Guest Blogging

Many have said I am a very prolific and consistent blogger. Perhaps, perhaps not. To me, I will not consider myself as prolific or consistent, I shall say I am long-winded to say the least? I have considered whether to let others post to my blog, but with my perfectionist and picky personality (in some areas), I rather stick to myself, as others may not write the way I write, or follow my style and format.

But then variety is the spice of life, is it not? It will be too boring and mundane if everything sticks the same. Things become very predictable after that. Hence I have invited him to be a guest blogger. (Can refer to his blog for some socio-philosophical issues close to his heart.)

He can write anything he likes on my space. This is the first guy I have been with who actually and totally appreciates my blog as much as I love it, others would either deem me too expressive or emotional, or else they are not comfortable with being "exposed" in cyberspace. Hence I have given him carte blanche to post anything he wants anytime he wants. He says I can post to his space too, but I have yet to receive an invitation. ;-D

Black Coffee ....

The dear loves coffee. But I am not that much a coffee person. So whenever we go to a cafe, he will always drink coffee and I will always drink hot chocolate or tea. In any case, it is hard to find good coffee here. The coffee overseas is another story altogether. The aroma is so strong that I can never resist it. Hence I always drink coffee whenever I am overseas, but not here.

Whenever my Aussie relatives come, they will look for nice coffee. But I have no place to recommend them. I do not mean the coffee from coffee shops, I mean gourmet coffee. So when I came across the Black Coffee Dessert Bar near my office, I was intrigued. With reviews that the coffee there is up to standard, I decided to bring the dear along.

The interior decoration is pretty cosy. When we were there last evening, the staff was in the midst of decorating for Halloween. It is just a small space that can cater to fifteen people, no more than that. What I like is the menu - the menu is written on a black board with different coloured chalk. Somehow I have always liked this concept!

The menu

The interior decoration - does it not reek of nostalgia?

I wanted to order coffee, but the variety is about the same as any other cafe - normal coffee, espresso, mocha, cappuccino, au lait. Where is Blue Mountain? Hence I decided to get molten chocolate, which is stated as their specialty.

And molten chocolate it is. It is thick chocolate that is melted down, put into a small cup with a marshmallow on top. One taste and it is heavenly! Kudos to the molten chocolate!

My molten chocolate with marshmallow

His mocha espresso (I like the leaf shape on top!)

We also shared a Shepherd's Pie between us. But frankly speaking, the pie is not that fantastic. I have tasted the best Shepherd's Pie in England, that somehow the local ones here do not cut it. So for food, I will give it two stars the most. Drinks wise (I am biased since I have onl y taken the hot chocolate), four and half stars! Ambience three stars and pricing four stars.

Our Shepherd's Pie

I do not mind going back there again though. I saw a variety of cakes on display which look really yummy. Perhaps next time I shall order the oreo chocolate cheesecake, and a cup of coffee!

Sketches Brasserie

I always wondered why some cafes choose to call themselves "brasseries". After all, that word kind of conjures up something else in my mind. Later on, I realise that the word "brasserie" is French for "brewery" or "a type of restaurant with a relaxed, upscale setting, which serves single dishes and other meals." It can have service staff and printed menus, opens every day of the week and serves the same menu all day.

We were at Sketches Brasserie next to Hotel Intercontinental last Saturday. The last time I was there was a few years back when I had a gathering with some former co-workers. I remember the pizza was pretty good.

However, this time round, I was not happy with their service. The service staff seems quite confused over the menu. Perhaps because the menu is hand-written, and one has to state the preference on what kind of pasta we like.

The standard of the food has dropped a lot too. The pasta is tasteless, the soup is normal Campbells soup, and the garlic bread is not well-toasted. The interior decoration is cosy with a nice ambience, but it is hard to look beyond physical appearance when the food is not up to par.

In short, I would rate it only one out of five for food, three for ambience, and one for price (it is not that expensive, but not worth the price for the kind of food!) This is one place I am not going back if I can help it!

Interior of the restaurant

The bar counter

The table setting
(I kind of like the wooden table, gives a rather quaint feel)

The menu (see how confusing the menu can get?)

