+08:00

Kirstyn and Gwyneth are at a very cute stage now when they'd blabber baby talk and i have learnt some of their language...

ber ber means vegetable
ri ri means they want to be carried
room room means mushroom

so i guess the rule is to take the last syllable and repeat it. i guess it's good that my name is Gu Gu =D but they know barney, how kikky (Hello Kitty) and all of Mickey's gang haha

some of the things they say are very smart too =)

my sister-in-law: differentiate x^2 you get...?
kirstyn: 2x!!!

my brother was eating crab and i made the crab pincers hand sign kirstyn said, "like tinker tinker likker star!!"

hahaha... so cute... ^^

Irritating Kids

2011-01-03T13:42:00.001+08:00

I like cute kids... such as my nieces and most of my friends' kids cos they are generally well-behaved... but some kids really get on my nerves...

on the flight back from Narita Airport, we were unfortunately assigned the middle two seats of four on the plane (when we tried to check-in online, we tried to change our seats but the SIA website had some problems so we couldn't and we tried asking at the counter but the girl said there were none available >.<) and behind us was a family of 4: mum, two kids, dad. So the two kids sat in the centre right behind us and the one behind me kept kicking my chair!! I was really fuming and i imagined myself turning around to yell, "You kick some more I'm gonna chop them off!"... but i didn't do it. instead, i politely told her mum, "Hi, can you kindly ask your kid to stop kicking my chair, thank you ^^" the frequency did reduce and i could watch my movies in peace...

then there was this other infant in a bassinet who kept crying and crying and crying and crying non-stop THROUGHOUT the flight!!! i nearly went mad and had to resist going over to slap the kid.

i was talking about this unpleasant incident at a gathering and one of my friends recalled a recent trip he took with his wife and daughter. He was nicely settled in his aisle seat, happily buckled up and waiting for the plane to take off when a mum carrying an infant walked down the aisle and the infant totally PUKED purple puke on him (cos he had ribena and milk before getting on the plane). my friend almost turned into The Hulk instantly but had to control his temper because his girl was watching... he said if he were childless like us, he would have really given the mum and kid a piece of his mind. so throughout the flight, he was wearing his purple-puke-stained shirt... i can imagine how he must have felt and how much he would want to slap (actually, strangle) the kid...

people really shouldn't travel with very young kids unless it's absolutely necessary (such as migration, need to see some family member for the last time or job attachment etc.... ) because according to one of my ex-colleagues, there are certain complications associated with infants on a flight. I know for one that most of them can't regulate the air pressure so you will notice that whenever the plane takes off or lands, all the babies on the plane start crying... anyway, this ex-colleague said his sister's friend who is an air-stewardess once witnessed a kid getting choked on phlegm and died on the plane so throughout the entire flight, the parents were sobbing... that is super tragic...

when i told my friends i get really irritated by kids on flights, one of my friends who has travelled a few times with her infant/toddler say people like us can jolly well take business class... -.-

ya right... if i can afford i also want to take business class... *grumble grumble* so OTHER PEOPLE'S kid irritate me become MY fault?? actually, since the plane has different sections, why can't they pack all those families with kids in the front or back section and the adults in a separate section? that way we can watch our movies in peace and you guys can cry, wail, shriek, puke for all you want i don't care... or please just feed the kid some rum to knock him/her out thanks.

Nanbantei (Far East Plaza Level 5)

2010-12-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

One of the most value for money set lunches in the heart of town is from this Japanese Yakitori restaurant. For a mere $13, you get a bento box consisting of 5 sticks (chicken ball, pork asparagus, pork shiso roll, quail eggs, chicken with leek), rice, pork soboro, mushrooms, seaweed, side salad, miso soup and dessert.

ok, the miso soup is a little substandard but the yakitori is nice =)

since i love tebasaki, we added an ala carte order as well as more vegetables with miso dipping sauce =)

Bill: about $43

If you just order the bento and ask for free tea, it will cost only $26++ which is very very reasonable. Dinner is more expensive.

Nanbantei: 67335666

Drunken Fists in English ROFL

2010-12-28T22:45:00.001+08:00

Some shows should just be subtitled, not dubbed >.< this is from our Apple TV... a bit shaky cos I was laughing my *ss off LOL

TWG Tea Salon at Ion Orchard ($$$$)

2010-12-28T17:48:00.000+08:00

My goodest bestest girlfriend and I decided to try this tea place at Ion Orchard after lunch at Nanbantei Far East. The ambience is really nice and the tea-sets are very pretty but it's very very expensive. When presented with the menu, we were like, "Golly... sooooooo many types of tea... how to order??"

We ordered a pot each of White Earl Grey and Lavender Kiss, and a scoop of mango sorbet.

Bill: An exorbitant $46.40!!

The tea is nice, no doubt. I like that they remove the tea leaves because I don't like my tea to be over-infused... it gets very bitter (although some people like to have the tea leaves inside so they can ask the waiter to "add water" -.-) but $40 for two pots of tea? That's too extravagant even for me... I can imagine my mum grumbling, "I need to bake 2 boxes of CNY cookies!"

