Off to Korea!

I can't believe the hubs and I are actually going off to Korea! I'm quite excited about this trip, somewhat like Japan, but more exciting because I've been watching too many K-dramas and hope to see that all in this trip, knowing that majority of the filming is done on the streets of Seoul.

Gotta go sleep now, bon voyage to me!

Food Blog : The Queen and Mangosteen

There should never be places to run out of for us to eat here in Singapore. The hubs and I finally tried the above and were not sorely disappointed.

It's more of a mellow beer drinking place with tidbits rather than a restaurant, but they didn't disappoint in their main dishes. The lamb was yummy and so was the rib-eye. Now they'll only need to work on their sides (chicken salt fries!) and sauce and all will be good.

Rib-eye steak

Elections - Part 2

Speaking of elections... I don't remember such intense sessions as is currently happening.
This morning, there was a group of electoral people greeting and shaking people's hands at the train station.
Is this going to be a regular occurrence up until the elections?
And after?
There won't be anyone greeting and shaking your hand, will there?
Nope, not until the next elections
And it would be pretty difficult to see them, I would think

Long weekend

Hurray for long weekends!
We have one coming up... the first of many
It's Good Friday in a couple of day's time
Only one more day of work and it'll be three days of drama!
*massive grin*

New Toy

Last weekend, I ended up getting a new toy, a D7K. I've been thinking of getting a DSLR camera for a long, long time now because I was getting irritated with the automatic cameras which wouldn't allow me to quickly choose what I want to focus on, especially when we're talking about depth of field and bokeh. The only thing that was stopping me was the size of these cameras. Not something you can fit in your handbag and carry around everyday.

Anyways, I ended up getting this model as it is mid-sized and has most of the latest digital functions. I've only read the manual one third of the way... which is pretty sad. I think I'll have to read up on the hub's photography magazines to get more out of the type of photos which I would like to take and hopefully be able to use this camera to its fullest ability... and mine.

Piano with the 50mm lens

Sick leave

When you're sick, it's best that you don't go to work and spread the germs. I believe in that. I don't like it when sick people come to work because they have to come to work and end up spreading their germs all over the office. Coughing openly while walking all over the office, touching the printers, doors, switches with their germ infested fingers... it's just impolite! Besides, it's not going to help your body fight the virus.

Ergo, I'm at home today, nursing the last bits of my massive sore throat and fever. I think the best part about this job is the fact that I can work from home, if need be. Love web based applications and remote access!

F1 : Shanghai

I can't believe I fell asleep halfway through this exciting race. Will just have to put it down to the poor health I've been experiencing this weekend.

Just for the record, Vettel didn't win this race, surprise, surprise... This year's races are going to be very, very interesting, what with the new tires, 107% qualifying speed, the KERs system and that rear flap thingie! Maybe they should be changing the rules every year... then the skills of the driver will be constantly put to task plus the makers of the cars have to be on their toes, constantly coming up with new ideas on how to win.

One other thing to note in this race would be Webber. I'm not really a big fan of him, but he has proven himself in this particular race. Starting off at 18th and finishing 3rd, plus doing the fastest lap! This is what racing is all about!! I guess he hasn't given up on racing yet, has he?

Elections

The newspapers have been filled with news on the upcoming elections these days. Once in every 4 years? I need to read up on these things, even if they don't really affect me.

The introduction of new candidates into the ruling party was inevitable but have caused great debate among the people of this country, filling up newspapers and opening new opportunities for people to dig up everything they can about these candidates, naughty and nice.

The elections itself should be upon us soon. There are only so many days and amount of resources you can spend to rally up to election day.

Genetically Modified Eggplants

Just yesterday I was reading about fake eggs in China. Today, there are genetically modified eggplants in India! What happened to normal food? Why must food products be changed?? What is normal food these days anyways???

I'm sure a whole heap of experiments were conducted in the process of coming up with it, and that it would have been proven safe for consumption before releasing it to the general public, but why? If pests are attacking crops, shouldn't they think of ways to eradicate the pests instead of harming the product?