The garlic bread

Mushroom soup

My spaghetti with onions, bolognaise sauce and bacon

His spaghetti with mushrooms, bacon and ham

There was actually some confusion over his order. He does not eat onions and he wants mushrooms, but when my spaghetti came, his came with the same ingredients. Turned out the poor girl was confused over our orders in the menu slip.

So we had to explain that this plate consisted of mushrooms, bacon, ham, bolognaise sauce and NO onions. But at least she was kind enough to bring it back and the chef gave us a new order. Hence three stars for service!

Dessert - Creme Brulee with tea

This was the worst creme brulee I have ever tasted! Firstly, the texture was so hard that I could hardly put my spoon in! Creme brulee may look hard on the outside, but once you dip your spoon inside, the texture is as soft as custard. The hardness is only the top layer, where the sugar coating is. Creme brulee should best be eaten in an authentic French restaurant!

Mahjong Galore!

I do not come from a mahjong family. As in, none of my family members (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) play mahjong. My entire family does not indulge in the vices like smoking (ok, there were a couple of smokers from the older generation, that is about it), drinking (except for social and light drinking), or gambling (no mahjong, no card games, except for light UNO, Gin Rammy and Blackjack, but we do not play with money).

Strange right? Normally for Chinese families, in a big family setting, people always play mahjong or gamble. But we do not. My family believes in family bonding, so when we have the big get-togethers, they will sit around, feast and chat. Hence, either people are overwhelmed by the big gatherings as most come from small nuclear families nowadays, or they deem it strange that we have so many people at the gatherings yet not a single one plays mahjong.

So I was not brought up to play mahjong. The only times I attempted mahjong was the computer mahjong and a celebration with some friends who were all mahjong addicts. The game itself is pretty addictive actually!

For some reason, I was asked for two mahjong sessions last week. The first one lasted six hours. I could still remember which pair and which sequence, but I have totally forgotten the exact calculation of opening sequence, what tiles needed to win, and whatnot. Hence I was quite confused in the beginning.

But after shuffling the tiles, losing a few rounds and winning due to a big stroke of luck, I managed to get the hang of the game. In fact, it is a rather good game to exercise your brain. It helps in quick thinking, strategising and analysing, plus improves your powers of observation. I wonder why no one in my family thought of playing? In any case, we do not play with real money, not as if we play big stakes and lose hundreds at one go! It is just a fun and friendly game.

The thing is, the first two or three times I played, I was so nervous and could hardly know what was going on, only followed what others did. Then after that I did not play for the next four or five years. Until recently when I was asked to go for a mahjong session again.

Yet this time round, I am able to grasp the concept rather quickly. I wonder is it because I have played before hence able to catch it fast, or for some reason my intelligence level has increased? I hope it is the latter though!

In any case, it had been two great games, coupled with food, great company and nice drinks! It is a good way of bonding, having fun and chatting at the same time!

Bad Eggs Come In Threes ....

I have been trying to refrain from grumbling, complaining, cursing and swearing, et al, for some time. But in just a week, three different people have irritated the hell out of me. People who really know me know how outspoken I can be, so to be totally quiet is really unlike me. It took all of my grace and manners not to kick up a big fuss!

First was last Sunday, when I met up with friends at a train station before proceeding to the harbour to take the ferry to Batam for our Rempang teaching mission. There was a drink stall that was doing business at that hour of the morning. Since I was thirsty, my dear went to get two drinks for us.

The drinks stall is situated just at the edge of the train station. We were standing away from the gantry, nearer the walkway. The drink stall is just about a metre behind where we were standing! So when we started drinking, a guy who came out of the gantry suddenly told us off that "no drinks allowed".

Who did he think he was? We were not in the train nor past the gantry! We were outside a drinks stall for goodness sake! In that case, does it mean there should be no food and beverage stalls scattered along the train station then? Still, my friend told me not to let that guy spoil our day.

The next incident happened on Tuesday. My dear and I were hitching a cab home after the sumptuous dinner. There was a cab in front of us dropping off a passenger. There was another cab coming up. It was a premium cab, hence the charges were higher.

But that was not the reason why we did not take that cab. Since we already had a cab in front of us, we decided to wait for the passenger to alight before taking that. However, after the passenger had alighted, the driver remarked that she was not picking up anymore passengers, and drove off.

