Family Visitation

It was a great day yesterday. I took the opportunity of being on leave to visit my cousin. Her son will be almost three. How time flutters by! She asked me to bring my dear along and he agreed, so we went to visit them in the morning.

One thing I am happy about is that finally I have found someone willing to mingle, not just with my immediate family (parents, siblings), but also my extended family. This is something I used to envy my cousins for, and something I have always craved for, and now it is coming true.

We chatted, played with the boy and the dog, then went for lunch with my aunt, who also seems happy to see him. My cousin told me to just bring him along for her son's birthday party this weekend, which I would so like to, but my mum is just worried about antagonising my grandma, so too bad. :-( I am praying for a late miracle though, hopefully things will go well!

We then went shopping for balloons and party products. Come to think of it, I have not hung out with my cousin's family for a long time now, and really miss those days when we could just hang out and talk to each other. Things have gone to a low end ever since she got a kid, so I am really happy I spent the day with them yesterday, and even happier that my dear was just willing to hang out with us for the day!

Tonight will be another happy event - the Masquerade Ball! I think it is going to be a wonderful year ahead!

Preparing For A Busy Semester

As promised in my previous post, one thing to focus on is my part-time studies, which, as I have mentioned, I am finally going to get it over and done with. Thus I have registered for six modules in the upcoming semester - the maximum load allowed based on the number of credit units taken.

The four major modules will be : Understanding Components of Language, An Introduction to Language Systems, Analysing Prose : Short Fiction and Essays, and Understanding Poems and Plays.

Understanding Components of Language is a course that is meant to introduce the fundamentals of linguistic analysis. There will be an exposure to the nature of language and the academic ways of thinking about issues relating to language structure and use. Basic units and systems of language - from sound to word to meaning to grammatical systems will be covered.

Topics include :

What is Grammar?
Word Classes
Morphology : Words and Parts
Word Formation Processes
Phrases
Constituency
Sentence Types
Syntactic Analysis
Phonetics
Phonology
Semantics
Pragmatics

An Introduction to Language Systems is a course that considers the study of language systems in relation to language use and language processing. It briefly explores the theory and basic concepts in the study of language variation, first and second language acquisition, language processing and language and neurology.

The topics covered include :

Language Universals and Language Variation
Social and Stylistic Variation
First-Language Acquisition
Issues in Language Acquisition
Second-Language Acquisition
Patterns in Second-Language Acquisition
Writing Systems
Writing in English
Language Processing : Sentence-Level Phenomena
Language Processing : Discourse-Level Phenomena
The Neurology of Language
Language Disorders

Analyzing Prose : Short Fiction and Essays is a course that develops students' skills in reading and analyzing fiction and non-fiction by focusing on the types and elements of short fiction and the essay.

Topics covered include :

Introduction to Prose : Fiction and Non-Fiction
Reading Essays
Types of Essays
Elements of the Essay
Approaching an Essay
Reading and Writing Guidelines
Elements of Short Fiction : Plot
Looking at Characterization
What about Point of View?
Significance of Settings
Understanding Themes
Evaluating Style in Short Fiction

Understanding Poems and Plays is a course that imparts basic skills in reading and analysing poetry and drama, as well as the academic skills of developing arguments and responses to the two literary genres.

Topics include :

Introduction to Poetry and Drama
Reading and analyzing poems
Identifying speaker, listener and context
Language of Poetry
Figures of Speech
Themes and Forms
Reading and Analyzing Plays
Looking at Plot
Development of Characters
Themes
Dramatic Forms
Text and Performance

Besides these, there will be two minor subjects which are not part of the actual curriculum but still have to be taken as it is a requirement of the university. Hence it will be a busy semester ahead but I am looking forward to it!

Finally, The Last Day Of The Year!

How did 2009 fly by so fast? It had been a pretty good year, not that eventful as compared to previous years. Hopefully subsequent years will be better than before.

A good thing about this year is that I got more involved in religion. Seems like after focusing more on God and improving my faith, good things start happening. One is that I discovered more of myself. Two is that my family life kind of improved more, somewhat. Three is the new friends I have made, who have all made impacts on my life in one way or another. But the most important thing is that I finally found someone to love and to hold.

However, this year, I have been pretty lax in a few things, namely studies , diet and driving. Some of you may know I am in the midst of taking a second degree, which somehow had dragged on for quite some time. Due to the revamp of the programme, the status of the campus being a "fourth" university and massive overhaul of structure, things have been progressing at a slow pace.

Now finally the revamp is over, and I need not defer anymore. Hence, I will be starting school again in January. This time, I have made a promise to myself and my mum and my dear that I am taking the maximum load every semester, no more deferring, no more dragging on, and get it over and done with, so perhaps at the end of three to four years, I can finally have the Masters degree I crave for!

It will be a busy year for both of us. 2010 is going to be a special year for me, due to the significance of the digits corresponding with one special day. Starting tomorrow, I would have waved goodbye to the 2000s and starting the 2010s on a special note.

The major concentration will be on studies, religion, diet and lifestyle and a manual license. He will be finishing his Sociology honours hopefully in November (which he had been doing part-time for the past few years), after which he may just throw in the towel and venture into something he has always wanted to do. I have faith that he can achieve what he wants, and ultimately, a better life and future.

Religion-wise, both of us are going to be involved in Cathechism and Sunday school. He will be taking the Confirmation classes (those from Secondary One to Three), and I will be taking the Primary Five students. The cathechism structure in my church is run like a school, with lesson plans, planning of curriculum, liaising with parents, meetings, and camps, something which I am not unfamiliar with.

Besides that, I will still be singing in the church choir, and also our CHOICE activities, with the upcoming CHOICE Asian Conference in October, and perhaps house keep or present for at least one weekend of the year.

Taking another step forward, we have talked about going for the Catholic Engaged Encounter, which we may go in June when our schedules are the most lax. For those who are not familiar, the Catholic Engaged Encounter is an immersion and enrichment weekend for couples who may plan to get married to talk about their future lives, values and attitudes, and assess the suitability to commit to each other.

This may be a make or break thing, as I have known of couples who break up after going through that as they feel they are not suitable for each other in the long-term. Thus whatever the outcome, it is still best we attend this earlier than later.

Diet wise, I am going to revamp my lifestyle, making a note to exercise. Since I cannot give up food, I need to exercise. So we have made a point to do tree tops walks near our offices sometimes, and to have a cycling trip every weekend. A motivating factor is that we have signed up for the Cycling Challenge in March, so I need to be an expert cyclist by then.