$40 can:
- feed two very hungry people a relatively good meal
- pay for a haircut at a decent salon
- get you a decent mani cum pedi
- get you a good 45 min foot reflex
- buy you lunch at my office for 3 weeks
- buy me 40 bus rides from home to office (or back)

tsk tsk tsk...

Verdict: Next time buy the tea and drink at home LOL (i have the French Earl Grey actually). I told my girlfriend, "should have just come to my place to drink tea LOL!"

I guess the reason why people drink tea there is partly because of the ambience and nice tea-sets but hey! my tea-sets are also very nice ok! And I also remove the tea leaves (of cos, if you come to my house, you can request to add water cos I keep the tea bag on a plate -.- or if i use leaves, i will make the tea using another pot and serve it in the nice teapot so yes, you can ask me to add water -.- but of cos, you can just request for another fresh pot la -.-)

but i do not have their extensive range. so don't come and say you want what what what exotic tea hahaha

one thing that baffled us is the long Q. Singaporeans are very rich and very free.

Schindler's List (Main Theme)

2010-12-27T23:44:00.000+08:00

My protege came over for tea today... we looked at some of my photos and I showed her the Dachau concentration camp photos I shot in Germany... which reminded me of this awesome show: Schindler's List, by Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes.

What I cannot forget even after so many years is the main theme of the film and I found the video on Youtube (first 45 secs is the interview)

John Williams is a genius and Itzhak Perlman played it so beautifully... such a poignant piece of music...

Ramen in Japan

2010-12-23T17:14:00.001+08:00

One of our favourite food in Japan is ramen =) we can eat it a few times during a trip and not get sick of it because different regions use different ingredients and the soup has different characteristics. And one of our favourites is the coupon restaurants.

To order, you buy a coupon from the vending machine outside the shop for the type of ramen and side dishes you want, hand it to the waiter and get a seat while they prepare your food. It costs about JPY600+ to JPY1000+ per bowl of ramen which is really reasonable =) some of them have pictures so if you have difficulty ordering just ask for help and point to the picture.

Or for an easy guide, look out for the following characters

しおラーメン for salt soup ramen
しょうゆラーメン for soy sauce soup ramen
みそラーメン for miso soup ramen
辛味 means spicy
味付玉子 for seasoned soft-boiled egg

Have a try when you're in Japan!

Yokohama, Disneysea, Kyoto video

2010-12-23T09:18:00.002+08:00

I think Youtube blocked my video cos I used a Mariah Carey song *grumble grumble* watch it here ba

Last Christmas (Best Version) - WHAM!

2010-12-22T20:55:00.001+08:00

This is what I think is the best version of the song =) by Wham! I bet half the kids out there don't know them LOL

Izu Peninsula 伊豆 – Shimoda and Jogasaki Coast Video

2010-12-18T22:46:00.002+08:00

Nagano Video =)

2010-12-18T21:41:00.000+08:00

Awanoyu 泡の湯 at Shirahone onsen 白骨温泉 (15 Dec 2010)

2010-12-18T21:40:00.002+08:00

We had originally wanted to go skiing in Hakuba Happo One, the 1998 winter Olympics site but insufficient snowfall in that area delayed the opening of the resort so Shirahone onsen was our alternative.

Panoramic view from our room

A two-hour bus ride through the Norikura highlands on the Matsumoto Dentetsu bus (JPY3400 round trip per person) from Matsumoto bus terminal (go to ESPA building basement) brought us to this beautiful ryokan nestled in the mountains with a public outdoor MIXED hot spring bath (kinda like the one in ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’) where women are allowed to wear a towel into the bath.

The hot spring water at Shirahone onsen is opaque white in colour because it contains calcium, magnesium and sulphur among many other minerals. PH level is 6.5 and water temperature is 37-38 deg C so it didn’t feel very warm like in most hot springs, especially in the freezing cold weather but still, soaking in the rotenburo 露天風呂 (natural outdoor hot spring) while gazing up at the picturesque surroundings is very therapeutic and unforgettable.

As you enter the public bathroom, you’re enveloped in the inviting scent of hinoki wood. The exit to the outdoor bath is very interesting. From the female side, you wade down 6 steps into the water and out into the open air bath, like entering a swimming pool so be careful not to slip because the water is opaque! There are minimal amenities at the bath area (no special peeling gels and toners haha) although the room does provide toner, moisturizer etc.

Specialties of Nagano such as soba and apples were served at dinner =) We loved the handmade soba… delicious! You shabu-shabu it in the mushroom broth, garnish with grated ginger and chopped spring onions and slurp! Nice! =D

They also served onsen porridge for breakfast =) that’s porridge made using onsen water =)

Next time we will try to make a trip to Kamikochi (open from April to mid-November) from here =)

Note that the bus driver and conductor speak no English at all but there are staff in the ryokan who can speak simple English.