So the premium cab behind us then went onto the spot just vacated by the previous cab. Before we even got in, the driver said in a sarcastic tone, "Twenty cents difference only, cannot afford is it?" I was so pissed! Who does he think he is? It is our choice which cab to take! Does he think everything is to do with money?!

Then when I told him where we wanted to go, he asked if I was going to I road. So I said yes, I am staying around there. But the direction the cab came from happened to be at the other junction, where S road is. (My house is accessible from all North, South, East, West and Central directions.) I road would be coming from the West, S road would be from Central and South.

So anyway, since he was coming from that direction, I told him to turn left at a traffic junction, because if he was going to I road, he would have to go further up and make another U-turn, and the traffic at that point has always been heavy.

But when I told him where to turn, he said in a sarcastic tone, "That is not going to I road, it is going to S road." I said, "Yes, I know, just turn in." Does he think I do not know the way to my own house?! And he still tried to prove himself right and refused to take directions from me! When I told him to turn left, he went straight. Luckily my house is near the corner, so it is rather accessible no matter which way he turns!

I was so pissed when he finally dropped us off! What kind of attitude is that?! Who is he to remark which cab we want, look down on us for a mere twenty cents (according to him), and still insist he knows the way to my house better than I do, when I have been living there for almost sixteen years?!

The last one was on Wednesday, after the photoshoot. I mentioned the pushy studio manager who kept convincing us to get the VIP package. The thing is, we were at the photoshoot just for fun, since my dear have always wanted to go for one. We never intended to get anything else. It is our right to say no, yet why did the manager kept insisting?

He said if we are to get married, the package will cost much more, said that his price is already very reasonable. Yes, we know all that, but honestly, by the time I get married, I will have my own plans in mind, so I do not need his services! It is not the cost but the necessity. We really do not need their services! Which part of that does he not understand?

Again, he said if it is due to the money, we can always negotiate. But we have to keep emphasising that it is not the money, we just do not need it. Yet he kept insisting at the end just boils down to money. And he even said it does not matter to him even if we do not get it, since there will be others who are willing to get it.

Now what kind of attitude is that? Is that the way to get business? When we stood our ground and insisted no, he had a sudden attitude change and was even reluctant to talk to us anymore, when he was so polite and warm in the beginning!

The thing is, if people are in this kind of line, they should expect rejection. Firstly, not many people can afford their packages. Secondly, even if they can afford, it may not be necessary. My money can be better spent elsewhere and not on something which I may not even need in the end!

Still, I like the way my dear told him off. I am still so proud of him for that! Thank goodness the week is about to end. Hopefully next week (and the subsequent weeks) will be much better!

A "Free" Makeover

Some time ago, someone from a makeover studio called me, saying I have won a free trial makeover. Nowadays I am quite wary of things like this, as the last time I won a "free" makeover, I was asked, persuaded, convinced, etc, to buy the entire album, which was charged at an exorbitant price to cover their "free" makeup, hairstyling and photography services.

So I was not really that interested in going for that. Then last week, someone from the same studio called again. I was about to hang up when I was told I could bring a guest and it will be free too. Knowing that my dear has never gone for a makeover and he is quite keen on a "couple" makeover, I agreed to try out their services.

Last night, we went to the studio. Before I stepped in, I already had a bad feeling. The studio is located at the basement of a building in the midst of renovation. When we stepped in, it is the only office in the entire floor! Imagine if I had gone alone, would it not have been more dangerous for me?

When we stepped in, I had to fill in a form. Then we were asked to change into the traditional Japanese wear of both a male and female kimono. After that, the makeup artist started her work. Again, it was not professional. She did not even bother cleaning my face and just applied makeup over my original makeup!

That is a no-no! Anyway who knows how to do makeup knows that the old makeup must be removed first before applying new makeup! All the other makeovers I had done would at least clean my face first before applying new makeup! Furthermore, the makeup she was using is mass produced, which means my face can be allergic to them! All the other makeover studios I went to at least use rather reputable products!

Even the costume looks tattered and torn! Still, after the makeup and hairdo, we were ushered into the photography room for the photoshoot. The photographer is good. He gave us a variety of poses, and the photos turn out looking pretty good! Still, perhaps due to the makeup, I kind of look older than I actually am!