After that, perhaps we can train up for the next marathon if time allows. And my mum has told me to take a skipping rope and start skipping every night when I reach home. Hopefully I can finally slim down once and for all.

We have also agreed to focus on the future and start doing more future planning and seriously save up for whatever we need to do for the future. So it means less outings and less fun. But since we are going to be busy with studies and church anyway, this should not be a problem.

And finally, I want to get my long-overdue manual license, after doing auto for so long. The yearning to drive a manual car has been burning in me for ages, and I feel embarrassed whenever I need to get lifts from others. It is time I finally have my own mode of transport!

So in 2010, these are the goals I want to achieve. More resolutions will be coming, but these are the most important ones to focus on!

Fringes ....

I was contemplating whether to cut my hair for Christmas. In any case, I need to cut my hair for the new year. My hair needs a trim anyway. So finally I went to the salon to have a haircut. I suddenly had this urge to change my image, so I told the stylist to trim an inch off the ends, and give me a fringe.

It is quite a big step, considering the last time I actually had a fringe was when I was fifteen or so. Since then, I grew out my fringe and no one had ever seen me with a fringe after that. My parting used to be centre before changing it to the side.

So after the stylist was done with me, I actually have a little layered fringe that just covers my eyebrows. My hair is still past the shoulders, the highlights are still there, the rebonding job is still intact, but other than that, I do not look that different.

Save for the fringe. Maybe I need some getting used to again, as I have not seen myself in a fringe for a very long time. Luckily I got home late last night so my mum has not seen me, otherwise I have no idea what she would say this time.

After the haircut, I became rather self-conscious. My dear told me I look great, that I look younger, but maybe I really need to get used to my "new" look. Now the next problem is how to maintain the fringe so it would not curl up unruly again!

In Love And Family

Lately I have been having a bit of mixed feelings. I remember those days when I was single and casually dating, I was getting a bit tired of flitting around, and wanted someone I can really be with and who wanted to be with me.

My wish came true sooner than expected, really, because he was the last person I would ever thought we could be together. But when we got together, it was just a natural progression than jumping into one. Maybe that is a mature adult's way, rather than the romantic love-at-first-sight and chemistry-at-first-instance way of younger people?

So I thought I should be sensible enough to handle a relationship. A relationship to me is no longer the sticky kind where the guy and girl must see each other everyday, talk on the phone for hours every night and make all the plans and revolve the life around each other, which was what I used to do.

I used to want to sit next to my partner, go everywhere with him, attend every function, and yearned so much for him to mingle with my family (which those in the past never really liked to). I used to want to "lay claim" so to speak on my partner by sitting next to him and holding his hand.

However I no longer do that. At this stage, I believe a relationship takes more than just sitting next to each other, or meeting each other everyday, or talking sweet nothings on the phone for hours. A relationship is how two people commit to each other, and not just being lovey-dovey.

Hence now even when we sit at opposite ends of the same room, I have no qualms about it. I no longer crave that I must find a place next to him and hold his hand. When we are out with friends, I no longer focus my attention on him, wondering if he was focusing his attention on me, and can just mingle, chat and joke with my friends as per normal.

Even if he does not call me at night, I no longer kick up a fuss. Even if he does not see me for the day, I no longer insist he must meet me. In fact, if he does not call me, I can just go to sleep. I no longer need to hear the guy's voice in order to sleep. If he does not meet me, I can spend time on my own, do my own things.

And for the first time, a guy is actually willing to come over to my place more frequently and mingle with my family members. I can tell my mum is okay with him, because she would specially invite him over to sample some new recipes or when we make his favourite dishes. So I have been so happy and confident that things will work out.

But now we have run into some problems. I have always known relationships are not all fine and dandy, there will be problems here and there. It only depends on how major or minor the problems are, and how much we can tolerate and compromise. Which is why it is so upsetting for me.

The thing is the problems we have are not major, but at the same time they are not minor as well. I have no problems with his character or personality, with his job, with his ability or capability. If I had issues with any of these I would not have agreed to start anything in the first place.

The issues involve our extended families. First and foremost, I do agree that a relationship is primarily based on two people, and how they get along with each other. Ultimately they are the ones who will be living together if things work out well and they progress to marriage.

However, a relationship also takes more than just two people. It involves their families too. Just because one is in a relationship, it does not mean we neglect each other's families. By being in a relationship, it is a given that we have to mingle with each other's families and how well we can blend in. This is something my ex-es never understood.

Anyway, the real test is not how my parents treat him or how his parents treat me. The real test is amongst other people, how I am treated and how he is treated. So when my cousin invited him over for her son's third birthday party, he was very happy, until my mum said no.

I was bewildered. I wonder why? In the past my ex-es were always invited but they always refused to go as they always said going for my family functions would just be a waste of time and they had better things to do than feel uncomfortable and talk to people they barely knew. Yet I was always expected to attend their family functions.

So now finally there is someone who is willing and happy to mingle with my family, yet he was not allowed to. My mum says she has no issues and none of my relatives would have issues. The only issue would be my maternal grandma. My mum does not want to upset her.

Perhaps my grandma would be upset, considering she was not happy when my Aussie cousins married their Caucasian wives. But my cousins are her grandsons - sons of her eldest son, so naturally she would be upset as they are the ones who are supposed to carry on the family name.

But I am the daughter of her daughter, I do not even bear her (my grandpa's) surname, and I may not even retain my name in the future. My children will not bear my surname, so will she really have an issue with that?

Still, both of us agreed to respect my mum's wishes and not bring him this time round. My mum said she would slowly talk to my grandma and prepare her so he may be able to come the next time round. At least I am happy that my mum is willing to speak up for us, so hopefully he will be fully accepted by everyone in my family.

Now the sticky part is his family. Initially I have no issues with his parents and his relatives. We seem to get along fine. Until Christmas day. I am not saying his parents ill-treat me because they never did. In fact, his parents are okay with me whenever I go over.

But on Christmas day, he has a female friend who wanted to visit them, and called him and said she was going. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable. Even now, I have never once just called and said I would be going over and go over just like that. I would still ask if it would be a convenient time to go over before going over. I thought that was the polite thing to do.

So his friend came over, and she was chattering away happily and chummily with his parents. They were talking away so blissfully, that all of a sudden I felt as if I was only a vase. And the warmth his parents showed her, they offered her food to eat and bring home, they were full of happiness with the Christmas gift she gave them, they even asked me to take a photo with her with the whole family. And they hugged her when she left. She even have both his parents' numbers and vice versa!