I've also read that the cost of growing these genetically modified crops are not cheap and wonder if it's protected from pests even. I mean, if pests don't even want to eat it, it must be awful for humans too, right?

Fake Eggs

How would you know if you're cracking a fake egg (chicken)? Why would anyone come up with one? Are they so much more cost effective to come up with than chicken eggs? It seems to be the current topic in China.

Here's a country that hasn't ceased to amaze me. With a population of over a billion people, they have maintained rule and kept up with the times from the internet to branded goods to fake eggs. What will they come up with next?!

The Man Almighty

Time to start another drama. This time I'm switching to modern. Think I'm up to my ears in royal/formal speak. Not entirely a recommendation, I picked this up because of the lead actor, Song Il Gook, my current perv.

But I'm starting this show with a bit of apprehension as he has decided to lose a lot of weight for this part. I think I read somewhere it's close to 15kgs! So you can imagine from his Jumong days to now... he's looking a little gaunt because the sharp features on his face doesn't suit him and is showing his age. Oh well, hope the storyline is not too weak and the action scenes befits his new physique.

Vacation planning

Is it time to start planning for another vacation?!?!?!
Yes, I believe so.
Where are we going this year?
Do we have to pick something out of a hat again?

I'd really love to go to Japan again
It's a country I could keep going back to
But with everything that's happened, it might not be a wise decision
Maybe next year...

So... Europe? Asia? The States?
Hmm... how come the world is so big but still not big enough?
Or are we just being picky?
Looks like I can't just spin the globe for this vacation

Bed Bugs

I'm almost afraid to buy that super duper vacuum cleaner that would suck up all the bed bugs that I'm sure live in our mattress... and among the other furniture...

Maybe it's not a bad thing that we live together? Maybe it's a good thing that they are there? Maybe our bodies need to be bitten once in a while in order to increase resistance?

On a separate note, there was an article in the newspaper today about a person whose bed bugs problem is very evident in and around his house. Scary pictures surfaced and it reminded me of the scare which New York hotels faced not too long ago. Surely bed bugs were put on Earth for a reason, right? We don't have to get rid of them, right?

Hot, hot, hot!

I can't believe how hot this weekend has been! What's happening with the weather these days? There's no wind coming through the windows although my place is not blocked by buildings, there's just no wind blowing... sweltering while watching the telly is no fun, even if it's watching someone good looking enough to perv on. Looks like it's time for another cold shower!

Food Blog : Penang Place

I.AM.SO.FULL.

Why did I eat so much?
Was the food really all that yummy?
YES!!!

It's been many, many years since the hubs brought me to this place. It's remotely located in the International Business Park in Jurong East. I can't believe it's still around! What more, the food is still yummy. Kuay Teow, Nasi Lemak, Prawn Noodles, Rojak, Ice Kacang, Chendol, not to forget the many, many side dishes of pork, chicken and beef! I tried a little of everything, as you would when you're at a buffet. Still, I didn't get to eat the Nyonya desserts, fruits and was about to throw up at the thought of going for a third bowl of Chendol!

They'll be moving over to the Fusionopolis site in a few month's time... hopefully the food will still be delicious!

Clusterfluff

A few days ago Ben & Jerry's came up with a new flavour of ice-cream.
It's peanut butter ice-cream with swirls of peanut butter, crunchy caramel pieces and marshmallow.
Do you think it'll be yummy?
I think it'll be extremely sweet!
Never mind about the taste, couldn't they think of another name?
Clusterfluff???

Location tags

I've been using the FourSquare application quite a bit, always keeping in mind not to check-in at home or anywhere near home. As such, I've only used it to check into restaurants or while visiting a friend. Recently, Facebook's Places was finally made available to users here and everyone has been checking in in earnest.

So, what's with this concept of checking in to the places you are at? It'll be fun for a little while, letting all your friends know that you're "going places", and then what? Even you'll get tired of being a narcissist unless these kind of things don't affect you. Anyways, to get around all that, I've decided to make it a little of a recommendation to places I've eaten at. The best thing about Singapore is the abundance of restaurants, and if we were to try each and everyone of them, it'll take us a long, long while to complete... if ever.