Awanoyu

Rate: JPY40,000 (SGD$600+) per room per night (include dinner and breakfast)

Access: Take the Matsumoto Dentetsu bus from Matsumoto bus terminal (JPY3400 round trip per person) platform 9. Buy the tickets at the basement of ESPA building. The bus made two toilet stops from Matsumoto to Shirahone onsen: Shin Shima Shima and the Norikura Tourist Info centre. Alight at Awanoyu (second last stop. Last stop is shirahone onsen) and the ryokan is right in front of Awanoyu bus stop (hence the name of the bus stop). On the way back, it only made one toilet stop at the Norikura Tourist Info centre.

Bus time table click on Matsumoto to Shirahone Spa

From the bus, we could see our ryokan

Nagano 長野 – Nawate and Nakamachi streets (16 Dec 2010)

2010-12-18T21:40:00.000+08:00

Shinshu 信州 is the old name of present Nagano prefecture. Shinshu specialties include soba, apples, tai yaki and sanzoku yaki. Make sure you try them when you are in Matsumoto!

Flanked by traditional Japanese architecture, it’s a very pleasant stroll down these streets, especially Nawate street. Do try the たい焼 (tai yaki), a delicious snack in the shape of a sea bream filled with red beans, custard, chocolate etc. We tried the chocolate one and the generous warm chocolate filling oozed out when we bit into it =)

Wa, the Fuji apples there is so cheap... only SGD$1.60!

We also tried another Matsumoto specialty 松本山賊焼 (sanzoku yaki), chicken coated with miso and deep-fried. Tastes a little like karaage but much nicer =) look for any shop with this banner =)

Nagano 長野 – Matsumoto Castle 松本城 (15 Dec 2010)

2010-12-18T21:25:00.005+08:00

Matsumoto castle, also know as "crow's castle" because of it's dark colour is one of the top castles of Japan along with Himeji and Kumamoto. A short 15 min walk from Matsumoto station, it's such a beautiful sight to behold and we were blessed with very good weather – nice blue sky =)

Izu Peninsula 伊豆 – Shimoda Yamatokan 下田大和館 (13 Dec 2010)

2010-12-17T20:54:00.003+08:00

We had planned to go to Shimoda via Shuzenji (famous old hot spring town in Izu) and Kawazu Nanadaru (famous 7 waterfalls of Kawazu in Izu) but had to cancel our plans and go straight to Shimoda because of rain. We couldn’t do much in Shimoda too, except to stroll along Perry Road and have a lunch meal of Kinmedai (alfonsin), a local specialty.

Shimoda is the first point of entrance by Americans into Japan and Perry Road is named after Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry who led the black ships into the bay. Some of the house have the signature black walls with checked white plaster called namakokabe walls.

Access to Shimoda from Atami is by the Izukyu line which is not coverd by JR Pass (last station covered by JR pass is Ito) so you have to top up about JPY2000 (can’t remember exact amount) on the odoriko, one way.

Shimoda Yamatokan is a seaside resort ryokan with fantastic view. All rooms have a balcony (which we couldn’t use because it was raining hahaha) and some rooms have private outdoor hot spring.

The public outdoor hot spring has a splendid view of the coastal area and cliffs. There are also all sorts of beauty stuff to try such as peeling gel, sea spa gel etc… do try them!

Serving up Izu specialties freshly caught from the sea, dinner is pure decadence. From lobster sashimi to grilled live scallop and abalone to unlimited slices of Japanese musk melon, we felt very very pampered =) Ishida san, our guide for the next day’s tour told us the room rate was well worth it because abalone is very expensive, about JPY15,000 per kg =PP

Breakfast lobster soup

Tatayado beach is just a 3 min stroll from the ryokan and is a popular spot for divers, some of whom dive even in winter… brrrrr….

Shimoda Yamatokan

Rate: About JPY30,000+ (SGD$500) per room per night (include grilled dinner and breakfast). They offer room only or B&B as well but you will have to catch a taxi (about 5 mins) to Izukyu Shimoda station to have your dinner. Breakfast choices are limited as most restaurants only open in the afternoon. There is a Macdonald’s. I strongly recommend the grilled dinner because it’s really worth it.

Access: take the Odoriko from Tokyo to Izukyu Shimoda (from Ito to Shimoda, it’s not JR). If you have JR Pass, it's faster to take Shinkansen to Atami then transfer to (superview) Odoriko.

Odoriko time table from Tokyo and to Tokyo

Complimentary shuttle bus from Izukyu Shimoda station every half hourly from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. You will see their blue bus on the right of the station (or ask the Info centre).

Izu Peninsula 伊豆 - Atami Korakuen Hotel 熱海

2010-12-16T21:30:00.001+08:00

This hotel with complimentary shuttle bus service to and from Atami station and a tower building offering all rooms panoramic ocean view is a good place to stay to watch the fireworks. The buffet dinner is quite good too, with unlimited crab legs and tempura (including zuwai crab legs).