Suddenly I felt as if I was relegated to an outsider, as if I was non-existent. I have never taken a family shot with them before, neither have I been offered any food to bring back each time I went over, and his parents have never shown any expression over whatever I gave them each time I went over. And of course, I have never been hugged by them, and they do not have my number nor I theirs.

If I show any unhappiness, would it not deem me as petty? But at the same time, I was really kind of upset. The thing is, no matter how close I am to a guy and his parents, once he has a girlfriend, I would stop being so close and friendly, especially when his girlfriend is around. I would still talk to them, still visit them if they invite me, but at the same time, I would be conscious of how his girlfriend would feel and be a bit more reserved.

So when his friend did that, I was really pissed. No doubt she is very friendly and whatnot, but I felt she was not showing respect to me. It is not a matter of being possessive. If I am possessive, I would have kicked up a fuss when the girl even so much as said she wanted to drop by. In fact, I even told him to entertain the girl well and not be rude to his guest. I even entertained her with him.

And I was also upset over how his parents treated her as compared to me. The last straw was that his mum told me in front of the friend that I should make him stay home more often, and not keep going out, otherwise it may affect his work and whatnot. Talk about adding insult to injury! It was as if they are blatantly saying they prefer her over me!

So I was really upset. And he has been so wonderful, assuring me and telling me it is his choice, no matter what his parents say. I know, but at the same time, one cannot really cut oneself off from one's parents too, no matter what.

He even said he would speak to his parents, but I told him not to. If he broached the subject, then his parents may think I complained about them, and would it then not be awkward for everyone, and he would be in a difficult position?

Hence I chose to remain silent. I can choose to walk away from it all, like ending the relationship to prevent this kind of problems happening, but if I do that, does it solve the problem? It is very easy for people to just walk away, which is what many people did whenever they run into problems because to them, they are looking for a perfect relationship.

But a relationship is never perfect, no matter what. Of course I would like it to be smooth-sailing too, but life itself is never that easy. Sometimes only be facing problems headlong then can one determine how suitable each other is.

If he chooses to walk away, then he would have given up without even doing anything. Likewise if I choose to walk away, then I would have given up so easily. And if he does that, then he is not the one for me. Likewise if I do that, then I am definitely not the one for him.

So for now, we are facing the problems head on and praying that all will be resolved in due course. I have promised myself that if I am in a relationship again, it is one that will last. So I will do whatever it takes to make it last.

A Busy Christmas

The advantage of being on vacation or on leave, is that it frees me time to do things which I would otherwise not have time to do. Like catching up on my reading. And embroidery, which I have started, then stopped, and now started again. And cooking. And a movie marathon during the weekday.

In the end it seems I am busier while on leave than while working! It had been a busy weekend. Christmas day I was at his place, being introduced to his relatives and helping to entertain his guests. Then I was reading and sewing on Saturday.

On Sunday, I went to a good friend's new place for a Christmas gathering with my closest girl friends, all with our other halves. My friend recently married in October (think I mentioned it) and we went to her place on Sunday for lunch. I cooked spaghetti bolognaise for everyone.

Come to think of it, my closest girl friends are all from school, secondary and post secondary. Maybe it is true what others have said - friends from school are those who can somehow last, whereas it is hard to make real friends in that way in adulthood. So I am quite blessed that in my adulthood I have made a few friends whom we still hang out with at times.

Today, I finally went for a haircut, to usher in the new year. And went to watch two movies consecutively, something I have not done in a long time! I foresee another busy day tomorrow, hopefully I can finally take a break from taking a break!

Christmas Is Here!

Merry Christmas everyone! This Christmas is a little different for me, because I get to see how others celebrate Christmas, as in, not my friends, but how a true Eurasian family celebrates Christmas as passed down from their ancestors.

In the past, my own family would have Christmas parties, and we would go to my uncle's place for fun, food and games, but now that my cousins have grown and some married, we do not really do that anymore. And my own group of friends do not really celebrate Christmas (but then again, they do not really celebrate Lunar New Year too), so I cannot really count on them to feel "traditional".

Christmas is big for Eurasians, and Catholics at that. It starts with the Christmas dinner on the eve, followed by midnight mass, then today (Christmas Day) there would be feasting and family visiting, where his relatives would go to his place for lunch and they may visit other relatives at night. His mum or aunt would cook and everyone would feast. Sounds like our Lunar New Year!

Last night I was at his place for dinner, and ate his mum's famous beef rendang. Then we went for midnight mass. It was only the third time in my life actually attending a midnight mass. Now I know why I do not really like midnight masses, because it is a normal mass, and secondly, it is very crowded as those who do not go to church for the whole year will suddenly turn up on Christmas midnight.

By the time it was eleven at night, the church was jam-packed. There were no more places to sit so we could only stand. Still it was a good sermon and the atmosphere was not too bad, especially with the pre-mass carolling by one of the choirs.

Today I have been invited to lunch at his place. Hopefully I will get to taste the famous Devil's Curry and Sugee cake. Looking forward to another day of feasting!

Have a great day everyone!

Sesame Street Collectibles ....

A certain provision chain has been having a Sesame Street promotion for the month of December. For every five dollars one spends, one can get the a Sesame Street character key chain. Anyway it is not that hard to spend five dollars. Just get chips and sodas, plus chocolates and one can easily get two characters already.

The first week was Cookie Monster and Elmo, followed by Bid Bird and Snuffle, then Grover and Oscar, and this week was Ernie and Bert. Thanks to my darling, I managed to collect all eight of them!

See? My own Sesame Street key chain collectibles, starting from Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bid Bird, Snuffle, Grover, Oscar, Ernie and Bert!

Thank you so much, darling!!!

Even Smartphones Have Limitations!

Positive : You finally got a smartphone so as to use it for everything.

Negative : You find that it cannot send to multiple recipients at one time, and you cannot use it to blog.

Double Negative : You realise you are stuck to the subscription for two years, otherwise you pay a heavy penalty. Hence, no downgrading, trading-in or exchanging.

What is the use of having a more advanced phone when in the end it cannot even perform all the functions I really need?! :-(

Last Working Day Of The Year!

My company will be closed for Christmas holidays on Christmas Eve onwards, all the way until the first working day of the New Year. This is the first time I have ever worked in a place where they actually close for Christmas.

The other companies I have worked in will mostly be closed for Chinese New Year (due to the big boss being Chinese), or else there is no holiday given at all, and we have to take our own vacation.

This time round, because the big bosses comprise of British, Italian, French, Australian and whatnot, Christmas is a bigger thing than Chinese New Year, hence the closure of the company. Just as well, then I can take a break for the rest of the year!