Bubble Tea

Ever since working in the Raffles Place area again, I've been frequenting this particular bubble tea shop called Eskimo located at the Market Street Carpark. I've tried all the other brands... mostly, except the one called Gong Cha which seems to have gazillions of people queued up to place their orders.

Anyways, I like this one. I'm usually having the Grass Jelly Milk tea with super bubbles *yum*. I think they make their own Grass Jelly as it's a little sweet to the taste and they definitely have their bubbles texture right, chewy and cooked through. The tea in the milk is not too overpowering and all in all it makes a pretty yummy after lunch drink. The only thing about this franchise is that not every branch has the same taste. I've tried one other one located in the City Hall Xchange and it was awful.

Food Blog : Chendol

When you have nothing else to write about, write about food. Writing about food is always good *grin*

While in search for a good bowl of Chendol here in Singapore, I stumbled upon Grandma's. It's a new restaurant opened in the newly renovated basement of Raffles City. They serve Ipoh, Penang and generally Malaysian cuisine, all with an expensive price tag. I wouldn't mind paying a little extra, if the food is yummy. One day, we're going to have to try their main dishes.

For now, we had tea and ordered the fried chicken wings (which were surprisingly delicious and well cooked and marinated) and Chendol. Another recommendation from me!

Chendol

I LOVE the pot of thick Gula Melaka which they served on the side for you to decide how sweet you want the dish to be. The green bits were ok, a little too green and hard, and the red beans were the kind that I like, not the big beans. The only thing is, what's with the atap seeds? I don't remember it being served in Malaysia, right?

Food Blog : Brotzeit

Another food blog already?!

It was my fault this time. I wanted to have some sausages... think I'll have to go back to Frankfurt to have real sausages at some point in time! Their street sausages were extremely yummy! Or even Adelaide! Miss the street sausages...

I'm still not into sauerkraut, so I can't say if this is authentic or not, but this particular place does really, really yummy french fries. It's the chicken salt, I tell you.

Pork rib platter and a side dish of pork sausages

Food Blog : Hippopotamus

A few nights ago the hubs and I decided to try out this new restaurant, Hippopotamus, located at Marina Square. Think it took over another restaurant, which we haven't tried, called Changing Appetites. Interesting deco, especially with the huge neon Hippo outline.

As weird as the name, Hippopotamus is, the dishes were really yummy. It's a steak joint and they make their own thick potato chips as an entree. We were too hungry to take pictures of what we ordered, plus the lighting at the place wasn't good for the phone camera. But it's a place I would recommend going back to. If you're going with friends, try their 1kg rack of meat!!!

Perving Sessions

Days filled with watching drama... is that a waste? I guess not when there are things to learn *grin*

These days, I've been trying to watch Jumong as quickly as I can but every minute is full of drama that there's no way to fast forward and watch it like an old Charlie Chaplin show.

Besides, I think I've found a new actor to perv on, Song Il Gook! He acts like an amazing archer really, really well and I'm loving the up close shots of him pulling and releasing arrows. What a way to spend the weekend!

On a separate note, what did all those ladies of leisure do during the olden times when their husbands were out fighting wars and there weren't any drama to watch nor internet to play with?

Sauna Train

Oh wow!!! I think the weather's going to go a bit wonky from now on.

This morning, I was on a sauna train to work. What in the world is a sauna train, you ask? Well, it's one that's jam packed with hundreds of people, with no air-conditioning!!! The minimum reprieve would be when the doors open every 2 minutes or so to let people off and more on... hoping that some hot air from within the train would escape and fresh air would replace it.

I didn't even realise that I was sweating profusely until I decided to get a piece of tissue from my bag. There were so many beads of sweat on my forearms. And this is just from standing for about 15 minutes. Erkkk... Couldn't stand the heat anymore and decided to get off. Double erkkk... After feeling the breezy cool air for a couple of minutes, more beads of sweat from my back started to drip down. Triple erkkk... are you still reading this? *grin*

Suffice to say, I'll always test out the airflow within a train before I get on it. With the amount of people travelling to work in the mornings, it's not easy to get off a train within a few stops once you're on one and have moved to the center of the train.