Rooms in Misaki building are much cheaper but they do not have ocean or fireworks view but you may squeeze with everyone else at the lobby on Level 2 to view the fireworks hahaha

Book at least 2-3 months in advance if you want it for a fireworks night.

Atami Korakuen Hotel

Rate: JPY50,000+ (SGD$800) per room per night (include buffet dinner and breakfast) for tower building. On non-fireworks nights, you can book room only or B&B.

Access: Take the train to Atami station and catch the complimentary shuttle service (half hourly but do check the timing with the hotel)

Fireworks schedule

Izu Peninsula 伊豆 – Atami 熱海 (12 Dec 2010)

2010-12-16T19:42:00.006+08:00

We decided this time to engage the Atami Goodwill Guide Club's help and we both agreed that it was an excellent decision.

Chie Matsuda san gave us really comprehensive information prior to our trip via email and when we arrived at Atami station, she was there holding a placard with our names on it =) Our guide was Henri san, a retiree who happily drove us around and patiently answered our questions. He prepared a file packed with useful information for us and we felt really touched by his effort.

Henri san explained that Atami got its name because it is believed that many years ago, there was a volcano under the Atami sea, hence, it’s called 熱海 ‘hot sea’.

The weather was excellent so for the first stop, Henri suggested we visit 十国峠 Jukkukotouge which had an awesome view of Mt Fuji =DD I was truly thrilled!! =D

Henri san and Chie san, our Atami goodwill guides

梅園 Baien Park was also one of the recommended spots and it was the last day to view maple leaves so we managed yet again to catch a glimpse of the trail of autumn. Due to the mild weather in Atami, maple leaves turn red the latest and plum blossoms flower the earliest in Japan.

There were also some early plum blossom blooms =)

Within Baien Park is a small Korean garden. I can’t remember what it’s for (Henri san explained but I can't remember =P sorry!) It’s got something to do with Kim Dae Joong...

We also visited a shrine near the park with a huge camphor tree. Chie san and Henri san said it is believed that your life will extend by one year if you walk around it once. I wonder whether one will attain longevity if you run around it many times hahaha...

The tour ended at the Atami beach and bay are after which Henri san sent us our hotel, Atami Korakuen and both of them made sure we were properly taken care of by the hotel staff. We felt really touched by their hospitality =)

When we entered our room, we were very pleasantly surprised by a gift from the Atami Goodwill Guide Club =)) So sweet of them =)

After a scrumptious buffet dinner, we perched in front of our window and awaited eagerly for the start of the 熱海海上花火大会 (Atami Marine Fireworks Festival), a full 25 mins of colourful bursts decorating the night sky.

Korakuen is probably the best place to view the fireworks (just right in front of the hotel) if you want a backdrop of the illuminated Atami bay. The other hotels look like they provide a view of the fireworks against the sea.

Here's the video =)

Control Freak Kancheong Spider

2010-12-10T17:46:00.000+08:00

That's what Chris calls me all the time haha because I have a need to be in control, especially when we are travelling.

I will plan my itinerary way way in advance (like 2 months in advance).
I need to know exactly where we're going everyday, how to get there and what we will do.
I must book ALL accommodations, get confirmations and print out all confirmations.
I will pack my luggage at least two weeks in advance.

If there are any uncertainties or last min changes, I'd be very uptight...

I was talking to Pris this morning and she said...

Pris: haha, that time we were in Canada we were driving around with our luggage looking for a hotel haha
me: *jaw drop*

That will definitely freak me out! I just cannot go to another country and not have booked accommodation for every night.... that's way too scary for me. But some people can.

and my other good friend... sometimes when she travels, she doesn't even have an itinerary. She just goes where she feels like going... and will look for accommodation along the way... the free spirit kind... and I don't know how she can pack only on the day she is flying... I will be v stressed... what if you realise you are missing something and need to buy it how????

Chris also... he wanted to pack only on the day of departure itself i FORCED him to pack the weekend before... *faints*

So, am I a control freak kancheong spider? haha...

Weird People

2010-12-08T20:25:00.002+08:00

Some people are weird one neh... this is what I heard at a THAI restaurant today...

Two aunties were served their tom yam soup...
Aunty A: ha? why the colour like that?? no chili oil one?
Waiter: Mdm, this is the tom yam soup you ordered...
Aunty B: But how come clear one? i want the type that looks like curry!

Aunty!! tom yam soup is like that one! Most tom yam soup is quite clear what...

Another pair of girls came in, sat down and had their orders taken... after a while...

Girl A: *waves to waiter* hi, can we have some crackers?
Waiter: ???
Girl A: You don't have those crackers??
Waiter: Sorry mdm, no...

Ah yo aunty! it's a THAI restaurant! not indonesian!! no keropok one! *slap forehead*

Strawberry Shortcake: Old vs New

2010-12-04T08:00:00.000+08:00

Lately cartoon profile pics have been popping up on Facebook to show support for anti-child abuse so I went in search of Strawberry Shortcake.