It is not a complimentary off though, three days will be deducted from our annual leave. But at least we are given complimentary whole days off for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. You take some, you give some.

Hence today is my last working day for the entire year! I will only be back in office next year. Hopefully this will be a really good Christmas!

A Little Gesture Goes A Long Way

After all the griping about not-so-good customer service, last night I encountered two incidents that got me really impressed. One was at the Jewel Box and the other was the cabby with whom we took the cab home.

As both of us needed to rush home after the dinner, we decided to hail a cab. So we went to the counter asking if we could call for a cab. The guy at the counter just whipped out his handphone and started texting, informing us he was calling a cab for us.

After that, he told us that the cab we called for had arrived, and personally ushered us to where the driver was waiting. I was really impressed!

Firstly, he need not use his personal mobile to do that, he could just call for a cab using their phone, or just say no and we call ourselves.

Secondly, after doing that and the cab arrived, there was a very long queue, so he need not personally usher us to where the cab was. He could have just told us the cab number and where it was and asked us to find it ourselves.

These are but simple little gestures, but they surely go out of the way to making a person feel warm and happy.

Now for the cabby. When we got into the cab, he apologized for making us walk, as he said it was too crowded at the entrance hence he had to go a bit further down. I just smiled and said no problem. He need not have said anything, but he did. A plus point.

Secondly, along the way to my place, it was easiest using the main highway, but because there was an accident there, the cab driver told us that he would be using another highway which would be a longer route to my place.

He then apologized and said it was due to an accident and if he took that route, there would be a massive jam. He need not have said that and could have just gone the longer route, which was what some cabbies would have done. Hence, another up for him!

When he dropped me off my place, he politely thanked us after we paid him. Suddenly I realize I left the Christmas gift my colleague gave me in his cab. So we called the cab company and the driver said that he was picking passengers in town, and would deposit the item at the Lost and Found department of the company where we would then make arrangement to collect.

However after a few minutes, I was told he could drop by my place to return me the item. And he did. I am really impressed. It is just a small Christmas gift my colleague gave me, nothing expensive or fancy, yet he took the trouble to swing by and return it to me.

I am really touched by his gesture. So this morning, I wrote a nice feedback about this cabby, commending him on what he had done, and expressing my immense gratitude.

True, customer service officers do need some improvement, but it is incidents like these that make one feel that there is still hope. And if everyone gives commendations and recognition when due, I am sure more people will feel appreciated and motivated to be nicer and kinder.

Pre-Christmas Celebration

There is this place around the western area of the island called Mount Faber. It is a favourite haunt for couples and families, especially when the cable car was still functioning. From the hill, it overlooks Sentosa island and the harbour on one side, and the hilly trees on the other.

I have always wanted to go there but never had a chance. Without a car, it is a bit inconvenient to go up there. And with cable car, it is a bit pricey. Hence, I never had the opportunity. Until last night.

The group of restaurants on top of Mount Faber, The Jewel Box, is having its annual Christmas show, consisting of the lighting of the world's tallest Christmas tree (as claimed), and a snow and light show. Now that the cable cars are being upgraded, free shuttles are provided at the harbour front up to Mount Faber. So we reserved a table for dinner yesterday.

It took less than ten minutes to reach the top. The exterior of the Jewel Box looks like an underground bunk where the soldiers do battle. I almost thought I could see a cannon in front of it!

Entrance of the Jewel Box

The free shuttle - stopped outside the waterfall

Close-up of the entrance of the Jewel Box

However when we stepped in, the interior looked chic and classy. The ground floor consists of a small tea room called The Diamond Chateau, and a private dining room called The Diamond Palace. In between these two rooms is the iconic restroom, so-called because apparently the restroom became the world's best restroom according to one French magazine (as displayed on the walls).

The Diamond Chateau

The restaurant we were going was called Sapphire, the alfresco casual dining place of The Jewel Box, where we can dine in open air in candlelight. Next to Sapphire is the more formal glass-enclosed candlelight dining area called Black Opal.

Entrance to the Black Opal

Christmas tree outside the Black Opal

The view from the second floor is spectacular!

Some views of the harbour from the second floor of the Jewel Box

The Sapphire restaurant leads out to a lawn behind the dining area. There is a shed that is the washroom, a decorated tree with thrones and a bell during Christmas and an open area consisting of a pavement and koi pond.

The Sapphire restroom

Decorative tree

The bell and thrones

View of the harbour at sun set

The Sapphire restaurant

Table setting

The Sapphire menu

My Jewel Club Sandwich

His Prawn Aglio Olio

We were there at seven, and the food came around half-past seven. The show started at eight - the lighting up of the tree, thrones and bell, the fake snow falling down, and the lighting up of the world's tallest Christmas tree (which unfortunately we were not able to see it from where we were sitting as it is outside the Jewel Box).

The "snow" falling down

Playing with "snow"

The decorative tree after it was lit up

The thrones at night

The bell at night

The thrones and bell together

We left around half-past eight. Since it was very crowded, we decided to hitch a cab. The staff at the ground floor was very helpful, he helped us call for a cab by texting it, and the cab arrived within five minutes.

While waiting, I took the opportunity to go into the iconic restroom, and I must say, it really does not look like a restroom!

The Christmas tree at the second floor landing

The Jewel Box at night

The waterfall at night

Can you believe this is a restroom?!

Sinks of the restroom

The toilet cubicle in candlelight

The sinks flanked by the night view of the harbour

Corridor leading to the entrance of the restroom

Unfortunately I missed the lighting up of the tall Christmas tree, but my dear managed to snap a picture of it. The tree is actually a telecommunications tower, and Christmas lights were put all over it, lighting up every few minutes. However the cab arrived then so I could not see how it lit up. :-(

Maybe next year I may come back for the Christmas show again, and dine at another restaurant, perhaps Black Opal!

The world's tallest Christmas tree (as claimed)

Of High Tea And Afternoon Tea

As mentioned in my previous post, I shall be writing about the difference between a high tea and an afternoon tea. A common misnomer is that high tea and afternoon tea is one and the same. I guess due to globalisation and the localisation of cultures, it is a thin line between high tea and afternoon tea.

However, I have always known these are two different concepts. I know afternoon tea is the English afternoon light meal of finger food and tea or coffee, whereas a high tea is an afternoon or early afternoon meal of buffet and heavier food.

It is only recently that I discovered the origins of both. In the past when England was one of the few developed countries, due to their weather and daylight savings in the summer, there would always be long hours between lunch and dinner. So lunch could be at noon whereas dinner could be at eight at night.