At the end of the photoshoot, we went to check out the photos. Now that was the "real deal". We had to listen to a sales pitch on paying an exorbitant amount to be their VIP member and getting a lifetime membership, which includes yearly makeovers, family portraits, wedding and other functions. So that is the catch!

I am not so naive to think that it is totally free. There is no such thing as a free lunch. I was getting irritated by the pushiness of the studio manager, when my dear did something which made me look up to him in awe. He actually told the manager off! Wow, all these while I have known him, I never know he can be that assertive and firm! I thought I am the louder one whereas he is the more soft-spoken one. That really make me so proud of him!

We stood our ground and finally the manager had no choice but to let us have the two photos as promised without charging us a single cent. He chose one and I chose one, and so, we had our two photos and exited the studio after that!

Well, it was not a total loss. We had fun posing and got our photos as mementos without needing to fork out any money. So it was a relatively fun experience! All the dating specialists say couples ought to have fun doing things together, and that is a good sign!

Morton's Of Chicago

I was at this restaurant for a birthday dinner last night. My dear is so thoughtful, he made a reservation, telling the staff it was my birthday. When we stepped in, the lady at the counter greeted me happy birthday and we were ushered to a table decorated with stars and little hearts.

The table setting was really good! What I really like is the personalised menu, with the words "Happy Birthday" on it. It made me feel really special!

The table setting

The menu

My personalised menu

Everything there are in big portions. The roll with butter was served first, but frankly speaking, the roll could feed at least ten people!

The big roll with butter

My friend recommended us the Prime Cut, but that is only available on Fridays and Saturdays. In the end, we settled for a Ribeye Prime. My friend has already cautioned on the big servings, so she told us to order one steak and split it into two for us to share. Then order two sides. So we did just that, with macaroni and cheese and spinach and mushrooms as the sides.

For appetisers, I ordered French Onion Soup and he Lobster Bisque. Dessert was on the house, compliments of the restaurant. It was chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, with a candle too! When dessert was served, the staff crowded around our table and sang happy birthday to me! The lady at the counter even took a photo, put it in a special album with all the staff signatures on it for me! Now this is really special!

My French Onion Soup

His lobster bisque

The main course - USDA Prime Ribeye, medium rare,
with macaroni and cheese and spinach and mushrooms

His portion of the steak

Me enjoying the food!

Dessert on the house

Candlelight effect

The special birthday album

With the staff signatures

It was a really enjoyable dinner! If I must rate this, I will give it four and a half stars for food, four and a half stars for ambience and service, and three stars for price (it is a bit steep, but every cent is worth it!). This is definitely a place I am coming back again!

Sentosa In Half A Day

It was a great birthday yesterday. Thank you so much for everyone who had texted me, emailed me and wrote on my Wall! It had been a wonderful birthday, not just because I have had so many wonderful people around me, but also because it is the first birthday in several years that I have a special someone to celebrate with.

Due to the Deepavali holiday last Saturday, we could take an off-in-lieu from work yesterday. So he specially baked a cake and brought it over to my place! I am so touched! It is a very good cake too, better than what I would have come up with!

The chocolate cake he baked!

Then we went for a day trip to Sentosa. We went via the new Sentosa Express (which replaced the old monorail), and bought a package of three attractions and one adventure. So we ended up going to Images of Singapore, Tiger Sky Tower (which used to belong to Carlsberg), had lunch at the Sky Bar, Fort Siloso, and took the sky train and luge ride.

Entrance of the Sentosa Express

In the Sentosa Express

Look at the big bug!

My hot dog lunch

With a root beer

Chocolate-flavoured New Zealand Natural ice-cream

The Tiger Sky Tower

In the Sky Tower going up

View of the Merlion from the Sky Tower

View from top of the Sky Tower

View from the Sky Tower, coming down

Outside Images of Singapore

Sitting in an old rickshaw

The sky train and luge ride

View of the Sky Tower from the Sky train

Towards Fort Siloso

Tram going to Fort Siloso

One of the cannons outside Fort Siloso

Our shadows

Replica of British soldiers looking out during World War II

The Surrender Chambers - where the Japanese troops surrendered to the British

The Christmas tree at Vivo City (from the Sentosa Express)

After that, we had dinner at Morton's of Chicago. All in all, it had been a really wonderful day! :-)