Boy, I was surprised to find that the new Strawberry Shortcake (right) looks so different... The old one (left) was plump, had many freckles and very curly hair...

she seems to have underwent:

- slimming
- surgery to make eyes bigger (possibility cut double eyelid)
- eyelash extension (or maybe just used a very good mascara)
- nose job (see, her nose is now smaller)
- laser to remove most of her freckles
- botox to make her face more oval
- hair extension + treatment + highlight

Notice she is also wearing lipstick, coloured contact lens (green), is revealing more flesh and has a sexier pose...

Golly... if even cartoon characters need to fit societal norms of "beauty", imagine what our young girls will grow up believing... this is very worrying... =(

The Brag

2010-12-03T12:32:00.001+08:00

Have you ever wondered how to pack your bra for a trip without crushing the delicate cups? How many times have you been upset after taking a bra out of the luggage bag and finding a dent in cup?

I tried stuffing panties into the cups, I have tried fabric bra bags (gotta fold bra in half, then stuff panties and stocking in the cups), I have tried packing them in a box but the box need to be pretty deep otherwise they still get crushed a bit so it's v bulky. But not anymore! When I saw this at Takashimaya, I knew I have found my solution!

Meet The Brag! Bra + Bag = Brag

A hard-case bra bag!! *kok kok kok* it's hard (like fabric luggage bags type of material) so your bra won't go out of shape =)

It's very expensive at $82 (that's before Taka card discount of 10%) but considering the fact that one bra costs an average of $70 and the design is so pretty, it's a reasonable price to pay.

Holds 1-6 bras up to size 36C

I can't wait to use it =D

Here's the website =) at USD$49.95, it's slightly cheaper if you order it online but with the taka 10% discount, it's not much of a difference. And don't forget there's delivery charge if you order online.

I bought one for Pris too, in her favourite colour, for Christmas =) Pris doesn't read my blog so it's fine haha

My New Mop and Pail

2010-12-03T08:52:00.002+08:00

I bought a very cool mop and pail and my bad influence friend says her mum LOVES them. It's a German brand Leifheit with patented design. I was very impressed when I saw the aunty demo it at Taka yesterday. Basically you place the mop head into the light green basket and pump lightly then the basket will spin very fast (like a salad spinner) and squeeze out the water. So no more squeezing with hands or pulling handle like those sponge mops (which I initially wanted to buy).

I have not used it yet so I can't say if it's really that good but I am certainly excited to try it tomorrow =)

However I have two complaints after settling down at home, when the adrenaline rush from watching the aunty demo and the Christmas jingles getting you into a buy buy buy trance has worn off: the ugly colour and no handle, no wheels. I like to move my pail around so will have to see how to work around that.

$68 from Takashimaya
10% off from now til Sunday (if you have taka card) and they have a promo now with free additional mop head. aunty says depending on frequency of use, replacement is 3 months to a year.

Here's a video from youtube.

I Didn't Use up My Budget at Taka Sale

2010-12-02T22:45:00.001+08:00

Before i went for taka sale this morning, chris warned...

chris: your budget is 250 ha!! singapore dollars!
me: er.... -.-
chris: whatever you spend eats into your shopping budget overseas!
me: !!!

after taka sale i went to fetch him. he was sniffing around for proof of purchases... all my stuff were in the boot except one bag on the back seat...

chris: that's all?
me: er...
chris: pls don't tell me the rest are in the boot...
me: =D
chris: declare!
me: er...
chris: how much did you spend??!!!
me: er... nothing much actually...
chris: -.-
me: well, i bought some undergarments but that's not counted right? cos it's essentials... undergarments are essentials...
chris: o... k...
me: and i bought a bra bag for travelling.... wa it's v good! but that's for keeping the bra so it's also not counted right?
chris: -.-
me: and it's so nice i bought one for pris... present not counted right?
chris: -.-
me: and boxers for you. buy things for you not counted...
chris: -.-
me: and i bought a mop and pail... wa, the pail is v tok kong one! patented design... household stuff not counted...
chris: -_____-|||
me: and a wok, also household stuff so not counted...
chris: -___________-|||
me: oh and a cookie cutter... again household stuff so not counted...
chris: -________________-|||
me: so technically, i didn't spend any money at taka sale... didn't buy any luxury items... all necessities and household stuff =) so all not counted... golly, i didn't use the budget at all! =D so technically, my overseas budget remains unchanged!! =D
chris: -.-??? o... k... at least u didn't say since u didn't use your budget you can ADD it to your overseas budget... -.-

O Holy Night

2010-11-30T08:00:00.017+08:00

my favourite Christmas carol... many divas have attempted this song but these are my favourite versions... enjoy =)

love his nice clean voice but of cos that was 10 years ago when he was 12 =)

some people find her voice annoying but i like it. I think she did this song very very well... but i don't like that the MTV made it look as though the audience were worshipping her rather than God...

a more classical version by Sandi Patty =)

Pet Remains

2010-11-29T08:00:00.000+08:00

Some of u don't know but we had two bunnies previously who passed away. Brownie was with us for a good 5 years, he passed away due to tumours. Hiro was a sick bunny that the store sold us (we didn't know) and he was with us for only 4 weeks ='( Click on Hiro to read his story.