One noble lady invited her group of friends over to her home one afternoon. Knowing that they would be hungry by four, she arranged to have them eat light food like cakes, sandwiches and scones, spread with jam, butter and cream, accompanied by tea. Hence the concept of the afternoon tea was born.

Since then, the English afternoon tea has been a favourite activity amongst the ladies in the upper echelon of society. Perhaps that is how afternoon tea and high tea became mixed up, since it used to be only an activity of the higher strata in the social ladder.

But the real concept of high tea came about when the gentlemen of the upper echelon of society, meeting for poker and bridge, decided to have a very early dinner and then sit down and play.

They would meet at six o'clock, but that would be too early for dinner. Hence they called it tea, but it was served with fuller meals like meat and other kinds of food where the men could help themselves to. Hence the term meat tea, before it evolved to "high" tea.

Which is why afternoon tea is still served with sandwiches and savouries, whereas high tea is served with a buffet spread. Interesting! Maybe that is why I always prefer afternoon tea to high tea, due to its origins?

Afternoon Tea at Fosters

We went to Fosters English Rose Cafe yesterday, intending to do dinner, but since it was only around five when we reached there, we had the afternoon tea instead. Fosters is a quaint-looking little cafe, with the interior decoration of a little English village house. It has dim-lighting with wooden tables and chairs, and an alfresco area with a fountain. A pity I was not able to take any photos though!

We ordered the Devonshire Cream Tea, one of the classic English Afternoon teas. As typical of an English afternoon tea, there was a pot of either coffee or tea (where we both took English breakfast tea), scones, sandwiches and cakes, with butter, strawberry coulis and Devonshire cream as spreads.

Unfortunately, the savouries were served in a big plate. In a real English afternoon tea setting (like the one at the Courtyard of Fullerton Hotel), the savouries would be served in a three-tiered tray, with the spreads in individual jars on a separate tray. Tea would be in a pot, and there would be a jar containing sugar cubes and another jar of milk to go with the tea.

Fosters has a very creative menu in the format of a newspaper. On the front of back covers are articles on the history of Fosters as well as the etiquette of drinking tea, and inside is the full menu.

While waiting for our orders, I read the whole thing. I wonder if I am the only one who actually bothers to read things like that? Even when I was in McDonalds or KFC, whenever the paper covering the tray has an interesting article, I would read the whole thing. Most just cannot be bothered.

I found out the etiquette of drinking tea, as well as the difference between high tea and afternoon tea. I have always known these two are different, as I thought English afternoon tea is just that whereas a high tea consists of a buffet meal, but the origins are quite interesting, which will be left for another post.

Meanwhile, the tips to drinking tea are :

1. If you want to add sugar and milk into the tea, then stir it lightly with the spoon without touching the sides of the cup.

2. Always add in the sugar and milk later. Do not add in the milk first before pouring in the tea.

3. Always add in milk, not cream, as cream would be too heavy for tea.

4. After stirring, put the spoon down on the right side of the sauce below the handle of the tea cup.

5. Never drink the tea with the spoon in it, and never sip the tea from the spoon.

6. Hold the handle of the tea cup with your index finger, the thumb resting on the top of the handle and the middle finger below the handle. Clasp your last two fingers into your palm. Never hold the handle with the last two fingers pointing out.

7. When drinking tea, hold the tea cup with the saucer together (with the other hand). Never hold the tea cup and drink just like that. The saucer is to hold any spills just in case.

Customers First?

I was actually quite upset with my mobile service provider. As mentioned in my previous post, I pre-ordered an iPhone before it launched. When the text message came asking me to collect, I decided to wait until the crowd subsided before going.

Imagine my shock when just two days after that message, another message was sent, saying the phone was out of stock and I would be informed when the phone was in stock again. I was so mad! What happened to the one I reserved? So if the phone could just be sold to anyone, then why asked customers to reserve it in the first place?

I went down to the outlet and made enquiries. The customer service officer told me it was out of stock, and those on the reserve list would be "KIV-ed". Which means those who had already pre-ordered the phone have no priorities at all, because the priorities are for the walk-in customers!

Ridiculous! The reason why I pre-ordered the phone is so I would not have to walk-in and wait in line, as knowing how the locals function, many would probably camp overnight there just to ensure they were the first in line to get the phones! I never like to queue for anything, hence the convenience of reserving is so I would not get to queue like those who did not reserve!

So how could they then just sell the phone I reserved to just anyone who came in? Then why give the option to reserve in the first place? It would have been better to just state "first-come, first-serve", so as not to mislead!

The outlet manager was very apologetic and he asked me to put down my name and number, so I would be informed the moment the phone was back in stock. Which was what I did, and at least they kept their word and did inform me. This time round I did manage to get what I wanted.

I have always liked the customer service of my mobile service provider, which is why I decided to stick with them in the end even though I ever contemplated defecting. And at least even with hiccups, I was not really let down. One up to them!

Finally A Smartphone!

I have resisted a smartphone or blackberry for ages, simply because firstly, I have no patience to learn how to utilise a smartphone. Secondly, if I use a smartphone or blackberry, I will be expected to tie it up with my company's network system and I will then have no peace as anyone can get me anytime of the day be it via emails or messages. Thirdly, a smartphone or blackberry is too bulky for me, and I always like small and handy things!

However, when my mobile service provider finally started selling the iPhone at such an incredible rate, I simply cannot resist it anymore. I caved in. I pre-ordered the iPhone, hoping to collect it when it launched.

Unfortunately, within days of launching, I was told the 32S was out of stock island wide. What a letdown! To add insult to my injury, my dear has a cousin working in the company, so he got a iPhone for free! Talk about connections!

Last Friday, the company sent me a message saying the iPhone I ordered can be collected. So I quickly rushed down to get the iPhone. It was quite a long wait, so we went shopping for a while before going back. Just as well, because when we went back, our number was called.

In short, I changed my plan to a iPhone plan. For less than a hundred a month, I can get seven hundred minutes of talk time, five hundred text or multimedia messages, free calls to three numbers under the same network (luckily he is also using the same mobile service provider so we can call each other as many times and talk as long as we like for free!), auto-roaming, caller number display, and best of all, unlimited data bundle, which means I can surf internet, check emails and maybe even blog as long as I like without any extra charge! It is really an amazing deal! And all for just the price of less than a hundred for the phone!

So I thought better to grab the opportunity while it last. Hence after so long, I finally have a smartphone! I am still trying to learn how to use the phone, so it may be a while before I finally start using, but I am so excited about my new gadget!

Finally I can have a phone that not only calls, texts, take pictures, take videos, surf net, check emails, has an in-built GPS to check directions, acts like an iPod, and all by just touching the screen. I have always been behind technology, so this is considered another notch up for me!

Swan Lake

Last Friday we went to watch a full ballet. Swan Lake is this year's Christmas ballet event. The Singapore Dance Theatre always has major performances during Christmas seasons, by professional dancers. Last year was The Nutcracker.

It is the first time I actually watched a ballet performance with someone, in the past whenever I wanted to go for a ballet performance, no one was interested. Hence I went to watch The Nutcracker on my own last year, although it was not too bad a version.

Initially I asked him if he would be interested to go to watch a ballet performance, and he said why not? He had always wanted to watch musicals, operas, dance, etc. I was so happy when I heard that, so we went to the performance together.

Tchaikovsky had outdid himself again! I enjoyed Swan Lake more than The Nutcracker. The former is a love story, with more advanced dance steps (especially the thirty-two pirouttes, where the ballerina actually stretched one leg up in the air and twirled thirty-two times on tip toe with the remaining leg!), the latter is a Christmas fantasy story, more light-hearted.

Swan Lake is actually a folktale that originated from Germany. The prince came of age so the queen wanted him to choose a wife. He said he would only choose someone he loves. The queen gave him a crossbow as a birthday gift so he and his friends went hunting.

When they reached the lake, there were a flock of swans and cygnets swimming and waddling along. The biggest swan transformed into a beautiful woman. The prince was captivated by her and she told him that under a spell by an evil sorcerer, she had to be a swan by day and a woman by night. Only the vow of undying love could free her from the spell.

The prince started dancing with the woman, until the sorcerer came and fought him off. The prince declared his love for her and promised to free her from her spell.

The next day was the birthday party of the prince. The queen threw him a big bash and lined up beautiful ladies from all over the country as prospective matches, but he was not interested in any. Then the evil sorcerer (disguised as a noble) arrived with his daughter (disguised as the beautiful swan girl).

The prince was very happy and started dancing with her. He then told the queen that this was the girl he wanted to marry. The father of the girl (the sorcerer) asked the prince if he would declare undying love to her, and he said yes. Hence his vow to the swan girl was broken and she could not be freed. Just then, the prince realised his folly and he quickly ran out of the palace.

He went to the lake where he met the swan girl again. She forgave him for his folly. Just then, the sorcerer arrived and they started fighting. The prince managed to defeat the sorcerer and the girl was finally freed. The prince then declared undying love for her and they lived happily ever after.

Tchaikovsky wrote the ballet in four acts. Act I was the coming-of-age of the prince, with the birthday present from the queen. Everyone in court was busy preparing for the prince's birthday celebration.

Act II was at the lake, with the swans, and the prince dancing with the swan girl. Act III was back in the palace at the prince's birthday party, where he met the girl whom he thought to be the one he fell for, and they danced together. Act IV was back at the lake, where he realised his folly, defeated the sorcerer and got his girl.

This was really a great performance! Kudos to all the ballerinas and male ballet dancers! I hope next year's performance would be just as superb!

Christmas Shopping

Finally I have done my Christmas shopping! We had not gone on a date - as in a real date with just both of us, being together, enjoying each other's companies - for quite some time, so we decided to go for dinner and a show last night.

Hence we had dinner at Lucky Chicken Rice (still the same after all these years!) and roamed around Orchard area to shop. I initially wanted to get a glass for mysef, a drinking glass, you know, those kind of glass that is always used in milk or juice commercials? I love that glass! I had it once, then my grandma broke it, and since then I could never find the exact one again!

Anyway, we were walking around looking for that glass. We went to Marriott and took a look. There are many glasses, but not the kinds I am looking for. Same goes at Takashimaya. So we decided to look for gifts.

I was wondering what to get for his parents when we stepped into Marks & Spencers. Immediately a gift kit containing beautiful and intricate bottles caught my attention. There are four bottles in the kit, each with a different flavour. And the bottles are so pretty!

A check at the price showed that the gift kit is the perfect gift, hence I bought it and the sales person even wrapped it up nicely for me for free! So that is the gift for his mum. Now for his dad, I decided to give him a bottle of red wine.

So that concludes my Christmas shopping. As for what gift I will be giving him and my parents, those have already been prepared long ago!

Not A "Japanese" ....

I seem to notice that the default favourite food of the general local population here is Japanese cuisine. It is like each time someone asked me out for a gathering, they would always suggest Sakae Sushi, Sushi Teh or some other place that sells Japanese food.

Each time when I went for a date in the past, if the restaurant was not stated, the guy would automatically bring me to a Japanese place. Even my best friend and her hubby would suggest somewhere Japanese whenever I meet up with them (which is not as often as I would have liked nowadays).

Why, I wonder? Are there no other food here? What happened to all the other lovely cuisine around? There are lots of places to choose from, from French to American to Mediterranean to Italian to Modern European to Korean to Indian to Indonesian to local flare and whatnot. So why only stick to Japanese food?

I never had any inkling towards Japanese food. That is not to say I dislike it, I already said I am a glutton and I eat whatever that is on my plate. And I do go to eat Japanese food if the majority are of the consensus as I am not a party pooper. Afterall, food is food.

All I am saying is that, is there no other food to eat besides Japanese? Why always stick to the same places? My family is not too bad, we will try a variety except my parents still bend towards Chinese cuisine. But when I meet up with friends, automatically they will suggest Japanese, as if there are no other choices in the world.

I remember the first time Sakae Sushi opened here. My then-boyfriend, my best friend and I went for it, rather it was two against one (them against me), so I just followed. Then when I went for a (ex) colleague's gathering a few weeks after the Sakae meal, someone suggested Ichiban Boshi, and I was thinking, "Japanese food again?!"

Since then, everytime there was a gathering, majority would always be in favour of Japanese food. And almost every guy who asked me out automatically suggested Japanese food, as if they assumed I too liked it like so many others.

Which is why I never went out with them anymore! Those who stood out actually brought me to eat French food and other variety, without once mentioning Japanese. I always thought these are the ones who tend to have more passion for life, rather than those who are always stuck on the same thing.

That is not to say I totally hate Japanese food. I love Japan, I want so much to go back there again. I love the sushi, sashimi, bento, ramen, unagi, and sake I ate there last year. I love the culture and the country.

But I will never eat Japanese food in Singapore, save for a few good places that comes highly recommended by the Japanese themselves. In general (except for a few good ones), the quality of the Japanese food here cannot be compared to those in Japan.