We keep their ashes in Waterford Wedgwood bone china sugar bowls at home... only the best for our darlings...

That day my brother asked me...

kor: eh, how long ago did brownie (our late bunny) die ha?
me: can't remember...
kor: so what did you do to the ashes?
me: at home la! didn't u see??
kor: ah yo, that time my dog died we put the ashes at home got dog smell neh!
me: ha???
kor: ya, the house got his lingering dog smell!
me: don't be gross la!
SIL: ya!! we can smell! and none of our neighbours had dogs...
kor: ya lor, the smell left only after we got rid of the ashes...
me: don't be so spooky la!
kor: really!
me: anyway, bunnies don't smell la

LOL my kor makes it sound so spooky... like as though the pet's spirit is still lingering around like that...

Time Flies

2010-11-28T09:30:00.003+08:00

I remember some years ago I saw an MV and thought this boy has such great potential and liked his singing so much I bought his Christmas album. The MV I saw was much cuter with him in a tuxedo and dancing. This is the only one I can find... really nice voice =)

It's been 10 years and he is 22 now!!! Golly... time flies...

Innovative??

2010-11-27T15:05:00.000+08:00

There is a new foodcourt near our place (beside the Sheng Siong) and chris said...

chris: dear dear, you must go and see the foodcourt.... i must take more pictures! hehehe...
me: ha? take what pictures??
chris: you will find out when you're there hehehe...

so we went and once i stepped in, i wanted to laugh... here are the stall names... so corny... u wanna make a guess what they sell? LOL

in the first picture, the leftmost one is 印象深刻

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T18:07:00.002+08:00

Today is supposed to be Thanksgiving in America... There's just so much to give thanks for... Beautiful nature, abundance, good health etc... Here are my top 5 thanksgivings =)

- God

my source of strength, provider, comfort in times of need, Father. I know that even if everyone forsakes me, He will be there =) And I don't fear death because I know He is in heaven waiting (er... but I fear the way I will leave... really hope no pain =P haha)

- My family and friends =)

really, every struggle/sorrow/hardship is halved and every joy/good news/happiness multiplied when we have loved ones by your side. I am thankful for especially Chris who always loves and accepts me for who I am. His family, they are the best in-laws anyone can ever ask for =) I thank God for my mum and kor. Although my mum doesn't REALLY need me -.- (maybe she act cool only), I know she cares for me and loves me and of cos, my kor, he is the BEST kor eva!!!! And yeah, my nieces, they're the cutest (I don't care if you think your kid is the cutest, my nieces are the cutest LOL) =D

- My freedom

As a woman, I thank God that I live in a country that does not discriminate against women, where we have equal opportunities and feel protected, loved and appreciated. I also thank God that I can worship Him freely in this country, one that is stable and peaceful.

- My gifts

which I can use to bless those around me. When people come to me to say, "Hey, that song you sang really ministered to me", I really thank God. I also thank Him that I can use my skill in photography to bring so much joy to people around me. Some people say to me, "Ah yo Ann, you're always taking pictures and videos of kids, you should have your own!" I like to take photos of children not just because they're cute but because I know it brings their parents great joy to capture these precious moments. The satisfaction I feel seeing parents get so excited over their cute kids' pictures/videos is what makes me want to do it. It's not because I am yearning to have kids of my own or "my biological clock is ticking". I learnt a skill, I have the equipment, so why not use them to bless others? Otherwise the camera will just be sitting in the dry cabinet. Of course, I simply adore my nieces so I paparazzi them a lot LOL

- My job

again I thank God for giving me a gift to be able to do what I have been doing for 10 years and lately to be able to impart some of that experience to groom another. I pray that I will have the passion to continue doing the work I so love (despite my occasional grumbles =P). My colleagues (especially my dept) are a great bunch. I have never been happier in my work-life. There's such strong unity and out of it, synergy when we work together for a greater good. I salute all of them and am proud to be amongst them =)

Cooking for Two

2010-11-25T08:00:00.000+08:00

The other day my girlfriend Pris commented...

Pris: dear, among all my girlfriends, i think you cook most frequently

me: actually i don't cook VERY frequently, maybe 1-3 times a week for dinner and more for lunch.

Pris: isn't it expensive to cook for two? i find that i spend more than if we just eat out

well, that depends on what you cook and what you compare with when eating out. For example, it costs me only about $10 to cook a meal of chicken ginseng soup, steamed pomfret and xiao bai cai. If we were to eat the same dishes at a hawker centre or restaurant, it will definitely cost more. Of cos, it's that "cheap" cos I only need to buy the fish, chicken, veg and tomato. I have the ginseng, mushroom, ginger, chilli, sauces etc at home. You can't compare your cooking one veg, one meat and one soup meal with eating a bowl of fishball noodles outside, that's not a fair comparison.