At the risk of sounding too arrogant, nothing beats the Japanese food in Japan. The Japanese food here is simply disappointing in comparison. The pieces are so small, and not fresh enough. They are not cut properly, and most are tasteless. The sashimi here is not fresh and tender, the sushi is too small, the bento is awful, and the ramen tastes just like instant noodles.

Which is why I never like the Japanese food here. Ironically, those who frequent Japanese eateries are those who go Japan every year. I always wonder, after having tasted the best, do they really bear to eat Japanese food back here?

Having said that, there are a few places here which I like. One is the Aoki Yakitori at Gallery Hotel. Yakitori cooked to perfection, and the meat is tender and just right! Another is Yakiniku Daidomon, where it is a type of Japanese BBQ where raw meat is served and we have to cook it ourselves. That is always fun for me!

Another one is Ikoi Japanese Restaurant at Miramar Hotel. That is the Japanese restaurant my family (extended included) always goes to whenever our overseas relatives are in town. The food is as close to authentic as possible.

One more is this place at The Central (which I cannot remember the name). Good food, big servings and wonderful sake! Unfortunately, these are the places which most people will not go. They still prefer the likes of Sakae Sushi and Sushi Teh to please their palates.

For me, I still stick with the fact that Japanese food here simply does not cut it for me. I have Japanese colleagues who agree too, and that is already saying a lot about the quality (just like an Italian I know says our espressos and cappuccinos here do not make the mark as they taste like water, which is why I never drink coffee or the likes here but always drink it overseas).

So if I want authentic nice Japanese food, I will gorge myself the next time I go to Japan. Now that is real authentic good heavenly appetizing and mouth-watering Japanese food... but you are free to disagree!

Bookwork Deluxe : Le Cordon Bleu At Home

I have not done a book review for quite some time. I have said I would like to catch up on my reading, so in order to really get it done, I may be doing more book reviews henceforth. Anyway, this is not exactly a normal story book, but a cookbook, and my first attempt actually reviewing a cookbook.

I have been trying to whip up a full meal for ages, instead of various dishes here and there. So I referred to the cookbook of all cookbooks - Le Cordon Bleu At Home, written by the chefs and trainers of Le Cordon Bleu Paris itself and published by them too.

The book is divided into three sections - Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Every section has about a hundred recipes or so, and every receipe is a full meal, starting from the appetizer to the main course, ending with dessert. For instance, there is a Peach Mixed Fruit Salad, Duck Confit and Poached Pear in one recipe.

As expected, the famous Beouf Bugignon is under the Intermediate section. Although the beginners section looks to be a bit too advanced for me too! The prologue to the book includes kitchen skills, the different utensils, the different measurements, and every section also touches on how to bone poultry and how to remove all the innards of a fish.

In short, this is a chef's bible. If there is a cookbook you must have on fine dining, this should be the book. Afterall, every recipe lets you whip up a full meal, what can be better than that?

Partaking In The Traditional Tea Ceremony ....

In every (or almost) Chinese wedding ceremony, there will always be a tea ceremony, for the bride and groom to serve tea to their elders, and for them to receive tea from their youngers (is that the right word?). This is a custom that has been passed down from generation to generation.

I have no idea how this tradition came about, but as far as I know, long long time ago, when people got married, the way they celebrated their wedding was to have a tea ceremony, to signify they are now "of age" and could start a family of their own. The serving of tea is a sign of respect to the elders, and the younger ones look upon them as a sign of respect, hence would serve tea to them.

Traditionally, it was the groom who had to fetch the bride from her home, then they would serve tea to the groom's family. The elders would just sip the tea (not drink up in one gulp) to signify that they approve and accept the newest family member.

If any elder (especially the parents) did not receive or drink the tea, it would mean he / she did not approve of the new daughter-in-law, and that would be an insult to the new bride as it would mean she would start her new life badly.

Then three days later, the groom would bring the bride back to her parents' place (with lots of gifts, including a whole suckling pig), where they would then serve tea to her elders, and in turn being served tea by those younger.

[On a side note, the suckling pig must be whole, any part missing would deem that the bride was not a virgin when she married, which would then be a big insult to the bride's family, as it would indicate they did not bring her up properly.]

However, in modern context, the bridal couple need not wait three days to go back to the bride's parent's place. Hence in a wedding ceremony, the groom would fetch the bride, bring her back to his place for the tea ceremony, then go back to her place for the tea ceremony, before they proceed to their new home.

Some would go to their new home immediately after the tea ceremony at the groom's place, then after which the last stop would be the bride's parent's place for the tea ceremony. I used to question why the trouble? Why not just have the tea ceremony at the bride's place since it was the first stop, then move on to the groom's place?

But after that I found out, if the couple had the tea ceremony at her place first, it would mean he married into her family instead of the other way round. Hence, troublesome as it is, the groom still has to fetch the bride to his place first before going back to her place. Now all these is done in one day.

Modern couples (like some of my cousins) cut it even shorter by getting everything done at the hotel. Instead of the groom fetching the bride and whatnot, they would arrive at the venue, do the solemnisation, had the tea ceremony, then the reception. Everything at one go.

Another tradition is that when serving tea to elders, an unmarried lady is not allowed to be served tea. In fact, if the elder "sister" is still unmarried, then she is not even allowed to witness her younger "sister"'s wedding.

I always wonder why? Apparently it is a bad omen for an elder "sister" to witness a younger "sister"'s wedding, as it would deem that she is past her prime and will remain single. This only applies to women, not men. Men who are single and older than the couple are still able to be served tea by them. Unfair, right? But that is the way customs are, whether they make sense or not.

Hence I have never been able to be served tea whenever my younger cousins get married. I could only shake their hands and wish them the best. Last Sunday, my cousin insisted she wanted to serve me tea as she realised that all along I have been missed out.

My mum was apprehensive of course, but my aunt told her not to believe in superstition too much, so for once in my life, I got served tea by a younger "sibling" who got married before me! And I must say, the cup of tea tasted really sweet! I am not sure whether it is originally sweet or because I suddenly felt so "important" in that few seconds!

But it will not be long now when people are not able to serve me tea. Perhaps by the time the next younger cousin gets married, I will have the full right to be served tea by them, with someone else by my side perhaps?

Attending A Ball ....

The Eurasian Association is having a Masquerade Ball at the end of the year. Since I am now attached to an Eurasian, he invited me to the ball. I must say I am rather excited. This is the first time I am actually attending a ball, and a masquerade one at that! After all the stories I have read about old time balls and masquerades, finally I have the chance to attend one!