Some ways to make cooking for two more economical are:

1. Cook more frequently

The reason why some people find that cooking for two is expensive is because they cook once in a blue blue moon. You will buying many ingredients because you don't have anything at home. If you need to buy a bag of garlic, ginger, chili, mushrooms etc etc EVERY time you cook, of cos it will add up to a lot. Then before you can use the ingredients again, they'd have gone bad and you throw them away and buy new ones =(

2. Shop at a market rather than supermarket if possible

At a market, you can buy ONE carrot, ONE cucumber etc... This i find very difficult to do. I still buy from supermarts and minimarts. It's a good thing that the minimart near my house tries to pack the portions smaller. They're probably aware than my neighbourhood consists of mainly small families.

3. Try to cook the same type of cuisine

Although it's nice to be adventurous and try new things, don't be pattern more than badminton. Mon Italian, Tues French, Wed Korean, Thu Mediterranean etc... -.-

I stick to Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Italian. For that reason, I always have important ingredients like mirin, sake, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, olive oil, dried pasta etc. in my kitchen. That way, I don't need to buy something special just to cook it once and then never use it again. Japanese stuff are really expensive so I try to use up as much as I can (for soy sauce, sake and mirin, I always do).

4. Plan and be creative with the use of ingredients

For example, if you had to buy a bag of carrots, onions and potato for Japanese curry, you can cook carrot, onion and potato soup another day. And if you buy a pack of 3 Japanese cucumbers to make sushi, you can use them for salads and sandwiches. as for the seaweed, i try to make onigiri (rice balls wrapped in seaweed) to use them up. Very often I use the same ingredients in different ways for the day's dinner and the next day's lunch =)

5. Try to make Japanese sauces from scratch

Most Japanese sauce are made from the following main ingredients: dashi powder, soy sauce, mirin, sake, vinegar, sugar. If you have these, you can make many sauces, from soba dip to teriyaki sauce to chilled noodle dip to japanese salad dressing (needs oil too), or oyakodon (chicken and egg on rice) and gyudon (beef on rice) sauce. It's just a matter of different proportions and different combinations. You can also easily make sushi vinegar using rice vinegar, sugar and salt. That way, you won't end up buying many different sauces and not being able to finish using them. Like you buy a bottle of soba dip and use it like once then it turns bad =( but i can never remember the proportions LOL i need to refer to my cookbook =P

6. Choose recipes carefully

I try only those recipes for which I have most of the ingredients and just need to buy the main stuff. If you buy EVERY single ingredient on the list... it's gonna cost a lot more than if you just buy the finished product.

7. Improvise the recipe

If I want to try a new recipe and I don't have a particular ingredient, i will either improvise or just leave it out. chris has not tasted the real thing with that ingredient so he wouldn't know haha but this does not work as well for baking ha! haha

8. Keep it simple

If you cook something like ayam buah keluak for TWO -.- it's really not worth the effort. I find that most nonya food is very labour-intensive which is why i'd rather eat it at a restaurant. I usually just cook simple home-cooked fare like steamed fish, braised chicken, baked chicken, sauteed different kinds of veg, different kinds of soups etc. For the cheem ones, just eat at a restaurant (or mum's or mother-in-law's place if they can cook =D).

9. Have dried or frozen stuff on hand

For a quick additional dish if you need. I find that dried shiitake mushrooms are awesome. Frozen prawns and veg are great too =) By the way, your freezer works better if it's not too empty you know?

Hope this helps and motivates you to cook for your small family =)

O.O

2010-11-24T08:00:00.003+08:00

this is unbelievable... but in Singapore people will ask, "woo COE boh?" LOL

Angry Birds

2010-11-23T17:07:00.002+08:00

hahaha... this is so funny =DD my kor must watch this... he likes to play angry birds on my i-phone

Not Again... -.-

2010-11-22T19:16:00.001+08:00

We celebrated my FIL's birthday on Sun and he showed us a coin jar shaped like a milk bottle...

FIL: see this? i am saving up for my grandchildren...
us: O.O
FIL: you want to contribute?
chris: didn't bring money... -.-
FIL: this is for grandchildren...
me: *to chris' brother* patrick! quick! go and get married and have kids!
patrick: *shake head* no no no... hehehe

after cutting cake...

FIL: *to chris* do you know your mother wants to strap scruffy to her back and bring to market?
us: -.-??
FIL: and tell people that's her grandchild!
us: -________-|||

Ugly (and Stupid) Singaporeans

2010-11-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

Chris and I were at Cold Storage yesterday evening because Chris wanted Haagen Daz ice cream. We Q-ed behind this couple with a basket full of groceries and they held up the LONG (the usual weekend crowd + pre-Christmas craze) Q...