Which makes me wonder, why is it that the Chinese Association never comes up with such interesting things? They come up with things like calligraphy, Chinese painting, tea appreciation, etc. Why is it they never come up with things like ballroom dancing, salsa, latin dance, or even a formal dinner and dance?

Or is it because it is the general assumption that Chinese people like Chinese things, whereas all those balls and whatnot is only for descendants of Europeans? Then what about the English-educated Chinese who indulges in the Western way of life and cannot speak a word of Mandarin, yet they are still by default members of the Chinese Association by virtue of their race?

It would be good if we can choose, right? Oh well....

Dry Coughing ....

Have you ever have the sensation that something is stuck in your throat and you cannot seem to clear it? That was what happened to me for the past week. Initially it was flu, resulting in phlegm and runny nose. But after there was no more phlegm and runny nose, I was still coughing vigorously.

Even my mum commented I seem to be quite bad this time round, since normally I would be completely cured after just one or two days of medication. Yet I have finished the cough mixture and lozenges last Saturday, but still I was coughing.

And the cough I had was a lingering cough, as if there was a dust particle being stuck in my throat, and I just could not seem to get rid of it. The cough fluctuated, from small "ahem" noises, to loud vigorous cough like a pneumonic patient, as if my lungs were going to come out.

I had to take out my past cough mixture and more lozenges. Still, I continued coughing. My throat was hurting from all the coughing, but I could not help it as it was itchy and irritated. Each time I coughed it felt as if the "dust" was about to come out but did not.

Finally, I went to see another doctor yesterday. Suddenly I realised the previous doctor did not give me antibiotics. Charged me so much and did not give me anything to actually help?! So the doctor yesterday gave antibiotics, and after one day of antibiotics, with a stronger cough mixture, I seem to have recovered today. At least not much coughing anymore!

Thank goodness! This cough has been going on long enough, and I must recover, otherwise I cannot do my usual rounds of Christmas feasting!

Wedding At St Regis

My cousin's wedding at St Regis was a classy and intimate affair. Even though the couple claimed they kept it small, in the end the guest list was still about three hundred people, just on the bride's side! The groom's side had already been invited for the solemnisation at White Rabbit on Saturday.

My first impression of St Regis is that it kind of look like an office building. Somehow it does not give me the feel of a high-class hotel. When I stepped in, again, it feels like just a normal hotel, without the feel of a six-star hotel. It feels no different than Intercontinental or Hilton!

We first went into one of the rooms for the tea ceremony. The bride wore a beautiful embroidered red cheong sam for the tea ceremony. She looked really elegant in it! After the tea ceremony, we proceeded to the second floor to the ballroom for cocktails and lunch.

The bride had changed into a white lacy Victorian-like gown that looks one of its kind! The gown flatters her figure as well as her looks and she looks really gorgeous in it! At the reception, I found out where I would be sitting and was given a bag of confetti which was supposed to be thrown at the bridal couple but in the end it was not used.

The bag of confetti (rice)

The ballroom is a normal ballroom. Okay, what was I expecting? Somehow I would think St Regis ballroom would have a design of chic, class and grandeur, but it looks like any hotel ballroom. Which makes me wonder, what is all the hype if it is just a normal place? And yet people have to pay premium if it is just but a normal place!

Before lunch commenced, the emcee told us that the vase of flowers in the middle of each table was for us to bring home and use as Christmas decorations. A good idea actually, it saves the flowers from going to waste after the wedding meal. Hence my mum took home the vase at our table.

The vase of flowers

At our seats there was a beautifully-wrapped box, consisting of a home-baked cake specially baked in Ipoh, Malaysia, by one of the bride's relatives. Somehow she sent it over here from Malaysia, and each of the guests had the priviledge of taking back the cake in a special box created by the couple as a wedding favour. In order to preserve the cake, the baker kept it in brandy! Yum!!

Samples of the cake box

The bride then waltzed in with her brother, and her husband took over halfway, signifying their first dance as husband and wife. Then they went onstage to cut the wedding cake, which the emcee claimed was a real cake and the guests would get to eat it for dessert.

The table setting was exquisite though. When the meal started, I noticed that the dishes were being served individually to each person. At other wedding meals, the dish would be in a big plate or bowl in the middle of the table, and the waiter / waitress would then scoop up individual portions for everyone at the table, leaving some leftovers on the main plate.

Then whoever who finished the first round could help themselves to the second round. This way is more convenient to the serving staff, but the problem is there will be people who tend to eat more and those who tend to eat less. Then those who love the dish would end up hogging the dish all to him /herself, without leaving any / enough for the rest. Or else no one wants a second helping and there are quite a lot of leftovers.

Hence I find my cousin's idea of individual dishes very good. Everyone gets the same dish and the same amount, no complaints about who gets more and who gets less. No leftovers (or not much) so wastage is minimised. And the gourmet fine dining setting of the individual dishes look really good!

Everything is individualised, including the sauces and condiments. Everyone has a dish for sauce, chilli, nuts and whatnots. Everyone has two glasses of water and one glass where we can choose the wine.

But I must say the faint lipstick mark left on my water glass before I started drinking was a bit unbecoming of a hotel of this standard. The least the dishwashers can do is to ensure there are no marks left!

The food was good. There were only six dishes. Seems that the couple personalised the menu and the guests thoroughly (at least I know my family did) enjoyed the dishes!

The cup of tea

The dish of sauces and condiments

First dish - Eternal Combination Platter
(L to R : Thai Style Shredded Prawn with Spicy Mango Salsa, Roasted Pork Neck with Honey, Oven-Baked Salmon Skin in a glass)

Second dish - Braised Sea Treasures in Pumpkin Soup with Conpoy

Third dish - Steamed Fillet of Marble Goby with Stir-Fried Asparagus (on the right)
accompanied with Stir-fried King Prawn with Yellow Chives (on the left)

Fourth dish - Braised Sea Cucumber (right) with Mushroom and Spinach in Superior Sauce

There was a break after the fourth dish for speeches by the bridesmaid, the father of the bride and the couple themselves, while we toasted champagne, which was poured for us after the fourth dish. Then everyone toasted to the couple!

My bottle of champagne

Fifth dish - Crispy Roast Chicken with Fragrant Spices (left)
accompanied with Eternal Golden Fried Rice with Olives, Prawns and Diced Vegetables

Sixth dish (dessert) - Wedding Cake with Raspberry Coulis (left)
accompanied with Lemon Sorbet

By right, it was supposed to be a normal eight-course meal, but due to my cousin's planning and by combining a few dishes together, the meal shrunk to six courses instead. Clever idea, then the whole reception would not drag on too long! Hence instead of the normal three hours, we finished everything in just two hours!