AFTER the cashier scanned everything in their basket...
woman: i want to use my points to off-set
cashier: *swipe card* but mdm, there are no points in your card
woman: have! i want to off-set with my points and pay the remaining by NETS
cashier: but... mdm, there are no points...
woman: cannot be, the bank told me i have a lot of points!
cashier: maybe you could check with the bank?
woman: the bank says i have a lot of points!

meanwhile, chris and i: -.-

senior cashier comes to help...
senior cashier: mdm, you can only directly off-set if it's citibank card, UOB cannot...
woman: *sigh* then i will pay with NETS
senior cashier: but mdm, we have already swiped your card...
woman: can you cancel? i want to pay by NETS
senior cashier: but mdm, it means we have to RE-SCAN all your purchases... *glance at long Q*

so?? what would YOU do?? Note: There's a long Q and the person behind you has two tubs of ice cream... you'd say it's ok right? but....

woman's husband: ok, can you? please...?

chris and i: *JAW DROP TO THE GROUND + STUNNED* -__________-|||

everyone else: >.<|||

woman: it's ok la it's ok la *signed credit card bill*

ah yo, what is their problem??? either way she has to pay what!!! she probably needs to redeem VOUCHERS with her points then use at CS... she thought can suka suka come and use points one ah?? aunty! your card is not citibank card neh! only citibank cards got 2% rebate... and i can't believe her husband wanted the cashier to RE-SCAN everything!!!

some singaporeans make my blood boil (and ice cream melt)...

Christmas Party at Playschool

2010-11-20T17:55:00.001+08:00

hahaha... kirstyn called me Gu Gu Bird today -.- my kor says he taught her "Gu Gu has rabbits" and also about birds so... -.-

Anyway, I took over my kor at the playschool today cos he had to work...

=') It's my nieces' last day at Julia Gabriel Playschool. They won't be going back next term as they'll be starting N1 (nursery) my nieces are growing up so fast if I don't capture more videos and photos of them, these moments will be gone forever =')

Here's a short video of their Christmas-cum-graduation party =') I will miss the times spent with them at their playschool =') =')

Colour-Blind

2010-11-16T08:00:00.003+08:00

I have two laundry bins. one for dark-coloured clothes, one for light.

so on sunday I was washing the dark-coloured load...

me: WANG JUNJIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chris: yeah?
me: *hold up a light-blue shirt* does this look DARK-coloured to you??
chris: er... ya...
me: *hold up a yellow shirt* DOES THIS LOOK DARK-COLOURED TO YOU???!!!
chris: erm... y...ya...
me: *fuming... hold up his WHITE underwear* DOES. THIS. LOOK. DARK. COLOURED. TO. YOU???!!!
chris: hehe... y... ya... dear, who cares, just throw them in and wash la...
me: >_______<|||

when i die, his clothes are all gonna be one colour: DARK.

Inertia

2010-11-15T08:00:00.001+08:00

is the property of a body to stay at rest or remain in motion (in a straight line) unless acted on by an external force.

Let me give you an example...

me: wa dear!! rain has stopped! let's go jogging! ^^

chris: er... but we have to go to my mum's place soon...

me: IT'S 4:30!!! (we usually leave at around 6+) -.-

so we were downstairs stretching and i noticed that the puddles of water had tiny ripples...

me: aw man... it's still drizzling????

chris: *stands outdoors* ya dear! =D since it's drizzling, we should just go home! =D

me: -.- *runs out* ah ya, just slight drizzle... let's go

chris: but but dear... you will catch a cold... no lah..

me: -.- don't be such a wuss! don't you march in the rain in the army???!!

chris: er... Cat 1 must stop... otherwise got lightning...

me: it's just a few drops!! -.-

chris: no lah dear...

me: =(

chris: the floor is slippery...

me: -.-

chris: okok, we climb stairs??

me: must go up fast ha! go up down 3 times?

chris: er... 2?

we were HALFWAY up the HDB block...

chris: DEAR! reach home already! let's go home la!

me: -.- just go! *ROAR*

chris: =(

we reached the top floor and took a lift down...

me: one more time? =D

chris: er... you're obsessed...

me: kk, we run under the blocks... void decks... got covered walkways =)

chris: -.-

we did one round and when we were reaching our block, i ran outdoors a little...

me: DEAR!! =D the rain has stopped... now we can run to [the next town]!! =D

chris: -__________-||| you are obsessed!

I Am Not An Aunty =(

2010-11-14T14:53:00.000+08:00

Lately I have been collecting bread wrappers... 3 Sunshine wrappers can be exchanged for a milk toast.

This morning I had to sing in church so after that I went to get lunch for chris but was running late so I SMSed him...

me: You eat some bread first. Will be late. Don't throw the plastic ha!!
chris: Yes, aunty...
me: -.-

When I came home...
chris: Hi aunty!
me: -.-
chris: so dear, are you going to start collecting those cold storage stickers to exchange for dono what?? haha...
me: -.-

=(